Kneeling to God at Parting with Friends, Sermon – Memorandum

Kneeling to God at Parting with Friends · Sermon – Memorandum

p. 5Kneeling to GOD at Parting with Friends

ACTS 21.4, 5, 6.

And finding Diſciples, we tarryed there ſeven days, Who ſaid to Paul, through the Spirit, that he ſhould not go up to Jeruſalem. And when We had accompliſhed thoſe days, we departed, and went our Way, and They all brought us on our Way, with Wives and Children, till we were out of the City: And we KNEELED DOWN ON THE SHORE AND PRAYED. And when We had taken our Leave, one of another, We took Ship, and They returned home again.

Honorable, Reverend & Beloved, in our Lord Iesus Chriſt.

A Great part of Sacred Scripture is H…ſtorical: No part Unprofitable: P…aecepta D…cent; Exempla Movent: Examples are Powerful Preac…ers. The barreneſt Ground in Scripture p. 6bears the richeſt Mines; Nor can a Child of GOD fall into ſuch a Caſe or Strait, as for a plentiful Relief whereof, this wonderful Treaſury and Store-houſe is unprovided; So Adorable is the Fulneſs of the Scriptures.

To make an Experiment hereof, I have produced this Text at this Time, when we are upon taking our Leave of ſundry of our dear Brethren, Ministers and other Chriſtians, now ready to depart from us, unto divers Places, upon the Service of the Kingdom of CHRIST; Nor am I altogether without hope, that it may prove a Word in Season, and uſeful, at leaſt, to inſtruct us in ſome conſiderable part of our preſent Duty; although between our Caſe, and the Caſe in the Text, in ſome particulars, there be no Compariſon, or Parallel.

Our Text is a ſmall Paragraph of the Hiſtory of Pauls Adventures: He had been a Perſecutor, Acts 9 1. but now is a Propagat…r of the Goſpel: and through Soveraign Goodneſs He is choſen and made a Firſt Rate Veſſ…l to bear Chriſt's Name before the Gentiles far and near. Yet Rectoral Paternal Holineſs will ſhew Him how great things he muſt ſuffer, himſelf, not from Others only, but from Chriſtians alſo, whom He had made before, the Subj…cts of Sufferings. 'Twas no… enough that … Uncomfortable Contention had parted Him, and his Comfortable Companion, Barnabas, p. 7that Son of Conſolation, [Acts 11▪ 1, 2. & 15.39, 40.] But, when, after a large Circuit, (being called by the Spirit from one place to another) He is now bound, in the Spirit, to go to Jeruſalem, (Acts 20.16, 22, 23.) Behold! the Diſciples at Tyre, ſaid to Paul, by the Spirit, that He ſhould not go up … Jeruſalem. What a perplexing exerciſe was this to the mind of Paul! And doth the Spirit indeed firſt Bid, and then Forbid? Doth he ſay one thing at Miletum, and another thing at Tyre? I ſuppoſe it not: But that when the Holy Spirit certifyed Them of the Bonds and Afflictions which Paul muſt endure at Jeruſalem, [as He had before-hand, and did afterwards alſo certify Paul and other Saints of the ſame, Acts 20.23▪ & 21.11.] then the Diſciples at Tyre did [as did the Diſciples at Ceſarea, Acts 21.12.] by their own Spirits endeavour to diſſwade Him from this Adventure. Thus, as our Bleſſed LORD Suffered affliction from the irregular fondneſs of Peter ▪ Mat. 16 22, 23. So Paul ſuffers no ſmall perplexity from his Chriſtian Friends, who having a clearer ſight and diſcerning of his Danger, than of his Duty, and knowing but in part, did very ill to intangle the Sacred Text of the SPIRIT, with their ignorant and fallible, though well meant Commentarys.

Our Text ſhews us the Renowned Apoſtle p. 8of the Gentiles at the famous Sea-port City of Tyre: And in this ſhort Hiſtory, we may Conſider,

[1.] His Arrival at Tyre: Amplifyed with the Narrative of ſome Rarities that He met with there? [And finding Diſciples] The best of men in the worſt of places; Lo! the good Seed, long ſince ſprinkled upon … Tyrians by the LORD Jeſus, is ſprung up unto a comfortable Harveſt: Diſciples that cannot find out one another, nor conſort together, have Shipwreckt and loſt … noble facu…ty and property of Diſciples of CHRIST.

[2] His Continuance there. He ſtays long enough to enjoy one Sabbath with them▪ His other Work wo…ld allow no more; Their Deſires could be ſatisfied with no leſs: When the Spirit urgeth to haſten to Jeruſalem, Paul can't be content to linger at Tyre

[3] His Departure thence: Illuſtrated.

[1] From the Averſion of the Tyrians, on account of the Suffering which the Holy Spirit had ſhewed them that Paul would be expoſed to at Jeruſalem▪ [They ſaid to him, by the Spirit, that He ſhould not go up to Jeruſalem; [that is] except he would hazard his Life.] An Elliptical Expreſſion; But, to be interpreted by Clauſes, in this Hiſtory of Pauls Travails, pr…ceding and followin…, … as other E…iptical Sentences (of which both Teſtaments p. 9have good ſtore) uſually are: ſo 1 Sam. 23.12 They will deliver thee up: it is to be underſtood, with a Subauditur, [If thou continueſt there.] Gen. 30.27. I pray Thee: his meaning is; I pray thee, Tarry with me. Pſal. 109.4▪ I prayer, Our Tranſlation reads it with a ſupply of the Verb, I give my ſelf unto Prayer. So in many other places.

[2] From the Reſolution of bleſsed Paul and his Companions, manifeſted by the Effect of it; (And we Departed.)

[3.] From the Admirable Conceſſion, Submiſſion and Condeſcenſion of thoſe Exemplary Chriſtians manifeſted in their moſt affectionate and encouraging Attendance and Aſſiſtance afforded to the Apoſtle, all along his way through the City, and until he went Aboard the Ship. [They all brought us on our way, with Wives and Children, till we were out of the City.] Thus,

¶ When our Brethren ſee their Call clear, to adventure upon any hazardous Deſigns for the Goſpel; 'Tis but a Chriſtian Duty to further them, and help them, in the beſt way we can: Yea, ſuppoſe ſome particular Enterprizes, upon which they are reſolvedly, and by Adviſe of many, bound forth, and their Removals, on the account thereof, may not be, at the preſent, perfectly in all points agreeable to the opinion and inclination even of ſome of their Brethren that have the Spirit of God; yet p. 10All that have the Spirit of God, Men, Women and Children, will, and ought unanimouſly to ſtrengthen their Hearts and Hands in their God, & to promote the Work of the Lord that is under their Hands.

[4] It is illuſtrated and ſet forth by their Prayers at Parting. [And we kneeled down on the Shore, and Prayed, &c.] Behold! the very place wh…re, and Poſture wherein they made their Applications to the Great God of the Sea, and of the Dry Land, taken notice of by the Holy Ghoſt, and put upon Everlaſting Record! Verily, now, unto the Believer that Realizeth the Omnipreſence of the LORD, all the World is God's Houſe, and every Place as an Houſe of Prayer, a Temple for Spiritual Worſhip: And in every Place, if his Heart hath but a Sacrifice ready, he hath a Glorious Sanctifying A…tar at Hand, and a GOD too, that ha…h reſpect to Him and to His Offering His humble Heart is not nice or ſqueamiſh at all about the place, and he can Kneel on the Sand, as well as Stand in the Temple, before the Lord his Maker. He knows, God▪ looks for outward Profeſſion, as well as inward Subj…ction, and Devotion; outward ſigns, as well as inward ſenſe; the KNEE as well as the HEART; and by the Mercies of God, He is ingaged to preſent his Body, together with his Soul and Spirit, an Holy Sacrifice to the Lord. Rom. 12.1.

p. 11But from their Affectionate and Devout Prayers at their laſt Parting, we may gather this DOCTRINE.

¶ That the very beſt thing that Diſciples of Chriſt, at taking leave one of another, can do one for another, is to turn their Caſes into Prayers.

I ſhall endeavour by the Lords Help, to demonſtrate this Doctrine from theſe three Conſiderations

1. That 'tis the beſt we can do, in that it is moſt highly Lawful, and always poſſible and practicable.

2 In that it is as Needful as Lawful.

3. In that it is the moſt powerful and ſucceſsful of any thing that we can do.

Firſt of all, It is moſt Lawful and Poſſible. We have Precept, Promiſe and Example to convince us, that we may Lawfully as well as Poſſibly turn one anothers Caſes into Prayers. I exhort ſaith Paul, by the Spirit, 1 Tim 2.1. that Interceſſions be made for all men, [He intends not the Damned, nor ſuch as have Sinned againſt the Holy Ghoſt:] All men that Chriſt Offers His Blood and Benefits unto, we ought to offer our Prayers for them; ſee verſe 4, & 8. But eſpecially, we may and muſt Pray, with and for the Brethren. Jam. p. 1214, 16. Pray one for another. Although we are unworthy of liberty to make Petition for our ſelves, yet the Grace of God allows, yea injoyns us to put in requeſts for others alſo: Moſes, and Samuel, and Daniel, may ſpeak a good word for all Iſrael: & the Debt of Love to Jeruſalem is to be diſcharged in the lawful and current Coin of Prayers. Pſal. 122 6▪ Pray for the Peace of Jeruſalem, They ſhal… proſper that Love Her. If we are for Examples; Look we to our Father Abraham, The firſt thoughts of Parting with his Son, are ful… of Prayer; Oh! that he may Live i… Th… Sight. Gen. 17.18. Iſaac and Jacob part with Prayers. Gen 28.3, 4, 5. So Iſrael and His Sons. Gen. 43.14. God Almighty give you mercy. So Job and his Friends part friendly with Prayers and Sacrifices offered up at their Parting. Job 42 8, 9. And this was Paul… Custom. The Shore of Mile…um was Sancti…fyed … Knees and Tears, before the Shore … Tyre was; The Elders of Epheſu… being Witneſſes; whom, at parting, as a choice part of his dear Charge, He Surrendred and Commended, unto the Tuition of Heaven ▪ Not expecting to ſee them or do for them, any more, upon the Earth. Acts 20.32, 36, 38. But Our Lord Jeſus is an Example with…out Exception: And we have His Farewel… Prayer in the 17th. Chap. of John as well as p. 13His Farewell Sermon in the foregoing Chapters; Moreover, unto the Warranty of His own Pattern and Precept He hath graciouſly added the further Encouragements of His Promiſes, That He will even Pardon our Sins to us in anſwer to our Prayers one for another, 1 John 5.16. Yea, that if we joyn together in deſiring and requeſting of Him, any thing whatſoever, that it ſhall be done for us by His Father which is in Heaven, Mat. 18.19, 20.

Thus we have proved, that this Way is highly warrantable; and very Poſſible and Practicable alſo; for Ab Eſſe ad Poſ… valet conſequentia, That that hath actually been done, is poſſible to be done; Coelius [lib. 20▪ cap. 25.] Relates, that when Themiſtocles, upon a ſevere demand of Moneys from the Inhabitants of Andrios, told them that he brought two Gods with him unto them, viz. Perſuaſion and Force: They replied, that they had two great Gods among themſelves, that hindred them, to wit, Poverty, and Impoſſibility. But as to the caſe in hand, the Saints are delivered from them both. But 'tis the beſt we can do, for (1.) 'Tis All that we can do, many times (2) It may Always be done. 'Tis (1) Only, (2) Conſtantly Poſſible. True Chriſtians, Diſciples, do belong to Chriſt; Now had they not the Spirit of Chriſt, they were …one of His. Rom. 8.9. They have therefore p. 14His Spirit, and He teacheth and helpeth them to Pray, Rom. 8 15, 26. And there is no Choſen Veſsel but upon his Converſion, it may be ſaid, Behold he prays. Acts 9.11. If Nathanael be an Iſraelite indeed, Chriſt hath ſeen him Kneeling under the Fig-tree. John 1.47, 48. And in Prayer Jacob gets the name of Iſrael. Gen. 32.28. This therefore they can do for their Brethren, they can Pray for them, to the LORD; and many times they can do nothing elſe for them; their Wit, Strength, Purſe, can't reach to Help them. The ſwelling Ocean may ſwallow up, or Enemies ſ…k them, or Sickneſs make an end of them long before we can hear of it, or reach them Help with our other Talents: But now, ſo long as they do but keep within the compaſs of THIS World, let them go as far as ever they can, they can never get out of the reach of Prayer. Would we have frequent Intelligence of their Welfare, we may in a New and Living way, draw near to Him, that is always near to them, and have it: Hannah's Son Samuel was very Remote, when ſhe had her firſt ſatisfactory Intelligence concerning him, after which her face was no more ſad 1 Sam. 1.11, 17, 18. Nor was that the only caſe wherein Prayer hath condeſcended to become an Informer Many Holy m…n of God in later Times, and ſome of them in New-England …o, have obtained upon their Knees, happy p. 15Tidings from Remote Countries, and ſtrange Aſsurances of things to come. They perceived well the Information, beholding no Informer, but Prayer in Faith. King Edward the Sixth asking news concerning one, that he highly Reſpected, was told, that there was no hope of his Life; but he inſtantly replied, that he was well aſſured he would recover, for he had that morning begg'd his Life of God: and he recovered accordingly. Daniel indeed had ſwift Information from an Angel, but it was obtained by Prayer. Dan 9.21, 22. Are ſome of our dear Brethren Removing to a great and wide Diſtance from us, of many hundreds of miles; yet I do not ſee what ſhould hinder, but that, if the fault be not our own, we and they may daily meet at the ſame Throne of Grace, and interchange ſome comfortable Intelligence. Why ſhould we not truſt Faith in Prayer, when it hath been making Friends with Gods Name and Promiſe for Information? [Luk 16.7, 8] What though the Holy SPIRIT do more rarely afford the ſtrong Pleadings of Faith, & mighty Aſsurances of particular Audience, as to outward Specialties of Perſons and Caſes, (notwithſtanding 'tis not Enthyſiaſtical to ſay, that the LORD is not wont, powerfully to bear in ſuch perſuaſions of Audience after ſtrong Cries, where he means to deny the Requeſt,) p. 16yet could we not double the Cape of Good Hope, although they were beyond Hercules Pillars? And when the Wings of Faith & Prayer have mounted our Souls to the top of the Promontory of Sacred and Sureſt Proſpect, I mean the Promiſe, without doubt, the Eye of Hope, will have a mighty advantage for the making of its moſt unaſhaming and moſt comfortable Obſervations. Truly, if the means uſed, have a kindly operation, 'tis a promiſing ſign, to a ſick Patient. And if the Decree have joyned …e…vent Prayers and gracious Anſwers together, as the appointed means to the appointed and deſired End, woe be to that Unbelief, that ſhall put them aſunder. I remember, when (Attending on the Colledge) I had been abſent long from my neareſt Relations, That HONORABLE PERSON, (with whom I Sojourned divers years, & from whom I my ſelf, [as well as others, alike devoted to, and in Education for the Service of the Sanctuary] received much of the kindneſs of GOD; which the LORD of His Grace, reward with Everlaſting Kindneſs;) He was pleaſed to ask me, whether my Friends at Home were in good Health or no? And when I anſwered, that I could not tell; he ſeemed to wonder at it, inqui…ing whether I had not, that morning been fervent in Prayers of Faith on their behalf: ſignifying further, that although other p. 17ways of Intelligence wer… ſhut up, yet ſome comfortable ſatisfaction concerning them, might be obtained in ſuch a way; Oh! may we All now prove the Experiment by that Excellent man of Prayer, ſuggeſted ſeaſonably unto One! We ſhall neither miſtake the Paradox, nor miſs of the Conſolation: May our Spiritual Experience, be but the Interpreter. This is indeed conſiderable, but this is not All; For we may Save their Lives, and Aſſiſt their Glorious Deſign, by our Prayers on their behalf: Luther ſ…ake it by Experience, Eſt quaedam Praecum Omnipotentia: Nothing is too hard for the Prayer of Faith: Jobs Prayers were able to break the Ice, to clear the Paſſage for his three Friends: Job 4.2.1—8. Who can tell or think how much Good that man may do, for his Abſent Friend, that is himſelf an honeſt Favourite with an Earthly Prince, and that is unweariedly improving all Opportunities for his Friends advantage? Brethren! we alſo may help our Brethren, if we beſtir our ſelves to take hold on God for them in this way of Prayer. And as often 'tis the only thing, ſo always, it is the moſt constant thing that we can do, one for another: If other help may ſeldom reach them, (yet by the Aſſiſtance of the Spirit of God) we may afford them the Help of Prayer every day, and often in a Day. Thus did Paul to the Saints in p. 18Rome. Rom. 1.9. God is my witneſs whom I Serve in the Goſpel of His Son, with my very Spirit, that without ceaſing I make mention of you always in my prayers; And thus alſo to Philemon, Phil verſe 4 I thank my GOD, making mention of thee always in my prayers: And I verily believe that thoſe Holy Perſons found the benefit of Pauls Prayers every Day. Thus 'tis Beſt, becauſe moſt Lawful and Poſſible.

Secondly: Becauſe it is as Needful as Lawful, that Parting or Parted Diſciples ſhould turn their ſeveral Caſes into Prayers. Such as ſtay at Home have Need to Pray for Them that go abroad: Yea, a nec…ſſity lyeth on them; and Wo unto Them if they do it not: They cannot Prove the Sincerity of their Obedience to God, or Love to the Saints, or obtain any comfortable Token and Evidence of their own future Proſperity, that do not Pray for their Brethren who make a part of the Church; in Praying for whom, they Pray for the Peace of Jeruſalem, Pſal 122.6. And ſuppoſe, their Brethren ſhould miſcarry through the weakneſs or for the want of their Prayers, what horrible Guilt will unavoidably be incurred. And they need One anothers Prayers, in that, The Divine Order hath ſo Link't Men together, as that the one (under Heaven) muſt be beholden to (becauſe, dependent p. 19on) the other, for Preſervation: None but a Cain will make it a Queſtion, Am I my Brothers Keeper? How often doth the Lord permit the Devil to execute the Curſes of Witches on their Neighbours, although, bleſſed be GOD, Balaam cannot Curſe, nor yet Satan Execute when and where they ſometimes could rejoyce to do it. Micah 6 5. How often doth the Lord fulfill the Bleſſings of the Saints? They that are bleſsed of the Godly man, ſhall inherit the Earth. Psal. 37.22. 'Tis Promiſed, that, One day, the Saints ſhall be inthroned as Co…ſſ…ſſors with the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, to Judge the World; And verily He ſeems loath to do any great thing without their Sufferage now: They Bleſs and then He Bleſſeth. Jobs Friends muſt be beholding to Jobs Prayers for their acceptance with the Lord, as hath been ſaid. And Abimeleck to Abraham's, Gen. 20.7. [He ſhall Pray for thee, and thou ſhalt Live] And Peter to the Churches Prayers Acts 12 5, 12. And Paul to Philemon's Prayers, Philem. v.22. And to the Prayers of Others.

And the Benedictory Options of ſuch Saints as ſtand near the Gate of Heaven, have been allowed by the Lord, to have a more peculiar hand in the Diſtribution of Divine Benefits. As Elijah's to Eliſha 2 King. 2 9. Eliſha's to King Joaſh; 2 King. 13.17. So Iſaac's to p. 20Jacob of Old; Gen. 28.1, 3. Jacobs to His Sons, Gen. 49.1. And Moſes's to Iſrael Deut. 33.1. Yet Our own Single Prayers for our ſelves, have not ſo great and extenſive an Efficacy as the Prayers of Many others for us may have, in which more Grace is Exerciſed, by more Subjects, the Lord being alſo more Glorifyed when after the Prayers, He receives the Praiſes, nor of One but of Many Saints, for the Mercys which He hath beſtowed.

But more particularly to accommodate this Article to the Caſe of our now Parting B…ethren. It will evidently appear that Our jo…t Prayers are Needfull for them, if we duly weigh theſe following Conſiderations. As Namely:

[1.] Our Prayers are Needfull to them, in regard of Thoſe by Whom they are ſent forth upon the Work of the Lord, and Wh…m they are departing from: They are of Us. We and They are of One People of God; They and we are likely to ſtand and fall together. Now, One Achan may trouble all Iſrael. A man not long ſince in a Neighbouring Colony had one Leg cut off: and when, in another Room▪ the Chirurgeons ſlaſhed the Leg that was cut off, to make a more perfect diſcovery, The poor man felt the Pains of the Gaſhes, and Roared dreadfully p. 21for Anguiſh, until they left off: Even ſo, if it ſhould fare ill with them, we ſhould Cry out, and if we ſhould Deſert them and Sin in Ceaſing to Pray for them, they would feel it bitterly. Brethren! Our Sins, are their Danger, and our Holy Devotion, may concur and conduce, not a little to their Safety and Proſperity. It may fare with the Hoſte Abroad, even as the People that ſend them do demean themſelves at Home: Hence the Lord gives a ſtrict Caution, Deut. 23.9. When thine Hoſt goeth forth—then keep thee from every Wicked thing. Some Parents have had ſo ſtrange a Sympathy with their Children, many Scores yea Hundreds of Miles▪ distant from them; and ſome Veruous Wives, with their Husbands; as that no conſiderable danger or diſtreſs hath happ'ned to their Husbands or Children, but they have been diſtreſſed and in Agonys themſelves, with a ſtrange fear on their Spirits, concerning their Relations, that were in diſtreſs at the ſame Moments of Time. Some ſuch Inſtances are recorded in faithful Hiſtory, and more are ready at hand to be produced. Even ſo our Prayerleſsneſs, as it will Indanger our ſelves and State, ſo we may fear, they, that may be Abroad, may Feel it and Rue it.

They therefore have no ſmall Need, that we duly ſeek the Lord on their behal…. There p. 22were ſome of whom the Apoſtle John Writes 1 Joh. 2.19. They went out from us, but they were not of us: But of theſe our Beloved Brethren, it will rather be ſpoken, They were of us and went, as they were ſent forth by us▪ 2 Cor. 8 23 All Extraordinary Calling unto the Service of the Kingdom of Chriſt, was not ſo immediately from God, as ever, to exclude th… Miniſtry of Man; as appears in the Hiſtory o… the Calling of E…izeus and Matthias. Wickliff… Luther, Zwinglius, and other Reformers an… Reſtorers of the Church, were neither Prophets▪ Apoſtles, nor Evangeliſts, to ſpeak properly but having received ſingular Gifts from God ſuch as the Lord ſaw His Church ſtood in need of, and living in the time when all good Order was diſturbed and ſo being Neceſſi…tated and Spirited, to act ſome things beſid… and beyond the Common Order; their Action and Succeſſes ſomewhat, though but a littl… reſembling what was performed by Prophet… and Apoſtles of old; therefore we find them by ſome Godly Writers Metonimically called Extraordinary and Apoſtolical Miniſters o… the Church of God: Truly they had ſome Uncommon Seals ſet unto their Miniſtry, bu… neither were Miracles neceſſary to attend Thei… Miniſtry, nor yet the Miniſtry of all ſuch o… old as had a Proper Extraordinary Calling, a… the Examples of many Old Teſtament Prophets p. 23and of John the Baptiſt do shew. And although the Church Militant, is now without the Apoſtles Cares to ſpread and Propagate the Goſpel, all over the World; Yet it is not the will of Chriſt, that that Work ſhould fall to the Ground: But as there is an Ordinary Miniſtry, which hath its whole Direction from the will of God revealed in the Scriptures, and from thoſe Media which God hath appointed in His Church, one deriving Power of adminiſtring Divine things alone immedi…tely from God, though their Call is by man, from …he Lord, who alſo (not without good Education by men for the moſt part) hath qualify'd and fitted them for their Calling: I ſay, as …here is ſuch a Miniſtry for the building up of …he Church Catholick in the ſeveral ſimilary Viſible particular Parts of it, viz. Particular Congregational Churches, ſo there is an Incum…ency of Duty on this Miniſtry and theſe …hurches to expend and beſtow both Pray…rs and Pains for the ſtretching forth the Curtains of their increa…ed Solomon, and the …athering of others, …ven of Strangers, into the …heep fold of Jeſus Chriſt, and Settlement of Goſpel Order and Ordinances among them. It was meet that firſt the Law ſhould go forth of …ion, and the Word of the Lord from Jeru…lem, by the Miniſtry of the Apoſtles; but …fterward the Gentiles muſt Call one another, p. 24and ſpread it from Nation to Nation; Iſai. 2.1 — 5. and from Neighbourhood to Neighbourhood. As Leaven is firſt laid in, and then it diffuſeth, and ſpreads it ſelf gradually▪ Mat. 13.33. And as from one grain of Muſtard-ſeed, a whole Field of it is propagated at length: So 'tis as to the Glorious City of God; time was, when it had but one Houſe in it, but Zerubbabel holds the Plummet till it b… fully Built to the very Suburbs: The World is carried on by Him that gives Gifts unto men, and Paſtors and Teachers to build up the Body of Chriſt, till we all come, &c. Eph. 4 10— 13. And the Word is to be committed to faithful men, who are to tranſmit it further, … Tim. 2.2. Thus, the Temple is often built even in Troublous Times; Dan. 9 25. and i… the Church begin to neglect to diſperſe the Goſ…pel abroad, in comes Perſecution, & diſperſeth the Church, to the wonderful Increaſe of Believers in the World. Acts 8.4, 5, 6. … Candle may ſerve to light up many more▪ and One Church may lend materials to the fur…niſhing of Another. Cant. 8.8, 9, 10. Th… Candleſtick that holds the Candle muſt no… Monopolize its light and influence: Our Le…banon is not for our ſelves only, but to encloſ… others with Doors of Cedar. Our Mines & Treaſures muſt ſtand open to our Solomon t… Build more Palaces of Silver with. Th… p. 25Church that is already Organized, is with Chriſt, of Common Council, Care and Endeavour, for the Communication of what may tend to the New Up-ſpringing & Maturity of Siſter Churches. Yea every Believer hath ſome degree of a Catholick Spirit in him, wiſhing that all the World, and ſtriving to the utmoſt of his Influence, that all that are near him, may become altogether ſuch as he is [except his Bonds,] Acts 26 29.

And, as for New-England, Let our ancient Charter ſpeak, what our Fathers Profeſſed Intention a…d Deſign was in coming hither, Ʋiz Not only purely and peaceably to Enjoy, but alſo generouſly and charitably to Spread and Propagate the Goſpel of Jeſus Chriſt, and to direct the blind Pagans in the way to bleſſedneſs for ever. Some that have ſeen our firſt Times, can Remember, how much the Indian Work was then in the Hea…ts and Prayers of the Saints, and how it Flouriſhed, and how many of thoſe American Converts have had a Triumphant Paſſage into Glory; but ſince that Work is grown out of our Hearts and Prayers, 'tis dolefull to obſerve what dark and deadly Symptoms, in moſt places, do appear upon the face thereof. When Gods Times to favour a People are come: His Saints do greatly pitty their Stones and Duſt, Pſal. 102, 13, 14. But when the Lords p. 26Remembrancers hold their peace, The Lord Himſelf alſo holds His Hand, as if He had forgotten His Work; for, His ſtated Order, He will obſerve, and ſtands upon His Honour and Glory, of being ſought unto by the Houſe of Iſrael to do it for them, Ezek. 36.37. The Lord recover and revive that work, and our Prayers for it, for His Holy Name ſake. Amen. But to proceed, were not our Fathers a Generation of Witneſses and Confeſsors of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt? Did not God the Father of Christ, put His Son into Poſſeſſion of theſe Ends of the Earth, by livery and ſeizin, when He caſt out many of the Heathen, and planted His People here, in their ſtead? And were not theſe Churches of Chriſt Jeſus to be Pillars for the Truth, 1 Tim. 2.15? When Iſrael Apoſtatized to Idolatry, many of Aſher, forſook their Inheritances, and came and dwelt in Judah for Religions ſake, and when Prophecy was reſtored to Iſrael, behold a Propheteſs of the D…ughters of Phanuel of that Tribe: Luk. 2.36. And are the Days near for the Illumination of the Dark Parts of the World? May we not humbly Hope, that New-England (though Sinful) ſhall have an hand therein? What if the Lord will have His Word go forth along into this America, from His Jeruſalem here? and that too, whileſt our Sins and His Judgments are upon us, that ſo no fleſh may p. 27glory in His ſight? And if the Lord have deſigned theſe Churches unto ſuch work▪ Suppoſe, we ſhould be …l…ck & negligent herein, Quere, whether God may not find out ways to ſcatter and diſperſe us abroad, and compel us to Attend it? Acts 8.4, 6

And I will add this further, Hath the Lord made the Offers of the Goſpel by the Miniſters of theſe Churches, Acceptable unto any Conſiderable Places [ſometimes deeply prejudiced againſt us and our way of Worſhipping the Lord, by occaſion of Auncient Severities] and opened a Door unto us, to ſhew them the Kindneſs of God, for their Everlaſting Good? And hath the Lord Inclined ſome other Places more remote, to ſend hither for Spiritual Help, rather than to other Lands? And hath the Lord Inclined the Hearts of ſundry of our Dear Brethren, both Miniſters and other Chriſtians, to accept of Miſſi…n unto ſuch Service; and are they now going …orth, [One of them having been lately Separated to the Paſtoral Office, over a Little Church, with Faſting and Prayer, by the Reverend E…ders and Meſsengers of divers of our Churches] And ſhall we not Kneel for them before the Lord? What we All owe to God and to His Kingdom, we have Separated them to diſcharge it for us, and they are New Englands Offering to the LORD JESƲS p. 28CHRIST, for the Service of His Kingdom: and how ſhall we Sanctifie them otherwiſe, than by Prayer? 1 Tim. 4 5. And are we not more peculiarly obliged to be much in fervent Supplications for them, than the Churches of God in other Countries are, ſince they are peculiarly Ours, and our Offering to the LORD? Do we not yet know that we ſtand but in ill Terms with the Lord our God, and that an Offering will not be eaſily Accepted from declined and provoking New-England? And have we not the greater need to uſe what humble Importunity we can? Paul deſires the Brethren to pray for Him, that his Charitable Offerings and Services might be accepted of the Saints; Rom. 15 31. But verily we have need alſo to pray hard, that our poor Oblations may be accepted of the Lord: For if our hearts be not much in, and our Prayers with our Gratulatory Sacrifice to the Lord, how can we expect, that he ſhould regard it at all? Qui frigide orat, docet negare. Our dear Brethren, now going forth from us, have a greater dependance (under Chriſt) upon our poor Prayers for them, than we can eaſily apprehend, for, if we deſert them, conſidering their relation to us, they may fear, that the Lord will alſo; But His Ways and His Thoughts are high above ours, as the Heavens are above p. 29the Earth, which is, through Chriſt Jeſus, our only hope and ſtay, when we ſee the Glory of His Paternal Holineſs and Severity, and our own Vileneſs. Well, I will be humbly bold to ſay, that a Price is this day put into our Hands, may we have Hearts to improve it. 'Tis too ſadly evident, to be conceal'd or diſſemb…d, that we have loſt much of our wonted frequency and ancient intimacy with the Lord, and that a lamentable eſtrangedneſs of Spirit is grown between the Lord and New England; Now, as wiſe Courtiers when under a Cloud, ſeek, and make much of ſome Ingratiating Errand into the preſence of their Prince, eſpecially ſome matter of mighty Conſequence to the Realm and State; So were we wiſe Chriſtians, we ſhould prize highly any good Errand, into the Preſence of the Lord, eſpecially ſuch an Important Errand as this, wherein the Great Affairs of His Kingdom and Glory and o… the Souls of men are concerned. May we obtain ſuch Grace, that the Lord may ſee our hearts once purely and throughly concerned, and warmly engaged ab…u… ſuch things as are chiefly in the Lords Eye and Heart; as …hereby, Religion may begin to be Revived within us, ſo a fair way will be pa…ed for us, by His Infinite Grace, for our Returning into His Favour and Acquaintance again. Our Brethren then, that p. 30have ſo earneſtly deſired our Prayers this Day, might uſe the words of the Apoſtle in another caſe, and ſay, We ask Your Prayers, not only, or not ſo much, that we deſire and need the Gift, and the Help thereof, but, that FRUIT may abound unto YOUR account, bo…h now, and in the day of Chriſt. Your Applications to the Throne of Grace for us, ſhall further Your Own We come at that Throne, as well as Ours; and moreover, whatſoever we ſhall obtain and prevail to do, by the force of your Prayers (next under CHRIST) and by the force of New Englands Prayers 'twill be accepted as if New-England and you had done it your ſelves.

[2] As our Prayers are needful for them in Regard of Our ſelves that ſend them, ſo alſo … Regard of Themſelves that are ſent; The Places they are ſent unto, The Work they are ſent upon, and the great dependance that will be upon their Succeſs therein.

As for ſome of the Plantations which they are ſent unto, is not their Mode of Settlement an high Provocation to the Lord? Who can juſtify their laying out of, and ſ…parate Settling upon ſuch large, Scattered, diſtant Plantations, and Farms, as Bid Defiance unto Civil Cohabitation in convenient Vicinity, and ſo not only to Religion and the Worſhip of God, not ſo to p. 31be attended and maintained, but even to Civility it ſelf? And who then can much wonder if many of the Riſing Generation ſhould grow Atheiſtical, Ignorant, Erroneous, Profane, Profligate, and Abominable, having no ſuch Publick Spiritual Means to reſtrain them from Vice, and to have promoted their Converſion, as in other Places is Enjoyed? Is not Worldlineſs a Reigning Sin among them? Now the Friendſhip of the World is Enmity to God; and he that Loveth the World, the Love of the Father is not in him, 1 Joh. 2.15. And how many are grown Old in a cuſtom of Sinning? and can they change? Can they learn to do well, who are accuſtomed to do evil? And how inveterate have ſome been in their Prejudices againſt even Godlineſs it ſelf, becauſe of the Vices of ſome, that have made a Profeſſion thereof! As if Chriſt and His Family were to be abhorred becauſe there was one Horrible Judas there. Such Great Sins will not be Pardoned, without Great Suit at the Throne of Grace. One, that was meditating in the Field in one of thoſe Places, was much ſurpriſed and affected, when he ſuddenly met with a great Parcel of milk white Dry Bones, an Embleme of the Dead Souls that Ezekiel was Commanded to Prophecy over, that they might live. Verily their Spiritual Reſurrection will not be obtained without Prayer. The p. 32Lord will be ſought to for the Life of ſuch …ouls, Ezek. 36.26, 37. Yet at the Faith and Prayer of others for them, God can Pardon mighty Sins, Mat 9 2. And caſt out Monſtrous Devils and Luſts, that will not otherwiſe be ejected but by Faſting and Prayer, Mark 9.29. Oh! Can we endure to ſee the Deſtruction of ſo many Engliſh People, and not make an Out-cry of Prayer to the Lord on their behalf? [Eſther 8.6.]

And now that the Goſpel in the pure and powerful Diſpenſation of it, is advancing to them, and their Eternal State is put upon the Turning Point; What a Precipice of Infandous Ruine ſtand they upon; and how ſhall they eſcape if they neglect ſo great Salvation? and when the Lord once puts them thus upon the Wheel, (and God knows whether as to many of them, it may not be the laſt probation time, that ever they ſhall have) our hearts ſhould tremble for them, leaſt that they be M…rred in the hands of the Potter: and now that they are Brought to the Birth, why ſhould Precious Immortal Souls periſh, in any part, for want of the Sacred Midwifery of Prayer▪ Do not ſome Fields among them promiſe well, and ſeem white already for the Harveſt; But then alſo our Duty remains upon us, Luk. 10.2. To Pray to the Lord of the Harveſt, &c.

p. 33Dares any man preſume to ſay or think, that he hath one ſpark of true Grace in his Heart, that can forbear to pray now?

Again, the weakneſs of theſe our Dear Brethren that are Sent doth beſpeak our Prayers on their behalf. Though the Lord hath ſignally preſerved them from Spots, (Bleſſed be His Holy Name! yet Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? Have they not been born and bred in the very depth of the Apoſtacies of theſe Churches? However, it is with them perſonally, yet doth not Publick Guilt involve them as well as others? As for Satan (whoſe Kingdom they are ſent to deſtroy, in the Name of Chriſt) He will ſtand at theirs (as He did at Joſhua's) Right-hand, to reſiſt them: Not only with curſed Temptations; but alſo with cruel Accuſations; May He but ſee them Cloathed with filthy Raiment before the Angel: Now, If the Lord mark Iniquity, they cannot ſtand: And oh! how much Faith and Holineſs do they and we want? The Babe wants of the Stature of Manhood, much more than He hath already atteined: So it is with the New Creature at firſt: Oh! How much is lacking in Faith, hope, love, zeal, purity; and what is wanting of Perfection of Sanctification, is doubtleſs made up with Imperfection and Corruption: But they ought to be extraordinarily holy, abſtaining, p. 34not from Evil only, but even from all appearance of Evil, that adventure upon ſuch Extraordinary Service, and moſt ſtrictly muſt they walk, that … and ſo many E…es upon them, that will judge of … Religion, wholly by their Converſations? If Satan ſhould trip them (and he will be ſure to do the utmoſt that he ſhall be permitted towards it) what a ſcandal would ariſe to Religion, what an incurable ruine to that Work under their hands! Say then uprightly, Do not they ſtand in need of Prayers? Again, the D…vil bearing them ſuch a cruel ſpite: Though there be an open Door, yet they muſt expect many Adverſaries: The many monſtrous Militant Members of Satan Myſtical will be rallyed up againſt them, if God reſtrain them not; and do not they need Prayers then, that muſt do well and h…ar ill, and muſt adventure all for Jeſus Chriſt? and ſo more than Figh… with Beaſts at Epheſus. Beſides, they are young and inexperienced, and in that reſpect have this principally to comfort them: Judg. 7.2, 4. That It may be they are not to… many for God to work by Prayers o… Saints were moſt needful to the Apoſtles themſelves, much more unto Theſe Our Brethren ▪ For,

1. Then, the Spirit was more plentifully poured out, but l…ſs now.

p. 352. They had Miracles to confirm their Office and Doctrine, which are not ordinarily to be expected now▪ And

3. Souls are as ſorely prejudiced, blinded, and hardened now, as ever in the Apoſtles Dayes: Do we indeed underſtand the Perils and Toils and Tryals that the Work will unavoidably expoſe them unto, that we do our part to ingage them in, and can we find in our hearts to leave them in the lu…ch now, and ſo ſin againſt the Lord, in ceaſing to pray for them? God forbid it ſhould be ſo.

Thus we have ſeen that it is moſt needful. Conſider we in the laſt place, that 'tis the moſt powerful and ſucceſsful thing that we can do for our Brethren, to put in daily for them at the Throne of Mercy. When did the Lord ſay unto the Seed of Jacob, that they ſhould ſeek his Face in vain! Are not fervent Suppliants ſuch Favourites, as cannot poſſibly miſcarry in their well grounded Suits for Grace? … Joh▪ 5 14, 15 If King David ſtood ſo much upon His Honour, that H… would not recal His baniſhed (though his Heart was ſet upon it) until one of his moſt noble Peers, did ſupplicate Him for it: Well may the Lord do ſo too; But God is of one mind: Can Prayer turn Him? Verily His invariable mind and d…ree is, that His outward Works ſhall turn upon the Wheel of Prayer, Mat. 6.6. p. 36and that our hearts and deſires within us ſhall bear the Counter part unto His Will and Deſigns without us, referring to what deſirable good ſhall come to paſs, and be wrought in the World. The Holy Spirit helps our infirmities, and teaches us to Pray, Rom. 8. The Lord therefore can no more be out of Love with Evangelical Prayer, than with His own Will and Work▪ And if the Spirit helps our infirmities, Our infirmities (no more than El…as his Paſſions) ſhall no… hinder the Succeſs of our Prayers, any more than the acceptance of our Perſons in Chriſt Jeſus. 'Though we have Droſs in our moſt golden Prayers, yet we have a curious and careful Refiner at the Altar of Incenſe into whoſe Golden Cenſer they muſt paſs, before they paſs unto the Father. We are Interceſſours, but not of Mediation, we are Prieſts unto God, yet (ſaith Judicious Ames,) not ſo much as Subordinate to Chriſt in His Prieſtly Office He offers, He preſents and pleads His own Blood and Merits in the holieſt of all; w… ſtand without, and deſire to receive His be…nefits; we open our Mouths wide (by H… Spirit) and ſtand in the capacity of Reciever… ▪ whereas He ſtands alone in the high Quality of a Mediatorial Procurer of Bleſſings. Bu… how is the Grace and Bleſſing in the Ne… Covenant moſt Free, when as it is not to … p. 37attained without much Pains in Prayer? Yet what can be more free and eaſy than to Ask and Receive? How can we take in much Mercy, if we don't open our Mouths wide? If we open them wide, what doth God gain by it? If He fills them, Is it not of Grace? What is this mite of Duty, and Acknowledgment, to the Millions Per Annum, that it is repayed withal? And whence have we this poor mite alſo? Doth not the ſame bountiful Hand that beſtows the conſequent Bleſſings, Create and Aſſiſt the antecedent Prayers for them? Is not Goſpel…Prayer a part of Salvation, and a good ſtep into it, making way for further ſteps and degrees of Salvation. Gods Decrees are Abſolute, His Gifts free and abſolute, without the Scientia Media, & the moral conditionateing Terms on which the firſt Grace & all Salvation ſome ſay is to be had, and without the wonderful Merits of Condignity and Supererrogation or of Congruity and the other Paradoxes of the Jeſuites. You will ſay then, wherein conſiſts the Efficacy of Prayer? Since if we do but what is duty to do, what thanks do we deſerve; and what Obligations in any wiſe can we lay the Lord under thereby? Yea in our beſt Prayers we c…me ſhort of our Duty? I Anſwer, In that, the Grace and Exerciſe alſo of Prayer in the up grown, is given in Con…unction with other Mercys inſeparably, for p. 38the Jewel of Salvation is ſet in the Gold-Ring of Prayer: He that calleth on the Name of the Lord ſhall be Saved: Hold faſt the Ring and you ſecure the Jewel. In the bails and bundle of Life and Bleſſings; the Covering that all is bound up in, is Prayer. If you come not a… that to lay it open, you can come at no other particulars of the Invoice of Salvation. The Lord Jeſus hath ſent us the Treaſures of His Goodneſs Lockt up in the Glorious Cabinet of the New Covenant and Promiſe, and in the Lock thereof is put the Key of Prayer; now God hath Ordained ſuch an Order and Method in the Application of the benefits, that we ſhall firſt take and uſe the Key and thereby come at further Mercys: and the Eternal Decree is ſo Abſolute, that we can no more fail of the means ſet down in that decree, than we can fail of the end; and therefore they ſpeak what is not meet to be ſpoken of God▪ that ſay, They and their Brethren ſhall do well enough, if it be ſo decreed, whether they Pray or no; as if God had certainly decreed the End without the Means. And they Blaſpheme the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, who look to Prayer, more than unto Chriſt Himſelf; when as Prayer without Chriſt is worſe than nothing. 'Tis CHRISTS NAME mainly and not our Prayers that hath Power wi…h God and with Chriſt Joh. 14 23. Whatever p. 39yee Ask in MY NAME, I will do it. Chriſtians! If when you ſtand in need of Atonement, Pardon & other Bleſſings, you fly to your Prayers, but neglect Chriſt, His Blood and Inter…ſſion, and free Promiſe of Grace to Sinners; God may break your Prayers to pieces and make them Nehuſh…ans, and you ſhall be ſo ſhut up, that you ſhall not be able to Pray, till you mend that Great Fault. But if you carry Christ and His Name, in the Veſſel of your Prayers, you ſhall arrive at your deſired Port in Safety. The Promiſes Aſſure us of the Prevalency of Prayer, and Innumerable Experiences of Saints are ſo many Seals to the Aſſurance. What frequency and fervency of Prayer was uſed by the Fathers of New-England, and Oh with what Glorious Succeſſes! Time would fail to mention other Inſtances, faithfully Recorded by one of our Reverend …eers, in his precious Book, Intituled, The Pre…a…ency of Prayer, to which I refer you.

So much ſhall ſuffice for the Demonſtration of the DOCTRINE.

I Proceed to the APPLICATION.

And omitting what might be ſpoken by way of In…erence, for Information, Humiliation, p. 40Caution, Reproof, Tryal and Comfort, leaſt I ſhould be too Prolix, I ſhall only add ſomewhat, by way of Exhortation unto the great Duty of Prayer; and particularly, Let us from what we have now had of the Word of the Lord, be effectually moved to turn our Brethrens Caſes into Prayers ▪ Two Sorts of Prayer Let me Urge upon you, in the Name of the Lord, the God that Heareth Prayer; viz.

[1.] Proper Prayer. And [2.] Practical Prayer, as ſome Diſtinguiſh them.

Firſtly; Proper Prayer, both Mental and Vocal, not Publick only, but alſo Private and Secret. Make dayly moſt Religious Repreſentations of your Wills and Deſires as to theſe Matters, unto the Lord, and Pour out your Hearts before Him: We have proved that it is not needleſs: GOD Will have Our Good Will to His Doing of our Neighbours Good. Yea, (as Proud as we are, and prone to deſpiſe our ſinful Brethren and their Prayers) the Moſt High will make us ſtoop to them, to beg their Prayers, before He will ſtoop down to us, with ſuch Mercies and Bounties as only can li…t us up. I add, He is a Stranger in Iſrael that hath not heard of the deplorable Eſtate of Religion (not to mention Morality) …n ſome of the Engliſh Plantations in thi… America; and for what an aſtoniſhing Number of years, Ignorance, Atheiſm, Profaneneſs and p. 41Confuſion have prevailed, not only to the amazement of their Neighbours, but also unto the Grief and Lamentation of all Good and Wiſe men, among themſelves, who ſtill found their Eſſaye and Motions for general Reformation, without the deſired ſucceſs. And in truth, we are swallowed up, when we venture to wade into the deep Mysteries of the hidden Counſels of the Wiſdom, Soveraignty, and Holineſs of God; and the Interpreter had need be One of a Thouſand [Job 33.23, 24] Who ſhall only declare ſo much thereof, as must be Heard and Ʋnderſtood, before the Lord will alter the Courſe and Tenor of His Diſpenſations; The Good Lord give every of Them to have ſuch an Interpreter among them, for His Mercies ſake, Amen. But if any Thunders have uttered the Voice of God, yet I muſt confeſs and bewail my dulneſs of Hearing, and Apprehenſion, and U…fitneſs to declare and expound the ſame▪ Only One thing hath been ſo plainly ſpoken, and is ſo agreeable to our preſent Subj…ct, and to the like Diſcoveries of Gods Mind and Way, that are made and exhibited to us in His Written Oracles, as that I cannot forbear to give an hint thereof: And what is the Voice of the Lord unto ſome of the Plantations ▪ Among many other Things, doth not the Lord ſay, Oh my poor People, whom I have p. 42permitted to ſpread abroad in the Wilderneſs, and to labour under Spiritual Difficulties! I know the Prejudices you have long had, againſt your Neighbours the Churches of New-England, eſpecially for ſome of their Strictneſses and Severities in their Exceſs of Zeal for My Name: I am not ignorant, how faſt your hearts have been ſhut againſt them, and how uncapable of receiving any Spiritual Advantage from them. I alſo have ſeen all their Transgreſſions and Declenſions, and have variouſly Puniſhed them, uſing both ordinary and extraordinary Means for their Recovery; and many of you, for your part, have (as Jobs three Friends) reputed them, Wicked Hypocrites, and their ſtrict Profeſſion to be nothing but a vile Formality, for which the Divine Vengeance comes down upon Them; yet although the Distance between you is ſo wide, I that have Mercies in ſtore for you both, am abſolutely reſolved, that they ſhall not be beſtowed, until the difference be made up, yea, I am reſolved, that your Offerings to the Lord, ſhall be put into Their Hands, and that you ſhall be much in Their Hearts and Prayers, before you be Accepted to higheſt Favours, and B…eſſings, to become a Name, a Praiſe, and a G…ory to Me in the Earth; and they ſhall expreſs their moſt aff…ctionate R…gards, (for p. 43My ſake) Unto you with Chriſtian Sollicitudes for your everlaſting Wefare, before I ſhall turn Their Captivity. See Job 42.7, 8, 9, 10.

I proceed to ſay, that to me, it is no Wonder that the …ho…eſt Bleſſings are but ſparingly beſtowed upon particular Perſons and Families and Churches too, ſince (while Iniquity aboundeth) Love and Zeal, Wax cold, and there are ſo few Church Faſtings and Prayers, & Family Faſtings and Prayers, & the Private Meetings of the Ʋpright, are by ſo many laid aſide. Oh ſenſible Believer! Art thou under the Frowns of the Lord, and is He ſparing of His B…eſſings? Thus ſaith the Lord God unto thee [Iſa. 50 2. & 59 1] 'Tis not, becauſe My Hand is ſhortned; 'Tis not, becauſe Mine Ear is grown Heavy; 'Tis not, becauſe My Goodneſs is Exhauſted; I certainly intend to give you the Bl…ſſings which you need, in great Abundance; but, Firſt of all, I muſt have more of your own hearty Good Will and Deſires for it, than Yet I have ſeen: You muſt come to ſee that they are Gifts Worthy and Fit for a GOD of I…finite Power, Riches, and Goodn…ſs, to give; and to you moſt Needful, and ſuch as you will Glorify Me for: So muſt you Open your Mouths wide, that I may … them [Pſal 81 10] And Ʋrge Me, wi…h p. 44your reſtleſs Importunity, And I will not ſay you Nay; But this is not all, for Secondly, There are ſeveral dear Friends and Children of Mine, whom I muſt and will Honour, and Gratify, in the ſame Matter, at the ſame Time; Go and acquaint them with your Caſe, Get them together, before Me, that I may take their Sufferage, Conſent, Requeſt▪ If they do not pitty you, the Set Time for My Favour in your Caſe, is not yet fully come. Pſal. 102.13, 14. But Know, for your Comfort, that I have Decreed it, that both They ſhall will, and I Work, for My Glory, and your Comfort. Well, we are now before God, and our Brethren have beg'd our Prayers, and under God and Chriſt, have a great Confidence of them, Let us not ſay them Nay; Or be willing that God ſhould ſay us▪ Nay. Stir we up our ſelves to take hold of God with the Effectual Fervent Prayers, that avail much Help them to Work the Engine that turns about the Hearts of men and the Face of God; and hold out to the End: Be above Guilt, Fears, Faintings, in the Name of Chriſt! Let us not be Out done, by Women that have done great things in this way! See that Gentile Woman in Matt 1… 22▪ 28 How Modeſtly Impudent and Invincible ſhe is; [to uſe the Words of Nazianzen, concerning that Heavenly Heroeſse and Powerful Amazon, his p. 45Siſter] Not her Sex, not her Nation, not her Sins, not her Misery, nor yet her Delays, from the LORD, can diſcourage her: Will Chriſt give No Anſwer? I'le at it again, (thinks ſhe) Here's no Denyall yet: Doth He give a Diſcouraging, Chiding, Ʋpbraiding Anſwer? 'Tis well (thinks ſhe) His Majeſty Vouchſafes, at all, to Reply; that He condeſcends to Argue the Caſe, and Capitulate, as having taken it into Conſideration: Calls He her, Dog? Here's Encouragement; May ſhe be of the number of H…uſhold Animals, ſhe is content, and puts in hard for Crums and Scraps: She will not take a Denyall; Well, the Lord at length allows her to be Her own Carver; She is Humble in Asking, but have it, ſhe Will ▪ And inſtantly, and fully, ſhe has even What ſhe will. Was there ever Faith and Courage more Magnanimous and Maſculine.

If God hath made us Kings and Prieſts, Rev. 5 10. and if ever we Reign with God over Heaven and Earth, while we are on this ſide Heaven; it is at leaſt partly Spiritually by Importunate Prayer. The Lord admires that Champion Iacob, and H…nours Him to all G…nerations: What is thy Name? Saith He: …t is (as a Learned Author expreſseth it) as if he ſhould have ſaid, I never met with ſuch a Fellow: Now as the Infants Cries and Tears can do any thing with the Parents, p. 46ſo Jacob, He wept and made Supplication to the Angel, (that is) CHRIST, and Prevailed [Gen. 32.24, 27. Hoſ. 12.4.] [Like as He Commanded Athens of old, that could do any thing with Her, who could do every thing with Him that Sway'd that State.] But on the other hand conſider, He that Prays coldly, begs a Denyal. Now ſhall not theſe things move us? Do not our Brethrens urgent Neceſſities, urge our urgent and fervent Supplications? Inaſmuch as, if we turn their Caſes into inſtant Prayers to God, He will, and perhaps inſtantly too, turn their Caſes into Bleſſings. And if this Branch of the Exhortation Laden with the full ripe Cluſters of Eſch…l, fall chiefly to our Share, that Stay at Home; Let the other Branch be eſpecially for ſuch a… More Abroad, to carry with them: It Urgeth upon YOU the Wiſe Merchandize of Practical Prayer. There is in every act of Goſpel Obedience, a certain Power to Impetrate Bleſſings at the Hands of God. [Ameſ. Medul p. 266. Amst.] This is figuratively denominated Prayer: yet is it ſo neceſsary, as that no Prayers are, with the Lord acceptable and prevalent without it. Obedience is better than Sacrifice [1 Sam. 15.22.] If we ſeparate Prayer from Obedience, we maim the Sacrifice, and ſhall offer a blind, lame, corrupt unacceptable, abominable thing. But one point p. 47of Obedience, I would take leave to Recommend eſpecially unto you, and leave it with you, before we take our Leave; and that is the Obedience of Endeavour; You muſt Watch as well as Pray againſt Temptation; [Mat. 26.41.] You muſt Work for, as well as Pray for, the Salvation of Souls, and the Inlargement of the Kingdom of Chriſt Iesus. Ʋp and be Doing, and the Lord will be with you. The Ʋse and Application of Means Natural, for this or that End, what is it, but an Application to the God of Nature for that End. God is ſaid to Hearken to it, as if it were a Prayer unto Him [Gen. 30.17] In vain doth Balaam deſire the End of the Righteous, that would not Uſe their Wa…. The Child of Grace, when he deſires the Breaſt of Bleſſing, you ſhall ſee his Eyes, Lips, Tongue, Hands, Feet, all move together: The Sluggard deſireth: and hath nothing, Prov. 13.4. but Hunger and Nakedneſs, Prov. 23.21. becauſe his hands refuſe to labour. Prov. 21.25. Iſ…ael bound for Canaan muſt Stand ſtill from Diffidence and Diſtraction, but not from Endeavour, Exod. 14.13, 15 — And the Lord ſaid unto Moſes, wherefore Cryest thou unto me: …peak thou unto the Children of Iſrael, that they Go FORWARD

Now that nothing may Diſcourage your …nd our Faith in Prayer, and Courage in Endeavour, p. 48Let me remove ſome Objections out of the way and ſo Conclude.

The Objections that I ſuſpect, refer chiefly to theſe Four Heads.

[1] The Work.

[2.] The Call.

[3.] The Times.

[4] The Events

1. The Work it ſelf: 'Tis unreaſonable that any Doubt ſhould ariſe, whether it be the Lords or no. Truly, the SIGNS of the Work of the Lord, are to be ſeen upon it. … it not for the Glory of G…d, and Good of men? Do not both Piety and Charity conſtrain unto it? Or was it ſet about without thoughts, cares, counſels, prayers, …ears? Is not the O…pen Door that is afforded, an Anſwer of many Publick Prayers? Doth it not begin Low? hat… it not occaſioned ſome Commotion in ſome Places? Hath it no Adverſaries? Is it … contrary to the Intereſts of the World, th… Fleſh and the Devil? Hath it not been strange…ly forwarded by Oppoſitions? Hath not th… Progreſs of it exceeded our rational Expectation ▪ How many Divine Commands and Premiſe… refer unto ſuch Work to be done in the Lat… Dayes, whereof ſome have been already men…tioned. Although I well remember what … ſaid of old, viz. Careat ſucc…ſſibus … ab Eventu, Facta notanda Putet: Yet I … p. 49ſay, is it not Encouraging to recognize and conſider, what ſmiles of Heaven have been thus Early upon it? (If it muſt indeed be put to the test of preſent appearances of Providence) …s there any one Perſon living, that knew the former wide Diſtances, Deep Prejudices, Jealouſys and Animoſities, that admites not, with what a Temper (agreable to Chriſtianity) Our Godly Ministers, in their ſeveral Turns, Waiting upon them, and Christs Goſpel with them have been Received and Entertained; and how many Worthy Gentlemen in the place which is referred unto, have appeared to forward the Work? (One of whom being preſent at a Town Meeting, wherein many appeared, very deſirous to hinder it) ſtood up, and had Wiſdom and Courage enough to ſay, Refrain from theſe men, and let them alone: for if this Counſel and this Work be of men, it will come to nought; but … it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it, leaſt haply … be found even to fight against God [as … Acts 5.38, 39.] I will be bold then to ſuppoſe, yea conclude, That ſuch and ſo many Signs, may be ſufficient to create ſome Hope, at leaſt, That this Work is of the Lord; And you may therefore adventure upon it, with Cheerfulneſs and Confidence.

[…] Perhaps, your Call unto the Work, will be Objected againſt, on account of your …, Ʋnworthineſs▪ Want of Ordination, as p. 50to ſome of you; Abſence from the Ordinances of God, Abſence from Friends, Straitneſs as to Temporals, &c. But,

1. If you complain, how much you fall ſhort of the ſufficient Abilities of others for ſo great a Work. Then I reply; The Apoſtolical Queſtion remains ſtill to be Anſwered, Who is ſufficient for theſe things? 2 Cor. 2.16. Yet remember▪ If there be not Gifts, if there be not Grace, ſufficient in you, yet there is Grace ſufficient for you; and you know, in and with … 2 Cor. 12.9. Pauls preſence was thought mean and ſpeech contemptible. 2 Cor. 10.10▪ Yet he acknowledgeth the Grace of GOD, that he was, what he was. 1 Cor. 15 10. He was not too Great for God to Work by▪ He could hold the earthen Veſſels and Lamps while the Lord fulfilled the Work, to allude to Judg. 7.…, 20 Yet he that undertakes the Work of God, in the Strength and Abilities of a Man, will but Shame the Work and Break himſelf. Jeremys inſufficiency would not Avail, as a ſufficient excuſe, to exempt him from the Work of God. Jere. 1 6, 7, 8 Then ſaid I, Ah Lord GOD! I cannot ſpeak, for I am a Child▪ But the Lord ſaid unto me, ſay not I am a Child: For thou SHALT GO to All, to whom I shal… ſend thee, and whatſoever I command thee, thou SHALT SPEAK: — For I AM WITH THEE, &c. Hearken to the Conference of p. 51GOD & Moſes: Exod. 4.10, 11, 12. Moſes ſaid, I am not Eloquent, neither heretofore, nor ſince thou haſt ſp…ken unto thy Servant, but I am …ew of ſpeech, &c. And the LORD ſaid unto him, WHO hath MADE Mans mouth? — Have not I the LORD? Now therefore GO▪ And I wi…l BE WITH thy Mouth, and TEACH thee, what thou ſhalt ſay. And the Lord was Angry, Verſe 14. when he demurred after this.

2 If againſt the Divine Validity of your Call, you Object your own Ʋnworthineſs ▪ you muſt give me leave to A…ſwer, That this Objection would not be accepted in Joſhua's caſe, who was before the Ange…, Cloathed with fi…thy Garments, Zech. 3.3. but was moſt happily removed and ſo (I truſt in God through Chriſt) ſhall yours. 'Tis not unuſual for the Lord to bring. His Servants unto a deep and moſt Soul …umbling Senſe of their Vileneſs juſt upon their Entrance into His Work, which wonderfully prepares them, for it, and His M…rcy in it. So in Iſa. 6.5 The Prophet Crys out, Wo is me! I am undone! A man of Vnclean Lips &c. I ſhall not therefore go about to diminiſh your apprehenſions, and ſenſe of greateſt Unwor…hineſs of any part of the Lords W…rk, and much more of ſo great and extraordinary a part of it; but Inſtructing you unto higheſt adm…rations at His Gr…e to you therein, ſhall only; Remember you of what the Great Apoſtle of p. 52the Gentiles ſaid in his own caſe: Eph. 3.8. Ʋnto me, who am LESS THAN THE LEAST of all Saints, is this Grace given, that I ſhould Preach among the Gentiles the Ʋnſearchable Riches of CHRIST.

3 But, you will ſay, ſome Object againſt the Divine and Orderly Call and Miſſion of One of you, becauſe he carries Brethren with him. Unto which I might Anſwer, that we find not only Evangelists, but alſo Meſsengers of Churches, of the Fraternity, attending ſuch as were ſent forth upon ſuch Work of old, & that the Fathers of New-England did ſo much in England, in order to the Work of Chriſt here, as may allow me to ſay in this Caſe, that that man now varys a large point from the wiſdom of the Wiſeſt, that Sets his Heart to every word that is ſpoken. Eccleſ. 7.21. YOU well know, what Importunity was uſed with our Miniſters, by Letters, and otherwiſe▪ that both a Miniſter ſhould be Sent to thoſe Remote Places, and that He ſhould be here Ordained alſo: Sundry Godly Chriſtians there, being both prepared for, and longing after the Enjoyment of All the Edifying Ordinances of God; there being withal in all that Country neither Ordained Miniſter, nor any Church, in full Goſpel Order, and ſo neither Impoſition of the Hands of the Presbytery, nor Donation of the Right-hand of Fellowſhip to be expected there, p. 53or from any Place, much nearer to them tha… our ſelves. And ſome of YOU can tell, how often, our Reverend Brother was offered Ordination to this Work of Chriſt, in f…ro Eccleſiaſtico, in a Way, not diſagreeable to what we find in Acts 13.2, 3. whereunto many Churches in the Neighbourhood, might alſo have been Concurring and Aſſisting. But this being a Rarity, not eaſily to be juſtifyed from preceding Examples in New-England, where there hath been ſeldom any Occaſion to think of the Ordination of a Minister, until by ſome time of Preaching, and Converſing with Them, His Doctrine, Abilities and Converſation, (beſides good Teſtimony from Miniſters and Chriſtians, in the Vicinity) come to be Approved by the Congregation themſelves, over whom He is to be the Overſeer, and He be by Them, or the most of Them, E…ected …o be their Paſtor or Teacher. A Practice Warranted by Acts 6 … — 6. As alſo by Acts 14.23. The Original word there uſed, ſignifying O…dination not without but by and with the Suff…age of many, manifeſted by lifting up of Hands; Authors, both Sacred and Profane among the Graecians, always uſing that word …n ſuch a Senſe (as the Learned Cartwright hath Elaborately and Unanſwerably Evinced▪) according to the proper N…tation thereof: This (I ſay) being a … here, our Brother modeſtly p. 54Declined it, though the Extraordinarineſs of the Caſe ſeemed to allow, yea, require the ſame. And his Averſion to it being known unto Sundry Brethren of our Churches, [… when they were in thoſe Remote Parts met with ſuch Solicitations from ſome Godly Inhabitants there (whoſe Souls longed for more Communion of Saints, and for all Gods Holy Ordinances, but were loth to remove from that Place, if they might obtain the ſame there) as prevailed upon them to reſolve to return to them, and take up their ſettled Abo…d among them] They being now Bound thither, deſired to Gather into a Church, that ſo a Minister might be Ordained in the ordinary Way, whom they might carry with them thither: But theſe being too Few, ſome Others Influenced (as I cannot but believe) by the Holy Spirit of God, with a deep Concernment of Spirit, leaſt That which they though… to be the Work of God, ſhould fall to the Ground, for want of two or three Hands more, offered their Conjunction and Aſſi…tance, All of them obtaining Letters of Diſmiſſion from their reſpective Churches unto ſo good a work, full of Complacency and Benedicti…n. Theſe therefore having improved what advantages the time would allow, for the proving of one another both Gifts and Graces, and peculiarly their intended Paſtors, &c It is come to p. 55this, That a Godly Miniſter hath been by moſt Publick and Solemn Ordination Separated to, and Sent forth upon the Service of the Goſpel and Kingdom of the Son of God, advantaged with the Attendance, Submiſſion & Aſſiſtance of ſundry Godly Brethren, who acknowledge Him as their Pastor in the Lord. What is there, abating Humane Weakneſs, in all this, that the Godly will condemn, or that is Diſagreeable to the Holy Word of God? But it is Objected, that the Brethren aim not at the promoting of Chriſt's Glory and Kingdom, but only or mainly at Secular Advantages. To this I Reply: If Suſpicion may make Guilty, who can be Innocent? not to ſay how Improbable the Suſpicion is as to ſome of them who are not likely to mend their Eſtates in divers years by their Removal, they being ſo comfortably Seated here. Moreover, if men muſt …ver be Diſcouraged from doing what they are well ſatisfied is Right and Good, becauſe they have deceitful Hearts, & becauſe irregular aims & thoughts (notwithſtanding all their watchfulneſs) will ſometimes (to their ſorrow and ſelf-loathing for them) croud in: Then farewel all well Doing in the World: For with Ruſt, and Droſs ſufficien… to imploy our own …, and GODS Furnace too, all our Lives long, is our moſt Golden Sincerity in this World alloyed; and, Who can underſtand his p. 56own Errors? Beſides that, they have ſolemnly Profeſsed, that Religion is chief in their Eye, which they would not loſe for all the World, but would firſtly promote in their Removal, and not their own Eſtates, except ſubordinately, ſubſerviently, and ſecondarily thereunto: And as far as they can underſtand their own deceitful hearts (that though renewed, yet in this World, can be ſo but in part) contrary and ſiniſter Deſigns, and Deſires, they Know of none, they A…low of none ▪ Nor have they yet been Left of God, (ſo great hath been His M…rcy towards Them) to Forfeit their Credit, ſo as to deſerve that they ſhould not be Believed. I beſeech you therefore, My Brethren, to Suſpect your own Hearts, and to Charge and Judge your ſelves, as much as you can, yet … …iſcouraged, if by others you chance to be Over-charged.

4 But you will ſay, Others of Ʋs are not Ordained, Is Our Ca… clear? Anſw If God furniſh men with Ministerial Gifts and Grace diſcerned and approved by the Spirits of the Prophets, and with an Holy Propenſity of Mind, and an humble ſelf-dedication unto the Work of the Miniſtry in general, and if the beſt advice that can be had after ſolemn ſeeking of God, carry them to ſuch a Peop…e in particular, who accept them in the Lord, and deſire the Continuance of their Godly Labours p. 57among Them, I believe ſuch men are Sent of God and Chriſt to ſuch a People; and as I never yet ſaw, ſo I am apt to think I never ſhall, any ſolid Confutation of the Scriptures and Arguments produced by my Predeceſsor in this Church, viz Your Judicious Teacher now with God, the very Reverend and Aged, Mr. Richard Mather, in his Printed Anſwer to Mr. Rutherford. Now all this may be ſaid concerning You, and ſomething more, namely that you being preſent at Private Meetings of Miniſters, for Fasting and Prayers (not to mention the frequent Publick Prayers that are made on your behalf) have been moſt ſolemnly Preſented before the Lord for this Service of His Kingdom in many ardent Supplications for His Aſſiſtance, & Acceptance therein. Obj▪ But do we not rea… in the Works of the Learned Clarkson, that Laborious Searcher into Antiquity, that for the firſt Three Hundred Years after Chriſt's Aſcenſion, every ſingle Congregation though conſiſting but of twenty Souls, or under, had an Ordained Biſhop, then ſo called more uſually than Paſtor, & among the copious Inſtances given, few or none of Miniſters any where in all the World that were not Ordained Biſhops, though in the Smalleſt Places. Anſw. If in the Primitive Times, Deacons muſt firſt be proved before Their Inſtallment into, and Inſtatement in their p. 58Office and Work, then much more Miniſters, and doubtleſs the Primitive Church allowed ſome to Preach as Probationers; though we meet not with multitudes of Inſtances: I know the extream ſtrictneſs and caution of the Churches of the Reformation in France, in this matter, who allow not an Unordained Probationer to Preach, except an Ordained Miniſter be preſent to give a word of Exhortation after he hath Done, which is needleſs as to your ſelves; yet notwithſtanding what hath been mentioned, I could rejoyce, if ſome further ſteps were taken, and I hope in Gods good time it ſhall be ſo. If you find Converts in the Places you are going un…o▪ I hope you will haſten them into Church Eſtate as faſt as you can, that You may (if God incline your hearts to ſettle with them) or ſome Others, be Ordained to the Work of Chriſt among Them.

Yet again, If you ſay, are any of us Called of God to live without any of the Ordinances of God, and ſo to Jeopard our own Souls: I pray Read, Rom 9.3. Ezek. 11.16. Dan. 12 3. Jam 5 19. Or, if you ſay, we want our Friends, look upon Mark 10.29, 30.

III. But the Times are Apoſtatick rather than Apoſtolick; Pride budding, Faction in Faſhion, Strife Rife, with Stoutneſs, Raſhneſs, Harſhneſs, Slander, Scorning among too many; once Holineſs was on Tavern Pots and Trooping Bridles, Z…ch. 14 20, 21. Now, how much Lewdneſs! Moſt are ſound in Profeſſion, yet as to Practice of Godlineſs with not a few; the very Form is going after the Power, &c. For Anſwer, Read Hag. 2.13, 14. with Hag. 1.13. All's Ʋnclean, yet Work, and I'le be with you: Read alſo Rom. 11.1….

Obj. But we ſhould have been Earlier.

Anſw. Beware of Further Guilt, by letting ſlip the Preſent Time: Take the Night, if the Day be loſt: Luk. …1.5—8. In the Night we have ſeen the Bow in the Cloud. Object. But Diſcontented People will Remove if we Go. Anſw So if you Stay alſo: But Woe to us, if we …lack for this Peril. Esther 4.11.14. Becauſe ſome Crums go awry, ſhall we Loſe the whole Meal of Mercy? But the Times are Troublous ▪ Yet ſee Dan 9 25. The Apoſtles alſo put forth in a Tempeſt, having Wind and Tide againſt them. Laſtly, Object not Events; to Paul and You alike Ʋncertain, Acts 20.22. Run the 'venture. 2 Sam 10▪12. Know, There is ſomething worth the Seeking, if GOD Lights the Candle Luk. 15 8. Your Pains is well Paid, with the Gain of One Soul ▪ Jam. 5.20. If you Convert None that are Fallen, you have your Hire, If you Confirm thoſe that Stand ▪ Eph 4.12, 13. However, Your Work will Retu… into Your own Boſome. Pſal. 35.13. And Deſpair not p. 60of Supply. GOD, not Man, maintains His Miniſters, though by Man Read Luke 22.…5. Pſal. 34.9, 10. Obj. How ſhall we do, if Sincere Saints of other Perſwaſions offer themſelves? Anſ. If found in main Points and if they will not diſturb you in your way, Recei… them, Rom. 14.1. Luk. 9 49, 50. Did not Godly Father … live and dy in the Communion of this Church of Dorcheſter: although an Epiſcopal m…n invariably? And was it not … his and our Edification.

Obj. But the Goſpel like the Sea, what … Gains in one place, it loſeth in another: Are you in New-England, willing to part with the Goſpel?

Anſw. This was the Objection and Scandal of the Jews of old. But we rather hope for lift from the Dead by the Emulation, Rom. 11.14, 15

Obj. We would deſire to be Lions, if th… Glory of God called us ſo to be▪ and neſcit remeare▪ Loc. Prov. 30▪ 30· But it is not in us, we are born as the wild Aſs Colt, Job 11.12.

Anſw. Your Humility is to be Commended, yet (in a ſenſe) The Lord may have NEED of you, Luke 19.30—33. and may Honour you if you will let him Ride you whither He pleaſeth. Yea, the weak and fooliſh ſhall be as David alſo Zech. 12.8.

Obj. But had not God raiſed up of the Sons p. 61of Iſrael [and of New-England] to be Prophets [Amos 2.11.] In the Schools of the Prophets at Bethel, and Jericho, (2 King. 2.3, 5. 1 King 18.4. 1 Sam. 19.20. He had not had Seven Thouſand Knees that had not Bowed to Baal there, notwithſtanding all the Sons of the Prophets in Judah hardby. And ſo Uninviting unto Strangers ſhould your poor Maintenance in New-England have been, that One Fifty of your Congregations would have been without a Learned, Able, Godly Miniſtry, had you depended wholly on Other Countreys for Supply, and ſo would have ſoon Degenerated, and ſo we fear Our Children will do. Anſ. Be Content to Creep before you F…y: Yet Lay Foundations for Great Matters in your day of Small things. Leſs than Eighty Pounds Per Annum, in Money, would have more than bought New-England Preſidents Salary, allowed him by …he Country for many years; yet God gave us an Invaluable Man, and Oh what a Bleſſing with Him! You that go to Remote Parts will be moſt happily Situated to ſpread Religion in the American Iſlands & Continent. If Schools of Learning fundamentally nec…ſſary, to the Proparation of Godlineſs forward to the Nations and down-ward to Poſterity, will not agree with the Government and People there; I charge you in the Name of God & the L…rd Jeſus Chriſt, and as you have any regard to the Souls p. 62of your Poſterity (after that you have laboured with them, what you can for their Good) …o Return to us again. However, Deſpair not, 'ti…l you have made the Tryal. To Conclude then, Truſt GOD; Urge Man, and at it again and again; Watch much; Guard well; Pray hard and never give in; Work hard & never be Weary; Ly Low, and look High; be upright though you hear Hypocrites for't; rather Dy in Gods cauſe, than hear Cowards; Walk Cloſely with CHRIST; Sowe your ſ…ed in Tears: Look hard for Tryals; and Hope to the End; Propagate what Good you have ſeen or gotten with Us, but leave Our Vices, behind you. Provoke not the Spaniard; Debauch not the Indians with Drink; be Juſt to all men; and be ſure you Divide not one from another, or from your Worthy Paſtor. Sacrifice the World to Religion evermore; and be of Publick Spirits: Eye Chriſts Second Coming, as much as Antient Believers did His Firſt, and long for it: Do all you do, humbly & valiantly in the Name of the Son of God: and often ſay one to another as Joab to his Brother: 2 Sam. 10.12. Be of Good courage and let us play the men, for our Pe…p…e, and for the Citys of our God; and the LORD do that which ſeemeth Him Good.

Now the LORD the G…d of our Fathers, & New Englands God be with you for Ever. Farewel Dear Brethren in the Lord, and be ſure p. 63you Pray for us: and God forbid that we ſhould SIN againſt the LORD in Ceaſing to Pray for You, 1 Sam 12.23. Man is nothing in GODS Work, and of himſelf can do Nothing, but what is worſe than Nothing and will come to Nothing or worſe: Set we then the LORD on work, by humble Prayer, that the LORD may be All in All. Now the Good Lord do away with His own moſt Precious Blood, the Imperfections and Infirmities in this preſent Service, attending a poor Sinful Worm, that knows but in part and Prophecys but in part, and in a very ſmall part too; and make His own Word however, the Power of God to Your Salvations; for His own Names Sake. AMEN.

Errata. P. 14. l. 31. r. too p 43. l. 23. r. for them

Memorandum. Unto the Diſcourſe, uttered in Publick, upon this Text, ſome what above a year agoe, ſome Addition in theſe Printed Sheets, is made out of a Sermon Preached in Private ſome time ſince, unto a Society of Chriſtians, keeping a Day of Prayer on the behalf of ſome of their Society, that were at that time, upon their Removal from them.

To fill up the Vacant Pages the following POEMS, formerly Compoſed, are here ſuffixed ▪