Part 11
reluctance, and great unwillingneſs the Lord goes about ſuch awork as this. The work ofjudgment is hisArangework, it pleaſes him better to execute the milder attribute of mercytowardshis children. Hence we find, whenhe ispreparing to executehisjudgments,thathedelays the execution as long as thehonourofhisname, andſafetyofhispeople will permit,Jer.xliv.23. of Hebears tillhecan bear nolonger: he often turns awayhis
Wat
wrath from them, Pfal. Ixxviii. 38, 39. He tries themby leffer judgments, and gentler corrections, to prevent greater, Amos iv. 6. When his people are humbled under the threatenings of his wrath, his heart is melted into compaffion tothem, Jer. xxxi . 17, 20. and whenever his mercy prevails againſt judgment, it is with joyand triumph, Jam. ii. 13. Mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
For he feels his own tender compaſſions yerning over them ; he foreſeeth, and is nowaywilling togratifythe inſultingpride of his, and their enemies. Deut. xxxii. 26, 27. I faid I " would ſcatter them into corners, Iwould make the remem-
" brance of them toceaſefrom among men, were it not that I " feared the wrath of the enemy, leſt their adverfaries ſhould " behave themselves ſtrangely," &c.
Yet all this, notwithstanding, it often falls out, by the provocations of his fons and daughters, that the Lord gives them
up into the hands of their enemies for the correction of their
evils, and the manifeſtation of his own glory. Seneca, though aheathen, could ſay, thatGod loves his people with a mafcu .
line love, not with awomaniſh indulgence, andtenderness: If need require, they ſhall be in heaviness through manifold temptations, 1 Pet. i. 6. He had rather their hearts ſhouldbe heavy under adverſity, thanvainand careleſs under profperity ; the choiceſt ſpirits have been exerciſed with the ſharpeſt ſufferings, and thoſe that now shine as ſtars in heaven, have been trode under foot asdung on the earth, 1 Cor. iv. 11, 12, 13. " Unto this preſent hourwe both hunger and thirst, and are " naked, and buffeted, and have no certaindwelling-place,
302 Preparations for Sufferings: Or, " and labour, working with our ownhands ; being reviledwe " blets , being perſecuted we ſuffer it,beingdefamed we intreat ;
" we aremade as the filth of theworld, and the off-fcouring of " all things unto this day." The eleventh chapter to the Hebrews is a compendium of the various and grievous ſufferings of the primitive faints: They were tortured, they were fawn " afunder, were tempted, were flain with the fword, they "wandered about in ſheep-skins and goat-skins, being afflicted, "
deftitute, tormented, of whom the world was not worthy ;
they wandered in deferts, and in mountains, indens, and " cavesof the earth." And since the earth hath dried up thoſe rivers of precious blood, whereof the facred records make men tion, what feas of Chriftians blood have fincethoſe days been
Thed by bloody perfecutors ? Hiſtories inform us, that in the ten primitive perfecutions, fo many of the faints and martyrs of Jeſus Chrift have been flain, as that you may allow five thousand aday to every day in the whole year. Thoſe bloody emperors ſported themselves with the deaths ofGod's dearest faints; many precious Chriftians were burnt by night at Rome, to ſerve as torches to light their enemies in their paſſage through the
ſtreets; eight hundred thousand martyrs are mentioned within the fpaceof thirtyyears, ſince the Jeſuits aroſe out of the bottomleſs pit. To what grievous sufferings did the Lord give up thoſe precious fervants of Chriſt, the Waldenſes, and Albigentes, who
received the light of reformation about the year 1260, when thefogs of Antichriſtian darkneſs had overſpread the earth ! a people found in judgment, as appears by their letters, catechiſms, andconfeffions, which are extant; apeople of a fimple, plain, and inoffenfive behaviour: Yet, with what furyand
ragedid that impious pope Pius perſecute them to deſtruction! drivingthem into the woods andmountains,except the aged, and children that could not flee, who were murdered in the way : Some famiſhed in the caves, and clefts ofthe rocks ; others enduredthe rack for eight hours together; ſome beaten with iron
rods, others thrown from the tops of high towers, and daſhed topieces.
Whatbloody ſhambles, and flaughter-houſes, have France, Ireland, and England, been made by popiſh cruelty ! More mightbe related out of each ſtory, than a tender-hearted reader is able tobear the rehearsal of. But whatGod hath done, he maydo again : We are not better than our fathers, diſmal clouds of indignation are gathering over our heads, charged withdouble deſtruction; ſhould the Lord pleaſe to make them
The best Work in the worst Times. 303 break uponus ; we cannot imagine the rage of Satan to be abated, now that his kingdomhaftens to its period, Rev. xii. 12.
nor are his inftruments grown leſs cruel, and skilful to deſtroy. The land, indeed, hath enjoyed a long reſt, and this generation tis acquainted with littlemore of martyrdom, thanwhat thehi-
ſtories of former times inform us of: But yet let no man befool himſelf with a groundleſs expectation ofcontinuing tranquillity. Auguſtine thinks that the bloodyſweat which over-ranthebody
of Chriſt in the garden, ſignified the ſnarp and grievous ſuffer- -ings which in his myſticalbody he ſhould afterwards endure ;
and indeed it is atruth, that theſe are alſo called the remainsof
Chriſt's ſufferings, Col. i. 24. His personal sufferings were indeed compleated at his refurrection, that cup was full to the brim, towhich nodrop of fufferings can be added; but his fufferings in his myſticalbodyare not yet full; by his perfonal fufferings he fully fatisfiedthe wrath of God, but the fufferings of - his people have not yet fatisfied the wrath of men : Though millions of precious ſaints have ſhed their blood for Chriſt, whoſe ſouls are now crying under thealtar, Howlong, Lord!
10 how long! yet there are many more coming on behind, in the fame path of perfecution, and much Chriſtian blood muſt yet be ſhed, before the mystery of God be finiſhed ; and notwithſtanding this lucid interval, the clouds ſeem to be returning again after the rain. Thus you ſee towhat grievous fufferings the mercifulGod hath ſometimes called his dearest people.
NowGod maybe faid to call forth his people to fuffer, when he fo hedgeth them inbyprovidence, that there is noway to eſcape ſuffering, butby finning; whatsoever providence labours with fucha dilemmaas this, is a plain fignification of God's will to us in thatcafe. We may not now expect extraordinary calls to ſufferingwork,as ſome of the faintshad of old,Gen. xxii . 2. Acts ix. 16. but when our way is ſo ſhut up by providence, that we cannot avoid fuffering, but by ſtepping over the hedge
of the command, God will have us look upon that exigence as his call to fuffer : And if the reaſons be demanded, why the Lord, who is ſo inclined to mercy, doth often hedge in his own people, by his providence, in a fuffering path; let us know, that in todoing, hedoth both,
1. Illuſtrate his own glory. And, 2. Promote his people's happiness . First, Hereby the moſtwifeGod doth illuſtrate the glory of his own nam clearing up the righteouſneſs of his ways by the fufferings of his own people : By this the world ſhall fee, thathow well foever he loves them, hewill not indulge or pa
304 Preparationsfor Sufferings : Or, tronize their fins ; if they will beſo diſingenuous toabuſe his favours, he will be ſo just to make them fuffer for their fins, and by thoſe very fufferings will provide for his own glory, which was by them clouded in theeyes of the world. Hehates not finajot the lefs, becauſe it is found in his own people, Amos iii. 2. And though, for the magnifying of his mercy, hewill pardontheir fins, yet, for the clearing of hisrighteouf nefs, he will take vengeance upon their inventions, Pfal. xcix. 8.
Moreover, by expofing his people to ſuch grievous ſuffer ings, he gives a fit opportunity to manifeſt thegloryof his pow er in theirfupport, and of hiswisdom, in the marvellous ways of their eſcape anddeliverance. It is one of the greatest wor ders in the world, how the church ſubſiſts under fuch fierce and
frequent affaults as are made upon it by its enemies. " I will "turn afide(ſaidMoſes) andfeethis great fight, why the bufh " is notconfumed," Exod. iii. 3. That flaming bush was2 lively emblem of the oppreſſedchurch in Egypt; the crackling flames noted the heat of their perfecution, the remaining of the bush unconfumed in the flames, ſignified the wonderful power ofGod in their preſervation : No people are ſo privileg ed, ſoprotected, ſo delivered, as the people ofGod. Much leſs oppoſitionthan hath been made against the church, hath overturned, and utterly destroyed, the mighty monarchies of
the world.
- Sic Medus ademit Allyrio, Medoque tulit moderamina Perſes, Subjecit Perfen Macedo, ceffurus et ipfe Romanis-
• Affyria's empire thus the Mede did ſhake, • The Perſian next, the pride of Media brake; • Then Perfia funkbyMacedonia preſt, •That, in its turn, fellbyRome at last.'- Andno leſs admirable is the wisdom ofGod, in fruftrating and defeating the moſt deep, anddeſperate deſigns of hella gainst his poor people. Now, you mayfee the moſt wifeGod going beyond a malicious and ſubtle devil, overturning in : moment thedeep laid deſigns, and contrivances of many years, andthat at the very birth and point of execution, Efth. vi. 1.
foaring the wicked in the works of their own hands ; making their own tongues to fall upon them ; working out fuch mat
* Claudian, lib. 3. in laudes Stillicones.
The best Work in the worst Times 305 vellous ſalvations with his own hand, as fills them with aftonishment andwonder. Pfal. cxxvi. 7. " When the Lord turn-
" ed back the captivity of Zion, we were like them that " dreamed."
Secondly, AsGod provides for his ownglory, by the ſufferings and troubles of his people; ſo he advanceth their happineſs, and greatly promotes their intereſt thereby.
For, First, Theſe troubles are ordered as ſo many occafions andmeans to mortify the corruptions that are in their hearts ; there are rank weeds ſpringing up inthe beſt ſoil, which need
ſuch winter weather to rotthem : And, certainly, ifwe reckon humility, heavenly-mindedness, contempt of the world, and
longing defires afterheaven,tobethereal intereſt and advantage of the church ; then it is evident, nothing ſo much promotes their intereſt, as a fuffering condition doth: Adverſity kills thoſecorruptions which proſperity bred.
Secondly, By theſe trials their fincerity is cleared, tothe joy and fatisfaction of their own hearts; manyadoubt and fear, which had long entangled and perplexedthem, is removedand answered. When adverſity hath given them proof, and trial of their own hearts, one ſharp trialwhereinGod helps us to be faithful, will do more to fatisfy our fears, and reſolve our doubts, than allthe fermons that ever we heard inour lives
coulddo.
Thirdly, Theſe ſufferings andtrials ofthe church, are ordainedto free it ofabundanceof hypocrites, which were its re-
proach, as well as burden, Amosix. 9, 10. Affliction is a fur. nace to feparate thedroſs from the more pure and noble gold. Multitudes of hypocrites, like flies inahotfummer, are gene
ratedby the church's profperity; but this winter weather kills them : Manygaudy profeſſors grow within the incloſureof the church, like beautiful flowers in the field, where they ſtand, during its peace and proſperity, in the pride and bravery of
their gifts and profeſſions ; but the wind paſſeth over them, and they aregone, and their places ſhall know themno more ;
toallude to that in Plalm ciii. 16. Thunder and lightning is veryterribleweather, but exceedinguſeful topurify andcleanſe ✓the air.
Fourthly, The church's ſufferings are orderedand ſanctified, to endear them to each other. Times of common ſuffering, are times of reconciliation, and greater endearments among the people ofGod ; never more endeared, than when moſt perfe- ✓cuted; never more united, than when moſt ſcattered, Mal. iii. VOL . VII. ९१
306 • Preparations for Sufferings : Or, 17. " Then they that fearedthe Lord, ipake often one to ano " ther." Certainly there is ſomething in our fellowship in the fame fufferings, that is endearing and engaging ; but thereis much more in the diſcoveries thatperfecution makes of the fio cerity of our hearts, which, it may be, was before entertained with jealoufy ; and there is yet more than all this in the re proofs of the rod, whereby they are humbled for their pride, wantonneſs, and bitterness of their ſpirits to each other, and
made tocry, in the ſenſe of theſe tranfgreffions, as Pfal. lxx. 8. " Remember not againſt us former iniquities."
Lastly, By theſe troubles and diſtreſſes, they are awakenedto their duties, and taught to pray more frequently, ſpiritually and fervently. Ah ! what drowſineſs and formality is aptto creep in upon the beſt hearts, in thetime of profperity; but when the storm riſes, andthe fea grows turbulent and raging,
now they cry, as the diſciples to Chrift, Lord, fave us, w perish. They ſay muſic is ſweetest uponthewaters ; I am fure the ſweeteſtmelody of prayer is upon the deep waters of affic tion: For theſe, among many other righteous, wife, and hat ends, the Lord permits and orders the perfecutions and diftre
ſes of his people.
CHAP. III.
Shews, that it is usualwith God to premoniſh his people ofot
proaching trials andfufferings ; withfomeaccount ofthe mat
nerhow, and the reason why heso forewarns them. Adaylar andforces SPaul had many clear premonitionsand fore-notices of the
notbe furprizedby them when they came ; ſo it is usual with God (though not in ſuch an immediate and extraordinary a mat
ner) to admonish the world, and eſpecially his own people, great trials and ſufferings before hand. Amos iii. 7. " Surely " the Lord will do nothing, but he revealeth his fecrets unt " his ſervants the prophets." Thus, when hewas about tobring the floodupon the world, he gave one hundred and twentyyears warning of it before it came, Gen. vi. 3. and when he was to deſtroy Sodom, he faith , Gen. xviii. 17. " Shall I hide from Abraham the thing " that I do ?" And the like diſcovery he made about the fame judgment to Lot, Gen.xix. 12, 13, 14. Sowhen the captivi ty of the Jews was nigh at hand, the people had many fore
The best Work in the worst Times. 307 warnings of it; God forewarned them both minifterially and providentially ; he warned themby the prophets, Ezek. iii. 17. " Hear the word of my mouth, and give them warning from me" Andwhen the time drew nigh to execute the judgment determined upon Jerufalem, and the temple, how plainly did Chriſt foretel them of it ? Luke xix. 43 , 44. " Thine " enemies ſhall caſt a trench about thee, and compaſs thee " round, and keep thee in on every fide, and ſhall lay thee e-
venwith the ground, and thy children within thee." Andwhen the ſtorm was juſt ready to fall, * theirown hiſtoriantells us, a voice was heard in the temple, faying, Migremus hinc, Let usgohence. Which voice † Tacitus alſo men- * tions in his annals, affirming it to be more than a human ' voice, telling them God was departing, and that it was ac-
companied with a ruſhing noiſe, as of perſons going out.. • Theſe were extraordinary warnings.' The like ſigns have beengiven to divers other nations, by dreadful eclipses of the heavenly bodies, portentous comets , earthquakes , andother ſigns *of judgment. Now, though we have no ground to expect ſuch extraordinary warnings, yet we have the moſt apparent and certain ſigns of approaching calamities ; after which, if they furprize us, ✓the fault muſt lie in ourowninexcuſablenegligence ; forwe have
a ſtanding rule to govern ourſelves in this matter, and that is this;
When the ſame ſins are found in one nation, which have ' brought down the wrath of God upon another nation, it is ' an evident ſign ofjudgment at the door; forGod is unchange- ' able, juſt, and holy, and willnot favour that in one people, ' which he hath punished inanother, norbleſs that inone age, 'which he hath curſed in another. Upon this very ground it was, that the apostlewarned the Corinthians,by the example of
the Ifraelites, whoſe ſins had ruined them in the wilderneſs,
1 Cor. x. 6. " Now theſe things were our examples, to the in66 tentwe ſhould not luſt after evil things, as they alſo lufted." As if he ſhould ſay, Look upon thoſe dead bodies which are,
as itwere, caft up upon the ſame ſcripture-ſhore for a warning
to you : Follow not the fame courſe, left you meet in the ſame curfe; if you tread the fame paths, expect the fame puniſhment. God is as righteous now, as he was then ; he hates, and will puniſh ſin inyou, as much as he did in them.
* Jofephus de bello Jud. lib. 7. cap. 2. † Audita major humana vox excedere Deos, fimul ingensmotus excedentium. Tacitus, lib. 21 .Qq2
308 Preparationsfor Sufferings : Or, Letus thereforeconfiderwhat thoſe provocations were, that haftened the wrath ofGodupon hisown Ifrael, apeople that were nigh and dear unto him ; a people uponwhomhe ſpentas
much of the riches ofhis patience, asuponanypeople in the world; that ſowe may reckon whereabout we are at this day,
and what is like to be the lot of this finful and provoking generation; andwe shall find, by the conſentofall the prophets, thattheſe ſinswerethe immediate førerunners, and proper cat-
fes of their overthrow.
First, The great corruptionofGod's worſhip among them kindledhis wrath, andhaftenedtheir ruin, Plal.cvi. 39,40, 41, 42. They were defiled with their own works, and went a " whoring with theirown inventions; therefore was thewrath
" of Godkindled against his own people, infomuch that heab- "horred his own inheritance, andhegavethem into the hand " of the heathen, and they that hated them ruled over them;
" their enemies alſooppreſſedthem, and theywere broughtinto "ſubjectionunder their hand." They that will not bear the golden yoke of Chriſt, ſhall be galledwiththe ironyoke of men:
nothing more provokes the anger ofGod, thanthe adulterating of his worship ; a man will bear a thousand infirmities in the wifeof his boſom, but unfaithfulneſs in the marriage-covenant
breaks his heart. After the mannerofmen, ſoabuſed and grieved, the Lord expreſſeth himself, Ezek. vi. 9. " I am broken with " their whoriſh heart, which hathdeparted from me, andwith " their eyes thatgo awhoring after their idols." Men cannot invent a ſurer, and ſpeedier way to their own ruin, than to bringtheir own inventions intoGod's worship. Secondly, Incorrigible obſtinacy andimpenitency,undergentler ſtrokes, and leſſer judgments, makes way for utter ruinand defolation, Amos iv. from the 6th to the 12thverſe. Scarcity, mildews, peſtilence, and ſword, had been triedupon them, but without effect ; for the remnant that eſcaped thoſe judgments, (although plucked as ſo many brands outof the fire, in which
their fellow ſinners periſhed)were not reformedby thoſe gentler andmoderated judgments.
Thirdly, Stupidity, and ſenſelessness ofGod's hand, andthe tokensof hisanger, was aprovoking cauſe, and forerunningof
their national defolation; theyneither law the handofGod when itwas liftedup, nor humbled themselves under itwhenit
was laidon ; the hand of Godisthenſaid tobe lifted up, when
the providences ofGod prepare and poſturethemſelves for our affliction. When the clouds ofjudgment gather overourheads, and grow blacker and blacker, as theirsdiduponthem, anddo
The best Work in the worst Times. 309
upori us at thisday, but theytook no notice ofit, Iſa. xxvi. 11. " Lord, when thy hand is lifted up, they will not ſee;" and
(which is the height of ſtupidity) they all remained ſenſeleſs, and regardleſs,when the hand of God was laidupon them. Ha. xlii. 24, 25. " WhogaveJacob for a fpoil, andIſrael totherob " bers ? Didnot the Lord, he againſt whom wehave finned ? " for they would not walk in his ways, neither were theyobe- " dient tohis law. Therefore hehath poured upon them the " furyof his anger, and the ſtrength of battle; and ithath ſet " him, on fire round about, yet he knew not; and it burned " him, yet he laid it not toheart." O prodigious ſottiſineſs ! It was not ſome ſmall drops of her God's anger, but the fury of his anger; not fome lighter skir-
тор
smith of his judgments with them, but thestrength of battle :
Itwas not fome particular ſtroke upon ſingle perfons, or fami- - lies, butit fet himon fire roundabout,ageneral conflagration ; yet all this would not awakenthem.
bee Fourthly, The perfecution ofGod's faithful miniſters, and ed people, was another fin that procured, and a ſign that foretold ak the deſtructionoftheirnation. 2Chron. xxxvi. 15, 16. "And
" the LordGod of their fathers ſent tothembyhis meſſengers, " riſing up betimes, and ſending; because he hadcompaffion " on his people, and onhis dwelling-place : but theymocked " the meſſengers ofGod, anddeſpiſedhis words, and miſuſed " hisprophets, until thewrath of the Lord aroſe against his
people, till therewas noremedy." There were alſoa number of upright fouls among them, who defired toworſhipGod according to hisown preſcription; but aſnare waslaid for them
inMizpeh, andanet ſpread for them upon Tabor, Hof. v. 1. and this hastened judgment towards them : Mizpeh and Tabor were places lying in the way betwixt Samaria and Jerufalem,
where the true worship ofGodwas : and inthoſeplaces ſpies were fetby the priests toobſerve, and inform against them; fo that itbecame very hazardous to attend the pure and incorrupt worship ofGod, which quicklyhattened ontheir ruin.
Fifthly, The removal of godly anduseful men bydeath, in more thanordinary haſte, was to them a ſign of deſolation at hand. Ifa. lvii. 1. " The righteous periſheth, and no man lay- " eth it to heart; and merciful men are taken away, none con- " ſidering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to
" come." In this cafe God acts towards his people, as the huſbandman in acatching harvestdothbyhis corn; hehurries itwith a shuffling haſte into the barn, when he seesa ſtorm coming : or as a careful father with his fons that are abroad at
310 Preparationsfor Sufferings: Or, ſchool, who fends his horſe to fetch them home ſpeedily,when
he hears the plague is begun in the place. Upon this ground the prophet Micah bewails himself, Micah vii. 1. " Wo is me, " for I am as whenthey havegathered the ſummer-fruits, as the " grape gleanings of the vintage, there is no cluſter to eat ; my " foul defired the firſt ripe-fruit." 2d. Alas ! alas ! what
miferable days are at hand! what miſeries muſt I expect to fee ! The pleaſantcluſters, (i.e.)the ſocietiesofthe ſaints, are gathered awayby the hand of death; there are but few that remain,
hereandthere a ſingle ſaint, likegrapes after thevintage isdone,
two or threeupon the utmoſt branches.
Sixthly, The general decay of the life and power of godlineſs among them that were left, forebodeddeſtruction at the door: this is both a provoking fin, anda fore-running ſign of national calamity. Hotea iv. 18. Their drink is fowre. Ame taphor lively expreſſing the deadness and formality of the people in the worship of God. It was like fowre, or dead drink, whichhath loft its ſpirit and relith, and is become flat. Such were their duties ; no ſpiritual life, affection, or favour inthem:
they heard, as if theyheard not, and prayed, as if they prayednot; the ordinances of God were tothem as the ordinances
of men, of which the apostle faith, that they perish in the ufing.
Seventhly, To conclude ; Mutual animoſities, jars, and divifions, were to them manifeſt ſymptoms of national calamities and defolations : for then Ephraim envied Judah, and Judah vexed Ephraim, Iſa. xi. 13. Hofea ix . 7. " The days of vifita- " tion are come, the days of recompence are come, Ifrael ſhall " know it : The prophet is a fool, the ſpiritual man is mad, for " the multitude of thine iniquities, and the great hatred."
When ſuch ſymptoms of God's indignationdo appear upon anypeople, the Lord, by them, as by ſo many glaring meteors, and blazing comets, forewarns the world that hisjudgments are near, even at the door. Theſe ſigns all men ought to obſerve, and behold with trembling. If you ask, WhydothGod uſually give ſuch warnings ofhis indignation before it comes ? The realons are,
1. To prevent the execution. 2. To make them more tolerable. 3. To leave the incorrigible inexcuſable.
First, Warning is given, withdeſign to prevent the execu tion ofjudgments, Amos iv. 12. " Therefore thus will I do
" unto thee, O Ifrael ; and becauſe I will do this unto thee, "prepare to meetthyGod, O Ifrael;" (i. e.) Prepare thyfelf
The best Work in the worst Times. 311
tomeet me in the way of myjudgments, by humiliation and interceſſion, to prevent the execution. And what elſe was the deſign of God in ſending Jonah to that great city Nineveh, but toexcite them to repentance for the prevention of their ruin. ThisJonah knew to be the Lord's meaning,how poſitive ſoever thewordsofhis commiffionwere ; and therefore he declinedthe meſſage to ſecure his credit ; knowing, that if upon warning given they repented, the gracious nature of God would foon melt into compaſſion over them, and free-grace would make him
appear as a liar ; for ſo we must expound hiswords, Jonah iv. 2. " Was not this my ſaying, when I was yet inmy country ? " Therefore I fled before unto Tarſhich for I knew that thou " art a gracious God, and merciful, flow to anger, and of great " kindness, and repenteſt thee of the evil." 2. d. Yea, Lord, I knew before-hand it would come tothis; thou ſendeſtme pofitively todenouncethy judgments to Nineveh, mean time de-
firing nothing more than that the execution of them might be prevented by their repentance. And thus thy mercy hath expoſedmy reputation, in ſaving them from deſtruction.
Secondly, God forewarns his people of judgments, to make them moretolerablewhentheycome : expected evils arenothing
ſo heavy, as thoſe that come by furprizal ; for look, as the long expectation of a mercy makes it leſs ſweet, our thoughts having anticipated and fucked out much of the ſweetneſs beforehand; ſo the expectation of judgments before they befal us,
make them leſs bitter and burdenſome than elſe they wouldbe, the foul having inured and accuſtomed itſelf to them, by frequent thoughts, and prepared and made ready itſelf to entertain them, as Paul did in my text. To prevent the diſciples furprizal, and offence, at thoſedays of perſecution that were coming upon them, Chriſt foretold them, and gave them fair - warning before-hand, John xvi . 4 .
Thirdly, He forewarns his people of approaching dangers, to leave the incorrigible wholly inexcuſable, that thoſe who havenoſenſeoffin, norcaretoprevent ruin, mighthavenocloke for their folly when judgments overtake them. " What wilt " thou ſaywhen he ſhall puniſh thee ?" Jer. xiii. 21, 22. As if
he ſhould ſay, What plea, or apology is left thee, after ſomany
fairwarnings, andtimely premonitions ? Thou canst not ſay, I have ſurprized thee, or that thou waft ruined before thou waſt warned. Thy deſtruction therefore is of thyſelf.
312 Preparationsfor Sufferings : Or,
CHAP. IV.
Demonstrating the excellency ofaprepared heart for the worst
ofsufferings ; andwhat a bleſſed thing it is to be ready to be bound, or todieforChrist, as Paulherewas. IAm ready.] Obleſſedframeof ſpirit! howhard, buthow happyis it toget aheart ſo tempered! Every Chriſtian can ſay, I would be ready, and the Lord make me ready for fufferings; but few can ſay, Iam ready, my heart is preparedand fitted for fuch a work : yet this example ſhews us it is attainable: andwhat ableſſed thing it is to attain it, the following particulars will abundantly convince us.
First, Readiness for ſufferingswill bring the heart of a Chriſtiantoanholy reſt andtranquillity, in a fuffering hour, and prevent that anxiety, perturbation, anddistraction of mind, which puts the finkingweight into afflictions. The more cares,
fears, and troubles, we have before our fufferings come, the morecalm, quiet, andcompoſed we are like to be when our -fufferings are come indeed. It is admirable toconſider with
what peace andpatience Job entertained his troubles, which,
confideringthekinds, degrees, andmanner in which theybefel him, onewould think they ſhouldat least have ſtartled anda
mazed him, and puthisfoul(asgraciousandmortified as itwas) intogreat diſorder and confufion; but you find the contrary: neverdidthepatience ofa man triumph at that rate over ad verſity; he worſhipsGod, owns his hand, andreſigns himſelf uptohis pleaſure, Job i. 20, 21. And whence was this? Surely had his troubles comeby way of ſurprize, he could ne verhave carried it at that rate; butinthe days of his peace andprofperityhe had prepared for ſuchadayas this, Jobill. 25, 26. " Iwas not inſafety, neither had I reſt; yet trouble came; the thing that I feared(faith he)iscomeuponme." He laidit toheart before it came, andtherefore it neither di
ſtracted, nor brake the heart when it came. In like manner the prophetHabakkuk ſtoodupon his watch-tower, (i. e.)he made his obſervationsbythewordupontheprobableeventsof providence, wherebyhe gotaclear foreſightof thoſe trouble
fomedays thatwere at hand; which thoughitmade himtrem ble inhimself, yetitgavehim reſtin thedayof evil, Hab. iii.
16, 17, 18. There isa twofoldreſt inthedayof evil, viz. 1. A reſt of deliverance. 2. A reſt of contentation.
The best Work in the worst Times. 1 313 Itisa fingularmercy to find reſtin a man's own ſpirit; to enjoy inward peace, and tranquillity ofmind, when there is ho reſtwithout ; and thewaytoobtain this, isto foreſee, count
upon, and make due preparation for troublous times beforehand : evils that come by way of furprizal, are not only amazing, but very frequently deſtructive evils ; it is a fad ag gravation to feel a miſery, before we fear it; thoſe calamities
thatfindmenfecure,douſually leave them defperate : the ene my that comes upon our backs hath agreat advantage to ruin us, yet this is the common caſe ofthe world. " For man
" knoweth nothistime, but as the fiſhes are taken in an evil " net, and as the birds that are caught in the ſnare ; ſo are " the fons ofmen ſnared inan eviltime, when it falleth on " them ſuddenly," Eccl. ix. 12. Thus periſhedtheoldworld; there was but oneNoah provided for the flood, and he only, with his family, was preſerved in it : all the reſt were eating
and drinking , marrying, and giving inmarriage, until the flood came and ſweptthem all away, Matth. xxiv. 38. Men will not uſe their foreſeeing faculties ; but becauſe it is all
quiet to-day, they conclude it ſhallbe fo to-morrow. Thoſe - that are at reſt in theirhabitations, and have got a fafe pillow
under their heads, are apt to fall aſleep in ſecurity, anddream pleasantly ofcontinued reſt and peace ; and loththey are to
interrupt their ſenſual pleaſure with melancholy thoughts of changes and fufferings. Philoſophers tell us,that immediatelybefore an earthquake the air is very quiet and ſerene; and before the great rain falls,thewind is usually ſtill:were the aſpect offecondcauſes
much more favourable and encouragingthan it is; yetthere is cauſe enough, for allthat are wife inheart, tofear and tremble, under the confideration of that national guilt which is treaſu-
redup, and will certainly produce diſtreſs and trouble. OChriftians! look out fordays ofviſitation ; prepare for a ſtorm, andprovide you an ark, anhiding-place in Chriſt, and thepromiſes, as ever you expect reſt, and peace in your own
ſpirits, whentheearth ſhallbe full of tumults, uproars, and defolations.
Secondly, Our preparation for fufferings is an excellent argument ofthe honesty and fincerity of our hearts, inthe mat-
tersofreligion : he that makes account of fufferings, and is dailyatwork with his own heart, mortifying its corruptions, weaning its worldly affections, exciting and making ready its
fuffering-graces, refolving inthe ſtrength ofGod, to takehis VOL.VII. 7
1 Rr
314 Preparationsfor Sufferings : Or, lot with Chriſt, where-ever, andhowsoever it ſhall fall; this is theman that hath deliberately cloſed with Chriſt upon his
own terms, and is like tobe the durable and victorious Chriſtian.
As for hypocrites, (Chriſt's ſummer friends) theyhave either their exceptions against the ſeverities ofreligion, and ftudy to ſecure to themſelves a retreat from danger, or elſe they rush inconfiderately into the profeſſionofChriſt, neverdebateing the terms which he propoſes to all that will follow him, Mark viii. 34. The neceſſity ofa rational and well-advifed cloſurewith Chriftupon fuffering andfelf-denying terms, is byhimselffully fetforth in that excellent parable, Luke xiv.
25, 26, 27, 28. There was a great multitude that followedhim at that time ; Chrift begantogrow in requeſt among them ; they flockedfrom allparts to fee and hear him; but he fore-
faw, that if once a ſharp trial ſhould befal them, it would quickly thin, anddiminish that great multitude, and reduce them like Gideon's hoft, into a little handful: and therefore he reſolves to deal candidly and plainly with them; he propounds his terms, and ſets down his conditions, which every oneofthem muſt ſubſcribe, that willfollow him ; the fum of which is this, " Lethim denyhimself, take up his croſs, and
" follow me." And to evince the rationalityoftheſe terms, he
argues, from the most common andobvious practices ofmen in their civil affairs : no man, that exerciſeth reaſon, willbegin tobuild an houfe, and lay a large foundation, when he is not provided with a ſtock to carry upthe walls, and complete the work: no man, inhiswits wouldengage with ahandful of
men, against a great armed multitude; poſſibly theymayintend toface, butnoman would thinkthey intendto fight the enemy, onſuch adifadvantage. Juſt ſo ſtands thecafe in our profeffion ofChriſt ; ifwe really intend togo through with the buſineſs ofreligion, we must fit down, and computethe coft
and charges of Chriſtianity, think upon the worst, as well 23 the beft, reckon upon reproaches, priſons, anddeath for his fake, as well as the easier andmorepleasantparts ofactive 0bedience; and having ſo done, ifthenwe can be contentto runallhazards, and forego allthe reſt upon hisaccount, and accordinglymanage ourſelves in a dayoffuffering,thenwedeal
fincerely with Chrift, and clear ourſelves from the danger of hypocrify. It is for wantofthis, that ſomany profeflors faint,
and fall away, intimes of temptation, furnishing the devil withfo manytriumphs over religion, and the more upright
profeffors ofit. Itwas forwantofdepth ofearth, (i. e.) a deep
1 315 confideration, and well rooted reſolution at first, that the ſto-
The best Work in the worst Times.
ay-ground hypocrite ſo quickly withered away, whenthe fun ofperfecutionbegan to ſhine fervently uponhim, Matth. xiii. 5,6. Anddoubtless it is to prevent this fatal iſſue ofour profefion, thatGod makes ſuchdeep wounds by convictionuponhis beopleshearts at firſt ; it is for our eſtabliſhment infuture trials, and ſufferings, thathe ſo diſtreſſes, and humbles them; that he
nakes ſin ſobitter and burdenſome tothem ; as well knowing hatall this is no more than needs, to prevent theirreturning again tofin, in the times of their temptation. O profeffor ! ifthou be one that art come to Chriſt in this way, andhaſt thus deliberately closedwithhim ; if thou haft as well bethought thyſelf of bearing his croſs, as ofwearing
ais crown ; thou hast then a fair evidence of the uprightneſs ofthyheart, than which, the world affords not a ſweeter com-
fort.
Thirdly, The advantage of preparation for fufferings lies in thisthatitprevents, and cuts offthe ſcandal and offence ofthe croſs, with reſpect both to ourſelves, andothers.
First, It prevents our own offence at ſufferings ; and by Chrift's own teſtimony, that foul is bleſſed, that is not offendedinhim, Matth. xi. 6. Amongthe multitudes of profeffors,
few arefoundthat arenoway offended at fuffering for Chrift ; theyexpectedmuchpeace, honour, and proſperity intheways ofreligion,but findingtheir expectations fruſtrated, and their
carnal intereſt rather expoſed, thanſecuredby their profeffion of Chriſt, they go back like thoſe John vi. 66. and walk no morewithhim. And it is very remarkable, that Chriſt dates
the offence that men ſhall take at him, from the firſt appearance ofſuffering, Matth. xxiv. 8, 9. " All these are the begin- " nings offorrows, andthen ſhall many be offended." Sorrows and apoftacies commence together.
But, reader, ifthou be one that makeſt it thy buſineſstoforefee, andprepare for an evil day,thou wilthave as good thoughts ofChrift, and hisways at the lowest ebb, asever thou hadſt in
the greatest flourish, and time of profperity. "Greatpeace " (faith the Pfalmiſt) have they that lovethylaw, and nothing " ſhall offend them." O happyfoul! whom no troubles, re-
proaches, or fufferings, are able to offend! thou mayeft meet with priſons, death, banishments, yea, but noneoftheſe things
ſhall offend, or stumble thee, but thou shalt peaceably, and fafelypafs over them, becauſe theyare nomorethan thou expecteſt, and provideſt for. Rr2
316 Preparations for Sufferings : Or, Secondly, Andby this means thou wilt alſo prevent the of fence, and ſcandals of others at thewaysofreligion. Itis a ſad, and dangerous thing to be anoccafion ofſtumbling, either to the weak, or to the wicked. " Woe to the world becauſe of " offences, for it mustneeds be that offences come; butwoe " to that man bywhom the offence cometh," Matth. xviii. 7. The apoſtacies and finful compliances ofungrounded profef-
fors, and weak Chriſtians, intimes oftemptation, are thewo ful occafions ofprejudicing others against religion, and ſheddingtheblood offouls. Ah! itweremuchbetter never tobe
in theways ofprofeffion, thanto be there only as a stone of
ſtumbling, and a rock of offence to others : but allthis miſ chiefwill be prevented,by thy ferious expectation of, and pro viſion forthe evil day.
Fourthly, A fourth excellency ofpreparation for fufferings lies in this, that ithath a tendency to convince, and awaken thedrowſyworld. O ! if the Lord's people would but engage
in this work in earnest, and live as people that are providing for a storm, and reſolve, in the ſtrength of God, to runall hazards andhardſhips for Chriſt,Iam perfuaded it would beof more uſe, to ſtartle, and convince the world, than all the fer
mons that ever they heard for here is thatwhichdaſhes and cuts thethroat ofall our labours. We preach up felf-denial, and contemptof life, and liberty for Chrift: now though they hcar us preach the neceffity, and excellency of theſe things,
andhearyou profeſsthem as your principles ; yet whenthey lookupon the lives ofprofefſors intimes ofdanger, and find no proportion betwixt profeſſion and practice ; whentheyfee us cling to the world, and are as loth to give it up as others i when they obſerve priſons and ſufferings affright and terrifyus
asmuch as thoſe that make noprofeſſion; when they ſee us
ſtart, like hares, at every found, and that welive not looſe from the world, as men prepared to let it go and give it up for Chrift: why then they conclude thatwe dare not truſt our own principles, whenit comes to the push. And how can theybe perfuaded to believe thatwhichthey thinkwe ourſelves donotreallybelieve, although weperfuade them to believeit? My friends, the worldhath eyes to ſee what you can do, as well as ears to hearwhat you canfay ; and as longas they fee
youdonomore than others, you maytalkyourhearts out ere
they will believe yourwayis better than others.
Butnowwhenperfecution arifeth, didthey feeyouprovid ing yourſelves for it, and puttingon your harness to enterthe
lifts, carryyourdeareſtenjoymentsinyourhands,andput on
The best Work in the worst Times, 317 the ſhoe ofpreparation, to followthe Lord throughthe rougheſtways of fufferings; this would convince to purpoſe, and preach the excellency of Chrift, the vanity of the creature, the
rationality and certainty ofChriſtian principles, in a more intelligible, and rouzing dialect tothem, than allour cheap, and - eaſycommendations ofthemdid. Andhence it is, thatNoah - was ſaid to condemn the world, Heb. xi. 7. "By faith " Noah being wained of God, ofthings not ſeen as yet," (i. e.) ofthe deluge that was coming,though no appearance
ofit yet, the heavens being as clear as ever ; yet believing the -threatning, " He was moved with fear." The fear ofGod,
an effect of his faith in the word ofGod, moved (i. e.)impelledhim to his duty ; ſet him about his preparation work to provide an ark, and this was it by which he condemned the
world, left them excuſelefs. For they not only heard of an approaching floodbyhis miniſtry,but now faw he himself believedwhat he preached,by his daily preparations against it came. O confider this,how much itwould tend to theworld's conviction ; now they will fee that you are in good earneft, and that there is a reality in godliness: this will inducethem to ſearch into the matter more than ever, and remove thoſe prejudicesthey have taken upagainstthe goodways ofGod, as iftheywere but phantasms andconceits
5 Inthe nextplace, this forefightandpreparation,mustneeds be an excellent thing, becauſe the Spirit ofGod everywhere fets an honourable character upon it, and always mentions ſuch perſons with some fingular commendation and reſpect. Theſe only were wife men inthejudgment ofGod, and all the reſt (whatgreat politicians foever they are famed to be amongmen) areaccounted fools, Prov. xxii.3. Ecclef. ii. 14. " The wise man's eyes are inhis head;" that is, he is a foreſeeing man ; " butthe fool goes on,and is puniſhed:" Ruſhes onwithout confideration, ſuſpecting no danger that he atpre ſentfees not, and ſo ſmarts for his folly. Beloved there are figns ofthe times, as well as ofthe weather, Mat. xvi. 3. You
may fee the clouds ofjudgment gathering, before the ſtorm fallsupon you. And this is the meaning of Zeph. ii. 1, 2 . " Gather yourſelves together, before the decree bring forth, " andthe day paſs as the chaff." Wherethere is a conception ofjudgment there will be a birth, unless the reformations and
prayers of the faints cauſe it to miſcarry. But it requires wifdom todifcern this ; they mustbe men of much obfervation, thatcandefcry it ata great diſtance; yetthis maybe done, by confidering whatGodhath done in like cafes informer ages,
318 Preparations for Sufferings : Or, whennations havebeenguilty ofthefame fins as now they are: ForGodis asjust now asthen, andhates fin as much
aseverhe did; andpartly by attending tothings present, to what fulness, andmaturity, the fins ofanation are grown, Joel iii. 16. orwhatbeginnings ofjudgment arealreadyupon apeople, as harbingers, and forerunners ofmore at hand.
Luke iii. 30, 31. 1 Sam. ii. 12. Or what is the univerſal
vote, andcry ofGod's ministers, who are his watchmen to
forefeedanger, Ezek. iii. 17. and histrumpeters todiscover it, Numb. x. 8. Andwhentheſehave one mouth given them, certainlythere is much init, Luke i. 70. Or, laſtly, bypondering thoſe ſcripture-prophecies that yet remain tobeful-
filled. They mustall go outtheirtimes, andaccomplish their fullnumber of years andmonths; but certainlythey ſhallbe fulfilled in their ſeaſons.
Byattending to theſe things,a Chriſtian maygive a near gueſs at thejudgments that are approaching a nation, andſo order himself accordingly. Ecclef. viii. 5."A wife man's " heart difcerns both time andjudgment." Andthis is (even
inthe judgment ofGod) a choice point ofwisdom; whereas, on the contrary, heedleſs, and careless ones, that regard not
thefe things, are branded for fools,and upbraided with more brutiſhneſs than the beasts of the field, or fowls ofthe air. Matth. xvi. 3. Jer. viii. 7. " The ſtork inthe heavens, the ſwal- " low, turtle, and crane," obſerve their ſeaſons ofdeparting,
and returning upon the approach ofthe winter andfpring, and that by a natural inſtinct, whereby they prolong their lives, which elfe must perish. But though God hath made man wiferthan the fowls ofthe air, and beasts ofthe earth, which
by inftinct willquit colder climates, orrun tothe hedgeswhen winter, or ftorms approach ; yet theheavens maybe aitoniſhed
at this, to fee nature caſt by ſin ſo far below itſelf; and that in reafonable creatures.
But now, ifthis be foreſeen, then there is a fingular adwantage in a man's hand, either touſe the means ofpreventing thoſe approaching calamities, Zeph. ii. 3. or ifit cannot be prevented, yet to take ſanctuary in Chrift, Mic. v. 5. to run to the promiſes and attributes, Ifa. xxiv. 21. and fohave a good
roof over his head while the ſtorm falls and the weather is tempestuous abroad. Andtherefore certainly this preparation
is an excellentthing. Whatever theSpirit ofGodſpeaks inthe commendation offoreseeing evils, iswith reſpect to thisduty
ofpreparing for them; for forefight ofevils without prepara-. tion, rather increaſes,than diminishes the mifery.
The best Work in the worst Times. 319 6. A fixth excellency of preparation lies inthe influence that it hath into a Chriſtian's ſtability inthe evil day. You cannotbutknow thatyour ſtability in that criticalhouroftemptation, is achoice and fingular mercy, inasmuch as all you are worth in the other world depends uponyour ſtanding then. - Rev. xxi. 7, 8. Rom. ii. 6, 7. Luke xxii. 27. neither can
you be ignorant how much you are like to be tried, and put to itthen, whether you reſpectthe enemy that engages you , Eph . vi. 12. or your own weakneſs, who have been ſo often
foiled in leffer trials, Jer. xii. 5. All thegrace you have will be little enough tokeep the field and bear you up from fink-
ing ; and therefore it cannot butbe a bleſſed thing, tobe able to ſtand, andcope withthe greateſt difficulties, in ſuch a time oftrial as that will be. Now he that expects to do this, muſt " put on the whole armour ofGod." See Ephef. vi. 12, 13,
14. There is no expectation ofſtandingin the evil day, except yourfoot beſhod, that isyour wills prepared,with theprepara-
tion ofthegospel ofpeace.
Itistrue, that our ability toſtand,isnot fromour own inherentgrace; " Forbyhis ſtrength ſhall noman prevail," I Sam. ii.9. And yet it is as true, that without grace,both inherent in - us, and excited and prepared for a storm, we cannot expect to
ſtand: For theſe two, grace inherent in us, andgrace exciting * and aſſiſting without are not opposed but, co-ordinated. Grace * in us, is the weapon by which our enemy falls; but then that weapon must be managed by the hand of the Spirit. Well, then, lookupon this as a choice mercy, which tends ſomuch toyour ſtability.
7.Aſeventh excellency of a prepared heart, is that it is a very high teftification ofour love toJeſus Chrift, when we thus ſhew our willingness to take our lot with, him and follow him where-everhe goes. What anhigh expreffion of love was that ofRuth toher mother Naomi ? " Iwill notgo back, but " where thou lodgeſt I willlodge, and where thou goeft I will " go." It is excellent when a foul can ſay to Chriſt, as Ittai to David, 2 Sam. xv. 21. " Surely in whatplace my Lord the " king ſhall be, whether in death, or inlife, even there alſo " will thy fervant be." This is love indeed, to cleave to him in a time of fuch diſtreſſes and dangers. This is " love " which the waters cannot quench, nor the floods drown," Cant. viii. 7. Probatio amoris, est exhibitio operis : Ifyou love Chriſt indeed, ſhewyour love by ſome fruits of it ; and furely this is a very choice fruit, and proof ofit. There are many that profeſs agreat deal oflove to Chrift,butwhen itcomes to
320 Preparations for Sufferings ; Ot, this touch-ſtone, it appears falſe and counterfeit ; but a mers
flourish, when nodanger is near. But that foul whichbuckles on the ſhoe ofpreparation, to follow him through thorns and
briars, and over the rocks and mountains of difficulties and troubles, loves him indeed, Jer. ii. 2, 3. Beloved, it is oneof the choiceſt diſcoveries ofyour love toyour maſter Chriſt, yea,
it is ſuch ateftification oflove tohim, as angels are not ca pableof. They ſhewtheir loveby their readineſs todo hiswill, in the execution of which they fly as with wings, Ezek. i. 24. but you only have the happiness of teſtifying your love by your readiness to fuffer forhim, and is not this ex cellent?
8. Whenthe heart is preparedfor theworſt ſufferings, it is anargument thatyour will is ſubdued tothe will ofGod; for •till this be done,in a good meaſure, you cannot ſtand ready to fuffer forhim. Butnow,to have thewill fubduedbygrace tothe will ofGod, is a very choice,and excellent frame indeed; for in this the main power ofgrace lieth : Look inwhat faculty the chiefrefidence and ſtrength ofſin was, in thefame chief refidence the power of grace, after converfion, is alfo: Now it is inthewill, that the ſtrength and power of fin (before
converſion) lay. See John v. 40. Pfalm lxxxi. 11. Jer. xliv. 16, 17. And indeed it was the devil's strong hold, which, in the day of Chrift's power, he ſtorms andreduces to his o bedience, Pfal. cx. 3. O what a bleſſed thing is this ! The will rules the man, it hath the empire of the whole man; it commands the faculties of the foul, imperio politico ; and it commands the members ofthebody, imperio despotico. Now tohave Chrift and grace rule thatwhich rules and commands your inner andouterman too, is no ſmall mercy ; and a better evidencethat it is ſo, cannot be giventhan this,thatyou ſtand ready, or do ferioufly prepare yourſelves to ſuffer the hardeft things for Chrift: Ifyourwillcan like thatwork, it is an ar gument grace hath conquered and fubdued your wills in deed.
9. This preparation of heart to fufferings, is an excellent thing, becauſe God is ſo abundantlypleaſed with it, thathe
often excuſes them from ſufferings inwhom he finds it, and accepts it, as if the ſervice hadbeen actually done. SoA. braham, Gen. xxii. 12. he was ready to offer up his Ifaac's
life to God; butGod feeing his fervant's heart reallyprepared, andready for that difficultſervice, andhigh pointoffelf-denial, provided himſelfanother facrifice, instead ofIfaac. Abraham ſhallhavehisfon Ifaacbackagain, andthatwith advantage; for
The best Work in the worst Times. 321 hehathwith him not only achoice experiment ofhis love to God, butGod's high approbation of him,and acceptation of his offering. It was all one; in reſpect ofdivine acceptance, as ifhehadbeenſlain; andſo the ſcripture repreſents it, Jam. ii. 21. And in this ſenſe thatpromiſe is often made good to God'speople who ſtand ready to give up their Ifaacs, their
lives, liberties, anddearest enjoyments,to theLord; " Hethat " will loſehis life for myname's fake, ſhall ſaveit," Luke ix. 24. Nowwhat ableſſed thing is this ! you may this way have thecrown ofmartyrdom, andyet not ſhed onedrop ofblood
for Chriſt actually. Ah ! how kindly doth God accept it at hispoor creatures hands,when he ſees howwilling they are to
ſerve him with their beſt enjoyments ! " It is well (faith he to
" David) that it was in thyheart," i Kings viii. 18.
10. And then, laſtly, to add nomore, it is beyond controverſy anexcellent and bleſſed thing; becauſe ſhould fuch a
Chriſtian, after all his pains and preparations,be over-borne, andfallbytemptation : yetthispreparation ofhis heart excuſes his fall, from thoſe aggravations that are uponthe falls of others, andwill give him bothfupport under fuch acondition, and encouragement to hope for a ſpeedy recovery out ofit. Ah! it is no ſmallcomfort,when a poor foul,thathath been
over-bornebytemptation, cancome toGod, andſay, Lord, ⚫thou knoweſt that this was not a wilful departure from my
*duty, but contrary to the bent and reſolutions ofmy heart's thou ſaweſt mydiligencebefore-hand toprepare for it ; thou *ſaweſtmy fears and tremblings of heart about it : O Lord, forgive, O Lord, recover thy ſervantwash awaythis ſpot, it * is one of the ſpots of thy children, an infirmity, not arebel- 'lion:' 'This may much ſtay the foul.
Surely, in this caſe, thou haft many grounds ofcomfort thatanotherwants ; forthy fin beingbut aninfirmity, (1.) It
is thatwhich is common toallfaints,Pfal. ciii. 11, 12,13, 144 (2.) Godhath mercyandpardons for ſuch fins astheſe, elfe woe tothe holieſt ſoul, Pfal. cxxx. 3, 4. Solomon, upon this ground, pleads for mercy for them that prepared their hearts,
2 Chron. xxx. 18, 19. AndGod hathlaidin ſweet grounds of encouragement for ſuch ſouls, Numb. xv. 27, 28. Heb. v. 24 Howtenderlydoth Chriſt dealwith hisdiſciples under this kind
offin, Matth. xxvi. 41. and though they forſook him for a time, yethe received them again ; though they fledfromhim, yetthey all returned again and appeared boldly for Chriſt af VOL. VII. ST
322 Preparationsfor Sufferings : Or, terwards, and fealedtheir confeffion ofhim with theirblood. And that which recovered them again was this, that their fall
and departure was contrary to the reſolution, and ſtanding frame, and bent of theirhearts ; for they refolved all to cleave tohim to thedeath, Matth. xxvi. 35. whereas thoſe that engaged in a profeſſion ofhim inconfiderately,and never refolv-
ed, nor prepared for the worst, fell off from him, and never returnedanymore, Johnvi.66. Sothen,upon the whole, you
cannotbut grant, that it is a very bleſſed and excellent thing, toprepare thus forthe greateſt ſuffering thatcan befal us for Chrift. We come next to ſhew wherein it lies.
CHAP. V.
Evincing the necessity ofasound, andreal work ofgrace upon
the heart, tofit a manforfufferingfor Christ. H
Aving ſhewed youthatGoddothſometimesputhis dear-
eft people upon very hard ſervices forhim, and what an excellent thing it is toprepare ourſelves toobeythe call of Godtothem: In thenextplaceIcome to ſhew you, wherein this preparation, or readiness for fuffering confifts, and how many things concur and contribute their aſſiſtance to this work. 1 Now there is a twofoldpreparation or readiness for ſuffer ing; the one is habitual, the other actual : That habitud! readiness is nothing else but the inclination ofa foul to fuffer any thing for Chrift ; which inclination arifeth from the prin ciples ofgraceinfuſed into the foul: But then as fire, though
ithave a natural inclination to aſcend, yet may be violently depreſſed and hindered, that it cannot aſcend actually, ſomay
itbe inthis cafe; andtherefore, before aman canbe fitted for fufferings, as Paul was, there muſt, to this habitual, be fuperadded an actual readiness, which is nothingelſe but the rouz-
ing ofgrace out ofthe fleepy and dull habits, and awakening it to its work in atime ofneed: as the lion is faid to laſh himſelf with his tail, to rouze up his courage before he fight. 'The former is a remotepower, the latter aproxim and imme diate power. Imust handle the former inthis chapter, and you are to know that it confifteth in afound and real work ofgrace or converfion wrought upon thefoul; without which,
The best Work in the Worst Times. 323 Iſhallmake it evidently appear to you, that no man canbe
fit or ready to fuffer as a Chrift.
Whatever ſtock of natural courage, moral principles, or common gifts of the Spiritbe lodgedin any man's breaſt, yet allthis (without ſpecial grace) can never fit him to fuffer for
Chriſt. And had not this work been really and foundly wroughtupon theheart of this bleſſed man, as indeed itwas, Acts ix. 3,4, 5. hehad quickly fainted under his fufferings :"
andſowilleveryfoul fooneror later do, that fuffers notupon the fameprinciples hedid.
1. For firſt, No man can ſuffer for Chriſt untilhe be able: todeny himself. See Matth. xvi. 24. Self-denialgoes in order ofnature before ſufferings. Beloved, ina ſuffering hour, the intereſt of Chriſt and ſelf meet, like two men upon anarrow bridge, onemust of neceffity go back, or the other cannot paſs - on : Ifyou cannotnowdenyfelfyou must deny Christ. The
yokeanddominion offelfmustbe cast off, or elſe Chriſt's yoke
andburden cannot be taken on.
It is confefſed that ſelf may not only consist with, but be a motive to ſome kind of fufferings: Ambition and applaufe
may carryaman far this way; pride is afalamander that it ſeemscan live inthe flames ofmartyrdom, 1 Cor. xiii. 3. But
to be afervantto felfand a truefufferer for Chriſt is incompatible. Selfmay make you the devil's martyrs, butgraceonly canmake you Chrift's martyrs. So that let amanbe ſeeminglycarried for awhilewith neverſo high atideofzeal forChrift, yet iffelf be the ſpring that feeds it, thoſe felf-ends, likeſo many little ditches joined to the bank of a river, willfo fuck and draw awaythe water into themſelves,that the lofty ſtream will fink andcome to nothing ere it haveran far : So then, of
neceſſity, felfmust be dethroned inthehearts of Chrift's fuffering ſervants..
Butnow it isreal grace onlythat depoſes ſelf, and ſubjects its intereſt to Chrift's ; for ſanctification is nothing elſe but thedethroning ofexaltedfelf, andthefetting up ofChrift's inter-
est above it in thefoul. This is itthat alters the property of all amanhath, and ſuperſcribes them with anew title, Holiness to the Lord, Ifa. xxiii. 18. Zech. xiv. 20, 21. Thence-
fortha man looks at himſelf as none ofhis own, but paſt into another's right, 1 Cor. vi. 19.; andthat he must neither live, nor aft ultimately for himself,but for Chriſt,Rom. xiv. 7. Heb. xiii. 7, 8. Phil. i. 20. He is no more as a proprietor, but
a ſteward of allhe hath ; and ſoholds upon theſe terms, tolay Sf2
324 Preparations for Sufferings : Or, it out, or lay itdown, as may beſt ſerve his Master's endsand glory.
All that he is or hath, isby grace ſubordinated to Chriſt ; andifoncefubordinated, then no more opposed to him,fubordinata ronpugnant. This is it that makes him ſay, I çarenot whatbecomes ofme ormine, ſo Chriſtmaybeglorified, " Let
" Chriſt be magnified inmy body, whether itbe by life or " death," Phil. i. 20.
By converfion Chriſt enters the ſoul, as an army doth an
enemy's garrifonby ſtorm, and when he is pof: 2Cor. x. 5. ſeffed ofitbygrace, he preſently, divides the whole fpoil of ſelf betwixt himself and his church. This is the first thing thatevinces the neceffity ofa work ofgrace to prepare theheart for fufferings.
2. And then inthe next place, it is as evident that aman canneverbe fit to fuffer hard things for Chrift, until his fpi
rit be enlarged, raiſed, and ennobled ſothat he beableto de ſpiſe dangers, and look alldifficulties inthe face. That low andprivate ſpirit must be removed, anda public ſpirit, muft poſſeſshim. Ifaman beofa feebleandeffeminate ſpirit,every petty danger will daunt and fink him ; delicacy and tender neſs isas unfuitable toa Chriftian as to a foldier, 2Tim. ii.3. They thatmean to enter into the kingdom ofGod, mustre
folve to maketheir way through that brake of troublesbetwixt them andit, 2Tim. iii. 12. Theythat willbe crownedwithvic tory, muſtſtandto it, andplaythe men, as that word imports,
1 Cor. xvi . 13. Look overalltheſacredandhuman hiftories,and fee ifyou canfinda man that ever honoured Chriftby luffer ing, thatwas notofaraiſed andnoble ſpirit, and, infomemea fure, able to contemn, both the allurements and threats ofmen. So thoſe three noble Jews, Dan. iii. 16, 17. So Mofes, Heb.xi. 27. Andſoourapoſtle, Acts xx. 24. And thefame
heroic and brave ſpirit was found in the ſucceeding ages amongst the witneſſes of Chriſt. When Valence the emperor endeavoured to draw Baſil from the faithby offers ofpreferment, offer theſe things (faith he) tochildren; when he chreatenedhimwith torments, threatentheſethings (faithhe) ✔toyour purple gallants that livedelicately. Andthefame Bafilrelatingtheſtoryofthefortymartyrs, faith,That when'great
honours and preferments were offered them to draw them
from Chriſt, their anſwer was, Why offer you theſe ſmall 4 things oftheworld to us, (O emperor) whenyou knowthe wholeworld is contemnedbyus! SoLuther,moneycould not tempt him, nor the fear ofman daunt him. Let me
The best Work in the Worst Times. 325
(faid he in his letter to Staupicius) be accounted proud,
covetous, a murderer, guilty of all vices, rather than of wicked filence and cowardiſe in the cauſe ofChrift.' Thus you ſee to what an height, and holygreatneſs, the ſpirits of
luffering faints in all ages have beenraiſed.
But now it is grace that thus raiſes the ſpirits ofmen above allthe ſmiles and honours, frowns and fears ofmen ; andno otherprinciple but grace can do it. There is indeed anatural Stoutness andgenerofity inſome, which may carrythem far, as
it is faid ofAlexander, thatwhen anygreat danger approached him, his courage would rife, and he would ſay, Jam periculum paranimo Alexandri; Here is adanger fit for Alexanderto encounter : So Pompey, when diffuaded from a dangerous voyage anſwered, Neceffe est ut eam, nonutvivam. It is neceffary that Igo,notthat I live, But this being fed onlyby anatural ſpring, cancarry a man no higher than nature, and will flag at last. Ifapplause, and the obſervation oftheworld fupply itnot, itquickly ebbs and fails.
But as grace raiſes men much higher ; ſo it maintains it evenwhenthere is nothing to encouragewithout; whenfor. faken ofall creatures,and viſible ſupports, 2 Tim. iv. 10. And this itdoththreeways : (1.) Bygivinghim that hath it aview offargreater things, which ſhrinks up all temporary things, and makes them appear but trifles and ſmall matters, Rom. viii. 18. 2Cor. iv. 18. Bygrace aman riſes with Chriſt, Col.
iii. 1. It fetshim uponhis high places, and thence he looks downupon things below, as very poor and inconfiderable.
The great cities ofCampaniaſeembutlittle ſpots tothem that ſtandonthe top oftheAlps. (2.) By teaching him to value andmeaſure all things by another rule thanhe was wont to do. Hedid once meaſure life, liberty, riches, honours, by ſenſeandtime ; andthenthey ſeemedgreat things, and itwas
hard to deny them, or thus to flight them ; but now he values and meaſures all by faith and eternity; and eſteems nothing great and excellent, but what hath a reference to the glory of God, and an influence into eternity. (3.) Grace raiſes and enobles the ſpirit thus, becauſe it is the divine nature; it is the Spirit ofChriſt infuſed into a poor worm, which makes a ſtrange alterationonhim,transforms him into another manner ofperſon; as much difference betwixt his ſpirit now andwhat it was, as betwixt the ſpirit ofa childthat is filledwith ſmall matters, and taken up with toys ; and of a graveſtatesman, that isdailyemployedaboutthe grandaffairs ofakingdom.
326 Preparationsfor Sufferings : Or, 3. Amancannever ſuffer as a Chriſtian, till his willbefubjectedto thewill ofGod. He that ſuffers involuntarily, and
outofneceſſity, not out of choice, ſhall neither have accept-
ance nor reward from God. Of neceſſitythe willmustbe fubjected; amancan never ſay, Thy willbe done, tillhe can firſt
fay, Not my will.
But it is grace only that thus conquersand ſubjects the will ofman to God's, Pfal. cx. 3. This is thatwhich exalts God's
authority in the foul, and makes theheart to ftoopand trembleathis commands. It is this which makes our will to write itsfiat atthe foot ofeverycommand, and its placet under everyorder it receives fromGod. No sooner was grace enteredintothe foul ofPaul, but preſentlyhe cries out, " Lord, " what wilt thou have me to do ?" Acts ix. 6. The will is to the foul what the wheels are tothe chariot; andgrace is to the willwhat oil is to thoſewheels. Whenwe receive the Spirit
ofgrace, we are ſaid to receive an unctionfrom the Holy One,
1 John ii. 20. Andthenthe foul is made as the chariots ofAminadab, Cant. vi. 12. Non tardat uncia rota, it runs free-
ly after the Lord, andchearfullyaddreſſeth itſelf to every fervice.
4. Amancan never fuffer as a Chriſtian, until his heart be compoſed, fixed, and determinatedto follow the Lord thro all hazards and difficulties. As long as a man is hefitating and unresolved what to do, whether to go forward, or turn back again to the profperous world, when a man is at fucha pause, and ſtand in his way, he is very unfit for ſufferings.
All ſuchdivfions doboth weaken the foul, andstrengthen the
temptation : The devil's work is more than halfdone to his hand in ſuch a foul, and he is now as unfit to endure hard-
ſhip for Chriſt, as a ſhip is to ride out a ſtorm, thathath neither cable, anchor, nor ballast, to hold and ſettle it, but lies at the mercy ofevery wave, Jam. i. 8. " The double-minded " man is unſtable in all his ways." But it is grace, andnothing beſides it, that brings the heart to afixed reſolution and
fettlement to follow the Lord, it is grace that establishes the beart, Heb. xiii. 9. and unites it to fear the name ofGod, Pfal. Ixxxvi. 11. This gathers all the ſtreams into one chan-
nel, and then itruns with much ſtrength, and ſweeps away all obſtacles before it. So that look as it is with a wicked man that hath fold himſelftodo wickedly, ifhe be fet upon any one deſign offin, hepours out hiswhole heart and ſtrength
inthe profecution ofthat deſign, which is the ground of that faying, Liberet me Deus ab homine unius tantum negotii, let
The best Work in the worst Times. 327 Goddeliver me from a man of oneonly deſign. He will do - itto purpoſe: So is it alfo in grace ; ifthe heart be compoſed,
fixed, and fully refolved forGod, nothing ſhall then ſtandbefore him. And herein lies much ofa Chriſtian's habitual fitneſs and ability to ſuffer.
5. The neceſſity of ſaving grace in all fufferers for Chriſt, will farther appearfrom this confideration, that he who will
run all hazards for Chrift, had needof a continual fupply of ſtrength and refreshment from timetotime. He must notdepend onanything that is failable ; for what ſhall he do then, when that ſtock is ſpent, and he hath no proviſion left to live - upon ? Now all natural qualifications, yea, allthe common
gifts ofthe Spirit, are failable and ſhort-lived things ; they are - like a ſweet flower inthe boſom, that is an ornament fora lit-
tle while, but withers preſently : Or like a pond or brook occafionedby a great fall of rain, which quickly finks and dries up, becauſe it is not fed by ſprings in thebottom, as other -fountain-waters are ; and hence it isthey cannot continue and
hold out when fufferings come, Matth. xiii. 21. Becauſe there is no root to nourish and ſupport. The hypocrite will not always call upon God, Job xxvii. 10. Though theymay keep companywith Chriſt a few miles inthis dirty way, yet they must turn back at last, and shake hands eternally with
him, John vi. 66. Theſe comets may seem to ſhine for a time among the ſtars, but whenthat earthly matter is ſpent, they muſt fall and loſe their glory.
But nowgrace is an everlastingprinciple, ithath ſprings in ✓thebottom that never fail . " It ſhallbe inhim (faith Chrift)
" awell ofwater ſpringing up into eternal life," John iv. 14.
The Spirit of God ſupplies itfrom time totime, as need requires. Ithath daily incomes fromheaven, 2Cor. i. 5. Phil. iv. 13. Col. i. 11. Sothat it is our union with Chrift the fountain ofgrace, that is the true ground of our conftancy and ✓long ſuffering *.
6. And then laſtly, it will appearbythis alſo, thatthere is an abſolute neceffity ofa real change by graceon allthat will fuffer for Chrift ; becauſe although we mayengage ourſelves in fufferings without out it, yetwe can never manage our fufferings like Chriftians without it. They will neither be honourable or acceptable to God, nor yet beneficial and comfortable to
ourſelves or others, except they be performed from this princi- - ple ofgrace: Foruponwhatprinciple ſoeverbeſide thisanyman
* We are only fo farſafeasweare united to Chrift,
328 Preparation for Sufferings : Or, is acted in religion, it will eithercauſe him todecline fuffer ings for Chriſt ; or, ifhebe engaged inthem, yet he will littlecredit religion by his fufferings. They will eitherbe ſpoiledby an illmanagement, or his own pride will devour the praiſe and glory ofthem. Idonotdeny, butaman that is graceleſs, may fuffer many hardthings upon the account of
his profeſſion, and ſufferthem all in vain, as theſe ſcriptures
manifeſt. See 1 Cor. xiii. 3. Gal. iii. 4. Andalthough you may findmany ſweet promiſes made to thoſe that fuffer for Chriſt, yetyou must confiderthat thoſepureand ſpiritual ends and motives, bywhich menought to be acted in their ſufferings, are always ſuppoſedand implied inalltheſepromiſes that aremade tothe external action. Andfometimes it is expreſſed,
1 Pet. iv. 16. To ſuffer [as a Chriſtian] is to ſuffer from pure Chriſtianprinciples, andin a Chriſtian manner, with meekness,
patience,felf-denial, &c.; andthis, grace onlycan enable you
todo : Sothatbyallthis,I hope what I have undertaken in this character, viz. To evince the neceſſity ofa work of grace to paſsuponyou, before ſufferings for religion come, is performed to fatisfaction.
CHAP. VI.
Wherein thenature of this work ofgrace, in which our habitu
al fitness forfuffering lies, is briefly opened, andan account given of thegreat advantage thegracious perfon hathfor a
ny, even the hardest work thereby. HAving in the former chapter plainly evincedthe necef
ſity of ſaving grace to fit aman for ſufferings; it will be expectednow that ſome account be givenyouof the nature of thework, and how it advantages aman for the diſcharge ofthehardeſt ſervices in religion : Both which I ſhall open in this chapter, by a diſtinct explication ofthe parts ofthis deſcription of it.
This work of grace, of which Iam here to ſpeak, confifts in
therealchange of the whole man, by the Spirit
What saving grace is.
of God, wherebyhe ispreparedfor every good work : Inwhichbriefdeſcription, I thallopen theſe four things to you.
1. That it is a change; thisis palpablyevident, both from ſcripture and experience, 2Cor. v. 17. "Oldthings are paft
The best Work in the worst Times. 329 *away, behold, allthings are become new;" and it is fo ſenſible achange, that it is calleda turning from darkness to light, Acts xxvi. 18. and a new creature formed and brought forth. But to be a little more diftinct and particular, there are ſeveral other changes that paſs upon men, which mustnot bemistaken forthis; and therefore, (1.) Itis not a mere change ofthejudgment from errortotruth, from Paganiſm to Chri-
ſtianity. Such achange Simon Magus had, yet still remained inthe gallofbitterneſs, and fast bound in the bonds of iniquity, Acts viii. 23. (2.) Noronly of a man's practice, from profaneness to civility : This is common among ſuch as live underthe lightofthe gospel, which breakinginto mens con-
ſciences, thwarts their lufts and over-awes themwith the fears - ofhell: Which is no more thanwhat the Gentiles had, Rom .
ii. 15. (3.) Nor is it a change from mere morality, to mere formalityinreligion. Thus hypocrites are changed,bythecom-
mon gifts ofthe Spirit, illuminatingtheir minds, and flightly
touching their affections, Heb. vi. 4, 5. (4.) Nor is it ſuch a
change as justification makes, which is relative, and only alters the ſtate and condition, Rom. v. 1, 2. (5.) Laſtly, It is not achangeof the eſſence of a man ; he remains effentially
the fame perſon ſtill. But this change confifts inthe infufion ofnew habitsofgrace into the old faculties ; which immediatelydepoſe ſin from its dominion over the foul, and deliver upthe foul intothe hands and government ofChriſt, ſo that it lives no more to itſelf, but to Chriſt. This is that change whereofwe ſpeak: And this change (2.) I affert to be real,
no fancy, nordelufion; not a groundless conceit, but it is
really exiftent, extra mentem, whether you conceit it ornot. Indeed theblind world would perfuade us it isfuppofitious, andphantastic ; and that there is no fuch real difference betwixtonemanand another, as we affirm grace makes. And hence it is, thatwhoever profefſeth it, is preſentlybranded for aphanatic ; andthat fcripture, Ifa. lvi. 5. " Stand by thyſelf, " Iam holier than thou," &c. clapt in their teeth, in their
abfurd and perverſe ſenſe ofit. ButI shall briefly offer theſe ſeven things toyour confideration, which will abundantly evince the realityof it, and at onceboth ftop the flanderous mouths ofignorant men, and fi-
lencethoſe atheiftical furmiſes, which at any time Satan may
inject into the hearts of God's own people touching this matter. And first, let it be confidered, that the Spirit of God hath reprefented to us this work ofgrace, under ſuch names VOL. VII. Tt
33° Preparations for Sufferings : Or, and notions in fcripture, as ifthey hadbeen choſen purpoſely to obviate this calumny. It is called a creature, Gal. vi. 15aman, I Pet. iii. 4. a new birth, John iii. 3. Chriſt formed in us, Gal. iv. 19. Allwhich expreſs its reality, and that it is not a conceited thing. (2.) It appears to be real by the marvellous effects it hath upon a man, turning him both in judgment, will, affections, and practice, quite counter to whathe was before. This is evident in that famous inftance of
Paul, Gal. i. 23. which is abundantly atteſted and ſealedby the conſtant experience ofallgracious fouls that are witneſſes
of the truth hereof. (3.) Adivine and almighty power goes
forth toproduce and work it ; and hence faithis ſaid tobeof the operation ofGod, Col. ii. 12. Yea, that the fame power which raiſed Jeſus Chrift fromthe dead, goes to the producti