286 THE STEAD FASTNESS OF FRO.MISES,
tines: and wliat success he had in that undertaking, yon know. Political diversions, from pure dependance on the promise, do always draw after them a long time of entan- glements.
Give me leave to give a word of caution against one or two things, which men staggering at the promises through unbelief do usually in their carnal wisdom run into, for the compassing of the thing aimed at, that they may not be found in your honourable assembly.
[l.J Take heed of a various management of religion, of the things of God, to the advantage of the present posture and condition of your affairs. The things of Christ should be as Joseph's sheaf, to which all others 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, en- joying authority, have with all industry and diligence pur- sued such and such an appearance of religion ; not that themselves were so passionately affected with it, but merely for the satisfaction of some in that, whose assistance and compliance they needed for other things. Oh let not the things of God be immixed any more with carnal reasonings. His truths are all eternal and unchangeable. Give them at once the sovereignty of your souls, and have not the least thought of making them bend to serve your own ends, though good and righteous. Think not to get the promise like Jacob, by representing yourselves in the things of God for other than you are.
[2.] Hide no truth of God, as to that way of manifesta- tion 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 live upon the faith of that promise, which shall surely be esta- blished, without turning aside to needless, crooked paths of your own.
Use 2. Secondly, Be faithful in doing all the work of God, whereunto you are engaged, as he is faithful in work- ing all your works, whereunto he is engaged. Your work
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whereunto (whilst you are in bis 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 garments 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 sovereignty and interest of England that is alone to be there transacted? For my part I see no farther into the mystery 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 Christ might possess the Irish. But God having suffered those sworn vassals of the man of sin to break out into such ways of villany, 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 acknowledged 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 his long since promised inheritance? And shall we stop at the first part? Is this to deal fairly with the Lord Jesus? Call him out to the battle, and then keep away his crown? 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.
Give me leave to add a few motives to this duty.
(1.) They want it. No want like theirs who want the gospel. I would there were for the present one gospel preacher for every walled town in the English possession in Ireland. The land mourneth, and the people perish for want of knowledge : many run to and fro, but it is upon other designs ; knowledge is not increased.
(2.) They are sensible of their wants, and cry out for supply. The tears and cries of the inhabitants of Dublin,
■2JS8 TMK STKA UFA STXKSS OF 1' lU) .M 1 SKS,
after the manifestations of Christ, are ever in my view. If they were in the dark, and loved to have it so, it might something close a door upon the bowels of our compassion; but they cry out of their darkness, and are ready to follow every one whosoever, to have a candle. If their being gos- pelless move not our hearts, it is hoped their importunate cries will disquiet our rest, and wrest help, as a beggar doth an alms.