25. He answered and said Lo I see four men loose walking in the midst of the fire and they have no hurt and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God The prefence of the Son of God preserves these three valiant Champions from dangers in the midst of dangers They fell down bound in the fiery Furnace saith my Author and Polanus they walked loose in the midst of the fire without any hurt for the Angel of the Lord descended together with them in the same moment who shook the flames of the fire forth out of the Furnace and preserved the Servants of God safe without any trouble being cooled as it were with a deâ— coming upon them in a pleasant manner But give me leave to say that these words One like the Son of God doth not argue that in this vision there was not a representation of the Son of God to come afterwards in the flesh but rather that this great mystery was here shew'd for the greater comfort of the faithful that they might couragiously bear all their sufferings having the Prince and Head both of Angels and men present with them herein to mitigate their pains and carry them through with joy this being a greater wonder of grace and love then to have the protection of a meer Angel concerning whose power also whether he can change the nature of fire that it shall not burn is very doubtful and questionable seeing this argueth omnipotency which is in God alone and not communicable to any Creature Where by the way you may observe a strong and solid argument to prove that Jesus is the Son of God against all gainsayers thus He whom Nebuchadnezzar saw in the fiery Furnace was the Son of God in an humane shape but he was typically Jesus Verse 22. ergo c. The Major is proved because he did that which none but God could do viz. he qualified the most fierce and raging fire which burnt up some coming but near it and had no power at the same instant of time so much as to sing a hair of the heads of others The Minor is proved also because God appearing in a glorious humane shape at any time was not God the Father or Holy Ghost but God the Son for no man 1 John 13. 1 Tim. 6. 16. 1 Joh. 4. 12. hath seen God at any time but the Son hath revealed him both when in him appearing in a humane shape under the Law and when under the Gospel shewing himself in the man Jesus born of the Virgin Mary and hypostatically united unto him Exod. 3. 2. And the Angel of the Lord that is Christ Christ is called the Messenger or Angel of the Covenant Mal. 3. 1. the Angel of the Covenant appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a Bush and he looked and behold the Bush burned with fire and the Bush was not consumed Verse 3. And Moses said I will now turn aside and see this great sight why the Bush is not burnt The Hebrew word Seneh which is he used signifies a Dry-bush a Bramble-bush whence the Mount and Wilderness is called Sinai of the store of brambles that grew there or of this Bush or Vision Now for a Bush a Dry-bush a Bramble-bush to be all on fire and yet not consumed this must be a wonder of wonders but all this is from the good will of him that dwelt in the Bush Out of these two Verses we may briefly observe these few things First the low and weak and brittle estate of the Church represented by a Bush a Dry-bush a Bramble-bush what more brittle weak base low and despicable than a Dry-bush a Bramble-bush What is such a Bush good for but the fire or to stop a gap or some such inferiour use A Bush is a black deformed and uncomely thing Corruption and affliction sin and suffering renders the Saints very uncomely The Church is compared not to a strong sturdy oke but to a weâ—k brittle Bush and Elsewhere to a Vine a Dove a Lamb a Sheep c. all frail weak Creatures It is good for all Saints to have low and mean thoughts of themselves for here they are resembled to a Dry-bush a Bramble-bush But Secondly a Dry-bush a Bramble-bush pricks wounds and vexes them that handle it roughly This Bush is in Hebrew called Seneb as I have hinted before which the Hebrews describe to be a shrub full of pricks and without fruit and so thick that a bird cannot enter without the ruffling and pulling off her feathers Let the proud enemies of the Church look to themselves for this Bramble-bush will vex prick wound tear and put them to the worst when they have done their worst In all the Ages of the World this Bramble-bush the Church hath been a cup of trembling unto all the People Zach. 12 2 3. round about and a burdensome stone so that all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces though all the people of the Earth be gathered together against it But Thirdly consider the cruelties of the Churches enemies is signified and represented by a fire The Bush burns with fire In this resemblance is shadowed out the oppressed afflicted and persecuted estate of the Israelites in the Egyptian Furnace and by fire here is meant the most painful terrifying and tormenting afflictions and miseries that should attend them Great afflictions and persecutions are in Scripture commonly set out by fire as the fiery tryal the fire of affliction Fire is very painful 1 Pet. 4. 12. Lam. 2. 3 4. Hab. 2. 13. and tormenting in which respects Hell-torments are compared to fire so are great afflictions miseries and sufferings they are very painful and tormenting they put persons into sore pain and travel Next to the pangs of Conscience and the pains of Hell there are none to these pains and pangs that are bred and fed by sore afflictions by terrible tryals It has been the lot and portion of Gods dearest Children to be exercised with very great and griveous afflictions and that in order to the discovery of sin to the imbittering of sin to the preventing of sin and to the purging away of sin and in order to the tryal of grace the discovery of grace the exercise of grace and the increase of grace and in order to the weaning of them from this World and to the compleating their conformity to Christ the Captain of their Heb. 2. 10. salvation who was made perfect through sufferings to ripen them for Heaven and to work in them more bowels of pity compassion to those that are in misery that sigh groan under their Egyptian task masters Fourthly consider the eminence of their preservation This fire was a super natural fire for 1. It continued without fuell to seed upon 2. It kept below ascended not 3. It burned and consumed not All which shews it to be a supernatural work
place into the Land of the Caldeans for their good To be carried captive to Babylon was doubtless a very sore and matchless affliction Dan 9. 12. And he hath confirmed his words which he spake against us and against our Judges that judged us by bringing upon us a great evil for under the whole Heaven hath not been done as hath been done upon Jerusalem This may be the abridgment of Jeremiah's Lamentations Lam. 1. 12. Is it nothing to you all ye that pass by Behold and see If there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow which is done unto me wherewith the Lord hath afflicted me in the day of his fierce anger Cap. 4. 16. For the punishment of the iniquity of the Daughter of my People is greater than the punishment of the sin of Sodom that was overthrown as in a moment and no hands stayed on her Sodom sustained not any siege from forreign forces they were not vexed and plagued with the Armies of the Chaldeans there was no hand of man in the destruction of Sodom but a hand of Heaven only Sodom was not kept long in pains and misery as I and my People have been but was suddenly overwhelmed and in an instant dispatched all which shews that their miseries and sufferings were incomparable and matchless and that they were so indeed will evidently appear if you please but seriously to consider either the antecedents of it or the consequents of it The antecedents of it what went before their captivity viz. blood and slaughter and dreadful devastations Or if you consider the consequents of it as 1. The enslaving of their persons under a fierce and most cruel enemy 2. The loss of their estates 3. The leaving of their Country and the Land of their nativity 4. A deprivation of the ordinances and worship of God 5. The scorns and reproaches the exaltations and triumphs of their adversaries that pleased and delighted themselves in their captivity and misery These were the See Psal 137. 7. Obadjah 12. 13 14 15 16. Ezek. 25. 6. Psal 44. 13 14. woful consequences of that captivity and yet all the power and malice of men in the world could not hinder these amazing and astonishing tryals from working together for the spiritual and everlasting Deut. 8. 15 16. Psal 119. 71 75. Heb. 12. 10. good of his captive People That God will do his People good by the most terrible dispensations that they are under you may see more and more evident by comparing the Scriptures in the margin together As the Apothecary of poyson makes Triacle to drive out poyson so can God make the poyson of afflictions which in themselves are the curse of the Law to drive out the poyson of sin All the world can never hinder the affliction troubles and evils that befal the People of God See my London's Lamentations p. 34. to P. 53. See also my Mute Christian under the smarting Rod. from working for their good for God do's and wiâ—â—â—y these means 1. Discover sin 2. Prevent sin 3. Imâ—â—tter sin 4. Mortify sin And God will by afflictions troubles c. 1. Revive quicken and recover his Childrens decayed graces 2. Exercise his Childrens graces 3. Increase his Childrens graces 4. Make a further tryal and discovery of his Childrens graces Let the enemies of Sion storm and rage plot and combine c. yet they shall never be able to hinder the greatest troubles the deepest distresses and most deadly dangers from working for the internal and eternal good of all the sincere lovers of God I have read a story of one Pereus who running at another with a sword to kill him by accident the sword only run into his impostume and broke that and so he was instrumental to save him whom he design'd to have kill'd And so all the afflictions and troubles that the righteous meet with they do but serve to cure them of the impostume of pride or of the impostume of earthly mindedness or of the impostume of self love or of the impostume of hypocrisy Look upon the revolution of the Heavens how every Planet moves in its proper orb their motions are not alike but various nay opposite each unto the other hence those different conjunctions oppositions and aspects of the Planets yet by the wheeling round of the primum mobile they are brought about to one determinate point The People of God have many enemies in the World whose course and scope whose aims and ends and actions are not the same yea divers nay advers one thwarting and crossing the other yet the overruling providence so swayes all subordinate and inferiour instruments and enemies that in the midst of their mutual jars they conspire in a sacred harmony as if they were entred into a holy-league or some sacred combination for the good of his Chosen where ever our Enemies be in respect of their places whosoever they be in regard of their Persons and however they are disjoyned in regard of their affections yet all their projects and pracâ—â—â—s shall tend and end in the good of those that love God But Sixthly If God be with us who can be against us I answer None as to hinder our communion and fellowship with the Father Son and Spirit 1 John 1. 3. That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you that ye may have fellowship with us and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ Nunâ—uem minus sâ—lus quam cum selus never less alone than when aloâ—e said the Heathen and may not a Saint say so much more that has communioâ— with Father Soâ— and Spirit My God and I are good company said famous Doctor Sâ—â—s Mans summum bonum stands in his Communion with God as Scripture and experience evidences A Man whose soul is conversant with God shall find more pleasure in a desart in a den in a dungeon in a fiery furnace yea and in the valley of the shadow of death than in the Palace of a Prince There is a sweet and intimate Communion which Believers have with God hence they are said to walk with God Genes 5. 24. cap. 6. 9. and to talk with God as Moses frequently did and to dwell in God 1 John 4. 15. And to sup with God Rev. 3. 20. And to lodge with God Cant. 7. 11. The nearness of this fellowship which we have with the Father is represented by a gradation of allusions in Scripture all which do excellently illustrate this truth There is some kind of participation that a Servant hath with his Master yet greater is that which one Friend hath with another but yet greater is that which a Son hath with the Father but greatest of all is that which the Bride hath with the Bridegroom Now in all these relations we stand to the Father we are his Servants and he is our Lord Exod 12. 7. We are his friends John 15. 14 15. Jam. 2. 23. And he is our friend Cant.
of their sufferings their bonds their burdens their oppressions their dangers c. he presently runs to their relief and succour Psalm 33. Our soul waiteth for the Lord he is our help and our shield Psalm 49. 17. Thou art my deliverer God is the Lord of Hosts with him alone is strength and power to deliver Israel out of all his troubles He may do it he can do it he will do it he is wise in Psalm 9. 7 8. Esay 43. 11. Psalm 5. 12. Psalm 22. 12. 2 Kings 6. 26 27 heart and mighty in strength besides him there is no Saviour no deliverer he is a shield to the righteous strength to the weak a refuge to the oppressed he is Instar omnium All in all who is like him in all the world to help his People at a dead lift when Friends can't help when power can't help when policy can't help when riches can't help when Princes can't help when Parliaments can't help yet then God can and will help his People when all humane help fails For the Lord shall judge his People and repent himself for his Servants when he seeth that their power or hand is Deut. 32. 36. gone and there is none shut up or left When Gods People are at the very brink of ruin then God wilâ— come in seasonably to their help their extremity shall be his opportunity to succour his People and to judge their Enemies no men no divels no power no policy can hinder God from helping aiding assisting and succouring of his People when they are at a dead lift But. Tenthly If God be with us who can be against us I 10. answer None so as to hinder the springs of joy and comfort from rising and flowing in their Souls Psalm 71. 20. Thou which hast shewed me great and sore troubles shalt quicken me again and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the Earth Verse 21. Thou shalt encrease my greatness and comfort me on every side The Psalmist was in those desperate dangers that he seemed to be as a man that was dead and buried and yet he had faith enough to believe that God would surround him with cordials and supply him with comforts from all sides there is no true comfort to be drawn out of the standing pools of outward sufficiences but out of the living fountains of the all-sufficiences of the Lord Almighty Thou shalt comfort me on every side Psalm 94. 19. In the multitude of my thoughts within me or of my careful troubled perplexed thoughts as the word properly signifies thy comforts delight my soul As the Psalmist alwayes found God a present help so he alwayes found him a present comfort in the day of troubles God never did nor never will want a cordial to revive and keep up the Spirits of his people from fainting and sinking in an evil day when the Psalmist was under many griefs cares fears and perplexities of Spirit God came in with those comforts that did delight his soul and chear up his Spirits The word of the Lord is never Psal 119. 49 50. more a word of comfort nor the Spirit of the Lord is never more a Spirit of comfort than when the Saints are in their deepest distresses and sorest perplexities John 14. 16. And I will pray the Father and he shall give you another Comforter that he may abide with you for ever Verse 26. But the Comforter which is the Holy Ghost whom the Father will send in my Name Hudson the Martyr being at the stake he went from under his chain and having prayed earnestly he was so comforted and refreshed by the Holy Spirit that he suffered valiantly and cheerfully The Holy Ghost is called again and again the Comforter because his office is to work consolation in the hearts of Gods People in all their troubles and distresses Spiritual comfort is therefore called joy in the Holy Ghost because the Holy Ghost doth Rom. 14. 17. create it in the soul When a man suffers for righteousness sake God comes with his cordials in the very nick of time 1 Pet. 4. 13. when a mans suffering is upon the account of Christ God seldom fails to send the Comforter for the refreshing and relieving of his Spirit When a man is under bodily confinement Isa 12. 3. cap. 66 11. for the cause of Christ God will never fail to be a Spring of life a Well of Salvation and breasts of consolation to him When a Christian is brought to a piece of bread then is the season for God to feed him with heavenly Mann I have told you of Mr. Glover who found no comfort in the time of his imprisonment but when he was going to the stake he cried out to his Friend He is come he is come meaning the Comforter Hab. 3. 17. Although the fig-tree shall not blossom neither shall fruit be in the vines the labour of the olive shall fail and the fields shall yield no meat the flock shall be cut off from the fold and there shall be no herd in the stalls Vers 18. Yet I will rejoyce in the Lord I will joy in the God of my salvation In these words you have these two parts 1. A sad supposition Although the fig-tree shall not blossom c. 2. A noble and comfortable resolution yet I will rejoyce in the Lord I will joy in the God of my salvation Let me first hint a little at the sad supposition Although the fig-tree should not blossom c. First though there should be a famin in that Land that of all Lands was the most plentiful fruitful Land yet Habakkuk would rejoyce in the Lord and joy in the God of his salvation The Land of Canaan of all Lands was the fruitfullest 't was as the garden of God 't was a Land that flowed with milk and honey a Land of vineyards the best of all Lands as Moses describes it A Land that brought forth to Isaac no less than a hundred fold It was so rich a Land that it was the granary of other Dent. 8. 7 8 9. cap. 32. 13 14 Gen 26. 12. 1 King 5. 11. Acts 12. 20. neighbouring Cities and Countries it had not only plenty for it self but bounty for others Yet now when God shall turn a Paradise into a Wilderness Habakkuk will rejoyce in the Lord and â—oy in the God of his salvation But Secondly when the anger and wrath of God shall cause a dearth in those fruits that naturally are most yielding and pleasant yet then Habakkuk would rejoyce in the Lord and joy in the God of his salvation The fig-tree of all trees is most fruitful bringing forth of its own accord with the least care and culture fructifying in the most barren and stony places bearing twice a year soonest ripening and rarely failing So the vine that 's a fruitful plant 't is made the emblem of plenty and fruitfulness Now when there shall be a dearth upon these
A WORD IN SEASON To this Present GENERATION OR A SOBER AND SERIOUS DISCOURSE About the favorable Signal and eminent Presence of the LORD with his PEOPLE in their greatest Troubles deepest Distresses and most deadly Dangers WITH THE Resolution of several Questions concerning the DIVINE PRESENCE as also the Reasons and improvements of this great and glorious Truth All tending to encourage Christians in the way of their Duty in the face of all Afflictions Oppositions and Sufferings that they may meet with for Righteousness sake from the Serpents seed or from Wolves in Sheeps-cloathing By THOMAS BROOKS the Author of the Golden Key to open hidden Treasures But will God indeed dwell on the Earth Behold the Heaven and the Heaven of Heavens cannot contain thee how much less this House that I have builded 1 Kings 8. 27. Deus unus est ubique totus diffusus Cyprian Maximilian the Emperour was so delighted with that Sentence of PAUL Si Deus nobiscum If God be with us who shall be against us that he caused it to be written upon the Walls in most rooms of his Palace LONDON Printed for Dorman Newman at the Sign of the Kings Arms in the Poultrie THE SIGNAL PRESENCE OF GOD With His PEOPLE In their greatest Troubles deepest Distresses and most deadly Dangers 2. Tim. 4. 17. Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me and strengthened me that by me the preaching might be fully known and that all the Gentiles might hear and I was delivered out of the mouth of the Lion IN my Text you have three things that are most remarkable Preached in March and April 1675. First you have Paul's commemoration of that singular experience that he had of the favourable presence Acts 23. 11. of Christ with him and of his strengthening of him Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Tim. 4. 16. 2 Tim. 1. 15. by me and assisted me though I was deserted by men yet I was ayded and assisted by Christ though all men left me to shift for my self yet the Lord stood by me and strengthned me with wisdom prudence courage and constancy in the want of all outward encouragements and in the face of all outward discouragements Secondly here is the end for which the Lord stood by him assisted strengthned and delivered him viz. Rom. 11. 13. Phil. 4. 22. That he might preach the Gospel to the Nations That he might have more time and further opportunity to spread abroad the everlasting Gospel among the Gentiles whose Apostle he was Rome at this time was the Queen of the World and in its most flourishing condition people from all parts of the World flockt to Rome Now when they should hear and see Paul's prudence courage constancy and boldness in professing of Christ and in preaching and professing the Gospel even before that grand Tyrant that monster of mankind Nero they could not but be wrought upon and the fame of the glorious Gospel could not but by this means be spread all the World over Thirdly here is the greatness of the danger from which he was delivered viz. From the mouth of the Calv. In. Estiâ—â— c. Lyon Some Authors do conceive these words and I was delivered from the mouth of the Lyon to be a Proverbial speech noting some eminent present devouring danger I was delivered from the extremest hazard of death even as a man rescued out of a Lyons Beza A Lapide Vide Euseb hist l. 2. c. 22. mouth and pull'd from between his teeth Others more genuinly and properly by the mouth of the Lyon do understand Nero's rage and cruelty who for his potency in preying on the flock of Christ is here fitly compared to a Lyon which devoured and destroyed the flock of Christ This cruel Lyon Nero put a world of Christians to death and made a bloody Decree That whosoever confessed himself a Christian he should without any more a do be put to death as a convicted enemy Dedicator damnationis Christianoruâ— Tertul. of mankind Tertullian calleth him The Dedicatour of the condemnation of Christians This bloody Monster Nero raised the first bloody Persecution To pick a quarrel with the Christians he set the City of Rome on fire and then charged it upon the Christians under which pretence he exposed them to the fury of the People who cruelly tormented them as if they had been common burners and destroyers of Cities and the deadly enemies of mankind yea Nero himself caused them to be apprehended and clad in wild beasts skins and torn in pieces with Dogs others were crucified some he made bonefires off to light him in his night-sports To be short such horrid cruelty he used towards them as caused many of their enemys to pity them But God found out this bloody Persecutor at last for being adjudged by the Senat an enemy to mankind he was condemned to be wipt to death for the prevention whereof he cut his own throat The words being thus briefly opened the main point I shall insist upon is this viz. That when the People of God are in their greatest troubles deepest distresses and most deadly dangers then the Lord will be most favourably most signally and most eminently present with them The Schoolmen say that God is five wayes present 1. In the Humanity of Christ by hypostatical union 2. In the Saints by knowledge and love 3. In the Church by his essence and direction 4. In Heaven by his Majesty and Glory 5. In Hell by his vindictive Justice Hemingius saith There is a fourfold presence of God 1. There is a presence of Power in all men even in the Reprobates 2. A presence of Grace only in the Elect. 3. A presence of Glory in the Angels and Saints departed 4. An hypostatical presence of the Father with the Son But if you please you may take notice that there is a sixfold presence of the Lord First there is a general presence of God and thus he Psal 139. 7. Nâ— quam est Deus c. ubiquâ— est Câ—rysost in Col. 2. H. 〈◊〉 5. is present with all Creatures Whither shall I flee from thy presence Empedocles the Philosopher said well That God is a Circle whose center iâ— every where and whose circumference is no where God is included in no place and excluded from no place saith another Non est ubi ubi non est Deus They could tell us that God is the soul of the World and that as the soul is Tota in totâ— tota in qualibet parte so is he his eye is in every corner c. To which purpose they so pourtrayed their Goddess Minerva that which way soever one cast his eye shee alwayes beheld him Though Heaven be Gods Palace yet it is not his prison Diana's Temple was burnt down when shee was busie at Alexander's birth and could not be at two places together but God is present both in Paradise and in the Wilderness
out our dross and to make virtue shine It is a potion to carry away ill humours better than all the benedicta Medicamenta as Physicians call them Master Ascham was a good Schoolmaster to Queen Elizabeth but affliction was a better c. By afflictions God humbles the hearts of his People and betters the hearts of his People and drawes the hearts of his People nearer and closer to himself V. 71. It is good for me that I have been afflicted The Laced emonians of old grew rich by war and were bettered by it when all other Kingdoms were undone by it The Saints gain by their crosses troubles and distresses Their graces are more raised their experiences are more Rom. 5. 3 4. 2 Cor. 1. 3 4. 5. Hos 2. 14. multiplyed and their comforts are more augmented and their communion with God is more heightned The waves did but lift Noah's Ark nearer to Heaven and the higher the waters grew the more the Ark was lifted up to Heaven The troubles and distresses that the Saints Psalm 73. 13 14 28. meet with do but raise them in their fellowship with the Father Son and Spirit When Tyribazus a noble Persian was arrested at first he drew out his sword and defend himself but when they charged him in the Kings name and informed him that they came from the King to carry him to the King he yeelded willingly So when afflictions arrest a noble Christian he may murmur and struggle at the first but when he considers it is sent from God to bring him to the sight of God the King of glory he willingly and readily submâ—ts to the rod and kisses the rod. All the stones that came thick about Stephens ears did but knock him the closer to Christ the Acts 7. 55. 60. Corner-stone Tiburtius saw Paradise when he walked upon burning coals If there be any way to Heaven on horse back 't is by the cross said Bradford Hos 2. 6. Therefore behold I will hedge up thy way with thorns and make a wall that she shall not find her paths By afflictions difficulties and distresses God hedges up his Peoples way Well what then Mark v. 7. I will go and return to my first Husband that is to God I have run away from him by my sins and now I will return to him again by repentance The grand dessign of God in all the afflictions that befal his People is to bring them nearer and eloser to himself The Church could have no rest at home nor no comfort abroad till by affliction she was brought into the presence and company of her first Husband Hos 6. 1. Come and let us return unto the Hos 5. 14. Lord for he hath torn and he will heal us be hath smitten and he will bind us up The great design of God in playing the Lyons part with his People is to bring them nearer closer to himself and behold how sweetly this blessed design of God did take Come let us return unto the Lord c. The power of God the presence of God and the grace of God is most gloriously manifested by bringing the hearts of his People nearer and closer to himself by all the troubles distresses and dangers that do attend them In the Winter-season all the sap of the tree runs down to the root anâ— when a man is sick all the blood goes to the heart so in the winter of affliction when the soul is running out more and more to God and a getting closer and nearer to God it is all most sure evidence of the signal presence of God with that soul But Twelfthly and lastly the Lord doth manifest his favourable signal and eminent presence with his People in their greatest troubles deepest distresses and most deadly dangers by rendering them invincible and unconquerable under all their troubles distresses and dangers Rev. 12. 11. And they overcame him by the blood of Rev. 14. 1 2 3 4 2 Chr. 32. 7 8 21 22. the Lamb and by the word of their tâ—stimony and they loved not their lives unto the death By vertue of Christ's blood the Saints are made victorious both over Satan and all his instruments they set little by their lives in respect of Christ his truth yea they despised them in comparison Sulpitius Rupertus saith that God did more gloriously triumph in Saint Lowâ—ence his patience and constancy when he was broiled on the Gridiron than if he had saved his body from burning by a miracle His faith and patience made him invinâ—ible of Gods glory and the great things of the Gospel they made so little account of them that they exposed them to all hazards and dangers for the cause of Christ In the dayes of that bloody persecutour Diocletian the Christians shewed as glorious power in the faith of Martyrdom as in the faith of Miracles The valour of the patients and the savagness of the persecutors striving together till both exceeding nature and belief bred wonder and astonishment in beholders and readers It was a good saying of Cyprian speaking of the Saints and Martyrs in those dayes Occidi poterant sed vinci non poterant They may kill them but they cannot overcome them Rev. 17. 14. These shall make war with the Lamb and the Lamb shall overcome them for he is the Lord of Lords and King of Kings and they that are with him are called and chosen and faithful The presence of the Lamb has and will make the Saints victorious in all the ages of the world Modestus Lieutenant to Julian the Emperour said to Julian While they suffer they deride us saith he and the torments are more fearful to them that stand by than to the tormented there is no end instances of this nature There is nothing more clear in Scripture and in History than this that the signal presence of the Lord with his People in all their great troubles deep distresses and most deadly dangers hath made them invincible and unconquerable But now others that have been destitute of this favourable signal and eminent presence of the Lord in times of great troubles deep distresses and most deadly dangers how have they fled when none have pursued them how faint-hearted how greatly daunted and how sadly discouraged have they been how have they turn'd their backs and quitted the field and run from their colours without striking one stroke Many in Cyprian's time were overcome before the encounter for they revolted to Idolatry before any persecution once assailed them In the Palatinat when there was a warm persecution scarce one Professor of twenty stood out but fell to Popery as fast as leaves fall from the trees in Autumn And so in the persecution under Decius many Professors that were rich and great in the World they soon shrunk from Christ and turn'd their backs upon his wayes It is Gods favourable signal and eminent presence with his People that makes them stand to it in an evil day
they shall never be prevalent Enemies over Zion Pharaoh followed the Exod. 14. Israelites but he and his mighty men were drowned and Israel delivered for God was with them Saul 1 Sam. 26. 20. hunted David as a Partridge iâ— the Mountains but Saul perisheth and David was crowned for God was with him Haman hated Mordecai and plotted against Mordecai Hesther 6. 7. but Haman is hanged and Mordecai advanced for God was with him The Presidents and Princes inform Dan. 6. against Daniel and plot against Daniel but they are by the Lions torn and devouâ—ed and Daniel is delivered and exalted for God was with him Herod kills Acts 12. James with the sword and imprisons Peter but Herod is devoured by worms and Peter is delivered out of prison by an Angel for God was with him Let Atheists Papists and Persecutors cease from plotting against Zion from persecuting of Zion for it is utterly impossible to prevail against Zion Let all Zions Adversaries remember once for all that if any Policy counsel lying cursing strength or cruelty could have prevailed against Zion Zion had been rooted out of the world long ago If Balaam was at our Enemies elbows he would tell them roundly and plainly That it is in vain to curse those whom God blesseth It is hard to Num. 23. 8. Acts 9. 5. kick against the pricks It is high madness for men to run their naked Bodies against a swords point Let Zions Enemies remember that God who takes pleasure in Zion sits upon the Circle of the Earth and all the Inhabitants Isa 40. 22. 15. 17. are as Grashoppers yea all the Nations as a drop of a Bucket and less than the dust of the Ballance and therefore he can easily revenge all the wrongs and injuries Some observe that Fauls Stile is so beautified with wonderful Eloquence and Rheâ—orick that not Tully nor Deâ—â—oâ—â—henes could ever haâ—e so spoken August Erasmuâ— Some report of Augustin that he wished for three things â— To see Christ in the flesh 2. To see Rome in the pride of it 3. To have heard Paul preach that is done to Zion by those that would fain prevail over her and triumph in her ruin But Thirdly If God be with us who can be against us I answer None can be so against us as to be able to separate us from the love of God and the love of Christ Rom. 8. 35. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ shall tribulation or distresses or persecution or famine or nakedness or peril or sword Verse 36. As it is written for thy sake are we killed all the day long we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter Verse 37. Nay in all these things we are more than conquerers through him that loved us Verse 38. For I am perswaded that neither death nor life nor Angels nor Principalities nor Powers nor things present nor things to come Verse 39. Nor height nor depth nor any other Creature shall separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus It is not the pleasures of life nor the pains of death it is not evils felt nor evils feared it is not the height of prosperity nor the depth of adversity it is not bonds nor banishment it is not power nor policy honour nor baseness it is not violent persecutions nor multiplyed tribulations it is not the scorns of men nor reproaches of men nor revilings of men nor designs of men nor any thing else that can separate us from the love of the Father or the love of the Son In the 35. Verse is a position that no crosses nor creatures can deprive us of the love of God which is set down in a double interrogation that he might add the more force and life to it and ravish the Readers Who shall separate us That is none can But he speaks with contempt Who shall shall tribulation as if he should say I scorn it As Goliah defied David saying Doest thou come to me with a staff so Paul with a better Spirit defies all crosses sufferings trials c. as things not able to deprive sincere Christians of Christs love shall tribulation c. He had before spoken of Persons now here he speaks of things because Satan and his sworn Slaves think by such things to separate between God and his People Chrysostome observes Paul's wisdome in three things 1. That he saith not Shall the love of riches pleasures honours c. which have a mighty force in them to bewitch us but shall tribulation distress c. 2. That he begins with the lighter and so riseth to greater troubles placing them in this order not casually but by singular art 3. That though these which he here rehcarseth consist of a certain number yet every one as a General hath special Troops under it As when he saith Tribulation he saith imsprisonments bonds slanders banishments c. Shall tribulation distress persecution c. No They are blessed which endure these Matth. 5 10. 11. things Shall famine He which feeds on Christ shall never perish for hunger Shall nakedness Christs righteousness is my cloathing I shall willingly follow him even naked who when he was cloathed with infinit glory as with a garment was content to be born naked and to be stript on the Cross for my sake Shall peril I know the hardest Shall the sword Christ is to me in life and death advantage But Fourthly If God be for us who can be against us I answer None can be against us so as to bring us to their bow their bâ—â—k their will their humour their lusts 1. Kings 19. 18. Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal and every mouth which hath not kissed him That is I have Kissing was an outward token 1. of great and entire affection 2. of submissive reverence 3. of willing and ready subjection many thousands that have not worshipped Baal Here a set number is put for an indefinite number he means a very great number Idolaters used not only to bow kneel before their Idols but also to kiss them according to that Hos 13. 2. Let the men that sacrifice kiss the Calves Cicero saith that the chin of the image of Hercules was much worn with the kisses of them that adored him Now God had several thousands of true Israelites indeed that had not in the least kind polluted themselves with the Idolatrie of Baal The denial of bowing the knee and kissing with the mouth shewes that Gods faithful Servants were so far from setting their hearts upon Baal as that they would not make the least shew of any affection or subjection to him These good souls had too great spirits to be conformable to the Idolatry of the times Jeroboam with his eight hundred thousand 2 Chr. 113. 3 20. chosen men his Popish Priests and his golden Calves could not bring Judah to his bow
5. 1. an able friend a sure friend a faithful friend a close friend a constant friend Plutarch's reasoning is good 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Friends have all things in common But God is our Friend Ergo we cannot want a most rare speech from a poor Heathen He is our Father Isa 63. 16. cap. 64 8. And we are his children Isa 63. 8. He is our Bridegroom and we are his Bride Isa 61. 10. Hosea 2. 19 20. Isa 62. 5. And therefore it is no pride nor presumption for Believers to say our fellowship is with the Father Our fellowship with Jesus Christ is set forth by the Parable of Matth. 22. 1 2 3. Luke 15. the Wedding-Feast and by the Entertainment of the Prodigal Son and by such relations or various similitudes as carry communion in their bosoms as of the head and the members root and branches foundation and building husband and wife The head hath communion with the body by sense influence motion The root with the branches by leaf sap and juice The foundation with the building by support and strength The husband with the wife by love and consent Thus it is betwixt Christ and the Believers 1 Cor. l. 9. God is faithful by whom ye are called to the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ All Believers have fellowship with Christ whether they be strong or weak rich or poor Gal. 3. 28. 1 Pet. 2. 2. John 17. 20 21 22 23. high or low ripe and well grown or new born babes and very tender The head hath conjunction with all the members and an influence into all the members even the little Toes as well as into the strongest Arms and the root in the vertue of it extends to the weakest branches as well as to the strongest limbs of the Tree Communion is as large as union all Believers are united to Christ and all Believers have communion with Christ Though one star exceeds another in magnitude yet all are alike seated in the heavenly Orb and though one member be larger in the body than another yet every one hath an equal conjunction with the head And as Believers have fellowship with the Father and the Son so they have fellowship with the Spirit also every Believers communion extends to all the Persons in the Trinity 2 Cor. 13. 14. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all Amen Now no Men no Devils no wrath no rage no malice no enmity no afflictions no oppositions do persecutions no troubles no trials no bonds no banishment can interrupt or hinder a Believers communion with the three Persons in Trinity But Seventhly If God be with us who can be against us I answer None so as to hinder our private Trade to Heaven All the world can never hinder a sincere Christian from driving a secret Trade with Heaven as you may see by comparing the Scriptures in the Margin together Psalm 3. 2 3 4. Psalm 6. 8 9 10. Psalm 138. 3 Lan. 3. 55. to 59. A Christian â—an as well hear without ears and live without food and fight without hands and walk without feet as he is able to live without secret Prayer Secret Prayer is the life of our lives the soul the sweet the heaven of all our enjoyments of all the duties of Religion Secret Prayer is the most soul-sweetning soul-strengthning soul-nourishing soul-fatning soul-refreshing soul-satisfying and soul-encouraging duty in all the Ages of the world the Saints have kept the Trade in spite of all opposers and persecutors in prisons in dungeons in dens in bonds in banishments on racks and in the very flames the Saints have still kept up this secret Trade as you may see at large in my Treatise on closet Prayer called The privy Key of Heaven to which I refer you But Eightly If God â—e with us who can be against us I answer None so as to deprive us of the sweet Testimonie of our renewed consciences 2 Cor. 1. 12. For our rejoycing or boasting is this the testimony of our conscience 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 boasting or glorying that in simplicity and godly sincerity not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God we have had our conversation in the world and more abundantly to you-ward They were in great and pressing troubles in Asia Verse the 8. and yet they boasted in the testimony of their consciences they were under a Sentence of death in themselves Verse 9 and yet gloried in the testimony of their consciences Joy of conscience is the greatest joy as trouble of conscience is the greatest trouble when conscience bears its testimony with us and for us how full of joy is the soul even in the midst of the deepest sorrows and greatest sufferings Conscientia pura semper secura a good conscience hath sure confidence and he that hath it sits Noah like mediis tranquillus in undis Quiet in the greatest combustions freed if not from the common destuction yet from the common distraction A good conscience is an impregnable Fort it fears no colours it will enable a man to stand against the fiercest batteries of men and divels A good conscience will fill a man with courage and comfort in the midst of all his troubles and distresses Paul had enough to say for himself when standing before the Council he could say Men and brethren I have lived in all good conscience Acts 23. 1 2. before God until this day And though as soon as he had said so Ananiâ—s commanded to smite him on the mouth yet he bears up bravely because his conscience did not smite him but acquit him That man can never want musick whose conscience speaks in consort and is harmonious with himself A good conscience is a Paradise in a wilderness it is riches in poverty and health in sickness and strength in weakness and liberty Isa 38. 3. in bonds and life in death A good conscience will enable a man to triumph over innumerable evils yea over death it self Death to such a person is not the King of terrors but the King of desires A good conscience Phil. 1. 23. will be a Christians best friend in the worst times it will be a sword to defend him a staff to support him a pillar of fire to lead him a Joseph to nourish him a Dorcas to cloath him a Canaan to refresh him and a feast to delight him He that is of a merry heart hath a Prov. 15. 15. continual feast Now there is nothing that can make a man Divinely merry below a good conscience A good conscience saith one is Thalamuâ— Dei palatium Aug. Ser. 10. ad Fratres in Eâ—em Christi habitaculum Spiritus Sancti Paradisus delitiarum The bed of God the palace of Christ the habitation of the holy Ghost the Paradise of delights and wherein every Tree yieldeth a Feast Tranquillitas conscientiae Ambros Offic. l. 2. c. 1.
me Suidas saith Job was clouded and to his sense and feeling forsaken seven â—ears But you are not bound to make this an Article of your Faith not utterly Christ was forsaken for a few houres David for a few months and Job for a few years for the tryal and exercise of his faith and patience but then they all sent up a mighty cry to Heaven Leave them God did to their thinking but forsake them he did in regard of vision but not in regard of union The promise is that God will draw near to us if we draw near to him Jam. 4. 8. Draw nigh to God in duty and he will draw nigh to you in mercy Sanctify him and he will satisfie you Prayer is the only means to supply all defects it gets all and makes up the loss of all as a gracious poor women said in her distress I have no Friend but I have prayer that will get favour with my God so long as I can find a praying heart God will I am sure of that find a pittying heart and a helping hand It is not the length but the strength of prayer it is not the labour of the lip Jer. 29. 12 13 14. but the travel of the heart that prevails with God it is not the Arithmetick of our prayers how many they are nor the Rhetorick of our prayers how eloquent they be nor the Geometry of our prayers how long they be nor the Musick of our prayers how sweet they be nor the Logick of our prayers how methodical they be that will carry the day with God it is only fervency importunity in prayer that will make a man prevalent with God Fervent prayer hits the mark carries the day and pierceth the walls of Heaven though like those of Gaza Jam. 5. 16 17. Luk. 18. Isa 45. 2. made of Brass and Iron The Child has got many a kiss and many a hug by crying if God has withdrawn his presence the best the surest and the readiest way to recover it is to send up a mighty cry to Heaven But Sixthly Be sure you don't take up your rest in any Jer. 50. 6. Creature in any comfort in any contentment in any worldly enjoyment When the presence of God is withdrawn from you say as Absalom What is all this to me 2 Sam. 14. 24 28 32 33. so long as I am banished my Fathers presence so long as I can't see the Kings face When the Mother sees that the Child is taken with the baby the rattle the fiddle she comes not in sight If you take up your rest in any of the babies in any of the poor things of this world God will certainly keep out of sight he will never honour them with his countenance and presence who take up in any thing below himself below his favour below his presence I have read of a devout Pelgrim who going up to Jerusalem was very kindly and nobly entertained in several places but still he cryed out O but this is not Jerusalem this is not Jerusalem So when you cast your eye upon thiis Creature or that O then cry out This is not the presence of God this is not the presence of God when you begin to be tickled taken with this and that enjoyment with this or that contentment O then remember this is not the presence of God this is not the presence of God! Here is a gracious yoke-fellow here are hopeful Children here is a pleasant habitation here is brave air here is a gainful trade c. but what are all these to me so long as my Sun is set in a cloud and God has withdrawn his presence from me Remember this once for all that the whole world is but a barren Psal 63. 1 2 3. wilderness without the countenance and presence of God But Seventhly and lastly Patiently and quietly wait upon him in the way of his Ordinances for the recovery of his Exod. 20. 24. Mat. â—8 20. Isa 64. 5. Psal â—7 4. Psal 65. 4. Revel 2. 1. Psal 40. 1 2 3. Isa 8. 17. Mich. 7. 7 8 9. Isa 26. 8 9. presence Consult the Scriptures in the margin Here God dwells here he walks here he makes known his glory here he gives forth his love here he vouchsafes his presence when God is withdrawn your great business is to prize Ordinances and to keep close to ordinances till God shall be pleased to lift up the light of his countenance and vouchsafe his presence to you you will never recover the Divine presence by neglecting ordinances nor by slighting ordinances nor by turning your back upon ordinances nor by entertaining low thoughts of ordinances He that thinks ordinances to be needless things concludes 1. That the taking away of the Kingdom of Heaven from the Jews was no Mat. 21. 43. Joh. 5. 2. to 10. great judgment 2. That the bestowing of it upon other People is no great mercy If God be gone 't is good to lay at the pool till he returns There are many dear Christians who have lost their God for a time but after a time they have found him again in the way of his ordinances and therefore let no temptation draw thee off from ordinances say here I will live here I will lie here I will wait at the pool of ordinances till the Lord shall return in mercy to my soul I shall follow this Discourse of the Divine presence with my earnest prayers that it may from on high be so signally blest as that it may issue in the furtherance of the internal and eternal good both of Writer Reader and Hearer Thus ends the SECOND PART of the Golden Key Soli Deo Gloria in Aeternum FINIS THE TABLE A. Of Adam THAT there was a Covenant of Works or a reciprocal Covenant betwixt God and Adam together with all his Posterity before Adam sell from his primitive Holyness c. Is proved by five Arguments pag. 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Of Christs Appearance Three Reasons of Christs Appearance in the presence of the Father for us pag. 168 169 Of the Articles agreed on between the Father and the Son First of the Articles on the Fathers part Now there are seven Things which God the Father promiseth to do for Jesus Christ upon his undertaking the work of our Redemption 1. First That he will give him the Spirit in an abundant measure pag. 129 130 131 132 2. Secondly That he will invest Jesus Christ with a threefold Office and that he will anoint him and furnish him with what ever was requisit for the discharge of those three Offices pag. 132 133 See the Offices of Christ 3. Thirdly That he will give to Jesus Christ assistance support protection help and strength to carry on the great work of Redemption pag. 142 143 144 4. Fourthly That he shall not labour in vain and that the work of Redemption shall prosper in his hand c. pag. 144
145 146 5. Fifthly God the Father promiseth to Jesus Christ Rule Dominion and Soveraignty pag. 146 147 6. Sixthly God the Father promiseth to accept of Jesus Christ in his Mediatory Office pag. 147 148 7. Seventhly God the Father promiseth highly to exalt Jesus Christ and nobly to reward him and everlastingly to glorify him pag. 148 149 150 151 152 Secondly of the Articles of the Covenant on Christs part Now there are six observable things on Christs side that we are to take special notice of 1. First Christ having consented and agreed with the Father about our Redemption accordingly he applies himself to the discharge of that great and glorious work by taking a body by assuming our Nature pag. 152 153 154 155 156 157 2. Secondly Jesus Christ promiseth to God the Father that he will freely readily and cheerfully accept undertake and faithfully discharge his Mediatory Office to which he was designed by him in order to the Redemption and Salvation of all his chosen Ones pag. 158 159 3. Thirdly Jesus Christ promises and engages himself that he will confide depend rely and trust upon his Father for help and assistance to go through his work c. pag. 159 160 161 162 4. Fourthly Jesus Christ promises and engages himself to the Father that he would bear all and suffer all that should be laid upon him and that he would ransome poor Sinners and fully satisfy Divine Justice by his blood and death c. pag. 162 163 5. Fifthly The Lord Jesus Christ was very free ready willing and careful to make good all the Articles of the Covenant on his side and to discharge all the works agreed on for the Redemption and Salvation of the Elect. pag. 163 164 165 6. Sixthly Christ having performed all the Conditions of the Covenant on his part he now peremptorily insists upon it that his Father should make good to him and his the Conditions of the Covenant on his part Christ having finished his work looks for his reward pag. 165 166 167 168 169 7. Seventhly and lastly The whole Compact and agreement between God the father and our Lord Jesus Christ about the Redemption of poor Sinners souls was really and solemnly transacted in open Court or as I may say in the high Court of Justice above in the presence of the great publick Notary of Heaven viz. the Holy Ghost c. pag. 169 170 Of Divine Assistance None can be so against us as to hinder the Assistance of God at a dead lift II. Part pag. 77 78 79 B. Of special Blessings Some special Blessings are alwayes annexed to the signal presence of God II. Part pag. 209 210 Six several Books mentioned in the Scripture First the Book of Nature is mentioned in the Scripture pag. 184 185 Secondly there is the Book of Providence wherein all particulars are registred even such as Atheists may count trivial and inconsiderable pag. 185 Thirdly there is the Book of Mens afflictions this some account as an entire Book of it self pag. 185 186 187 Fourthly there is the Book of Conscience pag. 187 188 Fifthly there is the Book of Scripture and of all Books this Book is the mâ—st precious Book pag. 188 189 190 Sixthly there is the Book of Life pag. 190 191 192 193 Bow None can be so against us as to bring us to their Bow II. Part. p. 66 67 68 C. Of the special Care of God The Saints are a People of Gods special Care II. Part pag. 143 144 145 Of Comfort The signal presence of the Lord with his People in their greatest Troubles yields them the greatest Comfort II. Part pag. 145 146 147 208 209 Of Communion with God None can be so against us as to hinder our Communion with the Father Son and Spirit II. Part pag. 72 73 74 Of the testimony of Conscience None can be so against us as to hinder the testimony of our renewed Consciences II. Part pag. 74 75 76 77 Of Crowns First of a Crown of Righteousness II. Part pag. 95 96 97 98 Secondly of the Crown of Life This Crown of Life signifies six things II. Part pag. 98 99 100 101 102 103 3. Of an incorruptible Crown II. Part p. 103 to 106 4. Of a Crown of Life II. Part 106 107 Of the two Covenants First that God hath commonly dealt with Man in the way of a Covenant pag. 1 2 Secondly all Men are under a Covenant of Grace or a Covenant of Works pag. 2 Thirdly that the Covenant of Grace was so legally dispensed to the Jews that it seemes to be nothing else but the repetition of the Covenant of Works pag. 2 3 Fourthly that a right notion of the Covenant according to the Originals of the Old and New Testament will conduce much to a right understanding of Gods Covenant the Originals of the Old and New Testament largely opened pag. 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Fifthly that there was a Covenant of Works or a reciprocal Covenant betwixt God and Adam together with all his Posterity pag. 10 11 Q. But how may it be evidenced that God entred into a Covenant of Works with the first Adam before his fall there being no mention of such a Covenant in the Scripture that we read of Five Answers are returned to this Question pag. 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Sixthly there is a new Covenant a second Covenant or a Covenant of Grace betwixt God and his People pag. 18 19 Of the Covenant of Grace That the Covenant of Grace is the same for substance now to us since Christ was exhibited as it was to the Jews before he was exhibited but the manner of administration is different upon three grounds pag. 3 That there is a Covenant betwixt God and his People is evinced by 8. unanswerable Arguments pag. 19. to 25 Seventhly and lastly that it is a matter of high importance for all mortals to have a clear and right understanding of that Covenant under which they are pag. 25 26 27 28 29 First the Covenant of Grace is stiled an everlasting Covenant in two respects pag. 31 32 33 34 The Covenant which God makes for himself to us consists mainly in six things pag. 34 35 The Covenant which God doth make for us to himself consists mainly in ten things pag. 35 36 Secondly the Covenant of Grace under which the Saints stand is sometimes stiled a Covenant of Life pag. 36 Thirdly the Covenant of Grace under which the Saints stand is sometimes stiled a Holy Covenant pag. 36 37 Fourthly the Covenant of Grace under which the Saints stand is sometimes stiled a Covenant of Peace pag 37 38 39 Fifthly the Covenant of Grace under which the Saints stand is sometimes stiled a new Covenant and that in eight respects pag. 39 40 41 Sixthly the Covenant of Grace under which the Saints stand is sometimes stiled a Covenant of Salt pag. 41 42 Seventhly the Covenant of Grace under which the Saints stand is sometimes stiled a sure
Covenant a firm Covenant c. p. 42 43 44 45 Three springs from whence the Covenant of Grace flowes may assure us that the Covenant of Grace is a sure Covenant pag. 45 46 47 The sureness of the Covenant is further demonstrated from the blood of the everlasting Covenant pag. 47 48 49 50 Eightly and lastly the Covenant of Grace is stiled a well ordered Covenant pag. 50 51 52 The reason why the new Covenant is call'd a Covenant of Grace pag. 52 53 54 55 None can make void our Covenant-relation our Covenant-interest II. Part pag. 107 108 Of the Covenant of Redemption What is the substance of the Covenant of Redemption pag. 66 67 68 The Covenant of Redemption defined pag. 68 69 Scripture proofs of the Covenant of Redemption pag. 69 to 97 The Covenant of Redemption differs from the Covenant of Grace in five particulars pag. 97 98 Of the Covenant of Works The woful misery of men that live and dye under a Covenant of Works pag. 27 28 29 First the Covenant of Works in the nature of it requires perfect personal and perpetual Obedience under pain of the curse and death 29 30 Secondly such as are under a Covenant of Works their best and choicest duties are rejected and abhorred for the least miscarriages or blemishes that do attend them pag. 30 Thirdly this Covenant admits of no Mediator pag. 30 31 E. Of Embracing Christ Poor Sinners should embrace Christ as they would have his signal sence with them in their greatest troubles and deepest distresses II. Part pag. 155 156 157 158 Of Enemies The Enemies of the Church are weak and contemptible II. Part p. 212 213. F. Of base slavish Fears The signal presence of God with his People should arm them against all slavish Fears of Men. II. Part pag. 152 153 154 Of Fighting against God To Fight against God is labour in vain II. Part p. 213 G. Of the Graces of the Spirit None can be so against us as to deprive us of the Graces of the Spirit II. Part p. 85 86 Of Growth in Grace None can be so against us as to hinder our growth and increase in Grace II. Part p. 108 109 110 111 112 H. Of Harming the Saints None can Harm the Saints II. Part p. 61 62 63 Of being Hid in an evil day None can be so against the Saints as to hinder them from being Hid in an evil day II. Part p. 90 91 92 I. Of Imitating Christ The Saints should Imitate Christ in visiting of the Lords People in their greatest troubles II. Part p. 150 151 152 Of Holy Joy None can be so against us as to hinder the springs of Holy Joy from rising and flowing in our souls II. Part p. 79 to 85 The presence of God with his People is the true ground of their Ioy in all their troubles II. Part p. 145 146 147 Of the general Judgment Scriptures that refer to the general Iudgment opened pag. 177 to 184 L. Of Lessons Six great Lessons the poor Heathen might have learned out of the Book of Nature pag. 184 185 Of Life A man in the Covenant of Grace hath three degrees of Life pag. 36 Of Losing the presence of God and of the means to recover it First observe how you lost the Divine presence II. Part p. 218 219 Secondly enquire where when and why God has withdrawn himself II. Part p. 219 Thirdly stand not with Christ for any thing II. Part p. 219 Fourthly let your hearts lye humble and low under the losâ— of the Divine presence and why II. Part p. 220 Fifthly send up a mighty cry to Heaven II. Part p. 220 221 Sixthly take not up your rest in any outward comfort II. Part. p. 221 222 Seventhly patiently and quietly wait upon him in the way of his Ordinances II. Part p. 222 Of the Fathers Love and the Sons Love Of admiring the Fathers Love in entring into the Covenant of Redemption pag. 174 175 Of Christs matchless Love pag. 175 176 177 Nothing can separate us from the Fathers or the Sons Love II. Part p. 64 65 66 Gods signal presence with his People in their greatest troubles speaks out the Lords singular Love to his People c. II. Part p. 149 150 First God loves his People with a first Love II. Part p. 214 Secondly he loves his People with a free Love II. Part p. 214 215 Thirdly he loves them with an everlasting Love II. Part p. 215 Fourthly he loves them with an unchangeable Love II. Part p. 215 Fifthly he loves them with a peculiar Love II. Part p. 215 Sixthly he loves them with the greatest Love II. Part p. 215 216 M. Means to retain the presence of God with us in our greatest troubles and deepest distresses First take heed of high sinning II. Part p. 181 Secondly take heed of impenitency II. Part p. 181 182 Thirdly take heed of neglecting Gospel-worship or of corrupting Gospel-worship II. Part p. 182 183 Fourthly take heed of a willing willful and presumptuous running cross to Divine Commands to Divine Warnings II. Part p. 183 184 Fifthly take heed of carnal confidence of resting upon an arm of flesh II Part p. 184 185 Sixthly take heed of barrenness under Gospel-ordinances II. P. p. 185 186 Seventhly take heed of pride and haughtiness of spirit II. Part p. 186 187 Eightly take heed of a slothful lazy trifling spirit in the things of God II. Part p. 187 188 189 Ninthly take heed of a covetous worldly spirit under the smarting Rod. II. Part p. 189 190 191 192 Tenthly take heed of a cross froward irflexible spirit under the Râ—d II Part p. 192 193 But then as these ten things are to be avoided so there are eight things to be put in pâ—actice as ever you would enjoy the signal presence of God with you in your greatest troubles and deepest distresses First be sure that you are brought under the bond of the Covenant II. Part p. 193 194 Secondly look to the practical part of Holyness keep up the power of Godliness in your hearts and lives II. Part p. 194 195 196 197 Thirdly keep close to instituted worship keep close to your Church state II. Part p. 197 198. 199 Fourthly be sure you make much conscience of five things when you are not in troubles II. Part p. 199 Fifthly then maintain uprightness and integrity of spirit with God II. Part p. 199 200 201 Sixthly be importunate with God not to leave you II. P. p. 201 202 203 Seventhly keep humble walk humbly with your God II. P. 203 204 205 Eightly labour more and more after greater measures of Holyness II. Part p. 205 206 207 208 Of Mercies God will time his Peoples Mercies for them II. Part p. 210 211 Ten Motives to perswade Christians to keep the signal presence of God with them in their greatest troubles and deepest distresses c. First consider the signal presence of God with his People puts the greatest honour dignity and glory
imaginable upon thâ—m II. Part p. 164 165 2. Consider that nothing can make up the want of this signal presence of God II. Part p. 165 166 167 162 3. Consider if you don't labâ—ur to keep the gracious presence of God with you you have high reason to quâ—stim whether ever you have really enjoyed this signal presence of God with you or no. II. Part p. 168 169 4. Consider the excellent properties of the Divine presence II. Part p. 169 170 171 172 5. Consider in your great troubles and deep distresses you will need most of the signal presence of God with you which is evidenced by an induction of six particulars ergo II. Part p. 172 173 174 6. Consider this signal presence of God will make you Divinely fearless in the midst of youâ— greatâ—st trâ—ubles and deepest distresses II. Part p. 174 175 7. Consider that there is in God a very great unwillingness to withdraw his presence from his People II. Part p. 175 176 8. Consider that troubles will never trouble you if you can but secure the presence of God with you II. Part p. 176 177 9. Consider that the worst oâ— men cannâ—t fasten a curse upon you whil'st you keep the presence of God with you II. Part p. 177 178 179 10. Consider that the Divine presence will make up the absence of all outward comforts II. Part p. 179 180 O. Observable things Eight Observable things from that 53 Isaia p. 77 to 85 Of Christs three-fold Office 1. Of his Priestly Office p. 133 134 135 136 2. Of his Prophetical Office p. 136 137 138 139 3. Of his Kingly Office p. 139 140 141 142 Of Opposition The folly and madness of them that make opposition against the Saints cleared 2. Part p. 147 148 Of the Originals The Originals of the Old and New Testament concerning the Covenant opened at large pag 3 4 5 6. 7 8 9 10 Three Original Greek Words opened p 57 Three Original Hebrew Words opened p. 58 Two more Original Words opened p. 59 P. Of inward Peace None can be so against us as to deprive us of our inward Peace 2. Part p. 86 87 88 89 90 Of the Properties of the Divine Prâ—sence Seven Properties of the Divine Presence 2. Part p. 169 170 171 172 No Presence to the Presence of God For first it is the presence of an almighty God 2. Part p. 213 214 Secondly it is the presence of a loving God 2. Part p. 214 215 216 Thirdly it is the presence of an active God 2. Part p. 216 Fourthly it is the presence of a wakeful God a watchful God 2. P. p. 216 Fifthly it is the presence of a wise God 2. Part p. 216 217 Sixthly it is the presence of a merciful God of a compassionate God 2. Part p. 217 218 The presence of God will make up the want or loss of all outward comforts 2. Part p. 218 Of the Presence of God There is a sixfold presence 1. There is a general presence of God 2 Part p. 5 6 7 2. There is a miraculous presence of Christ 2. Part p. 7 3. There is a relative presence of Christ 2. Part p. 7 4. There is a Majestical and glorious presence of Christ 2. Part p. 7 8 5. There is a judicial or wrathful presence of the Lord. 2. Part p. 8 6. There is a gracious a favourable a signal or eminent presence of the Lord with his faithful People in their greatest troubles deepest distresses and most deadly dangers 2. Part p. 8 9 10 11 12 13 Q. How does the Lord manifest his favourable signal and eminent presence with his People in their greatest troubles deepest distresses and most deadly dangers I answer thee 12 wayes 1. By raising their faith to more than an ordinary pitch at such a time 2. Part p. 13 to 21 2. By his teaching and instructing of them under their greatest troubles 2 Part p. 21 22 23 24 3. By raising strengthning acting of their suffering graces 2. P. p. 24 25 26 4. By laying a law of restraint upon wicked men upon the enemies of his People 2. Part p. 26 27 28 5. By guiding and leading them into those paths and wayes which make most for their own peace quiet safety security 2. P. p. 28 29 30 31 32 6. By encâ—uraging emboldning animating and heartning up of his People c. 2. Part p. 32 33 34. 35 36 7. By preserving them from troubles in the midst of troubles from dangers in the midst of dangers 2. Part p. 36 to 45 8. By frustrating and disappointing the plots designs counsels and contrivances of their most powerful enemies 2. Part p. 45 to 53 9. By his sympathizing with them in all their troubles c. 2. P. p. 53 54 55 10. By pouring out upon them a greater spirit of prayer and supplication than formerly they have had 2. Part p. 55 56 57 11. By drawing the hearts of his People nearer and closer to himself by all the troubles c. that do attend them in this world 2. Part p. 57 58 59 12. By rendring them invincible and unconquerable under all their troubles c. 2. Part p. 59 60 61 Of Prevailing None can prevail against the Saints 2 Part p. 63 64 Of the several Pleas that every sincere Christian may form up as to the ten Scriptures in the Old and New Testament that refer either to the general Judgment or to the particular Judgment that will pass upon every Christian immediatâ—ly after death The eighth plea. p. 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 The ninth plea. p. 65 66 The tenth plea. p. 170 171 172 The eleventh plea. p. 193 194 Of privat Prayer None can be so against us as to hinder privat Prayer 2. Part p. 74 Of the Father of the Prodigal The carriage and deportment of the Father of the Prodigal to his prodigal Son p. 60 61 62 Several Propositions for the clearing up of the Covenant of Redemption First proposition that the Covenant of Redemption differs from the Covenant of Grace p. 97 98 2. That God the Father in order to mans Redemption and Salvation stands stiffly and peremptorily upon compleat satisfaction p. 98. 99 100 3. The great business transacted between God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ was the Redemption Salvation of the Elect. p. 100 101 4. The blessed and glorious Titles that are given to Christ in the Holy Scriptures do clearly and strongly evidence that there was a Covenant of Redemption passed between God the Father and Jesus Christ p. 109 110 111 112 113 5. The work of our Râ—demption and Salvation was transacted between God the Father and Jesus Christ before the foundation of the World p. 113 114 115 6. That God the Father hath the first and chief hand in this great work of saving Sinners by vertue of the Covenant of Redemption wherein he and his Son had agreed to bring many Sons to glory p. 115 116 117 118
119 120 7. It was agreed between the Father and the Son that Jesus Christ should be incarnate that he should take on him the Nature of those whom he was to save and for whom he was to satisfy and to bring to glory p. 120 121 122 8. That there were Commandments from the Father to the Son which be must obey and submit to c. p. 122 to 127 Several Propositions concerning the signal presence of God with his People in their greatest troubles c. 1. Proposition that Christ is many times really present when he is seemingly absent 2. Part p. 132 133 134 135 2. Proposition that the signal presence of God with his People in their greatest troubles and deepest distresses is only to be extended to his Covenant-people 2 Part p 135 136 137 3. Proposition that a sincere Christian may enjoy the signal prâ—sence of the Lord in great troubles supporting and upholding of him when he has not the presence of God quickning and comforting of him 2. Part p. 137 138 4 Proposition all Saints have not a like measure of the presence of the Lord in their troubles and tryals some have more and some have less upon five grounds 2. Part p. 138 139 5. Proposition none of the Saints have at all times in all troubles and distresses the same measure and degree of the presence of the Lord but in one affliction they have more in another less 2. Part p. 139 140 6. Proposition many precious Christians may have the signal presence of God with them in their great troubles and yet fear and doubt yea peremptorily conclude that they have not this presence of God with them the truth of this proposition is made evident by an induction of ten particulars 2. Part p. 140 141 142 R. Reasons why God will be signally present with his People in their greatest troubles c. First to render his suffering Children glorious in the very eyes and consciences both of Sinners and Saints 2. Parâ— p. 112 113 114 115 116 Secondly because he has in the Covenant of grace anâ— by maâ—y prâ—cious promises engaged himself to be present with them in a day of trouble 2. Part p 116 117 Thirdly because it makes most for his honour and glory in the World 2. Part p. 117 118 Fourthly because then his People stands in most need of his presence 2. Part p. 118 119 Fifthly because he dearly lâ—ves them 2. Part p. 119 120 121 122 123 Sixthly because of his propriety and interest in them and his near and dear Relation to them 2. Part p 123 124 Seventhly because commonly such times are times of great and sore temptations 2 Part p. 124 125 Eightly because he highly prizes them and sets an honourable value esteem upon them 2. Part p. 125 126 Ninthly because they won't leave him but stick close to him and to his interest 2. Part p. 126 127 128 129 Tenthly that they may be joyful and cheerful under all their troubles 2. Part p. 129 to 132 Of the Covenant of Redemption Of the substance of the Covenant of Redemption p. 66 67 68 Of the excellent properties of that Redemption we have by Jesus Christ First it is a great Redempâ—ion p. 101 102 103 104 2. It is a free and gracious Redemption p. 104 3. It is a full and plentious Redemption p. 104 105 4. 'T is eternal 't is permanent 't is a lasting yea an everlasting Redemption p. 105 106 107 108 5. It is an enriching Redemption p. 108 109 6. It is a Redemption sweetning Redemption p. 109 Of Remembring God hath engaged himself to remember the sins of his People no more p. 58 59 60 To Remember implyeth a fourfold act p. 60 S. Of the Scriptures Several choice ones opened and cleared The first choice Scripture that is opened and cleared is Gen. 3. 15. p. 69 2. Is Isa 42. 6. p. 69 70 71 3. Is Isa 49. 1. p. 71 to 75 4. Is Isa 52. 13 14. p. 75 76 77 5. Is Isa 53. p. 77 to 84 6. Is Isa 59 20 21. p. 84 85 86 7. Is Zach. 6. 12 13. p. 86 87 8. Is Psalm 40. 6 7 8. Compared with Heb. 10. 5 6 7. p. 87 to 95 9. Is Psalm 89 28. p. 95 96 10. Is Zach. 9. 11. p. 96 97 By these ten Scriptures it is most clear and evident that there was a Covenant a Compact and Agreement between God the Father our Lord Jesus Christ concerning the work of our Redemption Signes of the gracious presence of God with us Four signes of the gracious presence of God with us II. Part p. 168 169 Of Suffering for Christ The Covenant of Redemption should greatly encourage us in Suffering for Christ p 173 174 175 T. Of the Text. The Text opened II. Part p. 3 4 5 Of Thankfulness The People of God should be very Thankful to God for his presence with them in their greatest troubles c. II. Part p. 160 to 164 Of the Transaction between God and Christ The manner and quality of the transaction between God the Father and Jesus Christ was by mutual engagements and stipulations each Person undertaking to perform his part in order to our recovery and eternal felicity p. 127 128 129 Of outward Troubles There is no such great evil in outward troubles as men conceive and imagine II. Part p. 154 155 V. Of Union with Christ None can be so against us as to hinder our Vnion with Christ II. Part p. 92 to 95 Of Universal Redemption The Covenant of Redemption looks sowerly upon the Doctrine of universal Redemption p. 172 Of Unbelief Vnbelief doth very ill become the Saints in a day of trouble II. P. p. 158 to 160 W. All things shall Work for the Saints good Nothing shall hinder the operation of all things for the Saints good II. Part p. 68 to 72 FINIS BOOKS sold by Dorman Newman at the King's Arms in the Poultry Folio THE History of King John King Henry the Second and the most illustrious King Edward the First wherein the ancient Soveraign Dominion of the Kings of Great Britain over all persons in all Causes is asserted and vindicated with an exact Hâ—story of the Popes intolerable Usurpation upon the liberties of the Kings and Subjects of England and Ireland Collected out of the ancient Records in the Tower of London by W. Prin Esq of Lincolns-Inn and Keeper of his Majesties Records in the Tower of London A Description of the four Parts of the World taken from the works of Monsieur Sanson Geographer to the French King and other eminent Travellers and Authors To which is added the Commodities Coyns Weights and Measures of the chief Places of Traffick in the World illustrated with variety of useful and delightful Maps and Figures By Richard Blâ—me Gent. Memoires of the Lives Actions Sufferings and Deaths of those excellent Personages that suffered for Allegiance to their Soveraign in our late intestine Wars from the year 1637. to 1666. with