The Ethiopian Eunuchs Conversion, Commentary on Acts 8 · Verse 27
VERSE 27. And he aroſe, and went,Text. &c.
HItherto of Philips Commiſſion, now of the execution of his Commiſſion.
The Angell biddeth him goe, but telleth him not what he ſhall doe, or what profit ſhould come of his trauaile, yet Philip goes, And thus the Lord made triall of the obedience of Abraham, when hee called him to goe into the land of Canaan, Gen. 12.not acquainting him with the end wherefore he ſent him thither. And thus the Lord tryeth the obedience of his ſeruants.
And ſurely this ſerued much for the commendations of the obedience of Philip, that he reaſoned not the matter with the Angell, but being called, preſently obeyed: He aroſe, and went.
Teaching vsus, Doct. We muſt yeeld o…edience to Gods commandement, though we ſee n… reaſon. Gen. 7.that wee are to yeeld obedience vntounto Gods commandement, though wee ſee no reaſon: and we are to know that this is ſufficient for vsus, that our obedience be approued to God.
Thus Noah, when God commanded him to build an A… ▪ though he might hauehave had m…ny diſcouragements in that worke, if hee had conſulted with fleſh and bloud, as namely, how it could be poſſible that he ſhould bee ſaued, and all the world drowned; The difficulty of the worke, men hauing no experience of Ships, how ſuch a veſſell ſhould ſaue; Length of time, one hundred and twenty yeares; the mocking of that ſinfull world &c. Yet this is obſerued to the great commendations of his faith, By faith Noah, moued with reuerence, prepared the Arke.Heb. 11.7.
Abraham receiued a commandement to go out of his Country, to leaue his kindred and his fathers houſe, to goe into a place he knew not. Now this is likewiſe obſerued as a great commendations of his faith; that he yeelded obedience, not reaſoning the ca… with God.Heb. 11.8. So likewiſe when God called him to ſacrifice his ſonne Iſaac, he yeelded obedience, not conſulting with fleſh and blood, what ſhould become of the promiſe, if Iſaac were gone,ver. 17.18. but readily yeelds him vp vntounto God. A contrary example wee hauehave in Saul, who ſpared Agag the king,… Sam. …5. and the fat of the cattle, whereas the Lord had Commanded him to deſtroy them all. And of the Prophet, that was commanded not to eat, yet diſobeyed, and was therefore killed of a Lion.1 Reg. 13.8 And in what a miſerable caſe had Naaman beene in, had hee perſiſted in his opinion, and had not hearkened vntounto the Prophet. And there is reaſon for it.
Firſt, in regard he is the Soueraigne Lord of all, Reaſ. 1 and muſt be obeyed, his power and authority ouer men and Angels, yea all creatures, is abſolute: hee is the Creator, we the creature; …e is our Father, we his children; hee our king, we his ſubiects; he the Potter, wee but a peece of clay in his hands. Now his relation to vsus, and ours to him, cals for this duty.
Reaſ. 2 Secondly, in regard of that high price the Lord doth ſet vp on obedience, as it appeareth by that of Samuel vntounto Saul; Hath the Lord as great pleaſure in burnt offrings and ſacrifices, 1 Sa… …5.22as when the voyce of the Lord is obeyed? Behold, to obey is better then ſacrifice, &c.
Reaſ. 3 A third reaſon may be drawne from that reward the Lord hath promiſed to ſuch as hearken and obey: as, If ye will heare my voice indeed (ſaith the Lord) and keepe my Couenant, Ex. 19.5.6Then ſhall yee bee my chiefe treaſure aboue all people. And againe,Deu. 28.1 If thou wilt hearken diligently vntounto the voyce of the Lord thy God, to obſerue and to do all his Commandements, &c. Then the Lord thy God will ſet thee on high, aboue all the Nations on the earth, &c.
Fourthly, diſobedience, as Samuel tels Saul, is as the ſinne of witchcraft, and ſhall neuer eſcape the reuengefull hand of God. The Lord threatned this vntounto the people, That if they would not hearken and obey, they ſhould die of the ſword, Ier. ….famine, peſtilence, ſo that none of them ſhould eſcape. Diſobedience ſhut Adam out of Paradiſe, Moſes out of Canaan, and Saul out of his kingdome.
Vſe 1 Let this then ſerue to prouoke all men vntounto this duty, not to co…ſult with fleſh and blood in the things of God, or to bee directed by carnall reaſon, for then we ſhall neuer obey God. Had Philip done this, now that the Angell bids him goe, not telling him what was to bee done, hee had neuer obeyed the Angell▪ The Miniſter, though hee ſee not that his preaching doth, or is like to do any good, yet becauſe God hath commanded, hee muſt doe his duty. Thus muſt Magiſtra…es doe, though ſinne abound ſtill▪ Thus muſt maſters of families doe, though it take little effect: for God hath commanded theſe duties to be done, and muſt be obeyed.
And behold a man of Ethiopia, &c.
The word Behold is commonly verbum admirationis, a word of wonder, and cals vsus to that ſpeciall parentheſis of our Sauiour; Let him that readeth, conſider; Mat. 24.15And is, for the moſt part, of the ſame nature that Selah is, ſooften vſed in the book of the Pſalmes.
Behold, q. d. Conſider this thing, that howſoeuer Philip at this time were in great danger and hazard for preaching of the Goſpell, by reaſon of Caiphas the high Prieſt, and Saul, that made hauock of the Church; yet obeying the commandement of the Angell, though for the preſent hee could ſee no reaſon for the ſame; mark what followed, ſee the good ſucceſſe of his obedience: Behold a man of Ethiopia.
The inſtruction is plaine, Doct. We are to take ſpeciall notice of the obedience of Gods ſeruants.That God would hauehave vsus in a ſpeciall manner take notice of the obedience of his ſeruāts, & the examples of his children obeying him, and all to this end, to prouoke vsus vntounto obedience. This truth is clearly manifeſted by the Author of the Epiſtle to the Hebrewes.Heb. 11.1. Hauing in the eleuenth Chapter ſet downe many examples of the admirable obedience of many of Gods ſeruants, that obeyed God beyond reaſon, as of Noath that builded the Arke when there was no likelihood of a flood; of Abraham that offered vp Iſaac; of Moſes that left Aegypt; of Ioſuah, and the like: all which obeyed God againſt reaſon. He preſently infers, Seeing we hauehave, ſaith he, ſuch a cloud of witneſſes. Heb. 12.1.Let vsus caſt away eueryevery thing that preſſeth downe, and run with patience to that which is ſet before vsus. Yea, vntounto theſe examples hee ſubioyneth the example of the Lord Ieſus Chriſt himſelfe, who indured the Croſſe, and deſpiſed the ſhame, to whom we muſt euer looke, and hauehave an eye, leſt we ſhould faint in our mindes. And thus indeed is the Lord pleaſed to teach vsus, not onelyonly by his word, but by the examples likewiſe of his ſeruants, omitting no meanes that may doe vsus good. And to this end are the examples of Gods ſeruants many times propounded vntounto vsus in the Scriptures. Ye hauehave heard of the patience of Iob,Iam. 5.11. and all to incourage vsus in well doing.
Yea, God hath not onelyonly left vsus the examples of his children for our imitation, but he hath alſo left vsus the examples of his iuſtice vponupon wicked men, and diſobedient ſinners, and all to terrifie vsus from ſinning againſt him; ſuch as are Corah, Dathan, Num. 16.23.and Abiram. Lots wife, of whom and whoſe ſinne, God hath giuen a ſpeciall Memento, Remember Lots wife. Luk. 17.32Euen ſo the Apoſtle Saint Peter, 2 Pet. 2.hauing ſhewed the Iewes, to whom he wrote, what excellent promiſes they had receiued: hee exhorts them to giuegive all diligence to walke in them. And the better to perſwade them, he ſets downe Gods iudgements vponupon the diſobedient, and ſaith, that God ſpared not the Angels, not the old world, nor Sodome and Gomorah, &c.
And the reaſon hereof I take to be theſe.
Firſt, becauſe we are ſo prone to be led by examples, Reaſ. 1 therefore the Lord propounds the beſt for patternes, and ſo we hauehave for zeale, Moſes; for patience, Ioh; for chaſtitie, Ioſeph, &c.
Reaſ. 2 Secondly, to this end their examples are recorded in the word, All Scripture (ſaith Paul) is giuen by diuine inſpiration, and is profitable, 2 Tim. … 16.&c. And then doe we profit aright by the Scriptures, when by the examples of the godly therein recorded, wee are prouoked vntounto wel doing.
Reaſ. 3 Thirdly, this is to giuegive the Lord the glory of his owne grace, in whōſoeuer beſtowd, when we ſhal not only take notice of the ſame, but be prouoked to tread in their ſteps, and walke in their wayes.
Seeing the Lord teacheth vsus thus, not onelyonly by his word, Vſe. but alſo by the examples of his Seruants, as ſo many liuely Sermons to prouoke vsus vntounto wel-doing. For ſurely the Lord will plead in the laſt day, the very piety, zeale, and holy conuerſation that wee hauehave ſeene in his ſeruants, to be a ſwift witneſſe in iudgement againſt vsus. And not onelyonly ſo, but alſo terrifying vsus daily againſt ſinne by his iudgements vponupon the wicked.1 Pet. What manner of perſons ought we to be in all holy conuerſation? Thoſe then that notwithſtanding the examples of Gods children to allure them, and the examples of wicked men to terrifie them from ſinne, will not bee moued. What doe ſuch in effect but ſay, Who is the Lord that wee ſhould ſerue him, Mal. 3.14.and what profit commeth, that wee keepe his ordinance? Such are like vntounto Gallio, Acts 18.17that cared for nothing, though the godly were beaten, no example moues them. But they that truely feare God, muſt learne by the example of Gods children, truely to obey him, and by Gods iudgements vponupon the wicked, to learne righteouſneſſe.Eſay 26.9.
Behold
This word Behold, calling for ſpeciall animaduerſion and attention, as we hauehave heard, Sheweth that it was no common matter, or ordinary thing that is now to bee related. And what was it that muſt be ſo ſpecially noted here, as a ſtrange thing, not frequent or common in the world? it was this; That ſo great a man ſhould be ſo good a man, to take that paines, and to be at that coſt, to trauaile ſo farre as Ieruſalem to worſhip God. This is it wee are now called vponupon to conſider, and therein are taught,
That it is no ordinary thing, Doct. It is a rare thing for great men to be good men.to hauehave great men, rich men, Noble men, or men in authority, to bee truely religious. A Lord Treaſurer to come ſo farre to Ieruſalem to worſhip, and to be ſo religiouſly addicted, as to reade the Scriptures in his Coach or Chariot; This may well deſerue an ecce. No maruaile though the holy Ghoſt call vponupon vsus to obſerue this, as a rare thing indeed. And it will bee no hard thing to cleare this truth, both by Scripture and Reaſon, to ſhew that it is a hard and difficult thing to hauehave great men, good men. O generation, take heed to the word of the Lord. Ier. 2.31.There is the Lords admonition to the great men of that age. But will you know their anſwer; But the people anſwered, we are Lords, we will not come to thee: as if it had beene a diſparagement vntounto them to hauehave beene taught or directed by the Lords Prophet. Againe, I ſpake vntounto thee when thou waſt in proſperitie, but thou ſaidſt, Ier. 22.21.I will not heare. So the Prophet Hoſeah; As in their paſtures, ſo were they filled, and their heart was exalted, Hoſ. 13.6.therefore hauehave they forgotten mee. And this was that ſinne that Moſes layes to the charge of the people of Iſrael, Ieſurun waxed fat, Deu. 32.1…thou art couered with fatneſſe, Then he for ſooke God which made him, and lightly eſteemed the rocke of his ſaluation. No meruaile therefore though the Lord giuegive this warning by Moſes, vntounto the people, that when they ſhould come into the good Land which the Lord had promiſed, which was the Land of Canaan;Deu. 2….10 Beware when thou art full, leſt thou forget the Lord thy God. If euer men giuegive themſelues to ſleepe and to reſt, it is when their bellies be full.Ier. 5.7. When I fed them to the full, they roſe vp Like fed horſes, eueryevery one neighed after his neighbours wife. It is wealth and abundance that lifts vp the heart of a man, and makes him ſay with Pharaoh, Exod. 10. 1 Cor. 1.26.Who is the Lord? So Paul, You know your Calling Brethren, how that not many wiſe after the fleſh, not many mightie, not many noble are called, &c. And therefore our Sauiour ſaith, verity I ſay vntounto you, Mat 19.23.that a rich man ſhall hardly enter into the kingdome of heauen. And this was Chriſts owne obſeruation in the days of his fleſh. The poore receiue the Goſpell: Mat. 11.6.and therefore Timothy muſt charge rich men concerning the dangers of riches.1 T.m. 6.17. And ſurely ſuch a vehement charge needed not, if they were not in danger.
To ſee a man that is great, and rich, and mighty in the world, yet zealous in religion, as this Noble man, is as rare as to ſee Saul amongſt the Prophets.
But what? doe riches, honour, Queſt. and authority, make men prophane? and keep men from being religious, and ſo hinder their ſaluation?
No, not of themſelues, Anſw. they are the good bleſſings of God, but this thing ſo comes to paſſe, through the abuſe of them. For this is the promiſe made to thoſe that feare God. Riches and Treaſures ſhall be in their houſe: Pſal. 112.2and wiſedome (ſaith Salomon) is good with an Inheritance. Eccl. 7.11.Abraham was rich, ſo was Solomon, Iob and many others of Gods ſeruants. And therefore the Apoſtle ſaith Not, not any Noble, but not many Noble. So that riches and honours hinder not Religion, as a cauſe, but as occaſions, and that through the occruption of our nature, who are ready to abuſe all the good things of God to our perdition. But would you know the reaſon of this? A man would thinke that ſuch men whom God hath thus Honoured aboue other, ſhould be the moſt forward to honour him aboue others, and this thing ſo comes to paſſe,
Reaſ. 1 Becauſe great men hauehave many times great ſpirits, and through their abundance, their hearts are lifted vp. What? great men, honourable men, and rich men, to ſtoope to ſo baſe a thing as preaching is, & to ſuch meane perſons as Preachers are, whoſe power lyes all in their tongues & words. Many a man thinks it a diſhonour to doe this; thus riches and honour puffe vp the heart with pride, and make men high minded; and where there is pride, there muſt needs be contempt of God and his word, as we may ſee in Pharaoh, Who is the Lord? and therefore Chriſt teacheth, firſt humility in his ſeruants, as the firſt leſſon in Chriſtianitie, to deny themſelues, vntill which time we can neuer profit by the Word. And hence is it that the Prophet exhortech thus, Heare, Ier. 13.15.Heare, and gine and gine and be not proud: as if it were impoſſible, while pride is in the hearts, that men ſhould euer heare ſauingly.
Reaſ. 2 Secondly, rich men and great men, they hauehave abundance to content the appetite to the full, and therefore the more hard for ſuch to ouercome themſelues, and their owne wils, and to ſubmit them ſelues to the will of God. For nature being fed to the full, is as a wilde Aſle,Ier. 2. as Ieremy ſpeakes, that will hardly be tamed and framed to obedience. Let a man that is vſed but to a ſpare dyer, at any time eate ſomething either for matter or meaſure extraordinary, and doth the not finde a great dulneſſe and heauineſſe to creepe vponupon him in good duties; yea, a meruailous vnaptneſſe to be exerciſed therein. How much more they that are alwaies full gorg'd?
Beſides this, their outward abundance, makes them inſenſible of their inward wants: and as het that comes to the Phyſitian, and feeles not himſelfe ſicke, is of all others in the greateſt danger; ſo is it with thoſe that are inſenſible of their miſeries.
Reaſ. 3 And laſt of all, great men hauehave many times great imployments: and howſoeuer no imployment ſhould hinder men from Gods ſeruice, as we ſhall ſee hereafter, yet they thinke themſelues they may bee excuſed becauſe of their imployments. When Paul preached, Felix hath now no leyſure to heare him, he muſt come another time. Howbeit Chriſt rebuked Martha for this fault, that ſeemed to be well imployed. But it had been her greater commendations, the pot had ſod ouer at this time of Chriſts preaching.
The vſes follow.
Ʋſe 1 Seeing then that it is ſo rare a thing for great men to bee good men, this lets vsus ſee then what a dangerous & ſlippery eſtate it is, to liue in honour, in wealth, and proſperity. Such are in moſt danger to be kept from God. How many hauehave we ſeene, that whileſt they were in low eſtate in the world, were humble, gentle, meek, forward and zealous in religion. But afterwards in times of proſperity, grew fat, and wanton, and ſpurned againſt the Lord. As the Moone neuer ſuffereth an Eclipſe, but when ſhe is at the full, ſo when men are full of honour, wealth, and pleaſures, now they are in danger of an Eclipſe, that the earth ſhould come between them and heauen.
Ʋſe 2 Secondly, we learne hence not to enuy the proſperity of great men, but with their outward glory and ſeeming felicity, conſide the dangerous condition they are in. They hauehave many a ſtumbling block lyes in their way to heauen, that …hou art freed from that art a poore man. Such are rather to be pitried then enuied. Grudge not, (ſaith Dauid) at the proſperity of the wicked; for certaine it is, it had beene good for many a man, that he had neuer known what wealth and abundance had beene, what honour and dignitie had beene, ſince through the abuſe of theſe things, they indanger their owns ſoules.
A man of Ethiopia, and Eunuch,Text.
The Ethiopian deſcribed.Here we hauehave the deſcription of this Noble man deſcribed, firſt, by his perſon, an Eunuch, or a gelded man.By his perſon Such hauehave beene of old time, and imployed about the keeping of great Perſonages, as Quenes,Mat. 19.12 &c There are ſome Eunuchs (ſaith our Sauiour) which were ſo borne from their Mothers wombe, and there are ſom Eunuchs, which were made Eunuchs of men: and there be Eanuchs which hauehave made themſelues Eunuchs for the kingdome of Gods ſake.
And that theſe hauehave beene imployed about the keeping of great perſonages, it appeareth by thoſe Eanuchs that attended Ieſabel the Queene,2 Reg. 9.32. and the which, at Iehu his command, caſt her out at a window.
Many times they were deſcended out of the loynes of royall bloud, as it was ſaid to Hezechiah, Of thy ſonnes which ſhall iſſue from thee, Eſa. 39.7.which thou ſhalt beget, ſhall they take away, and they ſhall bee Eunuchs in the Palace of the King of Babylon. This argueth this Eunuch to hauehave beene a great man, and therefore the more admirable. The inſtruction is plaine.
We are taught, Doct. Of allſorts of men, God hath ſome that belong to his kingdome.that God is no accepter of mens perſons: but of all ſorts and conditions of men, he hath ſome that belong to the election of grace, and appertaine vntounto his glorious kingdome. Hee accepteth not the perſons of Princes, (ſaith Elihu) nor regardeth the rich more then the poore, Iob 34.19they being all the worke of his hands. To this accordeth that of the Apoſtle Peter vntounto Cornelius. Act. 10 34.Of a truth I perceiue, that God is no reſpecter of perſons, but in eueryevery Nation, hee that feareth GOD, and worketh righteouſneſſe, is accepted with him. And thus the Lord commanded Samuel when he was to annoint Dauid King, Looke not on his countenance, nor on the height of his ſtature; 1 Sam. 16.7.and he addeth this as a reaſon, for God ſeeth not as man ſeeth, man locketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord beholdeth the heart.
This truth is further cleared by teſtimonies and examples. God choſe Abraham an Idolater, Manaſſes a ſoothſayer, Matthew a Publican, Cornelius a Captaine, Paul a perſecutor, Rahab a harlor, Zacheus an extortioner:Acts 10. Act …, Io… 7. Lu…e 19.… yea, and our Sauiour ſaith, that Publicans and Harlots ſhall enter into the kingdome of heauen, when others ſhall be ſhut out. foreign.
Reaſ. 1 Firſt,Eph. 1. his gifts and graces are on his part free, and on our part altogether vndeſerued, and therefore often called in the Scripture, his free election, and his free grace.
Reaſ. 2 Secondly, if any outward priuiledge or reſpect ſhould preuaile with God, to moue him to chooſe ſome before otherſome, then muſt the rich man hauehave been preferred before poore Lazarus, and the proud Phariſie before the poore Publican. Now this were an vnequall valuation, to prize thoſe things that hauehave no proportion to grace and goodneſſe, to things that are not to be valued, for betwixt temporall and ſpirituall things, is no compareſon.
Vſe Seeing then that of all ſorts and conditions of men, GOD hath ſome that belong to his kingdome, wee are taught not to deſpaire of the ſaluation of any, though for the preſent they walke in that broad way that leadeth to deſtruction. Publicans hauehave been called, Matthew from the receit of cuſtome; Phariſies hauehave beene called, Paul a Phariſie and bloudy perſecutor; Harlots hauehave beene called, Rahab, Mary; Extortioners hauehave beene called, Zacheus; apoſtates, Peter; yea, God chooſeth many times the weake and fooliſh things of this world, to confound the wiſe and mighty, and the poore ones of this world to be rich in faith: yea, Iew and Greeke, bond and free, male, and female; they are all one in Chriſt, he accepteth of the perſon of no man.
Secondly, ſeeing no outward priuiledge preuailes any whit with God, but that his election is free; riches, and honours, and dignities make none the more or leſſe eſteemed wi… God; Why then ſhould any outward thing gaine our hearts and our affections? ſeeing that when wee enioy all that we can deſire, we are neuer the nearer in Gods fauour? No man knoweth louelove or hatred (ſaith Salomon) by theſe things. Eccl. 9.2.If outward priuiledges would preuaile any whit with God, Antiochus, Herod, Saul, Iezabel, Nero, &c. muſt needs hauehave beene deepe in Gods fauour, yet wee know the Lord left theſe, ſhewed them no mercy, but cauſed them to ſerue his iuſtice.
An Ethiopian.
Here we hauehave him deſcribed by his Country, a Moore; By his country.a Gentile by nature, one that was without the pale of the Church, yet hee worſhippeth God at Ieruſalem, making good that prophecie of old,Eſa. 2.2. It ſhall come to paſſe in the laſt dayes, that the mountaine of the Lords houſe ſhall be eſtabliſhed, &c. and all Nations ſhall flow vntounto it: meaning, indeed, of the inlargement of the Church by all Nations farre and neere, vponupon the face of the earth.
So that in this Eunuch, we hauehave an carneſt of that promiſe that God had made vntounto his people; Doct. The Gentiles to be conuerted.That the Gentiles ſhould be called, and brought in, and that little Siſter that had no breaſts, Cant. 8.made fruitfull. This couenant and promiſe did the Lord thinke vponupon, in calling, in al ages, and from time to time, ſo many of the Gentiles to the knowledge of his truth. Such as are Ruth, Iob, Rahab, Cornelius, this Eunuch, &c.
Vſe. And bleſſed bee his Name that we that ſate in darkeneſſe, and in the ſhadow of death, hauehave had this light reuealed vntounto vsus, eſpecially in this part of the world, which we call Europe, wherein the light of the glorious Goſpell for theſe ſixe hundred yeares laſt paſt eſpecially, hath ſhone more and more, and ſtill ſhall, vntill the comming of the Bridegroome himſelfe, the Lord Ieſus.
Of great authority vnderunder Candace Queene of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treaſure, &c.
As this Noble man is here deſcribed by his perſon, and by his Country, ſo is he likewiſe deſcribed by his office or place, and that indeed,By his office. Treaſurer vntounto a great Princeſſe, imployed, no doubt, in many great and weighty affaires in the gouernment of a kingdome, yet trauaileth vp to Ieruſalem to worſhip God. Whoſe godly example, and zealous practiſe, may commend to all poſterities this leſſon.
That neither the greatneſſe of mens perſons, Doct. The greatneſſe of none muſt exempt them from the performance of holy duties.nor places, may exempt them from the performance of holy duties: if God hauehave once called a man with a holy calling to the knowledge of his Sonne Chriſt, it is neither perſon nor place that may with hold vsus from his ſeruice; that muſt bee preferred aboue al. Dauid, though he were a King, how frequent was he in theſe holy performances? which ſheweth, that they were more delightfull vntounto him, then his kingly robes. They were the very delight of his ſoule: Gods precepts being ſweeter vntounto him then the honey and the honey combe.Pſal. 5.3. Thou ſhalt heare my voyce O Lord, early in the morning will I direct my prayer vntounto thee, and will looke vp. Neither might this ſeeme to be a worke of ſupererogation in Dauid, becauſe a King that might plead the publike affaires of his kingdome, for then would hee not hauehave exhorted others of the ſame condition, to the ſame godly practiſe, Be wiſe now therefore O yee Kings, Pſal. 2 11.12.&c And it is obſerued to hauehave beene the great praiſe of Hezechiah, 2 Chro. 20.19.that he ſent abroad meſſengers to call the people to the ſeruice and worſhip of God; and not onelyonly ſo, but ioyned himſelfe alſo in the ſame. And amongſt all other the titles that ſerued to ſet out the honour of Salomon, and his magnificence, this was not the leaſt,Eccl. 1.12. The words of the Preacher, ſonne of Dauid, King of Iſrael. And for this is Abraham commended, a great Prince, yet inſtructed his family. Ioſuah a man full of imployments in the publike affaires, yet I and my houſe will ſerue the Lord. Ioſ. 24.The like of Cornelius; yea, the greateſt honour that euer came to the Kings of Iuda and Iſrael,Acts 10. was this, that they were zealous for the worſhip of God; and the greateſt diſhonour that euer did betide them, was this, they were negligent and careleſſe therein. Now the reaſons of the poynt are,
Reaſ. 1 The firſt may be drawne from the rule of Equitie, where much is giuen, much ſhall be required; God hauing honoured ſuch men aboue others, lookes to be honoured by them aboue others; and indeed, who ſhould doe the greateſt worke, but they that receiue the greateſt wages?
Reaſ. 2 Secondly, the greateſt men hauehave many times the greateſt charges committed vntounto them, whoſe ſpirituall good and welfare doth much depend vponupon them. If they be godly and religious, their religion, zeale, & pietie, like Arons oyle, runs downe to the meaneſt that are vnderunder them.
Reaſ. 3 Thirdly, their own good doth call for this at their hands; for, beſides the ſaluation of their own ſoules, which God hath promiſed to ſuch as ſeeke him, herein and hereby they ſhall eſtabliſh their owne throne, and perpetuate vntounto themſelues a bleſſed name and memory vponupon earth.Pro. The memor of the righteous is bleſſed, whereas the name of the wicked ſhall rot. Whereas ſuch as ſeeke honour in the world, and to eſtabliſh them ſelues without this, they doe but build Babels vntounto themſelues.
It is the conſcionable practiſe of pietie and godlineſſe, eſpecially in Kings and Princes, and great perſonages, when they are dead and gone, and their bodies are mouldred to duſt, that yeelds a fragrant ſmell and ſweet ſauour to ſucceeding generations.
The excellent Pſalmes of Dauid were not incloſed and buried with him in his Tombe. The labours and paines of this Noble man went not with him to his graue. …oſias zeale in redreſſing things …miſſe, did not rot as his body did: but all theſe are left in the treaſury of the Church, to the euerlaſting praiſe of Gods graces in his ſer…ants to the honor of their names.
By this then men may try themſelues, whether they be called or not, and whether God hath truely touched their hearts with the knowledge of his ſonne Chriſt. Canſt thou renounce, honours, pleaſures, and all to waite vponupon God and follow him, and make all ſtoope and vaile bonnet to his worſhip and ſeruice, with this Eunuch here; this is a ſigne of an honeſt heart, and minde diſpoſed to honour God. But if on the contrary part eueryevery ſlight occaſion be matter ſufficient to draw thee away from his ſeruice; it is a cleare demonſtration that the zeale of the Lords houſe hath not yet conſumed thee.
How many hauehave we that would willingly ſerue God with Naaman the Syrian, yet they will goe into the idolatrous Temple, loth to hazard their honour, credit, or place, for God or his truth; many ſuch cold friends hath religion nowadayes.
Secondly, this may ſerue to refute the vain conceit of thoſe who thinke, becauſe they are aduanced vntounto higher places and dignities in the world, preſently conceiue that they are not ſo ſtrictly tyed to ſerue God as other men. What? ſo ſtrictly to ſanctifie the Sabbath, and to ſee that all that are vnderunder them doe the ſame, as Abraham did, to ride and to goe foure or fiue miles to heare the Word, when the ſame is not taught amongſt them? this were too much niceneſſe and preciſeneſſe. But what ſay theſe to this Eunuch here, or what are they to this Eunuch, a great noble man, yet took much paines and labour to worſhip God at Ieruſalem? O then let great men take heed how they contemne or lightly eſteeme Gods ſeruice, leſt whilſt they thinke ſcorne to doe him ſeruice, the Lord will not afford ſuch this honour, to admit them into his ſeruice,
And laſt of all, ſince the greatneſſe of none may any way exempt them from the performance of holy duties; By the rule of this Doctrine, their mouthes are to be ſtopped, and the common excuſe condemned, of thoſe that ſay they are not at leiſure, the multitude of their affaires and imployments will not permit them. A very vaine excuſe, and an argument of a very prophane and graceleſſe heart. I would aske ſuch but this queſtion, whether their buſineſſes and employments be greater then Dauids was, that had a kingdome to gouerne? or then this Eunuch, ſo great in authority, vnderunder ſo great a Queene? HaueHave not great men ſoules as well as others? and hauehave they not ſinne in their ſoules as well as others? away then with that dangerous & hatefull errour, they hauehave no leiſure. They are the men that hauehave receiued the greateſt wages, why ſhould they not doe the greateſt worke? They are the men God hath honoured aboue others, why ſhould they not labour in their places to honour God aboue others?
Went vp to Ieruſalem to worſhip,Text.
But why to Ieruſalem to worſhip?
Becauſe there was the ſeruice and worſhip of God at that time:By his religion. for ſo ſaith the Pſalmiſt, In Iury is God knowne, his Name is great in Iſrael, at Salem is his Tabernacle, and his dwelling in Sion. So Eſay the Prophet,Eſa. 2.3. The law ſhall goe from Sion, and the word of the Lord from Ieruſalem: and in this regard Ieruſalem is called the Mother of vsus all. In the time of Chriſt the Diſciples were forbidden to preach to any but to the Iewes;Gal. 4.26. Mat. 10.5. goe not into the way of the Gentiles, but vntounto the loſt, ſheepe of the houſe of Iſrael.
After Chriſts aſcen…n. …he Apoſtles were comm…ded to preach the Goſpell firſt to them,Luk. 24 47 Rom. 15.19. beginning at Ieruſalem. All the Apoſtles did exerciſe their Miniſtery at Ieruſalem. All the Churches of the Gentiles conformed themſelues to the Church of the Iewes, and eſteemed Ieruſalem as their mother Church.
And to Ieruſalem, as to the mother Church, all the world did reſort for direction, and for the deciding of all controuerſies that might ariſe amongſt them.
Yea,Acts 15.2. all the Churches of the Gentiles, firſt receiued the Word from Ieruſalem, as it was prophecied of old,Eſay 60.3. The Gentiles ſhall walk in thy light. Had Rome theſe priuiledges, the world ſhould hauehave rung of them at this day.
Here then was the reaſon why the Eunuch went to Ieruſalem, becauſe this was the ſolemne place appointed for his ſeruice, and for his worſhip.
Hence we may note diuers inſtructions,
Doct. 1 Firſt, that the publike aſſemblies of Gods people in Gods houſe,The publike aſſemblies of Gods people ought highly to be eſteemed. ought highly to be eſteemed, and diligently to be frequented of all Gods people.
Behold this in Dauid; O Lord I hauehave loued the habitation of thy houſe, Pſal. 26.8.and the place where thy honour dwelleth: and againe, O Lord of Hoaſts, Pſal. 84.12.how amiable are thy tabernacles! my ſoule longeth and fainteth for the Courts of the Lords houſe. And this was the holy reſolution of good Hezechiah, Eſay 38.22after his recouery from his ſickneſſe, to goe vp to the houſe of the Lord. Yea, Dauid reioyceth in this, I was glad when they ſaid, let vsus goe vp to the houſe of the Lord. And to this doe thoſe godly beleeuers in the time of the Prophet Eſay, prouoke one another, when the Temple was built, and Gods worſhip did flouriſh at Ieruſalem; Come let vsus goe vp to the houſe of the Lord. Eſay 2.3.And this was promiſed as a bleſſing from the Lord, I will bring them into my holy mountaine, and make them ioyfull in my houſe of prayer: Eſay 56.7. 2 Chro. 20.13.and all Iuda ſtood before the Lord with their young, and with their old, with their wiues and with their children. Yea, thoſe that hauehave had in them the greateſt meaſure of knowledge and grace, hauehave beene euer moſt frequent in this duty. The Diſciples were continually in the Temple. Luke 24.52.Euen ſo in the Primitiue Church it is ſaid, that the true beleeuers continued with one accord in the Temple. Acts 2.46.And Ioſeph and Mary, albeit poore, and dwelt far from Ieruſalem, yet at the time of the Paſſeouer, they went vp duly to Ieruſalem to worſhip. So that we ſee it is a moſt cleare & grounded truth, that Gods people in all ages, and from time to time, hauehave in no one thing teſtified their ioy and delight, then in this, to be imployed in Gods worſhip in the publike aſſemblies.
And there is reaſon for it.
Firſt, in regard of Gods promiſe of ſpeciall preſence there. Dauid calleth Sion, The habitation of Gods houſe, Pſal. 26.8.and the place where his honour dwelleth. It is Chriſts owne promiſe, that where two or three are met together in his Name hee will bee preſent amongſt them.Mat 18.20 Chriſt walketh in the midſt of the ſeauen Candleſtickes, that is, the Churches, by his ſpeciall preſence.
And in this regard the Lord giues aſpeciall charge concerning theſe aſſemblies,Leuit. 26: 2 yee ſhall keepe my Sabbaths, and reuerence my Sanctuary. And this Dauid profeſſeth, by way of thankefulneſſe, I will giuegive thankes to thee in the great Congregation, Pſal. 35.18and will praiſe thee amongſt much people.
Doct. 2 Secondly, in reſpect of our own good, for we may look for a greater bleſſing from God vponupon his ordinances in publike then in priuate. The ſame prayers you may vſe at home, that are vſed there; the ſame Pſalmes yee may ſing at home, that you ſing there; the ſame word you may reade at home, that is read there; but not with the ſame fruit and comfort, as in the publike aſſemblies of the faithfull. For Dauid ſpeaking of Mount Sion, and the Temple there, ſaith,Pſal. 133.2. There the Lord promiſed his bleſsing and life for euermore: and againe,Pſal. 87.2. The Lord loueth the gates of Sion, more then all the habitations of Iacob.
Doct. 3 Thirdly, prayer is ſaid to bee the ſeeking of a thing,Mat. 7.7. Aske and ye ſhall hauehave, ſeeke and ye ſhall finde. Now the more there be that ſeeke a thing, the more hope there is to finde it. And this was the reaſon why the Church in time of miſery and diſtreſſe, called for a ſolemne aſſembly: Blow a Trumpet in Sion, Ioel 2.15.proclaime a faſt, call a ſolemne aſſembly, as the moſt powerfulleſt meanes to preuaile with God.
Doct. 4 Fourthly, in reſpect of the ſweetneſſe of thoſe duties which are there performed in thoſe publike aſſemblies, ſuch as are the preaching of the Word, the Sacraments, prayer, ſinging of Pſalmes; Gods people finde more ſweetneſſe in theſe, then in any thing in the world beſides. Of this ſpeaketh the Prophet Eſay, ſaying, In this mountaine ſhall the Lord of Hoaſts make to all people, Eſay 25.6.a feaſt of fat things, a feaſt of fined wines, of fat things full of marrow, of wine fined and purified. Indeed I confeſſe it is not eueryevery mans caſe to finde this ſweetneſſe in theſe things. It is poſſible at the daintieſt feaſt, ſome may loathe thoſe things, that to others are moſt delightfull and deſired.
But this is the caſe onelyonly of the godly and regenerate man; ſo Dauid, Bleſſed is the man whom thou chooſeſt and cauſeſt to come vntounto thee: Hee ſhall dwell in thy Courts, and ſhall be ſatisfied with the pleaſures of thy houſe, euen of thy holy Temple.
Doct. 5 The laſt reaſon, though not the leaſt to cauſe vsus to eſteeme ſo highly of the publike aſſemblies of Gods people, is in regard of religion it ſelfe, the profeſſion wherof we hauehave taken vponupon vsus; for herein we doe teſtifie our homage and obedience vntounto God. Now the more publike our profeſſion is, the more acceptable is it to God. I will giuegive thankes vntounto thee, Pſal. 35.18.and will praiſe thee amongſt much people.
Vſe 1 Seeing then that it is ſo requiſite a duty, belonging vntounto all Gods people, highly to eſteeme, and diligently to frequent the publike aſſemblies of Gods people: Hence diuers ſorts of men are iuſtly to be reproued.Diuers ſorts of men reproued.
Firſt, ſuch as turne backe vponupon Gods ordinance in the publike aſſemblies, & make no reckoning nor account thereof; and this is the condition of the greateſt ſort of men, that will not be brought conſtantly to Gods ſeruice, but either the feare of the labour, or ſhame of men, brings them ſometimes thither, otherwiſe many would neuer come at all. How often hauehave I complained of this ſinne in this place, but little reformation? What ſhall I ſay, doe but conſider Sauls dealing with Dauid, Saul marked Dauids ſeate when he was wanting at the feaſts and aſſemblies: Surely the Lord doth marke theſe empty Seates and ſolitary Pewes of ours, when we are wanting. And were it not for their ſakes, that wanting the food of life at home, are faine to trauaile abroad, I ſhould long ere this hauehave eaſed you of ſome of this burthen, and my ſelfe of this paines. Neither is this all, a ſinne of negligence in abſenting of your ſelues when God cals you to his ſeruice; But by this negligent and careleſſe comming vntounto Gods houſe, men doe in effect ſay with thoſe in the time of the Prophet Malachy, Mal. 3.14.15.It is in vaine to ſerue the Lord, &c:
Secondly, ſuch as abſent themſelues from theſe publike aſſemblies, vnderunder the pretence that they can finde no ſuch ſweetneſſe nor comfort in them. To ſuch as ſo ſay or thinke, giuegive me leaue to tell thee, that there is no one more certaine ſigne of a dead heart, voyd of grace and the ſenſe of Gods louelove, then this, not to delight and to take comfort in theſe publike duties. I may ſay of ſuch a mans ſoule, as of the houſe ſhut vp with the Plague, Lord hauehave mercy on them.
Gods people if at any time they grow dull or heauy in the performance of holy duties, here they are refreſhed, quickned, comforted; theſe meetings reuiue a mans ſpirits, and put a kind of heauenly life in him. Blow the coles, and if there be any fire, it will ſhew it ſelfe; ſo will grace in the heart, when the gales of the Word ſhall blow vponupon it. Now then to finde no taſte, no reliſh, no comfort at all in theſe ordinances of God, is a cleare demonſtration of a dead heart, and a graceleſſe ſoule.
But what though for the preſent thou canſt not finde that comfort in the word, yet in comming to theſe publike aſſemblies, thou ſhalt teſtifie thy homage to God, and ſhew thy reuerence to his ordinance, and the Lord at laſt may cauſe his Word to penetrate thy heart, and to warme thy ſoule, that thou maiſt come to deſire it more then thy appointed food. And know that in our often vrging and preſſing you to come, we doe not herein require any duty or homage vntounto vsus, but vntounto God. And if in refuſing to come, you did but diſcountenance, diſgrace, diſhearten, and ſhew your contempt vntounto vsus, then the matter were not great. But this you ſhall finde true another day, that this contempt hath reached vntounto God himſelfe.
Thirdly, there be others that make eueryevery light occaſion, occaſion ſufficient to keepe them from Gods houſe; if their head d… ake, if their finger be but ſor…, o… the like, they thinke they may well be excuſed. Surely God will make this Eunuch here a ſwift witneſſe in iudgement one day, againſt ſuch men, who albeit his imployment were great, being ſo neere the perſon of ſo great a Queene, yet thinkes no time too long, coſt too great, or wayes too farre, to worſhip God. I would pray ſuch men but to conſider theſe examples;Eſa. 38.21. Hezechias hauing beene ſicke of a dangerous and mortall diſeaſe, within three daies after, went into the Temple; hee did not, as the manner is, keepe in whole weekes and moneths, for a little cold, for a ſmall griefe, or infirmitie, or the like, but ſo ſoone as euer he perceiueth any mitigation of his diſeaſe, as that the danger thereof is paſt, to the Temple ſtraight goeth he. The woman that had a Spirit of infirmitie eighteene yeeres,Luk. 13.10.11. was not held from Gods houſe, but vponupon the Sabbath day reſorted vntounto the Synagogue.
It is a ſigne of a barren & graceleſſe heart, to ſlight the Sabbath, and the holy exerciſes on that day. And know thou, whoſoeuer thou art, that findeſt this to bee thy caſe, that haſt no delight, and canſt find no comfort in the communion of Gods people in theſe holy aſſemblies here, that thou ſhalt hauehave no part nor portion, no, nor any fellowſhip with them, in the kingdome of heauen hereafter: for thoſe that hauehave no heart to beare a part with the Church Militant in their holy aſſemblies here, ſhall neuer come to beare a part in that Quire, where Saints and Angels ſhall ſing continually in the Church Triumphant.
And laſt of all, within the compaſſe of this reproofe, are thoſe that ſticke not to ſay, they can ſerue God at home as well as at Church; they can pray, and reade good bookes at home, and ſo long as they imploy themſelues thus, thinke they are not to bee blamed. But what ſay theſe men to Dauid, or what are theſe men to Dauid? could not he being a Prophet of God, and a man after Gods owne heart, indued with ſuch a wonderfull meaſure of the ſanctified graces of Gods Spirit, ſerue God in priuate in the time of his baniſhment, as theſe in their houſes or Chappels of eaſe? Yet hee did long to come into the Courts of the Lords houſe, yea, he did enuy the very Sparrowes and Swallowes that might come into the Temple,… 4 … and build their neaſts neere the Altar, whereas he might not come therein.
Ʋſe 2 Secondly, this may ſerue for admonition, that we labour to bring our hearts more and more to be affected with theſe holy duties, to prize theſe publike aſſemblies, and to be thankefull vntounto God for the ſame, that we neuer reſt vntill we bring our hearts in ſome good meaſure to ſay with Dauid, …ſal …I was glad when they ſaid, we will goe vp into the houſe of the Lord; and to this end let vsus be… exhorted to prouoke one another, and to call one another, as the faithfull before; Come let vsus go vp to the houſe of the Lord. And herein, Maſters of families and Parents, are to be exhorted, th… they thinke it not ſufficient, … they themſelues come, bu… to …e to their Children and Serua… that they come alſo to Gods wor… ſhip. Thou muſt ſuffer none to attend thee in thy houſe, that will not attend thee to Gods houſe.
Remember the charge, Thou, thy Sonne and thy Daughter, Ex. 20.10.thy Man-ſeruant and thy Maid-ſeruant, Ioſh. 24 15&c. Ioſuah vndertakes for all that are in his houſe, I and my houſe will ſerue the Lord; and this was one of Dauids greateſt comforts, that hee had gone with a multitude,Pſal. 43.… and led them the way to the houſe of God.
Went vp to Ieruſalem to worſhip.
But why would the Lord ſuffer him to goe vp to Ieruſalem, Queſt ſo long and ſo tedious a iourney? why was not Philip ſent before?
God, Anſw. if it had ſo pleaſed him, he could hauehave ſent Philip at the firſt to hauehave inſtructed him, but hee would not, but ſuffers him firſt to trauaile vp to Ieruſalem. No queſtion the Lord was much delighted in this obedience of his Seruant: and in reſpect that his louelove to religion was ſuch, as made him endure any labour, coſt or paines, he was moued the rather to bleſſe him with the miniſtery of Philip. God had left in his Church meanes whereby he would hauehave men taught, ſuch as were thoſe ſacrifices now done at Ieruſalem, which he will not hauehave neglected. It pleaſed the Lord well that the Eunuch ſhould be firſt inſtructed in the rudiments of the Law, that he might be the fitter for the Doctrine of the Goſpell. The Lord might hauehave ſent downe the holy Ghoſt vponupon Cornelius and his company,Act. 10. before Peter preached vntounto them, but he would not, but firſt makes him fit for Peters miniſtery, and for the receiuing of the holy Ghoſt. And thus the Lord could hauehave inſtructed Saul when he firſt heard that ſoundActs 9. from heauen, but would not vntill he were firſt fitted for prayer.
We are taught hence,Dect. Catechiſing … ce…y. that if wee would bee fit for the ſtrong me…t of the Goſpell, we muſt firſt be thoroughly inſtructed in the principles of religion.
Thus the Author of the Epiſtle vntounto the Hebrewes, by a lo…ing obiurgation or chiding, reproues the want of this amongſt them:H…b. 5.1. When for the time (ſaith he) ye ought to be teachers, ye need that one ſhould teach you a…ai…e which be the firſt principles of the Oracles of God, and are become ſuch as hauehave need of milke, and not of ſtrong meat.
So Paul, 1 Cor. 3.2.I cannot ſpeake vntounto you as ſpirituall, but as vntounto babes. And hence is it, that Moſes commandeth the people to teach their children the Law of God,D…. 6. Ex… ….14. and the vſe of the Paſſeouer.
And ſurely this ſerues to condemne the great neglect of this duty, Vſe. that men thinke it ſcorne to be catechiſed and inſtructed in the grounds and principles of religion, and this is the reaſon why ſo many heare the word vnprofitably, and are ſo full of blindneſſe and ignorance, they were neuer truly grounded in the principles of the Chriſtian faith: but of this hereafter.
To Ieruſalem to worſhip.
This could not bee done but with great coſt, for ſo were the ſacrifices and ſeruice of God in the time of the Law, before the comming of Chriſt, very coſtly. So likewiſe his paines in trauell was very great, it being farre diſtant from that place to ſeruſalem; yet not withſtanding it is not the coſt, nor it is not the paines in trauell, that can keepe him back, or any whit diſcourage him, but vp will he goe to Ieruſalem, there to worſhip God: and herein will teach vsus,
That the duties of Religion muſt earneſtly bee purſued and followed after, Doct. The duties of religion muſt be earneſtly purſued and followed after.not coldly, negligently, and careleſly, but earneſtly, zelouſly, carefully, and conſtantly. Men muſt not ſtick for labor, for coſt, for their paines, but the Lord muſt bee ſerued intentiuely, and conſtantly.
In eueryevery ſeruice wee doe vntounto God, he calleth for this zeale, and godly reſolution to go thorough with the ſame.
And ſurely this was the great commendations of the Prophet Dauid, that he had a zeale as hot as fire,Pſ…l 96.10 The zeale of thy houſe hath eaten me vp. This forwardneſſe and zeale wee may ſee to hauehave beene in the people of God in building of the Temple, wherein they ſpared no coſt, as alſo in their diligent repairing to the ſame, wherein they ſpared no labour: and to this are we exhorted. Seek for wiſdome as for ſiluer, and ſearch for it as for hid treaſures. Now they that worke in Mines of the earth, dig deepe, and are not beaten off with much labour; ſuch reſolution becometh it Gods people to hauehave in ſeeking the true treaſure. The Lord cannot abide that men ſhould go about his ſeruice negligently, coldly, and careleſly. Curſed are they that do the work of the Lord negligently; Ier. 48.10.and How long halt yee betweene two opinions,1 Re. 18.21. &c. And it was that our Sauiour was ſo highly offended with the Church of Laodicea, Ren. 3.15.that ſhee was neither cold nor not, and therefore the Lord threatneth to ſpew her out of his mouth.
It was the commendations of thoſe in the days of our Sauiour, that they flocked after him, and preſſed vponupon him. And in diuers places we reade that multitudes followed Chriſt, to heare his heauenly doctrine. Yea our Sauiour …oniſheth vsus to labour, but for what? Not for the meat that periſheth, Ioh. 6but for the meat that endureth to eternall life.
Zo… … qu…ed … …u… pa… o…o… wo…ſ….And this zeale and diligence I …ig…t hauehave …hewed how God requires the ſame in eueryevery part of his worſhip and ſeruice As,
Firſt in the preaching of the word. Wee are commanded to preach the word in ſeaſon and out of ſeaſon, …to improue, rebuke, and exhort, with long-ſuffering and doctrine.
Secondly, in hearing of the word, we are commanded to bee ſwift to heare.I…a. 2.19.
Thirdly, in prayer, we are com manded to be feruent in prayer.3 R…. …. 12
And in all the duties of ſanctification, wee are commanded to redeeme the time, and to worke out our ſaluation.
And great reaſon.
Firſt, in regard that ſuch as do the worke of the Lord negligently, Reaſ. 1 ſlothfully, and careleſly, lye vnderunder an heauie and a fearefull curſe: Curſed is eueryevery one that doth the worke of the Lord negligently. Ier. 4….…0.But ſuch are all thoſe that come negligently vntounto Gods ſeruice, and therefore lie vnderunder this curſe.
Secondly, to doe any dutie to God negligently and careleſly, Reaſ. 2 it neuer hath any promiſe of any acceptation with him. There is no duty that we can aſſure our hearts ſhall finde acceptation with the Almighty, further then the ſame is zealouſly performed in faith, repentance, and obedience to Gods Commandement.
Thirdly, ſuch as performe any duty formally, Reaſ. 3 cuſtomarily, and but for faſhion ſake, are in great danger to fall away, euen from that they make ſhew of, as our Sauiour ſaith, That ſhall bee taken away which they ſeemed to hauehave. This was the curſe of the Church of Epheſus, a drowſie and deadhearted people:Reu 2 5. Thou haſt loſt thy firſt louelove. Such drowſie Chriſtians are alwayes vnderunder a ſpirituall conſumption; for it fares with ſuch a one, as with him that hath a Conſumption of the body; for there the naturall heate decayeth daily more and more, and threatneth death. Euen ſo ſuch as hauehave a ſpirituall conſumption of the ſoule, the ſpirituall heat doth diminiſh, and threaten deſtruction.
Fourthly, Reaſ. 4 earneſtneſſe and zeale in the publicke duties of Gods worſhip, is an excellent meanes to prouoke others, to be more diligent in Gods ſeruice. And this the Apoſtle affirmes to the great commendations of the Church of Corinth: Your zeale hath prouoked many.2. Cor. 9.2.
And laſt of all, Reaſ. 5 without this diligence and zeale, we hauehave no promiſe to meet with God in his ordinances:Pro. 23.4. If thou cryest after knowledge, and lifteſt vp thy voice for vnderſtanding: if thou ſeeke her as ſiluer, and ſearch for her as for hidde treaſure. What then? Then ſhalt thou vnderſtand the feare of the Lord, and finde the knowledge of God. Feruency and zeale in good duties, addeth wings vntounto them, and makes them ſore aloft, and pierce the heauens euen into Gods preſence. Whereas duties formally performed, and but with lip labour onelyonly, bring no fruit at all, but haſten Gods ſudgements vponupon him that doth them.
Seeing then that the duties of Religion are ſo earneſtly to bee purſued and followed after; Vſe 1 This ſerues then for the iuſt reprehenſion of thoſe, that are ſo farre from being zealous themſelues, to trauell, with the Eunuch here, vntounto Ieruſalem, to worſhip God, as that they mocke and ſcoffe at others that doe their duties herein. Certainly if this Nobleman liued amongſt vsus, it were not his greatneſſe that would free him from the imputation of Puritaniſme and his zeale ſhould not eſcape the diſgraces of wicked men.
Is not this common in the world? See wee not that if there be any one in a Pariſh (as many, God knoweth, there be not) that is more forward then others, to ſanctifie the Sabbath, and to ſpend that day, as ſet apart wholly for Gods ſeruice, in the publicke duties belonging thereto, how are theſe ſingled out aboue all others, and derided and ſcoffed at for the ſame, when drunkards, ſwearers, and prophane perſons are neuer wondred at.
This hard meaſure Dauid met withall from Micol his owne wife,2. Sam. 6, 20. who dancing before the Arke, therein expreſſing the inward ioy of his heart, ſhe mockes him, How glorious was the King this day? To whom Dauid made anſwer: It was before the Lord, who choſe mee before thy fathers houſe, and I will yet be more vile. Let it euer be the commendations of all Gods people, ſo to be vpbraided and ſcoffed at for their godly zeale. As for wicked men, they are neuer ſo zealous, as in the cauſe of ſinne. And this indeed is the miſery of this age and time wherein wee liue, that that which, indeed, is the greateſt ornament to a chriſtian man; namely, to be zealous in religion, and forward in good duties, ſhould now become matter of ſcorne and deriſion. The ſinnes of this Land at this day, are many and grieuous; yet this, if there were none other, this, this, doth prognoſticate no good to this land.
Secondly, Vſe 2 this ſerues for admonition to prouoke vsus to the ſerious ſeeking of Gods face in his ordinance, and not negligently and careleſly to ſlubber ouer the Lords worke; ſuch are threatned with a curſe, as wee hauehave heard before. Our Sauiour tels vsus, that from the day of the Baptiſt, vntill now, the kingdome of heauen ſuffereth violence, and the violent plucke it vntounto themſelues.
But alas, in our dayes we may ſay, that the kingdome of this world, of Darkeneſſe, Antichriſt, & of the deuill ſuffereth violence: inſomuch, that men are more remiſſe in ſeeking for grace and the things that concerne their euerlaſting welfare, then they are for ſeeking for iron, for braſſe, for lead; nay many prefer their ſeeking for Coles & Stone, Marle and Morter, before the rich pearle of the Goſpell, that will make men rich vntounto ſaluation: what doe men thinke on leſſe, what doe they ſpeake of leſſe? what doe they leſſe labour for? what doe they leſſe bewaile the want of, then this?
If men make not good markets, they mourne; if their crop or cattell miſcarry, they cry out, or if any temporall calamitie betide them, they are oppreſſed with griefe. But as for their deadenſſe of heart, their want of appetite to heauenly things, and deſire of grace, this doth neuer trouble them. O that men could ſee their barrenneſſe in heauenly duties, and ſeeing it, bewaile it, and bewailing it, labour to come out of it. The Lord will be ſerued with all our might, with all our ſtrength, and with all our power; the Lord cannot abide that men ſhould hauehave a heart, and a heart, a heart for God, and a heart for the world; a heart for Chriſt, and an heart for Antichriſt. There is no halting with God;1. Reg. 18.21. if God be God, worſhip him, iſ Baal be god, follow him.
Vp to Ieruſalem to worſhip.
But why found not this Eunuch an Apoſtle there to teach him? Queſt.
The Lord ſeeth not as man ſeeth; Anſw. wee muſt not meaſure the Lords wayes by our carnall wit or reaſon, for that is fooliſhneſſe to him, he is onelyonly wiſe, Rom. 8 7.and knoweth when, and where, and how to beſtow his bleſſings.
It may be, it was not ſo ſeaſonable for Philip to hauehave inſtructed him at Ieruſalem, for at Ieruſalem his outward ſences had beene filled with goodly ſhewes, and with the great pompe of thoſe ceremonies wherein the ſeruice and worſhip of God at that time did conſiſt: and during that time, haply hee could not be ſo ſit for the glad tidings of the Goſpell. For wee know when men hauehave that which delighteth the outward ſenſes, they are not ſo fit to receiue that which concerneth the inward man.
Abigal would not tell Nabal what Dauid had purpoſed againſt him, whileſt hee was in his drunkenneſſe, his ſenſes being ſtupified; and ſhall wee thinke that God doth not obſerue his fitteſt time when to teach and inſtruct his people?
Againe, it may be that a benefit or a treaſure vnlooked for, is more acceptable; Iacob going to Lahan, was comforted by the way. Euen ſo the good tidings of the Goſpell might be the more acceptable vntounto this man, becauſe he expected it not.
This teacheth vsus ſtill to wait vponupon God in the conſcionable vſe of the meanes wherein he will Vſe. be found of vsus, vntill the Lord be pleated to teach, and to reueale his will vntounto vsus.
And not to doe as many doe, becauſe they hauehave not the comfort they deſire in religion, and religious exerciſes, by and by caſt off all care, and giuegive ouer, and ſo likewiſe in the time of affliction, eſpecially when the rod ſhall bee continued vponupon them, vſe vnlaw full meanes to come out of the ſame, as Saul that reſorted to the witch of Endor, this will yeeld no comfort in the end; whereas to ſuch as wait vponupon God, Deliuerance will come, as Mordecai ſaid to Hester: and there is a reward for the righteous at laſt.