To the Weakly, Psalm, vi. 2. - Sickly, 1 Cor. xi. 30. - Halting, Psalm, xxxviii. 17. - Mourning, Isa. lxi. 3. - Faint, Prov. xxiv. lO. - Feeble, Psalm, xxxviii. 8. - and Fearful, Isa. xxxv. 4. - Fraternity of Zion; whether distinguished by the appellation of Lambs, John, xxi. 15. - Kids, Cant. i. 8. Children, 1 John, ii. 12. - Babes, 1 Pet. ii. 2. - Doves, Isa. lx. 8 - Conies, Prov. xxx. 26. - Or Ants, Prov. xxx. 25. - or whatever real or figurative name they may bear in the divine and endless genealogy - Their Friend and humble Servant sendeth, greeting - With perfect peace, and at such a time.
I HAVE long had a strong desire to publish some little Treatise that might (under the blessing of God) be of use to you. A sense of my own weakness, and the abounding accounts of the weak in faith that stand on record in Holy Writ, have prompted me to undertake a work of this sort. And, what added some fervour to my desires was, that I have read several productions, both ancient and modern, intended for this purpose, which are not pregnant with sound doctrine: the authors have wandered from the doctrines of Christ, and followed the weaklings into the corrupt principles of free-agency; and appear as far (in doctrine) from the basis of truth, as the weaklings from the Munition of Rocks; which, instead of bringing them off the old bottom, fixes them on it.
To keep back, or hide the truth from them, or to endeavour to confirm them on any basis short of Christ, is fixing them where there is no standing. Such founding and daubing must be plucked up, and pulled down, before ever the heart can be established. Job detected his friends and comforters at this, saying, then, comfort ye me in vain, seeing in your answers remaineth falsehood?" Job, xxi. 34. This is building up in instead of truth; and if either the foundation or the superstructure cannot stand the test of God's word, how will they stand rebukes with flames of fire! Some choose, not only to keep back, to speak lightly of, the doctrines of God's Election and nation, lest these things should frighten, terrify, or drive back; which is encouraging their rebellion against their Maker, instead of building them up on their most holy faith, by the faith of God's elect The Saviour told Little Faith, as well as the rest, to "rejoice because their names were written in Heaven;" and rejoiced in spirit before them, "because his heavenly Father had hid those things from the wise and prudent, and had revealed them unto babes:" and, as he calls them babes, it seems they were most, if not all, of little faith at that time. And Peter tells the new born babes, as well as others, to "make their calling and election sure; for if they did these things, should never fall." As the Saviour revealed these things as a matter of joy, and Peter as their security; what are those gentlemen at, who make them nothing but stumbling-blocks, or of offence? If this foundation of God standeth sure, having seal of God upon it, what assurance can such men administer and what divine impression can those expect, who are taught to ridicule these things, and are built upon a sandy foundation, where the ruin is sure to be great?
For my own part (and I speak from experience), I should not wonder if a professor thus misled, and thus hardened, should end his days in a mad-house, or perish by suicide. I know this been the case with many, who have waged war with the decrees and purposes of God, till they have been, in just judgment, given up to the devil, as Alexander the coppersmith, and Hymeneus, who withstood the truth till they were both delivered unto that they might learn not to blaspheme, 1 Tim. i. 20. As far as I am enlightened to see, I have endeavoured to keep close to the truth; for it is a pleasure to me, as well as it was to John, who rejoiced when he found that not only the elect lady, but "her children also, walked in the truth," 2 John, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
I was puzzled awhile what method to adopt in sending my thoughts among you, and various schemes were formed; till, at last, I fixed upon sending them out by way of dialogue, as the most intelligible mode; and to which I was encouraged by the Song of Solomon. The characters fixed upon to carry it on are - A Steward of the Royal Household, and a Shepherd of the King's Flock; both which are Scriptural characters, and well known to the just.
I have been rather profuse with the word of God; knowing that weak souls, after their first awakening, proceed with great caution, and dare not venture without a divine warrant; being commanded to stand in awe, and to cleanse their way, by taking heed thereto according to God's word.
It is not expected that a work of this sort should be of any use to believers who are grown up and established in the present truth - "they that are men put away childish things" - unless they should be desirous of seeing a map of their travels, or of perusing a journal of their infant days, when they went in a go-cart.
There ever hath been, and will be, even to the end of time, some of the children of God who will be staggering at the promises, and going bowed down, through fear of miscarrying, coming short of the saints' rest, or failing of the grace of God. To such therefore it is dedicated, and for such it is intended; hoping that, as God hath commanded us "to strengthen the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees," it may please him to cast it in the way of many of them, and to bless the reading of it to their souls growth, comfort, and establishment.
Many are found in the simplicity and power of the Gospel who have very little light into the great things of it; and many have been enlightened to discover great things in the letter of it, who never knew the simplicity, nor felt the power thereof.
My intention, in this work, is not to humour LITTLE FAITH, nor to indulge him in his whims and fancies, nor to encourage his infidelity, nor to build him up in falsehood, much less to establish him in unbelief. What I aim at is, to shew him what is faith, and what is not; wherein he is right, and wherein he is wrong; what is justifiable in him, and what is reprehensible what he says of himself, and what God says of him; what God has done in him, and what may be expected to be done for him, according to the promise: and the difference between a babe in grace, and a fawning wolf; Little Faith, and a little fox; the sincerity of the one, and the infernal cunning of the other. One loves the truth, the other hates it; one trembles at the word, the other is hardened against it; one comes to the light, the other cleaves to darkness; one honours them that fear the Lord, and contemns the vile; the other hates the just, and speaks well of the false prophets - and in this is manifested the children of God and the children of the Devil.
There is some milk, Reader, and some strong meat; some good thing toward the Lord God of Israel, which is faith; and some bad things, such as unbelief, and cleaving to the flesh, which is a departing from him. In short, thou wilt find some of thy best frames pointed out, and some of thy worst feelings; thy best and thy worst hours; noble acts, and wretched failings; courageous feats, and fainting flights; the truth of grace, and fleshy foibles. That the Lord may give his blessing to it, and minister consolation by it, is the prayer and desire of,
Your affectionate Friend and Servant,
In CHRIST JESUS,
WM. HUNTINGTON.
Winchester Row, Paddington
of
LITTLE FAITH.
As a certain steward of his Majesty's household was one morning walking abroad for the benefit of the air, he promiscuously met with a rustic shepherd, whom he accosted in the following manner:-
Steward. Good morning to you, shepherd. Shepherd I call you; for such you appear to be by the crook in your hand.
Shepherd. Sir, a good morning to you. You have called me right; for a shepherd I am by profession, such an one as I am.
Stew. Yours is an occupation that exposes people to all sorts of weather - wet and dry, cold and heat; and it requires both wisdom and watchfulness, especially if a man be careful, to "give a portion to seven, and also to eight," Eccles. xi. 2.
Shep. True; and, the more a man looks to his flocks and to his herds, the less he is esteemed in the world; for it is in our days, as it was in the days of Joseph, "Every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians," Gen. xlvi. 34.
Stew. Better be an abomination to the Egyptians, than an abomination to Him that employs him. They that take the oversight of tho flock, must receive their wages from the Chief Shepherd, when he shall appear. "The lambs are for thy cloathing, and the goats are the price of the field," Prov. xxvli. 26; or, "a ransom for the lambs," Prov. xxi. 18. The former shall one day come for thine hire; "so shall thy righteousness answer for thee in time to come," Gen. xxx. 33.
Shep. It is this, and being allowed at times to draw a little Pecket-money, that encourages me in the work, or else the treatment that I have met with has been enough to drive any man from the business who took it upon himself of his own accord. Though I have heard much talk of dumb dogs, in the days of old, I have found but very few of them; for, if they could not bark at the wolf, they could give tongue at the sheep, and at me also.
Stew. Pray, how many head may you have in your flock?
Shep. I cannot say justly; the Chief Shepherd keeps the book of name and number; but I believe there is somewhat above a thousand.
Stew. And have you all these to feed and to fold yourself?
Shep. Yes; and am obliged to draught them, and change them too, every two or three days; for sheep never do well long together upon one walk: the more they are shifted, the better they thrive.
Stew. You have got some lambs, I perceive, among them; and some ewes great with young - they do not bring forth together regularly, nor kindly, do they?
Shep. This sort of sheep are like orange-trees; they go to blossom, or are in bearing, all the year round: and some of the weakest of the lambs are more trouble to me than all the rest; they are always creeping through the hurdles; and I am afraid that my master will send the dog Smut after them; and that voracious creature makes such havock with these weaklings, that he leaves nothing "but two legs, or a piece of an ear," Amos. iii. 12, and sometimes I fret so at the sight of it, that I could wish that I had been any thing rather than a shepherd. It is like a sword to me; and I am obliged to cry out, "Deliver my soul from the sword: my darling from the power of the dog," Psalm, xxii. 20.
Stew. To be contented in one's station is best. There is no place of servitude without its difficulties and disagreeable circumstances. Wherein a man is called, therein let him abide - a rolling stone gathers no moss. I am not a little tried, where the bounds of my habitation are fixed.
Shep. If I may be so bold, pray, Sir, what may your trade or calling be? Neither your hands nor your appearance look as it you worked very hard.
Stew. There is a labour of the mind, and a labour of the body. I have been exercised with both; and, I think, the former is hardest.
Shep. Care and anxiety certainly wear a man away, or else Jethro would never have counselled Moses to look out such a number of men to bear a part with him.
Stew. I have my share of that; for it hath fallen to my lot to be one of the stewards of his Majesty's household, or what is commonly called a clerk of the kitchen, so that the care of many lies on me: and, you know, it is "required in stewards that a man be found faithful," 1 Cor. iv. 2.
Shep. Yes, you must give an account of your master's goods, as well as I of my flock; and, if we are fully persuaded that we can do it with cheerfulness, and not with grief, it affords comfort and satisfaction to the mind. But the office of a steward in the Royal Family must be a much easier place, and a more honourable station in life, than that of a shepherd.
Stew. He is the best judge where the shoe pinches that wears it. A steward is much envied: many of the servants are obliged to come to him for necessaries, advice, and direction; and, if he deals faithfully with all, every one, in his turn, will have a pick at him.
Shep. Very true, Sir. I was quite mistaken in my judgement of you. I should not have taken you to have been a servant: I thought, by your genteel appearance, that you was a reputable tradesman, a man in business for yourself.
Stew. God forbid! for none of my family ever set up for themselves but what came to beggary. Therefore, I never desire to be out of his Majesty's service, independent of him, or one hour upon my own hands, notwithstanding the many disagreeable things that attend the service.
Shep. Pray, Sir, what may your business chiefly be?
Stew. I provide for one part of the household such things as his Majesty orders me to get for them; I buy the meat, the wine, oil, milk, honey, butter, and fruit; I examine the cellar and the wardrobe, see to the family's table and apparel, and look to the doors and gates: I receive orders; and carry grievances, complaints, addresses, and grateful acknowledgments, to the King, &c.
Shep. Indeed! you have much upon your hands, and head too; as you must have a deal of accounts to cast up, many books to keep and settle, and many reckonings to make: "For to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more," Luke, xii. 48.
Stew. True: and where much is given, much is required. It a man be not punctual, he will not magnify his office; and, if once he loses his character, it is ten to one if he is of any more use in the household, even though he should succeed in getting a pension for himself. And, if his Majesty seems in the least to honour or favour him, there are many watching for his halting. "Report! report!" say they," and we will report it!" Jer. xx. 10.
Shep. I wonder his Majesty permits such to approach the royal apartments; for he is not one that favours an eye-servant, or "helps an evil doer," Job, viii. 20.
Stew. Many draw near to him, and approach his presence, that never found favour in his sight. In a great house, there are not only vessels of gold, and silver, and wood, and earth, but the best and worst of servants also. We have an Old Fellow, that is permitted to skulk about the palace-yard, and has been for a number of years; who is interfering with every body, every thing, and every word.
Shep. Perhaps he is kept for his former good services. If he was not in favour, he would hardly be allowed to dwell among the houshold.
Stew. As for good services, it has never been in his power to perform any; nor is he any friend to the King, or the King to him. I believe he is kept in existence chiefly for the trial of faithful servants during his Majesty's pleasure. Many have wished and petitioned for his final dismission, or utter destruction; but them he is still, and there he is like to be.
Shep. Well, Sir, "what cannot be cured, must be endured." Pray, has his Majesty many children?
Stew. O yes! - we increase and multiply: the Queen is always pregnant, in child-bed, or breeding, the whole year round.
Shep. And, pray, who has the care of the children? I suppose every one has a distinct nurse and rocker, have they not?
Stew. Any of the family may "suckle," Isaiah, lxvi. 12 - "swaddle," Lam. ii. 22 - "dandle," Isaiah, lxvii. 12 - bear upon their sides, or rock them, that will; and those of the family, even the young princes and princesses, that can hardly walk without a back-string or a go-cart, are fond of lugging them about I have sometimes seen one, that has itself staggered through weakness, endeavouring to keep another from falling into the ditch; and some, who are so tender-eyed as to be incapable of looking at a candle, much less at the sun, are often endeavouring to bring others from, or cautioning them against, the black hole, or horrible pit.
Shep. That is a good thing. It is with them as it is with lambs; the more they sport about and play, the stronger they grow, and the better they thrive: and so it is with children; the more they are tossed and tumbled about, the better; it keeps them from the rickets, and strengthens their limbs, if they do not humour them too much, nor handle them too roughly.
Stew. "Too many fingers often spoil the pie;" and too many nurses often hurt the child. All have not got sincere milk that draw out the breast: some suckle with the "poison of asps," Job, xx. 16, and stunt them in their infancy; and it is a rare thing to see such with proportionable heads. Others, again, both "nourish and cherish them like real nurses," 1 Thess. ii. 7. And, as for children, their taste is not very quick at discerning "perverse things," Job, vi. 30. "Stolen waters are sweet," Prov. ix. 17, as well as honey; and, if they taste but the candy, it is enough for them, they take all down.
Shep. But pray, sir, have you the care of them? This work is more fit for women than men.
Stew. The mother and her daughters are commanded to suckle them, and bear them upon their sides, as we have before observed; but, as soon as they are off the knee, I have the care of some of them. As a Steward of the Household, "I am to give them a portion of meat in due season," Luke, xii. 42; to look to their ways, manners, and education; and likewise to their clothing: for there is "a punishment to the princes and the king's children, and all such as are clothed with strange apparel," Zeph. i. 8. And when there are any that are stunted, sickly, weakly, or ricketty, I have more trouble with such a child than I have with all the family beside. I have had three of these under my care at once; and I used to doubt whether they ever would be able to go alone and feed themselves or not; but two of them are now gone from my care.
Shep. Pray what are their names? Are they down in the Court Calendar?
Stew. Yes: the name of one is "Weak Heart," Ezek. xvi. 30; the other," Silly Dove," Hos. vii. 11; and the last," Little Faith," Matt. vi. 30. Which shews that the first has a heart, though weak; that the second is a dove though silly; and that the third has faith, though but little.
Shep. I perceive, sir, that you and I both serve one master, though you are in the household, and I in the field; therefore, tell me the reasons why so many of his Majesty's children are so often ricketty and feeble. One would think that the King would tend at no expense; and, therefore, the Queen must have the best help, and her offspring the best of care.
Stew. The fault lies not in the King, who stands at no expense, nor in the Queen, "who is a tender and delicate woman," Jer. vi. 2; but it lies chiefly in placemen, and in the rulers of the house, who are often biassed, not faithful to their trust, nor watch-ful to keep intruders out; but often recommend unwise and unskilful persons to the young of the family; till, at times, it is more like Ahab's court than David's palace. Besides, groaning-times are times that old ladies are all in motion: they are always very busy and active at those seasons; and, while the Queen is in labour, she has enough to do to bear up under her own sorrows; and, therefore, cannot tell who are about her person, whether friends or foes. If the latter, the fault lies in them who called the Gossips, or those who recommended them. You know, that every person is not loyal that tastes the Queen's candle: various Persons getting about the child-bed, where every lady speaks her mind freely, and in the general fluently, after the "groaning-ale is broached;" till, in process of time, the hubbub is like the confused assembly at Ephesus: "some say one thing, and some another, till the greater part know not wherefore, nor for what they are come together." At these times, disaffected learn a cant, and get a wild gibberish, which introduces them as familiars to the household; and, if one is faithful to his trust, tries to get them out, another acts against his conscience in venting to keep them in; and there were too many of this about the Queen's person while she was in labour with Silly Dove, and Weak Heart.
Shep. Well, sir, but let the gossips be what they doubtless her Majesty had her proper maidens, or worn waiting, about her; and her proper midwife, doubtless; and the care of the Queen's person must rest chiefly in the hands of these.
Stew. In our days, every mole-catcher pretends to skill in mid-wifery; and every old barren woman will give directions at a groaning, who never knew what conception means, much less the bitter throes of child-birth. These generally hurry the birth, knowing nothing from experience; but, having imbibed some notions by observation, they will therefore neither let nature struggle with her own weakness, nor leave Providence to work his will.
Shep. Such are like some shepherds that I have known, who, by their over-carefulness, do more hurt than good in lambing time. If an ewe seems long in yeaning, they are always forward at drawing the lambs, for fear of losing the ewe; by which means many a lamb hath had its shoulder dislodged, or pulled out of place, which has rendered it either weakly or a cripple all its days; whereas the best way is to turn their heads toward the Hill of Zion, or to the rising ground; and see that they lie to an advantage, attend upon them, and watch over them; keep wild beasts off, and "foolish shepherds that cannot understand, from intermeddling," Isa. lvi. 11, and leave them in the invisible hand of Him "who carries the lambs in his bosom, and gently leads those that are with young," Isa. xl. 11.
Stew. You talk like a shepherd that has some knowledge of his business. Nature should not be forced; nor will Providence be hurried. Blind, unskilful, or ignorant persons, and mere pretenders, do as much mischief in the King's household as such foolish shepherds do in the field: for, if any in the house be touched either with the green-sickness, or with the hip, are griped or qualmish - whether it be the Queen, or any of the concubines, servants, or princesses - it is all put down, and taken for granted to be Zion's labour. Whereas some groan under a false conception; "They conceive mischief, and bring forth vanity; and their belly prepareth deceit," Job, xv. 35. Others have been with child, and have laboured, and brought forth wind: they wrought no deliverance; nor were they delivered themselves, till the promise came - "Thy dead men shall live," Isa. xxvi. 18, 19. Some, who assume the name of Queen, and lay claim to his Majesty's person, find all their glory and lustre vanish as soon as they put their hands upon their loins: "Their glory flies away like a bird, from the birth, and from the womb, and from the conception," Hosea, ix. 11. Others, after a deal of counterfeit labour, just to attract pity from the gossips, produce "a snail that melteth away: it is an untimely birth, which never sees the sun," Psa. lviii. 8. All these, in the eyes of some, pass for child-bearing women: preparations are made; kerchiefs and pillows are prepared, Ezek. xiii. 18, the garden of spices is robbed, Song, vi. 2, cordial and consolation are flying about even for the dead, for such are not the bride, Jer. xvi. 7, 8, and every granny is condoling the hypocrite, till the abortive birth discovers the hypocrisy of the bond-woman: then "she that was full hires herself out for bread," 1 Sam. ii. 5; and, after that, becomes a pest, and a plague (if she can) to every royal lodge in bis Majesty's dominions. Ancient palaces, as well as modern, from the royal family of Abraham down to Solomon, and from Solomon to the latest regal reign of the Prince of peace, the household hath been (and will be) pestered, more or less, with these strange women.
Shep. But you don't think, sir, that Weak Heart, Silly Dove, and Little Faith, are either children of whoredom, or a seed of falsehood. They are not born of fornication, are they? If they were the children of the concubines, or of the desolate which hath no husband, you would not have the charge and care of them, I should think; for the bread of his Majesty's household is not to be cast to dogs, nor to the "bastards of Ashdod," Neh. xiii. 24.
Stew. True; these three children of the wood are not legitimate; "they are the offspring and issue of Zion," Isa. xxii. 24, and are called the Feeble Ones of the "house of David," Zech. xii. 8, and their feebleness is chiefly owing to the grannies and gossips that attended her Majesty in labour; who have neither patience to let the birth take its course, nor wisdom to watch and wait the events of Providence, who asks this important question, "Shall I cause to travail, and not cause to bring forth? and shall I bring to the birth, and shut the womb, saith thy God? Isa. lxvi. 9. The work should be left to him whose work it is; and his aid be implored, and his time submitted to, who has fixed a every purpose, "a time to be born, and a time to die:" instead of this, the birth is hastened; threatenings are used; warnings are given; different counsels are taken; all sorts of tenders are called in; endless advice, some right, and some wrong, is attended to; and violence is often used: and, what with their different slops, wherreting tongues, and violent measures, they are Forced" before the decree brings forth," Zeph. ii. 2. I think it is better "to tarry too long (like Ephraim) in the place of the breaking forth of children," Hos. xiii. 13, than (like Ishmael) to make an appearance fourteen years before the time of the promise; "for this breach is sure to be upon him that breaks forth, and his name must be called Pharez," Gen. xxxviii. 29.
Shep. We have got just such novices among cattle as you have in the household. Some are running with food as soon as cattle "bow themselves to bring forth their young, and to cast out their sorrows," Job, xxix. 3; others with hot drinks, and some drenching them with a horn: which is only troubling them; for, when they are in pain, they cannot eat, only at intervals, when there is a little intermission. To get them into the barn in time, if the weather be cold, attend upon them, and pray, as the Psalmist did, "that our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets," Psal. cxliv. 13, is the best way of proceeding, in my judgment. And as it is with cattle, so it is, in this respect, with the human species. If the woman goes not her proper time, her offspring must of course be weakly.
Stew. It is the case with these. Weak Heart, Silly Dove, and Little Faith, are but seven months children.
Shep. I have heard, that all the honourable matrons, ladies in waiting, women of the childbed-chamber, grannies, gossips, and nurses, in short, all who engage, either in the talkative or the active part, on those occasions (who use proverbs), and whose veracity must not be questioned without incurring displeasure - do affirm this proverb to be true, with one voice; namely, that "A seven months child generally lives, but an eight months child seldom does." If these are allowed to give a portion to seven, and also to eight, the proverb deals life to the former, and death to the latter.
Stew. I doubt not of these little ones living for ever: yet such are to be pitied, because they were neglected. Poor Little Faith was entangled in his navel-string at his birth; which requires a sharp knife, but sharpness was not used, Tit. i. 13; 2 Cor. xiii. 10. You know, "There are that speaketh like the piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise is health," Prov. xii. 18. This cuts a child off from the wisdom of the flesh, and begets a "fear in the heart, which (as wisdom saith) is health to his navel, and marrow to his bones," Prov. xxxvii. 8. The ties of nature are strong; and the child that is entangled with them is sure to savour of the old cask, and to be put behind. "Get thee behind me," said the King to Little Faith: "thou art an offence unto me; for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men," Matt xvi. 23. Hence the heavy complaint in the ancient Records "And as for thy nativity, in the day thou wast born, thy navel was not cut," Ezek. xvi. 4. Poor children thus entangled in the ties of nature must unavoidably draw nutriment from flesh and blood: and, where this is the case, the birth cannot be clear; "for we are born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of GOD;" John, i. 13. Yea, and it is no uncommon thing, in our days, to see a bond-child assume the highest office in his Majesty's household; giving orders and directions to the whole family, with his navel-string round his neck, instead of a ravishing chain, Cant. iv. 9, sticking to Hagar's knees, instead of Zion's lap; and cleaving to the first Adam, in preference to the second. Nor were the poor infants managed properly when they came: they should have been taken to the "fountain opened for the house of David," with earnest importunities to be "washed and suppled;" and they should have been "seasoned with salt," by the ministry of grace; and have been swaddled with the girdle of truth, which "girds up the loins of the mind," and keeps them from staggering. But, poor babes! they fell into the hands of grannies that had no skill, and physicians of no value, and nurses of neither truth nor pity. And of such God complains: "Thy navel was not cut; neither wast thou washed in water, to supple thee. Thou wast not salted at all, nor swaddled at all. None eye pitied thee, to do any of these things unto thee, to have compassion upon thee," Ezek. xvi. 4, 5.
Shep. But pray, sir, who was appointed to nurse them? or, into whose hands were they committed? For certainly, if they are any part of the Seed Royal, proper care is taken, and proper persons appointed for the business.
Stew. That they are of the Seed Royal, I have no doubt, because the Queen "received strength to conceive seed," Heb. xi. 11; and would have "received strength to bring forth also," Isa.. lxvi. 9; if they had let her alone. And that proper persons are appointed by the King to nurse and take care of the children, is true also. But some who are called rulers falsely, and some that are really so, appoint many whom his Majesty never appointed. Such, in former days, set up kings, but not by him; and heaped to themselves tutors, but not by his orders; and nurses too; or else why stands the above complaint upon record respecting their not being salted, suppled, and swaddled? And some are palmed upon the King, and nursed with all tenderness, when they are not his offspring; and others, that are really so, are often put into improper hands, who are friends neither to the King nor the country, and that for the sake of their dozens and the salary And too many of our rulers give heed to, and take all to be true, that these old honourable ladies say at the labour and the birth; if any ladies of candour do but cry out," This is one of the promised seed, it is the very picture of his Majesty;" - when we know that some complimental ladies would pass the same encomium upon a monkey, if it lay in the cradle; whose word is not to be taken, nor their judgment trusted to. Every one should be persuaded in his own mind, and have the testimony of his own conscience, if he acts uprightly, as one that must give an account: for many will cry out, "Such an one is a proper child! This is a precious seed!" And, "The other is the very portrait of the Father! Take it into the King's Household." Whereas, when you bring it to the light, and compare it with the King's image, 2 Cor. iii. 18; or with the King's children, Judg. viii. 18; we may say of it, as a gentleman once said, who was in company with me in the church-yard belonging to the famous corporation of Queenborough, in Kent, where we were reading some pompous descriptions and epitaphs upon the grave-stones of some of the jurats and other great men who had formerly belonged to that corporation. Among other curiosities, a singular piece of sculpture presented itself to view, the meaning of which puzzled us all; but, after long examination, we construed the aim of the artist to be this - "Time with his glass; the Judge in the clouds; and the Earth giving up her dead." The gentleman concluded that the artist had not transgressed the second commandment, for "he had not made the likeness of any thing, either in heaven above, or in the earth beneath." And so we may say of some who would fain appear to be new creatures; the feigned mask defaces the image of the earthly Adam, and there is no impression to be found of the image of the heavenly Adam. But, alas! some who have been so long accustomed to the cant of Jacobite courtiers, and so often biassed in favour of their friends, will let many pass for new creatures, and forwet nurses too, who never were pregnant with any thing but mischief; but have learned to mimic and talk by observation, and the art of nursing in a systematical way; who are branded with "a miscarrying womb and dry breasts," Hos. ix. 14.. And, if even Hagar comes in, she may give them a drop, if she will; and her bond-children are sent to play with them, any how, so as they can but be kept from crying.
Shep. Then some of the rulers of the household act as Moses did when he kept Jethro's flock: though it is not much to be wondered at; for a man brought up in a palace cuts but an awkward figure at first with a crook. But, what I was going to observe was, that he led his flock to the back side of Horeb; which, according to report, stands in a barren wilderness, and in a dry land. I will be bold to affirm, that David never led his flocks there when he followed the ewes great with young: for, though he kept sheep in the wilderness, yet he generally sought for the valleys, as fat pastures, green pastures, streams and rivers, are so often mentioned in his writings. But Moses, and some of your rulers, seem to agree pretty well: he led the flock to the back side of the mount; and, if the children are allowed to go to Hagar, they are taken to the front of it. What musical sound is that which echoes from the hills? Hark!
Stew. O dear! the sound is made by his Majesty's seven trumpeters. To-day, being court-day, we have a feast on the holy mountain: and I must run, for I am obliged to attend the table; but should be glad of another interview, if a leisure hour should offer.
Shep. I shall have pitched my fold, watered the flock, and can leave them safely in the inclosures, by to-morrow at half-past twelve; and will, if God permit, meet you under the fig-tree at the corner of the wall, precisely at one o'clock.
Stew. My time is not my own; but, if the King should not send me elsewhere, I will be sure to be there. The Lord be with thee.
Shep. And with thy spirit.
Shepherd. Why, you run, Sir, till you are quite out of breath.
Steward. Yes, I am half an hour past the time appointed, but I could not help it; for, just as I was coming away, Little Faith got hold of me, as he often does: for if there is not any thing upon the table that he can eat, he is sure to follow me into the larder, cellar, or pantry, to see if I have got any secret morsel, or drop of comfort, in reserve for him; and, if I have, I generally give it him.
Shep. I was thinking last night, that if any body had heard our yesterday's conversation, it would have caused a deal of laughter among fools: yea, and some who are called shepherds and stewards, if they had heard our discourse concerning travail, birth, and naval-strings, would have traduced us as indecent and indelicate, if not reproached us with using filthy conversation.
Stew. He that is too pure in his mouth to use the consecrated words of the King's oracles, is too debauched and filthy in his mind to be employed in the in the King's service. The sacred records of his Majesty, and the words by which they are expressed, were indited by the purest Spirit that ever existed, and penned by the holiest men that ever lived: therefore those who traduce the wholesome words of the Divine records, as improper or impure, cast their slurs upon the Author of the style, and upon the sanctified family which are the heirs of promise; and must be influenced by a different Spirit from them, which can be no other than what is called a foul, or an unclean spirit.
Shep. If Peter was not allowed to call the Gentiles, whom the King had sanctified, either common or unclean, what liberties must they take who use such language against the words of the King's mouth - "Shall a man be more pure than his Maker?" Job, iv. 17. "The words of the King are pure words," Psal. xii. 6; "yea, very pure," Psal. cxix. 140. "Every word is pure," Prov. xxx. 5; "and they are pleasant words," Prov. xv. 26.
Stew. Those that say, "Stand by thyself, Come not near to me, for I am holier than thou; are a smoke in the King's nose, and a fire that burneth all the day," Isa. lxv. 5. Which fire can be no other than the the fire of sin; and the smoke is the flame and stench of pride and ignorance, which these holiest mortals are filled with. However we have a nation that are pure in their own eyes; but the worst of it is, that they "never were washed from their filthiness," Prov. xxx. 12. But we will go on with our good conversation in the King, and make use of the "words which his Holy Spirit teacheth;" and leave these pure ones to the mercy or vengeance of him who hath said, "Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed," Prov. xiii. 13. And in the great day, when the mystery of iniquity shall be revealed, their purity will be brought to light; and then we shall be perfect in knowledge, and have the satisfaction of seeing what it really is, and of judging accordingly.
Shep. When we parted yesterday, you was speaking of the bad nursing that Little Faith has had; and of his being permitted, at times, to go to Hagar, and to be carried about by the bond-children. If this is the case, I do not wonder at Little Faith's weakness. I think the free woman, the seed-royal, and the established and warranted servants of the Household, ought to have the sole and whole management of the King's children.
Stew. If Sarah, or the heirs of promise, or any of Sarah's daughters that do well, had the whole management of them, it would not be as it is. As soon as Isaac was born, Sarah turned Hagar out, and her son too. She would never let the bond-woman put the heir of promise to her breasts, lest the dregs of the servant's body should injure the favoured heir; nor permit her to stay in the house, lest the child should learn her ill manners; nor her bond-child neither. Isaac must pass through his whole state of childhood without a playmate, rather than whip tops with, or learn the archer's dexterity of that mocking child of the flesh.
Shep. Hagar must undoubtedly have an eternal hatred to Sarah, and the Ishmaelites to the Israelites. The house of Saul were never one with the house of David, nor the bond-woman with the married wife. Sinai and Zion can never agree; nor can the desolate approve of Hephzi-bah: and those who attempt to make reconciliation here stand in a gap that can never be closed; and are proclaiming friendship where the King hath put enmity, and making peace where he hath sent both a sword and a fire. If any of the bond-children come to the court of Zion, they come as spies, to count the towers, mark the bulwarks, or dive into the management of the household, into the rules of it, the ways of it, and to get a smattering of the pure language of the court; only that they may be capable of ensnaring some of the sons or daughters of Zion. Egyptians will be Egyptians.
Stew. True; and we know that Egypt was the most abandoned to idolatry and witchcraft of any place under heaven: and the apostle declared, in his day, that all the children of Grace in Galatia who went to allegorical Hagar were bewitched - "O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you?" But we have some in the court who speak highly of Hagar, and weep over her family; yea, and are so full of fleshly savour, as to throw out their invectives against those who are faithful in the King's Household; and to judge some to be of the seed-royal who have died by suicide, when the laws of Zion declare that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him; and self-murder is the worst of murder.
Shep. If this be the case, it must undoubtedly go hard with these three poor children. Pardon my digression, Sir, as I ask for information, Who is her Majesty's midwife? or, rather, who are her midwives? for I suppose she has more than one.
Stew. There are two, and no more. The most famous is one Mrs. Love. Her town-house is in Jerusalem; but her country-house is at En-rogel, 1 Kings, i. 9, which is the King's gardens, and lies between Bethlehem and the Valley of Hinnom. The other is Lady Truth: she is safe, but the other is the most famous. Both these have persons that act under them, but themselves have always the superintendance.
Shep. And was the Queen delivered of Weak Heart, Silly Dove, and Little Faith, by Mrs. Love, or by the other?
Stew. Mrs. Love was at her country-house, and gave orders, and had a hand in it, in a secret way, but did not appear in person: if she had, matters would have been better managed; which was needful, for the Queen bred these three children very badly. She was much troubled with sickness, and seldom eat at quiet during the whole time of her pregnancy; and, after she quickened, she had several frights and sudden surprizes, which brought a heavy gloom upon her mind, and subjected her much to bondage and fear; and whatever affects the mother, affects the infant also, for that is nourished at her fountain. When these three children were born, various symptoms of the mother's disorders and frights appeared visible on them; which Mrs. Love generally purges oil and expels by a little of the "oil of joy," Isa. lxi. 3, mingled with "hidden manna," Rev. ii. 17. "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casteth out fear, because fear hath torment: he that feareth is not made perfect in love," 1 John, iv. 18. Children made perfect in love are wise indeed; for they know their Father! "Love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God," 1 John, iv. 7. And he is "a wise child indeed that knows his own father!" say they who speak in proverbs - and I believe he is. However, family likeness is more to be depended upon; and is more satisfactory to some husbands than the positive assertions or the mother, because it has been known that deathbed confessions have given all such preceding assertions the lie.
Shep. Then I suppose it was Lady Truth that laid the Queen of these three; and you say she is a safe midwife, though the other be the most famous: therefore these children may be perfect or complete in the truth, though not perfect in love.
Stew. Lady Truth laid the Queen of all these, and impressions of her hands are visible upon them; and the King owns them: for he said, "Surely they are my people, children that will not lie; so he was their Saviour," Isa. lxiii. 8. And certain it is, "that truth makes free," John, viii. 32; free from death, though not always from the fear of it; for some shall be delivered - from eternal death - "who, through the fear of it, were ALL THEIR LIFE-TIME subject to bondage," Heb. ii. 13. Thus truth makes free but perfect love casteth out fear: the child of truth is safe; but the child made perfect by love is the most happy.
Shep. Then it appears that the King may own some for his who never could as yet lay a claim upon him?
Stew. Doubtless he knows his own, whether all that are his know him or not; and certain it is, that all his seed shall know him, from the least to the greatest, ere they go hence. He that loves the truth, and loves the saints, loves indeed and in TRUTH: "and thereby may know that he is of the TRUTH, and may assure his heart before him," 1 John, iii. 18, 19. But, though the King knows and owns him, yet he knows not the King in the highest sense, nor can he boldly claim him as his Father; and, therefore, has not the comfort of it, because, though he loves the truth and the saints, he is not made perfect in love: and he "that loves not, knoweth not God," 1 John, iv. 8, though God knows him.
Shep. I thank you for your satisfactory resolve. But pray Sir, were all these three children nursed in the palace that you are at, or in any other? for I know the King has several palaces or lodges in the nation.
Stew. They were not all brought up at the Royal Palace in the great Metropolis, though they were there for a little time. Weak Heart through the counsels of some rulers, was sent into the North, to what is called the High-priest's Palace; where he wore iron-bows for his neck, to make him carry his head upright; and irons upon his legs and ankles, to bring his limbs in form, in order to set off his gait, and enable him to make a decent appearance; and to submit to the endless human rules, forms, and orders, of the house: but, for the want of a good breast and proper nursing in his youth, he remained unsightly, disproportion-able, and ricketty, till within a few days of his death; but, at his departure, he appeared a perfect man.
Shep. And, pray, what became of silly Dove? Was he sent to the same place? If he was, I dare say that he fared as bad as the other.
Stew. No, he did not go with his brother; he was sent to the lodge at Bethel, which is in the south country, near the famous city that was once the residence of Melchisedec; where the air is fine, and the country open; plenty of sun and heat, and yet noted at certain seasons for cool breezes. Here he was under the tuition of one Fidelity, an excellent tutor and governor, who so brought him on, under God, that his behaviour, pleasant countenance, and the King's tender affection for him, stand upon record in the Eternal Annals - "As his Majesty's dear Son, and his pleasant Child, for whom his bowels were troubled, and upon whom his infinite compassion was shewed," Jer. xxxi. 20. So that the old name, Silly Dove died away in every body's mouth, and in time became totally extinct.
Shep. Just so it fares with some flocks which fall into the hands of careful shepherds; who, under superior direction, suffer them not to want, but make them lie "down in green pastures, and fead them beside the still waters," Psalm, xxiii, l, 2; while others are suffered to be scattered by the wolf, and drove into numberless corners and thickets "in the cloudy and dark days," Ezek. xxxiv. 12. "The lost are not sought after, the strayed are not gathered, the broken are not bound up, and the sick are not strengthened," Ezek. xxxiv. 16. A man of no spiritual under-standing is a foolish shepherd; and, if he is one that has no regard for the flock, they had better be without him than with him; for, when they are scattered abroad as sheep having no shepherd, the Owner himself will seek after them; as it is written, "Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out." Others spend half their time in what is called trimming them; which is done by driving a large crutch-stake into the ground, in the shape of a capital Y, while the poor creature stands hanging back with its neck in the crutch - a pin running through the two crutches at the top - and the Shepherd clips off the loose, dangling, and torn wool, just to make the creature look plump and round to the eye; when, if you were to handle the carcase of it, it is as light as an owl, and its ribs are like a paper of pins: and, if it could but speak, it would cry," My leanness! my leanness! all the day long," Isa, xxiv. 16. "Ye eat the fat, and ye Clothe you with the wool; but ye feed not the flock," Ezek. xxxiv. 3. And again, "Neither did my shepherds search for my flock; but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not the flock," Ezek. xxxiv. 8. But pray, Sir, where is Little Faith?
Stew. Little Faith is at the town-palace.
Shep. Does he grow at all? Is there any likelihood of his name being buried in oblivion, like that of his brother, Silly Dove? or is he Little Faith, and of little stature still?
Stew. He is Little Faith still; and that name, by the bye, is applicable to some who talk of very great faith, who have no more trophies to shew of their prevailing strength and heroic deeds than he has.
Shep. If a man has faith, he must have it to the King; and, if he has enough to live by, fight by, work by, and walk by, it is enough: it is seldom given to boast of; his Majesty does nothing in vain. But my reason for asking is, because sometimes children that are stunted for want of good nursing, and others that are not very proper or sightly in their infancy or childhood, do in their riper years out-grow it, as Silly Dove did.
Stew. If once a weakly infant falls into the hands of Hagar, and in time gets doatingly fond of her, and sucks her breast till it be esteemed preferable to all others, and becomes both a play-fellow and a school-fellow with her children, the effects are not easily got rid of: some have felt the dregs of it even aRer a pining sickness, and a wasting comparable to salivation, which has been so deep, that "their flesh has consumed away, that it could not be seen; and their bones that were not seen, stuck out," Job, xxxiii. 21. And Little Faith himself, who is not a babe in understanding, though little in faith, sees the hypocrisy of the Old Woman, and the dangerous state of her family, and often groans under the bondage that he contracted among them to this day: but he cannot get rid of it; nor will he, until he is permitted to have a conspicuous view of the King's face. And, though many of the servants were greatly to blame for encouraging the bond-children about the palace, and permitting those to nurse him who were so regardless as not to care whose arms embraced him, so as they did but get their salary; yet Little Faith himself was greatly to blame, also, in former times: for he has had much wholesome counsel and caution since he has been capable of receiving it; and yet he would be hankering after Hagar's habitation, and every now and then he would steal away to have a game with the Hagarenes round the mount; and sometimes he would get disputing with them, or sporting rather, about the proclamations of Zion, which is "taking a dog by the ears; Prov. xxvi. 17; for they had too much of the wisdom of the serpent for Little Faith, who was only equipped with the harmlessness of the dove; so that they poisoned him in the head, and sent him home broken in judgment. And how could it be otherwise, when a bird fought with a viper, and his head has been formerly much confused? Their sophistry, and Zion's proclamations, maintained a long pro and con in his mind; so that he was long "tossed to and fro with every wind," Ephes. iv. 14; neither strengthened, established, nor settled, any how.
Shep. Well, Sir, but Little Faith is not without the King's promise: Those that "erred in spirit shall come to understanding;" and, if he has been poisoned, it is said, "that if they eat any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them;" for, you know, there is balm in Gilead, and a great Physician there.
Stew. Very true: but if a heedless child provokes the King to send a fiery Serpent, you may depend upon it that he will let him feel the bite, and venom too, before he orders a brazen one to be exhibited, or issues out a command to live by looking thereon.
Shep. Pray, Sir, what are the complaints of Little Faith?
Stew. His complaints are numerous: for he is always complaining. But the chief are, he is weak in the knees, and loose in the loins, and has something of a palsy in his hands, which makes them always hang down; and he is timorous in his mind, fearful in his heart, and weak in his ankles, so that he cannot get his shoes up at the heels: it is a rare thing to see "his feet shod," Ephes. vi. 15. And, having been perpetually at play with Hagar's boys, he had learnt their base, low, and mean ways and manners, for which he has been long kept out of the drawing-room.
Shep. But he is not without his promises, nor without the fixed love and affection of his Royal Father; who orders his servants to "strengthen the weak hands, to confirm the feeble knees, to lift up the hands that hang down, and to say to the fearful-hearted - "Be strong; fear not!"
Stew. True: but, while his knees are so weak, "he staggers at the promise, through unbelief;" and while the palsy is in his hands, he cannot maintain a comfortable hold: for, you know, it requires some strength "to lay hold on eternal life;" and it requires abiding strength to "hold fast the faithful, as he hath been taught," For the wicked one often steals away the good seed sown in the heart; and if any of the Royal Family get into perils among robbers, Little Faith is sure never to escape; for he has been plundered ere now at the palace gate, and even robbed in the very courts of the King. His timorous mind impairs his memory, which is like a spider's web: it can hold a fly; but, if any weighty or important matter of use to him falls upon it, it is lost and gone in a minute.
Shep. If Little Faith cannot hold the King, the King will hold him; nor shall any pluck him out of his hands, for it is not the will of the great and all-wise Disposer of events that one of these little ones should perish - and, you know, Little Faith is a little one. He will strengthen the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees too, though he may not permit his stewards to do it. If he say to the sick of the palsy, "Stretch forth thine hand," it shall be restored whole; and if he say to Unbelief, as he did of Lazarus's grave-clothes, "Loose him, and let him go," the feeblest of the house shall be as David. The King himself calls him "Little Faith," implying that he has faith, though not much; and faith is a seed of God, and a fruit of his Spirit: whoever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. And, if he does not permit a steward to gird up the loins of his mind, it is to try the faith and patience of the steward, as well as to exercise the weakling; and he is well-pleased with the servant's endeavours, if prayer and importunity be added, though he may not succeed. It is rehearsed, as an encomium upon one, "That he had instructed many, and strengthened the weak hands; and that his words had upholden him that was falling, and that he had strengthened the feeble knees," Job, iv. 3, 4. But he was blamed "for fainting when the same fits came upon him, and for being troubled when he was touched with the same afflictions," Job, iv. 5. Nevertheless, the Lord approves of the tender care, special regard, and earnest endeavours of his servants, knowing that the success depends wholly upon himself. Paul may plant, and Apollos water, but none but the King can give the increase; yet it is accepted, if there be a willing mind: his work is with the King; and, if his Maiesty does not prosper him, he is nevertheless glorious in his eyes. I have sometimes had a twin lamb which has baffled all my skill and experience: the dam has been tender, milk plenty, the weather fine, the pastures good; and I have endeavoured to let it have the first bite of the fold, and have pitched it upon an eminence, where it was both dry and warm; according to divine direction," I will feed them in good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains," Ezek. xxxiv. 14. But all would not do. You read of "sheep coming up from the washing, each one bearing twins, and not one barren among them," Song, vi. 6. But, though the ewes were not barren, it does not say that the lambs were not feeble, which is often the case with twin-lambs; and some of these I have been obliged to carry up the hill: they have ventured upon my feet when they could not trust their own; like Elisha's suppliant widow, who might as well have gone to the Fountain-head as have come to the Prophet; but, when she took shelter behind a human petitioner, she thought she was safe.
Stew. As it is with your flock, so it is with the household that I am servant to. It is a rare thing to furnish a table so as for Little Faith to come in for his part: if there is an "apple," Song, ii. 5, a "cluster of grapes," Isa. lxv. 8, a little "moonshine," Cant. vi. 10, or any legal scrap belonging to the new-moon feasts; a trifle, which is "but a light thing in the sight of the King," 2 Kings, iii. 18, a "little honey," Prov. xxiv. 13, or "milk," 1 Cor. iii. 2, he may then, perhaps, eat a morsel; but, if it consists of "strong meat, fit for persons of full age," Heb. v. 14, he trembles at it, sees others eat it, and longs for a part, but cannot feed himself for the want of strength in his hands. And, therefore, when we have only these dishes at table, there is nothing for him; and he cries out, "Woe is me! there is no cluster to eat? Micah, vii. 1; and by living upon such weak things, and chiefly upon milk, he gets pot-bellied and heavy, which keeps him back: "for every one that useth milk is unskilful" in the rules and privileges of his Majesty's house; "for he is a babe," Heb. v. 13. For the time, Little Faith ought to have had his hands on the reins of government, and to have reigned as a King; but, instead of that, this heir, as long as he is a child, "differs nothing from a servant, though he be Lord of all; but is under tutors and governors:" and there he must remain, "until the time appointed by the Father," Gal. iv. 1, 2.
Shep. Do you think that he was properly begotten with the Word of Truth? James, i. 18; and that the incorruptible Seed properly gendered? 1 Peter, i. 23; and that the engrafted Word was received in meekness? James, i. 21. If so, he is of the Seed Royal, and is a Tree of Righteousness, however wild by nature the barren stock; and shall be a fruitful Field, however dry and parched the fallow-ground may have been in times past: for that" Seed never can rot under the clods," Joel, i. 17. Nor shall he always remain a dwarf; but shall arrive to the King's stature, in his appointed time.
Stew. That he is the Offspring of the Universal Sovereign, none of the Royal Family doubt, as his name stands upon record in the Court Calendar, and in the genealogy of the Seed Royal: for they are all the offspring of the Ancient of Days, by faith in the Heir Apparent; and he is expressly styled "Little Faith," and that by his Majesty himself. Nor was he ever disowned by his venerable mother, nor by any of the sons and daughters of Zion, nor by any friends of the family, or by any established or domestic servant of the household; they all have, from age to age, paid a particular attention, and shewed the utmost regard to, "Little Faith;" and have often received that little one in the king's name, and have received the king by so doing. For, though Little Faith be weak in himself, yet his word has often been weighty and powerful to others; and, when his timorous fits have been upon him, and he has been in fear where no fear was, add has fled when none pursued, as is often the case, whole heathen nations have received a command and a particular charge concerning such feeble ones of the tribe - "Take counsel, execute judgment; make thy shadow as the night in the midst of the noon-day: hide the outcasts, bewray not him that wandereth. Let mine outcasts dwell with thee, Moab; be thou a covert to them from the face of the spoiler." Isa. xvi. 3, 4. That his Majesty, of his own will, begat him by the word of truth, nobody doubts; and that he was born again of incorruptible seed, that lives and abides for ever, can never be disproved. But still his name is Little Faith: and yet, in one sense of the word, his faith is not little; for, if his Majesty should erect his standard, none are at it sooner than he, rather than be included among the rebels. If the king frowns, none stand in more awe, nor at a greater distance: if he issues out a thundering mandate, he is the first that trembles at his word - and, you know, the King looks at, and dwells with, those that tremble at his word; and, if a royal warrant be issued out to apprehend and take an enemy, he is the first that cries out, "Lord! is it I?" and trembles at the thought. So that he is no enemy to the king, nor to any domestic servant, nor to any other, so much as he is to himself. He believes every word that comes out of the king's mouth to be true, and that with unfeigned faith: he stands in awe of the laws of the realm; often expects, for the least offence, to fall under the hottest displeasure of the divine legislator; and is frequently filled with astonishment, mingled with compunction and gratitude, at the superabounding clemency of his dread sovereign, In delaying the just execution of the sentence which he knows is due to him - in one sense of the word - and to all the family, none excepted.
Shep. If this be the case, it is surprising to me that Little Faith is so weak; for nothing strengthens weaklings more than credence, for it is by that we are to live. If Little Faith credits the report, the joyful sound of the report, and the glad tidings reported, must be brought home by the hand of Credence; and, if brought home and applied, it becomes nutriment, by which the attentive hearer and obedient receiver is to live, thrive, and grow.
Stew. All this is true: but it is not the case here; for, in one sense, Little Faith has too much faith, and in another sense he has too little. If any person, whether friend or foe to the King, comes with any message in the King's name, whether sent by him or not; if it contains heavy tidings, that there is a rod in brine for Little Faith, or that the King is angry with him; if it amounts either to confiscation of goods, pillory, banishment, imprisonment, or even death itself; it is all credited, and he lives in perpetual expectation of the fullest execution: Thus "the simple one believeth every word," Prov. xiv. 15, and in this he has too much faith. But, if you bring any good tidings from the King concerning his clemency; his tender care of the little ones of the household; the impartiality of his love; that the weak are as precious to him as the strong: that he will strengthen them in due time; that they shall all come into the drawing-room, sooner or later; that all shall see his face with joy, &c. &c. this he cannot believe: and in this sense his name is Little Faith, but not in the other. And, by these acts of incredulity, Little Faith reflects no small dishonour on his Royal Father. Bond, or bastard children, vainly imagine that the King is all clemency, and in their thoughts divest him of all terrible majesty. Little Faith believes his majesty to be terrible, and his clemency to be great where it is shewn; but he cannot steadfastly believe that the King will be propitious to him, which is both his folly and his loss. The former is a bastard and a fool, and debases his Master: the latter is a son, and, by nursing his folly, he dis-honours his Father. Besides, there is in our realm a notorious enemy to the King, who for a former act of rebellion was banished the King's presence, favour, and protection, for ever. This enemy, by his devices, dresses up the King in nothing but clemency to the base-born race; and suggests him arrayed in nothing but terrible majesty to the young princes; and Little Faith, in a private way, listens, attends to, and credits, one-half that this enemy suggests, so that he often entertains hard thoughts of the King himself; insomuch that, as a propitious Father, he can hardly, at times, find a fixed dwelling either in the thoughts, heart, affections, or even in the credence, of Little Faith. His Majesty often stands at the door and knocks: "If any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him," Rev. iii. 20, But, whenever he comes to the apartment of Little Faith, he generally finds him all attention to this rebel; which provokes him to jealousy, and is called the "provoking of his sons and of his daughters," Deut. xxxii, 19. Therefore it is but just that Little Faith should be left to have his belly-full of such counsel, and to see what his adherence to his Father's enemy will do for him, and that, at some future period, the liar may be discovered in his true colours, and Little Faith be brought under some future pro pitious visit of the King, to see, confess, and lament, his unbelief, which is the greatest sin that ever Little Faith was guilty of since he has been in existence, and the greatest that he ever will be guilty of, if he lives a thousand years: For "he that believes not, has made the Universal Sovereign a liar," 1 John, v. 10, and to make him a liar by infidelity, is to debase him to a level with the devil himself, who was a liar and a murderer from the beginning.
Shep. Excuse me, my dear Sir: it is six o'clock, and it is high time for the flock to be watered. If I am not there, the poor sheep will be scattered an hundred ways; for the well is always pestered with false shepherds; and, if one of the King's shepherds be not there, "they are sure to come and drive them away," Exod. ii. 17. For it is in our days, as it was in the days of old, if the Son and Heir of Abraham dig a well, "the herdmen of Gerar are sure to strive for the water," Gen. xxvi. 20, or to stop up the well.
Stew. How long shall you be gone?
Shep. About two hours.
Stew. I will meet you again at this spot at half-past eight, if it be agreeable, as this is a leisure evening with me.
Shep. If nothing unforeseen prevent, I will surely be here. The presence of the King be with thee.
Stew. The Lord go with thee.
Steward. Why, you return sooner than you expected; it is barely two hours since you went from hence.
Shepherd. "When the stone is rolled away from the well's mouth," Gen. xxix. 3, I endeavour to fill all the troughs, if I can; and, when I have got plenty of water ready drawn, the watering-work is soon done, both with ease and pleasure. The hardest work is to roll away the stone: and sometimes it is hard work to draw the water, for the well is deep, and most profoundly so when the springs are low. Pray, have you staid here ever since?
Stew. Ever since; and I am almost surprised that Little Faith has not found me out, for he sticks closer to my skirts than any of the family.
Shep. I was thinking, as I ran along, about what you said of the wretched sin of infidelity, and the heinous nature of it; and I think this is the TAP-ROOT of the corrupt tree that got hold of the human mind when the Adversary laid the axe to the heart of our first parents; for the human mind is never without natural faith; for if the king of the bottomless pit, or any of his children, bring a thousand impossibilities, self-contradictions, arrant and glaring falsehoods; if gilded or varnished over, they will gain credence. If one advance that Satan can cast out Satan, it is believed. If the common soldiers tell Herod that the disciples of the Saviour stole him away while they slept, Herod is persuaded, and credits the testimony of an eye-witness fast asleep. Simon Magus gains the confidence and affections of a whole city, and passes for the great Power of God; but, when the King comes, he is called Beelzebub. Thus the Lord came in his Father's name, and was not received: another comes in his own name, and him they all receive. Hence it appears that Infidelity has only the God of Truth for its object; it disdains to give the lie to any but God: for hypocrites, villains, witches, and devils, can find faith upon earth to receive all that can be hatched in hell; but a divine message hath no place in us till a divine power give it entrance and residence.
Stew. This is what I told you before - that unbelief makes God a liar: and it really is the first sin that ever pierced the mind, either of men or fallen angels. Devils believe in wrath to come, and tremble; but cannot exercise credence on divine clemency, for want of a divine warrant, or an offer made, or a promise published. But the children of men have a voice directed to them, but cannot receive it, "for they are all concluded in unbelief;" yet the heirs of promise shall surely believe; for the promise brings, not only the blessing, but credence also - and this poor Little Faith finds and feels at times, notwithstanding the bad hands and cruel management that he has met with.
Shep. I see the case of Little Faith more clearly, now than ever: but I think those servants who brought the canting gossips from Sinai, at the Queen's labour, were the most to blame; I mean those who hurried the birth of Little Faith; those who encouraged them, and nurtured them, about the palace; and those who procured the nurse; and the nurse herself, who let Hagar suckle the child - for any sensible person ought to know that, whatever infection a woman hath, infects her milk, and must unavoidably infect the child that subsists on it: and, I think, it would have been better for Little Faith to have lived upon the milk of "the wild ass that is used to the wilderness - in her month they might have found her," Jer. ii. 24 - than upon the milk of that bond-woman; who, according to ancient records, was never either purified or cleansed.
Stew. Those servants are, doubtless, to blame: nor will their conduct pass unresented, nor themselves go without rebuke; for whatsoever is done for his Majesty's little ones, or to the injury of them, is all taken as done to him: and were it possible (as it is not) for Little Faith even to die, his blood would be required at the servants' hands; they would be arraigned, as murderers, for permitting his people to perish for lack of knowledge; and would be punished as such, either in this world or in the next.
Shep. So it was, in the days of old, with a famous one of my occupation, whose honest confession stands on the ancient records: "These twenty years have I been with thee; thy ewes and thy she-goats have not cast their young, and the rams of thy flock have I not eaten. That which was torn of beasts I brought not unto thee, I bare the loss of it: of my hands didst thou require it, whether stolen by day or stolen by night," Gen. xxxi. 38, 39. And so it is also with the servants of his Majesty's household who are employed in building up the fraternity of Zion: "Every man's work shall be made manifest, for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work, of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward: if any man's work shall be burnt, he shall suffer loss," 1 Cor. iii. 13, 14, 15. Few are aware of this, who thrust themselves, or are by others thrust, into the King's service; who are the chief causes of the sufferings of such as Little Faith.
Stew. They are; yet, as was before observed, Little Faith himself is greatly to blame for stealing away from the rest of the King's children, when he knew better; and getting perpetually to play with Hagar's boys, where he learnt so much of their base language; and filled his head with old wives' fables; and heard their fabulous stories of ghosts, phantoms, apparitions, and spirits; of Jack the giant-killer, of raising the devil, of Jaek-o'lanthorns, fairies, hags, and night-mares; together with stories of witches, wizards, dreamers, necromancers, fortune-tellers, conjurors, enchanters, star-gazers, sorcerers, soothsayers, diviners, magicians, and astrologers; who pretend to calculate nativities, and, by the aspects of the planets, to fix the state or doom of mortals; which has driven many into careless, loose, and desperate living. Three such characters I have known, and God requited them for adhering to such things - which are wickedness, devilism, vanities, and lies. These things begirt Little Faith with legions of imaginary fears, and terrors; so that he is often afraid to look behind him or even to put his hand out of the bed: and, being haunted with these ideal vanities, he is often a terror to himself. We are commanded by the King" not to hearken to such prophets, nor diviners, nor dreamers, nor enchanters, nor sorcerers, which speak to us, for they prophesy lies," Jer. xxvii. 9, 10. And again," Thus saith Jehovah, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven, for the heathen are dismayed at them; for the customs of the people are vain," Jer. x. 2, 8. He took also to reading some novels published by the Hagarenes, till he was more like an Athenian than a prince; and would often get into disputes with them; and loved secretly to hear and to tell some new thing.
Shep. If once a child is habituated to these things, they will stick by him, more or less, as long as he lives. Besides, they debase the mind, and keep it low and mean; and there is, for a time, a secret regard to the bastard race, which is commonly called a charitable opinion or judgment of them. So that Little Faith did not keep them at their proper distance, when he saw through them; nor consider his own dignity, nor live up to it; which is dishonourable to the King: and therefore, though an heir, he is justly kept under tutors and governors, that he may, for a season, differ nothing from a servant; because he debased his sonship to the mean level of servitude.
Stew. Yea, and since he has known better, and felt the displeasure of the King for his former folly, he has not long since gone, when there hath been a report spread of any herald, bellman, town-corporal, or common crier being sent with a proclamation from Sinai: so that he gets out of the reach of the promise, which runs thus - "Blessed is the man that heareth ME; watching DAILY at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors." Prov. viii. 34. But he was not daily at the King's gates; for he was sometimes at the gates of fools, if not at the gates of hell; and often at Hagar's castle, instead of waiting at the posts of Wisdom's doors.
Shep. If he affects Hagar and her boys, it is a strong tie. Such "zealously affect children, but not well: yea, they would exclude them from the King's favour, that they might affect them," Gal. iv. 17. Which is no better than the practice of those beggars who steal children in London, and put out their eyes, in order to furnish themselves with a lamentable cry in begging for a blind child, that they might get their bread, and live in idleness. However, Little Faith suffers for this now; and, I dare say, he often reads the long scroll of his folly under the rod that lies on him; for, as you before observed, he can credit the report of the King's displeasure, if not the report of his mercy.
Stew. Certain it is, that the whole lineage of Hagar, who often swarm and skulk about the walls of Zion, come for no other purpose than to spy out the liberty of the King's children, that they may deceive, delude, seduce, and "bring them into bondage," Gal. ii. 4. And certain it is also, that Little Faith labours under the bondage he contracted among them, and that to this day: but they will not easily deceive him again; for, as was before observed, he has a strong faith in the justice, the truth, the holiness, the immutability, and the terrible majesty, of the King; he never staggers at these: but at his love, mercy, compassion, slowness to anger, the abundance of his goodness, and the plenteousness of his redemption, he often staggers. "He trembles at the word of truth," Isa. lxvi. 5, and "staggers at the promise [of mercy] through unbelief," Rom. iv. 20.
Shep. Pray, does Little Faith privately indulge a rebellious spirit? Does he oppose the sovereignty, the decrees, the counsel and purposes, of his Sovereign Father? Does he ever dispute obstinately against the discriminating acts of the King, which daily appear in reducing some rebels to obedience, and in the administration of strict iustice to others.
Stew. He that does so, is not Little Faith, but a "little fox," Cant. ii. 15. He is not a child of truth, but a seed of falsehood; not a saint, but a sophist; not a child of God, but a child of the Devil, 1 John, iii. 10. "Whoso transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God," 2 John, 9. And, if God be not his father, the Devil is; and so it will appear, sooner or later. The characteristic of the King's seed is, that they shall be both teachable and tractable, whatever they might have been in times past: "The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf, and the lion, and the fatling, together; and a little child shall lead them;" Isa. xi. 6.
Shep. Pray, have you the care of Little Faith's education? or, who is his tutor?
Stew. His Majesty himself superintends the tuition of them all; they are all taught of him: but he keeps several under-teachers, whom he calls, qualifies, and commissions to teach; and these receive their lessons daily from the King, who bids them go and speak thus. And they who carry his messages, and teach accordlng to his lessons, are his established teachers, and no other.
Shep. But, is it not surprising that his Majesty should suffer his servants, or those who feign themselves to be so, to permit such nurses and teachers to injure his children, especially such as poor Little Faith?
Stew. It is suffered so to be, that they may gather together those who are rebels to his government, that they may ripen for the day of vengeance; and that themselves also, by their presumption and hypocrisy, may fulfil his purposes, who calls them "ungodly men, before of old ordained to this condemnation," Jude, 4. But, as to his select seed, they shall never be deceived, finally, nor be finally led astray. Little Faith is a living witness of this, that "not one little one can perish." It is a rare thing now to find him at the castle of the Hagarenes; and, if one of them come to the palace, he is ready to stop his ears if he opens his mouth. Little Faith is very tender, and takes his learning pretty well, and has tolerable discernment; and his judgment is sounder than could be expected, but his knees and hands are very weak.
Shep. Did you never try to bathe him in the river of life? - "The prophet went in up to his ankles, knees, and loins: and might have swam if he had pleased," Ezek. xlvii. 4, 5. And I have sometimes thought that the prophet, at that time, might have some staggerings in his mind concerning the future state of the Israelitish church, and their re-establishment after the accomplishment of their long captivity; which if he had, as I conjecture: he must have been wonderfully strenghened and braced up by spiritual might in the inner man, after being brought three times through the river. You know the King doth nothing in vain.
Stew. Little Faith is so timorous, that he is afraid to venture all his weight upon it, or commit himself wholly to the strength of it, doubting whether it will bear him up or not: though I have often seen him upon the bank of it, tasting of it, and venture to paddle a little in it, far enough to wet his feet; and very happy he has seemed to be, and has often thought, for a few minutes, that he could swim across the profoundest depths of it. His countenance hath been so brightened up, that he has not envied those who were up to the neck in it.
Shep. And suppose Little Faith had sunk in it, and been drowned, he would not have been lost; for that river is neither destruction nor perdition: "There the glorious Jehovah will be unto us a place of broad rivers and streams," Isa. xxxiii. 21. And he who ventures there, if he sinks, and lies in it to all eternity, will never wish to come up nor come out.
Stew. True: but Little Faith proceeds with caution; he looks before he leaps. He is like Thomas; he has a great opinion of the testimony of his eyes. Besides, when Little Faith has made an excursion on the banks of the river, and has taken a pleasing survey of it, tasted it, and paddled a little in it, he has often found, as soon as he has lost sight of the river, and the sun has withdrawn his rays, that the clouds have gathered thick upon his head, the rog has gathered fast upon his heels, and he hath seemed to be farther from the river than ever: and the enemy always visits Little Faith when the clouds and fog are about him; at which times he is sure to gain his attention; and then generally suggests - "That it was rashness and presumption in him to venture so near as he did; and a wonder that he was not destroyed for daringly presuming to take but a drop of the river of pleasure to himself; neither the invitation of the King, his favour, promise, nor promised felicity, being by any means, or in any sense, intended for him." And, after Little Faith has been thus begloomed with the clouds and fog, and buffeted by the enemy, he proceeds with more caution than ever; begs pardon for his presumption; and promises never to be guilty of applying any favour, bounty, or royal indulgence, to himself again, by any means, on any terms, or by any entreatment or invitation whatsoever; but that he would "say, in his haste, that all men (stewards as well as others) are liars," rather than believe there can be any favour, pity, or compassion, shewn to him, who is by no means worthy to be called the King's son, nor to be ranked among his hired servants, nor even to be "set with the [dumb] dogs of his flock," Job, xxx. 1. Notwithstanding all these secret vows and promises, after such sharp temptations, Little Faith, at times, has forgot all; and, before he hath been aware, while his mind has been engaged in the sanctuary, "the waters have issued out from under the threshold of the house a second time," Ezek. xlvii. 1; and he being off his guard, before he was aware, he has found himself upon the very banks of the river again, and has been as charmed and delighted as ever; insomuch, that he has forgot his former adversity, being answered by the King in the joy of his heart; but, as soon as a thought hath come across his mind respecting a future cloudy and dark day, he has begun to tremble at the distant adversity; and, by pondering on and meeting his troubles half way, the Adversary meets him, who is half invited by Little Faith himself; and then robs him, and again chains down all his thoughts to the "meditation of terror," Isa. xxxiii. 18.
Shep. He is Little Faith, indeed! for he calls his highest acts of obedience his presumption; and that he will find, in the end: for, however he may put these things far from him in times of temptation, he must court them, and gather them all about him too, in times of sickness. It is such presumptuous acts as these, as he falsely calls them, that must bring him into the joyful presence of his Sovereign, and nothing else, let him go whenever he may. But, I see, it is in the King's household as it is with a shepherd's flock; there are divers sizes, ages, and sorts. I have got "rams," Gen. xxxi. 10; "sheep," John, x. 4; "ewes great with young," Isa. xl. 11; and "lambs to feed and attend too," John, xxi. 15; and you have got old and young, strong and weak, to wait upon and watch over.
Stew. The family consists of "fathers," 1 John, ii. 13; "young men," 1 John, ii. 14; "little children," 1 John, v. 21; and "newborn babes," 1 Peter, ii. 2. But, as for Little Faith, I know not which to call him: he is old enough to be a father, and ought by this time to have been a tutor; for, in understanding and discernment, he is a man; in simplicity, a little child; but, in the exercise of faith, he is a babe. He has something about him of each degree; but is complete in neither. In the King's forest there are not only "oaks, whose seed is in them," Isa. vi. 13; and "cedars, firs, pines, palm-trees," Cant. vii. 8; and "olives; but also box-trees," Isa. lxi. 19; and myrtles, which may be put into pots, and placed on a lady's toilet; and it is to the comfort of Little Faith, and other weaklings, that the King was seen "upon a red horse, and stood among the myrtle-trees that were in the bottom," Zech. i. 8. So that these are not without his powerful, though often without his comfortable, presence.
Shep. And, pray, where does Little Faith creep to when he gets his head in the clouds?
Stew. He is not without his holes, nor yet without "his prison-houses," Isa. lxii. 22; for when he used to play with Hagar's boys they often amused themselves, as foolish children will do, with building little "houses on the sand," Matt. vii. 26; and to that sand-bank he cleaves to this day. Let any storm gather over Little Faith; any shadow of a cloud approach him; any suggestion or fiery dart be hurled at him; any reproof be given him; any frown be felt from the King; any imaginary trouble be expected by him; or even a sharp word, a look of displeasure, or the least slight, from any of the household; he makes no more ado, but he gathers all about him, packs up, and embraces all his real and imaginary troubles together, and into his hole in the sand-bank he goes; and you may TOLE him out again, if you can. That is his haunt, that is his refuge, and that is his last retreat: the fox has its hole, and Little Faith has his burrow also: he is not without his starting-holes in the world. The King has not only got an "abundance of the seas, but he has got treasure that is hid in the sand," Deut. xxxiii. 19; and Little Faith is a part of it.
Shep. Little Faith is not the only one that cleaves to the sandbank: more build there than on the Rock. But, pray, how long may he continue in his dusty residence before he makes his appearance abroad again?
Stew. Nothing brings him out again but the warm rays of the Sun, when "he arises with healing in his beams: then he goesforth, and seems to grow up as a calf of the stall," Mai. iv. 9. But, the very moment the rays are withdrawn, "he is gone again, like the shadow when it declineth; and then he is tossed up and down like the locust," Psal. cix. 23.
Shep. I wonder he never makes a mistake in his hasty flights: and takes shelter in the cleft of the Rock, instead of the sandbank. But, I suppose, he thinks of the Rock, as Lot did of the mountain, that it is too far off; he cannot fly there, "lest some evil take him, and he die;" but the sand-bank, like "Zoar, is near to flee into," Gen. xix. 20.
Stew. In his own apprehensions, he is often far from the Rock, though the Rock is never far from him: nor is there any likelihood of his mistaking the Rock for the sand; for none will embrace the Rock, for want of a shelter, till they are led by the invisible hand of him who is stronger than they. But all this is owing to his having been suffered to play with the bond-children. Hagar's boys and he used to be perpetually at hide and seek, in the dark cells of the Hagarene Castle, which debases the mind below the common level of mortals; insomuch that he becomes more like a subterranean inhabitant of the gloomy recesses of fiends than a child of light. When Little Faith first came to the Palace Royal, he could hardly bear the rays of a candle: he peeped out of obscurity, and out of darkness, like one abashed and confounded; and muttered a wild gibberish, neither Hebrew nor Ashdod, so that we could hardly understand the child.
Shep. I know that all the Hagarenes wear veils from their infancy; and their very residence is in "blackness and darkness," Heb. xii. 18; so that poor Little Faith, when he came home to his Father's house, must have appeared as if he had been in a new world.
Stew. He did: and, when he came to see the appearance that the other children made, to hear the language of the Court, and perceived the wisdom and the felicity of the family, he seemed dejected, appeared like an alien among them, and could not believe that he was one of the Seed Royal.
Shep. How poor children may be injured by bad nurses, rude play-fellows, and ill-designing tutors, even fill not only their principles and manners are corrupted, but their very faculties are bemeaned and beggared, and the brilliant likeness of the family apparently eclipsed and defaced! - And, pray sir, how does he live now?
Stew. His life is truly exemplary: he walks with watchfulness tenderness, and fear, and makes conscience of every thing. His fear is roach compounded of a servile or slavish spirit: at times, however, those bonds seem to burst; but, soon after, they regender again; which is often the case, till a child sees its own way, feels the use of its own limbs, enjoys the smiles of its Royal Father, and wholly depends on his love, his wisdom, and his power. Besides, Little Faith has got a whole code of laws and rules of his own making; and others, which he has imbibed by perusing numberless volumes of human commandments; neither of which have any footing or foundation in the Records of Zion. Some of these are weighty points with him; and those who see and know him, let him eat his herbs unmolested, and take care not to stagger him by eating meat in an idol's temple; knowing that, when he becomes a man, he will put away childish things. As for touch not, taste not, handle not, we know that they are all to "perish with the using, after the commandments and doctrines of men," Col. ii. 21.
Shep. It is surprising that he should remain so weak, after so much wholesome counsel and instruction, having been an eye and an ear-witness so long of the long-forbearance and unparalleled clemency of the King; and after so many groundless expectations of wrath, imprisonment, and banishment, being repeatedly cut off and brought to nothing; by which his enemy has been perpetually proved a liar, and his unbelief as often confounded.
Stew. It is not to be wondered at, when all things are properly considered. His own mother, when she was pregnant with him, was very little better; for, as soon as she heard a voice from the throne, saying," Sing, O Heavens! and be joyful, O Earth! and break forth into singing, O Mountains! for the Lord hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted," Isa. xlix. 13. But infidelity returned this answer by her mouth:' Zion said, the Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me," ver. 14. Her faith gave her unbelief, and her mouth too, the lie, when she uttered it. She calls him, "my Lord;" whereas, if he had forsaken her, and forgotten her, it could not be be thought that he was any Lord of hers but old dotish women, when they get into a peevish fit, will say any thing but the truth; and, if she could mutter such a self-contradictory speech against the best of husbands, who hates putting away, it is no wonder it the children do the same by the best of fathers: "Every one that useth proverbs shall use this proverb against her, saying, As is the mother, so is the daughter," Ezek. xvi. 44. That she did tell lies, is clear from the answer given her by the King; and, if she lies, she ought to be told of it - "Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee," saith the King, Isa. xlix. 15. Let the King be true, but every woman a liar.
Shep. I suppose that, if all the stewards and faithful servants of his Majesty's household were to combine together, in order to set Little Faith upon his feet, and make him stand by the confidence of his father's immutable love, that they would not be able to get him entirely clear of the sand-bank, or to lay his infidelity in the dust.
Stew. And if the same combination were to use their united efforts in order to prove that Little Faith is illegitimate, base born or only a pretender, and that lie is not of the Seed Royal; consequently, no heir of his Majesty's favour, property, throne, or glory - you might bring the staggers upon him, and extort a deep sigh, or a heavy groan, from his heart; but he would stand just where he does. Little Faith is not to be hurried; nor can he be greatly, much less finally, moved. "They that trust (whether weak or strong) are like Mount Zion, that cannot be moved." Little Faith's confession is already gone out of the mouth of the King; and, when the King bids him speak it, it will soon be known what strength this little one has got: "Let the weak say, 'I am strong,'" Joel, iii. 10. "The King strengtheneth the spoiled against the mighty," Amos, v. 9. And he will not be slack concerning his promise, though Little Faith "be slow of heart to believe it."
Shep. Little Faith is a singular mystery; for, according to your account, he is seldom, if ever, upon the mount; and yet stands as the everlasting hills. One of old said, when he gained the summit of a certain hill, "I shall never be moved; thou, Lord, of thy goodness, hast made my hill so strong!" But, for one to stand so fast that seldom, if ever, ascends the mount, is to me a mystery.
Stew. It is not what Little Faith says, in his fits of infidellt that shall sink him for ever; nor what a rapturous child may in a day of prosperity, that shall immutably fix him. It is word of the King, and not their own, that establishes them Jehovah says, "They shall all know me, from the least to the greatest of them. The feeble, in that day, shall be as David. And he shall give a reward to his servants the prophets, and to all that fear his name, small and great." It is this that leads one to the rock, and keeps the other from the gulf. And, when Jehovah can be perjured in his oath, cease to be true, fail in his faithfulness, forget to be gracious, change in his purpose, and appear mutable in his will; then may this little one perish, but not till then. Therefore Little Faith not only stands as the everlasting hills, but he stands as firm in his Royal Head as the throne of God in heaven!
Shep. You speak with some degree of warmth, my brother.
Stew. Because you seemed to question me in an oblique manner.
Shep. I own there is great propriety in what you have advanced: Ihe safety of the whole family, doubtless, lies in the immutability of Jehovah's counsel; his promise; the covenant made; and in the Covenant Head, with whom the bargain was struck, and in whom it must unavoidably stand, as the days of heaven. But, what surprised me most was, that Little Faith, who staggers at every promise, should be enabled to stand, with his weak faith, against the united efforts of all the King's servants, could such a combination be entered into.
Stew. One of old, in his fits of infidelity, declared - "If I had called [that is, in prayer], and He had answered me [that is, if God had answered him], I would not believe that he had hearkened to my voice," Job, ix. 16. "I know that thou wilt not hold me innocent. I shall go whence I shall not return, even to the land of darkness and the shadow of death; a land of darkness, as darkness itself, and of the shadow of death, without any order," Job, x. 21, 22. But, as soon as his three friends joined in the same verdict," one telling him that his wickedness was great, and his iniquities infinite," Job, xxii. 5; - another declaring, "That, if he, were pure and upright, God would awake for him, and make the habitation of his righteousness prosperous," Job, viii. 6 - another telling him, "He had fulfilled the judgment of the wicked, therefore judgment and justice took hold on him," Job, xxxvi. 17; - another said," Thou hast taken a pledge of thy brother for nought, and stripped the naked of their clothing," Job, xxii. 6. Yet all this doth not move him. "I am not inferior to you," saith he. "What know you that I know not? I know I shall be justified: who will condemn me? When I am tried, I shall come forth as gold. My witness is in heaven, my record is on high. I know that my Redeemer liveth. I shall see God for myself, and not for another." Thus it appears, that they could neither raise him up nor knock him down; he is proof against all their consolation, and against all their invectives; and, whatever such may say in their fits of unbelief, they do not believe the same in their hearts, and if you was to say as the infidelity of Little Faith does, and attempt to confirm his incredulous confession, he would resist your arguments in his heart; nor could you fix one of them upon his conscience. "Him that is WEAK IN FAITH receive you, for God hath RECEIVED him." "Who are they, then, that can thus judge another man's servant? To his own Master he standeth or falleth: yea, he SHALL be holden up; God is able to make him stand,; Rom. xiv. 1-4. And stand he does, in spite of himself, in spite of the devil, in spite of infidelity, and in spite of all the world. Yea, if he were to "play on the hole of the asp, or put his hand on the cockatrice den, he could neither be hurt nor destroyed," Isa. xi. 8, 9. "For this child shall come to his grave in peace, and shall die an hundred years old," Isa. lxv. 20, - "because in him there is found some good thing toward the Lord God of Israel," 1 Kings, xiv. 13.
Shep. And, pray, does Little Faith cleave close to the King's courts, through all these discouragements, and many denials of seeing the King's face?
Stew. Time hath been when he did not, as was before observed; but now, none are more loyal, nor more steadfast in their visits, than Little Faith. Court-days, feast-days, levee-days, fast days, drawing-room days, birth-days, marriage-days or mourning-days, rout-days, ball-days or concert-days, days of prosperity and days of prosperity - when either war is declared or peace proclaimed - Little Faith is sure to be there. It is a rare thing for any to say of him, as Saul did of the son of Jesse, that "his seat is empty." - He has his mental changes like the moon; yet, in his regular motions (excepting indisposition of body) he is as constant as the luminaries of heaven; for Jehovah himself leads him, though it is in a way that he knows not; "and will, one day or other, make darkness light before him, and crooked things straight."
Shep. That shews the bent of his heart: and it must be with some degree of toil that Little Faith pays his constant visits at the courts of Zion; for he does" not ride in the chariot paved with love, like the daughters of Jerusalem," Cant. iii. 10; nor does he mount his horse," and ride like Ephraim," Hos. x. 12.
Stew. It matters not how he goes; there he constantly is, and there he will be, for he is determined to know both the worst and the best of it: and certain it is, that they shall not be ashamed that wait on, nor that wait for, the King; for he never said to any of the seed, "Seek ye me in vain;" he always declares things that are right.
Shep. Then Little Faith has a good character at court?
Stew. None more so. Any who know him will give credit to his word; or entrust him, or credit him, with any thing. No one doubts of his loyalty or punctuality; for he exceeds others in fear, diligence, and conscientiousness, as much, or more, than some excel him in confidence, fortitude, and wisdom. His weakness, infirmity, failing, and besetting sin, is unbelief; on which account his Majesty hath said, more than once, "O thou of little faith!" Were he once master of this sin, he would be a man with a witness!
Shep. Some of the Seed Royal have had their "horns iron, and their hoofs brass," Mic. iv. 13. Others are called "lions," Prov. xxviii.; or, Jehovah's "goodly horse in the battle," Zech. x. 3. Others, the "rod of his inheritance," Jer. Ii. 19. Others, his battle-axe, and his weapons of war; with which "he breaks in pieces nations and kingdoms;" with which he breaks in pieces the horse and his rider, the chariot and the driver; and with which "he breaks in pieces both men and women, old and young; the young man and the maid; the false shepherd and his flock; the husbandman and his yoke of oxen; the captain and the rulers." Jer. li. 19, 20, 21, 22, 28. But Little Faith is not mentioned among all these. He appears to hear a very faint resemblance of a Lion, a Troop Horse, a Battle Axe, a War Chariot, a Smiting Rod, a Burdensome Stone, a Brazen Pillar, or an Iron Wall; and therefore must cut a very poor figure in the day of battle: for, as you have acknowledged, he is often in fear where no fear is, and often flies when none pursues him; and, if so, what would he do if pursued in reality! "For, if he hath run with footmen and they have wearied him, how would he do if called to contend with horses! And if he is wearied in a land of peace, what would he do in the swellings of Jordan!"
Stew. You don't talk much like a shepherd now. You read of a shepherd that "gathers the lambs with his arm, and carries them in his bosom:" and, if so, they are as nigh to the heart of the shepherd, and as safe in his arms, as the rams with their iron horns and brazen hoofs, which are often pushed into the hottest of the battle. Such as Little Faith are compared to "a few hairs hid in the skirt of the Son of Man," Ezek. v. 3; and are called the Lord's "hair, which is as a flock of goats that appear from Gilead," Cant vi. 5. They all appear to have a testimony borne in their behalf by the whole heap, or whole cloud, of witnesses, which the word GILEAD signifies. And you must know that hairs grow nearer the head than any other members whatsoever: and if "the hairs of a saint's head are all numbered," so that not one of them shall perish, or fall to the ground; what must these be that grow on the Covenant head, and are "hid in the skirts of the Son of Man!" It is true Little Faith says, "I watch, and am as a sparrow, alone upon the housetop," Psalm, cii. 7. Yet we know that, though "two sparrows are sold for one farthing," Matt. x. 29; "yet not one of them shall fall to the ground without our heavenly Father's leave."
Shep. I perceive you are a staunch advocate for Little Faith, and the Records of Zion furnish you with many and weighty arguments in favour of him: therefore I shall not in future lie at the catch, as I can judge of your care and sensations from what I have felt when the dog Smut has been sent to fetch a strolling lamb back that has strayed from the fold. I have been ready to cry, with the Psalmist, "Deliver my soul from the sword, my darling from the power of the dog," Psalm, xxii. 20.
Stew. I hope I shall never be left to "speak wickedly for God," or, "to talk deceitfully for him," Job, xiii. 7; nor be allowed to "condemn the just," or, "to justify the wicked; for both these are an abomination to God," Prov. xvii. 15. But as I find Little Faith's name, character, and conduct, upon record in the Eternal Register, I am determined to defend his birth, parentage, &c. to the uttermost; knowing that, though Little Faith is often, in appearance, like a fatherless child, yet the promise is, "I will not leave you orphans," John, xiv. 18. For "A Judge of the widows, and a Father of the fatherless, is God, in his holy habitation," Psal. lxviii. 5. I will say no more in the Little Faith than what I see a scriptural warrant for. If God give me grace, and the lip of truth, (as I hope he will) I am determined that "my heart shall not reproach me [for this] so long as I live," Job, xxvii. 6; "nor shall my tongue utter deceit," Job, xxvii. 4 "For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make (Little Faith) obedient by word and deed," Rom. xv. 18.
Shep. To warp from the truth, to build weaklings up in flesh and blood, or to attempt to strengthen them by speaking falsely, is leading them to Satan instead of Christ "He is sure to comfort in vain, in whose answers there remaineth falsehood," Job, xxi. 34. Pray is Little Faith a favourer of the Stewards of the House, and of the Seed Royal?
Stew. A great favourer of those who are true and faithful to the King; though none tremble or stand in awe, more than he does, when any message is delivered from his Majesty to the family. "In his eyes a vile person is condemned, but he honoureth them that fear the King." This is a true characteristic of a son of Zion Psalm, xv. 4. And, as for the Seed Royal, he views them as perfections of beauty; and before them appears, in his own eyes, nothing but deformity: and it is the Holy Seed, and they only, that "esteem others better than themselves," Phil. ii. 3. He is troubled, at times, with jealousy; and often secretly envies the abounding happiness of some; and in private frequently sighs, and says, "O that I could but see the King's face! O that I had but a tenth part of their felicity! Surely I would put my mouth in the dust, if so be there might be hope of this!" Lam. iii. 29. "But my soul is far from peace; I forget prosperity: my strength and my hope are perished from the King? Lam. iii. 17, 18. Thus he often mourns in silence.
Shep. Has Little Faith considered that ancient, but most excellent and most gracious speech, published by the Evangelical Herald in the Jewish AEra: "Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the King, and speak, saying 'Jehovah hath utterly separated me from his people.' Neither let the eunuch say, 'Behold, I am a dry tree!' Also, the sons of the stranger that join themselves to Jehovah, to serve him, and to love the name of him; to be his servants; every one that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my Covenant; even them will I bring to my holy mountain," Isa. lvi. 3.
Stew. There is scarcely a statute, edict, judgment or testimony, gracious speech, proclamation, declaration, invitation, or directions but what Little Faith has perused, and pondered dyer in his heart. He is very studious, and perpetually poring on the ancient Records; and is so versed in them, that if an herald errs in proclaiming any part thereof, it is ten to one but Little Faith finds him out, for he brings all to his own sensations; and, if the King's speech be so handled as to contradict the power, it is sure to be suspected by him, whether he speaks about it or not. For if the herald seems to be bordering on the mount, or directing in the least towards Hagarene castle, Little Faith feels him, and sits as if he was all eye, all ear, and all attention: and, as soon as he begins to knit his brows, it is all over; he sets off, and leaves the court dejected and dismayed; for he has compassed that mount long enough. Thus you may perceive that he grows in knowledge.
Shep. It is surprising that such a teachable, tractable, diligent, well-affected child, should be so often, and so long, kept from the presence of the King, who is the best and most indulgent parent existing; for it is but seldom that Little Faith is favoured with a glimpse of his Majesty's face.
Stew. Little Faith has such a humbling sight of himself, and stands, in his own apprehension, at such an infinite distance from the King, and is so over-modest, that he often refuses even what he sorely needs. "I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice, and he gave ear unto me. In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not; my soul refused to be comforted," Psal. lxxvii, 1, 2. Here he confesses that he prayed, and that God gave ear to his prayer, even while his sore ran, and the balm of Gilead was so much needed; yet he refused to be comforted, although he is obliged to own that he prevailed in prayer. These little ones are such a strange composition as is not easily accounted for: for, although they often go mourning all the day long, saying, "O that I could but see the King's face!" yet if he draws near to them, they will either run away, or put him away. One of this stamp, who was struck with the displays of Omnipotence, fell down at the King's knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord? Luke, v. 8. If he was a sinful man, or a man full of sin, he must have been a very proper object of the King's clemency; and, He visited this world to call sinners to repentance, and to save sinners, why should Little Faith bid him depart from him?
Shep. According to your account of Little Faith, the King's word of truth has got a place in his thoughts, heart, and affections; and it is strange to me that the consolation of Israel should be kept out by unbelief.
Stew. With respect to the word of truth, and with respect to every report touching the King's name, nature, offices, majesty, and glory, Little Faith has no less than a full assurance. "Then said the King unto the twelve, "Will ye also go away?" And Little Faith answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe, and are sure, that thou art that Messiah, the Son of the living God," John, vi. 67, 68, 69. Here is faith, and assurance; and yet this noble confessor is expressly styled Little Faith, and that by the King himself, Matt. xiv. 31.
Shep. He is a mystery, indeed! A man with weak hands! and feeble knees! and of little faith! And yet, you say, he has got an assurance!
Stew. It is no more mysterious than true. He did believe, and was sure: there was both truth and reality in his faith; and then it was in exercise. Little Faith seldom, if ever, doubts of the reality of the things credited; though he often doubts of his interest in the things which he is sure do exist, and are to be enjoyed. Touching his part or lot in the King's love, and in the kingdom to come, he often doubts; and, with respect to the appropriating acts of faith, his hands are weak; a fear of failing, or coming short, is the foundation of his doubts; and with respect to laying hold, maintaining his hold, or making application to himself, he is one of little faith.
Shep. And do you find these little ones existing in the purpose, covenant, and promise, of the Ancient of Days?
Stew. Yes; they are called small, least, and little ones, in all these: "And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, saving 'know the Lord;' for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more." Jer. xxxi. 34. "He will bless them that fear the Lord, small and great," Psalm, cxv. 13. "He gives a reward to his servants the prophets, and to the saints, and to them that fear his name, small and great." Rev. xi. 18. "He that is least among you all, the same shall be great." Luke, ix. 48. Thus it appears that Little Faith stands in miniature, even in the purpose, promise, and covenant; and among the citizens of Mount Zion also. He is the offspring of the Ancient of Days, and one of the Seed Royal, and of" the precious sons of Zion," Lam. iv. 2; and the incorruptible seed is in him. The King hears his prayer, as hath been shewn; and that is more than some can say who talk and boast of great faith. "Lord save, or I perish!" said Little Faith, and he was heard and answered in a minute. "The King giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength." A babe in grace stands his ground, "when young men utterly fall," Isa. xl. 29, 30. "Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget; yet will I not forget Zion, nor the children of her womb." Thus the pedigree of Little Faith is traced; his birth and parentage are sufficiently proved; and, with respect to his education, he comes on greatly in that. His life is exemplary; his character is bright; and his visits to Court, with his behaviour there, are such as bespeak him sincere, attentive, watchful, devout, diligent, loyal, and obedient to his Majesty; affectionate to every loyal courtier and established servant; and, in short, to all the Seed Royal, from the least to the greatest; as he is dotingly fond of the faithful; ready and willing to assist any of the family; and touched with mental grief at the least misconduct, either in any of the servants, or in the King's seed. All which are characteristics of the truly noble Seed, of high, holy, and heavenly birth. Pray, Shepherd, do yon know what o'clock it is?
Shep. No, Sir: nor do I care; for it is sleeping time, and I call that my own; and, when I spend half the night in devotion, in good company, in good conversation, or in minuting down any favour, deliverance, or mercy, of the day, I call it redeeming the time; and, I think, in one sense, it is.
Stew. I must withdraw, for we have an evening to offer; and I am appointed to bless it, and to implore the benediction and protection of Heaven upon the family before they go to rest.
Shep. As the King hath made every thing beautiful in its season, so our interviews must be at seasonable opportunities But to-morrow will be a busy day with me: I must minutely examine the whole flock. The weather is very hot, and the flies are very busy I have got my crook, my shears, my snab-water, my tar, and turpentine, all ready.
Stew. What do you do with these?
Shep. We use a great deal of the juice of the fir, especially, when "flies are busy," Eccles. x. 1; and I find it no easy matter to cure a whimsical, capricious, fanciful head, of maggots: if the shears were not used, we should have half the flock crawling alive with them; and, when once this is the case, they are always creeping into the hedges, and you can hardly find them
Stew. Well, as to-morrow will be a busy day with you, shall you be at leisure the day following, because that will be also a leisure day with me?
Shep. I can spend the forenoon with you, if you can make it convenient to come to my booth, which is at the foot of the hill. just above the tents of Kedar.
Stew. If Heaven permit, I will be there. Adieu!
Shep. Till then, farewell; and be sure, at the offering up of the evening sacrifice, to remember me.
Steward. Good morning to you, Shepherd!
Shepherd. Good morning to you, Sir! Did you find your way pretty easy?
Stew. I should have come over the summit of the hill, I perceive; but, instead of that, I turned to the left; and, coming round the declivity, I came about: nor could I see your booth, or hut, until I came quite upon it.
Shep. You should have gone over the hill. Many have gone round about, and lost their way too, rather than venture up, and come over the summit. Pray, how is the family? And how does Little Faith come on? Have you seen him?
Stew. The family (blessed be God!) are well; and Little Faith seemed last night in tolerable spirits: for one of the servants, rather noted for credence; one that Little Faith has a very high opinion of, and whose happiness he hath often observed with a wishful and longing eye, has been sick lately: and in his aliliction his faith was sorely tried; and he, too, staggered greatly, and said, "My heart and my flesh both fail." Little Faith heard of this, and rather wondered at it, and seemed to take a little encouragement from it. The servant is now up, but very weak and feeble. Last night Little Faith and he were together on the lobby; and, I believe, they were comparing notes together, for I thought Little Faith seemed to have the brightest countenance of the two.
Shep. Times of sickness, and times of trial, prove what is genuine Credence, and what is Self-confidence. He is a staunch believer who (by faith) can perform in days of adversity, all that he has spoken in the days of prosperity.
Stew. True; but this is not always the case: a servant, who is for a time exempt from trials, finds Little Faith sounds but a discordant string to his merry heart. However, the King" will not break the bruised reed." This servant has now and then given Little Faith a sharp lash with the scourge of the tongue; but, now, he can condescend to one of low degree. But none uso Little Faith with so much violence as those who have either no faith at all, or a faith that never was tried. These use the word faith only to banter others with; for, if you ask them to describe the nature, workings, or prevailing feats of it, they talk nonsense.
Shep. Faith is better found out by what it does, than by what it is. It is given for a man to live by, not to boast of, much less to plague others with. "Hast thou faith?" said an ancient herald: "Have it to thyself before God." And if poor Little Faith's mother had been in better hands, and he properly taken care of at first, he might now, perhaps, have been as staunch a believer as any in the Household.
Stew. It is true: for, as ladies who use proverbs observe, "An after-relapse is worse than a lying-in." Or, sometimes it is worded thus: "A second lying-in is worse than the first." Which is true in this case. Faithful dealings, fervent prayers, and sound words of truth, from an unctuous heart, are what Heaven has ordained to be used at Zion's groanings. This appears in the ancient Records: "The children are come to the birth, and there is not strength to bring