not according to this rule there is no truth in him Oh let not Christian faith be founded on Turkish reason 2. Persevere in truth and piety Heresies must come that they who are sound may be made manifest Schisme must succeed that the fixed in Christ may be found sincere these must not onely come on the the stage but stand and succeed it may be unto persecution of the Orthodox and sound as did Arrianisme in the Grecian Empire Anabaptisme in Germany they are no other then tryalls of faith and patience be it your care to cleave to truth when disowned and disregarded and continue in the Church though disordered and discouraged let not the boysterous blasts of providence remove you from your stedfastness in the faith or union of the Church Catholick I know the design of some schismaticall neighbours by courting nay some of them by creeping into your town is to paganize you as they have done other places and set up their own schismaticall assemblies and I fear your over affectionate observation of the providential rising of some from you hath been as a snare of separation from the Churh unto more then naturall relations but however Church gatherers have gathered the power treasure of these Nations to themselves forsake not you the assembling of your selves together as the manner of som is and stand out against the sinful assembling of Church gatherers The glittering glory of particular Churches of selfe-constitution that way of Corah and selfe consecration that way of Jeroboam will prove nay I may say doth prove an ignis fatuus leading into the fools paradise of high expectations but leaving men in the wilderness of confusion They that feared God in Israel followed the despised and driven out Priests to Jerusalem let it be your prayer care not to follow the flocks of Christ his pretended companions I pray you recall to mind what instructions I gave you many years since from that Text Cant. 1.7 whilst you have power prevent Congregational foxes from spoiling your vines though you cannot keep them out of close corners you may from places of concourse and command them out of your common Hall and publick places of assemblie give them no countenance whose only errand is confusion you are now a Church of Christ become not the guilded Synagogue of Satan Will not reason tell you selfe-constitution is a sedition in the Common-wealth and schisme in the Church Is authority essentiall to a civill and not to a religious Corporation What superstructure can bee built on a sinfull schismatical foundation judge ye though it flourish flie from it it cannot but fall I say bee you stable in truth steady in the union of the Church constant to Gods covenant and continuing in prayer though God carry discouragingly towards his people for God laughs the Devill to scorn when Job serveth him for nought and the Saints constancy in holiness doth witness that there is a reward to the righteous when the prospering providences of the prophane do suggest it 's in vain to serve God 3. Prize and preserve among you a sound and zealous Ministry such you have enjoyed such you may by your own advantages which you above other Towns enjoy Pastors to feed witb knowledge and understanding are Gods promises and his peoples priviledge bread and water of affliction to be imbraced before their removeall let not the generall contempt providence poureth on Mâ—nistry deaden your affection to your Ministers but know them as over you in the Lord I am not a little grieved for your late differences with godly Ministers I wish you would seriously surveigh your souls see wether some spirit of pride passion prejudice or vain glory do not act and occasion them take heed you jar not with Ministers untill you wreak your quarrell on Ministry I wish some of you have not already proclaimed open warr I will not acquit your Ministers from their infirmities but desire you take heed to your selves in this day of discouraging providences to Gods Ministers true piety should prize prefer them so evill are the times that dis-satisfaction in a prophane Minister can scarcely pass without the censure of dis-respect to Ministry much less when fomented continued against a man who is a faithful painful and diligent and in the generall course of his life let malice say its worst a godly Minister my beloved let the office and person be distinguished and the dignity of the one will darken and cloud the infirmitie of the other and the authority of the one will awe duty denied to the weakness of the other Receive Ministers as they are indeed the messengers of the Lord of Hosts Embassadors of Jesus Christ and then despise them even in their distress if you can 4. Pursue your conference and mannage it with all prudence avoid the evills incident to it pursue the directions herein propounded you have heretofore been acquainted with them but have need to bee put in remembrance take heed of spirituall pride in conference least it prove an Audley conference that may plunge you into the precipice of Anabaptisme and other heresies my heart bleeds over those men with whom you know I have sometime past had sweet communion though they wil not now hear mee bee warned by their example Be carefull of and constant in these and other duties directed in the word what ever men say or cross providences seem to suggest Let Ecebolius whirl about with every wind of providence in the Empire untill hee proclaim the shame of his own unconstancy be you pillars of truth and Cedars of holiness standing in stormy days as indeed rooted and built up in Christ and resolved into divine revelation as your rule however disposed by providence as to your present outward condition whereunto that you may bee strengthened read these notes as helpfull and offered from the hearty affections and with the hearty prayer for Gods blessing of your Quondam Pastor yet zealously affectionate for the good of your souls ZAC CROFTON from my Study in Botolphs Algate Lon. Nov. 3. 1659. To the Reader Courteous Reader I Did many months since begin this discourse unto my own Congregation intending chiefly to instruct them in the too much neglected and abused duty of Godly conference but finding the words so connexed that I could not eonveniently come at my intended doctrine untill I had spoken to the condition which did constrain the godly their speaking one to another I divided the Text into three generall heads to be discussed and so intended them for particular instruction never to be made more publick but God who over-ruleth mens purposes hath otherwayes disposed In June last I being called to preach at the morning exercise in Magdalen Milk-street Church tooke some of these notes as next hand and did very briefly discuss the prosperoâ—s providences which do attend the prophane Such approbation it met with from many godly hearers that I was pursued with great importunity to
2. It is profitable to excite and animate unto duty holinesse is supernaturall to mans heart and above his reach he must strain and stretch till tired that will work out his own salvation Nay it is contranatarall to corrupt man the naturall man is at an enmity with God He that walks with God walks up hill Roweth against tide and saileth against winde and cannot but be wearied and finde many times their very spirits faile but especially when under the storms of prospering providences to prophanesse and the discouragements of successefull sin the stoutest heart will finde work enough to keep his station and bear up against the weather it is indeed a lively faith that keeps the soul then fixed and hopes from fainting God as sensible of our flagging spirits hath left us Cordiall counsels and promises to encourage us and earnest cautions to quicken our faith Gal. 6.9 1 Thes 3.13 Rev. 2.15 as be not weary of wel doing ye shal reap if ye faint not Having begun in the spirit do not end in the flesh Hold fast that thou hast let no man take thy Crown the like Yet so dull are our hearts so drousie our spirits that the best of Christs Disciples may rejoyce in the compassion of their master which maketh him conclude when he findes them sleeping The spirit indeed is willing but the flesh is weak even the stoutest David is ready to faint with waiting long on the Lord and to slack in holinesse and say as the wicked it is in vain to serve God when he considereth the proud are called happy they who tempt God are delivered but holy conference is an help to our weak and sainting spirits society is serviceable in heavens way They travel chearfully in the Communion of Saints who would be tyred alone Two are better then one saith the preacher they help one the other and they hearten one the other Eccles 4.10.11 If at any time we wax dull in duty and begin to draw heavily in the yoak of Christ the words of the wise are as Goads as nails to spur and quicken us if we grow faint and feeble that our spirits do begin to be drooping and despondent as ointment and perfume Rejoyce the heart So doth the sweetnesse of a mans friend by hearty councell Prov. 27.9 Cold hearts in hard times are warmed and heated by holy conference consider one another to provoke unto love and good works saith the Apostle Heb. 10.20 The Greek word is consider one another into a Taroxisme a violent heat as the fit of an Ague or burning of a Feaver to make each other earnest and vigorous in love and good works for the dullest spirit is sharpened by holy conference as an Edge-tool is sharpned by a whetstone as Iron sharpneth Iron so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend Prov. 27.17 by colloquie debates conference familiar disputes speaking one to another saith Merâ—er and Lavater on the text the heathen do much mention the quickning efficacy of conference Euripides makes it the mother of all arts and Cicero the means of all wisedome and councell the quickner of all diligence heating benummed members with rubbing and what force soever is in conference is the profit of the Saints when the conference is Christianized in the matter and manner of it for thereby we are encouraged in difficulties enlivened in deadnesse enlightned in darknesse as Gregory Nazianzen notes Christians sharpen each others spirits by their conference as Boars sharpen their tushes by rubbing them one against another 3. Holy conference is prositable to establish in the faith and fear of God professed by us faith is the first foundation of grace of the soul al our sanctity nay our very salvation is dependant on our faith holding fast the profession of our faith is the great duty of a Christian of all graces faith is most esteemed by the Lord it is found unto praise and honour and glory at the day of judgment 1 Pet. 1.7 And therefore our Saviour prayeth that our faith fail not Luke 22 32. And faith is most envied by the Devill all his temptations are to overthrow our faith this is the only errand of all the allurements of prospering prophanenesse and the threatâ— that are sounded out by successeful sin if at any time we make shipwrack of faith we loose salvation but holy conference is a means for confirmation making known common perswasion and by a friendly debate removing all scruples and doubts which arise in the soul the only errand of Pauls expedition to Rome was Conference and the only end of that conference the confirmation of the Saints in the faith of Christ I long to see you to the end I may impart to you some spirituall good that your faith may be established Rom. 1.11.12 The Lord Jesus whilest upon earth and before his death did not onely familiarly coÌ„fer with explain to his Disciples the misteries of salvation which he preached to others in parables unto the confirmation of their faith therein but also after his Resurrection he condescended to associate with the two Disciples as they walked to Emmaus Luke 24. and familiarly to conferre of his own sufferings and confirm them in the faith of his Resurrection Thus also he in a friendly manner did conferre with the two Maries and with the Eleven Disciples when they sate at meat and with the other Disciples when fishing So excellent advantagious is holy conference for confirmation in the faith that it is honoured by the exercise of the Authour and Finisher of our faith It is also enjoyned unto all the Saints for the support each of other in dayes of seduction and apostacy from the faith Jude 20. Builde up one another in your most holy faith Saints have the inspection of one another and must endeavour the establishments and edification one of another and there is no way within their capacity whereby they may perform it but holy conference We see then that if the godly have any care of divine direction and delight desire to declare the sincerity of their sanctity dilight in the expulsion of sin excitation one of another to duty and establishment each of other in their most holy faith they must in times of sins successe speak often one to another by prospering prophanesse be provoked to godly conference but I hasten unto the use and application of this doctrine which will be Reproof for the neglect of this duty exhortation unto the discharge thereof The first use I shall make of this doctrine is by way of Reproof seeing prospering prophanesse should provoke holy conference They are justly to be blamed who professing to the fear of God fall short in this duty and speak not one to another of the things of God conference is indeed common among men but it is seldom good Rarely holy most men are unacquainted with the language of Canaan and unskilled in heavenly discourse the most of men seem to
yet gifts and graces are only communicated to the members thereof in Colloquie Saints stand charged each with other and the joints must supply their places by mutuall conferences administring nourishment to the whole body lively and profitable Christians do in evill times enquire the way to Zion with their faces thitherward saying one to another come and let us joyn our selves unto the Lord in a perpetuall Covenant And in evill times they say every one to his neighbour and every one to his brother what hath the Lord answered and what hath hee spoken they do stand charged with the souls each of other and are therefore bound to exhort rebuke admonish comfort edifie one another And if ever the life of grace must bee manifested by acts communication it must bee in evill times the hour of temptation which commeth on them in a day of generall defection and diligent seduction the Saints must edifie one another in their most holy faith and save one another with feaâ—e pulling them out of the fire if you are will ng to witnesse your selves stupid under Gods heavy judgments sencelesse of Gods glory and the welfare of Religion and livelesse uselesse members in the body you may with due shame stand at distance each from other and smother thoughts of God in your own brests for want of vent by holy conference but consider profession of the tongue is no lesse usefull to salvation then the perswasion of the heart and withholding counsell from the weak in evill times is wickednesse 3. You disgrace Religion and are condemned by the wicked of the World whilst you sinfully suggest that sanctity destroyeth society and maketh the ungodly conclude Religion a solitary condition in which communion is not to be enjoyed whereas indeed holinesse is a bond of union and ground of Communion which whilst it seperates us from the Tabernacles of the wicked seateth us in the Temple of God and doth not more divide us from the society of the prophane then drive us into the CoÌ„munion with the Saints the scope of sanctity is to turn the stream and direct mens thoughts and expressions into an holy channell which not being thus employed makes Religion look like the Ruine of charity and that which barrs all kind of counsell admonition or conference The men of this world are wiser in their generations then the children of the kingdom they are Reduced into no straits but they run together and counsel each other to escape and evade them they agitate no affairs in the world but by good counsell and ordinary conference men that seduce from the truth are diligent and dextrous in their discourses Chatechizing and conference the two great preserva ive of truth and Religion have been exercised as eminent means of seduction whilest neglected by such as should be established by them is it not ashame that the enemies of God should beat us at our own weapon Popery Arianisme Socincanisme Anabaptism and other heresies are propagated hy Catechising and conference whilest these edifying exercises are omitted and slighted by the professors of truth in the affairs of this world we are common in Counsels and mutuall Colloquies but mindlesse of the great concernments of salvation Let it therefore be our shame that we are so slack unto acts of Communion and so carelesse of this eminent means of confirmation and the rather for that the successe of sin should stir us up unto the frequent discharge thereof Lay your hands on your hearts and blush who are professors of the same faith and worshippers of the same God pretenders to the same covenant and priviledges and yet such strangers unto each other and so much unacquainted that you speak not unto the comfort confirmation one of another Repent your sinfull neglect of these sociable soul-edifying acts of conference or renounce your relation to the Saints who have gone before you of whose spirit you do not partake Nay renounce your relation to God and his people of and to whom you speak so little that you seem insensible of their estate and unprofitable to their souls The 2. Use that I shall make of this doctrine is of exhortation to stir up the godly to be frequent in holy conference to get together and speak often one to another This is the duty incumbent on you that fear the Lord and cannot but be discharged by you whose hearts are full of thoughts of Gods holy name if you are indeed in union maintain the Communion of Saints and whilst you sit joyntly under the same ministrations of grace fail not in your places and capacities to minister one to another Consider Christian brethren Scripture as well as nature doth teach us it is not good to be alone we are not born for our selves we are members one of another we must seek every man the good of his neighbour the things of others not our own things solitude is not more burdensome and dangerous to nature then to grace nor more unsuitable to man then to a Christian much hurt have the godly received by solitarinesse when David exilde from Israel did walk alone in the land of the Philistins he fell into diffidence and despondency and blasphemous conceits that God had forgotten to be gracious he had in vain washed his hands and cleansed his heart in innocency and when Peter wandered alone in the high Priests hall he was overcome with the temptation to deny his master Profit of holy conference is ever great but most in evil times by it we are established in holinesse kept from falling Restored when fallen strengthened in the day of temptation quickened when dead and dull in duty It is the very veins of the Church by which every joynt supplieth its place unto the edification of the body there is not more profit then priviledge in holy conference It is the Communion of Saints and fellowship of the Gospel the comunication of the gifts and graces of Gods holy spirits it gives counsell in doubts and straits comfort in despondencies and sorrows It is the vent of grief easeth our hearts of the burden of sad apprehensions by friendly coÌ„plaints it is the expression of zeal which would burn he uphold of the heart by the Common consent of good men and mutuall counsell each of other how is it then Christian souls that you are so much unacquainted and unaccustomed to holy conference for shame content not our selves to hear the word preached but conserre of what you have heard live not in the Church but in your places communicate each to others as lively members of the Church are not the times evill in which we live do not the proud prosper are not they who work wickednesse set up and see we not men that tempt God delivered are not truth blasphemed ordinances trampled on sincere sanctity slighted vilified and contemned is not perfidy perjury violation oâ— solemn oaths and covenants the way to preferment do not men court us by providences into wayes pinciples
neglected matters of order tend to the beauty but not the being of the Church articles of faith and acts of holinesse may be followed by men that are ignorant of the debates of Church order disputes of circumstances becomes many times the destruction of the power of godliness it is noted of eminent Mr. Dod that he never loved to meddle with the coÌ„troversies of the times because they dulled his affections to holinesse if in any thing â—oÌ„mon Christian should be concluded by Church officers it is in matters of discipline order 4. Confer not the experiences of Saints manner of Gods work on the heart and conscience because these are meerly personall may prove prejudiciall unto others conviction and consolation is the common condition of all believers but the modus and gradus operandi measure and manner of it is different ordinarily disposed by the temper and disposition of the subject and cannot be a Rule unto others the easiness of Davids must not be the measure of Manasseh his conviction nor must the thundring conviction and conversion of Saul be the square thereof unto Peter experiences of this nature administer no edification but many times engender in some despondencies and in other presumptions leave we therefore a wise God to work his own work in his own way let us make the work it self object of our observation and discourse not much making known the manner and measure thereof These things I advice be not propounded as the matter of your conference because repugnant to its end but instead hereof confer 1. Prophane practices of the wicked with which your hearts are to be affected and that out of zeal to Gods holy name hereby dishonored and piety to immortall souls hereby endangered and compassion to them who by their prosperity in the course of impiety do become a stumbling block temptation and evill example to others multiplying to themselvs the wrath of God unto which they are by their present successe prepared This is more then probable to have been the matter of which the men in our Text did speak one to another we may not alwaies speak to the conviction of the wicked yet we may and must speak to the confirmation of our selves against the temptation of their prospering prophanesse and successefull sin 2. Principles of which are ploin and obvious to every serious Christian studious of Scriptuee and are essentiall to the vâ—ry being of a believer and indispensably necessary to salaation These are the foundations of the oracles of God by which we are conâ—â—ituted Christians and capable of being edified ignorance and inconstâ—ncy in the principles of faith fits us for all heresie and seduction from the truth the matter of Christ his conference with his Disciples in the coasts of Philippi as is evident by his Whom say men that I am and whom say ye that I am Mat. 16.13.16 Was the verity of the Messias who was to be believed and the matter of his conference with the Disciples that walked to Emmaus was his death and Resurrection those great Articles of faith and Pauls Errand to Rome was by conference to establish the Saints in the faith Rom. 1.11 The common work of the Communion of Saints is to edifie one another in their most holy faith and therefore the principles thereof is the proper matter of their conference 3. Practises of piety which are to be performed unto these being to the gracious soul supernaturall and and above his reach beyond his naturall strength nay contra naturall unto which their flesh bears an enmity they cannot but be weak and dull apt to be wearied especially when under affliction and all worldly discouragements men speaking common course of providence seeming to confirm their language that it is in vain to serve God therefore we must consider one another to provoke unto love and good work so long as the willing spirit is Retarded with the weaknesse of the flesh the words of the wise must be as nails and as goads 4. Promises of Grace which must be the props of the soul the uphold of hope under the prospering providences that do attend the prophane and afflictions which are incident to the Righteous whilst the vision is delayed the just must live by faith and by discoursing of Gods promises and properties establish their expectation of a discrimnating deliverance out of all their sorrows though at the present the proud are called happy c. If these and things of the like nature be made the matter of your conference it will produce its end and prove an ordinance of edification informing your judgements affecting your hearts quickning and establishing the soul in faith and holinesse I have done with the first and shall now passe to the 2. direction unto the right management of conference Direct 2 Right matter propounded proceed unto your conference with due prudence wisdom is the ornament and excellency of every action and must be the especiall property of believers that will put forth in exercises of Religion they must proceed with much prudence and beware of betraying the same into scandall by any acts of in discretion many are the snares which attend holy conference and great are the evils which our corrupt natures do draw from so good an exercise we must therfore be very watchfull to improve it to its end and avoid its evill though accidentall the truely prudent will limit themselves in things lawfull least they Run into things unlawfull It is Austins assertion that he who knoweth not how to deny what is in his liberty will never be able to decline what is forbidden and the truely Godly must avoide the appearance of evill not onely the species but shews the kinds but shadows of sin are to be shunned let therefore your conference be managed with all wisdom in point of time place manner and order 1. The time of conference is occasionall as opportunity is offered for holy conference is not a duty fixed to any speciall season but as divine providence and humane condition doth cast and call us into society we are to speak one unto another as in the time of friendly visit in any affliction familiar intercourse in holy actions or falling into each others company by appointed or unexpected affairs so that the Godly must watch for and catch at the opportunity of exhorting and admonishing comforting one another by holy conference yet we do not deny or deem it unlawfull for the Godly of any vicinity and neighbor hood by mutuall consent to keep fixed seasons wherein to associate and speak one unto another in holy conference onely we advise that the time fixed be our own not Gods or our families our own I say not Gods that is not the Lords day and the season of solemne assemblies and publick worship holy conference I confesse doth well become the Sabbath but the Sabbath cannot well be the fixed season of conference epecially the time of publick exercise when God is by
I had by some more humble then the rest notice given me came to the men and blamed their indiscretion who in the sinfulnesse of pride scorned my instruction and would not be admonished another grave and reverend divine whom they had much esteemed dealt with them on the same account but all in vain for in this course they continued untill they brake out into the contempt of the ministry the separating from the Church and casting off the Covenant of their baptisme and constituted themselves a Church unto which the men of best parts but most proud are at this day become leaders and professed Ministers be wise in time for it is sad to see how by pretence of piety Gods ordinances are slighted and souls seemingly Godly are seduced from the truth Thus much for the 2. direction The 3. and last direction is this possesse a suitable frame of spirit unto the due management of holy conference It is the duty of every Saint but such as are most conversant therein and will study to make it edifying and enforce it to its end must be fitted thereunto by these especial qualifications which must be possessed viz. the 1. Sence of Vnion and Relation Union is the Reason of Communion and Relation engageth communication know we that we are brethren this makes us familiar and members of the same body it will provoke inspection and mutuall supply and corroboration They must know one another that do know how to speak one unto another Strangers are ordinarily silent 2. Spirit of wisdom and understanding The lips of the wise must feed many the word of God must dwell plentifully in them who will admonish one another men of holy conference must be Scribes furnished for the kingdom of heaven bringing forth of their treasure things new old be studious of Gods mind Revealed in his word if you study to be profitable members in Christ his body 3. Zealous affections to God and holinesse apt to be grieved when men transgresse Gods law and ready to pleade for God and piety when most men say it is in vain to serve God out of the abundance of the heart the mouth must speak they must fear God and think upon his name who will speak often one to another in evill times 4. Serious observations of and sympathy with our brethren though charity begins at home yet we must love our neighbour as our selves whilst our chief care must be of our selves we must not shut our eyes to our brethrens souls or frailties we must see the brother Erring from the truth if we will convert him know his sin if we will Rebuke him apprehend his temper if we will make admonition affect him all natures are not a like nor to be alike dealt withall see his sorrows if we will support him by our counsell they must consider one another who will provoke unto love and good works they must well study the sins and sorrows conditions and constitutions actions and abilities of their brethren who will speak a word in season to a wearied soul 5. Sincere desire to edifie and be edified to propagate grace and godliness not to proclaim parts and proudly act abilities if conference be Pauls Errand to Rome his onely end is to impart some speciall gift that the Saints may be established and he be comforted by the mutuall faith of one another the weakest member of the body is profitable in its place every joynt makes its proper supply unto the increase of the whole body 5. Speciall meeknesse and humility submissely hearkning to the counsell of others and setting on them a due essteem not puffed up with confidence of our own knowledge and with all tendernesse of compassion Reproving admonishing and comforting one another if any that is weak in the faith be over taken with a fault they that are stronge must Restore him with a Spirit of meekness knowing that they also themselves may be tempted and if we will fulfill the Apostles joyes in Christian conference nothing must be done through strife or vain glory but in lowliness of mind each esteeming other better then themselves looking not every man at his own things but every man at the things of others Phil. 2 3 4 5. Spirituall pride is the bane and baseness of holy conference Let Christians these directions be Remembred and carefully practised by you and then what ever providence attends you or estate doth befall the wicked you may and must be frequent and fervent in holy conference provoked to speak often one to another until the Lord hearken hear and cause a book of Remembrance to be written be fore him for them that fear the Lord c. And so much for the 2. part of the Text viz the exercise of the Godly in the time of the prosperous estate of the wicked Auscultatio Divina OR Gods Attention to good conference in bad times the third Part of the discourse on Mal. 3.15 16 17. Briefly touched on in the Sermon preached at West-Chester July 17. 1659 But fully opened in some Sermons since preached at Botolphs-Algate LONDON Mal. 3.16 17 18. The Lord hearkned and heard and a book of Remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord and that thought upon his name They shall be mine saith the Lord of hosts in the day that I make up my jewels and I wil spare them as a man spareth his own Son that serveth him Then shall ye return and discern bâ—tween the Righteous and the wicked between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not I Have heretofore considered the estate of the wicked even the worst of men and laid before you their prosperity and also the exercise of the the Godly They spake often one to another we now come to the third generall part of the Text and that is the issue and event of both that is laid down in these words and fals into two parts 1. The delight that God takes in and due respect he expresseth towards the Godly and their exercise The Lord hearkned and heard c. 2. The discrimination between the righteous and the wicked Then shall you return and discern between c. Of these in their order and first of Gods delight in and respect to the Godly and therein if I should delight in mincing the words into parts I might observe 1. The respect shewed and that in all the expressions thereof The Lord hearkned and heard and a book of Remembrance was written They shall be mine I wil spare them 2. The Authour of this respect who it is that thus delighteth in the godly it is the Lord the Lord of hosts 3. The object of this acceptance They that feared the Lord thought upon his name 4. The ground or Reason of this respect they spake often one to another in evill times And every of these particulars would afford us very profitable observations but I intend not so long to insist on the words and
is what shal become of Gods holy name the thoughts of Gods name fixeth them in faith and filleth them with fervour to cleave close to God and his Covenant under the utmost of opposition The name of the Lord is a strong Tower the Righteous run into it and are safe Prov. 18.10 They trust in the name of the Lord when others trust in Chariots and in horses Psal 20.7 And so by the fear of the Lord they depart from iniquity for let what trouble will befall the godly they deal not falsly in Gods Covenant because they forget not Gods name the dread of Gods name is on the spirit to deterre impiety to drive on duty and quiet the soul in dependance on the same not onely doth the fear of God stir up the thoughts of Gods name but engageth the Godly to speak one to another to be much in complaints and conference each with other their hearts swel with holy thoughts and their tongue give vent unto the fire they can not but speak against fin in defence of God and holinesse when the wicked say it is in vain to serve God c. But of this in the next Reason we see then that the Godly are fitted for divine favour being affected with and afflicted for Gods name in an evill dark and cloudy day and can it choose but engage Gods affections unto them but so much for the first Reason why God hearkens and heareth causeth a book of Remembrance to be written and sheweth speciall respect to holy services in times of prospering prophanesse they are the performances of speciall persons related to and qualified for God for if the tears of a Mother could move an Alexander to oâ—liteate all accusations how much more shal the tears and prayers of the Elect Redeemed Called and them that fear the Lord and think on him Render savouries the services of holinesse They perform speciall service and therefore must needs meet with speciall acceptance holy actions are alwayes good but sometimes they shine with more then common splendor God as well as man hath extraordinary services to put his people upon some speciall acts of sanctity are laid on some hands which are not on others and done at sometimes which are not to be done at others Thus prayer is the work of every day but holy fasting and Religious vows are the extraordinary service of extream affliction and so Christian conference though the very act and du y of the Communion of Saints yet this speaking one unto another in the day when men speak stout words against God and say it is in vain to serve him is speciall and peculiar service It is speciall service unto God in respect of the matter of it to speak one unto another by way of complaint of Gods great dishonour by way of comfort under such sad prospering providences to the most prophane by way of confirmation one of another under so strong temptations to apostacy this is no ordinary work to express such sence of and zeal for God It is not the work of every soul no not of every Saint to instruct many and strengthen the weak hands to speak words that may uphold the falling to strengthen the feeble knees as did Job to preach a sermon pen a Psalm and become a pattern of patience Job 3.3 4. Isa 37. as did David in perplexing times of prospering prophaneness is no ordinary service no this requires strength and measure as well as truth of grace they must be strong in the faith that restore a fallen brother with a spirit of meeknesse To speak one to another is speciall service in respect of the principle that animateth and acteth the same the fear of the Lord that excellent usefull and acceptable grace before spoken of is the primum mobile spring of this motion wheel of this Clock Reason of this zeal for Religion The thoughts of Gods name is the oyl that makes this lamp to burn and the fulnesse of those holy hearts who speak out of their abundance but on these I intend not to insist The specialtie of this service which indeed sets the lustre on it and sends it with strength and holy violence towards Heaven is the season in which it is performed Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another Pro. 25.11 every thing saith Solomon is beautifull in it's season and a word spoke in season in like apples of gold in pictures of silver It is the season that sets a lustre on these holy exercises they were performed in that juncture of time which eminently called for them Gods attendance to the discharge of them Then they spake often one to another when all men almost spake against them and their God then when the multitude did wickedly and walked stubbornly against God they walk submissively with God then when the prosperity of the wicked made men embrace impiety as the step to honour and stirrup of authority when onely they that tempted Gâ—d were delivered and such as wrought all manner of wickedness were set up they clave close to piety and the practices thereof they patiently wait on God and plead his Cause and provoke one another to courage and constancy then when every tongue was tipped with blasphemie against God and Religion they spake in the defence of both and witnesse it is not in vain to serve God or walk mournfully before him that God is just and gracious and hath regard unto the Righteous so that their then holy exercises were vindications of God and godlinesse convictions of wicked prophane contempts of piety and blasphemies uttered commonly agaist God Confirmations of weak brethren ready to stumble at prospering prophanesse and complaints of zeal and affection to Gods holy name dishonoured so that they run counter to the common cry of the multitude set to do evill and were singular from their neighbours the subjâ—cts of scorn and fury speaking for God and Religion when common policy nay almost Christian wisedome did conclude it an evill time in which the prudent should keep silence For all the fruit to bee expected was opposition and persecution so that this is indeed speciall service To live as lights in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation Phil. 2 1â— holding forth the word of righteousness If God have respect to his Children much more to his Champions he cannot but take it wel to see men best in the worst times Shal he slight them that stand for him against the very pride of prospering prophaneness Shall hee not see to them that make all the world see They can serve God for nought Hath God registred all the holy men that have served him no onely such are made Eminent in sacred and Ecclesiastick story who have done especiall service to God Noah a Preacher of Righteous Lot whose Righteous soul was grieved for the sins of Sodom Job a mirrour of patience under the prond censures of his prosperous friends David a Cham pon
out why should you be smitten any more â—sa 1.5 The son of most liberty and least smart is usually the child of highest displeasure Whom God most cockereth he most correcteth but if affliction be not felt then are we bastards and not sons now affliction is either a note of no relation unto God or of severe rejection by God if God cease to scourge a son it is in severe anger to let him take his swinge in wickedness to the losse of Fathers blessing and inheritance The saddest estate of Israel was when God professeth he would cease from his anger and let Ephraim alone when joined to Idols Gods rage can only roar out this language I will make my fury towards thee to rest and my jealousie shall depart from thee and I will be quiet and bee no more angry Ezek. 16.42 And I will not punish your daughters when they commit whoredome nor your spouses when they commit adultery Hos 4.14 Origen quoting this scripture crieth out vis indignantis Dei vocem terribilem audire will you hear the terrible voyce of God hear it here I will not punish The profane like foolish children think their fathers quietness the token of his favour they are well pleased when profaneness passeth uncontrouled and impiety uncorrected when Gods silence seconds and gives way to their loud crying sins they crie mercy mercy but Bernard calleth it Misericordiam omni indignatione Crudeliorem a cruell courtesie a killing kindness to let the child play with the candle till burned and the knife till stabbed Vatablus interpreteth those words in Ezek. 3.20 I will lay a stumbling block before him I will prosper him and not by affliction restrain him can wee consider prosperity to be the principle and spring of Atheisme irreligion and profanenesse therefore pride compasseth them they set their mouth against heaven c. Psal 73.6 and conclude it a mercy to be prosperous It is the miserable mercy of the Gentiles whom God gave up unto a reprobate mind and vile affections to do those things which were not convenient to be filled with all unrighteousness and fornication wickedness c. Rom. 1.28 29. An estate of so great displeasure that the children of God rather chuse affliction and crie with Luther Feri Domine feri strike Lord strike and spare not or with Jeremiah Correct mee O Lord however the wicked boast of Gods good pleasure when they run into high prophanenesse and justice regards not to restrain then wee cannot but read of them that they are Bastards and not sons and so have no relation to God Chastisement is domestick discipline or else they are designed to a wrathful rejection they have provoked him so far with their pride and stubbornesse that hee will no longer bee troubled to correct them or attempt to reduce them but let them take their swinge and runne their Career of profanenesse unto their own ruine let them swear and lye commit adultry deal falsly do what they will they shall not for him be check'd or crossed for hee in his wrath hath cast them off and will have no more to do with them till in judgement he crie Go yee cursed into Hell fire prepared for the Divell and his Angells So not pity and good will but provoked justice doth enforce the prosperity of prophane men God is most angry when most silent and striketh least Thus then you have the question resolved and see how it comes to pass that it goeth so well with the wicked and if wee attend the course of Gods providence bee affected with the working of Gods patience assent unto the Saints Chastisements and tryalls and apprehend the highest expressions of provoked fury wee see satisfying reasons and grounds why prospering providences frequently attend the prophanest wretches and shall cease to wonder that the proud are called happy they that worke wickednesse are set up and they that tempt God are even delivered Having thus explained and confirmed the doctrine I shall now passe unto the application of it and although it might be largely usefull I shall contract all into one generall use of instruction to teach us to demean and carrie as those that are convinced that prospering providences do frequently attend the prophanest wretches Principles must be the ground of practice and perswasions must enforce obedience do we then see that they call the proud happy and they that work wickednesse are set up and they that tempt God are even delivered Let it bee our care to walk in the sence of this course of providence and carry suitably to so clear demonstration of profane mens prosperity and especially in learning and daily exercising these three lessons or duties First favour no cause or person follow no course of life as approved of and acceptable to GOD because seconded with prospering providences in this world 2. Find not contentment in the prospering providences of this life 3. Fret not at the prosperity of the wicked even of the worst of men Of these in order and first of the first 1. If prospering providences do frequently attend the prophanest wretches then favour you no cause follow no course as approved of and and acceptable to God because seconded with prospering providences in this world Make not providence an argument of defence and justification to any cause or yet a ground of beliefe and imbracement to any course of life do not determine this or that principle profession or practice to be true because not troubled and good because successefull The providences of God are in our much age observed made mention of I wish they be not more then admired even prophanely advanced to palliate prophanesse and impose impiety on others How many that act horrid impieties unparalleld wickedness subverting foundations supplanting laws destroying liberties usurping authority despising dominions speaking evill of dignities trampling on truth contemning ordinances laying wast the Church advancing errors heresies schisms despising and despiting Gods Ministers violating sacred vows and blaspheming most solemne oaths and Covenants and in their Enterprises meeting with successe proceeding with prosperity do with impudence cry providence providence as the plea of defence to their damned courses and conclude their horrid prophaness to be the Good Old Cause even the Cause of God and Religion with all fervor imposing it on others charging ignorance unbelief and obstinacy on all such as say not all is well done and do not strike hands with them in their ungodlinesse whilst they administer no light nor urge any argument save successe and prosperity sure these men do forget that we call the proud Happy and they that work wickednesse are set up nor is there any more of strength in their praying fasting and humilation that religious running into prophanesse and making piety the Prologue of their wicked undertakings whilst they that tempt God are even delivered Let me not be mistaken I would not disown or in the least degrade the providences of God I know they are to
be observed and dreaded by such as feare God there must be in all godly hearts a demeanor and frame of spirit suitable to divine providence the successe and prosperity of men in the world doth digitate and direct something of duty to Gods Children but whilst providence is to bee observed it is not to be obeyed against any precept Whilst it is to be improved it must be our care it be not misimproved and whilst we wait to hear see Gods mind in a providence we must not make it to speak the uncertain sound of our own fancies and pointblank contrary to Gods wil in his word I would that providencâ— be used not abused and duely argued but not made to conclude what the promises of successe and prosperity will not conclude let me therefore unto the guiding you unto the due observation and Christian improvement of providences successe and prosperity desire you to keep this golden Rule in mind and have it always at hand in changeable times and under variety of providences viz. Gods providence doth determine our condition but not defend any cause or dictate any course of life Providence is the explication of Gods mind Concerning our enjoyments not our endeavours and are to convince this is the estate wee must enjoy or endure not these are the principles we must believe and practice we must imbrace Gods providence is no Rule to know by no Rule to go by It was never intended to be a line of decision in doubtfull controversies or a Rule of direction in difficult cases it is indeed a good Dictator to our passions but no direction to our actions the due and diligent observer of providence seeth what to fear and what to desire when to mourn and when to rejoyce and how to lye low and how to be lifted up under the hand of God but not what to believe in matters of faith and act in matters of Religion I deny not the change of Gods people under changing providences but must have this change understood to be a change not of principles but passion not piety and Religion but particular acts of piety that not in substance and matter but method and order Gods providence doth sometimes call to weeping Isai 22.12 and mourning and cloathing in sackcloth and sometimes to joy and gladnesse and feasting before the Lord and he that answereth not this Call of Providence with the change of his demeanour is prophane and liable to divine plagues yet he that improves this providence to the casting off Religion Psal 44.17 and forsaking the Covenant of God is blasphemous and irreligious degenerated from the Saints of old who could cleave to Gods Covenant under the greatest of crosses whilst then we fear before God and observe his providence as disposing all affairs under the Sun we must not favour any cause because successfull nor follow any course of life because prosperous for we must know 1. Precept not providence is the Rule of direction unto the people of God Their enquiry is what doth God speak not what doth God succeed God hath published his word and prescribed it to be the Rule of life and manners and hath bound his people to the determination thereof Matters of faith and Religion have ever been positive and prescribed by the word and not left to the uncertain determination of providence the Gentiles may be left to the guidance of the stars and determinations of Heavens influence but Gods Israel have â—â—ws statutes Ordinances and commandements which they must observe fare it as it wil w th their coÌ„ditioÌ„ they must not turn to the right hand or the left hand from Gods declared will Deut. 5 32.1â—.11.28.14 No change of providence must carry them from positive commands their very King the subject of highest prosperity must have the Law written and therein read daily and Rule the people not by the impulse or instigation of providence but those positive prescriptions in doubtful cases Israel must appeal to the Priest and have the controversie decided by the Law but we never read of any appeal to providence directed or allowed to the Law and to the testimony Deut. 17 17. if they speak not according to this word it is because there is no light in them Isa 8.20 In the most dark estate that that ever befell Israel they are directed to the word not works of God to uphold their faith and direct their conversation Remember the Law of Moses my servant wh ill I commanded him in Horeb for a Israel with the statutes judgments Mal. 4.4 was the counsell of God to Israel untill the comming of the Messiah and he leavs not Christian faith on the changable wheel of providence but committed it to writing that it might be a standard of doctrine and Rule of life These things are written that we may believe Joh. 20.31 And peace is to be on as many as walk according to the written Rule Gal. 6.16 No gracious heart ever yet durst decline the word of God to be directed by works of providence Ahabs majesty his Prophets harmony 1 King 22.13 14. friends perswasion and fear of adversity have no influence on Micaiah to turn him from the word of the Lord he will speak what the Lord speaketh Nay Balaam the false Prophet however swayed by the prospering providence put into his hand and pursuing the wages of unrighteousnesse dares not â—ut protest against the influence of providence a subjection to the word of God The word that God putteth into my mouth that will I speak Numb 22.38 The Barbarians may bottome their perswasions of Paul Act. 26.6.14.11 12. upon the successe of the Viper and the Lycaonians stir up their superstition by the miraculous providences that attend the Apostles 17.11 but the noble Bereans regard neither the one nor the other But search the Scipture and bottome their faith on the Word of God he that weigheth Religion in the ballance of providence forsaketh â—he ballance of the Sanctuary God never intends by providence to justâ—e our precepts and to make his word of none effect Let Mâ—homet cudgell Chrâ—â—â— Jâ—â—us will convince his disciples and by his word witnesse his truth when providences run never so crosse to mannage a cause with appeals to providence is to manifest a want of or a weaknesse in the word of God and put the controversie on that course that giveth no assurance of decision having never been appointed to that end to embrace any course because it prospereth is to forsake the law of the Lord as rude and uncertain and blasphemously to tempt God by a course on which no faith can be founded for that no promise is made unto it obedience to the word is manifested when works of providence do run counter and contrary thereunto the appeal of comfort to the soul and honour to God and his truth is all this is come upon us yet have we not forgotten thee nor dealt