Funeral Sermon of Samuel Man

The REVEREND Mr. Samuel Man's Funeral Sermon.

_TO have a Friend that is able and willing to succor in, and deliver out of distress, is a choice favor; and to have such a Friend inviting us to repair to Him in all necessitous Hours, and to acquaint Him with all that is afflictive to us, assuring us that He will not only sympathize & bear a part with us, in our Sorrows, but will find out a way, to support us under & deliver us out of our Depths, is an invaluable Privilege! Oh who would not Prize? Who would not improve such a Friend? Now our Text takes us by the Hand and leads us to JESUS, the true Christians Best Friend, to whom he may repair in all Articles of Extremity, and Junctures of distress: and may tell Him of all that he • ears and feels, with Faith, in Prayer, and having so done, the true Christian may with Hannah go away, and be no more sad; firmly believing that the LORD CHRIST will take notice of all his sad Circumstances and will dispose all so as may be t • GOD's Glory, and the best Good of all • that love and fear Him. And it i • now my design, by this Text, to take • this Bereaved Church & Congregatio • by the Hand, and to lead them to ou • Dear Jesus, that they may acquain • Him with their bitter Sorrows, by rea+son of the Removal of that Brigh • Burning & Shining Light, that for so many Years this Golden Candlestick was richly adorned with; He can turn all to your Salvation thro' the supply of the Spirit and help of Prayer, He can make up all to you in Himself which He has taken from you in His taking of your Pious Pastor.

IN the Words of our Text we have the Disciples of John in their tears and sorrow, at the sad news of Herod 's beheading of their Master ; Whereupon, (1) They took up his Body ; and this they did in testimony of respect to their Master, and in testimony of their owning his Doctrine, & grateful Remembrance of him. (2) They Buried it. The Bodies of the Saints should have an honorable Burial. Tho' Death separates their Souls from their Bodies, yet both remain United to Christ; therefore the Bodies of the Saints should be decently Interr'd. (3) They went & told Jesus. They acquaint our dear LORD CHRIST with their sad bereavement by Herod 's bloody act, and they improve all to bring themselves nearer to JESUS; So they pass out of the School of John, into the School of CHRIST.

From the Words of the Text take this Doctrine.

DOC, WHEN a Burning Shining Light is Extinguished or Removed, then the Bereaved should go and tell our Dear JESUS of their sad and sorrowful Circumstances.

THIS was the Method the Disciples of John took when they were so surprizingly Bereaved. And this is your Case this Day. Your Eminent & Excellent Pastor is called home by Death, and you have (as the Disciples of John did) honourably laid up his Remains in the silent Grave; & now your Duty is to tell your Dear JESUS of your desolate state: You are as Sheep without your Under-Shepherd.

TO clear up this Doctrine take Four Propositions.

PROP. I. SOME of CHRIST's Faithful Ministers are Bright Burning and Shining Lights. John is styled so, Joh. 5.35. They are Stars in the Right Hand of CHRIST, Rev. 1.20. They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever, Dan. 12.3. This Glory is the same for kind, but not the same for degree; Some shine as the brightness of the Firmament, some as the Stars; the Stars shine more brightly than the Firmament; and amongst the Stars also there is great variety. 1 Cor. 15.41. There is one glory of the sun, & another glory of the moon, & another glory of the stars; for one star differeth from another star in glory. They have interest in all the Grace and good Fruits of those that are Converted and Edifyed by them; they beget them, they nurse them, they comfort them; therefore their Reward shall be exceeding glorious, 1 Thes. 2.19. For what is our hope or joy, or crown of rejoicing? are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming: for ye are our glory & joy, 2 Cor. 1.14. Indeed Eminent, Pious Gospel-Ministers are Spiritual Ecclesiastical Fathers in respect of the Dignity of their Office; They are CHRlST's Ambassadors, that have the Word of Reconciliation committed unto them. 2 Cor. 5.18, 19, 20. They are Stewards of the Mysteries of CHRIST, & are so to be accounted of by the People. 1 Cor. 4.1, 2. Tit. 1.7. 1 Pet. 4.10. Yea, they manage themselves as good Stewards of the manifold Grace of GOD. Yea, Saints in all Ages and Generations have loved, honored, & esteemed Pious & Eminent Ministers as bright Lights ; they consider what CHRIST Himself saith to Gospel Ministers; He that receiveth you, receiveth Me, and he that receiveth Me, receiveth Him that sent Me, Mar. 9.36, 37. Luk. 9.48. Saints receive them gladly. Act. 21.17. They count them worthy of double Honor, 1 Tim. 5.17. How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace, that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation, that saith to Zion, thy God reigneth, Isai. 52.7.

PROP. II. HOW Bright & Burning soever the Choicest Servants of CHRIST in the Ministry may be, yet they are but for a Season here. Joh. 5.35. John was a burning and a shining Light; and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his Light. As bright a Light as John was, yet he gave Light but for a Season; for he was soon Beheaded by Herod, as in our context, & so this Light was Extinguished. Aaron must go up into Mount Hor in the sight of all the Congregation, and there be disrobed of his Priestly Garments and Die, Num. 20.25, 26, 27, 28. Your Fathers where are they? And the Prophets do they live forever? Zech. 1.5. The most Eminent and Excellent of Ministers must put off their clay Tabernacles, that they may be clothed upon with their House from Heaven, 2 Cor. 5.1, 2. Hence saith the Apostle Paul, For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain, Phil. 1.21. The number of their Months (in the Ministry as well as in the World) is with God, & He sets bounds to their Ministry. The same Apostle saith, I am note ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand, I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous judge shall give me at that day: & not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing, 2 Tim. 4.6, 7, 8.

PROP. III. WHEN this Bright Shining Light is Extinguished, the Bereaved should bitterly lament their Loss, & be deeply humbled under the mighty Hand of GOD Bereaving them. Thus it was with John's Disciples in our Text & context. Thus Elisha laments the Translation of Elijah, 2 Kin. 2.12. And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My Father, my Father, the Chariot of Israel, & the Horsemen thereof. Ingeminations, or doubling of words are frequent in Scripture, importing much vehemency & intenseness of spirit in him that speaketh. My Father, My Father! This appropriating possessive pronoun [ My ] has a kind of deliciousness in it, & breaths abundance of affection, & carries an accent of profound veneration. Luther said, the sweetness of the Gospel lies in pronouns: as when a Believer can say (with believing Thomas) My LORD & my GOD! Those things or Persons which we love most we call ours : to say such an one is mine, is as much as to say, he is much beloved, much prized or esteemed by me, he, as it were, lies next my heart. Propriety raiseth esteem. Elisha calls him Father, for his Fatherly affection to him, and for his Fatherly authority, which by his Office he had over him. Joash the King of Israel acknowledgeth this concerning Elisha when fallen-Sick of his Sickness whereof he died, and weeps over his face, and says, O my Father, my Father, the Chariot of Israel, & the Horsemen thereof, 2 Kin. 13.14. This Church and Congregation may thus bitterly lament over their Dear Deceased Pastor, and say, My Father, my Father, the Chariot of Israel, & the H • rsemen thereof : He was the Chariot of Wrentham and the Horsemen thereof, in a peculiar manner, who by his holy Example, and Counsels, and Prayers, and Power with God, did more for the defense & preservation of Wrentham, than all their other Warlike Provisions. Eminent Pious Ministers are the Chariots of Israel & the Horsemen thereof, they are the Glory & Defense of a People. Isa. 62.6, 7. These are the Lord's remembrancers; These Watchmen are with their GOD in the worst of times. Hos. 9.8. The Watchmen of Ephraim was with my God. These are the Men that make up the hedge, and stand in the Gap before GOD for the Land, that He should not destroy it. And when these Gap-Men are removed, God makes way for His fiery indignation to be poured down upon such a People. Ezek. 22.30, 31. Ezek▪ 13.5. Ye have not gone up into the gaps neither made up the hedge for the house • of Israel, to stand in the battle in the day of the Lord. Psal. 106.23. He said he would destroy them had n • t Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach; to turn away his wrath lest he should destroy them. They are Pillars in the House of GOD; therefore their Death is bitterly to be lamented. They are the defense and glory of a People, as they are wrestling Jacob's in Prayer; and by Prayer become prevailing Israel's. Gen. 32.24.26, 27, 28. Mat. 15.22.28. The honest addresses of believing Souls presented with importunate boldness and humble submission of Faith are very acceptable unto, and prevalent with our LORD JESUS CHRIST. Hence said CHRIST, Great is thy faith; be it to thee, as thou wilt, Mat. 8.2. The efficient cause of their Prayer it is the Spirit of Christ. He teaches them to Pray and assists them in Prayer. Rom. 8.26, 27. They could not Pray except He did aid & influence them; He helps them to groan out what Christ Himself has a will to bestow upon them. Eph. 2.18. & 3.12. He leadeth them by the Hand, and therefore they will not be put off. There is a Spirit above the Spirit of Man, and not below the Spirit of God, that acts them in such Prayers; He gives them to repent, believe, submit, and to be importunate, & they cannot let GOD alone, & therefore it is no wonder though' GOD hear them. The Subject-matter of their prevalent Prayers, it is neither less nor more then what CHRIST hath determined to bestow upon them; and He is more willing to give than any Mans heart can be willing to receive. Rom. 8.27. And the Spirit in them maketh intercession according to the will of GOD, for Grace & Mercy to help them in time of need. They are not only Men of Faith, but also Men of Prayers. They are Men of Prayer, and Men of Tears also. Psal. 119.136. Rivers of Tears run down their Eyes; because Men keep not GOD's Law: And the effectual fervent Prayer of a righteous Man availeth much, Jam. 5.16. Oh! then, how great is the Loss of such Excellent Worthies? and how much to be Lamented? And such an One you are bitterly bewailing the Removal of.

PROP. IV. THE Bereaved must go and tell their Dear JESUS of their sad and awful Bereavement. Thus in our Text the Disciples of John did.

AND this implies, 1. That you be very sensible of the Divine kindness in bestowing so rich a Blessing on you (as your Reverend Pastor was,) and in continuing of him so long to you: and you must be very thankful for this Exaltation-Gift of Christ unto you. Psal. 68.18. Eph. 4.11. Being Ascended, He gave some Apostles, and some Prophets, and some Evangelists, and some Pastors & Teachers. Oh be very thankful that you had a Pastor given you, who shown himself approved, a Workman that needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth: wherein he shown uncorruptness, gravity and sincerity; He gave attendance unto Reading, to Exhortation and to Doctrine; He did meditate on these things; He gave himself wholly to them; and his profiting did appear unto you all: He did Preach the pure Word; He was instant in Season, & out of Season: He was an Example of Believers, in Word, in Conversation, in Charity, in Spirit, in Faith, in Purity; His Light did so shine before Men, that all that beheld his good Conversation had cause to glorify his FATHER which is in Heaven, Mat. 5.16. And in all this Dutifully he did depend upon our LORD CHRIST; and His Grace in him, and His Grace with him was sufficient for him. 2 Cor. 12.9. You must be very thankful that GOD continued this great and rich Blessing so many Years amongst you: I suppose Forty Eight Years together.

THIS implies, 2ly, That you be humbled to the very Dust, that seeing you had so choice a Price in your Hands, you made no better improvement of it, Prov. 17.16. and got no more by it. Tho' I hope and believe, the Word of GOD Preached by him was the power of GOD unto Salvation to many of your Souls, (Rom. 1.16.) And 'twas the Message he brought, made his coming and Preaching so desirable, so grateful and so acceptable to you, as it was. For there is no News so desirable as that of the Gospel. Luk. 2.13, 14. The very Angels • ang Praise to GOD for this News, and should not our hearts spring with joy at this good News. Indeed this News is acceptable only to the distressed Soul. It is glad tidings to the Poor. Isai. 61.1, 2, 3. It is Life to the dead Soul, light to the blind Eye, Soul-health and healing to the Sin-sick-Soul; It offers Pardon, to the guilty condemned Malefactor, that is good News to him; and such is this News to the distressed Soul, though' others mind it not, care not for it. Now there is none so welcome and acceptable to a poor Sin-tired Soul as the Publisher and Preacher of this good News. Oh this News which he brings puts a beauty upon him in the Eyes of a distressed Sinner, & this Minister is the welcomest Person that ever he knew, the best Messenger that ever he heard speak.

BUT alas, God's own Children will judge themselves for their unprofitableness under such fructifying Opportunities as for many Years they enjoyed. And as for others that continue in a state of estrangement from God and Christ, may they not say with bitter lamentation, The harvest is past, the summer is ended, & we are not saved, Jer. 8.20. May it not be added concerning some, as in Jer. 6.29, 30. The bellows are burnt, the lead is consumed of the fire, the founder melteth in vain: for the wicked are not plucked away. Reprobate Silver shall men call them, because the Lord hath rejected them. The searcher of the hearts and trier of the reins of the Children of Men, expects that you look into your own Souls, and see what improvement you have made of the rich Talent you have been favored with, and with deep humility you judge yourselves for all your non proficiency in the School of Christ under such plain and powerful Preaching.

3. CHRIST expects that you come and tell Him of your distress, & that you acknowledge that your Times and all your Changes are in His hand, and at His Sovereign disposition. Psal. 31.15. And that you see all in CHRIST, and enough to make up this great loss you have sustained. Oh let this lead you nearer to Christ, who is ever the same, and hath the residue of the Spirit & can send forth another painful able Labourer into this part of his Harvest in His own due time. But of this in the Improvement of this Doctrine, which I now proceed unto.

For APPLICATION, and the First USE is of Instruction.

1. Instruct. ARE Lights extinguished, and that too by their Dying for CHRIST, Learn Hence, That true Christians should be ready not only to do, but to die for CHRIST. Thus John in our Text and context. Thus Stephen, thus Paul also. The true Christian must cast up the account, what he may loose by his consent to be CHRIST's; that so his choice of CHRIST may be a deliberate and full choice, and he may never repent afterwards of the choice that he hath made. It is a rule in the Civil Law, non consentit, qui non sentit ; He cannot consent that doth not think, understanding and deliberate. And this is the reason of so much flinching from CHRIST, and shameful Apostasy in times of Persecution. Our Lord Redeemer deals candidly and openly with us, & tells us before hand, what are the worst things that may befall us for His sake. Joh. 16.1, 2. The time cometh that whosoever killeth you, will think he doth God service. Now there are some things that the true Christian must part with for CHRIST; and those are his Sins and Lusts and all the vicious Pleasures he hath had in them: the true Christian must shake hands forever with all his sinful Courses & Companions. Rom. 6.16. Mat. 5.29, 50. Ps. 18.25. And there are other things which the true Christian may be called to part with, and give up for CHRIST: It is uncertain whether GOD may actually call the Christian to part with his Liberty, Estate, Relations, & Life for CHRIST: Many are never actually called forth to such Loss & Sufferings; but because many are, and the true Christian may be so called, he must realize them, ponder them, and subscribe those very terms, making full account of these things, as if these Losses were now before him. Luk. 9.23. For so Christ hath propounded them. If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. And so to do is the way to honor; For those that honor CHRIST, CHRIST will honor, 1 Sam. 2.30. John honored CHRIST, & CHRIST honored John ; commending him after he was Dead, as in the Text, and crowning him in Heaven, & recommending the Memory of his Faithfulness that cost him Life, to survivours. Faithful Saints and Ministers of CHRIST are to be respected living and dying. John was honored in his Life time, and he is respected in his Death. GOD expects that the Memory of such should be sweet. Prov. 10.7. The memory of the just is blessed. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of the Saints: most precious, if they Die for CHRIST.

2. Instruct. WHEN Church-Lights leave us, must we go and tell JESUS, Learn Hence, That altho' the Ministers and Messengers of CHRIST Dye & leave the dear People of CHRIST, yet CHRIST lives still. When John was dead his Disciples retire and repair to JESUS. And though' Your dear Pastor & Father be gone from you, yet here is a Friend that ever abides the same: Here is a Friend, an Head & Husband that will never leave nor forsake you, but will do all that for you that is needful. Heb. 13.5. For He hath said, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee. When the best & choicest of our Earthly Friends die, yet our Lord Redeemer lives; and this should support us: For He hath said to His, Because I live, ye shall live also: & indeed all Bereavements, Afflictions & Distresses should bring us nearer to JESUS CHRIST.

3. Instruct. LEARN Hence, That GOD's Children do meet with truly sad and sorrowful Exigencies, respecting themselves and theirs, and the Church of CHRIST in this World; and sore loss of Lights. They are not without Darkness and Discomfort: For they have much Sin in them; they carry about with them a body of Sin and Death, which occasions many a bitter Agony in their Souls, and makes them cry out with the Apostle Paul, Oh wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this Death? Rom. 7.24. Yea they have much sorrow attending 'em on the account of Sickness upon their Bodies, Reproach upon their Names, Loss in their Estates, Disappoinments in their Affairs, Affliction upon their Families, and the like: Yea they have many anxious thoughts about the Suffering Cause & Interest of Christ in the World; and they remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being themselves also in the body, Heb. 13.2. Also they are encountering with many temptations from their spiritual Enemies: They are bitterly complaining under the deep sense of an hard Heart, and blind Mind, and perverse Will, & disordered Affections, and a wounded Conscience: and often they are lamenting after the returns of GOD's Face & Favor to them and theirs, and mourning because GOD hath hid His Face from them. Psal. 30.6, 7. In my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved; Lord, by thy favor thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: thou didst hide thy face, & I was troubled. Psal. 77.7. Will the Lord cast off forever? and will he be favorable no more? is his mercy clean gone forever? doth his promise fail for evermore? hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah. And I said, this is my infirmity: but I will remember the works of the Lord: surely I will remember thy woe • ders of old. Moreover GOD's Children have many wants & woes, temporal and spiritual, personal and relative; and all afflictive, Their condition may be so sorrowfully circumstanced that they may have no Earthly Friend to make their moans unto; no Eye to pity them, no Ear to hear their complaints, no Heart to sympathize with them, no Hand to help them; Lover and Friend may be put far from them, & their Acquaintance be put into darkness, Psal. 88.18. In a word, while Christians are here in a Sea of trouble it is no wonder if one wave & billow come upon the back of another, & all God's waves & billows seem to pass over them: Yet if by all they are wafted safe to the haven of Eternal Blessedness, all shall do well. 2 Cor. 4.17. For our light afflictions which are but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding & eternal weight of glory: and GOD can make your Grief for your Loss of a Burning Shining Light to do so.

4. Instruct. GOD's Children are not hopeless nor helpless in their depths of distress: for they have a Friend that is both able & willing to succor them under, and deliver them out of their distresses. They have a Savior to repair and resort unto, Mat. 1.21. One who is able to save them to the uttermost, that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. You have a JESUS who is not Man only, but God Almighty also, able to bestow all Good upon you, & to remove all Evil from you. It is true indeed, you may boldly come unto GOD for the bestowal of Good, and the removal of Evil, in and thro' this Lord Redeemer: and, No man can come to the Father but by Christ. Now that CHRIST might successfully make way for your coming to the FATHER of Lights (from whom comes every good & perfect Gift) for what you need CHRIST did enter into a Covenant of Redemption with His Father, before the World was, Tit. 1.2. And for this end, CHRIST veiled His Glory, by an Incarnation, & Cloathed Himself with our Nature. Joh. 1.14. And for this end CHRIST yielded active & passive Obedience to the Law, & satisfied Divine Justice, pacify'd Divine Wrath, & Reconciled poor Souls to the Father. Ye • for this end CHRIST took upon Him the Three fold Office of Prophet, Priest, and King, that He might save to the uttermost all that come to the Father by & thro' Him. So that now CHRIST is the Lord Treasurer of Heaven and Earth, & has all supplies at His own disposition for you which you can need. Yea CHRIST is the Master of requests, and is ready & willing to intercede with the Father for the bestowing of all that Good upon you, and the removal of all that Evil which you ask the Father in His Name; and the Father heareth Him always. In a word, our Dearest JESUS hath in Himself a fullness of all in created and created Grace; that believing distressed Souls might of His fullness be receiving and that Grace for Grace. Col. 1.19. Joh. 1.16. Yea our Lord Redeem • hath in Himself a Mediatorial sufficiency to be all too, & a Mediatorial efficiency to work all in, & to do all for distressed Souls that they need, and come to Him for: He is clothed with a sympathizing compassion toward distressed Souls that repair to Him, which powerfully disposeth Him to arise for their succor. Heb. 5.2. Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way. This inclines Him to put forth all His Divine Abilities for them in a Mediatorial and Soul-saving way.

5. Instruct. THAT Jesus may save distressed Soul from their distresses, He expects that they come to Him by Faith in Prayer, and tell him what their troubles are. Not that He is unacquainted with their woes & wants before they Pray, for He is infinitely better acquainted with them, then they themselves are; but that they may honor Him, and roll off their Troubles by committing their cases to Him: And it is a Christians great duty & comfortable remedy in sore & sad cases, in deep and difficult distresses to go and tell JESUS of them in the way of Prayer. Heb. 4.15, 16. For we have not a •• high Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but was i • all points tempted like as we are, ye • without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, & find grace to help in time of need. Consider,

1. WE are commanded to come & tell JESUS of all our troubles in the duty of Prayer. Psal. 50.15. Call upon me in the day of trouble. Jam. 5.13. Is any afflicted, let him pray. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 (that is) doth any one suffer ill or is grieved in his Soul, Body, Name, Estate; from God immediately, or from Men, or Devils, bring the matter thus sad, before JESUS, and tell Him of your trouble. It's the duty of the afflicted to Pray.

2. WE are Invited to come and tell JESUS of what we need & desire; & we are reproved for our backwardness so to do. Joh. 16.23, 24. Verily, verily I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you; hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name; ask and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. Psal. 81.10. Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.

3. IT is GOD's just Expectation that we tell JESUS of our troubles, & crave His aid. Hos. 5.15. I will go & return to my place, till they acknowledge thei • offense, & seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early. And Christ desires this of the Spouse, Cant. 2.14. O my • ove, that art in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs, let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely.

4. THERE are great & precious Promises made to those that by Faith in Prayer tell JESUS of their sins & sorrows, of their woes & wants. Psa. 50.15. 1 Joh 5.14. This is the confidence we have in him, or concerning him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us. 2 Chro. 6. from the 12. v. to the end. & • .12, 13. Mat. 21.22. All things whatsoever ye shall ask in Prayer, believing, ye shall receive. Mat. 7.7. Ask & it shall be given you: seek & ye shall find: knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

5. AS God hath been rich in His Promises, so He has been as rich in His Performances. He has made good with His Hand, what He has promised with His Mouth. Whatever His Mercy promiseth, His Faithfulness maketh good. Psal. 34.4, 5, 6. I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears; They looked unto him and were lightened; and their faces were not ashamed: This po •• man cried, and the Lord heard him; and saved him out of all his troubles. 2 Cor. 1.9, 10. But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, that in God which raiseth the dead; who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver; in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us: You also helping together by prayer for us. GOD hath heard the Prayers of others, & healed others, in answer unto Prayer; who can tell, but GOD may hear our prayers? Nay sometimes He hath heard presently before the Person had done speaking. Gen 24.15. Thus the Prayer of Abraham's Servant, was heard before he had done Praying, as you may see in that History. So, Dan. 9.23. At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, & I am come to show thee; for thou art greatly beloved, &c.

The Second USE is a Word of Exhortation in divers Branches. The First Franch of the Exhortation is to this Church and Congregation, to Go and tell JESUS teat now your Pastor is by Death removed from you, you are as Sheep without a Shepherd, and that you entreat Him therefore to take care of this Flock of His. And plead his Promise, in Isai. 40.11. He shall feed his flock like a shepherd, he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in him bosom, & shall gently lead those that are with young. Two Things here,

1. Pray CHRIST Himself to be your Shepherd. 2. Pray CHRIST to feed you, as a Shepherd feeds his Flock.

1. Pray CHRIST Himself to be your Shepherd. He is a Shepherd immediately set up by GOD the Father over the Flock; He is the Great and Good Shepherd, Heb. 13.20. 1 Pet. 5.4. The Chief Shepherd that is the Pasture as well as the Pastor of His Sheep: and therefore He is that Good Shepherd that laid down His Life for His Sheep that they might have Pasture. Joh. 6.51, 53, 54, 55. Other Shepherds of the Church have but a derivative goodness from Him, and the Pasture that they give is CHRIST in His Ordinances; They hold forth CHRIST crucified unto them. 1 C • r. 2.2. He is such a Shepherd as has power to save His Flock. Mat. 28.20. He knows his Sheep, and is known of them, Joh, 10.14. He knows their Persons, their Condition, their Ways, their Wants, their Woes, their Fears, and their Foes, and He will pity, & help, & save them: Yea Christ is an Everlasting Shepherd: He was before the beginning, and will be unto the end of the World: from the beginning; Mic. 5.2. Whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting, Prov. 8.22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 30, 31. and forever.

2. Pray CHRIST to feed you as a Shepherd feeds his Flock. Isai. 40.11. Feeding in this Text means the whole work of a Shepherd in governing, defending and supplying of his Sheep for their good. And implies,

(1.) That CHRIST makes Provision of Food and Physic for His Sheep. Oh Pray Him to provide Food & Physic for you. That Bread may be given you to eat, and that your Water may be sure. Isai. 33.16. Pray Him to be your Shepherd that you may not want. &c. Psal. 23.1, 2. Pray CHRIST to heal your Sin-sick Souls: Sheep need not only Food but Physic. Isai. 55.5. He was wounded for our trrnsgressi • ns, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed. Pray CHRIST to be all to you in respect of all necessaries for your way, till you come to Glory; be it direction, provision, protection. And Pray Him to be your deliverer from Sin, World, Death and Hell.

(2.) CHRIST as a Shepherd causeth His Sheep to Feed. He causeth them to take in, and take down this Food & Physic for their Souls. Now our Good and Great Shepherd doth cause His Sheep to Eat. First, He causeth them by moral persuasion; He persuades them to Eat, & encourageth his Sheep to Feed; for He finds them very backward, Cant. 5.1. Eat, O Friends, drink, yea drink abundantly, O beloved! Isai. 55.1. Ho! everyone that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, & he that hath no money, come ye, buy and eat, yea came buy wine & milk without money and without price. Secondly, He causeth them to Eat by His energy and effectual operation; He gives them the Grace to Eat, He gives them to hunger and thirst, and creates in them a spirit of Life, the cause of it: He makes them painfully sensible of their necessity, and His sufficiency, He gives them the spirit of the command, & promise, to beget and stir up Faith to take and eat. Joh. 6.44, 45.

(3.) CHRIST as a Feeder of His Flock, commands the Blessing upon the Food. Psal. 132.15. He blesseth the Food for the health, for the growth, for the fruitfulness, for the satisfaction, & for the establishment of His Sheep.

(4.) CHRIST as the Chief-Shepherd gives unto His Flock Under-Shepherds whose Office-work & care is to feed the Flock. Act. 20.28. Eph. 4.11, 12. So that if any Church at any time be destitute, hither they must seek for help, & must Pray Him to give them Pastors after His own heart. Jer. 3.15.

(5.) CHRIST puts them not out t • under Shepherds alone, but He is always amongst them Himself, Mat. 18.20. Rev. 1, 13, & 2.1. He walks in the midst of His Golden Candlesticks. Oh then let this Church and Congregation look to CHRIST for this Feeding work, even for the whole of it, as you hav • had it briefly hinted to you. And for+get not to Pray CHRIST your Good and Great Shepherd to gather the Lambs with His Arm, & to carry them in His bosom, & gently to lead those that are with Young. Pray CHRIST to deal with every Sheep according to his own particular necessity, state and condition. 'It is promised, That He shall gather the Lambs with His Arm, or as some translate it, into His Arm, shall bring them together to take them up in His Arms, that is, H • will have a special care of dealing charily with weak and feeble ones▪ supporting them under their infirmities. Isai. 42.3. A bruised need shall be not break: and the smoking flax shall • he not quench: He shall bring forth judgment unto truth. Mat. 11.28. Come unto me (saith He) all ye that labor, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

The Second Branch of the Exhortation is, To the Widow & Fatherless. It must granted that your Loss is double; You are not only bereaved of an Excellent Pastor, but the Widow, of a Choice Husband, and the Children of a Pious & Compassionate Father; You see what method you are to take in this Article of Extremity, you must go and tell JESUS of your bitter sorrows. And let me stir you up,

1. TO a thankful Acknowledgment of the rich Blessing which for so many Years you were highly favored with. Few so blest (in that respect) as yourselves; Oh how did he improve his interest in Heaven for you, not only in his Excellent Family Worship, and care to train you up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and to charge you (as David did Solomon) to know the GOD of your Father, and serve Him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, & understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if you seek Him, He will be found of you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever, 1 Chron. 28.9. But doubtless in his secret Prayers of Faith in his Study has he laid up a rich Stock for you and yours. Oh say to the Divine Majesty, Thou art my Fathers God, I will exalt thee; thou art my God, I will prepare an habitation for thee. O thank GOD for such a Husband, and for such a Father. Oh let not any of the Children or Grand-Children of so Eminently Pious a Father dare to meet him in the Day of Judgment in a Christless condition.

2. BE sensible of GOD's Hand is this awful stroke, and therefore be dumb, and open not your mouths because it is the LORD JEHOVAH that has done it. Psal. 39.9. Remember how Aaron demeaned himself when his two Sons were taken from him so surprizingly; He held his peace, Lev. 10.3. You must yield passive obedience submissively to GOD's Providence, whereby you may freely & fully resign up yourselves, & all your concerns to GOD, to dispose of you, according to His own good pleasure; you must hear the voice of this rod, & consider who hath appointed it. You must lie as clay before the potter. Isai. 64.8. and so give up yourselves to be molded & framed by your GOD, upon the wheel of Providence into whatever condition He pleaseth, and say, Lo! here we are, let the LORD do what seemeth Him good. Yea your must exercise Soul-humility and repentance under this mighty hand of GOD: It is pride that makes Men quarrel at Providence: a • d you must accept the punishment of your iniquity. Lev. 26.41.

3. YOU must exercise Faith in GOD's Covenant. Psal. 94.12. and entreat the LORD to add instruction to correction, and to give you to experience that He doth bereave you for your profit, to make you more fully partakers of His holiness. Heb. 12.9, 10, 11. and pray Him in and under all changes to be your unchangeable portion. Mal. 3.6. GOD is known by this title; a Father of the Fatherless▪ and a Judge of the Widow: such is GOD in his holy habitation, Psal. 68.5▪ GOD has promised to take peculiar care of the Widow & Fatherless. Jer▪ 49.11. Leave thy Fatherless Children, will preserve them alive, & let the Wido • trust in me. Pray that your Maker may be your Husband, and your God may be your Glory. And let the Children Pray that they may experience what the Psalmist did, Psal. 27.10. who said▪ When Father & Mother forsook me, GOD took me up : Thus in the multitude of your thoughts within you, let GOD's comforts delight your Souls. You • dear JESUS can, and I hope He will cause His Grace in you, & His Grac • with you, to be at all times, and no • especially, sufficient for you. 2 Cor. 12▪ 9. The Stream indeed is dried up, bu • the Fountain remains inexhaustible still; Oh repair to that Fountain, and see all in Him which you do or ca • stand in need of.

The Third and Last Branch of the Exhortation is, To all distressed Souls. O be quickened to go and tell JESUS by Faith in Prayer of all your distresses temporal and spiritual. Are you distressed with the guilt of Sin? with the filth of Sin? with the wrath of God due to you for Sin! with temptations & sinful injections from Satan? Oh donit sit down in your discouragements, but speed away to JESUS, and acquaint Him with your present sorrowful circumstances.

Here take Two Motives.

1. Motive. THIS is a choice remedy against Bodily & Soul Maladies. Sometimes the distresses are such as none can help in, or deliver out of, but GOD only. Your Bodily Sickness may be incurable as to Men or Means: Oh go and tell JESUS, and say, LORD JESUS, other Physicians are Physicians of no value; but if Thou wilt, Thou canst make whole: Your Souls are exercised with many Heart-plagues, and Soul-Maladies, & none can help, but the Physician of Souls; Oh say, help Dear JESUS, or I perish; Thou art able to save to the uttermost all those that come unto Thee, and to GOD by Thee. Heb. 7.2 • .

2. Mot. IT is a • ready •• nstant Remedy. Where-ever you are, you may make use of this remedy. 1 Tim. 2.8. I will that men pray everywhere. It is a Sovereign Successful remedy. When all other remedies fail, this doth not You may retire to JESUS, and tell Him of all your sorrows and griefs. Thus did Jonah: He prayed unto the Lord out of the fishes belly; I cried by reason of my affliction unto the Lord, & he heared me; out of the belly of bell cried I, and thou heardest my voice: all thy billows & thy waves passed ever me. Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will look again towards thy h • lie temple. When my s • ul fainted within me, I remembered the Lord, & my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple, Joh▪ 2.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. That Temple was a Type of CHRIST. Psal. 109.4. I give myself to Prayer ; the Hebrew phrase is, [ I Prayer, ] that's my only remedy, that I live by. This is a powerful and universal remedy. Mat. 17.21. This kind goeth not out, but by fasting and prayer. Prayer to JESUS hath made Achitophel hang himself. It did more against Ameleck then the Sword. The Prayer of Faith hath raised the Dead; and overcome Angels, and cast out Devils; yea the Prayer of Faith hath had influence upon GOD Almighty Himself. Exod. 32.10. Hence He said, Let me alone. There is a kind of Omnipotency in the Prayer of Faith. Gen. 32.28. It hath brought health to Persons sick, as to Hezekiah, 2 Chron. 32.24. This healed the Father of Publius who lay sick of a fever, & of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him & healed him, Act. 28.28.8. The prayer of faith shall save the sick, Jam. 5.15. The Prayer of Faith hath opened Prison-doors: this it did for the Apostles, Act. 5.19. for Paul and Silas, Act. 16.25, 26. Oh therefore be careful for nothing: but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God, Phil. 4.6. Are you deeply distressed by temptations? and have you them following of you thick & threefold as the waves of the Sea? Are they ready to overwhem you? Do your spiritual Enemies agree together to tempt you? Are you now in such a sad case so weary of your life by temptation, that you name everything Marah or Bitterness: or Massah and Meribah? Exod. 1 • .7. O see you serve God with Prayer. Act. 20.19. See (I say) that you serve the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears in temptations: O distressed Souls! Go tell JESUS of them; of the greatness, multitude and urgency of them, and of your great discouragement by reason of them: as Paul did, 2 Cor. 12.7, 8, 9. Very likely, corruption was edged with temptation, and both the temptation and occasion met, (and it's thought by some that Satan sent some Delilah to lull Youth asleep, and bind him with withes of green delights;) but his going to Prayer made his watchful Soul displeased deeply with that flesh-pleasing force; but he Prayed thrice, and GOD delivered him at last. GOD sometimes gives pardon, but not prevention of temptation, ver. CHRIST bids you Pray▪ in Mat. 6.13. Lead us not into temptations, but deliver us from evil. There is good reason so to Pray; for the Kingdom, Power and Glory are the LORD's. GOD bids you to watch and pray, Mat. 26.41. Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing but the flesh is weak. And take heed that the Devil take you not out of your trenches; see that you abide in Christ. 1 Joh. 2.28. And now little Children, abide in Him; that when he shall appear we may have c • nfidence, and may not be ashamed before him at his coming. Keep home if you would be safe and fruitful, Joh. 15.5. I am the vine & ye are the branches, (saith Christ,) he that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same shall bring forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing. Prayer is a great piece of the Christian Armor. Eph. 6.18. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance. In Prayer continue. Oh! tell JESUS of your temptations and variety of afflictions by Faith in Prayer▪ and He will tell His FATHER, and w • ll intercede for you. Luk. 22.31, 3 • . And the LORD said, Simon! Simon! behold Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for you, that thy Faith fail not: & when thou art converted, strengthen thy Brethren.

THE Wing of Safety Offered & Rejected.

THESE Words present us with CHRIST's kind treatment of Jerusalem, and the indefatigable pains CHRIST took with them to bring them and theirs home to Himself; He sent them His Faithful Prophets, and Himself labored with them: and with the unkind and ill entertainment which they give to CHRIST and to the Means of Grace; They killed His Prophets, & stoned His Messengers, and refused to be gathered under His wings.

IN the Words we may consider, (1) The Means they were richly favored with; They had GOD's Prophets and Apostles, and CHRIST Himself who came to them. They had great offers made to them. (2) We have the Persons to whom those Means were granted: and they were the Jews, Jerusalem, GOD's Professing People. (3) The inefficacy of the Means, appearing in their killing the Prophets, and stoning them that were sent unto them, and refusing to come under CHRIST's Wing. (4) The Notice CHRIST takes of all this, with bitter Lamentation: O Jerusalem Jerusalem! how often would I have gathered thy Children together as a Hen gathered her Chickens under her wings, and ye would not! The Wings of CHRIST be the Covenant of Grace. Mat. 4.2. and this they would not be savingly brought into, but they continued unbelieving and impenitent under all, and this moved CHRIST's commiseration and compassion towards them as in the Text, So, Luk. 19.41, 42. this moved tears to fall from the Eyes of Christ, intimating to us, that an impenitent and unbelieving Person or People, though' otherwise prosperous, they are to a spiritual eye objects of pity: because a spiritual eye sees the end of impenitency and unbelief, and the mis • 〈◊〉 that will inevitably come upon Men, except they repent and believe, for they'll perish everlastingly. Yea an impenitent and unbelieving People that have almost filled up the measure of their Sin • , and are almost ripe for destruction, they are objects of yet greater Lamentation: any sinful and unbelieving People are objects of Lamentation: because they are filling up Judgment for themselves; but such a People that have been long treasuring up wrath against the day of wrath, and have almost filled up the measure of Sin, they are objects of greater Lamentation; this was the very case of Jerusalem : they had been an impenitent People for a great while together; their Fathers were bad and they were worse; as you may see in 27 & 32 verses, of this Chapter▪ in which our Text is. Lastly, We have the fearful & fatal consequence of their impenitency, unbelief & final refusal to be gathered under Christ's Wings: Their House is left unt • them desolate.

Here take TWO DOCTRINES.

DOCT. I. OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST takes exact and perfect notice of the Means of Grace, and the success of the Means under which any Pers • n or People live. Joh. 6.36. But I say unto you, you have seen Me, (& believe not▪ He observes every Person that sees His in the Glass of the Gospel, and come to trust under the Wings of CHRIST▪ In, Ruth 2.12. GOD observed with high approbation Ruths pious resolution. Ruth. 1.16. And Ruth said, intrea • me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee; for whither thou goest, I will go; thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.

1. CHRIST takes notice of the Means of Grace and the Success of those Means because both come from Himself. The Means of Grace spring from the Mediatorial Covenant between His Father and Himself. Isai 42.6. & 49.6. I will give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayst be my Salvation unto the ends of the Earth, (to enlighten them with the Word.) It is CHRIST that has made a Purchase of the Means of Grace, and of a blessing upon those Means. Zech. 9.11. By the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth the prisoners out of the pit wherein there is no water. Gal. 3.13, 14. Abraham's blessing was the Covenant of Grace, & the dispensation thereof in the Means of Grace, & the saving blessing on the dispensation; and the inheritance of the Heavenly Canaan thro' that blessing. Yea the Means of Grace are procured, & are continued to a Person or People by CHRIST's intercession Psal. 2.8. Ask of me & I will give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the ends of the earth for thy possession. 2 Cor. 6.2. For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted and in the day of Salvation, &c. Isai. 49.7, 8. which is God's Speech to Christ about giving the Day & Means of Grace in answer to His intercession. Moreover the Means of Grace & the Success thereof are dispensed and ordered by the Hand of Christ. Rev. 1.16, 20. He receives the Gifts of the Ministry of His Father, & He gives them unto Men. And He disposes of Men Ministerially gifted here and there according to His good pleasure, and He gives or withholds the success as pleaseth Him; as He commands the Rain to fall on one City, and not on another, and blesseth the Seed sown as He pleaseth.

2. CHRIST observes how long He is with a Person or People by the Ministry of the Word, because He is His Fathers Servant in this matter, and must give account of all that God has given Him. Isai. 49.3, 4, 5, 6. Joh. 17.12. Heb. 2.13. Behold I and the Children which God hath given me. Those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition. CHRIST gives account, and therefore must take notice. CHRIST takes notice not only of the Congregation in general, but of every particular Person in the Congregation; as He did of the fruitless Fig-tree. Luk. 13.7. Behold these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig-tree, and find none: cut it down why cumbreth it the ground? And there is satisfaction joy and delight that comes to Christ by the good success of the Ministry. Prov. 8.31. Isai. 53.10, 11. And contrariwise it is a grief and vexation to His Soul, and matter of bitter complaint when it prospers not: He complains, Isai. 49.4. I have labored in vain, &c. And in, Mar. 3.5. He looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, &c. Yea Christ wept over Jerusalem for their impenitency and unbelief, under the Means of Grace. Luk, 19.41, 42. Yea He spues impenitent & unprofitable Sinners out of His Mouth. Rev. 3.16. He gives them up to spiritual plagues in this life. 2 Thes. 2.11, 12. and revengeth fully in the World to come, with a punishment more intolerable then that of Sodom Gomorrah. 2 Thes. 1 7, 8, 9.

I pass to the Improvement of this Doctrine, and the USE is a Word of Awakening unto all unprofitable Sinners in this Congregation and Plantation. You have been favored Eight and Forty Years with the plain and powerful Preaching of the Word, (by your late Reverend & Excellent Pastor) who has Preached to you the Unsearchable Riches of CHRIST; & CHRIST has taken special notice of you, & has observed how negligent & unprofitable you have been under the outward Mea • s of Grace▪ and inward motions and strivings of the Spirit with you to bring your Souls out of a state of sin and misery, & into a state of Salvation by a Redeemer. Oh consider the Sin of Unprofitableness under such choice Means of Grace as you have for so many Years enjoyed, how heinous is it! It is a Sin against the gracious Love of the FATHER, 2 Cor. 6.1. who was in Christ beseeching you to be Reconciled. 2 Cor. 5.19, 20. Oh the condescension of GOD! Oh the mad rebellion of the unbelieving and unprofitable Sinner! Joh. 3.16. G • d so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life, ver. 19. This is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, & men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. These do treasure up wrath against the day of wrath, & revelation of the righteous judgment of God. Rom. 2.5. Unprofitableness under the Means of Grace and Ministry of the Word, it is a Sin against the Grace of CHRIST; for ye know the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though' he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye thro' his poverty might be made rich. 2 Cor. 8.9 It is a Sin against the Grace of CHRIST tendering most freely all Good to thee: Oh what moved Christ to make the offer of Grace and Glory to thee, and not to others, but Grace? Grace tendered CHRIST Himself, and His unsearchable Riches to thee; Himself to be thy Father, Brother, Head and Husband; His Riches, (that is,) whatsoever can be produced from any of His Offices to do thee Good, &c. All this thou rejectest by thy unbelief and unprofitableness under the Ministry of the Word. It is a Sin against the Fellowship of the SPIRIT, not to profit under the Means of Grace. Oh consider thou unprofitable Sinner, that GOD the Holy Ghost keeps an exact account of all His pains & patience with, and toward thee; He hath a Book of Memorial, in which He enters upon record, all His layings out upon thee; He observes & keeps the account how many Sermons you have heard, what Counsels were given to you by your dear Deceased Pastor, how many Sabbaths you have had the advantage of; how many applications His Spirit hath made to your Soul; and how long His patience has waited upon you; as sometime he said to Israel, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient & gainsaying people, Rom. 10.21. Yea GOD takes notice how long His Spirit has been striving with thy Soul in, by, & together with the Ministry of His Deceased Servant. Gen. 6.3. And how long a space GOD has given you to work in, even to work out your own Salvation with fear & trembling. Phil. 2.12. Now the Day is a time for work & labor. Joh. 12.35. There is a Night coming upon you, wherein there will be no working for you in the Grave: Your Dear Pastor must never Pray with you nor for you, anymore, He must never Preach to you anymore, He must never tender CHRIST to you anymore, nor Grace & Glory thro' Christ; He must never set before you the sinfulness of Sin, nor your need of a Savior. Oh thou unprofitable Sinner! Consider the danger thou art in. This Sin provokes Christ & wearies Him. Isai. 7.13. & 43.24. This Sin lays a Person or People under dreadful threatenings; even such as th • se, Luk. 13.3.5. Except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish. And that, Mat. 3.10. Cut it down why cumbreth it the ground. This Sin brings sore Judgments & sharp Revenge: It brings Temporal Spiritual & Eternal Judgments; Temporal Judgments have been poured out by GOD upon those that have been unprofitable under the Means of Grace; This has been the cause of much sorrow & distress to GOD's professing People; Isai. 5.4, 5. What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have done in it? Wherefore when I looked for grapes, brought it forth wild grapes? And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my Vineyard; I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up: and break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down. Yea for not profiting under the Means of Grace GOD sends dreadful spiritual Judgments. For this GOD gives up to strong delusions to believe lies. 2 Thes. 2.9, 10, 11, 12. 2 Pet. 2.1, 2. In a Word, Christ will punish unfruitfulness under the Means of Grace with Everlasting Destruction; as it is written, 2 Thes. 1.7, 8, 9. O think what will become of such, when Christ shall come upon them as a Thief in the Night, & rob them of all outward comforts, and of all means and opportunities of spiritual good, and cast them out of His own sweet and glorious presence forever, when He shall set Himself against them as a devouring Fire, as everlasti • g Burnings.

I now proceed to the Second DOCTRINE.

DOCT. II. WHEN CHRIST Endeavors to gather Persons, especially Young Persons, under the special Wing of His saving Covenant by the Ministry of His Word, and they will not be be gathered, He will severely punish them for their neglect and refusal. This is plain in the Text.

This Doctrine contains in it these Three following Propositions.

PROP. I CHRIST Endeavors to gather Persons, especially Young Pers • ns, under the Wing of His Covenant by the Ministry of His Word.

PROP. II. MANY of those whom CHRIST so endeavors to gather, They will not be gathered.

PROP. III. THOSE who finally refuse to be gathered under the special Wing of CHRIST's Covenant by the Ministry of the Word, shall be severely punished for their neglect and refusal.

PROP. I. CHRIST Endeavors to gather Persons, especially Young Persons, under the Wing of His Covenant by the Ministry of His Word.

Now this Proposition contains Two Conclusions in it.

1. Conclusion. THAT the Ministry of the Word is the Great, Instituted and All-sufficient Means of gatherings Souls under the Wing of Christ's Covenant. When I say it is the Means of gathering Souls under the Wing of Christ's Covenant; I look on it as an Instrument in the Hand of the Spirit of Christ, whereby He works Faith in the Hearts of Men, & so brings them near to Christ, a • d u • der the Wing of Christ. Rom. 1.15, 16. The Word Preached is the power of God unto Salvation to everyone that believeth. Rom. 10.14, 17. How shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? So then, faith cometh by hearing, & hearing by the word of God, that is, by the Word Preached, as you may see in the former verse. Gal. 3.2, 5. When I say it is a sufficient Means, I mean sufficient without those extraordinary helps of Miracles that for a time were granted to the World, 'till the Doctrine was sufficiently declared & published: sufficient without those extraordinary helps that deluded Souls are looking for, as Visions, Revelations, Inspirations, & Enthysiastick suggestions, &c. Joh. 6.30. Mat. 12.39. What the Word discovers, I oppose it, to any other discovery of any other thing. No other discovery is a Means of Faith in Christ, & bringing the Soul under the Wing of Christ. As for the Preaching of the Law; the Law indeed may convince of Sin, & so of Soul sickness, and of death, & condemnation. 2 Cor. 3.7, 8, 9. Rom. 7.7, 8, 9. & so by the Law we become dead to the Law. Gal. 2.19. and so may have its work upon the Heart, to make known Sin, but yet not sufficient to finish conviction; much less to reach conversion. Joh. 16.9. Of Sin because they believe not. Gal. 3.22. But the Scripture hath concluded all under Sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. But the Preaching of the Law cannot bring you unto Christ. Here the Gospel & the Ministry of it, is the only sufficient Means to bring the Soul under the Wing of Christ. Gal. 3.1, 2. O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you, received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Isai. 11.10.11, 12. Mar. 16.15, 16. Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature. He that believeth & is baptized, shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. The Gospel was committed to Paul to be Preached for the obedience of Faith among all Nations for His Name. Rom. 1.5. To prove that the Gospel, specially as Preached has the sufficiency of a Means,

Argu. 1. THAT the Ministry of the Word is the All-sufficient Means of gathering Souls under the Wing of CHRIST's Covenant appears from the Universallity and Antiquity of these Means. Thus Adam and Eve were brought under the Wing of Christ. Gen. 3.15. Joh. 8.56. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and be saw it and was glad. Luk. 24.25, 26, 44, 45. Therefore the Gospel is the Everlasting Gospel. Rev. 14.6. only Preached with this distinction, From the beginning Christ's coming, it was to them in promise; but to us, in performance. Rom. 1.2, 3, 4.

Argu. 2. NO other Means were ever effectual without this discovery of CHRIST, and this discovery of CHRIST has been effectual without other Means. What did the Creation of the World, ( Rom. 1.20.) but declare GOD's Eternal Power and God-Head ? not the way of Salvation by CHRIST. What did the terrible giving of the Law? What did all the Miracles of Moses, & the Prophets? But the discovery of CHRIST by the Ministry of the Gospel without Miracles, have brought many, yea multitudes under the Wings of CHRIST. Now the discovery of Christ, of His Name, and Truths, and Ways, comprehends all that a Minister needs to know or preach amongst a People. 1 Cor. 2.2. It contains the whole mystery of Godliness; both the object of Faith, and whatsoever else is necessary morally as a means, to a gracious change. 1 Tim. 3.16. Without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of Angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the World, received up into Glory. This is excellently set forth by the Apostle, in 2 Cor. 3.18. We all with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by the spirit of the Lord. 2 Cor. 4.1.8. Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy we faint not; for we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus sake. 6, 7, v. For God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us. CHRIST in the Gospel is the end of the law for righteousness. Rom. 10.3.

Argu. 3. THE discovery of CHRIST in the Gospel, & the Ministry of the Word, is the wisdom & power of GOD to Salvation. 1 Cor. 18.22, 24. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish, foolishness: but unto us which are saved, it is the power of God. It pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. Unto them which are called both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God, Rom. 1.16. Never look to meet with h • s Wisdom and Power to save you but in the Gospel. The Ministry of the Word is the Instrument to convey the Spirit. Gal. 3.2. This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by the hearing of faith? Act. 10.44. While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. Act. 13.52.

Conclu. 2. CHRIST Endeavors to gather Persons, (especially Young Persons) under the Wing of His Covenant by these Means. Psal. 34.11. Come ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear the Lord. Hence in the dispensation of the Gospel He gives direction to Young Persons wherewith to cleanse their way. Psa. 119.9. Eccl. 12.1. Act. 3.25, 26. Ye are the children of the Prophets, • nd of the Covenant which God made with our Fathers, saying unto Abraham, and in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed; Unto you first, God having raised up his Son Jesus, s • nt him to bless you, in turning away everyone of you from his iniquities. Hence He takes care that His Ministers do not discourage but encourage Young Persons to come under Christ's Wing. Suffer (saith Christ) Little Children to come unto Me, & forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of Heaven. Yea our Lord Redeemer saith to Peter, Lovest thou me more than these? feed my Lambs, Joh. 21.15.

PROP. II. MANY of those whom CHRIST so Endeavors to gather under His Wing, They will not be gathered. They will not come unto CHRIST that they may have life. Joh. 5.40.

1. BECAUSE all the sight they have, is but a carnal sight; therefore cannot produce a spiritual effect, such as coming unto CHRIST and being gathered under CHRIST's Wing. And this appears both in the Person seeing; even a natural man, not born of the Spirit, 1 Cor. 2.14. The natural man receiveth not the things of the spirit of God for they are foolishness unto him, neither can he know them, for they are spiritually discerned. And it appears in the imperfection of the sight, or act of seeing, upon which all their knowledge is grounded, which is full of errors and mistakes. Luk. 14.18. They could not deny but the Feast was good, and the Invitation free and full, but it was not so fit for them at that time. So Felix would hear Paul at a more convenient season.

2. THEY will not be gathered under CHRIST's Wing, because the Arm of the Lord is not revealed to them. (Isa. 53.1) or in them, to draw them, & teach them effectually. Joh. 6.44, 45, 65. No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me, draw him. So that they have no more then flesh & blood (enlightened by a common work) can see. Mat. 16.17. Blessed art thou Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. GOD's not destroying and not mortifying their rebellion is no proper cause of their rebellious unwillingness. GOD owes it not to them, and they fight against the strivings of His Spirit with them.

3. THEY will not be gathered under CHRIST's Wing, because they are under voluntary, & satanical, & penal blindness. They are under voluntary blindness; they will not believe, they will not come under the Wing of CHRIST, they close their eyes, & rebel against the Light, being willingly ignorant. Yea Satan the god of this World, blinds the eyes of their minds. 2 Cor. 4.3, 4. If our Gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost; in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine upon them. Yea GOD in righteous Judgment penally gives them up to it; it's a punishment of their voluntary blindness that they shall not believe. Joh. 12.39, 40. Therefore they could not believe, because that Isaiah 〈◊〉 again, He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their hearts, that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, & I should heal them.

PROP. III. THOSE who finally refuse to 〈◊〉 gathered under the special Wing of CHRIST's Covenant by the Ministry of the Word, shall be sev • rely punished for their neglect and refusal. They that will not obey the Gospel, Oh how dreadful will their condition be? 2 Thes. 1.7, 8, 9. The Lord Jesus Christ shall be revealed from heaven, with his mighty Angels, in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ; who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power. CHRIST came to You, by the powerful Ministry of His choice Servant, lately Deceased, to gather you under the special Wing of His Covenant; Oh how many of you look upon yourselves as whole, and that need not 〈◊〉 Physician; You see no need of coming under the Wing of CHRIST's Covenant: Alas, you are by nature dead in trespasses & sins, and therefore you must be gathered under CHRIST's Wing or you must perish forever. Woe to you who hold the Truth and Light which you ha •• in captivity and obey it not. See Gal. 3. 10. Without Christ you are under the Curse, and the wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all ungodliness & unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness. Rom. 1.18. What then can you expect but wrath, if not saved from it? And how can you be saved from it but by coming under the Wing of CHRIST's Covenant? And how can you come under the Wing of CHRIST's Covenant, but by Faith? Most speedily then comply with the offer of Salvation made to you in the Ministry of the Word: for how shall you escape if you neglect so great Salvation? Heb. 2.3. And if you delay to comply with the offers of it, you do very guiltily neglect it.

USE. I. OF Exhortation; and the First Branch of Exhortation is To this C • ngregation: Oh! Admire & Adore the Divine kindness of GOD to you, that for so many Years, He has by the Ministry of His dear Servant, who is now in Heaven, been endeavoring to gather you and yours under the Spiritual Wing of CHRIST's Covenant. This is a signal favor. Rom. 10.15. How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the G • spel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! Let it not seem a small thing to you, that you have been thus favored of the Divine Majesty! There is no outward thing so precious; This is GOD's acknowleding of a People to be His own. Amos. 3.2. You only have I known of all the Families of the Earth. You enjoyed the privilege of Shem's Tents. Psal. 76.1, 2. In Judah God is known: His Name is great In Israel. Psal. 147.19, 20. He shown his Word unto Jacob, His Statutes and his Judgments unto Israel: He hath not dealt so with any nation. The Day of the Gospel is the Day of GOD's Power. Psal. 110.1, 2, 3. For the Gospel is the Power of GOD to Salvation to them that believe. The Arm of the Lord is not revealed to that Soul that seeth not the matchless excellency of Gospel discoveries. Isai. 53.1. GOD hereby has tried you whether you will be gathered under CHRIST's Wing, or whether you also will go from Him? As sometimes He said to His Disciples, Will ye also go away? But GOD cautions His People against refusing of CHRIST, See 2 Pet. 2.1, 2. compared with Deut. 13.3, 4. Oh therefore embrace and hold fast the Word of CHRIST's patience, and let none take away your Crown. Rev. 3.11. Consider therefore & above all look after the end of the Ministry of the Word, so long granted to you, viz. to gather you and yours under the Wing of CHRIST; and suffer yourselves to be prevailed with to run into His Arms and Bosom, especially you the Young Persons of this Congregation; It is your duty to hearken to the repeated Invitations which your Dear Pastor has given you in CHRIST's Name; who has often prayed you (in CHRIST's stead) to be reconciled to GOD. 2 Cor. 5.20. Whatever pleas you may pretendedly make of your own impotency, they can give you no discharge from the obligation of duty, which is lying upon you. GOD is your rightful Lord and Lawgiver; and His Commands have an obedience due to them from you His Creatures, and you cannot with-hold it, without the guilt of Rebellion. Besides, the Gospel takes off all excuse here; because it looks upon you as being without strength in yourselves, and has accordingly provided and offered all help to you in CHRIST, whose Spirit is ready and able to do all that is wanting. Your impotency lies in your enmity ; your weakness in your willfulness ; you cannot because you will not. Joh. 5.40. So Psal. 81.11. My people would have none of me. The Great GOD that made you, commands you to believe. 1 Joh. 3.23. CHRIST calls you to look and come to Him. Isai. 45.22. Look unto me & be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God and there is none else. Oh! consider that CHRIST is Able to save to the utmost, them that come to GOD by Him. Heb. 7.25. Have you then sinned to the utmost? Yet He that seeks to gather you under His Wing, can save you to the uttermost; Oh refuse not to be saved! but now say with the Spouse; Draw me, & we will run after, thee. Cant. 1.4.

Second Branch of the Exhortation. Oh take heed of counting yourselves under the special Wing of CHRIST, when you are not. You must therefore distinguish between being under the Wing of CHRIST externally and visibly, and being under His Wing internally & savingly; Oh it is not enough to be under CHRIST's Wing only visibly, but really and savingly. Dont please yourselves with a vain hope as they did, Mat. 7.26, 27. Take heed of thinking you are gathered under CHRIST's Wing, because you assent unto the Truths both of the Law and Gospel; as they did, Rom. 2.18, 19, 20. 1 Cor. 8.2.11, 12. Knowledge puffeth up. Too too many rest in assent unto the Doctrine of Godliness, which they have received from Education, and common Opinion. Some think they are under the Wing of CHRIST because they are Professors of CHRIST and of His Ways; But CHRIST will say to many Professors, I know you not, depart from me ye cursed. Many profess to know CHRIST, who in their works deny Him. Some think, they are gathered under the Wings of CHRIST because they seek Him from place to place, and seemingly follow after Him; But alas! they do not follow Him for Love, but for Loaves; For some outward carnal advantages▪

Use II. OF Examination, whether you are Internally and Savingly gathered under CHRIST's Wing; If so, then you see all Truth and all Goodness in CHRIST; You see Him full of Grace and Truth. Do you see all Goodness in CHRIST, and all this Goodness, as necessary for you? Do you see that you must have CHRIST or perish forever? Is He the chiefest of ten Thousand to your Souls? Cant. 5.10. Phil. 3.7, 8. Psal. 73.25. Are you willing to deny self, to renounce, abandon, and hate all, in comparison of CHRIST, His Laws, and Ways? Do you account CHRIST a communicative Goodness, and only worthy to be desired as a portion for your Self, your Children & Posterity? Do you look upon CHRIST as a most attractive Goodness, drawing the heart, & whole Man, after Him? So that now your Soul gives up itself, and its all to CHRIST and to the power of Christ, desiring to be drawn into and kept in His Arms and Bosom? Cant. 1.4. And to be continually guided by His Spirit? Psal. 143.10. Teach me to do thy will, for thou art my God: Thy Spirit is good, lead me into the Land of uprightness. Psal. 73.24. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, & afterward receive me to glory. Do you esteem CHRIST as an All-sufficient Goodness, satisfying all right desires? insomuch that those who are gathered under CHRIST's Wing, shall hunger no more, nor thirst anymore, but shall have all their wants supplied in CHRIST, and He will safeguard them against the Evil of all occurrence. Indeed the manner of seeing differs in those that are gathered under CHRIST's Wing, from those that are not. The Soul that is gathered under CHRIST's Wing, his sight of Christ is from God's teaching by His Spirit dwelling in him, and enabling him to behold the things themselves; called therefore the evidences and demonstration of the Spirit & power. 1 Cor. 2.4.10. It is written in the Prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard & learned of the Father cometh unto Me, saith Christ. The Spirit doth hold forth Christ's Glorious Person. His Offices and Benefits before his Eyes; and then the Spirit gives the Man a clear and spiritual sight, to discern Christ that speaks, His Authority, Truth and Faithfulness. Thus it was with Sarah, Heb. 11.11. Through Faith also Sarah herself received strength to conceive Seed, and was delivered of a Child when she was past Age, because she judged Him faithful who has promised. It is the Spirit that g • ves us a mind, to know Him that is true, 1 Joh. 5.20. And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true: and we are in him that is true; even in his Son Jesus Christ. Yea the Spirit causeth the Soul wisely to look upon Him, and seriously to consider Him and behold Him intensely. Isai. 65.1. I am sought of them that asked not for me: I am found of them that sought me not: I said, behold me, behold me, unto a nation that was not called by my name. So that He beholds the Realities themselves. See Paul's Prayer, Eph. 1.17, 18, 19. That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: the eyes of your understanding being enlightened: that ye may know what is the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the Saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe; according to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places. Moreover the Fruit of this Illumination upon the Soul, that is gathered under the Wing of CHRIST, is, that it works effectually, and transforms the Soul. 2 Cor. 3.18. We all with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by the spirit of the Lord. It renews the whole Man, & brings forth fruit in the whole Man in new obedience.

THE Soul that is gathered under the Wing of CHRIST has endeared Affection to Christ; He is most precious to him; That Soul is taken up with Christ as his Savior from Sin; from the guilt of Sin, & from the filth of Sin; as a Savior from the dominion of Sin, as well as from the condemnation of Sin; He desires to have Christ made of God unto him, wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption.

HE that is gathered under the Wing of CHRIST, has in him a principle of spiritual life; he has the Son, therefore also he has life. 1 Joh. 5.11, 12. He is mystically one with Christ, he has an inbeing in Christ & Christ in him: but the formal Professor is without Christ: therefore without life; he is a still-born Christian, dead still; whatever else he has attained unto: but he that is gathered under CHRIST's Wing, has in himself a Well of Water, springing up to Everlasting Life. Joh. 4.14. Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him, shall ne+ver thirst: but the water that I shall give him, shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. This is called oil in the vessel. Mat. 25.3, 4. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. They have the Law written in their heart, as Christ saith of Himself, Psal. 40.8. I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea thy law is within my heart. Those that are gathered under the Wing of Christ, they have the Image of Christ. Rom. 8.29. For whom he did fore know, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his • on, that he might be the first b • rn among many brethren. They have the Divine Nature; 2 Pet. 1.4. Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises; that by those you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. They have Christ formed in them. Gal. 4.19. My little Children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you. They have an inward bent of heart to know, and do, and to walk with GOD in all His Commandments and Ordinances.

YEA He that is gathered under the Wing of CHRIST has the Spirit of Christ to enliven, enlighten, quicken, comfort, sanctify & save him. And he that is gathered under the Wing of CHRIST, labors to be, and to abide with CHRIST in every state, in every condition and season, and under every relation. Psal. 139.18. When I awake I am still with thee. He that is gathered under the Wing of CHRIST, has Communion with Christ in His Righteousness, Sonship, Image, and Glory. He has no expectation of Justification by his own inherent righteousness, but covers himself under the Wing of CHRIST 's Righteousness, and is clothed with that white Robe, Isai. 45.24. Surely shall one say, in Jehovah have I righteousness and strength. He has Communion with CHRIST in his Sonship, he is an heir of GOD, and co-heir with CHRIST: He has the Spirit of Adoption which teacheth him to cry Abba Father, and this Holy Spirit bears witness with his Spirit that he is a Child of GOD, Rom. 8.16. Gal. 4.7. Gal. 3.29. Yea he that is gathered under the Wing of CHRIST, has communion with CHRIST in His Image, he is changed into CHRIST's Image from Glory to Glory. 2 Cor. 3.18.

IN a Word, and so I close, He has Communion with CHRIST (inchoatively) in this World, and (consummatively) in the coming World, in His Glory: He is constantly preparing for his dissolution and translation in order to his full fruition of CHRIST in Glory. He desires that for him to live may be Christ, and for Him to die may be Gain. He saith as in, Phil. 1.21, 22, 23. For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain: but if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labor: yet what I shall choose, I wot not: for I am in a strait betwixt two; having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better.

THUS Examine and prove yourselves, whether you are Gathered under the saving Wings of CHRIST, or not. And if you are not, it is because you will not ; as you see in the Text; and you must • ay the blame upon your own carnal, foolish, and most wicked • ills ; and you must know that your Blood will be upon your own Hea •• s, if you fall under the Desolation and Destruction, threatened in the Text. Loath then and cry out against your carnal Wills; and strive against them, and Pray GOD to think upon you, and to change them for you, that you perish not.