The Truly Blessed Man, Part 4 · Section 4
The ſafety of pardoned ones in worſt times.
DOCTRINE.
THey that have, in a way of prayer, ſettled their forgiveneſs, ſhall never receive any harm by all the afflictions and temptations they meet withal. They are ſecure againſt all the Waves and breaking Billows that threaten them. How God comes and applieth pardon to his Children, while they are ſeeking to him for it, hath already been obſerved: and though this may be applied univerſally, ye… it hath a peculiar reſpect to thoſe ſins, which the Godly do ſometimes fall into, by which they diſpleaſe God, and cannot be at reſt till they are forgiven; and have ſome Teſtimony of it. There are two Propoſitions evidently contained in this Doctrine, viz.
1. That notwithſtanding Gods pardon obtained, his Children may after that meet with Floods of great waters. 2. That if by prayer they have ſettled their pardon, theſe Floods ſhall not come nigh them to hurt them. A few words to each.
Prop 1. That notwithſtanding Gods pardon obtained, his Children may after that meet with floods of great waters. They miſtake who think, that when once a pardon is ſigned, and ſealed and publiſhed in Conſcience, there is no more trouble like to befal ſuch a man. This were to ſet the Word of God againſt it ſelf, and contradict the experience of Gods deareſt Servants. Here two things may be enquired after;
1. How far ſuch an one may be aſſailed by theſe Floods?
2. Whence it is, and how it conſiſts with Gods promiſe, and Covenant faithfulneſs?
1. How far ſuch an one may be aſſailed by theſe Floods?
A. This may be conſidered on a double account.
1. There may be publick caelamities great and ſor…, that may befal Gods people after this, in which they way have a great ſhare. Poſſibly David may have a ſpecial reſpect to this, in our Text. When overflowing Evils come upon a Sinful Land, they ſhall not come nigh him; but this is not always literally ſo; thus men may be as deeply exerciſed with the common calamity as another: his concerns are not exempted from the evil events of ſuch troubles; the righteous and the wicked often ſhare alike at ſuch times, Ezek. 23. 1.
2. There may be great perſonal and particular afflictions befal them. Not only may God afflict them when they have ſinned againſt him, and provoked his anger, to drive them to repentance, and prayer for forgiveneſs: but he may and often hath ſent ſuch troubles on them, after they have repented, and a pardon declared. It was after the Prophet had declared Davids ſin to be forgiven, 2 Sam. 12. 13. that the great tempeſt aroſe upon him; and how many mighty billows did break over him? his Childs death, Amnons Inceſt, Abſaloms Murder, and unnatural rebellion; his Conculines ſhameful defilement, Abſaloms death, Sheba's Sedition; and all theſe declared to be the fruits of Gods diſpleaſure, notwithſtanding he had forgiven him, verſe 11. &c. Beſides, Gods deareſt Servants may be afflicted, and ſorely tempted all their days, in the Soveraign Diſpenſation of Gods Providence towards them, ſee Pſal. 88. throughout. The greateſt and moſt diſtreſſing afflictions may be the lot of the moſt gracious Saints of God, and all their faith and patience may be tried to the utmoſt by them: and all this notwithſtanding their renewed repentance, reiterated ſupplications, and gracious anſwers obtained.
2. Whence this is, and how it conſiſts with Gods Promiſe, and Covenant faithfulneſs?
A. There hath been no ſmall occaſion of ſtumbling on this account: God hath made great promiſes concerning this; and though he hath ſaid, he will correct them in caſe of prevarication, yet he hath alſo ſaid, that if they confeſs and pray, they ſhall be pitied and relieved; and if they wa… cloſe with him, they ſhall greatly proſper; and that after this they ſhall be thus expoſed, is an hard chapter, & carnal reaſon cries out, Where is the Promiſe? Let us then cloſely weigh this Caſe.
1. In reſpect of Publick Calamities, and their relation to them: Obſerve two things,
1. Though God may hear them for themſelves, … forgive them, yet he may not forgive the Land they live in, and ſo their being forgiven will have no a fluence to keep off Publick Judgments. A peop… may be guilty, and God will not withold … hand; their perſonal repentance doth not remo… the general impenitency, and they cannot ſtand … the gap, to keep off the Wrath of God, or ſl… the breaking in of floods of miſery; and if t… body of a people have corrupted their ways, an… will not be reformed, it is righteous with God bring theſe waters upon them, and ſometimes comes to that, Jer. 15. 1. Ezek. 14. 14.
2. They may not only ſee the common … lamity, but ſmart by it, and that righteouſly: and there are two reaſons for this.
1. They are members of that body against which God hath a Controverly. That there is an external Diſpenſation of Gods Covenant in treating with the body of a profeſſing people collectively, is a great truth: on which account the whole are conſidered as one, and Gods Temporary Providences are accommoda…ed to them as ſo: thus ſometimes the ſ…n of one may bring Gods Judgments on the …hole Congregation, Joſh. 22 20. eſpecially when that one mans ſins are influential to debauch a whole people,a s 2 King. 23. 26, 27. compare, Chap. 21. 11. And when good men ſuffer on this account, it is their infelicity in ſome regard, but ther… is no unrighteouſneſs with God, nor may they charge iniquity on him.
2. Their very ſins which they have repented of, and have obtained forgiveneſs for, may have given occaſion for thoſe publick calamities. Such was Davids num…ing of the people, 2 Sam. 24. begin, Iſrael indeed had provok…d Gods anger; however this act of Davids was introductory to the fearful Plague that followed; and yet he repented before the plague …me, verſe 10. Nay, the Sins of Gods Children may defile a Land, and though they repent per…onally, yet publick Guilt remains, as in the fore…ted Caſe: David therefore takes it to himſelf, …nd deprecates it from the people, in verſe 17.
2. In reſpect to the perſonal afflictions they meet with …d thoſe very awful, after they are forgiven. And …he conſiſtency of this with the Covenant promiſe and fidelity may be conſidered: and ne…e,
1. Negatively: Theſe afflictions are not properly the puniſhments of thoſe Sins. If we take puniſhment for the execution of Vindictive Juſtice, this is not to be attributed to that: we muſt beware of their diſtinction, who ſay God forgives the Guilt, but not the puniſhment: Guilt is nothing elſe but an obligation to ſuffer puniſhment, and if the Guilt be remitted, that obligation is taken off: there is nothing legal on this account. God doth not ſit upon them as a Judge to condemn them, for he hath already paſt an act of Grace upon them in pardoning them.
2. Poſitively; God in all this hath an eye and reſpect to the Covenant of Grace, under which be hath taken them. And how conſonant it is to that, will be evident if we Conſider;
1. God in the New Covenant hath declared that he will chaſten the bold Tranſgreſſions of his Children. Their relation to the promiſes doth not ſecure them againſt this; and it would wrong them if it ſhould ſee how the Covenant runs on this account, Pſal. 89. 30. &c. It is one Article in the Covenant, Heb. 12. 6. He ſcourgeth every ſon whom he receiveth. God will maintain a fathers authority over them, and uſe a fathers diſcretion in it.
2. God uſually prepares his Children for this Correction by bringing them to his foot, on which forgiveneſs follows. This is not that they ſhould eſcape the rod, but be ſitted for it. A wiſe father firſt reaſon with his Child, ſheweth him his folly, makes him …o ſee his deſert, and this puts him upon asking forgiveneſs; and the ſame love that pardons his ſin, makes him ſmart for it, becauſe his wiſdom ſees it is moſt convenient; thus 2 Sam. 12. 14, 15.
3. Hence God doth it for their Spiritual advantage. Heb. 12. 9, 10. That ſin needs, not only to be forgiven, but to be mortified in them: the furtherance of their holineſs calls for this diſpenſation; thus they come to ſee more of the bitterneſs of their ſin, and be made the more watchful againſt it. David on this ſcore acknowledgeth the goodneſs of his affliction, and Gods faithfulneſs in inflicting of it, Pſal. 119. 71, 75.
4. God doth it for the vindication of the honour of his own Name. There is a reproach they often bring upon the Name of God, and the Religion they profeſs: the world hath been ſcandalized by ſuch ſins; and when God thus deals with them, mens mouths are ſtopt, they cannot ſay that he can allow any abominations in his own Children, hence that, 2 Sam. 12. 14.
5. Yea he may exerciſe his people, after he hath forgiven them, for their tryal. He may exerciſe their Graces, and make proof of them, and ſo make them more fearful of ſinning, and enable them to bring forth much more fruit to his praiſe. See, 1 Pet. 1. 6, 7. Now all theſe things are not repugnant to, but included in the Covenant.
USE. I. Learn hence what impenitent ſinners may …xpect to find at Gods hand. When Chriſt himſelf …uffered, he adviſed to ſuch an improvement of it, Luk. 23. 31. If it be done thus in a green tree, what ſhall be done in the dry. And ſee, 1 Pet. 4. 17. If his Children, whom God loves with a fathers love may be entertained with ſuch Providences, and that although they have humbled themſelves, ſought mercy, and obtained pardon, hard hearted and obſtinate Sinners, who will not ſeek God, nor fall down before him, but go on in their Tranſgreſſions, may well expect him to fall upon them in his greateſt fury, and deſtroy them for ever from his preſence. If Sin be ſo odious to him, that he will teſtify againſt it in thoſe to whom he is reconciled in Chriſt, they that ſin with an high hand, and have no Redeemer to appear for them, muſt look to drink up the dregs of the Cup of his indignation: and let every Unregenerate Sinner be ſuitably affected with it, and be afraid of this holy God.
USE. II. Let it be to caution the Children of God against miſ judging about this affair. Poſſibly you have fallen into ſome ſin, & your hearts have ſmitten you, you have been humbled, confeſſed, ſought earneſtly to be forgiven for Chriſt ſake, and had ſome i…ward witneſs that your prayer hath been heard: but now you meet with floods of affliction and temptation; and are particularly tempted on this to queſtion your being forgiven: but ſuffer not this Temptation to remove you from many good evidences; and that on a double account,
1. Let it not make you to call your ſtate of forgiveneſs in doubt. Such Providences indeed call us to try our ſelves, but not to entertain ſinful doubts: ſay not that your perſons are not Juſtified, you will ſo condemn David, and other of Gods precious Saints. Your ſtate may be good, and yet God angry at you, and there may be ſins not actually forgiven: Juſtified perſons may be under Gods diſpleaſure, and need new forgiveneſs: if once you were Juſtified, that remains: you can never fall out of the Grace of God.
2. Neither let it make you to conclude that this very Sin is not forgiven. You are ready to ſay, ſurely God is angry, elſe he would not follow me with ſuch afflictions, & if he had forgiven me, this anger had been turned away, and he pacified to me; herein you argue on a miſtaken principle. God doth not always afflict in anger: he is angry at his own, ſo long as they ly under ſin unrepented of; but he can adminiſter correction in love, Heb. 12. 6. And though there be an anger of love in ſome Corrections, yet there is a Chaſtiſement which is without anger at us, in meer pitty, wiſdom, and tenderneſs toward his Children.
USE III. Let us take heed of raſh judging of Gods people on this account. It may be we have known them to fall into ſome ſins, that have been ſcandalus, or we hear them complain of ſome ſins that diſtreſs them, we have ſeen their ſorrow and bitterneſs, and the moſt ſatisfying teſtimoni…s of their Repentance; but for all God follows them with remarkable grievous afflictions; and we are ready to think, God is ſtill angry; ſomething ſtands out againſt them, they have diſſembled, &c. But let us take heed of this: Gods Judgments are a great deep: He may have freely forgiven them, and yet for holy ends thus exerciſe them, to humble, and do them good in the latter end. Let not ſuch unſearchable things weaken our Charity.
USE IV. To exhort us ſuitably to acknowledge and ſubmit to God in this reſpect. Find no fault, though it be ſo; be very thankful for any evidence of his gracious forgiveneſs, and adore him. In all that he doth: Believe that you need ſuch things as theſe, and that he can and will make them work for your good; and accordingly endeavour to do your duty, by being humbled under his mighty hand, labouring hereby to embitter ſin to your ſelves, and eſpecially ſuch ſins as have more peculiarly diſhonoured him: and let it make you more watchful to your ſelves, and put you upon the exerciſe of faith, patience, humility; ſo ſhall you in due time reap the peaceable fruits of righteouſneſs by it.
Prop. 2. That if by prayer, they have ſettled their pardon, theſe floods cannot come nigh them, to hurt them; if forgiveneſs be ſecured, afflictions ſhall no… harm them.
That which lies before us to enquire, is, Wh… ſecurity againſt harm by theſe floods, thoſe whoſe pardo… is ſettled, do enjoy? That their lot may be to live in trouble ſometimes, hath already been obſerved… Jeremiah, Baruch, Ezekiel did ſo; and that they may have a deep ſhare in thoſe troubles, beſide… many grievous perſonal afflictions befalling them: they have no illimited promiſe of ſecurity againſt theſe things; we are therefore to enquire, How this notwithſtanding, they ſhall not hurt them? And ſo we may ſee what advantage their Juſtification, and forgiveneſs affords them in a day of ſore affliction, above other men. Here then obſerve.
1. What difference there is between the Children of God, and other men at ſuch a time?
2. What difference between the Children of God, who are under the guilt of ſome ſin not actually forgiven, and thoſe that have in a way of true Repentance, and renewed faith, recovered their peace?
1. What difference there is between the Children of God, and ungodly men at ſuch a time? And that it is very great will appear, if we conſider;
1. Though both ſuffer from Gods anger, yet there is a vaſt difference in that anger. God may be diſpleaſed at his own Children, and in that diſpleaſure ſmite them: but yet his anger at them, and that which he expreſſeth to ungoldly men, though alike in the Providences, yet are of a divers nature in the principle whence they proceed. He treats them as enemies, but theſe as Children; he not only is angry at, but hates them; but though offended at theſe, he loves them; ſee the difference, Iſa. 27. 11. Pſal 89. 32, 33. They may be thrown into the ſame furnace, but one as droſs, to be dealt with accordingly; the other as good mettal, which, though mixt with droſs muſt be melted and ſeparated.
2. The operation of thoſe Afflictions is vastly divers, and thereby God diſcovers what his thoughts are concerning the one and the other. They do not alike improve theſe providences; which is from the influence of grace on the one, which is with held from the other; for,
1. The everlasting state of the Juſtified Believer is ſafe under all theſe afflictions. Whatever toſſings and changes he here paſſeth under, it is certain he ſhall never finally miſcarry; if he loſeth every thing elſe, even life it ſelf, he ſhall not loſe his Soul; the Everlaſting Covenant ſtands faſt, and cannot be broken, 2 Sam. 23. 5. The end will be peace, Pſal. 37. 37. This is all the trouble that he ſhall over meet with, and when it is over, he ſhall have peace for ever: nothing ſhall ſeparate him from Gods love, Rom. 8. 38, 39. But the wicked are not ſo: theſe are the beginnings of ſorrows, and a prologue to more awful miſeries that are to come afterwards: they are the fruits of the Curſe, whoſe operation will be to bring them to the pit where there is no hope.
2. The afflictions themſelves are under a promiſe of a good iſſue. Though they are for a while moleſtful, and hard to bear, yet they ſhall work to an happy end: the Pſalmiſt could allot on this, Pſal. 73. 24. And the Apostle confirms it, Heb. 12. 11. The furrows are watered with affliction, but there is is a joyful harveſt to be produced, Pſal. 97. 11. 126. 5, 6. Whereas ungodly men are under a threatning, we are told, Pſal 7. 11. God is angry with the wicked every day; and this anger will work, till it hath brought them to a fearful end: the Godly have light beyond their darkneſs; but the Wicked are led through the preſent obſcurity to outer darkneſs, where inſtead of joy, they have wailing.
3. The preſent fruits of theſe ſhall be profitable for them. All the good fruits of afflictions are not reſerved for Glory, but there are thoſe which we reap here, and they are very precious, Rom. 828. Jer. 24. 5. And if it be askt what they are, we are told, Iſa. 27. 9. Heb. 12. 10. God by them embitters ſin, quickens to duty, makes us more watchful, excites our diligence in our great buſineſs; yea and brings us to Repentance, and renewed experiences of his favour and love to us: the flood wafts us to our reſt. With the wicked it is otherwiſe; their afflictions hurt them, 2 Chron 28. 22. Iſa. 8. 21. Under them they add to provoke God, till at length his fury kindleth againſt them in a fire unquenchable.
2. What difference there is between thoſe of Gods Children, who are under the Guilt of ſome ſin not wholly forgiven, and thoſe that have, in a way of true Repentance, and renewed Faith, recovered their peace?
A. This will be ſeen by the following Obſervations.
1. A Godly man, under the guilt and defilement of ſome bold tranſgreſſion, is thereby expoſed to Gods anger. He is his father, and cannot look on him as an enemy; but a father may be diſpleaſed at a ſon who carries himſelf unworthily. We have divers inſtances for this in the Word of God: David, 2 Sam. 11. ult. Solomon, 1 Kings 11. 9. Hezekiah, 2 Chron. 32. 25. Peter, Mat. 16. 23. How often is the Pſalmiſt bemoaning himſelf about the Wrath of God that he was ſenſible of? How glad is the Church when that is turned away? Iſa. 12. 1. And were they not his own of whom God ſaith, Iſa. 57. 17. For the iniquity of his Coveteouſneſs I was wroth with him. Whereas, when his Children pleaſe him by circumſpect walking, or ſerious renewing of Repentance on any folly committed by them; he taketh great content in them.
2. Hence if God be angry, he hath reaſon to expect that the Calamity will reach him. Such an one may look to be diſtreſſed by the Judgments that are abroad; he cannot but know that he hath a deep hand in procuring them; the more God hath done for any, the more unreaſonable it is that they ſhould offend him; and therefore ſuch may look to ſmart for it, Amos 3. 2. You only, &c. Beſides, we know that temporary afflictions belong to the rods that God is wont to correct his wanton Children withal, Pſal. 89. 32. He will not puniſh them in another world, but he will do it here.
3. And he is hereby expoſed to the terrours of the Lord. There are not only temporal, but alſo ſpiritual evils that ſuch an one hath laid himſelf open unto, and may expect them, which may well put him into trembling, Pſal. 119. 120. It is no ſmall terrour to ſee the Judgments of God round about, and conſcience ſmite the man, telling him; theſe are for thy ſins, and putting him in expectation of feeling them perſonally. This alſo is often accompanied with Gods awful withdrawing from them, and looking like an enemy, Job 13. 24. And ſee what a pittiful complaint he makes in this regard, Pſal. 38. begin. Yea, ſometimes to conclude that God hath caſt him off, and will have mercy on him no more. Whereas we ſhall ſee how far otherwiſe it is with him who hath gotten all to ſtand right between God and him: for,
1. This man is most like to have ſome ſignal diſtinction in the Providence of God, in publick Calamities. God indeed reſerves a Soveraignty here; he ſometimes takes away the beſt firſt, that they may not ſee the Tragedies that follow, and to make a way for his wrath. Yet if any are like to be ſignalized with the mercy of God at ſuch a time, it is ſuch as theſe. I believe the Ninety firſt Pſalm was not penned for nothing; as God houſeth ſome in heaven before Judgments break in, Iſa. 57. begin. So for others he provides Chambers of ſafety to bide in till the indignation be over paſt, Iſa. 26. 20. Some he diſtinguiſheth in the Calamity, by giving them their life for a prey, as Jeremiah, and Baruch; and orders that they ſhall find a fair treatment from their enemies. Yea, often God ſo doth it, as the world is forced to confeſs, that there is verily a reward for the righteous, Pſal. 58. 11. And ſuch may expect this ſo far as infinite wiſdom judgeth it beſt.
2. He is ſecured with inward peace amidſt theſe bluſtring ſtorms. Though the floods riſe, the waves daſh, and the winds ruffle them into breaking billows; yet the man hath a calm within, and theſe things cannot diſturb it; they may beat on his outward man, and make a breach in it, bear away his outward comforts, yea ſwallow up his bodily life, but they cannot ſhake his tranquillity. He can look on theſe things with a ſedate ſpirit; and that becauſe he is inwardly fortified with the peace of God, which is a ſure fortreſs againſt all that would oppreſs him; he lieth faſt upon his rock, and cannot be put from it, Pſal. 107. 7, 8. 46. begin.
3. He can ſerve the Lord with freedom in the midſt of all afflictions. They are the diſquietments on our minds, that obſtruct our chearful obedience, when troubles are on us; but he being ſerene, hath no hindrance in that regard; he is not put from his work by theſe, Pſal. 44. 17. Theſe things can neither fright him from, nor diſcourage him in his buſineſs: they may awaken and quicken him to more diligence in it, but cannot drive him from it.
4. He hath inward joy in and under all theſe changes. He feels, and cannot but reſent outward troubles; he is not a ſtock or a ſtone, hath humane ſenſes and affections: but he poſſeſſeth a ſpiritual joy within, which all this cannot extinguiſh. The apprehenſion of Gods love, the peace within, have ſuch ſweetneſs in them, that they abate the bitterneſs of the affliction, and give him abundant conſolation under them; if he remembers his faults, he can kiſs the rod: if he ſuffer in the outward man, he can rejoyce becauſe the inward man is ſafe, 2 Cor. 4. 16. And if there be nothing elſe, he hath ſtill a God to rejoyce in, Hab. 3. 17, 18.
5. He can ſee through the Cloud to the other ſide of it, where it is light, and wait quietly for the iſſue, Mal: 7. 8, 9. Not only is his ſtate ſecured for an happy eternity, but he hath a proſpect of it, Job 23. 10. 2 Cor. 5. 1. And the faith of this keeps him unmoved: he can ſit ſtill and tarry till the tide be ſpent, and the tranquillity promiſed be reſtored to him: he is aſſured that light is ſown for him, and he can chearfuly wait till it be grown and ripe.
6. And he can husband all theſe trials for his everlaſting advantage. As God intends them to operate for his good, and will govern them to ſuch an iſſue, ſo he can by the Grace of God, improve them to this purpoſe; by applying them to himſelf for the mortifying of his luſts, and exerciſing of his graces to his ſpiritual profit: and whiles he looks on them with ſuch an eye, he is reconciled to them, ſo as to ſay, of every one, as Phil. 1. 19. This ſhall turn to my account; and how happy a condition is this? well may it be ſaid of theſe floods, that they do not come nigh him.
USE. I. This points us to our great Duty when we ſee clouds and ſtorms riſing. When we ſee preſaging Symptoms of great calamities at the door: common reaſon tells us that theſe are warnings bidding us to prepare; but alas, they are vain courſes which the moſt take when it is ſo: but here we may be told what is good and ſafe for us: and here,
1. It is certainly now a time for prayer. All dangers ſeen in the face of Providence, call Gods people to betake themſelves to him, and ſeek his help. It is vain to put truſt in any other object; but God is a refuge, and a preſent help in times of trouble. We are directed hither by him, Pſal. 50. 15. David reſolved thus to do, Pſal. 57. 1, 2. And whether elſe ſhould they go? he only can and is ready to do for them what they want.
2. It will tell us what we are to pray for. The great thing deſirable, is to be ſafe from the harm threatned; we are therefore to ſeek that which will be our ſecurity: and this will be directive to us in two reſpects.
1. Let it direct thoſe that are in an unpardoned ſtate.
And here,
2. Be you ſenſible how unprepared you are for ſuch a ſtorm. It is the miſerable ſtate of ſuch, that when the flood comes, they have no Ark to fly to, and hide themſelves in; no Rock to ſettle upon, no ſhelter to betake to, but ly open to the utter deſtruction threatned; and how will ſuch carry it then? See, Rev. 6. 16, 17. All refuges of lyes will then come tumbling down, Iſa. 28. 17. How profitable now will ſuch a thought well digeſted be?
A See what it is that unfits you: and that is your Gunt. It is not becauſe you have ſinned againſt God, ſo have his Children, but becauſe the Guilt of it abides on you; were that removed, you might do well enough, this binds you over to to wrath of God; the Sentence of Death is not reverſed, & you may now expect it to be executed, and your ſins to find you out.
3. Be afraid of the terrours of it. Think, what will you do when God ſhall fall upon you with his Judgments, and Conſcience ſhall then reflect with horrour on you, and lay all your ſins open before you, and tell you that for theſe things the wrath of God is upon you to deſtroy you. It is a ſolemn queſtion that God propounds to thoſe ſinners, Iſa. 10. 3. What will you do in the day of viſitation? And Ezek. 22. 14. Can thine heart endure?
4. Let this drive you to God for pardon. There is forgiveneſs with him, and you may obtain it, if you ſeek it aright: and he gives you warning of trouble before hand, to awaken you to ſeek it of him in time. God, by theſe warnings gives men to ſee their need of it, that they may ſeek it in good earneſt, Amos 4. 12. Becauſe I will do this, prepare to meet thy God O Iſrael.
5. Be not at reſt till you have gotten this ſettled. Wait therefore on him for his Spirit to work in you that Repentance and Faith, by which you may be brought to a New Covenant Intereſt in it, & have thoſe evidences for it which may be ſufficient to anſwer all the accuſations of Satan, and reflections of a miſgiveing Conſcience: think, if you miſtake here you are miſerable, but if this be ſecure, all is out of danger.
2. Let it be alſo to direct the Children of God what to do upon ſuch preſages as theſe.
Be adviſed then,
1. To examine whether there be no ſin ſtanding out againſt you, that is not adjuſted between God and you. It is now a matter of great moment: call therefore your conſciences to an account, knowing that if there be any provocation which God is angry at, that hath not been particularly confeſſed and repented of, it doth ſo ſtand out.
2. In caſe there be any ſuch, make haſte to do your duty in this regard, conſider what you have to do, and uſe no delays. And here,
1. Expect this to be the bitterneſs of the Cup. 'The trials themſelves may be irkſome, and enough to try all your patience in bearing them; but this will add an unknown weight to the burden; it will be the very poyſon of the Cup: you will find the difference to your coſt, if you adventure it, and do not ſpeedily prevent it, Pſal. 76. 7. To ſee God angry will be more dreadful than to feel the whole weight of affliction, that can be ſuffered in this world. Yea, it may be, and ſometimes is ſo, that it will make you loſe the ſight of his love to you, and apprehend him as an Enemy; and what a terrible thing will that be?
2 Hence ſeek to God in true repentance & renewed faith for the actual forgiveneſs of it. Be thorough in this work, confeſs it ingeniouſly, mourn for it bitterly, aggravate it particularly, beg hard for a pardon and look to the merits of Chriſt, and take hol… on them for it; wait ſubmiſſively at the footſto… of the throne of grace, till he beſtows it.
3. Get the evidence of this forgiveneſs as clear … you can. See that this very ſin is pardoned: ſeek to diſcover it in your ſelves by ſuch fruits as are witneſſes to it, and beg earneſtly for the witneſs of his Spirit, that you may read the pardon, and ſee his hand and ſeal to it; reſt not till he ſpeak peace to and in you.
USE II. Let it be a word of Conſolation to thoſe of Gods Children, who carefully keep accounts clear between God and them. Who are very heedful to avoid every provocation, and obſerve if there be any, and ſpeedily apply themſelves to get it made up: although you alſo may meet with floods of great waters, yet here is your conſolation.
1. Your inward peace will give you a good ſettlement of mind. To be able to ſee and ſay, there is no breach between God and you, will be enough, there will need no more to quiet your ſpirits: if when you ſee darkneſs in the world, you can behold the light of his Countenance looking upon you with greateſt ſerenity, muſt not this needs fill you with joy unſpeakable and full of glory, and make you triumph in midſt of afflictions.
2. God himſelf will afford you his comforting preſence. You ſhall not only have the witneſs of your own conſciences, but the Joy of the Holy Ghost, and the manifeſtations of his love to you: to ſuch he ſpeaks comfortably, Iſa. 41. 10. 43. 2. You may now walk through the valley of the ſhadow of death, and fear no evil, Pſal. 23. 4.
3. This will put you out of harms way. You ſhall be made unmoveable by it, Pſal. 125. begin. Your afflictions may ſhake you, but not unſettle you: you may count them all over, and ſay of them, as Paul of his 2 Cor. 4. 9, 8. And what ſtability may this afford to your ſpirits, in all the changes of times that go over you, who are thus ſafely immured in the Rock of Ages.