Sermons Preached on Several Occasions, Sermon 11
The Eleventh Sermon.
HAG. II. 6, 7, 8, 9.
Thus ſaith the Lord of Hoſts Yet once, it is a little while, and I will ſhake the heavens, and the earth, and the ſea, and the dry land: And I will ſhake all nations, and the deſire of all nations ſhall come, and I will fill this houſe with glory, ſaith the Lord of Hoſts. The ſilver is mine, and the gold is mine, ſaith the Lord of Hoſts. The glory of this latter houſe ſhall be greater than of the former, ſaith the Lord of Hoſts: and in this place will I give peace, ſaith the Lord of Hoſts.
WHen God turned the Captivity of his People, The Firſt Sermon Preached in the New Church at Northampton Rebuilt after the Fire.brought them out of Babylon, and once more ſettled them in the Promiſed Land, they for a time wholly minded their own private Intereſts and Concernments; but the publick Worſhip of God, as if that had been no man's concern, was no man's care. The ſettling of their own Affairs, and the building and beautifying of their own Houſes ſo took them up, that the building of the Houſe of God was little regarded. It was long before this work was begun; and after it was begun, and ſome progreſs had been made therein, it met with ſeveral difficulties and interruptions, and went on very ſlowly, as for the moſt part Church-work doth. Two great obſtructions there were that did not a little retard and ſet back this work, the one from without, the other from within.
1. The Enemies from without, omitted no endeavours, left no Stone unturned, whereby they might hinder the building of the Temple. And what by their own Power, what by their Intereſt in the Perſian Court, they ſo far prevailed as to put divers ſtops to the work.
2. The obſtruction from within, was their lukewarmneſs and indifferency, their want of Zeal and forwardneſs for promoting and carrying on the work. Now as well for their encouragement againſt the Enemy, as for rouſing them up and exciting them to more Zeal and Activity in promoting a work in which the honour of God and the happineſs of that people were ſo much concerned, God was pleaſed to raiſe up and imploy two extraordinary Perſons, the Prophet Haggai and the Prophet Zechary. The Prophet Haggai having reproved them for their ſlackneſs and negligence, for their minding their own private Intereſts and Affairs with the neglect of what referred to the honour and publick worſhip of God; and having laid before them the ſeveral Judgments which for this their Sin God had inflicted on them, doth aſſure them of God's gracious preſence, aſſiſtance, and bleſſing in this weighty undertaking, if they ſhould in good earneſt engage therein, and purſue it with that Zeal, Vigour, and Induſtry, which in the managing and carrying on of ſo important an Affair was requiſite. Now to the end that all objections againſt it might be anſwered, and whatſoever was or could be matter of diſcouragement might be removed, the Prophet in the words that I have read, doth meet with the principal things which carnal Reaſon might pitch upon, and make uſe of for the cooling of their Zeal, the rebating of their Induſtry, and the ſlackning of their Endeavours. Were the Adverſaries and Oppoſers of this work numerous and potent? How many and how potent ſoever they were, the Lord of Hoſts would be with his People, and ſtand by them. He would exert and put forth his Almighty Power in the behalf of them; he would ſhake the Heavens, and the Earth, and the Sea, and the dry Land. He would make all things give way to, yield, and ſtoop to his deſign; and rather than any thing ſhould hinder the accompliſhment of what he had undertaken to do for his People, he would turn the World upſide down. Now upon their late return from Seventy years Captivity in Babylon, was their outward condition ſtrait, poor and low? Were they altogether unfurniſhed with thoſe rich ſupplies which were neceſſary for carrying on ſo coſtly a work? That this might not trouble or diſhearten them, God tells them the Silver is his, and the Gold is his. He had all the Riches of the World at command, and could plentifully furniſh and ſupply them, if he ſaw good. Now that the platform of the Houſe was drawn out, and the Foundations of it were laid, did the meanneſs of it diſcourage rhem? Did it ſeem a poor and contemptible thing in compariſon of Solomon's Temple? How mean and deſpicable ſoever it might be in the eyes of any of them, and how far ſhort ſoever it was likely to be of the Splendor and Magnificence of Solomon's Temple, yet God promiſeth to fill that Houſe with Glory, and that the Glory of that latter Houſe ſhould be greater than the Glory of the former. Were the frequent commotions and changes of the World, and the inconſtant and variable ſtate of things in thoſe parts of the World ſuch as promiſed them little quiet and ſatisfaction in the enjoyment of God's publick worſhip when the Temple ſhould be finiſhed? For allaying of theſe their fears, as the cloſe of all that God had promiſed, he tells them, that he would give peace in that place. And in regard that theſe were great things, and ſuch as an oppreſſed people that had been long under hatches, and had but of late begun to put up their Heads, could not eaſily belive; God ingageth his Omnipotency and Faithfulneſs for the performance of them, within the compaſs of four verſes five times repeating that ſolemn form of words, Thus ſaith the Lord of Hoſts.
So I have given you the main Intendment and Scope of theſe words. In the handling of them, I muſt take them in order as they lye. And becauſe there are many things contained in them, which might take up ſome Hours if they were treated of at large, I muſt with all convenient brevity ſpeak to Particulars, and paſs on from one thing to another as lightly and ſpeedily as I can. But as I go on, where the matter will admit of it, and as far as it ſhall be capable thereof, I ſhall endeavour to bring it as near the preſent occaſion as I may.
Though the words will ſcarce admit of any genuine, proper, and convenient diviſion, yet ſuch a diviſion as they are capable of, you may thus take.
1. We have a prediction of great concuſſions and ſhakings in the World before the coming of the Meſſiah: Yet once, it is a little while, and I will ſhake the heavens, and the earth, and the ſea, and the dry land, and will ſhake all nations.
2. We have a Prediction of his coming: And the deſire of all nations ſhall come.
3. A Promiſe of the Glory of the ſecond Temple, together with an anſwer to an objection againſt it: And I will fill this houſe with glory: the ſilver is mine, and the gold is mine.
4. An Amplification of that Promiſe concerning the glory of the ſecond Temple: The glory of this latter houſe ſhall be greater than the glory of the former.
5. An additional Promiſe of Peace, as an Appendix to all other Mercies promiſed: And in this place will I give peace.
6. The Ratification or Confirmation of the whole, in thoſe laſt words, ſaith the Lord of Hoſts, ſo often mentioned before, and with which all that was before promiſed, is at laſt ſhut up and ſealed.
To begin with the firſt of theſe, the Prediction of great concuſſions and ſhakings in the World before the coming of the Meſſiah; It is yet a little while, and I will ſhake the heavens, and the earth, and the ſea, and the dry land, and will ſhake all nations. By theſe Metaphorical Expreſſions, according to the uſual Language and Style of the Prophets, we are to underſtand great Troubles, Commotions, Changes and Alterations in the World, in which high and low, Perſons of all Conditions, Ranks and Qualities, repreſented by the Heavens and the Earth, ſhould take their turns, and have their ſhare. So God ſpeaking of his terrible Judgments on the World, ſaith, Iſa. 13.13.I will ſhake the heavens, and the earth ſhall remove out of its place in the wrath of the Lord of Hoſts, and in the day of his fierce anger. But now all the difficulty is, what ſhakings ſhould be here intended. Some underſtand the words of the great things which the Evangeliſts report to have been done at and upon the Birth of Chriſt, the Miracles wrought by him in his Life, the ſtrange and miraculous Providences at his Death and Reſurrection; and of the ſhaking of the World afterwards by the preaching of the Goſpel, whereby Idols were thrown down, Heatheniſh Idolatry and Superſtitions were aboliſhed; the Chriſtian Religion, and the Worſhip of the true God coming in place thereof. Theſe were great and wonderful things; but how they ſhould be here by the Prophet intended, is not eaſie to conceive. For he ſeems to ſpeak of ſuch concuſſions and ſhakings as ſhould be antecedent to the coming of Chriſt, and go before it, not concur with it, much leſs follow after it. Thus ſaith the Lord of Hoſts, I will ſhake the heavens, and the earth, and the ſea, and the dry land: and I will ſhake all nations, and the Deſire of all nations ſhall come; that is, after God ſhould thus have ſhaken the World, Chriſt ſhould come. And indeed very great and dreadful ſhakings there were between the time of this Prophecy, and the coming of the Meſſiah; in which ſhakings the people of God, the Jewiſh Nation, were not a little concern'd. The Perſian Empire, under which they now were, was not only ſhaken, but ſhaken in pieces, diſſolved and ruined by the Grecians under the Conduct of Alexander the Great. Then preſently after Alexander's Death, who died in the flower of his Age, the Empire which he had but juſt then acquired and been poſſeſſed of, was in effect once more rent in pieces, and divided amongſt his Chieftains and Principal Commanders. While this ſtate of things continued, the Jews were miſerably ſhaken, oppreſſed, and haraſſed by the Tyranny and Cruelty of Antiochus Epiphanes, beſides many other grievous preſſures and ſufferings, which during the Government of the Seleucides they underwent. After ſome time the Romans came upon them all, and ſubdued all to themſelves; in which Revolution the diſtreſſed Jews fell under the power of the Romans, and were at their Mercy. After all theſe terrible ſhakings, nearer the coming of Chriſt, the Civil Wars under Auguſtus Caeſar, cauſed horrible ſhakings and convulſions in the Empire; after which the Temple of Janus was ſhut up, and a peaceable time enſued, all Swords being ſheathed, and all Arms laid aſide throughout the whole Empire; and then was Chriſt the Prince of Peace born in the Forty firſt, or as ſome will have it, in the Forty ſecond year of the Reign of Auguſtus Caeſar.
Now whereas all theſe ſhakings were to go before the coming of Chriſt, which was the greateſt Mercy that ever was vouchſafed the World, we may obſerve,
That great Troubles and Afflictions ſometimes go before and make way for great and ſignal Mercies. This is indeed the ordinary and uſual method of God's moſt wiſe and gracious Providence.
Thus Joſeph is ſold to the Midianites, carried into Egypt, and there again ſold to Potiphar, falſly accuſed, caſt into Priſon, and laid in Irons, that by this Series of long-continued Afflictions way might be made for his Advancement to the higheſt Honour in Pharaoh's Court, and for his being made Ruler over all the Land of Egypt.
Thus ſeventy years Captivity and Bondage in Babylon goes before the joyful and triumphant Return of God's people into their own Land, of which the Pſalmiſt thus ſpeaks, Pſal. 126.1, 2.When the Lord turned the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream: then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with ſinging: then ſaid they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them. Which Pſalm, though placed among the Pſalms of David, yet is by Learned men, upon good grounds, ſuppoſed to have been penned by ſome other Perſon after the return from Babylon; as alſo Pſal. 137. that is to ſay, 460 years at leaſt after that David had been gathered to his Fathers; and perhaps much more, for we know not how long after the return from Babylon it might be penned.
Thus the Ten moſt Cruel and Bloody Perſecutions of the Chriſtian Church in the firſt Ages thereof, went before that quiet and tranquillity which the Church enjoyed under Conſtantine and the ſucceeding Chriſtian Emperors, when, to uſe the expreſſions of the Prophet, God made the peace of his Church as a river, and the righteouſneſs thereof as the waves of the ſea.
Thus that wicked Uſurpation and Tyranny of Antichriſt, making havock of the Church, which hath been drawn out to ſo great a length already, and yet we know not how much longer it may laſt, goes before that happy eſtate of the Church, and of the World, when thoſe joyful Acclamations ſhall be heard, The kingdoms of the world are become the kingdoms of the Lord, and of his Chriſt, Rev. 11.15. And when they who ſhall have gotten the victory over the beaſt and over his image, ſhall ſing the ſong of Moſes and of the Lamb, ſaying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty, juſt and true are thy ways, thou king of ſaints, Rev. 15.1, 2. And to add but one inſtance more here at home; thus after the ſharp and bitter Perſecutions under the Reign of Queen Mary, followed that bleſſed Sunſhine of the Goſpel, and the peaceable and undiſturbed Enjoyment thereof throughout all the long and proſperous, or rather glorious Reign of Queen Elizabeth, and the continuance of it to us ever ſince, even to this day, notwithſtanding all the deſtructive Machinations, wicked Plots, and reſtleſs Attempts of the Enemy to deprive us of it, and to put out our light in obſcure darkneſs.
Now ſome of the reaſons of this method of Divine Providence are theſe.
1. It conduceth very much to the diſplaying and illuſtrating of the glory of God's Wiſdom, Power and Goodneſs, who can ſo wonderfully change the moſt dark and diſmal ſtate of things, who creates darkneſs, and forms light, Iſa. 45.7. Who turns the ſhadow of death into the morning, as the Prophet ſpeaks, Amos 5.8. Who turns a Town into Aſhes and Rubbiſh in the ſpace of few Hours, making it a place meet for Zim and Okim to take up their abode in the mercileſs Element where it raged ſcarce leaving a Lintel for the Cormorant or Bittern to lodge in, or the remainders of a ſcorched Window to ſing in: And then again within the ſpace of few years, out of the Duſt and Aſhes to raiſe up a Town for the Accommodation of men, and a Church for the Service of God, and both with the addition of that beauty and luſtre which had never been, unleſs God had laid the Foundations of that change for the better in ruin and deſolation. All Beholders muſt needs acknowledge ſuch admirable turns and viciſſitudes of things, to be the operation of his Hands, who is wonderful in counſel, and excellent in working.
2. By dark Providences, by Troubles and Afflictions, God fits and prepares us for Mercies. Our Afflictions when ſanctified, humble us, lay us low, make us reflect upon our ſelves, and conſider our ways; make us repent, reform, and turn to him that ſmiteth us; and all this tends to the rendring us meet to be partakers of the Mercies which God hath in ſtore for us. For while we go on impenitently in a courſe of Sin, bleſſings would be curſed to us, and abuſe of Mercies would increaſe our miſery.
3. Afflictions commend God's aftermercies, and make them more ſweet and acceptable to us, as the darkneſs of the Night commends the light of the Morning. A quiet and calm Seaſon after a Storm, how welcome, how pleaſant and delightſome is it! Such is the unſpeakable goodneſs of God, that he ſo much conſults our comfort, as to order and diſpoſe of the circumſtances of our Mercies, ſo as they may afford us moſt content and ſatisfaction.
4. Great Troubles and Afflictions going before great Mercies, diſpoſe our Hearts to greater thankfulneſs for them. When Mercies come in upon us in ſuch a ſeaſon, and with ſuch circumſtances, they greatly affect us, and make deep impreſſions on our Hearts, ſo as we think we can never be thankful enough, we can never bleſs God ſufficiently for them.
Now to apply this briefly; The conſideration of what hath been ſaid concerning this method of God's Providence, and the Reaſons of it, ſhould perſwade us, and prevail with us to bear Afflictions meekly, quietly, and patiently, and with that compoſedneſs, calmneſs, and evenneſs of Spirit which becomes Chriſtians, who are no ſtrangers to the uſual ways of God's Providence, neither fretting againſt the Lord, nor deſponding, or caſting away our confidence in him. Though it be night with you at preſent, yet you may hope it will not be ſo always, the day will return. There is an interchangeable viciſſitude of theſe Providences; after darkneſs light breaks forth, and the longer your night hath been, the nearer are the approaches of the day; wherefore in the moſt dark and diſconſolate condition ſay with the Church of God, Mic. 7.7, 8, 9.I will look unto the Lord, I will wait for the God of my ſalvation. Rejoice not againſt me, O mine enemy, when I fall, I ſhall ariſe; when I ſit in darkneſs, the Lord ſhall be a light unto me. I will bear the indignation of the Lord, becauſe I have ſinned againſt him, until he plead my cauſe, and execute judgment for me; he will bring me forth to the light, and I ſhall behold his righteouſneſs.
So I have done with the firſt thing, the Prediction of great concuſſions and ſhakings in the World before the coming of the Meſſiah.
2. I come now to the ſecond Particular, The Promiſe of his coming, And the deſire of all nations ſhall come. The Deſire of all Nations, that is Chriſt the object of the deſire of all Nations, or whom all Nations ſhall deſire. But then this muſt be underſtood of ſome of all Nations, of as many out of all Nations as are diſpoſed to receive him; though others, perhaps the generality of ſome Nations, may be ſo far from deſiring him, that they may hate him, blaſpheme his Name, and perſecute to the Death all that acknowledge him for their Saviour. But if this ſenſe be judged too ſtrait, then by the deſire of all Nations we may underſtand the deſireable of all Nations, or he who hath that in him which ſhould render him lovely and deſirable to all Nations, and in reſpect whereof all Nations may and ſhould deſire him; and ſo far as they know him, and underſtand their own intereſt, will deſire him. This deſcription or character of Chriſt is agreeable to what the Scriptures elſewhere ſay concerning him. The Spouſe having deſcribed him, and ſet forth his Perfections and Excellencies, ſaith, He is the thiefeſt among ten thouſand, Cant. 5.10. And altogether lovely, ver. 16. And Jacob Prophetically ſpeaking of him under the Name of Shiloh; ſaith, To him ſhall the gathering of the people be, Gen. 49.10. That is, all People and Nations out of an high eſteem of him, and an earneſt deſire after him, ſhall flow in to him. So God ſpeaking of the coming in of the Gentiles to the Church in the Times of the Goſpel, and under the Kingdom of the Meſſiah, ſaith, Behold, I will lift up my hand to the Gentiles, and ſet up my ſtandard to the people, and they ſhall bring thy ſons in their arms, and thy daughters ſhall be carried upon their ſhoulders, Iſa. 49.22. In that day there ſhall be a root of Jeſſe…, which ſhall ſtand for an enſign to the people; to it ſhall the Gentiles ſeek, Iſa. 11.10. Behold my ſervant whom I uphold, mine elect in whom my ſoul delighteth; I have put my ſpirit upon him, he ſhall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. I will give him for a Covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles, Iſa. 42.1. It is a light thing that thou ſhouldſt be my ſervant to raiſe up the tribes of Jacob, and to reſtore the preſerved of Iſrael; I will alſo give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayeſt be my ſalvation to the ends of the earth, Iſa. 49.6. Hence it is that the Church gathered out of all Nations, is repreſented to St. John in a Viſion as giving glory to Chriſt. I beheld, ſaith he, and lo a great multitude which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, ſtood before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palms in their hands, and cryed with a loud voice, ſaying, Salvation to our God which ſitteth upon the throne, and to the Lamb, Rev. 7.9, 10.
Now if you ask in what reſpects, and upon what account Chriſt is the deſire of all Nations? I anſwer, this is a ſubject which would take up much time if I ſhould enlarge on it. Briefly therefore, he is the deſire of all Nations, becauſe he is the promiſed ſeed in whom all the nations of the earth were to be bleſſed, Gen. 22.18. Becauſe he is the Saviour of all Nations, the ſaviour of the w rld, John 4.42. The propitiation for the ſins of the whole world, 1 John 2.2. There being no other name under heaven given among men whereby we muſt be ſaved, Acts 4.12. In ſhort, he it is that ſatisfieth the Juſtice of God for Sinners, and delivers them from the wrath to come, that purchaſeth for them pardon of ſin, peace with God, Grace here, and Glory hereafter. In a word, this is he who is of God made unto us wiſdom, righteouſneſs, ſanctification and redemption, 1 Cor. 1.30. Now let us all reflect upon our ſelves, and conſider whether he who is the deſire of all Nations, be the deſire of our Souls; and whether he be in our eſteem the chiefeſt among ten thouſand. Do we count all things loſs and dung for the excellency of the knowledge of Chriſt? Do we intirely love him? Do we earneſtly long after him? Are our Affections towards him ſuch as we can never be ſatisfied until we can ſay that he is ours, and we are his? Could we be content to purchaſe him at any rate? And is there nothing in all the World ſo dear unto us, but that we could freely part with it for his ſake? O let us never be at reſt until we find that our Hearts ſtand thus affected towards him. What ſay you to this, all ye that have the Name of Chriſt frequently in your Mouths, and by an external Profeſſion own him as your Saviour, but ſay of him in your Hearts, We will not have this man to reign over us? Ye that give him good words, but refuſe to take his Yoke upon you, and ſubmit to his Government; who profeſs you know him, love him, deſire him, and give him the chief room in your Hearts, but in your works deny him, being abominable, diſobedient, and to every good work reprobate Deceive not your ſelves, Chriſt will never own ſuch as you are. Without timely and ſincere Repentance, the ſentence which you muſt expect from him is, Depart from me, ye that work iniquity, I never knew you, Mat. 7.23.
Hitherto of the Character of Chriſt. Now as to the Promiſe of his coming; all that I ſhall therein take notice of, is the circumſtance of time, when he was to come, namely, while the ſecond Temple ſhould be yet ſtanding; for he was by his preſence to fill that Houſe with Glory, and to make the Glory of the latter Houſe greater than that of the former, as we ſhall preſently ſee. And this circumſtance of his coming, is that which alſo the Prophet Malachy, who propheſied immediately before his coming, foretold. Behold, ſaith the Meſſiah himſelf, I ſend my meſſenger, (that is, John the Baptiſt, the forerunner of Chriſt) and he ſhall prepare the way before me; and the Lord whom ye ſeek (namely the Lord Chriſt) ſhall ſuddenly come to his temple, Mal. 3.1.even the meſſenger of the Covenant whom ye delight in. This, as it confutes the unbelieving and blaſphemous Jews, and argues the wilful blindneſs of their minds, and the miſerable obſtinacy and hardneſs of their hearts in denying the Meſſiah to be come, and ſtill fixing new periods of time for his coming, as they find ſtill that he comes not at the times by them aſſigned him for his coming; ſo it greatly confirms our Faith in Chriſt as the true Meſſiah. For as all other things propheſied and foretold concerning the Meſſiah exactly agree to him and none elſe; ſo doth this remarkable circumſtance of the time of his coming.
Wherefore the Apoſtle ſaith, When the fulneſs of time was come, God ſent his Son into the world, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, Gal. 4.4, 5. When the fulneſs of time was come, that is, when the time which God had predetermined and foretold was fully come. This is that which Jacob propheſied of, Gen. 49.10. The ſcepter ſhall not depart from Judah; nor a lawgiver from between his feet until Shiloh come. Though the Jews had now ever ſince the Conqueſt of Judea by Pompey, been under the Power of the Romans; and by them been deprived of all power to judge, determine, and puniſh in Capital Matters; yet in other matters they had ſtill a power allowed them, ſo as all Government was not wholly wreſted away from them, and taken out of their hands. But now the time was drawing near when their City and Temple were to be utterly deſtroyed; their Polity, Civil State, and Commonwealth to be aboliſhed, the remainders of them, after the fatal ſlaughters of that miſerable people at the deſtruction of Jeruſalem, to be diſperſed and ſcattered into ſeveral Countreys, and not as much as the face or ſhadow of any Government to be left among them. At this ſignal and critical time, when the day of theſe their Calamities haſtened, was Chriſt born. The ſum of all is this, The Meſſiah was to come while the ſecond Temple was yet ſtanding, and while the Scepter was not yet wholly departed from Judah, nor a Lawgiver from between his feet; while at leaſt ſomewhat of Civil Power and Government ſtill remain'd among them; and ſo accordingly he came. But 'tis now above ſixteen hundred years ſince the Temple was deſtroyed, and all Civil Government among them, into what quarters of the World ſoever ſcattered, perfectly aboliſhed. In vain therefore do the Jews expect any other Meſſiah; and as for us Chriſtians, we have all imaginable evidence that Jeſus, the Son of the Bleſſed Virgin Mary, is the Chriſt, the promiſed Meſſiah. To him therefore let us betake our ſelves for the pardon of our Sins, and the ſalvation of our Souls; on him let us reſt, to him let us ſecurely commit the Everlaſting Concernments of our Souls. Other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, which is Jeſus Chriſt, 1 Cor. 3.1. If an angel from heaven preach any other goſpel, take upon him to hold forth any other Meſſiah, or to declare any other way of ſalvation, let him be accurſed, Gal. 1.8.
3. Now follows the third Particular, A Promiſe of the glory of the ſecond Temple, together with the anſwer of an objection againſt it; I will fill this houſe with glory; the ſilver is mine, and the gold is mine. I will fill this houſe with glory, that's the Promiſe. In which words there ſeems to be a double Alluſion; partly an Alluſion to the external glory of Solomon's Temple that was ſo magnificently built, and ſo richly beautified and adorned; and partly to the glorious appearance of God in that Temple, at the dedication thereof, concerning which we read, 1 Kings 8.10, 11. That a cloud filled the houſe of the Lord, ſo that the prieſts could not ſtand to miniſter becauſe of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord had filled the houſe. So then, as the firſt Temple was filled with glory, ſo God promiſed the ſecond ſhould alſo be. But now what glory is here meant, and how this Promiſe was fulfilled, I ſhall preſently ſhew when I come to ſpeak of the Amplification of the Promiſe. For the preſent it is enough to know that God undertakes it, who can do whatſoever he pleaſeth, and will do whatſoever he hath promiſed. But however carnal reaſon objects, How can theſe things be? Where is the Silver and the Gold? Where are the rich materials wherewith this Houſe ſhall be ſo ſplendidly rebuilt? To this tacit objection that might be in the minds of that oppreſſed and indigent people, God anſwers, The ſilver is mine, and the gold is mine. As if he had ſaid, If I undertake to fill this Houſe with glory, make you no queſtion but that I ſhall find means for effecting it.
And was there not a time when the objection of this people was, or might have been ours? He that had ſeen this Town, and the place in which now we are aſſembled, the next morning after the dreadful Fire, would have deſpaired of living to ſee it rebuilt as now it is; he would rather have thought that the ſentence pronounced againſt Moab had belonged to it, that it ſhould be for the breeding of nettles and ſalt-pits, Zeph. 2.9.and a perpetual deſolation. If there had been any Prophet then among us that could have ſaid, Out of theſe Aſhes and ruinous heaps ſhall a Town and a Church be raiſed within the ſpace of a few years, and you ſhall ſee it more beautiful and ſplendid than ever it was before the Fire, the reply would have been, Where is the Silver, and where is the Gold wherewith it ſhall be done? Whence ſhall the diſtreſſed and impoveriſhed Inhabitants have wherewithal to compaſs it? But bleſſed be God, who hath found out means, and afforded helps to bring it to paſs. He who ſaith, The ſilver is mine, and the gold is mine; he who hath the treaſures of darkneſs, Iſa. 45.3.and the hidden riches of ſecret places at his diſpoſal, as he ſpeaks, hath inclined the Hearts of Prince and People, of Nobility and Gentry, of City and Country, to lend their aſſiſtance towards it in ſuch a full ſtream of bounty, as ſcarce admits of any parallel. But to the King's Bounty and Munificence do we in a more eminent and ſingular manner under God owe the Rebuilding of the Town and the Church, and more eſpecially of the Church, which as long as it continues in being, will be a ſtanding Monument thereof. As we muſt with all thankfulneſs acknowledge our deep obligations to all from the higheſt to the loweſt that have been Inſtruments of our good, and particularly to the Gentlemen, the Commiſſioners, by whoſe care and induſtry this place for the publick Worſhip and Service of God hath at length been perfected; ſo muſt we give God all the glory, who ſets all Inſtruments a work, who hath the hearts of all men in his hand as the rivers of water, and turneth them whither ſoever …e w…ll. Prov. 21.1.Who ſaid of Cyrus, He is my ſhepherd, and ſhall perform all my pleaſure; even ſaying to ſeruſalem; Thou ſhalt be built; Iſa. 44.28.and to the temple, thy foundations ſhall be laid.
4. So I go on to the fourth Particular, the Amplification of the Promiſe; And the glory of this latter houſe ſhall be greater than the glory of the former. If theſe words ſhould be underſtood of outward glory, it would be hard to ſhew how the Promiſe was fulfilled. We read that when the Prieſts and Levites, Ezr. 3.12.and the chief of the Fathers, who were ancient men that had ſeen the former Houſe, ſaw the Foundation of the ſecond Temple laid before their eyes, they wept with a loud voice, conſidering how ſhort the latter Houſe came of the former. Who is there among you, Hag 2.3.ſaid the Lord, that ſaw this houſe in her firſt glory? And how do you ſee it now? Is it not in your eyes in compariſon of it as nothing? So then clear it is, that Zerobabel's Temple as to the Structure and outward Ornaments thereof, was no way comparable to Solomon's Temple. Some indeed ſay, that this Temple was ſo far enlarged and beautified by Herod, that it did not only equal, but exceed Solomon's Temple That Herod enlarg'd and beautifi'd it, is granted, but that he ſo improved it as it excelled Solomon's Temple, may very well be queſtioned. 'Tis therefore another kind of glory than that which conſiſts in external luſtre and magnificence, a ſpiritual glory that God intended when he promiſed, that the glory of the latter houſe ſhould be greater than the glory of the former. And that ſpiritual glory lay eſpecially in this, that the promiſed Meſſiah, the Eternal Son of God Incarnate, ſhould honour and dignify this ſecond Temple by his being preſented there, by his frequent acceſs unto it, by his corporal preſence, and by his teaching in it. Hereby was made a far greater acceſſion of glory to that Temple, than all Solomon's Gold and Silver, Riches and Magnificence could put upon the former Temple.
Now whereas God in effect promiſed, that what was wanting as to external glory in the ſecond Temple, ſhould be made up with advantage in ſpiritual glory; we may hence obſerve,
That ſpiritual glory is the chief glory; and where this is, it abundantly makes up and ſupplies the defects of other glory. This is a truth, the conſideration whereof is not unſeaſonable at preſent. We have here a fine and beautiful Church which draws many eyes upon it; and if there be nothing undecently pompous or gaudy in it, I would hope the beauty of a Church would be an eye-fore to no man. If we adorn our own Houſes without offence, why ſhould not ſome Ornament be allowed the Houſe of God, provided that ſuch moderation and decency be therein obſerved, as becomes a place dedicated to the Service of God.
Beſides, I know not but the decent, chaſte, and modeſt Ornature of a place in which God is to be worſhipped, may be a means of drawing ſome people thither who would not much care to aſſemble themſelves in an undecent and ſordid place.
Aſpicis ut veniant ad candida tecta col…mbie;
Accipie… nullas ſordida turris aves.
But yet however, we muſt take heed that we place not too much in theſe external things; that we pleaſe not our ſelves too much in them. When all is done, Spiritual Ornaments are the only Ornaments, and Spiritual Glory the true Glory: If that be wanting to this place, all other glory will ſignify little. Sin marrs the beauty, and ſtains the glory of any place or people. Sound Doctrine, pure Ordinances, ſpiritual Worſhip, the holineſs and unblameableneſs of our Lives, the converſion of Sinners, the turning of many to righteouſneſs; theſe are the things that will more beautify and adorn this place, that will reflect more true and ſubſtantial Glory on it, than all the Coſt and Art that hath been expended and laid out upon it to adorn and beautify it.
Theſe are the things that would make the glory of this latter houſe greater than the glory of the former.
FINIS.
End of the text · John Conant, Sermons Preached on Several Occasions (1693)