meet with troubles in this world in respect of our malignant enemies even all the troubles they can procure Thirdly In respect of the place where wee live likened to a Wildernesse to a Sea As it was with Israel when they went out of Aegypt to Canaan they went through the Wildernesse So must the faithfull Israel of God doe now to goe to Heaven passe through the Wildernesse of this world Now in a Wildernesse there are Bryars and Thornes Wolves Beares Lyons Serpents c. and it is not strange for the honest Traveller to meet with such creatures there even so the godly meet with such kind of men in this world who are ever and anon ready to vex trouble and devoure them David saith My soule dwelleth among Lyons Ps 57.4 22.21 Wicked men are in the sacred Scriptures likened to and called Lyons Doggs Wolves Vipers Serpents and almost all manner of savage beasts because they have the like evill dispositions and doe like actions and the godly are compared to Lambes Doves Sheepe and other such like harmlesse profitable creatures no marvell then if the godly be assaulted and put hard to it many times by evill men The world is also likened to a Sea and we sayle as it were in the barke of our fraile bodies now what is more usuall then to have windes and stormes at Sea to be tossed to and fro to meet with foule weather to heare the waves roare and rage and dash into the ship also sometimes to light on the rocks yea to suffer shipwrack on the rocks and dangerous sands So if as we sayle in the barke of our fraile bodie towards Heaven the windes blow and stormes arise ready to sinke our ship or split her on the rockes is it any new or strange thing that wee should be much moved at it It is therefore a point of wisedome to prepare for and patiently undergoe what cannot be avoided many Heathens have on this consideration undergone much and why should not Christians much more make a vertue of necessity 4. Consider the nature of these troubles they are light and short 1. Light 2 Cor. 4 17 Take them at the worst they are but light afflictions 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 light in comparison of what we deserve and what our Saviour suffer'd for us and what wicked men must for ever suffer in hell and light also in that they doe but touch the body they cannot properly pierce into the soule so as to destroy it they hurt but the outward mâ—n and wound that at most and worst they can doe they may annoy yet they doe not destroy the soule prejudice it 's eternall welfare but wicked mens troubles many times wound the soule pierce into the very soule and destroy that and though they be free from bodily troubles yet they have crazy consciences which sometimes wound them sore and a wounded spirit who can beare Rom. 8.28 Pro. 18.14 or what can it beare as the Originall hath it So long as the spirit is sound conscience cleare and good it will sustaine it's infirmity i e. whatsoever outward trouble may befall as a sound shoulder will beare a great weight with else and pleasure whereas a broken bruised or dis-joynted shoulder will cry out and shrinke under every little thing All the daies of the afflicted are evill but he that is of a merry heart hath a continuall Feast A cleare and sound conscience is as a Feast in the middest of all outward troubles yea and better then a Feast for it is continuall The truth is it is guiltinesse of conscience that makes afflictions heavy to a sound and good conscience great afflictions and tryals many times seeme as nothing and are undergone with a great deale of cheerfulnesse and courage but when God plagues a wicked man if conscience be not seared or a sleep or benummed he hath a double burden to beare the weight of affliction and a guilty conscience which is most grievous 2. As they are Light so also short and momentary The rod of the wicked shall not rest on the lot of the righteous Ps 125.3 This light affliction saies the Apostle which place also clearly proves the former branch which is but for a moment The originall differs some thing in words from our translation but nothing from the true sense and meaning 2 Cor 4 17 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Iâ—â— 54 7. Rom. 8.18 For a small moment have J forsaken thee but with great mercies will I gather thee saith the Lord to Israel The troubles of the godly are indeed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sufferings yet they are but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the sufferings of this present time saith the Apostle to the Romans So that these afflictions though they may be sharpe yet they are but short and if they continue to the uttermost they possibly câ—n doe it is but till death they end with death There the wicked cease from troubling Job 3.17 18 19. and there the weary be at rest there the prisoners rest together they heare not the voyce of the Oppressour The small and the great are there and the Servant is free from his Master said Job long agoe Death though it doe indeed begin the wicked mans misery yet it puts an end to all the godly mans suffering they end with his life and doe increase his glory makes Heaven more sweet and welcome Our bodies are but earthly Tabernacles now a Tabernacle if generally yet it cannot last long but if furious windes and stormes blow it will quickly fall and so it is with our bodies The afflictions and troubles of this world are visible seene on the body estate c. therefore not to be regarded because temporall but the things which are not seene are eternall 2 Cor. 4 18. Therefore saith the Apostle Let them that weepe be as though they wept not but things that are invisible are to be regarded 1 Cor. 7.30 and seriously thought on the wrath of God the pains of hell so Heaven lâ—fe and glory are eternall these we should much thinke of and labour to live accordingly 5. Consider this also that it is a great honour to suffer for righteousness to be singled out to be the Lords Champion to shew forth Gods wisdome power and goodnesse in his servants All the Saints have not the honour to be singled out with Abraham that the world may see the truth and strength of their faith patience love to God c. Gal 6 17. To beare the markes of the Lord Jesus is a singular priviledge the Apostle himselfe boasts of it as a speciall honour to him Gal. 6. To you it is given in the behalfe of Christ not onely to beleeve on him but also to suffer for his sake saith Paul All his people are tryed and suffer more or lesse but not very many are singled out to be the Lords champions as was Abraham Job the Martyrs and some others therefore the Apostles
This is the use wicked men especially the enemies of the Church should make of this point to think of it with dread and astonishment to repent and amend Phil. 1.28 for to them that will still goe on in their evill wayes this very thing that they are enemies is to them an evident token of perdition saith the Apostle For in common reason If they that are Gods owne peculiar people who have the spirit of God and Christ who are the sonnes and daughters of the God of Heaven the dearly beloved of his soule whom he loves next to himselfe in Christ who are all beautuous and lovely in his sight being adorned with the graces of his spirit who are his jewels as deare to him as the apple of his eye who doe often bewaile their sinnes against God judge and condemne themselves for them have the Spirit of God and Christ to pleade for them who doe unfainedly desire to please God and honour him and walke uprightly before him If his Abrahams Johs Jacobs Daâ—iels and other his Favourites suffer grievous things and are sometimes brought into great extremities then I appeale to thine owne conscience thinke what thy doome is like to be that never repentest that seldome prayest in private that never strivest against sinne but rather strivest to exceed in sinne at least goest on still in sin and sinfull courses against all reproofe checks of conscience admonitions c. And can it ever sinke into the head of any reasonable man that the adversaries of his people the malignant enemies of the Church shall goe unpunished when his owne dearest children escape not the rod Beleeve it Brethren every disgrace every disâ—ase every affliction that befals the righteous is to the wicked especially to the open enemies of his people a pledge of that everlasting shame and those everlasting woes plagues curses easelesse torments which shall seaze upon them for evermore If the Lord Christ himselfe when he stood in our roome and sustained the person of a sinner â—hough he was in himselfe without sinne most holy harmelesse the Son of God and heire of all suffâ—red such grievous things had his bloud shed his flesh rent and his soule pouâ—ed forth yea brought to that extremity that though supported by his God-heaâ— he cryed out in the extreame bitternesse of his soule lying under the sence of divine wrath My God my God why hast thou forsaken me then surely nothing remaines to wretched sinners that notwithstanding all warnings goe on still in their evill wayes but a fearefull expectation of judgement This is the first use of this point terrouâ— to wickâ—d men especially to such as are the professed enemies of his Church or people Secondly seeing the godly Vse 2. even the most faithfull servants of God are here subject to sufferings and tryals and that of the greatest then let us hence learn this point of spirituall wisdome to prepare for the worst What hath been the case of the Church or people of God formerly may be ours hereafter yea it is already in a great measure things are growne very high we are come to the top of the Mount and Isaac is even ready to be slame And be sure of this while there is a Devill and he at liberty who is an enemy to all mankinde but especially to the Church of Christ and the godly in it against whom he hath a most bitter enmity and implacable malice the godly must looke for troubles even the most grievous that he can procure 2. Also while there are wicked men the Devils instruments Gen 3.15 1 Pet. 5.8 set on fire from Hell heated with most bitter envy and rage against the godly seeking to hinder their welfare and disturbe their peace partly out of ignominy of God Jesus Christ Ioh. 16.2 1 Pet. 4.4 and the worth and excellency and uprightnesse of the Saints partly out of malice against the Saints whom they hate and whose graces goodnesse and outward prosperity they envy Psal 38.20 1 Ioh. 3.12 and specially this great happinesse which surely God intends his people by this great and long desired worke of reformation so happily and hopefully begun by the worthies of Israel especially while the Papists Priests and Jâ—suites the Devils choise instruments doe continue among us we can looke for no setled peace and security but the worst they can possibly doe As well may the Lambes live safe among Wolves the Calves among Lyons Hares among Hounds and the Dove among Kites thinke to be quiet secure and safe as the godly thinke to be quiet and secure to enjoy prosperity and peace with wicked men especially with Rome while Romes bastard brood of cursed Impes the Priests and Jesuites find harbour among us besides other exigents and tryals that God usually brings his people into for their good in the conclusion as well as he did Abraham here Yet such is our folly for the most part that we never thinke of trouble till it comes When the Morning is faire and the Sun shines we feare not a storme and so are sometimes taken as it were without our cloake We are wonderfull apt to promise peace health and prosperity to our selves and to put far from us the evill day but if neither Abraham nor Jacob nor Job nor David nor others though the friends of God and very powerfull with God beloved and approved of him men of renowne Kings and Princes for outward accommodation in the world learned wise great and honourable could not be priviledged in this particular but found many and great troubles and tryals and were brought sometimes to the uttermost extremities why should any of us if we be indeed such as we would be thought to be the children and faithfull servants of God thinke to escape such things Therefore we should doe wisely to premeditate of evils and prepare for them before-hand and the wise-hearted will doe so A prudent man foreseeth the evill and hideth himselfe saith Salomon but the simple passe on and are punished Prov. 22.3 There is the benefit of premeditation and fore-arming our selves we may more easily escape evils as a storme foreseen may be avoyded by flying to a shelter And if troubles foreseen cannot be prevented or avoyded yet they may be much more easily borne by being fore-armed by expectation and preparation A blow foreseen may be kept off at least from doing that hurt which otherwise it would doe Great evils yea small ones when they come suddenly upon us unexpected and unprepared they often strike deep and afflict sore more then others that are far greater which we expected and prepared for The neglect of this preparation for evill times is a maine reason why even good men are so exceedingly perplexed when sudden evils befall them so unpatient and uncomfortable and others fall off from the truth and the profession thereof like the house builded on the sand when a storme came because they did not before-hand lay a good foundation thinke
into the fire The sacred Scriptures are cleare and full to this purpose and abundant in examples of this kind And assuredly he is still the same God as powerfull as wise as loving and good as ever to his people as faithfull in his promises and as just and full of indignation against his and their enemies as ever he was and therefore will still shew himselfe for his people and against their enemies as much as ever heretofore So that the Turke the great enemy of the Christians and Antichrist the grand enemy of the true Church of Christ must downe and fall and perish It is prophesied long agoe in Saint Johns time and by him Rev. 18.2 Babylon the great viz. mysticall Babylon Rome is fallen is fallen and in truth also in part already and is declining in number wealth greatnesse power glory and credit every day more and more It remarkeably began to fall when Luther that renowned servant of God did so publickely set up the standard of the Gospell and so many thousands did resort unto it and many thousands fell off from the Pope to Christ in Germany France the Low-Countries in England and Scotland And it was no small wound to the Antichristian beast that that Nation gave to it the other yeare And surely beloved the downefall of Antichrist the Pope that Man of sinne and his Adherents the Papacy and Romane Hierarchy cannot I conceive be far off if not very near at hand Thirdly this may be of good use to suport and comfort us for the present and in future times against all extremities and troubles whatsoever God will be as good still to his servants all that walke in the steps of the faith and obedience of Abraham as to the faithfull in former ages For our greater comfort let us instance in 5. cases namely in case of extremity of want or danger of losse of violent temptations of Gods seeming not to heare prayer and of spirituall desertion 1. In case of extreame want or danger we should seeke unto God and depend upon him the al-sufficient and faithfull God as Abraham did here He will be seen in the Mount As for instance suppose thy ease should be like Elijahs or Sampsons that was ready to perish with thirst or the poore Widow that had only a little oyle in a cruse and a little meale in a barrell that thou shouldst be in want have nothing to keep soule and body together and maintaine life no money in the purse no bread in the enâ—bord no meale in the barrell no friend in the world that thou knowest of and it may be greatly in debt also that thou seaâ—se darest shew thy face for feare of an Arrest as was the poore widow 2 â—ing â— 1. All is gone saith she and the Creditour is come to take unto him my two sonnes to be bondmen All is gone nothing left to preserve life nor affoard me comfort but my two sonnes and now the Creditor is come to deprive me of that also Here is a sad complaint â— King 17.6 yet God did provide for Elijah bread and flesh in the Morning and bread and flesh in the Evening by a Raven which in reason would rather have robbed then relieved him Iudg. 15. â—8 Naâ—â—â— 20.7 8 11. 2 Kin. 4.3 4 7. He provided drinke for Sampson even out of the jaw-bone of an Affâ— for Israel out of the stony rocke and the poore widow increased her oyle whereby she was inabled both to live comfortably and pay her debts so if thou canst by faith looke up unto God and depend upon him in the moderate use of lawfull meanes if any be he is able and will surely provide and doe that which shall be best for thee Therefore resolve with faithfull Habakkuk in the person of the Church Hab. 3.17 Although the fig-tree shall not blossome neither shall fruit be in the vines the labour of the Olive shall faile and the field shall beare no meat the flocke shall be cut off from the field and there shall be no herd in the stalles yet will reioyce in the Lord I will ioy in the God of my salvation The Lord God is my strength Againe suppose thou be in any great danger as sometimes was David 1 Sam 23. Act. 27.18 â— Cor. 1.8 9 10 Jonas or Paul when the ship was broken and when he and the rest of his brethren with him were pressed out of measure above strength insomuch that they despaired of life and had the sentence of death in themselves that they should not trust in themselves but in God God did deliver them from so great a death Though I say it be thy ease yet despaire not be not discouraged why shouldst not thou hope in God as well as they did Oh! out they were most eminent persons for faith humility c. but I am a poore vile wretch full of unbeleefe pride c. Well be it so Yet know that God though he expect and command us to grow in grace yet he lookes not in the hearing of prayer at the measure of grace in the petitioner but to the truth of grace and the sincerity of the heart Yea the rather will God help because thou art a poore weake soule that canst not wait long or beare much Isa 60.2 To him will I looke saith God even to him that is poore and of a contrite spirit to such a soule as sees nothing in himself but abundance of sinne and emptinesse of God 32.3 He will not quench the smoaking flaxe nor breake the bruised reed saith the Prophet Isay Thus in respect of private so also in respect of the publicke troubles and straits of the Church abroad in Germany in Ireland and here at home whatsoever or how evill soever our condition seeme to be yet let not any fathfull soule be discouraged God will not destroy his people he will not deliver them up into the hands of their enemies but will be seen in the Mount and will help and deliver them when it comes to the point when outward meanes faile 1. All the former examples and many more upon record both in divine and humane Histories which might be mentioned of Gods goodnesse towards his people in their straits are encouragements to us Rom. 15.4 For whatsoever was written afore time was written for our instruction that we through patience and comfort of the Scripture might have hope And therefore why should we be discouraged humbled for our owne and others sinnes and Gods dishonour indeed we should be but not discouraged hang downe the head as men without hope Therefore 2 Weigh also those 5. Reasons which doe over-power my spirit dispell such feares and carry it on high as it were above the Sun 1. God spared England when it was at the worst when Religion Lawes and all went downe the winde and sâ—â—â—se a man durst publickely shew his face for God when prophanenesse superstition and idolatry increased greatly without
and the Parliaments vigilancy discovered prevented and disappointed in a great part that all hath turned to their dis-advantage and the good of the Church and furtherance of the worke of God that is upon the wheeles and the whole carriage of all things through Gods great goodnesse seemes to me to give great ground of comfort to his people blessed be God And therefore Brethren be not discouraged doe not feare suffer not your hearts to be cast downe whatsoever the present dangers seeme to threaten But looke up unto God and depend upon him It is a great fault for a Christian to let goe his hold when dangers are great and imminent though we be too too apt to doe so upon all occasions yet we should not David did so but when he had recollected his thoughts he did much blame himselfe for it Why art thou cast downe ô my soule and why art thou disquieted in me Ps 43 5. And therefore plucke up your spirits prepare for the worst yet looke beyond the cloud and behold with an eye of Faith Gods great power wisdome goodnesse faithfulnesse and the like and thinke upon what he hath done for his Church formerly and of late yeares for our selves in particular how he hath still discovered the Papists plots and designes and preserved his people and then thinke of what Manoahs wife said to her distrustfull timor us husband Jud. 13.22 23. If the Lord were pleased to kill us he would not then have received a burnt-offering and a meat-offering at our hands neither would he have shewed us all these things nor would at this time have told us such things as these So if the Lord had a purpose to destroy this Nation or give us up into the hand of our enemies he would not have done thus and thus for us as he hath done for though the Lord doth not or very rarely worke miracles now yet he works wonders and is as able and willing to doe as great things as ever he was yea and doth so too when there is the like occasion and hath often within these few years last past done very great things However let us doe our duty look up unto God and depend upon him and resolve every one of us with Ioh Though the Lord slay mee yet Job 13.15 will I trust in him I will not deny but risings may be and some bloud be shed God will surely repay blood with blood and if not by the Sword yet at least by the execution of Justice on such as have shed the blood of his Saints and bin the grand enemies of his Church but I cannot conceive our trouble will be much or long I hope but a brunt Indeed when I looke upon our many great crying sins Gods Justice Purity and Holines and the unwillingnes of many to be healed yea obstinacy in their evill wayes c. I can look for no mercy but rather wonder we were not destroyed long agoe but when again I look upon the considerations above mentioned the whole course of Gods providence all along to this day laying open persons and things discovering and preventing most dangerous plots and designes and bringing on his worke still notwithstanding yea by the adversaries plots though full sore against their minds and when I also looke upon the intolerable insolency impiety blasphemies and confidence of victory in many of that party I cannot conceive they shall go on long or doe much hurt Is not I will onely move the Question but determine nothing Is not or may not this be thought to be the time when the witnâ—sses the godly Ministers slaine by the Prelacy and their procuring in respect of their office thrust out of their livings and calling wherein they might have bin usefull in the Church of God and so dead in respect of office are risen againe from the dead restored to their Ministery to the wonder of all that see it and knew what havocke was made of them when fifty able and godly Ministers within two yeares space were excommunicated deprived silenced and suspended by one man but the other day Aâ—tiâ—les agaist B Wrâ—n and so upward for divers yeares together Observe what is said by Saint John of the witnesses v. 12. And they ascended up to Heaven in a cloud Rev. 11.12 13 and their enemies beheld them of the Churches enemies v. 13. And the same houre was there a great earthquake and the tenth part of the City fell and in the earthquake were slaine of men seven thousand and the remnant were affrighted and gave glory to the God of Heaven At the same houre marke it namely when the faithfull witnesses were raised up restored to life to their offices and places in the ministery againe there was a great earthquake i.e. a great alteration and change in the Church and it must needs be here from the worse to the better and a tenth part of the City fell By City some understand Rome it self which say some is but a tenth part of that which once was others rather of the Romane Hierarchy and power of Antichrist in his Adherents Abettors and Supporters and in the earthquake were slaine of men 7000. of men in the Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not of men but of the names of men Names are sometimes taken for Titles and Offices were slaine viz. in this earthquake alteration and reformation of the Church Now if there be found about 7000 of the Prelates Chancellors Arch-Deacons Officials with an Et caetera suppose what may be the issue of this earthquake that now shakes in these Kingdomes of his Majesty especially in this of England But the thing I chiefly note this place for is this to shew as I conceive that our troubles cannot be long nor great in respect of the downfall of our adversaries the enemies of the Church and who can tell whether the Lord will not by such a way take occasion to single out the enemies of his Church which hee hath appointed to be the objects of justice which otherwise could not be so obnoxious to justice as by such a way they may be But I affirme nothing positively times and meanes are in Gods hand but doe assure my selfe that the issue whensoever it be will be the Churches greater good and the enemies downefall That is the first case of extreame want or danger Secondly In case of losse as it was with the worthies Heb 11. that suffered the losse of all and the faithfull Jewes Heb. 10 34. 1 Sam. 30.6 that tooke ioyfully the spoyling of their goods and David who when all was gone and the people also talked of stoning of him he comforted himselfe in God and Moses Heb. 11.24 25 26. who refused to be called the son of Pharaohs daughter chusing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God then to enioy the pleasures of sinne that last but for a season You know also how it was with Job he lost all he had
Iob 1.2 3. that he had not an Oxe or Asse or Sheep left him his servants and children also and his friends left him yea his owne wife and servants that remained were against him he was brought even to the top of the Mount into suchan extremity what with outward and inward losses and troubles that he could scarse goe any further Yet when Job humbled himselfe and sought unto God he was heard and obtained mercy God restored to him his health and honour againe prosperity friends beauty and all returned to him againe and he was greater then ever before also he had sons and daughters Likewise God provided for Moses and the rest See Mat. 6.25.20 3â— So be thy case like theirs yet God will provide or support without meanes or take thee away to a better state of life where we shall have better and more durable riches where there will be no need of outward comforts Jesus said to his Disciples Verily I say unto you Mat. 19 27 28 29. that every one that hath forsaken houses or brethren or sisters or father or mother or Wife or children or land for my Names sake shall receive a hundred fold and shall inherit eternall life 3. In case of violent temptations looke upon Saul he was buffeted grievously he prayed often that God would free him from it notwithstanding â—od still continued his affliction though very heavy yet at last after divers fervent prayers God gave him this comfortable answer 2 Cor. 12.7 8 9 My grace is sufficient for thee If God lay on weight he will give shoulders and strength to beare it 1 Cor. 1â— 13 God is faithfull sayes the Apostle who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able See it also in Heman Asaph David Job and others 4. In case of Gods not hearing prayer It may be thou prayest for some speciall good or removall of some speciall evill and prayest and prayest againe and againe yet God heareth not I speake of hearing of testification but seemes to turne the deafe eare There is 〈◊〉 3 fold heâ—ing of prayâ—r viz 〈◊〉 observation of approbation of testification Mat. 5â—â—â— â— Cor. 12.8 9. and it may be to deny thee yet be of good comfor It was so with the woman of Canaan she begged hard he denyed her she went to him againe and againe would take no denyall at last he gave her a gracious answer Be it unto thee even as thou wilt So Paul rayed againe and againe God answered not till the third time i. e. till he prayed often It may be thou art not humbled enough thou art not yet fit for mercy and therefore search and humble thy selfe pray still and wait upon God He will be seen in the Moâ—at 5. In case of spirituall desertion when God hides his face withdrawes the light of his countenance from a soule that lyeth conflicting under great trouble If this be thy case yet faint not be not east downe looke up unto God still So saith the Prophet Isaiah 〈◊〉 â—0 1â— Who is among you that feareth the Lord that walketh in darknesse and hath no light that is in great and deep desertions and troubles and hath no light of comfort Let him trust in the Name of the Lord and stay upon his God It is a great comfort to a stranger that is in a wide Forrest in a darke night to have a sure guide with him to direct him the way that will certainly bring him where he would be And so it may be to a deserted soule that walks in darknesse and hath no light of comfort to have such a sure guide as this to direct him a sore way to find comfort in the end Let him trust in the Name of the Lord c. This God will be seen in the Mount It may be thou aâ—â— not yet come to the top of the Mount and therefore patiently goe on still God will be seen in the Mount Thus brethren when we consider what a God we have in Covenant and what a promise he hath made we have good ground to comfort our selves in him in all extremities Fourthly will God be seen in the Mount Vss 4. then this may serve to teach incite and encourage all in generall and particularly the honourable Houses of Parliament First All in generall and that to a double duty 1. To goe unto God by prayer in all cases of extremity yea in all troubles and afflictions whatsoever God himselfe directs us to this Call upon me in the time of trouble and I will deliver thee Psal 50.15 And it is the constant practise of the Saints yea of wicked men also to go to God in their troubles yea very Pagans and Heathens doe so Ioâ—ah 1.5 Witnesse the rude Mariners that carried Jonas in their ship and the souldiers with him And indeed this is a powerfull and prevailing meanes being rightly performed and cannot be otherwise if we consider that such prayers are 1. The act of Gods Spirit in the soule and according to his will The Spirit maketh intercession for the Saints Rom. 8.27 according to the will of God and therefore being the worke of Gods owne Spirit and according to his will it cannot but be accepted and prevailing 2. It is grounded on Gods owne promises Aske and have Whatsoever ye shall aske the Father in my Name he will give it you Call upon me in the time of trouble and I will deliver thee and God cannot deny himselfe 3. Such prayers are put up by the hand of Jesus Christ the beloved of the Father in whom he is well pleased and whom he cannot deny any thing so that though he may and will deny as when we goe in our owne name yet he will not deny those that goe unto him in his Sons name the humble faithfull requests of his poore servants put up in the name of Jesus Christ 4. I may adde also that it tends much to his glory to heare the prayers of his servants and help them in their extremities it proclaimes his omniscience almighty power wisedome goodnesse faithfulnesse and care over his people Therefore pray and pray fervently and faithfully and pray constantly give not over praying whatsoever extremity thou seemest to thy selfe to be brought into yea the greater the extremity pray more earnestly and hope most A ship hath most use of an Ankor when the waves are roughest and the storme greatest so here most need to pray and put out the Ankor of hope in greatest troubles and there is ground for it then to be fullest of hope because deliverance is nearest the nearer to the top of the Mount to the uttermost extremity the nearer to mercy for God will be seen in the Mount he will help and deliver in extremity 2. It should teach us all patiently to relye upon God in every case in every place and condition cast thy selfe upon him He was with Daniel in the Lyons den to stop the
mercies and hearts to be truly thankfull for them so a wounded conscience that is grievously afflicted if God would shew mercy and speak peace to the soule how happy would he thinke himselfe Let this consideration move us to thankfulnesse for what we doe enjoy 6. Consider your future necessity though you be now in a plentiful and comfortable condition in all these respects yet fore-think what may be you doe not know how soone you may be in great want Nescis quid serus veâ—at veâ—pâ—r or trouble or danger in some extremity or other what a day may bring forth we are all tenants at will to God and much of our future happinesse stands on our present thankfulnesse Unthankfulnesse Exod 14.21 Eccles 1.7 as it were dries up the channell of Gods mercy and bounty as the East winde did the Red Sea All Rivers are from the Sea and did they not pay their tribute backe againe to the Sea very likely they would in time be dryed up but they returne to the Sea againe and so are continually fed by it The way for us to have a continuance of Gods benefits is to returne continuall praise and thanksgiving for the mercies we doe enjoy 7. Looke backe and thinke how it may be thou didst fast and pray or if thou didst not thou art greatly to blame not to labour and pray for those mercies and deliverances so for particular mercies before thou hadst them when thou wast in want or in great feares Well were these mercies this or that deliverance worth the praying wrestling and tugging for before whilst thou wast in want or danger didst thou feele or feare some grievous evill and is it not as worthy thanksgiving now thou hast it This is just the case of the 9. Leapers Luk 17 12 17. they cryed aloud for help but when they were cured they returned not to give thanks and the Israelites that cryed to God in their distresse Psal 107. but were unthankfull for his benefits when they had them A great shame it is we should be so earnest for a mercy or deliverance in our necessity so open handed to receive Gratias agere Deo possuâ—â—â—â— reserre non poâ—sumus Aug in â—â—l 47. and so close mouthed and strait-hearted when we have them to returne somthing in way of thankfulnesse 8. This namely Gods glory and praise is the end of all his mercies benefits and deliverances and should be the end of all our actions and services Prov. 16.4 Rom. 11.36 God made all things and doth all things to for himselfe All Agents worke â—o some end and therefore God much more Now he is the beginning from which and the utmost end to which all things tend and shall God misse of his end lose his praise assuredly if he doe he will be glorified if not by us as active instruments of his glory yet in and upon us Luk. 1â— 48 as patients of his justice for all our ingratitude and the more and greater mercies we enjoy the greater will be our condemnation if unthankfull Lastly by way of motive and which is specially applicable to publike mercies Remember that publicke mercies are every mans private mercies every ones private good is wrapt up in the publik If it goe well with the publicke all fare the better for it if evill all share in it as in the body naturall if the whole body be out of order all the members suffer with it if sound and well all the members simpathize with it and so it is in the body mysticall and politick the Church Common-wealth therfore be thankull for publicke mercies as well yea rather and more then for private because they doe concerne both our owne particular and others good whose welfare we ought heartily to desire pray for and rejoyce in as fellow members of the body politicke and mysticall Q. But some say What must I doe that I may be kindly affected with mercies and deliverances and how may I continue the remembrance of them Answ To the first to be kindly affected with mercies and deliveces doe 4. things 1. Take notice of all more especially of more remarkeable speciall and extraordinary mercies supportment in and deliverance out of troubles for mercies that passe unobserved cannot be thankfully acknowledged much lesse the remembrance of them perpetuated And doe not onely observe them but take a full view of them how great free undeserved and sutable they are to our condition for these considerations help much to affect the heart with them 2. Often meditate on them well weigh and ponder them as the faithfull did Psal 48. We have thought on thy loving kindnesse O God Psal 48.9 The word signifieth as some have observed as much as assimulavimus we have made an Image of it in our minds by serious pondering it hath made a deep impression in our minds The more a man doth meditate and roule any thing in his mind the deeper impression it makes and the longer it continues therefore labour to worke and imprint it on the heart by meditation But looke not too much on thy afflictions and wants or what others have which thou hast not but on Gods benefits and mercies received and promised and on what thou hast more then many others For if a man be much poring on his wants and others fulnesse or the greater mercies that some others have this will indispose a man to duty dead the heart beget discontent and imbitter the soule but the often remembrance of mercies received and promised and specially of what himselfe hath which such and such a man and many others far better have not will sweeten the spirit rejoyce the heart quicken a man and put life into him make him more apt and active feelingly to praise God for them and performe any good duty it is as oyle to all holy actions 3. Labour the heart to have a sense and feeling of the worth of them and to have an high esteem and holy admiration of his mercies Psal 45.7 as David had How great is thy goodnesse by considering the greatnesse number variety the freenesse of his mercies and continuance of them also how happy we are with them and how miserable without them for it is not the having but the prizing and high esteeming of a benefit that affects the heart and moves the will to thankfulnesse 4 Labour to be still poore in spirit and to be alwayes conscious of thine owne unworthinesse that thou mayest know thy selfe to be lesse then the least of all his mercies as Jacob said Gen. 32.10 for hunger is the best sawce it makes every thing relish well every morsell seemes sweet to the hungry soule so poverty of spirit makes the least mercy seem great The poore hungry beggar takes the least and worst scraps thankfully which a full soule rejecteth and scorneth so a man that is poore in spirit hath a sense of his owne unworthinesse meane conceits of himselfe is