Sinners will at last take Effect and end in sad Chastisements and they that would not believe their danger are made to feel it Now his Promises will have their effect as well as his Threatnings Micah 2. 7. Do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly The Word of God doth not onely speak good but doe good The Words saying of good is indeed doing of good The Performance is so certain that when it is said it may be accounted done We are apt to despise the Word of God as an empty sound no it produceth notable Effects in the World The Sentences that are there whether of Mercy or Judgment are Decrees given forth by the great Judge of the World whereupon Execution is to follow as is foretold Now when we see it done and can compare the Lords Word and Work together it is a mighty support to our Faith whether it be in our or in former Ages For you see the Word is not a vain Scare-crow in its Threatnings nor do we build Castles in the Aire when we do depend upon its promises The Judgments of his Mouth will be the Judgments of his Hand and Providence is a real comment upon and proof of the Truth of his Word 4. God's Judgments of old or his wonderfull Works were never intended onely for the benefit of that Age in which they were done but the benefit of all those who should hear of them by any credible means whatsoever Surely God never intended they should be buried in dark Oblivion but that after-Ages may be the better for the remembrance of them Witness these Scriptures Psal. 145. 4. One generation shall praise thy works unto another and remember thy mighty Acts. Joel 1. 3. Tell your Children of it and let your Children tell their Children and their Children another generation So Psal. 78. 3 4 5 6 7. That which we have heard and known and our Fathers have told us we will not hide them from their Children shewing the generations to come the praises of the Lord and his wonderfull works which he hath done for he established a testimony in Iacob and appointed a Law in Israel which he commanded our Fathers that they should make them known to their Children that the generation to come might know them even the Children to come which should be born who should arise and declare to their Children that they may set their hope in God and not forget the works of the Lord but keep his Commandments and might not be as their Fathers c. from all which places and many more I observe 1. That we should tell Generations to come what we have found of God in our time and that we should use all ways and means to transmit the Knowledge of God's notable and wondrous Providences for his People to Posterity 2. That this Report of God's former Works is a special means of Edification for therefore God would have them recorded and told for the special benefit of the Ages following 3. And more particularly that this is a great means and help of Faith For in one of the places it is said that they may set their Faith and Hope in God and from all we may conclude that by remembring God's Judgments of old we may be much comforted as in remembring God's Works when the Church was first reformed in Luther's time the delivering of England from the Spanish Invasion Gun-powder-Treason c. for the confirming our Faith and Confidence in God All God's Judgments that were done in the days of our Fore-fathers and in all Generations if they come to our Knowledge by a true Report or Record are of use to warn us and comfort us yea the bringing Israel out of Egypt and Babylon or any notable Work done since the beginning of the World till now The Use is to press us to take this Course as one Remedy to comfort us in our distresses In distresses of Conscience the Bloud of Christ is the onely cure But in Temptations arising from the Scorn and Insultation of Enemies remember what God hath done for his People of old and let his Providence support our Faith Psal 23. 4. thy rod and thy staff comfort me Pedum pastorale for the protection and guiding of the Sheep and driving away the Wolf the Rod and Staff are the Instruments of the Shepherd More particularly consider 1. What is to be observed and remembred All the eminent Passages of God's Providence when acts of Power have been seasonably interposed for the rescue of his People Judgments of all kind publick universal private and personal our own Experiences 2 Cor. 1. 10. Who delivered us from so great a death and doth deliver in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us The Experiences of others not in one but in every Age for in every Place and Age God delighteth to leave a Monument of his Righteousness and all is for the Consolation and Instruction of the Church Judgments in our time Judgments in former times blow off the dust from old Mercies and the Inscription of them will be a kind of Prophecy to your Faith but especially cast your eye often upon the Lords manner of dealing with his Saints in Scripture their Consolations and Deliverances received after trouble partly because the Word of God is a rich Store-house of these Instances and Examples and partly because of the Infallibility of the Record where things are delivered to us with so much simplicity and Truth partly also because of the Manner and Ends in which and for which they are recorded But if I would have recourse to Scripture should I not rather make use of the Promises Answ. We must not set one part of Scripture against another but Examples do mightily help us to believe Promises as they are a pledge of the Justice Faithfulness Care and Love of God towards his People and I know not by what secret force and influence invite us to hope for what God hath done for other of his Servants 2. How they must be considered Seriously as every thing that cometh from God a slight Consideration will not draw forth the profitable Use of them when they are looked on cursorily or lightly passed by the impression of God upon his Works cannot be discerned therefore they must be well considered with all their Circumstances Psal. 143. 2. David sufficed not to say I remember thy works of old but I meditate on all thy works I muse on the works of thy hands Psal. 77. 12. I remember thy works of old I will meditate also of all thy works and surely this should be a delightfull Exercise to the Children of God as it is for the Son of a noble and princely Father to reade the Chronicles where his Fathers Acts are recorded or the famous Atchievements of his Ancestors Psal. 111. 2. The works of the Lord are great sought out of all them that have pleasure therein Some works of God have a large Impression of his Power and
28. When God will immediately and in a fuller latitude communicate himself to his Creatures and there will need nothing besides himself to make us happy Here we enjoy God but not fully nor immediatly We enjoy him in his creatures but it is at the second or third hand the Creature interposeth between him and us Hosea 2. 21 22. And it shall come to pass in that day I will hear saith the Lord I will hear the Heavens and they shall hear the earth and the earth shall hear the corn and the wine and the oyle and they shall hear Iezreel In Ordinances it is but a little strength and comfort that we get such as is consistent with pain and sorrow it is not full because it is not immediate A Pipe cannot convey the whole Fountain nor the Ordinances the Full of God in Christ only a little supply either as we need or are able to receive but then God will be all in all he will do his work by himself The narrowness of the means shall not straiten him nor the weakness of the vessel hinder him to express the full of his Goodness in full perfection II. How is his Goodness manifested to us 1. In our Creation in that he did raise us up out of nothing to be what we are and form us after his own Image God made us not that he might be happy but liberal that there might be creatures to whom to communicate himself our Beings and Faculties and Powers were the fruits of his meer goodness When God made the world then was it verified He is good and doth good Gen. 1. For as the goodness of his nature inclined him to make it so his work was good after every days work there cometh in his approbation behold it was good and when he had made Man and set him in a well furnished world and compared all his works together then they were very good v. 31. That he still fashioneth us in the womb and raiseth us into that comely shape in which we afterwards appear it is all the effect of his Goodness 2. In our Redemption therein he commendeth his Love and goodness in providing such a Remedy for lost sinners There is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Tit. 3. 4. But after that the Kindness and Love of God our Saviour towards man appeared In creation he shewed himself 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Redemption 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God is brought nearer to us as subsisting in our Nature 1 Tim. 3. 16. Great is the mystery of Godliness God manifested in the flesh And so God had greater advantages to communicate himself to us in a more glorious way by the Redeemer that we might for ever live in the admiration of his Love 3. In daily Providence so the goodness of God is twofold 1. Common and general to all Creatures especially to Mankind Psalm 145. 9. The Lord is good to all his tender Mercy is over all his works Upon all things and all persons he bestoweth many common blessings as natural Life Being Health Wealth Beauty Strength and supplyes necessary for them There is none of God's Creatures but tast of his bounty and have sufficient proof that a good God made them and preserveth them the young Ravens Psalm 147. 9. He giveth to the beast his food and to the young Ravens which cry 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so the wicked Mat. 5. 45. He maketh his Sun to shine on the evil and on the good and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust Acts 14. 17. Nevertheless he left not himself without witness 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in that he did good and gave us rain from Heaven and fruitfull Seasons filling our hearts with food and gladness These common Mercies argue a good God that giveth them though not always a good People that receiveth them This Goodness of God sheweth it self daily and bountifully 2. Special God is good to all but not to all alike So he is good to his People whom he blesseth with spiritual and saving Benefits So Lam. 3. 25. The Lord is good unto them that wait for him to the Soul that seeketh him So Psalm 86. 5. For thou O Lord art Good and ready to forgive and plenteous in Mercy unto all them that call upon thee For this kind of Goodness a qualification is necessary in the receiver Satan will tell you God is a good God but he leaveth out this to those that Love and Fear him and wait upon him This peculiar Goodness yieldeth spiritual and saving Blessings such as pardoning of Sins Isa. 55. 7. Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts and let him return unto the Lord and he will have mercy upon him and to our God for he will abundantly pardon Instruction in the ways of God in the Text thou art good and dost good teach me thy statutes And in short all the means and helps that are necessary unto everlasting Glory 2 Thess. 1. 11. Wherefore also we pray always for you that God would count you worthy of this calling and fulfil all the good pleasure of his Goodness and the work of Faith with power Once more to the objects of his peculiar Love common Blessings are given in Love and with an aim at our good Psalm 84. 11. No good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly So that the ordinary favours which others enjoy they are sanctified to them They are from Love and in bonum for Good God is ready to help them onwards to their everlasting hopes and that estate which they expect in the world to come where in the Arms of God they shall be blessed for evermore III. Why ought those that come to God to have a deep sense of this First What is this deep Sense 1. It must be the fruit of Faith believing God's Being and Bounty or else it will have no force and authority upon us Heb. 11. 6. He that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him If we have but cold Notions or dead Opinions of the Goodness of God they will have little power on us It is Faith sets all things a-work there must be a sound belief of these things if we would practically improve them 2. It must be the fruit of constant Observation of the effects of his Goodness vouchsafed to us so that we may give our Thanks and Praise for all that good we do enjoy Careless Spirits are not sensible of the hand of Providence never take notice of good or evil therefore the Psalmist saith Psalm 107. 8. Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness and for his wonderfull works to the Children of Men He repeateth the same verse 15. and verses 21 31. and concludeth all verse 41. Whoso is wise and will observe those things even they shall understand the loving kindness of the Lord. We are more backward to the observation of the
them afar off were persuaded of them and embraced them Secondly That the same common promises have been fulfilled to the Faithful in all Ages there is but one and the same way to eternal life in necessary things and the dispensations of God to every Age are still the same and so in every Generation the promises of God are still fulfilled as if they were directed to that time only God's Faithfulness hath been tryed many ways and at many times but every Age furnisheth examples of the truth of his promises from the beginning of the world to the end God is ever fulfilling the Scripture in his Providential Government which is double External or Internal 1. External in the deliverance of his People the answers of Prayer and manifold Blessings vouchsafed to Believers and their seed See Psal. 22. 4 5. Our father 's trusted in thee they trusted and thou didst deliver them They cryed unto thee and were delivered they trusted in thee and were not confounded The Godly in former times trusted God and trusted constantly in their Troubles and in their trusting they cryed and did never seek God in vain which should support us in waiting upon God and to depend on his mercy and sidelity For they that place their full affiance in God and seek his help by constant and importunate addresses shall never be put to shame 2. Internal in conversion to God the comforts of his Spirit establishment of the Soul in the hopes of the Gospel as to the pardon of sins and eternal life Certainly God that hath blessed the Word thoroughout many Successions of Ages to the converting and comforting of many Souls sheweth that we may depend upon the Covenant for pardon and eternal life How many have found comfort by the promises Now as the Apostle speaketh of Abraham It was not written for himself alone but us also Rom. 4. 23 24. So these comforts were not dispensed for their sake alone but for our benefit that we might be comforted of God having the same God the same Redeemer the same Covenant and Promises and the same Spirit to apply all unto us if they looked to God and were comforted why should not we his faithfulness is to all generations he is alike to Believers as they be alike to him Rom. 3. 22. there is no difference 5. That the experience of God's Faithfulness in former Ages is of use to those that follow and succeed to assure them of God's Faithfulness for God's wonderful and gracious works were never intended meerly for the benefit of that Age in which they were done but for the benefit also of those that should hear of them by any creditable means whatsoever 't is a scorn and a vile contempt put upon those wonderful works which God made to be had in remembrance if they should be buried in oblivion or not observed and improved by those that live in after-ages yea 't is contrary to the Scriptures 〈◊〉 Psal. 145. 4 One generation shall praise thy works to another and shall declare thy mighty acts Joel 1. 3. Tell ye your children of it and let your children tell their children and their children another generation Joshua 4. 6 7 8. That this may be a sign among you that when your children ask their fathers in time to come What mean you by these stones then shall you answer them That the waters of Iordan were cut off from before the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord your God So Psal. 73. 3 4 5 6 7. That which we have heard and known and our fathers have told us We will not hide them from their children shewing to the generations to come the praises of the Lord and his strength and his wonderful works that he hath done For he established a testimony in Iacob and appointed a law in Israel which he commanded our fathers that they should make them known to their children That the generation to come might know them even the children which should be born who should arise and declare them to their children that they might set their hope in God and not forget the works of God but keep his commandments From all which I observe 1. That we should tell generations to come what we have found of God in our time and more especially Parents should tell their children they are bound to transmit this knowledge to their children and they to improve it either by word or deed by word by remembring the passages of providences and publishing his mercies to posterity Psal. 89. 1. I will sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever with my mouth I will make known thy faithfulness to all generations Or by deed putting them in possession of a pure Religion confirmed to us by so many providences and instances of God's goodness and truth 2. That this report of God's gracious works and owning his Covenant is a special means of Edification why else should God enjoin it but that the Ages following should receive benefit thereby Surely 't is an advantage to them to hear how God hath owned us in Ordinances and Providences 3. And more particularly I observe that this Tradition is a great means and help to Faith for 't is said Ver. 7. That they may set their hope in God 6. That to be satisfied in point of God's Faithfulness is of great importance to Believers Partly because their fidelity to God is much encouraged by his fidelity to us They that do not trust God cannot be long true to him Heb. 3. 12. Take heed lest there be found in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God And Iam. 1. 8. A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 one that doth not stick fast to God and is ever unresolved being divided between hopes and fears concerning his acceptance with God A wavering Christian that is divided between God and some unlawful course for his safety divided between God's ways and his own and cannot quietly depend upon his promises but is tossed to and fro doth not intirely trust himself in Gods hands but doth wholly lean upon his own Carnal confidence And partly because God is Invisible and dealeth with us by proxy by messengers who bring the word to us We see not God in person Heb. 13. 7. Remember them which have the rule over you who have spoken to you the word of God whose faith follow considering the end of their conversations Their manner of living their perseverance till death in this faith and hope And partly because the Promises are future and the main of them is to be accomplished in another world Now nothing will support us but the faithfulness of God Prov. 11. 18. The wicked worketh a deceitful work but to him that soweth righteousness there shall be a sure reward Men think to be happy by their sin but find themselves deceived at last but none can be deceived that trust in the living and true God Partly because
it is very needful they should be seasoned with the word betimes 3. Consider the many inconveniencies that will follow if they do not presently mind this work 1. Death is uncertain and therefore such a weighty business as this will brook no delay God doth not always give warning Nadab and Abihu two rash and inconsiderate young men were taken away in their sins and the Bears out of the Forest devoured the children that mocked the Prophet The danger being so great as soon as we are sensible of it we should flye from it When children come to the fulness of reason they stand upon their own bottom before they are reckoned to their Parents Oh! wo be to you if you dye in your sins Certainly as soon as a man is upon his own personal account he should look to himself lest God cut him off before he hath made his peace with him 2. Sin groweth stronger by custom and more rooted it gathereth strength by every act A brand that hath been in the fire is more apt to take fire again A man in a Dropsie the more he drinks the more his thirst increaseth Every act lesseneth fear and strengthneth inclination Jer. 13. 27. Wo unto thee O Ierusalem wilt thou not be made clean when shall it once be A twig is easily bowed but when it grows into a Tree it is more troublesome and unpliable A Tree newly set may be transplanted but when long rooted not so easily The man that was possessed of a Devil from his childhood how hardly is he cured Mark 9. 29. 3. Justice is provoked the longer and that will be a grief to you first or last If ever we be brought home to God it will cost us many a bitter tear not only at first conversion Jer. 31. 18. I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thus Thou hast chastised me and I was chastised c. but afterwards David though he began with God be-times Psal. 25. 7. yet prays Remember not the sins of my youth nor my transgression And Iob 13. 26. For thou writest bitter things against me and makest me to possess the iniquities of my youth Old bruises may trouble us long after upon every change of weather and new afflictions revive the sense of old sins They may stick by us We think tricks of youth are not to be stood upon you may have a bitter sense of them to your dying day 4. You will every day grow more useless to God the exercise of Religion dependeth much on the vigor of affections Again it is very profitable it brings a great deal of honour to God to begin with him betimes All time is little enough to declare your respects to God And it is honourable for you Seniority in grace is a preferment They were in Christ before me saith Paul An Old Disciple is a title of honour To grow gray in Christs service and to know him long it maketh the work of grace more easie The dedication of the first-fruits sanctified the whole lump Lam. 3. 27. It is good for a man that he bear the yoak in his youth to be inured to strictness betimes Dispositions impressed in youth increase with us Again it will be very comfortable when the miseries of old age come upon you As the Ant provideth in Summer for Winter so should we provide for age Now what a sweet comfort will it be when we are taken off from service that while we had any strength and affections God had the use of them Then our age will be a good old age USE 1. is for Lamentation That so few youths take to the ways of God No age doth despise the word so much as this which hath most need of it It is a rare thing to find a Ioseph or a Samuel or a Iosiah that seek God betimes Go to the Universities and you will find that those that should be as Nazarites consecrated to God live as those that have vowed and consecrated themselves to Satan Amos 2. 11. And I raised up of your sons for prophets and of your young men for Nazarites c. The sons of the prophets in their youth were bred for a more strict discipline in their holy calling separated from worldly delights to be a stock of a succeeding Ministry But alas they spend their time in vanity bringing nothing thence but the sins of the place and vainly following the sinful customs of the Countrey How few regard the education of their youth in knowledg or religious practice Families are Societies to be sanctified to God as well as Churches The Governours of them have as truly a charge of souls as the Pastors of Churches They offer their children to God in baptism but educate and bring them up for the world and the flesh They bewail any natural defect in them if their children have a stammering tongue a deaf ear or a withered leg but not want of grace We have a prejudice and think they are too young to be wrought upon but Gods word can break in with weight and power on young ones Luke 11. 1. One of his disciples said unto him Lord teach us to pray as Iohn also taught his disciples And Mat. 21. 15. When the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did and the children crying in the temple and saying Hosanna to the son of David they were sore displeased and said unto him Hearest thou what these say And Iesus said unto them Yea have ye never read Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise They learned it of their Parents Mat. 21. 9. And the multitudes that went before and that followed cryed saying Hosanna to the Son of David We should often be infusing good principles in youth Corruption of youth is one of the saddest symptoms of approaching Judgment USE 2. Is exhortation to young ones You that are to begin your course begin with God you have no experience yet you have a rule You have mighty lusts but a stronger Spirit No age is excluded from the promise of the Spirit Joel 2. 28 29. And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh and your sons and your daughters shall prophesie your old men shall dream dreams your young men shall see visions and also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit Of Iohn Baptist it is said Luke 1. 15. He shall be filled with the Holy Ghost even from his mothers womb And Mark 10. 14. Suffer little children to come unto me and forbid them not for of such is the kingdom of God There is power to enlighten you notwithstanding all your prejudices to subdue your lusts notwithstanding the power of corruptions 1 Joh. 2. 13 14. I write unto you young men because ye have overcome the wicked one I write unto you little children because ye have known the Father c. And see Gen. 39. 9. It will be a
when you have them in their frame and see how one suits with the other and what a sweet harmony there is between all the parts of Religion then they are very good 3. More experimental that you may taste the sweetness and power of the Truths that you know Phil. 3. 10. That I may know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings being made conformable unto his death When we feel what we know that is a mighty confirmation The senses give the best demonstration It is a disparagement to know Christ and be never the better for him to have a knowledg of all the Excellency of Christ and how suitable he is to the soul yet to feel nothing of comfort and quickning in our consciences 4. More Practical 1 Joh. 2. 3 4. And hereby we do know that we know him if we keep his commandments He that faith I know him and keepeth not his commandments is a liar and the truth is not in him Otherwise it is but a talking by rote a man savingly knoweth no more than he practiseth He that doth but speak after others it is a rehearsal rather than a knowledg What is practical light It is directive and perswasive 1. It is directive A man grows more prudent and more able to guide his course according to the rules of Religion Faith is opposed not only to ignorance but to folly O ye fools and flow of heart to believe A man may be a knowing man yet a very fool in Spirituals if he hath not a knowledg how to guide him to trust in God fear God love God and serve God Hosea 14. 7. 2. That is practical knowledg when it is perswasive when it hath a lively force and efficacy upon the heart 2. Point Those whom God maketh to understand the way of his precepts see wondrous things therein Psal. 119. 18. Open thou mine eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of thy Law VVonders are such things as do transcend our capacity so all things about God are above the sphere of men as the things of men are above the capacity of Beasts Now the more understanding and insight we have in these things the more we wonder Wonder usually is the fruit of ignorance how then can knowledg breed wonder The word discovers the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that it is so but the manner how it is and the wisdom of the contrivance is that which begets reverence and admiration in a gracious soul as Nazianzen saith of the eternal generation of Christ Let the eternal generation of God be adored in silence It is a marvellous thing to know that there are Three in One The Son from Eternity begotten before all the World c. So when we look into these things our knowledg doth only shew that they are but what they are and how great they are that exceeds our capacity and therefore we wonder 1. The Doctrines of the Scripture are wonderful concerning God and his Works The nature of God is a depth which we cannot fathom no more than a Nutshel can empty the Ocean Psal. 139. 6. Such knowledg is too wonderful for me it is high I cannot attain unto it It is above our capacity for a finite thing cannot comprehend an Infinite The Creation of all things out of nothing we believe it upon the testimony of the Word but it is too wonderful for us to search it to the bottom yea the framing of the body in the Womb so many different things out of the same Seed as flesh and bones and muscles and in such an order and proportion Psal. 139. 14. I will praise thee for I am fearfully and wonderfully made marvellous are thy works and that my soul knoweth right well If the commonness did not abate our observation we would wonder at it So his Providence in governing every creature to their proper ends especially his care over us and conduct of us Many O Lord are thy wondrous works which thou hast done and thy thoughts which are to us-ward They cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee if I would declare and speak of them they are more than can be numbred Psal. 40. 5. But especially the redemption of mankind is wonderful 1 Tim. 3. 16. And without controversie great is the mystery of godliness God was manifested in the flesh justified in the spirit seen of Angels preached unto the Gentiles believed on in the world received up into glory The mysteries of the Gospel every time we think of them should strike admiration into our hearts It could not sink into the head of any creature how to satisfie Justice and to make up the breach between God and us That a Virgin should conceive the Word be made flesh That Justice and Mercy should so sweetly be brought together and conspire in the salvation of a lost sinner all these are wonders and when we come to believe them indeed to draw forth comfort from them these are wonderful to us The Law of God is wonderful Look to the Precept or the Sanction Look to the Precept A wonderful purity there I have seen an end of all perfection but thy Law is exceeding bread Ver. 96. of this Psalm When a child of God sees how the Law reacheth every thought every motion every operation of his soul What wonderful purity is here So a marvellous Equity The law is holy just and good and the commandment is good Rom. 7. 4. God hath given us such a Law if a man were free yet to ennoble his nature and live happily he would chuse such a Rule Then to see such wise precepts so ordered that in Ten words God should comprise the whole duty of man Deut. 4. 6. Keep therefore and do them for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the Nations First God hath provided in his Law respects to himself First The Law provides for God then for the Creature In the first Commandment Thou shalt have no other Gods before me there 's the Object of Worship In the second Thou shalt not make to thy self a graven Image c. the means of Worship Then the manner of Worship in the third Thou shalt not take the name of God in vain Then the time of Worship in the fourth Remember to keep holy the Sabbath-day See how the Lord hath built up his Law Then as to men see first God provides for those Vice-Roys that do represent the great God as our Parents natural and civil Honour thy father and thy mother c. then our ordinary Neighbour and there first for his life and then for his relations Thou shalt not kill shalt not commit adultery then for his goods Thou shalt not steal then for his good name When a man sees the Law of God in all its explications when he considers the harmony and correspondence that is between all the parts of the Law then he will cry out O wonderful Come to the Sanction by
that live by Faith is Ridiculous to them those that trust in a Promise are Exercised with delay and Distress Heb. 6. 12. Be ye followers of them who through Faith and Patience have inherited the Promises here is matter for Faith and Patience Now they that know no Arm but Flesh no security but a Temporal interest no Happiness but in the things of this Life have them in Derision that look Else-where Use 1. Not to count it strange when this is our Lot to be exercised with Reproaches because of our Trust so was Christ. Psal. 22. 6 7 8. I am a Worm and no Man a Reproach of men and despised of the People all they that see me Laugh me to Scorn they shoot out the Lip and shake the Head saying he trusted in the Lord that he would deliver him Let him deliver him seeing he delighted in him Mat. 27. 39. 40 41 42 43. And they that passed by reviled him Wagging their Heads and saying thou that destroyest the Temple and buildest it in three Days save thy Self if thou be the Son of God come down from the Cross c. If Christ Jesus was mocked for his Trust we should bear it the more Patiently So the People of God 2 Tim. 4. 10. Therefore we both Labour and suffer Reproach because we trust in the living God It is no new thing for the Adversaries of Religion to scorn such as trust in God and rely upon his Promises therefore bears it the more patiently 1. Whether they be upbraidings of our Trust Mat 27. 43. He trusted in God let him deliver him now if he will have him for he said I am the Son of God Job 4. 6. Is not this thy Fear thy Confidence and the uprightness of thy ways thy hope 2. Or insultings over our low and comfortless condition men will tread down the Hedge where they find it low the Psalmist complaineth Psal. 69. 26. They speak to the grief of those whom thou hast wounded pour in Vinegar and Salt where they find a Wound and add Affliction to the Afflicted You will hear bitter words Christ himself was thus exercised Mat 27. 29. Hail King of the Iews to be mocked and scorned we must expect and that men will insult 3. Or whether they be perverse applications of Providence thus Shimei insulted over David in his Distress 2 Sam. 16. 78. Come out thou bloody man thou man of Belial the Lord hath returned upon thee all the Blood of the house of Saul c. So men will say this is for your Rebellion c. Use 2. Since there are two Parties in the World they that Trust and they that Reproach them for their Trust consider in what number you are it is needfull to be far from the disposition of the Seed of the Serpent and not to have your Tongues set on fire of Hell to be far from the disposition of those that are governed by Sense and Carnal Interests 1. It is unmannerly to insult over any in Distress and to Reproach them with their Condition Places blasted with Lightning were accounted Sacred amongst the Heathens because the hand of God had touched them so you should not speak to the grief of those whom God hath wounded but pity them and pray for them if they are fallen into Gods hands 2. It is unchristian to Reproach those that trust in God It is easie to know them who are they that pray that plead Promises that carry not on their hopes by present likelihoods though they have their faults they are for the main strict holy charitable 3. It is dangerous to offend any of Christs little ones and to grieve their Spirits Doct. III. That these Reproaches are grievous to Gods Children and go near their hearts therefore David desires God to appear for him that they may have somewhat to answer them that Reproached him 1. Mans Nature cannot endure Reproach especially a scornful Reproach every man thinketh himself worthy of some Regard 2. Religion encreaseth the sence of it as the Flood increased when the Fountains of the great Deep were broken up and the Windows of Heaven were opened Gen. 7. 11. When the Deep below and Heaven above the Flood was the greater so when Grace and Nature joyn it is very grievous David said Psalm 42. 11. It was a Sword in my Bones when they said where is now thy God these were cutting words to Davids heart 1. It is a dishonour to God and they are sensible of that as well as a Misery to themselves It is a dishonour to his Power as if he could not help to his Love as if he would not to his Truth as if he would fail in the needful time or were fickle and inconstant as if he would desert his friends in Misery to his Holiness as if he favoured wicked men in their evil Courses and formal dead-hearted Services Psal. 50. 21. These things hast thou done and I kept silence thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thy self how can a Soul that loveth God endure this that the Power of God should be lessened or his truth questioned Rabshekah said what confidence is this wherein thou trustest Isa. 36. 4. compared with 18. 19 20. Beware lest Hezekiah perswade you saying the Lord shall deliver us hath any of the Gods of the Heathens delivered his Land out of the hand of the King of Assyria Where are the Gods of Hamath and Arphad where are the Gods of Sepharvaim and have they delivered Samaria out of my hand who are they amongst all the Gods that have delivered their Land out of my hand that the Lord should deliver Jerusalem out of my hand As if the Living God had no more Power than dumb Idols therefore Hezekiah goeth and spreads the Letter before the Lord you touch a godly man to the quick when you strike at Gods honour they have a tender sence and feeling of this 2. It reflects upon the ways of God to bring them out of Request you thought you were one of Gods Darlings you thought no body served God but you this is your Godly Profession your Fasting and Prayer what need such Niceness thus they count his way folly his life madness 3. These Reproaches strike at the Life of Faith and therefore go very near the hearts of Gods Children Trust and Confidence in God it is the Life of their Souls Psal. 3. 2. There is no help for him in God Such Temptations are very catching when he seemeth opposite to them Now our Unbelief put in to make the Temptation stronger there is some visible pretence for what is said Where are the Promises thou talkest of Where the Promises and the Deliverance What have thy Prayers brought from Heaven thou hast called and none answered cried and none hath pity on thee What Profit in serving the Lord and then what followeth after this open Objection Unbelief cometh and whispereth in our Ears do you think those things true the Word speaketh Well then
better in its self There was reason for his esteem and choice Many will say 't is better in its self but David saith 't is better to me Let us explain these Circumstances as they are laid 1. The things compared 1. On the one side there is the Law of God's Mouth 't is God's own Word and we should be as sure of it as if we had heard him utter it and pronounce it with his own Mouth or had received it immediately by Oracle from him And indeed that is one way to raise this esteem 1 Thess. 2. 13. Receiving it not as the word of men but as it is in truth the word of God which worketh effectually in you that believe In the Word we must consider two things the Authority of it and the Ministry of it if we consider the Authority of it so it cometh from God's Mouth if we consider the Ministry of it so it cometh by Man's Mouth for he speaketh to us by Men 2 Pet. 1. 21. Holy men spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost If we look to the Ministry onely and not to the Authority we are in danger to slight it certainly shall not profit by it Many doe so as Samuel thought Eli called him when it was the Lord 1 Sam. 3. 7 8. but when we consider who is the Authour of it then it calleth for our reverence and regard 2. On the other side thousands of gold and silver Where Wealth is set out 1. By the species and kind of it Gold and Silver Gold for hoarding and portage Silver for present commerce 2. The quantity thousands that is thousands of pieces as that addition is used Psalm 68. 30. They shall submit themselves with pieces of silver or Talents as the Chaldee Paraphrase expoundeth it Money answereth all things Eccles. 10. 19. it can command all things in the World as the great Instrument of Commerce 2. The value and preference of the one above the other 't is better and 't is better to me 'T is better in its self that noteth the intrinsick worth of the Word 't is better to me that implieth his own esteem and choice To say in the general onely 't is better implieth but a speculative Approbation which may be in carnal Men Rom. 2. 18. And approvest the things that are more excellent but to say 't is better to me implieth a practical Esteem which is proper onely to the Regenerate 'T is more dear precious and sweet to them than the greatest Treasure Could we have such an holy Affection to the Word and say also to me and to me we should thrive more in a course of Godliness For a man is carried on powerfully by his Choice and Esteem his Actions are governed and determined by it Doctr. The Word of God is dearer to a gracious heart than all the Riches in the World Let me bring Proofs Psalm 19. 10. More to be desired are they than gold yea than much fine gold So speaking of spiritual Wisdome which is onely to be had by the Word of God he saith Prov. 3. 14. That the Merchandise thereof is better than the Merchandise of silver and the gain thereof than fine gold So Prov. 8. 11. For Wisdome is better than Rubies and all the things which are to be desired are not to be compared with it These Expressions are frequently used because the greatest part of Mankind is miserably bewitched with the desire of Riches but God's Children are otherwise affected they have a better Treasure Let me prove two things 1. That the Word of God and the benefit that we get by it is better than thousands of Gold and Silver 2. That the Children of God do so esteem it Both must be proved the one to shew the worth and excellency of the Word the other to shew the gracious Disposition of the hearts of God's Children There is no question but that if these things were well weighed the Law of God's Mouth and thousands of Gold and Silver we should find there is a great inequality between them but all men have not a judgment to choose that which is most worthy Many take glass Beads for Jewels and prefer Toyes and Trifles before a solid Good Gold and Silver draw the Hearts of all men to them and their Affections blind their Judgment and then though the Weights be equal if the Ballances be not equal wrong will be done We do not weigh things with an equal Ballance but consider them with a prejudiced Mind and an Heart biassed and prepossessed with worldly Inclinations I. First then for the things themselves surely Gold and Silver which is digged out of the bowels of the Earth is not worthy to be compared with the Law that cometh out of the Mouth of God if you compare the Nature Use and Duration of these Benefits that you have by the one and the other you will see a vast difference 1. The Nature the Notion of Riches is abundance of valuable things Now there are true Riches and counterfeit Riches which have but the resemblance and shew The true Riches is spoken of Luke 16. 11. and is opposed to that Mammon and Pelf which the World doateth upon Grace giveth us the true Riches and Wealth 'T is good to state what are the true Riches and the false The more abundance of truely valuable Things a man hath the more he hath of true Riches a Child counteth himself rich when he hath a great many Pins and Points and Cherry-stones for those suit his childish Age and Fancy A worldly Man counteth himself rich when he hath Gold and Silver in great store by him or Lands and Heritages or Bills and Bonds but a Child of God counteth himself rich when he hath God for his Portion Christ to his Redeemer and the Spirit for his Guide Sanctifier and Comforter which is as much above a carnal Man's Estate in the World as a carnal Man's Estate is above a Child's Toyes and Trifles yea infinitely more Well then surely the Word of God will make us rich because it revealeth God to be our God according to our Necessity and Capacity Psalm 16. 5 6. The Lord is my Portion I have a goodly Heritage and it revealeth unsearchable Riches of Grace in Christ Eph. 2. 7. Eph. 3. 8. pardon of Sins and Life eternal They that have Christ want nothing but are compleatly happy So for the Spirit what are all the Riches of the World to those Treasures of Knowledge Comfort and Holiness which we have by the Spirit What is in one Evangelist He will give his holy Spirit to them that ask him Luke 11. 13. is in another Matth. 7. 11. He will give good things to them that ask him The Spirit is instead of all good things so that the Word is able to enrich a man more than all the Wealth of the World can It giveth us abundance and abundance of better things so that a man is not absolutely poor that wants Gold
Psal. 94. 15. Iudgment shall return unto righteousness and all the upright in heart shall follow it Sometimes they are asunder Earthly Judges may refuse the justice of righteousness a Judg may suspend the act of his own judgment but they shall not long be severed God will bring forth his righteous Judgment Zach. 8. 17. These things I hate saith the Lord. And then in regard of his Providence God will not be unmindful of his promise Psal. 9. 7 8 9. He hath prepared his Throne for judgment and he shall judge the world in righteousness he shall minister judgment to his people in uprightness Courts of Justice among men are not always open they have Term-time but God is always ready to hear Paintiffs They make Complaints amongst men and they are delayed so much and so long that they are discouraged But we have a friend that is always ready to hear Psal. 48. 10. Thy right hand is full of righteousness for defending his people and punishing his enemies Use 3. To press us to acknowledge this Justice of God that he governeth all things righteously especially when you are under his mighty hand The Lord takes it ill when you question any of his Providences Ezek. 18. 25. Are not my ways equal He will be clear when he judgeth Psal. 51. 4. God will be justified in all that he hath done or shall do for the punishment of sin and therefore when the hand of God is upon you take heed you do not reproach God When his hand is smart and heavy upon you remember affliction opens the eyes of the worst men Nebuchadnezzar that knew no God but himself no happiness but in pleasing his own humour yet when he was whipped and scourged hear him speak Dan. 4. 37. Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven all whose works are truth and his ways judgment and those that walk in pride he is able to abase Pharaoh Exod. 2 27. The Lord is righteous and I and my people are wicked These Acknowledgments and Confessions come from wicked men as Water out of a Still forced by the fire But if affliction opens the eyes of wicked men surely when we are under Gods afflicting hand we should give him the glory of his Justice and acknowledge that he is clear in all that he brings upon us He takes it ill when we murmure and tax his Judgment Mic. 7. 9. I will bear the indignation of the Lord because I have sinned against him until he plead my cause and execute judgment for me And Lam. 1. 18. The Lord is righteous for I have rebelled against his Commandment And when we submissively stoop and accept of the punishment of our sin after he hath been provoked then God will plead for us Lev. 26. 41. When we stoop humbly under Gods correcting hand and bear it patiently and say God is just in all this then it will succeed well Observe the Justice of God especially his remarkable Judgments upon others The Church is brought in acknowledging of it Rev. 15. 3. Iust and true are thy ways thou King of Saints And Rev. 19. 3. True and righteous are his Iudgments Not that we should sit Crowners upon other mens souls and judge their spiritual condition and misinterpret Providence I look upon it as a great sin of a faction and perverse humors But clearly when mens sins are so great that the Judgments of God have overtaken them we ought to say Iust and true art thou O Lord and just in all thy Iudgments I might shew here is much to keep the Children of God in awe the Lord is a righteous God though they have found mercy and taken sanctuary at his Grace the Lord is impartial in his Justice God that did not spare the Angels when they sinned nor his Son when he was a Sinner by imputation will not spare you though you are the dearly Beloved of his soul Prov. 11. 31. The sinful courses of Gods Children occasion bitterness enough they never venture upon sin but with great loss If Paul give way to a little pride God will humble him If any give way to sin their Pilgrimage will be made uncomfortable Gods hand may be smart and dismal Eli for negligence and indulgence there 's the Ark of God taken his two Sons slain in battel his Daughter in Law dies he himself breaks his Neck O the wonderful Tragedies that sin works in the houses of the Children of God! And David when he intermedled with forbidden fruit was driven from his Palace his Concubines defiled his own Son slain a great many calamities did light upon him Therefore the Children of God have cause to fear for the Lord is a just God and they will find it so here upon earth he hath reserved liberty to visit their iniquity with Rods and their transgression with Scourges I might press you to imitate Gods righteousness 1 Iohn 2. 29. If ye know that he is righteous ye know that every one that doth righteousness is born of God You have a righteous God and here 's the thing you should copy out SERMON CLV PSAL. CXIX VER 138. Thy Testimonies which thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful IN the former Verse the Prophet had spoken of the righteousness of God now God is essentially righteous and therefore all that proceedeth from him is righteous A Carpenter that hath a Rule without him and a Line to measure his work by may sometimes hit and sometimes miss but if you could suppose a Carpenter the motion of whose hand were his Rule he could never chop amiss So must we conceive of God his Act is his Rule Holiness is his Essence not a superadded quality his righteousness is himself therefore from this righteous God there proceedeth nothing but righteousness and from this faithful God nothing but faith He discovereth his Nature both in the Acts of his Providence and the Institutions of his Word We cannot reason so concerning men that because they are righteous nothing cometh from them but what is righteous because righteousness is not their nature but an adventitious quality therefore good men may make ill Laws for though they be meant for good they may be deceived And sometimes wicked men may make good Laws to ingratiate themselves and for the interest of their affairs but God being essentially necessarily good holy and righteous his Laws are also good holy and true Thy Testimonies which thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful In the Words observe I. That there is a Revelation of Gods Will in his Word Thy Testimonies II. The Authority wherewith his Revelation is backed Which thou hast commanded III. The intrinsick worth and excellency of these Testimonies it is double They are 1. Righteous 2. Very faithful In the Hebrew righteousness and faithfulness that is very right and very faithful the one word is referred to the Agenda in Religion the other to the Credenda they are worthy to be obeyed