The Fifth Case: Providence and Death
HOw may a Christian work his heart into a resigning frame unto the will of God; when sad Providences approach him, and presage great troubles and afflictions coming on towards him?
For the right stating and resolving of this important case, it will be needful to shew (1.) What is not included and intended in the Question. (2.) What it does suppose and include in it, and lastly, what helps and directions are necessary for the due performance of this great and difficult duty.
First, Negatively.
As to the first, It must be premised that the Question does not suppose the heart or will of a Christian to be at his own command and dispose in this matter: we cannot resign it, and subject it to the will of God whenever we desire so to do: the duty indeed is ours, but the power by which alone we perform it is Gods: We act as we are acted by the Spirit. It is with our hearts. as with meeors hanging in the air. by the influence of the Sun; while that continues they abide above, but when it fails they fall to the earth: We can do this, and all things else be they never so difficult, through Christ that strengthens us, Philippians 4:13 But without him we can do nothing, John 15:5 he does not say, without me ye can do but little, or without me ye can do nothing but with great difficulty, or without me ye can do nothing perfectly; but without me ye can do nothing at all. And every Christian has a witness in his own breast to attest this truth: for there are cases frequently occurring in the methods of Providence, in which notwithstanding all their prayers and desires, all their reasonings and strivings, they cannot quiet their hearts fully in the dispose; and will of God; but on the contrary do find all their endeavours in this matter, to be but as the rolling of a returning stone against the Hill: till God say to the heart be still, and to the will give up, nothing can be done.
Secondly, Affirmatively.
Next, Let us consider what this case does suppose, and include in it, and we shall find
That it supposeth the people of God to have a foresight of troubles and distresses approaching and drawing near to them: I confess 'tis not always so, for many of our afflictions, as well as comforts, come by way of surprizals upon us: but oft times we have forewarnings of trouble both public and personal, before we feel them: as the weather may be discerned by the ace of the Sky, when we see a morning Sky red and lowring, this is a natural sign of a foul and rainy day, Matth. 16:3 and there are as certain signs of the times, whereby we may discern when trouble is near, even at the door: And these forewarnings are given by the Lord to awaken us to our duties, by which they may either be prevented, Zeph. 2. 1, 2. or sanctified and sweetned to us when they come. These signs and notices of approaching troubles are gathered partly from the observation and collation of parallel Scripture cases and examples, God generally holding one tenour and steddy course in the administrations of his Providences in all ages, 1 Corinthians 10:6 partly from the Reflections Christians make upon the frames and tempers of their own hearts, which greatly need awakening, humbling and purging Providences. For let a Christian be but a few years or months without a rod, and how formal, earthly, dead and vain, will his heart grow? And such a temper presages affliction to them that are beloved of the Lord, as really as the giving or sweating of the stones does rain. Lastly, The ordering and disposing of the next causes into a posture and preparation for our trouble, plainly premonisheth us that trouble is at the door. Thus when the symptoms of sickness begin to appear upon our own bodies, the wie of our bosome, or our children that are as our own souls, Providence herein awakens our expectations of death and doleful separations: so when enemies combine together and plot the ruine of our liberties, estates, or lives, and God seemeth to loose the bridle of restraint upon their necks, now we cannot but be alarmed with the near approach of troubles, especially when at the same time our conscience shall reflect upon the abuse and non-improvement of these our threatned comforts.
The case before us supposeth, that these premonitions and fore-runners of affliction, do usually very much disturb the order and break the peace of our souls, they put the mind under great discomposure, the thoughts under much distraction, and the affections into tumults and rebellion.
Ah how unwilling are we to surrender to the Lord the Loan which he lent us! to be disquieted by troubles when at ease in our enjoyments! How unwelcome are the messengers of affliction to the best men! we are ready to say to them as the Widow to Elijah, What have I to do with you, O man (O messenger) of God, art you come unto me to call my sin to remembrance, and to slay my Son? 1 Kings 17:18 And this ariseth partly from the remains of corruption in the best souls, for though every sanctified person is come by his own consent into the kingdom, and under the government and Scepter of Christ, and every thought of his heart de jure, and of right must be subjected to him, 2 Corinthians 10:5 yet de facto the conquest and power of grace is but incompleat and in part, and natural corruption like Jerobam with his vain men riseth up against it, and auseth many mutinies in the soul, whil'st grace like young Abijah is weak handed, and cannot resist them. And partly from the advantage Satan makes upon the season to irritate and assist our corruptons: he knows that which is already in motion, is the more easily moved. In this confusion and hurry of thoughts he undiscernedly shuffles in his temptations. Sometimes aggravating the evils which we fear with all the sinking and overwhelming circumstances imaginable. Sometimes divining and fore-casting such events and evils, as (haply) never fall out. Sometimes repining at the disposes of God as more severe to us than others. And sometimes reflecting with very unbelieving and unworthy thoughts upon the promises of God, and his faithfulness in them, by all which the affliction is made to sink deep into the soul before it actually comes. The thoughts are so disordered, that duty cannot be duly performed. And the soul is really weakned, and disabled to bear its tryal when it comes indeed: just as if a man should be kept waking and restless all the night with the thoughts of his hard journey which he must travel to morrow, and so when to morrow is come, he faints for want of rest, mid-way his journey.
It is here supposed to be the Christians great duty, under the apprehensions of approaching troubles to resign his will to Gods, and quietly commit the events and issues of all to him, whatever they may prove. Thus did David in the like case and circumstances, 2 Samuel 15. 25, 26. And the King said unto Zadock, carry back the Ark of God into the City. If I shall find favor in the eyes of the Lord, he will bring me back again, and shew me both it and his habitation: but if he shall thus say, I have no delight in you, behold here am I, let him do to me as seemeth good to him.
O lovely and truly Christian temper! q. d. go Zadock, return with the Ark to its place, though I have not the symbol, yet I hope I shall have the real presence of God with me in this sad journey: how he will dispose the events of this sad and doubtful Providence I know not: Either I shall return again to Jerusalem, or I shall not: If I do, then I shall see it again, and enjoy the Lord in his ordinances there. If I do not, then I shall go to that place where there is no need or use of those things. And either way it will be well for me, I am content to refer all to the divine pleasure, and commit the issue, be it whatever it will be, to the Lord.
And till our hearts come to the like resolve, we can have no peace within. Commit your works unto the Lord, and your thoughts shall be established, Proverbs 16:3 By works he means not only every enterprize and business we undertake, but every puzzling, intricate, and doubtful event we fear. These being once committed by an act of faith, and our wills resigned unto his, besides the comfort we shall have in the issue, we shall have the present advantage of a well composed, and peaceful Spirit.
But this resignation is the difficulty; no doubt of peace, could we once bring our hearts to that. And therefore
I shall here subjoyn such helps and directions, as may through Gods blessing, in the faithful use of them, assist and facilitate this great and difficult work.
First Help.
And first, Labour to work into your hearts a deep and fixed sense of the infinite wisdom of God, and your own folly and ignorance. This will make resignation easie to you: whatsoever the Lord does is by counsel, Ephesians 1:11 his understanding is infinite, Psalm 147:5 his thoughts are very deep, Psalm 92:5 but as for man, yea the wisest among men, how little does his understanding penetrate the works and designs of Providence? And how oft are we forced to retract our rash opinions, and confess our mistakes? acknowledging that if Providence had not seen with better eyes than ours, and looked farther than we did, we had precipitated our selves into a thousand mischiefs, which by its wisdom and care we have escaped. It's well for us that the seven eyes of Providence are ever awake, and looking out for our good. Now if one creature can and ought to be guided and governed by another that is more wise and skilful than himself, as the Client by his learned Counsel, the Patient by his skilful Physician, much more should every creature give up his weak reason, and shallow understanding to the infinite wisdom of the omniscient God.
It's nothing but our pride and arrogance overvaluing our own understandings that makes resignation so hard. Carnal reason seems to it self a wise disputant about the concerns of the flesh, but how often has Providence baffled it? The more humility, the more resignation.
How few of our mercies and comforts have been foreseen by us? our own projects have come to nothing, and that which we never thought on, or contrived has taken place; not our choice of the ground, or skill in weighing and delivering the Bowl, but some unforeseen Providence, like a rub in the Green was that which made the cast.
Second Help.
Deeply consider the sinfulness and vanity of torturing your own thoughts about the issues of doubtful Providences.
(1.) There is much sin in so doing: for, all our anxious and solicitous emotions, what are they other than the immediate issues and fruits of pride and unbelief? There is not a greater discovery of pride in the world, than in the contests of our wills with the Will of God. It's a presumptuous invading of Gods Prerogative, to dictate to his Providence, and prescribe to his wisdom.
(2.) There is a great deal of vanity in it: all the thoughtfulness in the world will not make one hair white or black: all our discontents will not prevail with God to call back (or as the word may be rendered) make void his Word, Isaiah 31:2 he is in one mind, Job 23:13 the thoughts of his mind are from everlasting, Psalm 33:11
Third Help.
Set before you those chice Scripture patterns of sbmission to the Lords Will in as deep, yea, much deeper points of self-denyal than this before you, and shame your selves out of this quarrelling temper with Providence.
You know what a close tryal that Providence was to Abraham, that called him from his native Countrey and Fathers house, to go he knew not whither; and yet it's said in Isaiah 41:2 he came to Gods foot, as readily obeying his call, as a servant when his Master knocks for him with his foot.
Paul's voyage to Jerusalem, had a dismal aspect upon himself, he could expect nothing but bonds and prisons, as he tells us, Acts 20:23 and a great tryal it was to the saints, who could not tell how to give up such a Minister, yet he resigns up his will to Gods, Acts 20:22 and so do they, Acts 21:14 The Will of the Lord be done.
But far beyond these, and all other patterns, what an example has our dear Lord Jesus set before us in the deepest point of self-denyal that ever was in the world. When the Father gave the Cup of sufferings into his hands in the garden, Mark 14:36 a cup of wrath, the wrath of the great and terrible God, and that without mixture: the very taste whereof, put nature into an Agony and astonishment, a sore amazement, a bloody sweat; and forced from him that vehement and sad cry, Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass; yet still with submission, nevertheless not my will, but yours be done. O blessed pattern of obedience, and resignation to the pleasure of God! What is your case to this?
Fourth Help.
Study the singular benefits and advantages of a Will resigned up, and melted into the Will of God.
(1.) Such a Spirit has a continual Sabbath within it self: the thoughts are established, Proverbs 16:3 and truly, till a man come to this, he does but too much resemble the Devil, who is a restless Spirit, secking rest, but finding none.
It was an excellent expression of Luther, to one that was much perplexed in his spirit about the doubtful events of some affairs of his that were then depending: Dominus tua omnia faciat, & tu nihil facias, sed sis Sabbatum Christi: (i. e.) The Lord shall do all for you, and you shalt do nothing, but be the Sabbath of Christ. It is by this means that the Lord gives his beloved sleep, Psalm 127:2 he means not the sleep of the body, but of the Spirit. Fideles (says One upon that place) etsi vitam agant laboriosam, composiris tamen & tranquillis animis in fidei silentio se continent, ac si dormirent: (i. e.) Though believers live in the midst of many troubles here, yet with quiet and composed minds they keep themselves in the silence of faith, as though they were asleep.
(2.) Besides, it fits a mans spirit for communion with God in all his afflictions, and this alleviates and sweetens them beyond any thing in the world.
(3.) And surely a man is never nearer the mercy he desires, or the deliverance he expects, (as One truly observes) than when his soul is brought into a submissive temper. David was never nearer the kingdom, than when he became as a weaned Child.
Fifth Help.
Lastly, Think how repugnant an unsubmissive temper is both to your prayers and professions.
You pray that the Will of God may be done on Earth as it is in Heaven, and yet when it seems to cross your wills or interests, you struggle and fret against it. You profess to have committed your souls to his keeping, and to leave your eternal concerns in his hands; and yet cannot commit things infinitely less valuable unto him. How contradictory are these things!
Your Profession as Christians, speaks you to be led by the Spirit, but this practice speaks you to follow the perverse counsels of your own spirits. O then regret no more, dispute no more, but lye down meekly at your Fathers feet, and say in all cases and at all times, the Will of the Lord be done.
ANd thus I have through the Aid of Providence, performed what I designed to speak from this Scripture. I acknowledge, my performances have been accompanied with much weakness, yet have endeavoured to speak of Providence the things that are right. Blessed be the Lord, who has thus far assisted and protected me in this work.
How Providence will dispose of my life, liberty and labors for time to come, I know not, but I cheerfully commit all to him, who has hitherto performed all things for me.
FINIS.
