The spiritual chymist, or, Six decads of divine meditations on several subjects by William Spurstow ...

Meditation LII. Ʋpon a Rock.

IT is the saying of the Moralists, That Accidents which befall Men have a double handle, by which they may be apprehended; So as that if they be rightly taken, they become not onely less burthensome and unpleasant, but also of use and advantage to those that sustain them: like bitter Herbes that are by the skill of the Physician turned into a wholsome Medicine. The like may be said of this present Subject, that it hath a double aspect under which it may be represented to our Consideration, each of which will suggest thoughts far differing one from another, and yet both have their rise from Scripture. Doth not God bid us look unto the rock from whence we are hewen, and to the pit whence we are digged? And then what can it hold out to our view, but the misery of our natural condition, our dead∣ness, deformity, barrenness, and untractableness to any good? Is it not the complaint of the best, that their hearts are Stony and Rocky, and that they are apt to stand it out with God, and not to yield to the Work of his Grace? is there any evil that in their account is more insuperable then a flinty heart? When did Moses, who had faith to work many Miracles, most di∣strust, but when he was to make the Rock to yield Wa∣ter? though God commanded him to speak onely to it; yet, as deeming it insufficient he smote it twice. And yet is it not the Promise of God to take away the

stony heart, and to give an heart of flesh? And is it not that which I beg, that God would mollifie both my Naturall and Acquired hardness, and preserve me from Judiciall hardness; That so I may not resist Pharoah. like his Messages, his Miracles, his Judgments, and his Mercies, and grow worse in stead of being better. I would that God might be a Rock to me; but I would be as Wax unto him, that so I might be apt to receive Divine Impressions from him. It is my sin to be as a Rock to God, unflexible and sooner Broken then Bent; But it is my unspeakable comfort to think that God will be a Rock to me, who stand in a continual need of his aide and power, to uphold me, who, if I be not built upon him, cannot subsist; and if I be not hid in him can have no salvation. I cannot therefore but give some scope and line to my thoughts, that I may the better take in the honey and sweetness that drops from this Metaphoricall Name of God, who is often stiled in Scripture, the Rock of Israel; the Rock of Ages; the Rock of Salvation. But here I must use the help of the Schooles, who rightly informe us, that when any thing of the Creature is applyed to God, it must be, via re∣motionis, by way of remotion; and via eminentiae, by way of transcendent eminency.

First, by way of remotion: All defects and blemishes whatsoever are not in the least to be attributed unto him who is absolutely perfect; as Heraulds say of Bear∣ings, the resemblance must be taken from the best of their properties, and not from the worst. Is a Rock deformed, and of unequall parts? God is the first of Beauties, as well as of Beings, and all his attributes are equally infinite; his Justice is of as large extent as his Mercy; and his Wisdom as his Power. Is a Rock unsensible of the straits of those that fly unto it for suc∣cour?

so is not God, who is both a Rock and a Father of Mercies: Who can read the expressions of his ten∣••erness, and not be affected? How shall I give thee up Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.

Is the strength of a Rock intransient, and fixed in it self, not communicating its ver••ue to what lies upon it? So is not the strength of Israel, who is a living, and not a dead Rock, and gives both life and power to those that are united to him. I can do all things (saith holy Paul) through Christ strengthning me. Is a Rock Bar∣ren, and can yield no food, though it afford shelter; So is not God, who is a full store-house, as well as a free re∣fuge; a Sun as well as a Shield.

Secondly, By way of Eminency, all perfections whatsoever, either for degree or kind, which put a worth or value upon the Creature, are to be found insinitely more in God. Is a Rock strong, and dashing in pieces all resistance made against it? God is incomparably more: He (saith Job) is wise in heart, and mighty in strength, who hath hardened himself against him and pro∣spered? Is a Rock durable, and not subject to change, by the many revolutions of Ages that pass over it? God is far more immutable, his yeares are throughout all Generations: he is the same yeseerday, and to day, and for ever: In the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength. Is the shadow of a great Rock desirable in a weary Land, to bear off the scorchings of the Sun, and to revive the fainting Traveller? what a covert and hiding place then is God, against all stormes, and heates whatsoever, rai∣sed either by the rage of Men, or by the Estuations of a troubled Conscience, and fomented by the Malice of

Satan? Is a Rock of an awfull aspect for its height, and apt to work upon the head of him that looks down from the top of it? How great then is God whose glory is above the Heavens? whose faithfulness reacheth un∣to the Cloudes, whose righteousness is like the great Mountaines, and whose Judgments are a great deep? And now methinks I may say to my Soul, as David did unto his, Why art thou cast down O my Soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? Cannot God keep him in perfect peace, whose Minde is stayed on him? is not he a very present help in the times of trouble? what evil can befall me, under which his everlasting Armes cannot support me? What Seas of Tryalls can over∣whelm when God shall set me upon a Rock that is higher than I? As I my self cannot climbe it, so nei∣ther can my Enemies power ever reach it. A Belie∣ver can onely be wounded by his own feares; as the Diamond is onely cut by its own dust. Peter sunk not till his Faith failed him: if his confidence had risen, as the Winde and Billowes did, he would have greatly honoured his Lord, as his Rock, upon whom he was built, and have been highly commended by him, as he was for the good Confession he made of him.

But, O blessed Saviour, if Peter cry out, Save Ma∣ster I perish, how much more shall I, who fall far short of his little Faith? and am apt to fear, not onely in the deep Seas, but in the shallow Brookes: not onely when the Waves roar, but when the petty Streames murmur? Do thou therefore, holy Lord, teach me to know what a Rock thou art, and cause all thy glory to pass before me, as thou didst before Moses, that so I may see every attribute of thine, as so many Clefts in the Rock, to which I may run in time of danger, and rejoyce to find how I am compassed about, with thy power, wisdome,

faithfulness, and goodness, from whence more sure comfort will arise, than if a numerous host of Angells should pitch their Tents round about me.