I shall not say to our brethren, that they have shewed this day, that if Absalom had lived, and all we had been slain, it would have been well pleasing to them: but this I shall say, that it is a sad sign, that our ways please not God, when his ways please not us at all.
There being not space for handling the two remaining propositions contained in the text, I shall go forth to one general use, and so conclude.
" Ezek. xviii. 2.
THE KINGDOM OF CHRIST, kc. 441
Use. Now this I shall take from that of the prophet Amos, chap. iv. 12; the generality of the people being exercised with various judgments, the residue of them are said to be saved * as a firebrand out of the burning ;' that is, power- fully, effectually, from a very terrible, and a very near de- struction. After all the Lord's great dispensations of pro- vidence, in carrying on his own design, this being the con- dition of the people of this nation, many being destroyed by foregoing judgments, and the residue now saved like a fire- brand out of the burning, God having given us this issue of his mighty works, in pulling down the high tree, and exalt- ing the low tree, it cannot but be our wisdom to close with the counsel which God gives in such a condition ; and that you have, 1 say, Amos iv. 12. ' Because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel.' Seeing that all this is done, prepare to meet thy God, O England : prepare to meet thy God, O parliament : prepare to meet thy God, O army.
To lead you a little towards the performance of this duty, it being that, and that alone, which is incumbent on you, I shall shew you these two things.
1. What it is wherein we are to meet our God.
2. How we must meet him therein.
1. For the first, there are three ways wherein we must meet the Lord, if we desire to answer his mind in any of these dispensations.
(1.) In the Vv^ay of his providence.
(2.) In the way of his worship.
(3.) In the way of his holiness.
(1.) The eminent ways of the providence of God in these days may be referred unto three heads.
[1.] His general design to pull down all those high op- positions to the kingdom of his Son which I have mentioned.
[2.] His peculiar aim to stain the glory of all flesh, to pull down high trees, that no flesh may glory.
[3.] His shaking of all endearments and enjoyments here below, that the hearts of his may be fixed only on the things that cannot be shaken.
And these upon all accounts and considerations what- ever, appear to be the main tendencies of the actings of pro- vidence in these our days.
442 'J'HE ADVANTAGE OF
(2.) There is the way of his worship, wherein also he will be met. It is most remote from my thoughts to enter into contests concerning that peculiar way of gospel worship which Christ hath appointed. It sufficeth me, that seeing God hath promised, that in these days he will have his ta- bernacle with men ; and that * barrenness and drought shall be on every soul that comes not up to his feast of taber- nacles,' it is bottom sufficient to press men to meet him in that way, according as he shall graciously make out light into them.
(3.) There is the way of his holiness ; as he is holy, so are all his ways holy ; so he u ill be met and walked with, in all ways of holiness and obedience to Jesus Christ; and these are the ways wherein God will be met by his remnant, his delivered remnant.
2. What then is it to meet the Lord in any of these ways? What is it to meet him in the way of his providence, his worship, his holiness? To meet one in any thing, is to close with him in that thing : we say, herein, I meet you, when we are of one mind. To meet the Lord in these things, is to close with the will and mind of God in them ; this is that which I would exhort you unto, yea, lay the charge of God upon you this day, even on you and your companions, who are as a brand snatched out of the burning.
(1.) To meet God in the way of his providence.
[1.] Meet him in his general design of casting down all combined opposition to the kingdom of his Son; that God in his appointed time will bring forth the kingdom of the Lord Christ unto more glory and power, than in former days, I presume you are persuaded : whatever will be more, these six things are clearly pi'omised.
1st. Fulness of peace unto the gospel and the professors thereof; Isa. xi. 6, 7. liv. 23. xxxiii. 20, 21. Rev. xxi. 25.
2dly. Purity and beauty of ordinances, and gospel wor- ship ; Rev. xi. 1. xxi. 5. the tabernacle was wholly made by appointment ; Mai. iii. 3, 4. Zech. xiv. 16. Rev. xxi. 27. Zech. xiv. 23. Isa. xxxv. 8.
3dly. Multitudes of converts, many persons, yea, nations ; Isa. Ix. 7, 8. Ixvi. 8. xUx. 18—22. Rev. vii. 9.