THE WATERS OF MARAH SWEETENED. A SERMON. Preached at Taunton, in the County of Somerset, May 11. 1647. for the gracious deliverance of that poor Town from the straight and bloody Siege. By T. B. Master of Arts, and a Minister of the Gospel in that County. EZEK. 24.2. Writ thee the name of the day; even of this same day.— DEUT. 4.32, 39 For ask now of the days that are past, which were before thee since the day that God created man upon the earth, and ask from one side of the heaven to the other, whether there hath been any such thing, as this great thing is, or hath been heard like it? Know therefore this day, and consider it in your hearts, that the Lord he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath, there is none else. Keep therefore his statutes and his commandments— LONDON, Printed for Francis Eglesfield, and are to be sold by George Treagle in Taunton. 1648. To the Right Worshipful the Major, with all the faithful and well affected (to God and his Cause) Inhabitants of the Town of Taunton. Honoured Friends, YOur importunities drew me to an undertaking the duty of * May 11. 1645. Being the day of their deliverance. That Day: A day set apart for * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vi. Tit. Psal. 38. calling to remembrance the day, as of your enlargement, so the Kingdoms dawnings toward deliverance. Your incessant restless desires (after much self-strugling) have hardened me against the conscience of my weak abilities, to offer unto yours and the public view, this Sermon from the Press, which, when delivered, you were pleased with patience to attend; and readiness of affection to embrace. Jts not self-overvaluing, or forwardness of mine own, that carries these lines abroad: 'twas enough in my apprehension, that such sudden and broken conceptions were taken in by so judicious an Assembly. However, if its publication may minister occasion of perpetuating the memory of God's great goodness to Taunton, by remaining its * M. Newton, the reverend Pastor of Taunton, having preached the first Anniversary Sermon in memory of that Town's deliverance. second remembrancer of that unparallelled deliverance of yours, (the only ground of your solicitations to me; as for the then preaching, so for the now printing of this Sermon:) may it contribute the least mite towards the quickening of your hearts that way, it's my expected recompense and glory. And if its homely dress may render it low, or unsatisfying for so knowing an age as this, be pleased to consider, I intended not in this (or any other) with excellency of speech, or * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. 1 Cor. 2.4. persuasible words of man's wisdom, to Court the fancy; my desire being to speak a word in season, and to preach not myself, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and myself Your Servant for jesus sake, T. B. The waters of Marah sweetened, etc. EXOD. 15.23, 24, 25. And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah. And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink? And he cried unto the Lord: and the Lord shown him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet. WE are met here to solemnize this day in a religious acknowledgement of those mercies and unparallelled deliverances, which the great God (who is the hope of Israel, and their Saviour in the day of trouble) hath reached forth to you of this place, in crushing the cruelty, blasting the hopes, and defeating the projects, of his, yours, and his Church's enemies. Indeed, God hath given to you abundant matter of thanksgiving; you have whole stories of wonders, enough to fill your hearts and mouths with eternal praises; and if your natures could be content to smother these favours in silence, the lepers of Samaria would condemn your ingratitude, and tell you to your faces, you did not well to hold your peace; seeing this day is a day of good tidings, 2 Reg. 7.9. In furtherance therefore of your piety, I have made choice of this Scripture: which though it may seem unsuitable both to the Auditors and occasion; yet I doubt not, but you may meet with something in it, that may both refresh your memories, and quicken your devotions. I must confess, the greatness of this work, and the insufficiency of mine own abilities, might have been a sufficient plea, to have waved this task; but that I might not seem wanting to God's glory, or your desires, I have adventured to appear in this place, before this Assembly, upon this occasion. Let me beg this, that I may find you attentive, leave you thankful. Israel was now on their journey again for Canaan: their songs are scarce ended for their deliverance from Pharaoh, and their cruel taskmasters, but behold another rub in the way: a new trouble assaults them: they were not (in their own apprehensions) in more danger of perishing formerly by the hands of their enemies, than now they are for want of water; they had gone three day's journey, and could find none. Here was a sharp misery, clapped upon the heels of a sweet mercy. When God delivers us from destruction, he doth not secure us from affliction. Though we are not condemned with, yet we may be chastened in the world. In the words we have 1. The people's expectation. 2. The disappointment of that expectation, with the reason of it, They could not drink, etc. 3. Their carriage upon that disappointment, They murmured against Moses. 4. Moses his practice, or the course he takes upon that carriage, He cries to God. 5. God's return to Moses his prayer, The waters were healed. For the opening of the words. First, what is meant by the waters of Marah. Two or three things held forth in it. 1. Afflictions. Jer. 23.15. They shall drink the water of gall: Afflictions are bitter waters. So Lam. 3.15. He hath filled me with bitterness, he hath made me drunk with wormwood. * Fer. Annot. in Exod. cap. 15. 2. The Law, with the curses and terrors of it: 'tis very bitter. Sin never kills, until the Law put life in it. The strength of sin is the Law, 1 Cor. 15.56. 3. The heresies, errors, and schisms in the doctrine and worship of God, Apoc. 8.11. Secondly, what tree this was, that Moses cast into the waters, that made them sweet. Some think it was some sweet tree, that had a natural virtue in it to produce sweetness. Others, that it was a very bitter tree, and so likely in its own nature to make the waters more bitter. So that the changing of the water was not natural, but divine, miraculous, as is evident from the smallness of the tree; from the abundance of the waters; as much as sufficed 600000. men; the suddenness of the change, and the shortness of it; they were sweet but for the present: This God could have done without any external sign, Fer. Annot. in Exod. cap. 15. but he was pleased to use this means for the manifestation of his own power, and that it might leave the deeper impression upon their spirits, who were so dull and hard to believe. Thirdly, what this tree points out. It intimates to us, Christ and his Gospel. Gal. 6.14. The Gospel hath a cross that goes along with it: yet 'tis such a cross, as sweetens all other crosses to us. Rom. 8.1. There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus, etc. Let the Law come thundering out all its curses and terrors, it can never trouble a gracious spirit: here is a tree that sweetens all. From the coherence observe, Doct. 1 After great mercies may come great miseries. Crosses oftentimes lie near our choicest comforts: God usually doth mingle his favours with afflictions: see it here in these Israelites, after their joyful melody of songs, and instruments of music, they are exercised first with thirst, and then that thirst is tortured with bitter water: See it in Abraham, Gen. 22. Samson, Judg. 16. the Church, Act. 12. what ever our comforts may be, yet crosses will follow, and trip up our heels. A Believer here in this world, is half in heaven, and half out; Satan may come to buffet him, as well as Christ to comfort him: A Christians life, is but an intercourse of peace and trouble: God hath his ends in it. First, that he might drive us to the throne of grace: times of distress are praying times: I doubt not but you of this place can seal to this truth, Lord in their trouble they have visited thee: they poured out a prayer, when thy chastning was upon them, Esay 26.16. their prayers did but drop before, now they are poured forth. And that of Hosea 5. ult. In their afflictions they will seek me early. Dant animum ad loquendum liberè ultimae miseria. Liv. l. 9 Extremities are not only an incentive, but a warrant to importunities: a storm will bring a very heathen upon his knee, Jonah 1.5. God knows that his children are never so fuly disposed to fervency in prayer, as when the Cross is upon their shoulders. Secondly, that he might keep us from carnal security. A man is never more apt to grow secure, never a fit prey for Satan, then after some great mercy received: as men are more drowsy after a feast, then upon an empty stomach; so we after a feast of mercies: and therefore God will exercise us this way, that he might keep us waking. No sleep so dangerous as that in sin. Thirdly, that we might set the higher price upon his favours: we usually love that best, which we sometimes want, are likely to lose one years' peace now, is better than 80. heretofore: Abraham's Son at seventy years, was better than if he had been given sooner; and the same Isaac had not been so precious to him, had he not been as miraculously restored, as given; his recovery from death made him more acceptable, then if he had never been in danger. Use 1 Is it so, that after great mercies, may come great miseries? Then, though you have, and do enjoy great mercies, dream not of a freedom from crosses, whilst here below, our present estate is no Paradise of ease, but a warfare: we are like a ship on the waters; though the Sun shine to day, a storm may arise to morrow, which may suddenly deprive you of all your present enjoyments. I beseech you tell me, how have you improved your deliverances? have you been the more abundant in your obedience, in giving God the glory of your peace, Liberties, lives, and those comforts you now enjoy, whereof you might have been deprived by the malice of men, the wrath of God? is your strength improved in his service, your time spent to his glory, for his praise, your All laid out for him? or rather have not they brought forth security, profaneness, pride, a lose and careless walking with your God, a wantonness of spirit in the things of God and his Son? Is not drunkenness, swearing, whoring, profanation of God's day and ordinances, are not these as strong, as general as ever? how many of you are guilty of one, or more of the forenamed sins? (the sheep bleat, the oxen bellow.) In most, what is there more than a mere form of godliness, more than a name to live? and can you then expect a continuance of your undervalved mercies, which you have so evilly improved, so horribly abused? Oh tremble to consider what may yet become of you; and fear, lest your habitations that are yet remaining, be made a desolation; lest a provoked God, cause you with weeping and amazed eyes to read this lesson, Oh that we had known, even we (who have been partakers of such a deliverance as this in this our day, the things that did belong unto our peace! But now— You may weep out the rest. But I proceed. And when they came to Marah, they could not drink, etc. Observe that Doct. 2 It is the nature of creature-comforts, to disappoint our expectations. They are like Jobs deceitful brooks, Job 6.15. that will make men ashamed in the Summer, when they turn aside for water to refresh them, and find none. There are five particulars wherein this truth appears. 1. In regard of their entity, and substance; they have not that in them, which we expect they should yield: What Solomon speaks of dainties, is true here; Desire not his dainties, for they are deceitful: there is abundance of falsehood in creature-comforts. 2. In regard of their quantity; there is not enough in the creature to supply our wants. See Hag. 1.6, 9 You have sown much, and bring in little, etc. Ye looked for much, and lo, it came to little: the Creatures are too poor, too beggarly to content or satisfy us. 3. In regard of their quality. Men think in changing their condition, to find waters of life, but they meet with waters of death. There is that in them will poison, when relied on. 4. In regard of the efficacy. There is little efficacy in any creature we can fancy, little virtue of their own, to convey any comfort, they are but like a dead man, no way useful, till God put life in them: the strength they have, they do receive from heaven. Man lives not by bread, etc. 5. In regard of their duration: Riches take Eagles wings and flee away, Prov. 23.5. swiftly, suddenly, irrecoverably. All dependence upon outward comforts, in outward excellencies, is uncertain, dangerous; if a man rest on them, he may outlive his trust, his prop may be taken away, and then down he falls. Use. Is it so? Let not your hearts run out after these deceitful, empty, poisonous, feeble, dying comforts, that cannot but disappoint you. Nulla res longa mortalium est, omnisque foelicitas seculi, dum teneiur amittitur. Hier. All the excellency of all creature-comforts, is but like an impression of a seal upon water, which doth vanish ere you see where, or what it was: or like a picture drawn upon ice, that melts away with it. The fashion of this world passeth away, 1 Cor. 7.31. The Apostle showeth, how unbeseeming a thing it is for a Christian to set his heart upon things that are so vain, rather shadows then true substantials. When Alexander saw that he was wounded, and by that wound likely to die, he did then perceive the vanity of those flatteries, who did persuade him, that he was a god: So when you shall see those comforts, after which your spirits have been let out, and on which your hearts have been so mightily set, as if your chiefest good had been locked up in them, when you see them wounded, and the impression of death upon them; learn to see the vanity of your flattering thoughts, and to work off your hearts from such things, as are composed of such fading principles: Look upon them, as upon the wing, ready to fly away. Jacob served Laban twenty years, and his wages was changed ten times. Thus the world deals with them, who serve her. Oh that the consideration of it might cause you to abate the edge of your desires, and learn you to let out your affections after none but Christ! he deceives none, fails none, never dies, but is still the same; able, willing to help, to satisfy. Remember that of the Psalmist, Psal. 36.8. Thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures. While we seek after creature-comforts, we seek to drink in puddles; but when we seek to Christ, we shall have rivers of pleasures, which are both sweet and sure: and the less you take of that, the more you shall receive of these.— For the waters were bitter. Doct. 3 Gods children shall meet with waters of Marah in their way to Canaan. Whosoever will walk in God's ways, must look for bitter things, not from foes only, but friends. Call me not Naomi, but Marah, for the Lord hath dealt bitterly with me. So 2 Reg. 14.26. God saw the affliction of Israel, that it was bitter: And Job complains, that God had written bitter things against him. Well then, if you resolve for Canaan, resolve to meet with the waters of Marah in your journey; yet let not that discourage you, for God can, and will lend a tree to sweeten them. Doct. 4 When men are disappointed of their expectations, they are apt to murmur. See it here in Israel; the people want water, and instead of seeking to God, they murmur against Moses; as if he had dried the wilderness, or imbittered the waters. How mad is Man when he wants his natural desires! Cross but his will, and you shall quickly see and know what is in him. One would have thought that nothing could have opened their mouths to have spoken ill of Moses; even the best in authority are subject to be murmured at, reviled. If people far well, they applaud themselves; if ill, they repine against their Magistrates, their Governors. Some natures are so squeamish, that (as one said) God himself can scarce please them. Use. Take heed ye be not found guilty of this sin: Your murmur will hinder your mercies, and if continued in, will undo you. Murmur not, as some of them did, and were destroyed, 1 Cor. 10.10. your deliverance is enough to make you thankful, though what you expect be yet denied you. If God answer you not in every thing, will you take pleasure in nothing? will you slight his favours, because in one thing he crosses you? his least mercy is beyond your best merit. Be silent before the Lord, lest he answer you again in fury. And to help you in it, take these following rules. 1. Use a holy silence, not of tongue, but of spirit. When Aaron's sons were strucken dead with fire, he held his peace: And David, Psal. 39.9. I held my tongue, because it was thy doing; I was dumb, because thou didst it. Thus Hezekiah, Good is the word of the Lord, when he had received that sharp message, Esay 39.8. 2. Adore what we cannot search the reason of: as the mysteries of salvation, and Providence, the Well is deep, we cannot fathom it; therefore with Paul, let us adore it. Rom. 11.33. O the depth! God's ways are past finding out. 3. Seek after a great measure of self-denial: the greatest enemy of our conformity to Gods will, is ourselves, self-love, self-ends, self-will; oppose, subdue these, and that will help you against this sin. And he cried to the Lord, etc. From hence observe, That Doct. 5 Fervent Prayer, is a special remedy in our greatest extremity. Be we where we will, we may use this; and 'tis the best means to help us out of trouble: 'tis God's prevailing ordinance, and 'tis that great engine that hath carried on things so prosperously for us: Luther calls the prayers of the Saints so many guns; and the Fathers call them the Church's Artillery; which, if sent from the heart, they pierce the very heavens, and wound the Lord of Hosts with pity: it overcomes him; Let me alone Moses, Exod. 32.10. 'tis the golden key which unlocks heaven, and fetches all from God: Whatever is in God's power, is a Saints by prayer; and what ever we want there, we may fetch it: if soule-strength, Psal. 138.3. if strength against enemies, Psal. 109.4. For my love they are mine adversaries, but I give myself to prayer: q. d. That is my refuge, I will not rail as they do, I will make my moan to my God. 'tis a sign of a gracious spirit to lay the burden upon Prayer. And though the strongest arguments we can use cannot alter God, yet they change and move our hearts: and God is pleased to be so indulgent to us, and to suffer us thus to plead with him, and then he usually answers: but yet 'tis 1. when 'tis in faith, that is one of our chiefest strengths, Gen. 32.9. Where there are but words, they vanish, but where there is faith, that makes it prevalent. Jan. 1.15. 2. When you can appeal to God, that we are in his way he set us in: when a soul can say, Though there be such a difficulty, yet Lord thou knowest I am in thy way. 3. When we can plead a particular promise: the more faith there is to plead a promise for what I have in hand, the more assurance to prevail. 4. A sense of our own unworthiness: When a soul comes to see his vileness, emptiness, and so comes with humility, etc. Use 1 Is it so? It condemns those that make not use of this remedy in their distresses, who want both words and hearts to go to God: When you speak to men, you are full; but when to God, you have nothing to say: But consider; is not God a Father, and can Children want a tongue to speak to their Father? Is not God a Husband, and can a Wife want words to speak to her Husband? 2. Is it so? Let wicked men take heed how they wrong the Saints, who have such a powerful means to help themselves: If they complain, the Lord is bound to hear, Exod. 21.23. and if he take the matter into his hands, woe be unto ye, Psal. 2. 3. Is it so? You then who have had experience of this powerful ordinance, and have found God to be a prayer hearing, and a prayer answering God in his gracious returns of mercy: Bless this God, for his favours thus conferred, get enlarged hearts to set forth his mercies according to their merits. Indeed the tongue of Men and Angels can never do it as they should; but will not you therefore do as you may? His mercies have not failed you, and shall your acknowledgements fail him? should you not find your tongues to praise him for his favours enjoyed, as well as pray for them, wanted? As miseries are removed by prayer, so mercies are to be welcomed with songs: Sacrifices of thanksgiving did always follow Sacrifices of pacification. Leu. 3. Can you pour out petitions in time of need, in the day of your distress; & will you not drop forth a few thanks, when you have what you would, more than you expected, than ye prayed for? No, let your right hands forget their cunning, your tongues for ever cleave to the roof of your mouths, rather than forget, neglect to set forth his praises, who hath given you such a deliverance. And the Lord shown him a tree, etc. Doct. 6 God never wants supplies to help his People. Did you ever know the Sun want light; the Sea, a Fountain, Water? God is a sun, a sun of righteousness; a Sea, a Fountain, a Spring of living Water; and though you may, yet he is never empty; there is still an overflowing fullness in him, he is never at a stand, but knows how to comfort, to deliver his, Psal. 84. Psal. 18.2. Jer. 2. Eze. 11. Esay 33.21 and 27.3. 2 Pet. 2.9. I might bring a cloud of witnesses to make good this truth; scarce a page in the book of God but proclaims it. Hence you shall find, he is compared to whatsoever may be requisite, for the comfort and defence of his people: Sometimes he is styled a Sun, a shield, a sanctuary, a refuge, a rock, a fountain, a light, etc. to teach us, whatever our condition, our wants be, there is that in God will answer, will supply all. Hence is he called an all sufficient, an Almighty God; a God to whom nothing is hard, Gen. 18.14. Infinite in wisdom, that knows all our wants, and the way to supply them; knows them, not only objectiuè, but affectiuè; being touched with the feeling of our infirmities, as the Apostle phraseth it, Heb. 14.15. he knows how to clear every channel to convey, and seasonably to dispense comfort: he is infinite in power, and is able to do whatsoever he will; there is nothing can reach beyond his power: he is infinite in goodness, in love, which lays an engagement upon him, to let out and act these for the good of all afflicted ones: so that be our straits never so great, there's wisdom enough to see them, and to bring out of them; be our enemies, our weakness never so powerful, there is strength enough to sustain, to rescue us; be our back-slidings never so many, there is goodness and love enough to heal them, faithfulness and truth enough in God to perform, what ever he hath promised. In many places he is styled The Lord of Hosts; he is one that hath the command of all the creatures both in heaven and earth: and if they cannot afford help enough, he can create more; he can do it without them, by, and from himself; he can change the very course of nature for his children's good. See it in Jonah, Isa. 59.10. in the three Children, in Daniel. As no means can save where God will ruin; so nothing shall hinder where God will help. I might be particular in the proof of this truth, and show you the fullness that is in God to supply us. 1. In respect of all our necessities, both for soul, or body, or both: there is that in him that will supply every want, make up every defect: God is a general, an universal good. 2. In respect of all times and seasons: It may be said of creature-comforts (as one speaks) as 'twas of David, he served his time; but God is such a help, to whom there is no time, wherein he cannot do good: Nullum tempus occurrit regi: no season is out of season with him: he is as able now, as then, then, as at any other time: All times are alike to him, who never wants power, nor a heart to do good to his. But I am confident you of this place have seen, and can speak as much of God in this particular, as ever did a people; (oh that you had hearts to render unto him according to all the good that he hath shown ye!) and therefore I shall hasten to the Application, and the main Use shall be to provoke you unto thankfulness. Use. Is it so, that God never wants supplies to help his people? and will you want tongues and hearts to praise that God, who hath laid out so much goodness, and love, and power, and wisdom in your deliverance? hath God drawn forth something of all his treasure to help you, and will not you draw out any thing of yours to glorify him? where God's favour shines, there cannot but be a reflection: true love will never be idle; 'tis a working, an active grace, it must (as one) return or die. Oh the base ingratitude of many! who are so far from taking advantage from the receipt of mercies to praise God, as that they either bury them, or abuse them to his dishonour. Friends, consider what God hath done for you; the mercies that you have received, do enjoy; But tell me, where are your books of remembrance? where is your Jehovah now, Exod. 17.15. wherein you have proclaimed God to be your salvation? what is become of all God's wonders among you? wonders that might even fill a Volumn, and give life to a story that should outlive the world? whither is the memory of all your deliverances fled? deliverances (a) When the Castle was first taken by the Park forces. from cruelty and oppression within, when they that hated you, ruled over you; from the teeth and fury of those barbarous wretches (b) At the raising of the first and last Sieges. without? have you forgotten this? Again, what is become of the destroying pestilence; that within these few years had taken up its habitation among you? hath your present health and jollity put to silence all those dying groans, which so lately sounded in your affrighted ears? shall such mercies as these are, lie raked up in the dust of time, without any monument set over them, to tell, once they were? But to pass over these, this day alone hath matter enough of an eternal gratulation, being the centre (as it were) wherein all mercies met upon your heads. Oh what an evidence of love, and wisdom, and power was here, that when so many potent and malicious enemies had environed you, were so near you, had brought destruction within your walls, even to your thresholds; enemies that were high in blood and rage; that had all the helps that either Rome or Hell could afford; when you were even ready to be swallowed up of them (and in your own apprehensions, a lost, an helpless, hopeless people) that God should then, even in the very nick of time, when your necks were on the Altar, and under the sword, that he should then step in, and find means for your escape, defeat them, deliver you!— surely no strength, no Armies shall prevail to ruin them, whom God resolves to protect, to deliver: if he be with us, no matter who is against us. Oh, that you would therefore praise the Lord for his goodness, and declare the wonders that he hath done for you! May not we say of Taunton, as once Balaak said of Israel, Num. 23. what hath God wrought for you! oh, how solemnly festival should this day be to you, and your posserities for ever! Let me therefore speak to you in the words of the Lord to Moses, Exod. 17.14. writ it for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it to Josuah: so do you; set up a monument of this deliverance, a monument, that may eternize God's praises, and procure him honour, by those that are yet unborn: that you may sing of the mercies of God for ever, and may make known his faithfulness to all generations: take up the expressions and resolutions of the Psalmist, Psalm. 118.24. This is the day which the Lord hath made, we will rejoice and be glad in it. Sure I am, had your enemies prevailed, it would have been an high feast in Gath, a day of Jubilee in Ascalon; the daughters of the uncircumcised would have made it a day of triumph: be not you behind them, but show as much joy, express as much thankfulness for your deliverance, as they would certainly have done for utter desolation. Think seriously on it; (I cannot but speak it again) hath God bestowed such favours on Taunton, and shall Taunton forget them? there is an Emphasis in that word; much Rhetoric in it; Taunton? a place that hath been freed from so many judgements, and that so oft; the sword, the Pestilence, and the famine? that doth enjoy so many blessings, and those so precious; health, prosperity, plenty, and the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ, etc. a place for which God hath wrought so many (even miracles of) mercies for its preservation, in its deliverance; shall such favours be heaped upon such a people; and should they die in their thoughts? but for two or three motives, if this serve not, to stir you up. 1. Consider the misery you were in before you were delivered, that is the way to exalt God in your praises: represent to yourselves your sad condition, your fears, your wants, your dangers: contraries illustrate one another, as prosperity and adversity. The misery of a Saint formerly, sets forth the mercy of God in Jesus Christ: one years' peace now, is more prised then ten before: the want of things do much commend them: As the wickeds troubles are mightily aggravated, by the mercies went before; so the Saints deliverances, by the miseries preceded. You that have deliverance by Christ, look to the misery you were in, begin with that: what darkness and shadow of death did you sit in? in what bondage to sin and hell? how irrecoverably lost and undone in yourselves? when we were sinners Christ died for us; when ungodly, when enemies, when dead, Rom. 5. Ephes. 2. look to this mercy of God in Christ: alas! what praise will ye else give to God this day? we can never praise God aright unless we look upon the perfection of all misery we were in, to the perfection of all happiness that by Christ God hath brought us to: to study misery out of Christ, is to dig to hell; but to study misery and Christ, is to build to heaven, so for the business of this day: remember from whence you were delivered; take the rise of the misery there: the way to value a mercy, is to see a misery: look back to the beginning of your troubles, and see the wonders God hath wrought; what seas have been divided for you to pass through: remember how nigh you were to the enemy's hands, what enemy 'twas, what their threats, their malice, their bloody resolutions: look on the straits you were in for Ammunition, Provision; and with what a mighty hand and stretched-out arm God did supply you, and hath rescued you; look upon all the ways of God towards you, that you may return to him according to his working, and rejoice in him: 'tis a poor thing to have such a strong hold preserved, such a cruel enemy subdued, to be matter of your joy: but let this, that the Lord of hosts is with you; let that be the matter of your joy, of your praise: Let temporal deliverance stir up within us a war against our lusts, our pride, our self-ends, our looseness, etc. oh, these are provoking things, which of themselves will work our destruction; they are graves of Sodom, vines of Gomorrah; Fight against these, but let God be your joy, let him be matter of your praise. 2. Consider your demerits, how little you deserved, how justly you might have perished, and been both the prey and scorn of your bloodthirsty enemies: he that thinks himself unworthy of any thing, will be thankful for every thing, content with the smallest mercy; much more for such a concerning one. Thirdly, Look upon the worth, the excellency of the mercy vouchsafed you; nay, how many mercies you enjoy, how many miseries you have escaped by it: the consideration of your condition with such mercies, will set an high price upon what you now enjoy, and provoke you to thankfulness: how sad, how truly miserable would your lives have been, without Wife, Children, houses, friends, estates, without the presence of God in his ordinances: and is not the enjoyment of all these (and more) worthy of thanks? what was your bitterness when every moment you expect either death, or a prison? and can you not thank God, who hath wrought so happy a change? 4. Consider 'tis the way not only to continue, but increase your blessings: unthankfulness forfeits all we have received, undoes all: dries up the channel, and stops the passages through which mercies should flow; but this lays all open: I know you use to sow your seed, where you may have most increase; so God his favours where he hath most praise: But then remember in your return of praise it must be, 1. A free praise, not pressed or wrung out; the willingness of the mind is ever the fat of the sacrifice: God gives, delivers freely; therefore do you praise him freely. 2. Full and complete: not of the face only to show, nor the tongue only to proclaim it, but of the heart too: that is true praise, when the heart as well as the tongue sounds it forth, Psal. 103. 3. Holy: they were merry that kept the King's day, Hos. 7.5. by taking bowl after bowl, till they were sick again: ours must not be such: It must begin at Hosanna: I will make them joyful in my house of prayer: the stream of our praise, must come from the spring head of religion. And then 4. Lastly, it must be constant, continued in our conversations: we must live thankfully as well as speak so: you all seem to congratulate the joy of this day, but if you would approve yourselves truly thankful to your God, in whose favour is life, and so be gainers by all your former losses; Live down your sins, your formality, your security, etc. part with all your gainful, your plausible evils: be more holy, more humble, more temperate, spiritual, fruitful, etc. renew your holy covenants with your God, and keep them for ever: oh, how memorable a pattern of mercy would you then be! and what a famous trophy of victory might then be erected in Taunton, over all your enemies! And you that are Magistrates, rouse up your spirit, awaken your Christian courage, bear not the sword in vain; but set yourselves zealously against the sins of your Town to root them out, which else will betray your happiness; and the Lord be with you. One observation more, and I have done. Doct. 7 'Tis Christ alone that sweetens all conditions. He is the tree that must be thrown into the waters; he sweetens the law, afflictions, prosperity, adversity; that turns all into gold. Let our condition be what it will, if Christ be there, it cannot but be comfortable: see it in David, how many Psalms did he begin in fear; which he did end in joy? at first you shall find little, but anguish, despair; yet after a sharp conflict nothing appears but joy: what, did there a messenger of good news come in whilst he was writing; as Elisha sent to the King of Israel, whilst he was rending his clothes: 2 King. 5. No but as he grew more inward and familiar with God, his soul became lighter and lighter, arising from the burden with abundance of comfort. Nothing can trouble or darken that soul where Christ is pleased to shine: thy favour is better than life: Psal. 63.5. and Christ to Paul, my grace is sufficient, 2 Cor. 12.9. Satan's buffets can never hurt, where the grace of Christ is our strength: as no plaster can cure where he wounds, so no sorrows shall overcome where he is the comforter. Use 1 Is it so? Labour to see an excellency in Jesus Christ: It will one day be a confusion to all those sordid spirits that know nothing more excellent than riches: heaven delights not them, because it brings them no money: such things as Angels stand amazed at and admire, they see no excellency in them: let God, and Christ, and heaven, and all go, so they may have pleasures and profits: 'tis a sign their eyes are stopped with clay: a sign of reprobation, to live under the Gospel, and not have our spirits in some measure elevated: many Christians do not look upon themselves as born to greater things, then to get wealth, but did Christ come to purchase no greater things than these? what are your hearts upon? would you not bless yourselves, if you could get such an estate; as such, or such a man hath, and be content if God should give thee thy portion in this life? oh, the baseness, the blindness of men! Use 2 Is it so? make out for Christ, trade for this pearl: thou shalt never repent thee for any pains thou takest about him: he will prove a sufficient recompense for all your labour, your sufferings: do but once taste him, and you will for ever after be in love with him. And you that have him, make use of him, make much of him, love him, prise him: he is full of comforts, of sweetness, of ravishing delights: in Esa. 51.11. 'tis said, that the redeemed of the Lord shall come with singing unto Zion, and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads: they shall obtain gladness, and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away: there is matter of joy, of triumph in Jesus Christ; and though you should meet with bitter waters at first, yet you shall find sweet at the last; though you drink of the waters of Marah here; yet you shall arrive at Canaan in the end, where you shall not only drink off, but sweetly bathe yourselves in never-ending rivers of glory and pleasure for evermore, and help make up that heavenly consort, in singing Hallelujah; glory, and honour, and praise to him that sits on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever. FINIS.