The Childs Portion, Sermon 4
All Plots againſt God and his People Detected and Defeated, as it was delivered in a SERMON At a FAST kept by the firſt gathered Church in BOSTON, Jan. 25. 1682.
Prov. 21. 30.
There is no Wiſdom, nor Underſtanding, nor Counſel againſt the Lord.
THe vulgar Plea, that Proverbs are Independent ſentences, uſually ſo placed as to ſtand intirely by themſelves without any co-herence with the Context, may ſuffice me from looking beyond the Text it ſelf for an Analyſis. The nature of Proverbs being a contraction of large a weighty truths into a little room, and binding them up as ſo many portable Jewels, for the better accommodation of the Chriſtian Pilgrim in his Journey, challengeth our more diligent attention to them. The words before us are a choiſe Elixir, or precious Cordial, extracted on purpoſe to comfort the hearts of the People of God, and keep them from fainting, when they ſee all the wit in the World, and the deepeſt polititions of earth and hell gathered into a combination againſt them.
In the Words are two things obſervable:
1. A preſumption or ſuppoſition of a deep and deſperate conſpiracy▪ in which we may conſider.
I. The Conſpirators, who are not plainly named, but are tacitly Characterized▪ and we are to ſuppoſe them to be the deepeſt heads and profoundeſt Counſellors in the World: Men of Wiſdom, Underſtand and Counſel. Devils alſo may, without force to the Text be comprehended under them, …hoſe perſpicatious ſpirits, who are of a vaſt intelligence and long experience.
II. The quality of the Conſpiracy, intimated to be made with the matureſt deliberation which the fartheſt reach of the moſt politick created underſtanding could attain unto. Whither ſo many ſeveral things be aimed at in the divers expreſſions of our Text, as by wiſdom, a natural callidity, and excellent ability to contrive means moſt ſutable to the faireſt attainment of our end; by underſtanding, an experimental knowledge gathered by Obſervation and Hiſtory, built upon, and further accompliſhing of that natural …agacity; and by counſel an improving of both the former by deepeſt ſtudy and conſultation, contriving how they may with beſt ſecurity of the ſucceſs accommodate means to their deſign: or whither by the accumulation of ſo many words be only intended to ſet forth the height of mens wit and induſtry in this plot, is not much material: …ther way, we are to ſuppoſe theſe Conſpiratours to have done their beſt, and made the conj…r…t on as ſtrong… and ſecure as their combined wits can poſſibly deviſe.
3. The Object againſt whom this conſpiracy is made, againſt the Lord. The word tranſlated againſt▪ ſometimes ſignifies before, or in the preſence, and ſo one Tranſlatour renders it, q. d. Man's counſel is vain, or to no purpoſe, whiles God looks on, or becauſe God ſeeth it. But the word is alſo frequently uſed adverſatively, to ſignifie againſt, and ſo the generality of Tranſlators and interpreters do here carry it. And it is the Lord [Jehovah] againſt whom men are thus ſuppoſed to take counſel: and here we are not only to look upon ſuch as included within the plot, and here intended, who by open and profeſſed hoſtility do take up Arms directly againſt God, ſaying with proud Pharaoh, in daring defiance, who is the Lord that I ſhould… let Iſrael go? but it alſo extends unto all thoſe who do collaterally oppoſe themſelves againſt him, and ſuch are all they who do.
1. Seek to overthrow his purpoſes, & decrees, and by their own counſels to diſanul his, hoping to eſtabliſh them, notwithſtanding he hath otherwiſe determined. Thus did Joſeph's brethren ſeek all courſes to fruſtrate the counſel of God which he had ſignified, about the advancment of their brother.
2. Labour to nullifie his promiſes, and make his word, by which he hath engaged himſelf to his People, to fall to … ſeel…ng to▪ throw blocks in the way of his …, which may give check to his … to performance: Thus Saul ſought by al… means …o hinder David from receiving the promiſed Crown.
3. Contrive how they may ſubvert, and root the true Religion out of the World, by deſtroying the ſincere fearers of God, and ſuppreſſing the true profeſſion of his Name: As Sanballat & Tobijah did againſt the Jews, when they were weak and feeble.
2. We have the diſappointing, defeating, and total routing of this treacherous plot, intimated in that expreſſion, there is none: Which negative particle is three times inculcated in the Original Text; inſinuatiug that it is a truth, not dark and dubious, but notorious.
We are not to interpret the wiſe man as if he intended to aſſert that there were no ſuch deſigns at all, as though he denied the being of ſuch a thing, that cannot be his meaning, the Scripture often aſſerts the quite contrary, and the Records of the Church tell us, and experience hath proved it too true, that in all ages, there have been ſuch conclaves as theſe, bandying againſt the Lord and his anointed. His true intention therefore is, that all ſuch undertakings are wholly ſucceſleſs; that they ſtudy and plot … purpoſe; that they are ſo fru… …pointed that they become as if they …. God enjoyes himſelf in as much … tranquillity, and is as far from being … by them, as if there had been none at all▪ …hey do not ſo much as diſturb him.
Hence,
Doct. The ſtrongeſt Conſpiracies, and moſt ſubtle combinations againſt Gods purpoſes, promiſes and People, ſhall be altogether ineffectual.
Let the wiſeſt men upon earth, and the moſt knowing Devils in hell, proceed with the moſt mature deliberation, lay all their heads together, take never ſo much time to conſult, find out the moſt probable wayes to effect, and never ſo curiouſly contrive to obviate all poſſible accident which might otherwiſe defeat their purpoſes, and provide the greateſt ſtrength of a created arm to put in execution, what they have ſo plotted againſt God: Yet all this contrivance and coſt ſhall be to no purpoſe, theſe counſels ſhall be overwhelmed, and reſolutions brought to nothing. The Scripture is ſo full for this both with Teſtimonies and Examples, that it would be endleſs to eſſay the producings of all that is there recorded for the evidence of it. See how the Pſalmiſt expreſſes it, Pſal. 2. begin. Where he brings in the enemies ſitting at the Cou… Table, beating their brains, and contriving h… they may prevent God in his … And God in the mean while deriding a… … at all their enterprizes, and in deſpite of the … giving being to his decrees, and accompliſhing his word: So true is that of the wiſe-man, Prov. 19 21. There are many devices in a man's heart, nevertheleſs the Counſel of the Lord that ſhall ſtand. We may take up the explication of the Doctrine in theſe following propoſitions.
Pro. 1. That there alwayes have been, and ſtill are thoſe in the World, who are deſignedly ſet againſt the Lord. There are ſuch deſperate and fool-hardy ones, that bend all their wits and power againſt the God of heaven. And if any ſhould enquire, who theſe Nimrods be? Or where theſe Gyants dwell? I anſwer in general, every wicked man is he that ſo doth: It is part of his deſcription given, Job 15. 25, 26. He ſtretcheth out his hand againſt God, and ſtrengtheneth himſelf againſt the Almighty, &c. But in a more eſpecial manner, all thoſe that ſet themſelves againſt God's People to oppreſs, perſecute, and as far as in them lyes to root them out, are herein accounted by the word of truth, to ſtand againſt God. So the Pſalmiſt, Pſal. 83. 3. with 5. They have taken crafty counſel againſt thy Peo-People:—They are confederate againſt thee. They may poſſibly in words confeſs God and Chriſt; yea, and be ſo fooliſh as to think they do God the beſt ſervice, when they do the moſt againſt his ſervants: But ſtill God takes them for his …; and when was the World without ſuch ſince Cain's time?
Pro. 2. That the Ring-leaders and principal Agents among God's enemies, are men of the greateſt natural wit and underſtanding: So that if events were to be judged of according to the quality of inſtruments they would be thought moſt likely to ſpeed. If there be a plot laid againſt Gods Davids, you ſhall hear that the Worlds Achitophels (thoſe Oracles of Policy) are in it. The Devil, if at any time he finds any that are ſingularly witty, uſeth with moſt endeavours to make them notoriouſly wicked, and ſeeks to fill their hearts with deepeſt prejudices againſt the wayes and People of God: He uſeth more than ordinary care, to make ſuch men his own. That obſervation of our Saviours is too obſervable to be queſtioned, Luk. 26. 8. The Children of this World are in their generation wiſer than the Children of light. The Apoſtle, when he would Charactarize thoſe that ſtand on Gods ſide, and thoſe that take part with his enemies, puts the greateſt number of the wiſe and prudent of the World on the adverſe part, and finds a very few ſtanding on God's ſide, 1 Cor. 1. 26. Not many wiſe.
Pro. 3. That the enemies of God and his People do make it their buſineſs, to conſult and contrive, how they may manage their cauſe to the beſt advantage againſt them. It▪ is a plot which is ever on foot, and unto which contribution is continually made: For this they ride and run, and communicate their counſels: Such is their wrath and malice that they cannot ly ſtill: This is the very piece they have on the Anvil, and upon which they are alwayes beating: It is the Maſter-plot in the World, David deſcribes their ſedulity in this buſineſs, Pſal. 64. 5, 6. They commune of laying ſnares privily, they ſearch out iniquitie, they accompliſh a diligent ſearch. They ſtrein their inventions, turn every ſtone, dig deep to lay their counſels ſecret, and bring about their purpoſes unexpectedly: Hence, they are ſaid to go in travail with them, Pſal. 7. 14. He travaileth with iniquity.
Pro. 4. That this conſpiracy hath a great many friends, favourers, and confederates. It hath the greateſt ſtrength of men on its ſide, and is daily growing and encreaſing, Pſal. 3. 1. How are they encreaſed that trouble me? It may be ſaid of this, as of that of Abſalom, 2 Sam. 15. 12. The conſpiracy was ſtrong, for the People encreaſed continually with Abſalom. The great men of the World are wont for the moſt part to engage in it, Pſal. 2. 2. The Kings of the earth ſet themſelves, and the Rulers take counſel together. And the little ones are apt in greateſt number to follow their leaders, eſpecially in that which is evil, to which they are drawn by a natural propenſity: yea, this malignity ſpreads ſo far as to draw many People, and joyn hearts and counſels and confederacies in it. Pſal. 83. 5, to 8. The Tabernacle of Edom, &c. The army of the Saints are but a little flock, their enemies fill the country: What theſe politick heads contrive, they have a multitude of hands ready preſt to put in execution.
Pro. 5. The enemies of God are very preſumptuous, and full of confidence that the day ſhall be their own; they make no doubt of bringing about their devices againſt God and his Church. Such is their bold confidence that they can even make a triumph before the Victory, and look upon the oppoſite cauſe as gone before ever they ſtrike a ſtroke, Pſal. 10. 6--11. He hath ſaid in his heart, I ſhall not be moved; God hath forgotten. And 64. 4. They encourage themſelves in all evil matter, 71. 11. ſaying, God hath forſaken him: Perſecute and take him, for there is none to deliver him. See with what a confident boaſting Senacherib ſends his defiance againſt God, Iſa. 37. 10, &c. And Pharaoh, Exod. 5. 2. As if Heaven were not able to confront them: They ſay that Wiſdom, and Counſel, and Strength are all on their ſide, and who then ſhall think to defeat them of ſucceſs? Thus they boaſt before they put off the Harneſs.
Pro. 6. God many times ſuffers his enemies to be ſeemingly proſperous and ſucceſſeful in their undertakings againſt him. Infinite Wiſdom hath holy ends, for which it … permits wicked men to proceed a great way againſt his Cauſe and People. The Church is oftimes brought very low, whiles God ſeems to ſtand by and not regard, ſo that his People are ready to think that Providence ſleeps; and God appears as if he had withdrawn and eſtranged himſelf from his own intereſt.
Hence,
The Pſalmiſt's ſorrowful complaint and earneſt Prayer, Pſal. 44. 17. to the end.
Hence,
The Prophets earneſt expoſtulation, Jer. 14. 8, 9. The enemy hath ſometimes an apprehended advantage to ask them, where is their God, Pſal. 42. 3. There may be great outward Calamities upon thoſe that are called by God's Name, as we may ſee by that doleful complaint made Pſal. 77. 7. &c. And the ends which God propounds in his ſo doing, are.
1. That he may humble and reform his own People: Hence the Churches enemies are called his Rod, Iſa. 10. 5. Corruptions and depravations do ſometimes grow inſenſibly upon the Church and People of God, eſpecially in times of peace and tranquillity; God by thus doing cleanſeth them of their pollutions. Pe… ſecution▪ and oppreſſion, and a yoke of bondage, is a fire in which their droſs and filth is melted out, and taken away, Iſa. 27. 9. By this … ſhall the iniquity of Jacob be purg…d away, &c.
2. That by the Saints perſeverance under affliction he may be glorified. God is greatly honoured by the patience and conſtancy of his Children under the oppoſition and oppreſſion of their adverſaries. As he puts an honour upon them, when he counts them worthy to ſuffer for his name, ſo the Apoſtles reckoned it, Act. 5. 41. So is he alſo honoured by them, when they with an holy reſolution, ſuffer quietly and chearfully in defence of the truth, and for the ſincere profeſſion of the Goſpel, 2 Theſ. 1. 4, 5.
3. That he may gain the more glorious triumph over the enemies of his Name and Glory. Hereby God honoured himſelf upon Pharaoh, by letting him proceed to the height of his rage, before he cruſheth him. God will have a wicked world to know how eaſie a thing it is with him to curb them in, and give check to their rage and fury; and to the diſcovering of this, he will permit them to arrive at the height and utmoſt pitch of their hoped advantage, and ſuffer his own cauſe hereupon to be moſt deeply hazarded, that ſo he may give them the more notable defeat, and make them to know that he is above them in all thoſe things wherein they have dealt moſt proudly. Hence Jethro's confeſſion, Exod. 18. 11. Now I know the Lord is greater than all Gods, &c.
Pro. 7. By all their plots and practi… againſt Gods cauſe wicked men cannot carry their deſign one hairs breadth beyond the bounds which God hath ſet them in his Decree. Might we be admitted to look upon thoſe ancient Records, and then compare the doings of the enemies againſt God, we ſhould find them exactly to agree: Men are in the Scripture compared to many and great waters, and their tumults compared to the roaring waves of the Sea daſhing againſt the Rocks: Theſe waters many times ſwell into billows, and break with impetuous fury, as if they ſcorned to be comprehended and bounded within the ſandy bars which are laid for them; but, as Gods decree hath laid out their limits, and fixt their bounds, ſo his providence tyes them up powerfully, that for all their noiſe and rage they cannot get a ſtep further, Job. 38. 8, to 11. Pſal. 65. 7. Which ſtilleth the noiſe of the Seas, the noiſe of their waves, alſo the tumults of the People. When wicked men think they have done never ſo much, they have but fulfilled God's counſel, and not their own, Pſal. 76. 10. The wrath of man ſhall praiſe thee: the remainder of wrath ſhalt thou reſtrain. God's hand holds the Flood-gates, and as the waters ly ſtill till he pulls them up, ſo when he hath let out ſo much as ſerves his turn, he ſhuts them down again in a moment, and not a drop gets out but at his appointment. If men purpoſe contrary to what God hath purpoſed, theirs muſt fall, for his ſhall ſtand; and whiles they ſeek to defeat, they ſhall in that very thing be the inſtruments of bringing it about; as we ſee in Joſeph's brethren, who in what they ſuppoſed had made his dreams abortive, helped forward their accompliſhment.
Pro. 8. All the power and policy of the world cannot fruſtrate, no not ſo much as defer the fulfilling of one of God's promiſes. God had promiſed Abraham that after four hundred and thirty years, his poſterity ſhould be delivered from the bondage of Egypt; and we read how wiſely Pharaoh and his Servants dealt to put by this promiſe, and make it miſcarry: Yet ſee how God brings it about, Exod. 12. 41, 42. At the end of four hundred and thirty years, the ſelf ſame day it came to paſs. &c. It is a night to be much obſerved, &c. Men keep their purpoſes very ſecret, leſt by coming abroad, they ſhould be countermined, they dig under ground, leſt being diſcovered, they▪ ſhould be diſappointed: But God paſſeth his purpoſes into promiſes, and makes them legible, and withall engageth his word to perform them in the very time, Heb. 2. 2, 3. Write the viſion, and make it plain, &c. becauſe it will ſurely come … not tarry. God had appointed Da… to be King over his People Iſrael; and how did …aul labour to take away his life, and ſo to prevent his ſucceſſion? but all his counſels come … …ought▪ and David reigns. Thick and heavy Clouds may gather, and threaten a diſmal ſtorm, but if God have ſaid it ſhall not come, he ra…ſeth a contrary wind and blows them all away. Senacherib threatens to invade Judah with a formidable army, but God promiſeth he will ſend a blaſt upon him, which ſhall turn him back, Iſa. 37. 6, 7. And that he ſhall not ſo much as ſhoot an Arrow againſt the City, verſ. 33, 34. And he preſently diſpatcheth an Angel to do his buſineſs effectually for him, which ſoon deverts his thoughts and ſends him home there to find his ruine, verſ. 36, 37. There are none that can ever be able to alter the word which is gone out of his mouth.
Pro. 9. God will have a Church in the world as long as the world laſts, in deſpite of all the counſels of Men and Devils. They, becauſe they cannot reach the glorious Majeſty immedily, turn all their rage and malice into perſecution of the Saints of the moſt high: But all are vain attempts: This is the houſe which is built upon the rock, wind, rain, and floods can never diſſettle it; this is the City which hath foundations, the Mount Zion which God loveth, and will eſtabliſh for ever: To this Chriſt hath made that promiſe, that the gates of hell ſhall never prevail …inſt it, Mat. 16. 18. Hells Floodgates are ſet wide open, the Heathen rage, and King…oms are moved, but the Church is ſecured, and David gives the reaſon of it, Pſal▪ 46. 5. God is in the midſt of her▪ ſhe ſhall not be moved. Enemies indeed have ſometime ſuppoſed they had the Churches neck on the block, and thought to behead it at one blow, but then their hands have failed them ſtrangely, Exod. 15. 9. 10. The enemy ſaid I will purſue, &c. thou didſt blow with thy wind, the Scas covered them.
Pro. 10. God hath many wonderful and glorious wayes to ruinate all the counſels that are laid againſt him. The time would fail to inſtance in particular what hath been obſerved o… this account. Let it ſuffice to propoſe ſome general Concluſions.
duplicate page duplicate page duplicate page duplicate page 1. God ſeeth and obſerveth all the plottings and conſultings which are uſed againſt him. Men think they act very ſecretly, and ſuppoſe they ſhall hide their counſel not from man only, but from God too, Pſal. 64. 5. They ſay, who ſhall ſee them? 94. 7. They ſay, the Lord ſhall not ſee. But alas, thoſe Omniſcient eves of God, which are as flames of fire, are no wayes obſcured by the thickeſt darkneſs, Pſal. 139. 12. The darkneſs hideth not from thee. There is no cover or vault to be found which is out of the continual view of his eye.
Hence,
That Iſa. 29. 15. Wo to them that ſeek d… … hide their counſel from the Lord. … word, takes notice of every … All ſtands in the light of his countenanc… … that he cannot be ſurprized, or ſet upon at unawares, and ſo taken unprovided.
2. Divine wiſdom is able with greateſt eaſe to confound all the wiſdom and policy of men, the Apoſtle tells us, 1 Cor. 1. 25. That the fooliſhneſs of God is wiſer than men. i. e. Thoſe things which men repute fooliſh and injudicious. The little wit of the ableſt men cannot ty a knot ſo curiouſly, but infinite wiſdom can unty it again. He can befool men in their profoundeſt counſel, baffle them in their Maſter-plots, Iſa. 44. 25. That turneth wiſe men backward, and maketh their knowledge fooliſh. There ſhall not be a more ready, and rational way to their utter confuſion, …han that which they have contrived for their …roſperity, Pſal. 64. 8. He can divide them in …heir counſels; this David prayes for, Pſal. 55. …. Divide their tongues. They ſhall fall out and …mpede one another from acting any thing, thus God ſaved the life of Paul, by dividing the minds of the company, Act. 23. 6, 7. He can make ſuch fools of men that they ſhall deliberately reject the good counſel of Achitophel, and prefer the fooliſh and deſtructive counſel of Huſhai, and with a full cry declare that it is beſt at this time, … Sam. 15. 14. He can put a blind before mens … lead them into miſerable undoing miſ… the execution of their counſels: Thus …re the …rians led into the midſt of Samaria at …nawars, …ho went to ſurprize the Prophet at Dothan. 2 King. 6. 19. He can make thoſe purpoſes which were intended ſtiffly to have …temmed the ſtream, to run down in the Channel of his decrees, and liberally to contribute towards the furtherance of them, Iſa. 10. 6, 7.
3, God's Almighty Power is able to break in pieces and forcibly to bear down all the purpoſes and plots that are againſt him. God hath a mighty arm, and can by plain force in the open field make a conqueſt, upon, and lead in Triumph all thoſe that riſe up againſt him. His Sword can cut their Gordian knots in pieces, and put them from all their guards; he can trouble the hoſts of the Egyptians, and knock off their Chariot wheels: He can ſhut up the womb of carnal counſels, and make them go in travel with them all their dayes, and never bring forth, Pſal. 21. 11. They imagine a miſchievous device, which they are not able to perform. He can make all their deſigns miſcarry, Pſal. 7. 14. He hath conceived miſchief, and brought forth falſhood. Nay, it is with him to make their own contrivances the means of their own deſtruction, verſ. 15. He hath made a pit and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he hath made. Haman ſhall build a gallows to hang himſelf upon. If he pleaſeth they ſhall turn their ſword … themſelves, and ſheath them in each … wels, ſo ſhall the earth help the Woman. He can when he will ſhrink up Jeroboam's arme, when ſtretcht forth againſt his Prophet: If he think meet he can diſpirit the whole World, and make their hearts utterly to fail them; he can put them into an amazing fright where there is no cauſe at all of fear: A rumour ſhall bring Senachribs great and victorious army to an Alt, and ſend them home again faſter than they came: A noiſe of Chariots and Horſe-men ſhall break up the Syrians Camp, and put them to the run: And there are many ſuch things as theſe with him.
4. God is able to engage all the Creation at his pleaſure to take his part, and to make them ſucceſſeful againſt his enemies. Theſe are his reſerves, of whom though h… hath no need, being every way furniſhed in himſelf for his own ſecurity, and his adverſaries confuſion, yet if his wiſdom ſee meet, he can improve them, and ſo improve them, that there are not the moſt contemptible among them, but, if armed and employed by him, ſhall accompliſh the buſineſs. The holy Angels are his Pretorian Band, preſt, ſworn and faithful to his command; one of theſe can rout and ruine an Army of Aſſyrians, and in a night cut off an hundred eighty and five thouſand mighty men, 2 King. 19. 35. Men, whoſe hearts are naturally rebellious, and who are ingaged in a quarrel againſt him, are yet under his powerful management, and he can turn them to his own purpoſes, Prov. 21. 1. Stars, rivers, fire, and hail, all theſe fulfil his word: Inſects, as Locuſts, Caterpillars and Palm-worms, are his formidable hoſt, and, coming on his errand, ſhall do things dreadful and amazing, Joel 2. 2. &c. And, when we have laid all theſe things together, now ſay, is there, can there be wiſdome, underſtanding or counſel againſt the Lord?
USE, I. For information in a few concluſions that follow from hence.
1. This ſhews us what great fools the Worlds wiſe-men and great politicians are; and what objects they be of laughter and ſcorn: They take themſelves indeed for the only wiſe men, and all others are in their account but a company of ſilly things; but can there be ſuppoſed a greater piece of rank folly in men, than to undertake, and engage in an enterprize, which not only they ſhall never accompliſh, but contrarily will of certainty be their ruine? They are laying their heads together, and taking counſel as one againſt that God that will be above them in deſpite of all their endeavours: They are gnawing at a bone that will certainly break out all their teeth; they are lifting at a ſtone that will undoubtedly fall upon them and cruſh them to pieces, Zech. 12. 3. I will make Jeruſalem a burdenſome ſtone to all People; all that burden themſelves with it ſhall be cut in pieces, though all the People of the earth be gathered together againſt it. If men would ſtudy the readieſt, and neareſt way to their own deſtruction, they can never find out one more certain and dreadful, than to ſet their wits, and engage their time and power againſt God in his Church and People. How ridiculous then muſt they needs be? Well may God be brought in as laughing at, and deriding of them, Pſal. 2. 4. How can God look upon them any otherwiſe than in an holy ſcorn, to ſee a company of Pigmies come armed with pride and confidence, preſuming to obtain a victory over the great God? To ſee a few light Atoms of duſt, promiſing themſelves to turn the ſcale of Divine Providence with their ludibrious weight? Oh! with what ſedatneſs doth God ſit, and with how much holy contempt doth he behold an Army of Piſmires and Moles, trying to undermine the brazen walls of his providence, and blow up that rock on which his Church is built? and with how much ſatisfaction and pleaſure doth he ſit, and ſee them digging their own graves, and ſhooting up of thoſe Arrows againſt Heaven, which in the fall ſhall light upon their own heads, and become their ruine?
2. That it is the duty of the People & Church of God to ſee and adore him in all that which they ſuffer in this world. This truth, well thought of, would be of ſpecial uſe to quiet our tumultious thoughts in evil times. We are ready to think this comes from men, from enemies; and our hearts are apt to riſe againſt them, and againſt God too that he helps us not: Whereas this ſhould ſtop our thoughts, and ſilence our murmurings, to conſider that men are but inſtruments, they can do nothing againſt God; this evil therefore is from him, Amos▪ 3. 5. Shall there be evil in the City, and the Lord hath not done it? There is a vaſtly different effect upon the hearts of men: Between looking upon inſtruments, and no further, and looking upon them as inſtruments, eying withal the hand that manageth them. Abiſhai looks no further than Shimei, and is in a rage▪ Shal this dead dog curſe my Lord the King? David ſees God ſending Shimet, and ſaith, Let him alone, God hath bidden him; it may be the Lord will look upon my afflictions, &c. According as the principal efficient is Judged of, accordingly we ſhall enquire into the cauſes of our ſufferings: If we think Men or Devils to be ſo, we ſhall then take it to be their rage and malice, and if we reſt here, this will ſtir up our anger, and ſo put us exceedingly out of frame: But if we diſcern it to be of God, we ſhall then diſcern his holy diſpleaſure, enkindled by ſin, which will tend to humble us, and drive us to Repentance. Whenever therefore we ſee the Ax cutting, and feel the Rod ſ…arting, let us ſay, this could not be without an hand to wield them: When the wicked perſecut… the Righteous, ſay this is the Lord, who is holy … his wayes, and juſt in all his works.
3. Learn hence that the only reaſon of the Churches ſafety is becauſe their cauſe is twiſted in with Gods; And hence that their only ſecurity is in being and ſtanding for God and his intereſt. Could we look upon the people of God ſeparate and by themſelves, it would readily appear what odds the wicked would have of them; there are the politick ſtates men, the ripe wits, and profound heads, men of greateſt skill and political obſervations; theirs are the mighty men, men of renown, skilful in War, and valiant for the battle: Theirs are the walled Towns with Gates of Braſs, the high Towers, and fortified Caſtles, and invincible Armadoes; they have the men, and the mony, and ammunition: and what can carnal reaſon Judge from all this, but that theirs muſt be the day too? And if their wit and power had no other Antagoniſt to encounter withal, but thoſe of the Saints, it would certainly be ſo; but here lyes their ſecurity, whatſoever is undertaken againſt the Saints of God, is undertaken againſt God himſelf: they that ſtrike at the People of God, ſtrike at God in them, and ſo they that touch them, touch the Apple of his eye, Zech. 2. 8. Chriſt interprets both kindneſſes and injuries done to his, as done to himſelf, Gods own Name, Honour, and Glory are herein ſought to be undermined, and that rouſeth him up, kindleth his jealouſie; and thoſe who but now were ſuch odds to the People of God, find God to be much more their odds. And are made but as flax and ſtubble to a devouring fire. It is well for the poor Church that God takes himſelf to be concerned in their cauſe; and, for the vindication of his own name, and injuries done to himſelf, puts in, and takes up the Gantler againſt his proud enemies, and tryes for maſtreies with them; elſe had that little Barge, the Church of Chriſt, long ago ſunk and been ſwallowed up in the billows of the worlds Sea, Pſal. 124. begin.
USE, II. This truth may, by way of Exhortation, preſent ſome wholſome practical leſſons for the People of God to make uſe of in theſe times. There never was more plotting and counſel … againſt God, than is at this day in the World… ▪
And hence,
Never more need of Faith for the upholding of the ſpirits of the People of God, againſt the thence ariſing Temptations; and no better help than the Doctrine that is before us: And the things we are hence to learn are,
1. Not to be much moved when we ſee or hear what is contriving & practicing againſt God in the World. It is ſaid, Iſa. 7. 2. It was told the houſe of David, ſaying, Syria is confederate with Ephraim, and his heart was moved, and the heart of his People, as the trees of the wood are moved with the wind. Let it not be ſo with them that fear God. It is now a time to pray hard and believe much, but it is no time to perplex and diſtract our ſelves. We may interpret thoſe words as ſpoken to the Church in way of encouragement, Pſal. 64. 10. Be ſtill, and know that I am God. What are you afraid of? It is againſt God all that is undertaken; and whoever reſiſted him and proſpered? do you think that Men or Devils ſhall ever drive God out of the field, and make a triumph upon the Lord of Hoſts? Be quiet, let God alone, he will do his own work, and that to purpoſe: Tarry a little and you ſhall ſee theſe Bravo's weltering in their own gore, and the arrows of the Almighty drunk with their blood. It ſhall not be long ere the field be cleared, and not an enemy ſtanding▪ Yet a little while and the wicked ſhall be no more, Pſal. 37. 10.
2. Not to be put by our profeſſion and faithful ſervice of God by all the menaces of the World againſt us. Let Godly men hold on their way, though the wicked be laying ſnares in it. It is a ſin, and a diſgrace for a Child of God to ſtand ſtill, or ſtart aſide, though utmoſt perils ſeem to threaten him. Luther being called to Worms, for the defence of the truth, was diſwadded by ſome friends, who adviſed him that there was a plot laid againſt his life: but with an Heroical reſolution he profeſſed, that though all the Tiles of their houſes were Devils, yet go he would. Rightly regulated and well tempered zeal is very neceſſary in times when Religion is ſtricken at on all ſides. 'Tis the Character and honour of a good Chriſtian to hold faſt his own, and preſs forward againſt oppoſition; yea, by an holy Antiperiſtaſis, to gather ſtrength and courage from that which is intended to make him faint, Job 17. 9. The Righteous alſo ſhall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands ſhall be ſtronger and ſtronger.
3. Not to be diſcouraged though for a while the wickeds counſels ſeem to take place. It is the Pſalmiſts advice, Pſal. 37. 7. Fret not thy ſelf becauſe of him who proſpereth in his way, becauſe of the man who bringeth wicked devices to paſs. When you hear how Gods cauſe is the preſent ſuffering cauſe, and ſeems to go down the wind; ſo many Churches of Proteſtants diſſipated in Hungary, ſo many thouſands abjuring their Religion in France: So much bloodſhed in one place, ſo much power of the adverſary in another, be not now diſ-ſpirited: The Seas roar, and the waves thereof make a tumultuous noiſe, mountains come rolling down into the midſt of the Seas; ſtill there is a River to make glad the City of God: God ſits upon the water-floods, God ſits King for ever. … Glory is concerned in all this, and he will not give it away: God is not aſleep, though you are ready to think him ſo: He hath holy ends why he ſuffers all this, and will make a diſcovery of them ſeaſonably: The pit is all this while digging for them, the ſword is whetting, the arrows are preparing for the Perſecutours; the Scene ſhall be turned, and a tragical end waits upon them: For, though hand joyn in hand, yet ſhall not the wicked go unpuniſhed.
4. Wait with patience and holy confidence under the outmoſt extremities, till God's time comes to blaſt all the counſels of his adverſaries, and utterly diſſolve hells conclave. Though God be not come as yet viſibly, yet believe that h… will come ſeaſonably, and there are theſe two things that may fortifie your confidence in this belief, viz.
1. That all their Counſels as yet have not prevailed, and the reaſon only is taken from God's Power and Providence. It is ſaid that Rome and Hell have carried on a plot, ever ſince the Reformation in England, to blow up the Proteſtant intereſt there; and this is a ground of comfort, that although God hath not as yet (for holy ends) wholly ſcattered it, yet he hath wonderfully diſappointed it. That Veſſel, the Church, hath had many a bluſtring ſtorm raiſed againſt it, but it is not as yet foundred at all, but weathers it out againſt Tempeſts,; and this is certain, that he who hath delivered, can deliver, and will deliver.
2. That God's counſel ſtands Diametrically oppoſite to the counſel of wicked men: i. e. as to the order and deſign they are carrying one. They conſult his diſhonour and his Churches diſturbance: He is mean while conſulting his own Glory, and his Peoples ſafety: Let God then alone to daſh theirs, and eſtabliſh his own, hear what he ſaith for this, Iſa. 14. 24, 25, 26, 27. The Lord of hoſts hath ſworn, ſaying, Surely as I have thought, ſo it ſhall come to paſs, and as I have purpoſed, ſo ſhall it ſtand, &c▪ This is the purpoſe that is purpoſed uopn the whole Earth, &c: The Lord of hoſts hath purpoſed and who ſhall diſanul it… Men ſay it ſhall be thus, but God ſaith it ſhall be ſo, whoſe word ſhall ſtand, theirs or his? When you read bloody decrees, the product of humane conſultations, then read the book of God, & oppoſe to them the gracious decrees of Heaven. It was Luther's conſolation to the Elector of Saxony, in a time of great danger; Let your Highneſs know (ſaith he) and nothing doubt, but that this buſineſs is otherwiſe concluded of in Heaven, than it is at Norinberge: Where the Emperour and States were met in Counſel▪ God knows what his own thoughts are towards his People, even thoughts of peace, whatever the thoughts of men may be, Jer 29. 10. Wait then, the wickeds day is a coming; in due time their foot ſhall ſlide: The Web which they have been for a long while in weaving, God will unravel in a moment: He will ſhortly muſter up his Forces and draw out his Armies into the Field, and call together the Fowls of Heaven to his great Supper which he ſhall provide for them, where he will give them to eat of the fleſh of Kings, and the fleſh of Captains, and the fleſh of mighty Men, &c. Rev. 19. 17. 18. This is the work which he hath undertaken to do, and will certainly accompliſh it throughly, who hath written on his Veſture, and on his Thigh, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. And ſince the caſe ſtands thus, what is there then remaining more for us to do, but to be the Lord's Remembrancers. Not ceaſing day nor night to be earneſtly and importunately putting him in mind of his Covenant, his Name, and Glory? and in Faith pray to him in the behalf of his poor, deſpiſed, and abuſed Church, which is as a Lilly among the Thornes, that he would remember and not forget, or grow unmindful of the Congregation which he hath purchaſed of old, and ariſe to ſave thoſe that are as ſheep prepared to the ſlaughter, and appointed to dy: And when we have thus done, and in a way of ſo doing, there is nothing more but to ſit ſtill and wait to ſee the Salvation of the Lord.
FINIS.
End of the text · Samuel Willard, The Childs Portion (1684)