I will speak but this once 7. We see what a sad imprecation that is that we reade of Psal 109.7 Let his prayer become sin For Prayer-sins have great guilt in them and godly men of all other sins wish that they may not displease the Lord by them 8. We see what our duty is when we come to pray before the Lord to look to it that our prayers be pure and undefiled prayers that God may not finde any thing in them that may provoke him to be angry with us for them 9. We see that to displease God when we pray to him argues that we do not pray in faith for this prime Believer Abraham is very tender of displeasing him Oh sayes he let not the Lord be angry and I will speak yet but this once 10. We see that we may not wonder that unbelievers when they pray get nothing of the Lord Jam. 1.6 7. for how should they when they displease him when they pray to him Vse 2. for Terrour to those that provoke the Lord in praying to him they are unbelievers and in a state of damnation Mark 16.16 Joh. 3.36 if it be frequent Vse 3. for Humiliation to those of the Saints that are not so tender of displeasing the Lord as they ought to be when they pray to him these forget Abraham their father and trace not his steps in a way of believing as they ought or at least come not up to that pitch of it that they should aspire after Vse 4. for Exhortation 1. To be ashamed of our Prayer-sins that so displease him Who would displease a Prince that petitions to him and looks for any great matter from him 2. To shew our selves Heirs of Abrahams faith by being tender of displeasing the Lord when we pray to him 3. To exalt Grace when the Lord accepts our Prayers and is not angry with us for them 4. To love the Lord for his regarding of them Psal 116.1 for our Prayers have their spots and are defiled the best of them 5. To take heed of those sins that displease God when we pray to him They have been formerly mentioned and need not be again spoken of 6. To long for the time when we shall displease him no more Verse 33. And the Lord went his way after he had left communing with Abraham And Abraham returned unto his place Doct. XXXI THat when Believers have been praying to the Lord and have received gracious answers to the requests that they have put up to him he then allows them to go about their other lawful occasions and businesses that they have to do So we see here after Abraham had ended his Prayer then the Lord went his way and Abraham returned to his place God allowed him to go about his ordinary occasions Though Prayer be an acceptable service and that that we should be frequent and serious in yet the Lord would have us do something else besides this and not spend all our time in this duty but fall to some other work As we must be fervent in Spirit serving the Lord so we must not be slothful in business Rom. 12.11 Our particular Callings must be attended as well as our generall we must have regard principally to the duties of Gods Worship but withall must look to our other Concernments in the matters of this life and holy duties such as Prayer is must give way to them Reasons 1. From the Lord. 2. From our selves 3. From our other outward occasions and imployments First From the Lord. 1. He hath enjoyned and appointed to every one that they should be in some Calling and that they should abide therein 1 Cor. 7.20 24. the greatest on Earth are not exempted The Magistrate is to attend to his great Work Rom. 13.6 the Minister to his Acts 20.28 2 Tim. 4.1 2. 1 Pet. 5.2 and so of the rest There 's none must think to live an idle life without a Calling he hath appointed to every man his work Mark 13.34 he is the great Lord and Master that hath set every one his task he will have us all be up and doing We must not any of us think to live and do nothing but to be busily imployed in our Callings for him 2. He hath of old shadowed out this to us under the Law the clean beasts were not onely to chew the cud but to divide the hoof Levit. 11.3 Now this dividing the hoof holds out our right dividing between our general and particular Calling and that one should not cross or interfere with another but diligently and carefully to attend the duties of both Our general Calling and the duties of it must not justle out our particular Calling nor our particular Calling must not justle out the duties of our general Calling but we must divide aright between them 3. He reproves Idleness in our particular Callings as in that Parable Mat. 20.6 and therefore would have us diligently employed and faithfully busie in our Callings that he hath set us in 4. He abhors Idleness being one of Sodoms sins which provoked him to rain fire and brimstone upon them to destroy them Ezek. 16.49 Gen. 19.24 and to send them to Hell to suffer the vengeance of eternal fire Jude ver 7. 5. He is ever at work himself he is alwayes doing working Creating work Providential work he is never idle but full of activity pure act Joh. 5.17 and therefore his will sure is that we should work The Servants must not be idle when the Master is at work So here 6. He hath put activity in the other Creatures The Angels how full of activity are they and therefore are described to have wings to fly with Isa 6.2 and they rest not day nor night but are alwayes busily imployed in Heaven and in Earth and where-ever their Commission is to do any work for the Lord. The Sun never stands still but is as a Bridegroom coming out of his chamber and rejoyceth as a strong man to run a race Psal 19.5 And the like may be said of the other Celestiall Bodies they are in continual motion and alwayes casting forth their influences The Sea is working constantly ebbing and flowing and bearing those great burthens of Ships and other Vessels upon its back and carrying them hither and thither from one Country to another and is in motion by producing such innumerable Creatures as are therein and by Leviathan playing therein Psal 104.25 26. The Earth though it stand still yet is it not idle being the Theatre of all the Acts that are done by the sons of men and specially because it is the breeder and feeder of all the active Creatures that are upon it and because it is unwearied in bearing seed and fruits and herbs and grass and corn c. The Springs and Fountains are ever working and bubling up their water The Bee is a busie and laborious Creature and so is the Ant that little Creature and therefore Solomon adviseth the sluggard to go to her to
consider her wayes and be wise Prov. 6.6 7 8. I might be large in the prosecution of this but these instances may suffice to be as so many glasses to shew us how diligent and active and industrious we should be in our particular Callings and that God would have us busily working in our several places and stations for him Secondly From our selves 1. We are ever best when we are at work our hearts are never in better frame to go to God in duties of our general Calling then when we have been most conscientially careful in being diligent in our particular Calling We can then go with comfort to pray when we have been at work and never are we fitter to offer up this spiritual sacrifice then when sloth hath not seized upon us in our particular Callings And hence it is that these are coupled together Rom. 12.11 Not slothful in business fervent in Spirit serving the Lord. 2. We shall be pronounced blessed if we be found well-doing when our Lord cometh Matth. 24.46 and it is that that we would all desire after to be partakers of that blessedness who would not be found so at that day 3. We are not yet in heaven but on earth and therefore must attend on our outward occasions and businesses that we are called to When we come in heaven we shall rest from all our works here and be wholly imployed in serving God and praising him Rev. 22.3 4. we shall do Angelical work Seraphical work but while we are here we must be doing in ordinary work and it is a good work because commanded of God 4. We need many things for the outward man which by diligence in our ordinary Callings through the blessing of God are brought in to us Prov. 10.4 22. we get our daily bread by the labour of our hearts and hands food and raiment and physick and all necessaries by the Lords mercy are given in to us this way The King himself is served by the field Eccles 5.9 Gods crowning the year with his goodness his steps dropping fatness make our labours successful and bring in all outward blessings to us and therefore diligence in our Callings is that that God approves and looks for from every one of us 5. We are commanded to labour six dayes in the week Exod. 20.9 except upon extraordinary occasion as upon a Fast or by sickness we be hindred or by some other occasion that justly exempts us and keeps us necessarily from it we may not look at it as a permission onely but as a strict command and that calls upon us to be about our business and be doing in our particular Callings 6. We have Gods example in the first Creation set before us to follow he did his work in six dayes and then rested Exod. 20.9 and so would by his example have us to work and to trace his steps So that not onely Earth and Sea and Stars but Heaven it self calls upon us to labour and work diligently in our Callings Thirdly From our outward occasions and imployments 1. They are such as that we cannot serve God comfortably neither in our Bodies nor in our Spirits except we labour and attend our particular Callings and we are bound to serve him and glorifie him in both 1 Cor. 6.20 and how shall this be except we follow our imployments Meat will not fall into our mouthes except we labour Clothing will not be rained down from heaven upon us except we work for it and without these we cannot serve God neither with outward or inward man 2. These imployments in our Callings are such as that we cannot live without them Bread is called The staff of life Isa 3.1 and Clothing is the health of life and neither of these in an ordinary way can be had without labour 3. These imployments in our particular Callings are such as that we cannot expect the blessing of the Lord upon us The blessing of the Lord maketh rich but it is when the hand is diligent Prov. 10.4 22. otherwise there is no blessing of wealth or increase promised 4. These imployments in our particular Callings do fit us to come to God in spiritual duties and fit us for his coming to us either by death or judgement Luke 12.42 43 44. and this is worth something It was the speech of a faithful Minister now with God to one that he found working hard in his Calling Let me be found so doing when my Lord cometh 5. These ordinary imployments keep us from many sins and from many temptations to sin preserve us from many assaults of the Enemy that Idleness will expose us to As we see in Davids example 2 Sam. 11. if he had gone forth to war at that time or had been doing any thing that was good he would not have faln into such snares and sins as he did which idleness exposed him to Satan and his own corruption would not have so prevailed as they then did when he gave himself to that floth that we there reade of A diligent hand prevents the tempters coming or at least hinders him from overcoming Working in our Calling will either keep the snare from being laid for us or keep our feet from being taken by it And have we not cause then to be diligent and faithfully busie in our Calling 6. These labours and imployments preserve us from falling into other dangers and evils for God hath promised that his Angels shall have charge over us to keep us in our wayes Psal 91.11 Let a man but keep himself in his Calling and Gods Angels shall keep him They are Gods host and so long as they are about him a strong host is about him so that neither plague nor sickness nor any other evil shall come near him v. 10. he is safely guarded that hath such a military guard about him he need not fear any danger that hath these fiery charets and horses round about him 2 Kin. 6. These armies will never sly but will stand by us and shield off all dangers and all enemies and have we not good cause then to be in our Callings Cautions about our Imployments in our particular Callings 1. WE must take heed that love of the World set us not on work to be busie in our Callings for that is straitly forbidden 1 Joh 2.15 and such are not true to God but are called Adulterers and Adulteresses and are the enemies of God Jam. 4.4 and the greatest enemies that are to themselves for thereby they plunge themselves into many snares and temptations and into many foolish and hurtful lusts which drown men in perdition and destruction 1 Tim. 6.9 10. If the love of the world be the great wheel that sets all a going and puts our hands to labour in our Callings we shall never please God nor benefit our selves or others by what we do this way The World is both an Harlot and a Witch and if we lust after the beauty of this Harlot and suffer
at God but hid himself for ever if God had not sought him and found him out So it is with all Adams Sons they would shrowd themselves any where rather then come where God is Of all such men it is said They call not upon God Psal 14.4 it is from that which is supernatural that we draw near to him There is a Byass upon nature that carries us far from God till another Byass bends us strongly towards him 5. We see how precious Christ should be to us for he is that better hope whereby we draw near to God Heb. 7.19 there 's no coming to the Father but by him Joh. 14.6 but through him we have access by one Spirit unto the Father Eph. 3.18 and who then should be precious to us if not he 1 Pet. 2.7 He is the great Favourite of Heaven that brings us all into favour and brings us near God if ever we get near to him Favourites of Princes bring others into their Presence so does he bring us into the Presence of God and makes us and all our Prayers acceptable Eph. 1.6 1 Pet. 2.15 Oh what a price should we set upon him He should be the chiefest of ten thousand above all other beloveds Cant. 5.10 the Pearl of great price that we should sell all for Mat. 13.45 46. we should have none in heaven but him and none in the earth that we desire in comparison of him Ps 73.25 He is the richest Jewel in the world the fairest Flower in Gods garden the Tree of Life in the midst of the Paradise of God the Sun the bright and Morning Star the Day-spring from on high the Treasure of Heaven In a word He it is by whom we draw near to God and bring our suits before him to finde acceptance with him 6. We see what a precious grace Faith is 2 Pet. 1.1 not onely because we lay hold upon procious Christ by it for righteousness and life but because we draw near to God by it when we pray to him and therefore it is that faith is that that makes our prayers for us next to the Spirit which is the principal Efficient of them Rom. 8.26 The prayer of faith Jam. 5.15 and indeed that prayer is no prayer that hath not faith in it though never so well beset with compleat and neat flowers of goodly expressions these do not take with God it 's faith that carries all along sweetly in the duty that 's the sinews and strength the heart and life the cream and flower the choyce and best the marrow and fatness of the duty Oh how precious should we account of it then and especially because we draw near to God in prayer by it Vse 2. for Terrour to Unbelievers They cannot draw near to God nor make any prayer to him to finde acceptance with him they may be near him with their lips but their hearts will be far from him they may compass him about but it will be with lies and deceit as God complains of old Hos 11.12 for it is by faith that we draw near to God Abraham drew near to pray and they that would do so must be heirs of his faith and walk in the steps of that faith that he put forth which is the father of us all Thou canst as well climb up to the Moon as go to God and make a prayer to him so as to be accepted without Christ without faith without Christ thou wantest the ladder and without faith thou wantest a foot to come to God by him No Unbeliever can make a prayer so as to be accepted Vse 3. for Humiliation that our prayers are so destitute of faith or at least we are of little faith as Christ speaks When the Sails of a Ship are full she goes on swiftly and if our Prayers were filled with faith how swiftly and sweetly would they bring in Rich Returns to us but a scant wind spoils the blessed market that we might make A little faith and a large prayer does not bring in that we look for it hinders our drawing near to God Vse 4 for Exhortation 1. To be thankfull to God that gives us admittance into his Presence and leave to draw near to him We would shew our selves thankefull for being admitted into an earthly Kings Presence and that we might have any near approach to him to put up any Petitions of concernment to him Oh how thankfull should we then be that the great God will vouchsafe to give us leave to come before him to put up as many Petitions as we will to him especially considering what we are and what we have been to him when time was Tit. 3.3 considering also what great things they are that we come to make suit for Pardon of sin Peace of Conscience Assurance of his love Heaven and Happiness which no Kings on earth can give we can never be thankfull enough to him for this Heaven and Earth should be full of our praises for this great favour 2. To love the Lord Jesus by whom we thus draw near to God Heb. 7.19 Eph. 2.18 We would for ever love that Favourite that brought us into the Kings Presence and presented our Petitions to him and got some great thing sealed and confirmed to us Oh what love then should Christ have from us that admits us into the Presence of God and presents our requests and mediates for us and sees all done that we desire of him Joh. 14.13 14. We can never love him enough As the Prophet said of Gods Infiniteness Isa 40.16 Lebanon is not sufficient to burn nor all the beasts for a burnt-offering so we may say All the fragrant spices and sacrifices of our dearest hearts love are too little are not sufficient for him that brings us so near the blessed God And though we cannot come off with so much love as he deserves for this yet let us do what we can and give him our hearts Prov. 23.26 And as it is with those that love either men or women they love the very ground they tread upon so let it be with us let us love the ground he treads upon those places that he comes most to Psal 26.8 Lord I have loved the habitation of thy house saith David and the place where thine honour dwelleth so should we 3. To honour Believers that are so honoured of God as that they may draw near to him They that are frequently in the Presence-Chamber of Kings on earth as Favourites be are highly honoured among men Oh what honour then should we put upon Believers that draw near to the blessed God They are indeed the honourable ones and the excellent of the earth which we should set our delight upon Psa 16.2 3. They are they that the King of Heaven delighteth to honour and when an earthly King honoureth any all his Servants will honour such so should we honour those that God honours by admitting them to draw near to him We should think honourably of them speak
it 3. To prize those that are powerful Pleaders with the Lord in behalf of others they are the children of Abraham and shall be blessed with him We prize those that plead other Causes strongly Oh how should they then be prized that plead strongly with the Lord 4. To be earnest for those that are dear to us for those that are our bone and flesh and our very bowels If Abraham pleaded so for those in Sodom that were Righteous how should we for those that are so near and dear to us the strength of our hearts should be put forth in our Requests for them 5. To call upon us to pray earnestly for England the Land of our Nativity the place of our Fathers Sepulchres Who have we cause to pray for if not for our Mother that bare us and bred us and dandled us upon her knees and nursed us by her sides Oh that England might yet live in Gods sight Oh that the Righteous there may not be forgotten nor destroyed but that the Arm of the Lord may be made bare and be mighty for them 6. To love the Lord that stirs up any to plead for us and to shew their love in being earnest with God on our behalf It is grace and love in the Lord towards us and our love in the utmost extent and latitude of it should be drawn out to him Our hearts should be filled with love that sets his Abrahams to plead for us his fire should kindle ours and cause it to flame and fly upwards Verse 25. Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right Doct. VII THat the Lord Jesus Christ is the Judge of all the Earth So he is styled here in the Text. For opening of which let me shew 1. How it does appear that he is the Judge 2. In what respects he is the Judge of all the earth as Abraham styles him 3. What manner of Judge he is 4. Why he is such a Judge 5. The Vses Q. 1. How does it appear that he is the Judge Ans 1. A Judge rides in Circuit as it is said of Samuel 1 Sam. 7.16 and so other Judges do So does the Lord Jesus he goes his Circuit and judgeth in all places there 's no place on Earth or Sea but he attends the Office of a Judge in it even in this world he is judging some or other every day and is going in Circuit all the world over But this is not mainly nor principally intended though not altogether excluded in this Title that Abraham gives unto the Lord for Psal 94.2 the Psalmist prayes Lift up thy self thou Judge of the earth render a reward to the proud Even in this world he judgeth every where 2. A Judge judgeth at the place of judgement so does Christ and that is in the Clouds Mat. 26.64 there his Throne is to be expected and it will be a glorious Throne Mat. 25.31 3. A Judge judgeth at the time appointed for judgement so does Christ Acts 17.31 and so Rom. 2.16 he speaks of the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ Hence also it is that so frequent mention is made of the Day of Judgement and the Last day Joh. 12.48 and the judgement of the great day Jude 6. 4. A Judge hears all Evidences and judgeth according to them so does Christ according to the evidence of mens Conscience accusing or excusing Rom. 2.15 16. 5. A Judge judgeth according to Law so does Christ judge at the last day according to the Law that he hath given Rom. 2.16 Joh. 12.48 The word that I speak to you shall judge you at the last day 6. A Judge passeth Sentence of Absolution and of Condemnation according to the condition of the persons that are judged so does Christ Mat. 25.34 41. 7. A Judge sees to the putting of his Sentence in Execution so does Christ Mat. 25.46 These shall go away into everlasting punishment but the Righteous into life eternal Quest 2. In what respects is he the Judge of all the Earth Ans 1. In that all Nations of the Earth that ever were are or shall be shall be gathered before him Mat. 25.32 2 Cor. 5.10 2. In that all Souls and ranks of men upon the Earth in what Age of the world soever they have lived shall be judged by him the greatest Kings and Emperours of the Earth shall not escape Rom. 14.10 3. In that every particular man must give an account of himself to God Rom. 14.12 which shews that he is the Judge of all the Earth none are exempted 4. In that all of each Sex shall come to judgement the weaker Sex as well as the stronger women as well as men the word All comprehends them as well as others 5. In that all of all Ages must stand before him old and young children youth men of riper years yea those that stoop for age This the word All holds out also 2 Cor. 5.10 Eccles 11.9 6. In that all of all Callings must appear before him Magistrates Ministers Merchants Tradesmen Marriners Husbandmen Lawyers all of every Vocation Occupation and Calling to this or that Imployment must stand before him Paul told the Scholars at Athens that they must be judged Acts 17.31 7. In that all that live idlely without a Calling must appear The Athenians and strangers there spent their time in hearing and telling some new thing and in nothing else Acts 17.21 and these Paul tells Christ will be Judge to ver 31. So all other idle persons that spend their time in gaming and other loose walking must come to judgement 8. In that all of all conditions good and had the righteous and the wicked must be judged by him Eccles 3.17 9. In that all that have been corrupt Judges and have passed unrighteous Sentences in Judgement-seats must be judged by him as Eccles 3.16 17. Judges on Earth must be judged another day and if in the place of Righteousness there hath been Wickedness that will be reserved for another hearing where Bribes will take no place 10. In that all the nearest and dearest Relations must compeer before him Husbands and Wives Parents and Children Ministers and People Masters and Servants Tutors and Pupils and whatever other Relations can be named all must have Him to be their Judge So that Abraham might well style him The Judge of all the Earth Quest 3. What manner of Judge is he Ans 1. A Righteous Judge 2 Tim. 4.8 hence Acts 17.31 He shall judge the world in Righteousness 2. A Dreadful Judge to his enemies Luke 19.27 He will speak dreadfully look dreadfully deal dreadfully with them Mat. 25.41 3. A Comfortable Judge to his friends to those he is a Friend and Saviour to Mat. 25.34 4. A Wise Judge There are some wise Judges upon earth but none like him Solomon was a wise Judge 1 Kings 3 24-27 but none like him for wisdome that styles himself Greater then Solomon 5. An Vnerring Judge Other Judges may erre
upon their Seats of Justice but there is no errour in him no obliquity no iniquity with the Lord no accepting of persons nor taking of gifts 2 Chron. 19.7 Bribes may blinde men and lead them out of the way of righteousness but God regards not gifts he cannot be blinded by them though men may He cannot erre in judgement 6. A Pitiful Judge Some Judges on Earth have been so pitiful as that they never condemned any but they have wept over them but no Judge on earth like him for pity See how he wept over Jerusalem when he foresaw her judgement afar off Luke 13.34 7. A Royal Judge such a Judge as is a King Mat. 25.34 Other Judges may be great men but they are not Kings but he is a King sitting in judgement 8. An All-seeing Judge that knows all hearts Rev. 2.23 and therefore cannot be deceived with vain pretexts and put off with excuses that have nothing in them 9. A Patient Judge that will hold on judging till the work be ended Hence the day of Judgement is called The great day as in other respects so in regard of the length of it as Junius observes which holds out the Judge's patience in seeing all done before he end the work Quest 4. Why is he the Judge of all the Earth Ans 1. From the Father who 1. hath designed him to this work Acts 17.31 2. Knows when it will be Mat. 24.36 3. Hath committed all judgement to him Joh. 5.22 4. Aims at the honour of the Son in so doing ver 23. 2. From Christ himself 1. He hath suffered and is therefore thus honoured Phil. 2.8 9.2 He had the promise of this made to him long before he suffered Isa 53.11 12. 3. He is the one Law-giver and therefore the whole Scripture is called The word of Christ Col. 3.16 and being the Law-giver it 's meet he should be Judge also 4. He is our Advocate with the Father and is called Jesus Christ the Righteous 1 Joh. 2.1 and the more righteous he is the fitter he is to be the Judge Obj. But how did Abraham know him to be the Judge of all the Earth so long before his Incarnation Ans 1. Why not as well as Enoch that was long before him Jude ver 14 15. 2. Abraham was called the friend of God Jam. 2.23 and had it revealed to him as we reveal much to friends 3. The Lord knew not how to hide other secrets from him Gen. 18.17 and therefore not this 4. Abraham was an heavenly-minded man Heb. 11.10 that had in his eye a blessed state of glory and could not but know that there was a judgement to come and that He it was that was the Judge of all the Earth Vse 1. for Information 1. We see the great dignity that the Lord Christ is exalted to after his deep humiliation He is the Judge of all the Earth the Father highly honours him After sufferings comes the greatest dignity they usher in glory Luke 24.26 the Father as a reward of his deep abasement advanceth him to this height of honour to be Judge of all the Earth 2. We see that all the Earth had need stand in awe of him for he is the Judge of all the earth especially all wicked ones of the earth Guilty Malefactors fear their Judge so should all the guilty ones of the earth fear this great Judge and not onely they but others also that expect favour from him Psal 4.4 3. We see that the greatest Kings and Judges of the Earth had need be wise and submit themselves to him that is the Judge of all the Earth Psal 2.10 11 12. for he will one day call them to an account and they must stand before the Judge of all the Earth He respecteth not the person of Princes but will call them to the Barre of his Tribunal as well as other men They are all the work of his hands and he will be a Judge to them all He will make no difference between Silks and Leather between Cloth of Gold and the vilest Raiment Men may make difference between great ones and others but the Judge of all the Earth cannot will not they must bow the knee to him as well as other stoop to him kiss him and make obeisance to him 4. We see that the Patriarks of old did not onely know that there was to be a day of judgement but had serious thoughts and meditations of it and knew who the Judge of all the Earth was Thus Abraham and Enoch the seventh from Adam even in the beginning of the world prophecieth of the End of the world and of the Day of Judgement Jude ver 14 15. and if they had such serious thoughts of that day how much more should we upon whom the ends of the world are come We are upon the last hour as John calls it 1 Joh. 2.18 and therefore our thoughts and looks and longings and breathings should be after that and we should meditate much of this Judge's coming They that have but a short time to think of a serious matter had need to think intensely and seriously of it so we of the Judges coming 5. We see what preparation we should all make to meet the Judge at his coming There is great preparation for the coming of other Judges at the Assize Oh how then should we prepare for his coming who is Judge of all the Earth especially considering that the time is short that is allotted to us They that have a great work to do and a very little time to do it in had need bestirre themselves so had we in this solemn work of fitting our selves for the coming of this great Judge we should not let him finde us without our dress but be in readiness Mat. 24.44 A Spouse prepares for her Husbands coming so should we for Christs coming 6. We see that all the Earth have need to make Supplication to their Judge All sorts and ranks of men upon earth had need desire and earnestly intreat that he may be a merciful Judge to them and in this day of grace that they may find grace in his sight There are those that at the Assize will supplicate the Judge and earnestly cry Good my Lord Good my Lord shew mercy to a poor Prisoner but they speak too late So at the last day there will be those that will say Lord Lord and intreat for mercy Mat. 7.21 22 23. but the time is past they come too late and so finde no favour That that we must do in this kinde must be done while the day of grace lasts as it is 2 Cor. 6.2 Heb. 3.7 If the door be shut if the date be out it is not Lord Lord open unto us that will serve the turn Vse 2. for Terrour to all the Earth that have no interest in this Judge that do nothing but provoke this Judge and cast reproach upon him how will they do to stand before him in the great day of his appearing
so it may well be the joy and rejoiceing of our hearts 3. If God vouchsafe to commune with us and let us commune with him then we begin Heaven upon Earth and have a taste of Heaven before we come there to commune with God is Heaven upon Earth they live in Heaven that have such familiarity with God though they be on Earth And as that gracious man said when he was to dye I shall change my place but not my company so it may be said of others that have had much fellowship with the Lord when they dye they change their place but not their company to go from one heaven to another from heaven upon earth in their communing with God here to Heaven in another World to be with him in glory forever And is not this sweetest comfort to the Saints that whereas the greatest number of men live in Hell upon Earth having fellowship with Devils Believers by being much with God are in a corner of Heaven upon Earth 4. It is great comfort to Believers that the time is hasting when as they have had sweet communings with the Lord here so they shall enjoy everlasting communion with him in glory It is but a little while and the time will be when we shall be ever with the Lord when a few dayes are come we shall have other manner of communings with him and he with us then now we have As Dr. Taylour sometimes said with rejoicing within two stiles and I shall be at my Fathers house so after a little time we shall go to God where we shall be better acquainted with him and be more familiar with him that though our communings together be very sweet here yet ere long we shall have sweeter fellowship one with another here we have some smiles and kisses and such communings as put us in Heaven but within a little time we shall have more after a few wearisome agitations and conflicts with enemies and troubles we shall rest in his armes and be alwayes in his presence and lye next his heart and what communings we shall then have together we shall then know when we come to the happy enjoyment of our God then all tears shall be wiped from our eyes all sorrows removed from our hearts all burthens taken from our shoulders we shall sigh no more nor weep no more nor feel pain any more nor sin any more no Devils shall tempt us no men ensnare us no bad company weary discontent afflict us no persecuters hunt us entangle us entrap us go about to ruine us but we shall be with God and he with us commune of high things and what we could not know in our child-hood we shall have revealed to us when we become men 1 Cor. 13.9 10 11 12. To end in a word or two more after we have been tossed with tempest a little while we shall come to the Haven after we have been in the battel we shall gain the victory after we have wrestled we shall win and wear the Crown and after a few embraces in the arms of God here in our fellowship that we have with him in this world we shall be clasped in his everlasting arms and be kissed and embraced by him to all Eternity Quest But how shall we come to know that this happy condition shall be ours Answ 1. By our Holiness Matth. 5.8 1 John 3.2 3. Holy here Happy hereafter Without Holiness we shall never see God Hebr. 12.14 but if we be holy in body and spirit we shall see him with comfort and have everlasting fellowship with him Holiness is the Beauty of Heaven for they are all holy there and none that are defiled come into the holy place Psal 24.3 4. No Leper was to come into the holy Camp of old even Miriam her self till she was healed must be shut out Numb 12.14 how much more then must all defiled leprous Souls be shut out of Heaven Look therefore to our Hollness 2. By our Vprightness of heart Psal 15.1 2. Hypocrites shall be cast out and rejected Mat. 7.23 they cannot escape the damnation of Hell Matth. 23.33 they heap up wrath Job 36.13 But they that are upright as they have good things in possession here so they shall be happy in another world as they walk surely here Prov. 10.9 so they shall be sure of a blessed state in glory 3. By our Obedience Matth. 7.21 Heb. 5.9 Disobedience brings destruction with it 2 Thess 1.8 9. but they that obey from the heart out of faith shall be saved Obedient Children inherit their Fathers Estate so shall we if we be obedient possess our Fathers Estate in glory 4. By our Victory over our sins and other Enemies Revel 3.21 Conquerours win the Crown and wear it They that over came in the Olympick Games got the Prize and had the Crown and they obtained but a corruptible Crown but ours will be an incorruptible one 1 Cor. 9.25 5. By our Patience in well-doing Rom. 2.7 Heb. 10.36 37. Constancy and Patience is ever honoured with the Crown Rev. 2.10 they that hold out without fainting in Running or Wrestling had the glory of the Reward that they strove for so shall we if we hold out to the end Matth. 24.13 Look to this therefore that we quit our selves like men and hold out to the last 6. By our love to God Jam. 1.12 if eye hath not seen nor ear heard nor hath entred into the heart of man to conceive what God hath prepared for them that love him in Gospel promises here 1 Cor. 2.9 then surely no eye ever saw nor ear ever heard neither ever came it into the heart of man to conceive the things that he hath prepared for them that love him in another World in glory If we have so much in the conduit-pipe and cistern what shall we have when we are at the spring and well-head If we enjoy so much in the wilderness what shall we have in Heavenly Canaan If the first fruits be such what will the full harvest be If the gleaning grapes be such what will the whole vintage be Surely it will be with shouting and greatest joy and consolation Look we therefore to our love to God and let that fire never go out but like the fire of the Altar to burn continually let that light shine alwayes let that flood ever flow till it fall into the Sea of Eternity where we shall according to our finite nature love him enough We use to say Love me little and love me long but there we shall love him much and love him long to all Eternity and be like Solomon's friend that loves at all times and when all time is at an end FINIS Reader The Authors distance from the Press and difficulty of the Copy having occasioned the following Errata's thou art therefore destired thus to Correct them viz. PAge 7. line 11. for Isa 1.15 reade Ezek. 8.18 p. 13. l. 27. for act r. get p. 44. l. 18. for running r ruining p. 89. l. 10. for souls r. sorts p. 112. l. 29. for Justly r. Fully p. 132. l. 16. for day r. may p. 136. l. 11. for something r. sometimes p. 148. l. 17. for that r. the. p 157. l. 3. for Luke r. Mark p. 167. l. 3. r. we must do it p. 172. l. 11. r. not more bold then welcome to p. 212. l. 19. r. may they not p. 218. l. 14. for it r. them p. 302. l. 2. r. conscientiously p. 309. l. 3. r. Euchites p. 328. l. 16. r. Ezra
Gods Spirit print them in our hearts Gods words written with Ink will not profit except they be also written with the Spirit of the Living God They are the blessed ones that know and do Joh. 13.17 and they ever know most that practise most A good understanding have all they that do his Commandments Psal 111.10 As for Brain-knowledge it may puff a man up and so bring him down low to destruction it may raise him high that he may have the deeper fall into Hell it may swell him like a bladder and when the bladder breaks then like an unskilful Swimmer he drowns It addes more fuell to Hell fire and causeth him except he do his Lords will to be beaten with many stripes Luke 12.47 What good have the Devils by all their knowledge they know enough of the will of God but do not any thing of it and this heats the Furnace for them and time will come that many a wicked man will wish that he had never known so much because he hath done so little for it is but Oyl to the flame Brimstone to the fire to make them burn more fiercely One word more and I have done If this Discourse of a Subject of this nature may be available for the Salvation of many or of any I shall have cause to bless God for ever and shall with more comfort lay down my head and rest in the Grave as in a perfumed Bed through Christ who hath sweetned it by his Buriall till the Resurrection at the last day Thine in the Lord Jesus Samuel Whiting ABRAHAM's Humble Intercession for SODOM And the LORD 's gracious Concessions in Answer thereunto Containing sundry MEDITATIONS UPON GEN. XVIII from Ver. 23. to the end of the Chapter Ver. 23. And Abraham drew near and said Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked 24 Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the City wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein 25 That be far from thee to do after this manner to slay the righteous with the wicked and that the righteous should be as the wicked that be far from thee shall not the Judge of all the earth do right 26 And the LORD said If I finde in Sodom fifty righteous within the City then I will spare all the place for their sakes 27 And Abraham answered and said Behold now I have taken upon me to speak unto the LORD which am but dust and ashes 28 Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous wilt thou destroy all the City for lack of five And be said If I finde there fourty and five I will not destroy it 29 And he spake unto him yet again and said Peradventure there shall be fourty found there And he said I will not do it for fourties sake 30 And he said unto him Oh let not the Lord be angry and I will speak Peradventure there shall thirty be found there And he said I will not do it if I finde thirty there 31 And he said Bâ—hold now I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord Peradventure there shall be twenty found there And he said I will not destroy it for twenties sakes 32 And he said Oh let not the Lord be angry and I will speak yet but this once Peradventure ten shall be found there And he said I will not destroy it for tens sake 33 And the LORD went his way as soon as he had left communing with Abraham and Abraham returned unto his place Verse 23. And Abraham drew near and said Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked IN these words to the end of the Chapter we have 1. The Prayer of Abraham in behalf of Sodom and the rest of the Cities that God destroyed with Fire and Brimstone from Heaven 2. Gods Answer that he gave to the several Petitions he put up to him in their behalf 3. The Issue of all which is set forth in the last Verse of the Chapter In the first part we have 1. What Abraham did He drew near the Text sayes ver 23.2 What he said and therein we have these things considerable 1. His desire that these sinners might be spared if it were possible or at least the righteous among them might not be destroyed with the wicked ver 23 25. 2. The Arguments that he useth to prevail with God that the righteous and the wicked may not be alike 1. Taken from the strangeness of the act Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked as if he should say This would be strange Lord and thou wouldst go out of thy wonted way so to do The 2. is taken from the vehemency of his wish that such a thing may never be which he repeats twice That be far from thee That be far from thee The 3. is taken from his honour as being Judge of all the earth and therefore for his Name must needs do right Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right ver 25. 3. We have his wise insinuating himself into the Lord 1. By going from step to step and seeking to gain ground of the Lord going from fifty to five and forty and from five and forty to forty and from forty to thirty and from thirty to twenty and from twenty to ten 2. By humbling and abasing himself before the Lord ver 27. Behold now I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord which am but dust and ashes 3. By desiring the Lord not to be angry with him for being so bold with him ver 30. 4. By his undauntedness in his Suit ver 31. Behold I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord. 5. By his modest request at last in speaking but once more mixed with an holy fear of displeasing him ver 32. Oh let not my Lord be angry and I will speak but this once All this concerns the first part viz. Abraham's Prayer In the second part scil Gods Answer we have 1. The grace and favour of God towards him 1. In that he never denied him in any one of his Requests but granted all from fifty to ten So that if there had been but ten righteous in the place it had been spared 2. In that Abraham left off petitioning before the Lord left off granting wherein the exceeding greatness of his grace shewed it self The truth is we have done sooner in asking then God has in giving our desires are scant when his heart is large our requests are short when his hand is long we might have more could we ask more we spare to speak and therefore we lose much of what we might carry away with us from such a Bountiful Almner as God is In the last part we have 1. Gods leaving Abraham 2. Abraham's departing to his place 3. A Description of Prayer and Gods Answer He communes with us and we with Him Doct. I. THat Believers in praying to God draw near to him Heb. 7.19
come in Christs Name Joh. 14.13 14. 3. To draw near to God in Prayer is to come before him conscious of our own unworthiness to sue to him for any thing that we stand in need of either for our selves or others They that are Suppliants to Princes acknowledge their unworthiness to come into their Presence and to put up any Request to them The Centurion thought himself not worthy to come to Christ as well as that he should come under his roof Luke 7.6 7. and who drew nearer Christ then he They that see their unworthiness to come to pray to God they of all others draw nearest to him when they pray to him 4. To draw near to God in Prayer is to come before him sensible of those sins that we bring into his presence Behold we are before thee in our trespasses sayes that holy man Ezra 9.15 Such as do indeed draw near to God see their persons polluted their prayers defiled and both to need washing in a fountain open for sin and uncleanness spoken of Zech. 13.1 As we are dust in our original so we gather dust and soil daily and our best duties are rolled in dust our prayers full of corruption and sullied all over with this dust and mire and every gracious heart sees it when he draws nearest to the Holy One. Blackness and deformity is seen most before the greatest beauty So when we are nearest the Beauty of Holiness that is in God then our blackness and deformity is most seen by us 5. To draw near to God in Prayer is to come before him as eying his All-sufficiency to do all we come to ask of him and more too Eph. 3.20 To him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask or think sayes the Apostle It were a great thing to have all we ask but much more to have all we think but to have above both our asking and thinking and to have exceeding abundantly above these what an All-sufficient God do we come before when we pray to him And truely they that do draw near to him will eye him thus that he can do every thing Job 42.2 that there 's nothing too hard for him Gen. 18.14 Jer. 32.17 27. That if a King on Earth can give a City to him that asked but a peny Oh! what cannot the Royal Majesty of Heaven give 6. To draw near to God in Prayer is to come before him as eying his Willingness to grant as well as his All-sufficiency and Power to yield to our desires Psal 145.19 He will fulfil the desires of them that fear him he also will hear their cry and will save them The Leper here fell short he believed his power but doubted of his will Mat. 8.2 but Christ told him of his will as well as his power ver 3. And indeed this is an happy thing to see that there is a will in God to give as well as power for this gives God the glory of his Grace A Kings grace lies in his Will and so does Gods Quest 2. In what manner are we to draw near to God in Prayer Ans 1. In sincerity with a true heart Heb. 10.22 Let us draw near with a true heart Truth is the Christian Souldiers girdle Eph. 6.14 and girds up the heart and keeps us up close to the duty that our affections do not dangle and hang loose in Prayer Psal 17.1 Hear my prayer O God that goeth not out of fained lips He would be sincere when he drew near to God in Prayer It 's no time to be false with God when we come to pray before him No Prince on Earth would endure a glozing false Suiter how much less will God endure a false heart when we come to sue to him Hypocrisie is loathsome at all times but most of all when we come to pray before the Lord. It 's the Worm in the gourd that eats up the duty it 's the Rottenness of the Core that consumes the fruit of all that we expect to come in by our Prayers it 's the Moth that corrupts the heart and spoils the Petition the Caterpiller and Palmer-worm and Canker-worm that devours all before it We must be true at all times much more when we fall upon our knees and pray before the Lord. 2. In purity with cleansed hands and purified hearts Jam. 4.8 draw near to God but how cleanse your hands ye sinners and purifie your hearts ye double-minded So Heb. 10.22 Let us draw near having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with clean water Sanctification in outward and inward man is required of those that draw near to God As Holiness becomes Gods house for ever Psal 93.5 so it does become the heart of man for ever especially in time of Prayer Also my prayer is pure sayes Job Job 16.17 A pure heart makes a pure prayer A pure vessel makes the liquor pure so does the vessel of the heart if pure make that we pour out before the Lord pure also 3. In humility Humble ones draw nearest unto God for he is ever nighest unto them Psa 34.18 Isa 57.15 he dwells with them This is that that we have Precept and Example for 2 Chron. 7.14 If my people c. shall humble themselves and pray c. Jam. 4.8 9. They that draw near to God must be afflicted and mourn How humble was holy Agur Prov. 30.2 how humble was the Publican in Prayer Luke 18.13 how humble was the Prodigal I am not worthy to be called thy Son Luke 15.21 An humble heart in Prayer is Gods delight and will act any thing he will never send these poor ones away empty 4. In zeal and fervency Rom. 12.11 Fervent in Spirit serving the Lord. So Jam. 5.16 The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much This Sacrifice must be offered up with fire of the Spirits kindling not of our own it must not be strange fire as Levit. 10.1 but holy fire 5. Importunately Luke 18.1 2 3 4 5. So Luke 11.5 6 7 8. the Parable of the unjust Judge and poor widow and the history of him that came to borrow three Loaves hold it out that we should draw near with holy importunity and impudency as the Greek word signifies resolving to have no nay So the woman of Canaan how importunate was she she would not give out though repulsed often Mat. 15. Some suiters will have no nay some beggars will take no deniall so here Ambassadors will not be gone till they have done what they came about Now Prayers are the Souls Ambassadors that are sent to Heaven to negotiate great things with God for us and they will do what they are sent about How impudent in an holy wise was Jacob that said I will not let thee go except thou bless me Gen. 32.26 6. Joyfully Praying with joy Phil. 1.4 David made many Prayers that were turned into joyful Praises and Thanksgivings ere he had done Trace the
it 5. We shall finde our drawing near to God in this Duty a Pledge of our everlasting communion with him in another world Communion with God is Heaven begun and it will never cease till it fall into Eternity as the Rivers do into the Sea It is true our Communion with God is little here for what 's a little River to the Sea we are but now and then and but sometimes and but a little serious with him some acquaintance we have but not much but there is a time a coming when we shall ever be with the Lord 1 Thess 4.17 when we shall see his face Rev. 22.4 and be with him where he is Joh. 14.3 17.24 and be like to him and see him as he is And this everlasting happy Communion follows upon our drawing near to God here 6. We shall finde that when we draw nearest unto God we have most his Image upon us for so it is in Glory 1 Joh. 3.2 We shall be like unto him for we shall see him as he is and so it is in Grace 2 Cor. 3.18 Look as Moses by being with God brought some of Heavens beauty down with him not onely in his face but also in his heart some of the bowels of God toward a sinning people Exod. 32.31 32. so it is with those that draw near to God in Prayer the Image of God looks fresh upon them it is to be seen who they have been with their Fathers face is so conspicuously beheld in them 3. From the Duty it self 1. It is that that Christ Jesus often exercised himself in especially upon weighty occasions yea sometimes spent the whole night in Prayer to God Luke 6.12 and we need not be ashamed to follow him Souldiers follow their Leader Sheep the Shepherds so here Joh. 10.27 They follow me 2. It is that whereby we become Princes with God Gen. 32.28 Hos 12.3 4. and who would not prevail with God though he get an halting by it 3. It is that that makes us prevail with men Gen. 32.28 If we can but be Princes with God men shall never be too hard for us Impotency shall not overcome where Omnipotency yields 4. It is that duty that gains great things for us What is it that may not be obtained by Prayer of Faith it's a Key that opens all doors the door of Heaven Jam. 3.17 18. the doors of the Sea Exod. 14. Neh. 9. the doors of the barren womb 1 Sam. 1. What Treasures are there that Prayer cannot come at fetch away and bring in its hand to us 5. It is that that God delights in Cant. 2.14 Prov. 15.8 it is a kinde of harmony and musick and melody in his ears Other fathers love to see their children playing but our Father loves to see his children praying 6. It is that that we begin our spiritual life with Acts 9. and must not cease with us till we come to glory 7. It is that that will issue in praises in another world our Requests now will be Songs then Vse 1. for Information 1. We see what honour God puts upon Believers when they pray to him They draw near to him It is great honour to draw near to a Princes Throne to put up a Petition now and then and to stand or kneel in his Presence Oh what honour then is it to araw near to God and to come to his Throne to present our Supplications before Him who is King of kings and Lord of lords all are not so dignified it is the priviledge of Believers onely they are they that have this Kings ear and heart they may come without check or controll it 's their honour to be in his Presence there 's no Law to inhibite them from coming as was sometimes in the great Persian Monarchs Kingdome Esth 4.11 they may come when they will and as often as they will this King hath an ear open and an hand ready to receive their Petitions that they present to him 1 Joh. 5.14 15. When they come most frequently they are welcome most cordially when they draw near as Abraham here they have the honour to kiss the Kings Hand and to come at any time into the Presence-Chamber without reproof Such honour have all his Saints and so it is with every one that this King delighteth to honour 2. We see that Believers are Favourites and Friends of God that they draw near to God Abraham is thrice in Scripture called the Friend of God 2 Chron. 20.7 Isa 41.8 Jam. 2.23 and when any thing is often spoken of God would have us minde that The truth is none are such friends of God as Believers nay none are friends but they To them this King holds out the golden Scepter of his Grace There are some that are said to be near the King Jer. 52.25 and of Zabud that he was King Solomons friend 1 Kings 4.5 Oh but how near are Believers to God what friends are they to him that may come with their Petitions to him at any time without repulse No Favourites of Princes have more liberty then they have to come into the Presence of the greatest Majesty of Heaven Julius and Augustus had their Favourites and so had Tiberius his Sejanus that he did call Friend and would write to him pro amicitia out of the friendship that he bore to him but none like Believers for friendship and favour with God that can come with such boldness to his Throne of Grace and draw near when they pray to him 3. We see that God humbleth himself above all other Princes in the world that will vouchsafe to admit such as we be into his Presence and to come so near him It 's great humility in the great God to behold things that are done in heaven to have respect to the service that Angels bring before him but for him to behold things done on earth to look at our services and prayers to regard our petitions and to let us have any room in his heart and our requests to have any admittance to his Throne Oh! who is like to the Lord that dwelleth on high that thus humbleth himself for our sakes Ps 113.5 6. Princes will sometimes stoop toward their Subjects as David and others have done but none like God Some Princes will scarce be seen once in a year of their Subjects they take such State upon them but our God and King does not so we may draw near to him when we pray to him 4. We see that by nature we are far from God for it is of faith that we draw near to him by nature we care not for praying to him for it is by grace that we come with our suits and supplications to him we may thank grace that ever we get near him Nature puts us far from God as East and West are in their distances one from another as soon may Arctick and Antarctick Poles meet as God and Nature meet together Adam when fallen would never have come
everlasting destruction 6. Remedilesly there 's no remedy but God must destroy wicked men he knows not how to spare them any longer 2 Chron. 36.16 Prov. 6.15 24.1 When the Disease is so desperate that there 's no healing for it the case is sad such is their case that are destroyed without remedy that no Balm can cure that no Medicine can do any good upon 7. Strangely so were the Sodomites destroyed fire descended contrary to the nature of it they had sinned contrary to nature by their fiery lusts and gone after strange flesh and were in a strange manner destroyed So Nadab and Abihu offered strange fire before the Lord and were destroyed in a strange manner Lev. 10.1 2. So Obad. ver 5. the Prophet cannot tell how to express Edoms destruction it was so strange he stands as it were amazed at it How art thou cut off See Job 31.3 8. Lamentably so as others shall bewail their destruction Thus the Prophets did lamentably bewail Moabs destruction Isa 16.9 Jer. 48.31 32. So Christ bewailed the destruction of Jerusalem Luk. 19 41-44 Thus Rome shall be destroyed lamentably so as all her Merchants and Traders with her shall bewail her bitterly Rev. 18. weeping and wailing and crying out for her lamentable destruction Quest 3. Why will God thus destroy the wicked Ans 1. From himself 2. From them First From himself 1. He is a just Lord Zeph. 3.3 and from that Justice does execute judgement upon them and destroy them Just Judges on earth will not suffer notorious persons to live how much more the just Lord 2. He is a God of purer eyes then to behold evil viz. without loathing and detestation and cannot look upon iniquity viz. with any approbation and this purity of his Nature puts him upon destroying wicked ones 3. He sees all their wickedness more open or more secret Jer. 7.11 23.24 Job 34.21 22. There is no darkness nor shadow of death where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves and therefore destruction shall be their portion 4. He is a God to whom vengeance belongeth Deut. 32.35 Psal 94.1 and the Lord God of Recompences will surely requite Jer. 51.56 Secondly From the wicked 1. They are devoted to destruction Jer. 12.3 Pluck them out as sheep for the slaughter prepare them for the day of slaughter 2. Their sins are very great and very provoking as the Sodomites sins were and such as God will not pardon 3. They are of so long continuance that he is weary of repenting Jer. 15.6 4. They do some of them sin against the holy Ghost as some of the Pharisees did Mat. 12.31 32. and that sin cannot be repented of Heb. 6.4 5 6. and for such there remains no more sacrifice but a fearful looking for of judgement and fiery indignation which shall devour the adversaries Heb. 10.27 Vse 1. for Information 1. We see the woful estate of wicked men living and dying such God will destroy them They may brave it for a season and flourish and seem to carry all before them and think to do great things against the Lord and his Saints but woe to them the reward of their hands shall be given them and this reward shall be destruction Isa 3.11 The Sodomites carried it highly against the Lord and braved it against just Lot Gen. 19. but within a little time showers of fire and brimstone rained from heaven and destroyed them all Haman braved it against the Jews and thought to have destroyed them all but he procured his own destruction by it An high house falls sometimes with the weight of it so does an high and proud heart 2. We see that we have no cause to fret or be envious at them for they shall soon be destroyed Psal 37.1 2. Godly men are apt to it I was envious at the foolish sayes Asaph Psal 73.3 So Jer. 12.1 2. but there 's no cause if we consider their end Psa 73.17 18. Destruction is their deserved punishment See Psa 37.35 36. the highest Towers have the deepest falls so they that are in highest dignity Princes Favourites are not onvied because when they come down their fall is great so it was with Haman and with other Favourites Sejanus that Tiberius Caesar made such account of but when he came down his ruine was great And this sad Catastrophe have all wicked men though they may spread their Plumes for a little time and therefore there is no cause to fret because of the wicked nor to be envious at the workers of iniquity a sad blow at last kills them 3. We see what reason there is why we should not chuse any of their wayes Prov. 3.31 lest we have a minde to be destroyed with them They that go together in a way of sin ever go together to destruction except mercy step in to save some of them Prov. 13.20 A bundle of Drunkards a bundle of filthy persons as the Sodomites were a bundle of Blasphemers and so of the rest they shall be all bound up in bundles to be burned together They that chuse the same way go to the same sad journeys end 4. We see what a dreadful God we have to do with and what cause we have to fear before him that will thus destroy the wicked How should we fear before him Children fear when Slaves are beaten so should we 5. We see the great mercy of God to any of us that when we went on in a way of wickedness and deserved to be destroyed that yet he would spare us Psal 103.10 As no sinners were like us so no God is like him Mic. 7.18 How easily and justly might he have destroyed us and rendred to us according to our deserts his mercy hath been great that he hath not dealt with us as we have dealt with him and as we have deserved from him 6. We see that we need not be troubled when such men bring their wicked devices to pass and prosper in their way of evil for after all they must be destroyed when they have run their run they will come to ruine Psal 37.7 8 9. 7. We see how much better it is to cut off right hands and right feet and to pluck out right eyes sins as dear as these members rather then to be thus miserably destroyed Mark 9 43-46 Vse 2. for Terrour to all wicked ones how will they bear destruction when it cometh for if they continue and live and dye such there 's nothing else to be expected but destruction and were it onely to be destroyed out of the land of the living here it were something if it were a fruit of Gods displeasure but Oh the misery of those that are and shall be everlastingly destroyed no tongue can express nor heart can conceive what calamity there is in such destruction the wicked Sodomites now feel it Jude ver 7. Vse 3. for Humiliation that we pity them no more for how can we endure to see them so destroyed we would pity a
for a few of them judgement is kept off and not executed upon a very sinning people For the good corn the chaff is not burned for the good seed the tares are not suddenly plucked up Vse 3. for Humiliation to the Righteous that for some worldly Accommodations chuse such places to live in where there are many wicked men for though God may for their sakes spare and not destroy such a place if there be a considerable number of them yet they shall finde heart-breaking grief enough as Lot did who for outward things chose that place Gen. 13.10 11 12. with 2 Pet. 2.7 8. Vse 4. for Exhortation 1. To prize Righteous ones that God so highly prizeth that Abraham made account that for their sakes he would spare and not destroy a sinning people Every one of them is more precious then the rarest Gems and Jewels in the world they are the excellent ones of the earth Psal 16.3 no precious Pearls in the East or West-Indies to be equalled or compared with them 2. To delight to be there where many such are for they are they for whose sakes a sinning people are preserved Abraham desired that Sodom might be spared for such it 's good to be there therefore where such are their company is to be chosen That place is happy that is set about with such precious ones 3. To do as Abraham did for Sodom to pray for a sinning people if a considerable number of Righteous be hoped to be found there Our Prayers shall not be lost they shall be accepted and if there be not so many found as we hoped for they will return into our own bosoms we shall be the better for such Prayers whatever become of such a sinning people They may be destroyed as the Sodomites were but they that pray for them shall have their Prayers hung upon the file in heaven and not one of them shall be forgotten before God Princes do sometimes forget what Petitions have come before them but God never does Verse 25. That be far from thee to do after this manner to slay the righteous with the wicked and that the righteous should be as the wicked that be far from thee Doct. VI. THat it is that that Gods faithful Suppliants wish to be far from the Lord to slay the Righteous with the Wicked or that the Righteous should be as the Wicked He repeats the phrase twice to shew his earnest desire that such a thing may never be as if he should say God forbid that ever such a thing should be for so the Hebrew word Chalilah which signifieth a profane thing and that that is forbidden to be done holds out and the Apostle expresseth it by God forbid Reasons 1. From God the Lord or from Christ Jesus for he is this Lord that Abraham interceded to in behalf of Sodom as Interpreters make account 2. From the Righteous 3. From the Wicked First From the Lord Jesus 1. He is that just and righteous one Acts 7.52 and therefore out of justice cannot slay the righteous with the wicked Just men will make more account of the righteous then of the wicked how much more the just Lord 2. He loves Righteousness and hates Wickedness Psal 45.7 and he cannot possibly suffer it that the Righteous should be as the Wicked or slay the Righteous with the wicked and therefore suppliants may wish such a thing as that to be far from him 3. He beholds the righteous with an amiable face and looks upon them with an eye of favour Psal 11.7 and therefore cannot but put a great difference betwixt the one sort and the other and cannot put them in the same condition so that the one should be as the other 4. He is the Judge of all the earth so the Text and therefore cannot but do right But of that I must speak more in the next Doctrine and therefore onely touch upon it now 5. He is wont to be merciful to righteous ones that fear him and he cannot leave his old wont This the Psalmist pleads Psal 119.132 Look thou upon me and be merciful to me as thou usest to do to those that fear thy Name It would not be according to his custom and wont it would be otherwise then he useth to do if he should not be merciful to such and how should he then slay the Righteous with the Wicked 6. He will render to a man his work and cause every man to finde according to his wayes and therefore humble ones may earnestly wish it to be far from him to slay the Righteous with the wicked Job 34.10 11. so Elihu speaks Far be it from God that he should do sickedness and from the Almighty that he should commit iniquity for the work of a man shall he render unto him c. Secondly From the Righteous 1. They are tender of his Name and therefore he cannot but be tender of them and let the righteous be in better case then the wicked They are described to be such as love his Name Psal 69.36 2. They are such as it is a joy to them to do judgement and if so then much more will the Lord do judgement and rejoyce so to do and therefore cannot but put a difference between the righteous and the wicked 3. They are such as are more excellent then others be Prov. 12.26 many wayes more excellent in their descent being born of God Joh. 1.13 in their honourable Relation being Brethren to Christ Joh. 20.17 Heb. 2.11 12. in their spiritual food which is Christs flesh that they feed upon and his blood which they drink of Joh. 6.55 in their spiritual clothing which is Christs Righteousness Isa 61.10 1 Cor. 1.30 in their attendance having the Angels to encamp about them and minister to them Psal 34.7 Heb. 1.14 in their great Inheritance Mat. 25.34 Now being all these wayes more excellent then others it must needs be that a difference must be made between them and that the righteous shall not be as the wicked and far be it from the Lord that it should be otherwise 4. They are they and they onely that God hath any glory by upon earth the wicked bring in none to him but put all the dishonour they can upon him and Isa 42.8 he is tender of his glory and how then should he slay the Righteous with the Wicked We may plead it with the Lord as Abraham did That be far from thee to do after this manner to slay the Righteous with the Wicked or that the Righteous should be as the Wicked that be far from thee 5. They are such as he takes pleasure in Psal 149.4 and how can this be if he should slay the Righteous with the Wicked See Cant. 2.14 6. They are such as he meets in a way of favour Isa 64.5 and if the Righteous should be as the Wicked how could this be he would rather meet them like an enemy then in a friendly way if he should slay the Righteous
If Malefactors should rail upon an earthly Judge and cast dirt and dishonour upon him could such expect any favour How then can it be that they should finde any favour that rail upon the Judge of all the Earth and throw dirt and dishonour upon this glorious and dreadful One Vse 3. for Humiliation to the Saints that are too inordinately afraid of the day of Judgement why should they when their Redeemer is to be their Judge He that hath bought them with his Blood and paid such a Ransome for them will not cast them away that he hath paid so dearly for Vse 4. for Exhortation 1. To honour this Judge and let all the Earth do it Other Judges are honourable and have honour put upon them Oh how much more then should he 2. To tremble to sin against him Who would provoke and exasperate him that is to be his Judge let all the Earth then fear before him 3. To sue for grace at the Throne of Grace in the day of grace that this Judge may be a Friend to us in the day of Judgement What suits are made to Earthly Judges Oh how much more to him 4. To plead with him to do right as in the Text. But of that more in the next Note 5. To us Ministers to preach the Word to be instant in season out of season as ever we will answer it at the great day of his appearing 2 Tim. 4.1 2. 6. To pray alwayes that we may escape the Judges severity at the last day Luke 21.36 Vse 5. for Consolation 1. To those that he is a Redeemer to this Judge will acquit them 2. That he will take all unrighteous to do that have perverted justice 3. That all the wicked of the earth shalll be judged 4. That all the righteous shall be delivered Verse 25. Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right Doct. VIII THat the Judge of all the Earth cannot but do right and we may plead it with him as he is such a Judge to do right Thus did Abraham Shall not the Judge of all the Earth do right For opening of which let me shew 1. Why he cannot but do right 2. Why we are to plead it with him as he is such a Judge to do right 3. The Vses Reasons of the first Branch 1. He cannot but do right because he is a Righteous Judge 2 Tim. 4.8 He is called the just one Acts 7.52 and just Judges do that which is right how much more he 2. Because he loveth Righteousness in us Psal 11.7 and therefore sure he cannot but do right himself That which we love we put in practice we cannot do contrary to what we love so it is with Christ the Judge of all the Earth he loves Righteousness in us and therefore cannot do contrary to what he loves 3. He commands other Judges to do right Deut. 1.16 judge righteously between every man and his brother So 2 Chron. 19.6 7. And he that commands other Judges to do right will certainly do right himself 4. He complains of wrong dealing and of the proceeding of wrong judgement Hab. 1.4 The law is slacked and judgement doth never go forth for the wicked doth compass about the righteous therefore wrong judgement proceedeth Now if the Lord finde fault himself with wrong dealing he cannot do wrong himself but will do right 5. He punisheth those that do pervert judgement and justice The Caldeans were sent against the injustice of the Land of Israel and God took vengeance of them by them with great severity Hab. 1.6 10. Now if the Lord punish iniquity and injustice in men he must needs as Judge of all the Earth do right himself 6. He is with those that are just Judges in the righteous judgement that they pass in their Judgement-seats 2 Chron. 19.6 He is with them to assist them to direct them to protect them to encourage them to uphold them to exalt and honour them to bless them and if so then he cannot but do right himself 7. He respect's no persons takes no gifts cannot be bribed or blinded with rewards Some Judges may but he cannot some others may pervert judgement by such wayes but he will not 2 Chron. 19.7 and therefore he cannot but do right Let men do wrong and deal unjustly and do violence yet this Judge will not cannot he treads never a step but in the way of Righteousness 8. He will bring such to judgement at the great day as have done iniquity in Judgement-seats Eccles 3.16 17. I saw under the Sun sayes Solomon the place of judgement that wickedness was there and the place of righteousness that iniquity was there I said in my heart God shall judge the righteous and the wicked for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work Now if God will be severe against unrighteous Judges at the last day how can it be but that as Judge he must do right himself Reasons of the second Branch Why we are to plead it with him as he is Judge to do right 1. Because it is not meet that his Name should have any dishonour put upon it and therefore we are to plead with him to do right for if he could possibly do any iniquity which he cannot it would reflect dishonour upon him Petit. 1. in Mat. 6.9 2. Because if he did not right he could not judge the world it is essential to his Office of being Judge to do righteously Rom. 3.5 6. and that we may plead with him 3. Because his honour is exalted by doing right If Righteousness exalt a Nation then much more the Judge of all Nations and therefore we may well plead it with him 4. Because all mouthes are stopped when right is done It is so when Judges on earth do right they that would cavil cannot tell how to do it So it is when the Judge of all the Earth does right then no man dare open his mouth against him 5. Because when this Judge doth right there will be loud acclamations made As when a King upon the Throne judgeth righteously all his People will sound forth his praise so when this King judgeth righteously all will sing aloud his praise Psal 98. throughout 6. Because when he doth right he will be feared It is said of Solomon when he did that that was right between the two women that contended about the living and dead childe that All Israel heard of the judgement that the King had judged and they feared the King 1 Kin. 3.28 Oh how will then the Judge of all the Earth when he does right be feared of all his people and this we may well plead Vse 1. for Information 1. We see how unlike they are to Jesus Christ that sit on judgement-seats and do not that which is right but pervert judgement and no not execute justice in the earth There are those that will turn aside the right of the poor and will not help the afflicted in the gate
but will deal unrighteously when it is in the power of their hand to help and succour helpless ones The Judge of all the Earth cannot but do right Oh how little then do these resemble him He shines with the rayes and beams of his Righteousness but they have not so much as one beam of this Sun to shine forth with but are black and dark all over and covered with Injustice as the sky is covered with thick Clouds and darkness In stead of putting on righteousness and being clothed with it as Job speaks Job 29.14 and making judgement a robe and a diadem they put on unrighteousness and tye it fast as a garment to them Many such there are in the world but they have nothing of the Image of Christ upon them The Judge of all the Earth cannot but do right 2. We see that this Judge will cause all unjust Judges to stand before His Judgement-seat and pass a righteous Sentence upon them Though they would do no right yet they shall have right and justice from him at the great day of his appearing Then he will reckon with them for all their cruelty and injustice for all the wrong that they have done to his poor ones for all the tricks and querks that they have devised to put off Law and Justice and Equity then they shall hear his righteous Sentence pronounced upon them and feel the stroke of his righteous hand against them The Judge of all the Earth that doth right will pay them for all their wrong they have done and the proudest of them shall know it Eccles 3.16 17. 3. We see what all their Bribery will come to that they have perverted justice by and all the Gifts they have been blinded with to go out of the way of Righteousness with the Judge of all the Earth that doth right will reward them according to their works Those Bribes that they have taken will be fire to consume all they leave behinde them Job 15.34 and kindle hell fire by the breath of God against them to consume them to all eternity Bribes are to them as the Worm was to Jonas's gourd that smote it and withered it they smite and wither their Estates Names Families Bodies and Souls and bring ruine and destruction upon them for ever 4. We see what need Kings and all the Judges of the Earth have to be wise and to kiss the Son for he that is Judge of all the Earth cannot but do right and they shall have right and justice from him as well as other men If they honour him not obey him not yield not homage and subjection to him live not according to his Laws lay not down their Crowns and Scepters and Robes at his feet if their Laws be contrary to his and their Sentences that they pronounce in their judgement-seats come cross to the right Rules of his holy Word in clearing the guilty and oppressing the innocent without a cause let them know that this Judge will do right to them in condemning them and there is no respect of persons with him 5. We see that surely he will not slay the Righteous with the Wicked in the day of the destruction of the Wicked for the Judge of all the Earth cannot but do right he will put a difference between the one and the other he will not consume Gold and dross together But of that we spake before 6. We see that we may not marvel though sometimes temporal afflictions befall the righteous and wicked ones escape for the Judge of all the Earth cannot but do right in all his dispensations to his own dear ones Something he sees that it is just with him to afflict them for and it is in love and faithfulness to them and they see it Psal 119.75 and for the wicked that escape these there 's more behinde for them and they shall have right done them in another manner they are reserved men to another day and for another time 2 Pet. 2.9 Job 21.30 and those afflictions of the Righteous are but as the prickings of a pin compared with the punishment of the damned in Hell which shall be stung with Scorpions to all eternity 7. We see what love we owe to the Lord Jesus that is the Judge that cannot but do right All men love such a Judge as does right to every man Oh what love then is this Judge worthy of that cannot but do right to all Every one sayes Solomon shall kiss his lips that gives a right answer Prov. 24.26 and if so how should we in way of love kiss those blessed lips that as a Judge gives a right answer and cannot but do right in all his dispensations of himself to us 8. We see what cause we have to speak good of his Name All men speak well of such a Judge as does right to all his name is renowned all the Country over his fame spreads all a Kingdome over Oh how well should we then speak of the Judge of all the Earth how renowned should his Name be how should his Fame spread all the world over that cannot but do right to all we should make his Name to be remembred to all generations Psal 45.17 9. We see that if we would be like to him we must do right to all we converse with do right to them in their Names take need we wrong them not there Exod. 23.1 Thou shalt not raise a false report Do right to them in their Estates take heed we wrong them not there 1 Thess 4.6 Do right to them in their Families take heed of wronging them there Do right to them in their Consciences take heed of wronging them there impose nothing upon them there that Conscience cannot bear Conscience like the Eye is a tender thing and may not be touched too hard beware of this Do right to them in their Callings and Conditions of life give Magistrates that that is their due in honour obedience homage and support in their places Titus 3.1 Give Ministers their due 1 Tim. 5.17 take heed we wrong them not in reference to their Callings and so we are to do them right every way if we would be like to the Judge of all the Earth that cannot but do right 10. We see that they that do not right shall not have him a Friend to them be they who they will be They that wrong their Brethren in their Names Estates Families or any other way shall be sure to have him to be an Avenger to them He cannot be a Friend to any but such as do right to every one that they have occasion to converse with and to have the Judge of all the Earth to be our Friend will be worth something at the great day of his appearing Vse 2. for Terrour 1. To all injurious wrongful-dealing persons that know not how to do right but all the wrong that ever they can invent they are willing to do against those that deserve well at their hands Oh
come off with to those that sue to him Whatsoever they ask shall be granted to them Mat. 21.22 Joh. 16.23 God will not be out-bidden by man what he is delighted with shall have a greater reward then any King on Earth can give Quest 2. How does he hear them and grant their desires that they put up to him Ans 1. Sometimes very speedily Isa 58.9 Thou shalt call and the Lord shall answer thou shalt cry and he shall say Here I am which is a marvellous condescendency in the great God and hath more in it then I am able to express it is like that in Isa 45.11 as if Prayer had the command of the great God But withall it holds out his speedy answer of Prayer So Isa 65.24 while they are yet speaking c. Nehemiah got a speedy answer to his ejaculatory Prayer Neh. 2 4.-8 So Ezra had a speedy answer Ezra 8.23 So Elijah had a speedy answer 1 Kings 18.36 37 38 39. Prayer hath wings to fly speedily to heaven and to bring a speedy answer from heaven See Dan. 9.23 2. Graciously Exod. 22.27 When he crieth unto me I will hear for I am gracious As God is gracious to us many other wayes so in special manner in hearing our prayers and granting what we sue unto him for A Prince is gracious in granting the requests of his Suppliants so is the Lord in hearing and granting our requests Prayer of faith is crowned with favour from a gracious God 3. Justly so as to grant all that we sue unto him for Joh. 14.13 14. Mat. 21.22 He hath a full hand and a large heart and will fulfill the desires of them that fear him The Creatures the fuller they be the more they communicate of their fulness the Sun that is full of light and heat the Stars that are full of sweet influences the Sea that is full of water the Clouds that are full of Rain the Earth that is full of good fruits All these communicate of their fulness God is a full one and of his fulness we all receive He is infinitely full and therefore can and will fulfill all our desires and give a full grant to all our requests that we put up to him All the Creatures fulness is derivative and temporary but his is of and from himself and continues a full one to all eternity and therefore more communicative then any then all of them So as our Prayers get a full answer from him and a full grant of all we stand in need of 4. Sometimes wonderfully and to admiration How wonderfully did the Lord hear Joshua in the Suns standing still Josh 10.12 13 14. How wonderfully did he hear Hezekiahs desire in its going back ten degrees 2 Kings 20.4 How wonderfully did God answer Elijah in the two Captains with their fifties 2 Kings 1 9-12 God is a Wonder-working God and sometimes to admiration he hears the prayers and grants the desires of his Servants that seek to him We are not able to count what wonders have been done by Prayer That wonder of the Thundring Legions Prayer for Rain when the Emperour and his Army were in such distress which was obtained by their Prayer was a rare wonder indeed 5. He hears them constantly there 's no time that they come before him so as they ought but he hears and grants what they desire of him Psal 55.17 Evening and morning and at noon will I pray and cry aloud and he shall hear my voice Let me come before him when I will I shall get an answer There are some Princes on earth that never deny their Suppliants but are all upon the giving hand That Emperour that said He never sent away any that came petitioning sad from him was such a Prince Now if Princes on earth will do 〈◊〉 us Oh how much more will God himself at all times grant that that we sue unto him for 6. Alwayes in time of need Heb. 4.16 Let us come boldly to the throne of Grace that we may obtain mercy and finde grace to help in time of need God does all for us according to our need and when we need a grant of our Requests we shall be sure to have it Wise men will give where they see there 's need much more the wise God When we cannot tell how to be without a grant then a grant comes from Heaven when we know not what to do without it then it is given then the God of Heaven is liberal in his grants to us Quest 3. Why is the Lord a God hearing Prayer and granting the desires of his Servants Ans 1. From himself 2. From his Servants 3. From the Duty of Prayer First From himself 1. He hath promised that he will hear and grant Mat. 21.22 Joh. 16.23 and what he promiseth he will perform what he speaks with his mouth he will fulfill with his hand 1 King 8.24 Men often break their promises and belie with their deeds what they utter in their words but God cannot lie Tit. 1.2 and therefore what he speaks shall be done He will not alter the thing that is gone out of his lips Numb 23.19 if he say that he will hear and grant he will make it good 2. He hereby encourageth all flesh to come to him Psal 65.2 They have many beggars at their doors that are bountiful givers Those Courts of Princes are thronged with Suiters where the Prince's ears are open to hear and their hands open to give So it is with Gods Doors many there are that lye at them and with his Court multitudes of Suiters throng to it with their Petitions when Gods ear is open to hear his hand open to give They are encouraged to come when he will not say them nay It is observed That that gracious Emperour Augustus had very many that made suit to him how much more then will our gracious God have many that will make supplication to him 3. He hereby bindes us the faster to himself in love and duty Every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts saith Solomon and all look at themselves as much obliged to them that are bountifull in giving to them but Oh how much more does God oblige us to him by those liberal grants that he makes to us We are ready to say as David does Psal 116.16 Truely we are his servants we are his servants and desire that none may shew our selves more faithful then we That Traitor that Augustus was so kinde unto not only in pardoning his Treason but in giving him great things and preferring him to highest Honour look'd at himself as one that was deeply engaged and obliged to him and proved the most faithful and loyal Subject to him of all other ever after So does God binde and tye us to himself in duty and obedience by his bountifull grants that he makes to us 4. He hereby honours himself by having an open ear to hear and an open hand to give and grant what we
gestures kneeling upon our knees as Subjects to our Prince thus did Solomon 1 King 8.54 or standing as Servants to our Master Luke 11.25 or smiting upon our breasts and casting down our eyes Luke 18.13 or falling upon our faces or any bodily gesture expressing the humility of our spirits We would count our selves unworthy to come into the Presence of a King on earth if we did not use humble gestures before him Oh how much more then should we when we use them not when we come before the Lord 5. In humble behaviour in our Petitions to him in a beseeching way The Evangelist sayes that the woman of Canaan besought Christ that he would cast the devil out of her daughter Thus Abraham besought the Lord for Sodom So the Text. Thus Jacob humbly prayed for deliverance from Esau in a beseeching way Gen. 32.11 12. So Daniel Dan. 9.19 O Lord hear O Lord forgive O Lord consider and do defer not for thine own sake O my God They that sue to Princes are full of intreaties much more should we when we come before the Lord. 6. In being afraid that we should then provoke him to anger when we pray to him Gen. 18.30 32. Let not the Lord be angry and I will speak so Gideon useth the same expression Judg. 6.39 But of this I shall inlarge when I come to speak of those words of Abraham 7. In self-loathing and self-abhorrency Ezek. 36.31 Job 42.6 This argues an humble heart when we can loath our selves and abhorre our selves by provoking of him Quest 2. Why are we thus to be humble in our addresses to him Ans 1. From the Lord. 2. From our selves 3. From the Petitions we make to him First From the Lord. 1. He is a great God and a great King above all gods Psa 47.2 95.3 Mal. 1.14 I am a great King saith the Lord of Hosts and does not humility then well become them that come before such a great One as he is 2. He is our Maker Psal 95.6 7. and should we not be humble before our Maker He made us at first and hath made us again when we had defaced his first workmanship 2 Cor. 5.15 and the second gift is greater then the first In primâ— opere me mihi dedit in secundo se sayes Bernard and such a Makers love is to be humbly adored 3. He humbleth Himself exceedingly to us Psal 113 5-9 and should not we learn humility of him Should the King be humble and the Subjects proud 4. He is so glorious that the Angels cover their faces and feet before him Isa 6.2 and if those mighty ones those great Courtiers be so humble how humble should we be that are vile dust and ashes 5. He delights in humble ones looks with an eye of favour to such Isa 66.2 and should not this humble us in his sight Humble suiters with men are most in favor much more with the Lord. 6. He hears the desires of the humble Psa 10.17 and therefore we may well think it behoves us to be humble 7. He dwells with such Isa 57.15 he is familiar with them and will not leave them as men forsake not their dwellings 8. He will save such Job 22.29 with a temporal and eternal salvation Secondly From our selves 1. We are low in our Original Gen. 3.19 2.7 and it 's good to think of that to abase us and lay us low before him 2. We are low in our condition whither we are to go Eccles 12.7 Job 25.6 and can we look at proud dust without blushing 3. We are viler then the vilest of the creatures by reason of sin Job 40.4 4. We are beggars and humility well becomes such 1 Chron. 29.14 16. Mat. 5.3 5. We are his suppliants Zeph. 3.10 and humility well becomes such 6. We are debtors and they sue humbly so should we Mat. 6.11 Thirdly From the Petitions themselves 1. They are for great things and therefore it becomes us to be humble in suing for such great things A portion in Christ Inheritance in Heaven Pardon of sin Peace of Conscience Fellowship with God c. these are great things 2. They are for good things Mat. 7.11 and we should be humble in asking such things How good is the Favour of God and Assurance of his Love Justification c. 3. They are for rare things that but a few partake of we pray for Salvation and that 's a rare thing there are few saved Mat. 7.14 4. They are wonderful things that we ask Jer. 33.3 and such things are to be humbly prayed for 5. They are precious things that we ask Christ the holy Spirit Grace Glory these are very precious things and therefore we are to ask them humbly 6. They are whatsoever we will that we may have a grant of Matth. 21.22 Joh. 15.7 and therefore it well becomes us to ask such things in an humble manner Vse 1. for Information 1. We see that they that are of a proud spirit when they come to pray before the Lord cannot expect that their Prayers should be accepted for humility is that that God looks for and that which well becomes us when we pray to him Cloth of Gold does not better become a Prince then humility does a Petitioner before the Lord. Humble suiters are the speeders Luke 18.13 14. Pride is a Rag of the old man and it is not comely to be seen in rags before such a King as the Lord is 2. We see a reason why Prayer is called Incense Psal 141.2 Mal. 1.11 The Incense was to be beaten small Exod. 30.36 and by the beating of it very small was shadowed out the humility and contrition of our hearts in Prayer 3. We see that Confession of sin is one of the chief ingredients that Prayer is to consist of for therein we chiefly humble our selves in coming before the Lord in Prayer Lev. 20.40 41 42. Solomon speaks much of it in his Prayer 1 Kin. 8. and we cannot be too serious in it 4. We see that Popish Prayers according to the number of their Beads which they do so glory in are of no account with God because they trust in them and come not from the humility of their hearts for He resisteth the proud but gives grace to the humble 1 Pet. 5.5 The more humble we be when we pray the more acceptance we may expect from him Psal 10.17 5. We see that without faith there 's no putting up an humble Prayer Abrahams faith made him pray so humbly So that woman of Canaans faith was that that humbled her heart in Prayer that she fell at Christs feet It was the Centurions faith that made him confess that he was not worthy that Christ should come under his Roof and that he was not worthy to come to him Luke 7.6 7. Faith is an humbling grace and the more of it we bring with us in Prayer the more humility decks that Prayer 6. We see a reason of that in Psal 51.17
to do so do rude children to their Father and get a check for it and so do we to our Father let it shame us or else we shall be sure of a check for it 2. To those that may be bold and dare not or at least will not go so often as they might nor take upon them to speak to the Lord as he allows What Friends of God and not be humbly bold with him God for bid Vse 4. for Exhortation 1. To prize Faith that makes us bold with God 2 Pet. 1.1 We prize our friendship with some men whereby we are bold with them how much more faith whereby we are friends of God Jam. 2.23 and so bold with him 2. To prize Christ above all 1 Pet. 2.7 for he it is by whom we have access with boldness Ephes 2.18 Heb. 4.14 16. we should never have taken upon us to speak to the Lord had it not been for him He brings us to the Father Joh. 14.6 3. To be thankefull to the Blessed Trinity that we may be thus bold in Christ our Mediator 4. To love that Friend and Favourite at the Court of Heaven that hath made us friends and bold with God 5. To be bold in a good cause before the greatest men and not to fear them Prov. 24.25 6. To come with boldness to the Throne of Grace having leave so to do Heb. 4.16 Verse 28. Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous wilt thou destroy all the City for lack of five And he said If I finde there forty and five I will not destroy it Doct. XV. THat Believers when they have got one of their Requests granted stay not there but intreat for another So does Abraham here he had got a grant for Sodoms sparing if there were fifty found there and now he makes another Request that if there should lack five of the fifty he would not destroy all the City for lack of five Thus Gideon he prayed that the fleece might be wet with dew and all the earth else might be dry and he got a grant of that for so it was Judg. 6.37 38. but he stayes not there but desires another that the fleece may be dry and all the earth wet with dew ver 39 40. Reasons 1. From the Lord. 2. From the Believers First From the Lord. 1. He is a Bountiful giver he hath more blessings then one he hath a full hand and a large heart an open hand and a free liberal heart Psal 115.16 Jam. 1.5 2. He gives above what we ask or think Eph. 3.20 and therefore one Request granted should not content us but we should desire more of such an one as he is that is able to give above all our desires 3. He hath commanded us to open our mouthes wide Psal 81.10 to ask more and to inlarge our desires and if he command this we may well do it we cannot answer it but must be disobedient except we ask more 4. He hath promised that whatever we ask believing we shall receive and therefore it is not the grant of one Request that should content us but we should ask more Mat. 21.22 and all his promises are punctually performed 1 Kin. 8.24 5. He hath put a Royal spirit in giving into some men 1 Kings 2.20 Ask on my Mother sayes Solomon for I will not say thee nay So 1 Kings 10.13 He gave the Queen of Sheba all she asked besides what he gave her of his royall bounty See Esth 5.3 7.2 and if so he will never come short of men in royalty and bounty in giving and therefore we are not to rest in one grant but sue for more 6. He knows that we have many wants and when one is supplied we need another and another to that and so on to a multitude and many troubles to be removed and therefore when we sue for one and have it granted we must sue for more we are poor and afflicted many wayes Psal 34.6 19. and therefore must go on in our suits and ask more 7. He is pleased when he sees us again and again to renew our Requests to him He is not like some men that make it an argument why they will not give again because they have given once Jam. 1.5 8. He hath an inexhaustible Treasure that by the renewall of our suits and asking more we cannot draw dry He hath a rich Myne by him Rom. 10.12 He is a full one that commands all blessings both in temporal and spiritual things Psal 50. 1 Pet. 5.10 Secondly From the Believers themselves 1. Their faith is hereby strengthned Judg. 6 37-40 Gideons faith in Gods deliverance of Israel by his hand was strengthned by his second Request that he made to God concerning the fleece and the faith of Gods Servants needs strengthning even the Disciples of Christ were men of weak faith Mark 4.40 so that Christ could not tell how to put the name of Faith upon it 2. Their thankfulness is hereby more and more inlarged The more Petitions any make to a Prince the more full of Thanks they come off with when they are granted Now thanksgiving is Heavenly work Angelical Seraphical work and that that God is glorified by Psal 50.23 3. They do gain and gather upon God by renewing their suits so did Abraham he ever in his renewed Requests got something and went away a gainer A new Petition to a Prince by one in favour gains something so Believers upon every renewed Petition shall finde themselves to go away with something Even the poor at the doors that come often lose not their labour but get something are not sent empty away how much less then will God deny his poor ones that renew their requests to him Psal 10.17 4. They are the more welcome the oftner they come Men may be weary of us the oftner we come to them Prov. 25.17 Withdraw thy foot sayes Solomon from thy neighbours house lest he be weary of thee and so hate thee A man that comes seldome shall be welcome to another but if he come often he will but be a burthen but it is not so with those that go often before the Lord they are ever most welcome to him that come with new Requests oftnest before him 5. They become more dutiful and obedient to him if their renewed Suits be granted So it is with all that sue at Court how obsequious and dutiful will they be and so it is with those that renew their Suits at the Throne of Grace I am thy servant I am thy servant will each of them say Psal 116.16 not in a Complemental-way as sometimes they do at Court but in a serious way so as dutiful servants ought to do 6. They do by often coming increase their familiarity with God and this is that that he likes well of Job 22.21 and we may well delight in for no acquaintance like his 7. They by coming before God and renewing their requests to him shew forth the
his wayes higher then our wayes and his thoughts then our thoughts Isa 55.8 9. Psal 103.11 and therefore we may well improve it to the utmost 5. He is infinite in mercy as well as in his other Attributes Psal 145.3 147.5 and therefore we may improve it what we can and as far as our finite natures can go this way 6. He delights in mercy Mic. 7.18 and that that he delights in that should we delight to improve to the utmost and he will also delight in our improvement of it as he did all along in Abrahams here Secondly From the Believers themselves 1. They have experience of his mercy to themselves and therefore improve it all they can in behalf of others Abraham found the Lord merciful to himself and therefore improves mercy for others 2. They are of a merciful disposition to others Righteous and Merciful men are coupled together Isa 57.1 Now being of a merciful disposition hence it is that they do improve the the Lords mercy what they can for them 3. Believers have a promise that being merciful they shall obtain mercy Mat. 5.7 and that themselves shall be no losers by it and therefore may well improve the Lords mercy for others 4. They know that it's Gods will that they should love mercy Mic. 6.8 and this way they shew their love of mercy in improving Gods mercy to others 5. They are good stewards of the manifold grace of God and this way shew it by improving the mercy of God in behalf of others as well as for themselves 6. They are like God and he is communicative and so are they in improving his mercy as far as may be for the good of others God is good does good Psal 119.68 and the further a sweet Fountain runs the better it is Thirdly From their Prayers 1. They often prevail for others as well as for Believers themselves Abraham missed not of one of his desires for wicked Sodom 2. Their Prayers if they should miss for others yet will return into their own bosomes Psal 35.13 3. Their Prayers pierce heaven 2 Chro. 30.27 4. They have a kinde of soveraignty with them Isa 45.11 5. They bring the Lord to our beck Isa 58.9 6. They are never in vain Isa 45.19 and is not such mercy worth the improving Vse 1. for Information 1. We see how full of love Believers are to others that are so willing to improve the Lords mercy so farre for their good Abraham desires mercy for Sodom if there were but twenty righteous found amongst them Faith and Love ever go together lodge in the same breast and take up together in the same heart 2. We see that Believers are not all for themselves but very desirous that others should partake of the Lords mercy with them Faith is a communicative grace and does not centre within it self Gal. 5.6 3. We see how precious Believers should be in our eyes for they are such as do all they can to make others partakers of Gods mercy Mal. 3.17 Jewels communicate their beauty to others as well as retain it within themselves 4. We see how Believers resemble God himself he is good and does good Psal 119.68 and so do they 5. We see that they that share in the Lords mercy themselves are not so content but would have others partake in it also and therefore so desire it for them 6. We see what love will be in heaven if Believers have so much here on earth there 's all love there 1 Cor. 13.8 7. We see that the Lords mercy is a rich Myne and Treasure seeing it may be so improved and Believers do so desire to improve it for others 8. We see what improvement we should make of Gods mercy to our selves 9. We see that Believers do well in fulfilling the Royal Law Jam. 2.8 10. We see what longings we should have after heaven for then the Lords mercy will be fully manifested Jude ver 21. Vse 2. for Terrour to those that share not in this mercy Vse 3. for Humiliation that we fall short in our duty this way Vse 4. for Exhortation 1. To evidence our Faith this way 2. To improve his mercy for our selves 3. To look for the mercy of Christ unto eternal life Jude ver 21. 4. To honour Believers 5. To Pray Luke 17.5 6. To give the Lord the glory of all his mercy Verse 31. And be said I will not destroy it for twenties sake Doct. XXV THat the Lord doth exceedingly condescend to his believing Suppliants in praying to him and improving his mercy in behalf of others So does the Lord here Abraham desires that if there be but twenty Righteous in Sodom that he would not destroy it and God condescends to him in his request and sayes he will not destroy it for twenties sake Reasons 1. From the Lord. 2. From his believing Suppliants 3. From their Prayers First From the Lord. 1. He is a God ready to forgive Neh. 9.17 Psal 86.5 and not to inslict punishment especially when sued unto by Believers See Exod. 32 11.-14 Numb 14 13-21 2. He prepares their hearts and then causeth his ear to hear Psal 10.17 He that gives heart-preparation he ever lends a listening ear 3. He provides for the Ravens when his young ones cry unto God Job 38.41 Psal 147.9 and if he come down so low as to hear them then sure he will not disdain to condescend to his believing Suppliants that sue to him in behalf of others 4. He gives the beasts their food ibid. and they make but an harsh sound they some of them roar as the Bear and Lion and some of them bray as the Ass and some of them bellow as the Ox and if he condescend so low as to hear such noises and voices how much more will he come low in hearing his believing Suppliants whoever they pray for 5. He is a God that is merciful and gracious Exod. 34.6 and therefore hears them in behalf of whomsoever they sue for His Mercy and Grace makes him thus to condescend 6. He hears sometimes farre worse then they The Israelites murmured at the Red-sea yet Neh. 9.9 God heard their cry there to save them with a temporal salvation though afterward they were destroyed in the wilderness Jude ver 5. and if he would hear such much more will he condescend to hear his believing Suppliants on whose behalf soever they sue for Secondly From the Believers themselves 1. They have much communion with him as we see in Enoch and Noah Gen. 5.22 6.9 and God will condescend much to those 2. They are accepted in the beloved Eph. 1.6 and what is it that they may not prevail for he will condescend much for their sakes 3. They please him Heb. 11.5 and such as so do may have any thing of him 1 Joh. 3.22 4. They ravish his heart Cant. 4.9 that one eye of their Faith wins his heart he is taken with it as a Lover is with the beauty of
him God humbleth himself when he beholds the things that are done in Heaven when he looks at what the Angels and blessed Souls do for him in praising and yielding obedience to him but when he beholds what is done upon Earth by such as we are and accepts our prayers and grants us what we petition for Oh how low does he stoop and how does he humble himself that we may commune with him and he vouchsafes thus to commune with us and to be so familiar with us we may well say Who is a God like our God Psal 113.5 6. to be sure what ever our failings be and how short soever we fall of humbling our selves before him he exceedingly humbleth himself and condescends and comes very low to us 6. It is a gracious communing when we pray we utter gracious words grace is in our lips and grace bubbles from the fountain of our hearts as we sing with grace in our hearts Col. 3.16 so when we pray we pray with grace from our hearts and hence it is that these two are coupled together Zech. 12.10 a spirit of grace and of supplication The same spirit that is a spirit of supplication is a spirit of grace in us But when the Lord hears us and grants our requests and that way communes with us Oh how gracious is he to us Exod. 22.27 There are gracious communings between man and man sometimes so as that they are in heaven together upon earth but there are no such gracious communings as is between the Lord and us when we pray and he grants 7. It is a glorious communing Oh the divine lustre that is in our faces sometimes when we have been at Prayer Oh the glorious beauty that is then seen in our very countenances look as it was with Christ himself so it was with us it is said of him Luk. 9.29 as he prayed the fashion of his countenance was altered there was great glory seen upon it so it is with us sometimes when we pray there is a kind of heavenly glory sparkles in our faces and when he grants our requests and communâ—s that way with us Oh how glorious is he in his grace and mercy to us how gloriously does he dispense himself to us it is a glorious communing he glorifies himself and puts glory upon us thereby Q. 3. Why will God be so familiar with us and suffer us to be so familiar with him A. First From the Lord. 1. He is Love 1 Joh. 4.8 and they that are most loving will be most familiar with them that they love Now God being originally primarily eminently transcendently essentially everlastingly love to his believing ones hence it is that he is so familiar with them as to commune in so friendly a way with them Love is ever the efficient procreant and conserving cause of familiarity between man and man and Gods love is that that makes him so familiar as to commune with us 2. He is abundant in goodness Exod. 34.6 and the more a man abounds in goodness the more familiar he will be to those that are dear to him he will commune with them and make himself very familiar with them and so it is with the Lord his abundant goodness makes him have sweet familiarity so as to commune with us though we be sinful dust and ashes 3. He is such an one as humbleth himself in an unparallel'd way Psal 113.5 6. and humble ones are very familiar with those they delight in Proud persons scorn to be familiar with their inferiours but humble ones will come low this way they will take their inferiours by the hand and talk commune familiarly with them how much more will God do it who does so humble himself that none may be compared to him therein 4. He is a Father in Christ Jesus to us and therefore will be familiar with us Fathers are familiar with their children will speak familiarly and commune with them and grant their desires so will the Lord familiarly commune with us and grant us our desires that we ask of him 1 Joh. 5.14 15. there 's no father on earth that will be so familiar with his children as he will be with us though there be such an infinite distance between him and us 5. He is an Husband to us Isa 54.5 and there 's no greater familiarity in the world then is between husband wife how much more then between the Lord and us he will vouchsafe to commune with us in giving in all we desire of him Esthers hushand which was a great Monarch so sweetly familiarly conversed with her that shee might have any thing that shee desired of him Esth 5.3 and what then may not we expect from the Lord that doth more familiarly commune thus with us then any husband in the world that is most dear to his spouse 6. He is our friend Cant. 5.19 and therefore is so sweetly familiar with us A friend will be very familiar so will the Lord be and give us all we sue unto him for Friendship carries familiarity ever along with it A friend is as dear as a mans own soul and lies next the soul and will be familiar whoever is not such a friend is the Lord he will be familiar with us and though he will be reserved to others and carry himself as a stranger to them yet he will be very familiar with his own But in the second place Why will he suffer us to be so familiar with him Ans 1. We are those that are a people near to him Psal 148.14 and though sometimes we were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ Ephes 2.13 and will he not suffer us that are so nigh him to be familiar with him he will surely let us commune in a familiar and friendly way with him They that are near the King as they of the Council and Bed-chamber be they may speak familiarly to him and bring their Petitions before him so may we that are so nigh to the Lord. 2. We that are believers are they that finde favour in his eyes and to whom he holds out the golden scepter of his grace as that Kingd did to Esther Esth 5.2 and therefore may draw near and touch the top of the Scepter as she did and make our Petitions boldly and familiarly to him They that are in favour with a Prince may be familiar with him and He of his Princely grace will suffer them so to be how much more may we that are in favour with God who is infinitely above all the gracious Princes in the earth for grace and favour 3. We are they that he will admit to greatest and sweetest familiarity in another world that he will lay us in his everlasting arms and put us in his bosome no familiarity will be like that when we shall be ever with the Lord 1 Thess 4.17 and see his face and be transformed into his image 1 Joh. 3.2 Now God would give us a pledge
men He was a devout man indeed in his way of a Papist but whether the report be true or no I leave that sit fides penes authorem onely I may make this use of it That there are some in the world that are so familiar with God that they do indeed speak more words to Him then they do to men and they may have comfort in it 2. To those that are deprived of their yoke-fellows Husbands have been taken from their Wives and Wives from their Husbands that they have had sweetest and dearest familiarity with though these be gone and death hath broken the knot of amity and sweet communing that they had one with another while they were together yet they that are left alive may still commune with the Lord and he with them and that is better to them then all the conversings and communings then ever they had when they were together one with another God and they are better company then ever Husband and Wife were as long as God is not gone though Husband and Wife be gone all is well There may be all and above all taken out of the Fountain when such Cisterns are crack'd and broken My wife is gone may the Husband say but my God remains with me My Husband is gone may the Wife say but my Maker which is my Husband Isa 54.5 does still abide with me I can no more speak to my Husband nor commune sweetly with him as I was wont to do he is gone but my God is alive and lives for ever so long as I live I may commune with him and he will vouchsafe of his grace to commune with me And is not this comfort that I may drink Fountain-water when the brooks are dried up 3. To those that are deprived of other Relations Parents may have their Children taken away from them and Children may lose their Parents Brethren may be taken from Brethren and Sisters may be removed by death from Sisters and one Friend from another which is as dear as a mans own Soul and all that intimacy and sweetest communing that they had together may be dissolved and all their dear embraces and loving converses and commerces may be put an end unto but here 's comfort though the Parent may say I have lost my Childe yet my God is where he was he abides by me though the Childe may say My Parent is taken away from me yet my God forsakes me not though I cannot speak any more to these yet I bless the Lord I can speak to him daily open my heart to him put up my suits into his bosome commune with him in my most retired Closet and have him communing with me night and day So though a Friend may say I have lost the best acquaintance I have in this world my dearest Jewel among men is plucked out of my bosome my friend that I loved as my own soul is suddenly snatched away from me yet thanks be to God he continues with me though my dear friend and I shall never change a word more in this world though we that were so intimate and full of love together that we often had our walks together and imparted to one another our very souls in communing each with other yet now I and he must never do it more never have an hours discourse nor a minutes time together more yet for ever be the Name of the Lord exalted I have him as a friend to repair to at all times and while I live I can go and commune with him This is sweetest comfort in the parting of such dear Relations the knot of familiarity between God and them is never broken though all others snap asunder 4. To those Believers that are deprived of the Ordinances and shut out from enjoying the fellowship of them as David and others have been This is indeed one of the worst afflictions that can befall us in this world which made David so pant Psal 42.1 and faint and long for the presence of God in the enjoyment of them and to envy the very Sparrow and Swallow that made their Nests so near Gods Altars and himself was so farre from them Psa 8â— 2 3. yet here is comfort though we be deprived of these and be driven where they are not to be enjoyed yet if God in such a case be a little Sanctuary as he hath promised Ezek. 11.16 and if he refuse not to commune with us nor to let us commune with him he can be in stead of all Ordinances and above them all and can speak to us some other way if not in publick yet in a more private way as he did to those godly Jews in Babylon when they met in the Clefts of the Rocks and in the secret places of the stairs and there had sweet Communion with him and he with them Phinehas his wife bewailed the taking of the Ark and said The glory is departed from Israel for the Ark of God is taken 1 Sam. 4.22 she might well have said so if God had been gone too but she doted too much upon the Means and so may we If God himself be not gone though Publick means should fail for a time yet God can tell yet how to commune with us and let us commune with him and that is Comfort Positive comforts from hence 1. IF when we pray and the Lord grant our desires we commune with him and he with us we are very familiar with him and he with us then surely Believers are in highest esteem with the Lord for the greatest men upon earth if they be not such cannot have this priviledge granted to them Kings have their prerogatives and they stand much upon them but no King on earth if he walk not in the steps of Abrahams faith can have this royal prerogative to commune with the Lord or to have the Lord to commune with him Psal 94.20 this is peculiar to true believers that they may have this fellowship with the Lord and the Lord with them that they may sweetly commune one with another Great is the esteem that such have with the great God that he will vouchsafe to speak with them and let them be so familiar with him as to speak with him It 's comfort that though we be thus low as we are yet we are in high esteem with him 2. That it is no matter though some men will not speak to us nor suffer us to speak to them God does both he graciously will commune with us and will not disdain that we should familiarly commune with him if dust and ashes will have no familiarity with their fellow-dust and ashes it is well for us that the great God does not refuse to be familiar with us though we be but as Abraham stiled himself dust and ashes If man contemn and God honour what need we care for such contempt If a shrub lift up himself and the highest Cedar stoop to such as we are as it should be marvellous in our eyes