The Faith of Dying Jacob, Part 4
The Godly are Spiritual Blessings.
Behold, saith Israel, no wonder, he being the Ark wherein the Church sailed, and was preserved; how fatal was it to see this Ship dash upon the shore or rock of death? to see the root of the Trees, and Flowers of Paradise perished? to see the Foundation or Corner Stone overturn'd? to see a Fountain dried up?
'Tis the Saints that are blessings to the Church and to the World, John 4. 22. Salvation is of the Jews. Psal. 118. 26. The Lord that made Heaven and Earth bless thee out of Zien. These are the great Instruments to advance the Kingdom of Christ, and to demolish Satan's; the people that keep the Crown on Christ's head; that as Peers at a Prince's Coronation in their respective stations and Dignities assure the supportation of his Royal Reign. 'Tis by them the life of God and godliness are maintained in this world.
'Tis by them, and for their sakes the Word and Ordinances are continued. The Sun shineth for the sake of them that have eyes. The Rain falleth for the sake of the fruitful Land, though ex abundanti there be an over-plus, foreign, a measure of Divine bounty running over: Were it not for the Elect to come in, the Lord would soon shut up Shop: If no more Customers, the Market would be soon at an end; She that is the Bride hath the Bridegroom, and the goodly Dowry: Though the Guests, the Servants, and Standers-by have some benefits, a Ribbon, or a Garter, and the sound of the Marriage-musick, the leavings and reversion of their Trencher, which transient by-comforts are present levamina, reliefs to them, without which Earth would be a kind of Hell.
Saints joyned in Communion together are as Stones in the Arch, supporting each others: As Orient Pearls, or Globes of light reflecting their glories upon each other: As the Strings of a well-tuned Instrument making melody to the Lord, and to one another. To them suits the Pythagorean description of a well-formed Family, where there is an foreign, integrity of parts, and set number of Strings, and foreign, an apt composing and joyning all together, and an foreign, a skilful touch to make the melody; this is that foreign, the joynts and bands by which the Body of Christ encreaseth the encreasing of God, foreign, Col. 2. 19.
The Godly are the great Oracles of wisdom, Bibliothecae materiarum; that made Antigonus say at the death of Zeno, Quale virtutum Theatrum amisi? What a Theatre of Virtues have I lost? These are the lights that illuminate the dark Dungeon of the world, that else would be a dismal Abyss, as disconsolate Egypt in thick darkness: The secrets, the deep things of God, the mysteries of the heavenly Kingdom are with these: The burning Glasses that concentrate the Beams of the Sun of Righteousness and reflect, transmit them on the world; 'tis by these Conviction is made upon the world, as by Noah that Preacher of Righteousness, whereby their mouth is stopt, and they are brought to glorifie God in the day of their visitation. These are the Witnesses, Isa. 44. 8. by whom in a secondary way Divine Truths have their visible, authentick authority, credit and confirmation in the world. These are the Universities of Learning, among whom the Angelick Intelligences go to School, Eph. 3. 10.
By these the rude unreined world is restrained and civilized. John thundring quell'd Herod's outragious Souldiers, and quenched their otherwise unruly fierceness: By these the world is tamed, though not saved, that else would butcher its self, and swim in the streams of its own blood, become a meer Golgotha: 'Tis by this Salt the noisom stench and putrefaction of the world is prevented; their Embalmings prevent its loathsom rottenness. Cato, vir rigidae innocentiae, a man of severe innocency hindered the Obscenities at the Floralian Sports. If godly Parents be once removed, the Bridle is gone, and Children run adrift by the impetus of their sinful propensions, spur'd on by the force of wicked company: The Hem is gone, and the Garment unravels: The Bank is gone, and the Floods of ungodliness overflow.
As to Conversion, they are semen terrae, the Seed of the Earth, while living. Seed sown multiplies, but not if chambered in Granaries. Two dry fired sticks enkindle the green one. Polemon addicted to Wine and Play, became a brave man after entered in Philosophers Schools; Hos. 14 7. They that dwell under his shadow shall return. Psal. 87. 5. Of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her. One Circle begets another: One Candle lightens another. When Zacheus, the Gaoler, and Crispus believed, it fared the better for all the house. He and all his house believed. These are the Nurseries for God's heavenly Plantations. The Wife Converts the Husband, he her, sub divina benedictione, 1 Cor. 7. 14. 1 Pet. 3. 1. They have no semicircular motion or design to persons of their own gang: But can say as Paul to Agrippa, I would to God that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.
As to Consolation; These being experienced in the New-birth pangs and joys, are fitted to speak words in season to a weary Soul; tentatus Christianus mille Christiani. Interpreters of thousands, to shew a man his righteousness: Springs and Conduit pipes to convey refreshing Living Waters: Dews to revive the withered new mown Grass. Springtides that raise the set Ship afloat. To wandring Souls these are a voice behind, saying, here is the way. David could say, come I'le tell you what God hath done for my Soul: Walking by Walls heat is reflected: Gracious words have cured many of sins wounds; and like the best Wine, that goeth down sweetly, causing the lips of those that are asleep to speak: By a little Spiritual Discourse Saints have as 'twere put new Essences into one another's Bodies: They are useful for meat and medicine.
1. Saints are useful by their prayers: when God will hear none he will hear these: The Father will rise at midnight to let in a Child, Deut. 4. 7. None have God so nigh them in all they call upon him for: Invincible Majesty yields the Victory to Wrestling Jacob, as a Prince he prevailed with God: Concerning the works of my hands command ye me. These are the great Under-Mediators and Advocates for Friends and Foes: When these Ambassadors and Pledges of Heavens love are call'd home, 'tis a sign our God is angry.
2. Saints are Blessings in their Practice, as the Epistles and Copies of Christ to the world, like Jacob's Rods, of a generative influence. By these Looking-glasses the World may see its spots, and learn how to dress its self. Peter Martyr was much wrought on by seeing people dance, which at first he thought to be idle motion, till he observed it had its exact rules: a Christians walk seems impertinent till found out to be according to Canon. By their Faith, Love and patient Sufferings they have amused and converted their Spectators, many were converted by the very smoak of Martyrs blown on them. Julian confessed the Martyrs gained by their stedfast kindness to one another: And Justin Martyr was conquered to the Gospel by Christians Piety, and ready Sufferings.
3. Saints are Blessings by their Communication and Counsels. Prov. 15. 2. The tongue of the righteous useth knowledge aright, else 'tis a Parable in a Fools mouth. c. 11. v. 30. The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life. c. 18. v. 4. The words of a mans mouth are as deep waters: and the well-springs of wisdom as a flowing brook. c. 15. v. 4. in wholesome tongue is a tree of life: their lips are as a thread of Scarlet, drop as the Honey-comb feeding, fatning and strengthning; Honey is sweet unless it fall on an exulcerated Sore.
Bradford was emproved by the company of a poor Weaver, and Dr. Taylor by Bradfords company in prison; Junius by a Countrey mans discourse: P. Martyr seventeen days at Bucers house said, se discessisse vel doctiorem vel meliorem, that he went home a more learned or better man: This made the Italian Martyr Algerias say, he had rather be in Prison with Cato, than with Caesar in the Senate-house. Saints are Bottles, Vessels of new Wine, that uncorked or broached yield pleasant Liquor; they are like deep Wells or Pumps if you let down your Bucket, or pour in a little Water, much will come up; you can't be in their company, but as from the Apothecaries Shop, when Spices are beaten you will carry away a Savour in your Cloaths: yea though it be from Inferiours; a great Schollar gave thanks to an Inferiour giving him an opportunity of discourse. And a Jewish Doctor said he had learnt much from his Master, more from his equals, but most from Inferiours.