The Nail and the Wheel, Sermon 1 – Dedication 2

The Nail and the Wheel · Sermon 1 – Dedication 2

p. 13THE NAIL:

ESA. 22. 23.

And I wil faſten him a nail in a ſure place; and he ſhal be for a glorious throne to his fathers houſe.

THe buſineſs of this Text is nothing elſe but the driving and faſtning of a nail. Wherein—

1. The Maſter-worker: who it is that faſtens the nail. I.

2. The nail that's faſten'd: what, or who is that? Him.

3. Ʋbi? Where is this nail faſten'd? in loco fideli: in a ſure place.

4. The end, uſe, and benefit of this nail ſo faſtned: He ſhal be for a glorious throne to his fathers houſe.

Theſe are the parts and particulars of the Text. But I wil not tye my ſelf ſtrictly and punctually to theſe; or, at leaſt, I wil not fall upon them preſently: but according to my plain and uſual way, I ſhal, concerning this Text, diſpatch theſe things.

1. I wil ſpeak ſomething of the ſenſe and meaning of the words.

2. I wil give you the ſum and ſubſtance of the whole verſe in p. 14one general propoſition of doctrine: to which alſo I ſhal make ſome general applycation.

3. And then in the third place I wil look over the particulars: I wil ſearch, and examine them for ſuch obſervations and inſtructions as may be for our profit and uſe, beſides the main, and general doctrine. Of theſe in their order: And the Lord be with us Amen.

1. The Expoſition

And I] and who is that?Eccleſ. 12. 11Eccl 12:11 it is (as Solomon calls him) the Maſter of the Aſſemblies that faſtens the nail: in the 15. verſe of this Chapter he is called the Lord of Hoſts.

Wil faſten, HIM] Him; this is the nail to be faſtned: a living nayl: You have his name, and alſo his Character ſhortly, v. 20. Eliakim, ſo was his name: the ſervant of the Lord; that's his Character.

He was a Courtier, a great man, a holy man, a good Patriot, faithful to his King, to his Country, to Religion, and Reformation: all which appears plainly by the current of this place, and alſo by other paſſages of ſacred Scripture.

And I wil faſten him as a Nail] a nail is a pin,Et f…gam illum paxillum. or peg. For the matter, ſome are made of braſs, ſome of iron, ſome of wood.

A nail is faſtned; when it's knocked, beaten, and driven into a wall, beam, poſt, or pillar.

The uſe of ſuch a nail, orpeg, or ſpirkit is to hang thingsout of hand; and ſuch things eſpecially as we would have ready for our uſe; as garments, veſſels, pots, inſtruments of muſick, and the like.

Such things as otherwiſe would ly ſcattered about the houſe, and be ſubject to miſcarry.

Metaphorically: to faſten a man as a nail; is to confirm, and eſtabliſh him in ſome place, or office in the Church, or Commonwealth, and to make him uſeful, and profitable for the Publique good.

Here the Kingdom of Juda is compared to a wall, or poſt: Eliakim to a nail: and the Lord faſtens him in the Kingdom: that is, puts him in place, and office, and confirms him in it

Q. But what place? what office was he ſettled in? that muſt be known.

p. 15A. I anſwer. There was another nail pul'd out, and he was put in, in the room.

The other nail, viz. his predeceſſor was Shebna: he was deprived, and Eliakim ſubſtituted in his room: therefore let's enquire what place Shebna was in, and then all wil be clear.

Some of the Hebrew Doctors, and learned Hierom with them, conceive that Shebna was the high-prieſt. Lyra, Sanchez, Lapide, Pintus, Tirinus, and moſt of the Popiſh-writers are of the ſame opinion: Their arguments are principally.

”Firſt, the authority of the old-Vulgar-latine tranſlation of the 15. verſe (which with them is authentick) Vade ad Sobnam praepoſitum templi. Go to Shebna the overſeer of the temple: that is (ſay they) the high-prieſt.

”Again, from the 21. verſe, where it is ſaid; and I wil cloth him with thy robe, and ſtrengthen him with thy girdle: they conclude thoſe garments, to be the Veſtments of the high prieſt: according to that in the 20. of Num. v, 28. And Moſes ſtripped Aron of his garments, and put them on Eleazar his ſon.

But certainly, if we go to the fountain, this can never be made out, that Shebna was high-Prieſt, or any Prieſt of the ſecond order. For,

”In the 15. verſe it's only foreign ſuper domum, not foreign ſuper domum dei. Over the houſe; there's not ſo much as a hint that it ſhould be over the houſe of God.

”Again, v. 21. The robe, and girdle were enſigns of authority, and Magiſtracy: Job mentions the girdle of Kings. Baltheum regum diſſolvit: Job 12. 18. He looſeth the bond, or girdle of Kings, and thus did Pharaoh to Joſeph, he arrayed him in royal robes, and put a golden chain, or girdle about him. Gen. 41. 42.

So here: I wil cloth him with thy robe; that is, that robe which thou didſt wear when thou wert the great manat Court.

”Yet further, he was not capable of the office of Prieſt-hood. They which received the office of Prieſt-hood were all of the Children of Levi: but Shebna was of another ſtock, not ſo much as a Jew, but an Alian, a ſtranger. That is obliquely ſignifyed, and intimated, verſe the 16. What haſt thou here? and whom haſt thou here? that thou haſt hewed thee out a Sepulchre here &c. which is, as if he ſhould have ſaid: what buſineſs haſt thou in this p. 16Land? what kindred? Why ſhouldeſt thou take up thy reſt to live, and dye in the Lords land, and to be buried in Jeruſalem, whereas thou art an Aſſyrian, or of ſome other ſtrange Country?

”To put all out of queſtion. There was another high prieſt at the very ſame time; Azariah by name: you ſhal read of him, 2. Chron. 31. 13. He was ruler of the houſe of God; that is by the conſent of all interpreters, the high prieſt: and therefore Shebna, what ever he were, could not be the high prieſt.

What was he then? Let's gather up his titles of honor together, and by that time we have done, we ſhal underſtand his place certainl…y

In the 15. verſe he is called, firſt, the treaſurer, and then Shebna Who is over the houſe: that is, over the Kings houſe. In the 37. Chapter of this Propheſy:2. Kings 19 2.2 Kgs 19:2 verſe the 2. and often other-where in ſcripture, he is ſtiled, the Scribe: not an ordinary, or Common Scribe, or notary; but ſuch an one as we call a Chancellor or Secretary.

This is then the ſum of all: Shebna was at that time the great favorite of the King: he had all the chief offices, the higheſt honors, and dignitys of the Kingdom conferred upon him. He was Lord treaſurer: he was ruler, Governor, Controller of the Kings houſe; he was the Lord Chancellor, and Secretary of ſtate. In a word, he was the chief in Court, and Kingdom, and under the King, Lord Preſident of the whole Country; juſt as Joſeph was under Pharaoh: Gen 41. 40. 45, 8.Gen 41:40Gen 41:45Gen 41:8Thou ſhalt (ſays the King) be over my houſe, and according to thy word ſhal all my people be ruled, only in the throne wil I be greater then thou.

Thus was Shebna: Him God depoſed, and put Eliakim into his place; into the very ſame favour, dignity, honor, Authority, and Magiſtracy.foreign The LXX renders it thus: foreign Conſtituam cum principem. I wil make him a great Prince in Juda. Eliakim is faſtned as a nail: namely in the higheſt place of the Kingdom.

And that,

In a ſure place foreign in loco fideli. The word is derived from truth: q. d. in a true and faithful place: that is in a firm, ſtable, permanent condition; for where truth is, there is certainty, and ſtability. And here is an Antitheſis, or oppoſition 'twixt Shebna, and Eliakim.

p. 17Shebna was as a nail, but in a hollow, unſound, or rotten wall, and therefore ſhal fall out, he ſhal come down from his eminency. But as for this Eliakim, ſaith the Lord, I wil ſix him in a ſolid wall, a ſound poſt, or ſtrong pillar, out of which he cannot fall, nor be pluck'd out: that is plainly, I wil ſo confirm, and eſtabliſh him in his place, that he ſhal never be depoſed as Shebna was, but he ſhal ſtand ſure, and immovable. And he ſhal be for a glorious throne to his fathers houſe] A throne is a Kings ſeat full of Majeſty,et erit in solium gloriae. and glory.

He ſhal be for a throne; that is, for a glorious ornament to the King, to the Kingdom, and to his own ſtock, and family. He ſhal do worthily in Juda, and ſo carry himſelf in his place, authority, and Magiſtracy, he ſhal ſo adminiſter, as ſhal be for the honor of the King, the glory, and proſperity of the whole Kingdom, and for the preferment of his fathers houſe: he ſhal advance his kindred, and make his whole family famous and renowned. For the meaning this may ſuffice.

Now in the 2. place I am to give you the ſum and ſubſtance of all in one general propoſition.

Good, Doctr.and faithful Magiſtrates are nails faſten'd in the walls of Gods houſe, in the Church and Common-wealth.

So are they called, Ezra 9. 8. And now for a little ſpace, grace hath been ſhewed from the Lord our God, to leave us a remnant to eſcape, and to give us a nail in his holy place. What nail? the Princes and the Prieſts that were left, a remnant of Godly Magiſtrates and Miniſters.

The very ſame expreſſion you have in the Prophet,Zach. 10. 4.Zech 10:4 Zechariah Chap. the 10. the 3. and 4. verſes. Where God promiſeth to viſit his flock, the houſe of Judah, and to give them all things that may make them ſafe, and happy. The words run thus.

Out of him came forth the corner, out of him the nail, out of him the battel-bow, and out of him every appointer of tribute alſo.

The corner] i. the ſupream, the King, the chief Governor: who is like a foundation and corner-ſtone to bear and couple the building.

The nail] i. Princes, Magiſtrates, Governors, faithful Counſelors, p. 18ſuch as are in authority under the King.

The battel-bow] i. e. Commanders, Captains, Souldiers, Ammunition, and all things fit, and neceſſary for a warlike, and potent people.

The appointer of tribute] i. e. Officers to impoſe, exact, and collect tribute of all thoſe forraign nations which they ſhal conquer.

Shortly, they ſhal have all things to make them a bleſſed, and flouriſhing people: and as a principall thing they ſhal have the nail, viz. a good Magiſtrate.

Reaſon! But why are Magiſtrates called nails? Not properly, but by way of ſimilitude they are tanquam, as nails, very like nails: and that in regard of their end, and uſe. A nail, peg, or pin, is faſtned in the wall, to hang looſe pieces of houſhold-ſtuff upon: as garments, veſſels, inſtruments of muſick, and other utenſils; which otherwiſe would lye ſcattered on the ground, or be to ſeek, or elſe be utterly loſt.Princeps eſt ſuſtentaculum ſubditorum et infirmorum. Eſa. 9. 6.Isa 9:6 So Magiſtrates they are appointed of God, and eſtabliſhed for the ſuſtentation, and bearing up of things. All the affairs of Church, and Common-wealth, all publique buſineſſes, the ſafety, and happineſs of the people depend, and hang upon them: and without them all would fall, and miſcarry. They are made to bear. Ʋnto us a child is born (ſaith our Prophet) and the burden of government ſhal lye upon his ſhoulder.

Alſo of Eliakim it is ſaid in the verſe immediatly before my text,Fnlera, ſeu fundamenta populi. and the key of the houſe of David: that is, the higheſt authority in Court and Kingdom wil I lay upon his ſhoulder. Hence it is that Kings are called foreign quaſi foreign The props, and foundations of the people.

The burden of the Church hangs upon this nail, the care of defending and cheriſhing the Church, and people of God; of advancing true Religion, and the pure worſhip of God lyeth upon the Magiſtrate.

They (ſaith the Lord) ſhal bring thy ſons in their arms, and thy daughters ſhal be carried upon their ſhoulders:Eſa 49. 22.Isa 49:22 23. And Kings ſhal be thy nurſing fathers, and Queens thy nurſing mothers.

Thus ſhal Princes bear the Church in their arms.

The Magiſtrate is Cuſtos utriuſque tabulae: both tables of the Law: or if you pleaſe: the Law, and Goſpel, both hang upon this nail.

p. 19Upon him hangs the care of the Scriptures: He muſt ſee it publiſhed in a known tongue that the Vulgar may be able to read, and reach it. He muſt appoint learning, and fit Miniſters to open, interpret, and apply it. He is to compel thoſe Miniſters to do their duty, to protect, and encourage them doing wel, to correct, and depoſe them being unfaithful, and ſcandalous. He is to looke after Eccleſiaſtical Government, to ſettle Church diſcipline, by good decrees to provide for the peace, order, and decency of the Church, and worſhip of God. He is to call Counſails when neceſſity requires; to compel people to attend the publique Ordinances: and to remove whatſoever may be an obſtacle to ſound doctrine, pure Religion, and the power of godlineſs.

Alſo the burden of the Common-wealth depends on the Magiſtrate; the peace, welfare, and proſperity of all the people hangs upon this nail.

Saul ſeeing the people lament bitterly,1 Sam. ii. 5.1 Sam 2:5 ſaid unto them: What ayleth this people that they weep? That's the office of a good Magiſtrate; Videre ne quid ſit populo quod ſleat; to wipe away tears from the ſubjects eyes. And therefore it is his duty to make good laws, and then to ſee them put in execution. To preſerve the Kingdom, and people in peace, by defending them againſt the violent aſſaults, and invaſions of forraign enemies; and ſuppreſſing domeſtick rebellions, and inſurrections. He is to preſerve the perſons, rights, goods, libertys, propertys of the ſubject to ſee that none dowrong to another: He is to diſcountenance vice, and promote vertue: he is for the puniſhment of evil doers, 1 Pet. 2. 14.1 Pet 2:14and for the praiſe of them that do wel.

Thus was Eliakim a nail upon which did hang, as the next verſe wil tel you, all the glory of his fathers houſe, the ofspring, and the iſſue, all veſſels of ſmal quantity; great flagons, and little cups, with all inſtruments of muſique. That is, all perſons of what rank, and quality ſoever, Summi, medij, infimi: high, and low, great and ſmal, the whole Church and Common-wealth: The fouls, bodys, eſtates, religion, liberty, peace, welfare of all depends on the good Magiſtrate. He is fixed as a nail, to note out this his end, uſe, and office.

Thus you have the general propoſition made out: but before I p. 20leave it, you muſt give me liberty to make ſome general application of the point. And it may ſerve for 1. Inſtruction. 2. Reprehenſion. 3. Exhortation.

And here for Inſtruction.Ʋſe 1. Corollaric. Obſerve: the weight of Magiſtracy. Government is a great burden. It's a honour indeed, ſo ſayes the Text: He ſhal be for a throne of glory: but note, the word there foreign that ſignifies glory,Grave eſſe. Exo. 18. 13. 18Exod 18:13Exod 18:18 or honour: it is derived of foreign that ſignifies weight. Moſes ſate to judge the people, and the people ſtood about Moſes from morning unto even: a heavy task: ſo ſayes Jethro unto him, Thou wearieſt out thy ſelfe greatly, and the people that is with thee too: for the thing is too heavy for thee.

Jotham intimates this in his Parable,Iudg. 9. 9, 10, 11, &c.Judg 9:9Judg 9:10Judg 9:11 ſays the Olive: If I be advanced above the trees, I ſhal loſe my fatneſſe: I ſhall waſt my eſtate, conſume my treaſure: Magiſtracy is expenſive.

Says the Fig-tree: If I be preferred above the trees, I ſhall forſake my ſweetneſſe, and my good fruit: I muſt bid adieu to eaſe, and pleaſures: Magiſtracy is laborious.

Says the Vine: If I be exalted above the trees, I ſhal leave my wine, I muſt be debarred the free uſe of the creatures: I muſt be cut ſhort in my meat, drink, and other creature-comforts.

Magiſtrates, as wel as Miniſters, are like the lamps of the Sanctuary that burn continually, and waſt themſelves for the common good. Their heads are full of cares, their hearts of grief, their eys ſleepleſſe, and their bodies reſtleſſe.

Hear and conſider this, all you that ambitiouſly aſpire to high places of dignity, and authority: you that underhand give bribes, make friends, engage the whole Stock, and Kinred to compaſſe an Office, or ſome great place of Magiſtracy! Know you what you purſue? Alas, alas, you look at nothing but the honour! You ſee the Nayl is faſtned aloft, but you conſider not the burden that hangs on it; if you did, you would not purchaſe ſo much care, and loſſe at ſo dear a rate. Some have thought the imperiall Robes ſcarce worth the taking up, becauſe of the eares that are wrapped up in them. Trajan repented him of taking the Empire: and in that mind writing to the Senate, he uſed theſe words: The Sea, and the Empire are two pleaſant things to look upon, but perilous to taſte. Think then, I beſeech you, before-hand not only of the height of the place, but poiſe alſo the weight of the burden.

p. 21Of reprehenſion.Ʋſe 2. And here our work muſt be to look round about our wals; the wals of the Church, City, and Commonwealth, and to take notice of the Nails.

There are Nayls of three ranks;

Higheſt, Nayl's.

Middlh, Nayl's.

Loweſt, Nayl's.

Let's look them all over, and take notice how they are fixed, and what hangs on them.

1. The higheſt Nayls: they are the Magiſtrates, and Rulers. Ther's a goodly row of them: but let's ſee what ſervice they do in their places: What hangs on then? what burden do they bear?

Ther's ſome of the greater ſort of Nayls, look what hangs on them? Truly ſcarce any thing, unleſſe it be a ſcarlet gown, or the enſignes of authority, or a rich furniſhed table, bottles, and flagons, delicious diſhes, and a deale of Kitchin-ſtuff. But what ſervice do they as Magiſtrates? Truly nothing at all, that I can diſcern, either for Church or Common-wealth.

Theſe are only a kind of emboſſed nayls, ſuch as are driven into garments,Veſtimenta clavata. collars, coaches, trappings of horſes, chaires, and other things, only for ſtate, and ornament: they have great and glorious boſſed, and gilded heads, but a little ridiculous ſtalk, hardly enough to hold their own, or to keep them from falling out of their places: they are ſo cloſe driven, that nothing can hang on them.

There are other of the high Nayls hang very full of things: But of what? Are they veſſels of the Sanctuary? Oh no ſuch matter; they bear up a deal of the Devils houſhold-ſtuff.

Upon one there hangs a company of drunken ale-houſes, ſwearers, prophane perſons, Sabbath-breakers, cheaters, and ſharks, theſe are upheld, and born up bythem, when honeſt men are thrown down to the ground.

Upon another hangs a knot of Anabaptiſts, Antinomians, Browniſts, Independents, and others of the ſame bran, diſturbers of Sions peace; theſe are countenanced, and born up on high, whileſt the Orthodox party are ſleighted, caſt off, and ſuffered to fall flat on the ground.

Upon another depends a cluſter of perſons Popiſhly affected, Malignants. p. 22lignants, Incendiaries: ſuch as theſe are born up, and born out too upon all occaſions.

Oh there's too—too many ſuch rotten, ruſty, miſimployed nails.

2. The middle nails: they are the Miniſters of the word, the Clergy, as they call them; wel what hangs upon the moſt of them? What but a plurality of livings? A black gown, or Canonical coat? A ſervice-book,The inſtruments of a fooliſh ſhepard. Zach. 11. 15. Ezek. 34. 4.Zech 11:15Ezek 34:4 or book of homilys? There did hang a while agone abundance of Copes, Surpliſſes, Alters, Crucifixes, Images, and ſuch traſh, til they were taken down by a ſtrong hand. But for powerful, and frequent preaching, prayer, and the weighty works of the Miniſtry, as ſtrengthening the weak, healing the ſick, binding up the broken, bringing again that which was driven away, and ſeeking that which was loſt: there's nothing of all theſe to be ſeen amongſt them. Are theſe indeed for the glory of their fathers houſe?

3. The loweſt ſort of nails; they are the ordinary people, Gentry, and Commons.

Oh! What abundance of empty nails do we ſee round about? Nothing at all hangs upon them: only they take up a place in the wall. There is a generation of Gentlemen, and others, and wel parted men too, able to undergo good ſervice: and yet live without any calling,Fruges conſumere na…i. any office, any imployment at all: as if they were born to no other end but only to ſpend, and ſcatter what their progenitors had ſcraped together, and left them: but they wil not put under their ſhoulder to bear any burden of profitable employment in Church or Commonwealth. See, ſee what commonly hangs upon them: bundles of hair, Sampſons locks, buſhy periwigs, dogs, dice, drabs, cards, and tables, bottels of generous wine, and flagons of ſtrong drink, red eyes, ſwollen bellys, and black ſouls: nothing elſe at all: Gentlemen! are theſe things for the glory of your fathers houſe?

There are a company of idle Vagrants, and ſturdy Rogues that wander up and down the ſtreets, and lanes, and high-ways: ragged nails, that ſtick out almoſt every where, whetherſoever we go, and are ready to catch our garments, and tear us almoſt in pieces: and there's nothing hangs on them but the ſweat of other mens brows, purſes, and garments, and ſuch things as they have torn from honeſt paſſengers.

p. 23Others there are of all ſorts, that indeed are cruelly loaden: there hangs upon them huge bundles of oaths, rapine, Blaſphemies, Adulteries, Treaſons, railings, filthy ſpeeches, and all kind of ſins: but they wil bear no burden of ſervice in the Church, or Commonwealth.

Whereto ſhal I liken this accurſed generation? They are like unto Ezekiels vine-tree; of which he ſpeaks thus. Son of man! What cometh of the Vinetree above all other trees? Ezek. 15. 2. 3. &c.Ezek 15:2Ezek 15:3And of the Vine-branch which is amongſt the trees of the Forreſt? Shal wood be taken thereof to do any work? Or wil men make a pin thereof to hang a veſſel thereon? No, No, the Vine-ſtalk, if once cut up, wil not make a peg to hang a bottel on, it wil not be profitable for any thing.

But what's the end? Behold it's caſt into the fire for fewel, the fire devoureth both the ends of it, and the midſt of it is burnt; is it meet for any work? So ſhal it be with this unprofitable generation; Therefore thus ſaith the Lord God:Ezek. 15. 6. 7.Ezek 15:6Ezek 15:7 As the Vine-tree among the trees of the forreſt, which I have given to the fire for fewel, ſo wil I give them; and I wil ſet my face againſt them, they ſhal go out from one fire, and another fire ſhal devour them.

Surely ſuch nails as theſe ſhal not be ſuffered to ſtand long in the wall: if a man ſee a nail ſtick up in his houſe of no uſe, wil he not preſently knock it out? There were abundance of ſuch nails as theſe in Juda, and God knocked them out, and threw them into Babylon. Chriſt himſelf paſſeth ſentence upon all ſuch. Caſt that unprofitable ſervant into utter darkneſs, there ſhal be weeping and gnaſhing of teeth. Mat. 25. 30.

Hear, and tremble all you uſeleſs nails! You unprofitable burdens of the earth! Be you men, or women, that take up places in the world: and do no ſervice in the world, in the name of the Lord, I paſs upon you Shebnas doome: ver. 25. In that day, ſaith the Lord of hoſts; ſhal the nail that is faſtned in the ſure place, be removed, and be cut down, and fall; and the burden that was upon it ſhal be cut off: for the Lord hath ſpoken it.

Of Exhortation,Ʋſe 3 and that is manifold, and various, to divers ſorts of perſons, and to ſeveral dutys.

p. 24I am to direct my word of exhortation, to

1. Magiſtrates.

2. People.

The 1. Exhortation, to the Magiſtrates. You are all nails, ſome higher, ſome lower. Remember that you are not for ornament only, but chiefly, and principally for uſe. In the name of God let every one in his place do the office of a nail. Truly all things in the Church and Common-wealth lye diſorderly at this time, or hang very dangerouſly, and ready to fall and miſcarry. I beſeech you let it be your care to uphold things; let every nail bear ſomething, yea though you weaken your ſelves for the common good.

Take your charge in ſome particulars, and that very ſhortly: I ſpeak to wiſe men: a word wil ſuffice.

1. Keep the peace. Magiſtrates! know your office, you are all Commiſſioners for the peace: and this is that which we are enjoyned to pray for you in authority:1 Pet. 2. 2.1 Pet 2:2 That under you we may lead a quiet and a peaceable life in all godlineſs and honeſty.

The nail holds things together when they are hanged upon it, which lay ſcattered and ſundred one from another before. Yes, upon one good pin they keep cloſe. How are the people of this Kingdom at this time devided amongſt themſelves! How are they ſcattered! and ſcattered? One here, another there; one of this mind, another of another.

Oh ye Rulers of the people! Uſe your pains and skil to bring them together again into one mind, and one judgment, that they may hang upon you, as grapes upon the ſtalk, in one cluſter. Endeavor with all your might the peace of the Church and Common-wealth.

2. Be ready at hand to do juſtice at all times. We knock up nails and pegs in our houſes, that we may hang things upon them of common uſe; things that we would have always at hand: as for things of leſſer uſe, we lock them up in cheſts and cabbinets, and it matters not though they ſee the Sun but ſeldom. Magiſtrates muſt be ready at hand, at all times, to hear the grievances of the oppreſſed, to puniſh vice, to encourage vertue, to relieve the wronged, and oppreſſed, to help the fatherleſſe, and the widow to their right, ſhortly to do juſtice readily and freely upon all occaſions. The nayl eaſily receives p. 25at all times what ever is put upon it.

Some Magiſtrates, I doubt, we have, that in this are like unto nayls, they will not in, without greaſing, and knocking: you ſhal not get them to do their duty, except they be greaſed with a bribe, or beaten to it by fear. Otherwiſe, with Foelix, they are not at leaſure to do juſtice. I pray remember a womans anſwer. She petitioned the King for juſtice:Act. 24. 26.Acts 24:26 (it was, I take it, Philip King of Macedon) he told her, he was not now at leaſure. Not at leaſure, ſaith ſhee, to do juſtice? Why then art thou at leaſure to be a King? If a nayl be not at leaſure to bear veſſels, knock it out; why doth it trouble the wall?

Judgement (ſaith the Prophet) muſt run down like waters, Amos 5. 24.Amos 5:24and righteouſneſſe as a mighty ſtream. The Magiſtrate therefore muſt not be as a fountain ſealed up; but like a river which runs continually, and the people may reſort to it at all times.

Abſalom, 2 Sam. 15.2 Sam 15I confeſſe, had baſe ends, but yet his practiſe ſingular, and his example to be followed by all good and faithful Magiſtrates; they ſhould be ready to hear Iſrael at all times.

3. As you muſt be ready always to miniſter juſtice; ſo to all perſons, at all times, and to all commers. The nayl bears, not only the rich veſſels, and ornaments▪ the golden candleſticks, the pictures, and muſ…cal inſtruments in the galleries, and banqueting houſes: but it alſo ſuſtains bottels, and knives, and g…idirons, plain inſtruments, and veſſels of wood and iron in the Kitchin, yea, the homelieſt utenſils in the ſcullery. So the good Magiſtrate he muſt equally do juſtice to all; to the poor, and to the rich …oth alike.

They ſhall hang upon Eliakim, the 24. verſe tels you, not only the glory of his fathers houſe, the off-ſpring, and the iſſue, that is, thoſe of the blood-royal: but they ſhal hang upon him alſo all the ſmal veſſels, the little cups, and ſiddles: that is, the pooreſt, and moſt contemptible perſons ſhal depend upon the Magiſtrate for juſtice, and protection.

You ſhall do no unrighteouſneſſe in judgement,Deut 16 19. Levit. 19. 15.Deut 16:19Lev 19:15 ſaith the Lord; Thou ſhalt not reſpect the perſon of the po…r, nor honour the perſon of the mighty: But in righteouſneſſe ſhalt thou judge thy neighbour, that is, every one, for every one is thy neighbour.

Do right to the poor and fatherleſſe: do juſtice to the poore and needy: Pſal. 82. 3.Ps 82:3deliver the oppreſſed from him that is too ſtrong for him; p. 26favour not one above another. The uſe of a nail, peg, or pin, is to hang ſuch things upon, quae infirmiora: which are moſt weak, and cannot ſtand by their own ſtrength: Tables, and Trunks, and Chairs, and Stools, ſuch great, and ſtrong houſhold-ſtuff can ſtand on their own feet, they need not any nail to hang upon, the rich, and mighty can ſtand alone: They are the little ſmal veſſels, and inſtruments of muſick that muſt be ſupported with a nail. The poor are ready at every turn to be trampled upon, and to be made a prey, and therefore you muſt have a ſpecial care of them. Uphold them that they may not fall.

4. Let every Magiſtrate be a nail, not only in the Capitol, or Senat, but alſo in the Sanctuary The care of the Church, and Religion lyeth on the Magiſtrate. Uſe therefore all your power to purge the Church of Idolatry, Popery, Superſtition, and all falſe worſhip, and groſs errors, to advance the pure and ſincere worſhip of God, and the power of godlineſs. Bear up able, faithful, and Orthodox Miniſters by giving them your countenance, and affording them comfortable maintenance. You have going before you in this care of Religion many godly Kings and Emperors: David, Jehoſhaphat, Hezekiah, Joſiah, Conſtantine, Theodoſius &c. Follow their good example: be faithful nails to bear up pure Religion: always remembring what the Lord hath ſaid.1 Sam. 2. 30.1 Sam 2:30 Thoſe that honor me I wil honor, and they that deſpiſe me, ſhal be lightly eſteemed.

The 2. Exhortation is to the people. And we have to deal with divers ſorts: and accordingly I am to preſs ſundry kinds of duties: in the proſecution

Whereof I ſhal direct

Electors.

Subjects.

All.

And 1. You that are Electors: To whom at any time ſhal belong the choice of Magiſtrates, or any kind of officers in Church or Common-wealth. Be careful, and circumſpect in your choice. You are to look about for nails, on which to hang the weighty affairs of the Church, Common-wealth and City: ſee that you chuſe ſuch as may be ſerviceable in their places, wel-qualified nails.

Take your charge; and directions from Jethro, he wil advice you p. 27what kind of men to chuſe into publique offices:Exod. 18 21.Exod 18:21 Thou ſhalt provide, ſaith he to Moſes. 1. Able men. 2. Such as fear God. 3. Men of truth. 4. Hating Covetouſneſs. Suffer me a little to illuſtrate Jethro's Counſel.

1. You muſt chuſe able and ſtrong nails: They muſt have abilities of mind:Clavus capitatus. You muſt pick out ſuch nails as have good heads, and ſharp points; ſuch as have good underſtanding, wiſdom, and ſolidity, and alſo ſome acuteneſs of wit and pleaſantneſs, amiableneſs of converſation.Pſal 2▪ 10.Ps 2:10 Be wiſe ye Kings, be learned you Judges, ſaith David: if they ought to be ſo, then it's your duty to chuſe none but ſuch as appear ſo.

There are a ſort of nails (ſpikins I think they call them) they want heads: and ſo whatſoever is hang'd upon them ſlips of: Take heed of chuſing Spikin Magiſtrates; for if you hang the great affairs of the Common-wealth upon them, they wil certainly let them fall and miſcarry becauſe they want heads to hold them.

They muſt alſo have abilities of body, and of eſtate: without competent bodily ſtrength they wil never be able to endure watching▪ and travailing, and long ſitting on the bench: and beleeve me wealth is needful. Magiſtrates had need be able, rich men: They muſt carry out things with ſome pomp, and ſtate, elſe they wil be contemn'd; and their authority diſ-regarded. Ad populum phaleras. Magiſtracy is expenſive, and if you offer to hang theſe heavy coſts and charges on weak nails, they wil quickly break, and then you muſt take them down, and keep them in the City purſe.

Yet further, to their ſtrength and ability, it's requiſite that they be fixed, wel driven and faſtned. Magiſtrates muſt be reſolved, immoveable, and couragious, not ſickle, and inconſtant, turned about with every wind: they muſt be wel ſetled in Religion, inflexible, reſolute in a good cauſe. I have ſeen ſome nails and pegs ſcrewed into the wall and ſo long as they are not ſtirred you may hang what you wil on them: but if any man come with a ſtrong hand he may eaſily wind and unſcrue them, and then they ſoon grow looſe, and off ſlips all the burden they were entruſted withall: and ſo I have ſeen many in authority, carry things very fair in Church and Common-wealth: very right they are as long as they are ſuffer'd to ſtand quietly: but alas if the hand of greatneſs do but touch them with p. 28the violence of a threatning, or the ſtrength of fair promiſes; of reward, honor, and preferment, it wil eaſily turn, and ſerue them any way; and make them to betray Church and Common-wealth, Religion and Liberty, and whatever is precious. Be ſure therefore to chuſe nails ſteeled with Chriſtian reſolution: ſuch as wil ſtand againſt all aſſaults, fixed, ſteady, and immoveable; like to that Rom. in Fabritius, of whom it was ſaid, that one might as wel ſtay the motion of the ſun in the firmament, as to put him out of his way. Have your thoughts ever upon ſuch: make choice of ſtrong nails: ſtout, and able for underſtanding, wiſdom, wit, ſtrength, eſtate, courage, and reſolution, Able men.

2. You muſt provide bright and ſhining nails: not of baſe iron, or wood,2 Chron. 5. 9.2 Chr 5:9 but of pure gold, wel burniſhed: Such, and only ſuch would Solomon make uſe of in the Sanctuary. Ever chuſe ſuch as ſhine and gliſter with piety and holineſs: men fearing God.

Be wiſe ye Kings (ſaith David) be learned ye Judges of the earth: Pſal. 2. 10. 11.Ps 2:10Ps 2:11there's ſtrength and abilities required: but that's not all: you muſt alſo ſerve the Lord with fear.

There is nothing more deſtructive and dangerous to Church & Commonwealth, then eminent abilitys unſanctified. You ſhal oft obſerve great, ſtout, ruſty, rugged-iron nails, to rent, and tear, and fret, and change the colour of whatſoever is hanged upon them: juſt ſo wicked men of eminent parts, and great power do bear up a deal of miſchief: and by their countenance and example do taint and ſtain, and corrupt all the inferior people. As therefore David choſe ſmooth ſtones to encounter the Philiſtin withall: So do you chuſe ſmooth nails to ſtrike through the temples of Siſera: nails of pure gold, filed from their ruſt and ruggedneſs; ſhining bright with piety and holineſs: provide ſuch for the puniſhment of evil doers, and faithfully to bear the affairs of the Church, City and Common-wealth.

3. You muſt provide right, ſtraight; and ſound nails. Men of truth:foreign that is, juſt men; (ſo the Septuagint) Truth and juſtice are ſo neer allyed, that ordinarily one is put for the other: ſeek out for ſuch as follow after juſtice; ſuch as hate all violence and wrong, and flee from all kind of injuſtice: Such as cover themſelves with p. 29juſtice, and put on judgment as a robe, and diadem. Job 29. 14.

Provide men of truth, Clear from all hypocriſy. There are a company of guilded nails; fairly guilded over, but within ruſty, and rotten: they are too-too many who are glorious in outward profeſſion, in outward appearance, lovers of juſtice, truth and godlineſs, but within they are ful of guile and deceipt, very hypocrites. Look wel about you, or elſe you may be couzen'd by the outward appearance. Pick out right, ſtraight, and ſound nails: true Nathaniels, Iſraelites indeed, ſuch as in whom is no guile.

4. You muſt look at nails elevated. The nails which ly ſcattered on the ground are not in a fit poſture to bear burdens. No, No, but only ſuch as are faſtned aloft in the top of the wal or pillar. Neither are ſuch men fit for Magiſtracy whoſe thoughts lye groveling on the baſe earth: who mind the world, and therefore muſt you chuſe men hating Covetouſneſs.

The covetous man for a gift wil wreſt judgment, reſpect perſons, ſel juſtice, bear up all vice, and puniſh innocence it ſelf. The nail that's ſit to bear burdens muſt be elevated, the head and body ſlanting upwards: a man fit to bear office, muſt have a mind above earth, a heart not greedy of filthy lucre: if the head of the nail bend downward, the ſcales of juſtice wil never hang ſure upon it, but ſlip off immediatly.

Now therefore my beloved brethren! You that vote in elections; be nice, curious, circumſpect in the choice of nails; let them be ſtrong, and able, let them have heads, and points, let them be bright, and ſhining, let them be right, and ſtraight; and let them be ſuch as have their heads, and hearts to heavenward. Amongſt the Romans there was ſuperſtitious obſervation of the Nail. When the Common-wealth was in danger, or oppreſt with great evils and calamities, then did the Dictator faſten a great nail of iron, or braſs in the wall of the Capitol with marvailous ſolemnity: And the faſtning of ſuch a nail, was eſteemed a preſent remedy againſt all miſchiefs, and a charm againſt the plague. And ſo conceited they were of this way, that oftentime a Dictator was created: Solius figendi clavi cauſa: only to knock in a nail, thereby to ſave the City.

p. 30What reaſons the ancient Romans had for this their cuſtom, or what experience of the ſucceſs thereof; I cannot give an account; but I cannot miſs of application. You ſee how many evils are upon us, how great our dangers: would you remove all theſe? Would you have the Church and Kingdom, and City flouriſh again? Then faſten good nails within your walls: chuſe, and eſtabliſh able, and godly Magiſtrates: that's a good, and ready way to free us of all our plagues.

I have done with Electors.

2 I am next to ſpeak a word of exhortation to Subjects: ſuch as live under Authority. And here I am to admoniſh them of ſome duties which they owe to good Magiſtrates.

Theſe:

1. They muſt honor them.1 Peter 2. 17.1 Pet 2:17 Fear God, ſaith St. Peter; and Honor the King. They are nails: and God hath placed them aloft in the higheſt place of the wall; he hath emboſſed them with honor and Authority, he hath put his own name upon them, I have ſaid you are Gods, and all of you are Children of the moſt high. Pſal. 82. 6.

They bear a great burden for your ſakes: on Eliakim hangs the weight and welfare of Iſrael.

Give therefore to all their due:Rom. 13 7.Rom 13:7 Honor to whom honor belongs: Look upwards to thoſe nails with admiration and reverence.

2. They muſt preſerve, and cheriſh them. Hath God faſtened in the Church, and Common-wealth good, profitable, and ſerviceable nayls? Then take heed you do not put them out. I tell you there is a company of baſe wayes to pluck out good nayls.

Upon ſome you hang too great a burden: you lay ſuch loads upon Magiſtrates, and upon Miniſters too, that you quite break them. In this caſe,Exod. 18. 17. 18.Exod 18:17Exod 18:18 I ſay unto you, as Jethro to Moſes, The thing that you do is not good: you will ſurely wear them away: for theſe things are too heavy for them, and they are not able to perform them their ſelves alone.

Some nayls you looſen with knocks, firſt on one ſide, and then on the other ſide: and at laſt they fall out of themſelves: many good Magiſtrates, and Miniſters are ſo hang'd amongſt you with injuries p. 31and reproaches, and ſcandals, and ſlanders, with contempt, and diſreſpect, that their very hearts are broken; and they ſeek for all advantages to be gone from their ſtations.

Some nayls are placed, in loco non fideli, in a rotten, hollow and deceitful wal, and ſo they fall out per-force, ther's nothing to hold them: many Magiſtrates, and Miniſters ſee, to their thinking, a fair wal before them; the affections of the people, many fair promiſes, and comfortable convenants: hereupon they offer to faſten here; but all proves rotten: love proves diſſimulation, promiſes come to nothing; covenants are broken; and out-goes the Nayl.

There's a trick, clavum clavo pellere, to drive out one nayl with another. There's a knock, a ſide made, they have a friend to bring into place for their own ends: I, but the place is full, there's another nayl in; Is there ſo? That nayl that ſtands in the way ſhal ſoon be driven out with another new one; and ſo oftentimes a golden nayl is put out, and an iron one, or a woodden one is driven in the roome.

I beſeech you have a care what you do. Are they able, uſeful nails? let them alone in their places, till God kindly puls them out with the pincers of death: uſe all means to preſerve and cheriſh them: love them, give them all aſſiſtance, and encouragement, and pray, pray, pray for them.1 Tim … I exhort you brethren that firſt of all prayers, and ſupplications, and interceſſions be made for Kings, and all in authority, that under them we may lead a godly and peaceable life, in all godlineſſe and honeſty. It is your prayers muſt knock them in ſure, and faſten them in their places.

I would you would underſtand the danger of looſing a good nayl out of the wal: If ſuch a peg be pulled out, down fals the great affairs of Church and State; therefore preſerve and cheriſh your good nayls.

3. They muſt obey them. Upon the nayl all the garments, and veſſels do depend: and ſo muſt ſubjects depend upon the commands of their ſuperiours,1 Pet. 2. 13.1 Pet 2:13 and ſubmit to their power. Submit your ſelves to every ordinance of man (ſaith Saint Peter) for the Lord's ſake, whether it be to the King as Supreame, or unto Governours, as unto them that are ſent by him.

And Saint Paul, You muſt needs be ſubject for conſcience ſake, Rom. 13. 5. Only with a limitation: Obey Governours, but in things p. 32lawfull, not otherwiſe. Obey the higher Powers, but yet ſtill ſo as you do not diſobey the higheſt of all. So long as Magiſtrates command with God, and for God, and not againſt God; go along with them, obey them for conſcience ſake: But if once there be a claſhing: The Magiſtrate commands one thing, and God commands the quite contrary; then Saint Peter, and the reſt of the Apoſtles, will teach you, That you ought to obey God rather then men: In this caſe,Act 4 19 Act 5. 29.Acts 4:19Acts 5:29 diſobedience is the beſt obedience. So long as the nayl bears thee to heavenwards, depend upon it, but no longer. It was a reſolute, and a pious anſwer, which a Prelat of ours, ſent to Henry the firſt.

Anſelm Arch Biſhop of Cant. being in Baniſhment becauſe he would not obey the King in ſome things,Anſelm. Epiſt. li. 3. Epiſt. 95. nor obſerve ſome Laws and cuſtoms which Lanfranck his predeceſſor did obſerve. The King ſent Letters to him, wherein he did expreſs abundance of affection, and did invite him earneſtly to come over into England again; promiſed him that if he would obſerve the Laws and cuſtoms which Lanfranck did obſerve, and would obey the King as his predeceſſor did, no man ſhould be more welcom and dear to him: and that he alſo ſhould enjoy all the honors, dignities, and revenues which Lanfranck his predeceſſor did. To whom Anſelm (being convinced that he could not obſerve thoſe Laws without ſin) returned anſwer.

For your love and good wil, Oh King! I give you thanks. To that which you ſay of your father, and Arch Biſhop Lanfranck, I anſwer. That I did never promiſe, neither in my Baptiſm, nor in any ordination that I would keep the Laws, and cuſtoms of your father, or of Arch Biſhop Lanfranck; but in my Baptiſm, and often elſe, I have vowed to keep the law of my God. Wherefore if you pleaſe ſo to receive me, and to re-inveſt me, that I may live with you according to the law of God: I am ready to come again into England, and ſerve God, and you. Otherwiſe I chuſe baniſhment.

Such ſhould be the reſolution of all: Go with the Magiſtrate, while the Magiſtrate goeth with God. But if he command thee againſt God, fly, ſuffer, dye, any thing rather then obey him.

4. They muſt be thankful for them. They are no ſmal bleſſings. When God brings in a good Magiſtrate, or Miniſter, he faſtens a p. 33nail, upon which hangs the welfare of Church and Commonwealth. (They bear our burdens when we ſleep, and ſhould they not do ſo, all would fall and ruin, and come to nothing. All the ſweet bleſſings that we enjoy hang upon this nail; our peace, and all the benefits that peace brings with it.Pſal. 128. Zach. 8. 4.Ps 128Zech 8:4 As namely, the conſervation of humane ſociety: That our wives are as fruitful vines by the ſides of the houſe, our children like olive plants round about our tables. That our old men and old women dwel in the ſtreets; and every man his ſtaff in his hand for very age; that the ſtreets of our City are ful of boys and girls playing in our ſtreets: That we ſit every one under our vine and figtree, enjoy our poſſeſſions, eate the labours of our hands, that we eate, and drink, and plant, and build, marry, and give in marriage: That we have here ſtil the thrones for judgment; that Schools and Univerſities flouriſh, trading in our Cities continue, and the buſineſs of the field is yet performed: that our gramarys are ful, affording all manner of ſtore: that our ſheep do bring forth thouſands, Pſal. 144 13.Ps 144:13and ten thouſands in our ſtreets; that our oxen are ſtrong …o labour: that there is no breaking in, nor going out, nor no complaining in our ſtreets: But above all that Religion is maintained, the faith defended, the Goſpel preached, and the voice of the turtle heard in our land. That we enjoy theſe, and a thouſand bleſſings more, all is from peace, and our peace hangs upon this nail; if that break, all falls to the ground.

A good Magiſtracy is a ſign of Gods love and preſence. When a man hath made choice of his habitation, in the houſe where he delights to dwel; there he knocks up nails and pegs upon every wall, and poſt, which may be for his uſe and convenience, upon which he may hang things off hand, and alſo know where to have them again: So doth the Lord alſo, in the place which he chuſeth for his habitation;Pſa. 123. 13. 14.Ps 123:13Ps 123:14 of which he ſaith, this is my reſt for ever, here wil I dwel, for I have a delight therein: In that place wil he faſten nails, he wil ſet up Magiſtrates and Miniſters for the good and benefit of his people, This was the ſign of his grace and favour to the poor remnant that eſcaped out of Babylon, Ezra. 9. 8.Ezra 9:8and returned again to dwel in their own City: That the Lord gave them a nail in his holy place; that is, Zerubbabel the Prince, and Joſhua the Prieſt, and others of that order.

p. 34Bleſſed be the Lord thy God (ſaith the Queen of Sheba to Solomon that glorious King, under whom Iſrael flouriſhed) which loved thee, to ſet thee on the throne of Iſrael; becauſe the Lord loved Iſrael for ever, therefore he made thee King to do judgment and juſtice. Theſe nails they are admirable benefits and bleſſings; therefore bleſs, and praiſe God for them.

The Subjects have had their charge.

3. Finally, in the laſt place I am to direct my exhortation to all: let every one in his place be a profitable nail. We have in a houſe variety of nails, and pins, and pegs, ſome of braſs, ſome of iron, ſome of wood, ſome bigger, ſome leſſer, ſome faſtend in a higher, ſome in a lower place: upon one nail we hang one thing, upon another nail another thing, upon every one ſomething according to their ſtrength and fitneſs: So let it be in Church and Commonwealth: let every man; every woman, every perſon be a ſerviceable nail in their place; let them bear ſome burden or other for the benefit of the publique. Let Magiſtrates make laws, and ſee them kept and put in execution; let them bear the burden of Government. Let Miniſters ſtudy, and preach, and pray, and walk as a pattern to the flock, let them bear the burden of their office. Let every man in his trade and vocation be induſtrious and faithful,Epheſ. 4. 28,Eph 4:28 labour with his hands the thing that is good, that he may be able to uphold his family, to relieve the poor, and to be beneficial to the publique. Bear you one anothers burden, Saith St. Paul, and ſo fulfil the Law of Chriſt: Gal. 6. 2.

Bear, every one of you, ſome of the Parliaments burden; ſome of the Synods burden, ſome of your neighbours burdens, bear ſomewhat or other for the uſe of Church and Common-wealth. Either bear arms, if thou haſt a perſon to fight, or bear a purſe if thou haſt an eſtate, or bear a burden of labour if thou haſt a ſtrong body: ride, run, ſpare no pains, plot, and project, give counſel if thou haſt a head for it. However bear a good heart in thy breaſt to the cauſe of God, and thy Country: bear a good tongue in thy head for the praiſe of God, and the honor of our wrothys. And be ſure by thy inceſſan prayers, help bear up al thats ready to fall.

And thus much for the meaning of the text: alſo for the generall p. 35Doctrine, and general Application. And now it's time (according to my ordinary method) to return to the particulars. You have had the harveſt, now for the gleanings: you have been at the feaſt, now let's gather up the crums: you have had the ſubſtance of the nail, let's ſearch for the very filings.

The particulars you may remember, were four.

1. The Maſter-worker, that faſtens the nail. I.

2. The nail that's faſtned. Eliakim.

3. The Ʋbi. where the nail is faſtned, in loco fideli.

4. The end, uſe, and benefit of this nail ſo faſtned.

Every one of theſe wil afford us ſome wholſom inſtruction.

Now therefore Wee'l caſt our eye more diligently upon them all, and the Lord make all profitable,

1. And firſt for the principal Architect: who is it that faſtens the nail?

Here the Doctrine is concerning the efficient cauſe of Magiſtracy.Doctr. It is the Lord of hoſts.

God is the author of loveraignty, it is he that puls out, and puts in what nails he pleaſeth.

By me Kings raign, ſaith the Lord, and Princes decree juſtice.

By me princes rule,Prov. 8. 15. 16.Prov 8:15Prov 8:16 and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.

He changeth the times, and the ſeaſons: he removeth Kings, and ſetteth up Kings. Dan. 2. 21.

Nebuchadnczzar muſt know that the moſt high ruleth in the Kingdoms of men, and giveth them to whomſoever he wil. Dan. 4. 25.

St. Paul gives us the propoſition fully: There is no power but of God, the powers that be are ordained of God. Rom. 13. 1.

Conſider this all you whom the Lord hath faſten'd in high placesApplic. of authority. Is it the Lord of hoſts hath made you rulers? Then take heed what you do: for you judg not for man, but for the Lord who is with you in the judgment. 2 Chron. 19. 6.

Your power is not arbitrary but delegate. Look therefore to your Commiſſion, to the word and wil of God. Judg as thoſe that muſt give an account unto the righteous God: who at the laſt day wil judg all things over again. And in Miniſtring juſtice, ever have this in your minds: We are nails to bear the burden p. 36of Authority: who faſten'd us here?

Again, let godly Magiſtrates (be they never ſo few in number, meet they with never ſo much oppoſition) yet let them take comfort and courage, and go on boldly to do Gods work: to diſcountenance ſin, to puniſh evil doers, to ſuppreſs Malignants, to encourage the good, to advance the cauſe of God, and to further the work of Reformation. Let them not fear the oppoſition, nor the malice, nor the rage, nor the power of man. It is God that hath exalted them, and faſtned them in their high places with his own hand: and he wil preſerve them, ſo long as they faithfully bear the burden which he hangs upon them. They ſhal ſtand ſure in their places, and never be removed: for the Lord hath faſten'd them, and ſhal for ever eſtabliſh them.

Finally, let me give a word of direction to all. Would you have? Would you keep good and ſerviceable nails? Would you have able and faithful Magiſtrates and Miniſters in your City, in the Kingdom? See then what courſe you muſt take: Go to the Maſter of the aſſemblies, Ecclf. 12. 11.it is he that faſtens theſe nails. Pray, pray, Repreſent unto God the ſad condition of the Church and Common-wealth, for want of good and able nails: how few there be of ſuch, how thin they ſtand in the City-wall, how thin in the Church-wall. How few godly Magiſtrates in a Country, how many miles a man may travail, through how many Pariſhes, and not ſee one good nail faſtned, not one ſound and painful preacher: and be earneſt with God to pul, to pluck out, and to throw down all rotten and uſeleſs nails: and to put, and faſten good, and able, right, and ſtraight, ſubſtantial, and ſerviceable ones in their room.

We have ſeen who faſtens the Nail;2. proceed we to the 2 Particular, and let's look upon the nail that's faſtned. What nail is it? Or rather who is it? For it's a living nail. It is a man, and a good man: Eliakim, that's his name: He was the ſervant of the Lord, that's his goodneſs: And he it is that the Lord faſtens in a ſure place.

And here the Doctrine wil teach us what kind of nails they be which God faſtens:Doctrine. namely good nails, and none elſe. God eſtabliſheth only good men in high places of Authority. A baſe p. 37rotten nail may be driven into a wall, and ſtand a while, but not long: The Lord plucks wicked men out of their places, and preferrs his faithful ſervants into their room. He puts down the mighty, that is, the proud, and wicked great ones of the world: he puts them down from their ſeats, and exalteth them of low degree, the humble, and Godly ones. Luk. 1. 52.

Haman was promoted by the King,Heſter 3. 1.Esth 3:1 advanced as a nail into a high place, his ſeat was above all the Princes; but he was a rotten and ſcragged nail,Heſter 7. 6.Esth 7:6 tearing the people of God; 'twas wicked Haman. But the Lord ſoon plucked him out of his ſeat, threw him down, and faſten'd good Mordecai in his room.

Hophni, 1 Sam. 2 12. 34. 35.1 Sam 2:121 Sam 2:341 Sam 2:35and Phinehas, the young Prieſts, they were ſons of Belial, they were exceeding wicked, and knew not the Lord: and what ſaith the Lord concerning them? They ſhal be depoſed from their office of Prieſthood, in one day they ſhal dye both of them. Yea both of them, and Eli their father, and pluck'd out in one day.

And ſaith the Lord,1 Sam 2 35.1 Sam 2:35 I wil raiſe me up a faithful Prieſt, that ſhal do according to that which is in mine heart, and in my mind: and I wil build him a ſure houſe, and he ſhal walk before mine anointed for ever.

Old Eli was pluck'd out as a ruſty nail,1 Chron. 29. 22.1 Chr 29:22 and Zadok annointed high-priest in his room.

God wil eſtabliſh only good good men in their places.

This point muſt not paſs without ſome application, and it may be various.

1. For our inſtruction we may obſerve what ſhal be the end of good and evil Magiſtrates, and of all in eminent places: Princes and Rulers, the great men of the earth: Prophets and miniſters of the Goſpel.Prov 2. 22. 23.Prov 2:22Prov 2:23 What ſhal their end be? Solomon wil tel you: Such as walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous, ſhal dwel in the land: they ſhal ſtand as a nail in a ſure place: But the wicked, be they never ſo great, ſhal be cut of from the earth, and the tranſgreſſors ſhal be rooted out off it. Yes, this is an undoubted truth; the wicked though they be placed never ſo high, and ſeem to ſtand ſo faſt that they can never be moved: yet the Lord wil pluck them out at the laſt, and put better in their room.

p. 38In the eye of the world, who could be faſter rivetted in his high place, then Shebna? He was the great favorite at Court, he had in his hand all the chief Offices, the higheſt Honours and dignities of the Kingdome (as you have ſeen before:) he did flow in wealth, and greatneſſe, there was none above him in the Kingdom, ſave only he that ſate upon the Throne.

A grand Polititian he was; which ſome of the learned in the holy tongue have gathered from one of his titles, verſe 15. Go get thee foreign ad the ſaura…ium, unto this Treaſurer; ſo it's commonly turned: but the word ſeems to ſignifie another thing. It comes of foreign which ſignifies fovere, vel calefacere: to warm, cheriſh, and to favour. And then thus we muſt reade it, Go get thee to this favourer Shebna: that is, to him that cunningly doth favour, and cheriſh all parties!

I hinted you a while ago, that ſome thought Shebna to be the High Prieſt: I have diſputed the point once▪ and I wil meddle with it no more: but I am ſure he had the very tricks of our High-prieſts now adayes. For (as I have it from good Authors) he kept in with all ſides. Being favorite to Hezekiah King of Juda, he did ſeem to favour the King, he did flatter, and fawne, and uſe all his skill, to warm the Kings affection, and cheriſh his good opinion, and every way to endear him. Alſo, as an Arch-traytor, moſt perfidious to his good Maſter, he held fair correſpondency with Sennacherib King of Aſſyria, Hezekiahs enemy: He was a Pentioner to the King of Aſſyria, he was his Intelligencer, he held a ſecret league, and confederacy with him; and was by compact engaged unto Sennacherib, to betray the King his Maſter, and the City Jeruſalem, and the Kingdom of Juda into his hands whenſoever he came with his mighty hoſt. And thus by his craft and policy, he thought to ſecure himſelfe againſt all events, come what would come; prevaile who would prevaile, he would ſtand ſure: if Hezekiah prevailed againſt Sennacherib, then Shebna was well enough, he was the Kings favorite: if Sennacherib prevailed againſt Hezekiah, yet Shebna would do well enough; for he was alſo the King of Aſſrria's ſervant, and did ſecretly make way for him to invade, and conquer.

And now the proud ambitious Traytor growes to a height of confidence: he thinks he ſtands as a nayl that cannot be ſtirred nor p. 39plucked out of his place. And in this preſumptuous confidence he erects a ſtately monument for himſelf in Jeruſalem: as you may reade verſ. 16. He hews himſelf out a Sepulchre on high, and grave's a habitation for himſelf in a rock: Hee concludes his owne ſafety: that if Hezekiah proſper, he is his Favorite to his dying day: if Sennacherib conquer, he ſhal be his Deputy, or Viceroy as long as he lives. And at laſt, that he ſhal dye with honour at Jeruſalem; and all his pomp follow him, and his name be famous to all generations; being written in marble, and braſſe upon his Sepulchre. Thus, thus, ſilly man, he flatters himſelf. But now obſerve the end. As it was with proud Nebuchadnezzar, Dan. 4. 31.Dan 4:31glorying in his great Babel, while the word was in his mouth, the Voice fell from heaven, ſaying! The Kingdom is departed from thee: So commeth the word of the Lord to Shebna; Verſ 16.What haſt thou here? and whom haſt thou here? Why doſt thou think thy ſelf faſtened here as a nayl that cannot be removed? But that thou ſhalt live here, and dye here, and lay thy bones here? Behold the Lord will pluck thee out; and carry thee away with a mighty captivity. He will ſurely violently turn, and toſſe thee like a ball into a large country, there ſhalt thou dye, and there the chariots of thy glory, ſhall be the ſhame of thy Lords houſe. And there's an end of Shebna!

A paralel example we have of our own; which becauſe it doth ſo aptly agree with the former, I will inſert. It is of Sir Thomas More, who bare the ſame office under the King of England, that Shebna did under the King of Judah; he was Lord Chancellour of England under Henry the eight; he was a bitter enemy of the Goſpel, and perſecuted the godly profeſſors of it with fire and ſword, and thought thereby to get him a name; and needs muſt he have a monument of his cruelty and impiety. He therefore takes care, to have a ſumptuous, and magnificent Sepulchre erected; and upon it written Encomiaſtiques, the high praiſes of his vertue. He made his own Epitaph, and ſent it to Baſil, unto Eraſmus, that he might get it curiouſly engraven. He ſent alſo with it a ſtately ambling, or paſing horſe, unto Eraſmus for his reward; that he might be ſo much the more carefull about the work. So greedy was he of glory and fame. Amongſt the reſt of his praiſes, this was the moſt famous; and to be written in great letters; Lutheranorum profliga…r Maximus; that is, The great perſecuter of the godly. Wel, but p. 40what was the end? After all this preſumptuous confidence: The great Lord Chancellor was accuſed of treaſon, condemned, beheaded: Ita patibulum ei pro ſepulchro fuit. At loſt, the gibbet, or the fatall block was his monument.

Such ſhalt the end be of all Tyrants, and ungodly Rulers; a while they may ſtand on high, but ſhortly the Lord will pluck them out of their places, and put better men in their ſtead.

Here learn the way to preferment,Ʋſe. 2. and how to ſit ſure in your places when you are advanced. Would you be exalted to honor? Would you ſtand faſt in your places of dignity? This is your way. Be good, and you ſhal ſoon be great. Be the Lords ſervants, and he wil ſoon preferr you. Continue right, and ſtraight, and ſound, and ſincere: and the Lord wil faſten you ſo, as you ſhal never be removed. You have the way of preferment chalked out. Pſal. 112. The man that feareth the Lord, and dilighteth greatly in his Commandments, v. 1. The upright man, v. 4. The good man, v. 5. The merciful, and liberal, and righteous man, he ſhal abound with wealth and riches: and his horn ſhal be exalted with honor. v. 3. 9.

God faſtens none but Eliak…ms in high, and honorable places: Shebnas may clime up a great height, but the Lord wil ſoon throw them down again.

Doth God faſten only ſuch as be godly in a ſure place?Ʋſe. 3.

Then I beſeech you! See upon whom you may moſt ſafely depend.

We that are ſubjects, are as a company of infirm veſſels: we muſt all hang upon ſome nail or other, or elſe we are loſt upon the ground. Now our wiſdom wil be to rely on ſure, and ſound nails.

But you wil ſay perhaps, how may we know the beſt nails?

I wil tel you, there are now in the Kingdom two ſorts of nails: Court-nails, and Parliament-nails. Both are exalted very high: now tel me which wil you chuſe to depend upon?

Me thinks I hear ſome reply: what nail ſhould we depend upon but that which the Lord hath faſten'd? And is not the King that nail? Hath not God ſet him upon the throne? And muſt I not go along with him in every thing?

Give me leave to anſwer. We do acknowledg with all duty, and obedience: that the King is the higheſt Nail, that he is a precious Nail, that he is a nail choſen of God, and anointed: And the p. 41deſire of our hearts is that the Lord would eſtabliſh his throne, and faſten him ſo ſure that he may never be removed.

But that which makes our hearts ſad; it's this, that he is not, in loco fideli, in a faithful place: That wall that's made up of Papiſts, Iriſh Rebels, Delinquents, Malignants, and wicked Counſellors, muſt needs be a rotten wall; and can a nial ſtand ſure in ſuch a place?

The Parliament is a ſound wall, made up of worthy Eliakims, loyal Subjects, ſervants of the Lord, and faithful Patriots.

Now the Lord bring the King into the midſt of his Parliament again, then ſhould he be indeed in loco fideli, and we might ſafely hang upon him.

But in the mean time, his power and Authority is with his great Counſel. It is an undoubted Parliament by the Kings own act. But it cannot be a true Parliament without a King. Why then, he is with them vertually, thou he be not perſonally. The Parliament is all but one great nail. The King is the head, the houſes are the body; if you take the head off the nail, what can hang ſafely on it? Therefore now I can eaſily ſhew you what nail to hang on: I thus deſcribe it to you. King, and Parliament.

There are two mighty Armys abroad, one againſt the other. Every one of us muſt depend upon one of thoſe. We muſt take part with one againſt the other. In the name of God, ſee that you chuſe the right nail. That's the nail that God faſtens, upon that you may ſafely depend.

It is the extream folly of men, that they wil all chuſe to hang upon the great nail, and the leſſer nail they dare not truſt to. They'l joyn with the moſt numerous Army, with the greateſt power.

Who would not have hanged upon Shebna (that had looked with a carnal eye) and declined Eliakim? Upon whom was the eye of all the Court but upon Shebna?

Shebna was a Vapouring Cavalier; Eliakim ſure, a deſpiſed Roundhead.

Shebna had great Authority, and favour in the Court: Eliakim, and the reſt were made Underlings, ſlighted, and diſregarded.

Shebna a great Polititian, held fair correſpondence with forraign Princes; Eliakim a plain faithful ſeruant to his Maſter that had never put on robe nor girdle.

p. 42Yet you ſee he was the wiſeſt man, and in the ſafeſt condition that took in with Eliakins.

I wil give it you in a word. Look impartially: and mark, not which is the biggeſt, but which is the righteſt and ſtraighteſt nail, look upon that ſide where you ſee moſt of God: moſt zeal, moſt devotion, moſt piety; and joyn with them.

That nail that God hath faſtned ſhal ſtand ſure: let the Pope, and the Divil, and all the Malignant crew knock it, and hang the weight of perſecution upon it; they can never pluck it out, it ſtands in loco ſideli, in a ſure place, and all that depend upon it ſhal be ſafe.

But on the other ſide, if you joyn with Idolaters Blaſphemers, debauched drunkards, Atheiſts, prophane Divels. You hang upon a rotten nail, a nail that God hath never faſtned; and though it appear never ſo great, yet it wil deceive you: God wil certainly pluck it out, and then there is nothing but certain ruin to be expected: if the nail break, all that ever hangs on it falls down, and it is broken, and loſt. For a cloſe of this, I ſhal paſs a doom upon all ſuch rotten nails, and upon all that hang upon them. Even the ſentence upon Shebna, ver. 25. In that day ſaith the Lord of hoſts, ſhal the nail that is faſtned in the ſure place be removed, and be cut down, and fall: and the burden that was upon it ſhal be cut off, for the Lord hath ſpoken it.

Therefore my beloved!. I ſay again, if you love your own ſafety, hang upon the right nail.

Here's a pattern for all ſuch as he in Authority.Ʋſe. 4. The Lord diſplaceth rotten and unprofitable nails, and ſets up good and uſeful ones in their room: let them do ſo.

I have already diſcovered unto you abundance of baſe nails, both in the City and Church-wall. Corrupt Magiſtrates, Maſters of miſrule; blind, dumbe, uſeleſs, ſcandalous, covetous, drunken, debauched Miniſters; ſuch as do no good, but a world of miſchief in their places.

Now give me leave to ſpeak freely to you that are Magiſtrates. I cannot but ſay to you, …evel. 2. 20.as the ſon of God once to the Angel of Thyatira: I have a few things againſt thee▪ that thou ſuffereſt the Woman Jezabel, which calleth her ſelf a Propheteſs, to teach, p. 43and to deceive my ſervants to make them commit fornication.

The ſame to our Rulers: you have ſuffered Malignants, and looſe Magiſtrates, ſcandalous and ſuperſtitious, and factious, and error-teaching Miniſters: verily this is a great fault amongſt you.

At laſt awake, and be followers of God. Uſe your power to pluck out, depoſe, and remove theſe rotten and uſeleſs nails, and ſet more comely, and ſerviceable ones in their room. Be unto thoſe peſts and plagues of our City,Judic …. 21. and Country like Jael's nail: Smite through their temples, and faſten them to the ground: miſtake me not, I call not upon you to take away their lives, but to bring them lower, and reſtrain their power, and diſpoſe of thier places better.

Let your word be of every place in Church and Common-wealth, and concerning every preferment: Detur digniori. Follow the Counſel, and decree of the wiſe men of King Ahaſuerus, Eſter 1. 19. Let their royal eſtate be taken away from them, and give it unto others that are better then they. There are none but good Nails of Gods faſtning.

The 3. Particular follows, viz, the Ʋbi, where this nail is faſtned: in loco ſideli, in a ſure place: that is, I wil eſtabliſh him, he ſhal ſtand ſure, he ſhal not be plucked out nor removed. He ſhal keep his ſtation and never be removed, and this is promiſed as a bleſſing to Eliakim.

And affords us this obſervation, that to dwel ſafely and ſure in a fixed habitation,Doctr. and ſetled condition, is a very great and a very ſweet bleſſing.

It was Shebnas curſe and puniſhment, that he ſhould be violently turned and toſſed like a ball into a large Country: as it is, v. 18. His condition ſhal be like a tennis ball, ſtruck with the hands of them that play from ſide to ſide, and from end to end, and at every bandy a hazard: or like about which is thrown in the alley, or in a plain or ſteep place, down-hill; and then it runs, and runs, and reſts not, til another hand takes it and throws it back again: Or like the ſtone of Silyphus, rolling up-hill, and down-hill continually; ſuch was the condition of Shebna. This the Lord threatned as a curſe againſt Iſrael, 1 King. 14 15.1 Kgs 14:15that he would ſmite them as a reed ſhaken in the water, that he would root them out of the good p. 44land which he gave to their fathers, and ſcatter them beyond the river, becauſe they made their groves, and provoked the Lord to anger. 1 Kings cap. 14. v. 15.

It was the curſe of Cain for his fratricide, his bloody murther: A fugitive, and a vagabond ſhalt thou be in the earth. Gen. 4. 12.

But on the other ſide, a fixed habitation, and a ſettled condition is ever promiſed as a bleſſing.… Sam. …. 10. Moreover, ſaith the Lord, (when he wil do good to his people) I wil appoint a place for my people Iſrael, and wil plant them, that they may dwel in a place of their own, and move no more.

To enjoy a fixed ſtation, in a land of peace, procureth bleſſing to the body, ſoul, eſtate.

”The body hath reſt:Pſal. 104. 23Ps 104:23 The painful labourer, though he goeth forth unto his work, and to his labour; yet it is but til the evening; then the poor ſwain reſts his weary limbs, refreſheth himſelf with his plain company, and ſings in his thatched cottage, and lays him down, and his ſleep is ſweet; and in the morning he awakes, and ariſeth as a man new created, and goeth lively about his buſineſs again.

”Further, ſuch a fixed eſtate is very advantagious to the ſoul: In exile, when people are wandring up and down in forraign Countrys, they cannot enjoy the precious ordinances, they cannot perform the duties of publique worſhip, The Babylonians did but abuſe, and jeer the Iſraelites when they required of them a ſong, Pſal. 137. 3 4Ps 137:3and mirth: ſaying: Sing us one of the ſongs of Sion: and the poor Captives could return no other anſwer but this: How ſhal we ſing the Lords ſong in a ſtrange land? They were now baniſhed from the Sanctuary of the Lord, and ſo were deprived of their ſoul-comforts.

But when the Lord gives a people reſt round about, there they may build Synagogues, enjoy Church-aſſemblies, and holy meetings, and publique ſoul fatning ordinances, the pure worſhip of God, and true religion, and all the means of Grace.

Therefore ſayes David,Pſal. 122. 6. 7. 9.Ps 122:6Ps 122:7Ps 122:9 Pray for the peace of Jeruſalem: Say, Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces: And why? Becauſe of the houſe of the Lord our God, I will ſeek thy good. The peace of Jeruſalem, and the ſetled condition thereof, is the means to advance religion, and the Publique worſhip.

p. 45Bleſſed are they that dwell in thy houſe, Pſal. 84. 4. They that have a ſetled habitation in a land where Gods worſhip is eſtabliſhed: And why? Becauſe they will be ſtill praiſing thee: they will ever be doing good to their own ſoules.

Finally, A ſetled condition is a marvailous advantage to wealth; and to the eſtates of men.

The rolling ſtone never gathers moſſe: An unſetled perſon will never be rich.

Exile and baniſhment ſtrips off all.

The ancient beleevers wandered about in ſheep-skins, and goat-skins, in deſerts, and in mountains, in dens, and caves of the earth: And what eſtate had they? They were altogether deſtitute; afflicted, and tormented, Hebr. 11. 37, 38.

But in a ſetled courſe, wealth and riches are to be gotten: Upon a fixed nayl there hangs a load of wealth.

England hath been a quiet, and ſetled Land for many years; and hath it not grown a Magazine of wealth? Doth it not abound with flouriſhing Cities, and fruitfull fields? Silver and gold have been as the ſtones of the ſtreets: It hath been a Land of coor, and all manner of fruits; of ſh…ep, and oxen, and all manner of cattell, a Land like Canaan, flowing with milk and honey: In a word, the glory of all Lands. And what hath made England ſo rich? What but this. The Lord hath given England reſt, and the inhabitants have been as fixed nayls in a ſure place.

To apply this ſhortly. Is a fixed and ſetled condition ſuch a ſweet bleſſing?Applic. And is it ſo grievous to be driven from our habitations? Then.

Let us ſympathize with our brethren, the poor ſervants of God, that in Germany, Ireland, and in the North and Weſt of England, are plucked out of their pleaſant places, and now are toſſed as a ball from place to place;Gen. 8. 9.Gen 8:9 and with Noahs Dove cannot find reſt for the ſole of their foot: Alas! Alas! for our poore brethren! the deare ſervants of God! What miſeries do they endure? They wander up and down in the deſert out of the way,Pſal. 109. 5, ….Ps 109:5 and they find no dwelling place; hungry and thirſty, and their ſoul faints within them.

Or as Job,Job 3… 3, 4.Job 3:3Job 3:4 They flee into the wilderneſſe deſolate, and waſte: they cut up mallows by the buſhes, and juniper roots for their meat; the ſprings and fountains (if at leaſt they can meet with any) are to quench their thirst.

p. 46Oh let our bowels be troubled for them: Let's relieve them to our power, and let us pray for them earneſtly, and inceſſantly; that the Lord would bring home his baniſhed again, and reſtore them to their country, and to their habitation, and ſettle them as a naile in a ſure place.

And for our ſelves, learn we to eſteem, and prize our own happineſſe, in theſe aſſociated Counties.

We ſit every man under his Vine,Mica 4. and under his Fig-tree, and none makes us afraid. We enjoy peace, and plentie, and libertie, and proprietie, and friends, and all in our own Land where we were born: Rom 9. 4.Rom 9:4And above all we have the adoption, and the glory, and the Covenants, and the Gospell, and the Service of God, and the promiſes, and the Communion of the faithfull.

Oh let us praiſe the Lord for his goodneſſe: Let us walk anſwerable to ſo great mercies: let us make uſe of our ſtanding, and improve all our advantages to the glory of our bountifull God; and let us pray unto the Lord inceſſantly, to faſten us ſtill as a nayl in a ſure place.

The fourth and laſt particular now preſents it ſelf to your view, viz. The end, and uſe of this nayl: Erit in ſolium gloriae. He ſhal be for a glorious throne to his Fathers houſe.]

And concerning this, many things might be ſpoken: but becauſe I have held you too long already, I ſhall only commend unto you, in a word this Obſervation: To what end we are faſtened in our places,

Let Magiſtrates, Miniſters, and every one here preſent, duly conſider wherefore they ſerve, namely, to bear burdens, for the honour of God, and for the glory of their Countrie and Citie, and fathers houſe.

Joſeph made his fathers houſe glorious, he enriched it with the wealth, with the treaſures of Aegypt, and made it famous, and renowned through all the world, as it is to this day.

Our bleſſed Saviour Jeſus Chriſt: (who is the Nayl ſpoken of Zach. 10. 4.) He is the glory of his fathers houſe, even of the people Iſrael.

I ſpeak firſt to the chief Magiſtrate, and then to every one in his place. Know that you ought not to be for your baſe private ends, p. 47for your own honour, and wealth; but you muſt be men of publique ſpirits: you muſt be for the good, and for the glory of your Citie, and your Countrie: of the Church and Common-wealth.

You muſt endevour the publique good before your own. You muſt be content to bear any load of pains, or charge, to procure the wealth and proſperity of the Kingdom, that the reformation may be perfected, true Religion eſtabliſhed, Popery, ſuperſtition, and the proud tyrannicall Hierarchy may be utterly extirpated; the rights and priviledges of Parliement, and the liberties of the Kingdom preſerved: That the Kings perſon, and authority in the preſervation of true Religion may be defended: that the peace of the Kingdoms may be continued; that delinquents may be brought to condigne puniſhment, that England may be made a ſure place, a happie Nation, a famous Kingdom▪ Know that you are ſet for a throne of glory: Be all of you for the honour of your Citie, for the glory of Norwich. Make it famous, and happie this year. Mind not your own things, but the publique benefit. The deviſe of Alphonſus King of Arragon, was this: A Pellican pecking her breſt, and drawing out blood wherewith to feed her young: the word Pro lege, & pro grege. So ſhould every good Magiſtrate, not count his blood dear, for the welfare of the people.

The Motto of Aelius Adrianus the Emperour was, Non mihi ſed populo. A man ſet in authority, ſhould not be for himſelf, for his own profit, or eaſe, but all for advancing the common good.

Abate of your exceſſe; make leſſe and fewer feaſts, and do more good for the publique: Lay leſſe upon your backs, and do more for the publique. I know what people are ready to ſay for themſelves; That if Mayors, and Sheriffes ſhall not make as great feaſts at Seſſions, and other times, as others before them, they ſhould be diſgraceed, and talked on all the Town over; they ſhould be counted covetous, and miſerable, and people would ſay they knew not what doth belong to their office, and it would be a diſhonour to the Citie.

Alas, alas, my beloved! Is it for the honour of your Citie to have Sodoms Character? That pride, fulneſſe of bread, and abundance of idleneſſe is in her?

Gentlemen! if any ſhall jeer you for not feaſting as your predeceſſours, as if you knew not what belongs to your places: Anſwer p. 48them as once Themiſtocles did: who being at a ſumptuons feaſt, and not ſinging with the reſt of the jovial company, and meeting with ſome checks for his ſilence, he ſaid unto them. I confeſs I have not learned to ſing to the pipe at feaſts, but I have learned rempublicam ex parva magnam facere: to raiſe a Common-wealth from a poor eſtate, to a flouriſhing condition: So do you anſwer all the world: You have not learned to ſquander away vaſt ſums of money in rich clothing, ſumptuous, and exceſſive feaſts: but you have learned to lay out your money better, and to part with your eſtate freely, even to the utmoſt farthing for the publick ſafety and good.

I beſeech you be for a throne of glory; be all for the honor of your City and Country.

Uſually you ſhal hear men boaſt much of their Country, City, Progenitors: and they brag that they were born in ſuch a famous place, or that they are deſcended of ſuch illuſtrious anceſtors: as if that were ſuch egregious, and ſingular nobility, which conſiſts in the vertues, and noble acts of their forefathers. Such cracks as theſe the Poet rightly reprehendeth,I…venal. Satyr. …. and jerks: Stemmata quid faciunt &c. What is it to thee, if thy progenitors were Noble, Heroicall, Vertuous? If thou in the mean time be un-deſerving, unworthy, and baſe? Let me therefore tel you: He hath the beſt nobility, and deſerves the greateſt praiſe, that firſt makes his fathers houſe glorious: that firſt begins a noble family: Be it your care to make your City, your Country, your familys; and your fathers houſes noble and glorious.

I have obſerved it to be an ancient cuſtom in this City upon the day of your ſolemnity, to preſent the new elect with ſome ſpeeches: and withall with eſcouchions or ſhields, and in them ſome diviſes, which hang all the year in his parlour, to hint, and remember him of his duty. I have prepared you one out of my Text againſt to morrow: and with my ſpeech, I preſent it to you out of the pulpit. It's a very plain one, as you ſee, and not much charged.

p. 49You ſee here the pillar in the middle hath many nails faſtned in it: and every nail beareth ſomewhat; upon ſome hanggarments, upon others the enſigns of your Authority: upon others veſſels of gold, and ſilver, and iron, and braſs, and earth, and wood, and all inſtruments of muſick.

This is your monitor: You muſt bear up all honeſt perſons, and all juſt cauſes: You muſt bear even til you break again, and lay out all your power and ſtrength for the glory of God, the honor, and ſafety of the City and Kingdom, the good of the Church, the advancement of Religion, and the pure worſhip of God. And thus going on the Lord wil eſtabliſh you, as a nail in a ſure place.

And hereafter you ſhal be ſet higher. Ere long every nail ſhal be plucked out, and laid before the great Maſter of the aſſemblies, at the great and dreadful day of judgment: Then wil the Judg of all the world take a ſtrict view of all the nails that ever he faſtned in any place. And the great queſtion at that ſevere day of examination ſhal be: what ſervice have you done? What burdens have you born in the Church and Common-wealth?

Then ſhal the empty, ruſty, and unprofitable nails be put into the bag, and thrown down int… the pit of hell.

But ſuch as have been uſeful, and have born the burden, and p. 50heat of the day, and done good and acceptable ſervice in their places: they ſhal be advanced and ſet up higher: they ſhal be faſtned in the wall of the new-Jeruſalem, the holy City, be overlaid with pure gold, and ſet with precious pearls, and ſhine in glory for evermore.

Now the Lord God, the great Maſter of the aſſemblies make every one of us more profitable, and ſerviceable in our places and ſtations. Amen.

foreign

p. 51PSAL. 84. 4. Bleſſed are they that dwel in thy houſe, they wil be ſtil praiſing thee. Selah.

REVEL. 2. 10.

Be thou faithful unto the death, and I wil give thee a Crown of life.

The VVheel turned by a voice from the throne of GLORY. Deſcribed in a SERMON At the Green-yard in NORWICH, upon the Guild-day. Iune 22. 1647.

By JOHN CARTER, Paſtor of St. Peters of MANCROFT.

LONDON, Printed by J. Macock for M. Spark, and are to be ſold at the ſign of the blue Bible in Green-Arbour. 1647

p. 54TO THE Right VVorſhipfull Mr. John Ʋtting, Maior of the City of Norwich. IOHN CARTER

Humbly Dedicates this poore and unworthy piece; and as he preached the Sermon at his requeſt; ſo now he preſents it to him for his uſe, with apprecation of all Grace, honour, happineſſe, and good ſucceſſe in his Government.

1 SAM. 2. 30.

Them that honour mee I will honour: and they that deſpiſe me ſhall be lightly eſteemed.

p. 56To thoſe Magiſtrates in the City of Norwich, who were ſo highly offended, and exaſperated at this Sermon.

Galath. 4. 16.

Am J therefore become your enemy, becauſe J tell you the truth.