Remains of Joseph Alleine, Sermon 2
A Thanksgiving Sermon, preached on the 10th. of July, 1665. at Mr. R. M's by Mr. Joseph Alleine, &c.
Psalm 147. 20.
He hath not dealt so with any Nation — praise ye the Lord.
THe sweet Psalmist of Israel, a man skilful in praises, doth begin and end this Psalm with Allelujah. In the body of the psalm he doth set forth the mercy of God, both toward all creatures in general in his common providence; and towards his Church in particular. So in this close of the psalm: He sheweth his word unto Jacob, and his statutes to Israel He hath not dealt so with any nation. In the original, 'tis he hath not dealt so with every nation. That is, with … nation.
In the Text you may observe a position, and a conclusion. A position. And that is, that God deals in a singular way of mercy with his people above all other people. And then the Conclusion, praise ye the Lord.
Doct. That God deals in a singular way of mercy with his people, and therefore expects singular praises from his people.
God expects of his people, return of praise according to the mercy that they have received. …, was a man not altogether forgetful of the mercy of God; yet he rendred not according to the benefit he had received from God. Christ expects that (Math. 5. 47.) his disciples should do more than others: that seeing they do receive more from him in a way of mercy they should return him the more praise and glory.
The Application (my Brethren) is unto you. If God do expect that his people should do more than others, see that you do accordingly. Let this be a provocation to you, my Brethren, to lift up your hearts and voyces in the praises of the Lord. VVhat people doth the Lord expect such returns from, as from this people? he hath not dealt so with any people, therefore he expects praises from you more than from any other people. Therefore consider with me what the Lord hath done for you more than for any others. If we look upon our selves as common members of the nation, and so God hath done more for us than for any others. Or if we look upon our selves with reference to the particular place to which we belong, and so God hath done more for us than he hath done sor others, or, if we look upon our selves as to our particular persons, God hath dealt with us so, as he hath not dealt with any other people.
First, Let us look upon the mercies of God to us and the nation in common. Surely we may say with the Psalmist, he hath not dealt so with any nation. This is a land which he hath set his heart upon, and watche… over it from one end of the year to the other. I will not speak of the outward mercies of this nation, though we have a Land slowing with milk and …. I will speak to spiritual blessings. Oh, let it be remembred by us what spiritual mercies we have had! how soon did the Lord plant the Gospel with us? and how long hath it continued to us? what would the world have been without the Gospel? what is the world without the Sun, but the beginning of Hell as it were? I may say of you blessed are your eyes, for they see: and blessed are your ears, for they hear. Psa. 89. 15. Blessed are the people that hear the joyful sound, they shall walk in the light of his countenance, and in his name shall they rejoyce. None can tell what a blessing the Gospel is. Blessed be God who hath brought to light immortality through the Gospel. Oh! think upon our fathers who went into the land of forgetfulness by thousand's and had none to teach them. And how long hath the Gospel continned here? we have it from good History, that in the primitive times the Gospel was planted here. And when the Gospel was again clouded by the invasion of the bloody Saxons, that were heathens, God was pl… to send Ministers again to propagate the Gospel, which was about 600 years after Christ, when Austin was sent over from Rome. … after, God raised up famous preachers of the Gospel.
And though God was pleased to suffer another cloud to cover the Gospel, when Antichrist prevailed; God raised up from one time to another, some to testifie against him, and to seal it with their blood.
But I … more particularly speak of these … mercies of God to our nation. God hath made this nation signal in mercy. First, In the multitude of her converts. Secondly, In the honour of her …. Thirdly, In the Crown of …. Fourthly, The glory of her Ministers. Fifthly, Her singular and choice deliverances.
…, In the … of her converts. Herein God hath blessed this n…tion above other n… tions, an… herein we have cause to blesse the Lord. There is but little of the profession of Godliness in other nations, to what there is in this n…tion, … a great glory to any place or people to have a multitude of converts born to God out of it. This was the commendation of those places, that this, and that man was born there, Ps…lm 87. 4, 5, 6. This is cause of singular joy and praise which they were wont to sing to the Lord in those days with instruments of Musick.
Secondly, In the honour of her Sabbaths. This is that, my Brethren, where in the Lord hath vouchsafed singular favor to this nation Oh, bless God for honoring this nation with his Sabbaths as he hath done: that they should be so sa…ctisied as they be. Nehemiah reckoneth this as a singular mercy of God to them. So Isaiah 58. 13. Thou shalt call the Sabbath a delight, and shalt honor it. If you honour them, they will be an honour and blessing to you.
Thirdly, In the Crown of her Martyrs. Ah Brethren, this is the Crown of glory upon the head of England, that God should raise up so many Martyrs in this kingdome, of our flesh, and kindred: that there should be so many caught up like Elijah in siery Chariots to heaven. Who can tell of what effect their prayers and blood hath been for our good? so that according to that holy prophesic of Latimer, when going to the stake, God hath lighted up such a light by this as shall never be put out.
Fourthly, In the glory of her ministers. Brethren, I confess my self not worthy to speak to you of the worth of this mercy. However vain men have accounted them the off-scouring of the world, &c. yet you whose hearts are touched with the sence of spiritual blessings, you must needs know and understand, the Ministers of Christ not onelyonly to be the glory of the nation, but are so far honored as to be said to be the glory of Christ, 2 Cor. 8. 23. Oh, blesse the Lord this day, that he hath blessed this nation with such an unspea… bl…ssing. Do not undervalue such a mercy. Tis a Cov…ant-gift of Christ to his Church. He gave some Apostles some Pastors and Teachers. And 'tis part of the grand Legacy that Christ hath bequeathed to believers in the Gospel; … Paul or Apollo all are yours. And though God hath now observed this mercy ye we may not forget former mercies. Neither hath God l…t them unuseful, you know, neither to your nor others souls. In this respect I may boldly say, God hath not dealt so with any …. Those that have had experience intravelling other Countries have sadly bewailed this, how little heat and vigor there is in the labor of the Ministers abroad, in other nations for the most part.
Fifthly, In her singular and choise deliverances. Herein hath God dealt with us signally. I would that all those mercies might be remembred by us this day to our fore-fathers: for they were our mercies though not in our days. Oh, what a mercy was it that God did deliver us from the Spanish invasion; This mercy was our mercy and therefore we may not forget it. And then when they thought to do that by plot, what they could not do by force in the powder-plot, when they were like to cut o… the … of our nation at one blow. God was pleased you know to prevent it just at the nick of time, and bring it upon their own heads Oh, what cause have we to bless the Lord, who saved us from so cruel a bondage, as neither we nor our fathers were able to bear? Oh forget not such a mercy wherein God hath broken the yoke and brought in that light that h… hath commanded into the nation.
Secondly, If we com nearer, & look upon the Place of our desires, you shall find that he hath not dealt so with any other place. If you consider it, in the long … of your Ministry. The powerful success of the Gospel. In the peace and unity of its professors. In the plenty and variety of its provision. In the strange preservation of your liberty. In s…ving you by your enemies Counsel. In emin…nt and gracious returns of your prayers. in keeping you from the Ecclesiastical Courts. In your glorious Salvations and deliverances. Put these nine things together, and tell me whether God … dealt so with any place as with this place.
First, In the long continuance … your Ministry. Forty years was God striving with Isracl, but many more years hath God been striving with Taunton i… the powerful preaching of the Gospel. We read of Gods comming the first and s…cond year, and … no f…uit, would have cut it down the third, had not … dressor prayed sor it. But 'tis not three years, but threescore years that God hath come waiting on Taunton, notwithstanding all their praying, and their great unprositableness for the greatest part of them. I beseech you think of it. Is it a little mercy? there are many of you that have been born and bred under the powerful preaching of the Gospel. Look upon many other places, and how many may you see left to blind guides? Oh, bless God that you have not been bred up under such Ministers, and in such places. It was the lot of many, and it might have been your lot to have been brought up there.
How many places may you look upon again, where there have been excellent Ministers, and they have been flocked to from all about: but God hath put out those lights, and now if you come there, you shall scarce find the very foot steps of Religion. And God might have done so to you, but God hath sent you one Minister after another, one out of one Country, another out of another for you. Oh blesse the Lord for it.
Secondly, In the powerful success of the Gospel. True it is, and sadly to be bewailed, the Gospel hath not had so desired an efficacy: but however, we must not forget Gods signal and singular mercy to this place, in that he hath brought so many to the profession of his Gospel. Oh, how many Parishes are there where professors are so thin, that they are for signs and wonders, to be pointed at? Oh bless the Lord that he hath cast your lines in that place, where there are so many to strengthen your hands. How doth David bemoan himself in the want of this mercy, that he dwelt in the tents of Kedar! you might have lived out in those places and Parishes where you might have had none to help you.
Thirdly, In the peace and unity of its professors. Here in God hath been singular in his mercy. This is a mercy not slightly to be valued. Do but look abroad into other Cities and Towns, and see what work there hath been by the breaches that have been made one upon another. Oh, do but consider the mischief of strife and contention, and you will be raised to praise, Jam. 3. 16. Where envying and strife is, there is every evil work. Oh blesse the Lord that the hearts of believers have been made one in this place, Psal. 133. 1. How good and beautiful is it to see Brethren dwell together in unity? blesse the Lord you his people, because the Lord hath blessed his people with peace.
Fourthly, In the plenty and variety of its provision. Oh remember this this day, and forget not how God hath provided for you all along: and that at that day, when you did account that all was cut off. How little did we dream of such a mercy? had any told us then of these things, we should have replied as that Lord did, behold if the Lord would make windows in heaven might this thing be? Ah Brethren, should it have been told you beforehand that for so many years after that fatal day you should spend so many Sabbaths in the worship of God, and so many Sermons in one Sabbath and so many Ministers sent to you, and so many Sacraments to feed you as you have had, you would have been ready to say, if the Lord should open windows in heaven could this thing be? and yet all this God hath done for you. Oh blesse the Lord for this mercy.
Fifthly, In the strange preservation of your Liberty. Herein hath God been singular in his mercy to you; hath not Christ fulfilled his word to you, he that loseth his life for my sake, (so he that loseth his liberty for my sake) shall … it? you have hazarded your liberties and have …ept them. Many have declined their duty to preserve their liberty: but blessed be God that you have adventured your liberty and God hath kept you in safety. Indeed, I can give you no time of your liberty: but I can assure you that if you lose it sor him, you shall … by your losse. Methinks Christ says to us as to his disciples, wh… I s…nt you sorth without shooes or scrip, … ye any thing? and they said, nothing: so here, when you have gone sorth adventuring your liberties for Christ, have you lost them? you … say, no.
Sixthly, I… s…rving you by your … Counsel. …ow visibly hath God turned what the enemy intended sor …vil, to be good to us? so we may say as Joseph to his Br…thren, as for you you th…ght …vil to me, but God meant it for good. You know how they have despightfully removed the Magistracy of the place, but behold how much the Lord hath turned it for your good! had they set up a Magistracy, it had been the losse of your liberty. They had a spightful eye upon you; and it was thought that … long agone would have been too hot for her inhabitants; & yet behold what freedome and liberty we have lived in! behold, men curse, but God hath blessed us the more. Oh, how strange a thing is this that you should eat and drink in peace! and go forth and come in in peace! that you should attend the ordinances in peace.
Seventhly, In eminent and gracious returns to your prayers. Brethren, this is not to be forgotten this day. Returns of prayer, do certainly call for great returns of praise. It hath been observed by those that have bin longer with you, than I, that they never remember that God was earnestly sought unto sor any particular mercy in this place but he did s…d a visible return; except once, when if God had sent you an answer according to your prayer, it had been the hazzarding of the people of God in this place. So that I may say to you, what people is like to you, who have God so near unto you in all that you have … upon him sor?
Eighthly, In keeping you …om the … astical Courts. This is a mercy that we should be mindful os. Indeed all along the Churchmalignant, have been one os the persecuting enemies of the Church o… God. Witness the Scribes and Pharises. Witness the …, who were all a long the stirrers up os men against the Church. And so in divers … men of late. Nay, and at this day, through the rigour of these Courts, especially in óther Counties, many stand excommunicated: many are threatned with Writs, and some taken and cast into prison for term life, unless God raise som unexpected means. Now of all places one would have thought that we should have been dragged to prison by them. And yet you see how God hath preserved us.
Ninthly, In your glorious Salvations and d… liverances. Oh, my Brethren remember and forget not the dealings of God with this place. Let God hear of it throughout your praises now …his day, what he hath done for you, in saving youwith such wonderful Salvation. The Sword, and Famine, and Plague, and Fire have been upon you to consume you; and yet you are here to blesse the Lord at this day, methinks the Lord cals upon you as in Micah. 6. 5. O my people, remember now what Balaak King of Moab consulted, and what Balaam the Son of Beor answered him, from Shittim unto Gilgal, that you might know the rightcousness of the Lord. Such is the Language of the Lord to you. Remember now what thine enemies consulted against thee: howthey had gathered themselves against thee and besieged thee, and did resolve to devour thee with thy children, and not to leave thee one stone upon another. O remember my people when your houses were on fire, and the Plague in the street, and the widdows crying, and the children fatherless crying. Ah! pittiful condition. O remember now how I have helped thee, that thou mightest know that I am the Lord thy Savior.
Thirdly, If we come yet nearer, and look upon our selves with reference to our particular persons, as we are Christians, and so God hath done more for us than he hath don for any others beside, therefore praise you the Lord.
And here I am in such a field that I know not the way out, you are the members of Christ, the children of your father which is in heaven: what hath God done for you! O you that fear the Lord, praise the Lord. You may stand amazed to see what the Lord hath wrought …or your souls. This is the Life of all, when you can remember the everlasting loving kindnesse of God to you. O friends consider now, you that are the Lords peculiar people; consider what God hath done for you above all other people.
Consider he hath made you, the people of his choice. The pillars of his name. The vessels of his glory. The Temples of his presence. The Trumpets of his praise. The men of his Counsel. The Jewels of his Crown. The Inheritors of his Kingdom. Herein God hath done more for you then for others: and should not you do more than others? look upon these things, and see then whether you should not do more for God than others.
First, You are the people of his choice, when others are but the refuge. You are the pillars of his name, when others are but broken and uselesse pot-sheards. You are the vessels of his glory, when others are the vessels of his wrath. You are the Temples of his presence, when others are the styes of uncleanness. You are the Trumpets of his praise, when others are the instruments of unrighteousness. You are the men of his Counsel, when others are strangers and Aliens. You are the Jewels of his Crown, when others are but the drosse and lumber. You are the Inheritors of his Kingdom, whe… others are the Sons of perdition. Look over these things, and see what God hath done for you more than he hath done for others.
But methinks, I see something that will spoil and damp all. Oh, says the poor soul, I am afraid that this is not my right. I should bless …he Lord indeed were I sure that all this were mine. How shall I know that this is my condition?
Now lest unbeleif and distrust should damp your Joy, and spoyl your work of praise, let me shew you to whom I speak: and let you know, how you may know that you are those that I speak to. Let me shew you in two marks, whereby you may come certainly to know it: you may know it by your Car…, and by your Comforts. What is your chief care and your chief comfort? look upon your selves and judge of your selves by these two marks.
First, By your Cares. Brethren, what is the chief care of your heart? what is it that lies with most weight upon your heart? or that you do prosecute with most care in your life? you are the people of God if this be your great care, to please God, eschew sin, and save your selves. If this be your great care, then you are the men. Methinks this should not be so hard to be discerned. Dost thou not know what is the main scope and drift of thy life?
First, To please God. If this be your great endeavour whether you are present or absent, alone or in company, that you may please God, this is the true disposition of Gods servants. Do you study to watch over your hearts as in Gods sight? and carry it in your lives as of sincerity and in the sight of God? 2 Cor. 1. 12. and 2. 17. Is your labor of love, and work of saith (that is, working faith) and your patience of hope (in bearing the Crosse) not in vain-glory but in sincerity? do you study so to walk as to approve your hearts to God, that you endeavor to please him? that you might do those things that are pleasing in his sight? then know and be assured that you are the people to whom this doth belong. If God say well done, you have your hearts desire, let the world say what they will to you.
Secondly, To …chew sin. This was Jobs character, that he was a man fearing God and …chewing sin, Job 1. 8. This was Davids mark, that he did not regard iniquity in his heart Psalm 66. 8. This was that did comfort Paul, as the sure evidence of his sincerity, though he did evil many times, being overtaken with temptation, yet he allowed it not, Rom. 7. 18. Brethren, what is your greatest fear? do you study duty more than safty? do you fear sin more than danger? do you keep up a constant watch against sin, all sin, little sins, secret sins, heart sins, especially are you afraid of your constitution-sin, your sweet sin? And do you prosecute against this with double diligence?
Thirdly, To save your souls. This was Pauls care, 1 Cor. 9. latter end. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly: so fight I, not as one that be…eth the Air: but I keep under my body and bring it into subjection lest that by any means when I have preached to others I my self should be a cast away. He was one that was in good carnest he did run as one in a race: and fight as one for his life: and all lest he should come short of that salvation, that he had preached to others. So Phil. 3. 13, 14. One thing I do — I press toward the mark for the price of the high-calling. His eye was upon the Crown of Life. And this is so far from sinful mercenariness, that 'tis made the condition of eternal Life: that they are such who by patient continua…ce in well doing, seek for glory honor, immortality; eternal Life, Rom. 2. 7. Now Brethren, what say you to this? what is your great care, and what is your great enquiry that you enquire after? Is it what shall I do to be rich or great? Is it with the carnal company, who will shew us any good? any outward good, a good bargain or the like, or with him, Lord lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us. And with the convert in the Acts, Sir, what must I do to be saved? howshall I secure my soul? what can you say to this! Do you first and above all seek the Kingdom of God?
Secondly, As you may know it by your cares. so by your comforts. Is it the great comfort of your lives to converse with God? and is he your portion and treasure? a mans treasure may be known by his heart. Is it that that doth yeild the sweetest comfort and content to your hearts? are your sweetest hours, the hours that you spend with God? do you never more enjoy your selves, than when you most enjoy God. And is this your ordinary frame, except in a time of temptation, or under desertion? and when 'tis otherwise are you out of your center, and cannot be quiet till you be otherwise? Is God your refuge and riches, your portion, your principal choice, your Treasure? and do you bless your selves in him? can you say there is more gladness in your hearts, in the favor and enjoyment of God, than when the Corn and Wine and Oyl increaseth? do you indeed prefer a day in his Courts, before a thousand in the pleasures of the wicked, and tents of wickedness? If it be thus with you habitually, then you bear upon you the certain characters of Gods people. And rejoyce you with joy unspeakeable and full of glory, and boast your selves in him: for all the things that I shall speak of, belong to you. And now if you find it thus with you, then apply to your selves these following comforts. And blesse your selves in your God, he hath done more for you, than for any others.
First, You are the people of his choice, when others are but the refuse. O my Brethren, I may say to you, as God said to Israel by Moses, Deut. 7. 6. For thou art a holy people unto the Lord thy God, the Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people to himself, above all people of the earth. This is your case, I beseech you Christians, erect you faith, and let not your consideration be idle. Hear him speaking thus to you, as in Exod. 19. 5. You shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people, for all the earth is mine. Ah, beloved I must call upon you to rejoyce in the Lord: and again must I call upon you to rejoyce: and lift up your heads before the Lord; you are the chosen vessels of the Lord. What! will you hear these things with low Affections and common hearts. Do you believe or do you not? If you do not, why are you called Christians? If you do, Oh what an extasie of Joy should your hearts be raised too? Oh look upon the miserable condition of the perishing world, the reprobate world! look down, and see what burnings do betide them! better for them that they had never been born. And shall it but a little affect you that God hath seperated you from them all? I may say of you, as the Apostle doth with thankfulness of his Thessalonians, 2 Thess. 2. 13. We are bound to give thanks to God for you Brethren, beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to Salvation. Oh how should you bless the Lord for his eternal purpose, which he purposed toward you, Eph. 1. 4. O let sree grace now be exalted, hath God made you. (I mean believers) to be the choice of his heart, and will you hear this with little and low affections, as if it did but little concern you, when you are the people of Gods choise? Oh how did Christ bless the Lord for you! and should not you for your s…lves? he was transported with Joy for this, …ke. 10. 21. He rejoyced in spirit and said Father I thank thee that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent and h…st made them known to babes. And he calls upon his Disciples to rejoyce in this: rejoyce not in this that the devils are made subject to you: but rejoyce in that your names are written in heaven. Your names are written in the lambs book of life, while others are written in the …rth. What! are there, but few chosen in the world, and are you some of those few? and will you not rejoyce in this? Oh rejoyce in this. God speaks of your priviledges as if they were already come, Heb. 12. 22. But you are come to … Sion, to the Church of th… living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an … company of …, to the general assembly, and Church of the …-…, which … written in heaven, and to God the judge of …, and to the spirits of just …en …ade perfect, and to Jesus the mediator of the New Cove….
Secondly, You are the pill…rs of his name, when others are but broken, useless pot sheards. My brethren, God hath raised you up for quite another end, than he hath others. You know what the Lord speak of Pharaoh, Exod. 9. 16. And in every deed for this cause have I raised thee up, to shew in thee my power, that my name may be declared throughout all the earth. That God might shew in him the power of his wrath and severity. But now beloved, you are raised up for another end, that you may bear up the name of God, and be the instruments of the glory of God before all men. God hath no active glory from the rest of the world. But you are the people whom God hath raised up on purpose for his name and for his glory, … S…. 18. 18. Absolom, we read had taken and reared a pillar for himself: and he called the pillar after his own name. Thus hath the Lord God erected you as pillars to keep up … name in remembrance. For the unreasonable Creatures they cannot, but by dumb and silent … to man, praise their Creator. For the ungodly, they do the contrary, they dishonor his name. And were it not for you, the name of God would not be kept up in the world. God would be cast out, and the very remembrance of him out of his own world. Oh my brethren, I may say of you, of every one of you that are believers, as God speak concerning Paul, Act. 9. 15. You are chosen vessels to bear Gods name before the world. Alas! for others! of how little use are they in the world? this is a miserable case to be of no use; better to have no being than to be of no use. How contemptible doth the Lord speak of that wicked King Coniah? he calls him a despised broken Idol. Such a kind of one is every unsanctified person, they are but as broken useless pot-sheards: let them be so great as they will, yea they are worse than for no purpose, they are for bad purposes. Oh, what cause have you then to bless the Lord, that you are the people that must bear up his name?
Thirdly, You are the vessels of his glory, when others are the vessels of his wrath, you are not as others, vessels of wood and stone; but you are all vessels of gold and silver: vessels not to dishonor, but to honor. Vessels sanctified, and made meet for the Masters use, and prepared for every good work, 2 Tim. 2. 20, 21. Ah brethren, read (and rejoyce with trembling) what is written, Rom. 9. 18. onward, where the Apostle lively sets forth this great distinction. H… hath mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. Hath not the potter power over the clay to make one vessel to honor and another to dishonor? What if God willing to shew his wrath and to make his power known, endured with much long suffering the vessels of wrath sitted to destruction: and that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy which he had afore prepared unto glory? Ah brethren, when others are vessels of wrath sitted to destruction, you are vessels of mercy, vessels of glory made for this blessed use and service that you may be the instruments of Gods glory and mercy before the world: that God may take you and single you out at the great day, when you shall be severed as a man severeth the sheep from the goats. God shall take you and single you out before the world, and tell the world, what a God can do for a poor creature: to make you the monuments of his magnificence and bounty, to shew how he could exalt the dust of the earth. This is the use you serve for in the world. Do not live as if you were made for little things, and for little use: you are made for this use, that you should be vessels prepared to have the infinite fulness of God pouring into you, as vessels standing by for the same purpose, and runing over to all eternity. When you shall be ever full and running over with the glory of God. When the Al-sufficiency of God shall be for ever emptying it self into you. How is it that God hears no more of you? hath he done so for any other? no, he hath prepared them for vessels of wrath on whom he will be pouring out his wrath to a…l eternity. Both of these vessels were made of one sort of clay; and yet see what difference here is that free-grace hath made.
Fourthly, You are the Temples of his presence, when others are the styes of uncleanness, God doth live in you, and walk in you: this is the honor that God doth put upon you. The Apostle tels you, that you are Gods hou…e, Heb. 3. And God sayes of you his spiritual house, as he did of the Typical house, (for the sence belongs more to the thing typified, then to the house,) 1 Kings 9. 3. God says of every believer as of that house, I have hallowed this house to put my name there for ever. And mine eyes and my heart shall be there perpetually. Thus doth God for th…e believer, that art his house. Or as it is in, 2 Kings 21. 7. In this house and in Jerusalem which I have chosen out of all the Tribes of Israel will I put my name for ever. That was but a typical Temple, you are the real Temples of the holy Ghost, 1 Cor. 6. 19. What, know you not that your body is the Temple of the holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? every believer, is a real Temple wherein God is especially present, so 1 Cor. 3. 16. Know you not that you are the Temple of God? and that the spirit of God dwelleth in you? Brethren, if you indeed believe, methinks this priviledge should be matter of unspeakable Joy to you. What! art thou of no meaner use then this to be a habitation of God through the spirit? What! art thou a Temple for God to dwell in? will God make of this Soul a Temple, where all manner of lusts have dwelt? and say of thy soul, here will I dwell for ever, this is my rest for I have desired it? Oh, adore the riches of Gods condescending grace! others are the vessels of uncleanness, the coffins of rottenness, in whom Satan hath set up his throne, 'tis true of every wicked man, what God sayes of Coniah, Jer. 22. 28. He is a vessel wherein is no pleasure, He is a vessel of the most noisome filthyness in the world.
Fifthly, You are the trumpets of his praise, when others are the instruments of unrighteousness. O what base use are the others put too, in their bonds of wickedness? to the worst of drudgery. They are the vessels of sin, and slaves of Satan, Rom. 6. 16. a miserable service! this is a miserable Master indeed! none have such miserable lives as those who have the work of sin to do… Why, would it not pity ones heart to see a company of poor Creatures laboring and toyling for their own ruine? to see them tugging and sweating hard at, it were to carry together faggots for their own burning. This is that the wicked are doing, they are but treasuring up the wrath of God against themselves at the last day, they are but carrying together faggots and fewel for their own burning.
They labor and sweat all their days to pile up faggots and fewel, pile upon pile, to fill Tophet for their own burning. But you are not of this use, you are to be the Trumpets of Gods praise. Oh blessed employment! your work is the work of Angels, whiles others are doing the work of Devils. Isaiah 61. 3. That they might be called trees of renown, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified. And so in another place, this people have I formed for myself, that they may be for my praise. Isa. 43. 7. I have created him for my glory, I have formed him, yea I have made him. When others shall be venting their malice and blasphemy against God, you shall be the silver Trumpets that shall be ever sounding forth the praises of the Lord.
Sixthly, You are the men of his Counsel, when others are strangers and aliens. You are no more foreigners and strangers, but fellow Citizens and of the houshold of God. You are the attendants of his person, you are of his privy Counsel. You are the friends of God. This was Abrahams priviledge, Jam. 2. That he was called the friend of God. Brethren, all the long and magnificent titles of all the Monarchs of the Earth do not signifie half so much as this that I am speaking to you. Now this is your prerogative. Henceforth I call you not servants but friends: and why so? because you are the men of his Counsel. The servant knoweth not what his Lord doth, but whatsoever I have heard of the Father that have I declared unto you. Herein Christ hath put a marvellous distinction between you and the men of the world, I may say of you as Christ of them, blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear. The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him. So Psa. 147. He sheweth his word unto Jacob, & his statutes unto Israel. He hath not dealt so with any Nation.
Seventhly, You are the Jewels of his Crown, when others are but the drosse and lumber. And they shall be mine saith the Lord of hosts in the day when I make up my Jewels, Mal. 3. 17. Beloved, you that are beleivers, you are the very glory of Christ. Every believer is as a pearl put into the Crown of Jesus Christ. The Apostle speaks of beleevers, of his converts, that they were a great Crown to him. He calls them his Joy and Crown of rejoycing, Phil. 4. 1. But this is but little that you should be your Ministers Crown: I tell you, you are Christ's Crown and glory, Isa. 62. 3. Thou shalt also be a Crown of glory, in the hand of the Lord, and a Royal diadem in the hand of thy God.
Eightly, You are the inheritors of the Kingdome, when others are the sons of perdition, Luk. 12. 32. Fear not little flock 'tis your Fathers good pleasure to give you the Kingdom, So come ye blessed of my Father inherit the Kingdome prepared for you. Who can utter the sweetness of that promise? 'tis our Saviors parting promise to his disciples at his last supper, Luke 22. 28. 29, 30. You are they which have continued with me in my Temptations and I appoint unto you a Kingdome, as my Father hath appointed unto me, that you may eat and drink at my Table in my Kingdom, and sit upon thrones, judging the twelve Tribes of Israel. Oh how sweet are these words. Lay the mouth of Faith at these promises, and suck the sweetness of them. Look upon it as a reality, that God prepared for you a Kingdome, 'tis so, why should God go to deceive you? and you may lay your claim to it boldly: God delights to see your humble boldness. The spirit beareth witness with our spirits that we are the sons of God, and if Sons, then heirs; joynt heirs with Christ: Heirs of his Kingdom.
Fourthly, If you look upon your selves as prisoners, and so God hath done more for you then he hath for others. Ah Christians, this is the meaning of this day that you might celebrate the kindness of God to you in prison. O remember and forget not how signally God hath owned you. Brethren, 'tis your priviledge and mercy that God hath given you hearts to own him in times of danger. And blessed be God he is not behind hand with you; he that owned you in your prison state. Brethren how hath God owned you in clearing your cause for which you are suffering here? If the Kingdome of heaven be promised to them that suffer for righteousness sake, then sure it is promised to you: for you are suffering here upon that account. And then for your call: how sweetly and joyfully did we come hither? though God knows we had not enquired into what we entended, as to our subsistance here; yet God sent us all hither joyfully together; and I hope God will send us home as joyfully again.
But let me shew you, in some particulars wherein God hath done more for you then for others, as you are prisoners.
First, You are better fed then others. Who do live upon the bounty of Gods extraordinary providence like you? may not God almighty speak to you, as the Apostie to them, 1 Cor. 9, 7. Who of you goeth a warfare at his own charges? VVhen our Saviour sent forth his disciples without scrip or shooes, sayes he, lacked ye any thing? they answered, nothing. May not we say so? if he say to us, lacked you any thing? we must say no, he hath poured out his kindness upon us. O how sweetly did the holy prophet, think you, rellish every bit of meat when God provided every bit so extraordinarily for him, 1 Kings. 17. 6. And the Ravon brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening, God doth not send it to us by a Raven; but by friends: but all he sends: bread and flesh in the morning and bread and flesh in the evening without our care. And is not God to be observed in this? you know there is a kind of a Famine abroad, but God will not have it a Famine here. VVho ever wants, God will be sure that his prisoners shall not want. As the King took care of Jeremiah, Jer. 37. 21. Then Zedekiah the King commanded, that they should commit Jeremiah to the Court of the prison, and that they should give him dayly a piece of bread out of the Bakers-street untill all the bread in the City was spent. VVhen Jeremiah was in prison, God would be sure that he should not want as long as there was any bread to be had in the City. So God commands concerning his prisoners; though there be a kind of Famine abroad, God will not suffer his prisoners to want.
Secondly, You are better taught than others. VVho is like to you O people, about whose tents the Mannah raineth, not every morning onelyonly, but morning and evening: week dayes, and Sabbath dayes, God doth open his door to you, and make every day as a Sabbath to you.
Thirdly, You have more promises than others. Now there are come in to us a whole shoal of of promises, that we would not not so properly claim before, 1 Pet. 2. 20. If when you do well and suffer for it, you take it patiently, this is acceptable with God, 1 Pet. 4. 13. 14. Rejoyce in as much as ye are partakers of Christs sufferings, that when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding Joy. If you be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye, for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you, Jam. 1. 12. Blessed is the man that endureth Temptation; for when he is tryed he shall receive the Crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. If you suffer with him you shall also raign with him, 2 Tim. 2. 12. Blessed are they that suffer for righteousness sake: for theirs is the Kingdome of heaven. Blessed are you when men shall revile you and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsly for my name sake, rejoyce and be exceeding glad for great is your reward in heaven, Math. 5. 10, 11, 12. Time would fail me to go over all those promises that are come in now upon us all at once. Oh we are an unthankfull people, if all these promises do not raise our faith and joy. Is it a light thing my brethren, that you should be heirs of the promises?
Fourthly, God hath hath honored you more than others. To others with you 'tis given to believe; but to you 'tis given to suffer for his sake; which the Apostle reckons up as a step higher than others attain to, Philip. 1. 29.
Fifthly, God hath intrusted you with his honor more than others. God hath put more into your hands, than into the hands of any other. Gods glory is trusted morewith the sufferers of Christ than with any others. O be infinitely tender of Gods honor! O see that you love him more than others: praise him more than others.