It is a wonder, a wonderful work of God, to exalt those that are low, and set mourners in safety. The 107 Psalm, is a Psalm, recounting the wonderful works of God; O that men would praise the Lord for his wonderful works! is the burden of that holy song. And all those wonders conclude in this, ver. 39. 40. Again, they are minished and brought low, through oppression, affliction, and sorrow: what then? He poureth contempt upon Princes, &c. yet setteth he the poor on high from affliction, and maketh him families like a flock. How wonderful is this, ⟨p. 271⟩that the Lord will give Kings for the ransom of his people, and to raise his poor, will pour contempt upon Princes? The highest must down, rather then his low ones shall not be set on high. There are four things, which increase this wonder, and make it exceeding wonderful. First, These poor have no strength, (Deut. 32. 36.) He sees that their strength is gone. Secondly, Many times they have no hope, no faith, When the Son of Man comes, shall he find (among low ones) faith (this faith to be exalted) upon the earth, Luk. 18. 8. Thirdly, They have many enemies, subtle enemies, powerful enemies, confident enemies, enemies (above hope) arrived at assurance, that they shall keep poor ones at an under for ever. Lord (saith David) how many are they that trouble me? So many they were, that he could not tell how many. Fourthly, They are supposed to have no friends, none to appear for them. Let us persecute and take him (say they) for there is 1none to deliver him. Not a man, no nor God, as they conclude, They say of my soul, there is no help for him in his God. I need not say, it is a wonder to exalt a people, upon all these disadvantages: The fact speaks; should you see a man trod upon the ground, and many there holding him down, one by the arm, another by the leg, a third laying a great weight upon his breast, were it not a wonder to see this man rise up, and rescue himself from them all? Thus it is with the Church and servants of God, when they are low, all the world is upon their backs; the world of wicked ones hang about them, one with his power, another with his policy, all with their utmost endeavours to hold them down; yet the Lord sets them on high, who were thus low, and exalts them to safety, who were thus in danger.
It is a wonder, a wonderfull work of God, to exalt those that are low, and set mourners in safety. The 107 Psalme, is a Psalme, recounting the wonderfull works of God; O that men would praise the Lord for his wonderfull works! is the burthen of that holy song. And all those wonders conclude in this, ver. 39. 40. Againe, they are minished and brought low, through oppression, affliction, and sorrow: what then? He powreth contempt upon Princes, &c. yet setteth he the poore on high from affliction, and maketh him families like a flock. How wonderfull is this, ⟨p. 271⟩that the Lord will give Kings for the ransome of his people, and to raise his poore, will powre contempt upon Princes? The highest must downe, rather then his low ones shall not be set on high. There are foure things, which encrease this wonder, and make it exceeding wonderfull. First, These poore have no strength, (Deut. 32. 36.) He sees that their strength is gone. Secondly, Many times they have no hope, no faith, When the Son of Man comes, shall he finde (among low ones) faith (this faith to be exalted) upon the earth, Luk. 18. 8. Thirdly, They have many enemies, subtill enemies, powerfull enemies, confident enemies, enemies (above hope) arrived at assurance, that they shall keep poore ones at an under for ever. Lord (saith David) how many are they that trouble me? So many they were, that he could not tell how many. Fourthly, They are supposed to have no friends, none to appeare for them. Let us persecute and take him (say they) for there is 1none to deliver him. Not a man, no nor God, as they conclude, They say of my soule, there is no help for him in his God. I need not say, it is a wonder to exalt a people, upon all these disadvantages: The fact speakes; should you see a man trod upon the ground, and many there holding him downe, one by the arme, another by the leg, a third laying a great weight upon his breast, were it not a wonder to see this man rise up, and rescue himselfe from them all? Thus it is with the Church and servants of God, when they are low, all the world is upon their backs; the world of wicked ones hang about them, one with his power, another with his policie, all with their utmost endeavours to hold them downe; yet the Lord sets them on high, who were thus low, and exalts them to safety, who were thus in danger.
- 1Psal. 71. 11.
