A Good Day Well Improved, Sermon 2
And were edified.
HAving in the handling of 2. Sermon preached at Whitehall, July, 23. 1654.the firſt part of the Text diſpatched the firſt great bleſſing, the Churches reſt; I come now to cloſe with the two moſt happy concomitants or conſequents of it, that upon it, they were edified, and multiplied: and firſt of the former of them, the words in the Greek are foreign, which moſt properly are to be rendred thus, They had peace being edified: which reading may admit of a twofold Interpretation.
Either that their edification was a means of their peace, they being edified had peace, as the Syriack rendreth it, as though their edification went before, and ſo their peace followed upon it.
Or that their edification was a conſequent and effect of their peace; and ſo Beza rendreth the words, habentes pacem aedificabantur, having peace they were edified; to which agree our Tranſlators who read it, they had reſt, and were edified, as limiting their edification to have followed upon their reſt.
Both readings may hold forth a wholſome Truth to us.
The former this.
That our edifying maketh way Doct. 1 for our reſt, and our profiting by means to our continued peaceable enjoyment of them.
For although ſometimes Jeruſalems Dan. 9. 25.wall is built in a troubleſome time, and the more that ſome of Gods people are edified and thrive by the word, the leſs peace and reſt, but the more trouble and perſecution they ſuffer for it, Matth. 13. 21.
Yet it is pity that grace & peace ſhould be parted, and therefore it is the ſweetneſs of Gods goodneſs when we have (as it's ſaid Nehem. 4. 6.) a mind to work, and to edify our ſelves and his Church, to grant us fair weather to build in. So Solomon while he was building the Temple had peace, and Iſrael in Canaan, when they thrice a year left their houſes to come up to the Temple, were not Exod. 34. 24.aſſaulted by enemies, as at their firſt entrance into it, when they ſet upon that intermitted ordinance of Circumciſion, which how Joſh. 5.painfull it was, and how it expoſed them to danger, when they were ſoar of it, the Inſtance of the Schechemites tells us, when Gen. 34. 25.two men Simeon and Levi could come on a whole city and deſtroy it: but God ſecured them, that in that time none of the Nations of Canaan ſet upon them, whileſt they had been ſo unable to have reſiſted them; and all this becauſe God delighteth not to pluck the child from the breaſt, when it thriveth by it, nor to ſend nipping May froſts to blaſt a growing and forward ſpring. It is certainly the beſt way to keep our candle light to do our work by it. Take we but care of our edification, and building up in faith and grace, and then let us truſt God for our reſt and ſetlement in either inward or outward peace. This the former Reading of the words affordeth.
But I rather pitch upon the latter, which maketh their being edified a fruit and conſequent of their having reſt; that was their happineſſe, and it is our duty to improve our peace to our edification. Doct. 2 It were well that our material Churches which were battered and demoliſhed in our late wars, might be repaired and rebuilt now in times of peace, but how much better if the ſpirituall true Churches of Chriſt were indeed ſavingly edified in their holy faith, now that there are foundations layd of our outward peace? God (I know) can lay the beams of his Chambers in the waters, Pſal. 104. 3. (a ſtrange foundation, you would think, of any firme building) He can build up his Church in the midſt of ſtormes and tempeſts, but as for us, it is ill to lay our foundations, or to build upon quickſands or in an Earth-quake; fair weather is the fitteſt time for us to build in, which whileſt God, for the preſent ſends us, and hath built our Scaffold for us, it's beſt for us to get the trowell into our hand, and to ply our work; for although David in his trouble may prepare much for the houſe 1 Chr. 22. 14.of the Lord, and deſired to find him a Tabernacle, yet a peaceable Solomon built him an houſe; Act. 7. 46, 47.what therefore David ſaid to Solomon▪ let me to you now, when (as in Solomons time) God hath given you reſt (almoſt) on every ſide, ſo that there is neither Adverſary 1 King. 5. 4. 1 Chr. 22. 16.nor evill occurrent, Ariſe and be doing, and the Lord will be with you.
In the proſecuting of this particular, I ſhall endeavour to clear thoſe two things.
1. What it is to be edified.
2. What great reaſon there What's to be edified.is now that God hath given us peace and reſt, that we ſhould ſo be.
Firſt, then for this Phraſe of being edified, all know it is a Metaphor taken from materiall buildings, in which upon a foundation firſt laid, the ſuperſtructure is laid on and carried up, till the top-ſtone added compleat all.
So in this our Spiritual Architecture, Chriſt being firſt laid for the foundation, (there can (and therefore muſt) be no other, 1 Cor. 3. 11.) and we being ſpiritually but really united to him, we come to be ſetled on him, and in him to grow up in grace and peace to everlaſting life.
For edification in general importeth Indicat augmertum & ſtabilimentum Camer. Genev.ſetlement and growth, eſtabliſhment and increaſe.
Setlement, as when our Saviour ſaith, On this rock I will build my Church, there is edification; ſo as the gates of hell ſhall not prevaile againſt it, Matth. 16. 18. there is ſetlement.
Growth and Setlement together we have in Col. 2. 7. in thoſe two words, foreign, built up and eſtabliſhed, not onelyonly eſtabliſhed or ſetled, but built up: built and built upon, as the word is, i. e. the whole building upon the foundation, and one grace, and degree of grace upon another, that at length we come to be built up even to everlaſting life; when thus confirmed and improved, then in the general we may be ſaid to be edified.
But more particularly this Edification is,
Either of the whole Church;
Or of particular beleevers.
The Church is Gods houſe, 1 Tim. 3. 15. and ſo he is ſaid to build it, Matth. 16. 18.
And Beleevers are Gods Temple, 1 Cor. 3. 16, 17. foreign Gods building, 1 Cor. 3. 9. and accordingly they as lively ſtones are ſaid to be built up a Spirituall houſe, 1 Pet. 2. 5. And accordingly,
The Church is ſaid to be built up and edified, when either in the firſt founding and erecting, or in after repairing and reforming.
1. His word is purely and orderly diſpenſed, when upon Chriſt 1 Cor. 3. 11, 12.the foundation is built no wood, hay, ſtubble of falſe or frothy Doctrines, but gold, ſilver, and precious ſtones of ſolid, and ſpiritual Epheſ. 4. 21.truth, as it is in Jeſus. So we finde true inſtruction, to be called edification, as 1 Cor. 14. 4. where he that Propheſieth, i. e. inſtructeth the people, is ſaid to edify the Church.
2. Sacraments and Church Cenſures are duly adminiſtred, and as is in a true wrought building, Col. 2 5.a due order, and Symmetry kept and obſerved.
3. In a word, when the Church in all the Ordinances, and outward conſtitution, and ſtate of it, is ſet up, and held up, enlarged, and ſetled, as we have it fitly to our preſent purpoſe expreſſed of the Temple in Joaſh his time, 2 Chron. 24. 15. where it is ſaid, that the work was perfected by them, or healing went up upon the work, when all the ruines and breaches were repaired, and they ſet the foreignhouſe of God in his ſtate, or forme, or upon his firm baſis or foundation, and ſtrengthened it. So now when the Church of Chriſt ſhall prove ſo unhappy as to have the breaches and decayes of it made up, ſhall be firmly ſetled on its true foundation, and raiſed up to its juſt ſtature and conſtitution, then it is more compleatly built up and edified.
And the like proportionably is to be ſaid of particular Believers, the true members of the Church, for they alſo are edified, when by the Word and other Ordinances, by which the Church it ſelf was before ſaid to be built up, they are
1. Brought to Chriſt, and built upon him as the onelyonly true Foundation, 1 Pet. 2. 4, 5. and in reference onelyonly to him upon the doctrinall foundation of the Prophets and Apoſtles, Chriſt mean while continuing the corner-ſtone, Eph. 2. 20.
2. And thereupon are confirmed and grow up in grace both in themſelves, and with one another as it's added, Eph. 2. 21. in whom all the building fitly framed together foreign, &c.groweth unto an holy Temple in the Lord. And thus we are ſaid to be edified in knowledge, 1 Cor. 14. 4. in faith, Jude v. 20. in love, 1 Cor. 8. 1. Eph. 4. 16. and the like may be ſaid of all other gaces.
3. So that a good life, as the topſtone, is laid upon good doctrine, an outward holy converſation is added to all our inward grace, and holy profeſſion, then, and truly not till then, may we cry, Grace, grace to it, as in the building of the ſecond Temple, Zechariah 4. 7.
4. And when we are thus converted, and edified, we further labour to ſtrengthen, and build up our Brethren, Luke 22. 32. 1 Theſ. 5. 11.
And therefore now for the applying Vſe. of this to our ſelves. In the forementioned particulars we have our work cut out to our hand, and laid before us; we now have reſt, as theſe here had, it concerneth us therefore not now to be negligent 2 Chron. 29. 11.and idle, but to get up and be doing, that we may be edified, as they were.
And here our firſt great care muſt be, that Chriſt in all be laid for the only foundation. You may poſſibly think this a ſtrange leſſon to be taught them who already profeſſe themſelves Chriſtians, as though we had need to lay again the foundation, as the Apoſtle ſpeaketh, Heb. 6. 1. but that our unhappy times are moſt unhappily become like thoſe, which the Pſalmiſt in his dayes ſpake of, in which Pſal. 11. 3.Foundations were deſtroyed. For now (that I may uſe the Apoſtles words) foreign, the very principles of the doctrine of Chriſt, the moſt Fundamental Scripture-truths; ſuch I mean, as are not onelyonly ſufficient to build us up in a good life, as ſome now Dr H. of Fundam. cap. 1.mince it, but ſuch as are abſolutely to be believed and practiſed to ſalvation, are not onelyonly doubted of, but boldly and blaſphemouſly denyed and impugned, and this for the moſt part impunè, and without controul. Whileſt the Papiſt robs Chriſt of his offices, the Socinian ſpoileth him of his Deity, the Antiſcripturiſt of the Scepter of his Kingdom, and others blaſpheme him into a Notion, a Forme, a very Impoſtor. Lord! is thy Church edified, when foundations are thus overturned? and what can? what ſhould the righteous now do? But the more that others pull down, the more they ſhould labour to build up both themſelves and others, in their moſt holy faith, upon the foundations of the Apoſtles and Prophets, Jeſus Jude 20. Eph. 2. 20.Chriſt himſelf being the cornerſtone, with whom whoſoever gathereth Math. 12. 30.not, ſcattereth, and on whom whoſoever (be he othrewiſe never ſo great a maſter builder) buildeth not, beſides what he doth to others, is certain to ruine himſelf unavoidably, irrecoverably: we know (to this purpoſe) what became of thoſe Builders that rejected this precious Corner-ſtone, Matth. 24. 42, 43. and ſtill, and ever that will prove true which followeth, v. 44. That whoſoever falleth on this ſtone, ſhall be broken: but on whomſoever it ſhall fall, it will grinde him to powder. He is ſure to build a Babel of confuſion, who layeth not Chriſt firſt, for the onelyonly foundation. It is ſaid, Luke 17 28.that in the dayes of Lot, they planted, they builded, but fire and brimſtone from heaven ſoon conſumed all thoſe buildings: and in this buſie age of ours, we are as intent to raiſe up Fabricks of our own, both in our opinions and judgements, and in our other deſignes and practiſes, thereby to advance our eſtates or eſteemes, and becauſe Chriſt and his Truth and Grace will not, cannot ſquare with them, with thoſe Builders we leave him out, and lay him aſide, as not for our turn; But what Caſtlecome-downs will all ſuch buildings prove that are daub'd with ſuch Ezek. 13. 10, 11.untempered morter? Certainly, ſuch wood, hay, and ſtubble will burn. Such buildings will not ſtand that are built upon the ſand, Mat. 7. 24, 25, 26, 27.and not on this rock. In the cloſe it will be found that this is not to edification but to deſtruction: let our firſt care therefore be to make Chriſt our ground-work and foundation.
And then the ſecond ſhould be that the Ordinances of Chriſt be ſet up, and kept up in their purity and power. This is Gods building up of Zion, when he Pſal. 102. 16.builds a Tower (a Temple) in the midſt of his vineyard, Iſa. 5 2. and ſetleth all the Formes, Ordinances, Ezech. 43. 11.and offices of his houſe. This is the building of the Church, both in reference to the generall conſtitution of the whole, as alſo to the ſaving edification of the ſeverall members of it.
When the wholeſome word of God is diſpenſed according to his will: for it is able to build us up, Acts 20. 32.
And when Sacraments and Cenſures are adminiſtred according to his Word: for in the ſtedfaſt continuance, and communion in theſe Ordinances, the firſt and beſt Believers grew up, increaſed and multiplied, Acts 2. 41, 42, &c.
And from hence take we notice of our ſin, and duty.
1. Our ſin in this particular is Our ſin.very great; for although through Gods mercy the State hath ſome reſt, yet the Church, according to thoſe particulars, is very far from being edified. We are ſtill on the pulling-down hand, or if building up, it is of Babels, in which we cannot agree, or underſtand one another; nay, of Temples and Altars to Idols, which was not only Manaſſehs ſin, 2 Chron. 33. 3, 4, 5. but even Solomons, 1 Kings 11. 7. which the Prophets up and down cry out of in Iſrael and Judah, and in the mean while of the neglect and ruine of Gods Temple: a ſin which we are ſadly and deeply guilty of, whileſt
1. The Fanatick Enthuſiaſt is caught up ſo high in the Spirit, that he now is gotten above all Ordinances, and doth tanquam ex alto deſpicere, undervalue and deſpiſe them as poor empty Formes, and weak beggerly Rudiments and elements for thoſe of lower Attainments (as they in their gibberiſh are pleaſed to phraſe them) to be trained up with. The Lord humble the blaſphemous pride of theſe ſelf-conceited men, who thus attempt to ſpurn down, (as much below them) Chriſts own Inſtitutions, which he hath appointed as fit and able by his bleſſing to build up his people in faith and love, and by an humble and faithful improvement whereof, many of their betters both dead and alive, have attained to ſo much inward ſettlement and peace, and far more real and ſubſtantiall holineſſe, and the power of godlineſſe, than ever any of theſe our Tranſcendents in their high-flown way either have really attained, or can truly ſo much as pretend to. Conſtant obſervation, and too ſad experience have taught us, that the Church of God hath been poorly edified by theſe who have daubed up their Babel with ſuch untempered morter, whileſt Gods Temple and Ordinances are thus deſpiſed and trampled upon by theſe Enthuſiaſts.
2. Whileſt by our Atheiſticall Politicians, and other prophane ſinners, both thoſe Ordinances, and the deſires and endevours of all ſuch as would advance them, are either openly oppoſed and hindred, or at leaſt inwardly maligned and derided, as weak attempts of ſilly people to ſet and hold up ſorry Bug-beares, which which were at firſt onelyonly inventions of more crafty men to keep Inferiors in aw, and blinde obedience. Thus Calvins courſe in the Reformation of Geneva hath with ſome but a little better interpretation. And ſo Tobiah of old jeared R. H.Nehemiahs building Jeruſalems wals, Nehem. 4. 3. and Michal deſpiſed David in her heart for dancing before the Ark in its aſcent to Zion, 2 Sam. 6. 16. Now the Lord grant, that ſuch ſcornfull malicious oppoſers and ruiners of the Church of Chriſt, may in due time be as much caſt down in their own eyes, as they were Nehem. 6. 16. when they ſhall ſee this work to be wrought of God, and as much then dejected, as they have been exceedingly grieved that there were, or are any that ſeriouſly endevour it, like them, Nehem. 2. 10.
3. But the Church is the more ſlowly edified, not onelyonly by reaſon of ſuch enemies malice and oppoſition, but alſo by other mens neglect through ſloath and ſelf-ſeeking: for with the returned Jews we are ſo eager on building of our own houſes, that mean while Hag. 1. 2, 4.we let the houſe of God lye waſte, and with them perſwade our ſelves that it is not yet time to build it; many other fair houſes we may ſee every day almoſt every where going up apace, whiles Churches lye ruined, and ſhut up, or not frequented: Do not ſome of us build our own houſes upon the ruines of Gods? To ſuch the Prophets Jer. 22. 13word is very heavy, whileſt he cryeth Wo to him that buildeth his houſe by unrighteouſneſſe and his chambers by wrong; againſt ſuch Hab. 2. 11, 12.the ſtone out of the wal wil cry, and the beam out of the Timber. Such Eagles feathers will conſume all ſuch mens ſtately plumes, which they ſo feather their neſts with, when they ſhall ſee them ſet on fire with ſuch coals from the Altar which they dreamed not of: but I leave them.
And deſire that all of us, even the beſt of us may be humbled for our remiſſeneſſe in ſetting upon, and carrying on this building up of the Church of Chriſt, which (as other Church-work is wont) goeth on very ſlowly, and may complain as the Criple, who lay ſo John 5 7.long at the pool of Betheſda, that while it is ſometimes getting on, and in ſome forwardneſſe alwayes ſome buſineſs or other (and uſually of our own) ſteppeth in before it.
But better men in Scripture have written us a better copy. David now choſen to be King, and therefore had buſineſſe enough, with what ſpeed he could, to ſettle his own houſe, yet in the firſt place takes care of Gods, would not enter into his princely palace, nor lye down on his ſoft bed, nor ſleep, nay not ſo much as ſlumber, till he had found out a place for the Lord, an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob, Pſal. 132. 3, 4, 5. The Lord pardon us, that whileſt for theſe many years, we have been about this work, at leaſt have ſeemed to have been (God knoweth what from the heart we at firſt, and ſince have really intended) we have been ſo often nodding and ſlumbering, that at laſt, as to this buſineſſe, we ſeem to be fallen faſt aſleep; and He in mercy grant that ſome terrible judgement do not at laſt awake us. But David we ſee had a more watchfull eye upon it.
And Solomon in his firſt and beſt dayes trode in his fathers ſteps, builds Gods houſe before his own, and although he was longer in building the latter, yet (it may be) it was, becauſe he imployed more workmen, and more care and diligence about the former that he might the ſooner diſpatch it, when he was more deſirous and earneſt to injoy it.
And afterward in Judahs return from Babylon, Ezra layeth the foundations of the Temple, before Nehemiah raiſeth up the City walls: and truly if the Prophet would be firſt ſerved of the widow of Zareptahs proviſions, 1 King. 17. 13.before her ſelf; is it fit that we ſhould ſerve our ſelves before our God? this is our Sin.
2. And therefore the contrary Our Duty.is our Duty, that with one ſhoulder, with all our heart and utmoſt endevour, we would ſet about this great good work, that Gods Church at laſt may be edified. It is ſaid of Baruch, foreign flagranti animo inſtauravit, that he earneſtly repaired Jeruſalems wall, Nehem. 3. 20. and truly we have need,
As of much wiſdom, when we are now to build a Tower, to ſit down, and to account the coſt, Luke 14. 28.
So of much courage and zeal to carry on, and to go through with this work, for we may make account, Ezr. 4. 1, 2. 5. 3. Nehem. 2. 19. 4 3. 7. 6. 1, 2. &c.with Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah to meet with all that ſcorn and oppoſition that either man or devil, can help us with to hinder us: that we have need of Baruchs foreign warmth & heat the more to quicken us, and to burn their cords aſunder, the zeal of Gods houſe ſhould even Joh. 2. 7.eat us up, as it did our Saviour; ſo as to conſume and break through all ſuch obſtacles, that that word may never be ſaid of us, thoſe men begun to build, but Luke 14. 30.were not able to finiſh but that we may ſtill advance and go through with it, as it is often repeated in that ſtory of their repairing of Jeruſalem, that they did not onelyonly build the walls, and lay the beams, but alſo ſet up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof, i. e. they reſted not, till they had compleated all: Nehem. 3. 3. 6. 15. In which chapter from the example of thoſe builders of Jeruſalems walls, we have many uſefull directions in this like work of edifying the Church of Chriſt, and out of diverſe others I make choice to inſtance only in two, for our better direction in it.
1. That all are to be imployed in this good work.
2. But every one according to his own rank and calling.
This is a boon work which none muſt be exempted from, but all, of all ages, ſexes, degrees and conditions, are to have their ſhare, and accordingly to be engaged in. As in the rearing up of the Tabernacle, the women ſpun, Exod. 35. 20, 21. &c.and the men wrought, ſome brought gold and precious ſtones, others goats hair and more inferiour materials: So here in the building up of Jeruſalems walls, you have all imployed.
Both ſexes, not only men, but even women prove workmen, and ſo you read of Halluſh and his daughters, v. 12.
And the like you may there obſerve of all callings and conditions of the people, not only the richer Gold-ſmiths, who had three ſhares, v. 8. 31, 32. and the Merchants, who had two, v. 31, 32. but even the meaner Heardſ-men of Tekoah, who had their double ſhare, v. 5. 27. as Amos 1. 1.uſually it proves, that meaner men are the true labourers, not only in their own work, but alſo in carrying on the publick good.
But yet it is fit that the Governours of the Church and State ſhould be Principals, and ſo here they were.
For in the 1. verſe we finde Eliaſhib the High Prieſt, and his Brethren in the firſt lot, and beginning the good work; and with them other Prieſts, v. 22. 28. and Levites, v. 17. yea, even inferiour Nethinims the Temple water-drawers, verſ. 26 ſo that amongſt them they had five lots.
But the Princes and Rulers had eight, and amongſt them v. 9. 12. 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19.the Rulers of Jeruſalem are ſet firſt, v. 9. 12. not (it may be) ſo much for their place and dignity, as for their prime forwardneſs in ſo bleſſed a work, and withall they have two lots of the eight (as more rich and able and willing too, a good pattern for our chief Towns, and Cities in the like work) and the Rulers of inferiour places make up the other ſix. v. 14 15, 16, 17, 18, 19. OnelyOnly the ignoble Nobles of Tekoah (it may be ſome rich Graſiers, or Country covetous Leards, amongſt their Neighbour Heardſmen) were too good, or rather too baſe, to put their necks to the work of the Lord, v. 5.
A fit Model for us in this building Miniſters.of the Church, to work by. The Prieſts had five lots in that, and the Miniſters have a very great ſhare in this: from the high Prieſt to the loweſt Nethinim, all of greateſt or leaſt places, parts, graces, all Churchmen eſpecially have an intereſt in this Church-work, as they have that ſpecial office in it, ſo they above all, ſhould have a ſpecial care of it; Their foreign or proper work is to be Builders, 1 Cor. 3. 9, 10. Pſal. 118. 22. And the very end of their office, gifts, and authority, is the edification of the Church, Epheſ. 4. 12. 2 Cor. 10. 8. Oh, therefore that as by our variance we have made it a Babel, ſo by our union and joynt endevours Jeruſalem may once be it ſelf, a viſion of peace, and that now at laſt, as it was of old, it may be again built Pſal. 122. 3.as a City that is compact together. For our encouragement wherein, take we notice of that remarkable providence, viz. that God did ſo graciouſly accept, and highly eſteem Eliaſhibs and the reſt of the Prieſts beginning to build up Jeruſalems wals, that whereas they began that happy work at the ſheep-gate, Neh 3. 1. that very place he ſo remarkably honoured, that he miraculouſly bleſſed it with that healing pool of Betheſda, which cured all commers, of which you read John 5. Junius.2, 3, 4.
I cannot promiſe miracles: but I ſhould hope for a marvellous healing of our breaches, if according to this pattern our Miniſters would be foremoſt in this bleſſed work of building up the Church of Chriſt.
In which Magiſtrates (as they Magiſtrates.have moſt power, ſo they) have the greater ſhare, as in that pattern they had eight lots, to the Prieſts five, and ſo before we read, Then roſe up the chief of the Fathers of Judah and Benjamin, with the Prieſts and Levites whoſe ſpirit God had raiſed, to go to build the houſe of God, Ezr. 1. 5. and afterward, when their ſpiri…s were ſomewhat down by reaſon of many diſcouragements they met with, upon the Prophets ſtirring them up, chap. 5. 1. it is again ſaid, Then roſe up Zerubbabel and Joſhua, and began again to build it, the Prophets of God helping them, v. 2. Miniſters ſhould be helpers, and Magiſtrates (eſpecially ſupreme Magiſtrates) ſhould be Principals. So Cyrus confeſſeth he had a charge from God laid upon him to build his houſe, Ezra 1. 2. and how Chriſtian Magiſtrates, who have far more, and ſtronger tyes, can be looſed and exempted from this charge, I know not; this I find that Abraham, Gen. 12. 7, 8. Iſaac, Gen. 26. 25. Jacob, Gen. 33. 20. thoſe great Patriarchs, where ever they pitched their Tent, they there built an Altar. Micah, though none of the beſt men, yet (as it ſeemeth by his ſtory) one of ſome good rank, accounted himſelf made when he had got a Jud. 17. 13 18. 24Prieſt and a Teraphim, and utterly undone when afterward he had loſt them; as the loſs of the 1 Sam. 4. 18. 20. Joſh. 18. 1.Ark brake Elies neck, and his daughter in laws heart. Joſhua takes care to place the Ark in Shiloh, which was in Ephraim, his Tribe. And although building of Altars to God was but rarely thought of by Saul, 1 Sam. 14. 35. and the Ark of God in his time but little looked after 1 Chron. 13. 3. yet he getteth See the Engliſh Annot. on 1 Sam. 21. 1. though B…rtram. conceiveth it to have been removed from Nob before Sauls time. de Rep. Jud. cap. 15. pag. 248.it to Nob in Benjamin, which was his Tribe. And afterward David when once come to the Throne getteth it to Zion, 2 Sam. 6. which was his own city, v. 16. It ſeemeth theſe great men thought it beſt, and their both duty and ſecurity to have the Ark of God by them: And it is worth ſuch mens moſt ſerious thoughts to conſider, what both pains and coſt David was at to ſettle it in Zion, and Solomon afterward in Jeruſalem, and with what ſolemnity they did it: David gathereth all the choſen men of Iſrael with all the people to bring it up with all kinds of muſick: He himſelf dancing before it with all his might, though he was laughed at by Michal as a fool for ſo doing, 2 Sam. 6. And Solomon to bring it from Zion to be ſetled in his Temple hath as great a convocation, 1 King. 8. 1, 2, 3. and He himſelf with the Princes went before it in the head of that Proceſſion, v. 5. where it is added that they offered ſo many ſheep and oxen that they could not be told n…r numbred for multitude. Indeed v. 63. they are numbred to have been two and twenty thouſand oxen, and an hundred and twenty thouſand ſheep: but it was the greateſt ſacrifice for number of offerings, that ever was heard of, or read either in ſacred or profane writers; which ſheweth at what a rate they did (and all that are in their place, ſhould value the building up of Gods houſe, and the ſetlement of his ordinances, and be no loſers by them neither: for they will quit all the care and coſt, which they put them or any to, as the Ark fully ſatisfied Obed-edom for its intertainment, 2 Sam. 6. 12. and ſo ſtill
1. Their ſetling of Gods houſe will eſtabliſh their own, as Caeſar did his own ſtatues by erecting Pompey's. God promiſeth to build David an houſe, becauſe he did but only purpoſe to build him one, 2 Sam. 7. 11.
2. It will be the moſt Orient Gemme in their Crown, is it ſelf, & will make them moſt honourable in the ſight of God and man. So we finde that in all that royall ſtate of Solomon, which raviſhed the Queen of Sheba's heart, after the meat of his table, and the ſitting of his Servants, and all the reſt of that bravery, the laſt, as chiefeſt, is added, viz. His aſcent into the houſe of God, 1 King. 10. 4, 5. That made Solomon glorious while he lived, viz. the building of Gods houſe more then his own: and Jehojada's doing good in Iſrael both towards Ged and his houſe, gained him honour in a royall buriall, when he was dead, 2 Chr. 24. 16. Dead mens monuments uſe to be in Churches, but the building of Gods true Church would be their moſt glorious and laſting monument.
3. Nor will it be more honour to them from others, then trueſt inward ſatisfaction and comfort to themſelves in the cloſing up of their lives, & at their laſt account. After all that great good which Nehemiah had done for the State in the foregoing Chapters, how ſweetly and comfortably doth he cloſe up all in the laſt Chapter of that Book, with reflecting upon his care and zeal for the houſe and ordinances of God? in his taking care for the ſanctifying of the Sabbath, in his cleanſing of the Temple, in his providing for the Prieſts portions, and in his chaſing away ſuch as intended and defiled the Prieſthood? with what comfort and humble boldneſs could he ſay, Remember me, ô my God, concerning this, and again, Remember me Nehem.concerning this alſo. What happy 13. 14. v. 22.Items were theſe in his laſt reckonings? and yet again (not as though by his ſo often putting God in mind he were ſubject to forget, but the more to aſſure us that he will be ſure to remember) again I ſay) he v. 31.addeth the third time, Remember me ô God for good, and ſo he ends his Book: and ô happy all they who are in his place, if with ſuch a word in their mouths they can end their lives, as with a ſweet aire after a ſtroak ſtruck by a skilfull hand on a well tuned inſtrument.
But although Magiſtrates in this People.work have the greateſt taks, yet the people, and all private Chriſtians, yea the leaſt and meaneſt of them, have their proportionable ſhare, as the leaſt ſtones, yea though they ſerve only for filling up the wall, in their place and proportion conduce much to the getting up of the building, and that as well as the chiefeſt corner ſtones, & they that lye in the foundation: He that ſerveth the Maſon, helpeth up the building, as well as the Maſter-workman: The poor widow may Mark 12. 42. Exod. 35. 26.caſt her two mites into the treaſury of the Temple and the women that ſpun goats hair helped on the work of the Tabernacle, as well as Bezaleel: The rich Gold-ſmiths had three lots, Nehem. 3. 8. 31, 32. (as it was fit that their proportion ſhould be greater anſwerable to their ability) and yet the Heardſmen of Tekoah had two, v. 5. 27. The Apoſtle ſpeaks of a foreign, and an foreign and an foreign, in every part of the body of Chriſt, in which the leaſt member hath its meaſure of grace and ability, and anſwerable thereto it hath its energy or effectuall working; and, proportionable to it, its foreign or ſupply that it affordeth, and ſo by the joynt acting of all the members, there is made an increaſe of the whole body, unto the edifying of it ſelf in love.
Let not therefore Gideon ſay, My family is poor in Manaſſeh, and I Iudg. 6. 15am the leaſt in my fathers houſe, and wherewith ſhall I ſave Iſrael? let not the pooreſt, and weakeſt, and moſt private Chriſtian ſay, My body, parts, eſtate, are all weak and poor, and how then ſhall I ever do any thing towards the edifying of the Church, or advance the ſetling of the ordinances of Chriſt? For,
1. All the Saints are in Circuitu, Revel. 4. 6. 10.round about the Throne, and in point of Communion with Chriſt, the poor may be as near to him as the richeſt, and therefore although ſuch of you can otherwiſe do but little, yet your prayers may do very much with 1 Theſ. 5. 25. 2 Theſ. 1. 3 Heb. 13. 18.him, who alone muſt do all. This made Paul ſo frequently and earneſtly begg the prayers of all, when he was upon this work, though he was a Maſter-builder.
2. Their holy life may yet do more, as effectually prevailing with him to continue and increaſe ſuch means of grace, which they ſo thrive by, as long as his ſervants watch and work, he is pleaſed to keep in the light, it was not then ſo with Epheſus, when Chriſt threatned to remove her Candleſtick, Revel. 2. 5.
3. As weak and mean as they are their particular indevours may much advance the Churches common ſervice. As in great mens families, ſo in the houſe of God, there are variety of offices, ſome more mean and homely, and yet moſt neceſſary, which perſons of meaner parts and place are more fit for. A little Piercer is fitter to make a hole to drive in a nail, then a great wimble, and the little finger, may in ſome poſture reach that which the greateſt and longeſt cannot: and ſo in the body myſtical, as well as natural, the members that ſeem to be more feeble, are neceſſary, 1 Cor. 12. 22. And therefore in this building up of the Church, did we but ſeriouſly ſtudy it; and our ſelves, we ſhould finde ſome lower ſervices, which men of lower abilities, and ſtandings, like our ſelves, and ſo we with them, may be moſt fit to ſtoop to, and never have occaſion to ſtand Mark 20. 7all the day idle with this excuſe, that none hath hired us, for every one of us, the very meaneſt of us may do ſomething.
4. But many ſuch weak ones joyning together, may ariſe to a conſiderable ability. All buildings Joſeph Antiqu. lib. 15. cap. 14.are not m…de onelyonly of ſuch vaſt ſquare ſtones, as Solomons Temple was, but many of leſſer bricks, nay little Flints (we ſee) if well laid together in good morter ſerve to make very ſtrong building: and that great Beam which no one ſtrongeſt man can ſtirre, many weaker hands may eaſily lift up: How great a fire may little ſticks make, if many, and laid together? Jor and Dan, though leſſer Rivolets whileſt aſunder, when met and joyned in one Current, make an overflowing Jordan. How faſt might this Church-work go up, if many hands, though but weak ones, would joyne in it? The children gathered wood, whileſt the fathers kindled the fire, and the women kneaded dough to make Cakes Iet. 7. 18.for the Queen of heaven: and if many weaker hands with thoſe that are ſtronger were joyntly put to this work, the houſe of the King of heaven would more ſpeedily be built up and edified.
5. Although it ſhould be little or nothing that either ſingly or together we could do of our ſelves, yet it might do much in ſetting others on work, who are able to do more, as the Corinthians zeal provoked many, 2 Cor. 9. 2. little ſtickes uſe to kindle great ones. In the Church of Chriſt, there are not onelyonly foreign, 1 Cor. 12. 28.but alſo foreign, Helps as well as Governments; and ſuch helpers weak Inferiors may prove, and ſo Paul the great Apoſtle calleth Aquila and Priſcilla, that were but Tent-makers, his helpers, Rom. 16. 3. Weak ones may help thoſe that are more able,
Either by incouraging them in their work, as Paul when he doth but ſee the Brethren is thankfull, and taketh courage, Act. 28. 15.
Or at leaſt by ſhaming their backwardneſs, with their forwardneſs, and that with this advantage, that herein the weakeſt are able to do the moſt, in that the weaker they are, the more they ſhame the ſtronger, if they fall ſhort of their activity and diligence.
6. And yet the more, in that by provoking their ſtrength, we ſhall improve our own weakneſs to be able to act the more ſtrongly, our little wheels being carried about by their great ones, which we have ſet a going, and the great ſluce opened and ſet a running turneth about our Mill; and the great Ship now under Sail carrieth the Cock-boat along with it, which helped to weigh its anchor. So Aquila and Priſcilla by helping Apollos, Act. 18. 24. 26. v. 27.mightily helped themſelves, and others by his greater abilities, for it is added, that he helped them much, who had beleeved through grace.
So that from theſe and the like conſiderations we ſee that private Chriſtians, and even the weakeſt of them are ingag…d in this great good work of edifying the Church of God, in which, if they ply it, they may do much good.
I am ſure, that by their contrary neglect, or practiſe they may both much hinder it, and at laſt ruine all. For,
1. It is but a very weak hand that cannot more powerfully draw a great weight down the hill, then a very ſtrong arme can pull it up. How doth a little Remora ſtay a great ſhip in her full ſpeed? and one ſtop in the leaſt wheel or pin, make an huge engine ſtand ſtill in its ſwifteſt motion? Very ſorry men have proved ſad hinderances to the advance of the things of Chriſt and his Church, through their boldneſs, and others baſeneſs, whileſt the devil can have more active Agents againſt the Church, then Chriſt can have for it.
2 Or although ſuch ſorry adverſaries ſtrength and ability may be little, yet their ſins may be very great; they weak men, but theirs may be mighty ſins; Amos. 5. 12.and ſo although in their private low ſtanding they can do little with men, yet by their horrid abominations they may moſt highly provoke God, and ſo one Achan may trouble all Iſrael, Ioſh. 7. 25. Eccleſ. 10. 1.and one ſinner deſtroy much good, one otherwiſe weak hand pull down more, then many abler can build up; And thus we ſee that not onelyonly Magiſtrates and Miniſters, but all even the moſt private and meaneſt Chriſtians have an intereſt and ſhare in this bleſed work of edifying and building up the Church of Chriſt: which was the firſt leſſon we were to learn from the example of thoſe repairers of Jeruſalems walls, in Nehe. 3.
But ſo, as that we muſt herewith take in the ſecond, which was, that although all are ingaged to act, yet every one according to his rank, and in his own proper calling and ſtation: for ſo we find it was in that pattern held out to us in the place before mentioned, where we find that ſeveral perſons and companies had their ſeveral lots and quarters, and ſo they repaired their parts, Nehem. 3 20, 21. 31. and eſpecially that part of the wall which was over againſt their houſes, as you may obſerve, v. 10. 23. 28, 29. which teacheth us, that although in this common work, we ſhould all, of all ſorts, join thy agree to be acting, yet ſo as that every one of us keep within the bounds of our own ſtations and callings, and ſo hold our ſelves to our own particular alotments, that we do not, either out of a vain conceit of our own ſufficiency, or a raſh head precipitancy foreign, and being vainly puffed up with a fleſhly mind, foreign boldly intrude into other mens places and employments Col. 2. 18.which we are not ſitted to, and ſo neither by God or man called to.
I would have the houſe of God built, the Church of Chriſt edified, but I would not therefore have all Ignaroes prove Preachers, or privy counſellors, and every Jac Ket get up into his Quercus Reformatoria, which will as much advance the work, as Ʋzza did the ſetling of the Ark, by laying hold 2 Sam. 6. 6, 7. Num. 45. 5.of it, (who by the Law ſhould not have touched it) who ſtop't it, and not furthered it; or as much as a whole army will help on the victory, by running all on heaps in a confuſion, and ſo rather tread down themſelves, then their enemies. Miſtake me not therefore, I onelyonly bid you all march on, but yet ſo as that you keep your ranks. And for that purpoſe, mind and weigh well, the abilitie, God hath given you, the calling in which he hath ſet you, and that particular work and cue in it, both in your private and publick relation, as may keep you from invading an others province, which intruſions are uſually accompanied with the neglect of our own lot, and ſo with the publick detriment, as had Ieruſalems repairers bin buſy to look to other mens alotments, the enemie might ſoon have come in at their breach, which they never looked to. Let us therefore with them labour to build up Ieruſalems wall, but ſo as that our care be to look to our own Frontage, to that part of it which is over againſt our own houſes, which fitly leads me from this 2d part of edifying the Church, in ſetting up, and ſetling publick ordinances, to the
Third, and that is the edifying of our ſelves in our eſtabliſhment and growth in faith and all other ſaving graces: for the whole is made up of the parts, and the growth of the body is in a proportionable increaſe of all the members. If ever therefore we would according to the ſquare of the word edify the Church, we muſt take care to build up our ſelves in our moſt holy faith, as Iude exhorteth us, v. 20. that by faith coming to Chriſt the living ſtone, we alſo as lively ſtones may be built up a Spiritual houſe, an holy Prieſthood, to offer up ſpiritual ſacrifices, acceptable to God, by Ieſus Chriſt, 1 Pet. 2. 4, 5. Otherwiſe we may gather Churches, as many now do, and build material Churches, as in and after Conſtantines time, both He and many others did, and yet for all this, the Church of God may be but a very little edified. They do very ill, who cry down all Formes, although of Gods own making and inſtitution; and they do little better, who make them indeed but bare Formes, like painted Churches, in a Lantskip. So the Iewes of old made a charme of the Temple of the Lord, The Temple of the Lord, The Temple of the Lord, Ier. 7. 4. as before they made the Ark of God a foreign, a bug-bear to fright enemies, which they themſelves ſo long played with, that at laſt both They and It were carried away captive, 1 Sam. 4. 3, 4, 5. It is not the crying up Holy Church, with Papiſts; or Reformed Churches in the moſt refined Formes of them, with Proteſtants; theſe reſted in are but Names and Notions, Names indeed of God by which, in our walking anſwerable to them, he is known, but horribly taken in vain, whileſt reſted in, and will do us no more good, then Gehezies laying the ſtaff on the dead 2 King. 4. 31. 1 King. 1. 1.child, could bring life into it, or Davids cloathes warmth to his ſpent body; nay we ſhall prove worſe by them, as (they ſay) the Cypreſs tree the more it's watred, the more barren it groweth, worſt men have often been found under beſt Ordinances. So in Penuel (which ſignifieth the face and preſence of God) we meet with ſcornfull Neuters, Iudg. 8. 8. and in Bethel (the houſe of God) with ſcoffing, Idolaters, 2 King. 2. 23. Bethel proveth Beth-aven, Hoſ. 10. 5. foreign is but foreign, Circumciſion the Conciſion, Philip. 3. 2. and the nearer we are to the Church, the further from God, and nearer to a curſe, and our end is to be burnt; when after all ſhoures and Sunſhines we bring forth onelyonly bryars and thornes, Heb. 6. 7. 8. The Church is indeed then built, when the members of it are truely and ſavingly edified, and are foreign 1 Pet. 2. 5.foreign as lively, or living ſtones, which do not onelyonly lye in the wall but grow in the building: When inward grace thrives, according to outward meanes, and when our communication, and whole converſation, is good to the uſe of edifying, as the Apoſtle ſpeaketh, Eph. 4. 29. When a good life is built upon good Doctrine, then is the Church indeed edified.
But ſo as (in the laſt place) that we labour to do as much for others, as that laſt mentioned place intimateth, That we edifie foreign, one another, Singuli ſingulos, 1 Theſ. 5. 11. and this mutually, foreign, Rom. 14. 19. that by our miſcarriages we do not edifie them in ſin; for ſuch 1 Cor. 8. 10a kinde of untoward edifying the Scripture ſomewhere ſpeaks of, but by pious admonitions, and holy examples, and all other good meanes, we endevour to bring men to Chriſt the foundation and that then they may be ſettled upon him, and grow up in him: and this alſo is held out unto us in that former expreſſion of living ſtones, which do not onelyonly live and grow our ſelves, but are alſo lively and active to draw on others to the building: ſuch a care the Apoſtles had of any where they found any hopes or beginnings, and therefore as ſoon as ever they heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they preſently ſent unto them Peter and John further to bring them on, and build them up, Acts 8. 14, 15. which is excellently ſet down in that place of the Canticles, where Chap. 8. 9.we ſee what tender care the elder Churches had of their little ſiſter in this holy Oecodomy; If ſhe were a wall, they would build upon her a palace of ſilver; If a door, they would incloſe her with boards of cedar. If a door that See Merce▪ in locum.had opened to Chriſt, their incloſing her with boards, or barres of Cedar, which never rotteth, expreſſeth what care they had in confirming and ſtrengthning her: If a wall (i. e. more confirmed and ſettled) their building upon her a palace of ſilver, holds forth their further endevour for her continued growth, ornament, and perfection: and theſe two take up what before I ſaid was generally contained in this duty of edification: and in particular,
1. When Chriſt as the foundation is firſt laid,
2. His Ordinances are ſet up and ſetled according to his Word.
3. We in the injoyment of them eſtabliſhed and grow in grace our ſelves,
4. And are means and inſtruments buſily imployed for the effecting of the like in others, then in the ſenſe of the Text, and other Scriptures the Church is edified,
Which ſhould the more earneſtly be deſired and endevoured by us,
1. As knowing the time; as the Apoſtle ſpeaketh, Rom. 13. 11. Motive 1.(for it is a duty very much incumbent on us in theſe laſt Ages to be indevoured, becauſe it is on Gods part) a mercy frequently promiſed to theſe latter dayes. If you look into the ſeverall books of the Iſa 58. 12. 61. 4. Ier. 31. 4 Ezech. 36. 36.Prophets; in the end of many (if not of moſt) of them, you ſhall finde many gracious and glorious promiſes made of the then building of the Church. In this reſpect, it is the work of the day, and therefore, I hope we will not ſtand all the day idle, but that it may be our happineſſe that theſe Propheſies and promiſes may be moſt happily fulfilled not onelyonly upon us, but alſo by us, whileſt we thus diligently act for their accompliſhments.
But in two other reſpects it is the work of this our day in England, according to the two readings of the Text, which I before mentioned.
Either they then had reſt, and thereupon were edified,
Or they were edified, and thereupon had reſt; and accordingly we have two ſtrong arguments yet further to preſſe this duty.
We have already through Gods mercy ſome reſt, and therefore there is all reaſon that we ſhould now be edified according to the firſt reading.
And again we have need to be edified, that ſo we may have our reſt confirmed, and our begun peace continued, according to the ſecond reading.
We have (with them) attained Motive 2 to ſome reſt, and therefore in point of ingenuous gratitude, and that we may anſwer Gods gracious providence, we are now in ſo fit a ſeaſon, to endevour that we may be edified: For fair weather, (as I ſaid before) is the fitteſt time to build both our own, and Gods houſe in Solomon ſaith, There is a time to break down, & there is a time Eccleſ. 3. 3.to build. We have had a time of too much breaking down in time of war, and therefore now, if ever, is a time to build up, in time of peace. A clear ſhining after rain 2 Sam. 23. 4.makes a growing ſeaſon, ſuch is ours for the preſent, and therefore let us up and be doing: Gods Temple was built without axe and hammer, 1 King. 6. 7. but it was beat down by both, Pſal. 74. 6. War hindreth the building of Gods houſe, 1 King. 5. 3. but Peace ſhould further it, v. 4. 5. And therefore let us lay hold of this happy opportunity. In Heathen Rome, Janus his temple ſtood open onelyonly in time of war, to ſue to their gods for peace, which they then wanted, moſt diſingenuous! like a man that openeth the door onelyonly ſo far to his friend as to put out his hand to take in ſomething from him, which he ſtandeth in need of, and then to ſhut it upon him again. But true Chriſtians are more ingenuous, and therefore would have the Church doores opened as much in time of Peace, that they may go in, and return thanks for mercy received Thus we read of Aſa, 2 Chron. 14. 5, 6. That the kingdom was quiet before him, and the land had reſt, and he had no war in thoſe years, becauſe the Lord had given him reſt: whereupon it's immediatly added, v. 7. Therefore he ſaid unto Judah, Let us build while the land is yet before us; for we have ſought the Lord our God, and he hath given us reſt on every ſide, and ſo they built and proſpered: And ſo let us ſay, and do, who have the like occaſion, that we may have the ſame bleſſing: Thus let us build, and ſo let us proſper, and this in building not ſo much our own houſes as Gods. This was wont to be the care of Gods people in former times upon the like occaſions; Iſrael when got out of Egypt, and through the Red ſea, (and have not we?) reared up the Tabernacle: Solomon, when in peace, and no evill or adverſary occurrent, builds God a Temple, which although afterward their ſins ruined, yet upon their return from Babylon, it was their firſt work to build it again the ſecond time: and the like was the Chriſtian Churches care upon the ceaſing of the primitive perſecutions. And ſo God now by our preſent reſt from former troubles tryeth
Both our ingenuity and gratitude, whether when he hath thus wrought for us, we will work and build for him.
And alſo our wiſdom, whether we will take the fitteſt time for ſo needfull a work. What more neceſſary to be done then to build up Gods houſe, that thereby we may edifie our ſelves in faith and grace to ſalvation? and what fitter time can we either have, or wiſh to do it in, then when the coaſt is clear, and we may be at leiſure for it, and have nothing but our own naughty hearts to hinder us in it? But when ſhall we ſet about it, if not now? God hath given us Reſt, but not to be reſtive, reſt from outward trouble, that ſo we might be more expedite and ready thus to ſet upon his work, and ſo to work out our own ſalvation: Having Reſt, as there is a fit ſeaſon of it, ſo there is all reaſon that we ſhould labour to be edified, which was one Reading of the Words.
And being edified, we ſhall Motive 3.have reſt; which was the other Reading of them, and affordeth another ſtrong argument to inforce the duty, If edified, it will be a certain pledge and meanes of the continuance, ſettlement and eſtabliſhment of our begun reſt and peace. Read over Judahs ſtory, and you ſhall ever finde that all proſpered, while the Temple and Ordinances of God were upheld and honoured: and it is to be obſerved that when David had ſettled the Ark, 1 Chron. 16. 1. how in the ſequele of that Chapter, he calleth upon heaven and earth, Sea, and fields, and trees of the wood to rejoice, v. 31, 32, 33, &c. and how he puts together many parcels out of ſeverall other Pſalmes unto that one, as though all were not ſufficient to praiſe God for ſuch a mercy, into which ſo many are crowded. And how v. 30. when the Ark and Church was thus ſettled, he makes account that the whole world, with it, were eſtabliſhed; and no wonder, Iſa. 48. 18.ſeeing that for its ſake, it is continued: in this caſe the Prophet Iſaiah ſaith, Their peace ſhould be (not as a brook, which is ſoon dried up, but) as a River, continually flowing, and their righteouſneſſe as the waves of the ſea, one ſtill coming on in the neck of another: Were it our caſe, we might expect an uninterrupted ſeries of mercies.
But never ſhall I expect that at the long run, it ſhall be well with the State, if the Church continue to fare ill, or that our houſes will ſtand firm, whiles Gods lieth waſte: we may in that caſe build caſtles in the air, or upon a ſandy foundation, which will not abide when the ſtorm cometh; with Cain Gen. 4. 7. 15. 5.and Nimrod, we may build Nods and Babels, which according to the ſignification of thoſe names, will end in unſettlement, and confuſion: They ſhall build, and I will throw down, ſaith the Lord, Mal. 1. 4.
The Jews tell us that the three laſt Prophets died all on one day, and that on the very ſame day See Schinler. ad vocem. foreignAlexander as a Conquerour entred Jeruſalem; whether true or not, we may make this uſe of it, to think and conclude upon it, that when thorugh the unworthines of a people true Prophets ceaſe, outward peace uſeth to ceaſe with them; and when the Church is not edified, fear leſt the State be not thereby ruined.
But work we with God (as the Scriptures phraſe is) and God will 1 Sam. 14. 45.work for us: Build we up our ſelves in our holy faith, and build up his houſe according to his holy Word, and then prove him if he will not open to us the windows of heaven, and pour us out ſuch a bleſſing, that there ſhall not be room enough to receive it, Mal. 3. 10. Build upon it, that he will Ier. 42. 10.then build us, and not pull us down; plant us, and not pluck us up; even plant us aſſuredly. foreign. i. e. in truth and ſtability, foreign with his whole heart, and with his whole ſoul. Let but the Churches of God be edified, and then according to the Text we ſhall have reſt, and that continued and eſtabliſhed, and our Churches not onelyonly ſettled, but alſo multiplied.