A Present for Such as Have Been Sick, Text

A Present for Such as Have Been Sick · Text

p. 1The Good of Affliction.

Pſalm 119. 71.

It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy Statutes.

THough I appear not in the face of this Aſſembly as One riſen from the dead, yet as One raiſed from the very brink of the Grave, and am again ſent to Preach the Word of Life, the Goſpel of Salvation. Since I was laſt in this place, I have been brought very near to another World; and when I had a clearer view of it, I found that God was All; and that all this World was nothing, leſs than nothing and vanity. When Sickneſs lies heavy, and the laſt Enemy Death, ſeems entring in at the door; believe me, then it appears that Divine Favour is better than Life; the ſuccours of our merciful and faithful High-Prieſt the Lord Jeſus; the ſupports of his Grace; and that Peace of God which paſſes all underſtanding; are things of real and of the higheſt value. I did not know p. 2but that my Work and Life might be juſt ending; but that I might quickly be in that place, where I ſhould ſee Man no more; nor Preach any more the Word of Reconciliation. But behold! in Anſwer to the prayers of many, health is reſtored; and my Sickneſs will prove good both to me and you, if I am more ſincere in the exerciſe of; and you are more ſerious in your attendance upon my Miniſtry.

I have been Once and again brought back from the gates of Death; my obligation is increaſed to live more to God; and to endeavour to do more good to the Souls of men. I wiſh theſe ends of my life, towards the concluſion of it, may be attained more than ever. The dealings of God with me of late have been very remarkable; I deſire aright to regard the operation of his hands; and wiſely to conſider of his doings. He has come into my houſe with a Rod in his hand; and to one Member of my Family he gave a deadly blow; and others he has ſtruck down; though not quite; yet near to the Grave. I my ſelf have been of late twice ſeized with a Death threatning Malady; and am here before you all to accept the puniſhment of my iniquity; whereby infinitely worſe has been deſerved, than what I have undergone: I kiſs the Rod for the needful healing ſtrokes of it, which I have felt; and great reaſon I have to proclaim my Chaſtizers faithfulneſs and love; and how good 'tis for me that I have been afflicted.

p. 3In the words which I have read; theſe particulars are obſervable.

1. Here is an Exerciſe ſharp and ſore to Nature; and which will put Grace upon the Tryal, and prove the truth and ſtrength of it; and this Exerciſe is Affliction.

2. The Perſon thus exerciſed is the Pſalmiſt, who was both Saint and Preacher. Saints are afflicted, that they may be more throughly ſanctified: Preachers are afflicted, that they may Preach and labour to better purpoſe.

3. From whom came the Pſalmiſts Affliction? the Rod which he felt was in God's hand: To Him he ſpeaks in the Text; being ſenſible he had to do with God; and God had to do with him. Rods, though of ſins meriting; are of God's making: All bitter Cups, are of God's own mingling: the kind, the meaſure, the continuance of Affliction is of the Lord's own appointment.

4. The Iſſue of Affliction follows; it iſſued well in the Pſalmiſts trueſt good; it made him really better than he was before; therefore good for him indeed: It was medicinal to his Soul; the inward man was more renewed; heart and life both very much amended.

5. Here is a demonſtration; that Affliction was thus beneficial to him; becauſe in the School of Affliction he learnt God's Statutes better; he learned to prize them; for in the following verſe, he preferred them before thouſands of gold and ſilver: And thus looking upon them as an invaluable p. 4Treaſure, here is an intimation that he kept them, with a conſcientious and affectionate care and diligence.

I raiſe two Doctrines from the words.

The one is, That Saints are afflicted for their good.

The other is, That the Rod of God is a means to make his Word to be the better learned.

Doct. I. I begin with the firſt of theſe Doctrines; That Saints are afflicted for their good; they are the better and happier for being chaſtened; Job 5. 17. Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth; therefore deſpiſe not thou the chaſtening of the Almighty. Chaſtening is deſpiſed, if it be lookt upon only as a miſery; which has ſo great a tendency to promote our happineſs; Jam. 5. 11. Behold we count them happy which endure: Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have ſeen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy. Both theſe paſſages have Behold prefixed to them; they ſeem Paradoxes to carnal reaſon; but if the Eye of the Underſtanding be opened to look into the matter, it will be perceived that Affliction and Happineſs are not diſparata, which never meet in the ſame ſubject; the Saints are the more bleſſed the more they are corrected! That paſſage may be called a Threatning, becauſe Affliction p. 5is a puniſhment of Iniquity; and alſo a Promiſe, becauſe Correction ends in Amendment; Pſal. 89. 30, 31, 32, 33. If his Childrrn forſake my Law, and walk not in my Judgments; If they break my Statutes, and keep not my Commandments; then will I viſit their Tranſgreſſion with a Rod, and their Iniquity with Stripes: Nevertheleſs my loving-kindneſs will I not utterly take from him, nor ſuffer my faithfulneſs to fail.

In the handling of this Doctrine I ſhall,

Firſt, Demonſtrate the Truth of it by ſeveral Arguments.

Secondly, I ſhall ſpecifie what that good is which accrews to the Saints by Affliction.

Thirdly, Conclude with the Application.

In the firſt place I am to demonſtrate that Saints are afflicted for their good.

The Arguments demonſtrating this, are theſe.

1. Afflictions are of God's own ſending, whoſe goodneſs is manifeſted in the ſending of them. The Afflictions which the Saints feel, are ordered in Heaven for them. Job regards not ſo much the malice of Satan, nor the injuſtice and violence of Man, in that ſore Calamity which ſo ſuddenly fell upon him; but his Eye looks as high as God in it; Job 1. 21. The Lord has taken away; bleſſed be the Name of the Lord! Well may he be bleſſed; for the Lord ceaſes not to be good to his People when he takes a Rod into p. 6his hand to beat them. Afflictions in Scripture are compared to Waters; and theſe Waters come out of Paradiſe, and ſavour of it. Give me leave to ſearch the Springs of theſe Waters, and trace them to the Fountain head; and upon due ſearch it will be found that they flow from the trueſt love, the wiſeſt care, the greateſt faithfulneſs.

1. The Saints Afflictions flow from the trueſt love; Heb. 12. 6. Whom the Lord loves, he chaſtens; and ſcourgeth every Son whom he receives. Now Tokens of Love, are to be reckoned among the good things, not the evil. The Lord chaſtens his Children whom he delights in; that he may make them more lovely; and his delight in them may be the greater. Indeed in Nature 'tis otherwiſe; The ſame Fountain cannot at the ſame place ſend forth ſweet Water and bitter; Jam. 3. 11. Yet certain it is, that all the ſweetneſſes, and bitterneſſes of a Chriſtian, come from one and the ſame Fountain, the Everlaſting Love of God in Chriſt Jeſus.

2. The Saints Afflictions flow from the wiſeſt care. God cares for his People, and bids them caſt all their care upon him; 1 Pet. 5. 7. Caſting all your care upon him, for he careth for you. When Nebuchadnezzar's countenance was full of rage; and the three Children were threatned with a fiery Furnace ſeven times heated; they were confident of God's care; and had ſaid and ſtood to it; We are not careful to anſwer thee; but be it known to thee, we will not ſerve thy Gods, nor worſhip the Golden Image thou haſt ſet up; Dan. 3. p. 716, 18. God's care of them was great in this extreme peril. And he cares for all his Saints; their life, their health, their comforts are precious in his Eyes; and they ſhall not be toucht, but when neceſſity and conveniency calls for it.

3. The Saints Afflictions ſlow from the greateſt faithfulneſs. The Church in the very depths of trouble cries out, Great is thy faithfulneſs! Jer. 3. 23. I know, O Lord, ſays the Pſalmiſt, that thy Judgments are right; and that thou in faithfulneſs haſt afflicted me; Pſal. 119. 75. The Phyſicians faithfulneſs appears in giving very bitter Potions, which are a means to ſave the Patients life. Sharp Afflictions are often neceſſary to recever the health of the Soul; divine faithfulneſs is manifeſted in this method of recovery. This faithfulneſs of God debates with the Rod when it ſhoots forth, leſt it ſhould be too heavy, and rather make an end of, than mend his Children; Iſa. 27. 8. In meaſure when it ſhooteth forth thou wilt debate with it; he ſtayeth his rough Wind in the day of the Eaſt Wind: For if both theſe Winds ſhould blow together, the Saints might not be able to ſtand againſt them. That is the firſt Argument to prove the goodneſs of Affliction; it is of God's ſending; and in ſending of it, his love, and care, and faithfulneſs is manifeſted.

2. Afflictions are ſent with a deſign that afflicted Saints may be benefited. He does not afflict willingly, nor grieve the Children of Men: The Lord ſees they have need of it, and therefore they are in heavineſs: But when Affliction is as it were p. 8plowing upon the backs of the Saints; and long and deep furrows are made; the Lord at that very time is ſowing both light, and grace, and joy; and how plentiful will the Harveſt be! Pſal. 97. 11. Light is ſown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart; Heb. 12. 11. Chaſtening does yield the peaceable fruits of righteouſneſs to them who are exerciſed thereby. Earthly Parents are oftentimes tranſported with paſſion, and act after their own humour and pleaſure in correcting of their Children; and then their Children are rather provoked to anger, and diſcouraged, than amended. But hereby it moſt evidently appears; 'tis good for the Saints that they are afflicted; becauſe their Father, who is the Father of Spirits, does chaſtize his Children for their profit, that is, their ſpiritual profit and advantage; that they may be partakers of his holineſs; Heb. 12. 10. And the truth is, we are never more profited, than when we are moſt ſanctified.

3. The Afflictions of the Saints are diſpenſed to them through Chriſt Jeſus; therefore they muſt needs be good for them; for nothing comes to them through Him, that is otherwiſe. He has born the Saints ſins, ſo that they are neither condemned nor commanded by them: He unſtings death, before it ſeizes upon any of his Members; ſo that the venom and poiſon of death, which is ſin, is gone; and death without a ſting is not to be dreaded. And Chriſt has alſo born the Saints Sickneſſes and Infirmities; Mat. 8. 17. and ſo the cauſe of them is removed: God does not demand p. 9ſatisfaction to his Juſtice in the Afflictions of his People; for Chriſt by his Sufferings has made full Satisfaction. He does not exact Law Payment of them, for Chriſt was made under the Law, and fulfilled it, and bare the Curſe due to Believers for tranſgreſſing of it. The Blood of Jeſus Chriſt, how does it alter Afflictions! it turns them into profitable and healing Medicines! Oh Bleſſed Troubles, in which Chriſt himſelf Sympathizes with Souls that are troubled! Iſa. 63. 9. In all their Afflictions, he was afflicted, and the Angel of his Preſence ſaved them. 'Tis certain…y good to be in the Furnace, if the Son of God be there with us; to mitigate the heat of it, and to conſume the droſs only, while the Metal is ſecured, and purified!

4. Afflictions make the Saints Conformable to Chriſt their Head, and 'tis never better with the Members; than when there is the greateſt reſemblance in them to their Head and Lord. He was perfected as Mediatour through Sufferings. At length he ſuffer'd ſo much, that he cried out, It is finiſhed; he paid a full Price for his Churches Redemption; and made her Everlaſting Peace. His Members alſo muſt be perfected in Mortification and Holineſs by Sufferings alſo; theſe help to pull down Pride, and Self-confidence; to tame the Fleſh, and to check and kill the Affections and Luſts of it. Happy Afflictions! which make afflicted Believers more like to their Lord in whom they p. 10do believe! In Conformity to Chriſt lies our Excellency and Safety. This Conformity is in a ſpecial manner deſigned, Rom. 8. 29. For whom he did foreknow, he alſo did predeſtinate to be conformed to the Image of his Son, that he might be the firſt born among many Brethren. The Image of the Earthly Adam is our Shame, the Image of the Heavenly Adam is our Glory.

5. The Afflictions of the Saints are under a Promiſe that they ſhall work for good. The Medicines which the great Phyſician of Souls gives to Believers do Work well, as they are very proper, ſo very Effectual, Rom. 8. 28. We know ſays the Apoſtle, we are aſſured of it by Faith, and we find it true by Experience; That all things Work together for good, to them that love God; who are called according to his purpoſe. God himſelf will Work along with Calamities and Troubles of all ſorts, and bring forth much good out of the very worſt of them. They work upon the Hearts of the Saints, and better the frame and temper and Inclinations of them. They work upon their Tongues, and lay a Bridle upon them; and bring them under the Law of Holineſs, Love and Kindneſs; they work upon the Actions, making them more agreeable to that Rule, which whoſoever walk according to, Peace and Mercy ſhall be upon them. Nay Afflictions work no leſs than Glory, and when the Apoſtle conſidered the Weight and Eternity of that Glory, p. 11he made light of the heavieſt Afflictions; the Benefit is unconceiveably vaſt, that quickly is reaped from them, 2 Cor. 4. 17. For our light Affliction which is but for a Moment, worketh for us a far more Exceeding and Eternal weight of Glory. Not that Affliction and Suffering though for Righteouſneſs ſake, does deſerve this Glory, but it makes it the more Minded and Deſired, and is a means to make us meet for the Enjoyment of it; and the Promiſe is ſure, that if we ſuffer according to the Will of God, we ſhall alſo Reign with him.

6. Afflictions muſt needs be granted to the Saints, for they purge out the worſt evil of all; and that is Sin. Oh! foreign out of meaſure ſinful Sin! No Name ſo bad as thy own! No Evil ſo great as thou art! Let all the Calamities of the Earth, and all the Miſcries of Hell, be put into the One Scale together; and Sin into the other; as Sin is the Cauſe of them all, ſo it will outweigh them all. 'Tis the abominable thing which Gods Soul hates. 'Tis the great Evil and Enemy whereby Mans Soul is ruined. How much is Affliction good for! ſince 'tis a Soveraign means, whereby ſuch an Evil as Sin, is purged away, Iſa. 27. 9. By this therefore ſhall the Iniquity of Jacob be purged, and this is all the Fruit, to take away his Sin.

7. The Afflictions of the Saints are means to prevent their Eternal Sufferings in the other World. The Rod is of their Fathers own Appointment, p. 12to deliver his Childrens Souls from Hell. Preſent Caſtigation prevents Eternal Condemnation, 1 Cor. 11. 32. But when we are judged, we are chaſtned of the Lord, that we might not be condemned with the World. Not that, Sin has not ill demerit enough to make us obnoxious to Sufferings in both Worlds; not that Chaſtizement makes ſatisfaction for Tranſgreſſion: But it makes the Saints to fly to the Lord Jeſus, for the making up of all breaches between God and them; which Sin has made; and 'tis effectual to make them truly Humble and Penitent: Now Faith and Repentance have the Promiſe of Life annexed to them. Whoſoever believes on the Son of God, ſhall not periſh, but have Everlaſting Life, Joh. 3. 16. And Repentance is ſaid to be unto Salvation and conſequently not be repented of, 2 Cor. 7. 10.

8. Afflictions bring the Saints nearer to God; and to be near to Him, how good is it for them! Pſal. 73. 28. God expects a more ſerious ſeeking, and a nearer approach when he afflicts his People, Hoſ. 5. 15. I will go and return to my Place, till they acknowledge their Offence, and ſeek my Face; in their Affliction they will ſeek me early. And his People Anſwer his Expectation, Hoſ. 6. 1. They ſay, Come and let us return to the Lord, for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he has ſmitten, and he will bind us up. Afflicted Saints inquire after God, they come with their Penitential Acknowledgments; and deſire more fully to know wherefore it is that he Contends; p. 13that the ground of the Controverſie may be removed. It is meet that the Afflicted Saint ſhould ſay, and with his Heart he does ſay it unto God. I have born Chaſtiſement, I will not offend any more; that which I ſee not, teach thou me, if I have done Iniquity I will do no more, Job 34. 31, 32. All that is within him now yields unto God, and being melted in the Furnace of Affliction, he deſires to be caſt into the mould of his Word. Happy blows! which drive the Saints to God, and ſtrengthen their Reſolutions to abide with God! Thus have I demonſtrated that Saints are afflicted for their good.

In the Second Place, I am to ſpecifie that good which accrews to the Saints by Affliction.

1. One good conſequent of Affliction, is a greater Power of Spiritual Diſcerning. Prov. 29. 15. The Rod and Reproof give Wiſdom. If Mans Rod does ſo, then it follows, that the Rod of God does it much more. Gods Teaching accompanies his Chaſtning, and who Teaches like him? Afflictions clear the Eye of the Soul; ſo that it is more Single and Piercing. It ſees now plainly, through the deceitfulneſs of Sin. It ſees the Worlds emptineſs and Vanity, and an End of all its Perfection. It ſees the Subtilty of the old Serpent, and how much it concerns all neither to believe, nor follow him. It diſcerns the Inſufficiency, Weakneſs, and Wickedneſs of Self; and that 'tis neither to be truſted p. 14in, ſought, or pleaſed. It ſees the greatneſs of that Salvation which is in Chriſt; and what an All-ſufficient and Eternal Portion the Lord Jehovah is. And the Afflicted Saints Knowledge of all this, is more than Notional. He knows by Experience as well as Speculation the Evil of Sin; and the unſuitableneſs of the World is plain to his Spiritual Senſe, and ſo is the Power of the Grace of Chriſt. In Affliction, the other World opens, and the Eye looks into it; and what a Cypher then is this whole Globe of Earth and Waters! The Apoſtles outward Man periſhed: He was exerciſed with Affliction; and what clear views had he then of things unſeen? 2 Cor. 4. 16, 18. For which cauſe we faint not, but though our outward man periſh; our inward man is renewed day by day. While we look not at the things that are ſeen, but at the things that are not ſeen; for the things that are ſeen are Temporal, but the things that are not ſeen are Eternal.

2. Another good Conſequent of Affliction, is a more Pure and tender Conſcience. How great a Miſery is it to have a ſtupid Conſcience, that is without or paſt feeling! When a man has all his own Guilt, and the Wrath of God abiding upon him; not a Promiſe in the Bible belonging to him, all the threatnings full charged with Curſes and Woes, juſt ready to be diſcharged at him: And He himſelf is upon the very brink of Hell, juſt ready to tumble in every Moment; and yet is altogether unſenſible p. 15of any danger! Such a ſenſeleſs Conſcience is a deadly Sign; it argues Spiritual Death to have full Power; and Eternal Death to be at the door; In the depths of Deſpair there is more Probability of Salvation; than in the heighth of Preſumption. But Affliction ſtartles the Conſcience, how quick is its Sight and Senſe then! The Saints have recourſe to the Blood of Chriſt to purge their Conſciences from all the Dead works in which they have been formerly employed. And that Blood is ſufficient for their Purgation and Peace, Heb. 9. 14. How much more ſhall the Blood of Chriſt, who through the Eternal Spirit offered up himſelf without Spot to God; purge your Conſciences from dead Works, to ſerve the Living God! And afflicted Saints are exceedingly afraid of making new wounds in their Conſciences, ſince the Smart of former wounds in their Spirits was ſo intolerable, Lam. 3. 19, 20. Remembring my Affliction and my Miſery, the Wormwood and the Gall; my Soul has them ſtill in remembrance and is humbled in me.

3. Another good Conſequent of Affliction, is the Mortification of the Sin of Pride. Pride is a Sin hateful to God, it ſtrikes at his Glory which God aims at in every thing he does. And Pride is very hurtful to man, 'tis the hindrance of the Help which Divine Grace affords; for God who gives Grace to the Humble, inſtead of aſſiſting does reſiſt the Proud, 1 Pet. 5. 5. And this Pride is the forerunner p. 16of falls into Sin and Ruine, therefore ſays Solomon. Pride goes before Deſtruction and an haughty Spirit before a fall The Lord cannot endure this Pride in his Saints, and Affliction is ſent to kill it: The Troubles which the Iſraelites met with in the Wilderneſs, when they were encountred with Fiery Serpents and Scorpions, and Drought; and many other Calamities, the end of them all was to Humble them and Prove them, and to do them good in the latter end. Deut. 8. 15, 16. A Saint who comes out of the Fire of Affliction with a Meek and humble Spirit; his high Conceits and Thoughts of himſelf all caſt down; ſeeing himſelf to be nothing, but what he is by the Grace of God; this man looks like Silver coming out of a Furnance of Earth purified ſeven tunes, and what a ſhining brightneſs and luſtre is upon him.

4. Another good Conſequent of Affliction is a more perfect Subjection of the whole Man to God. There is a Submiſſion to Him, by a Penitential Acknowledgment of Offences againſt him, and juſtifying of him in his ſevereſt Diſpenſations, Neh. 9. 33. Howbeit thou art juſt in all that is brought upon us, for thou haſt done Right, but we have done Wickedly. There is a Submiſſion to his Righteouſneſs, a great ſenſe, that 'tis by the Righteouſneſs of One onelyonly the ſecond Adam; that the Free Gift comes upon all that are in him unto Juſtification of Life. Rom. 5. 18. So Rom. 10. 4. Chriſt is the end p. 17of the Law for Righteouſneſs to every one that believeth. There is likewiſe a Subjection of Body and Soul unto the commands of God, which reach the whole man, and require ſervice from the whole. And Affliction quickens Deſires after Grace, to keep theſe Precepts better; ſo that there may not be a wandring from them, Pſal. 119. 10. With my whole Heart have I ſought thee, oh let me not wander from thy Commandments. Sin's ſervice becomes more irkſome, the Law of Sin more grievous; but the Lords ſervice is accounted Liberty and Life, Rom. 6. 22. But now being made free from Sin, and become Servants to God, ye have your Fruit unto Holineſs, and the end Everlaſting Life.

5. Another good Conſequent of Affliction is greater Exactneſs and Spirituality in Duty and Obedience. Affliction cauſes Saints to Eye their Hearts more, which God does Eye Principally. Lip Labour, Bodily Exerciſe, outward Ceremonies; are perceived to be, when alone, altogether inſignificant. Afflicted Saints give God their very Hearts: The Strength and Vigour of their Spirits and Affections: 'tis very evident to them, that He alone is Worthy of them. And Chriſt, not Self, has their Confidence, Phil. 3. 3. We are the Circumciſion, who Worſhip God in the Spirit; rejoice in Chriſt Jeſus, and have no Confidence in the Fleſh. Afflicted Saints lift up their Souls to God; in p. 18his hand they are ſafe, and this is the Way to have them ſatisfied and fill'd with Joy, Pſal. 86. 4. Rejoice the Soul of thy Servant for unto thee O Lord do I lift up my Soul. Duties to God are performed with more Grace, and Duties to Man are done with a greater regard unto God Himſelf. Gods Approbation is more minded; and the Eye being ſingle looks not ſo much at other things, but aims at this, that God in all things may have Glory; which indeed of Right appertains to Him.

6. Another good Conſequent of Affliction is a more full and compleat Victory over the World, and ſilencing the God of it. When Sickneſs ſeizeth upon the Saints; the Love of the World is hereby ſtruck more dead. The World is out of Countenance, and aſhamed now to appear; it's alluring Power and Charms are all gone. And Satan the God of it, does not ſo much care now to offer it. Mammon can neither cure the diſeaſed Body, nor eaſe the afflicted Mind. Affliction takes off the fine Mask upon Mammons Face, and then 'tis plainly ſeen how ſorry a Maſter he is; and how poor all his ſtore. The World cannot yield true Contentment to any, for that little while they are the Inhabitants of it; and can any thing of this World be carried away into another World? Ah no! 1 Tim. 6. 7. For we brought nothing into this World, and 'tis certain we can carry nothing out. He that has moſt of the World, p. 19what is it all to him, when he is leaving the World and all behind him?

Suppoſe the greateſt Poſſeſſour of Earthly Riches, lying upon a Death-bed; in his fainting Fits, and dying Agonies; lay ſome baggs of Gold upon his Pillows, bring in the ſweeteſt Conſort of Muſick, ſhew him the coſtlieſt Raiment he ever …wore; let a Table be ſpread and furniſht with the choiceſt Dainties, and let the greateſt Beauties ſtand by him, proffering themſelves and their ſervice to him. Alas! Alas! what's all this to a Man that is breathing out his laſt Breath; and ready to appear and give an account of himſelf unto the Judge of all? Affliction gives a ſmart Admonition, that this World is to be contemned in Compariſon of the better and enduring Subſtance. Satan, notwithſtanding his Subtlety, is eaſily baffled in Affliction; think ſeriouſly of Death and Judgment; and all that He offers is juſt nothing; though he ſhould make as large an offer, as he did to Chriſt in the hour of his Temptation, when he ſhewed him all the Kingdoms of the World and the Glory of them.

7. Another good Conſequent of Affliction, is an Increaſe of Grace, and an abundance of the Fruits of Righteouſneſs. Wicked men receive not Correction, being put into the Furnace, they are found, and rejected as Reprobate Silver; but the Correction of the Saints, is p. 20the Probation, Augmentation, and evidencing of the Grace of God in them. Faith is tried, and by trial is ſtrengthned, Patience, Experience, Hope augmented, Rom. 5. 3, 4, 5. Tribulation worketh Patience, Patience Experience, Experience Hope, and Hope maketh not aſhamed, becauſe the Love of God is ſhed abroad in our Hearts by the Holy Ghoſt which is given to us. The Lords tender Compaſſions towards his afflicted Children, exceedingly endears him their Father to them! His gracious Viſits, His ſtretching forth his own Everlaſting Arm for their Suſtentation, when ready to ſink under their Burthens; His remembring Mercy in the greateſt Severity, His being within call, and readineſs to hear and help; fills their Hearts with Love, and Reſolution to live and cleave to him. With how much Tenderneſs and Compaſſion, does the Lord expreſs himſelf towards his afflicted ones! Pſal. 69. 33. For the Lord heareth the Poor and deſpiſeth not his Priſoners. And Pſal. 22. 24. For he hath not deſpiſed nor abhorred the Affliction of the afflicted, neither hath he hid his Face from him; but when he cried unto him he heard.

Saints are great gainers by Affliction, becauſe Godlineſs which is great Gain, which is profitable for all things, is more powerful than before. The Rod of Correction by a Miracle of Grace, like that of Aarons, Buds and Bloſſoms, and brings forth the Fruits, of Righteouſneſs, which are moſt excellent. A rare ſight it is indeed to ſee a man p. 21coming out of a bed of Languiſhing, or any other Furnace of Affliction; more like to Angels in Purity, more like to Chriſt who was Holy, Harmleſs, Ʋndefiled, and ſeparate from Sinners; more like unto God himſelf, being more exactly Righteous in all his ways, and more exemplarily Holy in all manner of Converſation.

8. Another good Conſequent of Affliction, is an high eſteem of Time, and affecting Apprehenſions of Death, Judgment, and Eternity. Affliction brings Death within view. Jobs Calamity makes his Mortality much thought of; the things of the World had left him; he ſpeaks as a man juſt ready to leave the World, Job 17. 1, 13, 14. My Breath is corrupt, my Days are extinct, the Graves are ready for me. If I wait the Grave is my Houſe, I have made my Bed in the Darkneſs. I have ſaid to Corruption, thou art my Father; and to the Worm, thou art my Mother and my Siſter. He claims kindred to the Worms and Corruption, Death was moſt familiar to his Thoughts; and in his Imagination, the Grave was his Bed already.

Now at Death the Saints conſider, that Time comes to a full ſtop; and Judgment will follow, and fix them in Eternity. It is of great uſe to us; when our Thoughts dwell in Eternity, before we our ſelves enter upon Eternity; this makes an Holy and Happy Eternity infinitely deſireable in our Eyes! And how do we look unto Jeſus! through p. 22whom Eternal Life is given! and with what Circumſpection is the way of Holineſs walked in, which ends in Life Everlaſting! Rom. 6. 22, 23. Affliction awakens the Saints care, to improve Time, to work while 'tis day; for it will be too late to work, when the Night is once come; and how are they concerned, that there time be not ended, before Eternity be well provided for!

9. Another good Conſequent of Affliction, is Serious Diligence to make the Calling and Election ſure. When Affliction finds us at uncertainties in reference to our Spiritual State, our doubts and fears are amazing and tormenting. 'Tis ſad for a man to look upon himſelf as dying, and then to ſay,

O animula vagula blandula,

Quae nunc abibis in loca?

O my Soul thou art departing hence, but whither, oh whither art thou going? What is like to be the place of thy Eternal abode, which muſt never be changed? To be dying and doubting at the ſame time is very ſad, though we are really never ſo ſafe. What is a well grounded Evidence of the Love of God in Chriſt, worth upon a bed of Sickneſs? How valuable and comfortable the Spirits Teſtimony concerning our Adoption! Now Affliction puts the Saints upon a more ſtrict and impartial Self-examination; and upon a more thorow and perceivable turning unto God, Lam. 3. p. 2339, 40. Wherefore, doth the living man complain, a man for the Puniſhment of his Sins? Let us ſearch and try our ways and turn unto the Lord our God. Affliction makes that Admonition of the Apoſtle to be heeded, 2 Pet. 1. 10, 11. Wherefore the rather Brethren give diligence to make your Calling and Election ſure; for if ye do theſe things ye ſhall never fall: For ſo an entrance ſhall be adminiſtred to you abundantly into the Everlaſting Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jeſus Chriſt.

When once a Chriſtian has attained unto a Senſe and Aſſurance of the ſavour of God; how prepared is he for whatever may befall him! He can lie eaſie upon a Sick-bed; becauſe his God makes his Bed for him, Pſal. 41. 3. The Lord will ſtrengthen him upon the bed of Languiſhing; thou wilt make all his Bed in his Sickneſs. Nay the preſence of his God makes him fearleſs in the gloomy Valley of the Shadow of Death, Pſal. 23. 4. Though I walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me.

10. Another good Conſequent of Affliction, is ſpiritualized Affections, and a Converſation more in Heaven. Saints are caſt down by Affliction, that they may riſe with Chriſt and feel the Power of his Reſurrection more. That's a leſſon, which every Rod is ſent to teach, Col. 3. 2. Set your Affection on things above, and not on things which are upon the Earth. The harder the Ball is flung to the ground, it rebounds the higher; when p. 24God flings a Saint down with a mighty Hand, his Heart ſhould rebound higher towards Heaven, imitating thoſe excellent and faithful Ones; who confeſſed they were ſtrangers and Pilgrims on the Earth, who declared plainly they ſought a better Countrey, than any Countrey on Earth, becauſe they ſought an Heavenly Countrey. And God was not aſhamed to be called their God, for he prepared for them a City. Heb. 11. 13, 16.

The Pſalmiſt was very much helped towards Heaven by Chaſtiſement, Pſal. 73. 14. All the day long (ſays he) have I been plagued, and chaſtned every Morning. And though for a while Temptation prevailed, yet at length his Thoughts and Eyes are fixed right, upon that Glory promiſed to ſuch as give up themſelves to God, and to be guided by his Counſel, V. 23. 24. Nevertheleſs I am continually with thee, thou haſt holden me by my right Hand. Thou ſhalt guide me with thy Counſel, and afterward receive me to Glory. Afflicted Saints ſtudy and endeavour to ſhew forth the Power and Vertue both of their Lord's Death and Riſing again. How profitable is it to Dye, and to be Crucified with him! to be Dead to the World and all the Evil of it! And how Sweet and Pleaſant is it to riſe with him, and by earneſts and foretaſts of Glory to ſit with Him in Heavenly Places. Eph. 2. 4, 5, 6. But God who is Rich in Mercy for the great Love, wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in Sin hath quickned us together with Chriſt, p. 25(by Grace ye are ſaved:) And hath raiſed us up together, and made us ſit together in Heavenly Places in Chriſt Jeſus.

How great and good are theſe Conſequents, which follow upon Affliction!

I come in the laſt Place to the Application.

And ſhall begin with ſome Corollaries drawn from the Doctrine.

If Saints are afflicted for their good,

1. Hence we may inferr, Afflictions are not Sings of Gods hatred, rather Tokens of his Love, They are the Lot of the Righteous. Pſal. 34. 19. Many are the Afflictions of the Righteous, but the Lord delivereth them at length out of them all. They are trained up under the Yoak; and bearing it well, is greatly beneficial. Man is born unto Trouble, as the ſparks fly upward. Troubles like ſparks of Fire are innumerable, which fill the few days of the Life of Man. But thoſe who are born again uſually have more troubles than other men. God cares for them, Hedges up their way with Thorns, which they may be afraid to break thorow; into Paths which are deſtructive. Hoſ. 2. 6. Therefore, behold I will Hedge up thy way with Thorns; and make a wall, that ſhe ſhall not find her Paths. Happy Saints in their Afflictions! who have both a Thorny Hedge, and alſo a wall p. 26between them, and the broad Road which leads unto Eternal Perdition!

The Saints make an ill Comment upon their Afflictions, when they ſay, God cares not for them, nor how he deals with them. Several of them have born the Yoak in their Youth, and have ſtill carried it to their Graves. It is ſaid of One who lately died, that upon his Death-bed being asked, How long he had been ill? made this Reply, that he had been ill for fifty Years together. Chriſt was a Man of Sorrows, and yet the Son of Gods Love. You may be very much beloved of God, and yet be very much and often acquainted with griefs.

2. Saints in their Afflictions ſhould not be cenſured becauſe afflicted. Holy Job, was ſtript naked, and deprived of all that he had; and was ſmitten in hi… Perſon from Head to Foot; yet he was truly and eminently good, and under all theſe Evils held faſt his Righteouſneſs and Integrity. His Cenſorious Friends were blame-worthy in concluding him an Hypocrite, becauſe of his Sufferings. He had a greater underſtanding in the things of God, a ſounder Judgment, and more Grace in his Heart than they. The excellent young Elihu ſpake right indeed, when he pronounced Job, a man to be juſtified as to his State, Job 33. 32. But he blames him becauſe in vindicating himſelf, he ſpoke that, which too much reflected upon God himſelf, and therefore tells him, Job 34. 23. That God will not lay upon any Man, not upon p. 27the beſt of Men, more than is Right, that he ſhould enter into Judgment with God.

But as for the other three Friends of Job, who judged Job unſound in his Religion, becauſe of Gods heavy hand upon him; they are very ſharply rebuked. The Lord owns his Servant whom they had ſo cenſured, Job 42. 7. The Lord ſaid to Eliphaz the Temanite, my Wrath is kindled againſt thee and againſt thy two Friends, for ye have not ſpoken of me the thing that is Right, as my Servant Job. And they are commanded to make uſe of Job as an Interceſſour for them, that they might not be dealt with according to their Folly. To cenſure a Saint is ill, but to cenſure him in Affliction, and only becauſe of Affliction is worſe, becauſe this adds ſo much to his Affliction.

3. There is no ground or reaſon for impatience in the Saints, whatever Afflictions are their Exerciſe. It may be a check to impatience, to conſider, the very beſt have deſerved worſe a thouſandfold, than ever they have ſuffered, but the moſt effectual Remedy againſt Impatience, is the Conſideration of the Profit of Affliction. Why ſhould Saints repine and murmur at that which is ſo good for them? When their Father is humbling, purifying, and healing of them; when he is carrying on the good Work begun in them, towards greater Perfection; why ſhould they count themſelves hardly dealt with? The Father of Spirits, is not like the Fathers of our Fleſh, Will and Humour p. 28appears in their Corrections; but He gives not a blow, but what is for his Childrens Profit. Heb. 12. 10. And why ſhould any be impatient at their being Profited and Advantaged? Conſidering the bleſſed iſſue of the Saints Troubles; they ſhould be born with all thankfulneſs; for ſanctified Afflictions are great Promotions, and hereby mighty advances are made in Heavens way.

4. 'Tis unreaſonable for the Saints, becauſe of their Afflictions to queſtion Divine Providence, or to conclude that Religion is vain. The Pſalmiſt under the Rod and Temptation together, was ready to draw ſuch Concluſions. Continued chastning made him to think of God, and to ſpeak of Religion unbecomingly and indeed impiouſly. He was ſo foiled by the Tempter, that his Feet were almoſt gone; and 'twas hard for him to recover; ſtrange kind of Language he utters, Pſal. 73. 10, 11, 12, 13, 14. Therefore his People return hither, and Waters of a full Cup are wrung out to them. And they ſay how doth God know, and is there Knowledge in the moſt high? Behold theſe are the ungodly, who proſper in the World, they increaſe in Riches; Verily I have cleanſed my Heart in vain and waſht my hands in Innocency; for all the day long have I been plagued and chaſtned every Morning.

But at length the Pſalmiſt comes to himſelf, V. 15. If I ſay, I will ſpeak thus: behold I ſhould offend againſt the Generation of thy Children. And p. 29he gives himſelf very bad Words, but ſuch as his yielding ſo far to that Temptation very well deſerved. V. 21, 22. Thus my Heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my Reins, ſo fooliſh was I and ignorant: I was as a beaſt before thee. But he is cured of his brutiſhneſs, and ſpeaks like a Saint, expreſſing deſires after God above all things in Heaven and Earth; concludes it good to draw near to God, and rejoices in him as the Strength of his Heart and his Portion for ever.

Suppoſe a Saint never ſo much afflicted; yet to be, and continue a Saint, is certainly good for him, and a wiſe part in him. Job when ſitting upon the ground among the Aſhes, full of Boyls, and Scraping himſelf with a Potſheard, was ſtill dear to God. And ſo was Lazarus lying at the Rich mans Gate; deſiring to be fed with the Crumbs which fell from the Rich mans Table. Saints under the greateſt Troubles can't be miſerable; for God is Theirs, and They are His ſtill; and theſe very Troubles do promote their Holineſs and their Happineſs.

5. The Proſperity of the Wicked, and their Freedom from Affliction, ſhould not raiſe the Saints Envy. Saints are frequently tempted to envy the wicked their good things, and ſometimes this Envy has prevailed, and has been their fault and failing; it has proved their great both Sin and Torment, Pſal. 73. 3. I was Envious at the Fooliſh, when I ſaw the Proſperity of the Wiched. That Caution p. 30is but needful, Pſal. 37. 1. Fret not thy ſelf becauſe of evil doers, neither be thou envious at the Workers of Iniquity. For a man that is made wiſe to Salvation, to be envious at the Fooliſh; for a man that is enriched with Grace, to be envious at the Workers of Iniquity, becauſe of their Proſperity; there is no Reaſon at all for it. Alas! this Proſperity of theirs is greatly to their Prejudice, and helps forward their Perdition, Prov. 1. 32. The turning away or the eaſe of the ſimple ſhall ſlay them, and the Proſperity of Fools ſhall deſtroy them. And this Deſtruction is haſtning, and comes unexpectedly, ſuddenly, and ſo the more unavoidably upon them, and 'twil be utter and Eternal Deſtruction, Pſal. 73. 17, 18, 19. Until I went into the Sanctuary of God, then underſtood I their End. Surely thou didſt ſet them in ſlippery places, thou caſteſt them down into Deſtruction: How are they brought into Deſolation as in a Moment, they are utterly conſumed with terrours!

The greateſt Wealth and Glory of the Ungodly; conſidering how ſoon 'twill end, and what will follow when it ends; ſhould not ſtir our Envy, but rather our Pitty and Compaſſion; for they walk in a vain ſhew full of vain Confidence, till their Feet go down to Death; and their ſteps take hold of Hell.

6. To be Incorrigible under Affliction is inexcuſable. As 'tis good for Saints to be afflicted, ſo all ſhould be bettered by Affliction. 'Tis a great p. 31Aggravation of Sin to ſmart and bleed and groan, becauſe of it, and yet ſtill to Love it. If Saints are afflicted for their Good; when Sinners are afflicted, a great price is put into their hands, which may be improved to an Eternal Advantage. In Proſperity, the Ungodly are uſually hardned in Pride and Earthlineſs, and Wickedneſs, and Senſuality; the Lord not rebuking them, nor preſently executing Sentence againſt their Evil Works, they are apt to think Him altogether ſuch an one as themſelves. Pſal. 50. 21. and that he diſlikes Sin no more than they do. Whereupon their Hearts are fully ſet in them to do Evil, Eccleſ. 8. 11.

But when wicked Ones are viſited with Troubles, and they feel the ſmart of the Rod; God is really very near them; and if they would but cry to him with their Hearts; how readily would he hear and turn them to himſelf, and turn his anger away from them! Jer. 31. 18. I have ſurely heard Ephraim bemoaning himſelf thus; Thou haſt chaſtiſed me, and I was chaſtiſed; as a Bullock unaccuſtomed to the Yoak; turn thou me and I ſhall be turned, for thou art the Lord my God. And according to his deſire, he was turned and inſtructed, he obtained ſure Mercy, and became a dear Son, a pleaſant Child, notwithſtanding all his former foul Sins and reproachful Abominations, V. 19, 20. But when Sinners are ſmitten in vain; and receive no Correction: Nay like Ahaz in their Affliction treſpaſs yet more; this Argues a great Love to Sin: p. 32and the more provokes the Lord to Jealouſie and Indignation. Judah was ſtrangely fond of, and wedded to their Idolatry and other Wickedneſs, when the Soreſt Judgments could not be a means to divorce them from it, Jer. 5. 3. O Lord are not thine Eyes upon the Truth? Thou haſt ſmitten them, but they have not grieved, thou haſt conſumed them, but they have refuſed to receive Correction, they have made their Faces harder than a Rock, they have refuſed to return. 'Tis the highth of Madneſs to be Sins Martyrs, and not only to ſuffer trouble in this World; but for the ſake of it, to venture burning in Hell for evermore!

7. How great is the goodneſs of God, who can make the Evil of Affliction to Work for good to his People! 'Tis the Phyſicians great art ſo to temper Poyſon, as to turn it into a powerful and wholeſom Medicine. What is Evil in it ſelf, and evil, and Deſtructive to Nature, God does make it become very good to the Saints, and to further the work of Grace in them. How ſecurely may ſuch a Gracious God be relied on! who can make the worſt things, a Saint meets with in this World, to prove Helps and Advantages! This goodneſs of God is firmly to be believed, admired, and confided in; and conſidering the greatneſs and freeneſs of it, too much cannot be expected from it. Much of it is manifeſted, and laid out at preſent, and much more is laid up for the Saints in the other World, Pſal. 31. 19. Oh how great is thy goodneſs which thou haſt laid up for p. 33them that fear thee, which thou haſt wrought for them that truſt in thee, before the Sons of Men! If the goodneſs of God turns Evil into Good; what may be expected from the good things he gives his People! how much good ſhall they do them! how beneficial ſhall the Miniſtry of the Word, Holy Ordinances; and the Priviledges of the Sanctuary prove to the Saints! Pſal. 65. 4. Bleſſed is the man whom thou chooſeſt, and cauſeſt to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy Courts; we ſhall be ſatisfied with the goodneſs of thy Houſe even of thy Holy Temple.

8. Saints are exceedingly culpable and to be blamed, when after Affliction they decline, inſtead of growing better. It argues Corruption very ſtrong when Affliction does not purge it out. Folly is but too faſt bound up in the Heart; that the Rod of God does not drive it away. Gods Love is accompanied with Jealouſie; let Saints therefore be jealous of themſelves, leſt after Affliction their Hearts deal treacherouſly and prove unſtedfaſt.

Good Hezekiah was Sick, and had the Sentence of Death pronounced upon him; but he falls a praying hard, and weeping ſore; his Tears deörſum fluunt, ſed coelum petunt, fell to the Ground, but Heaven is affected at ſhedding of them. He is heard, he is ſpared, he is healed; and brought into the Houſe of God, when he expected to have been carried to the Grave. And ſuch a Sign was given him, to aſſure him of going to the Temple; p. 34as amazed the World, the Sun in the Firmament went ſo many degrees backward. Now how much Faith, Humility, Gratitude, Obedience, might have been expected from ſo good a man, to whom ſuch ſingular goodneſs had been manifeſted! But Alas! Hezekiah rendred not again according to the Benefit done to him, for his Heart was lifted up; therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jeruſalem, 2 Chron. 32. 25. His Riches and Honour, which he had in abundance might puff him up; and the thought of that Sign, which declared him a ſpecial favourite of Heaven, as he ſuppoſed; unto the King of Babylon, might alſo make his Heart to ſwell within him.

No Saint that is Wiſe, will be Self-confident; for after the removal of Affliction, there is great danger of Security and Backſliding; Self-jealouſie therefore, and a ſenſe of natural impotency, and unfaithfulneſs to our ſelves, ſhould make us cry to be upheld by Him, who is of Power to eſtabliſh us. If Saints receive not Correction; how ſoon may they be taken in hand and again laſhed! And their not profiting by the Rod, fills Satans Mouth with Accuſations againſt them; and their own Conſciences with Reproaches; Gods diſpleaſure grows hotter, and more ſmarting blows may be expected, Lev. 26. 23. 24. And if ye will not be reformed by me by theſe things, but will walk contrary unto me; then will I alſo walk contrary unto you, and will puniſh you yet ſeven times for your Sins.

p. 35USE II. Of Advice to more Notorious Sinners, whoſe ſcandalous Lives witneſs to the badneſs of their State; and by their conſtant Evil Works they ſhew they are Children that have no Faith; or if their Sin be not ſo apparent to others, 'tis apparent to themſelves; Conſcience, if they would but heed it; charges them with ſecret wickedneſs, which is committed with great Preſumption and Boldneſs. If ſuch as theſe, are ſeized upon by Sickneſs, or feel any other ſmarting Rod; I would give them ſuch Advice, as if it be followed, their Affliction will have a good iſſue and effect upon them, as bad as they are.

1. When Affliction overtakes you, that are very wicked; Take notice how your Sin has found you out. That threatning, Num. 32. 23. is accompliſhed. Ye have ſinn'd againſt the Lord, and be ſure your Sin will find you out. It has been hunting you, with Evils at the heels of it; and now it has actually overtaken you. You dream't not of this in the hour of Temptation, when Sin was repreſented to you by your ſubtle Enemy, as all Gain and Pleaſure; Affliction ſhews the Miſery it has brought you to; and that 'tis full of Gall and Wormwood. Thus Sin found out Judah of old, Jer. 2. 19. Thine own wickedneſs ſhall correct thee, and thy backſlidings ſhall reprove thee; know therefore and ſee that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou haſt forſaken the Lord thy God, and that my fear is not in thee, ſaith the Lord God of Hoſts. p. 36Sin your Enemy has found you; and you feel to your Coſt and Wo, that it is an Enemy indeed. Wickedneſs was once ſweet in your Mouths, and you did hide it under your Tongue; you ſpared it and would by no means forſake it; but now in your Bowels 'tis turned, and is the very Gall of Aſps within you, Job 20. 12, 13, 14.

2. Behold you that are wicked, how God is come forth in anger againſt you; there is a Rod in his hand, frowns in his face; and he is full of juſt Indignation againſt you. And who can ſtand before that Indignation? Nah. 1. 2. God is Jealous, and the Lord Revengeth; the Lord Revengeth and is furious; the Lord will take Vengeance on his Adverſaries, and reſerveth wrath for his Enemies. Such Potſheards of the Earth as, the ſtrongeſt and ſtouteſt Sinners of you all, are; cannot ſtand before your Maker, when he is Contending with you, Ezek. 22. 14. Can thy Heart endure, or can thy hands be ſtrong, when I ſhall deal with thee? If the Wrath of a King, be as the Meſſenger of Death: What is the anger of Him, who is the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, who does what he will, in the Army of Heaven and among the Inhabitants of the Earth, and none can ſtay his hand, or ſay to him, What doſt thou? ſince all the Inhabitants of the World are reputed as nothing before him, Dan. 4. 35.

This Anger of God has Almighty and Irreſiſtible Strength joined with it, and therefore 'tis very p. 37terrible, Pſal. 90. 11. Who knows the Power of thine Anger? even according to thy Fear, ſo is thy Wrath. Though there be never ſo much fear and dread of God in the Hearts of any; the Anger of God, if ready to fall upon them, deſerves all that fear; the Devils believe and feel this wrath, and are apprehenſive of its continuance and increaſe, therefore they tremble, Jam. 2. 20. See O Sinner, that the glorious and dreadful Majeſty of Heaven and Earth, is angry with Thee in Particular. Thou art the man, who haſt bitterly provoked him. Thy Iniquities are hateful to him. Now if God is not at all taken notice of; if his anger is not at all minded; nor any courſe or care taken to appeaſe it; it will be blown up to the greater fierceneſs, and this fire may quickly devour, conſume; and having begun with thee, make a ſpeedy and utter end of thee.

3. It concerns you to fear Him, under whoſe Power you are, and who is able to deſtroy both the Body and the Soul likewiſe, Luk. 12. 4, 5. And I ſay unto you my Friends, Be not afraid of them, that kill the Body, and after that have no more that they can do; But I will forewarn you, whom you ſhall fear; fear him who after he hath killed, hath Power to caſt into Hell, yea, I ſay unto you, fear him. His hands did make that Earthly Houſe of your Tabernacle; and he can bring it to the duſt again. Your Souls, he can require when be pleaſes, and if you dye in your Sins, your Souls will be doom'd to the place, where other damned p. 38Spirits are; and they are loſt beyond all hopes and poſſibility of recovery. Oh! ſanctifie the Lord of Hoſts, in whoſe hand you are, under whoſe hand you groan; by making him your fear and dread; he can command both firſt and ſecond death to ſeize on you, Rev. 6. 8. And I looked and behold a Pale Horſe, and his Name that ſate on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. Death is the King of Terrors, but Hell is ten thouſand times more terrible. Oh! be afraid of that mighty hand, which with one blow can both kill and damn you together. You cannot ſecure your ſelves by Hiding, by Flight, or by Reſiſtance; for Gods Eye is all-ſeeing, his Power and Hand is irreſiſtible, and extends it ſelf, all Heaven and Earth and Hell over; therefore humbling your ſelves, and Submiſſion, would be the beſt and wiſeſt way that you can take.

4. In this ill Caſe in which you are, remember now your evil ways, and your doings that have not been good, Ezek. 36. 31. Then ſhall ye remember your evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and ſhall loath your ſelves in your own ſight for your Iniquities and Abominations. Your remembring of your Tranſgreſſions, is one way to have God forget them; loath your ſelves, and he will not loath you; condemning your ſelves, is the way not to be condemned by him. Humble your ſelves in the ſight of the Lord, and he will lift you up, Jam. 4. 10. Oh ſmite upon your thighs and ſay, What have we done? How manifold are our Tranſgreſſions! How mighty are our Sins! What guilt p. 39have we incurr'd! How monſtrouſly black and foul are our Defilements! What wrath have we provoked! How hot and low a place in Hell have we deſerved! Innumerable Evils compaſs us about; our Iniquities have taken hold upon us, ſo that we are not able to look up; they are more than the Hairs of our Heads, therefore our Hearts fail us. Pſal. 40. 12. See how deceitful polluting and damnable the Nature of Sin is; call your ſelves by the right Name, Fools; foes to your ſelves; Self-murtherers and Self-deſtroyers; in giving way to Iniquity. Be utterly diſpleaſed with your ſelves for ſinning againſt God, and wronging your own Souls; and fall out with all ſin for ever.

5. Be Inquiſitive what you muſt do to be ſaved? You that are outwardly afflicted, and alſo prickt in the Heart, and wounded in your Conſciences; ſhould very ſeriouſly inquire whether the door of Hope be not yet open to you, and what courſe you▪ muſt take to be ſaved from Sin and Wrath, and to have your Peace with God made. Indeed the Lord ſpeaks confoundingly and terribly to wicked men in their Calamity, Prov. 1. 26, 27, 28, 29. I will laugh at your Calamity, and will mock when your fear cometh; when your fear cometh as Deſolation, and Deſtruction as a Whirlwind, when Diſtreſs and Anguiſh cometh upon you; then ſhall they call upon me, but I will not Anſwer: They ſhall ſeek me early, but they ſhall not find me: for that they hated Knowledg, and did not chuſe the fear of the Lord. And do you acknowledge that the Lord p. 40might juſtly ſpeak ſuch Language to you; but withal know, that theſe diſtreſſed Sinners, had theſe cries extorted from them meerly by Calamity; but had no deſire to be turned from their Iniquities. Therefore you that are brought very low by Affliction; do not only cry to God to deliver you from your trouble; but that he would alſo purge away your Sins for his Name ſake. Pſal. 79. 9. And let not your Diſconſolate Spirits doubt; for there is hope in Iſrael concerning you, Pſal. 130. 7, 8. Let Iſrael hope in the Lord, for with the Lord there is Mercy, and with him is plenteous Redemption, and he will redeem Iſrael from all his Iniquities.

6. Look upon God as acceſſible, and reconcileable in a Mediator, who is his beloved Son the Lord Jeſus. Chriſt has ſuffered once for Sins, the juſt for the unjuſt that he might bring men to God, 1 Pet. 3. 18. And God is in Chriſt reconciling the World to himſelf, not imputing their Treſpaſſes to them, 2 Cor. 5. 19. Now then, ſaith the Apoſtle, We are Ambaſſadors for Chriſt, as though God did beſeech you by us, we pray you in Chriſts ſtead be ye reconciled to God. God is more forward to be at Peace with you, then you are aware. He intreats you to accept of that Pardon, which you deſire, and ſo much need, but fear you ſhall not obtain; and if you value his favour in Chriſt, and intreat it with your whole Heart; you ſhall not die under his Diſpleaſure, Pſal. 119. 58. I intreated thy favour with my p. 41whole Heart; be merciful to me according to thy Word.

Are you willing upon any terms to have the breach made up between God and you? Do you conſent to be any thing, to do any thing, to part with any thing which he would have you; ſo you may be but His, and He Yours; a God in Covenant with you; and a Father to you? Then let your drooping Hearts revive, for there is an Advocate with the Father, Jeſus Chriſt the Righteous, who is the Propitiation for the Sins of the whole World, 1 Joh. 2. 1, 2. His Blood ſpeaks better things than that of Abel; cries louder for Mercy, than your Sin can cry for Vengeance. Here you may ſafely venture your Faith, for Chriſts Blood is the Blood of him, who is God as well as man; and he is able to reconcile God and Men together, and thoſe men who have been never ſo much alienated and Enemies in their Minds by Reaſon of wicked Works, Col. 1. 21. In your Affliction be ſenſible of Gods anger; and readily grant the juſtneſs of it; but do not look upon if, as not to be appeaſed. If you come to him by Jeſus Chriſt, you will find his Fury all gone, Iſa. 27. 4, 5. Fury is not in me; let him take hold of my Strength, that he may make Peace with me, and he ſhall make Peace with me.

7. Pray to be turned from Sin it ſelf; as well as have the afflicting hand of God removed. 'Tis an ill thing to chuſe Iniquity rather than Affliction, p. 42Job 36. 21. Many under Sickneſs, cry to have bodily Health reſtored, but the Diſeaſes of their Souls they feel not; neither is the health of the Soul valued. Many a man in Affliction and Pain, does call upon God, ſaying, Lord heal my Body! but he was a man after Gods own Heart, who ſaid, Lord be merciful to me, heal my Soul for I have ſinned againſt thee, Pſal. 41. 4. Pharaoh cried to be delivered from the Plagues of Egypt; but not from the hardneſs of his Heart, neither did he deſire to fear the Name of God; if he had: both his Drowning and Damnation might have been prevented. You who are afflicted, I grant, may pray for the ſparing of your Lives; with Submiſſion to the Will of God; and that his ſtroke may be removed away from you. The Pſalmiſt prays for both, Pſal. 39. 10, 13. Remove thy ſtroke away from me, I am conſumed by the blow of thy hand. O ſpare me, that I may recover Strength before I go away from hence, and be no more: But before, he had prayed, that he might be delivered from Sin; for this was the greateſt Evil, Ver. 7, 8. And now Lord what wait I for? my Hope is in Thee; deliver me from all my Tranſgreſſions. This he Hopes, this he Longs, this he Waits upon God for; that he might be deliver'd from his Tranſgreſſions, not ſome only but from all of them, that neither the guilt of Sin might lie upon him, nor any Iniquity have the Dominion over him▪

You that have lived wickedly, and God is rebuking p. 43of you with the blows of his hand; have great cauſe to be Self-ſuſpicious leaſt all your Religion and Devotion at preſent, be onelyonly forced; by what you feel and fear: You had need therefore to beg that a thorow and laſting change may be wrought in your Hearts, or elſe your hot fit of Religion will quickly be off; Your goodneſs will be as the Morning Cloud, and as the early Dew, ſo it will go away, Hoſ. 6. 4. Oh cry for the Sanctifying Spirit, that he may dwell in you continually; and Conſecrate you as Temples, for himſelf to abide in; and cauſe you to walk in the Laws and Ways of the Lord unto the very end.

And if You that are Notorious Sinners are ſpared; and God does ſend his Word and heal you, and deliver you from the Pit of Deſtruction. I would farther adviſe you in theſe following particulars.

1. Think with your ſelves, if Affliction had carried you off in your Sins into another World; whither Oh! whither had you gone? At Death all Souls are diſpoſed of in the place which they are fit for. Holy Souls are made meet to be partakers of the Inheritance of the Saints in Light, and when ſeparated from the Body, they enter upon that Inheritance. The Souls of the Wicked were continually fitting themſelves for Deſtruction; at Death they are ripe for it, and are thrown into it. The Wicked who die in their Sins, what a woful place are they turned into! Pſal. 9. 17. p. 44The Wicked ſhall be turned into Hell, and all the Nations that forget God. That Rich and ſenſual Iſraelite, who called Abraham Father, but choſe the Pleaſures of Sin for a ſeaſon, before Righteouſneſs and Life Eternal; what became of him? After Death, the next News we hear of him was this; He was in Hell, he ſees Heaven afar off, too far for him ever to Hope to come thither. He ſaw too late, what he had miſt of; and how hot and unquenchable were the Flames in which he was tormented! Luk. 16. 23, 24. On! Sinner, if thon hadſt died in thy Wickedneſs and Enmity againſt God, thou hadſt been dealt withal as an Enemy, ſent away with a Curſe into Everlaſting Fire; without Hopes of Reconciliation or Releaſe.

2. Admire the Patience and Goodneſs of God towards you. You burthen'd him with your Iniquities, 'tis a wonder he did not eaſe himſelf of the Load; that, that Word did not take hold of you, Iſa. 1. 24. Ah! I will eaſe me of my Adverſaries, and avenge me of my Enemies. He might have glorified his Righteouſneſs, Purity, Power, and Truth, in your juſt Condemnation and Miſery; but he has pittied and ſpared you; and ſtill waits to be Graoious. Now do not ſhew your ſelves ſuch rebels, as neither Severity nor Goodneſs will overcome, as neither fair means, nor foul will work upon and better. Do not Act, as if you were delivered to work Abomination. Though the Patience of God be wonderful, yet p. 45'tis not Eternal, and when abuſing it, brings it to an end; the following Fury is dreadful to the Abuſers.

3. Remember, the Sparing of you is owing to the Lord Jeſus. He interceeds that the fruitleſs Fig-tree may be ſpared, and tried a little longer; and how well will it be, if at length it bring forth fruit which is good. Whatever Deliverances and Salvation wicked men partake of; Chriſt is the Author of them, for he is affirmed to be foreign the Saviour of all men, though foreign eſpecially of them that believe, 1 Tim. 4. 10. And as the Lord Redeemer has interceded for your ſparing, ſo he offers a far greater Benefit if you will accept it; to make Peace for you, to work true Grace in you, to Open your Eyes and to turn you from Darkneſs to Light, and from the Power of Satan to God, that you may receive forgiveneſs of Sins, and an Inheritance among them that are Sanctified by Faith which is in Him. Act. 26. 18.

4. Be ſure to Sin no more Preſumptuouſly, leaſt a worſe thing come next, Joh. 5. 14. Jeſus found the man whom he had healed in the Temple, a proper place, after his recovery to be found in, and he ſaith to him. Behold, thou art made whole, Sin no more, leaſt a worſe thing come to thee. If after the return of health, and the removal of the Rod. you turn away from the Holy Commandment delivered to you; and it happens to you p. 46according to the Proverb, The Dog is turned to his own vomit again, and the Sow that was waſhed to her wallowing in the Mire. You becoming worſe than ever, and more inexcuſable than ever in being ſo; worſe than ever from Gods hand is to be expected. Greater Diſtreſs may quickly ſeize you; and the loudeſt cries may have a deaf Ear turned to them, Pſal. 18. 41. They cried but there was none to ſave, even to the Lord, but he anſwered them not. That may be the Lords Determination concerning you, Ezek. 8. 18. Therefore will I alſo deal in fury, mine Eye ſhall not ſpare, neither will I have pitty, and though they cry in my Ears with a loud voice, yet will I not hear them.

Though Gods hand be off from you, remember he can quickly lay it on again; and it may be ſo heavy, as to make you fall under it. See what is threatned to the tree which bringeth not forth good fruit, Mat. 3. 10. And now alſo the Ax is laid to the Root of the Trees, therefore every Tree, which bringeth not forth good Fruit is hewen down and caſt into the Fire: And if this bringing forth no good Fruit brings the Tree to Everlaſting burning, what fierce Flames, will burn thoſe Trees, which bring forth a great deal of bad Fruit? Such as you read of, Deut. 32. 32, 33. For their Vine is of the Vine of Sodom, and of the Fields of Gomorrah; their Grapes are Grapes of Gall, their Cluſters are bitter, their Wine is the Poyſon of Dragons, and the cruel Venom of Aſps. p. 47To go on in Sin, after recovery from Sickneſs may ſhorten your days, and make Sentence againſt you to be ſpeedily executed.

5. Though Death is a little delayed, yet it will certainly and quickly come; let it not find you unprepared. Heb. 9. 27. It is appointed unto men once to dye; and after this the Judgment. And this appointment is concerning you, as well as others. Therefore ſpeak every one of you, as Job did, Job 30. 23. For I know that thou wilt bring me to Death, and to the Houſe appointed for all the living. 'Tis not more certain you are alive, than 'tis certain, that you ſhall ſhortly die. And wo to you if you lie ſtill, and at laſt die in your Wickedneſs. If Sin be the ſting of Death, then ſo many Sins as you have been guilty of, ſo many ſtings will your Death have. A King of Terrors indeed it will be found; when with ſo many ſtings 'tis armed! Pray hard that a ſaving change may be wrought in Heart and Life, before the great change come; and that you may paſs from Death to Life in a Spiritual Senſe, before in a Natural Senſe you paſs from Life to Death.

USE III. Of Direction more generally unto all; and here I ſhall direct you,

How to carry it under Affliction.

p. 48And likewiſe how after Affliction; that you may receive much good by Affliction.

In the firſt place, I am to direct you, how to carry it under Affliction.

1. Under Affliction be perſwaded and take great notice that God himſelf is come to viſit you. Though he be not the Author of ſin, yet Penal Evils are all from him; chaſtning is called the Chaſtning of the Lord, Heb. 12. 5. Chaſtiſements are ſtiled his rebukes. His Providence is ſo extenſive, that not a Sparrow falls to the ground without Him. Nothing then befalls any of the Children of men; but by Divine Appointment. Fix your Eyes therefore upon God. He has taken you in hand, and out of his hand none can reſcue you; and the wound that is made, will remain uncured; till the ſame hand heal, which gave it, Job 9 13. If God will not withdraw his anger, the Proud helpers do ſtoop under him. The Chaldeans were the Ax; but Gods hand hewed Iſrael with it; they were the Saw, but Gods hand did ſhake it. And when you ſee, 'tis really God himſelf that viſits you in Severity; behave your ſelves as Creatures ought to do towards their Creator; who is infinitely above them; has been greatly offended by them; can eaſily cruſh them; and yet is able and ready upon Humiliation to cure them.

p. 49If the Inviſible God, who corrects, were more eyed, in all the ſtrokes he give, you; this would have a mighty Efficacy to abaſe you before him, and to make Affliction attain its end upon you, that an end might be put to your Affliction.

2. Under Affliction, Juſtifie God, and accept the Puniſhment of your Iniquity; in Affliction Conſcience may ſpeak very plain and home, and ſo as that you have nothing to reply; and the Spirit of God may ſet in with Conſcience, and make its charge more unanſwerable. Heedfully liſten to Conſcience, and Mind the Convictions of the Spirit. Oh ſearch and try your ways, the ways that your Hearts and Affections have gone; as well as the Paths you have broken with your Feet. Be better acquainted with the evil nature of your own ways, and their pernicious and deſtructive Tendency. Lay blame where it ought to be laid, upon an evil Heart eſpecially; for that's the fruitful womb, in which Sin is conceived, that brings forth all the Evils, wherewith the man is defiled. 'Tis the Evil Heart, which through unbelief departs from the Living God; and is inclined to dead works, and lying Vanities.

Fail not to clear the Juſtice of God, as it is written, That thou mighteſt be juſtified in thy ſayings, and mighteſt overcome, when thou art judged, Rom. 3. 4. Judge likewiſe and condemn your p. 50ſelves, and your Sin as the meritorious cauſe of all your Sorrows and Sufferings. Never look upon Sin, but behold the long train of Evils that follow after it; and if you were not deliver'd from Sin it ſelf, this train of Evils would run Parallel with Eternity. God requires the Heart ſhould be humbled, and accept the Puniſhment of its Iniquity. The Heart muſt firmly believe that Sin is that, whereat God is diſpleaſed; that Sin is the procuring Cauſe of all other Evils that are felt, and that the true Reaſon of Gods Controverſie, is becauſe, even becauſe his Word and Commandments have been caſt behind the back, deſpiſed and broken, Levit. 26. 41, 43.

3. Under Affliction, be ſenſible of the Plagues of your own Hearts; and Conſent with Earneſt Deſire to have them preſently and throughly healed. The Sickneſs and Periſhing of the outward man, is for the reſtoring the inward man to Health. The Humours, and Appetites, and Inclinations of the Body, are an occaſion of much Sin in the Soul; which ſhould make you the more contented, that the Fleſh ſhould be diſeaſed, and pained, and ready to periſh, that the Spirit may be healed, and ſaved in the day of the Lord Jeſus. Corporal Diſeaſes, attain not their end, unleſs they make you ſenſible of Spiritual Maladies. Is thy Head, thy Breaſt, thy Back, or any part of thy Body out of Order? preſently look with a diligent ſearch into thy own Heart, to know what that ailes; that there may be the more ſerious and p. 51ſpeedy Application to the great Phyſician of Souls.

Ephraim when chaſtized was ſenſible of the ſtubbornneſs of corrupted Nature, and its backwardneſs to come under the Yoak of God. I was ſays he, as a Bullock unaccuſtomed to the Yoak, and he prays not ſo much for the removal of the Rod, as for Grace that might Convert him unto God, who did correct him. Afflictions are Spiritual Medicines much made uſe of by the Lord who heals his People. Sick-beds are the places where he Works great cures; when the Face is Pale, when the Pulſe beats diſorderly, when the Blood is boiling hot, and the whole Body in a Flame, and the frame of Nature ſeems juſt ready to be diſſolved; all this has a mighty Influence unto the Souls Healthineſs and Proſperity. How are dreggs then purged out, and how Pure, Humble, and Heavenly minded is the Heart then!

4. Under Affliction, deſire Inſtruction, and that you may learn all the Leſſons, which the Rod is ſent to teach you. You are commanded to hear the Rod, Mic. 6. 9. The Lords Voice cryeth unto the City, and the Man of Wiſdom ſhall ſee thy Name; hear ye the Rod and who hath appointed it. The Rod has a Voice, and 'tis ſtrong and ſtartling; if you will but heed it, it will be very articulate and plain to you. Chaſtning is truly beatifical, makes the chaſtized bleſſed, when the Lord does chaſtize and teach together, or gives p. 52Inſtruction with and by Correction, Pſal. 94. 12. Bleſſed is the man, whom thou chaſtneſt O Lord, and teacheſt him out of thy Law. When the Schoolmaſter has a Rod in his hand, has given ſeveral Laſhes, and is ready upon neglects and new faults to give more; how does the Scholar mind every Word his Maſter ſpeaks to him! with what Care and Diligence is his Leſſon learned▪ The Rod of God ſhould quicken Attention to his Voice, and cauſe a moſt ſerious regard to his whole Will and Pleaſure.

Is the Leſſon of the Rod concerning thy Pride? 1 Pet. 5. 5. Be cloathed with Humility, for God reſiſteth the Proud, but giveth Grace to the Humble. Is the Leſſon of the Rod concerning thy Love to the World? 1 Joh. 2. 15. Love not the World, neither the things that are in the World; if any man love the World, the love of the Father is not in him. Is the Leſſon of the Rod concerning thy Sloth? Heb. 6. 12. That ye be not ſlothful, but followers of them who through Faith and Patience inherit the Promiſes. Is the Leſſon of the Rod concerning thy fooliſh fleſhly and hurtful Luſts? 1 Pet. 2. 11. Dearly beloved, I beſeech you as Strangers and Pilgrims, abſtain from fleſhly Luſts which war againſt the Soul. Finally, Is the Leſſon of the Rod concerning thy unruly Paſſions? Prov. 14. 29. He that is ſlow to wrath is of great underſtanding, but he that is haſty of Spirit exalteth Folly. So that 'tis very viſible and expoſed to the view of all, Jam. 1. 20. The Wrath of p. 53man worketh not the Righteouſneſs of God. Eph. 4. 31, 32. Let all bitterneſs and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil ſpeaking be put away from you with all malice; and be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another; even as God for Chriſts ſake hath forgiven you. Whatever the Leſſon of the Rod be; let it be your care to be throughly inſtructed in it; and practiſe in thoſe who have learned to purpoſe.

5. Under Affliction, ſincerely turn and ſeek to that God who ſmites you. A thorough Converſion is the end of Correction. Take notice of the falſe ways in which you have gone aſtray, and how near you were to the brink of Eternal Perdition; venture not to take ſo much as one ſtep farther, in Hells Road. But return to God unfeignedly and with your whole Heart. Conſent to be wholly His; that your whole man ſhould be at his Command, and have reſpect to all his Precepts without Exception, Pſal. 119. 5, 6. Oh that my ways were directed to keep thy Statutes! then ſhall I not be aſhamed, when I have reſpect unto all thy Commandments.

Judah is branded for this, that they refuſed to turn to him that ſmote them. No wonder that Gods anger did abide, and that his hand was ſtill felt very heavy upon them, Iſa. 9. 12, 13. For all this his anger is not turned away; but his hand is ſtretched out ſtill; for this People turneth not to p. 54him that ſmiteth them, neither do ſeek the Lord of Hoſts. The hand that ſmites you, if you will not turn, can give worſe blows; nay it can give a deadly blow, that may ſtrike you quite down, both into the Grave and Hell together. The hand that ſmites, alone can heal, therefore it concerns you to humble your ſelves under it.

How great is the goodneſs of God, that he gives you leave to turn to him! that he requires you to ſeek him! and that for no leſs than his Favour, his Grace, and Eternal Glory, and Bleſſedneſs! And all this ſhall be yours, if you ſeek diligently.

6. Under Affliction, take heed of deſpiſing the chaſtning of the Lord. Heb. 12. 5. Ye have forgotten the Exhortation, that ſpeaketh unto you as unto Children, My Son deſpiſe not thou the chaſtning of the Lord. Chaſtning is deſpiſed, when the Lords hand in chaſtning is not taken notice of, nor his end in Correcting is Minded or Complied with; when neither his diſpleaſure manifeſted in rebukes is obſerved; nor Sin mourned for, which does diſpleaſe him. Thus for a while chaſtning was deſpiſed by him, you read of, Iſa. 57. 17. For the Iniquity of his Covetouſneſs was I wroth and ſmote him, I hid me and was wroth, and he went frowardly on in the way of his Heart. But at laſt he was brought to a better temper. The Lord humbled him, and healed the frowardneſs of his Heart; and likewiſe removed p. 55his ſtroke from him, V. 18. I have ſeen his ways and will heal him, I will lead him alſo, and reſtore Comfort to him and to his Mourners.

In Affliction take notice of God as the Afflicter, elſe you contemn him; take notice of Sin, as the cauſe why you are afflicted; for if Sin be not laid to Heart, that God whom you Sin againſt is diſregarded. Nay Saints in a ſenſe deſpiſe chaſtning, if they don't behold that the Rod they feel is in their Fathers hand, (for the Exhortation, the Apoſtle tells us, ſpeaks as unto Children,) and that it is a token of his Paternal Faithfulneſs and Love, Prov. 3. 12. Whom the Lord loveth he correcteth, even as a Father the Son in whom he delighteth. To look upon Afflictions meerly as evils is to deſpiſe them. They ought to be lookt upon as Arguments of Gods Fatherly Wiſdom and Care; and as Talents improvable to great Spiritual Advantage. The Cup is in the hand of a Father, and all the Ingredients in it are healing. Every Member of Chriſt, therefore ſhould ſpeak that Language, which his Head ſpake before him, Joh. 18. 11. The Cup which my Father hath given me, ſhall I not drink it?

7. Under Affliction, faint not, neither be weary of Correction. He is infinitely wiſe who does correct, and therefore Correction ſhall not be exceſſive but in meaſure, Jer. 30. 11. I am with thee, ſaith the Lord to ſave thee, I will not make a full end of thee, but will correct thee in meaſure p. 56and not leave thee wholly unpuniſhed. The meaſure of Affliction is ſuch as he, who is beſt able to judge, ſees to be needful, and no more; 1 Pet. 1. 6. Now for a ſeaſon if need be, ye are in heavineſs through many Temptations. God will lighten your burthen; or if he ſhould add to your Load, he will proportion Strength, that you may be able to bear it. Faint not under his hand, for when he ſtrikes he alſo ſuſtains, and in Wrath remembers Mercy. Be willing that Affliction ſhould remain, till 'tis ſanctified, and has done its work for which 'twas laid upon you. 'Tis ſad, when Affliction goes off without doing any good to the afflicted; when the Rod is like the firſt King that Iſrael had, given in Gods Anger, and taken away in his Wrath.

When the Lord afflicts; his Diſpenſations are mixed Checker-work; Black and White; Goodneſs and Severity together; and there ſhould be a Mixture of Holy Affections that are diverſe one from the other, anſwerably in your Hearts. This is notably repreſented by one of our Engliſh Poets, and his Verſes have a great deal of Senſe and Direction in them.

Ah my dear angry Lord,

Since thou doſt Love yet ſtrike;Herberts Bitter-ſweet. P. 165.

Caſt down yet help afford;

Sure I will do the like.

I will complain the Praiſe;

I will bewail, approve:

p. 57And all my four-ſweet days,

I will lament and love.

Be not too eager for the removal of the ſtroke you ſmart under; that removal is but a common Mercy; but the Sanctification of it, is peculiar kindneſs, that which accompanies Salvation. If the Plaiſter lies not on long enough, it heals not the Sore; if the Potion be caſt up again, aſſoon as taken down, it works not a cure. God knows when 'tis fitteſt to remove your trouble; therefore be dump with Silence and wait with Patience till this fitteſt time comes. David did ſo, though he was in an horrible Pit in the Miry Clay, he was not over eager to be pluckt out, but exerciſed Patience, and how Happy was the iſſue! Pſal. 40. 1, 2, 3. I waited patiently for the Lord, and he inclined unto me and heard my cry; he brought me up alſo out of an horrible Pit, out of the Miry Clay, and ſet my Feet upon a Rock and eſtabliſhed my goings. And he hath put a new Song in my Mouth, even Praiſe unto our God; many ſhall ſee it and fear and truſt in the Lord.

8. Under Affliction, let there be a moſt profound Subjection to the Father of Spirits, Lights and Mercies. The Father of Spirits, will take ſpecial care of Souls; and conſult their Health and Reace, and endleſs welfare. If the Soul be ſafe, the Body muſt be ſafe in the ſame Bottom. The Body that belongs to a ſanctified Soul, muſt be a Glorious Body at the Reſurrection of the Juſt. p. 58And ſince the Lord is the Father of Lights, you may conclude he perfectly underſtands, what is moſt conducive to your Intereſt, and what kind and degree of Affliction, is moſt expedient and beſt for you; and becauſe he is the Father of Mercies; Mercy he delights in, as a man does in his own off-ſpring; he will deal tenderly with you, Mercy ſhall not be forgotten in the greateſt Severity, Pſal. 103. 13. Like as a Father pittieth his Children, ſo the Lord pittieth them that fear him; for he knoweth our frame and remembreth we aye duſt. Subjection to God when he afflicts becomes you, and beſides this Subjection is the way of Life. Heb. 12. 9. Furthermore we have had Fathers of our Fleſh, who corrected us, and we gave them Reverence; ſhall we not much rather be in Subjection to the Father of Spirits and live? Subjection to God is the wiſeſt courſe to have temporal Life prolonged, and liv'd to purpoſe, and Eternal Life, at length vouchſafed.

In the ſecond Place, I am to direct you how to carry it after Affliction; now is a time of great danger, when the Heart is apt to ſhew both its Wickedneſs and Deceitfulneſs together, and to grow ſecure as if all Peril were over; therefore,

1. Keep alive in your Hearts, the ſame Apprehenſions of things after Affliction which you had under Affliction. Things are really as they were, though we of Sick grow well again, therefore our p. 59thoughts of them ſhould not alter. The great Truths revealed, and ſo much inſiſted on in the Word of God; in Affliction had deep Impreſſions upon our Spirits. How clearly and concernedly, did we then perceive, that Chriſt is the onelyonly Saviour! that all things were juſtly to be accounted loſs that he might be gained! We lookt upon time as too precious a thing to be ſpent Idly or Wickedly. The Soul was lookt upon as more worth than the whole World, and more to be regarded; not to be neglected for the Worlds ſake, Mat. 16. 26. What ſhall it profit a man, if he ſhall gain the whole World and loſe his own Soul? or what ſhall a man give in exchange for his Soul? How did the thoughts of Eternity affect our Hearts, when we were in the depth of Affliction! Our Apprehenſions of this Truth were amazing. That all muſt quickly be in Eternity, and all muſt be unto Eternity, either in Joy or Wo. Our Conceptions of theſe and ſuch like things, were moſt rectified in Affliction; therefore when Affliction is removed, our Judgments ſhould ſtill remain the ſame. The concerns of another World ſhould always be eſteemed far greater, than the higheſt concerns of this. Seriouſneſs well becomes us, in thoſe matters which are of Everlaſting Conſequence, where careleſneſs or miſtake will iſſue in endleſs ruine; underſtanding Diligence in Eternal Happineſs.

2. After Affliction, be very Jealous over p. 60your own Spirits, which are ſo very prone to deal treacherouſly both with God and your ſelves. You are not naturally truſty to either; but unfaithful to God, and unfaithful to your own Souls. Hearken how the Lord complains, Hoſ. 6. 7. They like men have tranſgreſſed the Covenant, they have dealt treacherouſly againſt me. You do not know your ſelves to be men, if you don't know your ſelves to be treacherous; and ſtrongly inclined to break through all obligations in Point of Duty, Gratitude, and Intereſt it ſelf; which you are under: ever ſince the firſt Adams Apoſtacy and fall from God, his Poſterity have a vehement Propenſion to ſtart aſide alike deceitful bowes.

A notable inſtance of the Hearts treachery in Afflictions, and inſtability upon the removal of it, you have, Pſal. 78. 34, 35, 36, 37. When he ſlew them then they ſought him, they returned and inquired early after God, they remembred that God was their Rock, and the high God their Redeemer; nevertheleſs they did flatter him with their Lips, and lied unto him with their Tongues, for their Heart was not right with him, neither were they ſtedfaſt in his Covenant. Mens Reſolutions in Afflictions, are like Nautarum Vota, the Vows of Marriners in a Storm, the firſt things that are broken when once they get ſafe to Shore. Be ſure therefore to check your hearts and lift them up to God to ſecure them, when firſt you perceive p. 61them ſo much as begin to ſtart aſide. Apoſtacy begins in the Heart, that does firſt turn back from God, then afterwards the ſteps decline from his ways; diſtruſting therefore your own Hearts follow Solomons Counſel, Prov. 4. 23. And keep them with all diligence, and unto your own ſtricteſt Vigilancy, add fervent Prayer, that the Lord would make your Hearts clean Hearts, and that he would renew and keep your Spirits right with him, Pſal. 51. 10.

3. Cry for Strength to be vouchſafed continually from above, to perform your Reſolutions made in the day of your Affliction and Diſtreſs. If you are not ſtrong in the Lord, and in the Power of his might, you will be too weak to do, what your ſelves with the greateſt firmneſs have ſeem'd to purpoſe. And you muſt pray hard, and 'tis worth praying for, that this Power may reſt upon you. The Pſalmiſt ſaw his need of Strength from Heaven, he begg'd for it, and had it, Pſal. 138. 3. In the day, when I cried thou anſweredſt me, and ſtrengthnedſt me with ſtrength in my Soul.

There are two ſorts of Reſolutions which are moſt commonly made, but neither of them are kept; ſo as the Reſolvers thought they would be. Reſolutions meerly to ſtop and gag the Mouth of a clamorous Conſcience; and Reſolutions which are made in mens own ſtrength, who Queſtion not, nor trouble their Heads much p. 62about, their Ability and Integrity to perform them. Theſe Reſolutions ſhews their falſhood, and fickleneſs; and how bold men are to diſſemble with God; and how fooliſh in truſting and cheating themſelves.

But the Religious Purpoſes of the Pſalmiſt were of another Nature, in another manner. He is indeed very ſerious and Peremptory in his Reſolution, and confirmed it with a Promiſſory Oath; Pſal. 119. 106. I have ſworn and I will perform it, that I will keep thy Righteous Judgments. But he is ſenſible, that neither his own Power, Promiſe, nor Oath were ſtrong enough to hold him; and keep him ſtedfaſt to theſe Teſtimonies of God, therefore he prays twice together to be upheld, Pſal. 119. 16, 17. Uphold me according to thy Word that I may live, and let me not be aſhamed of my Hope. And again, Hold thou me up, and I ſhall be ſafe, ſo ſhall I have reſpect to thy Statutes continually.

After Affliction, take heed of that which your Hearts naturally are moſt prone to Idolize. Whatever has had Gods Room, that is to ſay, the higheſt Room in your Hearts; is certainly your Idol. Be very ſtrict in the Inquiſition to find the Idol out, and be ſure to depoſe it; let it be at the Footſtool, while the Lord alone in the Throne, and has by far the Preeminence above it in your Affections. If p. 63any of you Love Pleaſure more than God, Pleaſure is your Idol, or if you love Gain more than God, or if you love Relations, Preferments, or Ornaments more than God; theſe things are Idolized; now remember how vain the Idol was in your Affliction and Diſtreſs, and how helpleſs then it was found. The delights of Senſe, the earthly Treaſures, the Relations; and other things you were ſo fond of, you were forced to ſee that help was not in them.

The Heathen Poet notably expreſſes this.

Non domus, & fundus; non aeris acervus & auri;

Aegroto domini deduxit corpore febres;

Non animo curas—Horat. Epiſt 2. l. 1.

Which may be thus Engliſhed.

Nor Houſe, nor Lands, nor heaps of golden Ore;

Can feaveriſh owners unto Health reſtore;

Nor eaſe their Minds of Care.—

Idolatry in a ſpecial manner provokes the Lord to Jealouſie; The bowing of the Knee to Images, as Pagans and Papiſts do; diſpleaſes the OnelyOnly true God. But if that leading affection of Love, which is one of the higheſt pieces of Worſhip, is placed principally upon any thing beſides God; hereby his anger and jealouſie is blown up to a great heat and hight; and p. 64mark, what the Apoſtle ſays, 1 Cor. 10. 22. Do we provoke the Lord to Jealouſie? are we ſtronger than he? As his Strength is infinitely beyond ours; ſo there is an Infiniteneſs in the Folly and Madneſs, when any Adventure to provoke him to Jealouſie. Love is the greateſt Grace, 1 Cor. 13. 13. Love is the firſt and great Commandment; what ever therefore is moſt apt to ſteal away your Love from God, keep your Hearts, while you live, ſhut againſt it with an Holy Indignation, Hoſ. 14. 8. Ephraim ſhall ſay, what have I to do any more with Idols? I have heard him and obſerved him: I am like a green Fir-tree, from me is thy Fruit found.

5. After Affliction, be diligent againſt the Sin, which does moſt eaſily beſet you, Heb. 12. 1. Let us lay aſide every weight, and the Sin which does ſo eaſily beſet us, and let us run with Patience the race which is ſet before us. Every Sin is a Weight and Clog. I wiſh that every one lookt upon it as ſuch! But the Sin, which by Reaſon of our Complexions, Callings, or the general Practice in the Age and Place we live in; is moſt apt to Prevail; that is the heavy Weight, and the worſt Clog of all to hinder us in our running the Chriſtian Race.

You had need to be watchful againſt the Corruption of your Nature which though there p. 65be the Grace of God in Truth in you, is far from being perfectly healed; and is ready upon all Occaſions, and Temptations, to break forth, to the diſpleaſing of God, the wounding of your Conſciences, the defiling of your Souls, and the diſturbance of your Peace.

And whatſoever Iniquity it is, which becauſe it pretends your Security from danger, or your Pleaſure and Gain; you find your ſelves moſt ſtrongly addicted to; verily there is need of the ſtricter watch, and more fervent Prayer; that you may not be overcome by, nay that you may not ſo much as enter into Temptation. The Sin which does moſt eaſily beſet you, has already done you the greateſt miſchief, and is likely to do you more ſtill; and if you ſhould at laſt fall into Hell; This would be one of the heavieſt weights to ſink you thither.

6. After Affliction beware of ſloath and Idleneſs. Live the reſt of your time in the Fleſh, not to the Luſts of men; but to the Will of God, 1 Pet. 4. 2. Let not your own Luſts, as ſo many Cormorants devour your time, while you are making Proviſion for them, and fulfilling them. And let not the Luſts, Humours and Pleaſures of others have you and your time at Command. And though they think it ſtrange, that you run not with them to the ſame exceſs of Riot, ſpeaking evil of you, yet be not diſcouraged; for they ſhall give an account unto him p. 66that is ready to Judge the quick and the dead, 1 Pet. 4. 4, 5. And that Judge will condemn them, and will Approve and Reward your Diligence in ſeeking him, and working for him.

You have not improved your Afflictions, if you have not ceaſed to waſt, if you have not learned to improve your time. In your Sickneſs and Diſtreſs, what a view had you of Eternity? and what a trouble was it to you, that ſuch a deal of time had been ſtolen away and loſt in Sin and Vanity? Perhaps Eternity was ſo amazing, in the vaſtneſs and unchangeableneſs of it; that you concluded, that if you were to live Methuſelahs Age; 'twould be unreaſonable to miſpend wilfully one hour of it. Now after Affliction is over; and ſo little of your time is behind; will you be laviſh of that time ſtill: will you loſe any more? Oh ſee the Wiſdom of redeeming Time, Eph. 5. 15, 16. See then that ye walk circumſpectly not as Fools but as wiſe, redeeming the time becauſe the days are evil. And fear the loſs of time, 1 Pet. 1. 17. If ye call on the Father, who without reſpect of Perſons judgeth according to every mans work; paſs the time of your ſojourning here in fear.

Be ſure to loſe no more; for to loſe all your time; is moſt certainly to loſe your ſelves, and that for ever. In the other World there p. 67is no obtaining Mercy by thoſe who all the while they were in this World, ſlighted Mercy. There is no working out your own Salvation after death; if all your Life-time Salvation be neglected.

7. After Affliction be full of gratitude, Holy Ingenuity and Love. The Calves of your Lips, moſt acceptable Sacrifices; ſhould be offered frequently, nay continually, with an enlarged Heart, with a willing mind. David was in danger of loſing his Life among the Philiſtines, God preſerves it. How Fruitful are his Lips in Praiſes! Pſal. 34. 1, 2, 3, 4. I will bleſs the Lord at all times, his Praiſe ſhall continually be in my Mouth; my Soul ſhall make her boaſt in the Lord; the humble ſhall hear thereof and be glad. Oh magnifie the Lord with me, and let us exalt his Name together! I ſought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. Hezekiah had been deliver'd from deadly Sickneſs, he was raiſed by ſpecial Favour and Power; when according to Nature, Death was unavoidable. Coming ſo unexpectedly and ſo quickly from a ſeeming Death-Bed to the Temple, how does he make that Temple Ring with his Thanskgivings! Iſa. 38. 17, 19. Behold for Peace, I had great bitterneſs; but thou haſt in love to my Soul deliver'd it from the Pit of Corruption; thou haſt caſt all my Sins behind thy back. The living, the living, he ſhall Praiſe thee as I do p. 68this day: the Father to the Children ſhall make known thy Truth.

Not onelyonly muſt your Mouths be fill'd with Praiſes, but your Hearts with Love; and Ingenuity ſhould make you ſtudy what to render unto God. Obſerve the working of the Pſalmiſts grateful Breaſt, after God had deliver'd his Soul from Death, his Eyes from Tears and his Feet from falling, Pſal. 116. 1. I love the Lord becauſe he hath heard my Voice and my Supplication. V. 3. The Sorrows of Death compaſſed me, the Pains of Hell got hold upon me. V. 5, 6. Gracious is the Lord and Righteous, yea our God is merciful; I was brought low and he helped me. V. 7. Return to thy reſt, O my Soul, for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee. V. 12. What ſhall I render to the Lord for all his Benefits towards me? He thought nothing too good, nothing too much for that God, who had been ſo good to him; who had done ſo much for him!

Still you ſhould be contriving to make more ſuitable returns for what you have received, and with your Praiſes and Service, your Hearts and Love muſt be the Principal part of the returns you make. Love lies in Deſire and Delight; no Mercies ſo deſirable as the Father of Mercies; God Himſelf is more to be delighted in than any of the Benefits he beſtows. Take heed of loving Deliverance more p. 69than your Deliverer. Mercies themſelves are Idolized, and it provokes the Lord to Jealouſie; if they are prized and delighted in, more than the Lord God of your Mercies. Therefore the Pſalmiſt, though he valued Deliverance from Enemies, and Trouble; yet principally rejoices in God himſelf, Pſal. 9. 2. I will be glad and rejoice in Thee, I will Praiſe thy Name O thou moſt High! Rejoice in God more than in the return of Health, more than in the Prolongation of Life, or any other Comfort and Enjoyment. Mercies attain their end, when God is more endeared to you by them. God will be all in all in Heaven; and the more he is your all at preſent, the more of Heaven you enjoy on Earth.

8. After Affliction be ſenſible you are not ſafe in your own Hands; therefore commit the keeping of your Souls to God, 1 Pet. 4. 19. Let them commit the keeping of their Souls to Him in well-doing, as unto a Faithful Creator. If you are indeed wiſe and know your ſelves, you will diſtruſt your ſelves. Self-Confidence is an undeniable Argument of Self-Ignorance. Truſt your ſelves in no hands, but thoſe out of which none ſhall ever be able to pluck you, and thoſe are hands of Chriſt and the Father, Joh. 10. 27, 28, 29. My Sheep hear my Voice, and I know them and they follow me, and I give unto them Life Eternal, and they ſhall never periſh, neither ſhall any pluck them out of p. 70my hand; My Father which gave them me is greater than All, and none is able to pluck them out of my Fathers hand. Not onelyonly in the Hour and Agony of Death; but all your lives long; every Day and Hour, you have need ſtill to be commending your Spirits unto God: for they are ſafe with none beſides, Pſal. 31. 5. Into thy hands do I commit my Spirit, thou haſt redeemed me, O Lord God of Truth.

USE IV. Of Counſel more peculiarly to Saints, who are afflicted. Shew your ſelves to be Saints indeed, and let your Graces now be much in Exerciſe. Spices beaten in the Mortar, are the more Fragrant; Afflicted Saints ſhould manifeſt a rare and excellent Spirit; but no Diſſatisfaction or Diſcontent; conſidering the Truth of this Doctrine, that they are afflicted for their good. You that are Saints; in your Troubles you need Counſel; and 'tis not to be doubted but you will heed it; I ſhall give it in theſe particulars.

1. Be Patient whatever your Affliction is. That God whom you ſerve is patient towards Man; has been patient towards you; how many affronts and Provocations has he born, put up, and pardoned! The Lord Jeſus Chriſt was a Pattern of Patience and Meekneſs; When he was reviled of Men, he reviled not again; when he ſuffered he threatned not, 1 Pet. 2. 23. Nay many had Life by his Blood, p. 71who imbrued their hands in that Blood and ſhed it. And when it Vivificat… Chriſti ſanguine, etiam qui fudit ſanguinem Chriſti; Talis eſt Chriſti ac tanta patientia; quae niſi talis exiſteret; Paulum quoque Apoſtolum Eccleſia non haberet. Cypr. de bono Patientiae. p. mihi 316.pleaſed his Father to bruiſe him and to put him to grief, yet as a Lamb brought to the ſlaughter; and as a Sheep before her Shearers is dumb; ſo he opened not his Mouth. Iſa. 53. 7. The Members of the Body ſhould imitate Chriſt the Head in Patience.

It may be an Inducement to a quiet bearing of Affliction; that far worſe has been demerited by the very beſt, than is endured, Ezr. 9. 13. Thou our God haſt puniſhed us leſs than our Iniquities deſerve. But the Benefit of Affliction, proves that Patience is a Grace with a great deal of Reaſon in it; for who can rationally take it ill, when good comes to them; and ſpiritual kindneſſes, which are the moſt real kindneſſes, are done them?

I have demonſtrated the good of Affliction to the Saints; I ſhall now demonſtrate, the good of Patience.

Patience is your great Security, and makes you to keep Poſſeſſion of your Selves, Luk. 21. 19. In your Patience, poſſeſs ye your Souls. A Patient man, whatever he loſes, whatever he ſuffers, is ſtill himſelf, not diſcompoſed, not p. 72diſtracted and hurried away from the Conduct and Satisfaction of that Holy Wiſdom, and the Grace of God which is in Him. By Patient Continuance in well-doing, and by patient Suffering rather than he will ceaſe in well-doing, his Soul is ſafe, and ſhall never be loſt; for he that endures to the end, the ſame ſhall be ſaved. Mat. 24. 13. And in what a calm has he Poſſeſſion of his own Spirit, when his outward Condition is moſt Stormy and Tempeſtuous! He has caſt Anchor within the Vail; and that Anchor is ſure and ſtedfaſt, Heb. 6. 19. Keeps his Mind from Fluctuation and toſſing too and fro. Patience is the Souls Garriſon, and preſerves it in that Peace; which neither Earth nor Hell are able to diſturb.

Patience is that which makes you perfect, Jam. 1. 4. But let Patience have its perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire wanting nothing. The more there is of Chriſtian Patience, and Strength to perſevere both in Active and Paſſive Obedience, which God calls you to; 'tis an Argument you are arrived to the greater Degree of Perfection▪ in Grace and Holineſs. And beſides this, Patience will make you leſs concerned at thoſe Wants; which to impatient Creatures are ſo ſenſible an Affliction. He that is very Patient under Sickneſs, may truly be ſaid not ſo much to want health; He that is Patient under Poverty, does not ſo much want Riches. The Chriſtian is not diſturbed p. 73at the want of thoſe things, which he can be contentedly without. Patience made the Apoſtle go through great variety of Conditions with a moſt even and compoſed Mind and Spirit, 2 Cor. 6. 4, 8, 9, 10. In all things approving our ſelves as the Miniſters of God in much Patience, in Affliction, in Neceſſities, in Diſtreſſes; By Honour and Diſhonour, by evil Report and good Report, as deceivers and yet true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chaſtned, and not kill'd; as ſorrowful, yet always rejoycing; as Poor, yet making many Rich; as having nothing and yet poſſeſſing all things.

Patience very well becomes you, conſidering the Relation you ſtand in to God, who is a Father too Good and Wiſe, to give to any of his Children, a juſt ground for unſubmiſſion, things cannot be ordered better or with more Wiſdom than He orders them. The compliance of your Wills with His; will be a great evidence that you are renewed in the Spirit of your Minds, and that you have the new Heart promiſed in the new Covenant. And this Patience of yours being manifeſted in whatever you feel from the Hand of God or Man; will be a great Credit to Religion; and a Conviction to the World, that there is a great Efficacy in the Truth of the Goſpel, and in the Grace of God, which can carry you ſo far beyond the Strength of Nature.

p. 74**Patientia eſt quae nos Deo commendat & ſervat. Ipſa eſt quae iram temperat; quae linguam fraenat, quae mentem gubernat, pacem cuſtodit, incendium ſimultatis extinguit, coercet potentiam divitum, inopiam pauperum refovet; facit humiles in proſperis, in adverſis fortes; contra injurias & contumelias mites; tentationes expugnat, perſecutiones tolerat, paſſiones & martyria conſummat. Cyprian. De Patientiae bono, pag. mihi 319.Finally Patience will make and keep you acceptable to God, it will reſtrain Anger, and every other diſturbing Paſſion, it will bridle the Tongue; keep the Spirit under Rule and Government, it will extinguiſh Contention, and keep Peace from being broken. It will be coercive of the Power of the Rich; and it will refreſh the needineſs of the Poor. It will make you humble in the height of Proſperity; ſo ſtrong as not to faint in the depth of Adverſity; it will make you mild againſt the greateſt injuries, it will break the force of Temptation, and fortifie you againſt Perſecution; though it ſhould riſe ſo high as Martyrdom. Let all this perſwade you to the exerciſe of this admirable Grace of Patience; and ſee that it fail not in Affliction. Cry to the Lord for the increaſe of it, and that nothing may be too hard or heavy for it. He is called, foreign. The God of Patience and Conſolation; the more Patience is wrought in you; you are likely to Experience the greater Comfort.

p. 752. You that are afflicted Saints, Pray that your Faith may be ſo far from failing, that it may continually be increaſing. Faith is a Grace of great Neceſſity and Uſe; the Chriſtian lives by Faith; he ſees by Faith; he ſtands by Faith; he works by Faith; and is kept through Faith unto Salvation. In Affliction Faith is the Saints mighty ſupport; for Faith bears hard upon the Faithfulneſs of God, which will never fail; God is faithful not onelyonly in giving the good things he has promiſed; but alſo in vouchſafing Correction which he ſees 'tis needful. The Pſalmiſt ſpeaks thus. I have believed, therefore have I ſpoken, I was greatly afflicted, Pſal. 116. 10. The greatneſs of Affliction hindred not the Acting of his Faith; but his Faith hindred his fainting under the greateſt Affliction, Pſal. 27. 13. I had fainted, unleſs I had believed to ſee the goodneſs of the Lord in the Land of the living.

God may be truſted in, though he hides his face; though there are rebukes and frowns in his Countenance; God may be truſted in, though his ways are Dark and Cloudy, and his Hand heavy. Nay Holy Job ſays, Though he ſlay me yet will I truſt in him, Job 13. 15. Though the Providence of God ſeems hardly reconcileable with his Promiſes; but looks as if it thwarted his Promiſes; this is onelyonly Deceptio viſus, the Eyes miſtake. Let Faith believe p. 76what Senſe cannot diſcern, and Senſe will be forced at laſt to grant, that Faith was in the right.

In all Afflictions God is making good his Everlaſting Covenant, which is well ordered in all things and ſure, he is ſtill purſuing his deſign of Mercy towards his People, and promoting the Work of Grace, and Salvation. Believe this and reſt ſatisfied, onelyonly let deſires be ſtrong, that what God deſigns in ſending Affliction, may be attained; and that his Diſcipline may be to good effect and purpoſe.

3. You afflicted Saints, give Glory to God, who afflicts you. Here you muſt know that God is of none, but of himſelf; his Perfections undenied; He is unchangeable, no Addition can be made to his Eſſential Excellency or his Bleſſedneſs. As all that come to him find him All-ſufficient, ſo, which is a great deal more, He is Self-ſufficient; Infinitely more muſt be to the Bleſſedneſs of God, then would be enough, for the Bleſſedneſs of ten thouſand Worlds of Men and Angels. So that your glorifying of God is apprehending, acknowledging, and declaring his Glory, not making him really more glorious than he was.

Glorifie God by Believing him to be what he has revealed himſelf, by giving him the p. 77higheſt room in your Hearts; depend upon him for all things. This Fountain of living Waters is glorified, when Saints always lie at it, perpetually derive Streams from it, and the broken Ciſterns are forſaken. Glorifie God by an higher Valuation of his Favour in Chriſt; and a greater Contempt of earthly things in Compariſon. Glorifie God by more willing ſervice, and reſolute cleaving to him. God is honoured indeed, when nothing can ſeparate the Saints from him: When neither the fierceſt Wind (to allude to the Tabb) can blow away, nor the hotteſt Sun can make them to caſt away that change of Raiment with which he has cloathed them. When they can ſay with the Church of old, Pſal. 44. 17, 18, 19. All this is come upon us, yet have we not forgotten Thee, neither have we dealt falſly in thy Covenant; Our Heart is not turned back from thee, neither have our ſteps declined from thy ways; though thou haſt ſore broken us in the Place of Dragons, and covered us with the Shaddow of Death.

Finally, Glorifie God by ſuch Works, as are not a denial of God; but a Demonſtration, what a Lord he is; and what his Grace is able to effect. The Works of many Profeſſors prove them Atheiſts, Tit. 1. 16. They profeſs that they know God, but in Works deny him, being abominable and diſobedient, and to every good work reprobate. But when Saints by good p. 78Works are ſhining Lights; hereby Glory redounds to their Heavenly Father. For as the Works of Creation, are an Argument to prove moſt plainly an Eternal Power and Godhead; ſo the Works of New Creatures, ſo different from, and ſo excellent above the Works of others; make it evident that God is in theſe New Creatures; and his Grace is with them of a Truth.

4. You afflicted Saints, obſerve the Special Sins, for which your Father is angry with you, and corrects you. That Grace which is in you makes you weary of its contrary; and the more Grace you have, the more weary you will be of Sin which remains in you. Cry to be cleanſed from faults that are ſo ſecret; that they hardly are diſcerned to be faults, Pſal. 19. 12. Lurking Feavers, how dangerous are they! and much more dangerous are latent Corruptions. Therefore Surely it is meet to be ſaid unto God, I have born Chaſtiſement, I will not offend any more; that which I ſee not teach thou me, if I have done Iniquity I will do no more. Job 34. 31, 32. Find out, and purge out all the old Leaven, whether it be the Leaven of Pride, or Hypocriſie, or Earthly-mindedneſs, or Uncharitableneſs or any other Wickedneſs, that ye may be a new Lump as ye are unleavened. The bitter Cup is intended as a purging Potion. Earneſtly therefore deſire, that the Iniquity which has moſt prevailed, p. 79and defiled you, may be taken away.

5. You afflicted Saints anſwer the Lords Expectations from you, leſt Wrath from the Lord be upon you. He is ſometimes very ſevere to them, that are very dear to him. He forgives their Iniquities, but takes Vengeance of their Inventions, Pſal. 99. 8. That eminent Moſes being provoked in his Spirit ſpake unadviſedly with his Lips, Pſal. 106. 33. And that Word coſt him his Life. He falls, before Iſrael enter'd into Canaan. Hezekiah was a Gracious Man, full of Faith himſelf; and a Prince very zealous for the Reformation of Judah. See what a Character is given him, 2 Chron. 31. 20, 21. Thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and wrought that which was good and Right, and Truth before the Lord his God; And in every Work, that he began in the Service of the Houſe of God; and in the Law, and in the Commandments to ſeek his God, he did it with all his Heart and proſpered. And yet this Excellent King after Affliction, not watching his Heart, but Suffering it to be lifted up; Wrath 'tis ſaid was upon him, 2 Chron. 32. 35.

Though Gods Love to his Children be never turned into hatred; yet notwithſtanding his Love to them, he may be very angry with them; he may take them up and laſh them p. 80in the view of all, to vindicate his Holineſs, and to make it evident, that he takes no pleaſure in Wickedneſs by whomſoever it is committed. After you have felt his ſtrokes, fear your Fathers Frowns and Anger; pleaſe him in all things and abound in ſo doing; this he juſtly looks for, after he has ſhewn Care and Kindneſs both in Correcting you, and in flinging the Rod out of his hand.

6. Let the Rod, you have been chaſtized with, cauſe you to mend your Pace in Heavens way. Why ſhould Saints be as ſo many Snails, who ought rather to be ſwifter than Eagles haſting to the Prey? Is there ſuch an Holy and Mighty Spirit to help your Infirmities? Are there ſuch Promiſes of aſſiſting Grace? Is there ſuch a glorious Crown and Prize at the end of the race? And does your Salvation grow nearer and nearer every day? Oh put on with greater ſpeed. And let not a greater Violence be uſed by earthly men for meer trifles; than is by you, for the Heavenly Kingdom. Imitate thoſe wiſely eager ones, Mat. 11. 12. From the days of John the Baptiſt until now, the Kingdom of Heaven ſuffereth Violence, and the Violent take it by force. Imitate the Apoſtle Paul, who though he had laboured ſo abundantly, was far from tiring, but preſs't on ſtill with greater forwardneſs towards the Mark, for the prize of the high Calling of God.

p. 817. Abound in that Work for God here upon Earth, which cannot be done when you come to Heaven. Fill up your Time, well with that buſineſs, which will ceaſe when you enter upon Eternity. The Preachers of the Goſpel may do much at preſent, which they cannot do hereafter. Now they may warn Sinners to flee from the Wrath to come. Now they may call them to turn from their evil ways and live; now they may pray them in Chriſts ſtead to be reconciled to God. Now they may take heed to all the Flock over which the Holy Ghoſt has made them overſeers to feed the Church of God, which he has purchaſed with his own Blood, Acts 20. 28. And take heed to their Miniſtry which they have received in the Lord, that they may fulfil it, Col. 4. 17. Now they may ſhew themſelves in all things Patterns of good Works, Examples to the Flock; always labouring fervently for them in Prayer, that they may ſtand perfect and compleat in all the Will of God.

Chriſtians alſo have their Work now to do; which cannot be done in the other World. Now they may adorn the Doctrine of God their Saviour in all things. Now with well-doing they may put to ſilence the Ignorance of fooliſh men, 1 Pet. 2. 15. Now by a Conſciencious Performance of Relative Duties, they may be great Bleſſings to their Relations, and greatly p. 82promote their Eternal Intereſt. They may be blameleſs and harmleſs without rebuke; in the midſt of a crooked and perverſe Nation, acting like the Children of God, ſhining as Lights in the World, holding forth the Word of Life, Phil. 2. 14, 15, 16.

But when once Death has ſeized on the Preachers of the Word, their Mouths are ſtopt with Earth, and they are effectually ſilenced; they can ſpeak unto, and overſee the Church no longer. At Death alſo Chriſtian's Work is at an end in this World; therefore before the approach of Deaths Night, when it will be too late to work; Let all in the mean time work the harder.

8. Though you are deliver'd out of Affliction, recover'd from your Diſtempers, be ſure to die daily. So did the Apoſtle, 1 Cor. 15. 31. Dying daily, implies a daily Meditation of Death, looking upon your ſelves every day within the reach of Death, and a continual preparedneſs for Death, and a ſtedfaſt Reſolution rather to ſuffer Death, than to make Shipwrack of Faith and a good Conſcience. Do not reckon upon long Life; but be perſwaded, to live well is to live indeed. Live as thoſe that muſt die certainly; as thoſe that may die ſuddenly. Be not offended at the Croſs of Chriſt, though it ſhould ly ſo heavy upon you, as to preſs you to Death. Sinful ſaving the Life, p. 83is loſing it; but they who are valiant for the Truth of Chriſt, and will venture the loſing of Life for Chriſts ſake, ſhall find it, Mat. 16. 25. And if natural Life be continued; be earneſtly deſirous that Spiritual Life and livelineſs may be increaſed. Pray to be quickned, as the Pſalmiſt often does, Pſal. 119. and look unto Jeſus, who is a quickning Spirit, 1 Cor. 15. 45. The firſt Man Adam was made a living Soul, the laſt Adam was made a quickning Spirit. As he has given you Life, ſo he is ready to give it more and more abundantly; this will make you to live to him, and to be unweariedly active for him. The quickned Apoſtl's earneſt deſire was that Chriſt might be magnified by him; his Life was at his Lords Service; and he was ready to die alſo to ſerve him. Phil. 1. 20. According to my earneſt Expectation and my Hope, that in nothing I ſhall be aſhamed, but that with all boldneſs, as always, ſo now alſo, Chriſt ſhall be magnified in my Body, whether it be by Life or by Death.

USE V. Of Conſolation to Saints to whom it is ſo good, when they are afflicted. Unto the Righteous there ariſeth Light in the Darkneſs. The Rainbow, the emblem of Peace and token of the Covenant, is often ſeen in the blackeſt Cloud. The Saints are never in ſuch depths; but Comfort belongs to them, 'tis good for them to be as they are; nay all things conſidered; 'tis beſt for them.

p. 84Quod ſis, eſſe velis, nihilque malis.

Believers ſhould never ſay, they had rather it might be otherwiſe with them; than God ſees it fit it ſhould be; when the Plough of Affliction pierces deepeſt, Light and Joy is ſowing; and the Hopes of what at laſt will be reaped, ſhould allay the Sorrow wherewith the ſowing is attended. The Grounds of Conſolation to afflicted Saints are theſe.

1. Gods goodneſs is unqueſtionable, however he is pleaſed to deal with his People. Let them be plagued, let them be chaſtned never ſo ſore; yet God is good to Iſrael, even to them that are of a clean Heart, Pſal. 73. 1. God is their God, and his dealings are ever according to his Gracious Covenant. His wounding of them, is not like the wounds given by an Enemy, but like the Chyrurgians Lancings in order to greater ſoundneſs and for Lifes Preſervation, Iſa. 27. Hath he ſmitten him, as he ſmote thoſe that ſmote him? No no, great is the Difference between the Rod and the Scorpion; between Believers being chaſtned as Children; and the Wicked their falling into the hands of the Living God, who takes Vengeance upon them.

2. That good which Saints receive by Affliction is Spiritual. The Soul has a great kindneſs p. 85done to it. The Conſcience is bettered as to calmneſs and cleanneſs, the Heart is made more pure, the Spirit of the Lord works a greater change into the Image of God; ſo that there is an advancing from Glory to Glory. When Job had been ſome while afflicted, his Spirit began to run more clear, Job 23. 10. But he knoweth the way that I take, when he hath tried me, I ſhall come forth like Gold. The Fire and Furnace in Zion purges the Droſs, and how then does the Gold ſhine!

3. That good which the Saints reap by Affliction, is peculiar and diſtinguiſhing. Wicked men are either ſtupid under Affliction; or if they are ſtartled; they return to their former Security after Affliction. To have Affliction ſanctified is a favour peculiar to Gods peculiar People.

4. This good which the Saints receive by Affliction at preſent, is an earneſt to them of Eternal good things in the other World. Afflictions are part of the Purgatory, through which the Saints paſs and are made meet for Glory. The Popiſh Purgatory is a meer Invention for that Antichriſtian Churches ſecular Gain. The Dead find it to be nothing; but vaſt is the Worldly gain accrueing hereby to the living; by this Craft comes in the Prieſts Wealth. But the Purgatory of Affliction, promotes p. 86Purity, and is really Beneficial. The Rod at preſent yeilds the peaceable fruits of Righteouſneſs, and when theſe are brought forth a Crown of Righteouſneſs is aſſured, 2 Tim. 4. 8.

I have done with the firſt Doctrine, That Saints are afflicted for their good.

I ſhall be Brief in the Second which follows.

D. 2. The ſecond Doctrine, which I raiſed from the Text was this. The Rod of God is a means to make the Word of God to be the better Learned, Pſal. 119. 67. Before I was afflicted I went aſtray, but now have I kept thy Word. Affliction was the means to put a ſtop to the Pſalmiſts wandring; it brought his Feet into the right Path and eſtabliſhed his goings. What a light ſhines in the School of Affliction? Things are ſeen naked there! Sin; the World, Hell and Deſtruction; are all naked. The great things of the Word, are plainly ſeen to be great and good indeed; and are no longer lookt upon as ſtrange things.

In the handling of this Doctrine, I ſhall,

1. Shew you when the Word of God is indeed learned.

p. 872. What influence the Rod of God has unto the better Learning of his Word.

3. Make Application.

In the firſt Place, I am to ſhew you, when the Word of God is indeed and aright learned.

1. Learning the Word implies, a Perſwaſion of the Words Divine Authority and Truth. He has not learned the Word, who does not believe it to be indeed the Word of God, who cannot lie, 2 Tim. 3. 16. All Scripture is given by Inſpiration of God. Mens Contradictions to the Word are audacious and damnable falſhoods. And if Angels from Heaven ſhould ſpeak contrary to it, they muſt not have our Aſſent, but our Anathema, Gal. 1. 8. But though we or an Angel from Heaven, preach any other Goſpel unto you; than that which we have preached unto you; let him be accurſed. They who have learned the Word of God, perceive the Harmony of all its parts; and believe the whole, and are influenced by that belief, for the certain Truth of the Word makes it moſt Encouraging and Comfortable to the Saints; and with what Sweet Security do they reſt upon it! And the ſame Truth ſhould make it very Terrible to all impenitent Sinners!

p. 882. Learning the Word implies, an obſerving the Scope and Deſign of the Word of God; now the Deſign and Scope of it is, the Glory of God; and Mans Happineſs and Salvation. God cannot have an higher end in what he does, than Himſelf, for he is above all; therefore he has made and does all things for Himſelf; and truly ſince of him and through him are all things; he is worthy that all things ſhould be referred to him, and that in all things, he ſhould always be glorified, Rom. 11. 36. For of him, and through him, and to him are all things to whom be Glory for ever, Amen. In Subordination to his own Glory; the Lord deſigns mans wellfare, Luk. 2. 14. Glory be to God in the Higheſt, on Earth Peace, good will towards men. When the Word of God is truly learned; great notice is taken of its deſign; and the Learners aim is accordingly directed. The Glory of God and mans trueſt good are inſeparably conjoined. So that this is paſt doubt, when man moſt Minds Gods Honour, he Minds moſt his own Intereſt and Happineſs.

3. Learning the Word, implies taking due notice of the Purity and Holineſs of the Word of God. Pſal. 12. 6. The Words of the Lord are pure Words, as! Silver tried in a Furnace of Earth purified ſeven times. The Pſalmiſt ſaw this Purity, and did not take offence at it, p. 89but very much liked it, and loved the Word the better for it, Pſal. 119. 140. Thy Word is very pure; therefore thy Servant loveth it. God the Author of this Word is of Purer Eyes than to behold Iniquity; no wonder that the Word is purer than to allow of any Iniquity. The Word will not permit Sin in the Tabernacle, Job 11. 14. If Iniquity be in thy Hand, put it far away, and let not wickedneſs dwell in thy Tabernacle. The Word prohibits our contentedly Suffering Sin to ly upon our Brother, Levit. 19. 17. Thou ſhalt not hate thy Brother in thy Heart; thou ſhalt in any wiſe rebuke thy Neighbour; and not ſuffer Sin upon him. The hands muſt be cleanſed, and ſo muſt eſpecially the Heart, Jam. 4. 8. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you, cleanſe your Hands ye Sinners, purifie your Hearts ye double minded. If Sin commands the Tongue, Religion is but vain; if Sin be regarded in the Heart, Prayer is to no purpoſe. How excellent and pure is this Word of God! and thoſe that learn it ſee both the Neceſſity and Excellency of Purity and Holineſs; and they hunger and thirſt, and follow after Righteouſneſs and true Holineſs.

4. Learning the Word, implies beholding wondrous things in the Word of God, Pſal. 119. 18. Open thou my Eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy Law. And V. 129. Thy Teſtimonies are wonderful, therefore p. 90doeth my Soul keep them. The Light which ſhines forth from hence, is marvellous, 1 Pet. 2. 2. That ye ſhould ſhew forth the Praiſes of him, who hath called you out of Darkneſs into marvellous Light. The Mercy is amazing; which ſaves from ſo much Sin; prevents no leſs than endleſs Miſery; and brings thoſe to Eternal Life, who deſerved to die the Eternal Death, Jud. v. 21. Keep your ſelves in the Love of God, looking for the Mercy of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt unto Eternal Life. That Wiſdom, which appears in the contrivance of Mans Redemption by Chriſt the Mediator, is the Admiration of the elect Principalities and Powers, Eph. 3. 10. To the intent that now unto thee Principalities and Powers in the Heavenly Places, might be known by the Church the manifold Wiſdom of God. And the Love of God in Chriſt, is moſt ſweetly aſtoniſhing! 'Tis without Motive, without Meaſure, without Alteration, its height and length and depth and breadth are paſt our reach and finding out. And how highly are thoſe who are intereſted in this Love, advanced! 1 Joh. 3. 1. Behold what manner of Love the Father hath beſtowed upon us, that we ſhould be called the Sons of God! and all his Sons are heirs of Everlaſting Glory.

5. Learning the Word, implies knowing the Truth as it is in Jeſus, Eph. 4. 20, 21. But ye have not ſo learned Chriſt; if ſo be that ye p. 91have heard him, and been taught by him, as the Truth is in Jeſus. To know the Truth as it is in Jeſus, is to know Chriſt himſelf, and all Divine Truths with reſpect to Chriſt. He is the Center in which all the Lines in Scripture meet. If God be lookt upon without reſpect to this Mediator; the remembrance of the Holy and Righteous and Almighty Jehovah; muſt needs be terrible and confounding to guilty and defiled Sinners. But the Knowledge of God in Chriſt, is beneficial and reviving; for in Chriſt he is acceſſible, and a God in Covenant; and how encouraging is the Knowledg of Duty; when we look to Jeſus, becauſe in Chriſt we have aſſiſting Grace to do it ſincerely; and when 'tis thus done, in Him we have acceptance, 1 Pet. 2. 5. Ye alſo as lively ſtones are built up a Spiritual Houſe, an Holy Prieſthood to offer up Spiritual Sacrifices acceptable to God by Jeſus Chriſt. Though the Houſe be Spiritual; though the Prieſthood be Holy, though the Sacrifice be Spiritual; yet 'tis not upon their own, but upon the account of Jeſus Chriſt, that they are acceptable. Looking to Jeſus, we may look upon Sin and Miſery without diſmay, nay with thankful Hearts, for He ſaves from both, and through him an abundant entrance is adminiſtred into the Everlaſting Kingdom. He has not learned the Word to any purpoſe, who does not know that Chriſt is all in all, and fills all in all.

p. 926. Learning the Word of God, implies feeling the Power and Efficacy of this Word; till the Spirit accompanies it and ſets it home upon the Heart; and there is an experience of its Power; the Word is not aright learned. 1 Theſſ. 1. 5. Our Goſpel came to you, not in Word onelyonly, but in Power alſo, and in the Holy Ghoſt and in much Aſſurance. The Holy Ghoſt made you ſenſible of the Goſpels Efficacy, and its Efficacy aſſured you of its Divinity. So 1 Theſſ. 2. 13. Ye received it not as the Word of men, but as it is in Truth the Word of God, which worketh effectually in you that believe. This Word ſhews its Power in pulling down ſtrong holds, in caſting down Imaginations; and every high thing that exalteth it ſelf againſt the Knowledg of God; and in bringing thoughts into Captivity and Obedience to Chriſt, 2 Cor. 10. 4, 5. The Spirit of God wrought Signs and Wonders and divers Miracles, according to his own Will; for the Confirmation of the Goſpel when firſt it was publiſhed in the World; and theſe were part of the Spirit's Demonſtration of its Truth. And Miracles in the New Creation ceaſe not to be wrought ſtill by the ſame Spirit. The Word is made an effectual means, to make the dead in Sin alive to God, to make the Blind to ſee, and the Lame to walk in the Way of Gods Commandments.

p. 937. Learning the Word, implies a ready and Hearty embracing, what the Word of God Offers and Promiſes. Mammon and Satan make but very poor and mean offers and their Promiſes are deceitful, they can offer nothing but what is temporal, the things they boaſt of are onelyonly good in appearance; and they quickly vaniſh away. Indeed there is ſomething that is Eternal, but 'tis Eternal Wo and Miſery, that abides the worldly and the wicked; but this Satan ſtudiouſly endeavours to conceal from them. Whereas the offers of the Goſpel are great and glorious, worthy of all acceptation, and by all to be accepted; the Promiſes here are ſo firm, that they ſhall remain, when Heaven and Earth ſhall paſs away, Pſal. 119. 152. Concerning thy Teſtimonies, I have known of old, that thou haſt founded them for ever. If the Children of men might have their wiſh, and would wiſh but wiſely; they would wiſh, for what the Word aſſures to all Accepters of it. Here is juſtifying Righteouſneſs for the guilty and Condemned; here is Healing, Sanctifying Grace for the Diſeaſed and Defiled; here is Strength for the Weak, and Comfort for them that are caſt down; and for loſt Souls great and Everlaſting Salvation. How can he be ſaid to have learned the Word of God; or to know when he is well offer'd; by whom ſuch offers are refuſed?

p. 948. Learning the Word, implies the Subjection and Conformity of the whole man to the commands of the Word of God. Promiſes and Priviledges are to be ſtudied and embraced; and Precepts and Commands are to be received. He that caſts the commands behind his back, is very Preſumptuous in applying Promiſes to himſelf. That Hope will make a man aſhamed, which is not accompanied with Obedience. Hearken to the Pſalmiſt, Pſal. 119. 166, 167, 168. Lord I have hoped for thy Salvation, and done thy Commandments. My Soul hath kept thy Teſtimonies, and I love them exceedingly, I have kept thy Precepts and thy Teſtimonies, for all my ways are before Thee. He that has learned the Word of God, knows that the Law is not made void by Faith, but eſtabliſhed, Rom. 3. 31. Do we then by Faith, make void the Law, through Faith? God forbid, yea we eſtabliſh the Law, Chriſt the Churches Head and Prophet, in his Sermon upon the Mount, ſhews the extent of the Law, requiring Purity in the Heart and Thoughts, as well as in the Life and Actions, condemns them who ſhall break the leaſt of theſe Commands and ſhall teach men ſo; but thoſe that teach and do them, he owns as great in his Kingdom, Mat. 5. 19. The Law ſpoken from Mount Sinai is eſtabliſhed by the Legiſlator Chriſt, in Mount Sion as a Rule of Righteouſneſs. And they who are rightly inſtructed, which walk p. 95according to this Rule, both Heart and Converſation will be order'd according to its Direction, and Peace and Mercy will be upon them, and hereby they ſhew themſelves indeed the Iſrael of God.

9. Learning the Word, implies a living in Expectation and Hope of that Glory which God in his Word has revealed, Rom. 5. 2. By whom we have acceſs by Faith into this Grace wherein we ſtand, and rejoice in Hope of the Glory of God. The Apoſtle tells that our Saviour Jeſus Chriſt hath aboliſhed Death, and hath brought Life and Immortality to light by the Goſpel. What Joy is ſet before us to encourage patient continuance in Faith and well-doing! Were it not for this; the Diſciples of Chriſt would be of all men moſt miſerable: 1 Cor. 15. 19. But ſince the Glory hoped for is ſo ſure and near; they are the onelyonly Happy ones in the World. He that learned the Word aright, Heaven is in his Eye; there is his Heart and Treaſure. He knows he cannot be perfectly Holy or Happy, till he come thither; and when once come there; Holineſs and Happineſs will be perfect in degree; and endleſs in Duration. Nothing therefore can move him away from the Hope of the Goſpel. He abides in the Word, and the Word in him; and ſtands faſt in the Lord himſelf, and at laſt receives the bleſſed Life that is promiſed, 1 Joh. 2. 24, 25. Let that therefore abide p. 96in you which ye have heard from the beginning; if that which ye have heard from the beginning ſhall remain in you; ye alſo ſhall continue in the Son and in the Father; and this is the Promiſe that he hath Promiſed us, even Eternal Life.

And if all this be implied in Learning the Word of God;

How many may Conſcience reproach for never having learned the Word to this day! Strangers they are to its Power, and haters of its Purity, and moſt fooliſhly and wickedly neglect that Grace and Salvation, which is there tender'd to them!

How many may Sigh for Sorrow, that they have learned the Word of God no better! that their Faith is no ſtronger, their delight in the Word of God no greater! and that there are ſo many defects in their Obedience to it!

How ſhould we all groan with earneſt deſires, that God Himſelf would be our Teacher, and make us right Learners of his Word! And if He is pleaſed to teach us, how Bleſſed, Holy, and Wiſe will his teaching make us! and ſuch alſo we ſhall continue; for that teaching will have a laſting effect upon us, Pſal. 119. 33, Teach me O Lord the Way of thy Statutes, and I ſhall keep it unto the end.

p. 97In the ſecond Place, I am to ſhew the Influence, that the Rod of God has to make his Word the better Learned.

1. The Rod of Affliction awakens the Conſcience. So that it is very punctual in doing its Office; Conſcience being ſtartled cauſes fear; Where there was too much unconcernedneſs and ſtupidity before. The Conſciences of Joſephs Brethren after the great Injury they did him; lay in a deep ſleep for many Years together; but Diſtreſs and Affliction awakened them, Gen. 42. 21. They ſaid one to another, We are verily guilty concerning our Brother, in that we ſaw the anguiſh of his Soul, when he beſought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this diſtreſs come upon us. Conſcience being awakened is full of remorſe, becauſe the Word of God has been obſerved with no more care. Conſcience alſo is ſtill urging, To the Law, and to the Teſtimony. This is the way to be freed from Trouble, and to attain to Peace, Pſal. 119. 165. Great Peace have they that Love thy Law. Gal. 6. 16. And as many as walk according to this Rule, Peace be on them, and Mercy, and upon the Iſrael of God.

2. The Rod of Affliction, takes off from worldly Buſineſs and Diverſions; and hereupon they that are afflicted, are at better leaſure to conſider their ways, Eccleſ. 7. 14. In the day of p. 98Adverſity conſider. God is not to be complained of for puniſhing Sin; but men who are puniſhed ſhould ſearch and try their ways and turn to Him. Lam. 3. 39, 40. Inconſiderateneſs is ſpoken of, as the occaſion of a World of Wickedneſs, and 'tis exclaimed againſt as very offenſive and inexcuſable, Iſa. 1. 2, 3. Hear O Heavens and give ear O Earth, for the Lord hath ſpoken; I have nouriſhed and brought up Children, and they have rebelled againſt me; The Ox knows his owner, and the Aſs his Maſters Crib, but Iſrael doth not know, my People doth not conſider! Now the more any conſider what they do; the greater heed they will take to the Word of God; for this Word Counſels ſafely; it directs and leads in the way of Peace and Truth, and Life, Prov. 6. 23. For the Commandment is a Lamp, and the Law is Light, and Reproofs of Inſtruction are the way of Life.

3. The Rod of Affliction brings God to remembrance, whoſe the Word is; and God being remembred, his Word is the more awfully regarded. Moſt men forget the Lord all their days, Jer. 2. 32. Can a Maid forget her Ornaments? or a Bride her attire? yet my People have forgotten me days without number. And forgetting the Lord they forget themſelves, their Duty and their Intereſt. Affliction is a means to bring God to mind; and his hand being lifted up, and there being a Rod in his p. 99hand; there is a more heedful looking into his Word to know his Pleaſure, and what is the ground of his preſent diſpleaſure and controverſie. Job was deſirous to know his Tranſgreſſion and Sin; and wherefore it was that God hid his Face and counted him for his Enemy, Job 13. 23, 24.

4. The Rod of Affliction, brings Iniquity to remembrance, which is contrary to the Word of God. The very firſt ſtroke of Correction, how of a ſudden has it opened mens Eyes, and marſhall'd their Sins more terrible than an Army with Banners before them! Pſal. 50. 21. I will reprove thee and ſet them in Order before thine Eyes. Now the remembrance of Sin is a great ingredient in true Contrition and Repentance, which the Word of God ſo often calls for, Ezek. 36. 31. Then ſhall ye remember your evil ways, and doings that have not been good, and ſhall loath your ſelves in your own ſight for your Iniquities and Abominations. To remember Sin in Hell, will be to remember Sin too late; and the Eternal Remembrance of it, and the Folly and Perverſeneſs in giving way to it; will be a great part of the Sinners Eternal Torment. But to remember Sin, in Affliction; is very profitable; how evident now is the deceitfulneſs of it! All its pretences of Impunity, Gain, and Pleaſure; are found altogether vain. This is One great Leſſon of the Rod. Sin cheats all its Servants, and quickly ends in Sorrow.

p. 1005. The Rod of Affliction, brings Duty to remembrance, which the Word of God requires. Omiſſion and neglect of Duty, and negligence in Duty, are then reflected on with grief; for if Duty had been more ſeriouſly and frequently performed, poſſibly the ſtroke might not have been felt; and ſuppoſe it had; improving of Ordinances might have furniſhed the Heart with more Faith and Patience to have born it. And now ſays the Rod be better acquainted with the Word, know thy Duty, and from what Principle thou art to act; after what manner, and to what end. Act from Spiritual Life, let Faith work by Love; and the more there is of the Heart and will, in Obedience; 'tis the better; and let it be the conſtant deſign, that God in all things may be glorified through Jeſus Chriſt, 1 Pet. 4. 11. Affliction vehemently urges unto practical Godlineſs, and unto walking in newneſs of Life. Doers of the Word are bleſſed in their deed, whereas thoſe Profeſſours are Self-deceivers, who ſatisfie themſelves with a Faith which Works not, but is dead, Jam. 1. 22. But be ye doers of the Word, and not hears only deceiving your own ſelves. V. 25. Whoſo looketh into the perfect Law of Liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the Work; this man ſhall be bleſſed in his deed.

p. 1016. The Rod of Affliction brings Death to remembrance, and Death brings the Night, when the Work, which the Word of God calls for, can be done no more, Joh. 9. 4. I muſt work the Works of him that ſent me while 'tis day, the night cometh when no man can work: When a man ſeriouſly meditates on Death, how wiſe will it make him! he will number his days aright, and do the Work for which time and days are given him, Pſal. 90. 12. Teach us ſo to number our days, that we may apply our Hearts to Wiſdom.

And if Death be brought to remembrance by Affliction; Judgment which follows at the heels of Death will alſo be thought of. And this Judgment will be according to the Word of God, for this Book among others will be opened at the great day; and Sentence paſs'd according to it, Joh. 12. 48. The Word which I have ſpoken the ſame ſhall judge him at the laſt day. The Conſideration of a future Judgment how will it quicken to the ſtudy, ſearch, and Practiſe of the Word! If the Word now bind thee, becauſe of thy Ʋnbelief and Impenitency in Sin; thou art bound in Heaven. If the Word now condemns thee; continuing as thou art; the Judge alſo will moſt certainly condemn thee. But if the Word at preſent does acquit thee, the Judge alſo will abſolve thee. If the Word pronounces thee bleſſed, becauſe p. 102Poor in Spirit, Meek, a Mourner for Sin, one that hungers and thirſts after Righteouſneſs, becauſe pure in Heart, a Peace-maker, and one that is willing to ſuffer Perſecution for Righteouſneſs ſake; rather than ceaſe the Practice of Righteouſneſs, Mat. 5. 3, 10. Being thus pronounced Bleſſed by the Word; Our Lord will never contradict himſelf; but at laſt will ſay to thee, Come thou Bleſſed of my Father inherit the Kingdom prepared for thee from the Foundation of the World, Mat. 25. 34.

I come in the laſt place to the Application.

USE I. Of Information: From the Doctrine we may learn ſeveral uſeful Leſſons.

1. We may be inſtructed concerning the end of Affliction, which is our truer Knowledg and Holineſs. The Rod ſends us to the Word, from whence Wiſdom comes, Prov. 2. 6. For the Lord giveth Wiſdom, out of his Mouth cometh Knowledg and Underſtanding. And this Word is the Word not onelyonly of Wiſdom but of Grace alſo; a means to work, and to increaſe it; until 'tis perfected in Glory, Act. 20. 32. And now Brethren I commend you to God and to the Word of his Grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an Inheritance among all them that are ſanctified.

p. 1032. God is very much provoked when his Word is contemned; therefore he afflicts that his Word may be regarded; ſurely then a diſregard to it angers him. 'Tis great Condeſcenſion in God to ſpeak to man; 'tis great kindneſs to ſpeak to man for his own good; but when man ſhall neither regard his own good, nor the Lords condeſcending kindneſs; this very much incenſes God againſt him. The Apoſtles Caution is very ſtrict, and with a great deal of Reaſon, Heb. 12. 25. See that ye refuſe not him that ſpeaketh; for if they eſcaped not who refuſed him that ſpake on Earth; much more ſhall not we eſcape, if we turn away from Him that ſpeaketh from Heaven. When lighter Afflictions are ineffectual to make men ſtand in awe of the Word of God; deſolating Judgments many times follow, 2 Chron. 36. 16. But they mocked the Meſſengers of God, and deſpiſed his Words, and miſuſed his Prophets, until the Wrath of the Lord aroſe againſt his People, till there was no remedy.

3. When God is very angry; a believing Subjection to his Word is the way to have his Wrath appeaſed. Indeed nothing ſatisfies the Juſtice of God, but Chriſts Sacrifice of himſelf upon the Croſs for Sin; nothing Merits the favour of God; but the Obedience and Sufferings of his Dear Son. But yet Obedience p. 104to the Word of God, is like taking away the fewel from the fire, whereby the fire is extinguiſhed, when according to the Word, we ceaſe to do evil, and learn to doi well; the ground of Gods controverſie is at an end. It was a dreadful Propheſie, yet forty days and Nineveh ſhall be deſtroyed. This Word was believed, and as it was a loud call to Repentance, ſo that call was anſwered and obeyed; it iſſued well, the Ninevites repent of their wickedneſs, God repents of his Anger, and does not pour it upon them, Jon. 3. 10. And God ſaw their Works, that they turned from their evil ways; and God repented of the evil that he had ſaid, that he would do unto them, and did it not.

4. When God lets Sinners alone in a wicked neglect of his Word, without afflicting them, 'tis to be feared, he intends they ſhall dy without Wiſdom. Gods forbearing to afflict; is ſometimes an Argument of great diſpleaſure, Iſa. 1. 5. Why ſhould ye be ſtricken any more? ye will ſtill revolt more and more. And being ſtricken no more, they are the more hardned from his fear; till at laſt as Fiſhes are taken in an evil Net; and as Birds are caught in the Snare; ſo theſe Sinners are ſnared in an evil time; when it falleth ſuddenly upon them. Eccleſ. 9. 12.

5. Saints which are not exerciſed with Affliction, p. 105had need to be very careful, that gentler methods which are uſed, be effectual to their Progreſs in Grace and Holineſs. 'Tis found harder to know how to abound, than how to want; more difficult to avoid the Snares of Proſperity, than to overcome the Temptations of Adverſity. Hence that Caution, Deut. 8. 10, 11. When thou haſt eaten and art full, beware that thou forget not the Lord thy God, in not keeping his Commandments, and his Judgments, and his Statutes which I command thee this day. If you ſeldom feel the Rod; but onelyonly fair means are uſed; Oh admire Divine goodneſs, and with great care take heed to his Word, being very thankful and fruitful together. And if in the height of Proſperity, where neither frown is ſeen in Gods face, nor blow felt from his hand, He is with Joy remembred and ſerved; this Obedience is with great evidence of Sincerity and Uprightneſs.

6. Saints who after feel the Rod of Affliction ſhould have a more than ordinary regard to the Word of God. They ſhould tremble at it, for God has a ſpecial regard to them that tremble at his Word, Iſa. 66. 2. And they ſhould rejoice with trembling; in it. Saints who are frequently chaſtiſed, are intruſted with the more Talents, and ſhould improve them accordingly. Another day we ſhall be called to account, what Benefit we have received by Afflictions; as well as how we have profited under p. 106Ordinances. Frequent Troubles ſhould make our Conſciences more tender, Sin by the blows of the Rod ſhould be ſtruck more dead; we ſhould live more as Pilgrims on Earth, our Eye ſhould be more upon the Heavenly Inheritance; and the Apple of our Eye ſhould not be kept with greater charineſs, than we keep the Word of God, Prov. 7. 2. Keep my Commandments and live, and my Law as the Apple of thine Eye.

USE II. Of Counſel to All to incline their Ears and apply their Hearts to learn the Word of God. That you may attain to this Learning (incomparably the trueſt and beſt Learning in the World) is the deſign of Preaching; and you ſee 'tis the deſign of Afflicting Providences. And Mercies are beſtowed with the ſame intent, Pſal. 105. 45. All the deliverances wrought for Iſrael, God wrought them to this end, That they might obſerve his Statutes, and keep his Laws. That Wiſdom, which is to be found in the Word of God, is a Treaſure more valuable than all the Treaſures on Earth; and this Treaſure lies deep; but 'tis highly worth ſearching for. And therefore Solomon ſignifies to us, that we ſhould ſeek for it, as for Silver, and ſearch for it as for hid Treaſures, Prov. 2. 4. If thou ſeekeſt her as Silver, and ſearcheſt for her as for hid Treaſures; then ſhalt thou underſtand the fear of the Lord and find the Knowledge of God. Nay p. 107this Word of God is not only your Treaſure; but 'tis as much as your Life is worth, to neglect this Word of God, Deut. 32. 46, 47. Set your Hearts unto all the Words, which I teſtifie among you this day, for it is not a vain thing for you, for it is your Life.

Here I ſhall anſwer two Queſtions, and ſo conclude this Diſcourſe.

The Firſt is, Which Way this Learning in the Word of God may be attained?

The Second is, What are ſufficient and comfortable Evidences; that the Word of God is truly Learned?

The Firſt Queſtion is, Which Way this Learning in the Word of God may be attained? Unto this I Anſwer,

1. Let every Rod you feel cauſe a ſtricter ſearch into the Word. 'Tis part of the Rods Language, Tolle, lege; take the Word, and Read, and be better acquainted with it. The Rod is uſed in Grammar Schools; that Authors there may be more diligently Studied. God uſes his Rod in his own School; that his Book the Holy Bible may be the better underſtood and practiſed. There is not any Affliction, but it ought to be lookt upon as an Admonition to take greater heed to the Holy p. 108Scripture, which is profitable for Doctrine, for Reproof, for Correction, for Inſtruction in Righteouſneſs, that the Man of God may be perfect, throughly furniſhed unto all good works, 2 Tim. 3. 16, 17.

2. Be ſenſible, that true and ſaving Knowledge is from above, therefore ask it from thence, Jam. 1. 5. If any of you lack Wiſdom, let him ask it of God; who gives to all men liberally without upbraiding; and it ſhall be given him. And V. 17. Every good and perfect Gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of Lights. And as God is the Father of Lights, ſo his Spirit is the Spirit of Wiſdom and Revelation, Eph. 1. 17, 18. He enlightens the Eyes of the Underſtanding, and puts ſaving Knowledge into the Heart. What an Inſtructer is the Spirit of the Lord! He not onelyonly reveals Gods Counſel; but gives an Heart to apprehend it, and to be anſwerably affected with it. He not onelyonly ſpeaks the Word, which it does ſo infinitely concern all to know; but he gives alſo the Ear to hear, the Eye to ſee, and the Heart to underſtand.

3. Reſolve when Inſtructed to Praiſe your Inſtructer; thus does the Pſalmiſt Purpoſe and Promiſe, Pſal. 119. 7. I will Praiſe thee, with uprightneſs of Heart, when I ſhall have learned thy Righteous Judgments. How joyful was the Hallelujah! when the Pſalmiſt had ſaid; He geveth his Word unto Jacob, his Statutes and p. 109his Judgments to the Children of Iſrael, Pſal. 147. 19, 20. And Pſal. 119. 164. Seven times a day do I Praiſe thee, becauſe of thy Righteous Judgments. And V. 62. He had ſaid, upon the ſame account, he would ariſe at midnight and give thanks unto God.

4. Look unto Jeſus in whom are hid all the Treaſures of Wiſdom and Knowledge, Col. 2. 3. Chriſt is the Churches Lawgiver and Prophet. He declares the Father, whom no man at any time hath ſeen, and no man knoweth the Father, but the Son, and he to whom the Son ſhall reveal him, Mat. 11. 17. He opens the Eyes and Underſtanding to underſtand the Scripture, Luk. 24. 45. The Goſpel is as it were a Sealed Book, till he opens it; a right underſtanding of the Things of God, and which belong to your Peace, is both Chriſts Purchaſe; and the Work and Effect of his illuminating Spirit.

5. Pray much for Meekneſs and Humility; and let not any deceitful luſt be harboured in the Heart. A Promiſe of Guidance is made to the Meek and Lowly, Pſal. 25. 8, 9. Good and upright is the Lord, therefore will he teach Sinners in the way, the Meek will he guide in Judgment, and the Meek will he teach his Way. Make no Proviſion for any fleſhly or wordly Luſts, for theſe Luſts of the Heart influence the Head; and hinder the Light from ſhining p. 110there ſo clearly and powerfully, both Mind and Conſcience by fulfilling theſe Luſts will be defiled. The Apoſtle plainly intimates, that the old man muſt be put off which is corrupt according to deceitful Luſts; or elſe we can never be renewed in the Spirit of our Mind, Eph. 4. 22, 23. In ſhort, be willing to know the Truth, that you may be ſanctified by the Truth. Look into the perfect Law of Liberty; and count you, walk moſt at Liberty; when you walk moſt accurately and exactly according to this Law. Cry for Knowledge in Order to Affection and Practiſe; that's the Way, to attain to great underſtanding in the Word of Righteouſneſs. Talents you ſhall ſtill be intruſted with, when you are thus ready to Trade with them.

The Second Queſtion follows, What are ſufficient and comfortable Evidences, that the Word of God is truly Learned?

What has been ſpoken already may be in part an Anſwer to this Queſtion. But that this great Caſe may be more fully reſolved; I ſhall add theſe Particulars.

1. You have truly Learned the Word of God, when you ſtand in awe of it. When Conſcience does urge, and the whole man does reverence the Words Authority. And the Heart concludes, that God muſt be obeyed whatever p. 111come on't, and that nothing can excuſe diſobedience to his Commands. This Holy awe of the Word muſt break the force of the ſtrongeſt Temptations from worldly Gain, and ſinful Pleaſures; and it muſt Swallow up the fear of the greateſt Men, who will diſlike you for the ſake of Righteouſneſs, Pſal. 119. 161. Princes have perſecuted me without a cauſe; but my Heart ſtandeth in awe of thy Word. Princes commands and threats are not ſo much to be minded, as Gods commands, and the threatnings wherewith they are enforced. When Princes have inflicted Temporal Death; they are come to their Ne plus ultra, they can go no further; Eternal Life and Death are not in their Power; but how is God to be ſanctified and dreaded, who can reward, or puniſh for ever in the World to come!

2. You have truly Learned the Word of God, when you preferr it before all things, which are really of leſs value. Worldly Wiſdom, Riches, Might, and earthly Greatneſs, are very deſpicable, compared with that Knowledge of God, which this Word is a means to convey to us, Jer. 9. 23, 24. Thus ſaith the Lord, let not the wiſe man Glory in his Wiſdom, neither let the mighty man Glory in his Might; let not the rich man Glory in his Riches. But let him that glorieth, Glory in this, that he underſtandeth and knoweth Me. See how the Policy of the greateſt Potentates on p. 112Earth is diſparaged in Compariſon of Scriptural Wiſdom, and not without ſufficient Reaſon. The Policy of Princes, and themſelves periſh together. But Believers who are made wiſe by the Word of God, do mind, and attain unto, and ſhall be unmoveably poſſeſs't of, an Eternal Glory and Kingdom, 1 Cor. 2. 6, 7. Howbeit we ſpeak Wiſdom among them that are perfect, yet not the Wiſdom of this World, nor of the Princes of this World, which come to nought; but we ſpeak the Wiſdom of God in a Myſtery; even the hidden Wiſdom, which God ordained before the World unto our Glory. In my Text the Pſalmiſt having ſaid, 'Tis good for me that I have been afflicted, preſently expreſſes his Eſtimation of the Word, above thouſands of Gold and Silver. If the Word has an higher Room in your Judgments and Affections after Affliction, Affliction has certainly done you good, and you have learned the Word to good purpoſe.

3. You have truly Learned the Word of God; if you Love and Delight therein, and make it your continual Meditation, Pſal. 119. 15, 16. I will Meditate in thy Precepts and have reſpect unto thy Ways, I will delight my ſelf in thy Statutes, I will not forget thy Word. Here are excellent Rules, and they that walk by them are perfected more and more; for they become more gloriouſly like to God himſelf; here are clean and ſafe Ways; Promiſes of p. 113the good things of Time, ſo far as they are good for any of you; and of the infinitely better things of Eternity. All this may be well matter of great delight. The more you love the Word, the greater will be your Peace, and you will hold on in the beſt ways without offence or ſtumbling, Pſal. 119. 165. Great Peace have they that love thy Law, and nothing ſhall offend them.

4. You have truly learned the Word of God, when you keep it both in Heart and Life. Not to keep it in the Life, is a ſcandalous contempt of the Word; not to keep it in the Heart, though there be a ſpecious form and ſhew of Religion, is but demure and abominable Hypocriſie. If the Word be in your Hearts, how will it as nouriſhing Food well concocted there make you ſtrong in Spirit! It will make your Hearts both clean and comfortable, and as a powerful Antidote expel Sins Poyſon, Pſal. 119. 11. Thy Word have I hid in my Heart, that I might not Sin againſt Thee. Let not Sin, but the Word Reign in your Mortal Body, that none of the Members of it may be defiled and debaſed in wicked Works and Services. Prize all the Ordinances and Inſtitutions of the Word of God; neglect none; be negligent in none. The more theſe are prized and uſed, the greater Reaſon you will ſee to perſiſt in the uſe of them, for the greater ſpiritual Benefit will ſenſibly be reaped. p. 114That Noble Pair, had learned the Word indeed, of whom it was ſaid, Luk. 1. 6. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the Commandments and Ordinances of the Lord blameleſs.

5. You have truly learned the Word of God, when your care is to commend it and to adorn it in all things. The more this Word is in your Mouths, the more Edifying will your Diſcourſe be. Speak much of this Word and for it, nay if you ſpeak much of it as it is; you will ſpeak for it, for the Word will commend it ſelf. Mind thoſe Injunctions, Eph. 4. 29. Let no corrupt Communication proceed out of your Mouths, but that which is good to the uſe of Edifying, and which may adminiſter Grace to the hearers. And Deut. 6. 6, 7. Theſe Words, which I command thee this day, ſhall be in thy Heart; and thou ſhalt talk of them, when thou ſitteſt in thy Houſe; and when thou walkeſt by the way; when thou lieſt down; and when thou riſeſt up. How can it be ſaid the Word has been entertained in your Hearts; if you are not ready to commend it that it may have a Room in the Hearts of others? And let not your Commendation of the Word be verbal onelyonly but real. Let your Converſations ever become the Goſpel, Live ſuirably to ſuch a pure, Holy and Heavenly Word, and walk worthy of God who by this Word has called you to his Kingdom and Glor…, … Theſ. 2. ….

p. 1156. You have truly learned the Word of God, when you do every things by its Direction, not onelyonly your Duty towards God, but your Duty towards Man. In all your ways, God is to be eyed and acknowledged, that by his Word your Paths may be directed, Prov. 3. 6. Trade muſt be managed by the Word, and the rules of Truth and Juſtice and Equity laid down there; this is the way to grow Rich with a Bleſſing, and without the Addition of Sorrow. A Family muſt be order'd by this Word; and all the Members of Families, and the Governours of them, muſt learn their Relative Duties from the Word of God. Recreations muſt be regulated hereby, elſe there may quickly be a forgetting of God, an exceſſive delight in them; and too great an expence of precious time. Nothing can be well done, if the Word be not regarded in the doing of it, and nothing can be ill done or miſcarry, under the Words Conduct.

7. You have truly learned the Word of God, if you never depart from it. Perſevering in Obedience will prove you foreign indeed Diſciples, Joh. 8. 31. Jeſus ſaid to thoſe Jews, who believed in him; if ye continue in my Word, then are ye my Diſciples indeed. This ſhews the Lord himſelf has been your Teacher, and is teaching you ſtill and ſtrengthning you together, Pſal. 119. 33. Teach me O p. 116Lord the way of thy Statutes, and I ſhall keep it to the end. And V. 102. he ſays, I have not departed from thy Judgments for thou haſt taught me. Stick unto his Teſtimonies, and cleave unto the Lord with ſuch a Reſolution as neither Mammon, Sin, nor Satan may ever ſhake. You can never change your Lord or his Service, but you muſt change infinitely for the worſe; therefore be ſtedfaſt, unmoveable, always abounding in his work. Though the Mountains depart, and the Hills be removed; yet do you abide with God, and ſtand faſt in the Faith unto the Death; that you may receive the Promiſed Crown of Life, and wear it for evermore.

FINIS.