A90266:111
Eben-ezer a memorial of the deliverance of Essex, county, and committee, being an exposition on the first ten verses of the third chapter of the prophecy of Habakkuk in two sermons. The first preached at Colchester before his Excellency on a day of thanksgiving for the surrender thereof. The other at Rumford unto the committee who were imprisoned by the enemy Sep. 28. a day set apart unto thanksgiving for their deliverance. / By John Owen pastor of the church of God which is at Coggeshall.Eben-ezer a memoriall of the deliverance of Essex, county, and committee, being an exposition on the first ten verses of the third chapter of the prophesie of Habakkuk in two sermons. The first preached at Colchester before his Excellency on a day of thanksgiving for the surrender thereof. The other at Rumford unto the committee who were imprisoned by the enemy Sep. 28. a day set apart unto thanksgiving for their deliverance. / By John Ovven pastor of the church of God which is at Coggeshall.
London: printed by W. Wilson, 1648
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
2. For the Land, The everlasting Mountains, &c. Those strong firm lasting Mountains of Canaan, not like the Mountains of sand in the desert where the people were, but to continue firm to the worlds end, as both the words here used [Greek or Hebrew] and [Greek or Hebrew], perpetuity, and everlasting, do in the Scripture frequently signify. Now these are said to be scattered and to bow, because of the destruction 1of the Inhabitants of those lasting hills, being many of them high and mighty ones like perpetual Mountains: they being given in possession to the sons of Israel, even the chief things of the ancient Mountains, and the precious things of the lasting hills: Deut. 33. 15.
2. For the Land, The everlasting Mountaines, &c. Those strong firme lasting Mountaines of Canaan, not like the Mountaines of sand in the desart where the people were, but to continue firme to the worlds end, as both the words here used 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 and 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, perpetuity, and everlasting, do in the Scripture frequently signify. Now these are said to be scattered and to bow, because of the destruction 1of the Inhabitants of those lasting hills, being many of them high and mighty ones like perpetuall Mountaines: they being given in possession to the sons of Israel, even the cheife things of the antient Mountaines, and the pretious things of the lasting hills: Deut. 33. 15.
God takes an exact foreview of his peoples portion and inheritance. Like 1a careful father, he knows before hand, what he intends to bestow upon them. He views it, measures it, prepares it to the utmost bounds. They shall not have a hairs breadth which he hath not allotted them: nor want the least jot of their designed portion.
God takes an exact foreview of his peoples portion and inheritance. Like 1a carefull father, he knows before hand, what he intends to bestow upon them. Hee views it, measures it, prepares it to the utmost bounds. They shall not have a hayrs bredth which hee hath not alotted them: nor want the least jot of their designed portion.
Learn to be contented with your Lot. He is wise also, who 1took a view of it, and measured it, and found it just commensurate to your good: had he known that a foots breadth more had bin needful, you should have had it. Had he seen it good; you had had no thorns in your Lands, no Afflictions in your lives. O how careful, how solicitous are many of Gods people! how full of desires! Oh that it were with me thus or thus! possess your souls in patience: As you cannot add too, no more shall any take from your proportion. He took the measure of your wants, and his own supplies long since. That which he hath measured out, he will cut off for you. He knows how to suit all his children.
Learne to be contented with your Lot. He is wise also, who 1took a view of it, and measured it, and found it just commensurate to your good: had he known that a footes bredth more had bin needfull, you should have had it. Had he seen it good; you had had no thornes in your Lands, no Afflictions in your lives. O how carefull, how solicitous are many of Gods people! how full of desires! Oh that it were with me thus or thus! possesse your soules in patience: As you cannot adde too, no more shall any take from your proportion. He took the measure of your wants, and his own supplies long since. That which he hath measured out, he will cut off for you. He knows how to suit all his children.
It is dangerous encroaching for any of the sons of men upon Gods 1peoples portion, lot, privileges or inheritance. God hath measured it out for them, and he will look that they enjoy it. gShall men remove his bounds, and land-marks, and be free? will it be safe trespassing upon the Lands of the Almighty? will it be easy and cheap? will he not plead his Action with power? especially seeing he hath given them their portion. If he hath given Seir to Edom, what doth he vexing and wasting Jacob? Shall they not ⟨p. 21⟩possess what the Lord their God gives them to possess? Jud. 11. 24. He hath cautioned all the world; Kings and others in this kind: Touch not mine anointed, do my prophets no harm: Psal. 105. 14, 15. Touch them not, nor any thing that is theirs: harm them not in any thing I bestow on them. They have nothing but what their Father gives them, and Christ hath bought for them. Will a tender Father think you, contentedly look on, and see a slave snatch away his children's bread? If a man hath engaged himself to give a Jewell to a dear friend, will he take it patiently to have an enemy come and snatch it away before his face? God is engaged to his people for all their enjoyments, and will he quietly suffer himself to be robbed and his people spoiled? Shall others dwell quietly in the Land which he hath measured for his own?
It is dangerous incroaching for any of the sons of men upon Gods 1peoples portion, lot, priviledges or inheritance. God hath measured it out for them, and he will looke that they injoy it. g
See whence the great destructions of People and Nations in 1these latter ages have come. Is it not for touching these forbidden things? The holy Vessels of the Temple at Jerusalem, ruined Babylon. Is not the wasting of the Western Nations, at this day from hence, that they have served the whore to deck her self, with the spoils of the spouse? helped to trim her with the portion of Gods people: taking away their Liberties, Ordinances, Privileges, Lives, to lay at her feet. Doubtless God is pleading with all these Kingdoms for their encroaching. They who will not let him be at peace with his, shall have little quiet with their own. The Eagle that stole a coal from the Altar, fired her nest. I know how this hath been abused to countenance the holding of Babylonish wedges. God will preserve to his people his own allowance, not Romes supplement. This Nation hath yet itching singers, and a hankering mind after the inheritance of Gods people: Let them take heed, he hath knocked off their hands an hundred times, and sent them away with bloody fingers. O that we were wise, that we be not quite consumed. Of you I hope better things, and such as accompany salvation, yet give me leave to cautionate you a little.
See whence the great destructions of People and Nations in 1these latter ages have come. Is it not for touching these forbidden things? The holy Vessels of the Temple at Hierusalem, ruined Babylon. Is not the wasting of the Westerne Nations, at this day from hence, that they have served the whore to deck her selfe, with the spoyles of the spouse? helped to trim her with the portion of Gods people: taking away their Liberties, Ordinances, Priviledges, Lives, to lay at her feet. Doubtlesse God is pleading with all these Kingdomes for their incroaching. They who will not let him be at peace with his, shall have little quiet with their own. The Eagle that stole a coale from the Altar, fired her nest. I know how this hath been abused to countenance the holding of Babylonish wedges. God will preserve to his people his own allowance, not Romes supplyment. This Nation hath yet itching singers, and a hankering minde after the inheritance of Gods people: Let them take heed, he hath knocked off their hands an hundred times, and sent them away with bloudy fingers. O that we were wise, that we be not quite consumed. Of you I hope better things, and such as accompany salvation, yet give me leave to cautionate you a little.
1. As to privileges and liberties of this life. Their liberties and estates, are not as other mens: but more exactly measured for their good, and sanctified to them in the blood of Christ. If in these things God hath called you to the defence and protection of his, he will expect a real account. You had better give away a Kingdom ⟨p. 22⟩that belongs to others, then the least of that which God hath made for his Saints. Think not any thing small, which God accounts worthy to bestow on his. If he hath meted out liberty for them, and you give them slavery, you will have a sad reckoning.
1. As to priviledges and liberties of this life. Their liberties and estates, are not as other mens: but more exactly measured for their good, and sanctifyed to them in the bloud of Christ. If in these things God hath called you to the defence and protection of his, he will expect a reall account. You had better give away a Kingdome ⟨p. 22⟩that belongs to others, then the least of that which God hath made for his Saints. Think not any thing small, which God accounts worthy to bestow on his. If he hath meted out liberty for them, and you give them slavery, you will have a sad reckoning.
2. In point of Ordinances, and Christ purchased privileges: rHere 'tis dangerous encroaching indeed. God exactly measured Canaan because it was to be the seat of a National Church. If you love your lives, if you love your souls, be tender in this point. Here if you meddle with that which belong not unto you, were you Kings, all your glory would be laid in the dust. 2 Chr. 26. 18. woe to them who cut short the Saints of God in the least jot, of what he hath allotted to them in spirituals. Is it for any of you, O ye sons of men, to measure out Gods children's portion, long since bequeathed them by Christ? Let them alone with what is given them. If God call Israel out of Egypt to serve him, shall Pharaoh assign who, and how they shall go, First men only, then all without their cattle? nay says Moses, we will go as God calls, Exod. 10. 26.
2. In point of Ordinances, and Christ purchased priviledges: rHere 'tis dangerous incroaching indeed. God exactly measured Canaan because it was to be the seat of a Nationall Church. If you love your lives, if you love your souls, be tender in this point. Here if you meddle with that which belong not unto you, were you Kings, all your glory would be laid in the dust. 2 Chr. 26. 18. woe to them who cut short the Saints of God in the least jot, of what he hath allotted to them in spiritualls. Is it for any of you, O ye sons of men, to measure out Gods childrens portion, long since bequeathed them by Christ? Let them alone with what is given them. If God call Israel out of Egypt to serve him, shall Pharaoh assigne who, and how they shall go, First men onely, then all without their cattel? nay sayes Moses, we will go as God calls, Exod. 10. 26.
Was not one main end of the late tumults, to rob Gods people of their privileges, to bring them again under the yoke of superstition? What God brake in war, do not think he will prosper in Peace? If you desire to thrive, do not the same, nor any thing like it. Take they any thing of yours, that belongs to Cesar, the Civil Magistrate, restrain them, keep them within bounds. But if they take only what Christ hath given them, O touch them not, harm them not. The heap is provided for them, let them take for themselves. Think it not strange, that every one should gather his own Manna. The Lord forbid that I should oversee the Magistrates of England, taking away liberties, privileges, ordinances or ways of worship, from them to whom the Almighty hath made a free grant of them.
Was not one main end of the late tumults, to rob Gods people of their priviledges, to bring them again under the yoke of superstition? What God brake in warre, do not think he will prosper in Peace? If you desire to thrive, do not the same, nor any thing like it. Take they any thing of yours, that belongs to Cesar, the Civil Magistrate, restraine them, keep them within bounds. But if they take onely what Christ hath given them, O touch them not, harm them not. The heap is provided for them, let them take for themselves. Thinke it not strange, that every one should gather his own Manna. The Lord forbid that I should oversee the Magistrates of England, taking away liberties, priviledges, ordinances or wayes of worship, from them to whom the Almighty hath made a free grant of them.
3 If in taking what God hath measured out for them, they should not all comply with you, in the manner and measure of what they take, do them no harm, impoverish not their families, banish them not, slay them not. sAlas your judgements, were you Kings, and Emperors, is not a rule to them. They must be tried by their own faith. Are their souls think you more precious to you then themselves? You say they take amiss: they ⟨p. 23⟩say no: tand appeal to the word. Should you now smite them? speak blood, is that the way of Jesus Christ? should it be as you affirm, you would be puzzled for your warrant. To run when you are not sent, surely in this case is not safe. But what if it should prove in the close, that they have followed divine Directions? Do you not then fight against God, wound Jesus Christ, and prosecute him as an evil doer? I know the usual colours, the Common pleas, that are used for the instigation of Authority to the contrary. They are the very same and no other, that have slain the Saints of God, this 1200 years. Arguments for persecution are died in the blood of Christians, for a long season, ever since the Dragon gave his power to the false Prophet, they have all died as heretics and Schismatics. Suppose you saw in one view all the blood of the witnesses of Christ, which hath been let out of their veins, by vain pretences, that you heard in one noise the doleful cry of all Pastorlesse Churches, dying martyrs, harbourless children of Parents inheriting the promise, wilderness wandering Saints, dungeoned believers, wrested out by pretended zeal to peace and truth, and perhaps it may make your Spirits tender as to this point.
3 If in taking what God hath measured out for them, they should not all comply with you, in the manner and measure of what they take, do them no harm, impoverish not their families, banish them not, slay them not. sAlas your judgements, were you Kings, and Emperours, is not a rule to them. They must be tryed by their own faith. Are their souls think you more precicious to you then themselves? You say they take amisse: they ⟨p. 23⟩
See the warrantableness of our contests for Gods peoples 1rights. It was Jephthah's only argument against the encroaching Ammonites. Judg. 11. By Gods assistance they would possess what the Lord their God should give them. If a grant from heaven will not make a firm Title, I know not what will. Being called by lawful Authority, certainly, there is not a more glorious Employment, then to serve the Lord, in helping to uphold the portion he hath given his people. If your hearts be upright, and it is the liberties, the privileges of Gods Saints, conveyed from the father, purchased by Christ, you contend for, Go on and prosper, the Lord, is with you.
See the warrantablenesse of our contests for Gods peoples 1rights. It was Jephthaes onely argument against the incroaching Ammonites. Judg. 11. By Gods assistance they would possesse what the Lord their God should give them. If a grant from heaven will not make a firm Title, I know not what will. Being called by lawfull Authority, certainly, there is not a more glorious Employment, then to serve the Lord, in helping to uphold the portion he hath given his people. If your hearts be upright, and it is the liberties, the priviledges of Gods Saints, conveied from the father, purchased by Christ, you contend for, Go on and prosper, the Lord, is with you.
2. From what God did.
The works and labours of Gods people are transacted from them in 1heaven, before they once undertake them. The Israelites were now going to Canaan, God doth their work for them before hand They 2did but go up and take possession; Joshua and Caleb tell the people not only that their enemies defence was departed from them, but that they were but bread for them: Num. 14. 9. Not corn that might be prepared, but bread, ground, made up, ready baked, ready ⟨p. 24⟩to e at. Their work was done in heaven. Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world, Acts 15. 18. All that is done here below, is but the writing of a visible copy for the sons of men to read, out of the eternal lines of his own purpose.
The works and labours of Gods people are transacted from them in 1heaven, before they once undertake them. The Israelites were now going to Canaan, God doth their work for them before hand They 2did but go up and take possession; Joshua and Caleb tell the people not onely that their enemies defence was departed from them, but that they were but bread for them: Num. 14. 9. Not corn that might be prepared, but bread, ground, made up, ready baked, ready ⟨p. 24⟩to e at. Their work was done in heaven. Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world, Acts 15. 18. All that is done here below, is but the writing of a visible copy for the sons of men to read, out of the etenall lines of his own purpose.
Up and be doing, you that are about the work of the Lord. 1Your Enemies are bread ready to be eaten, and yield you refreshment. Do you think if our Armies had not walked in a trodden path they could have made such journeys as they have done of late? had not God marched before them, and traced out their way from Kent to Essex, from Wales to the North, their carcasses had long ere this, been cast into the field. Their work was done in heaven before they begun it. God was gone over the 2Mulberry trees; The work might have been done by children, though he was pleased to employ such worthy instruments. They see I doubt not their own nothingness, in his All-sufficiency. Go on then, but with this caution, search by all ways and means to find the footsteps of the mighty God, going before you.
Up and be doing, you that are about the work of the Lord. 1Your Enemies are bread ready to be eaten, and yield you refreshment. Do you think if our Armies had not walked in a troden path they could have made such journeys as they have done of late? had not God marched before them, and traced out their way from Kent to Essex, from Wales to the North, their carcasses had long ere this, been cast into the field. Their work was done in heaven before they begun it. God was gone over the 2Mulberry trees; The worke might have been done by children, though he was pleased to employ such worthy instruments. They see I doubt not their own nothingnesse, in his All-sufficiency. Go on then, but with this caution, search by all wayes and means to find the footsteps of the mighty God, going before you.
The trembling condition of the opposing nations round about 1when God appeared so gloriously for his people, is held out verse 7.
I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction: The curtains of the Land of Midian did tremble.
I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction: The curtayns of the Land of Midian did tremble.
You have here three things considerable.
