ous sufferings; with a brief account why, and how

ous sufferings; with a brief account why, and how

Preparations for Sufferings : Or, andwe ſhall find diversthings inthem tofatisfyand quiet their hearts, and make themwilling to give him up.

First, Iam ready; that is, God hath fittedandpreparedmy heart for thegreateſt ſufferings; this is the work ofGod: flefn andblood would never be brought to this, were not all its intereſts and inclinations ſubdued, andover-ruled by the Spirit of God. Whatdoye therefore in all this, but work against the deſign of God, who hath fitted and prepared my heart for this fervice ?

Secondly, Iam ready; that is, mywill andreſolution ſtands ina fullbent, my heart is fixed, you cannottherefore ſtudy to domeagreater injury, than to diſcompoſe and diſorder my heartagain, by caſting ſuch temptationsastheſe in myway, to cauſe the fleſh torebel, andtheenemy that iswithin to renew hisoppoſition.

Thirdly, Iam ready ; that is, myheart is ſo fixed to follow thecallofGod, whatever ſhall befal me, that all your tears and intreaties to the contrary are but caſt away; theycannot alter my fixed purpoſe ; you had asgoodbe quiet, andchearfullyreſign me to the will ofGod.

Thus you feethe equipage and preparation of Paul's ſpirit to receivebothbonds anddeath for Chriſt at Jerufalem; this made him victorious over the temptations of friends, and the malice and cruelty of his enemies : By this readiness , and preparation of his mind, he was carried through all, and enabled to finiſh his courſe with joy.

From hence the obſervation is, Doct. That it isa bleſſed and excellent thing, for thepeople ofGod to be prepared, and ready for the hardest fervices, andworst of sufferings, to which the Lordmay callthem.

This is that which every gracious heart is reaching after, praying, and triving toobtain; butah ! how few will attain it!

Certainly there are notmany among the multitudes of theprofefſors of this generation, that can fay as Paul here did, " I am

" readytobebound, or todie for Chriſt ."

CHAP.

II.

Shews, that although God takes no delight in afflicting hispeople, yet hefometimes expoſeth them to greatand grievous fufferings; witha brief account why, andhow he calls them thereunto.

HE mercies and compaſſions ofGod over his people, are exceeding greatand tender, Pfal, ciii. 13. "Likeas

" a father pitieth his children, to the Lord pitieth themthat

The best Work in the worst Times.

" fearhim." He delights not in afflicting and grieving them, Lam. iii. 33. " He doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the " children of men." The ſcripture intimates to us aſeeming conflict betwixt thejuſtice and mercyofGod, when he isabout to deliver uphis people intotheir enemies hands, Hofea xi. 8, 9.

" How ſhall I give thee up, Ephraim ? How ſhall I deliver " thee, Ifrael ? Howſhall I make thee as Adma ? How ſhall

" I ſet thee as Zeboim ?

Mine heart is turned within me, my " repentingsare kindled together." Which thews us withwhat 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,

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.

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 thehiſtories 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

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

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 reproach, 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.

• 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.

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 evenwith 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 accompanied 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

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 catfes 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.

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 skirтор d smith of his judgments with them, but thestrength of battle :

Itwas not fome particular ſtroke upon ſingle perfons, or families, 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

C ed 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,

湖 S 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

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

i The best Work in the worst Times.

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 defiring 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.

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.

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 treaſuredup, 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 mattersofreligion : 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.

1 Rr

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 forefaw, 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

confideration, and well rooted reſolution at first, that the ſtoThe 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 comfort.

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, reproaches, 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

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 profeffors, 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,

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

L 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,

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 tobefulfilled.

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.

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 finking ; 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 thepreparation 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

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.

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.

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 refolved, 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.

Evincing the necessity ofasound, andreal work ofgrace upon the heart, tofit a manforfufferingfor Christ.

H Aving ſhewed youthatGoddothſometimesputhis deareft 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.

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 rouzing 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.

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 interest 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. Thencefortha 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

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.

(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.

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 acceptance 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 freely 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 hardſhip 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 channel, 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.

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 little 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,

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.

*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 Chriſtianity.

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 conſciences, 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,bythecommon 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 filencethoſe 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.

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 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 underſtandings, 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.

fameconceit poſſeſs them all together ? Take two Chriftians thatlive a thousand miles diſtant from each other, that neverheard 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 frowned; 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 excellent : 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

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.

Thebest Work in the worst Times.

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 perfons, 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

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 thehypocrite 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.

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.

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 inwrought 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

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 advantage 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 fuffering 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. Sometimes " 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.

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 infallibly 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.

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.

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 capitulations 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, againſt 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 hisdiligence in attending ontheword preached; this is but a paralogism, (as theapostle calls it), Jam. i. 22. By which aman

Uu2

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 difcover 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.

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 management 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

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 andvaniſheth, 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.

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 advantage 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 thatſuitably 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. Dotemptations 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

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.

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.

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 ?"

י 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

Oh 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.

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

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