The Churchs Troubles and Deliverance, Pages 1-42

The Churchs Troubles and Deliverance · Pages 1-42

p. 1WE have here an argument of praiſe for a great deliverance out of great extremity, as we may ſee by the former verſes. God having given Abraham a ſonne in his old age, and promiſed that in him all the Nations of the Earth ſhould be bleſſed, doth in this Chapter command him to offer him up for a burnt offering unto God, Abraham obeyeth, goeth to the place that God had appointed, built there an Altar, laid on the wood, bound his ſon Iſack, laid him upon the Altar and ſtretched forth his hand to ſlay his ſon, then God called unto him and bid him ſtay his hand, and ſpare the child, and in his ſtead to offer up a Ramme there ready for him in a buſh, hereupon Abraham (as is related in this verſe) ſets up p. 2a monument of this great providence of God in ſparing his ſon, And Abraham called the name of the place Jehovah-ji…eh. That ſo eminent a mercy and deliverance ſhould not paſſe away with the time, but be for ever remembred; therefore the Lord alſo delivered it in a Proverbe, As it is ſaid unto this day, in the Mount of the Lord it ſhall be ſeen.

The words are a divine Record or Monument erected to perpetuate the memory of this great deliverance out of a great extremity, into which Abraham and Iſaac (in whoſe houſe the Church of God then was) were brought, wherein wee have,

1. The place where.

2. The reaſon why, And

3. The manner or meanes by which the remembrance of this ſo great a mercy is perpetuated.

1. The place where it was. In the Mount, viz. Mount MoriJah, ver. 1.

2. Why he there erected this Monument, viz becauſe God ſees and doth provide an offering and deliver his ſon Iſaac, Heb. 11.19.Heb 11:19Abraham received him as from the dead, an extraordinary favour, and therefore Abraham was much affected with it, and reaſon he had to be ſo, affection in him towards his ſon, naturall as his ſon, ſpirituall as the Son of the promiſe.

1. Naturall, he had a naturall …ffection to him, 1. as his ſon, 2. as the ſon of his old-age, 3. his only ſon, 4. beloved ſon, and 5. the laſt that he was ever likely to have. Old Jacob would goe mourning to the grave, becauſe Joſeph was not, though he had many other ſons and a Beniamin, a beloved ſon alſo. This affection ſo farre prevailed with David, that he for Abſolom broke out into a bitter and patheticall expreſſion,2 Sam. 18.31.2 Sam 18:31 O Abſolom, my ſon, my ſon, would God I had died for thee. How much more cauſe had Abraham to have mourned for …ſaac, had he been ſacrificed, eſpecially by him his Father. What would all the world ſay? What is Abraham, the onelyonly preciſe fellow in the world, become 1. a murtherer, and that 2. of an innocent child, 3. of his owne child, 4. the child of his old-age, 5. his only, 6. beloved child? now fie upon ſuch a fellow he is not worthy to live, theſe be your Profeſſours, theſe be the people of God, ſee what a Religion p. 3they have? and therefore he had great cauſe to rejoyce greatly …t the preſervation and deliverance of Iſaac from ſo neare and imminent a death. But

2. Much more cauſe had he to rejoyce, if we conſider the spirituall …ound of his affection, as 'tis likely he did,Gen. 12.3.Gen 12:3 That he was the child of promiſe, the ſeed of the Church, in whom God had promiſed that all the Nations of the E…rth ſhould be bleſſed, and ſ… deli…erance was a pu…like deliverance and mercy to all the Church of …od, Iſaac the ſeed of the faithfull, and of whom the M…ſſiah ſhould come▪ is now delivered, and that after a wonderfull manner, in the very nick of time, when there was l… hope of ſo great a deliverance and mercy. Here is the grou… of his …ffection and occaſion of erecting this Monument in token of than…fulneſſe for ſo great a mercy.

3. How and by what meanes, the remembrance of this great mercy and deliverance is perpetuated, and that is two waies.

1. In the name of the place, Abraham called the name of the place Jehovah-jireh.

2. In a Proverbe, which is a ſhort and pithy ſaying, which therefore doth make more impreſſion in the mind then other ſentences uſually doe, and therefore is the better and more eaſily remembred, As it is ſaid to this day, In the Mount of the **Iehovah.LORD it ſhall be ſeene.

The ſcope of this place is to helpe the people of God againſt diſcouragement when they ſee it goe hard with the Church, that they are brought into great ſtraits and exigents, that there is no helpe for them in the world, yet they muſt not diſtruſt or be diſcouraged, flag and hang the wing as men out of hope, for In the Mount of Jehovah it ſhall be ſeene (i. e.) in great ſtraits or extremities the Lord will ſhew himſelfe to be Jehovah, the God that giveth being to his promiſes for his peoples comfort, that will helpe them in the fitteſt time. Whence obſerve 3. main points in order thus,

1. That God ſometimes brings his people into the Mount, into ſome great ſtrait, into ſome great extremity or other.

2. That God will be ſeen in the Mount, he will helpe and deliver his people in their extremities.

3. That ſuch mercies and deliverances ſhould be specially noted, and p. 4the remembrance of them perpetuated. Of theſe God willing ſeverally and in order, and firſt of the firſt.

That God doth ſomtimes bring his People into the Mount (i.e.) into ſome great ſtrait or other, Doct. 1.that they know not what to do, nor which way to turne themſelves.

Examples there are very many, both in the ſacred Scriptures and in eccleſiaſticall Stories, of which take a few, which I will but mention (and not largely relate) unto you.

Abraham here was come into the very top of the Mount, to the greateſt extremity, to the higheſt point before God called unto him and gave him a diſpenſation, the Altar was made, the wood laid on, Iſaac bound and laid on the wood, and Abraham was putting forth his hand to ſlay his Son, there wanted but a moment of time to doe that which all the world could not undoe, Iſaac had been ſlaine and offered for a burnt offering unto God.

So Iſrael was in Ægypt a land of affliction (not in Canaan a land of promiſe) that was ſomewhat to humble them;Exo. 1 &c. 5.7.8.9. & 10.Exod 1 the King was againſt them and oppreſſed them, that was more, he ſlew their male-children and afterward drowned others, this was more grievous, this riſeth high, after that their task was doubled, which ſtill added to their miſery. Then againe at the Red Sea, the enemies were armed behind them, the rocky mountaines on each ſide, and the Sea before them, nothing probable but death in their eyes. In the wilderneſſe the fiery Serpents, ſo great wants of water, bread and fleſh, that Moſes himſelfe did doubt whether it were poſſible that ſo great a multitude could there be provided for,1 Sam. 13.22.1 Sam 13:22 unleſſe all the flocks and heards be ſlaine. All Iſrael in Sauls time was brought to that extremity, that their mighty enemies the Philistines came againſt them, they had neither Sword nor Speare, ſave onelyonly Saul and Jonathan.

So the Church of God, 2 Chr. 13, 14, 15.2 Chr 13:142 Chr 13:15all Iudah in Abijahs time, were encompaſſed round about with their enemies, a great army. So againe in Aſaes reigne, when Zerah the Aethiopian came againſt Iudah and Ieruſalem with an hoſt of a thouſand thouſand and three hundred Chariots.2 Chr. 14.9.2 Chr 14:9 In Iehoſhaphats days by the children of Ammon, Moab and mount Seir, 2 Chr. 20.3, 10, …, 22.2 Chr 20:32 Chr 20:102 Chr 20:22againſt whom Iudah had no might nor knew p. 5not what to doe, their enemies were ſo exceeding many and mighty. Ʋnder Hezekiah, 2 Chr. 32.2 Chr 32when Senacherib and railing Rabſhakeh came againſt him and his people.

Againe, In the Babylonian Captivity, Ezek 37.3, 4, 11.Ezek 37:3Ezek 37:4Ezek 37:11they were all as dead b…nes, under a moſt potent enemy, and that neare 70. yeares, when they might have thought God had quite forgotten them. So in Hoſters dayes,Hoſt 3.7, 12, 13, 14, 15. the Decree was ſealed to kill and deſtroy all the Iewes in all the Provinces under Ahaſhucrus.

Inſtances in particular perſons, we have many, as inaa1 Sam 23 25.1 Sam 23:25 David in the wilderneſſe of Maon and ſundry other times, as atbb1 Sam. 30.6.1 Sam 30:6 Ziglag, inccIon. c. 2. & 3.6Jonah 2 Ionas, ddHeſt c 3. & 6.Mordecai, eeDan c. 3. & 6.16.Dan 3Daniel, the three Children, ff2 Cor. 11.23, 24, 25.2 Cor 11:232 Cor 11:242 Cor 11:25Paul often,ggAct. 12.Acts 12 Peter and many others.

So if need were we might out of the Hiſtories of the Church bring many inſtances to this purpoſe from the Primitive times hitherto, even a large Volume of them, but what needs more inſtances to proove ſo evident a truth which none denyeth? Now

The Reaſons why the Lord will ſometimes bring his people into great ſtraits,Reaſons may be taken from the ends of the Lords providence in afflicting his people and bringing them into great ext…emities, which are theſe,

1. To humble his people the more, and ſo make them more fit for mercy; every godly man is not fit for every mercy, fit for deliverance, much leſſe others that are not ſuch, they would be proud, unthankfull, abuſe mercies. An humble man is the onelyonly fit man for mercy, as an empty veſſell is only fit to receive, not the full veſſell; all precious liquour is ſpilt that is powred on it, and the ſeed loſt that is caſt on unplowed ground; as the hony combe to a full ſtomack, ſo are mercies and deliverances to an unhumble people; therefore, it is ſaid,1 Pet. 5.5.1 Pet 5:5 God reſiſteth the proud and giveth grace to the humble and meeke, as the Baker doth not ſet his bread into the Oven (though it be handled and ready) till the Oven be through hot, ſo neither doth God beſtow (eſpecially great) mercies upon a perſon or people till they be humbled, heated with deſire after and prepared for it: as a Husband-man doth not caſt his ſeed into the ground, till the time and ſeaſon of the yeare and the ground be plowed and fitted for it: ſo here. And this is the firſt reaſon God doth ſometimes bring his people p. 6into extremities to humble them and make them fit for mercy: So now to make them fit for the mercies preparing: I doe not ſay that all the people in the Land muſt be prepared, that will never be, but a conſiderable number is needfull, and all ſhould labour to be ſuch.

2. The Lord doth it to prove both the affection and obedience of his people.

1. Their Affection, their faith, patience and love to him, to ſee how they will truſt in him, and cleave to him in evill times, and how they will beare evils, whether they will love their eaſe, liberty, profit, or any other thing, or himſelf moſt, v. 1. it is ſaid, God did proove Abraham, and therefore ſaid unto him,Gen. 22.1.Gen 22:1 Take now thine onelyonly Sonne Iſaac whom thou loveſt and offer him up for a burnt Offering, &c. Now Gods intent being to prove Abrahams fai…h and love to him, to ſee whether he would cleave unto him, and did love his God or his ſon moſt, therefore hee lets him goe on to the very point, he might have given him a diſpenſation before he came out of his doores, when he ſaw him preparing, or in the way, but he did not till it came to the uttermoſt, that he might fully try him, and then God ſayes, Lay not thine hand upon the child, V…. 11, 12.for now I know that thou feareſt me, ſeeing thou haſt not with-held thy ſon, thine onelyonly ſonne from me. As among men many friends promiſe faire, but when it comes to the very point, then it appeares what they are indeed: So here, ſuch as profeſſe friendſhip unto God are knowne when they are tryed at a pinch or ſtrait.

2, So likewiſe, to prove their Obedience, the Lord doth ſometimes put them on it to the uttermoſt, ſometimes hee gives them ſuch commands, that they are put into many ſtraits,So it w s w…th …, & ſo with Daniel, D…. c. 3. … 6. as here Abraham, if he ſhould kill his ſon all the Heathen would cry out upon him for it, if he ſhould tell them that God commanded him ſo to doe, what would they thinke of the true God? How blaſphemouſly would they thinke and ſpeake of him and of the true Religion? If neither of theſe, yet he ſhould looſe his child, his onelyonly ſonne whom he loved deerly, and the child of promiſe. If hee doe it not, then he incurres Gods diſpleaſure. This the Lord p. 7puts his children upon it to ſee if they will obey him, when it comes to matter of great leſſe or ſuffering.

3. God doth it to manifeſt to the whole world and to themſelves the truth and ſtrength of that grace he hath given them, and ſo will glorifie himſelfe in the worke of his owne grace wrought in his people, v. 1. it is ſaid, After theſe things God tempted Abraham: So Chriſt after he was baptized,Mat. 4.1.Matt 4:1 and had received extraordinary evidences of Gods favour from Heaven, He was led into the wilderneſſe to be tempted of the Divell, and ſo tryed; And Paul had a Meſſenger of Satan, a thorne in the fleſh to buffet him long, though he prayed earneſtly to have it remooved, this to manifeſt the truth and ſtrength of grace he had given them, whereby hee brings much glory to himſelfe;3 Cor. 12.7, 8, 9. their chearefull going on through great ſtreights, doth argueſtrength of grace, and Gods great power in them.

All the while the godly are in proſperity, wicked men are apt, and oft doe charge them with hypocriſie and call them hypocrites; but afflictions doe diſcover the truth of their graces. All the while Iob was in proſperity, his ſincerity was not knowne to his enemies, therefore Satan challenged Iob to God for an hypocrite,Iob 1.Job 1 but his great affliction did manifeſt him to be no hypocrite, but a ſincere, upright hearted man truly fearing God, Ʋirtus magis conſpicitur in adverſis, Virtue is moſt conſpicuous in adverſe times, as a Candle ſhines cleareſt and gives the beſt light in the night, and ſo the ſtarres which are not ſeene in the day ſhine brighteſt in the darkeſt and coldeſt winter nights: So grace will then moſt ſhew it ſelfe, when a man is brought to the greateſt exigent under heavieſt affliction. Pauls excellent graces, patience, wiſdome, faith, courage, &c. had never beene ſo conſpicuous, had it not been for his great afflictions and troubles, nor Abrahams faith, nor Iobs patience, nor Moſes meekeneſſe. If there were none or no difficult diſeaſes, there could be no tryall of the Phyſitions skill; the houſe builded on the ſand, ſeemed to have as faire and good a foundation, as that on the rocke, till a great ſtorme came and the windes blew: Proſperity is as the grave that buries many excellent graces of Gods children, but affliction like Chriſts reſurrection (as p. 8it were) opens the graves and manifeſts them to the world, and ſo Gods g…dneſſe and power in them.

As to others ſo to themſelves the truth and ſtrength of their graces are apparent, often times hereby they come to ſee that grace and ſtrength (not of, but) in themſelves which they ſaw not before, hereby it appeares they are ſonnes and not baſtards, ſeeing their heavenly Father ſo tendering their ſoules welfare that he will rather puniſh them, and that ſharply, afflict them and that ſore ſometimes, then let them goe on in ſinne to their hurt and deſtruction. See full to this purpoſe, Hebr. 12.6, 7, 8.

4. The Lord often brings his people into great ſtraits, to quicken them to duties, meditation, ſearching of the Promiſes and paſſages of Gods providence to his people formerly, eſpecially to faſting and prayer. Thoſe that at other times are negligent and ſuperficiall in duties, yea wholly neglect them; prophane perſons will in their ſtraits ſeeke unto God, and others will be more frequent and fervent in duties, I will goe and returne unto my place (ſaith God) In their affliction they will ſeeke me early. Hoſ 5.15. Iſa. 26.16.Hos 5:15Isa 26:16Lord (ſaith the Prophe…) in trouble they have viſited thee, they powred out a prayer when thy chaſtening was upon them. All the while the Sea was calme the Souldiers and Marriners were merry and thought not on God, but when in great danger then every man is buſie to call upon his God,Ion. 1.4, 5, 6.Jonah 1:4Jonah 1:5Jonah 1:6 Ionas was rouſed up with deteſtation of his ſl…ggiſhneſſe at ſuch a time, Awake what meaneſt thou ô ſleeper, ariſe, call upon thy God. When David was in the mire, in the deepe waters, in great danger and trouble; Jonas in the Whales belly, when the Ship was in danger; and when Peter was ready to ſinke, then they cry, Lord ſave us we periſh; So Iacob when wrathfull Eſau came againſt him, he wreſtled all night with God, If God had delivered him at the firſt, hee would not have wreſtled with God as he did, and ſo have miſſed the bleſſing alſo, which he received with the name of Iſrael, ſo Iehoſhaphat, Abijah and Iſrael, and Iudah often. As it is ſaid of our bleſſed Saviour,Lu. 22.44. that being in an agony, he prayed more earneſtly, ſo it is true in all his members, though they pray at other times conſtantly, yet in their p. 9great ſtraits and extremities, they pray oftner and after another manner then at other times, more feelingly and fervently, even the worſt of men will in their extremities ſeeke unto God, In their affliction they will ſeeke me early, becauſe then, when other meanes fa…le, there is none elſe to helpe, and therefore they muſt goe unto God, and ſeeke helpe from him or periſh. And ſo it puts them upon other religious duties, which at other times, it may be, are wholy or much neglected.

5. The Lord doth it do exerciſe, and ſo brighten the graces of his Spirit in his people, which otherwiſe will decline. The beſt pearles and adamants will waxe dusky with long lying in a cloſe Cabinet, grow dull and looſe their colour, though they retaine their ſubſtance and vertue, but dyamonds the more they are worne, the brighter they looke and are more reſplendent; yron with long reſt will gather ruſt, but the more it is uſed the brighter it is; hence ſo many ruſty Swords in this Kingdome, till theſe troubles give occaſion to brighten them: So all the graces of Gods ſanctifying Spirit, though they will not decay in reſpect of their ſubſtance and habits, yet they will (as it were) grow dusky, but the more they are exerciſed, the brighter they are. Afflictions are Gods file to burniſh our ſpirituall armour, make it more bright and ſerviceable.

6. By exerciſing the graces of Gods Spirit in times of tryall, (ſome of which have little or no uſe in times of proſperity as patience and ſome other) they are alſo much increaſed, Mat. 7.17.Matt 7:17and the Saints made more fruitfull, and therefore God brings them into troubles and extremities many times. Afflictions are therefore compared to waters, to raine; as the raine falling on the Earth makes it fruitfull, the ſeed to grow, the graſſe to ſpring, ſo afflictions ſanctified will make barren hearts and lives fruitfull in grace and all good workes. We are like rough, hard, cloddy ground that is not fit to be manured till ſoftned and broken, and it is not every little ſhowre that will doe it, it muſt be a ground ſhowre that ſoakes through: ſo afflictions ſeeme but as the raine to faſten us and make us more plyable to his bleſſed will and more fruitfull, which are ſometimes in ſuch a temper, that it is not every ſmall affliction that will doe it.

p. 10Therefore it is that James ſaith, My Brethren count it all ioy when yee fall into divers temptations, Jam. 1, 2, 3, 4.Jas 1:2Jas 1:3Jas 1:4knowing this, that the tryall of your faith, (viz. by afflictions) worketh patience (one grace begetteth another) and let patience have it's perfect worke, that yee may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing If a man pull off a plaiſter too ſoon, it will not worke a perfect cure: ſo here, let patience (to wit, in bearing afflictions) have it's perfect worke, that, &c. Implying, that if patience have it's perfect worke, it will make a Chriſtian perfect and entire, wanting nothing. They (ſaith the Apoſtle (namely) earthly fathers) chaſtened us after their pleaſure, Heb. 12.10.Heb 12:10but he (i. e. God) for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holineſſe. 2 Cor. 4.16.2 Cor 4:16Paul ſaith, ſpeaking of afflictions, That as our outward man decayeth, our inward man is renued daily. As the waters that lifted up the Arke, the higher the waters were the nearer the Arke was to Heaven: ſo afflictions, though they ſeeme to caſt men low in the eye of the world, and their owne eyes alſo, yet they mount a man higher towards God and make him after a ſort a compleat Chriſtian, that you may be perfect, ſaith the Apoſtle, and entire. There are 2. parts of a Chriſtians obedience, active and paſſive, doing and ſuffering and both theſe together make a man a compleat Chriſtian, for parts, though not for degrees of obedience.

That which the Poet ſaid of vertue,Affl…ctiones fortē reddu … fortioreus Chryſ Hon. 2. ad The▪ 2. vireſcit vuluere virtus, vertue gets ſtrength by wounds, ſo grace by afflictions, and as in brave generous ſpirits, difficulties doe heighten their courage and reſolution, ſo here great afflictions and great ſtraits doe raiſe a Chriſtians graces, his faith, &c. to a higher pitch, as Camomell the more it is troden, the more it ſpreads and the ſweeter it ſmels, and ſo doe ſpices the more they are pounded, and a Pomander the more it is rubbed, and vines that are often pruned, the better they beare; ſo the graces of the Saints, the more they are exerciſed, the more they grow: as phyſick though it be bitter and ſometimes violent and churliſh in the working, yet the body afterward is the ſtronger by it, for it purgeth out the corrupt malignant humour that doth weaken the body, ſo doe afflictions and troubles, though ſometimes great and grievous, for the preſent, yet they doe good, they are a meanes to beget and increaſe ſpirituall ſtrength.

p. 11Thus Afflictions and tryals doe, as diſcover grace, ſo increaſe it by exerciſing of it, Actus intendit habitum, ſaith one,Bellar. ſi nervoſè fit, the act doth increaſe the habit if it be done with all a mans might, ſo doe ſtrong afflictions, great tryals, for they put a mans upon the exerciſe of all the grace he hath, to put it out to the uttermoſt.

7. The Lord often brings his people into great afflictions, as to try and improve the graces of his Spirit in them, ſo likewiſe to diſcover corruption. Great afflictions, great tryals doe diſcover much corruption: Peter thought himſelfe much better then he was, till the tryall came, and then his unbeliefe and cowardiſe in Chriſts cauſe appeared. There were ſome who in Q. Maries days and other times of perſecution made boaſt they would ſuffer much for Chriſt, as Peter did, and went on far, but when it came to the pinch, to the point of ſuffering, they drew backe, we are generally like Hazael, 2 Kin. 8.12, 132 Kgs 8:122 Kgs 8:13apt to thinke we have no ſuch foule corruptions in us, ſuch vile luſts, but Schola crucis, Schola lucis is true alſo in this ſenſe, it diſcovers much corruption, and the greater the tryall is, the more corruption will appeare, witneſſe Jobs carriage in his ſufferings. The fleſh is like a cunning enemy, that will not diſcover all his ſtrength till he come to a pinch of need, and then puls out all he hath.

Queſt But you will ſay, what good will this doe?

Anſw. Much, for ſinne being diſcovered may more particularly be confeſſed, bewailed, repented of, oppoſed and amended; but more of this in the next.

8. The Lor… ſometimes brings his people into great ſtraits, as to diſcover,Tunc anima purgatur, quum propter Deum premitur, Chryſ. Iſ. 1.25. & 27.6.Isa 1:25Isa 27:6 ſo to purge out corruption and pur ſie his people from the droſſe and filth of ſinne. J will turne my hand upon thee (ſaith God) i e. bring troubles upon thee (and marke what followes) and purely purge away all thy droſſe, &c. And Cap. 27. By this ſhall the iniquity of Jacob be purged, and this is all the fruit to take away his ſinne, by this, that is by afflictions and troubles, as appeares by, v. 7. So in Daniel, Dan. 11.35.Dan 11:35Some of them of understanding (i. e.) of the godly (who onelyonly are truly wiſe) ſhall fall, i. e. into afflictions and great troubles, not to breake and deſtroy them,Dan. 12.10.Dan 12:10 but as it followes, to try and to purge them and make them white. And againe, Many ſhall be purified and made white, namely by the great p. 12troubles of the Church. So godly Zechariah, I will bring the third part thorough the fi…e, Zach. 13 9.Zech 13:9and will refine them as ſilver is refined, &c. now we know the end of the Refiners caſting his metall, be it of ſilver or gold, is not to waſte and conſume it, but to purifie, doe a way the droſſe and make it more precious: and ſo doth God deale with his people, when he caſteth them into the fire of affliction. Indeed afflictions and troubles in their owne nature drive men from God; if God follow a wicked man with grievous plagues and troubles, if they have their owne proper worke and effect, they make him more impatient and raging even to blaſpheme ſometimes, and the more grievous are their troubles,Rev. 16.9, 11.Rev 16:9Rev 16:11 the more outragious evill men are, They were ſcorched with great heat and blasphemed the name of God, and repented not to give God the glory, but blasphemed the God of Heaven, becauſe of their paines,—but God makes them to worke this good e fect in his people, contrary to their owne nature, therefore (ſaith Job) When he hath tryed me I ſhall come forth as gold. Iob 23.10. Hoſ. 2.5, 7.Job 23:10Hos 2:5Hos 2:7When Iſrael went a whoring after her Idols, God hedged up her way with afflictions and troubles, there reſembled to thorns and that made her to returne to God.2 Chron 32.2 Chr 32 All the while Manaſſes had his Kingdome and proſperity, he did multiply tranſgreſſion, but when God had ſtript him of his honour and pleaſure, and carried him into Babylon, and bound him with chaines, then he humbled himſelfe greatly and turned from all his evill waies to God.Luk. 15.Luke 15 So the Prodigall, while his mony and credit laſted he ſwagger'd it out in voluptuous courſes, but great extremities of want drove him to conſider his wayes, leave his evill courſes, and returne with teares in his eyes and ſorrow in his heart.

As of waters the running water is pureſt and wholeſ meſt, but that which ſtands ſt ll will gather mud and purifie: ſo it is with the godly, and the way to refine them is to drive them as men doe their wines f om off the lees, from veſſell to veſſell, from one trouble to another; that is the way to refine them from the lees of ſinne, which otherwiſe they will be apt to ſettle upon,Ier 18 11.Jer 18:11 as Moab did. Moab hath bin at eaſe from his youth & he is ſetled on his lees, & hath not bin emptied from veſſell to veſſell, neither hath he gone into captivity therefore his taſte remaineth in him, and his ſent is not changed.

p. 139. The Lord doth it to keepe his people from committing many ſins for the future. If we had all things to our deſire and lived in proſperity but a while, we ſhould waxe wanton, goe on ſecurely in our owne wayes,D…ut 32.15. Ezek. 16 7. to 16 2 Chro. 12.1. 2 Chro. 26.16.Ezek 16:7–162 Chr 12:12 Chr 26:16 and be ready to lift up the heele againſt God, as J…jurun did when he waxed fat. So alſo did Iſrael in Ezekiels time. So did Rehoboam when he had eſtabliſhed the Kingdome and ſtrengthened himſelfe, He forſooke the Law of the Lord and all Iſrael with him, and Ʋzziah when he was strong, his heart was lified up to his deſtruction, and ſo Hezekiah: and what did Salomons great peace and proſperi y,Iſa. 39.2.Isa 39:2 but beget in him abundance of luſts? Becauſe they have no changes, Pſ. 55.19.Ps 55:19therefore they feare not God, ſaith David, Troubles, eſpecially great ſtraits make men ſtand in awe of God, and ſo doe prevent ſinne as well as purge out ſin; afflictions are like a hedge of thornes or wall by the way ſide, that keepe men from breaking out, and ſtepping a ſide as otherwiſe they would. Afflictions are Gods rod, to keepe wicked men and Gods owne children in awe. As the Wolfe makes the Shepheard that before ſlept, to watch and ſtand upon his guard to prevent the ſpoyling of his ſtocke; ſo troubles make men to ſtand upon their watch, and be more carefull to avoid ſin for the future.

10. The Lord doth ſometimes bring his people into the Mount of troubles, to let them ſee the vanity and emptineſſe of the creatures, that they are but as a broken ciſterne that is empty and wanting, when there is moſt need of water; like a hollow reed or a broken ſt…ffe, that will faile a man at a pinch of need, and lay him in the dirt or midſt of the ditch, when it ſhould beare him over. When a man is brought into great ſtraits, even to extremity, then he ſees that there is no helpe in the creature, that vaine is the helpe of man, that Phyſitions, Friends and all leave him, becauſe they can doe him no good, and ſo in other caſes of extremity, when a man ſees that other outward meanes will doe him no good, but like a broken Bow will ſtart aſide and faile him, when it is hard drawne, then men ſee the vanity and nothingneſſe of the creatures. We are apt to thinke there are great matters in them, that much helpe and comfort is to be had from them, and therefore eagerly deſire them and doat on them, and p. 14neglect God: therefore the wiſe God doth ſometimes bring his people into the Mount, into ſuch a condition that outward meanes and friends faile them, and will doe them no good, to let them ſee the vanity of all things under the Sunne.

11. To weane us from the world, make us weary of it and long after Heaven: Afflictions and troubles are good meanes to cure a man of love of the world: ſickneſſe, poverty, perſecution, and other great troubles, make men weary of their lives. Elias when he fled from the wrath of Jezabel and Ahab, 1 …. 19 4.he ſate under a Ju…iper tree, and requeſted for himſelfe that he might dye; not a word of dying before hee was brought into this great ſtrait, that he muſt either fly for his life, or dye by the hand of wicked Iezabel. This made Paul deſire to be diſſolved and to be with Chriſt, that he was then in bloody Nero his priſon, though that was not the ſole cauſe of that his deſire. If we had all things here at will, wee ſhould with Peter deſire to build Tabernacles and abide here; but afflictions and troubles, eſpecially great ones, make us weary of the world, like as wormewood on the mothers breſt doth imbitter it, and makes the child out of love with the breſt: So afflictions and troubles doe imbi t…r our worldly comforts, make us weary of the world, out of love with it and to aſpire and long after Heaven.

And both theſe tend much to draw his people to truſt in him, and ſo to rely and bottome themſelves upon him, as to commit themſelves to him, to roule themſelves and leane upon him alone. When a man is come ſo fa…te into ſuch an extremity▪ that all outward helpe and meanes faile him, and there is none to rely upon but God, that either be muſt caſt himſelfe wholy upon God, or periſh, be undone, if God helpe him not he is undone, he hath no hope elſwhere, it will drive him to roule himſelfe and rely upon God, if there be any faith and hope in him that God can and will helpe; as a man ſhipwrackt at Sea, when hee ſees there is no other way to be ſaved but ſuch a rocke or planke,Heb. 11.17, 18, 19.Heb 11:17Heb 11:18Heb 11:19 then he caſteth himſelfe on that and reſolves to reſt thereon. Here Abraham was brought to a very great ſtrait, he caſt himſelfe on God, he beleeved that God was able to raiſe up his ſome again from the dead, p. 15and therefore hee caſt himſelfe upon God. So it wrought with Paul and others, they received the ſentence of death in themſelves (i. e.) ſaw no way or meanes of life, all hope from outward meanes failed, and therefore they caſt themſelves wholy on God, heare his words.2 Cor. 1.9, 10.2 Cor 1:92 Cor 1:10 We received the ſentence of death in our ſelves, that we ſhould not truſt in our ſelves, but in God, which raiſeth the dead, who delivered us from ſo great a death. It was a great extremity Paul and the reſt were brought into, Act. 27.Act. 27.20.Acts 27:20 No ſmall tempeſt lay on us (ſaith the Apoſtle) all hope that we ſhould he ſaved was taken away. See how this drove him to truſt in God, v. 25. Sirs be of good cheare, I beleeve God, &c. When the ſtorme was exceeding great, the Ship ſplit and all failed, nothing but the waves or peeces of plankes, yet then he caſt and committed himſelfe to God, yea then he muſt doe it or periſh, no hope, no helpe any other way. Thus the Lord would have his people to truſt in him and rely upon him alone, and this is a ſpeciall meanes to drive men to it, to unbottome them of the creature; neceſſity is a good argument, and it is well if any thing will make a man truly and ſincerely to caſt himſelfe on God.

12. Sometimes againe, The Lord brings his people into troubles, to make his Word and Promiſes ſweeter unto them, and all his mercies to reliſh better. When a man is toſſed to and fro, and wearied with beating his braines and endeavouring by all wayes and meanes, yet in vaine, and as it were againſt the ſtreame and wind, ô how welcome then will a promiſe be to ſuch a ſoule!Pſ. 110.50. Contraria juxtaſe poſita magis cluceſeunt.Ps 110:50 how ſweet will the word to be to him that finds no helpe, no comfort in any outward thin… This (ſaid David) is my comfort in mine affliction, thy word hath quickned me, put life into his drooping, dying ſoule. Every mercy is ſweet to a gracious heart, but in caſe of extremity it is moſt ſweet; contraries doe beſt diſcover one another, the bitterer the affliction is here, the more grievous the trouble, the ſweeter will the word be to a gracious heart, as every thing is ſweet to an hungry ſoule.

Alſo troubles, bitter afflictions will ſweeten glory, they put a kind of excellency and eminency on Heaven and glory p. 16it ſelfe, and make it more ſweet and glorious. Great afflictions and troubles here, make Heaven (if I may ſo ſay) more heavenly: the haven is moſt pleaſing to a weather-beaten Mariner, ſweet after bitter, health after ſickneſſe, eaſe after paine, meat after hunger, the triumph after a ſharpe battell; ſo troubles here on Earth, doe after a ſort ſwee…en the life to come and make it more excellent and ſoul-raviſhing.

13. The Lord dealeth thus with his people to increaſe thankfullneſſe in them for mercies. When he comes in the very necke of time, at the laſt pinch, when all outward helpes and hopes faile, then mercy will be welcome indeed and thankfully received. Here when it was come to the uttermoſt, Abrahams hand was lifted up to ſlay his ſonne, then comes a diſpenſation from God, which much affected Abraham, therefore he preſently (as it were) erects a monument with this inſcription, In the Mount of the Lord it ſhall be ſeene, and called the name of the place Jehovah-jireh, i. e. the Lord will ſee or provide. So in Heſters time when things were brought to a great height,Heſt. c. 4. & 9. a deſperate pinch, then God workes their deliverance and they were much affected with it, when a man is brought to extremity then mercy affects much, and accordingly the heart is inlarged in thankfulneſſe. The more bitter the affliction is, and the greater the extremity, the more welcome and thankſ-worthy mercy and deliverance will be. A hungry beggar will be thankfull for every ſmall matter and courſe almes; but he that is full is ready to ſlight every thing; A full ſtomacke loaths the hony-combe, Pro. 27.7.Prov 27:7ſayes Salomon.

14. Laſtly, the Lord ſuffers the enemies of his people to prevaile and bring his people to an extremity, that he may have occaſion to manifeſt his glorious Power, Wiſdome and Juſtice alſo.

1. His Power, Wiſdome and Goodneſſe in the manifeſt ſupport of his people in their troubles, holding them up (as it were by the chinne) in the midſt of the waters, that they ſinke not: So Gods admirable power and goodneſſe did appeare, in making the Arke to float ſafe upon the waters, the buſh to burne and not be conſumed, the Church to be brought into great ſtraites, ſometimes to the utter moſt extremity, and yet not be quite diſſolved p. 17and periſh, likewiſe preſerving Daniel in the Lyons den; the three children in the fiery furnace, Jonas in the Whales belly.

Likewiſe in delivering them cut of extremities, that when it comes to that paſſe, that point of extremity, that all helps and meanes faile, yet that he can and will help at ſuch a pinch of need, a dead lift, when none elſe can, here appeares his great care, wiſedome, and goodneſſe to his people, as in delivering Iſrael out of Egypt, where they had been ſo many hundred yeares, and under ſo powerfull an enemy, and Judah out of Babylon, Peter out of priſon, Jonas out of the Whales belly.

2. His juſtice appeares alſo in the deſtruction and confuſion of the enemies of his Church, as Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar, proud and potent enemies, Senacheribs great army.Exod. 9.16. Rom 9.17.Exod 9:16Rom 9:17 Of Pharaoh it is ſaid, and may be of the reſt of them: For this cauſe have I raiſed thee up, to ſhew in thee my power, and that my Name may be declared throughout all the earth. God ſometimes ſuffers his people to be brought into great extremity, and their incorrigible enemies to goe far and prevaile much for a time, but it is that his power and juſtice may be more cleare and remarkeable in their deſtruction.

Beloved, his people into afflictions and troubles,Tantum admittitur D…olus t… n…re …n…mii … be pro…eſt. ut exe… ar…, ut …be… u…ui …e …ſe …ba… teipſo invemaris. …. Aug. in Pſal. 61.Ps 61 theſe are the reaſons and ends why the Lord things even into the Mount ſometimes, to the uttermoſt extremity, to humble them the more, and make them the more fit for mercy, to prove their faith, patience, love and obedience, to manifeſt the truth and ſtrength of his owne grace in them, to quicken them to duty, to exerciſe and brighten their graces, and increaſe grace, to diſcover corruption, purge out ſinne, purifie and prevent ſinne, to let them ſee the vanity of the creatures; weane them from the world, and draw them to relye wholly on him, to make his Word and Ordinances ſweeter, to make them more thankfull, and to ſhew his power, wiſedome, providence, and goodneſſe in preſerving and delivering his people, and his juſtice alſo in deſtroying his and their ſtubborne enemies.

Now while I tell you what Gods end and ayme is, I doe alſo tell you what is your duty, it is to put you on, to j yne with God, to accompliſh his ends. Now the Lord hath brought us into the p. 18Mount, almoſt to the very top, I tru…t for ſome great mercy to his people, doe you now labour to anſwer Gods ends, to be kindly and throughly humbled, and ſo fit for mercy, fit for deliverance, fit for peace and reformation: The great mercy that God intends, therefore to manifeſt your faith and obedience, your love and patience at this time of tryall, to manifeſt to the world the truth and ſtrength of your graces, be quickened to duties of falling and prayer; exerciſe grace, and let your profiting appeare: labour to finde out your lurking corruptions, to be rid of them, to be more carefull to av yde ſinne for the time to come, to ſee the vanity of all outward things, and be weaned from the world, long and labour after Heaven, to reſt wholly on God, find more ſweetneſſe in the Ordinances, be more thankfull for mercies when they come, and admire Gods pure wiſedome and goodneſſe towards you, and ju…tice on his Churches enemies, when God ſhall take vengeance on his adverſaries, and deliver his Iſrael.

1. For terrour to the enemies of Gods people.Ʋſe. If his owne people are ſubject to ſufferings and troubles, and are ſometimes brought into ſuch extremities, that they know not what to doe, or which way to turne themſelves, what ſhall then the wicked, and the enemies of his people ſuffer? If all that will live godly muſt ſuffer, and ſometimes undergoe hard things, ſhall the wicked eſcape? Doth God deale ſo with his children, what then will he doe with his ſervants, yea with his enemies, the ſlaves and vaſſals of Satan? will he not ſpare them that make conſcience of their wayes, that endeavour to live moſt holily, to walke uprightly with God in all their wayes, what will he doe with them that live prophanely, looſely, ſcandalouſly? If God ſo laſh them that ſinne out of infirmity, weakneſſe, ignorance, want of watchfulneſſe, careleſneſſe, whoſe hearts are bent to pleaſe the Lord, and honour him, what will he doe with them that wittingly and wilfully goe on ſtill in their ſinnes, after many faire warnings and admonitions? If ſinnes of infirmity be accompanyed with croſſes and troubles, and that in extremity ſometimes, what will be the end of bloud-ſhed, of whoredome, drunkenneſſe, curſing, ſwearing, fearefull imprecations, ſcorning and ſcoffing at goodneſſe, and envying purity and ſincerity? p. 19If he deale ſo hardly (as it may ſeeme) with Abraham, Jacob, David, Jeremy, and other his deareſt ones, what will he doe with prophane Eſau's, ſcoffing Iſmaels, curſed Cams, and the reſt of the rabble of wicked men?Luk. 23 31.Luke 23:31 If it be thus with the greene Tree, what ſhall be done to the dry? If God deale thus with his owne people, what will he doe with his and their enemies? the common enemies of his Church, bloud-thirſty enemies, that ſeeke the ſuppreſſion of his glorious Goſpell, the ruine and deſtruction of his Church & people?Prov. 11.…1.Prov 11:1 Behold (ſayes Solomon) the righteous ſhall be recompenced in the earth, much more the wicked and the ſinner. I conceive the place to be meant of ſuffering for evill-doing, God will correct and puniſh his owne people, therefore much more the ungodly, and moſt of all the profeſſed bloud-thirſty enemies of his Church:1 Pet. 4.17, 18.1 Pet 4:171 Pet 4:18 If Iudgement begin at the houſe of God, where ſhall the ſinner and ungodly appeare? yea where ſhall the profeſſed and publicke enemies of the Church appeare? If Chriſt ſhall be revealed from Heaven in flaming fire, 2 Theſ. 1.7, 8, 92 Thess 1:72 Thess 1:82 Thess 1:9with his mighty Angels, to take vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the Gospell of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, and puniſh them with overlasting deſtruction from the preſence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power, what ſhall be the end of theſe men that deſpiſe and ſpurne at the Goſpell, and ſeeke to ſuppreſſe it? ſuſpend and ſilence the moſt able, faithfull and conſcionable Preachers of it?

See Jer. 25. ver. 12, &c. where God by his Prophet Jeremy, after he had threatned the Jewes with 70 yeares captivity, he propheſies of the utter deſtruction, and perpetuall deſolation of Babylon, and other Nations that were the adverſaries of his Church and people, and ver. 15. he cauſeth the Prophet to take the cup of Gods wrath, and make all the Nations drinke of it, but eſpecially looke upon and weigh well, ver. 28, 29. In caſe they refuſe, ſaith the Lord, to take the cup at thy hand to drinke, then ſhalt thou ſay unto them, Thus ſaith the Lord of Hoſts, ye ſhall certainly drinke. For loe, marke the reaſon, I bring evill on the City that is called by my Name, and ſhould ye be utterly unpuniſhed? ye ſhall not be unpuniſhed. This is the uſe wicked men, eſpecially the enemies of the Church ſhould make of this point, to think of it with dread and aſtoniſhment, to repent and amend;Phil. 1.28.Phil 1:28 for to p. 20them that will ſtill goe on in their evill wayes, this very thing that they are enemies, is to them an evident token of perdition, ſaith the Apoſtle.

For in common reaſon, If they that are Gods owne peculiar people, who have the ſpirit of God and Chriſt, who are the ſonnes and daughters of the God of Heaven, the dearly beloved of his ſoule, whom he loves next to himſelfe in Chriſt, who are all beautuous and lovely in his ſight, being adorned with the graces of his ſpirit, who are his jewels, as deare to him as the apple of his eye, who doe often bewaile their ſinnes againſt God, judge and condemne themſelves for them, have the Spirit of God and Chriſt to pleade for them, who doe unfainedly deſire to pleaſe God and honour him, and walke uprightly before him: If his Abrahams, Johs, Jacobs, Da…iels, and other his Favourites ſuffer grievous things, and are ſometimes brought into great extremities, then I appeale to thine owne conſcience) thinke what thy doome is like to be, that never repenteſt, that ſeldome prayeſt in private, that never ſtriveſt againſt ſinne, but rather ſtriveſt to exceed in ſinne, at leaſt goeſt on ſtill in ſin and ſinfull courſes, againſt all reproofe, checks of conſcience, admonitions, &c.

And can it ever ſinke into the head of any reaſonable man, that the adverſaries of his people, the malignant enemies of the Church ſhall goe unpuniſhed, when his owne deareſt children eſcape not the rod? Beleeve it Brethren, every diſgrace, every diſ…aſe, every affliction that befals the righteous, is to the wicked▪ eſpecially to the open enemies of his people a pledge of that everlaſting ſhame, and thoſe everlaſting woes, plagues, curſes, eaſeleſſe torments which ſhall ſeaze upon them for evermore. If the Lord Chriſt himſelfe, when he ſtood in our roome, and ſuſtained the perſon of a ſinner (…hough he was in himſelfe without ſinne, moſt holy, harmeleſſe, the Son of God, and heire of all) ſuff…red ſuch grievous things, had his bloud ſhed, his fleſh rent, and his ſoule pou…ed forth, yea brought to that extremity, that (though ſupported by his God-hea…) he cryed out in the extreame bitterneſſe of his ſoule, lying under the ſence of divine wrath, My God, my God, why haſt thou forſaken me? then ſurely nothing remaines to wretched ſinners, that notwithſtanding p. 21all warnings goe on ſtill in their evill wayes, but a fearefull expectation of judgement. This is the firſt uſe of this point, terrou… to wick…d men, eſpecially to ſuch as are the profeſſed enemies of his Church or people.

Secondly, ſeeing the godly,Ʋſe 2. even the moſt faithfull ſervants of God are here ſubject to ſufferings and tryals, and that of the greateſt, then let us hence learn this point of ſpirituall wiſdome, to prepare for the worſt. What hath been the caſe of the Church or people of God formerly, may be ours hereafter, yea it is already in a great meaſure, things are growne very high, we are come to the top of the Mount, and Iſaac is even ready to be ſlame.

And be ſure of this, while there is a Devill, and he at liberty, who is an enemy to all mankinde, but eſpecially to the Church of Chriſt, and the godly in it, againſt whom he hath a moſt bitter enmity and implacable malice, the godly muſt looke for troubles, even the moſt grievous that he can procure.

2. Alſo while there are wicked men, the Devils inſtruments,Gen 3.15. 1 Pet. 5.8.Gen 3:151 Pet 5:8 ſet on fire from Hell, heated with moſt bitter envy and rage againſt the godly, ſeeking to hinder their welfare, and diſturbe their peace, partly out of ignominy of God, Jeſus Chriſt,Ioh. 16.2. 1 Pet. 4.4.John 16:21 Pet 4:4 and the worth, and excellency, and uprightneſſe of the Saints; partly out of malice againſt the Saints whom they hate, and whoſe graces, goodneſſe, and outward proſperity they envy,Pſal 38.20. 1 Ioh. 3.12.Ps 38:201 John 3:12 and ſpecially this great happineſſe, which ſurely God intends his people by this great and long deſired worke of reformation, ſo happily and hopefully begun by the worthies of Iſrael, eſpecially while the Papiſts, Prieſts and J…ſuites, the Devils choiſe inſtruments doe continue among us, we can looke for no ſetled peace and ſecurity, but the worſt they can poſſibly doe: As well may the Lambes live ſafe among Wolves, the Calves among Lyons, Hares among Hounds, and the Dove among Kites, thinke to be quiet, ſecure and ſafe, as the godly thinke to be quiet and ſecure, to enjoy proſperity and peace with wicked men, eſpecially with Rome, while Romes baſtard brood of curſed Impes, the Prieſts and Jeſuites find harbour among us, beſides other exigents and tryals, that God uſually brings his people into for their good in the concluſion, as well as he did Abraham here.

p. 22Yet ſuch is our folly for the moſt part, that we never thinke of trouble till it comes. When the Morning is faire, and the Sun ſhines, we feare not a ſtorme, and ſo are ſometimes taken (as it were) without our cloake. We are wonderfull apt to promiſe peace, health and proſperity to our ſelves, and to put far from us the evill day; but if neither Abraham, nor Jacob, nor Job, nor David, nor others (though the friends of God, and very powerfull with God, beloved and approved of him, men of renowne, Kings and Princes, for outward accommodation in the world, learned, wiſe, great and honourable) could not be priviledged in this particular, but found many and great troubles and tryals, and were brought ſometimes to the uttermoſt extremities, why ſhould any of us (if we be indeed ſuch as we would be thought to be, the children and faithfull ſervants of God) thinke to eſcape ſuch things?

Therefore we ſhould doe wiſely to premeditate of evils, and prepare for them before-hand, and the wiſe-hearted will doe ſo. A prudent man foreſeeth the evill, and hideth himſelfe (ſaith Salomon) but the ſimple paſſe on and are puniſhed. Prov. 22.3.Prov 22:3There is the benefit of premeditation and fore-arming our ſelves, we may more eaſily eſcape evils, as a ſtorme foreſeen may be avoyded by flying to a ſhelter. And if troubles foreſeen cannot be prevented or avoyded, yet they may be much more eaſily borne, by being fore-armed by expectation and preparation. A blow foreſeen may be kept off, at leaſt from doing that hurt which otherwiſe it would doe. Great evils, yea ſmall ones, when they come ſuddenly upon us, unexpected and unprepared, they often ſtrike deep, and afflict ſore, more then others that are far greater which we expected and prepared for.

The neglect of this preparation for evill times, is a maine reaſon why even good men are ſo exceedingly perplexed when ſudden evils befall them, ſo unpatient and uncomfortable, and others fall off from the truth and the profeſſion thereof, like the houſe builded on the ſand when a ſtorme came, becauſe they did not before-hand lay a good foundation, thinke what they ſhould meet with in the way to Heaven, and prepare for the worſt.

p. 23Quest. You will ſay what is to be done, that we may be prepared for troubles, that whatſoever troubles may befall us, we may be able with comfort to undergoe them?

Anſw. 1. Firſt and above all, get God to be thy friend, Directions. Rom 8 31. Iſa. 54.17,Rom 8:31Isa 54:17to be reconciled unto him, and have intereſt in him: For if God be with us (ſaith the Apoſtle) who can be againſt us? what enemy? what weapon can prevaile? If a man be brought into the Mount, into never ſo great troubles, to the uttermoſt extremity, that all meanes, helps and hopes in the world faile him; yet if he have aſſurance of Gods love and favour (who is all ſufficient, and all i… all) all outward troubles and wants will ſeem little or nothing to him. Therefore here Abraham went as willingly into the Mount, and did undergoe this great tryall, with as compoſed and cheerfull a ſpirit, and ſo hath many a faithfull ſervant of God formerly, and of late yeares, went to priſon, to the Pillory, yea to the ſtake, as cheerfull as many a man would goe to his owne houſe. Therefore ſeeke unto God betimes, make thy peace with him, confeſſe and bewayle thy ſinnes, humble thy ſelfe before him, intreat his favour in the Lord Jeſus,Act. 12.Acts 12 as the Sydonians did Herods favour, by the meanes of Blaſtus the Kings Chamberlaine. And this if we doe, be at peace with him while we are in peace and proſperity, he will know our ſouls in adverſity, and we ſhall alwayes have a rocke to ſly unto, in the greateſt waves and ſurges of affliction, and a ſure way to ſave all,Mat. 20.39.Matt 20:39 even then when we loſe all in the world for his ſake.

2. Fore-caſt the coſt and charge of Religion, and likewiſe the rewards and comforts. Fore-thinke the worſt that may come, the greateſt afflictions, troubles, perſecution, or other tryals that can befall. And thinke alſo of the rich reward and comforts of well doing here and hereafter, and then c…ſt up the accounts, and ſee what a mighty diſproportion there is betwixt the affliction▪ and troubles here, and glory hereafter: As the Apoſtle did (ſaith he) I reckon, Rom 8.18.Rom 8:18that the ſufferings of this preſent time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which ſhall be revealed in us. I reckon, He caſt up all before-hand.In vulgata Edit Roberti Stepha…i. The word foreign ſignifies (not as the vulgar tranſlation renders it, Exiſtimo, I thinke, implying only a probable conjecture, but) a certaine weighing and concluding upon ſound conſideration. As a man that caſts p. 24up accounts, reckons up all the ſmall ſummes, and layes the particulars together, to ſee what the product or totall is: ſo the Apoſtle caſts up all the particular ſufferings that he had or could ſuffer from the hands of God, Men, Devils, or any other creatures, or any way for righteouſneſſe ſake, and layes all together and then compares that with glory and upon ſound judgement concludes, I reckon that the ſufferings — And ſo muſt we doe, if we would comfortably undergoe the worſt condition, as Paul did. This good adviſe our Saviour gave to his followers, when he ſaw great multitudes, he turned to them and ſaid, Whoſoever doth not beare his Croſſe and come after me, Luk. 14 27.28, …9, 30, 31.Luke 14:27Luke 14:28Luke 14:9Luke 14:30Luke 14:31he cannot be my Diſciple. Alſo more clearly in the Parables of bu…lding a Towes, and making warre with another King; therefore fore-caſt the coſt, conſider before-hand what you may ſ…ff…r, and the great and incomparable reward of well-doing and ſuffering in a good cauſe.

3. Settle in thy heart a full purpoſe and firme reſolution in the Name of God, to ſtand it out, to undergoe the worſt, come what will come; be it loſſe of credit in the world, loſſe of liberty or wealth, yea, to dye, and to part with all rather then Chriſt and his truth, or betray the peace of the Land, or doe any unrighteous action, reſ…lve to ſuff…r rather then to ſinne. Such a reſolution Paul …ad, when his friends told him that he muſt be bound at Jeruſalem, Act. 21 13.Acts 21:13and be delivered into the hands of the Gentiles, and beſought him with teares not to goe up to Jeruſalem, ſaith he, What doe ye meane to weep and to breake my heart? I am ready not to be bound only, but alſo to dye at Jeruſ…lem for the Name of the Lord J…us. C. 20. v. 23, 24.Likewiſe Cap. 20. The Holy-Ghoſt witneſſeth in every City, ſaying, That bonds and afflictions abide me, but none of theſe things move me, neither count I my life deare unto my ſelfe, ſo that … might finiſh my courſe with ioy, and the miniſtry which I have received of the Lord Jeſus. Reſolution will carry a man on far, and inable him to undergoe much.

4▪ Labour for an habit of Self-denyall. This will be of great uſe, and help us much: Therefore our Lord Chriſt when he exhorted any to follow him in taking up his Croſſe, (i.e.) by a willing ſubmitting to ſuffer and undergoe all troubles, they ſhould meet with in the way to Heaven, gives them this good counſell, p. 25and commands them to obſerve it, to deny themſelves. Mat. 16.24.Matt 16:24If any man will come after me, let him deny himſelfe, and take up his Croſſe, and follow me. Marke the order of the words, and then this will follow, That he that will beare all afflictions and tryals comfortably, and follow Chriſt ſincerely, muſt firſt deny himſelfe. When a thing is dead, you may doe with it what you will, pricke it, or throw it into the fire, it is not moved: ſo it is with the man, whoſe carnall will, reaſon and affections are mortified; when a man is dead to the world, then whipping, buffering, or the fiery tryall of perſecution, which ſtrips a man of all outward things, troubles him not, or very little. Let us therefore labour to mortifie our luſts, to deny our ſelves, take off our hearts and affections from the world, and the things of it, and ſet them upon God, Chriſt, Heaven, and Life eternall, and ſo on the wayes and meanes that will bring us thither; for he that hath learned to deny himſelfe in any thing, and hath his heart weaned from them, will without trouble part with an Iſaac, with any thing at Gods command, ſuffer the loſſe of all with joy, as the faithfull Jewes did, Heb. 10. and regard no bands, afflictions,Heb. 10.34. Rev 12.11. Act. 20.23, 24.Heb 10:34Rev 12:11Acts 20:23Acts 20:24 or ſufferings, They loved not their lives unto the death. None of theſe things move me (ſaith Paul, a ſelf-denying Chriſtian) neither count I my life deare unto me, &c.

Oh this world is a mighty hinderance to ſuffering! When God cals into the Mount, theſe earthly comforts and contentments are like a great clog on our hearts, and hinder us much. We are wonderfull unwilling to part with a deare friend, eſpecially an Iſaac, a beloved ſonne, or husband, or wife, or our eſtates, preferment, reputation in the world, eaſe, liberty, or any carnall contentments we affect; therefore get thy heart off from thoſe, deny thy ſelfe in thoſe, or whatſoever worldly thing is deare unto thee, and then it will be an eaſie matter with Abraham to follow God into the Mount, to doe or ſuffer any thing at his command, and for his ſake.

5. That a man may undergoe with comfort greater tryals, he muſt begin and exerciſe himſelfe with ſmaller ſufferings to beare them cheerfully. He muſt doe as men doe for temporall skirmiſhes, to ſight with men. Firſt, they learne in private Schooles, and it may be with woodden ſwords, or with blunted points, that p. 26will doe little or no hurt. They that will be victorious in ſet-battles, doe firſt traine themſelves at home, and ſee how they can carry themſelves, learne their ſeverall poſtures for every ſadden emergent occaſion, ſhoot firſt with powder at marks, &c. So a Chriſtian that would behave himſelfe bravely in Chriſts field, in Chriſts cauſe with Abraham, Job, &c. muſt learne and exerciſe himſelfe at home and before hand; learne to ſuffer at home, and beare the thruſts of woodden Swords: the perſecutions of Proteſtants, the ſcoffes, ſcorns, reproaches, and other vile carriages of carnall Proteſtants, before he enter into the field to encounter the bloody perfections of Papiſts and their Adherents: He that cannot indure the frownes, diſgraces, threats, and ſuch like petty in juries from evill men; prophane wretches though they be great perſons in the world, will never by any ordinary providence ſtand out to ſhed his blood in the cauſe of God, for the Lord Chriſt and his Countries good.

So againe, he that cannot beare petty loſſes, croſſes or troubles, will hardly ever great tryals with more then ordinary aſſiſtance from God. It is therefore good to begin betimes, to accuſtome our ſelves to beare and ſlight all ſcoffes, ſcornes, and cuſtome our ſelves to beare and ſlight all ſcoffes, ſcornes, and frownes of men, cheerfully to undergoe all ſmall loſſes and troubles, & ſicitur ad magna, and ſo we ſhall in time be inabled t undergoe great things with little alteration in our affection, yea, with much patience, cheerfulneſſe, courage and conſtancy.

6. Labour to have a ſtrong well rooted and well grounded faith and love of God and Chriſt.

1. Faith, a well planted and well grounded faith, this will enable to cleave unto God in the hardeſt times, to caſt our ſelves, and rely wholy on his providence, in hope, above hope, when all worldly means, helps and hopes faile.

2. Love, Eph. 3.17.Eph 3:17labour to be rooted and grounded in love, as the Apoſtle ſpeakes; what is the reaſon that many fall away in evill times, in times of ſuffering? is it not becauſe they have no true, ſincere love to Jeſus Chriſt and his Truth? Many waters are not able to quench Love, neither can floods of water drowne it. i. e. no afflictions,Cant. 8.6, 7. Rom. 8.37, 38Song 8:6Song 8:7Rom 8:37Rom 8:38 his cauſe and waies, but as he p. 27in the Story, if one hand be cut off, he will hold by the other, if that alſo be cut off, he will catch hold with his teeth. He will reſolve with Ruth for Chriſt, and the cauſe of God and his Countries good; Whither thou goeſt I will goe, Ruth 1.16, 17.Ruth 1:16Ruth 1:17and where thou lodgeſt I will lodge, where thou dieſt I will die, &c.

Therefore Beloved in the Lord, labour for a well grounded faith, and a ſound, unfained love to God, to Jeſus Chriſt and your Countries peace and welfare; ſound love I ſay (not ſuperficiall, a lip-love, but) a deepe rooted and well grounded love. The reaſon why the good ſeed that was ſowne, and ſprang up quickly, wither'd when the Sunne roſe, was, becauſe it had not ſound rooting, it wanted root; be carefull therefore to have a well grounded love that hath good rooting, root of judgement and root of affection, to have ſuch a love as Chriſt hath to us, even to dye for us, ſo doe you love him ſo, as to be willing to part with an Iſaac, with any thing, be it life it ſelfe for his ſake. Now treaſure up faith and patience and love, as Joſeph did corne ſeeing a day of utterance will come, a day of ſpending not of getting, a day wherein all wee have may bee little enough.

7. To adde one more (for we cannot ſay too much, we cannot be too well prepared for the evill day) I ſay with the Apoſtle, Tut on the whole Armour of God, Eph. 6.11, 12, 13.Eph 6:11Eph 6:12Eph 6:13that you may be able to withſtand in the evill day, and having done all, to ſtand: for we wreſtle not with fleſh and blood, but againſt principalities and powers, &c. If a man be to fight with his enemy in the field, he will put on his armour to defend himſelfe in the beſt wiſe he can, and great reaſon he ſhould doe ſo, his life is in danger. In like manner ſhould the true Chriſtian doe, we in our ſuff rings and tryals, have to encounter, not onelyonly with outward troubles, and inward corruptions, but alſo with Satan, who is not fleſh and blood, but a ſpirit mighty in power and policy, therefore called Principalities, Powers, the Rulers of the darkneſſe of this world, the god of this world, &c. and therefore we have great need to buckle about us all the peeces of our ſpirituall armour, and be well skilled in the uſe of them, and they are theſe 7. The

1. Pecce of the Chriſtians ſpirituall Armour, ver. 14.is the girdle of p. 28Truth, that is, Ʋprightneſſe, Sincerity and ſingle heartedneſſe, to ſticke to the Truth for the Truths ſake, to take Chriſt for himſelfe, Religion for Religions ſake. A girdle is for uſe and ornament, it is comely and profitable, and ſo is this, it will be of great uſe for a Chriſtian in evill times, as a girdle was in thoſe dayes when men wore long garments, to bind them together that they might better apply themſelves to their worke, runne, goe, or doe any thing which a long looſe garment would hinder: Therefore buckle on this peece of Armour, labour to be ſincere, upright hearted in all your wayes and dealings with God and men, and to imbrace Chriſt, the truth and Religion for themſelves, not for by-reſpects.

2. The Breaſt-plate of Righteouſneſſe or Juſtice, Ver. 14.Put on the Breſt-plate of Righteouſneſſe, ſaith the Apoſtle, Righteouſneſſe or Juſtice (I meane diſtributive Juſtice) whereby a man doth carry himſelfe righteouſly and juſtly in all his wayes toward God and men, giving unto God that beliefe, love, feare, honour, praiſe and obedience that is due unto him, and to men that love, reſpect, obedience, &c. that is due unto him, I meane in reſpect of unfained deſire and endeavour. This is a Breſt-plate, what is the uſe of a Breſt-plate? to guard the heart, liver and other vitall parts from darts, arrowes, ſhot and the thruſts of the enemies: ſo doth Righteouſnes guard a man againſt temptations in times of tryall.

Therfore labor to manifeſt the truth and power of godlines, by an hearty indeavour to walke in obedience to all the commands of God, to give unto God that tribute of praiſe, love, &c. that to him appertaineth and is due, Render to God the things that are Gods. 2 Cor. 1.12.2 Cor 1:12The Apoſtle tels us the benefit of it, when he ſaith, This is our reioycing, (namely in times of affliction and trouble) the teſtimony of our conſcience, that in ſimpl…city and godly ſincerity we have had our converſation in the world; this will comfort and cheere the ſpirit in evill times.Pſal. 110 6. …. 4 6, 7, 8.Ps 110:6Ps 110:4 Then ſhall I not be aſhamed (ſaid David) when I have respect to all thy commandments. So Paul, I am now ready to be offered up, (i. e. to ſhed my blood for the Goſpell and Chriſt) hence-forth is laid up for me a crowne of Righteouſneſſe, &c. But how came he by this comfort and confidence, that he could with ſuch willingneſſe p. 29ſhed his blood in the cauſe of Chriſt? ſaith he, J have fought a good fight, I have finiſhed my courſe, I have kept the faith, the doctrine and grace of faith. Oh what a comfort will it be to a man in evill times, in all his troubles, that he can truly ſay, I have walked uprightly before God, I have diſcharged a good conſcience in all things, I have lived in all good conſcience towards God, and towards man.Ver. 15.

A 3^•. Peece of ſpirituall armour are ſhooes of peace, ſhod with the preparation of the Goſpell of peace, i. e. when a man hath true peace of conſcience and with God, ariſing from the knowledge of the Goſpell, and what God and Chriſt hath done for him. Likewiſe, when he hath true Chriſtian patience, a patient ſpirit to ſuffer any thing for Chriſt and the Goſpell. This will prepare and arme the ſoule againſt all troubles a man ſhall meet with in the way to Heaven; as ſhooes doe ſave the feet, and arme them againſt the prickes and thornes. If a man have no ſhooes, though he may walke well on the ſmooth ground, yet he cannot endure ſharp gravell, prickes and thornes; but he that is well ſhod can tread upon them, and make a ſport of it: So many can endure any reproaches, &c, by reaſon of patience and inward peace:Act. 5.41. Heb. 10.34.Acts 5:41Heb 10:34 that is one maine reaſon why the Martyrs were not moved with perſecution, impriſonment, yea, rejoyced at the ſtake, in the midſt of the flames; therefore labour to be ſhod with the preparation of the Goſpell of peace, to be armed with peace and Chriſtian patience. This will arme a man againſt the prickes.

A 4^h. Peece of ſpirituall armour is,Eph. 6.16.Eph 6:16 The ſhield of faith. Above all (ſayes the Apoſtle) take the field of faith. There is a double faith, hiſtoricall and juſtifying.

Firſt a man muſt have hiſtoricall faith, which is an aſſent to the truth knowne. A man muſt be ſoundly principled and informed in the grounds of the true Chriſtian Religion, otherwiſe he ſhall never be able to ſuffer for the Goſpell of Chriſt, till well grounded in the truth of Chriſt, much leſſe wholly caſt himſelfe upon the goodneſſe of God, and lay down his life for Chriſt. He that would be able to ſ…ff…r for the Goſpell, muſt firſt know and be …ſſ…red that that is the only true Religion, and that the true reformed Proteſtant Religion, which by the goodneſſe of God we enjoy and profeſſe, is evidently grounded upon the p. 30Goſpell of Chriſt. A man will never ſuff…r for that he doth, unleſſe he hath good ground for what he ſuffers; for what man will lay downe his life for he knowes not what? An ignorant perſon is eaſily ſeduced and d…awne from the true Proteſtant Religion to Popery, becauſe he hath no good ground for his Religion, though there be cleare ground enough for it in the word of G d.a Tim. 1.11. Paul did indeed valiantly ſtand to the truth of the Goſpell: For which cauſe I ſuffer theſe things, Nevertheleſſe I am not aſhamed, marke his reaſon, for I know whom I have beleeved. So againe,Rom. 1.16.Rom 1:16 I am not aſhamed of the Goſpell of Chriſt, for (ſa…th he) it is the power of God unto ſalvation; therefore he was confident in it, and moſt willing to ſuff…r for it. Labour therefore to be well grounded in the knowledge of the truth, that you may be able to anſwer the adverſ…ry, when he ſhall aske you, why will you run your ſelfe into danger? why will you ſ…ff r? remember your ſelfe, life is ſweet▪ and the fire is terrible? you may anſwer, why ſhould I not? I know that it is the truth, I can give you good reaſon of my faith from Gods owne word; therefore doe your pleaſure, I will never deny it, or ſhrinke from it.

2. Saving or iuſtifying faith, which we may properly call alſo divine faith, which is a grace of God, whereby a man doth reſt himſelfe on the promiſes of the Goſpell, waiting upon God, for the accompliſhing of them to himſelfe in particular, in Gods due time, by which a man doth ſhrowd himſelfe under the wing of Gods protection, for help againſt all evill and evill ones, and for ſtrength in temptations and tryals. This guards the ſoule as a ſhield and buckler doe the body: It makes God our ſhield and buckler, againſt all the fiery darts of the Devill our adverſ…ry, who is moſt buſie in times of affliction and tryals. Above all, take the ſhield of faith.

This will hold up the head in the midſt of all ſ…fferings and tryals. I had fainted (ſaid David) unl ſſe I had beleeved to ſee the goodneſſe of the Lord in the Land of the living. P… 17 13. Heb. 10 37. H…b. 2.4.Heb 10:37The iuſt ſhall live by his faith (ſaith the Apoſtle from the Prophet Habakkuk) hee ſpeaks of evill times, when there is nothing to ſupport but his faith in God, as Abraham here. This inables the true Chriſtian to overcome the world, … J…h 5.4.in all temptations and allurements from p. 31the world and evill men. This made Paul and the Apoſtles, and all thoſe worthies mentioned, Heb. 11. ſo couragious in all afflictions and tryals; therefore labour to have a firme faith, in the undoubted accompliſhment of all the gracious promiſes of God in due time.

5. Hope, The Helmet of ſalvation. Eph. 6.17.Eph 6:17Hope of Heaven and ſalvation ariſing f…om a true faith in Gods mercy through Chriſt. This ſ…feguards a Chriſtian againſt all aſſaults of Satan and tryals in affliction, as an helmet ſafeguards the head,Heb 10 34 & 11.35.Heb 10:34Heb 11:35 againſt all darts and blowes of the adverſary in the day of battell. What will not a man doe or undergoe, that hath ſome evidence and hope of ſ…lvation? Therefore to faith joyne hope, that as by faith we lay hold on eternall ſalvation, ſo we may by hope patiently wait for it.

6. The ſword of the spirit, which is the word of God. When a man is well verſed in the word, and doth make that the rule of his life, to be guided and governed by it in all things, and doth anſwer all temptations, carnall friends, and their reaſonings, as our Saviour did Satan, with a Scriptum eſt, It is written, thou ſhalt not doe this or that. This will firſt backe temptations to evill, as a ſword held to the breaſt of a theefe, will (if any thing will) keep him from doing that miſchiefe he intends. 2. It ſerves to direct a man in all conditions how to carry himſelfe, Pſal 119. Thy word is a light unto my paths, and a lanthorne unto my feet, Pſ. 119.105. & 99.104.Ps 119:105Ps 99:104it giveth underſtanding to the ſimple, &c. 3. It comforteth the upright with it's moſt gracious and moſt ſweet promiſes: ſo it did David, In the multitude of my thoughts within me, Pſ. 94.19.Ps 94:19thy comforts delight my ſoule. When David was caſt downe with manifold ſtraits and troubles on every ſide, that he knew not what to doe, the word afforded him ſweet comfort. Againe,Pſ. 119 92.Ps 119:92 Ʋnleſſe thy Law had been my delight I ſhould have periſhed in mine afflictions. Againe, Though I walke in the vall…y of the ſhadow of death, I will feare none evill, for thy rod and thy ſtaffe they comfort me: The rod and ſt…ff… is the word of God, eſpecial…y the promiſes that are as a ſt…ffe to truſt upon. It is of ſingular uſe, as alwayes, ſo eſpecially in evill times to a gracious heart; therefore take to you this weapon alſo, labour to have the word of God dwell in you richly, (i. e.) plentifully, to be well skilled and verſed in it,Col. 3.16.Col 3:16 p. 32that you may have it ready upon all occaſions, to make uſe of it.

7. To th… …ſt adde Prayer. …Praying (ſaith the Apoſtle) al…ay… …. We …y not at any time, much leſſe in times of tryall, … bo…tomes, r…lye on our owne ſtrength, but … he will inable us to undergoe all ſuff rings and … …nnot ſee how the Martyr, could poſſibly end…re … …ous flames, if they had not often and earneſtly b…ſought … to prepare them for evill times, and inable them to undergoe them to his glory, and with comfort to themſelves and others; therefore labour to get and buckle on all thoſe peeces of ſpirituall armour, and to uſe them, and that with prayer; for to have this ſpirituall armour, and not to uſe it, is like the foole in the Proverbs, P…. ….17.16.that hath a price in his hand, but hath not the wit, or an heart to uſe it; to have a ſword and not draw it, when his enemy aſſaults him. Yet ſo it is, that many Chriſtians who have this rich and precious armour, that is more precious then gold (as is ſaid particularly of faith) doe for want of a right uſe of it,2 Pet. 1.1.2 Pet 1:1 live uncomfortably, and carry themſelves unevenly in evill times, are well nigh overwhelmed ſometimes; therefore I beſeech you be carefull to get and uſe theſe graces and peeces of ſpirituall armour, that you may be able to ſtand, and with comfort to hold up your heads in evill dayes. That is the ſecond uſe we ſhould make of this point, to prepare for the Mount for evill and hard times.

Thirdly,Ʋſe 3. This point ſhould teach us not to marvell, much leſſe murmure, if great afflictions and troubles doe come, whether perſonall or Nationall. Thinke it not ſtrange (ſaith the Apoſtle) concerning the fiery tryall, which is to try you, as though ſome ſtrange thing h…ppened unto you. Though a man ſhould be brought to this exigent, That either he muſt part with his liberty, goods, reput… in the world, life and all, or deny the truth, and diſobey God; yet he ſhould not thinke it ſtrange, much leſſe murmure, but cheerfully undergoe it. It is no ſtrange thing to be brought into ſtraits and troubles, to be afflicted, yea ſometimes to be brou…ht into great extremity: It is ordinary, it hath often been ſo with the Church of God, in all ages, as well as with particular perſons, as all thoſe inſtances above mentioned, and this p. 33Nation can witneſſe by often experience, by reaſon of the many malicious deſignes of malignant and bloud-thirſty Papiſts, who of all enemies the Chriſtian Church hath, are the moſt cruell, bloudy, inhumane and barbarous, as bad or worſe then the Heathens and Pagans ever were to the Jewes under the old, or Chriſtians under the New Teſtament.

Therefore let not us or any wonder at it, as if a ſtrange thing happened to us, ſuch as never or rarely fals out to any, much leſſe faint under it, and murmure or repiue, but with cheerfulneſſe, courage and conſtancy undergoe it.

Motives not to murmure, but cheerfully undergoe afflictions and tryals, Ioh 16.33. 1 Theſ. 3.3. 2 Tim. 3.12.John 16:331 Thess 3:32 Tim 3:12Therefore conſider 1. That afflictions and troubles are the lot of the godly, Pſal. 125.3. The rod (i.e. affliction, troubles, perſecutions) of the wicked ſhall not reſt upon the lot of the righteous, leſt the righteous put forth their hands to iniquity. In the world ye ſhall have tribulation (ſaid our Saviour) That no man be moved by theſe afflictions; for you your ſelves know that we are appointed thereunto. All that will live godly in Chriſt Jeſus ſhall ſuffer perſecution, if not of the hand, yet of the tongues of evill men, and ſometimes great ſtraits and extremities. It is the common lot of all his people. There is no temptation hath befallen you, 1 Cor. 10.13.1 Cor 10:13but ſuch as is common to man, ſaith the Apoſtle, even the Prophets themſelves, thoſe extraordinary ſervants of God, Abraham Gods faithfull ſervant, friend and favourite, likewiſe Jacob, Job, Daniel, David and others. David, though a King, was the Song of the drunkards, and Job the greateſt and godlieſt man in the Eaſt, was laughed to ſcorne; Jeremy was had in deriſion daily: So the Apoſtles, thoſe immediate followers, and ſpeciall Embaſſadors of the Lord Jeſus, and if they ſuffered ſuch things, and were ſubject to the rage of moſt malignant and impetuous enemies, ſuch as Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar, Rabſhecah, Haman and their adherents, ſhall we thinke it ſtrange, marvell, much leſſe murmure, if the like condition from the like enemies befall us? or if we ſuffer other grievous tryals from the hand of our wiſe and good God?

Yea the Lord Jeſus, the beloved of the Father, the firſt borne of God, the firſt borne of all his ſonnes, and the firſt borne of all creatures, the glory of the Father eſcaped not, he dranke of the cup of affliction, he tooke not a ſippe, but dranke deep (deeper then ever any of his did, not of mans ſimply, but of Gods divine p. 32duplicate page p. 33duplicate page p. 34wrath, not for himſelfe, but for us, not by conſtraint, but willingly.Joh. 18.11.John 18:11 Shall I not drinke (ſaid he) of the cup my Father hath given me? He ſuffered the vials of Gods wrath, the extremity of his fu…y,Lam. 1.12.Lam 1:12 never any ſuff…ring like his, and ſhould we thinke it a ſtrange thing to ſu…fer? Should not the Souldiers follow their Captaine and Leader? Is it not well that we fare no worſe then our Lord and Saviour?Joh 15.18.19.20.John 15:18John 15:19John 15:20 If the world hate you (ſaid our Saviour) you know it hated me, before it hated you If yee were of the world? the world would love it's owne. Remember the word that I ſaid unto you, The Servant is not greater then the Lord, If they have perſecuted me, they will alſo perſecute you.

And therfore ſeeing it is common, that the very beſt, moſt faithfull and renowned ſervants of God, and the Lord Chriſt himſelfe have ſu…fered much, bin ſometimes brought to great exigents, we ſhould chearfully undergoe whatſoever evils we meet with. A common lot no man ſhrugs at; who quarrels Summer for heat, or Winter for cold, though it be ſometimes more then ordinary, ſeeing it is a common lot? who is angry, becauſe he hath as many fingers and toes, and other members, as other men have, ſeeing there is uſe of all the members, an… they ſerve to make the perfection of the whole man? ſo afflictions and troubles wiſely managed, do helpe to make a man a compleat Chriſtian, That yee may be perfect (ſayes the Apoſtle James) entire and wanting nothing, Jam 1.3, 4.Jas 1:3Jas 1:4entire for parts, not for degrees of obedience; why then ſhould any ſhrinke, much leſſe murmurre at them?

2. Conſider that afflictions and troubles come not out of the duſt, but from God: what or whoſoever be the inſtruments, yet God, a good, wiſe and gracious Father is the authour of them. Is there any evill (viz. of puniſhment) in the City and the Lord hath not done it? Amos 3 6 De…t 32 3…. 2 Ch. ….13, 14.Amos 3:6ſaith the Prophet. I kill and I make alive, I wound and I heale (ſaith God) therfore this ſhould make us, not onelyonly patient, but chearfull alſo under afflictions, as it did Job, when God had by the Sabeans and others taken away all his Cattle, a mighty Eſtate, Servants and Children, ſaith he, N…ked came I out of my mothers wombe, J…b. …and naked ſhall I returne thither: The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away, bleſſed be the name of the Lord. He did not cry out of misfortune or ill p. 35luck, curſe the Divell, rayle at the Chaldeans, or others, but patiently receives it as from God himſelfe, and willingly ſubmits to his will, The Lord gave, &c. So did David, Pſal. 39 9.Ps 39:9I was dumbe and held my peace, becauſe thou Lord did deſt it.

And the Lord doth juſtly and in mercy to his.

1. Juſtly, though evill men doe what they doe againſt the godly, moſt unjuſtly againſt all right and reaſon, yet God doth it moſt juſtly. Righteous art thou ô Lord (ſayes David) and righteous are thy iudgements. Pſal. 1…9.117. & 45 17. Rom. 2.6, 11.Ps 1:9Ps 1:117Ps 45:17Rom 2:6Rom 2:11The Lord is righteous in all his wayes and holy in all his workes. For with God is no respect of perſon. Therefore we ſhould patiently beare all afflictions and troubles whatſoever, becauſe we ſuffer juſtly and moſt deſervedly, the Lord is righteous in afflicting us.

2. God afflicts his people in mercy, out of love to them, and for their good, though their adverſaries doe it out of malice and rage againſt them, yet God doth it out of love and in mercy to them, that they may not periſh. Heare what Paul ſaith, When we are iudged, we are chaſtened of the Lord, 1 Cor. 11.32. Heh. 12.5, &c.1 Cor 11:32that we ſhould not be condemnea with the world. Againe, My ſonne, deſpiſe not thou the chastening of the Lord, ver. 10.nor faint when thou art rebuked of him, for he chaſteneth us for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holineſſe. The Lord uſeth afflictions and all troubles that befall his children, as the wiſe Phyſitian doth phyſick, to cure diſeaſes, and as the Chyrurgian doth lancing, ſcarifying and plaiſters, to let out corrupt matter and heale his Patient.

3. Conſider the neceſſity of ſuffering and tryals, it cannot well be otherwiſe in reſpect of our condition, in reſpect of our enemies, and the place where we live.

Firſt, in reſpect of our condition, both preſent and future in Heaven,

1. In reſpect of our preſent condition. The faithfull, the godly are Souldiers, Labourers, Sowers, &c. Now conſider all theſe, and ſee if there be not a kind of neceſſity, in reſpect of their condition of meeting with troubles.

1. The true Chriſtian is a Souldier, and a Souldier muſt meet with ſtraits, hard ſervices ſometimes, fight hard before he gets the victory, endure blowes and dangerous wounds ſometimes, p. 36runne through the pikes (as we ſay) before he gets the victory, ſo muſt a Chriſtian. A Chriſtians life is a warfare, and you know, it is no new thing for Souldiers, to heare the Drum beat, Trumpets ſound, the Cannons roare and Bullets fly about their Ears and Heads, and ſomtimes dangerouſly pierce their bodies; ſo it is not to be wondred at, much leſſe murmur'd at: If Satan and evill men let fly at us; if afflictions and troubles come: Therefore if we be Chriſts Souldiers, let us looke for ſuch things, make a ſure account of them, yea, and ſometimes to have them thick and three-fold like Jobs Meſſengers.

2. A true Chriſtian is a Labourer. A Labourer muſt work early and late, labour hard, undergoe much paine and travell: So the husband-man muſt not onelyonly worke hard, but endure many a cold blaſt, many a ſtorme before he gets the crop into the Barne; ſo the godly muſt looke to undergoe many a hard ſervice, indure many a ſtorme of affliction, before he comes to the harveſt, to triumph in Heaven. This in reſpect of our preſent condition.

2. In reſpect of our future condition. Heaven is a time of reſt, of triumph, and reaping a harveſt: Now reſt is after motion, and there can be no triumph before victory, and no victory with ſitting ſtill,Quies eſt finis motus. without blowes, Before a man can reape he muſt endure a great deale of labour, wet and dry, heat and cold, hunger and thirſt: a husbandmans life is a laborious and painfull life; and ſo it muſt be with the true Chriſtian before he comes to tryumph and reape the fruits of a ſound profeſſion, and a wel-led life in Heaven. Thus in reſpect of our condition both preſent and future.

Secondly, in reſpect of our enemies, it cannot bee otherwiſe.

1. The Divell a moſt implacable enemy, who continually goeth about like a roaring Lyon, 1 Pet. 5.8.1 Pet 5:8ſeeking whom he may devoure, by all wayes and meanes, and at all times, ſeeking to marre our peace, imbitter our lives, yea, to deſtroy our ſoules.

2. Wicked men have a moſt invenomed nature (all of them) againſt godlineſſe and an inveterate enmity againſt the p. 37righteous, though they doe not alwayes equally ſhew it; God reſtraines them all more or leſſe, for the good of his people, there ſhould otherwiſe be no living for the righteous upon the earth among evill men: and of all Sects and Religions, none are more cruell and blood-thirſty then the Papiſts are, eſpecially the Prieſts and Jeſuites, and therefore it cannot be expected, but that the godly ſhould meet with troubles in this world, in reſpect of our malignant enemies, even all the troubles they can procure.

Thirdly, In reſpect of the place where wee live, likened to a Wilderneſſe, to a Sea. As it was with Iſrael when they went out of Aegypt to Canaan, they went through the Wilderneſſe: So muſt the faithfull Iſrael of God doe now, to goe to Heaven, paſſe through the Wilderneſſe of this world. Now in a Wilderneſſe there are Bryars and Thornes, Wolves, Beares, Lyons, Serpents, &c. and it is not ſtrange for the honeſt Traveller to meet with ſuch creatures there; even ſo the godly meet with ſuch kind of men in this world, who are ever and anon ready to vex, trouble and devoure them. David ſaith, My ſoule dwelleth among Lyons. Pſ. 57.4. & 22.21.Ps 57:4Ps 22:21Wicked men are in the ſacred Scriptures, likened to, and called Lyons, Doggs, Wolves, Vipers, Serpents and almoſt all manner of ſavage beaſts, becauſe they have the like evill diſpoſitions, and doe like actions, and the godly are compared to Lambes, Doves, Sheepe, and other ſuch like harmleſſe, profitable creatures, no marvell then, if the godly be aſſaulted and put hard to it many times by evill men.

The world is alſo likened to a Sea, and we ſayle (as it were) in the barke of our fraile bodies, now what is more uſuall then to have windes and ſtormes at Sea? to be toſſed to and fro, to meet with foule weather? to heare the waves roare and rage and daſh into the ſhip, alſo ſometimes to light on the rocks, yea, to ſuffer ſhipwrack on the rocks and dangerous ſands? So if (as we ſayle in the barke of our fraile bodie towards Heaven) the windes blow, and ſtormes ariſe, ready to ſinke our ſhip or ſplit her on the rockes, is it any new or ſtrange thing that wee ſhould be much moved at it? It is therefore a point of wiſedome to prepare for, and patiently undergoe what p. 38cannot be avoided; many Heathens have on this conſideration undergone much, and why ſhould not Chriſtians much more make a vertue of neceſſity?

4. Conſider the nature of theſe troubles, they are light and ſhort.

1. Light, 2 Cor. 4 172 Cor 4:17Take them at the worſt they are but light afflictions, foreign, light in compariſon of what we deſerve, and what our Saviour ſuffer'd for us, and what wicked men muſt for ever ſuffer in hell; and light alſo in that they doe but touch the body, they cannot properly pierce into the ſoule, ſo as to deſtroy it, they hurt but the outward m…n, and wound that at moſt and worſt they can doe, they may annoy, yet they doe not deſtroy the ſoule, prejudice it's eternall welfare; but wicked mens troubles many times wound the ſoule, pierce into the very ſoule, and deſtroy that, and though they be free from bodily troubles, yet they have crazy conſciences which ſometimes wound them ſore, and a wounded spirit who can beare? Rom. 8.28. Pro. 18.14.Rom 8:28Prov 18:14or what can it beare, as the Originall hath it. So long as the ſpirit is ſound, conſcience cleare and good, it will ſuſtaine it's infirmity, i e. whatſoever outward trouble may befall; as a ſound ſhoulder will beare a great weight with elſe and pleaſure, whereas a broken, bruiſed or diſ-joynted ſhoulder, will cry out and ſhrinke under every little thing. All the daies of the afflicted are evill, but he that is of a merry heart, hath a continuall Feaſt. A cleare and ſound conſcience is as a Feaſt in the middeſt of all outward troubles, yea, and better then a Feaſt for it is continuall.

The truth is, it is guiltineſſe of conſcience that makes afflictions heavy; to a ſound and good conſcience great afflictions and tryals many times ſeeme as nothing, and are undergone with a great deale of cheerfulneſſe and courage, but when God plagues a wicked man, if conſcience be not ſeared or a ſleep, or benummed he hath a double burden to beare, the weight of affliction and a guilty conſcience, which is moſt grievous.

2. As they are Light, ſo alſo ſhort and momentary. The rod of the wicked ſhall not reſt on the lot of the righteous. Pſ 125.3.Ps 125:3This light affliction (ſaies the Apoſtle, which place alſo clearly proves the former branch) which is but for a moment. The originall differs p. 39ſome thing in words from our tranſlation, but nothing from the true ſenſe and meaning.2 Cor 4 17 foreign. I…. 54 7. Rom. 8.18.2 Cor 4:17Rom 8:18 For a ſmall moment have J forſaken thee, but with great mercies will I gather thee, ſaith the Lord to Iſrael The troubles of the godly are indeed foreign, ſufferings, yet they are but foreign, the ſufferings of this preſent time, ſaith the Apoſtle to the Romans.

So that theſe afflictions, though they may be ſharpe, yet they are but ſhort, and if they continue to the uttermoſt they poſſibly c…n doe, it is but till death, they end with death. There the wicked ceaſe from troubling Job 3.17, 18, 19.Job 3:17Job 3:18Job 3:19and there the weary be at reſt: there the priſoners reſt together, they heare not the voyce of the Oppreſſour: The ſmall and the great are there, and the Servant is free from his Maſter, ſaid Job long agoe. Death though it doe indeed begin the wicked mans miſery, yet it puts an end to all the godly mans ſuffering, they end with his life and doe increaſe his glory, makes Heaven more ſweet and welcome. Our bodies are but earthly Tabernacles, now a Tabernacle if generally, yet it cannot laſt long, but if furious windes and ſtormes blow, it will quickly fall, and ſo it is with our bodies. The afflictions and troubles of this world are viſible, ſeene on the body, eſtate, &c. therefore not to be regarded, becauſe temporall, but the things which are not ſeene are eternall. 2 Cor. 4 18.2 Cor 4:18Therefore ſaith the Apoſtle, Let them that weepe, be as though they wept not, but things that are inviſible are to be regarded,1 Cor. 7.30.1 Cor 7:30 and ſeriouſly thought on, the wrath of God, the pains of hell; ſo Heaven, l…fe and glory are eternall, theſe we ſhould much thinke of, and labour to live accordingly.

5. Conſider this alſo, that it is a great honour to ſuffer for righteouſneſſ, to be ſingled out to be the Lords Champion, to ſhew forth Gods wiſdome, power and goodneſſe in his ſervants. All the Saints have not the honour, to be ſingled out with Abraham, that the world may ſee the truth and ſtrength of their faith, patience, love to God, &c. Gal 6 17.Gal 6:17To beare the markes of the Lord Jeſus is a ſingular priviledge; the Apoſtle himſelfe boaſts of it, as a ſpeciall honour to him, Gal. 6. To you it is given in the behalfe of Chriſt, not onelyonly to beleeve on him, but alſo to ſuffer for his ſake, ſaith Paul. All his people are tryed and ſuffer more or leſſe, but not very many are ſingled out to be the Lords champions p. 40as was Abraham, Job, the Martyrs and ſome others; therefore the Apoſtles (though uſed as rogues, whipped) went away from the counſell, Act. 5.4.Acts 5:4reioycing that they were worthy to ſuffer ſhame for l… Name, not becauſe they were worthy to ſuffer, but becauſs (marke it) they were counted worthy to ſuffer — It was a great honour for them to ſuff…r for the Lord Jeſus, and in his cauſe: It is an honour to God, they honour him by ſuffering in his cauſe, and for his ſake, and they that honour him, he will honour, and have others honour them. Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladneſſe (ſaith the Apoſtle) and have ſuch in reputation, 1 Sam 2.30 Phil. 2.29, 30.1 Sam 2:30Phil 2:29Phil 2:30the reaſon, becauſe for the worke of Christ, he was neare unto death.

So God will honour them hereafter, If we ſuffer with him, we ſhall alſo be glorified with him. Rom. 8.17. Rev. 3 4. & 6.11.Rom 8:17Rev 3:4Rev 6:11They ſhall walke with me in white (ſaith Chriſt) for they are worthy. They ſhall have long white roabes given them, i.e an honourable name (as ſome doe expound it) and not amiſſe: So that God hath his ſpeciall honour and dignity for ſuch. Here Abrahams faith and obedience is recorded to his everlaſting praiſe. Therefore our Saviour pronounceth ſuch bleſſed:Luk 6 22, 23. Mat. 5.11, 12.Luke 6:22Luke 6:23Matt 5:11Matt 5:12 Bleſſed are you when men ſhall hate you, and you and perſecute you, and ſhall ſay all manner of evill against you falſly, for my Name ſake; Reioyce and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in Heaven.

Laſtly by way of motive, conſider the bleſſed fruit and iſſue of all afflictions, troubles and tryals to the godly, here and hereafter, how great and grievous ſoever they be for the preſent.

1. All ſufferings and tryals make way for a greater good, to humble his people, make them more fit for mercy, to manifeſt their ſincerity, and the ſtrength of their graces to themſelves and the world, to increaſe and brighten their graces, and conſequently their comforts, to purge out ſinne and corruption, and make them more pure and precious like the refined gold, to wean them from the world,Iob 23.10.Job 23:10 make them more heavenly minded, &c.

Alſo the afflictions and troubles of the Church (as now in Germany, in Ireland, and in England) tend to fit them for greater p. 41mercy, for Chriſts government and Ordinances in a more excellent manner (I truſt) then ever we yet enjoyed them, alſo to purge and cleanſe his Church. I dare confidently affirme it, That Reformation ſhould never have been raiſed up to that bleſſed and deſired hight (which in all probability, it is likely through Gods goodneſſe to come unto) had not the malignant enemies of the Church, the Papiſts, and the Prelates, and popiſh Party their Abettors, been ſo buſie againſt the Church, Chriſts people, Ordinances and power of godlineſſe, as they have been and daily are. Bleſſed be God that doth and will bring good out of evill, light out of darkneſſe, and turnes the counſels of Achitophels into fooliſhneſſe, and miſchievous plots of wicked Hamans, to their own hurt and his peoples good, and makes the rage of men turne to his glory. This beleeve, wait, pray and praiſe God for.

2. The troubles and tryals of the faithfull will likewiſe make much for our future good, both in point of honour (as hath bin ſhewed) and of benefit it will bring glory, eſpecially ſuffering for righteouſneſſe ſake, and the truths ſake.Rom. 8.17. 2 Tim. 2.18. 2 Cor. 4.17.Rom 8:172 Tim 2:182 Cor 4:17 If we ſuffer with him (ſayes the Apoſtle) we ſhall alſo be glorified with him. Againe, This light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a for more exceeding and eternall weight of glory. The affliction is but ſhort and light, but the reward is exceeding great and laſting, no leſſe then glory, which is the higheſt pitch of all honour and felicity. Here is glory, and more, a weight of glory, and if there were but an equall weight of glory to ſuffering, the difference would be exceeding great, ſeeing as one dram of gold is more worth then many pounds of lead: ſo here, where there is (if I may ſo ſay) a pound of glory for a pound of ſuffering; yea exceeding much more (marke the words) a far more exceeding weight of glory (the Originall is) exceeding full and expreſſive and which maketh all compleate, it is eternall.foreign, excel…enter excellent… gloriæ Pondus. Beza.

This was it that did encourage the Martyrs moſt willingly to goe to the priſon, to the ſtake, the Chriſtians to cry out to the perſecutors of their brethren, when they carried them to the priſon, to the ſtake, and places of ſuffering, Sum & …go Chriſtianus, I alſo am a Chriſtian, even longing to ſuffer with them, and ſome have wept much, becauſe through a miſtake, they have been ſent backe againe from the ſtake to the priſon, or kept from p. 42ſuffering. We glory in tribulation, ſayes the Apoſtle. This was it that made Moſes when he came to yeares, Rom. 5.3.Rom 5:3refuſed to be called the ſon of Pharaohs daughter, chuſing rather to ſuffer affliction with the people of God, then to enioy the pleaſures of ſinne for a ſeaſon; eſteeming there proach of Chriſt greater riches then the treaſures of Egypt, and the faithfull Jewes to ſuffer the spoyling of their goods with ioy. … 10.34And the Lord Chriſt himſelfe, for the ioy that was ſet before him, endered the croſſe, … 122.and deſpiſed the ſhame. Let us conſider thoſe things to ſtay our hearts, make us patient, and with cheerfulneſſe and courage to hold up our heads in the evill day.

All which may afford comfort to the people of God (it is the Scripture phraſe) Heb. 11 25. in the midſt of all their ſufferings, when they conſider the bleſſed ends, fruits and effects of afflictions and tryals ſanctified (as they are to all the faithfull) ſo farre are afflictions and ſefferings, even the moſt grievous tryals, from being a ſigne of Gods wrath, and an Argument that they are none of his, becauſe they ſuffer ſuch things, that it is rather an Argument of Gods ſpeciall favour and love towards them: It was ſo with Abraham here, Jacob, Job, David, Paul and others, and with the Church of God in Egypt, in the Wilderneſſe, in the land of Canaan, in the time of the Judges and of the Kings, notwithſtanding all their ſufferings, yet were they ſtill Gods peculiar people; and ſo it was with the Apoſtles and primitive Chriſtians, and ſo along up hitherto: Yea this very thing to have bitter adverſaries for righteouſneſſe ſake, and Religion ſake, and to have troubles and tryals in the world, is an evident Argument of Gods ſpeciall favour to ſuch. Be in nothing terrified by your adverſaries, which is to them an evident token of perdition, … 1.28.but to you of ſalvation. That the ſpirit and rage of Devils and wicked men, is bent againſt none ſo much, as againſt the Church and godly in it,Luk. 21.1…, 13.Luke 21:1Luke 21:13 and moſt againſt the moſt eminent of them, They ſhall lay their hands on you (ſaid our Saviour to his Apoſtles) and they ſhall per ecute you, delivering you up into the Synagogues, and into priſons, &c. If you were of the world, the world would love it's owne; Ioh 15.19John 15:19but becauſe ye are not of the world, but I have choſen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.