An Exhortation to All, Sermon
AN EXHORTATION To All: To uſe Utmoſt Endeavours to obtain A Viſit of the God of Hoſts, FOR THE Preſervation of Religion, and the CHURCH, upon Earth.
In a SERMON Preached before His Excellency the GOVERNOUR, the Honourable COUNCIL and Repreſentatives of the Province of the Maſſachuſetts-Bay in N. E. on May 26. 1714. being the Anniverſary Day of the ELECTION of COUNCELLORS of the ſaid Province.
By SAMUEL DANFORTH, Paſtor of the Church in Tanton.
Iſaiah lxiii. 15. Look down from Heaven, and behold from the Habitation of thy Holineſs, & of thy Glory:—
BOSTON: Printed by B. Green: Sold by Samuel Gerriſh, at his Shop on the North ſide of the Town-Houſe. 1714.
Publiſhed by Order of His Excellency the GOVERNOUR & COUNCIL
Iſaac Addington, Sec BOSTON, June 4th. 1714.
An EXHORTATION to All: To uſe Utmoſt Endeavours TO Obtain a Viſit of the God of Hoſts.
PSALM LXXX. 14. Return, we beſeech Thee, O God of Hoſts: look down from Heaven, and behold, and Viſit this Vine.
THE State of the Church of Iſrael, when this Pſalm was Penned, was very Calamitous (as appears from the Matter of the Pſalm it ſelf) both with reſpect unto Sins and Judgments. And the whole Pſalm is a Prayer in the Name and Behalf of the Church, unto God for Deliverance. In the Verſe before us, we may conſider,
1. THE Deſcription of the Church Prayed for, by that Metaphor of a Vine. To Explain which we may obſerve,
(1.) THAT Jeſus Chriſt Himſelf as Mediator, God-Man, and as Head of the Church is the True Vine, Joh. 15.1. Chriſt compares Himſelf to a Vine according to His uſual Cuſtom of taking Similitudes from things Common and Obvious; ſuch were Vines in Judea, Deut. 8.8. Planted by the ſides of their Houſes, Pſal. 128.3. Probably of that Houſe where Chriſt was when He ſpake thoſe words. Chriſt is the Principal Vine, for whoſe ſake the Church of Iſrael was compared to a Vine or Vineyard, becauſe out of that Church the Meſſiah was to come who is the True Vine. Chriſt is that Vine, as God-Man, Mediator, to whom the Father hath given this Prerogative to have Life in Himſelf, Joh. 5.26.
AND to be a quickning Spirit unto thoſe implanted into Him, and who are given to Him to be His Members, 1 Cor. 15.45. Chriſt is therefore likened to that which is the chief part of a Vine, Namely the Root and Stock, when as His Members are but like the Branches. Chriſt as He is Man is of the ſame Nature with the Branches, as He is God He ſupplies the Branches with Spiritual Life and Grace. The Humane Nature of Chriſt is as the Conduit through which the Gifts of the Holy Spirit flow unto His People. As Mediator He both Merited Grace for Men, and Infuſes Grace into Men; and more truly and perfectly nouriſhes Believers unto Eternal Life, than a Vine doth its Branches; as an Head of influence unto them. Chriſt is then the true and proper Vine, others but ſecondarily ſo; and depending on Chriſt, and deriving all their Spiritual Life from Him; and obtaining all they have, for His Sake: And that they are Vines in any ſenſe is becauſe God the Father to Glorify His Son, hath given them to Him in an Everlaſting Covenant, to be brought unto Union and Communion with Him.
MANY Phraſes in this Pſalm, may be referred to Chriſt; He is Gods Joſeph, Verſe 1. to whom belongs the Right of Primogeniture; to be the Firſt born of every Creature. He is the Man of Gods Right Hand, v. 17. Gods Benjamin, who is Exalted to ſit at Gods Right Hand, and if this glorious Benjamin were not there, we ſhould not be admitted to ſee Gods face. He it is whom God the Father hath made Strong for Himſelf▪ v. 15, 18. Who did ſtand and feed in the Strength of the Lord and in the Majeſty of the Name of the Lord his God, Micah 5.4. And as Chriſt intended to make His Church conformable to Himſelf; ſo in ſome reſpect, He would be like to His Church; therefore He would be the Branch, the Vine, the Fruit of the Earth, and would be brought out of Egypt, v. 8. Math. 2.15. So that Gods diſpenſations to His Church were Typical of the Meſſiah in many things: Therefore alſo the ſame Title of a Vine, comprehends both Chriſt and His Church; as the Name of Chriſt is alſo given to His Myſtical Body the Church, 1 Cor. 12.12.
NOW God the Father hath Engaged Himſelf to be the Husbandman, when Chriſt condeſcends to be the Vine; the Father will and doth always manifeſt His gracious Preſence with Chriſt as Head of the Church, to Aſſi…t and Help Him and Strengthen Him: and out of Reſpect and Love to the Lord Jeſus Chriſt it is, that the Father takes any Notice in a way of Pity, Compaſſion and Grace, of any Men or Societies of Men upon Earth.
(2.) THE Inviſible Church of the Elect are likened to a Vine or Vineyard: The… are the Branches ingrafted into Chriſt. It is an intellectual Myſtical Vineyard; The Myſtical Paradiſe of God, partly in Heaven, and partly on Earth. As God Planted an Earthly Paradiſe in the Garden of Eden, which did excel all the reſt of the Earth; ſo ſince the Ruine of Mankind by Adam's Apoſtacy, God will have a Remnant among fallen Mankind in every Age and Generation, to be His Vineyard, Garden, Orchard (or Eden, Eccl. 2.5.) depending on and United unto Chriſt, the Second Adam: For God in His Infinite Wiſdom ſo ordered the things of the firſt Creation, that they might be Natural Types of what He would do in the New Creation of all things by Chriſt.
THE Church is Gods Vineyard, which His Own Right Hand hath Planted, v. 8, 15. It is a Garden incloſed, Cant. 4.12. Planted and Formed for Himſelf, to ſhew forth His Praiſe, Iſai. 43.21. Set a-part for His Own peculiar Uſe, Service and Delight; The Church owns no other Maſter but Chriſt, reſerves all her fruit for Him, and keeps faithful to Him. Thoſe Planted into this Vineyard, tho' by Nature they are Wild Plants, and of the Wild Olive, yet are made Noble Vines and a Right Seed, by Effectual Calling and their Implantation into Chriſt. The Creating Power of Gods Right Hand is put forth in infuſing Grace into them: Mans Nature brings not forth the fruits of the Spirit without the Skill and Husbandry of Him that made it: We are therefore called Gods Huſbandry, 1 Cor. 3.9. The Seeds of the fruits of Righteouſneſs muſt be Sown in us by Gods Spirit, and Grow in us by His Bleſſin… … ſo that as Iſrael were not the Natives of … but God fetcht His Vine from a-far off, even from Egypt; So Grace is not the Natural Growth of our Corrupt Hearts; but is Tranſplanted into us from a further Place, even from Heaven. And although the firſt Planting of Virtue and Piety in Men be not without ſome bitterneſs, (our Inoculation into Chriſt is not without Inciſion;) Yet the Growth of it is Pleaſant and the fruit Sweet, and Wholſome, even as the fruit of the Vine, refreſhing the Heart of God and Man. Variety of precious Graces and …rtues are implanted in them which are all Uſeful and make them fruitful in Good Works: And as the fruit of the Vine was uſed in Sacrifices, ſo the Good Fruits of Believers are a ſweet Smelling Sacrifice unto God. They are made ſenſible that they are Weak and Worthleſs Creatures in and of themſelves, (as a Vine is not Timber fit for Service, Ezek. 15.1, 2. Fit for nothing but to be caſt into the Fire; unleſs it bear fruit) yet being Vines Planted into Chriſt Himſelf, the fatteſt Soil; and under-propped by the Grace and Spirit of Chriſt Strengthning and Supporting of them; and the Excreſcencies of Corruption being continually lopped off by their Careful Vinedreſſer, Joh. 15.2. And being Watred every Moment from Heaven by the freſh Influences of the Spirit, Iſai. 27.2, 3. They become Plants of Renown, among whom Chriſt Loves to Walk: and He delights Himſelf with the Obſervation of the Flouriſhing of this His Vineyard, Cant. 6.11.
THIS Church of the Elect is the true Iſrael of God, verſe 1. His Peculiar People on Earth, His Joſeph, Gods Firſt born among the Children of Men, to whom all Church-Priviledges belong as their Birth-right for their Saving Good: They are Chriſts Flock, v. 1. Gods Benjamin; And like Benjamin, full of Changes, ſometimes a Benoni a Son of Sorrow, and afterwards of Joy; The Son of Gods Right Hand, whom He Loves as dearly as a Man doth his Right Hand, or the Apple of his Eye, whom God is always ready to Lead and Govern by His Right Hand; and to whom He Swears by His Right Hand that He will be their Preſerver, Iſai. 62.8. Iſrael are often called Collectively Gods Son, as Hoſ. 11.1. And His Firſt born, as if the whole Multitude of them were One Perſon, Exod. 4.22, 23. As here they are compared to One Vine.
(3.) THE Viſible Church of God on Earth is Gods Vine. And Gods Tranſactions with the Church Viſible do Outwardly reſemble the Spiritual and Inviſible dealings of God with the Church of the Elect: and there-unto are afforded Outward Means▪ and Privileges for the Saving Good of Gods Elect among them.
THIS Viſible Church was built upon Chriſ… the Meſſiah; that firſt Promiſe, in Gen. 3.15. Being the Foundation of the Church and of the whole Worſhip of God therein. Chriſt hath ſeen His Seed in all Ages paſt, and ſhall ſtill …ee His Seed in all Ages to come. The great Work of God in all Ages is to be Planting Vineyards or Churches, where there are none; and to Preſerve thoſe Churches which He hath already on Earth, and to reſtore them where they are under decays. Tho' Chriſts Church on Earth be a Weak and Feeble People, yet He makes them Strong for Himſelf, defending them againſt the Gates of Hell, keeping an Hedge of Protection about them, and guarding them by Armies of Angels, and ſo caring for them that the whole World may diſcern, that His ſpecial Care and gracious Providence is concerned for their Good, more than for the reſt of Mankind.
AND the Diſpenſations of God towards Iſrael in Tranſplanting them out of Egypt into Canaan, and Erecting a Church State and Ordinances among them (which the former part of the Pſalm doth mention) are in ſome kind of Similitude acted over again in New-Teſtament times in all Ages of the Church; and will ſtill be again acted over while the World continues.
(4.) Particular Churches are the Miniſterial Vineyards of Chriſt, for the Exerciſe of Divine Worſhip, Ordinances, and Diſcipline, like ſo many particular Incloſures under the Inſpection of particular Keepers, which make up and conſtitute the Viſible Catholick Garden of the Church. And each particular Profeſſor of Religion (whether Sound or Unſound) is a Branch in Chriſt Viſibly, Joh. 15. And each Chriſtian hath a Vineyard (namely his own Soul) to keep and look after, Cant. 1.6.
2. IN our Text is ſuppoſed, That the preſent State of Gods Vineyard then in the World, was very Diſtreſſed and Calamitons. They were fed with the Bread and Drink of Tears, and that in great Meaſure, verſe 5. Afflictions and Sorrows were their conſtant Dyet, ſo that they could not refrain from mixing Tears with their Food: Tho' they had Scarcity of Bread; yet had Trientals, treble Meaſures of Tears. [Shaliſh,] Notes a Cup four times as big as the uſual Cups they drink in, ſo that they drank Tears in Flagons, rather than in Cups.
THEY were made a Strife to their Neighbours, verſe 6. Their Enemies Strove among themſelves which ſhould make a ſpoil and a prey of them; and thoſe who once were Neighbourly and Kind to them, now took occaſion to quarrel with them, and they had now almoſt as many Enemies as they had Neighbours. Iſrael, out of carnal Policy, joyned with their Neighbours in falſe Worſhip, and refuſing to be Reformed by the Repeated Warnings ſent them from God by His Prophets; therefore (becauſe their Ways pleaſed not the Lord) God made their Friends turn to be their Enemies, Deut. 28.47, 48, &c.
AGAIN, Their Enemies Laughed among themſelves, verſe 6. Made ſport of, and delighted themſelves in the Calamities of Iſrael: So the People of the Earth make Merry when the Two Witneſſes are ſlain, Rev. 11.10. Sampſon was called for to make Sport for the Philiſtines, Judg. 16.25. Iſrael were juſtly made a Deriſion and Hiſſing among the Nations after they forſook God, Pſal. 44.13, 14. & 79.4.
AGAIN, The Hedge of Divine Protection was removed, and all that paſſed by took liberty to Pluck at them, v. 12. This came to paſs as an Accomp…ſhment of the Divine Comminations againſt them, Deut. 31.17. Iſai. 5.5. Impure and Savage Nations, fierce and furious Enemies like wild Boars and Beaſts, Endeavoured to root up this Vine, and extirpate the true Religion.
THUS Gods Vine was caſt as 'twere into the Fire, v. 16. Cut down, and become like the burning Buſh which Moſes ſaw, all in a flame, likely to Periſh utterly, without a Miracle of Mercy prevented its Ruine, and Total over-throw, v. 16. They Periſh at the Rebuke of thy Countenance. And God ſeemed to be angry with the very Prayers of His People, v. 4. Tho' they ſought deliverance with ſtrong Cryes and Tears, yet obtained it not: but God in anger delivered them up into the Hands of their Enemies, Pſal. 39.11. One Frown of Gods Face was (like the Scorching Wind we had this laſt Year *Aug. 20. 1713.) ſufficient to blaſt, wither and dry up the tender Plants of His Vineyard. They hoped that their Prayers would have aſcended like Incence and been as a Sweet-Smelling Sav…u… unto God: But the Smoke of Gods anger againſt them diſcovered that fair flattering Words would not Pacify a Provoked God.
3. IN our Text is ſet forth the Reſolution of the true Iſraelites, the Remnant of Sincere Believers yet left in this Vineyard of the Church, Not to give over Crying to God for Relief and Help; but to perſiſt in Penitential Prayers to Him even to the laſt Gaſp; reſolving to go no where elſe for Help; and being Satisfyed and fully Convinced that One Look, One Smile, One Viſit from Heaven would ſuffice to Recover the Vine from its Apoſtacies and Calamities.
THE DOCTRINE therefore, under which the Text may be Explained is this.
THAT Sincere Believers will Perſevere in their Applications to the Lord God of Hoſts (notwithſtanding all Repulſes given to their former Addreſſes) for a Gracious Viſit from Heaven to be made unto His … upon Earth, as the only and the Suff…ent Rel…ef againſt Impending Ruine by Sins and Judgments.
THE Plants in this Vineyard of the Church are Reaſonable Creatures; and in Gods Viſible Vineyard on Earth in times of greateſt Degeneracy, there will in all Ages be left a Remnant who belong to the Election of G…ce who being Effectually Called and Savingly United to Chriſt the Head and Root of the Vine (for the Root of this Vine is in Heaven, tho' the Branch…s while in a Militant State, are on Earth) Theſe are true Penitents who are Mourners in Zion for the Iniquities thereof, Gods Remembrancers, who ſtand in the Gap to keep off deſolating Judgments by their Prayers and Pleadings with God: They will give God no reſt Day or Night, but will plead with Him for Mercy as long as they have a Tongue, and Breath to Speak; and if their Breath fails, yet will even then give a Look by Faith towards His Holy Temple in Heaven; and God knows the Meaning of their broken Sentences when they are almoſt out of Breath; He knows the Senſe of their Looks and of their Stretched-forth Hands: and tho' He delay long, yet graciouſly Suffers Himſelf to be overcome at laſt, and quaſi, Commanded by their Prayers; ſeeing they will not let Him alone, He yields to their Importunity, yea He Aſſiſts them by His Spirit in Pouring forth their fervent Prayers, and is ſo delighted with the Work of His Own Hands in their Hearts, that He Suffers them, as it were, to govern the whole World by their Prayers; ſeeing their Petitions are agreeable to, and coincident with His Glorious Ends, and deſigns which He propoſes to Himſelf in Upholding and Governing all things.
1. LET us Conſider the Object to whom their Prayers are directed. The Lord God of Hoſts. GOD the FATHER, SON, and HOLY SPIRIT; who hath Supreme Power, who hath all Creatures to Militate under Him, and can eaſily Vanquiſh the force of Enemies. He Sits Chief over the Angelical Cherubims, verſe 1. And hath His peculiar Reſidence in Heaven, v. 14. On whom the Church might depend for Salvations when all Earthly Helps failed them.
THE Church of the Jews placed all their Hopes in the Meſſiah (when their Caſe was moſt deplorable,) that at His Coming He would reſtore all things; And as God the Father who ſent Chriſt, is called, The Lord of Hoſts, Zech. 2.8. So alſo is Chriſt Himſelf, who was ſent by His Father. He ſits between the Cherubims, Noting that His Throne is in the Third Heavens Surrounded with Angels; yea the Angels themſelves partly conſtitute His Throne, on which He Sits.
THUS in our Prayers unto God for His Vineyard on Earth, Our Faith ought to be acted diſtinctly on God the Father, the Husbandman, Vine-dreſſer, and Owner of the Vineyard; On the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, the Root and Head of Influence to His Church; And on the Holy Spirit, by whom the Father and Son do Work peculiarly for the good of the Church.
2. THE Matter or Subſtance of their Petitions.
(1.) Return. Gods promiſe to dwell in the midſt of Iſrael, was on Condition that they kept His Precepts, Lev. 26. When they neglected this their Duty, they were liable to be forſaken of God, Jer. 7. Upon their Apoſtacies, God with-drew from them, turned away from them, hid Himſelf from them, carryed Himſelf as if He took no Notice of their Afflictions, took no Care of them, and had no Compaſſionate Regard to them.
THE Church then Prays here for the Tokens and Evidences of Gods Returning unto them in a Way of Pity, Favour and Mercy. Its call'd, Gods Coming to Save them, verſ. 2. Unleſs God did after a Sort Come from Heaven to Save them by His Efficacious Preſence on Earth, they could not expect to be delivered out of the Depth of Apoſtacy and Calamity which they were fallen into.
(2.) LOOK down from Heaven and behold this Vine. Hitherto God ſeemed to be ſo Angry with them that it ſeemed as if He would not deſign to Look on them, nor would give them a good Look, and would not Look after them, as if He cared not what would become of them.
THE Thing Prayed for then, is, A Gracious Look of Divine Providence, and Look of Pity and Commiſeration, as in Iſai. 63.15. Look down from Heaven, and behold from the Habitation of thy Holineſs and of thy Glory: Where is thy Zeal, and thy Strength, the Sounding of thy Bowels and of thy Mercy towards me? Are they Reſtrained? God is ſaid to Look down from Heaven when He Pities their Caſe, who are Extremely Afflicted beyond all Meaſure, and gives them ſuch Remarkable Help, that None can doubt but that their Deliverance comes from Heaven: Pſal. 102.19. For He hath Looked down from the Height…h of His Sanctuary, from the Heaven did the Lord behold the Earth; to hear the groaning of the Priſoners, to looſe thoſe that are appointed to Death.
SO great is the Inſolency and Cruelty of the Enemies of the Church; that Believers know if they could but prevail with the God of Heaven to turn His Eyes towards them, and Look upon their Diſtreſſed Caſe, He could not refrain from Helping and Pitying them, when no Eye is left on Earth to Pity them; and they know that One Look from Heaven is ſufficient to turn their Enemies into Confuſion. When God once ſaid, That … had ſeen the Oppreſſion of Iſrael, then Deliverance was not far off, Exod. 3.7, 9.
(3.) VISIT this Vine. I ſhall chiefly improve the Time remaining, in Explaining what is meant by the Divine Viſit, or Viſitation here Prayed for. And it may perhaps be Pleaſant as well as Profitable to thoſe who have Learned the Hebrew Grammar to hear the Word foreign Explained, which they have often repeated.
1. OBSERVE, That the Word foreign commonly Notes the Acting of a Superiour towards an Inferiour. When Inferiours Viſit their Superiours (as Children do Viſit their Parents) it is to Comfort them with their Company, or to receive Counſel or Reproofs from them, to obtain Direction in their difficult Caſes from their Aged Experience, and to obtain from them Supplies of their Wants: (And thus Men are ſaid to Viſit God when in Trouble, Iſai. 26.16.) And to pay their Duty, and Reverence to their Superiours. But Superiours Viſit their Inferiours in a way of Pity and Care: So the Apoſtles Viſited the Churches, and the Shepherds Viſit their Flocks, to provide for them, and to redreſs what is amiſs, Jer. 23.2. Now the Viſit here Prayed for, is requeſted of Him who is called the Shepherd of Iſrael, v. 1. The great Owner of the Vineyard, who in and by His Covenant with them had Undertaken the Office of a Shepherd, to Feed, Lead and Govern them, and to Rectify and Reform what was amiſs among them.
2. THE Word foreign is commonly uſed to Note, the Acting of God towards His People for their Good.
INDEED ſometimes a Day of Divine Viſitation ſignifies, a Day of Calamity and Deſtruction which comes upon the Wicked and Impenitent, Iſai. 26.14. Hoſea 9.7. As there is a Common Viſitation of all Men by a common Death, Numb. 16.29. So there are more Special and Signal Days of Viſitation, by Strange and Unuſual Deaths, and by Deſolating Judgments, Iſai. 10.3. Jer. 5.9, 29.
BUT in our Text is meant, A Merciful Viſit for the Reſtoration and Recovery of the Church from Sins and Judgments. Thus God is ſaid to have Viſited Hannah, when She bare Three Sons, 1 Sam. 2.21. And to Viſit the Earth, when He Waters and Enriches it, Pſal. 65.9. The Viſit Prayed for is that of a Father afforded to his Children, which is with Pity and Compaſſion, with Care and Faithfulneſs, as well as with Power to Help them. Such a Viſit Joſeph promiſed that God would give to Iſrael: Gen. 50.24, 25. God will ſurely Viſit you▪ and bring you out of this Land, unto the Land which He Sware to Abraham, to Iſaac, and to Jacob. Exod. 3.16. I have ſurely Viſited you and ſeen what is done to you. Exod. 4.31. When they had heard the Lord had Viſited the Children of Iſrael, and that He had Looked on their Affliction, then they bowed their Heads and Worſhipped.
3. A DIVINE Viſit oftentimes ſignifies, A Remarkable, and ſometimes a Miraculous Appearance of God, in beſtowing Mercies on His People; or in Delivering them out of Trouble. A Divine Viſitation is Real and Efficacious, an Actual Accompliſhment of Mercy for them; and not a bare Preparation for Action. The Ordinary, Common Viſitation of God doth preſerve Mens Life and Spirit, Job 10.12. But there are more Special and Peculiar Viſits of God afforded to His People by the more than Ordinary Emanations of the Power, Wiſdom, Grace, and Spirit of God; when their Caſe, as to Men, Means, and ordinary Helps, ſeems deſperate.
4. THIS Phraſe of Viſiting is Eſpecially uſed to Expreſs the Gracious Actings of God towards His Church, in and by CHRIST, who is GOD Incarnate. When God ſent His Son into the World to take upon Him the Nature of Man, then God is ſaid to have Viſited His People: Luk. 1.68. Through the tender Mercy of our God, the Day Spring from on High hath Viſited us, v. 78. What a Wonderful Viſit was this▪ That He who was God ſhould Viſit the Nature of Man, and Advance it into Union with the Divine Nature!
AGAIN, The Time of Chriſts Bodily Preſence and Abode on Earth, is peculiarly called a Day of Viſitation, Luk. 19.44. Becauſe thou kneweſt not the Time of thy Viſitation. Luk. 7.16. A great Prophet is riſen up among us, and God hath Viſited His People.
5. THAT which the Church hoped would be the Happy Effect of ſuch a Gracious Viſit from Heaven, may be collected from ſeveral Requeſts made in this Pſalm. As,
1. IN General, they hoped for all Manner of Salvations, by ſuch a Viſit of the God of Heaven, v. 2, 3. Viſit us, O Lord, and we ſhall be Saved, then our Sorrow will be turned into Joy, v. 7, 19.
2. MORE Particularly, Such a Viſit would Turn them again, v. 3. i. e. Bring a Happy Turn upon them, it would cauſe a Return of their former Proſperous State unto them: They ſhould thereby be recovered from their fainting Fits, who were now at Deaths door.
OR thus, Such a Divine Viſit will Turn us again to our God by Unfeigned Repentance, and Recover us from our Apoſtacies: Viſit us, O Lord, and then we ſhall be turned unto thee from our Sins, Jer. 31.18. Lam. 5.21.
3. SUCH a Divine Viſit will Quick… us, v. 18. And Recover us from that Death which hath been upon our Piety and Proſperity: It will make our dry Bones to come to Life again; It will revive Gods Work, the Work of Religion among us; So ſhall we call upon Thy Name, and Worſhip Thee according to Thy Will, in Spirit and Truth. So ſhall we not go back from Thee, v. 18. But a ſtop will be put to our Apoſtacy from God. The Meſſiah when He Viſits us, will Reſtore all things, put all things into Order again, will Subdue our Iniquities, and Reform our Evil ways.
6. LET us Conſider Some of thoſe Glorious Operations of God in an Uncommon way of Mercy, which may bear the Name of ſuch a remarkable Viſit of God from Heaven, afforded to His Vine on Earth.
1. WHEN the God of Hoſts works by the Hosts of Heaven, the holy Angels, for the good of His Vine; That is a remarkable Viſit. Thus after Rabſhakehs Railing and Blaſphemy, the Churches Enemies were found all dead Corpſes, being deſtroyed by an Angel. Alſo when by the holy Angels God ſtirs up good Motions in the Hearts of Men, and Spirits them to Engage in, and Perform ſome work for God. An Angel aſſiſted Darius in wielding his new gotten Empire, Dan. 11.1. Angels aſſiſted in raiſing up and afterwards raſing to the ground thoſe mighty Empires of Perſia and Grecia, Dan. 10.13, 20, 21. All which changes on the Empires were ultimately for the ſake and benefit of the Church of God: for God can readily part even with an Earthly Kingdom, and give it for His Churches good: So dear and precious is His Vine unto Him: And God hath Inviſible State-Miniſters (even the Holy Angels) to bring about the Fates of Kingdoms and Empires.
2. WHEN Suitable Means and Inſtruments are Unexpectedly raiſed up and afforded for the Reſtoring Religion, Peace and Order to the Church of God on Earth. God remarkably Viſited Iſrael in raiſing up Moſes, to be their Inſtrumental Saviour, and in preparing him for Civil Government by a Learned Education; alſo in raiſing up Joſeph to be a Father and Shepherd unto Iſrael in Egypt; So He raiſed up Judges in Iſrael to deliver them, who were filled with the Spirit in a more than ordinary meaſure. David, Solomon, Aſa, Jehoſophat, Hezekiah, Nehemiah, Ezra, Zerobbabel were raiſed up to promote Temple-work, and to ſet forward the Work of Reformation with all their might. In New-Teſtament times the Apoſtles were in an Extraordinary manner acted by the Holy Spirit, and made willing and able to Undertake that great Work of Goſpellizing the World, which was then over-ſpread with Paganiſm and Idolatry. In ſuch Inſtruments Gods People ſee the Face of God ſhining Mercifully upon them.
ALSO when God ordaineth Praiſe and Promotes His Own Glory, even by Inſtruments as unlikely as Babes and Sucklings, Pſal. 8.2. And by things accounted fooliſh by Carnal Men, and things Weak, and Baſe, and by things which are not, doth confound the Wiſe and the Mighty, and doth bring to nought things which are, 1 Cor. 1.25—29. And by Men of a Modeſt and Meek Spirit carries on His Work Succesfully, ſo that they are not daunted and diſcouraged from their Duty, by the browbeatings of Imperious Spirits; which ſhews that they are Acted and Aſſiſted by a Spirit beyond their own, and that God is with them of a Truth.
IN ſuch a Day of Divine Viſitation God is wont to Communicate Miniſterial Gifts in an Eminent Manner on Goſpel Miniſters, in Increaſing the Number of Preachers, and Increaſing their Abilities, and Increaſing their Forwardneſs and Diligence in their Work. When God gives the Word, great is the Army of them that Publiſh it, Pſal. 68.11. An Army of Labourers are ſent forth into Gods Vineyard when He hath a great Harveſt to gather in. In ſuch a Day His Spirit is not meerly Given, but Poured forth, in the Gifts of it, moſt plentifully on ſuch as are to carry on His Work, Acts 2.16, 17, 18. And they have a Spirit of forwardneſs to double their Diligence in the Work of Chriſts Kingdom in ſuch a Day and Seaſon, and to act with more than uſual Preſence, Courage and Vivacity; their Hearts being Lift up in the ways of the Lord; They are preſſed forwards and go bound in the Spirit about Gods Work; They ſet forth with full Sail, having the freſh Gales of the Wind of Gods Holy Spirit to carry them along through moſt Arduous Affairs to promote the Glory of God, and the Good of His Vineyard: And ſometimes even Youths or Young Men are ſo ſtrengthned with Might in the Inner Man, as that they faint not in the Work of God. Even in great, and almoſt Apoſtolical Enterprizes and Services for God; as in Planting of Religion where it was not before.
3. WHEN God gives His Vine ſuch a Viſit from Heaven, He is wont to give great Succeſs to the Labours of His Servants whom He Calls and Appoints to Labour in His Vineyard.
(1.) AT ſuch a time God is wont to make a People Willing to be Reformed, by the Efficacy of His Spirit on their Hearts. They are made to be of a Teachable Spirit, and deſirous to know and be Inſtructed wherein they have offended God, and provoked Him to with-draw from them, and what it is that God would have them to do, that they may obtain the Returns of His Preſence unto them again; Now Pars eſt Sanitatis, …elle Sanari. The Work of Reformation will go on with delight when the People are generally Willing to be Healed and to Turn from the Error of their Ways, being Convinced of the Neceſſity of it to prevent the Total Ruine of this Vine. It was a Viſit of God to the Hearts of the People, which made them readily to fall in with the Leaders and Rulers in proceeding to a Publick Reformation in the Days of Joſiah, Hezekiah, and Nehemiah, ſo that they would Excite the Rulers to ſet about this good Work, and Strengthen their Hearts and Hands therein, Saying, Ariſe, this matter belongeth unto thee, be Strong and do it. Where-upon,
(2.) ALL Ranks and Orders of Men that Fear God are made to Unite in Promoting the Welfare of this Vine, when God thus Viſits them from above. Its a remarkable Work of God to Unite the Hearts of good Men in determining what ought to be done for the Promoting of Religion, the Reforming of Vice, and Encouraging Virtue, and in Practiſing what they have agreed upon for the good of the Lords Vineyard; that as they ſee Eye to Eye, ſo they draw all one Way; and readily to bury all leſſer Jarrs and Animoſities, rather than the Glory of God and the Work of Chriſt ſhould be Obſtructed or Neglected.
AND in ſuch a time Men of an Inferiour Rank have been Signally Animated to give good Advice and ſeaſonable Reproofs unto Others, ſo far as became their Stations: Yea in ſuch a Day of Viſitation, even Infants have had ſuch Impreſſions on their Hearts as to cry out Hoſanna to the Son of David: And Young Perſons on their Death-beds have been Extraordinarily aſſiſted to give moſt wholſome and profitable Warnings and Advice to their Companions, for their Awakening to Repentance.
(3.) IN order here-unto God hath been won't to give His People Remarkable Warnings, to awaken them out of their Security, to ſtir them up to Prepare to meet the Lord: As by many Sudden Deaths, Removal of Aged Chriſtians, Amazing Fires, Pinching Scarcities, Epidemical Sickneſſes, Perplexing Turns in Humane Affairs; and when God is about to Revive His Work in a particular Place, or among the Body of a People; He doth Sanctify thoſe Warnings, and cauſe the Hearts of Men to be deeply Affected with the Diſpenſations of His Providence; and to conſider that there is no Shelter for them againſt the Calamities impending, but only in God; and no Expectation to be Safe and Secure in the Evil Day, but by making Friends with Heaven, and Maintaining a good Correſpondence with that Friend we have in the Court of Heaven, our bleſſed Lord JESUS CHRIST.
(4.) THIS Succeſs of the Labourers in Gods Vineyard conſiſts, in the Upholding of Religion where it is Set up, and in Planting and Propagating of it to other Places. It is the good Hand of God Working for His People, which provides Paſtors after His Own Heart for His Church, Succeſſively from Age to Age; ſo that when Fathers in the Miniſtry have left the World, yet the Churches of Chriſt on Earth have not been left deſtitute of Qualifyed Perſons to Feed them with the Bread of Life, and to Lead and Guide them according to the Rules of the Goſpel.
AGAIN, It is a gracious Viſit from Heaven that Cauſes this Vine to Propagate; ſo that as People are Multiplyed, Churches alſo ſhould be Multiplyed: and more Miniſterial Vineyards and Gardens Encloſed, for our Lord Jeſus to take delight in, and to walk in the midſt of.
THAT remarkable Breathing of the Spirit in the Day of a Merciful Viſit by the God of Heaven, which Quickens and Revives Grace in the Hearts of Old Diſciples, doth commonly gain home ſome Others unto Chriſt, which were not Converted before: As that Sermon which much Affects an Old Chriſtian, is likely to be a Means of Converting Sinners unto God. And the Increaſe of the Church by New Converts doth tend to freſhen and quicken Grace in Old Diſciples, Cant. 7.12, 13. When the Vineyard flouriſhes, and the tender Grape appears and the Pomegranate buds forth, which is a Proof of Chriſts Special Preſence with His People, Reviving His Work among them; then the Affections and Delights of Gracious Souls are abundantly enlarged, and drawn forth after Chriſt, ſo that they want words to Expreſs how dearly they Love the Lord Chriſt.
AND the Propagation of Religion to Plantations formerly Ungoſpellized is Preparatorily attended with the Revival and Freſh Springing up of Religion in Places where it was before; The Church (like a Mother) hath many Thro…s and Pangs, in order to the bringing forth more Children to her Husband Chriſt; Namely, the renewed Exerciſe of Humiliation and Repentance, and Pleading and Wreſtling with God by Faith in Prayer for the Converting, and Goſpellizing of Other Places; And the freſh Breathings and Pourings out of Gods Spirit on His People, who make up His Vineyard on Earth, is a Prognoſtick that Chriſt hath a Marriage Day at hand, wherein He will Eſpouſe ſome Other People to Himſelf, Even ſuch as knew Him not, and that call'd not on His Name: and that His Church, like a flouriſhing Vine, ſhall Spread forth its Branches over the Wall, and Extend it ſelf to thoſe who before were not within the Pale of the Church.
OH! what luculent Evidences of a Viſit from Heaven are given forth in Planting the Goſpel in Places where it never was before Setled, ſo that all muſt Confeſs, Verily God hath wrought this, and not Man! When the worſt ſort of Sinners are changed into Saints Suddenly and Surprizingly; and of Oppoſers become Promoters of Religion. Was it not ſtrange that Iſrael coming out of Egypt ſhould be willing to lay themſelves under Bond and Covenant-Engagements to Keep and Obey all Gods Commandments, before they knew in particular what God would Enjoyn them?
AND altho' in this Age, we expect not Apoſtles to be raiſed up, acted by an infallible Spirit; yet it is Eaſy to grant that unto remarkable Succeſs granted to Men in the uſe of ordinary Means, there is often required a greater Concurrence of Gods Communicative Power, than in thoſe that are Extraordinary. The Weakneſs of Inſtruments tends to ſet forth the Greatneſs of the Power of God put forth by them.
4. WHEN the Lord God of Hoſts Looks down from Heaven and Viſits His Vine on Earth, He doth remarkably Remove, Divert, and Overcome the Oppoſition made to His Work. The Gates of Hell are always engaged in Oppoſition to the Goſpel Kingdom, Math. 16.18. The Goſpel could never make Entrance on the Kingdom of Satan, did not God Remove and Divert the Powerful Oppoſitions made to it. The Erecting of a Church-State among Iſrael, was like the Creation of a New World, the Making a New Heaven, and a New Earth, Iſai. 51.15, 16. And this was a Day of Viſitation to them. Hence its ſaid, Heb. 3.7. To Day if you will hear his Voice, &c. Sometimes remarkable Rebukes are given by Frights and Terrors of Conſcience to Reſtrain thoſe Labans, who would ſtop Gods Jacobs in their Purpoſes to build Altars to the Lord, and Set up His Worſhip. There is ſometimes a Day of Judicial Viſitation, wherein the Chaff, Bryars, Thorns and Weeds; the Sticks and Stones, which offend the Vines, and hinder their growth, are Pickt up and thrown out of this Orchard and Garden of the Lord; Thoſe who are obſtinately bent to oppoſe Gods Work, God hath a Day wherein to Remove them, and by terrible things in Righteouſneſs doth ſometimes anſwer the Prayers of His People for the flouriſhing of His Vine on Earth, Pſal. 65.2. Alſo God doth Reſtrain the Wrath, Bound and Limit the Malice of His Enemies, and Diſappoint their Crafty Projects whereby they Endeavour to Circumvent, Prevent, and Obſtruct all good Deſigns. The Wiſdom of God herein, is in theſe Latter Ages eſpecially Exerted rather than His Power. And the aſtoniſhing Hardneſs of Heart judicially inflicted on ſome at ſuch a time, is alſo a ſign that it is a Day and Seaſon of a Divine Viſitation. When there be Inſtances of ſome that are Provoked, Enraged, Tormented by that Word which Converts Others, Rev. 11.10. Who are cut to the Heart to ſee the Goſpel flouriſh and the Kingdom of Chriſt prevail; and who do grow worſe under all Divine Cultivations; that Sentence is paſt upon them, He that is Unjuſt & Filthy, Let him be ſo ſtill, Rev. 22.11. The Preremptory Oppoſition which ſuch make to the Ways and Truths of God is a proof that their Conſciences are ſcorched with it.
5. IN ſuch a Day of Divine Viſitation of the Vineyard, God is won't to Prune and Lop off the Exuberancies and Excreſcencies of the good Vines, which hinder their Growth and Fruitfulneſs. God Sanctifies thoſe Afflictions to them which He Exerciſes His Vineyard with, to Humble them and to cauſe Grace to take the deeper Root down-wards in their Hearts, that they may bring forth more and better Fruits Upwards. Some forward Humourſome Saints, after God hath taken them in hand, and Pruned and Purged them by Afflictions, do become very Humble, Patient, Meek and Holy Chriſtians: Others almoſt ruined by a Worldly Spirit, after Divine Purgations become of a Publick Spirit, and forward to do Service for God; The Contentious are made Peaceable, yea become Peace-Makers; and the Selfiſh made Generous, and the Slow and Dull and Sluggiſh Chriſtian quickned and made forward and ready to every good Work. At ſuch a Time when there is a Revival of Religion by gaining New Converts unto Chriſt, Aged Chriſtians are wont to Experience a New and Second Converſion in their Souls, wherein the whole Work of Repentance and Faith is Repeated and Exerciſed over again in them.
6. SUCH a Viſit from Heaven for the Reviving and Reforming of Gods Vine on Earth, is attended with Remarkable Preſervations, Deliverances and Outward Proſperity. The Fence and Hedges about the Vineyard are a-new Repaired. The Church (yea the World) always fares the better, even in Outward reſpects, when Religion Revives, and when this Vine doth flouriſh. Never any Plantation or Nations fared the worſe for having Gods Vineyard Planted among them.
7. WHEN the Lord of Hoſts doth in Mercy give His Vineyard on Earth a Viſit, He doth not tarry with them meerly for a Night as a Traveller and a Wafaring Man, but Makes His Abode with them. He grants them Days, yea Years of His gracious Viſitation and Preſence with them, Hoſ. 9.7. Jer. 11.23. He doth not meerly come Once to look upon His Vine; but Often Returns to Set things in order that it may flouriſh; He gives forth Repeated Effuſions of His Spirit, and renewed manifeſtations of God in His Glory, when He is reſolved to build up Zion, and to have His Work carryed on to Effect. God will not ſuffer His tender Plants to be Nipt in the Bud, tho' Satan Endeavour it by His Power and Stratagems.
8. WHEN He who is called the Deſire of all Nations doth come and Viſit His Vine, and cauſe it to Spread and Propagate, there are uſually great Concuſſions, Convulſions, and Shakings among the Nations; God then Shakes the Heaven and the Earth, the Sea and the Dry Land; and proportionably in a leſſer degree, the Planting and Propagating of Religion in any dark Corner of a Land is not without Convulſions among them ordinarily.
BUT it is time to Proceed to ſome APPLICATION.
… us all be Exhorted to Endeavour by Prayer, and all …her Proper Means to Obtain ſuch a Viſit from the Lord God of Hoſts unto His Vine, which His Own Right Hand hath Planted in this Land.
LET us Conſider,
1. THAT Nothing ſhort of ſuch a Divine Viſitation can Recover the Church from Apoſtacies and Calamities. All the Power of Men and Angels, cannot turn a Degenerate Plant into a Noble Vine, nor Recover a Degenerate Church, nor Revive Dying Religion. The uſe of other Means of Gods Appointment, will avail nothing 'till God Himſelf do come down from Heaven by His Gracious Efficacious Preſence, to work with us, by us, in us, and for us. Indeed God accepts of the good Will and Deſires of His People, and of their Weak Endeavours to do what they can for the Promoting His Kingdom and Intereſt on Earth, and we have reaſon to be aſhamed of our Slothfulneſs and Backwardneſs to do what we might do in our ſeveral Capacities to Promote Virtue & Holineſs (for who knows but that God would as it were Step down from Heaven, to work with us, and by us, if we did Strenuouſly Engage in His Work?) But the Virtue and Power of Man is Weakneſs it ſelf, yea, Nothing; It is God who brings all to paſs, which is done for the good of His Vine. Act. 3.12. Paul may Plant & Apollo may Water, but God alone gives the increaſe. When Iſrael by their Sins had ripened themſelves for Ruine, the Judgments of God came upon them, even in thoſe times wherein they had Godly Rulers, and good Kings, and extraordinary Prophets, who uſed utmoſt Endeavours to Reform them, and ſo to prevent Impending Judgments from being Executed upon them; Vain then is the Help of Man to Save us from Sins and Judgments: If God forſake a People they are Undone, and their Caſe becomes as deſperate as if they were already cut down and caſt into the Fire, v. 16. When a People are Entred into a way of Apoſtacy and Backſliding from God, tho' at firſt their Motion be ſlow & gradual, yet at length they (like the Poſſeſſed Swine) run down hill violently and grow worſe and worſe in a little time: Facilis Deſcenſus Averni. What a Multitude fell away to Idolatry in Rehoboam's time? How many did Mahomet Seduce in a little time? Sometimes the Apoſtacy (which is a ſort of Conſpiracy againſt Religion) prevails to ſuch a heighth as to carry all before it; In ſuch a time Iniquity abounds and none dare or care to oppoſe it: and none but God can ſtop Men in their Career of Sin, and turn them back from their Evil Courſes; their Hearts being fully ſet in them to do Evil; None but God can turn them about and cauſe them to ſet their Faces to Seek the Lord God of their Fathers.
2. IT is the Abſence and Withdrawing of God from His Vineyard, that is the Reaſon why all things are out of Order therein. When the Maſter and Owner of a Garden is long abſent, Fences & Hedges ſoon decay, and the Garden & Orchard yields little Fruit for want of Digging, Pruning, Weeding and other good Husbandry, which the Maſters Eye and Preſence would from time to time carefully beſtow upon it. The Sins of Gods Viſible People Provoke Him to hide Himſelf from them, yea to forſake His Vineyard; we firſt forſake God by our Sins, before the Lord forſake us; and when we looſe the gracious Preſence of God, we ſoon looſe both our Piety & Proſperity. How ſoon will ill Weeds ſpring up and grow a-pace in the Vineyard, and have remarkable Succeſs in Promoting an Apoſtacy from God; and all Attempts for Reformation are unſucceſsful, when God is departed from Iſrael. The Means of Grace are Evanid when the Spirit of God is withdrawn. 2 Chron. 24.20. Ye cannot Proſper, becauſe ye have forſaken the Lord, He hath forſaken you: After Iſrael forſook the Lord, He deprived them of skilful Pilots to direct them, of Pious Prieſts to intercede for them; the deſtroying Angel arreſted them and delivered them up, to the Fowls of the Air, and Beaſts of the Field; and the Land of Canaan which God gave their Fore-Fathers was delivered up to the moſt wicked of the Heathen; firſt to the Romans, then to the Saracons, and at laſt to the barbarous Turks: and becauſe they rejected Chriſt, the Light of the World, are Judicially given up to grope in the very Sun-ſhine of the Goſpel, like blind Men that can't ſee a beaten Path.
3. CONSIDER, That the Return of the Lord God of Hoſts, in a way of Mercy to Look down from Heaven and Viſit His Vine in and by the Son of His Right Hand, is Sufficient to Recover His People from the Loweſt depths of Apoſtacy from God, and from the worſt of Miſeries and Calamities. God can o every thing; with Him all things are poſſible; Nothing is too hard for God. One Look and Viſit of this Great Phyſician heals the worſt and moſt incurable Maladies. He can open the blind Eyes, mollify the hardeſt Hearts, and heal the moſt grievous backſlidings of His People. He may at all times ſay, Veni, vidi, vici. When the Lord is pleaſed to pour out of His Spirit abundantly upon a People & rain down Righteouſneſs upon them; when He waters it from above with the freſh influences of His Spirit, then the Vine ſhall revive & ſpring up as the Graſs. When God comes to us from Heaven, and brings much of Heaven with Him to His People on Earth, then they ſhall be Saved, verſ. 3, 7, 19. Where Chriſt comes, Salvation comes; ſo He ſaid to Zacheus, This Day is Salvation come to thy Houſe; The Lord never comes empty handed; wherever He ſets up His Throne, His Train fills the Temple, He brings a Train of Mercies with Him for Soul & Body; There I will meet with thee and bleſs thee. Gods Meeting with His People never goes alone, without beſtowing bleſſings upon them.
4. CONSIDER, After what Manner we ſhould Pray for ſuch a Divine Viſit.
(1.) WE ſhould Pray Humbly and Penitently. We ſhould be deeply ſenſible of our Unworthineſs that the Lord of Hoſts ſhould give us ſo much as one good Look, or that He ſhould come under our Roofs; and that it is infinite Condeſcention in the High & Lofty One, to come and dreſs our Wounds, and bind them up for us; ſeeing our Sins deſerve that the Lord ſhould caſt us off for ever: We ſhould Mourn for our Sins whereby we have Provoked the Eyes of His Glory to turn away from us; and have provoked Him to ſtop His Ears againſt our Cryes, and to hide His Face from us and to frown upon us with the Rebukes of His Countenance. However, we ſhould humbly ſpread before Him our Lamentable State, our decays in Grace and Fruitfulneſs, that the Vineyard goes to decay and is almoſt dead; and we ſhould ſpread before Him our Miſeries and Diſtreſſes, that we are Undone, without His Helping Omnipotent Hand be put forth for the Revival of Religion; We ſhould Proſtrate our Selves at the Feet of Divine Mercy, reſolving if we Periſh, that it ſhall be in the Poſture of Penitent Supplicants at the Throne of Grace for the Returns of Gods Mercy to us. Who knows but that the Merciful God who heard the gronings of Iſrael, Exod. 1.24. and had reſpect to them; will alſo be moved to Compaſſionate our Caſe?
(2.) OUR Prayers ſhould be conjoyned with Holy Purpoſes and Endeavours to Reform our Evil Ways, by the Help of God. Would we have the Great GOD come and Viſit our Hearts, & our Houſes, and our Churches, we ſhould then Prepare for His Coming, by cleanſing our Hearts, Houſes & Societies, from all that is filthy and ungrateful to Him; from all filthineſs of Fleſh and Spirit: Put all things in Order, if we intend that the King of Glory ſhould come in and walk & dwell among us. Let us find out what the Sins are which keep God at a diſtance from us, which Separate between our God and us, and Provoke Him ſo much, that He will not give us a good Look. We ſhould ceaſe from doing Evil, and learn to do well, that ſo the Lord without diminution of the Glory of His Holineſs, may Return unto us in Mercy. Thoſe who continue Obſtinate Sinners and hate to be Reformed, inſtead of Praying in a Right manner to the Lord to Return to us, do practically ſay to the Almighty, Depart o… of our Coaſts. How dare any but the truly Contrite put up this Prayer in our Text, That God would Look from Heaven and behold them, and their behaviours? Thoſe who are going on in a Courſe of Sin, care not that a God of Infinite Holineſs ſhould behold and obſerve their Wickedneſs.
(3.) OUR Prayers for a Divine Viſit ſhould be Fervent and Importunate. Wreſtle with God in Prayer, take no denyal at His Hand: Oh! let us Cry mightily to Heaven for One Good Look more, the Smiles of His Countenance upon us, and that He would Return to us and leave a bleſſing behind Him; Plead with God, Lord, Haſt Thou no Mercy in Store for this Generation? Haſt Thou Utterly cast off and abhorred them? Art Thou reſolved not to beſtow of Thy Spirit upon them? &c. But How ſhall we plead in Prayer for ſuch a Viſit?
1. PLEAD we for the Soveraign Grace of God to be Exerted towards us, that which is undeſerved by us, and for which we can make no Recompence: Let us Plead thus, O Lord, will it not Glorify Thy Soveraign Grace and Mercy, to Revive Thy Work among ſuch a Degenerate People, to remove the Iniquity of our Land in One Day? Zech. 3.9. Will not that be a Glorious Days work indeed? Will not the Lord gain as much Glory to His Great Name, by Pardoning our Sins, giving us Repentance, and by Pruning & Purging His Vineyard, as He can gain to His Juſtice by giving us up to our own Hearts Luſts, thereby to ripen our Selves for Ruine?
2. LET us Plead for a Divine Viſit, in the Name and for the Sake of the Son of Man, the Son of Gods Right Hand; who is the Root and Head of the Vine, yea moſt properly He is the Vine it Self. Let us Exerciſe Faith in our Lord Meſſiah, our Great Friend in the Court of Heaven, to Intercede with God for us, that ſuch a gracious Viſit from Heaven may be afforded unto us on Earth. The Reaſon why Chriſt did no mighty Works in ſome Places, during His Bodily Preſence on Earth, was becauſe of their Unbelief, who dwelt in thoſe Places; Let us ſtrive againſt Unbelief & Labour for a Lively Exerciſe of Faith on the Promiſes of the Covenant & on Chriſt in the Promiſes; for God hath engaged to Return again to His People when they Return to Him, and Seek Him with their whole Hearts: So in Prov. 1.23. Turn ye at my Reproof; and then Behold (beyond your deſerts, and beyond your hopes, and to your Admiration) I will pour out my Spirit upon you. Let us plead that Promiſe made by God the Father unto Chriſt, That He ſhall ſee His Seed, or have a Viſible Vine upon Earth in all Ages, notwithſtanding all the Power & Policy of Hell whereby it is oppoſed. Let us plead the Intereſt which the Lord Chriſt hath in the Church on Earth, and the Glory that redounds to Chriſt the Mediator, by the Preſerving, Propagating & Flouriſhing of His Vineyard on Earth: It is the only Garden, Orchard (or Eden) which Chriſt hath on Earth, wherein He takes delight to Walk, and Recreate Himſelf.
3. LET us plead with God that it is the Vineyard, which His Own Right Hand hath Planted, v. 8, 15. It is ſuch a Work, wherein the Glorious Power of Gods Own Right Hand appears in every Age, to Plant Religion where it was not, and to Preſerve it where it hath been Planted▪ and to Revive it where it is Decay'd and Languiſhing. Let us then plead with God that He would not forſake the Work of His Own Hands, That that Work (which above all other Works He appropriates to Himſelf, to be His Own Work) may appear to His Servants; that Work which He is pleaſed to call His Glory, may appear to the Children of His Servants; that Work of Eſtabliſhing Religion among us, which is the Beauty & Comelineſs of the Lord our God put upon us; may flouriſh more and more as an Evidence of a Divine Viſit granted unto us Pſal … 6.17 Let us plead with God and put Him in Remembrance of this, That it is the great End & Deſign of Divine Providence in diſpoſing of Kingdoms, and in all the Turns & Fates that attend them, to promote the good of His Vine upon Earth; and were it not for Gods Vineyard upon Earth, what would the whole World be but an Hell upon Earth. Where Religion flouriſhes, all other good Intereſts Proſper: But as Religion decays, ſo a People may conclude that things will go ill with them. This Vineyard of the Lord on Earth He hath an Eye and Regard to, in all other of His Works, and as it were lays aſide all other Works, that He may Mind the good of His Vine; Yea He diſpences Bleſſings, and Curſes to Men, according to that regard or diſregard which they have to His Vineyard on Earth. Gen. 12.3. I will bleſs them that bleſs thee, and curſe him that curſeth thee. Let us then plead with God thus, Lord, Thou knoweſt how few there be in the World that Fear Thy Name, that Profeſs Religion, that bring Honour to God their Creator, to Chriſt their Redeemer; Thou haſt reſerved to Thy Self but a Little Spot of Ground on Earth to be Thy Garden Incloſed; and all the Reſt of the World are ſuffered to go on in their Own Ways to Thy Diſhonour; and wilt Thou not Stand by thoſe that Stand for Thee? Wilt Thou not Honour them that Honour Thee? Shall Satan prevail & leave Chriſt no Garden-Spot on Earth to Walk in? For Thy Name Sake, Let it not be ſo!
5. CONSIDER, Some Motives to Excite us in our Prayers to God for ſuch a Gracious Viſit. We have the Command of God given forth to us, to put up this Petition Daily, Thy Kingdom Come! Unto which Command we ſhould manifeſt our ready Obedience. We have the Example of the Church in our Text ſet before us for our Imitation, to Pray for the Lords Vineyard the Church, when under greateſt Diſtreſſes & Degeneracies. We have the Promiſes & Prophecies of the Scripture, wherein Mercy is Stored up for the People of God; we have the Predictions of the future Glory of the Church, and ſome Pledges of it before Hand, Pſal. 72.6, 7, 8. In the Days of Chriſt the True Solomon, The Righteous ſhall flouriſh, there ſhall be abundance of Peace, He ſhall have dominion from Sea to Sea, and from the River to the Ends of the Earth. The taking down the Partition-Wall between Jews & Gentiles whereby the Vine of the Church was made to ſpread its branches over the Wall; did not take in the whole World into the Lords Vineyard, at Once; but there is ſtill a diſtinction to be made between the Church and the reſt of the World which lies in Wickedneſs; between a Religious People by a Viſible Profeſſion, and the reſt of the World that are Periſhing for want of Viſion; therefore Gods dealings with ſome particular Nations and People may yet in times to come reſemble His Diſpenſations towards Iſrael, in taking them to be a Select People to Himſelf, in Forming them to be a People peculiarly for Himſelf to ſhew forth His Praiſe, by Erecting His Viſible Kingdom in all the Privileges, Ordinances & Worſhip thereof among them. Let us then be moved to Pray in Faith, and with Hope and Expectations of the Glorious Things which are Spoken of, concerning Zion the City of our God.
ANOTHER Motive may be turned into an Expoſtulation with our own Souls. Are we Willing that Gods Myſtical Paradiſe, His Garden of Pleaſure upon Earth ſhould be quite Defaced, Razed & Extinguiſh'd? Are Aged Chriſtians willing that Religion ſhould dye with themſelves? No ſure, we dare not harbour ſuch Cruelty in our Hearts! Let us then Cry mightily to God for the Preſervation of His Vineyard, that Religion may be Propagated to the Succeeding Generation, by new Deſcents of the Lord God of Hoſts from Heaven, by new & plentiful Effuſions of His Spirit on all Fleſh! We can't find in our Hearts, to be willing that Religion ſhould take its flight from our Land, or that the Vineyard of Chriſt here ſhould be under a Divine Dereliction! Let us then Cry fervently to God to Revive His Work among us in the Midſt of the Years: that it may not be charged on us, that we by our Luke▪ warmneſs, & Slothfulneſs & other Sins Contributed to the Ruine of theſe Churches, and drove away the gracious Preſence of God from this His Vineyard.
LET me add Another Motive; Namely, That we might Enjoy more of Heaven upon Earth were it not our own Faults. We might have more Viſits from the Lord God of Hoſts and the Man of His Right Hand, did we fervently Pray for them; For Chriſt hath promiſed to give His Holy Spirit to thoſe that Ask it of Him; What God has wrought by ſome Glympſes of His Gracious Aſpect from Heaven in ſome Perſons, Families & Plantations for the Reviving of Religion, demonſtrates what He could and would do more generally and abundantly, when there is a general Application in a right manner made to Him for this Mercy. May we not eſteem it a good Omen that the God of Hoſts will lengthen out the Day of His gracious Viſitation unto us (unleſs by our Apoſtacies perſiſted in we refuſe His Company) even in this Century alſo, ſeeing He hath ſo ordered in His Providence, that this New & Famous Houſe ſhould be Erected, wherein we now Aſſemble, in the Metropolis of our Province, for that beſt of Uſes, the Celebration of Divine Worſhip; and that this Houſe ſhould with ſuch Expedition & Succeſs be Completely finiſhed, in a Day of many & great Diſtreſſes upon us, whereby Occaſion has been given to many to ſhew their Love to God & His Houſe by their Liberal Donations towards this Building; withal Exerciſing their Faith and Hope that God will ſtill build up His Myſtical Houſe and Vineyard in this Land, and that in this Houſe we ſhall Enjoy much of Heaven upon Earth, the Manifeſtations of God to our Souls, and thoſe delights appropriated to His Myſtical Paradiſe.
6. AND Laſtly, Conſider, Who they are that ſhould more eſpecially concern themſelves for the Obtaining ſuch a Viſit from Heaven to be made to His Vineyard upon Earth, and more particularly to the Vine which the Lord of Hoſts by His Own Right Hand, (working by remarkable Providences) hath Planted in this Wilderneſs. Now all Sorts of Men are Ranked into Rulers and Subjects: and ſomething might Pertinently be Spoken from this Subject to them all.
AS to thoſe in Chief Rank among us in the State and in the Church, My Innate Modeſty forbids me, to ſay much; Yet I ſhall not wholly Pretermit the uſual Cuſtom of ſaying ſomething with ſuitable Brevity.
AND in the Firſt Place, My Speech may be directed to His Excellency, Our Governour in Chief, who hath been betruſted with the Care of the Lords Vineyard in this Land for many Years paſt.
EXCELLENT SIR, We Acknowledge the great Mercy & Kindneſs of our GOD, who hath moved the Heart of the QUEENS Moſt Excellent Majeſty, to Impower & Improve Your Excellency, to Lead, Guide and Govern us; and that the Lord hath Preſerved Your Life hitherto, and Your Abilities of doing Eminent and Remarkable Services for His Vineyard, in defending it againſt the Boars & Wild Beaſts of Heathen Adverſaries, and our other Neighbouring Enemies, during the late Long War; and in Managing the Civil Affairs of this Province ſo as that the Vineyard of the Lord of Hoſts therein hath Enjoyed Tranquillity hitherto; and in giving forth Proclamations & Exhortations to Your People here from time to time to Excite & Encourage them to Set about the Work of REFORMATION; and in Countenancing and Encouraging the Propagation of Religion, the Planting it in the dark Corners of our Land, and the Upholding of it where it was Planted. We heartily render our Thanks to Your Excellency for theſe Favours; and believe Your Excellency doth Eſteem it Your Glory, and a Sufficient Reward of it Self, that the Lord of Hoſts is Pleaſed to Accept of ſuch Your Deſires & Endeavours to Promote the Flouriſhing of His Vineyard in this Land: and that on th…ſe Accounts All the Churches of this Province Salute You; and Pray for You… Proſperity. God grant we may have always ſuch a GOVERNOUR, who like Moſes is daily Lifting up his Hands & Heart to GOD in the Heavens, for the Proſperity of theſe Churches: For the Fervent Prayers of Rulers keep off diſmal Strokes from a People.
NEXTLY; TO the Honourable Members of Her Majeſties COUNCIL, and of the Houſe of Repreſentatives: I would only add, That as You have hitherto, ſo We truſt you will ſtill, hold on and continue in your Pious Endeavours to Promote the Flouriſhing of Religion in this Land, the Suppreſſion of Vice, the Encouragement of Virtue, the regulating of Diſorders, the Compoſing of Differencies, that Ariſe; that you may be able to ſay, That All that could be done by Men in your Stations, according to the beſt of your Abilities, for the good of this Vine, You have Endeavoured to be found in the Performance thereof: May the Lord God of Hoſts Accept of your Endeavours, and give them Succeſs through His bleſſing upon them!
THIRDLY; TO My Reverend Fathers & Brethren in the Miniſtry: I take leave in all Humility to ſay, That when the Lord of Hoſts intends a Remarkable Viſit to His Vine on Earth, He is wont to Raiſe up Miniſters and fill thoſe that are the Standing Miniſtry in His Churches, in a more than Common Meaſure with His Holy Spirit; ſo that they are carryed forth with more than uſual Courage, Forwardneſs, Diligence & Activity in their Station, for the Reſtoring & Preſerving Religion in their ſeveral Charges; they have at ſuch a time peculiar Impreſſions from Above, both as to the Subjects they are to handle, and as to the manner of treating of them; Their Faculties & Abilities are quickned & enlivened, their Miniſterial Gifts & Graces Enlarged, their good Affections and Zeal Encreaſed, and their Watchfulneſs over their Flocks to Promote their Spiritual Good more abundant than before; and a Spirit of Prayer is in ſuch a Day of Viſitation Poured out upon the Miniſtry in a High Degree, and the Bent of their Souls is to Promote Religion, to Convert and Edify Souls, and they are made Reſolute in this Work, to Purſue & Proſecute it, notwithſtanding all the Oppoſitions & Diſcouragements that attend them therein. And they are forward and ready to Reform what-ever is amiſs in themſelves, that they may become Patterns to the Flocks of Chriſt, Exemplary in Good Works, and as Shining Lights in a dark World. Bleſſed be God who hath Supplyed His Churches with ſuch a Miniſtry hitherto; and let us all Cry to Heaven that ſuch a Miniſtry may be continued unto theſe Churches Succeſſively; and that God will be pleaſed to Accompany their Labours with His bleſſing.
FOURTHLY; TO Aged Chriſtians: Give me leave to ſay; You are the Peculiar Friends & Ancient Acquaintance of the God of Heaven, who are yet left on Earth; Oh! therefore Improve your Intereſt in God to Prevail with Him to Look down, and Come down, and Viſit this His Vine!
FIFTHLY; TO the Churches of New-England: who have been & are yet the Vineyard of the Lord of Hoſts, who enjoy the Privileges of His Viſible Kingdom the Tokens of His Preſence, the Ordinances of His Houſe; and in that reſpect have from the firſt Founding of our Churches, and firſt Planting of this Vineyard, enjoy'd a Day of Divine Gracious Viſitation; and altho' we have Experienced great Decays & Declenſions, the loſs of our Firſt Love, and the Withdrawings of Gods Spirit; ſo that the Churches ſometimes Complain of their Barrenneſs, that Few are Converted & New Born to Chriſt, and the Work of Chriſt is ſometimes under Senſible & Viſible Languiſhments; yet we have reaſon to Bleſs God who gives ſome Revivals of His Work, ſometimes in One Church, and ſometimes in Another; and from thence ſhould be Encouraged to plead with God for a more General Effuſion of His Spirit upon all His Churches, that all Parts of His Vineyard may Flouriſh; even the dark Corners of our Vineyard, that they may have Wiſdom to Know the Day of their Viſitation, and to Accept of the Goſpel Offered to them, and bid Welcome to Our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, who Offers to come & dwell among them; leſt they ſhould Provoke God to Viſit them in Judgment & Fury.
LASTLY; TO Impenitent Sinners and Hypocrites: Let me ſay, What will you do in the Day of Viſitation? For when God gives His Vineyard a Viſit in Love, in order to its Fruitfulneſs; Oh! what danger are they in who are as Dry & Withered Branches; they are as Thorns & Bryars in the Vineyard, that hinder the Flouriſhing of Religion in the Places where they Live? They may juſtly expect to be pluckt up by the Roots, Cut down and Caſt into the Fire; unleſs ſpeedy Repentance & Reformation prevent it.
Having thus after my Weak manner, given you the Explication of the Text, with ſome Application, as by Divine Leave and Help, Let us all as One Repeat it in way of Supplication; Return, we beſeech Thee, O God of Hoſts: Look down from Heaven, and behold, and Viſit this Vine.
FINIS.
End of the text · Samuel Danforth, An Exhortation to All (1714)