Shepherdy Spiritualized, Tract · Chapter 4
CHAP. IV.
From Sun and ſtorms the Shepherd ſaves his Sheep,
In perſecution's ſtorms Chriſt doth his keep.
Obſervation.
THE Expreſſion of making to lye down in green paſtures ſpeaks ſomething more than bare feeding, yea than feeding liberally and to the full. 'Tis an expreſſion ſuited to thoſe Eaſtern hotter Countries, where the Sun having great power, the Sheep were apt to be annoied with the fervency of the heat thereof, eſpecially about the middle of the day, wherefore one great piece of the Shepherds care was to provide, at that time of the day, ſome ſuitable ſhelter there againſt, and to drive together, and cauſe their Flocks to reſt in ſome ſhady place which might allay that heat of the Sun. gSolent pastores in calidis iſtis locis, meridie, iuxta fontes, rivos, aut dumeta ſuas oves continere in umbrâ, donec ſol deſerveſcat. Menoch.Unto which is an alluſion, Ezek. 34. 14, 15. and plainly, Cant. 1. 7. we in theſe our Northern Countries find how the Sheep in the heat of the day will lie panting, ſeeking to cool themſelves in paths, &c. and hiding themſelves from the ſcorching heat under Banks, Hedges and Buſhes. But the Shelter in our cold countries are moſtly from the ſtorms and winds, the driving of the Snow, and beating of the Rain, againſt which the ſhelter of a good Hedge, or the lee of a riſing hill; we find of what ſingular uſe it is, under which the poor Cattle will creep, and there preſerve themſelves from the fury of the weather.
Application.
Now of what are theſe ſcorching blaſts and beating ſtorms ſignificative in reference to our purpoſe, but the rage of perſecution which the wrath of men is apt to raiſe againſt, to deſtroy, if it were poſſible, the poor ones of God? For the heat of the Sun-ſhine, ye have Chriſt's interpretation, Mat. 13. 6, with 21. and for the ſtorms of wind and weather, the Scriptures, eſpecially the Prophets, are full; ſee Iſa. 29. 6. Amos. 1. 14. hence toſſed with Tempeſts, Tempeſts, for much afflicted and perſecuted, Iſa. 54. 11. from or in theſe doth Chriſt preſerve his Flock. Sometimes he keeps them from perſecution. When the rage of men hath even ſwallowed them up, in their imaginations, when it flows down upon them like a torrent, threatning to carry all before it, God by ſome Providence or other, diverts the Enemie, and ſo creats peace for his. Thus when David and his men were compaſſed round about by Saul, and were even as devoured in their apprehenſions, the Philiſtines invade the Land, which diverts Saul from his purſuit, 1 Sam. 23. 26, 27, 28. The Vul. Lat. reads verſ. 26. fully to our ſenſe, hPorro David deſperahat ſe poſſe evadere a facie Saul: ita que Saul & viri ejus in modum coronae cingebant David & viros ejus ut caperent eos.David deſpaired that he could eſcape from the face of Saul; therefore Saul and his men in the form of a Crown compaſſed David and his men; that they might take them. And that is a good note of Grotius on it, iIt a ſaepe hoſi is externus malis civilibus adfert ſpiramenti aliquid. Exempla apud Livium multamany a time a forreign Enemy gives ſome reſpit to civil broils. Hence that place where David was delivered, had its name, Sela Hammahlekoth, ſo called, it's probable, by David to perpetuate the memory of that ſeaſonable deliverance, an Act not ſo much of Saul's pity, as of Gods kQuod ibidem Domius, quaſi m…raculo Saulem a Davide divi…jet & abſtraxiſſet, Oſ.Providence. This was Deus ex Machinâ, God appearing ſeaſonably. Where humane help failed, Divine came in, unto which may be applied, Pſal. 57. 3. which Pſalm, it's thought, he penned in Engedi, whither he fled from this place. Thus alſo God diverted Senacherib, or Rabſhakeh, his General, from the ſiege of Jeruſalem, by a report of Tirhakah King of Ethiopia coming out to fight againſt him, 2 King. 19. 7, 8, 9. Regnum Aſſyriorum invadit, ſaith Sulpitius, he invaded the Aſſyrian Kingdom, or he went to fight againſt Senacherib lying againſt Libnah, or againſt Rabſhakeh beſieging Jeruſalem, as Druſius. Thus he diverted Jultan from his purpoſed perſecution, by the Parthian warr, and Charles the Emperour the 5. of Germany from perſecuting the Proteſtants by the Turks breaking into Hungary. This Charles the fifth ſet at Liberty his Priſoner Francis King of France, upon this condition (among others) that they ſhould joyn their Forces, and do their utmoſt to ſuppreſs and root out the Lutheran Hereſie (as they called it) out of both their Dominions; but ſoon after they fell at variance again between themſelves, (the Pope blowing the Bellows) whereby the Church had her Halcyon days, lScult. Annal.James the Fifth King of Scotland, by the inſtigation of the Biſhops was a great Perſecutor of the Truth, which then brake forth in that Kingdom, giving Commiſſion to Sir James Hamilion, his Treaſurer, to convene all perſons ſuſpected of Hereſie, and to inflict the puniſhment which after Tryal they ſhould be found to deſerve: but this laſted not long, for Sir James Hamilton was accuſed of a practice againſt the King's Life, for which he was ſhortly after executed, and the King by warrs with England, together with ſome night viſions which he had, was withdrawn from thoſe Extremities which the Clergy had put him upon.
Sometimes he even tires the Enemie with his own cruelty, and ſeeing his unſuccesfulneſs cauſeth him to lay down his rage in a pet. Alas, how many even weary themſelves in theſe evil courſes, in the greatneſs of their way, great pains they take to ſmall purpoſe, and then ſit down in diſcontent Thus Diocleſian the Emperour, Author, of the Tenth perſecution, went both ſubtilly and cruelly to work, to root out Chriſtianity; uſing all politick waies to make the Chriſtians in his army renounce their Faith: then by Proclamation commanded their Churches to be beaten down, their Bibles to be burnt or torn in pieces: that all Chriſtians that bare office, ſhould be depoſed: that bondmen that would forſake their profeſſion ſhould be made free: But when after all his ſubtility and cruelty, he ſaw that the number of Chriſtians ſtill increaſed, he gave up the Empire. Some alſo report ſome ſuch thing to have influenced Charles the fith in laying down his greatneſs, reſigning the Empire to his Brother, and Kingdoms to his Son. Eccleſiaſtical Hiſtory will furniſh with ſundry inſtances of thoſe that have even tired themſelves with their cruelties to the poor ones of God.
Sometimes he wonderfully ſupports and carries his through the cruel torments of Perſecutors, as if they felt nothing of pain or trouble. Mr. Saunders Martyr, told a perſon that lay in the ſame bed with him in Priſon: That in the time of his Examination before Stephen Gardner, he was wonderfully comforted, not only in Spirit, but even in body, receiving a certain taſte of the holy communion of Saints, whilſt a moſt pleaſant refreſhing did iſſue from every part and member of the Body to the ſeat of the heart, and from thence did flow to and fro unto all the parts again. Yea Lawrence a Deacon of the Chureh, was firſt ſcourged, then buffeted, pinched with fiery Tongs, and at laſt caſt on a Grate of Iron red hot, upon which when he had been long preſſed down with Fire-Forks, in the mighty Spirit of God, he ſpake thus to the Tyrant,
This ſide is now roaſted enough,
Turn up O Tyrant great:
Eſſay whether roaſted or raw
Thou think'ſt the better meat.
Thomas Tomkins had his hand by Bonner held directly over the flame of a wax Taper, till the Veins ſhrunk, and the Sinews burſt, and the water out of them ſpurted into Harpsfields Face, as he ſtood by; yet Tomkins affirmed afterward to ſome Friends, that during this cruel burning his Spirit was ſo rapt, that he felt no pain. The like did Edmund Tyrell to a Daughter of Father Munts, holding the Candle croſs-wiſe under the back of her hand, continuing it ſo long, till her Sinews crackt aſunder, he ſtill ſaying, why Whore, wilt thou not cry? The ſaid Maid told a Friend, that at firſt ſhe felt ſome pain, but afterward little or nothing at all. James Bainham at the ſtake, in the midſt of the burning Fire, his Legs and Arms being half conſumed, ſaid, Ye look for miracles, lo, here ye may ſee one; for in this Fire I feel no more pain, than if I were in a bed of down, and it is to me as a bed of Roſes. Henry Voes, and John Eſch, when they came to be burnt for the Truth of the Goſpel, joyfully embraced the ſtake, continuing ſinging Pſalms, and when the Fire was kindled at their feet, one of them ſaid, Methinks you do ſtrew Roſes under my feet.
Sometimes propagating the Truth by the ſufferings of the Profeſſors of it. Blood is found the moſt enriching dreſſing for the truth of God, the Blood of the Martyr the ſeed of the Church. Perſecution at Jeruſalem, and taking off Stephen, ſpread the Diſciples abroad preaching the Goſpel. Act. 8. 1. Dorothous reporteth, that when Stephen was ſtoned, there were 2000 other believers put to death the ſame day. And our Martyrologiſt acquaints us, that after Mr. Rogers had broke the Ice under Q. Mary, there ſuffered in likeſort, one Arch-Biſhop, 4 Biſhops, 21 Divines, 8 Gentlemen, 84 Artificers, 100 Husbandmen, Servants and Labourers, 26 Wives, 20 Widows, 9 Virgins, 2 Boys, and two Infants, in all 277; ſome ſay a great many more. Yea though though Truth be ſuppreſt in one place, it breaks out in another, to the Churches great advantage: which, like the Sea, what ground it loſeth in one part, it getteth in another. Thus at Melda in France, (Ten Miles from Paris) the Biſhop thereof deſirous of a Reformation, put away the Monks, and called in the help of divers Godly Miniſters; but he being perſecuted by the Sorboniſts, ſoon fell off from the profeſſion of the Truth: and thoſe good Miniſters (Faber, Farrel, Ruffus and others) were driven into divers other places of France, where they planted ſeveral Churches, the deſtruction of one being the edification of many. Trucidabantur & multiplicabantur. Aug. Plures efficimur quoties metimur. Tertul. Eccleſia totum mundum ſanguine & oratione convertit. Luth. So true is that promiſe of the Churches Lord and Husband, and fulfilled to her, Mat. 16. 18. The Gates &c. that is, the power and policy, the craft and cruelty of Satan and his Inſtruments ſhall not prevail to her utter ruine: if they lop the branches in one place, they ſhall break forth in another.
Laſtly, by all God both purgeth out the Corruptions, and exerciſeth the Graces of his People. Iſa. 27. 9. by this, i. e. by their being carried Captive to Babylon. As one Poyſon is antidotary to another, ſo is affliction to ſin. Croſſes are Leeches to ſuck the noxious blood, flails to threſh off their husks, &c. and they are files too, to brighten their Graces. When there was a conſulation held at Rome, whether Carthage ſhould be demoliſhed or no, Scipio perſwaded the Senatours to let it ſtand, leſt the People of Rome ſhould want an occaſion or object whereon to exerciſe their valour. So God could ſoon deſtory all the perſecuting enemies of his Church: But he rather ſuffers them to live, that they may be for the Exerciſe of his Peoples Wiſdom, Faith, Zeal, Conſtancy, Courage, Patience, and the whole panoply of Grace in them. The Chriſtians had enjoyed much reſt and peace for many years, after the Perſecution of Aurelianus, with which reſt and tranquillity the Diſcipline of the Church came to be corrupted, and fervent Devotion began to wax cold, much envy and contention riſing up between the Biſhops and Paſtors; for which cauſe God did juſtly ſuffer the Perſecution under Diocleſian, in which the patience and conſtancy of the perſecuted was wonderful. In the dayes of King Edward the 6th. the Biſhops, Ridley and Hooper, could not agree about ſome ſmall matters of forms, &c. but when in Q. Mary's daies, they were clapt up together, they could better accord. Chriſtians loſe nothing by their perſecutions, but their corruptions. David found it good for him, that he had been afflicted, to bring him in from his ſtray-going, that he might keep more cloſely to, and walk more cloſely with, his God. The Church hath found her bitter Aloes uſeful to purge her. Chriſt being a ſign ſpoken againſt, diſcovers the thoughts of many hearts, Luk. 2. 35. as they are alſo now in theſe diſcriminating ſhedding times. Affliction tryeth men, who are Crocodiles, Spunges, Camelions, &c. Before theſe daies came (ſaid Mr. Bradford, Martyr) how many thought of themſelves that they had been in Gods boſom, and ſo were taken, and would be taken, in the World? But now we ſee whoſe they are: for to whom we obey, his Servants, &c. In the Palatinate upon the return of Popiſh cruelty, ſcarce one in twenty ſtood out, but fell to Popery, as faſt as leaves fall in Autumn. Theſe daies alſo have diſcovered the falſneſs of ſome men's hearts: the Gold is no leſſer by parting with its droſs, nor the body by being cured of Wens, Tetters, &c. nor Chriſt's Churches to have their rotten boughs fall off.
Reflections.
If any ſhall read or hear theſe lines whoſe heart riſeth againſt For the Perſecutorthe waies, truths, or People of God; methinks he may beſpeak himſelf in ſome ſuch Language as this: And what get I by all this rage and fury againſt theſe poor ones? Why beat I my head in diviſing, and weary my ſelf in executing violence againſt them? Alas! all is but a vain thing; for a ſtorm to beat againſt a Flock that hath excellent ſhelter, to what purpoſe? They are dearly beloved of God, as Daniel; highly favoured in Heaven, as Mary; darlings to the Almighty, as David; fair to God, as Moſes, Gods firſt-born, his Heirs, Co-heirs with Chriſt; and were it the part of a wiſe man to fall out with the Kings Favourite? To lowre upon his Son and Heirs, to deface his picture, to tread on his Jewels, to ſpit upon his Royal robe, or imperial Diadem? How was Cain Schooled, but for ſcowling on Abel? And Laban threatned but for following Jacob? And Abimelech plagued but for an unwilling abuſe to Abraham? How was Balaam ſlain by the Lord, for but wiſhing evil to his Iſrael? Goliah for but defying his Hoſt? Nabal for reviling his David, &c. Conſider O my Soul! (hath not truth it ſelf ſaid it?) Iſa. 54. 17. Every ſuch Weapon ſhall be as the Poets ſeign of Ajax's Sword, which ſo long as he uſed againſt men, his Enemies, ſerved for help and defence: but after he began to abuſe it to the hurt of hurtleſs Creatures, it turned into his own bowels: The Tongue that riſeth up againſt thee, will I condemn; God by his judgments hath extorted confeſſions of his Saints innocency, and condemnation of their own wickedneſs, from the Mouths even of Enemies. Ralph Lardin, the betrayer of George Eagles, was himfelf arraigned and hanged: as he ſtood at the Barr, he ſaid publickly, This is juſtly fallen upon me, for betraying the blood of that good and juſt man George Eagles, who through my means was condemned, and I ſold his Life for a little money. One of the Sheriffs men at Bury, when Ja. Abbes was burned, bad the People not to hearken to Abbes, for he was a Madman, and out of his wits: Aſſoon as the Fire was kindled, to the Martyr, that wretch in all the Peoples ſight fell diſtracted, and in a furious manner pulling off his clothes, he cried out, Ja. Abbes was the true Servant of God, and is ſaved, but I am damned; and thus he continued till he died. Not to mention, or but to mention the righteous judgment of God on Arundel Archbiſhop of Canterbury, who had ſilenced many faithful Miniſters of Chriſt, and by God's juſt Judgment had his Tongue ſwoln ſo bigg in his Mouth, that he could neither Eat, Drink, nor Speak for many daies, and ſo died of hunger after he had ſtarved many a poor Chriſtian Soul, and burned the Bodies of many to Aſhes. Stephen Gardner's Tongue alſo hung out of his Mouth, ſwoln and black, with which he had reproached and blaſphemed the Truths and Servants of the living God. Were it not beſt therefore, O my Soul! to conſider how thou doſt not prevail, and to take Gamaliel's counſel? Act. 5. 35, 38. Take heed to your ſelves, &c. refrain from theſe men, &c. Be wiſe now therefore, O my, Soul! and be inſtructed, learn by the Example of others, to caſt away thine enmity a gainſt Chriſt and his waies. Kiſs the Son, leſt he be angry, and thou periſh. God is a Sun and a ſhiled, a Sun for comfort, and a ſhield ſor defence. Chriſt is propheſied of, as the ſhadow of a great Rock. Iſa. 32. 2. As he is piorum rupes, a Rock of defence and ſhelter to his, ſo he is reorum ſcopulus, a Rock of Offence to his Enemies, who ſhall daſh themſelves in pieces againſt him.
Think not ſtrange, O my Soul! of the ſlights, ſcornes, For the poor perſecuted ones of God.reproaches and indignities, which thou muſt meet with in the purſuit of the Truths of God: 'Tis no more than what hath formerly been experienced by others. Mat. 5. 11, 12. Your betters have ſped no better: ſtrange not therefore at it, ſtart not from it. Perſecution hath ever been the Saints portion; 2 Tim. 3. 12. How early did Martyrdom come into the World? The firſt man that dyed, dyed for Religion: and although Cain be gone to his place, it were to be wiſht he were not ſtill alive in his Sons and Succeſſors, who hate their Brethren, becauſe they are more righteous than themſelves. But what though ſtorms ariſe? What though the ſcorching heat, the hail and rain beat violently? Can the Lord find no ſhelter for his? Is his Arm ſhortned, that he cannot help, or his goodneſs abated, that he will not hear? Will not God avenge his People? doubtleſs he will avenge them ſpeedily, though he bear long. God hath an hiding place for ſome of his poor ones, Iſa. 26. 20. He ſhut up Noah in Ark, ſecured Lot in Zoar, hid Jeremiah and Baruch when ſought for to the ſlaughter, bad Daniel go his way and reſt, before thoſe daies of great trouble fore-told, chap. 12. 13. Auguſtine died a little before Hippo was taken, and Pareus before Heidelberg was ſackt: So died Luther before the bloody Warrs of Germany: For Mr. Brightman a purſuivant was ſent a day or two after he was buried, laid in his Grave, where the wicked ceaſe from troubling, and where the weary be at reſt. Thus ſome others, beſides Lyra, underſtand the Prophet, by Chambers to mean their Graves. The burying place is not unfitly called foreign, a reſting Room to the Saints, the Grave a Bed, Iſa. 57. 2. the Bier that carrieth them to it, Matteh i. e. a Pallet. 2 Sam. 3. 21. Others by Chambers will have meant the Cloſet of Gods Providence and Protection, Pſal. 31. 20. and 143. 9. ſuch as Pella was to the Primitive Chriſtians. Or, ſay the wind doth blow on thee, 'twill but blow off thy chaff and thy duſt: if the fire kindle upon thee, 'twill conſume only thy droſs, that when thou comeſt forth, it may be as Gold. Mean while know, that in all thine affliction he is afflicted, and therefore will he ſave thee. Though trouble drive worldly Friends from thee, yet not the Lord: ſee, Iſa 34. 2. the gracious preſence of God in the burning Buſh kept it from conſuming, the Iſraelites in the red Sea from drowning: this made the fiery furnace a pleaſant Gallery, the Lyon's Den an houſe of defence; the Leonine Priſon a delectable Orchard.