The Theater of Gods Judgments, Book 1 · Chapter 26
CHAP. XXVI. Of those that at any time corrupted and mingled Gods Religion with humane inventions, or went about to change or disquiet the discipline of the Church.
NOw seeing that God hath set downe a certaine forme of doctrine and instruction, according to which hee would have us to serve him, and established a kinde of discipline to be observed and maintained of every man inviolably, it behoveth therefore every Christian to conforme himselfe unto this order; and not to be guided by every fickle imagination of his own braine, or every rash presumption that ariseth in himselfe, but onelyonly by the direct rule of Gods Word, which onelyonly we ought to follow. By meanes of neglecting which duty, many vaine and pernitious ceremonies and strange superstitions have beene brought in and swayed mightily: by reason whereof great Controversies and Disputations are taken up at this day. Albeit indeed it be a thing manifest, that being not grounded and propped upon the Anchor of the Scriptures, they ought to be abolished, what brave outward shew in appearance soever they beare.
And that they set abroach things are not blamelesse and excusable before God, it appeareth by the punishment of Nadab and Abihu, who being Levit 20. Numb 34.ordained Priests of God, to sacrifice and offer onelyonly those things which were commanded in the Law, yet were so evill advised as to offer strange incense and perfume upon the Altar, received at the very instant of the fact condigne punishment for their presumption: for suddenly this their strange fire invaded them so fiercely, and so piercingly, that they were soon burned and consumed therewith: and so they were not spared, albeit they were Aarons sonnes, even his first borne, and Moses Nephewes; that by them all other might feare and take warning how to enterprise any thing in Gods service contrary to his expresse Ordinance.
This moderation also ought to be observed in the Church Discipline, to wit, that every man containe himselfe within the Precincts of his vocation, and that none intrude themselves into any charge without being called of God thereunto: whereof Corah greatly faulted, when being not Numb. 16.content with the dignity of a Levites office which God had bestowed upon him, he ambitiously aspired to the Priests office, and besides this stirred up and drew to his faction Dathan and Abiram, and many others, to the number of two hundred and fifty persons, against Moses and Aaron: but he drew withall the vengeance of God downe upon himselfe and all that tooke his part in most horrible and fearefull manner: for some of them, to wit, the two hundred and fifty, who, notwithstanding Moses reproose, were so hardy and presumptuous as to present themselves the next morrow after the tumult, openly before the Tabernacle, to offer Incense, as if they had beene true Priests, were for their flame of Ambition and Pride, set on fire and consumed with the flame of Gods wrath: others, to wit, Dathan and Abiram, for their audacious enterprise against God, in the person of his servants, Moses and Aaron, and their high mindednesse and rebellion, in not comming out of their Tents at the commandment of Moses, were throwne downe into the lowest pit, the earth opening her mouth, and swallowing them up alive with their Tents and Families, and all that belonged unto them, to the fearefull amasement of the whole people, that were beholders of this Spectacle.
Oziah King of Iuda, carried himselfe a long while uprightly and modestly 2 Chron. 26.in the service of God: but after God had given him many great victories over his enemies the Philistims, the Arabians, the Amorites, and that his renowne and feare was spread not onelyonly to his neighbours, but also to strange nations, by and by his heart was puft up with pride and selfeconceit, that he dared to enter the Temple of God, and burne Incense upon the Altar, which belonged onelyonly to the Priests office to doe: and not obeying the strong resistance and countermand of the good Priests that had charge of the Temple, he was strucken with a Leprosie, and hastily carried out and sequestred from the society of men all his life time. And so this proud King that foolishly tooke upon him more than was lawfull and convenient, was forced to recoile, and to be still, being humbled under so grievous a scourge as never for sooke him till his death.
When the Arke of the Covenant was in bringing from Abinadabs house 1 Sam. 6: 1 Chron. 13.in Kyriathjarim, in a Cart guided by Vzza and Ahio, Abinadabs sonnes, it fell out on the way, that it being shaken by the Oxen, (unfit Servitors for such a worke) Vzza put forth his hand to hold it; but therein hee went beyond his charge, and therefore was punished forthwith with present death, for his inconsiderate rashnesse: for albeit he was both a Levite, and thought no evill in his heart, yet in no respect was be licenced to touch the Arke, being a thing lawfull for the Priests onelyonly. Let therefore every one be advised by these Examples, to follow the rule in serving God, that is by him designed, in all simplicity, modestie, and obedience, without altering or declining, or undertaking any thing above or beside their calling.