THE CHECQVER-WORK OF GOD'S PROVIDENCES, Towards his own People, Made up of Blacks and Whites: VIZ▪ Of their Abasements, and Advancements; Their Distresses, and Deliverances; Their Sullying Tribulations, and Beautifying Relaxations: Represented in a SERMON Preached at the Funeral of that Faithful Servant of the LORD, MARY the late Wife of Joseph Jackson Esq Alderman of the City of BRISTOL; on the 5. day of May, Anno Dom. 1657. By Francis Roberts, Pastor of the Church at Wrington. Job 23. 10. When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as Gold. Acts 14. 22. We must through much Tribulation enter into the Kingdom of God. LONDON, Printed by R. W. for George Calvert, at the sign of the Half-Moon in Paul's churchyard. 1657. To My much Honoured friend Joseph Jackson Esque Alderman of the City of Bristol; As also, To all the entirely beloved CHILDREN of MARY his late Dear and Gracious Yoke-fellow, Now sleeping in Jesus, yea living with Jesus; Grace, Mercy and Peace, from the Father of Mercies, and God of all Consolation. My dear Christian friends, WHen, upon your desires, I had Preached this ensuing Sermon at the late sad Funeral of such a Wife, of such a Mother, as you not long since had, I thought my work about this Particular had been at a Period. Since which, through the importunity of divers my Near and Dear Relations (whose Request is to me a virtual command) thinking better of it than I myself, I have been induced to Publish it, for the benefit of them and other. The good LORD add his Blessing both to what was then spoken, and is now written: for furthering of their faith, and helping of their joy. And now I present the Sermon a Revised, with the help of two distinct coples thereof taken in shorthand when I preached it lest any useful passages should be omitted; there being a different Gift in Writing and Preaching. Revised (and where it was needful a little enlarged) unto you: Who, from her own Designation, recommended the present Text to me. The Jewel in the words deserves a richer Cabinet; yea and her sacred Dust a better Monument: But till you meet with Richer and Better, let this be favourably Accepted. Not long since, b Viz From Jun. 22. till almost July 20. 1656. myself was (by reason of a continuing Fever) not far from the c Psa. 49. 15. hand of the Grave: but the living God d Isa. 38. 17. hath loved my soul from the Pit of corruption. So that in this Sermon I have Preached, mine own Experiences, and her Expectations of deliverance. The Gracious LORD, (whose methods of mercy are many) hath Released us both from our respective extremities, as from the e Psalm 68 13. Pots: Me From Death, That I might live to his Praise a while on Earth: Her, By Death, That she may live in his Praise for ever in heaven. Thrice blessed be the God and Father of Mercies, for all the Mysteries of his Mercies. May I now speak a few words of Advice to you that survive: especially to you the dear and Hopeful children of so Happy a Mother? My sincere love to her, mine ●rdent longings after your salvation, constrain me: And I cannot hold my Peace. Let me stand a while as in your late mother's stead. O let my counsel be accepted and embraced. 1. Become Godly and Religious betimes. f 1 Chron. 289 1 King. 18. 3, 12. Know, fear, love and serve God from your very youth. g Eccles. 12. 1. Remember your Creator in the days of your youth. Early Christians are Happy Christians. Under the Old Testament God called for the h Exod. 34. 22, 26. First-fruits of the ground, and the i Deut. 12. 6. 17. Firstlings of the Flock; Much more he expects the firstlings of our days, of our youth, of our strength. Think of k 1 Sam. 3. 4. to the end. Samuel, l 1 Sam 16. 7, 11, 13. & 17. 33, &c. David, m 1 Chron. 22. 5. & 29▪ 1. ●●am. 12. 24. 1 King. 3. 3. Solomon, n 1 King. 18. 3. 12 Obadiah, o 2. Chron. 34. 1, 3. Josiah, p Luk. 1. 15. John Baptist, q 2 lim. 3. 15. Timothy, and r Luke 2. 40, 42, 46, 47, 52. Jesus Christ himself: how Religios they were in their very youth, and tread in their steps. Oh what sins and iniquities are prevented: What experiences of God are up-heaped: How large a seed● time of Grace and good works is obtained: How long opportunities of s 2 Pet. 1. 10. making our Calling and Election sure are enjoyed, by giving up ourselves to God betimes. 2. Be sincerely and entirely Religious. hypocrisy, is a mere mockery in Religion: which occasions t Mat. 23. 14. & 24. 51. the deeper condemnation. Content not yourselves with u Rev. 3. 1. a name to live, but be alive indeed. Rest not in x 2 Tim. 3, 5. the Form, but look to the power of godliness. y 1 Chron. 28. 9 Serve the Lord with a perfect heart. Seek, love, and obey him z Psalm 119. 10. with the whole heart. Let the whole soul be as it were Woaded in Grace. Fill your judgements with knowledge and truth, your consciences with purity, your wills with ●ractableness, your hearts and affections with heavenliness, &c. Approve yourselves throughout to God: that you may say as Peter; a ●oh 21. 17. Lord thou knowest all things, thou knowest I love thee, I fear thee, I trust in thee, &c. 3. Maintain sweet Communion with God in Jesus Christ. Walk closely with God every day, as b Gen. 5▪ 22, 24. Enoch, c Gen. 6. 9 Noah, d Gen. 17. 2. & 48. 15. Abraham, e Psal. 101. 2▪ &c. 1 King. 15, 5. Psal. 18. 22. Acts 13. 22▪ David, &c. Think of him frequently; Desire him vehemently; Love him entirely; Be never well but in his Presence. Accept all stirrings of his Spirit, glimpses of his face, tastes of his love. Open with him every morning, shut with him (like the Sun-flower) every night, Turn towards him, and pant after him all the day long. Say f Psal. 73. 25. Whom have we in heaven but thee? &c. Thus you shall recover the lost Paradise, Thus you shall live as in an Heaven on earth: and when you come to die, you shall but exchange one Heaven for another and a better; A Spiritual Heaven of grace for an Eternal Heaven of Glory. 4. Let JESUS CHRIST be your All: your g 1 Cor. 1. 30. Wisdom, to guide you: your Righteousness, to justify you: your Sanctification, to cleanse you: your Redemption, to save you. If you hunger, he is h John 6. 48▪ 51. Mannah: If you thirst, he gives i John 4. 10, 14. living water: If you faint, he is k Luke 2. 25. the consolation of Israel: If you pray, he is l 1 John 2. 1, 2. an Advocate with the Father: If you conflict with spiritual enemies, he is your m 1 John 5. 4, 5. 1▪ Cor. 15. 57 Rom. 8. 37. Victory and Triumph,: If you live, he is your n 1 Tim. 1. 1. hope: If you die, be is your o Phil. 1. 21. gain: If you be buried also, he is your p I●hu 11. 25. Life and Resurrection. O let him be the q Rev. 1. 8, 11. Alpha and Omega, The centre and Circumference, yea the very r Col. 3. 11. All in All, your Desires, Loves, joys, Delights, Endeavours and Undertakings. If you want Christ, you want all things: If you have Christ, you want nothing. In all your joys, Christ is the highest Exultation: In all your sorrows, Christ is the sweetest Consolation: In all your Gains, Christ is the chief Remuneration: In all your losses, Christ is the richest Compensation. In him make up the loss of Wife and Mother. All Sweetness, Dearness, Tenderness, fullness, Contentment, Satisfaction, Consolation and Happiness is a thousand fold in him more than in these, or all the Relations of the world. These are but glimmering Lamps, He is the glorious Sun; These are but broken Cisterns, he is the living Fountain; These are but little drops, he is the boundless Ocean. Now therefore turn all your desires and a●fections towards him, and be fully satisfied. One Christ, is beyond ten thousand worlds. 5. Strive after well-grounded Assurance of a good spiritual state. Labour not only, That God, Christ, Grace, and Glory may be yours: but also, That ye may know assuredly they are yours. Assurance is possible; For s 1 Cor. 2. 12. God's Spirit is given to help us to it, &c. t Job 19 25, 26, 27. Heb. 10. 34. 1 Tim. 1. 16. 2 Tim. 1. 12. Many have attained it. Assurance is necessary: for God hath charged us to endeavour after it; u 2 Pet. 1. 10. Give diligence to make your calling and election sure, &c. And Assurance is very comfortable, and advantageous to our x 2 Pet. 1. 10. Perseverance. This held up y Job 19 25. &c. Job under all his misery. This cheered up z 2 Tim. 4. 6, 7, 8. Paul against approaching death. 6. Contend exceedingly, That a 2 Pet. 3. 18. Col. 3. 5, &c. Grace may still be growing; and sin be dying. The more Grace, and the less Sin: the less like Satan, the more like God; the further from Hell, the nearer to Heaven. The b Eph. 5. 27. & 4. 12, 13. Abolition of sin, and the Perfection of Grace, are the suburbs of Glory. 7. Live to God, and upon God in Christ, that you may live with God and with Christ. c Rom. 14. 8. Live to God, in all holy, heavenly, and blameless conversation; d Habak. 2. 4. live upon God, in all constant faithful dependence: That you may e John 14. 3, 19 live with God and Christ in immediate eternal enjoyments. 8. Live in f 1 John 4. 7, 8. love one to another, and towards all God's People. Love entirely, love affectionately, love Christianly in order chiefly to Spirituals and Eternals. Sincere love is the g John 13. 34, 35. Badge and Character of Christ's Disciples on earth; and h 1 Cor. 13. 13. Love will be part of the Crown of Christ's Members in Heaven. Oh ye dear children that tumbled in the same bowels, still retain the i Phil. 2▪ 1, 2. same Mind, Heart and Affection one towards another. You shall have adversaries enough in the world: and therefore never be one another's adversaries. So live in love together on E●rth, as those that look to live in ravishments together in Heaven. 9 Highly prize and frequent All the Means of Grace in public and Private God's Ordinances are his Sacred Channels wherein alone in ordinary, his streams of grace do flow. Haw did David k Psal. 84. 1, &c. & 122. 1, &c. exult in the enjoyment of them! How did he l Psalm 12. 1. to 5. & 63. 1, 2. lament in the want of them! Christians ought to m Mat. 28. 19, 2●. observe all Christ's Commandments and Ordinances. They n H●b. 10. 25. must not forsake the Assembling of themselves together, as the manner of some is, ● o Psalm 89. 15. blessed is that people that know the joyful sound! The p Heb. 1●. 20. Mat. 28. 19, 20. 1 Cor. 11. 26. New Covenant, and the Administrations thereof are to continue till the end of this world: and therefore they ought still to be attended upon by all God's New Covenant People. 10. Be q 1 Cor. 15. 58. constant, steadfast, persevering, and abounding in Faith, Obedience, and all goodness unto the End. Be faithful to the Death: Then r Rev. 2. 10. you shall receive a Crown of life; then s 2 Ioh. 8. you shall receive a full reward. t 2 Thes. 3. 13. Gal. 6. 9 Be not weary of well-doing, for in due time ye shall reap if ye faint not. How constant and steadfast to the end was your gracious Mother in Faith, Patience and Godliness, although no small Tempest of Pain and Trouble lay upon her. The best of Saints may be exercised with the worst of sorrows here: But the Lord is u Dan. ●. 25. Exod. 3. 2. Isa. 43. 2. Psal. 23. 4. with them in the furnace of their trials, yea, was with her to uphold her in the valley of the shadow of Death. Hence, though she was x 2 Cor. 4▪ 8, 9● Troubled on every side, yet was she not distressed, though perplexed, yet not in despair; though cast down, yet not destroyed. y Iam. 5. 11. We count them happy that endure. O let not sharpest trials or troubles ever make you faint or flag at any time. They that z Luke 9 62. put their hands to God's plough, and look back, render themselves unfit for the Kingdom of God. 11. Lastly, Mourn moderately in the loss of her, and other earthly comforts. When holy Jacob died in Egypt, a Gen. 50. 10. The Israelites the children of Jacob mourned seven days, but the b Gen. 50. 3. Egyptians seventy days: This was not because the Egyptians had more love to Jacob then the Israelites; but because the Israelites had more Grace, and Hope, and Moderation, than the Egyptians. Natural affection is commended: c 1 Thes. 4. 13. excess in mourning is condemned. d John 11. 35. Jesus himself wept at Lazarus his Grave: and yet Christ's members e 1 Thes. 4. 13. must not mourn as others that have no hope for them that sleep in Jesus. Were she still lying among the sullying pots, in midst of her sighs, groans, dolours and extremities, you might well bleed over her and lament her; but that she is delivered from all her sins and sorrows; is as the wings of a Dove, covered with silver, &c. hath laid aside her earthly sables, and is clothed in heavenly white: Is in f Luk. 16. 22. Abraham's bosom, in g Luke 23. 43. Paradise, h Heb. 12. 22, 23. Phil. 1. 23. with Saints, Angels, and with God in Jesus Christ, which is far best of all, &c. Now rejoice in her joys, triumph in her triumphs, i Intelligeres ●llum non emori, sedemigrare; & mutare amicos, nonrelinquere. Hicr●nym. in Epitaph. Nepotian. p. 25. Tom. 1. Basil. 1553. she is not so much dead, as delivered by death: she hath (as Hierom said of Nepotianus) not so much lost her friends; as changed them, and changed them for better: she is not so much k 2 Cor. 5. 4. unclothed, as clothed upon, her mortality being swallowed up of life. Let her have your Imitations, rather than your Lamentations. Her graces and gracious deportments towards God and Man, and more especially towards you, In her health and sickness, in her life, and at her death were very Christian and exemplary. In all, l 1 Cor. 11. 1. do ye follow her, as she followed Christ. Let her virtues still live in you: so shall she in some sense still live with you. And inasmuch as, m Fiducla Christiano rum, Resurrectio mortuorum. Tertul. de Resurrect. c. 1. p. 31●. The Resurrection of the dead, is the peculiar Hope and Consolation of Christians, consider; she n 1 Thes. 4. 14. 15, 16, 17. sleeps in Jesus, she shall at last awake and be Raised again by Jesus: And ye shall meet again; meet, and never part; meet, not to sigh and mourn together, but to sing and triumph together. Ye shall be caught up with her and with all the Elect together, to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall ye be ever with the LORD. Amen. So prayeth. Your affectionate friend, and brother in the Lord, for the furtherance of your Faith and joy, Fran: Roberts. Wrington June 12. 1657. THE Checquer Work of God's Providences towards his own people, Made up of BLACKS and WHITES: VIZ. Of their Abasements, and Advancements; Their Distresses and Deliverances; Their Sullying Tribulations, and Beautifying Relaxations, &c. PSAL. 68 13. Though ye have lain among the Pots; yet shall ye be as the wings of a Dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow Gold. GOD's dearest people, may for a long time a Isa. 50. 10. Job 19 8, &c. & 30. 26. walk in darkness; yet at last the b Psal. 18. 27, 28. Gen. 15. 17. light of refreshing consolation shall shine upon them: May c Job 2. 8. with chap. 42. 10, &c. sit down with Job a great while among the ashes; yet at length shall be lifted up, God turning their captivity: and may d Psal. 68 13▪ lie with ISRAEL (God's only people under the Old Testament) among the Pots, for many ages: but in fine shall safely escape, like silver-winged and golden-feathered Doves, from all the blackish sulliedness of their Afflictions. The sharpest storm ends in a grateful calm: and the darkest night hath its succeeding Day. This Mercy here Promised, was (according to the purpose of the most high) Performed to God's Israel: And this blessing is in some sense accomplished to our late dear Sister deceased, an Israelite indeed. This was her condition: she long walked in darkness; sat down with Job in ashes: and lay with Israel among the Pots: But at last the Gracious LORD hath turned, Her Darkness into Light, Her Ashes into Beauty, Her Pots of sad affliction into glory. These words were First and Immediately Directed to the Jewish Church, which had been a long time exercised with very many and heavy afflictions: but are extensive also, in like condition, to the Christian Church which is incorporated into it, and e ●ph. 3. 6. of the same Body: yea and applicable also, in a due Rule of Proportion to any Particular Christian in a like parallel case of darksome distressing tribulations. A Particular Promise first directed to one single Person is sometimes improved to the General Consolation of Christians: As that sweet Promise to Joshuah; f Io●h. 1. 5. with He●b. 1●. 5, 6. — I will not fail thee nor for sake thee, is urged by the Apostle, as a General ground of Contentment to all Christians in any troubles or oppositions. How much more may a General Promise to the whole Church, as here, be applied to the comfort of a Particular Member. And therefore I cannot but impute it to the Christian judgement and apprehensiveness of our deceased Sister (now with the LORD,) that she could appropriate the consolation of this more General Promise, to herself in Particular: and that, though the sense and comfort of this Promise be wrapped up and enfolded in obscure Metaphorical expressions. The words were often in her heart and lips in the days of her Tribulation: whence doubtless she supported herself with pertinent and comfortable Meditation. For, 1. Here she had, (in the Churches abject, blackish, deformed, and despised condition, that had lain among the Pots,) A lively Po●●traiture or delineation of her own extreme Distresses. And, if the whole Church of God lay among the Pots: why might not she? This might administer to her much matter of Patience, Contentedness, and Consolation, g Solamen mis●ris soclos h●buisse Dolo●ls. It's some Consolation, not to be alone in heavyest Tribulation. 2. Here she had, (in the Churches Promised Felicity, that should be as the wings of a Dove covered with Silver, and ●er Feathers with yellow Gold,) a foundation of Hope touching her Deliverance at last out of all her extremities. If the Church should be brought from her black sullying Pots, to the wings of a silver and Golden-coloured Dove: from darkest miseries to brightest felicities: Why might not she, in God's due time, one way or other, expect the like happy transmutation? This might sweetly nourish her F●ith, Hope and Christian Expectation. This Scripture was so suitable to her condition, and so much in her thoughts, that discoursing about her expected dissolution, she said; I think this must be the Text at my Funeral; h Psalm 68 13. Though ye have lain among the Pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of a Dove covered with silver, and her Feathers with yellow gold. And hereupon, I have been requested, by some of her nearest Relations, to make these words the subject. matter of my discourse upon this sad Occasion. This Scripture, (and so this Psalm,) is very mysterious and intricate: One thing being expressed, another intended: As is usual in Metaphors and Allegories. For removing the obscurity of the words, and improving them to our present utility, consider we; 1. Their coherence with the context. 2. Their true sense and meaning. 3 The Lessons or Doctrinal Propositions intended in them. We must take more pains then ordinary to attain the right meaning of these words. 1. The Coherence of these words with the context, may be briefly represented as followeth, viz. Of this Psalm, (most justly styled by R. A. EZra, i Non inter omnes conven●t de A gumento hujus Psalmi, quem affirmat ●●zra valde esse excellen●e●. Sim. de Muis in ●rg. ad Psal. lxv 〈◊〉 A very excellent Psalm) 1. The Penman: ●. Matter: 3. Occasion: and 4. Parts are as followeth. I. The Instrumental Author, or Penman, was DAVID, that k 2 Sam. 23. 1. sweet Psalmist of Israel. See, Title of the Psalm. II. The Subject-Matter, is of a mixed Nature: being made up of Petition and Gratulation, of Doctrine and Exhortation, of History and Prophecy. And containing such an Eminent Prophecy of Christ's Triumphant ascension into Heaven, and of the Benefits thereof: l Compare Psal. 68 18. with ●phel. 5. 8▪ &c. Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive, &c. it may deservedly be ranked among the Prophetical Psalms. III. The Occasion seems to be, 1. Either David's m Compare Psal. 68 1 &c. with Nu●b. 10. 35. bringing up of the Ark of God into the place prepared for it in Zion, in the City of David: as some. 2. Or, some n As that in 2 Sam. 21. 15. to the end. See Psal. 68 1, 2. difficult and eminent expedition of DAVID against his enemies: wherein he aforehand assures himself of desired success and victory, both from the assistant power of the mighty God, and from Israel's constant experiences of like nature: as other●. 3. Or, some ●amous and Renowned victory obtained: as others. 4. Or, (As to me seems most probable) a Complexive Series and Heap of victories over his and his Kingdoms enemies subdued under him, even from N●lus to Euphrates, recorde● in 2 Sam 8. & 1 Chron. 18. whereupon he is by some supposed to have Penned two Triumphant Psalms, viz. Psalm 47. See vers. 5. & Psal. 68 See verse. 18. Herein King David being a special Type of CHRIST, the King of Kings, that subdues all our spiritual enemies, and Captivates our Captivity, As o Ps●l. 68 18. with ●ph. 4. 8, &c. part of this Psalm applied to and interpreted of CHRIST, doth clearly intimate. And throughout the whole current of this Psalm▪ besides the immediate literal sense of it touching David and his Temporal Kingdom, there is easily observable a Mediate, Spiritual and Mystical meaning touching CHRIST the true DAVID and his spiritual Kingdom. Let this be still remembered: lest we lose much of the spirituality of this heavenly Psalm. IV. The Parts or Branches are chiefly three, viz. 1. Petition, 2. Exhortation, and 3. Gratulation. 1. A Prophetical Petition. Let God arise, &c. ver. 1, 2, 3. This was the p Numb. 10. 35. Prayer at the moving of the Ark, that singular Token of q Exod. 25. 21, 22. God's Presence, Type of r Exod. 25. 2●. with o●. 3. 25. 1 Ioh. 2. 2. Jesus Christ, and s Rom. 9 4. 1 Sam. 4. 21, 22. Glory in Israel. 2. A Pathetical Exhortation, or Hortatory incitation, unto the High Praises of God, ver. 4. to 19 3. A grateful Exultation in the LORD, for his many Blessings and victories, verse 19 to the end. This 13. verse falls under the second branch, viz. the Exhortation. The Psalmist exhorts to the Praises of God, from two sorts of Motives especially, viz. I. From God's more General and Common Acts of Providence, 1. To the Fatherless. 2. To the widows. 3. To the solitary. 4. To the Captives. ver. 4, 5, 6. II. From God's more Special and Peculiar Providences towards his own People Israel: and this chiefly in four observable intervals of Time that came over them, viz. ●. When they came out of Egypt, and marched through the wilderness. ver. 7, 8. 2. When they were newly possessed of, and planted in the Land of Canaan, ver. 9, 10. 3. In the troublesome and unsettled times of the judges, ver. 11, 12. 4. In the more composed and happy days of David, ver. 13, to 19 In this last Particular note two things, viz. (1) The Preface to this matter of Praise and Thankfulness for God's Providential goodness which should be to Israel in the days of David, more than in former times: Though ye have lain among the Pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of a Dove covered with silver, &c. ver. 13. That is: In the three former times, in Egypt and the Wilderness, In Canaan, and Under the judges, ye have lain as among the Pots, low, debased, blacked, deformed, &c. with many, and sore afflictions: But now under David's Dominion, especially under Christ's, ye shall be as Doves wings and feathers of silver and golden colour: ye shall escape and be delivered, ye shall be advanced to a more joyous, prosperous and happy condition, and have better times than ever formerly. Ye shall be taken from among the Pots, and adorned with opposite Beauty and Glory. 2. The Particular Arguments inciting Israel to Praise and Thankfulness hereupon, are drawn, 1. From God's victoriousness over his enemies, to his people's prosperity, ver. 14. 2. From the Eminency and Fertility of God's Hill, Zion: especially of the Church of God shadowed out by it, ver. 15. 3. From the Lords constant Residence in, and all-sufficient Protection of, his own Hill, his Church and people, ver. 16, 17. 4. From God's Triumph over all his, and his people's enemies: which was to have its chief t Eph. 4. 8, &c. accomplishment in Jesus CHRIST Ascending up into heaven, and leading captivity captive, &c. ver. 18. Thus stands the coherence: by which you may receive much satisfaction touching the right meaning of the words. 11. The sense and meaning of the words will now be the more easily extracted. Here's one Hebrew word in the Original which especially renders the Scripture intricate, viz. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Shephattajim: which, being a word of divers Significations and Translations, occasions various Interpretations. It is Rendered, 1. Limits, or Bounds. 2. Lots, or Inheritances. 3. Pots, or Pot-ranges. 1. Some render it, Two-limits, or Two-bounds, (the word being of the Dual number,) viz. the u To this effect merc●rus & Cev●l●rius in S. Pagnin. Thes. ad very. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} & Moller. Com. in Psal. 68 two limits, bounds or coasts of the enemies, ready to afflict, vex, and infest them on each hand. Or, two confines of the country where they fortified themselves against their enemies. This sense some later writers embrace. And its x Or, we may understand it of the two bounds. and limits of the enemies. where they are continually assailed an● e●dangered. And t● is t●e Greek seemeth to favour, tu●ning it ana meson toon cler●on amids, (or between) the Inheritances; even as they also translate the two bur●●ns o● limits between which Isacha● couched▪ Gen. 49. 14▪ which Tribe had the Philis●ins at one end, and the Ammonites on the other, that vexed them. H. Amsworth in 〈◊〉 ●AWORD●, on Psal. 68 14. one of the Interpretations which Ainsworth gives, though not in the first place. But, this version seems here very unsuitable: for that it quite destroys the Elegancy and fitness of the Opposition betwixt the two Metaphors, representing Israel's different conditions, before and under David's Government. 2. Some render it: Two-lots, or Two-Inheritances. So the lxx. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}; that is, Amidst the Lots, or between the Inheritances: Inheritances (as in Canaan) being anciently set out by lots. This Hierom seems to follow, turning it; Si dormiatis inter medios cleros. And thus he expounds it, y Si dormiatis inter medios ●leros, &c. Cum duobus ●rediderls Testamentis, in●enlcs in u●toque Spiritum Sanctun●▪ Et cet sit pul●htitudo elm juxta l●eram scire quae legas; amen vis lecor●s omnis ●n sensu est. Exter●or ltaque●e●borum orllatus in Argenti nomine demonst●atur, occultiora vero mysteria in reconditis ●uri muleribus continentur. Si dormiatis inter medios cleros; hoc est, si quiescati● inter novum ●●ve us Testamentum● invenietis in duobus Testamentii gr●clum Spiritus San●i. Cle●i licuntur singuli lib●, &c. Hi●r●ny●, in Comment▪ ad Psal. lxvii. pag 94. ●. C. Tom. 8. ●●sil. 15●3. When thou believest the two Testaments, in both thou shalt find the Holy Ghost. And though there be a beauty, even according to the letter to know what thou readest: yet the force of all the comeliness is in the sense. Therefore the outward Ornament of the words is demonstrated by the name of silver, but the more secret mysteries are contained in the hidden gifts of gold, &c. So that, with him; The two Lots, are the two Testaments; The Dove, is the Holy Ghost; Her wings covered with Silver, the outward letter of the Testaments; The feathers of yellow gold, the inward; spiritual, and mysterious sense. But this is rather a witty Allegorical All●sion, than a judicious and solid Exposition. z Augustin. in Enarrat. in Psal. lxvii. p. 702, &c. Tom▪ 8. Basil. 1569▪ Augustine also expounds the words much to this effect: but altogether as unsatisfactorily. The ancient Fathers are not always the best Expositors. 3. But most do render the word, Pots or Pot-ranges. Thus; Although ye have lain among the Pots (or, between the● Pot-ranges: or, between the two banks, or rows, viz. of stones to hang pots on in the Camp or Leaguer) yet shall ye be as the wings of a Dove covered (or, decked with silver, & her feathers● with yellow-greenish gold. And they observe in the words a double Metaphor: 1. The one of Israel's lying among the Pots, as scullions lie among the pots, kettles or cauldrons in the camp or leaguer in time of war, and so are blacked, soiled, smutted, deformed: denoting Israel's abject, low, mean, sullied, deformed and despicable condition under afflictions and extreme distresses in time past in Egypt, the Wilderness, Canaan, and in the time of the Judges. 2. The other of Israel's being like the wings of a Dove (which is of very a Psalm 5● 6, 7, ● speedy flight for escape) of bright silver, and beauteous golden-colour: representing their escape and deliverance at last out of all their blacking, smutting and deforming afflictions, into the contrary, beauteous, prosperous and happy state, under the Kingdom of DAVID, especially of Jesus CHRIST the true DAVID. Blackness notes extreme affliction and misery: Doves wings, escape: white silver-colour and beauteous golden-colour, Prosperity and Felicity. Thus, the Metaphors are elegantly opposed one to another, and very significantly set forth the several conditions of Israel, first as lying among the pots of deep afflictions in former times, but after as assured of deliverance, of better days, and that they should be as a silver winged and golden-feathered Dove, full of beauty, comeliness, prosperity and felicity. To this effect, b R. David, un Comment. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} sunt {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} i. Chytropodes, loca ubi ponuntur ollae, aut caldariae. l. In loco humili, & nigro, ut est hic locus. Ac si dicat, ●i ambulastis hactenus nigris induti estibus ob inimicotum afflictionem, adhuc eritis albi sicut alae columbae, quae tect●est argenta. l. Quae habet pennas albas sicut argentum. S. Pagia. in Thesaur. ad verb. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. R. David Kimchi, c Inter Chytropodes.] ●. In l●co humili, sicut est locus chytropodum: vel in loco obscuro & atro, l. In summa anxietate & rebus adversis constituti fueritis, &c. Eritis adhuc sicut Pennae columbae tectae argento. Candor▪ faelicitatem significat. Pag●. & Mercer ab. Pagnin, d Nunc per modum correctionis addit, etiamsi fideles interdum contingat jacere in tenebris, Deum nihilominus in tempore prodire liberatorem.— Generaliter admonet, inter medias afflict iones arcana & mirifica Dei vertute fideles quasi integros servai, vel subito restitui, ut nulla malorum signa appareant. Utrumque enim sensum verba admittunt; Quod jacentes in suligine & tenebris, nitere tamen non desinant: Vel quod liberatio contractum ex malis nigredinem dis●utia●. Uirumvis Eligas, summa huc redit, nunquam afflictionibus vel. consumi vel obrui sideles, quin sua illis maneat incolumicas, &c. Joan. Calvin. in Comment. ad Psal. 68 14. Calvin, e In priore membro Metaphora est à calonibus & lixis castrensibus petita, qui ab aeris injuria utcunque se defendunt, delitescendo inter fuliginosas ollas, & lapides focarios, apta huic loco, ubi de bello Sermo est, figura. In posteriore est metaphora à Columbis desumpta, quae per medium aerem volitantes, nunc niveum atque argent●um, nunc aureum splendorem ejaculantur. Significatur porro hoc versuex omnibus angustiis & periculis, quantumvis ingentibus, emersuros exiturosque salvos & incolumes. In Sacris literis Atror mala; Candor vero, incolumitatem & prosperitatem notat. Simeon de Muis in Comment▪ ad Psal. 68 14. Muis, f Quamvis antea jacueritis, &c.] Quamvis tribus predictis temporibus, In Egypto & Deserto, Interra Cananes, & sub judicibus fueritis hactenus similes Calonibus & lixis fuligine deformatis▪ deinceps tamen eriti● similes pennis columbae.— nunc sub imperio Davidis ampliorem habebant letandi occasionem quam unquam antea, &c. Joan. Ford in Expos. Psal. 68 14. Ford, g B●tween the Pot ranges] Or, b●tween the two banks or rews, to wit, of stones made to hang Pots and Kettles on in the Camp or Leaguer; places where scullions lie, and so are black; meaning hereby affliction and misery; as on the contrary, by the Doves silver-Wings is meant prosperity. H. Amsw. Annotat. on Psal. 68 14. Ainsworth, and h Though ye have]— The meaning is, After that ye O People of God, shall for a long time have endured base slavery, and have been like scullion boys lying upon he ground, dirty and smoky; you shall be again restored to glory and honour by God's deliverance. J. Diodat. Annot. on Psal. 68 14. Among the Pots] Though God suffer his Church for a time to lie in darkness, like a black scullion among the Pots; yet he will restore it, and make it most shining and bright. Large Lond. Annotat. on Psalm 68 13. others expound these words. And in my judgement this Exposition seems most genuine and proper: as being, without forcing, most agreeable both to the intent of the Context, and Propriety of the words. And thus they are very suitable to this present sad Occasion. The words, thus explained, are 1. Narratory, 2. Promissory. For Here's 1. A Narrative of Israel's former deep affliction and misery; Although ye have lain among the Pots. They had been in former times, in Egypt, Wilderness, Canaan and under the Judges, as so many scullions among the Pots, abased, smutted, spotted, made black and deformed with many and great tribulations. 2. A Promise of Israel's future Deliverance, Prosperity and Felicity; yet shall ye be as the wings of a Dove, covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow Gold: They should not always lie blacked and sullied in the smoke and among the Pots, they shall be as the wings of a Dove, speedily escaping, they shall be delivered out of their dark and black condition, and be made bright, beauteous, and every way prosperous, as white silver-coloured and yellow-greenish-golden feathered Doves: most naite, pleasant and beauteous. III. The third thing that remains, is, The observation of the i Exod. 14. 20. Doctrinal Positions, or Lessons here intended. The words are somewhat like the Cloudy Pillar in the Wilderness; Which had, A black side, full of darkness: and 2. A bright side, full of light. In the Black side we may read this Lesson; 1. That, Sometimes God's Israel, God's own endeared People, may lie, as it were among the Pots, in deepest distresses and afflictions. In the Bright side, on the other hand, we may read this Instruction; 2. That, God's distressed and afflicted People shall not always lie among the Pots, but at last, as with Doves wings, escape out of all their distress and misery, and enjoy all contrary Mercy, Prosperity and Felicity. Let me speak a little briefly to both these Observations; which notably set forth the Diversity of God's dispensations towards his own people. As it were the Checquer-work of God's Providence to them, Their Black and White conditions: God one while abasing them by sullying Tribulations, and after advancing them by beautifying Relaxations. Doctrine I. That, Sometimes God's Israel, God's own endeared People, may lie, as it were among the Pots, in deepest Distresses and Afflictions. This Doctrinal Lesson is evidently fluent from the first Branch of the Text. For Unfolding and Improving whereof, I shall chiefly Manifest. 1. That, God's People being in deep distress and Afflictions, is like lying among the Pots. 2. Why God suffers his Church and dearest People sometimes thus to lie as among the Pots, in deepest distresses and tribulations. 3. What Inferences may readily result here upon. I. That, The lying of God's endeared People in deepest Distresses and Afflictions, is like lying among the Pots. For, 1. They that lie among the Pots are in a very low, mean and abject condition; Scullions, of the meanest rank, are wont in the Camp or Leaguer to lie among the Pots: So they, that are in deep Distresses and Afflictions, are in a very low, mean, and abject state, in the eye of the world. Israel, in affliction, was in a very low condition: k Psal. 136. 23. — who remembered us in our low estate. Low in Egypt; when they l Exod. 1. 13 14. & 5. 10, 11. toiled in the clay, and must make brick without straw. Low at the Read-Sea: when nothing but m Exod. 14. 2, 10, 11, 12. present death was before their eyes; Egyptians being behind them, the Sea before them, and mountains on each hand. Low in the Wilderness; when n Exod. 16. 3 & 17. 1, 3. they had neither bread to eat, nor water to drink, &c. Low in the Land of Canaan: o Iudg. 4. 3. See that whole Book. 1 Sam. 4. 11, 21, 22. & 31 7, &c. when they were delivered into their enemy's hands, which swarmed about them like Bees; yea when the Ark of God was taken from them, yea when Saul and Jonathan were destroyed. Low in Babylon: when they were visibly as helpless and hopeless as people dead and P Ezek 37. 11, 12, 13. buried in their very Graves. Thus, Joseph was very low in his Affliction: when he was q Gen. 39 20. Psal. 105. 18. clapped up in Prison in Egypt, and laid in Irons, having not one friend in all Egypt to help him out. Job very low: when smitten with r Job 2. 7, 8. sore boyles from the sole of his foot to his crown, so that he scraped himself with a pot heard, and sat down among the ashes. David very low: when he, in fear of his life, s Psal. 34. ●i●le. 1 Sam. 21. 11. to the end. changed his behaviour, feigning himself mad before Achish King of Gath: and when he t 2 Sam. 15. 30. fled from Absalon his son, going up Mount Olivet barefoot, weeping and having his head covered, &c. Jonah very low; when he u lonah 1. 15, 17 & 2. 2, ●, 5, 6, 7. was as it were twice buried, once in the Sea, and again in the belly of the Whale, and the weeds were wrapped about his head. And Lazarus extremely low: when he x Luke 16. 20, 21. lay hunger-bitten, full of sores and ulcers at the rich-man's gate, desiring his crumbs, which none gave unto him, the dogs coming and licking his sores. 2. They that lie among the Pots are apt to be spotted, sullied, fouled, blacked with the Pots: So they that are in deep affliction and distress are rendered in the eyes of others, deformed, sullied, black, tanned, sunburnt, &c. Distressed Job said: y Job 30. 30. My skin is black upon me. The afflicted Church confesseth; z Cant. 1. 5. I am black,— as the Tents of Kedar: Even as the black-hair-cloath-weather-beaten-Tents of Kedar. And again; a Cant. ●. 6. Look not upon me because I am black, because the Sun hath looked upon me. Great afflictions make the very Church herself black, or blackish, and sunburnt; how much more her particular members. Thus Jeremiah lamented; Our skin was black like an Oven, because of the terrible famine, Lam. 5. 10. The Nazarites visage is blacker than a coal, &c. Lam. 4. 7, 8. yea our blessed Saviour Jesus CHRIST himself was in his comeliness deformed and marred extraordinarily by his sore afflictions and sufferings; b Isa. 52. 14. & 53. 2. His visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men.— He hath no form nor comeliness, and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. 3. They that lie among the Pots, being deformed, sullied and blacked, are wont to be slighted, despised, abhorred, men look strange at them, are ashamed of their company, cannot abide to come near them: So they that lie in deep distress and misery, are usually neglected, despised and rejected of others; yea ofttimes their very kindred, friends and familiar acquaintance are estranged from them, and stand aloof from their calamity. Thus Job in his extreme afflictions complained; c Job 19 13. to 22. — He hath put my Brethren far from me, and mine acquaintance are verily estranged from me. My kinsfolk have failed, and my familiar friends have forgotten me. They that dwell in mine house, and my maids, count me for a stranger; I am an alien in their sight. I called my servant, and he gave me no Answer; I entreated him with my mouth. My breath is strange to my wife: though I entreated for the children's sake of mine own body. Yea young children despised me; I arose, and they spoke against me. All mine inward friends abhorred me: and they whom I loved are turned against me. Thus Heman the Ezrahite in his sad afflictions lamenteth; d Psal. 88 18. Lover and friend hast thou put far from me, and mine acquaintance into darkness. And, though our blessed Saviour bear, not his own, but our griefs and our sorrows, yet even for them he was exposed to extreme contempt; e Isa. 53. 3, 4, 5, 6. He is despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and we hid as it were our faces from him: he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Oh how hard a thing is it for the dearest of God's Saints to be deeply distressed, and not to be greatly despised! II. But, Why is it, that the LORD suffers his Church and his own endeared People, thus to lie sometimes, as among the Pots, in deepest distresses and tribulations? The LORD Permits, Orders, Directs and Over-powers the sharp afflictions and distresses of his own dear people for their Manifold Benefit. He lets them lie among the Pots, than even this may turn to their f Heb. 12. 10. Phil. 1. 19 and g Rom. 8. 28. cooperate for their good, for their manifold good. For, 1. By these, The sins and failings of God's people are more clearly detected. He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous: h Job 36. 7, 8, 9 — And if they be bound in fetters, and be holden in cords of affliction: Then he showeth them their work, and their transgressions, that they have exceeded. The distress of i Gen. 41. 21, 22. Joseph's Brethren in Egypt, revived afresh upon their consciences, their old offences against Joseph; Afflictions awaken their sleepy souls and drowsy consciences. As the sun's eclipse is best discerned in water: Or as Blots run most abroad in wet paper: so their sinful blots and eclipses are most evidently discovered in their waters of affliction. 2. By these, They are more throughly melted and humbled for their sinful failings discovered. The fire melts the mettle in the furnace, that it will run into any mould. When k 2 Chron. 32. 24, 25, 26. wrath was upon good Hezekiah for the Pride and lifting up of his heart, how quickly did he humble himself under the hand of God That Phoenix King l 2 Chron 3●. 16, 17. Josiah exceedingly melted and wept before the LORD, when he discerned the Judgements of God but hanging over their heads for sin, in the clouds of the threatenings. 3. By these, their spots, stains and sins, Detected and Lamented, are very notably cleansed, rubbed out, and purged away, m Isa. 27. 8, 9 By this shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged, and this is all the fruit to take away his sin. Dav●d himself acknowledged this advantage by his Afflictions; n Psal. 119. 67. Before I was afflicted I went astray: B●t now have I kept they word. So true is that of Elihu to Job; o Job 36. 8, 9, 10. Then he openeth their ear to Discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity. Our afflictions do lance out out corruption; Scour away our spots and stains; File off our rust and canker; Fan away our chaff; Segregate our Dross; And, like the p Dan. 3. 23, 24, 25. Fiery furnace, burn off the bands and cords of our corruptions, that we may walk at liberty. Even Manasses, that Monster of wickedness) when taken among the thorns, and bound in fetters, &c. repented and reformed, 2 Chron. 33. 1. to 20. 4. By these, Their graces are tried and Proved, whether they be sincere; Not that God doth not know what is in us: but that we do not know what is in ourselves. q 1 Pet. 4. 1●. Think it not strange concerning the fiery trial, which is to Try you. r 1 Pet. 1. 6, 7. — That the trial of your Faith being much more precious than of Gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise, and honour, and glory. Some writings cannot be read but at the fire or in the water. So some gracious endowments and inscriptions on our hearts, as Faith, Patience, self-denial, &c. cannot so well be discerned as in the fire and water of Tribulations. The Furnace tries the metal; The touchstone tries the Gold; The Storm tries the Pilot; The Battle tries the soldier: So the Furnace, touchstone, Storm and Battle of Afflictions try the Faith, Patience, Courage, Constancy and Graces of the Christian. Our true spiritual Beauty becomes the more Beauteous by this washing, when thereby paint and counterfeit colours are wiped away. 5. By these, Their Graces and Spirituals are much advanced and improved. As the body by a Growing Ague, or as the grass by an April● shower. s Rom. 5. 3, 4, 5 Tribulation worketh Patience, and Patience Experience, and Experience Hope, and Hope makes not ashamed, &c. What a rich and strange crop is this! Here's Grapes on Thorns, and Figs on Thistles. By rubbing, the Pomander smells far sweeter: By treading, the Camomile grows the better; by wearing, the nail becomes the brighter: So ou Spirituals become more bright, fragrant and flourishing, by being exercised with Afflictions. Opposition and Difficulties excite their Activities. Had not the Afflictions of Job been so extreme, t Job 2. 3, 9, 10. with Iam. 5. 11. the Integrity and Patience of Job had not been so renowned. 6. By these, Their Spiritual Activity in Meditations Prayer, Self-examinations, self-denial, Obedience and all Christian Duties, is exceedingly actuated and awakened. When u Gen. 32. 24. 25, 26. Jacob was in fear and danger of Destruction by his Brother Esau, he wrestled all night by Prayer with the Angel of the Covenant, and would not let him go without a Blessing. While David was exercised under Saul's oppressive persecutions, and other sad afflictions; he breathed out to God his most celestial Devotions. Then he said, x ●sal. 119. 71. It's good for me that I have been afflicted that I might learn thy Statutes. When David was lowest in Affliction, he was highest in Devotion. Yea, Jesus Christ himself, y Luke 22. 44. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. being in an Agony, Prayed the more earnestly. As the Birds in the Spring tune most sweetly, when it rains most sadly; Or, As a musical Instrument, when the strings are struck, sounds most melodiously: So when God rains down troubles upon us, and by his chastisements strikes the very strings of our hearts, oft times our spirits make the sweetest melody in the ears of God. 7. By these, They are z Rom. 8. 8, 29. 30. 〈◊〉. 53. 2, 3, 4. ●eb. 2. 9, 10. Conform to Jesus Christ their Head and Elder Brother, who was a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief, and perfected, or consecrated through sufferings. And a Heb. 8. 7. if we suffer with him, we shall be glorified together. If now we be conform to him in his Cross, we shall hereafter be conform to him in his Crown. It's the Perfection of the Members to be conform unto their Head. 8. By these, These childlike Relation to the heavenly Father is sweetly Ascertained, while they are enabled to bear and endure his chastisements with filial patience and submission. b Heb. 12. 6, 7, 8, &c. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons: for what son is he whom the Father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partaker●, then are ye bastards and not sons. The heavenly Father will take pains with his own children to chastise, discipline and nurture them for their good; when he will not wear his rods upon Bastards and castaways. And how useful is that his Paternal Affliction, which descries his Fatherly affection unto us, and our sonlike Relation unto him! I am well contented to be under the Rod of the Almighty; that so I may be distinguished from the Bastards of this world, and numbered among the sons of God. 9 By these, They are c 1 Cor. 11. 32. chastened of the Lord, that they should not be condemned with the world. And that's an happy Castigation, that helps to prevent Eternal Condemnation. Who would not say with him? d Hic ure, his seca: ut in ae●ernum parcas. Here burn me, here cut me, that thou mayest for ever spare me. 10. Finally, By these sharp afflictions and distresses, God fits and prepares his afflicted servants for their Eternal Glory. Christ was first e Eph. 4. 9, 10. Abased before he was exalted: and passed by his Cross, unto his Crown; through f Luke ●4. 26. his Sufferings, into his Glory And his members must follow him: g Acts 14. 22. Through muc● tribulation we must enter to the Kingdom of God. We shall meet with Tribulation, much Tribulation; that's the wa● we must go: but through this much tribulation we must Enter into the Kingdom of God, that's the blessed end of this way. If it were, Tribulation, and much Tribulation, and after that no entrance into heaven; that were the tribulation of tribulation, a doleful way to a more doleful journey's end: but in that through this tribulation, yea through this much tribulation, we shall at last enter into a Kingdom, and that the Kingdom of God: This renders all our much tribulation, as in effect no tribulation at all. And, h 2 Cor. 4. 17. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} &c. The momentany lightness of our affliction worketh for us a far more exceeding (Gr. from Hyperbole to Hyperbole; or an Hyperbolical Hyperbolical) eternal weight of glory. Our Afflictions work this transcendent glory for us, by working and disposing us for this transcendent glory. And the sharper are our sorrows here, the sweeter will be our joys hereafter. As health is most acceptable after the sharpest sickness: liberty most sweet after rigorous bondage: rest most delightful after toilsome weariness: and the harbour most welcome after the sorest storms: So heaven and glory itself will be most grateful and glorious after sharpest afflicting extremities. Thus of the Causes why the Lord suffers his, To lie among the Pots. III. Inferences or Corollaries, Hence resulting are divers. As, 1. Hence, Behold here the mystery and wisdom of God's Providential Dispensations. His own people, (though his Jewels) shall lie among the Pots, and be most sadly afflicted: i Psal. 73. ●. to 21. when the wicked shall flourish like a green Bay-tree, in all Prosperity. This strange Dispensation of God's Providence did exceedingly puzzle and perplex holy David, till he went into the Sanctuary of God; then he saw the end of those wicked prosperous men, that they were set in slippery places,— that they are brought into desolation, as in a moment, &c. Godly k Luke 16. 19, 20, 21, &c. Lazarus lay full of sores, among the dogs at the rich man's gate, Destitute of his very crumbs to satisfy his hunger: while the wicked rich man was in his Purple and fine linen, and sured sumptuously every day. Assuredly, Then, (1) No man knows God's Peculiar l Eccles. 9 1, 2. love or hatred by these External Dispensations: by all that is before him. (2) Happiness or Misery consists not, In having or wanting of these outward blessings: Nor in escaping, or enduring the sharpest sorrows or afflictions. 2. Hence, Saddest Extremities of Ou●ward Afflictions and miseries in this present If, are not inconsistent with the gracious condition of God▪ own People. Yea, most usually God's own people in this world are of all other the most afflicted, when as others m Heb. 11. 26, 27. enjoy the Pleasutes of sin for a season. O what extremities of sufferings and deaths have the faithful undergone in all ages! Consult that little Book of Martyrs in the Epistle to the Hebrews, h Heb. 11. 35, 36, 37, 38. They were tortured not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better Resurrection. And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea moreover of bonds and imprisonment. They were stoned: they were sawn asunder: were tempted: were stain with the sword: they wandered about in Sheep-ski●s, a●d Goats-skins, being destitu●e▪ afflicted, tormented. Of whom the world was not worthy: they wandered in deserts, and in Mountains, and in Dens and Caves of the earth. Oh what strange Similitudes, Emblems and Expressions are used in Holy Scripture for representing of God's people's calamities! As, A o Gen. 15. 13, 17. smoking furnace: to denote the affliction of Abraham's seed in Egypt. A p Ezod. 3. 2, 3, &c. Bush burning with fire, all on a light flame.: to express Israel's former and future sharp and fiery calamities. Their q Psal. 44. 25. Souls being bowed down to the dust, and their bellies cleaving to the earth. Their being sore broken in the place of Dragons, and covered with the shadow of death. Yea the Jews in Babylon's captivity, said; r Ezek. 37. 11, 12, 13, 14. Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost, we are cut off for our Parts. And they were as so many dead bodies that were buried in their very Graves. And therefore extremity of distress in this present life, is not only consistent with, but very incident unto, the sincerest heirs by grace of the life to come. 3. Hence, Let Christians learn patiently and contentedly to bear their heavyest pressures and afflictions, sith no temptation hath befallen them, but what is human, 1 Cor. 10. 13. Yea sometimes it is the lot of the Church of God, and of 〈…〉, to lie even among the blackest Pots. Seest thou, Joseph f Psal. 105. 18. laid in Irons; Job t Job 2. 7, 8. sitting in the ashes; Lazarus, u Luke 16. 20, 21. lying among the dogs, full of sores; and Jesus Christ himself so x Isa. 53. 2, 3, 4. full of sorrows: and dost thou think much at thine affliction? Oh fret not against God's dispensations, faint not, but endure thy tribulations: sith Jesus Christ himself, and his choicest members are therein thy companions. 4. Hence, How unsafe and imprudent is it to Despise, Abhor or Censure others of hypocrisy, or of a null●●y of grace, because of their sad, doleful and strange afflictions! For, in so doing we may rashly condemn the Generation of the righteous, before we be aware. God's own endeared people ofttimes lie among these blacking Pots. O think of David and y ●sal. 13●. 1. & 73. 14. all his afflictions, how he was hunted as a Partridge up and down the Mountains, how all the day long he was plagued, and chastened every morning; Of Paul, z 2 Co● 11. 2 〈◊〉 the end. in Perils and Distresses on every side; Of Jeremiah, a 〈◊〉 38. 6. cast into the miry dungeon, and (as some think) sinking up to the armholes in the mire: Of Daniel b Dan. 6. 16, 17. flung into the filthy and fatal Den of the hungry lions: Of the Prophets persecuted and slain by the Jews, Acts 7. 52. Of the three Jews c Dan. 3. 21, 22, 23. bound hand and foot and cast into the hot burning fiery furnace, heat seven times hotter than ordinary, for not worshipping the golden Image; Of Job, covered all over with d Job 2. 7, 8. sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown: Hierom thinks, e A planta pe●●s usque ad vi●●cem perc●sseit ●um vulnere pessimo, 〈…〉. Eleph antia. In●●●oto corpore vermes fl●eb●nt, & sinless & putredo. Solam linguam integram ●l reservavi●, ut possi● Dominum 〈◊〉 blasphemare, Hironym in Comment. ad Psal. 66. p. 9 D. Tom. ●. Satan left only his tongue free, that therewith he might blaspheme his LORD: Of Lazarus, f Luk. 16. 20. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. full of sores and ulcers; Of Hezekiah, smitten with a mortal g ●sa. 38. 2●. boil: Of the godly, h 〈…〉 8 ●6. killed all the day long, and counted as sheep for the slaughter: Of the Martyrs, Heb. 11. 35, &c. Of the cruel Primitive Persecutions: And of Jesus Christ himself the spot less Son of God, i 〈◊〉 23. 〈◊〉, 17. 37, 38. Cra. 3. 13. put to death, and crucified by wicked hands, and hung (for the greater infamy) between two thieves, upon the cursed Tree, O think deliberately upon these Instances, viz. Of the unquestionable yea incomparable piety of thei● Persons, and of the unutterable extremities of their Passions and then take heed of the error of Jobs friends, of Despising, Abhorring or Censuring any the servants of the Lord, though lying among the Pots, though implunged under heavy, unusual and extreme calamities. Do you think the worse of a piece of gold, because it is besmeared with soot? Or do you ever the less value * Lucet marg●ritam in sordibus; & fulgor gemmae purissimae etiam in luto radiat. Hieronym. ad Pammach. consol. p. 164. C. Tom. 1. Basil. 1553. a Jewel, because it's fallen into the mire? It's gold still, though colleyed: Its a rich jewel still, though bemyred. Why then should we harbour more hard, mean, despising, undervaluing thoughts of afflicted David, Paul, Job, Lazarus, or of any of the distressed Saints of God; which in God's account are precious gold still, rich jewels still, though besmeared and blacked with most deforming and amazing miseries? 5. Hence, Finally, Behold, one noted difference betwixt the condition of God's people in earth and in heaven. Here God's endeared people may lie among the Pots; may be smutted, soiled, blacked, &c. in the eyes of men, with deep and sore afflictions: But when once the last Messenger hath summoned them, and when once they shall set foot in heaven, they shall never lie among the Pots any more; they shall never be k Cant. 1. 5, 6. black as Kedars Tents any more; they shall never be tanned with misery, or sunburnt with affliction any more. But they shall perfectly l Rev. 14. 13. rest from all their labours, of Sin, Temptation and Tribulation. Then, no more Sea, no more Pain, no more Crying, no more tears, &c. Then Job, that here sat down m Job 2. 7, 8. Luk. 20. 36. among the ashes, shall there set up among the Angels. Then n Luke 16. ●0, 21, 22. Lazarus, that here lay among the dogs, shall there be lodged in Abraham's bosom. Then the endeared Saints and servants of God, that here ofttimes lay among the Pots, o Rev. 3. 4. shall walk with Christ in triumphant White, and be counted worthy. And thus I pass from the Dark to the Bright side of the Text; yet shall ye be as the wings of a Dove covered with silver, &c. Hence, note; Doctrine II. That, God's afflicted and distressed people shall not always lie among the Pots, but at last (as with Doves wings) shall escape out of their deepest misery, and enjoy all contrary Mercy, Prosperity and Felicity. They may for a time lie in distress; but not always. Their outward misery may be great: but shall have an end. They p Gen. 15. 13. to 17. may for a few years be oppressed in Egypt, and wander in the Wilderness: but at last they shall come to Canaan, the Promised Rest. q Psal. 30. 5. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} jubilatio shoutingioy. Weeping may lodge for a night, but shouting-joy in the morning. r Isa. 54. 7, 8. In a little wrath God may hide his face from his, for a moment: but with everlasting kindness will he have mercy on them. For a season they may lie among the Pots, like black, soiled and deformed Scullions: but at length they shall be as the Wings of a Dove, covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold. That is, They shall escape: Escape harmless: Escape beauteous, happy and prosperous. Consider well the expressions in the Text, viz. 1. They shall escape. This is noted by, Wings. They shall be (not as a Dove, but) as the wings of a Dove. Wings are swift: A Doves wings are eminently swift. Hereby the Scripture sets forth a swift and speedy escape from distress and trouble; s Psal. 55. 6, 7, O (saith David) that I had wings like a Dove, then would I flee away and be at rest, &c. Thus, they that lie among the Pots, shall at last be as the wings of a Dove: they shall have a t 1 Cor. 10. 13. way of escape. 2. They shall escape harmless and innocent. Why else doth he mention the wings of a Dove, rather than of any other fowl? Doves are commended by our Saviour for their Simplicity and Harmlesness; u Mat. 10. 16. 〈◊〉 i. e. vel {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} 〈◊〉 {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} misceo. Be ye wise as Serpents, and harmless (Or, unmixed) as Doves. God's people x Job 23. 10. Zech. 13. 9 when they are tried in the furnace of affliction, shall come forth as refined gold and silver. They shall be y Dan. 12. 10. purified, and made white, and tried. They shall leave their dross behind them. 3. This is not all. For, They shall so escape out of distresses, as to enjoy the contrary mercies and felicities. This seems to be imported in the Doves white, silver-coloured, and golden-coloured feathers: or, as the Hebrew word properly signifies; z {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Est aurum cu●us colour nonniril ad virorem vergit. 〈…〉 in Pag●● Th●●. ad verb. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} her feathers with a greenish yellow Gold; which feathers in the Dove are very shining, pleasant and beauteous. White, ordinarily in Scripture denotes Prosperity, Felicity, Triumph, Glory, &c. As, Judg. 5. 10. Zech. 6. 3, 6. Rev. 2. 17. & 3. 4, 5, 18. and often elsewhere. And Gold, or Golden, is often used to set forth that which is flourishing, prosperous, rich and happy. Hence, The Babylonish Monarchy is compared to the Head of Gold, excelling all the other, Dan. 2. 32, 38. and Babylon is called, The Golden-one, viz. The Golden City, Isa. 14. 4. and the purest and choicest oil is called, Golden oil, Zech. 4. 12. O, this is a very bright, sweet and comfortable side of the Text. For further clearing of this sweet Lesson, note: 1. That God's Afflicted shall at last escape out of their distresses into the contrary felicities. 2. Why they shall escape. 3. How God is wont to bring about such their escape. 4. The Inferences that offer themselves hereupon. 1. That God's afflicted shall at last escape and be set free from their distress, and be vested in the Opposite Felicities; is evident, 1. By God's faithful Promises to this effect, in all ages. And God's a Heb. 6. 13, 17, 18. Tit. 1. 2. Promises are one sort of those two immutable things wherein it is impossible for God to lie. Take a taste of such Promises. God Promised deliverance to Abraham's seed out of all their Egyptian afflictions. b Gen. 15. 13, 14, 16. — Know of a Surety, that thy seed shall be a stranger in a Land that is not theirs, and shall serve them, and they shall afflict them four hundred years. And also that Nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterwards shall they come out with great substance.— But in the fourth Generation they shall come hither again, &c. In the days of Asaph and David God Promised to his people: c Psalm 50. 15. — Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. d Psalm 91. 14, 15. Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honour him. How sweet also is the Promise in my present Text, Psal. 68 13. In the days of Isaiah; e Isa. 54. 6. to the end. — The LORD hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in Spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God. For a small moment have I forsaken thee, but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee, for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer.— Oh, thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay they stones with fair colours, and lay thy foundations with Saphires, and I will make thy windows of agates, and thy Gates of Carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones, &c. Oh what manner of stones are here promised for raising of this building! What manner of expressions are here to set forth this deliverance and restauration! Thus their escape, &c. is certain by God's faithful Promises. 2. By God's people's frequent Experiences in all Generations, this their escape out of all their blacking troubles, is also very evident. We read much of their distresses in Scripture, but we read much also of their deliverances. g Psal. 34. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all. God's people have many afflictions: but their God hath as many deliverances for them. We read; How h Psal. 105. 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22. Joseph was sold for a servant, clapped up in Prison, hurt with fetters, laid in Iron, &c. yet we read also, how he changed his Prison-garments, how the King loosed him, let him go free, made him Lord of His House, and Ruler of all his Substance, &c. How i Gen. 15. 13, 14, 16. Exod. 1. to chap. 15, &c. Iosh. 21. 43, 44, 45. Israel was oppressed in Egypt, and forty years afflicted in the Wilderness: and yet, How at last the LORD, by a mighty hand and outstretched arm, brought them out of Egypt, through the Wilderness, into the Promised Canaan, the Land of Rest. How k Job 2. 7, 8. & 42. 10, &c. Job sat down among the ashes and scraped himself with a potsherd: and how God also turned his captivity, restoring him to double Prosperity. How l 1 Sam. 18, &c. 2 Sam. 5. 12. David was hated, persecuted and hunted up and down by Saul, from place to place, from cave to cave, from hold to hold: and yet how at last the LORD established David in peace and glory upon his royal Throne. How m Ier. 38, 6, 13. Jeremiah was cast into the dirty dungeon, where he sunk into the mire: and also how Jeremiah was lifted up again out of the dungeon. How n Jonah 1. 14. & 2. 10. Jonah was thrown into the Sea, and devoured by the fish which God had prepared: And also how the third day the fish cast up Jonah alive upon the dry ground. How o Dan. 3. 21. to 28. the three Jews were bound and flung into the fiery furnace: And also how they were preserved in the furnace, and delivered out of it, without having an hair of their head singed, their coats changed, or the smell of fire upon them. How p Dan. 6. 16, ●7, 22, 23. Daniel was cast into the Den of lions: and also how Daniel was taken up again, alive, and without hurt, out of the lion's Den. How q 2 Cor. 11. 23. to the end. & 1. 4, 5, 8, 9, 10. 2 Tim. 4. 16, 17, 18. Paul was full of Afflictions, in many perils, yea sometimes pressed out of measure, above strength, &c. and yet how in his abounding tribulations, he had abounding consolations by Christ, how he was delivered by the Lord out of them all, yea sometimes from the mouth of the lion, sometimes from the jaws of Death. How r Luke 16. 19, 20, 21, 22. Lazarus lay at Dives gates, full of sores, licked by dogs, not vouchsafed the crumbs of the rich man's Table (the dog's portion) so that he died: and yet how Lazaruts immediately upon his Death was carried by Angels into Abraham's bosom; And what shall I say? we read, how our dear Redeemer s Is●. 53. 2, 3, 4. Heb. 12. 2, 3. Acts 2. 23. 1 Cor. 15. 4, &c. Eph. 4. 8, 9, 10. Heb. 8, 1, Phil. 2. 7. to 12. Eph. 1. 19● 20, 21, 22. Jesus Christ, was a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief, abasement and sufferings, from his Manger to his Cross, endured such contradiction of sinners, and at last was cruelly crucified on the Cursed tree, and after buried in the darksome grave: but we read also, How he revived and Rose again from the dead, Ascended up far above all Heavens, leading Sin, Satan, Death, Grave, and all our Captivity Captive, and is sat down on the right hand of God in supreme Authority, Majesty and Glory, All Angels, Principalities and Powers, yea all creatures being subject to him. Now all these, and like experiences of the Saints are most evident Demonstrations, That, the LORD t Psalm 22. 24. hath not despised, nor abhorred the Affliction of the Afflicted: That, u Psalm 58. 11. verily there is a reward for the righteous, verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth. II. But, Why, or whence is it that God's afflicted shall, one way or other, at last escape out of all their afflictions, be taken from among those sullying Pots, and partake the contrary Mercies and Felicities? Answ This comes to pass; 1. Because, Their God exactly x 2 Per. 1. 9 knows how to deliver the Godly out of Temptations and Tribulations, though never so intricate and perplexing. Oh the infinite wisdom of God He knows how to bring his People into troubles, when they know not how they came thither: and he knows how to bring them out of troubles, when they know not how they came thence. He knows how to do this, with means, without means: By strong means, By weak means, and contrary to all means. Thus, y Acts 12. 6. to 12. by his Angel he brought Peter (sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains) out of prison, his chains falling off his hands, and conducted him through the keepers at the prison door, through the first and second ward, and through the Iron gate of the City, which opened to them of its own accord, &c. Though Peter all this while wist not that it was true which was done by the Angel, but thought he saw a vision. Thus z Dan. 5. 30, 31. ●z●a. 1, 2, &c. by Cyrus and Darius he brought his Captive Jews out of Babylon as strangely as if they had been fetched out of their Graves. Whence they said; a Psalm 116. ●, When the LORD turned again the Captivity of his People, we were like them that dream. This deliverance was so wonderful, that it did transcend their Faith, and almost surpass their Admiration. The LORD knows how to deliver us, (us ( b Nobis voentibus & nolentibus, selentibus & nesclentibus, vigilantibus & dormientibus, &c. willing and nilling, us knowing and not knowing, us waking and sleeping, &c.) out of our distresses. 2. ●Because, Their God is infinitely able and powerful to rescue his people out of their lowest ebb of Tribulation. When King Darius cried to Daniel in the lion's Den, c Dan. 6. 20, 21, 22, 27. O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions? Hark what Daniel answered; O King live for ever. My God hath sent his Angel, and hath shut the lion's mouths, that they have not hurt me, &c. As if he had said; Yea, my God is able to deliver me from the lions, for he hath delivered me. He that made the lions, can easily shut the mouths of the lions. O Pagan King believe in this omnipotent God. 3. Because, Their God is infinitely loving, tender and compassionate towards them in all their afflictions. Thus God spoke to his Zion, which dwelled with the daughter of Babylon; d Zech. 2, 7, 8. He that toucheth you, toucheth the Apple of mine eye. And the Apple of the eye is a most tender part: the least touch, the least mote, the least hair is very painful and intolerable to it. And such was God's compassion to his afflicted Israel of old, that Isaiah saith; c Isa. 63. 9 In all their affliction he was afflicted, (viz he as it were smarted in their pains, sympathising in their sorrows; And what followed hereupon?) and the Angel of his presence saved them: In his love and in his pity he redeemed them, and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old: because of his love, pity, commiserations to them, therefore he redeemed, saved and delivered them lob was restored by God out of all his extremities: but why● Even because of God's love and compassions to him; f Iun. 5. 11. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} ignisicat commiseratlonem five compassi●nem cum miseria alterius. Jac. Laurent. Con. in lo● ●e have heard of the patience of Job, and ye have seen the end of the Lord; (viz. what an happy issue God gave of all his sufferings, and why?) that (or, Because, 〈◊〉) the Lord is muches-of-bowel, and Commiserating. Oh these yearning bowels and commiserations of God were such towards afflicted lob, that he would not suffer him still to lie among the Ashes. How emphatically are they here expressed! That Passage of Hezekia recovered is very sweet; g sa. 38. 17. Behold, for peace I had great bitterness: but thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption, &c. Hebr. Thou hast loved my soul from the pit of corruption. As if he had said; O Lord, the strength of thy love, the arms of thy love, the cords of thy love &c. have kept me, and rescued me from the grave into which I was sinking: I ascribe my life and recovery, merely to thy love. Oh God's dear love to his afflicted, is a sweet cause of their escape out of affliction. 4. Because, Their Covenant God is ever nigh to, and present with, his people in all their deepest and darkest distresses. Therefore they shall be supported under them, and seasonably released out of all: h Psal. 91. 15. I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honour him. God's Presence with us in trouble, is our deliverance out of trouble. He was the i Gen. 15. 17. burning lamp in midst of the smoking furnace, Abraham's afflicted seed; He was the k Exod. 3. 2, 4. 5, 6. Angel in midst of the bush (Israel) burning, but not consumed; He was l Dan. 6. 22. with Daniel in the Den of lions, with the m Dan. 3. 2●. three Jews in the fiery furnace, with Jeremiah in the Dungeon, &c. And therefore they all had such false escape. If the LORD's Presence be with his people: then Safety is with them, Deliverance is with them, &c. And in due time they shall be released. 5. Finally, Because their God is most faithful. This Reason the Apostle gives; n 1 Cor. 10. 13. God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able, but will with the Temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. III. How, and in what way doth God take his People from the Pots, deliver them from their distresses and afflictions? Answ. The Lord effects and brings this about, variously, and sometimes very mysteriously. As, 1. Ofttimes by Transmutations of his people's condition. How oft doth he literally in this life Turn, their darkness into light, their sorrow into joy, their sickness into health, their pain into ease, their poverty into riches, their bondage into liberty, their adversity into prosperity, their trouble into triumph, their miseries into mercies! &c. As Joseph's bondage into Lordship; jobs Poverty into double prosperity; Hezekiah's sickness into health, &c. 2. Sometimes by disarming their afflictions and miseries. This is an excellent way: when the sting, venom, mischief, malignity, &c. of affliction is taken out and suspended. In such case, God's people may be visibly in a state of affliction, and yet unafflicted. o 2 Cor. ●, 9, 1● As chastened, and not killed; as dying, and yet living; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. Think it not a Paradox. p Exod. 3. 2, &c. The bush burned, but was not consumed. q Dan. 6. 22. Daniel was in the lion's Den, but had no hurt by the lions. God disarmed the lion's paws, and shut their mouths. r Dan. 3. 25, 27. The three Jews were in the fiery furnace, but had not an hair singed, or their coasts changed, nor had the smell of fire passed upon them: because God suspended the burning property of the flames. Thus the Martyr cried out in the fire, s Acts and Monuments, p. 301. vol. 2. Lond. 1641. Behold ye Papists that look for wonders, I feel no more pain in this fire, then in a bed of down, but it is to me as a bed of roses. Thus God's dear people are sometimes without affliction, whilst under affliction: Delivered from misery, whilst in misery; God disarming their afflictions of their sting, venom and malignity. 3. Sometimes, by Remedying of one Affliction or Trouble with another. As he that by a wound was cured of an Impostumation; Or, as physicians sometimes help a palsy or Lethargy, by forcing the patient into a Burning Fever: So sometimes the Lord is pleased to deliver his people out of one affliction by another. Thus ( t Jonah 1. 1●, 17. Ionas cast overboard, was saved from the Sea, by being devoured by the Whale. He had been swallowed up, if he had not been swallowed up. He had been devoured, if he had not been devoured. He had been buried, if he had not been buried. The bottom of the Sea had been his grave, if the belly of the fish had not been his grave. How admirable is this Dispensation, when God makes one affliction an antidote against another! 4. Sometimes, by elevating his People above the bitterness of their afflictions, by the surpas●ing sweetness of his Presence, and transporting consolations. Great afflictions may be upon them, but greater divine refreshments may even drown and swallow them up. u 2 Cor. 1. 5. Our abounding afflictions are sweetly cured by Christ's abounding and superabounding Consolations. The Moon and Stars are in the sky at midday, as well as at midnight, but not one of them than appears; because the Sun shining in his strength, hath out-shined them all: So when Jesus Christ the glorious Sun of righteousness shines in his strength of Grace and Consolation upon the hearts of his afflicted, he so shines away their troubles and distresses, that they scarce appear. If Christ steel the Spirit with Faith, Courage and Magnanimity, and fill the heart with the Consolations of God, which are not small; how easy is it to trample upon the greatest tribulation, and count all afflictions as no afflictions, yea as great advantages! Holy x Acts and Monuments, p. 308. N. 50. vol. 3. Lond. 1641. Bradford Martyr said; I thank God more of this Prison, then of any Parlour, yea then of any pleasure that ever I had; for in it I find God, my most sweet good God always. And Laurence Sanders Martyr confessed; y Acts and Monuments, p. 139. vol. 3. Lond. 1641. I was in Prison, till I got into Prison. Hierom hath a good note concerning Job: That God came nearest to Job in his extremities, and dealt with him then most familiarly. And he adds: z Veniant plagal, omnia paenarum genera: dum post plagas advenlat Christus. Hieronym. come. in Psal. 66. p. 93. Tom. 8. Basil 1553. Let strokes come, let all kind of Punishments come: so that after these Christ will come. 5. Finally, If God release not his dear People from Miseries and Afflictions before death, yet he always sets them at liberty by Death, and brings them into the contrary Felicities. a Rev. 14. 13. Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord— they rest from their labours. Death cures all the Saints diseases, ceaseth all their pains, tears, sighs and groans, and supplies all their wants whatsoever in Christ immediately beheld and enjoyed, b Phil. 1. 23. 2 Cor. 5. 6, 8, 9 which is far best of all. If the Lord do not deliver us before death, he delivers us at death. And if he delivers us not from death: yet he delivers us by death. Death is our great year of Jubilee, our year of Release, when we shall be set at liberty from all our bondage and thraldom, from all our debts and mortgages, from all our sorrows and sufferings, because from all our sins. O therefore when death approacheth, than the Saints may gladsomly lift up their heads, for their Redemption draweth nigh. God's people in this world are like Jonah in the Tempest: This world is as the roaring and raging Sea, still ready to drown and swallow them up; but death, like Ionas his Whale, is prepared of God, and swallows them up from the Sea of this world, so that to them c Rev. 21. 1. there shall be no more Sea: And at last this great devouring Whale, d Rev. 20. 11, 12, 13. Death, shall be forced to cast them up again upon a safe shore of Eternal rest and true felicity, at the General Resurrection, e John 17. 24. that they may be where Christ is, to behold his glory, and live in his ravishing presence for evermore. Thus you see how the Lord delivers his Afflicted out of Afflictions. III. Inferences hence, by way of Application. Shall not God's afflicted and distressed people still lie among the Pots, but at last (as with Doves wings) eseape out of their deepest misery, into the contrary prosperity and felicity? Then, 1. Hence, How different is the Dispensation of God's Providence towards the godly and the wicked, and how different is their condition! The godly must f Psal. 68 ●3. first lie here among the Pots of blacking afflictions; but afterwards shall be, through an happy deliverance, as the wings of a Dove, covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold: First they are in their mourning sables; but after they are clothed with the garments of Praise: First g Job ●. 7, 8. ● 4●. 10, &c. they lie among the Ashes; then after the Lord turns their Captivity: First ( h Ier. 38. ●, 13. they are in their Dungeon of distresses; after they receive deliverance: First i Luke 1●. 25. they have their evil things and are tormented; but afterwards their good things and are comforted. But on the other hand, if you look upon the wicked, you shall find the Scene is altered. They may at first be as covered with silver, and their feathers with yellow gold: but at last they shall lie among the blackest Pots of misery: First they may flourish and k Ps●●. 37. 3●, ●6. spread themselves like a green Bay tree; but after they shall wither l 〈…〉 like grass upon the housetops: They may m Luke 6. 25. now laugh; but hereafter they shall mourn and weep: They may now n Luke 16 25. receive their good things; but hereafter shall have their evil things: They may now be comforted; but hereafter shall be tormented: They may first o Psalm 92. 7. spring as the grass and flourish, but at last shall be destroyed for evermore. O then, who would not Triumph to be Godly? who would not tremble to be wicked? The Godly first receive their wormwood and their gall, but afterwards their milk and honey: but contrariwise, the wicked first receive their milk and honey, and then their wormwood and their gall. Oh how much better were it, to begin with Gall and end with Honey, to begin with Sorrow and end with Joy: Then to begin with milk and end with wormwood; then to begin with vanishing comforts, and end with endless Torments. 2. Hence, Let all God's afflicted people that lie among the Pots of darkest fullying miseries, most patiently bear their present pressures, and hopefully wait for their desired Deliverance. They shall be taken from among the Pots, they p Psal. 68 13. shall be as the wings of a Dove covered with silver, &c. Therefore, tarry the Lord's leisure. He that believes makes not haste. The Lord's time of Relaxation will come: and his Time is the best time. He doth all things in number, weight and measure. There's no Contradicting, Diverting or Directing of him in his proceedings. He knows best when, where and how to deliver his distressed ones. Be their sufferings never so extreme or long, they shall at last certainly escape, either from death, or by death: either in this world, to partake sweet temporany felicity; or in the world to come, to enjoy sweetest everlasting glory: Therefore patiently bear and q Habak. 2. 3, 4. Heb. 10. 35. to 39 wait a while, and live by Faith: the vision will not fail, at last it will speak and will not lie; and he that cometh with salvation, will come and will not tarry. 3. Hence, Finally, This may much calm and quiet their Spirits whose near Relations lie among the Pots: and also may excite their hearts to unfeigned thankfulness, whose endeared friends are released from distress and misery, to enjoy the contrary felicity. Are your dear Allies in deep Afflictions, much blacked and disfigured as among the Pots? You bleed in their sufferings, and are exceedingly distressed upon their Extremities. Yet compose yourselves, There's hope in Israel concerning this. Such as belong to God, one way or other shall have deliverance: either from death, or by death. Remember this and like Promises, and quiet your hearts; r Psalm 68 13. Gen. 15. 13, 14, 16 Psal. 50. 15. & 91. 14, 15. Isa. 54 6. to the end. Although ye have lain among the Pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of a Dove covered with silver, &c. Are any of your near and sweet Relations Released from their Distresses; Before Death, or By nature's Dissolution? Bless God with thankfulness for his gracious Dispensations. For, thus; God's Promises are Performed: God's Mercies are expressed: Their Miseries are removed, and their Felicities exalted. And, as to the present case before us touching our Dear sister deceased: though here's much matter of sadness, yet here's more matter of thankfulness. Although it was her lot to lie a long time among the Pots, in more sharp tormenting pains and miseries than many others; Yet now she hath obtained a full Release. And, so holy was her Life, so constant her Faith, so steadfast her Patience to the end, and so great her interest in God; that we have no cause to doubt, of her celestial Felicity, or of her present Triumphs in Glory. It is true, Our loss is great: But her gain is incomparably greater. Her Husband hath lost a Dear, a Sweet, a Comfortable Yoke-fellow; Her Children have lost, a Tender, a Careful, and Compassionating Mother; Her allies have lost a Faithful and Sincere-hearted Friend; The Poor have lost a special and liberal Benefactor; The Church of God hath lost an Holy, Heavenly and Gracious Saint; yea and herself hath lost something among all these losses, she hath lost all her Diseases, all her Pains, all her Sighs and Groans, all her Tears, all her Sorrows and Sufferings, all her Troubles and Temptations, and all her sins. But Oh how much hath she gained, upon all these losses! she hath f Ph●l. 1. 21. 2 C●r. 5. ●, etc Feb. 12. 21, 22. John 17. 24. Phil. 1. 23. Mat. 5. 8. 1 John 3. ●. Mat. 25. 21, 23. ●salm ●6. 11. Gained Heaven, Glory, Eternal Life, The Spirits of just men made perfect, The Society of Angels, The immediate presence and embracements of Christ, the beatifical vision and full fruition of God; The joy of her Lord, and unmixed pleasures at God's right hand for evermore. These, These are high matters of gratulation. I say of her, to you her near relations, as sometimes Hierom said of Nepotianus to Heliodorus; t Nec doleas, quod talem am●●eris. Sed g●ndeas, quod talem habue●is. Hieronym. ad Heliodo●. Epitaph. Nepotiani. p. 23. A. Tom 1. Basil. 155●. O lament not so much that you have lost such an one, as rejoice that you have had such an one: yea, again rejoice and bless God that you have had such an one so long. Consider; Her extremities on earth were intolerable; but her enjoyments in heaven are unutterable. Your losses of her may be abundantly made up in God: but what can compensate her present felicities? Her sorrow is turned into joy, her misery is swallowed up of felicity, her trouble is terminated in triumph. She hath passed from the Dark side, to the Bright side of my Text. O bless the LORD for her, and rejoice with her; That she u Psalm 68 13. lies now no longer among the Pots, but is become as the wings of a Dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow Gold. FINIS. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. MARY JACKSON the late Dear and Godly Wife of JOSEPH JACKSON Esq, Alderman of the City of BRISTOL, Having lived about forty years, Did sweetly fall on sleep in CHRIST, April 24. Was decently interred, May 5. 1657. And is at blessed Rest, till CHRIST's second Appearing, To Awaken, Raise, and glorify her with Himself for evermore. Reader, THere is newly published an Excellent BOOK entitu●Myst●rium & Medulla Bibliorum. The mystery and M●● row of the Bible: viz. God's covenants with Man the First Adam, before the Fall: and In the Last Adam 〈◊〉 Chri●● After the Fall; From the Beginning to the End of 〈◊〉 World; Unfolded and Illustrated in Positive Aphorisms● their Explanations. Wherein, The General Nature, Sev●● Kinds, Gradual Discoveries, Sanctions and Administrations of God's Holy Covenants, From First to Last, throughout the 〈◊〉 Scriptures, together with their peculiar Terms, Occasions, 〈◊〉, Foederates, Matter, Form, End, Properties, Agreeme●● Disagreements, and many other their noted Excellencies largely and Familiarly expounded: The blessed Person and 〈◊〉 of Jesus Christ, the Soul of all the Covenants of Faith, and Mediator of the New Covenant, is Described: Many 〈◊〉 Fundamental points of Christianity, are Explained: Sun Practical Questions, or Cases of Conscience, are Resolved: 〈◊〉 puzzling Controversies about the present Truths are 〈◊〉 Stated and Determined: Many Obscure and 〈◊〉 Scriptures are occasionally Elucidated: And, in all, The 〈◊〉 supernatural mystery of the whole Sacred Bible, touching God's 〈◊〉 Wise, Gracious, Merciful, Righteous, Plenary, Wonderful, Eternal Salvation of Sinners by Jesus Christ through Faith, 〈◊〉 Couched and Gradually Revealed in his Covenant Express●● in all Ages of the Church, is Disclosed and unveiled. FRANCIS ROBERTS, M. A. Pastor of the Church Wrington, in the County of Somerset.