The Churchs Deliverance, Tract · Chapter 2 (2 of 4)

The Churchs Deliverance · Tract · Chapter 2 (2 of 4)

p. 921 Yea ſurely.Iere. 51 2Jer 51:2 As the Lord is knowne by executing of Iudgements,Reg 25 2 2. So would he have vsus meditate and contemplate the ſame,Chro. 36. &c. that ſo we may be confirmed more and more in knowledge.Obſ. 48. Gods Iudgements are to be recorde… & meditated. 3. And ſurely as they are ſome of thoſe workes of God which are worthier our conſideration 4. So do they keepe vsus from ſecurity in ſinne and preſumption of Gods mercies. They confound Atheiſts and ſcorners of religion.Pſa 16.Ps 16 They keepe vsus in obedience and increaſe our faith.Pſal. 111Ps 111

Vſe 1. And therefore ſeeing the Lord doth daily bring his iudgements to light,Pſal. 10. 4.Ps 10:4 let them not paſſe aboue our 2ſight as if they concerned vsus not. Let vsus not eſteeme them 3as the ordinary effects of nature, and therefore hauehave no reference 4at all to ſinne. Let vsus not ſuppreſſe them in policy 5or depraue them by malice. Let vsus not in pride diminiſh 6them, or in ſecurity forget them: But in the feare of God 7take we ſpeciall notice of them, as the admirable workes of God, though nature be vſed in them: As ſeaſonable 8meſſengers or Gods will, and therefore to be hearkened to;Profits of Gods iudgements. as liuely glaſſes to ſee our faces in, and therefore not to forget our iniquities that are cenſured thereby: and as profitable furnaces to purge out our droſſe, and take away our ſinne,Esay I.Isa 1 and therefore we ſhould be rather be amended 9by them: Surely if they do not amend vsus they will be witneſſes againſt vsus and draughts of that cuppe of wrath which the wicked ſhalbe drunken withall in hell.

But is the glory of the earth gone into captiuity?Obſ. 49. God often changeth and confoundeth the outward proſperity aud viſibility of his Church. is Ierusalem the citty of the great God, and place of his delight where he promiſed to dwell for euer, and ſo made faſt the barres of her gates, is ſhe led captiue into a ſtrange land? Doth ſhe dwel among the heathen? and there is none to comfort her? are her aduerſaries chiefe? & do her enemies proſper? y^• while ſhe was faithful when God troad vponupon the neckes of her enemies and turned Kings in chaines and Nobles in fetters of yron?Pſ: 13. 2 Oh what a change is here of this p. 93glorious Cittie? hath the Lord forgotten to be morneful? or can his will be reſiſted? Surely,Eccleſi. 9 as theſe outward things fall alike vntounto all, and no man knoweth Gods louelove 1or hatred by them; ſo the outward changes of earthlie 2things do iuſtifie the vnchangeableneſſe and conſtancy of GOD. Not onelyonly in that he deales indifferently to eueryevery 3ſoule that ſinneth,Rom 1.Rom 1 vntounto the Iew firſt, and then to the Grecian, but further alſo by the changing of the outward 4ſtate in this life, he make way for the accompliſhment of his vnchangeable and eternall decree concerning the ſaluation of his Church, to which by theſe outward changes, ſhe is graciouſly prepared.

Vſe 1. Which as it makes the way to the accompliſhment of his owne, ſo it iustifieth alſo the truth of his promiſes, which being conditional in regard of temporall bleſſings namely ſo long as they ſhalbe fit for vsus, and wee can make right vſe of them: when we faile in thoſe conditions, theſe promiſes are yet ſo expired, that the right of them are remayning; we are onelyonly ſo farre depriued of the effect, as that being humble therein and ſo renued by repentance, wee not only recouer our poſſeſſion in theſe things, but are alſo further fitted to the enioying of the ſubſtance whereof theſe are but very ſhadowes.

And therefore as it ſtands with the conſtancy and couenant of God, that the Church may be thus obſcured, and to the outward view extinguiſhed, ſo doth it make alſo for the exceeding good of the Church of God and condemnation of the world.Obſer. 50. Changes of the Church tend to exceeding good thereof.

Concerning the Church it tends to the good thereof many waies.

1. That it may diſcerne it ſelfe to be the true Church of God, in that it liues and inwardly proſpers, yea intierely preuailes, though the branches and leaues ſeeme dead and withred.

2 The Church hereby is exceedingly humbled in regard of the abuſe of her former liberty, and ſo is fitted greeuouſly to repentance.

p. 943 She is alſo ſtripped of carnall confidence, by occaſion whereof ſhe fell to ſuch abuſe and ſo is prouoked to ſettle wholy on God.

4 She hath now more comfortable experience of the power of God and Godlineſſe, who as he now ſhewes himſelfe more inwardly gratious,1 Ioh. 2.1 John 2 ſo doth he iuſtifie the ſoundneſſe and integrity of his Church.

5 She hath now more leiſure gather inward ſtrength as being happily eaſed of outward proſperity, a very maine let and weakning thereof.

6 It hath by this meanes experience of her friends, and ſo is drawne thinner and nerre to God. And laſtly ſhe is by this meanes deliuered from greater deſolations which in the Land of her proſperity might have happened vntounto her: as for the world it receiues his condemnation hereby many waies. 1. It is offended at this blackeneſſe of the Church and the croſſe of Chriſt is a ſtumbling blocke thereto.Ioh. 7. 48.John 7:48 2. Affliction is hereby added to affliction, and now they crie downe with it downe to the ground, 1 Cor. 1. 231 Cor 1:23Haman is not content that the Church is in bondage,Obſer. 51. The world confounded by the changes of the Church. but he will lay a plot to roote it out quite. 3. Herevpon growes ſecurity and ripenes in ſinne and ſo when the harueſt is ripe the ſickle ſhalbe put in. Ioel. 3. 13. Thus doth God diſpoſe of theſe great alterations of his Church.Pſal. 137.Ps 137 Thus make they for his glory the benefit of the Church of God and the confuſion of the world.Heſt. 3

And therefore ſeeing the Church of God may ſometimes be thus baſe and contemptable in the eye of the world. 1.Vses of the afflictions the Church. …ost we not vponupon ſuch preuiledges as are of the world. 2. Neither content we our ſelues with ſuch whoſe glory ſhalbe our ſhame.Iere. 7Jer 7 3. But adorne we the hidden man in the heart which ſhalbe glorious for euer.Oſſe. 5. 4. Reuerence we the power of God who is able to ouerthrow the glory of the world:Amos 5.Amos 5 5. And feare we his iuſtice if we be found in the like ſins. 6. But magnifie we his prouidence, y^t is able thus to bring light out of his darkenes. 7. and beleeue we conſtantly the perpetuity of the Chruch which is meruailouſly preſerued p. 95in her greateſt decaies. Well thus we have heard of the captiuity of the Church. But who are they that beare the brunt of this heauy affliction?

Surely I…coniah the King his Princes and Nobles,Obs. 52. Great ones drinke deepe o… the cup of vengeance. the mightieſt are moſt humbled & the ritcheſt are moſt aimed at. So are great ones ſure to drinke deepe of the generall ſcourge, when happily the poore of the land are eaſed therby: a matter moſt agreable to the iuſtice of God.Eccle. 9. 6.Eccl 9:6 1. Becauſe great ones hauehave a conceipt,Iere. 39Jer 39 that they are out of gunſhot, who dare touch them?Eſay 23.Isa 23 who can pluck them downe? come famine and ſuch like iudgements, they will hauehave a preuiledge, and therefore the Lord to confound their confidence he hath a rod of his indignation euen to breake the greateſt in peeces.

2 Theſe greater perſons are the ring-leaders in ſinne, and therefore there is a time when they ſhalbe met withall.

3 They are the rod to ſcourge and afflict their people and therefore it is iuſt with God to heare the cry ofExod. 22Exod 22 the poore and to aueng them of their oppreſſors by giuing them eaſe when their oppreſſors ſhalbe recompenced.2 Theſſ. 1. 7.2 Thess 1:7

4 The pride and couetouſneſſe of the conqueror aymeth at the greateſt, theſe ſhalbe ſure to the ſpoile, howſoeuer others ſcape; a notable leſſon both for great ones and inferiors.

1 As to humble the great ones in the ſence of their greatneſſe, becauſe they cannot out-ſtand the wrath of God.

2 So to aduiſe them alſo to be carefull of their waies, not ſparing great offences▪ nor preſuming of their owne greatneſſe, leſ… the ſmart of their ſinne light moſt heauily vponupon themſelues.

3 Secondly the ſubiect is here inſtructed as not to dreame of impunity ſeeing the greateſt ſhall ſmart for it, and therfore to beare the yoake with patience, ſeeing there will be an end. 4. So to mourne when Princes do eate in the morning, and ſt…etche themſelues vponupon Iuory beds▪ not regarding the affictions of Ioſeph becauſe this is a certaine note of ſome iudgement inſuing.Amos. 6. 5Amos 6:5

p. 965 And yet herein alſo to comfort themſelues; that God will ſet a marke on thoſe that mourne for the preſent euills; they ſhalbe deliuered from the common calamity.

But who is the rod that the Lord appoints to this great execution: the holy Ghoſt addeth.

Whom Nebuchadnezar King of Babel had caried away.

Behold the rod with God vſeth for the chaſtiſement of his Children:Obſer. 53. God vſeth great and mighty enemies for the chaſtizing of his Church. euen a moſt proud, mighty and malitious enemy, whoſe eyes ſhall not ſpare them, nay who ſhall hope vtterly to roote them out. And yet the Lord moſt righteous and mercifull herein. 1. Abac. 12.

The righteouſnes of the Lord appeares in theſe circumſtances.Eſay 8. 10.Isa 8:10

1 Becauſe it is in his choice to vſe what rod he will and the rod he vſeth is ſanctified thereto.Sect. I. This ſtandeth with his iuſtice. Eſay 15.

2 The wickeds teeth are an edgetil they be on this worke, it is the office they deſire, this count they their greateſt of happineſſe, all their honour is nothing, becauſe Mordecai wil not bow vntounto them,Ezech. 29.Ezek 29 and therefore to chooſe they will have a fling at Mordecai. I Reg. 22.1 Kgs 223. And is not the Lord righteous herein,Heſt. 5. ſo to giuegive them their deſire that while they ſpurne at a ſtone it breakes them in peeces? Zach. 12.

4 The Godlie themſelues makes choice of this rod: they will commit abhomination and al filthineſſe with them,Exo. 23Exod 23 and in their extremity they will ſeeke for helpe of them.Iere. 2. 34Jer 2:34 5. And is not the Lord righteous to giuegive his children their deſire herein,Sect. 2. It ſtands alſo with Gods mercy. that being thoroughly ſecured hereby they might anſwere Gods deſire in their vnfained repentance? 1. And doth not this magnifie exceedingly the mercies of God, to prouide ſuch a furnace as ſhall not dally with them but purge thē thoroughly.1 Cor. 11. 321 Cor 11:32 2. That ſo being chaſtized ſoundly in the world they may not be condemned in the life to come.

Vſe 1. Surely as here we may behold the eſtate of the Church, that ſhe muſt looke for great and ſharpe afflictions 2So we may alſo take notice of the power of ſinne in arming our owne fleſh thus cruelly againſt vsus; p. 97And ſeeing al curſes frō Adam are turned into bleſſings by Chriſt, therfore lette vsus learn to make our fleſh our friend, 31.Sect. 3. Fleſh how to be mad our …. not by ſoothing in ſinne, nor pertaking there-with: but by ſound reproofe and wiſe preſeruing our ſelues from the contagion thereof: Labour wee to ſubdue the fleſh … God, and then it ſhall bee ſeruiceable vntounto vsus. 1And in all thinges labour wee to approue our ſelues vntounto 2God; ſo ſhall he make our enemies at peace with vsus. And 3ſeeing our greateſt enemies are they of our owne fleſh; 4reſt wee not in man,Verſe, 16. 17. nor in the ſonnes of men, put wee no confidence in a Councellor, no not in the wife that lies 4in our boſom…;Math▪ 10.Matt 10 but count wee …l as dung in regard of the peace of a good conſcienee▪ ſo ſhal we hereby either make our enemies our friendes,Mich. 7.Mic 7 or at leaſt we ſhal bridle & ſanctifie to our good, their rage againſt vsus.

Well thus wee ſee the Church of God is carryed away captiue▪ But was this the firſt draught of this cup of affliction? Surely no: We ſhall find that this people of the Iewes, Obſ. 54. God …a… ſ…h his children often with the ſame …od.beſides many fore-running Iudgements of the famine, peſtilence, ciuill warres, forreyne inuaſions, and the like, had three great draughts before euen of this cuppe of captiuitie, and after this dranke the dregges, of this cuppe. The firſt draught did the Kingdome of Iſrael drinke: One by Tiglath Pileſer the King of Aſhur, who carried away diuers of their Tribes into bondage,2. King. 15. 19.2 Kgs 15:19 and the latter by Shalmaneſer King of Aſhur, who carried away the whole reſidue of the ten Tribes into perpetuall captiuitie:2 King 17. 9. 10.2 Kgs 17:92 Kgs 17:10 the other three draughts the Kingdome of Iudah dranke at in Manaſſeh his time, who was carried away captiue into Babilon, 2 Chro. 33. 11.2 Chr 33:11and vponupon his time repentance reſtored againe. The ſecond draught was in the time of Iehoiakim King of Iuda, who hauing rebelled againſt Nabuchad-nezzar king of Babell after that he had ſerued him three yeares;2 Reg. 24. 10.2 Kgs 24:10 therefore the King of Babel hauing firſt ſent his Captaines to ſpoyle and waſte the Country round about, to the very walles of the Citty, at length in the raigne of Iehotachim the ſonne of Iehoiachim the former, begirts the Citty and p. 98and ſtrangely beſeegeth it, The extremitie whereof, the King and his Princes beeing not willing to indure it, by the perſwaſion of the Prophet Ieremy, yeeld them-ſelues to the conquerors pleaſure, and ſo for this time though they ſaued the Citty from deſolation, yet both the ſpoile thereof was aboundantly carryed away, and togither with the King,Wiſ. 14. 16.Wis 14:16 his Princes, and Miniſters of ſtate, and meanes of defence, at leaſt ſeauenteene thouſand are at this time carryed into Babilon: and this is the captiuitie mentioned in this booke of Heſter; the ſame which is here Iechoniah being no other then Iehoiachim, as appeareth by y^e euidence of the word,1 Chro, 3. 16. and circumſtances of the hiſtory: It being no vn-uſuall thing with the holy Ghoſt to call one perſon by diuers names.Ienem, …2 …4

After this captiuity in the raigne of Iehoiachim, followed the laſt and moſt extreme draught of this cuppe, ſome eleuen yeares after, when Zedekiah raigned as Viceroy vnderunder Nebuchad-nezzar, who becauſe he rebelled againſt his Lord:2 Chro. 36.2 Chr 36 therfore came Nabuchad-nezzar y^e ſecond time and beſeeged the Cittie, and the inhabitants ſtanding vppon…their defence,Icrem, 39. he after ſome two yeares ſiege took it,2 Reg. 25. 11.2 Kgs 25:11 and not onelyonly expoſed it to the ſpoyle of his Army but after defaced and conſumed it by fire. The glorious Temple & ſtately Pallaces, the ſumptuous building and proud walls, all were deſolate, broken downe, and ruinated: And not onelyonly ſo, but euen all the glory and multitude of the people were carryed at ſeuerall times into Babilon, ſaue only ſome poore that were left to Till the Land.

Thus did this people drinke of this cuppe of captiuitie, and yet (as you hauehave heard) in meaſure, in the branches therof; not all at once, leaſt they ſhould be drunke thereby, and ſo returning to their vomit,Eſay, 17. make no right vſe thereof but by degrees,Obſ. 55. God chaſtiſeth his children in meaſure and by degees. now a little, then ſom-ewhat more, the rod being a teacher, euen while it lay vponupon them, and therein teaching vsus the ſinguler wiſdome and mercy of our God in the chaſtiſing of his children: he comes not vponupon them p. 99ſodainly, neither ſweepes he them away at once: but as he giues them warning of the rod, that ſo they may be prepared for it, ſo he orders his iudgements that they may beſt preuaile. And therefore firſt he ſhootes forth his more gentle and ſcattering arrowes of the famine and peſtilence: which though they hit ſome, yet they flye ouer the heades of many, that by theſe, being warned they might be brought to repentance, when theſe milder corrections will not ſerue, then hee ſmites them yet ſeauen times more: Leuit. 1Lev 1here come in ciuill diſſentions and forreyne Inuaſions, to humble & abait the pride of the great ones; and if as yet they will not returne vntounto him, then behold hee will ſmite them ſeauen times more: Amos.The cuppe of Capiuitie ſhall be miniſtred vntounto them: yet ſhall they drinke thereof at times, in meaſure and by degrees: So doth the Lord in iuſtice remember mercy, ſo doth hee meaſure out his Iudgements, both that wee may beare them, and that by them we might be brought to repentance: As for the wicked, the Lord deales not ſo with them. Affliction ſhall not riſe the ſecond time, 1 Nehemia,with one ſtroke will he make an end of them: roote and branches, head and taile, Geneſ, …9.will he cut off at one blow.

Vſe. Which prouidence of God is manifeſted moſt infallibly in the courſe of his chaſticements vponupon his Church, as it namely confoundeth the inſolency of the wicked, 1who thinke to make an end, when God doth begin; ſo it 2is alſo a gratious checke to the preiudice and impatience of Gods children, who notwithſtanding this apparant difference that God makes between them and the wicked in the ſeuerall chaſticements, which he laies vponupon them: for many times in y^t folly doe they both cenſure God as their enemie, Iob. Lament. 2.Lam 2and them-ſelues to be dealt withall not as friends but enemies.

And ſeeing affliction giueth vnderſtanding, and the Lord eſpecially aimeth hereat in this ordering of his chaſticements; 3Therefore lette the man of God feare the rodde, and who hath appointed it. Lette vsus taker notice p. 100hereby that God appointeth them, in that they are ſo wiſely and mercifully ordered: and ſo let vsus patiently vndergoe this burthen and be comforted therein, that wee are vnderunder the hands of a father who knoweth whereof we are made, and therefore will lay no more vponupon vsus then 4we ſhall be able to indure: And ſeeing the Lord hereby intends our repentance,Amos. 2. …3.Amos 2:3 that if we will …aſe him of our ſinnes, he will eaſe vsus of his rods: Let vsus here wiſely take notice of the cauſe of the continuance of his iudgements, namely impenitencie and increaſe of ſinne. And lette this be our marke▪ to looke for ſeauen times more if we do yet multiplie our ſinnes againſt the Lord of glory. And therefore let vsus meet the Lord by repentance that he may ſtay the hand of his iuſtice Let al States be humbled, becauſe y^e Lyon hath roared.Ierem 13. Amos. 3.Jer 13Amos 3 And ſeeing the hand of the Lord is ſtretched our ſtil let vsus not liue by examples, & build our happines vponupon y^• broken reeds of Egipt: Let vsus not run to Aſhur, & truſt in vain helps: but let vsus turn to y^e Lord, for he hath wounded and he wil heale vsus he wil render vsus the loſſe that the peſtilence and inundations, the intollerable froſts, and fearefull earth-quakes (our cruell oppreſſors at home, and treacherous friendes abroad) have made: he wil yet devell among vsus for his name ſake, and reſtore beauty for aſhes▪ yea we ſhall for euer liue in his ſight. Thus hauehave we now the condition of Mordecai, he is in the ſtate of bondage and ſlauery to y^s … wicked: How doth he now behaue him-ſelfe in this condition? Doth he yeeld to neceſſitie, and imbrace the preſent world? Doth he renounce he God and the care of his country, to eat of ſuch things as pleaſe the wicked? No you hauehave heard before that he liued vnrebukeably: but what inſtance hauehave we to giuegive euidence thereof: It followeth therefore

He nouriſhed Hadaſſah that is Heſter,Verſe▪ 7. his vncles daughter: What reaſon had he to moue him thereto? Here is, firſt the bond of nature: She was his vncles daughter. Secondly, Here is the bond of neceſſitie, for ſhe had neither father nor mother. Thirdly, here's a priuiledge of nature. And the p. 101Maid was faire and beautifull to looke on, rather to allure and perſwade him thereto. Fourthly, here is the bond of conſcience, likely it is ſhe was committed vntounto him after her fathers and mothers deceaſe, and therefore it is ſaid.

And after the death of her father and mother, Mordecai tooke her for his owne daughter.

Firſt he not only tooke vponupon him her education and maintenance, but adopted her alſo as his owne daughter, and ſo to conferre vppon her the priuiledges of a Child.

Wherein firſt we may behold the great merciemercy of God vntounto his children, that in their greateſt afflictions, they ſhall be prouided for: Mordecai ſhall be able to nouriſh Heſter, and Heſter ſhall hauehave her Vncle Mordecai not only to preſerue her from the extremitie of miſery (which Orphanes are ſubiect to) but to traine vp this tender Maiden in the feare of God; and to defend her chaſtitie frō the rage of luſt.

Two notable priuiledges of Gods children vnderunder the croſſe, that either they ſhall be able to ſuccor others, or they ſhall find reliefe with the ſafety of their credit, and peace of conſcience.

And ſurely that Gods children in their troubles,Obſer. 56. Gods children are to comfot & releeue each other in their troubles. as they are able, ſo they ſhould comfort others, this ſerues to the magnifying of GODS power, and faithfulneſſe towards them; and alſo to the great tryall of their moſt holy faith.

The power of God is ſeene herein, that the wicked are brideled, who (out of queſtion) would not hauehave the righteous liue by them, vnleſſe they will hang vppon them, if they might hauehave their wills, they would keepe them bare ynough from doing good to others; and ſo the children of God are planted in the midſt of their enemies, and herein alſo doth appeare the great faithfulnes of our god, who inables his children to lend where they ſhould borrow, and by this to be aſſured of a good ſucceſſe in al occaſions p. 102ſeeing in y^e land of their captiuity they can miniſter to others: and is not our faith very gratiouſly tried herein, when hauing our liues continually in our hands, and therfore no certainty of what we hauehave; yet depēding on Gods prouidence, we do comfort others, that had more need of 1comfort and remedy our ſelues. Would not ſome carnall 2wiſe virgins hauehave here replyed; wee hauehave little ynough for our ſelues, we cannot ſpare it leaſt wee want in the 3time of need; we muſt keepe ſomwhat to appeaſe our taſkmaiſters, ſomewhat to buy our liberty, we ſhall be thought to be rich if we be harbourers of others, and ſo ſhall bee 4markes to the mallice of the ſpoylers: We ſhal hereby diſcouer 5our ſelues to be patrones of ſuch out-caſts, as being enuied where they deſerue to be pittied, may breed no good blood for our quiet ſetling: Thus would blind reaſon 1hauehave ſchooled a carnal man, but the man of God hath another rule, hee ſees his life is in his hands, and therefore he will do good while hee may, he knowes now there is more need and therfore he wil caſt his bread vponupon y^e waters: 3and where ſhal he hauehave ſuch comfor & portion in weldoing, 4as in releeuing the houſhold of faith, he ſees his brethren like to go to the wal,Moyſes. 1 Exod. and therfore hee wil reſcue 5him though it coſt him the ſetting on; he knowes y^• to feare well doing in regard of the wicked, is to giuegive ſtrength to the wicked, and ſo depriue himſelfe of the oportunity of doing good. He beleeues y^t God wil then come to deliuer 6when he caſteeh vp a Moſes to take the cauſe in his hands; he ſees it will daunt the enemie when Gods children make 7much one of another and hold together; and therefore hee becomes a meanes to ſtrengthen the weakeſt and vnite them in families, and ſo bind them in holy leagues and aſſentations 8togither: he feares no euill tidings, no not the ſpoile of his eſtate,Pſal. 112.Ps 112 becauſe his heart is ſtabliſhed and beleeues in God, and hee diſiributes thereof to the poore, 9wherby he wins the hearts of the enemie, yea hee will not feare vntil he ſee his deſire vponupon his enemies. And why? the Lord is his ſheepheard, and he liues by faith in the ſon p. 103of God, and though he paſſe through fire and water, yet the Lord ſhall bring him into a wealthier place. This is y^e merciful man that ſowes in teares: the Lord wil recompence him aboundantly; he ſhal reap in ioy: ſo was Mordecai, and ſo hee did finde. 1. Vſe. A notable preſident of tr…e bounty, and therein alſo a liuely marke of the true child of God. And therefore lette not inabilitie hinder 2vsus from comforting others, leaſt the widdowes mite be a witneſſe againſt vsus: Let not pollicie diſcourage vsus from 3releeuing the Saints of God, leaſt while we pleaſe men wee make God our enemie: Lette vsus not feare want 4when God is the borrower; let vsus not doubt of requital, 5where his children are ingaged: let vsus not be newters in 6ſuch caſes, where not to be with, is againſt God; but let vsus 7maintaine Gods ſide that he may maintaine vsus. Obediah wil nouriſh the Prophets of God, though Iezabel intend the contrary, and Ionathan will ſuccor Dauid, though his father ſeeke his life: and did they want their reward? Mordecai nouriſheth Heſter, who happily for her ſake beeing beutyful might hauehave indangered his eſtate. Oh let vsus not 8conſult with fleſh where God cōmandeth! But how I pray you is Heſter nouriſhed? What doth ſhe pay for hir outward maintenance? Is her conſciēce ſet to ſale for y^e belly? Is her beauty made the broker to maintaine this miſerable life?Verſ, 12. 10. Doth ſhe offer the ſin of her ſoule, for the fruit of her body?Verſ, 23. Surely no; vpō theſe tearmes ſhe might hauehave found fauour in the eies of a Perſian, Pſa. 69. 22Ps 69:22& ſuch mercies of the wicked had bin extreme cruelties.Obſ. 57. The bounty of Gods children is no Snare, but eſpecially labours the good of the ſoule. Behold here then the true bounty of Gods children; their table is no ſnare, their riches are no bait to corrupt y^e ſouls of men: they intend not to make Dauid their ſlaue, by their kind intertainment, they giuegive him not Michel to bereaue him of his life: They blind not the eyes of the wiſe by their boſome liberality, nor hunt after the pretious life of men, with their ſacrifices and peace offerings:Deut, 16. they kill not when they kiſſe: but giuegive that it may bee giuen:Verſ, 7. their principall marke is to winne the ſoule;Ioh, 2. So did our Sauiour trune water into p. 104wine, that nature might bee turned to grace: ſo did he giuegive a great draught of fiſh to make fiſhers of men. ſo doth GOD beſtow theſe outward bleſſings, that beleeuing in him, we may ſee greater things thē theſe.

And ſo are his children like their heauenly Father, ſo they do find their bread after many daies againe, when it is thus diſtrſt…buted in conſcience and wiſdome.

Vſe 1. A notable rule for true liberality: that the ſtreame thereof turne good to the ſoule. Not that we ſhould be exempted hereby from doing good to the 2wicked, vponupon pretence to harden them in their ſinne. Neither 3that we ſhould content our ſelues with that liueleſſe bounty of many who will ſeeme to comfort the ſoule with a little lip-labour (God helpe &c.) neither yet to neglect 4our ordinary callings in an honeſt care of this life, as if all were loſt labour which is not immediately imploied 5vponupon the ſoule: But ſo to ſupply the bodie as that it may 6ſerue the ſoule: So to ſeeke the Ki…gdome of Heauen, as 7not to neglect the care of our families: So to ſhew our true louelove to the ſoule by releeuing the body for it ſake: 8And ſo to humble the ſinne as that we hauehave compaſſion 9in the perſon: Making difference therein where wee 10ſee likely-hood of moſt inward good: And ſhortning our bounty where it may be an occaſion to the fleſh. Thus he that ſcattereth ſhall hauehave plenty. So did Mordecai diſtribute, and ſo the Lord gaue a bleſſing.

And was it not a wonderfull bleſſing of GOD, that a beautifull Maiden, left fatherleſſe and motherleſſe, ſhould meete with ſuch a gardian: who did not ſet her beauty to ſale,Obſ. 58. God prouides for his children in trouble with the ſafety of a good conſcience. and her conſcience on the racke? how many deſtreſſed ſoules are there, that in the land of their captiuity, thinke it an high bleſſing if the ſhip-rack of their conſcience may procure their quiet and the proſtituting of their beauty may winne them fauour.

Behold here then an excellent priuiledge of Gods children in their extremities, that they ſhall finde releife p. 105with the ſafety of a good conſcience: not one haire of their head, much leſſe the peace of the minde ſhall miſcary: thereby: and why? are they not the beloued of God and in their chaſtizements moſt beloued? and how ſhall this louelove appeare if they bee not kept fit for it? hath not 1God promiſed that all ſhall turne to their good,If they be not here …y drawn neerer to God & made more conformable to him. and ſhall then their afflictions be meanes of their chiefeſt hurt? HaueHave not the Saints of God come out purer from this furnace? can the outward reliefe be a bleſſing without the feaſt of a good conſcience? nay doth not the inward peace giuegive true contentment in affliction; and ſo keepes vsus from reaching out our hand to wickedneſſe, for the 2eaſing of our burthen? Would the Godly deſire to liue in 3affliction were it not that they might increaſe in grace, 4and be more fitted to Heauen? and will not the Lord fulfill 5the chiefe deſires of them that feare him?

Are we not by theſe troubles ſummoned to our end and 7ſhall we now remoue the care of that which may make vsus 8giuegive vp our account with ioy?

And what I pray you is it that holdes vp in troubles? 9doth man liue by bread onelyonly? ſurely no, it is the ſpirit of a man that beareth his infirmity, but a wounded ſpirit who can endure?

Vſe A notable condition of the height of worldly wiſdome, whoſe maine plea is this, that they muſt liue, and therefore when troubles comes, which ſummons them to die, yet they muſt do as the world doth, that is, that they may liue longer in miſery, they will (what lies in them) renounce the meanes of liuing for euer in true happineſſe: As if there were a neceſſity laid vponupon them to make ſhip-wrack of a good conſcience, that they may eſcape 1death when there is no other likeli-hood but death knockes now at their dores: Or if there were hope of longer life, yet the keeping of a ſound heart would not be 2life to the bones, and ſo enable them the better to beare their infirmity: Where is thoſe mens faith that pleade onelyonly with Eſau for the pottadge that they may not die p. 10634for hunger, and know not that God can giuegive them the bleſſing whereby they may hauehave wiſdome and ritches. 5What madneſſe is there to runne deeper on the ſcore when we are called to paiment? What folly to diſtruſt God 6then when we are moſt caſt vponupon him? What wiſdome to 7forſake God, when the world forſakes vsus, what hope of comfort in the world when we make it thus our enemie?

Vſe Well, who ſo is wiſe let him vnderſtand theſe 1things, and to whom the arme of the Lord hath reuealed 2them: Let him learne to liue by faith, that ſo ſinne do not deceiue him. Let him wiſely conſider the inualuable 3price of his ſoule, and then bethinke that he ſell it not for that which could not buy it: Let him know he ſhall leaſt enioy that which he buies at ſo deare a rate: and for the after receiuing (I tremble to ſpeake of it) Let him remember 4he hath a wiſe prouider, who as he needs not his ſinne to accompliſh his prouidence ſo he preſerues from ſinne 5that we may be happily contained therein.

And let him in patience poſſeſſe his ſoule, looking with Moyſes to the recompence of the reward, that ſo he may auoide the pleaſures of ſinne, and runne with ioye the race that is ſet before him: Thus was Heſter preſerued by the tuition of Mordecai. Thus found Daniel fauor in the eyes of the Eunuch, Obſer. 59. Of the change of names, and whether it be lawfull now for Chriſtians to change their names.and ſo was kept vndefiled from the idolatrous meates.

But let vsus proceed a little further, and conſider who it is that is nouriſhed by Mordecai, who it is that is brought to ſo low an eſtate. It was Hadaſſah, thatis Heſter, euen ſhe that is after aduanced to the higheſteſtate on earth.

Concerning this variety of names impoſed on one perſon,Geneſ. 41. Ioſeph▪ Abraham, Sarah, Iacob, Iſrael. G. 32. Daniel &. Sociſ.Gen 41 whether it were by Mordecai her Turor as taking her to be his child, or by the King at her marriage, to giuegive her the more honour: For the thing it ſelfe, there is no controuerſie, but that the cuſtome of changing names, hath beene ancient,2 Reg. 23 et 24. Ioachim … Zedekiay.2 Kgs 23 and laudable. And the reaſons of theſe changes, might be theſe.

1 Either ſome increaſe of bleſſings, a ſpeciall fauour p. 107which hath beene ſignified by ſuch changes, and this might be the reaſon why the Lord changed names.

2 Or ſome change of the outward condition, which was the reaſon why the conquered had their names changed. 3. Or to ſhew the power of the conquerors ouer them; ſo ſeruants when they were made free, had alſo their names changed.

4 Or laſtly ſome change of the inward condition, and ſo the names of Chriſtians where changed at their baptiſme, or at their conuerſion by our Sauiour Chriſt &c.

Vſe 1 Which howſoeuer it hath beene the practize of former times, and that vſed not onelyonly by the heathen, but by God himſelfe, yet as many ſuch cuſtomes were perticular to their time 2. So I take it, this cuſtome is now ſo farre antiquated, as the ſpeciall cauſe thereof (namely the changing of names at Baptiſme) is now ceaſed. 3: Yf among vsus any ſuch occaſion fall out, where Iewes and Turkes, &c. are to be conuerted, I ſee not but this liberty remaines ſtill. 4. As for vsus who hauehave ſuch names impoſed on vsus euen at our entrance in the world and Church, which ſhould be badges of our profeſſion, and prouoke vsus to conſtancy therein: I ſee not why theſe in any ſort ſhould be changed, vnleſſe we thinke it lawfull to change our profeſſion with them.Obſ. 60. Thoſe which are raiſed vp to greatest dignities are vſually in moſt deſperate and low eſtate.

And is it then Heſter the Queene; that is Heſter the fatherleſſe? Is ſhe a miſerable captiue that was after a royall Empreſſe? muſt ſhe be nouriſhed by Mordecai, who after giues lawes to a mighty Kingdome? ſo was Moyſes, Ioſeph and the like: This is the Lords doing and it is admirable in our eyes.

1 This doth he in power worke, without and contrary to meanes to confound the pride of nature. 2. This doth he in wiſdome, that wee may aſcribe promotion to him. 3. Nay this he doth in louelove, that we may giuegive him the glory, in being truly humbled with ſo great aduancement.

Vſe 1 Learne we here as not to preſume of meanes. 2. So not to diſtruſt the want of them as to be comforted in our p. 1081loweſt eſtate, ſeeing it may be bettered, ſo to prepare for 2ſ…und humiliation before we be truly exhalted. So was Heſter before ſhe was exhalted.

But what reaſon hath Mordecai to take this care of Heſter? Firſt it is ſaid ſhee was His vncles daughter.

The band of affinitie moued him to this duty, ſhee was his couſin Germaine, and therfore hee tooke charge of her.

1A very good bond to inforce this duty, not only impoſed by God in this caſe vppon the like occaſions of widdowhood.Obſ. 61. Kin…ed to bee relieued. &c. But very agreeable to the law of nature, both being of our blood in a more particular manner, ſo that in 2releeuing of them we keepe the true order of nature; and ſo performe therein honour to God and our ſelues, as herein approuing our ſelues to hauehave naturall affection; 1 Rom.the want whereof is a maine challenge of impiety.2 Tim, 3.

1 Vſe. This condemneth thoſe monſters in nature y^• feed 1on their owne fleſh, deuouring their kindred, or leauing them to the ſpoile: aboue all others affecting them leſt, and moſt vnnaturally preferring ſtrangers before them.

As alſo they are here reproued that preferre the naturall 2affinitie before the ſpirituall: And reiect the care of GODS Church vppon pretence of prouiding for their families.

3And laſtly hereby wee may learne ſo to ſubdue nature, that we giuegive it alſo her right; not ſtripping our poſterity of their lawful inheritance, vppon pretence of preferring the ſpirituall affinitie, leaſt we burthen the Church and wrong our poſterity: but wi…ely deuiding vntounto each his right: our children their patrymony, and the Church her competencie; in equallitie of inward gifts, giuing nature her priuiledge, and God the glory in preferring greateſt bleſſings.

But had Heſter this need of reliefe from her Kinſman? Yea ſurely it followeth.

For ſhe had neither father nor mother.

A ſtranger ſhee was, and therefore to be releeued; a p. 109kinſ…oman ſhe was, and therefore nature requires it but ſhe was an O…phane, and therefore there was a neceſſitie in it.

And ſurely ſuch is the condition of the children of God,Obſ. 62. God children le…t Orphanes in the world. they are left fatherleſſe and motherleſſe: euen to the wide world. And th…t not without the ſpec…all prouidence of God, who both may thus leaue them as it ſeemeth good 1to him; And doth this alſo for their exceeding good that 2forgetting their Fathers houſe and the proppes of fleſh they may more intirely depend vponupon him, and hauehave better 3experience of his immediate prouidence.

Vſe 1 And therefore: let it not be ſtrange vntounto vsus, if God ſhall thus deale: neither let vsus deſire this day of affliction: 2ſome are ſick of their parents,Pſal. 27Ps 27 and in the end they are ſick for them. Let vsus make ſure of God our father 3who now will take vsus vp: and make much of our ſpirituall 4Fathers, who in Gods ſteed are ſet ouer vsus: Pray we for the 5Magiſtrate who will be alwaies a father vntounto vsus, and louelove 6we the Saints that they may be our Father: ſo ſhall we neuer want a Father, while God hath a Church and Kingdome, and he ſhall aduance vsus his children to that glo…ious inheritance.

But doth not God, make his ſeruant gratious in the eye of Mordecai, the better to moue him to the performance of this duety? Yea ſurely beſides the inward beauty of her minde, where-with ſhe was furniſhed to approue her to Mordecai: Obſer. 63. …he great…r natures gi…tes nee… the greater …idl…s.Behold the Lord adornes her with outward grace, and beauty, that ſo ſhe might be fitter for that honor which after was caſt vponupon her: ſo it followeth.

And the maide was faire and beautifull to lo…k… one, That is, togither with her beautie, ſhe was comely and welfauoured; two notable outward graces of a yong Virgin: In regard whereof, as ſhe had more need of a gardian, Becauſe of natures aptnes to ſinne vponupon ſuch a preuiledge, 1And the forceable battery that would be layd to her from without: ſo it pleaſeth GOD to prouide for her 2accordingly.

p. 112Vſe. 1. Which as it condemneth the practiſe of parents that vſually giuegive moſt liberty where natures gifts are more eminent, and put forth their beautifull children to the preferment of the world, as if their outward feature would be their preueledge and prouider, keeping their more humble 2children (as we ſay) at home vnderunder gouernment: ſo it is a notable leſſon to all natures children that hauehave outward endouments aboue the other, that in this reſpect they moſt feare them-ſelues, and they rather carie a ſeuere hand ouer them-ſelues for theſe priueledges; as knowing that ſuch gifts not kept vnderunder, are but fuell to ſinne; yea patterns thereof, and yet by reſtrayning of them they may be ſanctified vntounto vsus.

And ſurely,Obſ. 46. The gifts of nature being ſantified are good meanes to procure fauour and aduancement to Gods children if it may pleaſe the Lord to ſanctifie them vntounto vsus: may they not be furtherances for the bettering of our eſtate in the world; yea ſurely, as God giues them not in vaine, but to bee vſed in the world, ſo by this meanes they ſhall preuaile as both rightly vſed of vsus and ſo worthily reſpected of GOD him-ſelfe: who both craueth his gifts with conuenient honour in this life, and makes the leaſt of their ſteppes to aduance, vsus to eternall happineſſe.

1And therefore as this doth not warrant that whoriſh ſophiſticating of natures gifts by adulterous arts vponupon pretence to ſet out nature in her glory, and to procure her 2aduancement: ſo it condemnes on the contrary, that obiect 3of defacing natures endowments, as if they were not Gods bleſſings but rather enemies to Godlineſſe: And ſo 4out of theſe contraries we may learne a ciuell courſe, ſo to eſteeme of theſe guiſts as they further ſanctification;Sect. 1. How to vſe naturs gifts aright. and ſo to vſe them as may ſtand therewith, Namely in a holy feare of them to be humbled in them, and the rather in regard of them both to ſtand in awe of God, as alſo to a voyde ſuch occaſions as may make them weapons vntounto ſinne, maintayning them daily by the word; and the examples of the moſt ſober: and wiſely conſidering the changeableneſſe of them make we them ſeruants to inward graces and let their ſpeciall p. 109grace and luſter be from thence ſo ſhall they ſerue vsus to preuaile with God, and preuailing with God we ſhall alſo preuaile with Men, well now we ſee the reaſon why Mordecai takes vponupon him the tuition of his kinſwoman: and that we may obſerue in him a care and conſcience more then ordinary, behold he not onelyonly receaues her into his famile, and ſo deliuers her from miſery, but adopts her alſo as his child: both to giuegive her more ſecurity & alſo therby to fit her to further aduancement, as being now the reputed daughter of him, who was admitted one of the family of this great Mordecai: and that a place of no meane truſt, euen to be keeper of the pallace. An office the likeler to be of more truſt, by how much theſe Perſian Princes kept great eſtate, and were more iealous of their perſons: and thereby alſo not vnlikely to be more commodious in regard of the ſtricktneſſe of acceſſe into the palace. Behold here a further act of the prouidence of God. Miſerable Heſter hath now a houſe to put her head in, and the fatherleſſe hath a father prouided for her by the Lord, for ſo it followeth, And after the death of her father and mother Mordecai tooke her for his owne daghter.Obſ. 65. It is lawful to adopt.

See here the lawfulneſſe of this liberty of adoption.Gal. 4.Gal 4 Mordecai adopted Hester to be his daughter, ſo doth Pharaohs daughter Moſes to be her ſonnes: ſo doth God▪ in Chriſt Ieſus adopt vsus to be his ſonnes: A caſe wherein the mercy and goodneſſe of God is moſt comfortably manifeſted not onelyonly that the adopter here by is ſupplied with the benefit of children, which are the bleſſing of God, and ſo-ſtrenght of age in whom he may receaue his life, and continew his poſterity,Adoption not commanded but a thing left to our liberty. but hereby alſo the want and miſery of orphants is gratiouſly relieued, and that bleſſing of God is in part performed to a land that there ſhall be no begger in Iſrael, And doth not the Lord in this liberty prouoke vsus to mercy? doth he not gratiouſly make triall of our bowels of compaſſion? by leauing vsus to this liberty though hee command it not? p. 112doth he not ſecure vsus hereby of doing good ſeaſonably and conſcionably? are not vaine controuerſies preuented about dead mens goods? are not fooliſh hopes here by wiſely cut of? and each man ſent to depend on Gods prouidence and worke out his liuing?Sect. 2. ſurely though this may iuſtifie the lawfulneſſe of this liberty, yet becauſe we may abuſe the ſame to the maintenance of the fleſh, therefore are we to ſet bounds vntounto this liberty,Who to be adopted. both in regard of the perſons that wee are to adopt, as alſo concerning the end of our adoption.

Concerning the perſons we are to adopt, as here we may ſafely perferre, our kindred before a ſtranger: ſo I take it we muſt hauehave herein a principal reſpect vntounto the ſpiritual aff…nity if ſo be our kinne ſhall not be in apparant neceſſity:Thoſe eſpecially which being furniſhed with grace want meanes to imploy the ſame. nay if the houſe-hold of faith be in like extremity, we are rather to make our choyce there, then any were elſe: becauſe we hauehave more and better bands to tye vsus here: And we may with one compariſon looke for better ſucceſſe of our liberty; And which is eſpecially to be heeded of vsus, becauſe we hauehave the example of our gratious God for our warrant therein; who as he onelyonly adopts thoſe that were eternally beloued in his ſonne, ſo eſpecially when it is in our choice, we ought to make choiſe of ſuch for our children by adoption; who hauehave beſt euidence to be the ſonnes of God.

Vſe. 1. Which as it condemneth the practiſe of thoſe that ty them-ſelues in their choyce ſimply to their kindred, without reſpect of inward fitnes: whereas they might hauehave better choice in the Church; both for inward and outward guifts; ſo I take it hereby they do much croſſe the prouidence of God, which entending by this liberty the choyce of the moſt worthy, is hereby reſiſted, when the choyce is thus tied to the kindred.Sect. 3.

If it ſhall bee obiected the GOD will prouide for his,Obiection. God will prouide for his. their gifts wil aduance them, and therefore I ought rather to prouide for ſuch as by reaſon of there impotency of gifts are like other-wiſe to ſticke by it: indeed as the impotencies of nature are to bee ſupplied, p. 113ſo her beſt gifts alſo as hath beene taught,) had need of a bridle of Tuition to reſtraine their priueledge, and ſo fit them to grace, but yet warily to be preſerued to the benifit of adoption, becauſe, as hereby their corruption is likely to be maintained, ſo without this benefit of adoption, ſuch as hauehave beſt gifts of nature, are moſt likely to ſhift in the world.

But for the gifts of grace, it is not ſo with them: they are hated of the world, and ſo make their owners hatefull: where then ſhall this be remedied? doſt thou ſay God will prouide for his, and therefore ile paſſe them by? I tell thee. God hath bountifully prouided for his: he hath giuen them his ſonne and ſo all is theirs,1 Cor. 3. 221 Cor 3:22 they hauehave a right in all, thou haſt no vſe but for their ſakes; thou art Gods ſteward for their good. Their is plenty in Aegipt to releeue the Church. And how ſhalt thou then better make thee friends of thy vnrighteous Mammon,Luk. 16Luke 16 then willingly to admit thoſe into the poſſeſſion thereof: who as they are expoſed to want to trie thy wiſdome herein, whether thou wilt ſanctifie thy eſtate or no, and take true comfort in thy ritches: ſo leſt the gathering of theſe things, might hinder them in better: therefore the Lord hath a time to put them into poſſeſſion without their labour whither thou wilt or no: though thou ſhouldeſt heape vp ſiluer as the duſt,Iob. 26Job 26 and prepare rayment as the clay, thou maiſt prepare it,16. but the iuſt ſhal put it on and the innocent ſhall diuide the ſiluer.17.

And were it not better for thee when it is in thy choice, to make ſure thy habitation by this life, and ſo lay vp a good foundation againſt the day of Chriſt, receiuing God into thy family, in the adoption of his children: then by ſhutting out the Lord, thereby to ſhut thy ſelfe out alſo, not onelyonly from the earth, but from heauen to: and yet al thy policy ſhalbe mightily confounded: Ioſephs bretheren ſhall bow vntounto him: and the righteous ſhalbe thy haires, whether thou wilt or no?

Vſe 2 And ſurely this doth no leſſe condemne the p. 114vanity of thoſe, that neglecting religion and onelyonly ſeeking a name on earth, do therefore make choice of ſuch in this kind, as are of the name: reiecting alſo nature, & common humanity: Little do theſe men conſider that it is the memoriall of the iuſt onelyonly, that ſhall endure for euer, as for the wicked, their name ſhall rot; and though they build them houſes, and call them after their names, though they adopt ſuch children, as may continue the name; yet looke we to the third generation if the place remaine in the name, nay conſider we wiſely, if the place it ſelfe can be found?

3. As for thoſe who adopt ſtrangers, and do alſo change their names, mooued thereby neither by the bond of religion, no not ſo much as nature, but rather by the abuſe of nature and fellowſhippe in euill: Though ſuch things ſhould not be named among Chriſtians, yet it is no meruaile, if like will louelove their like, and ſociety in euill will hauehave a cloake for the maintenance thereof

Thus farre of the perſons whom we muſt adopt.Sect. 4. Ends of adoption.

Now for the ends we muſt propoſe herein; propoſing principally the glory of GOD, the furtherance of religion and releeuing of the truely afflicted; we may here alſo in a ſecond place reſpect preſent comfort herein and future propagation of poſterity, being wiſely purged of ſecurity and vaine-glorie.

Well thus we hauehave Heſter now the adopted daughter of Mordecai, and ſo by Gods good prouidence this Orphane is well prouided for.

And hath not the Lord much better prouided for vsus; whom he hath in Chriſt Ieſus adopted to be his children, and ſo to be heires with him of eternall glory? Oh that we would therefore walke worthy of ſo high a calling; that we would behaue our ſelues as ſonnes of ſo gratious a Father? Surely Heſter in all her glory is not like the meaneſt of the ſonnes of God: and the leaſt in the Kingdome of heauen hs greater then Salomon in all his Maieſty.

p. 115Well,Sect. 5. State of adoption in Chriſt how diſcerned. let this be our comfort, that though it be not our lot to meete with a Mordecai to be adopted to an earthly Kingdome, yet we hauehave ſuch an enheritance, which all the world cannot deptiue vsus of. And let vsus make triall of our adoption by our ſtrange cries vntounto our Father. Let this 1ſtraight appeare by iuſtifying his cauſe. Let his cauſe be 2maintained by increaſing his kingdome, and his kingdome being come, Let vsus lift vp our heads that his will may be 3done in earth as it is in heauen; that God may bee all 4in all.Obſer. 66. Ophanes are to be prouided for and how. Pſal. 109Ps 109

And ſurely though it be a curſe vntounto the wicked to be left as Orphanes, yet it is but a temperall iudgement, and ſo may befall (and hath) the Godly, and therefore though the wicked being Orphanes ſhall ſeeke their bread and deſolate places,Deu, 10. 18 yet GOD is the helper of the Fatherleſſe,Pſal. 9, 19Ps 9:19 yea he is a Father vntounto them. And therefore as he hath giuen expreſſe commandement that they ſhould not be hurt,Pſal. 68. 5.Ps 68:5 left the like iudgement befall the oppreſſors,…xod. 22. 22 24 ſo hath the Lord alſo preciſely inioiend that releefe and ſuccour and that not onelyonly vncertainely as ſtrangers by ſtartes, and at their felemne feſtiuities, when by reaſon of the aboundance,Deu. 16, 11Deut 16:11 it is not ſo thankes worthy; but as thoſe within their gates and of their houſhold that are to hauehave a free and ſetled maintenance;Deut. 24.Deut 24 as hauing 19a continuall ſet prouiſion allotted thereto: Oh 20what a ſanctifying is this of our proſperitie! What a 21comfort in our troubles?Iob. 29 The benifit thereof.Job 29 What a ſacrifice to God? what a ſweet ſauour to man? What peace doth it breed at home? What true honor abroad.

Vſe 1. Well, Let this be a glorious crowne to thoſe 2Citties and perſons who hauehave ſet harbours for Orphanes and ſtrangers: And let it be the glorie of true religion 3that it hath taught ſuch places and perſons Chriſtian duetie: Let the Oſtrich be aſhamed that leaues her egges in the ſand, and let vnnaturallneſſe be confounded that forſaketh her owne: Crueltie bee condemned 4that makes the fatherleſſe: and let opreſſion p. 11656ſtoppe her mouth that turnes the fatherleſſe out of their owne: deteſt we ſuch trechery that makes tuition a 7broker for priuate gaine: and take we heed of hipocriſie that ſecretly deuoures where it pretends deuotion; and 8in ſteed of Children makes ſlaues or ſpunges of their pupils: I would our encloſers could waſh their hands from 9this ſinne, and do not gardians of wards trample deepe herein? Wel let vsus not liue by examples but by lawes; & let good example prouoke vsus to the obedience of them. Mordecai takes vponupon him the tuition of this orphane: now let vsus ſee what ſucceſſe he hath herein, it followeth.

And when the Kings commandement, and his decree was publiſhed,Verſ. 8 and many maides were brought together to the palace of Suſhan under the hand of Hege: Heſter was brought alſo vntounto the Kings houſe under the hand of Hege the keeper of the women.

In which words the holie Ghoſt ſetteth downe a ſecond meanes, by which Heſter is aduanced to the Court. Namely ſhe is taken in the generall ſuruay, according to the Kings commandement, and ſo togither with thoſe many other Virgins, that were choſen out by theſe officers out of all the Kings dominions: ſhe is brought to the Court; And ſo the Kings commandement and the thorough execution thereof, is a ſecond meanes of her aduancement.

And ſurely, if we conſider the end of this commandement: Namely that the King might hauehave a wife: if we obſerue the equity thereof; that he might make choice of his wife where it pleaſed him; throughout his dominions; if we wiſely examine the lawfulneſſe of theſe Officers imployment in this buſineſſe, and ſucceſſe therein: all theſe will witneſſe vntounto vsus that Heſter had a lawfull calling to the Court, the meanes of her aduancement were honeſt and honorable.

Shee is not thruſt vponupon the Court, to bee a prey thereto, neither doth ſhe baſely ſeeke to it, to make ſale of her chaſtitie, ſhee followes it not to catch a fall by it, p. 117but the court followes her, and ſeekes her out: As Daniel was ſent for, and Ioſeph fetcht out of priſon, ſo ſhe is ſent for to the Court: GOD guiding the generall intent of the King to his perticular purpoſe; and ſo reſeruing the iſſue to his ſpeciall prouidence, that though ſhee might feare the worſt, to become the Kings concubine, yet ſhe might hope the beſt, to be receiued as his wife: and ſo the caſe being doubtfull and the daunger not being inuincible; ſhe was to caſt her ſelfe vponupon the prouidence of GOD, for a good iſſue of that which might threaten euill; as vndoubtedly perſwading her-ſelfe, that as ſhe beleeued, ſo it ſhould come vntounto her.

Behold then the mercy of GOD,Obſ. 67. God aduanceth his children by …aire and likely meanes. in the aduancement of his Children: the meanes thereto ſhalbe faire and likely: Heſter ſhall hauehave natures guiftes, to fit her to the Kings bedde, Shee ſhalbe ſeaſoned with affliction to beare her greatneſſe more wiſely, Shee ſhalbe trained vp in religion vnderunder a gratious Tutor, that ſo hauing fauour with GOD, ſhe may preuaile with man: And the authority of the Prince ſhall call her to the Court, that ſo ſhe may be warranted both from God, and man; ſo was Moyſes, Mordecai and the reſt. And all this to two ſpeciall ends; Namely that they may be cleered from ambition & intruſion, two encrochers on greatnes, and dangerous enemies thereto, that enuy may be remoued, the moath of aduancement, that pride may be abandoned which wil make their fal the greater: that hauing hereby an evidence of their holy entrance to dignity, they might hauehave better vſe, and longer continuance thereof.

Vſe 1 A notable leſſon, for all aſpirers, that they wait ſuch holy and likely meanes, as GOD hath ſanctified 2thereto, not thruſting themſelues to preferment. Not 3hunting greedily after the ſame, not by baſe flattery, and 4detraction to clime into fauour: Neither by …ordid corruption 5to blind-fold greatneſſe. But wiſely to eſteeme their 6fitneſſe by gifts both inward, and outward: and yet to wait p. 11878with comfort a lawfull thereto: not neglecting ſuch 9gracious oportunities as GODS prouidence doth offer, neither reſiſting ſuch neceſſarie meanes, as may be vnlikely thereto.

For to examine a little further the caſe of Heſter: the king commandeth; muſt ſhe not obey? is it not lawfull for a ſubject to come to a prophane Court? is it vnlawfull for a religious perſon to hauehave her abode among the wicked? eſpecially, where the prouidence of GOD doth extraordinarily caſt her, and no preſent iniquity lying therein? A neceſſity lies vponupon her and ſhe cannot refuſe. Surely Gods children are to yeeld to the neceſſity of more where as their is a prouidence of GOD to ouer-rule them to good: and our yeelding thereto, is not ſimplie euill.Obſ. 68. Gods children are to yeeld to preſent neceſſity keeping themſelues from apparent euil and depending on Gods protection. I. Becauſe all this while we keepe our ſelues within the compaſſe of Gods protection where by we ſhalbe ſure to be ſecured our ſelues.

2. And what know we alſo, whether the Lord hath herein a further worke to vſe our Miniſtery for the good of others? was it not ſo with Heſter, Daniel and the like? If it ſhall be ſaid; that the King had no good intent therein, becauſe no doubt he ment hereby to ſupplie the number of his concubines, and it might hauehave beene Heſters lot, to hauehave beene one of them.

Surely this being but coniecturall, and the publike purpoſe of the King being to make choice of a wife: and God intending that purpoſe to preuaile, why might not Heſter ſafely reſt vponupon this knowne purpoſe, and ſo commit her ſelfe into the hand GOD, for the iſſue thereof? If it ſhalbe ſaid, that the beſt intent was bad; namely that Heſter ſhould mary an Infidel. Surely as this cannot chalendge the Kings purpoſe, which was ſimply to chooſe a wife, ſo neither may it preiudice Gods prouidence, who knowing what he would do, prouides this meanes to bring his purpoſe to paſſe: As for Heſter this was more then yet ſhe knew of (when ſhe knowes of it you ſhall heare her Apology.) As yet ſhe hath little reaſon of any p. 119ſuch hope, and therefore ſhe will herein yeeld to neceſſity; becauſe the Lord might aſwell preſerue her vndefiled in the Court, as he had done before in the houſe of her kinſwoman.

Vſe And therefore as herein ſhe ſeemes to be blameleſſe, becauſe ſhe yeelds that, which might turne either to good or euill when ſhe could not otherwiſe chooſe: ſo herein ſhe doth teach vsus. An excellent point of wiſdome in our obedience. That as we muſt obey rather God then man: ſo we muſt yeeld to man, when there is no apparant 1diſobediencc to God. We muſt not caſt, what may 2be, ſeeing God may ouer-rule: leſt while we nouriſh feare, we betray our faith: neither muſt we demur with our ſuperiors, where our ſelues are vncertaine; but yeeld wee ſo to neceſſitie, that we ſtill depend on our God: who will accept our obedience, and giuegive a good iſſue thereto. So did Daniell and God preſerued him vndefiled. So did Heſter and the Lord gaue a bleſſing.

And yet ſurely not without great difficulties and extremities: the nerer ſhe came to it, the greater were her dangers: Firſt, her bodie is in hazad by being left fatherleſſe, God heere ſupplies and ſhe is receiued into Mordecaies familie: who together with her bodie, prouides principally for her ſoule. Here ſhe ſaies no, being where ſhe hath greateſt comfort, but ſhortly ſhe is remoued out of heauen euen into hell, to a prophane Court ſhe is called, where Sathan hath his throne. And to what end I pray you? ſurely reaſon and likelihood can giuegive neither, but to the apparant diſtruction both of bodie and ſoule.Obſ. 69. God… children, the neerer preferment the greater extremties.

Thus the nerer Gods children approch to their comfort & preferment; the greater are their dangers, the more deſperate their extremities. So was it with the I ſraelits before their deliuerance. Their burdens were increaſed, their ſtraw was taken away;Exod. 1 Exod. 5Exod 1Exod 5 and then came Moyſes, then came the deliuerance.Cap. 5. Heſt. Genſ. 45. So was it with Mordecai, with Ioſeph and the reſt: And no maruaile? p. 120For by this it appeares their promotiōs is of God, by how much the greater they finde the oppoſitions, to the ſame, that ſo hee may hauehave onelyonly the glory of their aduancement: 2this makes Satan to rage the more, that ſo if it bee poſſible hee may hinder the good of the 4Saintes: hereby the wicked are more confounded, in the diſapoyntment of their mallice, and hereby GODS Children are better fitted to their preferment, and ſo are prouided to make better vſe thereof.

Vſe. Whereby as Gods children are taught not to bee diſcouraged, if their afflictions doe ſtill increaſe vppon them, becauſe if deliuerance approach not, yet patience ſhall increaſe, to make the deliuerance 2more glorious when it comes: So are they to increaſe their faith as their temptations doe increaſe, by more earneſt prayer, and examining of them-ſelues, more abaſing them-ſelues, and increaſing conſtancy in wel-doing, that ſo they may haſten the worke, and bee fitted thereto.

Thus was Heſter brought at length from Mordecaies houſe to the Court, that in this fierie furnace (beeing throughly purged) ſhee might bee fitte for the worke that GOD had appoynted, ſo meruailous is the LORD to turne all thinges to the good of his children;Obſ. 70. God prepares his church by afflicts to great bleſſings. ſuch difference doth hee make betweene them and the wicked, that as the beſt bleſſinges doe make the wicked wiſe, ſo the greateſt occaſions of euil do make his children better, when neceſrily they are caſt vponupon them.

And ſurely if wee ſhall wiſely obſerue the prouidence of God herein; that though Heſter is brought to the Court, a place of liberty and prouocation to euill: yet ſhee is reſtrained in the Court, vnderunder the hand of a Keeper, and as it were clapt vp in a glorious priſon, being not to come abroad but when the King calls, nor to frequent any ſociety, but ſuch as is appointed her for p. 121her neceſſary attendance and comfort; doth not this exceedingly magnifie the mercy of GOD, that vſeth this as a preſeruatiue againſt the infection of the place, and ſo euen therein ſanctifies her comming thether? Had ſhee beene expoſed to the liberty of the Court? might acceſſe hauehave beene free vntounto her? As her tryall had beene the greater, ſo her danger muſt needes bee the greater.

And therefore behold here the faithfulneſſe of Almightie God to his children;Obſ. 71. God breakes the force of temptations and prouideth preſeruatiues againſt them. that, conſidering whereof wee are made, and what wee can indure, though hee caſt vsus into the Furnace, yet he quallefies the rage of the fire, or elſe applyeth preſeruatiues that it ſhall not hurt vsus. So doth hee here prouide for his ſeruant Heſter, becauſe her beautifull youth beeing expoſed to applauſe and liberty in the Court, might be a meanes of taynting her; therefore hee makes the place of her aduancement, the place of her impriſonment, that ſo the luſt of the eye and pride of life, and ſuch like temptations might want their nouriſhment, and ſo without wood the fire might be quenched.

So when the Lord had brought Ioſeph into the land of his aduancement, that the pride and fulneſſe of the Country might not corrupt him; Hee is caſt firſt uppon Putiphers familie: Where though he receiues no ſmall preferment, yet it is ſauced with ſuch temptations, as might greeuouſly humble the heart of his ſeruant. And yet is hee further ſent to the priſon, where the yrons might enter into his ſoule, to his further humiliation: Yea when hee is aduanced, hee hath an Office to humble him, whereby hee is both kept from the Court, the place of temptation, and alſo from idleneſſe the roote of all euill. And was not this a great humbling to Heſter in the fleſh, that her glorious beautie muſt bee pinned vp from being ſeene? ſhee muſt bee kept as a priſoner, where libertye was ſo pleaſant, And yet the worke of the Lord p. 122moſt admirable herein; both to keepe her flaxe (as I may ſay) from the fire, and by a leſſe affliction to preuent a greater.

1 Vſe. Oh that wee would therefore praiſe the Lord for his faithfulneſſe and obſerue his gratious prouidence in the quallifying of our temptations!

That we would reſt vppon our God, in the greateſt 2extremities, and wiſely admit leſſer chaſtiſments to preuent 3greater. Surely there is no temptation hath ouertaken 4vsus, but ſuch as appertaineth to man, and God is faithfull,1 Cor. 10. 13.1 Cor 10:13 which will not ſuffer vsus to be tempted aboue our ſtrength: but will euen giuegive the iſſue with the temptation, that wee may bee able to beare it.

And therefore admit the worſt that may be ſayd in this caſe: Say it was her great affliction to bee brought to the Court; and her greater affliction to bee in danger of defiling: and therefore her infirmitie to put her ſelfe into this danger (although I cannot ſee how ſhe could auoyd it) (ſo deſperate is their caſe liuing vnderunder prophane gouernement) yet ſeeing God bringes light out of darkeneſſe, and turnes our infirmities to his glory and our good: Nay ſeeing hee iuſtifies particular actions by extraordinary inſtants, which wee being ignorant off, are therefore to keepe ſilence in: why ſhall we cenſure that, of the ground whereof wee may bee ignorant? VVhy doe wee not rather giuegive our God the glories, whereof the infirmities of his children, raiſeth meanes for their ſtrength, and hereby makes way for his abſolute glory?

Well thus wee hauehave heard of ſome of the outward meanes of Heſters aduancement. Namely Mordecaies nouriſhing of her, and her bringing to the Court. Now lette vsus further conſider of her intertainment in the Court, and ſo of ſome meanes wherby ſhe fitted is to the marriage bed. It followeth.

And the maid pleaſed him,Verſ. 9. and ſhe found fauour in his p. 123ſight and to ſhew that he was pleaſed, hee cauſed her thinges for purification to bee giuen her ſpeedily, and her ſtate and ſeauen comely maidens to bee giuen her out of the Kinges houſe, and he gaue change to her and to her maids of the beſt in the houſe of the women.

In which words the holy Ghoſt ſettes downe vntounto vsus a third ſteppe to Heſters aduancement. Namely, that ſhe findes fouour in the ſight of the Keeper of the Maidens. By which meanes it was likely that the King beging much ledde by his iudgement and commendation, would cal for her more ſpeedily to his preſence, and ſo conſequently preferre her.

And there is in the word contained two ſpeciall thinges. i. The fauor that Heſter findes with the Eunuch, teſtified by a variety, and increaſe of ſpeach; not onelyonly the Maide pleaſed him (but) ſhee found fauour in his fight. 2. there are ſet down the vndoubted ſignes of his fauour in that liberall and extraordinary allowance which hee affordes her for her maintenance, in the reſt of the Verſe.

And ſurely that ſhee findes this extraordinary fauour in the ſight of the Eunuch, who was likely to be a meanes of her ſpeedy aduancement.

This magnifieth the gratious prouidence of Almightie God, who hauing the hearts of all men in his handes to diſpoſe them as hee pleaſeth;Obſ. 72. Gods children find fauour in y^e eyes of ſtrangers. doth therfore incline the heart of this ſtranger, to affect this beautifull maiden, that ſo ſhee might hauehave more libertye in this time of her reſtraint; and more ſecurity alſo againſt ſuch dangers as ſuch places doe threaten.

So gratious is godlyneſſe euen in the eyes of the wicked, ſo doth the Lord ſtill ſort the meanes for 1the effecting of his righteous will; that the weakeneſſe 2of our faith might be ſupplyed hereby; and he might hauehave 3the glory of his truth and faithfulneſſe.

1. Vſe. Wherby we are taught as to ſhew fauor vntounto p. 1242ſtrangers, and ſuch as are in affliction. So not to deſpaire the reconciling moſt bitter enemies, ſeeing our God can make this Eunuch to affect a poore captiue, how ſhall not he alſo turne the hearts of our enemies towards 3vsus. And therefore let vsus not prouoke an enemie by vpbrayding to keepe him further off, but rather draw we 4him nerer vntounto vsus by praier, and kindneſſe. Labour we to pleaſe our God, ſo ſhall his heart be turned towards vsus. 5And make we much of friends, ſeeing the louelove of enemies is ſo douhtfull. Eſpecially, make we much of the 6houſhold of faith, who when they wound vsus do not meanely befriend vsus, and yet thats the greateſt enmity we feare from them. As for our enemies they ſhalbe 7cloathed with ſhame, and though they ſhall iuſtifie vsus ſo farre forth as may make for Gods glorie and our good, yet this ſhall make to their further condemnation, that they ſhall like of thoſe, whom they do not deſire to bee like; they ſhall louelove vsus for ſuch bleſſings as GOD beſtoweth on vsus, and yet not louelove God with vsus that they in like manner may be bleſſed.

Well thus Heſter finds fauour in the eye of this Eunuch: But how doth this appeare? It followeth. He makes haſt to giuegive her things for her purification: he is not kinde in ſhew, but he performeth it in-deed: and that we may know his willingnes, he cauſeth it to be done ſpeedily, yea he enlargeth him ſelfe, and euen ſtretcheth his authority; he encreaſeth her attendance, and giues her ſeauen comely maides out of the Kings houſe, yea he gaue change to her and to her maides of the beſt in the houſe of the woman; and all this to make good the truth and greatneſſe of his fauour towards her.Obſ. 73. Wicked hauehave the ſhadowes of many excellent vertues and may in ſome ſort teach true kindneſſe.

Thus euer the wicked hauehave their ſhadowes of excellent vertues: yea they hauehave ſome relikes of the true inconſtancies required therein. They are not onelyonly kinde in words, but they make it good in deeds: yea they are cherefull weldoing, and bountifull therein.

Vſe 1. Which though it will not any thing iuſtifie them p. 125but rather tend to their greater condemnation: becauſe they fooliſhly content themſelues with this …imme light of nature: which onelyonly concernes this preſent life, and will not embrace the light of grace, which would lead them to glory. Yet ſhall euen theſe Gentiles condemne 2many Chriſtians, who as they vſually boaſt of falſe liberalitie; making great ſhewes in words, and performing 3little in deed: So when they do any thing the Children 4of God taſt leaſt of their bountie: they of all other are ſhut from their fauours: nay I would the worſt they could do were not good enough for them:Ioh. 16. 1John 16:1 I would they thought they did not God good ſeruice when they entertaine his Saints with greateſt outrage. Surely though religion muſt not teach them to fauour their contraries, yet wiſdome might leſſon them, herein to prouide for themſelues. Do not they fare the better for the Saints of God? and ſhall they fare the worſe by them? will they remoue them out of the gappe, who keepe away their ſcourges, and are the onelyonly meanes to maintaine their proſperity? Oh that the world would learne to be wiſe! but he that is filthy wilbe filthier ſtill.Obſe. 74. Markes of tue liberality.

Laſtly from theſe ſhadowes of bounty we may learne the true ſubſtance thereof. Not onelyonly in words but in deed to make good our kindneſſe, and that not forcibly, or with grudging, but cheerefully; and that not ſparingly and baſely but bountifully and with a large hand: and if wee ſhall doe this from the true ground becauſe GOD hath commanded; and to a right end, namely that God may be glorified, and our neighbours bettered, thre ſhall not be any thing wanting to true liberality: but of this heretofore. That which may further be commended in the Eunuch is his faithfulneſſe in his office.Obſ. 75. Officers are to be faithfull in diſtributing according to their chardg…. In that he makes not priuate gaine of ſuch prouiſion as was allowed to theſe Maidens, but rather enlargeth himſelfe in the true beſtowing thereof.

So was Ioſeph faithful in diſtribution of the corne: ſo was Iacob faithfull, vnderunder his vnkle Laban. A notable preſident p. 126to all officers,Obſer. 71. Officers are to be faithfull in diſtrubiting according to their charge. A good leſſon for iuſtices, Captains, Gardians for the poore, Treaſureres of prouiſion for the publicque good. &c. that are put in truſt for the behooſe of others that they lick not their own fingers, & fil there own roofes with that which ſhould ſerue for the prouiſion of others.

Vſe. I. Which as it condemneth all Zibaes, and Iudaſſes, that caried the bagge for their priuate profit, and like falſe ſtewards rob others to prouide for themſelues ſo it aduiſeth Princes to appoint ſufficiēt ſtipēds for ſuch kind of officers, y^t they need not fal to ſuch ſhameleſſe oppreſſions. And alſo teacheth ſuch perſons to be content with their allowance, & to eſteeme it their greateſt glory, y^t their charge proſpers vnderunder them, leaſt y^e leane kine deuour the fat, the wrongs of y^e oppreſſed cry for vengeance againſt them. That ſo honorable an attēdance is graūted to this poore captiue, who ſo lately liued at y^e beſt but a ſeruant; in the houſe of her vncle this as it ſerueth much to y^e commendation of the Eunuches bounty, in whoſe power no doubt it was to hauehave contented her with one, ſo doth it much more commend the mercy of God vntounto this his ſeruant: that in this glorious ſeruitude ſhee there hath this benefit of ſuch ſociety which as ſhee might better rule, hauing ferme power ouer them, ſo ſhe might leſſe feare, as being of her owne ſex: which as it might giuegive her ſome hope of her further aduancement,Obſ. 76. God raiſeth his to preferment by degrees. as being yet a further ſteppe thereto, ſo therein we may obſerue the wiſedome of our good and gracious God, who as he doth not ſuddenly caſt his vpō preferment, but by degrees raiſeth vsus thereto, that ſo we might the better wield the ſame, ſo in this manner of his prouidēce doth he much quickē our faith and patience, that ſeeing him comming wee might not be haſty,Obſ. 77. Attendance what fit for each ſex. but wait the good time that he hath appointed. Pſal. 125. Concerning y^• kind of attendance that here is tendred to Heſter, only ſuch of her ſex as being fitteſt thereto: this howſoeuer in this caſe might hauehave iealoſie for it ground, yet hath it a good ground for the like fitnes in our attendance,Obſ. 78. God giues ſignes of his fauour to his children. that they ſhould be ſuch as be of our owne ſex. the eie of the ſeruant to looke vpō the hand of his maiſter, & the eie of a maidē vntounto the hand of her miſtres, a matter politickely obſerued in popery to take away ſuſpition, at leaſt of vncleanes yet ſurely euen p. 127this policy ſhal cōdemne that prophanes, wher there is not this care of fitnes both to preſerue order, & comlines in the family, and alſo to auoide occaſions, and apparances of euil.

Laſtly that to Hester and her maides is giuen charge of the beſt in the houſe,Obſe. 79. The beſt is due and beſtowed one Gods children. howſoeuer this may be imputed to the carnal & blind affection of the Eunuch, reſpecting eſpecially herein the beauty and likelines of Heſter, yet we may herein behold a ſpecial point of Gods wiſdome y^• Hester being aduanced to the higheſt dignity, might hauehave a pledge hereof in the beſt preferment that the Eunuch could giuegive her, and ſo by this liberall and ſutable maintenance might be fitted therto. So ſhal not the children of God want ſignes of their faith, to helpe there weakenes,Veſ. & confirme their faith, wherby we may learne as not to deſire a ſigne when the thing is 2before vsus, ſo not to refuſe a ſigne whē God offers it vntounto vsus, 3and wiſely to obſerue y^e tracts of Gods prouidence, which 4will not fayle vsus with plaine ſignes of his louelove towards vsus.

And doth not this alſo commend the exceeding faithfulneſſe 6of God vntounto his; that as all is theirs in Ieſus Chriſt, 7ſo they aboue any other, ſhal ſo farre enioy this right, euen 8in this life as that the beſt and fatteſt ſhal be their portion. 9So had Iacob and his famile the beſt of the land of Egypt: ſo had Iacobs poſterity the moſt fruitefull country of the world: ſo hauehave y^e Saints of God had this their right renewed that the Goſpell hath taken place euen in the beſt inheritance, what country may compare in happines with thoſe where the word hath beene entertayned? So righteous is the Lord to giuegive his children the beſt in this life to aſſure vntounto them the enioying of the better, ſo profitable is Godlineſſe to be recompenced with the beſt gaine: hauehave not the children of God ſhared euen with the beſt & of the beſt? ſhall not the widow giuegive the Prophet before ſhe releeue her ſelfe? Shall not Ioſeph hauehave the next best chariot, and Mordecai the horſe that the King rides on? Oh that we could beleeue, how ſhould we be eſtabliſhed! How ſhould wee enuy the beſt if we could hope the beſt, that our iniquities did not many times depriue vsus of the beſt: that the world ſhould thinke the worſt to good for the beſt. p. 1285Surely though wee hauehave not the beſt in it ſelfe, yet contedneſſe 6may make it the beſt to vsus: And if we be faithful in vſing the leaſt, we may by Gods mercy attain to the beſt: 7let this be our comfort that wee ſhall hauehave whats beſt for 8vsus: and therein if wee liue by faith, we may take hold of 9the beſt inheritance: onelyonly waite we the Lords leyſure, and hee will giuegive vsus our hearts deſire: and reſigne our ſelues alwaies into the handes of our moſt gratious father, who only knoweth whats beſt for vsus.

Well thus is Heſter now prouided honourably for in y^e houſe of the maidens. How doth ſhee now behaue her ſelfe to keepe her in fauor? Doth ſhe reueale her country, which was odious to theſe Gentiles? Doth ſhee conceale her religion, which was to theſe abhomination? Or doth ſhe fal to temporiſing after y^e manner of the Court? Doth ſhe forget her former affliction, and ſo grow headſtrong? Doth ſhee now hauing changed her keeper, change her obedience? Hearken I pray you what the holy Ghoſt ſaith of her.

But Heſter ſhewed not her people nor her kinred: Verſ. 10.That is ſhe did not make knowne that ſhe was a Iew; Verſ, 20.nay ſhe did not diſcouer ſhe was Mordecaies Kinſwoman.

Wherby it is apparant that it was not yet knowne, ſo the reaſon of this concealment may be coniectured to be this; namely that had Heſter yet bene knowne to be a Iew; ſhe might inſteed of good intertainment, receiue both diſhonour and diſgrace too; as beeing in regard of her country moſt abhominable to theſe Gentiles.Obſ. 80. Truth may be concealed how, &c. Reaſon therefore ſhe might hauehave to conceale her country, and ſurely ſuch I take it as may ſtand well with religion. Which though it inioyneth vsus a true profeſſion of truth in the ſimplicity of our hearts, when wee are to giuegive an account of our faith: it allowes vsus alſo in ſpirituall wiſdome to conceale the truth, when it may ſtand 1. with Gods glory, 2. the ſatiſfying of others, 3. ad ſecuring of our ſelues, 4. without the preiudice to the truth, and iuſt ſcandall to our profeſſion, eſpecially when we are not queſtioned thereof. So doth p. 129Samuel and Moyſes conceale part of truth:Exod. 5. 1. Samuel, 16.Exod 5 So doth the Prophet Eliſha conceale the whole truth; when meeting with the meſſenger of the Kings of Syria who were ſent of purpoſe to ſeeke him; inſteed of telling them, that hee was the man (which hee wiſely conceales) hee tels them that that was not the way, nor that the Towne, in a…l which hee ſpake truth; but if they would follow him, hee would lead them to the man they ſought for. So doth Heſter here wiſely conceale the truth, becauſe ſhee is 1neither demanded the matter, and the concealing therof 2would further her ſafety; And ſurely as none is to bring 3vnneceſſary troubles on himſelfe by reuealing of what may bee lawfully hidden; ſo by ſuch concealments both 4much glory hath redounded to the truth, and alſo Gods Children hereby reſerued to better times: and therfore ſo 5we intend not to ſmother the truth by our preſent concealment thereof,Cautions …o be obſerued in …. but only to refer the diſcouery to in fit oportunity: ſo we are not aſhamed of the truth of God, but onelyonly conceale it that it may not bee reproached: So we do not by ſilence betray the truth, but rather by this hely 2wiſdome keepe it from treachery: So we deny not our …ofeſſion, 3but only defend our perſon: So we indammage not 4our neighbour by concealing the truth: ſo we … not only the auoyding of danger but rather purpoſe to do the moſt good hereby. Surely vponupon theſe grounds (I take it) truth may be concealed, eſpecially if it be a truth concerning only ciuil occaſions. And this was the caſe of Heſter in this place: ſhe conceales not her religion ſhe denies not her profeſſion; but onelyonly not being demaunded, ſhee reueales not her country nor her kinred, both ciuill things.

Obiect. If it ſhall be demanded how ſhe could conceale her country, ſeeing her diet and religion which could or ſhould not be hid, muſt needs declare it though ſhe hold her peace (as Daniel and his followers euen by this were neceſſarily diſcouered) And therfore it was vnpoſſible to conceale her country: vnleſſe you wil ſay, ſhee framed in her diet an outward ceremony of religion, to the preſent p. 130time, & ſo ſhe would proue no leſſe then a deep diſſēbler.

Anſ. Surely as wee may not in any caſe iuſtifie diſſembling, ſo I doubt not but we may very well cleare Heſter from the ſame, if we conſider that in ſome things, her diet might be anſwerable to the place wherein ſhee liued (the Iew agreeing with the Gentile in the promiſcuous eating of the moſt things) and ſo by y^t her country might not be diſcouered.Doubt. The greateſt doubt is concerning her religion: how ſhe could conceale her country, vnleſſe ſhee alſo concealed this; and if ſhe concealed her religion, how ſhe could practiſe it: which (in my opinion) may be eaſily reſolued, if we conſider her preſent condition,Anſwer. who liuing priuate might wel performe her deuotiōs, and yet not be obſerued, eſpecially hauing now no other meanes and liberty to practiſe her religion, but ſuch as might well bee performed ſecretly in her cloſet, onelyonly in the preſence of her God. If it ſhal be imputed vntounto her, y^t ſhe ſhould hauehave made a bold profeſſion of her nation and religion, therby the rather to free her from that preſent bondage, and ſo to preuent her future defiling, rather chooſing to be diſgraced and caſt out of the Court again, then to indure y^e pleaſure of ſinne for a ſeaſon.

Surely concerning the profeſſion of our religion,Obſ▪ 81. Religion when & how to be giuen account off. as y^e Apoſtle would hauehave vsus principally readie thereto, that ſo in due ſeaſon we may publiſh the ſame: ſo he ſeemeth to aime at a ſpeciall ſeaſon, namely when we are demaunded a reaſon of our hope.1. Pet. 3. 15.1 Pet 3:15 And therefore though no doubt this ſeruant of God was ready to giuegive an account of her religion, yet (I take it) now it was not a fitt ſeaſon, becauſe ſhe was not demanded the ſame of any: If you ſay, her own caſe did now eſpecially require it, y^t ſhe might be deliuered from y^e imminent danger. Surely for any danger wherein yet ſhe was, I ſee not but ſhe was to vndergo the ſame with patience: as being ſo farre ſubiect to gouernement, as might ſtand with the ſaluation of her ſoule: as for future dangers, concerning her defiling, &c. though they were likely in regard of man, yet if wee looke vp to God, p. 131might not they be preuēted? Eſpecially ſeeing ſhe walked on her wayes, ſhe yet did no more then neceſſitie, and her dutie impoſed vponupon her: and therefore might ſafely waite vppon the protection of her God: That happily ſhe did not here abſtaine from all appearance of euill, that ſhee did not auoid the occaſiōs therto; this being a thing that was not now in her choyce, as wee may not raſhly condemne her for the ſame, ſo what know we whether by ſome extraordinary inſtinct, ſhee was incouraged and warranted herein. So that in her that may be iuſtifiable, which of vsus ſimply is not to be immitated.Obſ. 82. God vſeth the weaknes of his children in the accompliſhment of his mercies towards them. And ſurely the weakneſſe of Heſter muſt needs commend highly y^e faithfulneſſe of God to his children, who as he is not diuerted from his purpoſe towards them by their infirmities, ſo doth hee in his ſpecial prouidence vſe the ſame in the contriuing of his work, y^t he may hauehave the only glory of the accompliſhmēt therof.

Vſe▪ 1. Wherby wee may learne that there is a time to hold our peace as wel as to ſpeak, & when we may ſafely conceale a truth. 2. We may obſerue the bounds of lawful ſubiection, that we ſo far obey the magiſtrate as may ſtand with the ſafety of our ſoules. 3. We may contemplate y^e abſolute power of God, in giuing his children extraordinary diſpenſations euen beyond his righteous law, that ſo we may not feare y^e pardon of our ſins, if in weakneſſe they be committed againſt the law of God. Laſtly, we ſee here an holy vſe of our infirmities; not that wee ſhould preſume here-vponupon to ſin: But rather that hereby our faith being increaſed we may get dayly from Chriſt Ieſus more ſtrength againſt ſin, not meaſuring Gods faithfulneſſe by our deſart, but by the eye of faith, looking for light out of darkenes, that ſo God may hauehave the glory of all his mercies. Thus doth Heſter conceale her country and her kindred too. But by whoſe aduiſe doth ſhe this? It followeth.

For Mordecai had charged her that ſhee ſhould not tell it.

p. 132Lo here the cauſe of Heſters ſilence: her foſter-father Mordecai had giuen her this in charge: & among many other holy inſtructions, which he had furniſhed her withal, that ſo ſhe might be better armed againſt the abuſes of the Court: this was one eſpeciall, that ſhee ſhould rule her tongue, and eſpecially herein impoſe ſilence on her ſelfe, y^t ſhe diſcouer not her Nation, nor her fathers houſe.

Wherein,Obſ. 83. Gods children ſeaſon one a nother with … councel & wholeſome inſtructions. 1. wee may ſee a notable practiſe of the Saints of God, Namely to ſeaſon their tender plants with good counſell, and wholeſome inſtruction: when they are to leaue the wing (as wee ſay) and trye the world. So doth Dauid counſell Salomon, and Ioſeph his bretheren; ſo doth Iacob his children. This is the beſt legacie they can bequeath vntounto them: hereby they ſhew y^e vnfainedneſſe of their louelove, and ſo arme them gratiouſly againſt this preſent euill world.

Whereby we may learne to ſette forth our children, and friendes into the world: not ſo much prouiding ſtockes, and ſuch furniture for the body, as eſpecially with good counſell to arme the ſoule; as knowing that if it be ſecured the other ſhall not want, and the full prouiſion for the body, may bee a meanes to expoſe the ſoule naked to all temptations.

But what is the ſumme of this councell that Mordecai giues to Heſter? Surely ſilence, the chiefe outward ornament of women and keeper of their chaſtitie,Iacob, 3. 1 Iacob. the gouernment of the tongue (that vnruly member) which if we refraine not, our religion is in vaine; and to rule it well, is a note of true profeſſion.

Wherin as we ſee the fitneſſe of this Chriſtian councel;Obſ 84. Silence a ſpeciall leſſon to be learned of Cou…tiers. What fitter leſſon to a woman then ſilence? So we may learne hereby the neceſſity of this vertue, eſpecially when wee come abroad in the catching and obſeruing Court. 1VVhat more ſafe for a man here then ſilence? where eueryevery 2word ſhal be ſcanned, and happily peruerted? what greater 3wiſdome here then ſilence? where y^e wiſeſt ſpeaches go not without their cenſure? what greater gaine heere then p. 133ſilence? Whereby a man may learne, and make vſe of all others ſpeach, that ſo when he is called, he may ſpeak with authority.

Vſe. And therefore lette not impudent beggers heere continue ſtill crauing, vponupon preſumptions that the Prince will neuer be weary of giuing: Lette not diſcourſers runne them-ſelues out of breath at tables and chambers, to make 2others ſport and them-ſelues a marke for eueryevery mans tongue: let not cōplementers account it their glory to pratle of eueryevery thing, when they make no conſcience to practiſe 3the beſt things; let not flatterers truſt to this ſame glibbe & 4ſlippery mēber: to whom being ſo deeply indebpted, they muſt look to make paiment, and happy are they if ſhame & repentance wil cleare the ſcore: what ſhould I ſay? Let not 5Carry-tales and Detractors hope to carry it away cleanly, ſeeing their own tongues ſhal one day cry quittance with them: But let al remember Mordecaies leſſon to Heſter, y^• in the Court they rule their tongue, and ſo ſhall they bee ſure to keepe their friend. But what end doth Mordecai aime at in this his leſſon of ſilence? Surely his heart was touched with the care of the Church, for he ſaw a greater ſtorme like to come in vponupon it: He feared leaſt Heſter by this diſ-vnion might indanger the ſame: he hoped that her wiſe ſilence for a time, might breed good blood for it deliuerance: and therfore doth he aduiſe her, eſpecially, ſilence in this caſe, leaſt her diſcouery might bee a meanes of indangering the Church of God: As beeing that which the enemy lay in wait for; and to which her weaknes & youth might be eaſily abuſed. Wherein wee may obſerue what principally ought to affect vsus, y^e danger wherof we ought eſpecially to preuent: Namely the Church of God and its ſucceſſe.

1. Thus doth our god principally regard,Obſ. 85. The ſafety of Gods church ought to be our ſpecial care. & ſo ſhould we hauehave the like reſpect of it. 2. On the wel-fare hereof depēds al our priuate happines: and therfore if we be wiſe, we wil herein be wiſe to our ſelues, 3. yea our care hereof wil be meanes to cōfort vsus in our troubles, & make way for our p. 1344deliuerance; yea which is eſpecially to be regarded of vsus, our zeale to Gods Church witneſſeth our true intereſt therein; that if we mourne with it, we ſhall alſo reioyce therewith;Pſal. 42. 130.Ps 42:130 and ſo raigne for euer as liuely members of the ſame in glory. So was Nehemiah, Dauid, Ioſiah and the reſt.

1. Vſe. What ſhall we then ſay of thoſe that neuer take thought for Gods inheritance? Lette it ſinke or ſwimme 2its all one to them: What caſe are they in that drinke 3their wine in bowles, while Ioſeph is in affliction? How fearefull is their condition that helpe forward the affliction; reioycing greatly at the Churches fall? And with all their ſtrength and pollicie cry it downe to the grounde; But of this wee ſhall hauehave fitter occaſion to ſpeake heereafter, when wee conſider of Hamans and Mordecaies contrary affection heerein.

Thus you ſee the care of Mordecai for the Church of God: and to this end you hauehave heard of his charge to his Nephew. Now let vsus ſee how Heſter obeyes this iniunction: It is ſaid that

Shee did not ſhew her people nor her kinred. i. ſhee was obedient to the Councell of her Father Mordecai, and doth not diſcouer her country nor her Fathers houſe.