The eye of faith open to God unfolded in a sermon preached at the funerall of that vertuous and religious gentlewoman, Mrs. Julian Blackvvell, together with a narration of her vertuous life and happy death / by John Sedgvvick ... Sedgwick, John, 1600 or 1601-1643. This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A11846 of text S3177 in the English Short Title Catalog (STC 22149.7). Textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. This text has not been fully proofread Approx. 100 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 71 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. EarlyPrint Project Evanston,IL, Notre Dame, IN, St. Louis, MO 2018 A11846 STC 22149.7 ESTC S3177 33143113 ocm 33143113 28236 2240904471

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 Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 2, no. A11846) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 28236) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 1883:10) The eye of faith open to God unfolded in a sermon preached at the funerall of that vertuous and religious gentlewoman, Mrs. Julian Blackvvell, together with a narration of her vertuous life and happy death / by John Sedgvvick ... Sedgwick, John, 1600 or 1601-1643. [18], 112 p. Printed by George Miller, London : MDCXL [1640] "Imprinamtur Tho. Wykes. Iuly 30. 1640." Signatures: A⁶, a⁴, B-E¹², F⁸. Reproduction of original in: Harvard University. Library. eng Blackwell, Julian, d. 1640. Bible. -- O.T. -- Psalms CXLI, 8 -- Sermons. Funeral sermons. Sermons, English -- 17th century. eebo The eye of faith open to God unfolded in a sermon preached at the funerall of that vertuous and religious gentlewoman, Mrs. Julian Blackvvell, togethe Sedgwick, John, 1640 142 17995 22 0 0 0 0 0 12.23 C The rate of 12.23 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the C category of texts with between 10 and 35 defects per 10,000 words. 2011-04 Assigned for keying and markup 2011-04 Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2011-06 Sampled and proofread 2011-06 Text and markup reviewed and edited 2012-05 Batch review (QC) and XML conversion

THE EYE OF FAITH open to GOD.

Vnfolded in a Sermon Preached at the Funerall of that vertuous and Religious Gentlewoman Mrs. JVLIAN BLACKWELL , together with a Narration of her vertuous Life and happy Death .

By JOHN SEDGWICK Batchelor of Divinity , and Preacher of GODS Word in London .

Prov 31. 30. Favour is deceitfull , and beauty is vaine : but a woman that feareth the Lord , she shall be praised .

LONDON , Printed by GEORGE MILLER . MDCXL .

TO THE WORSHIPFVLL IOHN BLACKWELL Esquire , his Majesties Grocer , comfort , and happy imitation of the deceased . Sir ,

WHilst Ministers preach Funerall Sermons , they find the wind setting in their faces from their auditors : some thinke that too little , others that too much , and most that what is spoken concerning the dead is but formality or flattery ; They report that the Aethiopians doe picture Angels black , and Divels white , and I thinke that they Amandus Polanus Syntag. Theol lib. 20 c. 17. justly suffer censure who doe knowingly call evill good and good evill : yet I deeme , that meete and just praise is a due to Gods Saints departed , and Salatia vivorum , non suffragia mortuorum . Orationes Aug. though they add not to their honour and happinesse being in Heaven ; yet they may proove both comforts and instructions to the living left upon earth ; especially to such who forgoe those with griefe whom they for a time enjoyed with love ; I doe not send the living to the dead with Papists , yet let mee tell you , that there are these things comfortable to the living from the dead . 1. Their holinesse of life , and comfort in death , grounded evidences for our hope of their future happinesse : And 2. That there shall be a time of meeting and enjoying each other againe at the last day , such being not lost but gone before us ; add to this the good of their examples ( which are of great force ) for the teaching of posterity ; who may take them for their patterne , and so resemble them in their religious courses , that they may seeme to survive in them : both these ends are my aime in publishing this Sermon , and with it the just testimony which I gave unto your late loving and beloved Wife , whom death hath freed from all sinfull and sorrowfull evils , and brought to the enjoyment of her God in Heavens happinesse ; shee well knew that the world could never make her fully happy ; and that Christians are never in their best condition , till that they are in their heavenly condition ; I desire not to renew your griefe , but to shew that I had a share in your losse of that Iewell laid up by God in the highest Heavens ; whom all your care and cost ( which did demonstrate you to be a loving Husband ) could not longer continue on earth : whilst shee was yours , you did ( I confesse ) what could be done for her credit , comfort , and continuance , and thereby deserved from her that praise which often shee gave of you to my selfe and others ; but being gone , there remaines a double monument of her ; one of her owne , for shee hath left with you those in whom shee liveth , whom ( I need not say to you ) you must love as a Father , and a little the more for the Mothers sake ; another of mine in this Publication , wherein her memory is made pretious among the Saints , and perpetuated unto all posterity ; a Worke done by mee upon your owne earnest intreaty , and therefore cannot but be welcome unto you . You have your desire , let mee have mine . Thinke of your losse ; and remember your selfe , and place , in which God hath set you ; doing things so , that your comfort within , and credit without , may still be upheld in the Churches of God , amongst whom you have obtain'd an excellent name : I need to say no more to you , but that I am

Your much obliged friend , Io: Sedgwick . From my house in S. Dunstances in the East , London .
To the Reader , and in speciall to my worthy good Friends , in and a-about the City of London , Peace , and setling of mind .

THe shaking of A double temper of men in t●mes of danger . the water doth not more discover the mudd that 's at the bottome , nor the beating of the pulse the distemper of the body ; then Times of Danger doe bewray men in point of defect , or excesse : now men appeare 1. To be carelesse . either to be carelesse and gracelesly secure , having their eyes bound up , and their consciences so seared , that they neither see or feare any danger : or to be over-fearing : having their 2. To be over fearefull . eyes too open upon , or their hearts too much affected with the sadnesse , and miseries of the times ; the first sort I leave to the vanity of their minde , and sinfullnesse of their courses , assuring them that their continuance in carnall security is to them an evident forerunner of their future misery : the latter sort I shall advise to consider of these two things : First , that the The Springs of over-much fearing . over-much fearing of mans heart in evill times doth arise , from a false eye , or a wrong foundation : I meane the eye , and the Arme of flesh ; he that at such time hath no other eye to see withall , then that by which he seeth every thing , or being able to pierce no deeper , or looke no higher then naturall reason , or outward objects can helpe him , shall be sure to finde that his senses will faile him , and his troubles sinke him : Besides , the Arme of Flesh trusted unto , and relied upon , will make him to ebb and flow , and shall hold his spirit in a course of such constant agitation , that in the end he shall flagg and faint : Flesh at the best is too weake a prop to stay the soule , a certaine impeacher , and empairer of mans confidence , and comfort ; and who so doe put it into the place of a god , shall undoubtedly find from it the deceivings of a creature . Secondly , that the best way to quit our selves of an over-fearing heart in the daies of trouble , is to get an eye of Faith , which alone shuts up the eye of sense , and getteth such views of Gods Love , Power , and providence , that God is knowne to be , and also made the sole stay , and staffe of the soule ; upon whom whosoever truly trusteth he is in such safety , that no malice of men or divels can endanger him . My Brethren , had we the Angelicall eyes of faith , we should feare lesse ; though times vnto sense are distressefull , and almost desperate : this alone can see a better issue then carnall reason can apprehend , and an higher power to protect and guard then humane helpes are either liekly or able to affoord ; this will make a man waite till the fifth Scene of the Tragedy is acted , knowing that troubles have their turnings , as spring-tides have their ebbings : This eye David had in his troubles , as the following Discourse will shew you , and this eye I wish unto you all , that your confidences and comforts may abound : and though I hope that many of you have this eye , yet beholding your dimnesse , and weaknesse , I have sent unto you these following Meditations upon a Text given unto mee , to preach on at the Funerall of Mistrisse Iulian Black well , and I desire that they may have the same worke upon you that was wrought upon Elisha's servant , that by them you may be enabled to rid your mindes of those base and unbeleeving feares , wherewithall you have beene too long and too much assaulted and perplexed ; and may direct your soules amid your troublesome cogitations , and distractions to your onely resting place , namely , the strong God in whom all safety and security is to be found , which is the onely thing aimed at in the publique Preaching , and sought for in the private prayers of him that is your daily remembrancer ,

IO: SEDGWICK .
THE Eye of faith open to GOD. PSAL. 141. VER. 8. But mine eyes are unto thee O God the Lord , in thee is my trust , leave not my soule destitute .

GOD was with David in love , and David was with God in life and that in every condition of his life ; the Context doth render David in a very sad calamitous condition , and the Text doth report him unto us in an holy and Christian carriage towards his God , for his eyes were upon him , his confidence in him , and his prayer unto him : a fit behaviour for all Christians in sorrow and distresse :

The words containe two parts ,

1. A beleeving profession laid downe in two choise actions respecting God as their chiefe object , and they are 1. The carriage of his eyes from men to God , Mine eyes are unto thee O God the Lord . 2. The planting or firme placing of his trust or confidence in God the Lord , in thee is my trust . 2. An hearty petition , the undoubted evidence of his beleeving profession ( a beleeving heart is a praying heart ) Leave not my soule destitute .

From the whole we see , Note . The godly doe know theselves both in their graces an● practises . that good men do know their owne tempers in grace , and speake their owne practises in godlinesse ; David did not vaunt himselfe out of pride , but humbly expresseth himselfe in that carriage which doth belong unto all Christians in their sad and distressed conditions ; I see no reason why Christians may not speake of their gratious practises so be they doe it sincerely , humbly , for instruction of others ; may not all ages learne from David how to compose their affections and dispose their soules in evill times ? but come wee more closely to the words .

Mine eyes are unto thee O God the Lord :

Whence I conclude ,

Doct. That in calamitous and distressefull conditions , Christians have or should have their eyes unto God the Lord .

When Iehosaphat and the people were in great distresse , and the times were full of feares and dangers , insomuch that all humane power and policie failed them , ( for the Text saith , They knew not what to , doe ) then they had their eyes unto God ; they say , But our 2 Chron. 10. 12. eyes are upon thee . When Stephen Acts 7. 5 56. was stoning hee looked up stedfastly into Heaven and saw the glory of God , when David was in danger and the Church in Captivity , they did lift up their eyes to the Psa. 121. 1 hills from whence came their helpe , and had their eyes to God that dwelleth in the Heavens . For the opening of 123. 1. the point observe these things .

First , that Gods eyes of mercy and compassion are as surely upon his to behold them for their good , as their eyes can be believingly upon him in the expectation of good from him , a Christian looketh up to God , and God looketh downe on a Christian , the Christian saith , O Lord mine eyes are unto thee , and God saith , O Christian mine are upon thee , sure I am ; that eye answereth to eye , no man can looke up , but God will looke downe upon him , hence saith God , Surely I have seene the affliction Exod. 3. 7. of my people which are in Egypt , they looked up to God in their groanings and cries , and God lookes downe upon them , in a mercifull regarding and relieving of them .

Secondly , that there are two sorts of eyes by which men doe looke up unto God .

1. One are the eyes of the Eyes of two sorts . body , which wee may call the eyes of sence . 2. The other are the eyes of the soule , which are called the eyes of Faith .

The point is true of both , though the latter be intended .

Thirdly , that a Christian may have God before his eyes , as well as his eyes unto God in times of affl●ctions , the God before the eyes , what ? former doth note an act of reverentiall and awfull respect begot●en in the soule towards Gods Majesty at such times especially : for when should men more awe God , and reverence before him , then when they are in and under trouble ? the latter doth note the advancings of the soule by the workings of The eyes unto God , what ? Faith , to a looking for the promised good from God to a man in and under afflictions ; and this is the thing I am to speake of , which I thus open to you .

1. That there are many speciall promises for good unto Christians in all ( especially ) their afflicted conditions , yea God hath promised to make every condition good , according to that of the Apostle , All things shall worke Rom. 8. 18. together for good , Simile . even the crosse going of the wheeles shall further the right going of the clock .

2. That the heart of a Christian is much lifted up after the enjoyment of the promised good ; wee doe naturally feare evill , and desire good , and though we doe see that a man may doe us hurt , yet our eyes are not upon him that he should doe us hurt , the Scripture phrase is , I looked for Job 30. 26 good , and I waited for light .

3. That the soule never advanceth it selfe to looke up in a waiting and expecting way untill it is made beleeving : unbeleeving men have no God to looke unto , nay they are blinde and without eyes towards God , it is Faith that is the hand that opens the doore , and helpes the eye to looke in and upon God , this gives light , and sight unto the soule , having the command of the body , and soule , and sences in exercising themselves upon God , I say Faith hath her sences , it is a grace in the soule that hath feete whereby shee goes to God , hands whereby shee doth take hold of God , armes wherewith she doth embrace God , eares whereby shee doth heare God , and eyes whereby shee doth looke up to God ; in a word , it is a soule within the soule , and a body within the body , not an eye , but eyes , which is enough for the vision and fruition of God , and it 's whole worke is to bring in the soule unto God , and to determine it selfe in God , it takes much pleasure in God , and satisfies it selfe with God at all times ; the soule by it is cast into this frame of reasoning dependance , God hath said that hee will doe mee good in all my conditions , and I have his word for it which is sure , and unchangeable , when I shall be answered I know not , but that I shall be answered I am confident ; this one thing will I doe , I will still keep to my God , and never give off the word of his promise , for I know that hee will doe mee good in his time ; I will set mee downe and rest mee quiet in his word , waiting upon him , and looking for him , beleeving that he will never frustrate my expectation , this is , or should be the carriage of the eyes unto God .

4. That we do not narrow up this carriage of a Christians soule towards God onely to the times of misery and distresse , wee must know that the eyes of Christians are upon God in all conditions of their lives , in times of prosperity they eye him , and observe him as well as in times of adversity ; but herein is the truth and power of their Faith seene , that no darke or dangerous condition can hinder them from looking up unto God , suppose that flesh and blood doth interpose by contrary reasonings , and that the outward condition seemes to goe contrary unto a promise , so that it shall be all night and no day , all sorrow and no joy , yet a Christian that is in darknesse and hath no light , hath by the power and presence of Faith , a God to goe to , and to looke upon : nothing can take off his dependance upon God , and expectation of good from God : reade Isa. 50. 10. and Hab. 3. 17 , 18.

4. Fiftly , that all Christians doe not equally cast their eyes upon God in evill times ; it is true , they have all eyes , and all a God to looke unto , and upon , yet for as much as they have not all an equall measure of light in revelation , nor an equall measure of assistance for application , their expectations of good from God cannot be equall : experience doth teach us , that some mens eyes are upon God with victory and conquest over the Arguments of sence and reason , and the workings of feares and doubts ; other Christians have their eyes as truely upon God , but it is with much weaknesse and many combates ; I alas ! they have much a doe to looke up , and it may be they are so farre from an evidentiall looking upon God , that their expectation is onely habituall and their whole life is the longing and endevour of their soules to bring their eyes unto God .

6. Sixtly , that even a David whose faith carries his eyes upwards towards God in his promises and name of mercy , may have his eyes at sometime downeward even below his desire ; I cannot conceive that hee so sixt his eyes on God , but that as he was man and did walke on the earth , he had his eyes on the earth to direct his going ; and as hee was a Christian , the eyes of his soule were sometimes downewards , for Faith would make him to be looking into himselfe , so as hee did see into his owne sinfullnesse and unworthinesse ; and againe , if we take him as hee was in trouble and misery , I doubt not to affirme that his eyes were too open upon the same , and that he did looke downe upon the roaring and raging of the Sea to the q●alming of his Spirit , and the failing in those degrees of expectation which formerly he found in himselfe , I say hee was not onely sensible , but over sensible of his troubles , and was so up and downe in his expectations , that even perishing thoughts take hold of him , for he saith , One day 1 Sam. 27 1. I shall die by the hands of Saul , Neither David nor any Christian can hold up his Faith in looking unto God at all times alike : but thus it is with them , at sometimes they are higher , at sometimes lower , sometimes stronger , and sometimes weaker in their dependance .

But whence is it that they have their eyes upon God ?

I conceive it springs from these causes : First , because God and they stand in relative termes each unto other : wee say there is no comfort in an absolute God standing by himselfe distant from the soule ; but in a relative God made over in covenant unto his : so that it is the mutuall relations that are made and established in the Covenant betwixt God and them , that makes them to fixe their eyes upon God : God is Father , and Friend , and Lord , and Husband , and Guide unto his children , and no marvaile if their eyes are upon him .

Secondly , because in God is an All-sufficiencie for helpe and comfort in evill times , the creatures have an emptinesse in them , and cannot become either foundation or comfort to a Christian in and under his miseries ; but God is full and fit even one that exceeds all maladies , able to supply all wants , and to satisfie all cravings , he being an universall good , full Fountaine , and high hill , or mountaine set up for the Christian to looke unto .

Thirdly , because of the promise of good which is made unto them by God ; this is truth , that Faith is founded on the Promise , and the good that it doth expect is a promised good ; Now because the soule hath the grant of a promise , hereupon hath it a ground for expectation ; for take away the promise , and the light is removed , and the eyes are so put out , that there is no turning of the soule towards God ; as the doore turnes upon the hinges , so doth the soule turne in a beleeving way upon the Promises .

To apply this point .

In the first place , it discovers unto us the want of Faith that is in wicked men in times of calamity ; this we say of them , that their eyes are upon and unto the creatures both to see what they have done against or can doe for them ; they looke downe ward to the creatures , and have an eye of expectation of helpe from them , if they are sick , they insist in the hand of the Physi●ion ; if they are in danger , they runne to this house and that Tower ; to this policie and that power , looking to be safe and secure in and by these meanes , if they are dying they flie to this creature and that Saint ; so that still their eyes are creature-ward and earth-ward ; wicked men in no condition can looke upward to God ; in prosperity they scorne God and his will , and cannot looke unto him with an observing eye ; and in times of adversity they fall off from him , and doe not looke upon him with an expecting eye , and in this they doe purchase to themselves an increase of misery here , and assurance of damnation hereafter ; no looking unto God , no comfort of conscience in any condition .

Secondly , it may teach us to see if that our eyes are upon God in evill times ; men doe justly cry out of the miseries of ourtimes , and I thinke we may say , Wee have heard a Jer. 30. 5 voice of trembling there is feare , and not peace , alas ! for 7. that day is great , so that none is like it , it is even the time of . Jacobs trouble . Our times are trembling times , and troublous times , and there is no Christian man or woman but must needs confesse so much , and beside the generall calamity , we have the time of our particular misery , our conditions either are , or have beene sad and perplexed , tell mee now , where are your eyes fixed ? upon God ? then it 's well , and give mee leave to presse you to this triall upon this one ground , because that multitudes of men have no eyes upon God in evill times .

Surely if our eyes are upon God ,

First , we shall make God present with us , beholding and regarding us in our miseries ; the eye doth make the object present to it selfe , and faith looking upon God , doth make God present to a Christian ; the truth is , that it 's no misery that can divide a Christian and his God , for God hath tied his presence and love with his children in the fire , and water , and prison , and dungeon ; and Esa. 43. 2. it is as true that if the eye of faith be once rightly set upon God in times of trouble , there is no want of God to such a soule ; such a one whose eyes are upon God , may want the company of neere and deere friends , they may be seque●tred and kept from him ; but ●he company of a God he can ●ever want , a Christian is ne●er without his God , so long as hee can keepe up the eye of his Faith upon God : Though I walke in the valley of the shadow of death , thou art with mee , thy rod and thy staffe they comfort mee .

O sweet comfort and happy condition in times of distresse ! when the soule can say men are against mee , yet God is for mee ; men are shut out from mee by men , but my God they cannot shut out from mee , the eye of Faith will bring downe God into a dungeon , and see him in a dungeon , and maketh a man to see no want of creature-company , because he hath divine company .

Secondly , wee shall have some comfortable representation of God unto us ; it i● true in nature , that the eye in it selfe hath no colour , but all its colour is in the object ; and I conceive that the glorious discoveries of God are made over unto Faith ; till the eye of Faith be erected in the soule , God is in darknesse to a man , let things have a colour Simile . and luster in them , untill light come to make them cleare , they are as if they were not , so though there be a glory in God , yet to sence and reason , God is a God in night and darknesse , or such a one as cannot be espied and observed , but when Faith comes into the soule , now God is a God in the light , and the Christian is enabled in some measure to enjoy the blessed reflexe of God to his soule , whereby even in his greatest misery he is able to look upon his God with that boldnesse , that the very beholding of his God in the way of Faith doth greatly joy and glad his soule , making him unspeakeably glorious unto his soule , a man that lookes up to God shall see more grounds of comfort seated in God , then grounds of sadnesse in his troubles , the face of times cannot gather more blacknesse or threaten more misery ; then Gods face doth promise and assure peace and protection ; Faith seeth all the worst below , and best above in God and with God .

Thirdly , we shall be ravished , and greatly affected with the glories and beauties of God , vision drawes on affection , or things doe affect the soule by sence , by looking we come to liking ; the true cause why a wicked man doth neither joy in God or admire the beauties that are in God , is because he wants eyes to look upon God , but the man whose eyes are opened , & open unto God , takes notice of such excellency of grace and mercy in God , that his soule is taken with God , and rapt up into a holy ravishment and admiration ; Now he cries out who is a God like unto our God ? O the Majesty and mercy that is in him ; I see that in him for mee and my necessity , that I cannot see in all the creatures put them together ; the soule doth now begin to feede it selfe and cheere it selfe in and upon God in the midst of all afflictions making this to be its greatest comfort , that it hath such a God , who is so great a good to enjoy : Faith cannot looke up to its God without encreasing of its confidence and comforts .

Fourthly , we shall be set into a longing after God , and his comforts ; the seeing of things stirres up desires in us after them , so the looking up to God doth fill the soule with a fervent longing after the Lord ; the Christian that lookes up hopes : the soule in this case is much after the manner of a tender wife , who looking for her Husband by such a day , or such an hower , shee is faint and full of griefe untill that day come , and when the day is come , shee runnes to the doore and window to see if he be not comming , being much troubled that hee is not yet come , surely all the sight of God which we have by Faith doth cast us into hope of enjoying God according to his promise , and now our soules Psal. 119. 81. Rom. 8. 23 Psal. 119. 82. doe faint for him and his salvation ; we sigh in our selves waiting , and our eyes doe faile for his Word , saying , when wilt thou come to us and comfort us ? O when shall I have my helpe and deliverance from the Lord ! the eye of Faith doth either actually bring downe God into the soule , and is as the setting of the eye of a skilfull fowler upon a bird , who if he hold the bird in his eye , he will not have him long out of his hand ; or actually carrie up the soule unto God in strength of desire , so that the soule cannot be in any quiet untill God be gotten and gained .

Fiftly , we shall not be overwhelmed by the sight of any calamities ; troubles beheld without a God doe exceedingly damp and daunt the spirits of men , till Elishaes servant had his eyes opened to see the strength of Heaven , his heart was much dismayed by the hoste of the Syrians ; but to have an eye to God in times of trouble , will prove the great upholdment of the soule , & it is no miserable estate that can distresse that man , whose eyes are the eyes of Faith ; say that troopes of troubles come , and that we are to encounter with contrarieties and crosses , even the ruffling rage of wicked men , whose power in some degree might equall their malice , yet such a soule stands , and his heart is staied within him ; for he sees more with him then against him . O the wisedome and power which Faith doth see in God for the preservation of those that are his .

I reade of a Generall , who Antigonus . finding his souldiers dismaied by the smalenesse of their company and the multitudes of their enemies , asked them , but how many do you reckon mee at ? who am your Commander and Leader ? this Generall is Faith in the soule , which takes off all the disquietments of our hearts under trouble by making men to be creatures , and setting God ruling in the midst of his enemies , surely it was this eye of Faith that wrought Luther to such confidence of heart in times of dread ; for when he was told of great troubles that were like to befall him and the rest in Germany , he made this answer , come , come , no matter for them all , let us sing the forty sixt Psalme , and let them do their worst : so faith the beleevers soule , let men combine and conspire to do me and the Church all the mischiefe they can , and let things go how they will , and dangers be what they will , yet I see a God with me , and for me , and unto him will I looke , for by him I am sure to be safe , The Lord wil be a refuge for the oppressed , Psal 9. 9. yea a refuge in time of trouble . The Marriner is not quite dejected , Simile . though he seeth all his Sailes torne and gone , so long as his Anchor holds ; the Souldier is not vanquished so soone as his out-workes are taken , if he be in a Castle or Towne of strength ; neither is a Christian quite out of comfort and hope so long as Zach. 9. 12. he sees his God remaining ; but is a prisoner of hope turning to his strong hold .

Sixtly , we shall be fearefull of sinning in times of calamities , God , seene by Faith is acknowledged by duty , and a mans eyes cannot be upon God at any time , but he shall walke with God , and tremble to sinne against him ; times of affliction should be times of praying and of holy walking ; can a man look upon God but he shall observe that God hath an eye upon him , and should not Gods sight be the great awer of the soule from sinning ? to looke upon a Judge looking upon us , and to cut a purse is the aggravation of a felonie , and to have an eye upon God in trouble , and to mingle sinne with our sorrow is an argument of a false and faithlesse heart .

Thirdly , this may exhort us to imitate David , O let us have our eyes to God in all our extremities , God saith , Looke unto mee and be saved , where Isa. 45. 22. wee see , that wee can never be safe till we looke unto God ; I know it is a very difficult , but yet it is a very usefull and comfortable thing to have our eyes upon God in times of danger and death ; the eye upon God maketh the burthen easie and heart lightsome ; It is said of the Governour of a ship , that he is Oculus ad coelum , for though in a storme he hath his hand on the sterne , yet his eye is to the pole-star , & it must be said of a Christian that he is Oculus ad Deum , an eye upon or unto God ; O that our eyes in these evill times were lesse upon the creature , and more upon God ; O looke up , look up unto God the Lord .

Now that wee may with comfort practise this duty , I shall desire you ,

First , to get those eyes which David had , wee shall never practise Davids duties without Davids graces ; how can a man see who wants his eyes ? and is it possible that the soule should ascend to God that wants Faith ? set in for these eyes , a man must be more then nature , and reason , and sence that hath his eyes towards God in evill times .

Secondly , to get that God which David had , I tell you , that David had gotten God in his acquaintance and by way of speciall interest , and this made him to looke upon him in an evill time ; if God and wee are strangers , or there remaine strangenesse twixt God and us , we shall never turne the eye of Faith unto him in any condition of our life ; I look for help from my friend , not from a stranger , O acquaint your selves with God , and then you may have your eyes upon Him .

Thirdly , close not with Satan in his temptations , it is the maine worke of the Divell to keepe men off from the fight of God , it is noted , that he it is that doth blinde or cast dust into the eyes of men , 2 Cor. 4. 4 interrupting , and intercepting the soule in all its recourses unto God . I am certaine of this , as at all times , so especially in times of trouble , Satan is most in his darkning workes unto Christians ; then hee is raising up clouds and mists to hinder the cleare sights of God ; now hee labours to keep downe the eye from looking Satan keepes Christians from looking up to God three waies . up to God ; O 't is his most malitious work to rob a Christian of his God in point of comfort and confidence , and this he doth many waies ,

1. Sometimes by disgracing and disabling God unto a Christians Faith , as if that God were not able enough for supplies , or answerable to exigencies , of which if the soule be once perswaded , it will never be drawne to look towards God in an expecting or depending way , for who will goe to an empty conduit to fetch water ?

2. Sometimes by disgracing and disabling a Christians Faith unto God , for what though God be able to doe him good that lookes up unto him in evill times , yet saith hee , where are thine eyes ? and what is thy Faith ( which is so weake and poore ) that it should be able to become thine eyes to look unto God ? can any man see that wanteth eyes ? or looke so farre whose eyes are dimme ?

3. Sometimes hee doth over-greaten the danger , and makes men beleeve that deliverance thence is impossible , which despaires the heart from expecting helpe from God : Now let the Divell come which way he will , we must not beleeve him against God , or follow him in his suggestions against a duty , but still hold this conclusion , that God is never so darke to sence , but Faith can see him , and the eyes of Faith are never so weake , but that they can thorough the darkest cloud and in the greatest storme , see an All-seeing and an All-helping God , whose comforts are ready and sutable for miserable and suffering Christians .

Fourthly , dust not your selves with the dust of the world : If men looke downe too much upon Earth , they shall never looke up to God in Faith , for the eye cannot at once looke both waies , a worldly heart is a darke heart , if the riches , and honours , and pleasures of the world , once get into the eye of the soule , it is not possible for the soule to looke up unto God , can the bird flie upwards if you tie a weight upon its legg ? then is it possible for an earthly heart to looke upon God in evill daies . I have read of Duke of Alva to Henry the fourth . one that was asked if hee had not observed the eclipses ; and his answer was , that hee had so much to doe upon Earth , that he had no leasure to looke up to Heaven ; and this I am sure of , that an heart idolizing the creature can never be truely depending on God , can the eye see its object that is full of dust ? or that soule looke up to God that is buryed in the creatures ?

Fiftly , keepe the eye much in mourning for sin ; a sight of sin and corruption accompanied with godly sorrow for the same , will cleare our eyes towards the comfortable sight of God , and make us more fit to turne our eyes towards him in any condition ; he that cannot grieve & weep for sin , shall never look up to God with confidence ; Repentance is the turning of the soule from sinne unto God , so that men practising repentance are in the right way of having their eyes towards God .

Sixtly , goe to God for helpe and strength unto the worke , for no man can see God without God , the Lord must take off the covering cast over all people , and the vaile that is spread over all Isa. 25. 7. Nations , and vouchsafe the light of Heaven unto the soule , ere the soule can see him or looke unto him , and therefore let us make this prayer , Lord open mine eyes that I may see Thee , and turne mine eyes from the creatures , that I may be able to looke up unto Thee in a depending and expecting way .

In Thee is my trust .

Heere is trust well placed , I wounder not at the connexion of these two ; to have eyes on God and to trust in God : sight is a convincing sense and best perswading ; where wee expect good , wee dare to trust , and no soule is more confident then the soule that is most expecting by Faith , the point intended is this ,

That the truly Godly doe Doct. 2. Suffering times are trusting times . more or lesse trust in God in times of calamities : suffering times are trusting times , here note ( that by suffering times ) Suffering times what ? I meane times of inward and outward straits wherein either a mans feares are many by reason of danger threatned , or a mans sorrow is much by reason of misery felt , called Amos 5. 13. Pro. 15. 1● in the Scripture evill times , or daies of affliction . 2. By trusting in God at such times , I meane that choise expression of Faith in applying the soule Trusting in God what ? to God by an act of recumbencie and dependance , upon the application of the word of his promise , take it up 7. Things about trusting in God . thus .

1. That God hath made over in the word of his promise abundance of good and mercy , which he will vouchsafe unto his being in and under misery , as That he will be with them , know their soules in adversity , and administer both seasonable and sutable comforts unto them .

2. That the trusting soule doth take God at his word , and closeth with the promise made , not onely by generall assenting , but by particular applying acts ; he seeth himselfe and his condition in the promise , and makes it not onely agreeable and fitting to and for such an one as hee is but withall he doth fasten upon it for himselfe , conceiving upon good grounds that hee is the man that is spoken unto , and unto whom this gratious promise doth belong , this I call the soules putting it selfe into a promise .

3. That the soule in making God his trust doth set God in his promise before it as a rock , or bottome , or foundation for upholdment and staying : so that he is apprehended to be such a one that will not suffer the soule to sinke or perish ; for no man will leane upon a broken reed or sandy foundation .

4. That the maine nature of trusting in God , stands in the laying or hanging all a mans hopes , for helpe and comfort in evil and sad times , upon the Lords truth for the performance of his own most gratious promise .

5. ( That the person thus trusting in God is the truly godly ) my meaning is , that we must exclude all wicked and unregenerate men from this dependance and reliance on God in evill times : none but a renewed and sanctified heart can truely trust in God : it being a worke of grace to trust in God ; hence saith David , Psal. 64 10. The righteous shall be glad in the Lord , and shall trust in him , and the Prophet Isaiah Isa. 50. 10. saith , Who is among you that feareth the Lord , that obeyeth the voice of his servant , that walketh in darknesse , and hath no light ? Let him trust in the Name of the Lord , and stay upon his God .

6. That trusting in God is either .

1. Habituall . Or , 2. Actuall .

Then doth the soule habitually trust in God , when it is inclining and bending towards act of reliance ; O the soule is willing to rest it selfe , and hath a constant disposition in it to stay it selfe upon God , even when it is not able actually to exercise its trusting upon God in that way and measure it would and should ; but take me a Christian at the worst and lowest , and wee may affirme of him , that hee doth habitually trust in God .

7. That the godly man doth trust in God 3. wayes , 1. Only , In thee is my trust , saith David , not in men as God , nor in men with God , but in God alone . 2. Wholy , the all , even the might and the truth of their confidence is cast upon God . 3. Constantly , at all times and in all conditions doe they rely upon God , though chiefely and mostly in evill and sad times .

Now this they doe upon 4 Groūds of Christians trusting on God . these 4. grounds .

First , Virtute praecepti , because that God doth call for , and require their trusting in Him ; the commands are so many that I shall save my labour to quote the Scriptures .

Secondly , ratione pacti , because God in the covenant hath made over himselfe to be Sunne and shield , rock and tower of defence , yea and an house of fortresses unto his , and one every way All-sufficient for the defence and safety of his , so that there is no danger so great and imminent from which his power is not able to rescue his ; as he can hurt and spoile all the Churches enemies , blasting their power and defeating their policie , so he can shelter his under his wings , becomming their safety and security , he is the hill of helpe and mountaine for safety , it is the Periphrasis Psal. 65. 5. of God to be the confidence of all the ends of the Earth : and David saith , God Psal. 46. 1. expounded . is our refuge and strength , a very present helpe in trouble : Marke well the place , 1. God is a refuge , where the allusion is to those Citties of refuge unto which a person that had slaine a man at unawares was to flie , where he was secure and safe from the pursuer , intimating unto us , that if dangers and troubles doe pursue Christians at the heeles , yet God would be their hiding and securing place from all : 2. God is a strength , it may be the power of dangers and troubles may be great , now if the refuge want strength , a mans security cannot be much , but God is Almighty , and such strength unto his that no strength shall overcome them , untill it can overcome him . 3. God is a helpe , he doth not stand by looking on his in their troubles , and suffering them to be overcome by their owne weakenesse , but will put forth his strength and assistance , bearing all their burdens for them , and enabling them to stand under all . 4. God is a present helpe in time of need : that is , let dangers be present , God will not be absent , neither will He delay his defence for his , or come in with the same when it is too late ; so that this Text doth shew that He is unquestionably sufficient for the safety of his , which must needs bee the ground of confidence ; for the soule doth betake it selfe alone to strength ; according Pro. 18. 10 Psal. 18. 1 , 2. 28. 7. 3. to that of Salomon , The name of the Lord is a strong tower , the righteous runne into it and are safe .

3. Thirdly , ratione facti : because God is trusty , and such a one that never faileth them that place their trust in Psal. 22. 4 , 5. Him : Our Fathers trusted in thee , they trusted and thou didest deliver them , they cried unto thee , and were delivered : they trusted in thee and were not confounded . The meaning is this ; that there care was in evill times to trust in the Lord , and God did not deceive their trust , but made it to be their safety ; Ahas made the King 2 Chron. 28. 20. Isa. 30. 1. of Assiria his refuge , but he was not his strength ; Israell went downe to Egypt for helpe , and trusted in Charets and Horse-men , but they were not holpen ; but who so come unto God by way of dependance , are sure to finde this made good , I will not faile thee nor for sake thee . Heb. 13. 5.

Fourthly , ratione fidei : because upon them is bestowed the grace of Faith , which is a trusting grace , a relying grace , full of fiduciall acts , and never more active upon God then in hard times , and times of dangers ; the Prophet saith , Heb. 2. 4. opened . The just shall live by Faith , which place wee thus expound , the Prophet had foretold of sad times to come upon the Church ; Now upon the hearing of this , it became a great question , but how shall the just doe in such times ? The answer is , hee shall live by Faith , God hath given him the grace of Faith , which now he shall exercise , by putting himselfe under Gods wing , and making God his tower of safety : when others shall live either by their wits and shifts , or by their feares and fence , the truly godly shall subsist by their beleeving dependance on God : surely they that doe beleeve in God cannot but trust in God : to apply the point , note 3. things .

First , That there is a wide difference betweene the Differēce betweene godly and wicked men in trusting God . childe of God and wicked men in times of extremitie and trouble : I deny not but the same calamitous condition may befall them both , God may and doth cast both the one and the other into sad and fearing times , but the thing I aime at is this , that the carriage of the one and the other is not the same in respect of confidence in God ; there are 3. things incident 3. Things incident to wicked men in evill times . 1. To have no place for confidence . Pro. 30. 26 to wicked men in evill times .

1. Either they have no place for confidence , but run up and downe crying , Who will shew us any good ? they are worse then the poore silly creatures , who in times of danger have their retyring places ; the poore Conies a feeble folke , yet make they their house in the rocks , the rocks are Psal 104. 18. a refuge to the Conies ; these creatures can burrow themselves in the rocke when they are in danger of Doggs ; the Birds have nests wherein they hide themselves when dangers approach , hence Moab is advised to bee like the Dove , Jer. 48 , 2● that maketh her nest in the side of the holes mouth , there shee will nestle her selfe , when shee is pursued by the Birds of prey ; but a wicked carnall man when troubles come , lies open to all winds , and is like unto a ship whose tacklings are broken , and Anchor lost , tossed up and downe , and hurried from place to place , till at length she suffer shipwracke ; or as a Meteor that hangs in the clouds , and cannot tell which way to fall ; Oh how are wicked men surprised with feares and cares , and pulled in pieces with distractions ? Oh how distressed , hopelesse and helpelesse are they , and even at their wits end , when dangers are threatned or present .

2. They misplace their 2. To misplace their confidence . confidence , they cannot say in thee O Lord is my trust , but O God my trust is in men and meanes ; That I may not A caution about the use of meàes for safety . be mistaken , know , that I doe not speake against the use of lawfull meanes , or outward helpes for our safety in dangerous times , but this is the worke of wicked men to Idolize the meanes , and by them to rob God of that trust that Wicked mens confidence lies is due to him , what is more usuall with them , then to put trust in places ; if in times of 1. In places . feares and dangers they can but get into a strong Citty and a well built Tower or Castle , now with the men of Tyrus Ezek. 27. 11. they are safe enough , that shall be their God , and all their safety shall depend upon it ; if their confidence lye not in this , then it may be it is in men and munition , wherein 2. In munition and men . Psal. 20. 7. the arme of flesh is relyed upon : Some trust in Horses and some in Chariots , forgetting that an Horse is a vaine thing for safety . Others place their confidence in their riches and 3. In weal th and honours . Pro. 18. 11 honours ; The rich mans wealth is his strong Citty , and as an high wall in his conceit , saith Solomon , And they set their nests on high that they may be Hab. 2. 9. delivered from the power of evill , saith the Prophet Habbacock . O say they , were it not that we were wealthy , and known to be so , and had we not high places , then wee might feare gun-shot , and thinke our selves in dangers : others run a little higher in their vaine confidence , and doe trust upon their Church priviledges , 4. In Church priviledges . Ier. 7. 4. like those in Ieremiahs dayes , who cried out the Temple of the Lord , the Temple of the Lord : they doe thinke because they have the Ordinances of God amongst them , that these shall be a refuge unto them , which the Holy Ghost calls a trusting in lying words , these and other the like confidences are vaine confidences ; for all strong holds if trusted unto , shall be like Figg-trees with the Nah. 3. 12 Zephan . 1 18. first ripe figgs , and it is neither silver or gold that shall be able to deliver them in the day Esa. 29. 1 , 2 of the Lords wrath , and Ariell it selfe shall be distressed .

3. Or they shall fall away 3. Forsake the Lord for their confidence Jer. 2. 11. from the Lord , slighting and rejecting his helpe in evill times , Saul went to the witch , and the Prince would attend no longer upon the Lord , and wicked men forsake the fountaine of living water ; surely such as fall from God doe not depend on God , unlesse you will say , that hee doth lay himselfe upon the fountaine or rock , that casts himselfe from the rocke into the Sea ; but to leave them to the miserie of miseries , and to inherit their folly .

Secondly , this may teach us to sound our owne tempers , Examination . whether that wee are trusting Christians in evill and dangerous times , can we say with David , In thee is my trust ? then these 6. things 6. Signes of men that trust in God in evill times 1. Care to please God . will be more or lesse found upon us .

1. Our care will bee to please God in all things : him upon whom we depend wee will studie to content ; a child feares to displease his Father , and a Tennant feares to displease his Landlord , because of their dependance on them , and surely if wee doe trust in God , we will covet to walke in all well pleasing unto God , shunning whatsoever way or course is contrary or grieving to him : None but a mad-man would offend his defence : shall God defend us , and shall we offend Him ? That soule doth looke for very little good from God that is carelesse of his praise and pleasing .

2. We shall make up our 2. Making God a portion to us selves in God in all conditions : the heart doth chuse that thing for its portion , which it maketh to be its confidence ; The Lord is my Lam. ● . 24 portion , therefore will I hope in him , saith the Church , hereupon is it that the Psalmist saith , Whom have I in Heaven but thee ? and there is none upon Psal. 73. 25 , 26. Earth that I desire besides thee , my flesh and my heart faileth , but God is the rock of my heart and my portion for ever : Surely God is heritage and portion enough to that soule that trusteth in him ; the soule that relies upon him , shall finde him to be a full and sutable good unto it selfe , and can see that it hath no reason to looke out of God for supplies and sufficiencies .

3. We shall use the meanes for safety , but leave the issue to God : such as trust in God will not tempt God , but apply themselves to the wise and carefull use of all those meanes which serve God in his care and providence over them . Iacob trusted God for deliverance , and so did David and Paul , and yet they did not neglect or flie over the meanes for their succour and safety in evill times , the one sends presents and marshalls Gen. 32. his family , the second abides in strong holds in the wildernesse , 1 Sam. 23. and the last staies in the ship and keepes the Marriners Acts 27. with him ; hee that trusts a Physitions skill will be carefull to observe what is prescribed to him , and as meanes are to be used , so when meanes are used , wee shall trust God with the issue , and unto God for the successe ; it is presumption not trust to sever the meanes from the end , it is feare not Faith to use meanes , and yet to vexe our soules about the successe : such as trust God doe chiefly commit the issue of all the meanes they doe use unto God : knowing that it is mans worke to use the meanes , and Gods to bring about the successe . 4. Living by Faith in the promises when outward meanes faile .

4. Wee shall live by Faith in the promises when outward meanes for comfort and deliverance are wanting , a politician will trust as farre as reason can carry him , and a naturall man will trust as farre as his sences lead him ; if either can see reasons for , or waies and meanes of deliverance and safety before them , they can and will trust in God , els they fall downe or fall off , whereas such as truly trust in God , will and can ( in some measure ) rest on the bare word and naked promise of God , even then when they can see no meanes before them , but that the present face and state of things doe seeme altogether contrary unto them ; Though the Lord kill Job 15. 13 mee yet will I trust in him , Esa. 50. 10 saith Iob : and the command is , when that wee are in darkenesse and can see no light , even in such an estate to trust in God : a child in the darke takes hold of his Father , and a Christian without meanes will trust in his God , knowing that God is all meanes in himselfe , and that hee can do things for his Churches good and comfort , when all outward meanes doth threaten the contrary .

5. Wee shall trust God 5. Trusting of God . withall : they that doe trust in God , will also trust God , as knowing that the safety and security of all is in God ; tell mee now , doe you trust God with your names , estates , callings , posterities , bodies and soules ? doe you trust your temporall and eternall estate in Gods hand , so that you can say , I have nothing in mine owne keeping , I dare not so much as to trust my selfe with my selfe , or any thing I have with any other creature , but all is committed by mee to the Lord , whom I know to be faithfull ; this is an argument that the soule doth trust in the Lord : I know whom I have beleeved , I am 2 Tim. 1. 12. perswaded that hee is able to keepe that which I have committed unto him against that day .

Lastly , wee shall have a 6. Quiet and rest of soule . ground for rest and quiet unto our soules : Trust in God doth 1. Bottome the soule strongly , so that there shall be a staying of murmurings and grudgings arising within the Soule . 2. Supply the soule with a greater ground of quiet and comfort , then there can be causes of feare and troubling ; God is a Center for rest , and a quiet Foundation , so that the soule can never be at rest untill that it come to rest upon him : It is the worke of trust to cast the soule into a fixing and setling condition : I doe not say that the trusting soule is totally freed from stirrings and shakings even in evill times ; I A trusting soule is a quiet soule and how ? know that our flesh which we carry about us is full of objections , and daily troubles us in our quiet , but yet know , that though feares may materially rise in a trusting heart , yet they doe not victoriously worke in that soule that is truly trusting ; the promise is , Thou wilt keepe him in perfect Esa. 26. 3. peace whose minde is staied on thee , because hee trusteth in thee ; and againe , They that Psal 125. 1 trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion which cannot be moved ; and againe , He shall 112. 7. not be afraid of evill tidings , his heart is fixed trusting in the Lord . Hence was it that David finding a mutinie within 43. ult. his soule , hee takes up the contention by charging his soule to trust in God ; O when other mens soules are under confusion and restlesnesse and moving within them , As the trees of the Esa. 7. 2. wood are mooved with the winde , because they are hard bestead , when feares and terrors doe rack and rend their hearts in pieces , and all because they trust not in God , then the soule whose trust is in the Lord , hath quiet in spirit , and he saith , Why should Psal. 49. 5. I feare in the daies of evill ? hee then sings over the forty sixe Psalme with holy Luther .

Thirdly , wee should strive to attaine to Davids pitch , and endeavour to be such that can truly say , In thee is Psal. 57. 1. my trust , or as in another Psalme , My soule trusteth in thee . Thus to doe is very necessary and comfortable , but yet of great difficulty ; it is a hard thing to bring the heart from creature confidence unto divine confidence , that a soule should be beset with misery , and apprehend nothing but stormes and threatnings of destruction , and yet now to stay it selfe upon God , in whose hand the cloud and calamity is , is a worke both above , and against nature , which that wee may be brought unto , I will propound these six helpes .

First , you must goe to Six helpes to trusting in God . Schoole to learne Gods name aright , They that know thy Psal. 9. 10. Name will put their trust in thee , saith David : and in another Psalme hee saith , How excellent is thy loving kindnesse Psal. 36. 7. O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings ,

Now the name of God is The name of God what ? the Lords revelation of himselfe in his Word , and it doth comprehend under it all the glorious Attributes of God , together with the promises of grace and mercy which he hath made unto his The knowledge of Gods name what ? Church , and the knowledge of that name is no more then the informing our mindes and understandings in the truth and meaning of God in all his glorious Attributes , and gratious promises , surely if the soule did once come to apprehend God aright in the Attributes of his Wisdome , Power , Mercy and Providence , and to looke upon all the promises as absolute truths , and full of goodnesse , it would not but be drawne into trust and confidence ; God saith in one Psalme , I will set him on Psal. 91. 14. high because hee hath knowne my Name , the meaning is , I will see he shall be safe because he hath trusted in mee ; where we see that the very Trusting in God called the knowing of Gods name and why ? trusting in God is called by the knowing of Gods name , and why so ? 1. Because in trusting we gaine an experimentall knowledge of Gods name . 2. Because by knowing of his name we come to the trusting in his name , will any man trust in him whom hee doth not know ? surely God unknowne can never be relied upon ; I must therefore make it my worke not onely to know there is a God , which is to know him by name ; but I must know him in his sufficiencie of strength for safety and defence , and as one that will gratiously admit mee into his protection , I recoursing unto him in obedience and Faith , if ever my soule shall draw into him in a way of confidence and dependance .

Secondly , get a friendly 2. To get acquaintance with God . and familiar acquaintance with God , as ignorance so strangenesse cannot rely upon God , and it is not every ordinary acquaintance with God , but a speciall acquaintance with him that doth breed a dependance on him ; A man must know God by way of tryall ere hee will trust him , and a man Speciall acquaintance with God what ? must have speciall intimacie with God , so as to see him a reconciled God unto him in the face of Iesus Christ ere he can bring his heart to trust in him ; I say if a man can see God as his Father and best friend , even one twixt him and whom there are no quarrels and differences , he shall with much cheerefullnesse of heart relie upon him .

Thirdly , set up Faith into 3. Set up Faith , into exercise and life . exercise ; the grace of Faith must not onely live in us , but we must also live by it , if ever wee intend truly to trust in God , the life of sence weakens our dependance on God ; the life of reason sets up our dependance on the creatures , but the life of Faith doth quicken and raise up a strong dependance on God , this is the dwelling in the secret of the Psal. 91. 1. most high , and the shutting up of the soule within the Esa. 26. 20 doores of the divine chambers .

I conceive thus much of the life of Faith ; 1. It will make God that unto us which our necessities doe require him to be ; even a rock , and Tower , refuge and fortresse , Because thou hast made the Psal. 91. 9 , 10. Lord which is my resuge thine habitation , there shall no evill befall thee , where we see that Faith in working makes God an habitation . 2. It will draw home the particular and the generall promises of safety unto a mans selfe in particular : Now the setling of the promises on the soule is the way to bring in a man unto dependance ; for it doth let in or enter a man into the goodnesse of God , hence Psal. 119 114. saith David , Thou art my hiding place and my shield , I hope in thy Word , where we see that David did make God his hiding place by hoping in his Word . 3. It will intitle a man unto Iesus Christ , in whom all the promises are yea and Amen : The way to come into God is Iesus Christ , and God is no farther an hiding place to the person of any man , then he is united to Christ by Faith ; It is Christ that makes God our Shield and Tower , and so as Faith doth worke it selfe upon Christ , it doth worke the soule upon God , for I cannot fasten my selfe upon God , but in and by the Mediatour upon whom my Faith is pitched .

Fourthly , leane not unto 4. The giving over a mans selfe . Pro. 3. 5. selfe-policie and selfe-power : hence saith Salomon , Trust in the Lord with all thine heart , and leane not to thine owne understanding , surely wee must empty our selves of our selves , if ever wee will be brought to trust upon God , what man will be beholding to another so as to seeke unto him and to cast himselfe upon him , if he conceive himselfe to be selfe-sufficient ? and surely this is mans proud disposition , that he will be as little beholding to God for any thing as he can , for hee will try his owne wits , and parts and friends in the first place , and if hee finde in them reliefe , then hee will stick and stay ; wee see in experience , that no man commits his body to the Simile . water till he finde no ground for his feete to fasten upon ; so that there is a great deale of necessity for a man to denie himselfe , and to give over himselfe , if ever he intend a dependance upon his God , at any time , for any thing .

Fiftly , cast off the way and 5. The relinquishing of the way of sin . Iob 22. 24 , 25. course of sinne and prophanesse by timely and serious repentance , If thou returne to the Almighty thou shalt bee built up , thou shalt put away in iquity farre from thy tabernacle , then shalt thou lay up gold as dust , and the gold of Ophir as the stones of the brookes : yea the Almighty shall be thy defence , how can a man expect safety from God , when hee walkes in a course contrary unto God ; can such imagine God will be the protection of their persons , who are the provocation of his eyes ; sure I am , this is the fruite of a life led in sinne , to keepe off the soule from comming in unto God by way of duty and dependance , I say , that the love and life of sinne doth dead and damp the heart in all motions and actions unto God , and therefore it must be your worke , to purge your heart from all the love of sinne , and study the way of giving over the slavish service of sinne , and then the way is open to God ; the God on whom we stay our selves , is an holy God , and wee must resolve to be holy and reformed persons ; they shall call themselves Isa. 48. 2. the holy City , and stay themselves upon the God of Israel .

6. Lastly , settle all supplies 6. Setting all supplies an● succours in God . upon God ; what wee trust upon , we must make all-sufficient unto us , now if wee have this skill to make God answerable to all our exigencies , and if wee can see that wee cannot need or desire that thing that is not to be found in him in an overflowing abundance , it would mightily enable us to make him our trust : such who attribute too much to the streame , and take from the fullnesse of the fountaine , will never make their recourses to the fountaine . Oh we have a full God , who is Sun and shield , and exceeding great reward unto all those that come in unto Him , and will never leave the soule destitute , which doth depend upon Him : which is the thing David desireth , and is the last part ,

Leave not my soule destitute .

Here is the true consequent of beleeving confidence , it makes a man to flie to God by prayer , notwithstanding all troubles ; surely wee cannot 1. Trust in God & praying to God are undivided cōpanions Psal. 62. 8 well divide the act of Faith from the exercise of Prayer , David in one Psalme by way of counsell faith , trust in him alwayes ye people , and powre out your hearts before him ; and here he is upon the practise of his owne Doctrine , In thee is my trust , leave not my soule destitute : intimating unto us a true triall of our trusting in God ; it is then right and sound when it puts on the soule to prayer , he doth trust best in God , that doth pray most to God , a praying heart is an evidence of a trusting heart .

2. We must not divide the 2. Times of trouble ought to be times of prayer . practise of prayer from times of troubles ; troublous times are praying times ; then or never should Christians beset the Lord with requests , and powre out their soules unto Him ; 1. the command is , Call Ps. 50. 15. upon me in the day of trouble , and Jam. 5. 13 is any man afflicted let him pray . 2. David under his feares , and in the midst of his troubles besought the Lord . 3. And the promise is , that whosoever shall call upon the name of the Joel . 2. 32. Lord shall be delivered : I am sure that Iacob applied himselfe to this practise , and it prooved prevailing ; Christians must learne to pray , as well as to trust in God , or else their trust will faile them ; I conceive we doe put forth our confidence in praying ; O that we were more in praying , and that wee would lift up our hearts in praying unto our God , this should shelter us , and chase away feared dangers : a volley of Prayers sent up morning and evening to Heaven , will doe a Kingdome and Citie more good , then all the munition in the world . A praying people have beene the terrour of enemies , and the safeguard of Nations ; Prayers is the most efficatious engine , making way for the good and safety of the Church in all Ages , when all policies and power have beene at a stand , this hath made way for peace and safety ; This , this is the little great thing that hath overturned all plots , blasted all conspiracies , and withstood all oppositions , it weaknes enemies , and encreaseth friends , by ruling God , and over-ruling men : hee wants not Armour of proofe in his house that hath a praying spirit in his brest ; I conceive , did we pray more , wee should feare lesse , for that which is our victory with God shall be our conquest over men , Thou hast Gen. 32. 28. prevailed with God , thou shalt also prevaile with men , saith God to Iacob : I beseech Job . 15. 4. you that you would be so Iob 15. 4. farre from restraining Prayer before God , that you make it your daily worke to remember the name of the Lord , still crying unto Him and calling upon Him , adding this to your practise , which was the Iames 5. 17. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . commendation of Elias , that you pray in your praying .

But come wee now more narrowly to the matter of Davids prayer .

Leave not my soule destitute , 4. Observations in the words . 1. The possibility of having a soule left destitute .

That is bare and forsaken of divine helpe and comfort ; Whence we Whence we learne first , The possibility of having the soule of a Christian left naked and bare of divine grace , comfort and assistance , there may not onely be a withdrawing of an outwardly supplying and upholding good , but of an inwardly comforting and gratious presence , though the Lord doth not totally destitute and finally desert the soules of his , yet comforts and supports may for a long time and in a great degree be withdrawne ; Sion said , The Esa. 49. 14. Lord hath forgotten mee : David Psal. 70. 5. 25. 16. is poore and needy in one Psalme , and desolate and afflicted in another ; Alas ! how many of Gods deare ones doe find this to be true , that to their seeming , their God is gone , and comfort gone , and there is none to owne them , and stand by them : There is none to helpe , Psal. 22. 11 saith David .

Secondly , the misery of a 2. It is a misery to be left destitute . divinely destitute and deserted soule ; such a soule is a miserable soule , and the misery of this condition , makes David to deprecate it , the absence of a good temper doth not make the body more miserable , nor the withdrawing of the Sunne the night to be more darke , then the leaving the soule destitute in divine respects doth make the soule sad and miserable : 'T is misery to be under misery , but in times of misery to be left unto misery , by Gods withdrawing of himselfe from a man , makes the misery overmiserable : For a lame man to fall it's misery , but when hee is downe to have his crutches taken from him , and all to forsake him , it 's the leaving of him in misery . It is a mercy to finde divine succour in misery .

Thirdly , That it is a great mercy to bee followed with spirituall succours , and divine supplies in times of misery , this is easing to the spirit , and the burthen will be the better borne and endured ; this is chearing and reviving : the spirit will not soone sinke and faint under any trouble whilst God is with it , and all its comforts are about it ; the woe is to him that is alone .

Fourthly , that the instant and constant desire of a Christian Divine assistance & presence is to be sought . should bee after divine assistance in troubles . 1. A man shall never need a God more in company and comfort , then when he is in , and under trouble , if all the creatures leave us ( as they may ) yet till God leave us wee shall never be destitute ; for God is all in all , for the reliefe of that soule with whom hee is present : besides , 2. the soule hath many pretious promises for divine supply and succour in evills , and therefore hee may be the more bold to put up his request to God .

Leave not my soule destitute .

To conclude the whole .

First , I pitty such men who are forsaken and destitute men , such whom Sathan hath bereaved of their comforts , God denies his grace unto , or withdrawes the influence of his comfort from ; A desolate Widdow forsaken of friends , a brave Commander destitute of men and munition , and a soule left by God in misery , are equally miserable .

Secondly , We learne , that men destitute of God , are the most helpelesse creatures under Heaven , such shall doe God , the King and the Country , little good service , that have Feathers in their hatts , Armour on their backs , and Weapons in their hands , wanting Grace in their hearts ; though their oathes may be many , and violence great , yet their strength is small , for they are destitute and deserted persons .

Thirdly , In the middest of our dangers , let us labour to keepe God with us and about us , if we make him our friend wee need not feare who is our enemy , and God supplying us wee have strength enough , and shall finde comfort enough in the midst of dangers and death it selfe . * ⁎ *

The Narration of the vertuous Life and happy Death of Mistrisse Iulian Blackwell .

WEE are this day The Application to the occasion . met , according to the practise of the Saints in Scripture , to performe a duty , and pay a debt to the remainder of our Christian Sister Mistrisse Iulian Blackwell , which is now to be laid with honour in her grave , as into a house of safe custody , and bed of rest , to remaine there untill the resurrection ; And finding this to be the practise of venerable Cent. Mag. 4. c. 6. p. 45 5. antiquity , to celebrate the Funerals of Christians , with the mentioning of their just praises , you must give mee leave ( treading in Testimonium dabo veritati non amicitiae . Ber. their paths ) to give testimony unto the truth , in speaking of her gratious disposition , and vertuous conversation ; onely take two things along Securius & sinceerius visa solent quam audita narrari Goff . vit. Bern. lib 1. pre ces . with you ; First , that I intend to speake no more of her then what mine owne knowledge and observation doth leade mee unto . Secondly , that my aime in this Worke is , to moderate the grieving spirits of those that were neere unto her , whose losse is great ; and to yeeld unto you all matter of good instruction and Christian imitation , seeing you know not how soone her condition may be yours .

And here passing over her descent , leaving that to the Heralds ; I might begin with her curtesie , modestie , and gravity in her outward course and carriage , in which shee did so shine , that shee wonne much love from all such who well knew her , and were themselves lovers of a courteous and sober conversation : Next I might lay downe before you , her fidelity , and love to her loving Husband , with whom shee lived in an unspotted way , avoiding that lightnesse , and loosenesse , which is too too notorious and shamefull in many of her Sexe .

I might also further discourse of her tendernesse , and love unto her children , to whom shee shewed her selfe a Mother indeed , by seeking their good in the best things , and furthering them to her power in the waies of holinesse .

But leaving these , there 10. Things in her . are ten things which I observe as notable in her , and worthy all our imitation .

First , God had made her 1. Tendernesse of heart seene in foure things . a Christian of a very tender heart , and sensible spirit ; as her naturall disposition was softly , so shee had a spirituall disposition of softnesse : there were foure waies by which her tendernesse of Spirit did appeare .

1. Shee was apprehensive 1. Sense of sin . and feeling of sins working and burden ; the body of sinne which shee did beare about her , as a body within her body , shee made such a body of death unto her , that with teares shee would often complaine to my selfe and others , of her wretchednesse and wearisomenesse under the same ; a blessed temper , and arguing spirituall life , to find and feele the contrary workings of sinfull corruption unto the workings of grace within the soule .

2. Shee was sensible of Satans 2. Acquaintance with tēptations . temptations , and his strong workings against her graces and her comforts ; Satan was her adversary , and shee knew what it was to have Satan to be her adversary ; ( surely if God be a mans friend , Satan will be his enemy , and who so have tender and gratious spirits , they cannot but be more or lesse sensible of Satans workings against them : ) Satan did so often and sensibly disquiet her , that shee feared least shee should at the last be overcome by him .

3. Shee had a sympathizing 3. Sympathy . spirit ; feeling the present conditions of the members of the mysticall body , whether in misery or in comfort ; if the Church and Christians did rejoyce ; shee rejoyced also ; if they were in sadnesse , shee was in heavinesse ; in which practise shee shewed her selfe a right living member ; and I could wish that there were not the failing of bowels this way amongst too too many of us . What a shame is it unto us , that Churches abroad are bleeding , and many Christians at home in misery and dying , and yet none in comparison do regard or feele the same .

4. Shee had an undigesting 4 Risings against sinfull vanities . spirit ; I meane a spirit that was full of painefull gratings at the sight of sinfull objects , and that could not so easily swallow downe those vanities and courses which others doe not so much as scruple at ; to her dying day shee did abhorre Popish and Superstitious vanities , and was much grieved that any should take upon them to practise or maintaine any thing that was contrary to Gods Word , and justly scandalous unto Christians .

Secondly , God had given 2. Lovingnesse to the godly . her to become very loving hearted unto the godly ; if she saw in any but aliquid Christi ( that is , something of Christ ) with holy Bucer , shee dearely loved them ; the graces of God bestowed on them drew her affections to them ; making her greatly to delight in their company and conference ; shee often would say to mee , where is the pleasure that sinfull societies can yeeld unto a Christian ? I am sure I can finde no delight in being amongst them ; O it is the godly and such as truly feare God that are my delight , and that shall be truly welcome unto my house , there are many Christians this day alive that can testifie her reall love unto them a good patterne for us all to follow , wee should make them the men of our company and delight here , that are our companions in grace , and shall be our company in Heaven .

Thirdly , shee was large 3 Desires and cravings after goodnes and amendment . hearted in her desires after goodnesse , and good things : a little heart shee had , but low , which made her very greedy after , and desirous of grate such a holy covetousnesse ; and unsatiable thirst was implanted within her , that shee could never give her selfe satisfaction in any present measure of grace , or actuall performance of duties , but was carried with a vehement desire of bettering or mending her selfe in both ; out of that desire which she had to profit and benefit her owne foule , and to augment and enlarge her selfe in graces and duties , Hierony●●i Epistolae ad Paulam , Marcellam & alia● . ( with those religious Romane Ladies of whom S. Ierome speakes , ) shee would be full of holy enquiries , solid questions , and apt cases of conscience ; God gave unto her that excellent gift of improoving Christian acquaintance and Christian society , for hardly could any good Minister , or able Christian come to visit her in her health or sicknesse , but shee would be pressing and putting of them on to some soule-profiting discourse , by which she might both doe her selfe and others good ; oh it is a blessed thing for Christians to bee acting Maries part , and I could heartily wish that in this she might be followed in this City and other parts , for I finde this to be a common fault , that God puts into our hands many opportunities of doing our selves good by the company of Ministers and Christians , and wee have no hearts to improove them ; wee thinke that when wee have feasted them , and for a time courteously entertained them , wee have done enough ; Oh how often hath mine eares heard her wishing , that she had more power to beleeve , and spirit to pray and to obey ; This Sister of ours , made it her daily worke to be treasuring up a stocke of grace for another world , and the neerer she was to glory , the more thirstie was she after grace . Surely where those longings and thirstings after soule enlargement in graces and duties are wanting , there may bee a strong supposition , that spirituall life is also wanting . For herein doe artificiall bodies differ from naturall bodies , that the one are capeable of extension , the other are not .

Fourthly , She was fearing 4. Fearfull of her owne standing and state . hearted in respect of her spirituall and eternall condition : she did much trouble her selfe about that one thing necessary , namely the setling of the happinesse of her soule both here and hereafter ; shee had an heart making Heaven to be Heaven , and it was a great businesse with her , how shee might bee sure to have Heaven when she left the world ; she was not in the number of those , who onely then thinke of going to Heaven , when they see themselves ready to drop into Hell ; Neither was Heaven unto her an empty Notion , or going to Heaven an ordinary matter ; but a thing of the highest concernement ; she knew that she had a soule , and what it was to have a soule mistaken , or miscarry in so great a matter as salvation ; yea so serious was this Christian Sister of ours in this maine businesse , that shee would often suspect her owne care , and question her owne evidences for Heaven , being ever and anon jealous least that shee should faile of Heaven at the last ; This was admirable and imitable in her , that shee would be putting her selfe to the triall , that so shee might see and finde her selfe to be Heaven proofe , and judgement proofe ; and when upon long reasoning and due triall , shee could not put of from her selfe the evidences of a gracious condition ; out of a holy feare , shee brake out into these words ; Sir , are you not mistaken in your trialls ? or in my selfe ? I pray you to deale plainely and faithfully with my soule , doe not make me to beleeve that I am better then I am , or that my estate is safer then it is , remember that you are Gods Minister , and you must give an account to God if that you doe not discharge your duty , in discovering to me the truth of things : Let me know the worst of mine estate , for I desire not , neither did I send for you to be slattered and soothed by you ; O think of this all you that tie up the liberty and authority of Gods Ministers when they come to visit you , who cannot endure the setling of your spirituall estates by the searching of your soules .

Fiftly , She was bold hearted , 5. Zealous in spirit . the fire of holy zeale was kindled within her spirit , and shee was so farre from being ashamed of God and his cause , that as occasion was offered , and as it became her in her place , shee would speake for God , and plead for the power and purity of His blessed worship and service : yea shee kept that liberty to her selfe ( which many loose ) namely , so to enjoy her best friends , that with all she would wisely dislike and Christianly reproove what shee saw or heard to be amisse in them , which made such as well knew her , the more truely to honour and love her .

Sixtly , She was Heavenly 6. Heavēly mindednes . hearted ; and dead to the world whilst shee lived in the world ; shee so minded her countrey in Heaven , that she could willingly part with all the creatures for Heaven , nay she had so ordered her affections and affaires , that shee had little else to doe but to die when shee was to die ; well knowing that an heart set into the creatures , is loath to make an exchange of earth for Heaven , it was neither Husband , nor Children , nor Mother , nor Brothers or Sisters , nor Friends that could stand in her way , to make her loath or unwilling to die ; they were all lookt upon with a dead eye long before shee died ; it is a glorious conquest to get victory over the world and the creatures before a man dies .

Seventhly , Shee was publique 7. Publikenes of spirit . hearted : having her spirit set upon the times , both in the sins and sorrowes thereof , being so sensible of both , that she could bewaile both ; and would be often in stirring up others to pray for Sions peace and glory . Oh how did shee rejoyce when she saw any hopes of good towards the Church of God revived ; and shee would be much cast downe under the feares of nationall calamities , fearing that her sinnes were the procurers of the same .

Eightly , She was bearing 8. Patience . hearted : God put her pietie to proofe , laying his hand heavily upon her in much weakenesse , which kept her long under the Phisitians hands , yet under all gods dealings she was a patterne of patience , quietly resigning her selfe so to the good will and wisedome of God , that shee did not checke or dislike God in the course of his providence , but did acquit the Lord as righteous and just in his way , and did let him alone in his workes , being troubled at the rising of impatiency within her ; desiring chieflly that God would be pleased to make her able to beare his hand , and to give her a sanctified use of his hand , which she knew would be for good unto her .

Ninethly , Shee was stout 9. Stoutnesse . hearted , which appeared in this , that she did not feare the king of feare , death it selfe : I know that shee was very sensible that the time of her departure was at hand , for shee apprehended more in her selfe , then the many skillfull Physitions could in her body , she would tell mee that they were all mistaken in her disease , for she should not escape this sicknesse which was now upon her ; and though she did thinke much , and talke often of it , yet it was not death it selfe that could daunt or dampe her spirits ; she did no feare to die , having the knowledge of this , that it was only death which could bring her unto her desired home .

Tenthly and lastly , Shee 10. Confidence in death . was confident hearted ; her experience of God , and faith in God had raised up her soule to such a trust , in Gods mercy , that finding death approaching , shee left of disputings with Satan , and fixing her eyes with much stedfastnesse on Heaven , about the beginning of the Sabboth ( which was the day of her delight whilst she lived , and I make no doubt a token unto her of an eternall rest in Heaven ) she concluded her life with this saying , Death , Death , O Lord in thee is my trust , which wordes of hers gave occasion to her loving Husband , to give unto mee that Text of Scripture to preach on at her funerall .

And now leaving her Application to the Auditory . whose soule is made perfect in Heaven , and free from all sinne and sorrow ; give me your patience from the whole Narration , to lesson you in these things , that so you may 4. Duties . depart hence with profit .

First , see the joyntnes of women with men , in the common salvation of Christians , God hath given unto them soules as well as men , and he is pleased to make them as eminent in graces and gracious practises as he doth men , and therefore their sex should not be despised , nor their holy courses scorned whilst they doe but endeavour to save their poore soules .

Secondly know , That the more gracious men and women are in their lives , the more comfortable shall they be in their deathes , and the more honourable after their deathes ; such seeke for comfort and credit in a wrong way , that doe not seeke it in a gracious way .

Thirdly , Learne that wee must improove all the holy examples of Gods Saints , by following their courses and Exempla maxime movent . Cic de Orat lib. 3. actions : the Heathen man telles us , that good examples are of great force : and sure I am , that among Christians this is a truth , that good examples are of speciall use and profit , and such as we must be accountable for to God , as well as for precepts ; we cannot doe greater honour to our religious Ancestors deceased , then to endeavour to resemble them in goodnesse and godlinesse : Oh that you would all resolve to go home being such as shee was , and doing that which shee did of whom we have spoken .

Lastly , Draw your owne deaths out of this occasion ; let it put you into dying thoughts , remember that you must all follow her that is gone before you , and how soone you know not , and that every step of your life degrees you into the Chamber of death , you being here sayling down times streame into that gulph of death which enters you into Heavens or hels eternity : My beloved upon this short and shortning time of yours which is uncertaine and irrevocable depends eternity ; and if ever you will be wise for your soules , bee wise in this , to make your life the only providing time for Heavens eternity . And so much for the Text and the occasion . * ⁎ *

FINIS .

Imprimatur

THO: WYKES . Iuly 30. 1640.