England Faithfully Watched, Lecture 25
Coloſſ. 1.17. In him all things conſist, &c.
PRovidence hath put me to ſpeak of many things, but now ſhe puts me to ſpeak of her ſelf; ſhe is a ſervant of ſervants, ſhe waits upon every one, but now ſhe commands you to wait a little upon her, to know what ſhe is, and what a bleſſing you have in her. Of Chriſt as a creatour you have heard, and now as an upholder, you ſhall hear of him. In him all things are made of nothing, and in him all things abide, or elſe would turn all to nothing. One thing lives in another: fiſh in the ſea, foul in the aire, brutes in the earth, but all in Chriſt: In him all things conſist.
There is an inconſiſtencie in the creation by the curſe, one thing cannot live by another, one thing bites and devours another, great ones eat up little ones; the whole world is a great body gnawing out it ſelf, it hath gnawed it ſelf to skinne and bones now, 'tis ſo old and torn, as is very ſad to look upon, or live in, and it would have gnawed it ſelf to nothing long ere this, if Chriſt had not upheld; in him hath the whole creation, things in heaven and things in earth, a reconciliation of conſiſtency; father would kill ſonne elſe, and the ſtones in the ſtreet would riſe againſt you all, but in him theſe all conſiſt.
The expreſſion ſpeaks ſupportation: there be many things in the world, and they all live upon one. Thou openeſt thy hand and ſatisfieſt every living thing. There be many mouths in the world, and ſome gape very wide, and yet one hand fills them all. In whom things have eſſe, they have porro eſſe; 'tis the caſe of all created things, they are dependant. The nobleſt life below Chriſt, is in Chriſt, upheld in him, or elſe it would die preſently. In him [we live] move, &c. Man, holy man, lives the higheſt life of all creatures here below, yet this is in Chriſt: life is the nobleſt thing and Chriſt is the fountain of this: he is the fountain of the nobleſt life, that any creature duplicate page duplicate page lives: all life, the life of plants, the life of beaſts, the life of men, the life of Saints, the life of Angels, all runnes from that vaſt ſpirit of life, that is in him. Look what your ſpirit is to the little world, that is Chriſts ſpirit to the great world: your ſpirit carries life about to all, to every finger, to every toe, and to every joint; your ſoul is a fountain of life to all the ſtrings, veins, and ſinews of your body, ſo is Chriſt to all the creation, he gives life to all. Bread is called a ſtaffe and ſupport, but this is but by Ordinance from Chriſt; for life comes not merely out of bread, it comes from Chriſt; life is not in bread, but in the word of bleſſing which comes out of the mouth of Chriſt. One thing would die in the boſome of another, if all were not in the boſome of Chriſt; children in the boſome of parents, and parents in the boſome of plenty, for in him, and not in theſe, all things conſiſt.
The expreſſion ſpeaks diſpoſition. Every life hath proper motion, this alſo is in Chriſt. In him we live and [move. Look how ſeas and winds, and heavens, and birds, and beaſts, and men move, and admire, for 'tis in Chriſt. Chriſt is not onelyonly the ſupporter, but the orderer of all things; 'tis not in the nobleſt creatures to live its own life, nor to move like to its own principle of motion: 'tis not in man to order [his steps. Man hath the nobleſt life, the greateſt parts, and gifts, and yet 'tis not in theſe, to order themſelves like themſelves; 'tis not in man to order his life like a man: do you not ſee many men live like beaſts? In whom is it then? 'tis in Chriſt. No life hath its one property independant, we cannot live of our ſelves, nor we cannot move, but in Chriſt, although we have life; life and motion proper to it, is in him: this is true at the ſame height of the new man. We can do nothing of our ſelves, not think a good thought; thinking good and holy thoughts, this is the property of a holy ſpirit, and yet this its own property is dependant; 'tis not in a holy ſpirit, think holy thoughts, but 'tis in Chriſt. To live and to act the leaſt acts of life, is in the fountain of life. In him all things conſiſt, that is, beings, and actions. Chriſt doth uphold goings, as well as beings. Uphold my goings in thy paths, that my footſteps ſlip not, Pſal. 17.5. Such beings and ſuch goings, Chriſt upholds: he upholds the world, and diſpoſes the world; being and government, both are upon his ſhoulders, that is, being and diſpoſition of being. Who hath given him a charge over the earth, or who hath diſpoſed the whole world, Job. 34.13.
Theſe things ſpeake the nature of providence what it is: 'tis a divine condeſcenſion to the neceſſity of the creature: Chriſt becoming an ark for every ſpecies, and for every individuall; power floating upon mercy, with the whole creation in its boſome. Providence is power made out of mercy into food and raiment for the body, grace and glory for the ſouls.
Providence is either common or ſpeciall.Common providence. Common providence, is the naked ſupportation of being, and but a little more at beſt. That the wicked in hell are, is providence, but it were better for them they were not, that their miſery did nihilate them, unleſſe their mercy were more. Common providence is an act of power, diſpenſing things commonly: the heavens give their wealth to all, and ſo do the earth and the ſea: the ſunne lights good and bad, all in and out of the world: God upholds all that fall. There is a generall compaſſion upon our fallen condition, by which it is upheld, and lies in the way of ſpeciall compaſſion. Some things Chriſt carries upon his back, others in his boſome: the one is common providence, and the other is ſpeciall. He upholds all things by the word of his power, he carries all things, ſaith the originall.
Common providence laſts but for a time, God will not alwayes be good to bad men. The triumphing of the wicked is ſhort, ſaith Jobs friends. They flouriſhed like a gree Bay-tree, but were ſuddenly gone, ſaith the Pſalmiſt of the wicked. Divine dealings, ſhall be exactly ſuitable to condition: wicked men, as they have not a drop of grace, ſo they ſhall not have a drop of mercy to cool them, though now they have a great deal. Providence is very promiſcuous for a time, all comes alike to all; but 'twill be very proper, preciſe, and diſtinct in its way, divine dealing ſhall ſpeak the man, the hand of God ſhall plainly ſpeak out the heart of man; as the Lord will be known, ſo ſhall men be known, by the judgements which he executeth: this is a Cain, the brand of a vagabond is upon him, this is a Judas, the character of perdition is upon him: providence marked the one, and pointed out the other: 'tis he that dippeth with me. Both theſe examples rypifie, that divine carriage ſhall be ſuch, to all of that ſide, as plainly to ſpeak out love and hatred. Goats ſhall be known by their places, providence will be ſo exact. If the Bore cannot be known by his hair and his tusks, yet he ſhall be known by the knife that is in his throat, and his roring. Time ſhall be when this expreſſion, in him all things conſiſt, ſhall looſe its latitude; above half the world ſhall be ſhut out of the common providence of God utterly, and then will be the devils harveſt; O what a deal of buſineſſe will he have then, and how will hell enlarge it ſelf! when he ſhall have the ordering of all his own in the world, as he will!
Speciall providenceSpeciall providence, is wiſdome ordering all things about man, to an eternall good: uſing the rod and the ſtaffe to comfort; giving and taking away, clothing and ſtripping the body, to make the ſoul divine. Providence ſeems to be a heap of confuſion, but it hath alwayes a proper ſcope, and all its acts, which to us are ſtrange, ſtill make very directly to it. There are two ſorts of veſſels in the world, and theſe are fitted to their proper end, ſaith the Apoſtle, one to honour, and the other to diſhonour; not an act of God in the world, but it hath a fitting ſcope in it; not an act of God about a Chriſtian, but it hath a fitting ſcope to ſhape his ſoul for Abrahams boſome to fit in Chriſts arms for ever. A man is not to meaſure ſpeciall providence, by an externall ſucceſſe of action towards him as moſt do, but by an internall ſucceſſe: how doth poverty or riches, health or ſickneſſe, better the heart? Right-hand providence, is ſpeciall providence, Why with-draweſt thou thy hand, even thy right-hand, pull it out of thy boſome, Pſal. 74. When that hand orders all to me, upon which I ſhall ſtand for ever, and orders all ſo, as to bring me there, and ſet me there, this is ſpeciall providence. David ſpeaks much of Gods right hand towards him: then is a right hand upon me, when all is ordered to bring my ſoul to its right end, and this is in Chriſt. In him all things conſist. In him grace is upheld, ordered, and brought to glory. Grace cannot live without Chriſt, glory cannot live without Chriſt. In him all things conſist.
Speciall providence is perpetuall, but yet with reſpect to our abiding in him with whom it is; in him all things conſiſt, and out of him Saints cannot conſiſt. If a man abide not in me, he is caſt forth as a branch and withers, which men gather and caſt into the fire, ſaith Chriſt. Chriſt carrieth as he is leaned upon; caſt burdens upon him as many as you will, and he will bear them all; lean not upon him, and he will let you fall, and all your burdens upon you. Chriſt cannot endure to have his children out of his boſome; if they keep in his arms he carrieth them for ever, and is never wearied with them: but let them go out of his arms, and he is tired with them preſently. Speciall providence worketh in order to faith, though it work not ſimply or faith: Chriſt doth all freely, but yet in his own way. Go teach all nations to obſerve whatſoever I have commanded you, and lo I am with you alwayes to the end of the world. In ſuch a way Chriſt walketh, walk out of that way and you will never meet him. This is divinity not underſtood, mens ignorance is to be pittied; when we preſſe dutie as in order to which Chriſt moveth, they ſay we preſſe it as merit, for which Chriſt muſt move: unbelief deſtroyeth ſpeciall providence à tanto licet non à toto, in part though not in whole. Some things Chriſt doth to the ſoul, when it doth not beleeve, and that is to make faith; and other things he will not do till it doth believe, and yet doth all freely. In him not out of him do we conſiſt.
Uſe. Having opened unto you the doctrine of providence, I will give you the uſe of all. 'Tis a hard time, many are much put to it; I have nothing to ſubſiſt ſaith one, and ſo ſaith another: What, haſt thou not Chriſt to ſubſiſt with? In him all things ſubſiſt, and canſt not thou make a ſubſiſtence in him. Extremities put poore hearts beſides themſelves; this is the miſery of miſeries, when the ſoul cannot ſee in whom all is. My husband is dead, my trade dead, but Chriſt is alive, and therefore all is alive: a husband is alive in Chriſt, a trade is alive in Chriſt, better then any you can drive to maintain: It was enough to Jacob that Joſeph was alive, though he and his were ready to ſtarve. Let it be enough to every diſtreſſed heart, that Chriſt is alive; though trade and husband be dead. Chriſt hath all yet, though every one elſe be robbed: in him all things be upheld, and in him you ſhall be upheld.
Ob. In him, I may have ſoul-ſubſiſtence, but as for bodily ſubſiſtence ſurely that will fail, for the meal in the barrell is almoſt quite ſpent, and when this is gone ſurely I ſhall want my bread. Canſt thou truſt Chriſt for thy ſoul, and canſt thou not truſt him for thy body? If thou canſt but look up to Chriſt as all things do, though not as noble things do, yet thou wilt have meat. Sol. The eyes of all things] looke up to thee, and thou givest them meat. Cry but as Hagar, and thou wilt have drink. Seek but as the young Lions, they ſeek their bread of God; and thou wilt have bread. If thou canſt but rore as they do, thou wilt be heard; and bleat and bellow as the cattell of Ninivie, ſome deliverance will come out. Chriſt is never put to it though you be, he will find one thing or other to make proviſion for all. The eyes of all look unto thee, and thou feedest them. Providence hath meat in her mouth for all.
Ob. Meat may be given but the time may be long firſt, and my cheeks begin to grow pale already; my ſervants cry, my children cry, my guts cry for hunger, ſurely I and mine ſhall ſtarve.
Sol. No thou ſhalt not, providence works oportunely, thou ſhalt have meat in due ſeaſon, theſe all wait upon thee, and thou giveſt them meat in due ſeaſon.
Ob. It cannot be: means are gone, and friends are gone; Sol. That is nothing, Chriſt is not gone; providence maketh ſtrangers friends, enemies friends, ravens to feed others, whoſe property it is to devoure; and to feed them ſeaſonably, morning and evening. Among enemies, the children of the captivity found friends, and found favour for a tender conſcience in Babylon.
Ob. A little relief may be to me poſſible onelyonly enough to hold life and ſoul together, but under ſuch ſparing providence, life will be worſe then death, when mercy is miniſtred nothing anſwerable to my neceſſity.
Sol. Let not this terrifie: in Chriſt all ſubſiſt, and ſubſiſt well; thou maiſt not poſſibly have ſo much as thou hadſt, nor ſo fine as thou hadſt, but as long as Chriſt is, thou ſhalt ſubſiſt well, and thine own heart ſhall ſay ſo. Providence doth not alwaies give alike, but doth alwayes do enough for the beſt condition of being: and yet let me tell thee further this, Providence bringeth in ſometimes a great deal more then we expect. See a brave inſtance in Jacob, Gen. 48.11. And Iſrael ſaid unto Joſeph. I had not thought to ſee thy face, and lo God hath ſhewed me alſo thy ſeed. Providence is plentifull and bountifull, as well as ſeaſonable, and bringeth in twiſe as much, twenty times more, then we think of, enough in ſupply neceſſity, yea enough to ſatisfie deſire. Jacob had corn for neceſſity, and he had alſo the ſight of Joſeph and his poſterity, and the life of Benjamin, and many gallant mercies more, which bordered uppon theſe, even to the utmoſt of deſires, ſo literally was that promiſe fulfilled to him, thou ſatisfieſt the deſire of every living thing. Deſire is vaſter then neceſſity, in moſt creatures, in man it is I am ſure, and yet providence is ſo bountifull, that it ſatisfies this. Providence, not onelyonly brings about what one needs, but what one wiſhes, yea more, providence doth prepare things, and beſtow this and that, which the heart cannot wiſh, nor expect; it doth prevent us with loving kindneſſe.
Two things muſt be eyed, to mak Chriſt giuegive out himſelf plenteouſly, for your ſweet ſubſiſtence: the firſt is, intereſt. I am thine, ſave me, ſaith David. God is very tender about his own; a child ſhall have any thing. Remember me O Lord, with the favour that thou bareſt to [thy people] O viſit me with thy ſalvation. Union draws out all the fulneſſe of Chriſt; what goes beſide the pipes which are laid into the founntain, are but drops, and by means of theſe pipes too, theſe droppings are upon the world: Chriſt would not give forth a drop of favour to the world, were there not ſome in it nearely allied to him; all wicked mens mercies are but as it were ſome droppings of the great mercies of Saints; this kingdome would not conſiſt, were there not ſome Saints in it; all the upholding it hath is long of them that are united to him, from whom he cannot break off. England uſe thy Saints well they are thy pipes and veins to heaven, through which thy great bleſſings fall upon thee; All art muſt be uſed to advance intereſt in Chriſt; out of the favour of God, and you will be outed of all, whether it be the caſe of a perſon, or a whole nation. You are not my people, and I will not be your God. Lo-ammi Lo-eli. This man is none of my child, let the devil look to him, let his own father provide for him: this Kingdome is not my people, let it bleed to death and 'twill, will God ſay. England look to this or thou art loſt, and all the world ſhall not ſave thee; let thy reformation be ſuch as to render thee Chriſts Church, that he may ſay England is my people, or thy conſumption will kill thee. Friendſhip in Heaven is all, to the lively-hood of a Nation, or of a perſon here; every thing will run croſſe whileſt the great wheel is out with one: lets all ſet things right with Chriſt and all will run well, let diſadvantages be what they will. But thou Iſrael art my ſervant, Jacob whom I have choſen the ſeed of Abraham my friend; fear not for I am with thee, and they that warre againſt thee ſhall be as nothing.
Intereſt muſt be made and then maintain'd, or elſe life becometh uncomfortable. When ſouls grow looſe they find the evill of their way: Chriſt is tender in providence to tender hearts. 'Tis harder to bring ones heart ſo near God as one ſhould, and then 'tis harder to keep it there; but yet how difficult ſoever, the ſoul ſhall know it is a bitter thing to depart: a ſpirit of love and union abates, and then flowers that ſmell ſweet in the breaſt cloſe, and Chriſt withdrawes: My ſoul cleaveth after the Lord, thy right hand upholdeth me, Pſalm, 93. The ſpirit of union muſt not be checked, it muſt work after the Lord freely: In this way the ſoul hath a right hand upholding it, and this maketh and keepeth the life contentfull. Grace is a purſuit of Chriſt, they live moſt ſweetly that runne moſt ſwiftly after him; check this purſuit and you die. Unbelief maketh fear, fear ſetteth the ſoul at a ſtand; ſhall I go forward, or ſhall I ſtand ſtill? Now God is diſpleaſed & the heart tortured for its baſenes. Englands fearfulneſſe to purſue Chriſt, hath deprived her almoſt of ſubſiſtence, and tumbled her to nothing but bloud. Fearfull hearts purſue your Saviour that you may do well, or he will purſue you: help not on the ruine of a brave kingdome: will neglect of the wayes of the Lord, keep up you, or this tottering kingdomes?