read and pleaded 'T is a keeping a standing praise of him in the World We have had the benefit of them it is sit God should have the glory of them from us as well as from those who immediately injoyed them Our good was bound up in every former preservation of the Church If the Candlestick had been broken where had the Candle been Had the Church been destroyed how could the Gospel have been transmitted to us let the Duty we owe to Gods Glory engage us to a consideration of them and the benefit we have had by them also incite us we usually forget not things that are strange nor things that are profitable His works of old have been works of Wonder in themselves and profitable to us To what end are the Praises of God discovered to the Generations to come but that they should reflect those Praises to Heaven again and convey them down to the Generations following Psal 78.4 Shewing to the Generation to come the Praises of the Lord. 1. This will help us in our inquiries in present Providences There is a beautiful connexion between former and latter Providences they are but several links of one Chain The Principle and end is the same That God from whence they come that Christ to which they tend is the same yesterday to day and for ever What God doth now is but a Copy of what he pourtrayed in his word as done in former ages There are the same characters of Wisdom upon both The same goodness the same design in both The Births of Providence are all of a like temper and disposition We cannot miss of the understanding of them if we compare them with the antient Copies For God is in the Generation of the Righteous the same God still God is the same his ends are the same the events will be the same 2. It will support our Faith The reason of our diffidence of God in the cause of the Church is the forgetfulness of his former appearances for her O! if we did remember his former goodness we should not be so ready to doubt of his future care This was the Psalmists care in his despondencies and in his overwhelming troubles of Spirit Psal 77.9 Hath God forgotten to be gracious hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies â—ut verse 10. He concludes it his inâ—â—â—nity and resolves upon a review of 〈◊〉 Records of Gods ancient works for 〈◊〉 â—â—â—ple and the years of the right hand of the most High these times wherein he declared his Power and his glory and so proceeds to the top of all their deliverances viz. that out of Egypt Doth Gods Wisdom decay or his Power grow feeble Is not his Interest the same Is he not a God still like himself Is not his glory as dear to him as before Hath he cast off his affection to his own name Why should not he then do the same works since he hath the same concern God himself to encourage us calls them to our remembrance Isa 50.2 Is my hand shortned that I cannot Redeem or have I no Power to Deliver Behold at my rebuke I do dry up the Sea I make the Rivers a Wilderness c. Am not I the same God that dried up the Sea that wrought those antient wonders which amaz'd the World what doth your distrust signifie but the impair of my Power Rouse up your selves to a consideration of them And thence gather fresh supplys to strengthen you in your present dependence upon me He puts us in mind of them because we are apt to forget them Gen. 15.6 When it is said Abraham believed in the Lord and it was accounted to him for Righteousness God answerered him v. 7. I am the Lord that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees keep up thy Faith and to that end remember what I did for thee before in calling thee cast thy eye upon that place whence I delivered thee either from the Idolatries of the place or the persecution he was in for the true Worship of God And as God puts him in mind of his Mercy he had shewn to him before for the encouragement of his Faith so the people of God have made use of them to this end Goliah's Sword was counted by David the fittest for his defence in his slight because it had been a Monument of Gods former deliverance of him 1 Sam. 21.9 When he asks for a Sword or Spear Abimelech said the Sword of Goliah whom thou slewest is here and David said there is none like that give it me How hasty he catches at it There is none like that Sword that hath so signal a mercy writ upon it That very Sword will not only defend me against my enemies but guard my Faith against those Temptations that would invade it This encouragement of Faith and Hope is the end of God in his transmission of the Records of his former Providences to us Psal 78.6 7. That the Generation to come might know them and declare them to their Children From one Posterity to another that they might set their hope in God 3. It will enliven our Prayer 'T is a mighty Plea in Prayer How often doth David urge it Thou hast been my help thou hast delivered my Soul from Death wilt thou not deliver my seet from falling but in the Churches concerns too 1 Chron. 16.11 12. Seek the Lord and his Strength seek his face continually remember the marvellous works that he hath done A reflection upon what God hath done should be enjoyned with oâ—â— desires of what we would have God to do for us When Moses was praying upon the top while Israel was fighting with Amaleck at the foot of the hill he had the Rod of God in his hand Exod. 17.9 That miraculous Rod which had amazed Pharaoh whose motion summoned all the Plagues upon them That Rod which had split the Sea for their passage broached the Rock for their thirst and had been instrumental in many Miracles certainly Moses shewed this Rod to God and pleaded all those wonderful deliverances God had wrought instrumentally by it No doubt but he carried it with him to shew to God for a Plea as well as to the Israelites to Spirit their Resolutions against their Enemies 4. It will prevent much Sin A forgetfulness of his former works is one cause of our present provocations It was so in the case of the Israelites sin Psal 106.7 They remembred not the multitude of his Mercies but provoked thee at the Sea even at the Red Sea they had lost the memory of so many Miracles in Egypt and which aggravated their Sin they provoked him at the Sea at the red Sea they provoked him under a present indigency as well as against former mercy they provoked him in that place of straights where all the powers on Earth could not have relieved them had Heaven neglected them The Provocation you may see Exod. 14.11 12. Which sprang from a forgetfulness of his kindness so
sprung from an ill cause a disdain to be checked by Ishbosheth though his King for an unjustisiable act for having too much familiarity with one of Sauls Concubines * 2 Sam. 3.6 7 8 9 10. And from this animosity he contrives the deposing of Ishbosheth and the exaltation of David yet dissembles the ground and pretends the promise of God to David v. 18. For the Lord hath spoken of David by the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines He is the first Engine that moves in this business and by him and his correspondents after his death v. 17. the business is brought about by Gods over-ruling hand wherein Gods promise is accomplished and David a type of Christ and the great Champion for the Church against its enemies round about is advanced Very remarkable is the advancement of Mordecai in order to the advancing the Jews as well as preserving them when the necks of all the visible Church God had in the World were upon the block Haman ignorantly is the cause of this preferment of Mordecai and at that time too when he came to petition for his death Esther 6.4 He was come to speak to the King to hang Mordecai upon the Gallowes which he had prepared for him The King asks him what should be done to the man whom the King delights to honour v. 16. He imagineth that the Kings question did respect himself lays out a Scheme of what honour he was ambitious of v. 8 9. which was by the King designed for Mordecai and Haman made the Herald to proclaim him Here Haman not only a wicked man in himself but the greatest Enemy Mordecai and the whole Church of God had is made unwittingly an instrument to exalt Mordecai and in him the whole Church of God 3. In enriching the Church or some persons in it whereby it may become more serviceable to God How wonderful was it that when the Israelites were abominated by the Egyptians God should so order their hearts that the Egyptians should lend them Gold and Jewels * Exod. 12.35 36. and dismiss them with wealth as well as safety and not so much as one person molest them till they arrived at the Red Sea The very gain and honour of the Enemies is sometimes consecrated to the Lord of the whole Earth Micah 4.13 Arise and thresh oh Daughter of Sion I will make thy horn Iron and thou shall beat in pieces many people and I will consecrate their gain unto the Lord and their substance to the Lord of the whole Earth This was when many Nations were gathered against Sion v. 11. the wealth of the Sinner is laid up for the just Pro. 13.22 And God sometimes makes the wicked unwittingly to themselves in their carking be the factors for good men into whose lap providence poures the fruit of their labour God gave Cyrus the spoils of Babylon and the treasures of Croesus to enable him to furnish the Jews with materials for building the Temple Isa 45.3 Isa 45.3 4. 4. and I will give thee the treasure of darkness and hidden riches of secret places speaking of Cyrus that thou mayest know that I the Lord which call thee by thy Name am the God of Israel for Jacob my Servants sake c. That he might acknowledge him the God of Israel and lay his wealth out in the service of God and the service of Jacob his servant 2. As bad persons so bad things are ordered to the good of the Church whether they be sinful evils or afflictive 1. Sin 1. A mans own sin Onesimus runs from his Master and finds a spiritual Father his being a runnagate is the occasion of his being a convert By slying from his Master he becomes a Brother in the Lord. * Phil. 10 12 16. What Joseph's brethren sinfully intended for revenge against their brother and security from their Fathers checks who acquainted Jacob with their miscarriages God ordered for the preservation of them who were the only visible Church in the World Their sin against their Brother contrary both to their intentions and expectations became the means of their safety God makes the remainders of sin in a good man an occasion to exercise his grace discover his strength and shew his loyalty to God 2. Other mens sins That might be in Sarah but a heady passion for hearing her Son mocked by Ishmael that made her so desirous to have the bondwoman and her first son thrust out * Gen. 21.10 but God makes use of it to make a separation between Isaac the heir of the Covenant and Ishmal that he might not be corrupted by any evil example from him God orders Abraham to harken to her voice because in Isaac his seed should be called * ver 12 And the revengeful threatning of Esau was the occasion of Jacob's slight whereby he was hindred from marrying with any of the people of the Land by whom he might have been induced to Idolatry * Gen. 2 7.3 46. Why should we misturst that God that can make use of the Lusts of men to bring about his own gracious purposes 2. Commotions in the World There is the eye of God that eye which runs to and fro throughout the whole Earth in the Wheels of worldly motions even in the most dreadful providences in the World that stare upon men with a grim countenance * Ezek. 1.18 their wings were dreadful and their wings were full of eyes All the overturnings in the World are subservient to the Churches interest though they are not visibly so unless diligently attended * Broughton on Revel 13. §. 177. God orders the confusions of the world and is in the midst of the tumults of the people Psal 29.10 11. The Lord sits upon the floud yea the Lord sits King for ever the Lord will give strength to his people the Lord will bless his people with peace He sits upon the floud as a Charioteer in his Chariot guiding it with holy and merciful intentions to his people to give them both strength and peace in the midst of them and as the issue of them By Water and Flouds is frequently meant tumults and confusions in the World If it were not so why should our Saviour encourage his Disciples and all their Successors in the same profession to lift up their heads when they hear of wars if their redemption * Luk. 21.25 26 27 28. were not designed by God in them they are all testimonies of the nearer approaches of Christ in power and glory to judge the Earth and glorifie his people Gods great end in the shaking of Nations is the performing those gracious promises to his Church which yet remain unaccomplisht These earthquakes in the world will bring Heaven to the Church The great revolutions in the Eastern part of the world the ruine of the Babylonian Empire the erecting the Persian and all the means whereby
his as long as the World lasts How can Christ be with them and that to the end of the world if all the parts of his providential government were not ordered to serve this end the good of the Church For the Church is the fulness of him that fills all in all Eph. 1.23 that fills all in all places all in all actions and motions for the good of his Church which is his body Thirdly 3. God in the Church discovers the glory of all his attributes 'T is in a mans house where his riches and state is seen 'T is in the Church God makes himself known in his excellency more then in all the world besides Psal 76.1 In Judah is God known his name is great in Israel in Salem also is his Tabernacle and his dwelling place in Sion 'T is in his Church he doth manifest his power 'T is called therefore a glorious high Throne Jer. 17.12 a glorious high throne from the beginning is the place of our Sanctuary Kings use to display all their Glory and Majesty upon their Thrones in this sense Heaven is called Gods Throne Isa 60.1 because the prospect of the Heavens affords us discoveries of the wisdom and power of God more then in any other visible thing both in their essence magnitude and motion So is there a greater discovery of Gods attributes in the Church which is also styled Heaven in Scripture then in the whole World besides There it is that the Angels look to learn more of the Wisdom of God then they understood before * Eph. 3.10 'T is there the day of his power dawns Psal 110.3 'T is there his Saints see his power and his glory Psal 63.2 the Sanctuary is called the firmament of his power Psal 150.1 The glory of Gods attributes is centered in Christ in a higher manner then in the creation and in that work did excel themselves in what they had done in the framing of the world and the Church being the glory of Christ all those attributes which are glorifyed in Christ do in and through him shine forth more clearly upon the Church then upon any other part of the world He styles himself their Creator as much as the Creator of the whole frame of Heaven and Earth Isa 43.15 I am the Lord your holy one the Creator of Israel your King As though all the attributes of God his power in Creation his holiness in redemption were designed for none else but them And indeed by virtue of the Covenant they are to be so for if God be their God then all of God is theirs What wisdom power sufficiency grace and kindness he hath is principally for them If God be their God it is in their concerns he will glorify himself as a God in the manifestation of all his perfections This cannot be without the ordering all providences for their advantage Fourthly 4. There is a peculiar relation of God and Christ to the Church upon which account this Doctrine must needs be true God is set out in all relations to manifest his great care of his people He is a Father to provide for them * Isa 68.5 A Mother to suckle them * Isa 49.15 Christ is a Husband to love and protect them * Eph. 5.29 A Brother to counsel them * John 20.17 And when all these Relations meet in one and the same person the result of it must be very strong Any one relation where there is affection is a great security but here all the relations are twisted together with the highest affections of them in God to the Church A Father will order all for the good of his child a Mother for her Infant a Husband for his Wife and one kind Brother for another So doth God for his People and whatsoever those Relations bind Men to on Earth in respect of Care Love and Faithfulness that is God to his Church The Church hath that Relation to God which none in the World have besides They are his Jewels therefore he will keep them they are his Children therefore he will spare them * Mal. 3.17 They shall have protection from him as they are his Jewels and Compassion from him as they are his Sons The Church is Christs Flesh as dear to him as our flesh is to us as much his as our flesh is ours Eph. 5 29. No man hates his own flesh but nourisheth it as Christ doth his Church No man can have a higher value for his own flesh then Christ hath for his Church The Church as Tertullian speaks is nothing else but Christus explicatus * Câ—â—ist unfolded and as considered in Union with Christ is called Christ 1 Cor. 12.12 'T is the Apple of his eye Zach. 2.8 A tender and beloved part The Church is Christs Spouse the contract is made the Espousals shall be at the last Day The Members are pick'd out one by one to be presented to the Lamb at last as a Glorious Bride for him Rev. 21.2 And all Gods dealings with them in the World are but preparations of them for that State Upon the making of the Match God promises a communion of Goods Hos 2.20 I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness which is a fruit of Marriage the Wife being invested in her Husbands Estate When God hath given the blood of his Son for the Church he will not deny her the service of the Creatures but Joynture her in that as one part of her Dowry In that day will I hear the heavens c. ver 21. In what day in the day of betrothing in the day of the Evangelical Administration when the contract shall be made between me and my Church Heavens Earth Corn Wine and Oil the voice and motions of all Creatures are for Jezreel which signifies the seed of God This great Prince he hath a care of all his subjects so more peculiarly of his Spouse and Princess which is his seed too and all Creatures shall be her Servants This Fatherly Relation and Affection is strong and pure not as the love which acts an ambitious man to Ambition or a covetous man to Wealth which respects nothing but the grasping and possessing the Objects they dote upon and have nothing of love for the Objects themselves therefore deserves not the name of Love But it is the love of a Father whose love is pure towards his children He seeks their good as his own Consider these two things 1. God hath a peculiar love to this very Relation and often mentions it with delight as if he loved to hear the sound of it in his own Lips Cant. 8.12 My vineyard which is mine is before me Me My Mine The Church is alwayes under his Eye seated in his Affection and God is pleased with his propriety in them God never calls the World My World though he created it sometimes he saith the Earth is mine but it is either to check the presumptions of Men who ascribe
great tribulation such as was not since the beginning of the World no nor ever shall be In Discoursing his Disciples of the troubles at the destruction of Jerusalem which was a type of the trouble preceding the end of the World he adds a discourse of what shall be at the end of the World in the last attempt of the enemies of the Church for ver 29. he saith immediately after the tribulation of those days he speaks of his coming in the Clouds of Heaven with great power and glory And also in the Revelation Rev. 16.18 And there was a great Earthquake such as was not since men were upon the Earth so mighty an Earthquake and so great This perhaps at the pouring out of the seventh Vial may concern the Christian Church as well as the Anti-Christian Party But the reason why it may be sharper just before that last deliverance than it was in former ages may be because it is the last effort the enemy shall make the last demonstration of Gods power and wisdom for and care of his Church and of Justice upon his enemies in such cases The last season for their multiplying their cries and acting their Faith for such a concern 3. Use of Exhortation If it be so that the Providence of God is chiefly designed for the good of the Church First Fear not the Enemies of the Church 'T is a wrong to God Fear of Man is always attended with a forgetfulness of God Isa 51.12 13. I even I am he that comforteth you who art thou that art affraid of a man that shall dye and of the Son of Man that shall be made as Grass and forgettest the Lord thy maker who hath stretched forth the Heavens c. 'T is to value the power of Grass above the power of the Creator as though that had more ability to hurt than God to help As if men were as strong as Mountains and God as weak as a Bul-rush 'T is a wrong to his truth hath he not comforted you in his Promise What Creature should then deject you 'T is a wrong to his Mercy Is he not the Lord thy maker Calvin refers this to Regeneration and not Creation Hath he not renewed you by his Spirit and will he not protect you by his strength and that you may not question his power look up to the Heavens which he hath stretched out and the foundations of the Earth which he hath laid And is that Arm which hath done such mighty works too weak to defend that work which is choicer in his eye than either the extended Heaven or the established Earth We vilifie God and defile his Glory when our fear of mans power stifles our Faith in God Isa 8.12 13. Neither fear you their fear nor be affraid Sanctifie the Lord of Hosts himself and let him be your Fear Let the wicked fear the Assyrians and engage in confederacies against them but let your eyes be lifted up to me and my Providence God will either turn away the mouth of the Canon from the Church or arm it against the shot Either preserve it from a danger protect it in it or sanctifie it to the Church and who need fear a Sword in a Fathers hand 1. Will you fear man who have a God to secure you The Church belongs to God not to man as a just propriety Isa 43.1 Fear not for I have redeemed thee I have called thee by my name thou art mine when thou passest through the waters I will be with thee c. Thou art mine not mans Thou art mine I am thine I will be with thee as thine I will secure thee as mine Is my Creating is my forming is my redeeming thee to no purpose I will not secure you from trouble but surely my redemption of you the propriety I have in you should secure you from fears in those troubles None shall hurt you whilst I have power to defend you God with us if well considered and believed is sufficient to still those fears which have the greatest outward objects for their encouragement Psal 27.1 The Lord is the strength of my life of whom shall I be affraid If God be our strength to support us why should the weakness of dust and ashes scare us Alliance to great men and Protection of Princes prop up mens hearts against the fears of others and shall allyance to God be of a weaker efficacy A * Aâ—ram in Epist lib. 1. c. 9. Heathen could so argue that knew nothing of Redemption Let the Counsels of Enemies be crafty Psal 83.3 yet they consult against Gods hidden ones hidden by God whilst Plotted against by men who would fear the stratagems of men whilst protected in an impregnable Tower God hides when men are ready to seize the Prey â—â—w did the Angel protect a sincere trembling Lot against the invasion of a whole City and secured his person whilst he blinded his enemies eyes that they could not find the door Instruments cannot design more malitiously than Christ watches over them affectionately Christ hath his Eye to see your works and danger where Satan hath his Throne Rev. 2.13 2. Will you fear man who have a God to watch over their motions What Counsels can prevail where God intends to over-rule their resolves There is no place so close as to keep private resolutions from his knowledge This was the thought of those States-men against whom the Prophet Isaiah thunders Isa 29.15 16. Wo unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the Lord and their works are in the dark surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the Potters Clay Their Counsels were as well known to him as the Potters Clay is to the Potter which he can either frame into a vessel or fling away into the Mass from whence he took it God hath not dispoyled himself of his Government nor will devolve his right upon any men to dispose of his concerns When men think to act so secretly as though they framed themselves as though Gods eye were not upon them He will watch and trace all their Motions and make them insignificant to their purposes Satan himself the slyest and subtilest agent is too open to God to hide his Councils from him Never fear man till the whole combined Pollicies of Hell can controul the resolves of Heaven Till God wants omniscience to dive into their secrets skill to defeat their Councils and an arm to abate their power 3. Will you fear Men or Devils who have a God to restrain them The great Dragon and General of the serpents Seed is under a binding power who can bind him not only a thousand years but a thousand Ages * Rev. 20.2 Have his Seed more force to resist Almightiness than their Captain The Prophet speaking of the Assyrians threatning Jerusalem and the confusion in some Cities for fear of them yet saith he he shall remain at Nob a City of the Levites not far
question supposeth him unjust he suffers wicked men to continue to be the plagues of the places where they live and the executioners of his Justice upon offenders against him Psal 17.13 The wicked are God's Sword Jeremiah 47.6 Those that God would stirr up against the Philistines are called the Sword of the Lord. Isa 10.5 Ashur is said to be the Rod of his anger would it consist with his wisdom to drop the instruments out of his hand as soon as he begins to use them To cast his Rods out of his hand as soon as he takes them up The rules of justice are as much unknown to us as the communications of his goodness to his people are unknown to the world 3. Let me ask such a one whether he never injur'd another man and whether he would not think it very severe if not unjust that the offended person should presently take revenge of him If every man should do the like how soon would mankind be dispatcht and the World become a shambles men running furiously to one anothers destruction for the injuries they have mutually received Do we praise the lenity of parents to their Children and dispraise the mercy of God because he doth not presently use his right Is then forbearance of revenge accounted a virtue in a man and shall it be an imperfection in God With what reason can we thus blame the eminent patience of God which we have reason to adore and which every one of us are monuments of The use is Vse 1. Of Information I. How unworthy and absurd a thing is it to deny Providence Some of the Heathens fancyed that God walked his Circuit in Heaven or sat with folded arms there taking no cognizance of what was done in the World Some indeed upon some great emergencies have acknowledged the mercies and justice of God which are the two arms of his providence The Barbarians his justice when they saw a Viper leap upon Paul's hand Act. 28.4 they say among themselves no doubt this man is a murderer whom though he hath escapt the sea yet vengeance suffers not to live The Mariners in Jonah implored his mercy in their distress at Sea yet they generally attributed affairs to blind chance and worshipped Fortune as a Deity For this vain conceit the Psalmist calls the Atheist fool Psal 14.1 The fool hath said in his heart there is no God Potiphar acknowledged it he saw that the Lord was with Joseph and favoured his designs Gen. 39.3 And his Master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all things that he did to prosper in his hand It will not be amiss to consider this For the root of denial of providence is in the hearts of the best men especially under affliction Asah was a holy man Psal 73.13 saith he verily I have cleansed my heart in vain and washed my hands in innocency He had taken much pains with his heart and had been under much affliction v. 14. all the day long have I been plagued and chastned every morning And the consideration of this that he should have so much affliction with so much holiness so strangely puzled him that he utters that dreadful Speech as if he had a mind to cast off all cares about the worship of God and sanctifying his heart and repent of all that he had done in that business as much as to say had I been as very a villain as such or such a man I might have prospered as well as they but I was a fool to have any fear of God Therefore we will consider 1. The evil of denying Providence 2. The grounds of the denial of it by the heathen which we shall find in our own hearts 3. The various wayes wherein men practically deny providence 1. The evil of denying it First 1. It gives a liberty to all sin It gives an occasion for an unbounded licentiousness for what may not be done where there is no government The Jews tell us * Targum Hierosolymit Mercer in Gen. 4.7 That the dispute between Cain and Abel was this Cain said because his sacrifice was not accepted that there was no Judge no reward of good works or punishment of bad which when Abel opposed Cain slew him they ground it upon the discourse of God with Cain v. 7. * Gen. 4.7 8. which had been about his providence and acceptation of men if they did well and punishment of men if they did ill whence they gather the discourse v. 8. Cain had with his brother was about the same subject for Cain talked with Abel and upon that discourse rose up against him and slew him And his discourse afterwards with God v. 9. seems to favour it am I my Brothers keeper Thou dost say thou art the governour of the World it is not my concern to look after him Their conjecture is not improbable If it were so we see how early this opinion began in the World and what was the horrid effect of it the first sin the first murder that we read of after the Sin of Adam And what confusion would grow upon the entertainment of such a notion Indeed the Scripture every where places sin upon this root Psal 10.11 God hath forgotten * Psal 10.11 he hides his face he will never see it He hath turned his back upon the World This was the ground of the oppression of the poor by the wicked which he mentions v. 9 10. So Isa 26.10 The wicked will not learn righteousness he will deal unjustly the reason is he will not behold the Majesty of the Lord he will not regard God's government of the World though his hand be lifted up to strike There is no sin but receives both its birth and nourishment from this bitter root Let the notion of providence be once thrown out or the belief of it faint how will ambition Covetousness neglect of God distrust impatience and all other bitter gourds grow up in a night 'T is from this Topick all iniquity will draw arguments to encourage itself for nothing doth so much discountenance those rising corruptions and put them out of heart as an actuated belief that God takes care of humane affairs Upon the want of this actuated knowledg God charges all the sin of Ephraim Hosea 7.2 They consider * Heb. they speak not to their hearts not in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness As if God were blind and did not see or stupid and did not concern himself or of a very frail memory soon to forget 2. It destroys all Religion The first Foundation of all Religion is first the Being Secondly the Goodness of God in the Government of the World Heb. 11.6 he that comes to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him He is the object of Religion as he is the Governour of the World This denial would shut up Bibles and Temples and bring irreligious disorder
Chron. 20.24 Yet after this he goes on in this way 2 Chron. 20.35 after this i. e. after a reproof by a prophet after ill success in his league after eminent care of God in his deliverance after a signal freeing him from a dangerous invasion in a miraculous way he enters into a league with Ahab's Son as wicked as his Father vers 36. he joyned himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish and after that a third Prophet is sent to reprove him and the Ships were broken vers 37. Here is a remarkable opposition to checks of providence and manifest declarations of God's will as if he would be the commander of the World instead of God Abner's action is much of the same kind who would make the house of Saul strong against David though he knew and was satisfied that God had promised the Kingdom to David 2. In omissions of Prayer One reason to prove the fools denying God's government of the world is that they call not upon the Lord. Psal 14.1 4. The Lord looked down from Heaven to see if there were any that did understand and seek God 'T is certainly either a denying of God's sufficiency to help us when we rather beg of every Creature then ask of God or a charging him with a want of providence as though he had thrown off all care of worldly matters 2 King 1.3 Is it not because there is not a God in Israel that you go to enquire of Baalzebub the God of Ekron Seeking of any thing else with a neglect of God is a denying the care of God over his Creature Do we not in this case make our selves our own governours and Lords as though we could subsist without him or manage our own affairs without his assistance If we did really believe there was a watchful providence and an infinite powerful goodness to help us he would hear from us oftener then he doth Certainly those who never call upon him disown his government of the world and do not care whether he regards the Earth or no. They think they can do what they please without any care of God over them The restraining prayer is a casting off the fear of God Job 15.4 Thou casteth off fear why and restrainest Prayer before God The neglect of prayer ariseth from a conceit of the unprofitableness of it Job 21.15 What profit should we have if we pray unto him Which conceit must be grounded upon a secret notion of God's carelesness of the world such fruit could not arise but from that bitter root But the Prophet Malachi plainly expreses it Malach. 3.14 Ye have said it is in vain to serve God and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance Whence did this arise but from a denial of providence upon the observation of the outward happiness of the wicked vers 15. And now we call the proud happy yea they that work wickedness are set up yea they that tempt God are even delivered Sometimes it riseth from an apprehension that God in the way of his providence dealeth unjustly with us A good Prophet utters such a sinful speech in his passion 2 King 6.33 Behold this evil is of the Lord what should I wait for the Lord any longer 3. When men will turn every stone to gain the favourable assistance of men in their designs and never address to God for his direction or blessing When they never desire God to move the hearts of those whose favour they court as though providence were an unuseful and unnecessary thing in the World It was the case of those Elihu speaks of Job 35.9 10. they cry out by reason of the arm of the mighty but none saith where is God my Maker who gives songs in the night c. none in the midst of their oppressions and cryes under them did consider either the power of God in the Creation as he was their maker nor his providence in the government of the World as he raised up men from low estates and gave matter of cheerfulness even in a time of darkness This was the charge God by his Prophet brought against Asa 2 Chron. 16.7 before the text Thou hast relyed on the King of Syria and not relyed on the Lord thy God herein thou hast done foolishly v. 9. where he sets a relyance on the Creature and a relyance on God in direct opposition In several cases men do thus deny and put a contempt on God as the governour of the World when we will cast about to find out some Creature-refuge rat her then have recourse to God for any supply of our necessities Doth not he slight his fathers care that will not seek to him in his distress This was Asah's Sin 2 Cron. 16.12 in his disease he sought not to the Lord but to the Phisicians The Jews think that one reason why Joseph continued two years in prison was his considing too much upon the Butler's remembrance of him and interest for his deliverance which they ground upon the request he makes to him Gen. 40.14 but think on me when it shall be well with thee and shew kindness to me and make mention of me unto Pharaoh and bring me out of this house I must confess the expressions are very urgent being so often repeated and seems to carry a greater confidence at present in the arm of flesh then in God We do not read that Joseph prayed so earnestly to God though no doubt but being a good man he did Methinks the setting down his request with that repetition in the Scripture seems to intimate a probability of the Jews conceit Or also when we do seek to him but it is out of a general belief of his providence and sufficiency not out of an actuated consideration or when we seek to him with colder affections then we seek to Creatures as if we did half despair of his ability or will to help us as when a man thinks to get learning by the sagacity of his own wit his indefatigable industry and never desires with any ardent affection the blessing of God upon his endeavours When we lean to our own Wisdom we distrust the providence of God 3 Pro. 5. trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not to thine own understanding Trust in God and leaning to our own wisdom are opposed to one another as inconsistent or when a man hath some great concern suppose a suit at Law to think to carry his cause by the favour of friends the help of his money the eloquence of his advocate and never interests God in his business This is not to acknowledge God in thy waies which is the command Pro. 6. in all thy waies acknowledge him as though our works were not in the hand of God Eccles 9.1 This is to take them out of God's hand and put them into the hands of men To trust in our wealth it is to make God a dead and a stupid God and disown his providence in
forth a multitude of Spirits swiftly into the nerves for the supply of the lowest member which runs thither upon the least motion So do the Angels which are Gods Ministers run at the appointment of God and are employed in all the wheels of providence The Spirit of the living Creatures was in the wheels of providence * Ezek. 1.20 1. The highest orders among them are not exempted from being officers for the Church Though they are called Gods Angels in respect of their immediate attendance on God yet they are called mans Angels in respect of the service they do for them Matth. 18.10 Their Angels do alwaies behold the face of my Father which is in Heaven They are not the ordinary sort of Angels only which attend upon those little ones upon young converts humble Souls those little ones in the Kingdom of Heaven but they are the highest Courtiers there such as see the face of God and stand before him A King hath many Servants but not every Servant only the chief of the Nobility stand before him so they are not Angels of the meanest order and rank in Heaven that are ordered to attend the lowest Christian The Apostle makes no doubt of this Heb. 1.14 are they not all ministring Spirits there is no question but they are sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of Salvation He asserts confidently that not one of them is blotted out of the List for this employment Are they not all none are exempted from the service of God so none are exempted from the end of that service which is the good of Believers They are Gods servants but for the Churches good for them which shall be hairs are they not all it is irrational to deny it And they are sent forth every one of them hath his commission sign'd by God for this purpose and not only for the Church in general but for every member in particular for the heirs of Salvation And not only for them which are already called and enrolled but for them who shall be called whose names are written in the Book of Gods election who shall be heirs And they are not only faintly sent as if they might go if they will but they have a strict charge to look after them well not in one or two of their works or ways but in all Psal 91.11 He shall give his Angels charge over thee to keep thee in all thy wayes to bear thee up in their hands lest thou dash thy foot against a stone they are to use all their strength to this purpose to bear them up in their hands As the elder Children are appointed by Parents to have a care of the younger in their works and motions and to use both their wisdom and strength for them The Angels are a guard to secure them here and at last to convey them to their fathers house Luk. 16.22 when a man is in favour with a Prince all the Courtiers will be observant of him 2. Armies of them are employed upon this occasion There are great multitudes of them as Bildad speaks Job 25.3 Is there any number of his armies that is of his Angels when Joel speaks of the heathens gathering together thither saith he Lord cause thy mighty ones to come down * Joel 3.11 A whole squadron of them shall attend upon a gracious man according to the circumstances he is involved in Gen. 32.1 2. And Jacob went on his way and the Angels of God met him and when Jacob saw them he said this is Gods host Regiments of Angels enough to make up an Army for so Jacob terms them met him upon the way to secure his Brother Esau and to encourage him in his journey So some interpret 2 Sam. 5.24 the found of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees The sign of the marching of a Brigade of Angels with the Lord in the head of them for the discomfiture of David's Enemies then shall the Lord go out before thee to smite the host of the Philistines And this they do not of their own heads but by the pleasure of God not only by a bare will but a delight Psal 103.21 Bless the Lord all ye his hosts ye Ministers of his that do his pleasure 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his choicest pleasure he delights to see this his militia upon action 3. Christ hath the government of them to this end for his Church Angels are all put in subjection to him Heb. 2.7 8. In that he put all in subjection under him he left nothing that is not put under him He is exalted above all principality and power God hath put all things under his feet and gave him to be the head over all things to the Church Eph. 1.21 22 all things even principalities and powers are put under his feet to be commissioned and influenced by him for the good of his Church * Ezek. 1.12 Whither the Spirit was to go they went they are ordered by the Spirit of Christ to this purpose Zach. 1.10 Those are they whom the Lord hath sent to walk to and fro through the Earth They are his faithful messengers dispatcht into the World by him as scouts and spies to take notice of the state of the World and to give him intelligence and an exact account of affairs and v. 11. they give an account to Christ Christ is the Head and General of them Col. 2.10 They are his Host alwaies in a warlike posture with Christ in the Head of them Zach. 1.8 upon their Horses which notes readiness to move and speed in motion And as an Host they are said to pitch their tents round about them that fear him and are in a continual conflict with the evil Angels to prevent their designs in the behalf of Christ whom they acknowledge as their head by their worship of him * Heb. 1.6 Christ orders them to take care to seal his Servants in the foreheads that they may be preserved in the storms which shall happen in the World at the time of the ruine of the Romish Papacy Revel 7.2 3. An Angel comes that had the seal of the living God commission of God saying hurt not the Earth nor the Sea nor the trees till we have sealed the Servants of our God in the foreheads 4. The great actions which have been done in the World or shall be done for the Church are performed by them Angels were sent as expresses by God with his great decrees concerning the revolutions of times * Dan. 7.16 Dan. 8.16 And I heard a mans voice which called and said Gabriel make this man to understand the vision An Angel was sent to Daniel with the message of a Redeemer and the clearest prophecy of Christ which the Jews are not able to answer to this day which they most startle at Part of the discovery of the Revelation to John which is as a standing Almanack to the Church was made us by an Angel *
and the Lord said to Moses I have seen this people and blhold it is a stiff-necked people now therefore let me alone that my wrath may wax hot against them and in such terms that one would wonder at Now therefore let me alone As if God did fear Moses's interposition would prevent him and disswade him from it Do not you stand in the way my wrath will cool if you interpose your self as much as to say God could not do it unless Moses gave his consent Moses would not be quiet but pleads the providences of God which had been all for him the promise of God made to Abraham concerning them And he would not leave till God repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people v. 14. If Angels as Calvin saith are Gods counsellours in Heaven Believers are as it were his Counsellors on Earth 5. God has given the choicest things he hath to his people He hath given his Law The Church is the Sphere wherein the light of the Gospel is fixed and wherein it shines from whence its beams do dart out to others Isa 2.3 out of Sion shall go forth the Law The oracles of God the great things of the Law as it is phrased Hosea 8.12 his Covenant and the counsel of his will are intrusted with the Church Now this being a mercy which exceeds all other things in the World is therefore comprehensive of all other as the greater comprehends the lesser And the Psalmist considers it as the top-stone of all blessings for after summing up the Providences of God he shews how God had distinguished Jacob by more eminent marks of his favour Psal 147.19 20. He shews his word to Jacob his statutes and his judgments unto Israel he hath not dealt so with any Nation he hath not left so rich a Legacy to any or given any so much of his heart Others are ordered by the word of his power for that is meant by word in the foregoing verse but Jacob hath the word of his grace too And this being the choicest piece of affection which God hath shewn to the Church implies the making all lesser providences subservient to it The Church wherein God hath laid up his Gospel and those Souls which are as the Ark wherein God hath deposited his Law shall be shadowed with the wings of his merciful providence in a perpetual succession of all true blessings All the providences of God are to preserve his Law in the World his severest judgments are to quicken up the Law of nature in men that know no other and the Law of his Gospel in men that sit under it And he hath given Christ to his Church and thereby hath given an earnest that still their good shall be promoted 'T is not to be thought that God will spare any thing else when he hath given them his Son Secondly The Second thing It must needs be that all providences is for the good of the Church First 1. All the providence of God is for the glorifying his grace in Christ The whole Oeconomy or dispensation of the fulness of time to the latter ages of the World is for the gathering all things together in him Eph. 1.10 that in the dispensation of the fulness of time he might gather together in one all things in Christ both which are in Heaven and which are on Earth even in him In him as their head This was the design in all his dispensations both before his coming and since ever since the promise made to Adam though it be more manifest in the latter Age. This the Apostle represents as the main purpose of God v. 9. This was the mystery of his will which according to his good pleasure he had purposed in himself that is purposed in himself as a thing he was mightily pleased with and ver 11. saith he he works all things after or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 according to the Counsel of his own will or of that purpose which he had purposed in himself to gather all things in one in Christ All the things that God acts are referred to this as their end and ordered by this Counsel as their rule As it was the design of Gods providence to make way for Christs entrance into the World and all the prophecies in the old Testament tended to the discovery of it so since the coming of Christ the end of all is to advance him in respect of his headship Eph. 1.22 23. and hath put all things under his feet and gave him to be the head over all things to the Church which is his body the fulness of him that fills all in all God would advance Christ to the highest pitch v. 21. far above all principality and power both in this world and in the world to come and there is still a fulness wanting to Christ to compleat him not any personal fulness but a fulness belonging to him as Head which is the advancement God designs him He is already advanced above all principality and power He is already given as a Head to the Church but the compleatness of it is not till all his members be perfected to which all his providence in the world doth ultimately tend Therefore if the design of God be to honour Christ and if the spiritual happiness of the Church be part of that Glory and fulness of Christ it must needs be carried on by God else he will want part of his compleatness as a Head But this shall not be wanting since as all things are squared according to that Counsel of glorifying Christ as Head so all things are acted for believers by that power whereby he raised Christ from the grave to be their Head which power is the Copy according to which all acts which respect the Church are framed v. 19. and what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us ward who believe according to the working of his mighty power which he wrought in Christ when he raised him up from the dead God intended the good of the Church in this very act of glorifying Christ for he is made the head over all things to the Church As if God then had prescribed him that order that the glory he gave him should be also managed for the Churches interest Christ is Lord of the rest of the World but Head of the Church All things are under his feet but are not his members He is Head over all things to the Church and therefore to every member of the Church the least as well as the greatest and to the whole Church even that part of it which is on Earth as well as that part which is in Heaven who are compleated This Church is the fulness of Christ he would be bodyless without it therefore since Christ will be a head without a body if the Church be not preserved in order to the preservation of it all things must necessarily concur by the wise disposal of affairs Therefore since they are
Sion his Throne is in the Church when the great things in the World shall be acted for the Ruine of Antichrist * Revel 14.1 Gods Presence in his Church is the Glory and Defence of it As the presence of the King is the Glory of the Court Zach. 2.5 For I saith the Lord will be unto her a wall of fire round about and will be the glory in the midst of her His presence is a Covenant-presence Isa 41.10 Fear not I am with thee be not dismayed for I am thy God whence follows Strength Help and Support I will strengthen thee yea I will help thee yea I will uphold thee with the right hand of my Righteousness that is with my Righteous Power with my power engaged to thee in a Righteous Covenant His Presence and Providence in the World is in a way of Absolute Dominion but in his Church in a way of Federal Relation He is the God of Israel and God to Israel or for Israel * 1 Chro. 17.24 yea and a God in the midst of Israel Every one of them suffficient engagements to protect Israel and provide for Israel and govern every thing for Israels good God is under an Oath to do good to Israel will he violate his Oath tear his Seal break his Covenant who never broke his League with any of his people yet Eightly 8. The Prayers of the Church have a mighty force with God to this end God is entitled a God hearing Prayer and what prayers should God hear if not the prayers of his Church which aim at Gods Glory in their own good Though the prayers of the Church may in some particular fail yet in general they do not because they submit their desires to the Will of God which always works what is best for them When God would do any mighty work in the World he stirs up his people to pray for it and their prayers by his own appointment have a mighty influence upon the Government of the World For when they come before him in behalf of the Church in general he doth indulge them a greater liberty and boldness and as it were a kind of Authority over him then upon other occasions of their own Isa 45.11 Thus saith the Lord the holy one of Israel and his maker ask of me things to come concerning my Sons and concerning the work of my hands command you me God would be more positively confidently and familiarly dealt with about the concerns of his sons though they were things to come to pass in after Ages And indeed the prayers of the Church have a powerful and invisible Efficacy on the great actions and overturnings which are in the World The Being of the World is maintained by them from sinking according to the Jews saying sine stationibus non subsisteret mundus standing in prayer was their usual prayer-gesture And that they have actually such a force is evident Rev. 8.3 4. An Angel hath a golden Censer with Incense to offer it with the prayers of the Saints upon the Altar which was before the Throne And ver 5. the Censer wherein their prayers were offered was filled with the fire of the Altar and cast into the Earth and there were Voices Thundrings Lightnings and Earthquakes When the prayers of the Saints were offered to God and ascended up before him that is were very pleasing to him The issue is the Angel fills the Censer with fire of the Altar and thereby causes great commotions and alterations in the world signifying that the great changes of the World are an answer unto those prayers which are offered unto God for fire is taken from that altar upon which they were offered and flung into the World And it must needs be that the prayers of the Church should have an influence on the government of the World 1. Because God hath a mighty delight in the prayers of his people The prayer of the upright is his delight and he loves to hear the Churches voice Cant. 2.14 O my dove let me hear thy voice for sweet is thy voice Chaldee thy voice is sweet in prayer In the times of the Gospel God promises that the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem should be pleasant to him Mal. 3.4 When Christ shall sit as a refiner v. 3. what is the issue of those prayers v. 5. I will come near to you to judgment and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers c. Prayer awakes providence to judge the Enemies of the Church A Parent delights not in the bare crying or the voice of his Child simply considered in it self but in the significations and effects of it He delights in the matter of their prayers it being so agreable to his own heart and will and in the sence they have of the sufferings of the whole body 2. Because Prayer is nothing else but a pleading of Gods promises Unto this they are directed by that Spirit which knows the mind of God and marshals their petitions according to his will Now as God turns his own decrees and purposes concerning his Church into promises to them so the Church turns those promises into prayers for them So that promises being for the good of the Church and there being an exact harmony between those promises and the Churches prayers all those providences which are the issue of those promises and the answer of the Churches prayers must needs be for the Churches good 3. Because there are united supplications and pleadings both in Heaven and Earth all the hands of the whole Family in Heaven and Earth are concerned in their petitions 1. Christ intercedes for the Church who alwaies desires mercy and deliverance for them in the appointed time Zach. 1.12 How long wilt thou not have mercy on Jerusalem and the issue is alwaies gracious For v. 13. God answers him with good and comfortable words and thereupon Carpenters are raised to cut off the horns which had scattered Judah v. 20. 2. Angels in all probability plead for the Church as we have already heard 'T is likely they offer and present that to God which makes for his glory and that is the good of the Church Angels surely desire that which their Head doth which is * Zach. 1.12 described as one of their own order and called an Angel Do they rejoyce at the repentance of a sinner and do they not likewise triumph at the happiness of the Church which is part of that Family they are of And we know that the greatness of our joy is suted to the mercies of our desires where our joy is most triumphant it implies that our desires before were most vehement 3. Glorifyed Saints are not surely behind The rich man in the Parable desired his Friend on Earth might not come into that place of torment * Luk. 16.28 If there be so much charity in Hell can there be less in Heaven If he desired it that by the presence of his Companions in sin his
own torments might not be increased Do not the Saints in Heaven desire the presence of the whole Church that there happiness in that of the whole body may be compleated If the Head Christ be not compleat without the body the members of the body cannot be compleat without one another The Souls of them that were slain for the word of God cry under the Altar for vengeance on them that dwell on the Earth as Revel 6.9 and 10. How long O Lord holy and true dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the Earth Will not their kindness to their fellow-members be as strong as their justice And their love for the good of their friends draw out their prayers as well as their desire of vengeance on their Enemies Why may they not as well pray for us as we praise God for them Had they not some likeness to their great Master whilst they were on Earth and shall they not be more like to him now they are in Heaven and behold his face and feel all the stirrings of his heart And if they have no sence at all of the Churches sufferings how shall they be like to him who hath As their bodies shall be like the glorious body of Christ at the resurrection are not their Souls now like his glorious Soul merciful and compassionate and sympathizing in all the afflictions of the Church and can this be without some breathings for a full compleating of the Churches freedom Are such desires and pleas any hindrance to their present happiness 'T is so far from that that it doth rather further their glory which cannot be compleat as the glory of Christ as head is not mounted to the highest pitch of glory till his mystical body be all gathered in and lodged with him If it be thus will God do any thing prejudicial to the Church and contrary to the combin'd desires of all those that are so neer him If God doth sometimes stir up himself upon the supplication of one man and grant an order upon his petition according to his mind and if the prayers of one faithful Moses or Elias or Samuel have such a kind of Almighty power in them much more is the joynt force of so many prayers twisted together Use Vse 1. For information Is it is so that all providence is for the good of the Church Then The Text. 1. God will alwaies have a Church in the World he will have some to serve him The whole course of his providence being designed for it As long as the world which is the object of his providence doth endure he will have a Church God would otherwise lose the end of the motion of his eyes the operation of his providence since it is to shew himself strong for the Church and every member of it As long as the candle and light of the Gospel burns and shines God will have a candlestick to set the candle in * Cham. les trais verit liv 3. Chap. 1. p. 16. His great design in making a World was not to have Sun Moon and Stars but a Church a company of men that might bear his mark and honour him to whom he might speak and extend his grace abroad which he was so full of within As a Limner who would draw an excellent draught draws his design in the midst of the cloth and fills the void places with clouds and landskips and other fancies at his plea-sure which communicate some beauty and lustre to the work But that was not the principal design of the Workman That redeemer which bears the Church upon his heart will create a stability for it 't is a part of his Priestly Office to have a care of the Lamps 'T is one of his Titles to be he that walks in the midst of the Seven Golden Candlesticks * Revel 2.1 Priests under the Law were to look to the great Candlestick in the Temple supply the Lamps with Oyl and make them clean * Levit. 24.3 4. Chap. 27. 20. Chap. 30. 8. The Church indeed may be eclipst but not extinguished if it be not conspicuous on the mountain yet it shall be hid in the Wilderness There shall be sprinklings of professors among all people God will leaven the places where they are into Christianity and cause them to fructify and grow up in purity and glory * Micah 5.7 And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many people as a dew from the Lord as the showers upon the grass that tarrieth not for man nor waiteth for the Sons of men It tarries not for man It attends not the power of man the precepts of man or inventions of man but whose descent is from Heaven and is carried on not by humane power but by the divine Spirit and providence It shall be firmer then all worldly power and the strongest Kings Isa 2.2 And the Mountain of the Lords house shall be established upon the top of the Mountains and shall he exalted above the hills Above Mountains and Hills to which sometimes the powers of the World are compared Zach. 4.7 Zach. 4.7 That providence which gave the Church at first a footing in the world upon a weak foundation to outward appearance in spight of Men and Devils will preserve it and not suffer it to be blown up he will shadow the Church with his wings in a perpetual succession of the choicest mercies 2. God will in the greatest exigencies find out means for the protection of his Church This will be till his providence be at an end When God hath removed one instrument of his Churches protection he hath his choice of others whom he can raise and spirit for his work When those upon whom the Churches hopes hang are taken off he can raise things that are unlikely to supply the place As the Lutenist accidentally had a Grasshopper leapt upon his instrument to supply by its noise the place of a string which had newly crackt whereby his Musick was continued without interruption God can Spirit men against their own natural fears It was very improbable that Nicodemus one of a fearful disposition who came to our Saviour by night for fear of the Jews should have the courage to assert his cause in the face of a whole counsel of Pharisees contriving his death and at present blunt the edge of their malice though we read of none at that time in the counsel to second him * Joh. 7.50 51. The holy Ghost takes perticular notice that it was he that came to Jesus by night Joseph of Arimathea whose name we meet not with in the Catalogue of any of our Disciples till the time of his death and then he appears boldly to beg the body of Jesus of Pilat God will never want instruments for the preserving that Church which he owns as his 'T is observed by some that God so ordered it that the same day that Pelagius the great poysoner
And when Abraham returns from the Victory v. 16. the rest of the delivered Captives are mentioned in the bulk Lot only in particular As though all that had been done had been done by God only for Lots sake They might have preserved the whole Prey to themselves had it not been for this Jewel too precious in Gods accompt for their Custody And the fearful Curse that God pronounced against the Ammonite and Moabite that they should not come into the Congregation for ten Generations though any of them turned Proselytes was because they came not out with so much as Bread and Water to meet the Israelites and because they hired Balaam to Curse them Deut. 23.3 4. The utter wasting of Nations and Kingdoms is because they will not serve the interest of God in his People Isa 60.12 For the Nation and Kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish yea those Nations shall be utterly wasted God will bring an utter Consumption upon those people that refuse to love them much more upon those that hate them 6. What esteem then should there be of the Godly in the World The Providence of God being chiefly for the good of his People cannot well fall upon them but some drops will fall upon those involved with them in a common interest When the Corn and Wine and Oyl hear Jezreel the Seed of God and the Earth hears the Corn and the Heavens hear the Earth and God hears the Heavens * Hos 2.21 22. When their supplications come up to the great Superintendent of the World many of the Wicked will fare the better for that Providence which is given only in answer to Jesreels Prayer God causes his Sun to shine upon the unjust upon them not for their sakes When Nebuchadnezzar issued out that unjust order for the slaying the Chaldeans for not performing an impossible command in telling him the Dream he had forgotten Daniel was sought out to undergo the same fate Yet by his Wisdom God bends the heart of Arioch the Executioner of this Decree to stay his hand * Dan. 2.12 Daniel goes to the King God stayes Nebuchadnezzars Fury and moves his heart to give them time The Providence is chiefly intended for the preservation of Daniel and his Godly Companions but the rest of the wise men have the Benefit of it As the water with which a man waters his choicest Plants and Flowers in his Garden is intended only for them yet some falling off from those Flowers refresheth the Weeds that grow under them If God had not had such flowers as Daniel and his Companions the Weeds in Chaldea had been plucked up Yet the ungrateful World takes no notice of the benefits they receive from this Salt of the Earth which preserves them and to whom they are all so much beholding Lot had been the occasion of restoring Zoar from Captivity as I mentioned before Gen. 14.8 for the Inhabitants of that City were engaged with those of Sodom in the Fight against the four Kings And the King of Bela the same is Zoar And perhaps were carried Captives with the rest of their Neighbours And it had been saved from the Flames which fell upon Sodom meerly by Lots prayer Gen. 19.21 See I have accepted thee concerning this thing that I will not overthrow this City for the which thou hast spoken yet he found them a surly people and was requited with a rude reception notwithstanding his kindness verse 30. He went up out of Zoar for he feared to dwell in Zoar It was not likely he was so distrustful of God that he should overthrow it when he had absolutely promised him the contrary Therefore most likely for some churlish threatnings from them Nay Sodom it self was beholding to him for a small respite of the Judgment intended against them For God tells him he could do nothing till he were come thither * Gen. 19. And it was so for Lot was entred into Zoar before a drop of Brimstone and Fire was rained down upon Sodom * Ver. 23.24 Then the Lord rained upon Sodom when when Lot was entred into Zoar This good the Wicked World get by Gods People is so evident that sometimes wicked men cannot but take notice of it Laban a selfish Idolater was sensible of it Gen. 30.27 I have found by experience that the Lord hath blessed me for thy sake It was a Lesson so legible that he might have learned it sooner than in fourteen years The Church is the chief object of preservation wicked men are preserved for their sakes as Dung is preserved not for its own sake but for the manuring a fruitful field and Thorns in the Hedge are preserved for the Gardens sake 7. 'T is then a very foolish thing for any to contend against the welfare of Gods People 'T is to strive against an Almighty and unwearied Providence Men may indeed sometimes be suffered by God for holy ends to have their Wills in some measure upon the Church but not altogether They must first depose him from his Throne blind his eyes or hold his Arm. 'T is as foolish as if a worm should design to dig down a Mountain or Chaff to Martial it self in Battle Array against the Wind or for a poor Flye to stop the motion of a Milstone 1. 'T is foolish Because it is exceeding sinful What is done against the Church is rather done against God than against it Since all her Constitution Worship Observances are directed to God as their ultimate end so that to endeavour to destroy the Church is to deny God a Worship deprive him of his Sanctuary break open his House Ravish his Spouse cut off Christ's Body rob him of his Jewels and will be so interpreted by God at the last upon the scanning of things If the Church be Gods house the Enemies shall answer for every Invasion every forcible Entry for the breaking down the Gates and Bars of it God will sue them at last for dilapidations 2. Very unsuccessfull Shall God be afraid of the multitudes and power of Men No more than a Lyon or a young Lyon roaring after his Prey when a multitude of Shepherds are called forth against them shall he be afraid of their voice or abase himself for their noise * Isa 31.4 Noise and Clamor is all they can do and that not long The fierceness of the Lyon quickly scatters them The Associations and mens girding themselves against the Church is but a preparation to their own Ruine Isa 8.9 Associate your selves together oh ye People and ye shall be broken in pieces three times repeated Your Counsels saith he shall not stand against that presence of God that is with us For God is with us 3. It is very Destructive too God will not alway be still and refrain himself he seems to do so for a while but when he doth arise he will destroy and devour at once * Isa 42.14 he will make but one morsel of them