David's distress and deliverance a sermon on I Samuel 30. 6. preached at Edinburgh March 22nd. 1696. By J:W: minster of the gospel. Wilson, John, ca. 1654-ca. 1719. 1696 Approx. 26 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 10 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2005-10 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A66555 Wing W2902 ESTC R219584 99831045 99831045 35507 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A66555) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 35507) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 2087:03) David's distress and deliverance a sermon on I Samuel 30. 6. preached at Edinburgh March 22nd. 1696. By J:W: minster of the gospel. Wilson, John, ca. 1654-ca. 1719. 14, [2] p. printed by John Reid, at his Printing-House in Bell's-Wynd, Edinburgh : M DC XCVI. [1696] J.W. = John Wilson. Includes a poem on last leaf. Reproduction of the original in the British Library. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. 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Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Bible. -- O.T. -- Samuel, 1st, XXX -- Commentaries -- Early works to 1800. Sermons, English -- 17th century. 2004-12 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2005-02 SPi Global Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2005-03 Mona Logarbo Sampled and proofread 2005-03 Mona Logarbo Text and markup reviewed and edited 2005-04 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion DAVID's Distress and Deliverance A SERMON ON 1 SAMUEL 30.6 . Preached at EDINBURGH March 22 nd . 1696. By J : W : Minister of the Gospel . Psal : 42.11 . Why art thou cast down O my Soul ? And why art thou disquieted within me ? Hope thou in GOD : For I shall yet praise Him , who is the Health of my Countenance , and my GOD. Ecce par DEO Dignum , vir Bonus cum Mala Fortuna compositus , Seneca : EDINBURGH , Printed by John Reid , at his Printing-House in Bell's-Wynd , M DCX CVI. To the S : C : R : B : THE Actings of the Spirit of GOD are Harmonious on every Believing Soul , varying only according to the different Circumstances of the Respective Persons , ours being Congenial at the time ; I hope what affoorded me Solace , may have the same Effect on any of you who endeavour to seek GOD in earnest , that it may prove Successful for that Effect , next to the Honour of our Exalted LORD and Master , is the earnest Prayer of His unworthy Servant , And Your fellow Sufferer in the Kingdom and Patience of JESUS CHRIST , J : W : Kirkwal , Febr : 5. 1696. SERMON OF DAVID's Distress and Deliverance . 1 Sam : 30.6 . And David was greatly Distressed , for the People spake of Stonning him , because the Soul of all the People was grieved , every Man for his Sons and for his Daughters ; But David encouraged himself in the LORD his GOD. THE preceeding History shews the ground of these Words : That being plain , I proceed to the Words themselves . In which , remark the State of a Religious Soul under Distress , that in the midst of a Storm without , hath Calm Weather within , Observe 1 st . A Storm from all Corners , beating on the Divine Soul. 2 dly . The Sedate calm and serene Temper thereof ; I shall consider them as they ly . First . Inward Distress , Arr : Mont : Et Angustia fuit David valde , Jun : & Trem : Angustia esset Davidi valde . The troubles that lighted on the Bodies of others fell on his Spirit ; Outward Providences are no Straits , till they get into the Heart , a total stoppage of the Passages about the Heart , causes Death , a Coarctation from the Sense of imminent or present Evils thereof , Grief . 2 dly , Peoples Tongues , boyling causes Froath , when the Heart is in bitterness , the Tongue will give vent , according to the Mans Disposition , in Words , of Discontent or sinful Passion . 3 dly , When the Waves rise higher , bad Words . often end in worse Actions ; if not prevented by Providence or Grace : The stroke that was from GOD , is charged on David : They see the Stone , and not the Hand therefore , would throw it back at him , as the suspected person . 4 thly , The Ground of all , and that 1 st . Inward , their Soul was grieved , Arr : Mont : Quod amartudine affecta esset omnis anima , Jun : & Trem : Erat enim amarus animus populi , These troubles like sowre Leaven , had fermented their Hearts . 2 dly , Outward , for their Sons and Daughters , these are Mens greatest Treasures , their Goods were also taken away ; But this afflicts more , that the Hope of surviving in their Posterity was gone . 2 dly , Under all this , consider the Calmness of David's Spirit , Tranquillus Deus tranquillat omnia , sayes one , Sapientis animus est instar status mundi supra lunam : semper illic serenum est , sayes Seneca , wherein notice 1 st . His Frame , Arr : Mont : roboravit● , he strengthned himself : Jun : & Trem : confirmavit , he confirmed himself , and that on a two fold Ground . First , The Power , All-Sufficiency and Soveraignity of GOD , Isa : 26.4 . In the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting Strength . His Name is a strong Tower , Prov : 18.10 . 2 dly , His Interest in Him , JEHOVAH denotes his Essence , Eli shaddai his Power and All-Sufficiency , but Domino Deo suo , denotes Davids Proprietie . There is much Divinity in Pronownes , sayes Luther , The Name LORD hath Thunder , but my GOD Sweetness . GOD , even thy GOD , shall bless thee , Psal : 67.6 . From the Words thus explained , many Doctrines might be deduced ; But my designe is to insist on the Latter Part , which contains this Proposition . Under straits , Outward or Inward , on the Soul , Body or Condition , the Soveraignity , Power and All-Sufficiency of GOD , and an Interest in Him , gives encouragement and Comfort . In the prosecution of this , consider first , what there is in GOD to Encourage , and this will discover that there is nothing in other things , that is not in him . The Encouragements from God are reduceable to these four Heads . First , His Attributes , there is a Stock of Comfort , a Well-spring of Everlasting Delight , a Fountain that cannot be drawn dry ; His power is for His people , and against their Enemies . The same Cloud is dark on the Aegyptians side , light on the Israelits : His Wisdom guides their Hearts and wayes ; And when humane policy , mean arts , and contrivances prove like a foot out of Joynt , this gives light and direction . His goodness , that seems wrapt up in the Cloud , tho it shine not on their outward conditions ; Yet with its Rayes Illustrates their Hearts : As the Sun , when the Clouds enterpose betwixt its light and us , shines still above . His Truth is more than the dim light of nature , or the Moon-shine of legal Ceremonies , or the faint conceits of men ; ( like an ignis fatuus or stella micans ) it shines on all , according to their cappacities , and its Entertainment . His Holiness like niter or sope , tho it toss , yet it refines the Soul : Yea his Justice , which of all the rest looks most terrible , brings them to act by lower motives of fear , which better experience sublimats to hope , till it end in the most manlie and rational inducement of Obedience , Love. Thus these his attributes , tho seeming to dim wit , to d●s●gree ; Yet concur Harmoniously to the Souls encouragement , first in duty , and then in comfort : For the seeking encouragement in the latter without the former , is but putting a surface over the the Wound , while it festers within . Secondly , His providences look favourably on the gracious heart , that passage , Isa. 26.21 . Come My people , enter into thy Chambers , &c. Whether it be to be understood of the attributes , or providences , or promises of GOD , is true of all three , and by interpreters , is thought to be taken from the common practice of men , who then there are dangers or storms abroad , betake to their Houses , or to that , Exod : 9.19 , 20. Of not going out of their houses , Exod : 12.22 . Or to relate to that of Rahab . Josh : Chap : 2. Even these dispensations , the soul is ready to entertain such thoughts of , as Jacob , Gen : 42.36 . All these things are against me ; Yet , as with him , all was concurring for the good of his familie , and the Church ; So these Passages , whereof we judge ante quintum actum in the end are found the best , yea needful . If Abraham can bear riches , he shall have them . If to Lazarus Soul poverty be meetest , he must have it . A dung-hill exercises Jobs patience as the Bench had done his integrity and Charitie : In the one he wanted feet to guide him , except these of faith and patitience , in the other he was feet to the lame , Let us never entertain bad thoughts of providence , till we see the whole frame . That passage is more comprehensive than ordinary Christians are aware of , Rom : 8.28 . All things work together for good , to them which love GOD. There are some have uttered an expression , which must be cautiously said and explained , that their sins did them most good , and their graces least , not in their own nature , but corruption or grace mingling , sin became matter of Humiliation , their graces of elation of mind . Thirdly , The promises of God , are a Wellspring of comfort , if infidelity did not dam up , or divert its conduits . There is more to be seen be a Gratious Heart in one promise , than a thousand volumns , where the Soul is convinced of Divine veracity , and perswaded of the certainty of Divine revelation ; And I am perswaded , that supposing a God and providence , which none in their wits dare deny ; Yea in their secret thoughts must say , quid si ? Supposing this , I say , the certainty and fullness of them , suitable to all conditions , events and circumstances , is encouraging : So that there is not any condition the Soul can labour under , but it finds something in the word that meets it . It were a transcibing Holy write , to give particular instances . I am perswaded none in the least degree acquaint with Christianity can deny it , only herein lyes our error , that as we are ready to mistrust the promises when they are due , so also to trust to them when they do not belong . 4 ly , Experiences from GOD's actings on the Soul in every Condition , are a great ground of Encouragement ; This extends not only to the Outward Course of Providence , but especially to the Inward Actings on the Heart , for the Infinitly Wise GOD discovers Himself unto us three wayes . First , In the Works of Nature , this vast Frame , all its Wheels are guided by an Architect , that is Wise , Great , and Good , and he that guides well the Universal Frame , will much more his peculiar Servants . 2 ly , Of Providence , there indeed , things , if we eye their outward Surface , seem not to roule in so regular a Course , being byassed by Mens corruptions ; Yet still without any confusion : Things may indeed seem to us to act confusedly , but GOD is Orderly in all His Workings , and the wayes Men takes to build , He takes to demolish ; For the same very Methods the Foolish World attempt to ruine the Gracious Soul by , are the Wayes the Wise GOD is using for their Establishment . Joseph's selling into Aegypt , was designed for his ruine , and defeating his Prophetic dreams , while providence was making use of the same to raise both the patient and Agents . Thirdly , The experiences of his goodness , appear signally in acts of grace , his secret dealings on the Souls of men . I shall instance only some of them suitable to the Text. Experience 1. When he shuts one Fountain he opens another . David could have no room in Judah , gets it among his very enemies in Zicklag ; And when he wants outward Ordinances , wants not also Divine Consolations : if his condition be straitned outwardly , it s enlarged inwardly . If Hagars Bottle be sp●nt , there is supply at hand . If Canaan yield no Corn , Aegypt must . If he take away the Staff of Bread , and support without it , we want nothing . We are tyed to the means , so is not he . If he shut Ministers Mouths , he can open their hearts . If he withdraw maintainance from Authority , before his Prophet want meat , a Raven it self unclean to be eaten , shall fetch clean food . Experience 2. GOD is not alwayes against these whom men are : Victrix causa , diis placuit ; Sed victa Catoni : said the Po●t : Tho even among good men , their corruptions may be striving against one another , GOD is oft on the Sufferers side . Saul indeed , 1 Sam : 28.15 . may have the Philistins present and GOD absent ; But here there is distress from men , and encouragement from and in GOD. The band of men may be near JESUS to Crucify ; but the Angel is as near to Comfort him . Experience 3. Outward straits end not there , but at length straiten the heart : For troubles are not worthie of that name , till they reach the heart , Job . 34.29 . If he giveth quietness , who then can make trouble , and è contra . As is the heart , such is the man , either Cloudy or comfortable . Crosses or comforts either begin or end there . If GOD's presence be not with us , we move like Pharaohs Chariots in the red Sea ; but if the Oyl of Joy anoint the Wheels , like the Chariots of Aminadab , a willing People . Neh : 8.10 . Experience 4 th , The Fear and Love of GOD , casts out the fear of Men : David eying the Ziklagites saw nothing but stonning ; Eying GOD , Encouragement , Isa. 8.13 , 14. The fear of Men espyes nothing but a Conspiracy , the Fear of GOD , a Sanctuarie , Perfect Love casteth out fear of Suffering be Men. 1 John 4.18 . When there appears darkness overspreading the Hemisphere , in a Storm or Ecclipse , the Sun that is darkned is not set . JESUS can tell , John 19.11 . Ye had not had power over me if it had not been given you from Above . Experience 5 th . Tho GOD permits to annoy ; yet gives no power to destroy them : The Ziklagites that threaten stones might as easily have thrown them , that which reached to Jobs Children , substance and skin , might have reached his life , but none in Heaven , earth or hell dare exceed their commission , Nero burns the Christians , but he could not consume Christianity . Dioclesian erects his Triumphs , Post deletum nomen Christianum ; But they were then alive that saw it wear the Imperial Diadem and purple . All the advantage Men obtain by fighting against the Interest of CHRIST and Christians , is , that they get their Grave in the Quarrel , which they digg with their own Hands . Let Winds bluster , Tides rise , Enemies roar , Shelves threaten , and Self straiten , the Ship of the Church , and of particular Beleivers also , Fluctuat , & nunquam mergitur . — Experience 6 th , Before Deliverance , Straits urge most , the day before the Dawning is darkest : Betwixt Malachie , the last of the Prophets ( who according to Bishop Usher's Annals , lived Anno M : 3589 ) and our Saviour's appearing , Anno M : 3984 , were 395 years , not a Prophet sent in all this time , till the LORD of all the Prophets appears . Remark David here immediatly before his wearing the Crown straitned , the next Chapter shews the death of Saul , and thereafter his Solemn Investiture . The Israelites at Baalzephon , see how straitned , Exod : 14.10 . Et Seq : observe how it ends Chapter : 15. throughout . Eye the Psalms , where many of them begins with Sadness , end with Comfort ; Yea , the Text begins with Distress , and ends with Encouragement . Thus it is also with private Christians , as Experience will convince , when the Clouds are thickest , the Sky darkest , the Soul overcasten , neither Sun nor Stars appearing for many dayes , a Harbour appears for the distressed Soul. For Improvement . HEnce we may learn , first what it is , that obstructs our Comfort ; It is true , sometime indeed , and very often in melanchollie persons , and unexperienced Souls , either the dark and duskie fumes of melanchollie thoughts , or mistakes about the Nature of GOD , unwarrantable conceits about Decrees , or excess in passionate expressions of sorrow , or mistaking the Nature of Faith and Repentance , or doubts about their perseverance , or expecting perfection , where GOD expects only Sincerity with the Merits of JESUS to make the Soul compleat ; These often discourage , but it is as certain , that there are Spiritual Derelictions for a time , when the Influences from Heaven are denyed , and then Tilling and Sowing are still Duties ; tho fruitless . Else what means that Psal : 30.6.7 . Certainly David appears no Melancholian , for he is descrived rather by a Sanguine Complexion , a Ruddie Man. That also evinces this , Isa : 49.14 , 15. In the 14 th . verse forgotten , in the other remembred , As that which is dearest . It is true , that passage may be understood also , of temporal Dealings ; But not only , for the Scriptures are so full , that they include at once , a literal and mystical Sense . As is evident in Citations in the New from the Old Testament , and in the Life of JESUS , which is the perfect Patern for the Christian , as to Doctrine and Life , see Joh : 12.27 . Now is my Soul troubled , and what shall I say ? If thus Clouds overcast a Soul that never offended , what may us , who offend dayly ? In the Apostles ye see Instances of the same , by comparing Rom 7.24 . with Chap : 8.1 . in the one verse , Not only Death , but the very Body of it , In the other , No Condemnation : Whether it be to be understood of the Regenerat or unregenerat , in some Sense , it was true of himself , whether in a primarie or secondarie Sense , it matters not ; Yea , there is none that seek GOD sincerely , and are acquaint with his Inward Deallings , but will find it , who will sometimes be put to it to labour in the Fire , and work all night and day ; Yet catch nothing , and ly in the dark and deep dungeons , in the place of Dragons : at another time , some that live near Him , have their Hearts so full of Faith and Love , as to be forced to cry out , Hold LORD , I am but a Clay Vessel , I can hold no more . Secondly , Hence ye may see wherein solid Comfort and Encouragement in GOD doth consist , not in the light and trancient flashes of Devotion , heats in Prayer or Praise , or Communicating , Rhetorical Flourishes in a Preacher ; A Benign bodily temper , warmed by some awakened providence , will cause that . There is indeed an animal Religion , occasioned by an influx of the animal spirits , and sweetness of the Nerval Liquor ; But this is not that encouragement in GOD , tho oft an excellent preparative for it . But it consists in a mind divested of sense and Earth , that expects from the Fountain the clear and Christal Streams : For the more there is of GOD , and the less of Earth in a comfort , the more it hath of delight , that is real : Whence it is . that Believers when outward things are abstracted , as here they were with David , are enlarged within Psal : 4.7 . Habb : 3.17.18 . There is no fear of want of Comfort to these that have the GOD of Comfort . Te mihi Deo , quid deest , When he is present , all things yield delight , when he is absent , they are but a burden , comforts without him are crosses , Crosses with him are the sweetest comforts , for waters are clearest in the Fountain . Thirdly , This informs , why the wciked have no comfort in their distress , they may have the dim Star-light of nature , or the variable Moon-light of sensible things , which have some light , but little heat , and Divine condescendance indulges them in these , for encouragement to duty , and Justice ther●by adds to their reckoning ; But when they retire unto GOD in trouble , they see nothing but dimness and distress , Isa. 8.22 . The very comfortable attributes of Love and Mercy look asquint on them . What is Mercy to a soul that slights it ? What is Love to these that hate GOD and his wayes ? What is Holiness , but a pure light to shew their spots ? Yea , what is Heaven but a place where these that Love GOD , and are beloved of him , dwell ? But what is all this to them , but the eying the Kings Palace , while they are in the Dungeon ? What are to them the promises of the Word , but a sealed Fountain ? Yea , their choicest comforts look terrible on them , their meat feeds them only for the slaughter ; But when distress comes , see how the Poor thing shakes , as Nero , Nec Amicum habeo nec inimicum . Here bone companions and pot friends may divert their thoughts a while ; But when that is gone , all is spent , still no encouragement in GOD. I proceed to grant some directions proper from this Doctrine . Direction 1. Fear GOD's frowns most , let Him be both your Dread and Trust ; They that fear Him need fear nothing else . 1 Pet : 3.13 . What shall harm you if ye be followers of that which is good ? The fear of GOD casts out a slavish servile fear of distrust , the cowardly fear of sufferings , the anxious fear of troublesom doubts , the perplexing fear of our own weakness , but not a reverential fear of GOD , and obediential of Superiors , in relative duties , nor a due distrust of corrupt self , but these that in the due order , eye GOD most , and men least , have most solid comfort . Psal : 42.10 . Reproaches are a sword in his Flesh , the presence of GOD. V : 11. A cordial at the heart , Why art thou cast down , O my Soul ? Direction 2. Eye GOD in straits , it s by Him we must leap over these Wals , He it is that gives to His beloved sleep and rest : Mean shifts , humane policy ; Yea , prudential methods may weather off a stroake and sinful trickes , or Arts may divert it , as Davids counterfeiting mad before Achish ; But solid encourragements is only from Him , that calms the Waves rage and peoples tumult . When the Sun appears the beasts of the Field betakes unto their dens , the Shaddows of the night are gone : so His Presence makes Humane fear dwindle unto nothing . In doubts indeed the Soul will be ready to say , Psal. 77.3 . I remembred GOD and was troubled ; but when the cloud is over , then ye may hear other Language , Psalm 94 : 19 : In the multitude of my thoughts within me ( perplexed like the branches of a tree , as the Original bears ) thy comforts delight my Soul. Direction 3. Secure an Interest in His Power , All-sufficiencie and Covenant ; After troubles , that was comfortable to the Father of the Faithful , Gen : 15 : 1 : I am thy shield , and thy exceeding great reward , a shield to shelter , a reward to cheer ; he had been under the power of the five Kings , chap : 14 : they might return , for their swords , here was a shield : He had refused to take of the prey , for that , GOD is , valde magnum bonum , or nerces multa , Psal : 84 : 11 : A Sun for Calefaction , Vivification , Direction and Spiritual Motion , a shield for Protection . But what signifies GODS All sufficiency without an Interest , it s that which secures the promise , Isa : 54 ▪ 10. It s a stable Covenant , but a Covenant still , and that includes duties as well as priviledges . Jehovah Zebaoth can shelter his friends , and shatter his enemies , but what is that to thee , if not thy GOD ? Direction 4. Endeavour stedfast walking with GOD here , in outward and inward straites , see Davids courage , at another time amidst splendid entertainements , see what droupings , Psal : 51.12 . Restore unto me the joy of thy Salvation . Yet in drouping fits , Psal : 22.1 . The Soul can utter my GOD , tho he add , forsaken . Heats in duty are valuable only as they promove Holy walking , but if they be used to supersede Christian walking , either in absolute or relative duties , it s like the Husband man that expects all from the influences of Heaven , and puts his Hand in his Bosome . Let Antinomians talk as they will , Comfort , tho it be not the Reward of Merite , yet it is of Labour , assisted by free Grace . The Heart on GOD , and the Hand at Work , by a Circumspect walking , go on well . If GOD indeed withdraw , we droup , but if we withdraw , He tells by Azariah , 2 Chron : 15.2 . If ye be with Him , He is with you , but if ye forsake Him , He will forsake you . Holy Walking , may have Clouds , but they will drop down , and will have Comfort in the Work , more in the Reward . For Conclusion , Let us be Strong in the LORD , and the Power of His Might ; Let Distresses come and go , Comforts and Encouragements , draw or withdraw ; Yet our GOD liveth , and blessed be our Hope . If the LORD be our GOD , there will not want Encouragement , If He shine we are Warm , if He withdraw , we Freeze . Let Earth and hell threaten , Men and devils rage , Distresses and Doubts arise ; In the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting Strength . Did we but know GOD , all these would prove like the Waves dashing on a Marble Rock , that Washes , but does not batter it . O LORD . let the World frown , if Thou Favour : Let it storm , if Thou Strengthen : Let the Ark of my Soul float on the rising waves of distress , if JESUS be within , He will rebuke the storm , and speake Peace , Joy , and Comfort , Amen . A POEM . THE Sky looks thick and boistrous Storms appear : Smart Hailstones dart down through the Atmo Sphere . Fightings without , and Fears within are nigh , Frowns from all Quarters sadly I espy . Soul , Body , Goods , Relations , drop away : A Gourd ordain'd for Night , waits not the Day . Are all these gone ? Doth nothing yet remain , A drouping Soul to chear , in saddest Pain ? Chear up my Soul , the Clouds begin to burst , And scatter Fruiteful Showers to water Dust. Look up , beyond the Azure Sky , and see Love in the Looks of great Elshaddai's Eye . Are Hosts combin'd ? The GOD of Hosts hath Power , Does Wants oppress ? Here is the Richest Store . Do Dustie Mortals frown ? His Soveraign Arm Can thee secure , from Force , Fear , Fraud , and Harme . But what is this to me ? If not my GOD ? This , this doth ease me of the heavy Load . Come then , My GOD , command a Calm with me . Smiles ( more than Frowns ) flow from that Beauteous Eye . I 'll get me up , beyond that Stormie Sky : Eye , Feel , and Taste , yond Pleasures , Sweet as High.