thou shalt save thy Wife 1 Cor. 7.16 2. What Love will bear with toward the Wife 1. With all the deformities and decaies of Nature 2. With all humane Infirmities Passions Weaknesses or unkindnesses 1 Pet. 3.7 Giving honour unto the Wife as unto the Weaker Vessel 4. Wives The summ of their duty as contradistinct unto that of the Husbands is to obey Eph. 5.22 Col. 3.18 Here 's the plain Precept Besides St. Peter pleads prescription too 1 Pet. 3.5 After this manner in the old time the holy women also who trusted in God adorned themselves being in subjection unto their own husbands Even as Sara obeyed Abraham calling him Lord. 'T is the excellency of a Christian to know the duties of his Relation God hath made the Husband the head of the Wife in all things under Christ And certainly for a Wife to disobey her Husband in things lawful or indifferent is manifestly to rebell against her Maker 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Obedience is the Mother of Felicity If you would live happily live obediently Though God hath in his Providence joyned thee with a Cross Disposition yet that will not discharge thee of thy duty Daven in Col. Quò difficilius eò laudabilius The more difficult the more praise-worthy 'T is true the great Lord and Husband of his Church must be obeyed whatever become of the Wills or Laws of man But take heed you make not a pretence of Duty a cloak of wickedness and disobedience 5. Children Their Duty likewise is to obey their Parents Eph. 6.1.2 but here we find their duty limited Obey in the Lord. Obey them as you may obey God too Children have a double Parentage a Father in Heaven at least by Creation as well as a Father on Earth Now in all Relations whatsoever Whether it be better to obey God or man when one must necessarily be disobeyed we make no doubt But the Instruction of children at least in their minority being the bounden and domestick duty and care of the Parents and especially of the Mother as might appear by 1 Tim. 5.10 2 Tim. 1.5 Prov. 31.1 〈◊〉 shall not undertake it here but commit it unto those whose more proper and peculiar work it â—s Though I doubt not but that the obedience â—nd duty here required of children to their Parents expires not with their minority The Relation never dies while the Correlates live The child is a child as long as he hath a Parent and the duties of his Relation though as 〈◊〉 Circumstances may be varied yet as to their obligation are not at all remitted or diminished 6. Servants Their duty also is Obedience â—nd faithfulness not with eye-service but in â—ngleness of heart loc cit Remember Howâ—er you may deal with your Masters on earth â—ou have a Master in Heaven whose eye is alway upon you and observes your going out â—nd your coming in and hath a Hell or a Heaven to pay your wages with Oh! take heed 〈◊〉 those sins especially that are most incident â—nto servants and all those provocations and â—ticements of evil Company which are like 〈◊〉 beget or foment corrupt Principles in you â—ow hard a matter is it to find an Onesimus wicked Company is ordinarily one of the â—eatest snares that servants are caught in My son if sinners intice thee consent thou not Prov. 1.10 c. Bad servants become bad masters and so sin and misery run in a successive and hereditary line Thus I have finished the first Question How have you improv'd your Talents 2. How have you kept your Watch How importunately doth Christ press this duty Mar. 13.33 Take ye heed watch and pray for ye know not when the time is And Watch ye therefore for ye know not when the Master of the house cometh ver 35. And What I say unto you I say unto all Watch. ver 37. Watch ye stand fast in the faith quit you like men be strong 1 Cor. 16.13 Behold I come as a thief blessed is he that watcheth Rev. 16.15 Christians God hath set you on the Guard you are his Watchmen Now there are these four things especially requisite in a good Watchman 1. A Watchman must be a man of Counsel and Judgment able to discern between good and evil Friends and Enemies He must know the bounds and extent of his Commission Watching is the work of the eye therefore surely blind men can never be good Watchmen 'T is true there are a generation whom the world applauds for wise understanding knowing men and these are Watchmen too But David tells us what it is they watch for Psal 4.6 Who will shew us any good and the next verse specifies what good it is they watch for even the excrease of their corn and wine And Christ himself tells us whereto such wisdom comes at last Luk. 12.20 Thou fool this night shall thy soul be required of thee Others there are that are wise and watchful too but it is to do evil Eph. 4.14 That lie in wait to deceive Others that are wise in their Generations but are such as David complains of Psal â—19 95 The wicked have waited for me to destroy me Of this sort were they that met with the Spouse Cant. 5.7 That watch to wound and to smite Whose feet run to evil and make haste to shed innocent blood Isa 59.7 These as wise as they are are none of God's â—ut the Devil's Watchmen Here is not only â—he Serpents Craft but his Nature his Venom and his Curse too But I shall tell you through Gods assistance more fully in what follows wherein the work and wisdom of your Christian watch lies Only in general know by the way that your wisdom consists in the Choice of your work and in the management of your Choice And it is a supernatural wisdom a self-denying flesh-displeasing wisdom it is a simple innocent and in a word a heavenly wisdom which is first pure then peaceable gentle and easie to be entreated full of mercy and good fruits without partiality and without hypocrisie Jam. 3.17 2. VVatch men must be men of Courage Alas Christians you know not what you may meet with on your watch nor how you may be â—ut to it Men are not set to watch but in dangerous times See then that ye walk 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 exactly or warily because the dayes are evil 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 difficult dangerous as well aâ— sinful Eph. 5.15 VVatchmen must be resolved men Your work is of publick concernment and therefore you must be men of publick spirits VVatching is night-work Watchman what of the night Isa 21.11 And nights are dark and cold and perillous Now what are your resolutions How are you arm'd for this Night-work God hath already leâ— you through the Caput Vigiliarum some oâ— the first Watches of this sad night with what undaunted zeal have you stood your ground against all opposers and oppositions where are the Prizes you have taken May you not say with
more for that they cannot pity themselves Is not a man that is distracted and â—nows not what he doth an object of pity â—nd not of hatred or revenge though he reâ—ile and curse nay though he rent you Father forgive them for they know not what they 〈◊〉 Luk. 23.34 3. What serious pains have you taken to â—nvince and perswade them Would you not â—en hazzard your lives to save a mad man â—om murdering himself or your neighbour's â—ouse from burning Would you not lay vioâ—t hands upon them and suffer abuses from â—em if you found them sleeping in such 2 â—â—e And are their Houses and Bodies of â—re worth than their Souls Ah! with what â—ter looks and curses will these poor wretches â—art from you at the great Day who having â—tained mercy your selves did shew no merâ— that having the snares broken for you â—erein you as well as they were once bound 〈◊〉 being happily escaped your selves had neâ— a hand to help a perishing brother Cerâ—nly our Cruelty towards the Souls of those 〈◊〉 call our Enemies may well be inserted as 〈◊〉 Item of that Rod that lies upon us I may 〈◊〉 insist here on all the Cases and Cavils 〈◊〉 might be objected only let me caution 〈◊〉 Take heed of excusing your selves from 〈◊〉 Duty which God will require in the great 〈◊〉 of Account And let me also tell you 〈◊〉 though you can't do for them what you â—ld do yet were you as prudent as humâ— as compassionate as vigilant as self-denying as active as you should be and as onâ— day you may wish you had been you mighâ— have done far more than you have done 〈◊〉 them 3. The Rod hath also a Voice to the Individual Members of this Church of God As every Family so every Soul of the Family shall mourn apart God hath not only Family-offences Congregation-sins but Personal Miscarriages to reckon with us for He is calling us out one by one as those that accuseâ— the woman Joh. 8.9 What I have to say here I shall couch under these two Questions How have you bestowed your Talents How have you kept your Watch 1. How have you bestowed your Talents The Kingdom of Heaven is as a man travellinâ— into a farr country who called his own servants and delivered unto them his goods aâ— unto one he gave five Talents to another two Matth. 25.14 15. Our Lord hath intrustâ— us with his Goods He hath left all the Rich of his house in our hands We have receivâ— our Talents our Measures and Proportionâ— Now let me seriously ask you and my self theâ— following Questions 1. Have we weigh'd our Talents and consider'd what they are You will tell your Monâ— though it be after your own Father especially it be but borrowed or entrusted Mony whâ— must again be accounted for Christian 〈◊〉 aside and tell thy Mony from the hands 〈◊〉 thy Heavenly Father Take a just account of â—hat for which thou must shortly give a just â—ccount Book down thy Receipts both for Number Nature and Weight Thus much â—n Ordinaries and thus much in Extraordinaâ—ies Thus many years Time Health Proâ—ision Quiet Thus many Offers of Grace â—ath God made me and thus long waited for â—y return Thus many signal Deliverances â—om Enemies Disasters and Sicknesses and â—om unseen Dangers God only knows how â—any What large Inventories might the â—eanest of us draw of our external enjoyments which is but the least part of the Taâ—nt we have received If we look into the â—ittle-â—ittle-World of the Soul we shall find it fulâ—r of Mercies than the Heavens are of Starrs â—esides all that Goodness that God had preâ—red to meet us at the very Womb there hath â—en a continual Accession and Succession of â—ew Mercies with the gracious preservation of â—e old Alas we may as well number the â—â—ops of an hours thickest Rain as the Merâ—es of an hours Time Yet take as particular â—nd distinct knowledge of them as you can â—r doubtless the Account will be particular â—od hath when and where and what and â—ow often in his Book even to the utmost â—arthing Matth. 5.26 2. Have we consider'd whose our Talents â—e So far the slothful servant was in the â—ght Lo there thou hast that is thine Matth. 25.25 But han't we rather greedily swept Mercies into our Laps as Thieves thaâ— are robbing the house and taking all for ouâ— own as those that never think to be responsible as if we were the absolute Lords of 〈◊〉 the Mercies we enjoy And is not God concern'd in such a case to vindicate his own Interest Remember Christians 't is Gods ground you tread upon and plant and build and â—owâ— upon his Creatures you feed on his Wooâ— and Flax and Silks you cloath and deck youâ—selves with his Gold and Silver you anâ— hoarding or trading with his Air you breaâ— in and not your own 'T is his Word hiâ— Promises his Sacraments his Graces his Spirit his Help and all the hidden Treasuries oâ— his Gospel the blessed Provisions of your Souâ— they are his and not yours You never made you never purchased you never repair'd any 〈◊〉 these nor can you do it But may you say Obj. This is true indeed of thâ— men of the World they have only a Civiâ— but no Evangelical Right to any thing the possess But what Hath the Child no moâ— right than the Servant Godliness hath tâ— promise of the life that now is and of thâ— which is to come 1 Tim. 4.8 And God haâ— promised with Christ to give us all thing and that freely Rom. 8.32 So says the Apostle Whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas 〈◊〉 the World or Life or Death or things present or things to come all are yours 1 Coâ— 3.23 The same Apostle also saith Answ that The Heâ— long as he is a child differeth nothing from 〈◊〉 servant though he be Lord of all Gal. 4.1 â—od hath not given us the Impropriation but â—e Use of his Goods The heir hath no more â—tual propriety than the servant as long as he 〈◊〉 under age only here 's the difference what â—e Child enjoyes he enjoyes by virtue of his â—elation and this Relation is grounded on â—â—t Covenant between the Father and Christ â—d between Christ and his chosen by virtue â—ereof they stand the Adopted Children of â—d through Christ so that what we receive 〈◊〉 receive on the account of this Covenant â—ich hath made us over unto God and Christ â—d God and Christ and all his Promises over â—o us the Inheritance of all is ours though 〈◊〉 actual possession be reserved till we are â—ough Grace capacitated for it all things â—t are necessary pro hîc nunc unto Life 〈◊〉 Godliness we have in Hand the rest in â—â—e yet both what we have in Hand and in â—â—e we hold in Capite and were never deâ—â—ed for the Absolute Lords of it He that â—eived the five Talents could no more call â—n his own than he that received but one â—â—ther could
Victory But alas What hath the next Spring produced Han't the same weeds appeared again which you thought you had been for ever rid of What 's the reason tâ—ink you Were not part of the roots left behind which while the nipping Winter of some Affliction or Conviction lasted you hop't had been dying never to revive more but yet were all the while but strengthening themselves at the root preparing for another Spring O what sad work do we make our selves for lack of a more faithful watch against the first appearances of evil 2. Watch against the Acts of sin Sin in the heart grieves the Spirit but sin in the act dishonours thy Profession A fool saies Solomon layeth open his folly Take heed of playing the fools in Religion Remember your Conversations are of high consequence The honour of the everlasting God and the Crown and Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour are interessed in it The eyes of Men and Devils are upon you to watch and to catch all advantages to reproach and blaspheme the name of God on your account Nay let me tell you the eyes of God and Angels are upon you too watching you into every corner into your closets and into your callings in your lying down and in your rising up in your beds and in your fields Every word and every motion nay every thought and inclination the very Embryo of our confused Imaginations are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 opened or anatomized unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do Heb. 4.13 Oh with what watchful prudence should Christians carry themselves in all places and in all relations Set a Porter at the doors of your lips make a covenant with your eyes enter into interchang'd Indentures with your hearts fetter up your wanton wandring self-law'd wills and affections swear every fatulty every member and limb in faithful Allegiance unto God and Christ and solemnly â—â—bjure all other Covenants or Complyances If you will walk aright you must walk by line and by Rule Your sins my brethren are like the sons of Anak amongst your enemies Every â—ffence of yours is another Gyant prest for the Devils service against God and your own Souls These are the Goliah's they triumph and vaunt themselves in O let it not be told in Gath nor published in the streets of Aâ—kalon 3. Watch against the Temptations to sin Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation Matth. 26.41 Nay is it not your daily prayer Lead us not into temptation oh let it be your daily watch too My son if Sinners â—ntice thee consent thou not Prov. 1.10 We â—ive in an enticing world and in enticing times every danger is enticing us our hopes fears and straits are enticing us the snares of Hell are set for us on every side snares without and snares within us temptations of all kinds and siz's The Devil hath spread his nets for every constitution for every sense nay for grace and in every estate and in every dutie If you are full Pride or worldliness or sensuâ—lity is his snare if you are empty Murmuâ—ing impatience discontent immoderate care â—r any unlawful course is his snare He hath a â—rap for every affection If you are angry revenge is his snare if you are merry excess is his snare Fain would I warn you of every Rock and of every Shoal that might endanger you of every false Star and wandring light that might possibly seduce you of every Bivium Creek and turning in your way But the burden is too heavy for me every day brings in new experiences as Christ saies of the Father and of himself Joh. 5.17 The Father worketh hitherto and I work every day producing new mercies and providences so may we say The Devil worketh hitherto and his children work every hour is in travel with new temptations And you hath he quickned who were dead in trespasses and sins wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world according to the Prince of the Power of the air the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience Eph. 2.2 Therefore what I cannot tell you positively let me tell you negatively Take heed of setting one foot out of that way which you know to be the right way of putting forth your hands unto iniquitie whatsoever hath not the Image and Superscription of God and the Seal of his Spirit upon it Remember He that doubteth is damned if he eat Rom 14 23. To go without the light of Conscience is next to going against its light take heed how you like that that is not like Christ or force Conscience when it is at a stand Be sure you step not beyond your clear Command and promise of Protection 4. Watch against all the Occasions that may lead you into temptation Look not thou on the Wine when it is red when it giveth his colour in the cup Pro. 23.31 Hating even the garment spotted by the Flesh Jude v. 23. whatsoever hath the tincture or shew of sin upon it Abstain from all appearance of evil saith the Apostle 1 Thes 5.22 Whatsoever is likely to ensnare you Alas Christians You know not how dearly you may smart for that which in its self you may account tolerable and indifferent If once you venture beyond your Warrant you know not whither you may ramble The waies of sin are dark and headâ—â—ng-waies Her house is in the way to Hell â—oing down to the chambers of death Prov. â— 27 The way to Hell is down-stairs Here â—ethinks I would tell you of several things â—hat may lead you into temptation but I dare â—ot enlarge my Digressions Your letting down of close communion with God Your enterpriâ—ing of any business spiritual or secular without asking counsel or craving assistance of God â—very step in any way wherein your selves or â—thers for your warning have been formerâ—â— ensnared c. These things with divers â—thers I might have more fully dilated but I asten 2. Set a watch against Satan Learn to pay â—m home in his own coin He hath set a strait â—atch upon you a watch to tempt you and a â—atch to accuse you He goes from Dutie to â—utie from corner to corner with you and is alwaies at your right hand to watch you to disturb your thoughts to quench your affections and to pick matters of accusation As you write what you hear so he has his Note-book too and writes How you hear and pray and spend your Sabbaths and Societies and as far as he can guess where your hearts and what your ends are too Oh! If this Conviction could but take with you what care would it beget in you Blessed be God that though he watch us yet he can't discover us or though he discover yet can't discourage us though we are his Envie yet we are noâ— his Prey 3. Be sure Set a strong watch against Self Here is thy greatest Enemie This home-bredâ— Traitour this betraying Judas which the greater part of the world
are like to rue for to aâ— Eternitie O set a faithful watch upon unfaithful Self These three waies you are iâ— danger here 1. Of Self-application Beware of this 'T is the common course of the world when anâ— thing ails them to run to Self for help Thiâ— is their Egypt they flie unto which God wiâ— one day make his people asham'd of Nay not God now upon this very design whâ—â— have you now to help your selves with Hanâ— you tried what Egypt can do for you whâ—â— your own Reason and Wits can do Where the Deliverance that Self hath wrought you where are your Counsels and Contrivances are you not asham'd of your shifts and wear â— look any longer to these Hills Ah! how â—auiral is this Idolatry How fain would this Absalom judge the people How fain would self sit in Gods throne 2. Of Self-relyance This is the Staff of â—at broken Reed that will deceive you and â—erce you too Self-dependence is a sacrilegious sin It robs God of that Glory which he â—ath said he will not give unto another See that care God takes of this Judg. 7.2 When â—erubbaal was going forth against the Midianites The people that are with thee are too â—any for me to give the Midianites into their â—ands lest Israel vaunt themselves against me â—ying mine own hand hath saved me Cursed the man that trusteth in man And surely â—ery man in his best state is altogether vaniâ—â— How full is the Scripture of cautions to is purpose oh take heed of trusting to a â—e You never read nor found in Scripture â—or Experience that Salvation is of your selves â—â—t thy Destruction is of thy self O Israel â—ou hast destroyed thy self Hos 13.9 3. Of Self-attribution The ascribing of honour or praise to our own Prudence or foreâ—st to our Might or Policie to our Righteousness Innocence or Duties Therefore they saâ—ifice unto their Net and burn Incense unto â—â—eir Dragg because by them only as they â—retend their portion is fat and their meat â—enteous Hab. 1.16 If God answer your â—rayers and hear your cries think not it was our Prayers or cries that did it or your righteousness or innocencie that turn'd the whee See Ezek. 36.25 c. Then will I sprink clean water upon you A new heart also wâ— I give you And I will put my Spirit within you And ye shall dwell in the land that I gaâ—â— to your Fathers I will also save you from 〈◊〉 your uncleannesses And I will multiply thâ— fruit of the tree But then observe thâ— Primum mobile the first Mover of all this happâ—â— change ver 32. Not for your own sakes 〈◊〉 I this saith the Lord be it known unto you Be ashamed and confounded for your oâ—â— wayes O house of Israel Though mercies anâ— deliverances seem sometimes to be attribute unto our righteousness or duties as Prov. 10. â— Psal 25.21 Matth. 21.22 c. yet it is to be understood as the Condition or Instrument not the Efficient or Meritorious cauâ—â— of it 'T is the Design of the Gospel to takâ— us off from these Hinges on which we are 〈◊〉 naturally apt to turn We have this treasure 〈◊〉 earthen vessels that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us 2 Cor. 4.7 O take heed of maintaining that design thaâ— God is resolved to destroy in you if you would have the Controversie made up which is begun you must not expect nor is it reason that God should come to your terms but you must come up to his Until this rebellious atheistical designing Self that greaâ— Achan which hath troubled the Camp bâ— discovered arraigned and executed you caâ—â— expect no settled Peace 4. Set a vigilant watch upon the world As Self is your greatest Enemy within so the World is your greatest Enemie without Yet know this by the way that the World in its self is not the Enemie but as it holds secret intelligence with that Enemy within The World could do you no hurt did not that Traitor within open the Gates to it 'T is a Weapon indeed that has cost you much blood and many a sad wound but then it hit you on a bare place it found you unarm'd or else it had never enter'd The Devil hath us'd it and his Souldiers have tried it and the main reason why it hath prov'd so mortally successful in their hands is for want of your Christian Panoplie your putting on the whole Armour of God This would soon have turn'd the edge of it and frustrated it's Execution Now there are these five or six things in the world that I would have you take special â—eed of 1. Take heed of the Fears of the world The fear of man bringeth a snare Prov. 29.25 Why Christian Let me reason it a little with thee then What is it thou standest in such fear of the snares that thine enemies have laid for thee lest thou shouldst fall into one of their â—its or incurr the displeasure of thy old friends or undo thine heir or family Is it the Crown of Thorns that terrifies thee or the barking of those Dogs of the world at thee Believe it and take not mine but God's word for it It comes with the fear Your carnal fear brings the snare and tempts God to give you up to that which you stand in such fear of I might give you a plain and natural experiment to this purpose Such is the weakness of some heads that walking on a very high and dangerous Clive if they come but so near as to look out over and to see the danger they are so surpriz'd with the sudden fear that they even dote on what they so extreamly dread and cast themselves headlong though their footing were sure and room to escape sufficient Similar hereunto is that of Christ Mar. 8.35 Whosoever will save his life he that is afraid to lose his life shall lose it but whosoever shall lise his life i. e. though not actually yet habitually he that is not afraid but ready to lose it if called thereunto shall save it in this world or at least in another Now pray sit down and count your gains see what a Bargain Satan and your unbelieving hearts are trading together for The Devil would undertake to teach you a nearer or a cheaper and easier way to Heaven than ever Christ appointed and if you will you may believe him But when you are caught in the fatal snares of your own carnal fears and shifts then sit down and thank your selves and remember who once was sent on purpose to warn you of it And let Conscience then or rather now that it may not then sadly comment on Rev. 21.8 But the fearful and unbelieving and the abominable and murtherers and whoremongers and sorcerers and Idolaters and all Lyers shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone which is the second death Here 's a woful Portion my Bâ—ethren and wofull Partners O
world for but to devour What is that Imposthume of Self doing within but conspiring thy destruction How wide doth the World gape upon thee 1 Tim. 6.9 to drown thee in destruction and perdidion As for Death it carries mortality and dissolution in the very name of it Oh! what need have we of wary steps Were ever Creatures in such hazzard Well might St. Paul criâ—â— out Wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from the Body of this death Rom. 7.24 3. They are Spiritual Enemies and therefore the more dangerous We wrestle not against flesh and blood but against Principalities and Powers and against the Rulers of the darkness of this world against spiritual wickedness in high places Eph. 6.12 Spiritual on a double account in their nature and in their operation They are of a spiritual and invisible nature and are not the objects of external sense which is the eye we are wont and able to judge by These are enemies that are all waies on the blind side of us they wound us and we are not aware Their operations are also spiritual they work on us like an infectious Air we will not believe but that we are well enough till we drop down dead where we are going and therefore 't is call'd the Plague of the heart which is oftentimes undiscernable till it be incurable How closely doth Self steal in betwixt Christ and our hearts How deceitfully doth the World charm our affections What secret passages and trap-doors hath Satan at every Pore of hearts Oh my Brethren We have spiritual enemies to deal with our Watch is especially within our own walls 4. They are Constant Enemies Such as will find you work as long as you live This comes to pass from their contrary and implacable nature Light and Darkness can never be â—econcil'd St. Paul could not sing his Palinody that his Fight was over and his Course finished till the time of his departure came 2 Tim. 4.6 7. Thy Watch-work Christian is thy Life's-work Our Enemies seem to enjoy our Promises here Psal 37.24 Though he fall he shall not be utterly cast down Oh! which of our fallen Lusts can we say is utterly cast down Every Conquest produceth a new Combat and our very Victories oftentimes occasion our sadder Losses 5. Lastly They are Mighty Enemies Such is we cannot in our own strength stand before If a Lust do but becken at us we preâ—ently yield If the World do but frown on us we â—remble As Self will have it so the Law must â—and If Satan turn the Key of a temptation upon us we are his Close Prisoners If Death once strike we fall Had we not a strong God to flie to a sure word of Promise an impregnable Refuge in Christ a mighty Advocate with the Father who is able to save to the uttermost an irresistable Help in the Spirit to bruise Satan under us Were not the Weapons of our Warfare mighty through God 2 Cor. 10.4 these strong holds would never come down our victories would be according to our strength very small Therefore what you want in Power labour to make up in Care O let the sense of your Weakness double your Watchfulness that you may be able to say with the Apostle Phil. 4.13 I can do all things or suffer any thing through Christ which strengtheneth me Thus I have laboured though weakly yet I hope faithfully to interpret the Rod to you And oh that now I could prevail with you to lay these things close on your bare Consciences Commune with your own hearts and let your spirits make diligent search Now set about your mourning repenting resolving reforming-work God hath us in his Furnace and his Jealousie is smoaking against us He hath cast our Liberties our Peace our Health our Hopes nay his own Ordinances and Sacred Institutions the holy Vessels of his own House as Wood under us for the Fire of his Displeasure to heat us with oh when shall we begin to melt that we may once be capable of being cast into a new Mould oh when will those hard hearts break when will those stout hearts yield when will those stubborn wills comply Shall we stick in the Birth till we die there shall we tempt God on the wheel to cast us off as a Lump that will never â—ome to any thing Shall we even force him â—o throw us and Idolaters us and Hypocrites and the prophane incorrigible and abominable Scum of the earth to the Dunghil at last together The Lord forbid O the God of Heaven forbid it 2. In the next place This Rod hathalso a voice to the Enemies of God and these are â—ther open Foes or false Friends I shall joyn â—oth together as Christ hath done Matth. â—2 30 He that is not with me is against â—e and he that gathereth not with me scatâ—reth abroad These five things would I tell them from God hight I be freely suffer'd to do my Message 〈◊〉 them And with these five Bells I shall â—ing the doleful Knell of God's and his Churches Enemies 1. It assures them that God is not such an â—â—e as they take him be These things thou â—â—st done and I kept silence thou thoughtest â—â—at I was altogether such an one as thy self â—â—t I will reprove thee and set them in order â—â—fore thine eyes Psal 50.21 Alas Sinner â—â—ou art mistaken in God though he keep â—â—ence awhile he will not keep silence for â—â—er he will find a time to speak when thou â—â—alt stand speechless before him Though his â—â—se Providence and thy cursed Projects seem to joyn issue yet assure thy self their disparitâ— and incongruity will shortly appear to thâ— shame and astonishment I could tell them in what respects they are mistaken in theâ—â— thoughts of God if God be ever in theâ—â— thoughts 1. They are mistaken in his Holiness Thâ—â— is that which seems to be principally aimed at iâ— the fore-cited Text. After God hath chargeâ— them with Incorrigibleness from ver 17. with Theft and Adultery and False-witness unto ver 21. Thou thoughtest saies God that I haâ— been such an one too as wicked and as vile a thy self That I had lov'd thy Drunkenness thy Oaths thy Blasphemies and Uncleanness thine Idolatry and carnal gawdy Will worship thy Crueltie and Oppression of mâ— People Because I kept silence and wink'd a these things because ye were become Such Priest and such People ye thought it had been Even such God too That I had been as great aâ— enemy to Holiness as you as implacably beâ—â— to ruin the Interest of my Son Christ as you were that I had divorced my own Spirit and exchang'd natures with your Father the Devil and yielded up my Scepter and Kingdom unto him and become altogether such a one as youâ— You thought it had been as much my envy 〈◊〉 see men faithfully labouring to make their Caâ—ling and Election sure as it was yours thaâ— their Faith and Humilitie and Self-denial anâ—
incredible to carnal reason Yet seem it never so incredible what God hath promised and his people ever experienced we dare we must we do believe The righteous cry and the Lord heareth and delivereth them out of all their troubles Psal 34.17 I cryed unto the Lord with my voice and he heard me out of his holy Hill Psal 3.4 Here was his experience as a witness of Gods truth Therefore I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people that have set themselves against me round about Psal 3.6 Marvail not then ye Sonnes of Pride that we fear none of your threatnings Our God is a God hearing Prayer and wo be to those that have such a God for their Enemy The prayers of God's people were wont to be terrible to his Enemies Exod. 17.11 2 King 1.13 In the first Reformation of Scotland it is reported that the Queen-Mother in her warrs confessed that she feared more the fasting and prayer of Knox and his Disciples than an Armie of twenty thousand men The Prince of Wales being perswaded to make warr with Henry the 3d. acknowledged that he was more afraid of his Prayers and Alms than of his Armies So the Bishop of Magdeburgs Fasting and Prayer was the terrour of Frederick Elector of Saxony But however it be grown less terrible now it is not grown less fatal God is the same still and his Promise is the same and his enemies even the proudest of them shall one day know that he is a God Hearing Prayer Wo be to thee Sinner when God shall rain upon thee the tears of his oppressed Saints and wo to thine House when God shall beat upon it with the sighs and groans of his persecuted children Wo to that man by whom the offence cometh Matth. 18.8 7. They are mistaken in Gods Ends and Designs Howbeit he meaneth not so neither doth his heart think so but it is in his heart to destroy and cut off nations not a few Isa 10.7 God's end is to reform theirs to destroy But here is our comfort these are but his Executioners and none of his Jury God hath not acquainted them with his mind It is not for them to know what he intends to do with his people Their wills are none of his Rule nor are their false accusations any evidence with our Judge God hath a hook in their Nostrils and hath appointed them their bounds If the pardon come at the very top of the Ladder the Executioner must obey And if the Judge will that the righteous shall be delivered out of trouble and the wicked come in his stead Pro. 11.8 his Will must stand 2. The second voice of the Rod unto the Inemies is this It calls upon them to Consider and on consideration to repent Methink that Generation is com or an other well like it which was spoken of under the fourth vial Rev. 16.9 And men were scorched with great heat and blasphemed the name of God which hath power ever these Plagues and repented not to give him glory Han't the Plagues of God scorched us both at home and abroad in City and in Country yet who hath repented to give him Glory I have but these four things at present to propose to your sober Confideration and very briefly 1. What manner of Persons are they whom God takes to be his Enemies Phil. 3.18.19 For many walk of whom I have told you often and now tell you even weeping that they are the Enemies of the Cross of Christ Here the Apostle complains of Enemies in the next verse he describes them by their way and by their end Their way they walk a kind of Professors they are but their God is their Belly their Lust and uncleanness Their Glory is in their shame either passively their Glory shall end in shame or actively they glory in that which is the shame of their profession Who mind earthly things Carnal men carnal in their affections and in their conversations to which answers Rom. 8.7 The carnal mind is enmity against God And their end is destruction The end of these things is death Chap. 6.21 Again Luk. 19.27 But those mine enemies bring them hither and slay them before me Here 's their Doom The Persons were such as would not that Christ should reign over them And how doth Christ reign but by his word and spirit and the Laws and Statutes of them Well then such as yield not both visible and invisible obedience in heart and life unto the laws of Christ but walk by their own laws or the laws of men in things pertaining to the Kingdom of Christ are the Enemies of his Kingdom Nay every man in an unconverted estate is an enemie to Christ Rom. 5.10 Col. 1.21 Now I befeech you if your Souls and the securing of your eternal peace be so much worth make a little pause here and soberly consider what infallible nay probable evidences you can produce to prove your pretended Conversion whether they are such as God in his word speaks peace through and on which after serious and due deliberation you can boldly and safely adventure your fouls on for ever Nay are there not many and I think never more amongst a Christian people that even hate and disdain the imputation of Repentance and Conversion and yet cannot so much as question whether they are the enemies of Christ or no. Well the day is at hand that will separate the Sheep from the Goats and then it shall fully appear who are friends and who are foes 2. Whether Gods Enemies be not concern'd in his Rod as well as his friends Doubtless the Proposition is affirmed by all the Reason in the world If Judgment begin at the house of God what shall the end be of them that obey not the Gospel 1 Pet. 4.17 The wicked shall be turned into Hell and all the Nations that forget God Psal 9.17 Will a Lyon roar in the Forrest when he hath no Prey Shall a Trumpet be blown in the City and the people not be afraid The Lyon hath roared who will not fear the Lord God hath spoken who can but prophesie Am. 3.4.6.8 3. Whether the course you are taking be the way to the mercies you are exspecting By swearing and lying and killing and stealing and committing adultery they break out and blood toucheth blood Therefore shall the Land mourn Hos 4.2 3. If all manner of prophaneness and oppression be the way to mercy and peace then Scripture shall be no longer Scripture nor God any longer God who hath both threatned and executed the contrary There is no peace saith the Lord to the wicked Isa 48. ult Hear this O ye that swallow up the needy even to make the poor of the Land to fail that ye may buy the poor for silver and the needy for a pair of shoes Shall not the land tremble for this and every one mourn that dwelleth therein Am. 8.4 6 8. Righteousness exalteth a nation but Sin is a