God laid upon Esau Gen. 33. 1 2 3 4. and upon Abimelech Gen. 20. 6 7 8 17 18. and upon Benhadad 1 Kings 20. 1 10 29 30. and upon Haman as you may see by comparing the 3. and 6. chapters of Esther together and upon Pharaoh Exod. 15. 9 10. and upon Senacherib Isa 37. 28 29 33 34 35 36. and upon Herod Acts 12 Maximinus set forth a proclamation engraven in History of the Council of Trent pag. 417. brass for the utter abolishing of Christ and Religion he was eaten up of lice Valens being to subscribe an order for the banishment of Basil was smitten with a sudden trembling of his hand that he could not subscribe the order afterwards he was burned to death by the Goths Domitian the author of the second persecution against the Christians having drawn a catalogue of the names of such as he was to kill in which was the name of his own Wife and other Friends upon which he was by the consent of his Wife slain by his own houshold servants with daggers in his privy Chamber his body was buried without honour his memory cursed to posterity and his Arms and Ensignes where thrown down and defaced Julian vowed to make a sacrifice of the Christians upon his return from the wars but in a Battel against the Persians he was deadly wounded and throwing his blood in the air in a high contempt of Christ he dyed with that desperate blasphemous expression in his mouth Vicisti tandem Galiaee Thou Galilean 〈◊〉 overcome me Faelix Earl of Wurtenburg was a great persecutor of the Saints and did swear that ere he dyed he would ride up to the spurs in the blood of the Lutherans but the very same night wherein he had thus sworn and vowed he was choaked in his own blood The Judgments of God were so famous and frequent upon the persecutors of the Saints in Bohemia that it was used as a proverb among the Adversaries themselves That if any man were weary of his life let him but attempt against the Piccardines so they called the Christians and he should not live a year to an end By these short hints you may see that all along God has made good that Word that is more worth than a world Psalm 76 10. Heb. Gird that is keep it within compass as with a Girdle Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee and the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain Heb. Shalt thou gird that is curb and keep within compass or as the Greek hath it It shall keep holy day to thee that is cease from working or acting outwardly how restless soever it be within The remainder of wrath shall thou restrain that is those that are left alive of thy wrathful enemies that have still any malice against thy People thou wilt curb and restrain and not suffer their wrath to be so great as formerly or if they go about to recruit their forces and to set again upon thy People thou wilt set such bounds to their wrath that they shall not accomplish their desires nor shall they proceed one step further than shall make signally for thy glory and thy Peoples good so some carrie the words The more eager and furious the enemies are against Gods People the more honour and glory will God get in protecting and securing his People and in girding binding and tying up their enemies were it not for this favourable signal and eminent presence of God with his People in their greatest troubles deepest distresses and most deadly dangers Wicked men would still be a multiplying of their sorrows increasing their troubles and adding of burden to burden 't is this favourable presence of God that binds wicked men over to their good behaviour and that chaines them up from doing that mischief that they design and intend But Fifthly The Lord does manifest his favorable signal and eminent presence with his People in their greatest troubles deepest distresses and most deadly dangers by guiding and leading them into those paths and wayes which make most for their own peace and quiet safety Exod. 13. 21 22. Isa 63. 12 13 14. Psalm 5. 8. The Apple of the eye is the tenderest piece of the tenderest part Heb. Ishon of Ish as pupilla of pupa because therein appears the likeness of a little man or because a man is to be prized above all other Creatures as so God esteemeth his people above all the world Heb. 11. 38 and security contentation and satisfaction happiness here and blessedness hereafter Deut. 32. 10. He found him in a desert land and in the wast bowling wilderness he led him about he instructed him he kept him as the apple of his eye A Wilderness condition is you know a condition of straits wants deep distresses and most deadly dangers now when his People were in this condition he instructs them by his words and works and he takes them by the hand as I may say and leads them with all care tenderness gentleness and sweetness as a man would do a poor helpless Infant which he should find in a desert in a wast howling wilderness God never left leading of his People till he had brought them at last through the wilderness to the land of Canaan Ah this leading presence of God turns a wilderness into a Paradise a desert into a Canaan let a Christians troubles distresses and dangers be never so many or never so great yet as long as he has the guiding presence of God with him he is safe from dangers in the midst of dangers the fire shall not burn him nor the waters overflow him Isa 43. 2. Psalm 107. 4. They wandred in the wilderness in a solitary way they found no City to dwell in Verse 5. Hungry and thirsty their soul fainted in them Verse 6. Then they cried unto the Lord in their troubles and he delivered them out of their distresses Here you see their great troubles deep distresses and most deadly dangers and now God gives them his hand Verse 7. And he led them forth by the right way that they might go to a City of habitation that is to a state of settlement say some to Jerusalem say others or to that City which hath foundations whose builder and maker is Heb. 11. 10. God saith another In that 32. Psalm you may see David's great troubles deep distresses and most deadly dangers Verse 3. When I kept silence my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long Verse 4. For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me my moisture is turned into the drought of summer Selah But will God be his guide now O yes Verse 8. I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go I will guide thee with mine eye Let the hand of the Lord be never so heavy upon a person yet the presence of God guiding and instructing Isa 30. 21. Psalm 73. 24. of him will keep him from utter
with Christ to accept of Christ and to enter into a marriage-covenant a marriage-union with Christ that so they may enjoy his singular presence with them whilst they are on this sea of glass There is no presence so greatly desirable so absolutely necessary so exceeding sweet comfortable as the presence of Christ therefore before all above all secure this presence of Christ by matching with the person of Christ then you will be safe happy on a sea of glass Ninthly will the Lord be signally present with his 9 Inference People in their greatest troubles deepest distresses and most deadly dangers then let me infer that unbelief infidelity and despondency of spirit in an evil day does very ill become the People of God Is the Lord present with you in your greatest troubles and will you flag in your faith and be crest fallen in your courage when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall Isa 25. 4. what is this but to tell all the world that there is more power in your troubles to sink and daunt you than there is in the presence of the Lord to support and encourage you when a Christian is upon the very banks of the Red Sea yet then the Divine presence should encourage him To stand still and see the salvation of the Lord. It would Exod. 14. 13. be good for timerous Christians in an evil day to dwell much upon the Prophets commission Isa 35. 3. Strengthen ye the weak hands and confirm the feeble knees Say to them that are of a fearful heart be strong fear not Ah but how shall weak hands be strong and a timorous heart cease to fear and saint Why Behold your God will come with vengeance even God with a recompence he will come and save you he is on his way he will be suddenly with you yea he is already in the midst of you and he will save you If you cast but Isa 41. 10. c. 43. 2 Heb. 13. 5. Jer. 32 40 41. cap. 31. 31 to 38. Gen. 41. 35 36 48 49. Col. 1. 19. cap. 2. 3. your eye upon precious promises if you cast but your eye upon the new Covenant which is Gods great store-house there you will find all supports all supplyes all helps and all comforts laid up and laid in for you and therefore never despond never faint never be discouraged in an evil day in a dark time As Joseph had his store-houses to give a full supply to the Egyptians in time of famine so dear Jesus of whom Joseph was but a type has his store-houses of mercy of goodness of power of plenty of bounty out of which in the worst of times he is able to give his People a full supply according to all their needs and therefore be not discouraged don't despond in a day of trouble O my Friends how often has the Lord hid you in the secret of his presence Ps 27. 5. Ps 31. 20 from the pride of men and kept you secretly in his pavilion from the strife of tongues And therefore be strong and lift up the hands that hang down and the feeble knees When David was in a very great distress Heb. 12. 12. he does not despond nor give way to unbelief but encourages himself in the Lord his God The Hebrew word is 1 Sam. 30. 6. derived from Chazack which notes a laying hold on God with all his strength as men do when they are in danger of drowning who will suffer any thing rather then let go their hold When David was almost under water when he was in danger of drowning then by a hand of faith he layes hold on the rock of ages and encourages himself in the Lord his God What heavenly gallantry of spirit did good Nehemiah shew from that Divine presence that was with him in that great day of trouble and distress when the remnant of the captivity were in great affliction and reproach and the wall of Jerusalem broken down and the gates thereof burnt with Neh. 1. 3. fire You know Shemajah advises him to take Sanctuary in the Temple because the enemy had designed to fall upon him by night and slay him and cause the work to cease but Nehemiah having a signal presence of God Cap. â— 11. Cap. 6. 10. with him gives this heroick and resolute answer Should such a man as I flee and who is there being as I am would go into the Temple to save his life I will not go in Should I flee into the Temple like a malefactor to take sanctuary there How would God be dishonoured Religion reproached the People discouraged the weak scandalized and the wicked imboldned to insult and triumph over me saying Is this the man that is called by God and qualified by God for this work and service Is this the man that is countenanced and encouraged by the King to build the walls and gates and city of Jerusalem Is this the man that is the chief Magistrate and Governour Neh. 2. 5. to the 10. of the City Is this the man that is sent and set for the defence of the People and that should encourage them in their work O what a mouth of blasphemy would be opened should I make a base retreat into the Temple to save my life This is a work that I will rather dye than do I have found the face of God the presence of God in bowing the heart of King Artaxerxes to contribute his Royal aid and commission me to the work and in the bending of the hearts of the Elders of the Jews to own my authority and to rise up as one man to build and therefore I will rather dye upon the spot than go into the Temple to save my life Oh my Friends it becomes not those that have the presence of God with them in their greatest troubles deepest distresses and most deadly dangers to sink so low in their faith and confidence as to cry out with the Prophets Servant Alass Master what shall we do Or with the 2 Kings 6 15. Mat. 8. 25. Ez. 37. 11. Lament 3. 18. Isa 49. 14. Disciples when in a storm We perish Or with the whole house of Israel Our bones are dryed and our hope is lost and we are cut off for our parts Or with weeping Jeremiah My strength and my hope is perished from the Lord Or with Sion The Lord hath forsaken me and my Lord hath forgotten me Oh 't is for a lamentation when Gods dearest Children shall bewray their infidelity by a fainting sinking discouraged spirit in an evil day But Tenthly and lastly will the Lord be signally present 10 Inference with his People in their greatest troubles deepest distresses and most deadly dangers then let the People of the Lord be very thankful for his presence with them in their greatest troubles c. O Sirs this Divine presence is Exod. 33. 13 14 15 16.
that consumes all This wrath will break down all the sinners arrogancies and strangle all his vain hopes and mar all his sensual joyes and fill him with amazing distractions and make him drunk with the wine of astonishment And will God dwell with these will he keep house with these surely no. By these short hints it is most evident that the special presence of God is entailed upon none out of Covenant Joh 14. 21 2◠2 Cor. 1. 16 17. 18 God loves to keep house with none but his Covenant-People he will grace none with his gracious presence 1. Sam. 28. 15 16 c. but those that are his People by special grace When wicked men are in great troubles deep distresses and most deadly dangers God either leaves them as he did Saul or else pursues them to an utter over-throw as he did Pharaoh or else cuts them off by an invisible hand as he did Sennacherib's mighty Hosts and proud King Herod Ex 14. Isa 37. 36. Act. 12. 23. or else he leaves them to be their own executioners as he did Achitophel and Judas c. But The 3. Proposition is this that a sincere Christian may 3 Proposition Psal 119. 117. enjoy the presence of the Lord in great troubles deep distresses and most deadly dangers supporting and upholding of him when he has not the presence of God quickning comforting and joying of him Psal 37. 24. Though he fall he shall not be utterly cast down for the Lord upholdeth This is the upholding Psalm him with his hand Somech Jado Vpholding with his hand There is not one moment wherein the Lord doth not uphold his People by the hand The root Samach signifies to sustain and bear up as the Nurse or tender Mother does the little child the weak child the sick child Gods hand is still under his so that they can never fall below supporting grace Psal 63. 8. Thy right hand upholdeth me or Thy right hand underprops me God never did nor never will want a hand to uphold a hand to underprope his poor People in their greatest troubles and deepest distresses Though the Saints have not alwayes the comforting presence of God in their afflictions yet they have always the supporting presence of God in their afflictions as Christ in his bitter and Mat. 27 46. My Go◠my God c. bloody Agony had much of the supporting presence of his Father when he had none of the comforting presence of his Father with him So the Saints in their deep distresses have many times much of the supporting presence of God His left hand is under their heads and his right Cant. 2. 6. hand doth embrace them when in respect of his comforting presence they may say with the weeping Prophet Lam. 1. 16. The Comforter that should relieve my soul is far from me When the love-sick Spouse was ready to faint Christ circleth her with amiable embracements His left hand is under her head and his right hand doth embrace her It is an allusion to their conjugal and mensal beds on which the guests are so bestowed that the first laid his left hand under the head of him that was next and put him so in in his bosom that with his other hand he might also if he pleased embrace him which was a posture and sign of the greatest love which the sick fainting Spouse here glories in Christs two hands are testimonies and witnesses of his great power and might who is able to preserve his People though lame creeples from falling also to lift them up again when they are fallen never so low and likewise to support and uphold them that they shall never finally and utterly be cast down When the hearts of the Saints are ready to faint and sink then the Lord will employ all his power for their support bearing them up as it were with both hands He hath put his left hand under my head as a pillow to rest upon and with his right hand he hath embraced me as a loving Husband Eph. 5. 29. cherisheth his sick Wife and doth her all the help he can The best of Saints would fail and faint in a day of trouble if Christ did not put to both his hands to keep them up In dayes of sorrow Gods People stands in need of a whole Christ to support them and uphold them My head sinks O my Beloved put thy left hand softer than pillowes of roses firmer than pillars of marable under it my heart faileth and dyeth O let thy right hand embrace me But The fourth proposition is this that all Saints have 4 Proposition not a like measure of the presence of the Lord in their troubles and tryals in their sorrows and sufferings some have more and others have less of this presence of God in an evil day 1. All Saints have not a like work to do in an evil day 2. All Saints have not alike temptations to withstand in an evil day 3. All Saints have not alike testimony to give in an evil day 4. All Saints have not alike burdens to bear in an evil day 5. All Saints have Lam. 1. 12. cap. 4. 6. Dan. 9. 12 13. 2 Cor. 11. 21. to the end Heb. 11 25. to the end not alike things to suffer in an evil day There are greater and there are lesser troubles distresses and dangers and there are ordinary troubles distresses and dangers and there are extraordinary troubles distresses and dangers Now where the trouble the distress the danger is ordinary there an ordinary presence of God may suffice but Dan. 3. Dan. 6. where the trouble the distress the danger is extraordinary there the People of God shall have an extraordinary presence of God with them as you may see in the three Children Daniel the Apostles the primitive Christians and the Book of Martyrs Some troubles distresses and dangers are but of a short continuance as Athanasius said of his banishment Nubecula est citò transibit It is but a little cloud and will quickly be gone Others are of a longer continuance and accordingly God suits his presence All Saints have not a like outward succours supplies reliefes comforts c. in their troubles distresses and dangers some have a shelter a friend at hand others have not some have many friends and others may cry out with him O my friends I have never a friend some are surrounded with outward comforts and others have not one not one penny not one friend not one days work c. in a storm some have good Harbours at hand others are near the rocks and in danger of being swallowed up in the sands so here and accordingly God lets out more or less of his presence among his People some need more of his presence than others do and accordingly God dispenceth it among his Saints But The fift proposition is this that none of the Saints 5 Proposition have at all times in all
Rehoboam the Son of Solomon when Rehoboam was young and tender-hearted and could not withstand them Rehoboam was no warriour he was no expert Prince in the use of 2 Chron. 12. 13. He was one and forty years old when he came to the Crown Arms he was but young not in age but in experience policy and valour he was hen-hearted he had no courage no mettle Jeroboam takes hold of these advantages and gathers eigth hundred thousand Racha's brainless fellows light and empty yoakless and masterless persons men of no piety civility ingenuity or common honesty Now see what a mighty spirit of Faith God raised in the children of Judah verse 17. And Abijah and his People slew them with a great slaughter so there fell down slain of Israel five hundred thousand chosen men A monstrous and matchless slaughter the greatest number that ever we read slain in any battle far beyond that of Tamerlan when he took Bajazet or Aetius the Roman Prefect when he fought with Attilas and his Hunnes in the Fields of Catalaunia where were slain on both sides one hundred sixty five thousand Verse 18. Thus the children of Israel were brought under at that time and the children of Judah prevailed because they relied upon the Lord God of their Fathers Faith at a dead lift never miscarrieth God never has nor never will fail those that place their confidence upon him in their greatest dangers Esher 4. 14. For if thou altogether hold thy peace at this time then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place but thou and thy Fathers house shall be destroyed and who knoweth whether thou art come to the Kingdom for such a time as this Their great trouble their deep distress and their most deadly danger you have in that 3. Esther 13. And the Letters were sent by the posts into all the Kings provinces to destroy to kill Here are great aggravations of his cruelty in that neither sex not age are spared Rage and mallce knows no boâ—nds and to cause to perish all Jews both young and old little children and women in one day even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth moneth which is the moneth Adar and to take the spoil of them for a prey Haman that grard Informer with his wicked crew would have spoiled them of their lives and goods but that they were prevented by a miraculous providence as you know now in this deep distress and most deadly danger at what a rate doth Mordecai believe For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time then shall there enlargement Heb. respiration and deliverance arise Heb. Stand up as on its basis or bottom so as none shall be able to withstand it This Mordecai speaketh not by a spirit of prophecy but by the power and force of his faith grounded upon the precious promises of Gods defending his Church hearing the crics of his People arising for their relief and succour and grounded upon all the glorious attributes of God viz. his power love wisdom goodness and allsufficiency c. all which are engaged in the Covenant of grace to save protect and secure his People in their greatest troubles and most deadly dangers Mordecai's faith in this black dark dismal day was a notable faith indeâ—d and worthy of highest commendation Faith can look through the perspective of the promises and see deliverance at a great distance salvation at the door what though sense saith Deliverance will not come and what though reason saith Deliverance cannot come yet a raised faith gets above all fears and disputes and sayes Deliverance will certainly come Redemption is at hand Num. 13. 30. And Caleb stilled the People before Moses and said let us go up at once and passess it for we are well able to overcome it Cap. 14. 9. Only rebel not ye against the Lord neither fear ye the people of the Land for Num. 13. 32 33. they are bread for us their defence is departed from them and the Lord is with us fear them not The Spies by their lyes did what they could to daunt and discourage the People by crying up the strength of the Anakims and â—um 13. 23. to the 28. the impossibility of the conquest these hollow-hearted hypocritical Spies blow hot and cold almost in a breath First they make a narrative of the fruitfulness of the Land and presently they conclude that it was a Land that was not sufficient to nourish the inhabitants yea a Verse 32. Land that did devour the inhabitants Liars have no Iron memories But now behold to what a mighty pitch Caleb's faith is raised Let us go up at once and possess it for we are able to overcome it Or nearer the Hebrew Marching up march up subduing subdue Let us saith believing Caleb march up to the land of Canaan couragiously resolutely undauntedly for the day is our own the Land is our own all is our own They are bread for us we shall make but a break-fast of them we shall easily and as surely root them out and cut them down with our swords as we cut the bread we eat Their defence is departed from them In the Hebrew it Psalm 91. 1. Ps 121. â— 6. is Their shadow is departed from them the shadow you know guards a man from the scorching heat of the Sun Caleb by faith saw God with drawn from them by the eye of his faith he lookt upon them as a people without a fence a shadow a guard a covert a protection and therefore as a people that might easily be subdued and destroyed His faith told him that it was not their strong Cities nor their high walls nor their sons of Anack that could preserve shelter secure or defend them seeing the Lord had forsaken them and would be no longer as a shadow or a shelter to them And the Lord is with us to make us victorious to trâ—ad down our enemies and to give us a quiet possession of the good Land So Dan. 3. 16. Shadrach Meshach and Abednego answered and said to the King O Nebuchadnezzar we are not careful to answer thee in this matter Ver. 17. If it be so our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery Furnace and he will deliver us out of thy hand O King In the fiery Furnace they are protected by Josephus Antiq. p. 259 260. a divine providence they escape death beyond all mens expectations for the fire touched them not neither could it burn during their aboad in the Furnace for God so fortified their bodies that they could not be consumed by fire which accident made them in great estimation with the King for that he saw that they wâ—re vertuous and beloved of God and for that cause they were highly honoured by him Here is a fiery Furnace before them and a proud boasting tyrannical enraged Prince domineering over them for not obeying his Idolatrous will Now to what a
the World and all the wicked ones of the World do against one Messenger of the Lord that is armed with his glorious power The Ambassadours of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords must not be terrified with the multitude of opposers nor with the grandure or greatness of opposers but set the presence of the Lord against them all and say as that noble Souldier Paedarelus in Erasmus did to them that told him of that numerous and mighty Army which came against him Tanto plus gloriae referemus quoniam â—o plures superabimus The number of opposeâ—â— makes the Christian conquests the more illustrious The more the Pharisees of old and their Successors of late time have opposed the Truth the more it hath pâ—evailed and â—is observable that the Reformation in Germany was much furthered by the Papists opposition yea when two Kings amongst many others wrote against Luther viz. Henâ—y the eight of England and Ludovicus of Hungary this kingly title being entred into the controversie making men more curious to examine the matter stirred up a general inclination towards Luther's opinion So Jerem. 15. 20. And I will make thee unto this People a fenced brasen wall and they shall fight against thee but they shall not prevail against thee for I am with thee to save thee and to deliver thee saith the Lord. When the Messengers of the Lord go on constantly and couragiously in the faithful discharge of their duties not relenting or yielding or complying with their greatest opposers then they shall have such a signal presence of the Lord with them as shall sufficiently protect them against all their enemies might and malice wrath and rage Verse 21. And I will-deliver thee out of the hand of the wicked and I will redeem thee out of the hand of the terrible or violent ones Though thou shouldest fall into the hand of the wicked id est power and into the hand of the terrible and violent ones yet they shall not hurt thee nor harm thee they shall not have their wills upon thee when thou art in their hands I will lay a law of restraint upon their hearts that they shall not mischief thee nor triumph over thee I will be sure to secure thee and rescue thee from dangers in the midst of dangers A gracious Messenger of the Lord in the midst of all oppositions as Chrysostome said of Peter is a man made all of fire walking in stuble he overcomes and consumes all opposition all difficulties are but whetstones to his fortitude The Moon will run her course though the dogges bark at it so does the Traveller and so will the faithful messengers of the Lord hold on in their way and work let men and devils bark do their worst Moulin speaking of the French Protestants said When Papists hurt us for reading the Scriptures we burn with zeal to be reading of them he is a fool we say that will be laughed out of his coat but he 's a fool in folio that will be laughed out of his skin out of his profession out of his Religion out of his principles out of the wayes of God nay out of his soul out of his salvation because he can't endure to be opposed derided or laughed at by lewd and wicked men The Divine presence will make a man set light by such paper-shot A gracious spirit is raised by opposition the more opsition it meetes with in a way of duty the more resolute he is for it So far is he from being afraid of the threatnings of men of the frowns of men or of losing this mans favour or of incurring such a mans displeasure that his spirit riseth far more for it It is with such a man as it is with the fire in Winter the fire burns the hotter because of the coldness of the air So it is with all the Messengers of the Lord who are inflamed in the way of their duty Come to David and tell him O there is a Goliah and he is come out with a spear like a weavers beam and 1 Sam. 17. 4. to the 11. compared with Ver. 26 27. there is one that bears his target goes before him where is he saith David I will fight with him saith he Difficulties and dangers do but whet and raise his spirit he is not afraid of any uncircumcised Philistin Ah my Friends this is a true noble spirit Holy greatness of mind lies in this when a mans spirit is born up upon the greatness of his God and the goodness of his cause and if that will not bear me out saith such a soul let me sink in it I am content to perish That 's a good word more worth than a world in a faithful Ministers eye Ezek. 3. 8. Behold I have made thy face strong against their faces and thy forhead strong against their forheads Verse 9. As an Adamant harder than a flint have I made thy forehead fear them not neither be dismayed at their looks though they be a rebellious house The Adamant is the hardest of stones it is Lapis servabilis because it keeps it self by its hardness from all injuries no weather no violence of hammer or fire will break it or conquer it God engages himself to give the Prophet such undaunted boldness and invincible courage and constancy as neither shame nor fear should prevail against Divine presence Divine assistance does alwayes accompany a Divine call such whom God sends he seconds such whom he calls he encourages against all difficulties and discouragements such as are called by Christ and sent by Christ shall never want the strengthning comforting coroborating animating and preserving presence of Christ It is this Divine presence that makes them stand it out and shew themselves like men like men of courage like men of God and that secures them from dangers in the midst of dangers in the greatest storms the Adamant shrinks not it fears not it changeth not its hue no not in the least Divine presence will keep gracious men from shrinking fearing and changing their way their work their Lord and Master in the worst of storms that can beat upon them in all winds and weather the Adamant is still the same and so will all the faithful Messengers of the Lord be what ever wind may blow upon them The signal presence of God with them will keep them from fearing fainting flying and preserve them from dangers in the midst of dangers But Eightly The Lord doth manifest his favourable signal and eminent presence with his People in their greatest troubles deepest distresses and most deadly dangers by frustrating and disappointing the plots designs counsels and contrivances of their powerful subtil secret and malicious Adversaries who would fain be multiplying of their troubles sorrows sufferings The Thebanes had a band of men they called Sacra Câ—hors consisting of such only as were joyned in bonds of love and resolved to live and dye together these Jews under Nehemiah's command
being come early the next morning Verse 4. to beg this of the King had not God kept him from sleep and directed him to read in that place of the Chronicles were Mordecai's service was recorded and so made way to his advancement and Haman's ruine Gods favourable presence shin'd upon his People in keeping the King from sleep for excellent ends in putting small thoughts into his heart for great purposes God will appear for his poor People 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the nick and opportunity of time when there is but a step between them and death and further the power providence presence and goodness of God was made evident in the behalf of his People in directing the Reader to that very place where Mordecai's Esther 6. 2. singular service in discovering the barbarous and murderous plot that was laid against the Kings life and Crown was recorded That Mordecai should have no present reward but that it should be defer'd till a fitter opportunity when God might be more glorified in the signal preservation of his People in the famous overthrow of their Enemies was from that mighty hand of God that was stretched out for the good of his People In this great Story we may as in a mirrour see how the Lord by his wisdom providence presence and grace brings about and over-rules the wills of men the affairs of men the counsels of men the designs of men the words speeches of men to the fulfilling of his own will and decree and the promoting of his own honour and glory and the good of his People when vain men think least of doing his will or serving his providence Here you may see the wisdom prudence and courage of Esther striking whilest the Iron was hot charging the bloody decree upon Haman to his face and that before the King that thingâ— might the better stick and work and painting him out in his own proper colours The adversary Heb. the maâ— adversary the Lycanthropos the man of might that distresseth us And Enemy that is the cruel Enemy the bloody Enemy the Gen. 3. 15. utter Enemy the worst Enemy that sworn sword-man of Satan from whom Haman hath drawn his ancient enmity Is this wicked Haman that is as wicked a wretch as goes â—n two legs a man of blood a man made up of mischief and malice a sink of wickedness a very mystery of iniquity a breathing Devil Tiberius was rightly characterized by his Tutor Theodorus Gadareus dirt knod with blood Haman was such another if not worse and now Queen Esther is plain and round with him and calls a spade a spade though others stiled him Noble Great Serene Magnificent c. Esther gives him his own with a witness The Adversary and Enemy is this wicked Haman but what a mighty courage had Esther to speak at this rate before the King and of his grand Favourite and before his face Surely all this was from the signal presence of God with her Soul this was a great work of Faith and a singular fruit of prayer And now Haman stood up to make request for his life O what a strange turn of things is here all upon a sudden He that a little before was bowed unto by all men is now upon his knees before a woâ—an he that was the very day before a professed Enemy of the Jews is now suppliant to a Jewess he that a few weeks before had contrived the death and ruine of the Jews is now begging hard for his own life he that had provided a Gallows for Mordecai fears nothing more now than that himself should be hanged on it Yesterday O the caps knees and bows that Haman had and now the same Esther 7. 8. Man covers his face in token of his irrecoverable ruine The Turks cast a black gown upon such as they sit at supper with the Great Turk and presently strangle them Many of their Visiers or greatest Favourits die in this sort which makes them use this Proverb He that is greatest in Office is but a Statue of glass Plutarch wittily compareth great Men to Counters which now stand for a thousand pound and anon for a farthing this was Haman's case And so Sejanus the same Senatours Courtiers shift their sails to the sitting of every wind A cubit was half a yard at least in those parts they had trees very small or they might piece one to another but why so high a Gallows but for the greater disgâ—ace to Mâ—rdâ—cai and terrour to all that should slight the Kings grand Favourit who accompanied him to the Senate conducted him to Prison they which sacrificed to him as to their God which kneeled down to adore him scoffed at him seeing him dragged from the Temple to the Gaol from supreme honour to extreme ignominy When once the Emperour frowned upon him they shewed themselves most passionate against him saying that if Caesar had clemency he ought to reserve it for men and not to use it toward Monsters this is Courtiers custom to adore the rising Sun and when great Favourits fall into disgrace all about Princes will be ready to pluck them up by the roots if the season be fair to clear the Court or Land of such noisom weeds The Kings indignation being up the Courtiers point at the Gallows fifty Cubits high that Haman had set up for Mordecai All are now for Mordecai there is not a Courtier that has one good word for Haman Ah what a rare hand of God was there in all these things for the good of his People and the utter overthrow of their grand Enemy To sum all up in a little room the breaking of the Kings sleep was the breaking of one of the most bloody designs that ever was laid against the People of God Well what though the King could not sleep could he not lye still in his bed No he must have a book and that book must be the book of Chronicles and that book must be opened where accidentally not by turning to that place purposely yet surely by Gods Providence directing him that read to that very story concerning Mordecai where was registred his faithfulness in discovering and disappointing of a murther intended against the King whereupon God sets this act of faithfulness so close upon the Kings heart that he could not rest till Mordecai was nobly rewarded for it and this reward must be Haman's ruine his advancement Haman's abasement and this was the rise of Haman's disappointment In this famous instance you may run and read the favourable signal and eminent presence of the Lord in the miraculous preservation of his Church from a total ruine and destruction and in the disappointing the plots designs and counsels of their greatest Enemies and in taking of them in the very snares that they had-laid for others sutable to that of the Psalmist He made a pit and digged it and Psalm 7. 16 17 is fallen into the ditch which he made his
usually is in the greatest flourish when the Saints are under the greatest tryals the snuffing of the candle makes it burn the brighter God suffers wicked men to beat bruise his links to make them burn the brighter and to pound bruise his spiâ—cs to make them send forth the greater aromatical savour fiery trials are like the Tezel which though it be sharp and scratching it is to make the cloth more pure and fine Stars shine brightest in the darkest nights and so do the graces of the Saints shine brightest in the darkest nights of affliction and tribulation God does sometimes more carry on the growth of grace by a Cross than by an ordinance yea the Lord will first or last turn all fiery Trials into Ordinances for the helping of grace in his Peoples souls Commonly the Saints spiritual growth in grace is carried on by such Divine methods and in such wayes as might seem to deaden grace and weaken it rather than any wayes to augment and encrease it We know that winter is as necessary to bring on Harvest as the Spring and so fiery Trials are as necessary to bring on the Harvest of grace as the Spring of mercy is Though fiery Trials are grievous yet they shall make the Saints more gracious God usually by smart sufferings turns his Peoples sparks of grace into a mighty flame their mites into millions their drops into Seas All the Devils in hell and all the sinners on earth cannot hinder the Lord from carrying on the growth of grace in his Peoples Souls When Men and Devils have done their worst God will by all sorts of Ordinances and by all sorts of providences and all sorts of changes make his People more and more holy and more and more humble and more and more meek and lowly and more and more heavenly wise faithful fruitful sincere couragious c. Though the Church of Smyrna was outwardly Rev. 2. 9. poor yet she was inwardly rich rich in grace and rich towards God I think he hit the mark who said it is far better to be a poor man and a rich Christian than to be a rich man and a poor Christian Though the Corinthians were under great tryals and 2 Cor. 8. 7. sufferings yet they did abound in every thing in faith utterance knowledge diligence in their love to Gospel Ministers The storm beat hard upon the Romans and yet you see what a singular testimony the Apostle gives of them I my self also am perswaded of Rom. 15. 14. you my Brethren that ye also are full of goodness filled with all knowledge able to admonish one another The Thessalonians were under great persecutions and troubles and yet were strong in the grace that was in Christ Jesus they were very growing and flourishing Christians singular 2 Thess 3. â— 10. 2 Thess 1 3. 8. Prophecies speak out the Saints growth and flourishing in grace The Lord is exalted for he dwelleth Isa 33. 5. on high he hath filled Zion with judgement and righteousness The Spirit shall be poured upon us from on Isa 32. 15. Cap. 35. 1. high and the wilderness shall be a fruitful field The desart shall rejoyce and blossom as the rose it shall blossom abundantly the glory of Libanon shall be given unto it The excellency of Carmel and Sharon they shall see the glory of the Lord and the excellency of our God And as singular prophecies so choice and precious promises speak out the Saints growth in grace take a taste of some of them But the path of the Just is as the shining light that shineth more and more unto the Prov. 4. 18. Job 17. 9. Psalm 84. 7. Psa 92. 12 13 14. perfect day The righteous shall hold on his way and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger They shall go from strength to strength every one of them in Zion appeareth before God The righteous shall flourish like the palm-tree be shall grow like a Cedar in Libanon Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the Courts of our God in old age they shall be fat and flourishing I have read of an Old-man who being asked whether he grew in grace Answered I believe I do for God hath promised that in old age his children should be fat and flourishing So Isa 46. 3. Hearken unto me O house of Jacob and all the remnant of the house of Israel which are born by me from the belly which are carried from the womb Verse 4. And even to your old age I am he and even to hoar hairs will I carry you I have made and I will bear even I will carry and will deliver you Zach. 12. 8. And he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David and the house of David shall be as God as the Angel of the Lord before them Hosea 14. 5. I will be as the dew unto Israel he shall grow as the Lilly and cast forth his roots as Libanon Verse 6. His branches shall spread and his beauty shall be as the olive-tree and his smell as Libanon Verse 7. They that dwell under his shadow shall return they shall revive as the corn and grow as the vine the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Libanon Malach. 4. 2. But unto you that fear my Name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing under his wings and ye shall go forth and grow up as the calves of the stall Psalm 1. 3. He shall be like a tree planted by the 〈◊〉 of waters that bringeth forth his fruit in his season his leaf also shall not wither and whatsoever be doth shall prosper John 4. 14. Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up to Eternal life The light and glory of the Church rises by degrees 1. Looking forth as the Cant. 6. 10. morning with a little light 2. Fair as the Moon more light 3. Clear as the Sun that is come up to a higher degree of spiritual light life and glory By all which it is most evident that all the powers of Hell nor all the powers on Earth cannot hinder the Saints growth in grace nor the thriving and flourishing estate of their precious and immortal souls But you will say what are the reasons why God will be favourably signally and eminently present with his People in their greatest troubles deepest distresses and most deadly dangers I answer there are these ten great Reasons for it First To awaken and convince the Enemies of his People 1 Reason to render his suffering children glorious in the very eyes and consciences both of sinners and Saints Dan. 3. 24. Then Nebuchadnezzar the King was astonied and Ponder upon these Scriptures Micha 7. 8 9 10 16 17. Psalm 126. 1 2. Exod. 8. 19. Isa 60. 13
burnt by him for his Religion the poor Epist Hist Gal. 82. man had such a signal presence of God with him in his sufferings that his courage and boldness his holy and gracious behaviour did so amaze and terrifie the King that he swore at his going away that he never would be present at such a sight more As the presence of God is the greatest ornament of the Church triumphant so the presence of God is the greatest ornament of the Church militant The redness of the Rose the whiteness of the Lilly and all the beauties of Sun Moon and Stars are but deformities to that beauty and glory that the presence of God puts upon his people in all their troubles and trials There is nothing in the world that will render the Saints so amiably and loâ—ely so eminent and excellent in the eyes of their Enemies as the signal presence of God with them in their greatest trials Demetrius Piutarch in the life of Demetrius was so passing fair of face and countenance that no Painter was able to draw him the presence of God with his People in their greatest troubles deepest distresses and most deadly dangers puts so rare a beauty and glory upon them that no Painter can ever be able to draw them But A second reason Why God will be signally present 2. Reason with his People in their greatest troubles deepest distresses and most deadly dangers is drawn from the Covenant of grace and those precious promises that God has made to be with his People Gods Covenant is Jer. 32. 40 41. Heb. 13. 5. that he will be with his People for ever and that he will never turn away from them to do them good That 's a branch of the Covenant I will never leave thee nor forsake thee And that 's a branch of the Covenant I am thy shield and thy exceeding great reward The shield Genes 15. 1. See Psalm 115. 9 10. 11. is between the body and the thrust So saith God I will put in betwixt thee and harm though those Kings whom thou hast even now vanquished may rant high and threaten revenge yet I will shield off all dangers that thou maist be incident to Though Gods People be in the waters and in the fires yet his promise is to Isa 43. â— Psalm 91. 15. Psalm 50. 15. Job 5. 19. Hosea 2. 14 be with them so the Psalmist I will be with him in trouble I will deliver him and honour him God will not fail to keep his People company in all their troubles no storm no danger no distress no fiery trial can keep God and his People asunder God is immutable in his nature in his counsels in his Covenant and in all his promises though all Creatures are subject to change Malach. 3. 6. yet God is unchangeable though Angels and Men and all inferiour Creatures are dependent yet God is independent He is as the School-men say omninò immutabilis Altogether immutable and therefore he will be sure to keep touch with his People Precious promises are Pabulum fidei â—nima fidei The food of Faith and the very soul of Faith They are a Mine of rich treasures a Garden full of choice flowers able to enrich a suffering Cristian with all Celestial contentments and to sweeten the deepest distresses God has deeply engaged himself both by Covenant and promises that he will be with his People in their greatest troubles deepest distresses and most deadly dangers â—nd therefore he will not fail them Deut. 7. 9. Know therefore that the Lord thy God he is God the faithful God which keepeth Covenant c. or the God of Amen God will never suffer his faithfulness Psalm 89. 33. to fail nor alter the thing that is gone out of his mouth All his precepts menaces predictions and promises are the issue of a most wise holy faithful and righteous will and therefore they shall certainly be made good to his People But Thirdly The Lord will be signally present with his 3. Reason People in their greatest troubles deepest distresses and most deadly dangers because it makes most eminently for the advancement of his own honour and glory in the world God never gets more honour than by helping his People when they are at a dead lift Gods signal presence with Israel at the red Sea makes Moses sing a Exod. 15. Song of praise A great part of the revenue of Divine glory arises from the special presence of God with his People in their deepest distresses and most deadly dangers as you may see by comparing the Scriptures in the Exod. 15. Judges 5. Psalm 23. 4 6. Isai 43. 2 5 7. Margin together 'T is the honour of a Husband to be most present with his Wife in her greatest troubles and the honour of a Father to be most present with his Children in their deepest distresses and the honour of Commanders to be present with their Souldiers in the heat of Battel when many fall on their righâ— hand and on their left Exod. 15. 3. The Lord is a man of war that is an excellent warriour the Lord is his name according to the Septuagint 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He breaketh battels and subdueth war God like a brave Commander stands upon his honour and therefore he will stand by his Souldies in the greatest dangers The word Ish here used for Man signifies an eminent man a mighty man a famous warriour or as the Chaldâ—e Paraphrast hath it Victor bellorum An overcomer of Battels Now eminent warriours mighty warriours famous warriours they alwayes stick closest to their Souldiers in their greatest dangers as all know that have read either Scripture or History Now the Lord is such a man of war such a famous warriour as that he will be sure to Isa 52. 12. God is both in the Van and in the Rear stick closest to his People in the greatest dangers And as thâ—re is nothing that more raises the honour fame and renown of great warriours in the world than their presence with their Souldiers when the bullets fly thickest so there is nothing by which God gets himself a greater name fame and honour in the world than by his signal presence with his People in their greatest troubles deepest distresses and most deadly dangers But Fourthly The Lord will be signally present with his 4. Reason People in their greatest troubles deepest distresses and most deadly dangers because then his people stands in most need of his presence A Believer needs the presence of God at all times but never so much as in great troubles deep distresses and most deadly dangers For now Job 2. 9. Job 19. 13 14 15 16. 17. Psalm 38. ult Isa 41. 17 18. Satan will be stirring he loves to fish in troubled waters now earthly Friends and earthly comforts and earthly succours will commonly fail us now cares and fears will be multiplied upon us now unbelief which is
virtually all evil will be raising doubts and cavils and objections in the soul so that if God does not stand by us now what can we say what can we do how can we bear up how can we stand fast What was Sampson that Judges 16. 19 20. man of strength when his hair was gone but as weak as water and what is the strongest Christian when his God is gone but as weak as weakness it self all our doing strength and all our suffering strength and all our bearing strength and all our witnessing strength lies in the special presence of God with our souls all our comforts and all our supports and all our ease and all our refreshments flow from the presence of God with our souls in our greatest troubles and deepest distresses and therefore if God should leave us in a day of trouble what would become of us and whither should we go and where should we find rest When doth a man need a Brother or Friend but in a day of adversity A Brother Prov. 17. 17. is born for adversity though at other times Brethren may jar and jangle and quarrel yet in a day of adversity in a strait in a stress birth and good blood and good nature will be working Adversity breeds love and unity Ridley and Hooper differed very much about Ceremonies in the day of their liberty but when they were both Prisoners in the Tower thâ—â— they could agree well enough and then they could be mutual comforts one to another and when does a Christian most need the strength of God the consolations of God the supports of God the teachings and quicknings of God and the signal singular presence of God but when they are in the greatest troubles deepest distresses and most deadly dangers When the People of God are in a low and afflicted condition then the Lord knows that that Isa 33. 9. 10. is the season of seasons for him to grace them with his gracious presence When calamities and dangers break in upon us and when all heads and hands and hearts and counsels are set against us now is the time for God to help us for God to succour us for God to stand by us But. Fifthly the Lord will be signally present with his 5 Reason People in their greatest troubles deepest distresses and most deadly dangers because he dearly loves them God Deut. 7. 6 7 8. Amat quiâ— amat Bernard entirely loves his People and therefore he will not leave his People persons whom we entirely love we cannot leave especially when they are in a distressed condition Prov. 17 17. A friend loves at all times saith Solomon and God is such a friend God loves not by fits and starâ—â— as many do but his love is like himself sincere and stedfast because he loves them he won't forsake them when they are in the greatest troubles and most terrible dangers 1 Sam. 12. 22. For the Lord will not forsake his People for his great Namessake because it hath pleased the Lord to make you his People He chose you for his love and he still loveth you for his choice and therefore he won't forsake you Chide you he may but forsake you he won't for it will not stand with the glory of God to leave a People to forsake a People of his love Should I cast you off whom I love the Heathen Nations would say that I was mutable in my purposes or unfaithful in my promises Though David's Parents forsook him yet God did not forsake Psalm 27. 10. him but took him up into his care and keeping It is the deriding question which the enemies of the Saints put Psâ—lm 79. 10. to them in the time of their greatest troubles deep distresses and most deadly dangers Vbi Deus Where is now your God But they may safely and groundedly return this answer when they are at lowest Hic Deus Our God is here he is nigh unto us he is round about Isa 52. 12. us and he is in the midst of us Witness that golden promise that is more worth than a world I will never leave thee nor forsake thee God is a God of bowels a Heb. 13. 5 11. Hos 8. 9. Mich. 7. 19. Jer. 31. 18 19 20. God of great pity a God of tender compassion and therefore he will not leave his People in a time of distress Parents bowels do most yearn towards their Children when they are sick and weak and most in danger it goes to the very heart of a man to leave a friend in misery but what are the bowels of men to the bowels of God! or the compassions of men to the compassions of God! There is an Ocean of love in the hearts of Parents 2 Sam. 19. 6. towards their children when they are in distress and this love makes them sit by their children and sit up with their children and not stir from their children Gods love does so link his heart to his People in their deep distresses Psalm 91. 15. that he can't leave them he can't stir from them Isa 43. 4. Since thou wast precious in my sight thou hast been honourable and I have loved thee Well and what then This love so endeares unites God to his People that he can't leave them he can't stir one foot from them V. 2. When thou passest through the Waters I will be with thee and through the Rivers they shall not overflow thee when thou walkest through the fire thou shalt not be burnt neither shall the flame kindle upon thee The Lord dearly loves his People and he highly prizes his People and he greatly delights in his People and therefore he will be signally present with his People both in the fire and in the water both in the fire of persecution and iâ— the waters of affliction God loves the persons of his People and he loves the presence of his People and he loves the graces of his People and he loves the services of his People and he loves the fellowship of his People and therefore he will never leave his People but stand by them and be signally present with them in their greatest troubles deepest distresses Such is Gods singular love to his Covenant-People that he will neither forsake them nor forget them in their greatest troubles deepest distresses and most deadly dangers The Jews were low yea very low in Babylon their distresses were great and their dangers many they looked upon themselves as so many dead Ezek. 37. 1. to 15. men Our bones are dry our hope is lost and we are cut off for our parts They looked upon themselves both as forsaken and forgotten by God Behold captive Sion lamentingly saith The Lord hath forsaken me and my Lord Isa 49. 13. to 18. Psalm 84. 7. Isa 1. 27. Heb. 12. 22. hath forgotten me Sion is taken several wayes in Scripture 1. For the place properly so called where they were wont to meâ—t to worship
the Lord but this place was long ago destroyed 2. For the blessed Angels Ye are come to mount Sion to the heavenly Jerusalem to an innumerable company of Angels 3. For the congregation Psalm 87. 2. of Saints of Believers of which it is said The Lord loves the Gates of Sion more than all the habitations of Jacob. The believing Jews being sorely oppressed afflicted by a long captivity and by many great and matchless miseries that did befal them in their captive state they Dan. 9. 22. Lam. 4. 6. look upon God as one that had quite forsaken them and forgotten them but they were under a very high mistake and very erronious in their complaint as appears by Gods answer to Sion Verse 15. Can a Woman forget her sucking Child that she should not have compassion on the Son of her womb yea they may forget yet will I not forget thee Verse 16. Behold I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands thy walls are continually before me In these words as in a christal glass you may see how pathetically how sweetly how graciously how readily how resolutely God â—oth engage himself that he will neither forsake Sion nor yet forget Sion in her captive state Now let us a little observe how this singular promise is amplified and that 1. By an emphatical illustration Gods compassionate remembring of Sion far transcends the most compassionate remembrance of the tendrest Mother to her dear sucking Babe Now this is laid down First interrogatively Can a Woman the most affectionate sex forget her sucking Child from having compassion on the Son of her womb Can a Woman can a Mother so forget as not to compassionate a Child which she naturally inclines to pity A sucking Child that hangeth on her breast such as Mothers are wont to be most chary of and to be most tenderly affected towards her sucking Child which together with the milk from the breast draws love from her heart her sucking Child of her own womb which her bowels do more yearn over than they do over any sucking Nurs-child in the world and this the Son of her womb which the Mother usually embraceth with more warm affections than the Daughter of her womb Can a Woman yea can a Mother forget to exercise love pity and compassion to such a poor Babe surely very rarely 2. Affirmatively Yea they may forget It s possible that a Woman may be so unwomanly and that a Mother may be so unmotherly in some cases and in some extremities as to forget her sucking Child yea as to eat the fruit of 2 Kings 6. 24. to 30. Lan. 4. 10. her womb as the pitiful Women did boil and eat their own children in the siege of Samaria and Jerusalem Extremity of hunger overmastred natural affections and made the pitiful Mothers require of their children those lives which not long before they had given them laying their children not in her bosoms but in their bowels Thirdly negatively Yet will I not forget thee God will be more constantly unmovably and unchangeably mindful of Sion and tender of Sion and compassionate of Sion and watchful over Sion than any Mother could be over her youngling yea he would be more motherly to his poor captives in Babylon than any Mother could be to her sucking Babe 2. This precious promise is amplified by a convincing argumentation and that parâ—ly from his engraving of them upon the palms of his hands This is an allusion say some to those that carry about with them engraven on some tablet or on the stone of some ring which they wear on their finger the mark name or picture of some person they entirely affect their portraiture their memorial was like a signet graven upon his hand God will assoon blot out of mind and forget his own hands as his Sion and partly from his placing their walls still in his fight the ruined demolished walls of Jerusalem were still before him as to their commiseration and to their reparation God being fully resolved in the fittest season to raise and reedifie them Look as the workman hath his model or pattern constantly either before his eye or in his thoughts or in his brain that he is for to work by So saith God Sion is continually in my eye Sion is still in my thoughts I shall never forsake her I shall never forget her But Sixthly the Lord will be signally present with his 6 Reason People in their greatest troubles deepest distresses and most deadly dangers because of his propriety and interest in them and his near and dear relation to them Isa 43. 1. But now thus saith the Lord that created thee O Jacob and he that formed thee O Israel fear not for I have redeemed thee I have called thee by thy name thou art mine Thou art mine for I have made thee thou art mine for I Esa 15. 16. 1 Cor. 6. 20. 1 Pet. 1. 18. have chosen thee thou art mine for I have bought thee I have purchased thee thou art mine for I have called thee thou art mine for I have redeemed thee thou art mine for I have stampt mine image upon thee thou art Ph. 4. 23 24. 36. 26 27. miâ—â— for I have put my Spirit into thee Now mark what follows Verse 2. When thâ—â— passest through the Waters I will be with thee and through the Rivers they shall not overflow thee when thou walkest through the fire thou shalt not be burnt neither shall the flame kindle upon thee God will certainly keep his own People his own Children company both in the fire and in the water that is in those various tryals and troubles that they are incident Isa 54 5. P. â— 103. 13 14. Exod. 15. 3. Mal 4. 2. Mat. 9. 12. Psalm 23. 1. tâ— in this World When should a Husband be with his wife but when she is in greatest troubles and a Father with his child but when he is in deep distresses and a General with his Army but when they are in greatest dangers When should the Physician be most with his Patient but when he is most desperately sick and when should the Shepherd be nearest his sheep but when they are diseased and the wolf is at hand Now God you know stands in all these relations to his People and therefore he will not fail to be near them when troubles distresses and dangers are growing upon them But Seventhly the Lord will be signally present with his 7 Reason People in their greatest troubles deepest distresses and most deadly dangers because such times are commonly times of great and sore temptations when â—ods hand is heaviest then Satan will be busiest the Devil is never Job 2. 7 8. Mat. 9 4. Heb 2 18. more violent in his temptations than when the Saints are under afflictions Jam. 1. 2. My Brethren count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations that is afflictions Verse 12. Blessed is the man that endureth
improvement of this great and seasonable Truth Explication is the drawing of the Bow but application is the hitting of the mark the white Is it so that when the People of the Lord are in great troubles deep distresses and most deadly dangers that then the Lord will be favourably signally and eminently present with them Then let me briefly infer these ten things First that the Saints are a People of Christs special 1 Inference care 2 Chron. 16. 9. For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro through the whole Earth to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect towards him The words contain 1 The universality of Gods providence his eyes walk the rounds they run to and fro through the whole Earth to defend and secure the sincere in heart Diana's Temple was burnt down when she was busied at Alexander's birth and could not be at two places together but God is present at all times in all places and among all persons and therefore his Church which is 1 Cor. 3. 16. cap. 6. 19. his Temple can never suffer through his absence The Egyptians had an Idol called Baal-Zephon which is by interpretation Dominus speculae Lord of the Watch-tower Exod. 14. 2. his office was to fright such fugitive Jews as should offer to steal out of the Country but when Moses and the People of Israel past that way and pitched their camp there this drowsy God was surely fast a sleep for they all marched on their way without let or molestation Psalm 121. 3 4 5 Isa 27. 3 4. Whereas he that keepeth Israel Neither slumbreth nor sleepeth he kept his Israel then and he hath kept his Israel ever since he made good his title then and will make good his title still he ever was and he ever will be watchful over his People for their good 2. The efficacy of his providence to shew himself strong God fights with his eyes as well as his hands he doth not only see his Peoples dangers but saves them from dangers Zach. 2. 5. in the midst of dangers When the Philosopher in a starry night was in danger of drowning he cried out Surely I shall not perish there are so many eyes of providence over me King Philip said He could sleep safely Psalm 3. 5 6. because his friend Antipater watched for him O how much more may the Saints sleep safely who have always a God that keepes watch and ward about them God Prov. 18. 10. is so strong a Tower that no cannon can pierce it and he is so high a Tower that no ladder can scale it and hâ— is so deep a Tower that no pioneer can undermine it and therefore they must needs be safe and secure who lodge within a Tower so impregnable so inexpugnable Now this is the case of all the Saints the fatherly care and providence of God is still exercised for the good of his People Deut. 32. 10. He found him in a desart Land and in Isa 49. 16. c. 31. 5. and cap. 32. 1. 2. See my Heavenly Cordial after a wasting Plague much of the special care of God the wast howling wilderness he led him about he instructed him he kept him as the apple of his eye Verse 11. As an Eagle stirreth up her nest fluttereth over her young spreadeth abroad her wings taketh them beareth them on her wings Verse 12. So the Lord alone did lead him c. The Eagle carries her young ones upon her wings and not between her talons as other birds do openly safely swiftly and so did God his Israel being choice and chary of them all the way securing them also from their enemies who could do them as little hurt as any can Isa 63. 4. 5. 6. cap. 59. 16. do the Eagles young which cannot be shot but through the body of the old one See at what a rate God speaks in that Isa 40. 27 28. Observe how God comes on with his high interrogatories Hast thou not known What an ignorant People Hast thou not heard What a deaf People what keep no intelligence with Heaven 1 Pet. 5. 7. Casting all your care upon him for he careth for you I will now with you sing away care said John Careless Act. and Mon. fol. 1743. Martyr in his letter to Mr. Philpot for now my soul is turned to her old rest again and hath taken a sweet nap in Christs lap I have cast my care upon the Lord which careth for me and will be careless according to my name It was a strange speech of Socrates a Heathen Since God is so careful of you saith he what need you be careful for any thing your selves Gods providence extendeth to all his Creatures it 's like the Sun of universal influence but in a special manner it 's operative for the safety of his Saints In common dangers men take special care of their Jewels and will not God will not God take Mal. 3. 17. Heb. 3. 6. 1 Pet. 2. 5. special care of his Jewels surely yes The Church of God is the house of God and will not God take care of his house surely that shall be well guarded whatsoever be neglected his house is every moment within the view of his favourable eye and under the guard of his almighty arm his thoughts and heart is much upon his house God hath a peculiar and paternal care over his Saints that disâ—ich of Museulâ—s cometh in fitly Est Deus in caelis qui providus omnia curat Credentes nunquam deseruisse potest A God there is whose Providence doth take Care for his Saints whom he will not forsake His eyes run implying the celerity and swiftness of God in hastning relief to his People his eyes run through the whole Earth implying the universality of helps there is not a Saint in any dark Corner of the world under any straits or troubles but God eyes him and will take singular care of him God will alwayes 〈◊〉 his care to his Peoples conditions to which his eminent appearances for them in dayes of distress and trouble give signal testimony It is our work to cast care it is Gods work to take care let not us then by soul dividing thoughts take the Lords work out of his hand But Secondly Will the Lord be signally present with his 2. Inference People in their greatest troubles deepest distresses and most deadly dangers then here you may see the true reason why the Saints are so comfortable cheerful and joyful Acts 5. 40 41. Cap. 16. 25. Rom. 5. 3. 2 Cor. 7. 4. Cap. 12. 10. 1 Pet. 4 12 13 14 these Scriptures are already opened and improved in their greatest troubles deepest distresses and most deadly dangers it is because of that signal presence of God with them It was this signal presence of God with the Martyrs that made them rejoyce in the midst of their greatest sufferings and that made them endure great
sufferings without any sensible feeling of their sufferings As that young Child in Josephus who when his flesh was pulled in pieces with pincers by the command of Antiochus said with a smiling countenance Tyrant thou losest time where are those smarting pains with which thoâ— threatnedst me make me to shrink and cry out if thou canst And Bainam an English Martyr when the fire was flaming about him said You Papists talk of Miracles behold here a Miracle I feel no more pain than if I were in a bed of down it is as sweet to me as a bed of Roses Surely their strength Job 6. 12. was not the strength of stones nor their flesh of brass that they should not be sensible of so great sufferings but this was only from that signal presence of God that made them endure grievous pains without pain Heb. 11. 33. to 35. and most exquisit torments without torment and sore sufferings without feeling of their sufferings and other choice souls there were who though they were sensible of their sufferings yet by the Divine presence they were filled with unspeakable courage comfort and alacrity Laurence when his body was roasted upon a burning Gridiâ—on cryed out This side is roasted enough turn the other Marcus of Arethusa a worthy Minister when his body was cut and lanced and anointed with honey and hung up a loft in a Basket to be stung to death by Wasps and Bees he looking down cheerfully upon the the Spectators said I am advanced despising you that are below and when we shall see poor weak feeble Creatures like our selves defying their tormenters and their torments conquering in the midst of their greatest sufferings and rejoycing and triumphing in the midst of their fiery trials singing in Prison as Paul and Silas did kissing the stake as Henry Voes did clapping their hands when they were half consumed in the flames as John Noyes did calling their execution day their wedding day as Bishop Ridley did We cannot but conclude that they had a singular presence of God with them that made all their sufferings seem so easie and so light unto them Caesar cheered up his drooping Mariners in a storm by minding them of his presence but alass alass what was Caesar's presence to this Divine this signal presence that the Saints have enjoyed in their greatest troubles and deepest distresses But Thirdly Will the Lord be signally present with his 3. Inference People in their greatest troubles deepest distresses and most deadly dangers then from hence you may see the weakness madness sottishness and folly of all such as Isa 8. 9 10. Cap. 27. 4. 1 Cor. 1. 25. make opposition against the Saints that affront injure and make head against those that have the presence of the great God in the midst of them O Sirs the weakness of God is stronger than Men. What then is the strength of God 1 Cor. 10. 22. Do we provoke the Lord to jealousie are we stronger than he Ah who knows the power of his Psalm 90. 11. anger It is such that none of the Potentates of the world who set themselves against the Saints can avert or avoid avoid or abide That God is a mighty God the Scriptures do abundantly evidence and it appears also in the Epithet that is added unto El which is Gibbor importing that he is a God of prevailing might By Daniel he is called El-Elim the mighty of mighties Now what folly and madness is it for Dust and Ashes for crawling Worms to make head against a mighty God yea an Almighty God who can curse them and crush Genes 49. 25. Num. 24. 4. 16. Ruth 1. 20 21. them with a word of his mouth 2 Chron. 32. 7. Be strong and couragious be not afraid nor dismayed for the King of Assyria nor for all the multitude that is with him for there be more with us than with him Verse 8. With him is an arm of flesh but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battels The King of Assyria was at that time the greatest Monarch in the World and the most formidable Enemy the Church had yet the Divine presence was a soveraign Antidote to expel all base slavish fears that might arise in any of their hearts concerning his greatness power or multitude What was that great multitude that was with the King of Assyria to that innumerable Company of Angels that was 2 Kings 6. 17. Psalm 34. 7 c 91. 11. Heb. 12. 22. Cap. 1. ult Isa 37. 29. 36 37 38. with Hezekiah And what was an arm of flesh to Gods supreme Soveraignity that had this proud Prince in chaines and that put a hook in his nose and a bridle in his lips and cut off his great Army by the hand of an Angel in one night and left him to fall by the sword of his own Sons The Lord of Hosts can crush the greatest Armies in the world into Atomes at pleasure When the Emperour Heraclius sent Ambassadours to Chosroes King of Persia to desire Peace of him he received this threatning answer I will not spare you till I have made Diac. Cedren you curse your crucified God and adore the Sun he was afterwards like another Senacherib deposed and murthered by his own Siroes When the Divine presence is armed against the great ones of the World they must certainly fall In Dioclesian's time under whom was the last and worst of the ten persecutions though then Christian Religion was more desperately opposed than ever yet such was the presence of God with his Ruffin People in those times that Religion prospered and prevailed more than ever so that Dioclesian himself observing that the more he sought to blot out the name of Christ it became the more legible and to block up the way of Christ it became the more passable and what ever of Christ he thought to root out it rooted the deeper and rose the higher thereupon he resolved to engage himself no further but retired to a private life This is a good copy for the Persecutors of the day to Acts 5. 38 39 40 Psalm 76. 12. Psalm 110. 5. 6. Rev. 6. 14 15 15. write after O Sirs what folly and madness is it for weakness to engage against strength the Creature against the Creator an Arm of flesh against the Rock of Ages What is the chaff to the whirl-wind stubble and straw to the devouring flames no more are all the Enemies of Zion to the great and glorious God that is signally present with his People in their greatest troubles and deepest distresses c. There was not one of those persecuting Emperours that carried on the ten bloody Persecutions against the Saints but caâ—e to miserable ends yea Histories tell us of three and forty persecuting Emperours that fell by the hand of revenging Justice first or last the presence of God with his People will undo all the Persecutors in the world But Fourthly
Will the Lord be signally present with 4. Inference his People in their greatest troubles deepest distresses and most deadly dangers then from hence you may see the Lords singular love and admirable kindness to his People in gracing them with his presence in their greatest Isa 43. 2. 4. troubles that is a Friend indeed that will stick close to a man in the day of his troubles as Jobs friends did Job 2. 11 12 13 1 Sam. 20. 30 31. 32 33. stick close to him in the day of his troubles and as Jonathan did stick close to David in his greatest dangers and as the primitive Christians did sticâ— close one to another though with the hazard of their lives and to the amazement of their Enemies Behold said they how the Christians love one another and stand by one another The People of God in their greatest troubles are a People of his special love when they are in distress he lyes them in his very bosom and his banner over Cant. 2. 4. them is love The love of God to his People is engraven upon the most afflictive dispensation they are under when he smartly rebukes them even then he dearly loves them Hear ye the rod. Oh the rod speaks love Rev. 3. 19. Micha 6. 9. many of the Saints have read much of the Lords love written in letters of their own blood they have read love in Priâ—â—ns and love in flames and love in banishment and love in the cruellest torments their Enemies could invent When a Christians wounds are bleeding Mal. 4. 2. then God comes in with a healing plaster when a Christian is in a storm then the presence of the Lord makes all calm and quiet within The presence of the Lord Matth. 8. 26. with his People in their troubles and distresses speaks out the reality of his love the cordialness of his love the greatness of his love and the transcendency of his love The truth and strength of Relations love one to another doth best appear by their presence one with another when either of them are in the Iron Furnace or in bonds or in great straits or wants or deep distresses The Parents shew most of their love to their sick and weak Children by their daily presence with them and the Husband shews most of his dear and tender love by keeping his Wife company when she is in greatest straits and dangers so here But Fifthly Will the Lord be signally present with his 5. Inference People in their greatest troubles deepest distresses and most deadly dangers then this may serve to justifie the Saints and to encourage the Saints to write after this fair copie that Christ has set them O visit them O stand by them O stick close to them in all their troubles distresses and dangers let the same mind be in you one towards another as is in Christ towards you all Phil. 2. 5. Job 11. 12 13. Are there any Jobs upon the dunghil visit them are there any Pauls in chaines find them out and be not ashamed of their chaines 2 Timoth. 1. 16. The Lord give mercy to the house of Onesiphorus for he oft refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chain Verse 17. But when he was in Rome he sought me out diligently and found me Verse 18. The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day and in how many things he ministred unto me at Ephesus thou knowest very well He oft refreshed me Greek Poured cold water upon 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 me As that Angel did upon the wracked limbs of Theodorus the Martyr mentioned by Socrates and Ruffinus in the dayes of Julian the Apostat 't is a Metaphor taken from those who being almost overcome with heat are refreshed by cooling And was not ashamed of my chain Learned Antiquaries observe that the Apostle at this time was not in prison with fetters but in the custody of a Souldier with whom he might go abroad having a chain on his right arm which was tyed to the Souldiers left arm Paul at this time was not in prison much less a close Prisoner for then Onesiphorus needed not to have made any great search to find him but was a Prisoner at large going up and down with his Keeper to dispatch his affairs and therefore he speaks not of chains in the plural number but of a chain in the singular with which he was tyed to the souldier that kept him It no wayes becomes the Saints to be ashamed of the bonds or chains that may be found upon the Ambassadours of Christ in an evil day The primitive Christians were not ashamed of the Martyrs chains but owned them in their chains and stood by them in their chains and frequently visited them in their chains and freely and nobly relieved them and refreshed them in their chains And will you will you be ashamed to visit the Saints in bonds O let not this be told in Gath 2 Sam. 1. 20. nor published in the streets of Askelon that the high-flown Professors and Christians of these times are ashamed to own relieve and stand by the Saints in bonds So Matth. 25. 36. I was sick and ye visited me I was in See Exo. 2. 11 12. compared with Acts 7. 23. to 29. only remember the case was extraordinary and his call was extraordinary prison and ye came unto me It is very remarkable that the last definitive Sentence shall pass upon men according to those acts of favour and kindness that have been shewed to the Saints in their suffering state and that the Sentence of absolution shall contain a manifestation of all their good works In this great day Christ sees no iniquity in his People he objects nothing against them and he only makes honourable mention of the good that has been done by them O Sirs all the visits you give to sick Saints and all the visits you give to imprisoned Saints Christ takes as visits given to himself suffering Saints and you are Brethren and will you not visit your own Brethren suffering Saints and Christ are Brethren Matth. 25. 40. John 20 17. Psalm 119. 63. 2 Cor. 8. 19. and will you not visit Christs Brethren suffering Saints and you are Companions and will you not visit your own Companions suffering Saints and you are travelling Heaven-wards and will you not visit your Fellow-travellers suffering Saints and you are Fellow-citizens and will you not visit your Fellow-citizens Ephes 2. 19. suffering Saints and you are Fellow souldiers Phil. 2. 25. and will you not visit your Fellow-souldiers suffering Saints aâ—d you are Fellow-heirs and will you not visit Rom. 8. 17. your Fellow-heirs O never be ashamed of those that Christ is not ashamed of O never fail to visit those whom Christ daily visits in their suffering state O never turn your backs upon those to whom Christ hath given the right hand of fellowship O be not
shy of them nor strange to them whom Christ lyes daily in his bosom O be not unkind to them with whom one day you must live for ever But Sixthly Will the Lord be signally present with his 6. Inference People in their greatest troubles deepest distresses and most deadly dangers then never give way to base slavish Psal 51. 12 13. Pfalm 46. 1 2 3. Matt. 10 2â— â—â— fears there are as many fear nots in Scripture as there are fears take a tast of some of them Hebr. 13. 5. He hath said I will never leave thee nor forsake thee Verse 6. So that we may boldly say The Lord is my helper and I will not fear what man shall do unto me This Text is taken out of Psalm 118. 6. The Lord is on my side I will not fear what man can do unto me Some read it by The Earl of Mâ—rray speaking of Mr. John Knox said Here lies the body of him who iâ— hiâ— life time never feared the face of any man way of Interrogation What can man do unto me There is some difference in the Apostle's quoting the Text betwixt the Hebrew and the Greek The Hebrew thus reads it The Lord is with me or for me or as our English hath translated it The Lord is on my side The Greek thus The Lord is my helper but the sence being the same with the Hebrew the Apostle would not alter that translation The alteration which is in the Greek serves for an Exposition of the mind and meaning of the Psalmist for God being with us or for us or on our side presuppofeth that he is our helper So as there is no contradiction betwixt the Psalmist and the Apostle but a clear interpretation of the Psalmists mind and a choice instruction thence ariseth viz. That Gods signal prefence with us for us or on our side may abundantly satisfie us and assure us that he will afford all needful help and succour to us the consideration of which should abundantly arm us against all base slavish fears God is not present with his Saints in their troubles and distresses as a stranger but as a Father and therefore he cannot but take such special care of them as to help them as to succour them and as to secure them from dangers in the midst of dangers and therefore Isa 43. 2. why should they be afraid The Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is translated helper in that Hebr. 13. 6. according to the notation of it signifieth one that is ready to run at the cry of another Now this notation implieth a willing readiness and a ready willingness in God to afford all succour and relief to his People in their greatest troubles and deepest distresses herein God shews himself like a tender Father Mother or Nurse who presently runs when any of them hear the Child cry or see danger near Isai 8. 10. God is with us Verse 12. Fear ye not their fear nor be afraid The Divine presence should arm us against all base slavish fears of mens power policy wrath or rage Kings and Princes compared with God or with the signal presence of God are Isa 40. 2â— but as so many Grashoppers skipping and leaping up and down the field and does it become Christians that enjoy this Divine presence to be afraid of Grashoppers Isa 41. 10. Fear thou not for I am with thee be not dismayed for I am thy God I will strengthen thee yea I will help thee yea I will uphold thee with thâ—â—â—ht hand of my righteousness God expects that his signal presence with us should arm us against all base fear and dismayedness â—salm 23. 4. Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for thou art with me The Divine presence raised David above all his fears Psalm 27. 1. The Lord is my light and my salvation whom shall I fear the Lord is the strength of my life of whom shall I be afraid Who is the Enemy that I should be afraid of where is the Enemy that I should be afraid of by what name or title is the Enemy dignified or distinguished that I should be afraid of I look before me and behind me I look round about me and I look at a distance from me and I cannot see the man the Devil the Informer that I should fear or be afraid of for God is with me Where God is said King Herod in Josephuâ— lib. 15 a speech to his Army there neither wants multitude nor fortitude we may safely readily and cheerfully set the Divine presence against all our Enemies in the world When Antigonus his Admiral told him that the Enemies number far exceeded his But how many do ye set me against said the King Look about you and see who is with you Ah Christians Christians look about you look about you and see who is signally present with you and then be afraid if you can But Seventhly Will the Lord be signally present with his 7. Inference People in their greatest troubles deepest distresses and most deadly dangers then certainly there is no such great evil in troubles distresses sufferings c. as many conceive fear dream think judge many men look upon troubles afflictions sufferings in a multiplying glass and then they cry out there is a Lion in the way Prov. 22. 13. Cap. 26. 13. a Lion in the streets But Sirs the Lion is not alwayes so fierce as he is painted nor afflictions are not alwayes so grievous as men apprehend there are many who have been very fearful of Prisons and have looked upon a Prison as a Hell on this side Hell who when they have been there for righteousness sake and the Gospels sake have found â—â—â—ns to be Palaces and the imaginary Hell to be a little Heaven unto them Many fear afflictions and flee from afflictions as from Toads and Serpents as from Enemies and Devils and yet certainly there is no such great evil in affliction as they apprehend for the Lord is signally present with his People in their greatest troubles and deepest distresses Now what evil can there be in that condition wherein a man enjoyes the Divine presence that makes every bitter sweet and every burden light and that turns Winter nights into Summer dayes c. yea many times the Saints enjoy more of the singular presence of God in their afflictions in their day of adversity than ever they did in the day of prosperity or in the day of their worldly glory What Bride is afraid to meet her Bridegroom in a dark entry or in a dirty lane or in a narrow passage or in a solitary wood and why then should a Christian be afraid of this or that afflicted condition who is sure to meet his blessed Bridegroom the Lord Jesus Christ in every estate in every condition who is sure to enjoy the presence of Christ with him in every turn or change
stand before the powerful presence of God with his People and a spirit of prayer upon his People Hezekiah prays and finds such a powerful presence of God with him as bears up his heart and as strengthens his faith and as cuts off his enemies Isa 37. 14. to 21. with Verse 36. O beg hard of the Lord that he will stay with you do as they did when Christ made as though he would have gone from Luke 24. 28. Equivocators abuse this place greatly but they must know that Christ did not pretend one thing and intend another but as he made an offer to depart so without question he would have gone further if the importunity of the Disciples had not staid him them Luke 24. 29. But they constrained him saying abide with us for it is towards evening and the day is far spent and he went in to tarry with them By prayer and importunity lay hold on Christ say Lord night is near the night of trouble the night of distress the night of danger the night of death is near stay with us depart not from us They over-intreated him by their importunity they compelled him by intreaty Night is near and the day is far spent Some conjecture that Cleophas observing Christ to be very expert in the Prophets and to discourse so admirable well-of Christs person sufferings and glory his heart burning in him with musing who this should be he is marvellous importunate with him to stay at his house and at last prevailes O lay a hand of holy violence upon God as Jacob did and say as he Gen. 32. 25 26. Hos 4. 12. I will not let thee go Jacob though lamed and hard laid at yet will not let Christ go Jacob holds fast with both hands when his joynts were out of joynt being fully resolved that what ever he did let go he would not let go his Lord till he had blest him O be often a crying out with Jeremiah Leave us not Lord though in our great Jer. 14. 9. troubles and deep distresses friends should leave us and Relations leave us and all the world leave us yet don't thou leave us O don't thou leave us Lord though all Creatures should desert us yet if thou wilt but stand by us we shall do well enough But wo wo unto us if God depart from us O leave us not But Seventhly keep humble and walk humbly with your Mic. 6. 8. Psal 25. 9. God The highest Heavens and the lowest hearts are the habitation of Gods glorious presence Isa 57. 15. For saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity whose Name is Holy I dwell in the high and holy Place with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit to revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the contrite ones He that would in good earnest enjoy the gracious presence of God with him in his great troubles deep distresses and most deadly dangers he must keep humble and walk humbly with his God God will keep house with none but humble souls there are none that feel so great a need of the Divine presence as humble souls there are none that so prize the divine presence as humble souls there are none that so love the divine presence that are so enamoured with the Divine presence as humble souls there are none that so thirst long for much of the Divine presence as humble souls there are none that so lament and bewail the loss of the Divine presence as humble souls there are none that make such a singular and through improvement of the Divine presence as humble souls and therefore no wonder that of all the men in the worl God singles out the humble Christian to make his heart the habitation where his honour delights to dwell Abraham is but dust and ashes in his own Gen. 18. 27. eyes and what man on earth had ever more of the Divine presence of God with him than he Gen. 15. 12. Gen. 32 10. to 19. Gen. 17. 1. to 10. Gen. 18. 17 18 19 c. Jacob was less than the least of all mercies in his own eyes he had a mighty presence of God with him Gen. 32. 24. to 31. c. David in his own eyes was but a worm no man Psal 22. 6. The word in the Original Tolagnath signifieth a very little worm which breâ—deth in scarlet it is so little that no man can hardly see it or preceive it and yet what a mighty presence of God had David with him in the many Battels he fought and in the many dangers he was in and in the many miraculous deliverances he had See them all summed up in that 18 Psalm it is his triumphant song after many victories won deliverances vouchsafed and mercies obtained and therefore worthy of frequent perusal Paul was the least of all Saints in his 1 Cor. 15. 8. 1 Cor. 4. 9. 1 Tim. 1. 15. own eyes yea he was less then the least of all Saints 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 this is a double diminutive and signifies lesser then the least if lesser might be here you have the greatest Apostle descending down to the lowest step of humility Great Paul is least of Saints least of the Apostles and greatest of sinners in his own eyes and never had any mortal more of the gracious presence of God with him in all his services and in all his sufferings in all his afflictions and in all his temptations in all his trials and in all his troubles which were many and great See Acts 16. 23 24 25. Acts 23. 10 11. Acts 27. 23 24 25. 2 Cor. 1. 8 9 10. 2 Cor. 4. 8 9 10 11. 2 Cor. 7. 4 5 6 7. 2 Cor. 11. 21 ult 2 Cor. 12. 7 8 9 10. Is your condition low then let your hearts be low he that is little in his own account is great in Gods esteem and shall be sure to enjoy most of his presence God can dwell God will dwell with none but those that are lowly in heart and therefore as ever you would enjoy the signal presence of God with you in your greatest troubles and deepest distresses be sure you walk humbly with your God Many may talk much of God and many may profess much of God and many may boast much of God but he only enjoys much of God who makes conscience of walking humbly with God But Eightly and lastly If you would enjoy the signal presence of God with you in your greatest troubles deepest Ponder upon these Scriptures Isa 58. 8. 9 10 11 2 Cor. 6. 16 17 18. Cap. 7. 1. Deut. 23. 13 14. distresses and most deadly dangers then labour every day more and more after greater measures of holiness the more holiness you reach to the more you shall have of the presence of a holy God with you in all your straits and trials If the Scriptures be narrowly searched you will find that