A Warning Piece for the Slumbering Virgins, Part 11
Secondly double your duty of Prayer; Pray, Pray.
1. For a plentifull and powerful effuſion of the Holy Spirit to counſel & comfort our fooliſh fainting Spirit in this hour of temptation; Tis ſad to behold, ſince we have cauſed the good Spirit to withdraw his gracious influences how the glory is departed in a great meaſure from Churches, ordinances, communions, &c: in moſt places; may we not ſadly ſigh out that heart-breaking word Ichabob, and ſay, Where is the glory; how many choyſe Gardens of the Saints are withered, ſince the Lord has withheld the ſpiritual dewes of Heaven? How thin and lean is Jacob become, and waxen pale, ſince a famine of the Spirit has been amongſt us? How ſpiritleſſe, faithleſſe, heartleſſe, fruitleſſe, loveleſſe are moſt Chriſtians grown, ſince we have ſlumbred and ſinn'd away, the ſpirit of faith, life, love, power &c: How is the Gold become dimme the fine Gold changed, now he that has the ſeven Spirits is turned aſide from the Golden Candleſticks? Oh it is high time then, to begge as for life, that the Spirit would come down as floods upon the drie ground, that the Churches may be as watred Gardens, and the Saints may grow up as willowes by the water courſes; oh let all the awakened Servants of Chriſt, cry as with one heart and mouth,Cant. 4.16. Awake O North-wind, and come thou South, blow upon the Gardens, that the ſpices thereof may flow out; that our beloved may come into his Garden, and eate his pleaſant fruits; oh when, when ſhall a precious box of oyntments be broken over us, to fill our hearts with its ſavour? Oh when will the ſpirit come down amongſt us as a refiners fire or fullers ſope,Mal. 3.3 4. to purifie us as Gold and Silver, that we may offer up pure offerings of righteouſneſſe, which may be pleaſant to the Lord, as in the dayes of old? Oh that we could wait in the Spirit (as old Simeon did for the conſolation of Iſrael) for that power from on high, that ſo ſtrengthens weak hearts & hands that the feeble may be as David; for ſuch an anointing with freſh oyle, as may cauſe us to move ſwiftly and ſweetly after Jeſus Chriſt?
And we have many precious cords of love let down to pull at, for this gracious Goſpel-promiſe;Joh. 14. & 15 16 As the ſpecial promiſe of the Father of mercies to ſend the comforter, oft repeated for our better aſſurance; and he is faithfull that hath promiſed; he will not deny his people long, nor alwaies, for he cannot deny himſelf. And the effectual prayer of our Lord Jeſus, who never prayes amiſſe, but is heard alwaies of his Father; This was that ſweeteſt myrrhe which dropt from the lips of Chriſt, as he was aſcending up to Heaven his greateſt laſt Teſtament-promiſe of a double portion of his Spirit: Now, is it ſo much upon the Lords heart to beſtow this peculiar bleſſing, and ſhould it not be much upon our heart to aske it; eſpecially being that glorious miniſtration, which is to continue, for the ſupport, ſupply, and ſolace of the Saints, till the appearance of Jeſus Chriſt, without which no outward adminiſtration can be effectuall.
2. Oh Pray,Pſa. 2.6.8. Pray, that Jehovah would ſet his King upon his holy hill of Zion, that the Heathen may be his inheritance, and the uttermoſt parts of the earth his poſseſſion: that the government may be upon his ſhoulder, Iſa. 9.6.who is clothed with a veſture dipt in blood, Rev. 19.13.16.14.and hath on his thigh a Name written, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords; that all things may be opened and ſhut by the Key of David. Iſa. 2.11, 17.The Lord is ariſing to ſhake terribly the Earth, the loftineſſe of man muſt be bowed down, and the haughtineſſe of men made low, that the Lord alone may be exalted in his day. Oh that the Sun of righteouſneſſe were at this height once, there would be a glorious Sun-ſhine day indeed. The God of heaven and earth has promiſed,Heb. 12 26, 27, 28. he will once more ſhake heaven and earth, to bring in that Kingdom that cannot be ſhaken, and the things that ſhall remain; and Heaven and Earth ſhall paſſe away, rather then one tittle of his good promiſe ſhall fall to the ground. The Fathers heart is all upon his beloved Son, in whom his Soul delighteth, to exalt Him highly, Phil. 2.9.give Him a Name above every Name. And ſhall not the hearts of his Children go in with him, and work ſtrongly that way? It was for their ſakes he humbled himſelf ſo low, even to the death of the Croſſe. Oh how ſhould their hearts break with longings, that he may be extolled, and be very high, crowned with majeſty and glory? Why then let all the Lords Remembrancers make mention of this good thing promiſed,Jer. 33.14. (of which he loves to be put in remembrance) before him night and day, that Jeſus Chriſt may take to himſelf his great power and reign. On when ſhall the ſounding of the ſeventh Angel be heard, as the great voyces in Heaven, all the world over, ſaying; The Kingdoms of this world are become the Kingdomes of our Lord and of his Chriſt, Rev. 11.15.and he ſhall reign for ever and ever. Cant. 3.10.Oh that King Solomon would ſend his Chariot, that is paved with love, for the Sonnes and Daughters of Zion, that they may enter with joy and gladneſſe into the Kings Palace; how would their ſpirits revive within them? and they would ſay, It is enough.
3. Improve the Spirit of grace to the utmoſt; for the chaining up the unclean ſpirit. Oh try what power you have with the Father of Lights, to ſet his power on work to ſhake the powers of darkneſſe. If Fervent Prayer, lift up by the hand of faith, bind Gods hand, and put him to ſay, Let me alone; will it not overcome him, to bind up Satan, and to bruiſe him under the feet of his Saints ſhortly. The Devill is come down with great wrath, becauſe he knoweth he hath but a ſhort time. He followes his Kingdom with greateſt violence towards its period; hee's hot upon't, throwing with fury his fiery darts round about. The Adder's poyſon is boyling up to the height. This enemy is comming upon us like a flood: Oh 'tis high time to ſet upon the gates of Heaven with an humble and holy violence, knocking day and night, till the holy Spirit come down with prayer, and lift up a Standard againſt him.
The old Serpent has now above 5000. years experience upon his back; hee's now maſter indeed of his black Art. Oh what multifariety and Variety in his methods? what Subtletie and ſecrecy in his ſnares? how deſtructive and obſtructive are his devices and depths? Oh when will the Angel come down from Heaven with that great chain, and lay hold on the Dragon and bind him?Rev. 20.1, 2, 3. Ah, what a world of miſchief will he do, if he be let looſe awhile? For now this Prince of darkneſſe transforms himſelf into an Angel of light, to bring in the greateſt darkneſſe; and the Devil in white, or the white Devil, is moſt dangerous and deceitful; now, like the adulterer mentioned Job 24.15. he diſguiſeth himſelf, or ſets his face in ſecret, (ſo the Original) that he may beguile and defile us, and we never know it; and be moſt and beſt at his wicked work, when leaſt in ſight. He has put on a vizard of profeſſion, and now playes the thief in grain, ſtealing away the power and heart of pure Religion. He has oyl in his mouth, and truth in his tongue; but warre and a lie in his heart. And how many are betrayed with his flattering kiſſes, killed with his falſe kindneſſe, and by ſwallowing down his ſugred, poyſonous pills greedily? How many are taken with the fine hair of the Locuſts that aſcend out of the bottomleſſe pit,Rev. 9.8, 10, who ſting them with their tailes as Scorpions. Oh then if ever you pitied poor ſilly ſoules, laden with ſin, and led Captive by Satan; now pity and pray for them much more: Oh cry out (as the betrothed Damſel fearing raviſhment) to the Captain of your Salvation, to lead Captivity Captive, to reſcue his darlings from the Lions, and to ſhorten this hour of temptation.
4. Oh Pray, Pray, for a glorious ſpiritual reſurrection of the hearts and lives of the Saints, after ſo great a death has paſt upon them; that times of renewing and reviving may come from the preſence of the Lord, to the decaying and deſponding Spirits of his people; Oh what a bleſſed, beautifull ſight, would ſuch an heavenly Spring bee,Can. 2.11.12. c. 7.12.13. after this heart-withering winter ſeaſon? Would the flowers of the ſpouſes Garden flouriſh once, the Pome-granats bud forth, and the tender grape ſend forth a good ſmell: then would the ſinging of birds, and the voyce of the turtle be heard in our land, and we might chearfully, get up early to the Vineyards. Oh be earneſt with the Father of Spirits to ſend down a ſpeciall anointing from on high, for the new-ſpiriting of his people, for the work of their generation; A common Spirit will not carry them thorough ſpecial ſervice; no, it muſt be that other Spirit that Caleb had; or they'l never follow the Lord, fully; The Sonnes and Daughters of Zion muſt be awaked, to put on beautifull garments, and ſhake themſelves from the duſt, as they that are redeemed from the earth, and from men, as ever they would appeare in a good Goſpel-poſture to follow the Lamb, witherfoever he goeth; they muſt be putting on that new Man, which after God, is created in righteouſneſse and true holineſſe, and be renewed in the Spirit of their minds, or they'l have no heart, to think of the New Heaven and new Earth, wherein righteouſneſſe ſhall dwell. That work which the Lord is carrying on in the world, is high and heavenly, much above the world. A low-ſpirited & earthly-minded Generation can never reach it, their poor flat ſpirits muſt needs ſhrink from it, or ſinck under it, at one time or other. Oh they had need of gracious, excellent ſpirits, changing from glory to glory, by the Spirit of glory reſting on them; who looke to keep pace or hold any conſiderable, comfortable correſpondency and compliance, with thoſe glorious Works which the Lord will bring forth in the latter dayes, who is Wonderfull in Counſell, and excellent in Working.
Why then, 5. let us look upon it as one main work of the day, to ſet ſaith on work at the promiſes by prayer, for Judges as at the firſt, and Counſellours as at the beginning; men of choiſe ſpirits anſwerable to Jethro's choyce: able men,Exo. 18.21. fearing God, men of truth, hating covetouſneſſe; And while I am ſtirring you up, to make ſupplications to the Lord our righteouſneſſe, that he would graciouſly vouch-ſafe, a peculiar unction and qualification, to ſuch as are in authoritie; let me ſet before your eyes, one of the firſt and faireſt patterns, deſerving to be ſet in letters of Gold, and engraven upon our hearts, as with the point of a Diamond; the pureſt Primitive mould of Mercy and Juſtice, ſweetly meeting together in the righteous breaſt of Job, and ſtriving (as it were) for ſuper-eminency and victory: As for righteouſneſse; he clothed himſelf with it; Job. 29.11.12.and judgment was to him as a diadem; he brake the Jawes of the oppreſſors, and pluckt the ſpoile out of his teeth; and delivered the poor that cryed, and the Fatherleſse, and him that had none to help him. As for mercy, his condeſcention and compaſſion is very remarkable; when he ſate chief, and dwelt as a King in the Army; hee was as one that comforteth the mourners; A Father to the Poor and Fatherleſſe; eyes to the blind, and feet to the tame, who cauſed the heart of the widdow to ſing, and the bleſſing of ſuch as were readie to periſh came upon him; Oh that Jeſus Chriſt, that bleſſed and only potentate, would make all our Governours and Magiſtrates willing in the day of his power, to kiſſe the Son, in humble ſubjection & heartie affection to his righteous Scepter; and to lay down both ſword and Scepter at his feet (as the Elders did with their Crownes): Oh that there were in them ſuch an heart; as to ſay with the inhabitants of Judah, in their hearts? The inhabitants of Jeruſalem ſhall be our ſtrength, in the Lord of Hoſts their God. That they may be as nurſing Fathers to the Saints, the Children of the moſt high, yea the leaſt of Chriſts bretheren; accounting it their greateſt glory and praiſe, to promote the glory of the King immortal and eternal, the only wiſe God; to be a praiſe to thoſe that doe well, and a terrour to evil doers, putting ſinners to ſhame: oh that the Rock of Iſrael that ſpake it, would make it good; That they that rule over men, muſt be juſt, 2 Sam. 23.3.4,ruling in the feare of God: And they ſhall be as the light of the morning, when the Sun ariſeth, even a morning without Clouds, as the tender graſse ſpringing out of the earth, by cleare ſhining after rain. Why let us open our hearts and mouths wide (by the help of the Spirit) for ſuch a bleſſing, as thus waited for Job, even as for the latter rain.
And ſpread thoſe good old promiſes before the Lord, which are as freſh upon his heart as ever, to renew them in theſe latter daies; That Saviours ſhall come upon Mount-Zion, to judge the mount of Eſau, and the Kingdom ſhall be the Lords; Obad. v. 21.That he will raiſe up Carpenters to break the horns, that ſcatter Judah, Zech. 1.20.21.ſo that no man can lift up his head; That he will put that honour upon his Saints, To execute the Judgment that is written, Pſal. 149.6.9.with a two-edged ſword in their hands, and the high praiſes of God in their mouthes. That the faithful choſen and true, clothed in fine and white linnen, ſhall give blood to drink, Rev, 18.6.14.to the woman, which is drunken with the blood of the Saints, and the Martyrs of Jeſus, and ſhall deſtroy that great City which reigneth over the Kings of the Earth; and ſhall overcome all his and their enemies in the blood of the Lamb; for he is Lord of Lords, and King of Kings. Oh then let the prayers of all the Saints meet upon the golden Altar,Rev. 8.3.4. that the ſmoke of the incenſe may aſcend up before God day and night; and let them cry with a loud voyce, ſaying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, &c?
Laſtly, Pray, pray, for the fulneſſe of the bleſſing of the Goſpel of Chriſt, upon all pure Evangelicall adminiſtrations;Rev. 1.13.16. That Jeſus Chriſt would walk in the midſt of the golden Candleſticks; hold the ſtars in his right hand, that the golden pipes may empty the golden oyl out of themſelves from the Olive tree;Zech. 4.11.12. and his ſervants be anointed with the oyl of gladneſſe,Jer. 3.15. who deſire to keep the Commandments of God, and the teſtimony of Jeſus. And that he would ſend Paſtours according to his own heart, that may feed the people with knowledge and underſtanding; able Miniſters of the New Teſtament, not of the Letter, but of the Spirit; and ſend them forth in the power and ſpirit of Elijah, to turn many to the Lord.Joh. 10.3, 4, 9. And that the good Shepherd would call his own ſheep by name, lead them out and go before them; that they may know his voyce, and follow him, and go in and out and find paſture.
That his little flock receiving the Goſpel not in word onelyonly, but alſo in power, and in the Holy Ghoſt,1 Theſſ. 1.5. and in much aſſurance; may have that glorious Character of the Church of Philadelphia, as a Crown of twelve Stars upon their heads; that they have kept the Word of his patience, and have not denyed his Name;Rev. 3.8.10. who will keep them in this hour of Temptation.
FINIS.
End of the text · George Scortreth, A Warning Piece for the Slumbering Virgins (1657)