Moses or Samuel, stands up, and pleads for a deliverance, and prevails. Says God, Destroy not the cluster; there is a blessing in it. When the greatest and most dreadful judgment, that God ever executed on sinners in this world, was coming forth, had there been ten persons following after holiness, its accomplishment had been prevented. Here then we have a project to save three nations by; and without this, in vain shall they use any other remedies, they shall not be healed.

[3.] Consider this thing, how it relates unto Christ and his glory. All the revenue of glory or honour that we bring unto Christ in this world, is by our obedience or holiness. He did not die for us, that we might be great, or wise, or learned, or powerful in the world; but that he might purify us to be a peculiar people unto himself, zealous of good works. This was his design and aim, that he might have a holy people, a faithful people in the world. He tells us, that herein his Father is glorified, that we bear much fruit; not that we be successful, that we rule and prevail, that we are in credit and reputation, but that we bring forth much fruit; and in the glory of the Father, is the Son glorified also. It is this alone that adorns the doctrine of his gospel, and lifts up his name in the world; but especially is Christ glorified, by the holiness of his saints in such a season; because

1st. Thereby we bear witness to the world, that indeed we believe him to be come forth amongst us, and that the works that are on the wheel relate to his kingdom and interest. Let us talk of it whilst we please, unless we live and walk as those who have communion with Christ in the works he doth, the world will yet think that whatever we profess, yet indeed we believe as they do, that it is a common thing that hath befallen us. But when indeed they shall see, that there is a real reverence of his person upon our spirits, and that we bestir ourselves in his ways, like servants in the presence of their master; this carries a conviction along with it. To hear men talk of the coming of Christ, and the day of Christ, and the great and terrible things that Christ hath done in these days; and yet in the mean time to walk as the men of the world, in a spirit of pride, selfishness, and wrath, in sensuality or pleasure, in neglect of prayer and humiliation: yea, of all gospel duties, swearers and drunkards do

not so dishonour Christ as such men do. But let men but see professors making it their business to be holy, humble, self-denying, useful in the world, condescending in love, resigning all to God, they cannot but say, Well, this is a great day to the saints; they verily believe that Christ is among them. This is a professing that brings conviction; words are but as speaking with tongues, that work not out the glory of Christ.

2dly. Thereby we bear witness unto what sort of kingdom it is, that Christ hath in the world, and what a kind of king he is. I cannot but fear that our talking of the kingdom of Christ, and managing our notions of it, at least in the world's apprehensions, to carnal advantages, hath been a notable hinderance of the coming of it forth in beauty and glory amongst us. Every party talks of the kingdom of Christ, some more, some less, all pretend unto it; but it is evident, that many would set him on his throne with the petition of Zebedee's children in their mouths, that they may sit on his right hand, and his left. Hence the world doth really persuade itself, and is hardened every day in that persuasion, that whatever is pretended of Christ, it is self-interest that carries all before it; and that men do entertain that notion for the promotion of self-ends. But now this design of abounding in real holiness sets up the pure, unmixed interest of Christ, and casts a conviction upon the world to that purpose. When the world may read in our lives, that the kingdom we look for, though it be in this world, yet it is not indeed of this world, but is righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost; this brings that honour to Christ, wherein he is delighted; and the ignorance of foolish men is put to silence.

3dly. This brings honour unto Christ, and glorifies him in all the vengeance that he executes on his enemies, and all the care that he takes of his own. The world itself is hereby made to see, that there is a real difference indeed in them, between whom Christ puts a difference, and is convinced of the righteousness of his judgments. Every one may answer them, when they inquire the reason of the dispensations amongst us. Yea, they may answer themselves, the Lord hath done great things for these, even these that serve him.

SERMON XXIX.*

HUMAN POWER DEFEATED.

The stout-hearted are spoiled, they have slept their sleep; and none of the men of might have found their hands.-Psal. Ixxvi. 5.

THE Common circumstances of this psalm, concerning the penman, title, and the like, I shall not at all inquire after. The time of its being given to the church is alone to us considerable; and yet all the knowledge thereof also is but conjectural. What particular time it was wherein it was given, we know not; but that it was given for the use of all times, that we know. Probable it is, from ver. 3. that it was established as a monument of praise in the days of Hezekiah, when by the immediate hand of God, Jerusalem was delivered from the army of Sennacherib. For a return of which mercy, though good Hezekiah came short of the obligation laid on him, rendering not again according to the benefit done unto him; yet the Lord himself takes care for his own glory, setting forth this psalm as a monument of the praise due to his name unto all generations.

The deliverance of Jerusalem then from so great ruin, as that impending over it from the threatening army of Sennacherib under their walls, being the occasion of penning this psalm, it cannot but yield us a meet foundation of making mention of the name of the Lord in a suitable work this day.

In general, the whole is eucharistical, and hath two parts: First, Narratory, concerning the work of God for his people. Secondly, Laudatory, or the praise of his people for those works.

ver.

The first part, hath three particulars :

1. An exordium, by way of exultation and rejoicing, 1, 2.

* Upon the defeat of the Levellers at Burford, May 18, 1642. This sermon was preached before the Parliament, June 7, following, as appears by Whitlock's Menoirs, fol. 321 col. 2.

2. A special narration of the work of God, for which the praise of the whole is intended, ver. 3. 5, 6.

3. An apostrophe to the Lord concerning the one, and the other, ver. 4.

The latter containeth,

1. A doctrinal observation for the use of the church from the whole, ver. 7.

2. The reasons and confirmation of the doctrine so laid down, taken from the power and righteousness of God in the actions recounted, ver. 8, 9.

3. A threefold use of the doctrine so confirmed. Of instruction, ver. 10. Of exhortation, ver. 11. Of establishment and consolation, ver. 12.

The particulars preceding my text I shall a little touch upon, that the mind of the Holy Ghost therein may be the more clear unto you, and the doctrine from thence appear with the greater evidence.

1. In the exordium, ver. 1, 2. you have two things: (1.) The names of the place wherein the work mentioned was wrought, and the praise returned held forth; and these are Judah, Israel, Salem, Zion. (2.) The relation of God unto this place, which lies at the bottom of the work he did for them, and the praise they returned unto him. He was known, his name was great amongst them; there was his tabernacle and his dwelling-place, which may be referred to two heads; the knowledge of his will, ver. 1. and the establishment of his worship, ver. 2.

(1.) For the description of the place, by its several names and titles, I shall not insist upon it; they are all but various expressions of the same thing. It is the church of God that is adorned with all these titles, and names of singular endearment. Judah, that single tribe of which the Messiah was to come; Israel, a prevailing people, the posterity of him that prevailed with God; Salem, the place he chose above all the places of the earth to settle his name therein; and Zion, the choice ornament of that Salem, a model wherein the beauty and excellency of all the other are contracted; whose gates were then so dear unto the Lord. Or perhaps, you have the distribution of the whole into its several parts; Judah, the governing tribe; Israel, the body of the people; Salem, the chief place of their residence and glory; and

Zion, the presence of God in his worship amongst them all. Now the mention of these titles of the church, so dear to the Lord, doth front the following narration, to afford us this observation.

Observation. The care of Salem, of Zion, lies at the bottom of all God's powerful actings and workings among the sons of men. Every mighty work of God throughout the world, may be prefaced with these two verses. The whole course of affairs in the world, is steered by providence in reference to the good of Salem; Zion hath been the rise and downfall of all the powers of the world; it is her deliverance or trial that is intended in their raising, and her recompense and vengeance in their ruin. God works not among the nations for their own sakes. When they are sifted with a sieve, they are but the chaff, Israel is the corn, for whose sake it is done, whereof not the least grain shall fall to the ground; Amos ix. 9. She is precious in God's sight and honourable; he loved her; therefore he giveth men for her and people for her life;' Isa. xliii. 4. The men of the world are very apt to pride themselves in their thoughts, as though great were their share and interest in the glorious things that God is accomplishing; like a fly that sat on the chariot wheel, and cried, What a dust have I raised round about? The truth is, their names are written in the dust, and they are of no account in the eyes of the Lord in all he is accomplishing, but only to exalt his name in their miscarriage and destruction. Was it not in the thoughts of some lately amongst us, that their right hand had accomplished the work of the Lord, and that the end of it must be the satisfaction of their lusts? And hath not the Lord declared, that they have neither part nor lot in this matter? It was Salem, not self; Zion, not Babylon, or confusion, that lay at the bottom of the whole.

(2.) There is a relation of God unto this place. His will was known there, ver. 1. and his worship was established, ver. 2. And these also have their particular mention.

Observation. In the deliverance of his people, God hath a special regard to the honour of his ordinances. Why so great things for Salem? Why there his word is preached, whereby his will is known, and his name made great; there