Chapter 27: Ships Make Much Way with a Trade Wind — So the Saints with the Spirit's Aid

Ships make much way when they a Trade-wind get; With such a Vvind the Saints have ever met.

OBSERVATION.

Though in most parts of the World the Winds are variable, and sometimes blow from every point of the Compass, by reason whereof, sailing is [•]low and dangerous; yet about the Equinoctial, Seamen meet with a Trade-wind, blowing for the most part one way; and there they Sail jocund before it, and scarce need to Lore a Top-sail, for some hundreds of Leagues.

APPLICATION.

Although the People of God meet with many seeming Rubs and Set-backs in their way to Heaven, which are like contrary Winds to a Ship; yet are they from the Day of their Conversion, to the day of their compleat Salvation, never out of a Trade-winds way to Heaven, Romans 8:21. We know that all things work together for good, to them that love God, to them that are the called according to his purpose. This is a most precious Scripture, pregnant with its Consolation to believers in all conditions, a Pillar of comfort to all distressed Saints: Let us look a little nearer to it.

(Vve know) Mark the certainty and evidence of the Proposition, which is not built upon a guess or remote probability, but upon the knowledge of the Saints: we know it, and that partly by divine Revelation, God has told us so; and partly by our own experience, we find it so.

(That all things) Not only things that lie in a natural and direct tendency to our good; as Ordinances, Promises, Blessings, &c. but even such things as have no natural fitness and tendency to such an end; as afflictions, temptations, corruptions, desertions, &c. All these help onward. They

(Vvork together.) Not all of them directly, and of their own nature and inclination; but by being over-ruled, and determined to such an issue by the gracious hand of God: Nor yet do they work out such good to the Saints, singly and apart, but as adjuvant causes or helps, standing under and working in subordination to the supream and principal cause of their happiness.

Now the most seeming opposite things, indeed sin in itself, which in its own nature is really opposite to their good, yet eventually contributes to it. Afflictions and Desertions seem to work against us; but being once put into the rank and order of Causes, they work together with such blessed instruments, as Word and Prayer, to an happy issue. And though the faces of these things, that thus agree and work together▪ look contrary ways; yet there be, as it were, secret chains and connections of Providence between them, to unite them in their issue. There may be many instruments employed about one work, and yet not communicate coun[•]els, or hold intelligence with each other. Joseph's Brethren, the Midianites, Potiphar, &c. knew not one anothers mind, nor aimed at one end, (much less the end that God brought about by them:) one acts out of Revenge▪ another for gain, a third out of Policy; yet all meet together at last, in that issue God had design'd to bring about by them, even Joseph's advancement. Even so it is here, Christian, there be more instruments at work for your eternal good, than you are aware of▪

REFLECTION.

Chear up then, O my Soul, and lean upon this Pillar of Comfort in all distresses. Here is a promise for me (if I be a called one) that, like the Phillosophers Stone, turns all into Gold it toucheth. This promise is my security, however things go in the world. My God will do me no hurt, Jeremiah 25:6. In fact, he will do me good by every dispensation. O that I had but an heart to make all things work for his glory, that thus causeth every thing to work for my good. My God, dost you turn every thing to my advantage? O let me return all to your praise; and if by every thing you work my eternal good, then let me in every thing give thanks.

But ah! How foolish and ignorant have I been? even as a beast before you. How has my heart been disquieted, and apt to repine at your dispensations, when they have crossed my Will! not considering that my God faithfully pursues my good, even in those things that cross, as well as in that which pleases me.

Blessed Lord! What a blessed condition are all your people in, who are within the Line of this promise? All things friendly and beneficial to them, Friends helpful, Enemies helpful, every thing conspiring and conducing to their happiness. With others it is not so; nothing works for their good; in fact, every thing works against it: Their very mercies are snares, and their Prosperity destroys them, Proverbs 1:32. Even the blessed Gospel it self is a savour of death to them: When evil befals them, it is an only evil, Ezekiel 7:5. that is, not turned into good to them; and as their evils are not turned into good, so all their good is turned into evil. As this Promise has an influence into all that concerns the people, so the curse has a influence into all the enjoyments of the wicked. O my soul, bless the Lord, who has cast your lot into such a pleasant place, and given you such a glorious heritage, as this promise is.

THE POEM.

When once the Dog star rises many say,

Corn ripens then apace, both night and day.

Souls once in Christ, that Morning-star lets fall

Such influences on them then, that all

Gods dispensations to them, sweet or sowr,

Ripens their Souls for Glory every hour.

All their afflictions, rightly understood,

Are blessings; every Wind will blow some good.

Sure at their troubles Saints would never grudge,

Were Sense deposed, and Faith made the Judge.

Falls make them waryer, amend their pace;

When gifts puff up their hearts, and weaken Grace.

Could Satan see the issue and the event

Of his temptations, he would scarcely tempt.

Could Saints but see what fruits their troubles bring,

Amidst those troubles they would shout and sing.

O sacred Wisdom! who can but admire

To see how you dost save from fire, by fire!

No doubt but Saints in glory wondering stand

As those strange Methods few now understand.