bloud better spirits better dispositions and better carriages in those that are true and genuine English towards God his wayes and people then now there are if former times were oftener thought upon and O that all the Saints would much and often reflect upon what they were compared with what they are in a spiritual and Gospel account that you would remember often what you were and how nigh unto the pit and place of silence when recovering grace first took hold upon you Consider that misery in which we were all involved through the first Transgression under which we might truly speak the words of my Text Vnless the Lord had been our help our soules had everlastingly dwelt in silence And that I may the more provoke mine own heart and others to a due and to a thankfull acknowledgment of that rich and singular grace I shall enforce it with these three Considerations 1 Consider The danger we were all exposed unto by the breach of the first Covenant 2. Consider What sad distractions the sence of this danger brought forth in our soules at our first awakening 3. Consider How unexspected and how welcome grace and mercy were then unto us under all our sad fears and horrours Consideration 1. For the First Work home upon your hearts a right sence of the danger we all were exposed unto by the breach of the first Covenant Note which I shall exemplifie in these words That man by nature is borne within an hairs breadth of Hell upon the very brink of the pit so that except Divine Grace had contributed saving help unto him by Jesus Christ he would have tumbled from the womb into hell Nothing but grace free grace mere grace and rich Grace hath preserved man from sliding into the bottomless pit From nature to grace and from grace unto glory is lost man's journey home again The journey is long and man's leggs are weak and not able to go it Mr. Lokier in Coll. 1.13 p. 18. and therefore God doth bear him from the one to the other and transferre him all along Observe the road You will finde none going that way but in Christs armes It is with man in an estate of nature as with an Infant in swathing bands laid upon the sharp ridge of an high building or upon the edge of a steep precipice who without some hand to stay it would soon roul down and dash it self in peices The Holy Ghost takes this resemblance of an Infant Ezek. 16. to set forth the helplesness of man in his lapsed estate That he was cast forth in the day he was born no eye pitying of him that when he lay in his bloud c. the love of the Lord was manifested who out of pure love and mere good will spread the skirt of his garment over him and said unto him Live The Apostle Paul doth excellently comment upon this Text in Rom. Chap. 5. Ver. 6. where he sayes when we were yet without strength Christ died for us How fitly doth this comport with a new born Infant who hath neither strength to work nor power to secure its own life from eminent and approaching danger The word signifying weak or strengthless and wherefore did Christ die for strengthless sinners what moved the Lord Jesus to receive that dreadfull charge of wrath from God and man The just to suffer for the unjust why when they lay in their bloud their time was a time of love from the Eternal Father Vers 8. God commendeth his love unto us in that whilest we were sinners Christ died for us Jesus Christ came upon the Errand of his Fathers love that cup which his Father put into his hand to drink was brimmed up with his love to sinners Bernard Oh! Ama amorem illius Love that love of his and never leave meditating thereon donec totus fixus in corde qui totus fixus in cruce Until whole Christ be fixed in your hearts who was fastened on the Cross But if you ask as some proud Justiciaries have done What needed all this affection in the Father and all this affliction on the Son I answer The necessity of sinfull man required all this to keep him out of Hell I. Reasons Reason Because man in his naturall capacity is under the first Covenant as he hath his standing in the first Adam Now Rom. 3. ver 20. The Apostle speaketh plainly that by the deeds of the Law there shall no flesh be justified in the sight of God not they who were Jews by nature no more then they who are sinners of the Gentiles Gal. 2. ver 15 16. and Gal. 3. vers 10 He concludes positively as many as are of the works of the Law are under the Curse confirming this Thesis with a double Reason 1. Because Every one that continueth not in all things written in the book of the law to do them is cursed for which Assertion he quoteth Deut. 27.26 Here 's an Obligation of Individualls to Individualls every person is obliged to every precept yea to continue in the doing of them the word signifying to stand firme like a foursquared stone in a building without jetting or jogging a hairs breadth out of its place and that under penalty of the Curse His 2. Reason is this Because The just shall live by his faith Hab. 2. vers 4. The spring of spiritual and eternal life is in Jesus Christ John 14. vers 19. Because I live ye shall live also The life of grace is derivative from Jesus Christ and Faith fetcheth both the Comforts of spiritual and Assurances of Eternal life from the same fountain and now that all men in their natural estate stand in the first Adam and in the first Covenant and so are liable unto condemnation is clear in many Scriptures Rom. 5. from Vers 12. to the end takes in both II. Reason Because man in a state of nature is under such an impotency and weakness which rendereth a perfect obedience unto the Law of works impossible unto him He was so wounded and weakened by his fall his bones were so shattered and broken and out of joynt that there remains no strength at all in him as suppose a man should fall from an high scaffold upon the hard stones and suppose his life should by a providential miracle be preserved yet his leggs and armes and back-bones and all should be broken and disjointed a total dislocation of all bones Alas what strength would there be in this man for labour what service would he be able to perform he would not be able to stirre hand or foot to do any work thus was it with man in his fall upon a spiritual account it was an exceeding high tower that he fell from he was seated in an estate but a little lower then the Angels placed in Paradise created in a state of holiness and innocency bearing the image of his maker drawn out in lively characters upon his soul all which speak his primitive and first estate
THE SAINTS Dangers Deliverances and DUTIES Personall and Nationall Practically improved in severall Sermons on Psalm 94. ver 17. Useful and seasonable for these times of Triall By Nathanael Whiting Mr of Arts and Minister of the Gospel at Aldwinckle in Northamptonshire Gen. 35.3 Let us rise and go up to Bethel and I will make there an Altar unto God who answered me in the day of my distress and was with me in the way which I went And Verse 7. He built there an Altar and called the place El-Bethel London Printed for Nathanael Ekins and are to be sold at his Shop at the Gun in Paul's Church-yard 1659. To the Right Worshipfull Sr. WILLIAM FLEETWOOD Knight the Right Honourable Sr. GFORGE FLEETWOOD Baron of Swonholme in SWEADLAND and Lieutenant General of the King of SWEADLAND's Army there and to his Excellency CHARLES Lord FLEETWOOD Lieutenant General of the whole Army in ENGLAND and Scotland and one of his HIGHNESS Privy-Council Noble and Honoured I Am taught by the best Teacher the Holy Ghost not to forsake mine own friend and my fathers friend the Authority of which advice hath a great influence upon me being under the direct Aspect of it therefore do I own your antient and obliging favours in this publick Address under this hope That good wine will taste never the worse because presented in a wooden cup nor Truth lose any of its rellish because served up in an earthen dish If any charge blame upon me because I have not observed the Rules of Honour in the ordering of your names according to your Titles of Honour and standings in the world my Reply is this I pretend not to skill in Herauldry nor is it my business to dispute Titles I have therefore set Eliab in the Front because I may not give away the Honour of Primogeniture from Manasseh seing he hath not with Esau sold nor with Reuben lost the excellency of dignity He still weares with Zarah the scarlet thread upon his hand though his younger Brethren have broken forth and gotten the Precedency Besides though I owe much to your Honours I am much yours yet I am more your Brothers and my Obligations more to him which I must owne and I am sure such is your Justice that you will not entrench upon the right of other men much less upon your Elder Brothers And if your Honours be not offended why should others Again If any take offence that I preface this Treatise with Three Hnourable Names one of which would have been an honour to a more polite and elaborate Discourse my Answer is this When I had designed this Piece unto the Press I knew none whose Experiences could more fully comment upon the Subject treated on then your selves Your Preservations have been many and signal at home abroad by land by water few persons have had such remarkable Deliverances as you have had and few Families can instance in three Brethren who can give forth narratives of such notable and numerous Escapes as you can give And therefore seing you have equally shared in the marvellous Protections of a good God I am bold to make this Application to you All in which I do humbly Remember you of engaging mercies that the sence thereof may be awakened in you that like that Persian Monarch you may often read over your Diaries gather up your memorable preservations own the Lord in them and by suitable actings improve them to his glory The improvement of Mercies makes them to be Mercies indeed Then are the appearances of God glorious when they are visible and may be known and read of all men in our noble and vigorous actings for God What life for God was in old Jacob how did he purge his family set up Religion erect an Altar at Bethel and all this by way of thankfull return to the Lord who answered him in the day of his distress and was with him in the way which he went And how bravely did King David draw up after the Presidency of that noble Patriarch when he sate in his house seriously reviewing his former frights and flights his Dangers and Distresses his Banishments and Battels comparing them with his present peace safetie and honour and considered from what hand he had received all that good he took up a resolution to build an house for the Lord that the Arke of his presence might no longer dwell within curtains He often looked down upon the cave of Adullam and Engedi the wilderness of Ziph and Maon his straits at Gath his dangers at Keilah his fears at Ziglag c. even then when God had set him on high upon the Throne of Israel and Judah these reviews kept his heart in a warm and and lively frame for God Ah! How little of David's spirit is to be found in England even amongst many who have largely experienced David's mercies how seldome do many review their hazzards and heart-terrours their tears and fears dangers and deliverances how have the tides of worldly pomp peace and pleasures washed off the Sculpture of personal and national mercies in most mens hearts Oh 't is sad and sadly to be lamented The Lord give you with Caleb another spirit that seing he hath given you not onely a safe but an Honourable standing after such amazing dangers with liberal advantages of doing and receiving good your Honours may follow the Lord fully you may act up more and more to the Presidencies proposed that you may not move in too narrow Orbes but shew forth largeness of heart according to the largeness of Gods mercies towards you that like starres of the greater magnitude you may cast abroad your warming and prolifick Influences that all neighbouring persons and places may be the better for you and your selves much the better in your spirits for God I am not ashamed Right Worshipfull to tell the world how ancient and how affectionate a Moecenas you have been to me that I received many encouragements from you when I was student in the Universitie how ready I have alwayes found you to lay forth your power and Interest for me how freely and speedily you placed me at Aldwinckle and how much I have found the favour of a Patron and the affections of a friend I might go higher for the space of many yeares which is much considering what hard measure some good Ministers have found from their Patrons though good men in these times of difference both upon a civil and Religious account and indeed I think it to be ingenious whatever others think and well comporting with the standing of a Minister whilest the jus praesentandi by a Law is vested in Honourable hands as to own God in his providential disposure so to acknowledge the favour of man in that Liberty he obtaines to do his Master's work Sure I am this was a mercy which some godly and gifted Ministers did long want whilest the Episcopal Monopoly lasted and long waited for yea after all their waiting could hardly
deliverance are cut off from them 7 1. This calls for much thankfulness from those Saints who have met with smiles and not frowns from an indulgent God 8 2. This stirrs up the bowels of rejoycing Christians to pitty their mourning brothren ibid. Observ 3. That the appearances of the Lord are eminent and immediate to the help of his people in the day of their distress 9 Gen. 21. vers 17 18. insisted upon in 5 particulars 10 11 12. The truth evinced in 5 Considerations Consideration 1. God sometimes leads his people into straits therefore he is engaged in point of honour to fetch them off 13 14 Consider 2. Sometimes the Saints meet with hard measure from men because they are faithfull in that business which is commanded them by God therefore there is much Equity in it that God should stand by them 15 Consid 3. It is the great designe of God to give real testimony of his hearty good-will unto his people therefore he engageth high for them in their greatest straits 16 17 Consid 4. God will lay great Obligations upon his people to love and trust him therefore he commands deliverance for them 18 Consid 5. The Lord will frustrate all the hopes of the wicked who look for the destruction of the righteous therefore he comes in fully and seasonably to their help when their enemies say God hath forsaken them 19 20. From these Considerations we may draw these Inferences by way of Information 1. That the Saints are a people of Gods special care 21 22. 2. That the Saints are a people of Gods special love 23 24 25 Eccl. 9.1 answered in 5 particulars 26 27 28 29 3. That the sinnes of Saints are circumstantiated with highest aggravations 30 31 32 4. That Infidelity and dispondency of spirit in an evil day is il-becoming the Lords people 33 34 35 36. 2. Some things are propounded by way of Caution 1. Take heed of rashly casting your selves into danger under the protection of this Doctrine 37 38 2. Beware of abusing this Doctrine by slighting lawfull means of preservation when offered 39 40 3. Take heed of laying too great a burden upon a creature-bottome 42 43 4. Beware of abusing providenciall preservations by a neglect of those duties we owe to God as our returnes for signall mercies ib. 44 45 46 47 The third use of Exhortation 48 1. To some particular persons in distinct capacity 49 1. To the Magistrates who are entreated 1. To consider the out-stretchings of Gods arm for them Ibid. 2. To consider what an honour God hath put upon them 50 3. How God hath been a shelter unto them when both their persons and their power were struck at and from hence excited 52 53 1. To bring forth Covenant-duties as a return for Covenant-mercies ibid. 2. To lay out themselves in the suppression of sin and wickedness 54 3. To countenance and protect the good people of the Land 55 2. To the Ministery who are desired to consider 1. Our share in National preservations 56 2. The present freedome we now enjoy 57 3. What yoaks hath been upon us ibid. 4. What oppositions we have met withall ibid. 5. What short Allowances some good Ministers have had for their great pains 58 6. How not onely Ministers but Ministery hath been shot at by men of bold and daring spirits 59 60 Which Considerations do bespeak us from the Lord 1. to pitty our poor Congregations especially the un-converted in them 62 2. To be painfull in all our callings ibid. 3. To carry it with tenderness one towards another in cases of smaller difference 63 4. To press after purity in Doctrine and worshipps 64 5. To breathe after unity in judgments and affections 65 3. To Military men 1. To consider their inexperience and unskilfulness in warlike matters when the Warr first broke out 66 2. To consider how low their spirits were at their first taking up armes ibid. 3. What Midianitish Armies for multitude they have encountred with 67 4. What personal preservations they have had in the heat of war ibid. 5. The great things which the Lord hath wrought for them and by them 68 Hence these duties are commended 1. Not to sacrifice to their own nets 69 2. To own the Lords people who have owned them 70 3. To be humbled for acts of violence and injustice permitted or practiced by them 71 4. To quicken up their first zeal for God his truth waies ministry and people 72 73 4. To Mariners and Sea-trading men 74 Psal 107.23 24. opened and enlarged upon 75 76 5. To the recovered ones of the Nation whom the Lord hath brought off from beds of sickness 77 78 1. That they would own with thankfulness the mercies of the Lord. 79 Considerations to quicken up to thankfulness 1. The disease was Epidemical ibid. 2. It seized upon men suddenly 80 3. It was violent ibid. 4. It was weakening ibid. 5. It was languishing 81 6. It was inevitable ibid. 7. It was mortall to many in many places 82 2. That they would make good their sick-bed thoughts and purposes ibid. Hezekiahs case stated and his example propounded 2 Chron. 32.25 83 84 85. 3. That they would commune with their own hearts to finde out those particular sinnes for which the Lord hath afflicted them 87 Severall sinnes pointed at as introducent of sickness ibid. 4. That they would consecrate their lives unto the Lord which they have received 1 Pet. 4.2 opened in some Particulars 88 1. That the time of mans abode in the flesh is fixed and determined by the Lord ibid. 2. That Whilest man lives to the lusts of men he lives not according to the lawes of his Creator 89 3. That he onely lives to the Lawes of his Creation who lives up to the will of God 90 Three Conclusions drawn from Acts 13.36 1. That the best and choicest Saints are not exempted from service 91. 2. That the great God commands his servants not onely to work but to do the work of their Generation ibid. Quaest How shall we know the proper works of our generation 93 Answ In some particulars 94 95 96 5. That they would get their hearts tinctured with an awfull fear of God 97 1. From the Consideration of his Power 98 2. From the Consideration of his Goodness 99 3. From the Consideration of his wrath uppon others ibid. Question Why should the Saints fear the wrath of God Answ 1. They see the provoking nature of sin ibid. 2. They see the dreadfulness of Gods wrath ibid. 3. They know that they are not exempted from common calamities 100 6. Labour to make sure of heaven 101 The second part of the exhortation 1. in a mix'd sence referring both to temporal and spiritual Preservations in some Particulars 102 1. To perswade the Lords people to keep up memorialls of the Lords mercies ibid. 2. To communicate and impart them unto others 103 104 105 106 Psalme 66. enlarged upon From whence is observed
That 't is a duty by way of special incumbency to commemorate and vommunicate the vouchsafements of the Lord unto them ibid. Arguments to perswade to this Duty 1. It will bring a Saint into more heartacquaintance with God 107 108 109. 2. It will more draw out the heart in love unto God 110 111 3. It will more strengthen faith 112 113. 4. It is a notable friend to Religion 114 Gen. 35. opened in some Particulars ibid. 1. That Family-Reformation lies by way of special care and duty upon the Governours of it 114 115 2. That it hath a great tendency to the promoting of Religion when Master and Family walk together in the wayes of God 116 117 3. It administers great hope of much good when Inferiours obey their Superiours command and call to Religion and family-Reformation 128 119 120 4. That great Deliverances lay great Obligations upon Governours to act high in personal and family-Reformation 121 122 2. The pure spiritual part of the Exhortation speaks in three particulars 1. It exhorts to make enquiry whether you are delivered from wrath and misery to come by Jesus Christ 123 1. To clear it up that you are brought home to God 124 125 2. How and when the Lord brought you home to himself 126 127 2. To quicken up your hearts to duty in all heart-deadness and damps of spirit 128 Canticles 5.3 4 5. Hos 8.5 7. insisted upon 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136. 3. To be much in the sense of Grace received 137 138 139 140 141 142. Three Considerations to provoke unto thankfulness for grace received Consid 1. The danger we were all exposed unto by the breach of the first Covenant 143 144. From hence is inferred That the necessity of sinfull man required that Christ should dye ibid. 1. Because man is under the first Covenant as he hath his standing in the first Adam ibid. 2. Because man in a state of nature is under such weakness and impotency which renders a perfect obedience unto the Law of works impossible unto him 145 3. Because as man stands in the first Adam and in the first Covenant he is a Childe of wrath ibid. 146 1. This shews the Saints how little they are beholding to old Adam for their spiritual comeforts and attainments 147 2. This shews us That eternal life is the free gift of God by Jesus Christ 148 149 Ten short considerations to prove this 150 3. This confuteth that opinion which advanceth corrupt nature into the throne and makes it at least co-partner with Christ in the great work of Salvation 150 4. This shews the dangerous estate of all men whilest in a state of nature and unregeneracy 152 153 Consid 2. Consider what sad distractions the sense of this danger brought forth in you at your first awakening 154 155 Consid 3. Consider how welcome and unexspected grace and the good news of a Saviour were unto you in those bitter agonies ib. 156 157 Hosea 6.1 2 3. opened 158 159 From whence we may draw this Inference That the sence of recovering and relieving Grace is of excellent advantage to a Christian 160 The truth whereof is evinced in 3 particulars 1. It makes him live best to God ibid. 2. It makes him live best to himself ibid. 3. It makes him live best to others ibid. That he will live best to God appears 1. Because he will live most by faith upon God 161 2. because his heart will be drawn out more in love unto God 162 163 3. Because he will live most in thankfulness unto God 164 165 Psalm 103.1 2 3. spoken to ibid. 4. Because he will live most to the glory of God 166 167 2. That he will live best to himself is evinced 168 169 1. Because he will live most off from sin 1 Cor. 6.13 14 15. urged 170 171 2. Because his heart will be more fixed for God 172 173 Some Observations suiteable to our times drawn from Ezek. 34.5 6.174 175 176 3. Because he will live best to his own comfort 1. In Prayer 2. In Hearing 3. In receiving the Sacrament 177 178 179 180 4. This will give him comefort in every estate 181 1. In breaking afflictions from God ib. 2. In battering temptations from Sathan 182 1 Pet. 5.10 11. opened in five Particulars 183 3. In the sense of approaching death in 2 Particulars 184 1. It prevents a two-fold distemper an overmuch hoping for life and an overmuch fearing of death 185 2. It fills the soul with ravishing comefort under the assurance of a blessed eternity 186 3. A sober and serious Consideration of grace received will make a Saint live best to others 187 1. By encouraging young Converts 188 189 2. By supporting weak believers 190 191 3. By way of comfort unto others 192 1. In the black day of Persecution in Three Particnlars ibid. 193 194 2. In the sad hour of temptation 195 Job 2.7 ibid. 3. In the dark day of spiritual dissertion 199 200 201 202 4. In the bewailed want of the spirits witness to Sonship and Adoption ib. 203 204 205 4. By way of advancing Religion in the place where he lives 206 The Saints are the best neighbours 207 1. In communicating to the outward wants of the poor ibid. 2. In procuring the blessings of God upon the Families and places where they live ibid. 3. In diverting or delaying of Judgements impending 208 4. In lengthening out the day of Gods Patience to the prophane world 209 5. In promoting the Conversion of their carnall neighbours 210 Considerations to stirr up Saints to endeavour the Conversion of sinners 211 112 213 214 Consid 1. It is a matter of great well-pleasingness unto God 215 Consid 2. It is an honour to Jesus Christ 216 Consid 3. The Providences of God which have gone over the Nation ib. 217 Consid 4. That we ought to do unto others what we would have others do unto us 218 219 Consid 5. That what your carnal neighbours are you were 220 Consid 6. That it is a piece of good friendship to your selves 221 1. It is an high point of spiritual good husbandry ibid. 2. It makes much for your personall safety ibid. 3. It makes much for your personall comfort 222 4. It layes a good foundation for posterity 223 224 5. It hath a tendency towards your everlasting comfort 225 Prov. 7.30 compared with Dan. 123. 126. Six positions laid down 127 Consid 7. That bad men are very active and industrious to gain over others to their bad Principles and worse Practises 229 Proverbs 1.10 11. opened in some particulars 129 230 231 The 4Vse by way of comfort and encouragement in 4 cases 1. When Church-affairs do meet with a dark and gloomy day 232 233 234 2. When the Saints are under sufferings for the name and in the cause of Christ. 235 236 Some further grounds of comfort offered 237 1. That God will stand by you in the day of your suffering because your
have work done by every servant he will not suffer idle drones to live in his family he will not allow any lazy loiterers to sleep within the walls of his vineyard he doth not keep any idle Serving-men in his house no he appoints them all to labour and 't was well if the patterne of God's house was observed if the Lawes of his family were executed by our Great Ones much sin would be prevented which is nursed at the breasts of idleness nay places of great eminency are no exemption from Gods work The nobles of Tekoah have a brand set upon them because they put not their necks to the work of the Lord Neh. 3. ver 5. And the Lord puts this as the highest mark of honour into the scutcheons of his greatest Saints that they were his servants Moses my servant my servant David c. Matth. 25. ver 20 21. He that received five talents traded and at the day of accounts his labour was not onely honourably accepted but gloriously rewarded entrance was granted unto him into his Masters joy 2. That Gods will is and must be the only rule of our work The Master expects as to have his work done so to have his own orders and directions observed in the doing of it to neglect the work of the Lord and to do it cross to divine order is equally sinful Vzziah died upon the place for touching the Ark and Vzziah was stricken with the leprosie for attempting to burn incense upon the Altar of incense both which expresly thwarted the appointment of God It was the peoples sin to eat the Passeover otherwise then it was written 2 Chron. 30.18 Therefore David in the person of the Lord Jesus joyns both together Psal 40.8 I delight to do thy will yea thy law is in my heart as the standard by which I work and our Saviour writes vanity upon the forehead of all service which is performed to God upon the single authority of man without a warrant under Gods own hand for it Mat. 15.9 In vain do they worship me teaching for doctrines the commandments of men what bundles of vain worships are layed upon Gods Alter by the Pontificians And how ought we to be humbled also for the vanity of many services which have been performed by us in this Nation 3. That the great God commands us not onely to work but to do the work of our own Generation David served out his own Generation he did the work which was allotted by the Lord to him in that particular age he lived in which was to fight the Lords battels to subdue the enemies of his Church settle the Nation in peace establish the worship of God provide for the service of his Sanctuary and prepare for the building of the temple these were the works of his Generation in those 2 capacities of Prophet and King and therefore the holy Ghost engraves this Epitaph upon his sepulchre which shall not be defaced so long as the world endures that David served his own generation by the will of God Instances of like nature the Scripture affords many Quest But the great Query is How shall we know what are the proper works of our Generation Answ I answer much of this nature hath been offered by learned and judicious Divines in severall Treatises and though they have not been so harmonious as was defired in their judgement as to the manner yet they have agreed in one as to the matter Indeed repentance toward God and faith towards our Lord Jesus with those generall duties of Religion which are comprehenhended under these two heads none deny or dispute except some of prophane or perverted spirits and judgements and that things of order and Government in the Church should be reduced to the Primitive Pattern and Practice few of sober and Orthodox principles do oppose yea most desire and surely that this is the generation which God hath called forth to act in these transactions may be spell'd if not legibly read in the dispensations of his providence towards us I do not set up providence as a standing rule to work and walk by when it is either crosse unto or receives not approbation from the written word for that was to perswade the Traveller to sleep all day when the sun shines bright and clear and to take his Journey in the night when the starres do onely twinckle and the wayes are dangerous and difficult to find mistakes have been sad and many of this kind Numb 14. ver 40 41. the mistake of Gods minde in that dreadfull message ver 39. occasioned the slaughter of many men for the people apprehending that God was offended with them for not going up to take possession of Canaan rose up early in the morning and gat them up unto the top of the mountain saying Lo we be here and will go up into the place which the Lord hath promised for we have sinned and what followed why their attempting to invade their enemies under this mistake cost them many of their lives Thus did Saul mistake the mind of the Lord 1 Sam. 23. ver 7. when it was told him that David was come to Keilah presently he infers that God had delivered him into his hand for sayes he he is shut in by entring into a town that hath gates and bars but it proved otherwise Yea Davids men would have put him upon the same mistake chap. 24. ver 4. when Saul came into the cave to cover his feet where David and his men lay hid they presently conclude behold the day of which the Lord hath said unto thee behold I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand that thou maist do to him as it shall seem good unto thee A like passage ye have chap. 26. ver 8. when David and Abishai came into Sauls army by night and found them all fast asleep not a Sentinell waking and Saul asleep also Abishai said to David God hath delivered thine enemy into thine hand this day now therefore let me smite him I pray thee with the spear unto the earth at once and I will not smite him a second time but David durst not slay the Lords Anointed under the protection and warrant of this providence as the following verses declare because it would have been an expresse violation of Gods will Instances of this nature might be multiplied But now when the speakings of God in his works run in a paralell line with the speakings of God in his word when they fall in with his revealed will they do then safely interpret the mind of God and are a good glosse upon the text both as to the quod and quando of a duty shewing that it ought to be done and that then is the time for the doing of it thus Abraham when he had received a prohibition from heaven not to sacrifice Isaac and beheld a ramme caught in a thicket by the horns interprets the mind of God by that providence and offers up the ramme in
it a meer humane constitution but it is the institution of the great Law-giver so that to fail in the duty is a transgression of his law and fastens guilt upon the soul And sure 't is the Saints wisdom to take heed of sin and to comply with the whole minde of God Deut. 32.7 8 9. observe also Psal 78.5 6. He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel which he commanded our fathers Here is a law established and a commandment given to inforce the observance of it here 's the people pointed out upon whom the obligation of this law taketh hold and here 's the explanation of this law what it imports to wit That they should not hide but shew forth the wonderful works which the Lord hath done and that not onely to their brethren whose lives might probably be finished as soon as theirs and so the remembrance of those great things might dy also but to their children who according to the course of nature might live to celebrate the memorial of them when their carcasses were mouldred unto dust As the great works of God are not usually the work of one generation onely but begun in one and compleated in another so God would not have them be the wonder of one generation onely he would not have one age wear out the remembrance of those great deliverances upon which he hath laid out so much of his wisdom power mercy goodness justice c. Therefore their children must know them nay the children which were yet unborn must hear of them nay it must not stay here but even they must stand up and declare them to their children and so a careful remembrance must be kept up of mercies by a succession of ages until time be swallowed up into eternity much of the Passeovers institution had an eye to perpetuate the memoriall of Israels Exodus out of Egypt so the golden pot of Manna the twelves stones set up at the brink of Jordan and many other things were the appointment of God as standing records of some glorious mercy which fully speak forth the mind of God that he would have his people report his acts of kindness and good will unto them O then be exhorted to the practice of this duty the fruits it bringeth forth are very precious 1. Fruit. It will bring a Saint into more acquaintance with God the soul hereby comes to a more experimental knowledge of God when he beholds the banner of love displayed over him and considers those precious attributes of mercy goodness wisdom and power which were engaged for him in the day of his distress Oh! this begets more heart-familiarity and makes a servant of the Lord more earnest in his enquiries after God as it is among men when a man is brought into great straights either for estate or life and a stranger takes pity on him and through many difficulties procures safety and diliverance for him Oh how great a sence of this kindness will be upon the spirit of an ingenuous person how will he be often speaking of it and the more he thinks and speaks of it the more earnestly will he desire to know the man that hath done such great things for him Just so it will be with a good man when he hath been in a necessitous condition knew not what to do nor which way to turn him Refuge failed him no man cared for his soul he looked on his right hand and beheld but there was no man that would know him as was Davids case Psal 142.4 Nay farther his brethren were far from him his acquaintance utterly estranged his kinsfolks failed him his familiar friends forgot him his own servants counted him for a stranger Nay his breath was strange to his own wife as was Jobs case Job 19.13 14 15 16 17. when a Saint hath been brought to these exigents and then the Lord hath come in brought him off with his own arm hath brought salvation to him Oh what a sence of mercy will this beget How will a Saint awak his glory to speak of this How will he bewail his ignorance of God and follow on to know the Lord How will he press after a most inward acquaintance with the Lord who hath done such great things for him when Moses was fled into Midian and beheld the flaming bush on mount Horeb Exod. 3.3 He said I will turn aside and see this great sight why the bush is not burnt he contemplated the power and omnipotency of God in it and what farther meaning the Lord had in that great miracle and when the Lord had spake with and commissioned him to bring the children of Israel out of Egypt he enquires into the name of that God who proffers so far on the behalf of an afflicted people vers 13. and would not sit down untill God had told him that his name was I AM THAT I AM or I will be what I will be Eheieh being the same with Jah and Jehovah which imply First Gods perfect absolute and simple being in and of himself Secondly Mr. Leigh 2. book of his body of Divrnity page 133. Such a being which giveth being unto other things and upon whom they depend Thirdly Such a God as is true and constant in his promises ready to make good whatsoever he hath spoken nay when Moses had been upon the mount with God forty days ank forty nights And the Lord had spoke unto him face to face as a man speaketh to his friend Exod. 33.11 yet having experienced so much the power and wisdom of God and having brought forth the children of Israel by so many signs and wonders out of Egypt and all by the immediate commands and communications of God himself he could not rest in that knowledge of God he had already attained but goes higher vers 18. And beseecheth God to shew him his glory he would not stay a little until he came to heaven which could not be long his glass being now almost run out but he would have a full vision of God in all his glory here he would know all and a great deal more then frail man was capable to know of that God from whom he and his people had received such glorious such eminent deliverances Oh sure if people did more observe and count over the mercies of God Personal and National there would not be such a dedolent ignorance of God as there is God would not be such a stranger in our hearts houses towns and countries Ah how many houses may a man come into nay how many towns may he rid through and meet with very few that know any thing of God to purpose or that can give any considerable account of him though his appearances of late have been so glorious amongst us Oh that of Israel is sadly true of England Isa 1.3 The Ox knoweth his owner and the Ass his masters crib but Israel hath not known my people hath not understood The Lord heal this
would observe the boundaries that the Lord himself hath set betwixt a called Ministery and a Christian Laity that in your undertaking of this great charge you would be much and earnest in your addresses unto God and be faithfull in discoursing over experienced mercies from God If you meet with sinners that are hardened in their wayes obstinate wilfull and sermon-proof tell them so it was with you I doubt not it hath been some of your cases but when the Lord came in upon you by the thorow convictions of his Spirit he awakened your consciences to such a sight of sin and sence of wrath filled your soules with such terrours from the Law and softened your hearts with such a shower of Gospel grace that you were immediately humbled broken and brought in you threw down your weapons begg'd a parly and submitted to the Lord Jesus You found such a strange and secret work upon your hearts that you cryed out with Saul Lord what wilt thou have me to do Acts 9. ver 6. and Ephraim-like Though you had been as a young bullock unaccustomed to the yoke yet now the Lord hath turned you and you are turned Jer. 31. ver 18. and tell them thus it will be with them if ever they have a conviction unto Conversion God will break their stomachs soften their iron sinews subdue their Gospel-enmity and give them a spirit of holy compliance with his blessed wayes and will and that God can bring forth this work in their hearts though obstinate and obdurate as well as he hath brought it forth upon yours and then they will be of another mind however at present they stand it out with that boldness and daringness of spirit against Law and Gospel If you meet with sinners whom the arrows of the Lord have wounded his Spirit hath throughly awakened and his Word hath filled with such sad apprehensions of sin and wrath that they cry out with them Acts 2. vers 37. Men and brethren what shall we do or with the Jaylour Acts 16. v. 30. Sirs what must I do to be saved tell them this was your case tell what methods of mercy the Lord used to the healing up of your wounds and to the quieting of your consciences that so they may be encouraged to the use of Gospel-means and to an hope of the same grace and goodness of the Lord towards them If you meet with as you will with many proud presumptuous Formalists that fill their sails with vain hopes of Salvation without any saving change wrought upon them without any inward principles of life light planted in them or without any lively Acts of Faith Repentance Self-denial Mortification c. put forth by them tell them this was your case you had the same perswasions you were such foolish Virgins and that then you thought your penny as good silver for heaven as the best deriding the precise Puritan and scoffing at the power of Godliness but when the Lord opened your eyes and shined into your soules with a beam of saving light you soon discovered your Errour how you had built upon the sand that your Infant-baptisme was but sand your outward Priviledges were but sand your Formal Profession was but sand yea all you built upon was but sand so that had death and Judgment like windes and waves forcibly beat upon your house it would certainly have fallen and you had been ruined to all eternity but now you have digged deep and laid your foundation sure upon a rock you have built upon a new foundation for heaven now you finde a new creation wrought in you now you mourn over those sins which formerly you made your selves merry with now you contest against those lusts which formerly you cherished now you are broken off from those lewd Companions with whom you were formerly bound up in wayes of sin now you act faith upon Jesus Christ for the pardon of sins rejoyce in him and have no confidence in the flesh Phil. 3. ver 3. Now you are convinced that grace is the onely way to glory and that without holiness no man shall see God Heb. 12. ver 14. you now owne Religion in all the duties of it love the Ordinances which formerly you loathed delight in the society of the Saints which formerly you derided maintain communion with God in the Spirit which formerly you mocked at and that now The God of hope hath filled you with peace and joy through believing Rom. 15. ver 13. and you find Christ in you the hope of glory Col. 1. ver 27. Pursue this method as the Lord puts opportunities into your hands and as you meet with new cases suit your experiences according to what you have been and now are and I doubt not you will finde encouraging success for though I honour the word I hope as much as any as having the greatest authority upon the consciences of men and as being the great instrument of new birth especially when it is faithfully dispensed by faithfull messengers Jesus Christ giving a clear proof of his speaking in them 2 Cor. 13. ver 3. yet certainly Christians as such though they do not invade the ministerial Office nor loosen one stone in that partition wall which Christ hath raised up with his own hands betwixt a called Ministery and converted Layity may be instrumental to much spiritual good among their carnal relations It was much that the Church did towards the gaining over the daughters of Jerusalem by her commendatory oration of Jesus Christ Cant. Chap. 5. For. Chap. 6. they put the question Whether is thy beloved gone Oh thou fairest among women whether is thy beloved turned that we may seek him with thee The woman of Samariah did much in ripening those fields which began to be white unto the harvest John 4. ver 28 29. compared with ver 39. Surely when the experiences of believers do run in a paralel line with the words and as counterpains do bear a full testimony to the truth of it men give a more willing entertainment unto it when they hear Christians affirm what Ministers assert men listen more after it Oh then break your pitchers that your candles may shine and give lights to the world Phil. 2 ver 15 16. holding forth the word of eternal life unto others in your several standings and capacities relative and religious And give me leave to lay down these considerations by way of inducement unto you Consider Con. 1. That the conversion of a sinner is a matter of great well-pleasingnesse unto God Isa 53. ver 10. it is termed the pleasure of the Lord ve-caphets Leigh Crit. Sacr. the will of the Lord that which he wills with greatest pleasure and delight it notes the highest content that may be to wit delight which is the intention and strength of affection hence Isa 62. ver 4. the Church is called Hephzibah that is my pleasure in her the parables of the lost sheep and lost son do fully evidence this