The Beauties of Bethel, Treatise · Answer 2 – Question 3
An. I answer. That true it is that the best part for the most part, is the least part, if wee consider the truth of the thing: but yet Christian louelove bindeth vsus to iudge the best of all that ioyne with vsus euen in the outward seruice of God, for wee cannot enter into their hearts, but must leaue them to stand or fall to their owne Lord, and forbeare to iudge them before the time.
Secondly, wee must (notwithstanding the multitude of prophane & hypocriticall persons in the congregation,) frame our iudgements vntounto Gods, who esteemeth the assemblies frō the better part, and not from the greater; he knew well that many moe who were but Iewes without, and in the letter resorted vntounto the tabernacle; thē those who were Iewes within; yet it still retained the titles of Gods house, & Gods courts.
Thirdly, It is a glorious thing to be admitted euen to the outward profession of religion, notwithstanding all are not of the Church that are in it. In which regard Ioshua calleth all Israell the Lords possession, euen because his tabernacle Iosh. 22. 19 Num. 23. 9 Zeph. 3. 9.dwelt amongst them. And thus was it prophecied by Balaam himselfe, that Israell should dwell alone, and should not bee numbred among the nations, for Israell was a people of a pure language. In all which the nation of the Iewes were aduanced aboue all other people, because they were distinct and seperated from all other; both in their religion, lawes, rites and condition of life, all of them appointed and established by God himselfe.
How much more beautiful then and glorious are the cōgregations of Gods people, in regard of such who are truly the Lords holy ones? allied vntounto Christ, Saints by calling, and begin to lead euen an heauenly life vponupon earth? What is it that maketh the Court more louely and glorious, then all the rest of the pallaces of the land besides? It is not so much the stately building or other braueries, but the presence of the King, Queene, Prince, Lords, Ladies, and other their attendants answerably Gods courtsmore glorious then the courts of Princes.where the exercises of religion are established, are beauties no whit inferiour, but farre passing the former. Salomon describing the glorious condition of the church, compareth it to the Courts of Kings and Monarches of the earth, but infinitely aduanceth it aboue them all, euen in this consideration.
There are threescore Queenes, and fourescore Concubines, and Damsells without Cant. 6. 7number. As though hee had said: If in any Court of the world insteed of one Queene (for ordinarily there are no moe) there were three-score, and all attendance proportionall, though this were such a glorious and beautifull a sight as neuer man saw, yet were it not comparable to the beauty of the Church, eueryevery true member of which is a King ouer his lusts, and heire to the crowne of heauen.
True it is that this beautie of the Saints which beautifieth the assemblies is partly blemished and stained, and partlie hidde and couered. The former by many prophane Esaus, that thrust themselues into the profession, who a while seeme to bee liuing stones; but after appeare but stubble laid vponupon the foundation. These are spots in our meetings, who so farre as in them lie, make the Church resemble Nebuchadnezers image; whose head was of gold, but the belly and feete of Iron and clay, which will not bee tempered together but fall a sunder.
The latter, partly because this Kings daughter is glorious; but within, her comlinesse is like the Curteines of the Causes why the beauty of the Saints is not seene of the most.tabernacle, which outwardly were of courser stuffe, but within costly for the matter, and curious for the exquisite workmanshippe, and like to the beauty of Christ him-selfe in whom men sawe neither forme nor beautie, partly because their infirmities cloude their beautie, and darken them in mens eyes, when yet they remaine most deare vntounto God: and partly because the sunne of affliction and persecution looketh much and often vponupon them, which maketh them seeme blacker then they are, and thus Christ him-selfe was despised because men iudged him as plagued and smitten of God. Isa. 53. 4, and Iob counted an hypocrite of his friends. No meruaile then it is, that such eyes as are not annointed with the eye-salue cannot prie into this inward and secret obiect: no meruaile if eyes thus accustomed to false glasses be distempered; no wonder if eyes still gazing vponupon such clouds bee held from seeing the hidden glory of the Saints, no otherwise then Elishaes seruant was, who could not see the glorie which shone rounde about him. But such as are the Lords must herein expresse the vertue and image of their heauenly father, who delighteth in his people as in his portion; whom hee accounteth beautifull as the Lilly, and sweete as the Rose. Euen so all our delight should bee in the Saints which excell in vertue: let them be by infirmities, by afflictions blacke, yet in our eye they must bee comely: the shining graces of God in them ought as by strong cordes to draw our affections vntounto them: and if in our priuate course we ought to edifie our selues by this, & by our conuersing with them, partake of their graces and encrease or stir vp our owne: much more should we with all cheerefulnesse partake with them in the publicke worship of God, by whose presence, behauiour and praiers our ioy is more full, and our seruice more acceptable. Especially seeing this whole Psalme sheweth how our Prophet from this consideration did not a little prouoke his heart and best affections vntounto the assemblies.
Now to end this point, seeing wee are taught that here is the Court of the King of glorie, the holy God sitteth here in the holie assemblies, the holy Angels of God are heere present; the holie Saints of GOD stand here vponupon this holie ground: how is it that wee cannot conceiue these meetings to bee the most beautifull places of the earth? How are wee yet as blinde as Moles, if wee espie not and turne not our eyes vntounto such beauties? what a fearefull delusion is befallen them, who are so easily wone to the painted beautie of an harlot, and despise the natiue beautie of the spouse of Christ? What a certaine damnation abide such, as by scorning the holy exercises of our publicke meetings, and reproching the Preachers, and Ministers of them, seeke to turne this our glory into shame? but more of this in the vses following the doctrine. Thus much wee hauehave spoken of the honorable persons present in our congregations, the dutifull respect of whō (if we wanted othermotiues) were forcible enough to draw Godly hearts with cheerfulnesse vntounto our meetings.
Now the things which are performed in the congregation, are of the same qualitie; euen holy things: namely the whole publike worship of God, standing especially in the Ministerie of 1. Word, 2. Sacrament, 3. Prayer, 4. Keyes of the Church: of none of which can any that knowes them affirme truly, that it wanteth power & perswasion to draw any godly heart vntounto it.
And first in these meetings it cannot bee denied, but that wee enioy a most comfortable and pretious treasure of Benefits by the publick reading of the word.the worde of God, and that both reade and preached, the weaker of which meanes wanteth not his fruitfull vse in the Church, that whosoeuer ascribeth not much vntounto the publicke reading of the Scriptures: well considereth not the necessity of that ancient ordinance of God, who of olde would hauehave Moses reade eueryevery sabboth, and instituted a lecture of the law and Prophets. The which Act. 15. 21. Act. 13. 15.ordinance of God, not onelyonly the holie Apostles: but the sonne of God himselfe graced, yea honored not with his presence onelyonly; but also with his ministery; for (as his custome was) hee went Luk. 4, 16.into the synagogue on the Sabboth day, and stood vp to read. And if here it bee asked, what are the speciall benefits reaped by this ordinance instituted out of the wisdome of God: I answer. First, It is a notable meanes to come to the knowledge of the history of the Scriptures, wherein the chiefe workes that euer the Lord did in the Church are recorded, whether of iustice or of merciemercy, especially those of our fall in the first Adam, & recouery by the second. Secondly, to confirme our faith in all the points of Christian faith and religion: the maine grounds of which we hauehave fore-prophecied of in the old testament, and are fulfilled in the new.
3. To direct our iudgements in proouing of all things; and holding that which is good, as the Baereans searched the Scriptures, to see whether the things were Act. 17. 11.so as Paul preached, which if it bee a fruite of priuate reading (as the rest also are) much more of publicke.
Fourthly, to traine vsus to the more profitable hearing of the word preached. Fiftly, to acquaint vsus with the phrase of the Scripture; so as wee can both vnderstand, and speake the language of Canaan.
But who can speake of the glory of The benefits of the word preached.our ministery, in regarde of the worde preached: which as a more ordinary and principall meanes leadeth vsus along vntounto saluation, by a more full manifestation of the promise of life: yea not onelyonly explayning things to cleare them to the vnderstanding; but applying them vntounto the heart and affection, and vrging them vponupon the life and conuersation of a Christian. The blessed worke of which institution will euidently appeare, if wee consider the obiects vponupon whome it worketh; and those bee eyther the vnconuerted, or conuerted, or both.
In regarde of the vnconuerted, it is the ordinarie meanes to beget them to God, by enlightening their eyes, opening their eares, mollifying their hearts, and working faith in their soules, which commeth by hearing. And what a blessed worke is this Rom. 10.whereby the sonnes of wrath become the sonnes of GOD? whereby those who are layd lowe in hell by sinne, are raised vntounto the glory of the highest heauen? and whereby the iust heyres of damnation are entituled into the state of saluation, to receiue inheritance among those that are sanctified, In this excellent vse is it called a Ministerie of reconciliation, of peace, a word of grace, of saluation, and of life. 2. In 2. Cor. 5. 18 Eph. 6. 15. Acts. 14. 3. Act. 20. 32respect of those who are conuerted: It is a powerfull meanes of the spirit; First to encrease their knowledge, by the daily clearing of their iudgements from error, and ignorance; and leading them into all necessarie truths. Secondly, to strengthen and encrease their faith, bringing it with dayly progresse from the infancie and weaknesse of it, till the beleeuer attaine his tallnesse and strength in Christ.
Thirdly, to call them from their dayly wandrings and strayings, and settle them in a godly course.
Fourthly, to preuent their falles, whilest they are heere partlye furnished with Christian Armour against temptations; for through the Ministerie of the worde, Sathan falleth like lightning from heauen. and his strongest holdes are cast downe: Luc. 10. 18 2. Cor. 10. 4.partly while they are counselled in their doubts, finding the word in this Ministerie, especially the man of their counsels. Partly while they are admonished of such wayes as are disagreeable to such an high calling as they hauehave vndertaken. Fiftly, to raise them out of falls, by discouering vntounto them the nature and danger of sinne, the working of their owne infirmities, the bitter roote of originall corruption: the poysoned fruites of it: and by many motiues continually prouoking their repentance, which was the scope Christs fore-runners Sermon; yea of his owne preaching, and of his Apostles. Math. 3. 2. Marc. 1. 15 Acts. 2. 38Sixtly, most absolutely to direct them through their whole Christian course. If they be alone, it affordeth them matter of holy meditation; that they are neuer lesse then alone, when they are most alone, except those can be alone, who walke with God. And if they bee to deale with others, it enableth them to become great lights; ready and furnished to instruct, and comfort abroade, to bee as eyes to the blinde: and feete to bring the lame to Christ: and at home to teach and pray with their family, so as their houses become little Bethels, and houses of GOD, in which the Lord is truely and constantly worshipped, and both themselues and the Churches in their houses, dayly edified vponupon their most holy faith.
Now in regarde both of the wicked who are by the worde preached, more hardened, and of the godly whose number by the same meanes are dayly augmented and accomplished, the appearing of Christ vntounto Judgement is hastened, which the Saints ought to long after, as in which they expect, and shall attaine their full redemption.
Secondly, in the Sacraments wee drinke yet deeper of the Lords bountie, Comfort by the holy sacraments.who contenteth not himselfe to bring his children vntounto the faith by the former meanes, vnlesse also hereby hee raise them vntounto a full growth in Christ. As a tender mother accounts it not enough to bring forth her child, except shee also nursse and cherish it vp vntounto mans estate. So hath the Lord in these sacraments to shew the aboundant sweetnesse of his louelove in Christ, after hee hath in the word preached, made the couenant of grace knowne vntounto men; hee also doth most surely seale it vp vntounto their soules, by those Rom. 4. 11.seales of the righteousnesse of faith. The former sealing vp their vnion, ingrafting and fellowship with Christ, from whom as from a roote, they draw and sucke the moysture of grace, without which they are but dead, and withered branches. The latter assuring their continuall grouth, and encrease in him, till they become tall trees of righteousnesse, and both of them further helping both our vnderstandings as glasses by which we see clearer into the mistery of our redemption; as also our memories, as monuments before our eyes, with which sence of learning our God would hauehave vsus taught, as well as by the other of hearing: as in the third place both of them not onelyonly spurring vp eueryevery beleeuer to the performing of the couenant; but also strengthening him to eueryevery good duty, whereby hee may magnifie this grace of God.
Thirdly for prayer, how vnspeakable By publicke prayer how God is glorifyed.is the glory of GOD rendred by the Church, gathered together, and how wonderfull are the blessings which are vouchsafed the Church from God, in and by meanes of this holy dutie, especially when they are assembled in the house of prayer? In the former regarde Psal. 65. 2.is it sayd by the Prophet, Praise waiteth for thee in Sion. For what greater honour can befall the Lord, then first in petition to bee acknowledged the giuer of eueryevery good and perfect gift? to bee depended vponupon for all comfort, instruction and eueryevery good grace: to bee acknowledged the author and finisher of our faith, the beginner and accomplisher of all our workes, in vsus and for vsus? and in the confession of our indignity and misery (euen the best) to hauehave his free grace amplified, and his prerogatiue yeelded him, whose priuiledge it is to say; I will forgiue? Secondly, in prayses to be magnified by his whole Church for the fruites of his free louelove, manifestlie shining in his workes of creation, redemption, preseruation, and saluation of his Church: yea and when his people hauehave done all they can in way of thankfulnesse for them; yet euen the best of them shall acknowledge, that they cannot finde what to render vntounto him for his vndeserued louelove: Thus the Tribes goe vppe to Ierusalem to praise the name of the Lord.Psa. 166. 18 Psal. 122. 4
In the second respect, what a singular priuiledge is it that wee hauehave leaue giuen vsus by our requests to speake and commune with our God? and where-as the riche treasures of grace and good things are with him The members of the Church aboundantly enriched.surely kept as vnderunder locke and key: how happily may wee by this meanes vnlocke and open them all vntounto our selues? Yea that when wee cannot by any thing in vsus or from vsus demerite the least blessing (wee beeing lesse then the least mercy) yet if wee can but lift vppe one request of faith wee hauehave preuayled, and ouer-come God himselfe in the greatest.
And if the prayer of one righteous man can preuaile so much as the scriptures testifie of Moyses, Iacob, Elias: how much more when two or three consent togither in priuat prayer? But when publike prayer is presented vp by many, yea the whole church; how can that but exceed in strength? For as in experience we see, many flowers bound together yeeld the stronger sent; and compound water is sweeter thē simple; many sticks make a great fire; and vnited force more forceable: so eueryevery christian alone and a part in this duty is acceptable vntounto God; but when many ioyne in holy society, they are much more pleasing vntounto him, much more ioyfull among them-selues, and much more mutually incouraged to the practises of piety, & louelove one towards another.
Publike breaches are soone made vp if many Moysesses stand vp in the gap. Publike peace if it be wanting is speedily and happily procured when many Eliases lift vp requests vntounto the Lord, Prayers of the faithful are the vvals and munition of a people.eueryevery one of which are as strong as the Horsemen and Chariots of Israel. Publike blessings are easily obteyned when many Iacobs wrastle together with the Lord: Fully resolued not to lette him goe vntill hee hauehave giuen them a blessing. The publike ministry is successefully Rom. 15. 30. 2 Cor. 1. 11.both setled and exercised when the Saints striue with their Ministers by prayers to God for them: and when the faithfull labour together in praier for the same purpose.
The priuate necessities also of any one priuate member of the Church, are sooner supplied by the instance and importunity of the whole; and such as cannot come vponupon their owne feet (as the man sicke of the palsie) are lette downe by the cordes of the churches prayer Luk. 5. 19.and sette before Christ. A powerfull and preuayling thing is it with the Lord when a number of beleeuers are in one place, and one accord, of one heart, and one soule as it were in many bodies, to whom hee hath giuen one heart and one way, yea one pure language to cal on his name and serue him with one shoulder. Fourthly, if vntounto Zep, 3. 9. Act. 2. 46. & ver. 32. Ier, 32. 39.the three former we shal ad the last part of the ministry performed in our holy meetings, we shall see both the glory of God further inlarged, & the benefit of the church amplified. For here we hauehave also to our vnspeakable good, the Keyes of the Kingdome opening and shutting heauen; the power of binding or loosing of sinners. The authority of deliuering to Satan the obstinate sinners and releasing the penitent. Now what glory is it to the almighty when his iust sentence is before hand denounced against the vngodly of the earth? Where by him-selfe is cleared in his iudgement and the sinner more iustlie wrapped vp in the bandes of death which he had no care to preuent.
And on the other side no lesse comfort it is for the humble soule in the same Ministerie of the Word preached to bee fully released from sinne, and absolued from all his vnrighteousnesse, and assured that whatsoeuer such sentence is rightly pronounced in Earth is ratified also in Heauen.
These thinges beeing of such an high nature, as in which the publicke worshippe of GOD is performed to his so great glorie, and our own so great good, no marueil if Dauip be so instant in his desire: & yet these things were after a sort vailed and but shadowed in that ministry of the sanctuary. For the Arke it selfe was with curtaines, and there lay no high way vntounto it, no not for Dauid him-self: only men must look towards it in their prayers. And within that Arke were 1 Kings. 8. 9.hidde and chested vppe the tables of the couering representing the VVord, read and preached: In the Tabernacle also was the golden potte of Mannah a speciall type of our Sacraments: and the rod of Aaron shadowing the rod of the church Discipline. How much more should wee (were wee not so blockish as men hewne out of hard okes) reioyce in such an open and glorious face of Iesus Christ? Yea with the Prophet account it our Blessednesse to dwel Vers. 4.in the Lords house, where we may euer praise him: because hereby wee come nearest vntounto the life of iust and perfect men in heauen; to the which while wee frame our selues afore-hand, wee hauehave entred into some degree of their blessednesse, as also of our owne.
Thus farre wee hetherto discouered those beautyes of the house of God, both in respect of Persons present and holy thinges performed: which if men could see with bodily eyes, (as they cannot bee perceiued but by such as hauehave cleared eies) they would excite admirable louelove and affection towardes them.
Now we are to intreat of the priuiledges, and benefits which Gods people The priuiledges of Gods people in the assemblyes.reape by frequenting the same: and the rather that such as perhaps little regard the glory of God, shining in his ordinances, brighter then the Sunne in his strength, might yet for their owne aduantage and profitte bee perswaded with diligence and reuerence in this his house to seeke the face of the LORD.
Now although the priuiledges be as manyfold in number, as excellent in their quallity: yet I will content my selfe to note foure of them: and these foure rather then any other, because I see them to bee such as moued in the Prophet Dauid aboue all other these holy and ardent desires; as in eueryevery of them will plainely appeare.
First, the benefit of light and instruction. The first work that the Lord doth 1 Instruction.in these little worlds (as once in the great) is to seperate light and darknes in such as are in Christ created againe vntounto good workes. For which purpose the Lord him-selfe by his spirit becommeth the Schoolmaister of his people, teaching them to know him in himselfe in his Christ: to beleeue, to worke and walke. Heere in his house (setting a coppy to all maisters of familyes what to doe in their houses) hee openeth his treasures of wisdome, and teacheth no triuiall matters: But first, for their necessitie, matters of life and death. Second, for their dignitie such misteries as flesh and blood can neuer attayne vntounto; partly concerning God, as the doctrine of the Trinity. Partly concerning Christ, as of his incarnation, conception, vnion of his natures, and partly concerning our selues. As our resurrection, life eternall all which are matters of faith. Third, for their vse such as perswade the truth, preserue frō error, raize such as are faine, strengthen those that stand, comfort the afflicted, pacifie the conscience, confirme the certaine hope of life eternall, and deliuer the deeds of it into our hands: & indeed the benefit of our redemption and whole saluation by Christ were little worth without these holy meanes whereby it is reuealed and applyed vntounto vsus.
This is that benefit which our Prophet expresseth in the beginning of the verse following. For the LORD GOD is the Sunne That is look what the Sunne is to the World, that is the LORD GOD to his Church the Sunne of the World is not so necessary to lighten the day, as this Sunne of the Church to lighten the darkenesse and dungeon of the soules of men: without wc (seeing all our heauenly lght is from it) our estate is far more vncomfortable then that of the Egiptians in their Exod. 10. 23.three daies darkenesse: for here no man can all his dayes stirre out of the place where his naturall corruption hath sette him. And where shines this Sun but in the church, this is the Goshen Downe go Dagon and Diana before the Arke.where this light is: In the ministry especially it displayeth the beames of it.
Secondly, necessary prouision both for sustenance and safety of soule and 2. Sustenance and safety.body. First for the susteining of the soule heere, is milke, and stronger meat: here wee hauehave the Lord pouring out all his goodnesse: Here the great King prepareth a great supper, killeth his fatlings, prepareth his milke and wine, spreadeth his table, setteth on it Iesus Christ the bread and water of life: whose flesh is meat indeed; whose blood is drinke indeed: Here he by his ministers inuiteth and intreateth men to ye banquet: here he filleth the hungry and thirsty soule with good things: worketh new strēgth of life and grace; as reioycing in God; peace of good conscience, ioy in the holy Ghost, watchfulnesse against sinne, comfort in tribulation, quicknesse and strength in good duties, boldnesse in good causes, and a life led and finished in faith and obedience. Here the Lord clotheth the naked soule, and putteth on it the Lord Iesus Christ, whose righteousnesse becommeth the costly and comely rayment of it. Heere hee inricheth the poore soule with treasures of grace and godlynesse. Heere by the fire of his spirit hee warmeth and reuiueth the staruen soule. Here is the tree of life for the sicke soule, the leaues whereof serue to cure the nations. In a word; Christ offered and receiued in the Ministry, is food and Phisicke, cloth and warmth, wealth and health, life and length of daies, yea all in all vntounto the soule of all his beleeuing ones. And 2. for bodily food and rayment with other necessaries for the life present, although those who ar without ye church inioy them; yet they hauehave them not in that speciall blessing and comfort, as the members of the church; who 1. hauehave them by vertue of that special promise: First seeke the Kingdome of God, and other things shal be cast on you: & 2. hold them by a right and title in Christ: and 3. are taught how to imploy them to the glory of the giuer, all which make these blessinges good to them as they are in them-selues.
Secondly, for perfection and safety: 1. Spiritual, here is a shadow & sweete Satan foyled, armies of his forces discomfited.refuge against the whole wrath of God appeased by Christ: here we see sin subdued, death vanquished, righteousnes purchased, great deliuerance wrought for the soules of beleeuers: here we hauehave strength in temptation, and victory ouer our selues: for here is Gods grace reueled which is sufficient for vsus.
Now this saluation of God is not elswher to be heard off, but in the tidings which we bring; nor reuealed vntounto any but the true members of the church. In Mount Sion & in Ierusalem shall be deliuerance. As for temporal perfection: Ioel. 2. 32.whereas when men are cast out of the Icr. 15. 2.sight of God (as vnbeleeuers who are without the pale of Gods protectiō) they ly opē vntounto the sword, famine, captiuity, to the dogs to teare, to the foules of heauen, & the beasts of the field to deuour: so on the contrary the neerer God the surer of safety; for iudgements flye farre frō God. Hence is it that to the members of the church, safety is promised vnderunder the shadow of the winges of the almighty, especially while they are in the performāce of publick duties before the Lord, and it is worthy our obseruing that the Lord in making that law of the three feastes, wherein all the men three times eueryevery yeare must repaire before the Lord & continue each A far iourney of many daies trauel. A seruice of long continuance, seuen daies at a time, their wiues might be indangered, their virgins violated, their goods spoiled.time in his worshippe together many daies, preuenteth all their obiections: for they might say, but wil not this giuegive great aduantage to the enemy to watch such times to win their coūtries again, Which in any one of those three times in our so long absence from our houses, leauing none to defend thē but women & childrē they might easily enter vpō? Or were it not fit if there must be three such meetings yt the people of one prouince should assemble at one of them, & they of another at the second, and so in the third: then to leaue the whole coū try at once without men, and strength exposed to such certaine danger? No saith the Lord: come before me eueryevery man thrise a yeare, for no man shall desire thy land, when thou shalt appeare before the LORD Exodus, 34. 24, himself would be the strength of it at yt time, & so watch it as the enemy should not so much as desire it: the like we may obserue in their gathering of Mannah eueryevery day in ye morning wc was not only an obediēce vntounto gods cōmandemēt but a special resemblance and shadow of seeking Iesus Christ in ye parts of his worship. Now herein seemed to lie no smal danger towards them; For either the enimies wc were continually troublesom vntounto thē might take their camps whilst the whole host was abroad gathering Mannah, or else they might lye in ambush in the wildernes for the host about ye place wher the Mannah fell: yet for al their danger (& notwithstanding they had many skirmishes in ye wildernes) wee neuer read yt this was any disaduantage vntounto thē. The Lord so watched them & theirs, that neuer by their gathering of Mannah nor in that time and place they wer disparaged, no nor set vponupon: for the eye of the Lord is most vponupon them yt ar nearest vntounto him. Set thy selfe to gather Mannah in the ministry thou shalt not faile of Gods protection. And this the Prophet Dauid in the second place teacheth in the vers following. For God is the Sun and shield. And hereby he prouoked himself often into the presence of God in the assemblies, and the rather in that now he was so hunted out of eueryevery corner; and eueryevery day brought him more danger then other, that there was often but a step between him and death; hee had great cause to long after that defence and safety which the Lord reacheth out to such as hauehave libertye with good heartes to worship before him in his Temple. Thirdly, strong consolation for al conditions of life, euen such as otherwise 3 Comfort for all conditions.would be most vncōfortable. For when the people of God are compassed with such iudgements and terrors, whether without or within them, as they cannot tell what way to turne them; when changes of sorrowes come thicke and threefold one in the neck of an other: when whole armies of temptations besiege them; so as they see no way of issue & escape: here are they incouraged to set their eies vponupon ye Lord; who pittying them as a father the child which he loueth; wil not suffer them to sink in their sorrow; but holds them vp by the chin, that they perish not in their trouble. For heere come they to know 1. that the Lords manner is first to giuegive strength, and then the burden wc shal not bee aboue that strength. 2. that the Lord must rule in his house, and necessarily must administer out of his iustice as wel correction as reward, and draw euen his deare ones vntounto him as well by the rods of men, as by the cords of louelove; which is a singular prop vntounto their patience. So as they can be wel contented vnderunder it. 3. yt though their troubles be neuer so great, yet he will deliuer them out of al in due seasō. 4 that he wil make these afflictions soueraign and wholesom vntounto them; and turn euen their sufferings to their best; all things fall out to the best to them that Rom. 8. 28.louelove God. Thus the Lord maketh good his promise to such as conscionably seeke him in his ordinance, as one whom his mother comforteth so shall you in Ierusalem. Isa 66. 13. Psal. 119. 92.Whereas if the word were not their comfort they were sure to perish in their trouble.
Besides here the people of GOD reape the comfort of their prayers; for as a King receiueth petitions at the Court; or as a maister of a family is ready to heare and receiue all the complaintes and requestes of his children and seruantes: euen so the LORD in this house giueth free accesse vntounto him-selfe; and for their incouragement herein freely promiseth, that hee will bee ready to heare their prayers, behold their sighs, put their teares into his bottle, send no man awaie emptie, and cast none in the teeth for his importunity so it bee guided aright.
Seeing thererfore that heere are such consolations to bee attayned as the whole Worlde besides cannot giuegive, nor take away; so certaine, so seasonable, so spirituall, so perpetuall: Which of vsus hauehave not as much reason to wish the fruition of such a gratious presence of GOD were it but for one day, aboue all other all our dayes as Dauid did? This holy man well knewe that one day was but short in comparison of many dayes: But yet their reioycing with the Church in the Church assemblyes for one daie was worthily to bee preferred before the reioycing of many dayes without the Church; in that the waight of this ioy recompensed the shortnes of it self; & counteruailed the length of the other, being vnspeakably glorious. This third priuiledge is that wc he in the third place mentioneth as a steele spur to his affection: where in the next vers he addeth that the Lord is (not onelyonly the Sun & shield) but grace in his church, that is, gratiously accepteth in his Christ, 1. the persons, and then the prayers of such as are assembled in spirit & truth to worship him and call vppon his name.
Fourthly, Blessednes and saluation wc is not ordinarily out of these assemblies 4. Eternal happines.to be attained. A true saying it is, that, none can hauehave God his father, that hath not the church for his mother, neither can any testifie himselfe a childe of the Church; but by the dutiful acknowledgment of hir whensoeuer God shewes hir face. Whē Iacob was awake out of his sleepe in which the Lord had appeared vntounto him: Hee said, This is the house of GOD, this is the gate of heauen, in like manner may Gen▪ 28. 17.wee conceiue and speake of these places in which it pleaseth the LORD so gratiously to appeare vntounto vsus; this is no other then the gate; these are surely the suburbes of heauen. Out of Per portam ecclesiae intramus in portam paradifi August, de tempore serm. 137.the Church is no saluation, whosoeuer remained without the Arke, (a tipe of the visible Church) was drowned. The Lord sauēth none whom he first addeth not vntounto the Church. And the Scriptures attribute saluation (but yet ministerially) to the wombe, brests, and lappe of the Church, which is the Mother of vsus Gal. 4. 26.all. And of Sion is it sayd, that many are borne in her. And this last was not the Psal. 87. 5.least motiue which stirred in our holy Prophet these instant desires. The Lord is grace and glory; not onelyonly because the Lord is the glory of his people, here and hereafter; Nor that onelyonly in the Church the Lord reueileth his glorie, but also because he leadeth his children vntounto it by the meanes there by his wisdome appointed.
Now considering the places whereon our feete stand are holy ground, the persons present holy and glorious; the duties performed holy and spirituall; the priuiledges of Gods people so preacious and aboundant in all these regardes, can we doe lesse then wish our portions and shares in them? and doth it not now seeme a most reasonable and religious wish to spend if it were but one day here, rather then a thousand else-where? or shall wee still neede many goads to prouoke vsus to louelove, or rejoyce in Ierusalem, where wee may thus suck and bee satisfied with the brest of her consolation, where wee may milke out and bee delighted with the Isa. 66. 11.brightnesse of her glory?
If wee would hauehave our hearts iustifie vsus in this holy reioysing, our labour Vse. 1.must bee to see dayly further into these beauties of Gods house, which may rauish our hearts with the louelove of it aboue all other places in the earth.
The Scriptures not in a few places aduanceth and highly extolleth such assemblies A good hart would turne their eye to the beauties of Gods houseas wherein God and his people are mette together to the former purposes; and all that our hearts and affections might bee mooued to enquire and finde out such excellencies here, as the mouth of the Lord himselfe hath so frequently recommended vntounto vsus.
The Prophet Isay saith, that the Isa. 2. 2.house of the Lord is prepared in the top of the mountaines, and exalted aboue the hills. Which place may receiue some light by that comparison, which the Prophet Dauid maketh Psal. 66. 16betweene Mount Sion and mount Basan, and many other great hills. Why hoppe yee so yee hills? this is Gods hill. By Mountaines are meant the greatest Empires, and most flourishing Kingdomes of the earth abounding with wealth and power; which all in Basan are made inferiour to Sion: not that either in spaciousnesse of ground, or multitude, or goodnesse of people, or strength, or riches, or outward pompe and glory, Sion was comparable to any of them: for the kingdome of Israell was the least and fewest, and as badde and wicked Deut 7. 7. & 9. 4. 6.as any people vnderunder heauen: It was bounded and shutte vppe in a small modell and compasse of ground, and for strength and power, came farre short of the great kingdomes of Assyria, Aegipt, &c.
How then was it so aduanced and exalted aboue the mountaines? surely herein. This is Gods hill; and so made high aboue all nations, in praise, name, and glory. Gods dwelling in it was the wealth, strength and beauty, yea I adde the blessednesse of it: for blessed is that land whose God is the Lord. Thus also was Capernaum said to be lifted vp vntounto heauen, onelyonly in regarde of the presence, doctrine, and miracles of Christ. So in our Bethels God himselfe is the beauty and glory of eueryevery of them: his administration here farre excelling Salomon in all wisdome, the owner of it being the true Salomon, the God of Israel, who as a great housholder, out of his goodnesse fostereth, out of his wisdome teacheth, out of his power ruleth, and out of his rich mercy tendreth the complaints and requests of eueryevery one within his gates. In this house all the houshould seruants hauehave one liuery and garment, the righteousnesse of Christ to cloath them; all feed at the selfe same table, and eate childrens bread: all hauehave one elder brother Iesus Christ the first borne of many brethren: all hauehave one sort of seruants, the Angels who not onelyonly goe before them and at their heeles, but as a guard are pitched about them: all hauehave one inheritance, and become heyres and fellow heyres with Christ himselfe. The wisdome & glory of which whole administration if we could as well behold as the Queene of Seba did the orders in Salomons Court: we could not but account them blessed, that might here be admitted into place of seruice; to heare the wisdome of the King of glory, and Prince of peace, who dwelleth within these euerlasting doores: Which heauenly delights while men know not, no maruaile if they affect them not. But on the contrary, one comming to behold them in any euidence, as little maruaile is it, if with Dauid they would enioy them with exchange of all earthly pleasures. For who is it which hath neuer so little tasted of the goodnesse of God, that loues not the Lords habitation, and the place where his honor dwelleth? yee that thirsteth not after God and his presence, as the Hart brayeth after the Psal, 42. 1.riuers of water?
Secondly, if our hearts bee sound Vse. 2.in this reioysing, then can wee not but in heart and affection ioyne our selues vponupon all good occasions vntounto the Church of God in her meetings, as such as would pertake of her priuiledges, for this is a note of a conuerted person. The beleeuers continued Act. 2. 42.in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship, and breaking of bread and prayers. And if such multitudes of sundrie sortes of people, and such as could not finde their names in the genealogie, came out of Aegipt, and out of Babilon with the Israelites, onelyonly because they saw GODS blessing following that people: How much more should wee bee prouoked to ioyne our selues to such societies as are assembled to worshippe him in spirit and truth: seeing it is not any temporall blessing which runnes into our eye, but spirituall and eternall; neither any out-warde priuiledge, which wee alone may make account of (as they) but such as is inwarde and heauenly, yea such as rayseth vsus vntounto the condition of the sonnes of the liuing God,Hose. 1. 10
But those mens hearts are not right within them that neede but the Con…t.wagging of a strawe to keepe them from Church, much lesse of those who place their felicitie in turning away from GOD, from his ordinances, and the place of his true worshippe, what-so-euer their pretences may bee. And heere it shall not bee amisse to meete with some of them, especially such as are scarcely to be mette with-all euen there where some writers hauehave to verye fruitefull Preachers plea.purpose set them-selues to answere the most obiections of this kinde.
1. And first to admonish such as neede no other thing then theyr owne wilfulnesse to excommunicate and banish them-selues from the house of God, and assemblies of the faithfull. Of these the first sorte professe themselues touched with zeale of the Seperators.glory of GOD: they hauehave obserued the wilde beast of the Forrest to hauehave broken downe our hedge, throwne our pale to the ground; and with a prophane foote, troden downe and rooted vp all our holy things; they see no beauty, but all deformity and nakednesse in our Churches; which yet they will not vouchsafe that name; but sties of vncleane beasts, cages of filthy birds, and rudiments of Babilon. Thus they vexe themselues aboue measure, in seeking Ministers, callings, people of God, and Churches: and because they cannot finde a man in the market, they seperate from our assemblies.
To which I answer, that though it be It is inough for thy Church to be without spotte or wrinckle in heauen.not the condition of our or any Church to be free from all blemish and spotte, yet is hee as blinde as a Mole, and palpably deluded, that can espy no beautie therein. What? is our Mother so black as shee hath no comlinesse? or because perhaps she wants some beautie, hath shee lost her face? sure I am, that where there is the face of God in the midst of his people there is a face of the Church: and where God is present, there is the house of God: But in our assemblies wee hauehave God present teaching his people: yea wee hauehave Christ present in the word and Sacraments, euen crucified before our eyes, who is the image of his Father. Wee hauehave the presence of the blessed spirit of God (which they cannot deny) enlightning the vnderstandings, softning the hearts, comforting the consciences; powring forth his graces of faith, of hope, of louelove, and that in aboundant manner in this his owne ordinance vponupon many thousand soules which are dayly added vntounto the Church: and therefore whatsoeuer wee yet want, let vsus thankfully acknowledge that wee want not the presence of God, nor the house of God, nor the face of God, before which his people present themselues with liberty, and protection ioyning together in the pure worship of his name, to his endlesse praise, and their owne vnspeakable comfort.
Howsoeuer therefore Sathan worketh according to his accustomed craft to trouble our sight; let vsus bee more wise and wary then to bee ledde from the beholding of the face of God, and so wilfully depart from this our reioysing.
And let such as are so readye to bee mislead, acknowledge with thankfulnesse their spirituall father that begat them to God: their Mother the Church that bare them: her brests the Testaments that gaue them milke, and that shee is not since their birthe so weakened, but that shee is as able to preserue them as to bring them forth: and to feede them with stronger meate, so to bring them to their tallnesse in Christ.
2. An other sorte of them who Reeusants.wilfully by excommunicating themselues out of our assemblies, deliuer them-selues to Sathan, are Popish minded persons, who because they cannot see neither their little breaden God in our Sacraments; nor their wooden guilded Gods in our worshippe: and because they cannot heare GOD speake Latin in our Churches; nor our Ministers inuocating Saints and Angels in our Prayers: therefore sure heere are no foote-steppes of GOD: nor so much as the rudements of his worshippe and seruice: hence they refuse all communication with vsus in Papists must see their God because they cannot beleeue him.worde, Sacraments, Prayers, and Church seruice; and ioyne themselues in a worshippe wherein they neede not bee at the paines to seeke a God sitting so high as in the heauens, seeing they can hauehave him at home in a boxe; who if hee chance to putrifie or corrupt; or bee deuoured of Mice, they can hauehave a new one made by the Priest and Baker together eueryevery day.
A worshipp in which if they hauehave Implicit faith.no knowledge, no faith of their owne, the knowledge and faith of the Church will besteede them; nay if they can beleeue as the Church beleeues, although they knowe not what the Church dooth beleeue: a worshippe wherein if they neyther can praye them-selues, nor yet gette CHRIST to bee an intercessor for them: yet they canne procure a thousand Mediatours besides of Saints, Angels; and if these should faile, they hauehave the Virgin Mary at a dead lift to command her sonne in the right of a Mother to clemencie. A worship wherein if they can neither abstaine from sinne, nor yet repent of it in truth, yet if they can pay well, a little pennance shall acquit them. A worship wherein if they neuer were good, nor did good: yet their Church hath a treasurie, which (vponupon another condition,) can supply them of good workes, which some man who in his life time was too good bequeathed to such purposes. Oh vaine worship, and full of delusion, not more plausible to the corrupt nature of man, then dishonorable to the high Maiestie of God!
And were these things true, who could blame him that hath resolued to liue and dye a Papist? but alas that poore soules should bee held in such chaines of darknesse and death! The Lord in his good time open the prison doores, and strike off the boults from so many as belong to him, that they may see them-selues set free from such woefull estate, as wherein they laye bound by Sathan and his instruments euen vnderunder damnation.
And yet more fearefull is the condition of such of them as hauehave had their error discouered by the cleere sunne-shine of the Gospell, and yet are setled vponupon their lees, vponupon no better ground then like so many Barzillaes, 2. Sam. 19. 35.that they hauehave beene so long accustomed to the worse, that they despise the better; their sences are past them, they cannot taste the truth, they cannot see the wisdome of GOD shining round about them, they cannot heare the voyce of the charmer; in Gilead they will dye, before they will choose to liue in Ierusalem: in superstition they began; they continue in error; they will dye in wilfull blindnesse, and will bee buryed in the graues of the idolatrie of their fore-fathers.
The Lord once appeared to Iacob, but hee was not aware of it, the Gen. 28. 16reason was because hee was a sleepe: the Text saith. Then Iacob awooke out of his sleepe and said, surely the Lord is in this place and I was not aware, and this is the case of many a superstitious person.
God appeareth vntounto his Israell in Bethel in his house: but they are not aware of him, they see him not, they will not beleeue hee is among vsus. But what is the reason? not because hee is not there; but because they are a sleepe and in their dreames; but if euer GOD awaken them, they will bee able to vtter Iacobs confession: and vponupon better aduise to say: How fearefull is this place? It is no other but the house of God, and this is the gate Verse. 17.of heauen.
3. Others are more prophane and secure, then wilfull and refractarie, and though not so much hatred, yet little more louelove bewrayeth it selfe in them then in former sortes: and least they should seeme also to bee madde with-out reason; they are not without sundry coulours and pretenses which they thinke are reasonable inough to absent them-selues from our assemblies. And therefore they aske; What can wee not bee Christians Ob.vnlesse wee trotte so often to Church? hauehave wee not the Scriptures and other good bookes at home to reade vppon, can wee not praye at home?
Ans. They may aswell aske; Can Good christians cannot be heauie to the Church.wee not hauehave an haruest vnlesse wee hauehave a seede time; and raine, yea the first and latter raine? or can wee not liue vnlesse wee hauehave meate? I say no: No more canst thou bee a Christian vnlesse thou take the ordinary meanes appointed by GOD, and vnlesse thou subiect thy selfe to that pollicy and order which God hath set in his Church. Wouldest thou goe for a good subiect, and yet not submit thy selfe to any of the Kings lawes? God hath set vsus a publicke ministerie in his Church, and hath appointed Pastors, & teachers for thy gathering if thou belongest to life: and is it meet that any priuate exercise should crosse so publicke ordinances? No the wisdome of GOD admitteth no such inconuenience in making his lawes, and deliuering his orders vntounto his Church.
Ob. But though it cannot bee denied, but it is some-times good to goe heare a Sermon: yet what neede so much preaching? what, would men hauehave vsus Saints on earth? our fore-fathers (who wee hope are well, and wish our selues no better) neuer were troubled with Sermons, and our selues hauehave liued some thirtie, fortie, fiftie, or A needlesse allegation that so much preaching is not needfull.sixtie yeares in good case and credit, and yet were neuer so forward to run to Sermons; wee hope to GOD wee can learne to louelove God aboue all, and our neighbour as our selues, and pray to God, and carry good hearts to God-ward without all this a doe.