Seven sermons on several select subjects preached by Mr. Tho. Watson ...

SERMON II. (Book 2)

This Sermon was Preached in the Pa∣rish of St. Margaret Moses. (Book 2)

Psalm 23.4.

Thy Rod, and thy Staff, they comfort me.

THIS Psalm St. Bernard calls a noble and illustrious Psalm. The Jews did use to repeat this Psalm when they sate down to their meat. In it David sets forth two things: His Experience, and his Confidence: His Confidence, in the first and last verses: In the first verse; The Lord is my Shepherd, therefore I shall

not want. In the last verse; Surely that goodness and mercy shall follow me, all the days of my life; here is David's Confidence: His Faith was risen up into a great degree of confidence. But that which I shall speak to is, of Da∣vid's Experience, in the words that I have read; Thy Rod, and thy Staff, they comfort me.

What is here meant by Staff? a Staff is for support, whether it be the Staff one walks with, to support the body; or whether it be the Staff of Bread that supports the Life of Man. Staff is for support; so here in the Text; Thy Staff comforts me. By Staff is meant metaphorically, the Staff of Gods supportation; Thy Staff comforts me. Gods Providence it is a Wing to co∣ver the Saints; it is a Breast to feed them; and it is a Staff to uphold them. In the most calamitous times, the Church of God hath the Staff of Gods Supportation; and this is the reason that the Church is preserved, in despite of all malice and opposition.

This Bush burns, yet it is not con∣sumed. Though the Lion roar, yet the Lambs of Christs fold are in safety. Though the Rulers take counsel a∣gainst the Saints of the Most High, yet they are kept alive: Here is the reason, thy Staff doth comfort me. The Saints have always the Staff of Divine Protection: God secretly preserves them, and sets an invisible Guard a∣bout them. We see the Staff that smites the Godly; but we do not see the Staff that upholds them. We see their danger, but we do not see their defence. God is their Staff of sup∣port. Gods continual care of his Church, is as a Wall of Brass, against which the Gates of Hell shall never prevail. The Church of God hath God for her Guardian: The Enemies must first overcome God, before they can overcome his Church, saith Luther.

For the Use of this briefly.

This is no small comfort to Gods Church; she hath a Staff of support; God is her protection. The Saints of God

they have malignant Enemies to con∣flict with: The Powers of the Earth are against the godly. We read the Beast in the Revelations had on his head se∣ven Horns and ten Crowns, Rev. 13.1. and this was given him to make War with the Saints. You see the People of God was then in an ill case; they had the Horns and the Crown against them: But the Saints, they have the Lion of the Tribe of Iuda on their sides; and Christ hath a Staff to pro∣tect them, and Teeth to devour all his Enemies. So much briefly for that expression; for I only glance at it; Thy Staff doth comfort me; thy Staff of Supportation and glorious Providence, it is always with me; it doth comfort me. But that which I shall chiefly speak to, is the first of these in the Text; Thy Rod doth comfort me.

In the opening of this, the Que∣tion is;

Quest. What is meant by Rod?

Answ. This word Rod, when it is ascribed unto God, it is taken three ways in Scripture.

First, For Gods destroying Rod.

Secondly, For Gods Pastoral Rod, as a Shepherd.

Thirdly, For his disabling Rod, or Rod of Affliction.

First, The Rod when it is ascribed unto God, which he uses towards his Enemies, Psal. 12.9. Thou shalt break them with a Rod of Iron: This Rod of God upon his Enemies doth comfort the godly, Psal. 58.10. The righteous shall rejoyce when they see the ven∣geance; Gods destroying Rod upon sinners, it is matter of rejoycing and comfort unto the godly. We read of Deborah's song, her triumphant song, and the Jews Festival before the destru∣ction of Haman, Esther 9.22. The Rod of God upon the wicked comforts the godly.

Quest. But some may say, How far may the godly be comforted in the destru∣ction of wicked men? how far may they rejoyce?

Answ. The godly may be comforted in the destruction of wicked men, so

far as now there is a stop put to their sins, and they cannot live any longer to dishonour God.

Secondly, Gods destroying Rod up∣on the wicked, it is a matter of com∣fort to the godly, as hereby Gods Justice is declared to all the world. Why did God smite Pharaoh? for his Pride and Tyranny. The Saints re∣joyce and triumph to see Gods Justice executed upon his Enemies, Exod. 15. v. 1. They are comforted to see Gods Justice in punishing the wicked of the world.

Thirdly, It is comfort to the People of God to see a wicked man destroy∣ed. Gods ruining of sinners is a warn∣ing to others to make them fear sin; this is clear from Deut. 17.12, 13. That man that doth presumptuously, that man shall die, and all the people shall hear and fear, and do no more presumptuously. Gods Judgments upon wicked Persecutors, may make others afraid and tremble to go on in their sin. Thus far Gods destroying

Rod is a comfort to the godly; they rejoyce to think that this may be a warning to sinners, and may be a means to reclaim many from their Im∣pieties.

Fourthly and lastly, Gods destroy∣ing Rod upon the wicked, it is com∣fort to the godly upon this account, as Peace and Deliverance arises to the Church of God. When Pharaoh was destroyed, Israel had a Writ of Ease now granted them. Nay further, the destruction of the wicked, such as are desperate sinners, doth not only cause Liberty to arise in the Church of God, but it doth cause the growth of Reli∣gion. A clear Instance; Herod being eaten up with Worms, the Text saith, presently the Word of God grew and mul∣tiplied, Acts 12.23. Thus far Gods de∣stroying Rod upon the wicked, flagi∣tious sinners is a comfort to the godly; Thy Rod doth comfort me; thy Rod of Iron that doth break the prophane sinners of the world, that doth com∣fort me.

Secondly, As there is Gods destroy∣ing Rod which comforts the godly; so there is Gods Pastoral Rod; or his Shepherds Rod, which he uses towards his Sheep, conducting them to green Pastures, and still Waters: There is Gods Shepherds Rod, by which he leads his Elect Sheep to the green Pastures and still Waters. These green Pa∣stures and still Waters, may be meant of the Ordinances: And that sweet comfort the People of God find in the use of Ordinances; why, this Rod of God, this Shepherds Rod, this Pastoral Rod, this Rod doth comfort the godly.

Thirdly and lastly, There is Gods disabling Rod, or his Rod of Affliction; this also is comfort to the People of God, 2 Sam. 7.14. I will chasten him with a Rod of mine. And in Micah 6.9. Hear ye the Rod, and who hath appointed it; and in this sense I understand this Text of Scripture, Thy Rod doth comfort me: So then the Observation is this,

Doct. That Gods Rod, his Afflicting Rod upon his People yields matter of comfort to us.

Thy Rod doth comfort me. This I confess to flesh and blood it seems a Paradox; it seems strange: What, that the Rod of Correction should give comfort! If David had said, Thy Pro∣mises, Lord, they comfort me; or thy good Spirit, that doth comfort me, it had been no wonder; but that he should say, Thy Rod doth comfort me, how can this be? Is it usual for the Church to call pain comfort? how then doth David say, Thy Rod doth comfort me? Who can of such Thistles gather Figs? or of such Thorns gather Grapes? How can there be comfort from the Rod?

I shall shew you that there is much consolation gathered out of Corre∣ction; Thy Rod doth comfort me. The Rod of God it is not like Moses's Rod when turned into a Serpent, but it is

like Ionathan's Rod, which had Honey at the end of it. The Rod of God, it is like Aaron's Rod, which brought forth buds, and blossoms, and Almonds, Numb. 17.8.

Then the Question is this;

Quest. How doth this Afflicting Rod give comfort?

Answ. In six particulars.

First, Gods Afflicting Rod doth comfort us, as it gives us Instruction: where it doth teach, it doth comfort, Micah 7.14. Teach thy people with thy Rod. How doth the Rod teach? why it teaches with Instruction: so it teaches with Comfort. Luther saith, There were many Psalms in the Bible he never rightly understood till he was in Affliction. The Rod teaches to know God aright; and is not that matter of comfort? 2 Chron. 33.11. When Manasseh was afflicted, then he knew the Lord was God. And the Rod it teaches a man to know him∣self; he sees that corruption working in his heart, that he never could

discern before. The Eyes that Sin shuts, Affliction opens. The Rod gives Wisdom; it is a teaching Rod; and thus Gods Rod comforts. What though it makes us weaker, so it makes us wiser?

Secondly, Gods Afflicting Rod hath comfort in it, as it is a token of spe∣cial favour he bears towards us, Rev. 13.19. We think God cannot favour us, unless he hath us in his Lap; yet he doth love and favour us, when he gives us the bitter Diet-drink of Af∣fliction. Gods Rod, and Gods Love, they both stand together: Thus the Rod comforts, it brings us a token of Gods Love: It is no love in God to let men go on in sin, and never smite; this was no love. Is it any love to your Child, to let him take his course, and to let him run into the water and drown if he will? To be without the Rod of Gods Discipline, it is a sign of a Bastard Child, and a brand∣mark of Reprobation, Heb. 12.8. If God will let any fall upon the Rock

of Ruine, then he will suffer them to go on in sin, and not correct them, Hos. 4.14. I will not punish your Daugh∣ters when they commit Whoredom. Take notice; God spares the Rod in anger. Gods hand is heaviest when it is lightest. God punisheth most when he doth not punish; but now God smites, that he may save his People; and is not that love? And the Love of God doth allay and take off the smarting power of the Rod, and gives the Soul comfort. Let me feel Gods hand, so I may have his heart.

Thirdly, Gods Rod comforts, as it makes way for comfort. Physick, tho' bitter, yet it hath comfort in it, as it makes way for health. The Rod, it is to make way for comfort. The Rod of God, it is to beat out the dust, and make us purer. If a Fuller dip his Cloth in Water, it is to whiten the Cloth. The Water of Afflictions are to lay Gods People a whitening, Dan. 12.10. Many shall be tryed and made white.

Nay farther, Gods Rod upon his Children doth not only make way for comfort; but, which is more, this Rod distils comfort into the Soul. Even as the Fire causes sweet Water to drop from the Still: So out of Affliction, God stills the sweet Water of Conso∣lation. A clear Instance for this, 2 Cor. 1.4. Who comforteth us in all our tribu∣lations. Here is the Rod of God com∣forting. When the Saints Tryals have been sharpest, their Comforts have been sweetest. Behold here Honey at the end of the Rod, Iohn 16.22. Your sorrows shall be turned into joy. Here is the Saints Water turned into Wine. That holy Martyr that was in Prison, dated his Letter thus; From the plea∣sant Garden of the Lion Prison. God doth Candy his Wormwood with Su∣gar. The Saints never tasted so much of Gods compassion, as in their deepest Affliction; and in this sense David might truly say, Thy Rod doth comfort me. So saith the Apostle, God comfort∣eth us in all our tribulations.

Fourthly, Gods Afflicting Rod hath comfort in it, as it brings this good news to the Soul, That this is the worst that ever shall befal him. The Lord comes with a murdering Ax, to hew down wicked men; but he hath only a rattling Rod to his Chil∣dren: This is all the Hell that ever they shall feel; is not this comfort? 1 Cor. 11.32. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. Is not this comfort to know that this is the worst that we shall have? God lays upon us a light Affliction, and saves us from wrath to come: Here is the Rod full of comfort. What is a drop of sorrow that the godly taste, to the bottomless Sea of wrath the damned do endure for ever?

Fifthly, Yet farther; The Rod, it is full of comfort, as it makes us hap∣py; and for this consult that Scripture, Iob 5.17. Behold, happy is that man whom God correcteth.

Among the Philosophers, some place

their happiness in Riches, some in Wis∣dom, some in Pleasures, and the like; but, who ever placed happiness in Af∣fliction?

The Worldlings cry, If this be hap∣piness, the Lord deliver them from it. But Iob saith this, Happy is that man whom God correcteth: How is he hap∣py? he is happy who is made better by Affliction. The Cross, though it makes the outward condition worse, yet it makes the heart better.

Again, he is happy who hath God to visit him. Don't we account him a happy person, who hath a King to visit him? but much more to have a God to visit him? Persecution, it is a Rod, yea, but for all that, it is a bles∣sed Rod; it is a healing Rod. A Rod, though it smarts, yet it saves the Soul. Well then may a Christian say, Lord, thy Rod comforts me; this makes me happy. Happy is that man whom God corrects.

Sixthly and lastly, Gods Rod hath comfort in it, as it is a means to bring

us to glory. Gods Rod whips us to Heaven, 2 Cor. 4.17. These light af∣flictions, which are but for a moment, work for us a far more exceeding and eter∣nal weight of glory. Affliction is like throwing a Bag of Money at another; it may bruise him, but it doth enrich him: so Affliction, it may bruise us, but it doth enrich us; and this works for us a far more exceeding and eter∣nal weight of glory.

In short, the black Rod prepares for the white Rod. Oh Christian! thou who art now humbled by some sharp Affliction, shalt shortly wear a Garland made of the Flowers of Paradice: Thou shalt have thy Soul set thicker with the Jewels of Heaven, than the Firma∣ment is with Stars.

Thus you see this Truth is verified, Thy Rod doth comfort me.

Application.

First, Here are several Inferences; to name four.

First, See then from hence the dif∣ference betwixt the wicked and the godly: God makes the worst things tend to the consolation of the godly; and the best things tend to the con∣demnation of the wicked. Let the People of God meet with Affliction, it is for the better. Gods Rod comforts. Let the wicked have prosperity, it is for the worse. Cordials themselves kill them. To the godly, evil things have good in them. To the wicked, good things have hurt in them; this is clear Scripture; Their Table is a snare; I say, the wickeds Table is a snare, Psal. 69.22. Wicked men have mercy out of Gods hand, as Israel had Quails; they were sawced with the wrath of God, Eccles. 5.13. A clear Scripture: I have seen an evil under the Sun, Riches kept for owners to their hurt. Like Ha∣mans Banquet, which was a Prologue to his Execution. To wicked men even spiritual mercies are turned into Judgments. The Word preached is a savour of death to the wicked, 2 Cor.

c. 2. v. 16. Nay farther, Jesus Christ himself is a Rock of Offence to the wicked, 1 Pet. 2.7. Christ is as well for the falling, as the rising of many in Israel, Luke 2.34. In short, Sin∣ners stumble at a Saviour, and pluck Death from the Tree of Life. As for the godly, Gods Rod comforts them: As for the wicked, Gods very Mercy ruins them.

Secondly, See then from hence, that Religion is not to be looked on as a melancholy thing. Some persons dis∣courage Religion, and draw it with a sour countenance, and in a frightful dress; but we see the worst of Reli∣gion hath much comfort in it; the ve∣ry Rod of God comforts the godly. See that Scripture, Iames 1.2. Account it, my Brethren, all joy, when you fall into divers temptations; that is, Afflictions they are called temptations, because they are for Tryal: Account it all joy; joy, and all joy. Take the sourest part of Religion 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is sourest to the Soul, Repentance▪ and that which is sour

to the Body, Affliction; and there is comfort in both.

First, That which is sour to the Soul, Repentance; there is comfort in that: For whom is the Oyl of Joy prepared, but for Gods mourners? Isa. 61.3. A gracious Soul is never more enlarged and comforted, than when he can melt kindly for sin. Christ Jesus made the best Wine of Water. The best Wine of Joy is made of the Water of true Repentance. The Hebrew word to repent, signifies, to take comfort. None have such ground of comfort as a true Penitent: When God makes him weep for sin, he goes away weep∣ing for joy. Thus you see the sourest part of Religion hath comfort in it.

Secondly, Take that which is sour to the Body, Affliction; and it hath comfort in it. A parallel Scripture for this worth observing, 2 Cor. 6.10. As sorrowful, yet always rejoycing: There is comfort in the Rod. A Christian is like a Bird that can sing in the Winter sea∣son: He can pick comfort out of the

Rod, and with Sampson, fetch Honey out of the Lion. 1 Thes. 1.6. Having received the Word with much Affli∣ction, with Joy; here is Gods Rod comforting that Christian which knows Affliction tends to the bettering him, making his Grace purer, and his Crown brighter: He can rejoyce in Affliction, and say as David, Oh Lord, thy Rod comforts me. Thus you see Religion is no unchearful thing.

Thirdly, A third Inference is this: If Gods Rod comforts, then it shews us what good reason we have to chuse Affliction rather than Sin. There is something in Affliction to comfort us; but there is nothing in Sin to comfort us. Sin it is evil, and nothing but evil: It is the spirit of Witchcraft; it defiles the mind, disturbs the peace; it puts a worm into Conscience, a sting into death, and a fire into Hell. This is in Scripture called the abominable thing, Ier. 44.4. Do not this abominable thing which I hate. Sin binds the Soul over unto Gods wrath for ever. Oh then,

what wisdom is it to chuse Affliction rather than Sin! A Christian can say, there is comfort in the Rod; but he cannot say, there is comfort in Sin. Sin puts the Soul into an Agony, and makes it in the very suburbs of Hell. Moses chose Affliction rather than Sin for a season, Heb. 11.25.

Fourthly and lastly, If Gods Rod comforts, then what doth Gods Love do? If there be any comfort, as you have heard, whilst God is afflicting us; what comfort is there while he is embracing us? If there be any comfort in the Valley of Tears; what is there then in Paradice? There is the Bed of Spices, and the River of Pleasures. If God can make a Prison sweet; what then is Heaven? If afflicting mercy be so great; what is crowning mercy? Did God make one of the Martyrs flames a Bed of Roses; why then, how sweet is it to lie in Christs bosom, the Bed of Perfume?

The second Use is of Exhortation.

Use 2.

If Gods Rod hath so much comfort in it to the godly; then be not too much dejected and cast down in Affli∣ction. If you meet with losses; if you meet with Pyrats at Sea, and Hornets at Land, you see God can turn all these to good; Thy Rod comforts me. Therefore be not too much cast down. Tho' we are not to pray for Affliction, for it is in it self penal; neither must we despond under Affliction. Oh, saith one, if God did love me, he would not have dealt thus severely with me; he hath bereaved me of such and such a dear com∣fort, which is like plucking a Limb from the body. But Christian consider, that which thou callest a dear comfort that God hath taken away, perhaps it was an Idol; it may be thou lovedst it more than thou didst God; and if thou hadst not lost this comfort, thou mightest have lost thy Soul and Heaven too; why then, hath God in taking away

this comfort done thee any wrong? there is mercy in all this: Maist not thou say at last, Thy Rod comforts me?

The third Use of Tryal.

Use 3.

Let us examine whether we have had any Honey out of the Lion, any comfort out of Affliction. Hath the Rod of God upon us blossomed and brought forth Almonds? It's certain we have met with Affliction in one kind or other; but what benefit have we got by Affliction? what advantage for our Souls? Can we say indeed as David, Lord, thy Rod comforts me? Can we say, We have met with such and such a sore Tryal, and it hath brought us nearer to God, and weaned us from the world? it hath conquered our Pride, and tamed our Covetousness? When Gods Rod upon us fetches Wa∣ter of tears, and makes us weep bitter∣ly for our sin, then it is a good Rod.

In short; If Gods Rod hath made

us better, it hath made us Reform, and break off iniquity; when we can say with Ephraim, Hosea 14.8. What have I to do with Idols?

To conclude all; Let it be our daily prayer to God that we may find some comfort in Affliction, some Honey mingled with our Gall. David speaks of comfort in Affliction, Psal. 119.50. This is my comfort in Affliction. Affliction it is not joyous, but grievous: Oh but when the Lord doth bless and sanctifie it to us, now it brings comfort with it. Let us pray that we may hear the voice of the Rod, and kiss the Rod, and bless the hand that holds it. Let's pray unto God that we may see his hand in every Affliction, and where∣fore God contends with us, that we may turn to him that smites, and say as David doth here in the Text, Oh Lord, thy Rod and thy Staff they comfort me.