A Call from Heaven, Sermon 2

A Call from Heaven · Sermon 2

p. 371 Chron. 28. 9. But if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.

AS there is a peculiar Excellency in all the Books of Scripture, becoming the Majesty of their Author; so it is in special maner true with respect unto this sacred Book of Chronicles; which is aaSee the English & Dutch Annotat.not the same with those Chronicles we sometimes read of in the Kings, those being civil Records, but these wholly of a divine Inspiration, containing the History of no less then three thousand & five hundred years; even from the first man Adam unto the Jews Return from the Babylonish Captivi-& many years after that also. The Hebrews suppose it, (or at least some part of it) to be the last Book of Scripture that was written, and therefore they are wont to place it last in their Bibles, as the concluding Book of the old-Testament. The … [ton paraleipomenon Biblion,] Becaus… most worthy of eternal Commemor… … ted in these Books which are no w… found. So in this Chapter, we have Da… dying Exhortation. Words which deserv… corded, and yet are no where else seen (at leas… wise not in that ample manner) but in this Chapte…▪ And it was in a very solemn Assembly that the…e words were spoken; Indeed in a general Assembly▪ when all the Lords people, both as to civil and Ecclesiastical order were come together, for the establishment p. 38of another Ruler amongst them, accordingly David doth here direct his Exhortation, first to the Representatives of the People, ver. 1. And David assembled all the Princes of Israel, the Princes of the Tribes, and the Captains of the Companies unto themselves, &c. Hence they are said to be all Israel, ver. 8. In the sight of all Israel, h. e. the Heads and Representatives of all Israel, and therefore are said to be the Congregation of the Lord. Often in the Scripture by the Congregation, the Heads and Rulers of the Congregation are meant. Now the Exhortation unto them is, that they would keep and seek all the Commandments of the Lord, h. e. that they would observe what they did know, and seek to know more of the mind of God. The motive whereby he urgeth this, is, because the Lord had promised the good Land to them; but it was upon that condition of their keeping his Commandments, therefore it did highly concern them, to be careful about that matter. 2dly, he directs his Exhortation to him that was to be established as chief Ruler, scil. to his Son Solomon, whom God appointed to succeed his Father in the Government. Now sincerity was the main th… …hich David his Father did exhort him …ginning of this Verse. And thou So… …ow thou the God of thy Father, and serve …fect heart, and with a willing mind. This …ged from three motives, 1. From the …ation of the divine Omnisciency. For the …ord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts. 2dly, From the benefit and good, which would follow upon seeking to the Lord▪ If thou seek him he will be found of thee. 3. From the evil that is in forsaking him; In the words now before us; which though they were spoken to Solomon, yet were they of equal concernment unto p. 39others being Circumstanced as he was, h. e. that were of the younger, Rising, succeeding Generation, being also the Children and posterity of godly Parents. Especially, the words did and do concern those that are the Posterity of David, that is to say, of such as have been eminent Servants of God in their Generation. The Doctrine which I would therefore (by the help of Christ) insist on, as conceiving that it may not be altogether unsuitable for this great Audience, is this.

Doctr. That if they that are the Children and Posterity of Gods eminent Servants shall forsake the Lord, he will cast them off for ever. In the doctrinal handling of this Truth, there are four things which may be briefly enquired into. 1. When men especially the Children of Gods Servants, may be said to forsake him? 2. What is implyed, in this casting off for ever? 3. What forsaking of God that is, which will be attended, with such casting off. 4. The Reason of this dreadful procedure of the most High towards the Posterity of his People.

Quest. 1. When may men be said to forsake the Lord?

Answ. 1. When they depart from the blessed Truths of God, then may they be said to forsake him. Hence the Apostle chargeth it upon the Apostatizing Galatians, that they were removed from him that called them, Gal. 1. 6. h. e. they had forsaken God himself, because they had corrupted and forsaken the …reat Truths of the Gospel. All Truth is from God, therefore he is styled, the God of Truth, Deut. 32. 4. Yea, Truth it self, 1 Joh. 5, 6. And Truth is said to be his Name. Christ said to his faithful ones in the Church of Pargamus, thou holdest fast my Name, Rev. 2. 13. The Truths of Christ were much opposed by the Infidels, and by the Hereticks of those dayes, only some did faithfully adhere thereunto; and these are said to p. 40hold fast his Name. So then to forsake the Truth is to forsake the Lords Name. Especially when there is Apostacy from great-Foundation Truths in Religion, the Lord is forsaken. Albeit every Truth hath the Name of God stamped upon it, yet there are some Truths which have more of his Name on them, then others have, that the disowning of them is absolutely to reject the Lord, namely fundamental Truths, which indeed are not many nor hard to be known. Moreover, when those Truths are disowned by Children, which their Fathers were eminently engaged in the profession of, (though they should not be fundamental in their natures) such Children may be said to forsake the Lord.

2. When men deify any other Object besides the Lord; They that set up other things in Gods stead, in their so doing forsake the Lord, so it is when men give religious worship to any other besides him, who alone ought to be feared, Thus the Children of Israel because they did worship Baal and Ashtaroth, h. e. the bbCorn. A Lapide in locum Lucian de deo Syria Herod. Lib. 5.Sun and Moon, (for those were the first Creatures that the Gentiles Idolized, and the Syrians called the Sun, Baal; and the Moon Ashtaroth) they are therefore charged with forsaking God, Judg. 2. 12, 13. Idolatry is the greatest Apostacy in the world. Such are by way of eminency styled forsakers of God, Deut. 32. 15. He forsook God, meaning that they did Apostatize to Idolatry, therefore in ver. 16. it is added that they provoked him to Jealousie with their strange Gods, that is to say, with new Gods or Idols, for new things are strange, ver. 17. They sacrificed to new Gods which came newly up, whom their Fathers feared not. And this is true not only with respect unto that more gross Idolatry, when men shall avow the Service of Idols, but also concerning secret, spiritual, heart Idolatry, even p. 41worldliness, Math. 6. 24. Ye cannot serve both God and Mammon. The Servants of Mammon, h. e. of the world, are forsakers of God, when men pour out the strength of their affections upon worldly Objects, or place their chief delight and confidence in these things, it argueth an heart departure from the Lord, Jer. 17. 5. If Fathers have sought Christ, and the things of Christ in the first place, and their Children shall come after them, and espouse a worldly Interest, it is a woful God-forsaking.

3. There is a forsaking God, in respect of his holy Institutions. Hence a people that are without Ordinances, are said to be without God, 2 Chron. 15. 3. it is there mentioned, that Israel had for a long season been without the true God, because they had been without the Ministry, and without Ordinances. If these be not duly observed the Lord is forsaken, Isai. 65. 11. But ye are they that forsake the Lord, and forget my holy Mountain, so that to forget the holy Mountain, h. e. the neglect of divine worship and Ordinances, is a forsaking of the Lord. Look as when the Lord doth deprive a people of his Ordinances, he is said to forsake them, Jer. 23. 33. I will even forsake you saith the Lord; the meaning is (saith Calvin) you shall no more have Ministry and Ordiances, amongst you, so when they are willing to be deprived thereof, they may be said to forsake him, Judg. 10. 6. they forsook the Lord, and served him not. Not to regard the service of God is to forsake him. For in Ordinances we have to doe with God▪ Hebr. 4. 13. in hearing the word, in Prayer, in Sabbaths, in Sacraments, we have to doe with God. Or if the holy Ordinances be corrupted, then the Lord is forsaken. And so it is when men will be adding their inventions to Gods institutions, Psal. 106. 39. Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went p. 42a whoring with their own inventions. When men follow their own inventions they goe a whoring from the Lord, of this nature were the high Places of old 2 Chron. 33. 17. The People did sacrifice in the high places, yet to the Lord their God only. Those high Places were lawfull to worship God in, until theSee Engl. Annot. on 1 Sam. 6. 14.1 Sam 6:14 Temple was built, but after that it was a breach of the second Commandment to place any Religion in them, and therefore in some degree a departure from the Lord. If Fathers have prized Ordinances above the world, and endeavoured to uphold them in their power and purity, but their Children after them shall not regard w…ether they enjoy the Ordinances of Christ or no, or if they doe, shall not be carefull and studious to keep them pure, according to Scripture Rule, they fall under this dreadfull charge of Apostacy from God.

4. There is a forsaking of God in respect of Conversation. There are that by works doe deny God, Tit. 1. 16. An holy heavenly Conversation is expressed in the Scripture, by that of walking with God. Gen. 5. 24. & 6. 9. Therefore an evill conversation is a departure from God. It is called a forsaking the Law of the Lord, Jer. 9. 13. By a corrupt conversation men deviate from the Law, and are such Apostates as the Text speaketh of. In this respect those wicked men, whose foundation was destroyed with the flood, (as Eliphaz speaketh) even the sinners of the old world were Apostates from God. We doe not read of (nor doe I believe that there was) any Idolatry in the old world, but they were over run with Atheism, Pride, Sensuality, Vncleaness, Oppression, and the like scandalous Enormityes. And the Apostacy of the Children of Israel, did consist partly in this, as we see in that wofull instance of the Benjamites, the greatest part of whom the Lord cast o…f p. 43for ever. Yea and the Antichristian Apostacy predicted in the New Testament, doth consist partly in this: We know that the Anti-Christian Generation (Papists I mean) are generally not only (as all of them are) horribly superstitious and idolatrous, but of most profane and debauched Consciences and conversations; in the Book of the Revelations we read of their murthers, Sorceryes, Fornications, Thefts, Rev. 9. 21. If then the Children of the Covenant shall not walk worthy of God, but in the wayes of Pride, Sensuality, Vnrighteousness; If when Fathers have been of an holy, exemplary conversation their Children shall be unholy and profane, they are forsakers of God, concerning whom he hath threatned, to cast them off for ever.

5. When the fear of God is wanting in the hearts of such as are above others bound to fear and serve him, they are forsakers of the Lord. For there is an inward heart departure from God, as well as that which is outward and visible: So it is when there is no faith nor fear of God in the heart, Hebr. 3. 12. Take heed lest there be in any of you an evill heart of unbelief in departing from the living God. Infidelity in the heart is the root of all Apostacy. If the Children of godly Parents shall not endeavour truly to fear and serve the Lord God of their Fathers, they are such as do forsake him, yea and such as he will cast off for ever. And therefore in this Context David did intimate unto his Son Solomon, that if he did not serve the Lord even with a perfect heart, he should be cast off for ever.

We proceed therefore to the second Question. viz.

Quest. What is implyed in this casting off for ever?

Answ. 1. It implyeth a change as to divine Dispensations. In the Scripture, when the Lord threatned to cast off his people, that is intended, viz. that he p. 44would make an alteration as to the tenor of his dispensations towards them: here it is set in oppositi…o finding God, If thou seek him, he will be found of thee, but if thou forsake him h… will cast thee off: Now finding God doth imply the enjoyment of his favour, and therefore in Casting off is implyed the deprivement of the Lords favourable presence. It is indeed most true, that the special favour of God is unchangeable, Rom. 5. 2. This Grace wherein we stand. He that hath once access into the special grace and favour of God stands and abideth therein for ever, in respect of that there is no casting off for ever; In the Covenant of grace the Lord hath promised saying, I will not cast off the Seed of Israel for all that they have done, Jer. 31. 37. But then there is common favour, in respect of outward blessings, which are the effects of common love, & that may utterly cease, Hos. 9. 15. I will love them no more. I have loved them, (saith the Lord) h. e. bestowed outward mercyes on them, but I will do so no more. They shall have no more such dayes of peace, no more such plenty, no more such means of grace as once they did enjoy. Thus of a friend the Lord may turn to be an Enemy, Isai. 63. 10. But they rebelled and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their Enemy, and he fought against them. Whilst a Covenant people, carry it so as not to break Covenant, the Lord blesseth them visibly, but if they degenerate then blessings are removed, and woful Judgements come in their room, & that's implyed in this casting off which the Text speaketh of, scil. that mercyes shall be taken away, as it was said of Saul that when God cast him off he took away his mercy from him, 1 Chron, 17, 13. because he was deprived of that great outward blessing and dignity which once he did enjoy, And the sending of contrary miseryes to p. 45those mercyes; that instead of peace there shall be Wars, instead of plenty poverty, instead of health terrible sicknesses, instead of planting, plucking up and destroying, these things are implyed in this casting off, thus Psal. 89. 38. But thou hast cast off and abhorred; thou hast been wroth with thine anointed. I conceive the Psalmist in those words hath ccFoord in …ocum.respect to the sad change of Providence which befel the Lords People in Rehoboams time, for the Psalm was written by Ethan, who was contemporary with Solomon, and probably lived to see the woful changes which hapned five years after Solomons death, when the Land was invaded and sorely wasted by Heathen Enemies, and some (though not all) of the wrath of God poured out upon his people, and upon the Apostatized Children of David, strong holds were brought to ruine, and they did not stand in the day of Battel as in former times they had done, now these temporal Judgements are called a casting off. 2. It doth imply a discovenanting and unchurching. If the Children of godly Fathers shall forsake the Lord he will cast them off, h. e. it will at last come to this that the Lord will disown them; and excommunicate them, and say they are none of his, for although there is no falling from a state of saving grace, yet they that have only a visible interest in God may fall from that Estate, what they have shall be taken from them. They that are internally and sincerely in Covenant with God shall never lose their interest in the Covenant, for they are betrothed unto the Lord for ever, Hos. 2. 19. But they that are externally in Covenant, may cease to be the Lords visible people; Thus it came to pass concerning the ten Tribes▪ Hence the Lord speaketh, as Jer. 3. 8. Backsliding Israel committed Adultery, and I had put her away and given her a Bill of divorce, so that the p. 46marriage Covenant, which was between the Lord & them was dissolved, this is confirmed by the Prophet Hosea, Chap. 2. 2. where the Lord saith plead with your mother, plead for she is not my wife, neither am I her husband, so in Chap. 1. ver. 9. Call his Name Lo-Ammi, for they are not my people, and I will not be your God, therefore also the Lord by the Prophet Ezekiel calls the ten Tribes by the name of Aholah. The two Tribes the Jews, were then called by the name of Aholibah, which signifieth my Tent, because as yet God had not rejected them. But the ten Tribes are called Aholah, which signifieth a Tent, as if the Lord had said they are none of mine, now I have done with them and utterly rejected them, Ezek. 23. 4. Afterwards the Jews also were discovenanted and unchurched. The Prophet Zachariah had foretold that upon their unbelief, in rejecting Jesus Christ the only true Messias, it should be so I took my staff Beauty, and cut it asunder, that I might break my Covenant which I made with all the People, Zach. 11. 10. And Paul tels us that sad Prediction was fulfilled, therefore Rom. 11▪ 12. he speaketh of The Fall of the Jews, meaning that they were fallen from their visible Church estate to be in the same condition which the Gentile world was in before befor… the coming of Christ, so that they were fallen from heaven to earth; and in v. 20, 22. he speaketh of their being broken off and cut off, h. e. cut off from the visible Church, The Apostle ddv. Mr Cotton of Infant Baptism.in that Chapter doth compare covenanting Abraham to a Root, and the visible Church to an Olive tree, of which there are two sorts of branches, 1. Natural, viz. the Jewish Church, 2. Ingraffed, i. e. the Church among the Gentiles. Now the natural branches were broken off: and therefore in the New Testament they are declared to be none of the Lords people, Rev: 3▪ 9. p. 47They call themselves Jews, but are not so, but are of the Synagogue of Satan. They say they are Jews, h. e. they boast of their being the Lords People, but in truth they are not so (saith Christ) they glory in the name of a Synagogue, but now they are not Gods Synagogue, but Satans. And in these dayes of the New-Testament the Lord hath disowned, & un-Churched these and those hat once were his People, Rev. 2. 5. I will remove the Candlestick out of his place. That Threatning is not only fulfilled on Ephesus, but on all the Churches in Asia; there have been in former Ages bright and glorious Candlesticks in that part of the world, but they are long since all broken to pieces. The Romish Antichristian Idolatry, hath prevailed so far amongst Christians for above these thousand years, that they that are overrun therewith, Christ doth declare them to be looked upon, as Gentiles, as Heathens, and that they are not to be looked upon as within the Temple, or as indeed appertaining to the visible Church, Rev. 11. 2. And this disowning and unchurching a people is called a Casting them off. 3. The expression here doth imply everlasting rejection in the other world. The Hebrew Phrase [jazni chaka lagnad] Arias Montanus translateth execrabitur te in aeternum. if thou forsake him, he will make thee an eternal execration. Though it be a deep truth, that the line of election ††See the preceding Sermon, p. 29.doth for the most part run through the loins of godly parents, yet not only so, for men may be descended from godly Parents and Progenitors, and yet be the subjects of eternal Reprobation and Damnation. Math. 8. 12. The Children of the Kingdome shall be cast out into outer darkness. We read of one that could call Abraham his Father, and unto whom Abraham said Son remember that in thy life time thou hadst thy good things, that nevertheless p. 48when he dyed, went to the place of Torment. If such Children forsake the Lord, it is not the prayers nor tears of godly Fathers that will save them; Nay, these will be an infinite aggravation of their misery. The t…ars of a godly Father, if his Children forsake the Lord, will make the flames of Eternal Fire burn the more fiercely upon their Souls for ever. Therefore well might David say to his Son Solomon, If thou forsake the Lord, he will cast thee off for ever.

We come in the next place to enquire, what forsaking of God that is, that will be attended with this casting off?

Answ. In two words, I. this must be understood concerning deep departures from God, and from his blessed wayes, Hos. 9. 9. They have deeply corrupted themselves therefore be will visit their sins. The Lord is the God of patience, and of all grace, and thence is very slow in rejecting utterly a people, (or their Posterity) whom he hath once taken into Covenant with himself. Hence it is not lesser departures, but high and great offences against the Lord, that provokes him to …ast off his People, e. g. Idolatry is a sin that causeth the rejection which the Text speaks of. Yea, it is true with reference unto that Idolatry which is against the second Commandment. When the Children of Israel committed that Idolatry respecting the Calf in the Wilderness, they sinned against the second Commandment, for they would worship the Lord still, only they would do it in such a way, and by such means as God never appointed, and they were in great danger of being cast off for this sin. Hence the Lord said to Moses, thy People have corrupted themselves, Exod. 32. 7. The Lord doth not say my People, as he was wont to do, but Thy People, as if it were said; Now they have violated my p. 49Covenant, and deserve that I should for ever disown and reject them. The Asian Churches have been cast off for this sin especially; we may read the sin of those Churches written in dreadful Characters, upon the Forehead of that Judgement which hath destroyed them all. God hath let loose the barbarous Turks upon them, who hate and destroy no men so much as those that worship Images. And as for the Church of Rome, the Apostle Paul did solemnly predict that they should be cast off, Rom. 11. 22. Now it is for this sin principally that the Lord hath cast them off. Again, Heresy causeth this casting off which the Text speaketh of, Societies consisting of such as disown the fundamental Truths of the Gospel, the Lord Jesus disowns them. Hence the Jews are disowned and rejected by the Lord, for although they own some fundamental Truth in Religion, indeed all eeJac. Cappellus in Hebr. 6. 1.Heb 6:1those six principles mentioned by the Apostle to the Hebrews, (Cap. 6. 1, 2.) the Jews acknowledge, yet there are other foundation Truths, which they reject; That Jesus of Nazareth is the true Messiah, that Messiah is God as well as man, the Doctrine of original sin, and of salvation by imputed righteousness, all which things are necessary to be believed in order to eternal life, this do they reject and disown; and therefore the Lord hath cast them off. when a People shall be so far degenerate as to loose the Essentials of Religion, they are the Lords no longer. Heretical Assemblies may be the Flocks of those that pretend to be Christs companions, but they are none of Christs Flocks, Can. 1. 7. So for scandalous miscarriages in life & conversation, these provoke Lord to cast off a professing people. In a building, if once the materials be rotted & corrupted, the house will moulder away, the matter being an Essential Cause. And in Church p. 50building we know that Saints are the material cause; and therefore scandal in life doth destroy the Essentials of a Church, and so brings along with it this casting off which the Text speaks of. 2. It is an Impenitent, incorrigible forsaking God, that doth cause him to cast off a people or person. Solomon was guilty (notwithstanding the sol…mn dying charge of his Father to the contrary) of dreadful forsakings and Apostasies from the Lord, but he repented of them, as we see by the book of Ecclesiastes, and therefore the Lord did not wholly cast him off for ever Notwithstanding great degeneracy in a People, the Lord is not wont to cast them off until he hath used all means for their Recovery, so it was with the Children of Israel of old, 2 Chron. 36. 15. The Scripture hath recorded the names of above twenty Prophets which the Lord sent to his People of old to tell them of their backslidings, and call upon them to repent and reform, before he would cast them off. And though in these dayes of the New-Testament, because men sin against greater light and grace, then in former times, the Lord Jesus maketh quicker work, with an Apostatizing People, then in the dayes of old, and in the years of ancient Generations; and therefore he said to the Church in Ephesus, except thou consider whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works, I will come against thee quickly, and remove the Candle stick out of his place; nevertheless, he useth means to reduce and recover a backsliding People, before he casts them off, so he did with the Asian Churches, and so hath he done with the Anti-Christian Generation, and therefore raised up great Instruments, who have preached the Everlasting Gospel with a loud voice, and called for Reformation; and might therefore say ffNotan te Parkero, de Polit Eccles. & Rainold de Idol. Rom. Ecclesiae.as Jer. 51. 9. We would have healed Babylon, and she is not p. 51healed, therefore her Judgement reacheth unto Heaven▪ and is lifted up even to the Skies. The Lord doth give a first and second admonition before he doth reject; He tryeth what his Word will do, what lesser and greater Judgements will do, yea, and what mercies and deliverances will do, and if nothing will prevail, then he casts off forever. If a Generation be Apostate, and Incorrigibly Apostate, it will not belong before God doth cast them off forever, Jer. 15. 6, 7. Thou hast sorsaken me saith the Lord, thou art gone backward, therefore will I stretch out my hand against thee, I will destroy my People sith they return not from their wayes. In a word, when Apostacy is total and final then the Lord doth reject men, yea, though the Children and Posterity of his own Servants, he casts them off forever.

Quest. But why so?

Answ. For such Reasons as these.

Reas. 1. Because the Transgressions of such Children as the Doctrine speaks of are peculiar provocations; if the Children of David sin their iniquity is attended with special aggravations They sin against greater light, and love, and grace, then may be said of any persons in the world besides; They that rebel against the Light do at last provoke the Lord utterly to reject them. Hence it is that resusing Instruction, is mentioned as the grand procuring cause of this Rejection, Jer. 6. 8. Be instructed O Jerusalem lest my Soul depart from thee, & thou become desolate. Now thus it is when the Children of Godly Parents forsake the Lord, as Solomon doth acknowledge, how diligent and faithful his blessed Father had been in instructing of him, Prov. 4. 3, 4. I was my Fathers Son, he taught me also, and said unto m… keep my Commandments and live. And sins against grace, and peculiar mercy do without Repentance p. 52end in Everlasting Rejection, Amos 3. 2. You only have I known, therefore will I punish you for all your iniquities. Who ever escape (saith the Lord) to be sure you shall not, because you sin against greater grace and favour then any others in the World ever did. For these causes the Lord threatned Eli that he would cut off his Arm, and the Arm of his Fathers house, ihasmuch as he had sinned against peculiar mercies and favours. Especially, sins against tenders of Gospel grace provoke the Lord to cast men off, Math. 23. 37, 38. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, ho… often would I have gathered you, as an Hen her Chickens under her wings but ye would not, and now your house is left unto you desolate. And this is sadly true concerning the Children of godly Parents, they sin against special favours from the Lord, the means of grace is vouchsafed to them, they have many blessed strivings of the holy Spirit with them, which others have not, therefore if they forsake the Lord no wonder if he cast them off for-ever.

Reas. 2. Because such Children are guilty of lamentable Covenant breaking before the Lord, for the Covenant is with Children as well as Parents, Deut. 29. 10, 11, 12. You and your little ones do enter into Covenant, upon this account David saith that the Lord was his God from his Infancy, yea, from his first coming into the world, Psal. 22. 10, And the like is noted concerning Solomon, and therefore his Father said to him, my Son build the house of the Lord thy God, 1 Chron. 22. 11. The Lord is not only my God, but in respect of his gracious Covenant he is thy God also. And this seems to be the reason why Abraham is styled the Father of the faithful. ggSee Mr. Carter Abrahams Covenant opened.Not meerly on the Covenant of the eminency of his faith, for we read of others in the Scripture, whose faith was not inferior to Abrahams, but in that he was p. 53the first unto whom God expresly declared, I will be a God to thee and to thy Seed, and withal appointed a sacred sign and Seal of this Covenant. Now Abrahams Covenant is as to the substance of it Everlasting. And therefore the Children of the faithful in all Ages, are wrapped under the bond of the Covenant, otherwise there would be a substantial change of the Covenant from what it was at first, then which nothing can be more contradictory to the whole tenour and current of the Scripture. The Apostle therefore testifyeth that the blessing of Abraham is come on the Gentiles through Iesus Christ, Gal. 3. 14. As God said unto Abraham, I take thee and thy Children into Covenant with my self, so doth he through Jesus Christ say the like to every believing Parent among the Gentiles; And therefore the Lord Jesus did affirm concerning Children, of such is the Kingdome of Heaven, Math. 19. 14. hhMr. Burroughs on Math. 5. 3. p; 61.Matt 5:3It is not only true (saith Christ) that Children did belong to God under the old-Testament, but now that, the Kingdome of Heaven is at hand; now that the Church is to be under the heavenly dispensation of the Gospel, Children must be acknowledged there also. And it is for-ever to be observed, that when the New-Testament dispensation was ready to be established, the ancient grant concerning Childrens Interest in the Covenant is expresly confirmed, Act. 2. 39. The promise is to you and to your Children. Hence then, if such Children do forsake the Lord, they are guilty of violating the Covenant. Now that's an iniquity which doth provoke the Lord to cast off those that are deeply guilty of it, Isai. 24. 5, 6. They have broken the Everlasting Covenant, therefore they are cursed; burned, desolate. In old time it was the manner that when a Covenant was made, some Creature or other was killed, and cut in pieces, by which rite was p. 54signifyed, that the Lord would kill and cut off him, that being in Covenant with God, did not make conscience, faithfully to keep and observe, that Covenant inviolable for-ever.

Reas. 3. From that infinite indignation, which is in the Lords heart against Apostates. They are fugitives from Christ, and deserting their Captain, the Lord himself will execute Martial Law upon them. No sinners are greater Objects of divine hatred and indignation. Hence the Apostle said unto the Hebrews, when some of them were ready to Apostatize from Christianity to Judaisme, if any man draw back the Soul of God shall take no pleasure in him, Heb. 10. 38. meaning that such Creatures, are Vessels of dishonour, and the most loathsome Objects that can be thought of. Hence the Lord doth pursue them with infinite vengeance, he cuts them off, and casts them off for-ever. As that miserable Spira at the very moment, when he had renounced the Truth, thought he heard one say to him; Hence thou Apostate, and receive the Sentence of thy Eternal Damnation. The Lord is wont to leave marks of his wrath upon such sinners. He brands them, that all the world may be afraid of that iniquity, seldome hath it been known that any have notoriously turned away from the Lord, but visible wrath from Heaven hath fallen upon them. Iehoram had been religiously educated under his godly Father Jehoshaphat, but he proved the Apostate child of a gracious Father; And what came on him? God let loose the Heathen Arabians, who wasted his Estate, and murdered all his Children save one. Thus did the Lord cast him off. Ioash was religiously educated under his uncle Jehojadah, but he forsook the Lord, therefore the Ass…rians with a small Army destroyed a great, Host of his; And afterwards his own treacherom p. 55Servants murdered him. The like we read concerning Amaziah. And Histories (besides what is recorded in the Scripture) are full of awful and amazing Examples of the Lords indignation against Apostates, and therefore since if Davids Children do forsake the Lord, they are to be reckoned amongst the number of Apostates, no wonder that he doth threaten to cast them off forever.

ƲSE. We proceed now to a word of Application, andƲSE shall insist upon one only use of Exhortation, let us be exhorted in the Name and Fear of God this day, to endeavour that it may not be with us, as the Text and Doctrine expresseth, let us every one in our several places, and capacityes endeavour that the present and succeeding Generations in New-England, may not forsake the Lord God of their Fathers, & so endanger their being cast off forever.

Wherefore Consider, 1. What Fathers and Predecessors have been, they were such as did seek the Lord. As for the body of the present Generation in New-England, it may be said to them, your Fathers were such as did serve the Lord, yea, it was love to God, and to Jesus Christ, which brought them into this Wilderness. As the Lord speaketh, Jer. 2. 2. I remember the kindness of thy youth, the love of thine Espous…ls, when thou wentest after me in the Wilderness, in a Land which was not sown. Our Fathers did not in their coming hither propound any great matters to themselves respecting this world; only that they should have liberty to serve God; & to walk with him in all the wayes of his worship. As one of our worthies hath aptly expressed, God sifted three Nations, that so he might bring over choice grain into this wilderness Let us then remember what New-England hath been. It hath been a noble Plant, Jer. 2. 21. I planted the… …ble Vine, wholly a right Seed. It hath been a Cedar, p. 56our Eyes have seen the Lord fulfilling that Scripture litterally & gloriously, Isai. 41. 19. I will plant in the Wilderness a Cedar. The chief of the Fathers in these New-English Churches, they were Abrahams. He, when God called him removed out of Ʋr of the Chaldees, to the place which the Lord would shew him, & there built an Altar to the Everlasting God, so did our Fathers remove out of their own Land, when God called them, and came hither, to build an Altar here to the Everlasting God, yea, and they have set the Altar upon its right Basis too. Our Fathers have been Davids, that is to say, eminent Reformers. Let me speak freely (without offence to any) there never was a Generation that did so perfectly shake off the dust of Babylon, both as to Ecclesiastical and civil Constitution, as the first Generation of Christians, that came into this Land for the Gospels sake, where was there ever a place so like unto new Jerusalem as New-England hath been? It was once Dr. Twiss his opinion, iiSee Dr Twiss Letters printed in Mr. Medes works. Book. 4. Epist. 42. p. 979.that when new-Jerusalem should come down from Heaven America would be the Seat of it. Truly that such a Type and emblem of new-Jerusalem, should be erected in so dark a corner of the world, is matter of deep meditation and admiration.

Consider, 2. How subject men are, yea, the Children of blessed Parents and Predecessors to Apostatize from God. It is possible that the Children of David may forsake the Lord, and that in a short time too, whe… Predecessors have been eminent for God, their Successors have been most degenerate, Jer. 2. 21. I planted thee wholly a right Seed, how art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange Vine unto me, Isai. 1. 21. How is the faithful City become an Harlot? it was full of Judgement, righteousness lodged in it, but now murderers. It was sometimes said unto good Samuel, thy p. 57Sons walk not in thy wayes. And it is noted concerning Nabal (a drunken Sot) that he was of the house of Caleb, 1 Sam. 25. 3. That ever such a branch should spring our of such a Stock. The Ephraimites were the vilest Idolaters of all the Apostate Children of Israel, yet they were the Posterity of Joseph the best of Jacobs twelve Sons. The persidious and ungrateful Ziphites were also the posterity of that blessed Caleb but now mentioned. Yea, it is a sad Truth, that Religion hath seldome been upheld in the power of it, for above one or two Generations together. Therefore it is recorded concerning the Children of Israel, they turned quickly out of the way which their Fathers walked in, obeying the Commandments of the Lord, but they did not so, Judg. 2. 17. The Fathers and Leaders both of the first and second Generation were for purity of worship, but their Children were not so. Their Fathers did endeavour to uphold Religion in the power of it, but their Children did not so. Their Fathers did order their conversation according to the holy Rules of the word of God, but their Children did not so. Hence is that sad complaint by the Prophet, they rose early and corrupted all their doings, Zeph. 3. 7. And if we look into the Scripture and view the story of former Ages, we shall see this to be true. The Posterity of the Lords Servants, the Children of the Church have in a little time so forsaken him, as that solemn Reformation hath been necessary. Look beyond the Flood and we shall see it so. One of Adams Children with all his numerous Posterity forsook the Lord, Cain was excommunicate out of the Church and became the Father of an excommunicate race and Generation. The first Church that ever was in the world, even that in Adam's Family continued in some measure pure, about the space kkOwe… de Theol▪ lib. 2. Cap. 2…of an hundred and thirty p. 58years, (h. e. until Seth was born) but then great Apostacy prevailed. When the Church was small in one Family, it was more easy to keep it pure, by casting out the Apostates, but now the world grew numerous, & a multitude of sinners caused impunity in sin, so as that they that were godly and conscientious were fain in the very beginning or first Ages and Generations of the world, to separate themselves and become distinct societies. Hence is that, Gen. 4 26. then began men to call upon the Name of the Lord. It noteth a separation of the Church from the prophane world. After this, a second Apostacy followed, that the Church and world were mixed together, even the Sons of God and daughters of men, the Posterity of godly Seth and of wicked Cain, until such time as the flood came and cleared the world of them, Gen. 6. 2. Then were the Inhabitants of the Earth in a most corrupt Estate, wherefore the Psalmist (as it seems) alluding to that time saith, the Lord looked down from Heaven, to see if there were any that did understand and seek God, every one of them is gone back, they are altogether become filthy, Psal. 53. 2, 3. After Religion was revived in Noalis Family, his Posterity quickly forsook the Lord, Chams Apostacy was (as some Learned men observe) about forty years after the flood. The Church was reformed by his ejection, but within sixty or seventy years after that, the builders of Babel set upon their wicked attempt, which was desperate Rebellion against the Lord, although Noah himself was then alive, he could not by all his Authority restrain his grand Children and Posterity, but they would needs become guilty of that Babel defection. After this, within a few Generations the world was overrun with Idolatry. When that iniquity first began is hard to say, but it is evident that in Jobs time (who is p. 59thought to live about three hundred and fifty years after the Flood) the world was filled with Idolaters, yea, in Abrahams time there was such Apostacy as that Religion was almost gone out of the world; only in his Family there was a pure Church established. Yet his Posterity did quickly forsake the Lord. The Ishmaelites, Midianites, Edomites, (and other Nations) who were of the Posterity of Abraham, the Father of the faithful, in a few Generations lost the substantials of Religion, and were wholly deprived of their Church Estate. The Church was setled in Jacobs Family. Corruption and Superstition did creep into his Family, so as that he was fain to set upon a work of solemn Reformation, and that was not two hundred years after the Reformation begun in his grand-Father Abrahams Family. After the Church was become National, the truth and power of Religion did very rarely continue above one or two Generations at the most (sometimes not so long) witness that Scripture ††By Mr. Moodey.which was worthily opened and applyed in this place upon the like solemn occasion two years ago, Judg. 2. 7, 10. And the People served the Lord all the dayes of Joshua, and all the dayes of the Elders that out-lived Joshua, who had seen all the great works of the Lord that he did for Israel. And all that Generation were gathered unto their Fathers, and there arose another Generation after them, which knew not the Lord nor yet the works which he had done for Israel. Those that were the grand-Children of that Generation which was brought out of Egypt, did forsake the God of their Fathers. Hence is that expression, Hos. 10, 9. O Israel thou hast sinned from the dayes of Gibeah, what horrible wickedness was in Gibeah, we may read in the nineteenth & twentyeth Chapters of the Book of Judges, where we have p. 60the Story of the Levites Concubine, which though it be mentioned towards the close of that Book, yet it seems evident that it hapned before the Judges, for it seems that Jebus (afterwards Jerusalem) was not then taken, Judg. 19. 11, 12. when as that was taken by the Children of Israel before they were governed by Judges, Chap. 1. ver. 8. So that the wickedness of Gibeah, and their war with the Benjamites, which followed thereupon, was between the death of Ioshuah and the Judges. Moreover, Phinehas the Son of Eleazar, the Son of Aaron was Priest in those dayes, Judg. 20. 28. which maketh it very manifest that, that most corrupt Generation, were the grand-Children of those, that were first embodyed as a peculiar People, when the Lord did plant the Heavens, and lay the Foundations of the Earth, that is to say, did build up the Children of Israel as a body politick under Ecclesiastical and civil government, the third Generation among that People proved degenerate and apostate. And when they were under a Theocracy or Government by Judges, whom the Lord immediately raised up and set over them, how soon did they turn aside from God; when any of their faithful Judges were taken from them, Judg. 2. 19. So in the dayes of the Kings. After Davids Reformation Apostacy began in the very next Generation, in the dayes of his Son Solomon, and in the dayes of his grand-Child Rehoboam all Israel forsook the Lord, unt…l God by a sad war a akened them to some Reformation. In Jehoshaphats time Religion was upheld in some power; but in the very next Generation there was Apostacy, Hez… kiah was a great Reformer, but his Son Manasseh built up again the high places, which his Father had d… stroyed, and seduced the People to …o more evil then did the Nations, whom the Lord destroyed before the Children p. 61of Israel. After this. Josiah wrought a great Reformation, and with him did the work of Reformation and Religion dye amongst the Jews, upon Josiahs death a flood of Land destroying sins brake in upon that Generation, that within the space of two and twenty years after Josiah was gathered unto his Fathers, the Jewish State both Civil and Ecclesiastical was quite overthrown; After the Captivity, Ezra and Nehemiah, and the Prophets Haggai and Zachary were great Reformers; But Apostas, quickly prevailed, witness the Prophet Malachi, who declareth that not only People but Rulers many of them in his dayes, were become very corrupt. Albeit they were not guilty of that more gross dolatry, for which their Fathers were sent into Captivity, yet Covetousness, which is a spiritual Idolatry they were guilty of, whereby they provoked the Lord to send blasting Providences upon them, there being no greater punishment to a covetous man then to have the world taken from him. That Generation did not keep themselves unspotted of the World, upon which account, they are by the Prophet pronounced unclean, Hag 2. 13, 14. And when Christ came into the world, he found the Iews in a most degenerate corrupt Estate. Therefore did the Lord call them an evil and an Adulterous, and a viperous Generation.

Furthermore, since the Church hath been by divine Institution Congregational, in these dayes of the New-Testament, men have been no less subject to Apostasy then in former Ages. The Churches in Galatia were strangely and suddenly overrun with corrupt Doctrine. Hence the Apostle saith, Gal. 1. 6. I marvel that you are so soon removed unto another Gospel. He might well marvel, if the observation of llCappellus in Historia Apostolic▪great Chronologers be true, that within a year p. 60after Paul was removed from Galatia to Ephesus, false Teachers succeeded him, and overthrew his Foundation, by endeavouring to advance a mixt Religion consisting of Judaisme and Christianity. And I remember Jerom, mmIn pro…em ad Ga…at. lib. 2.testifyeth that in his time all Galatia was overrun with damnable Heresies. And as for the Church in Ephesus they quickly declined, Rev, 2, 5. Remember from whence thou art faland repent, and do the first works. It was (as Historians observe) about twenty years after the Ascention of Christ that Paul gathered a Church amongst the Ephesians. And sixty years after the Ascention, the Book of the Revelation was written; So that there had been a Church in that place about forty years; In which time the first members of the Church must needs (in probability) as to the body of them be dead, and another Generation of Church members were risen up which were not like the first. The Church in Thyatira, though not so Apostate when the Revelation was written as some other Churches, yet Ecclesiastical Story mentions how that in a few years after that, there was no Church in that place; which was one Reason why some antient Hereticks nnEpi…hanius de Heres.denyed the divine Authority of the Apocalyps. Because therein mention is made of a Church in Thyatira, when as (said they) no Church is to be seen there. To which the Answer is that there had been a Church there only the Cataphrygian Heresy did prevail so, as in a little time to swallow up the whole Church. In a word, in all those places, which we read of in the Scripture as having Churches in them, they that are the Succeslors at this day, are not like unto them that once were in those very places. In many places they have only the name not the Truth of Christianity, and in some not so much as the name. Albeit, when time was, famous Churches might, p. 61have been seen in those places. In former Ages Asia was the Seat of the Church, when as in these latter Ages Europe is so, ooMed…which is judged the Reason why the Book of Revelation speaks of Events to come to pass chiefly in Europe; because since the ten Kings arose there, hath the Lord Christ seen meet to uphold and propagate his Church. What shall be said more? It is evident that in the Apostles dayes, the mystery of iniquity began to work, much more after they fell asleep, Ebion and Cerinthus sprang up whilst the Apostle John was yet living. The very next Ages to the Apostles began to depart from, and corrupt the simplicity of the Gospel, in divers respects that might be mentioned, † one long since observed, that although the Church continued a VirginHegesyppus until after the Apostles death, then it was soon corrupted. It is conceived that Iude lived after most of the other Apostles were dead, which is judged to be the reason of his expressing himself as he doth in ver. 17. of his Epistle. Now he complaineth much of a great degeneracy amongst those that profossed Christianity.

Consider, 3. The present Generation in New-England is lamentably degenerate. As sometimes Moses spake to the Children of Israel, Numb. 32. 14. Behold ye are risen up in your Fathers stead an increase of sinful men. So may we say, the first Generation of Christians in New-England, is in a manner gone off the Stage, and there is another and more sinful Generation risen up in their stead. We have in former years enjoyed a sun shine of prosperity, and that hath been attended (as useth to be) with great Apostasy. It is an apt similitude which some use, that as the heat of the Sun in Summer breeds a multitude of Insects, so doth the warmth of prosperity a multitude of Apostates. Men are loth to hear on this Ear, but p. 64if we should deny it, the Lord doth testify against us that it is so, as Ioel. 1. 2. Hear this ye old men and give Ear all ye Inhabitants of the Land, hath this been in your dayes, or even in the dayes of your Fathers saith the Lord. Were there (saith the Prophet) such Iudgements formerly as now there are, you may therefore conclude that you are departed from God, and by your sins have provoked him so to punish you. Thus may it be spoken with reference to our State & Case, and the dispensations of God towards us, you old men that are here before the Lord this day, what say you to this Question, did you know such Judgements upon New-England formerly, as of late we have seen? was it so in the dayes of our Fathers? were there such general and killing diseases? such a long continuing warr? so many hundreds cut off by the Sword, yea, so many hundred Familyes brought to ruine? Candlesticks removed out of their places, and Plantations made desolate! In former times we heard of little besides settlement of Plantations, and gathering of Churches, but of late years, in stead of that, ruines have been multiplyed, yea, mischief upon mischief. God hath been spending his Arrows, and heaping mischief upon this Generation. This Generation is not like the first. How many ignorant ones? how many scandalous ones? There is great rudeness amongst young ones in this Land; and in that respect degeneracy from the good manners of the Christian world. And such sins as formerly were not known in New-England are now become common, such as swearing, sinful gaming, &c. yea, the present Generation as to the body of it, is an unconverted Generation. I would not lessen the grace of God, I know that through grace many of the younger Generation are brought home to God in Jesus Christ, yet in many (I doubt in most) Congregations, the number of sincere p. 65converts is but smal, comparatively with those that remain still in a natural & unconverted Estate. And as for some that have the Root of the matter in them, yet they fall much short of their Fathers grace. Solomon was a good man and his Soul is now in Heaven, yet he was not like David his Father as to measure of grace and faithfulness, 1 King. 11. 6. we may see here and there, one that hath much of his blessed Fathers Spirit and Principles, but how rare are such amongst us? Nay, the Interest of New-England is now changed, from a Religious to a worldly Interest; and in this thing is the great Radical Apostasy of New-England. Is not this to chuse a strange God? Hence do we see warr in the gates. And the Lord hath been letting this Generation blood in the right vein, since he hath taken the world away from them. Trade is almost ruined. Farmes, Oxen, Merchandise, which things have been sought after in the first place, how have they failed? New-England is not like this twenty years, to be in that comfortable Estate it was in but two years agoe.

Consider, 4. There is sad cause to fear what will at last come on this Generation. There is a consumption on Religion all the world over, as one well observeth ppv. Fulfilling Scriptures In Epist. p. 2.the buryals of Christians are frequent and their birth is rare. And as for what concerns our selves more peculiarly, we may fear that there will be greater Apostasy, because they that should have prevented it are gone. Many times the removal of a few eminent Servants of God in the Common-wealth, or in the Churches, maketh way for great Apostasie quickly to ensue▪ was it not so with the Children of Israel? when they had a good Judge over them, they would serve the Lord all the dayes of that Judge, but it came to pass when the Judge was dead, they returned and corrupted themselves more then their p. 66Fathers, Judg. 2. 18, 19. In Nehemiahs time while he was Governour for twelve years together, things went well, and God blessed the Land wonderfully, but when he was removed, in one years time those sins of oppression, sensuality, Sabbath breaking, were become prevailing common evils, Neh. 13. 6. Alas! our Nehemiahs are gone, (I speak it not to reflect upon those that survive, but to awaken from the consideration of our solemn bereavements) our Pauls are likewise departed from amongst us, in which respect we ma… fear corruption in Religion will follow, Acts 20, 29. Deut. 31. 27. Judg. 8. 33. Have we not seen it in some places, how that within a year after the death of such an eminent Servant of Christ, Apostasy to this day irrecoverable hath prevailed? Furthermore, the heads of the second Generation, that were most likely to have done good, the Lord hath snatched them away, and (like Enoch) translated them to Heaven, in the midst of their dayes; others that are most likely to prevent backsliding, and to be Instruments of reforming a corrupted Generation, are not likely to continue long in this evil world, yea, and of late even since the present warr, that we are bleeding under, began, the Lord hath taken away many young ones, either by Sword or sickness, who were the hopes of the Generation. In many Plantations, they that have dyed of late, were the most hopeful and desireable young men in the places where they lived, an Ominous sign that there is some terrible thing, which God will do, e're this Generation be passed away.

Consider, 5. How sad it would be if succeeding Generations should forsake the Lord. It is evident, from the considerations mentioned, that it may be so, but it would be dismal if indeed it should be so. New-England would then become of all Lands the most dark and miserable. How sadly doth the Prophet p. 67speak of Bethaven, now what was that Bethaven? even the same that was in former times Bethel, i. e. the house of God, Hos. 4. 15. with 1 King. 12. 29. Am. 5. 5. If such places where the house of God hath been erected do once degenerate, they are like to become Bethavens, places of greatest vanity and iniquity in the world. Hence is that, Hos. 9. 15. all their wickedness is in Gilgal. Gilgal was once famous upon Religious accounts. There was the Covenant renewed by Circumcision, there was the first Passover kept by the Children of Israel, after their coming into the promised Land, there did God appear to Joshua, there was to be seen a famous Monument of the Lords doing wonders for his people, there was the Tabernacle for some time, but in after Generations an Idolatrous Temple was built there, so as that it was a sountain of much wickedness. All their wickedness was in Gilgal. It seemeth the Altar of witness was near that place, which through mens corruptions might easily be abused unto much Superstition in after Ages. The Devil seeketh to corrupt those places especially, which once were famous for Religion. As Polanus observethPalon in Hos. 9. 15Hos 9:15 that Wittenberge in Germany was the Town where the Reformation in Luthers tim… began, and therefore the Devil did seek to corrupt that place especially, and caused it to become the Seat of grievous Heresies. What Land under Heaven, hath been more noted for profession and Religion, then New-England? If Apostacy prevail amongst such a People, it is like to be a sad Apostacy indeed. We see it already; Hence there are such sad complaints of young men that have been bred and born in New-England, when they go abroad into other Lands that none are so de…auched and prophane as some of them. If the Lord should be provoked to pluck up the Hedge of civil government, what a fearful flood p. 68of iniquity would soon break in? How would madded and inraged profaneness know no bounds? yea, this Land would become as Sodom, and then most desolating plagues will in short time follow, Ezek. 33. 28. what became of Cain's degenerate race? when they were become, I know not how many millions, the flood swept away every mothers child of them. wherefore all the Children of men that are now in the world are styled the Children of Seth, Numb. 24. 17. qqBelgick Annotbecause as for Cain's Apostate Generation they all perished in the flood. When the old world did Apostatize, after the Reformation in the dayes of Seth, that second Apostasy proved fatal. If Churches in New-England degenerate, it is an Apostasy after Reformation. How fatal is such a relapse like to be? will not the end thereof be with a flood? And truly to be amongst the last Apostates, will be most woful.

Quest. But what shall be done in order to prevention of Apostasy? what shall be done, that so succeeding Generations in New-England may not forsake the Lord God of their Fathers?

Answ. As I have been meditating an Answer to this Enquiry, I could not but call to mind that Scripture which some of the chief of the Fathers (at least wise those two, ††My Father Cotton & my Father▪ Mather.whom I have more Reason then any one in the world to think of) have upon the like solemn occasion, improved many years since, I mean that Scripture, Hag. 2. 4. Yet now be strong O Zerubbabel saith the Lord, and be strong O Joshua, and be strong all ye People of the Land. If Zerubbabel, Joshua, and the People of the Land, if Magistrates, Ministers, and People all do what duty requireth, the feared Apostasy, together with the unavoidable calamity coming therewith, may be prevented, however in great measure and for a long time.

p. 691. Let me apply my Speech unto Zerubbabels, h. e. Rulers in the Common-Wealth. Honoured and much esteemed, the welfare or ill fare of the present, yea, and following Generation doth much depend upon you. Magistrates are in the Scripture compared to Corner stones, because where there is a Common-Wealth erected, the safety of the whole building (under God) depends much upon them. Hence are they also termed Foundations, Psal. 11. 3. If the foundations be destroyed what can the righteous do? If David had perished, Foundations had been destroyed, and the good People of the Land would have dearly felt the loss of him. And when in Sauls time there were corrupt Judges and Magistrates, it is therefore said, that the Foundations of the Earth were out of Course, Psal. 82. 5. And the Prophet Micah speaking to the Rulers in the Common-wealth of Israel saith, …ear ye Foundations of the Earth, Mic. 6. 2. It is with you (by the help of Christ) to lay such Foundations as shall make Posterity either happy or miserable. David improved the power which God in his Providence entrusted him with, to serve his Generation according to the will of God, Acts 13. 36. And therefore was an eminent blessing to all that Generation wherein he lived. If the sins of the People under your …are and charge should ever provoke the Lord, to leave you in an hour of Temptation, you cannot possibly turn aside from God alone, but many others will do so too. Regis ad Exemplum, People are apt to follow the Examples of those in place▪ you know it is mentioned concerning Rehoboam, that he within few years after his coming to the Government did forsake the Lord, and all Israel with him, 2 Chron. 1…. 1. Let me then with all due respect to your places, and to your worth, and yet with that freedome and faithfulness which becometh a Messenger of the p. 70Lord of Hosts, propound some things to you, which concern the welfare of this, and after Generations in New-England.

1. I pray you in the Name of the Lord, that a speedy & Effectual Course may be taken, that the great things that God did for our Fathers, in planting these Heavens, and laying the Foundations of this Earth, be faithfully recorded, and transmitted to Posterity. This hath been thought of, and spoken of long enough, but why is it not done? If it be neglected till the pre…ent Generation be passed away, the next will be less capable of doing it. The Title of the Book wherein my Text is, leads me to Insist on this. Why is this Book called the Chronicles, but because it contains a Record and relation of the things which God did for his People in antient time, yea, from time to time. The Hebrews have termed it, [dibre hajami…] words of dayes probably (as rrGrotiussome conceive) taken out of the royal Diaryes of those times, by divine direction and Inspiration; this Book of Chronicles being an unerring ssVa…ablus.Epitome of those Chronicles mentioned in the Kings▪ The Truth is, that above half the old-Testament is a Chronicle of things done, by the Lord, for his People in the years of Antient Generations. You have then Scripture Example abundantly to encourage, in promoting a work of this nature. Hence we read of the Book of Jasher, 2 Sam. 1. 18. and of the Book of Nathan the Prophet, and of Gad the Seer, 1 Chron. 29. 29. and of Ahijah, the Shilonite, and of Shemaia… the Prophet, 2 Chron. 12. 15. and the Story of the Prophet Iddo, 2 Chron. 13. 22. There is also plain Scripture precept ttSee Mr. Mars…als Sermon on Psal. 102. 18. p. 35.Ps 102:18as well as Example to move hereunto, see Psal. 78. 5, 6 For he established a Testimony in Jacob, and appointed a Law in Israel which he commanded our Fathers, that they should make them known to their Children, that the Generations to come, might know them, p. 71even the Children which should be born, who should arise, and declare them to their Children. And again, Psal. 102. 18. This shall be written for the Generations to come. So that this is a duty incumbent upon present Generations to take care that there be a Record of the great works of God towards them, for the benefit of the Generations that shall follow, that so God may be glorifi…d. I perceive that some good men are afraid lest our too great neglect in this matter, may be one thing that God is offended at. And there be two considerations▪ which may cause such apprehensions not to seem groundless, one is in that this thing hath been formerly urged. wwSee Mr. Shepards Election Sermon p. 16.That faithful Shepard who spake here in the Name of the Lord upon the like occasion, five years agoe, insisted upon this very thing, and yet the matter remains unfinished to this day. Moreover, whilst the body of the first Generation, whom God planted in this Wilderness was alive, there were Essays this way, for it ††See Records of the Commissioners Sept. 9. An. 1646▪was propounded to, and concluded amongst the Commissioners of the united Colonies above thirty years agoe, that there should be a Collection of special Providences of God towards his New-England people; And that memorials being duly communicated, an History should be compiled according to Truth, for the benefit of Posterity, that they might see how God had been with their Fathers, in laying the Foundation of the Churches, and of the Common-Wealth. Now that such things should be concluded, and yet never done cannot please God. Furthermore, how can we testify to Posterity our gratitude towards God, for the great things he hath done for our Fathers, and for us their Children, in more respects then can be now mentioned, except such a lasting Record and Monument as is now spoken of, be brought to perfection. I… the Town house at Geneva, it is written on Marble p. 72Pillars in Letters of gold, such a year God delivered this place from the Tyranny of Anti-Christ, and set up his true Religion amongst us, xxClarks Examples; vol. 1. p. 236.therefore the Senate and People of Geneva, have erected this Monument, that so they might testify to Posterity their gratitude towards God. Let me then entreat you that are Senators of this Colony, that a work of this nature may not be alwayes delayed; and the rather, because you know not whether your opportunity to encourage such an undertaking, will be of long continuance. And this may (by the blessing of Christ) be one good means to prevent Apostasy. The Lord therefore commanded his People of old, to keep a Record of his works and signal Providences towards them, that so their Children after them might set their hope in God and keep his Commandments, Psal. 78. 7.

2. I pray you in the Name of the Lord, to take care for the propagation of the Interest of the Gospel, that the good knowledge of the Lord may be amongst the people under your Government in your time; yea, and after that also. If ignorance overspread the Land Apostasy will do so too. Hence David here saith, know thou the Lord God of thy Father and serve him, but if thou forsake him, &c. intimating, that except succeeding Generations know the Lord, they will not serve him, but forsake him. Therefore it concerns the Magistrate, to take effectual care, that the Land be furnished with able and faithful Ministers; So we read of Jehoshaphat, that he caused Levites to be sent into all the Cities of Judah who taught the People, 2 Chron. 17. 8, 9. And this stands upon Record to his everlasting Renown. It is not every man that is fit to be employed as a pulick Teacher, Ezra saith (Chap. 8. 17, 18. that he sent unto such and such, that they would bring unto him Ministers for the house of God, and that by the good hand of God they p. 73brought a man of understanding: He that is employed in holy things ought to be such an one. Therefore you should endeavour that the future generation may be furnished with a learned Ministry. The yyCent. 2. c. 7. & 3. c. 7.Writers of ecclesiastical Story, inform us, how carefull Christians in the primitive times were, for the setling of Schools of Learning, in all places where Churches had been planted, that so th…re might be able instruments raised up for the propagating of truth in succeeding Generations. And some have well and truly observed, that the interest of Religion and good literature, hath risen and fallen together. It was Julians policy to pull down Schools among Christians, that so he might destroy Religion, zzRead Mr Reiner of the necessity of bumand learning for a Gospel Minister.concluding that the cause that should not have an able defendant would fall. Therefore let there be a pious and earnest sollicitude about that matter. One of the famous Kings ††Elfred v. Clark. vol. I. p. 173.in our nation caused a law to be established, that all Parents should bring up their children in Learning. I know there are good laws amongst us, respecting inferiour Schools, though I doubt as to execution there is great defect in that as well as in other matters. Let me also beseech you to endeavour that what concerns the Colledge may be revived, and if it may be in the place where it hath formerly flourished, I have nothing to say against that but much for it rather; & that greater encouragement be given to those that labour as Tutors there. aaMr. Oakes his Election Sermon. p. 57.That was propounded to this general Assembly four years agoe, by him that did then so faithfully declare the counsel of God to this Generation. I would gladly second a motion of that nature, as supposing that more of the welfare of the uprising generations is concerned therein then many are aware of.

I remember it is noted concerning the learned Chytraeus, p. 74that he prevailed with the Princes of Megapol… to bestow 3500 crowns o… yearly Revenue, upon the Vniversity of Rostoch, by which means the interest of Religion was wonderfully promoved. And it was one of the usual wishes of that excell ent man, Ʋtinam Reges ac Potentes rerum Domini, majorem Ecclesiae a… Scholarum curam susciperent. O (said he) that Magistrates would be more carefull to encourage Schools of learning, and thereby promote the good of the Church. The Reformers, did in this way, and by this means carry on the interest of Religion, & propagate the Truth to after ages. Galvin therefore perswaded the Senate of Geneva to erect an illustrious School in that city wherein the Tongues and Arts were taught; and from whence many worthy Instruments istued forth. And that excellent Prince Cassimire did the like at Neostad, where Ʋrsin and Zanchi were sometimes Professors So the Senate of Grunberg erected a Colledge, and chose the learned Bucholtzer to govern it. The like was done at Herborn by Prince John of Nassau at the perswasion of Olevian, where also Piscator taught and flourished. So at Leyden in Holland. And (not to mention more places) the same course was taken at Edenborough in Scotland; of which Colledge that famous and holy man, Mr. Rollock was the first president, and many choice Instruments of Gods glory have there been educated. Wherefore let what concerns this matter, be amongst the chief of your cares and endeavours.

Further, I entreat you, let it be your care, that none but faithfull ones (as far as men can judge) be employed as publick Preachers: Though the just liberties of Churches should not be infringed, yet that every Plantation in the Country should have allowance to chuse, whom they please to labour in the publick dispensation of the word, may be in time a p. 75great inlet to ignorance, error and profaness. Therefore let me humbly propound to you, that you would think of some expedient, respecting the approbation of such, as shall be under a constant improvement as publick Teachers. Yea, and that there be not any place setled without such. No doubt but one reason why the Lord hath let loose the Heathen against us, hath been, because some Plantations have been erected, and yet no publick acknowledgement of God amongst them, but they have lived like Heathen, without Sabbaths, without the word and Prayer, which are moral duties that all are bound to attend: and it is therefore incument on the Magistrates to see that they do so. People are ready to run wild into the woods again, and to be as heathenish as ever, if you doe not prevent it. Take care also I beseech you, for the propagation of the Gospel amongst these poor Indians. You know it is expressed in the Patent, as one main end proposed by our Fathers in their coming into this Wilderness, that so they might endeavour the Conversion of the Natives, and set up the Kingdome of the Lord Jesus amongst them. God by the late War hath made way for the Gospel to be entertained amongst them, more then formerly; should not this be considered!

3. I beseech you in the Name of the Lord, that you would in special manner beware of that which was the sin of Solomon: and what was that? Truly sinfull Toleration was Solomons great iniquity, whereby he did forsake the Lord. It is said of him, he built high places for Ashtaroth, 2 King. 23. 13. because he did tolerate and give publick allowance, unto those Idolatryes: and that sin of his was the reason why the Lord stirred up Adversaryes against him. Doe we not find that all the godly reforming Magistrates, spoken of in the Scripture, thought it their concern p. 76to pull down false worship, as well as to set up the true worship of God. It is a most vain objection which some have made, that we doe not read in the New Testament, that the Magistrate did ever punish any, on account of Transgression against the first Table. No more (saith Calvin) doe we read in the New Testament, that the Magistrate did ever punish men for murder, or other crimes, doth it therefore follow that he ought not so to doe? But therein it is said that they ought to punish all evill doers. Rom. 13. 4. 1. Tim. 1. 9. And that Transgressions against the first Table are evill deeds, Gal. 5. 19. 20. Phil. 3. 2. 2. Joh. 10, 11. And the holy Apostle wished those false Teachers, who disturbed the peace of the Churches in Galatia cut off. Gal. 5. 12. Some judicious Authors conceive bbv. Hieronym. in locum.that he wisheth there had been a christian Magistrate in the world to take such a course with those seducing spirits as they deserved. Moreover, sinfull Toleration is an evil of exceeding dangerous consequence. Men of corrupt minds, though they may plead for Toleration, and cry up liberty of Conscience, &c. yet if once they should become numerous, and get power into their hands, none would persecute more than they: So the Donatists ccSee Clarks Martyrology p. 89. 90.of old, and the Germane Anabaptists **Sleidan, lib. 10. p. 159.in the last age. And the Arminian Remonstrants ††Voet. Disp. Vol. 3. p. 795. & 803. Grotius de pietat. Ordin. Holland.in the Netherlands made hideous clamours for liberty of Conscience, and that the States of Holland were more cruel than the bloudy Spanish Inquisitors, yet when they became potent, they did persecute the Orthodox Professors of the Truth. And indeed the Toleration of all Religions and Perswasions, is the way to have no true Religion at all left. That was Julian the Apostate his device, in order to an extirpation of Christianity. And it is a solemn word which Mr. Cotton (the first and famous Teacher in this Congregation) p. 77speaketh, ddMr. Cottons bloudy Tenent washed. p. 192.I wish (saith he) that Antichrist doe not creep in at the back door of Toleration. I doe believe that Antichrist hath not at this day a more probable way to advance his Kingdome of Darkness, then by a Toleration of all Religions and Perswasions. Hence some of the chief of the Popish Doctors eeSic Becanus, Mariaana, Harding contra Juellum. Hart in …ainoldum. Sic Bozzius et Rossaeus, quos vide citatos apud Keckerm. in polit. p. 983. …t Paraeum in Rom. 13.Rom 13have written against the Magistrates power in matters of Religion. But remember I pray you, how God hath punished this sin which I am testifying against. Of old (as some ffMr. Strong Select Sermons. p. 263. 264.have truly observed) when once the Romane Emperours did indulge and tolerate Arrians, God was provoked to let the barbarous Goths loose to break in upon the Empire and destroy it, so as that the Church fled into the wilderness, had like to have been swept away with that flood. And what misery this sin hath more then once brought upon our own Land and Nation, I need tel you. It is a very memorable passage, which I find related in the life of that great learned Ʋsher; when Popish Idolaters were by the Civil State allowed, Well (said that Worthy of his time) you shall find that God will punish you forty years hence by those very men, whom you have sinfully indulged: and so it came to pass; for just forty years after that was the Irish Rebellion. This very sin which God calleth me to bear witness against this day, hath been subversive to the interest of Religion in some Christian Nations. The Toleration of Socinianisme hath proved the ruin of the Churches in Poland and Transilvania. Yet it is far from my design in speaking this, to stir up Magistrates to that which the Scripture calls Persecution: it were better to erre by too much p. 78indulgence towards those that have the root of the matter in them, than by too much severity. Nay, as to those that are indeed Heretical, I can for my own part say with Luther, Ad judicium sanguinis tardus sum, I have no affection toSee Sr. Simond D'Ewes his Primitive Practice for preserving Truth. p. 6, 7. sanguinary punishments in such cases. And certainly there are other wayes to suppress Hereticks besides Hereticide, witness what was done by great Constantine for the suppression of Arrianisme. Nevertheless, approved writers who are large enough in the point of Toleration, declare, that they, the principles of whose Religion are disturbant, to the civil State and Constitution of any place, may not be indulged, (and that therefore Popish Priests and Jesuits are not to be permitted) sure then they whose Religion, and whose Profession doth warm in its bowels, a fatal Engine, against the Kingdome and Churches of the Lord Jesus, ought not to be tolerated. Nor is it tolerable, for any sort of men amongst us, to set up a Mount Gerizzim, that if these, or those are Justly cast out of the Churches of Christ, they shall be suffered to set up an Altar against the Lords Altar, and (it may be) to take those hands that are in the Name of the Lord Jesus delivered up to Satan, I say, to take those hands to administer ††Phrikta musteriathe dreadful mysteries of the Kingdome, it is an abomination enough to make desolate. Certainly (much honoured in the Lord) if your blessed Fathers, and Predecessors were alive, and in place, it would not be so; If Winthrop, ††See New-Englands memorial.Dudley, Endicot were upon the Bench, such profaneness as this would soon be suppressed. And if it be so, that the Spirit of Rulers in New-England is changed, if you do become cold and indifferent in the things of God, departing from your former love, and zeal for the Name, Truth, and p. 79blessed Ordinances of the Lord Jesus, I will be bold to speak to you, as once Mr. Brightman said, to a greater man then any of you all, if it be so, you may believe it, that God will change either you, or your Government ere long. I speak it to you with great solemnity of Spirit, and in the Name of him that is higher then the highest.

4. Labour (I likemise pray you in the Name of the Lord) to the utmost of your power, that the work of Reformation may be promoted in this Generation. I shall not need to insist here, because this Argument was abundantly and worthily enlarged on ggMr. Torrey in his Election Sermonby him that spake in the Name of the Lord on this occasion three years agoe. Since that, the holy dispensations of God towards this People have been very dreadful, so that the Lord calls for Reformation, now more then ever. If things should pass away thus, and the Generation that is to come should not see, that some notable thing was done with respect to a Reformation of provoking evils, it would be sad indeed; and the more sad, in that there have been Essays this way, and since the late (and to this day not fully ended) Warr, a Committee appointed by the general Court to enquire into the causes of the high displeasure of God, which hath been manifested, and such and such evils, concluded to be matters of provocation, and Laws enacted for the suppression of them, & shall it all come to just nothing at last? shall we dare to dally with the Almighty in things of this nature? The Lord may respite us for a while, but except there be a Reformation of provoking evils, we have no Reason to expect otherwise, but that a worse thing will come unto us, & that he will punish us yet seven times for our sins. And how is there like to be that Reformation which the Lord requireth, except you that are Leaders over this people, do your utmost to promote p. 80it? where do you read of any great and general Reformation brought to pass, except the civil Magistrate did forward it? It is true, that many times God doth make use of his Messengers and Ministers to set the Wheel a going, but then Magistrates have fallen in with them. The Prophets Haggai and Zachary set the work of Reformation upon the Wheel, but Zerubbabel and Shealtiel (godly Magistrates) carryed on the work to Effect, Ezra. 5. 1, 2. Luther began the Reformation in Germany, yet if some of the Princes there, had not engaged with him, the workRead the lives of Luther, Calvin, Zuinglius, Oecolampadius, Hallerus. had never been carryed on with such success. Calvi… (and other eminent Ministers of God) exhorted the People at Geneva, unto Reformation, but if the Senators of that place had not hearkened to the voice of God in those Exhortations, the People would have remained unreformed still. Zwinglius by his Ministry was instrumental towards the accomplishing a great Reformation in Zurick, but then the Magistrates of that place fell in with the Word of God. Oecolampadius was an happy Instrument in the hand of Christ to reform Basil; but if the Magistrates of that City had not set to their helping hand, Oecolampadius alone might have laboured in vain. The like is to be said concerning the Reformation of Bern, (not to insist on more Instances) where that learned Hallerus was once a preacher of the Gospel. I know you cannot change mens hearts, yet you may do much (if God help you) towards the effecting an outward Reformation, which will procure outward blessings and prevent outward Judgements and desolations. There is pride in the hearts of men, you cannot reform that, but there is pride in Apparel which the Lord hath said he will punish for, you may cause that to be reformed. There is drunkenness in the sight of God, which doth not fall under your Cognizance, but p. 81Drunkenness in the sight of men, and the occasions of it, do; which you may and ought to remove. I know not any evil, that hath brought more misery upon this generation then that hath, and some that have Reason to know it, have told me that there hath been more Drunkenness amongst the Indians, since this war, then there was before; undoubtedly there is a fault somewhere, that good Laws are not executed upon those that shall transgress in this kind, and that the course propounded and enacted by the general Court, for the suppressing of this growing evil hath not been duly attended. Again, as for scandalous Contentions, you may do much towards the healing of them. All the world knoweth, that there hath been an unhappy breach between two of the Churches in this great Town. If every one of you that are in place, shall do what you can, and what the Lord Jesus would have you do, to help in this case, we may hope that woful breach will (by the help of Christ) soon be healed, and much sin and Judgement that is otherwise like to follow, will be prevented. And the Lord calls aloud about this matter; The burning which he hath kindled in this place, the voice of the Lord in it is, out with your sinful fires, lest I give you burning for burning. And since that, this Town hath been endangered more by fire then ever it was since the day I knew it. Therefore I come to you in the Name of the Lord, and beseech you to consider of this matter, lest the Lord kindle another fire in Bost…n ere long, that shall burn to the Foundation of the Mountains. And I do the rather mention this thing, because the Subject I am upon, leads me to it, the welfare of Posterity being concerned therein, it may be the sowre grapes which the Fathers have eaten will set vour Childrens teeth on …dge, I hhMr. Burroughs Irenicum▪ p. 220.remember blessed Mr. Burroughs in his Irenicum taketh notice p. 82of it, that it is very dangerous for the Children of the Church to be brought up in the sight of Divisions amongst Professors. Was there not a young man that came to a lamentable end in this Country, ††Abraham Warner in Hartford.who professed that the Divisions which he observed amongst godly men, had occasioned his ruine? Let us remember that Scripture, Jer. 32. 39. I will give them one heart to fear me, for the good of them, and of their Children after them. If there be a divided heart among Christians, and these Divisions appear openly; it is a wrong to their Children after them. The Lord help us to consider of it.

And now I shall turn my speech from you that are Zerubbabels amongst this People: I doubt not but you consider that I have spoken these things, not as a friend only, but as in the Capacity of an unworthy Ambassador of the most high God unto you this day. And methinks my Conscience bears me witness in the holy Ghost, that an earnest desire that the will of God might be done, hath caused me thus to express my self; As also a desire that you might have comfort both now and in that day when you must give up your account to the Son of God, concerning your Stewardship, which in his Providence he hath entrusted you with; and that your names might be honourably spoken of in the next Generation, when you shall be in your graves. It is no honour to Jehu's name that in his dayes God began to cut Israel short, 2 King. 10. 32. no… to Jehoram in that it is recorded to Posterity, that in his dayes the Edomites revolted, 2 Chron. 21. 18. Nor will it be for your honour, if the next Generation shall say, once such and such Worthies and Patrio… had the marragement of affairs in New-England, and in their dayes things went well, God did bless and build, and prosper the Land, but after they were p. 83gone, the work fell into other hands, and in their dayes there was trouble upon trouble, wars, sicknesses, Sword, Fire, desolations in every corner of the Land, for it (thus to be spoken) would not be for▪ your honous. But now that it should be said, though the Lord afflicted the Land for a while, you caused the People under your charge to turn unto the Lord, & then God did own them, and bless them more then ever, this will be to your honour amongst men in this world, and more to your joy when you shall appear before Jesus Christ, then if Crowns of Diadems should be set upon your heads. The Lord grant it may be so.

2. Let me humbly propose this Exhortation to those that are Ministers in the house of God. There are many such before the Lord in this great Assembly. My Fathers, and Brethren, the Generation that is present, and that which is to come, will bless God for …s, if we do our utmost to promote their welfare; We are many of us eminently the Children of the Prophets. The Prophets do th…y live for ever; and our Fathers where are they? they are now in Heaven beholding the glory of Jesus Christ; And the Lord Jesus who sometimes said to the Angels of the Churches, I know your works, speaketh to us saying, the great affairs of my Kingdome, which once were in the hands of your Fathers to manage, are now come into your hands, they were faithful to my Name, and did acquit themselves as became them, now let me see what you will do: Follow them as they followed Christ. Give me leave to mention two or three words, which if the Lord help us to remember them, we shall serve our Generation according to the will of God.

1. Let us approve our selves faithful in what concerns the house of God. And therefore we ought to be careful, p. 84who are admitted there. Though others are also concerned therein, yet in a more peculiar manner, that matter belongs to us. We are in respect of sacred Office relation before the Lord, Porters that have the charge of his house; & we are solemnly charged, Ezek. 44. 7. (it is a Scripture that concerns Ministers of the New-Testament) not to bring into the Lords Sanctuary, uncircumcised in heart, to be in the Sanctuary to pollute it, and to eat the bread of God there. Indeed as for those whom God hath admitted into his house (in any degree) by any Rule of his, we must not turn them out till the Lord do it. But that which I intend, is the admission of persons into full Communion, we know what our Fathers have taught concerning that matter, viz. that there ought to be an holding forth Faith and Repentance before admission to the Lords Table. And it is well said by blessed Mr. Mitchel iiIn Answer to Apol. Preface. p. ult.that laxness in that point, would be a real departure from our former Profession; yet I wish there be not Teachers found in our Israel, that have espoused loose, large Principles here, designing to bring all persons to the Lords Supper, who have an Historical Faith, and are not scandalous in life, although they never had Experience of a work of Regeneration on their Souls, and live in the neglect of secret duties, wherein the life and power of godliness especially consists. Now this would corrupt Churches, and ruine all in a little time, The neglect [k] of this principle of Truth, that such members of[d] Owen de Theol. 1. 6. c. 8. p. 504. the Church, as are admitted to full Communion ought to be Regenerate, converted persons, the non attendance unto that did (as a worthy Divine of our own hath well noted) lay the Foundation to great Apostasy, which the Christian Church hath been long subject unto. Again, if we would be faithful as to what concerns the house of God, we must endeavour p. 85that the building thereof be carried on to perfection: As David in this Context speaks to Solomon, Take heed now, for the Lord hath chosen thee to build an house for a Sanctuary, be strong and doe it. So hath the Lord been pleased to chuse us to be employed in building his house, which hath not been carried on to the desired perfection. Our Fathers did like David, He prepared Materials for the Temple, and then left it to his Son to goe on with the Building: So did our Fathers, leave us Principles of Truth, which they did with much cost and pains, dig out of the rich veins of the Scripture. We have need therefore to be much in Prayer, and Humiliations before the Lord, that so he might vouchsafe to shew us the form of the House, and the fashion thereof, and the goings out thereof, and the comings in thereof.

2. Let us make Converting work our main Design. Shall we be content to goe to heaven alone, and not strive to carry as many of the Generation we live in, along with us as possibly we can? Alas Apostacy will prevail, and these Churches cannot be kept pure long except converting work goe forward. O therefore let us preach for this, and pray for this, & study for this, that precious immortal Souls may be converted to God through Jesus Christ. And to this end it will be good for us to attend personal instruction of those under our charge, as far time & strength will permit us. I remember it is noted in the lives of Chrysostom and Austin, that besides their publick Labours, they did sometimes attend personal Instruction of these and those of their he arers. When the **Refertur in vita Calvini.Ministers in Geneva did agree to divide the City, so as to call each Family to an account concerning their Faith: more good was done thereby then by all their publick Teachings. And some llr Mr. Joseph Alleins life, with Mr. Baxters Preface. Ames Cas Cons. 1. 4. c. 26.of latter time have p. 86been blessed with eminent success, as to the Conversion of Souls, so as that whole Towns where they have lived have been wonderfully changed, upon taking this course. I know that where there is but one Elder in a Church (as alas that is now the case of these Churches generally) so much cannot be done that way as is to be desired; yet if we doe as much as we can, the Lord Jesus will accept of it; and it may be, success will be beyond expectation. Many an one that minds not a Sermon, yet when he is by a Messenger of God particularly spoken to, and told, you are yet in your sins: if you be not new born, better you had never been born; he falls down under conviction. And possibly words that we little think any such thing of now, will be …mentioned again to our exceeding joy and rejoycing in the day of Christ when we shall see and hear many Souls stand forth and bless the Lord Jesus that ever they knew us, & that ever we s…ake to them in the Name of the Lord both publickly and privately; even in the day when each of us that hath been faithfull in his Generation, shall say, Lord here am I, and the Children that thou hast given me. Moreover, if we would convert Souls, and be blessings indeed to this Generation, it concerns us to be very careful of our personal Conversation, & what examples we set before others. If we doe not live Sermons as well as preach them, we are not likely to doe any great good. For a Minister of Christ mmSee Dr. Tuckney on Exod. 28. 36. P. 429. And Fuller, Holy State, p. 268. And Greenhil on Ezek. 42. p. 334. And Mr. Dury in his Discourse on that Question, how far a Minister of the Gospel may ingage himself in civil affairs.Exod 28:36Ezek 42to be a Merchant, and entangle himself with the affairs of this life, against the express charge of the Holy-Ghost; or for them to be Gospel Lawyers, to handle the Code instead of the Bible… p. 87and study the Statutes of the Land, instead of the Statutes of Heaven; for them to appear as Advocates, and plead Causes in civil Courts of Judicature, it is very uncomely. One of the Ancients observeth,Jerom. that Sacerdos in Foro, et Mercator in Templo is not to be tolerated. Certainly such Preachers are not likely to be instruments of turning many to Righteou… ness. Much more doe they hinder the Conversion of Souls, that shall call themselves Ministers of Christ, and yet be of a scandalous Conversation. When the Prophets of Jerusalem are light Persons, Profaness goeth forth into all the Land. I have read somewhere of one that was grievously tempted to Atheism on this account: For (said that poor creature) I live under a Minister that will preach good Sermons, but his conversation is not according thereunto, he will be drunk sometimes, and secretly vile and lascivious, and therefore how can I beliveve that there is any God or Devil, or heaven or hell, or any such thing? An evill Example in such an one, is enough to make those of the Generation amongst whom he liveth to become Atheists.

3. Oh! that our occasional Meetings might be improved for the good of this, and after Generations. Because of the capacity and holy Relation we stand in before the Lord, it is expected we should not be like other men, they may meet together, and spend that time in discourses of their own personal concerns; but we have the care and charge of Souls committed to us. Yea (in our measure) the care of all the Churches ought to be upon us: nay, more, we must be sollicitous for those that shall come after us. Such a publick spirit well becometh our publick capacity, & therefore upon all occasions to speak and act accordingly. And verily, the Lord will write down these discourses in his book of Remembrance, and we p. 88shall be glad to hear of them again at that day. we must every one of us, (Ministers as well as People) appear in a greater Congregetion than this, and then we shall not be sorry, that we have laid our selves out for God & for his People; yea, the more we have done for Christ, and for the Generation wherein we live, the greater will our glory be, when we shall hear the Lord Jesus saying, Well done thou faithfull Servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. If the Lord help us to approve our selves faithfull unto the Death, when he the chief Shepherd shall appear, he will give unto us a Crown of Glory which fadeth not away.

Let me in the last place, direct my speech and Exhortation in the Name of the Lord, unto the people of this Land. There are here present those that are Deputed to act in the name and stead of the people of this Jurisdiction. You have a great opportunity put into your hands by the providence of God, to doe service for this and after Generations, viz. by endeavouring the establishment of righteous and religious Laws in the Common-wealth, that so the Lord Jesus might reign there. Especially, let me propound to you, that you would take some effectual course, that good Laws which are already established, may be duly executed; And that some further care might be taken for the suppressing of that wickedness that is usually committed the night after the Sabbath, God hath lately kindled a fire in this place, and it was on the night after the Sabbath, why should we wonder at it? I cannot speak it without some anguish of Spirit, there is more wickedness committed usually on that night then in all the week besides. Therefore think of some expedient to help in this case, Let me also mention another thing to you; I have formerly p. 89upon a solemn occasion mentioned it to the Honoured Magistracy, and therefore now apply my self to you; it is this, that you would recommend unto the Churches in this Colony a solemn renewal of their Covenant with God and one another. That is a great Scripture expedient for Reformation. Do not think that this is any new notion, but it is a known Principle owned and avowed by ooCartwright, Parker, Ames, &c.the good old non-Conformists, (whose Children we are) That renewal of Covenant is the way to attain Church Reformation, which Principle was much improved by the chief of the Fathers, of these New-English Churches, (and therefore I the rather insist upon it) this is the way to prevent Apostasy. The Covenant was renewed in the dayes of Joshua, when as the Scripture testifyeth, that in his dayes the Children of Israel continued to serve the Lord, wherefore Divines observe, that Joshuahs special designe in putting the People upon renewing their Covenant, was that so they might … kept from future Apostaly. I do therefore in the Name of the Lord, commend this matter to you, and leave it with you, and God incline your hearts to do that which shall be pleasing in his sight. And if the Lord intend not further shakings and desolations amongst these Churches, I am perswaded that this motion will be hearkned unto, and complyed with. Moreover, there are many others of the People of the Land here, before the Lord this day, a considerable part of the present Generation is met together in this great Assembly; a few words let me speak to you, and leave with you, that so you may not forsake the Lord, the God of your Fathers.

1. Let us labour to be rightly informed respecting Principles which our Fathers owned. There are mistakes in the minds of some, who think that the Fathers of this Colony, affirmed thus and so, albeit, it was fat p. 90from them, so to teach, or so to think, I shall not (being now in earnest, and desirous to speak with utmost solemnity) enter upon things which are more Controversal amongst us, but certain it is, that our Fathers alwayes owned and avowed this Principle of Truth, that nothing should be admitted into the worship of Clarks lives. p. 493.God but what there is Scripture warrant for, nor anything neglected which the Lord hath instituted. The cause of the second Commandment was that which our Fathers were ingaged in the defence of. And as to Church Administrations, that things should be reduced to the Primitive, Apostolical pattern. An excellent principle, albeit, that blessed Martyr, Mr. Laurence Saunders was accused of Heresy for asserting it. And I remember that great learned man and blessed Martyr Peter Ramus, professeth in one of his Epistles, that the deep consideration of this Principle, ppVide Petri Ra…ni Epist. …d Cardi…a. Lotha…ingum p. 256, 257.that the Apostolical Age was the golden Age of the Church, and …at things should be regulated according to what was then practised in the Churches of Christ, caused him to become a Protestant; yea, and for the Congregational way of Church Government. And indeed the Congregational way truly stated, is that which our Fathers have stedfastly owned and avowed, that is to say, as it is held forth in the platform of Discipline, and by Mr. Cotton in his Book of the Keyes; they were not for Presbyterianisme, nor yet for Brownisme. Remember blessed Mr. Nortons last words, in this place and under this Roof.

2. Keep up the power of Discipline in Churches. When Apostasy prevailed, in the Asiatick Churches there was the original wound. They did not brandish the Sword of Discipline, which is Christs own expedient, and appointment, for the preservation of Churches in purity; yea, this was a fatal neglect, which by degrees proved ruinous to those once famous p. 91and glorious Churches. Some learned men qqVoetius alicubi inter disputationes.have well observed, that the neglect of Discipline in the Churches of Asia brought in corruption of manners, and corruption of manners was (through the just revenging hand of God) attended with corruption of Doctrine, and these together provoked the Lord, to lay those Churches most desolate. And as for the Children of the Covenant let Discipline be extended towards them, according as they are Subjects capable thereof. Did not our Fathers come hither in hope that they should leave their Children, under the Discipline and Government of the Lord Jesus in his Church? Hath not Christ owned the application of solemn publick Admonitions, &c. to some of them that have been Children of the Church, (though not in full Communion) even so as to convert their Souls thereby? why then should disputes about the mode wholly evacuate the thing, when so much of the welfare of Souls, and the Interest of Christs Kingdome is concerned therein

3. Look to your Families. Families are the Nurceryes for Church and Common-wealth, ruine Families, and ruine all. Order them well and the publick State will fare the better; the great wound and misery of New-England is that Familes are out ofRead Mr. Stockton of Family Instruction Order. As to the generality of householders, Family Government is lost, & gone; Servants do not fear their Masters, Children do not honour their Parents; in that respect the English are become like unto the Indians. Let Christians make conscience of it as their duty, to rule their own houses well, and be careful that Family Instruction be upheld; the Judgements of God should awaken to this. In some Families the Children have no Father left to instruct them, in other Families Fathers have no Children left to be instructed by them, by these terrible Judgements p. 92they that have Familyes, should learn to be diligent in Instructing of them, whilst they have an opportunity so to do; And this is the way to prevent Apostasy, for ignorance is the mother (not of devotion but) of Heresy. Vsually, they that prove Hereticks, are such as were never well grounded in the knowledge of Principles, never well instructed in Catechetical Fundamental Doctrines and points of Religion. The Waldenses rrRead …he Histo…y the Wal…enses.preserved and propagated the Interest of Religion by diligence, in catechising their Children. When certain Jesuits were sent amongst them to entice them from the Truth to Idolatry, they returned amazed, professing that Children of seven years old amongst those Waldenses knew more in the Scripture, and of the Mysteries of the Gospel, then many of their learned Doctors did. Take heed also how you dispose of your Children, you that are Parents look at Religion and the fear of God, in disposing of your Children. That blessed man Mr. Dod (the Moses of his time) would sometimes bewail it, that Professors of Religion would say, there is a portion & Civility, & we will hope for grace; but (said he) rather make sure of grace, and hope for riches, there is far greater Reason for it, since Godliness hath the Promises, riches have none. It may make us dread to think what's coming, in that it is with us, as it was with the old world, the Sons of God are marrying with the daughters of men. Church members in disposing of their Children look more at portion then at piety. If their Children are like to live well in the world, and their Familyes to be made richer, they look no further; a sad sign that Religion will expire, and such Familyes be cut off from the Covenant, within a few Generations, and the branches thereof perish for ever.

4. Pray with all manner of prayer and supplication in the Spirit. Pray as sometimes the Martyr did, Lord p. 93do not thou forsake me, lest I forsake thee. Pray for your poor Children and Posterity, as David did for his Son Solomon, 1 Chron. 29. 19. give unto my Son Solomon a perfect heart. He did not only exhort & charge his Son to labour after such an heart, but earnestly prayed to God, that such an heart might be given to him. And truly, if there were more prayers poured forth before the Lord, for the conversion of the Rising Generation, we may hope that there would a blessed Effect follow. I have been told that there is a Church in New-England, that hath set dayes apart only to seek unto the Lord, for converting grace to be vouchsafed to their children. O that all other Churches would do as they have done, even seek unto the Lord by Fasting and Prayer, for a poor, perishing, dying, unconverted Generation.

5. Lastly, Be faithful in improving of your Civil Libertyes. Beware of two extreams, of an Issacharian Spirit, to couch under every Imposer: i… you foolishly lose your Libertyes, your Posterity, yea, the children that are yet to be born will rue it, Beware also of a wanton Spirit, lest you provoke the Lord, by bitter bondage to make you know the worth of Liberty. It is a great priviledge which you enjoy this day, that you may chuse Rulers from amongst your selves. And although as to what concerns the Transactions of this day, it is almost too late to speak, yet you may hear for the time to come. Freemen remember the Oath of God that is upon you. I doubt there is lamentable guilt upon many, who in Elections are acted more by Interest and Faction, then by Conscience. You know what the Rule is, viz. that you should chuse men that are Just and that fear God, and that hate Covetousness. Chuse men that shall approve themselves (like Eliakim) Fathers to the Inhabitants of Jerusalem, chuse men of Hezekiahs Spirit, who spake comfortably p. 94to all those that taught the good knowledge of the Lord. In a word, chuse those that will be zealous for the Interest of Reformation, and that therefore will improve their power, to suppress transgressions of the first, as well as of the second Table. If you will chuse such (which mercy forbid that ever it should be) under whose shadow thorns and bryars shall thrive, and those weeds of pride, contention, Heresy shall receive nourishment, and encouragement; It will be an ominous sign, that God will ere long, deprive you of your Libertyes, until such time as you know better how to improve them. And now I hope I may say, that as to the opportunity put into my hands, this day, I have discharged my Conscience, delivered my Soul, and can lay down my head with peace. I conclude with Moses, calling Heaven and Earth to Record, that life and death hath been set before this Generation. O Generation see the Word of the Lord, chuse life, that both thou and thy Seed may live. And God from Heaven saith, O that there were such an heart in this Generation that they would fear me, that so it may go well with them, and with their Children for ever, Amen!

Tibi Domine: