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A64957
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A covert from the storm, or, The fearful encouraged in times of suffering from Rev. 2. 10 : fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer ... / by Nathanael Vincent ...
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Vincent, Nathanael, 1639?-1697.
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1671
(1671)
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Wing V404; ESTC R6000
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63,594
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154
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heightned by Satan who endeavours what he can to impresse fear upon them He represents their approaching sufferings in the most amazing forms to their imaginations He tells them it will be sad to be the scorn of all that look on them to be counted the filth of the world and the off-scouring of all things Sâ—tan tells them it will be sad to have their goods spoyled their houses taken from them or leveld with the ground to see their Families undone and pined with extremity of wanâ— to feel in their own persons the hand of violence especially when sinful compliance may prevent it The Devil buzzes in their ears nothing but Dungeons shackles swords axes faggots stakes furious flames and thus endeavours to fright them out of the way of righteousness And 't is not unusual when such dreadful things are represented to their imaginations to assault their faith and to pester them with unbelieving and blasphemous injections against Christ and his word endeavouring to make them question the certainty and truth of that glorious life and immortality which is brought to light by the Gospel 2 Tim. 1. 10. And if these thoughts of infidelity are not watched and prayed against they will dead and overwhelm the heart and prove of a very sinking nature The Lord therefore is to be intreated to rebuke Satan who by such blasphemies strikes at his honour as well as at our safety and peace 4. Add also That Grace in believers is imperfect and therefore fear is the more incident There is much of corrupted as well as renewed Nature and corrupted nature sides with Satan to affrighten them that so they may cast faith and a good conscience over board to keep the Vessel from drowning and secure themselves In the second place I am to shew The unreasonablenesse of this fear in the Saint Now the unreasonableness of it will be abundantly evinced by these arguments 1. Let us compare the mightiest enemies of the Saints with him who is their helper Their adversaries may be mighty but their Helper is Almighty If the everlasting strength of the Lord Jehovab were but considered fear would be ashamed of it self in those that belong to him and are protected by him Believers enemies take the very proudest and strongest of them in comparison of God are but Nothing less than nothing and vanity Isa 40. And is it not unreasonable to be afraid of nothing and more unreasonable to be afraid of less than nothing O ye Saints remember what a power is for you whose hands uphold you even the very same that doth uphold all things Your enemies themselves are in Gods hands they cannot live or move or act without him they are but weapons in his hand which cannot strike one blow more than he sees needful to be given you all the wounds which they make shall be healing and by all their instruments of death they shall but push you forward and hasten you along in Heavens way And if your mighty God rebuke these persecutors presently they must stoop and bow and fall down before him He can tye their hands nay take away their breath when he listeth and when their breath goeth forth and they return to their dust all their thoughts and designs against you will perish their envy and revenge will be come to an end when once the vengeance of God which is the vengeance of hell fire hath taken hold of them The Grave and Hell will keep them far from ever molesting of you more 2. Let a comparison be made between the craâ—tinesse of believers enemies and their Gods wisdome The Lord knows the thoughts of man that they are vanity He sees their projects and knows how to frustrate their designs That 's a notable place Job 5. 12 13. He disappointeth the devices of the crafty so that their hands cannot perform their enterprise he taketh the wise in their own craftiness and the counsel of the froward is carryed headlong The Lord is wise enough not only to deliver us but also to take the Politicians in their own craftiness He looks and laughs at the plots of Rome and Hell to undermine his Kingdom and that which they intend as a support to the principality of darkness shall prove its downfall and Sion shall be built on Babylons ruines Solomon sayes there is no wisdome nor understanding nor counsel against the Lord Prov. 21. 30. And by very good consequence there is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against his people why then should his people fear If one wise man were able to defend a little City having few men in it against a great King that came against it and besieged it Eccl. 9. 14 15. Surely in the wisdome of the Lord who is only wise whose understanding is infinite there may be strong confidence 3. Again Compare the hatred of the Saints enemies with the love which the Lord bears them Great is the hatred of the world greater is the hatred of the Devil but oh by infinite degrees greater than either than both is the Love of God The Love of God to believers is very tender draws out his care towards them 't is a love that is unchangeable and so vast as passes all dimensions and understanding Therefore they may be emboldened and conclude that this love will be ten thousand times more beneficial than the hatred of any creature can possibly be injurious In the loving kindness of God there is very great security Psal 5. 12. For thou Lord wilt bless the righteous with favour wilt thou compasse him as with a Shield Our enemies indeed may be many and may hate us with cruel hatred but their hatred can no more equal the love of God than their strength can vie with his most glorious power 4. To shew the unreasonableness of the Saints fear let this be considered That this God whose power and wisdom and love are thus beyond compare is ever with them Fear thou not sayes God by the Prophet for I am with thee Isa 4. 10. He is not out of the way when his people want him he is a present help in the time of need The Saints need not go far to seek their God he fills the earth as well as heaven and is alwayes ready to shew himself strong in the â—ehalf of those that trust in him The Lord is alwayes within hearing his eye is upon the righteous and his ear is open to their cry Psal 34. 15. He besets his people behind and before and layes his hand upon them surely their faith may conclude since God is so near them and does beset and fence them that they are in safeguard 5. The Lord hath engaged by an everlasting Covenant to be their God What or why therefore should believers fear Be not dismayed for I am thy God in that forecited place Isa 41. 10. The Lord stands nearly related to the Saints now 't is certain that Relation though 't is minimae entitatis yet 't is efficaciae
A COVERT FROM THE STORM OR The Fearful encouraged in Times of SUFFERING FROM Rev. 2. 10. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer behold the Devil shall cast some of you into prison that ye may be tryed ye shall have tribulation ten dayes be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a Crown of life By Nathanael Vincent a Preacher and Prisoner of Jesus Christ and written during his close confinement when few could come at him but his God who yet abundantly made up the want of other company London Printed in the Year 1671. To Him that is Higher than the Highest and will shortly come to judge the world in righteousness Most Mighty Lord A Prisoner approaches to thy footstool and not without some confidence because he is confiâ—ed not for evil doing but for well doing That which men account his crime thou hast made his duty and by doing this he hath incurred their displeasure but he hopes he hath avoyded thine He was willing to cast the Net over a great many that the more might be taken and by being taken set indeed at liberty He was desirous that the Subjects of thy Kingdome might be multiplyed therefore he spake to such great multitudes and he verily thinks however men may censure it thou dost not call it Rashness or Zeal not according to knowledge Since thou hast commanded thy Messengers to go into the High-wayes and as many as they find to bid to the Marriage Since thou layest an injunction upon them to preach the Gospel to every creature surely thou 〈…〉 r didst intend their compassion and care should be confined to a very few Oh therefore that every Five of them that hear thy voyce and follow thee might be increased unto so many thousands Thin Congregations are a lamentable sight Let them therefore fly as a Cloud and as Doves to their windows Incline the hearts of Magistrates to pity and moderation let their Sword be drawn only against those that are Malefactors truly so called not against such as would fain be at work for thee and turning many unto righteousness Convince them that 't will be the design and desire of a godly Ministry to make their Hearers better Subjects to their earthly Rulers as well as to the King of Saints Thy Prisoner who is in this Gate-house during thy will and pleasure earnestly Petitions for his liberty He deserves to be laid aside but desires to be used he would fain have the Prison Dore open to let him out but is a great deal more earnest to have the Pulpit dore open to let him in that he might again be preaching of thy Gospel He longs to be warning the secure who see not the Sword drawn out against them to be stopping the madmen who are making such hast to eternal destruction to be inviting the miserable to mercy the lost unto a Saviour Where is thy zeal thy strength O Lord and the sounding of thy Bowels and thy mercies are they restrained Oh pity immortal Souls that are going to Hell by Droves and in some places the Pastours are so far from hindring that being exemplary for loosness and impiety they go before them to perdition Thy Prisoner blesses thee that ever he had the honour to be in bonds for thee The worse of thee even thy Cross is not at all to be disliked The enlargments of his heart have been greater then when he was at liberty his peace hath been more perfect Thy presence is so sweet that he would go to any place to have more of it Thou hast given in that grace which is glory begun he confidently believes this Gaol will make him more meet for the glorious liberty of thy Children and that he shall praise thee for ever for what he hath endured Thy Servant can say it with boldness before thee that he honours the Authority thou hast set over him he hath put others in mind to be subject to Principalities and Powers to be ready to every good work and remembers it is his own duty to be thus subject Only he hath preached contrary to the Magistrates Command because thy Command is so express for preaching and thou pressest it upon Pastours as they love thee to feed thy Lambs to feed thy Sheep Oh thou dreadful and heart-searching Judge cause the integrity of thy Noneonforming Servants to shine so bright as to break through all unreasonable prejudices Let their righteousness be brought forth as the Light and their judgment as the Noon day that that severity may be at length ashamed of it self that 's used towards them Oh hasten hasten thy second appearing that the secrets of hearts may be discovered and that it may be made manifest before men and Angels who have worshiped thee the rightest way who most have sought thee and least themselves Thy Servant being taken off from preaching was willing to be some way beneficial to thy Church therefore his Pen hath been going when his tongue could not And if souls are edified and encouraged if thy Kingdome and Name and Glory be any way by this Writing advanced then the highest end will be attained which is aimed at by him who is not who would not be his own but by millions of Obligations is engaged to be Thine Eternally Nathanael Vincent TO THE READERS Especially those that were wont to be his Hearers Readers NEed Arguments be used with the toss't in a tempest to put into an Haven or with the pursued by the avenger to fly to a Sanctuary Their danger is the best Rhetorick to perswade them to that which is for their own security And if your danger were more deeply and rightly apprehended you would hasten to the Lord whose Name is a strong Tower and who hath promised to be an hiding place from the wind a covert from the Tempest as Rivers of water in a dry place and as the shadow of a great Rock in a weary Land Isa 32. 2. The Devil hath great wrath because he knows he hath but a short time We in this latter age of the World must expect more furious assaults from him because the day of Judgment unto which he is reserved is hastning His instruments are enraged and drive on furiously But what is all their force and power to the strength of that Almighty Lord who if you leave to him and trust in him hath covenanted to uphold you How inconsiderable is their anger when your believing thoughts have dwelt a little upon his kindness and compassion Be not affrighted at the Cross of Christ 't will when felt and sweetned be found no more a burthen to you than wings are to the Bird flying in the air or Sails to the Ship cutting through the Sea 't will be a means to mend your pace and make you run swifter in your Race towards the Prize of the high Calling of God If your Lord had not known the easiness and usefulness of his yoak he would never have required