lafting ftrength. Ifa. 40. 28. The Vol. VIIeverlasting God, the Lord, the creatour of the ends of the earth fainteth not, neither is weary. We cannot trust in men, because there is nothing in man to be a Foundation of our Confidence; his good will towards us may change, his Power may faint, and he may grow weary; or if these continue, yet they that have a mind and a power to help us, themselves may fail; therefore the Pfalmift ufeth this confideration of mens mortality, to take us off from confidence in man, Pfal. 146. 3, 4. Put not your trust in Princes, nor in the Son of man, in whom there is no help; his breath 80eth forth, he returneth to his earth, in that very day his thoughts perish. Ifa. 2. 22. Ceafe ye from man, whofe breath is in his noftrils; for wherein is he to be accounted of? The greatest of the Sons of Men are but lying refuges to the everlasting God; they are but broken reeds to the rock of Ages. And And this may fupport our Faith, not only in reference to our own condition for the future, but in reference to our pofterity, and the condition of God's Church to the end of the World. When we die we may leave ours and the Church in his hands, who lives for ever, and reigns for ever. The enemies of God's Church, and those who have the most malicious defigns against it, what ever share they may have in the affairs of the World, they can but domineer for a while, they muft die, and that very day their thoughts perish: But thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever. 2. For the encouragement of our obedience. We ferve the God who can give us an everlasting reward. The reward of the next Life is called Eternal Life, an Eternal weight of glory, 2 Cor. 4. 17. Eternal Salvation, Heb. 5. 9.. an Eternal Inheritance, Heb. 9. 15. That place where good Men fhall be rewarded is called, everlasting Bb 2 habi Vol. VI. habitations, Luke 16. 9. a house Vol. VII.Eternal in the heavens, 2 Cor. 5. 1. As the promise of our future reward is founded in the Goodness of God, and the greatness of it in his Power, fo the duration of it in his Eternity. Now what an encouragement is this to us, that we serve him and fuffer for him who lives for ever, and will make us happy for ever? When we ferve the great men of this World, tho' we be fecure of their affection, yet we are uncertain of their lives; and this difcourageth many, and makes men worship the rifing Sun, and many times takes off mens eyes from the King to his Succeffor: but he that ferves God, ferves the King everlasting, as the Apoftle calls him, who will live to difpence rewards to all those who are faithful to him. 3. For the terrour of wicked men. The Sentence which shall be past upon men at the day of judg ment, is call'd Eternal Judgment, Heb. 6. 2. because it decides mens Eter Eternal state; the Punishment that How fhould this awaken in us a fear of the Eternal God! Sinners, Vol. VII. Vol. VII. what a folly is it, for the pleasures of fin, which are but for a feafon, to incenfe that Juftice which will Punifh and torment you for ever As good men fhall have the everlafting God for their Reward, and their Happiness; fo wicked men fhall have him for their Judge and Avenger. ។ We fear the wrath of men, whofe power is fhort, and whole breath is in their noftrils, who can afflict but a little, and for a little while. Doft thou fear man that ball die, and the fon of man that shall be made as grafs? and is not the wrath of the Eternal God much more terrible? Luke 12. 4, 5. And I fay un to you, my friends, be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do but I will forewarn you whom we fball fear; fear him, who after he hath kill'd, hath power to caft into hell, yea I fay unto you, fear him. The wrath of man is defpicable, because it hath bounds and limits; the fury of man can but reach to the body, it cam go no further |