The All Sufficient Physician Healing Political and Spiritual Wounds, Sermon

The All Sufficient Physician Healing Political and Spiritual Wounds · Sermon

THE Alſufficient Phyſician Tendering to Heal the Political and Spiritual Wounds & Sickneſſes OF A Diſtreſſed PROVINCE.

As it was Diſcourſed in a SERMON Preached before His Excellency the GOVERNOUR, the Honourable COUNCIL and Repreſentatives of the Province of the Maſſachuſetts-Bay in New-England, on May 30. 1711.

Which was the Day for Election of Her Majeſties Council for that Province.

By PETER THACHER, A. M. And Paſtor of the Church in Milton.

Hoſ. 6.1, 2. Come and let us return unto the Lord▪ for he hath torn, and he will heal us, &c.

Jer. 17.14. Heal me, O LORD, & I ſhall be healed: ſave me, and I ſhall be ſaved.

Exod. 15.26. I am the LORD that healeth thee.

Boston: Printed by B Green, for Eleazer Phillips, at his Shop on the South ſide of the Town-houſe 1711.

Boſton, May, 31ſt. 1711.

PRinted at the des;ire of the Houſe of Representatives.

John Burrell Speaker.

Soveraign Divine Healing.

ISAIAH. LVII.18.

I have ſeen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him alſo, and reſtore Comforts unto him, and to his Mourners.

IT was a ſad and awful Expoſtulation uttered by the holy Prophet, in Jer. 14.19 Haſt thou utterly rejected Judah? hath thy Soul loathed Zion? Why haſt thou ſmitten us and there is no healing for us? We looked for Peace and there is no good; and for the time of healing, and behold trouble; Hence the ſame Prophet gives vent to his pent up grief, by ſaying, When I would comfort my ſelf againſt ſorrow, my heart is faint in me; the Harveſt is paſt, the Summer is ended, and we are not healed; for the hurt of the Daughter of my People, I am hurt, I am black, Aſtoniſment hath taken hold upon me: Is there no Balm in Gilead? Is there no Phyſician there? Jer. 8.18, 20, 21, 22. Our Text preſents a rich and royal Cordial that may revive the drooping Spirits of God's Children when his backſlidden People among whom they live, are by their own Sins, & God's judgments p. 2ſunk into the greateſt depth of diſtreſs; in that it gives us God's Free and Soveraign Ingagement in way of Prerogative Mercy, To be a Healer to this Sin-ſick and Self-deſtroying People: Wherein the great God preſents himſelf under the Notion of an Alſufficient Phyſician,

1. Graciouſly Viſiting this Sick Patient, [I have ſeen] I who am the High and Lofty One, that inhabiteth Eternity, the holy One of Iſrael his Saviour and Phyſician, I am come, not as a Judge, to puniſh, but as a compaſſionate Phyſician, to viſit and take notice of the Malady; in order to the Application of a ſuitable rememy.

2. This moſt Excellent and Skilful Phyſician hath a perfect knowledge of the Nature and Malignity of the Diſeaſe; I have ſeen his ways, o… I do ſee his way, ſo ſome render it, i. e. his complicated diſtreſs, his chronical diſeaſe, the ways of the heart, lip, and life of the Jews my Profeſſing People; I have ſeen the Iniquity of his Covetouſneſs, I have ſeen him go on frowardly in the way of his heart: in the 17. verſ. of this Chapter. The diſeaſe has had many remedies applyed without Succeſs; many Means and Methods of healing have been improved; and when Means have been uſed to Cure the diſeaſe that was moſt viſible; ſome other diſeaſe has appeared, whoſe Symptoms were more awfully threatening, and obſtructive to the Cure: ſo that this complicated diſtemper has ſadly and ſignally advanced upon the languiſhing Patient, p. 3in ſo much that it is now deeply rooted and is grown Malignant and Immedicable, yea altogether incurable, by any Phyſician, but the Almighty Phyſician himſelf who can heal & help in an incontroulable way. Vidi quo abierit, (ſaith Muſculus) quo tandem miſer ac calamitoſus pervenerit, quem finem viaram ſuarum ſorytitus ſit, quibus ſeſe plagis involverit ac confecerit: quare miſ…ricordia motus ſanabo eum, curabo illius vulnera. I have ſeen how far he hath gone away (ſaith Muſculus) whether at length this Miſerable & Calamitous Patient hath' rambled, what is like to be the Miſerable end of his ſinful ways, by how many Plagues he has intangled and destroyed himſelf; wherefore being moved with Mercy, I will Heal him and I will cure his Wounds.

3. Now in this Article of Extremity in this Juncture of Diſtreſs, the Bowels of this Good and Great Phyſician are troubled for this periſhing Patient, I will ſurely have Mercy upon him, faith the Lord: Jer. 31.20, I will Heal him. Vul nera illius curabo ac lig…bo, I will bind up and cure his ulcerated Wounds, niſi enim hoc ag…m, prerſus, intereat neceſſe eſt; for unleſs I do this, he muſt at length inevitably periſh; therefore this his Extremity ſhall be my Opportunity to diſplay my Soveraign Mercy & Divine Clemency towards him, I now ſay to him as I ſaid to my People of old, I am the LORD that bealeth thee, Exod. 15.26. Inſanabiles autem ſunt morbi noſtri, niſi nos …ſer; cordia ſua Dominus praeveniat. Calvin, p. 4Our Diſeaſes are Immedicable and altogether Incurable (ſaith Calvin) unleſs Sovereign Mercy ſpeedily ſtep in for our help.

I will lead him alſo] Reduxi eum ab exilio, in patriam: I have returned him from Captivity into his Native Country; ſo ſome render it: requieſcere faciam eum, (ſaith Muſculus) a lab…ribus videlicet, moleſt is & aerumnis Babylonicae ſervitue is. I will make him to reſt, (ſaith Muſculus) from his labour, viz. from the troubles & diſtreſſes of his Babylonical ſervitude. This leading (ſay others) reſpects their weakneſs by ſin; God will lead them and cauſe them to go. Iſa. 48.I7. I am the Lord thy God which teacheth thee to Profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou ſhouldſt go. There is a (Manutenentiu Dei) an inviſible Hand-holding of God, by which the whole viſible Creation is Supported and Conducted; without which no Creature could hold on in the way of Nature; much more is there an inviſible Hand-holding of God, by which the Spiritual creation is Supported & Conducted; and without which the new Creature cannot hold on in the ways of Grace. 'Tis the hold which Chriſt the Phyſician has of this Patient; and the rooting which he has in Chriſt, by which he is confirmed and led.

4. The Effect of it, is comfort to him and to his Mourners. It implys the removal of the anguiſh and ſorrow following Sin; and the conferring comfort and conſolation upon them and p. 5their Mourners; that is, ſuch as Mourn over the ſin, rebellion and obſtinacy of this froward People, and ſympathize with them in their deep diſtreſs. God has ſome Mourners in the worſt of times, that are faithful with God, Ezek. 9.4, 6. Theſe God will take care of in time of general judgment, to comfort theſe Mourners; to appoint unto them that Mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for aſhes, the oyl of Joy for Mourning, the garment of praiſe for the ſpirit of heavineſs, that they might be called trees of righteouſneſs the Planting of the Lord, that he may be glorifyed, Iſai. 61.2, 3.

The DOCTRINE from the words is this.

DOCT. When God has a deſign of Love to a Perſon or Province, He will Obſerve their Wayes in order to their healing, He will lead them alſo, and reſtore Comforts to them and to their Mourners.

When there is a Patient dangerouſly Sick, under a purpoſe of Gods Love, God Himſelf will be his Phyſician. Thus it was with Iſrael in Jeremiah's time, when God ſaid to her why cryeſt thou for thine affliction? thy ſorrow is incurable, for the multitude of thine iniquity: becauſe thy ſins were increaſed, I have done theſe things unto thee. I will reſtore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, faith the Lord, becauſe they call thee an out-caſt, ſaying, This is Zion, whom no man ſeeketh after▪ As if God p. 6had ſaid, true indeed your caſe is in it ſelf deſperate, but for this cauſe I will undertake thy Cure, I have a remedy for the worſt of thy Maladies; Here we have God's Cure of Zion, when incurably Wounded; Now God will apply a Sanative Cataplaſm, a Healing Plaiſter: This is Repentance, and Reſtitution, Jer. 30.15, 17. [Thus Excellent Mr. Norton diſcants upon theſe words in his Election Sermon.] So, Iſai. 43.25. I even I am he that bloteth out thy tranſgreſſions for my own ſake, and will not remember thy ſins. To whom is this promiſe made? See 22, 23. verſes. They were ſuch as had either neglected or corrupted the Service of God and Divine Worſhip, and were refractory in it; yet God brings in this promiſe, I that am thus ſlighted, thus provoked, Will blot out your iniquities, Iſai. 30.17, 18.

For the clearing up of the Doctrine, take two Propoſitions.

PROP. I. GOD ſees and obſerves the ways of his profeſſing Declining People to whom He has a deſign of Love.

Take two Poſitions here.

Poſ. 1. The wayes of a People are either Internal or External. The Internal ways of a People are the ways of their heart, as in our Context, Iſa. 57.I7, He went on frowardly in the way of his heart. And theſe ways of the heart, their inward ways, are, their Thoughts, what they imagine and conceive: Their Affections, what they love, and p. 7what they hate, what they rejoyce in, and what they Mourn for, declare the way of their heart. The ways of their heart are their purpoſes, reſolutions, and intentions what to do. Yea, the ways of their heart are their deſigns or aims, what they drive at, or propoſe as their end in all that they do. Theſe Internal ways of a People are ſeen & obſerved by God: Joh. 2.25. He needed not that any ſhould teſtify of man; for he knew what was in man. And God ſees and obſerves the External ways of a People. Yea if we take the ways of a People as differenced in their kinds, as they are either good or evil; the Eyes of the Lord are upon both. They are (ſaith Solomon Prov. 15.3.) in every place, beholding the evil and the good. Hence what ever is done in the World, falls under the notice and cognizance of God, He that looketh to the ends of the earth, and ſeeth under the whole heaven, cannot but take notice of all that is done, or comes to paſs all the world over, Job 28.24. The Lord beholds all things diſtinctly; not in groſs only or in a lump; He beholds the leaſt as well as the greateſt; He looks upon every parcel, and opens the whole pack and bundle of humane affairs; Perſonal, Domeſtick, Civil, Sacred, Military. He beholds every thing, and Perſon, People and Province perfectly, fully, quite through; He that is All Eye ſeeth all at once, all as one. Acts 15.18. Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. He is Omniſcient, and Omnipreſent, Pſal. 139. p. 81, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, I0, 11, 12. This Thought ſhould repreſs all tumultuatings of Spirit in Gods Children in the greateſt Worldly tumults and viciſſitudes, Pſal 46.10. Be ſtill and know that I am God. Men are not GOD, they cannot ſee what to do; nor do what they ſee. But I who am GOD can ſee under the whole heaven what is doing, and what to do; and I can do whatſoever I ſee needful to be done. Therefore be ſtill, be not ye hurried either with diſcontents at what is doing, nor with fear of what may be done; for, know I am GOD, I look to the ends of the earth, and what I ſay muſt be done; and what is juſt for all men, and beſt for you who are my People, ſhall be done. Here's the true ground of courage, and of quietneſs: Pſal. 46.1, 2 God is our refuge and ſtrength, a very preſent help in trouble, therefore will not we fear, though the earth be moved, &c, They that fear God, have no reaſon either to be afraid, or to be diſcontended. He, that looks to the ends of the earth and ſees their wayes, and the ways of all the Children of men; is their Friend and their Father; therefore he will look to them, and ſee that all ſhall go well with them, or end well for them.

Poſ 2. Here God's ſeeing and observing the Ways this Proſeſſing declining People to whom he has a design of love; implyes the perfect knowledge which this Alſufficient Phyſician has of the Nature and Malignity of the Diſtemper, which Threatens ruine to the Sick Patient

p. 9Here then we are to conſider the Diſeaſe, which is two-fold.

1. The firſt Diſeaſe is Covetouſneſs. Iſa 57.17. For the iniquity of his covetouſneſs was I wroth, and ſmote him. Alii Cupid…tatis, alii Avaritiae vertunt. For the iniquity of his Concupiſcence, or Covetouſneſs, I was wroth and ſmote him. It is a Synecdoche of the Species for the G…nus, we may underſtand it (ſaith Calvin) for all Concupiſcence, becauſe the Jews at this time were guilty of many and various Vices, therefore God was wroth and ſmote them, He inflicted great and grievous puniſhments upon them. This Diſeaſe was Epidemical, Hoc morbo eximie labo…arunt, as we may ſee. Jer. 6.13. For from the leaſt of them even unto the greateſt of them, every one is given to Covetouſneſs: Jer.8.10. Iſa. 56.11. Yea they are greedy dogs which can never have enough; they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter. Indeed, Covetouſneſs knows no bounds. As it hath been ſaid of Envy, ſo we may ſay of Covetouſneſs, Covetouſneſ, whether wilt thou? whether wilt thou lead, or rather hurry and force worldly men? Covetouſneſs carries thoſe who are under the power of it, no man knows whether: who can tell where he ſhall ſtop or ſtay when he is once under the power of the Spirit of Covetouſneſs? A Covetous man is an unſatiable gulf, he always dreams of dearths, and ſuſpects the earth will be barren: with theſe fears he pines, yea p. 10Martyrs himſelf, and is not at all enriched with all his riches. There is no Sin ſo hainous, none ſo baſe, and for did, but Covetouſneſs may be both the Mother and Nurſe of it. When the Spirit of a Man is once embaſed by Covetouſneſs, he is ready to do any baſe thing. Hence the Apoſtle concludes (1 Tim. 6.10) That the love of Money (which is Covetouſneſs) is the root of all evil; that is, any evil of Sin may grow up from that root; It will, as occaſion ſerves, lead forth to all wickedneſs; To Idolatry, Hereſy, Witchcraft, 2 Pet. 2.14, This will move men to rob God in tithes, and offerings; Profane Gods Name, Pollute Gods Sanctuary, break his Sabbath's, diſhonour Father and Mother, Steal, Kill, commit Filthyneſs bear falſe Witneſs, break the whole Law, and Violate the Goſpel; Sell and Betray, as Judas did, their very Saviour, and deareſt Intereſt, for the World: Oh how full is the Womb of this Sin, of all Abomination? Covetouſneſs is Idolatry, and the Covetous man is an Idolater, Eph. 5.5, 6. Origen, faith well, when he ſays, Thou Chriſtian muſt not only circumciſe thy heart from Worſhipping Idols, as thou didſt at firſt; but farther you muſt be circumciſed from Covetouſneſs, which is a more Subtile kind of Idolatry. Indeed, Covetouſneſs carries in it a double Idolatry.

(1) In reſpect of the Object of Worſhip appointed in the firſt Commandment: It ſets up Mammon before Jehovah, 1 Joh. 2.15. If any man love the World the love of the Father is not in him. The p. 11Covetous man doth make gold his hope, he faith to the fine gold, Thou art my confidence, Job 31.24. His wealth is his ſtrong City, Prov. 10.15.

(2) Covetouſneſs carries in it Idolatry in reſpect of the Means of Worſhip injoyned in the ſecond Commandment, which requires that we ſhould Worſhip God in Means of his own Appointment; but the Covetous account gain Godlineſs, 1 Tim. 6.5. Job 21.15. What is the Almighty, that we ſhould Serve Him? And what profit ſhould we have if we Pray unto him? So, Mal. 3.14. Ye have ſaid, it is in vain to Serve God: and what profit is it, that we have kept his Ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the Lord of Hoſts? Indeed it is a moſt dangerous Sin; i… pierceth the Soul thro' with many Sorrows now, and drowns men in perdition and deſtruction hereafter, 1 Tim. 6.9, 10. Yea the more men get by it here, the more torment ſhall they indure hereafter, Jam. 5. 1, 2, 3. It is a Sin that walks in a cloke, works in a myſtery, and ſometimes Shipwracks the Soul, before it feels either Wind, or Sands, or Rocks; in a Moment he goes down to the pit, and ſo in the end finds himſelf to be a very fool, Jer. 17.1. Luk. 12.20. Now,

How far this diſeaſe has prevail'd in New-England, is matter of ſolemn Inquiry, and deſerves a ſerious Thought; whether the Spirit of Worldlineſs has not? doth not grow exceeding high and ſtrong? And the Spirit of Religion grow low and weak? Whether the Spirit of the p. 12World be not the reigning, governing ſpirit, and like to carry all before it; unleſs Soveraign Grace prevent? Call for a Solemn thought.

2. Diſeaſe. He went on frowardly in the way of his heart, Iſa 57.17. Oſtendit Judaeos deſperatos eſſe, quod extrema remedia illos non reduxerint in viam. A Diſeaſe ſometimes is ſo deſperate, no Phyſician will undertake its cure; the Patient ſo froward and unruly, that none will meddle with him: The ſtate of this Patient is ſuch that reſiſts all the applications of God for his healing, he is the worſe rather than the better for all: He goes on frowardly, ſo that it is a Patient that refuſeth to return; they were impenitent in Sin; now impenitency in any Sin, makes it deſperate: as the Prophet Jeremiah ſets this forth in a bright Example, Jer. 8.5. Why is this People of Jeruſalem ſlidden back, by a perpetual back ſliding; they hold faſt deceit, they refuſe to return: Here are three phraſes noting this one thing. (1) They hold faſt deceit: (2) They refuſe to return: (3) Their's was a perpetual back ſliding; or as ſome read it, an eternal rebellion, an obſtinate rebellion, a ſtrong and mighty rebellion; the Seventy call it, an impudent ſhameleſs rebellion: all theſe are proper Epithets of that obſtinacy, and ſetledneſs of reſolution, which is in the heart of man by Nature, to continue in Sin; yet there is a farther rendering of the words, which as the Original will bear, ſo it hath an elegancy in it; p. 13Why is this People of Jeruſalem ſlidden back by a conquering, or prevailing back ſliding? Their diſtemper conquered and prevailed, againſt all ordinary Medicines & Methods of cure. Now, How many ſad Symptoms of this diſtemper are to be found upon New-England at this day, is ground of Soul-ſearch. Whether we do not go on frowardly in the way of our own heart Notwithſtanding all ordinary Means and Medicines uſed for our recovery? Whether New-Englands Spiritual and Political Wounds & Sickneſſes are not grown ſo immedical and incurable, that they are paſt ordinary hope of healing? And whether this People are not in Extream danger of periſhing in their own Sins, and under Gods Judgments, Temporal and Spiritual? Unleſs God in rich Mercy become our Healer and Phyſician. Which leads me to the Second Propoſition.

PROP. II. Now at this Critical juncture when the Diſeaſe is ſo near it's Criſis, this Alſufficient Phyſician undertakes the Cure, and Reſolves to Heal by the bright diſplay of Sovereign Grace, He will lead him alſo, and reſtore comforts unto him and to his Mourners.

In hoc populo etiam humani generis imaginem habemus, ut intelligamus quae ſit noſtra in Deum pervicacia, totumque proprium Dei opus eſſe, ut pergamus in recto curſu: Saith a Learned Commentator upon this Text. Amplificat gratiam ſuam, quod iſti populo tametſi obſtinato, contumaci & indomito, ſit propitius: Saith the ſame Author.

p. 14When there is nothing to be found amongſt this miſerable People but that which might provoke God to bring ſpeedy and inevitable Deſolation, Then this moſt compaſſionate Phyſician can and doth find an Argument in himſelf to move him to heal and help at this Juncture, 1 Sam. 12.22, 23, 24, 25. The LORD will not forſake his People, for his great Name ſake; becauſe it hath plaeſed the Lord to make you His People. Not for your ſakes do I this ſaith the Lord, O houſe of Iſrael, but for mine holy Name ſake, Ezek. 36.22, 32.

Here take three Poſitions, for the clearing up of this Propoſition.

1. Poſition is, That now at this Critical juncture when the diſeaſe is ſo near it's Criſis, This Alſufficient Phyſician undertakes the Cure, and Reſolves to Heal by the bright diſplay of Soveraign Grace and Rich Mercy.

1. Be the diſeaſe what it will, whether a diſtemper upon the Soul, or upon the body, upon a Perſon or Province; This Phyſician can make an agreeable application to them for their Healing: 1 King. 8.37, 38, 39. If there be in the Land Famine, if there be Peſtilence, blaſting, mildew, locust, or if there be caterpillar, if their enemy beſiege them in the Land of their Cities, whatſoever Plague, whatſoever Sickneſs there be: The Expreſſion is Exceeding full and comprehenſive, ſo that no Perſon nor People have room left to ſay, there is no mention of my caſe, condition or miſery; God comprehends them all in this expreſſion, (Whatever Plague or Sickneſs it is) whether more Immediately p. 15from Gods hand, or more mediately by Second cauſes, inward or outward Sickneſs, this Phyſician can work a thorow cure Our dear Lord Chriſt when here, healed all manner of Sickneſs, & all manner of diſeaſe among the People, Mat. 4.23 & 9.35. And he is now as able and willing to heal and help, as when he was here upon Earth. Hence it is neither the Greatneſs of the Sickneſs and Sin, nor the want of a Remedy, or a Skilful Compaſſionate Phyſician, that kills the Patient: but it is his not Accepting of Healing Medicine; His not ſtooping to the Remedy, his non-compliance with this Phyſician in the method he preſcribes to him for his cure.

2. He Heals by the bright diſplay of Soveraign Grace and Rich Mercy. This Grace of God is God able and willing freely to diſpoſe of Spiritual good unto his Creature, tho' unworthy and deſerving ill from him. And this Mercy of God, is God Able and Willing to Succour the Creature in Miſery. Now this Grace and Mercy may be conſidered either as it is in God, and ſo reſpects his Divine Sufficiency: Or, as it flows from God, and ſo reſpects his Divine Efficiency: Hence it may be conſidered either in the Degree and Purpoſe to give Grace and ſhew Mercy, which is Increated Grace & Mercy: Or in the actual accompliſhment and execution of that decree by Providence; which is created Grace and Mercy, and is the actual Accompliſhment of his purpoſe by his Providence.

p. 16Now as Miſery is the Object of Mercy, ſo Unworthineſs is the Object of Grace; Hence this Miſerable and Unworthy Patient is an Agreeable Object for the Great God to diſplay his Soveraign Grace & rich Mercy upon, and toward in healing of him then when the caſe ſeems to be deſperate: He needs common and ſpecial Mercy to be extended to him in his deep miſery; Common Mercy manifeſts it ſelf, either in Creation or Providence: Common Mercy managed by Divine Efficiency diſplaying it ſelf in Providence, is Gods Actual communication of Mercy unto, and providing ſuitable Mercy for his Creatures according to their various neceſſities: And this ſhews it ſelf in Conſervation, and Gubernation; and this miſerable Patient needs Mercy in each of theſe reſpects. Diſcimus hinc, ſalutis noſtrae initium eſſe miſericordiam Dei, faith a good Divine. Yea he needs ſpecial Mercy to ſhew it ſelf in the great works of Redemption, and the Application of Redemption unto him, whereby he may be fitted for full and compleat Glorification.

Hence the Effectual Application of Redemption in Saving Converſion is ſtiled an act of Mercy and Divine Commiſeration. 1 Pet. 2.9, 10. Ye are a choſen Generation, a royal Prieſt-hood, an holy Nation, a peculiar People; that ye ſhould ſhew forth the Praiſes of him, who hath called you out of darkneſs into his marvellous light: which in time paſt were not a People, but are now the People of God: which had p. 17not obtained Mercy, but now have obtained Mercy. The Elect are called (and by Effectual Calling ſo made) veſſels of Mercy, Rom. 9.2. So Juſtification, Adoption, Sanctification, and in the end Glorification, are fruits and effects of ſpecial Mercy. And this Patient ſtands in need of all this Mercy.

Moreover, This Unworthy Patient ſtands in need of the bright and ſhining diſplay of Soveraign Grace, not only to bring him into, but to continue him in the favour of God. Our Divines truly ſay, That God in the work of Regeneration has inſtamped upon the Regenerate the work of his Grace which indureth for ever; according to what is written in, 1 Joh. 3.9. Whoſoever is born of God, doth not commit ſin; for his Seed remaineth in him. 1 Pet. 1.23. Being born again not of corruptible Seed but of Incorruptible, by the word of God which liveth and abideth for ever: Yet notwithſtanding this Principle of Grace, if God withdraw his Aſſistance, it would all come to nothing; and therefore there is need of this Grace of God; according as it is graciouſly promiſed in Jer. 32.40. I will make an everlaſting Covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they ſhall not depart from me.

Yea he needs the Grace of God to continue him under the Actual influences of the favour of God: Gods own Children may be Children under Wrath, tho' not Children of Wrath; it muſt p. 18be the Grace of God that can keep them in the Actual favour of God.

In a word, he needs the Grace of God to recover him from his falls, and to keep him from falling, Jer. 31.18, 19. As it is the Lord that giveth Repentance at the firſt, ſo it is God that muſt give Repentance afterward. Acts 5.31. Him hath God exalted with his Right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give Repentance to Iſrael, and forgiveneſs of Sins.

3. This Almighty Phyſician undertakes the Cure Now at this Critical juncture, when the Diſeaſe is ſo near its Criſis, That He may make the more bright and ſhining diſplay of his own Glory. The glory of the Phyſician, and the more of his skill appears when the Caſe is thus deſperate; His Wiſdom, His Grace, His Mercy Appears the more ſignal in his looking after ſuch an one, as had no will to look after Him; Altho' he was gaſping for life, and muſt inevitably Dy unleſs this compaſſionate Phyſician ſpeedily ſteps in to his help. And truly, when we are caſt in Common Law, what have we to hope in but Prerogative Mercy? When good men in all Orders find all attempts to recover a Backſlidden People awfully to be fruſtrated, needs muſt they ſink in deſpondency, and loſe their Faith and Hope, did they not encourage them by this conſideration, that as God can, ſo He frequently doth, take ſuch an Opportunity to make himſelf known; and ſo have the whole Glory of p. 19ſuch a Peoples Salvation aſcribed to him. Pſal. 106.8. Nevertheleſs, He Saved them for his Name ſake: that he might make his mighty Power to be known.

Yea this Almighty Phyſician undertakes the Cure Now at this Critical juncture, when the Diſeaſe is ſo deſperate, to humble the Patient. O how will this humble the Patient and magnify the Phyſician, when he muſt acknowledge his Diſtemper to be ſo immedical that it had not been cured, had not God done it; He it was that brought me up out of an horrible put, out of the miry clay, and ſet my feet upon a rock, and eſtabliſhed my going, Pſal. 40.2. He muſt own that it is of the Lords Mercy that he is not conſumed, it is becauſe his compaſſions fail not, They are new every Morning: great is his faithfulneſs, Lam. 3.22, 23.

4. I proceed to ſhow the way of Gods Cure of this ſick Patient, be it Perſon or Province; and the uſual Method which God takes for his Healing (tho' we may not limit him who is the Abſolute Soveraign of Heaven and Earth, and Heals when he pleaſeth, whom He pleaſeth, and in what way He pleaſeth) yet Gods Ordinary way of working lyes here.

(1.) God diſcovers to them the evil of their own wayes; He makes them feel the ſmart, and be ſenſible of the danger of their own ſickneſs, I King. 8.38. They ſee and know the Plague of their own heart. God diſcovers to them the p. 20Malignity and Danger of their Diſeaſe; it is a Plague and that in the heart; and will prove moſt deadly, if not prevented and healed. Rom. 6 23. The wages of ſin is death. God will make them to ſee themſelves perishing, and dying Eternally, except the LORD undertake for them. God makes them true Evangelical Mourners, he breaks their hearts for, and effectually off from ſin, Iſa. 57.15, 16.

(2.) God makes them to ſee their own inability to heal themſelves, and that no created Phyſician can cure them. This diſeaſe blinds the Underſtanding, makes the Will rebellious, wounds the Conſcience, diſorders the Affections, diſtempers the whole man; ſo that they have no power to help themſelves; They are bed-rid Creatures, not able to ſtir or look out for a Cure; They know not the way of Peace; They have dexterity to deſtroy themſelves, not to help themſelves; They can neither find out a remedy, nor Apply the remedy when it is found out, Prov. 30.2.

(3.) In order to the healing of this Patient (be it Perſon or Province) God diſcovers the excellency of the remedy which He has provided for their recovery. He has laid help upon One that is Mighty, Pſal. 89.19. He has ſo loved the World, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoſoever believeth in him ſhould not periſh but have eternal life, Joh. 3.16. There is no want of Skill or Will in this good and great Phyſician. p. 21Heb. 7.25. He is able to ſave them to the uttermoſt that come unto God by him, ſeeing he ever liveth to make interceſſion for them. He is able to Save unto the utmoſt foreign the phraſe may denote three thingſ, The perpetuity, the perfection of the Salvation which he worketh, or elſe the perfection of his influence or cauſality in the working of it. It may ſignify, [1] The perpetuity and indeficiency of that Salvation which he worketh: He is able to Save unto the uttermoſt of Time, for evermore. He is not a Temporal but an Eternal Saviour, He is able to Save unto all Eternity. [2] It may import the Abſolute perfection and fulneſs of the Salvation which he worketh. He is able to Save unto the utter moſt Degree of Salvation; He doth not Save to halves, but fully & perfectly from every degree of evil, whether of Sin or Suffering, 2 Tim. 1.12. Phil. 1.6. [3] This form of Speech may denote (think ſome) the perfection of Chriſts influence in the Effecting of our Salvation: He is Able to Save unto the uttermoſt, That is, All manner of ways: As a Moral, and as a Phyſical cauſe of Salvation.

Here conſider two things,

1. That there is no want of Skill in this good and great Phyſician : He is cloathed with a Divine Ability and Mediatorial Sufficiency to work a thorow Care upon thoſe that by Faith repair to Him for healing: He is the true Immanuel, the Word made fleſh, the Man Gods Fellow, a p. 22Royal Prieſt, a Prieſtly Prophet, and a Prophetical King all in One.

(1) That there is no want or Skill in this good and great Phyſician appears, in that He is true God and true Man in One Perſon. He is very God, not a Metaphorical, but the True God, 1 Job. 5.20. Not a God by Office, but a God by Nature, Jer. 23 6. This is his Name whereby he ſhall be called, JEHOVAH tſidkenu, The LORD our Righteouſneſs. Tho' not Son of Himſelf foreign as to his Subſtance, yet God of Himſelf foreign as to his Eſſence: Gods Name is in him, Exod 23 21. The Great Letters of that Name are, the Divine Attributes: Now who is Sufficient to work a perfect cure, if the CREATOR be not? Certainly his Omnipatency is the beſt Salve for the Creatures Impotency; His All for our nothingneſs.

Yea that there is no want of skill in this Phyſician appears, in that He is ſo nearly joyned unto us; He that is able and ſufficient to work Salvation for us muſt be a Perſon conjunct with us, and ſo was Chriſt; He was our Goel, our next Kinſman by his Incarnation, and our Redeemer by his Paſſion; He aſſumed our Nature into Himſelf, that he might Redeem us. Job. 1.14. The WORD was made Fleſh. All other Creations are (as it were) extra Deum, but here was a Creation in the very Perſon of God. The glorious Son of God Eſpouſed fleſh and bloud, and the Bride chamber (as a Learned Divine faith) p. 23where the knot was tyed, was the Virgins Womb: There was He made of a Woman, Conſubſtantial with us, as to his Humanity; who was Conſubſtantial with the Father, as to his Divinity.

(2) That there is no want of skill in this good and great Phyſician appears, in that he has in Himſelf a fulneſs of All Increated and Created Wiſdom and Skill. Col. 1.19. It pleaſed the Father that in him all fulneſs ſhould dwell. God is only Wiſe and Skilful, becauſe all Wiſdom and Skill is from Him, as He hath Wiſdom and Skill of and from Himſelf, ſo all others have Wiſdom and Skill from Him, it is, but a drop from this Ocean: Wiſdom and Skill is either Created or Increated; Created Wiſdom and Skill is from God whether it be Theological, Civil or Phyſical. Dan. 2.21. God giveth Wiſdom to the wiſe, and knowledge to them that know underſtanding. Hence Chriſt our Phyſician hath skill enough to cure and heal the greateſt Maladies, the moſt incurable Diſeaſes; whether they be Souldiſtempers or bodily diſtreſſes; whether they be Political or Eccleſiaſtical Wounds and Sickneſſes.

2. Conſider, That there is no want of Will in this good & great Phyſician to Heal all thoſe given to Him by the Father, in the Covenant of Redemption: Hence,

(1) Chriſt did not only cloath Himſelf with Humanity, but became their Sponſor or Surety, p. 24and ſo in Law One Perſon with them, whom the Father had given to Him in the Covenant of Redemption, That He might be their Healer and Phyſician. He doth not only plead their cauſe, but pay their Debts: Chriſt entred into Bond for them, and took all their Debts and Duties whatſoever they owe to God, upon himſelf, to ſee all performed; that they might go free and be accepted, Heb. 7.22. Hence Chriſt did undertake as in their Nature, ſo in their Name, and did reſtipulate with God on their behalf, That whatſoever was owing to his Juſtice and Holineſs by them, either as a penalty for paſt defaults, or a duty to preſent Commands, ſhould all be ſatisfyed and performed by himſelf, i'le lay down my life, I'le pour out my Soul, (ſaith Chriſt) let all the wrath due to them be ſqueezed into one Cup, and I'le drink it up to the bottom: Let the fire of Gods anger drop down from Heaven, and I'le be the Paſchal Lamb roaſted in it; Thus willing was this great and gracious Phyſician to Heal this Periſhing Patient, That He Dy's that the Patient might live: Thus our Lord Chriſt this Compaſſionate Phyſician was ſo Willing to Heal and Help the Patient, That He becomes his Surety and was One with Him in Nature, that He might be One with Him in Law too.

Yea his Willingneſs to heal and help, is Evidenced by what He has done and ſuffered, to purchaſe and procure their healing; He has p. 25by his Obedience unto Death ſatisfyed Divine Juſtice to the full; His Obedience was a fair Commentary on the whole Law, written in glorious Characters of Holineſs and Righteouſneſs all his life long, and at his Death Sealed up and Claſped with his precious blood. He was (ſaith a Worthy Divine) as it were in pangs of forward Obedience to be Baptized in his own blood, and poſted on towards an Agony of Wrath in an Agony of Love: and when he Arrived at his extreameſt Sufferings, His Signal Willingneſs turned his Suffering into Doing, and his Croſs into a Triumphant Chariot; He Triumphed in it, ſaith the Apoſtle, Col. 2.15. Even there his Obedience and Love rod in Triumph; Triumphant Obedience ſpread out his hands upon the Croſs, and Triumphant love Opened his naked heart to the wrath of God.

(4.) Now that He may Apply this rich Remedy for the thorow Cure of this diſtreſt Patient, He puts his Spirit into him whereby he cauſeth him to live, Ezek. 37.14. And indeed the great Work of the Spirit which he hath to do for the Cure of this Patient, It is to apply Redemption to him in the whole compaſs of it; and ſo to cauſe him to walk in Gods Statutes, and keep his Judgments, and do them, which he cannot poſſibly do without the Spirit. The whole work of Application in the whole life of a Chriſtian, in Grace and Glory, is from the Spirit; It is the work of the Spirit to convince a Perſon p. 26or People of Sin, Righteouſneſs and Judgment. The Preparatory as well as the Saving work is wrought by the Spirit; He works both to will and to do, Phil. 2.13. Yea he works All the good pleaſure of Gods will in a Perſon or People, and the work of faith with Power, 2 Theſ. 1.11. It is the work of the Spirit to form Chriſt in the Soul, and to create it in Chriſt unto love and good works: Eph. 2:10. For we are his workmanſhip, created in Chriſt Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we ſhould walk in them. God hath made a Promiſe unto Chriſt and unto Us in Chriſt of his Spirit, which muſt be fulfilled, Iſai. 59.20, 21. The Spirit muſt be put within his People in order to their Saving Converſion thro' Reformation, and future eternal Salvation; and for this he ordained the Miniſtry of the New Teſtament to be a Means to convey the Spirit, 2 Cor. 3.6. Yea one of the greateſt bleſſings promiſed in the Covenant of Grace, is, That the Lord will pour his Spirit upon the Children and Poſterity of his Servants, Iſai. 44.3. Oh then! Let this move All true Chriſtians to engage their very Souls in Prayer to God for his Spirit, That may heal all our Spiritual diſeaſes, our Political and Eccleſiaſtical Sickneſſes: if there be any ſtrength for wreſtling with God left, improve all the Intereſt you have with God, and with his Son, that you may prevail for this Bleſſing, viz. That God would pleaſe to put his Spirit into us and cauſe us to live.

p. 27I proceed to the Second Poſition, which I muſt but name,

2. Poſition. This Great and Gracious Phyſician will lead this weak and feeble Patient. He is indeed ſo weak by reaſon of his long-languiſhing-Sickneſs, That he cannot go nor ſtand alone; But this Phyſician lends him his helping hand, by cauſing him according to the riches of his glory, to be ſtrengthened with might by his Spirit in the Inner-man, Eph. 3.16. Yea he cauſeth his Grace in him, and his Grace with him to be ſufficient for him, 2 Cor. 12.9. Hence when he is weak in himſelf, then is he ſtrong in Chriſt his Phyſician, 2 Cor. 12.10.

The Third Poſition ſhould have been.

3. Poſition. The Lord will reſtore Comforts to him, and to his Mourners.

But I muſt pretermit this and paſs to the Improvement of the Doctrine.

I now proceed to the Improvement of this Doctrine, [I.] By way of Inference. [II.] By way of Exhertatian.

1. Inference. See hence then the inconceivable Malignity of the Deadly Diſeaſe of Sin. Sin it is an Infinite evil, Objectively Infinite; 'tis a fighting againſt an Infinite Majeſty, a ſtriving againſt p. 28Infinite Soveraignty; an Enmity to Infinite Holineſs, a provocation to Infinite Juſtice, a Deicidium, a ſtriking at the very Life and Being of GOD Himſelf; God hath no other oppoſite but Sin Sin is ſuch a Mortal Contagion as has infected the whole race of Man-kind proceeding from Adam by Natural Generation; This has open'd the Door to All Sorrow and Suffering, Temporal, Spiritual and Eternal; that Perſons, Families, Churches, Provinces, Kingdoms; yea, the whole world have been, and at this Day are Entertained with: It is a diſeaſe that none but God can cure; It is good to be Sick of Sin; but to be Sick by it, is moſt Mortal, except this Phyſician undertake the cure: Nothing can cure this Sickneſs, but Unſearchable riches of Divine Grace. As the wrong and offence is, ſuch muſt the Compenſation be: the former is infinite, therefore the latter muſt not be finite. Hence there is only in Chriſt a Divine Ability and Mediatorial Sufficiency to work Salvation: Neither is there Salvation in any other: for there is none other Name under Heaven given among men whereby we muſt be Saved, Acts 4.12.

2. Inference. See hence then what cauſe New-England, and this Province in particular has to ly in the duſt before the Lord this Day, under the Soulbumbling ſenſe of our many Sickneſſes, and loathſome Diſeaſes. What Political and Eccleſiaſtical Sickneſſes are there amongſt us? The good Lord p. 29grant that New-England may never have that bitter complaint entred againſt it; which the great God once drew up againſt Judah and Jeruſalem, Saying, Why ſhould ye be ſtricken any more, ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is Sick and the whole heart faint. From the ſole of the foot even unto the head, there is no ſoundneſs in it; but wounds, and bruiſes, and putrifying ſores: they have not been cloſed, neither bound up, neither mollifyed with Oyntment, Iſa. 1.5, 6. How do our Sickneſſes grow upon us? How are we wounding our ſelves, and like to undoe our ſelves, if Infinite Mercy prevent not? How does Prophaneneſs and Immorality increaſe amongſt us? What Prophanity of many; In their neglect of the Publick Worſhip and Covenant of God, and Prophanation of the LORDS-DAY? What Exceſſive Tipling and Drinking, which like a Flood even drowns much of Chriſtianity in ſeveral Places? Eſpecially on Training-day-Evenings, which things ought not to be. What is the Unrighteous Treatment which thoſe in a Publick Station often Suffer from the People? What Prophane Curſing and Swearing, and taking the Name of God in Vain? for which the Land Mourns. Is there not an Unclean Spirit let looſe amongſt us, where-with too many have been Poſſeſſed, Encouraging Incentives to Lewdneſs? Is not groſs Diſhoneſty and Oppreſſion too much Practiſed in New-England?

p. 30What Church-Wounds & Sickneſſes are there to be Obſerved and Lamented by the Churches? How many faithful Ambaſſadors removed? Yea has not God renewed our Wounds this laſt Year by making breaches upon our Civil and Sacred Polity? Col. Foſter Eſq the Rd. Mr. Allen, and the Rd. Mr. RuſſelHas not Death the King of Terrors broke into our Council-Chamber, as well as into our Pulpits? May not God ſay to his NewEngliſh Churches, as He ſaid to the Church of Epheſus, Rev. 2.5. Remember from whence thou art failen and repent, and do the firſt works. And as He ſaid to the Church of Sardis, Rev. 3.2. Be watchful and ſtrengthen the things which remain, that are ready to Dy: for I have not found thy works perfect before God? Churches, that are Evangelical in their Primitive Conſtitution, but decaying and dying in their Religion; ſhould be watchful and ſtrengthen the things which remain, that are ready to Dy. How is Church diſcipline dying of a Mortal Sickneſs? How many Spiritual diſeaſes are to be found among Profeſſors? What Unbelief? What Impenitency? What hardenſs of Heart, what ſtubborneſs of Will? What blindneſs of Mind? What Unprofitableneſs under the Means of Grace? What growth of Sin & Irreligion is to be found in New-England?

How many Sickneſſes and Wounds are to be found in and upon many Families in New-England? p. 31How much is Family-Religion neglected, and Family-Worſhip ſhamefully Omitted? Altho' the great God has awfully Threatened to pour forth his Fury upon the Families that Call not upon his Name, Jer. 10.25. How is Family-Government ſunk into, and Languiſhing under a deep conſumption? Is not the Miniſters Maintenance by many lookd upon as an act of Charity, and not of Juſtice? contrary to Mal. 3.8, 9, 10. which I believe is highly provoking to that God whoſe Ambaſſadors they are.

What Wounds are made upon particular Perſons? What Wounds in Conſcience, and by Providence? Iſai. 1.2, 3.

How many Perſons (like prophane Eſau) deſpiſe their birth-right, and Sell it for a meſs of Pottage? How many neglect the Great Salvation, and refuſe to be Healed by this Phyſician, who comes of his own accord and tenders to make this Patient whole, tho' he never ſent for him; Others that are Sick are calling and ſending for the Phyſician but this Sin-ſick Soul inquires not after this Phyſician, but rejects means of healing: Other Phyſicians are honourably entertained; but Chriſt the beſt Phyſician is repulſed, tho' he tenders to heal this Patient of free coſt.

We have indeed cauſe with Thankfulneſs to God to Commemorate that Solemn and Serious, that Full and Faithful DECLARATION, againſt Prophaneneſs and Immoralities Publiſhed by p. 32His Excellency the GOVERNOUR, Council and Aſſembly (then being) of this Province, who did more than Seven years ago, rightly judge it abſolutely neceſſary for them, the Rulers and Repreſentatives of this People, then to Publiſh unto this Province, the ſorrows and diſires of their hearts, as a Teſtimony before Heaven and Earth, that the deſired REFORMATION might be vigorousſly proſecuted. Has this Province hearkened to the Call of God by the Call of thoſe our Pious Rulers? Are thoſe Vices and Immoralities (then Teſtifyed againſt) Lamented and Reformed by this People? O that there had been, yea now were ſuch a Heart in this People; Then had our Peace been as a river, and our Righteouſneſs as the waves of the Sea, Iſai. 48.18. But alas! Wherein are we Reformed? Tho' we have been by the former Prophets as well as by the Surviving Miniſtry, Pathetically and Affectionately excited there-unto. Oh that this People had hearkened unto the Lord, and had walked in his ways! He would ſoon have ſubdued their enemies, and turned his hand againſt their adverſaries, Pſal. 81.13. May it now pleaſe the Divine Majeſty who has ſeen all our ways of Sin and Provocation, to ſay to New-England, and this Province, as in our Text, I have ſeen thy ways and I will heal thee! Oh that New-England, and this Province in particular would now ſay as we have it, in Jer. 17.14. Heal me, O Lord, and I ſhall be healed; Save me, and I ſhall p. 33be Saved: for thou art my Praiſe: And as Gods People of old ſaid, Hoſ. 6.1, 2. Come and let us return unto the Lord: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath ſmitten, and he will bind us up.

3. Inference. See hence then, that there is room for our Hope of the moſt deſperate Patient, be it Perſon or People. How ever many or great his Sins and Sickneſſes may be, yet this Phyſician can cure him; Indeed if you conſider the Patient and his Ability, or what help there is in any other Phyſician: It may be ſaid, as Jer. 30.22, 13. Thy bruiſe is incurable, and thy wound is grievous. There is none to plead thy cauſe, that thou mayeſt be bound up: thou haſt no healing Medicines. But if you look upon this Phyſician and the excellent remedy He has provided, it is a Soveraign Catholicon for every Diſeaſe, of every Perſon and Province, that by faith repair to Him for Healing; for the remedy is the moſt Soveraign Balſome of the Blood and Spirit of Chriſt; and the Phyſician to apply this remedy is the Lord that dwelleth in Zion,; the Quality of the remedy is moſt Eminent, it is a rich Balſome, a never failing Balſome: 1 Joh. 1.7. The bloud of Jeſus Chriſt his Son cleanſeth us from all Sin. Never any fail'd of a Cure to whom it was applyed, 1 Cor. 69, 10, 11 It cures Diſeaſes before Converſion: Thus it cured Manaſſeh, 2 Chron. 33.2, 12, 13. This cured the Thief upon the Croſs; this Healed Paul a Perſecutor. This remedy when applyed Cures p. 34Diſeaſes after Converſion; their uſual name is back-ſlidings, when they fall back again, as Eli to the breaking of their Necks; did not Soveraign Grace undertake their Cure. Hoſ. 14.4. I will heal their back ſliding, I will love them freely, Jer. 3.22. Hoſ. 11.8, 9.

The Phyſician that undertakes the cure, is moſt Excellent; It is our dear Lord CHRIST, who has cured all manner of Sickneſſes, and all manner of Diſeaſes, Mat. 4.23, 24. Luk. 6.17, 18, 19. His Grace toward the Diſeaſed (that come to Him for Healing) is ſo tranſcendent, that it triumphs over all the Unworthineſs of the Patient (be it Perſon or Province) and will Heal him, tho' many ſtops ly in the way; Pſal. 106.7, 8. They underſtood not his works, they remembred not the multitude of his Mercies; they rebelled at the Sea, even at the red Sea. Every one of theſe were as a ſtop in the way of Healing, yet Mercy got over them all; Nevertheleſs he Saved them. Now as the Grace of this Compaſſionate Phyſician triumphs over the Unworthyneſs of this diſtreſt Patient that applies to Him for a Cure; ſo Mercy triumphs over all the Improbabilities and Impoſſibilities that ſeem to ly in the way of this Phyſician, to hinder him from working a thorow cure.

II. USE is of EXHORTATION in divers Branches.

p. 35And in the firſt Place I take leave humbly to propoſe this Exhortation to Your EXCELLENCY, and unto thoſe who are, or may be of the Honourable COUNCIL: Together with thoſe Worthy Gentlemen that Repreſent the People of this Province in a General Aſſembly, who have ordered me (tho' moſt unworthy) into this awful Desk at this time.

Suffer your Selves to be Intreated, in the Name of the Lord, and by this word of the Lord, to be Encouraged; to go on in your Excellent and Diſtinguiſhing Prudence and Integrity, to Write after this Divine Copy, in doing your Utmoſt, in your reſpective Poſts, for the Healing of the Wounds and Sickneſſes of this Diſtreſt & Diſtemper'd Province. Be intreated to undertake and carry on your whole Healing work, in all your Prudent and Skilful Applications of proper Medicines for the Cure of this People and Province, in the Adminiſtration of Government, both by Legiſlation and Execution; and in the management of all the Great Affairs of the Publick Weal of this People of God, which you are by Him betruſted with the Cure of, by a very powerful Exerciſe of faith, in this Alſufficient Phyſician, for the thorow Cure of this People, That GOD may be intreated to ſay to New-England, and this Province in particular, as in our Text, I have ſeen his ways and I will heal him.

p. 36True indeed, it is Gods Prerogative royal to Heal & Cure our incurable Wounds & Sickneſſes by the bright and ſhining diſplay of his Soveraign Grace and rich Mercy; yet it has pleaſed His Divine Majeſty to commit this Healing Work into your hands, as you are our Excellent and Honourable Rulers.

The Wounds of the Body Politick need a Healer, as much as thoſe of the Body Natural. Rulers are State-Phyſicians: Hence the word rendred to Govern, hath a three-fold ſignification in Scripture. Firſt, and moſt properly, to bind up. Secondly, by a Metaphor, to Heal; becauſe there is ſo great a uſe of binding in Healing; the skilful Ligature of a Wound, or of a broken Limb, is of ſo much conſequence in Chyrurgery, or the Art of Healing, that binding alone is put for Healing: That which is well bound, is in a fair way to Healing. We find both theſe acts put together in that great Promiſe of the Churches Glory under the Goſpel, Iſai. 30.26. Moreover, the light of the moon ſhall be as the light of the ſun, and the light of the ſun ſhall be ſeven fold, as the light of ſeven days, in the day that the LORD bindeth up the breach of his People, and healeth the ſtroke of their wound And Iſai. 3.7. Thirdly, the word ſignifies Tropically, to Rule or Govern, and the reaſon ariſeth clearly from the proper ſignification of it; Becauſe He that is a Ruler, is alſo a binder and a healer. This then p. 37(Worthy Patriots) may give direction to ſuch whoſe Province it is this Day to Chooſe and Appoint the Perſons that are to bear Rule over this People; whatſoever other Rules diſcretion may point to be obſerved in this affair; yet this may not be neglected by the Electors, That they chooſe ſuch Perſons as they really Judge duely Qualifyed, who do give grounded Hopes that they will Approve themſelves State-Phyſicians, Rightly skill'd, and agreeably will'd, to do their utmoſt to Bind and Heal the Wounds and Sickneſſes of this diſeaſed People, by their Diſcountenancing of Vice and Immorality, and by their Encouraging of Piety and Equity.

Rulers bind the People that are under them, to Order: They bind them by their Laws: Laws are bonds, they have a binding Power, they bind either to Obedience or to Puniſhment: And therefore Rulers are binders, they bind the Unruly and diſobedient; They bind with the Rule of the Law, and with the Penalties of the Law: When any break the Rule of the Law, then they fall under the Penalties of the Law; ſo that every way a Ruler is a Binder; and as He is a Binder, ſo a Healer: The Laws of Government by which People are bound, are for their healing: for the healing of their manners and corruptions; As alſo, for the healing of thoſe whom they have oppreſſed or wounded by their Evil Manners and Corruptions, LAWS are the Security of a People, pie, p. 38the Security of their Perſons, of their Eſtates, of their Credit, and of their Liberties Civil, and Religious, and of their Lives. Some have well compared Laws to Phyſick, which doth both prevent and remove thoſe Diſeaſes which are incident to the whole body of a Nation or Province. Now as Magiſtracy conſiſts in an Authority to make and conſtitute Laws: ſo in an Authority to apply, actuate or execute them in all particular Caſes and Emergencies. A Law Unexecuted (ſaith a good Divine) is like a Sealed Book, or like a Sword lock'd up in the Scabbard.

May it then pleaſe Your EXCELLENCY and our Honourable and Worthy Senators in your great Prudence to Conſider, whether there be nothing farther to be done either by Legiſlation or Execution, for the Healing of this SickProvince? And for the Maintaining Juſtice toward men, and Piety toward God? Whether there be no ſtep farther to be taken to quicken under Officers, as Tything-men, Conſtables and Grand-jurors, to a more vigorous accompliſhment of thoſe Promiſſory Oaths that Annually they take for the Suppreſſing of Intemperance, and Diſorders, that are ſo growing among us? Whether there be no ſtep farther to be taken for to prevent that Land deſolating Sin, of the Prophanation of the LORDS-DAY? And whether that Law which refers to the breach of the Sabbath, and the Penalty Annexed there-unto, p. 39may not be reviewed, and the Sanctification of the Sabbath farther ſecured, and more ſtrongly guarded?

If there be nothing farther to be done either by Legiſlation or Execution, for the Healing of our Wounds and Sickneſſes? Yet ſuffer me to ſay, There is encouragement to Addreſs the Compaſſionate and Alſufficient Phyſician by the Prayer of Faith, for Healing. This was the Method good King Jehoſhaphat took for the healing of his People, when he knew not what to do for their Cure; He by the Prayer of faith repaired to this moſt skilful Phyſician for a never-failing remedy, and in this way obtained it, 2 Chron. 20 12, 17, 20. The Effectual-ſervent Prayers of Pious Rulers for their Sick and Diſeaſed People, are a precious Means of a Peoples Healing. That is one good way of Seeking their Recovery, to ſet God on work by Prayer, and engage Him to be their Healer. When Hez kiah and Iſaiah do both Cry and Pray to Heaven, there is good hopes it ſhall go well with that People, and that God will appear for them, as he did. 2 Chron 32.20, 21, 22. How oft did the Prayer of Moſes and Aaron for Iſrael in the Wilderneſs, ſlip in between them & deſtruction? Numb. 14.12, 13, 14 19, 20, 21, 22, 45. It was an Exemplary paſſage of that Worthy Prince of Orange, who when he had but one breath to draw, ſpent half of it on the People in Prayer p. 40for them, Crying (as he fell down ſlain) Oh my God take pity of my Soul, and of this poor People!

Second Branch of EXHORTATION is to my Reverend Fathers and Brethren in the Miniſtry.

Oh be intreated in the bowels of Chriſt to go on vigorouſly in your conſtant painful, faithful Miniſterial Indeavours to heal the Wounds and Sickneſſes of this diſeaſed People. You are (Reverend Sirs) Spiritual Phyſicians by that Solemn and Sacred Office you ſuſtain; and you are betruſted and awfully Charged with the Miniſterial and Paſtoral Care and Cure of Souls. Paul had the care of all the Churches lying upon him, 2 Cor. 11.28. And we muſt give account of all thoſe Souls, that are committed by Chriſt (the Phyſician of Souls) unto our Official care and charge, Heb. 13.17. Oh! what need then have we to do our Utmoſt for the Healing and Curing of the Heart-Plagues, and Spiritual Maladies of our Sick Churches and Congregations, That ſo no Precious and Immortal SOUL may finally be loſt thro' our default; but that we may be free from the guilt of the bloud of Souls, Ezek. 3.17, 18, 19, 20, 21. It is therefore our duty to Inculcate upon them their Malady, and to diſcover to them the Remedy. Oh! what need have we to take heed to our ſelves, and to the reſpective Flocks committed to us by the Holy Ghoſt, to feed them, and to give p. 41them their Food and Phyſick in due ſeaſon, to Preach the Word, to be inſtant in ſeaſon and out of ſeaſon, to rebuke, reprove, exhort, with all long-ſuffering and doctrine; and to be an Example of Believers in Word, in Converſation, in Charity, in Spirit, in Faith, in Purity. Now if we would thus be skilful, faithful and ſucceſsful Soul Phyſicians, we muſt indeavour to be filled with the Spirit, Eph. 5 18. All Chriſtians muſt labour after this, but eſpecially Miniſters: There will be no diſcharge of our work as Chriſtians, or as Miniſters without the Inhabitation, and Saving operation of the Spirit: We ſhould therefore Earneſtly Pray, that we may be ſo filled with the Spirit, as that we may have ſo much of the Grace and gracious operation of the Spirit in us, as to inable us from an inward abiding Principle; To believe all Myſteries Revealed, Imbrace all Promiſes, Diſpence all Ordinances, Obey all Commands, Improve with humble Submiſſion to Gods diſpoſing, all Providences to their end▪ Yea we ſhould Pray that we may be filled in the higheſt meaſure with the Spirit, to the meaſure of the fulneſs of the ſtatute of Chriſt, Eph. 4.13. So filled, as to furniſh us here to all Goſpel-obedience; and hereafter, to all Goſpel Glory.

Third Branch of EXHORTATION, it is to all that Hear the Word of God at this Time.

p. 42Let us All be Moved and Encouraged to repair to this Alſufficient Phyſician for Healing to be granted to our Souls, to our Perſons, to our Families, to our Churches, to our Courts, to our Province, and to New-England. There is none of us in ſuch perfect Health, as to ſtand in no need of this Phyſician: We have All of us our Particular, Perſonal Soul-ſickneſſes; Our Families have their Spiritual diſtempers: There are alſo Eccleſiaſtical and Political Wounds that need a Cure: Let us then be moved to Apply to this Good and Great Phyſician for Healing. Tho' our Diſeaſes may ſeem …o be incurable and our Wounds immedicable; yet this Day, God opens to us a door of hope in this greateſt depth, of our Diſtreſs. There is always hope in Iſrael in the moſt deſperate caſe: Ezra 10.2. Yet now there is hope in Iſrael concerning this thing. This Phyſician has ſeen all our Ways & Wounds, our Sins and Sickneſſes, and He can ſay to us as in our Text, I have ſeen thy Ways and I will Heal thee: He can ſay to New-England, as He ſaid Zech. 3.9. I will remove the Iniquity of the Land in one day. God can remove the Iniquity of our Perſons and People in one day: And we muſt obtain healing from this Phyſician, or dy of our Sickneſſes. Now it is very proper for the Sick to chooſe their own Phyſician; and that is the work of this Sick-Province this Day, to chooſe p. 43Provincial Healers, that may under the Conduct of the Alſufficient Phyſician, do their Utmoſt for our Healing (the God of Wiſdom in His Infinite Mercy Direct the Electors, and the Elections:) But give me leave to ſay this one Word to all that are preſent before the Lord at this Time, that are ſenſible of the Plague of their own Hearts, You are Sick and need a Phyſician, and are now put upon your Choice of your Phyſician! Will you now Chuſe GOD in CHRIST to be your Phyſician? He comes in his own Ordinance This Day, and tenders to undertake the Cure of all your Diſtempers; Be they Soul-Maladies, Family-Diſeaſes, Political or Eccleſiaſtical Wounds and Sickneſſes, He ſaith to each ſuch Perſon, and to this Province, Wilt thou not be Healed and Cured, when ſhall it once be? As He ſaid to Jeruſalem, Wilt thou not be made Clean? When ſhall it once be? Jer. 13.27. This Compaſſionate Phyſician comes to the Door of your Hearts and of this Province, and offers to come in, and Apply Healing Medicines; and to make a thorough Cure, as he tendred to Heal the Church of Laodicea, Rev. 3.20. Oh! That it may now be the Day of Chriſts Power upon each of your Souls, and this Province; that the Language of your Souls and of this Province may be, Lift up your Heads, O ye Gates; and be ye lift up ye Everlaſting Doors, that the King of Glory, this Gracious Phyſician may come in, p. 44Pſal. 24.6, 7. Then may we ſay (with which words I cloſe) as we have it, Iſa. 33.22, 24. The Lord is our Judge, the Lord is our Lawgiver, the Lord is our King, He will Save us. And the Inhabitant ſhall not ſay I am Sick: The People that dwell therein ſhall be forgiven their Iniquity. AMEN, So let it be: Oh! That this Good and Gracious PHYSICIAN would ſay, AMEN, So it ſhall be.

FINIS.

End of the text · Peter Thatcher, The All Sufficient Physician Healing Political and Spiritual Wounds (1711)