Now, what are the ends of this generation of fighters against this brasen wall? and how distant from those of the Lord's! " They con- sult to cast him down from his excellency" whom God will exalt, Ps. Ixii. 4. They think not as the Lord, neither doth their heart mean so; but it is in their heart to destroy and to cut off, Isa. x. 7. To satisfy their own cornipt lusts, ambition, avarice, revenge, super- stition, contempt of God's people because his, hatred of the yoke of the Lord, ilesldy interests, — even for these, and such like ends as these, is their undertaking.
Thus, though there be a concurrence of God and man in the same thing, yet, considering the distance of their principles, rules, actings,
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and ends, it is apparent that man doth sinfully what the Lord doth judicially; which being an answer to the former objection, I return to give in some uses to the point.
Use 1. Let men, constant, smcere, upright in the ways of God, especially in difficult times, know what they are to expect from many, yea, the most of the generation, whose good they intend, and among whom they live ; — opposition and fighting are like to be their lot ; — and that not only it will be so because of men's lusts, corruptions, preju- dices, but also it shall he so from God's righteous judgments against a stubborn people. They harden then- hearts that it may be so, to compass their ends ; and God hardens their hearts that it shall he so, to bring about his aims. They will do it, to execute their revenge upon others; they shall do it, to execute God's vengeance upon them- selves. This may be for consolation, that in their contending there is nothing but the wrath of man against them whom they oj)pose (which God will restrain, or cause it to turn to his praise) ; but there is the Avrath of God against themselves, — which who can bear? This, then, let all expect who engage their heaits to God, and follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth.
Men walking in the sincerity of their hearts are very apt to con- ceive that all sheaves should bow to theirs, — that all men should cry, " Grace, grace," to their proceedings. Why should any oppose ? " Quid meruere?" Alas! the more upright they are, the fitter for the Lord by them to break a gainsaying people. Let men keep close to those ways of God whereto protection is annexed, and let not their hearts fail them because of the people of the land. The storm of their fury will be like the plague of hail in Egypt ; it smote only the cattle that were in the field ; — those who, upon the word of Moses, drove them into the houses, preserved them alive. If men wander in the field of their own ways, of self-seeking, oppression, ambition, and the like, doubtless the storm will carry them away; but for those who keep house, who keep close to the Lord, though it may have much noise, terror, and dread with it, it shall not come nigh them. And if the Lord, for causes best known, known only to his infinite wisdom, should take off any Josiahs in the opposition, he will certainly effect two things by it.
(1.) To give them rest and peace.
(2.) To further his cause and truth, by dra%ving out the prayers and appeals of the residue; and this living they valued above their lives.
All you, then, that are the Lord's workmen, be always prepared for a storm. Wonder not that men see not the ways of the Lord, nor the judgments of our God ; — ^many are blinded. Admire not that they will so endlessly engage themselves into fruitless opposi- tions;— they are hardened. Be not amazed that evidence of truth
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and righteousness will not affect them; — they are corrupted. But this do ; Come, and eiiter into the chambers of God, and you sliall he safe until this whole indignation be overpast. I speak of all them, and only them, who follow the Lord in all his ways with upiight hearts and single minds: if the Lord will have you to be a rock and a brasen wall for men to dash themselves against, and to break in pieces, though the service be grievous to flesh and blood, yet it is his, whose you are. Be prepared, the wind blows, — a storm may come.
Use 2. Let men set upon opposition make a diligent inquiry, whether there be no hand in the business but their own ? whether their counsels be not leavened with the wrath of God, and their thoughts mixed with a spirit of giddiness, and themselves carried on to their own destruction ? Let me see the opposer of the present ways of God, who, iipon his opposition is made more humble, more self-de- nying, more empty of self-wisdom, more fervent in supplications and waiting upon God, than formerly ; and I Avill certainly blot him out of the roll of men judicially hardened. But if therewith men become also proud, selfish, carnally wise, revengeful, furious upon earthly in- terests, full, impatient ; doubtless God is departed, and an evil spirit from the Lord prevaileth on them. O that men would look about them before it be too late ; see the Lord disturbing them, before the waves return iipon them ; know that they may pull Aovm. some antics that make a great show of supporting the cluu-ch, and yet indeed are pargeted posts supported by it ! The foundation is on a rock that shall not be prevailed against.