Seven Godly and Fruitful Sermons, Sermon 4
THE FOVRTH SERMON.
ISAIAH, 30. Verſ. 6.7.
Verſ. 6. The burthen of the beaſts of the South, in a land of trouble and anguiſh, from whence ſhall come the old and young Lion, the Viper, and the fierie flying Serpent, againſt them that ſhall beare their riches vponupon the ſhoulders of the Colts, and their treaſures vponupon the bunches of the Camels, to a people that cannot profit.
7. For the Egyptians are vanity, and they ſhall helpe in vaine: therefore hauehave I cryed vntounto her, their helpe is to ſit ſtill.
IN theſe words is ſet downe a ſharpe reproofe of the vnbeleeuing Iewes, with whom the Prophet Iſaiah had to deale: wherein wee may note two principall things.
1. Firſt, the danger that would enſue vponupon the following of their owne counſell.
2. Secondly, the profit that they ſhould reape by following of his.
Concerning the former of theſe he telleth them, that wheras they reſted vponupon Egypt for helpe and aide in a time of warre, and for that end did ſend vntounto them the beaſts of the South, that is, Camels and Aſſes laden with riches, and treaſures, they ſhould not only ſuſtaine the loſſe of their money, be vtterly diſappointed of their expected aide, but alſo finde great hurt from them: they ſhould proue by their owne experience, not onelyonly that The Egyptians were vanity, and a people that could not profit nor helpe them, but withall, that they were Lions, and Vipers, and fiery flying Serpents; that is, furniſhed and armed with all ability and willingnes, to wrong and oppreſſe them, to vexe and torment them, to ſpoyle them, and prey vponupon them, and to do them al the miſchiefe that poſſibly they could: as they had in the times of old found Egypt to be a land of trouble, and anguiſh, ſo doth the Prophet threaten that they ſhall finde it ſtill. This was the danger of following their owne counſell, v. 6.7.
Now the benefit of following Gods aduiſe is ſhewed in the latter end of the ſeuenth verſe: their ſtrength is to ſit ſtill: as if hee ſhould hauehave told them: you are very deſirous to be fortified againſt your enemies, and much adoe you make to get men and munition to defend you: but if you will hearken vntounto me, I will ſhew you an eaſier and a ſafer way; and that is, to caſt off all diſtruſtfull feares and cares; to ſpare your money and your paines, to ſit quiet and ſtill at home in your ſ…uerall places and callings; and ſo e… pect the ſaluation of God (as Moſes exhorteth the Iſraelites. Exod. 14.13. For though this be not expreſſed, yet it is neceſſarily implyed, as is plaine in the verſes following, and then you ſhall finde, that albeit the Egyptians bee fleſh, yet God is a ſpirit; and and albeit they bee weake, and as it were vanity it ſelfe, yet the Lord is ſtrong, and will communicate his ſtrength vntounto you, both for your protection, and your aduerſaries ſubuerſion. And thus much briefly for the generall drift of theſe words.
Verſ. 6. Firſt, Doct. 1 from this, that theſe vnbeleeuing Iewes, VVe are moſt prone vntounto cuill.that were very couetous and miſerable in matters that did concerne the worſhip of God, or the reliefe of his ſeruants, are now ſo franke and liberall in ſending of their riches and treaſures into Egypt for the procuring of helpe from them, which was a courſe altogether vnwarrantable, as is euident in this chapter: hence this doctrine may be collected, that our ſinfull nature is neuer ſo forward vntounto any thing, as vntounto that which is meerely ſinfull, and vtterly vnlawfull. See this point (Doct, 4. in the 6. Sermons.)
In a land of trouble and anguiſh, The 3. point following were of purpoſe briefly handled.&c.] This is to be vnderſtood of Egypt, where the people of Iſraell had endured the wofulleſt affliction that euer they felt in any place: yet in their miſerie whither doe they go? euen to this land of moleſtation and vexation: where the perſons inhabiting are compared vntounto Lions, for that they were ſtrong, and rauenous, and cruell: and to the moſt noyſome Serpents, becauſe their ſtinging was fiery and deadly, and vncurable. Now in that this people hauing vnholy and vnfaithfull hearts, did chuſe rather to ſue vntounto theſe Egyptians for protection, then vntounto the Lord. The point hence to be noted is this, that
An ill conſcience in the time of miſery, Doct. 2 will rather ſeeke vntounto any then vntounto God.An ill conſcience ſhu…s Gods preſence.
The Egvptians were enemies, yea vowed enemies vntounto the Iſraelites, inſomuch that when they were deliuered thence, they had a charge neuer to hauehave any more dealing with them: yet wee ſee here they will to Egypt for helpe: but intreaty will not ſerue the turne; the Egyptians will doe nothing vnleſſe they be hired: why they ſhall be well paid for their labour; and if they will not take their word, they ſhal hauehave their wages before they hauehave done their worke; Camels and Aſſes ſhall bee ſent vntounto them, with great plenty of gold and ſiluer. Thus we ſee how falſe-hearted hypocrites will rather be at great charges and paines to get ſuccour from their deadlieſt foes, then ſue vntounto the liuing God for it, though they might obtaine it for the very ſeeking. So Iudas being in grieuous horrour and terrour of conſcience, betooke himſelfe vntounto the Prieſts, whom hee knew to be proud hypocrites, vtterly vnable to eaſe and relieue a diſtreſſed ſoule, rather then vntounto Chriſt Ieſus, who is a mercifull and a faithfull high Prieſt, able and ready to pity and helpe eueryevery one that comes vntounto him with an humble and broken hart. The like may be obſerued in Ahaz, that wicked King of Iudah, who notwithſtanding that he had protection freely offered vntounto him from the Lord together with a ſigne, ſuch as hee himſelfe ſhould chuſe, for his confirmation in that behalfe, yet refuſed to be beholding vntounto the Lord, and to put himſelfe into his hands, Iſa. 7.12.and would needs hire the King of Aſhur with his armie, for his defence and ſafeguard, who did exerciſe great crueltie againſt him and his people. Now the reaſon why ſinfull perſons are ſo vnwilling to flie vntounto the Lord in their extremities, is,
Becauſe there is a quarrell betwixt God and them. There is no agreement betweene light and darkeneſſe; Exod. 20. Pſal. 11.5.they hate him, and hee abhorres them: and therefore they ſhunne his preſence as much as may be.
Againe, vnbeleeuers doubt of his power, whether that bee ſufficient to defend, or to deliuer them; or if not of his power, yet of his mercy, as they hauehave good reaſon, being out of Chriſt: hence is it that hypocrites and ſinners cry out in their …are and horrour, Who among vsus ſhall dwell with deuouring fire? Iſa. 33.14.Who among vsus ſhall dwell with euerlaſting burnings?
This teacheth vsus firſt of all, Vſe 1 what to thinke of thoſe that in their diſtreſſes, doe make fleſh their arme, and withdraw their hearts and hopes from Almighty God, vſing ſinfull ſhifts, and vnlawfull courſes, for the relieuing & eaſing of themſelues, or ſuch as are neare vntounto them, and ſeeking vntounto Witches and Coniurers, in very deed to the diuel himſelfe for helpe, rather then vntounto Almighty God: that whereas in extraordinary croſſes they ſhould vſe extraordinary good meanes, of faſting and prayer, and humbling of themſelues, they vſe extraordinary ill meanes, and ſo prouoke the Lord to inflict more grieuous plagues vponupon them: theſe ſhew themſelues to bee impious perſons, and men of very ill conſciences; ſo ſhould wee eſteeme of them, and ſo ought they to thinke of themſelues, in that they forſake the Lord, who is the fountaine of all helpe and comfort, and ſue vntounto his vtter enemie by vſing diuelliſh and abominable practiſes.
Secondly, if wee would hauehave a contrary teſtimony vntounto our ſelues, and among Gods people, to wit, that wee are men of ſincere and vpright hearts, becauſe we ſeeke vntounto the Lord in our miſeries, and that in a religious and holy manner, then let vsus labour for good conſciences in the time of our proſperity, and for faith in the promiſes of God, and then wee ſhall not bee driuen to thoſe wretched and chargeable helpes, which carnall men rely vponupon; but we ſhall be able to runne vntounto God, who will relieue vsus freely, and ſpeedily. Wee neede not bee ſuch drudges as theſe Iewes were, to toyle and trouble our ſelues in getting of money, and then to take a long and tedious iourney to obtaine the fauour of our aduerſaries, but hauing true and faithfull hearts, wee may make a better ſhift with a few words, Hoſ. 14.then theſe hypocrites did with all their Camels and Aſſes, and with all their riches and treaſures: for the Lord is neare to all that call vponupon him in truth: Pſal 145.18.19.yea hee will fulfill the deſire of thoſe that feare him: hee alſo will heare their cry, and ſaue them: and that both from their ſinnes and miſeries.
Verſ. 7. For the Egyptians are vanity, and ſhall helpe in vaine.] In that diſſwading them from reſting vponupon the Egyptians, he telleth them that they were vanity, and therefore ſuch as they were, ſuch muſt bee their helpe: either they ſhould not doe their beſt to defraud them, or if they did, it ſhould not turne to good, becauſe Gods bleſſings went not with them: hence ariſeth this doctrine, that, all the comfort and helpe that worldly things can afford vsus, Doct. 3 Worldly help… vaine.is vaine and of no worth. The reaſons hereof are theſe: Firſt, becauſe the meanes themſelues are vaine: Reaſons. 1 for ſuch as the fountaine is, ſuch muſt be the ſtreames; and ſuch as the tree is, ſuch muſt be the fruit. If the Egyptians be vanity, their helpe muſt needs be vaine. And the like may be ſaid of all other particulars: Doe we reſt vponupon our friends? they may die, or their good affection may die. Doe we rely vponupon riches? they are ſubiect to ruſt, ſubiect to fire, ſubiect to theeues, neither can they helpe vsus in the euill day. Prou. 11.4.Doe wee truſt vponupon men and munition, or any warlike force? A King is not ſaued by the multitude of an hoaſt, Pſal. 33.16.17.neither is the mighty man deliuered by great ſtrength. An horſe is a vaine helpe, and ſhall not deliuer by his great ſtrength. The ſame concluſion may we make of all other earthly things: Eccl. 1.4.for of them al, the Wiſe man pronounceth, that they are vanity & vexatiō of ſpirit.
Secondly, no worldly meanes can helpe the ſoule againſt ſin; and therefore there is no ſound comfort to be expected from them. EueryEvery mans ruine is from himſelfe, and bred in his owne boſome: helpe that and helpe all; and except that bee helped, when a man hath done all hee can, he hath done nothing: for let a man hauehave neuer ſo many friends, neuer ſo much wealth, neuer ſo great credit, or whatſoeuer elſe can bee named, if his ſoule bee vncured, hee is a miſerable creature: there is no peace to the wicked: one vile luſt or other will bee raging in his heart, and diſquieting his ſoule, Pſal. 1.and hee will ſtill bee toſſed vp and downe as the chaffe that the winde driueth too and fro. A ſinful heart is euermore a reſtleſſe heart, and whoſoeuer doth not beleeue, whatſoeuer his outward props bee, hee ſhall not bee eſtabliſhed, Iſa. 7.9.as the Prophet Iſaiah auoucheth.
Thirdly, no earthly helpes can keepe off the plagues of God from a man, or remoue them where they are already. Suppoſe that the Lord intend to ſhoote his arrow of peſtilence to ſtrike a man, or a family, a towne, or a city, what buckler can beare it off? what wit, or wealth, or friends can ſhelter vsus from his ſtrokes, and keepe vsus from the graue when he calleth for vsus? ſurely there are no worldly meanes that can doe it; and therefore we may wel conclude, that all the helpe that commeth from them, is altogether vaine.
Which ſhould cauſe vsus not greatly to ſeeke after, Vſe 1 nor much to reſt vponupon theſe outward things; for though we hauehave them in neuer ſo great abundance, we ſhal find them to be but miſerable comforters when we ſtand in moſt neede. Moſt men are of another mind; namely, that the treaſures and promotions of the world, and the countenance of great men, are the onelyonly things to bee looked after, and that the promiſes of God, and the comforts of his word, are vaine and friuolous: but when they hauehave made triall as Salomon did, they ſhall finde, that to feare God and keepe his Commandements, is the only happineſſe, and that whatſoeuer the world can afford, is meere vanity, and vexation of ſpirit.
Secondly, let this teach vsus in all our griefes to ſay as the Prophet Dauid doth, Lord helpe in trouble, for vaine is the helpe of man. q. d. I hauehave depended much vponupon the arme of fleſh, but now I am growne to this reſolution, that if I had all worldly helpes, I would not truſt in them, becauſe they are vaine; and if I want them all, I would relie vponupon thee, that doeſt neuer faile ſuch as ſeeke vntounto thee. Thus if we can doe, we ſhall neuer bee diſappointed of our hope: Iohn 14.but God will giuegive vsus ſuch peace and comfort, as neither the diuell, nor the world can take from vsus.
Their ſtrength is to ſit ſtill.] That is, if they would be fortified and ſenſed againſt their enemies, their beſt courſe was, to put away all vexation and vnneceſſary feare, to tarry at home in their owne countrie, eueryevery one in his vocation, and ſo to reſt on the Lord for defence. Whence the doct. is, that
The beſt way for men to hauehave ſafety and protection is, Doct. 4 All men are ſafeſt in their owne places.to keepe in their owne places and callings.
He that would be freed from all hurts and dangers, let him not runne hither and thither without any warrant, as a maſterleſſe hound, but let him follow his buſineſſe with a quiet heart, and looke for comfort from aboue, and he ſhall bee ſure not to miſſe of it.
We reade in the 11. chapter of Iohns Goſpell, Iohn 11.7.that when Chriſt was about to goe into Iudea, his Diſciples diſſwaded him, ſaying, Maſter, the Iewes ſought lately to ſtone thee, and doeſt thou goe thither againe? as if they ſhould ſay, hauehave you no more care of your owne ſafety, but to runne euen vponupon the ſwords point, and to caſt your ſelfe into the Lions mouth? But Ieſus anſwered, are there not twelue houres in the day? if a man walke in the day, he ſtumbleth not, becauſe he ſeeth the light of this world: as if he had ſaid, though wicked men goe about to kill me, yet ſeeing God calleth methither; for all their madneſſe, they ſhall not be able to hurt me: for I walke in the light all the while that I goe about my fathers buſineſſe; and as there is no danger of ſtumbling ſo long as a man hath the day light to guide him: ſo is there no perill to bee ſeared from men, ſo long as a man hath the light of a good confcience to aſſure him that hee is about thoſe works which God calleth him vntounto. Indeed if a man be otherwiſe imployed, then he walkes in the night, as our Sauiour ſpeaketh, and then he may dangerouſly indeed. Pſal. 91.11.12.But ſo long as men keepe in their waies, the Lord will hauehave an eye vntounto them, to preſerue and keepe them; and his Angels ſhall carrie them in their hands, that they hurt not their ſoot againſt a ſtone.
And there is good reaſon why it ſhould be ſo: Reaſon. for ſo long men doe much honour God, as they keepe themſelues within the limits of their owne callings; and therfore he cannot chuſe but watch ouer them in goodneſſe. Now that they doe honour God thereby, appeareth by that of our Sauiour, where he ſaith; I hauehave glorified thee vponupon earth? How proues he that? I hauehave finiſhed the worke which thou gauest me to doe.
Here then are thoſe to be reproued, Vſe 1 that when any trouble is neare them, doe buſie their heads and diſquiet their owne hearts, as if by their carking & toiling they would do wonderfull things: but the Lord hath made this proclamation, that your ſtrength is to ſit ſtill: and therefore it is your weakeneſſe to be ouer buſie at ſuch times, and to exceede the bounds of your calling, in vſing vnwarrantable ſhifts. To giuegive inſtance in ſome particulars, many are ſo afraid of pouerty, that they wil not be content with that employment which God hath giuen them, but will hauehave an oare in eueryevery boate, and bee dealing in this trade, and in that, wherein they hauehave not been trained vp; but what comes of it? they caſt themſelues into farre greater arrearages then they were in before, and intangle themſelues in ſuch ſort, that they know not how to winde out. Beſides that, the cares of the world, and the deſire of riches doe choake the word, that it cannot bring forth ripe fruit in them, and marueilouſly hinder the peace and comfort of their conſciences. Oh but their meaning was good: they had an honeſt care to prouide for their wife and children; an honeſt care? nay it is a ſinfull care, that make men to be ſuch buſie bodies: and iuſt it is, that they that will not truſt God with their wiues and children, ſhould by tumbling and toſſing vp and downe the world, ſpending all, as theſe Iewes did, and feele that which they feared, lying heauie vponupon them: So others are afraid of the Peſtilence, and what doe they to preuent it? caſt about where they may dwel in ſafety (as they imagine) in being many miles off from the places infected: though in the meane while they neglect their callings, ſhew little regard of their wiues & children, and ſeruants, and leaſt of all of their own ſoules: whereas their ſtrength had been to ſit ſtill, and neuer to forſake the workes of their vocations, nor the ordinances of God eſpecially; and then either the infection ſhould not come neare them; or if it did, it ſhould bee a meanes of great good vntounto them, either for the perfecting of their graces, or for the ending of their miſeries, & the beginning of their eternall happineſſe. The like might bee ſaid concerning feare of the ſword, or of famine, or of any other iudgement; they are here ſharpely to be rebuked, that do leaue thoſe places wherin God hate ſet them, for the auoiding thereof.
Secondly, Vſe 2 let vsus hence learne when dangers are neare at hand, to make it our firſt care to conſider what vocation God hath placed vsus in, and what worke hee would hauehave vsus doe, and therein let vsus continue. Oh but there are many euils towards: what of that, your ſtrength is to ſit ſtill: caſt your care on God, 1. Pet. 5.for he careth for you. Waite on the Lord and keepe his way, and he ſhall exalt you to inherit the land: for the ſaluation of the righteous ſhall bee of the Lord: Pſal. 37.34.39.he ſhall be [their ſtrength] in the time of trouble. Whether their meanes be great or ſmall it is all one vntounto the Lord.
Though our money and our friends, and our ſtrength faile vsus; yet will hee neuer leaue vsus, nor forſake vsus: therefore let vsus wholly caſt our ſelues vponupon him, and neuer be diſmaied at any croſſes: for ſo long as wee ſerue him in our places, our caſe is very good, and very ſafe. Let our little children bee our teachers in this point, and make vsus aſhamed of our vnbeleefe: for what if they be hungry and none will giuegive them a morſell of bread to refreſh them? what if their apparel be neere worne, and they know of none that will giuegive them ſo much as a ragge to hang on them? yet will they comfortably depend vponupon vsus, and bee merrie and cheerefull; aſſuring themſelues that their parents hauing mercifull hearts, wil neuer ſee them want any thing that they can prouide for them: can they be thus confident vponupon the kindneſſe of their naturall parents; and ſhall not wee much more boldly rely vponupon our heauenly father, who knowes all our wants, and pities vsus vnderunder them, and is able and willing to ſupply the ſame? let vsus condemne our ſelues if we cannot doe this, and in all ſtraits and extremities ſay vntounto our hearts, as Moſes did vntounto the Iſraelites at the red ſea, feare not but ſtand ſtill, and behold the ſaluation of the Lord. Exod 14.13.Which if we cannot doe, wee ſhall finde by experience that he is alſufficient to miniſter helpe and comfort vntounto vsus, and that in ſickneſſe as well as in health; in warres as well as in peace; in ſcarſity, as well as in plentie; and in a word, in the want of all things as well as in the abundance of all things.Rules.
But now if we would be ſure of this comfort, let vsus obſerue theſe rules.
Firſt, beware of vſing any ill meanes for the relieuing of our ſelues: for eueryevery finfull ſhift is as it were a ſword drawne out againſt our ſelues, or as a Canon that is to be diſcharged vponupon vsus.
Secondly, bee ſure to vſe all good and lawfull meanes that God hath appointed for our comfort in trouble, or our deliuerance out of trouble.
Thirdly, as we muſt vſe the meanes leſt we bee found tempters of God, ſo muſt wee commit the ſucceſſe wholly vntounto the Lord, and with a quiet and peaceable heart reſt vponupon him. Many will bee content to be induſtrious in their calling, and vſe all diligence for the relieuing of themſelues and their families; but herein they faile exceedingly, that they vex and diſquiet their hearts, and do not labour with that cheerefulneſſe as they ſhould: this and that I doe (ſay they) to the vtmoſt of my power: but alas, all will not maintaine mee and mine: wee know not how to bring the yeare about. Now you do not ſit ſtill, as God would hauehave you, but you take his burthen vponupon your ſhoulder: for doe you that which God biddeth you, and he hath ſaid, I will care for you. The reaſon why there is ſuch carking and caring: ſuch tumbling and toſſing, is, becauſe men thinke there is none to care for them, but themſlues: now if that were true, it ſtood men vponupon indeed to beſtirre themſelues, and to buſie their thoughts day and night about the matters of the world: but ſeeing that the Lord doth proteſt that hee cares for vsus, what need hauehave we to perplexe our harts with ſome neceſſary vexations and diſtractions? ſurely it argues great corruption in vsus, when we giuegive way to ſuch diſtruſtfull thoughts: for either wee doe not beleeue that God doth care for vsus; or at leaſt wee imagine that his care is not ſufficient for vsus: both which ſhould bee farre from the hearts of all true Chriſtians. Let vsus therefore ſtriue againſt our vnbeleefe, and giuegive vntounto God the praiſe of his truth, of his mercy, and of his al-ſufficiency, and then fixing our hope vponupon him, wee ſhall neuer be aſhamed, but according to our faith it ſhall be vntounto vsus.