Prototypes, Example 9
THE NINTH EXAMPLE.
OF SARAH, HAGAR.
AS Abraham is called the Father of the faithfull, ſo it is alſo ſaid to Godly woemen concerning Sarah, 1 Pet. 3.6.whoſe daughters yee are as long as yee doe well, &c. So that ſhee is honoured with this title of being the mother of beleevers, as hee was the Father. Having therefore ſet before you the example of Abraham, wee proceede to conſider the example of Sarah his wife. Let us ſee 1. Her birth, 2. Her life, 3. Her death.
Concerning her birth, her Father is knowne,Sarahs birth. her Mother is not knowne. Shee had the ſame Father with Abraham, not the ſame Mother, for ſo he telleth Abimelech ſaying, Gen. 20.12. Shee is indeed my ſiſter, the daughter of my Father, not the daughter of my mother, and ſhee became my wife. For as yet God had not forbidden to marry with any of the kindered of ones fleſh as after hee did, ſo that as yet hee might lawfully take his ſiſter by the one ſide to be his wife, the conſort of his bed; and ſhee was borne 10. yeares after Abraham, for it is noted, that when Iſaac was borne, ſhee was 90. yeares of age and he a 100. So was ſhe 10. yeares younger then himſelfe, and he exceeded her in age 10. yeares, as it is meete though not neceſſary, that the husband be ſomewhat elder then his wife, Gen. 21.5. Abraham was a hundred yeares old when his ſonne Iſaac was borne to him. Gen. 17.17. Shall Sarah that is ninety yeares old beare? ſo it is manifeſt, that there was the difference of ten yeares betwixt Abraham and Sarah. And this is all we have to ſay of her Birth.
Her life.Now concerning her life, wee will looke into her carriage good and bad, and then to the things that befell her good and bad.
1. Her vertues 1. Her faith.Firſt then for that which was good in her, in reſpect of God, man, and her ſelfe. For God, ſhee is commended for her faith, for the Author to the Hebrewes telleth us,Heb 11.11. That by faith ſhee received ſtrength to conceive ſeede, and was delivered of a ſonne when ſhee was paſt age, becauſe ſhee was perſwaded that hee was faithfull which had promiſed, where you ſee the nature of faith, it is an acknowledging of Gods faithfullneſſe, a giving him the honour of his faith, and ſetting to ones ſeale that God is true. Faith cauſeth the minde of a man to ſubmit it ſelfe to the Word of God, and to be aſſured that hee can and will keepe promiſe, for to the promiſe of God it looketh principally, and this faith will cauſe a man to receive power from God to doe thoſe things, which otherwiſe of himſelfe he wanted all power to doe. This faith will make a weake man ſtrong, it will put fruitfullneſſe into a barren wombe, and life and ſtrength into a dead body, it will make a barren ſoule fruitfull in good workes, and make the heart to conceive the Word ſo as to bring forth the fruit of good living, whereto of it ſelfe it is as unable, as a body paſt age is unapt to bring forth a childe. Conſider therefore, whether you have gotten ſuch a faith into your hearts, as makes you fruitfull of good workes. If we beleeve Gods promiſes faithfully, it will ſub-miniſter ſtrength to produce all ſorts of good workes, which otherwiſe the heart of it ſelfe would never produce. For he that beleeveth Gods promiſes ſhall obtaine ſtrength from God to obey his holy Commandement, and according to the ſtrength of it, to abound in good workes of all ſorts. Faith is a ſtrong grace and puts a new power into the ſoule by which it ſhall be fit to doe good workes. We have more largely diſcourſed of the nature of faith in the Example of Abraham, who is alſo commended for faith.
Then Sarah in reſpect of Abraham her husband had two worthy vertues.2. Shee obeyed her husband. Firſt, ſhee obeyed Abraham her husband. Secondly, ſhee reverenced him, and that in her heart and tongue too, for ſhee called him Sir when ſhee thought of him in heart. Her obedience ſhewed it ſelfe in a cheerefull forwardneſſe to prepare things neceſſary to entertaine Angels that came unto her in the likeneſſe of men, for it is ſaid,Gen. 18.6. Abraham haſted into the Tent to Sarah, and bad her quickly make ready three meaſures of fine flower and make cakes upon the hearth, which ſhee did accordingly without grumbling or deferring. Shee did not oppoſe her husband and demand, husband, you know not what theſe men be? nor whence they come? why ſhould you make ſuch care to prepare for them? but without any more adoe, at her husbands commandement, ſhee gate all things ready according to his deſire. This is a commendable thing in a wife, and is to be followed by all you godly women, who would be counted daughters of Sarah; if your husbands wiſh you to doe things honeſt and lawfull, you muſt addreſſe your ſelves not to make your objections, but to yeeld your cheerefull obedience according to S. Pauls commandement, that ſaith,1 Pet. 3.1. Wives bee ſubject to your husbands in all things.
If any ſay, that this was but a ſmall matter.
I anſwer, true, but it is reported as it were a taſte of her good diſpoſition in this matter, and a ſigne of her dutifull obedience, the glory whereof the Holy Ghoſt giveth her more generally, ſaying, that ſhee obeyed her husband, meaning,1 Pet. 3.6. conſtantly and generally ſhee ſubmitted her ſelfe and was obedient.
Secondly, it is noted of her, that ſhee reverenced her husband,3. Shee reverenced her husband. which is alſo commanded to wives by S. Paul, ſaying, Let the wife ſee that ſhee feare her husband. Loe it is earneſtly charged upon women, they muſt looke to it that they yeeld it: Let the wife, that is, every wife, ſee, that is, carefully looke to it, and not make ſhifts or pretend excuſes, but ſee, that ſhee doe it, even feare her husband.
There is a double feare,A double feare one which maketh one tremble and flie from the thing feared as hurtfull and miſchievous, ſo as men doe feare a Lyon or Beare, to runne from him as faſt as they can, that hee may not teare us in pieces, ſuch a feare as this is not required. Another feare is, feare of offending, wronging, or grieving the perſon feared, flying and ſhunning all ſuch things as would diſpleaſe him and make him conceive with diſlike an irreſpectiveneſſe of him. This is the feare of the wife, not to dare to diſpleaſe her husband or anger him, not ſo much leaſt he ſhould flie upon her with reproofes and blowes, as leaſt ſhee ſhould be an inſtrument of griefe to one, whom ſhee loveth and honoureth by her undutifullneſſe and rudeneſſe. And it muſt be noted that ſhee did ſo reverence him as to call him Lord. And how did ſhee call him Lord? not in ſpeaking to him, or in ſpeaking of him before others, by whom it might be told him againe what ſhee had ſaid, but when ſhee thought of him or ſpake of him with the inward ſpeech of her heart, which none could relate againe, but God who hath related this to her praiſe. For that title ſhee gave him even in her inward cogitations, when ſhe ſaid in her ſelfe at the hearing of the Angels promiſe, that ſhe ſhould have a ſon,Gen. 18.12. Shall I have pleaſure after I have waxed old, my Lord being old alſo.
So the reverence of a good wife ſhould be hearty, and cauſe her when ſhee doth but thinke, of her husband, even then to give a title of due reſpect. Wherefore to give rude and undecent termes to an husband, ſuch as would but become a Miſtreſſe ſpeaking to her bondman, Ned, Iacke, Dick, Tom, Robbin, is even a little too much familiarity in a wife, favouring of ſome degree of contempt.
The ground of theſe two duties, reverence and obedience, is the image of God in the husband: For he doth ſtand in Gods roome over her, becauſe as Chriſt is the Head of his Church, ſo is the husband the wives head, 1 Cor. 11.3, 7and the woman is the glory of the man, meaning, one that is made to bring ſome glory and honour to him.
Now by this fruit of Sarahs obedience which the Holy Ghoſt hath noted, it is prooved that Sarah was huſwifely in her houſe, even as a woman that could ſtirre about in her family, and looke to the diſpatching of neceſſary affaires by her ſervants and them in her family. For had ſhee beene a coy and nice or idle and ſloathfull dame, ſhee would neither have dreſſed meale, nor kneaded it, nor made cakes of it, nor ſeene to the baking of them, nor yet have followed her maid-ſervants, and looked that they ſhould have beene diligent in this buſineſſe.
… Shee was a loving Mother and nurſed Iſaac her ſelfe. Gen. 21.7.Further in reſpect of her ſonne Iſaac, ſhee was a very loving Mother and nurſed him with her owne breaſts, and thought it a duty for her ſo to doe, for ſo it is noted of her that ſhee ſaid by way of thankefull wondering at the benefit, who would have ſaid to Abraham that Sarah ſhould have given children ſuck? for I have borne him a ſonne in his old age, as if ſhee confeſſed, that giving a childe ſucke ſhould not be ſeparated from bearing him. And indeed nature doth manifeſtly call upon women for this duty, for to what purpoſe hath God given them breſts? as it were bottles, at that time repleniſhed with ſuch a fit and well pleaſing foode for the babe, ſurely not to milke out on the ground, not to draw it backe by medicines and devices, but to give it to the new inhabitant of the world, with whom it came into the world. So ſoone as a woman hath a childe in her wombe ready to bring forth, ſhee hath alſo milke in her breſts fit for its feeding, and is not this as much, as if the Lord ſhould ſpeake unto her and ſay, I would have you take care to bring up this childe which thou haſt brought forth, with this nouriſhment, which I have laid up in ſtore for it, for ſurely God and nature make nothing in vaine. This loving part of Sarah is more conſiderable in reſpect of her age and her greatneſſe of eſtate and houſehold, for ſhee was ninety yeares old, and might in that reſpect have ſeemed warranted to have given her ſelfe a diſpenſation from this ſervice, and to have ſaid, ſhould a woman of mine age endure the labour of watching and waking and looking to a childe, and induring all its froward fits and a number of attendance? why may I not ſet it to a younger woman ſtronger and better able to doe it then my ſelfe? Shee was wife to Abraham, a man of great place and ſtate, fellow to a King, with whom Kings ſought to be in covenant, and ſhould ſuch a woman as I? might ſhee have objected, ſubmit my ſelfe to this meane and laborious office, may not I hire another to doe it for mee? mine husband, might, ſhee have ſaid; is a great man and withall hoſpitall. If he bring in men of place and faſhion, muſt I be hindred from intertaining them by dandling a childe and being made unhandſome and unfit for company with tending a babe? might not another doe this as well as I? of whom ſuch intertaining would not be expected. Againe, have I not a very great houſehold? muſt I leave the care of looking to them for ſuckling of a childe? which another ordinary body may doe as well as my ſelfe, that will not perform the duty of over-ſeeing mine houſe. Sarah made no ſuch excuſes, but when ſhe had borne Abraham a ſonne ſhee would alſo give the childe ſucke. And truly, this duty is a very good duty, and grounded upon very good reaſon; For who doth not ſee? that it is a very great meanes of cauſing Mothers to grow in tenderneſſe of love to their children, and ſo of making children afterwards more dutifull to them.
Laſt of all,5. Shee apparelled her ſelfe modeſtly. Sarah in regard of her ſelfe did apparell her ſelfe with modeſt and not over-coſtly attire, for S. Peters words propound her to bee imitated by the good women in that particular, ſaying,1 Pet. 3.5. ſo did the godly women that feared God in former time attire themſelves as Sarah, and ſhee is manifeſtly brought in for a patterne of this vertue, even decent, not flaring nor over-chargeable garments. The Holy Ghoſt hath given women warning in two places of this duty both by the pen of S. Paul and S. Peter, 1 Pet. 3.3.4.whoſe adorning (ſaith he) let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the haire, wearing of gold, and putting on of apparell, but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in the ornament of a meeke and quiet ſpirit, and S. Paul ſaith, Not with braided haire, or gold, or pearles, or coſtly attire, 1 Tim. 2.9, 10but as beſeemeth women profeſsing godlineſſe with good workes, meekeneſſe, quietneſſe, good workes, theſe muſt be the jewels and ornaments of a good woman, gaudie and wanton tricks of frizling, platting, curling the haire, and ſumptuoſity in gallant things and chargeable muſt not be looked after by good women. This tricking and trimming doth nothing but allure the eyes of beholders, and call wanton eyes to play with them. It doth nothing but ſpeake forth their haughtineſſe and ſelfe-conceit.
I know it is lawfull for women of rich eſtate and high place to weare jewels, ſilke, purple, ſcarlet, gold, ſilver, but women muſt be ſure not to be given to ſuch things, nor to be more coſtly then their husbands purſes and places will beare, nor to be ſumptuous this way, that if their coſtes about workes of mercy were laid in ballance againſt their coſt in attire, the former would proove in a manner nothing to the latter.
For moſt times it prooves true, no women more niggardly and pinching to any good worke of bounty or mercy, then thoſe that are moſt coſtly and finiſh in their coates. Thoſe that are ſo curious and coſtly in attire, are hard and neere in good workes, and ſo doe gaine to themſelves reproach and contempt in ſteed of that credit and good eſteeme, which they thinke their garments doe bring them.
You ſee Sarahs vertues, compare your ſelves with her now. And thoſe that finde themſelves like her in ſome degree, viz. faithfull in beleeving Gods Word, eſpecially his promiſes, obedient and reverent to their husbands, that have nurſed their owne children, and doe not curiouſly and ſumptuouſly ſet up themſelves in their attire; Let them be commended, let their conſciences approove them and give them comfort in being found like to this godly Matrone. It is an excellent thing to tread in the paths of thoſe women Gods owne pen hath renowned for gratious and vertuous, and hath borne witneſſe of their uprightneſſe and ſalvation We may with ſome good warrant promiſe our ſelves to obtaine favour of God and eternall life with them, whoſe godly converſation we have followed. Shee that looking her ſelfe in this glaſſe of Sarah findes her ſelfe to reſemble her in faith, in obedience, and reverence toward her husband, in doing ſuch good offices to her children, and in comely and not over-coſtly arraying her ſelfe muſt bleſſe the name of God, that hath faſhioned her carriage according to the mould of ſo excellent perſons. But thoſe that inſteed of theſe vertues, ſhall finde themſelves deformed and diſguiſed with the contrary vices, are to be greatly aſhamed and humbled, and admoniſhed to repent. And all the women that would have the comfort of being daughters to Sarah, muſt labour to get theſe graces and to abound in them. See that you be dutifull and good wives, and pray to God to make you ſuch as was Sarah.
Sarahs faults. 1. Shee was weake in faithAnd now let us conſider the weakeneſſes of Sarah. Firſt, ſhee was weake in faith, for this cauſed her to give Hagar to Abraham her husband, and ſo to bring the ſinne of Poligamy into the Church of God wherewith it may ſeeme it was not polluted before. Shee doubted leaſt her ſelfe ſhould not be fruitfull, and therefore brought Hagar to him, to trie whether the promiſed ſeed might come of her, and yet once more ſhee bewrayed more unbeleefe, when the Angell of God told Abraham in her hearing, that he ſhould have a ſonne by her at the time of life, ſhee laughed at the promiſe of God as at a thing ridiculous and impoſſible,Gen. 18 12. ſaying, After I am old ſhall I have pleaſure? Ver. 11.and my Lord being old alſo, for the Scripture ſaith, Shee was old and it ceaſed to be with her after the manner of women. See how when God promiſed a thing in nature and reaſon utterly impoſſible, ſhee ſo farre forgat the Omnipotent power of God, as to think ſure it could never come to paſſe, though God had promiſed it, and the Angell reprooved her,Ver. 14. ſaying. Shall any thing be impoſsible with God?
Thus the people of God doe ſometimes ſtagger at the promiſe of God through unbeleefe, when God ſaith one thing and reaſon ſaith the contrary, they conſult with fleſh and bloud, and credit their owne reaſon above the authority of God which ſpeaketh to them. This is a great fault, and tendeth much to the diſhonour of God, as if his power were limited by the rules of reaſon, or by the courſe of nature, and did not exceede our reaſon and ſtand quite above the power of nature. Wee muſt ſee this ſinne in our ſelves, labouring to be humbled at it but not diſcouraged, for this weakeneſſe of faith may well ſtand with the truth of faith, not he hath no faith at all who is many times troubled with doubting, but he which yeelds to it and is overcome by it.
Wee muſt alſo ſtrive to waxe ſtrong in faith, by putting our ſelves in minde of Gods Omnipotency and faithfullneſſe, as Sarah did at length, for the Apoſtle witneſſeth,Heb. 11.11. that ſhee judged him faithfull which had promiſed, and thoſe promiſes which we muſt labour ſtedfaſtly to beleeve, are the promiſes of God to pardon our ſinnes, and write his Law in our hearts, and to make us able to walke in his waies, and crowne us at laſt with life and glory, nonwithſtanding our ſinnes and imperfections. Though the performance of theſe promiſes ſeeme to us as impoſſible as that a dry woman ſhould be a mother, yet we muſt labour to reſt upon them, becauſe of the fidelity of him that hath promiſed to perfect his power in our weakeneſſe.
Another fault of Sarahs, was this,2. Shee being …ngry, …al…ely acc…ſed her husband. Gen. 16.5. that once ſhee forgat her ſelfe to her husband, and was full of anger and diſcontent, wrongfully charging him to take her maides part againſt her, ſaying, My wrong he on thee for I have given my maide into thy boſome, and now I am deſpiſed in her ſight. It was true, that Hagar did ſleight her too much, but that Abraham was guilty of this fault by bearing out Hagar in it, that was altogether falſe, as his anſwer prooveth plainely, for hee ſaith, thy maide is in thine hand, doe with her what thou wilt. Verſe 6.So Sarahs anger made her uſe falſe accuſations againſt her husband.
Be humbled yee wives, if you have chafed with your husbands and carried your ſelves injuriouſly towards them in words, Sarah did this, but ſhe did it not oft, it was this one time alone, ſo farre as we read, in other things ſhee behaved her ſelfe meekely and reverently. O looke to your ſelves, that you offend not continually in that thing wherein this good woman offended once alone, and no more, for this once was even too much, keepe downe anger therefore and let it not breake out againſt your husbands.
And you husbands, learne though your wives doe tranſgreſſe ſometimes, not to be harſh with them againe, but heale their errours with the ſpirit of meekeneſſe as Abraham alſo did. Shee muſt blame her ſelfe, but ſhee may bee indued with grace for all this.
But another weakeneſſe of Sarah is,3. Shee was ſomewhat too rough with Hagar. that ſhee was ſomewhat too rough with Hagar, inſomuch that Hagar could not indure it, for if ſhee was ſo violent in words with Abraham, what doe you thinke her carriage was to the maide, yea ſhee was ſomething too earneſt againſt Iſhmael and her too, when nothing would ſerve her, but that ſhe muſt have them both together caſt out of doores. For though God bad Abraham doe according to her words, it followeth not thence, that ſhe was not overpaſſionate in it. God for a miſterie would have it done, and yet Sarah might offend in doing it. So good people are apt to be overharſh to them that wrong them, and exerciſe too much bitterneſſe againſt them.
4. She diſſembled at her husbands requeſt.Another fault of Sarahs was, that ſhee diſſembled at her husbands requeſt, and that two ſeverall times, ſaying ſhee was his ſiſter, and ſo ſaying it, that thoſe to whom ſhee ſpake, might thinke ſhee was none of his wife, for that was the intention both of Abraham and Sarah. It is a weakeneſſe in wives ſometimes to be led by their huſbands, to doe that that is evill, and to joyne with them in ſinne. Here Sarah hazarded her chaſtitie to content her husband, to ſatisfie his feares, ſhe was like to have brought her ſelfe and others into a fearefull ſinne.
This fault muſt be reformed by good wives amongſt others, and they muſt reſolve not to ſinne againſt God for their husbands ſakes, fearing his diſpleaſure more then the danger of their husbands or their anger. Indeede in laying nay to ſuch motions of their husbands, they muſt uſe reverence, and do it in a calme and quiet manner, but refuſe they muſt, being warned by the example of Sarah.
5. She lyed.Sarahs laſt fault was, that ſhee denied her laughter to the Angell, when ſhee had ſinned in laughing. To lye in a paſſion for feare of blame, denying that one hath done a thing which indeed one hath done, that ſo one may eſcape reprehenſion or correction, is a ſinne to which mans nature is very ſubject, ſpringing from the want of the feare of God, and from an exceſſive carnall love to ones ſelfe, and deſire of his owne temporall ſafety. This fault you may reade, Gen. 18.15. Reade it not to doe the like, but to amend it and to be moved to repent of it, if you have committed it.
Now then let us reflect upon our ſelves, and conſider of our owne carriage, both to condemne the like faults in our ſelves, and to beare with them in others without bitter cenſuring, and ſo we ſhall profit by the knowledge of their evill deedes.
Sarahs benefits.Now let us conſider the benefits that Sarah enjoyed, Shee had all thoſe common benefits of health and ſtrength and the like, which God doth uſually beſtow upon all men, but beſides ſhe enjoyed excellent benefits.
1. Shee vvas a holy vvoeman.The firſt, that God gave her faith and ſaving grace, pardoned and paſſed by her offences, and ſanctified her and hath ſaved her ſoule, notwithſtanding her faults. This is the mercy of mercies, that God pleaſeth to ſanctifie and pardon, and ſave a man, for if he be ſanctified he is pardoned and ſhall be ſaved, what profit hath any one of other things if he want this, and ſo be damned for ever, after a little content enjoyed here.
Let us therefore labour to finde this goodneſſe of God to us, let us humbly pray him that made Sarah godly, to make us ſo too. If when we reade of this worke of his grace to others, we praiſe him for it, he will graunt it to us as well as to them. The Lord is able to make any other man or woeman godly as well as Sarah. Shee had as bad a nature, and as unable to make her ſelfe good as wee have, for ſhe alſo was a daughter of Adam. Therefore if you find your ſelves yet not to be indued with faith and holineſſe, take notice of theſe wants, and goe to the throne of grace for grace, beſeeching the Lord to fulfill his covenant to you, in giving you his Spirit to make you his children, and it ſhall be unto you according to your conſtant and humble ſupplications.
And thoſe whom God hath beene pleaſed to deale ſo graciouſly with, let them heartily and conſtantly praiſe him, labouring to make all croſſes ſeeme nothing to them in compariſon of this benefit. Say, though I bee poore, deſpiſed, afflicted, yet God hath given mee ſome faith and ſome holineſſe, and begun to ſanctifie and will preſerve me in this eſtate to life eternall. What cauſe have I to be diſcouraged at croſſes; to make one truely godly, though they be not without their faults, is the worthieſt of all mercies. In Heaven the Saints rejoyce in God, and are not interrupted in his ſervice, by remembrance of former afflictions, we one earth ſhould labour ſo to be glad in hope of that eternall weight of glory, that neither feeling of preſent miſeries nor feare of future, ſhould much hinder us therein.
Secondly, Sarah had a godly husband,2 Shee had a godly and rich husband that was well eſteemed. and did partake with him of his riches, honours, credit and all the good things which hee enjoyed. This is a great favour to a wife, if ſhe be married to a good and holy man, and a man alſo of convenient eſtate and good eſteeme, that ſhe may be comforted by his goodneſſe, ſhewing it ſelfe in good carriage towards him, and may taſte the ſweetneſſe of his good and of his credit. To have an yoake-fellow that can patiently beare with ones wants, that is diligent and truſty, and ſo provideth for his family that nothing is wanting to her ſelfe and family, that lives in ſo good repute as ſhe for his ſake is better reſpected; in a word, ſuch a one as is a comfort and credit to her, a ſaviour of his body as indeed the husband ſhould be, is a ſingular benefit. She hath a great bleſſing that hath ſuch a husband, and muſt not forget to be much and often thankfull, yea though in ſome things he may be faulty, to the hurting, and hazarding, and bringing croſſes both upon himſelfe and her, as twice Abraham did though an excellent man. Take notice of his favour, and learne to be carefull in doing your duties, ſo much the rather, becauſe your husbands be vertuous.
But next, ſhe had Iſaac at length,3. Shee had a godly childe. if God give a woman children and good children, godly and holy, partakers of the bleſſing of God in their ſoules, that is a benefit to the wife as well as to the husband, She ſhall have joy of ſuch a child as well as hee, both the parents of righteous children ſhall have joy of them. Let woemen as well as men acknowledge this mercy, wee ſee that thoſe which are croſſed in children are much troubled at it, ſhould not thoſe whom God doth free from that little croſſe, giving them the contrary mercy, learne to praiſe and rejoyce in him for it?
4. God delivered her twice out of a miſery into which ſhe had caſt herſelfe.But further, God did vouchſafe to deliver her twice out of that miſerie into which twice ſhe had caſt her ſelfe, by her owne fault. If any one by their owne unbeleefe, carnall feares, or other evill behaviour, have thruſt themſelves into the brambles, and God by his ſpeciall providence and care hath granted them an happy iſſue and eſcape, they muſt even admire and applaud Gods goodneſſe, that hath ſo undeſervedly pittied them, and paſſing by their faults hath carried himſelfe fatherly to them. Sarah by ſaying I am Abrahams ſiſter, procured, that ſhe was taken by Pharaoh to be his wife, God hindered Pharaoh from comming neere her, and after by a dreame warned him of the matter, and ſo hee diſmiſſed Sarah untouched. After ſhe offended in like manner againe, and againe the Lord in like manner delivered her: what a graciouſneſſe of God was this? She knew not in the world what to doe, ſhe had intangled her ſelfe in a ſnare and could not get out, now God hee ſets in, hee breaketh the ſnare and ſets her at liberty. Without doubt Sarah and Abraham both were exceeding glad of this eſcape, and praiſed God for it.
If by the meere providence of God without any fault of our hand, miſeries breake in upon us, and then we crie to God and be reſcued, we have cauſe to acknowledge it as a great favour. How much more then when he drawes us out of the evills into the which we have ſinnefully thruſt our owne ſelves, ſending ſome ſuch meanes of helpe as we could never conceive of, or procure to our ſelves. Call to mind ſuch deliverances, to praiſe God with great fervency and humility for them, and learne both to truſt upon his goodneſſe after the more ſtedfaſtly, eſpecially, if more then once wee have thus inſnared our ſelves, and more then once the Lord hath pittied us and helped us, we muſt never ceaſe wondering at his goodneſſe, reſolving alſo to take heed of ever provoking him by like folly, for he that can open the doore of danger, when we our ſelves by ſeeking ſinnefully to eſcape ſome other evill, have locked it upon our ſelves, can ſurely, yea and will keepe us if we doe caſt our ſelves upon him, and refuſe to take up ſinnefull and unlawfull ſhifts. Could not the Lord have found a good and holy way of ſaving Abrahams life and Sarahs chaſtitie? of reſtraining the cruelty of theſe men as well as their wantonneſſe: If God can helpe out of reall and preſent danger beyond our hopes, he can ſurely keepe us out of feared and imaginary dangers aboue our thoughts.
And if any of Gods people have wound themſelves into croſſes, they muſt not be diſmayed from ſeeking to God for helpe, by aggravating their croſſes with this thought, O fooliſh and ſinnefull man, I have pulled it upon my ſelfe by my folly, how can I expect helpe from him? but moſt humbly acknowledge their owne folly and yet take boldnes to ſue to him for mercy, both to pardon and to helpe them.
Theſe be the ſpeciall benefits given to Sarah. Now her croſſes muſt be conſidered.
Firſt, She was barren a long time, this was a croſſe to her no doubt,Sarahs croſſes▪ 1. She was barren a long time. becauſe of her earneſt deſire to have childeren, and becauſe as I ſaid of Abraham, the hope of her ſalvation did hang upon the fruit of her wombe. Barrenneſſe is ſuch a croſſe you ſee as hath befallen a godly woeman. Let them therefore that are exerciſed with it, learne to beare it with patience, and labour to get hearts ſo much more fruitfull of good workes, that ſuch ſpirituall fruitfulneſſe may make amends for the want of the fruit of their bodies. If God make not a woeman to beare children, but make her pious and godly, able to bring forth the fruits of the ſpirit in that ſpirituall marriage betwixt Chriſt and her, ſhe hath cauſe to be ſo thankefull for this fruitfulneſſe, as eaſily to brooke the trouble of the other unfruitfulneſſe. And thoſe whom God doth not afflict with this affliction, muſt learne to praiſe him for their fertile wombe. It is a ſinne not to prize even theſe temporall benefits, but to grumble at abundance of fruit of the body, is ſo foule a fault of ingratitude and unbeleefe, that a man or woeman ſhould greatly blame themſelves for turning a thing beneficiall in it ſelfe into a diſtreſſe and miſery unto themſelves.
Another croſſe was, that ſhe was ſleighted by her maide,2. Shee was ſleighted by her maide. yea that ſhe bare the croſſe ſomewhat impatiently, muſt be reckoned in the number of her ſinnes. Doubtleſſe it is a trying affliction to be aſſaulted with rude ſaucy and contemptuous words and geſtures of a diſobedient and undutifull ſervant. Hardly ſhall the ſpirit of a governour be able to hold it ſelfe in patience, when it ſhall ſee a ſervant or inferiour to looke too diſdainefully or arrogantly, or heare them utter ſurly and ſcoffing words. Pride in an inferiour ſhewes it ſelfe by undutifulneſſe, and it will prove an hard thing to the ſuperiour not to thinke it equall that pride ſhould encounter pride againe with paſſionate reſiſtance of it. You muſt learne that have ſervants moſt times (as moſt times Hagar was) dutifull, to be thankefull for it, and muſt take heede of doing any thing, by which you may give your ſervants occaſion to ſleight and contemne you, for their corruption will quickly lay hold upon any occaſion of ſuch miſdemeanour.
A third croſſe was this,3. She was taken from her husband into the houſe of Pharaoh and Abimelech. to be taken from her husband into the houſe of Pharaoh, and after of Abimelech. 'Tis true ſhe could blame none but her ſelfe and her husband for that croſſe, but that did not make it leſſe a croſſe, as hee is no leſſe wounded that woundes himſelfe by miſchance, then he whom an enemy ſhould purpoſely wound, and this croſſe was made a little the more bitter by this, that ſhe was though gently and with milde wordes, yet duely chidden for it by Abimelech too, who tels her plainely of it ſaying, Gen. 20.16. I have given thy brother, (this name hee gives Abraham ironically, with ſomewhat a tart rebuke, as much as if he had ſaid, whom thou wouldeſt have had us thinke to be onelyonly thy brother) a 100. ſhekels, that is, of our money, ſome 72. lb. od money, neere upon a 100. markes, and addes, behold hee is to thee a covering of thine eyes, and to all that are with thee, and with all other: thus ſhee was reprooved. She was ſenſible of the rebuke, this was ſomewhat bitter, that a ſtranger ſhould chide her for not ſufficiently covering her eyes. Sure it was a griefe to her to come under juſt reproofe, we muſt take heed that our evill carriage make us not ſubject to juſt reprehenſion. We ſhall be aſhamed to heare of what we were not carefull to ſhunne. And ſo much of Sarahs life.
Her death.Of her death we reade, Gen. 23. She lived a 127. yeares, and died at Hebron, and was buried in the cave of Makphela, which Abraham bought for money of Ephron the Hittite, for that uſe upon that occaſion. She is the onelyonly woeman,Her age onelyonly of all women is mentioned in Scripture. (ſo farre as my memory ſerves me,) whoſe time of living is regiſtred in Scripture, whither it have any miſtery in it I cannot tell, no woemans age is recorded but Sarahs alone, the mother of Iſaac, doubtleſſe God intended to grace her in it above other woemen. And ſo we have done with Sarah too.
Hagar, nothing in Scripture of her birth or death. It is probable ſhe feared God, and why?It will not be amiſſe to add Hagar to her, of whoſe birth we have nothing recorded in Scripture, and as little of her death, but by that which the Scripture ſpeaketh of her, there is ſome good probability that ſhe was a woeman fearing God, Firſt becauſe of all woemen in Sarahs houſe (who having above 300. men-ſervants, muſt needes have many maide-ſervants alſo) ſhe made choice of her to give unto her husband Abraham, to the end that ſome ſeede, yea the promiſed ſeede might be taken from her. Sure Abraham and Sarah would not have preferred her above all the maidens in the houſe, if they had not thought her alſo a good and godly maiden. I ſuppoſe therefore that ſeeing her matter and miſtreſſe thought her good, we ſhould goe againſt the rules of charity, though we reade of ſome faults ſhe had, if we thinke not ſo too.Her life. Let us conſider of her life and ſee her vertues and faults,1. Her Vertues. benefits and croſſes.
1. Shee was obedient to her governours.Firſt, it was a great vertue in her, that all the time of her dwelling with Abraham before, ſhee carried her ſelfe very dutifully and reſpectively to Sarah, elſe ſhe would never have given her into Abrahams boſome. Let all ſervants learne of her to ſhew all reverence and dutifull behaviour to their governours, and not onelyonly to the rich and wealthy, but to the poore alſo, nay as S. Peter ſaith, not onelyonly to the good and curteous, but alſo to the froward, for ſo is Gods commandement to them expreſſely, Epheſ. 6. Col. 4. 1 Pet. 2. and if any ſervant doe otherwiſe, they do not garniſh and adorne, but diſgrace and diſcredit true religion. The ſervant is no further godly then hee or ſhe ſhewes reverence and honour to the maſter and governeſſe. Looke therefore that you ſet your ſelves to pleaſe and content your governours with all obedience and duty, if you will have God and your owne conſciences to approve of you.
2. Shee told the truth.Secondly, when the Angell met her and asked her whence ſhe came, and whither ſhe went, ſhe anſwered plainely, and ſaid, I flie from the face of my Miſtreſſe Sarah,Gen. 16.8. ſhe told truth without lying, and that is a good thing and commendable to ſpeake truth though it be to ones owne ſhame, but to have told a lie to an Angell might have procured her great reproofe, and herein you may ſee that Hagar exceeded her Miſtreſſe, for when the Angell charged Sarah with laughing, ſhee denied it, but Hagar being examined confeſſeth the truth without lying. We ſhall doe better in this caſe to follow the maide then the Miſtreſſe.
Another good thing in her was that when ſhee was commanded by the Angell of God to goe and humble her ſelfe to her Miſtreſſe,3. Shee ſubmitted her ſelfe to her Miſtreſſe a… the Angels commandement. ſhee did ſo. Here all you inferiours muſt learne of her, nay rather of the Angell which taught her what you ſhould doe, if you have by frowardneſſe or ill carriage provoked your Governours, ſo that they doe uſe perhaps a little too much rigour towards you, yet you muſt ſubmit and humble your ſelves, acknowledge your owne faultineſſe, and patiently ſtoope to their words of reproofe, yea or blowes of correction. This ſubmiſſion is the beſt way to pacifie wrath, and to ſettle peace. Afterwards, we reade of no falling our betwixt Hagar and Sarah. Learne therefore all yee ſervants to ſtoope and bee ſubmiſſive, that will ſhew humility and winne favour with God and man.
Further,4. Shee was thankfull to God for his goodneſſe in bringing her home to Abrahams family. it was well done of Hagar and is ſome good proofe of her piety, that ſhee conſidered of this viſion, Gen. 16.13. and called the name of God, thou God ſeeſt mee, confeſſing that now ſhee took notice of Gods ſeeing and obſerving her waies, and that ſhee ſaid moreover, have I alſo here looked after him that ſeeth mee? as if ſhee ſhould ſay. Doe I live after the Lord hath come thus to take notice of mee, and to reproove mee and ſend mee home againe, and ſo the name was called it may be by Abraham, to whom when ſhee returned ſhe related this viſion, the well of him that lived, and him that ſaw, becauſe the Angell looked upon her and ſhee lived, or becauſe the living God pleaſed to ſee her and looke upon her. Shee was thankfull to God for his goodneſſe in looking mercifully upon her and bringing her home againe to Abrahams family. We muſt be thankfull if the Lord daigne us that favour to meete us in our wandrings, and turne us backe againe from them.
Further,5. Shee was patient. it was a good thing in Hagar that ſhee yeelded her ſelfe to Abraham, to goe away without murmuring and diſtemper, when hee ſent her away and her ſonne in ſuch poore faſhion, patient bearing of ſuch hard and ſevere uſage was no little proofe of goodneſſe. And when her ſonne was like to die for thirſt, ſhe ſhewed her ſelfe patient, for ſhee went a good way off, becauſe ſhe would not ſee him die, and there ſhee ſate and wept, ſhee might have done better to have prayed with her weeping, but to ſit and mourne, not to hang her noſe over him weeping and roaring was ſome ſigne of patient diſcretion, ſhewing her love to him.
And laſtly, ſhee tooke care of him afterwards,6. Shee was carefull to provide her ſonne a convenient wife. to provide him a convenient wife, for ſo it is ſaid, Gen. 21.21. this is a duty of Parents to make fit proviſion for the timely beſtowing of their children in marriage, whereof to be negligent is a part of one that regardeth not to keepe his childe in good order, and to make too much haſte is to make them haſten to miſery. So Hagar was a good ſervant and a good wiſe Mother, and a good woman, her carriage except in a few things was good.
Sarahs faults 1. Shee grew proud.See her faults now. Firſt, ſhee grew proud, becauſe ſhee was with childe by Abraham and deſpiſed her Miſtreſſe. The Maidens of Leah and Rachel may ſhame Hagar in this, for neither of them is accuſed for any ſuch miſdemeanour. Take heede yee ſervants, that you grow not inſolent and contemptuous againſt your governours, you ſee how much it diſtempered Sarah, and it is a grievous ſinne to put your rulers into paſſion by your ill carriage. When the Angell met Hagar he commands her to goe and humble her ſelfe to her Miſtreſſe. It is apparant therefore her carriage to her was amiſſe. There be ſome ſervants that having beene over-familiar with the Maſter, take occaſion ſoone to ſleight their Miſtreſſe. So they add ſinne to ſinne and are found double offenders; If any of you have offended in contempt, much more in ſo ill grounded a contempt, do that which the Angell bad Hagar, humble your ſelves before God, if not to your Miſtreſſes. Follow what was good in Hagar not what was bad.
2. Shee ranne away from her Miſtreſſe.Another fault of hers was, that ſhe ran away from her Miſtreſſe, which the Angell alſo ſhewes to have beene ſinfull by ſending her backe againe. Let not the Divell make any of you play the fugitive by running away from your governours if they be ſomewhat ſharpe to you, rather ſtrive to pacifie them by ſubmiſſion, then to caſt off the yoke by betaking your ſelves to your heeles. Theſe be her onelyonly faults, for I am loath to charge her with having an hand in Iſhmaels mocking of Iſaac, for Iſhmael was then upon the point of ſixteene yeares old, for Abraham was eighty ſixe when Iſhmael was borne, and 100 when Iſaac was borne, and Iſaac ſucked ſome while, like enough above a yeare, and ſo Iſhmael muſt be neere about ſixteene, that ſhee may thinke he was ſo ſenſible of being Abrahams heire as to laugh at the ſtirre made about the young childe, as if by his comming into the world he ſhould be diſ-inherited.
Her benefits. 1. She was one of Abrahams ſervants.Now ſee her croſſes and comforts; Firſt, ſhee was ſo happy as to be a ſervant in Abrahams houſe and ſo a member of the true Church within the Covenant of grace, by vertue of her being a member of that domeſticall Church. It is a very good benefit, when the Lord vouchſafeth to place a ſervant in a good family under good and Chriſtian Governours, which will affoord them all good uſage for their bodies, and all needfull helpes alſo for the ſalvation of their ſoules. They may enjoy as much comfort in this as in any one thing that can befall them in reſpect of their habitation and dwelling, to have good Governours in a good houſe. For in being under the roofe and cuſtody of a godly man, they be under the cuſtody of God himſelfe, and guard of holy Angels.
Wherefore, let all thoſe that have children and muſt diſpoſe of them to be ſervants, be principally carefull of this matter. Let your care be to provide for yours Maſters, not alone of good eſtate with whom they may live comfortably for their bodies, having good attire, good fare, good diet and the like, but by whoſe meanes the may be helped to knowledge, faith, obedience, graces of all ſorts and to life eternall hereafter. Seeing your children be made after Gods image, have a ſoule as well as a body, and have neede as much of things profitable for the ſoule, ſince that is the farre better part, and if that be well, the good eſtate thereof will eaſily countervaile and make amends for the evills which the body ſuffered, but if it be in bad eſtate, all the bodily benefits will nothing at all advantage it: therefore I require you in the firſt place to reſpect this moſt neceſſary thing in placing out your children.
And all you ſervants that have beene directed either by Gods providence, or by the carefull indeavours of your good friends unto ſuch houſeholds wherein you have all good uſage for your outward man, and over and above the comfortable helpes of domeſticall duties to bring you unto goodneſſe, take notice of this mercy and thanke God for it, and take heede that you grow not weary of thoſe holy duties, and ſhew not your ſelves ſo prophane, as to be troubled at that which ſhould be your greateſt content. Yea I pray you ſo many as live in good families, ſtrive ſo to conforme your ſelves to the goodneſſe of the houſehold, as that you may have goodneſſe by the meanes of goodneſſe there uſed, for otherwiſe that which ſhould have procured life to you ſhall ſerve to make your deſtruction more terrible. Learne to pray, learne to heare Gods Word, learne to be good by the precepts and examples of your Governours, elſe as our Saviour telleth, that it ſhall be eaſier with the Sodomites, then the Capernaites at the day of judgement, ſo ſhall it be for the ſervants of profaneſt Maſters then for you that ſerve good and holy Maſters and Miſtreſſes.
Secondly, Hagar had the favour of her Miſtreſſe very much,2. Shee had the favour of her Maſter and Miſtreſſe. elſe you may aſſure your ſelves that ſhee would never have made her a Concubine to her husband, neither would Abraham have taken her to be Concubine wife if hee had not thought ſome good of her. This therefore was a benefit to her, that ſhe was well reputed of both by Abraham and Sarah, both the Governours of the family were well affected unto Hagar, and this is a great comfort unto a ſervant, that their Rulers entertaine them with good liking, approoving well of them and of their ſervices, for by that meanes they be made capable of enjoying much comfort in their lives, and of receiving ſuch curteſies and rewards from their Governours as they be capable of, and of eſcaping much hard uſage which elſe they ſhould likely feele.
This ſhould teach all ſervants to doe their uttermoſt indeavour that they may, to winne the love of their Governours by ſubmiſſiveneſſe and obedience, performing the commandement of the Apoſtle who commandeth to doe ſervice with good will,Epheſ. 6.3. Tit. 2.9. and to pleaſe them well in all things and to ſerve with feare, and to doe the will of God from the heart, remembring that they ſerve the Lord Chriſt, and if God will as he hath promiſed give them reward of inheritance, he will much more cauſe the hearts of their Governours to favour and accept them. Thus Ioſeph gat his Maſters good will and was great in his houſe, this is the right way to procure favour, take this courſe and God ſhall be with you, but put away farre from you all croſſing and thwarting, and idleneſſe, and eye-ſervice, and anſwering againe, and the like evill carriages, which will alienate your Rulers hearts from you and make you ſeeme hatefull to them, and if any of you doe not finde your Governours good liking, take heed that your own naughty behaviour have not beene the cauſe of it. And if you have it, take heed of abuſing it to wrong both them and your ſelves; and all you Governours, learne to ſhew favour to your ſervants, unleſſe their ſinfullneſſe hinder it.Pro. 14 35. & 27.18. For the favour of a King ſhall be to a good ſervant, ſaith Salomon, and hee that waiteth on his Maſter ſhall be promoted to honour, as he that tendeth a figtree ſhall eate of the fruit of it.
3. She received great mercies from God.Furthermore, Hagar received great mercies from God, for he gave her to conceive by Abraham, and when ſhe ran away, met with her and directed her to goe backe againe, which ſhee acknowledged with great thankes, for he gave her alſo a heart to goe backe and ſubmit to her Miſtreſſe. This is a great favour of God, if he finde us in our out-ſtrayings, and give us both direction and will to come into the right way againe. Pray to God, that he would thus guide you and not ſuffer you to continue and periſh in your out-ſtrayings.
4. Shee had Iſhmael and a promiſe concerning him.Another mercy of God to Hagar was, that ſhee had Iſhmael, and a promiſe, that God would be with him and bleſſe him, and make him a great man, and that he made Iſhmael after dutifull to her, for he was guided by her in taking a wife which ſhe had choſen for him. If children have not grace, yet if they proſper in the world and yeeld themſelves dutifully to their Parents to be guided by them, they muſt acknowledge it as a great favour from Heaven.
Againe, it was a ſpeciall goodneſſe of God to her, that when ſhee wandred in the wilderneſſe, and the water was ſpent, and her ſonne was ready to die for thirſt, God pitied both him and her, and ſhewed her a Well whereby ſhee gat water to give him, and promiſed to bleſſe him, and ſo he revived, and lived, and proſpered. All theſe favours Hagar had.
Her croſſes.Conſider what croſſes ſhe felt, for ſome bitter things ſhe met withall as well as theſe comfortable and pleaſing things.1. Sarah uſed her hardly. Firſt, the hard uſage of Sarah was tedious to her, and ſo much the more tedious by how much ſhe was more guilty of pulling it on her ſelfe by her diſobedience, ſtubborneneſſe, rude and contemptuous carriage. All you that be ſervants, if you finde your Governours ſharp and rigorous, conſider with your ſelves, whether your irreverent and diſobedient behaviour have nor provoked them againſt you, and expoſed you to this affliction, and if ſo, humble your ſelves before God firſt, and after to them. But if any have eſcaped this croſſe, let them bleſſe the name of God that hath kept them from ſtubborne and undutifull courſes, and given their governours wiſedome and meekeneſſe not to be ſharpe as ſome governours be without juſt cauſe.
Now another croſſe to Hagar was this,2. Shee and her ſon were caſt out of Abrahams family. that ſhe and her ſonne were both ſent out of Abrahams family, in ſuch a poore and ill provided manner as the ſtory telleth us. This is a miſery very heavy to beare, to be caſt out of ones countrey and place of habitation, where they lived comfortably, and forced to want all thoſe benefits being deprived of them all at once. Wherefore take heed leaſt by abuſing theſe kinde of benefits, you provoke not the Lord to caſt you out of the Church, or out of your houſes and dwellings, but make you a good uſe of ſuch mercies that they may be continued to you, and learne, if ſuch a croſſe ſhould befall you, yet not to be diſheartned and diſcouraged, but to humble your ſelves before God knowing that in ſuch extremity the Lord is ready to helpe and ſuccour you.
The laſt croſſe of Hagars was,3. Shee ſaw her ſonne ready to die with thirſt. that ſhe ſaw her ſonne Iſhmael ſpent with thirſt and ready to die, and ſhe was utterly deſtitute of all meanes to helpe him, not being able farther to eaſe him or her ſelfe but by getting out of ſight and hearing, and ſitting downe to weepe and mourne. This is a lamentable heart-breaking to a Parent, if they be deſtitute of things needfull for this life, whether by occaſion of travell & wandring out of the way, or of penury and neceſſity at home. How moſt heavie a heart hath a Father or Mother, if they ſee their children ready to be famiſhed through hunger, and have no bread to breake unto them, or are almoſt choaked through thirſt, and have no drink to beſtow upon them, neither know what to doe for them, but to conveigh themſelves out of ſight, and ſitting downe to empty their griefes in teares. This is a miſery that God ſent upon the Parents of Ieruſalem, by reaſon of famine and ſcarcity their children ſowned in the ſtreetes, and no man could ſupply them with bread. Lament. 4.4.
Wee muſt learne to bleſſe the name of God moſt heartily, that hath freed us from this miſery, and hath not cauſed us to behold ſuch a lamentable ſight by one occaſion or other, but hath given us abundance of things neceſſary, yea if he have not furniſhed us with great ſtore, yet we have ſufficient to keep our ſelves and ours from pining away with want. O that we could be as full of thanks, when we are freed from wants, as we have beene of complaints even for ſmall croſſes. And now uſe moderately your abundance, that God may not ſtrip you of all and bring you to ſuch extremity, and why ſhould we forfeit our ſelves and ours to famiſhing? when wee ſee that God is tender to us, and willing to ſatisfie us with good things.
And laſtly, let every man prepare for this croſſe, think of it, tell himſelfe, it may befall him, and reſolve if the wiſedome of God ſhall bring it upon him, that he will labour patiently to undergoe it, not ſo as to be ſorrowleſſe, that were no way commendable, but ſo as to be moderate in grieving, and to turne his griefe into ſpirituall griefe, and powre it forth before the Lord in humble and penitent confeſſions and lamentations for ſinne.
Before I depart from handling of Hagars Example, I muſt ſay ſomething of Sarah and her, which I knew not how ſo fitly to ſpeake of in the life of either, viz. that theſe two Mothers and the children borne of them were Allegories, as S. Paul calls them, that is, figures of ſome other thing myſtically ſignified by them. For this we have the authority of S. Paul, Gal. 4.21.Gal. 4.21. In theſe words, Heare you not what the Law (that is, the writings of Moſes commonly called the Law, becauſe the Law was the principall part thereof) doth ſay, for it is written that Abraham had two ſonnes, Ver. 22.one of the bond-woman another of the free-woman, and the ſon of the bond-man was borne after the fleſh that is, by a bare naturall power of generation, as any man naturally may beget a child of a woman without any power above nature concurring to the work,Ver. 23. But ſhe that was borne of the free-woman was borne by promiſe, that is, not ſo much by any naturall ſtrength of the Parents, as by vertue of Gods promiſe, which bound his truth to ſet his Omnipotency a worke above nature, otherwiſe Abraham that had ſo long lived with Sarah in her youth, and could never become a Father by her ſhould much leſſe have beene ſo by her,Ver. 24. now when her body was quite dried with age, which things (ſaith S. Paul) are an Allegory, according as I told you before. For theſe are Teſtaments or Covenants, the one from Mount Sinai, which came thence being there publiſhed and promulgated, it is the Law, the Covenant of workes, whereof it is ſaid, The Law came by Moſes, and this is ſaid to gender unto bondage, that is, to beget and make not ſonnes and daughters of a free and ingenuous ſpirit, loving God, and out of love doing him ſervice, and meerely of his grace, love, free favour and promiſe expecting their reward, but bond-ſlaves which out of a feare of puniſhment or hope of reward, doe ſervice and expect the reward for the worthineſſe ſake of their workes,Ver. 25. and this Covenant is Hagar, meaning, is ſignified by Hagar, for ſaith he, this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, meaning is ſo by ſignification and repreſentation, and anſwereth in ſignification and Type to Ieruſalem, which now is and is in bondage, meaning to the Law and to the curſe and rigour of it, being debtors to the whole Law to doe it, or if they doe it not to the curſe to ſuffer it.Ver. 26. But this Ieruſalem which is from above, that is, the Heavenly Ieruſalem, the Church, the number of true beleevers, that doe indeed ſeriouſly imbrace the doctrine of the Goſpell, which began by Chriſt and his Apoſtles to be preached at Ieruſalem, not hoping to be juſtified and ſaved by the merit or worth of their owne workes, but by the free promiſe of God in Chriſt, thoſe are free from the curſe and rigour of the Law, and ſhee is the mother of all true Chriſtians of us all, that is, of my ſelfe and all thoſe which with mee looke for righteouſneſſe and ſalvation alone through the merits of Chriſt, and mercy of God in Chriſt through faith in his name,Gal. 4.29. and after he ſaith, As then he that was after the fleſh perſecuted him that was after the Spirit, even ſo (ſaith he) it is now.
Here you have the full Allegory, two Mothers, a bond-woman and a free-woman, two manners of begetting, after the fleſh and after the Spirit, two kindes of children, bond-men and free-men, and the bond ſtill perſecuting the free. The Mothers are the two Covenants, that of the Law and that of Grace. The two manners of begetting one of the promiſe, the other by the fleſh, two kindes of children, bond-men to good and free-men. The matter is this, Thoſe that bring nothing but their owne naturall power to the Law and ſo ſeeke by it to be juſtified, they are but of a ſlaviſh diſpoſition, and have nothing but the reward of ſlaves, but thoſe that looke to the goodneſſe of God in the Covenant of Grace, having the power of Gods Spirit, are made to love God as children, and admitted to the inheritance of ſonnes.
Let us take heed of being ſonnes of the bond-woman, for many be ſuch ſtill. The Papiſts will needs challenge ſalvation as due by the merits of their owne workes, and ſo in very deed doe exclude themſelves from it by challenging it on a wrong ground. And the multitude are in this reſpect no whit better then the Papiſts; for their owne good deeds are ſtill in their mouthes, as if they would be ſaved by workes, which yet cannot ſave them, yea ſome reliques of this ignorant and fooliſh pride was found in the Saints, who if they finde not (which they will never finde) perfection in themſelves, are ſtill apt to queſtion their eſtate, as if it were their owne goodneſſe that ſhould bring them to Heaven, not the goodneſſe of God in Chriſt, rewarding them freely with that undeſerved crowne, becauſe they are become the children of God by faith in Chriſt. Now let us take heed of being the ſonnes of Hagar, but let us acknowledge ſtill our owne ſinfullneſſe and unworthineſſe, yet ſtill reſt on his mercy in Chriſt, and ſtrive to obey him in love, as children doe their Father, and ſo much for Hagar. (*⁎*)