(1.) First, The power of religion hath totally been devoured by that lean, hungry, never-to-be-satisfied beast of carnal pohcy; — no signs left that it was ever in their bosoms. Conformity unto Christ in gospel graces is looked on as a mean, contemptible thing. Some of them have fallen to downright atheism, — most of them to wretched fomiality in the things of God. And then, —
(2.) Secondly, Their plots and undertakings have generally proved tjTupanous and birthless; vexation and disappointment hath been the portion of the residue of their clays. The ceasing to lean ujDon the Lord, and striving to be "wise in our actings, like the men of the world, hath made more Rehoboams than any one thing in this gene- ration.
What now lies at the bottom of all this? Merely staggering at the 'promise tlirough unbelief. What building is that like to be which hath a staggering foundation? When God answers not Saul, he goes to the devil. When the promise will not support us, we go to carnal policy : neither can it otherwise be. Engaged men finding one way to disappoint them, presently betake themselves to another. If men begin once to stagger at the promise, and to conclude, in their fears, that it will not receive accomplishment, that the fountain will be dry, they cannot but think it high time to dig cisterns for them- selves. When David says, he shall one day perish by the hand of Saul, whatever God had said to the contrary, his next advice is. Let me go to the Phihstines : and what success he had in that undertak- ing you know. Political diversions from pure dependence on the promise, do always draw after them a long time of entanglements.
Give me leave to give a word of caution against one or two things which men, staggering at the promises tlirough imbelief, do usually in their carnal wisdom run into, for the compassing of the thing aimed at, tliat they may not be found in your honouraljle assembly.
[L] Take heed of a various management of religion, of the things of God, to the advantage of the present posture and condition of your aftlius. The things of Christ should be as Joseph's sheaf, to which all otliers should bow. When they are made to cringe, and bend, and put on a flattering countenance, to allure any sort of men into their interest, they are no more the things of Christ. I would it had not been too evident formerly, that men entangled in their affairs, enjoying authority, have, Avith all industry and diligence, pur.sucd such and such an appearance of religion; not that themselves Averc so passionately affected with it, but merely for the satisfaction of some in that, whose assistance and compliance they needed for other thmgs.
AND SINFULNESS OF STAGGERING. 235
Oh, let not the things of God be immixed any more with carnal rea- sonings ! His truths are all eternal and unchangeable. Give them at once the sovereignity of your souls, and have not the least thought of making them bend to serve your own ends, though good and righ- teous. Think not to get the promise like Jacob, by rejsresenting yourselves in the things of God for other than you are.
[2.] Hide no truth of God as to that way of manifestation which to you is committed, for fear it should prove prejudicial to your affairs. That influence and signature of your power which is due to any truth of God, let it not be withheld by carnal reasonings. I might farther draw out these, and such like things as these; — the warning is, to hve upon the faith of that promise, which shall surely be established, without tm'uing aside to needless, crooked paths of your own.
Use 2. Secondly. Be faithful in doing all the work of God where- unto you are engaged, as he is faithful in working all your works whereunto he is engaged. Your work, whereunto (whilst you are in his ways) God is engaged, is your safety and protection : God's work, whereunto you are engaged, is the propagating of the kingdom of Christ, and the setting up of the standard of the gospel. So far as you find God going on with your work, go you on with his. How is it that Jesus Christ is in Ireland only as a lion staining all his gar- ments with the blood of his enemies; and none to hold him out as a lamb sprinkled with his own blood to his friends ? Is it the sove- reignty and interest of England that is alone to be there transacted? For my jDart, I see no farther into the IMYSTERY of these things but that I could heartily rejoice, that, innocent blood being expiated, the Irish might enjoy Ireland so long as the moon endureth, so that Jesus Clirist might possess the Irish. But God having suffered those sworn vassals of the man of sin to break out into such ways of vil- lany as render them obnoxious unto vengeance, upon such rules of government amongst men as he hath appointed ; is there, therefore, nothing to be done but to give a cup of blood into their hands ? Doubtless the way whereby God will bring the followers after the beast to condign destruction for all their enmity to the Lord Jesus, will be by suffering them to run into such practices against men as shall righteously expose them to vengeance, according to acknow- ledged principles among the sons of men. But is this all? hath he no farther aim? Is not all this to make way for the Lord Jesus to take possession of liis long since promised inheritance? And shall we stop at the first part? Is this to deal fairly Avith the Lord Jesus? — call him out to the battle, and then keep away his croicnl God hath been faithful in doing great things for you ; be faithful in this one, — do your utmost for the preaching of the gospel in Ireland.