N01078:58
The just man's prerogative. A sermon preached privately, Sept. 27. 1706. on a solemn occasion; for the consolation of a sorrowful family, mourning over the immature death, of a pious son, viz Mr. Simeon Stoddard, who was found barbarously murdered, in Chelsea-Fields near London, May 14. 1706. / By S. Willard. ; [Two lines from II Samuel]
printed by B. Green. Sold by Nicholas Boone, 1706
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.
Two PROPOSITIONS are contained in this DOCTRINE. [I.] That Christians do sometimes meet with sore Afflictions. [II.] They should quietly Submit to the Holy Sovereign Will of GOD, under all of them.
Two PROPOSITIONS are contain'd in this DOCTRINE. [I.] That Christians do sometimes meet with sore Afflictions. [II.] They should quietly Submit to the Holy Sovereign Will of GOD, under all of them.
PROP. I. Christians do sometimes meet with sore Afflictions. Much need not be said to prove this Truth, since undeniable experience renders it so evident, and that in all Ages. The infallible Word of God also informs us; that Many are the Afflictions of the Righteous, Psal. 34.19. Tis through' much Tribulation, we must enter into the Kingdom of God, Act. 14.22. Yea and all that will live Godly in Christ Jesus, shall suffer Persecution, 2 Tim. 3.12. Christians must in some measure be Conformed to their Head, the blessed JESUS. He was a Man of Sorrows, and acquainted with grief. He First Suffered, and then went into his Glory. He First endured the Cross, despising the shame; and afterwards sat down, on the right hand of the Majesty on high. Christians must Suffer, before they Reign. But I need say no more at present, to evidence the first Proposition, viz. That Christians sometimes meet with sore Afflictions: but may proceed to the,
PROP. I. Christians do sometimes meet with sore Afflictions. Much need not be said to prove this Truth, since undeniable experience renders it so evident, and that in all Ages. The infallible Word of God also informs us; that Many are the Afflictions of the Righteous, Psal. 34.19. Tis thro' much Tribulation, we must enter into the Kingdom of God, Act. 14.22. Yea and all that will live Godly in Christ Jesus, shall suffer Persecution, 2 Tim. 3.12. Christians must in some measure be Conformed to their Head, the blessed JESUS. He was a Man of Sorrows, and acquainted with grief. He First Suffered, and then went into his Glory. He First endured the Cross, despising the shame; and afterwards sat down, on the right hand of the Majesty on high. Christians must Suffer, before they Reign. But I need say no more at present, to evidence the first Proposition, viz. That Christians sometimes meet with sore Afflictions: but may proceed to the,
PROP. II. They should quietly Submit to the Holy Sovereign Will of GOD, under all of them. They should by no means quarrel with their Maker; nor contend with the Supreme Sovereign Owner, ⟨p. 5⟩and Governor of all things. They should not foolishly tax, those depths of Providence which they cannot fathom. But instead of this, they should quietly Submit, lye at God's Foot, adore his Sovereignty, humbly Justify him in all his Proceedings; Patiently bearing whatever trial he's pleased to exercise them withal.
PROP. II. They should quietly Submit to the Holy Sovereign Will of GOD, under all of them. They should by no means quarrel with their Maker; nor contend with the Supream Sovereign Owner, ⟨p. 5⟩and Governour of all things. They should not foolishly tax, those depths of Providence which they cannot fathom. But instead of this, they should quietly Submit, lye at God's Foot, adore his Sovereignty, humbly Justify him in all his Proceedings; Patiently bearing whatever tryal he's pleased to exercise them withal.
Here we might Inquire,
Quest. What are those Considerations which should move Christians, thus quietly to Submit to the Holy Sovereign Will of GOD, under all their sore Afflictions?
For Answer, There are several Considerations, which should move them hereunto. I shall mention some of them, As,
1. All our Afflictions are brought upon us, by God's Providence. Indeed Sin is the Meritorious procuring cause, of all Afflictions. Men are brought Low, for their Iniquity, Psal. 106.43. Your Sins have with-holden good things from you, Jer. 5.25. Yet God's Providence, is the Supreme Efficient cause of all our Troubles: Amos 3.6. Is there any evil (that is, Affliction) in the City, and the Lord hath not done it? No, there's none. Isa. 45.7. I form the light, I create darkness; I make Peace, I create Evil; I the Lord do all these things. By Darkness and Evil, we are to understand Afflictions; and they are of God's Creating. They rise not out of the dust, but are sent by him who dwells in ⟨p. 6⟩Heaven. If we meet with Sickness, tis of God's sending: He Wounds and Heals as he pleaseth. If we are Disappointed in our Undertakings; this also is of God. Tis of the Lord of Hosts, that People labour in the very fire, and weary themselves for very Vanity, Hab. 2.13. Tis through God's blast, that men Earn Wages, to put into Bags with holes. If Death snatches away our dearest Relations; Death is but God's Messenger in so doing: for our Times are in Gods Hand, Psal. 31.15. Yea if the Spite and Malice of Wicked Men and Devils, are never so plainly Instrumental, in bringing Afflictions upon us; yet we should look on God's Providence, as the Supreme Governing Efficient cause of those Afflictions. The Devil could not be a Lying Spirit in the Mouths of Ahab's Prophets; nor hurt Job in his Person or Estate; nor Sift Peter with hellish Temptations; nor so much as hurt an herd of Swine, without Divine Permission. Satan can no more, nor longer, molest us; than God sees meet to permit him. Though he's a Roaring Lyon, yet he's in Chains. So Men can do us no more harm, than what God is pleased to permit of. Even in the mischiefs which they wickedly do to us, they are but Instruments of a Spotless Divine Providence. Though Sabeans and Chaldeans had robbed Job; yet Job says, Chap. 1. v. 21. The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the Name of the Lord. Judas and Pilate, the Jews and Gentiles, were all Instrumental in Murdering the Lord Jesus: With wicked hands they
though wicked men were wicked Instruments of it. Shimei did wickedly, in reviling David as he did, yet David says, 2 Sam. 16.10. The Lord hath said unto him, curse David. What, did God bid and command Shimei, thus to curse David? No, He forbade it, Exod. 22.28. Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the Ruler of thy People. But Davids meaning was, God in his Holy, Just and Sovereign Providence, had permitted Shimei thus wickedly to revile him. David took notice of God's Hand, even in Mans Wickedness. When wicked men Afflict us, they are but Instruments of a Spotless Holy Providence therein: they are but a rod in God's Hand, Isa. 10.5. O Assyrian, the rod of mine Anger, and the Staff in their hand is mine Indignation. Chap. 42. v. 24. Who gave Jacob for a Spoil, and Israel to the Robbers? Did not the Lord, he against whom we have Sinned? Yes, twas he indeed. If the vilest and wickedest of men, do in the most wicked manner that can be, bring Affliction upon us; yet we ought to see and acknowledge God's Hand, even in that Affliction. Yea those Afflictions which are counted the most Casual, and Accidental as to men and means; are as truly the effects of God's Holy Wise All-governing Providence, as any thing else in the World is. Hence, if a Man is Cutting Wood, and his Axe flies off and ⟨p. 8⟩kill's his Neighbour that stands by, (Deut. 19.5.) God is said, to deliver his Neighbour into his hand, Exod. 21.13. Well then, this Principle must be fixed upon our Souls, That all our Afflictions come from Gods Hand, whosoever or whatsoever are the Means or Instruments of them. God does what he will, in the Armies of Heaven, and among the Inhabitants of the Earth: He does according to his pleasure in Heaven, Earth, Sea, and in all deep places, Psal. 135.6. Tis impossible we should quietly Submit to God's Will, under our Afflictions; if we don't take notice of his Hand in them. David says to God,
Another Consideration is,
2. That God has Supreme Sovereign right and Authority, to do with us what he will▪ We are often offended with Man, and that very justly, when they go beyond their line, and do those things against us which they have no Authority for. But God has made all things out of nothing; and he preserveth them all. All things are and were created for his pleasure, Rev. 4.11. God has made all things for himself. And since he has thus made, and does preserve all things; he must needs be the supreme Lord, the Sovereign owner of them, Psal. 24.1. The earth is the Lords, and the fullness thereof; the World and they that dwell therein. Therefore God may dispose of us and ⟨p. 9⟩of what we have, as he sees meet. He may do what he will with his own. We may not say to him, What dost thou? or, Why dost thou so? God may do as he will, make what distinction he pleaseth between persons. He may load one Man with Honour, and another with Contempt; may make one very Rich, and another as remarkably Poor; He may continue to one person his desirable Relations, and take the Like from another, in what way and manner he will. For he gives none account of his matters. Men often meddle with things, which don't concern them; God never does so. He may do whatsoever he will, for he is Sovereign Lord and owner of all Creatures. As the clay is in the Potter's hand, so are we in God's hand, Jer. 18.6. The thing formed, should not say to him that formed it, why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the Potter power over the Clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? Rom. 9.20, 21. The consideration, of Gods absolute indisputable Supremacy and Sovereignty, should prevent all Murmurings against his Providence. O Man, why dost thou Murmur at thy Afflictions? did not God bring them? yea surely he did, whatsoever were the Instruments of them. And what, wilt thou find fault with God? Is not he Sovereign owner, and Governor of all Creatures? May not he do what he will with his own? Then, whist, hold thy peace, be still and know that he is God.
3. Our Afflictions are far less than our Iniquities deserve. Indeed the Saints sometimes meet with sore troubles; the Holy Spirit calls them, grievous for the present, Heb. 12.11. Yet the very best of men deserve far greater troubles, than any ever met with in this World. All men are Sinners by natures, and more or less by practice too. There is not a Just man upon Earth, that doth good and sinneth not, Eccles. 7.20. Now we are told, Rom. 6.23. The wages of Sin is Death. 'Tis Eternal Death and Misery. Therefore whatsoever trouble we meet with, short of Eternal Death, short of Everlasting Vengeance, is far less than our Iniquities deserve. 'Tis proper therefore to say, as Lam. 3.39. Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his Sins? What, Living, and yet complain? That is groundless indeed. For Sin deserves Death, therefore while Life is continued, he does not suffer so much as his Sin deserves; and so 'tis unreasonable for him to find fault. Indeed we may truly say with Jacob, Gen. 32.10. We are not worthy of the least of all the Mercies bestowed upon us. Under our greatest loads of misery, we may truly acknowledge with him, Ezra 9.13. God has punished us less than our Iniquities deserve. Under the sorest trials we ever meet with, we may truly say, as Lam. 3.22. 'Tis of the Lords mercy we are not consumed. Instead of Murmuring because our Afflictions are so great, we should acknowledge ⟨p. 11⟩'tis a mercy, that they are not greater; even so as utterly to consume and destroy us. If Christians would but seriously consider such things as these; doubtless 'twould be very useful to prevent and suppress in them, Murmuring and repining under their sorest Afflictions. O Christian, why dost thou find fault? Has God wronged thee in any thing? Is he unjust? Has he laid heavier burdens on thee, than thou deservest? If he has not, thou hast no reason to complain of his dealings. And surely he does not lay upon thee, more than thou deservest. For the Judge of all the Earth will do right. For He's righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works,
and such are all the Murmurings of Men, against Afflictive Providences. Instead therefore of Murmuring and Repining, we should Justify God in all the trials he brings upon us, and say as he, Dan. 9.14. The Lord our God is righteous in all his works which he doth, for we obeyed not his voice, So Mic. 7.9. I will bear the Indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against him. Indeed, the consideration of our own sinfulness and unworthiness, should stifle all Murmurings under trouble.
and such are all the Murmurings of Men, against Afflictive Providences. Instead therefore of Murmuring and Repining, we should Justifie God in all the trials he brings upon us, and say as he, Dan. 9.14. The Lord our God is righteous in all his works which he doth, for we obeyed not his voice, So Mic. 7.9. I will bear the Indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against him. Indeed, the consideration of our own sinfulness and unworthiness, should stifle all Murmurings under trouble.
1. All our Afflictions are brought upon us, by God's Providence. Indeed Sin is the Meritorious procuring cause, of all Afflictions. Men are brought Low, for their Iniquity, Psal. 106.43. Your Sins have with-holden good things from you, Jer. 5.25. Yet God's Providence, is the Supream Efficient cause of all our Troubles: Amos 3.6. Is there any evil (that is, Affliction) in the City, and the Lord hath not done it? No, there's none. Isa. 45.7. I form the light, I create darkness; I make Peace, I create Evil; I the Lord do all these things. By Darkness and Evil, we are to understand Afflictions; and they are of God's Creating. They rise not out of the dust, but are sent by him who dwells in ⟨p. 6⟩Heaven. If we meet with Sickness, tis of God's sending: He Wounds and Heals as he pleaseth. If we are Disappointed in our Undertakings; this also is of God. Tis of the Lord of Hosts, that People labour in the very fire, and weary themselves for very Vanity, Hab. 2.13. Tis through God's blast, that men Earn Wages, to put into Bags with holes. If Death snatches away our dearest Relations; Death is but God's Messenger in so doing: for our Times are in Gods Hand, Psal. 31.15. Yea if the Spite and Malice of Wicked Men and Devils, are never so plainly Instrumental, in bringing Afflictions upon us; yet we should look on God's Providence, as the Supream Governing Efficient cause of those Afflictions. The Devil could not be a Lying Spirit in the Mouths of Ahab's Prophets; nor hurt Job in his Person or Estate; nor Sift Peter with hellish Temptations; nor so much as hurt an herd of Swine, without Divine Permission. Satan can no more, nor longer, molest us; than God sees meet to permit him. Though he's a Roaring Lyon, yet he's in Chains. So Men can do us no more harm, than what God is pleas'd to permit of. Even in the mischiefs which they wickedly do to us, they are but Instruments of a Spotless Divine Providence. Though Sabeans and Chaldeans had robbed Job; yet Job sayes, Chap. 1. v. 21. The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the Name of the Lord. Judas and Pilate, the Jews and Gentiles, were all Instrumental in Murdering the Lord Jesus: With wicked hands they ⟨p. 7⟩did Crucify and Slay him, Act. 2.23. Yet we are told, Rom. 8.32. God spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all. Twas God, that brought Death upon his only begotten Son;
though wicked men were wicked Instruments of it. Shimei did wickedly, in reviling David as he did, yet David says, 2 Sam. 16.10. The Lord hath said unto him, curse David. What, did God bid and command Shimei, thus to curse David? No, He forbad it, Exod. 22.28. Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the Ruler of thy People. But Davids meaning was, God in his Holy, Just and Sovereign Providence, had permitted Shimei thus wickedly to revile him. David took notice of God's Hand, even in Mans Wickedness. When wicked men Afflict us, they are but Instruments of a Spotless Holy Providence therein: they are but a rod in God's Hand, Isa. 10.5. O Assyrian, the rod of mine Anger, and the Staff in their hand is mine Indignation. Chap. 42. v. 24. Who gave Jacob for a Spoil, and Israel to the Robbers? Did not the Lord, he against whom we have Sinned? Yes, twas he indeed. If the vilest and wickedest of men, do in the most wicked manner that can be, bring Affliction upon us; yet we ought to see and acknowledge God's Hand, even in that Affliction. Yea those Afflictions which are counted the most Casual, and Accidental as to men and means; are as truly the effects of God's Holy Wise All-governing Providence, as any thing else in the World is. Hence, if a Man is Cutting Wood, and his Ax flies off and ⟨p. 8⟩kill's his Neighbour that stands by, (Deut. 19.5.) God is said, to deliver his Neighbour into his hand, Exod. 21.13. Well then, this Principle must be fixed upon our Souls, That all our Afflictions come from Gods Hand, whosoever or whatsoever are the Means or Instruments of them. God does what he will, in the Armies of Heaven, and among the Inhabitants of the Earth: He does according to his pleasure in Heaven, Earth, Sea, and in all deep places, Psal. 135.6. Tis impossible we should quietly Submit to God's Will, under our Afflictions; if we dont take notice of his Hand in them. David says to God, Psal. 39.9. I was dumb, and opened not my Mouth, because thou didst it.
3. Our Afflictions are far less than our Iniquities deserve. Indeed the Saints sometimes meet with sore troubles; the Holy Spirit calls them, grievous for the present, Heb. 12.11. Yet the very best of men deserve far greater troubles, than any ever met with in this World. All men are Sinners by natures, and more or less by practice too. There is not a Just man upon Earth, that doth good and sinneth not, Eccles. 7.20. Now we are told, Rom. 6.23. The wages of Sin is Death. 'Tis Eternal Death and Misery. Therefore whatsoever trouble we meet with, short of Eternal Death, short of Everlasting Vengeance, is far less than our Iniquities deserve. 'Tis proper therefore to say, as Lam. 3.39. Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his Sins? What, Living, and yet complain? That is groundless indeed. For Sin deserves Death, therefore while Life is continued, he does not suffer so much as his Sin deserves; and so 'tis unreasonable for him to find fault. Indeed we may truly say with Jacob, Gen. 32.10. We are not worthy of the least of all the Mercies bestow'd upon us. Under our greatest loads of misery, we may truly acknowledge with him, Ezra 9.13. God has punished us less than our Iniquities deserve. Under the sorest trials we ever meet with, we may truly say, as Lam. 3.22. 'Tis of the Lords mercy we are not consumed. Instead of Murmuring because our Afflictions are so great, we should acknowledge ⟨p. 11⟩'tis a mercy, that they are not greater; even so as utterly to consume and destroy us. If Christians would but seriously consider such things as these; doubtless 'twould be very useful to prevent and suppress in them, Murmuring and repining under their sorest Afflictions. O Christian, why dost thou find fault? Has God wrong'd thee in any thing? Is he unjust? Has he laid heavier burthens on thee, than thou deservest? If he has not, thou hast no reason to complain of his dealings. And surely he does not lay upon thee, more than thou deservest. For the Judge of all the Earth will do right. For He's righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works, Psal. 145.17. While thou art out of Hell, thy Misery is not so great as thy Sin. Wherefore then dost thou find fault? shall we Murmur at the receiving of Ten Stripes, when instead thereof we deserve Ten Thousand? This would be a groundless Murmuring;
