have every day a piece so greatly was he beloved of God that even when all the City was in want and he hated of all in the City yet was he provided for now these and the like examples of Gods kindnesse towards his people in such distresse may imbolden us to suffer with patience seeing God is the same he was and as carefull over his people as ever formerly and will assuredly relieve those that are in distresse if they doe but truly confide in him Suppose two men were to goe to prison or to such a place where they were sure to finde want of all things the one he knowes of a friend that will relieve him in necessity and therefore he with better heart and more comfort enters the undelightfull place the other he knowâ— of none that will at all help be his want never so extreem and therefore sorrowfully enters and with bitter griefe undergoes such unwelcome wants It is even thus with Gods people and ungodly men with men that have faith and unbeleeving persons those who trust in the Lord they feare not to heare of famine they know of a friend who will one way or other relieve them 1 King 17.6 the ravens shall feede them if men will not or cannot in prison they shall have bread when men that have liberty shall want pulse shall make them fat and faire Dan. 1.15 when others shall idye because they cannot undergoe hardnesse one handfull of meale shall hold out to preserve them when full barnes shall waste and be empty in a word 2 Kin. 17.14 Psal 34 1â— they know that God will provide for them and therefore they feare not but considently and constantly relye upon him On the contrary wicked and unbeleeving men in time of dearth know of no succour 2 King 6.27 if the Barne floore or the Wine-presse faile them they are at a stand they know not which way to turne themselves and so the very thought of famine terrifies them and to undergoe it seemes intolerable therefore I say let us put our confidence in God and consider what favour other of Gods servants have had in such distresses and let that worke in us an assurance of Gods favour towards us and then having that assurance we shall be ready to undergoe with patience this or the like calamity Againe if none of these forenamed judgements do molest us but that the Lord hath decreed that we shall be destroyed by Forraine Foes let us pray night and day to the Lord to keep them from us or led Captives from our own land to strange places 1 Pet. 1.11 c. to prepare to suffer this patiently os paroimois c. Vita nostra eleganter dicitur paroimia id est Peregrinatio nam Deus nobis hic Domicilium non habitandi sed commorandi de dit let us remember that we are but strangers and pilgrims here on earth we no continuing * Heb. 13.14 city here we are not now at home but even while here we live we are in a strange Countrey where onely for a while we must abide to endure afflictions that we may have algreater desire to be fetched home to that city above which is the mother of us all have we any more to doe then holy men before us have had and they counted the time which they spent upon earth but as a pilgrimage and themselves as strangers in the earth what assurance or title soever they had of or to what they did possesse therefore we are no more now to strangers all places are alike they can be as well content in one place as another Gen 47.7 12.10 Heb. 11.13 should it not then be so with us although we should be driven or carried away our God is in all places and to him we may have free accesse in all places seeing in every place those that lift up pure hearts and hands to God Sapiens ubicunque est perigrinatur are accepted his watchfull eye of providence lookes upon us in all places and he is ready to assist all that call upon him with necessaries therefore what need we care whither we be carried if God have so decreed that it shall be so for let us not doubt but he will provide for our safety even in greatest extremity Psal 90.1 let us not feare but he that gave Jeremiah favour in the sight of his enemies Jer. 40.4 so that in a time of generall captivity he had free liberty â—o goe whither he would and likewise Gen. 39.4 Dan. 2.48 caus'd Jeseph and Daniel to finde such favour in strange landâ— that they were advanced to places of trust and dignity and in the time of the greatest bondage blessed his people with all manner of blessings in a strange land Exod. 1.7 but the same God will provide for us likewise if we put our trust and confidence in him as they did for the Lord hath alwayes a speciall care over his servants chiefly in the time of dangers so that how ever it goe with the wicked it shall goe well with them To be briefe let us take the words speken to Ebedmelech as spoken to us and that may cause us stand firme against all approaching danger Jer. 39.16 17 18. But yet perhaps it may seem an hard thing to be borne with patience to many to see strangers enjoy their labours lands houses and what was theirs and they themselves either be as slaves to them or forced to fly for their owne safety or carried by force to places where there is no hope of safety This indeed may seeme hard to flesh and bloud therefore let all men as I before shewed endeavour to draw their love and delight from them and withall consider that of all we do possesse we are but tenants at will and shall we not be as well content to suffer the Lord to doe what he pleaseth with his as that our temporall Landlords should dispose of theirs as they please it is nothing to us to whom an owner of land lets or gives it why therefore should we repine at what the Lord doth The earth is the Lords and the fulnesse thereof he may therefore dispose of it as he pleaseth which thing seriously considered of should teach us to lay our hands upon our mouthes and not murmure though all we had we taken from us and given to others But againe if it should be so leâ— us consider to further and procure in us patience to endure it that we are not alone in such a condition but even the dearest of Gods children have been in the like Abraham Gen. 15.13 the Father of the faithfull had a Land promised to his seed for an inheritance but it was possessed by strangers foure hundred years before they enjoyed it nay in the most of that time they suffered hard and cruell bondage in Egypt David by the Lord was chosen King of Israel but he lived in exile
and against all meanes oft-times he brings punishments upon the ungodly and wicked men For even in the day time wicked men meete with darknesse and grope at the noon-day The Sun he causes to loose his brightnesse and the cleare day its light in vaine can any expect safety if he walke in his evill wayes for with the froward God will shew himselfe froward and to those that walke contrary to him will hee walke contrary for what is man that he can strive against God For if he were never so strong he could not be free seeing God can if he pleaseth meet with him in any place at any time upon any occasion This Doctrine the Prophet taught the Jewes when they thought because one judgement was past that then they should have lived in safety for ever nay saith the Prophet Rejoyce not thou Palestina Isa 14.19 because the rod of him that smote thee is broken for out of the Serpents root shall come a Cockatrice and his fruit shall be a fiery flying Serpent So that though one judgement were taken away yet should they not be free for as much as two in its roome more fearefull should follow in vaine should they expect immunity for out of the root of one plague should spring another untill they should be consumed utterly from the face of the earth And it is no marvell that he hath such store seeing it is he that created darknesse and evill if there were no punishments apparent he could presently bring them for why he can produce them from nothing Isa 45.7 when men think the coast is cleare and there is no dangeâ— neere nor feare of any when they cry Peace peace then shall sudden destruction come upon them as upon a woman in travell and they shall not know which way to escape This the Jewes found to their woe the Egyptians had raised the Siege from before Jerusalem and all the Army of the Caldeans were gone so that there was no danger feared or expected Jer. 37.10 But what saith the Prophet If saith he ye had smitten all the Army of the Caldeans so that there had remained no more then wounded men yet should they burn this City with fire for as it is as easie for him to save by many as by few * 1 Sam. 14. â— Si Deus statuit homines perdere quamvis nemo sit hostis posse tamen solo statu eos omnes inte fiâ—ere Cal. preâ—ect in Jer. So is it as to destroy by few as well as many For he that could turn away the Assyrians from Jerusalem alone could likewise strengâ—hen a weake Army to destroy it when he pleased but though they were not a ware of it yet did he bring again the same Army which they least feared for no doubt but they were little or nothing affraid of the Army of the Caldeans which was chased from them and yet that danger came the soonest upon them for thus somtimes the Lord meets with men and againe sometimes quite * See an example of this in the hystory of Serpents contrary for sometimes when men seeme to be afraid of a judgement and therefore prepare against it because they thinke nothing can hurt them but onely that which then they fear perhaps before they be aware some other falls on them which they least expected Thus in a manner iâ— befelâ— those Israelites that came from Egypt with Moses they cry'd out against him and Aaron that because they brought them from Egypt into the Wildernesse their children and their little ones would all bee destroyed in the Wildernesse but quite contrary it fell out to them For Deut. 1.39 saith the Lord those little ones which you said should bee a prey c. they shall goe in thither and they shall possesse it but as for ye turne c. Verse 40. We ourselves in this Land may by experience know this for we once suppos'd and fear'd that Forreigne foes by invasion might worke our ruine and to this end prepar'd our Ships c. but now * And now perhaps he may destroy us by them contrary to our feare quite contrary to the expectation of most though indeed alwayes feared by some God hath met with us by sending a spirit of dis-unity among us which is now like without Gods especiall mercy to worke our utter destruction I might therefore shew how he hath somtimes feared a place with one plague and punished it with another but what hath beene spoke may shew sufficiently his variety c. For who can number his armies Job 25.3 saith Job he hath so many none can tell the number of them And yet besides all his visible judgements and the Earth the Sea and all things in them are ready to excute his command the Heavens the Stars c are all at a becke to doe what he pleaseth he hath an invinsible Army consisting of twenty thousand charets nay even thousands of Angels who are without number Psal 68.17 Dan. 7.10 therefore who can but assent to this truth that God hath variety of punishments to inflict upon wicked men c. Which yet will more manifestly appeare if we consider how he hath met with men in those places where they expected safety and where it was thought no feare could come nay which were so strong or free shot that it was thought impossible for any harme to enter from which It was thought troubles were so far that they were reforted unto by men to take delight in even in those places I say God hath oftentimes vexed men with unaâ—oydable misqâ—ies Thus he met with those rebellious Jews who notwithstanding they were fore-warn'd would needs go into Egypt because as they thought there they should neither see nor feele any evill but even there contrary to their expectation the Lord threatned evill should finde them out The sword saith he that you feared shall overtake you there in the Land of Egypt Jer. 42.14 15 16. and the famine whereof you were afraid shall follow close after you into Egypt and there ye shull dye And the very like doth another Prophet threaten against those who expected help or deliverance from Egypt Isa 30.3 The strength of Phraoh shall be your shame and the trust in the shadow of Egypt your confusion Even there where they hoped to finde comfort and by whom they expected deliverance there they sound sorrow and they became a snare unto them and their hopes not onely failed but they were in a worse condition then otherwayes they would have been in for they on whom they leaned did not onely breake out wonnded them And indeed it befalls many times thus to men that fly from danger they finde worse entertainment then they departed from Those five Kings that warred against Joshâ— Josh 10.16 24 25 26. thought they had been past danger when they escaped from the Field and fled into a cave at Makkedah but destruction followed after
the Lord may no more speake unto us after that manner Exod. 20.20 or in such terrible sort but rather by our actions say with those godlesse men When will the day of the Lord come Let it make haste that wee may see it Isa 5.19 c. which doth evidently demonstrate unto us that as yet we are in the number of those stubborne ones for whom the Lord hath many fearfull plagues in store And as our fearlesse carriages so our untameable actions notwithstanding of Gods judgements threatned and executed doe testifie to our faces that we are as yet a stubborne and rebellious people even surpassing men and places of extreme wickednesse Idolatrous Ahab a Tyrant and a brazen-fac'd Varlet at the denouncing of judgements against him by Elijah at the length humbled himselfe in sackcloath and ashes 1 King 21.25 26 27. Ionah 1.2 3.5 6 7 c. and became some what like a repentant Nineveh a wicked city and a place of all manner of heathenish Idolatry pride and oppression c. yet at the preaching of Jonah repented and no doubt but for a while they somewhat amended of their former courses But we have not onely plagues denounced and threatned against us but for our abominations executed upon us and yet have not we left our evill wayes nay not so much as humbled our selves for them but still look as high as ever and oppresse and tyrannize over the poore and guinde their faces by extortions and squeeze them like spunges to fill our owne bottles and proudly presume upon our owne wayes to follow them at our pleasure without controllment but in very deed such deeds as these will proclaime us wicked and will cry loud unto the Lord to cause him arise to heare the sighings and teares of the needy Psal 12.5 and come down in wrath upon us to deliver them and in the meane time while we retaine them unrepented of we may assure our selves that by them we are liable to other of Gods judgements which he hath in readinesse to powre downe upon us when he pleaseth Againe â—â—uly it is a token of small amendment when men after they have been corrected still proudly and undecently carry themselves towards the people of God and such as desire to live blamelesse amidst a crooked and froward generation I wish by examination wee could finde none such among us but there stands need of no candles to sâ—arch in corners for them seeing they are assoone to be found as flyes in Summer for daily wee may hear them railing upon nick-naming scornefully using and deriding such whose care exceeds the common sort in religious performances and what is this but a mocking of God himselfe and shamefully making it appeare that yet our hearts are estranged from the truth and that our love is yet far short of what the Lord requires towards himselfe or people for while we thus despise our brethren whom we do see how can we love our God whom we see not Alas 1 Iohn 4.20 it iâ—â—â— câ—â—â—pity that the forme corrections which we have had have wrought no more love in us or how ever have no better reformed us but that as yet we should make mocking stocks of those whom God loves O me thinkes the woefull effects that followed Ishmaels mocking of holy Isua should have deter'd us from this sin Gen. 21.9 much more when we had both his example and Gods judgements to affright us but still I say it hath not but as much bitternesse and hate is against them as ever as little love or affection to them as ever as much striving to defame them as ever as much mocking them for their holy performances as ever therefore assuredly thiâ— sin among the rest will be a further provocation to cause the Lords wrath to arise to send some other plagues besides those we have already felt upon us And if we looke againe upon our wayes by unpartiall examination we shall finde unthankfulnesse for our deliverances which God hath wrought for us among the rest of our sins which can never escape without further punishment the Lord hath in some good measure caus'd our enemies to fall from among us and hath let us see our desires upon them in a word the limbs of Antichrist are cut off and brought into subjection as much or more with us then in any place of the Kingdome yet we forget to rejoyce with an holy joy Rev. 18.20 because God hath avenged us of them or to ascribe or render salvation and glory and honour and power unto the Lord our God whose judgements are true and righteous Chap. 19.1 2 and who hath judged the great Whore and her adherents and hath avenged the bloud of his servants at her hands this wee have so fane neglected to doe that some among us are sorry it is done and few I feare esteeme of it as such a blessing as indeed it is which cannot chuse but be very displeasant to God who alwayes expects at the least thankfulnesse from those for whom he workes deliverances and ever takes notice how they doe show their thankfulnesse and if they neglect he will punish their ingratitude with other punishments Thus the Lord made a promise to David and his seed he promised that the enemy should not exact upon him c. and that he would beat dawne his foes before his face and plague those that hated him Psal 89.22 Yet saith he if his children forsake my Laws and walke not in my judgement Ver. 23. c. then will I punish their transgressions with the rod and their iniquity with stripes And that which the Lord promised there in favour Ver. 32. wee may justly expect to be performed aganist us in wrath even because we forget to render to the Lord due thankfulnesse c. that he will come upon us with other plagues to visit our neglect severely for nothing more certaine then that such a sinne at one time or other shall be punished Moreover we are to know that it is no small provocation to cause the Lord bring upon us other judgments when as now while we have time and fit opportunity without interruption or hinderance we doe not reforme those abuses in Church and State which have so long been displeasant to God and offensive to good people and for to have liberty to doe which we have so long stood ingaged in military affaires I am loath to give the least occasion of wrangling to those who hatefully and scoffingly aske what we have been doing all this time and for what did we fight c. because that Reformation which we have so long expected is not perfected But this I must needs say that I much marvell that so many needfull things which might in these parts that are freed from all apposites that are able to resist be performed are so long left undone to let passe many things and instance in one whose neglect it is
4 5 6 7 8 9. yet the Lord threatned to set a plumbe line in the midst of them and then he would not passe by them any more so though there be some places which may escape this War I mean the miseries of it in the extreamest manner yet still let them feare for their sins retained a time will come when God will not passe by them any more What shall I say more let me beseech all in all places who as yet by Gods speciall favour towards them have not undergone these heavy burthens of sufferings which many of their brethren have suffered that they would consider the great kindnesse they thus long have enjoyed and endeavour to frame themselves to be unfainedly thankfull to the Lord for the same and strive to get themselves affected with a fellow-feeling of their brethrens calamities and miseries that with sorrow of heart they may grieve for them as their owne and with all manner of humble intercessions desire the Lord to remove his hand from these parts that are afflicted and still for his mercies sake divert and turne away the judgements that are on the Land from them that as hitherto they have so still they may enjoy his favour and if it shall please him to bring any other correction upon them that he would so stir them up to be prepared at all times that they may not murmur but take patiently all manner of afflictions and be made more ready to obey him calling upon them in what manner soever he speake unto them and withall while they enjoy this rest when their brethren are in troubles let them strive so to take warning by their sufferings that they doe what God calls for by afflictions the works of repentance and good works one towards another even so and as well as if they were afflicted this doing wil witnesse to themselves and the world that they are lowly and obedient children who tremble at the sight of the rod and therefore the Lord doth to them as in mercy he did to Iosiah for his tender-heartednesse even spare them that they may enjoy peace in their dayes the consideration of which may adde inward comfort to their outward tranquillity 2 Kiâ—g 22.18 19 20. and assure them that they are a peculiar people to the Lord. But on the contrary if this peace and immunity from punishments work in stead of repentance c. vaine security pride and an increase of evills and impieties they then may have cause to feare and all other may thinke without breach of charity that because they are suffered to have their swinge in pleasures and earthly contentments God hates them and that they are bastards and not sons Heb. 12.8 even men who are allotted to most fearfull punishments to their destruction I might goe on but so much shall suffice to have spoken concerning those who as yet have not suffered the miseries of this War Now to such as have by the strength of the Holds wherein they have remained been safe and free from those troubles which many of their brethren have undergone let this word of exhortation come and be acceptable beware of growing proud by your deliverance or to a cribe that to the instrument which is due to the Author think not because you were delivered that your strength preserved you but give glory to God and praise him for it was he that delivered you and likewise take heed you doe not againe provoke him to wrath for though you as yet have escaped though formerly your enemies durst not or could not meddle with you yet I say grow not secure for if he once send your foes against you though your holds seeme invincible Ezek. 28.8.9 yet will he deliver them and you both into your enemies hands if he but once say Sword goe against such a place it cannot be still untill it hath made it desolate therefore it is a dangerous thing to have God as an enemy to fight against a place for why he hath many wayes and meanes to bring down strong Fortifications yea the strongest that can be made Strong was the fort of Sion when it was held by the Jebusites against David they were so confident * Sam. 4.6 7 Willet ibid. Quest 6. takes that to be the meaning of the words of its strength that they thought the blinde the lame were sufficient to keep it against all Davids force for they thought David could not come thither yet notwithstanding of its strength it was delivered into Davids hands and the Lord tells the Inhabitants of Jerusalem which place while it was in prosperity all the Kings of the earth durst not looke at that though there should remain but wounded men of the Caldeans Army * Psal 48.5 6. Ier. 37.10 Isa 10.4 yet should they take it and burn it with fire so strong are weak armies sent and set a work by God against any place all the policy in the world cannot disappoint what God that is infinite in wisdome shall determine to be done upon a place for as many wayes as men have to build up so many and far more hath the Lord to pull downe Of mighty strength surely was populous No Nahum 3 8 9 that was scituate amongst the rivers that had the waters round about it whose Rampart was the sea and her walls was from the sea Ethiopia and Egypt was her strength and it was infinite c. Yet was she carried away Ver. 10. shee went into captivity her children were dashed in pieces at the tops of all the streets and they cast lots for her honourable men and all her great men were bound in chaines Now where among all those strong Holdâ— and Castles which hitherto have withstood the force of the enemy is there one stronger then populous No which you hear was thus destroyed why then should any place or people presume upon their strength or think they can feele no trouble because of it Alas you see there is no resistance where God will have his judgements to enter how strong soever your workes have been formerly if Gods wrath be against you they shall be but like Fig-trees with the first ripe figs Nahum 3.12 if they be shaken they shall even fall c. Observe the place even the strongest workes when the Lord shall shake them shall be but as ripe figs which the least touch causeth to fall downe moreover that none may put any confidence in men for their number or strength though Workes fall the Prophet tells them Ver. 13 14 15 c. That their people shall be as drunkenmen and as women and the gates shall be set wide open to their enemies and their bars shall be burned with fire Read the places in the Margent there you may see at large described how weak all strong holds are Obâ—d 3 4 5 6 c. Isa 26.5 6 27.10 to save men from the fierce anger of the Lord so that I say
oppressed because of Religion or not suffered to enjoy the liberty of our consciences or communion and fellowship with God in his publike Ordinances c. let us likewise know this is no new thing was not David so who by reason of the cruelty of his enemâ—es who by their actions did what they could to cause him serve other gods 1 Sum. 26.19 as he complaines was debarred from the Temple were not the Christians so who in the time of the before named Iulian were forbidden to use liberal Arts or Sciences to the end that they might be kept in ignorance Where not our Forefathers thus used by the Papists and were not we of late thus our selves therefore as God upheld and comforted them and us formerly and wrought graciously for them and us to deliver us both from such Tyranfly so still he will doe the same in due â—ime though againe we be brought into the like condition But yet further to comfort us in or against such tyrannicall exactions and oppressions let us know and with comfort consider Mat. 10 28. that the cruel lest oppressours can but at most kill the body our better part cannot not by them be touched But I have spoken of this before Lastly let us not feare but that God in his due time will ease us from oppression The red of the wicked shall not alwayes lye upon the backes of the godly Psal 125.3 Tyrants shall not alwayes oppresse and have their wills upon the people of God but to deliver them he will either raise up Saviours as he did in the time of the Judges or else he will take them away as he did Senacharib and such Tyrants as he or else change their hearts from hating to love his people let us not God hath many wayes and meanes to destroy his enemies and such is he pleas'd to account those who are enemies to his Church and people onely Let us waite on the Lord and we shall not be ashamed Isa 49.23 God never yet forsook those that put their trust in him nor ever were there any so oppressed by Tyrants at any time as that they found not comfort in the midst of their greatest sufferings Let these and the like considerations arme us patiently to endure all manner of afflictions and to this end let them not onely be read but put in practice that we may be fitted for fiery tryalls and sharper sufferings then as yet we have felt if it shall so please God to deale with us And yet know this that all we doe will be to no purpose except Gods blessings be upon our endeavours seeing therefore Iamer 1.17 preparation against and patience to endure afflictions are both Gods gifts let us aske them of him even desire him to measure unto us such a measure of his patience as wee may not murmure under afflictions but be willing to submit our wills to his will in all things whatever thus doing no doubt but we shall finde the Lord extending his mercy unto us either to keep judgements from us or else with them to strengthen us that we shall be as willing and able to undergoe afflictions as any other of Gods mercies and favours CHAP. X. The conclusion of the Booke with a short Exhortation to all sorts of men A short repetition of what hath been formerly spoken of I Have already showne now the the Lord hath a Chap. 1. variety of Judgements to inflict upon wicked and rebellious sinners and likewise why and when he useth b Chap. 2. them and that we as we now c Chap. 3. be have our selves are in that number for whom he hath them in store and therefore d Chap. 4. may expect without speedy repentance other Judgements but no constant peace or tranquillity and the rather e Chap. 5. because by many apparant signes there is some judgement emergent and ready to be cast downe upon us Then f Chap. 6. have I showne their folly and the weake ground they stand on who hope of safety by flying from places visited and then I have given g Chap. 7. particular warning to those places who either have not as yet folt the misery of war or thinke by reason of their strâ—ngth they cannot that they presume not or grow proud because God hath other Judgements besides war to bring down their state and glory and after that thus I have warned all men and places I h Chap. 8. exhort them to be prepared at all times and upon all occasions because they know neither the day nor the houre or in what Judgement the Lord will come and because none should have any excuse and to help those that are willing I have briefly showed how to be prepared i Chap. 9. against what dangers soever doe come Further I might have gone and inlarged the work a great deale more both in speaking more largely of what I have touched and in adding many things which very fitly might here have been spoken of but as my chiefest aime was to stir up men from security so my desire was to write that which I conceived might tend the most to that purpose and therefore purposely took liberty rather to stray from the rules of method then to leave undone what I desired therefore my desire is that the Readers would not so much respect the manner of writing as the matter contained in it for the matter is good and needfull to be considered though perhaps not so elegantly performed as might have been done by one of better paâ—s but however how much the matter here spoken of is needfull and may be usefull for the Readers so much respect let it finde although it may come faâ—re short of what may be expected from such a Subject All that I aime at and desire is that this may stir up all sorts of men to feare the Lords sacred Majesty who is so stored with variety of Judgements and therefore to conclude let me exhort all estates and degrees to stand in awe and sin not to kisse the Son least he be angry and so they perish from the right way to break off their sins by repentance and iniquity by mercy that there may be an healing of their errours and that Gods wrath may be taken away and no other misery be sent to worke desolation in the Kingdome for be they well assured that though this judgement of War under which the Land now groanes should be taken away yet while the same or such like abominations remaine for which formerly the Land was punished they cannot expect peace or freedome from all afflictions But more particularly First let me exhort all those who beare good will and affections towards the Parliaments Cause that they beware of pride security vaine glory and presumption because their Party prospers let them take heed of living in sin be it what it will and yet think themselves safe because their present foes goe to wrack for
and in great distresse along time before he enjoyed it and after he had possessed it was banished for a while by his owne Son and brought into great straits And so when captivity was threatned to Hezechiah he was so patient that he said no more Isa 39.8 but good is the Word of the Lord for he knew there was no resisting the Lord and did not his owne people I mean the Israelites suffer captivity threescore and ten yeares in Babylon what shall I more say have there not been many of the deare children of God of whom the world was not worthy that have â—andred in deserts and in mountaines and in dens and in caves of the earth having no constant habitation Heb. 11.38 1 Cor. 4.11 but tossed from place to place from one Kingdome to another why therefore should we be affraid to suffer in this kind but rather let their examples stir us up patiently to heare of and abide what ever in this case shall be inflicted Lastly to comfort us let us assuredly know that though we be tossed from place to place and be deprived of those things which now we enjoy and strangers possesse what we have laboured for so that we have not where to lay our heads Rom. 8.17 c. yet let this comfort us if we doe truly beleeve in Christ that we are heires apparant to a kingdome that far suspasseth all the kingdomes in the world Psal 145.13 for it is an everlasting kingdome a kingdom that hath no end which cannot be taken from us by any Heb. 11.9 10 14 15 16. This is that kingdom which the fathers sought for which they endured so many afflictions even with joy because they knew that this momentary affliction which they suffered Rom. 8.19 was not worthy to be compared with the glory which they should receive in that kingdome The consideration of this Phil. 3.8 caus'd the Apostle to count all earthly things as dung in comparison of it and even willingly to suffer the losse of all things to obtaine it and no marvell seeing to have it is to have an assurance of all things that are good as our Saviour himselfe testifies Mat. 6.33 What neede we then take such care though we be destitute of dwelling seeing God himselfe is our dwelling place our rocke of defence and place of hiding Psal 90.1 though our cities be destroyed we have a city above of which we are Citizens though other get our treasure and wealth we have treasure in heaven which iâ— safe being without the reach of all our earthly enemies the consideration of which I say ought to make us patiently endure the losse of all things seeing we have an assured title to heavenly things which are better and more enduring substances Againe if God shall give us over to be oppressed by tyrants many or few domesticke or forraigne whether they tyrannize over us in our estate persons or consciences whether by heavy and grievous taxations or by bondage and slavery or by forbidding or hindring us in the practice of religious and holy duties the meanes to be used to prepare to suffer such afflictions patiently are First to reflect upon our selves and lay the blame on our owne sins which have provoked God thus to punish us by * See Judg. 2.13 14. 3.12 4.1 Isa 10.5 6. Neh. 9.26 27. oppressours our owne actions are alwayes the causes of our miseries why should we then murmur at that which our selves procure but rather patiently endure it and confesse we are punished lesse Ezra 9.13 then our iniquities deserve untill we doe thus we can never patiently suffer afflictions but there will be in us a fretting and a murmuring while we suffer when we are chastised We shall be like a bullocke unaccustomed to the yoake as Ephraim was Ier. 31.18 19. untill he beheld and considered the cause and end of his sufferings and then he was instructed and smote upon his thigh So if we but duly consider what we have done and how we have provoked God we shall be willing to suffer what ever he shall send upon us because we have deserved farre more then we endure Magna solet jucunditas esse quae manat ex optima conscientia Secondly if we be oppressed it will mightily strengthen our patience under oppression if we have so carried our selves towards all men of what degree or place what ever that we have given no just occasion of offence to any or cause to them to deale so rigorously with us a good conscience is an excellent companion in affliction such a conscience as is void of offence Acts 24.16 aproscopon suneidesin 1 Pet. 2.20 Mat. 5.11 that can testifie that wee have done harme to no man or wronged any man if we have such a testimony within our selves we shall even rejoyce with exceeding great joy that we should be accounted worthy to suffer after that manner This was Davids comfort when he was oppressed by Saul and wicked and bloudy men Neque iniquitas mea fuit in causa neque peccatum meum quare me persequeretur Raâ—er Snoyg paraphras in Psal 59.3 Rom. 13.7 that what they did it was without cause though they laid wait for his soule and gathered themselves against him yet his conscience told him that it was not for his transgression or his sin it was not for any fault that he had committed against them c. even so let us endeavour to give no offence either to one or other in any thing but render to every one what is their dâ—le Tribute to whom Tribute is due custome to whom custome feare to whom fear honour to whom honour and then if we be still oppressed it will be without cause and then as I said we shall be comforted which will encrease our patience to endure oppressions Againe See these places Iudg. 2.15 3.12 4.3 6.1.2 3 4 5 6. Ver 11. thirdly in this likewise let us consider that we are not alone how oft were the Israelites given into the hands of cruell oppressours even many yeares * Iudg. 13.1 1 Sam. 13.19 together and sometimes were in such bondage and feare that they were forced to hide themselves in holes of rocks and caves c. and forced to hide what they had in any place where they could to save it yea in such servitude that they had not a Smith among them And so likewise by taxations they were so oppressed that sometimes they were forced to take the hallowed things of the Temple 2 Kin. 12.18 17.3 Socrat. Eccles Hist lib. 3. cap. 12. and pay them to their oppressours to the end to pacifie them thus were the Christians in the time of Julian the Apostate taxed exceedingly this hath beene a common oppression among wicked men and if we be with others in such a condition let us endeavour to beare it patiently as others have done Or if we be