Seven Godly and Fruitful Sermons, Sermon 3
THE THIRD SERMON, VPONUPON THE FOVRTEENTH PSALME.
PSALME 14.
Verſ. 5. There they ſhall be taken with feare, becauſe God is in the generation of the iuſt.
6 You hauehave made a mocke of the counſell of the poore, becauſe the Lord is his truſt.
IN the former part of this Pſalme is ſet downe the iuſt complaint of the Prophet, concerning the ſinfull and corrupt nature, and conuerſation of all vnregenerate perſons; where is declared their horrible impietie againſt God, in that they ſaid in their hearts, there was no God: as alſo their bloudy crueltie againſt his ſeruants, in that they deuoured them as greedily as an hungry man doth eate bread. Both which, their impietie and crueltie, are ſufficiently proued: firſt, by their abominable practiſe and behauiour, both in committing euill, and in omitting good, verſ. 1.3.4. Secondly, by the teſtimony of the Lord, who tooke a ſuruey of their diſpoſition and cariage.
v. 2. Thirdly, by the euidence of their own conſciences, Do not the workers of iniquity know, &c?
Now in theſe words the holy Ghoſt ſheweth what will bee the end and iſſue of ſuch vngodly courſes, and what iudgement will fall vponupon ſuch irreligious and cruell perſons; deſcribing it
1. Verſe 5.Firſt, by the manner of it [There they ſhall be taken with feare] that is, in the mids of their ſinfull practiſes, horrible terrours ſhall take hold of them, ſo that they ſhall be full of trembling and amazement.
2. Secondly, by the principall cauſes for which this iudgement is ſent, which are two.
1. One in reſpect of God, viz. his fauor and louelove vntounto his people, which he manifeſteth by being in the congregation of the righteous: that is, among all righteous perſons; and that not with an idle preſence, but ſtanding with them and for them, to vphold, direct, and comfort them according to their need, and to confound all ſuch as lift vp their heads againſt them.
2. Another cauſe is in regard of the enemies of God and of his people, to wit, their malice and ſinfulneſſe: againſt which the holy Ghoſt inueigheth by way of inſultation, You hauehave made a mocke, &c. q.d. You ſhall aſſuredly be met withall; Verſe 6.and will you know why? You hauehave made a mocke of the counſell of the poore: that is, at their reſolute purpoſe to ſeeke God, and their conſtant endeauors to depend vponupon him, as the words following ſeeme to imply. Becauſe the Lord is his truſt. q.d. You are ſo farre from taking good waies, and reſting vponupon the prouidence and goodneſſe of God your ſelues, that you diſgrace & deſpite thoſe that will do ſo; and therefore without doubt, woe and and miſery ſhall ouertake and ouerwhelme you, when you little imagine any ſuch matter.
Verſ. 5. [There they ſhall be taken with feare] Wee may reade in the former part of the Pſalme, how forward theſe men were vntounto al vngodlineſſe, and vnrighteouſneſſe; Doct. 1 and now ſee how they are affected, and thence learne this doctrine: Boldneſſe in ſinne brings daſtardlineſſe afterward.that thoſe that are moſt bold to commit ſinne, are moſt cowardly when dangers doe approch. Hardineſſe, and venturouſnes in euill courſes, hath commonly daſtardlineſſe attending thereupon, when any occaſion of feare is offered. There they ſhall bee taken with feare (ſaith the Prophet,) that is, in the very height of their impiety againſt the Lord, and of their cruelty againſt his ſeruants; euen there they ſhall bee ſurprized with horrour and aſtoniſhment, albeit they in their follie ſay, There is no God; and therefore ruſh into all abominations, vtterly caſting off the yoake of obedience, and delighting in nothing more, then in deuouring Gods people: yet will hee make them know that there is a God in heauen, that takes notice of their workes and of their waies; and if nothing elſe wil cauſe them to beleeue it, the very torments and tortures which hee ſuddenly and ſtrangely inflicteth vponupon their conſciences, ſhall make them, wil they nill they, to confeſſe it. For when they preſume of all manner of ſafety, and doe not ſo much as dreame of any perill that is toward, becauſe of the weakeneſſe and baſeneſſe of their aduerſaries; then ſome vnexpected euill ſhall ouertake them, and anguiſh ſhall come vponupon them, Pſal. 48.6.Euen as trauel vponupon awoman that is with-child; that is, ſuddenly, grieuouſly, and vnauoidably.
This is denounced as a part of the curſe to bee executed vponupon thoſe that would not obey the lawes of God, nor feare the glorious and fearefull name of the Lord: Deut. 28.65.66That he would giuegive them a trembling heart, and a ſorrowfull minde: that they ſhould feare both day and night: that in the morning they ſhould ſay, Would it were euening; and at euening, Would God it were morning. Which very curſe is expreſſed in other tearmes in the booke of Leuiticus, where the Lord threatneth thoſe that would not bee reformed, but would walke ſtubbornely againſt him, Leuit. 26.36.that he would ſend a faintneſſe into their hearts, in ſo much that the ſound of a leaſe ſhaken ſhould chaſe them, and they ſhould flie as flying from a ſword, though none did purſue them.
This point may bee made yet more plaine by examples. 2. Chron. 18.23.King Ahaz was maruellous bold in his idolatrous and wicked courſes, reiecting the ordinances of God, and bringing in heatheniſh abominations in ſtead thereof, without any feare of God or of his iudgements. But how was hee affected when danger was neere? The Prophet Iſaiah telleth vsus, that when the King of Aram and the King of Iſrael came againſt him, Iſa. 7.1.2.his heart (together with the hearts of his people (that were like vntounto him) was moued as the trees of the forreſt are moued by the winde: That is, both he and all his ſouldiers were euen as Aſpen leaues, or ſome ſuch like, that in a great tempeſt of boiſterous winds are maruellouſly toſſed and ſhaken, the feare of their enemies that were neare at hand, did make them, hauing no faith in God, exceedingly to quake and tremble. The like whereunto the ſame Prophet foretelleth concerning the vnbeleeuing Iewes, ſpeaking of that which ſhould bee, as if it were already done. The ſinners in Sion were afraid, Iſa. 33.14.(ſaith he) a feare is come vponupon the hypocrites. When Gods iudgements doe flie abroad in the world, this is the vſe that ſinfull perſons will make of them: they will vexe their hearts with helliſh and deſperate feares, and cry out, Who among vsus ſhall dwell with deuouring fire, Who among vsus ſhall dwell with euerlaſting burnings? For ſo they conceiue of God, that hee is a conſuming fire, (as indeed hee is vntounto ſuch as they are,) and that hee will not onelyonly torment them preſently, but euerlaſtingly.
We may reade of Saul, in what wofull perplexity he was when hee muſt part with his kingdome and his life at once. In the time of his proſperity hee was a man of great courage, and too too boyſterous againſt Dauid: yet when newes came vntounto him that hee muſt die, the very report of it cauſed him ſtraight way to fall all along vponupon the earth like a beaſt, ſo that all that were preſent had much adoe to make him ariſe, and take a little food to refreſh him. Note. He was ſtrong in body, and mighty in battell, but ſinfull in heart, and therefore cowardly in heart: and the like might be ſhewed concerning Belſhazzar king of Babel, Mat. 28.4.Dan. 5. and the ſouldie…s that kept the ſepulchre where Chriſt was laid, when the Angell appeared in glory. But let vsus conſider of the reaſons hereof.
One is, Reaſons. becauſe all miſery commeth vponupon them vſually at vnawares: For they footh vp themſelues in their naughtineſſe, and perſwade themſelues that all ſhall bee peace, though they walke on according to the ſtubbornneſſe of their owne hearts: Deut. 29.and therefore croſſes being vnexpected, doe find them vnprepared, The ſuddenneſſe of their miſery.and ſo caſt them into greater perplexitie and anguiſh. It is ſaid (Pſalm. 53.5.) concerning vngodly men: There they were afraid for feare, where no feare was. Not but there was perill, and ſo cauſe of feare, but they had no expectation therof; they miſtruſted nothing, but went on as boldly in ſinning, as a man would doe in the workes of his calling, and therefore were their hearts ſo diſtracted with feares when troubles did light vponupon them,
A ſecond reaſon why preſumptuous offenders are ſo tormented with horrour is, Their iudgements are very grieuous.becauſe many times the iudgements that God laieth vponupon them are very grieuous: as they hauehave preſſed downe others with heauy burthens, ſo the Lord purſueth them with heauy plagues. Thoſe that offend only through infirmity, ſhal hauehave more milde and gentle corrections: but as for them that tranſgreſſe with an high hand, the Lord will viſit them with ſharper ſcourges: and as they hauehave bin more bitter againſt their neighbours, ſo the Lord will hauehave them to drinke more deepely of that cup which they prepared for others.
Thirdly, Gods terrible iuſtice is aprarant in their afflictions.God in his iuſtice will hauehave his hand to bee ſeene againſt thoſe that make warre againſt him, and againſt his people: he will appeare in his anger againſt ſuch, and that muſt needs bee terrible vntounto them. There is no bleſſing ſo ſmall, but if it come with Gods fauour, it is made very great: Note. neither is there any croſſe ſo ſmall, but if it come with Gods diſpleaſure, it is made exceeding grieuous; and that made them ſo afraid, Iſa. 33.14. of whom mention was made before.
A fourth cauſe of their great terrour is, The guiltines of their conſciences.the guiltineſſe of their conſciences. They hauehave impoſed vponupon them grieuous burthens, which when the world went well with them, they ſcarce euer felt: but in time of diſtreſſe they are made ſenſible thereof; and then they hauehave as it were a hell within them, and are continually vponupon the racke.
But that wee may not miſtake the meaning of this point, wee muſt vnderſtand, that this faintheartedneſſe and cowardlineſſe doth not alwaies come vponupon preſumptuous ſinners when they behold imminent dangers: for though none of them hauehave true courage & fortitude, Note. yet many of them hauehave a kind of deſperate ſtoutneſſe and reſolution, when they doe as it were ſee death preſent before their faces: which proceedeth from a kind of deadneſſe that is vponupon their hearts, and a brawnineſſe that hath ouergrowne their conſciences to their greater condemnation. But when it pleaſeth the Lord to waken them out of the dead ſlumber, and to ſet the worme of conſcience aworke within them, then this doctrine holdeth true without any exception, that the boldeſt ſinners proues at length the baſeſt cowards; and they that hauehave bin moſt audacious in aduenturing vponupon the moſt miſchieuous euils, doe become of all others moſt timorous when Gods reuenging hand ſeazeth vponupon them for the ſame.
Firſt therfore let vsus hence learne not to embolden our ſelues to ſinne in confidence of any outward helps: Vſe 1 for there is nothing in the world that can procure vsus ſafety, if we by our iniquities doe ſet the Lord againſt vsus.
Yet many are ſo fooliſh that they will truſt in lying vanities for their ſafegard and protection. Some will ſay, Obiect. Tuſh, none of their threatnings ſhal fright mee: for if the worſt come to the worſt, I can hauehave twentie deuices to helpe myſelfe.
But was not Achitophel as deep a Polititian as the beſt of vsus? Anſw. yet when Gods terrible ſtroke was vponupon his heart, all his cunning could not keepe him from hanging himſelfe.
Others there are that reſt vponupon the multitude, and thinke themſelues ſufficiently ſheltred from Gods plagues, if they hauehave a great many to ioyne with them. Obiect. Why ſhould wee not ſport and game, and take our full pleaſure vponupon the Sabbath? (ſay they:) doth not all the countrie ſo? If it bee ſo dangerous, many others ſhall feele the ſmart of it as well as we. They ſhall ſo indeed: Anſw. for in the beginning of this Pſalme it is ſaid They are all corrupt, all gone out of the way, there is none that doth good, no not one: ſo that there was as it were an vniuerſall conſpiracie in euill; yet it is ſaid of them all: There were they taken with feare. And at the laſt day, at the beholding of the terrible ſignes that ſhall appeare, and at the hearing of the roaring of the ſea, al nations ſhall quake and tremble: ſo that the multitude of offenders doth no whit better their caſe, nay that rather maketh it worſe: for ſometimes euen where there is no perill, the very hearing of many ſending forth bitter cryes and lamentable complaints, is a ſufficient terrour: how much more then would it bee, if wee were plunged in miſery with them? It is a cold comfort vntounto vsus to be told, You may ſafely go to ſuch a towne; for there all the houſes are generally infected with the peſtilence! and as ſmall an encouragement is it for men to ruſh vponupon the committing of any ſinne, becauſe all the world is addicted thereunto, and corrupted therewith. For, as the more are infected with the peſtilence, the more are likely to die; & thoſe that go vntounto thē are ſure of more diſcomfort among them, and in danger to periſh with them: ſo by how much the number of them is greater that are tainted with groſſe ſinnes, the more likely to goe to helliſh torments; and ſuch as will be their companions in euil, ſhall certainly be partakers with them in puniſhment: and the more reprobates are in hell together, the more hideous and wofull will their ſtate bee.
Another ſort there are that ſecure themſelues with this, Obiect. that they hauehave ſtomack and courage in them, and therefore they doubt not but they ſhall ſtand vndaunted and vnappalled in the middeſt of all extremities.
But theſe ſtout-hearted champions ſhall finde, Anſw. that their harts wil faile them, when the mouth of their conſcience beginneth once to be opened againſt them, and to lay their ſinnes new and old in order before them.
For what ſaith the Prophet Zephany? Zeph. 1.14.15.In the great day of the Lords wrath, the ſtrong man ſhall cry bitterly. Now crying is an argument of great perplexity and anguiſh, and of baſeneſſe of mind, when it proceedeth from outward cauſes; and yet the Prophet ſaith, that the ſtrong men, and ſuch as did profeſſe fortitude, ſhould cry, and that bitterly: and the more couragious they had been in ſin, the more cowardly they ſhould bee when the Lord did viſit them for ſinne.
Laſtly, Obiect. there are others that thinke to cary out their vile practiſes by reaſon of their noble parentage, their high places, the multitude of their attendants, the largeneſſe of their ſubſtance, &c. If they ſay the word, who can hinder the deed? who dare controll them or croſſe them? If any thinke himſelfe wronged (ſay they) let him take his aduantage, and ſeeke his remedy, &c.
See the haughtineſſe of fleſh and blood when once it is ſet on horſe-backe: Anſw. but ſuppoſe that men dare not encounter them, doe they imagine that the Lord will be afraid of their bigge words, and bigge lookes? if they do, they are much deceiued. Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar, and Belſhazzer, were as great and as proud as moſt of theſe braggers: yet did not the Lord ſtrike them with horrour and amazement, and make them ſee and know, that hee was the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords? Satan hath all that worldly men can hauehave, and a great deale more, both of wit, and wealth, and company, and courage, and command; and yet for all this, the very conſideration of Gods indignation maketh him to tremble: according to that of the the Apoſtle Iames: Iam. 2.19Thou beleeueſt that there is one God, the diuels alſo beleeue, and tremble. And how then can they thinke to eſcape the terrours of the Lord, who though they be great in the world, yet come farre behinde the Prince of the world in greatneſſe?
Let experience ſpeake in this point: Note. when the Lord tooke away our gracious Queene, and there was likelihood either of a ciuill diſſenſion, or forren inuaſion, (howbeit the Lord miraculouſly deliuered vsus from them both:) who were then leaſt troubled with feares? thoſe that were great in the world, or ſuch as were great in Gods fauour? And now that the Lord doth viſit our cities, and townes and villages with the peſtilence, who are they that are moſt couragious? ſurely thoſe that truly feare the Lord: they think it the ſafeſt courſe to exerciſe themſelues in the workes of their callings, and not to runne hither and thither; and to come vntounto the publike aſſemblies of the Saints, and not to neglect the feeding of their ſoules for feare of endangering their bodies: whereas the wealthie and great ones of the world, hide their heads in a corner, being very vnwilling to aduenture vponupon any good work that either God or man calleth them vntounto, if there bee but the leaſt appearance of any perill.
Therefore (in the ſecond place) if we would be void of thoſe terrours that wicked men are ſubiect vntounto, Vſe 2 and be able with boldnes to hold vp our heads, when Gods iudgements are abroad in the world, then let vsus obſerue theſe directions following.
Firſt, Remedies againſt helliſh feares. 1. Feare to offend. See M. Duds booke. Com. 1. Pſal. 112.let vsus beware of all manner of ſinnes, that no iniquitie hauehave entertainment with vsus; and labour to bee at one with the Lord, that ſo our conſciences may be at one with vsus: which if wee can attaine vntounto, we ſhall be ſtrongly fortified againſt all vnneceſſary feares. According to that in the Pſalme: Bleſſed is the man that feareth the Lord, &c. He ſhall not be afraid of euill tidings, &c. Where the Prophet ſheweth, that hee is an happie man that is truly religious, and ſheweth it forth by fearing of God, and delighting in his commandements, and by performing the duties of louelove and mercy towards his brethren: for as hee ſhall bee freed from all hurtfull euils, ſo ſhall hee bee exempted from all paſſionate feare thereof. Note. Many wicked men hauehave not the plague in their houſes, and yet are plagued with the feare of it: and many godly men hauehave their families viſited therewith, and yet are not perplexed with ſuch terrors: and the reaſon is yeelded in that place, becauſe their harts are fixed and eſtabliſhed, and beleeue in the Lord. That is the foundation whereupon they build their courage and confidence, euen the Lord himſelfe, who is a ſure ſtay to thoſe that relie vponupon him. His children know that nothing can befall them without his prouidence, & that nothing ſhall betide them, but he will ſupport them vnderunder it, and make them to profit by it: and what cauſe then hauehave they to be diſtēpered? If therfore we deſire to hauehave ſtil & quiet harts, when others ſhal be euen at their wits end, then let vsus get the breſtplate of righteouſneſſe and innocencie: for the righteous is bold as a Lion. Let vsus feare ſin before it be committed, Prou. 28.1.and when we are tempted therunto, ſay with Iob: Are there not ſtrange puniſhments for the workers of iniquity? Iob 31.Will not the Lord be angry with me if I ſhould commit this wickedneſſe? will not mine owne heart be diſcomforted? will not my ſpirit be made ſad within mee? how ſhall I bee able to looke the Lord in the face, if hee ſhould lay his hand in any feareful manner vponupon me or mine, when I hauehave ſo prouoked him to his face, &c? Thus if wee could fright our hearts from offending the Maieſtie of God, wee ſhould bee as bold as Iob was when the waues of aduerſity flow in vponupon vsus on eueryevery ſide: The Lord (ſaith he) hath giuen, Iob 1.21. Iob. 13.15.and the Lord hath taken, bleſſed be the name of the Lord. And in another place, Though the Lord ſhould kill me, yet will I truſt in him. He feared ſinne which is the ſting of croſſes, and therefore were his croſſes leſſe terrible vntounto him when they came: and ſo will they be vntounto vsus if we carefully eſchew thoſe corruptions which otherwiſe will enuenome and poyſon them vntounto vsus. this is the firſt means to arme vsus againſt feares, viz. to take heed of ſinne before it bee committed.
But if it be committed, Repentance for offences committed.the next remedie is, to ſtand in awe of Gods iudgements due vntounto the ſame, and ſo to be led on to true repentance. The beſt way to eſcape deſperate feare is, to fright our ſoules with an holy feare: For if we iudge our ſelues, we ſhall not be iudged of the Lord. Excellent for this purpoſe, is that anſwere of Huldah the Propheteſſe vntounto good Ioſiah: Becauſe thine heart did melt (ſaith ſhe) and thou haſt humbled thy ſelfe before the Lord, 2. King. 22.19.20.when thou heardeſt what I ſpake againſt this place, and againſt the inhabitants of the ſame, to wit, that it ſhould bee deſtroyed, and accurſed,; and haſt rent thy cloathes, & wept before me, I hauehave alſo heard thee ſaith the Lord. Behold therefore I will gather thee to thy fathers; and thou ſhalt bee put in thy graue in peace, and thine eyes ſhall not ſee all the euill that I will bring vponupon this place. And agreeable to this, is the ſpeech of Habakkuk: When I heard, my belly trembled, Habak. 3.16.my lips ſhooke at thy voice: rottenneſſe entred into my bones, and I trembled in my ſelfe. But what benefit had he by that? That I might hauehave reſt in the day of trouble. So that wee ſee the beſt way to bee quiet and peaceable in our ſelues in troubleſome times, is to be diſquiet in our hearts for ſinne before troubles do approach.
A third remedy is, Feare of Gods iudgements.to feare Gods iudgements when wee behold them vponupon others; and if wee hauehave been ſinfull before, yet then to ſeeke a reconciliation with God before his diſpleaſure arife againſt vsus. It was the wiſdome of the Gibeonites, Ioſh. 9.when they ſaw Ierico and Ai vanquiſhed and deſtroyed, not to ſtand it out with Ioſhuah, but to make a league with him: if they could deale ſo prouidētly with him for their bodies, much more ſhould wee, with the Lord for our ſoules. When the wiſe captaine came vntounto Elijah with his fiftie men, conſidering how the two former captaines had been conſumed with fire from heauen, hee humbleth himſelfe and ſaith: O man of God, 2. King. 1.13I pray thee let my life be precious in thy ſight. In like manner when we heare that the people of the land are taken away by hundreds and thouſands, ſeeing wee are guiltie of the ſame ſinnes that they were; we ſhould caſt downe our ſoules before the Lord, and beſeech him that our liues may bee precious in his ſight, but eſpecially that our ſoules may bee ſpared: that though our bodies ſhould periſh, yet our tranſgreſſions being pardoned, our better part may be preſerued, See the ſecond Sermon on Lament. 3. v. 57. Feare not.and euerlaſtingly ſaued. This is the beſt receipt that any can take againſt the venome of the peſtilence, that he may be ſure it ſhall neuer hurt him. And thus much of the remedies againſt hurtfull feares.
[Becauſe God is in the generation of the iust.] This is one reaſon why it muſt needs goe hardly with wicked men, that are deuourers and ſpoilers of Gods people; becauſe the Lord himſelfe is among them, to take notice of all the iniuries and indignities which they ſuſtaine, and to reuenge their quarrel vponupon their enemies, that are ſtronger then they: Doct. 2 whence ariſeth this point of doctrine, that the Lord is euer preſent with all righteous men.Good men neuer want good company.
A good man neuer wanteth good company: for wherſoeuer a Chriſtian is, there God himſelfe is with him, and in him, and round about him: ſo that none are ſo neare vntounto one another, as the Lord is vntounto his people.
Now that hee is alwaies thus preſent with his children, Reuel. 1.13.appeareth in the Reuelation. Where Chriſt is ſaid to walke in the middeſt of the ſeuen golden Candleſticks: that is, of the ſeuen Churches: ſo that it is his ordinary walke to go in and out amongſt his ſeruants. Neither hath hee a generall care of the whole Church onelyonly, but hee hath an eye alſo vntounto eueryevery particular member; as will appeare in ſeuerall examples. When Iacob was all alone, trauelling towards Padan Aram, there being no towne neare, and the night drawing on, he was faine to take vp his lodging in the open field: but that night the Lord ſhewed himſelfe preſent with Iacob, and he ſaw that hee had acquaintance euen in that ſolitarie place; for God tooke notice of him, and renewed with him his couenant made vntounto Abraham and Iſaac, Gen. 28.15.and made him a promiſe to be [with him] whitherſoeuer he went, &c. So that that night was one of the comfortableſt nights that euer Iacob had.
The like we reade of Eliiah, that when hee fled from Iezabell, there was one knew him in the wilderneſſe, and brought him his dinner, euen an Angell ſent from God: 1. King. 18.and afterward when hee was vponupon mount Horeb, the Lord tooke knowledge of him, and called him by his name. What doeſt thou here, Eliiah?
Yea Ionah found fauour from God, where no body elſe could come vntounto him, euen in the bottome of the ſea. Whence it is euident, that the Lord is eueryevery where with his people. How God is preſent with his.And that,
Firſt, by his wiſedome, to giuegive them good direction: To direct them.in which regard Chriſt that is called a counſellour (Iſa. 9.) is ſaid to be in the middeſt of the ſeuen golden Candleſtickes, cloathed with a garment downe to the feete, as was the manner of counſellours in thoſe times. Reuelat. 1.13. So that he is euermore ready to reſolue vsus in our doubts: to aduiſe vsus in our actions and in our ſpeeches, and to direct vsus what and how to do and ſpeake, according as occaſion ſhall be offered.
Secondly, he is preſent by his power, as a gracious protector of his children, To defend them. Iſa. 53.1.2.according to that of the Prophet Iſaiah: When thou paſſeſt through the waters, I will be with thee, and through the flouds, that they doe not ouerflow thee: When thou walkeſt through the very fire, thou ſhalt not bee burnt, neither ſhall the flame kindle vponupon thee. Where we may ſee that the Lord promiſeth to be with his Church in a wonderfull manner, and to bee a defence and ſafegard vntounto them in the moſt perillous times, euen when they ſhould paſſe through fire and water.
Thirdly, he is preſent with his children by his Spirit as a comforter, To comfort them.to refreſh their hearts in all extremities. Chriſt foretelleth his Diſciples, that in the world they ſhould meet with many ſorrowes, which ſhould cauſe them to mourne, when others did reioyce; but withall hee promiſeth to ſend them the comforter, euen the bleſſed Spirit of grace, Ioh. 14.6.which ſhould miniſter vntounto them abundance of conſolation, euen in the middeſt of the perſecutions and ſufferings, which they endured for Chriſt his ſake.
And that which was promiſed vntounto them, all the members of Chriſt ſhall feele in themſelues: for God is he that comforteth the abiect, 2. Cor. 7.6.one as well as another, without exception.
By this now which hath beene ſpoken it may eaſily bee diſcerned how the Lord is preſent with his ſeruants, viz. by his wiſdome to direct them: by his power, to preſerue them; and by his Spirit, to comfort them, and that God hath been, and is thus preſent ſtill, will be very euident, if wee conſider the ſtate of the Church what it is, what it hath been: namely, ſtill beſet with many and mighty aduerſaries, that hauehave vſed, and doe vſe, their wit, and wealth, and power, and friends, and all meanes that poſſibly they can deuiſe, for the razing and vtter ouerthrowing of Gods people: Note. and yet hauehave neuer been able to effect and bring to paſſe their malicious enterpriſes againſt the ſame. The Church is as a weake tent in it ſelfe, not fortified with any wals, and yet thoſe that hauehave laid ſiege againſt it, and ſought vtterly to conſume it, hauehave not taken away ſo much as one ſtake, or broken ſo much as one cord thereof, as the Prophet Iſaiah witneſſeth: and why? Iſa. 33.20.21.becauſe (as he ſaith) the mighty Lord was their defence. Chriſtians are euen as ſheepe, very impotent and feeble for the moſt part, in regard of outward ſtrength; and withall few in number: and their enemies are like raging Lions, and beſides for multitude very many: yet the flocke of Chriſt ſtill remaines, & the more the wicked rage againſt it, the more doth it ſtill encreaſe, as we hauehave an experiment in the Iſraelites vnderunder Pharaohs tyranie. Note. Yea in many places where their Paſtors ſeeke to make hauocke of them, euen there are they couragious for the truth; and though Chriſtians dwel where Satans throne is and where hee ſeemeth to beare full ſway, yet it may be ſaid to them, as it was vntounto the Church of Pergamus by Chriſt Ieſus, Reuel 2 13.Thou keepeſt my name, and haſt not denied my faith.
Yea further (which is of all other things moſt ſtrange) the poore lambs of Chriſt are ſo far from being torne in pieces by thoſe Lions, that they become Lions themſelues, not for cruelty, but for courage. Mich 5.8.For ſo ſaith the Prophet Micah: And the remnant of Iacob ſhall bee among the Gentiles, in the middeſt …f many people, as the Lions among the beaſts of the for reſt and as the Lions whelpe among the flocks of ſheepe. The meaning of which place is, that ſome few poore Chriſtians ſtanding in the cauſe of God, and comming furniſhed with the grace and power of the holy Ghoſt, ſhould be able to daunt and terrifie the hearts of many ſinfull perſons, and cauſe them euen to quake and tremble, Act. 24.26.as Paul did Felix, when hee reaſoned powerfully and effectually concerning righteouſneſſe, and temperance, and the iudgement to come. In ſo much that many who are hypocrites in heart, will make a ſhew of religion and piety, and ſeeme to conforme themſelues vntounto Chriſtians whom they hate with a deadly hatred: which plainly argueth that there is a kind of Maieſty of God, Note. ſhining forth in the faces and in the carriage of Gods ſeruants, which the vileſt reprobates are many times driuen to acknowledge, though full ſore againſt their wils.
This point miniſtreth vntounto vsus a double inſtruction. Vſe 1 Firſt, that wee ſhould take part with righteous men: for if God bee on their ſide, they muſt needs be the better ſide, and the ſtronger ſide; and therefore it is good wiſedome to ioine with them. It was the ouerthrow of Achitophel that he forſook King Dauid, to take part with Abſolon. And it was the ruine of Abiathar and Ioab that they withdrew thēſelues from Salomon, to ſet vp Adonijah as king ouer Iſrael. And why ſped they ſo ill, but becauſe they were of a contrary ſide vntounto God himſelfe, who ſtood for Dauid and Salomon, and their adherents? and certainly the Lord is as ſtrongly with his church now, as he was with Dauid and Salomon then; and therefore it muſt needs be very dangerous for any to ſeparate themſelues from his choſen: in which regard let vsus be careful euermore to cleaue vntounto them, and to take part with them.
Oh, Obiect. but they hauehave many enemies that ſeeke to vndermine them, and therefore it is not ſafe ioyning with them!
Feare not their aduerſaries, Anſw. Pſalm. 3.though they be ten thouſand to one: for God is their buckler, and the lifter vp of their heads: he will ſmite all their enemies vponupon the cheeke bone, and daſh out their teeth, that ſeeke to draw blood from his ſeruants. All that hate Sion ſhall periſh euen as the graſſe that groweth vpō the houſe top; which though it make a bragging ſhew for a time, yet ſuddenly withereth and commeth to nothing. They that ſeek to root out the Iſraell of God, doe, as it were, ſet their naked ſhoulder, to remoue an huge rock that will fall vponupon them, and grinde them to powder, Zach. 12.3.be they neuer ſo many: and therefore wee hauehave litle reaſon to be afraid of them.
Another inſtruction hence to be learned, is, that ſeeing God is in the generation of the righteous, therfore we ſhould frequent their ſociety, and reſort vntounto the aſſemblies of the Saints: for if the Lord be preſent with eueryevery one of his, by his ſpeciall prouidence and by his grace, then is he much more forcibly and effectually preſent with a muItitude of them, that do worſhip him in ſincerity, and fill the heauens with zealous prayers, and ſtrong cryes.
Many are deſirous to go to the Court, in hope (though they be not certaine) to ſee the King only, albeit he doe not looke vponupon them, or ſpeake to them, or they to him: how much more deſirous ſhould we be to come vntounto publike Chriſtian meetings, where wee ſhall bee ſure to ſee the King of Kings in his glory, and to hauehave him to take notice of vsus, to ſpeake vntounto vsus, to grant vsus free liberty to put vp our ſuites vntounto him, and to eſtate vsus in all the good things, which his ſonne Chriſt hath purchaſed for vsus by his precious blood?
Are our hearts frozen in the dregs of our iniquities, and ſo hardened that wee cannot mourne for the ſame? let vsus repaire vntounto holy aſſemblies, and there wee ſhall meet with the weapons of God that will pierce and wound our hearts, and cauſe them to be diſſolued into teares: there ſhal we feele the vertue of the ſpirit, effectually working vponupon vsus, ſo that we ſhall be conſtrained to ſay of thoſe that deliuer the meſſage of Chriſt vntounto vsus, 1. Cor. 14.25.that God is in them indeed. Doe wee want faith in Gods prouidence and promiſes? Do wee want power and ſtrength againſt our corruptions? In a word, doe wee want any grace of God, or any bleſſing of God? let vsus hauehave recourſe vntounto the congregations of the Saints, and there we ſhal meet the Lord himſelfe, who will bee ready to ſupply our neceſſities whatſoeuer they bee, and to grant vsus aboue that that wee can aske or thinke.
And as for our owne priuate caſes, ſo for the publike ſtate of the Church & Commonwealth; if we would hauehave the peſtilence or famine, or any other iudgement remoued, the way to procure this is, to repaire thither, where wee ſhall meet with many of the faithfull, that will bee readie to ioyne with vsus in prayer, and to wreſtle with the Lord by feruent and earneſt ſupplications for the remouing of his deſerued ſtrokes. And this ſhould much eucourage vsus, & adde life vntounto our praiers, as often as we hauehave occaſion to aske any thing in publike, that God will vouchſafe vntounto vsus his gratious preſence, and they ſhew by good effects that he is in the generation of the righteous.
Verſ. 6. Ye hauehave made a mocke of the counſell of the poore] In that the holy Prophet doth lay this vntounto wicked mens charge, as a hainous crime, and as the cauſe of his ſtrokes that were to bee inflicted vponupon them, this doctrine offereth it ſelfe for our learning, Doct. 3 that
Ieſting and ſcoffing at Gods children, Mockers are grieuous perſecutors. Heb. 11.is a grieuous kinde of perſecution, and ſuch as the Lord take ſpeciall notice of.
In which regard the Apoſtle, Heb. 11.36. ſpeaking of the wonderfull great trials which ſundry of the Saints did by faith vndergoe, reckoneth vp this as none of the leaſt of them, that they had been tried by mockings. In like ſort when the holy Ghoſt yeeldeth a reaſon of the vtter ouerthrow of the kingdome of Iudah, and of their long and wofull captiuity, he ſetteth downe this to bee one of the principall cauſes thereof, 2. Chro 36.26.viz. That they mocked the meſſengers of God, and deſpiſed his words, and miſuſed his Prophets, vntill the wrath of the Lord aroſe againſt his people, and till there was no remedy.
This kind of perſecution Iſmael vſed againſt Iſaac (as the Apoſtle witneſſeth) for which hee was caſt out of the Church of God. Gal. 4.29. Gen. 21.9.And this was one of the meritorious ſufferings of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt, Mat. 26. &. 27. Pſal. 22.that they ſpit vponupon him, and nodded their heads at him, and vſed taunting and diſgracefull ſpeeches vntounto him, and put as it were a fooles coate vponupon him to diſguiſe him, and called him in mockage, the King of the Iewes, &c. This I ſay was not the leaſt part of his bitter paſſion, through which he purchaſed eternall ſaluation for all his elect, namely, that hee endured much contempt and reproch both in the courſe of his life, and at the time of his death.
Now the reaſon why Satan maketh choice of this weapon aboue others, therewith to fight againſt Gods ſeruants, is
Firſt, Reaſons. becauſe mans nature is ſubiect greatly to abhorre contempt, and therefore cannot eaſily endure to bee vilified and diſgraced by ſcoffing and reproachfull ſpeeches and geſtures.
Secondly, Note. the diuell knoweth that hee can get many ſouldiers to be employed this way. EueryEvery limme of his cannot impriſon, nor ſpoile Chriſtians of their goods, or of their liues: but there are few or none but they can frame ſcoffes and ieſts againſt the members of Chriſt Ieſus. EueryEvery boy can quickly grow skilfull at this, as we ſee in Iſmael, 2 King. 2.and in the two and fortie children that were torne in peeces of two beares for their mocking of the Prophet Eliſha: the very ſcumme of the people, the vagabonds and rogues that run vp and downe the country can doe their maſter the diuel good ſeruice this way: thoſe that were the children of fooles, and the children of villaines, Iob. 30.8.9.(as Iob ſpeaketh) who were more vile then the earth it ſelfe, could make Iob their ſong and their talke: Pſal. 69.12. Pſal. 35.and in like ſort did the drunkards and pot companions deale with Dauid; and the theefe vponupon the croſſe with our Sauiour, Mat. 27.44.euen at that time when the fierce wrath of God was manifeſted vponupon his body hanging on the croſſe, for that hee had been a notorious and hainous malefactor.
Firſt, Vſe 1 this doctrine muſt teach vsus to beware of deriding and taunting at good men for taking of good waies, leſt by ſo doing we become perſecutors, and bee proceeded againſt as enemies vntounto God and his people. It is not ſo ſafe for vsus, as many take it to be, to exerciſe our ſelues in ſuch kind of ſcoffing: he is commonly held to be a ſillie fellow, that cannot gird at a Miniſter, and at ſuch as vſually reſort vntounto Sermons. But let vsus take heed of ſuch nipping and biting ſpeeches as tend to the defaming of any of Gods ſeruants or ſeruices; leſt we be caſt out from hauing any communion and fellowſhip with God, as ſcoffing Iſmael was, and be expoſed to ſuch plagues and puniſhments as the wicked Iewes were, who mocked the meſſengers of God, and reuiled our bleſſed Sauiour in ſuch an opprobrious and diſgracefull manner, as the Scriptures doe record.
Secondly, Vſe 2 for as much as contemptuous and reprochfull ſcoffes and girds are ſuch weapons as Satan putteth into the hands of his inſtruments, let vsus prepare for them, and arme our ſelues againſt them. Chriſts Diſciples muſt not looke to be aboue their Maſter: if wicked ſinners reuiled and derided him, wee muſt not imagine to eſcape their virulent and venemous tongues: and therefore the Apoſtle exhorteth vsus, Heb. 13.12.13.that ſeeing he hath borne our reproch, wee ſhould beare his, and for the ioy that is laid before vsus, Heb. 12.2.endure the croſſe, and deſpiſe the ſhame, and ſo at length wee ſhall receiue the crowne of glory, which is prepared for all thoſe that in patience doe waite for his glorious appearing.
Now that wee may bee better inabled to beare theſe taunts and reproches, How we may be inabled to beare contempt. 1. Labour againſt pride.let vsus take this direction following.
1. Firſt, labour againſt that inbred pride that is naturally in eueryevery one of our hearts, which maketh vsus vtterly vnable to vndergoe diſgrace: therfore was it, that though many of the chiefe rulers of the Iewes beleeued in Chriſt, yet they durſt not confeſſe him, becauſe of the Phariſies, who would hauehave excommunicated them, and diſgraced them to the vttermoſt: and the reaſon is rendred in that place, viz. That they loued the praiſe of men, Ioh. 12.43.more then the praiſe of God: they ſtood vponupon their carnall credit and reputation among their neighbors and countrimen, more then vponupon that true credit and eſtimation which they might hauehave had with the Lord and his children; and therefore was it that they were ſo loth to expoſe themſelues for Chriſt his ſake vntounto the ſhame of the world whereas if they had had humble and lowly hearts, they would hauehave denied themſelues in their eſtimation among men, and hauehave taken vp the reproach of Chriſt as an honourable crowne: let this therefore bee our firſt worke to labour againſt the hautineſſe of our fleſhly hearts.
Secondly, Conſider what ſcoffers are.to the intent that wee may more patiently endure to be vilified and diſgraced, let vsus conſider what manner of men ſcoffers bee, viz. the moſt abiect, vile, and contemptible perſons that are, as we may ſee in thoſe before mentioned, who in this ſort purſued Iob and Dauid, and our bleſſed Sauiour.
Oh but (will ſome ſay) they are men of great wealth, of great place, of great parentage, Obiect. of great wit and learning, that do mocke vsus, and gird at vsus for our religion, and for our profeſſion.
Grant that they be great men in all the former reſpects, Anſw. yet if they bee wicked and vngodly, the holy Ghoſt accounteth them vile and contemptible men: and ſo ſhould wee eſteeme of them, though they be as mighty as Zenacherib was; for when he ſent a diſdainfull and ſcornefull meſſage vntounto Hezekiah, and the reſt of Gods people, hee was indeed ignominious, becauſe he was impious and blaſphemous: he was vile in Gods ſight, and hee made him appeare vile both before men and Angels, Iſa. 37.22.according to that of Iſaiah, The virgin daughter of Sion hath deſpiſed thee and laughed thee to ſcorne.
Thirdly, let vsus conſider, as what they are for the preſent, ſo what they ſhall be hereafter: and that the ſame Prophet Iſaiah ſheweth, ſaying, Feare yee not for the reproch of men, Iſa. 517.8.neither he yee afraid of their rebukes. For the moath ſhall eate them vp like a garment, and the worme ſhall eate them like wood. But (wil ſome man ſay) what great matter is this? Obiect. 1 ſhall not the wormes conſume the good as wel as the bad? Yes ſurely, Anſw. that cannot bee denied: and yet there is an euident difference betweene the wicked and the godly, Note. euen in this reſpect: for though righteous mens bodies become wormes meate, yet it is not in any diſpleaſure from the Lord, nor for any hurt vntounto them, for they are ſtill pretious in his eyes, as their ſoules are, which euen then enioy celeſtiall happineſſe; and beſides euen thoſe bodies of theirs ſhall be reſtored, and bee made euerlaſtingly glorious together with their ſoules: all which things are farre otherwiſe with ſuch ſinfull perſons as delight themſelues in ſcoffing and deriding of the Saints of God: their bodies are at beſt when they are deuoured by wormes: they can neuer expect better, but that which is farre worſe ſhall ſurely come vntounto them.
Fourthly, that we may be inabled in conſcience to ſwallow vp ſuch reproaches as are caſt vponupon vsus, Meditate on the reward.let vsus ſeriouſly meditate on the reward which is promiſed vntounto them that can ſo doe. Mat. 5.11.12.Bleſſed are you (ſaith our Sauiour) when men reuile you, and perſecute you, and ſpeake all manner of euill againſt you for my names ſake falſely. Reioyce and bee glad, for great is your reward in heauen. And againe, 1. Pet. 4.14.the Apoſtle Peter ſaith, If yee bee railed vponupon for the name of Chriſt, bleſſed are ye; for the ſpirit of glory, and of God reſteth vponupon you. This made Moſes to eſteeme the rebuke of Chriſt greater riches then the treaſures of Egypt: for (ſaith the holy Ghoſt) hee had reſpect vntounto the recompence of the reward. Heb. 11.26.Therefore when wee finde our hearts beginning to bee diſmaied at the bitter taunts and ieſts of prophane ſcoffers, let vsus animate our ſelues vntounto patience with theſe or the like conſiderations; why ſhould I bee diſcouraged at theſe things? ſinfull men ſeeke to vilifie and diſgrace mee; but doth God thinke euer the worſe of me? I am baſe and contemptible in their eyes, but doe the Angels of God, or any of his Saints, conceiue any whit more hardly of mee in that regard? Nay, doth not the Lord himſelfe, and ſuch as hauehave his image moſt liuely ſhining forth in them, eſteeme me ſo much more honourable, by how much they labour to make me more vile and abiect in regard of my well doing? Why then ſhould I faint vnderunder the burthen of reproch, wherewith they doe ſtill load me? eſpecially ſeeing that this momentanie diſgrace which I ſuſtain for Chriſt his cauſe, ſhall bring vntounto me an eternal and inualuable weight of glory.
Of the poore] From which words note this Doctrine, Doct. 4 The godly vſually afflictedthat the eſtate of Gods people is commonly a poore and afflicted eſtate. Therefore in the originall the word [poore] is not vſed in the Plurall number, but in the Singular, and carries this ſenſe [ye hauehave made a mocke of the counſell of that poore one] implying thereby, what is the common caſe of al, namely, to bee full of calamities and diſtreſſes, through many tribulations to enter into the kingdome of God, Act. 14.22. Rom. 8.and to be conformable vntounto their head Chriſt in afflictions and ſufferings.
And this the Lord in his wiſe prouidence will hauehave to be ſo for theſe reaſons:
Firſt, Reaſons. that thereby the fleſh might bee diſcountenanced, and hauehave no cauſe to reioyce before him.1. Cor. 2.
Secondly, that men might embrace religion for it ſelfe, and in conſcience vntounto God, not in any outward reſpects. Whereas if moſt of thoſe that are Chriſtians, were of great place, many would make a ſhew of being religious, Note. that they might thereby grow to aduancement in the world, and ſo ſeeke earthly things in ſpirituall exerciſes.
Thirdly, that his children might grow in nearer acquaintance with him, who otherwiſe would be ſtrangers vntounto their owne father: Hoſ. 5.15.In their affliction (ſaith God.) they will ſeeke me diligently. Before that time they would rather ſue vntounto any then vntounto the Lord: therefore was hee driuen to break them with one breaking vponupon another, that ſo hauing no other refuge to betake themſelues vntounto, they might hauehave recourſe vntounto him. This is cleare in the example of Manaſſe, who being in bonds and in irons, humbled his ſoule before the Lord, and praied vntounto him for fauour, and mercy, and found it at his hands: whereas before ſuch time as hee was preſſed downe with grieuous miſery, hee obſtinately refuſed to hearken vntounto the Lord, and to his meſſengers, and was ſo far from calling vponupon his name, that hee diſhonoured it by al manner of abominations, 2. Chron. 33.2.which he committed with an high hand, euen to anger the Lord.
Fourthly, God would hauehave his people often to taſte of aduerſities, & troubles, that ſo they might learne to truſt in him, whereas otherwiſe they would make the arme of fleſh to bee their ſtay and confidence. This the Lord himſelfe auoucheth in the prophecie of Zephanie, ſaying, Zeph. 3.12.I will leaue in the middeſt of thee an humble, and poore people, and they ſhall truſt in the name of the Lord.
This point maketh for the confutation of an errour which withholdeth diuers from the profeſſion of the Goſpell: Is this the word of God? Vſe. is this your holy miniſtery (ſay they) and are theſe your good men that doe embrace the ſame? a companie of ſimple baſe fellowes, of poore Artificers, and the like? who can imagine this to bee the truth, which ſuch kinde of men as theſe doe giuegive credence vntounto? How many Gentlemen, or Noblemen, or men of learning and policie are of their minds? and for thoſe that are, hauehave they not manifold afflictions in their hearts, or vponupon their bodies and eſtates? This is iuſt the cauill of the Phariſies againſt the doctrine of our Sauiour: Neuer ſpake man like this man (ſay the officers that were ſent to take him, Ioh. 7.46.47.but did not:) Then anſwered the Phariſies, Are yee alſo deceiued? Doth any of the Rulers, or of the Phariſies beleeue in him? but this people which know not the law, are accurſed. Therfore let not vsus bee deceiued by ſuch vaine words of men, that iudge not righteous iudgement, but according as their owne fleſhly wiſedome directeth them, but let vsus rather build vponupon the words of him that is the true witneſſe, who as he receiued a commiſſion to preach vntounto the poore, Luk. 4.ſo hee did accordingly performe it, and found good ſucceſſe thereupon, and therefore biddeth Iohns diſciples to tell him, Luk. 7.22.that the poore receiued the Goſpell. They were the profitable and fruitful hearers of Chriſt, who by reaſon of ſome outward calamities and diſtreſſes or other, were humbled and abaſed in their owne eyes, and had the pride and ſtubbornneſſe of the fleſh ſomewhat maſtered and taken downe.
Secondly, here is matter of reioycing for Gods ſeruants, that are in pouerty and diſtreſſe any manner of way: it is the common condition of the members of Chriſt, and therefore they muſt not from thence draw any hard concluſions againſt themſelues. It is the very high way vntounto heauen, which hath beene troden by Chriſt and all his Saints, to paſſe through manifold troubles and grieuances, manifold ſtraits and extremities, and at length to attaine vntounto that reſt which is prepared for vsus in the kingdome of God. 2. Theſ. 1.7.If any by reaſon of their neceſſities and miſeries had euer miſſed of the crowne of life, wee had ſome cauſe to feare our ſelues in that regard: but ſithence none euer did ſo, but rather hauehave reaped benefit by their afflictions, then taken any hurt thereby, wee ſhould be of good comfort; and be ſo farre from fainting in our trials, that wee ſhould reioyce in the ſame, making full account, that then Gods owne hand will moſt manifeſtly appeare for our preſeruation, and conſolation, when humane helpes doe moſt of all faile vsus: neither indeed could it bee ſo clearely diſcerned that hee is the vpholder of his Church, if it had wealth, and power, and outward props and pillars to beare vp the ſame.
Yee hauehave made a mocke of the counſell of the poore: and why? becauſe the Lord is his truſt: This is the very true cauſe, Doct. 5 whatſoeuer other pretences there be. Whence obſerue this Doctrine, Wicked men hauehave a quarrel againſt godlineſſe.that true godlineſſe is that which breeds the quarrell betweene Gods children and the wicked.
Vngodly men may ſay what they liſt, as namely, that they hate and diſlike them for that they are proud and ſawcie in medling with their betters: for that they are ſo ſcornfull & diſdainful towards their neighbours: for that they are malecontent, and turbulent, and I know not what: but the true reaſon is yeelded by the Lord in this place, to wit, becauſe they make him their ſtay and their confidence, and will not depend vponupon lying vanities, as the men of the world doe.
And the like reaſon is giuen by the Apoſtle Peter, who ſpeaking of vnregenerate men, ſaith, that it ſeemeth ſtrange to them, 1. Pet. 4.4.that the godly runne not with them to the ſame exceſſe of riot: and therefore (ſaith hee) ſpeake they euill of you. Note. The cauſe why they traduce and defame them, is not becauſe they are euill, but becauſe they will not be as bad as themſelues: not becauſe they hauehave committed great faults, but becauſe they will not commit them. And this wee may obſerue in our owne experience, that the moſt holy exerciſes are moſt offenſiue vntounto carnall perſons: and that they exclaime againſt many things, as if they were hainous crimes, which God hath commanded as neceſſarie duties: to wit, faſting and prayer, and hearing of the word, and ſuch like, which as occaſion ſerueth, muſt of neceſſity bee performed: theſe are the holy men (ſay they) that muſt needs bee more forward then all their neighbours: that will not allow of good fellowſhip, and of merrie meetings, but are altogether for praying, and for preaching, &c. when others are ſporting and dancing, and recreating themſelues: I warrant you they are but meere hypocrites and diſſemblers: their harts are as bad as the worſt, and none are more diſloyall ſubiects to their Prince then ſuch are. Theſe are hard charges, yet ſuch as befell Chriſt Ieſus himſelfe, who among many other falſe imputations was eſteemed an enemy to Caeſar. But whence proceed all theſe hard ſurmiſes and cenſures? Surely from this, that Gods children do endeauour from a true and faithfull hart to ſerue and pleaſe the Lord in all things, and doe refuſe to walke with the multitude in the broade way that leades vntounto deſtruction. Here is the matter whereupon all their malice doth worke: and this ariſeth,
Firſt, from the diuell himſelfe, Reaſons. 1 who is an vtter aduerſary vntounto mans ſaluation, and vntounto Gods glory, and therefore makes warre againſt the ſeed of the Church, Reuel. 12.17.which keepe the commandements of God, and hauehave the teſtimonie of Ieſus Chriſt.
Secondly, from that helliſh corruption that is in mans nature, which though there were no diuell, would miniſter vntounto them ſufficient malice, whereby they ſhould bee ſtirred vp to carrie a grudge againſt the image of God whereſoeuer it is, yea though it bee in thoſe that in the bounds of nature are moſt neerely linked vntounto them; as we ſee in Cain, who hated and murthered his brother Abel: and why? becauſe his owne workes were euill, 1. Ioh. 3.12.and his brothers good.
Therefore let Gods ſeruants neuer looke to pleaſe the world by well doing, Vſe 1 but make full reckoning that they ſhall much diſpleaſe them.
Obiect. Oh but it is your owne preciſeneſſe (will ſome ſay) that cauſeth you to be ſo much maligned and diſliked.
Nay, Anſw. it is the worlds wickedneſſe, not our ſtrictnes; otherwiſe what cauſed the Prophets of God, the Son of God himſelfe, and his holy Apoſtles to bee ſo much hated and wronged by vngodly men? They dare not ſay it was their indiſcretion and niſeneſſe, or any the like failing on their part, but in truth the malice of the wicked, which is the very cauſe why euen in theſe our daies, Gods people finde hard meaſure from prophane perſons.
Secondly, let this teach vsus not to bee diſcouraged, albeit wicked ſinners thinke and ſpeake the worſt of vsus: our goodnes, not our badneſſe is the occaſion thereof, and therefore we ſhould bee ſo farre from conceiuing the worſe of our ſelues, or of our workes, meerely in this reſpect that they go about to depraue and vilifie both vsus and them, that we ſhould hauehave a better opinion, both of our owne perſons and actions, as hoping, that the Lord doth graciouſly accept of the one and of the other, becauſe the vileſt ſinners doe moſt of all diſlike them, and ſeeke by all meanes to faſten infamie and diſgrace vponupon them. Doe we then truſt in God, and doe ſinfull perſons deride our ſimplicity in that behalfe, and tell vsus that we ſhall bee ouerthrowne, and neuer be long able to hold vp our heads? let vsus reſt on the Lord ſtil, and neuer be diſmaied at their miſchieuous and malicious ſpeeches, and attempts againſt vsus, knowing and aſſuring our ſoules that they that truſt in the Lord ſhall bee as mount Sion, Pſal. 125.1.that cannot bee remoued, but ſtandeth faſt for euer.
FINIS.