Forty Sermons, Sermon 24

Forty Sermons · Sermon 24

p. 427SERMON XXIV.

EXOD. 28. 36.

Auguſt 19. 1634. Before Sir Nathanael Brent Viſitor for the Arch-Biſhop of Cant erbury, in his Metropolitical Viſitation.Holineſs to the Lord.

VErbum Diei in die ſuo. A fit time (had it been by an abler hand) to bring forth the Prieſts garments out of the Scripture's veſtry, whilſt the eye of Authority is preſent to ſee them put on: and here the firſt peece, that in the very forefront I light on, is Aarons Frontlet in the Text. Thou ſhalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it like the ingraving of a ſignet, ſanctitas Jehovae, or ſanctum Domino, Holineſs to the Lord.

For the literal ſenſe, as meant of Aaron, I find no difficulty: ſome would, who doubt whether both words were ingraven on this golden plate, or the word Jehova only. But P. Fagius rightly concludes for both, foreign, Holineſs to the Lord: both ingraven, to let Aaron know what God was, and what he ſhould be, eſpecially in his holy Miniſtrations. God was holy, and he would have him ſo, eſpecially when he came before him.

For the myſtical ſignification, as applied to Chriſt the High-Prieſt 1 Pet. 1. 19. John 1. 29.1 Pet 1:19John 1:29of our profeſſion, it agrees fully. That ſpotleſs Lamb took away the ſins of the world, who had none of his own: ſo full of holineſs he, that on his very fore-head all might have read this foreign Holineſs to the Lord. For, ſuch an High-Prieſt it became us to have, who was holy and harmleſs and ſeparate from ſinners, Hebr. 7. 26.

And therefore paſſing by both theſe, the moral application of it eſpecially to Miniſters, and partly to all Chriſtians will be the ſubject of my preſent diſcourſe. Which that it may be more orderly, give me leave in this Aarons Frontlet out of this and the adjacent verſes to obſerve and handle theſe particulars.

1. Quid, what's expreſſed and required; and that's Holineſs.

2. Ʋbi, where it's to be ſought and ſeen; on his very forehead and the forefront of his miter, verſ. 37, 38.

3. Quomodo, how ingraven there; with the ingraving of a ſignet.

p. 4284. The Finis cui, to whom; foreign all this to the Lord.

5. The Finis cujus, for what cauſe; that the peoples holy gifts might be accepted, and the iniquity of them pardoned verſ. 38. And of theſe now briefly.

1. The thing here ingraven on the Prieſt in the Law, and required of the Preacher of the Goſpel is eſpecially and above all Holineſs.

Not outward riches and greatneſs: they to us, but like wings A Sanctus Valerius in the Church of God is a better man than a Valerius Maximus.to the Oſtrich, which ſhe cannot fly with, but only flutter, and get the faſter away: By theſe we only get to outgo other men, but by themſelves they do not help us to fly up to heaven our ſelves, or to carry others along with us.

No nor ſo much inward gifts of Learning and ſuch like abilities, though ſuch poliſhing neceſſary to the Prieſt, yet it's not it, but Holineſs that's here ingraven in his Crown; Knowledge without Grace, Learning in the head, without Holineſs in the forehead is but like a precious ſtone in a Toad's head, or like flowers ſtuck about a dead body, which will not fully keep it from ſmelling, the leſs half by much of a Miniſter's accompliſhment. And therefore they that have it only, at beſt are but like a ſhip ballaſted only on one ſide, that thereby ſinks the ſooner: Or like David's meſſengers, their 2 Sam. 10.2 Sam 10prieſtly garment, which ſhould be talaris, is cut off by the middle to their greater ſhame. And yet well were it, if many were not ſeen daily go ſo half naked, and yet not aſhamed of it. The Mathematicians obſerve, that a man that compaſſeth the earth, his head goeth many thouſand miles more than his feet, but in aſcent to heaven the feet would have the greater journey. I, ſo it is, whilſt we rather go about to compaſs the earth, than to get up to heaven, our heads outgo our feet, our knowledge our practice: but yet in the Church of God, although there be ſixty Queens and eighty Concubines, and Virgins without number: yet his Love and Dove is his undefiled one, and ſhe is but one. Cant. 6. 8. And therefore I envy you not your ſixty-Queens and eighty Concubines, and Virgins without number, your numerous numberleſs perfections of Arts and Tongues; had you skill in as many Languages as ever Mithridates could ſpeak, or in as many Authors as Ptolomy's library could hold; had you the life and ſtrength of Paul, or the eloquence of Apollo's preaching; had you Chryſoſtom's tongue, or Auſtin's pen; had you all the perfections that could be named or thought of, I ſhould not be like profane Porphyrie, who accounted it pity, that ſuch an accompliſhed man as Paul was ſhould be caſt away upon our Religion, nor like profane parents in our days that think p. 429much to offer to the Lord a male, any that have ſtrength of body or mind, but the halt, and the blind, the impotent of body, and Mal. 1.Mal 1it may be more in mind. Cripples and blocks, whom they know not what elſe to do with are they, which they think fitteſt to beſtow on the Miniſtry. [but curſed deceivers at length learn not to envy God your choiſeſt jewels for the ornament of his Sanctuary, for can they be better beſtowed?] Much leſs, brethren and Goſpel-Bezaleels, do I envy you your rareſt endowments and perfections, if you will pleaſe but with him to employ them in the helping up of Gods Sanctuary. I envy you not all your ſuch like Queens and Concubines and Virgins: only upon this double condition, firſt that you commit not folly with them; and ſtill that your undefiled one be your love and dove; that whatever other engravings you have otherwhere about you, yet that holineſs be, as here, engraven on your crown, on your heart and fore-head ingraven foreign Holineſs to the Lord.

Holineſs! But what is that? In general a ſequeſtring and ſetting either perſon or thing apart for God, whether from common or profane uſe; and in both reſpects be we holy that bear the veſſels of the Lord, Iſa. 52. 11.

1. We Miniſters ſhould be holy as ſeparated to the Lord from worldly employments, not as though I approved the ſlow-bellied Romiſh Monkery of our dayes, or yet condemned the Monks of old for having honeſt callings to be employed in, or leaſt of all found fault with St. Paul for tent-making, Acts 18. 3. and Working with his own hands, 1 Cor. 4. 12. Idleneſs is unlawful in all: And Pauls particular caſe to avoid ſcandal made his courſe in that kind both holy and commendable. But yet this notwithſtanding, this firſt part of holineſs required calls for, 1. a ſequeſtration from ſuch homely and ſordid imployments, as will make our ſelves and Miniſtry contemptible. St. Jerom ſaith, that ſacerdos in foro is as bad an eye-ſore, as Mercator in Templo, both to be whipt out. A Miniſter and a Market-man are not uniſons. It's not ſpade or mattock, but the ſword of the ſpirit that muſt be ſeen in our hands, which is that we ſhould both work and fight with. It had been ſhameful, if true, that which Litprandus avoucheth of the Biſhops Apud Baron. Anno 968. Num. 11. &c.Num 11of Greece in his time, Ipſi Agaſones, Caupones, &c. that they were their own market-men, and ſerving-men, yea and ſtable-grooms too; that they were huckſters, and kept Taverns and Victualling houſes. But the baſeneſſe was in the baſe ſlanderer, and not in the Grecian Biſhop, which other Hiſtorians of thoſe times ſhew p. 430Curopalates.was far from ſuch ſordidneſſe. But ſhould ſuch ſoyl ſtick to any Miniſters now adayes; ſhould it be out of neceſſity and want, I pity them; but if from degenerous covetouſneſs, I loath it, and ſo doth God too. I wiſh, I confeſs, that the former cauſe too often held not, for whereas the Scripture ſpeaks of giving to Miniſters, Prov. 3. 9. the vulgar renders it da pauperibus and not much amiſs: for the Prieſt and the poor man go often in the ſame clothes. It might indeed have been a leſſon, which thoſe learned Clericks in former times had taken out: In Eccleſiâ omnis immenſitas eſt menſura, Anton Roſell part 1. Monarch. Cap. 70.as one of their Lawyers complaines: But ſure, if Wickliff were now alive, he would not have much cauſe in many places to complain of the Church now, as he did then, that Cumulantur temporalia uſque ad putredinem. All Church-men's livings are not like his Lutterworth. If God were not the tribe of Levi's inheritance, the Prieſthood to many an one would be but a poor one. He had need look to be honeſt: for ſimoniacal Patrons, injurious Impropriatours, ſacrilegious Miniſter-Conſeners will take a courſe to keep him poor; and if ſordid too, now curſed be they of the Lord in ſo making him baſe and his Miniſtry contemptible, in defiling this foreign (as Aarons miter is called Exod. 29. 6.) his holy crown, by caſting it to the ground, and burying it in the earth. But if he himſelf ſo fall a digging, as to bury his talent there, now an evil ſervant is he, and an heavier account will he one day without repentance have to make for it, which yet I wiſh too many now adayes were not liable to. I have ſometimes thought how it comes to paſs, that ſo many Mechanicks amongſt us prove Miniſters: and methinks I hear them return anſwer, that they therein do but agere de repetundis; according to lex talionis it is to cry quit becauſe ſo many Miniſters incroach on their occupations, and prove Mechanicks, that ſo as it were according to the ſchooles doctrine in another point ſo many men may be brought in, to fill up the number of collapſed Angels: but both are blemiſhes to the Church: and well were it if ſome aqua fortis did eat out ſuch moles from off the face of it: for on Aarons forehead is Holineſs to the Lord, which ſhould ſever as common men from ſuch an holy calling, ſo thoſe of ſuch an holy calling from ſuch common employment, 1. Firſt if mean and ſordid.

2. Though more ingenuous and liberal, ſo far as it cometh to the Apoſtle's foreign viz. ſo far as to intangle him in the world, to hinder him in his holy function, 2 Tim. 2. 4. And here I wiſh our Church were no… ſometimes ſick of Phyſick-divines, and Goſpel-Lawyers, p. 431that handle the Code, more than the Bible, and ſtudy the Statutes of the kingdom, more than the ten Commandments; or at leaſt make account that a Photius his Nomo-canon makes the beſt medly.

Not that I condemn all Miniſters intermedling (if called to it) in ſecular occaſions, if not to the blemiſh of the men, or hindring of their Miniſtry. That it ſhould be unlawful for a Clergyman to enter into a Prince's Court was a Canon of the ſecond Roman Synod's making, as fooliſh as the Synod it ſelf was forged. Crakanthrop's defence of Conſtantin. pag. 11, 12.With God's leave and bleſſing let them be for the Commonwealth's advantage, if it be not with the Church's hindrance. But in caſe they ſhould claſh, let all Church-men look firſt to the Church, whilſt others look to the Senate-houſe, yea and let me add, to the Church in the country, that I have a charge of, rather than the Colledge in the Univerſity that I would live idlely in, unleſs I would be like elementary fire, that ſhineth not in its own place, or like Jonah, who, when ſent by God to preach at Niniveh, flieth to Tarſhiſh, (which out of Strabo appears to have been an Univerſity,) to be a ſtudent, or to it as an Emporium to See Doctor Rai…old, his Sermons upon Oba…iah. See Doctor Albot on Jonah cap. 1.Jonah 1play, as ſome think, the merchant. Sure both wayes he made a bad voyage of it, which ſhould make us ſteer aright by ſhaping our courſe point-blank on Chriſt's and his Church's ſervice, and inſtead of Caſtor and Pollux, Acts 28. 11. let theſe two words be the ſign of our ſhip, foreign Holineſs to the Lord in this kind of ſeparation from ordinary employments.

2. But much more from ſinful defilements: Thus 2 Chron. 35. 3. Joſiah's Levits were not onelyonly foreign but alſo. foreign Holy as well as learned, ſuch as did live as well as they preached, and whilſt now adayes ſome affect one method of preaching, and others another, ſure I am Ezra followed the beſt, cap. 7. 10. he firſt prepares his heart to ſeek the Law, and then to do it, and not till then to teach it, juſt as Paul, that matchleſs pattern for preachers, that foreign in regard of his divine contemplations, and for his holy life foreign, as St. Chryſoſtom calls him) you ſhall obſerve that he proves his own fidelity from his doctrines truth, 2 Cor. 1. 17, 18. there was not in him and his promiſes yea and nay, becauſe the word and promiſes of God, which he preached, were not yea and nay: as though he had ſaid, my practice is honeſt and true, becauſe my doctrine is truth: a good argument in a holy Paul's mouth: but would not many a plain country man's logick ſay it were a non ſequitur p. 432in many of ours: but ſure, it ſhould follow. Miniſters holy doctrine and life ſhould follow and prove and ſtrengthen each other mutually. Not a blemiſh admitted in a Prieſt of the old Teſtament, and Paul's deſcription excepts againſt the leaſt blot of a Biſhop in the new: The Prieſt was to view and to be amongſt Lepers then, but was not wont to be infected with their Leproſie. It is our calling to be dealing with ſinners, but ſhould be our care not to be defiled with their ſins. If our feet be beautiful, Rom. 10. 15. ſure clean wayes become them. If we do not foreign, Gal. 2. 14. as well as foreign, 2 Tim. 2. 15. we ſhall go but halting before the flock.

And here as Paul transferred all in a figure to himſelf and Apollos, 1 Cor. 4. 6. ſo will you pleaſe to give me leave to ſpeak a little to my ſelf? nor will it be time ill ſpent, if you pleaſe to ſit and overhear me, whilſt I labour to quicken mine own dulneſſe in this way of holineſs by theſe following conſiderations.

1. The firſt is the nearneſs of thy calling to God, who will be ſanctified in all that draw near him, Lev. 10. 3. and therefore thou that ſtandeſt before God, and as it were beholdeſt his face, haſt need of holineſs to the Lord on thy fore-head. It's holy ground thou ſtandeſt on, need therefore to have ſhoes off. They are holy ordinances E…od. 3. 5.which thou handleſt, but what foreign? It was an heavy charge laid upon Aaron, and which in part lights on thee, Numb. 18. 1. you ſhall bear the iniquity of the Sanctuary and of the Preiſt-hood. And may not that be a great deal? and hadſt not thou therefore need the more look about thee? This very conſideration amongſt others made Nazianzen's Baſil defer his entrance Nazianz. Orat. 12. p. 195, 196. Chryſoſtom Lib. 1. de Sacerdotic.on this calling, and Chryſoſtom's Baſil by all means labour to avoid it, and made Chryſoſtom himſelf cry out, miror ſi poteſt aliquis Rectorum ſalvari (in Heb. 13. 17. Homil. 3.) And therefore although thy perſon be mean, yet thy calling is holy, ſo that although thou beeſt but as an earthen veſſel, that is, but poor and homely in regard of outward reſpects, yet thou ſhouldſt be too as an earthen veſſel, that is, very ſweet and clean in regard of inward holineſs: the treaſure that is in thee, and the calling that thou art in, calls for it. Sanctuary-meaſures were wont to be double to others: and why not ſanctuary-men's holineſſe too? And therefore however the children of Iſrael may go aſtray, yet even then the Prieſts and the Levites muſt keep the charge of the Sanctuary, Ezek. 44. 15. In a word the colour of thy cloth is ſuch, as that the leaſt mote will be the ſooner ſeen in it: the holineſs of p. 433thy Calling, multiplies the unholineſs of thy ſin; as the clearneſs of the Glaſs makes thick Liquour look the worſe in it. What's but an idle word in another's mouth, is in thine well-nigh a Blaſphemy. In ſum, thy Calling ſhould ſet thee far from ſin, becauſe it ſets thee ſo near to God.

2. And the rather, becauſe as by it thou art nearer to God: ſo the Devil will go very near to be the nearer to thee, if thou beeſt not the more watchful. In the Hill of God, where the Prophets dwell, there will be a Gariſon of the Philiſtines, as you read 1 Sam. 10. 5. As in other reſpects, ſo in this, that if there be any miſchief done, the Devil will want of his will, if one of thy Cloth be not in it. Thus Dathan and Abiram cannot riſe up againſt Moſes and Aaron, but Korah a Levite, muſt be of the Conſpiracy, and ſet firſt as a Ringleader in the buſineſs, Numb. 16. 1. As in Q. Elizabeths days, ſcarce a Treaſon, but ſome Prieſt or Jeſuite had a finger in, if he were not chief ſtickler. The Devil knows well, that the Prieſts ſin is of greater Guilt, (and therefore in the Law had a greater Sacrifice, the Peoples a Goat, but his a Bullock) of greater Scandal, and likewiſe of greater Conſequence; a Goliah's Sword behind the Prieſts Ephod, ſuch a Weapon as none like to that, 1 Sam. 21. 9. If he go to Hell, he draweth it may be thouſands after him. The ſilly Sheep, though otherwiſe fearful and will ſtand and drown, will yet after its leader, though in deſperate leaps. People, when they ſee Miniſters faults, take it for a principle, that they may Non modo cum venia, verum etiam cum ratione peccare. This the Devil knoweth, and therefore watcheth, which ſhould make us the more watchful, with this watch-word ever in Head and Heart, Holineſs to the Lord.

3. Thou preacheſt Holineſs to others, and haſt thou not then great reaſon to practiſe it? Thou that teacheſt another, teacheſt thou not thy ſelf? Rom. 2. 21. The Coals of which Scripture are heaped upon that evil Servant, that's condemned out of his own mouth, Luke 19. 22. and goeth away with that doom, 1 Kings 20. 40. So ſhall thy judgment be, thy ſelf haſt decided it. Bellerophontis, Ʋriae literae are all the good Letters that bad Scholars have learnt, and all the good Sermons that ungodly Men have preached, and ſo they will prove another day. Miniſters, as Stars, muſt move as well as ſhine. Be not therefore like the Rechabites, who were Scribes, 1 Chron. 2. 55. to make evidences for other Mens Lands, but had none of their own, Jer. 35. 8, 9, p. 434But follow the old Rule Per unumquodque, &c. illud magis. And therefore thou hadſt need with the Prieſt in the Law, firſt Levit. 16. 11. with 15.Lev 16:11to offer for tbine own cleanſing, and then for the Peoples. He had a Sea to waſh himſelf in, as Lavers to waſh the Peoples Sacrifices in then; And ſhall foul Souls be waſht with foul Hands now, which often make them worſe for handling? What? In this like Agricolae, Qui inculti colunt terram? Like the Whetſtone, Dum alios acuit ſuae immemor hebetudinis? Nay, like the Plaiſter, Quod medetur vulneri, ipſum vero cum pure traditur Vulcano? Now fie on ſuch incongruous non-ſence, ſoleciſms in Gods Husbandry and Chrirurgery.

4. Nay, in ordinary courſe look not for ſo good a ſucceſs; for as Holineſs adds ſtrength: ſo Ʋnholineſs weakens thy Miniſtry. An holy Chriſt taught with Authority, and not as the Scribes, Matth. 7. 29.Matt 7:29who were obnoxious, and therefore feared to ſpeak out, leſt, when Sermon was ended, and others had leave to ſpeak as well as they, they might have that replied to them, Phyſician, heal thy ſelf: A good Item for all, for us Miniſters, when our People are froward, not for us to grow impatient, but to ſit down, and think a while, whether ſome ſinful Miſcarriage in us hath not been the Obſtruction in the body of our People: Whether an Amaſa, wallowing in his Blood, a Leader, a Miniſter 2 Sam. 20. 12.2 Sam 20:12in his ſin, hath not made whole Troops ſtand ſtill: That ſo we may mend, and they with us, and all together.

5. It's Holineſs that honours, as it's Sin that above all diſgraceth thy Miniſtry. It was a piece of humble Paul's holy ambition to magnifie his Miniſtry Rom. 11. 13. But how? with what? Was it with effeminate affected Words, or curious ſpeculations in his Preaching, or in a foreign of outward Pomp or State in living? Was it with the breadth of a Caſſock? Or the fat of a good Preferment? No: Theſe would have been to Paul, as Saul's Armour to David. Why, with what then was it? He tells you, 2 Cor. 6. 4, 6, 7. by Pureneſs, by Knowledg, by the Power of God. Ye are Witneſſes, and God alſo foreign how holily, and juſtly, and unblameably we behaved our ſelves, &c. 1 Theſ. 2. 10. I, this was the Credit of the Goſpel, the Honour of their Perſons, the Crown of their Miniſtry, through which, as mean as they ſeemed, yet they were the very Glory of Chriſt. This Plate with foreign 2 Cor. 8. 23.2 Cor 8:23Holineſs to the Lord, on the Prieſts Fore-head is, foreign the holy Crown, which adds Majeſty to Himſelf, and Miniſtry. As p. 435on the contrary unholy and unworthy defilements diſhonour this holy Crown, and caſt it to the Ground. When Ephraim ſpeaks trembling, he exalts himſelf in Iſrael, but when he offends in Baal, he dies, Hoſ. 13. 1. The like may I ſay of a Miniſter, let him but hold up his Holineſs, and then he will be ſure to exalt himſelf in the true Iſrael of God, and even to others in his Miniſtry, he may ſpeak trembling: But offend in Baal once, in ſin, eſpecially if foul, and that made a Lord and Idol of, (as Baal was all that) and then he dies for it; and if he died only, leſs weeping would ſerve for that Funeral: But alack, the power and luſtre of his Miniſtry often dieth with him, yea, and too often is buried before him. Yea, ſo Holy is God, and ſo jealous of the purity of his Miniſters and ordinances, that Repentance (which as it were annihilates ſin in others) ſcarce wipes off former foul ſins ſo far, as to leave the Man fit for the Miniſtry. Thus the falſe Prophet's ſcars ſtick by him long, Zech. 13. 6. And Levites once Idolatrous, prove after irregular, Ezek. Calvin in loc.44. 10, 11, 12, 13. Caeteris quidem non imputatur quales fuerunt antequam ſacro lavacro renaſcerentur (as he in St. Auſtins life) Eraſmus.Its not imputed to others what they were before Baptiſm, but of a Biſhop Paul requires, that he ſhould have a good Report of 1 Tim. 3. 7.1 Tim 3:7them that are without: And it was a part of St. Auſtin's commendation in the ſame Author, that Talis erat quum ipſe foris eſset, ut ab his qui intus erant vir bonus haberi poſſet in ſuo quidem genere. A foul ſtain may not wholly make the Stuff unfit for ordinary uſe, but it will from its being ever fit for the Prieſt's Ephod. A ſometimes-ſcandalous ſinner may prove an eminent * Courteſans may be good enough to prove their penitenti & convertite, See Hiſt. Counc. of Trent. p. 808.Chriſtian; but it's a queſtion whether ſuch an one may in ordinary courſe, though converted, be fit to be choſen for a Miniſter. And therefore in all theſe reſpects, on the Prieſts forehead let there be Holineſs to the Lord. And thus I have diſpatched the firſt particular Quid, what is expreſſed and required, it's Holineſs.

2. The ſecond is, Ʋbi, where this Holineſs is to be ſought and found. And that's ſaid to be on the forefront of his Miter, ver. 37. and on his Forehead, ver. 38. That is, 1. In his outward holy Miniſtrations, if without Superſtition. And, 2. In his outward ordinary Carriage and Behaviour, if without Affectation. Beſides the inward ſeal and ſtamp upon the Heart, the outward badg and impreſs even on the Fore-head muſt be Holineſs to the Lord.

p. 4361. In his holy outward Adminiſtrations. Thus the Prieſts had a Laver to waſh in, when they went into the Tabernacle, that they died not, Exod. 30. 18, 19, 20. It was death to come to the Altar, if they did not firſt go to the Laver of the Blood of Chriſt to have themſelves and ſervices cleanſed; ſo unleſs they came in an outward cleanſing: Yes, you will ſay, but that was Legal and therefore aboliſhed. Yes, but ſo as to hold out an Evangelical not only inward, but alſo outward Holineſs in our Sacrifices and Services.

Which as they are more Spiritual: (and therefore away with the Papiſts theatrical, mimical Maſs, and that other Maſs of their ſuperſtitious idolatrous ſervices and Ceremonies, as numerous and as carnal and by them made as myſtical, as ever were Jewiſh ordinances, as Durand's unreaſonable Rationale manifeſts.)

So it's pity they ſhould be looked at as leſs Holy, or uſed with leſs inward intention or outward holy reverence and comlineſs. And therefore in the deſcription of the Church of the Goſpel, it is forbidden the Evangelical Levite in his miniſtration to wear Woollen, or to gird himſelf with any thing that cauſeh ſweat, Ezek. 44. 17, 18. Not as though a Miniſter's Coat muſt needs be like John Baptiſt's of Camels hair, and not of Wooll; nor that it were unlawful for him to ſweat at his work: But to hold out not only inward, but alſo outward purity and holineſs, that his Miniſtring, G…ſtures, Garments, Actions ſhould be, though not Myſtically or Sacramentally foreign holy (as the Ceremonies of the Law were, but ours, as the Reverend Prelates of our Church determine, are not) yet at leaſt foreign, that is, every way in a reverend and comely foreign and foreign becoming the Holineſs of God's Preſence and Ordinance. Holineſs becomes thy Houſe for ever, Pſal. 93. 5. And if for ever, then even ſince Jeruſalem's Temple hath been down. God hath not been without his Houſe, though not ſuch an one as that was; and wherever it be, Holineſs doth, and will become it for ever. For this purpoſe it was, that in Jeruſalem of old the Dung-gate was removed from the Temple as far as could be, as Junius hath well obſerved upon Nehe. 2. 13. I grant a great difference between that Temple and ours; yet not ſo great, but that this will, I conceive, be a good conſequence. If the Jewiſh Temple muſt not be near the Dung-gate, then ſure it's no reaſon that Chriſtian Temples ſhould be made Dung-hills, unbecoming p. 437the Preſence of God and his People. Ours at laſt begins to be Repaired, which I have often both in publick and private deſired, but now I further wiſh, that the Poor do not pay dear for it. God would have his Sacrifices brought, but not his Altar (through the Sacrificer's oppreſſion) covered with the tears of the Poor, Mal. 2. 13. I deſire that the Church may be repaired: But I ſhould be ſorry to ſee the Tears of the Poor tempering the Morter of it; or Moſes to ſave his purſe hindring Aaron in his holy Miniſtrations on his Fore-head to have engraven Holineſs to the Lord.

2. And on the Forehead too, in regard of his outward holy behaviour and carriage. If in better Times Holineſs ſhould be on the Souldier's Horſe-bridles, Zec. 14. 20. then in the very worſt, at leaſt on Aaron's Forehead there ſhould be Holineſs to the Lord. If a comely foreign be required in the outward behaviour of all Chriſtians, much more a reverend foreign in Miniſters carriages. Paul's foreign, Vigilant, Sober, of good Behaviour, with all Gravity, 1 Tim. 3. 2, 4. cometh up to this holy amiable Gravity in a Miniſter, which may either win Love, or command Reverence. Thus our Saviour's Sweetneſs allured, and John Baptiſt's Gravity made even an Herod fear. A Miniſter's care ſhould be to have a fit mixture of both, that others frowardneſs may be ſweetned by his amiableneſs, and yet that the leaſt wantonneſs might bluſh under ſuch a Chriſtian Cato's eye. It was his advice, Ʋt plebeculae aſpectum fugiat, vel coram plebe ſe tanquam myſterium adhibeat: He would have him either not ſeen, or at leaſt that ſeen in him by the worſt, which may either win them, or awe them. One required ſuch a Sagacity in a Miniſter, that Mr. Marbury.ſhould make him pick an uſe out of his hearers Forehead; but I ſhould think ſuch Sanctity even in outward carriage were more neceſſary, that the beholder might read a Lecture of Holineſs in his Forehead.

In a word, this requireth and implieth ſuch an holy Boldneſs, as not to be aſhamed of an holy Way, but therein to have a Forehead as long as Holineſs is engraven on it. As alſo a greater forwardneſs both with word and preſence to check ſin in whom they ſee it, more than others may, as having, beſides a common Chriſtian's boldneſs and zeal, the advantage of a Miniſter's Calling, to bear them out in it. And therefore to conclude this; It's for others to ſtand aloft with Adultery, Drunkenneſs, Blaſphemy p. 438pinned on their Fore-heads; not for thoſe that in theſe places (as the Prophets of old, 2 Chron. 24. 20.) ſtand above God's People. Let Drunkenneſs be read in other Men's misfigured Copper-faces, but Aaron's Frontlet muſt be a plate of Gold with this ingravure, Holineſs to the Lord.

3. There, but Ingraven there like the graving of a Signet. This is the third particular, which ſignifieth not only the Clearneſs Scriptura …ara, diſtincta, ver. 27.of the Character, (ſo the Chaldee) but alſo the depth of the Sculpture. And this for two Cauſes, 1. To ſink deep againſt Hypocriſie. 2. To laſt long againſt Apoſtacy.

1. Ingraven to ſink deep, through the Fore-head into the Head, yea, and Heart too. The Holineſs which a Miniſter muſt expreſs, muſt not be a bare out-ſide Fore-head-paint of Phariſaical Mat. …3.Matt 3hypocriſie, or Friar-like humility, or Pope's holineſs forſooth. For ſo indeed Rome's high Prieſt, when in his Pontificalibus, would have that title like another Aaron on his Fore-head, Holineſs to the Lord. But St. John unmasks the Whore, and ſheweth you her true Frontlet, Revel. 17. 5. On her Fore-head was a Name written, Myſtery (if Holineſs, yet in a Myſtery) but in plain terms as followeth, Babylon the great, the Mother of Harlots, and abominations of the Earth. But not ſo with the genuine Sons of Aaron: His Garments were not only of Embroidered, which hath only a fair outſide, but alſo of cunning work, of which, they ſay, that both ſides were alike: Holineſs on the Fore-head, but ſo ingraven, that it may reach even that which is within; nay, it ſhould begin there firſt, and look out only in outward holy demeanour. Thus ingraven to ſink deep, againſt Hypocriſie.

2. And again Ingraven, to laſt long, to be always on his Forehead, ver. 38. againſt Apoſtacy. Paint is ſoon rubbed off; but Ingravure is longer in wearing out, though it were longer, and it may be, brake ſome Tools in getting in. Over-haſty precocity in this kind hath ever been dangerous to the Church, ſoon ripe, ſoon rotten. Some Preachers have been Chriſtian Hermogenes's, Men when Children, but Children ever after. Some ſo haſty, that they cannot ſtay the time of Engraving and Poliſhing. A little Painting or waſhing over with the Name, rather than the Learning of a year or two's-continuance in the Univerſity, fits too many for the Country, which would have been too deep, they think, if they had ſtayed longer; like the plain Country-man, that carried his Son to Melancthon to have him p. 439made a preacher, but if he might not carry him back again with him a day or two after fully accompliſhed, he could not ſtay longer tuning of the inſtrument. But what comes of it? too often diſcords in the Church of Chriſt. Ordinarily it comes to this, that either they make waſh-way of preaching, and ſo their ſermons are as ſhallow as themſelves, or elſe at firſt get on ſome Saul's armour … …n another's borrowed paines) which after ſuch levis armaturae mili…s cannot go in, winding up the ſtring to ſo high a peg, as i… cracks …e long, as not long ſince ſomewhere ſad experien…e hath teſtified. To prevent this Paul puts by a foreign a Novice from holy orders, 1 Tim. 3. 6. as for other things, ſo for prof…ſſion and grace eſpecially. Not that I dare with them Micah 2. 7. ſtrait… Gods ſpirit, or hinder him to breath, when and where he pleaſeth and ſometimes to ripen ſome ex…raordinarily: but only I add that every one is not a Cyprian, in whom tritura ſement…m praevênit, vindemia palmitem, poma radicem, as Pontius his D…acon ſpeaks of him in his life, for he adds ille fuit primus, & puto ſolus exemplo, plus fide poſſe quam tempore promovere. Sure I am, it's via tuta to ſtay a graving time for learning and godlineſs, and not to content our ſelves with a paint of either. The one will laſt long, whilſt the other ere long will wear off. Time hath ſeen ſome hot-ſpurs run out of breath, and the world hath ſhewn, whom preferments have choaked and taken off. It hath been no wonder to hear of the Vine and Olive-tree, when once they come to bear rule over other trees, to loſe their former fatneſs and ſweetneſs: but the more to blame, they who, when they have better helps and tools, leſs work is done, or leſs exactly. Good ingraving at firſt would help all this, and when God's Law is within Chriſts heart, Pſal. 40. 8. it was ſuch a laſting deep fountain there, as made him grow upon his work, and (as Divines have Cartwr. Horm. in Luke 19. 47.Luke 19:47obſerved out of the courſe of the Goſpel) to have been more frequent in preaching toward the end of his Miniſtry: and well he might, he being that ſtone of which God ſaid, Zech. 3. 9. Behold I will engrave the engraving thereof. On our bleſſed High-prieſt's forehead was thus deeply ingraven, Holineſſe to the Lord. Thus in theſe three particulars we have ſeen that holineſſe muſt be graven on Aaron's forehead.

4. But the fourth muſt needs be added foreign Holineſs, and thus ingraven; but to the Lord and his glory, not ſeeming holineſs for my profit, like a Jeſuitical holineſſe, …n excellent pageant, out of which they ſuck no ſmall advantage. Nor for my p. 440credit, like Pelagius, who they ſay was a ſtrict ſeeming-holy Pelagii, viri, ut audio, ſancti & non parvo profectu Chriſtiani. Auguſtin. 3. de peccat. merit. & remiſſ. 1. iſtum ſicut eum quinoverunt loquuntm bonum ac praedicandum virum. Ibid. cap. 3. Alexander de Alex. lib. 6. cap. 6.man, to give the better credit to his Doctrine, and Hereſie. Such are but rightly called Idol-ſhepherds, that do nothing but only as Idols ſerve to be adored; or if active, but like him, that ſobrius acceſſit ad evertendam Rempub. But ſuch unfaithful ſtewards muſt one day give an account of their ſtewardſhip, who will ſhare ſtakes with their Lord, ſet down fifty for their Lord, and fifty for themſelves; or if an hundred, if their Lord hath eighty, he is well, but at leaſt they will have twenty, Luke 16. 6, 7. Nay, but let God have all, let our mouths ever ſay, non nobis Domine, non nobis, yea let Aaron's forehead ever ſay ſanctitas Jehovah, holineſs to the Lord. Like as the Roman Conquerors in their triumphs were wont to go up to the Capitol and there to offer up their triumphant Crowns and Garlands to Jupiter Capitolinus: Even ſo we Presbyters with thoſe twenty four, Rev. 4. 10, 11. ſhould take off our crowns from off our own heads, and caſt them before the throne at Chriſts feet ſaying, Thou art worthy O Lord to receive glory and honour and power; for thou haſt created all things, and for thy pleaſure they are and were created: which place C. à lapide upon it fitly parallels with my Text: for whilſt an humble Miniſter of Chriſt freely and heartily acknowledgeth and ſaith, my Miniſterial dignity and ſanctity, my holy doctrine, life and fruit of both, all is from thee, and all muſt be to thee; and therefore I throw down my crown at thy feet, and ſay, thou art worthy, &c. It is all one with Aaron to come forth with this ingraven clearly on his forehead, Sanctitas Jehovae, holineſs to the Lord. So we have the finis cui.

5. The laſt particular is the finis cujus gratiâ, and that is the peoples benefit, verſ. 38. Holineſs muſt be on Aaron's forehead, that the peoples holy offerings might be accepted, and the iniquities of them pardoned; for what I have been all this while ſpeaking of Miniſters faults and duties, it hath not been to diſcover a Noah's ſhame, that a Cham might laugh; not to diſplay the Preacher's blemiſhes, that a profane hearer might point and flear and ſay, I there's an hole in the Prieſt's coat; But rather out of the high-Prieſt's frontlet that thou mayeſt pick or find rather one in thine own. Holineſs in the Prieſts forehead ſaith, that there is unholineſs in the peoples very beſt ſacrifice. Chriſt our Prieſt had need be the Lamb without ſpot to expiate the blemiſhes of our beſt duties; and his ſervants the Miniſters need proportionably be the more holy in heart and forehead, that they may lift up purer hands for a polluted p. 441people; as the Levites of old were given to Iſrael, to make atonement for them, that there might be no plague among them, when they come to the Sanctuary, Numb. 8. 19. And therefore it ſhould be an Item both to the people; that, muſt the Prieſt be holy, then ſure they had need be humble, for this tells them that they are unholy. Joſhua's rags were the peoples ſins more than his own, Zech. 3. 3. See Lapide in locum.and Aarons holy crown holds out, as what holineſs ſhould be in him, ſo what unholineſſe is in his people, and therefore let them be humble.

And withall let Aaron and his ſons be careful that their holineſs may be to the Lord and his praiſe; ſo for his people, and their help, not to expiate their ſins, that's Chriſt's: but by their holy life to be their better example, by their holy doctrine to be their better inſtruction, by their more holy prayers better to prevail with God for pardon of their ſins and acceptance of their duties and ſervices. And thus ever on Aaron's forehead, on the Miniſters not only heart, but alſo outward adminiſtrations and carriages let not pomp or learning ſo much, as holineſs be ſtamped and ingraven, even to ſink deep, and laſt long, that all may be to the Lord and his praiſe, and for his people and their benefit.

And now for cloſe, as Gregory in the end of his Paſtoral once ſaid, ſo I in the end of my Sermon, Pulchrum depinxi paſtorem pictor f…us, I have endeavoured to preſent you with a poor portraiture of an holy Miniſter, which I muſt confeſs I my ſelf cannot attain to; and therefore if any faults have been pointed at, I have therein deſired either to mark, or at leaſt to warn my ſelf rather than any other. Not that Miniſters faults may not be ſpoken againſt: for the Prophet, Zechary when he comes to ſpeak of a fooliſh ſhepherd, he puts a Jod Paragogicum to it foreign, cap. 11. 15. to expreſs, (as Brixianus hath obſerved) that if the ſhepherd be a fool, he is a fool of all fools: and therefore Bernard is not to be blamed for being ſo bold and plain with Pope Eugenius himſelf, hîc, hîc non parco tibi, ut parcat Deus. In this matter I'l not ſpare thee, that God may: But yet when I ſee bleſſed Conſtantine in the Counſel of Nice drawing a vail over the Biſhops blemiſhes, I would not in this profane ſcoffing age withdraw the curtain to expoſe them to a Michal's eye. Young Timothy, though in place, is yet wiſhed not to rebuke an Elder, but to intreat him as a Father, and the younger men as brethren, 1 Tim. 5. 1. And therefore for cloſe, Reverend Fathers and Brethren, ſuffer a younger Timothy to do his office, even to intreat and beſeech all p. 442his Seniors as Fathers, and his Juniors as Brethren, and to charge himſelf eſpecially, that we all of us would labour firſt to get Holineſs into the heart, and then to expreſs it ſo in our outward Miniſtrations and Carriages, that all that look on may ſee and read in Aaron's Fore-head ingraven foreign. Sanctum Domino, Holineſs to the Lord.

And what remaineth now? But that after I have thus beſought you, all of us now humbly befeech the Lord, that He would pleaſe to ſanctifie his own Name, and further his Service by his Servants Holineſs.

Now therefore moſt Holy, Holy, Holy, Bleſſed Lord God, ſo fit and furniſh (we pray thee) thine own Tribe with ſuch outward Liberty, and Maintenance, and Honour, but eſpecially with thine own Saving Grace in their hearts, that thy Prieſts may be clothed with Righteouſneſs, and that on their very Fore-heads all may read Holineſs, and that not for themſelves and their own advantage, but to thee, O Lord, and thy Glory, that even this Holy Crown, though we do not debaſe it by caſting it on the Ground unworthily, yet we may ever be moſt willing to caſt it at thy Feet humbly; and both here on Earth, and for ever in Heaven, ſay and ſing heartily, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive Revel, 4. 10, 11.Glory and Honour, and Power, for thou haſt Created all things, and for thy Pleaſure they are and were Created. And therefore, Bleſſing, and Honour, and Glory, and Power, be unto Him that Revel. 5. 13.Rev 5:13ſitteth on the Throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. Amen.

Tibi Domine Jeſu.