Page:Last publick sermon, being a faithful and free one, preached by Mr. Hugh Mackaile ... upon the Sabbath immediately preceeding that 8th of September 1662, the day affixed for the removing of the ministers of Edinburgh from their kirks.pdf/20

( 20 ) in all Conditions to be content. As to the ſecond, De- light, A Feaſt is not only for Suſtentation, but alſo for Delight, and this leads me to a fifth Conſideration. 5thly, Conſider that, in the midſt of hotteſt Perſecuti- on, there is a Reſt to be had with Chriſt, and from him ; Where feedeſt thou, and makeſt thy Flocks to reſt at Noon? Not only is there Suſtentation for their Neceſſity, but even a comfortable Reſt for their Satisfaction. The Ground of a Believer's Satisfaction is ſomewhat above the Reach of worldly Tribulation; whatſoever Commotion ariſe, it cannot touch their Foundation. Believers are compared to a Houſe built upon a Rock, and Prov. x. 25. The Righteous is an everlaſting Foundation. He is compared to a Tree, Pſal. xii. 3. His Root ſhall never be moved. Outward Advantages are but as goodly Pictures, or other Decorements of a Houſe, which may be blurred or remov- ed without Prejudice to the Building; or, like fair feather- ed Birds, chirping melodiouſly upon the Top of a Tree, which may ſuddenly fly away without any Diſadvantage; but that ſolid Decorement, the Image of God, cannot, by any outward Accident, be defaced, but rather rendered ſo much the more illuſtrious and clear : A fiery Furnace cannot hinder the three Children to praiſe the Lord; no- thing can hinder their Obedience to God's Command, and one great Command is, Rejoice ever more. There are four Things imported in this Reſt that the Lovers of Chriſt enjoy in this Time of Tribulation. Firſt, Reſt from Sin. All the Force and Fury of Tem- ptations cannot lay a Conſtraint upon them to fin againſt the Lord : Though a Meſſenger of Satan ſhould buffet them, yet there is a Grace ſufficient for them. I believe the Malice and Fury, and Craſtineſs of the Devil, tranſ- ſcends the Malice, Fury and Craft of human Enemies : Yet though he uſed his utmoſt Endeavour to engage Job to curſe God and die, yet Patience at length triumphs over Temptation.