A brief recognition of New-Englands errand into the wilderness made in the audience of the General Assembly of the Massachusetts Colony at Boston in N.E. on the 11th of the third moneth, 1670, being the day of election there / by Samuel Danforth.
         Danforth, Samuel, 1626-1674.
      
       
         
           1671
        
      
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             A brief recognition of New-Englands errand into the wilderness made in the audience of the General Assembly of the Massachusetts Colony at Boston in N.E. on the 11th of the third moneth, 1670, being the day of election there / by Samuel Danforth.
             Danforth, Samuel, 1626-1674.
          
           [4], 23 p.
           
             Printed by S.G. and M.J.,
             Cambridge [Mass.] :
             1671.
          
           
             Reproduction of original in the Huntington Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           New England -- Religion.
           New England -- History -- Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775.
        
      
    
     
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           A
           BRIEF
           RECOGNITION
           OF
           
             NEW-ENGLANDS
          
           ERRAND
           INTO
           THE
           Wilderness
           ;
        
         
           Made
           in
           the
           Audience
           of
           the
           General
           Assembly
           of
           the
           
             Massachusets
          
           Colony
           ,
           at
           
             Boston
          
           in
           
             N.
             E.
          
           on
           the
           11
           
             th
          
           of
           the
           third
           Moneth
           ,
           1670.
           being
           the
           DAY
           of
           ELECTION
           THERE
           .
        
         
           By
           
             Samuel
             Danforth
             ,
          
           Pastor
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           Christ
           in
           
             Roxbury
          
           in
           
             N.
             E.
             
          
        
         
           Jer.
           2.
           2.
           
        
         
           
             Go
             ,
             and
             cry
             in
             the
             ears
             of
             Jerusalem
             ,
             saying
             .
             Thus
             saith
             the
             Lord
             ,
             I
             remember
             thee
             ,
             the
             kindness
             of
             thy
             youth
             ,
             the
             love
             of
             thine
             espousals
             ,
             when
             thou
             wentest
             after
             me
             in
             the
             Wilderness
             ,
             in
             a
             Land
             that
             was
             not
             sown
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             Israel
             was
             Holiness
             unto
             the
             Lord
             ,
             and
             the
             first-fruits
             of
             his
             increase
             —
          
           
             5.
             
             Thus
             saith
             the
             Lord
             ,
             What
             iniquity
             have
             your
             fathers
             found
             in
             me
             ,
             that
             they
             are
             gone
             far
             from
             me
             ,
             and
             have
             walked
             after
             vanity
             ,
             and
             are
             become
             vain
             ?
          
        
         
           CAMBRIDGE
           :
           
             Printed
             by
          
           S.
           G.
           
             and
          
           M.
           J.
           1671.
           
        
      
       
         
         
           
             Christian
             Reader
             ,
          
        
         
           
             A
             Word
             spoken
             in
             due
             season
          
           (
           saith
           
             Solomon
             )
             how
             good
             is
             it
             ?
          
           Prov.
           15.
           23.
           
           And
           again
           ,
           
             A
             word
             fitey
             spoken
             is
             like
             Apples
             of
             gold
             in
             pictures
             of
             silver
             ,
          
           Chap.
           25.
           11.
           
           Such
           were
           the
           words
           of
           our
           Lord
           Jesus
           ,
           who
           (
           accommodating
           himself
           to
           the
           way
           of
           Doctrine
           used
           by
           those
           Eastern
           Nations
           )
           did
           by
           Parabolical
           discourses
           delight
           to
           breathe
           forth
           the
           deep
           Mysteries
           of
           divine
           and
           heavenly
           Wisdome
           :
           And
           how
           plain
           ,
           but
           pungent
           ,
           his
           Sermons
           were
           ,
           how
           perspicuous
           ,
           yet
           unspeakably
           profound
           were
           those
           Oracles
           which
           flowed
           out
           of
           his
           lips
           of
           grace
           ,
           none
           are
           ignorant
           ,
           who
           are
           not
           unacquainted
           with
           what
           the
           holy
           Evangelists
           do
           harmoniously
           relate
           concerning
           him
           .
           No
           more
           excellent
           Patern
           then
           the
           Lord
           Jesus
           for
           the
           Ministry
           of
           the
           New
           Testament
           to
           imitate
           :
           And
           of
           all
           the
           words
           of
           the
           Sacred
           Scripture
           (
           though
           all
           are
           of
           equal
           Authority
           ,
           as
           being
           of
           the
           Canon
           ,
           yet
           )
           none
           seem
           to
           have
           a
           more
           eminent
           immediation
           of
           Heart-commanding
           virtue
           ,
           then
           those
           which
           proceeded
           directly
           out
           of
           the
           mouth
           of
           the
           Lord
           himself
           ;
           whereof
           this
           Text
           is
           one
           ,
           upon
           which
           the
           following
           Sermon
           is
           spent
           .
           And
           how
           much
           of
           the
           Spirit
           of
           our
           Saviour
           appears
           therein
           ,
           I
           need
           not
           say
           ,
           and
           which
           perhaps
           will
           not
           ,
           at
           the
           first
           dash
           ,
           be
           discerned
           by
           the
           ordinary
           or
           cursory
           Reader
           ;
           but
           
             Wisdome
             is
             justified
             of
             her
             children
             .
          
           The
           seasonableness
           ,
           and
           suitableness
           of
           this
           Work
           which
           is
           now
           in
           thine
           hand
           ,
           unto
           our
           present
           Wilderness-state
           ,
           will
           commend
           it self
           unto
           the
           judicious
           Christian
           ,
           whose
           heart
           doth
           indeed
           travel
           with
           the
           labouring
           Interest
           of
           the
           Kingdome
           of
           our
           Lord
           Jesus
           in
           these
           Ends
           of
           the
           Earth
           :
           The
           Text
           carrying
           with
           it
           so
           much
           heavenly
           argumentation
           ,
           being
           so
           
             profitable
             for
             Doctrine
             ,
             for
             Reproof
             ,
             for
             Correction
             ,
             for
             Instruction
             in
             righteousness
             ,
          
           as
           though
           intended
           by
           our
           Lord
           Jesus
           for
           such
           a
           Day
           as
           that
           ,
           whereon
           this
           Sermon
           was
           Preached
           ,
           (
           and
           also
           before
           such
           an
           Auditory
           )
           .
           Whose
           applauds
           the
           former
           ,
           will
           not
           disapprove
           the
           latter
           ;
           the
           Reverend
           Author
           
           thereof
           observing
           therein
           the
           Saying
           of
           that
           Apostolick
           Man
           of
           God
           (
           and
           very
           judicious
           in
           his
           Advice
           to
           younger
           Ministers
           about
           such
           matters
           )
           his
           most
           Reverend
           Father
           of
           blessed
           Memory
           ,
           Mr.
           
             Wilson
             ,
          
           viz.
           
             That
             he
             delighted
             in
             such
             a
             Sermon
             wherein
             the
             Preacher
             kept
             close
             unto
             his
             Text
             ,
             and
             the
             proper
             scope
             thereof
             ,
             and
             wandered
             not
             from
             it
             by
             needless
             excursions
             ,
             and
             impertinent
             enlargements
             .
          
        
         
           The
           loss
           of
           
             first
             love
             ,
          
           first
           to
           Christ
           ,
           and
           so
           to
           the
           Subjects
           ,
           and
           Order
           of
           his
           Kingdome
           ,
           being
           a
           Radical
           Disease
           too
           tremendously
           growing
           upon
           so
           great
           a
           part
           of
           the
           Body
           of
           Professors
           in
           this
           Land
           ,
           unto
           a
           
             Laodicean
             lukewarmness
          
           in
           the
           matters
           of
           God
           ,
           notwithstanding
           the
           signal
           ,
           and
           unparallel
           Experiences
           of
           the
           blessing
           of
           God
           upon
           this
           people
           ,
           a
           people
           so
           often
           saved
           by
           the
           Lord
           in
           the
           way
           of
           
             Moses
          
           and
           
           Aaron's
           meeting
           ,
           and
           kissing
           one
           another
           in
           the
           Mount
           of
           God
           ;
           and
           the
           observation
           of
           that
           Declension
           justly
           calling
           for
           so
           meet
           an
           Antidote
           and
           faithful
           Caution
           ,
           as
           is
           the
           ensuing
           Sermon
           (
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           )
           unto
           such
           ,
           to
           review
           ,
           and
           consider
           in
           earnest
           their
           
             Errand
             into
             this
             Wilderness
             :
          
           and
           the
           recovery
           of
           their
           affections
           to
           the
           Name
           of
           Christ
           ,
           in
           the
           chastity
           ,
           vigour
           ,
           and
           fervour
           thereof
           ,
           by
           a
           thorough-Reformation
           of
           things
           in
           the
           Matters
           of
           his
           Worship
           ,
           being
           a
           special
           duty
           in
           this
           hour
           of
           Temptation
           incumbent
           ,
           as
           on
           the
           
             Magistracy
          
           in
           their
           Sphere
           ,
           so
           on
           the
           
             Ministry
          
           in
           theirs
           ,
           whereby
           they
           may
           declare
           themselves
           loyal
           to
           Christ
           in
           their
           
             Generation-work
             ,
          
           hath
           no
           doubt
           inclined
           the
           heart
           of
           this
           Servant
           of
           his
           ,
           to
           yield
           unto
           the
           Perswasions
           of
           divers
           ,
           that
           these
           his
           Meditations
           might
           be
           published
           ,
           and
           so
           (
           through
           the
           blessing
           of
           God
           )
           advance
           that
           desired
           Reformation
           .
           It
           is
           not
           a
           
             loose
             Toleration
             ,
          
           nor
           a
           
             rigid
             Independent-Separation
             ,
          
           but
           an
           
             holy
             ,
          
           and
           
             brotherly
             Reformation
          
           which
           all
           should
           in
           such
           an
           hour
           be
           endeavouring
           .
           And
           how
           perillous
           a
           Sceptical
           Indifferency
           ,
           or
           a
           Reed
           like
           Vacillation
           ,
           much
           more
           wilful
           Opposition
           to
           the
           Doctrine
           and
           Way
           of
           the
           first
           Fathers
           and
           Founders
           of
           this
           Colony
           in
           Matters
           of
           Religion
           ,
           would
           be
           ,
           were
           it
           onely
           in
           those
           two
           Points
           about
           
             the
             Magistrates
             Coercive
             Power
             in
             Matters
             of
             Religion
             ,
          
           (
           contrary
           to
           that
           Toleration
           aforesaid
           )
           and
           about
           
             Communion
             of
             Churches
             in
             Synods
             ,
          
           &c.
           described
           also
           by
           them
           ,
           from
           the
           Word
           
           of
           God
           ,
           in
           the
           
             Platform
             of
             Discipline
          
           (
           contrary
           to
           that
           Independent-Separation
           aforesaid
           )
           will
           be
           evident
           to
           those
           that
           understand
           what
           these
           things
           mean
           ;
           
             scil
             .
             1.
             
             Quod
             liberi
             sunt
             Spirituales
             a
             jugo-potestatis
             secularis
             :
          
           and
           2.
           
           
             Quod
             Ecclesia
             non
             potest
             errare
             .
          
           It
           is
           said
           I
           remember
           (
           
             Josh
             .
          
           24.
           31.
           
           )
           that
           
             Israel
             served
             the
             Lord
             all
             the
             dayes
             of
             Joshua
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             dayes
             of
             the
             Elders
             that
             out-lived
             Joshua
             ,
             and
             which
             had
             known
             all
             the
             works
             of
             the
             Lord
             that
             he
             had
             done
             for
             Israel
             :
          
           It
           is
           much
           to
           
             Israels
          
           advantage
           in
           the
           service
           of
           God
           ,
           when
           the
           Lord
           graciously
           continues
           those
           ,
           who
           are
           acquainted
           with
           the
           
             First
             Wayes
          
           of
           such
           a
           people
           ,
           as
           hath
           been
           
             Holiness
             to
             the
             Lord
             ,
          
           and
           with
           the
           
             First
             Works
          
           of
           the
           Lord
           in
           his
           laying
           the
           Foundation
           of
           that
           Glory
           which
           might
           dwell
           in
           their
           Land.
           And
           it
           is
           recorded
           (
           
             Exod.
          
           1.
           8.
           
           )
           as
           an
           inlet
           to
           
             Israels
          
           calamitious
           state
           ,
           in
           that
           place
           where
           the
           Lord
           had
           greatly
           multiplied
           and
           blessed
           them
           ,
           that
           
             there
             aro●e
             up
             a
             New
             King
             which
             knew
             not
             Joseph
             .
          
           When
           
             Joseph
             ,
          
           or
           
             Joshua
          
           are
           unknown
           ,
           or
           forgotten
           ,
           and
           the
           Work
           and
           Way
           of
           God
           in
           leading
           his
           people
           by
           the
           hand
           of
           
             Moses
          
           and
           
             Aaron
          
           in
           their
           primitive
           Glory
           not
           understood
           ,
           or
           not
           minded
           by
           these
           or
           those
           ,
           how
           fearfully
           ominous
           to
           
             Israel
          
           must
           it
           needs
           be
           !
           and
           how
           necessitating
           the
           affectionate
           repetition
           ,
           again
           ,
           and
           again
           ,
           of
           that
           expostulatory
           ,
           sad
           Interrogation
           of
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           
             But
             what
             went
             ye
             out
             into
             the
             Wilderness
             to
             see
             ?
          
           and
           should
           there
           arise
           such
           another
           Generation
           (
           as
           is
           mentioned
           
             Judg.
          
           2.
           11.
           
           )
           after
           our
           Fathers
           are
           removed
           to
           rest
           from
           the
           Warfare
           of
           the
           service
           of
           the
           Tabernacle
           of
           God
           in
           their
           Generation
           ,
           as
           should
           
             not
             know
             the
             Lord
             ,
             nor
             regard
             the
             works
             which
             he
             hath
             done
          
           for
           our
           Israel
           ,
           what
           may
           be
           expected
           ,
           but
           that
           (
           as
           the
           following
           Context
           shews
           )
           
             the
             anger
             of
             the
             Lord
             should
             wax
             hot
             against
             Israel
             ,
             and
             that
             he
             deliver
             us
             also
             into
             the
             hand
             of
             spoilers
             ?
          
           &c.
           Strangers
           to
           the
           
             FIRST
          
           Intention
           of
           the
           people
           of
           God
           in
           their
           planting
           in
           this
           Wilderness
           ,
           and
           so
           to
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           Faith
           and
           Order
           left
           in
           Print
           behinde
           them
           (
           more
           sure
           and
           credible
           then
           some
           Vnwritten
           Traditions
           thereabout
           )
           may
           prove
           dangerous
           Instruments
           to
           
             OUR
          
           Ruine
           ,
           if
           the
           Lord
           in
           mercy
           prevent
           not
           .
        
         
           It
           was
           the
           commendation
           of
           
             Timothy
          
           by
           
             Paul
             ,
          
           2
           Tim.
           3.
           10
           ,
           11.
           as
           also
           a
           profitable
           instruction
           and
           encouragement
           to
           him
           ,
           when
           he
           saith
           ,
           
             But
             thou
             hast
             fully
             known
             my
             doctrine
             ,
             manner
             of
             life
             ,
             
             
             
             
             
             purpose
             ,
             faith
             ,
             long-suffering
             ,
             charity
             ,
             patience
             ,
             persecutions
             ,
             afflictions
             which
             came
             unto
             me
             at
             Antioch
             ,
             at
             Iconium
             ,
             at
             Lystra
             ,
             what
             persecutions
             I
             endured
             ,
             but
             out
             of
             them
             all
             the
             Lord
             delivered
             me
             :
          
           the
           like
           may
           be
           said
           of
           this
           Reverend
           Servant
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           my
           dear
           Brother
           in
           Christ
           ,
           to
           whom
           it
           hath
           seemed
           good
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           (
           according
           to
           that
           word
           of
           Wisdome
           which
           is
           given
           to
           him
           by
           that
           same
           holy
           Spirit
           ,
           from
           whom
           proceed
           those
           diversities
           of
           gifts
           ,
           which
           he
           divides
           to
           every
           man
           severally
           as
           he
           will
           )
           to
           leave
           this
           ensuing
           Testimony
           of
           his
           sollicitude
           for
           the
           poor
           Woman
           fled
           also
           into
           this
           Wilderness
           ,
           unto
           the
           consideration
           of
           all
           such
           as
           are
           wise-hearted
           in
           
             Israel
             .
          
           His
           nearness
           to
           ,
           and
           intimacy
           with
           my
           Ever-honoured
           Father
           now
           with
           God
           (
           he
           being
           brought
           up
           with
           him
           as
           a
           Son
           with
           a
           Father
           )
           commands
           from
           my
           Pen
           a
           glad
           apprehending
           the
           opportunity
           of
           performing
           this
           service
           of
           waiting
           upon
           it
           to
           the
           Press
           ;
           praying
           ,
           that
           the
           Lord
           would
           make
           the
           words
           thereof
           
             as
             Goads
             ,
             and
             Nails
             fastened
             by
             the
             Masters
             of
             Assemblies
             ,
          
           and
           
             given
             by
             that
             one
             Shepherd
          
           the
           Lord
           Jesus
           :
           In
           whom
           I
           am
        
         
           
             Thine
             ,
             for
             the
             service
             of
             thy
             Faith
             ,
             Thomas
             Shepard
             .
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           A
           BRIEF
           RECOGNITION
           OF
           New-Englands
           Errand
           into
           the
           WILDERNESS
           .
        
         
           
             Matth.
             11.
             7
             ,
             8
             ,
             9.
             
          
           
             
               —
               What
               went
               ye
               out
               into
               the
               wilderness
               to
               see
               ?
               A
               reed
               shaken
               with
               the
               wind
               .
            
             
               But
               what
               went
               ye
               out
               for
               to
               see
               ?
               A
               man
               clothed
               in
               soft
               raiment
               ?
               behold
               ,
               they
               that
               wear
               soft
               clothing
               ,
               are
               in
               Kings
               houses
               .
            
             
               But
               what
               went
               ye
               out-for
               to
               see
               ?
               A
               Prophet
               ?
               yea
               ,
               I
               say
               unto
               you
               ,
               and
               more
               then
               a
               Prophet
               .
            
          
        
         
           THese
           words
           are
           our
           Saviour's
           
             Proem
          
           to
           his
           illustrious
           Encomium
           of
           
             John
          
           the
           
             Baptist
             .
             John
          
           began
           his
           Ministry
           ,
           not
           in
           
             Jerusalem
             ,
          
           nor
           in
           any
           famous
           City
           of
           
             Judea
             ,
          
           but
           in
           the
           
             Wilderness
             ,
          
           i.
           e.
           in
           a
           woody
           ,
           retired
           and
           solitary
           place
           ,
           thereby
           withdrawing
           himself
           from
           the
           envy
           and
           preposterous
           zeal
           of
           such
           as
           were
           addicted
           to
           their
           old
           Traditions
           ,
           and
           also
           taking
           the
           people
           aside
           ,
           from
           the
           noise
           and
           tumult
           of
           their
           secular
           occasions
           and
           businesses
           ,
           which
           might
           have
           obstructed
           their
           ready
           and
           cheerful
           attendance
           unto
           his
           Doctrine
           .
           The
           Ministry
           of
           
             John
          
           at
           first
           was
           entertained
           by
           all
           sorts
           with
           singular
           affection
           :
           There
           
             went
             out
             to
             him
             Jerusalem
             and
             all
             Judea
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             region
             round
             about
             Jordan
             ,
          
           Mat.
           3.
           5.
           but
           after
           awhile
           ,
           the
           people's
           fervour
           abated
           ,
           
           and
           
             John
          
           being
           kept
           under
           restraint
           divers
           moneths
           ,
           his
           authority
           and
           esteem
           began
           to
           decay
           and
           languish
           ,
           
             John
          
           5.
           35.
           
           Wherefore
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           taking
           occasion
           from
           
             Johns
          
           Messengers
           coming
           to
           him
           ,
           after
           their
           departure
           ,
           gives
           an
           excellent
           
             Elogie
          
           and
           Commendation
           of
           
             John
             ,
          
           to
           the
           intent
           that
           He
           might
           ratifie
           and
           confirm
           his
           Doctrine
           and
           Administration
           ,
           and
           revive
           his
           Authority
           and
           Estimation
           in
           the
           hearts
           and
           consciences
           of
           the
           people
           .
        
         
           This
           
             Elogie
          
           our
           Saviour
           begins
           with
           an
           elegant
           
             Dialogism
             ,
          
           which
           the
           Rhetorician
           calleth
           
             Communication
             :
          
           gravely
           deliberating
           with
           his
           Hearers
           ,
           and
           seriously
           enquiring
           to
           what
           purpose
           they
           went
           out
           into
           the
           Wilderness
           ,
           and
           what
           expectation
           drew
           them
           thither
           .
           Wherein
           we
           have
           ,
           1.
           
           
             The
             general
             Question
             ,
             and
             main
             subject
             of
             his
             Inquisition
             .
             2.
             
             The
             particular
             Enquiries
             .
             3.
             
             The
             Determination
             of
             the
             Question
             .
          
        
         
           The
           general
           Question
           is
           ,
           
             What
             went
             ye
             out
             into
             the
             Wilderness
             to
             see
             ?
          
           He
           saith
           not
           ,
           Whom
           went
           ye
           out
           to
           
             hear
             ,
          
           but
           what
           went
           ye
           out
           to
           
             see
             ?
          
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           .
           The
           phrase
           agrees
           of
           Shows
           and
           Stage-playes
           ;
           plainly
           arguing
           that
           many
           of
           those
           ,
           who
           seemed
           well-affected
           to
           
             John
             ,
          
           and
           flock'd
           after
           him
           ,
           were
           
             Theatrical
          
           Hearers
           ,
           
             Spectators
          
           rather
           then
           
             Auditors
             ;
          
           they
           went
           not
           to
           
             ●ear
             ,
          
           but
           to
           
             see
             ;
          
           they
           went
           to
           gaze
           upon
           a
           new
           and
           strange
           Spectacle
           .
        
         
           This
           general
           Question
           being
           propounded
           ,
           the
           first
           particular
           Enquiry
           is
           ,
           whether
           they
           went
           to
           see
           
             A
             reed
             shaken
             with
             the
             wind
             ?
          
           The
           expression
           is
           Metaphorical
           and
           Proverbial
           .
           A
           reed
           when
           the
           season
           is
           calm
           ,
           lifts
           up
           it self
           and
           stands
           upright
           ,
           but
           no
           sooner
           doth
           the
           wind
           blow
           upon
           it
           ,
           but
           it
           shakes
           and
           trembles
           ,
           bends
           and
           bows
           down
           ,
           and
           then
           gets
           up
           again
           :
           and
           again
           it
           yields
           and
           bows
           ,
           and
           then
           lifts
           up
           it self
           again
           .
           A
           notable
           
             Emblem
          
           of
           light
           ,
           empty
           and
           inconstant
           persons
           ,
           who
           in
           times
           of
           peace
           and
           tranquillity
           ,
           give
           a
           fair
           and
           plausible
           Testimony
           to
           the
           Truth
           ;
           but
           no
           sooner
           do
           the
           winds
           of
           Temptation
           blow
           upon
           them
           ,
           and
           the
           waves
           of
           Troubles
           roll
           over
           them
           ,
           but
           they
           incline
           and
           yield
           to
           the
           prevailing
           Party
           :
           but
           when
           the
           Tempest
           is
           over
           ,
           they
           recover
           themselves
           and
           assert
           the
           Truth
           again
           .
           The
           meaning
           then
           of
           this
           first
           Enquiry
           is
           ,
           Went
           ye
           out
           
           into
           the
           Wilderness
           to
           see
           a
           light
           ,
           vain
           and
           inconstant
           man
           ,
           one
           that
           could
           confess
           and
           deny
           ,
           and
           deny
           and
           confess
           the
           same
           Truth
           ?
           This
           Interrogation
           is
           to
           be
           understood
           negatively
           and
           ironically
           ;
           
             q.
             d.
          
           Surely
           ye
           went
           not
           into
           the
           desert
           to
           behold
           such
           a
           ludicrous
           and
           ridiculous
           sight
           ,
           
             A
             man
             like
             unto
             a
             reed
             shaken
             with
             the
             wind
             .
          
           Under
           the
           negation
           of
           the
           contrary
           levity
           ,
           our
           Saviour
           sets
           forth
           one
           of
           
           John's
           excellencies
           ,
           
             viz.
          
           his
           eminent
           
             Constancy
          
           in
           asserting
           the
           Truth
           .
           The
           winds
           of
           various
           temptations
           both
           on
           the
           right
           hand
           and
           on
           the
           left
           ,
           blew
           upon
           him
           ,
           yet
           he
           wavered
           not
           in
           his
           testimony
           concerning
           Christ
           ,
           
             He
             confessed
             and
             denied
             not
             ,
             but
             confessed
          
           the
           truth
           .
        
         
           Then
           the
           general
           Question
           is
           repeated
           ,
           
             But
             what
             went
             ye
             out
             for
             to
             see
             ?
          
           and
           a
           second
           particular
           Enquiry
           made
           ,
           Was
           it
           to
           see
           
             a
             man
             clothed
             in
             soft
             raiment
             ?
          
           This
           Interrogation
           hath
           also
           the
           force
           of
           a
           negation
           ,
           
             q.
             d.
          
           Surely
           ye
           went
           not
           into
           the
           Wilderness
           to
           see
           a
           man
           clothed
           in
           silken
           and
           costly
           Apparel
           .
           The
           reason
           of
           this
           is
           added
           ,
           
             Behold
             ,
             they
             that
             wear
             soft
             clothing
             ,
             are
             in
             Kings
             houses
             .
          
           Delicate
           and
           costly
           Apparel
           is
           to
           be
           expected
           in
           P
           〈…〉
           ces
           Courts
           ,
           and
           not
           in
           wilde
           Woods
           and
           Forrests
           .
           Under
           the
           negation
           of
           
           John's
           affectation
           of
           Courtly
           delicacy
           ,
           our
           Saviour
           sets
           forth
           another
           of
           
           John's
           excellencies
           ,
           
             viz.
          
           his
           singular
           
             gravity
          
           and
           
             sobriety
             ,
          
           who
           wore
           rough
           garments
           ,
           and
           lived
           on
           course
           and
           mean
           fare
           ,
           
             Mat.
          
           3.
           4.
           which
           austere
           kinde
           of
           life
           was
           accommodated
           to
           the
           place
           and
           work
           of
           his
           Ministry
           .
           
             John
          
           Preached
           in
           the
           Wilderness
           ,
           which
           was
           no
           fit
           place
           for
           silken
           and
           soft
           raiment
           .
           His
           work
           was
           to
           prepare
           a
           people
           for
           the
           Lord
           ,
           by
           calling
           them
           off
           from
           worldly
           pomp
           and
           vanities
           ,
           unto
           repentance
           and
           mourning
           for
           sin
           .
           His
           peculiar
           habit
           and
           diet
           was
           such
           as
           became
           a
           penitentiary
           Preacher
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           the
           generall
           Question
           is
           reiterated
           ,
           
             But
             what
             went
             ye
             out
             for
             to
             see
             ?
          
           and
           a
           third
           particular
           Enquiry
           made
           ,
           Was
           it
           to
           see
           
             a
             Prophet
             ?
          
           This
           Interrogation
           is
           to
           be
           understood
           affirmatively
           ,
           
             q.
             d.
          
           no
           doubt
           but
           it
           was
           to
           see
           a
           
             Prophet
             .
          
           Had
           not
           
             John
          
           been
           a
           rare
           and
           excellent
           Minister
           of
           God
           ,
           you
           would
           never
           have
           gone
           out
           of
           your
           Cities
           into
           the
           desert
           to
           have
           seen
           him
           .
           Thus
           our
           Saviour
           sets
           forth
           another
           of
           
           John's
           admirable
           excellencies
           ,
           
             viz.
          
           his
           
             Prophetical
          
           Office
           and
           Function
           .
           
             John
          
           
           was
           not
           an
           ordinary
           Interpreter
           of
           the
           Law
           ,
           much
           less
           a
           Teacher
           of
           Jewish
           Traditions
           ,
           but
           
             a
             Prophet
             ,
          
           one
           who
           by
           the
           extraordinary
           Inspiration
           of
           the
           holy
           Ghost
           ,
           made
           known
           the
           Mysteries
           of
           Salvation
           ,
           
             Luke
          
           1.
           76
           ,
           77.
           
        
         
           Lastly
           ,
           our
           Saviour
           determines
           and
           concludes
           the
           Question
           ,
           He
           ,
           whom
           ye
           went
           out
           to
           see
           was
           
             more
             then
             a
             Prophet
             ,
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             much
             more
             ,
          
           or
           
             abundantly
             more
             then
             a
             Prophet
             .
          
           This
           he
           confirms
           by
           his
           wonted
           Asseveration
           ,
           
             Yea
             ,
             I
             say
             unto
             you
             ,
          
           and
           much
           more
           then
           a
           Prophet
           .
           How
           was
           
             John
          
           much
           more
           then
           a
           Prophet
           ?
           
             John
          
           was
           
             Christs
             Herauld
          
           sent
           immediately
           before
           his
           face
           ,
           to
           proclaim
           his
           Coming
           and
           Kingdome
           ,
           and
           prepare
           the
           people
           for
           the
           reception
           of
           him
           by
           the
           Baptism
           of
           Repentance
           ,
           
             ver
             .
          
           10.
           
           Hence
           it
           follows
           
             ver
             .
             11.
             
             Among
             all
             that
             are
             born
             of
             women
             ,
             there
             hath
             not
             risen
             a
             greater
             Prophet
             then
             John.
             John
          
           was
           greater
           then
           any
           of
           the
           Prophets
           that
           were
           before
           him
           ,
           not
           in
           respect
           of
           his
           personal
           graces
           and
           virtues
           ,
           (
           for
           who
           shall
           perswade
           us
           that
           he
           excelled
           
             Abraham
          
           in
           the
           grace
           of
           
             Faith
             ,
          
           who
           was
           the
           father
           of
           the
           faithful
           ,
           or
           
             Moses
          
           in
           
             Meekness
             ,
          
           who
           was
           the
           meekest
           man
           on
           earth
           ,
           or
           
             David
          
           in
           
             Faithfulness
             ,
          
           who
           was
           a
           man
           after
           Gods
           own
           heart
           ,
           or
           
             Solomon
          
           in
           
             Wisdome
             ,
          
           who
           was
           the
           wisest
           man
           that
           ever
           was
           or
           shall
           be
           ?
           )
           but
           in
           respect
           of
           the
           manner
           of
           his
           dispensation
           .
           All
           the
           
             Prophets
          
           foretold
           Christs
           Coming
           ,
           his
           Sufferings
           and
           Glory
           ,
           but
           the
           
             Baptist
          
           was
           his
           
             Harbinger
          
           and
           
             Forerunner
             ,
          
           that
           bare
           the
           Sword
           before
           him
           ,
           Proclaimed
           his
           Presence
           ,
           and
           made
           room
           for
           him
           in
           the
           hearts
           of
           the
           people
           .
           All
           the
           
             Prophets
          
           saw
           Christ
           afar
           off
           ,
           but
           the
           
             Baptist
          
           saw
           him
           present
           ,
           baptized
           him
           ,
           and
           applied
           the
           Types
           to
           him
           personally
           .
           
             Behold
             the
             Lamb
             of
             God.
             He
             saw
             and
             bare
             record
             that
             this
             is
             the
             Son
             of
             God.
          
           Joh.
           1.
           29
           ,
           34.
           
           
             But
             he
             that
             is
             least
             in
             the
             Kingdome
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             is
             greater
             then
             John.
          
           The
           least
           Prophet
           in
           the
           Kingdome
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           
             i.
             e.
          
           the
           least
           Minister
           of
           the
           Gospel
           since
           Christ's
           Ascension
           ,
           is
           greater
           then
           
             John
             ;
          
           not
           in
           respect
           of
           the
           measure
           of
           his
           personal
           gifts
           ,
           nor
           in
           respect
           of
           the
           manner
           of
           his
           Calling
           ,
           but
           in
           respect
           of
           the
           
             Object
          
           of
           his
           Ministry
           ,
           
             Christ
             on
             the
             Throne
             ,
          
           having
           finished
           the
           work
           of
           our
           Redemption
           ,
           and
           in
           respect
           of
           the
           
             degree
          
           of
           the
           revelation
           of
           Christ
           ,
           which
           is
           far
           more
           clear
           and
           full
           .
           
             John
          
           
           shewed
           Christ
           in
           the
           flesh
           ,
           and
           pointed
           to
           him
           with
           his
           finger
           ,
           but
           the
           Ministers
           of
           the
           Gospel
           declare
           that
           he
           hath
           done
           and
           suffered
           all
           things
           necessary
           to
           our
           Salvation
           ,
           and
           is
           risen
           again
           and
           set
           down
           at
           the
           right
           hand
           of
           God.
           
        
         
           
             Doct.
          
           Such
           as
           have
           sometime
           left
           their
           pleasant
           Cities
           and
           Habitations
           to
           enjoy
           the
           pure
           Worship
           of
           God
           in
           a
           Wilderness
           ,
           are
           apt
           in
           time
           to
           abate
           and
           cool
           in
           their
           affection
           thereunto
           :
           but
           then
           the
           Lord
           calls
           upon
           them
           seriously
           and
           throughly
           to
           examine
           themselves
           ,
           what
           it
           was
           that
           drew
           them
           into
           the
           Wilderness
           ,
           and
           to
           consider
           that
           it
           was
           not
           the
           expectation
           of
           ludicrous
           levity
           ,
           nor
           of
           Courtly
           pomp
           and
           delicacy
           ,
           but
           of
           the
           free
           and
           clear
           dispensation
           of
           the
           Gospel
           and
           Kingdome
           of
           God.
           
        
         
           This
           Doctrine
           consists
           of
           two
           distinct
           Branches
           ;
           let
           me
           open
           them
           severally
           .
        
         
           Branch
           1.
           
           
             Such
             as
             have
             sometime
             left
             their
             pleasant
             Cities
             and
             Habitations
             ,
             to
             enjoy
             the
             pure
             Worship
             of
             God
             in
             a
             Wilderness
             ,
             are
             apt
             in
             time
             to
             abate
             and
             cool
             in
             their
             affection
             thereunto
             .
          
           To
           what
           purpose
           did
           the
           Children
           of
           
             Israel
          
           leave
           their
           Cities
           and
           Houses
           in
           
             Egypt
             ,
          
           and
           go
           forth
           into
           the
           Wilderness
           ?
           was
           it
           not
           to
           
             hold
             a
             Feast
             to
             the
             Lord
             ,
          
           and
           to
           
             sacrifice
             to
             the
             God
             of
             their
             fathers
             ?
          
           That
           was
           the
           onely
           reason
           ,
           which
           they
           gave
           of
           their
           motion
           to
           
             Pharaoh
             ,
             Exod.
          
           5.
           1
           ,
           3.
           but
           how
           soon
           did
           they
           forget
           their
           Errand
           into
           the
           Wilderness
           ,
           and
           corrupt
           themselves
           in
           their
           own
           Inventions
           ?
           within
           a
           few
           moneths
           after
           their
           coming
           out
           of
           
             Egypt
             ,
             they
             make
             a
             Calf
             in
             Horeb
             ,
             and
             worship
             the
             molten
             Image
             ,
             and
             change
             their
             glory
             into
             the
             similitude
             of
             an
             Ox
             that
             eateth
             grass
             ,
             Psal
             .
             106.
             19
             ,
             20.
             
             Exod.
          
           32.
           7
           ,
           8.
           yea
           for
           the
           space
           of
           forty
           years
           in
           the
           Wilderness
           ,
           while
           they
           pretended
           to
           Sacrifice
           to
           the
           Lord
           ,
           they
           indeed
           worshipped
           the
           Stars
           and
           the
           Host
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           and
           together
           with
           the
           Lords
           Tabernacle
           ,
           carried
           about
           with
           them
           the
           Tabernacle
           of
           
             Moloch
             ,
             Amos
             5.
             25
             ,
             26.
             
             Acts
          
           7.
           42
           ,
           43.
           
           And
           how
           did
           they
           spend
           their
           time
           in
           the
           Wilderness
           ,
           but
           in
           tempting
           God
           ,
           and
           in
           murmuring
           against
           their
           godly
           and
           faithful
           Teachers
           and
           Rulers
           ,
           
             Moses
          
           and
           
             Aaron
             ?
          
           Psal
           .
           95
           8.
           
           To
           what
           purpose
           did
           the
           Children
           of
           the
           Captivity
           upon
           
             Cyrus
          
           his
           Proclamation
           ,
           leave
           their
           Houses
           which
           they
           had
           built
           ,
           and
           their
           Vineyards
           
           and
           Oliveyards
           which
           they
           had
           planted
           in
           the
           Province
           of
           
             Babylon
             ,
          
           and
           return
           to
           
             Judea
          
           and
           
             Jerusalem
             ,
          
           which
           were
           now
           become
           a
           Wilderness
           ?
           was
           it
           not
           that
           they
           might
           build
           the
           House
           of
           God
           at
           
             Jerusalem
             ,
          
           and
           set
           up
           the
           Temple-worship
           ?
           But
           how
           shamefully
           did
           they
           neglect
           that
           great
           and
           honourable
           Work
           for
           the
           space
           of
           above
           forty
           years
           ?
           They
           pretended
           that
           Gods
           time
           was
           not
           come
           to
           build
           his
           House
           ,
           because
           of
           the
           rubs
           and
           obstructions
           which
           they
           met
           with
           ;
           whereas
           all
           their
           difficulties
           and
           discouragements
           hindred
           not
           their
           building
           of
           stately
           houses
           for
           themselves
           ,
           
             Hag.
          
           1.
           2
           ,
           3
           ,
           4.
           
           To
           what
           purpose
           did
           
             Jerusalem
          
           &
           〈…〉
           ll
           
             Judea
             ,
          
           &
           all
           the
           region
           round
           about
           
             Jordan
             ,
          
           leave
           their
           several
           Cities
           and
           Habitations
           ,
           and
           flock
           into
           the
           
             Wilderness
             of
             Judea
             ?
          
           was
           it
           not
           to
           see
           that
           
             burning
             and
             shining
             light
             ,
          
           which
           God
           had
           raise●
           up
           ?
           To
           hear
           his
           heavenly
           Doctrine
           ,
           and
           partake
           of
           that
           new
           Sacrament
           ,
           which
           he
           administred
           ?
           O
           how
           they
           were
           affected
           with
           his
           rare
           and
           excellent
           gifts
           !
           with
           his
           clear
           ,
           lively
           and
           powerful
           Ministry
           !
           
             The
             Kingdome
             of
             Heaven
             pressed
             in
          
           upon
           them
           
             with
          
           a
           holy
           
             violence
             ,
             and
             the
             violent
             ,
          
           the
           zealous
           and
           affectionate
           hearers
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           
             took
             it
             by
             force
             ,
          
           Mat.
           11.
           12.
           
           Luk.
           16.
           16.
           
           They
           leapt
           over
           all
           discouragements
           and
           impediments
           ,
           whether
           outward
           ,
           as
           Legal
           Rites
           and
           Ceremonies
           ,
           or
           inward
           ,
           the
           sense
           of
           their
           own
           sin
           and
           unworthiness
           ,
           and
           pressed
           into
           the
           Kingdome
           of
           God
           ,
           as
           men
           rush
           into
           a
           Theatre
           to
           see
           a
           pleasant
           Sight
           ,
           or
           as
           Souldiers
           run
           into
           a
           besieged
           City
           ,
           to
           take
           the
           Spoil
           thereof
           :
           but
           their
           hot
           fit
           is
           soon
           over
           ,
           their
           affection
           lasted
           but
           for
           an
           
             hour
             ,
          
           i.
           e.
           a
           short
           season
           ,
           
             Joh.
          
           5.
           35.
           
        
         
           
             Reas
             .
          
           1.
           
           Because
           the
           
             affection
          
           of
           many
           to
           the
           Ministry
           of
           the
           Gospel
           and
           the
           pure
           Worship
           of
           God
           ,
           is
           built
           upon
           
             temporary
          
           and
           
             transitory
          
           grounds
           ,
           as
           the
           
             novelty
          
           and
           
             strangeness
             of
             the
             matter
             ,
             the
             rarerness
             and
             excellency
             of
             Ministerial
             Gifts
             ,
             the
             voice
             of
             the
             people
             ,
             the
             countenance
             of
             great
             men
             ,
             and
             the
             hope
             of
             worldly
             advantage
             .
          
           The
           Jews
           had
           lien
           in
           ignorance
           and
           darkness
           a
           long
           time
           ,
           being
           trained
           up
           under
           the
           superstitious
           observances
           of
           their
           old
           Praditions
           ,
           which
           were
           vain
           ,
           empty
           and
           unprofitable
           Customes
           ▪
           and
           the
           Church
           wanted
           the
           gift
           of
           Prophecy
           about
           four
           hundred
           years
           ,
           and
           therefore
           when
           
             John
          
           the
           
             Baptist
          
           arose
           like
           a
           bright
           and
           burning
           light
           ,
           shining
           amongst
           them
           with
           admirable
           
           gifts
           of
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           extraordinary
           severity
           and
           gravity
           of
           manners
           ,
           proclaiming
           the
           Coming
           and
           Kingdome
           of
           the
           Messias
           ,
           (
           which
           had
           been
           oft
           promised
           and
           long
           expected
           )
           and
           pressing
           the
           people
           to
           Repentance
           and
           good
           works
           ;
           O
           how
           they
           admire
           and
           reverence
           him
           ?
           especially
           ,
           when
           grown
           popular
           ,
           and
           countenanced
           by
           
             Herod
          
           the
           
             Tetrarch
             .
          
           What
           sweet
           affections
           are
           kindled
           !
           what
           great
           expectations
           are
           raised
           !
           what
           ravishing
           joy
           is
           conceived
           !
           Hoping
           (
           as
           its
           probable
           )
           to
           make
           use
           of
           his
           Authority
           to
           cast
           off
           the
           
             Roman
          
           yoke
           ,
           and
           recover
           their
           Civil
           Liberties
           ,
           Riches
           and
           Honours
           .
           But
           after
           a
           little
           acquaintance
           with
           
             John
             ,
          
           (
           for
           he
           was
           a
           publick
           Preacher
           but
           a
           year
           and
           half
           )
           his
           Doctrine
           ,
           Administrations
           and
           Prophetical
           Gifts
           ,
           grew
           common
           and
           stale
           things
           ,
           and
           of
           little
           esteem
           with
           them
           ;
           especially
           ,
           when
           they
           saw
           their
           carnal
           hopes
           frustrated
           ,
           the
           Rulers
           disaffected
           ,
           and
           
             Herods
          
           countenance
           and
           carriage
           toward
           him
           changed
           .
        
         
           
             Reas
             .
          
           2.
           
           Because
           
             Prejudices
          
           and
           
             Offences
          
           are
           apt
           to
           arise
           in
           the
           hearts
           of
           many
           against
           the
           
             faithful
             Dispensers
          
           of
           the
           Gospel
           .
           The
           
             Pharisees
          
           and
           
             Lawyers
          
           came
           among
           others
           to
           the
           Baptism
           of
           
             John
             ,
          
           but
           when
           they
           hear
           his
           sharp
           reprehensions
           of
           their
           
             Viperous
          
           Opinions
           and
           Practices
           ,
           they
           nauseate
           his
           Doctrine
           ,
           repudiate
           his
           Baptism
           ,
           calumniate
           his
           Conversation
           ,
           
             Luke
             7.
             30.
             
             Herodiaes
          
           hath
           an
           inward
           grudge
           and
           a
           quarrel
           against
           him
           ,
           because
           he
           found
           fault
           with
           her
           incestuous
           Marriage
           ,
           
             Mar.
          
           6.
           19.
           
           Yea
           ,
           that
           very
           Age
           and
           Generation
           of
           the
           Jews
           ,
           were
           like
           to
           a
           company
           of
           surly
           ,
           sullen
           and
           froward
           children
           ,
           whom
           no
           Musick
           can
           please
           ,
           they
           neither
           dance
           after
           the
           Pipe
           ,
           nor
           make
           lamentation
           after
           the
           mourner
           .
           They
           inveigh
           against
           
             John's
          
           austerity
           ,
           saying
           that
           he
           was
           transported
           with
           diabolical
           fury
           ,
           and
           was
           an
           enemy
           to
           humane
           society
           :
           and
           they
           do
           as
           much
           distaste
           and
           abhor
           
             Christ's
          
           gentleness
           and
           familiarity
           ,
           traducing
           him
           ,
           as
           being
           a
           sensual
           and
           voluptuous
           person
           ,
           given
           to
           intemperance
           and
           luxury
           ,
           and
           a
           Patron
           and
           Abettor
           of
           looseness
           and
           profaneness
           ,
           
             Mat.
          
           11.
           16
           —
           19.
           
           Thus
           doth
           the
           frowardness
           and
           stubbornness
           of
           man
           ,
           resist
           and
           oppose
           the
           wisdome
           and
           goodness
           of
           God
           ,
           who
           useth
           various
           waves
           and
           instruments
           to
           compass
           poor
           sinners
           ,
           but
           they
           throught
           their
           folly
           and
           perverseness
           
           frustrate
           ,
           disanul
           and
           abrogate
           the
           counsel
           of
           God
           against
           themselves
           .
           The
           evil
           spirit
           that
           troubled
           
             Saul
             ,
          
           was
           quieted
           and
           allayed
           by
           the
           sweet
           Melody
           of
           
           David's
           Harp
           :
           but
           the
           mad
           and
           outragious
           fury
           that
           transports
           men
           against
           the
           Truth
           and
           the
           Ministry
           thereof
           ,
           cannot
           be
           quieted
           and
           allayed
           by
           the
           voice
           of
           the
           Charmers
           ,
           charm
           they
           never
           so
           wisely
           .
        
         
           Branch
           II.
           
             When
             men
             abate
             and
             cool
             in
             their
             affection
             to
             the
             pure
             Worship
             of
             God
             ,
             which
             they
             went
             into
             the
             Wilderness
             to
             enjoy
             ,
             the
             Lord
             calls
             upon
             them
             seriously
             and
             throughly
             to
             examine
             themselves
             ,
             what
             it
             was
             that
             drew
             them
             into
             the
             Wilderness
             ,
             and
             to
             consider
             that
             it
             was
             not
             the
             expectation
             of
             ludicrous
             levity
             ,
             nor
             of
             Courtly
             pomp
             and
             delicacy
             ,
             but
             of
             the
             free
             and
             clear
             dispensation
             of
             the
             Gospel
             and
             Kingdome
             of
             God.
          
           Our
           Saviour
           knowing
           that
           the
           people
           had
           lost
           their
           first
           love
           and
           singular
           affection
           to
           the
           revelation
           of
           his
           grace
           by
           the
           Ministry
           of
           his
           Herauld
           
             John
             ,
          
           He
           is
           very
           intense
           in
           examining
           them
           ,
           what
           expectation
           drew
           them
           into
           the
           Wilderness
           :
           He
           doth
           not
           once
           nor
           twice
           ,
           but
           thrice
           propound
           that
           Question
           ,
           
             What
             went
             ye
             out
             into
             the
             Wilderness
             to
             see
             ?
          
           Yea
           ,
           in
           particular
           he
           enquires
           whether
           it
           were
           to
           see
           a
           man
           that
           was
           like
           to
           
             a
             Reed
             shaken
             with
             the
             wind
             ?
          
           or
           whether
           it
           were
           to
           see
           
             a
             man
             clothed
             like
             a
             Courtier
             ,
          
           or
           whether
           it
           were
           to
           see
           a
           
             Prophet
             ,
          
           and
           then
           determines
           the
           Question
           ,
           concluding
           that
           it
           was
           to
           see
           a
           great
           and
           excellent
           Prophet
           ,
           and
           that
           had
           not
           they
           seen
           rare
           and
           admirable
           things
           in
           him
           ,
           they
           would
           never
           have
           gone
           out
           into
           the
           Wilderness
           unto
           him
           .
        
         
           The
           Reason
           is
           ,
           Because
           the
           serious
           consideration
           of
           the
           inestimable
           grace
           and
           mercy
           of
           God
           in
           the
           free
           and
           clear
           dispensation
           of
           the
           Gospel
           and
           Kingdome
           of
           God
           ,
           is
           a
           special
           means
           to
           convince
           men
           of
           their
           folly
           and
           perverseness
           in
           undervaluing
           the
           same
           ,
           and
           a
           sanctified
           remedy
           to
           recover
           their
           affections
           thereunto
           .
           The
           Lord
           foreseeing
           the
           defection
           of
           
             Israel
          
           after
           
             Moses
          
           his
           death
           ,
           commands
           him
           to
           write
           that
           Prophetical
           Song
           ,
           recorded
           in
           
             Deut.
          
           32.
           as
           a
           Testimony
           against
           them
           :
           wherein
           the
           chief
           remedy
           ,
           which
           he
           prescribes
           for
           the
           prevention
           and
           healing
           of
           their
           Apostacy
           ,
           is
           their
           calling
           to
           remembrance
           Gods
           great
           and
           signal
           love
           in
           manifesting
           himself
           to
           them
           in
           the
           Wilderness
           ,
           in
           conducting
           them
           safely
           and
           mercifully
           ,
           
           and
           giving
           them
           possession
           of
           their
           promised
           Inheritance
           ,
           
             ver
             .
          
           7
           —
           14.
           
           And
           when
           
             Israel
          
           was
           apostatized
           and
           fallen
           ,
           the
           Lord
           to
           convince
           them
           of
           their
           ingratitude
           and
           folly
           ,
           brings
           to
           their
           remembrance
           his
           deliverance
           of
           them
           out
           of
           
             Egypt
             ,
          
           his
           leading
           them
           through
           the
           Wilderness
           for
           the
           space
           of
           forty
           years
           ,
           and
           not
           onely
           giving
           them
           possession
           of
           their
           Enemies
           Land
           ,
           but
           also
           raising
           up
           ,
           even
           of
           their
           own
           Sons
           ,
           
             Prophets
             ,
          
           faithful
           and
           eminent
           Ministers
           ,
           and
           of
           their
           young
           men
           
             Nazarites
             ,
          
           who
           being
           separated
           from
           worldly
           delights
           and
           encumbrances
           ,
           were
           Paterns
           of
           Purity
           and
           Holiness
           :
           all
           which
           were
           great
           and
           obliging
           mercies
           .
           Yea
           ,
           the
           Lord
           appeals
           to
           their
           own
           Consciences
           ,
           whether
           these
           his
           favours
           were
           not
           real
           and
           signal
           ,
           
             Amos
          
           2.
           10
           ,
           11.
           
           The
           Prophet
           
             Jeremiah
             ,
          
           that
           he
           might
           reduce
           the
           people
           from
           their
           backslidings
           ,
           cries
           in
           the
           ears
           of
           
             Jerusalem
             ,
          
           with
           earnestness
           and
           boldness
           declaring
           unto
           them
           ,
           that
           the
           Lord
           remembred
           how
           well
           they
           stood
           affected
           towards
           him
           ,
           when
           he
           first
           chose
           them
           to
           be
           his
           people
           and
           espoused
           them
           to
           himself
           ,
           how
           they
           followed
           him
           in
           the
           Wilderness
           ,
           and
           kept
           close
           to
           him
           in
           their
           long
           and
           wearisome
           passage
           through
           the
           uncultured
           Desert
           ;
           how
           they
           were
           then
           consecrated
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           set
           apart
           for
           his
           Worship
           and
           Service
           ;
           as
           the
           first-fruits
           are
           wont
           to
           be
           sequestred
           and
           devoted
           to
           God
           :
           and
           thereupon
           expostulates
           with
           them
           for
           their
           forsaking
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           following
           after
           their
           Idols
           ,
           
             Jer.
          
           2.
           2
           ,
           3
           ,
           5
           ,
           6.
           
           Surely
           our
           Saviour's
           
             Dialogism
          
           with
           his
           Hearers
           in
           my
           Text
           ,
           is
           not
           a
           meer
           Rhetorical
           Elegancy
           to
           adorn
           his
           Testimony
           concerning
           
             John
             ,
          
           but
           a
           clear
           and
           strong
           conviction
           of
           their
           folly
           in
           slighting
           and
           despising
           that
           which
           they
           sometime
           so
           highly
           pretended
           unto
           ,
           and
           a
           wholesome
           admonition
           and
           direction
           how
           to
           recover
           their
           primitive
           affection
           to
           his
           Doctrine
           and
           Administration
           .
        
         
           
             VSE
          
           I.
           Of
           solemn
           and
           serious
           Enquiry
           to
           us
           all
           in
           this
           general
           Assembly
           ,
           Whether
           we
           have
           not
           in
           a
           great
           measure
           forgotten
           our
           Errand
           into
           the
           Wilderness
           .
           You
           have
           solemnly
           professed
           before
           God
           ,
           Angels
           and
           Men
           ,
           that
           the
           Cause
           of
           your
           leaving
           your
           Country
           ,
           Kindred
           and
           Fathers
           houses
           ,
           and
           transporting
           your selves
           with
           your
           Wives
           ,
           Little
           Ones
           
           and
           Substance
           over
           the
           vast
           Ocean
           into
           this
           waste
           and
           howling
           Wilderness
           ,
           was
           
             your
             Liberty
             to
             walk
             in
             the
             Faith
             of
             the
             Gospel
             with
             all
             good
             Conscience
             according
             to
             the
             Order
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             and
             your
             enjoyment
             of
             the
             pure
             Worship
             of
             God
             according
             to
             his
             Institution
             ,
             without
             humane
             Mixtures
             and
             Impositions
             .
          
           Now
           let
           us
           sadly
           consider
           whether
           our
           ancient
           and
           primitive
           affections
           to
           the
           Lord
           Jesus
           ,
           his
           glorious
           Gospel
           ,
           his
           pure
           and
           Spiritual
           Worship
           and
           the
           Order
           of
           his
           House
           ,
           remain
           ,
           abide
           and
           continue
           firm
           ,
           constant
           ,
           entire
           and
           inviolate
           .
           Our
           Saviour's
           reiteration
           of
           this
           Question
           ,
           
             What
             went
             ye
             out
             into
             the
             Wilderness
             to
             see
             ?
          
           is
           no
           idle
           repetition
           ,
           but
           a
           sad
           conviction
           of
           our
           dulness
           and
           backwardness
           to
           this
           great
           duty
           ,
           and
           a
           clear
           demonstration
           of
           the
           weight
           and
           necessity
           thereof
           .
           It
           may
           be
           a
           grief
           to
           us
           to
           be
           put
           upon
           such
           an
           Inquisition
           ;
           as
           it
           is
           said
           of
           
             Peter
             ,
          
           Joh.
           21.
           17.
           
           
             Peter
             was
             grieved
             ,
             because
             he
             said
             unto
             him
             the
             third
             time
             ,
             Lovest
             thou
             me
             ?
          
           but
           the
           Lord
           knoweth
           that
           a
           strict
           and
           rigid
           examination
           of
           our
           hearts
           in
           this
           point
           ,
           is
           no
           more
           then
           necessary
           .
           Wherefore
           let
           us
           call
           to
           remembrance
           the
           former
           dayes
           ,
           and
           consider
           whether
           
             it
             was
             not
             then
             better
             with
             us
             ,
             then
             it
             is
             now
             .
          
        
         
           In
           our
           first
           and
           best
           times
           the
           Kingdome
           of
           Heaven
           brake
           in
           upon
           us
           with
           a
           holy
           violence
           ,
           and
           every
           man
           pressed
           into
           it
           .
           What
           mighty
           efficacy
           and
           power
           had
           the
           clear
           and
           faithful
           dispensation
           of
           the
           Gospel
           upon
           your
           hearts
           ?
           how
           affectionately
           and
           zealously
           did
           you
           entertain
           the
           Kingdome
           of
           God
           ?
           How
           careful
           were
           you
           ,
           even
           all
           sorts
           ,
           young
           and
           old
           ,
           high
           and
           low
           ,
           to
           take
           hold
           of
           the
           opportunities
           of
           your
           Spiritual
           good
           and
           edification
           ?
           ordering
           your
           secular
           affairs
           (
           which
           were
           wreathed
           and
           twisted
           together
           with
           great
           variety
           )
           so
           as
           not
           to
           interfere
           with
           your
           general
           Calling
           ,
           but
           that
           you
           might
           
             attend
             upon
             the
             Lord
             without
             distraction
             .
          
           How
           diligent
           and
           faithful
           in
           preparing
           your
           hearts
           for
           the
           reception
           of
           the
           Word
           ,
           
             laying
             apart
             all
             filthiness
             and
             superfluity
             of
             naughtiness
             ,
          
           that
           you
           night
           
             receive
             with
             meekness
             the
             ingraffed
             word
             ,
             which
             is
             able
             to
             save
             your
             souls
             ;
             and
             purging
             out
             all
             malice
             ,
             guilt
             ,
             hypocrisies
             ,
             envies
             ,
             and
             all
             evil
             speakings
             ,
             and
             as
             new-born
             babes
             ,
             desiring
             the
             sincere
             mi●k
             of
             the
             word
             ,
             that
             ye
             might
             grow
             thereby
             ?
          
           How
           attentive
           in
           
           hearing
           the
           everlasting
           Gospel
           ,
           
             watching
             daily
             at
             the
             gates
             of
             Wisdome
             ,
             and
             waiting
             at
             the
             posts
             of
             her
             doors
             ,
             that
             ye
             might
             finde
             eternal
             life
             ,
             and
             obtain
             favour
             of
             the
             Lord
             ?
          
           Gleaning
           day
           by
           day
           in
           the
           field
           of
           Gods
           Ordinances
           ,
           even
           among
           the
           Sheaves
           ,
           and
           gathering
           up
           handfuls
           ,
           which
           the
           Lord
           let
           fall
           of
           purpose
           for
           you
           ,
           and
           at
           night
           going
           home
           and
           beating
           out
           what
           you
           had
           gleaned
           ,
           by
           Meditation
           ,
           Repetition
           ,
           Conference
           ,
           and
           therewith
           feeding
           your selves
           and
           your
           families
           .
           How
           painful
           were
           you
           in
           recollecting
           ,
           repeating
           and
           discoursing
           of
           what
           you
           heard
           ,
           whetting
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           upon
           the
           hearts
           of
           your
           Children
           ,
           Servants
           and
           Neighbours
           ?
           How
           fervent
           in
           Prayer
           to
           Almighty
           God
           for
           his
           divine
           Blessing
           upon
           the
           Seed
           sown
           ,
           that
           it
           might
           take
           root
           and
           fructifie
           ?
           O
           what
           a
           reverent
           esteem
           had
           you
           in
           those
           dayes
           of
           Christ's
           faithful
           Ambassadors
           ,
           that
           declared
           unto
           you
           the
           Word
           of
           Reconciliation
           !
           
             How
             beautiful
          
           were
           
             the
             feet
             of
             them
             ,
             that
             preached
             the
             Gospel
             of
             peace
             ,
             and
             brought
             the
             glad
             tidings
             of
             Salvation
             !
          
           you
           
             esteemed
             them
             highly
             in
             love
             for
             their
             works
             sake
             .
          
           Their
           Persons
           ,
           Names
           and
           Comforts
           were
           precious
           in
           your
           eyes
           ;
           you
           counted
           your selves
           blessed
           in
           the
           enjoyment
           of
           a
           Pious
           ,
           Learned
           and
           Orthodox
           Ministry
           :
           and
           though
           you
           are
           the
           bread
           of
           adversity
           and
           drank
           the
           water
           of
           affliction
           ,
           yet
           you
           rejoyced
           in
           this
           ,
           that
           your
           eyes
           saw
           your
           Teachers
           ,
           they
           were
           not
           removed
           into
           corners
           ,
           and
           your
           ears
           heard
           a
           word
           behinde
           you
           ,
           saying
           ,
           This
           is
           the
           way
           ,
           walk
           ye
           in
           it
           ,
           when
           you
           turned
           to
           the
           right
           hand
           and
           when
           you
           turned
           to
           the
           left
           ,
           
             Isa
          
           30.
           20
           ,
           21.
           
           What
           earnest
           and
           ardent
           desires
           had
           you
           in
           those
           dayes
           after
           Communion
           with
           Christ
           in
           the
           holy
           Sacraments
           ?
           
             With
             desire
             you
             desired
          
           to
           partake
           of
           the
           Seals
           of
           the
           Covenant
           .
           You
           thought
           your
           Evidences
           for
           Heaven
           not
           sure
           not
           authentick
           ,
           unless
           the
           Broad-Seals
           of
           the
           Kingdome
           were
           annexed
           .
           What
           solicitude
           was
           there
           in
           those
           dayes
           to
           
             seek
             the
             Lord
             after
             the
             right
             Order
             ?
          
           What
           searching
           of
           the
           holy
           Scriptures
           ,
           what
           Collations
           among
           your
           Leaders
           ,
           both
           in
           their
           private
           Meetings
           and
           publick
           Councils
           and
           Synods
           ,
           to
           finde
           out
           the
           Order
           ,
           which
           Christ
           hath
           constituted
           and
           established
           in
           his
           House
           ?
           What
           fervent
           zeal
           was
           there
           then
           against
           Sectaries
           and
           Hereticks
           ,
           and
           all
           manner
           of
           Heterodoxies
           ?
           
             You
             could
             
             not
             bear
             them
             that
             were
             evil
             ,
          
           but
           tried
           them
           that
           pretended
           to
           New
           Light
           and
           Revelations
           ,
           and
           found
           them
           
             liars
             .
          
           What
           pious
           
             Care
          
           was
           there
           of
           
             Sister-Churches
             ,
          
           that
           those
           that
           wanted
           
             Breasts
             ,
          
           might
           be
           supplied
           ,
           and
           that
           those
           that
           wanted
           
             Peace
             ,
          
           their
           Dissentions
           might
           be
           healed
           ?
           What
           readiness
           was
           there
           in
           those
           dayes
           to
           call
           for
           the
           help
           of
           Neighbour-Elders
           and
           Brethren
           ,
           in
           case
           of
           any
           Difference
           or
           Division
           that
           could
           not
           be
           healed
           at
           home
           ?
           What
           reverence
           was
           there
           then
           of
           the
           Sentence
           of
           a
           Council
           ,
           as
           being
           
             decisive
          
           and
           issuing
           the
           Controversie
           ?
           According
           to
           that
           ancient
           Proverbial
           Saying
           ,
           
             They
             shall
             surely
             ask
             counsel
             at
             Abel
             ,
             and
             so
             they
             ended
             the
             matter
             ,
          
           2
           Sam.
           20.
           18.
           
           What
           holy
           Endeavours
           were
           there
           in
           those
           dayes
           to
           
             propagate
          
           Religion
           to
           your
           Children
           and
           Posterity
           ,
           training
           them
           up
           in
           the
           nurture
           and
           admonition
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           keeping
           them
           under
           the
           awe
           of
           government
           ,
           restraining
           their
           enormities
           and
           extravagancies
           ;
           charging
           them
           to
           know
           the
           God
           of
           their
           fathers
           ,
           and
           serve
           him
           with
           a
           perfect
           heart
           and
           willing
           minde
           ;
           and
           publickly
           asserting
           and
           maintaining
           their
           interest
           in
           the
           Lord
           and
           in
           his
           holy
           Covenant
           ,
           and
           zealously
           opposing
           those
           that
           denied
           the
           same
           ?
        
         
           And
           then
           had
           the
           Churches
           
             rest
          
           throughout
           the
           several
           Colonies
           ,
           and
           were
           
             edified
             :
             and
             walking
             in
             the
             fear
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             comfort
             of
             the
             holy
             Ghost
             ,
             were
             multiplied
             .
          
           O
           how
           your
           
             Faith
          
           grew
           exceedingly
           !
           you
           proceeded
           from
           faith
           to
           faith
           ,
           from
           a
           less
           to
           a
           greater
           degree
           and
           measure
           ,
           growing
           up
           in
           Him
           ,
           who
           is
           our
           Head
           ,
           and
           receiving
           abundance
           of
           grace
           and
           of
           the
           gift
           of
           righteousness
           ,
           that
           you
           might
           reign
           in
           life
           by
           Jesus
           Christ
           .
           O
           how
           your
           
             Love
             and
             Charity
          
           towards
           each
           other
           abounded
           !
           O
           what
           comfort
           of
           Love
           !
           what
           bowels
           and
           mercies
           !
           what
           affectionate
           care
           was
           there
           one
           of
           another
           !
           what
           a
           holy
           Sympathy
           in
           Crosses
           and
           Comforts
           ,
           weeping
           with
           those
           that
           wept
           ,
           and
           rejoycing
           with
           those
           that
           rejoyced
           !
        
         
           But
           who
           is
           there
           left
           among
           you
           ,
           that
           saw
           these
           Churches
           
             in
             their
             first
             glory
             ,
          
           and
           how
           do
           you
           see
           them
           
             now
             ?
          
           Are
           they
           not
           in
           your
           eyes
           in
           comparison
           thereof
           ,
           
             as
             nothing
             ?
             How
             is
             the
             gold
             become
             dim
             !
             how
             is
             the
             most
             fine
             gold
             changed
             !
          
           Is
           not
           the
           Temper
           ,
           Complexion
           and
           Countenance
           of
           the
           Churches
           
           strangely
           altered
           ?
           Doth
           not
           a
           careless
           ,
           remiss
           ,
           flat
           ,
           dry
           ,
           cold
           ,
           dead
           frame
           of
           spirit
           ,
           grow
           in
           upon
           us
           secretly
           ,
           strongly
           ,
           prodigiously
           ?
           They
           that
           have
           Ordinances
           ,
           are
           as
           though
           they
           had
           none
           ;
           and
           they
           that
           hear
           the
           Word
           ,
           as
           though
           they
           heard
           it
           not
           ;
           and
           they
           that
           pray
           ,
           as
           though
           they
           prayed
           not
           ;
           and
           they
           that
           receive
           Sacraments
           ,
           as
           though
           they
           received
           them
           not
           ;
           and
           they
           that
           are
           exercised
           in
           the
           holy
           things
           ,
           using
           them
           by
           the
           by
           ,
           as
           matters
           of
           custome
           and
           ceremony
           ,
           so
           as
           not
           to
           hinder
           their
           eager
           prosecution
           of
           other
           things
           which
           their
           hearts
           are
           set
           upon
           .
           Yea
           and
           in
           some
           particular
           Congregations
           amongst
           us
           ,
           is
           there
           not
           
             in
             stead
             of
             a
             sweet
             smell
             ,
             a
             stink
             ?
             and
             in
             stead
             of
             a
             girdle
             ,
             a
             rent
             ?
             and
             in
             stead
             of
             a
             stomacher
             ,
             a
             girding
             with
             sackcloth
             ?
             and
             burning
             in
             stead
             of
             beauty
             ?
          
           yea
           
             the
             Vineyard
             is
             all
             overgrown
             with
             thorns
             ,
             and
             nettles
             cover
             the
             face
             thereof
             ,
             and
             the
             stone
             wall
             thereof
             is
             broken
             down
             ,
          
           Prov.
           24
           31.
           yea
           ,
           and
           that
           which
           is
           the
           most
           sad
           and
           certain
           sign
           of
           calamity
           approaching
           ,
           
             Iniquity
             aboundeth
             ,
             and
             the
             love
             of
             many
             waxeth
             cold
             ,
          
           Mat.
           24
           12.
           
           Pride
           ,
           Contention
           ,
           Worldiness
           ,
           Covetousness
           ,
           Luxury
           ,
           Drunkenness
           and
           Uncleanness
           break
           in
           like
           a
           flood
           upon
           us
           ,
           and
           good
           men
           grow
           cold
           in
           their
           love
           to
           God
           and
           to
           one
           another
           .
           If
           a
           man
           be
           cold
           in
           his
           bed
           ,
           let
           them
           lay
           on
           the
           more
           clothes
           ,
           that
           he
           may
           get
           heat
           :
           but
           we
           are
           like
           to
           
             David
          
           in
           his
           old
           age
           ,
           
             they
             covered
             him
             with
             clothes
             ,
             but
             he
             gat
             no
             heat
             ,
          
           2
           Sam.
           1.
           1.
           
           The
           Lord
           heaps
           mercies
           ,
           favours
           ,
           blessings
           upon
           us
           ,
           and
           loads
           us
           daily
           with
           his
           benefits
           ,
           but
           all
           his
           love
           and
           bounty
           cannot
           heat
           and
           warm
           our
           hearts
           and
           affections
           .
           Well
           ,
           the
           furnace
           is
           able
           to
           heat
           and
           melt
           the
           coldest
           Iron
           :
           but
           how
           oft
           hath
           the
           Lord
           cast
           us
           into
           the
           hot
           furnace
           of
           Affliction
           and
           Tribulation
           ,
           and
           we
           have
           been
           scorched
           and
           burnt
           ,
           yet
           not
           melted
           ,
           but
           hardened
           thereby
           ,
           
             Isa
             .
          
           63.
           17.
           
           How
           long
           hath
           God
           kept
           us
           in
           the
           furnace
           day
           after
           day
           ,
           moneth
           after
           moneth
           ,
           year
           after
           year
           ?
           but
           all
           our
           Afflictions
           ,
           Crosses
           ,
           Trials
           have
           not
           been
           able
           to
           keep
           our
           hearts
           in
           a
           warm
           temper
           .
        
         
           Now
           let
           me
           freely
           deliberate
           with
           you
           ,
           what
           may
           be
           the
           
             Causes
          
           and
           
             Grounds
             of
             such
             decayes
             and
             languishings
          
           in
           our
           affections
           to
           ,
           and
           estimation
           of
           that
           which
           we
           came
           into
           the
           Wilderness
           to
           enjoy
           ?
           Is
           it
           because
           
             there
             is
             no
             bread
             ,
             neither
             is
             there
             
             any
             water
             ,
             and
             our
             soul
             loatheth
             this
             light
             bread
             ?
          
           Numb
           .
           21.
           5.
           
           
             Our
             soul
             is
             dried
             away
             ,
             and
             there
             is
             nothing
             at
             all
             ,
             besides
             this
             Manna
             ,
             before
             our
             eyes
             ,
          
           Numb
           .
           11.
           6.
           
           What
           ,
           is
           Manna
           no
           bread
           ?
           Is
           this
           Angelical
           food
           ,
           light
           bread
           ,
           which
           cannot
           satisfie
           ,
           but
           starves
           the
           Soul
           ?
           Doth
           our
           Soul
           loath
           the
           bread
           of
           Heaven
           ?
           The
           Lord
           be
           merciful
           to
           us
           :
           The
           full
           soul
           loatheth
           the
           honey-comb
           ,
           
             Prov.
          
           27.
           7.
           
        
         
           
             What
             then
             is
             the
             cause
             of
             our
             decayes
             and
             languishings
             ?
          
           Is
           it
           because
           the
           Spirit
           of
           the
           Lord
           is
           straitned
           and
           limited
           in
           the
           dispensers
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           and
           hence
           our
           joyes
           and
           comforts
           are
           lessened
           and
           shortned
           ?
           
             O
             thou
             that
             art
             named
             the
             house
             of
             Jacob
             ,
             is
             the
             Spirit
             of
             the
             Lord
             straitned
             ?
             are
             those
             his
             doings
             ?
             Do
             not
             my
             words
             do
             good
             to
             him
             that
             walketh
             uprightly
             ?
          
           Mic.
           2.
           7.
           
           Surely
           it
           is
           not
           for
           want
           of
           fulness
           in
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           ,
           that
           he
           withholds
           comforts
           and
           blessings
           from
           any
           ;
           neither
           doth
           he
           delight
           in
           threatnings
           and
           judgements
           ,
           but
           his
           words
           both
           promise
           and
           perform
           that
           which
           is
           good
           and
           comfortable
           to
           them
           that
           walk
           uprightly
           .
           The
           Spirit
           is
           able
           to
           enlarge
           it self
           unto
           the
           reviving
           and
           cheering
           of
           every
           man's
           heart
           ;
           and
           that
           should
           we
           experience
           ,
           did
           not
           our
           iniquity
           put
           a
           barre
           .
           2
           
             Cor.
             6.
             11
             ,
             12.
             
             O
             ye
             Corinthians
             ,
             our
             mouth
             is
             open
             unto
             you
             ,
             our
             heart
             is
             enlarged
             :
             Ye
             are
             not
             straitned
             in
             us
             ,
             but
             ye
             are
             straitned
             in
             your
             own
             bowels
             .
          
           The
           Spirit
           of
           God
           dilateth
           and
           enlargeth
           the
           heart
           of
           the
           faithfull
           Ministry
           for
           the
           good
           of
           the
           people
           ;
           but
           many
           times
           the
           people
           are
           straitned
           in
           their
           own
           bowels
           ,
           and
           cannot
           receive
           such
           a
           large
           portion
           ,
           as
           the
           Lord
           hath
           provided
           for
           them
           .
           
             What
             then
             is
             the
             cause
             of
             our
             coolings
             ,
             faintings
             and
             languishings
             ?
          
           The
           ground
           and
           principal
           cause
           is
           our
           
             Vnbelief
             :
          
           We
           believe
           not
           the
           Grace
           and
           Power
           of
           God
           in
           Christ
           .
           Where
           is
           that
           lively
           exercise
           of
           faith
           ,
           which
           ought
           to
           be
           ,
           in
           our
           attendance
           upon
           the
           Lord
           in
           his
           holy
           Ordinances
           ?
           Christ
           came
           to
           
             Nazareth
          
           with
           his
           heart
           full
           of
           love
           and
           compassion
           ,
           and
           his
           hands
           full
           of
           blessings
           to
           bestow
           upon
           his
           old
           Acquaintance
           and
           Neighbours
           ,
           among
           whom
           he
           had
           been
           brought
           up
           ,
           but
           their
           
             Vnbelief
          
           restrained
           his
           tender
           mercies
           ,
           and
           bound
           his
           Omnipotent
           hands
           ,
           that
           he
           could
           not
           do
           any
           great
           or
           illustrious
           Miracle
           amongst
           them
           .
           
             Mat.
             13.
             58.
             
             Mark
             6.
             5
             ,
             6.
             
             He
             could
             do
             there
             no
             
             mighty
             work
             —
             and
             he
             marvelled
             because
             of
             their
             unbelief
             .
          
           Unbelief
           straitens
           the
           grace
           and
           power
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           hinders
           the
           communication
           of
           divine
           favours
           and
           special
           mercies
           .
           The
           word
           preached
           profits
           not
           ,
           when
           it
           is
           not
           mixed
           with
           faith
           in
           them
           that
           hear
           it
           ,
           
             Heb.
          
           4.
           2.
           
           We
           may
           pray
           earnestly
           ,
           but
           if
           we
           ask
           not
           in
           faith
           ,
           how
           can
           we
           expect
           to
           receive
           any
           thing
           of
           the
           Lord
           ?
           
             Jam.
          
           1.
           6
           ,
           7.
           
        
         
           But
           though
           Unbelief
           be
           the
           principal
           ,
           yet
           it
           is
           not
           the
           sole
           cause
           of
           our
           decayes
           and
           languishings
           :
           
             Inordinate
             worldly
             Cares
             ,
             predominant
             Lusts
             ,
             and
             malignant
             Passions
             and
             Distempers
          
           stifle
           and
           choak
           the
           Word
           ,
           and
           quench
           our
           affections
           to
           the
           Kingdome
           of
           God
           ,
           
             Luke
          
           8.
           14.
           
           The
           Manna
           was
           gathered
           early
           in
           the
           morning
           ,
           when
           the
           Sun
           waxed
           hot
           ,
           it
           melted
           ,
           
             Exod.
          
           16.
           21.
           
           It
           was
           a
           fearful
           Judgement
           on
           
             Dathan
          
           and
           
             Abiram
             ,
          
           that
           the
           earth
           opened
           its
           mouth
           and
           swallowed
           them
           up
           .
           How
           many
           Professors
           of
           Religion
           ,
           are
           swallowed
           up
           alive
           by
           earthly
           affections
           ?
           Such
           as
           escape
           the
           
             Lime-pit
             of
             Pharisaical
             Hypocrisie
             ,
          
           fall
           into
           the
           
             Coal-pit
             of
             Sadducean
             Atheism
             and
             Epicurism
             .
          
           Pharisaism
           and
           Sadduceism
           do
           almost
           divide
           the
           Professing
           World
           between
           them
           .
           Some
           split
           upon
           the
           
             Rock
          
           of
           affected
           ostentation
           of
           singular
           Piety
           and
           Holiness
           ,
           and
           others
           are
           drawn
           into
           the
           
             Whirpool
             ,
          
           and
           perish
           in
           the
           
             Gulf
          
           of
           Sensuality
           and
           Luxury
           .
        
         
           If
           any
           question
           how
           seasonable
           such
           a
           Discourse
           may
           be
           upon
           such
           a
           Day
           ,
           as
           this
           ;
           let
           him
           consider
           ,
           
             Hag.
             2.
             10
             —
             14.
             
             In
             the
             four
             and
             twentieth
             day
             of
             the
             ninth
             moneth
             ,
             in
             the
             second
             year
             of
             Darius
             ,
             came
             the
             word
             of
             the
             Lord
             by
             Haggai
             the
             Prophet
             ,
             saying
             ,
             Thus
             saith
             the
             Lord
             of
             Hosts
             ,
             Ask
             now
             the
             Priests
             concerning
             the
             law
             ,
             saying
             ,
             If
             one
             bear
             holy
             flesh
             in
             the
             skirt
             of
             his
             garment
             ,
             and
             with
             his
             skirt
             do
             touch
             bread
             ,
             or
             pottage
             ,
             or
             wine
             ,
             or
             oyl
             ,
             or
             any
             meat
             ,
             shall
             it
             be
             holy
             ?
             And
             the
             Priests
             answered
             and
             said
             ,
             No.
             Then
             said
             Haggai
             ,
             If
             one
             that
             is
             unclean
             by
             a
             dead
             body
             ,
             touch
             any
             of
             these
             ,
             shall
             it
             be
             unclean
             ?
             And
             the
             Priests
             answered
             and
             said
             ,
             It
             shall
             be
             unclean
             .
             Then
             answered
             Haggai
             and
             said
             ,
             So
             is
             this
             people
             ,
             and
             so
             is
             this
             nation
             before
             me
             ,
             saith
             the
             Lord
             ;
             and
             so
             is
             every
             work
             of
             their
             hands
             ,
             and
             that
             which
             they
             offer
             there
             is
             unclean
             .
          
           It
           was
           an
           high
           and
           great
           day
           ,
           wherein
           
           the
           Prophet
           spake
           these
           words
           ,
           and
           an
           holy
           and
           honourable
           Work
           ,
           which
           the
           people
           were
           employed
           in
           .
           For
           this
           day
           they
           laid
           the
           Foundation
           of
           the
           Lords
           Temple
           ,
           
             ver
             .
          
           18.
           nevertheless
           ,
           the
           Lord
           saw
           it
           necessary
           this
           very
           day
           to
           represent
           and
           declare
           unto
           them
           ,
           the
           pollution
           and
           uncleanness
           both
           of
           their
           persons
           and
           of
           their
           holy
           Services
           ,
           that
           they
           might
           be
           deeply
           humbled
           before
           God
           ,
           and
           carry
           on
           their
           present
           Work
           more
           holily
           and
           purely
           .
           What
           was
           their
           uncleanness
           ?
           Their
           eager
           pursuit
           of
           their
           private
           Interests
           ,
           took
           off
           their
           hearts
           and
           affections
           from
           the
           affairs
           of
           the
           House
           of
           God.
           It
           seems
           they
           pleased
           themselves
           with
           this
           ,
           that
           the
           Altar
           stood
           upon
           its
           Bases
           ,
           and
           Sacrifices
           were
           daily
           offered
           thereon
           ,
           and
           the
           building
           of
           the
           Temple
           was
           onely
           deferred
           untill
           a
           fit
           opportunity
           were
           afforded
           ,
           free
           from
           disturbance
           and
           opposition
           ;
           and
           having
           now
           gained
           such
           a
           season
           ,
           they
           are
           ready
           to
           build
           the
           Temple
           :
           but
           the
           Lord
           convinceth
           them
           out
           of
           the
           Law
           ,
           that
           their
           former
           negligence
           was
           not
           expiated
           by
           their
           daily
           Sacrifices
           ,
           but
           the
           guilt
           thereof
           rendred
           both
           the
           
             Nation
          
           and
           this
           
             holy
             and
             honourable
             Work
             ,
          
           which
           they
           were
           about
           ,
           
             vile
             and
             unclean
          
           in
           the
           sight
           of
           God.
           And
           having
           thus
           shewn
           them
           their
           spiritual
           uncleanness
           ,
           he
           encourageth
           them
           to
           go
           on
           with
           the
           work
           in
           hand
           ,
           the
           building
           of
           the
           Temple
           ,
           promising
           them
           from
           
             this
             day
          
           to
           bless
           them
           ,
           
             ver
             .
          
           18.
           
        
         
           
             VSE
          
           II.
           Of
           Exhortation
           ,
           To
           excite
           and
           stir
           us
           all
           up
           to
           attend
           and
           prosecute
           our
           Errand
           into
           the
           Wilderness
           .
           
             To
             what
             purpose
             came
             we
             into
             this
             place
             ,
             and
             what
             expectation
             drew
             us
             hither
             ?
          
           Surely
           ,
           not
           the
           expectation
           of
           
             ludicrous
             Levity
             .
          
           We
           came
           not
           hither
           to
           see
           
             a
             Reed
             shaken
             with
             the
             wind
             .
          
           Then
           let
           not
           us
           be
           
             Reeds
             ,
          
           light
           ,
           empty
           ,
           vain
           ,
           hollow-hearted
           Profess●rs
           ,
           shaken
           with
           every
           wind
           of
           Temptation
           :
           but
           solid
           ,
           serious
           and
           sober
           Christians
           ,
           constant
           and
           stedfast
           in
           the
           Profession
           and
           Practice
           of
           the
           Truth
           ,
           
             Trees
             of
             Righteousness
             ,
             the
             planting
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             that
             he
             may
             be
             glorified
             ,
          
           holding
           fast
           the
           profession
           of
           our
           Faith
           without
           wavering
           .
        
         
           Alas
           ,
           there
           is
           such
           variety
           and
           diversity
           of
           Opinions
           and
           Judgements
           ,
           that
           we
           know
           not
           what
           to
           believe
           .
        
         
           Were
           there
           not
           as
           various
           and
           different
           Opinions
           touching
           
           the
           Person
           of
           Christ
           ,
           even
           in
           the
           dayes
           of
           his
           flesh
           ?
           Some
           said
           that
           He
           was
           
             John
             the
             Baptist
             ,
          
           some
           
             Elias
             ,
          
           others
           
             Jeremias
             ,
          
           or
           one
           of
           the
           old
           
             Prophets
             .
          
           Some
           said
           he
           was
           a
           gluttonous
           man
           ,
           and
           a
           wine-bibber
           ,
           a
           friend
           of
           publicans
           and
           sinners
           :
           others
           said
           He
           was
           a
           
             Samaritan
             ,
          
           and
           had
           a
           Devil
           ;
           yet
           the
           Disciples
           knew
           what
           to
           believe
           .
           
             Whom
             say
             ye
             that
             I
             am
             ?
             Thou
             art
             Christ
             ,
             the
             Son
             of
             the
             living
             God
             ,
          
           Mat.
           16.
           15
           ,
           16.
           
           The
           various
           heterodox
           Opinions
           of
           the
           people
           ,
           serve
           as
           a
           
             foil
          
           or
           tinctured
           leaf
           to
           set
           off
           the
           lustre
           and
           beauty
           of
           the
           Orthodox
           and
           Apostolical
           Faith.
           This
           is
           truly
           commendable
           ,
           when
           in
           such
           variety
           and
           diversity
           of
           Apprehensions
           ,
           you
           are
           not
           byassed
           by
           any
           sinister
           respects
           ,
           but
           discern
           ,
           embrace
           and
           profess
           the
           Truth
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           in
           Christ
           Jesus
           .
        
         
           
             But
             to
             what
             purpose
             came
             we
             into
             the
             Wilderness
             ,
             and
             what
             expectation
             drew
             us
             hither
             ?
          
           Not
           the
           expectation
           of
           
             Courtly
             Pomp
             and
             Delicacy
             .
          
           We
           came
           not
           hither
           to
           see
           men
           clothed
           like
           
             Courtiers
             .
          
           The
           affectation
           of
           Courtly
           Pomp
           and
           Gallantry
           ,
           is
           very
           unsuitable
           in
           a
           Wilderness
           .
           Gorgeous
           Attire
           is
           comely
           in
           Princes
           Courts
           ,
           if
           it
           exceed
           not
           the
           limits
           of
           Christian
           Sobriety
           :
           but
           excess
           in
           Kings
           houses
           ,
           escapes
           not
           divine
           Vengeance
           .
           Zeph.
           1.
           8.
           
           —
           
             I
             will
             punish
             the
             Princes
             and
             the
             Kings
             children
             ,
             and
             all
             such
             as
             are
             clothed
             with
             strange
             Apparel
             .
          
           The
           pride
           and
           haughtiness
           of
           the
           Ladies
           of
           
             Zion
          
           in
           their
           superfluous
           Ornaments
           and
           stately
           gestures
           ,
           brought
           wrath
           upon
           themselves
           ,
           upon
           their
           Husbands
           ,
           and
           upon
           their
           Children
           ,
           yea
           and
           upon
           the
           whole
           Land
           ,
           
             Isa
             .
          
           3.
           16
           —
           26.
           
           How
           much
           more
           intolerable
           and
           abominable
           is
           excess
           of
           this
           kinde
           in
           a
           Wilderness
           ,
           where
           we
           are
           so
           far
           removed
           from
           the
           Riches
           and
           Honours
           of
           Princes
           Courts
           ?
        
         
           
             To
             what
             purpose
             then
             came
             we
             into
             the
             Wilderness
             ,
             and
             what
             expectation
             drew
             us
             hither
             ?
          
           Was
           it
           not
           the
           expectation
           of
           the
           
             pure
             and
             faithful
             Dispensation
          
           of
           the
           Gospel
           and
           Kingdome
           of
           God
           ?
           The
           times
           were
           such
           that
           we
           could
           not
           enjoy
           it
           in
           our
           own
           Land
           :
           and
           therefore
           having
           obtained
           
             Liberty
          
           and
           a
           gracious
           
             Patent
          
           from
           our
           
             Soveraign
             ,
          
           we
           left
           our
           Country
           ,
           Kindred
           and
           Fathers
           houses
           ,
           and
           came
           into
           these
           wilde
           Woods
           and
           Dese
           〈…〉
           s
           ;
           
           where
           the
           Lord
           hath
           planted
           us
           ,
           and
           made
           us
           
             dwell
             in
             a
             place
             of
             our
             own
             ,
             that
             we
             might
             move
             no
             more
             ,
             and
             that
             the
             children
             of
             wickedness
             might
             not
             afflict
             us
             any
             more
             ,
          
           2
           Sam.
           7.
           10.
           
           What
           is
           it
           that
           
             distinguisheth
             New-England
          
           from
           other
           Colonies
           and
           Plantations
           in
           
             America
             ?
          
           Not
           our
           transportation
           over
           the
           
             Atlantick
          
           Ocean
           ,
           but
           the
           
             Ministry
          
           of
           Gods
           faithful
           Prophets
           ,
           and
           the
           fruition
           of
           his
           holy
           
             Ordinances
             .
          
           Did
           not
           the
           Lord
           bring
           
             the
             Philistims
             from
             Caphtor
             ,
             and
             the
             Assyrians
             from
             Kir
             ,
          
           as
           well
           as
           
             Israel
             from
             the
             land
             of
             Egypt
             ?
          
           Amos
           9.
           7.
           
           But
           
             by
             a
             Prophet
             the
             Lord
             brought
             Israel
             out
             of
             Egypt
             ,
             and
             by
             a
             Prophet
             was
             he
             preserved
             ,
          
           Hos
           .
           12.
           13.
           
           What
           ,
           is
           the
           Price
           and
           Esteem
           of
           Gods
           Prophets
           ,
           and
           their
           faithful
           Dispensations
           ,
           now
           fallen
           in
           our
           hearts
           ?
        
         
           The
           hardships
           ,
           difficulties
           and
           sufferings
           ,
           which
           you
           have
           exposed
           your selves
           unto
           ,
           that
           you
           might
           dwell
           in
           the
           House
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           leave
           your
           Little
           Ones
           under
           the
           shadow
           of
           the
           wings
           of
           the
           God
           of
           
             Israel
             ,
          
           have
           not
           been
           few
           nor
           small
           .
           And
           shall
           we
           now
           withdraw
           our selves
           and
           our
           Little
           Ones
           from
           under
           those
           
             healing
             Wings
             ,
          
           and
           lose
           that
           full
           Reward
           ,
           which
           the
           Lord
           hath
           in
           his
           heart
           and
           hand
           to
           bestow
           upon
           us
           ?
           D●d
           we
           not
           with
           
             Mary
          
           choose
           this
           for
           our
           
             Part
             ,
             to
             sit
             at
             Christs
             feet
             and
             hear
             his
             word
             ?
          
           and
           do
           we
           now
           repent
           of
           our
           choice
           ,
           and
           prefer
           the
           Honours
           ,
           Pleasures
           and
           Profits
           of
           the
           world
           before
           it
           ?
           
             You
             did
             run
             well
             :
             who
             doth
             hinder
             you
             ,
             that
             you
             should
             not
             obey
             the
             truth
             ?
          
           Gal.
           5.
           7.
           
        
         
           
             Hath
             the
             Lord
             been
             wanting
             to
             us
             ,
             or
             failed
             our
             expectation
             ?
             Micah
          
           6.
           3.
           
           O
           my
           people
           ,
           what
           have
           I
           done
           unto
           thee
           ,
           and
           wherein
           have
           I
           wearied
           thee
           ?
           testifie
           against
           me
           .
           
             Jer.
          
           2.
           5.
           
           What
           iniquity
           have
           your
           fathers
           found
           in
           me
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           gone
           far
           from
           me
           ?
           
             and
          
           ver
           .
           31.
           
           O
           generation
           ,
           see
           ye
           the
           word
           of
           the
           Lord
           :
           have
           I
           been
           a
           wilderness
           unto
           Israel
           ?
           a
           land
           of
           darkness
           ?
           
             May
             not
             the
             Lord
             say
             unto
             us
             ,
             as
          
           Pharaoh
           
             did
             to
          
           Hadad
           ,
           1
           
             King.
          
           11.
           22.
           
           What
           hast
           thou
           lacked
           with
           me
           ,
           that
           behold
           ,
           thou
           seekest
           to
           go
           to
           thine
           own
           Country
           ?
           
             Nay
             ,
          
           what
           could
           have
           been
           done
           more
           ,
           
             then
             what
             the
             Lord
             hath
             done
             for
             us
             ?
          
           Isa
           .
           5.
           4.
           
        
         
           How
           sadly
           hath
           the
           Lord
           testified
           against
           us
           ,
           because
           of
           our
           
           
             loss
          
           of
           our
           
             first
             love
             ,
          
           and
           our
           
             remissness
          
           and
           negligence
           in
           his
           Work
           ?
           Why
           hath
           the
           Lord
           smitten
           us
           with
           Blasting
           and
           Mildew
           now
           seven
           years
           together
           ,
           superadding
           sometimes
           severe
           Drought
           ,
           sometimes
           great
           Tempests
           ,
           Floods
           ,
           and
           sweeping
           Rains
           ,
           that
           leave
           no
           food
           behinde
           them
           ?
           Is
           it
           not
           because
           the
           Lords
           House
           lyeth
           waste
           ?
           Temple-work
           in
           our
           Hearts
           ,
           Families
           ,
           Churches
           is
           shamefully
           neglected
           ?
           What
           should
           I
           make
           mention
           of
           
             Signes
          
           in
           the
           Heavens
           and
           in
           the
           Earth
           ,
           
             Blazing-Stars
             ,
             Earthquakes
             ,
          
           dreadful
           
             Thunders
          
           and
           
             Lightnings
             ,
          
           fearful
           
             Burnings
             ?
          
           What
           meaneth
           the
           heat
           of
           his
           great
           Anger
           ,
           in
           calling
           home
           so
           many
           of
           his
           
             Ambassadors
             ?
          
           In
           plucking
           such
           burning
           and
           shining
           
             Lights
          
           out
           of
           the
           Candlesticks
           ;
           the
           principal
           -
           
             Stakes
          
           out
           of
           our
           Hedges
           ;
           the
           
             Corner-stones
          
           out
           of
           our
           Walls
           ?
           In
           removing
           such
           faithful
           
             Shepherds
          
           from
           their
           Flocks
           ,
           and
           breaking
           down
           our
           
             defenced
             Cities
             ,
             Iron
             Pillars
             ,
          
           and
           
             Brazen-Walls
             ?
          
           Seemeth
           it
           a
           small
           thing
           unto
           us
           ,
           that
           so
           many
           of
           Gods
           
             Prophets
          
           (
           whose
           Ministry
           we
           came
           into
           the
           Wilderness
           to
           enjoy
           )
           are
           taken
           from
           us
           in
           so
           short
           a
           time
           ?
           Is
           it
           not
           a
           Sign
           that
           God
           is
           making
           a
           way
           for
           his
           Wrath
           ,
           when
           he
           removes
           his
           
             Chosen
          
           out
           of
           the
           
             Gap
             ?
          
           Doth
           he
           not
           threaten
           us
           with
           a
           
             Famine
          
           of
           the
           Word
           ,
           the
           
             Scattering
          
           of
           the
           Flock
           ,
           the
           
             Breaking
          
           of
           the
           Candlesticks
           ,
           and
           the
           turning
           of
           the
           
             Songs
          
           of
           the
           Temple
           into
           
             howlings
             ?
          
        
         
           
             It
             is
             high
             time
             for
             us
             to
          
           remember
           whence
           we
           are
           fallen
           ,
           and
           repent
           ,
           and
           do
           our
           first
           works
           .
           
             Wherefore
             let
             us
          
           lift
           up
           the
           hands
           that
           hang
           down
           ,
           and
           strengthen
           the
           feeble
           knees
           ,
           and
           make
           straight
           paths
           for
           our
           feet
           ,
           lest
           that
           which
           is
           lame
           be
           turned
           out
           of
           the
           way
           ,
           but
           let
           it
           rather
           be
           healed
           ,
           
             Heb.
             12.
             12
             ,
             13.
             
             Labour
             we
             to
             redress
             our
             Faintings
             and
             Swervings
             ,
             and
             address
             our selves
             to
             the
             Work
             of
             the
             Lord.
             Let
             us
             arise
             and
             build
             ,
             and
             the
             Lord
             will
             be
             with
             us
             ,
             and
             from
             this
             day
             will
             he
             bless
             us
             .
          
        
         
           Alas
           ,
           we
           are
           feeble
           and
           impotent
           ;
           our
           hands
           are
           withered
           ,
           and
           our
           strength
           dried
           up
           .
        
         
           Remember
           the
           man
           that
           had
           a
           withered
           hand
           :
           Christ
           
           faith
           unto
           him
           ,
           
             Stretch
             forth
             thy
             hand
             ;
             and
             he
             stretched
             it
             forth
             ,
             and
             it
             was
             restored
             whole
             ,
             like
             as
             the
             other
             ,
          
           Mat.
           12.
           13.
           
           How
           could
           he
           stretch
           forth
           his
           hand
           ,
           when
           it
           was
           withered
           ,
           the
           Blood
           and
           Spirits
           dried
           up
           ,
           and
           the
           Nerves
           and
           Sinews
           shrunk
           up
           ?
           The
           Almighty
           Power
           of
           Christ
           accompanying
           his
           Command
           ,
           enabled
           the
           man
           to
           stretch
           forth
           his
           withered
           hand
           ,
           and
           in
           stretching
           it
           forth
           ,
           restored
           it
           whole
           ,
           like
           as
           the
           other
           .
           Where
           the
           Soveraignty
           of
           Christ's
           Command
           takes
           place
           in
           the
           Conscience
           ,
           there
           is
           effectual
           grace
           accompanying
           it
           to
           the
           healing
           of
           our
           Spiritual
           Feebleness
           and
           Impotency
           ,
           and
           the
           enabling
           of
           us
           to
           perform
           the
           duty
           incumbent
           on
           us
           .
           Though
           we
           have
           no
           might
           ,
           no
           strength
           ,
           yet
           at
           Christ's
           Command
           ,
           make
           an
           essay
           .
           Where
           the
           word
           of
           a
           King
           is
           ,
           there
           is
           power
           .
        
         
           But
           alas
           ,
           our
           Bruise
           is
           incurable
           and
           our
           Wound
           grievous
           ,
           there
           is
           none
           to
           repair
           the
           Breach
           ,
           there
           is
           no
           healing
           Medicine
           .
        
         
           The
           Lord
           Jesus
           ,
           the
           great
           Physician
           of
           
             Israel
             ,
          
           hath
           undertaken
           the
           Cure.
           
             I
             will
             restore
             health
             unto
             thee
             ,
             and
             I
             will
             heal
             thee
             of
             thy
             wounds
             ,
             saith
             the
             Lord
             ,
          
           Jer.
           30.
           17.
           
           No
           case
           is
           to
           be
           accounted
           desperate
           or
           incurable
           ,
           which
           Christ
           takes
           in
           hand
           .
           If
           he
           undertake
           to
           heal
           
             Jairus
          
           his
           daughter
           ,
           he
           will
           have
           her
           
             death
          
           esteemed
           but
           
             a
             sleep
             ,
          
           in
           reference
           to
           his
           power
           .
           
             She
             is
             not
             dead
             ,
             but
             sleepeth
             ,
          
           Mat.
           9.
           24.
           
           When
           Christ
           came
           to
           
             Lazarus
          
           his
           grave
           ,
           and
           bade
           them
           take
           away
           the
           stone
           ,
           
             Martha
          
           saith
           ,
           
             Lord
             ,
             by
             this
             time
             he
             stinketh
             ;
             for
             he
             hath
             been
             dead
             four
             dayes
             :
          
           But
           Christ
           answereth
           ,
           
             Said
             I
             not
             unto
             thee
             ,
             that
             if
             thou
             wouldest
             believe
             ,
             thou
             shouldest
             see
             the
             glory
             of
             God
             ?
             Joh.
          
           11.
           40.
           
           Let
           us
           give
           glory
           to
           God
           by
           believing
           his
           word
           ,
           and
           we
           shall
           have
           real
           and
           experimental
           manifestations
           of
           his
           
             glory
          
           for
           our
           good
           and
           comfort
           .
        
         
           But
           alas
           ,
           our
           hearts
           are
           sadly
           prejudiced
           against
           the
           Means
           and
           Instruments
           ,
           by
           which
           we
           might
           expect
           that
           Christ
           should
           cure
           and
           heal
           us
           .
        
         
           Were
           not
           the
           hearts
           of
           
             John's
             Disciples
          
           leavened
           with
           carnal
           emulation
           and
           prejudices
           against
           
             Christ
          
           himself
           ?
           They
           
           would
           not
           own
           him
           to
           be
           the
           Messias
           ,
           nor
           believe
           their
           Master's
           Testimony
           concerning
           him
           :
           insomuch
           that
           the
           Lord
           saw
           it
           necessary
           that
           
             John
          
           should
           decrease
           and
           be
           abased
           ,
           that
           
             Christ
          
           might
           encrease
           and
           be
           exalted
           :
           and
           therefore
           suffered
           
             Herod
          
           to
           shut
           up
           
             John
          
           in
           Prison
           ,
           and
           keep
           him
           in
           durance
           about
           twelve
           moneths
           ,
           and
           at
           length
           to
           cut
           off
           his
           head
           ,
           
             that
             so
             these
             fondlings
             might
             be
             weaned
             from
             their
             Nurse
             ;
          
           and
           when
           
             John
          
           was
           dead
           ,
           his
           Disciples
           resort
           to
           Jesus
           ,
           acquaint
           him
           with
           the
           calamity
           that
           befell
           them
           ,
           and
           were
           perfectly
           reconciled
           to
           him
           ,
           passing
           into
           his
           School
           ,
           and
           becoming
           his
           Disciples
           ,
           
             Mat.
          
           14.
           12.
           
        
         
           But
           alas
           ,
           the
           Times
           are
           difficult
           and
           perillous
           ;
           the
           Wind
           is
           stormy
           ,
           and
           the
           Sea
           tempestuous
           ;
           the
           Vessel
           heaves
           and
           sets
           ,
           and
           tumbles
           up
           and
           down
           in
           the
           rough
           and
           boist●rous
           waters
           ,
           and
           is
           in
           danger
           to
           be
           swallowed
           up
           .
        
         
           Well
           ,
           remember
           that
           
             the
             Lord
             sitteth
             upon
             the
             flood
             ,
             yea
             the
             Lord
             sitteth
             King
             for
             ever
             ,
          
           Psal
           .
           29.
           10.
           
           
             His
             way
             is
             in
             the
             sea
             ,
             and
             his
             path
             in
             the
             great
             waters
             ,
             and
             his
             footsteps
             are
             not
             known
             ,
          
           Psal
           .
           77.
           19.
           
           
             He
             stilleth
             the
             noise
             of
             the
             seas
             ,
             the
             noise
             of
             their
             waves
             ,
             and
             the
             tumult
             of
             the
             people
             ,
          
           Psal
           .
           65.
           7.
           
           He
           saith
           to
           the
           raging
           Sea
           ,
           
             Peace
             ,
             be
             still
             :
             and
             the
             wind
             ceaseth
             ,
             and
             there
             is
             a
             great
             calm
             ,
          
           Mark
           4.
           39.
           
           Yea
           ,
           he
           can
           enable
           his
           people
           to
           tread
           and
           walk
           upon
           the
           waters
           .
           To
           sail
           and
           swim
           in
           the
           waters
           ,
           is
           an
           easie
           matter
           ;
           but
           to
           walk
           upon
           the
           waters
           ,
           as
           upon
           a
           pavement
           ,
           is
           an
           act
           of
           wonder
           .
           
             Peter
          
           at
           Christ's
           call
           
             came
             down
             out
             of
             the
             ship
             〈◊〉
             walked
             on
             the
             water
             to
             go
             to
             Jesus
             ,
          
           Matth.
           14.
           29.
           and
           as
           long
           as
           his
           Faith
           held
           ,
           it
           upheld
           him
           from
           sinking
           ;
           when
           his
           Faith
           failed
           ,
           his
           body
           sunk
           :
           but
           he
           
             cried
             to
             the
             Lord
             ,
             and
             he
             stretched
             forth
             his
             hand
             and
             caught
             him
             ,
             and
             said
             unto
             him
             ,
             O
             thou
             of
             little
             faith
             ,
             wherefore
             didst
             thou
             doubt
             ?
          
        
         
           But
           what
           shall
           we
           do
           for
           bread
           ?
           The
           encrease
           of
           the
           field
           and
           the
           labour
           of
           the
           Husbandman
           fails
           .
        
         
           Hear
           Christ's
           answer
           to
           his
           Disciples
           ,
           when
           they
           were
           troubled
           ,
           because
           there
           was
           but
           one
           Loaf
           in
           the
           ship
           .
           
             O
             ye
             of
             little
             faith
             ,
             why
             reason
             ye
             ,
             because
             you
             have
             no
             bread
             ?
             
             perceive
             ye
             not
             yet
             ,
             neither
             understand
             ?
             have
             ye
             your
             heart
             yet
             hardened
             ?
             having
             eyes
             ,
             see
             ye
             not
             ?
             and
             having
             ears
             ,
             hear
             ye
             not
             ,
             and
             do
             ye
             not
             remember
             ?
          
           Mark
           8.
           17
           ,
           18.
           —
           Mat.
           16.
           8
           ,
           9.
           
           Those
           which
           have
           had
           large
           and
           plentiful
           experience
           of
           the
           grace
           and
           power
           of
           Christ
           in
           providing
           for
           their
           outward
           Sustenance
           ,
           and
           relieving
           of
           their
           Necessities
           ,
           when
           ordinary
           and
           usual
           Means
           have
           failed
           ,
           are
           worthy
           to
           be
           severely
           reprehended
           ,
           if
           afterward
           they
           grow
           anxiously
           careful
           and
           solicitous
           ,
           because
           of
           the
           defect
           of
           outward
           supplies
           .
           In
           the
           whole
           Evangelicall
           History
           ,
           I
           finde
           not
           that
           ever
           the
           Lord
           Jesus
           did
           so
           sharply
           rebuke
           his
           Disciples
           for
           any
           thing
           ,
           as
           for
           that
           fit
           and
           pang
           of
           Worldly
           care
           and
           solicitude
           about
           Bread.
           Attend
           we
           our
           Errand
           ,
           upon
           which
           Christ
           sent
           us
           into
           the
           Wilderness
           ,
           and
           he
           will
           provide
           Bread
           for
           us
           .
           Matth.
           6.
           33.
           
           
             Seek
             ye
             first
             the
             Kingdome
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             his
             Righteousness
             ,
             and
             all
             these
             things
             shall
             be
             added
             unto
             you
             .
          
        
         
           But
           we
           have
           many
           Adversaries
           ,
           and
           they
           have
           their
           subtile
           Machinations
           and
           Contrivances
           ,
           and
           how
           soon
           we
           may
           be
           surprized
           ,
           we
           know
           not
           .
        
         
           Our
           diligent
           Attention
           to
           the
           Ministry
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           is
           a
           special
           means
           to
           check
           and
           restrain
           the
           rage
           and
           fury
           of
           Adversaries
           .
           The
           people's
           assiduity
           in
           attendance
           upon
           Christ's
           Ministry
           ,
           was
           the
           great
           obstacle
           that
           hindred
           the
           execution
           of
           the
           bloody
           Counsels
           of
           the
           Pharisees
           .
           
             Luk.
          
           19.
           47
           ,
           48.
           
           
             He
             taught
             daily
             in
             the
             Temple
             ,
             but
             the
             chief
             Priests
             and
             the
             Scribes
             ,
             and
             the
             chief
             of
             the
             people
             ,
             sought
             to
             destroy
             him
             ,
             and
             could
             not
             finde
             what
             they
             might
             do
             :
             for
             all
             the
             people
             were
             very
             attentive
             to
             hear
             him
             .
          
           If
           the
           people
           cleave
           to
           the
           Lord
           ,
           to
           his
           Prophets
           ,
           and
           to
           his
           Ordinances
           ,
           it
           will
           strike
           such
           a
           fear
           into
           the
           hearts
           of
           enemies
           ,
           that
           they
           will
           be
           at
           their
           wits
           ends
           ,
           and
           not
           know
           what
           to
           do
           .
           However
           ,
           In
           this
           way
           we
           have
           the
           promise
           of
           divine
           Protection
           and
           Preservation
           .
           
             Revel
             .
             3.
             10.
             
             Because
             thou
             hast
             kept
             the
             word
             of
             my
             Patience
             ,
             I
             also
             will
             keep
             thee
             from
             the
             hour
             of
             Temptation
             ,
             which
             shall
             come
             upon
             all
             the
             world
             ,
             to
             try
             them
             
             that
             dwell
             upon
             the
             earth
             .
          
           Let
           us
           with
           
             Mary
          
           choose
           this
           for
           our
           Portion
           ,
           
             To
             sit
             at
             Christ's
             feet
             and
             hear
             his
             word
             ;
          
           and
           whosoever
           complain
           against
           us
           ,
           the
           Lord
           Jesus
           will
           plead
           for
           us
           ,
           as
           he
           did
           for
           her
           ,
           and
           say
           ,
           They
           
             have
             chosen
             that
             good
             part
             ,
             which
             shall
             not
             be
             taken
             away
             from
          
           them
           ,
           
             Luk.
             10.
             42.
             
             AMEN
             .
          
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         
           Pag.
           14.
           line
           28.
           
             for
          
           ground
           
             reade
          
           grand
           .