A Body of Practical Divinity, Sermon 83 · Part 4
MATTH. vi.10.
Thy Will be done in Earth, as it is in Heaven.
WE come next to the Third Petition, Thy Will be done in Earth as it is in Heaven.
This Petition consists of Two Parts.
I. The Matter, Doing of Gods Will.
II. The Manner, As it is in Heaven.
I. The Matter of this Petition is, The doing of Gods Will. Thy Will be done.
Quest. 1. What is meant by the Will of God?
Answ. There is a twofold Will: 1. Voluntas decreti, Gods secret Will, or the Will of his Decree: We pray not that Gods secret Will may be done by us. This secret Will cannot be known, it is locked up in Gods own breast, and neither Man or Angel hath Key to open it. 2. Voluntas revelata, Gods revealed Will. This revealed Will is written in the Book of Scripture; the Scripture is a declaration of Gods Will, it discovers what he would have us do in order to our Salvation.
Quest. 2. What do we pray for in these words, Thy Will be done?
Answ. We pray for two things. 1. For Active Obedience; that we may do Gods Will actively in what he commands. 2. For Passive; that we may submit to Gods Will patiently in what he inflicts. We pray that we may do Gods Will actively, subscribe to all his commands, believe in Jesus the cardinal Grace, lead holy lives. So Austin upon the Petition, Nobis a Deo precamur Obedientiam, we pray that we may actively obey Gods Will. This is the summe of all Religion, the two Tables epitomized, The doing of Gods Will. Thy Will be done. We must know Gods Will before we can do it; knowledge is the eye which must direct the foot of Obedience. At Athens there was an Altar set up foreign, To the unknown God, Acts 17.23. It is as bad to offer the blind to God as the dead. Knowledge is the Pillar of Fire to give light to practise; but though knowledge is requisite, yet the knowing of Gods Will is not enough without doing of his Will: Thy Will be done. If one had a System of Divinity in his head, if he had foreign, all knowledge, 1 Cor. 13.2. yet if Obedience were wanting, his knowledge were lame, and would not carry him to Heaven. Knowing Gods Will may make a Man admired, but it is doing Gods Will that makes him blessed; knowing Gods Will without doing it, will not crown us with happiness.
1. The bare knowledge of Gods Will is inefficacious, it doth not better the heart. Knowledge alone is like a Winter-Sun which hath no heat or influence; it doth not warm the Affections, or purifie the Conscience. Iudas was a great Luminary, he knew Gods Will, but he was a Traytor.
2. Knowing without doing Gods Will will make ones case worse, 'twill heat Hell the hotter; Luke 12.47. The servant which knew his Lords will, and did not according to his will shall be beaten with maeny stripes. Many a Mans knowledge is a torch to light him to Hell. Thou who hast knowledge of Gods Will but dost not do it, wherein dost thou excel an Hypocrite? Nay, wherein dost thou excel the Devil? who transforms himself into an Angel of light? 'Tis improper to call such Christians who are knowers of Gods Will, but not doers of it. 'Tis improper to call him a Tradesman who never wrought in his Trade; so to call him a Christian who never wrought in the Trade of Religion. Let us not rest in the knowing of Gods Will. Let it not be said of us as Plutarch speaks of the Grecians, They knew what was just but did it not. Let us set upon this, the doing of Gods Will. Thy Will be done.
Quest. 3. Why is the doing of Gods Will so requisite?
Answ. 1. Out of Equity. God may justly claim a right to our Obedience; he is our founder; we have our being from him; and 'tis but equal that we should do his Will at whose word we were Created. God is our Benefactor; 'tis just that if God give us our Allowance we should give him our Allegiance.
2. The great design of God in the World is to make us doers of his Will. 1. All Gods Royal Edicts and Precepts are to bring us to this, to be doers of his Will; what needed God been at the pains to give us the copy of his Law, and write it out with his own Finger else. The Word is not only a Rule of Knowledge, but of Duty; Deut. 13.4. Deut. 26.16. This day the Lord thy God hath commanded thee to do these statutes, thou shalt therefore keep and do them. If you tell your Children what is your mind, it is not only that they may know your Will, but do it. God gives us his Word as a Master gives a Scholar a Copy to write after it; he gives it as his Will and Testament, that we should be the Executors to see it performed. 2. This is the end of all Gods Promises to draw us to do Gods Will; the Promises are loadstones to Obedience, Deut. 11.27. A blessing if ye obey; as a Father gives his Son Money to bribe him to Obedience. Deut. 28.1. If thou shalt hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and do all his commandments, the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all the nations of the earth; Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and in the field. The Promises are a Royal Charter settled upon Obedience. 3. The Minatory part of the Word, the threatnings of God stand as the Angel with a Flaming Sword to deter us from Sin, and make us doers of Gods Will; Deut. 11.28. A curse if ye will not obey. Psal. 68.21. God shall wound the hairy scalp of every one that goes on still in his trespasses. These threatnings do often take hold of Men in this Life; they are made examples, and hung up in chains to scare others from Disobedience. 4. All Gods Providences are to m…ke us doers of his Will. As God makes use of all the seasons of the Year for Harvest, so all his various Providences are to bring on the Harvest of Obedience.
1. Afflictions are to make us do Gods Will; 2 Chron. 33.12. When Manasseh was in affliction, he besought the Lord, and humbled himself greatly. The Rod hath this voice, Be doers of Gods Will. Affliction is called a Furnace; Isa. 48.10. The furnace melts the metal, and then it is cast into a new mould. Gods Furnace is to melt us and mould us into Obedience.
2. Gods Mercies are to make us do his Will; Rom. 12.1. I beseech you by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice. Body is by a Synecdoche put for the whole Man. If the Soul should not be presented to God as well as the Body, it could not be a reasonable service. Now saith the Apostle, I beseech you by the mercies of God present your selves a living sacrifice. Mercies are the strongest obligations to Duty. Hos. 11.4. I drew them with the cords of a man; that is, with the golden cords of my Mercy. In a word, all that is written in Law or Gospel, tends to this, that we should be doers of Gods Will, Thy Will be done.
3. By doing the Will of God we evidence Sincerity; as Christ said in another sense, Iohn 10.25. The works which I do, bear witness of me: So it is not all our golden words, if we could speak like Angels, but our works, our doing of Gods Will, which bears witness of our Sincerity. We judge not of the health of a Mans Body by his high Colour, but by the Pulse of the Arm, where the Blood chiefly stirs; so a Christians soundness is not to be judged by his Profession; what is this high Colour? but the estimate of a Christian is to be taken by his Obediential acting, his doing the Will of God; this is the best Certificate and Letters Testimonial to shew for Heaven.
4. Doing Gods Will much propagates the Gospel; this is the Diamond that sparkles in Religion. Others cannot see what Faith is in the Heart, but when they see we do Gods Will on Earth, this makes them have a venerable opinion of Religion, and become Proselites to it. Iulian in one of his Epistles writing to Arsatius, saith, That the Christian Religion did much flourish by the Sanctity and Obedience of them that professed it.
5. By doing Gods Will we show our Love to Christ; Iohn 14.21. He that hath my commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me. What greater Love to Christ than to do his Will, though it cross our own. Every one would be thought to love Christ; but how shall that be known but by this, do you do his Will on Earth? Ne que principem veneramur si odio ejus Leges habemus, Isid. 'Tis a vain thing for a Man to say he loves Christs Person, when he slights his Commands. Not to do Gods Will on Earth is a great evil, 'tis,
(1.) Sinful.
(2.) Foolish.
(3.) Dangerous.
(1.) It is Sinful. 1. We go against our Prayers; we pray, Fiat voluntas tua, thy will be done, and yet we do not obey his will, we confute our own Prayer. 2. VVe go against our Vow in Baptism; we have vowed to fight under the Lords Banner, to obey his Scepter, and this Vow we have oft renewed in the Lords Supper; if we do not Gods will on Earth we are forsworn, and God will indite us of Perjury.
(2.) Not to do Gods will on Earth is Foolish; 1. Because there is no standing it out against God. If we do not obey him we cannot resist him: 1 Cor. 10.…2 Are we stronger than he? Iob. 40.9. Hast thou an arm like God? Canst thou measure Armes with him? To oppose God is as if a Child should fight with an Arch-Angel; as if an heap of Bryars should put themselves into a battalia against the Flame. 2. Not to do Gods will is foolish, because if we do not Gods will we do the Devils will. Is it not folly to gratifie an enemy? To do his will that seeks our ruine?
Quest. But are any so wicked as to do the Devils will?
Answ. Yes; Iohn 8.44. Ye are of your Father the Devil, and the lusts of your Father ye will do. VVhen a Man tells a lye doth he not do the Devils will? Acts 5.3. Ananias, Why hath Satan filled thy heart to lye to the Holy Ghost?
(3.) Not to do Gods Will is dangerous; it brings a Spiritual Praemunire. If Gods Will be not done by us, he will have his will upon us; if we obey not Gods will in commanding, we shall obey his will in punishing, 2 Thess. 1.7. The Lord Iesus shall be revealed with his mighty Angels in flames of fire, taking vengeance on them that obey not his gospel. Either we must do Gods will, or suffer it.
6. VVhatever God wills us to do is for our benefit: Behold here self-interest. As if a King commands his Subject to dig in a Mine of Gold, and then gives him all the Gold he hath digged. God bids us do his will, and this is for our good; Deut. 10.13. And now O Israel, what doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, and keep the commandments of the Lord, which I command thee this day for thy good. It is Gods will that we should repent, and this is for our good; Repentance ushers in remission; Acts 3.9. Repent that your sins may be blotted out. It is Gods will that we should believe; and why is it but that we should be crowned with Salvation; Mark 16.16. He that believes shall be saved. VVhat God wills is not so much our Duty as our Priviledge; he bids us obey his voice, and it is greatly for our good; Ier. 7.23. Obey my voice and I will be your God. I will not only give you my Angels to be your guard, but my self to be your portion; my Spirit shall be yours to sanctifie you, my Love shall be yours to comfort you, my Mercy shall be yours to save you. I will be your God.
7. To do Gods will is our Honour. A Person thinks it an Honour to have a King speak to him to do such a thing; the Angels count it their highest Honour in Heaven to do Gods will; Servire Deo regnare est, To serve God is to reign. Non onerant nos sed ornant, Salvian. How chearfully did the Rowers row the Barge that carried Caesar; to be imployed in his Barge was an Honour, to be imployed in doing Gods will, is insigne Honoris, the highest ensign of Honour that a Mortal Creature is capable of. Christs Precepts do not burden us but adorn us.
8. To do Gods Will on Earth makes us like Christ, and akin to Christ. 1. It makes us like Christ: Is it not our Prayer that we may be like Christ. Jesus Christ did his Fathers will; Iohn 6.38. I came down from Heaven not to do my own will, but the will of him that sent me. God the Father and Christ, as they have but one Essence, so but one VVill; Christs will was melted into his Fathers; Iohn 4.34. My meat is to do the will of him that sent me. By our doing Gods will on Earth, we resemble Christ; nay, we are akin to Christ, and are of the Blood-Royal of Heaven. Alexander called himself Couzen to the Gods; what Honour is it to be akin to Christ. Matth. 12.50. Whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in Heaven, the same is my Brother, and Sister, and Mother. Did King Solomon arise off his Throne to meet his Mother, and set her on a Throne by him, 1 Kings 3.19. such Honour will Christ bestow on such as are doers of Gods will, he will salute them as his Kindred, and set them on a Glorious Throne in the Amphitheatre of Heaven.
9. Doing Gods will on Earth, brings Peace in Life and Death. 1. In Life; Psal. 19.11. In keeping thy precepts there is great reward; not only after keeping them but in keeping them; when we walk closely with God in Obedience, there is a secret Joy let into the Soul, and how swiftly and chearfully do the wheels of the Soul move when they are oyled with the Oyl of Gladness. 2. Peace in Death. VVhen Hezekiah thought he was about to dye, what gave him Comfort? this, that he had done the will of God: Isa. 38.3. Remember, O Lord, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth, and have done that which is good in thy sight. 'Twas Augustus his wish, that he might have an foreign, an easie Death without much pain. If any thing make our pillow easie at Death, it will be this, we have endeavoured to do Gods will on Earth. Did you ever hear any cry out on their Death-bed, that they have done Gods will too much; no, hath it not been that they have done his will no more, that they come so short in their Obedience. Doing Gods will will be both your Comfort, and your Crown.
10. If we are not doers of Gods will, we shall be looked upon as contemners of Gods will: Let God say what he will, yet Men will go on in Sin, this is to contemn God; Psal. 10.13. Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? To contemn God is worse than to rebel. The Tribes of Israel rebelled against Rehoboam because he made their Yoak heavier, 1 King. 12.16. But to contemn God is worse, 'tis to slight him; to contemn God is to put a Scorn upon him, and affront him to his Face, and an Affront will make God draw his Sword. Thus I have answered that Question why doing Gods will on Earth, is so requisite: 'Tis as necessary as Salvation.
4. Quest. In what manner are we to do Gods will that we may find acceptance?
The manner of doing Gods Will is the chief thing; the Schoolmen say well, Modus rei cadit sub praecepto, the manner of a thing is as well required as the thing it self: If a Man build an House, if he doth not do it according to the mind of the Owner, he likes it not, but thinks all his Charges lost; so if we do not Gods will in the right manner, it is not accepted; we must not only do what God appoints, but as God appoints; here lies the very Life-blood of Religion. So I come to answer this great Question, in what manner are we to do Gods will that we may find acceptance.
Answ. 1. We do Gods Will acceptably when we do Duties Spiritually, Phil. 3.3. We worship God, foreign, in the Spirit. To serve God spiritually is to do duties ab interno principio, from an inward Principle: The Pharisees were very exact about the external part of Gods worship; how zealous were they in the outward observation of the Sabbath, charging Christ with the breach of it; but all this was but outward Obedience, there was nothing of Spirituality in it; then we do Gods will acceptably, when we serve him from a renewed Principle of Grace; a Crab-tree may bear as well as a Pear-main, but it is not so good fruit as the other, because it doth not come from so sweet a Root: An unregenerate Person may do as much external obedience as a Child of God, he may pray as much, hear as much, but his Obedience is harsh and sowre, because it doth not come from the sweet and pleasant Root of Grace; the inward principle of Obedience is Faith, therefore it is called the Obedience of Faith, Rom. 16.26. But why must this silver thread of Faith run through the whole work of Obedience?
Answ. Because Faith looks at Christ in every Duty, it toucheth the Hem of his Garment, and through Christ both the Person and the Offering are accepted, Ephes. 1.6.
2. We do Gods Will acceptably when we prefer his Will before all other; if God wills one thing, and Man wills the contrary, we do obey Mans will rather than Gods, Act. 4.19. Whether it be right to hearken unto you more then unto God, judge ye. God saith, thou shalt not make a graven Image; King Nebuchadnezzar set up a Golden Image to be worshipped; but the three Children (or rather Champions) resolve Gods Will shall take place, and they would obey him, though with the loss of their Lives, Dan. 3.18. Be it known unto thee, O King, that we will not serve thy Gods, nor worship the Golden Image which thou hast set up.
3. We do Gods Will acceptably when we do Gods Will as it is done in Heaven, that is, as the Angels do it: To do Gods Will as the Angels, similitudinem notat non aequalitatem, Brugensis, denotes thus much, that we are to resemble them and make them our Pattern; though we cannot equal the Angels in doing Gods Will, yet we must imitate them; a Child cannot write so well as the Scrivener, yet he imitates the Copy in particular.
1. We do Gods VVill as the Angels do it in Heaven, when we do Gods Will Regularly, sine deflexu, we go according to divine Institutions, not Decrees of Councils, or Traditions, this is to do Gods Will as the Angels; they do it regularly, they do nothing but what is commanded; Angels are not for Ceremonies; as there are Statute-Laws in the Land, which bind; so the Scripture is Gods Statute-Law, which we must exactly observe; the Watch is set by the Dial: then our Obedience is right when it goes by the Sun-dial of the Word. If Obedience hath not the Word for its Rule, it is not doing Gods Will but our own, it is foreign, Will-worship, Deut. 12.32. The Lord would have Moses make the Tabernacle, foreign, according to the Pattern, Exod. 25.40. If Moses had left out any thing in the Pattern, or added any thing to it, it would have been very provoking; to mix any thing of our own devising in Gods worship, is to go beside, yea, contrary to the Pattern: Gods worship is the Apple of his Eye, that which he is most tender of, and there is nothing he hath more shewed his displeasure against, then the corrupting his worship. How severely did God punish Nadab and Abihu for offering up strange Fire, Lev. 10.2. that is, such Fire as God had not sanctified on the Altar; whatever is not divinely appointed, is offering up strange Fire: There is in many a strange itch after Superstition; they love a gawdy Religion, and are more for the Pomp of Worship then the Purity; this cannot be pleasing to God, for, as if God were not wise enough to appoint the manner how he will be served; Men will be so bold as to prescribe him. To thrust humane Inventions into sacred things, is a doing our own will not Gods, and he will say, quis quaesivit hoc? who hath required this at your hand? Isa. 1.12. Then we do Gods Will as it is done in Heaven▪ when we do it regularly we reverence Gods Institutions, and observe that Mode of Worship which hath the Stamp of divine Authority upon it.
2. We do Gods Will as it is done by the Angels in Heaven, when we do it intirely, sine mutilatione, we do all Gods Will; the Angels in Heaven do all that God commands, they leave nothing of his Will undone, Psal. 103.20. Ye his Angels that do his Commandments. If God send an Angel to the Virgin Mary, he goes on Gods Errand; if he gives his Angels a Charge to Minister for the Saints they obey, Heb. 1.14. It cannot stand with Angelical Obedience to leave the least Iota of Gods Will unfulfilled: This is to do Gods Will as the Angels, when we do all his Will, quicquid propter Deum fit aequaliter fit. This was Gods Charge to Israel, Numb. 15.40. Remember to do all my Commandments. And it was spoken of David, Act. 13.22. I have found David a Man after mine own heart, who shall perform all my Will, Greek, foreign, all my Wills. Every Command hath the same Authority, and if we do Gods Will uprightly, we do it uniformly, we obey every part and Branch of his Will, we joyn first and second Table; surely we owe that to God our Father, which the Papists say, we owe to our Mother, the Church, unlimited Obedience; we must incline to every Command, as the Needle moves that way which the Loadstone draws.
(2.) This discovers the unsoundness of many, who do Gods will by halves, they pick and choose in Religion, they in some things comply with Gods will, but not in other; like a foundred Horse who sets but some of his Feet on the Ground, he favours one Foot. He who is to play upon a Lute must strike upon every Sring or he spoils all the Musick: Gods Commandments may be compared to a ten-string'd Lute, we must obey Gods will in every Command, strike upon every string, or we can make no good Melody in Religion: The Badger hath one Foot shorter then the other; Hypocrites are shorter in some duties then other; some will pray, not give alms, hear the word, not forgive their Enemies, receive the Sacrament, not make Restitution, hovv can they be holy vvho are not just? Hypocrites profess fair, but vvhen it comes to sacrificing the Isaac, crucifying the beloved sin, or parting vvith some of their Estate for Christ, here they stick, and say as Naaman, 2 King. 5.18. In this thing the Lord pardon thy Servant. This is far from doing Gods will as the Angels do; God likes not such as do his will by halves; if your Servant should do some of your vvork vvhichwhich you set him about, but not all, hovv vvould you like that?
Object. But vvho is able to do all Gods vvill?
Answ. Though vve cannot do all Gods vvill legally, yet vve may Evangelically; vvhichwhich is,
1. When we mourn that we can do Gods will no better, when we fail we weep, Rom. 7.24.
2. When it is the desire of our Soul to do Gods whole Will, Psal. 119.5. O that my ways were directed to keep thy Precepts. What a Child of God wants in strength, he makes up in desire, in magnis voluisse sat est.
3. When we endeavour, quoad conatum, to do the whole Will of God: A Father bids his Child lift such a burden, the Child is not able to lift it, but he tries, and doth his endeavour to lift it, the Father accepts of it, as if h… had done it; this is to do Gods Will Evangelically, and God is pleased to take it in good part, though it be not to satisfaction, yet it is to acceptation.
3. We do Gods Will as it is done in Heaven by the Angels, when we do it sincerely, sine fuco. To do Gods VVill sincerely lies in two things.
1. To do it out of a pure respect to Gods Command.
2. With a pure Eye to Gods Glory.
1. To do Gods Will out of a pure respect to Gods Command. Abraham's sacrificing Isaac was contrary to Flesh and Blood, to sacrifice the Son of his Love, the Son of the Promise, and that no other hand but the Fathers own should do this, here was hard Service; but because God commanded it, out of pure respect to the Command, Abraham obeyed: This is to do Gods will aright, when, though we feel no present Joy or Comfort in Duty, yet because God commands we obey; not Comfort, but the Command is the Ground of Duty; thus the Angels do Gods will in Heaven; Gods Command is the weight sets the wheels of their Obedience a going.
2. To do Gods will sincerely, is to do it with a pure Eye to Gods Glory. The Pharisees did the will of God in giving Alms, but that which was a dead Fly in the Ointment, was, that they did not aim at Gods Glory, but vain-glory; they blew a Trumpet▪ Iehu did the will of God in destroying the Baal worshippers, and God commended him for doing of it: but because he aimed more at setling himself in the Kingdom, then the Glory of God, therefore God lookt upon it no better then Murder, and said he would avenge the blood of Iezreel upon the house of Iehu, Hos. 2.4. Let us look to our ends in Obedience; though we shoot short, let us take a right aim; one may do Gods will yet not with a perfect heart: 2 Chron. 25.2. Amaziah did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, but not with a perfect Heart; the Action was right for the matter, but his aim was not right; that Action which wants a good aim, wants a good issue; he doth Gods Will rightly, that doth it uprightly, his end is to honour God, and lift up his Name in the world. A gracious Soul makes God his Center, as Ioab when he had taken Rabbah sent for King David, that he might carry away the glory of the Victory, 2 Sam. 12.27. So when a gracious Soul hath done any duty, he desires that the glory of all may be given to God, 1 Pet. 4.11. That in all things God may be glorified. This is to do Gods will as the Angels, when we not only advance Gods Glory, but design his Glory; the Angels are said to cast their Crowns before the Throne, Rev. 4.10. Crowns are signs of greatest Honour, but these Crowns the Angels lay at the Lords Feet, to show that they ascribe the glory of all they do to him.
4. VVe do Gods will as it is done in Heaven by the Angels, when we do it willingly, sine murmuratione: The Angels love to be employed in Gods Service; 'tis the Angels Heaven to serve God, they willingly descend from Heaven to Earth; when they bring Messages from God, and glad Tydings to the Church; now Heaven being a place of such Joy, the Angels would not leave it a Minute of an Hour, only that they take such infinite delight in doing Gods will; we do resemble the Angels when we do Gods will willingly, 1 Chron. 28.9. And thou Solomon my Son, serve the Lord with a willing mind. Gods People are called a willing People, Psal. 110.3. in Hebrew, Gnam nedaebot, a People of willingnesses; they give God a free-will Offering, though they cannot serve him perfectly, they serve him willingly; an Hypocrite though he doth facere bonum, yet not velle, he hath no delight in duty, he doth it rather out of fear of Hell, then Love to God, when he doth do Gods will, yet it is against his will, Virtus nolentium nulla est. Cain brought his Sacrifice but grudgingly, his worship was rather a Task, then an Offering, rather Pennance then Sacrifice, he did Gods will, but against his will; we must be carried upon the wings of Delight in every Duty; Israel were to blow the Trumpets when they offered Burnt-Offerings, Numb. 10.10. blowing the Trumpets was to show their Joy and Chearfulness in serving God we must read and hear the word with Delight, Ier. 15.16. Thy Word was found and I did eat it, and it was unto me the Ioy and Rejoycing of my heart. A pious Soul goes to the word as to a Feast, or as one would go with delight to hear Musick. Sleidan reports that the Protestants in France had a Church they called Paradise, because when they were in the House of God, they thought themselves in Paradise: The Saints flock as Doves to the windows of Gods House, Isa. 60.8. who are these that flock as Doves to the windows? not that a truly regenerate Person is always in the same chearful temper of Obedience, he may sometimes find an indisposition and weariness of Soul, but his weariness is his burden, he is weary of his weariness, he prays, weeps, useth all means to regain that alacrity and freedom in Gods Service that he was wont to have: This is to do Gods will acceptably, when we do it willingly; 'tis this crowns all our Services; delight in duty is better then duty; the Musician is not commended for playing long, but well; 'tis not how much we do, but how much we love, Psal. 119.97. O how love I thy Law! Love is as Musk among Linnen, that perfumes it; Love perfumes Obedience, and makes it go up to Heaven as Incense; this is doing Gods will as the Angels in Heaven do it; they are ravished with delight while they are praising God, therefore the Angels are said to have Harps in their Hands, Rev. 15.2. as a sign of their chearfulness in Gods Service.
4. VVe do Gods will as the Angels in Heaven, when we do Gods VVill fervently, sine remissione, Rom. 12.11. Fervent in spirit serving God; foreign, a Metaphor from vvater when it seeths and boils over; so our Affections should boil over in zeal … fervency; the Angels serve God vvith fervour and intenseness; the Angels are called Seraphims, from an Hebrew word vvhichwhich signifies to burn, to shovv hovv the Angels are all on fire, Psal. 104.4. they burn in Love and Zeal in doing Gods will: Grace turns a Saint into a Seraphim; Aaron must put burning Coals to the Incense, Exod. 16.12. Incense was a Type of Prayer, burning Coals of Zeal, to show that the fire of zeal must be put to the Incense of prayer; Formality starves Duty; when we serve God dully and coldly is this like the Angels? Duty without fervency is as a Sacrifice without fire; we should ascend to Heaven in a fiery Chariot of Devotion.
5. VVe do Gods VVill as the Angels in Heaven, when we give God the best in every Service, Numb. 18.29. Out of all your Gifts, ye shall offer of all the best thereof. Numb. 28.7. In the holy place shalt thou cause the strong Wine to be poured unto the Lord for a drink-Offering. The Jews might not offer to the Lord wine that vvas small, or mixed, but the strong wine, to imply, that we must offer to God the best, the strongest of our affections; if the Spouse had a Cup more juicy and spiced, Christ should drink of that, Cant. 8.2. I would cause thee to drink of spiced Wine, of the juice of my Pomgranate. Thus the Angels in Heaven do Gods Will, they serve him in the best manner, they give him their Seraphick high stringed Praises; he who loves God gives him the Cream of his Obedience; God challenged the fat of all the Sacrifice as his due, Lev. 3.16. Hypocrites care not what Services they bring to God, they think to put him off with any thing, they put no Cost in their Duties; Gen. 4.3. Cain brought of the fruit of the Ground. The Holy Ghost took notice of Abel's Offering, that it was costly, he brought of the Firstlings of his Flock, and of the Fat thereof, Gen. 4.4. b…t when he speaks of Cain's Offering, he only saith, he brought of the Fruit of the Ground. Then we do Gods VVill aright, when we do offer Pinguia, we dedicate to him the best. Domitian would not have his Image carved in VVood or Iron, but in Gold: God will have the best we have, golden Services.
6. VVe do Gods VVill as the Angels in Heaven, when we do it readily and swiftly; the Angels do not dispute or reason the Case, but assoon as they have their Charge and Commission from God, they immediately obey, and to show how ready they are to execute Gods VVill, the Cherubims representing the Angels are described with VVings, to show how swift and forward they are in their Obedience, it is as if they had wings, Dan. 9.21. The Man Gabriel (that was an Angel) being caused to fly swiftly: Thus should we do Gods VVill as the Angels, assoon as ever God speaks the VVord, vve should be ambitious to obey, alas! how long is it sometimes e…e we can get leave of our hearts to go to a Duty; Christ went more readily ád Crucem, then we to the Throne of Grace; how many disputes and excuses have we, is this to do Gods VVill as the Angels in Heaven do it? O let us shake off this backwardness to Duty, as Paul shook of the Viper, nescit tarda molimina Spiritus sancti gratia; Zeck. 5.9. I saw two Women and the wind was in their wings: VVings are swift, but wind in the wings great swiftness; such readiness should be in our Obedience; as Peter assoon as ever Christ commanded him to let down his Net, at Christs VVord he presently let down the Net, and you know what success he had, Luke 5.4. It vvas prophesied of such as vvere brought home to Christ, Psal. 18.44. Assoon as they hear of me they shall obey me.
7. We do Gods VVill as the Angels in Heaven, when we do it constantly; the Angels are never weary of doing Gods VVill, they serve God day and night, Rev. 7.17. thus must we imitate the Angels, Psal. 106.3. Blessed is he that doth Righteousness at all times. Constancy crowns Obedience, non cepisse sed perfecisse virtutis est, Cypr. our Obedience must be like the Fire of the Altar which was continually kept burning, Lev. 6.13. Hypocrites soon give over doing Gods Will; like the Chrisolite which is of a golden Colour, in the Morning it is very bright to look on, but towards Evening it grows dull, and hath lost its splendor: VVe should continue in doing Gods VVill, because of that great loss that will befal us if we give over doing Gods VVill.
(1.) A loss of Honour, Rev. 3.11. that no man take thy Crown, implying, if the Church of Philadelphia left off her Obedience she would lose her Crown; viz. her Honour and Reputation; Apostacy creates Infamy; Iudas from an Apostle to be a Traytor, it was a Dishonour.
(2.) If we give over our Obedience it is a loss of all that hath been already done; as if one should work in silver, and then pick out all the stitches; all a Mans Prayers are lost, all the Sabbaths he hath kept are lost, he doth unravel all his good works, Ezek. 18.24. all his Righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned; he undoes all he hath done: As if one draw a curious Picture with the Pensil, and then come with his Spunge and wipe out all again.
(3.) A loss of the Soul and Happiness: We were in a fair way for Heaven, but by leaving off d…ing Gods VVill we miss of the excellent Glory, and are plunged deeper in Damnation, 2 Pet. 2.21. It had been better not to have known the way of Righteousness, then after they have known it, to turn from the Holy Commandment. Therefore let us continue in doing Gods VVill: Constancy sets the Crown upon the head of Obedience. Thus you see how we are to do Gods VVill acceptably.
VSE I. Branch. 1. See hence our Impotency, we have no innate power to do Gods VVill: VVhat need pray Thy Will be done, if we have power of our selves to do it? I wonder Free-willers pray this Petition.
2. Branch. If we are to do Gods Will on Earth as it is done by the Angels in Heaven, see then the Folly of those who go by a wrong Pattern; they do as the most of their Neighbours do; if they talk vain on the Sabbath, they do but as their Neighbours do; if now and then they swear an Oath, it is the Custom of their Neighbours to do so, but we are to do Gods Will as the Angels in Heaven; do the Angels do such things? we must make the Angels our Patterns, and not our Neighbours: if our Neighbours do the Devils will, shall we do so too? If our Neighbours go to Hell, shall we go thither too for Company?
3. Branch. See here that which may make us long to be in Heaven, then we shall do Gods Will perfectly, as the Angels do; alas, how defective are we in our Obedience here; how far do we fall short, we cannot write a Copy of Holiness without blotting; our holy things are blemished, like the Moon which when it shines brightest hath a dark spot in it: But in Heaven we shall do Gods will perfectly, as the Angels in Glory.
VSE II. Of Reproof.
1. Branch. It reproves such as do not Gods Will; they have the knowledge of Gods will, (Knowledge they count an Ornament) but though they know Gods Will, yet they do it not.
(1.) They know what God would have them avoid; they know they should not swear, Mat. 5.34. Swear not at all: For this sin the Land mourns, Ier. 23.10. Yet though they pray, Hallowed be thy Name, they profane it by shooting Oathes like Chain-Bullets against Heaven; they know they should abstain from Fornication and Uncleanness, yet they cannot but bite at the Devils Hook if he bait it with Flesh, Iude 7.
(2.) They know what God would have them practise, but they leave undone those things which they ought to have done; they know it is the will of God they should be true in their Promises, just in their Dealings, good in their Relations; but they do not the Will of God; they know they should read the Scriptures, consult with Gods Oracle, but the Bible like rusty Armour is hung up and seldom used; they look oftner upon a Pair of Cards then a Bible; they know their Houses should be Palestrae Pietatis, Nurseries of Piety, yet have no Face of Religion in them; they do not perfume their Houses with Prayer; what Hypocrites are these to kneel down in the Church, and lift up their Eyes to Heaven and say, Thy Will be done, yet have no care at all to do Gods Will; what is this but to hang out a Flag of Defiance against Heaven? and Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft.
2. Branch. It reproves those who do not Gods Will in a right acceptable manner.
(1.) They do not Gods VVill intirely; all Gods VVill; they will obey God in some things, but not in other; as if a Servant should do some of your work you set him about, but not the rest: Iehu destroyed the Idolatry of Baal, but let the golden Calves of Ieroboam stand, 2 Kings 10.30. Some will observe the Duties of the Second Table, but not the first: Others make an high Profession, as if their Tongues had been touch'd with a Coal from Gods Altar, but live idly and out of a Calling; these the Apostle complains of, 2 Thess. 3.11. We hear there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all. Living by Faith and living in a Calling must go together: This is an evil thing, not to do all Gods VVill.
(2.) They do not Gods will ardently; they do not put Coals to the Incense; nor chearfully, they bring their Sacrifice, but not their heart; this is far from doing Gods VVill as the Angels; this loseth the Reward; how can God like this to serve him as if we served him not? how can God mind our Duties when we our selves scarce mind them?
VSE III. Of Examination.
Let us examine all our Actions, whether they are according to Gods will: The will of God is the Rule and Standard, 'tis the Sun-dial by which we must set all our Actions; he is no good workman that doth not work by Rule; he can be no good Christian who goes not according to the Rule of Gods will; let us examine our Actions whether they do quadrare agree to the will of God: Are our speeches according to Gods will? Are our words savoury, being seasoned with Grace? Is our Apparel according to Gods will? 1 Tim. 2.9. In like manner that women adorn themselves in modest Apparel, not wanton and garish to invite Comers. Our Diet is it according to Gods will? Do we hold the golden Bridle of Temperance, and only take so much as may rather satisfy Nature then surfeit it; too much Oyl choaks the Lamp: Is our whole carriage and behaviour according to Gods will? Are we patterns of Prudence and Piety? Do we keep up the Credit of Religion, and shine as Lights in the world? We pray, Thy Will be done as it is in Heaven; are we like our Pattern? would the Angels do thus if they were on Earth? would Jesus Christ do this? thus is to Christianize, this is to be Saints of degrees, when we live our Prayer, and our Actions are the Counter-pane of Gods will.
VSE IV. Of Exhortation. Let us be doers of the Will of God; Thy Will be done.
1. It is our Wisdom to do Gods Will: Deut. 4.6. Keep and do these statutes, for this is your wisdom.
2. It is our Safety. Hath not Misery alwayes attended the doing of our own Will, and Happiness the doing of Gods Will?
(1.) Misery hath alwayes attended the doing of our own Will. Our first Parents left Gods Will to fulfil their own, in eating the forbidden fruit; and what came of it? The Apple had a bitter Core in it, they purchased a Curse for themselves and all their Posterity. King Saul left Gods Will to do his own, he spares Agag, and the best of the Sheep, and what was the issue, but the loss of his Kingdom?
(2.) Happiness hath alwayes attended the doing of Gods Will. Ioseph obeyed Gods Will in refusing the embraces of his Mistress, and was not this his Preferment? God raised him to be the second Man in the Kingdom. Daniel did Gods Will contrary to the Kings Decree, he bowed his Knee in Prayer to God, and did not God make all Persia bow their Knees to Daniel.
(3.) The way to have our Will is to do Gods Will. Would not we have a Blessing in our Estate, then let us do Gods Will; Deut. 28.1, 3. If thou shalt hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, to do all his commandments, the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all the nations of the earth: Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field: This is the way to have a good Harvest. Would we not have a Blessing in our Souls, then let us do Gods Will; Ier. 7.23. Obey my voice and I will be your God; I will entail my self upon you as an everlasting Portion; my Grace shall be yours to sanctifie you, my Mercy shall be yours to save you: You see you lose nothing by doing Gods Will, this is the way to have your Will. Let God have his will in being obeyed, and you shall have your will in being saved.
Quest. How shall we come to do Gods will aright?
Answ. 1. Get sound knowledge; we must know Gods Will before we can do it. Knowledge is the eye to direct the foot of Obedience: The Papists make Ignorance the Mother of Devotion, but Christ makes Ignorance the Mother of Errour; Matth. 22.29. Ye err, not knowing the Scripture. We must know Gods Will before we can do it aright. Affection without knowledge is like an Horse full of metal, but his eyes are out.
2. If we would do Gods Will aright, let us labour for self-denyal; unless we deny our own Will, we shall never do Gods Will. Gods Will and ours are like the Wind and Tide when they are contrary; God wills one thing, we will another; God calls us to be Crucified to the World, by Nature we love the World; God calls us to forgive our Enemies, by Nature we bear malice in our Heart; Gods Will and ours are contrary like the VVind and Tide, and till we can cross our own will, we shall never fulfil Gods.
3. Let us get humble Hearts: Pride is the spring of disobedience; Exod. 5.2. Who is the Lord that I should obey his voice? A proud Man thinks it below him to stoop to Gods Will. Be humble; the humble Soul saith, Lord, what wilt thou have me do? He puts as it were a blank paper into Gods hands, and bids him write what he will he will subscribe to it.
4. Beg Grace and Strength of God to do his Will; Psal. 143.10. Teach me to do thy will: As if David had said, Lord, I need not be taught to do my own Will, I can do that fast enough, but teach me to do thy Will; and that which may add wings to Prayer, is Gods gracious Promise, I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes; Ezek. 36.27. If the Loadstone draw the Iron, it is not hard for the Iron to move; if Gods Spirit inable, it will not be hard, but rather delightful to do Gods Will.
II. In this Petition, Thy Will be done in Earth, as it is in Heaven, we pray, that we may have Grace to submit to Gods Will patiently in what he inflicts: The Text is to be understood as well of suffering Gods Will as of doing it; so Maldonat, and the most Judicious Interpreters. I shall speak now of patient submission to Gods Will in whatever he inflicts: Thy Will be done. This should be the temper of a good Christian when he is under any disastrous Providence, to lye quietly at Gods Feet, and say, Thy Will be done.
Quest. 1. What this patient submission to Gods will is not?
Answ. There is something looks like Patience which is not; namely, when a Man bears a thing because he cannot help it; he takes Affliction as his Fate and Destiny, therefore he endures that quietly which he cannot avoid; this is rather Necessity than Patience.
Quest. 2. What it is may stand with patient submission to Gods Will?
Answ. 1. A Christian may be sensible of Affliction, yet patiently submit to Gods Will We ought not to be Stoicks, insensible and unconcerned with Gods dealings; like the Sons of Deucalion (who as the Poets say) were begotten of a Stone. Christ was sensible when he sweat great drops of Blood, but there was submission to Gods Will; Matth. 26.39. Nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt. We are bid to humble our selves under Gods hand, 1 Pet. 5.6. which we cannot do unless we are sensible of it.
2. A Christian may weep under an Affliction, yet patiently submit to Gods Will. God allowes tears; 'tis a sin to be foreign, without natural affection, Rom. 1.31. Grace makes the Heart tender, strangulat inclusus dolor; weeping gives vent to sorrow, expletur lachrymis dolor. Ioseph wept over his dead Father; Iob when he had so much ill news brought him at once, rent his Mantle, (an expression of grief) but did not tear his Hair in anger; only Worldly grief must not be immoderate; a Vein may bleed too much; the Water riseth too high when it overflowes the banks.
3. A Christian may complain in his Affliction, yet be submissive to Gods Will; Psal. 142.2. I cryed to the Lord with my voice, I poured out my complaint before him. We may (being under oppression) tell God how it is with us, and desire him to write down our injuries. Shall not the Child complain to his Father when he is wronged? An holy complaint may stand with patient submission to Gods Will; but though we may complain to God, we must not complain of God.
Quest. 3. What it is cannot stand with patient submission to Gods Will?
Answ. 1. Discontentedness with Providence. Discontent hath a mixture of grief and anger in it, and both these must needs raise a storm of Passion in the Soul. God having touched the apple of our Eye, and smitten us in that we loved, we are touchy and sullen, and God shall not have a good look from us; Gen. 4.6. Why art thou wroth? Like a sullen Bird that is angry, and beats her self against the Cage.
3. Murmuring cannot stand with submission to Gods Will: Murmuring is the height of impatience; it is a kind of mutinee in the Soul against God; Numb. 21.5. The people spake against God. When a Cloud of Sorrow is gathered in the Soul, and this Cloud doth not only drop into Tears, but out of this Cloud come Hail-stones, murmuring word… against God, this is far from patient submission to Gods Will. When water is hot the scum boils up; when the Heart is heated with anger against God, then this scum of murmuring boils up. Murmuring is very evil, it springs, 1. From Pride; Men think they have deserved better at Gods hands, and when they begin to swell they spit Poyson. 2. Distrust; Men believe not that God can make a Treacle of Poyson, bring good out of all their troubles, therefore they murmur; Psal. 106.24. They believed not his word, but murmured. Men murmur at Gods Providences because they distrust his Promises; God hath much ado to bear this Sin, Numb. 14.27. this is far from submission to Gods Will.
3. Discomposedness of Spirit cannot stand with quiet submission to Gods Will. When a Man saith, I am so encompassed with trouble that I know not how to get out; Head and Heart are so taken up that a Person is not fit to pray. When the strings of a Lute are snarled, the Lute can make no good Musick; so when a Christians Spirits are perplexed and disturbed, he cannot make Melody in his Heart to the Lord. To be under a discomposure of Mind, is as when an Army is routed, one runs this way, and another that, the Army is put into disorder; so when a Christian is in an hurry of Mind, his Thoughts run up and down distracted, as if he were undone; this cannot stand with patient submission to Gods Will.
4. Self-apology cannot stand with submission to Gods Will; instead of being humbled under Gods hand a Person justifies himself. A proud Sinner stands upon his own defence, and is ready to accuse God of unrighteousness, which is as if we should tax the Sun with darkness: This is far from submission to Gods Will. God smote Ionahs goard, and he stands upon his own vindication; Ionah 4.9. I do well to be angry to the death: What, to be angry with God? And to justifie this, I do well to be angry. This was strange to come from a Prophet, and was far from this Prayer Christ hath taught us, Thy Will be done.
Quest. 4. What this patient submission to Gods Will is?
Answ. It is a gracious frame of Soul, whereby a Christian is content to be at Gods dispose, and doth acquiesce in his Wisdom; 1 Sam. 3.18. It is the Lord, let him do what seemeth him good: Acts 21.14. The will of the Lord be done. That I may further illustrate this, I shall show you wherein this submission to Gods Will lyes; it lyes chiefly in three things.
(1.) In acknowledging Gods hand; seeing God in the Affliction: Iob 5.6. Affliction ariseth not out of the dust; it comes not by chance. Iob did eye God in all that befel him; Iob 1.22. The Lord hath taken away: He complains not of the Chaldeans, or the influence of the Planets, he looks beyond second Causes, he sees God in the Affliction, The Lord hath taken away. There can be no submission to Gods Will till there be an acknowledging of Gods hand.
(2.) Patient submission to Gods Will lyes in our justifying of God: Psal. 22.2. O my God I cry unto thee, yet thou hearest not, thou turnest a deaf ear to me in my affliction; ver. 3. But thou art holy. God is Holy and Just, not only when he punisheth the Wicked, but when he afflicts the Righteous. Though God put Wormwood in our Cup, yet we vindicate God, and proclaim his Righteousness. As Mauritius the Emperour, when he saw his Sons slain before his eyes, Iustus es Domine, Righteous art thou O Lord in all thy wayes. We justifie God, and confess he punisheth us less than we deserve; Ezra 9.13.
(3.) Patient submission to Gods Will lyes in the accepting of the punishment; Lev. 26.41. And they then accept of the punishment of their iniquity. Accepting of the punishment; that is, taking all that God doth in good part. He who accepts of the punishment, saith, Good is the Rod of the Lord; he kisseth the Rod, yea blesseth God that he would use such a Merciful severity, rather to afflict him than lose him. This is patient submission to Gods Will.
This patient submission to Gods Will in Affliction showes a great deal of Wisdom and Piety. The skill of a Pilot is most discerned in a storm, and a Christians Grace in the storm of Affliction; and indeed this submission to Gods Will is most requisite for us while we live here in this lower Re…gion; in Heaven there will be no need of Patience, no more than there is need of the Star light when the Sun shines. In Heaven there will be all joy, and what need of Patience then? It requires no Patience to wear a Crown of Gold, but while we live here in a Valley of Tears, there needs patient submission to Gods Will, Heb. 10.36. Ye have need of patience.
1. The Lord sometimes layes heavy Afflictions upon us; Psal. 38.2. Thy hand presseth me sore. The word in the Original for afflicted, signifies to be melted. God sometimes melts his People in a Furnace.
2. God sometimes layes divers Afflictions on us: Iob 19.17. He multiplies my wound. God shoots divers sorts of Arrowes.
(1.) Sometimes God afflicts with Poverty. The Widow had nothing left her save a pot of Oyl, 1 Kings 17.12. Poverty is a great Temptation. foreign, Menand. To have an Estate boyled away almost to nothing, is hard to Flesh and Blood; Ruth 1.20. Call me not Naomi but Mara: I went out full and the Lord hath brought me home again empty. This exposeth to Contempt. When the Prodigal was poor, his Brother was ashamed to own him: Luke. 15.30. This thy Son; he said not this my Brother, but this thy Son; he scorned to call him Brother. When the Deer is shot and bleeds, the rest of the herd push it away; when God shoots the Arrow of Poverty at one, others are ready to push him away. When Terence was grown poor, his Friend Scipio cast him off. The Muses (Iupiters Daughters) the Poets feign, had no Suitors because they wanted a Dowry.
(2.) God sometimes afflicts with Reproach▪ Such as have the light of Grace shining in them, yet may be eclipsed in their Name. The Primitive Christians were reproached as if they were guilty of Incest, saith Tertullian. Luther was called, A Trumpeter of Rebellion. David calls reproach an heart-breaking; Psal. 69.20. this God lets his dear Saints be oft exercised with. Dirt may be cast upon a Pearl; those Names may be blotted which are written in the Book of Life. Sincerity though it shields from Hell, yet not from Slander.
(3.) God sometimes afflicts with loss of dear Relations; Ezek. 24.16. Son of man behold I take away from thee the desire of thine eyes with a stroke: This is like a pulling away a Limb from the Body. He takes away an holy Child; Iacobs Life was bound up in Benjamin, Gen. 44.30. and that which puts Teeth into the Cross, and is worse than the loss of Children, is, when they are continued as living Crosses; where the Parents expected Honey, there to have Wormwood. What greater cut to a Godly Parent than a Child who disclaims his Fathers God! A Corrosive applyed to the Body may do well, but a bad Child is a Corrosive to the Heart. Such an undutiful Son had David who conspired Treason, and would not only have taken away his Fathers Crown, but his Life.
(4.) God sometimes afflicts with a foreign, infirmness of Body; scarce a well day. Sickness takes away the Comfort of Life, and makes one in Deaths oft, thus God tryes his People with various Afflictions, so that there is need of Patience to submit to Gods Will. He who hath divers Bullets shot at him needs Armour; when divers Afflictions assault, we need Patience as Armour of Proof.
3. God sometimes lets the Affliction continue long, Psal. 74.9. as it is with Diseases, there are some Chronical, that linger and hang about the Body several years together; so it is with Affliction, the Lord is pleased to exercise many of his precious ones with Chronical Afflictions, such as lye upon them a long time; so that in all these Cases we need Patience and submissiveness of Spirit to Gods Will.
VSE I. It reproves such as have not yet learned this part of the Lords Prayer, Thy Will be done; they have only said it, but not learned it. If things be not according to their Mind, if the Wind of Providence crosseth the Tide of their Will, they are discontented and querulous, where is now submission of Will to God? To be displeased with God if things do not please us, is this to lye at Gods feet, and acquiesce in his Will? This is a very bad temper of Spirit, and God may justly punish us by letting us have our Will. Rachel cryed, Give me Children, or I dye, Gen. 30.1. God let her have a Child, but it cost her her Life; Gen. 35.18. Israel not content with Manna (Angels Food) they must have Quails to their Manna, God punished them by letting them have their Will; Numb. 11.31. There went sorth a wind from the Lord, and brought quails: ver. 33. And while the flesh was yet between their teeth, the wrath of the Lord was kindled against them, and the Lord smote them with a great plague. They had better been without their Quails than had such sower sawce to them. Many have importunately desired the Life of a Child, and could not bring their Wills to Gods to be content to part with it, and the Lord hath punished them by letting them have their Will; the Child hath lived and been a burden to them. Seeing their Wills crossed God, their Child shall cross them.
VSE II. Of Exhortation. Let us be exhorted whatever troubles God doth exercise us with, aequo animo ferre, to resign up our Wills to God, and say, Thy Will be done: Which is fittest, that God should bring his will to ours, or we bring our will to his? Say as Eli, 1 Sam. 3.18. It is the Lord, let him do what seemeth him good: And as David, 2 Sam. 15.26. Behold here am I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him. It was the saying of Harpulas, Placet mihi quod. Regi placet, that pleaseth me which pleaseth the King: So should we say, that which pleaseth God pleaseth us: Thy Will be done. Some have not yet learned this art of submission to God, and truly he who wants Patience in Affliction, is like a Souldier in Battle who wants Armour.
Quest. When do we not as we ought submit to Gods Will in Affliction?
Answ. 1. When we have hard thoughts of God, and our Hearts begin to swell against him.
2. When we are so troubled at our present Affliction that we are unfit for Duty. We can mourn as Doves, but not pray or praise God. We are so discomposed that we are not fit to hearken to any good Counsel; Exod. 6.9. They hearkened not to Moses for anguish of spirit. Israel were so full of grief under their present burdens, that they minded not what Moses said, though he came with a Message from God to them; They hearkened not to Moses for anguish of spirit.
3. We do not submit as we ought to Gods Will, when we labour to break loose from Affliction by indirect means. Many to rid themselves out of trouble run themselves into Sin. When God hath bound them with the cords of Affliction, they go to the Devil to loosen their bands. Better it is to stay in Affliction, than to sin our selves out of Affliction. O let us learn to stoop to Gods Will in all afflictive Providences.
Quest. But how shall we bring our selves to this Christian Temper in all Occurrences of Providence, patiently to acquiesce in Gods Will, and say, Thy Will be done? We know not what Tryals Personal or National we may be exercised with. We seem now to be under the Planet Saturn, which hath a malignant Aspect. Our Ship is steer'd so strangely, that we are in danger on one hand of the Sands, on the other hand of the Rocks. If Affliction comes how shall we keep a Christian Decorum, how shall we bear things with equanimity of mind, and say, Thy Will be done?
Answ. The means for a quiet resignation to Gods Will in Affliction is;
1. Judicious Consideration; Eccles. 7.14. In the day of adversity consider. When any thing burdens us, or runs cross to our desires, did we but sit down and consider, and weigh things in the ballance of Judgment, it would much quiet our Minds, and subject our Wills to God; In the day of adversity consider. Consideration would be as Davids Harp, to charm down the evil Spirit of frowardness and discontent.
Quest. But what should we consider?
Answ. That which may make us submit to God in Affliction, and say, Thy Will be done, is,
1. To consider that the present state of Life is subject to Afflictions, as a Seamans Life is subject to storms: Ferre quam sortem omnes patiuntur nemo recusat: Iob 5.7. Man is born to trouble; he is heir apparent to it; he comes into the World with a cry, and goes out with a groan. Ea lege nati sumus. The World is a place where much Wormwood grows; Lam. 3.15. He hath filled me with bitterness, Hebr. Bammerorim, with bitternesses, he hath made me drunk with wormwood. Troubles arise like sparks out of a Furnace. Afflictions are some of the Thorns which the Earth after the Curse brings forth. VVe may as well think to stop the Chariot of the Sun when it is in its swift motion, as put a stop to trouble; the consideration of this our Life is exposed to eclipses and sufferings should make us say with Patience, Thy Will be done. Shall a Mariner be angry that he meets with a storm at Sea?
2. Consideration, God hath a special hand in the disposal of all Occurrences that fall out. Iob eyed God in the Affliction, chap. 1.21. The Lord hath taken away: He doth not complain of the Sabeans, or the Influences of the Planets, he looked beyond all second Causes, he saw God in the Affliction, and that made him chearfully submit, Blessed be the name of the Lord. And Christ looked beyond Iudas and Pilate, he looked to Gods determinate Counsel in delivering him up to be Crucified, Acts 4.28. this made him say, Matth. 26.39. Father, not as I will, but as thou wilt: 'Tis vain to quarrel with instruments. VVicked Men are but a Rod in Gods hand; Isa. 10.5. O Assyrian the rod of my anger. VVhoever brings an Affliction, God sends it: The consideration of this would make us say, Thy Will be done; what God doth he sees a reason for. VVe read of a wheel within a wheel, Ezek. 1.15. the outward wheel which turns all, is Providence; the wheel within this wheel, is Gods Decree; this believed would rock the Heart quiet. Shall we mutiny at that which God doth? VVe may as well quarrel with the works of Creation, as the works of Providence.
3. Consideration, which may make us humbly to submit to Gods VVill is, that there is a necessity of Affliction; 1 Pet. 1.6. (If need be) ye are in heaviness. It is needful some things be kept in brine. Afflictions are needful upon several accounts.
(1.) To keep us Humble. Oft times there is no other way to have the heart low but by being brought low: 2 Chron. 33.12. When Manasseh was in affliction, he humbled himself greatly. Corrections are Corrosives to eat out the proud flesh; Lam. 3.19. Remembring my misery, the wormwood and the gall, my soul is humbled in me.
(2.) It is necessary that there should be Affliction, for if God did not sometimes bring us into Affliction, how could his power be seen in bringing us out? Had not Israel been in the Egyptian Furnace, God had lost his glory in their deliverance.
(3.) If there were no Affliction, then many parts of Scripture could not be fulfilled. God hath promised to help us bear Affliction, and Psal. 37.24, 39. how could we experience Gods supporting us in trouble, if we did not sometime meet with it? God hath promised to give us Joy in Affliction, Iohn. 16.20. how could we taste this honey of Joy, if we were not sometimes in Affliction? Again, God hath promised to wipe away tears from our eyes, Isa. 25.8. how could God wipe away our tears in Heaven, if we never shed any? So that in several respects there is an absolute necessity that we should meet with Affliction, and shall not we quietly submit, and say, Lord, I see there is a necessity of it; Thy Will be done.
4. Consideration, to make us submit to Gods VVill in Affliction is, that whatever we feel, it is nothing but what we have brought upon our selves; we put a Rod into Gods hand to chastise us. Christian, God layes thy Cross on thee, but it is of thy own making. If a Mans field be full of Tares, it is nothing but what he hath sown in it: If thou reapest a bitter crop of Affliction, it is nothing but what thou thy self hast sown. The cords that pinch thee are of thy own twisting; Me me adsum qui feci. If Children will eat green Fruit, they may thank themselves if they are sick; if we eat the forbidden Fruit, no wonder to feel it gripe. Sin is the Trojan Horse that lands an Army of Afflictions upon us; Ier. 4.15. A voice publisheth affliction: ver. 18. Thy way and thy doings have procured these things unto thee, this is thy wickedness. If we by Sin run our selves into arrears with God, no wonder if he set Affliction as a Sergeant on our back to arrest us. This may make us patiently submit to God in Affliction, and say, Thy Will be done. VVe have no cause to complain of God, it is nothing but what our Sins have merited. Ier. 2.17. Hast not thou procured this unto thy self? The Cross though it be of Gods laying, it is of our own making; say then as Mica 7.…9 I will bear the Indignation of the Lord because I have sinned against him.
5. Consideration, to cause submission to Gods Will in Affliction; God is now about to make an Experiment, he doth it to prove and try us; Psal. 66.10. Thou O God, hast tried us as Silver is tried, thou laidst Affliction upon our Loyns. If there were no Affliction, how should God have an Opportunity to try Men? Hypocrites can sail in a Pleasure-boat, serve God in Prosperity; but when we can keep close to God in times of danger, when we can trust God when we have no Pawn, and love God when we have no smile; here is the trial of Sincerity! This may make us say, Thy Will be done. God is only trying us, what hurt is in that? What is the gold worse for being tried?
6. Consideration, to make us submit to God in Affliction, and say, Thy Will be done, is, that in all our Crosses God hath a kindness for us; as there was no Night so dark, but Israel had a Pillar of Fire to give Light; so there's no Condition so cloudy, but we may see that which gives Light of Comfort: David would sing of Mercy and Judgment, Psal. 101.1. This may make our Wills chearfully submit to Gods, to consider, in every Path of Providence we may see a Footstep of kindness.
Quest. What kindness is there in Affliction, when God seems most unkind?
Answ. 1. There is kindness in Affliction, in that there is love in it; foreign, Chrysost. Gods Rod and Gods Love may stand together, Heb. 12.6. Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, Whom he cockereth above the rest, so Mercer: As Abraham when he lift up his hand to sacrifice Isaac, loved him; so when God afflicts his People, and seems to sacrifice their outward Comforts, yet loves them: The Husbandman loves his Vine when he cuts it and makes it bleed; and shall not we submit to God? shall we quarrel with that which hath kindness in it, which comes in love? The Chyrurgion binds the Patient, and launceth him, but no wise Man will quarrel with the Chyrurgion, it is in Love, and in order to a Cure.
2. There is kindness in Affliction, in that God deals with us now as Children, Heb. 12.7. If you endure Chastening, God deals with you as Sons; God had one Son without sin, but no son without stripes. Affliction is a Badge of Adoption, 'tis Dei Sigillum, saith Tertullian, it is Gods Seal by which he marks us for his own. When Munster that holy Man lay sick, his Friends ask'd him how he did? he pointed to his Sores, saying, hae sunt gemme Dei, these are the Jewels with which God decks his Children; shall not we then say? Thy Will be done. Lord, there's kindness in the Cross, thou usest us as Children, the Rod of Discipline is to fit us for the Inheritance.
3. There is kindness that God hath in all our Afflictions left us a Promise; in the most cloudy Providences the Promise appears as a Rainbow in the Cloud.
(1.) That we shall have Gods promise with us, Psal. 91.15. I will be with him in Trouble. It cannot be ill with that Man with whom God is: I will be with him, i. e. to support, sanctify, sweeten; Gods presence is a sweetening ingredient into every Affliction. I had rather be in a Prison and have Gods Presence, then be in a Pallace and want it.
(2.) Promise, that he will lay no more upon us then he will enable us to bear, 1 Cor: 10.13. God will not try us beyond our strength; either God will make the Yoak lighter, or our Faith stronger; may not this make us submit our Wills to God when Afflictions have so much kindness in them? In all our Trials God hath left us promises, which are like Manna in the Wilderness.
4. This is great kindness that all the Troubles that befal us shall be for our profit, Heb. 12. He foreign for our profit.
Quest. But what profit is in affliction?
Answ. 1. Afflictions are disciplinary, they teach us Schola Crucis, Schola Lucis: Many Psalms have this Inscription Maschil, a Psalm giving Instruction: Affliction may have this Inscription upon it Maschil, an Affliction giving Instruction, Mica. 6.9. Hear ye the Rod. Luther saith he could never rightly understand some of the Psalms till he was in Affliction, Iudg. 8.16. Gideon took Thorns of the Wilderness and Briars, and with them he taught the Men of Succoth: God by the Thorns and Briars of Affliction teacheth us.
(1.) Affliction shows us more of our own hearts then ever: Water in a Glass-Vial looks clear, but set it on the fire and the Scum boils up: When God sets us upon the fire, then we see that Corruption boils up which we did not discern before. Sharp Afflictions are to the Soul as a soaking Rain to the House, we know not that there are such holes in the House, till the shower comes, and then we see it drop down here and there; so we before did not know that there were such unmortified Lusts in the Soul, till the storm of Affliction comes, then we spy unbelief, impatience, carnal fear, we see it drop down in many places. Thus Affliction is a sacred Collyrium, it clears our Eye-sight; the Rod gives Wisdom.
(2.) Affliction brings those sins to Remembrance, which before were buried in the Grave of Forgetfulness; Ioseph's Brethren for twenty Years together were not at all troubled for their sin in selling their Brother, but when they came into Egypt and began to be in straits, then their sin in selling their Brother came into their Remembrance, and their Hearts did smite them, Gen. 42.21. They said one to another, we are verily guilty concerning our Brother. When a Man is in distress, now his sin comes fresh into his Mind, Conscience makes a Rehearsal Sermon of all the Evils which have passed in his Life, now his expence of precious time, his Sabbath-breaking, his slighting of the word, come into his Remembrance, and he goes out with Peter and weeps bitterly. Thus the Rod gives Wisdom, it shows the hidden evil of the heart, and brings former sins to Remembrance.
2. There is Profit it Affliction, as it quickens a Spirit of Prayer, premuntur justi ut pressi clament. Ionah was asleep in the Ship, but at Prayer in the Whales Belly; perhaps in a time of health and prosperity, we pray'd in a cold formal manner, we put no coals to the Incense, we did scarce mind our own prayers, and how should God mind them, now God sends some cross or other to make us stir up our selves to take hold of God: When Iacob was in fear of his life by his Brother, then he wrestles with God and weeps in prayer, and would not leave God till he had blessed him, Hos. 12.4. 'Tis with many of Gods Children as with those who formerly had the Swe…ting sickness in this Land, 'twas a sleepy disease, if they slept they died, therefore to keep them waking they were smitten with Rosemary Branches; so the Lord useth Affliction as a Rosemary Branch to keep us from sleeping, and to awaken a Spirit of Prayer, Isa. 26.16. They poured out a Prayer, when thy Chastening was upon them; now their Prayer pierced the Heaven: In times of Trouble we pray feelingly, and we never pray so fervently as when we pray feelingly, and is not this for our profit?
3. Affliction is for our profit, as it is a means to expectorate and purge out our sin, Isa. 77.9. By this th…refore shall the iniquity of Iacob be purged; foreign, Arist. Affliction is Gods Physick to expel the noxious humour, it cures the Imposthume of Pride, the Feaver of Lust, and is not this for our profit: Affliction is Gods File to fetch off our Rust, his flail to thresh off our Husks: The Water of Affliction is not to drown us, but to wash off our Spots.
4. To be under the black Rod is profitable, in that hereby we grow more serious and are more careful to clear our Evidences for Heaven: In times of Prosperity when the Rock poured out Rivers of Oyl, Iob 29 6. we were careless in getting, at least clearing our Title to Glory; had many no better Evidences for their Land then they have for their Salvation, they were but in an ill case; but when an hour of Trouble comes, we begin to look after our spiritual Evidences, and see how things stand between God and our Souls; and is it not for our profit to see our Interest in Christ more cleared then ever?
5. Affliction is for our profit, as it is a means to take us more off from the World; the world oft proves not only a Spiders Web, but a Cockatrice Egg; pernitious worldly things are great Inchantments, they are …etinaculaspei, Tertul. they hinder us in our passage to Heaven; if a Clock be over-wound it stands still; so when the heart is wound up too much to the world, it stands still to Heavenly things; Affliction sounds a retreat to call us off the immoderate pursuit of earthly things; when things are frozen and congealed together the only way to separate them is by Fire; so when the heart and the world are congealed together, God hath no better way to separate them then by the Fire of Affliction.
6. Affliction is for our profit, as it is a Refiner, it works us to further decrees of Sanctity, Heb. 12.10. He for our profit, that we might be partakers of his Holiness. The Vessels of Mercy are the brighter for scouring; you pour water on your Linnen when you would whiten it; God pours the waters of Affliction upon us to lay our Souls a whitening: The Leaves of the Fig-tree and Root are bitter, but the Fruit is sweet: Afflictions are in themselves bitter, but they bring forth the sweet fruits of Righteousness, Heb. 12.11. This may make us submit to God, and say, Thy Will be done; there's kindness in Affliction, it is for our spiritual profit.
5. There's kindness in Affliction, in that there is no condition so bad but it might be worse; when it is duskish it might be darker; God doth not make our Cross so heavy as he might, he doth not stir up all his Anger, Psal. 78.38. He doth not put so many Nails in our Yoak, so much Wormwood in our Cup as he might; doth God chastise thy Body? he might torture thy Conscience; doth he cut thee short? he might cut thee off: The Lord might make our Chain heavier; Is it a burning-Feaver? it might have been the burning Lake: Doth God use the Pruning Knife to lop thee? he might bring his Axe to hew thee down. Ezek. 47.3. The Waters were up to the Ankles: Do the Waters of Affliction come up to the Ankles? God might make them rise higher, nay, he might drown thee in the Waters; this may make us submit quietly and say, Thy Will be done, because there is so much kindness in it; whereas God useth the Rod, he might use the Scorpion.
6. There is kindness in Affliction, in that your case is not so bad as others; they are alwaies upon the Rack; they spend their Years with sighing, Psal. 31.10. Have you a gentle fit of an Ague? others cry out of the Stone and Strangullion: Do you bear the wrath of Men? others bear the wrath of God; you have but a single trial, others have them twisted together; God shoots but one Arrow at you, he shoots a Shower of Arrows at others; is there not kindness in all this? We are apt to say, never any suffered as we; was it not worse with Lazarus, who was so full of Sores that the Dogs took pity on him, and licked his Sores? Nay, was it not worse with Christ, who lived poor and died cursed? May not this cause us to say, Thy Will be done; there is kindness in it; that God deals not so severely with us as others.
7. There is kindness in Affliction, in that (if we belong to God) it is all the Hell we shall have; some have two Hells, they suffer in their Body and Conscience, here is one Hell, and another Hell is to come, unquenchable Fire; Iudas had two Hells, but a Child of God hath but one Hell; Lazarus had all his Hell here, he was full of sores, but had a Convoy of Angels to carry him to Heaven when he dyed: Say then, Lo, if this be the worst I shall have, if this be all my Hell, I will patiently acquiesce, Thy Will be done.
8. There is kindness, in that God gives gracious supports in Affliction; if he strikes with one hand he will support with the other, Deut. 33.27. Vnderneath are the everlasting Arms. There is not the least Trial, but if God did desert us, and not assist us with his Grace, we should sink under it: The Frown of a great Man, the fear of a Reproach; Peter was frighted at the Voice of a Maid, Mat. 26.69. O therefore what Mercy is it to have Christ strengthen us, and as it were bear the heaviest part of the Cross with us. One said, I have no ravishing Joys in my sickness, but I bless God I have sweet supports: and should not this cause submission to Gods Will, and make us say, Lo, if thou art so kind as to bear us up in Affliction, that we do not faint, put us into what Wine-press, thou pleasest, Thy Will be done.
9. There is kindness in Affliction, in that it is preventive.
(1.) God by this stroke of his would prevent some sin; Paul's Thorn in the Flesh was to prevent his being lifted up in Pride, 2 Cor. 12.7. As Affliction is sometimes sent for the punishing of sin, so sometimes for the preventing of sin: Prosperity exposeth to much evil. 'Tis hard to carry a full Cup without spilling, and a full Estate without sinning. Gods People know not how much they are beholding to their Affliction, they might have fallen into some Scandal, had not God set an Hedge of Thorns in their way to stop them; what kindness is this. God lets us fall into sufferings to prevent falling into Snares; say then, Lord do as it seems good in thy sight, Thy Will be done.
(2.) God by Affliction would prevent Damnation, 1 Cor. 11.32. We are corrected in the World, that we may not be condemned with the World. A Man by falling into the Briars is saved from falling into the River: God lets us fall into the Briars of Affliction that we may not drown in Perdition: It is a great favour when a lesser punishment is inflicted to prevent a greater: Is it not Clemency in the Judge when he lays some light Penalty on the Prisoner, and saves his life; so when God lays upon us light Affliction, and saves us from wrath to come; as Pilate said, Luke 23.16. foreign, I will chastise him and let him go; so God chastiseth his Children and lets them go, frees them from eternal torment: What is a drop of sorrow the Godly tast, to that sea of Wrath the Wicked shall be drinking of to all Eternity; O what kindness is here, may not this make us say, Thy Will be done; it is preventing Physick.
10. There is kindness, in that God doth mix his Providences, Hab. 3.2. In Anger he remembers Mercy: Not all pure Gall but some Honey mixed with it. Ashurs Shoes were Iron and Brass, but his Foot was dip'd in Oyl, Gen. 33.24. Affliction is the shoo of Brass, but God causeth the Foot to be dipp'd in Oyl. As the Limner mixeth with his dark shadows bright Colours; so the wise God mingles the dark, and the bright Colour, Crosses and Blessings. The Body is afflicted, but within is Peace of Conscience; there is a Blessing: Ioseph was sold into Egppt, and put in Prison; there was the dark side of the Cloud: Iob lost all that ever he had, his Skin was clothed with Boils and Ulcers; here was a sad Providence, but God gave a Testimony from Heaven of Iobs Integrity, and did afterwards double his Estate, Iob. 42.10. The Lord gave Iob twice as much. Here was the goodness of God seen towards Iob. God doth checquer his works of Providence, and shall not we submit and say, Lord if thou art so kind mixing so many bright Colours with my dark Condition, Thy Will be done.
11. There is kindness in Affliction in that God doth moderate his Stroke, Ier. 30.11. I will correct thee in Measure. God will in the day of his East-wind stay his rough wind, Isa. 27.8. The Physician that understands the Crasis and temper of the patient, will not give too strong Physick for the Body nor will he give one Dram or Scruple too much. God knows our frame he will not over-afflict, he will not stretch the strings of his Viol too hard least they break; and is there not kindness in all this? may not this work our hearts to submission? Lord if thou usest so much gentleness and correctest in measure, Thy Will be done.
12. There is kindness in Affliction, in that God often sweetens it with divine Consolation, 2 Cor. 1.4. Who comforteth us in all our Tribulation: After a bitter Potion, a lump of Sugar. God comforts in Affliction,
(1.) Partly by his Word, Psal. 119.50. This is my Comfort in my Affliction, for thy Word hath quickened me. The Promises of the word are a shop of Cordials.
(2.) God comforts by his Spirit. Philip Landtgrave of Hesse said that in his troubles, se divinas Martyrum consolationes sensisse, he felt the divine Consolations of the Martyrs. David had his Pilgrimage-Songs, Psal. 119.54. and St. Paul his Prison-Songs, Act. 16.25. Thus God candies our Wormwood with Sugar, and makes us gather Grapes of Thorns. Some of the Saints have had such ravishing Joys in Affliction, that they had rather endure their Sufferings, then want their Comforts: O how much kindness is in the Cross! In the Belly of this Lyon is an Honey-Comb; may not this make us chearfully submit to Gods Will, when God lines the Yoak with Comfort, and gives us honey at the end of the Rod?
13. There is kindness in Affliction, in that God doth curtail and shorten it, he will not let it lye on too long, Isa. 57.16. I will not contend for ever, least the Spirit should fail before me. God will give his People a Writ of Ease, and proclaim a Year of Jubilee▪ the wicked may plow upon the backs of the Saints, but God will cut their Traces, Psal. 129.4. The Goldsmith will not let his gold lye any longer in the Furnace then till it is purified. The Wicked must drink a Sea of Wrath, but the Godly have only a Cup of Affliction, Isa. 51.17. and God will say, Let this Cup pass away. Affliction may be compared to Frost, it will break and Spring Flowers will come on, Isa. 35. Sorrow and sighing shall fly away. Affliction hath a Sting, but withal a Wing, sorrow shall fly away; this Land Flood shall be dryed up; if then there be so much kindness in the Cross, God will cause a Cessation of trouble, say then, Fiat Voluntas tua, Thy Will be done.
14. Vlt. There is kindness in Affliction, in that it is a means to make us happy, Iob 5.17. Behold, happy is the Man whom God correcteth. This seems strange to flesh and blood that Affliction should make one happy; when Moses saw the bush burning and not consumed, I will (s…ith he) turn aside and see this strange sight, Exod. 3.3. So here is a strange sight, a Man afflicted, yet happy: The World counts them happy who can escape Affliction, but happy is the Man whom God correcteth.
Quest. But how do Afflictions contribute to our happiness?
Resp. 1. As they are a means to bring us nearer to God; the Loadstone of Prosperity doth not draw us so near to God as the Cords of Affliction: VVhen the Prodigal was pinch'd with want, then saith he, I will arise and go to my Father, Luke 15.18. The Deluge brought the Dove to the Ark: The Floods of Sorrow make us hasten to Christ.
2. Afflictions make us happy, as they are Manuductions to Glory. The Storm drives the Ship into the harbour: Happy is that Storm which drives the Soul into the Heavenly harbour; is it not better to go through affliction to glory, then through pleasure to misery? not that afflictions merit glory, no cross ever merited, but that which Christ endured; but they do disponere, fit, and prepare us for glory. Think, O Christian, what Affliction leads to, it leads to Paradise, where are Rivers of Pleasure always running; may not this make us chearfully submit to Gods VVill, and say, Lord if there be so much kindness in Affliction, if all thou dost is to make us happy, Thy Will be done.
7. Consideration, It is Gods ordinary course to keep his People to a bitter Diet-Drink, and exercise them with great Trials: Affliction is the beaten Road all the Saints have gone in: The lively Stones in the Spiritual building have been all hewn and polished: Christs Lilly hath grown among the Thorns, 2 Tim. 3.12. All that will live Godly in Christ Iesus shall suffer persecution. 'Tis too much for a Christian to have two Heavens, that is more than Christ had. It hath been ever the lot of the Saints to encounter with sore tryals; Both of the Prophets, Iam. 5.10. Take my brethren the Prophets for an example of suffering affliction: And of the Apostles, Peter was Crucified with his Head downward, Iames beheaded by Herod, Iohn banished into the Isle of Patmos, the Apostle Thomas thrust thorow with a spear, (who was chosen Apostle in Iudas room) Matthias stoned to death, Luke the Evangelist hanged on an Olive-tree. Those Saints of whom the World was not worthy did pass under the Rod, Hebr. 11.36. Christs Kingdom is Regnum Crucis, this is the way God hath alwayes gone in, such as God intends to save from Hell, yet he doth not save from the Cross; the consideration of this should quiet our Minds in Affliction, and make us say, Thy Will be done. Do we think God will alter his course of Providence for us? Why should we look for exemption from trouble more than others? Why should we think to tread only upon Roses and Violets, when Prophets and Apostles have marched through the Bryars to Heaven?
8. Consideration, God hath done that for thee Christian, which may make thee content to suffer any thing at his hand, and say, Thy Will be done.
(1.) He hath adopted thee for his Child. David thought it no small Honour to be the Kings Son in Law, 1 Sam. 18.18. what an Honour is it to derive thy pedigree from Heaven, to be born of God; why then art thou troubled, and murmurest at every slight cross? As Ionadab said to Amnon, 2 Sam. 13.4. Why art thou, being the Kings Son, lean? So why art thou who art Son or Daughter to the King of Heaven, troubled at these petty things? What the Kings Son, and look lean? This may quiet thy Spirit, and bring thy Will to Gods; he hath dignified thee with Honour, he made thee his Son and Heir, and will entail a Kingdom on thee.
(2.) God hath given thee Christ. Christ is communis thesaurus, a Magazine and Storehouse of all Heavenly Treasure; a Pearl of Price to enrich, a Tree of Life to quicken. He is the quintessence of all Blessings, why then art thou discontented at thy Worldly Crosses? They cannot be so bitter as Christ is sweet, as Seneca said once to Polybius, Why dost thou complain of hard Fortune, salvo Caesare, is not Caesar thy Friend? So is not Christ thy Friend? He can never be poor who hath a Mine of Gold in his Field; nor he who hath the unsearchable Riches of Christ: Say then, Lord, Thy Will be done, though I have my Cross, yet I have Christ with it. The Cross may make me weep, but Christ wipes off all tears; Rev. 7.17.
(3.) God hath given thee Grace. Grace is the rich embroidery and workmanship of the Holy Ghost; it is the sacred Unction; 1 Iohn 2.27. The Graces are a Chain of Pearl to adorn, and Beds of Spices which make us a sweet odour to God; Grace is a distinguishing Blessing. Christ gave Iudas his Purse, but not his Spirit; may not this quiet the Heart in Affliction, and make it say, Thy Will be done. Lord, thou hast given that Jewel which thou bestowest only on the Elect. Grace is a seal of thy Love, it is both Food and Cordial, it is an earnest of Glory.
9. Consideration, When God intends the greatest Mercy to any of his People, he brings them low in Affliction. God seems to go quite cross to Sense and Reason, when he intends to raise us highest, he brings us lowest. As Moses Hand before it wrought Miracles▪ was Leprous, and Sarahs Womb, before it brought forth the Son of the Promise, was Barren. God brings us low before he raiseth us; as Water is at the lowest ebb before there is a Spring tyde.
(1.) It is true in a Temporal Sense: When God would bring Israel to Canaan, a Land flowing with Milk and Honey, he first leads them through a Sea and a Wilderness; when God intended to advance Ioseph to be the second Man in the Kingdom, he casts him first into Prison, and the Irons entred into his Soul, Psal. 105.18. God usually lets it be darkest before the Morning-Star of deliverance appears.
(2.) It is true in a Spiritual Sense. When God intends to raise a Soul to Spiritual Comfort, he first layes it low in desertion, Isa. 12.1. as the Limner layes his dark colour first, and then layes his gold colour on it, so God first layes the Soul in the dark of desertion, and then he layes his golden colour of Joy and Consolation: May not this make us chearfully submit, and say, Thy Will be done. Perhaps now God afflicts me, he is about to raise me, he intends me a greater Mercy than I am aware of.
10. Consideration, The excellency of this frame of Soul to lye at Gods feet, and say, Thy Will be done.
(1.) A Soul that is melted into Gods Will shows variety of Grace. As the holy Oyntment was made up of several Aromatick Spices, Myrrh, Cinnamon, Cassia, Exod. 30.23. so this sweet temper of Soul, submission to Gods Will in Affliction, hath in it a mixture of several Graces. In particular it is compounded of three Graces, Faith, Love, Humility. 1. Faith: Faith believes God doth all in Mercy, that Affliction is to mortifie some Sin, or exercise some Grace, that God corrects in Love and Faithfulness, Psalm 119.75. the belief of this causeth submission of Will to God. 2. Love: Love thinks no evil, 1 Cor. 13.5. Love takes all God doth in the best sense, it hath good thoughts of God, this causeth submission, Thy Will be done. Let the Righteous God smite me (saith Love) it shall be a kindness, yea, it shall be an excellent oyl which shall not break my head. 3. Humility: The humble Soul looks on its Sins, and how it hath provoked God, he saith not his Afflictions are great, but his Sins are great, this makes him lye at Gods feet and say, I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against him, Micah 7.9. Thus a submissive frame of Heart is full of grace, it is compounded of several graces, it pleaseth God to see so many graces at once sweetly exercised; he saith of such a Christian, as David of Goliahs Sword, 1 Sam. 21.9. None like that, give it me.
(2.) He who puts his fiat & placet to Gods Will, and saith, Thy Will be done, shows not only variety of grace, but strength of grace. It argues much strength in the Body to be able to endure hard weather, yet not be altered by it; so to endure hard tryals, yet not faint or fret, shows more than ordinary strength of grace. You that can say, you have brought your Wills to Gods; Gods VVill and yours agree, as the Copy and the Original; let me assure you, you have out-strip'd many Christians who perhaps shine in an higher orb of knowledge than you. To be content to be at Gods dispose, to be any thing that God will have us, shows a noble heroick Soul. It is reported of the Eagle it is not like other Fowls, they when they are hungry make a noise, the Ravens cry for food, but the Eagle is never heard to make a noise though it wants meat, and it is from the nobleness and greatness of its Spirit: The Eagle is above other Fowls, and hath a Spirit suitable to its Nature; so it is an argument of an holy gallantry and magnitude of Spirit, that whatever cross Providences befal a Christian, he doth not cry and whine as others, but is silent, and lyes quietly at Gods feet. Here's much strength of Grace in such a Soul, nay, the height of Grace. VVhen Grace is crowning, it is not so much to say, Lord, Thy Will be done, but when Grace is conflicting, and meets with crosses and tryals, now to say, Thy Will be done, is a glorious thing indeed, and prepares for the garland of honour.
11. Consideration, Persons are usually better in Adversity than Prosperity, therefore stoop to Gods VVill. A prosperous condition is not alwayes so safe; 'tis true, it is more pleasing to the Palate, and every one desires to get on the warm side of the hedge where the Sun of Prosperity shines, but it is not alwayes best: In a prosperous Estate there is more burden; many look at the shining and glittering of Prosperity, but not at the burden; Plus oneris.
(1.) The burden of care; therefore Christ calls Riches, Cares, Luke 8.14. A Rose hath its prickles, so have Riches; we think them happy that flourish in their Silks and Cloath of Gold, but we see not the Troubles and Cares that attend them. A Shooe may have Silver Lace on it, yet pinch the Foot. Many a Man that goes to his day-labour lives a more contented life than he that hath his Thousands per Annum. Disquieting Care is the malus genius, the evil Spirit that haunts the Rich Man. When his Chests are full of Gold his Heart is full of Care how to encrease, or how to secure what he hath gotten; he is sometimes full of Care who he shall leave it to. A large Estate like a long trailing garment is oft more troublesome than useful.
(2.) In a prosperous Estate there is the burden of Account. Such as are in high places have a far greater account to give to God than others; Luke 12.48. VntoUnto whomsoever much is given of him shall be much required. The more golden Talents any are intrusted with, the more they have to answer for; the more their Revenues, the more their Reckonings. God will say, I gave you a great Estate, what have you done with it, how have you employed it for my Glory. I have read of Philip King of Spain, when he was to dye, he said, O that I had never been King, O that I had lived a private solitary Life; here is all the fruit of my Kingdom, it hath made my accounts heavier. So then may not this quiet our Hearts in a low adverse condition, and make us say, Lord, Thy Will be done; as thou hast given me a less portion of Worldly things, so I have a less burden of Care, and a less burden of Account.
2. A prosperous condition hath plus periculi, more danger in it. Such as are on the top of the pinacle of Honour, are in more danger of falling, they are subject to many temptations, their Table is oft a snare. Heliogabalus made Ponds of sweet Water to bathe in; Millions are drowned in the sweet Waters of Pleasure. A great Sail over-turns the Vessel; how many by having too great Sails of Prosperity have had their Souls over-turn'd. foreign, Theophil. It must be a strong Head that bears heady Wine; he had need have much Wisdom and Grace that knows how to bear an high condition. It is hard to carry a full Cup without spilling, and a full Estate without sinning Agar feared if he were full, he should deny God, and say, Who is the Lord; Prov. 30.9. Prosperity breeds, 1. Pride: The Children of Kohath were in an higher Estate than the rest of the Levites, they were imployed in the Tabernacle about the most holy things of all, Numb. 4.4. they had the first lot, Iosh. 21.10. but as they were lifted up above others of the Levites in Honour, so in Pride, Numb. 16.3. In the Thames when the Tyde riseth higher, the Boat riseth higher; so when the Tyde of an Estate riseth higher, many Mens Hearts rise higher in Pride. 2. Prosperity breeds security. Sampson fell asleep in Delilahs lap, so do Men in the lap of Ease and Plenty. The Worlds golden sands are quick-sands. How hard is it for a rich Man to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, Luke 18.24. the consideration of this should make us submit to God in adversity, and say, Thy Will be done: God sees what is best for us; if we have less Estate we are in less danger, if we want the Honours of others, so we want their Temptations.
12. Consideration, The having of our Wills melted into Gods, is a good sign that the present Affliction is sanctified: Then an Affliction is sanctified, when it attains the end for which it was sent. The end why God sends Affliction is to calm the Spirit, to subdue the Will, and bring it to Gods Will, when this is done, Affliction hath attained the end for which it came; it is sanctified, and it will not be long ere it be removed: When the sore is healed, the smarting Plaister is taken off.
13. Consideration, How unworthy it is of a Christian to be froward and unsubmissive, and not bring his Will to God.
(1.) It is below the Spirit of a Christian. The Spirit of a Christian is Dove-like, 'tis meek and sedate, willing to be at Gods dispose; Not my will but thy will be done; Luke 22.42. A Christian Spirit is not fretful, but humble, not craving but contented. See the picture of a Christian Spirit in St Paul, Phil. 4.12. I know foreign, how to be abased, and how to abound. Paul could be either higher or lower as God saw good; he could sail with any Wind of Providence, either a prosperous or a boisterous gale, his Will was melted into Gods Will; now to be of a cross Spirit that cannot submit to God, is unworthy of the Spirit of a Christian; 'tis like the Bird, that because 'tis pent up in the Cage, and cannot fly in the open Air, beats it self against the Cage.
(2.) A froward unsubmissive frame, that cannot submit to Gods Will, is unworthy of a Christians Profession: He professeth to live by Faith, yet repines at his condition. Faith lives not by bread alone, it feeds on Promises, it makes future Glory present; Faith sees all in God: When the fig-tree doth not blossom, Faith can joy in the God of its salvation, Hab. 3.17. Now to be troubled at the present Estate, because low and mean, where is Faith? Sure that is a weak Faith, or no Faith, which must have crutches to support it. O be ashamed to call thy self Believer if thou canst not trust God, and acquiesce in his Will, in the deficiency of outward Comforts.
(3.) To be of a froward unsubmissive Spirit, that cannot surrender its Will to God is unworthy of the high Dignities God hath put upon a Christian. 1. He is a rich Heir; he is exalted above all Creatures that ever God made, except the Angels; yea, in some sense, as his Nature is joyned in an Hypostatical Union to the Divine Nature, so he is above the Angels: O then how is it below his dignity, for want of a few earthly Comforts, to be froward and ready to quarrel with the Deity. Is it not unworthy for a Kings Son, because he may not pluck such a Flower, to be discontented and rebel against his Royal Father. 2. A Christian is espoused to Jesus Christ, what to be married to Christ, yet froward and unsubmissive? Hast not thou enough in him? As Elkanah said to Hannah, 1 Sam. 1.8. Am not I better than ten Sons? Is not Christ better than a thousand Worldly Comforts? Omnia bona in summo bono. 'Tis a disparagement to Christ that his Spouse should be froward when she is matched into the Crown of Heaven.
(4.) To be of a froward unsubmissive Spirit is unsuitable to the Prayers of a Christian; he prayes, Thy Will be done, it is the Will of God he should meet with such troubles, whether Sickness, loss of Estate, crosses in Children, God hath decreed and ordered it, why then is there not submission? Why are we discontented at that which we pray for? It is a saying of Latimer, speaking of Peter who denyed his Master, Peter, saith he, forgot his Prayer, for that was Hallowed be thy Name: So oft we forget our Prayers, nay, contradict them, for we pray, Thy Will be done. Now if unsubmissiveness to God be so unworthy of a Christian, should not we labour to bring our Wills to Gods, and say, Lord, let me not disparage Religion, let me do nothing unworthy of a Christian.
14. Consideration, Frowardness and unsubmissiveness of Will to God, is very sinful.
(1.) It is sinful in its Nature; to murmur when God crosseth us in our Will showes much ungodliness. The Apostle Iude speaks of ungodly ones, ver. 15. and that we may better know who these are, he sets a mark upon them, ver. 16. These are murmurers. Some think they are not so ungodly as others, because they do not swear, or are drunk, but you may be ungodly in murmuring: there are not only ungodly Drunkards but ungodly Murmurers; nay, this is the height of ungodliness, namely, Rebellion. Korah and his Company murmured against God, and see how the Lord interprets this, Numb. 17.10. Bring Aarons rod to be kept for a token against the rebels: To be a murmurer and a rebel is in Gods account all one. Numb. 20.13. This is the water of Meribah, because the children of Israel strove with the Lord: How did they strive with God? because they murmured at his Providence, ver. 3. what wilt thou be a Rebel against God? It is a shame for a Servant to strive with his Master, but what is it for a Creature to strive with its Maker?
(2.) To quarrel with Gods Providence, and be unsubmissive to his Will is sinful in the spring and cause; it ariseth from Pride. 'Twas Satans temptation, Ye shall be as Gods; Gen. 3.5. A proud Person makes a God of himself, he disdains to have his Will crossed; he thinks himself better than others, therefore he finds fault with Gods Wisdom, that he is not above others.
(3.) Quarrelsomeness and unsubmissiveness to Gods Will, is sinful in the concomitants of it. 1. It is joyned with sinful risings of Heart. (1.) Evil Thoughts arise. We think hardly of God as if he had done us wrong, or as if we had deserved better at his hand. (2.) Passions begin to arise; the Heart secretly frets against God. Ionah was crossed in his Will, and Passion began to boyl in him; Ionah 4.1. He was very angry. Ionahs Spirit as well as the Sea wrought and was tempestuous. 2. Unsubmissiveness of Will is joyned with unthankfulness, because in some one thing we are afflicted, we forget all the Mercies we have; we deal with God just as the Widow of Sarepta did with the Prophet: The Prophet Elijah had been a means to keep her alive in the Famine, but assoon as her Child dyes, she quarrels with the Prophet, 1 Kings 17.18. O thou man of God, art thou come to slay my Son? So do we deal with God, we can be content to receive Blessings at his hand, but assoon as he doth in the least thing cross us in our Will, we grow touchy, and are ready in a Passion to fly out against him: Thus God loseth all his Mercies, and is not this high ingratitude?
(4.) Frowardness and unsubmissiveness to Gods Will is evil in the effects. 1. It unfits for Duty: It is bad sailing in a storm, and it is ill praying when the Heart is stormy and unquiet: It is well if such Prayers do not suffer shipwrack. 2. Unsubmissiveness of Spirit sometimes unfits for the use of Reason. Ionah was discontented because he had not his Will, God withered the goard, and his Heart fretted against God, and in the midst of his Passion he spake no better than non-sense and blasphemy, Ionah 4.9. I do well to be angry to the death. Sure he did not know well what he said: What to be angry with God, and dye for anger? He speaks as if he had lost the use of his Reason. Thus unsubmissiveness of Will is sinful in its Nature, Causes, Concomitants, Effects; may not this martyr our Wills, and bring our Wills to God in every thing, making us say, Thy Will be done.
15. Consideration, Unsubmissiveness to Gods Will is very impudent, we get nothing by it, it doth not ease us of our burden, but rather makes it heavier. The more the Child struggles with the Parent, the more it is beaten; when we struggle with God, and will not submit to his Will, we get nothing but more blowes. Instead of having our cords of Affliction loosned, we make God tye them the straiter. Let us then submit and say, Lord, Thy Will be done. Why should I spin out my own trouble by impatience, and make my Cross heavier? What got Israel by their frowardness, they were within eleven dayes journey of Canaan, they fall a murmuring, and God leads them a march of forty years longer in the Wilderness.
16. Consideration, The mischief of being unsubmissive to Gods Will in Affliction, it layes a Man open to many Temptations. When the Heart frets against God by discontent, here's good fishing for Satan in these troubled Waters. He usually puts discontented Persons upon indirect means. Iobs Wife fretted (so far was she from holy submission) and she presently puts her Husband upon cursing of God; Iob 2.9. Curse God and dye. What is the reason why some have turned Witches, and given themselves to the Devil, but out of envy and discontent because they have not had their Will. Others being under a Temptation of Poverty, and not having their Wills in living at such an high rate as others, have laid violent hands upon themselves. O the Temptations that Men of discontented Spirits are exposed to. Here (saith Satan) is good fishing for me.
17. Consideration, How far unsubmissiveness of Spirit is from that temper of Soul which God requires in Affliction. God would have us in Patience possess our Souls; Luke 21.19 The Greek word for Patience, foreign, signifies to bear up under a burden without fainting or …etting; but to be froward in Affliction, and quarrel with Gods Will, where is this Christian Patience? God would have us rejoyce in Affliction, Iam. 1.2. Count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; that is, Afflictions. Count it joy, be as Birds that sing in Winter: 1 Thess. 1.6. Ye received the word in affliction with joy. Paul could leap in his Fetters, and sing in the Stocks; Acts 16.25. how far is a discontented Soul from this frame; he is far from rejoycing in Affliction that hath not learned to submit.
18. Consideration, What is it makes the difference between a Godly Man and an Ungodly Man in Affliction, but only this, the Godly Man submits to Gods Will, the Ungodly Man will not submit. A Wicked Man frets and fumes, and is like a wild Bull in a Net. He in Affliction blasphemes God; Rev. 16.9. Men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God. Put a stone in the fire, and it flyes in your face; stony hearts fly in Gods face. A stuff that is rotten, the more it is rubbed the more it frets and tears: When God afflicts the Sinner, he tears himself in anger; but a Godly Man is sweetly submissive to Gods Will, this is his speech, Shall not I drink the cup which my Father hath given me. Spices when they are bruised send out a sweet fragrant smell; when God bruiseth his Saints they send out the sweet perfume of Patience. Servulus an holy Man, long afflicted with the Palsie, yet this was his ordinary speech, Laudetur Deus, Let God be praised; O let us say, Thy Will be done; let us bear that patiently which God inflicts justly, else how do we show our Grace? What difference is there between us and the wicked in Affliction?
19. Consideration, Not to submit to Gods Providential Will, is highly provoking to God. Can we anger God more than by quarrelling with him, and not let him have his Will? Kings do not love to have their Wills opposed, though they may be unjust; how ill doth God take it when we will be disputing against his Righteous Will; it is a sin God cannot bear; Numb. 14.26, 27. How long shall I bear with this evil congregation which murmur against me? May not God justly say thus, How long shall I bear with this wicked Person, who when any thing falls out cross, murmurs against me; ver. 28. Say unto them, as truly as I live saith the Lord, as ye have spoken in my ears, so will I do unto you. God swears against a murmurer; As I live; and what will God do as he lived, ver. 29. Your carcases shall fall in the wilderness. You see how provoking a discontented quarrelsome Spirit is to God, it may cost Men their Lives, nay, their Souls. God sent fiery Serpents among the People for their murmuring, 1 Cor. 10.10. he may send worse than fiery Serpents, he may send Hell fire.
20. Consideration, How much doth God bear at our hand, and shall not we be content to bear something at his hand? It would tyre the Patience of the Angels to bear with us one day; 2 Pet. 3.9. The Lord is long-suffering towards us, foreign: How oft do we offend in our Eye by envious impure glances; in our Tongue by rash censuring, but God passeth by many injuries, he bears with us. Should the Lord punish us every time we offend, he might draw his sword every day; shall God bear so much at our hands, and can we bear with nothing at his hands? Shall God be patient with us, and we impatient with him? Shall he be meek, and we murmur? Shall he endure our sins, and shall not we endure his strokes? Oh let us say, Thy Will be done. Lord, thou hast been the greatest sufferer, thou hast born more from me than I can from thee.
21. Consideration, Submitting our Wills to God in Affliction disappoints Satan of his hope, and quite spoils his design. The Devils end is in all our Afflictions to make us sin. The Reason why Satan did smite Iob in his Body and Estate was to perplex his Mind, and put him into a Passion; he hoped that Iob would have been discontented, and in a fit of anger, not only have cursed his Birth-day, but cursed his God; but Iob lying at Gods Feet, and blessing him in Affliction, disappointed Satan of his hope, and quite spoiled his plot. Had Iob murmured he had pleased Satan, had he fallen into an heat, and the sparks of his anger flown about, the Devil had warmed himself at this fire of Iobs Passion, but Iob quietly submitted, and blessed God, here Satans design was frustrated, and he missed of his intent. The Devil hath oft deceived us, the best way to deceive him is by quiet submission to God in all things, and saying, Thy Will be done.
22. Consideration, It may rock our Hearts quiet in Affliction to consider, that to the Godly, the Nature of Affliction is quite changed; to a wicked Man it is a Curse, the Rod is turned into a Serpent; Affliction to him is but an effect of Gods displeasure, the beginning of Sorrow; but the nature of Affliction is quite chang'd to a Believer, it is by a divine Chymistry turn'd into a Blessing, it is like Poyson corrected, which becomes a Medicine, it is a Love-token, a Badge of Adoption, a preparatory to glory; should not this make us say, Thy VVill be done: The poyson of the Affliction is gone it is not hurtful but healing, this hath made the Saints not only patient in Affliction, but have sounded forth Thankfulness: As Bells when they have been cast in the Fire, do afterwards make a sweeter sound; so the Godly after they have been cast into the Fire, of Affliction have sounded forth Gods Praise, Psal. 119.71. It is good for me that I was afflicted. Iob. 1.21. Blessed be the Name of the Lord.
23. Consideration, To make us submit our Will to God in Affliction is, to think how many good things we receive from God, and shall we not be content to receive some evil? Iob 2.10. Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In the Hebrew, hatton meeth ha…elohim, shall we receive good from God, and not evil? This may make us say, Thy Will be done. How many Blessings have we received at the Hand of Gods Bounty? we have been be miracled with Mercy; what sparing, preventing, delivering Mercy have we had! the Honey-comb of Mercy hath continually drop'd upon us, Lam. 3.23. His Mercies are new every Morning. Mercy comes in as constantly as the Tide, nay, how many Tides of Mercy do we see in one day? we never feed but Mercy carves every bit to us; we never drink but in the golden Cup of Mercy; we never go abroad but Mercy sets a guard of Angels about us; we never lie down in our bed but Mercy draws the Curtains of Protection close about us: Now, shall we receive so many good things at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? Our Mercies far out weigh our Afflictions, for one Affliction we have a thousand Mercies; O then let us submit to God and say, Thy Will be done: The Sea of Gods Mercy should swallow up a few drops of Affliction.
24. Consideration, To bring our Wills to God in Affliction doth much honour the Gospel: An unsubmissive Christian reproacheth Religion, as if it were not able to subdue an unruly Spirit; it is weak Physick which cannot purge out ill Humours; and sure it is a weak Gospel, if it cannot master our discontent, and martyr our Wills: Unsubmissiveness is a Reproach, but a chearful resignation of our Will to God sets a Crown of Honour upon the Head of Religion, it shows the power of the Gospel, which can charm down the Passions, and melt the Will into Gods Will; therefore in Scripture submissive patience is brought in as an adorning Grace, Rev. 14.12. Here is the Patience of the Saints.
25. Consideration, The Example of our Lord Jesus; how flexible and submissive was he to his Father! He who taught us this Prayer, Thy Will be done, had learned it himself; Christs Will was perfectly tuned to his Fathers Will; it was the Will of his Father that he should dye for our sins, and he endured the Cross, Heb. 12.2. It was a painful, shameful, cursed death; he suffered the very pains of Hell equivalently, yet he willingly submitted, Isa. 53.7. He opened not his Mouth, he opened his sides when the blood ran out, but he opened not his Mouth in repining, his will was resolved into the will of his Father, Iohn 18.11. Shall not I drink the Cup which my Father hath given me? Now the more our Wills are subject to Gods Will in Affliction, the nearer we come to Christ our Pattern; is it not our Prayer we may be like Christ? by holy Submission we imitate him: His Will was melted into his Fathers Will.
26 Consideration, To Submit our Will to God is the way to have our Will; every one would be glad to have his VVill; the way to have our Will is to resign it; God deals with us as we do with froward Children; while we fret and quarrel God will give us nothing, but when we are submissive, and say, Thy Will be done; now God carves out Mercy to us: The way to have our Will is to submit it: David brought his Will to God, 2 Sam. 15.26. Here am I, Let him do to me as seems good to him. And after he resigned his Will, he had his Will; God brought him back to the Ark, and setled him again in his Throne, 2 Sam. 19. Many a Parent that hath had a dear Child sick, when he could bring his Will to God to part with it, God hath given him the life of his Child: There's nothing lost by referring our Will to God, the Lord takes it kindly from us, and it is the only way to have our Will.
27. and Vlt. Consideration, We may the more chearfully surrender our Souls to God when we dye, when we have surrendred our Wills to God while we live: Our blessed Saviour had all along submitted his VVill to God, there was but one VVill between God the Father and Christ; now Christ having in his life time given up his Will to his Father, at death he chearfully gives up his Soul to him, Luke 23.46. Father, into thy hands I commend my Spirit. You that resign up your VVills to God may at the hour of death comfortably bequeath your Souls to him.
II. The second Means to bring our VVill to God in Affliction is, Study the Will of God.
(1.) It is a Sovereign Will, he hath a supream right and Dominion over his Creatures, to dispose of them as he pleaseth: A Man may do with his own as he list, Mat. 20.15. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with my own? A Man may cut his own Timber as he will. Gods Sovereignty may cause submission, he may do with us as he sees good; God is not accountable to any Creature for what he doth, Iob 33.13. He giveth not account of any of his matters. VVho shall call God to account? VVho is higher then the Highest? Eccl. 5.8. VVhat Man or Angel dare summon God to his Bar? He giveth not account of any of his Matters. God will take an account of our Carriage towards him, but he will give no account of his Carriage towards us; God hath an absolute Jurisdiction over us; the remembrance of this, Gods Will is a sovereign Will, to do with us what he please, may silence all discontents, and charm down all unruly Passions, we are not to dispute but submit.
(2.) Gods Will is a wise Will, he knows what is conducing to the good of his People, therefore submit, Isa. 30.18. The Lord is a God of Iudgment, that is, he is able to judge what is best for us; therefore rest in his VVisdom, and acquiesce in his VVill: VVe rest in the wisdom of a Physician, we are content he should scarify and let us blood, because he is judicious, and knows what is most conducible to our health: If the Pilot be skilful, the Passenger saith, let him alone, he knows how best to steer the Ship; and shall we not rest in Gods VVisdom? Did we but study how wisely God steers all Occurrences, and how he often brings us to Heaven by a cross wind, it would much quiet our Spirits, and make us say, Thy Will be done. Gods VVill is guided by VVisdom; should God sometimes let us have our VVill, we would undo our selves; did he let us carve for our selves, we should choose the worst piece; Lot chose Sodom because well watered, and was as the Garden of the Lord, Gen. 13.10. but God rained fire upon it out of Heaven, Gen. 19.24.
(3.) Gods VVill is a just VVill, Gen. 18.25. Shall not the Iudge of all the Earth do right? Gods VVill is Regula & Mensura, it is the Rule of Justice; the VVills of Men are corrupt, therefore unfit to give Law; but Gods VVill is an holy unerring VVill, which may cause submission, Psal. 97.2. God may cross us, but he cannot wrong us; severe he may be, not unjust; therefore we must strike Sail, and say, Thy Will be done.
(4.) Gods VVill is a good and gracious VVill; it promotes our Interest; if it be Gods VVill to afflict us, he will make us say at last, it was good for us that we were afflicted: Gods Flail shall only thresh off our Husks: That which is against our VVill shall not be against our profit: Study what a good VVill Gods is, and we will say, Fiat Voluntas, let thy Will be done.
(5.) Gods VVill is an irresistible VVill; we may oppose it, but we cannot hinder it: The rising of the VVave cannot stop the Ship when it is in full sail; so the rising up of our Will against God cannot stop the execution of his Will, Rom. 9.19. Who hath resisted his Will? Who can stay the Chariot of the Sun in its full Career? Who can hinder the Progress of Gods Will? Therefore it is in vain to contest with God, his Will shall take place; there's no way to overcome God but by lying at his Feet.
3. Means to submission to God in Affliction is, Get a gracious heart; all the Rules and Helps in the World will do but little good, till Grace be infused; the Boul must have a good Byas, or it will not run according to our desire; so till God puts a new Byas of Grace into the Soul, which inclines the Will, it will never submit to God: Grace renews the Will, and it must be renewed before it be subdued: Grace teacheth self denyal, and we can never submit our Will till we deny it.
4. Means, Let us labour to have our Covenant-Interest cleared, to know that God is our God, Psal. 48.14. This God is our God; he whose Faith doth flourish into assurance, that can say, God is his, will say, Thy VVill be done. A wicked man may say, God hath laid this Affliction upon me, and I cannot help it; but a Believer saith, My God hath done it, and I will submit to it. He who can call God his, knows God loves him as he loves Christ, and designs his Salvation, therefore he will with Saint Paul take pleasure in Reproaches, 2 Cor. 12.10. and in every adverse Providence yeild to God, as the Wax to the impression of the Seal.
5. Means to submission to God in Affliction, get an humble Spirit: A proud Man will never stoop to God, he will rather break then bend; but when the Heart is humble, the Will is pliable. What a vast difference was there between Pharaoh and Eli? Pharaeoh cries out, VVho is the Lord that I should obey his Voice? Exod. 5.2. but Eli saith, It is the Lord, let him do what seems good in his sight, 1 Sam. 3.18. See the difference between an Heart that is swell'd with Pride, and that is ballasted with Humility; Pharaoh saith, VVho is the Lord? Eli, It is the Lord. An humble Soul hath a deep sence of sin, he sees how he hath provoked God, he wonders he is not in Hell; therefore whatever God inflicts, he knows it is less then his Iniquities deserve; this makes him say, Lord, Thy VVill be done. O get into an humble posture, the Will is never flexible till the Heart be Humble.
6. Means, Get your Heart loosened from things below; be crucified to the world: VVhence is Childrens frowardness but when you take away their Play-things; when we love the world, and God takes away these things from us, then we grow froward and unsubmissive to Gods Will. Ionah was exceeding glad of the Gourd, and when God smote it he grew froward, and because God had killed his Gourd, kill me too, saith he, Ionah 4.8. He who is, foreign, a Lover of the World, can never pray this Prayer heartily, Thy Will be done; his heart boils in anger against God, and when the World is gone, his Patience is gone too. Get mortified Affections to these sublunary things.
7. Means, for submission to Gods Will: Get some good perswasion your sin is pardoned; feri Domine feri, quia peccata mea condonata sunt, Smite Lord, smite where thou wilt, said Luther, because my sins are pardoned: Pardon of sin is a crowning Blessing; hath God forgiven my sin, I will bear any thing, I will not murmur but admire, I will not complain of the Burden of Affliction, but bless God for removing the Burden of sin: The pardoned Soul saith this Prayer heartily, Thy VVill be done. Lord, use thy pruning Knife, so long as thou wilt not come with thy bloody Axe to hew me down.
8. Means, If we would have our wills submit to God, let us not look so much on the dark side of the Cloud, as the light side; that is, let us not look so much on the smart of Affliction, as the good of Affliction; 'tis bad to pore all on the smart, as it is bad for sore Eyes to look too much on the Fire; but we should look on the good of Affliction: Sampson did not only look on the Lions Carcase, but on the Honey-comb within it, Iudg. 19.8. He turned to see the Carcase of the Lion, and behold there was Honey in the Carcase. Affliction is the frightful Lion, but see what Honey there is in it: Affliction humbles, purifies, fills us with the Consolations of God; here is Honey in the Belly of the Lyon; could we but look upon the benefit of Affliction, Stubbornness would be turned into submissiveness, and we should say, Thy VVill be done.
9. Means, Pray to God that he would calm our Spirits, and conquer our Wills; it is no easy thing to submit to God in Affliction, there will be risings of heart, therefore let us pray that what God inflicts Righteously, we may bear patiently; Prayer is the best Spell or Charm against Impatience; Prayer doth to the Heart, as Christ did to the Sea, when it was tempestuous, he rebuked the Wind, and there was a great Calm; so when the Passions are up, and the Will is apt to mutiny against God, Prayer makes a gracious Calm in the Soul: Prayer doth to the Heart as the Spunge to the Canon, when hot cools it.
10. Means, If we would submit to Gods Will in Affliction, let us make a good interpretation of Gods Dealings; take all God doth in the best sence: VVe are apt to misconstrue Gods Dealings, and put a bad Interpretation upon them, as Israel, Numb. 20.4. Ye have brought the Congregation of the Lord into this Wilderness, that we should die there. So God hath brought this Affliction upon us, because he hates us, and intends to destroy us; and such hard thoughts of God cause fullenness and stubbornness: O let us make a fair and candid interpretation of Providence. Doth God afflict us, say thus, perhaps he intends us Mercy in this; he will try us whether we will love him in Affliction; he is about to mortify some sin, or exercise some grace; he smites the Body that he may save the Soul. Could we put such a good meaning upon Gods dealings, we would say, Thy Will be done; Let the Righteous God smite me and it shall be a kindness, it shall be an excellent Oyl, which shall not break my Head, Psal. 141.5.
11. and Vlt. Means, If you would submit to God in Affliction, believe that the present Condition is best for you; we are not competent Judges; we fancy it is best to have ease and plenty, and have the Rock pour out Rivers of Oyl; but God sees Affliction best; he sees our Souls thrive best upon the bare Common; the fall of the Leaf is the Spring of our Grace. Could we believe the present Condition is best, which God carves out to us, the Quarrel would soon be at an end, and we should sit down satisfied with what God doth, and say, Thy Will be done. So much for this Third Petition.