The Faith of Dying Jacob, Part 3
Saints are Blessings upon a Civil Account.
1. For the continuance of the World; it owes its Life and standing to the few godly intermixed upon it. For the sake of the Divine seed, 'tis put under a new dependance and subordination unto Christ, for his effectuating the designs of Redemption Grace, Gen. 9. 2. By whose means fear and dread is put upon every Beast of the Earth, and every Fowl of the Air: Otherwise the very stones would fly in our Faces, the Creatures would drag their Bowels after them, and one become the Executioner of the other: The Earth groans to serve sinners, and Justice would soon cut down its Cumber-Grounds as Fuel for Hell, were it not for Christ and Christians. Leges praegnanti paenam deferunt. The Woman would be hanged out of the way were it not for the Childs sake she is big with; Saints live not so much for their own sakes as for others: This World would not have a good look but for their sake: The Lords voice is as Elisha's to Jehoram; Were it not that I regard the presence of Jehosaphat King of Judah, I would not have looked toward thee, nor seen thee, 2 Kings 3. 14. David said I bear up the Pillars. Portant orbem.
Saints are the means of the wickeds preservation. Paul had the lives of them in the Ship giv'n him as an auctarium, Acts 27. 24. Abraham had carried it for Sodom, if but ten Righteous there; Zoar escaped for Lots sake: The Tares and Chaff for the Wheats sake. Egypt was soon destroyed after Gods first born was delivered from its Womb: Daniel gone, the Chaldean weeds were soon plucked up.
Saints keep off Judgments: Had it not been for a choice remnant Israel had been a Sodom, Isai. 1. 9. Moses tyed Gods hand ready to strike, Exod. 32. 9, 10. And standing in the gap, kept off the destroyer, Psal. 106. 23. Jer. 5. 3. The Lord offered it, if there were but a man that Executed Judgment, he would suspend, Ezek. 22. 30. I sought for a man among them that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the Land, that I should not destroy it; but I found none. Scornful men bring a City into a snare; but wise men turn away wrath. These are a Nations Breast-works and Bull-works against assailant dangers: Hostages of Peace, pledges of Divine presence in all interchangeable kindnesses 'twixt Heaven and Earth.
Judgments begun, Saints are means to allay, moderate, and avert wrath: Moses put a stop to the Plague begun, quenched the flaming fire, Num. 11. 2. 16. and 46. Phinehas executing Judgment staid the Plague, Psal. 106. 30. The poor wise man delivered the City from the mighty besieging Prince: For the Elects sake evil days are shortned. When the Grashoppers had devoured the Grass, and again when the Lord contended by fire, the Prophet crying, O Lord God, forgive I beseech thee; by whom shall Jacob arise; for he is small? The Lord was entreated and repented. God forbid, saith Samuel, that I should cease to pray for you.
Saints are Colledges of Physicians, Salves for their Sores, however unkind Legion be to them. Abraham heals Abimelechs Wife: Moses removes the Plagues of Egypt; healeth Miriam. The Prophet restores Jeroboams hand: Daniel obtains the reprieve of the Magicians lives, tho unkindly rewarded for it with a fiery Furnace, Dan. 2. 15. David, Jeremiah, Job, mourn for their Enemies, Job 30. 25. 38. Psal. 13. 18. Jer. 20. Little cause have the wicked to be so angry, their anger is at their best Friends, who do them the greatest courtesies.
Saints are a Nations Defence, Strength, Artillery, and Armoury. Elijah and Elisha were the Chariots and Horsemen of Israel: Amplissimae dignitatis & virtutis, oratione meliores equitibus & curribus; doing more by Prayers than by the Instruments of War: Jacob prevails with God, and Moses over Amalek, precando, non praeliando: Prayers and Tears obtain the Victories in Heaven and Earth: Deum ambimus, coelum tundimus: By these holy Souls Besiege God, and storm Heaven: And the Arrows are made to drop from the hands of God and men; these are the Thundering Legions that do exploits. The Christians in the Armies of Marcus Antonius fighting in Almany, and of Marcus Aurelius obtain'd them Rain from Heaven, ready to Perish: Sick Elisha leaning upon Joash hand, shooteth forth the Arrows of the Lords deliverance, 2 Kings 13. 17. Psalm. 76. 2. In Salem the Lord brake the Arrows of the Bow, the Shield, the Sword, and the Battle, yet no Battles were Fought there: The Saints bind Princes in Chains and Nobles in Fetters of Iron, and execute the Judgments written, these have been the Terrour and overthrow of Puissant Powers, Zech. 12. 5, 6. The Governours of Judah shall say in their heart, the Inhabitants of Jerusalem shall be my strength in the Lord of Hosts their God: In that day will I make the Governours of Judah like a Hearth of Fire among the Wood, and like a Torch of Fire in a Sheaf, and they shall devour all the People round about. See Obad. 18. 4. Mich. 13. 5. and 8. Jer. 51. 20. Rev. 17. 14. Dan. 11. 32.
When a People are secure and asleep unapprehensive of their own dangers, the Saints are Centinels upon the Guard, watchmen to give warning, Crowing Cocks to awaken: Noah gave warning of the Flood. Abraham had notice of Sodoms Destruction, what is it the Lord doth but he telleth it to the Prophets? The Cocks Crow thick against change of Weather. Joseph could prophesie the Famine, and Daniel that that Kings dwellings should be amongst the Beasts of the Field, Dan. 4. 25.
When mercies are wanting Saints have the Keys of Heaven to open, of Hell to shut up, of the Grave and of the Womb. Elijah had the Keys to unlock and Bar up the Clouds. 'Tis Israel obtaineth pluvias benedictionum, the showers of Blessing, Ezek. 34. 24. These are a Nations Riches, deliciae Christi, divitiae mundi, Hos. 2. 23. The loss is great, when hundreds and thousands are withdrawn from the publick stock.
In Arduous Exigencies Saints are the best Comforters and Counsellers: The Admirals that carry the Lights in a dark night. Saul's Servant tells his Master at a loss for the Asses, of a man of God, an honourable man in the City whose words all came to pass, 1 Sam. 9. 6. Job was eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame; he sate chief, and dwelt in the Army as one that comforteth the mourners, c. 29. v. 15, 25. These can guide in untrode paths when bewildred, and not knowing what to do; can steer the Ship in a stormy night, interpret dark Texts of Providence, unriddle its mysteries, can strengthen sad hearts, and asswage grief by their moving lips, Job 16. 5. 2 Sam. 20. 18. They were wont to speake in old time, saying, They shall surely ask counsel at Abel, and so they ended the matter. These are the true Abel, the City of wise men that have the Tongue of the Learned, beyond Ahitophel for Oracles of wisdom.
In all great Affairs in Church or State, none are like these; seldom does the Lord any thing without them, or but for their sakes.
In Civil Affairs, who like Joseph, Mordecai, Daniel? The Romans took men of an excellent spirit from the Plough and Turnip-gardens to conduct Armies. 'Tis a sollicism in Government, that is, alicujus excellentiae testimonium, an indication of worth, when worthy men imperio digni, fit to be at Helm, live and die in obscurity; and wicked men, servire digni, fit to rub Horse-heels, are advanced to Royalty. The Spartans would not receive a wise projection from a leud man who hit on it, but would have it at second hand proposed by a man of worth, Neh. 7. 2. Exod. 18. 21. Eccles. 10. 17. Blessed art thou, O Land, when thy King is the Son of Nobles, and thy Princes eat in due season, and not for drunkenness. Drunken heads cannot carry the body steady, nor direct the hands in using Tools without danger; anima sicca sapientissima.
In Church Affairs none like holy men. The Jews say the Keys of the Temple were laid at night under Solomons head: they had need lye under a wisemans head. Difficilis est tractatio alienae conscientiae, medling with Conscience is a great Art. The Hebrew Doctors observe that Prophesie rests only on good men: Balaam taken a while out of the Devils hand had a rapture but transient.
Ministerial Vessels are anointed with Oil, Exod. 40. 9. Men rowing to Hell will hardly get their passengers to Heaven. They that keep the charge of God's House have the promise of employ among them that stood by, Zech. 3. 8. Not meant of Angels that are yet directive and conservative about the Temple, graven on its Walls, 2 Chron. 3. 7. but of the Remainders of them that escaped and were not tainted with Idolatry: for the Priests tainted with Idolatry were excommunicated from their dignity, Ezek. 44. 12. 14. Ecclesia olim Episcopos & Presbyteros lapsos privabat officio sacerdotali, & saepe reducebat ad communem Laicum, C. A. L.
Nevertheless the Lord hath his Soveraign Prerogative Liberty to make use of bad men. The workman is the better Artist that can work well with bad Tools. The Lord will convince Saints, that he can rule the world without them, and shame such, as when in place corrupted themselves, and warped from the integrity of their interest.
Saul is among the Prophets. Cyrus is Gods Shepherd. Ravens feed Elijah, and oft good seed is sown with a dirty hand. And as the Fowls of the Air take shelter in the Boughs of the grain of Mustard-seed grown to a Tree; so carnal men have been a Sanctuary to Gods people; leaves are defensive to the fruit, the chaffy husk to the Corn, the thorn Hedge to the fruitful Field, and the Mud-wall to the Garden. The Lord can work straight with a crooked rule.