Part 12
onof it, Ephef. i. 19, 20. And if ſo, how much less than blafphemy is it, to call ita conceit or fancy ? Doth God fet
onworkhis infinite power to beget a fancy, or raiſe animagination ? (4. ) Conceits andwhimſies abound moſt in menof weak reafon : Children, and ſuch as are crackt in their un-
derſtandings, have moſt ofthem: Strength ofreaſon banishes them, as thefundoth miſts and vapours: Butnowthe more rational any gracious perſon is,by ſo much the more he is fixed, fettled, and fatisfiedinthe grounds of religion : Yea, there
is the highest and pureſt reaſon in religion ; and when this change is wrought uponmen, it is carriedon in a rational way, Ifa. i. 18. John xvi. 9. The Spirit over-powers the un
derstanding with clear demonſtrations, and filences all ob jections, pleas and pretences to thecontrary. (5.) It is a real thing, and gracious ſouls know it to be ſo ; elfe ſo many thousands ofthe faints would never have fuffered fo many
cruel torments and miſeries, ratherthan forſake a fancy, and ſoſave all. They have been ſo wellfatisfiedofthe realityof that which the world calls a fancy, that theyhave choſen rather to embrace the ſtake than deny it. The conſtancy of Chriſtians, in cleaving to religion, was common to aproverb
among the heathen ; who when they would expreſs the greateſt difficulty, would say, ' You mayas foonturn a Chriſtian • fromChriſt, as do it.' Surely no wifeman would facrifice his liberty, eftate, life, and all that is dear, for a conciet. (6.) Its reality appears in its uniformity in all thoſe on whom it is wrought : " Theyhave all obtained like precious faith," 2 Pet. i. 1. " They are all changed into the ſame image," 2 Cor.
iii. 18. Three thouſand perſons affected in one and the fame manner at one fermon, Acts ii. 37. Could oneandthe
The best Work in the worst Times. 331 fameconceit poſſeſs them all together ? Take two Chriftians thatlive a thousand miles diſtant from each other, that ne-
verheard ofone another, let theſe perſons be examined, and theirreports compared, andſee iftheydo not ſubſtantially agree, and whether as face anſwers face in the water, ſo theirexperiencesdo notanſwer one to the other ? Which could neverbe,
if it were agroundleſs conceit. (7.) And lastly, It is maní- = feſt it is a reality, and puts a réal difference betwixt one and another, becauſe God carries himselfſo differently towards them, after their converfion ; now he ſmiles, before he frown-
ed; now they are underthe promises, before they were under the threats and curſes ; and what a vaſt difference willhe put betwixt the one and the other in that great day ? See Matth . xxv. Surely, iftheſe nominal Chriſtians did but differ
in conceit, not really from others, the righteous Judge of all ( the earth would not paſs ſuch adifferent judgment and doom uponthem.
Byall this you evidently fee,that grace is a real change, and not a conceited one.
3. We say that this real changepaſſes uponthewhole man : he is changed in foul, body, and practice : all things are become new. (1. ) This change appears in his foul: For by it, (1.) His underſtanding is ſtrangely altered, and receives things
in anotherwaythanformerly. Itdid look at Chrift and things eternal, asuncertain andlight matters; the things thatareſeen
and preſent, did mostly affect, and appeared great and excel-
lent : It admired riches and honour, while Chrift and glory were over-looked and deſpiſed. But now all theſe temporals are eſteemed dung, droſs, vanity, Phil. iii. 8, 11. Rom. viii.
18. And Jeſus Chriſt is now eſteemed " the wisdom and the " power ofGod," 1 Cor. i. 23, 24. Itdid look on the faints
as deſpicable perſons,but now as the " excellent ofthe earth,"
Pfal. xvi. 3. Strictneſs and duty was once eſteemed a needleſs thing, butnowthe only thingdeſirable,Pfal.cxix. 14. "Oh, " faith the renewed foul,where were mine eyes, that I could " ſee no more excellency in Chriſt, his ways, and people ?" (2.) It ſtops notthere (as it doth in hypocrites) but paſſes on
further, and reduces the will ; that strong hold is taken, and delivered up to Chriſt. It did rebel against God, and could not be ſubject, but now it ſubmits, Acts ix. 6. " Lord, what " wilt thou have me to do ?" Inthe day of Chriſt's power, he preſents himselfin all his drawing glory and lovelineſs before the will, and cries to that ſtubborn faculty, "Open to me, Tt2
332 Preparationsfor Sufferings : Or, " open to me;" withwhich word there goes forth anopening and fubduing power, which the will no fooner feels, but it
fpontaneoufly moves towards him,and faith, " Stand openye " everlasting gates, that theKing ofglory may come in." Henceforth it votes forGod, ſubſeribes and ſubmits to his will
as itsonlyrule andlaw; and indeed, it becomes the principal
featwhere gracemakes its reſidence; andwhere, forthe molt part, it is more viſiblethanin any other faculty. For aftera manhath ſearched for it in all other faculties, and cannot difcern it,yethere he ordinarily finds it; to will is prefent,
Rom. vii. 18. (3. ) Thewill being thus gainedto Chrift, love comesinofcourſe; it, feeling the power ofgrace alſo,pre
ſentlychangeth its object: It ſeizeth not ſogreedily on earthly objects as before, but is ſtrangely cooledanddeadned to them, by theappearance ofa far greaterglory in Jefus Chrift ; which
hath ſo captivatedthe foul, and ſtrongly attracted this affection, that it is now become very remiſs inall its actings towards
them; andoften (eſpecially at firſt) it is ſo weaned fromall things on earth,thatthe temptation ſeems to lie onthe other extreme, even in too great neglect of our lawful employments and comforts. Now Jeſus Chriſt, Cant. i. 3 his ordinances, Pfal. cxix. 97. and his faints, 1 John iii. 14. are the only
delights, and ſweetest companions ; he could fit from morning till night, to heardifcourses ofChriſt his beloved, and could
live anddie in the company ofhis people, whoſe companyis nowmoſt delightful and sweet, Pfal. cxix. 63. (4.) Thede
fires arealtered, they pant no more after thedust ofthe earth, Pfal. iv. 6. butpant for God, as the hart after the water. " brooks," Pfal. xlii. 1. Yea, ſobig is the foul with them,
that itis ſometimes ready to faint,yea, to break withthe long ingit hath afterhim, Pfal. cxix. 20. (5.) The thoughts are changed, Pfal. cxix. 113. andthe thoughts ofGod are now
moſtprecious, Pfal. cxxxix. 47. mufing, whenalone, ofhim; andin its folitudes the foul entertains itſelf with adelightful
feaſt, which its thoughts of God bring into refresh it, Pfal. Ixiii. 5, 6. (6.) The defigns andprojects of the foul are changed; allare now ſwallowedup inonegranddeſign, even
toapprovehimselftoGod,andbe accepted ofhim, 2Cor.V. 9. andif he fail not there, it will not much trouble him, if allhisotherdeſigns ſhouldbe daſhed. Itwere eaſytoinſtance inthe restoftheaffections, and ſhew howgrace ſpreads and diffuſes itſelfintothem all,as light inthe air, orleaven inthe Jump; butthis may fuffice, to ſhew how it paffes upon the
wholefoul, andenterstheſeveral facultiesandaffections thereof. A
Thebest Work in the worst Times. 333 Andthe foulbeingthus poſſeſt forGod,the body with all itsmembers is conſequently reſignedup to him alſo : For the willhaththe empire ofthe members ofthe body, as wellas
ofthe paffions and affections of the soul. These are notany moredelivered upto executethe lufts ofSatan, but areyielded up toGod for his ends and uſes, Rom. vi. 19. And thus you havethethirdthing inthedeſcriptionmade outalſo, that it is anuniverſal, as well as a real change. Butthen, 4. Lastly, Youmustknow thatby this changeGodprepares aman for choice andexcellent ſervices; and this indeed isthe mainthingdeſignedin this chapter, and is the reſult and iſſue ofallthat hath hitherto been faid about this work ofgrace.
Beloved, can you imagine thatGodcould employ his infinite andglorious power, toproduce this new creature in ſuch anexcellent nature, itbeing the maſter-piece ofallhisworks of wonder wrought upon man,andnotaimatſome fingularuſe, andexcellent end ? Every wife agent deſigns fome end ; and whatGod aims at he hath toldus, Ifa. xliii. 21. Eph. ii. 20. Andaccordinglyhe expects fingular things from ſuch per-
fons, Matth. v. 47. IfGodhad notaimed at fome new fervice,he neednot havemade anew creature: the old creature was fit enough for the old uſe and ſervice itwas employed in. ButGod hath ſome choice ſervice tobe done,whereinhe will
beglorified. He will have his name glorified, even in this world, by the active and paffive obedience ofhis people. But this being far above all the power ofnature, God therefore brings them forth in anewand heavenly nature, endowedwith rare fupernatural anddivine qualities, by which it is fitted and excellently prepared for any ſervice ofGod, bydoing or by fuffering, whichbefore,he had no fitneſs or ability for.
The verymake and conftitution of thisnew creature ſpeaks its uſe and end: As now, ifaman look upon a ſword or knife, (ſuppoſing he had never feen either before) yet, I ſay, byviewing the ſhape, and properties of it, he will ſay, this was made to cut. Even ſo here, this new creature was formed for fome glorious and fingular ſervice for God, to which itis exceedingly advantaged, whether God put you
upon doing or fuffering. Ifyou askwherein this advantage ofthe newcreature to honourGod either way lies ; I anſwer,
it principally conſiſts in its heavenly inclination, or natural tendency to God. This is its great advantage ; for, by virtue ofthis,
1. IfGodcall amanto anyduty, there is aprinciple with in, clofingwith thecommand without, and moving the foul
334 Preparationsfor Sufferings : Or, freely and ſpontaneously to duty, Pfal. xxvii. 8. IfGod ſay,
Seek myface, fuch an heart echoes to the call, Thy face, Lord, willIfeek : And this is it which is called, The writing of God's law in the heart, Jer. xxxi. 33. and must needs be a
mighty advantage; for now its work is its delight and wages, Pfal. xix. 11. The command to fuch a foul is not grievous,
1Johnv. 3. and by this itiskeptfrom tiring induty, and beingweary of its work. As you seewhatpains childrencan take atplay, how they will run and ſweat, and endure knocks and falls, and take no noticeofit; putthem upon any manual labour, and they cannot endure half ſo much : When our
work is ourdelight, we never faint nor tire at it. This inclination toGod, is to the foul, as wings to abird, or fails to a ſhip. This carries the ſoul easily through every duty. O there is a vaſt difference betwixt a man that works for auges, or onewhoſe work iswages tohim. Andhereyou may atonce feewherein the principal difference betwixt thehypo-
crite and real Chriſtian lies, in the performance ofduty; and alfo have a true account of the reason why oneperſeveres in his work to the end, when the other flags. Why, here is the true accountofboth ; the one is moved to duty from a natural inclination to it, the other is forced upon itby fome external motives: For the hypocritetakes not delight in the ſpiritual and inwardpart ofduty, but is ſecretlyweary ofit, Mal. i. 13. only his ambition and ſelf-ends put him upon it as a taſk. Butnowthe upright heartgoes to God as his joy, Pfal. xliii. 4. And faith, " It is good for me todraw nigh toGod," Pfal. Ixxiii. ult. Whenthe fabbath comes, (thatgoldenspot of the week), oh how he longs to see the beauty of the Lord in his ordinances ! Pfal. xxvii. 4. And when engaged in the worship of God, he cannot fatisfy himself in bodily fervice, or to ſerve God in the oldness of the letter. He knoweth that this perfuafion comes not of him that calledhim, Gal. v. 7, 8. He labours to engage his heart to approach to God, Jer. xxx.
21. Andhence thoſe mountings ofheart, and violent fallies of thedefires heavenward. Andthusyou fee one rare advantage to glorify God actively, flowingfrom the inclination ofthis new creature .
2. But then, fecondly, hence in like manner hath the foul as great an advantage for fufferings ; for this new creature having ſuch a natural tendency toGod, will enable the foul inwhich it is, to break its way to God, through all the interpofing obſtacles anddiſcouragements. What are peſecutions, what are reproaches, what are the fears andfrowns of ene
The best Work in the worst Times. 335 mies, but ſomany blocks thrown in the foul's way tokeep it
fromGodandduty ? Andindeed where this principle ofgrace
is wanting, they prove inacceſſible mountains. Graceleſs hearts are ſtalled, and quite difcouraged by them : but now this tendency ofthe foul toGod enables the Chriſtian to break
his waythrough all. You may ſay of him, in ſuch a cafe, as the hiſtorian doth of Hannibal, (who forced a way over the Alps with fire and vinegar), either he willfind away, or make
away; " Shall ſword or famine, or anyother creature ſepa- " rate me from Chriſt ?" faith an upright ſoul. No, no, it will make its way thro' all to him, and that from this tendency ofhis new nature. You ſeeinnature, everything hath a tendency to its centre ; firewill up,do what you can to ſuppreſs
it; water will to the ſea ; ifit meet with dams, yea mountains in its way, if it cannot bear them down, it will creep - about fome other way, and windand turn to find a paſſage to
the fea. God is the centre of all gracious ſpirits,and grace #will carry the foul thro' all tohim. This is grace, and this is your advantage by it inthe moſt difficult part ofyourwork. It will carry youthrough all ; 1; make the hardest work eaſy and pleasant, 2 Cor. xii. 10. And if great fufferings or tempta- - tions interpoſe betwixt you and yourGod, it will break thro
✓all, and enable you withſtand all ; as itdidPaulin the text, who forced his way not onlythrough the furyofenemies, but alſo through the entreaties and tears offriends .
CHAP. VII. 1
In which the neceſſity of getting clear evidences of this work
of grace in us, in order to our readiness for fufferings, is heldforth; the nature of that evidence opened; and divers
things, that cloud and obfcure it, removedout oftheway. I
Have donewith habitual readiness, conſiſting in an in-
wrought work ofgrace. The following particulars are thethings in which our actual readiness lies. And of them that which coines next to be handled, is the getting of clear evidences in our own souls, that this work hath been wrought onus: this will exceedingly tend to your ſtrengthening, and comfort, inafufferinghour. Bleſſed Paul, who here profefſeth himselfready both for bonds anddeath,was clear in this point; 2 Tim.i. 12. and iv. 6, 7. And indeed had he been cloudy and dark inthis,he couldnot have faid, Iam
336 Preparations for Sufferings : Or, ready. No, no, he had been in an ill caſe to undertake that journey to Jerufalem: and thouwilt find it a fingular advan-
tage indark and difficult days, to have all clear andrightwithin. Now, for the opening ofthis, I will shew:
I. What the evidence or manifeſtation of the work of
grace is. II. How it appears tobe of ſuch great advantage toa fuf-
fering ſaint. III. Preſcribe fome rulesfor theobtaining ofit. I. What it is. And, in ſhort,itis nothing elſe but the Spirit'sshining upon his own work in the hearts of believers, thereby enabling themfenfibly tofee andfeelit to their ownfatisfaction. Andthis is expreffed inScripture under a pleaſant
varietyofmetaphors. Sometimes it is called the" ſhedding " abroad ofthe love ofGod, intheheart," Rom. v. 5. Some-
times " the lifting up of the light ofGod's countenance,' Pfal. iv. 6. and ſometimes it is expreſſed, without a trope, by
Chriſt's manifestinghimselftothe ſoul, John xiv. 21 .
For the opening ofit, Idefire you would confider theſe fix things.
1. That it is attainablebybelievers inthis life,and that ina very high degree and meaſure. Many ofthe faintshave had it in a full meaſure, 1 Cor. ii. 12. 1 John iii. 24. John xxi. 15.
2. Though itbe attainablebybelievers,yet it is a thingſeparablefrom true grace, and many precious foulshave gone mourning for the want ofit, Ifa. 1. 10. This was fometimes the cafe ofHeman, David,Job, and multitudes more.
3. During its continuance, it is the ſweetest thing inthe world. It fwallows up all troubles, anddoubles allother comforts: itputs moregladneſs intothe heart,thanthe increaſe ofcornandwine, Pfal. iv. 6. Suavis hora,fed brevis mora; fapit quidemfuaviffime,fedgustatur rariffime, Bernard.
4.Bothinthecontinuation andremovalofit the Spiritacts arbitrarily. No man cansayhow longhe ſhallwalk in this pleaſant light, Pfal. xxx. 7. " By thy favourthou hast made " mymountain ftand ſtrong,thou hideftthyface,and I was " troubled." Andwhenindarkneſs,nonecanfayhow long it willbee'er thatfweetlightbreak forth again. Godcan ſcatter
thecloudunexpectedly inamoment,Cant. iii. 4. " Itwas but
a little thatIpaffed from them,butIfoundhimwhom my " foulloveth." There is ſuch an obſervable difference in David's fpirit inſomePfalms,as ifoneman hadwrittenthe
beginning and another the end ofthem.
5.ThoughGodcanquicklyremove thedarknessanddoubts
The best Work in the Worst Times. 337 ofa foul, yet ordinarily the faints finditaveryhardand difficultthing to obtain and preſerve the evidences oftheir graces. Such isthedarkness , deadneſs, and deceitfulneſs ofthe heart ; ſomuch unevenneſs and inconftancyin their practice, ſomany counterfeits of grace, andſo many wiles and devices of Satan
to robthem oftheir peace, thatfew (in comparison) live ina conftant and quiet fruition of it.
6. Notwithstanding all theſe things, which increaſe thedifficulty ; yetGod hath afforded his people a ſure light, and fuf ficientmeans, in the diligentuſe andimprovement whereof theymayattaina certainty ofthe work ofgrace inthem. And
there is a threefold lightbywhich it may most clearlyand in-
fallibly be diſcovered.
1. Scripture-light,which is ableto diſcover the ſecrets ofa man's heart to him ; and is therefore compared to theAnatomizer's knife, Heb. iv. 12.
2. The innate light of grace itſelf; or, ifyou will, the light ofexperience, 1 John v. o. Ithath fome properties and operations which are as effential, neceffary, and infeparable, as heat is to the fire, and may be as ſenſibly felt and perceivedby thefoul,Pfal. cxix. 20.
3. The light of the Spirit, fuperadded to both the former, which is fometimes called its earnest, ſometimes itsfeal. The Spirit doth butplant the habits, excite anddraw forth the alts, and alſoſpine upon his own work, that the foul may fee it ; and that fometimes with ſuchadegree of light as only begets peace, and quiets the heart, though itdo not fully conquer all the doubts of it. And at other times the heart is irradiated with fo clear abeam of light, that it is able to draw forth atriumphant conclufion, and ſay, Now I know the things that are freelygiven me ofGod : I believe, and am fure,
Andfomuch briefly for the openingofthe nature of this ea vidence:
II. I ſhall ſhewyou the advantage of it toa ſuffering faint, inorder to the right management ofa fuffering condition.
Andthis will appearby the confideration of five things.
1. Youwill readilygrant, that the Chriſtian's love toGod hath amighty influence into all his fufferings forGod. This grace oflove enables him victorioufly to break through alldif. ficulties anddiſcouragements."The floodscannotdrownit, nor "the waters quench it," Cant. viii. 6, 7. It facilitates the greatesthardſhips, 1 Johnv. 3. And whatever aman fuffers, VOL. VII. Uu
338 Preparationsfor Sufferings : Or, ifitbe not fromthisprinciple, it is neither acceptable toGod nor available to himself, 1 Cor. xiii. 3 .
Butnow nothing more inflames and quickens the Chriſtian's love to God, than the knowledge of his intereſt in him, and the ſenſible perception and taste of his love to the foul. Our love toGod is but a reflection of hisown love ; and the more powerful the ſtroke ofthe direct beam is, the more is that of the reflex beam alſo. Never doth that flame of Jah burn with a more vehement heat, thanwhen the foul hath the
moſt clear manifeſtations of its intereſt in Chriſt and his benefits, Luke vii. 47.
2. It must needsbe of fingular uſeto aſuffering faint, becauſe it takes out the finking weight ofaffliction. That which
finks and breaks the ſpirit, is theconjunction andmeeting of inward and outward troubles together; then if the Lordde not ſtrangely and extraordinarily ſupport the foul, it is wreckt and overwhelmed,as the ſhip inwhich Paul failedwas, when
it fell into a place where two feas met, Acts xxvii. 41. O how tempestuous afea doth that foul fail in, that hath fightings without, andfears within ! how must that poor Chriſtian's heart tremble and meditate terror, that when he retires from
troubles without, for ſome comfort and ſupport within, ſhall find afad addition to his troubles from whence he expected relief against them ! hence it was that Jeremy ſo earnestlydeprecates ſuch a mifery, " Be not thou a terror to me, thou art " my hope in the day ofevil," Jer. xvii. 17. This is prevented by this means : if a man have a clear breast, and all be quietwithin, he is like one that hatha good roofover his head when the storm falls. " We glory in tribulation, becauſe the " love ofGodis ſhed abroad in ourhearts," Rom.v. 3,5.
3. It is a fountain ofjoy and comfort in the darkest andſaddeſt hour. Hence the glorious triumphs offaints in their afflictions, Rom. v. 5. And inthe Chriſtian's joy in the Lord, lies much ofhis ſtrength for fufferings, Neh.viii. 10. Ifonce theſpirit droop and fink, the man is inabad eaſe to fuffer: Holy joy, is the oil that makes the chariot-wheels of the foul
free to follow the Lord, Non tardat uncta rota. To suffer with joyfulness for Chriſt is a qualification that God's eye is
much upon in his fuffering ſervants, Col. i. 11. Howdid the famous worthies that wentbefore us magnify Chriſt, and glorify religionby the holy triumphs oftheir faith andjoyunder tribulation ! one kiſs'd the apparitor that broughthim news of his condemnation, andwas like aman tranſported with an.
exceſs ofjoy : Another upon thepronouncing ofthe fentenca
The best Work in the worst Times. 339 kneels down, and with hands and eyes lifted up, folemnly
bleſſes God for ſuch aday asthat. Oh how is Chriſt magnified by this ! and this cannot be until intereſt be cleared. It is true, thefaith ofrecumbency gives the foul a ſecret ſupport, and enables the Chriſtian to live ; but the faith of evidence keeps him lively, and prevents all thoſe uncomfortable and uncomely ſinkings and deſpondencies of ſpirit, 2 Cor. iv. 16,
17. and therefore cannot but be ofafingular uſe to afoulat ſuch atime.
4. And, laſtly, It isofſpecial uſe to a Chriftianunder ſufferings, inasmuch as it enables him to repel the temptations that attend upon fufferings. Nothing ſets akeener edge upon his indignation against unworthy compliances, thanthis. Indeed
apoor cloudy anddubious Chriſtian will be apt to catch atdeliverance, thoughupon terms diſhonourable toChriſt; buthe that is clear in point of intereſt, abhors compoſitions and ca-
pitulations upon unworthyterms and conditions, Heb. xi. 35. and x. 34. He that fees the gain and rewardof ſuffering, will think he is offered to his loſs, when life and deliverance are ſetbeforehim upon ſuch hardterms as ſin is. And thus you ſee what influence it hath into a fuffering condition.
III. In the nextplace Ipromiſed to preſcribe ſome rules for the attaining of this evidence, andthe diſpelling of thoſe doubts by which it is usually clouded in the fouls of believers. Andoh, thatby the faithful uſeofthem you may attain it, a-
gainſt a fuffering daycome upon you.
1. Rule. Andthe first rule Iſhall give you isthis, make it your buſineſs to improve grace more; for the more vigorous
it is, the more evidential it must needs be, 2 Pet. i. 5, 6, 7, 8,9, 10, 11. Oh how much time have many Chriſtians ſpent in inquiring after the loweſt ſigns offincerity, andwhatmay conſiſt with grace ? Which hadtheyſpent inthe diligent improvementofthe means of grace, for the increaſingofit, they would have foundit aſhorter cut topeace andcomfort by much.
2. Rule. Miſtakenot the rule by which you are to try yourſelves, left yougive a falſe judgmentupon yourſelves. Some are apt to make thoſe things ſigns of grace, which are not; - and when the falſeneſs ofthem is detected, how is that poor - foul plunged into doubts and fears, that leaned upon them ? -As now, if a man ſhould conclude his fincerity from hisdili-
gence in attending ontheword preached; this is but a paralogism, (as theapostle calls it), Jam. i. 22. By which aman
Uu2
340 Preparationsfor Sufferings : Or, deceiveth his own foul : For thatwhich is note or mark, must be proper to the thing notified, and not commonto any thing elſe. There are divers forts ofmarks ; ſome are exclufive, the principal uſeofwhich is to convince bold pretenders, and dif-
cover hypocrites , ſuch is that, 1 Cor. ix. 9. It is a moſt certain ſignwheretheſe are, there is nograce; butyet itwillnot follow onthe contrary, that wheretheſe arenot, there is grace. See Luke xviii. 11. Others are inclusive, the use ofwhichis not ſo much for trying ofthe truth, as the ſtrength and degrees ofgrace. As now, whenfaith isdeſcribed by the radi
ancy ofit, orby fome of its heroic acts, andpromifes made to fome raiſeddegrees and operations ofit ; as that, Eph. iii. 12. &c. here a mistake is easily made. Besides theſe, or ra therbetwixt theſe, are another fort ofmarks, which are called poſitive marks; and theſe agreeing to the loweſt degree of grace, are for the trial of the truth and fincerity of it. Such aretheſe, i John iv. 13. 1 John ii. 3. Matth. v. 3. Be fure to trybya proper mark.
3. Rule. Takeheedofſuch fins asviolate and waſte the conſcience; for theſe will quickly raiſe a mift, and involve the foul in clouds and darkness, Pfal. li. 8. &c. Such are fins againft light, and the reclamations ofconfcience.
4. Rule. Labourto ſhun thoſe common mistakes that Chriſtians make in judging of their ſtate ; amongst which I ſhall ſelect theſe five as principal ones.
17 1. Call notyour condition into queſtion upon every failing and involuntary lapſe into fin. " Iniquities prevail againft
me, as for our tranfgreffions, thou shaltpurgethem away, Pfal. lxv. 3. Inshort, thou needeft not callthycondition into
queſtion, provided thou find thy ſpirit working as Paul's did under the ſurprizals of temptation: viz. If, ( 1. ) Thou do approve of anddelight in the law, though thou fall short ofit
in thy practice, Rom. vii. 12, 14. (2.) If thy failings be involuntary, and against the reſolution andbent of thy foul, ver. 15, 18, 19. (3.) Ifitbe the load and burden ofthy foul,ver. 24. (4.) Ifthe thoughts ofdeliverance comfort thee, ver. 25. 2. Queſtion not thetruth of thy grace, becauſe it was not wrought in the fame way and manner in thee, as in others: For there is a great variety, as to the circumstances of time and
manner, betwixt the Spirit's operations upon one and another. Compare the history of Paul's converfion with that of the Jai
lor, Zacheus, or Lydia, andfee the variety ofcircumstances.
3. Conclude not thatyou have no grace, becauſe youfeel pot thoſe tranſports and raviſhing joys thatother Chriftians
The best Work in the worst Times. 34/ fpeak of. Ifthou canst not ſay as Paul doth, Rom. viii. 38. yet bleſsGod, ifthou canstbut breathe forth ſuch language as that, Mark ix. 24. " Lord, I believe, help thou my unbelief."
4. Say not thou hast no grace, becauſe of the high attainments of ſome hypocrites,who in ſome things may excel thee. Whenſomeperſons read the ſixth chapter to the Hebrews, they
are ſtartledto fee to what a glorious height the hypocritemay foar; not confidering that there are theſe three things wherein theyexcel the moſtglorious hypocrite in the world. (J.) That
ſelfwas never dethroned inhypocrites, as it is in them. All thatanhypocritedoth is for himself. (2.) The hypocrite never hatedevery fin, as he doth ; but hath ſtill ſomeAgag,Rimmon, or Delilah. (3.) That the hypocrite never acted in duty fromthe bent and inclination ofa new nature, taking delight inheavenly employment, but is moved rather as a clock by theweight and poiſes ofſome external motives and advantages. 5. Conclude not you have no grace, becauſe yougrow not ſo ſenſibly as ſome other Chriftians do. You maybe divers ways mistaken about this. (1.) You may meaſureyourgrowth by your defires, and then it appears nothing ; forthe Chriftianaims high, and grafps at all. (2.) Or by comparing yourſelves with fuch as have larger capacities, time, and advantages, than you. (3.) Or by comparingyourgraces with othermens gifts, which you mistake for their graces. (4.) Or by thinking that all growth is upward injoy, peace, and comfort ; whereas you may grow in mortification and humility, which is as true agrowth as the former. Oh ! take heed of theſe mistakes ;
theyhavebeen veryprejudicialtothepeace ofmany Chriftians.
5. Rule. Lastly,Decline not fufferings whenGod gives you a fair call to them. Oh ! the Chriſtian's ſuffering time is commonly his clearest and most comfortable time. "Then " the Spirit ofGodand gloryreſteth on them," I Pet. iv. 14. That which hath been in ſuſpence for fome years, is decided and cleared in a fuffering hour. Andthus I have ſhewedyou how to attain this neceſſary qualification aljo.
CHAP. VIII .
Discoveringthe neceffity ofan improvedfaith for the right ma-
nagement offufferings, and directing tosome special means for the improvement thereof.
HE next thing conducing to our actual readiness for I fufferings, is theimprovement offaith to someconfi
342 Preparations for Sufferings : Or, derabledegree of ſtrength. This is the grace that mustdo the
main ſervice in ſuch an hour; andhath the principal hand in
fupporting the Chriſtian under every burden. This is the grace that crowns our heads with victory in the day ofbattle, Eph.
vi. 16. " Above all taking the ſhield offaith." It is true, everygrace is of uſe, and contributes aſſiſtance: Suffering faints have been beholding to them all. But ofthis we mayſay, as Solomon ofthe virtuous woman; " Though manygraces have " done excellently, yet this excels them all." In this grace Paul was very eminent; itwas the lifehe daily lived, Gal.
ii. 20. Oh! it is a precious grace, 2Pet. i. 1. Soprecious, that Chriſt, who ſeldom admired at anything, yetwonderedat this, Matth. viii. 10. Avictorious grace it is that overcomes alldifficulties, Mark ix. 23. Bythis ſword itwas that all thoſe
famous heroes, Heb. xi. atchieved all thoſeglorious conqueſts; and in every diſtreſs it may ſay to the ſoul, asChriſt to the dif ciples, John xv. 5. " Without meyecandonothing." This is
thatsword that hath obtained fo manyvictories over theworld,
1 Johnv. 4. Andthat trustyshield that hath quenchedſo mamydeadlydarts oftemptation, which have been levelled at the
veryheart of aChriſtian in the dayofbattle. By it a Chriftian lives, when all outward ſenſible comforts die, Hab. ii. 4. It is thegrounduponwhich the Chriſtian fixes his foot, and never fails under him, 2 Cor. i. 24. The neceſſity of itwill more clearly appear,by confidering howmany ways it relieves thefoul in trouble, and diſburdens the heart of all its finking
loads and preffures : There are two things that fink a man's
ſpiritwhen under ſufferings ; viz. The greatness ofthe troubles, and the weakness ofthe foul to bear them; against both which faith relievesthe foul, viz. by making a weak foulſtrong,
and heavy troubles light.
First, Itmakes a weak foul ſtrong and ableto bear; andthis itdoth divers ways.
1.By purging out ofthe ſoulthoſe enfeebling andweakning diſtempers ; notonlyguilt ingeneral, which is to the foulas a wound upon thebearing ſhoulder, Rom. v. 1. The removal whereof enables thefoul to bearany other burden, Ifa. xxxiii.
24. But it alſo removesfear, that tyrant paffion,that cuts the nerves of the foul. For as faith comes in, ſo fear goes out : Look in whatdegree the fear of God is aſcendant inthe foul, proportionably the finful fearof the creature declines andva-
niſheth, Ifa. viii. 12, 13. This fear extinguiſhes that, as the fun-fhine puts out fire, " The righteous is bold as a lion," Prov. xxviii. 1. The word
fignifies a young lion in
ריפבב
The best Work in the worst Times. 343 his hot blood, that knows no ſuch thing as fear : And look how much ofthe foul is empty offaith, ſo much it isfilled with fear : " Why are ye fearful, O ye oflittlefaith ?" Matth. viii. 26. Certainly, it is a rare advantage, to be freedfrom the common distraction, in times ofcommon destruction ; andthis advan-
tage the foul hathby faith.
2. It ſtrengthens the foul tobear afflictions and hardſhips ; notonly bypurging out its weakning diſtempers, butbyturn- -ing itſelfto Chriſt, inwhom all its ſtrength lies;and thatſuit-
ably to the ſeveral exigencies of the ſoul, inall its diſtreſſes. Doth darkness, like the ſhadew of death, overſpread the earth,
and all the lights ofearthlycomforts diſappear ? then faith ſupports the heart, by looking to the Lord, Micah vii. 7. And this look of faith exceedingly revives the heart, Pfalm xxxiv.
5. and enlightens the ſoul. DothGodpluck away all earthly props from under your feet, and leave you nothing viſible to reſt upon? inthat exigence faith puts forth a ſuitable act, viz. Resting orstaying upon God, Ifa. xxvi. 3. and by this the foul f comes tobe quietedand eſtabliſhed,Pfalm cxxv. 1. Dotemp-
tations ſtrive to put offthe foul from Chriſt, and difcourage it
from leaning uponthe promise ? Then it puts forth an act of ( resolution, Job xiii. 15. And ſobreaks its way through that
difcouragement ; or hath the foul been long feeking God for deliverance out oftrouble, and ſtill there is filence in heaven, no anſwer comes ; but instead of an anſwercomes a temptation, to throw upthe duty, andſeektodeliver itſelf ? Then faith puts forth another act upon Chriſt, ſuitable to this diſtreſs, viz. An act ofwaiting, Ifa. xlix. 23. which waiting is oppoſed to thatfinfulhastewhich the foul is tempted to, Iſa. xxviii. 16. Or dothGod at anytime call thefoulforth toſomedifficult ſervice,
againſt which the flesh and carnal reaſon diſpute and plead? Now faith helps the foul,by putting forth an act of obedience :
andthat whilft carnal reaſon ſtandsby diſlatisfied, Gal. i. 16. Andhence it is, that obedience carries the name offaith upon
it, to ſhew its defcent, Kom. xvi. 26. Faith encourages the foul toobey, not onlybyurgingGod's command,butby giving itGod's warrant for its indemnity, Heb. xi. 24, 25, 26. Or doth apoor believer find himself overmatched by troubles and temptations, and his own inherent ſtrength begin to fail under the burden? Then faith leads him to anomnipotentGod, and
ſo ſecures himfrom fainting under his trouble, Pfalm lxi. 2. IntheLord is everlaſting ſtrength. ElShaddai, is aname of encouragementto a feeble ſoul, Ifa.xl.29,30,31. Andthus
344 Preparations for Sufferings : Or, you fee the firſt particular madegood, viz. What a ſtrength
ning influence it hath upon aweak foul.
Secondly, In the next place, let us fee how it lightens the Chriſtian's burdens, as well as ftrengthens his backto bear.
And certainly, this grace of faithdoth ſtrangely alter the verynature of ſufferings, taking away boththe heaviness and borror ofthem; and this itdoth divers ways :
1. By committing the buſineſs to Chrift, andleaving the matterwith him; andſo quittingthe foulofall theſe anxieties andperturbations,which are theveryburden andweight ofaf
fliction, Pfalm xxxvii. 5. For certainly, that which finks us indays oftrouble, is rather fromwithin, from our unruly, fe ditious, andclamorous thoughts,than from the troubles themſelveswith which weconflict: Butbycommitting the matter
toGod, the ſoul is quickly brought to reft.
2. By diſcovering much preſent good inourtroubles; the more good faith diſcovers in atrouble,the more fupportable andeaſy itmakes ittothe foul. Nowfaith brings in acom fortable report, that they are not only evils, as the troubles of thewicked are, Ezek. vii. 5. but have an allay andmixture ofmuch good, Heb. xii. 10. Ifa. xxvii. 9.
3. By forefeeing the end and final removal of them, and thatnear at hand, 2 Cor. iv. 17. That which daunts andamazes menin times of trouble, is, thattheycan feeno end
of them. Hence the heart faints, and hands hang down throughdifcouragement: Butnow faith brings thejoyfultid.
ings ofthe end oftroubles; and faith to the foul, "Whyart " thoucaſtdown,O myfoul ? andwhy ſo diſquietedanddif " couragedwithin me ? as ifthy ſufferings were like the fuf " ferings of thedamned, endless andeverlasting,whereasthey " arebut for a moment; yet a littlewhile,avery little while, " andhe that ſhallcome,willcome,andwillnottarry,"Heb. x. 37. Yet a littlewhile,and thenthedays ofthy mourning ſhallbe over.
4.Bycomparing ourfufferingswith the ſufferingsofothersy which exceedingly diminiſheth and ſhrinks them up; fome
times the believer compares his ſufferings with Chrift's, and thenhe is ashamed that ever he ſhould complain and droop
under them. Oh ! faith he, what is that, to that which the Lord Jeſus ſuffered for me ? He fuffered in all his members , head, hands, fide, feet, from allbands, friends and enemies,
in all his offices ; yea, in his foul, as wellas in his body: And indeed the fufferings ofhis foul, were the very foul of
his fufferings : Sometimes he compares them with the fuf
The best Work in the worst Times. 345 ferings of others of the faints in former ages : When he
reads in faith the hiſtory of their perfecutions, he is ſhamed out ofhis complaints, and faith, Am I better than my fa- ' thers ?" Sometimes he compares them with the fufferings of the damned: 'Oh what is this to everlasting burnings ! What ' is a priſon to hell ? How light and eaſy is it to fuffer for * Chriſt, in comparison of thoſe ſufferings which are from • Chrift ?' Andthus the foul is quieted, andthe terror offufferings abated.
5. Faith entitles Chriſt to the believer's ſufferings, andputs them upon his ſcore ; and ſo it exceedingly transforms and alters them: Ah ! it is no ſmall relief,when a man can hold - up the Bible, as that martyr did at the ſtake, and ſay, ' This
is that which hath brought me hither : Or as the Pfalmiſt ; " For thy fake we are killed all the day long :" Or as the apoſtle, Col. i. 24. " I fill up that which is behind ofthe fuffer. " ings of Chrift inmy fleſh."
6. Lastly, Faith engages the preſenceofGod, tobe and abide with the foul in all its folitudes and ſufferings : It lays - holdupon the promiſes made to that purpoſe, Pfalm xxiii. 2.
Ifa. xliii. 2. Heb. xiii. 5. John xiv. 18. And whilft a poor foul enjoys this, the very ſenſe oftroubles is ſwallowedup. And thus I have given ſome briefhints, how faith relieves and strengthens the foul in a fuffering hour : The next thing
is to directyou how to improve this excellent grace, that it may do you fuch ſervice as this in atime ofneed: And, in order thereunto, I ſhallgive youtheſe ſevendirections.
1. Attend diligently upon the miniſtration of the goſpel, which is not only the procreant, but alſo the conſerving cauſe
of faith, 1 Pet. ii. 2. The doctrine offaith, is the food and nutrimentof the grace offaith : There are its rules, its encouragements, its cordials : Thence faith takes and treaſures up its michtams, to which ithath recourſe intimes of need : Every attribute, command, orpromise, that ſhines forth there,
is adiſh for faith to feed on; but all together are a royal feaſt, Pfalm lxiii. 5. Some ſay the land of Judea is called " the land of the living," in Pfalm xxvii. 13. in reſpect of theordinances of God, which that people enjoyed. Certain it is, they are the great inſtruments of quickning fouls at firſt, and preferving that life itſo begat inthem: But thenbe fure they have Chriſt's ſtamp upon them, andthatthey beminiftredby his own officers, and in his own way: Andſo you may reaſonably expect more fruits and influencesfromthem, VOL. VII. Xx
346 Preparationsfor Sufferings : Or,
than from all private gifts and helps in the world : " For the " Lord loveth the gates ofZion, more than allthe dwellings " of Jacob," Pfalm lxxxvii. 2. And all private helps may fay, in comparison of Chrift's public ordinances, as Gideon faid to the men of Ephraim, Judges viii. 2. "What have we " done in comparison of you ?"
2. Improve well your facrament ſeaſons, thoſe harvest-days of faith : This ordinance hath a direct and peculiar tendency
to the improvement and ſtrengthening of faith. It is a pledge ſuperadded to the promise for faith's fake : Heavenly and fublime mysteries do therein ſtoop down to your fenfes, that you may have the clearer apprehenfions ofthem ; and the clearer the apprehenfions are, the ſtronger the affent offaith mustneeds be: By this feal alfo the promife comes to be more ratified to us; and the firmer the promiſe appears to the foul, the more bold and adventurous faith is in cafting itſelf upon it : Oh! howmanypoor doubting trembling fouls have in ſuch a ſeaſon gathered the full ripe fruits ofafſurance, fromthe top-boughs ofthat ordinance !
3. Frequent actings of faith, are rare and ſpecial means of improving it : " To him that hath," (i. e.) that improves and uſes what he hath, " ſhall be given," Matth xxv. 29. This was the way by which Paul thrived in faith, and every other grace ſo exceedingly, thathe outgrewthem that were in Chrift before him, 1 Cor. xv. 10. It is true, its beginning in the foul, is not after the manner of other habits, either moral, or natural : This is not ofnatural acquifition, butby divine infufion : Butyet its improvementisinthe famemanner. then! ifeveryou wouldhave a flourishing faith, rouze it up
out ofthe dull habit, and live in the daily exerciſe of it.
4. Go to Jeſus Chriſt, who is the Author and finiſher of faith, and cry to him, as Mark ix. 24. " Lord, increaſe my " faith:" Yea, beg the affiſtance ofothers prayers in this behalf, as the apostle did, I Theff. iii. 10. 2 Theff. i. 11. faith animates prayer, and prayer increaſeth faith. 5. Improve times of affliction for the increaſe of faith : For certainly, fanctified afflictions do notably exerciſe and increaſe this grace, I Pet. i. 7. Intimes ofproſperity,we know not what ſtock of faith we have: We live ſo much upon things feen,that wecannotmanytimes tell whether we have faith or no: Butwhendifficult days eome, then we must get out our whole fubfiftence and livelihoodby faith,Hab. ii. 4. Yea,then wehavemany proofs and experiments ofGod's fidelity in the
promiſes, which isa choice help to faith, 2Cor. i. 1o.
The best Work in the Worst Times. 347 6. Keep catalogues of all your remarkable experiences ; treafurethem up as food for your faith in time to come : Oh ! it is a fingular encouragement and hearteningto faith, whenit canturn over the records of God's dealing with you in years
paſt, andſay as Joshua, "Not one thing hath failed," Joshua xxiii. 14. When it can ſay ſo ofpromiſes, thathave already had their accomplishments, then they will be apt to ſay concerningthoſe yet to be accomplished, as Elizabeth faid toMary, Luke i. 45. "Bleffed is the foulthatbelieveth, forthere ſhall be " a performance ofthoſethings which are told itby the Lord."
Theſe experiments are the food offaith: Pfalm lxxiv. 14. " Thou breakest the heads of Leviathan in pieces, and gaveſt " him to be meat to thy people inhabiting the wilderneſs,"
(i. e.) That famous experienceof the power and love ofGod in their red-fea deliverance, where he destroyed that fea-monster Pharaoh, and his hoſt, was meat to the faith of God's Ifrael in thewilderneſs afterwards. We often find Chrift charging the
peoples unbeliefon a bad memory, Matth. xvi. 8, 9. And, henceitwas, that the Lord commanded the Ifraelites to keep journals of everyday's occurrences, Numb. xiii. 1, 2. Itisa
thouſand pities ſuch choice helps ſhould be loſt. Oh ! ifyou - couldbut remember, how the Lord hath appeared for you in
former exigencies, and how often he hath ſhamed you for your unbelief, it would exceedingly animate your faith, both inpreſent, and future diſtreſſes, Micah vi. 5.
7. Lastly, Beware offenfe, which isthe ſupplanter of faith. O ifyou liveupon things earthly, you put your faith out of its - office: Things earthlyhave an enmity to faith . "This is the
" victory by which we overcomethe world, even ourfaith,"
1 Johnv. 4. Overcoming denotes a conflict, and conflicts infer oppoſitions. Oh you that live ſo much by fight and ſenſe on things viſible, what will you do when in David's, or Paul's cafe, Pfal. cxlii. 4. 2 Tim. iv. 16. when all outward encouragements and stays ſhall utterly fail ? What had Abraham done, if he had not been able to believe against hope, i. e. ſuch anhope as is founded in ſenſe and reafon.
Reader, I adviſeand chargethee in the nameofthe Lord,and as thou hopeft to live when viſible comforts die, that thou be diligent in the improvement and preparation of this excellent grace of faith : ifit fail, thou faileſt with it; and as thy faith is, ſo art thou. Conſult all the cloud of witneſſes, and fee if thou canst find aman amongstthem, thatdid not atchieve the victory by his faith. Hadthey notallbeen rundown by the Xx2
348 Preparations for Sufferings : Or, furious aſſaultsoftemptation, and instead ofacloudofwitnesfes,been so many pillars offalt, andmonuments of reproach
andshame to religion, iftheir faith had failedin itstrial.
CHAP. IX.
Wherein the neceffity and usefulness of Christian fortitude in or
der tofufferings is evinced, with a brief account of its na
ture and the means of attaining it. Th HE next grace which concurs tothecompleteing ofour
actual readiness for fufferings, is Chriſtian fortitude, of holy courage , which muſt ſay in thy heart, in atime ofdan ger, as Elijah once did, "As the Lord lives, Iwill ſhew my " ſelf." This alſo is a choice part ofyour preparation-work In this grace our apoſtle was eminent: when he was told, " Bonds and afflictions waited for him;" he could fay, That " none oftheſe things moved him," Acts xx. 24. Yea,when hewas to appear before the lion Nero, and nota man would own or ſtand by him, yethe ſtands hisground, refolving rather todieon the place, than diſhonourablyto recede from hisprin ciples and profeſſion, 2Tim. iv. 16, 17. He fet the world, with all its threats and terrors, lower than it ſet him. Ohow
confpicuous was this grace in all thoſe berges that havepaft
on before us ! And if ever you hope to ſtand inthe evilday, andbe fetched offthe fieldwith honour,you must rouze upand awakenyour courage forGod: And the neceffity thereofwill appearupon theſe four confiderations.
1.Becauſe the ſucceſs and prevalence of Satan's temptations inthehour ofperſecutiondependsuponthe fainting andover. throw ofthis grace. Wherefore dothheraife perfecutions in theworld, but becauſe ſuch terrible things are fitted to work
upon the paffion ofcarnal fear, which riſes with thoſe dangers, andmakes the foul as atumultuous ſea. This is it heaims at, Neh. vị. 13. This is a multiplying paſſion, that reprefents dangers more andgreater thanthey are, and ſodrives the foul into the very netandſnare laidby the devil totake it. Prov. xxix. 25. " The fear ofmanbrings a ſnare;" whichwas fadly exemplified in Abraham, Gen. xii. 12. and divers others of
the faints. Ifhecan but ſubduethis grace, he will quickly bring you to capitulate for lifeand liberty,uponthe baſfeft and
moſt diſhonourable terms; therefore the preparation ofthis grace is ſo exceedinglyneceſſary.
The best Work in the Worst Times. 349
2. Becauſe this is the grace thathonours Jeſus Chriſt abun-
1 -dantly, when you are brought uponthe ſtage for him. - There is a great folemnity at the fuffering and trial of a faint : heaven, earth, and hell, are ſpectators, obſerving the - iſſue, and how the faints will acquit themselves in that hour,
We are made a spectacle, faith the apostle. The word is Θιατρον εγενήθημεν, we are ſet asupon atheatre inpublic view,
1 Cor. iv. 9. God, angels, and faints, wait to seetheglorious triumphs oftheir faithand courage, reflecting honour upon thename andcauſe ofChriſt. Devils and wickedmen gape foran advantage by their cowardiſe. Certainly very much lies now upon the Chriſtian's hands. Shouldhe faint andgive ground, how will it furnishthe triumphs of hell, and make
- Chriſt's enemies vaunt over him, as if his love ran ſo low in
the hearts of his people, that they durſt not adventure any thing for him ? Or, as if, notwithstanding their brave words and glorious profeſſion, they durſt not trust their own princi. pleswhenitcomes to the trial? But ifnowtheyplay themen,
anddiscover an holy gallantryofſpiritand reſolution forChrift, howwill itdauntthe enemies, and makethem ſay as Marcus biſhop ofAretheuſa made one of Julian's nobles, preſent at historments, toſayconcerning him, Weare ashamed,Oempe-
ror, the Christians laugh at your cruelty ! And how will God himself rejoice and glory over them, as heonce did over Job when he fetchedhim with honour off that firſt field! Job ii. 3. " Stillhe holdeth faſt his integrity."
3. Your own peace is wrapt up in it, as well as God's glory. Is it nothing, think you, tobefreed from thoſe vulturesand harpies, that feed upon the hearts of men at ſuch times ? SurelyGod reckons, that he promiſeth a very great mercytohis people, whenhe promiſeth it, Prov. i. ult. Pfal.
cxii. 7. WhenBorromaeus was told ofſome that lay in wait
to take away his life, it troubled him not, but he ſaid, An Deus eft inmundo pro nihilo ? What, isGod in the world for
nought ? And like to this was the anfwer ofSilentiarius inthe like cafe; Si Deus mei curam non habet, quid vivo ? IfGod
take not care for me, how do I live ? Oh this is it that brings youtoanholyquietude of ſpirit intimesofconfufion anddif traction, which is achoicemercy.
4. Yourmagnanimity is of ſpecial uſe to other faints, who are followingyou in the fame path offufferings. If you faint, itis likethefainting ofaſtandard-bearerin anarmy: you bring therebyan evil report upon the croſs ofChrist, asthefirstspies
didupon the land ofCanaan. And alike influencewith that
350 Preparation for Sufferings : Or, it is like tohave on your brethren; ſothat there is aneceffity
of improving this grace alſo beforeyou can fay with Paul you
areready.
2. But what is this Chriſtian fortitude, andwhereindoth it confift.
I anſwer briefly, It is an holy boldness in the performance of difficult duties,flowingfromfaith in the callofGod, and hispromiſe to us in the discharge of them. Andfo you have the natureofit intheſe fourparticulars.
1. It isanholy boldness, not a naturalor ſinful boldneſs, ariſing either from the natural conſtitution, or evil difpofition ofthemind.
2. It is expreſſed about duties for truth, not error, Jer. ix. 3. for the intereſt of Chrift, not ofthe flesh. 3. The ſeaſon inwhich it appears is, when duties are furrounded and beſetwith difficulties and dangers, Dan. iii. 16. Dan. vi. 10.
4. The fountainwhence it flows is faith, and thatas itreſpects the command and call ofGod to duty, Acts xvi. 10. Andhispromiſe to us in the diſcharge thereof, Joth. i. 5,6. And this grace ſtands oppoſed, both tothe fearof manin the cauſe ofGod, Heb. xi. 27. andtoapoſtacyfromthe truth
for fear of fuffering. Thus briefly ofthe nature of it. 3. In the lastplace, Iſhall laydown ſome rules forthepromotingand improvement of it, and fo finiſh this chapter. Now there are ten rules heedfully to be obſerved for the breeding ofholy courage in the breaſt ofa faint in eviltimes. 1. Rule. And the firſt rule is this, Get a weaned heart from all earthly enjoyments. Ifthe heartbe inordinately fixed upon anyone thing thatyou poſſeſs intheworld, that inordinate e-
ſtimationof, andaffection for it, will ſtrangelyeffeminate, foften, and cowardize your ſpirit whenyour trialcomes, 2Tim.
ii.4. You meetnot withamanofcourage forGod,buthadhis heartdead toearthlythings ; ſo it was with Paul, Phil. iii. 8. Sincethe apostles, we ſcarce meetwith agreater exampleof holymagnanimitythan Luther; andifyou readhis ſtory, you will find few men ever ſet a lower rate ontheworld than he. All the Turkith empire in his eye was but a crumb caſt to the dogs. Germana est haec bestia pecuniam non curat. Money could not tempt him.
2. Rule. Suffer not guilt to lie upon yourconfciences : itis afountainoffears, andyou cannever attainboldness forGod, till itberemoved,Rom. v.1, 2, 3. The spirit of afoundmind
The best Work in the worst Times. 35x - isopposed to the ſpirit offear, 2 Tim. i. 7. Now that found
mind is amind or ſpirit that is not wounded, and made fick
and infirm by guilt. Owhat black fogs and miſts ariſe out ofguilt, which becloud our evidences, and fillus with fears anddiſcouragements ! Gen. xlii. 21, 22.
3. Rule. Clear your call to difficult ſervices,be well fatisfied thatyou are in thatway and poſtureGod expects to findyou in. Owhatcouragethis willgive ! Joth. i.9. Thenaman maypro-
miſe himself God's preſence and protection, 2 Chron. xv. 2. But whilſt a man isdubious here, andcannottell whether it behisduty or not, that he is engaging in, how can he have * eourage to hazardany thing for it? For,thinks he, I may fuffer much from men, andyet have no thanks ofGod for it, I Pet. ii. 9. And further, tilla man beclear inthis, he cannot commithis cauſetoGod. And it is aſadthingto be cut offfrom 5 ſo choice a reliefas that is, 1 Pet. iv. 19. 4. Rule. Getrightnotions and apprehenfions of your enemies . We are apt to magnify the creature, as ifhe could do more than he can, and thereby disable ourſelves from doing what weshould. Poffefs your fouls withthe beliefoftheſefive things concerning them. (1.) Thatthey are poor weak enemies, Ifa. xl . 15, 17, 22. But as a ſwarm ofgnats in the air.
See how God deſcribes them, Ifa. li. 13, 14.
(2.) That little powerthey have is limited by your God, who hath the bounding andordering ofit, Johnxix. 11. Pfal. lxxvi . 10. (3.) They carry guilt upon them, which makes them more timorous than you, Ifa. viii. 12. Their fear is a ftrange fear. (4.) They only uſe carnalweapons againstyou, which cannottouch yourfouls. Ifthey were praying enemies that could engage God againstyou, theywouldbe formidable * enemies indeed; but this they cannotdo. The largest commiſſion that anyofthemever had fromGod, extended buttothe -bodies and bodily concernments ofthe faints, Luke xii. 4, 5.
They cannot thunder with an arm like God, nor blot your name out ofthe book of life, nor take away your part out of the New Jerufalem ; therefore fear not man. (5.) Your enemies are God's enemies ; and God hath eſpouſed your cauſe
and quarrel. The more cruelthey are, the kinder he will be to you, John ix. 34, 35 . 5. Rule Labour to engage the prefence of God with you inall places and conditions. Whilftyou enjoythis, your fpirits willbe invincible and undaunted, Joſh. i. 9. Pfal. cxviii. 6.Aweak creature aſſiſted and encouragedby the prefence of agreat God will be able to do and ſuffer greatthings. Poor
352 Preparations for Sufferings : Or, fleſh inthehand ofan almighty Spirit acts above itſelf. Alit tledog, if his maſter be by,and animates him, willfeize upon
a greater beaſt than himself, thoughhe would run from him were his maſter abſent. Our courage ebbs and flows as the manifeſtations ofthe divine prefence do. Oh getthyſelf once within the line ofthat promife, Ifa. xliii. 1, 2. and thou art
invincible.
6. Rule. Get an high eſtimation ofJeſus Chriſt, and all his concernments. They that value him highest, will adventure for him farthest. Magnanimous Luther, how inestimable a valuedid he fet upon the truths of Chrift! Ruat coelum, &c. Let heaven rush rather than a crumb of truth should perish. Thou wilt never be aman ofzeal and courage for Chrift's in
tereft, untilthat interest of Chrift have ſwallowed up allthine own interefts. No sooner is thefoul acquaintedwith, andin terested in Chriſt, buthe heartily wishes well to all his affairs andconcernments, Pfal. xlv. 3, 4. This is that which puts metal and reſolution for Chriſt into the foul.
7. Rule. Beware yoube notcheatedwithmaxims ofcarnal policy, miſtaken for Chriſtian prudence. Many are ſo: and theyprove deſtructive to all true zeal and courage for Chrift. Neverwas religion profefſed with greater plainneſs and fimpli
city, than by the primitive Chriſtians: and never was there
an higher ſpring-tide of courage and zeal forGod, than in thoſe days. We are apt to call it prodigality, and are grown wiſer tohusband ourlives and comforts, better than theydid. But indeedour prudentials have even ſwallowedup our religi
on. It is true, there is ſuch a thing as Chriſtian prudence; but this doth not teach men to ſhunall coſtly anddifficultdu ties, and proſttitute confcienceto ſave the ſkin. "Aman of " underſtandingwalketh uprightly," Prov. xv. 21 .
: 8. Rule. Look uponthe infide oftroubles for Chriſt, as well as uponthe outſide of them. Ifyou view themby an eye of ſenſe, there appeareth nothing but matter ofdifcouragement. To lookon the outſide ofa priſon, banishment, or death, is
affrighting and horrible: butthen, ifye look into the infide of theſe things by faith, and ſee what God hath made them to his people, andhowjoyfulandcomfortable they have beenin theſe conditions ; what honey they havefoundin the carcaſs
ofa lion, what fongs inthe ſtocksanddungeons, whatglory. ing intribulation, anhundred-fold rewardeven in their fuf ferings : Othen ! that which looked like a ferpent at a diftance, willappearbut as a rod in hand. Howmanyhave found themſelves quite miſtakenintheir apprehenfions offufferings;
Thebest Work in the worst Times. 353 - andbeen more loth to come out of apriſon, thanthey were to
go in! Ifyoudid but ſee your ſupports, andthe comforts that - fouls ordinarily meetwith in their troubles for Chrift, you
wouldnot look on them as ſuch formidable things.
9. Rule. View the iſſue and reward of fufferings by an eye of faith: this alſo will strongly abate the horror anddread of them, Heb. x. 34. Upon this account it is the faints have ſo flighted and contemnedthem, Rom. viii. 18. 2 Cor.iv. 16, 17. Butthen ſee that you act your faith, (1.) Upon the cer- ✓taintyof it: look at it as a most real and ſubſtantial thing,
Heb.xi. 1. (2.) Viewit as a great andglorious reward : And,
(3.) As near athand: Andthenſayto thyfoul,comeonmy foul, comeon, ſeeſt thouthejoy ſet before thee ! thecrown ofgloryreadytobeſetonthyheadby thehand of a righteous God. Oh, what compare is there betwixt thoſe ſufferings,
and thatglory !
10. Rule. Propoundtoyourſelves the beſt patterns and examples. Keep your eye uponthe cloud of witneſſes ; theſe are ofſpecial uſe tobegetholy courage, Heb. xii. 1. James v.
10. Whowouldbe afraidto enterthe lifts, and grapple with that enemythathehathſeenſo often foiled,and thatby apoor weak Chriſtian ? See howthe enemy, withwhom you are to grapple, hath beenbeaten hand tohand, and triumphedover
by poorwomen and children; they had as great infirmities, andyou haveas gracious aſſiſtances as thoſe that aregone be-
foreyou.
CHAP. Χ.
Discoveringthe neceſſity ofanheart mortified to allearthly and
temporal enjoyments, in order to the right managing of a fufferingcondition : withfeveral directions for theattaining
thereof. THE HE nextthing whereinyour actualreadineſs for bonds,
ordeath confifteth, is in the mortification ofyour affections to all earthly interests and enjoyments ; even the best
and sweetest of them : Till this be done, in ſome meaſure, you are not fit to be uſed in anyſuch ſervice forthe Lord, 2 Tim. i. 21. The living world is the very life of temptations:
the travailing pains of death are ſtronger and ſharper upon none, than thoſe that are full of ſenſeand ſelf. As you fee VOL . VII. Yy
354 Preparations for Sufferings : Or, in nature, what conflicts and agonies ſtrong and lively perfons fufferwhenthey die; when others, inwhom nature is decayedand ſpent before-hand, die away without halfthat pain, even as a bird in a ſnell. Corruption in the faints, is like the ſap in green wood, which reſiſteth the fire, and will not burn well, till itbe dried up. Prepared Paul had an heart mortified in a very high degree, to all the honour and riches of the world, accounting them all but trifles, Gal. vi. 14
1 Cor. iv. 3, 4. The needofthiswill beevincedby theſe five confiderations.
1. Unleſs the heart be mortified to allearthly enjoyments, they will appeargreat andglorious things inyour eye and efti mation; and if fo, judge what a taſk you will have, todeny
and leave them all in a fuffering hour. It is corruption with in, that puts the luſtre andglory upon things without: it is thecarnal eye only that gazes admiringly after them, 2 Cor. v. 16. and hence the luft is putto expreſs the affection, 1 John
ii. 16. becauſe all that inordinate affection we have to them, arifes from our high eſtimation ofthem, and that eſtimation from our lufts, that repreſent them as great and glorious. Therefore, certainly, it willbe difficult (ifnot impoffible) to denythem, tilltheyhave loft theirglory in your eye; andthat
they will neverdo, till thoſe lufts within you, that putthat beauty and neceſſityuponthem, be first crucified. As for in-
france, what aglory and neceſſity doth the pride of men put uponthe honour and credit of the world, ſothatthey willra ther chooſe to die, than ſurvive it ? But to a mortifiedſoul it is
afmall matter, 1 Cor. iv. 3. So for riches,howmuch arethey adored, till our lufts be mortified ?andthenthey areefteemed butdung anddrofs, Phil. iii. 8. It is our corruptions that paint andgildovertheſethings : whentheſe arecrucified,thofe will be lightly eſteemed.
2. Mortification of corruptions is that which recovers an healthful ſtateof foul: fin isto the foul, what a diſeaſe isto
thebody; and mortification is to fin, what phyſic is to adifcafe. Hencethoſe that are but a little mortified, arein a comparative ſenſe called carnal, 1 Cor. iii. 3. and babes, ver. 2. in refpectof weakneſs. Now, fuffering work being fome of the Chriftian's hardeſt labour and exerciſe,he cannotbe fitted for it,untilhis foul be in an healthful ſtate : a fickly man cannot carry heavyburdens, or endure hard laboursand exerciſes; the fick foldier is left behind in his quarters, or put into the hoſpital, whilft his fellows are dividing the ſpoils,and obtain
ing glorious victories inthe field. Tothis ſenſe ſomeexpound
The best Work in the worst Times. 355
46Rom. viii. 13.3. " Ifye live after the fleſh, ye ſhall die; but if ye, through the Spirit, mortify the deeds ofthe body, ye " ſhalllive." Whereas death isput to note alanguiſhing ſtate
of foul, whilft mertification is neglected ; ſo life is put to expreſs anhealthful and comfortable ſtate ; viverepro valere ; fo thatupon this account alſo the neceffityof it appears.
3. Your corruptions mustbe mortified, elſe theywill be raging and violent in the time of temptation, and, like a torrent, ſweep awayall your convictions and reſolutions. It is finunmortifiedwithin, thatmakes theheartlike gun-powder ; ſothat whentheſparksoftemptationflyabout it, (andthey fall thick in
a fuffering hour) they dobut touch and take. Hence the corruptions ofthe world are faid to be through luft, 2 Pet. i. 4. With theſe internal unmortified lufts,the tempter holds corre
ſpondence ; and theſebe the traitors that deliver upour fouls - intohis hands.
4. Unleſs youbediligentandſucceſsfulin this work, though you ſhould ſuffer, yet not like Chriſtians ; you will but difgrace religion, and the cauſe for whichyou fuffer ; for it isnot fimple ſuffering, but fuffering as a Chriſtian, that reflects crediton religion, and finds acceptationwithGod. Ifyou be envious, fretful, diſcontented, and revengeful, under your ſufferings,what honourwill this bring to Chriſt ? Isnot this altogether unlike the example of your Lord ? Ifa. liii. 7. and the behaviour of fuffering faints ? 1Cor. iv. 13. Yetthus it will be, ifyour pride, paffion, andrevenge, be not firſt ſubdued: forwhat are the breakings forth of ſuch diftempers ofſpirit, but as the flushes ofheat in the face from an ill-affected liver ? Moſt certain itis,that all theſeevils arein your natures, and as certain it is, theywill riſe like mude and filth from the bottom of alake,when ſome eminent trials ſhall rake you to the bottom ; Natura vexata proditfeipfam.
5. Lastly, Mortification must be ſtudiedand pliedwith diligence ; elſe you will findmany longings andhankerings after earthly enjoyments and comforts, which will prove a ſnare to you: whatis fin,butthe corrupt and vitiatedappetiteofthecrea-
ture, tothings that are earthly and ſenſual, reliſhingmore ſweetneſs anddelight inthem, thanin the bleſſedGod ? Andwhat is
fanctification, but the rectifying oftheſe inordinate affections, andplacing themon their proper object ? A regenerate and mortified Chriftian taſtes not halfthat ſweetneſs in forbidden fruits that anotherdoth: ſet but money before Judas, and fee kow eagerlyhe catches at it - " What will ye give me, Yy2
356 Preparationsfor Sufferings : Or, " and Iwillbetrayhim ?" Setbut life, liberty, or any fuch baitbefore an unmortified heart, and how impotent is heto withstandthem, as offered in atemptation ? Oh thoſe unmortified lufts ! how do they make men hanker, long, and their
lips water (as we uſe to ſay) after theſe things ? This makes them break priſon,decline ſufferings, though upon the baſeft terms : whereas a mortified Chriſtian can ſee all theſe things
ſet before him, yea, offered to him, and refuſe them, Heb. x. 35. It is withthemmuch as it was with old Brazillai, 2Sam. xix. 35. When nature is decayed,they find but littlepleaſure in natural actions, Ecclef. xii. 1. And look asthe body of fin decays and languishes, ſodo theſe longings alſo : Itweansthe
foul from them all, and enables it to live very comfortably without them, Pfal. cxxxi. 1. Phil. iv. 12. There needs no moretobe faidto evincethe neceſſity ofniortification, and dif cover what influence it hath into a Chriſtian's readineſs for fufferings.
It remains therefore, that I open toyou ſome of the prin cipal corruptions, aboutwhich it mostly concerns you to be
ſtowpains ere ſufferings come. Now look as there are four principal enjoyments, inwhich you are like to be tried, viz. Estate, name, liberty, life; ſothe Chriſtian work in ſuffering times lies in mortifying theſe four ſpecial corruptions, viz. First,The loveofthe world. Secandly, Ambition. Thirdly, Inordinateaffectation offreedom andpleaſure. Fourthly, Excel five love oflife.
1. For the love ofthis world, awaywith it, crucify it, crucify it : downwith this idol, and let itbe dethroned in all that intend to abide with Chriſt in the hour of temptation : how elſewill you take the ſpoiling ofyour goods ? How will you be able to part with all for Chriſt, as theſe blefſed ſouls did ? Itgrieves myheart to ſeehow many profeffors ofreligion are carried captive at the chariot-wheels ofa bewitching world. Oh! goodhad itbeen for many profeffors, ifthey had never taſtedſo muchofthe ſweetness ofit. Sirs, Ibeg you, for the Lord's ſake, down with it inyour estimations, downwith itin
your affections, elſe temptations willdown with you ere long. I shall offer five or fixhelps forthe crucifying of it.
First, Confider youreſpouſals toChriſt, andhow you have choſenandprofeſſedhim for your Lord and husband: there
fore your doating upon the world is no less than adulteryagainst Chriſt, James iv. 4. IfChriſt beyour husband,he must beacovering toyour eyes; anunchasteglanceupontheworld woundshim.
The best Work in the worst Times . 357
Secondly, The moreyou prize it, the more you willbe tormentedbyit; didyou prize and love it leſs, it would diſquiet
and vex you leſs : it is ourdoating on it, that makes it draw bloodatparting.
Thirdly, Get true fcripture-notions of the world, and rectifyyourjudgments and affections bythem. Ifyou willhave the truepicture and representation of itdrawnby the hand of Godhimself, ſee 1 John ii. 16. itis nothing elſe but luft that
puts that lustre upon it: It hath but a phantastic glory, and
that alſo paſſeth away. What is become ofthem that ruffled itout inthe worldbut one hundred years ago ? What could the world do for them ? Are they not all gonedown tothe
fides ofthe pit ? "But he that doth the will ofGod abideth " for ever,"
Fourthly, Study and contemplate Chriſt, and the things above more : this would veilt all its glory, and kill it at the root, Phil. iii. 18, 19. Juſt as a man that hath been gazing uponthe fun, when hetakes off his eye from that bright and glorious creature, and looks to the earth, there is
a veil of darkneſs overſpreadingthe face ofit, that he can fee nothing. I wonderhow fuch as pretend to live above, and enjoy communion with God, can ever reliſh ſuch ſweet-
neſs inthe world, orhave their hearts enticed and captivated byit.
Fifthly, Rememberalways, that byyour love anddelight in worldlythings, you furnish thedevil with the chiefeft bait he
hath tocatch anddestroy yourfouls. Alas ! wereyour hearts butdead to theſe things, he would want anhandle to catch hold on. What hath hemore to offer you, and tempt you off
from Chriſt with, but a littlemoney, or ſome ſuch poor temporal rewards ? andhow littlewouldthat foulbemovedbyſuch atemptation,that looks on it all but as dirt ?
Sixthly, Laſtly, Take notice ofthe approaches ofeternity : remember you are almoſt at the end oftime: and whenyou come to launch out into that endleſs ocean, how will theſe things look then ? It seems glorious, whilst you are in the
chaceand purſuit ofit; butupon a death-bed, you will overtake andcomeup with it, and then youwill fee what a deceit-
ful and vainthing itis: ſtand by thebeds ofdying men, and hearhowthey ſpeak of it. Oh ! the difference betwixt our apprehenfions then, and now! Thus labour to wean off your af-
fections, and crucify them tothe world.
2. Mortify your ambition and vain affectation of the repute and credit of the world: Oh ſtand not on ſo vain a
358 Preparationsfor Sufferings: Or, thing asthis: judgeit but a ſmallthingtobejudged ofman, to haveyour names caſt out as evil: letnotſcoffs and reproaches be ſuch terrible things to you. It is, withoutdoubt, a great trial ; elſethe holyGhost had not added a peculiar epithet to it,which is not given to anyother of the ſufferings of the faints: not cruel tortures, nor cruel ſtonings,burnings, flaying with the ſword; but cruel mockings,Heb. xi. 36. Yet learn to bedead to, and unaffected with theſe things; ſetthe reproach-
ing world as light, and as lowas it ſets you: Deſpiſe theſbame, as your maſter Chriſt did, Heb. xii. 2. And to promote mortification inthis, take theſe helps.
1. Confider this is no new or ſtrange thingthat hath happened to you : the holiest ofmenhave pastthrough the like,
if not worſe trials, Heb. x. 33. Pfal. xliv. 14. Reproaches have been the lot ofthe beſt men. They called Athanafius, Sathanafius ; Cyprianus,Coprianus, a gathererofdung; bleffed Paul, apeftilentfellow ; Dr. Story threw a faggot at ſweet Mr. Denlie's face, as he was finging apſalm in the midst of the flames, ſaying, Ihavespoiled a good oldfong.
2. It maybe religion hath been reproached and ſcoffed at for your fakes; and ifſo, think it not much to be reproached for religion's fake.
3. It ismuch better to be reproachedby men for difcharging duty, than by your own confciences for the neglect ofit ; ifall bequietwithin, never be movedatthe noiſe and clamourwith out : Ifyou have a good roofover your head, be not troubled though the winds and ſtorms bluſter abroad, 1 Pet. iv. 14. Take heedwhatyou do, and be heedleſs whatthe world ſays.
4. Always remember, that you neither ſtand nor fallat the world's judgment, and therefore have the leſs reaſon to be
troubled at it, 1Cor. iv. 3. If your condition were to be caft to eternity by it, it were ſomewhat.
5. There is a worthandexcellencyinthereproaches ofChrift, as bad as they feem ; and ſuch an excellency, as is not to be matched by anyearthlyenjoyment, Hebxi. 26. The reproaches ofChriſt are of moreworth thanthe treaſures of Egypt, thơ' Egypt then was the magazine ofthe world for treafures. The
apoftles countedthem their honours, Acts v. 41. When LudovicusMarſacus, a knight of France, fawthoſe thatwereto fuffer with him in the chains, andthattheyput none upon him, becauſe ofthe nobility ofhis birth, he faid to the executioner, Gur me non quoque torquidonas, et illuftris illius ordinis militem
non creas ? Why doye not honourme with a chain too, and ' createme aknight ofthatnoble order ?"
The best Work in the worst Times. 359 6. Lastly, Should fcoffs and reproaches ſcare you from - Chriſt and duty; then, though you should eſcape the re-
proaches of men, yet ſhall you fall under the everlasting con tempt ofGod, angels, and goodmen. Therefore, " Fear ye " not the reproaches ofmenthat ſhall die, norbe afraidof their " revilings, for the moth ſhall eat them up like a garment, " and the worm ſhall eat them like wool, but my righte- " ouſneſs ſhall be for ever, and my ſalvation from generation " to generation," Ifa. li. 7, 8 .