Prospering Profaneness Provoking Holy Conference, Part 2

Prospering Profaneness Provoking Holy Conference · Part 2

p. 241Auſcultatio Divina: OR, Gods Attention to good conference in bad times: the third Part of the diſcourſe on Mal. 3.15, 16, 17. Briefly touched on, in the Sermon preached at Weſt-Cheſter, July 17. 1659, But fully opened in ſome Sermons ſince preached at Botolphs-Algate, LONDON.

Mal. 3.16, 17, 18. The Lord hearkned and heard, and a book of Remembrance was written before him, for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name.

They ſhall be mine (ſaith the Lord of hoſts) in the day that I make up my jewels: and I wil ſpare them as a man ſpareth his own Son that ſerveth him.

Then ſhall ye return, and diſcern b…tween the Righteous and the wicked, between him that ſerveth God, and him that ſerveth him not.

I Have heretofore conſidered the eſtate of the wicked, even the worſt of men; and laid before you their proſperity: and alſo the exerciſe of the the Godly, They p. 242ſpake often one to another; we now come to the third generall part of the Text, and that is the iſſue and event of both; & that is laid down in theſe words, and fals into two parts.

1. The delight that God takes in, and due reſpect he expreſſeth towards the Godly, and their exerciſe. The Lord hearkned and heard, &c.

2. The diſcrimination between the righteous and the wicked. Then ſhall you return, and diſcern between &c.

Of theſe in their order, and firſt of Gods delight in, and reſpect to the Godly: and therein if I ſhould delight in mincing the words into parts, I might obſerve

1. The reſpect ſhewed, and that in all the expreſſions thereof, The Lord hearkned and heard: and a book of Remembrance was written, They ſhall be mine; I wil ſpare them.

2. The Authour of this reſpect p. 243who it is that thus delighteth in the godly, it is the Lord, the Lord of hoſts.

3. The object of this acceptance They that feared the Lord & thought upon his name,

4. The ground or Reaſon of this reſpect, they ſpake often one to another in evill times.

And every of theſe particulars would afford us very profitable obſervations: but I intend not ſo long to inſiſt on the words, and therefore ſhall not ſo particularly diſcuſſe them: but ſhall gather the whole Reſpect herein expreſſed and ſo the mind of God towards the Righteous in bad times into this generall point of doctrine. [viz.]

The Godly, and their holy exerciſe, Doct. in times of proſpering profanenſſe: doth meet with ſpeciall acceptance from the Lord of hoſts.

This is a doctrine worthy our p. 244ſerious and ſecond thoughts, as eminently uſefull to the eſtabliſhment, and encouragement of the godly under the increaſe and ſucceſſe of prophaneſſe: they had done their beſt endeavour amidſt an ungodly nation, and rude people; they clave to God themſelvs; continue in the fear of the Lord, and thoughts of his name, and give proof thereof, in ſpeaking one to another, beſtir themſelves to the conviction, and confutation of the wicked; comfort and confirmation of themſelves: and this they do under the greateſt of diſcouragements imaginable; for notwithſtanding all their adhaerencie to, & activity for God; th…ir condition was cloudy, and dark, the providences of God were croſſe: calamity compaſſeth them about; only The proud are called happy, and they that work wickedneſſe are ſet up, &c. In ſo much that the prophane p. 245inſult over the Godly; and blaſphemouſly ſay, It is in vain to ſerve God, and there is no profit in keeping his Ordinances, or in walking mournfully before him all the day: & how muſt we think God carrieth it all this while. Do any ſerve God for nought? as the wicked men will have it thought, hath he no regard to the Righteous? yea ſurely: however the current of providence ſeems to ſuggeſt, and and prophane men ſpeak: the Lord doth hearken and hear &c. & ſheweth eſpecial reſpect to the Godly, & accepteth, with much delight, their holy exerciſes maintained in times of proſpering prophaneſſe: although a ſinner do evill an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet ſurely it ſhall go well with them th…t feare G…d, which fear before him. Eccl. 8.12. For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the earth, to ſhew himſelf ſtrong in the behalf of them p. 246whoſe heart is perfect before him. 2 Chron. 16.9. The Lord delighteth not in the ſtrength of the horſe, he takes no p…eaſure in the legs of a man; The Lord taketh pleaſure in them that fear him, in them that hope in his mercy. Pſal. 147.10, 11. The grief of the godly meets with gracious acceptance; Gods complacency is in their conteſts for his truth and glory in a cloudy day, more then in all the glittering glory of the world: the mourners in Jeruſalem, in the day of her abominations are the marked of the Lord. Ezek. 9. and in his own time God will reſtore comfort to Zion, and to her mourners: did ever the houſe of Jacob ſeek God in vain, or ſerve him for nought, or ſtand up for his name, cauſe or people, and not meet with eminent expreſſions of acceptance? Shall Abraham ariſe to the reſcue of an holy Lot, from the hands of the prophane, and p. 247not meet with his God to aſſure him that he is his ſhield and exceeding great reward? Gen. 15.1. Gen. 19.16.Gen 15:1Gen 19:16Or ſhall Lot's Righteous ſoul be greived with the filthineſſe of Sodom, and not find the favour of God to pull him out of the deſtruction thereof? Knoweth not the Lord how to deliver the Righteous?Joh 42.10.7, 8. Shall Job ſerve God for nought, when ſtript of all by the Devill? and ſhall not God return the captivity of Job, and double his eſtate? Shall he maintain his integrity againſt the proud cenſures of his proſpering friends and not become their advocate to pray the pardon of their ſin? Shall Davids courage deſtroy the Goliah that defied the God of Iſrael, and muſt not the Daughters of Iſraell ſing,1 Sam 18.7.1 Sam 18:7 David hath ſlain his ten thouſands? & Saul his thouſands? Shalhe wait on God in patience, & not lay his hand on the Lords anointed, (though himſelf anointed to the p. 248Kingdome) to make way for the poſſeſſion of Gods appointment and ſhall not his Throne be eſtabliſhed? Shall Daniel in the midſt of Babylon make ſupplication for oppreſſed Iſrael, Dan. 9.20.Dan 9:20and not be comforted by the Angel Gabriel, and aſſured that he is greatly beloved and his ſupplication is heard? Shall any give a cup of cold water to a Prophet,Mat. 10.40.41, 42.19.28, 29. M…r. 10.29.Matt 10:40Matt 10:41Matt 10:42Matt 10:19Matt 10:28Matt 10:29 in the name of a Prophet, and not receive a Prophets reward? Shall any loſe his houſes, or brethren, or ſiſters, or father, or mother, or Wife, or Children, or lands, for Chriſt his names ſake, and not receive here an hundred fold & hereafter eternall life? in a word, when the diſpenſations of providence are darkeſt towards the Church, the diligent diſcharge of holineſſe is moſt delightfull to the Lord: when his Spouſe is in holes and clefts of the Rock, then he takes pleaſure to ſee her countenance, and to hear p. 249her voyce. Cant. 2.14. When all Iſraell are turned aſide by Ahab then: Gods regard is to the Remnant that bow not the knee to Baal: when all the inhabitants of the earth receive the mark of the beaſt and follow the Whore,R…v. 13.10 then the Lord triumpheth in, and inſultingly obſerveth the faith and patience of the Saints, when the proſperity of prophane men, ſwells them to blaſpheme and ſay that it is in vain to ſerve God, if then they that fear God do ſpeak often one to another, then the Lord ſhall hearken and hear, &c. He accepts their ſervice done in ſo ſinfull a time, nay he expreſſeth ſpeciall acceptance as we ſhall evidence by the ſeverall degrees and acts of it, as they are declared in the Text.

The ſpecialtie of divine acceptance of the Godly, and their holy exerciſe in times of proſpering profaneſs doth appear and conſiſt in p. 250three ſteps or gradations. viz. The

1. Regard God hath to them and their ſervice.

2. Remembrance of them and their ſervice.

3. Recompence for them and their ſervice.

The firſt degree and expreſſion of Gods ſpeciall acceptance is, The Regard God hath unto the holy exerciſe of the godly in evill times: 1 degree of divine acceptance.and that is ardent and affectionate, hee hearkned and heard: he heard not onelyonly, but hearkned, importing diligence and delight in his attentition, as one that was affected with the diſcourſe of the Godly in thoſe dark times; hearing is an act of obſervation, but ſeemes to be formal, ſuperficiall, and careleſſe, yet when it is referred unto God, it notes his ſerious obſervation and delight, unto the anſwer of the prayers of the poor and needy. Pſal. 34.17.69.33. But hearkning is an act of attention; & that with all earneſtneſs & activity, that we may apprehend what is ſpoken and not miſſe of it, or miſtake it, but be reſolved p. 251into it as, the direction of our ways and therefore it is emphatically expreſſed by the Prophet Iſai. 32.3 The eyes of them that ſee ſhall not not be aim: geſtus diligenter auſeul tantis.The ears of them that hear ſhal hearken. Mans moſt ſerious attention is always expreſſed by a hearkning unto the Word of the Lord; and Gods moſt ſpeciall acceptance of his peoples deſires is ſaid to be hearking to their prayers; Thus God hearkned to Leah and to Rachel. Gen. 30, 17.22. and he hearkned to Moſes, when he moved for Iſrael. Deut. 9.19, 10.10. Hearking is an act of regard and reſpect not onelyonly to Attention but Auſcultation, they that hearken do obey, yield, aſſent, & admit of the thing hearkned as true & good: ſo that when the godly ſpake one unto another, though, to men, it ſeemed to be in vain, and they would not regard it; yet the Lord heard, and he had reſpect unto it, nay, he hearkned, p. 252liſtned, layed his ear unto their diſcourſe, with all diligence and delight, aſſenting unto the truth and goodneſſe of what they had ſpoken; and admitting it to ſeize and ſettle upon his heart, as that which muſt command the great Jehovah which he could not gain-ſay, out would conſtrain him at the length to break his attention, by an open aſſerting the verity of their diſcourſe and the integrity of them that in ſo evill a time, and under ſuch a generall apoſtacy did feare him; and think upon his name: and zealouſly ſpeak one to another. But

2 degree of divine acceptance.Secondly Gods acceptance of the Godly, and their holy exerciſe is not onelyonly to liſten and regard but alſo to record and remember: he doth hear and hearken with all pleaſure and delight, in ſo much that he hath a book of Remembrance written before him for them that fear p. 253him and think upon his name. This Judge of the whole earth doth not only liſten carefully to the language of his Advocates, but leſt any of their pleas ſhould paſſe without pondering and due anſwer, his Notaries are at work, and enter in a book their diſcourſe all their acts and arguments of holineſſe; leaſt they ſhould be forgotten: note-books are notations of affection, and care of recordation: what we write we deem worth remembring: Records are kept of matters of moment to be regarded, and acts of loyalty and fidellity to be rewarded. Catalogues and Calendars of eminent perſons and ſervice are prepared for Kings, as the evidence of their reſpects, and direction of the dignities they ſhal confer: Chronicle… are written for the conſideraon of moſt Royall Emperors as evidences of their eſteem of things tranſacted; and dictates of recompenſe p. 254for noble atchievements: Tamerlane the great, was ſo well pleaſed with the diligence & faithfulneſſe of his ſervants that he kept a Catalogue of their names and ſervices which he daily read, and the Chronicles of Perſia were kept and conſulted by the King Ahaſhueroſh that if his liſt or leaſure could not confer a preſent recompenſe upon faithfull Mordecai, for his good ſervice, an after opportunity may do it: Now God is not forgetful as man, nor needs he any record: it muſt needs be in a diſtemper that David ſhall demand, hath the Lord forgotten to be gracious? Pſal. 77.9. Iſaih 49.14.Ps 77:9or Zion determine the Lord hath forſaken me, and my God hath fogotten me; For the Butler may forget Joſeph, and Joſeph may forget his former toyl and Fathers houſe: nay a woman may forget her ſucking child; but God cannot forget h… people: and therefore when God p. 255makes mention of a book of Remembrance, it is but after the manner of men, to manifeſt and make known his high eſteem of his people and their holy exerciſes, whoſe names he is ſaid (after the manner of noble Princes) to enter in a book of of life, and their diligence in duty for him and his name, to regiſter in a book of Remembrance: that although their devotion bee diſowned and deſpiſed by men, and devoted to oblivion, and their preſent eſtate ſuggeſt it diſregarded by the Lord; yet they may know it is obſerved, and eſteemed as an high act of holineſſe: it ſhall bee regiſtred in his Chronicles, books of acts and Monuments that they may not loſe, but hereafter reap their due Reward. And therefore.

The third and laſt degree of Gods ſpeciall acceptance of the Godly and their holy exerciſe is,3 degree of divine acceptance. p. 256Recompence and reward thereof. God regards unto Remembrance, and remembreth unto recompence; he doth not only hear and hearken, but cauſe a book of Remembrance to be written before him, nor is his Record uſeleſſe and a bare rehearſall of the holineſſe of his people in evill times. But the Dictator of the reward to be conferrd on them for diligent adhaerence unto him under proſpering prophaneſs; they muſt not loſe that leave all for God in a day of temptation; He will ſoon reſolve that enquiry, Maſter what ſhall we have, who have left all and followed thee? With an aſſurance, none that have left any thing for him ſhal be loſers, but ſhal reap their comfort an hundred fold, and have eternall life in to the bargain. Mark 10.29. None that are ſtedfaſt, unmoveable. abounding in the woak of the Lord, ſhal labour invain, the God that accepts will in his time approve the acceptance of their ſervice. He that hears and hearkens, will remember, and he that remembreth wil recompence, ſo as that after all the contempts of men, by reaſon of the cloudy providences that attend them, a man ſhal ſay, verily there is a reward to the Righteous, verily there is a God that judgeth the earth. Pſal. 58.11. And the acceptance of God wil appear to be the more ſpeciall, if we conſider the quality of this reward, they ſhall receive that ſpeak one to another in evil times, which conſiſteth in theſe two things, viz. Their

1. Propriety and Peculiarity of relation to God, They ſhall be mine when I make up my Jewels.

2. The Paternal carriage of God towards them. I will ſpare them as a man ſpareth his own Son which ſerveth him.1 Part of Righteous mens Recompence

The firſt …art of this reward is, p. 260the propriety and peculiarity of their relation unto God, they ſhal be mine in the day that I make up my jewels: their propriety is unto God, they are his, the Lords people are his portion, and Iſraell is the lot of his inheritance. Deut. 32.9. This is the high honour of Iſrael, to vouch God for their God, and to have God to vouch them for his people. Deut, 26.17, 18. The great Charter of all our priviledges even the very Covenant of grace concludes us but in a propriety to God I will be your God, and you ſhall bee my people, nor indeed need we any more, for happy is that people, whoſe God is the Lord. Pſal. 144.15. In the utmoſt of diſtreſs, nay w…en drawing nigh unto death, the holy heart deſir… no more then to beable to determine this God is our God, our God, and he will b… our guide even unto death, Pſal. 44.14. For what is there in Heaven but God, p. 261and what can we deſire in all the earth beſides the Lord. Pſal. 73.15. To ſtand entitled to God is to enjoy Abrahams portion, a God allſufficient, there can be no want where God is poſſeſſed, where God gives himſelf he becomes a ſhield, and an exceeding great reward. Relation to God is the Reaſon of all good; divine councells cannot bee concealed from Gods Abrahams, or Chriſt his friends: Egypt muſt not think to Captivate Iſrael, Gen 18.1…. John. 13 14, 15 Iſai. 43.44. Zach. 2.8.Gen 18:1John 13:14John 13:15Isa 43:44Zech 2:8but to their own ruine, becauſe the Lords own people: Wrath though provoked muſt be reſtrained, when it goeth out againſt Gods heritage: the fire muſt not burne, nor water drown Gods Iſrael; the utmoſt of preſervation, even as of the apple of the eye is the portion of ſuch as belong to God: no argument can be more affectually urged in prayer then that, though Abrahad be ignorant of us, yet thou art p. 262our God. Iſai. 93.16. No greater aſſurance of ſupport in affliction can be given, then to cry unto the Lord in the midſt of the furnace, my God, and for God to anſwer, my people. Zach. 13.13. nor yet of ſalvation, out of all ſorrows, then for God to ſay unto Zio…, thou art my people. Iſa. 51.16.Isa 51:16Relation to God is the Reaſon of Chriſt his redemption, and interceſſion; he ſeekes mens ſouls becauſe they are his Fathees, and he prayes for their preſervation, on this ground, they are thine, thou haſt choſen them out of the world. Joh. 17.9. Chriſt his argument of ſupport, under his abſence is the propriety of his people unto God. I go to your God and your Father. Joh. 20.17. The utmoſt of Saints endeavours, is to ſee a propriety, in God the ſormallity of ſaving faith is to ſay ſincerely, my Lord, and my God; the ſatisfaction of a gracious heart in the ſaddeſt of affliction p. 263is to ſee that it is the Lords. The utmoſt deſign of the Devills envy at the Saints, is, to make them deny their relation to God and Gods affection to them, knowing that the eſtranged to God are expoſed to all woe and wickedneſſe; ſo that a propriety to God is a prime reward. Well may the pious ſpeak often one to another under the proſperity of the prophane, if they ſtand in propriety to God, they need not matter how the World goeth. They may wel be diſowned by men yet devoted to, and diligent in acts of holineſſe, if owned by the Lord, and he ſay of them they are mine. But yet again

Theſe men are not onelyonly in propriety to God, but in peculiarity alſo: they are not only the Lords, in common courſe and providence, as the earth is the Lords and the fulneſs thereof, but in ſpeciall relation and peculiar eſteem, they ſhall be mine p. 264when I make up my jewels: they are not ordinary houſhold-ſtuffe, but Jewels, gold and ſilver, like the Treaſure of Solomon, peculiar Treaſure of Kings, Eccleſ. 2.8.Eccl 2:8they are picked and choſen out of all the earth, like pearls of prize: to be of prime eſteem with God, like Iſrael, a peculiar Treaſure unto the Lord, above all nations of the earth: In brief, however they lye ſcattered at preſent among the objects of commō providence, yet they muſt be manifeſted to be a choſen generation, a Royall Prieſthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people, that they ſhould ſhew forth the praiſes of him that called them out of darkneſſe into his marvellous light. 1 Pet. 2.9. God hath not onelyonly the propriety of a Creator in them, but the peculiarity of a Redeemer; they are the Redeemed of the Lord, bought not with corruptible things, a ſilver & gold, but incorruptibl, the precious blood p. 265of Jeſus Chriſt, as of a Lamb without ſpot and blemiſh, who gave himſelf for them, that he might redeem them from all iniquity, and purifie them unto himſelf a peculiar people zealous of good works. 1 Pet. 1.19. Tit. 2.14. And to them therefore are given the great and precious promiſes of God, and theſe are they who partake of precious faith, poſſeſſe ſpecial and peculiar graces, and are fitted for ſpeciall and peculiar duties and deſtinated to ſpecial and peculiar dignities, they are jewels in efficacy and operation, and ſo muſt appear in esteem and acceptation. They are the bright Diamond, that ſparkles in the darkeſt times and places of profaneſſe, therefore fit to be fixed in Gods Crown; they are the flouriſhing Amaranthus, that continueth green and freſh in the moſt parching places of proſpering pride, the ſplendid Amiants which retain their oriency & brightneſſe p. 266under the moſt polluting prophaneſſes, which paſſe upon them and are kept by the power of God, through faith, to the exerciſe & approvemēt of it as more precious then gold tried in the fire, 1 Pet. 1.7.1 Pet 1:7unto praiſ honor and glory, for them therefore is reſerved the Amarantine Amiantine Crown, the inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, that fadeth not away: ſo that however at preſent they are mingled with the men of the world, and the providences of God paſſe upon them in common, with others & there is no diſcrimination, ſave only in their duty: they cannot be known to ſtand related to God, ſave only by their ſtanding to and for God his name, truth and people, againſt the oppoſition which prophaneſſe makes, and proſperity heightneth: yet God hath his day of ſegregation, a day of gathering up his Jewels, and ſeeking after his ſcattered pearls, p. 267and then hee will make the very World to ſee and know they that ſpake often one to another were his, when their ſouls were ſadn…d for the ſins of the times and places where they lived: they were his peculiar ones, even his Jewels. God hath a day of collection, and it is a ſegregation, he gathers his people into the receptacles appointed, and when pearls are brought into the Cabinet they appear to be pecious and peculiar Treaſures. Sometimes before a day of Common calamity, God gathers his Righteous ones from among the wicked into the receptacle of the grave, ſo as that the Righteous are taken from the evill to come. Iſai. 57.1. Thus Auguſtine died before the ſacking of Hippo by the Vandals. Paraeus before the taking of Heidelburg by the Spaniards; and Luther before the wars in Germany, therefore thereby God manifeſted his eſteem of p. 268them in providing for them who were vexed by the ſins, to reſt in peace under the ſorrows of the places of their abode. Sometimes God gathers his Jewels into an eſtate of conſervation in the midſt of the many troubles, and common calamities that deſtroy the wicked and thus he marketh out his mourners over ſin to ſee, but not ſink under the ſorrows of the wicked; which ſeem to ſtrike equally at the juſt as at the unjuſt; he ſupports and ſaves his people in an evil day Noahs Ark derided by the World, defends him from the deluge, and Lot is conducted to, and conſerved Zoar a City of Sodome: Daniell and his three Companions are ſafe in Babylon, when Iſraell periſh in Aegypt. Baruch, Jeremiah, Ebedmelech and Gedaliah are preſerved in the ſacking of Jeruſalem. And thus Gods acceptance is expreſſed to his people p. 269in his peculiar preſervation in the midſt of evill, he as it were calling on them, Come my people enter into thy Chambers, ſhut thy door, hide thy ſelf as it were for a little moment, untill the indignation bee over-paſt. Iſai. 26.21. So that they are brought as Jewels into a Cabinet; nay ſometimes God makes his reſcue of his people from the rage of the enemies, to evidence the peculiarity of his right, and relation to them, as men pick up pearls from before Swine, that trample them in the mire: So God redeems his people from the pride of men. Thus God obſerving the miſeries of Iſrael doth aggravate them, and excite himſelfe to put a period to them by the peculiarity of the peoples relation to himſelfe; I have forſaken mine houſe I have left mine heritage; I have given the dearly beloved of my ſoule p. 270into the hands of her enemies, many paſtors have deſtroyed my Vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleaſant portion a deſolate wilderneſſe;Jer. 1… 6, 7, 8, 9. &c.Jer 1:6Jer 1:7Jer 1:8Jer 1:9 therefore I will pluck out the houſe of Judah from among them, then will I returne and have compaſſion on them: the day of ſalvation, is the day in which God ſheweth the eſteeme he hath of his people, and this day God hath in this World many times, but when the day of judgment cometh, in which the Lord ſhail ſend out his Angels to gather out the good from the bad and the righteous from the wicked, and ſhall ſay, Come ye bleſſed of my father inherit the kingdom prepared for you. What ever providence have paſſed on them in the World, they ſhall then bee made manifeſt to, be in proprietie, and peculiaritie of relation p. 271to the Lord, hee then witneſſeth theſe are mine in this day that I make up my Jewells, and that is the firſt part of their reward.

The ſecond part of the reward of holy men,The ſecond part of the Righteous mens Recompence. that do exerciſe piety in times of proſpering prophaneneſs is the Paternall carriage of God towards them. I will ſpare them as a man ſpareth his own Son which ſerveth him: They behave themſelves like Children, and hee will behave himſelf like a Father; They are ſons of zeal and affection, he will appear a Father of pity and compaſſion; They complain of the diſhonour done to God, and God will complain of the diſaſters that befall them: Whilſt they are grieved for ſin, he is grieved for their ſorrow: they are indeed willing and ſtudious to keep conſciences void of offence towards God and man, yet in many things p. 272they miſcarry and commit ſin, and provoke God to ſcourge them with the rod of men, but in their perplexity he is full of pity and when provoked highly to chaſtiſe them, he will ſpare them as a man ſpareth his own ſon who ſerveth him: Such is the pity of a parent that it is ready to run into a ſinful indulgence of the ſons perverſneſs if not barred with a ſacred prohibition, Let not thy ſoul ſpare for his crying, Pſal. 103.13.Ps 103:13and look what pity parents bear to their children, ſuch pity beareth God to them that fear him: he paſſeth by tranſgreſſion and ſin: he blotteth out their iniquity, nay many times beholdeth not iniquity in Jacob, nor tranſgreſſiō in Iſrael: he winks at ſmall faults, hee ſeeth many a wanton trick which he obſerveth not: he covereth their wants and weakneſſes, for were he ſevere to mark all that is amiſs, who ſhould ſtand before h…m: He entreth not into judgement p. 273with his ſervants knowing that in his ſight no fleſh living can be juſtified. He may check miſcarriages, but corrects Rebellions. As long as the counſells of the Word will reſtrain, he uſeth not the rod; they run into diſobedience before reduced by chaſtiſement. And when his ſoul is provoked to correct, and he may not ſpare the rod leaſt he ſpill the child. Oh! with what yerning bowells doth he give up his people to bee afflicted? in pity he parleth and perſwadeth, Be thou inſtructed Oh Jeruſalem, leaſt my ſoul depart from thee; With what paternall conflicts doth he chaſtiſe? How ſhall I give thee up Ephraim? How ſhall I make thee as Zeboim? How ſhall I ſet thee as Admah? my repentings are kindled within me, Hoſ. 11.8. The leaſt remorſe in Ephraim will engage great repentings, in God I have heard Ephraim bemoaning p. 274himſelf; thou haſt chaſtiſed me, and I was chaſtiſed; after that I was turned I repented, &c. And preſently Gods hand is ſtayed, his heart is moved, and his compaſſion cryeth out, Is not Ephraim my dear ſon? Is hee not a pleaſant child? for ſince I ſpake againſt him, I do earneſtly remember him ſtill, therefore my bowels are troubled for him: I will ſurely have mercy upon him, ſaith the Lord, Jer. 31.18, 19.20. Gods hand is long ere it bee lifted up againſt his ſons; and often lifted up, and yet doth not light upon his children; nd when he is neceſſitated to ſtrike, yet hee doth not ſtrike them as he ſtriketh others; He ſtayeth his rough wind in the d…y of the Eaſtwind, for this is all the end the taking away of their ſin, Iſa. 27.9. When the cup of his wrath doth go round through all the Nations. Iſrael doth not but ſip at the brim, p. 27not drink near the bottome, much leſſe drink off the dregs, no, that is for his enemies. When his wrath is moſt outragious, his mercy layeth a reſtraint on it, and in compaſſion, he ſaith, ſurely they are my people, Children that will not lye, and ſo he becomes their Saviour, Iſai. 63.8, 9.Isa 63:8Isa 63:9in all their affliction, he is afflicted with them, and the Angell of his preſence ſaveth them: So that this is the reward of the pious, that even when perplexed by the proſpering prophane who are Gods hand, ſword, and Rod for their correction, yet they are Sons, and ſpared as ſons that ſerve him, his whole diſpleaſure doth not ariſe; he puniſheth them much leſſe then their iniquities deſerve; he dealeth with them as Children, and wil e're long bring them from under his Rod, and make them that ſmote them to ſee and know that he ſpared them as a man ſpareth his own Son who ſerveth p. 276him. And thus then we ſee that how ſad or cloudy ſoever the providences of God may be to the Godly, when wicked men proſper, & in their pr…dederide pi…ty, & determine it is in vain to ſerve God, and to walk mournfully before him. Yet the truly pious and their holy exerciſe meets with eſpeciall acceptance, for it is Regarded, heard and hearkned to, Remembred and written in Gods Regiſter, nay, Recompenſed with a free and full reward of propriety and peculiarity of relation to God, and paternall carriage from God. They ſhall bee mine in the day that I make up my Jewells, and I will ſpare them as a man ſpareth his own Son who ſerveth him. Let us therefore paſſe unto the reaſons of this eſpeciall acceptance thus extended.

The Reaſons and grounds why the Godly and their holy exerciſe in times of proſpering prophaneſs p. 277do meet with ſuch ſpeciall acceptance from the Lord of hoſts, are reducible to three heads.

1. They are a ſpeciall people.

2. They performe ſpeciall ſervice.

3. God is under ſpeciall engagement thereunto.

Of theſe in their orders, and firſt of the firſt.

Reaſon. (viz.) The Godly and their holy exerciſes in times of proſpering prophaneſſe find ſpeciall acceptance with the Lord of hoſts becauſe it is the ſervice of ſpeciall people: the quality of the perſons puts a luſtre on the performance, the Lord minds not ſomuch how well as by whom holy actions are performed? The method of God is to conſecrate the perſon that muſt approach unto him: he Redeems unto himſelf a peculiar people, that may, and muſt be zealous of good works, Titus 2.14.Titus 2:14and makes unto himſelf p. 278a peculiar people, and Royall Prieſt hood, that they may offer up acceptable ſervice, a choſen Generation, that they may ſhew forth the praiſes of him that hath called them out of darkneſs into his marvellous light, 1 Pet. 2.7.9. Titus 2.14. For God hath reſpect to Abel, and to his Sacrifice. Gen. 4.5. And Daniell is dearly belo…ed; and therefore his deſires are accepted. Dan. 9.23. God accepts the perſon, and then the performance, the naked perſon without any qualification is accepted by the Lord. Jacob, having done no good, is loved, becauſe the Lord wil exclude humane boaſting,Rom. 11.9. Joſh. 24.2.Rom 11:9Josh 24:2 and magnifie his grace: Abraham was of the family of Terah, and ſerved other gods, when ſingled out to be the friend of God: and Iſrael was no more holy then other nations,Ezek. 16.Ezek 16 her Father was an Amorite, and her Mother an Hittite, when lying in her blood God paſſed by and pitied p. 279her: and choſe her to be a peculiar people, to come nigh unto himſelf: and David was the the moſt deſpicable of the family of Jeſſe, but the choſen of the Lord, before ſaved, and ſucceeded by the Lord: the perſon of the wicked being diſowned their beſt performances are rejected. I know you not, is a barre to divine acceptance of any action: whilſt weak and imperfect performances paſſe current for an acepted people; for as the providence of God is peculiar to man, above all other Creatures, becauſe of the ſpecialty of their creation; ſo among men it is moſt ſpecially converſant about the Godly, for they are moſt ſpeciall perſons, and that in theſe two reſpects.

1. Specialtie of relation to God.1. the ſpeciall Relation to God

2. Specialty of qualification for God.

1. By the ſpecialty of relation to God, They are his people, and p. 280peculiar Treaſure, and the lot of his inheritance. Above all people on the earth, they are not onelyonly Creatures, and the nobleſt of Creatures, but amongſt the moſt noble of Creatures, they are the choiſeſt, not onelyonly are they the houſhold ſtuffe, but Jewels of God, Veſſels of honour fitted for the Maſters uſe, & this ſpecially of their relation unto God is in reſpect of their

Election.

Redemption.

Vocation.

2. ſpecialtie of the Godly.They are ſpecially related to God, and that by Election they are the choſen of the Lord, and ſo the ſubjects of ſpeciall favour. Pſal. 106.3, 4, 5. We read of the good of Gods choſen, the favour of the Elect, which gives it an Emphaſis: Election is a note of high honour, & aſſurance of choiſeſt bleſſings in the moſt ſad and perplexed condtion; I…r…els moſt encouraging Epethite p. 281is the choſen of the Lord. Pſal. 105.6. 1 Chron. 16.13. And ſo under the goſpell, though they be a p…ople ſcattered through Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Aſin and Bithynia. Yet it is their honorable Epethit…, Elect according to the fore knowle…ge of God. 1 Pet. 1.2. and a choſen generation 1 Pet, 2.7. For indeed E…ection is the ſumme of all happineſſe. Pſal. 22 12. Happy is the people whom God hath choſen: It is the Reaſon of ſupport under ſaddeſt preſſu…es. Jacob whom I have choſen, thou art my ſervant; I have choſen thee and not caſt thee away; fear thou not, I am with thee, be not diſmaid, for I am thy God. I will ſtrengthen thee, I will uphold thee by the Right hand of my Righteouſneſſe. Iſai, 41.8, 9 10. And of Salvation …u… of moſt deſperate dangers: nay the enjoyment of all good is aſſured in, and by our Election. Oh! Jacob my ſervant, and thou Jeſuron p. 282whom I have choſen; I will pour water on him that is thirſty, and floods upon the dry ground, I will pourmy ſpirit upon thy ſeed, and my bleſſings upon thy Offſpring. Iſai. 44.2, 3. Election is the Fountain of all favour, not onelyonly vocation, juſtification, ſanctification and glorification, but even redemption. The reaſon of all theſe is the reſult of our Election; we are indeed choſen in Chriſt, Eph. 1.4.Eph 1:4but Chriſt was choſen for us; he is Caput Electorum, not Cauſa Electionis, the head of the Elect, but not the ground of election. God did not chuſe us becauſe hee would ſhew his wiſedome in the redemption by Chriſt, but doth ſhew his wiſdome and redemption by Chriſt, becauſe he had choſen us; our Election was the enforcement of our redemption, for the foundation of God abideth ſure, 2 Tim. 2.1.2 Tim 2:1the Lord knoweth who are his, and of p. 283his choſen he will not looſe any: ſo that the holy ſervices of the Godly muſt needs find acceptance, for they are a ſpeciall people in Gods eye, and election from all eternity, in whoſe behalf he hath purpoſed and provided the utmoſt good that can be, for they are indeed in ſpeciall relation to him, and ſhall be ſpecially regarded by him, however they are ſuffered ſometimes to lye common as of no eſteem. Again ſecondly,

The Godly are in ſpeciall Relation to God,Redemption becauſe Redeemed by him: they are not only his by creation, wherein yet the Emphaſis lyeth on the Godly, for in planting the Heavens, and laying the foundations of the earth; He hath ſaid unto Zion thou art my people. Iſai. 51.16. But alſo by redemption:Pſal. 8.Ps 8 great is the dignity ſtamped on them by cretion, wherein he was made but little lower then the Angells, but much p. 248greater is the dignity of our redemption, wherein we are made higher then Angels, who are but miniſtring ſpirits to the redeemed of the Lord. Redemption is the aſſurance of higheſt favours, for it is the reſult and expreſſion of greateſt love and good will; the redeemed are thoſe who have coſt God dear,Heb. 1.14.Heb 1:14 & therefore muſt not be deſpiſed, he hath bought them, not with coruptible things as ſilver and gold, but with the precious blood of Jeſus Chriſt, 1 Pet. 1.19. It is the higheſt Epethite of honour, They ſhall be called the Redeemed of the Lord. Iſai. 62.12. For that is the Evidence of their Election, and effect of unſpeakable compaſſion, and cannot but aſſure them, and however they are now diſregarded, diſperſed and diſtreſſed in the World, yet they ſhall be looked after and returned with comfort, for the arm of the Lord ſhall awake, and make a way p. 285through the Sea, for the ranſomed of the Lord, to paſſe thorow, and the Redeemed of the Lord ſhall return to Zion with ſinging, and everlaſting joy ſhall be upon their head: they ſhall obtain gladneſſe and joy, and ſorrow and mourning ſhall flee away. Iſai. 35.9.51.10, 11. Can God be mindleſſe of his Church, bought with his own blood? hath he not ſpared his Son, but given him for us, Rom. 8.…2.Rom 8:2and ſhall he not much more ſpare us all things el…e? hath he bought us with a price to glorifie him in ſoul and body, and redeemed us to bee unto himſelfe a peculiar people, zealous of good works, and ſhall he not have ſpeciall reſpect unto our performancies?vocation.

Laſtly, the godly are in ſpeciall Relation to God, by their vocation, they are the choſen from eternity, Redeemed with ineſtimable price; yea, and the called of the Lord: the Elect of God lye ſometimes in the p. 286eſtate of darkneſſe, and by nature are no leſſe liable to the wrath of God, then the worſt of men running with others in the ſame exceſs of riot,Epheſ. 2.2, 3. Titus 3.3.Eph 2:2Eph 2:3Titus 3:3 ſubject to the God of this World and ſerving divers luſts, thus it was with Abraham, and thus it was with the …poſtles untill the grace of God appeared, and called them out of darkneſſe into his marvellous light: Heb. 3.1.Heb 3:1but the godly are made partakers of the heavenly calling; an eſtate of honour, unto which not many wiſe, not many rich not many noble do attain. 1 Cor. 1.26. Vocation is the execution of Election, and extention of favour intended from eternity: whom God praedeſtinated, them he called Rom. 8.39. Our calling is that which actually entitles us to the priviledges of grace, and brings us into con: formity to, and communion with God, engageth us to walk with G…d and aſſureth that he is our God alſufficient, p. 287our ſhield and exceeding great reward: we are culled and called to bear up Gods name in the World, and therefore muſt needs be cared for by him above the reſt of the world, he hath called us and muſt needs conſerve us to his heavenly Kingdome.

If the cry of the called and choſen of God, be of more value then that of the ſleighted and rejected of the Lord; if the complaints and holy conſervation of the Redeemed bee worth regard, then the Godly and their holy exerciſe muſt needs meet with ſpeciall acceptance: this ſpecialtie of relation is the great Reaſon of the Saints affliction, and ſuffering by the World, and ſhal it not be the reaſon of their ſupport & ſafety, the World hates them becauſe choſen out of the World, and ſhall they not then be kept in the World, and from the evill of the World? John. 17.John 17the the Devill rageth againſt them, becauſe p. 288the redeemed of the Lord, and ſhal they not, through divine favor, ſhortly bring Satan under their feet? their friends forſake and contemne them, becauſe the Called of the Lord ſhall not God then favour and fill them with joy in the light of his countenance? So long as the godly ſtand in this ſpeciall relation by Election, Redemption and Vocation; they cannot but find ſpeciall acceptance of their ſervice in ſinfull times. But ſecondly.

They are a people ſpecially qualified for God; they are not onelyonly Veſſells of honour, but fitted for the maſters uſe: they have not one-divine election, Redemption and Calling, to enforce Gods affection towards them, but ſingular holy qualities in their own mind and ſpirit, to attract and draw unto themſelves the divine favour, like good Children are beloved by the p. 289Father not onelyonly, for that innate Reaſon becauſe Children, but becauſe good, they are the ſubjects of all thoſe qualities which are the objects of divine complacencie, they do what God delighteth in: they are godly, and hath not godlineſſe the promiſe of this life, and of that which is to come? and they are employed in holy exerciſes, and that is profitable, when bodily exerciſe profiteth not. The Text taketh notice of their rare qualifications, and they are two they fear God and think upon his name: they are both habitually and actually holy: the fear of God that ſpring of prudence, and beginning of all wiſedome, deſigning matters of higheſt importance, diſcerning dangerous and difficult oppoſitions, and directing all way and means for the accompliſhment of it's great deſign of favour and Reconciliation. That ſpur of duty that trembleth at Gods p. 290Word, trampleth on all obſtructions, and travelleth with conſtancy and cheerfulneſſe in the way of Gods holy Commands: That strength againſt corruption and temptation curbing luſts, caſting off allurements, and couragiouſly ſtanding againſt humane fury which can onelyonly kill the body, the fear of God which made Abraham leave his Fathers houſe and follow God he knew not whither; Mat. 10.28.Matt 10:28which made Joſeph faithfull in Potiphars houſe, not daring to commit lewdneſſe with his wanton Miſtriſſe; that made Obadiah compaſſionate toward, and carefull to preſerve the Prophets of God; that kept Job upright in the Eaſt, and reſtrained the Idolatry impoſed on the three Children, and ſpurred Daniel to be exact in devotion, when never ſo much liable to danger, that filled the Martyrs with zeal in adhaerence to truth, under helliſh torments. This fear of the Lord is p. 291the qualitie, habit, and diſpoſition of ſuch as live godly in evill times, for indeed others that want this, cannot do that; the want of divine fear is the very ground of a…l impiety, and ſhall not this ſpeciall quality make them acceptable to God? the fear of the Lord is to be prized above favour which is deceitful, and beauty which is vain. Prov. 31.30. And the Lord ſeeketh ſuch as fear him to ſerve him, and his eyes are on ſuch as fear him his ears are open unto their cry, Pſal. 33.18. And his pity is to them as a Father to his Child. Pſal. 103.13. The fear of the Lord tendeth to life he that hath it ſhall be ſatisfied, and ſhall not be viſited with evill. Prov. 19.23. but if viſited he that feareth the Lord ſhall come out of all evill: ſuch is Gods delight in this ſpeciall quality,Eccl. 7.18.Eccl 7:18 that though the ſinner do evill an hundred times and be delivered, yet certainly, it ſhall go well p. 292with them that fear the Lord. Eccleſ. 8.12.

But they are not onelyonly united unto God, by the fear of his nam…, but do alſo act it unto his honour:…. By thinking on his name. they have not only this holy habit imprinted on, and implanted in their hearts, but it is operative and ſendeth forth its fruits and effects, they that feared the Lord thought …pon his name, and ſpake often one to another. The fear of God fills the Godly man with the thoughts of Gods Name; and ſo fills him with grief and jealouſie, becauſe of the blaſphemy which is belched out againſt this holy name, and the diſhonour that is done unto it: like ingenious children they are affected with the Fathers diſgrace, & the very zeal of Gods houſe conſumeth them their cry is, what ſhal become of Gods holy name: the thoughts of Gods name fixeth them in faith, and filleth them with fervour, to cleave cloſe to p. 293God and his Covenant under the utmoſt of oppoſition. The name of the Lord is a ſtrong Tower, the Righteous run into it and are ſafe. Prov. 18.10. They truſt in the name of the Lord, when others truſt in Chariots and in horſes. Pſal. 20.7. And ſo by the fear of the Lord they depart from iniquity, for let what trouble will befall the godly, they deal not falſly in Gods Covenant, becauſe, they forget not Gods name: the dread of Gods name is on the ſpirit, to deterre impiety, to drive on duty, and quiet the ſoul in dependance on the ſame: not onelyonly doth the fear of God ſtir up the thoughts of Gods name, but engageth the Godly to ſpeak one to another, to be much in complaints and conference each with other: their hearts ſwel with holy thoughts, and their tongue give vent unto the fire, they can, not but ſpeak againſt fin, in defence p. 294of God and holineſſe, when the wicked ſay, it is in vain to ſerve God, &c. But of this in the next Reaſon: we ſee then that the Godly are fitted for divine favour, being affected with, and afflicted for Gods name, in an evill, dark and cloudy day; and can it chooſe but engage Gods affections unto them: but ſo much for the firſt Reaſon, why God hearkens and heareth, cauſeth a book of Remembrance to be written, and ſheweth ſpeciall reſpect to holy ſervices in times of proſpering prophaneſſe: they are the performances of ſpeciall perſons related to, and qualified for God, for if the tears of a Mother could move an Alexander to o…liteate all accuſations, how much more ſhal the tears and prayers of the Elect, Redeemed, Called, and them that fear the Lord, and think on him. Render ſavouries the ſervices of holineſſe.

p. 295They perform ſpeciall ſervice, and therefore muſt needs meet with ſpeciall acceptance: holy actions are alwayes good, but ſometimes they ſhine with more then common ſplendor; God as well as man hath extraordinary ſervices to put his people upon: ſome ſpeciall acts of ſanctity are laid on ſome hands which are not on others, and done at ſometimes which are not to be done at others. Thus prayer is the work of every day, but holy faſting and Religious vows are the extraordinary ſervice of extream affliction: and ſo Chriſtian conference, though the very act and du y of the Communion of Saints, yet this ſpeaking one unto another in the day when men ſpeak ſtout words againſt God, and ſay it is in vain to ſerve him, is ſpeciall and peculiar ſervice. It is ſpeciall ſervice unto God in reſpect of the matter of it to ſpeak one unto another p. 296by way of complaint, of Gods great diſhonour, by way of comfort under ſuch ſad proſpering providences to the moſt prophane: & by way of confirmation one of another, under ſo ſtrong temptations to apoſtacy: this is no ordinary work to expreſs ſuch ſence of, and zeal for God; It is not the work of every ſoul, no not of every Saint: to inſtruct many and ſtrengthen the weak hands, to ſpeak words that may uphold the falling, to ſtrengthen the feeble knees as did Job; to preach a ſermon, pen a Pſalm, and become a pattern of patience,Job. 3.3, 4. Iſa. 37.Job 3:3Job 3:4Isa 37 as did David, in perplexing times of proſpering prophaneneſs is no ordinary ſervice, no, this requires ſtrength and meaſure as well as truth of grace; they muſt be ſtrong in the faith, that reſtore a fallen brother with a ſpirit of meekneſſe.

To ſpeak one to another is ſpeciall ſervice, in reſpect of the principle p. 297that animateth and acteth the ſame, the fear of the Lord, that excellent, uſefull and acceptable grace before ſpoken of, is, the primum mobile ſpring of this motion, wheel of this Clock, Reaſon of this zeal for Religion. The thoughts of Gods name is the oyl that makes this lamp to burn, and the fulneſſe of thoſe holy hearts who ſpeak out of their abundance; but on theſe I intend not to inſiſt.

The ſpecialtie of this ſervice which indeed ſets the luſtre on it and ſends it with ſtrength and holy violence towards Heaven, is the ſeaſon in which it is performed. Then they that feared the Lord ſpake often one to another: Pro. 25.11.Prov 25:11every thing ſaith Solomon is beautifull in it's ſeaſon: and a word ſpoke in ſeaſon in like apples of gold in pictures of ſilver. It is the ſeaſon that ſets a luſtre on theſe holy exerciſes, they were performed in that juncture of time p. 288which eminently called for them, & Gods attendance to the diſcharge of them: Then they ſpake often one to another, when all men almost ſpake againſt them and their God: then when the multitude did wickedly, and walked ſtubbornly againſt God: they walk ſubmiſſively with God, then when the proſperity of the wicked made men embrace impiety, as the ſtep to honour, and ſtirrup of authority, when onelyonly they that tempted G…d were delivered, and ſuch as wrought all manner of wickedneſs were ſet up: they clave cloſe to piety, and the practices thereof; they patiently wait on God, and plead his Cauſe and provoke one another to courage and conſtancy, then when every tongue was tipped with blaſphemie againſt God and Religion, they ſpake in the defence of both, and witneſſe it is not in vain to ſerve p. 299God, or walk mournfully before him, that God is juſt and gracious and hath regard unto the Righteous, ſo that their then holy exerciſes were vindications of God and godlineſſe; convictions of wicked, prophane, contempts of piety and blaſphemies uttered commonly agaiſt God. Confirmations of weak brethren, ready to ſtumble at proſpering prophaneſſe, and complaints of zeal and affection to Gods holy name, diſhonoured ſo that they run counter to the common cry of the multitude, ſet to do evill, and were ſingular from their neighbours, the ſubj…cts of ſcorn and fury: ſpeaking for God and Religion, when common policy, nay almoſt Chriſtian wiſedome did conclude it an evill time in which the prudent ſhould keep ſilence. For all the fruit to bee expected was oppoſition and perſecution, ſo that this is indeed p. 300ſpeciall ſervice. To live as lights in the midſt of a crooked and perverſe generation, Phil. 2.1….Phil 2:1holding forth the word of righteouſneſs: If God have reſpect to his Children, much more to his Champions; he cannot but take it wel to ſee men beſt in the worſt times.

Shal he ſlight them that ſtand for him, againſt the very pride of proſpering prophaneneſs? Shall hee not ſee to them, that make all the world ſee; They can ſerve God for nought? Hath God regiſtred all the holy men that have ſerved him? no, onelyonly ſuch are made Eminent in ſacred and Eccleſiaſtick ſtory, who have done eſpeciall ſervice to God. Noah a Preacher of Righteous, Lot whoſe Righteous ſoul was grieved for the ſins of Sodom: Job a mirrour of patience, under the prond cenſures of his proſperous friends: David a Cham: p. 301pon of piety againſt the pride of Saul: Paul whom bonds and impriſonment did attend in every place: Origen the pillar of truth againſt Pagan philoſophy: Athanaſius, that hammer of the Arrian Haeriſie: and Luther, that trumpet of the World, and monſter of men for his oppoſition of Pope, Empire and Devill. Theſe and ſuch like are monuments of divine ſupport, preſervation and favour; becauſe patterns of true courage, zeal and piety. Antipas muſt not onelyonly have an honourable mention, but be made an honour to the Church at Pergamus, becauſe Gods faithfull Martyr ſlain where Satan dwelleth; and it ſhall be the onelyonly note of Renown to the Church her ſelf to dwell where Satans ſeat is, and yet to hold faſt: Rev, 2.13ſinfull compliance, ſhamefull connivance, and odious Toleration p. 203of falſe Religions is the blemiſh whilſt zealous, conſtant adhoerence to God, and couragious oppoſition of impoſtors is the duty & only dignity of ſeven famous the Churches of Aſia: this is the eſpeciall ſervice enjoyned, and expected; and when it is done cannot but bee eſteemed. God loves to ſee our garments clean, and unſpotted inſoyling and dirty times: hee muſt lend an eare to that one tongue that ſpeaks for him and his truth againſt common talk, and cauſe a book of Remembrance to bee written for them that repine at the proſperity of prophaneneſs, and read Lectures of patient purſuit of piety, when it ſeemes to be in vain to ſerve God, and make them Jewells in eſteem who were ſoe… in efficacie and p. 303operation ſparkling in adverſe time, and ſpare them in the day of his viſitation, who ſpare not them ſelvs, nor are ſpared by others in the hour of temptation: It adds no ſmal Emphaſis to prayer, when we can appeal to God, for thy ſake we are killed all the day long; and are counted as ſheep for the ſlaughter. All this is come upon us, yet have we not forgotten thee, or dealt falſly in thy covenant: But ſo much for the ſecond Reaſon.

The Godly and their holy exerciſes in evill times do,3d Reaſon, and cannot but meet with ſpeciall acceptance becauſe God is ſpecially engaged to reward them: with the pure, the Lord cannot but be pure, and righteous towards the righteous, though he doth not always diſcover it unto humane ſenſe; yet he is ſo i… himſelf and his peoples faith: his love once fixed is never re…ved, but yet it is not ever diſplayed p. 304or diſcerned. It is conſiſtent with the ſharpeſt of chaſtiſements, though ſeldom ſo conceived: In juſtice, wiſedom, and faithfulneſs he many times hides his face from his deareſt David, and giveth the beloved of his ſoul to the oppreſſor, & ſuffereth proud men to prevail and trample on his truth and people & ſucceed in ſuch horrid impiety as may make the wicked to ſay, God regardeth not the righteous, and it is in vain to ſerve him: nay it may ſtumble the Godly themſelves, and make them almoſt ſlip, and ſay, in vain have I waſhed my hands in innocency, and God hath forgotten to be gracious: but yet whilſt God ſtandeth at this diſtance from his people, and ſeemeth ſo much to own and countenance the wicked; God is bound (to ſpaek with reverence) in unviolable bonds to reſpect the righteous, and openly even in the ſight of men to p. 305give publick teſtimony of ſuch ſpecial reſpect. Hereunto he is engaged not onelyonly by the common courſe of piety, but by ſpeciall engagements and peculiar obligations which ariſe partly from himſelf, and partly from his people

Firſt,God engaged by himſelf. God is under ſpeciall engagements of ſpeciall reſpect to them that are Godly, in evil times and that from himſelf, and they are two, the

1. Vindication of his name and properties.

2. Verifying his word and promiſes.

The firſt engagement that lyeth on God to ſhew reſpect to the godly in times of proſpering prophaneneſſe is the Vindiction of his name and properties: So long as the wicked proſper and the godly are oppreſſed Gods properties are clowded, and p. 304duplicate page p. 305duplicate page p. 306his name contemned: but after returne of the godly the cloud is diſpelled, and contempt diſcharged: the favour of God is extended to the righteous of out his feare of their enemies: For God is jealous of his name, and glory and will not ſuffer the honour thereof to be given to another: Gods chaſtiſement of his children is many times checked by the pride of the rod, which riſeth up againſt himſelf, whileſt it rageth againſt his people: the proſperity of the prophane and perplexitly of the pious, puts God on the Vindication of his power and juſtice, holineſſe and truth: All which are arraigned at the Barre of humane fancy, and there condemned; ſome times, and that often, the wicked charge God with poſitive impotencie but ever attribute to themſelves the acts of his power, in their owne proſperi…y & his people …fflictions p. 361they often ſay becauſe God was not able to bring them into the Land of which he ſware, therefore he ſlew them, Numbers, 14 16. And what is the Lord that he ſhould deliver out of my hands? Is he able to do more then the Gods of Hamath and Arphad, and the Gods of Sepharvaim dumbe Idols that had no power ſaith railing Rabſhakeh? Iſa. 36.18. And ſo tauntingly inſult over the faith of the godly with a Where is your God, and he truſted in God, let him ſave him if he will have him; Chriſt cannot be crucified but his Divine power muſt needs be denyed with a now he cannot come down from the Croſſe and ſave himſelf, who would build the temple in three dayes: theſe are the wild concluſions of ſuch as know he had ſaved himſelf from their rage untill the appointed time: and when they do not poſitively ſpeak Gods impotency, p. 362they attribut to themſelves the …ct of his power, and crie, our hand is high and the Lord hath not done all …his. D ut. 32 27. And by the ſtr…n…th of my h nd have I done it and by my wi…d m, for I am prudent. Iſa. 10.14. So that there is a nec…ſſi…y laid upon God to reſtraine his wrath towards his provoking children, leaſt the enemy behave himſelf proudly, and ſay my hand hath done it: and God muſt r…ſcue Iſ…ll fro… Aſſyria, the rod of his anger, becauſe The Rod ſhaketh it ſelf …gainſt him that lifteth it up: So that a more pregnant argument cannot …e urged in praier, for Gods appearance, then the neceſſity of making, known his power unto the end of the Earth: Nor is God more engaged to vindicate his power, then his Juſtice, and holineſſe, how often have the heathen concluded by the proſperity p. 363of the prophane, that either there is no God, or he is not a Righteous God but that he loveth impiety? as Dioniſius concluded, the Gods take delight in Sacriledge; but we need not traverſe prophane, whilſt ſacred ſtory ab…unds; with ſuch ſinfull inſtances, how do the moſt wicked oppreſſe the righteous? & cry God doth not ſee, God hath forgotten it, and hideth his face, hee will not ſee nor doth he regard it, Pſalme, 10.11. It is in vaine to ſerve God and no Profit, to wa…ke mournfully all the day, for we cal the proud happy, &c. And ſo that God is taxed to be an hard master, and holineſſe is j…dged vanity, nay the very godly themſelves …re ready to condemne the generation of the juſt to be a company of fooles that do in vaine waſh their hands and cleanſe their hearts becauſe they p. 364are afflicted all the day long: They ſometimes raſh y conclude God hath forgotte n to be gratious; and ſo lay injuſtice to Gods charge, nay the pride of the prophane carrieth to conclude, becauſe of Gods ſilence, th…t he is all together ſuch an one as themſelves, an a bettor and approver of their prophaneneſſe and therefore do begin their impious deſigns, with praier to him, & return their ſucceſſe in ſin, with ſolemn, pr…iſes to him, can a God of jealouſie heart his blaſphemy & not remoue its cauſe, and ſet the iniquity of the wicked before their eyes and by making the godly ſee that the proſpering prophane men ſtand but in ſlippery places that ſo they may conclude, truly God is good to the righteous, and by reſcuing the juſt from the power of the oppreſſor make all the world proclaime verily p. 365there is a reward for the righteous, verily there is a God who judgeth the earth: Pſalm, 58.11. Nor is God more neceſſtated to manifeſt his favour to the godly, to vindicate his juſtice and holineſſe, then many other of his properties, and the righteous courſe, of his providence, in directing all things to the good of them that fear him; which I muſt not ſtand to explain, but paſſe unto one property, more and that is his truth, faithfulneſſe.

And this leads us to the ſecond ſpeciall engagement, which is from himſelf, laid on God, to manifeſt reſpect to thoſe that are godly in evill times. viz.

Verifiying his word and promiſes the Lord is juſt in all his works, and true in all his ſayings: His word is eſtabl ſhed for ever, no I…t… of it muſt fall to the ground, many p. 366are the gratious promiſes God hath made to the righteou…, and the de…ay of their accompliſhment makes them many times the deriſion of the wicked, who blaſphemouſly demand, Where is the promiſe of his coming? And ſo mock the Prophets of the Lord: and therefore, though the viſion tarry for an appo…n…ed time, yet it ſhall come, it ſhall not …arry; though the children of God many times doubt, a…d their enemies deny the truth of what is ſpoken concerning Iſraell, yet all muſt be accompliſhed, that God may be proclaimed faithfull and true; God hath ſaid it, and ſhall he not make it good, he hath ſpoken it, and ſhall hee not accompliſh it? Shall be the reaſon why, no inchantments can prevaile againſt Jacob.

p. 367Wee ſee then however the wicked proſper, and the godly ſuffer for a ſeaſon Yet their labour cannot be in vaine, they muſt come into God's thoughts, and be honoured amongſt men, Who are faithfull to him in evill times And; the very height of the wicked helpes forward the ſalvation of the juſt, for Gods properties muſt bee vindicated, God's word muſt bee verified, and that is the firſt p…rt of the reaſon, but ſecondl….

God is under a ſpeciall engagement, to ſhew ſpeciall reſpect unto the godly, and their holy exerciſes in tim…s of proſpering prophaneneſſe and that in reſpect of the godly themſelves, and that to.

p. 368Prevent the danger of ſin.

Plead the cauſe of the juſt.

The firſt engagement laid on God in reſpect of the Righteous, is to prevent the danger of ſin: the proſperity of the wicked is the ſaddeſt ſtumbling ſtone that can lye in the way of the Godly, on this they have done and many times do fall and fearfully wound themſelves; continuall ſorrow on the godly, and ſucceſſe to the prophane, will make the very beſt of men ready to ſhake hands with piety, and ſtrikes hands with the wicked: but God is faithfull and will not ſuffer us to be tempted above what we are able, and therefore will not ſuffer the Rod of the wicked to lye always on the lot of the Righteous, leaſt they put forth their hands to do wickedly. Pſal. 125.….

The ſecond engagement on p. 369God is, To vindicate the Righteous cauſe of his people. The time of croſſe providences is the time of the proud cenſures of the profane: when God ſeems not to Regard, the wicked are ſubject to Reproach the godly: if Job be in adverſity, the ſting of it ſhall be his friends falſe accuſations of hypocriſie; and if David be driven from Jeruſalem b… his ſon Abſolon, he ſhal be curſed by Shimei, and called a man of Beliall, and a man of blood, and a traitor to his Maſter Saul. If a Viper be on Pauls hand, he ſhall bee determined a murderer, but when God ariſeth and delivereth the Righteous, and ſetteth him in ſaf… ty from him that puffeth at him: then ſhall the tune be changed, if God return the captivity of Job, his cenſorious fr…ends ſhall be the firſt that come to comfort him; and if David return in peace, Shimei ſhall be the firſt that meeteth him with p. 370confeſſion of his wicked curſ…ng: & if Paul eſcape the venom… of the Viper then h… ſhal be called a God: For mens cenſures are as changable as their condition; the Reſurrection of name and eſtate goeth together, and ther…fore it is, that Gods appearance to the reſcue of the Righteous from the proud, is ſaid to be a pleading their cauſe: the godly under the clam…urs of the wicked, commit their Righteous cauſe to God, ſilently bear all reproaches, and wait for Gods righteous judgment, and therefo…e God is engaged to reſtore their eſtate and cauſe their Righteouſneſſe to break forth as the ſun at noonday: ſo that if we well w…igh the Specialty of Relation, Gods people ſtand in unto him, the ſpeciall ſervice they do for him in the time of proſpering prophaneſſe, and the ſpeciall engagements which lye on God we muſt needs ſee that there si p. 371great reaſon for the ſpeciall reſpect he ſheweth them, for it is a juſt thing with God to render tribulation to them that trouble you, and to you that are troubled, peace with him. 27 Theſ. 1.6, 7.

I now paſſe then to the application of this doctrine, and ſhall onelyonly improve it unto two uſes. viz. To

1. Check and abate the inſolencies of the wicked.

2. Cheer and animate the diſcharges of the Righteous.

Is it ſo? as certaainly ſo it is; that the godly and their holy exerciſes in times of proſpering prophaneſs do meet with ſuch ſpeciall acceptance from the Lord of hoſts? let this then check and abate the inſolencies of the wicked, the ungodly cannot proſper, but they are proud, nor the Children of God be chaſtiſed, but they are condemned by the wicked: the Proud cannot be p. 372called happy, nor they that work wickedneſſe be delivered, &c. But they blaſpheme God and Religion, and inſult over and reproach the Righteous. God cannot a little frown on his people, but the wicked cry he hath forſaken him. Pſal. 71.11. and follow them with mocks, taunts, and reproaches, as the very ſting of their affliction: David can no ſooner be driven from Jeruſalem by Abſolon, but he is curſed and called dead dog, man of Belial, and bloody man, and counted a rebell unto Saul (whom he durſt never reſiſt) by a blaſpheming Shimei: nor ſhall Jobs ſorrows ſeize on him without the proud cenſures of his proſperous fri…nds: Chriſt cannot be delivered into the hands of men by the determinate councell of God, but he is accounted ſtricken, ſmitten of God and forſaken, nay the pride of the wicked carrieth them out unto p. 273blaſphemy againſt God, as one that ſeeth not, regardeth not, fogetteth and ſorſaketh his people: that is impotent and cannot, or mindleſſe and will not ſave, or ſhew favour to the Righteous, and ſo the rich oppreſs the poor, condemn and kill the juſt and none reſiſt them, and cry out in inſolence, Aha, ſo we would have it, and there is none that can deliver out of our hands: and ſo conclude it is in vain to ſerve God, and walk mournfully all the day, not only in their pride, treading down the godly, but tr…mpling on their holy exerciſes, in ſuch evill times, as of no weight or moment, meeting with no acceptance from God or men; little conſidering the ſpecial favour God beareth to them, who all this while fear before him, think of his name, and ſpeak often one to another, as reſolved to bear the reproaches of the wicked, yet not to forget God or deal falſly in his Covenant, p. 374though they be killed all the day long, and counted as ſheep for the ſlaughter: but let the wicked well weigh in their thoughts the ſpeciall acceptance that the godly & their holy exerciſe, in evil times, doth receive from the Lord of hoſts, and it will cool their courage, abate th…ir inſolency, check their pride and blaſphemie, whilſt the language thereof is that of the Pſalmiſt, in Plaſ. 75.4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. I ſaid unto the fools, deal not ſo fooliſhly: and to the wicked, lift not up the horn: Lift not up your horn on high: ſpeak not with a ſtiffe neck; for promotion comes not from the Eaſt or from the Weſt, or from the South, but God is judge he putteth down and ſetteth up another: for in the hand of the Lord there is a cup and and the wine is red; its full of mixture, and he poureth out the ſame; p. 375but the dreggs thereof all the wicked of the earth ſh…ll wring out and drink them, the horns of the wicked ſhall be cut off, and the hornes of the righteous ſhall be ex…lted. And under all the proſperity of the prophane, and oppreſſion of the righteous, we may hear the godly thus courting the wicked in the language of the …fflicted Church. Rejoyce not over me, oh mine enemie, though I …al, I ſhall riſe again, when I ſit in d…rkneſs the Lord ſhal be a light unto me: I will be…r the indignation of the Lord, becauſe I have ſinned ag…inſt him, untill he plead my cauſe and execute judgment for mee, he will bring me forth to the light, I ſhall behold …s Righteouſneſs, then ſhe that was mine enemy ſhall ſee it and be aſhamed, Mic. 7. ver. 8 9. Let Babylon boaſt. Rabſhakeh r…il, and the wicked inſult over and reproach the godly, at what rate they will, when in …ffliction p. 376and diſtreſſe, yet they muſt know they are related to, and accepted by the Lord: hee hearkeneth, and heareth the conferrence. and complaints conſtrained from them by the proſperity of prophaneneſſe, and remembreth to reward them: they are no leſſe in his eſteeme then his jewels, or under his correcting hand, then ſons, only ſons who ſerve him, and whom he muſt ſpare, the vile vaſſalls and baſe ſlaves may ſee the dear children chaſtiſed, and deride them under the Rod, but their rejoycing is only from the teeth outward, being checked with this conſideration, they are children, and will bee cockered as ſoon as corrected: could but the wicked, when imployed to chaſtiſe the righteous whom God gives into their hands, heare that voice of God? I have forſaken mine houſe: I have left mine heritage, I have p. 337given the dearly beloved of my ſoul into the hand of her enemie. Jer. 12.7. It would (as the hand writing on the wal againſt Belſhazar) make the hearts and bones to tremble, for every word is an emphaticall expreſſion of affection and enforcement of a favourable return: mine houſe, mine heritage the dearly beloved of my ſoul hee muſt needs hearken and hear. This ſpeciall acceptance of the godly and their holy exerciſe doth ſuggeſt unto us ſundry ſpeciall conſiderations, which may check and abate the inſolency of the wicked, and teach them to aſſwage their pride towards the Righteous and their blaſphemies towards their God and the courſe of Religion, and they are theſe (viz.)

1. Enmity of God is conſistent with the enjoyments of the world: peac, plenty, health, liberty, wealth and dignity, the utmoſt enjoyments p. 378and higheſt of proſpering providences are attendants on impiety, and no expreſſions of favour and friendſhip of God: however they be extenſion: of general goodneſſe they are not the leaſt Evidences of peculiar armity: the wicked may be advanced to afflict the righteous, and yet never be accepted of the Lord, nay have God for their very enemie, and one that deſigneth their ruine and rejection: they are not more the objects of Saints deprecation and imprecation then of Gods indignation: however they at preſent ſucceed in ſin and God ſtands ſilent, he will e're long ſet their ſin in order before their eyes: though they are called happy and delivered, and ſet up in the World, they are proud workers of wickedneſſe, tempting God, whom the Lords ſoul hateth: though they may tender unto God ſome ſacred ſervices, and ſolemne ſacrifices p. 379God hath no delight in them ſhuts his eyes to their offerings, his ears to their cries, and counts all unſavoury: The very incenſe and and prayers they offer is an abomination: they can, by the ſerious obſervation of an awakened conſcience, ſee nothing but frownes, wrath, enmity and hatred towards them in the face of God: their very enjoyments and bleſſedneſſe are expreſſions of diſpleaſure: they are indeed in his ſervice and do him ſome work, but it is meer drudgery, fit for ſlaves, not ſons to be imployed in; he uſeth them but his Rod, Axe, ſaw or ſword, which are uſually imployed againſt the objects of his affection, his deareſt friends and choiſeſt children; with the exceeding grief and compaſſion of his ſpirit, & having done this work muſt be rejected, & ruined: what reaſon hath Aſſyria to be lifted up, & in his pride to boaſt p. 380of the might of his power and multitude of his Princes, and brag of his cruel purpoſes, ſaying in his heart I wil deſtroy nations, not a few, whilſt in all his glory & puiſſance, he is only the Rod of anger towards others, and object of his hatred in himſelf; and ſo ſoon as God hath done his whole work upon mount Zion, and upon Jeruſalem, he will puniſh the ſtout heart of the King of Aſſyria, & the glory of his high looks. Iſai. 10.12. What is Babylon better for ſitting as a Queen, and exalting her throne above the ſtarrs of God, aſcending the height of the clouds, & being like the moſt high, ſmiti… the Nations with a continuall ſtroak, ruling them in anger, and perſecuting, without reſpect, unto the reproach of Zion, with a now ſing us our Hebrew Songs whilſt God is her enemy, and will certainly bring her down: were the proſpering providences of this life any certain evidences p. 381of favour and friendſhip with God, they might be ſome cauſes of confidence? but to bee thus raiſed for the greater fall, and enjoy nothing but what is conſiſtent with, and an expreſſion of anger and enmity, as a reſervation and fitting to the day of deſtruction; may wel abate inſolencies, and cauſe low and humble enjoyment of preſent comforts: this may well check the joy, curb the triumph & make bitter the ſweeteſt morſells of the wicked: when common bleſſings do come with and ſpring from the remiſſion of ſin, they occaſion ſerious joy and thanksgiving, becauſe they are the tokens of amity, but whilſt the wrath of God abides, joy, much more inſultatio…, is to be checked: the Prophet Oded doth check the triumph of Iſraell when they had obtained a victory over their brethren of Judah by the ſuggeſtion of Gods wrath p. 382againſt themſelves. 2 Chron. 28. You have ſlain your brethren with a Rage which reacheth unto heaven and now you think to carry them Captive, as if there were not ſins among you, or the wrath of God did not abide on you. Sad are the victories of brethren over brethren eſpecially where the conquerours are no leſſe obnoxious to divine; diſpleaſures, if not much more then the conquered: Thus alſo the Apoſtle James doth call men moſt proſperous, to mourn on the memoriall of the laſt judgment which muſt manifeſt Gods enmity to them, in James 5.1. Go to now you rich, howl and weep, for your miſeries are comming upon you, &c. So long as the enmity of God abides on any, the beſt of outward enjoyments afford no cauſe of jo…, or triumph much leſſe of inſolencie and blaſphemy.

p. 3832. Eſpeciall favour is every way conſiſtent with the utmoſt of external, and preſent afflictions: the righteous may be deſpiſed of men, and ſeemingly diſregarded of God, & yet be the dear children of God: They may lye common amongſt other men, in all outward condition, and yet bee jewells in Gods account: Abraham may wander in the World as a meer ſtranger, and yet be Gods friend. Pharaoh and Abimelech may begin to deal with him as one forſaken, and yet find he is the favorite of the great God who rebuketh Kings for his ſake. Ephraim may be ſpoken againſt, and yet bee a pleaſant child. Job may be left to the power of the Devill, and proud cenſures of his proſpering friends and yet bee accepted of God as the onelyonly upright man of the Eaſt: Iſraell may bee delivered p. 384into the hand of the enemy, and yet bee the dearly beloved of Gods ſoul: and this is no mean check to the inſultings of the wicked, how ever afflictions abound on the godly, Gods affections abate not towards them. Never was Antipaters accuſations more curbed with Alexanders affections to his accuſed mother, with an Neſcitne Antipater? &c. Knoweth not Antipater that one tear of a mother will waſh away all accuſations? then the wicked are by Gods continued Reſpect to the Godly and their holy ſervice, Cain is cr…ſſed in nothing more, then that his brother m…ets with more acceptance then himſelfe, nor is Eſau more enraged at any thing then Jacobs carrying away the Fathers bl…ſſing; it avails not Haman any thing that he is the greateſt Prince in Perſia, if Mordecai the Jew ever become the Kings p. 385favourite, let the eſtate of the Godly be never ſo miſerable, yet if God favour them, the wicked are ſure to fall before them, the envy of the wicked admits them no content, ſo long as the ſorrows of the Godly may conſiſ… with their acceſſe to, and acceptance with God. It is ſtoried that the holy Monks of Bangar were ſlain by King Ethilfrid the Saxon, King of Northumbria, for no cauſ but faſ…ing & praying for the Britains in Weſt Chester. Oh the envy at acceſſe to God!

3. Eſpeciall acceptance of the godly and the holy exerciſe in times of proſpering prophaneneſſe doth argue falſhood and folly in the wicked: they draw many ſinfull concluſions from the ſad premiſes that do befall the godly, and that both againſt God, godlineſſe and godly men. They ſuggeſt and ſay God hath forſaken the earth, hath no Regard to the Righteous, hath forgotten p. 386his people, and cannot, or will not deliver them, they conclude him, by their own ſucceſs in ſin all together ſuch an one as themſelves, they conclude piety to be vanity, and ſay it's in vain to ſerve God, or walke mournfully all the day long, and therefore they reſtrain prayer before God, & ſhake hands with God, let him depart from us, we deſire not the knowledg of his wayes, they embrace impiety as the thing in which God delighteth, with lying, ſtealing, adulterie, murder & what not iniquity? they come & fit before the Lord, & ſay we are delivered to work all theſe abominations: They paſs proud and falſe cenſures on the Godly, brand them with hypocriſie, pride, ambition, charge them with groſſeſt prophaneſſe, conclude Gods hand on them to be auſtere puniſhments of their impiety, implacable expreſſions, of his provoked p. 387furie; tokens of hatred and utter rejection, as if there were in God no favour toward them, or their captivity ſhould never be returned, thus did Jobs friends falſly cenſure him, from his ſuffering condition; and curſing Shimei, lay treaſon, blood, perfidie, and rebellion, to the charge of a ſuffering David, and the blaſphemous Jewes upbraid the faith of the Lord Jeſus as vaine, for that God had forſaken him, when fallen into their hands: nor is it wonder to hear ſuch falſehood from prophane tongues, whilſt the perplexities of the godly, and proſperities of the wicked, make the beſt of men ready in their haſt, to ſay all men are lyars, Pſal. 116.11. and I have waſhed mine hands in vain, and God hath forgotten to be Gracious: But the favour of God doth charge falſehood on all theſe ſuggeſtions, p. 388and convince the wicked to bee lyars indeed, enſlaved to a ſpirit of fallacie, for when the Lord evidenceth the acceptance he had of holy exerciſes in evill times, and the eſteeme he had for holy men, when God comes to make up his jewels, and to lay open before men his attention to, and Recordation of the conſtant piety of his perplexed people, and redeemeth them from their diſtreſſe, he makes the worſt of m…n, to give themſelves the lye, and to change their tune, and ſay, verily there is a God that ruleth the earth, there is a reward to the righteous: Truly God is good to Iſrael, to him that is pure in ſpirit, God will not forſake his people, now he pleads, their cauſe, and brings out their integrity, as the ſun at noon day, and ſends Jobs friends to do pennance for their proud cenſures, paſt on him, in the day of their p. 389proſperity and his diſtteſs, and beg his prayers for their pardon, whe… God returneth the captivity of Job, all his friends do change their cenſorious tune, and charge falſehood on their Concluſions.

Nor doth Gods ſpeciall favour to the godly, argue more of falſehood, then follie, in the wicked who follow the godly with feirce furie, and proud hearts, as if forſaken and forgotten of God, whilſt indeed they labour in vaine and do but kick againſt pricks: whilſt the wicked purſue the righteous with purpoſes of extirpation, and proudly inſult with a, we will purſue, we will overtake; we will deſtroy; we will root out the name of Iſrael: and in their haughtineſſe they do proceed to blaſpheme God; as one that doth not ſee, or regard, doth not mind his people, or matter, what doth become of them, or elſe is impotent and not p. 390able to deliver out of their hand with Goliah blaſpheming the God of Iſraell, & with railing Rabſhakeh: blaſpheme reproach, extoll their voice, and lift up their eyes againſt the holy one of Iſraell: as not able to withſtand his multitude, and puiſſance, & ſo keeping the judgments of God out of his ſight, hee puffeth at all his enemies, and becauſe they eſcape many ſnares, conclude none can prevail againſt them, and ſo grow ſecure, and ſin in the height of preſumption, undertaking the moſt deſperate atchievements, extending the moſt cruel rage and oppreſſion, againſt the godly, and that with the moſt God-provoking perfidie pride and blaſphemy, confiding in their deep counſels; and puiſſant Armies: but when God ariſeth for the oppreſſion of the poor & ſighing of the needy to ſet him in ſafety, from him that puffeth at him p. 391What ſhame ſhall cover their faces and folly be found in all their devices? The favour of God manifeſted to the godly gives juſt cauſe to befoole the wicked in their ſimple apprehenſions of God, and to ſay with David, underſtand, ye brutiſh among the people, and yee fooles when will ye be wiſe, Pſal. 10.7.Ps 10:7he that planted thee are, ſhal he not hear? he that formed the eye, ſhal he not ſee? he that chaſtiſeth the Heathen, ſhall hee not correct? You muſt know that the men whom you oppreſſe, are the bleſſed whom God chaſteneth, and ſo teacheth out of his Law: When God ſhal ſhew favour to the righteous, the wicked are to be befooled, for their acquieſſencie in their preſent proſperous eſtate, where honour ſeemes to court & force it ſelf on them with importunity, they become Lords of all, and every knee boweth unto them, ſo fooliſhly ſecure are they p. 392in their ſlipperie state, that if any Mordecay be too ſtout to bend before them, a lofty Gallows ſhall take him down, and his whole nation, feel the power of the wrath of the greateſt Prince in Perſia, but the bruitiſh man knoweth not, neither doth the fool underſtand, and this when the wicked ſpring as graſſe, and all the workers of iniquity do flouriſh, it is that they ſhall be deſtroyed for ever, Pſa. 92.6.7. Was ever folly greater or more manifeſt, then that of Haman ſwelling in the height of his rage againſt a forlorne Jew, when in his confidence of, but aſking and receiving, he prepared for Mordecay his execution: in the height of his ftownes, he finds the favour of …haſhſueroſh, to be to the deſpiſed Jew, as remembred to have been his faithfull, ſervant in an hour of danger, and now the proud foole inſtead of liſtlng up p. 393Mordecay his head on his prepared Gallows muſt Crown it with a Royall Crown, and become the Jews Lacquey to cry before him the Kings favour: now his wife and friends can ſee when it is too late, it is no fingring thorns, or kicking againſt pricks, or meddling with Gods Iſraell without certain and ſhamefull deſtruction; little did this fool think in the morning that he muſt take the Gallows, and the deſpiſed Jew ſit in the Throne next to the King of Perſia before night: thus alſo wil God befool all the prophane, who are ſecure in their proſperity; advancing what they deſpiſe, making the ſtone which the builders refuſed the head of the corner, and ſo manifeſting that he which ſits in the heavens hath them in deriſion, and when their calamity comes ſuddenly will laugh at them: little wiſdome will the wicked find acted by them in caſting out thoſe whom God will gather into his Cabinet p. 394as Jewells: could but the wicked in time conſider this their folly and falſhood with which they are ſure to be charged, and of it openly convicted, when gods favour to the righteous doth appear it could not but check their inſolency by fear of ſhame.

4. Envy and enraged fury will hasten the expreſſions of Gods ſpeciall favour to the Godly: Excellently well doth the wiſe man counſell the wicked in his ſucceſſe againſt the Righteous. Prov. 24.17, 18. Rejoyce not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he ſtumbleth, leaſt the Lord ſee it, & it diſpleaſe him, and he turn away his wrath from him. Et in te convertat, and turn it againſt thee. Mercer well addeth: for Gods anger muſt have an obj…ct; if the pride of the wicked put a period to it's expreſſions againſt the Righteous, it muſt bee extended to themſelves: God doth indeed p. 395bring his ſaints under the rod of correction, but yet his favour and fatherly pity is towards them: he will ſpare them, as a man ſpareth his own ſon which ſerveth him; when the rod expreſſeth ſharpneſs, cutteth deeper, and ſmarteth beyond the fathers intention it ſtayeth his hand, ſtirring up his compaſſion: The wicked are indeed Gods ſword and rod, the righteous are turned over to them to be chaſtiſed, and God Employeth them in the correction of his deareſt children; and they rejoyce in this ſervice, read their commiſſion, and ſo one ſee they are left of God unto their fury: but they regard not the Cautions and reſtrictions charged on them by the Lord: Like Joab they march out with reſolution againſt Abſalon, ſo ſoon as ever he receiveth commiſſion from David; but never regardeth the reſtriction laid on it by the pity of a father, deal gently with the young man, even p. 396with Abſalon for my ſake, but fret and rage againſt the man that hath regard unto it: will Davids affection be ſo far moved with the ſence of relation as to limit a commiſſion given to ſubdue treaſon and rebellion? and ſhall not the bowells of Gods pity work much towards the righteous, his dear children? with what confidence can the rod rage whilſt every ſtripe on the childe cut… the father to the heart? Can the wicked inſult in the day of Ephraims woe, whilſt God weeps and ſtands over him in his afflictions? Is he not my deare ſon ſince I ſpake againſt him, my bowells are moved within me? when God ſendeth the wicked againſt his people, their ſeverity doth engage him, ſoon to call them back, and although the chaſtiſement of his deareſt children, is the ſervice of his own appointment, yet the ſeverity and cruelty thereof is a property of the envy, provoking God to reſcue p. 397his people, and return his wrath againſt themſelves: Gods great quarrel againſt Babylon is her inſoleney againſt Zion; againſt whom he thus pleadeth, I was wrath with my people; I have polluted mine inheritance, and given them into thine hand: thou didſt ſhew them no mercy, upon, the ancient haſt thou very heavily laid the yoak, Iſai. 47.6. So alſo when the Philiſtines prevaile againſt Iſrael, they provoke God becauſe they take vengeance with a deſpitefull heart to deſtroy it, becauſe of an old hatred, in Ezec. 25.15. Gods jealouſie for Jeruſalem maketh him ſore diſpleaſed with the heathen who help forward the affliction of his people when he was but a little angrie, Zach. 1.15. If Edom do but inſultingly behold his brothers affliction, it provokes God to his own deſtruction. Obadiah the whole propheſie doth proclaim it; the envy & enraged fury of the wicked againſt the godly, ſtrains them beyond p. 398Commiſſion, ſheweth the malice, hatred, and enmity which is in their heart, ſlighteth the God and hand by which they ſtrike, and ſtirreth up ſuch ſighs and groans, fervent prayers and importunate ſupplications, that God hearing, cannot but ariſe to ſet the Righteous free from him that puffeth at him. Pſal. 12.5. Let the wicked never lift up their horns nor in their proſperity trample on the Righteous, though left to their power, for they are ſtill in their Fathers affection beloved as ſons, looked after as Jewels, and wil appear objects of eſpeciall favour and acceptance.

Let theſe conſiderations check and abate the inſolency of the wicked.

Secondly, this doctrine is uſefull to the righteous, ſeeing that the Godly and their holy exerciſe in evil times doth meet with ſuch eſpeciall acceptance from the Lord of Hoſts. Let the conſideration hereof cheer and animate the godly in their loweſt p. 399ebbe and greateſt affliction to be lively in, and affectionate towards acts of piety and true Religion: Lift up your heads under all the preſſures of proſpering prophaneſſe; let your tongues plead for God, when all men ſpeake ſtout words against him; when piety is concluded vanity, cleave cloſe unto devotion; whatever croſſes befal you, deal not falſly in Gods Covenant: Remember no ſmart wild diſſolve a ſolemn vow made to God, if Jepthahs vow extend to his onelyonly daughter and deareſt darling, he hath opened his mouth to the Lord and muſt not go back. Let me ſay to the godly in the language of the Apoſtle, be ſtedfaſt, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, foraſmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Cor. 15.58. Let your conſtancy to Gods Covenant, cheerfulneſſe in holy diſcharges, and Colloquie each with other, bee ſuch, as may beſpeake you in Communion p. 400with God; and comfortably apprehenſive, you are loved and looked after by the Lord of hoſts when lowred upon & laid aſide by prophane men: approve your ſelvs Jewels in holineſs & the ſplendor of a converſation, as ever you would be found Jewels in honor and divine approbation: ſhew your ſelves Sons ready to ſerve, as ever you would be ſpared by a Father: and the more men labour to write your names and ſervices in the duſt; perform the ſervice, ſpeak the language, which may be recorded in Gods Regiſter, that he may hearken and hear and cauſe a book of Remembrance to be written before him: when proſperity doth ſo much attend the prophane that it is a general concluſion, it is in vain to ſerve God; be ſo lively and lightſome in all acts of true devotion; as may manifeſt you can ſerve God for nought: and you are ſenſible of the acceptance of God under the p. 401the utmoſt diſcountenance of men; to this end conſider and have in your thoughts

1. Outward afflictions are conſiſtent with, and arguments of divine affection: no condition ſhould make us to miſtake our Fathers affection: when Satan and cenſorious ſpirits do inferre from the affliction, wrath, enmity and hatred from God, and impiety, wickedneſſe and hypocriſie in the Godly, they reckon without their Hoſt; and do conclude moſt falſely; inferring what their premiſes will not allow; and muſt with Jobes friends do pennance and beg the prayers of their reproached friends; if ever they obtain the pardon of this ſoul deadning errour: we cannot indeed deny but that the very godly are ſurpriſed with this temptation, and check their joyes and duties by miſinterpretation of of outward diſpenſations of provid…nce: yet they in a compoſed ſpirit will convince themſelves of a brutiſh apprehenſion of their preſent condition, which made them draw ſuch belluine concluſions: how doth David befool himſelf for this very errour? we have before ſhewed you that Gods common courſe of providence is no rule to know by, it is no demonſtration of Gods ſpeciall frowns or favour; the moſt wicked may be moſt ſucceſſeful, and the truly godly moſt afflicted: if affliction and divine acceptance were inconſiſtent, how came Abraham (Gods friend) to be the wandring ſtranger of the World? Job that upright man in the Eaſt, to be poor and miſerable Job? David Gods darling to be hunted like a Partridge? Daniell zealous in devotion to be devoted to the Lyons den? the only beloved ſon of God, to be ſtricken and ſmitten of men and forſaken of his father? the Iſraelites ſo forſaken to fall once & again before Bejamin? and the Elect of God to be ſtrangers ſcattered thorow Pontus; Galatia, p. 403Cappadocia, Aſla, and Bythinia? have ſober obſervers lived in any age, and not ſeen the dearly beloved of Gods ſoul given into the hand of the enemie? Shall any then read implacable indignation, and eternall reprobation in any outward affliction? No, the Fathers pity boileth within him, when he will not ſpare correcting for the childes roaring.

Gods love and affection is moſt rationally and religiouſly argued from our outward affliction, and that if you conſider it as chaſtiſement or temptation of a Father. Chaſtiſement I have before noted is an Act of parentall care and pity for the brideling luſt, and purging away ſin, and ſo a fit and full argument of affection: and Trialls of faith and patience, do ſpeak Gods high eſteem of us; for he will not that ſtumbling ſtones lie in the way of weak Saints: If you were not chaſtened you were not children: and if not p. 404tryed in the furnace you could not be boaſted of as pure mettall; God outvieth the Devill by diſpoſing Job into diſtreſs; and maketh Hell to ſee, his ſervice to God is not ſlaviſh, but candid and ingenious, ſerving God for nought: ſo that paſſion and prejudice, ignorance and unbelief muſt blind their eyes that ſee not a conſiſtency between Gods affection and the Saints affliction, nay argueth not the one from the other.

2. Gods favour and acceptance is the only acquieſcency & content of a gracious heart: His ſtudy is to approve his heart to God, not to men; It is to him an eaſie matter to be judged of men for he expects his judgement from the Lord: Godlineſs with content is his onelyonly gain. Let the men of the world have their corn and wine, he only craveth the light of his countenance: Let their bellies bee filled with Gods treaſure, ſo he can p. 405but keep a confidence of awaking in Gods likeneſs, and ſeeing his face in righteouſneſs, he is ſatisfied, Pſal. 17.14, 15. What ever curb or check his outward condition puts upon him he keeps cloſe to God; and continueth in duty; in the ſence of divine favour and acceptance: if his deareſt relations befool him; he matters not; he will be yet more vile in playing the fool before God: Let but God liſten to his language, all the world ſhall not ſilence him; he will ſpeak though all ſpeak againſt him: If fire and fagot, ſword or gibbet, axes or Engins of torments lie in the way of his duty to God, he with cheerfulneſs and courage paſſeth through all; aſſured in himſelfe of divine acceptance. It is ſtoried of the Landgrave of Heſſia, that enduring a long and tedious impriſonment with much cheerfulneſs and conſtancy: being asked how hee could endure it, profeſſus eſt ſe ſenſiſſe p. 406divinas Martyrum conſolationes, he anſwered that he felt the comforts of the Martyrs, the ſence of Gods ſpeciall acceptance made Geneva more delightfull to the noble Galleacius Caracciolus then the enjoyments of a Dukedome, and honourable pleaſure of the Emperours Court.

Thirdly, and laſtly, Obvious and open diſcrimination of the righteous from the wicked, is and will be the effect of Gods favour and ſpeciall acceptance: in the courſe of Gods common providence the godly and wicked are mixed together; there appeareth little or no difference, it is with him that ſweareth as with him that feareth an oath; for all things com alike to all men, only the pebbls being more in number do cover the pearles: The oriency and luſtre of them is abſcured, and they bear no note of excellency amongſt men, ſave their piety which maketh them p. 407the object of mens enmity and reproach: they adhere indeed to God and his covenant, and appear in their places for both, though to the abhorrency of the wicked, for that the proud are called happy: they live ſlighted among men, but ſeen unto, and regarded by the Lord: who is approaching as a ſwift witneſs againſt the wicked, to plead the cauſe of himſelfe and his people againſt the ſtout words and ſcornfull carriage of the proſperous prophane-Gods time is coming when his countenance cannot be hid, his compaſſion muſt and will break out into the expreſſions of favour to his people; his juſtice muſt be vindicated by making all the world to change their blaſphemous tune: he ſaith to the wicked ye ſhall returne and diſcern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that ſerveth God, and him that ſerveth him not: when the wheel of providence hath run its round, & the children of God are taken from under p. 408the rod of correction; then ſhall the horn of the wicked be broken, and the horn of the righteous be exalted: then ſhall the Lord pick up his Jewels and proclaim their dignity by the diſpenſations of his favour towards them: that now the wicked ſhall ſee and ſay, It is good to wait on the Lord; It is not in vain to ſerve him: The very worſt of men ſhal wiſh they may call themſelves by the name of Iſrael, and ſhal now crie out verily there is a reward to the righteous. Truly God is good to Iſrael, When Dives in Hell ſeeth deſpiſed Lazarus in Abrahams boſome; when the envious Jew ſhal ſee many come from the Eaſt and Weſt ſit down in the kingdom, and themſelves thruſt out; when the Goats and ſheep are ſundred, ſhal not the favour of the Lord be obvious, and the diſcrimination of the righteous be open? be therefore contented Oh ye that fear the Lord comfort your ſelves by mutual colloquie and conference: know that God hearkeneth, heareth, and his time of reward approacheth, and then they that reproach and rage againſt the godly ſhall return and diſcern between him that ſerveth God, and him that ſerveth him not.

FINIS.

End of the text · Zachary Crofton, Prospering Profaneness Provoking Holy Conference (1660)