Then & Now · 20 of 44
5. The Fewness and Poverty of the Godly
5. The Fewness and Poverty of the Godly
BY preſenting to them the paucity, and poverty of thoſe that walk in the wayes of God, that hold on in religious practices; ſaith Satan, do not you ſee that thoſe that walk in ſuch and ſuch religious wayes, are the pooreſt, the386 meaneſt, and the moſt deſpicable perſons in the world; this took with them in that ſeventh of John. Then anſwered the Phariſees, are ye alſo deceived? Have any of the rulers, or of the Phariſees beleeved on him? But this people who knoweth not the law are curſed.
- 386. John 47, 48, 49. verſes.
By presenting to them the paucity, and poverty of those that walk in the ways of God, that hold on in religious practices; saith Satan, do not you see that those that walk in such and such religious ways, are the poorest, the293 meanest, and the most despicable persons in the world; this took with them in that seventh of John. Then answered the Pharisees, are ye also deceived? Have any of the rulers, or of the Pharisees believed on him? But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed.
- 293. John 7:‸47, 48, 49‸ verses.
THe firſt Remedie againſt this Device387 of Satan, is, to conſider, that though they are outwardly poor, yet they are inwardly rich; though they are poor in temporalls, yet they are rich in ſpiritualls; the worth and riches of the Saints is inward: The Kings daughter is all glorious within. Hearken my beloved brethren, hath not God choſen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heires of the Kingdome, which he hath promiſed to them that love him, ſaith James. I know thy poverty, but thou art rich, ſaith John to the Church of Smyrna. What though they have little in poſſeſſion, yet they have a glorious Kingdome in reverſion. Feare not little flocke, ‘tis your Fathers pleaſure to give you a Kingdome. Though Saints have little in hand, yet they have much in hope; you count thoſe happy in a worldly ſenſe, that have much in reverſion, though they have but little in poſſeſſion; and wil you count the Saints miſerable, becauſe they have little in hand? little in poſſeſſion? though they have a glorious Kingdome p. 171 in reverſion of this. I am ſure, the pooreſt Saint that breaths wil not exchange (were it in his power) that which hee hath in hope, and in reverſion, for the poſſeſſion of as many worlds, as there be ſtars in Heaven, or ſands in the Sea, &c.
- 387. 1. Remedy. Do you not ſee (ſaith Chryſoſtome) the places where treaſures are hid, are rough, and over-grown with thorns. Do not the naturalliſts tel you, that the mountaines that are big with gold within, are bare of graſſe without. Saints have as Scholars, poor commons here, becauſe they muſt ſtudy hard to go to heaven.
The first remedy against this device294 of Satan, is, to consider, that though they are outwardly poor, yet they are inwardly rich; though they are poor in temporals, yet they are rich in spirituals; the worth and riches of the saints is inward: The King’s daughter is all glorious within. Hearken my beloved brethren, hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom, which he hath promised to them that love him, saith James. I know thy poverty, but thou art rich, saith John to the church of Smyrna. What though they have little in possession, yet they have a glorious kingdom in reversion. Fear not little flock, ’tis your Father’s pleasure to give you a kingdom. Though saints have little in hand, yet they have much in hope; you count those happy in a worldly sense, that have much in reversion, though they have but little in possession; and will you count the saints miserable, because they have little in hand? little in possession? though they have a glorious kingdom in reversion of this? I am sure, the poorest saint that breathes will not exchange (were it in his power) that which he hath in hope, and in reversion, for the possession of as many worlds, as there be stars in heaven, or sands in the Sea, etc‸.
- 294. ‸ Do you not see (saith Chrysostom) the places where treasures are hid, are rough, and over-grown with thorns? Do not the naturalists tell you, that the mountains that are big with gold within, are bare of grass without? Saints have as Scholars, poor commons here, because they must study hard to go to heaven.
The ſecond Remedie againſt this device388 of Satan, is, to conſider, that in all ages God hath had ſome that have been great, rich, wiſe, and honourable, that have choſen his wayes, and cleaved to his ſervice in the face of all difficulties,389 though not many wiſe men, yet ſome wiſe men have; and though not many mighty, yet ſome mighty have; and though not many noble, yet ſome noble have; witneſſe Abraham, and Jacob, and Job, and ſeverall Kings, and others that the Scriptures ſpeak of; and ah! how many have we among our ſelves, whoſe ſoules have cleaved to the Lord, and who have ſwum to his ſervice, through the blood of the ſlain, and who have counted their lives dear unto them, that they and others might injoy the holy things of Chriſt, according to the mind and heart of Chriſt, &c.
The second remedy against this device of Satan, is, to consider, that in all ages God hath had some that have been great, rich, wise, and honourable, that have chosen his ways, and cleaved to his service in the face of all difficulties,295 though not many wise men, yet some wise men have; and though not many mighty, yet some mighty have; and though not many noble, yet some noble have; witness Abraham, and Jacob, and Job, and several Kings, and others that the Scriptures speak of; and ah! how many have we among our selves, whose souls have cleaved to the Lord, and who have swum to his service, through the blood of the slain, and who have not counted their lives dear unto them, that they and others might enjoy the holy things of Christ, according to the mind and heart of Christ, etc‸.
- 295. Good Nobles (saith one) are like black swans, and thinly scattered in the firmament of a state, even like stars in the first magnitude, yet some God hath had in all ages, as might be showed out of Histories.
The third Remedie againſt this device390 of Satan, is, ſolemnly to conſider, that the ſpiritual riches of the pooreſt Saints do infinitely tranſcend the temporall p. 172 riches of all the wicked men in the391 world; their ſpirituall riches do ſatiſfie them, they can ſit downe ſatisfied with the riches of grace that be in Chriſt; without honours, and without riches, &c. He that drinks of that water that I ſhall give him, ſhall thirſt no more. The riches of poor Saints are durable, they will bed and board with them, they392 will goe to the Priſon, to a ſick bed, to a grave, yea to Heaven with them. The ſpirituall riches of poore Saints are as wine, to cheer them; and as bread to ſtrengthen them, and as cloathes to warme them, and as Armour to protect them. Now all you that know any thing, do know, that the riches of this world cannot ſatisfie the ſoules of men, and they are as fading as a flower, or as the owners of them are, &c.
The third remedy against this device of Satan, is, solemnly to consider, that the spiritual riches of the poorest saints do infinitely transcend the temporal riches of all the wicked men in the296 world; their spiritual riches do satisfy them, they can sit down satisfied with the riches of grace that be in Christ; without honours, and without riches, etc‸. He that drinks of that water that I shall give him, shall thirst no more. The riches of poor saints are durable, they will bed and board with them, they297 will go to the prison, to a sick bed, to a grave, yea to heaven with them. The spiritual riches of poor saints are as wine, to cheer them; and as bread to strengthen them, and as clothes to warm them, and as armour to protect them. Now all you that know any thing, do know, that the riches of this world cannot satisfy the souls of men, and they are as fading as a flower, or as the owners of them are, etc‸.
The fourth Remedie againſt this device393 is, ſeriouſly to conſider, that though the Saints conſidered comparatively are few, though they be a little, little flocke, a394 remnant, a garden encloſed, a ſpring ſhut up,395 a fountaine ſealed; though they are as the Summer gleanings, though they are one of a City, and two of a Tribe; though they be396 but a handfull to a houſe-full; a ſparke to a flame, a drop to the Ocean; yet conſider them ſimply in themſelves, and ſo they are an innumerable number that p. 173 cannot be numbred, as John ſpeaketh. After this I beheld, and lo a great multitude which no man could number, of all Nations,397 and kindred, and people, and tongues, ſtood before the Throne, and before the Lambe cloathed with white robes, and palmes in their hands. So Matth. ſpeaks; And I ſay398 unto you, that many ſhall come from the Eaſt, and Weſt, and ſhall ſit down with Abraham, Iſaac, and Jacob in the Kingdome of Heaven. So Paul: But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the City of the living God, the heavenly Jeruſalem, and to an innumerable company of Angells. To the generall aſſembly, and Church of the firſt borne, which are written in Heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the ſpirits of juſt men made perfect.
The fourth remedy against this device is, seriously to consider, that though the saints considered comparatively are few, though they be a little, little flock, a298 remnant, a garden enclosed, a spring shut up,299 a fountain sealed; though they are as the Summer gleanings, though they are one of a city, and two of a tribe; though they be300 but a handful to a house-full; a spark to a flame, a drop to the ocean; yet consider them simply in themselves, and so they are an innumerable number that cannot be numbered, as John speaketh. After this I beheld, and lo a great multitude which no man could number, of all nations,301 and kindred, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands. So Matth. speaks; And I say302 unto you, that many shall come from the East, and West, and shall sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. So Paul: But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels. To the general assembly, and church of the first‸-born, which are written in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect.
The fifth Remedie againſt this device399 of Satan, is, ſeriouſly to conſider, that ‘twill be but as a day, before theſe poor deſpiſed Saints ſhall ſhine brighter then the Sun in her glory; ‘twill not be long before you will wiſh, oh! that we were now among the poor, meane, deſpiſed ones, in the day that God comes to make up his jewells. ‘Twill not be long before theſe poor few Saints ſhall be lifted up upon their Thrones to judge the multitude, the world, as the Apoſtle ſpeaks: Know yee not that the Saints ſhall judge the world? and in that day? oh! p. 174 how will the great, and the rich, the400 learned, and the noble wiſh, that they had lived, and ſpent their dayes with theſe few, poor, contemptible creatures in the ſervice of the Lord? oh! how wil this wicked world curſe the day, that ever they had ſuch baſe thoughts of the poor, meane Saints, and that their poverty became a ſtumbling block, to keep them off from the wayes of ſanctity. I have read of Ingo an ancient King of the Draves, who making a ſtately feaſt, appointed his Nobles, at that time Pagans, to ſit in the Hall below, and commanded certaine poore Chriſtians, to be brought up into his Preſence-chamber, to ſit with him at his Table, to eate and drink of his Kingly cheer; at which many wondering, he ſaid, he accounted Chriſtians, though never ſo poore, a greater ornament at his Table, and more worthy of his company, then the greateſt Peers unconverted to the Chriſtian faith; for when theſe might be thruſt down to Hell, thoſe might be his Conſorts, and fellow Princes in Heaven; you know how to apply it. Although you ſee the ſtars ſometimes by their reflictions, in a puddle, or in the bottome of a Well, I in a ſtinking ditch, yet the ſtars have their ſcituation in Heaven: So, though you ſee a godly man in a poor, p. 175 miſerable, low, deſpiſed condition, for the things of this world, yet he is fixed in Heaven, in the Region of Heaven. Who hath raiſed us up (ſaith the Apoſtle) and made us ſit together in heavenly places in Chriſt Jeſus. Oh! therefore, ſay to your owne ſouls (when they begin to decline the wayes of Zion, becauſe of the poverty and paucity of thoſe that walke in them) the day is at hand, when theſe few, poor, deſpiſed Saints ſhall ſhine in glory, when they ſhall judge this world, and when all the wicked of the world will wiſh that they were in their condion, & would give ten thouſand worlds (were it in their power) that they might but have the honour, and happineſſe to waite upon thoſe, whom for their poverty and paucity they have neglected and deſpiſed in this world.
- 399. 5 Remedie. [dropped from the edition]
- 400. Mr. Fox being once asked whether he knew a certain poor man, who had received ſuccour of him in time of trouble, he anſwered, I remember him well, I tel you I forget Lords & Ladies to remember ſuch. So will the Lord deale by his poor Sts. he will forget the great and mighty ones of the world, to remember his few, poor, deſpiſed ones. Though Iohn was poore in the world, yet▪ the holy ghoſt calls him the greateſt that was born of women; ah poor Saints! men that know not your worth cannot have ſuch low thoughts of you, but the Lord wil have an high.
The fifth remedy against this device of Satan, is, seriously to consider, that ’twill be but as a day, before these poor despised saints shall shine brighter than the sun in her glory; ’twill not be long before you will wish, oh! that we were now among the poor, mean, despised ones, in the day that God comes to make up his jewels. ’Twill not be long before these poor few saints shall be lifted up upon their thrones to judge the multitude, the world, as the apostle speaks: Know ye not that the saints shall judge the world? And in that day? Oh! how will the great, and the rich, the303 learned, and the noble wish, that they had lived, and spent their days with these few, poor, contemptible creatures in the service of the Lord? Oh! how will this wicked world curse the day, that ever they had such base thoughts of the poor, mean saints, and that their poverty became a stumbling block, to keep them off from the ways of sanctity. I have read of Ingo an ancient King of the Draves, who making a stately feast, appointed his nobles, at that time Pagans, to sit in the hall below, and commanded certain poor Christians, to be brought up into his presence-chamber, to sit with him at his table, to eat and drink of his kingly cheer; at which many wondering, he said, he accounted Christians, though never so poor, a greater ornament at his table, and more worthy of his company, than the greatest peers unconverted to the Christian faith; for when these might be thrust down to hell, those might be his consorts, and fellow princes in heaven; you know how to apply it. Although you see the stars sometimes by their reflections, in a puddle, or in the bottom of a Well, ay, in a stinking ditch, yet the stars have their situation in heaven: So, though you see a godly man in a poor, miserable, low, despised condition, for the things of this world, yet he is fixed in heaven, in the region of heaven. Who hath raised us up (saith the apostle) and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Oh! therefore, say to your own souls (when they begin to decline the ways of Zion, because of the poverty and paucity of those that walk in them) the day is at hand, when these few, poor, despised saints shall shine in glory, when they shall judge this world, and when all the wicked of the world will wish that they were in their condition, and would give ten thousand worlds (were it in their power) that they might but have the honour, and happiness to wait upon those, whom for their poverty and paucity they have neglected and despised in this world.
- 303. Mr. Fox being once asked whether he knew a certain poor man, who had received succour of him in time of trouble, he answered, I remember him well, I tell you I forget Lords and Ladies to remember such. So will the Lord deal by his poor Saints; he will forget the great and mighty ones of the world, to remember his few, poor, despised ones. Though John was poor in the world, yet‸ the Holy Ghost calls him the greatest that was born of women; ah poor Saints! men that know not your worth cannot have such low thoughts of you, but the Lord will have an high.
The ſixt and laſt Remedie againſt this401 device of Satan, is, ſolemnly to conſider that there will come a time even in this402 life, in this world, when the reproach and contempt that is now caſt upon the wayes of God, by reaſon of the poverty and paucity of thoſe that walk in thoſe wayes, ſhall be quite taken away, by his making them the head, that have dayes without number been the taile, and by his raiſing them up to much outward riches, proſperity, and glory, who have p. 176 been as the out-caſt, becauſe of their poverty and paucity. John ſpeaking of the glory of the Church, the new Jeruſalem that came downe from Heaven, in that 21. of the Revelation, tells us, That the Nations of them which are ſaved, ſhall walke in the light of it, and the Kings of the earth do bring their glory into it. So the Prophet Iſaiah: They ſhall bring their ſons from far, and their ſilver and their gold with403 them, verſ. 9. For braſſe I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring ſilver, and for wood braſſe, and for ſtones Iron, verſ. 19. And ſo the Prophet Zechariah ſpeaks, Chap. 14. v. 14. And the wealth of all the heathen round about ſhall be gathered together, gold, and ſilver, and apparell in great abundance. The Lord hath promiſed that the meek ſhal inherite the earth: And heaven and earth ſhall paſſe away, before one jot or tittle of his word ſhall paſs unfulfilled; Ah poor Saints! now ſome thruſt ſore at you, others look a ſquint upon you, others ſhut the door againſt you, others turne their backs upon you; and moſt of men (except it be a few that live much in God, and are filled with the riches of Chriſt) do either neglect you, or deſpiſe you, becauſe of your poverty; but the day is coming, when you ſhall be lifted up above the dunghil, when you ſhall change poverty for riches, your rags for robes, p. 177 your reproach for a crowne of honour, your infamy for glory, even in this world.
- 401. 6 Remedy. [dropped from the edition]
- 402. Theſe following Scriptures do abundantly confirm this truth. Ier. 31. 12. Iſa. 30. 23. Iſa. 62. 8, 9. Ioel 2. 23, 24. Mica 4. 6. Amos 9. 13, 14. Zech. 8. 12. Iſa. 41. 18, 19. Iſa. 55. 13. Iſa. 66. 6, 7. Iſa. 65. 21, 22. Iſa. 61. 4. Iſa. 60. 10. Ezek. 36. 10.
- 403. Only take theſe 2 cautions. Firſt, that in theſe times the Saints chiefeſt comforts, delights, and contents will conſiſt in their more cleer, full, and conſtant injoyments of God. 2. That they ſhal have ſuch an abundant meaſure of he ſpirit poured out upon them, that their riches and outward glory ſhall not be ſnares to them, but golden ſteps to lead them to a richer living in God.
The sixth and last remedy against this device of Satan, is, solemnly to consider that there will come a time even in this304 life, in this world, when the reproach and contempt that is now cast upon the ways of God, by reason of the poverty and paucity of those that walk in those ways, shall be quite taken away, by his making them the head, that have days without number been the tail, and by his raising them up to much outward riches, prosperity, and glory, who have been as the out-cast, because of their poverty and paucity. John speaking of the glory of the church, the new Jerusalem that came down from heaven, in that 21. of the Revelation, tells us, That the nations of them which are saved, shall walk in the light of it, and the Kings of the earth do bring their glory into it. So the prophet Isaiah: They shall bring their sons from far, and their silver and their gold with305 them, v. 9. For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron, v. 17. And so the prophet Zechariah speaks, Chapter 14‸ v. 14. And the wealth of all the heathen round about shall be gathered together, gold, and silver, and apparel in great abundance. The Lord hath promised that the meek shall inherit the earth: And heaven and earth shall pass away, before one jot or tittle of his word shall pass unfulfilled; Ah poor saints! Now some thrust sore at you, others look a squint upon you, others shut the door against you, others turn their backs upon you; and most of men (except it be a few that live much in God, and are filled with the riches of Christ) do either neglect you, or despise you, because of your poverty; but the day is coming, when you shall be lifted up above the dunghill, when you shall change poverty for riches, your rags for robes, your reproach for a crown of honour, your infamy for glory, even in this world.
- 304. These following Scriptures do abundantly confirm this truth. Jer‸ 31:‸12. Isa‸ 30:‸23. Isa‸ 62:‸8, 9. Joel 2:‸23, 24. Mic 4:‸6. Amos 9:‸13, 14. Zech‸ 8:‸12. Isa‸ 41:‸18, 19. Isa‸ 55:‸13. Isa‸ 66:‸6, 7. Isa‸ 65:‸21, 22. Isa‸ 61:‸4. Isa‸ 60:‸10. Ezek‸ 36:‸10.
- 305. Only take these 2 cautions. First, that in these times the Saints’ chiefest comforts, delights, and contents will consist in their more clear, full, and constant enjoyments of God. 2. That they shall have such an abundant measure of the spirit poured out upon them, that their riches and outward glory shall not be snares to them, but golden steps to lead them to a richer living in God.
And this is not all, but God will alſo mightily increaſe the number of his choſen ones; multitudes ſhall be converted to him. Who hath heard ſuch a404 thing? who hath ſeen ſuch things? ſhall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or ſhall a Nation be borne at once? for aſſoone as Zion travelled, ſhe brought forth children. And they ſhall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the Lord out of all Nations, upon405 horſes, and in Chariots, in Litters, and upon Mules, & upon ſwift beaſts to my holy mountaine Jeruſalem, ſaith the Lord; as the children of Iſrael bring an offering in a cleane veſſell into the houſe of the Lord. Doth not the Scripture ſay, that the Kingdomes of406 this world muſt become the Kingdomes of our Lord? Hath not God given to Chriſt the heathen? and the uttermoſt parts of the earth for his poſſeſſions? Hath not the Lord ſaid, that in the laſt dayes, the mountaine of the Lords407 houſe ſhall be lifted up above the hills, and ſhall be eſtabliſhed in the top of the mountains, and all Nations ſhall flow unto it. Pray read408 and meditate upon the ſixty chapter of Iſaiah, and the ſixty ſixth chapter, and the five firſt verſes of the ſecond chapter of Iſaiah, and there you ſhall finde the multitudes that ſhall be converted to p. 178 Chriſt; and oh! that you would be mighty in believing, and in wreſtling with God, that he would haſten the day of his glory, that the reproach that is now upon his people and wayes, may ceaſe.
And this is not all, but God will also mightily increase the number of his chosen ones; multitudes shall be converted to him. Who hath heard such a306 thing? Who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? Or shall a nation be born at once? For as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth children. And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the Lord out of all nations, upon307 horses, and in chariots, in Litters, and upon Mules, and upon swift beasts to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the Lord; as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the Lord. Doth not the Scripture say, that the kingdoms of308 this world must become the kingdoms of our Lord? Hath not God given to Christ the heathen? And the uttermost parts of the earth for his possessions? Hath not the Lord said, that in the last days, the mountain of the Lord’s309 house shall be lifted up above the hills, and shall be established in the top of the mountains, and all nations shall flow unto it. Pray read310 and meditate upon the sixtieth chapter of Isaiah, and the sixty sixth chapter, and the five first verses of the second chapter of Isaiah, and there you shall find the multitudes that shall be converted to Christ; and oh! that you would be mighty in believing, and in wrestling with God, that he would hasten the day of his glory, that the reproach that is now upon his people and ways, may cease.