Justice Triumphing, Part 3
The third Generall.
A tacite imposition of a duty to be performed by the Saints Higgaion, Selah.
Few words and obscure, but full and important, conteining more matter then could well be couched in so short a compasse by any other language.
The word Higgaion is but twice used besides in sacred writ, and that in the Psalmes;Ps. 19. ult. 91.3. the terme Selah according to Athanasius 71 times in the Psalmes, and thrice in Habacuck; both together are no where found but in this verse, a manifest argument of more then ordinary, both weight and worth in this Scripture. The 70 and the vulgar wholy omit them; upon what just reason I see not. Some only conceive them as interjections expressing a sodain passion under an imperfect sence, but if you please to dive into this sacred Sea, you shall finde a rich pearle in the cragged shel of both these Words.
1 Higgaion is generally derived from foreign which signifies locutus est, to speake, and that properly with the mouth metaphorically with the heart: a word that noteth (saith one) such a study and exercise of minde as oft breaks out into voyce. Both constructions may afford us instruction, that the judgements of God deserve, and challenge both our serious meditation and ready promulgation.
1 They are to be meditated and pondered in our hearts; when God had made an end of his works he appointed a Sabbath to rest in from his works, and to delight himselfe in what he had ma…e, qui Sabbattizavit creando docet nos Sabbattizare meditando, he that appointed a Sabboth from the Creation, teacheth us to solemnize Sabbaths, yea to spend our dayes in meditations. The Works of God may well be resembled to choyce hangings: which must be spread abroad by diligent contemplation, not folded up in oblivion; or to dainty dishes which we must not deglutir… but ruminare, swallow down, but chew c…refully, so as we may taste the sweetnesse of them. They that goe down into the deepe, sayth the Prophet David, Ps. 107.23, 24.behold thy wonders, and onelyonly those who goe down into the depth of sacred contemplation, can and shall see the wonders of God; every common Star of Gods goodnesse deserveth our Eye; but chiefly the blazing Comets of his vengeance, lest while we neglect to set them before our Eyes, they fall down upon our backs: and as all Gods judgements, so especially his wonderfull snarings of the wicked; this among others it is that Eliphaz calls on Job to marke to wit, that the steps of a wicked mans strength shall be str…tned, his own counsell shall cast him down; for he is cast into a net by his own feet for he walketh up…n a snare. This is the onelyonly way to make others mise…y our happinesse,Job 18.2. & 7. their damage our profit, while what they feele we behold, nor yet is this enough unlesse to meditation we joyn
2 Promulgation in publishing with our mouthes the Works of Gods hands; this was Davids resolve to spe…ke of Gods Righteousnesse and his Praise all the day long. Psal. 35 ult. And for this end among others, he calls the Tong…e his glory, as being his best instrument to set forth Gods glory▪ the extent of this Word is w…ll expressed to be intenti animi murmur ex grato pectore enarrens Deilaudem, a ready narration of Gods prayse from a gratefull breast; thus Trevetus renders it sonitu and others solemni sono with a solemne sound to proclaim the Judgements of God. We must neither bury in oblivion, nor smother in silence Divine Justice in the wickeds ruine. The vowels of GODS works are not to be joyned with mutes; the dumbe Devill is as odious to him as the deaffe; wee must not be like Plinies foreign without Lips, Tongue, and mouth, to shew forth his parise; Indeed sermo index animi ▪ the Tongue is the Hearts Midwife, and as our Hearts indite a good matter, so our Tongues should be the Pen of a ready writer, Psal. 45.1. the Psalmist joyneth the words of his Mouth, and the meditations of his heart together, Psal. 19. ult. as being insepara…le companions in publishing our Makers glory. Meditation must not be still borne; the fire that burneth within cannot but flame forth. By serious thoughts we make an impression of Divine Judgements on our selves, but by our words wee make an expression to others whereby though Gods honour can receive no essentiall addition in it selfe, yet it hath a clearer manifestation to others.
foreign gaudebuntiusti.The Caldee Paraphrase expresseth more then both these, to wit, an affection of joy in meditating and proclaiming the judgements of God; we must not onelyonly thinke but say, and say but sing, and sing but shout, yea, boast and glory in the just vengeance of the Almighty. We have all joyned together, Ps. 64 at the 8th vers, mention is made of the judgment, in that the wickeds tongue shall fall upon his own head. In the following, of our duty, to consider wisely declare faithfully glory joyfully herein, to the end of the Psalm. When the wicked are brought to and condemned at the bar of justice, it is Hilarie Terme with the Saints. Zechary doubles the exhortation, Rejoyce and sing. Zech. ….10. Zeph. 3.14.Zephany trebles it, Rejoyce, sing, and be glad. The Church hath ever practised it, Moses and Mirian, Barach and Deborah, the whole Church of the Jewes, all thankfully rejoycing in their adversaries desturction. So true is that of the Psalmist,Psal. 58.1…. The righteous shall rejoyce when he seeth the vengeance, he shall wash his feet in the blood of his enemies. Not as it is their misery, but Gods glory; their confusion, but others conversion: a revenging of their own wrongs, but a satisfaction of Divine jvstice.
2 To seale up my discourse of the Text with the word Selah, the broad Seale of Davids Hymnes, and this verse. A little word, yet I might expend a great deale of time in explication of its severall references to the matter, Musick, Auditors. But I must hasten.
Avennarius sayth, in all the Rabbins he cannot finde a certain signification of the word; as for the Etymology, some derive it from foreign consternare, and so it is somtimes a note of humiliation and dejection, Psal. 79.11.68.7. others from foreign elevare, and so it notes elevationem vocis ad Psallendum, mentis ad meditandum, a lifting up of voyce and heart in singing that to which it is annexed. If wee consult with interpreters, wee finde a double sence of the word, noting eminencie and perpetuity, seriousnesse in and duration of the duty.
1 Seriousnesse, Ob rem summe medit and am▪ Trem. res digna quae inimo pectore reponatur. Our first, nay second thoughts fall short of Gods works; it was Eliphaz his counsell to Job, that he should stand still and consider the wonderous works of God, Chap. 34.17. Wee must not onelyonly (as we passe by) take a cursory view of, but rather stand still, or sit down, that wee may draw the picture of God in his punishments; it is not a transient aspect, but an exact view, whereby our hearts may be the more affected with them.
foreign Meditatio semper. Hier. foreign, Sym. Psal 111.4.2 Constancy. The Caldee and Hierome read it, for ever; the Hebrew Doctors say, that where Netzak or Selah are used, it note… no end of that thing. The sweet spices of Divine workes must be beaten to powder by meditation, and then layd up in the Cabinet of our memories. God hath made, saith the Psalmist, his wonderfull works to be remembred; he gives us the Jewels of deliverances not (because of the commonness of them) to weare them on our shooes, as the Romans did their Pearles; much lesse to tread them under our feet; but rather to tie them as a chaine about our necks. He workes strange and glorious judgements, not to be written in sand or water, but rather in Marble with a Pen of Iron and the point of a Diamond. The Impressions of Gods marvellous acts upon us must not be like that which the stone makes in the water, raising circles, beating one wave on another, and for a time making a noyse, but soon after it sinkes down, and the water returneth to its former smoothnesse: so we while judgement is fresh, to publish it from man to man, and soone after let it sinke into the depth of oblivion, and we returne to our old sinnes. David was of another mind, who resolveth to remember the yeeres of the right hand of the most high, Psalm 77.11. The Heathen had three graces inseparable sisters; the one to give, the other to receive, the third to returne, and all painted young; to learne us, that benefits should never wax old in our rememberance.
For this cause the Saints of old composed songs, appointed Daies, penned Chronicles, erected Monum…ts of Gods goodnesse and greatnesse. In this respect for ever honoured be that Honourable Parliament, who made it statum diem &▪ statutam legem, enacted it for a Law in Iacob, and an Ordinance in Israel, the solemnization of this daies deliverance.
And deservedly commendable is your practice, my Honourable Lord, and worthy Senators, who have with joy and triumph presented your selves this day in the Courts of the Lord. Me thinks your gratitude appeares of the same colour with that of the robes you wear, a Scarlet colour, dyed in grain; such as length of time wipes not off. Nor must I forget to encourage you the Tribes of our Jerusalem, the Heads of those Tribes, who weare the Liveries of praise, and are come up to the House of the Lord to giuegive him thanks.
The houre I see is expired; but surely what St. Austin said of the Feast of Pentecost I may well apply to this Festivall, Gaudet produc… haec solemnitas, it wouuld be extended beyond an houre, nay a day. I could ever wish with Joshua that the Sun would stand still, the day were twice as long, that we might enlarge our joy, while the Romish Proselytes gnash their teeth.
What then remains, but that as the Prophet Elijah stretched himselfe on the Shunamits dead child whereby it revived; so I the severall parts of this Text to this dayes occasion, that the dying memory thereof may revive among us?
Having drawn the picture of my Text in its severall lineaments, what is wanting but that I take a review, compare it with the pattern, and let you see the likenesse of the Text to the time, that so it may appeare drawn to the life?
Finally, having cut out and made up the garment of this Scripture by explication, give me but leave to put it on by application, that you may see how fashionable it is for the time, and beneficiall it may be to your soules, and I shall then dismiss you.