advice to sufferers by john bunyan

7/31/2019 Advice to Sufferers by John Bunyan

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AdvicetoSufferers

by

JOHNBUNYAN

Itissaidthatinsomecountriestreeswillgrow,butwillbearnofruit,becausethereisnowinterthere.

REINERPUBLICATIONS

Swengel,Pa.1973


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THE

WORKSOFJOHNBUNYAN

PRACTICALANDALLEGORICAL.

ArrangedandClassified

WithOriginalIntroductionsandNotes.

BYJ.NEWTONBROWN,

EditoroftheEncyclopediaofReligiousKnowledge.

INELEVENVOLUMES.

PUBLISHEDBYTHE

AMERICANBAPTISTPUBLICATIONSOCIETY,118ARCHSTREET,PHILADELPHIA.

1853.


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TOTHECHRISTIANREADER.

BELOVED,Ithoughtitconvenient,sincemanyatthisdayareexposedtosufferings,togivemyadvicetouchingthattothee.Namely,thatthouwouldsttakeheedtothyselfandkeepthysouldiligently,andnotsufferthyselftobeentangledinthosesnaresthatGodhathsufferedtobelaidintheworldforsome.Bewareofmen,isthecounselofChrist,fortheywilldeliveryouup.Mat10:17KeepthouthereforewithintheboundsofuprightnessandintegritytowardsbothGodandman:forthatwillfortify,thatwillpreservethee,ifnotfrom,yetundertherageofmen,inacomfortableandquietframeofheart.Whereforedothat,andthatonly,thatwilljustifythineinnocence,andthatwillhelpthee,notwithforcedspeech,butwithgoodconscience(whenoppressed)tomakethineappealstoGod,andtotheconscienceofallmen.

Thisistheadvicethat(IthankGod)Ihavetakenmyself.ForIfindthatthereisnothing,nexttoGodandhisgracebyChrist,thatcanstandoneinsuchstead,aswillagoodandharmlessconscience.IhopeIcansayGodhasmademeaChristian:andaChristianmustbeaharmlessman,andtothatend,mustembracenothingbutharmlessprinciples.AChristiansbusiness,asaChristian,istobelieveinJesusChristandinGodtheFatherbyhim,andtoseekthegoodofallabouthim,accordingashisplace,stateandcapacityinthisworldwilladmit;notmeddlingwithothermensmatters,buteverfollowingthatwhichisgood.

AChristianisachildofthekingdomofGod,andthatkingdom(takeit

asitbeginsingrace,orasitisperfectedinglory)isnotofthisworld,butofthatwhichistocomeandthough(asmenofold)somemaynowbeafraidofthatkingdom,yetthatkingdomwillhurtnoman,neitherwithitsprinciples,norbyitself.Toinstancesomewhat.FaithinChrist:whatharmcanthatdo?Aliferegulatedbyamorallaw,whathurtisinthat?Rejoicinginspiritforthehopeofthelifetocome,byChrist,whowillthatharm?NoristheinstitutedworshipofourLordofanyeviltendency.Christianityteachesusalsotodoourenemiesgood;tolovethemthathateus,andtoprayforthemthatdespitefullyuseusandpersecuteus;andwhatevilcanbeinthat?ThisisthesumoftheChristianreligion,(asbythewordmaybeplainlymadetoappear)whereforeIcounseltheetokeepclosetothesethings,andtouchnothingthatjostleththerewith.

Nordothoumarvel,(thoulivingthus)ifsomeshouldbesofoolishastoseekthyhurt,andtoafflictthee,becausethyworksaregood.1Joh3:12.For

thereisneedthatthoushouldstatsometimesbeinmanifoldtemptations,thygoodandinnocentlifenotwithstanding.1Pet1:6.For,toomitotherthings,therearesomeofthegracesofGodthatareinthee,thatastosomeoftheiracts,cannotshowthemselves,northeirexcellency,northeirpower,norwhattheycando;butasthouartinasufferingstate.Faithandpatience,inpersecution,havethattodo,thattoshow,andthattoperform,thatcannotbedone,shown,norperformed,anywhereelsebutthere.Thereisalsoapatienceofhope;arejoicinginhope,whenweareintribulation,thatisoverandabovethatwhichwehavewhenweareateaseandquiet.Thatalsothatallgracescanendure,andtriumphover,shallnotbeknown,butwhen,andasweareinastateofaffliction.NowtheseactsofourgracesareofthatworthandesteemwithGod,alsohesomuchdelightethinthem,thatoccasionthroughhisrighteousjudgment,mustbeministeredforthemtoshowtheirbeauty,andwhatbraverythereisinthem.It

isalsotobeconsideredthatthoseactsofourgraces,thatcannotbeputforth,orshowthemselvesintheirsplendor,butwhenwechristianlysuffer,willyieldsuchfruittothosewhosetrialscallthemtoexercise,aswillinthedayofGod,aboundtotheircomfortandtendtotheirperfectioninglory.1Pet1:7;2Cor4:17.

Whythenshouldwethinkthatourinnocentliveswillexemptusfromsufferings,orthattroublesshalldoussuchharm?ForverilyitisforourpresentandfuturegoodthatourGoddothsendthemuponus.Icounttherefore,thatsuchthingsarenecessaryforthehealthofoursouls,asbodilypainsandlaborareforthebody.Peoplethatlivehigh,andinidleness,bringdiseasesuponth


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ebody;andtheythatliveinallfullnessofgospelordinances,andarenotexercisedwithtrials,growgross,arediseasedandfullofbadhumorsintheirsouls.Andthoughthismaytosomeseemstrange;yetourdayhasgivenussuchanexperimentalproofofthetruththereof,ashasnotbeenknownforsomeagespast.

Alas!wehaveneedofthosebitterpills,atwhichwesomuchwinceandshrink:anditwillbewellifatlastwebepurgedasweshouldthereby.Iamsurewearebutlittlethebetterasyet,thoughthephysicianhashadussolonginhand.Somebadhumorsmaypossibly,erelongbedrivenout;butatpresentthediseaseissohigh,thatitmakessomeprofessorsfearmoreaconsumptionwillbemadeintheirpursesbythesedoses,thandesiretobemadebetterintheirsoulsthereby.IseethatIstillhaveneedofthesetrials;andifGodwillbythese,judgemeashejudgeshissaints,thatImaynotbecondemnedwiththeworld,Iwillcry,Grace,graceforever!

Theconsiderationalsothatwehavedeservedthesethings,muchsilencesmeastowhatmayyethappenuntome.Isay,tothinkthatwehavedeservedthemofGod,(thoughagainstmenwehavedonenothing)makesmelaymyhanduponmymouth,andcausesmetoholdmytongue.Shallwedeservecorrection,andbeangrybecausewehaveit?Orshallitcometosaveus,andshallwebeoffendedwiththehandthatbringsit?Oursicknessissogreatthatourenemiestakenoticeofit;letthemknow,too,thatwealsotakeourpurgespatiently.Wearewillingtopayforthosepotionsthataregivenusforthehealthofourbody,howsicksoevertheymakeus;andifGodwillhaveuspay,too,forthatwhichistobetteroursouls,whyshouldwegrudgethereat?Thosethatbringusthesemedicin

eshavelittleenoughfortheirpains.Formypart,Iprofess,Iwouldnotforagreatdeal,bebound,fortheirwages,todotheirwork.True,physiciansareforthemostpartchargeable,andniggardsaretoolothtopartwiththeirmoneytothem;butwhennecessitysaystheymusteithertakephysic,ordie:oftwoevilstheydesiretochoosetheleast.Why,afflictionisbetterthansin,andifGodsendstheonetocleanseusfromtheother,letusthankhim,andbealsocontenttopaythemessenger.

Andthouthatartsolothtopayforthysinning,andforthemeansthatputtheeuponthatexerciseofthygraces,thatwillbeforthygoodhereafter;takeheedoftemptingGod,lesthedoublethispotionuntothee.Thechildbyeatingofrawfruitstandsinneedofphysic,butthechildofachildishhumorrefusethtotakethepotion;whatfollowsbutadoublingoftheaffliction,namely,frowns,chides,furtherthreatenings,andaforcingofthebitterpillsupon

him.Butletme-topersuadetheetoliedownandtakethypotion-tellthee,itisofabsolutenecessity,thatis,forthyspiritualandinternalhealth.For,first,Isitbetterthatthoureceivejudgmentinthisworld,orthatthoustayforit,tobecondemnedwiththeungodlyinthenext?Secondly,Isitbetterthatthoushouldst,astosomeactsofthygraces,beforeign,andastranger,andconsequentlythatthoushouldstlosethatfarmoreexceeding,andeternalweightofglorythatispreparedastherewardthereof?OrthatthoushouldstreceiveitatthehandofGod,whenthedayshallcomethateverymanshallhavepraiseofhimfortheirdoings?Thirdly,Isayagain,sincechastisementsareasignofsonship,atokenoflove,andthecontraryasignofbastardy,andatokenofhatred,(Heb12:6-8;Hos4:14)isitnotbetterthatwebearthosetokensandmarksinourfleshthatbespeakustobelongtoChrist,thanthosethatdeclareustobenoneofhis?Formypart,Godhelpmetochooserathertosufferafflict

ionwiththepeopleofGod,thantoenjoythepleasuresofsinforaseason.AndGodofhismercypreparemeforhiswill.Iamnotforrunningmyselfintosufferings,butifgodlinesswillexposemetothem,theLordGodmakememoregodlystill!ForIbelievethereisaworldtocome.

But,Christianreader,Iwouldnotdetaintheefromasightofthosesheetsinthyhand.Onlyletmebegofthee,thatthouwiltnotbeoffended,eitherwithGodormen,ifthecrossislaidheavyuponthee.NotwithGod;forhedothnothingwithoutacause:norwithmen;fortheyarethehandofGod;and(willthey,nillthey)theyaretheservantsofGodtotheeforgood.Ps17:14;Jer24.


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5.TakethereforewhatcomestotheefromGodbythem,thankfully.Ifthemessengerthatbringsitisgladthatitisinhispowertodotheehurt,andtoafflictthee;ifheskipsforjoyatthycalamity;besorryforhim,pityhim,andpraytothyFatherforhim:heisignorantandunderstandethnotthejudgmentofthyGod;yea,heshowethbythishisbehaviour,thatthoughheasGodsordinanceserveththeebyafflictingthee:yetmeanshenothinglessthantodestroythee,bywhichalsoheprognosticatesbeforetheethatheisworkingouthisowndamnationbydoingtheegood.Laythereforethewoefulstateofsuchtoheart,andrenderhimthatwhichisgood,forhisevil;andloveforhishatredtothee;thenshaltthoushowthatthouartactuatedbyaspiritofholiness,andartlikethyheavenlyFather.Andbeitso,thatthypityandprayerscandosuchaonenogood,yettheymustlightsomewhere;orreturnagainasshipscomeloadenfromtheIndies,fullofblessingsintothineownbosom.

Andbesidesallthis,istherenothingindarkprovidences,forthesakeofthesightandobservationofwhich,suchadaymayberenderedlovely,whenitisuponus?IstherenothingofGod,ofhiswisdomandpowerandgoodness,tobeseeninthunderandlightning,inhailstones,instorms,indarkness,andtempests?Whythenisitsaid,hehathhiswayinthewhirlwindandstorm?Nah1:3.AndwhyhaveGodsservantsofoldmadesuchnotes,andobservedfromthemsuchexcellentandwonderfulthings?ThereisthatofGodtobeseeninsuchadayascannotbeseeninanother.Hispowerinholdingupsome,hiswrathinleavingothers;hismakingshrubstostand,andhissufferingcedarstofall;hisinfatuatingthecounselsofmen,andhismakingthedeviltooutwithimself;hisgivinghispresencetohispeople,andhisleavinghisfoesinthedark;hisdiscoveri

ngtheuprightnessoftheheartsofhissanctifiedones,andlayingopenthehypocrisyofothers;allthisisaworkingofspiritualwondersinthedayofhiswrath,andofthewhirlwindandstorm.Thesedays!Thesedaysarethedaysthatdomostaptlyofany,giveanoccasiontoChristians,totaketheexactestmeasuresandscantlingsofourselves.Weareapttoovershoot,indaysthatarecalm,andtothinkourselvesfarhigher,andmorestrongthanwefindwebe,whenthetryingdayisuponus.ThemouthofGaalandtheboastsofPeterweregreatandhighbeforethetrialcame,butwhenthatcame,theyfoundthemselvestofallfarshortofthecouragetheythoughttheyhad.Judges9:38;Mat26:33-35;69-75.


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Wealso,beforethetemptationcomes,thinkwecanwalkuponthesea;butwhenthewindsblow,wefeelourselvesbegintosink.Hencesuchatimeisrightlysaidtobeatimetotryus,ortofindoutwhatweare,andistherenogoodinthis?Isitnotthisthatrectifiesourjudgmentaboutourselves,thatmakesustoknowourselves,thattendstocutoffthosesuperfluoussprigsofprideandself-conceit,wherewithwearesubjecttobeovercome?Isnotsuchaday,thedaythatbendsus,humblesus,andmakesusbowbeforeGod,forourfaultscommittedinourprosperity?Andyetdothityieldnogooduntous?WecouldnotlivewithoutsuchturningsofthehandofGoduponus.Weshouldbeovergrownwithflesh,ifwehadnotourseasonablewinters.Itissaidthatinsomecountriestreeswillgrow,butwillbearnofruit,becausethereisnowinterthere.TheLordblessallseasonstohispeople,andhelpthemrightlytobehavethemselvesunderallthetimesthatgooverthem.

Farewell.Iamthinetoservetheeinthegospel,JOHNBUNYAN.


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CHAPTERI.

EXHORTATIONOFTHETEXTEXPLAINED.

WHEREFORE,LETTHEMTHATSUFFERACCORDINGTOTHEWILLOFGOD,COMMITTHEKEEPINGOFTHEIRSOULSTOHIMINWELLDOING,ASUNTOAFAITHFULCREATOR.1Pe4:19.

THISepistlewaswrittentosaintsinaffliction,speciallythoseofthecircumcision,forwhomthisPeterwasanapostle.Anditwaswrittentothemtocounselandcomfortthemintheiraffliction.Tocounselthemastothecauseforwhichtheywereinafflictions;andastotherightmanagementofthemselves,andtheircauseundertheiraffliction.TocomfortthemalsobothwithrespecttotheirpresenthelpfromGod;andalsowithreferencetothereward(theyfaithfullycontinuingtotheend)thatshouldofGodbebestoweduponthem.Allwhichweshallhaveoccasion,moredistinctlytohandleinthisfollowingdiscourse.

Thetextisaconclusion,drawnfromthecounselandcomfortwhichtheApostlehadaforegiventhemintheirsufferingstate.Asifheshouldsay,Mybrethren,asyouarenowafflicted,sosufferingsareneedfulforyou,andthereforeprofitableandadvantageous.Whereforebecontenttobearthem.AndthatyoumayindeedbearthemwithsuchChristiancontentedness,andpatienceasbecomesyou;committhekeepingofyoursoulstoyourGodasuntoafaithfulCreator.LetthemthatsufferaccordingtothewillofGod,committhekeepingoftheirsoulsuntohi

minwelldoing,asuntoafaithfulCreator.Inthisconclusion,therefore,wehavethreethingsveryfitforsuffererstoconcernthemselveswith.

I. AdirectiontoADUTYofabsolutenecessity.II. AdescriptionofTHEPERSONS,whoareuntothissonecessaryad

utydirected.III. AninsinuationofTHEGOODEFFECTthatwillcertainlyfollow,to

thosethatafteraduemannershalltakethisblessedadvice.

Thedutysoabsolutelynecessary,is,thatsuffererscommitthekeepingoftheirsoulstoGod.Thesufferershereintended,arethosethatsufferaccordingtothewillofGod.Thegoodinsinuated,thatwillbetheeffectofourtruedoingofthis,is,weshallfindGodafaithfulCreator.

Wewillfirst,beginwithTHEDUTYthatsufferersareheredirectedto,namely,thecommittingoftheirsoulstoGod.Letthemcommitthekeepingoftheirsoultohim,inwelldoing.AndIfindtwothingsinit,thatfirstcallforexplainingbeforeIproceed.

1.Whatwemusthereunderstandbythesoul.2.WhatbycommittingthesoultoGod.

Forthefirst.THESOUL,here,istobetakenforthatmostexcellentpartofman,thatdwellethinthebody;thatimmortal,spiritualsubstance,thatisandwillbecapableoflife,andmotion,ofsenseandreason;-yea,thatwillabidearationalbeing,whenthebodyisreturnedtothedustasitwas.Thisisthatgreatthing,thatourLordJesusintends,whenhebidshisdisciplesinadayoftrial,fearhimthatcandestroybothbodyandsoulinhell.(Luke12:5.

)Thatgreatthing,Isay,thathetherecautionsthemtotakecareof.AccordingtoPeterhere,Letthemcommitthekeepingoftheirsoultohiminwell-doing.

Secondly,NowtocommitthissoultoGod,istocarryittohim,toliftittohim,uponbendedknees,andtoprayhimfortheLordJesusChristslife,totakeitintohisholycare,andtoletitbeunderhiskeeping.Also,thathewillpleasetodeliveritfromallthosesnaresthatarelaidforit,betwixtthisandthenextworld,andthathewillseethatitbeforthcoming,safeandsound,atthegreatandterriblejudgment,notwithstandingsomanyhaveengagedthemselvesagainstit.ThusDavidcommittedhissoultoGod,whenhesaid,Arise,0


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Lord,disappointhim:casthimdown:delivermysoul,0Lord,fromthewicked,whichisthysword.Andagain,Bepleased,0Lord,todeliverme;0Lord,makehastetohelpme:letthembeashamedandconfoundedtogether,thatseekaftermysoultodestroyit.Ps17:13;Ps40:13,14.

Thus,IhaveshowedyouwhattheSoulis,andwhatitistocommitthesoultoGod.Thisthenisthedutythattheapostlehereexhorteththesufferersto,namely,tocarrytheirsoultoGod,andleaveitwithhimwhiletheyengageforhisnameintheworld.Nowfromtheapostlesexhortationtothisgreatduty,Iwilldrawthesefollowingconclusions.

First,Thatwhenpersecutionisraisedagainstapeople,thereisadesignlaidfortheruinofthosepeoplessouls.This,Isay,dothnaturallyfollowfromtheexhortation.Whyelse,needtheytocommitthekeepingoftheirsoulstoGod?Forbythisword,CommitthemuntoGodtokeepthem,issuggested-thereis,thatwoulddestroythem,andthatthereforepersecutionisraisedagainstthem.

Iamnotsouncharitable,astothink,thatpersecutingmendesignthis.ButIverilybelievethatthedevildothdesignthis,whenhestirsthemuptososorryawork.Intimesoftrial,saysPeter,Thedevilyouradversarygoethaboutlikearoaringlion,seekingwhomhemaydevour.1Pet5:8,9.

Alas!menintheiractsofthisnature,havedesignsthatarelowerandofamoreinferiorrank.Someofthemlooknohigherthanrevengeuponthecarcase,thanthespoilingoftheirneighbourofhisestate,liberty,orlife,thanthegreateningofthemselvesinthisworld,bytheruinsofthosethattheyhavepowertospoil.Theirpossessorsslaythem,andholdthemselvesnotguilty;andt

heythatsellthem,say,BlessedbetheLord,forIamrich.Zech11:4,5.Ay!ButSatanwillnotbeputoffthus.Itisnotabagofmoney,orthepunishingofthecarcaseofsuchapeople,thatwillpleaseorsatisfyhim.Itisthesoulthatheaimsat;theruinoftheprecioussoulthathehathbenthimselftobringtopass.ItisthisthereforethatPeterherehathhisheartconcernedwith.As,ifheshouldsay,Mybrethren,areyoutroubledandpersecutedforyourfaith?Looktoit,thehandofSatanisinthisthing;andwhatevermendriveatbydoingastheydo,thedevildesignsnolessthanthedamnationofyoursouls.Ware!hawk,saiththefalconer,whenthedogsarecomingnearher:especiallyifshebetoomuchmindingofherbelly,andtooforgetfulofwhatthenatureofthedogis.BewareChristian!takeheedChristian!thedevilisdesiroustohavethee!

And,whocouldbettergivethisexhortationthancouldPeterhimself?Whofornottakingheedastothisverything,hadliketohavebeenswallowedup

alivebythedevil:asismanifesttothemthatheedfullyread,andconsiderhowfarhewasgone,whenthatpersecutionwasraisedagainsthisMaster.Luke22:31-62.

Whenatyrantgoestodispossessaneighbouringprinceofwhatislawfullyhisown,thementhatheemployethatarmstoovercome,andgettheland,fightforhalf-crowns,andthelike,andarecontentwiththeirwages.Butthetyrantisforthekingdom!nothingwillservehimbutthekingdom!Thisisthecase.Men,whentheypersecute,areforthestuff;butthedevilisforthesoul,norwillanythinglessthanthat,satisfyhim.LethimthenthatisasufferercommitthekeepingofhissoultoGod;leststuff,andsoul,andallbelostatonce.

Secondly,Asecondconclusionthatfollowethuponthesewords,isthis:

Thatsufferers,iftheyhavenotacare,maybetoonegligentastothesecuringoftheirsoulswithGod,evenwhenpersecutionisuponthem.Forthesewords,astheyareaninstruction,sotheyareanawakeninginstruction;theycallastopeopleindanger;astopeople,notsoawareofthedanger,orasuntoapeoplethatforget(toomuch)thattheirsouls,andtheruinofthem,aresoughtafterbySatan,whentroubleattendsthemforthegospel,sake.As,ifheshouldsay,Whentroublesareuponyouforthegospelssake,thentakeheedthatyouforgetnottocommityoursoulstothekeepingofGod.WearenaturallyaptwiththatgoodmanGideon,tobethreshingoutourwheat,thatwemayhideitfromtheMidianites,(Judg6:11)butwearenotsonaturallyapttobebusyingourselvestose


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cureoursoulswithGod.Thereasonis,thatwearemorefleshthanspirit,andbecausethevoiceoftheworldmakesabiggersoundinourcarnalmindthanthewordofGoddoth.WhereforePeter,here,callsuponusasuponmenofforgetfulminds,saying,LetthemthatsufferaccordingtothewillofGod,haveacareoftheirsouls,andtakeheed,thatthefearsofthelossofalittleofthisworld,donotmakethemforgetthefearofthelosingoftheirsouls.Thatsufferersaresubjecttothis,mayappearbythestir,andbustlethatatsuchatimetheymaketolockallupsafethatthehandofmancanreach,whiletheyarecold,chill,remiss,andtooindifferentaboutthecommittingoftheirsoultoGodtokeepit.Thisisseenalso,inthatmany,inatimeoftroublefortheirprofession,willstudymoretodeceivethemselvesbyachangeofnotions,bylaboringtopersuadetheirconsciencestoadmitthemtowalkmoreatlarge,byhearkeningtoopinionsthatpleaseandgratifytheflesh,byadheringtobadexamples,andtakingevilcounsels,thantheywilltomakestraightstepsfortheirfeet;andtocommitthekeepingoftheirsoulstoGod.WhatshallIsay?Havetherenotbeenmany,thatsolongaspeacehaslasted,havebeengreatswaggerersforreligion,whoyetsosoonasthesunhaswaxedwarm,haveflagged,havebeendiscontented,offended,andturnedawayfromhimthatspeakethfromheaven?Allwhichisbecausemenarenaturallyapttobemoreconcernedfortheirgoods,carnalpeace,andatemporallife,thantheyareaboutsecuringtheirsoulswithGod.WhereforeIsay,thesewordsarespokentoawakenustoconsiderationofthesoulsconcerns,andhowthatshouldbesafelylodgedunderthecare,protection,andmercyofGod,byourcommittingittohim,forthatpurpose,byJesusChristourLord.

Thirdly,Anotherconclusionthatfollowethuponthisexhortation,isthi

s:Thatpersecutiondoth,sometimes,sohotlyfollowGodspeople,astoleavethemnothingbutasoultocarefor.Theyhavehadnohouse,noland,nomoney,nogoods,nolife,noliberty,leftthemtocarefor.Allisgonebutthesoul.Goodshavebeenconfiscated,libertyhasbeeninirons,thelifecondemned,theneckinahalter,orthebodyinthefire.Sothenall,tosuch,hasbeengone,andtheyhavehadnothingleftthemtocareforbuttheirsoul.LetthemcommitthekeepingoftheirsoultoGod.Thisconclusion,Isay,dothnaturallyflowfromthewords.Fortheapostleheredothmakementiononlyofthesoul,asofthatwhichisleft-asofthatwhichyetremainstothesuffererofallthateverhehad.ThustheyservedChrist;theylefthimnothingbuthissoultocarefor.ThustheyservedStephen;theylefthimnothingbuthissoultocarefor.Andtheybothcaredforthat.Father,intothyhandsIcommendmyspirit,saidJesus.AndLordJesus,receivemyspirit,werethelastwordsofStephen.Asforallothert

hings,theyweregone.TheypartedtheveryclothesofChristamongthemselves,beforehisface,whilehedidhangpouringouthislifebeforethem,uponthetree.Theypartedmygarmentsamongthem,saidhe,anduponmyvesturedidtheycastlots.Mat27:35;Mark15:24;Joh19:23,24.ThisalsohasoftentimesbeentheconditionoflaterChristians;allhasbeengone,theyhavebeenstriptofall.Nothinghasbeenleftthembutthesoultocarefor.Jobsaid,thathehadescapedwiththeskinofhisteeth;(andthatisbutalittle)buthedothnotescapewithsomuch,thatlosesallthathehas,lifeandall;wenowexceptthesoul.But,

Fourthly,Anotherthingthatfollowethfromthewordsisthis,namely,Thatwhenthedevilandwickedmenhavedonewhattheycould,inpersecutingthegodly,theyhaveyethadtheirsoulsattheirowndisposal...Theyhavenotbeenabletorobthemoftheirsouls;theyarenotabletohurttheirsouls.Thesou

lisnotintheirpowertotouch,withouttheleaveofGod,andofhimwhosesoulitis.Andfearnotthem,saithChrist,thatkillthebody,butarenotabletokillthesoul.Mat10:28.This,Isay,liesclearalsointhetext,fortheexhortationsupposes,thatwhateverthesuffererstheremadementionof,hadlost,theyhadyettheirsoulsattheirowndisposal.LetthemthatBuffer,eventothelossofgoods,liberty,orlife,committhekeepingoftheirsoultoGod.As,ifheshouldsay,Thoughtheenemyhathreachedthemtotheirall,andstrippedthemoftheirall,yetIknow,thattheirsoulisnotamongthatall.Fortheirsoulisyetfreefromthem,atliberty,andmaybedisposedof,evenasthesuffererwill.Wherefore,lethimcommitthekeepingofhissoultoGod,lesthealsot


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hroughhisnegligenceorcarelessnessbealsospoiledofthat.Thesuffererthereforehathhissoulathisowndisposal;hemaygivethatawaytoGodAlmighty,inspiteofallthatthedevilandtheworldcando.Hemayindeedseemenpartinghisland,hishouseholdstuff,yea,hisveryraimentamongthemselves,buttheycannotsodisposeofhissoul.Theyhavenomorethattheycando.Lu12:5.

Fifthly,Anotherconclusionthatfollowethfromthesewordsisthis,Thataman,whenheisasufferer,isnotabletosecurehisownsoulfromthehandofhell,byanyothermeansbutbycornmittingthekeepingthereoftoGod.Doyousuffer?Areyouinafflictionforyourprofession?Thenkeepnotyoursoulinyourownhand,forfearoflosingthatwiththerest.Fornomancankeepalivehisownsoul.Ps22:29.No,notinthegreatestcalm;no,notwhenthelionisasleep,howthenshouldhedoitatsuchatime,whenthehorribleblastoftheterribleonesshallbeatagainsthiswall.Theconsiderationofthiswasthat,thatmadeholyPaul,whowasamanuponwhompersecutioncontinuallyattended,commithissoultoGod.Acts20:23;2Tim1:12.God,asIshallshowyoubyandby,ishe,andhealonethatisabletokeepthesoul,anddeliveritfromdanger.Manisnaturallyaself-deceiver,andthereforeisnottobetrusted,anyfartherthanasthewatchfuleyeofGodisoverhim.Butastohissoulheisnottobetrustedwiththatatall;thatmustbewhollycommittedtoGod,leftaltogetherwithhim,laidathisfeet;andhealsomusttakethechargethereof,orelseitisgone,willbelost,andwillperishforeverandever.

Whereforeitisadangerousthingforamanthatisasufferer,tobeasenselessman,astothedangerthathissoulisin,andaprayerlessman,astothecommittingofthekeepingofittoGod.Forhethatissuch,hasyethisso

ul,andthekeepingthereof,inhisowndeceitfulhand.Andsohashealsothatstayshimselfuponhisfriends,uponhisknowledge,thepromiseofmen,orthemercyofhisenemies;orthathassetinhismindaboundtohimself,howfarhewillventureforreligion,andwherehewillstop.ThisisthemanthatmakesnotGodhistrust,andthatthereforewillsurelyfallinthedayofhistemptation.

Satan,whonowhuntethfortheprecioussoultodestroyit,haspower,aswellaspolicy,beyondwhatmancanthink.Hehaspowertoblind,harden,andtomakeinsensible,theheart.Healsocanmaketruthintheeyesofthesufferingman,apoor,little,andinsignificantthing.JudashadnotcommittedthekeepingofhissoultoGod,butabodeinhimself,andwasleftinhistabernacle.Andyoubyandbysee,whataworthypricehesetuponhimself,hisChrist,andh

eaven,andall!Alltohimwasnotnowworththirtypiecesofsilver.And,asSatancanmaketruthinthyesteemtobelittle,sohecanmakesufferingsgreat,andtentimesmoreterrible,thanhethathathcommittedthekeepingofhissoultoGod,shalleverfindthem.Ajailshalllookasblackashell,andthelossofafewstoolsandchairs,asbadasthelossofsomanybagsofgold.DeathfortheSaviouroftheworld,shallseemtobeathingbothunreasonableandintolerable.Suchwillchoosetorunthehazardofthelossofathousandsouls,inthewayoftheworld,ratherthanthelossofonepoorsorry,transitorylifefortheholywordofGod!Butthereason,asIsaid,is,theyhavenotcommittedthekeepingoftheirsoultoGod.Forhethatindeedhascommittedthekeepingofhissoultothatgreatone,hasshakenhishandsofallthingshere.Hehasbidadieutotheworld,tofriends,andlife;hewaitethuponGodinawayofclosekeepingtohistruth,andwalkinginhisways,havingcountedthecost,andbeen

persuadedtotakewhatcupGodshallsuffertheworldtogivehimforsodoing.Sixthly,Anotherconclusionthatfollowethfromthesewordsis:ThatGodisverywillingtotakethechargeandcareofthesoul(thatiscommitteduntohim)ofthemthatsufferforhissakeintheworld.Ifthiswerenottrue,theexhortationwouldnotanswertheend.Whatisintendedby,LethimcommitthekeepingofhissoultoGod,butthatthesufferershouldindeedleavethatgreatcarewithhim;butifGodbenotwillingtobeconcernedwithsuchacharge,whatbottomistherefortheexhortation?Buttheexhortationhasthisforitsbottom.ThereforeGodiswillingtotakethechargeandcareofthesoulofhimthatsufferethforhisnameinthisworld.TheLordredeemeththesoulofhisservants,


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andnoneofthemthattrustinhimshallbedesolate.1Sam25:28,29;Ps34:22.None,notonethatcommittethhissoultoGodskeepinginawayofwelldoing,butshallfindhimwillingtobeconcernedtherewith.

Ay,this,(saiththesufferer)ifIcouldbelievethis,itwouldridmeofallmyfears.ButIfindmyselfengagedforGod,(forIhavemadeaprofessionofhisname)andcannotarrivetothisbeliefthatGodiswillingtotakethechargeandcareofmysoul.WhereforeIfear,thatiftrialscomesohigh,asthatlife,aswellestate,mustgo,thatbothlife,andestate,andsoul,andallwillbelostatonce.

Well,honestheart,thesearethyfears;butletthemflyaway,andconsiderthetextagain.LetthemthatsufferaccordingtothewillofGod,committhekeepingoftheirsoulstohimasuntoafaithfulCreator.TheseareGodswords,Christswords,andtheinvitationoftheHolyGhost.Whenthereforethoureadestthem,bepersuadedthatthouhearesttheFather,andtheSon,andtheHolyGhost,allofthemjointly,andseverallyspeakingtotheeandsaying,Poorsinner,thouartengagedforGodintheworld;thouartsufferingforhisword:leavethysoulwithhimaswithonethatismorewillingtosaveit,thanthouartwillingheshould:actfaith,trustGod,believehisword,andgooninthywayofwitness-bearingforhim,andthoushaltfindallwell,andaccordingtothedesireofthyheartatlast.True,Satanwillmakeithisbusinesstotempttheetodoubtofthis,thatthywaymaybemadeyetmorehard,anddifficulttothee.Forheknowsthatunbeliefisasoul-perplexingsin,andmakesthatwhichwouldotherwisebelight,pleasantandeasy,unutterablyheavyandburdensometothesufferer.

Yet,thishedothinhopetomaketheeatlast,castawaythyprofession,thycause,thyfaith,thyconscience,thysoulandall.ButhearwhattheHolyGhostsaithagain:Heshallsparethepoorandneedy,andshallsavethesoulsoftheneedy.Heshallredeemtheirsoulfromdeceitandviolence,andpreciousshalltheirbloodbeinhissight.Ps72:13,14.Thesewordsalsoarespokenforthecomfortofsufferers,(v.12)Forheshalldelivertheneedywhenhecrieth;thepooralso,andhimthathathnohelper.Wherefore,letthemthatareGodssufferers,pluckupagoodheart.LetthemnotbeafraidtotrustGodwiththeirsouls,andwiththeireternalconcerns.LetthemcastalltheircareuponGod,forhecarethforthem.1Pe5:7.But(saysonesufferer)Iaminthedark."

Ianswer,neverstickatthat.Itismostbravelydone,totrustGodwithmysoulinthedark;andtoresolvetoserveGodfornothing,ratherthangive

out.Nottosee,andyettobelieve;tobeafolloweroftheLamb,andyettobeatuncertainty,whatweshallhaveatlast;argueslove,fear,faith,andanhonestmind,andgivesthegreatestsignofonethathathtruesincerityinhissoul.ItwasthisthatmadeJobandPetersofamous,andthewantofitthatwhichtookawaymuchofthegloryofthefaithofThomas.Job1:8-10;Mat19:27;Joh20:29.WhereforebelieveverilythatGodisready,willing,yea,thathelooksfor,andexpectsthatthouwhoartasufferershouldcommitthekeepingofthysoultohim,asuntoafaithfulCreator.

Seventhly,Anotherconclusionthatfollowethfromthesewordsisthis,namely,ThatGodisableaswellaswilling,tosecurethesoulsofhissufferingsaints,andtosavethemfromtheevilofalltheirtrials,betheyneversomany,diverse,orterrible.

LetthemcommitthekeepingoftheirsoulstoGod.Buttowhatboot,ifhe

benotabletokeepitinhishand,andfromthepowerofhimthatseeksthesoultodestroyit?MyFatherthatgavethemme,(saithChrist)isgreaterthanall,andnomanisabletopluckthemoutofmyFathershand.Joh10:29.Sothentherecanbenosorrow,affliction,ormiseryinvented,bywhichthedevilmaysostronglyprevail,astherebytopluckthesouloutofthehandofhim,whohasreceivedit,tokeepitfromfalling,andperishingthereby.ThetextthereforesupposesasufficiencyofpowerinGodtosupport,andasufficiencyofcomfortandgoodnesstoemboldenthesoultoendureforhim;letSatanbreakout,andhisinstrumentstoo,tothegreatestdegreeoftheirrageandcruelty.

First,ThereisinGodasufficiencyofpowertokeepthemthathavelai


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dtheirsoulathisfoottobepreserved.Andhenceheiscalledthesoul-keeper,thesoul-preserver.Prov24:12.TheLordisthykeeper;theLordisthyshade,uponthyrighthand.Thesunshallnotsmitetheebyday,northemoonbynight.TheLordshallpreservetheefromallevil,heshallpreservethysoul.Ps221:5,6,7.Thesunshallnotsmitethee:thatis,persecutionshallnotdry,andwithertheeawaytonothing.Mat13:6,21.Butthatnotwithstanding,thoushaltbekeptandpreserved,carriedthroughanddeliveredfromallevil.Lethimtherefore,ifheisinasufferingcondition,committhekeepingofhissoultohim,thatwouldhaveitsecuredandfoundsafeandsoundatlast.For,

1.Thenthineownnaturalweakness,andtimorousnessshallnotovercomethee.ForitshallnotbetoobardforGod.Godcanmakethemostsoft-spiritedman,ashardasadamant,harderthanflint,yeaharderthanthenorthernsteel.Shallironbreakthenortherniron,andthesteel?Jer15:12.TheswordofhimisinvainthatlaysataChristian,whenheisinthewayofhisdutytoGod.IfGodhastakentohimthechargeandcareofhissoul,hecanshoehimwithbrass,andmakehishoofsofiron.Hecanstrengthenthespoiledagainstthestrong:sothatthespoiledshallcomeagainstthefortress.Eze13:9;Deu33:25;Amos5:8.Hecanturntheeintoanotherman,andmaketheethatwhichthouneverwast.TimorousPeter,fearfulPeter,hecouldmakeasboldasalion.Hecouldmakehimthatatonetimewasafraidofasorrygirl,atanothertostandboldlybeforethecouncil.Mat26:69;Acts4:13.ThereisnothingtoohardforGod.Hecansaytothemthatareofafearfulheart,Bestrong,fearnot.Hecansay,Lettheweaksay,Iamstrong;bysuchawordtoobywhichhecreatedtheworld.Isa35:3,4;Zech12:8.

2.Thineownnaturaldarknessandignoranceshallnotcausetheetofall.Thywantofwithecansupply.Hecansaytothefools,bewise;notonlybywayofcorrection,butalsobywayofinstructiontoo.Hehaschosenthefoolishthingsofthisworld,toconfoundthewise:yea,thingsthataredespised,andthingsthatarenot,hathGodchosentobringtonoughtthingsthatare.1Co1:28.Wisdomandmightarehis,andwherehewillwork,nonecanatallwithstandhim.Hecangivethespiritofwisdom,andrevelationintheknowledgeofhisSon.Eph1:17.Yea,todothis,isthatwhichhechallengeth,asthatwhichispeculiartohimself.Whobathputwisdomintheinwardpart,orwhohathgivenunderstandingtotheheart?Job30:35.Andthathewilldothis,thathehathpromised;yea,promisedtodoittothatdegree,astomakehis,thatshallbethusconcernedforhim,totop,andovertopallmenthatshallopposethem.I,saithhe,willgiveyouamouthandwisdom,thatallyouradversariesshallnotbeabletog

ainsayorresist.Luke21:15.3.Thineowndoubtsandmistrusts,aboutwhathewilldo,andaboutwhitherthoushaltgo,(whenthouforhimbathsufferedawhile)hecanresolve,yea,dissolve,crush,andbringtonothing.Hecanmakefearfleefataway;andplaceheavenlyconfidenceinitsroom.Hecanbringinvisible,andeternalthingstotheeyeofthysoul,andmaketheeseethatinthosethings,inwhichthineenemiesshallseenothing,thatthoushaltcountitworththelossoftenthousandlivestoenjoy.Hecanpullsuchthingsoutofhisbosom,andcanputsuchthingsintothymouth,asthouhastnotthought;yea,canmaketheechoosetobegone,thoughthroughtheflames,thantostayhereanddieinsilkensheets.Yea,hecanhimselfcomenear,andbringhisheavenandglorytothee.TheSpiritofgloryandofGodrestethuponthemthatarebutreproachedforthenameofChrist.1Pe4:14.AndwhattheSpiritofgloryis,andwhatishisrestinguponhissuf

ferers,isquitebeyondtheknowledgeoftheworld,andisbutlittlefeltbysaintsatpeace.Theybetheythatareengaged,andthatareunderthelashforChrist;theyarethey,Isay,thathaveitandthatunderstandsomethingofit.WhenMoseswentupthefirsttimeintothemounttoGod,thepeoplereproachedhimforstayingwithhimsolong,saying,AsforthisMoses,wewotnotwhatisbecomeofhim.Well,thenexttimehewentupthither,andcamedown,theSpiritofglorywasuponhim;hisfaceshone,(thoughhewistitnot)tohishonor,andtheiramazement.Exo31:1;34:29-35.AlsowhileStephenstoodbeforethecounciltobeaccusedbysubornedmen,allthatsatinthecouncillookedsteadfastlyonhim,andsawhisface,asithadbeenthefaceofanangel.Act6:15.Thosethat


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honorGod,hewillhonor;yea,willputsomeofhisgloryuponthem,buttheyshallbehonored.

ThereisnonecantellwhatGodcando.Hecanmakethosethings,-thatinthemselvesaremostfearfulandterribletobehold,themostpleasant,delightful,anddesirablethings.Hecanmakeajailmorebeautifulthanapalace;restraint,moresweetbyfarthanliberty.AndthereproachofChristgreaterriches,thanallthetreasuresinEgypt.Heb11:26.ItissaidofChrist,Thatforthejoythatwassetbeforehim,heenduredthecross,anddespisedtheshame.Heb12:2.But,

Secondly,AsthereisinGodasufficiencyofpowertouphold,sothereisinhimalsoasufficiencyofcomfortandgoodnesstoemboldenus:Imeancommunicativecomfortandgoodness.Varietyoftrouble,andtheterriblenessthatattendsafflictions,call,notonlyforthebeholdingofthings,butalsoalayingholdofthembyfaithandfeeling;nowthisalsoiswithGodtothemakingofhistosinginthenight.PaulandSilassanginprison;theapostleswentawayfromthecouncilrejoicing,whentheyhadshamefullybeatenthemfortheirpreachinginthetemple.Acts5.Butwhencecamethis,butfromaninwardfeelingbyfaithoftheloveofGod,andofChrist,whichpassethknowledge?Hencehesaystothoseunderafflictions,Fearnoneofthosethingsthatyoushallsuffer.Therearethingstobesuffered,aswellasplacestosufferin;andtherearethingstobeletintothesoulforitsemboldening,aswellasthingstobeshowedtoit.Rev2:20;Rom5:5.

Nowthethingstobesufferedaremany,someofwhicharethuscountedup:Theyweretortured;hadcruelmockingsandscourgings;theywerestoned,wer

esawnasunder,wereslainwiththesword,weretempted;theywanderedaboutinsheep-skins,andgoat-skins,beingdestitute,afflicted,tormented.Heb11:35.ThesearesomeofthethingsthatgoodmenofoldhavesufferedfortheirprofessionofthenameofJesusChrist.Allwhichtheywereenabledbyhimtobear;tobearwithpatience;tobearwithrejoicing;knowinginthemselvesthattheyhadinheavenabetter,andanenduringsubstance.Heb10:32-36

AnditisuponthisaccountthatPauldothcalltomindthemostdreadfulofhisafflictions,whichhesufferedforthegospelssake,withrejoicing;andthathetellsusthathewasmostglad,whenhewasinsuchinfirmities.Yea,itisuponthisaccountthatheboasteth,andvauntethitoverdeath,life,angels,principalities,powers,thingspresent,thingstocome,height,depth,andeveryothercreature:forheknewthattherewasenoughinthatloveofGod,whichwassetonhimthroughChrist,topreservehim,andtocarryhimthroughall.

2Co12:9,10;Rom8:37,38,39.ThatGodhaddonethus,athousandinstancesmightbegiven;andthatGodwillstilldothus,forthatwehavehisfaithfulpromises.Isa43:2;1Co10:13.

Totheadversariesofthechurchthesethingshavealsosometimesbeenshowed,totheiramazementandconfusion.GodshowedtothekingofBabylon,thathewaswiththethreechildreninthefieryfurnace.GodshowedtothekingofBabylonagain,thathewouldbewherehiswere,thoughinthelionsden.Dan3:24;24:25,26.Alsoinlaterdays,whosoreadsMr.FoxsActsandMonuments,willalsofindseveralthingstoconfirmthisfortruth.Godhaspoweroverallplagues,andthereforecaneitherheighten,ormoderateandlessenthematpleasure.Hehaspoweroverfire,andcantakeawaytheintolerableheatthereof.ThisthoseintheMariandayscouldalsotestify,namely,HawksandBainham,andothers:whocouldshoutforjoy,andclaptheirhandsintheveryflamesforjoy.Godha

spoweroverhunger,andcanmoderateit,andcausethatonemealsmeatshallgosofarasfortywerewonttodo.ThisiswitnessedinElijah,whenhewentforhislifetothemountofGod,beingfledfromthefaceofJezebel.1Ki19:8AndwhatagoodnightslodginghadJacob,whenhefledfromthefaceofhisbrother,Esau-whentheearthwashiscouch,thestonehispillow,theheavenshiscanopy,andtheshadesofthenighthiscurtains!Gen28:12-16.Icandoallthings,(saidPaul)throughChriststrengtheningme.Andagain,Itakepleasureininfirmities,inreproaches,innecessities,inpersecutions,indistresses,forChristssake.Buthowcanthatbe,sincenoafflictionforthepresentseemsjoyous?Ianswerthoughtheybenotsointhemselves,yetChristbyhispresencecanmake


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themso.Forthenhispowerrestsuponus.WhenIamweak,(saithPaul)thenIamstrong:thenChristdothinmemightythings.Formystrength,saithChrist,ismadeperfectinweakness,(inafflictionforthegospelssake.)Forwhenmypeopleareafflicted,andsuffergreatdistressforme,thentheyhavemycomforting,supporting,emboldeningandupholdingpresencetorelievethem.Aninstanceofwhichyouhaveinthethreechildren,andinDanielmadementionofbefore.Butwhatthinkyou,didtheseservantsoftheGodofJacobfeel,feelintheirsouls,ofhispowerandcomfortingpresence,whenthey,forhisname,weresufferingtherageoftheirenemies?WhilealsooneliketheSonofGodwaswalkinginthefirewiththethree,andwhileDanielsatandsawthatthehandsofangelsweremademuzzlesforthelionsmouths!

Isay,wasitnotworthbeinginthefurnace,andintheden,toseesuchthingsasthese?0!thegraceofGod,andhisSpirit,andpower,thatarewiththemthatsufferforhim,iftheirheartsbeuprightwithhim;iftheyarewillingtobefaithfultohim;iftheyhavelearnedtosay,HereamI,wheneverhecallsthemandwhateverhecallsthemto.Wherefore,whenPetersaith,LetthemthatsufferaccordingtothewillofGod,committhekeepingoftheirsoulstohiminwell-doing,asuntoafaithfulCreator,heconcludes,thathowoutrageous,furious,merciless,orcruelsoevertheenemyis;yetthere,withHim,theyshallfindhelpandsuccor,reliefandcomfort.ForGodisabletomakesuchasdoso,stand.CHAPTERII.

REASONSFORTHISEXHORTATION.

WEwillnowcometotouchuponthat,whichmaymoreimmediatelybecalledthereasonofthisexhortation.Foralthoughallthesethingsthathavebeenmentionedbefore,may,ormightbecalledreasonsofthepoint;yetthereareothersthat,inmyjudgment,maybecalledreasons,whichareyetbehind.As,

First,BecausewhenamanhasbyfaithandprayercommittedthekeepingofhissoultoGod,hehastheadvantageofthatlibertyofsoultodo,andsufferforGod,thathecannototherwisehave.HethathascommittedhissoultoGodtokeep,isridofthatcare,andisdeliveredfromthefearofitsperishingforever.

WhentheJewswenttostoneStephen,theylaidtheirclothesdownatadistancefromtheplace,atayoungmansfeet,whosenamewasSaul,thattheymigh

tnotbeacumber,oratroubletothem,astotheirintendedwork.Sowe,whenwegoabouttodrivesinoutoftheworld,inawayofsufferingforGodstruthagainstit,shouldlaydownoursoulsatthefeetofGodtocarefor,thatwemaynotbecumberedwiththecareofthemourselves.AlsothatourcareofGodstruthmaynotbeweakenedbysuchsuddenandstrongdoubts,aswillcauseusfaintinglytosay,Butwhatwillbecomeofmysoul?WhenPaulhadtoldhissonTimothy,thatHehadbeenbeforethatlionNero,andthathewasatpresentdeliveredoutofhismouth:headds,AndtheLordshalldelivermefromeveryevilwork,andwillpreservemeuntohisheavenlykingdom.Heshall,andwill.Hereisamanatliberty;herearcnocumbersomefears.Buthowcametheapostlebythisconfidenceofhiswell-being,andofhisshareinanotherworld?Why,hehadcommittedthekeepingofhissoultoGod.(Compare2Tim1:12,withchap.4:18.)FortocommitthekeepingofthesoultoGod,ifitbedoneinfaithandprayer,leaves,or

ratherbrings,thisholyboldnessandconfidenceintothesoul.SupposeamaninthecountrywerenecessitatedtogotoLondon,andhadgreatchargeofmoneytopayinthere.Supposealso,thatthewaythitherwasbecomeexceedingdangerousbecauseofthehighwaymenthatcontinuallyabidetherein:whatnowmustthismando,togoonhisjourneycheerfully?Why,lethimpayinhismoneytosuchaoneinthecountry,aswillbesuretoreturnitforhimatLondonsafely.Why,thisisthecase.Thouartboundforheaven,butthewaythitherisdangerous.Itisbeseteverywherewithevilangels,whowouldrobtheeofthysoul.Whatnow?Why,ifthouwouldstgocheerfullyoninthisdangerousjourney,committhytreasure,thysoul,toGodtokeepAndthenthoumaystsaywithcomfort,Well,t


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hatcareisover.ForwhateverImeetwithinmywaythither,mysoulissafeenough.Thethieves,iftheymeetme,cannotcomeatthat!IknowtowhomIhavecommittedmysoul;andIampersuaded,thathewillkeepthattomyjoyandeverlastingcomfortagainstthegreatday.

This,therefore,isonereasonwhywe(thatsufferforChrist)shouldcommitthekeepingofoursoulstoGod,because,adoubtaboutthewellbeingofthat,willbeaclog,aburden,andanafflictiontoourspirit.Yea,thegreatestofafflictions,whilstwearetakingupourcrossandbearingitafterChrist.ThejoyoftheLordisourstrength;andthefearofperishingisthatwhichwillbeweakeningtousintheway.

Secondly,weshouldcommitthekeepingofoursoulstoGod,becausethefinalconclusionthatmercilessmensometimesmakewiththeservantsofGod,isallonasudden.Theygivenowarningbeforetheystrike.WeshallnotneedheretocallyoutomindaboutthemassacresthatwereinIreland,Paris,Piedmont,andotherplaces:wherethegodly,inthenight,beforetheywerewellawake,had,someofthem,theirheartbloodrunningontheground.Thesavagemonsterscryingout,kill,kill!fromoneendofastreet,oraplacetotheother.Thiswassudden,andhethathadnotcommittedhissoultoGodtokeepit,wassurelyveryhardputtoitnow;buthethathaddoneso,wasreadyforsuchsuddenwork.Sometimesindeed,theaxe,andhalter,orthefaggot,isshowedfirst;butsometimesagainitiswithoutthatwarning.Up,saidSaultoDoegtheEdomite,andslaythepriestsoftheLord.1Sam.22:11,19.Herewassuddenwork.Fallon,saidSaul,andDoegfelluponthem,andslewonthatdayfourscoreandfivepersonsthatdidwearalinenephod.Nobalso,thecityofthepriests,hesmotewiththe

edgeofthesword,bothmenandwomen,children,andsucklings,Herewasbutawordandablow.Thinkestthounot,whoreadesttheselines,thatallofthesewhohadbeforecommittedtheirsoultoGodtokeep,werethefittestfolkstodie?

Andimmediatelythekingsentanexecutioner,andcommandedhisheadtobebrought.Mark6:27.ThestoryisconcerningHerodandJohntheBaptist.HerodsdancinggirlhadbeggedJohntheBaptistshead:andnothingbuthisheadmustserveherturn.Well,girl,thoushalthaveit.Haveit?Ay,butitwillbelongfirst.No,thoushalthaveitnow,justnow,immediately.Andimmediatelyhesentanexecutioner,andcommandedhisheadtobebrought.Hereissuddenworkforsufferers;hereisnointimationbeforehand.TheexecutionercomestoJohn;now,whetherhewasatdinnerorasleep,orwhateverhewasabout,thebloodymanboltsinuponhim,andthefirstwordhesaluteshimwith,is,Sir,strip,laydownyou

rneck.ForIcometotakeawayyourhead.Buthold,stay,wherefore?Pray,letmecommitmysoultoGod.No,Imustnotstay,Iaminhaste.Slap,sayshissword,andofffallsthegoodmanshead.Thisissuddenwork,workthatstaysfornoman:workthatmustbedonebyandby,immediately,oritisnotwortharush.Iwill,saidshe,thatthougivemebyandby,inacharger,theheadofJohntheBaptist.Yea,shecameinhaste,andhastilythecommandmentwentforth,andimmediatelyhisheadwasbrought.

Thirdly,UnlessamancommitsthekeepingofhissoultoGod,itisaquestionwhetherhecanholdout,andstandhisground,andwrestlewithalltemptations.Thisisthevictory,evenyourfaith:andwhoishethatovercomeththeworld,buthethatbelieveth?AndwhatencouragementhasamantosufferforChrist,whoseheartcannotbelieve,andwhosesoulhecannotcommittoGodtokeepit?AndourLordJesusintimatesasmuch,whenhesaith,Bethoufaithfuluntod

eath,andIwillgivetheeacrownoflife.Whereforesaithhethus,buttoencouragethosethatsufferforhistruthintheworld,tocommitthekeepingoftheirsoulstohim,andtobelievethathehathtakenthechargeandcareofthem?Paulswisdomwas,thathewasreadytodie,beforehisenemieswerereadytokillhim.Iamnowready(saithhe)tobeoffered,andthetimeofmydepartureisathand.2Tim4:6,7,8.

Thisisthereforeathingofhighconcern,namely,thecommittingofthesoultoGodtokeepit.Itis,Isay,ofconcerntodoitnow,justnow,quickly,whetherthouartyetengagedorno;foritisagoodpreparatoryto,aswellasprofitableinatimeofpersecution.Considerit,Isay.TheapostlePaulsai


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th,thatheandhiscompanionswereboldintheirGod,toprofessandstandtothewordofGod.1Thess2:2.Buthowcouldthatbe,iftheyhadthesalvationoftheirsoulstoseek?Andthattobesuretheywouldhavehad,hadtheynotcommittedthekeepingoftheirsoulstohiminwell-doing.

CHAPTERIII.

HOWTOFULFILLTHISNECESSARYDUTY.

BUTwhatisthecommittingofthesoultoGod?Answer.Ihaveingeneralbrieflyspokentothatalready,andnowforth

yfurtherhelp,wewillalittleenlarge.Wherefore,First,Tocommit,istodeliveruptocustodytobekept.Henceprisonerswhensenttothejail,aresaidtobecommittedthither.ThusPaulhaledmenandwomen,committingthemtoprison.AndthusJosephsmastercommittedallhisprisonerstohim,tohiscustody,tobekeptthereaccordingtothelaw.Acts8:3;Gen39:22.Secondly,Tocommit,isnotonlytodeliveruptocustody,buttogiveincharge,thatwhichiscommittedbekeptsafe,andnotsufferedtobelost.ThusPaulwascommittedtoprison,thejailerbeingchargedtokeephimsafely.Acts16:23;Luke16:11.Thirdly,Tocommit,sometimesistoleavethewholedisposalofthatwhichiscommitted,tothosetowhomsuchthingiscommitted.Thuswerethesh

ieldsofthetemplecommittedtotheguard,andJeremiahtothehandsofGedaliah.1Kings14:27;Jer29:14.AndthusthoumustcommitthysoultoGod,andtohiscareandkeeping.

Itmustbedelivereduptohiscare,andputunderhiscustody.Thoumaystalso(thoughIwouldspeakmodestly)givehimachargetotakethecareofit.Concerningmysons,andconcerningmydaughters,andConcerningtheworkofmyhands,commandyeme.Isa14:11.Thoumustalsoleavealltheconcernsofthysoul,andofthybeinganinheritorofthenextworld,whollytothecareofGod.HethatdoththisinthewaythatGodhasbidhim,issafe,thoughtheskyshouldfall.Thepoorcommittethhimselfuntothee;thouartthehelperofthefatherless.Ps10:14.

Andforencouragementtodothis,theLordhasbiddenus,theLordhascommandedus,theLordexpecteththatweshouldthusdo.Yea,thouartalsobidde

ntocommitthywayuntohim,thyworkuntohim,thycauseuntohim,thysoultohim,andhewilltakecareofall.Ps37:5;Prov16:3;Job5:8.Andifwedothis,asweshould,Godwillnotonlytakecareofus,andofoursoulsinthegeneral,butalsoseethatourworkandwaysbesoorderedthatwemaynotfailineither.IhavetrustedintheLord,(saidDavid)thereforeIshallnotslide.Ps26:1.

BeforeIleavethis,IwillspeaksomethingofthewayinwhichthiscommitmentofthesoultoGodmustbe.Andthatisinawayofwell-doing.Letthemcommitthekeepingoftheirsoulstohiminwell-doing;orinawayofwell-doing.Thatisthereforethecoursethatagodlymanshouldbefoundin,at,in,andafterhehathcommittedhissoultoGodtokeep.Andastheapostlesaithinanotherplace,thisisbutareasonableservice.Rom12:1.ForifGodbesograciousastotakecareofmysoulatmyrequest,whyshouldnotIalsobesogracious

astobefoundinawayofwell-doingathisbidding?Takecareofme,master,formeatandwages;andIwilltakecare,master,thatthyworkshallbefaithfullydone.Thisishonest,andthusshouldChristianssaytoGod.Andhethatheartilyinthisshallmeanashesaith,shallfindthatGodswayshallbestrengthuntohim.

AChristianisnottocommithissouluntoGodtokeep,andsotogrowremiss,carnal,negligent,coldandworldly;concludingasifhehadnowboundGodtosavehim,butsethimselfatliberty,whetherhewilllongerservehimintryingandtroublesometimes,orno.Hemustcommitthekeepingofhissoultohiminwell-doing.HEmaynotnowrelinquishGodscause,playtheapostate,castof


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fthecross,andlookforheavennotwithstanding.Hethatdoththuswillfindhimselfmistaken,andbemadetoknowatlastthatGodtakesthecareofnosuchsouls.Ifanymandrawback,(saithhe)mysoulshallhavenopleasureinhim.WhereforehethatcommitteththekeepingofhissoultoGod,mustdoitinthatwaywhichGodhasprescribedtohim,whichisinawayofwell-doing.Evildoing!Alas,alas!thereisneversuchawordinit;itmustbedoneinawayofwell-doing.Youmustthinkofthis,thatwouldcommityoursoulstoGodinsufferingandtroublesometimes.

Youmustdoitinwell-doing.Inwell-doing,thatis,inperseveringinwaysofgodliness,bothwithr

especttomorals,andalsoinstitutedworship.ThouthereforethatwouldsthaveGodtakecareofthysoul;asthoubelievest,sothoumustdowell,thatis,dogoodtothepoor,tothyneighbour,toallmen;especially,tothehouseholdoffaith.BenjaminmusthaveaBenjaminsmess:andallothers,asthouartcapable,mustfeelandfindthefruitofthygodliness.ThoumustthusservetheLordwithmuchhumilityofmind,thoughthroughmanydifficulties,andmuchtemptation.

Thoumustalsokeepclosetogospelworship,publicandprivate:doingthosethingsthatthouhastwarrantforfromtheword,andleavingthat,orthosethings,forothersthatwillsticktothem,thathavenostampofGoduponthem.Thoumustbefounddoingofallwithallthyheart;andifthousufferestforsodoing,thoumustbearitpatiently.ForwhatPetersaithtothewomenhespaketo,maybeappliedtoallthebelievers;whosedaughtersyouare,saithhe,(meaningSarahs)solongasyoudowell,andarenotafraidwithanyamazement.1Pe.3:6.

Sothen,themanthathascommittedhissoultoGodtokeep,hasnotatalldisengagedhimselffromhisduty,ortakenhimselfofffromaperseveranceinthatgoodwork,thatunderasufferingconditionhewasboundtodobefore.No,hisverycommittinghissoultoGod,tokeepit,haslaidanengagementuponhimtoabidewithGodinthatcalling,whereinheiscalledofGod.TocommitmysoultoGod,supposesmysensiblenessofhazardanddanger;butthereisnoneamongmen,whentheoffenceofthecrossisceased.TocommitmysoultoGodtokeep,concludesmyresolutiontogooninthatgoodwayofGod,thatissodangeroustomysoul,ifGodtakethnotthechargeandcarethereof.Forhethatsaithinhisheart,IwillnowcommitmysoultoGod,ifheknowswhathesays,saysthus:IamforholdingoninawayofbearingmycrossafterChrist,thoughIcometothesameendforsodoing,ashecametobeforeme.Thisiscommittingthesoultohiminwell-doing.

Looktoyourselves,therefore,whoeveryouare,thattalkofleavingyoursoulswithGod,butdoliveloose,idle,profane,andwickedlives.Godwillnottakecareofsuchmenssouls;theycommitthemnotuntohimastheyshould.Theydobutflatterhimwiththeirlips,andlieuntohimwiththeirtongue,andthinktodeceivetheLord.Buttonopurpose.Hethatsowstotheflesh,shallofthefleshreapcorruption.ItishethatsowstotheSpirit,thatshalloftheSpiritreaplifeeverlasting.Gal.6:7,8.

CHAPTER.IV.

WHOAREPARTICULARLYCONCERNEDINTHISEXHORTATION.

ISHALLnowcometothesecondthingcontainedinthetext,namely,TogiveyouamoredistinctdescriptionofTHESUFFERERS-thementhatarethusbidtocommitthekeepingoftheirsoulstoGod.Andtheyarethusdescribed:TheythatsufferaccordingtothewillofGod.LetthemthatsufferaccordingtothewillofGod,committhekeepingoftheirsoulstohiminwell-doing,asuntoafaithfulCreator.

Twothingsareheretobeenquiredinto.1.WhattheapostleheremeansbythewillofGod.2.WhatsufferingaccordingtothewillofGod,is.


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First,ForthewillofGod.Itisdiverswaystakeninthescriptures;assometimesforelecting,justifying,sanctifyingactsofGod;sometimesforfaith,andagoodlife;andsometimesforsufferingforhisname.Rom9;Eph1:11;Joh7:17;1Jo3:23;1Thes4:8;Mat7:21.ButbywillofGod,here,wemustunderstand.1. Hislawandtestament.2. Hisorderanddesignment.

First,Byhiswill,Iunderstand,hislawandtestament.ThisiscalledtherevealedwillofGod;orthatbywhichhehasmadehimself,andhowhewillbeworshipped,knownuntothechildrenofmen.Now,Iunderstandingthesewordsthus,mustbeforeIgofurther,makethisdistiction,namely,Thatthereisadifferencetobeputbetwixtthemthatsufferforthebreach,andthosethatsufferforthekeepingofthislawandtestament.ForthoughbothofthemmaysufferbythewillofGod;yettheyarenotbothconcernedinthistext.Amalefactor,thatsufferethforhisevildeeds,theduepunishmentthereof;sufferethasothertextsdeclare,accordingtothewillofGod.But,Isay,thistextdothnotconcernitselfwiththem.Forboththistext,andthisepistleiswrittenforthecounselandcomfortofthosethatsufferforkeepingthelawandtestamentofGod,thatsufferforwell-doing.1Pe.3:13,14,17;4:13,14.

Themanthenthatisconcernedinthisadvice,ishethatsufferethfromthehandsofmen,forkeepingthewordofGod.Andthisishethathaslicense,leave,yea,acommandtocommitthekeepingofhissoultoGodinwelldoing,asuntoafaithfulCreator.

Wewillalittleenlargeuponthis.HethatkeepeththewordofGod,issuchaoneashasregardtoboththematterandmannerthereof.Thematteristhetruth,thedoctrinecontainedtherein;thematteristhatcomely,godly,humble,faithfulwayofdoingit,whichbecomesamindthathastodowiththelawandtestamentofGod.Andboththesearecontainedinthetext.For,first,hereisthewillofGodtobedone;andthensecondly,tobedoneaccordingtohiswill.Letthemthatsufferaccordingtohiswill.Whichwords,Isay,takeinbothmatterandmannerofdoing.Sothen,themanthatherewehavetodowith,andtodiscourseof,isamanthat,inthesensenowgiven,suffereth.Thatwhichmakesamartyr,issufferingforthewordofGodafterarightmanner.Andthatiswhenhesuffereth,notonlyforrighteousness,butforrighteousnesssake:notonlyfortruth,butoflovetotruth;notonlyforGodsword,butaccordingtoit

:namely,inthatholy,humble,meekmannerthatthewordofGodrequireth.AmanmaygivehisbodytobeburnedforGodstruth,andyetbenoneofGodsmartyrs.1Co13:1,2,3.Yea,amanmaysufferwithagreatdealofpatience,andyetbenoneofGodsmartyrs.1Pe.2:20.Theone,becausehewanteththatgracethatshouldpoisehisheart,andmakehimrightinthemannerofdoing:theother,becausehewanteththatwordoftheHolyOnethatalonecanmakehiscausegoodastomatter.Itisthereforematterandmannerthatmakethemartyr:anditisthismanthatisintendedinthetextwhichisaforesaiddescribed.

Sothen,theythatsufferforthelawandtestamentofGodinthatholyandhumblemannerthatthewordrequires,theyaretheythat,bythiswordofGod,arecommandedtocommitthekeepingoftheirsoulstoGod.

Fromthisconsideration,twothingspresentthemselvestooursight.First,ThatamanmaybeaChristian,andsuffer,andyetnotsufferin

thesenselastgiven,accordingtothewillofGod.Secondly,Therehavebeen,andmayyetbeapeopleintheworld,thathave,andmaysufferinthesenseoftheapostlehere,accordingtothewillofGod.

Afewwordstothefirstofthese,namely,thatamanmaybeaChristian,andsuffer,andyetnotsufferinthesenseoftheapostleinthetext,accordingtothewillofGod.HemaybeaChristian,andyetnotsufferasaChristian.Hemaywantthematter,or,hemaywantthemanner,ofsufferingasaChristian.

Thisisevidentfromwhatthisapostlesuggestsinseveralplacesofthi


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sepistle.For,first,saithhe,Ifyebebuffetedforyourfaults,(ch.2:20)ThissupposeththataChristianmaysobe;forhespeakethheretothesamepeople,untowhomhespeakethinthetext,thoughheputteththemnotunderthesamecircumstance,assufferingforwell-doing.Ifyebebuffetedforyourfaults,(forwhatGodswordcallsfaults)whatthankhaveyou,(fromGod,orgoodmen)thoughyoutakeitpatiently?Soagain,ForitisbetterifthewillofGodbeso,thatyesufferforwell-doingthanforevil-doing,(ch.3:17)HereitisplainlysupposedthataChristianmanmaysufferforevildoing,yea,thatthewillofGodmaybe,thatheshouldsufferforevil-doing.ForGod,ifChristiansdonotwell,willvindicatehimselfbypunishingthemfortheirdoingill.Yea,andwillnotcountthemworthy,thoughtheybehisown,tobeputamongthenumberofthosethatsufferfordoingwell.

Again,Butletnoneofyousufferasamurderer,orasathief,orasanevil-doer,orasabusy-bodyinothermensmatters.(ch.4:15)ThesearecautionstoChristianstopersuadethemtotakeheedtothemselves,theirtonguesandtheiractions,thatallbekeptwithintheboundsoftheword.Foritwouldbeafoolishthingtosay,thatthesearecautionstopersuadetotakeheedofthat,intowhichitisnotpossibleoneshouldfall.ItispossibleforChristianstosufferforevil-doing,andthereforeletChristiansbeware;itispossibleforChristianstobebroughttopublicjusticefortheirfaults,andthereforeletChristiansbeware.ItispossibleforChristianstosufferjustlybythehandofthemagistrate,andthereforeletChristiansbeware.Thisalsoisinsinuatedinthetextitself,andthereforeletChristiansbeware.Thecausesofthisaremany,someofwhichIshallnowbrieflytouchupon.

1.Sinisinthebestofmen:andaslongasitisso,withoutgreatwatchfulness,andhumblewalkingwithGod,wemaybeexposedtoshame,andsufferingforit.WhatsinisitthatachildofGodisnotliabletocommit,exceptingthatwhichisthesinunpardonable?Norhaveweapromiseofbeingkeptfromanyothersin,butonconditionthatwedowatchandpray.Mat26:41.

2.ItispossibleforaChristiantohaveanerroneousconscienceinsomethings,yea,insuchthingsas(ifGodbyhisgracepreventsnot)maybringustopublicjusticeandshame.Abishai,thoughagoodman,wouldhavekilledtheking,andthatofconsciencetoGod,andlovetohismaster,1Sam26:7,8.AndhadDaviddeliveredhimuptoSaulforhisattempt,hehadinalllikelihooddiedasatraitor.Peterdrewhissword,andwouldhavefoughttherewith;athingforwhichhewasblamedofhisMaster,andbidwithathreatening,toputitupagain.Mat26:52.

3.Besides,oppressionmakesawisemanmad;andwhenamanismad,whatevilswillhenotdo?4.Further,ThedevilwhoisthegreatenemyofChristians,cansendfor

thsuchspiritsintotheworld,asshallnotonlydisturbmen,butnations,kings,andkingdoms,inraisingdivisions,distractions,andrebellions.Andhecansomanagematters,thattheloosersortofChristiansmaybealsodipt,andconcernedtherein.InAbsalomsconspiracyagainsthisfather,thereweretwohundredmencalledoutofJerusalemtofollowhim,andtheywentintheirsimplicity,notknowinganything.(2Sam15:10,11)IthankGodIknowofnosuchmen,northing:butmyjudgmenttellsme,thatifChristiansmaybedrawnintofornication,adultery,murder,theft,blasphemy,orthelike;(astheymay)whyshoulditbethoughtimpossibleforthemtobedrawninhere?WhereforeIsayagain,watchandpray,fearGod,reverencehisword,approveofhisappointments,thatyoumay

bedeliveredfromeveryevilworkandway.IsaidbeforethatthewillofGodmaybe,thataChristianshouldsufferasanevil-doer;butthenitisbecausehekeepethnotwithintheboundsofthat,whichisalsocalledthewillofGod.ThewillofGodis,thatsinshouldbepunished,thoughcommittedbyChristians;punishedaccordingtothequalityoftrangressions.Andthereforeitisthathehathordainedmagistrates.Magistratesaretopunishsin,thoughitbethesinofChristians.TheyaretheministersofGod,revengers,toexecutewrath,thewrathofGoduponthemthatdoevil.Rom13.

Wherefore,thoughtheChristian,asaChristian,istheonlymanatlibe


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rty,ascalledthereuntoofGod;yethislibertyislimitedtothingsthataregood:heisnotlicensedtherebytoindulgetheflesh.Holinessandlibertyarejoinedtogether,yeaourcalltoliberty,isacalltoholiness.See,andyoushallfind,thataquietandpeaceablelife,inourrespectiveplaces,underthegovernment,isthatwhichweshouldprayfor,namely,thatwemaywithoutmolestation,ifitwerethewillofGod,spendourdaysinallgodlinessandhonestyamongourneighbours.See1Tim2:1-8;1Pe2:13-17.

Iwouldimprovethisalittle,andfirst,toChristiansasChristians.Bewarethatthecautions,thatareherepresentedtoyou,benotneglectedbyyou.Theevilsareburninghot,ashotasredhotiron.ItisthegreatestblemishthatcanbetoaChristian,tosufferasanevil-doer.TosaynothingofthereproachthatsuchdobringtothenameofChrist,theirLord;tohislaw,theirrule;andtotheChristianprofession,whichshouldbetheirglory;theguiltandshamethatevilactionswillloadtheconsciencewithatsuchatime,canhardlybestoodunder.Themanthatsufferethasanevil-doer,andyetweareththenameofaChristian,whatstumblingblocksdothhelayinthewayoftheignorantinakingdom?Thedeviltoldthembefore,thataChristianwasamischievousman;andtosufferforevil-doingconfirmstheminthatbelief.

Consideralsothedifficultiesthatsuchmustsurelymeetwithinthelastminutesoftheirlife.Forcanitbeimaginedbutthatsuchaonemusthavecombatsandconflictsatthelast,whocarryintheirconsciencestheguiltandcondemnationthatisduetotheirdeeds,totheplacewhichmagistrateshaveappointedforthemtoreceivetherewardoftheirworksat.Suchaonebereavesnotonlyhisownsoulofpeace,andhisnameofcredit,buthimselfoflife,hisfri

endsofallcauseofrejoicing,andcastethreproachuponreligion,asheissteppingoutoftheworld.WhatshallIsay!ChristiansasChristians,haveotherthingstodothan

toconcernthemselvesinevilthings,ortomeddleinothermensmatters.Letusmindourownbusiness,andleavethemagistratetohiswork,office,andcallingamongmenalso.

Ispeaknowtothemthatarenotbythekingcalledtothatemploy.AChristianassuchhasenoughtodoathomeinhisheart,inhishouse,inhisshop,andthelike.Butifthoumustneedsbemeddling,considerwhatplace,office,callingorrelation,Godhasputtheein,andbusythyselfbytheruleofthewordtoaconscientiousperformanceofthat.NorshaltthouwantdignitythoughthouartbutaprivateChristian.EveryChristianmanismadeakingbyChrist.Rev.5:2,10.Butthen,hisdominionassuch,dothreachnofurtherthantohimsel

f.Hehasnotdominionoveranothersfaith.2Cor.1:24.Hisofficeistogovern,andbridle,andkeepunderhimself;towatchoverhimself,andtobringhisbodyintosubjectiontothewillofGod.Theweaponsthathehasforthispurpose,arenotcarnal,butspiritual,andmightythroughGod.Lethimgovern,then,ifhewillbeagovernor,hiswholemanbytheword.Lethimbringdown,ifhemustbebringingdown,hisownhighimaginations,andeveryhighthingthatexaltsitselfagainsttheknowledgeofGod.Ifhemustbeawarrior,lethimlevywaragainsthisownunrulypassions,andlethimfightagainstthoseluststhatwaragainsthissoul.2Cor.10:3-5;Gal5:17;James3:4-8;1Pe2:11.

Isay,therefore,ifthouwiltneedsbearuler,thouhastatongue,rulethat;lusts,rulethem;affections,governthem;yea,thouhastexcellentgraces,managethem,cherish,strengthenandreplenishthemaccordingtothemindofthatGreatOnewhohasbestowedsuchpowertorule,uponthee.Mortify,therefor

e,yourmemberswhichareupontheearth,fornication,uncleanness,inordinateaffection,evilconcupiscence,andcovetousness,whichisidolatry.Col.3:5.NordoIthinkthatmurmuring,shrinking,wincing,complaining,andthe

like,whenmen(governors)layayokeuponournecks,flowsfromanythingelse,butlovetoourflesh,anddistrustofthefaithfulnessofGodtomanagemen,things,andactionsforhischurch.Thepowersthatbe,areordered,aswellasordained,ofGod.TheyarealsoalwaysinGodshand,ashisrodorstaffforthegoodandbenefitofhispeople.Whereforeweought,withallmeeknessandhumblenessofmind,toacceptofwhatourGodbythemshallpleasetolayuponus.1Pe5,6.


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BywhatInowsay,IdonotforbidgroaningandcryingtoGodunderaffliction.Ispeakagainststrivingtodeliverourselvesfromtheaffliction.Andsincemenare,asIsaid,therod,staff;orswordinGodshand,weshouldapplyourselvesuntohiminfaithinawayofprayer,intercession,supplication,andgivingofthanksforgovernors.ForsincetheyaresentofGod,theymustneedscomewithsomegoodintheirhandforus,alsoourprayersmaymakethemmoreprofitabletous.Andthisweoughttodowithoutwrathanddoubting;forthisisthatwhichisgood,andacceptableuntoGod.1Tim2.

Besides,itisasignthatweforgetourselveswhenwecomplainforthepunishmentofoursins.Ifwelookintoourselves,andways,weshallseecauseofmoreheavystripesthanyetGodbymenhaslaiduponus.Whatsinhasyetbeensuppressed,byallthathashappenedtous?Arcpride,covetousness,looseness,treacherousdealing,schisms,andotherthings,redressedbyalltheafflictionthatwehavehad?Yea,dowenotgrowworseandworse?Whereforethenshouldwecomplain?Whereisrepentance,reformation,andamendmentoflifeamongstus?Whythen,doweshrinkandwince?Formypart,IhaveoftentimesstoodamazedbothatthemercyofGod,andthefavorofthePrincetowardsus;andcangivethankstoGodforboth:anddomakeitmyprayertoGodfortheking,andthatGodwillhelpmewithmeeknessandpatiencetobearwhatevershallbefallme,bymen,formyprofessedsubjectiontoChrist.Wearebid,asIsaidafore,togivethankstoGodforallmen,forkings,andforallthatareinauthority.Because,asIsaid,thereisnomanwithwhomwehavetodo(wedoingasweshould)buthebringethsomegoodthingtous,ordothsomegoodthingforus.

Wewillnowdescendfromthemthataresupremeinauthority,andwillco

metoinferiormen.Andsupposesomeofthemtoactbeyondmeasure,cruelly.What?Cannogoodthingcometousoutofthis?Donotevensuchthingsasaremostbittertotheflesh,tendtoawakenChristianstofaithandprayer,toasightoftheemptinessofthisworld,andthefadingnessofthebestityields?DothnotGodbythesethings(ofttimes)calloursinstoremembrance,andprovokeustoamendmentoflife?Howthencanwebeoffendedatthingsbywhichwereapsomuchgood,andatthingsthatGodmakessoprofitableforus?

DothnotGod,ofttimes,eventakeoccasionbythehardestofthingsthatcomeuponus,tovisitoursoulswiththecomfortsofhisSpirit,toleadusintothegloryofhisword,andtocauseustosavorthatlovethathehashadforus,evenfrombeforetheworldbegan,tillnow?AnestofbeesandhoneydidSamsonfind,eveninthebellyofthatlionthatroareduponhim.Andisallthisnogood?OrcanwebewithoutsuchholyappointmentsofGod?Letthesethingsb

econsideredbyus,andletuslearnlikeChristianstokisstherod,andloveit.Ihavethought,again,mybrethren,sinceitisrequiredofusthatweg

ivethankstoGodforallthesemen;itfollowsthatwedowithquietnesssubmitourselvesunderwhatGodshalldotousbythem.Foritseemsaparadoxtome,togivethankstoGodforthem,thatyetIamnotwillingshouldabideinthatplacethatGodhassettheminforme.Iwillthenlovethem,blessthem,prayforthem,anddothemgood.Ispeaknowofthementhathurtme,asIhavehintedafore.AndIwilldothus,becauseitisgoodsotodo,becausetheydomegoodbyhurtingme,becauseIamcalledtoinheritablessing,andbecauseIwouldbelikemyheavenlyFather.Thereforeifmineenemyhunger,letmefeedhim;ifhethirst,letmegivehimdrink.Mat5:43-48;1Pe3:9;Rom12:17-20.Nowinordertothis,

1.Wemustseegoodinthat,inwhichothermencanseenone.2.Wemustpassbythoseinjuriesthatothermenwouldrevenge.3.Wemustshowwehavegrace,andthatwearemadetobearwhatothermenarenotacquaintedwith.4.Manyofourgracesarekeptalive,bythoseverythingsthatarethedeathofothermenssouls.Wherecantheexcellencyofourpatience,ofourmeekness,ofourlong-suffering,ofourlove,andofourfaithappear,ifitbenotundertrials,andthosethingsthatruncrosstoourflesh?Thedevil,(theysay)isgoodwhenheispleased;butChristandhissaints,whendispleased.

LetusthereforecovettoimitateChristandtheScripturesaints.Letu


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sshowoutofagoodconversation,ourworkswithmeeknessofwisdom.Letustakeheedofadmittingtheleastthoughtinourmindsofevil,againstGod,ortheKing,orthemthatareunderhiminemploy,becausethecup,theking,allmenandthingsareinthehandofGod,andhecanmakethembettertous,thaniftheywereasourfleshdesireththeyshould.Ps75:8;Prov8:15,21:1;Lam.3:37.

IhaveoftenthoughtthatthebestChristiansarefoundintheworstoftimes.AndIhavethoughtagain,thatonereasonwhywearenobetter,isbecauseGodpurgesusnomore.John15.Iknowthesethingsareagainstthegrainoftheflesh,buttheyarenotagainstthegracesoftheSpirit.NoahandLot,whosoholyasthey,inthedayoftheiraffliction?NoahandLot,whosoidleastheyinthedayoftheirprosperity?ImighthaveputinDavidtoo,whowhilehewasafflicted,hadwaysofservingGodthatwerespecial;butwhenhewasmoreenlarged,hadwaysthatwerenotsogood.WhereforethefirstwaysofDavidarethewaysthatGodhascommended;buttherestofhiswaysweresuchashadnotpre-eminence.1Chron.17:3.

Wehaveneedofall,andofmorethanallthathasyetbefallenus;andaretothankGod,sincehiswordandpatiencehavedonenomoregoodtous,thathehathappointedmentomakeusbetter.Whereforeforaconclusion,aswearetoreceivewithmeeknesstheengraftedwordofGod,soalsowearewithpatiencetobearwhatGodbymanshalllayuponus.0thatsayingofGodtothemofold,Whycriestthouforthineaffliction?thysorrowisincurableforthemultitudeofthineiniquities.Becausethysinswereincreased,Ihavedonethesethingsuntothee.Jer30:15.Wehaveneedtoconsider,andtositstillandbequiet,andreverencetheordinanceofGod:Imeanaffliction.

Anduntilwecanintruthgethitherinourspirits,IneitherlooktofindveryrightChristianityamongstus,normuchofGodamongprofessors.WhenIthinkofMordecai,andDaniel,yea,andofDavidtoo,andofthebehaviourofthemallwithrespecttothepowersthattheywereunder;Icannotbutthinkthatasweet,meek,quiet,loving,godlysubmissionuntomenfortheLordssake,isanexcellenttokenofthegraceofGodinus.But,

Secondly,AsIcannotbutcondemntheactionsofsuchChristiansashavebeentouchedafore;soIwouldcaution.weakChristiansnottobeoffendedwithtruereligion,forthemiscarriagesoftheirfellows.Therearetwothingsthatareveryapttobeanoccasionofoffencetotheweak:oneis,whenthecrossattendsreligion;theotheris,whenothersthatprofessreligiondosufferforevildoing.ToboththeseIwouldsaythis.First,Thoughthecross,indeed,isgrievoustotheflesh,yetweshouldwithgracebearupunderit,andnotbeoffe

ndedatit.Secondly,Andastothesecond,thoughweshouldandoughttobeoffendedwithsuchmiscarriage;yetnotwithreligion,becauseofsuchmiscarriage.Some,indeed,whentheyseethesethings,takeoffenceagainstreligionitselfYea,perhapsaregladoftheoccasion,andsofalloutwithJesusChrist,sayingtohim,becauseoftheevilsthatattendedhisways,asthetentribessaidtoRehoboam,thesonofSolomontheking;WhatportionhaveweinDavid?neitherhaveweinheritanceinthesonofJesse:toyourtents,0Israel:nowseetothineownhouse,David!(1Ki12:16)andsogoquiteawayfromhim,andcleavenomoreuntohim,tohispeople,ortohisways.Butthisisbad.ShunthereforetheevilwaysofChristians,butcleavetothewaythatisChristian.Castawaythatbadspiritthatthouseestinany;butholdfasttothyHeadandLord.Whithercanstthougo?TheLordJesushasthewordsofeternallife.John6:Whitherwiltthougo?Thereisnotsalvationinanyother.Acts4:12.

TakeheedthereforeofpickingaquarrelwithJesusChrist,andwithhisways,becauseoftheevildoingsofsomeofhisfollowers.Judassoldhim;Peterdeniedhim.andmanyofhisdiscipleswentbackanddidwalknomorewithhim;butneitherhimselfnorhiswaysweretheworseforthat.Beware,therefore,thatthoutrulydistinguishbetweenthegoodwaysofJesusChrist,andtheevilwaysofthemthatprofesshimandtakenotanoccasiontothrowawaythyownsouldownthethroatofhell,becauseothershavevilelycastawaytheirlivesbytransgressingthelawofGod.Nay,letothermensfaultsmaketheemorewary;letothermensfallsmaketheelookbettertothygoings.Shuntherockthathethatwentbeforetheedidsplithisshipagainst;andcrytoGodtoleadtheeinapaththati


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splainandgood,becauseofthyobservers.Further,LetnotChristiansofoppositeviewsrejoicewhentheyseethat

evilhathtakentheirbrotherbytheheel.Hatethegarment,(thethingthatisbad,andbywhichthename,andfame,andlifeofthybrotherissovilelycastaway)thoushouldst;(andtakegoodheedlestitalsotouchthee)butyetthoushouldstpitythybrother,mournforhishardhap,andgrievethatathingsomuchunbecomingChristianity,shouldhesufferedtoshowtheleastpartofitselfamonganyofthosethatprofessthegospel. Directionsfortheshunningofsufferingforevil-doing,aretheythatcomenexttohand.Therefore,

1.Wouldstthounotsufferasanevildoer;thentakeheedofcommittingevil.Evilcoursesbringtoevilends;shunallappearanceofevil,andeverfollowthatwhichisgood.Andifyebefollowersofthatwhichisgood,whowillharmyou?1Pet.3:13.Orifthereshouldbesuchenemiestogoodnessintheworldastocausetheeforthattosuffer,thouneedstnotbeashamedofthysufferingforwell-doing;norcantherebeagoodman,buthewilldaretoownandstandbytheeinit.Yea,thysufferingsforthatwillmaketheehappy,sothatthoucanstbynomeansbealoserthereby.

2.Wouldstthounotsufferforevil-doing;thentakeheedoftheoccasionsofevil.Takeheedoftemptingcompany.Bewareofmen;fortheywilldelivertheeup.Therehavebeenmenintheworld,thathavesoughttomakethemselvesoutoftheruinsofothermen.ThisdidJudas,andsomeofthePharisees.Mat10:17;Luke20:19,20.Takeheedtothymouth.Afoolsmouthcallethforstrokes,andhislipsareasnaretohissoul.Prov18:7.Takeheedofindulging,andhearkeningtotheeaseofthefleshandofcarnalreasonings;forthatwillputtheeu

ponwickedthings.3.Wouldstthounotsufferasanevil-doer;thentakeheedofhearinganythingspokenthatisnotaccordingtosounddoctrine.Thoumustwithdrawthyselffromsuch,inwhomthouperceivestnotthewordsofknowledge.Letnottalkagainstgovernors,againstpowers,againstmeninauthoritybeadmitted;keeptheefarfromanevilmatter.Myson,(saysSolomon)fearthoutheLord,andtheking,andmeddlenotwiththosethataregiventochange.

4.Wouldstthounotsufferasanevil-doer;addictnotthyselftoplaywithevil;tojokeandjest,andmockatmeninplaceandpower.GaalmockedatAbimelech,andsaid,WhoisAbimelech,thatweshouldservehim?Buthepaidforhisdisdainfullanguageatlast.Judgesix.

Ihaveheardofaninn-keeperhereinEngland,whosesignwasthecrown,andhewasamerryman.Nowhehadaboy,ofwhomheusedtosaywhenhewasjo

vialamonghisguests,Thisboyisheirtothecrown,or,Thisboyshallbeheirtothecrown;andifImistakenotthestory,forthesewordshelosthislife.Itisbadjestingwithgreatthings,withthingsthatareGodsordinances,askingsandgovernorsare.Yea,letthemratherhavethatfear,thathonor,thatreverence,thatisduetotheirplace,theiroffice,anddignity.HowPaulgavehonorandrespectuntothosethatwerebutdeputykingsandheathenmagistrates,willgreatlyappear,ifyoudobutreadhistrialsbeforetheminthebookcalled,TheActsoftheApostles.AndwhatachargebothheandPeterhaveleftbehindthem,tothechurches,todosotoo,maybefoundtoconvictionifwereadtheirepistles.

5.Wouldstthounotsufferforevildoing;thentakeheedofbeingoffendedwithmagistrates,becausebytheirstateactstheymaycrossthyinclinations.Itisgiventothemtobearthesword,andacommandistothee,ifthyheart

cannotacquiescewithallthings,withmeeknessandpatience,tosuffer.Discontentinthemind,sometimesputsdiscontentintothemouth;anddiscontentinthemouth,dothsometimesalsoputahalterabouttheneck.Forasamanbyspeakingawordinjest,mayforthatbehangedinearnest;sohethatspeaksindiscontent,maydieforitinsobersadness.Adonijahsdiscontentputhimupondoingthatwhichcosthimhislife.1Kings2:13,23.Greatpeacehavetheythatlovethylaw,andnothingshalloffendthem;fortheyaresubjectedtothewill,andfootofGod.

6.Butaboveall,getthyconsciencepossessedyetmorewiththis,that


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themagistrateisGodsordinance,andisorderedofGodassuch;thatheistheministerofGodtotheeforgood,andthatitisthydutytofearhim,andprayforhim,togivethankstoGodforhim,andtobesubjecttohimasbothPaulandPeteradmonishus:andthatnotonlyforwrath,butforconsciencesake.Rom13.Forallotherargumentscomeshortofbindingthesoul,wherethisargumentiswanting;untilwebelievethatofGodweareboundthereto.Ispeaknotthesethings,asknowinganythataredisaffectedtothegovernment:(forIlovetobealone,ifnotwithgodlymen,inthingsthatareconvenient.)ButbecauseIappearthusinpublic,andknownotintowhosehandstheselinesmaycome,thereforethusIwrite.Ispeakitalsotoshowmyloyaltytotheking,andmylovetomyfellow-subjects;andmydesirethatallChristiansshouldwalkinwaysofpeaceandtruth.

CHAPTERV.

WHATITISTOSUFFERFORRIGHTEOUSNESS.

ICOMEnowtothesecondthingpropoundedtobespokento,astosuffering,whichisthis-THATTHEREHAVEBEEN,ANDYETMAYBEAPEOPLEINTHEWORLD,THATHAVESUFFERED,

ANDMAYSUFFERINTHESENSEOFTHEAPOSTLEHERE,ACCORDINGTOTHEWILLOFGOD,ORFORRIGHTEOUSNESSSAKE.

Thattherehavebeensuchapeopleintheworld,Ithinknobodywilldeny,becausemanyoftheprophets,Christ,andhisapostles,thussuffered.Besides,sincethescriptureswerewritten,allnationscanwitnesstothis,whosehistoriestellatlargeofthepatienceandgoodnessofthesufferers,andofthecrueltyofthosethatdiddestroythem.

Andthatthethingwillyethappen,orcometopassagain,bothscriptureandreasonaffirm.

First,forscripture.Thewordtellsus,thatGodhathputenmitybetwixttheWomanandherseed,andtheSerpentandhis.Gen3:15.Thisenmityput,issofixedthatnonecanremoveitso,butthatitstillwillremainintheworld

.Thesetwoseedshavealwayshad,andwillhave,thatwhichisessentiallyoppositetooneanother,andtheyaretheSpiritoftruth,andtheSpiritoferror;sinandrighteousness,lightanddarkness.1Joh4:6;3:7,8;1Thess.v:5.Henceanunjustmanisanabominationtothejust,andhethatisuprightintheway,isanabominationtothewicked.Prov29:27.Sothat,unlessyoucouldsanctifyandregenerateallmen,orcausethatnomorewickedmenshouldanywherebeinpowerforever,youcannotpreventbutthatsometimesstilltheremustbesufferersforrighteousnesssake.Yea,andallthatwilllivegodlyinChristJesus,shallsufferpersecution.2Tim.3:11.

Toprovethisalsobyreason,iseasy.Thedevilisnotyetshutupinthebottomlesspit.Antichristisyetalive.Thegovernmentinallkingdomsisnotyetmanagedwithsuchlight,andgoodnessofmind,astoletthesaintsserveGod,ashehassaid;whateveritisinsome.Anduntilthen,therewillbeins

omeplaces,(thoughformypartIcannotpredictwhere)apeoplethatwillyetsufferforwell-doing,orforrighteousnesssake.Inordertoarighthandlingofthismatter,Ishalldividethisheadin

tothesetwoparts.1.Showyouwhatitistosufferforwell-doing,orforrighteousness.2.Showyouwhatitistosufferforrighteousnesssake.Iputthisdistinction,becauseIfindthatitisonethingtosufferforrighteousness,andanothertosufferforrighteousnesssake.

Tobeginwiththefirst,namely,toshowyou,whatitistosufferforrighteousness.Nowthatmaybedoneeitherpassivelyoractively.Passively,asw


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henanysufferforrighteousnesswithouttheirownwill,orconsentthereto.ThusthelittlechildrenatBethlehemsufferedbythehandsofbloodyHerod,whentheydiedfor,orintheroomandsteadofJesusChrist.Mat2:16.Everyoneofthosechildrendiedforrighteousness,ifChristisrighteousness;fortheydieduponhisaccount,asbeingSupposedtobehehimself.

ThusalsothechildrenofIsraelslittleones,thatweremurderedwiththeirparents,orotherwise,becauseofthereligionofthemthatbegatandbarethem,diedforrighteousness.ThesamemaybesaidconcerningthoseofthemthatsufferedinthelandoftheChaldeans,uponthesameaccount.

ImightherealsobringinthosepoorinfantsthatinIreland,Piedmont,Paris,andotherplaces,havehadtheirthroatscut,andtheirbrainsdashedoutagainstthewalls,fornoneothercause,butforthereligionoftheirfathers.Many,manyhavesufferedforrighteousnessafterthismanner.Neithertheirwill,norconsent,hasbeeninthesuffering;yettheyhavesufferedforreligion,forrighteousness.Andasthishathbeen,soitmaybeagain:forifmenmayyetsufferforrighteousness,evensoforaughtIknow,eveninthissense,maytheirchildrenalso.

Now,althoughthisisnotthechiefmatterofmytext,yetafewwordsheremaydonoharm.Thechildrenthatthussuffer,thoughtheirownwillandconsentbenotinwhattheyundergo,mayyet,forallthat,beacceptedasanofferinguntotheLord.Theircauseisgood,itisforreligionandrighteousness.Theirheartsdonotrecoilagainstthecauseforwhichtheysuffer;and,althoughtheyarechildren,GodcandealwiththemaswithJohntheBaptist,causetheminamomenttoleapforjoyofChrist;orelsecansavethembyhisgrace,ashe

savethotherhiselectinfants,andthuscomprehendthem,thoughtheycannotapprehendhim.Yea,whymaythey,notonlybesaved,butinsomesensebecalledmartyrsofJesusChrist,andthosethathavesufferedforGodscauseintheworld?GodcomfortedRachelconcerningherchildren,thatHerodmurderedinthestead,andupontheaccountofChrist.Hebidsherrefrainherselffromtears,bythispromise,thatherchildrenshouldcomeagainfromthelandoftheenemy,fromdeath.Andagainsaithhe,Thychildrenshallcomeagaintotheirownborder;whichIthink,ifitbemeantinagospelsense,mustbetotheheavenlyinheritance.CompareJer31:15,withMat2:18.

Andmethinksthisshouldbementioned,notonlyforher,andtheirsakes,buttocomfortallthosethateitherhavehad,oryetmayhavetheirchildrenthussufferforrighteousness.Noneofthesethings(asshallbefurthershowedanon)happenwithoutthedeterminatecounselofGod.Hehasorderedthesufferin

gsoflittlechildren,aswellasthoseofpersonsmoreinyears.AnditiseasytothinkthatGodcanaswellforeseewhichofhiselectshallsufferbyviolenthandsintheirinfancy,aswhichofthemshallthendieanaturaldeath.Hehassaintssmallinage,aswellasinesteem,orotherwise;andsometimestheleastmemberofthebodysufferethviolence,aswellastheheadorotherchiefparts.AndalthoughIdesirenottoseethosedaysagain,yetmethinksitwillpleasemetoseethoselittleonesthatthushavealreadysufferedforJesus,tostandintheirwhiterobes,withtheeldersoftheirpeople,beforethethrone,tosinguntotheLamb.

Buttopassthis,andtocometothat,whichismoredirectlyintendedtobespokento,namelytoshowyouwhodothactivelysufferforrighteousness.And,

First.Itishethatchoosethbyhisownwillandconsenttosufferfor

it.Allsufferingthatcanbecalledactivesuffering,mustbebytheconsentofthewill;andthatisdone,whenamanshallhavesinandsufferingsetbeforehim,andshallchoosesufferingratherthansin.MoseschoserathertosufferafflictionwiththepeopleofGod,thantoenjoythepleasuresofsinforaseason.Andagain,Theydidnotacceptofdeliverance,(thatis,onbaseandunworthyterms)thattheymightobtainabetterresurrection.Heb11:25,35.

Indeed,nomancanforceaChristiantosufferasaChristian,withouthisownconsent.AllChristiansaresufferers,ofwill,andconsent.Henceitissaid,theymusttakeuptheircross,bywhichtakingup,anactoftheirwillisintended.Soagain,Takemyyokeuponyou,whichalsointendsanactofthewill.


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Mat10:38;11:29;16:24.This,therefore,isthefirstthingthatIwouldpresentyouwith.Nott

hatanactofthewillisenoughtodeclareamanasuffererforrighteousness,itstandingalone:foramanthroughthestrengthofdelusion,andthepowerofanerroneousconscience,maybewillingtosufferforthegrossestopinionsintheworld.ButIbringittoshowthatactualsufferingforrighteousness,mustalsobebytheconsentofthewill;themindofthemanmustbeinit.

Secondly.Hethatsufferethforrighteousnessthus,mustalsohaveagoodcause.Agoodcauseisthatwhichisessentialtosufferingforrighteousness.Agoodcause,whatisthat?Why,verily,ItisthetruthofGod;eitherinthewholeofit,ascontainedinthescripturesoftruth;orinthepartsofit,assetbeforemetobelieve,ordo,byanypartofthatholyword.Thismaybecalledthematter,forwhichonesuffereth:or,asitiscalledinanotherplace,thewordofrighteousness.Heb5:13.Itmayalsobecalledtheformofsounddoctrine,orthelike.Becausewithoutthisword,thematter,andnatureofGodstruthscannotbeknown.Pilatesquestion,Whatistruth?willstillabideaquestion,tothosethathavenot,orregardnottheword,theruleofrighteousness.Joh18:38.Seethenthatthycausebegood,thouthatwouldstknowwhatitistosufferforrighteousness.Stepnotahairsbreadthwithouttheboundsofthewordoftruth;alsotakeheedofmisunderstanding,orofwringingoutofitsplace,anythingthatisthere.LetthewordsoftheUprightstandupright;warpthemnot,totheendtheymaycomplyinshowwithanycrookednotion.Andtopreventthis,takethesethreewordsasaguide,inthismatter,tothee.Theyshowmentheirsins,andhowtoclosewithaSaviour;theyenjoinmentobeholyandhumble;

theycommandmentosubmitthemselvestoauthority.Andwhateveriscrosstothese,comesfromignoranceof,orfromwrestingtheruleofrighteousnessoutofitsplace.

Butmoreparticularly,thewordofrighteousness,(thycause,withintheboundsofwhichthoumustkeep,ifthouwiltsufferforrighteousness)istobedividedintotwoparts.

1.Itcontainetharevelationofmoralrighteousness.2.Itcontainetharevelationofevangelicalrighteousness.Asformoralrighteousness,menseldomsufferonlyforthat.Becausetha

tistherighteousnessoftheworld,andthat,simplyassuch,thatsetsitselfupineverymansconscience,andhasatestimonyforitself,eveninthelightofnature.Besides,thereisnothingthatmakethheadagainstthat,butthatwhicheverymanisashamedbywordstopleadfor,andthatisimmorality.Andthisis

thatwhichPeterintendswhenhesaith,Andwhowillharmyouifyebefollowersofthatwhichisgood?(1Pe.3:18.)Ifyebefollowersofmoralgoodness.(Butifitshouldsohappen,forthecaseisrare,thatanymanshouldmakeyousufferersbecauseyouloveGod,anddogoodtoyourneighbour,happyareye.ThoughIdonotthinkthattheapostlesconclusionterminatesthere.Butmoreofthesethingsanon.)Forletamanbeagoodneighbour,inmorals;lethimfeedthehungry,clothethenaked,givefreelyoutofhispursetothepoor,anddothatwhichhewouldanothershoulddotohim;andstopthere,andnotmeddlewiththenameofChrist,andheshallhavebutfewenemiesintheworld.Foritisnotthelaw,butChristthatisthestumblingblock,andtherockofoffencetomen.Isa8:14,15;Rom9:31-33.

Wherefore,thereisinGodswordarevelationofanotherrighteousness,arighteousnesswhichisnotsovisibleto,yea,andthatsuitethnotsowith,th

ereasonofmanasthatmoralrighteousnessdoth.Whereforethisrighteousnessmakesmenrighteousinprinciple,andpractice,soasisforeigntonaturalmen.Henceitissaidtobefoolishnesstothem.Andagain,itspraiseisnotofmen.Rom2:29;1Cor.2:14.Thisrighteousnessisalsorevealedintimescriptures,buttheblindcannotseeit.ItistheworkoftheHolyGhostintheheart,andisthereforecalledthefruitoftheSpirit;andthegrace,whichintheheadandfullnessofit,isonlytobefoundinChrist.Joh1:16;Col1:19;1Tim1:14.Thisrighteousnessbeingplantedintheheart,leadsamanthroughthewordofGod,toseekforanotherrighteousness,asinvisibleto,andforeignfromthenaturalman,asthis.Andthatrighteousnessisthatwhichproperlyistherighteous


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nessofJesusChrist,arighteousnessthatstandethinhisobediencetohisFatherslaw,ashewasconsideredacommon,orpublicperson:arighteousnesswhichhebroughtintotimeworld,notforhimself,asconsideredinaprivatecapacity,butforthosethatshallbyfaithventurethemselvesuponhim,toobtainbyhimlifeeternal.Rom5:19;Phil3:7-10.

Again,Thisclosingbyfaith,withthisrighteousnessthusfoundinChrist,andbeingtakentherewith,leadsmeyettoanotherrighteousness,whichisinstitutedworship,appointedbyChrist,forallhisfollowerstobeconversantin.Thisworshipisgroundedonpositiveprecepts,andsoonwordsofrighteousness,calledChristswords,Christssayings.NowuponthisbottombeginsthedifferencebetwixtthemenofGod,andtheworld.

Forfirst,bythisinwardprincipleofrighteousnesswecometosee,andsay,thatmenbynaturearenotChristians:whatprivilegessoevertheymayaccountthemselvespartakersthereof.ButwhosoeverisaChristian,ofGodsmakingso,isbegottenandbornofGod,andmadeanewcreaturebytheanointingreceivedfromtheHolyOne.James1:18;Joh3:3,5;2Cor5:17,18;1:21;1Jo2:20,24,27.Nowthisthesecarnalmencannotenduretohearof;becauseitquiteexcludesthemassuch,fromashareinthekingdomofheaven.

Tothisagain,theChristianstands;andbackswhathesaysby,writings,sermons,andbooksofgospeldivinity;andstandtowhattheysay.Theworldagain,areangrywiththesesayings,sermons,andbooks;forbythemtheyareconcludedtobepersonsthatarewithoutrepentance,andthehopeofeternallife.Hereagain,thecarnalworldjudgesthatthesepeopleareproud,self-willed,pragmatical,contentious,self-conceited,andsounsufferablepeople.TheChristi

anyetgoeson,andstandstowhathehasasserted.Thenthepoorworldattheirlastshiftbegintoturn,andoverturnthegospelbymanstime


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believer.ThustheyservedourLord;for,notbeingabletodownwithhisdoctrine,theybegantoperverthiswords,andtomake(asalsotheysaidafterwardsofLuthers)someoffensive,someerroneous,sometreasonable,andthatbothagainstGodandCaesar;andsotheyhangedhimup,hopingtheretoputanendtothings.Butthisisbutthebeginningofthings:fortheChristianmanbythewordofthegospelgoesfurtherwithhiscensure.Forhealsofindethfaultwithallthatthisman,bytheabilityofnature,candoforthefreeinghimselffromthelawofsinanddeath.Hecondemnshimbytheword,becauseheisinastateofnature;andhecondemnethalso,whatever,whileinthatstate,hedoeth,asthatwhichbynomeanscanpleaseGod.Rom14:23;Heb1:6.Thisnowputshimmoreout;thisistakinghisgodsawayfromhim.Thisistostriphimofhisraiment,suchasitis,andtoturnhimnakedintothepresenceofGod.ThisIsayputshimoutandout.Thesewild-brainedfellows,(quothline)arenevercontent;theyfindfaultwithusastoourstate;theyfindfaultwithusastoourworks,ourbestworks.Theyblameusbecausewearesinners,andtheyfindfaultwithus,thoughwemend;theysay,bynature,wearenoChristians,andthatourbestdoingswillnotmakeussuch.Whatwouldtheyhaveusdo?Thusthereforetheyrenewtheirquarrel.ButtheChristianmancannothelpit,unlessheshouldseethemgotohell,andsayingnothing.ForthewordofGoddothasassuredlycondemnmansrighteousness,asitdothcondemnmanssin.Itcondemnethnotmansrighteousnessamongmen,forthereitisgoodandprofitable.Job35:6-8.ButwithGod,tosavethesoul,itisnobetterthanfilthyrags.Isa64:6.

NorwillthisChristianmansufferthesecarnalonestodeludethemselveswithachangeofterms.Forthedevil,whoisthegreatmanagerofcarnalmen

inthingsthatconcerntheirsouls,andinthepleathattheymakeforthemselves,willhelpthemtotricksandshiftstoevadethepowerofthewordofGod;teachingthemtocallthebeautiesofnature,grace;andtheactsofnaturalpowers,theexerciseofthegracesoftheSpirit.HewillemboldenthemalsotocallmansrighteousnesstherighteousnessofChrist,andthatbywhichasinnermaybejustifiedinthesightofGod,fromthelaw.ThesetrickstheChristiansees,andbeingfaithfultoGodstruth,anddesiringthesalvationofhisneighbour,helaborethtodiscoverthefallacy,andtopropoundbettertermsforthispoorcreaturetoembrace,andventurehissoulupon.WhichtermsarewarrantedbytheNewTestament,astrangertowhichthenaturalmanis.But,Isay,thethingswhichtheChristianpresseth,beingsoforeigntonature,andlyingsocrosstomansbestthings,arepresentlyjudgedbythenaturalman,tobefables,orfoolishness.1Co2:14.

Whereforehereagain,hetakesanotheroccasiontomaintainhisstrifeandcontentionagainsttherighteousman;raisingslandersuponhim,andlayingthingstohischargethatheunderstandethnot;chargingalsohisdoctrinewithmanygrievousthings-namely,thatheholdeththatmanwasmadetobedamned;thatmansrighteousnessisnobetterthansin;thatamanhadasgooddoillaswell;thatwemaybelieve,anddowhatwelist;thatholinesspleasethnotGod;andthatsinningisthewaytocausegracetoabound.Besides,(saythey)hecondemnethgoodmotions,andallgoodbeginningsofhearttoGodward.Hecastethawaythatgoodwehave,andwouldhaveusdependuponajusticetosaveusby,thatwecanbynomeansapproveof.

Andthusthequarrelismadeyetwiderbetweenthemenoftheworld,andtheChristianman.Butthereisnotastopputhere.Foritispossibleforth

ecarnalmantobebeatenoutofallhisargumentsforhimselfandhisownthings,bythepowerandforceoftheword:andtobemadetoconsenttowhattheChristianhassaidastothenotionofthetruth.(Imustnotspeakthisofall.)Butyetthebreachdothstillabide;foryetthereappearstobenomorewiththeman,butonlythenotionofthings.ForthoughthenotionsofthingsarethosethatofGodaremadethemeansofconveyinggraceintotheheart,yetgraceisnotalwayswiththenotionofthings.Thewordofttimesstandethinmansunderstandingalone,andremaineththere,asnotbeingaccompaniedwithsuchgraceascanmakeitthepowerofGodtosalvation.Nowwhenitisthuswiththesoul,thedangerisasgreatasever,becausethereisapresumptionnowbegottenintheh


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eart,thatthemanisinasavedcondition.Apresumption,Isay,(insteadoffaith)whichpuffethup,insteadofenablingthesoulafteragodlymannertodependuponGodformercythroughChrist.Thisiscalledthewordofthemthatarepuffedup;thewordonly,becausenotaccompaniedwithsavinggrace.1Cor4:19;8:1;1Thess1:5

ThistheChristianalsosees,andsaysitistooweaktoconductthesoultoglory.Andthisindeedhesays,becausehewouldnotthathisneighbourshouldcomeshortofhome.

Butneithercanthisbeborne;buthereagain,thenaturalmanwithhisnotionofthingsisoffended;andtakesapetagainsthisfriend,becausehetellshimthetruth,andwouldthathesosho

advice to sufferers by john bunyan

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