The Anchor of Hope for Gods Tossed Ones, Sermon (2 of 3)

The Anchor of Hope for Gods Tossed Ones · Sermon (2 of 3)

p. 651 They are thoughts of peace:

2 They are purely and onelyonly ſo: not of evill: that is, not of ſuch an evill that is oppoſed to peace, not of the evill of trouble, war, miſery; and therefore are all peace.

3 They are bountifull thoughts: thoughts to give: and therefore are both loving and enriching.

4 They are bountifull to ſatisfaction: ſatisfying thoughts: thoughts to give an end, and a moſt welcome one too: an end, and expectation too, (ſayes the Text) that is ſuch an end, that ſhall anſwer all their longings, and expectations of good: their deſire ſhall come, as well as an end ſhall come; and when that comes tis as a tree of life, for ſweetneſſe to the taſt;Pro. 13.1.Prov 13:1 for beauty to the eye: for joy to the heart: p. 66for life to the ſpirit: O how ſweet ly God doth breath out mercy! Here his very thoughts be (as it were) turned into peace, here be no thoghts of evill, trouble, paine, miſery: not of evill (ſaies God) what then? Theſe thoughts of mine (ſaies God) are all for mercy: they have no mixture of evill in them.

I am all upon giving good: upon anſwering prayers; fulfilling deſires; ſending deliverances to my people: here is nothing ſounded out, but the language of mercy: never did the bowels of God appear more fruitfull, more render, or make a greater ſhew then now: Our God is now in a few words, teaching his people the fulneſſe, the tenderneſſe of his owne bowels: he calls to the pit to them; and tells ſuch poore ſoules now deep in diſtreſſe, what he thinkes towards them, that they might both mortifie thier own thoughts, and know how to look upon Gods.

p. 67You thinke (ſayes God) but you doe but thinke ſo; thoughts of trouble, of paine, of puniſhment: Oh (ſay you) wee ſhall never ſee good day more:Object. nothing but ſorrow may we looke for: we are in ſo that wee ſhall never get out: we think it impoſſible to be delivered.

Yea,Anſw. but you deceive your ſelves (ſayes God) I have thoughts of peace towards you.

Yea,Object. but thou haſt had thoughts of evill heretofore, and we ſtill lye under the ſmart of the fruits of thoſe thoughts.

Yea,Anſw. but I have laid downe theſe thoughts, (ſayes God) they are come to an end, and I have taken up thoughts of peace towards you.

Yea; but we lack ſo much,Object. our wants be unſpeakable, our preſſures exceeding burdenſome, and unleſſe this and that evill be removed, and our wants ſupplyed, we ſhall ſtill be in paine.Anſw.

I will give you (ſayes God) p. 68doe you want this, & want that to make you proſperous, and your condition comfortable? le… not that caſt you downe, yo… ſhall have from me, from my fulneſſe: and would you have this and that evill removed? … ſhall be done, they ſhal not trouble you long.

Yea;Object. but we have large expectations, wide deſires.

What if you have;Anſw. yet I can I wil ſatisfie you (ſayes the Lord) you ſhall have your expection to the full: I wil fill you, though your mouthes be opened wide.

Yea,Object. but we have expected … great while already, and no good comes: we have looked for ligh… and behold darkneſſe; for peace, and behold trouble.

Why yet tarry (ſayes God):Anſw. will come in its appointed time you ſhall have your end and expectation too: my thoughts o… peace will ſpeak at laſt; nay they will ſpeake by working, by bringing forth peace unto you: p. 69Let a poore ſoule raiſe up carnall Objections as faſt as it can for its owne diſconlation: why here is anſwer enough to ſtop their mouthes; water enough to quench their fire; vertue enough to take away their ſtings: and reaſon enough to ſilence all of them: the very language of theſe expreſſions of the love of God, it carryes this voyce in it: be ſilent,Zac. 2.13 O all fleſh, before the Lord: What can fleſh and bloud ſpeake but here it is anſwered, and its mouth ſtopt: let us take aſunder the particuler expreſſions, wherin God ſets forth the beauty & the ſweetneſſe of theſe thoughts of his, and wee ſhall the more clearly ſee which way theſe thoughts tend; and what God himſelfe intends to doe for his owne people.

Firſt (ſayes God) they bee thoughts of peace: he that ſaid before, hee knew his owne thoughts; now hee ſhewes that hee would have his people to p. 70know them: and for the unfolding of his owne thoughts, for the revealing and laying open of his owne boſome, hee calls them thoughts of peace.

1Here two things muſt be enquired into. Firſt, what is meant by peace. Secondly, what by thoughts of peace:Phil. 4.7.Phil 4:7 for the firſt, peace is a ſweet word, and a ſweater thing,foreign. it comes from God; tis the peace of God: it is more ſweet, excellent, and glorious, then mans mind can reach to, it is above the minde, above the capacity of any man: It hath more in it then the largeſt underſtanding can behold: the word uſed by the Apoſtle, notes a having more, when a man hath gone fartheſt, when he hath apprehended moſt, ſtill he comes ſhort in knowing what this peace is: it denotes all the bleſſings God gives to his people: Hee will bleſſe his people with peace (ſayes the Prophet David) that is,Pſa. 29.11Ps 29:11 with all that is p. 71good: When the Lord Chriſt is ſetting out his Name, his Love, his mercy to his Saints, in a pure Goſpell way, (like as God proclaimes his Name to Moſes under the Law) he calls himſelfe the Prince of Peace;Iſa. 9.6. foreignIsa 9:6 and ſtiles his Government, the government of Peace: and (obſerve it) this title of Prince of Peace, is the laſt title and the ſweeteſt, the very ſumme and quinteſſence of all the reſt: in this Title Chriſt diſcovers the very life of his gracious Name: and whither his Name Wonderfull, Counſellour, the mighty God, the everlaſting Father, doe all tend: and what he aymes at in all theſe Titles he puts upon himſelf, they even run all at laſt into this one, the Prince of Peace; they all ſet him up upon the throne, as the Prince of Peace, and proclaim his government to be full of Peace, as flowing from the wiſedome and heart of him that is the wonderfull Counſellour, the everlaſting p. 72Father, the Prince of Peace: for as the Prince is, ſo is his government: as his heart is, ſo is his reigne: this peace is that which as it is freely given, ſo it is rarely; every one hath it not, nor ſhall have: the voice of God to the wicked is like Iehues voice to the meſſenger of that wicked King, What haſt thou to doe with peace? Let the wicked enquire and aske after peace; there is no peace for thee (ſayes God) never dreame of it,Iſa. 5.7.21 Pſal 11.6.Isa 5:7Isa 5:21Ps 11:6 doe not deceive thy ſelfe; thy portion is fire and brimſtone, ſtorme and tempeſt, this is thy cup: I will raine downe ſnares: I will raine downe troubles: I will raine downe deſtruction upon thee. This peace is a large thing, it reaches farre. The Hebrew word is wide, yet it is narrower then peace it ſelf. It notes, firſt quiet. 2. ſafety. 3. Liberty. 4. Plenty, Proſperity. 5. Strength, Soundneſſe, intireneſſe, wholeneſſe. 6. Freſhneſſe and flouriſhing: p. 73put all theſe together, they will make a brave peace, a full one indeed: and we ſhall ſee what the Lord meanes by thoughts of peace, that is, hee intended to make them a quiet people, holily ſecure: a ſafe people, fully protected from fears and enemies: a free people, full of liberty: a proſperous people, full of plenty: an able people, full of ſtrength: a beautifull people, full of freſhneſſe, ſweetly flouriſhing.1. Inward peace. This peace it looks two wayes; either to the inſide, or to the outſide of a man: the firſt we call peace of Conſcience; this is the peace indeed: a peace full of glory: to make up this peace, the ſoule muſt firſt live in CHRIST: ſoules dead in ſins cannot have a dramme of this peace, which alone is the gift of Jeſus Chriſt, the Prince of peace. 2. The ſoule muſt be ſet in order by the ſpirit of God, ere this peace can come: there muſt be a frame of holineſſe, p. 74ere there can bee the joy of peace. 3. The ſoule muſt have living and right-grounded apprehenſions of the totall removall of all the guilt of his ſin, and the full purchaſe of the favour of God by the bloud of Jeſus Chriſt: the guilt of ſin muſt be taken off from burdening the Conſcience ere this can be: for the guilt of ſin wil let flye in the face of the ſoule, and cauſe ſuch troubles, ſuch terrors, that there can be no reſt till theſe devils be laid, till they be cryed down in the ſoule by the loud voyce of the bloud of Jeſus Chriſt. Hence the vote and the voyce of all the ſoules that knew peace, is this, Chriſt is our peace. Laſtly, where this peace is, there is power, and a ruling power too:Eph 2.14 Col. 3.1.Eph 2:14Col 3:1 Let the peace of God (ſayes the Apoſtle) trule in your hearts: The word notes a chiefdome,foreign. aruling by abſolute Conqueſt: let it carry away the victory, beare away the Bell: let it overcome p. 75all your unbeliefe, your diſquietments, your troubles, all that party Satan and ſinne make in you, or raiſe againſt you: let this peace in you be chief, and fit at the ſterne, all will be well then: things will goe in the ſoule of a Beleever in ſuch a way as may make for the ſoules peace, as may feed that, increaſe that. Hence it is, that when the peace rules, ſuch a ſoule cannot ſinne as he did, he will not, the the ſeed of God (and this ſeed of his peace amongſt the reſt) remaines in him;1 Ioh. 3.91 John 3:9 and that in ſuch power,This peace ruled in Moſes his heart, and put him upon that bleſſed choyſe. Heb. 11.25.Heb 11:25 that he will not exchange the ſweetneſſe of this peace for all the gaine, pleaſures, profits of ſin: nay more, this bleſſed peace alwayes ſits Sentinell in a holy watchfulneſſe, leſt the ſoule ſhould both trouble & grieve both his Father and himſelfe; diſhonour his God, and interrupt his owne peace. Now the Lords thoughts towards his owne, are chiefely and mainly p. 76for this peace, this inward, l… ving, ruling, comforting peace. You ſhall have that peace (ſay… God) that is mine, that peace that ſutes with my thoughts that goes beyond yo… thoughts, the reach of yo… mindes, of your underſtanding This peace which is my peace, think to give to you: nay, o… Saviour ſaies more,Ioh. 14.27John 14:27 I doe gi… to you.

Secondly,2. Outward peace. Ier. 30.21 Iſ. 33.20. Ier. 30.10 Zech. 1.17Jer 30:21Isa 33:20Jer 30:10Zech 1:17 for the outward peace: this is a freedome fro… oppreſſion: they ſhall bee … themſelves, and no ſlaves to others, ſayes God, a freedom… from troubles and diſquiet ments: they ſhall be in a quiet condition, and in peaceable habitations; a freedome from w… and danger, they ſhall be in ſafety, they ſhall lye down ſafely, … none ſhall make them afraid: … freedome from want and penury, they ſhall be in proſperity and enjoy abundance. Th… (ſayes God) ſhall bee the outward p. 77portion of my people: it …s in my thoughts thus to deale with them, thus to change their condition, and bring them forth …nto light; yea to be a light my ſelfe unto them. I doe not intend (ſayes God) that my people ſhal alwayes be in captivity, alwayes bee under oppreſſing hands; but I will breake thoſe …oaks and bring them out, I will ſave, I will deliver them, they ſhall flouriſh by me, and I will be glorified by them: look how farre peace can reach, extend it to the utmoſt, my people ſhall enjoy all that, and more then can bee uttered: ſuch a peace God ſpeaks of here.

Secondly, by thoughts of peace, he means the firm and ſet…ed determination of God, touching the giving of this peace in its ſeaſon, to his people, tis as much, as if God ſhould ſay, my decree is this, this is my purpoſe, to beſtow theſe bleſſings upon my people after ſo many yeares.

p. 781For the ſecond thing concerning theſe thoughts, as they are ſet downe in a negative way; thoughts not of evill: he means not of the evill of miſery: my thoughts (ſayes God) are not to ſhew my juſtice towards this people, to put them to pain, to make a voice of trembling, of feare,Ier. 30.5.Jer 30:5 and not of peace amongſt them; to encreaſe their troubles, or to continue them, beyond my appoynted time: in this Phraſe God doth firſt anſwer what his people might object, and lay in againſt their own Comforts; as thus, why Lord, might they ſay, haſt thou not brought evill upon us all this while? wee have beene under ſufferings, under enemies, under captivity thus long: thy thoughts, have been thoughts of evill towards us, and little elſe theſe many years. Tis true (ſaies God) but now I have thoughts not of evill; cheere up your ſelves under all your ſmart; I p. 79thinke for your good, and not not for your evill: for your good, to ſave you, and not for your evill to plague you.

Secondly, God doth moſt ſweetly ſet forth what his mercifull goings amongſt his people ſhall bee when his time ſhall come: it imports merciemercy without mixture of ſorrowes: it does (in a ſenſe) exclude afflictions: they ſhal have mercy (ſaies God) and nothing but Mercy: peace, and nothing but peace: comfort and nothing but comfort: there be three ſpeciall things the ſpirit points at in this phraſe, all tending to give a glorious luſter to this love of God unto his people.

1 The pureneſſe of his mercy, how cleere the ſtreame of love ſhould run from the fountain of mercy, there ſhould be no mud, but it ſhould be a pure Rive of water of life,Reve. 22.Rev 22 cleer as Chryſtall (like that which was ſhewed to Iohn in his Revelation) it p. 80ſhould be mercy of that nature, of that beauty, of that purity, as ſhould ſhew its originaall, 'its proceeding out of the Throne of God, and of the Lambe.

2 It ſets forth the cleereneſſe of his mercy:Iſa. 33.20.Isa 33:20 tis mercy that ſhall be ſeen: mercy that a man may ſee the very face of God in: Looke, ſayes God, Thine eyes ſhall ſee Ieruſalem a quiet Habitation, a Tabernacle that ſhall not be taken downe, &c. Oh this was mercy indeed! Oh this was … goodly ſight! Oh this was viſible mercy!21. v. Mercy, ſet upon a hill by the Lords owne hand, that could not be hid: now, God does ſpeake plainely, ſweetly (by the workings of his love, by the exerciſe of his kindneſſe) that his people, are a people beloved of him,Mich. 7.10 9.Mic 7:10 that he is their Judge to plead for them; their Law-giver, to guide them; their King to ſave them: Then they that be the enemies of God, and of his people ſhall ſee the mercies they p. 81…ave; theſe ſhall, and do carry …ch a light in with them, and in …hem, that the faithfull ones do …ll them by no other name but …ight, and Righteouſneſſe, ſo …eere, ſo viſible, that they are …onfident, yea they conclude upon it, that they ſhall behold it, …nd the Enemie ſhall behold it …oo.

3 It preſents to our view,Ioh. 16.…John 16 the …ulneſſe of mercy: ye ſhall have …our bellies full of peace: you …hall have comforts ſuting to …our deſires; you ſhall have …he exerciſe of my love alone, …ny hand of grace alone ſtretched …ut for you, to bring you in all good: my ayme is, that your joy …ay bee full: that your peace …ay be perfect: that all ſtormes …ay bee over and you may bee …aved.

For the three things, they are thoughts to give: they are full of bounty: God opens his hand …nd gives, and what followes? p. 82he fils and ſatiſfies the deſire o… every living thing:Pſal. 145.16.Ps 145:16 the Spirit o… God couples with an (and) Gods giving, and the creature filling; yea Every creatures ſatisfaction: he opens his hand, that is his giving; and fills, their is the plenty, there is the ſtore… he fils the deſire too, there is th… infiniteneſſe of his good: ye… of every living thing; there i… the reach of his giving, and th… bleſſed fruit of it too: He by his gifts can ſatisfie that, which of all, is moſt hard to be filled the ſoule of man: Hee makes this (though an inſatiable thing) ſay it is enough, I have enough, I am filled, I have all, I abound… Thus he gives, and ſo ſatisfies: now God hath this in his heart firſt, He hath giving thoughts ere he hath a giving hand: h… heart is ful of his bounty, ere th… expreſſions of his hands ſhew his bountie; and ever in this world the thoughts of God towards his people, are richer, are p. 83fuller then his hands: Gods thoughts, be thoughts to give: …he Devill and ſin, they thinke too, but it is to take away, it is …o deceive, it is to kill ſteal & to deſtroy (like the thief in the Goſpel) it is how to blinde,Iohn 10.10.John 10:10 how to …arden, how to make a ſoule …ooſe it ſelfe, looſe its glory. Man needs and (though ready …o periſh by them) ſcarce thinkes upon his greateſt needs: God …ees, and ſees all his wants, and thinkes to give, and to give a …ull ſupplie to all his wants: man moſt what in his needs hath …carce thoughts to aske (hitherto ye have asked nothing, Iohn. 16.24.John 16:24you …now to whom it was ſpoken) …et God hath thoughts to give: God intends not that all (nay …hat any of his love) ſhould be, ſhould live and dye in bare …ords: He hath thoughts to give …ood, as well as to ſpeak good: God, that would have man give, …nd give himſelf to him:Pſalm 84.11.Ps 84:11 he hath …houghts in himſelf towards his p. 84to give himſelf, & then he thinks to withhold no good: here behold, the reality, & fulnes of love (both at once) Gods thoughts are not to diſſenmble with man, to make him beleeve, to keep him in hand, and there is all: to make many profeſſions of love, and yet let all vaniſh away, and fall to the grouund, without reall expreſſions of any kindneſſe, but this bleſſed ſap of mercy is God, will bud bloſſome and beare forth fruit too: This living ſpring will alwaies run, and and will not faile: God delights not onelyonly in the thoughts of his mercy,Ier. 9.24.Jer 9:24 but in the exerciſe of his mercy, too.

Secondly, ſee here the fruitfulneſſe of his love: This is to be noted, the wombe of God… thoughts never have falſe Conceptions:Sol. Song. 4.2.Song 4:2 they never prove barren: they all bear twinns (… tis ſaid of the ſheep of Chriſt and none is barren among them:Iſa. 62.3.Isa 62:3 Gods thoughts run out i… p. 85to gifts, and moſt rich ones too. all that enjoy theſe, are made by theſe, as a royall Diadem and a Crowne of glory in the hand of their God.

Thirdly, the freeneſſe of theſe thoughts of God is here noted: God thinkes to give, where he ſees no good, before hee gives, to thoſe he thinkes to give, in whom hee ſees no deſervings, and from whom he might have withheld his mercy without wrong to them, had his will and pleaſure beene ſo: God, where he bleſſes, hee bleſſes by giving: whom he rewards, hee rewards by giving: the ſoule that is made gracious, that beleeves, that is patient,Phil. 1.29Phil 1:29 it is given to him, he hath it this way, and no way elſe: a ſoule that is rewarded tis by way of gift:Revel. 22.12.Rev 22:12 Behold my reward is with me (ſaith Chriſt) to give to every man according as his worke, ſhall bee: when mercy rewards and ſaves, it is a gift: and when Juſtice rewards p. 86and damnes, tis a gift of juſtice, or of debt that is due to evill workers, and that God dos freely, of his owne minde.

For the fourth thing: they are thoughts to give an end, and expectation: ſatisfying thoughts: you ſhall have (ſaies God) what mercy you do, will, or can expect: God meanes this:

1 That they ſhould have an end put to all their miſeries: the dark cloud ſhould be blown over: their ſufferings ſhould have a bleſſed end, God himſelfe would put a full period to them.

2 Such an end, an end ſo gracious, that it ſhould anſwer their living and large expectations:Iam. 5.11.Jas 5:11 that it ſhould ſatisfy all their longings: ſuch an end as bleſſed, JOB had in his afflictions: the end of the Lord was gracious to him: the Lord did ſhew even in him, and by him, that he was very pitifull, and of tender mercy: ſo as the Lord might well p. 87inſtance in JOB, for to prove what tender bowels he had: he might well ſay to his children, go to JOB and ſee whether I am not gracious and of tender mercy: JOBS example may learne us both the graciouſneſſe, that God ſhewes, & the patience that Saints ſhould ſhew. JOB had an end, and expectation too, ſo gracious was God to him, and ſo good will God be to his people now: I can ſhew the like againe (ſaies God) I can do as much for you, and ſo I purpoſe, my thought are for to walke in the ſame way of mercy towards you: you ſhall have as much as an ende and expectation will come too (that is as good an end as you can wiſh, deſire, or long for) novv to make the mercy thus compleat, there muſt be in it theſe in gredients.

Firſt, there muſt be a powerfull bringing them backe from their Captivity, and an happie p. 88deliverance of them from all afflictions:Ier. 30.10Jer 30:10 God muſt ſave his Iſrael from afar, and his ſeed from the land of their captivity: Iacob muſt returne, be in reſt, and be quiet, and none make him afraid.

2 A full performance of all the promiſes of the Lord to them: God muſt give them according to his promiſes, or elſe he could not give occording to their expectations.

3 A bleſſed giving in of ſpirituall graces, with ſpirituall enlargements for grace received, for the abounding of thanks giving to wards God.

4 The ſhining of Gods face upon them againe, which brings with it ſweet and ſpirituall peace: This the faithfull expected.

5 All this muſt be done ſeaſonably, in the beſt, in the fitteſt time: when they were ready when the full worke of God was done upon their hearts, when their expectations and p. 89wantings were at higheſt;Zech. 9.1.Zech 9:1 when they look moſt; when their eyes were moſt intentively pitcht upon God: When comes the burden upon-Hadrach, and the reſts, upon Damaſcus, that is upon the cruell enemies of Iſrael, and the inflicters of all their miſeries? but then, when the eyes of all Iſrael are as one man towards the Lord: and then comes all other mercies too that they needed, even a full ſupply from the Lord their God.

For the ſecond thing, the Arguments to proove the truth now in hand: wee may reaſon thus.

1 Becauſe God is Love, and this is much more then to ſay (God loves,1 Iohn 4.8, 16.1 John 4:81 John 4:16 it notes thus much that it is the very Eſſence and nature of God: Man may properly be ſaid to love, but cannot be ſaid to be love: God is ſo, tis affirmed from his own mouth: when this was ſaid, twas a piece of Gods own minde, and tis recorded p. 90twice in one chapter, twas a ſweet argument it ſeems, the Apoſtle was now upon: he is incouraging Saints to love, and love ſo, as to dwell in it, and therefore he mentions this, that God is love, Ioh. 3.16. Rom. 5.8.John 3:16Rom 5:8if they would looke ſo high (as tis moſt fit they ſhould) they might eaſily ſee a moſt glorious pattere of love, that they could never reach and that was love it ſelfe: wee read of Gods ſo loving the world, &c. And of Gods commending his love to us: but we read not (as I remember) of this phraſe, that God is love, but in this place: Now the ſervants of Chriſt (having not only heard him, and ſeen him, and taſted him, but enjoyed abundance of glorious fellowſhip with him, wherein by moſt certaine and ſweet experience, they had been ſo oft, ſo much ſatiſfyed with this River of his good pleaſure) they come up to the higheſt expreſſion that can bee p. 91to ſet out the love of God, when they ſay, God is love: ſurely thoſe glorious Saints in heaven, that are at the Wel-head of happineſſe (as it were) and enjoy the fulneſſe of love in the higheſt degree, could not have ſpoken more gloriouſly of this love, then to ſay, God is love: now if hee be ſo; God will, Firſt, be pitying his: Secondly, hee will bee contriving for his, and Thirdly, he will be overlooking all the unworthineſſe of his.

1 He will be full of pity: as a father pities, ſo the Lord will (ſaies David) Gods bowels could not but be troubled for his repenting Ephraim, Ier. 31.20.Jer 31:20and ſo troubled too, that God takes up this reſolution, that he will ſurely have mercy upon him: God could quickly finde bowels, when Ephraim found his ſins, and his mercy ſayes now, Ephraim is a deere ſon, Ephraim is a pleaſant childe all is forgot already, that Ephraim hath done his p. 92former Idolatrie, his former prophanenes, his former ſtubbornnes, it is all covered all drowned already in the ſea of his mercy: here behold bowels of compaſſion indeed: here is pity that is infinitly tender: ſhining in the very carriage and language of God towards poore creatures full of ſinns, and full of troubles, both at once: this is the very way of Gods bowels, let his children be in danger, in troubles, under ſorrowes and ſufferings, the heart of God cannot reſt, it will bubble, it will be hot, it will boyle up twill run over to his afflicted children.

2 This love that is God it ſelfe, Gods owne nature, twill be a contriving: thoughts of love will flow from it: God is all act (purus actus) and ſo is this love, it is buſie, hard at worke, plotting for, and pitching upon, ſome great good for thoſe whom he delights to chooſe, to love, to honour: I will ſurely have mercy p. 93(ſayes God) I will ſurely do ſuch a poore ſovle good: his ſould ſhall bleſſe me: his conſcience ſhall enjoy me: his ſpirit ſhall rejoyce in me: his heart ſhalbe fild with my peac, with my comforts, with my bleſſings.

3 This love of God can tell how to overlook all the unworthineſſe of his people: God ſtands not upon the poor creatures worthineſſe: I will have mercy, upon whom I will have mercy, this is the voice of Gods bowels: to love freely, this is his way:Rom. 9.15 It was ſpoken to MOSES, yet it was all Goſpell.Rom 9:15 he will therefore think thoughts of good, becauſe hee is good, not becauſe the creature is good: if God beare good will to a poore ſoule, he will ſhew it, though it be to a raging, to a perſecuting Saul; whiles he is a killing, God is a ſaving, whilſt he is making havocke of the church, God is bringing him in: Who more prophane then the Prodigall? who waſted mercies more baſely p. 94then he? And yet the Love of the Father can call in ſuch a whretch, can embrace him in his returne, can powre out it ſelfe moſt ſweetly into his boſome, Give him the title of this my Sonne,Luk. 15.24.Luke 15:24 and he hath all the welcome home, that mercy it ſelfe can make for him. Who more Idolatrous then Ephraim? he was joyned to Idols (ſo God teſtifies) his caſe was deſperate: let him alone ſayes God: Yet the Love of God darts upon Epraims heart, and then hee bemeanes himſelfe, then he prayes, Turne me, thou art the Lord my God: Hoſ. 14.17.Hos 14:17then he repents and ſmites upon his thigh for very ſhame and indignation: and what does God now when hee ſees and heares thus,Ier. 31.18.Jer 31:18 of the worke of grace upon Ephraims heart? Why, the next newes we here is this, Ephraim is called a deare ſon, and a pleaſant childe: who more unworthy: and yet who wore gladly received, who p. 95more ſurely bleſt, then Ephraim was?

2. Becauſe the Lord by theſe thoughts of his dos ſo ſet up his owne name: tis no leſſe then infinite glory that ſhines forth, and redounds to God by theſe purpoſes of his.

David, Pſal. 33.1, 2, 3.Ps 33:1Ps 33:2Ps 33:3when he carges the righteous to rejoyce in the Lord, and to praiſe him, marke upon what grounds and why he would have this duty done: he gives three ſpeciall reaſons.

1. The word of the Lord is right,4. v. therefore rejoyce in him and bleſſe him.

2. The workes of the Lord they are ſuch, ſo great, and all done in truth: therefore bleſſe him.11. v.

3 The counſell of the Lord ſtands for ever: the thoughts of his heart to all generations:10. v. He that brings the counſell of the Heathen to nought, that makes the devices of the people (hee meanes that are againſt him, his p. 96cauſe and people, for ſuch were the counſells of the Heathen) of none effect: Yet hee makes his owne Counſell to ſtand, and his own thoughts to endure and take place, none ſhall fruſtrate them: therefore the righteous muſt to work, to bleſſe the Lord: theſe thoughts of his heart muſt worke the ſame effect in them, as they did upon himſelfe, when he cryed,Pſal 139.17.Ps 139:17 How precious are thy thoughts unto me, O God: How great is the ſum of them? Theſe were exceeding honourable in his eyes: theſe took up his minde: theſe drew his heart even up to as high as admiration: and well they might, for what dos God himſelfe commend to man, ſo much as his love, and what are theſe thoughts, but thoughts of love?

Thirdly, becauſe the Saint ſtand in ſuch need of theſe thoughts of love towards them.

1 Elſe they ſhould have no p. 97mercy to ſave or comfort them: where there is no conception there can bee no birth looked for: God thinkes firſt, and workes afterwards: hee never gave any mercy to his, but he thought them that mercy firſt: What God does to, and for his,Epheſ. 1.90.Eph 1:90 tis according to the good pleaſure of his goodneſſe which hee purpoſed in himſelfe.

2 Elſe what bottome would there bee for the Saints comforts? How could they read before hand (ſo as they do) how gracious God will be to them, if there were no promiſes made? And where would promiſes of good bee from God, if there were not purpoſes of good in God firſt? What are the Lords promiſes, but his ſpeaking thoughts of love, his proclamations of that grace, which is in the breaſt and heart of God to poor beleevers? Now if no promiſes, no props of faith, no grounds of incouragement, no p. 98not to ſaints themſelves: take away then theſe thoughts from God, and what will there remaine to ſupport a ſaint? How can a ſoule looke either for promiſes from God, or for faithfulneſſe in thoſe promiſes, if God hath no thoughts of love towards his?

Thirdly, elſe what foundation can there be of the Saints waiting? What do Saints wait for,Lam. 3.26Lam 3:26 but to ſee God bring out theſe thoughts of his to light (which they call the Salvation of the Lord, the very fruits that theſe bleſſed thoughts of God beare) if God have no purpoſes, tis in vine to waite; tis but loſt time, and it could not bee good for any man ſo to do: Now the Lord enjoynes waiting: he tells his peopls (in the midſt of all their troubles) tis good to wait, and upon this ground too, becauſe there is Salvation of God to come for his people:Pſal. 130.7.8.Ps 130:7Ps 130:8 becauſe, with the Lord there is mercy, p. 99(that fills his heart, there be his thoughts of love, that he alwaies poſceſſes) and with him is plenteous redemption, and he ſhall redeem Iſraell, &c.Pſal. 130.7, 8.Ps 130:7Ps 130:8 Their is the exerciſe and bleſſed fruit of …is love: if God hath not done …t as yet, yet he intends to do it: …aell is not yet redeemed, that …s confeſt: God will redeeme Iſ…ſrael, that is profeſt: if any man …y, Iſraell is in trouble: that is …anted: if any will ſay, Iſrael …all not come out: that is de…ed: their is ground jnough …en for the patient waiting of …e ſoule upon God, yea to lift … the ſoules eyes (and that …oſt earneſtly,Pſal. 123.Ps 123 with thoſe holy …es, even under the ſoreſt trou…es) unto him that dwels in … heavens: and if Saints may, … muſt waite, God hath …ughts of louelove towards them, …ich he intends to manifeſt to …m, and for which he would …e them wait.

We have now run thorow p. 100the Doctrinall part of this tru… and text: the Applicatorie no… followes: wherein we are … ſhew what inferences may we be drawne hence for the ſpirit… all Prophet of poore ſou… Gods thoughts being thus … wards his people in evill time…

Vſe. 1 1 It falls heavy upon the … who have evill thoughts, a… evill eyes to wards Gods de… ones in the time of their adv… ſities: The Spirit of God, … Dauid tells us the garbe,Pſal. 36.4.Ps 36:4 wa… and faſhions of a Wicked ma… heart and how tis exerciſe when he teſtifies, that he de… ſeth miſcheiefe upon his bed, … ſets himſelfe in a way that is … good: he ſpends his thought… ſo many evill arrowes, to ſh… them up to the head, in … hearts lives, eſtates, names, … poſterities of the people of G… Oh thinkes the wicked o… how may I doe ſuch a … harme,Dan. 6.4, 5.Dan 6:4Dan 6:5 how may I give hi… blow that hee may never … p. 101…ore? How may I both accuſe …n and condeme him too? …ake as thoſe wretches, thoſe …godly great ones ſought to …de occaſion againſt Daniel, Dan. 6.4, 5Dan 6:4Dan 6:5to … ſtroy him) When ſhall he dye, …d his name periſh, was both the …quiry, and alſo the malicious …ngings of the ungodly, con…rning David? Pſal. 41.5.Ps 41:5they thought it …ng, ere his life, name, poſteri… was rooted out: ere all his …od were gone, dead and rot…: And was not this the very …ult of the Atheiſts counſells …inſt Ieremiah? Ier. 18.8.Jer 18:8Come let us …ite him with the tongue (or for …e tonge) becauſe he will not …ld his peace, but prophecy …ainſt them and their evill …aies; they will ſmite him, and …ite him downe; they will go … it with Club-law rather then … Prophet ſhall be ſuffered to …nd:

If travelling with iniquity; … conceiving miſchiefe; if …nging forth falſhood; will be p. 102the overthrow of the ſervants … Chriſt;Pſal. 7.14.Ps 7:14 they ſhall down: the malicious miſcheiuous though… of wicked men, they are thogh… of evill not of good: thoughts … hatred, not of love: thoughts … trouble, not of peace: the thoughts are how to diſturb… how to diſcourage, how to … voure and to deſtroy, may … God ſay to theſe as he did … thoſe murmurers in the Parab… are your eyes, your thought… evill, becauſe myne be good what do ye meane, to make Pits to diſtroy where … make promiſes to ſave! wl… have I here,Ier. 52.5.Jer 52:5 that my people … taken away for naught, even … your thoughts, in your imag… nations? what is this yo… workes, your way, your w… to imploy your thoughts in ſ… a way? Wo to you that deviſeſu… iniquity,Mich. 2.1.Mic 2:1 and worke ſuch ev… upon your beds, the God th… ſees and loathes it) ſpeakes … And he that ſpeakes it, will … p. 103… he ſayes, will make good his …ord to the full: ſuch thoughts … you thinike (ſayes God) I …nnot endure: and ſuch puniſh…ent as I inflict you ſhall not …dure: oh that Perſecutors had …t eyes to ſee this truth! might …ey not here read themſelves …trary to God, and God con…y to them? theſe are they, …t beare up their heads high …he world: oh how lofty are …ir hearts, eyes, and waies! … what will their end bee, … will they come down, …en the almighty hand of di… juſtice ſhall give them the … throw?

Secondly, are not they much … who dreame that there is … God to looke after his peo… when they be caſt down? … (ſay the wicked) God hath …ken them, we ſhall have our … let us be upon the bones of …, now ſhall they be bread … and a prey to us, perſecute …ake them, there is none to p. 104deliver: the day is our own, … field is wone, let us ariſe up … the prey, let us devoure, ro… is the time, and thus they erc… rage one another in an e… matter, and tis a jolly time w… them now, to thinke that … Davids be downe, and ſhall … ver riſe more:Reve. 11.10.Rev 11:10 Now they m… merry together, like theſe … dwelt upon the earth, when … two witneſſes of Jeſus Ch… was flaine; then they reioy… over them, as thinking wha… brave world twas now … them.Ior. 30.17. Sick Zion, Bruiſed Z… Wounded Zion, ſpoiled Z… heres no better from wi… men then the title of Out-e… They call her ſayes the Prop… an Out-caſt, ſaying, This is Z… (in ſcorne and deriſion, po… ing at her with the fing… contempt) whom no man … eth after: Now Zion in … apprehenſions hath never friend: ſhe is caſt out of favour of God and men (as p. 105thi…inke) who ſeekes after her? … who cares for her? who lookes …ter her welfare? why God …oes, yee wicked ones: he is …ying her condition, he is grieu…d for her aflictions: he is con…iving for her deliverance: he …urpoſes her ſalvation: I will …ſtore heatlh unto thee, and I … will heale thee of thy wounds; …aith the Lord: oh what a voice … this? this is the voice of my …eloved, may the poore ſoule …ey: this is none other but the …oice of my Father: and this is … the gate of heaven unto me: … Oh methinkes now I am in …eaven! Now (me thinkes) I …ould tread downe with con…empt all the ſpite and rage of …ell: Now (me thinkes) I could …ay with the Church, ſpeake … with her confidence, mine ene…nie ſhall ſee my happineſſe, and … name ſhall cover her wich ſaid, …nto me,Mic 7.10Mic 7:10 Where is the Lord thy … God? Mine eyes ſhall be hold her, … that is in a way of triumph, as p. 106one fallen to the ground) now ſhall ſhee be trodden downe as the mire of the ſtreets: here is your portion may Zion ſay: this is the reward you ſhall have: you beheld mee with proud ſcornefull eyes, and with glad hearts when I was in miſery; mine eye ſhall behold you cut downe with a thankfull heart: you ſhall have treading dowe, for treading downe: Nay you ſhall to the myre, (whereas I when at worſt, was upon a Rocke) you ſhall be troden as the myre of the ſtreets: Who will pity you, when you fall? Who will lament when you are deſtroyed? and you are never in your place till ye be thus trodden downe: Where ſhould myre go but to the myre? and where ſhould mire be, but under feet? you that dreame, wiſh, and long for, Gods forſaking of his owne ſervants; what thoughts have you of God, and againſt God the the while, but ſuch as deny him p. 107ſuch as make him a lier? Woe …o you when blindneſſe and deceitfulneſſe thus leads you, you may love it, you ſhall one day …ue for it.

3Thirdly, ſee hence the unchangeableneſſe and bleſſed conſtancy that runs parallell with the infinite, the pretious, the deareſt love of God towards his, through all conditions: Gods love parts not from thoſe … loves, what ever go away, …his ſtayes: God hath thoughts of peace for his in captivity, for his in Babylon: In this ever …o be admired love of God, …here is not (ſaith the Apoſtle) …ny ſhadow of turning;Jam. 1.17. foreign.Jas 1:17 it is ſo …ne and the ſame, that there is …ot any colour or likeneſſe, not …o much as any think obſcurely …ſembling the leaſt variableneſſe in God; with God there … not ſo much as the rude …ranght of turning, (ſo the …ord notes) not ſo much as …y give the leaſt ground for p. 108man to ſay, that God is in any degree variable or unconſtant in this his glorious love, or i… the bleſſed gifts and fruits of it… When once the face of Gods love is towards a people, 'tis and 'twill bee, ever ſo: it is like the living creatures in Ezekiel, Ezek. 1.12Ezek 1:12it turns not, but goes forward in moſt ſweet expreſſions of it ſelfe: it runs and ſtreams through all the ſad conditions of his people: it is as the tree of life,Rev. 22.Rev 22 it bears forth fruit, and that of all kinds, and that every month too; upon every occaſion, in every trouble, ſorrow, temptation, the love of God is nigh, his ſalvation is nigh them that feare him, ſ… the Saints profeſſe: and what ſaves but the love of God? tha… is nigh firſt, and that is the cauſe that brings forth ſalvation: the love of God it f… hard at ſtudy (as it were) … muſes and plots for good, when the people of his love a… p. 109brought exceeding low: it is a framing and deviſing how to ſave, when the ungodly are plotting how to kill: Creatures may look ſtrange, they… may ſtand a far off (like Jobs friends) they may prove miſerable comforters (as he ſpake of them, as much as if he ſhould have ſaid, increaſers of his miſery, rather then eaſers of him) but yet God wil not: therefore is that expoſtulation of the Prophet, Why ſtandeſt thou ſo far off, O Lord? Pſal. 10.1.Ps 10:1Why bideſt thou thy ſelfe in times of trouble? This breeds even wonder in a Saint, to ſee God a farre off; ſo much as to apprehend God forſaking: as if God were not now in his place, where he would be, where he uſes to be, where he hath promiſed to be. In times of trouble for God to be farre off, for God to hide his face, it is more then a wonder, ſince he hath promiſed to be …eereſt then: Creatures they doe but their kind, when they p. 110prove fickle and forſake: vain things may be allowed to ſhew their vanity: they work but from their own nature when they fail: but for God to be variable, for this love to change it is impoſſible, it is againſt the very nature of God, & of this love w^ch is no leſſe then himſelf: God can tell how to love, reſpect, and remember his people in a low eſtate: An Iron furnace in Egypt cannot put Gods love out of its way, Egyptian bondage, Pharaos tyranny, Iſraels ſlavery, drudgery, poverty, quenches not one ſpark of this fire of Gods love towards them: God will ſee for all this, how they be uſed: he will pitie them, reſpect & hear them, come down,Exod. 3.7.8, 9.Exod 3:7Exod 3:8Exod 3:9 deliver them; all their afflictions ſhall not dam up againſt his purpoſe of love, nor alter his courſe of kindnes towards them, no not when wicked men ſay, Zion is caſt off: nor when Zion herſelf ſaies, The Lord, even Jehovah, hath forſaken p. 111me, My Lord hath forgotten me. Iſa. 49.14.Isa 49:14God complains of wrong, pleads w^th her, draws Arguments from naturall affection, and that in a mother too, (uſuall the tendereſt lover) yet all this is not high enough, the Lord grants, that a mother may forget her child; yea, all mothers may do ſo; for it is poſſible they may put off nature in that thing and be without naturall affection, as the Lord foretells of ſome,) but yet God ſayes, it is impoſſible he ſhould: he does not, nor cannot, he wills againſt forgetting of his people; and can that come to paſſe, that Gods will is againſt? who hath, or what can reſiſt his will? Nothing in God will, nothing in the creature can: When he wils to love, to ſhew mercy to a poor creature; this will of his will make its way, and have its way, what ever lie in the way, or oppoſes: The Prophet might well ſay, The merciemercy of the Lord is p. 112from everlaſting to everlaſting to them that feare him: that is narrow enough, ſhort enough, a low expreſſion enough for Gods love: time is no fit Channell to take up the mercy of God, it wil not, it cannot hold it: his purpoſes and thoughts for his, they muſt not, they will not be ſtraitned: they will have compaſſe enough, roomth and length enough, if infiniteneſſe, if from eternity to eternity, will give it them.

4In the fourth place, let us take notice and eye this, That the mercies God gives to his, they are a contriving and framing in the bowels and thoughts of God, a long time; yea, from all eternity, before they are beſtowed, or appeare viſible: our God carries mercies in his thoughts for them, he hath them written upon his breaſt, before the foundation of the world, and there he bears them in his heart till he brings p. 113them forth, and ſhews the good …n his own ſeaſon: God never did, nor never will doe any thing for his on a ſudden, (as I may ſay) that never came into his mind before: new mercies he may give, but what be theſe, but the bringing forth of old thoughts, the expreſſions of his eternall purpoſes of love? The Lord thought, yea, declared his mind to Abraham concerning delivering of Abrahams ſeed, and his Iſrael out of Egypt, four hundred yeares before hand, and many yeares before they were born, or in bondage in that Land: How long did the Lord purpoſe to ſend Jeſus Chriſt, ere he was ſent into the world? 'Twas in the Lords thoughts before all time, Chriſt was a Lamb ſlain from the foundation of the world,1 Pet 1.20.1 Pet 1:20 he was fore-ordained ſo, but was manifeſt (ſayes the Apoſtle) in theſe laſt times for you. Jeſus Chriſt was p. 114fore-ordained to be a Saviour before all time: he was promiſed preſently after the beginning of time; and yet ere he was exhibited, 'twas thouſands of yeares, (welnigh four thouſand, if not all out:) 'twas in the fulneſſe of time that Chriſt comes in: the Apoſtle calls it (foreign) which notes not onelyonly the fulneſſe of time,Gal. 4.4.Gal 4:4 but the perfection of it too, the accompliſhing alſo, or finiſhing of time: the meaning is, Chriſt came not till ſuch a time, was made up, filled up, accompliſht, which God himſelfe had appointed. Fulneſſe of time then, if we referre it to God, then the ſenſe is this: A full time, that is, in Gods account, will, decree, as it was fore-determined of God from all eternity. 2. Referre it to Scripture, and ſo 'twas a full time in Scripture account, wherein thoſe propheſies concerning his comming, muſt needs be fulfilled. 3. Referre p. 115it to the Saints, and then 'twas a full time, in that the Saints were ready for this bleſſing now coming: 'twas the fulneſſe of time in their faith, in their perſwaſions, in their waitings, who at that time are ſaid in a ſpeciall manner, to wait for redemption, and to wait for the conſolation of Iſrael. Luke 2.25.38.Luke 2:25Luke 2:38Now the Saints looked hard for the riſing of this Sun, like Travellers tired out with darkneſſe, (what from themſelves and from the times) they long for the light: And thus even the holy ones of God, by their ſtrong, raiſed, and raiſing expectations, did clearly and ſtrongly point out to the world, the neer approaching of the bleſſed light of that Sun of righteouſneſſe, by whoſe beames the bleſſed day of the Goſpel did ſoon appeare, and by the brightneſs of whoſe glory, the hearts of his did ſhine with heavenly light, & did p. 116rejoyce with exceeding joy, and ſound conſolation. God thought all good for his people ere he promiſed any thing, and his promiſes each one have a fulneſſe of time to ſhew themſelves in: God purpoſes all at once, he acts not ſo; he brings out his purpoſes by degrees: God determined at once before any time, to make a world; yet when he does it, he will take ſix dayes to do it: he will not finiſh it with one word, but will uſe many; he will not perfect it in one act, but he will doe ſomewhat in every of the ſix dayes: Gods thoughts of ſending his Sonne, were from all eternity: yet he is not promiſed till the world and time are, till man is made, and hath made himſelfe a ſinner too: and when is this promiſe made good? Not till the world is even an aged world: not till thouſands of yeares were over and gone: he was promiſed in the firſt dayes p. 117of the world, and 'twas the laſt dayes ere he was born: Our God loves to ſhew unto his ſervants, his unfadomable wiſdome in his contrivances, his infinite power in his workings, his ancient & eternal love in all his compaſſionate paſſages towards his, & all theſe at once: the Lord intends to make them perfect, full, compleat works of love, he hath them ſo long in the frame: the Lord intends the patient, earneſt, and long waiting of his people upon his bowels, purpoſes and promiſes of love, (although for the preſent, they are encompaſſed with nothing elſe but ſtraits and miſeries: the Lord intends to ſhew what need his people have of faith and patience, that after they have done the wil of God, they may inherit the promiſe: the Lord intends to make the fruit of his own bowels ſweet enough, delicate and dainty to the taſte of beleevers: the Lord p. 118intends to ſhew how his mercies ſhall ſuit with his childrens conditions, and how they ſhall fill up his peoples wants.

5In the fifth place, ſee the glorious and ever bleſſed Spring from whence rivers and ſtreams of mercy flow,Pſal. 46.4.Ps 46:4 to the wondrous gladding of the hearts of Saints: we wonder ſometimes at all the mercies Saints be cloathed with, and are ready to make holy Elizabeths enquiry, Whence is this, and whence is that? Yea, Saints themſelves, who partake of the mercy, who are refreſhed with theſe Rivers of Gods good pleaſure, are oft ſet at a ſtand, and with holy David, fall down,Pſal. 31.19.Ps 31:19 admire, and cry, O how great is thy gooneſſe! Yea, he may adde this, and ſay, O how deep is thy goodneſs! The Prophet tells us in a certain place, that the judgements of God are as a great deepe; the Apoſtle ſayes more of love, he ſpeaks p. 119of the bredth, length & height, as well as the depth of the love of Chriſt:Eph. 3.18.Eph 3:18 and he ſpeaks of all theſe dimenſions as infinite: of ſuch a length, of ſuch a breadth, of ſuch a depth, of ſuch an height, as that which is incomprehenſible, no mind able to reach this myſtery of love: this is as deep, that it reaches as low as the grave, as farre as hell; as high as heaven; and is every way as unſearchable as the verie heart of God: doſt thou ſee a little purling ſtreame of merciemercy running to a Saint, an outward deliverance given to a Saint? why this had its beginning in the very bowels and breaſt of God: trace it up to the head to the firſt riſe; thou ſhalt ſee it firſt ingraven in the breaſt of God, concluded upon in his heart, and ſtampt upon the very thoughts of God, lying and reſting there firſt, and then bubling out in Gods ſeaſon to them: doſt thou ſee a ſoul called, p. 120juſtified, ſanctified through grace, conformed to Jeſus Chriſt by the power of his Spirit; why all this precious love of God lay in his electing thoughts, t'was treaſured,Rom. 8.29.30.Rom 8:29Rom 8:30 t'was cabinated up there firſt: he was predeſtinated, and fore-ordained to this merciemercy, to enjoy this love in Chriſt ere the world was: ſo the Apoſtle witneſſes.

6In the ſixth place obſerve the vaſt and infinite difference, betwixt God and Idols: the true God, and falſe ones: Idols, what thoughts have they or purpoſes of good towards their followers: can thoſe determine or decree good,Rev. 9.20.Rev 9:20 concerning whom the Spirit bears record, that they can neither ſee, nor hear, nor walk? can gold, ſilver, braſſe, ſtone, wood, the work of the craftſ-man, decree good for thoſe that truſt in them? God, the true God, he is in the heavens, there he dwels, and there he rules, and there he bleſſes: p. 121Idols they lie in the bowels of the earth,Joh. 8.23.John 8:23 from thence they come: they are from beneath as Chriſt ſpeaks and that every way, both in their originall, ſpirituall, as being from hell, and naturall too, as being in and from the earth: God he makes man, and does whatſoever pleaſes him to man, and to all creatures: Idols, mans hand makes them, and a Devils heart together; they make nothing, unleſſe it be deſtruction; God hath a mouth to ſpeak to, and for his people: he can, does, and will ſpeake comfortably to them: but Idols have ſpeechles mouthes: mouthes that be very cyphers that cannot ſpeak. God hath eyes, and eyes that can ſee, and that are open and moſt vigilant to ſee all his peoples wants, and what will ſupply them: Idols eyes, they are ſightleſſe eyes, eyes, and no eyes, eyes without light, and full of darkneſſe: God, he hath ears to hear, p. 122Baal hath none, though Idolaters cry, O Baal hear us, and cry aloud, and long, yea cut and launce themſelves too: God hath hands that can order his people, govern, protect, bleſſe them: Idols hands they are withered hands, they can do nothing, they handle not, they have no uſe of them, and their followers ſhall have no comfort of them: they have no life, no ſtrength, no motion in them: thus the faithfull ones in the 115.Pſal. 115.Ps 115 Pſalm do enter the liſts with thoſe Idolaters, and take this courſe to ſtop the mouthes of theſe wretches (whoſe uſuall language unto the people of God in their affliction, was in this upbraiding way where is now your God?) by comparing together their God upbraided, and the Heatheniſh God ſerved: what be your gods to our God (ſay his people) ours is in the heavens; where is yours? upon the dunghill, earth, dunghill p. 123gods, as they are (that anſwer is intimated by the faithfull) our God, he is all eye, all eare, all power, all merciemercy, all act: yours cannot ſtir, move, ſee, hear, do ought for you, or for themſelves: thus they lay their Idols flat, and their Dagons on the floore, and will neither ſuffer Idols to be praiſed, nor their God to be contemned: Oh let us have our eyes opened, and our hearts incouraged to ſtand up, and both openly and earneſtly to proteſt for God, and againſt all falſe gods, and falſe wayes: Oh let the conſideration of this make our hearts ſpeak truly and freely, and ſay, our God, with theſe holy ones! Let our hearts admire our God, own our God: plead for our God: ſtand for our God: let us not be aſhamed to claim him: let us not be backward to exalt him: he is in the heavens, he is worthieſt of all: he purpoſes good, ſpeaks good, acts good, p. 124contrives and does, hears and delivers his, he is beſt of all: he lives for ever, and ſo ſhall his Saints in his glorious love, whileſt Idols, and they that make them, and they that put their truſt in them, are and ſhall be daſht one againſt another, and ſhall periſh for ever like their own dung, this will be the end of theſe Gods, and theſe ſlaves; whileſt the children of light enjoy for ever that God who dwels in light, and in that light that none can approach unto, or ever enjoy in any degree without the ſalvation of Jeſus Chriſt:1 Tim. 6.16.1 Tim 6:16 that God that hath immortality, hath all, and he onelyonly hath this: Idols have none, they muſt periſh themſelves: they can give none, their followers muſt to ruine too.

Vſe. 2 In the ſecond place, this truth is very perſwaſive, it beſpeaks us many wayes, it hath many voices,1 To the bad. and cals us to do many duties: Firſt it ſpeaks to me… p. 125that are out with God, out of Chriſt, and in the rude ſinfull and dead lump of the world: and firſt it cals after them with Davids voice,Pſal. 4.2.Ps 4:2 O ye ſons of men how …ng will ye love vanity, and follow after lies? How long will ye both reſiſt, and brand, the glorious wayes of God, and the gracious wayes of his people, with your pride, and with your helliſh …rands of malice? How long will ye ſeek after your own lies, your own wils, your own luſts? What do you mean to forſake a God ſo gracious, and to cleave …o your own Idols ſo dunghie …nd ſo vain? who deſerves your …earts, if God do not? Weigh …hings in a right balance; and …ew your ſelves men: bring …rth your reaſons: produce …our cauſe, your caſe, your way: …et us ſee, what can the Idola…er ſay for his wayes? what …eas can Atheiſts, and drun…ards, or worldlings have? muſt …ey not needs confeſſe, ſurely p. 126they are fools, what wiſdom is in them? If they could ſee light, or ſpeak truth; if ſin would ſuffer them to open their mouthes for God; ſurely they would ſoon joyn with the Prophet, and ſay,Jer. 8.9.Jer 8:9 Lo, we have rejected God, lo we have rejected his Word, what wiſdome is in us? How can we ſay we are wiſe? our counſels, our purpoſes, our practiſes, they all ſpeak out our extreme folly: there is nothing makes the ſinfull ſouls forſaking of God, ſo unanſwerable, as this infinite grace of God towards his: as Gods love where it is beſtowed, opens the heart, and unlooſes the tongue towards God; ſo this love where it is refuſed, is ſuch a ſtop mouth, that a ſoul cannot but be ſilenc't, it is forc't to ſay, I have nothing to plead for my ſelf: there is not a wicked man in the world, who hears and refuſes this rich grace of God, i… his purpoſes and gifts, but thi… p. 127will caſt, and ſink him one day, and would for the preſent ſilence him, had he but a right or true apprehenſion of what he does: let unbeleevers therefore ſee, that though they depart from God, yet they have no cauſe: they tranſgreſſe without cauſe (as David ſpeaks) and although they follow ſin, purſue it, cry it up, and live it up, yet they have no cauſe; but unbeleevers be unreaſonable, and no marvell, when pride and blindneſſe ſit at the ſtern to guide the ſoul: ſee then this truth puts down all carnall pleas, plucks up thoſe helliſh ſhifts, whereby ſinners uſually wave off all that …s good: can a ſinner now ſay I ſhall have no mercy, if I do come in to God, to Chriſt? can …e now ſay I ſhall looſe all, and …e undone, if I hearken; if I …urn? can he now ſay I ſhall ſuffer ſo much, t'will not be worth while to be one of Gods? …an he now ſay my own choice p. 128is beſt, my own wayes are beſt let me alone, I am well enough can he now go away ſad from the bleſſed offers of Jeſus Chriſt and the gracious armes of th… love of God ſtretcht out readi… to embrace him? can he now ſay God will leave me, if … ſhould follow him; God will give me up if I ſhould truſt him. God will fail, he will forſake! No, no, what ever ſouls may ſpeak under ſin, or under temptations; there will be no ſuch language as this, if this bleſſed truth once take place: all quarrellings againſt God, all wranglings, all carnall pleas are now taken away, and the ſoul look… now upon God and his wayes as without all exception, an… upon ſinfull nature and i… wayes, as without all excuſe and when once a ſoul comes … be convinc't and perſwaded … this; oh how it blames it ſe… cries out upon, condemnes … ſelf, and not God at all: it … p. 129now a find-fault in its owne wayes, not in Gods: hence it is we never read of a Saint, as a Saint, picking quarrels againſt Gods wayes, what ever they might do through infirmity: when grace works, when faith acts, and ſends forth its bleſſed Scouts, theſe bring in ſuch a good report of the Land of Promiſe, of the way to it, and the giver of it; that a beleevers heart works another way, ſo that his ſpirit is enlarged, and his mouth is opened in ſpeaking good of God, of Chriſt, and ill of himſelf, and of ſin, however he ſpake before this grace was given to him: and now may we not take up Davids words to the wicked, O ye fools, when will ye be wiſe? when will you learn to know where to pitch, which way to go, what to chooſe to bring in good to your ſelves? do not halt, be not froward: if Baal be God, follow him; if fin or the world be that God, that p. 130purpoſes love, ſhews love, ſaves by his love, then follow him; but if God be God; if he be onelyonly a rock, if he onelyonly do thus, then look after him; 'tis not for you to ſleep, the Lord awake you: 'tis not for you to ſit ſtill, the Lord rouze you up out of your baſe ſecurity; t'is not for you to love your own, and your old wayes, you have done that too too long already: tis time to be honeſt, tis no ſeaſon to ſay (with Solomons ſluggard) yet a little while,Prov. 6.10Prov 6:10 I would yet be, as I have been,Heb. 10.37.Heb 10:37 and do as I have done: God ſaies yet a little while, and he will come: thy judgement lingers not, and wilt thou loyter? thy damnation ſleeps not, and wilt thou ſleep?2 Pet. 2.3.2 Pet 2:3 nay wilt thou be faſt aſleep, dead aſleep, when Divine Juſtice ſlumbers not, takes no nap at all? tell me unbeleevers, is it not for you to know judgement, to know God in all his wayes?Micah 3.Mic 3 is it not for you (I do not p. 131ſay tis in you to ſeeke after God, after Chriſt and grace? do not thinke to put off God ſo? the Sun will not be darkned, he that is light it ſelfe will not,Eze. 2 33.11.Ezek 2:33Ezek 2:11 cannot be blinded: he that is a moſt glorious Soveraigne will not be bafled he cryes to you,1 Sam. 24.25.26.27.1 Sam 24:251 Sam 24:261 Sam 24:27 why will ye dy? why do not you anſwer him, and ſay, Lord give us to live, why do not you melt in your hearts, and with teares ſay, is this thy voice O our Father? what haſt thou ſo much mercy, ſuch multitudes of bowels? doſt thou cry after us why will ye dy, when we choſe ſuch a death our ſelves? oh thou haſt rewarded us good, whereas we have rewarded thee evill: thou haſt ſhewed us this day, in, this voice of mercy, in theſe thoughts of mercy, how well thou dealeſt with all thine, and willeſt to ſave thoſe, who have kild themſelves: can God ſay more, then to cry returne, returne, my thoughts are towards p. 132you; come to me, my mercies ſhall be all yours, ah poore ſoules you have deſtroyed your ſelves, yet there is helpe in me for deſtroyed creatures; you have kild your ſelves, yet there is life in me for dead creatures; you have damned your ſelves yet there is ſalvation in me, for ſuch damned creatures as you are; you have ſinned, and ſo have infinitly diſpleaſed me yet there is mercy enough in me to reconcile you to me, ſay you bring ſin, yet I can take it away; ſay you multiply ſin, yet I can tell how to multiply pardon, and ſo to forgive you all,Iſa 55.7.Isa 55:7 as well as ſome, is not this Gods voice? does not God ſay thus much in effect by this gracious voice, if I did intend that ſin ſhould ſtill part betwixt you and me, why do I call upon you, why do I proclaime this great mercy to you? my heart (ſais Chriſt) cannot reſt, till thoſe I dyed for, enjoy the fruit of my death: my love (ſaye… p. 133Father) will not keep in towards thoſe I have purpoſed love unto: they ſhall have it (ſayes God) I will be their God, I will be their portion, I will become their ſaviour. Oh that ſinners had eares to heare his voice! Oh that they had ſuch hearts in them that would beleeve! that would make them reſtles under all their falſe gods, and fly to the true.