Three Decades of Sermons, Decade 3 · Sermon 9
JOY IN THE LORD, AS A STRONG GROUND OF COMFORT AGAINST ALL DISCOMFORTS.
Unfolded from Hab. 3. 18. Yet I will rejoyce in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my ſalvation.
MY Text is an appoſite cloſe of a devout Prophets Sermon 9. Preached at St. Marye's Oxon. Jan: 8. 1659 60.Prayer, compoſed of two excellent ingredients, faith and fervency for in the time of Jacobs troubles, when ſad tidings were renewed every moment, and each relation like Jobs diſconſolate meſſengers aggravated the miſeries, and made them exceeding miſerable, then my Prophet Habakkuk could diſcerne a Sun of righteouſneſſe with healing wings, diſſipating all Mal. 4. 2.the clouds of ſorrowes and miſeries, I ſay amidſt all theſe diaſtrous occurrences, this ſpirituall man by the eye of faith, could ſee a Believer and apprehend his Jeſus the God of his ſalvation; this is an evidence of the ſtrength of faith, and where faith is, it ſets the affections a working, it's never idle, but alwaies operative, as ſoone as faith gives thee an inſight into the beauty and excellency of thy God, how ſweet and amiable will he be unto thy ſoule, thy affections will be tranſported with my Prophet, I will rejoyce, I will joy: his expreſſions were too ſhort, they cannot reach his heart, and therefore he iterates his reſolution; hee's a true lover indeed, who delights to diſcourſe of his beloved odject, and make frequent repetitions of his love, this is an argument of his fervency.
So then you ſee, (as I before intimated) that faith and fervency are the eſſentiall parts of this accurate prayer. The words read are promiſſory, and by way of covenant, or you may call them a comfortable concluſion, drawne from ſad and dolefull premiſſeſſe. Upon peruſall of the precedent words, you will find matter of terrour and aſtoniſhment enough to make you quake and tremble; Before him went the Peſtilence, and burning coles went forth at his feet, verſ. 5. The earth is meaſured, and the Nations are drove a ſunder, and the everlaſting mountaines were ſcattered, and the perpetuall hills did bow, verſ. 6. Unheard of miracles, earthquakes againſt the courſe of nature, the mountaines tremble, there's a great inundation of waters, the Sun and the Moon ceaſe from their motion, verſ. 10. 11. And as before there went out peſtilence and burning coles, or burning diſeaſes, ſo now to adde a complement to the judgment here are arrowes by day, which wound as much as the other in the night: the ſpeares glitters, and the Lord marcheth on in his indignation, the heathen feele the ſore brunt of it, verſ. 12. Thou didſt threſh the heathen in anger; Yet out of all theſe bitter hearbs Gods people can ſuck ſweetneſſe: For God is good to his Iſrael, Thou wenteſt forth for the ſalvation of thy people, verſ. 13. It's worthy of your notice, that amidſt greateſt extremities God extends his ſpeciall eye of care and providence unto his owne people, he never failes to be their Protector. It followeth, Thou woundeſt the head of the houſe of the wicked, by diſcovering the foundation unto the neck, (i. e.) God will pluck theſe up by the roots, that they ſhall never grow againe. By this Me…aphor of a foundation, (according to *Intelligit quicquid erat ſtabilitatis in ipſis hoſtibus, hoc fuiſſe evulſumuſ que ad collum Calv. in loc.Calvins interpretation) I underſtand, Whatſoever ſtrength and ſtability they ſeem'd to have, was quite overthrowne from the top to the bottome. The weapons God uſeth are deſcribed, verſ. 4. Thou didſt ſtrike through with his ſtaves; (i. e.) God gives them over to themſelves, and they proove their own executioners, and every mans hand was againſt his fellow; Their particular ſinnes are mentioned, They came out as a whirlewind to ſcatter me, their rejoycing was to devoure …he poore ſecretly: Behold their inſolent rage, and precipitant fury; Their motions are too violent to hold, their rage was againſt God like unto Senacherib, but their tumult came up unto his eares, and they fare alike, I will (ſaith the Lord) put a bridle in thy lipps, and a hook in thy noſtrills, Iſa. 37. 29. And thus God abaſeth the ſons of pride: but yet their malice ceaſeth not, their doggiſh nature diſcovers it ſelfe, they rejoyce and devoure the poore, and that ſecretly, one way or other they are a working, if not by open hoſtility, yet by ſecret plots, and underminings: ſo as they may contrive their ruine; But view further Gods power and method which he uſeth, for the preſervation of his people, Thou didſt walk through the ſea with thine horſes, through the heapes of great waters: this is an Alluſion to that wonderfull paſſage over the red ſea; Hence learne that in the greateſt dangers God makes away for his ſervants eſcape. And now lets ſee, how all theſe wonders affect the Prophet, you may gueſſe at his diſeaſe by theſe ſymptomes, trembling in his belly, quivering in his lipps, rottenneſſe in his bones, heres a man of the right ſtamp, you may diſcerne of what currant mettall he is by his ſympathy, and fellow feeling of the afflictions of others. It's the duty of a good man to be alike affected with others calamities, and miſeries, as if they were his own.
To draw downe the Context unto the Text, my Prophet is no idle Spectator, but he with Mary keepes all theſe things and ponders them in his heart, he makes a ſoveraingne Compound of bitter Ingredients, and with the Laborious Bee, he ſuckes ſweetneſſe out of the ſowreſt herbes, and with Sampſon findes a honey comb in a Lions mouth: I meane he makes a dungeon a paradiſe, an abounding miſery, a ſuperabundant comfort by a wiſe and ſpirituall application, for come what will come his reſolution is inviolably fixt upon a principle of faith, that although the figg tree ſhall not bloſſome, neither ſhall fruit be in the Vines, the labour of the Olive ſhall faile, and the fields ſhall yeeld no meate, the flock ſhall be cut off from the fold, and there ſhall be no herd in the ſtalles, yet I will rejoyce in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my ſalvation. Here is an enumeration of the choyſeſt comforts, ſuch as are of higheſt eſtimation amongſt men; The Fig-tree hath much ſweetneſſe, and brings forth good fruit, the fruit of the Vine makes the heart of a man glad, and oyle makes him have a chearfull countenance, and the field is ſo pretious, as Solomon tells us, Eccleſ. 5. 9. The King himſelfe is ſerved by the field. Moreover flocks in the fold, and herds in the ſtalls are of continuall uſe and ſervice unto man: weigh them together, and they will proove too light, they will fruſtrate thy hope, and renew thy feares and griefes. Let me inſtruct thee in this truth, that Gods owne people may be brought unto ſuch great ſtreights and miſeries, as all creature comforts may faile them. Now it's the time of their triall, for the time of miſerie tries the truth and ſincerity of their faith, when they are almoſt ready to ſinke and to be overwhelmed with ſorrowes, then moſt opportunely the Lord reacheth out a Cable to draw them out. In the moſt tempeſtuous weather, hope remaines the Anchor of their ſoules, be their hearts never ſo much over-clowded with ſorrow, they are revived by the joy of Gods reconciled countenance: It's God alone who is the ſupporter of the ſinking ſoule, they feele ſweetneſſe in God, ſurpaſſing the ſweetneſſe of the figtree, they feele refreſhings in him incomparably more delightfull then thoſe which the Vine and Olive affords, and they feed on food which the world knowes not of, even the bread of life, which yeilds more nutritive and reall ſuſtenance then all the flocks, and herds in the univerſe. The Lord is the Godly mans food, comfort, rejoycing, his only joy; God is all in all, nay better then all, unto him, Hee's a Portion, Treaſure, Rock, what not to his Children. Whereupon out of the ſtrength of faith, he breakes forth with my Prophet into this heroicall reſolution yet I will rejoyce &c.
My Text is the Triumph of a Chriſtian, or the ſanctuary of an Diviſ.afflicted ſoule, in the very foreign or higheſt pitch of afflictions.
The firſt word in my Text is a redditive particle; tamen, yet, this reſembles a prop and a ſupporter to a houſe, which holds it up againſt bluſtering winds and ſtormess.
Secondly, Here's the perſon I (i. e.) the Prophet Habakkuk.
Thirdly, His reſolution expreſſing ſtrength of affection, I will rejoyce, I will joy, the Septuagint renders them by two words, foreign: The joy is more then ordinary, for heres an exaltation he leapes for joy, and takes much delight and comfort in it.
Fourthly, The object which is deſcribed by his names topfull of power, comfort, and mercy, a Lord, a God, and a God of ſalvation: Each Title is a ſeverall forcible argument to excite and elevate the affection.
Fifthly, and laſtly here's the Propriety, hee's mine: The pronoune poſſeſſive mine, appropriates the divine goodneſſe unto a mans ſelfe in particular, and this makes Application of this moſt comfortable doctrine. The verſion of the ſeptuagint is moſt Emphaticall, foreign: Each name hath an Article prefixt, to make the Emphaſis greater. The ſumme and ſcope of all comes to this effect, the prophet was very ſenſible of the …violls of Gods wrath powred down upon the Nations: the whole world was in a combuſtion, one miſery fell upon the neck of another, as one billow in a tempeſtuous ſea followed another, how could he think himſelfe ſecure? why might not inſtruments of death be prepared againſt him, and he have his ſhare in theſe common calamities? but this prudent man hath a remedy to apply to theſe ſores: amidſt theſe ſtormes, he can find a hiding place for ſhelter, though ſorrowes come thick and threefold, yet heel'e have recourſe unto his God, and fetch down joy and conſolation from him in abundance.
From hence obſerve this experimentall truth of Doctrine which ſhall conſtitute the ſubject of my enſuing meditations.
That when all creature comforts faile us, and render our outward Doct. condition diſconſolate, then there appeares ſure mercies and comforts ſuperabundant matter of Conſolation, of joy and rejoycing in the Lord our God: Or take the point more briefly thus: Amidſt all ſorrowes, loſſes and croſſes, joyes, ſupplies, and comforts, are to be found in the Lord our God: Yet (ſaith my Prophet) I will rejoyce in the Lord. The verſe immediatly following, ſet's out the exuberance of joy, preſſed by ſtrength of Argument, The Lord God is my ſtrength; Look for no ſtrength elſe-where, in him it's moſt eminent, Admit thou art exceeding weake, yet God is ſtrong, and his ſtrength will be manifeſted in thy weakneſſe. The conſideration of the divine ſupportation that it is ſufficient for thee, ſhould animate thee, to truſt thy God with all thy comforts: he goes on, and he will make thy feet like hinds feet, and he will make me, to walke upon mine high places (i. e.) he will give me ſtrength and agility to break through all oppoſitions; and therefore the laſt breath he puts out is Euchariſticall, To the chiefe ſinger on my ſtringed inſtruments.
You ſee it cleare in my Text, the Prophet David profeſſed out of univerſall experience, that Gods rod and his ſtaffe, did comfort him, and in the multitude of his ſorrowes Gods comforts refreſht his ſoule; He had fainted, but for the goodneſſe of the Lord. This holy man, was a man of ſorrowes, and yet a man of comforts, the wrath of Saul was inkindled againſt him, and The wrath of a King (ſaith Salomon) is like the roaring of a Lion; He purſued him like a Partridge on the mountaines, and when he was at the brinke of danger, then appeares a method of deliverances, when he was hemm'd in and compaſſed round about, then the divine providence contrived a way to eſcape, then there came a meſſenger unto Saul ſaying, Haſt thee and come, for the Philiſtines have invaded the land, wherefore Saul returned from purſuing after David and went againſt the Phyliſtines: In this ſtreight an unexpected providence procures his preſervation. Indeed if we had leiſure to inquire into the paſſages of the divine diſpoſing hand concerning this one man, we ſhould conclude them to be as ſo many continued Acts of the Finger of God. When Ziglag was burnt, and the people wept till they could weepe no more, even then in that lamentable condition, David encouraged himſelfe 1 Sam. 30. 6.in the Lord his God; His God refreſht his drooping ſpirit, he was more pretious, more ſweet unto his ſoule, then a goodly habitation, the wife of his boſome, a numerous poſterity: The leaſt glimpſe of comfort from the bleſſed Trinity makes amends for all. Not to paſſe by poore Hagar: when her bottle was ſpent, and ſhe caſt under a ſhrub her child, expecting ever and anon his death, and in the bitterneſſe of her ſoule ſhe lift up her voyce and wept, then God opened her eyes, and ſhe ſaw a w…ll of water, and over and above God promiſeth to make him a great nation, Gen. 21. 18, 19. Here's ſorrow turn'd into joy, and God himſelfe becomes the comforter. The three children had the preſence of God for their preſervation in the flames; Daniel had the Angell of the Lord to ſhut the Lions mouth, Job ſaw a redeemer comforting him in the dunghill, Peter had an Angell to deliver him: God will have the priſoner, the ſhackles fall off, the dores fly open, the Iron gate opens of it's owne accord. Herod (though he thought that he had made all ſure worke,) muſt be diſappointed. 'Tis true Peter was a ſleepe, he might dream of no ſuch thing: Gods people, who have peace with God and their Conſciences can enjoy quiet reſt and repoſe in a priſon: Thus you ſee how God performes his promiſe to his people, in giving unto them the oyle of joy for mourning, beauty for aſhes, the garment of praiſes for the ſpirit of heavineſſe; God is alwaies at hand to ſupport his ſervants to bring them out of the greateſt ſtreights. O that thou wouldſt in the greateſt feares and dangers expoſtulate on this wiſe with the Kingly Prophet David, Pſal. 42. 11. Why art caſt downe O my Soule, and why art thou diſquieted within me; hope thou in God for I ſhall yet praiſe him who is the health of my countenance and my God, and with the bleſſed Apoſtle thou may'ſt argue; What Rom. 3. 31.ſhall we ſay then to theſe things? if God be for us, who can be againſt us. Let the world, the fleſh, and the Devill, the three grand enemies of thy ſoule muſter up all their forces againſt thee, yet raiſe up thy ſpirit, be of good courage, and feare not, if the Lord be on thy ſide, thou haſt more with thee then againſt thee.
For the further confirmation of this truth, I find foure Arguments 4. Argum. drawn from the Text.to my hand in my Text, I ſay in the moſt piercing ſorrows, there's ſtill left matter of rejoycing in God.
1. Becauſe he is ſtiled Lord.
2. He is ſtiled a God.
3. A God of Salvation.
4. A God of our Salvation.
1. He is the Lord: Jehovah and foreign are promiſcuouſly uſed 1. Lord.in the Septuagint, this is a name of Dominion, Soveraignty, and Majeſty: he is foreign of himſelfe Lord of all. David pickt much comfort out of this name: the Lord was his ſhepheard, refuge, buckler, rock of defence, and therefore the cloſe of, Pſal. 144. 15. is full of comfort, Happy is that people that is in ſuch a caſe, yea happy is that people whoſe God is the Lord. O do not ſtand in thy own light, and inhance thy griefe, by refuſing comfort with Rachell. Art thou in a tottering condition ready to ſink under thy burthen? Conſider the promiſe, Pſal. 37. 17. The Lord upholdeth the righteous, and verſ. 24. The Lord upholdeth him with his hand: Art thou as weak as water, and thy heart failes thee like water ſpilt upon the ground? Yet couldſt thou believe with David, The Pſal. 29. 11.Lord will give ſtrength unto his people, and the Lord will bleſſe his people with peace, then thy life would be more comfortable, thou wouldſt go on couragiouſly in the ſtrength of the Lord, and be confident in the power of his might; Although no comfort appeares in thy Horrizon, yet could'ſt thou but wait upon the Lord, and by patience poſſeſſe thy ſoule, ſo many thoughts of Infidelity would not ariſe in thy ſoule: didſt thou but delight thy ſelf in the Lord, thou wouldſt ſoone diſcerne all thy deſires ſatisfied. This name of Lord, as it's a name of Power and Majeſty, ſo of joy and Conſolation, and hence we are inſtructed in a ſubmiſſive deportment, fixing our reſolutions upon this argument with old Elie, 1 Sa. 3. 18. It is the Lord let him do what ſeemeth him good; and with Hezekiah, when he received heavy tidings, Good is the word of the Lord, which thou haſt ſpoken. The conſideration hereof makes a dutifull child kiſſe the rod, becauſe the Lord ſends it, it holds up a mans heart, and makes a man cheerefull under the preſſure of a ſmarting croſſe, becauſe the ſoule can diſcerne the hand of the Lord. Thus you ſee whats the fuell to inkindle thy joy, what matter of rejoycing this comfortable name of Lord adminiſters unto thy ſoule, and therefore this ſhould be a prevailing argument with thee, to rejoyce becauſe it is in the Lord.
2. From the glorious name of God, abundant matter of joy 2 God.is derived upon thy ſoule, I ſtand not upon uſuall Etymologies foreign: For it is undoubtedly true that God fills all places, and knowes all things. Omnipreſence and Omniſcience are his peculiar Attributes. Men are circumſcribed to a place, and when they are preſent with us are unable to afford the leaſt help and ſuccour unto us: but the Lord is every where, and hath a ſtore houſe of comforts for the ſupplying of our neceſſities, David profeſſeth, that God is our refuge and ſtrength, a Pſal. 46. 1.very preſent help in time of trouble. God is good to Iſrael, even to ſuch as are of a cleane heart. Let God ariſe and let his enemies be ſcattered, Pſal. 73. 1.and let thoſe that hate him fly before him. When God goeth Pſal. 68. 1.forth with an Army, one ſhall be able to chaſe a thouſand, and two to put ten thouſand to fleight. When a man hath a lingring ſickneſſe, and hee's become a very Skeleton, let him know that unto God belongs the iſſues from death. When the church is under hatches, and a furious enemie makes havock of it, yet there's a God in heaven which judgeth the Nations, who will wound the hairy Scalpe of the wicked: his heire will not be his ſafe-guard: God can bring light out of darkneſſe, and now in the times of afflictions, hee brings out the moſt pretious Cordialls unto his people: when friends, the deareſt and neareſt forſake thee, thou art no looſer when thy God takes care for thee; when thy heart is overwhelmed with ſorrow, if God let downe ſome ſpirituall refreſhments, then thou canſt hold up thy head with comfort; If where ever thou goeſt, bonds, impriſonments and afflictions, and all the calumnies and Nick-names (which the malice of man or Devill can invent) continually attend thee, yet all theſe ſhall cooperate for thy good, they ſhall do no more harme, then the Arrow did Chriſt, which Julian the Apoſtate threw into the ayre, or the doggs unto the Moon, notwithſtanding their daily barking. It was the ſweet ſaying of a devout Martyr, Who would have thought that in a priſon, I ſhould have found a Palace, in an infernall dungeon a Paradiſe of pleaſure? Where God is, ſweetneſſe may be extracted from the moſt bitter pill of affliction. This is a ſecond Argument of Comfort drawne from the ſacred name of God.
But if theſe names are not effectuall to ſet thy affections a working, 3. God of Salvation.here's an unparalled expreſſion in the third Argument, the ſweet name of a Jeſus, hee's a God of Salvation, and therefore (ſaith a Father) Exultabo in Deo, Jeſu meo. Salvation belongs to the Lord, Pſal. 3. 8. And from hence the Pſalmiſt drawes a practicall inference, Pſal. 9. 4. I will rejoyce in thy Salvation. Hereupon the Kingly Prophet in a hard time, when God frowned upon him, (as they ſay skilfull Chymiſts can extract oyle out of a flint) found Serenity in this meditation, Behold God is my Salvation, I will truſt and not be afraid, for the Lord Jehovah is my ſtrength, and my Song, he alſo is become my Salvation. Therefore (ſaith the Prophet) With joy yee ſhall draw water out of the wells Iſai. 12. 3, 4.of Salvation. In the Propheſy of Obadiah, where direfull menaces are threatned againſt the Edomites: and indeed the whole Propheſy may reſemble that Scrole of Ezekiel full fraught with mourning, Lamentation, and woe, but the day cleares up, and the Cataſtrophe is moſt pleaſant, verſ. 21. And Saviours ſhall come upon mount Zion, to judge the mount of Eſau, and the Kingdome ſhall be the Lords. You cannot imagine how welcome redemption is to a Turkiſh gally ſlave, and in a dangerous skirmiſh, a Reſcuer is gratefull. Lets then pawſe a while, and conſider former gratious paſſages of Gods dealings towards us, when we were at our wits end, our contrivances were nonplus'd, and we knew not which way to turne us, and we were ready to periſh then the Lord breakes in and diſcovers wayes and meanes for our preſervation: Let your particular experiences ſuggeſt inſtances in this particular. When there were but a heyre's breadth between us and death, then the ſame God that brought us to the grave raiſed us up. When men and Devills banded themſelves in oppoſition againſt us, when the Pope and his Cardinalls contrived the Spaniſh invaſion, and when that miſcarried there followed a conſpiracy in the Vault, a deed of Romiſh darkneſſe, then appear'd a God of Salvation, to blow and ſcatter their Shipps, and afterward to bring deliverance betweene the match and the powder, Maugre all the plots and projects of all Achitophells, and underminers of Zion, bleſſed be God we are here alive, as you ſee this day to Celebrate the Praiſes of the God of our Salvation.
4. And ſo I am fallen upon my fourth and laſt Argument in my 4. My.Text, drawne from that propriety (My) I ſpeak not of a good by heare ſay, in which others have the ſole intereſt, but it's our own, The God of my Salvation, the pronoune Poſſeſſive (My) reduceth the comfort unto my ſelfe, and intitles me unto it, by a particular application. The uſe and vertue of medicines is knowne when they are applied, and the moſt comfortable promiſes of God, and doctrines of Salvation, then proove effectuall unto my ſoule when I make uſe of them in my life, and Converſation; How frequently doth David call God the God of our Salvation? Moſes having a large teſtimony hereof by the overthrow of Pharaoh and his hoſt, breakes forth into this triumphant Song, Exod. 15. 2. The Lord is my ſtrength and my ſong, he is become my Salvation, he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation, my Fathers God and I will exalt him: Certainly, (my brethren) Chriſtians would lead more comfortable lifes, ever find a heaven upon earth, if they could make a profitable Obſervation of Gods former dealings each one with himſelfe in particular. Men are apt to ſink under the ſenſe of any preſent evill, that preſſeth them, becauſe they reflect not upon Gods former waies of mercies towards them. It were an excellent courſe todraw home ſuch Experimentall Arguments as theſe, I have knowne a famine and felt a pinching ſeaſon, when ſcarce I could get bread from hand to mouth, I out-liv'd that time, the divine providence cared for me, and carried me through that plunge, and diſtreſſe, I have felt a ſore diſeaſe, and have been in the mouth of the grave, and yet I live to praiſe Gods power, I have drunke deepe of the cup of affliction, I have been even drencht in my owne ſorrowes, and yet out of them all the Lord hath delivered me, and let his countenance ſhine upon me, I have known feares, and troubles, dangers and diſtractions both in Church and ſtate, yet the Lord became the Reconciler and brought all to a bleſſed concluſion, and ſtill theres the ſame God, as full of bowells of compaſſion to commiſerate our calamities, as full of power to effect, of wiſdome to contrive, as full of fidelity to performe his owne promiſes as before, and therefore my reſolution ſtands firme, and unmoveable, that I will wait upon God in the waies of his own mercy, and reſt in the conſtancy immutability, & indeficiency of that God with whom there is no variableneſſe nor ſhadow of change. Had men ſuch ſpirituall prudence, as to uphold their hearts by their experiences, and review often Gods former proceedings, they might with more ſtabliſht and quiet affections, expect the ſalvation of the Lord againe.
I have reſum'd theſe Arguments as you find them layd downe in my Text; A Lord and willing, A God and able, A Saviour and my Saviour, each word ſeverally abounds in comfort, and now when they are all united, how much do they concurre to the complement, and perfection of our joy. I told you before to this effect, that no condition was ever ſo diſconſolate, but ſtill ſome matter of joy and rejoycing was to be found in God. Me thinks I could dwell upon this ſweet Theme, and ſay as Peter ſaid at Chriſts transfiguration, It's good being here.
For the further diſcovery of this moſt excellent and neceſſary truth, be pleaſed to weigh and ſeriouſly conſider with me theſe five cleare and evident demonſtrations.
1. All joy and comforts are treaſured up in God.5. Demonſtrations.
2. Theres no reall ſolid joy to be found elſe-where.
3. Amidſt the greateſt croſſeſſe, ſtreights, and extremities, then is Gods opportunity to ſend comforts, cauſing them to appeare and ſhew themſelves.
4. The leaſt of Gods comforts will make a ſuper abundant recompenſe for all the diſcomforts in the world.
5. And laſtly all the waies and proceedings of God are waies and proceedings of joy and comfort.
For the further Inlargment of theſe particulars. 1. I ſay all 1. All comforts are treaſured up in God.comforts are treaſured up in God. There muſt needs be water at the well head, there muſt needs be drops in the Ocean. God is the Fountaine and Originall of all our Conſolations, The earth (ſaith the Pſalmiſt) is full of thy riches, ſo is this great and wide Pſal. 104. 24, 25.ſea, where in are things creeping, innumerable both ſmall and great beafis. What canſt thou want; if thou haſt made God thy portion, thou maiſt ſay with Jacob, I have enough I have all, In Chriſt all fulneſſe dwells, Col. 1. 19. In Chriſto eſt quicquid requiritur ad Davenant in Loc.con…tituendum perfectum Redemptorem. Theres in Chriſt fulneſſe of wiſdome to direct, fulneſſe of power to defend, fulneſſe of merit to ſatisfy, and effect mans ſalvation, fulneſſe of righteouſneſſe to juſtify, fulneſſe of holineſſe to ſanctify, fulneſſe of mercy to pardon. Hee's ſtil'd in Scripture, a Rock for his ſtrength, to ſupport us, a Counſellour for his wiſdome to guide us, a fountaine opened Iſa. 9. 6. Zech. 13. 1. Rom. 27. 2.for his readineſſe, and preparedneſſe to waſh away our uncleanneſſe, a Tree of life bearing twelve ſorts of fruits every month, for the plenty and perpetuity of joy and gladneſſe, and other fruits of the ſpirit which he miniſters unto true believers. Hence is he compared in the Revelations, to a pure River of living water Rev. 22. 1.as cleare as Chriſtall, for that ineſtimable purity, perfection, comfort, and ſatisfaction which Chriſt miniſter unto the ſoules of his children; Likewiſe to a pretious pearle, for his ſuperlative worth, Matth. 13. 45, 46.and value, and to a ſtorehouſe for his fulneſſe of all ſpirituall treaſures: Omnia habemus in Chriſto, & omnia in nobis Chriſtus, ſaith Jerome.Jerome, and the ſame Father propoſeth particular Inſtances; Si à vulnere curari deſideras, medicus eſt &c. If thou deſireſt to be cured of thy wounds, Chiſt is thy Phyſitian, if thou burne with feavers, he is a fountaine, if thou art burthe…ed with iniquity: he is righteouſneſſe, if thou wanteſt help he is ſtrength, if thou feareſt death he is life, if thou flyeſt from darkneſſe he is light, if thou deſireſt heaven, he is the way: Therefore make thy wants knowne to God, though he knowes them all already, yet he will have them knowne unto thy ſelfe better, and God loves to heare from his children the expreſſions of his own ſpirit. When out of a ſenſe and apprehenſion of thy owne vileneſſe thou unbareſt thy ſores, and confeſſeſt thy ſinnes, then God in mercy may remit them. A poore ſoule complaines of its ignorance, and folly: ſo fooliſh was I and ignorant, (ſaith David) even as a beaſt before thee: O make haſt unto Chriſt, In him are hid all the treaſures of wiſdome and knowledge. When the depth ſaith it is not in me, and the ſea it is not in me, when all the lamps of Philoſophers can give no light, when all their penetrating braines cannot ſound theſe miſteries: Job inſtructs thee where thou muſt go to ſchoole, Job. 28. 23. God underſtands the way thereof, and he knowes the place thereof, from God cometh wiſdome, and from the Lord cometh underſtanding: Another is of a ſorrowfull ſpirit, and goes mourning all the day long: The remembrance of their ſinnes is exceedingly afflictive unto their ſoules, ſtill it preſents unto them gall and wormewood, terrors and feares, which almoſt drives them unto deſperation, theſe would prize one glimpſe of Gods reconciled countenance, beyond the Empire of the world: but alas they can apprehend no comfort as appertaining unto them; mark then what ſeaſonable counſell the Prophet gives in this kind, Iſa. 50. 10. Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voyce of his ſervants, that walketh in darkneſſe and hath no light, let him truſt in the name of the Lord, and ſtay upon his God. A child of light for a time may walke in darkneſſe, he may poſſeſſe his ſoule in bitterneſſe, he may be wonderfully toſt and troubled in a tempeſtuous ſea of ſorrow, ever and anon ready to periſh, yet when Chriſt comes and rebukes the winds, and the ſeas there will be a great calme. One of his love tokens, and ſpirituall illapſes will wipe away their teares, and make them go away full of comfort with Hannah, and be no more ſad. A poore doubting Chriſtian muſt not be his owne Judge he can eaſilier diſcerne, what makes againſt him, then what makes for him: O then hearken what God ſaith unto thee, what comfort his meſſengers proclaime unto thee: wait upon God in his Ordinances, ſtand upon thy watch, act faith upon Promiſes, and in Gods due time comfort may come, like Noahs Dove with an Olive branch in her mouth, in token that the waters of Marah are abated. When God hath fitted thee for a mercy, then he will give unto it a quick diſpatch, and ſend unto thy ſoule tidings of peace; thus I have made it good unto you, that all comforts are to be found in God.
2. Theres no reall comfort to be found elſe-where; If you will 2. Demonſt. theres no reall comfort to be found elſe-where.not believe this truth, but hunt after the creature, as if that can comfort you, to your perill be it, you may goe further and ſpeed worſe: what ſaid Saul to the Benjamites, will the ſon of Jeſſe give you fields and vine-yards, and make you all Captaines of Thouſands, and Captaines of Hundreds? So let me expoſtulate, can the Creature give you any reall ſatisfaction and contentment, in that you ſo hugge your ſelves in the fruition of it? If theſe be your humors, I know not better how to reſemble you, then to the men of Shechem, in Jothams parable, Judg. 9. verſ. 9. Who leaving the Vine, Olive, and Figg-tree, addreſt themſelves unto the bramble for ſhelter and ſecurity, and ſince they put their truſt in it's ſhadow, (which can Miniſter no ſafety nor defence,) what can be expected, but that fire ſhould come out of the bramble and devoure the Cedars of Lebanon. I meane ſince they expect ſo much from the Creature, by woefull experience they will find it to be the greateſt ſcourge and plague unto them. Creature comforts carry a brave port, and come with Agag delicately, but they are not aware of their approaching ruines. Pleaſures of the world make faire promiſes, preſenting unto us, as Jaell did Siſera butter and milke in a lordly diſh, but theres a hammer and a nayle, inſtruments of death are prepared againſt us, (i. e.) ſowre ſauce for ſweet meate. Whats all the mirth of the wicked but madneſſe? For their hearts are full of gravell, and the terrors of God affright them, amidſt their Carrowſing and jollity. Saul could not be merry without a Muſitian; Whereas Plato told the muſitians, that Philoſophers knew how to dine and ſup without them. Doſt thou think to recreate thy ſelfe by learning a laſcivious ſcurrilous Ballads, by healthing it in Ale-Houſes and Tavernes, and revelling it …in Balls and ſuch like Idolized vanities, will the remembrance of theſe ſinfull jollities make thee hold up thy head with comfort, when God lets looſe the …ord of thy conſcience againſt thee? Then thou wilt curſe the day that ever thou caſt in thy lot amongſt them, to be a companion of fooles, and by woefull experience thou wilt find, that thou haſt all this while ſought the living amongſt the dead: Ahab could not be merry without Naboths Vineyard, and when he had unrighteouſly took poſſeſſion of it, his ſorrowes were renewed abundantly. Haman could not comfortably enjoy himſelfe becauſe he wanted Mordecais bended knee; ſuppoſe he had obtain'd it, yet his reſtleſſe ambitious humour could not be ſatisfied: For it is not within the ſphaere of any ſublunary thing, any created power, to afford comfort and ſatisfaction unto the ſoule of man. As the King of Iſrael ſaid to the woman, that cry'd out in an extreame famine help my Lord ô King, if the Lord (ſaith he) do not help thee, whence ſhall I help thee out of the barne flore, or out of the wine preſſe? So ſay I if the Lord be not thy comforter, in vaine mayeſt thou expect any comfort from the Creatures. What is the vintage of Abiezer to the gleanings of Ephraim? What are the onions and garlick of Egypt to the grapes of Canaan? Abana and Pharphar rivers of Damaſcus, to Jordan and the reſt of the waters of Iſrael: The waters that flow from the Ciſternes of the Creatures, are like the waters of Tema which ſoon vaniſh away: hence is it that the Lord complaines of the peoples grand folly and backſliding, Jer. 2. 13. For my people have committed two evills, they have forſaken me the fountaine of living waters, and hewed them out Ciſternes, broken Ciſternes that can hold no water: A miſerable choyce, worſe then that of Glaucus. Diogenes taxed the folly of men of his time, quod res pretioſas minimo emerent venderentque viliſſimas plurimo, becauſe they Diogenes.would buy pretious things at an under rate, and overvalue baſe things: ſo may I condemne the folly of thoſe, who overvalue worldly comforts, and in the meane time have a cheape eſteem of thoſe things which are above; Perhaps God hath given thee a beautifull Child, and thou mak'ſt an Idoll of it, he ſtraight way takes it from thee; God hath given thee riches, thou makeſt the wedge of Gold thy confidence, God therefore blowes upon them. Fire or water or perfidious ſervants are made ſcourges unto thee: Thou art in proſperity, and thou haſt the world at will, and glorieſt in thy condition, God ſends an affliction to make thee know thy ſelfe, and rowſe thee from thy ſecurity; carry it then home with thee for a truth, write it with the poynt of a Diamond, that however thou may'ſt flatter thy ſelfe, yet caſting the beſt with the worſe, thou wilt find all things here below to be but vanity, and vexatiof ſpirit, and that there is no ſollid joy and contentment under the ſun; For thats joy (as the Philoſopher define it) in quo quieſcit animus, wherein the heart takes up it's reſt, and this cannot be found but in God alone.
3. Amidſt greateſt croſſeſſe, ſtraights and extremities, then is 3. Demonſt. God helps amidſt greateſt Croſſ…ſs.Gods opportunity to open his ſtore-houſe, and let downe comforts in abundance. In the midſt of ſtreights and difficulties, when humane policy gives up the bucklers, then it's Gods accuſtomed manner to manifeſt himſelfe to his ſervants comfort. When Abraham was injoyn'd the hardeſt ſervice, to be his owne ſons executioner, he went in obedience to Gods command; he came to the place, made the Altar ready, lifted up his hand to give the deaths blow; then an unexpected ſecond meſſage comes of deliverance, Gen. 22. 12. Abraham, Abraham hold thy hand. The execution is hindred, and the intention of his obedience received a gratious entertainment. Now Abraham for this unexpected providence would willingly offer ſome ſacrifice of thankſgiving, and ſpeedy proviſion might be as improbable as was his ſons preſervation, yet then in ſuch a great neceſſity, behold behind him a Ramme caught in a thicket by the hornes, a burnt offering of Gods own providing: So that the ſaying is no more common then true, Mans extremity is Gods opportunity. The example of St Paul is inſtar omnium very fit for my preſent purpoſe, the whole ſtory is worthy of peruſall, that which I ſhall make uſe of is deſcribed, Act. 21. 30, 31, 32. And all the Citty was moved, and the people ran togeather and they took Paul and drew him out of the temple, and forth-with the dores were ſhut, and as they went about to kill him, tydings came to the chiefe Captaine of the band that all Jeruſalem was in an uprore, who immediatly took Souldiers and Centurions, and ran down unto them, and when they ſaw the chiefe Captaine and Souldiers, they left beating of Paul. Each paſſage is of ſpeciall obſervation.
1. A generall inſurrection, all the Citty.
2. Their violent oppoſition they drew him out.
3. Their bloody intention, it was to kill Paul.
4. The entrance upon execution, they were beating him to beat out his life!
Now in this ſtreight here's matter for God (and none elſe) to ſhew himſelfe: Now the divine hand ſo diſpoſeth that tydings of deliverance come, let him alone, he hath more work to do: Satan and his inſtruments are chained by God, and can go no further then hee'l permit them. In this extremity the divine power was clearely manifeſted. Out of the deep David made his ſupplication: Abyſſus ahyſſum vocat, a depth of miſery, calls for a depth of mercy; Daniel prayed in the Lions Den, Jeremiah in the Dungeon, Jonah in the Whales belly, the Apoſtles in priſon. Theſe are Gods times of audience. When we are involv'd in miſeries, and know not how to wind our ſelves out, then God leads us by the hand. God hath ſeverall waies to refreſh his people, as he did Peter when he was a ſinking, then Chriſt takes him by the hand. God carries his people through thick and thinne, amidſt their greateſt ſufferings, God hath waies to deliver them. God hath a way in the ſea, to preſerve thee in a Shipwrack, God hath a way in perſecution to ſtabliſh his people in the faith, and make them of an undaunted courage; God hath away in any difference, to compoſe it, and cauſe men to live at peace in one family, in one corporation, in one Church, in one Common-wealth. The reaſon many times why, we ſee not quickly the appearance of a mercy is, becauſe matters are not yet brought to ſuch a ſtraight and exigency, as all plea of glorying may be took from man, and the more praiſe and glory may redound unto the God of our ſalvation. God ſaved the Iſraelites by a few, and by improbable meanes as by rammes-hornes, empty pitchers &c: that ſo they might not vaunt, but attribute the victory unto the Lord. Now then in a pinch of need, when thou art driven upon preſſing exigencies, look beyond Hills and Mountaines unto the Lord only, whence cometh thy help; Caſt thy care upon the Lord, and he will ſuſtaine thee; God made the Ravens to be Eliahs purveyors in a great famine, theres ſtill the ſame God as good, as able as ever: although foreign, (as the Septuagint renders it) the labour of the Olive ſhall lye, yet conſider God is a God of truth, he hath ſaid it, I will never leave thee, nor forſake thee, Heb. 13. 5. When all creature comforts faile thee, yet thou haſt abundant matter in God to comfort thee, who will never faile them that ſeek him: In the mount, in thy greateſt ſtraights, God will be ſeen to make a proviſion of comforts for thee, and therefore let the Lord be the joy of thy ſoule.
4. The leaſt of Gods comforts will make a ſuperabundant recompenſe 4. Demonſt. The leaſt of Gods comforts will make amends for all diſcomforts.compenſe for all the diſcomforts in the world. A cup of cold water ſhall not looſe its reward, and you know theres a vaſt diſproportion, betweene a cup of cold water and the Kingdome of Heaven. God takes notice of every teare that the Saints ſhed, and and he exhales them into his bottle, and when the time of refreſhing ſhall come from his preſence he will wipe away all teares from their eyes. Admit a man hath endured a ſcoffe, or a taunt, an approbrious nickname for Chriſt, or admit, that he hath reſiſted unto blood, fryed at a ſtake for the Goſpell of Chriſt, could a man I ſay dye ten thouſand kinds of death, yet all theſe ſufferings are not worthy to be compared, with the joy that ſhall be revealed, for one moment in heaven will make amends for all; With this meditation Chriſt cheared up his diſciples, Matth. 19. 29. Every one that hath forſaken houſes, or brethren, or ſiſters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or Lands for my names ſake ſhall receive an hundred fold, and ſhall inherit everlaſting life. When Peter told Chriſt that they had forſaken all, and what was that? A poore all, a few rotten poles, and fiſhers nets, or ſome ſuch like thing, our Saviour acquaints them of their thriving bargaine, of their happy exchange which they had made, by the loſſe of earth to gaine heaven, O do not inhance thy griefe ſaying that no mans ſorrow is like thine, there cannot be a more Emphaticall Antitheſis, then in 2 Cor. 4. 17. foreign. Our Tranſlation cannot reach theſe ſublime expreſſions: Our light affliction which is but for a moment, worketh for us a farre more exceeding and eternall weight of glory. Suppoſe thou art afflicted with outward croſſeſſe, and in the meane time God ſettles the tranquility of thy ſoule, in liev of outward, God vouchſafes unto thee inward comforts, how art thou a looſer by this? Suppoſe thou haſt run in a greedy purſuit of ſome deſiderable object, thou haſt purſued thy pleaſure, with as much violence as Rachell did her children, Give me (ſaith ſhee) children or elſe I dye: Now God in wiſdome croſſeth thee, he knowes whats better for thee then thou doſt for thy ſelfe, God opens thy eyes, and then thou diſcerneſt what a ſingular mercy it is, that God diſappointed thee of thy deſire. We muſt not carve out waies of comfort to our ſelves, if we be our owne chuſers we ſhall dearely ſmart for it. When the children of Iſrael luſted for meate, God ſent them Quailes, but they had better have been without them, for whilſt the meate was in their mouths, the wrath of the Lord came upon them. The Iſraelites would have no nay, but muſt have a King; The Lord gave them a King in his anger, and took him away in his wrath, Hoſ. 13. 11. It's farre better to have a croſſe in mercy, and ſo ſanctified, as we may diſcerne the opened bowells of God, then the greateſt confluence of riches, and revenues when they are ſent in judgment, and in Gods diſpleaſure. John Ardley a bleſſed Martyr griev'd that he had but one life to lay downe for Chriſt, if I had (ſaith he) as many lifes as there are heyres of my head, they ſhould all goe for Chriſt. It was the ſtrength of faith that made Gordius another Godly Martyr believe, that all the threats of his enemies were but as ſeeds, from which he ſhould reape immortality, and eternall joyes. Here's the comfort, that thoſe which ſow in teares ſhall reape in joy: Let not us ſhrink then at any difficult ſervice, which Chriſt puts us upon: For all the troubles and hard-ſhips, which befall us in this vale of miſery, (provided we ſuffer for Chriſts ſake) will augment our future joyes in the kingdome of heaven. When thou comeſt thither, it will never repent thee in the leaſt, that thou ever ſuffereſt any thing for the name of Chriſt. Thy ſufferings and ſorrowes here are but finite, and limited, but the joyes of Gods kingdome are infinite and incomprehenſible: wherefore the Apoſtle deſcribes them by way of negation, neither eye hath ſeen, nor eare hath heard, neither hath it entred into the heart of man to conceive the things that God hath prepared for them that love him.
5. And laſtly, all the waies of God are comfortable, and abouud 5. Demonſt. All the ways of God, are waies of joy and comfort.in joy: The waies of wiſdome are waies of pleaſantneſſe, and all her paths are peace, Prov. 3. 17. O what raviſhing delight and pleaſure is there in the law of God: O how I love thy law (ſaith David) the law of thy mouth is better unto me then thouſands of Gold and Silver, Pſal. 119. 127. I love (ſaith he) thy commandments above Gold, yea above fine Gold. They were ſweeter unto him then honey and the honey combe; Oh! what a ſweet thing is it to heare God ſpeaking unto us in his word, and for us to ſpeake unto him by our prayers, herein conſiſts the life of a Chriſtians life. Oh! what a ſweet thing is it to be fed with ſpirituall viands, when we are admitted unto the Lords Table, Oh! what ſweetneſſe is to be extracted out of the Communion of Saints, There be many (ſaith the Pſalmiſt) that ſay who will ſhew us any good, Lord lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us, thou haſt put gladneſſe in our heart, more then in the time that their corne and wine increaſed, Pſal. 4. 6, 7. One beame of Gods reconciled countenance, more cheares up a Godly mans ſpirit, then barnes full of corne, and coffers cramm'd with Gold. Oh! that I could perſwade you in the feare of God, to the beliefe of this truth, that all the paths of God are full of joy and comfort. It's an horrid aſperſion caſt upon the waies of Godlineſſe, that religion makes men of melancholy and dumpiſh ſpirits, the joy whereof they are pertakers is inconceivable: Spe gaudent they rejoyce in hope ſaith St Paul: foreign, They that hope, rejoyce (ſaith Ariſtotle,) Seneca tells us what joy he would have, Seneca.Volo illam laetitiam tibi domi. I would have thy joy to be at home. The joy of the Godly is abundant in their owne breaſt and in their own ſoule, and conſcience; The ſpirit witneſſeth to their ſpirits that thy are reconeiled to God: The apprehenſion whereof fills their hearts with joy and peace which paſſeth all underſtanding. They have here the firſt fruits, and earneſt of thoſe in expreſſible joyes of heaven, this makes them to be a calling for their Robes, and Crownes which Chriſt purchaſed for them by effuſion of his pretious blood. Therefore truſt God with thy joyes and pleaſures: without God the ſweeteſt thing is bitter: As Abner ſaid to Joab, ſo ſay I of all thy ſinfull luſts and pleaſures, will there not be bitterneſſe in the end? but where God is the moſt bitter pill of affliction is ſweet and pleaſant. St Bernard hath a ſpeciall Bernard Orat. de bonis deſerendis.obſervation in a declamation, de bonis deſerendis, non Iſaac ſed aries morietur &c. If you be willing to ſacrifice your Iſaac, which ſignifies laughter (i. e.) your pleaſure, your Iſaac, your pleaſure ſhall not dye, it is the Ramme, the ſtubborneſſe of ſpirit which ſhall dye, but your Iſaac ſhall live, you ſhall have pleaſure ſtill. Wherefore caſt downe all your joyes, comforts, and pleaſures at Gods feet, in an humble ſubmiſſion ſaying, Lord here they are, do with me and them, what ſeemes good in thine eyes. When the heart is thus took of the world it's in a fit temper, and is beſt qualified for the comforts of God, and over and above when thy ſpirit is in this frame of reſignation of all unto God, he in mercy may vouchſafe unto thee the comfortable fruition of them.
Thus you have heard what Demonſtrations I have propounded, for the evincing of this pretious Doctrine, that all joy and comfort amidſt the greateſt diſcomforts is to be found in God.
Now that I may preſſe what hath been ſaid home unto your Applicat.practice.
1. I ſhall inferre ſomething by way of comfort unto thoſe that make the Lord the joy of their ſoules.
2. In the next place, I ſhall exhort you unto ſo excellent and neceſſary duty.
3. In the laſt place I ſhall lay downe ſome Directions, how this ſacred duty of rejoycing in God ought to be exexerciſed: within theſe limits I ſhall confine my enſueing Application.
In the firſt place this diſcovers unto us the comfortable condition Ʋſe 1. For Comfort.of the Children of God. O bleſſed men whoſe hope and comfort the Lord is! comfort yee, comfort yee, my people (ſaith the Lord) to theſe comfort appertaines, as their peculiar right and intereſt, let them amidſt greateſt calamities, lift up their heads, for their redemption draweth nigh. All the ſufferings of Chriſt, his ſweating of drops of blood were for them, Chriſt wept that they might rejoyce, he drunk a cup of gall and vinegar, that they might drink a cup of new wine in the Kingdome of Heaven, and he wore a Crowne of Thornes, that they might weare a Crowne of Glory, Oh! be not diſmayed at any evill tydings, and mourne not as men with out hope, notwithſtanding the confuſion and troubles of the Land of our Nativity: Let faith, hope, and patience be exerciſed. Hope is the propp of the righteous, that ſtayes the ſoule from falling, were it not for hope the heart would breake, in theſe conflicting daies of ſin, where there are ſuch ſad thoughts of heart, for the afflictions of Joſeph, and for the diviſions of Reuben. We know not what to do, we have no ſtrength of our ſelves, but let me tell you as Nehemiah did the Jewes, Neh. 8. 10. The joy of the Lord is your ſtrength; Hee's a fountaine inexhauſted, though the Ciſternes of the Creatures are drawne dry, he continues a God of ſtrength, though all ſublunary things are as weak as water when Parents forſake a man, then the Lord takes pitty upon him, when riches make themſelves wings and flye away as an Eagle towards heaven, God becomes thy riches, and inricheth thee with grace, and ſo thou gaineſt by thy loſſeſſe. As Joſeph told Pharaoh, God ſhall give Pharaoh an anſwer of peace, ſo ſay I, God ſhall anſwer thy doubts, and let in peace and tranquility into thy ſoule. Melchior Adamus records this obſerveable paſſage in Melchior Adamus In vita Oecolampadii.the life of Oecolampadius when ſome of his friends askt him, whether the light did not offend him, Tangens pectus (inquit) abunde lucis eſt, he clapt his hands upon his breaſt and ſaid, heres light enough. When the light of God ſhines in thy boſome, and thou diſcerneſt Gods reconciled countenance in Chriſt thou haſt enough. Strive therefore to exterminate all thoughts of doubtting and diffidence, feare not, ſtand ſtill, and behold the ſalvation of the Lord. However things go with thee, though clouds hang over thee, and they reſolve and melt thy heart into abundance of teares, and ſorrowes, yet let my Prophets reſolution ſet thy affections a working, yet I will rejoyce in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my ſalvation.
2. In the ſecond place ſuffer I beſeech you my brethren the Ʋſe 2. For Exhortationword of Exhortation, Oh! that I could perſwade you to your duty, I ſhall branch it out into three particulars.
1. To make God your joy.
2. To account him your treaſure.
3. To have recourſe to him as your refuge.
1. Make God your joy. Theres no man but hath ſome principle Dut. 1. Make God your joy.of joy, or inward working motion within his own boſome, and according to the variety of fanſies and humours, the joyes and comforts are bottom'd upon a various and different ground.
1. One man fixeth his joy upon his riches.
A 2. Upon his honour and reputation.
A 3. Upon his delights and pleaſures.
But the Godly mans honours, riches, pleaſures are wholly terminated upon the Lord his God. When the man in the Goſpell had bought the field, wherein he found the pearle of price, he was raviſht with joy, beyond expreſſion and apprehenſion. The grace of God revealed to the ſoule of man, is this Gemme of ſuperlative eſtimation; thou muſt part with all thy riches, pleaſures, and comforts, nay with all the world for this, and thou hereby makeſt the wiſeſt bargaine that ever was made: For by the loſſe of earth, thou gaineſt heaven: what joy poſſeſt the ſpirit of the Eunuch, after Phillip had baptized him, and brought Chriſt home unto him? the Text ſaith he went away rejoycing. Such is the joy of a ſpiritualliz'd man, whoſe God is his joy and Conſolation, though troubles and miſeries come thick and threefold, yet his heart is fixed upon Mount Zion that it cannot be removed, nay upon the God of Zion: Theres ſome inward working principle, that will ſwallow up all diſcomforts whatſoever: This ſpirituall joy daſheth all carnall joyes; This is the only true ſollid joy ariſing from Gods reconciled countenance in Chriſt, which makes a man rejoyce in the Holy Ghoſt with joy unſpeakable and full of glory. It's ſaid in Judges that the young Levites heart was glad, when the children of Dan proffer'd promotion to him; much more joy reſides in the ſpirituall mans ſoule and conſcience, when he thinks of his Crownes, and of the joyes of Heaven, and of the ſweet uninterrupted Communion with Jeſus Chriſt unto all eternity: Oh! then make God thy joy; The ſerenity of his countenance will diſſipate all theſe clouds, the refreſhings and thoſe ſoule raviſhing comforts of Chriſt will infinitely exceed the greateſt diſcomforts in the Univerſe; The joy of the world may be took from thee by the men of the world: There are many Anabaptiſticall, Antiminiſteriall ſpirits who muſter their forces to make our comforts Ichabod, but this joy (ſaith Chriſt) no man taketh from you, men cannot give it, nor bereave us of it. Therefore bid adue to all thy carnall joyes: but lay faſt hold of, and let not goe the joyes of Gods ſpirit, this is the firſt duty I preſſe upon you, to make God your joy.
2. Make God your treaſure. How ſollicitous is a man to get Dut. 2. Make God your treaſure.pretious treaſures, how doth he compaſſe ſea and land to get them, and when he hath them in his poſſeſſion, how carefull is he to keep them. A man of underſtanding leaves not his Jewells at randome, but locks them up ſafe in a Cabinet, now if God be our treaſure, we will ſeek him in his Ordinances, God is the treaſurer and the treaſure both, this is the only treaſure we muſt ſeek after, if we find not God in one Ordinance, lets go to another, if we find him not in the word, lets go to the Sacrament, and if we find him not in the Sacrament, lets repaire to our prayers, and fall upon our knees, if yet we find him not, lets with the ſpowſe make inquiry after him, lets aske the Miniſters of Chriſt, nay lets put all theſe together and never give of ſeeking till we have found him whom our ſoule loveth. Now when once we have got him, lets labour to keep him: Will a wiſe man caſt dirt upon a pretious Jewell? every ſinner indeavours to caſt dirt upon God. Sin is of a beſmearing, and fullying quality: If then thou wouldſt preſerve thy ſpirituall treaſure, and keep the grace of God in thy ſoule, take heed of that which foules and ſtaynes it, and that is ſinne: Oh! Chriſtian be inſtructed to ſet upon the work of purification, labour to cleanſe thy ſelfe from all pollution of the fleſh, and of the ſpirit, ſo that thy ſoule and body may become a glorious Temple, wherein the ſpirit of God will ſet up his habitation. God is our treaſure: our faith hope and very life it ſelfe, are repoſited in his cuſtody, and therefore the Lord Chriſt ſhould be more pretious unto our ſoules, then thouſands of Gold and Silver. Oh! how pretious is Chriſt unto that ſoule, which hath ſeen and taſted how good the Lord is.
3. Make God your refuge. What would a man give in ſuch Dut. 3. Make God your Reſuge.times as theſe for an Aſylum à foreign, or ſanctuary whereunto he may fly and be ſecure. Men promiſe themſelves ſecurity, ſome in one place, and ſome in another, and they ſet their hearts upon them: But alas the comforts wherein they truſt prooves oft times a Jonahs gourd, which in one night had it's originall, and it's period, or an Egyptian reed, which will either pierce them, or give them the ſlipp in their greateſt extremity. But ô bleſſed man who makes his God his refuge, and ſeeks a hiding place in a divine promiſe: ſo that hee's not afraid of evill tydings, hee's not diſcouraged by the direfull imprecations of blaſphemous Rabſhekahs of John of Leydens faction: Let the extremity be never ſo bitter, yet a true Believer can draw down comfort from a promiſe, which preſerves his ſoule from ſinking, he knowes how to look beyond men, unto his God. In ſuch times as theſe (which are ſad and perillous times) when men are ſet upon miſchiefe, and wounder that men run not with them into the ſame exceſſe of riot, a man that hath a ſpirituall eye can bring home the promiſe, that the Rod of the wicked, will not lye long upon the lot righteous, wh…n God hath done with the rod, he will caſt it into the fire: but he will provide Scorpions for their enemies. David was perſwaded, that it would be better for him notwithſtanding Shimeis execrations: ſo I am perſwaded that for bitter a…d implacable ſpirits oppoſite to Magiſtrates and Miniſters now a daies, Gods people ſhall fare the better; Let God alone, and do not anticipate him in his own worke, for all the malice that men and Devills can invent, ſhall work togeather for the good of the people of God. David had fainted, had he not ſeen the goodneſſe of the Lord in the land of the living; and Hezekiah had fainted by reaſon of the huge hoſt of Senacherib, but that he believed that God would be their deliverer. We have the ſame God ſtill as good and as gracious as ever, he will put a bridle into the lips, and a hook into the noſtrills of unreaſonable men, God can help with meanes or without meanes, he can help us, and that right early. When a man out of the ſtrength of Faith can make God his refuge and ſhelter, and hide himſelfe under the covert of his wings, this man amidſt multitude of ſorrowes, is a man of ſingular comforts, beyond expreſſion and apprehenſion. Now then amidſt multitudes of feares and ſufferings, labour to have recourſe unto a divine promiſe, that though friends, meanes, hopes, and comforts may faile thee, yet the Lord will never leave thee, nor forſake thee. He never failes them that put their truſt in him. The promiſe runs, unto you that feare my name, will the ſon of righteouſneſſe ariſe with healing under his wings, Mal. 4. 2. If you can thus apply the promiſe, and labour to live by Faith, you are fixt upon Mount Zion, and ſhall not be removed, Pſal. 125. 1.
3. And laſtly, I ſhall cloſe up all with a word of Direction, that Ʋſe 3. For Direction.amongſt the greateſt croſſeſſe and miſeries, you may ſtill find matter of joy and comfort in God
1. I ſhall direct you to remoove ſome impediments.
2. To do ſome duties.
1. Remove theſe foure Impediments.
The firſt, or which I ſet in the fore front is earthly mindedneſſe, 1. Imped. Earthly mindedneſſe.this is a choake Peare unto the grace of God, this, and ſpirituall joy are foreign incompatible termes. A man that is glued unto the world cannot rejoyce in God, heel'e ſay of his riches, as Mica ſaid of his Idolls, they have taken away my Gods and what have I more? Jacob ſpake of Benjamin, his ſoule was bound up in the life of the Lad; ſo may I ſay, the life of a worldly minded man is bound up in his riches, his riches and joy live and dye togeather. Now diſcourſe unto ſuch a man concerning the riches of Chriſt, you talke of Riddles, he askes what is thy beloved more then another beloved? he wants a ſpirituall in-ſight into Chriſt. The earth is an opacous body interpoſed between the organ and the object, ſo that he cannot diſcerne the beauty and excellency that is in Chriſt, a worldly man cannot rejoyce in God.
2. Remoove Infidelity when men exerciſe their ſenſe, more 2. Imped. Infidelity.than their faith, and will with Thomas not believe unleſſe they ſee, Oh! what enemies are they unto their own comfort. Though the Lord ſhould make windowes in heaven, could theſe things be, ſo ſaid the unbelieving Prince: ſo we are apt to ſay, Things aregone ſo farre as a Recovery is deſperate. To ſettle affaires in peace and tranquillity upon firme-covenant Foundations, is a work impoſſible: what? Is any thing impoſſible with God? and all things are poſſible to the believer. O let not go thy faith, it is thy life: what wilt thou diſtruſt thy God? Infidelity is the giving of God the lye, remoove then this ſtumbling block out of the way, if thou remooveſt not Infidelity, thou canſt not rejoyce in God.
3. Remoove impatience, and murmuring; Fret not thy ſelfe becauſe of the ungodly, neither be thou envious at the evill doers (as the Pſalmiſt exhorts) Pſal. 37. 1. Repining and grudging are the cankers of the ſoule, they eate out all it's peace and tranquillity. An impatient man is the worſt enemy to himſelfe, he adds weight to his burthen, and makes it inſupportable, take heed of impatience and murmuring, when Gods hand lyes heavy on thee. Many there are who with Mary cannot ſee Chriſt for teares in their eyes, and being overwhel'd with ſorrowes, they can diſcerne no comforts approaching.
4. Remoove remiſneſſe, and negligence in duties: Their condition 4. Imped. Remiſneſſe and negligence in duties.is Lamentable, who when things ſuite not with their humors ſay it is in vaine, to ſerve the Lord; Hence they give to themſelves the Reynes, and ſlacken the pace of their duties: whereas on the contrary had men their eyes in their heads, they would ſee more need of Duties, that they ought to adde more oyle to the flame, when things go worſt with them. Job makes it the character of a wicked man not to pray alwaies. Remiſneſſe and negligence in Duty is an Argument of a rotten heart; Though there be no appearance of comfort, yet we muſt not ſlacken our duties. Spirituall duties are pabula animae the food and nutriment of the Soule. Prayer meditation and divine conference are vehicula animae, and elevate the ſoule, and revive thy drooping ſpirit, they adde a miraculous rigour and alacrity, amidſt all the croſſeſſe, and diſcomforts in the world: If then thou wouldſt retaine thy joy, take heed of remiſneſſe, and negligence in duties. Now having remooved theſe impediments, I ſhall exhort you to ſet upon ſome Duties: I ſhall ſet downe three only, which I ſhall but name them, and ſo conclude.
1. You muſt labour to live by faith. Had we more experience Dut. 1. Live by faith,of this ſweet and pretious life of faith, our hearts would be eſtabliſhed, we ſhould caſt our ſelves upon the divine providence, and ſtay upon his covenant, and reſolve with (holy Job) though the Lord ſhould kill us, yet we would truſt in him. What ever croſſeſſe Job. 13. 15.came upon us, yet we ſhould never let goe our faith. We ſhould believe againſt beliefe, and hope againſt hope, and now when ſenſe and reaſon failes us, we muſt leave of diſputing, and learne to believe. Oh! then ſupport thy ſpirit upon a promiſe: Believe that all things ſhall work together for the beſt, to them that love God. Faith Rom. 8. 28.made Stephen ſee Chriſt, even through a ſhower of ſtones, and faith made Job, ſee a redeemer upon the Dunghill: Faith makes any condition comfortable; It is the ſweeteſt life in all the world, to live by the faith, of the Son of God.
2. Labour for a ſacred communion, and intimacy with Jeſus Dut. 2. Labour for a ſacred communion with Chriſt.Chriſt. One moment of communion with Chriſt, will tranſport thee with joy unſpeakable, which a ſtranger intermeddles not with all. None can reveale theſe joyes, but thoſe that feele them: Theſe are the white ſtones, the hidden Mannah, the new Name; which no man can read but him that hath it. Oh! what raviſhing love tokens are thoſe, which Chriſt vouchſafes unto his children! one of theſe ſpirituall illapſes into the ſoule is to be preferred before the Empire of the world.
3. And laſtly be much exerciſed in meditation and prayer. By Dut. 3. Be much exerciſed in Meditation and Prayer.prayer, thou confer'ſt with him that is inviſible: and meditation is the wing of the ſoule to carry up its ſervices, as a ſweet ſmelling ſacrifice into the Almighties noſtrills. If we would pray more, and ſpend our time as Iſaac did in meditation, if we would wreſtle with God by prayer and ſupplication, if we would imitate Hezekiah, and ſpread the letrer before the Lord, and daily poure out our ſpirits before him, Oh! what comfortable lives ſhould we lead, even a heaven upon earth: And ſuch a heavenly life would be as a Bulwarke of defence to ward of the Batteries of the worſt of enemies. Could we get ſuch a ſacred acquaintance with God, and have our Converſation in heaven, we would not feare what men and Devills could do againſt us. We ſhould not feare the Combinations of ſuch who are profeſt Adverſaries to the Univerſities and Miniſtery: For God will ſay unto theſe moſt deſperate Adverſaries, deſtroy not thoſe Cluſters for there is a bleſſing in them.