[Page 1]
PSAL. 51. 27.
And to him that ordereth his Conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.
THis Psalm is thought by some Interpreters to be penned by
David after the Angel of God had appeared to him, and designed the place where he should build an Altar at present, and where afterward the Temple was to be built by
Solomon, pointing, as it were, to the place which the Lord had chosen to cause his Name to dwell there; as it is said,
Deut. 12. 11. This they likewise think was after the
Israelites had been afflicted with three years Famine, 2
Sam. 21. and with three dayes Pestilence, 2
Sam. 24. which might be the reason of those words in the second verse, as
Junius concludes,
Out of Sion the perfection of beauty God hath shined: For now it is declared by God himself, that the light of
[Page 2] his favour is restored to his People, after the darkness and calamities of former times were passed over. The Psalmist takes this occasion to inform his holy people, how they ought to carry on his Worship, by not resting in the external, and ceremonial, but rather attending to the moral, and spiritual part thereof,
ver.
[...] 15▪ the former in comparison of this
[...] being in a sense to be rejected, and laid aside without it, as insignificant in the account of God, if it be not accompanied with the other: And hereupon is a digression made unto the wicked in the 16
verse, to
[...]ell them, that they can expect no benefit by attendance upon the Ceremonial Worship of God, so long as they hate to be reformed in their lives, which the covenant of God principally requires: The more to affect this sort of men, the Psalmist person
[...]s them
[...]n their wicked words and
[...]
[...]rom
ver. 17. to the 22
d. where he
[...]
[...]cal them from their sinful wayes,
[...]
[...]ring them back to repentance by the ear of Gods inevitable wrath in that verse, and then shuts up the whole discourse of the Psalm by a solemn
[Page 3] Epiphonema, in the last verse, consisting of two parts: in the first of which is shewn how acceptable to God is spiritual Worship, he that sacrificeth praise glorifieth me; in the latter is seen how profitable to man is moral obedience;
To him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the Salvation of God: These are the last words of the Psalm, but are not of least moment and importance, for they contain the sum and substance of the whole Psalm foregoing.
The Textual difficulties in this last clause of the verse, are not above three or four, and in a few more words will be all cleared.
If it be enquired therefore▪
First, what is meant by the Conversation? It is Answered, that according to th
[...] Original word, nothing is intended therein, but the way or course of a mans life, according to the Metaphor usual in the Scriptures, where a mans works or the course and frame of his life is compared to a way or path that leads from one place to another; with this difference only, that as there are
[Page 4] many places in this lower world whither men may repair, so there are many paths or wayes that directly lead thereunto; but as to the other World, there are but two places to which all our actions tend, and to one of which they will certainly bring all that persist therein,
viz. either Heaven or Hell, Life or Death, Salvation or Damnation: such as are our works here, will be our reward hereafter. The way which we have designed to our selves, and persist in, will certainly in the issue bring us to the good which is promised, or the evil threatned in the Word of God. There is no other word in the
Hebrew to express our conversation but this of our way. In the
Greek Testament, there is a word properly answers Conversation; which comes from
[...] &
[...].
Versari
[...]u
[...], illuc, as Horse-men in a Battle, that turn this way▪ and that way, as occasion serves: yet still aims to carry on the main design at first intended. Thus the Apostle saith, he was made all things to all men, that he might by all means save some, 1
Cor. 9. 20, 21, 22. So must every Christian, in a
[Page 5] sense, shape his course according as the Wind and Current of providence shifts, or sets this way or that way; by doing, and suffering, bearing, and forbearing keep on in the way of obedience; joyning the wisdom of the Serpent, with the innocence of the Dove: or as the Seamans Phrase is, when they pass through difficult and dangerous passages on either hand, aloof for one, and bear up for another, yet still keeping on in the direct way that leads to the Heaven of rest and happiness.
Secondly, What is it to order our way aright?
The Hebrew word properly signifies to put, dispose:
Mercer renders the Word
Arte, curâ, & ordine ponere, aut disponere; and therefore it is fitly rendered in our Translation, order aright. It is used to express a
singularis observantia, in reference either to the acts either of the body or mind. There is need of a great deal of skill and artifice, as well as ca
[...]e and industry in the ordering the frame of our lives: Not to seek the first▪
[Page 6] that should be left to the second place: as our Saviour bids us
seek first the Kingdom of heaven, and the righteousness thereof, Mat. 6. 33. He that seeks other things in the first place, and leaves the care of his Salvation, with
Felix, when
Paul discoursed of
Righteousness, Temperance and Judgment to come, to a more convenient season, doth not order his way aright, for that will bring him to an ill end at last. Thus
Jehu ordered his way aright to the Kingdom of the ten Tribes, but quite wrong as to the Kingdom of God, when all his care was to walk in the way of
Jeroboam's Idolatry, but took no heed to walk in the Law of the Lord God of
Israel with all his heart, 2
King. 10. 31.
This ordering the way aright may imply a threefold act of a Christian:
First, of the mind, to judge and apprehend, what is the right, or the wrong way that leadeth unto life. To discern what is the principal thing to be desired.
Secondly, an act of the affection to embrace, desire that way which is the most necessary and excellent.
Thirdly, An act of the Will,
[Page 7] for purpose and resolution to pursue that which is in it self most necessary and desirable.
One thing have I desired of the Lord, (saith
David)
and that will I seek after, Psal. 27. 4. And our Saviour tells us,
There is but one thing necessary, and he commends
Mary for making her choice of that, and not cumbring her self with other things that were not necessary.
Thirdly, What is that Salvation of God which they shall see, who order their way aright? By salvation unto the people of God under the dispensation of the old Testament, was generally signified, preservation or deliverance from any temporal evil that at any time they were pressed withal with obtaining the contrary good. Yet so as thereby, in a spiritual, and sublime sense was signified, Deliverance from all evil both of sin and judgment, temporal or eternal, which they had made themselves obnoxious unto by their disobedience, with the obtaining the favour of God towards them in the peaceable enjoyment of the good land, which they were possessed of, till they came to obtain
[Page 8] happiness of Gods Kingdom in the other World, of which the land of
Canaan was a standing type and shadow. So Salvation is most frequently taken in the old Testament; The obtaining of all that good both temporal and eternal, which was necessarily required to make any people or person, prosperous and happy, with deliverance from all the evil which is contrary thereunto.
This is called Gods Salvation, not only as that which is in it self most eminent, or excellent; as excellent Cedars, are called Cedars of God: but because, 1. It is a Salvation which God only can give: as the Psalmist saith, elsewhere,
Give us help from trouble, for vain is the
[...]elp of man, Psal.60. And so he speaks of looking unto those Hills, from which cometh his help. And it is Gods salvation which his People seek for; and therefore
David often stiles God
his Salvation and his Deliverance. 2. A Salvation which God will give: For
[...] the Hebrew it is,
I will cause him to see the salvation of God, which is to note the effectualness of this promise▪
[Page 9] though it may seem never so improbable, and almost impossible; yet God will make them that order their way aright, to see his salvation at such a time. 3. It is also more emphatically expressed in the third person;
Such a one shall be made to see the salvation of God. It was a time of great extremity in
Samaria, in
Jehoram's time: Death as well as Dearth was come upon them: There is a word of Salvation comes from the Lord by the mouth of the Prophet; which speaks of great plenty that should be forthwith in
Samaria; God made it good, but the unbelieving Lord, though he saw it with his eyes, yet he never felt the good of Salvation, because he did not order his way aright, to give Glory to the God of Israel, by believing the word which he spake by his Prophet.
Junius renders the word
See, by enjoying; for so the sence of seeing, which is the most noble, active of all the senses, is frequently put for seeling, enjoying, obtaining; as it is in
Jer. 17. 6. where the unbelieving wretches that trust in an arm of Flesh, whose hearts depart away from
[Page 10] God, are said
[...] cursed; and shall be
[...] like the
[...] in the Desart,
that shall not see when God
[...]ometh. If we observe the conduct of
[...]ovidence in the former as well as in the present age, we shall find the people of God often reduced to those streights that none but the Almighty could grant them Salvation from.
The words thus opened, do very naturally, and of themselves run into this proposition or point of Doctrine:
Doct. A right ordered Conversation is the direct and necessary way for any people or person to obtain Gods Salvation.
The best improvement of this Doctrine will be, 1. By shewing wherein consists a well ordered Conversation. 2. By laying open the salvation which such shall see. 3. Confirming this truth by such instances, and reasons, as may be found in our experience. 4. By answering such objections as look another way. 5. By making such Application, as the nature of the truth requires.
[Page 11] 1. For the first of these, there are sundry things necessary to a well ordered Conversation.
1. A good beginning, or a sound principle within. He that doth not begin well, will never end well, if he will never alter his course. For he that sets out in a wrong way, the longer he continues therein, is gone further from the desired end (if Gods Salvation be that which was aimed at) then at his first entrance thereinto. For so Christ tells the
Pharisees, that their proselytes are twofold more the Children of Hell, than they were before. They must not set out in the Flesh, that ever intend or hope to end in the Spirit. A good Tree is absolutely needful to good fruit; and so is a good heart unto a good life. If the Fountain be not clean, it will never send forth good Water in its Streams: for as
James tells us, The same Fountain can never send forth sweet water and bitter. The heart must be changed before the words and works will be found pure and perfect; for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks,
[Page 12] the hands work, and the feet walks: the Index in a Clock points to those figures without, that the wheels within move unto. The heart is the
primum mobile, in this little World, that carries all the other
Orbs of the
thoughts, affections, senses, and
Organs along with it. Since the
Fall, the frame of every mans heart is bent to evil,
only to evil, and that continually; and therefore the whole frame of nature must be changed and turned about, before any motion can be made toward this salvation of God. There must be a gracious disposition or inclination of the
Will, whereby it comes to be determined to well-doing, before any hope of Salvation will be brought about: For as
Ames saith well, It is the heart or will that is the proper seat and subject of virtue: Because,
‘
Voluntas, ne
[...] a se nec a ratione sufficienter determinata est
[...]d bonum ergo opus
[...]abet suapr
[...]pra dispositione ad recte agendum. i. e. the
Will is neither of it self, nor by the force of reason sufficiently determined unto good, therefore it stands in need of a proper disposition of its own
[Page 13] to incline it to well-doing.’ Take any of the children of men of the most towardly natural disposition, let him be advantaged by the most likely way of education, both by precepts of vertue and good examples leading thereunto. Lay before him as many Arguments, Reasons as may be of force to convince the most obstinate mind, and obdurate heart, so as he shall be forced to acknowledge that the precept is holy, just and good: the way directly tending unto life; yet till the heart be changed and over-poured by a work of supernatural grace, the life will alwayes be found barren of any good fruit, void of holiness, and sincere obedience: yea many times none are found more vitious in their lives than such as have had the best advantage for piety, by their education? None ever proved worse Children than those who have had the best of men for their Parents, till their hearts were changed by the power of divine Grace, if ever they attained thereunto. Of which
Ishmael and
Esau, Simeon and
Levi, Hophni and
Phinehas,
[Page 14] Ammon and
Absolom, in the families of
Abram, Isaac, Jacob, Eli, David; Jonathan the Son of
Gershom, Judg. 18. 30. the Grand-child of
Moses, the Ring-leader of Idolatry among the Tribes of
Israel: the like may be said of
Joash under the tuition of
Jehojeda. Amongst the
Heathens, Nero the
Emperour of Rome was bred up under
Seneca the best of
Heathen Philosophers; yet of all the Heathen Rulers, none ever proved more prodigiously wicked. Thus as
Paul speaks, 1
Cor. 15. 47, 48.
The first man is of the earth earthy, the second man is of the Lord from Heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy; and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. Till there be a change wrought in the heart, that doth imprint the image of the heavenly
Adam upon the Soul, there will be nothing but an earthly Conversation, until we become born again from Heaven, it will never be said truly, that our Conversation is in Heaven.
This seems to be the reason why the Scripture lays so much weight upon the
[Page 15] uprightness, and obedience of the heart:
My Son give me thy heart; And above all keepings keep the heart, for out of it are the issues of life, that is, the great wheel that carries all other powers and faculties along with it. And if the heart be nor changed by the infusing a new disposition, though you may by force imprint another motion for the present, yet it will not hold long, unless it have a new nature stamped upon it. It will be▪ but as a stone that may be by Engines forced upward, or as water heated by the fire, which retains their innate qualities, to which they will soon return again, and to that place of their center. Therefore he that would have his way set right, must begin with his heart, and get that changed, and put into a right frame, and then all the rest will follow. He that made the heart at first, and formeth the spirit of man within him, must also make the heart anew, and renew a right spirit within every man, must renew it again: This is the sense of the Church of God in all ages as to this article of Religion,
Turn us O God of our
[Page 16] Salvation, and then we shall be saved,
phraim is at last convinced that he cannot be turned unless God will please to tu
[...] him. This turn in the heart necessari
[...] includes Faith in God, through the Lord Jesus, by whose merit alone Salvation to be obtained. But,
2. The second thing required to a Conversion ordered aright, is a suitable operation constantly proceeding therefrom which will be necessarily required in the several actions of our
lives and
change that
pass over us: for though our way
[...] but one in the general, as to the main tendency thereof, yet there are several part of the same; like so many distinct branches in the
Trees of
Righteousness,
[...] which though every one is but one Tree yet are there many
Branches in every Tree, all of which ought to be laden with the
fruits of righteousness. The person is the same, though he pass through the differing
changes of Youth
[...] Age, single and married Estate; publick and private, prosperous and adverse estate; in every of which
changes, he ought to order his
[Page 17]
[...] aright. There is an evil time, when
[...] Righteous are to keep silence; and a
[...]od time, when more liberty and free
[...]me may be used. And
Solomon tells us
[...]ere is one duty properly belongs to pro
[...]erity, and another to adversity. The
[...]escription of the Righteous that are
[...]anted by the Rivers of Gods Sanctuary,
[...] that their Lea
[...] shall not wither; they shall never change their hue, or recede
[...]om their profession; and that they shall
[...]ing forth their fruit in the season of it▪ Thus the Apostle
John applies himself in his Epistle to young Men and Children, as well as to old men; implying that di
[...]inct fruit was to be expected, according
[...] those distinct ages of Christians: in respect of the operation of vertue. The way of any man that desires to see the Salvation of God, may be best digested
[...]nto this method, or order:
1. As to what is past.
2. As to what is to come.
1. As to what is past, his way is to
[...] Repentance from all dead works formerly committed, which cannot be
[Page 18] carried on effectually to Salvation with out Faith in the Lord Jesus, by whose m
[...]rit and blood alone, pardon and remission of sin must be had, and reconciliation wit
[...] God obtained. For that man will never walk aright in the way of Repentance▪ that is not by Faith first reconciled unto God. As the Scripture tells us, without Faith it is impossible to please God; and whatever is not of Faith is sin.
David complains,
that it was as a Sword within his b
[...]nes, while they said unto him, where is thy God? if at any time we have lost ou
[...] hold of God, it will never be obtained again without the renewed actings and exercise of Faith: And as he that in the state of Nature and unregeneracy is estranged from God, can never be reconcile
[...] unto him without the Act of Faith un
[...] ting of him to the Lord Jesus, as a Surety Head and Saviour, in whom the Father
[...] well pleased. Till then, as we can have no interest in God, so neither can he hav
[...] any actual communication of life and Holiness with him without the daily exercise of Faith in Christ which is our life; and
[Page 19] who as a living foundation and root, doth quicken all those who are as lively stones built upon him, and as living Branches united unto him, as to the true Olive. Repentance therefore is another part of our way together with faith: These two are inseparable Companions in the condition of the Gospel: These two are alwayes joyned together in the Doctrine and way of Salvation. Sinners that would enjoy the Salvation of God, must as well undo the evil that is past by true Repentance, as endeavour to do that which is right for
[...] time that is to come. Forgiveness is as freely extended by God, as a God of all grace, as it was ever declared in the promise, or covenant of Gods grace; yet tis added, only acknowledge thine iniquity. And though the
[...] be many instances of Gods pardoning grace extended to great sinners, yet it is no particular instance, of any such act of Grace from God, where there was no certain sign of true Repentance.
David's heart went too intemperately out toward
Absalom: that he seems resolved to have pardoned him, though
[Page 20] he had never given any real evidence of sincere Repentance. But the pardoning of Fratricide without repentance made him the readier to adventure upon Paricide afterward. God seemed as forward and willing to pardon
David as ever he did any of the Sons of Men, and accepts of as little evidence for Repentance; yet that which was, was sincere, and therefore sufficient,
David said,
I have sinned. Confession, as that was circumstanced▪ implied all the other parts of Repentance.
And seeing we are apt to sin daily, and are directed to pray daily for the pardon of our sins, so Repentance is a work, it is never out of season, while the Children of God carry a body of death along with them. He that is
[...] already, may have daily need to wash his feet,
Joh. 13. 10. Although our persons be already sanctified by the Spirit; yet in regard of the remainder of corruption,
[...] affections are as apt to be defiled by our converse with the men of the World, as are the feet of them that tread upon that Earth. They
[Page 21] that would be found as a new lump, must daily be purging out the old leven. While we are in the World we shall have occasion of commerce with the Idolatrous, Covetous, Fornicators of this World, or else as the Apostle sayes,
we must go out of the world, for fear of defilement; therefore we must daily cleanse our selves in the l
[...]vor of Repentance, as was the custom of the
Jews to wash and be clean, as to their outward man, after they came from the market. If we say we have no sin, as the Apostle
John sayes,
we lie, and the truth is not in us: but if we do sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, whose blood cleanseth us from all sin, and the way to make use thereof, is by the exercise of repentance, as well as of Faith, else it may justly be returned upon us in any of our duties of Religious Worship, as God saith to the wicked,
What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my Covenant into thy mouth, seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee. And therefore we shall find it alwayes prescribed by God, and practised by his
[Page 22] People, in any time of distress and danger, when they needed Gods Salvation, to sanctifie a Fast, and call a solemn Assembly, to make their peace with God by Repentance of sins that were past, and by entring into a new engagement, by renewing their Covenant for their good abearing, for the time to come.
2. The right ordering our Conversation as to what is future, consists in new obedience. Attending on the duties of Religion and Righteousness. To frame their doings so as to turn to their God, from whom afore time they have fallen by their iniquity: yet now they must come up to a resolution to do so no more. The wrath of God which is revealed from Heaven, is against the ungodliness, and unrighteousness of Men, and therefore the way to enjoy the Salvation of God, and avoid the wrath which is to come, requires us in the first place to live godly in the present World, of which there are two Branches.
1. A religious observance of all the duties of Gods Worship. God expects to
[Page 23] be worshipped after a due manner by all those that desire to see his Salvation. That God who is the Creator of the ends of the Earth, alwayes required homage from the Inhabitants thereof; and those Families are destined to his Curse and Vengeance, that live in the neglect thereof, a
[...] the Prophet
Jeremy speaks,
Chap. 10. 25.
Pour out thy fury upon the Heathen, and upon the Families that call not on thy Name. Such therefore as restrain Prayer, and call not on the Name of the Lord, are so far from seeing his Salvation, that they may justly fear, they shall feel his Indignation.
Abraham was called
the Friend of God: for whose sake he reproved Kings, giving them in special charge not to work him any harm, where ever he came to
[...] journ. The first thing you hear of him is his building an Altar, and calling on the Name of the Lord, as may be seen in the first part of his Pilgrimage,
Gen. 12. 7, 8.
& 13. 4, 18. Nor was
Abram the first who was noted for this Religious care of Gods Worship. For we read that
Noah, as soon as ever he came out of the Ark, built an
[Page 24] Altar, and offered Sacrifices thereon,
[...] of those few clean Beasts that were left alive after the great Deluge. Probably he might conceive, that it was in great part for the neglect thereof, that a
Deluge of Water was brought upon the World. For ever since the dayes of
Seth, when first there were found People enough to make publick Assemblies,
they began to call upon the Name of the Lord, and so continued till the degenerate Off-spring of the succeeding Generation, had through their great impiety in a manner wholly laid aside.
In like manner was it observed as most commendable in
David, that as soon as ever he was settled in his Kingdom, the first publick design he takes in hand, is the bringing home the Ark of God to the Tent which he had prepared for it at
Jerusalem; as well knowing that his establishing the Worship of God, would be the directest means to establish the Kingdom in his possession, for the work of God had been sadly neglected, or but slightly managed, ever since
Saul was called to
[Page 25] the Kingdom.
Jeroboam that had so large a promise for settling of the Kingdom in his prosperity, yet lays the Foundation of
[...]s and their ruin in his Idolatry, and false Worship: which proved in like manner a
[...]atal stumbling block in the way of all the succeeding Kings, though in many things else, never so hopeful and commendable in themselves. It was the neglect of the Worship of God that lost
Jehu and his Family the Kingdom, and which at last cost the ten Tribes their Countrey.
[...]or how zealous soever
Jehu was in abolishing the Worship of
Baal, he was as remiss as the rest in setting up the Worship of the Lord. For tis said,
He took no heed to walk in the Law of the Lord, it must in a special manner be understood, as to the Idolatry of the
golden Calves, for in other things, he was careful very exactly to fulfil that will of the Lord, as in punishing the house of
Ahab, as the Lord had commanded him. Thus was it foretold by the Prophet
Joel, That whosoever called on the Name of the Lord should be saved. What was it that ruined the Gospel
[Page 26] Church but Idolatry and false Worship, The suffering of false Worship, as to the Object, and will-worship, as to the manner of their Devotion hath alwayes proved fatal to Christian Families and Churches. This was
[...], as
[...]
Mede calls it in the Church of
Rome.
Then if you would your selves, or desire that yours should see the salvation
[...] God, look to maintain and carry on the Worship of God in your Assemblies, Families, and in your own hearts and cl
[...] sets. The Worship of God was ordered aright in
David's and
Solomon's time, and in the first part of
Rehoboam's Reign; And so long things went well; but when
Rehoboam and his People, forsook the Lay of the Lord, God forsook them, and let them in the hand of their Enemies:
[...] did any of the following Kings ever so the Salvation of God longer than they were careful to maintain and carry on the true Worship of God, as may be seen in the History of
Asa, Jehosaphat, Hezechia
[...] and
Josiah, Kings of
Judah: For by the Idolatry and false Worship of the other
[Page 27] Kings, their Kingdoms became low and broken, till at last they were broken to pieces, were carried Captive to
Babylon, and were never restored to the honour of a Kingdom afterward.
2. The second part of our Religious care must be to maintain Purity and Holiness in heart and life; that the Holy God not only be Worshipped, but that he be worshipped in an holy manner: Reverend and Holy is his Name; and he will be
[...]nctified in all them that draw near unto him, else he will sanctifie himself upon them; and they shall by that means be far from seeing the Salvation of God; as was the case of them that offered strange fire upon
Gods Altar. Thus the Prophet
Haggai tells them, and convinces them out of the Law, that the impurity of their hearts and lives, rendred all they did, as to the external part of Gods Worship, unclean: For where the mind and conscience is defiled and unclean, all the service that such perform must needs be defiled thereby. It is the lifting up of clean hands that must obtain Gods Salvation: he threatens
[Page 28] to hide his eyes from beholding those hands that are defiled with blood, or any other wickedness: for which our sincerity in our worship and obedience, all manner of wickedness and impiety may be carried on under the outward form of religious Worship, as
Paul foretold concerning the latter dayes, and we have seen it fulfilled in our times. This was the condition and state of the Church of
Israel in the time when this Psalm was composed, and many others; I will not reprove thee for thy burnt offerings,
I will take
[...] Bullock out of thy Stall. Offering and Sacrifice sayes
David in another Psalm,
thou delightest not in, else would I give it thee, i. e. comparatively; They were the Sacrifices of Righteousness, that God most of all delighted in: the other without this, were not of themselves desirable at all. Outward Worship without the concurrence of inward piety, and holiness, are part of the bodily exercise
Paul speaks of,
which profits little. Saul himself seems not to have been wanting in Sacrifices; for he reserved the fattest of them for
[Page 29] that end; but
Samuel tells him,
that Obedience was better than Sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of Rams.
Austin complained in his time,
that the Church was burdened with the observation of too many Rites, and Ceremonies, and Superstitious Observations. And yet himself Good man (the more was the pity) was not unwilling to increase that burden by superfluous additaments, which with other Bishops, that lived in those times would
assuere or few unto the ornaments of the Church, what would he and they have said, if they had survived to following times, when there hath been so much
[...] about outward Rites, and Semblance of Holiness, in places, dayes, garments and gestures,
[...] care taken by Christians, to cleanse their hands, and purifie their hearts from the unclean lusts of the Flesh; whereas
Davids care was to wash his hands in innocency before he compassed Gods Altar. God is a Spirit, and requires such Worshippers, as worship him in spirit and in truth: that take care to wash the inside as well as the outside of their vessels.
[Page 30] If we consult the History of the Scriptures, we shall there find that they were only men that feared God, and walked with him in way of Holy Communion that enjoyed his Salvation: who though they were Pilgrims and Strangers upon Earth, yet by the holiness of their lives an
[...] wayes, approving themselves to God,
[...] those that desired to fear his Names, the alwayes were made to see his Salvation and to dwell under the wings of his p
[...]
[...]ection.
3. The Duties of Righteousness, as well as of Religion, are also a necessary part of a well ordered Conversation. There were two Tables of the Law
[...] God, the Duties of Religion were written in the one, the Duties of Righteousness in the other. These two were alway
[...] to walk hand in hand, and kiss one another in the Mount of God, like
Moses and
Aaron, Joshua and
Zerubbabel; the on taking care of the affairs of God, the other of the things of Men. These two were as the Pillars before
Solomon's Temple; they do not only adorn, but bear up
[Page 31] the Foundation of a Peoples Prosperity; if either of these gives way, desolation will soon break in upon a People or Place.
These are the two great Commandments on which hang the
Law and the
Prophets. It is in vain to pretend to the one, without care & conscience of the other when our Saviour gives a resolution to the young Mans case,
Mat. 19. about the good thing which was to be done in order to eternal life (which was in effect no more than to see Gods Salvation) he is sent to the second Table of the Law, not as if the other were to be neglected, but that he might be convinced how far he fell short in the
Duties of Righteousness toward his fellow-creatures, and so might the more easily be made to understand what an hard matter it was to fulfil the Duties of the first Table: For as
John saith,
He that loves not his Brother, as he should, whom he hath, and doth daily converse with, how shall
[...]e be able to love God as he ought, whom he hath not seen, 1 Joh. 4. 20.
Hereby is shewed also, that love to our
[Page 32] neighbour (which includes all acts
[...] Righteousness) is requisite unto life, as well as love to God. This was the Doctrine of
Moses's Law, and of all the
Prophets, whose
Writings were but
as Comments thereon:
what man is he saith David,
that desireth life, and loveth many days that he may see good, i. e.
Gods Salvation▪ Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile, &c. Psal. 34. 12, 13, 14, 15
and the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, &c.
his ears open to their cry. Men must as well work righteousness as fea
[...] God, and all they that so do are accepted of God in every nation,
Act. 9.
The want of the care in either of these▪ cuts us off from Gods Salvation: For
[...]
James saith,
that mans Religion is in vain who bridleth not his Tongue. And visiting the Fatherless, or the Widow, is made by him so essential unto true Religion, as if it were the intrinsick part thereof.
True Religion may fitly be compared to a Tree, as such are called
Trees of righteousness; which look
s upward, yet take
s root downward; we look up to God
[Page 33] by our holiness, and the devotion of our hearts unto him, and so are said to have our conversation in Heaven, yet while we are conversant here below, we must attend the duties, that do concern those amongst whom we sojourn on the Earth. The particular duties, and rules of this Righteousness towards men are many. They are summed up in a few words by
Moses, in the Decalogue, or the Commandments, and are yet expressed by our Saviour in fewer;
To love our Neighbour as our selves: And that is a sure rule whereby we may be satisfied about the Righteousness of our Actions toward others, by looking into our own hearts, and asking them, if we would be willing, others should do so unto us; which Rule if it were put in practise, would put an end to all, or most of the controversies that Professors, to the scandal of their Religion are oft times so eagerly contending about. This is the golden Rule of Christianity, on which we may write
Probatum est.
The Prophets under the Old Testament
[Page 34] as well as the Apostles under the new, are found to declaim against impurities, oppression and deceit amongst men, as well as against impiety toward God; for both arise from the same Principal of corrupt Nature in us all. The Prophet
Isaiah, Chap. 5. 7. makes a complaint
how the Vineyard of Gods Church had degenerated from the sincerity of obedience, into wayes of unrighteousness; I looked for Judgment but behold oppression, or corruption; for purity and behold a cry. There is a greater elegancy in the Hebrew words, that can be answered by any of our translations, by the similitude of the sound in those words. It thereby appears, that
[...] Garden or Vineyard of God which is his Church, is over-run with those rank weeds, that smell so strong of injustice, cruelty and oppression, he is ready to pull up the hedge of his Protection and lay them wast, or leave them to final extirpation.
[...]was said
the cry of the sins of Sodom ascended up to heaven, and it was so loud a cry, that they pierced the very seat of the Almighty, and pulled down vengeance from Heaven▪
[Page 35] and what were their sins?
Pride, which is the mother of Contention, and Cruelty, marches in the van, the filty Lusts of intemperance bring up the
[...]ear; so as righteous
Lot, and his Family are almost crushed between them, as between two Mill-stones:
Gibea and
Benjamin are ripe for judgment, when they will go about to maintain iniquity by a Law, instead of seeing Gods Salvation, they and all their Confederates shall feel his indignation, and know that the righteous Lord loveth righteousness. As before, when in the dayes of the old World, the Earth was fill'd with violence
viviter ex rapt
[...]: their unrighteousness opened the Flood-gates of Divine vengeance, which carried them all away with a Flood. And not long after, when in the dayes of
Nimrod, the great Grandchild of
Noah, the Inhabitants of
Shinar proclaims War with the Almighty, and bid defiance against Heaven, God blasts their vain enterprizes, and makes them see their own confusion, instead of his Salvation.
4. The next Branch of a well ordered
[Page 36] conversation, is that which concerns our selves,
viz. Sobriety and Temperance, which according to the assertion of the Apostle
Paul is part of that Doctrine which brings Salvation along with it▪ wherever it is put in practice. As we find it expressed,
Tit. 2. 12. And here lie
[...] the greatest danger of a professing People▪ Open unrighteousness is restrained by the severe
Laws and
Edicts of
civil Nations, where Intemperance, and Prophaneness may appear with open face upon the stage▪ Injustice in
civil affairs, as it is obvious to humane and common observation, so is it more apt to be restrained and punished▪ as standing in direct opposition to the commerce, and traffick of Nations: every one will be ready to bring a stone to
[...]ling at an Oppressor, Thief, or Robber; but now the Lusts of Intemperance are more
[...] and silently carried on; under
[...] th
[...]se Banks that seem to keep it in, and imensibly by degrees, like the
Ivy, sucking out the heart and life of the Religion of those whom it seems to compass about and embrace. These Lusts of the
[Page 37] Flesh secretly eat out the life of holiness and damps the heat of our zeal. They are also the more apt to prevail upon the minds of the uncautelous; because they are seated in such things as for the matter of them are not unlawful, yea are both natural, and accessary; which made one sadly complain,
In licitis perim
[...] omnes▪ When
Israel could neither be enchanted by Sorcery, nor corrupted by Idolatry, yet they may be charmed by the
Syren of sensual delights▪ for when the people had committed carnal Fornication with the
Midianitish Women, they are easily led on to commit spiritual Adultery with their Idols.
Solomon might speak it by experience, as well as by observation of the strange Women,
that strong men have fallen down wounded by her: When the Devil came to assault our Saviour, he found nothing in him to fasten his Temptations upon; there was no combustible matter for his
fiery Darts to sieze upon, but when he comes to
David, though never so holy a man, he finds something to fix upon, especially when he lay at an open Guard,
[Page 38] having ungir
[...] himself, and laid aside the Armour of light. A chast conversation coupled with fear, is the best security against those
Lusts of the Flesh that war against our Souls.
The seeds of Piety and vertue, are in as much danger of being choaked with these
Weeds of Intemperance, as by the
Thorns of Covetousness and other Lusts of like nature.
5. There are other Branches of a well ordered Conversation, very necessary to bring about this Salvation of God. Sometimes Prophaneness and Impiety may get such an head in places, that it is not possible to suppress or bear them down without an eminent degree of zeal, God was so provoked with the sensual lusts of
Israel at
Baal-peor, that if it had not been for the zeal of
Phinehas, that Generation as commendable as they were, had seem but little of the salvation of God: it was his zeal that s
[...]ayed the Plague from consuming the People. If our zeal be not as hot as fire, it will easily be quenched by these Fleshly Lusts.
Eli did not want a
[Page 39] principle of holiness and the fear of God, but he wanted the holy passion of zeal to actuate and exert it. No man had ever more experience of seeing the Salvation of God than
David, and what man did ever declare more zeal against sin, and for the Glory of God, and casting off the works of iniquity; doth he not engage that a vile person shall not tarry in his sight, and him that telleth lies he would cut off:
If such be suffered saith Solomon,
by the Ruler, all his Servants will be mis
[...]ead▪ Then farewel Gods Salvation. The Church of
Laodicea lost her dignity for want of zeal; and is severely threatned for this defect:
Be zealous, and repent, or else I will
[...]pue thee out of my mouth, Rev. 4. 16. a cold dull, un-active, luke-warm spirit will in a little time lose the very life of godliness; when in the primitive Church the love of many began to wa
[...] cold; it was a presage of their Desolation, which soon after came to pass.
But here we must look to our zeal, that it be not mingled with too much wildfire; for the wrath of man will never
[Page 40] work the righteousness of God. The Lord Jesus, was, as became the Lamb of God,
meek and lowly of heart; yet was
[...] zealous against Hypocrisie, and
[...]
[...]niquity.
Tis good to be zealously affected in a good ma
[...]er, sayes the Apostle. And so also in a good manner: The Disciples were zealously affected against them that did not follow them; this was not in a good matter: nor was their zeal to be commended that forbad them bringing little Children to the Lord Jesus. And if the Angel that contended with the Devil about the body of
Moses had brought railing accusations, there had been a defect in the manner. Zeal is an holy affection, and will thrive best in a meek and quiet spirit. No man so meek upon the face of the Earth as
Moses, and yet no man was found so zealous as
Moses, in
[...]forming the Idolatry of the People, when he set every man against his fellow that was gulty of the fact; and at last grinding the Idol to powder that they might drink it down, that so eagerly had drunk down
[Page 41] that cursed Worship. The zeal of
Moses was far more acceptable to God than that of
Jonah, or
Jehu. It is not the hot, fiery, curst tempers in a place, that will maintain and keep up the purity of Religion, and good order, so well as that which proceeds from men of sedate, composed, even tempers, who are alwayes the same for their love to piety and holiness, and hatred of all sin.
6. In the next place, Constancy and Perseverance may be added here: It is not enough to begin well, unless we
[...] on, unless we would fall under the Apostles censure of the
Gallathians, Ye did
[...] well once, who hindred you? he that turns aside out of the way, or sits down discouraged, will no more obtain the desired end, than he that never entred thereinto. Therefore Christ tells us,
He that endures to the end, only shall be saved. Many a Mans obedience is by
fits and
girds, as they are urged, and put on by the force of external motives, whereas those that act from an inward Principle are ever the same. The Apostle
Paul tells the
Corinthians,
[Page 42] that such as his Letters were when he was absent, such shall his deeds be when he is present, 2
Cor. 10. 11. So should a Christian be, the same at last, which he was at first.
The Righteous saith Job▪
shall hold on his way, and he that hath strong hands shall grow stronger and stronger, Job 17. 9. Who ever entreth into the way of Gods Precepts with a sincere mind, must engage with
David, to continue in the same to the end: and such who do not so do, will appear to be,
[...], selfcondemned. For if it were not in their judgment and conscience the right way, why did they never walk therein? and if it were really so, why did they turn aside therefrom! And as to Gods Salvation, there will no sort of men in the conclusion be found further therefrom, than such as are guilty of backsliding from the way of Obedience. The back-slider in heart is threatned to be filled with his own wayes. One saith well,
There are none so bad as they that have been good, and are not, or may be good, and will not.
Under this of constancy may be included
[Page 43] universality of Obedience; his Conversation cannot be ordered aright, that lives in the omission of any of the known duties of Religion or righteousness:
David accounted it matter of shame to be found not to have respect to any of Gods Commandments. How can two be said to walk together that are not agreed upon all the points of love and obedience, wherein they are concerned. As God was not liable to be taxed for breach of Covenant in any the least particular of his promises, so doth he threaten to make the
Israelites know to their cost their insinuation of the contrary;
yea, shall know my breach of Covenant, Psal. 78. In like manner he expects universality and constancy of obedience in his People.
7. The last thing here required is direction and wisdome. It was not enough for
David to chuse the perfect way of Gods Preceps to walk in, but to walk perfectly therein,
Psal. 101. 2. There are errors on the right hand as well as on the left; he that would approve himself as upright, must turn aside to neither: for
[Page 44] the preventing of which no small Wisdom will be required. This our Saviour would have his
Disciples aware of, when he advises them
being sent as sheep among Wolves, to be wise as Serpents, innocent as Doves. There is much of Truth in the old saying,
Quisque faber fortun
[...]e su
[...]e: every one in a great measure is the Author of his own weal or woe. We may by this means do much of our selves, toward
[...]our seeing the Salvation of God.
David was wise as an Angel of God, and by that Wisdom decl
[...]ed much of that evil which otherwise might have overtaken him in
Sauls Court: so as it is said about five times in one Chapter,
David behaved himself wisely among Sauls Servants, and prospered whither soever he went: And indeed the
Hebrews do express Prosperity and Wisdom by one and the same word, because Wisdom hath a great influence into the success of our affairs. Many Instances may be given hereof:
Abraham, after he had been called out of his own Countrey, was cast among
[Page 45] several People or Families of another, or rather of a false Religion; that lived without the fear of God: he accounted it his Wisdom, not to intermeddle in their quarrels, nor yet to enter into too much Familiarity, so neither not to decline mutual Duties of Humanities, wherein they might be mutually helpful one to another; yet on the other hand was careful not to quarrel with those of his own perswasion,
for fear of giving o
[...] fence to the Heathen amongst whom they sojourned: he will rather loose of his just right, in matter of his Possessions, than loose his reputation in point of Religion.
He wisely foresaw the
Perizzite would make an ill use of his quarrelling with his Brother
Lot, about so inconsiderable a matter as their Sheep-walks.
In case of contending with our Superiours, saith
Solomon, it is not best alwayes to stand too much upon the defence of our own Right.
[Page 46]
A soft answer pacifieth wrath, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone, which the ha
[...]d
[...]th sometimes cannot deal with. And be not hasty to go out of his sight, who doth whatsoever pleaseth him;
and a wise mans heart discerns both time and judgment, Eccles. 8. 3, 4, 5. So for our Inferiours and Equals; Wisdom as we are told in the
Proverbs, must discover to us when we should make answer to a Fool, and when
[...] should leave him to answer himself in his own Folly. Nor is it alwayes best to force a matter on with main strength, when Wisdom may direct how to overcome the greatest difficulties, by forbearing a while:
David succeeded better against the
Philistines by fetching a Compass, then by falling directly upon them.
Josiah one of the best of all the
Kings of
Judah, yet by an error in this kind, did not see the salvation of God in that last Trajedy of his life, whereby he brought a fatal stoak of death upon his own person, which his Holiness and Piety had a great while before kept off from the People and himself, and so might still have
[Page 47] done, if he had not so much failed in point of this Wisdom, about medling with a controversie which did little or nothing concern him at that time. For he that medleth with a strife, that doth not belong unto him, as
Solomon tells us, doth but hold a Dog by the ears, whom he can neither detain, nor let go without great danger to himself.
Hezekiah had better success in his contest with the great King of
Assyria, for as tis said,
Wisdom and Knowledge were the stability of his times, and therefore it is added,
that the strength of Salvation was his, Isai. 33. 6. If we cast an eye upon all the following Histories of the Church, in succeeding Ages, we shall find, that much of those sufferings which have fallen upon the Generation of the just, might either have been prevented or much abated; if they had governed their affairs by a suitable measure of Wisdom in their concerns with themselves or others. For the confirmation of this Truth, temporal Deliverances in those times were but as Types and Shadows figuring out the spiritual Salvation of the Church of the
[Page 48] Gospel; when being delivered from the
hands of all
spiritual Enemies, they might serve God with Holiness and Righteousness all their dayes: even in those times when the Church of the Faithful was visited with the Day-spring from on high, and made to see this Salvation of God in the full accomplishment of it as to this
life▪ Many are the afflictions of the Righteous, saith David,
of old, but God delivereth you out of all, Psal. 34. 19.
David himself was a long time exercised with
troubles and
trials, but by Faith and Patience, he lived to see the Salvation which God had promised to come out of Sion. This was but a type of that general Salvation of the World through Christ
by the preaching of the Gospel, which was to begin at
Jerusalem. The Writings of
Moses are as full of
Promises and
Threatnings, as they are
of Precepts and
Exhortations, to keep the way of the Lord and to do justice and judgment. The 26
th Chapt.
of Levit. and the 28
th of Deut. are wholly taken up that way.
Dwell in the Land and do good, so verily thou shal
[...]
[Page 49] be fed, and see good. Behold the upright and perfect man, Psal. 37. 37.
the end of that man shall be peace: whatever are the various changes God leads them through by his unsearchable dispensations; so tis said,
Isai. 1. 19.
If ye be obedient, ye shall eat the good of the Land: so long as they were obedient they did so, both in the former and following times. All the dayes of
Joshua and the Elders that over-lived
Joshuah, they saw the Salvation
[...] of God in all their enterprizes; because all their time they ordered their way aright, to keep the Commandments of the Lord, and to do judgment and justice; but when they of the next Generation fel
[...] from God, and turned into other wayes▪ what miserable calamities befell them in the time of the Judges, and their Idolatrous Kings; there was no peace to them that went out, or to them that came in, for God vexed them with all adversity, and they could never come to see the salvation of God.
Gods providences ordinarily have been like Weather-glasses; the waters thereof
[Page 50] as to their peace and prosperity might have been discerned to rise and fall according as his people did ebb or flow in the course of their obedience: They say the
Egyptians use to presage of the health, or fertility of every year, by the rising of the River
Nilus, higher or lower: so might any one who lived in the time of any of their Judges, or Kings, have foretold the prosperity, or misery of the people according to the measure of their obedience. When they did evil, it went ill with them; and when they did well in the lowest degree, and that which was right in the
[...]ight of the Lord, though not in that perfect manner as they should; yet ordinarily they were made to see the salvation of God: As in the first years of
Rehobo
[...]am, Abijah, Joash, Amazias and
Uzzias. Thus did God ordinarily proportion the wayes of his providence to his peoples obedience.
When of old the whole World degenerated from the true Religion and worship, and none was found Righteous but
Noah, and a few in his Family; God
[Page 51] makes him and them only see the Salvation of God.
So afterwards, 2
Sam. 8. tis said
David prospered whither soever he went, even against five several Nations at once, because his heart was right, and he ordered his way aright before God, he was made a lasting monument of Gods deliverance, as he had been a standing pattern of obedience. Thus we may say with the Apostle in the Epistle to the
Hebrews, time would fail to speak of other Instances, upon whom this promise was made good, both before and after the captivity; who ever walked with God, and ordered their way aright before him, they were made to see the salvation of God in the midst of Armies, Lions Dens, Fiery Furnaces; and amongst multitudes of Enemies, who were all armed with envy and malice against them, as well as with force and power.
Afterwards as
Ezrah ordered his way aright in bringing up as many as he could perswade to attend thereunto out of the Captivity, and in seeking the face of God
[Page 52] by solemn Fasting and Prayer, so God caused him to see his Salvation more immediately than if he had obtained a band of Horse-men from an Heathen; And
Nehemiah, at another time, obtains favour in the sight of the man, as he desired, who had then all power under God in his hands, concerning the poor captive
Jews; because he ordered his way aright, first to seek God by solemn Prayer, and then to go on couragiously without fearing the face of Man, especially such Sons of malice and wickedness, as were
Sanballat and
Tobiah, who though they pretended a desire to help build the Temple of God at
Jerusalem, yet in their hearts were filled with rancour and enmity, and ready to gnash their teeth, that any came thither, that sought the welfare of the people of God.
As for the state of the Christian Church since Christs time, for the first three hundred years, how mightily did the Word of God increase and prevail! The favour of the knowledge of Jesus Christ ever triumphed in every place: the three measures
[Page 53] of meal,
i. e. the three parts of the World then known were leavened with the Doctrine of the Christian Religion; the whole World was in a manner overspread therewith, notwithstanding all the fury, rage and malice of their persecuting Enemies; he that sate upon the white Horse, with his Bow and his Crown, went on conquering to conquer, and did prevail. All this while they ordered their way aright; they set themselves by faith and patience to wait upon God, and were made to see his Salvation. When
Israel came first out of
Egypt, if God had let them presently into the possession of the land of
Canaan, before they had been inured to the difficulties of a War; God must miraculously have cut off all their Enemies to have put them in possession of
Canaan, and then they would have been in danger to have been overcome with luxury, sensuality and security, as too soon came to pass afterwards: therefore God in his infinite wisdom did train them up to encounter with Marches and Journyings in the Wilderness, and then acquainted
[Page 54] them with the difficulties of a long War, that they might learn Obedience, by what they underwent: so in a manner were Gods dispensations toward the Christian World; God would not miraculously subdue them to the obedience of Faith; but by the labour and travel of the Ministry in holding forth the Doctrine of the Gospel, the word of Christs patience, least if it had been otherwise▪ they should have grown secure and carnal, and turned the Grace of God into lasciviousness; as many were too apt unto: but presently after the winter of Adversity and Persecution was over and past, and the summer of prosperity came upon them, how soon were they, even the face of the whole Christian World over-run with a deluge of Impiety and Prophaneness? how soon was the pure and choice Wine of the Gospel mingled with the
Mara waters of the Curse, and their silver all become Dross? The dreggs of Arrianism presently after
Constantine
[...]p
[...]ysoned the Fountains of living water, in all the Eastern Churches; as the sink of
[Page 55] Idolatry and Superstition had infected all the Churches of the west, which made way for the cursed Impostures of
Mahometanism, with other barbarous manners in the East, as Antichristianism, Tyranny and Oppression that surprized the western Churches of the World, that overspread the whole Christian World with a very Sea of Abominations, out of which the Church hath been labouring a long while to wade; but she hath not as yet been able sufficiently to shake her self from out of the dust of
Babylon: such is the deplorable estate of the Church in this present time; not much unlike the state of
Israel, when having been by the conduct of
Moses drawn out of
Egypt, towards the edge of the Wilderness, and frontiers of the land of promise; when behold the Dragon that formerly held them in Bondage is pursuing them, not without hope to attain them again, and bring them under subjection a second time. But they that order their way aright, in the sense of the Text, shall sooner or later see the salvation of God.
[Page 56] The Reasons of this Point are principally these three:
Reas. 1. From the consideration of God, whose Name is engaged for the defence and salvation of his People. The perfections of the Almighty oblige him to shew his salvation to all them that order their way aright, and only to them that so do. His eyes run to and fro through the whole Earth to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect before him: then 2
Chron. 16. 9. his omnipotent arm is stretched out to save and deliver all such:
walk before me, and be upright, I am God alsufficient, saith
God to Abraham, Gen. 17. 1. And as his hand is able to save them, so is his ear, as well as his eye open to their cry,
Ps. 34. 15 yea, sometimes before they call God is ready to answer, and whiles they are yet speaking he will hear,
Isai. 65. 24. to the like purpose is that promise,
Isai. 58. 9, 10. His word and faithfulness is engaged also, to save all the meek of the Earth: they whose hearts are lifted up in them, are not right before him, but humble, contrite
[Page 57] ones, are the people he is engaged to save and defend: yea he hath bound himself by his promise, in the 15 verse of this fiftieth Psalm,
that if they call upon him in the day of trouble, he will answer them The face of the Lord is set against all them that do evil. He is an holy God, and therefore hath declared, that the evil shall not dwell with him: he hates the workers of Iniquity, and all them that turn aside to their own crooked wayes: and his Justice is armed against them with vengeance to punish them. Not one
iota of his threatnings shall pass away till all be fulfilled sooner or later upon all the wicked of the World, whose wayes are perverse before him. Yea, he hath declared concerning all such, that when they spread forth their hands he will hide his eyes, and when they make many prayers he will not hear, because their hearts and hands are defiled with the guilt of sin.
Reas. 2. From the consideration of his People, who when they order their way aright, are in a meet capacity for mercy, and fit for salvation. In case of a peoples
[Page 58] continued obedience, they may plead Gods Covenant, that they are his People, he is obliged to be their God,
i. e. to be their Saviour, and to do all that a God can do for them; and in case they have sinned, and done never so perversely before him, yet if they order their way aright, as to Repentance and Reformation, his Covenant doth then also oblige him to cause them to see his Salvation: this is expresly mentioned by
Solomon at the Dedication of the Temple, when there was a solemn restipulation, or renewing of Covenant between God and his People, 2
Chron. 6. when God appeared unto
Solomon, as is expressed in the 14
th verse of the next Chapter; he seems to assent to all those Articles;
If my People, who are called by my Name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked wayes, then will I hear from Heaven and forgive their sin, and will heal their Land, in respect of all those Calamities insisted on at large in the former chapter, and briefly summed up in the former verse. They shall be made to see the salvation
[Page 59] of God delivering them from all those evils, or what ever else might be conceived to befal them. It may be said of such an holy, or such an humbled People, that they are a people prepared for the Lord; ready for the salvation of the Lord, and it shall not be long before they see it. Salvation shall be for Gates and Bulwarks to such a People: so was it unto
Hezekiah, and the people in his time; who had sought the Lord, and did by Faith rely upon him;
Jerusalem is now walled about with Salvation: the proud
Assyrian shall not be able to shoot an Arrow over such Bulwarks, much less shall he be able to break through those Gates of Salvation.
This is an experience confirmed of old to the Faith of a believing People, ever since
Jacob's time: no doubt he had been humbled for his deceiving his Father, and was reconciled to God, before he took his journey into
Padan-aram, and therefore now he can plead the Covenant of God, and put the Almighty in mind of his promise;
Thou saidst thou wilt bless me; therefore
[Page 60]
Jacob shall be made to see Gods Salvation, in the midst of those dangers he is surrounded with. Thus if his People stir up themselves to lay hold of his strength, they shall see the salvation of God in their utmost perils.
God did afterwards make the way of his Precepts plain before his Servants in the Book of
Deuteronomie; instructing them how they should walk before him in the enjoying, and improving that good Land they were going to possess; how they should till and dress it, how they should reap it, and dispose of the fruits thereof; if they could then say, when they came with their Oblations,
Deut. 26. 13, 14, 15.
I have brought away the hallowed things out of my house, &c.
I have not transgressed thy Commandments, neither have I forgotten them, &c. Then might they also add what is in the 15
th verse,
Look down from thy holy Habitation, from Heaven, and bless thy people Israel, and the Land which thou hast given us, as thou swa
[...]est to our Fathers: Thus having ordered their way aright, they might with
[Page 61] confidence and comfort, expect to see the Salvation of God. When a People so walk, as that they can approve themselves to God himself, as
Abraham, I know Abraham,
that he will not only himself keep the way of the Lord, but command his houshold after him to keep the same; It may then
[...] expected that God will bring upon them the good which he hath spoken.
Reas. 3. From the consideration of others in the World. If such a People that order their wayes aright in their daily walking with God, or that so frame their doings as to turn unto the Lord their God, if at any time they should humble themselves before him, and yet should not see the salvation of God, what would the wicked and ungodly of the World say, but that it is in vain to serve God? And what advantage is there in circumcision, and keeping the whole Law of God? if they are like to be plagued as other men; it will be in vain to alter their course and live otherwayes than formerly they did.
[Page 62] This were certainly to sin against the generation of the just, in the midst of whom God is alwayes wont to be found. God will therefore have it known in the world, that there is great recompence of reward in keeping the Law of the Lord, and that though the righteous scarcely are saved, yet saved they shall be, whatever become of others. Let
Balak and
Balaam conspire together to enchant the Tents of
Israel, and lay stumbling blocks before their Feet, yet some shall be
[...]nd in the midst of them, so to order their wayes, as that they shall be able to save the rest. They may else plead with God as
Joshuah once did in such an exigent, when
Israel did not
[...] the salvation of God in a Military expedition,
And what wilt thou do for thy great Name? Josh 7. 9. But
Joshuah is bidden not to be discouraged; let God alone to look after the glory of his own, if his People do but look after themselves, and order their way aright, God will make all the rest of the Nations to behold the glory of his Salvation: God is able to
[...]xalt the valleys and make the rough
[Page 63] places plain; The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all Flesh shall see it together.
Obj.
But notwithstanding all these great and glorious things that are spoken of the City of God; there lies this great stumbling block in the way of natural men, that they never can get over; yea, which the Saints themselves are oft times at a great set before they can see through it: they observe that though those who are called the people of God, order their wayes never so right; yet they see the salvation of God no more than other men. They bear them complain with Asaph,
Psal. 73.
Though they cleansed their hearts, and washed their hands, yet all is in vain, they are yet plagued like other men all the day long, and chastened every morning. And with the Church in Psal. 44. We are counted but as sheep for the slaughter, yet is not our heart turned back, neither have our steps declined from thy way,
&c. and for thy sake are we filled,
&c.
Sol. Those that take up
Asaphs objection, should take along
Asaphs and the Churches answer,
Asaph acknowledges it
[Page 64] was his folly and ignorance so to speak: Nevertheless I am continually with thee,
thou hast holden me by my right hand, thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterwards receive me to glory. It is the end of a matter that is the ground of a right judgment thereof.
Finis coro
[...]at opus. Jo
[...] ordered his way aright; yet was harrowed with much affliction▪ so may the Church and People of God, but it is only to prepare the
[...]oyle for the receiving the seed of everlasting joy and comfort. The People of God are never nearer Salvation than when they are exercised with the greatest sufferings, & so to the eye of sense seem furthest from it; so it was with
Israel in
Egypt; they never were more grievously oppressed, nor served with more rigor, than a little before their deliverance. In like manner the sufferings of the Church under Antichrist, when they come to the greatest extremity, in the three dayes and an half, that
strages, or slaughter immediately precedes their exaltation into Heaven, and that in the fight of their Enemies. So immediately after the three
[Page 65] dayes Pestilence in
Davids time, the Lord, sends out an Inhibition to the Angel that destroyed the People. For now
David and the people are sufficiently humbled, therefore God is willing to be reconciled, & accept them into terms of favour again▪ and doth also then signally discover the place he had chosen for his Name to reside in. It may certainly be said unto every humbled, penitent, believing person, as Christ said to his Disciples, they shall see the Kingdom of God, and obtain his salvation; and if they do not live to see a temporal salvation in this world, they shall be sure not to miss of eternal salvation at the last. Now let every one chuse what he would have, to be saved from the wrath that is to come, that shall destroy the world of the ungodly at last, or to be saved from trouble and danger here,
[...] perish eternally at last. But the full answer to all objections of this nature, is, that according to Gods ordinary providential dispensations, God is with his People▪ while they are with him; which is a truth confirmed by the experience of all ages▪
[Page 66] and all People: for some have observed that the long continued success, and prosperity of their heathen Empire of
Rome, was a reward of their justice, temperance, and industry. So was it in the dayes of
David, Solomon, and other good Kings of
Judah. But if God should see cause for a time, out of his infinite wisdom and soveraignty, to change the hands of providence, and lay the left hand of favour and prosperity upon the younger & less deserving, he is a soveraign Ruler and may do what he will with his own; he may afflict his people in this life, and prosper the wicked for a time, for ends best known to himself; yet all this while, he is near unto his people in all they call upon him for, to uphold and preserve them in, and carry them through all their sufferings, and make them see his eternal salvation at last. None of these things,
sc. outward tribulations, and crosses moved the Apostle
Paul, so he might finish his course with joy. They needed not much trouble themselves whatever become of their bodies, if they can say with respect to their
[Page 67] souls, as a
Monk said, stroking his paunch,
Modo hic sit bene. Or what were a man the better if he could gain the whole world, and miss of the salvation of his soul at last. If the body be lost, destroyed by the elements, returned to its first principles, or reduced into the minutest Atomes, yet all shall be gathered together again▪ and raised up in a state of greater Glory and beauty, than ever it was laid down in; 'Twas observed that the spirit of Glory rested upon the primitive Martyrs, and Confessors, so as there enemies were not able to behold the refulgence of them. 'Twas said of
Stephen, that they were not able to resist the wisdom, and spirit, by which he spake; and that as he saw heaven opened, the Glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, so they saw his face, as if it had been the face of an Angel. This might be said to be extraordinary. But
Paul speaking of all Believers, declares how they are able to triumph over sin and death, and boldly challenge the victory from them all:
Oh death▪ where
[...] sting, Oh grave
[Page 68] where is thy victory? yea, he proceeds further,
Rom.
[...]. 37.
Nay, in all these we are more than Conquer
[...]s. A great speech, for one that had been so sadly handled by Men and Devils. Yet such is the victory of faith, whereby Believers are enabled not only to get the victory, but even to triumph over all their enemies: therefore doth it necessarily follow, that through faith, which is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen, they may be able to see the sight of Gods salvation, even then when they pass through the dark vally of the shadow of death. The Lord Jesus was never seen more glorious on earth, than in that apparrel which was dyed red, and stained with the blood of his enemies, when he speaks in righteousness, mighty to save. In like manner the followers of Jesus are also glorious in their apparrel, when they are thus clothed with the garments of Salvation, and assuredly believe, that which ere long they shall certainly enjoy.
USE 1.
The best of Gods servants in
[Page 69] the times of their greatest prosperity, are never so far secured from trouble, but that they may need salvation. All Believers are, or may be assured of spiritual salvation; they may certainly conclude, they shall at the last receive the end of their faith the salvation of their souls: but they may often stand in need of temporal salvation.
David had as great prosperity in his reign, as ever any King on earth before him, for tis said the Lord preserved him whithersoever he went: whence he was too ready to take up this conclusion,
that he should never be moved: That now all his forraign enemies, as well as intestine foes being subdued,
his mountain stood so strong that it could never be shaken; But he soon found no small trouble to arise by the hiding of Gods face,
Psal. 30. 7, 8.
For though affliction cometh not forth of the dust, as Job
speaks, neither doth trouble spring out of the ground, yet man is born unto trouble as the sparks fly upward: i. e. Troubles come not by chance, nor are to be imputed to the miscarriage of secondary causes;
yet man is born unto trouble as the
[Page 70] sparks fly upward: he works himself trouble as easily, and ordinarily as if he were born for that end. It is as natural for man to breed himself trouble, as for sparks to fly upward. Weeds grow out of the ground without mens labour or care; but mens sins are the meritorious cause deserving, and procuring, and Gods wisdom and soveraignty are the efficient and inflictive cause of them, we bring our selves into troubles, but it is God only that can save us out of them. God hath the heart
[...] of all men in his hand, and turns them as the Rivers of water: He can turn them to favour, or hate his People as he sees cause. The time was when all that
David did pleased the people, but afterwards the people are displeased with him, forsake him, and follow
Absolom. God intended thereby to chasten
David, and to punish the iniquity of the People, that had no better improved the blessing, and priviledges of God in the time of
Davids reign. In
Hezekiah time
Sen
[...]acherih comes up against all the fen
[...]ed Cities of
Judah, and takes them, and layes siege to
Jerusalem
[Page 71] it self. The Prophet therefore calleth the
Assiyrian the Rod of God's anger, and the
[...] of his indignation in their hand; but when God hath accomplished his work upon mount
Sion, and
Jerusalem, for the humbling of his People, and pulling down their pride, he will then punish the fruit of the stout heart of the King of
Assyria, and the glory of his high looks: He will then call them to account for their proud words, and blasphemous speeches. God leads his People through various changes and difficult paths, sometimes they are made to pass through the water, sometimes through the fire; they are in danger of being destroyed by either, without some special kind of Salvation stretched forth. In the dayes of
Amos, God called somtimes to contend by fire, that devoured the great deep, and eat up a part, as he speaks, and somtimes by famine, all which bring
Jacob low, that he is scarce able to arise. At another season God suffers the multitude of this nation to gather themselves together against his People, for the tryal of their faith and exercise of
[Page 72] their grace then the punishing of their sins, as in
Asa's and
Jehosophat's time, or rather that there might be a fit occasion to cut off the wicked nations of the world; but yet they threaten sorely the Church and People of God, that they might learn to put their confidence in him,
who is the rock of their Salvation. There was one season in
Solomon's time, when
Israel was without adversar
[...] or evil occurrent:
Solomon was at that time called of God to attend the building of the Temple, and while he was intent upon that work, God was pleased to secure him from all outward troubles; but after that time, God stirred him up many adversaries round about, that he was never able to suppress; & though he might forget that calamity coming upon his family▪ he was neverable by all his wisdom, to save himself and them from, or in the least prevent. So as notwithstanding God may have made a Covenant with his People ordered in all things and sure, as to their eternal salvation, yet there may be cause for God to visit them with temporal calamities and evils which they
[Page 73] know not how to save themselves from▪ So deceitful are the hearts of the best of men, and so dangerous are the temptations of the world, that God knows not how to trust his People long with much outward prosperity and favour, lest they should be ensnared, and wax wanton and secure thereby. After the return from the captivity, when it might have been thought, that they had received double for their sin, and that therefore now their warefare should be accomplished, and that now from that time foreward, nothing but the oyl of comfort should be poured into their wounds; yet you will find their suffrings were not quite ended: many clouds of threatning evil did continually arise, which much darkned their hopes of a setled time of tranquility. A messenger that came from
Judah informs
Nehemiah, that the remnant of the captivity who were left then in the province were in great affliction and reproach, which made him sit down and weep, and mourn many dayes: that in all that long tract of time, from
Cyrus his dayes, to that time
[Page 74] there was still remaining nothing but the former ruthful spectacle of the old seige. The wall of
Jerusalem was not yet repaired, nor the gates set up; and which was yet worse, there appeared no hope of bettering their condition, for the People of that Land, as is said in
Ezra 4. 23.
Still weakened their
[...]ands, and hired Counsellours against them, and hindred them, all the remainder of Cyrus
his time, and all the following Kings, till the reign of Darius,
when they obtained a decree to force them to desist from the work. And in the time of
Nehemiah, they invented and fomented false reports against them, that they intended to rebel, which was the reason rendred, why they were so intense about rebuilding the wall; and when that would not do, some were hired by their malicious enemies,
Sanballat, &
Tobiah to dishearten them by lying prophesies when God sent them not; only they were set on by others to put him in fear, that the work might not be carried on. Had
Nehemiah been a man but of an ordinary courage, he might have been affrighted, and fled
[Page 75] away to hide himself; but he was a man of so much magnanimity, as not to be affrightned with great words or letters, though reiterated so many times over; but
Nehemiah's confidence is in God, to whom he looks, to save his People from those malicious attempts of their enemies.
Haman afterwards prevailed so far by lying, and false accusations, as to bring their neck unto the block. The day was appointed, the decree was sealed, the nation of the
Jews was distressed, and the whole City was perplexed; it was God only who was able to save them: by turning
Hamans (as formerly he did
Achitophels) counsels to foolishness, and turning the snare, those great Polititians had laid for others, into an halter wherewith to hang themselves. There is no new thing under the sun, saith
Solomon, that which hath already been done, and at present is, the like will be put in practice, while there is a devil in hell to tempt, and wicked men in the world to disquiet, and disturb the building of God's Church upon earth. Report they say in
Jeremiah's
[Page 76] time and we will report it; invent a Rumor and we will blow it up and spread it abroad. It is reported among the Heathen, and
Gashmues saith it, that the
Jews think to rebel. Was it not so in the former age? Did not Pulpits and Presses abound with invectives against
Protestants in
Germany, Hussites in
Bohemia, Hugonots in
France, Lollards in
England; the scene it may be is now changed; other persons have since ascended the Stage: It was
Puritans before, and now
Fanaticks: The names are differing, the spirit is the very same with which they are pursued: they proclaim these men are no friends to
Coesar. Never was there any age since Christ's time; yea, since enmity was put between the seed of the Woman, and the seed of the Serpent; but those that fear God, had cause to look up to him, by servent Prayer, and so wait upon him by ordering their wayes aright, that they might be made to see the Salvation of God.
USE, 2. Salvation is from God only: It is his Salvation, that his People only
[Page 77] expect: They say with the Psalmist,
Psal 60.
Give us help from trouble for vain is the help of man. They still are praying and waiting, that the Salvation of
Israel were come out of
Sion: for God dwels in
Sion, and hath his habitation in
Jerusalem; and from thence must his People look for Salvation: I will look unto the Hills from whence cometh my help. It is God only who is able to cloth his People with Salvation. The Lord Jesus, who is the only Saviour of his People, is brought in by the Prophet
Isa
[...], as one astonished, that there was none to be found on earth, that would save his Church. I looked and there was none to help: I wondred that there was none to uphold, therefore his own arme brought him salvation. If we look round about the world, amongst the Princes, and Potentates of the Earth, how few friends hath
Sion among them all; yea, few of her Sons are forward to take her by the hand. God's Church at this day is not much unlike the man that was found between
Jerusalem and
Jericho,
[Page 78] that fell among thieves, who stripped him who wounded him and left him half dead: The Priest and the Levite who are most engaged by their relation, and profession, to help, in stead of that, pass by on the other side, that they might not see or take notice: If God should not put it into the heart of some good
Samaritans, what would become of the poor Church of God? Some have power in their hands to effect it, and may seem to be called to the helm in their kingdoms for that very end▪ yet are not willing to put their hand to the Lords work. Some it may b
e are willing, but question their call or their power so to do. If the case be so, that the promotion and salvation comes neither from the East, nor from the West, nor from the South, but from God only; let all his People say with
Jacob, we have waited for thy Salvation, O Lord. Let that
[...] the answer to be returned to the Messengers of the nations, that come to enquir
[...] or solicit about leagues or engagments that God hath founded Sion, and the poor of his People shall trust in her. God not
[Page 79] only hath the hearts of Kings in his hand to turn them as he pleases, but he hath also the Devil under his authority, if not to turn him, yet to chain him up, that he shall not hinder the Salvation of his Church. Such troubles may befall them that no other hand can save them from; but their comfort is, that although the powers of darkness may conspire, and the gates of hell combine, yet they shall not prevail against them. Greater is he that is in them, than he that is in the world.
The experiences of all former ages give in full evidences to this, that it is God only who is the Salvation of his People.
Solomon had received a double portion of his fathers spirit, & prosperity: yet
David tells them in
Psal. 127.
Unless the Lord keep the City, the watchman waketh but in vain: and that the workman laboured in vain, except the Lord built the house: So it is God alone from whom cometh our Salvation.
USE 3. This may comfort the People of God, who though they sin, and suffer
[Page 80] for their sinning, yet they need not sink in their sorrows; for there is a way, that they may be made to see God's Salvation. There is hope in
Israel concerning this thing. His People may draw water with joy out of the wells of Salvation: Cisterns are apt to be broken, and the brooks of
Tema to be dryed up, but wells are living fountains; and if one should fail, yet there are many wells of Salvation prepared for such as order their way aright. Say not these wells are deep and we have nothing to draw, for those that walk aright shall find a bucket, as well as a well, and strength also to draw. It was a joyful time with
Israel, when they encamped in the
Wilderness, at
Elim, where were seventy Palm trees, and twelve wells of water: A well for every one of the tribes in particular: yet this was but at one station; but there are wells of Salvation now under the Gospel in every station, of their Pilgrimage; such considerations as these that follow may furnish us with this Salvation.
1. God, who is the God of all such
[Page 81] as order their way aright, is, the God of Salvation,
Psal. 68. 20. which implies these things; 1.
That he is able to save his People; No Enemy so potent, no difficulty so great, no sickness so dangerous, but he is able to save his people from. He is also said
to be a God to whom venge
[...]nce belongeth; God will then avenge his people of their Enemies. These are dreadful speeches to the enemies of Gods People, and more comfortable to themselves, which ye have,
Deut 32. 39.
&c. I even I am he, and there is no God with me, that glorious, great, and supreme God, his glory is spread over all the World: I kill and I make alive, I wound and I heal, neither is there any that can deliver out of my hands, &c.
If I whet my glittering sword, and my hand take hold of Judgment, I will render vengeance to mine enemies, and reward to them that hate me, &c
From the beginning of revenges upon the Enemy; Rejoyce O ye Nations with his People, for he will avenge the blood of his Servants, and will render vengeance to his Adversaries, and will be merciful to his Land, and to his People, i. e.
[Page 82] beginning at the head, the Devil who is the prince of this world; as
Diodati notes on the place; or as the prince of the great worldly Empire, enemy to the Church, seeing those great Empires which have named themselves universal, have alwayes warred against God and his Church: let none say that these speeches concerns the nation of the
Jews only; for though it might respect them primarily, yet secondarily it includes the Church and people of God in all following ages, and all those who have opposed them, and hath accordingly been made good upon them, as is evident in the vengeance of God upon
Antiochus, Diocle
[...]an, Maximi
[...]us, Maxentias and
Juli
[...] afterwards, who were all destroyed by some more than ordinary hand of God, in a way of vengeance upon them. They are saved also from their sins, the worst of their Enemies: for now under the Gospel, the People of God (for all such are supposed to order their way aright) being delivered from the hand of their Enemies, shall be enabled to serve him in holiness and righteousness all
[...]
[Page 83] dayes of their life. 2.
It is here implied that he is willing to save them. He taketh pleasure in this work of Salvation:
Who is a God like unto thee, saith
Micah, that delighteth to pardon iniquity, or that passeth by transgression, because he delighteth in mercy; he will subdue their Iniquities: If sin be subdued, that is the worst, and most dangerous of all our Enemies; there is no great fear from any of the rest. And if the malady of sin be taken care for, there is no other disease insident to such a people, that will prove deadly. The Inhabitants of Sion, shall never complain of any sickness, when once their sins are forgiven them. 3.
That he is wont to save them. Such titles come to be appropriated to Rulers from their usual custom to do such or such things:
He is wont to be the hope of Israel, and Saviour of them in the time of trouble; did they ever miss of Salvation in one regard or other, that waited upon him for Salvation.
Idolaters, Hypocrites, and
Unbelievers, in time of their distress, shall curse their King, and their God, and look upward,
Isa.8. 21.
[Page 84] i. e. to see if any help will come to them from Heaven; they may look indeed, but there will be none to save, even unto the Lord, but he will give them no answer:
Saul was one of these, therefore God gave him no answer, neither by Urim nor Thummim, nor yet by Dreams or Visions.
2.
God hath appointed a Saviour for his People; and hath imposed a Name upon him that declares it; His name shall be called Jesus, Mat. 1. 21.
for he shall save his People from their sins: He is also said
to be able to save unto the utmost all that come unto God through him: when the question is asked,
who is this that cometh from Edom, glorious in his Apparel? it is answered,
I that speak in righteousness,
[...] to save, i. e. The Lord Jesus Christ, who hath promised everlasting Salvation to his Church, and will powerfully perform it. If this seem a difficult thing, his other Names make way for the belief thereof; The Government shall be upon his shoulder,
and His Name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellour, the Mighty
[Page 85] God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of peace, i. e. as is interpreted,
the everlasting Son of God, and hath taken our nature upon him, by being born of the Virgin, and defends the Churches right against all her Enemies in quality of a Mediator and head of the same; who is King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, who hath made peace betwixt God and his People, and Reigneth thereby to Life and Salvation for ever.
3.
God hath promised to be the Salvation of his People. There is a ground for Faith to work upon. Salvation is said to be the end of our Faith; there is no other ground for Faith to build hope of Salvation upon, but the Word of God. Faith is the substance of things hoped for: It gives Subsistence, & Being to the things that are hoped for: such as walk before God in a right way, may conclude he is faithful who hath promised, who also will do it. It was said of
Archimedes, the great Mathematician of old, that he would undertake by the force of Engines which he would invent, that if he had a Foundation
[Page 86] to place his Engine upon, he would raise the whole body of the Earth out of its Center: it was a great speech, but natural Ingeny will never be able to out-vye Theology. Faith can do greater things than natural strength or skill. Gods immutable word is a foundation for Faith to rest upon while it accomplishes all things that are needful for Salvation. God is our strength and refuge sayes
David, Psal.46. 1, 2.
a present help in time of trouble, therefore we will not fear, though the Earth be removed, and the mountains be carried into the midst of the Sea; what is this great mountain before Zerubbabel? the least degree of Faith, as our Saviour tells us, is able to remove the greatest Mountain of opposition or difficulty that stands in the way of Faith. Therefore seeing God hath promised
that such shall see his Salvation, they may believe it. The Church may sing her triumphant Song in all her troubles.
We have a strong City, Salvation will God appoint for Walls and Bulwarks: mountains of Brass and Gates of Iron are not so strong as the promise
[Page 87] God: In confidence of them. The Church of God though in her self, but as a poor despised Virgin, yet will deride and laugh unto scorn: the great and mighty Army of the
Assyrians, that come u
[...]ike the swelling of
Jordan, yet such is the interest of Faith in the promises of God, that it can see the salvation of God, through all those dark Clouds of Adversity.
Of a truth Lord, said Hezekiah,
the Kings of Assyria have laid wast all the Nations, and their Countries; his Faith was almost at a stand; his heart was ready to recoyl; but the Word of the Lord sent by
Isaiah reinforces his confidence, and makes him acquiess in that promise of the Lord, that the Kings of
Assyria should not come into the City, nor shoot an Arrow there; but that he should be blasted by the breath of the Almighty, as indeed it came to pass; so as their eyes that waited on the Lord might behold the King in his beauty, and see his
Jerusalem a quiet habitation. True Believers after deliverance from that dangerous assault, should see
Hezekiah Flourish again
[Page 88] in power and glory, who was a figure of Christ in his heavenly Glory, beautifying the meek of the Earth with his eternal Salvation.
4. The People of the Lord do believe all this, therefore their hearts are not d
[...] mayed. Therefore have they found in their hearts to pray with the Psalmist,
Turn us again O God of our Salvation, and we shall be saved; which is redoubled again in that Psalm, in token of their assured expectation thereof.
Moses believed it at a time of utmost hazard, when they were hemmed in with deadly dangers on every side, and falling within the very gates of Destruction;
stand still and see the Salvation of God; and they that believed did see Gods Salvation, as tis added
that day the Lord saved Israel out of the hand of the Egyptians, Exod. 14. 30.
Mordecai believed it with respect to Gods power and faithfulness, and not to
Esthers interest in the King of
Persia, who knows but thou mayest be raised to the Kingdom for this very end, but if thou resuse
[...]t, Salvation shall come some other
[Page 89] way.
Daniel and his Companions believed it, when they were cast into the fiery Furnace, and thrown into the Lions Den.
Those Examples of seeing Gods Salvation were written for our instruction in these ends of the World, that we also believing might speak the same thing, and give glory to God.
5. God hath saved his People and made them see his Salvation, wee have a cloud of witnesses brought to our view in that little Book of
Chronicles (as one call
[...]
[...]) in the eleventh Chapter of the
Hebrews. Our Fathers trusted in thee and were delivered, They looked unto God from the ends of the Earth and were saved. Their eyes were enlightned with the joy of Gods Salvation.
Israel indeed may say if it had not been the Lord who was on our side, we had been swallowed up, when their wrath was kindled against us; the streams had overwhelmed us, the proud Waters had gone over our Soul.
[Page 90] As was said of some of those worthy Confessors, that afterwards laid the Foundation of our
New-England Churches, when they were driven out of
England, by the prevailing power of the Hierarchy, and made to Fly into the
Netherlands, they met with such a dreadful stormy passage, that the Vessel was even over-raked with the Waves, when their mouthes were fill'd with salt-water, as they were exercising themselves with servent Prayer; some of them used these words,
Yet O Lord thou canst save, and so he did above and beyond all hope, the Sea-men crying out,
we sink, we perish, we are going down to the
[...] of the pit, where our heads shall be wrapped about▪ with the weeds; yet God made them see his Salvation. Look into the History of the Church in all Ages, Writings Antient and modern. How many wayes hath God made use of to save his People in all their distresses; the snare was broken, and their soul was made to escape. If they have met with sorrow, it
[...]asted but a night; the joy of Salvation hath risen upon them in the morning. The sorest
[Page 91] of
Antichristian Persecutions was or is to last but three dayes and an half.
Athanasius said of the
Arrian Tempest in his time.
Nubecula h
[...]ec, cito per transibit. The storm may be sharp, yet it will be but short. If Christ be in the Ship, all that are embarqued shall be saved. The Ship of Christs Church may be tossed, yet it shall be preserved; the Angel of the Covenant assures us so, that every soul that entred shall be saved. In those bloody
Marian dayes, she that
[...]ate at the Helm of the Nation, stretched forth her hands with
Herod, to vex certain of the Church; three or four hundred were burned alive, and more were imprisoned, but it would not do; those iron Gates and Barrs were broken open.
The Snare is broken and we are escaped. The chief Instruments of that persecution, as well as the Authors thereof, to the vexation of their hearts, saw that the more they endeavoured to suppress the Protestant Religion the more it increased. The blood of the Martyrs proved the seed of the Church, which made some of them pine away with rage
[Page 92] and madness, to see their Endeavours frustrated; and that the Word of God was not bound, though here and there some of the Ministers thereof were under restraint, but that it did more and more prevail. God hath many times by unexpected wayes prevented the mischief intended against his People, and brought destruction upon their Enemies, and made his People see his Salvation. It is reported that once a Chancellor of
Bohemia, having procured a Diploma from the Emperour at
Vienna to persecute the Protestants in that Kingdom; as he was passing the Bridge over
Danubius, it brake under him, so as himself was drowned; but his Box of Writings could never be found again, though his dead body was afterwards taken up. The Protestants in
Germany standing couragiously for the Truth of the Protestant Religion, saw the great Emperour
Charles the V. driven out of
Germany by a small handful of men under
Mauritius Duke of
Saxony. In Queen
Mary's time, a busie Persecutor, that was bound for
Ireland, out of hatred
[Page 93] against the Protestant Religion was be
[...]ooled by his Host at
West-Chester, and carried over the Knave of Clubs to the Deputy there, instead of his Commission the which he could not get renewed, till the Reign of the persecuting Queen was atan
[...]end; and another advanced that favoured the truth.
USe, Of Examination: This may put the present Generation of
New-England upon the enquiry, if they be such as order their way aright. It is now a day of rebuke, a time of
Jacobs troubles,
he is brought very low, by whom shall he arise? It is Gods Salvation alone that we must expect; and who are they that shall be assured to see that; They are only such as order their Conversation aright. Our fore-Fathers did approve themselves as such and accordingly they were made to see Gods Salvation; they had as many Enemies, met with as many dangers, encountred with as many difficulties, yet God delivered, saved them out of all. Do we that are yet surviving and coming on, so order our way, that we may say or hope we shall be made to see the salvation of God.
[Page 94] We were at the first planted a righteous Generation, and noble Vine, do we so continue? Of all the Reformations that ever yet began in the World, there have been but a very few observed to continue above an hundred years in that splendor and brightness with which they were at the first set forward. Take for instance, those of antient time, before or since the Gospel began. That of
David and
Solomon, Asa and
Jehosaphat, Hezekiah and
Josiah, lasted but their time. That of the
Maccabees did not out-live their time, at least in the beauty of it. That of the Primitive Church was not so much a reforming, as a new planting of the Church in Gospel Order, when the night of Heathenish darkness, and Jewish Ceremonies was quite spent, and the day of the Gospel was at hand: But the Reformation of
Constantines time scarce continued in its primitive lustre and glory, a full hundred years before a great degree of Aposta
[...]ie appeared: for tis said,
The Woman fled into the Wilderness after the birth of her Man-child, that was to rule the Nations
[Page 95] with a rod of Iron. She hasted into the Wilderness where she was to continue 1260 dayes prophetical dayes, which are so many
Julian Political years: It is to be supposed, that the Church was some considerable time going before she was quite gone into the Wilderness. The day of this last Reformation began first to break out in the time of
Wickcliffe, but it was not perfect day till
Luther's time, from whose dayes to the present time, who ever takes a view may easily determine whether in the Nations that first embraced the Protestant Religion, there be the same measure of Piety, Zeal, Holiness, as was at the first.
In what integrity
Geneva hath stood since
Calvin's time is not unknown to many of them who are carrying on the Work of the present Generation,
As for our selves here in
New-England, we were or might have been▪ set in the right way, having no prejudicate Opinion, or practice to forestal our Judgments; bu
t had the help of all the former ages, and other Nations as well as our own,
[Page 96] Godly and Learned Divines in them, to take pattern and example from, in the laying our first Foundation, both of Religion and Righteousness, Doctrine and Discipline, Church and Common-wealth. Our first Rulers and Leaders in both were careful to order all things according to the pattern in that Mount; Children that would not lye, so God became their Saviour; saving them from forreign and intestine Foes: If we that are their posterity be found Children that will lie, deny our first principles, either in Faith or manners, how can we expect that God should be our Saviour.
Now compare things:
1. In the first place: They sought first the Kingdom of God, and the righteousness thereof, and waited upon God, for addition of such other things as he judged necessary. They came not hither for the World, or for Land, or Traffick▪ but for Religion, and for liberty of Conscience in the Worship of God, which was their only design; and accordingly God blessed them, and gave them the desire of their
[Page 97] hearts; they had the priviledges of God's Kingdom to their great content and satisfaction; & he added outward things above what was or could be expected in a Wilderness: and when the first way of supply began to be stopped up, God in his merciful providence opened another, by turning us into a way of Trade and Commerce, to further our more comfortable subsistence: So God was pleased to bless our
Issachar in his Tents, and our
Zebulun in their goings out, who still called the People to the mountain, and offered Sacrifices of Righteousness: while they did thus, like
Solomon that sent his Ships to
Ophir, which brought in that which was of necessary and of substantial use.
God blessed them, and made them see his salvation; but when men could not content, themselves in such a way of dealing, but Traded only for
Apes and
Peacocks as was said by Mr.
C. that is, brought in nothing but Sack and Sugar; Commodities to make fuel for Lusts, and called young people not to the mountain of the Lords
[...]ouse, but to our own private recesses, to
[Page 98] offer Sacrifice to
Bacc
[...]us and
[...]enus, and burns Incense to the evil Fiend; hath not God broken our Ships at
E
[...]io
[...], Geber▪ and is he not now laying the Axe to the root of our Religion, as well as Civil Rights and Liberties▪ and begins to cut
[...]s short every way. Hath not God called to contend by Fire, and by Water, by Famine, and by Blasting, Mildew, Sword, and Pestilence; and is not his hand stretched out still? Our Estates and Persons are spoiled by Murderers, and barbarous M
[...]hometans; and it is to be feared the Lords controversie is not yet ended. The Daughters of our Sion walks with stretched out necks,
&c. And may we not find an Inventory of our Virgins Wardrobes in the third Chapter of
Isaiah. The Ensignes of Pride are exalted in our high places, and all the produce in a manner of the whole Countrey is converted to maintain a commerce of superfluous v
[...]
[...]nities. God threatens
not to save, but severely punish, the Minister and Schollar, the Mistriss and her Hand-maid for such thing
[...]
[...] those;▪ yea
to cut off the Tabernacles
[...]
[Page 99] Jacob, for such things as these.
2. That Generation were zealous for the Worship of God; they would by no means admit of any mixture of human
[...] Inventions with divine Institutions in the matter of Gods Worship. When they came over hither, they were as
[...], fit to receive any Impression from the spirit of truth, either as to Doctrine or Worship. It might have been said of them in way of commendation, that they could not bear them which were evil, and
[...]ducers from the way of truth, and th
[...] they tried them, which said, they were Apostles, and were not, and did find
[...]hem Liars. They also hated the deeds of the
Nicholaitans, which were also hateful to the spirit of the Lord Jesus▪ They kept the word of Christs patience, they were also kept from the hour of Temptation.
None were suffered among them to wear a rough Garment to deceive, but they were ready to shew the wounds which they received in the house of their Friends▪ none were suffered to set up their Posts by Gods Posts, nor to sow the fields
[Page 100] of Gods Churches with divers seeds: none were suffered to disseminate the seeds of corrupt Doctrine: they might with some measure of Truth, have said with
Elijah, when God came to visit him in the Cave;
I am jealous for the Lord of Host. The Pastors were jealous over their Flocks with a godly jealousie, least their minds should be carried from the simplicity that is in Christ. Rulers were jealous over their People, least any corrupt Principles should be introduced to undermine the foundation▪ of right Government; none were suffered to enter into the sacred function of the Ministry before they were approved; and none admitted to hold forth
[...]hose truths of the Gospel to others, which they had not first experience of in their own hearts, even such as would take heed both to themselves and unto their Doctrine and continue therein, that thereby they might both save themselves, and those that hear them. If this be the way of
New-England now, tis hoped they may yet see the salvation of God.
3. They were not only pure in their
[Page 101] Doctrine, but peaceable in their manners; As those that were endued with the wisdom from above, which made them easie to be entreated. If any seem to be contentious, the Churches of
New-England had no such custom. They would ask counsel at
Abel, and so end the matter. Care was taken that they who were to speak in the Name of the Lord Jesus, should all speak the same thing, and be perfectly joyned together in the same mind and judgment. There was no noise of Axe or Hammer in the building of the Church of God, every thing was so exactly squared according to the rules of the Gospel; so as the
[...] that came in might report and say,
God was in them of a truth.
4. They were also zealous against sin. Judgment ran down our Streets like waters, and Justice like a mighty stream; iniquity dare not to appear bare-faced upon the Stage, none were suffered to countenance any evil doers, but they were even ready to be taken from Gods Altar, and made to suffer the justice which they
[Page 102] had deserved. The Lord Jesus who was mee
[...] and lowly of heart; yet was seen to
[...] the Money-changers out of the Temple;
who had turned the house of Prayer
[...]nto a den of Thieves. There was no connivance at any-evil; no root of bitterness suffered to spring up, lest trouble should be occasioned thereby, and many come to be defiled. They left Religion in a good equipage when they went off the stage and commended it to Posterity, as their chief care.
5. They were of an holy and serious frame of spirit: all their deportment in their civil converse and behaviour, as well as in the acts of Religious worship, favoured of a spirit of Piety and the fear of the Lord. Holiness was written upon all their Habitations, and instruments of their callings; that which was said of
Tyre might in its measure have been truly affirmed of
New-England That her Merchandize was holiness to the Lord: whatever their imployments were as to the occasion of the World, yet their conversation might have been said to be in heaven.
They were careful not only to avoid
[Page 101] gross and scandalous sins, but even the very appearances of evil. Such is the odious and filthy nature of sin, that Christians cannot keep at too great a distance therefrom, so as to hate the very garment spotted with the Flesh. Our Rulers like
Nehemiah would not take that liberty which is usual with men of that capacity in other places, because of the fear of God▪ The Priests or Ministers of the Sanctuary were also cloathed with Salvation. There was no compliance with the World, in the vain customs, and foolish fashions thereof, least they might seem to fall short of the promised rest. They laboured rather to be transformed by the reniewing of their minds, than conformed to the World. Sobriety, Temperance, and Moderation were the guize of those times: Civil imployments were so ordered and managed, as not to hinder the higher designs of Faith and Holiness, and promoting the glory of God. They rested not in outward forms, and modes of Worship and Religion, without the life and power thereof. If there be still, the like awfulness and circumspection in the
[Page 104] hearts and lives of Professors, the same fear of offending, and care of sanctifying the Name of God in all the duties of his Worship, we may then hopefully conclude, that our light shall rise in obscurity, and our darkness be as the noon-day.
Use of Exhortation:
If any design to see the Salvation of God, here is the most compendious way leading thereunto,
viz. To order our Conversation aright: what is required thereunto hath been described before; which all may be reduced to these three heads.
1. To set God at our right hand, and then we shall never be moved by any temptation or tribulation. Set up his Glory as the end we aim at in all our designes: Gods Salvation will certainly fall into all those that will sincerely aim at his glory in all they undertake; both as to their imployments, and injoyments.
He is the life, sayes Moses,
and thy length of thy dayes; who gave us our lives at
[Page 105] first, and lengthens out our dayes, which we should therefore direct all unto his glory as to our last end and chiefest good.
Whether we eat or drink, do all sayes Paul,
to the glory of God. It is the property of all rational Agents, to act for some end; otherwise we act but like bruit creatures, that are led by a kind of sensitive instinct as things and objects are casually presented to their senses or fancies: Now those who are guided by a principle of Reason, can aim at no lower end, than God himself, who is the Author of our being, and proposed that to himself, when he formed us,
that we should be unto his praise. He is the
[...] and
[...] the first and the last Rom. 11. 36.
For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things, to whom be glory for ever, Amen.
2. Make use of all the means which are requisite to the attaining this end which can be no other, than what God himself hath propounded.
Non per ve
[...]itur ad deum, nisi per deum.
[Page 106] Of old time, God himself foreseeing our readiness to shape unto our selves wayes of Worship suitable to our own fancies, hath strictly forbidden all men from lifting up their tools to his Altar: and this is the reason why
David seems to be so much
[...]ommended for a pattern of Obedience
[...]o all the following Kings of
Israel and
Judah, because he was a Man after Gods own heart, that is one that framed all his Actions, Sacred and Civil to answer the
[...]ill of God; as he sayes:
That then he should not be ashamed, when he had respect
[...] the Commandments of God. Psal. 119.
And this was the answer which our Saviour gave to that inquisitive young man concerning the good thing which he
[...]ght to do in order unto life;
If thou
[...] enter into life, keep the Commandments; now this we must take into our thoughts, that there are Evangelical Commandments, as well as legal▪ there is a Command to believe as well as to obey, And that is the great command of the Gospel, The great work of God which we must do, if we would see Gods Salvation, to
[Page 107] believe in him whom he hath sent into the World, to give Salvation to all that obey him Before the Fall it was to do of our selves, by our own strength; since the Fall it is to begin with Faith, which worketh by love, and which is the fulfilling the whole Law. Under that of the Commandments of God are contained all the Duties of Religious Worship, wh
[...] ther natural or instituted, as well as
[...] of righteousness toward men. And
[...] we read in the Gospel, that men are
[...] to Faith and Repentance in order unto Salvation; that is not to exclude, moral Obedience, but to shew us what course we are to take, to be put into a way of Salvation,
viz. to study and put in practice Repentance toward God,
and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ, that thereby being reconciled unto God by the merit of his Son we may be enabled to work out our Salvation in the performance of all such duties of holy Obedience, as God in his Word requires of us. See then if there be any Duty of Gods Worship which we wilfully omit, or any duty of Righteousness,
[Page 108] which we presumptuously transgress, and we shall find it impossible to see Gods Salvation▪ for he that in this manner breaketh any one command of God, is guilty of the breach of all, as the Apostle
James speaketh,
Jam. 2. 10. though he keepeth the whole Law in all other points. The Apostle
Paul in
Gal. 6. 15,
& 16
verses tells us of the new Creature,
If any
[...] be in Christ he is a new creature, in the next verse, he shows us the rule of the
[...]w creature,
As many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy upon the Israel of God. What is that Rule?
The rule of the Gospel, which requires them that believe, to be careful to maintain good works. And in
Gal. 5. 6. tis said▪
Neither Circumcision nor uncircumcision availes any thing to salvation, but Faith, which worketh by love, and love is the fulfilling the whole
[...]. An able Divine and worthy Minister of the Gospel in
England (Mr.
Edward Reyner of
Lincoln,) not long since wrote a Book, which he stileth,
Precepts for Christian Practice, or
the Rule of the New Creature, wherein he hath reduced
[...] of Christianity unto ten heads▪
[Page 109] which he therein largely insists upon, and at the last closeth with a discourse about the government of the thoughts and affections▪
Solomon sums up all in one general Rule,
Pro 4. 23.
Above all keepings keep the heart, for out of it, are the issues of life: the heart is the
primum mobile in the little world of man; the great wheel in that active Engine of our nature: the fountain out of which flows the stream that drives the Mill of all our motions, the root out of which springs the fruits of our whole life: the well governing of that will keep our whole conversation aright; both our thoughts and our words, our affections and actions. Naturallists tell us, there are two great veins that arise out of the heart, the one called
Vena porta, the other
Vena cava, which carry forth out of the heart the spirits that quicken all the whole body: so spiritually, the heart purified by Faith, by those two great issues of Religion and Righteousness maintains the whole frame of obedience in the new creature,
teaching us to deny all ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously▪ and godly in this present world; They that so do are infallibly in the way of Salvation.
[Page 110] 3. With Resolution and Holy Co
[...]
[...]ge continue in the pursuit of all those means to the end, and we shall surely be made to see Gods Salvation: we shall
[...]ast the first fruits of it here, and come to the full fruition of it at last.
It is true many times in the experience of real and sincere Christians, that though they may, (through Grace) sometimes will, yet they know not how to perform: If we be found sincere in our endeavours, our Saviour Christ will put the best construction upon our wayes▪ He is the best Judge of sincerity, for he
[...]ells us, at least, speaks for all his genuine and true Disciples, that the Spirit is willing▪ though the Flesh be weak. Who would not do all they can for so good a Master, that they may be accepted of
[...]im at the last. We should do well to
[...]ind up our hearts to the highest pitch of Resolution, which in this state of imperfection we are capable of. Let every one say for himself in his own particular;
Whatever become of others, as Joshua said of old,
I and my Family will serve the
[Page 111] Lord. And then we may with comfort conclude in the Words of the Psalmist,
That whatever troubles befall us in the way that yet at the end, we shall be made to see the Salvation of God.
FINIS.
Soli Deo Gloria.