The Way of Life, Treatises 1 · Treatise 7
ZACH. 12.13, 14.
The family of the house of Levi apart, &c.
WEE have spoken of the subject, that is here said to mourne. The Land shall mourn, that is, not the whole Land, but many godly Families in a Land. Now wee come to another note from the true sense of the words.
Doctrine. The spirit of grace and prayer doth lead the people of God unto mourning, not onelyonly in sundry Families together apart from others, but also every Family apart by it selfe, and in those Families, husbands and wives apart one from another.
This is the summe of the distribution of the subjects mourning. The words hold out (that I may so speak) all the formes of humiliation, which at any time Gods Spirit led the hearts of Christians unto, in the first dayes of the Gospel.
1. Every Family apart. In the Originall, it is Families, Families, that is, sundry Families together, apart from some others.
2. Every Family apart by it self.
3. In these Families husbands and wives apart by themselves, and sometimes in the same Family, many men meet together, when their wives are not with them, and sometimes the women without the men. Families, Families. These kinde of ingeminations doe not alwayes signifie every Family, but sometimes sundry and many Families, sometines universality, and sometimes multitude, as Hebrew Grammarians say; as to shew you some instances, Gen. 14.10. The vally was full of slime pits, in the originall it is pits, pits, that is sundry or many pits; so Families, families, is many Families; not all pits, for then there had been no roome to fight; but many pits. So 2 Chron. 31.6. They laid up their provision for the Temple, heaps, heaps, as it is in the Original, sundry heaps, or here and there an heap. So Mark 6.39, 40. They sat down ranks, ranks, that is, sundry ranks; so Families, Families, that this is, sundry Families; & that is the meaning of the holy Ghost in the text, it is evident from the accomplishment thereof. Acts 2.41, 46. there were three thousand converted at one time, and it is said, they did eat their meat together from house to house, not that three thousand of them met together at one mans house, for whose house could hold thē? especially consdering that most of them were poore men, therefore impossible it was, that three thousand of them should meet at one mans house, but some in this, and some in that; and so divided themselves, that in severall Families they did all meet: read the same accomplishment of this Prophecy, Acts 12.12. When Peter was miraculously delivered out of prison, he came to the house of the Mother of Iohn, where many were gathered together praying, many Families were there met, and they had the happinesse to know first of his deliverance; for the whole Church puts forth instant prayer in his behalfe; and there was above five thousand more added to the Church by that time, for they multiplied exceedingly, but the whole Church was then assembled one where or other; and that Iames was not amongst them at Mary her house, it is evident, from ver. 17. Got, shew these things unto Iames, as a signe he was not there; thus they met in sundry Families.
But this is not at all, but besides this, it is said, They met every Family apart, verse last; so that they did not onelyonly meet when many Families could get together, but every Family had a mourning by it self, somtimes no Family joyning with them, onelyonly themselves, their wives, and children, and of such as so joyned with them, came that saying, The Church in their house, Rom. 16.15. Col. 4.15. and Phil. 2. They and their Families met solemnly together, as Ioshuah said, I and my house will serve the Lord. Iohn. 24.15. And I khow that Abraham will teach his Family, Gen. 18.19. to shew you that all the children of Abraham will doe as Abraham did. It is true, the words in the Epistles, Such a man, and the Church in his house, may have a double meaning; for it may be taken the whole Congregation met in such a mans house, in such an eminent Christians house; as in the Church of Colosse, there was Nymphies house. But in this case I like well of the judgement of the present Bishop of Salisbury, as taking it for granted, that both this sense and the former are herein included: Sometimes (saith he) it may be the whole Church was met together in some eminent mans Family, but yet withall it includes that the Family it self was a Church of God.
Now for their wives apart, and sometimes husbands by themselves: that hath been an ancient custome of old. Hannah mourned bitterly by her selfe alone, when her husband knew not what she did, 1 Sam. 1.10.11, 13. But besides that, Davids example and Bathshebaes, 2 Sam. 12.16. to 24. They had both together committed folly and wickednesse in Gods sight, and though therefore they had the more just cause to be humbled together, yet David goes and layes himselfe upon the ground seven dayes together, and though Bathsheba was in the house, yet he took her not with him, as Chap. 11.27. And for her it is said, that when the childe was dead, he rose up from mourning and weeping, and went in and comforted Bathsheba; a sign that she was mourning alone. And so sometimes men by themselves, and women by themselves, as it was a custome; in thanksgiving, the women went out with Miriam, Exod. 15.20. and so I conceive the like reason of dayes of humiliation, men or women did give thanks alone, or were humbled alone, and yet sometimes give one another a meeting: When Hester took her maids to mourn with her, she met with many women together, Hest. 4.16. So we read of sundry women, called fellow-helpers, Phil. 4.3. shewing there was some women that laboured to help forward the Apostles work; where he scattered any seeds of grace, they would labour to ripen it. This they did, partly, by instruction, and partly by communicating their experiences to them, and prayer with them: for every ordinance is sanctified by the word and prayer; what he did in publique, they helped forward in private, Rom. 16.12.
Thus you see foure sorts of mourning subjects stirred up to this duty of mourning.
Reas. 1 Why many Families together, and not all the Church; It may be taken from the great number and store of Christians, that were found in a great City or Town, impossible for so many to get together in one place. Acts. 2.41, 42. They met Families, Families, sundry in one Family, and sundry in another.
Reas. 2 Taken from the inability of some Families, and insufficiency to perform some kinde Of solemne duties of humiliation, without the help of their neighbors. Acts. 12.12. In the Originall it is many thronged together to pray; that is, there was then a sufficient number found, implying, that Iohn, Mark and his Mother alone, had not been a sufficient number to have besought God upon such an occasion; but there was foreign, a sufficient number, multitudes thronging together about it. Consider that to a solemne duty of humiliation, there were sundry gifts required, which were very rare to meet withall in one Family: for you have some Christians, that have excellent gifts, for the acknowledging of their owne sins; and bewailing their wants, who yet are not so large-hearted to mourne for the times and places they live in; and some are fitly able to mourne for the State and Church, and not so able to mourne for themselves.
And herein to propound to your Consideration, the example of Heman and Ethan, two Men of excellent note for Wisdome, and see the frame of their spirits, the 88. and 89. Psalmes; Heman, in Psalme 88. breathing out bitter mourning for spirituall desertions, not any mans case so deeply bewayled, as hee bewayles his owne, and he sets it forth at large, yet expresseth nothing of the state of the Church of God. Now Ethan his brother, as wise a man as he, not so much taken up with spirituall desertions, but most severely expresses the state of the Church, and the misery it was exposed unto, Psal. 89. Now both these would have done well together, in a time of solemne humiliation; the one mourning for his owne corruptions, and the other, for the sins of the Towne and Country he lives in; and this makes a fit combination in such a duty. Then consider, you may have Men that may bee excellent in both these, and yet want faith to presse God to heale; These here would fit well such a spirit, as Moses to stand in the gap, and to presse God to remember his Covenant, and his Nature, &c. and this mightily prevailes with God, Exod. 32.10.
Againe, but yet sometimes a spirit of consolation is requisite, such as was found in Barnabas, Acts 14.36. He had a sweet frame of spirit, a very comfortable man, and therefore such a man would doe well in the end of day; but scarcely shall you find all these meet together in one family, and therefore there must needs be a sufficient number for all these to be performed.
Reas. 3 Taken from the fellowship in the like occassion of mourning that may befall many Families at once: Peters enlargement and imprisonment concerned them all, they all stood in need to be sensible of that blow, Acts 12.12. and therefore many were met together upon that occasion.
Reas. 4 Taken from the fellowship which some Families had with some, which they had not with others; as first, meanes of acquaintance: One occasion of fellowship or acquaintance, is nearnesse of dwelling, or next neighbours, Exod. 12.4. Close in such duties with next neighbours, rather then with those that are further off. Another occasion of fellowship, was nearnesse of kindred, and that is evident in the Text: The Family of the house of David met by themselves, & so the house of Nathan; some take him to bee one of Davids sons, Luke 3. When Solomons line did cease, his line came in his roome, of whom the Virgin Mary descended; But I rather with Iunius take him to be Nathan the Prophet, because there is a distinction made of his kindred. So the house of Levi, and the house of Shimei; some take him to be Simeon, one of the twelve Tribes, others think it was the posterity of Shimei that cursed David; but it is not likely his posterity should be so blessed: But others think this Shimei, is mentioned 1 Kings 1.8. a signe there was a Family of Shimei in Davids Court, a man of great note in the State, an eminent man in his time: And he may well sustain the person of all men, that are neither Kings, nor Priests, but private men, each Family and kindred by themselves.
Thirdly, nearnesse of acquaintance. Iob 2.11.13, Iob his friends, that were of his acquaintance, came with one consent to mourn with him.
Now, secondly, why every Family apart.
Reas. 1 Taken from the great Covenant God hath made with every Christian man and his houshold, to be a God to him, and to his seed after him for ever, Gen. 17.7 and by vertue of that Covenant, every male in Abrahams house was to be circumcised; ver. 13. Now then, if this be the tenor of the Covenant, observe it diligently. If God make a Covenant, to be a God to thee and thine, then it is thy part to see it, that thy children and servants be Gods people; for God becomes a God to thee and thy seed, that is his part of the Covenant; but look you to the second part, that you be Gods childe, Gen. 18.9. You will discovenant all your children and servants from having fellowship with God and his Covenant, in case you traine them not up to be sons and daughters to God; In this case Esau and Ismael were discovenanted, they neither of them tooke care for their Families; and though a man finde his Family backward enough, yet if he endeavour it, he doth not discovenant them.
And further, Baptisme is the seale of the Covenant, we are baptized into the name of the Trinity, into the house of God; now if the name of the Trinity be put upon us, then we must doe service to the Trinity, and the Trinity yeelds us, protection, and provision; A man then discovenants his Family, that takes no care to bring them on to God.
Reas. 2 Taken from the dedication of our houses to God, Deut. 20.5. Ps. 30. What is it for us to dedicate our houses to God? Is it not to devote our selves, and all ours, to keep house with and for God? unlesse we dedicate our houses to God, they are but Tabernacles for Devils. And is it not then to mock God, when we doe not pray with our Families?
Reas. 3 Consider the duties that are required for every householder; He should see that none belonging to him should break the Sabbath, Exod. 20.10, 11. And we should whet the word upon our Families, Deut. 6.6, 7. And how should any Ordinance be sanctified without prayer?
Reas. 4 God doth give Families fellowship in sundry occasions, both of prayer and praise; it is he that keeps house for us, and preserves us night and day, Psal. 127.1, 2. All the Family reaps this blessing together in common, all lie downe and rise in peace, Psal. 118.15. The Devill himselfe could say, God had made an hedge about Iob; and it vexed Satan to the heart, it was a hedge of thorns to him, that he could not tell where to get into Iobs house, estate, or Family, every one was in a good frame, wife and children in good order, and every businesse prospered well, the Devil could no way get in to do him mischiefe. But now sometimes this hedge is broked down, and Satan is let in, and then much vexation is wrought in the Family, and in such a case Families have just occasion to be humbled together.
Reas. 5 Taken from the blessed reward that God gives to Families that are willing to take this course, and that is double.
First, God will reveale his secret counsells to such, and make them of his counsell, Gen. 18.18, 19, 20.
Secondly, he will bring upon Abraham all the good he hath promised him: It is the ready way to bring about the accomplishment of all Gods promises to us; otherwise God will heap upon thee much more evill then thou art aware of, Ier. 10.last. 1 Sam. 25.21, 22.
Thirdly, why alone by themselves?
Reas. 1 Because sometimes the untowardnesse of yoke-fellowes is such, as that they are not fit to joyne together; Hester must doe it alone, Hester 4.16. & Micah 7.5, 6,7.
Reas. 2 Suppose they may trust one another, yet sometimes it is meet to pray apart, because of the bitternesse that may lie upon the one, that is not fit to be communicated to another, Prov. 14.10. They may have some private corruption, which is not fit for them to reveale, if they may helped by their own private endeavours.
Reas. 3 Taken sometimes from the strong work of God in them, so as they are not able to expresse their estates in company, full of sighes and groans unutterable, Rom. 8.26. Psal. 77.3, 4. & Psal. 141.4. Psal. 102.67.
Reas. 4 Taken from the nearnesse, and close fellowship which every mans heart ought to have with Christ, above his dearest and nearest friends, Christ should be nearer to us, then either husband or wife, Psal. 73.25. & Psal. 30.8, 9.
Vse 1 To teach us a lawfull warrant of some duties, which some are doubtfull of; To pray in their own Families, that they think is necessary, yet some are so curious that they begin to question, whether it be not rather a free-will offering, then a duty enjoyned.
Vse 2 For a signe of triall. Would any man or woman know whether they have received a spirit of grace and prayer, or no? why, aske thine own heart, dost thou pray with thy Family? if not, thou wantest grace and prayer, for more or lesse, they ever goe together; if once there be grace, there will be a care of Family duties; see here the fearfull danger of the neglect of these duties, you discovenant your selves and yours: Labour therefore to be sensible of it, and neglect it not. And so I say further, You say you have been at prayer in the Family, but hast thou been so by thy selfe? if not, I say not that thou wantest grace, but I feare thou wantest a spirit of prayer; if once the spirit of grace be received, then both husband and wife learnes to mourn apart; if you have received a spirit of grace, you can mourn in your closets as well as before others; it is a suspition of hypocrisie, if a mans gifts be onelyonly Family gifts.
Vse 3 Of exhortation to all the people of God; As ever you desire to quicken the spirit of grace and prayer in your soules, so be conscionably carefull of all these duties, and by no meanes neglect your Closet duties: you have much to say, that none must know but God onelyonly; be sure you faile not to keep Covenant with God, and … up your Families in the feare and nurture of the Lord; and as much as is possible, be carefull to help all your kindred, and your neighbours that are willing to be helped by you, and those of your acquaintance, you see how by this meanes, many blessings are multiplied upon the Church of God, and because thou performest such duties many times, and thy heart is not melted, then take this course to help it that is in the Text; before you come to such duties, have a sense and taste of Christ, and consider the evils thou hast committed against him, and be sensible of your unworthinesse of the least mercy from him, and then your hearts will melt before him; a sight of Christ will banish out of your humiliations, all sinister suspition one of another.
Vse 4 Of comfort to mournfull Christians, that can put a spirit of mourning upon any occasion, that whatever duty thou art called to in publique and in private, thou art fitted for it; rejoyce in the Lord, and blesse his name, that hath not sprinkled, but poured out his grace upon you.