The Healing of Israels Breaches, Sermon 3
ISRAELS CURE. The third SERMON. March 16.
PSAL. 60. Verſ. 2.
Heale the Breaches thereof, for it ſhaketh.
THe healing of Iſraels breaches, is a thing which every true Iſraelite ſhould deſire and endeavour. This was the Concluſion which I inſiſted upon, the laſt time I ſpake in this place; proſecuting it both by way of Doctrine, and Application. The former of theſe, I then diſpatched; the latter I entred upon, but left imperfect. Then inſiſting upon an Ʋſe of Reprehenſion, which I intended only as a needle, to make way for, and draw in a thred after it. If that needle ſeemed then ſharp to any, pricking and ſmarting as it went, let not them blame either it, or me. A Chrugion in ſearching a wound, if he put his Patient to paine, it is beſides his intention, who intends his Cure, and not his ſmart; but he cannot helpe it, it will be ſo, and being ſo, it maketh the Cure the more hopefull, becauſe the part is ſenſible: In which regard the chirurgion is not diſcouraged by it, nor yet ſorry for it, though his Patient be. And in this regard, I muſt confeſſe, and ſay as the bleſſed Apoſtle ſometime to his Corinthians; Though I made you ſorry, with a Letter (ſaith he) with a Sermon 2. Cor. 7. 8.(ſay I) I do not repent. This ſorrow (I truſt) ſhall prove unto you, as theirs to them, but temporarie, foreign, for a ſeaſon, and ſhall in the end produce the like effects; ſo as you ſhall have cauſe to acknowledge, what they found. That you have received damage by us in nothing. In the hopes hereof, ver. 9.I now come to that which I pincipally intended when I firſt took this Text in hand; A word of Exhortation; which I ſhall direct generally, indefinitely, to all true Iſraelites, even all the Uſe 2. Exhortation.Lords people; exciting, and exhorting them, that they would
1. Deſire,
2. Endeavour
this Cure; the Healing of Iſraels breaches; the repairing and making up of theſe breaches which are amongſt us at the preſent in this, and the neighbour Kingdome, whether Politicall Breaches, or Eccleſiaſticall Breaches; Breaches in the State, or Breaches in the Church, how ever made, or by whomſoever, whether by ſtrangers, or Iſraelites; ſeek we the healing To deſire the healing of breaches amongſt us.of them. This deſire we, this endeavour we.
Firſt, Deſire it: This doth David here for that Kingdom, that State, that Church, whereof he was the Head; and this do we for this Kingdom, this State, this Church, whereof we are members. And that we may do it, Labour to be affected with it. That we may ſeriouſly deſire the Cure, labour to To that end, be a…ed with thembe throughly affected with the Diſeaſe. So was David with Iſraels Breaches; very ſenſible of them, and deeply affected with the apprehenſion of them. And ſo have others of the Saints of God been in like caſes.
Firſt, with Breaches made amongſt themſelves, in, or upon the Church, or State, where they lived. It is the word which Jeremie muſt ſay unto the Jews, Jer. 24. Thou ſhalt ſay this word unto them: Let mine eyes run down with tears night and day, and let them not ceaſe, for the virgin daughter of my people Ier. 24. 17.is broken with a very great Breach: What ever the falſe prophets ſaid unto them, making light of that Breach, that judgement threatned; promiſing them that either it ſhould not be, or if it were, yet it ſhould be healed, and made up well enough, yet ver. 15. …Jerimie, for his part, he layeth it to his own eyes and heart; mourning over it, being deeply affected with it, and willeth all the reſt of the Jews to doe the like.
Secondly, with Breaches made upon others; their brethren in other parts. The diviſions of Ruben were Iud. 5. 15, 16great thoughts of heart to all the reſt of the Tribes. The whole congregation of Iſrael, even all the other Tribes, they were ſorry and repented for Benjamin, Iud, la. 15.becauſe of that great Breach made upon that tribe. And thus let us, all of us be affected, with the breaches at preſent made upon this, and the neighbour Kingdom. God hath broken in upon both, breaking the one, and rending the other. O let theſe breaches be to all of us, great thoughts of heart: Take we notice of them, and be we deeply affected with them; which it is to be feared the greateſt part amongſt us, as yet are nor. Hiſtories tell us of Archimedes the great Mathematicion, that when the City Syracuſe was ſacked, and plundred by the Romans, the ſouldiers ſome of them breaking into the houſe, and ſtudie where he then was, they found him ſo intent in drawing of lines and figures in the duſt, as that he took no notice either of the Cities loſſe, or his own danger, untill on of them diſdaining that ſeeming diſreſpect, drew his ſword, and ſheathed it in his bowels, runing him through. And is it not thus (my brethren) with ſome, with multitudes amongſt us at this day? Whileſt the neighbour Kingdom is on fire already, and our owne in danger; the fire of Gods wrath flaming in the one, ſmoaking in the other, fearfull breaches made in both, breaches in the ſtate, and breaches in the Church, threatning every one of us in our particulars, inſomuch as we may ſay of our ſelves, as it is ſaid of ſea-men, we know not whether to reckon our ſelves amongſt the living, or dead, ſo eminent is our hazard, ſo eminent our danger; yet for all this they are wholly taken up with drawing of lines in the duſt, ſtill wallowing, and cumbling in duſt, minding nothing but earth, burying themſelves in the duſt of worldly thoughts and imployment, ſeeking their own things, their own private lucre and gain, the increaſing of their eſtates, the building and rayſing of their houſes: In the mean time let heaven, and earth go together; let Church and ſtate ſinke or ſwim, or claſh one aganſt the other to the breaking, and drowning of both, what care they? they regard it not, they are not affected with it: Too plain an evidence againſt them, that they are but as woden leggs or armes, tyed on to this miſticall body, no true gemime, living members of it: Which if they were, it could not be but that they ſhould be ſenſible of the wounds, and ruptures in it, the breaches thereof; ſo ſenſible of them, as to be affected with them. And thus let every of us labour to be, that we may in the firſt place, finde our Hearts working towards the healing, and repairing of theſe breaches. The heart muſt firſt work, before the hand will work. That we may put an hand to the healing of theſe breaches, lay them to heart: That we may both deſire, and indeavour the Cure, let us be affected with the Diſeaſe.
Which that we may be, let us conſider and look Look upon this diſeaſe 3. wayes.upon it theſe three wayes, even as Phiſitians are wont to do upon the diſeaſes of their Patients.
1. In the Cauſes
2. In the Symptomes
3. In the Prognosticks
of it.
In the Cauſes of it, breeding and feeding it. In the Symptomes or effects attending upon it, going along with it. In the Prognosticks or events portended by it, and following upon it. All theſe three As David doth here upon Iſraels breaches.wayes doth David here look upon Iſraels Diſeaſe, her Breaches here in the Text.
Firſt, In the Cauſe of them, which he found to be Gods diſpleaſure and anger conceived againſt them, and broke forth upon them for their ſinnes. O God, thou haſt caſt us off, thou haſt ſcattered us, thou haſt been diſpleaſed, viz. for ous ſins, which is the onelyonly cauſe of Gods diſpleaſure: So you have it, Verſe 1.
Secondly, In the Symptomes of it, which were fearfull and terrible. The earth trembled, it was broken, Riven and torn as it were with an Earthquake; affected, and afflicted with frequent and dangerous Commotions and distractions, Verſe 2.
Thirdly, In the Prognosticks of it. It ſhaketh (ſaith the Text) i. e. preſaging nothing but Ruine, and downfall; unleſſe it be ſpeedily underpropped, and the Breaches thereof made up, and Healed. Thus did David looke upon Iſraels diſeaſe; and hereupon it was that he was ſo deeply affected with it, ſo earneſtly deſiring the Cure of it. That we may be alike affected with the Breaches of our Iſrael; look we alſo upon this Diſeaſe, theſe three wayes.
Firſt, In the cauſes of it; what is the true Cauſe of all theſe Breaches, which do for the preſent lye In the cauſes of it: viz.upon this, and the neighbour Kingdome? Surely it is no other, than that which David here pitcheth upon, even the wrath and diſpleaſure of God, conceived againſt us for our ſins. Other Cauſes may Gods wrath for.be aſſigned as Instrumentall; but theſe are the chiefe and principall. In Iſraels caſe, David was not ignorant that ſome Forraigne enemies, Moabites, Edomites, Philistines, together with ſome of his own Kingdom, Iſraelites, that ſeditious partie which cleaved to the Houſe of Saul, had an hand in making, and maintaining thoſe Breaches: Yet ſee he reſts not here, his thoughts riſe higher, to the firſt and Primary cauſe which ſets them awork, and that he findes to be Gods diſpleaſure againſt that Kingdom for the ſinnes thereof. In this and the neighbour Kingdom, there have been and are many Inſtuments, which have had hands in making, and maintaining there Breaches, even all thoſe Breachmakers which I named before; yet (alas) theſe are but Inſtruments, which move as they are moved; the Chiefe and Principal cauſe is the juſt anger, and Diſpleaſure of God conceived againſt us for ſin. And ſo let us conceive of it. When the Plague was broke forth in the Camp of Iſrael, beginning to make a Breach upon them, Moſes preſently tells Aaron, There is wrath gone out from the Lord.Num. 16. 46
What ever plague or Judgement, in what kinde ſoever it be, breaketh in upon a Nation, it is but a token and effect of wrath, even Divine wrath, the wrath of God. It is the breath of the Lord which Iſa. 30 laſtkindleth theſe Tophets. And kindling them bloweth them up. It is wrath which both maketh, and maintaineth theſe Breaches.
Wrath conceived for our ſins; that is the fewell which this firetaketh hold and feedeth upon. Gods Our ſins.wrath taketh hold upon mans ſins. Where no wood is there the fire goeth out: were there no ſin, there would Pro. 26. 20be no wrath. For this is it that the wrath of God cometh upon perticular perſons, who being ſinners bynature, Eph. 2. 3.they are alſo by nature children of wrath; and Rom 9. 22being ſinners by Practie, they are made veſſels of Rom. 2. 5.wrath; treaſuring up unto themſelves wrath, even that wrath which is, and ſhall be revealed from Heaven againſt all unrighteouſneſſe of man. This wrath Rom. 1. 18is, and ſhall be powred out upon the heads of men for their ſins. Becauſe of theſe things (ſaith the Apoſtle Ephe. 5. 6.ſpeaking of ſinfull luſts) cometh the wrath of God upon the children of diſobedience. And as upon particular perſons, ſo upon whole Kingdoms and Nations: Never did the wrath of God break forth upon Iſrael, but when he was provoked by their ſins. The Breach firſt ever begun on their part in their breaking Covenant with God: Still they break with God, in breaking his Lawes, before he brake in upon them by his judgements, which were ever ſent onelyonly to avenge the quarrel of his covenant, as the Lord himſelf telleth them. And ſurely (my Lev. 26 2. 5Brethren) here is the firſt riſe, and ſpring of all thoſe Evils, which either already are Broken in upon us, or elſe do threaten us: They are no other but tokens, and effects of Gods diſpleaſure againſt us for ſin. And ſo conceive we of all theſe Breaches, at which God himſelf, having been long provoked, ſeemeth now to be breaking in upon us to aveng the quarrell of his Covenant, which we have violated and and broken. Here are the Cauſes of this diſeaſe.
In the ſecond place, look we upon it in the Symptomes 2. In the ſymptoms of it, which are dreadfull.of it. Thoſe we ſhall ſinde very dreadfull and terrible: Not unlike the the Symptomes of an Earth-quake, where the earth trembles and ſhakes and breaks, being riuen or ſplit with prodigious ruptures and openings, yawning and gaping, even threatning to ſwallow up the inhabitants, as once it did Korah and his Confederacie. Thus was it with Iſrael at this time when David made this complaint Num. 16. …2.of the Breaches thereof. Thou haſt made the earth to tremble, thou haſt broken it; ver. 2. And is it not ſo in this, and the neighbour Kingdom at preſent? doth not the earth even ſeeme to tremble under us? Hath not the Lord even made us a Cup of trembling (not unto others, as he ſaith he would make Jeruſalem; Behold I will make Jeruſalem a Zach. 12. 2.cup of trembling unto all the people round about. Time was when it was ſo with us, we were a cup of trembling to all the Nations round about; but) to our ſelves: Having begun to drink of that cup, which Jeruſalem was once made to drink of, I, to drink Iſa. 51. 17off, even the cup of the Lords fury, the cup of trembling. Inſomuch that we may ſay in the words of the Pſalmiſt, that Horrour (I, and Rigor or ſhaking too, two ſymptomes of a violent Ague) hath taken hold Pſal. 119. 53. Frigus Horror, Rigor, Fernel:upon us; the earth under us ſeeming to tremble, as the bed doth ſometimes in the Paroxiſme of a cold fit under him that lyeth upon it. And how ſhould it be otherwiſe? when as the foundations thereof are moved or out of courſe, as the Pſalmiſt hath it. Sure Pſal. 82. 5.we are, (what ever it is athome) ſo it is in the neighbour Kingdom, where by reaſon of that civill combu…ion all things are out of order, many of the chief rulers alſo, upon whom the Common-wealth there ſhould reſt, as a houſe doth upon the foundations, bearing a part in that tragicall commotion. And amongſt our ſelves, how is the earth riven, and broken both church and common-wealth, rent and torne by home-bred diviſions, and diſtractions? Sad ſymptimes, but ſadder Prognoſticks.
Which if we look upon in the third place, what 3. In the prognoſticks, which are prodigiouscan we conjecture and look for, unleſſe God be pleaſed ſpeedily to ſtep in un…o us, fruſtrating our fears, and our enemies hopes, by healing and making up our breaches, but Confuſion, deſolation? It ſhaketh, ſaith the Pſalmiſt here of Iſrael. It ſhaketh, it ſhaketh may we ſay both of Church and State, in this and the neighbour Kingdome. Theſe unhappie breaches being in themſelves, and oft-times proving ominous preſages, prodigious fore-runners of Ruine and Deſtruction. But of this (it may be) I ſhall have occaſion to ſpeak more fully hereafter, in handling the ſecond part of the Text. Davids Reaſon, Iſraels Danger.
And are theſe the Cauſes, theſe the Symptomes, theſe the Prognosticks of the diſeaſe? Oh what cauſe then have every of us to be affected, deeply affected with it? laying to heart the breaches both of Church and State in this, and the neighbour Kingdom; ſo laying them to heart, as that our hearts may work towards the healing of them, and not our hearts only, but our hands alſo.
Deſiring this Cure, let us (in the ſecond place) 2. Indevour this cure.Indeavour it. Indeavour we the healing of Iſraels breaches, the repairing and making up the Breaches which are amongſt us, whether in Church, or State.
And what arguments ſhould I uſe, to whet your Motives.endeavours this way, to put you forwards upon this (I had almoſt ſaid ſo meritorious a) work? Thoſe conſiderations which I named before as Reaſons, may alſo ſerve again for Motives, and that forcible ones.
Firſt, Ye are all members of this Myſticall, this Politicall, this Eccleſiaſticall body; and being ſo, ſeek the Healing of the breaches therof. Which breaches
2. (In the ſecond place) are unſeemly in the Church. And
3. Dangerous both to Church, and State, being diſadvantagious to both; great obſtructions exceedingly hindering the affairs and proceedings of both, as by wofull experience we finde it true. VVhat is it that hinders the buſineſſe both of Church and State at preſent, that it ſticketh in the birth, and commeth off ſo ſlowly? Surely (next to our ſins) our diviſions. Not more diſadvantagious to them, then advantagious to their enemies, being an In-let to enemies both Forraign, and Domeſtick, to break in upon both.
To theſe three, let me briefely adde three other; 3. Arguments moving David to ſeek the peace of Ieruſalem. Pſal. 122. 8. 9.and I will not ſtraggle far to ſeeke theſe ſticks to make this fire withall. You ſhall finde them all lying cloſe together in a little compaſſe, in the two laſt verſes of that 122. Pſal. where David exciting both himſelfe and others to pray for the peace; ſeek the happines of Jeruſalem, that Peace might be within her wals, and prosperitie within her Palaces. He ſetteth downe a threefold Motive or inducement, putting him on to that duty. This he did for his own ſake, this he did for his Brethrens ſake, this he did for Religions ſake. The two former of theſe, you have v. 8. the one of them expreſſed, the other inſinuated and implied. For my brethren and Companions ſake, I will now ſay, Peace be within thee, i. e. not only for my own ſake; ſo ſome happily would have been readie to conſtrue it, that David in being ſo zealous for the good, and happineſſe of Jeruſalem, had an eye only to himſelfe, for the eſtabliſhing of his Kingdome, and ſetling the Crown upon his own head, and the head of his Poſterity. To clear himſelfe from this imputation, and take off this ſuſpition; David here by a Prolepſis, by way of anticipation or prevention, he ſets downe the cauſe which moved him to it. It was not only his owne Cauſe (though he might herein have, and had an eye to himſelfe alſo,) but the cauſe of his brethren and Companions, i. e. of all the people of God, diſcended from the ſame ſtock of Iſrael, profeſſing the ſame Religion of God. The peace and happineſſe of them all, being as it were bound up in the peace and happineſſe of Jeruſalem. If it went well with it, it ſhould go the better with them; none of them but having a ſhare in Jeruſalems peace and happineſſe. He did it for his own ſake, he did it for their ſake.
And thirdly, for Religions ſake, that you have verſe laſt; Becauſe of the Houſe of the Lord our God, i. e. for the Religion of God, the true and pure worſhip and ſervice of God, whereof God had then made Jeruſalem, as it were the Staple, putting his Name there. In this threefold reſpect doth David ſeeke the peace and well-fare of Jeruſalem, and willeth others to ſeek it; viz. that it might be continued and increaſed, if enjoyed; repaired and reſtored, if impaired & decaied. And upon this threefold ground, let every of us be excited to ſeeke the V…efull to us in this caſe.publique peace and wel-fare of this our Iſrael, the reſtoring and ſetling of Peace, by healing the breaches Seek this Cure for our own ſakes. Ier. 29 7.thereof.
This do we (in the firſt place) for our own ſakes. It is the Reaſon which the Lord giveth, why he would have the Jews in their Captivity to ſeeke the Peace of Babylon; Seek the Peace of the Citie whither I have cauſed you to be carried away Captive; Pray unto the Lord for it, why? for in the peace thereof, ye ſhall have peace. And for this reaſon ſhould all of us be earneſt in ſeeking the peace of Jeruſalem, the peace of the Church, the peace of the State wherein we live. In the peace thereof, we ſhall have peace. On the other hand, if they miſcarry, none of us but will feel of it. It is Mordecaies meſſage to Hester, which he uſeth as an argument to put her on, and cauſe her to break through all diſcouragements and fears, in ſeeking and endeavouring the reſcue and deliverance of Gods people, her Country-men the Jews. Think not with thy ſelf (ſaith he) that thou ſhalt eſcape in the Kings houſe, more than …ſt. 4. 13all the Jews. The Court, the Kings houſe ſhould be no Sanctuary to her. No more ſhall any of our Eſtates which we have, or the places where we live, or any other outward priviledge be unto us; and therfore think not of taking Sanctuary in any of theſe, as our fooliſh carnall hearts are very apt and ready to do, thereby eluding and bearing off the blow of Gods threatnings, ſo as they take no place with us, to cauſe us to ſeek the averting and turning of them away. No, if it go il with the Church, with the State, it cannot go wel with us. Think not to eſcape in our particulars. If a ſhip founder and ſink at ſea, all the paſſengers which are in it, for the moſt part, periſh with it. And in that reſpect there is none but will be more ſolicirous and carefull for the ſhip it ſelfe, then for their own Cabins; for the ſtopping of the leakes in the one, then the chinks in the other. And in this regard Chriſtians ſhould be more ſolicirous for the publique weale, then for their owne private wealth: bonum quo communius. The Common-wealth ſhould be preferred before a mans owne private wealth, and much more the Church, the houſe of God 1 Tim. 3. 15(as the Apoſtle calleth it) before our own houſes: ſo was the Pſalmiſt (who ever it was that penned that Pſalm) affected towards Jeruſalem; If I prefer not Pſa. 137. 6Jeruſalem before my chiefe joy; the head or top of my joy, as the Originall hath it. Thus ſhould we ſtand affected towards the Church of God, preferring the welfare thereof before our own welfare, making it as the top of our joy, ſo the top of our care, and deſire and feare. If it go well with the Church wherein we live, it will goe the better with us; our private happineſſe is bound up in the publique peace and tranquility thereof: In the peace thereof we ſhall have peace. Seek and endevour this cure for our own ſakes.
Seeke it (in the ſecond place) for our brethrens 2. For our Brethrens ſake.ſake; For my brethren and companions ſake (ſaith the Pſalmiſt.) If it went well with Jeruſalem, not onelyonly David and his Family, but all the inhabitants in Jeruſalem, nay, all the people of God in the whole Land of Iſrael, or where ever they were, they ſhould fare the better for it.
And for this cauſe ſeeke we the peace and welfare of this our Iſrael, the Kingdom wherein we live, that the breaches thereof may be healed. Seek it for our brethren and Companions ſake; our Brethren at home, our Brethren abroad; not only thoſe of the ſame Nation in Forraign parts, but all others of the ſame Religion with us, even all the true Churches of Chriſt throughout the World; all which have a venture in this bottome, being greatly intereſted in the woe or wel-fare of this Church. If we compare all the Protestant Churches, to a Fleet or Navie of Ships (as fitly in many reſpects they may be.) In this Fleet, the Church of England muſt needes be acknowledged to be the Admirall, having long carried the Flag in the Maintop, and having been a ſecurity and Protection to many other Churches (I wiſh I could have ſaid to all) which have come under her Lee. Now the Admirall miſcarrying, oftentimes indangers the whole Fleet. Certainly, all the Forraign Churches, how ever they have not a dependance upon this Church for their being, (in that reſpect they being all independent, all Sisters, Daughters of the ſame Father (Churches of God) I, and of the ſame Mother too, daughters of that Jeruſalem which is above, Gal. 4. 26.which is the Mother of us all: and in that like Zelephehads Num. 27.daughters, joynt-heirs in their Fathers Inheritance, none having power over other, nor priority before other;) yet in reſpect of their well being they ſeeme to have. If it goe ill with this Church, ſo as that miſcarry, there is none of the Churches of Chriſt this day under Heaven, but are like to feele of it; and as things now ſtand, to ſmart for it. Oh for our brethren and Companions ſake, let us ſeek the Peace of Jeruſalem, the healing of the breaches of this our Iſrael.
And this doe we (in the third place) for Religions 3. For Religions ſake.ſake, Becauſe of the houſe of the Lord our God, ſaith the Pſalmiſt, i. e. the Tabernacle and Temple, the Religion, worſhip and ſervice of God, whereof Jeruſalem then was the ſeat. If Jeruſalem went to wrack, what ſhould become of the Religion of God, the publique exerciſe of it? God having choſen that to be the place to put his name in. Let the ſame argument prevaile with us to make us ſeeke the peace of this our Iſrael, by indeavouring the healing of the breaches both of Church and State amongſt us. This doe we becauſe of the houſe of the Lord our God. The publique exerciſe and profeſſion of the true Religion of God depends upon it, which cannot but ſuffer if the ſtate ſuffer, if the Church ſuffer, as now for the preſent it doth, and is likely more to doe (if it be not ſpeedily remedied) by theſe unhappy diviſions and distractions amongſt us. In the midſt of theſe, how ſhall we thinke that the Religion of God ſhall grow? The Temple was 1 Kin. 6. 7.built without the noiſe of Axe or hammer; when it was built, axes and hammers were fatall to it, at leſt to the beautie of it; They breake downe the carved worke thereof with axes and hammers (ſaith Aſaph, Pſa. 74. 6.by a propheticall eye and tongue, foreſeeing and foretelling the deſtruction of the Temple.) And what doth the noiſe of axes and hammers amongſt us at this day preſage; I meane thoſe ſharpe and eager contentions, diviſions, diſtractions? Certainly, if theſe be not ſilenced and quieted they will indanger, at leaſt, our carved worke, the beautie of our Church and Religion. In the meane time we are ſure they hinder the growth and progreſſe of it: You know what it was that hindred the building of Babel; and the ſame meanes will hinder the building Gen. 11. 7.of Jeruſalem, the Church of God, the Religion of God, confuſion, diviſion. Diviſion of tongues and hearts. Oh, becauſe of the houſe of the Lordour God, the Religion of God profeſſed amongſt us, therefore ſeeke we the peace of Jeruſalem, ſeeke and endeavour the healing of the breaches of this our Iſrael.
By this time (me thinkes) I feele your pulſes begin to beat, and your hearts to worke, burning within you, ſo as you are ready to ſay; O but how ſhall the breaches of this our Iſrael be healed? how ſhall this Q: How ſhall the Churches breaches be healed.Cure be effected? the cure of this Nation, this State, this Church; that is the patient I confeſſe I principally have in hand, and that is the Cure which I principally aime at, though the other is ſo twiſted in with it, as that I cannot ſpeake of the one, but I ſhall touch now and then upon the other. How ſhall the Church amongſt us be cured?
A. A uſefull Queſtion. Take the reſolution A. Meanes of cure.of it from the Churches Phyſitian, God himſelfe, who promiſing to undertake Iſraels cure, the healing of her breaches, thoſe breaches which the Babilonians had made upon her, he ſets downe the ratio medendi, tels her how, and in what way that cure ſhould be, viz. by revealing upon her abundance By abundance of peace and truth.of peace and truth. So you have it, Jer. 33. Behold, I will bring it health and cure, and I will cure them, and will reveale upon them the abundance of peace and truth. Behold, the way and means whereby a Nation, a Church that is broken, may be perfectly healed and cured, viz. by Revealing upon it, and eſtabliſhing in it abundance of Peace and Truth. In which ſoveraigne Restorative, we may take notice of two things; The
Ingredients,
Quantities.
The Ingredients, which are but two, but two principall ones, each of them of great price and value; Peace the one, Truth the other: The Quantitie of each, Abundance; abundance of Peace and Truth. Theſe two together, taken in this Quantitie, will make a perfect Cure upon any Nation, any Church; I, upon this Church. Peace and Tru…h both together; the one without the other will not do it. Peace without Truth, will make but a ſlight Cure, onelyonly skinning over the wound for a time. Such a Cure it was that the falſe Prophets wrought upon Iſrael, in healing her breaches. They have healed the hurt of the Daughter of my people Ier. 6. 14.ſlightly; ſaying Peace, peace. Nor unlike an unskilfull Chyrurgion, who by applying ſome healing plaiſter to an ulcerous ſore, cilatrizeth the wound, skinneth it over, when it is not ſound at the bone. On the other hand, truth without peace may make the Church ſound at the bone, but it will not heale the wounds of it; both together make a ſoveraign ſalve: Like that uſuall, but uſefull one, of Minium or red-lead and oyle mixed together, where the one draweth out corruption, and maketh the part ſound, the other skins and heals; both together making a perfect Cure of any ordinary wound. Oh, then in the fear of God, following the preſcript and direction of this great Chyrurgeon, this great Phiſician; Let all of us ſeeke and endeavour the furthering and effecting of the Churches Cure in this way, by ſeeking after both theſe; Seeke Peace, ſeeke Truth, ſeeke Peace and Truth. Peace. Seeke Seek after both theſe Peace and Truth. 1 Pe. 3. 11 Pro. 23 23Peace and enſue it, ſaith St. Peter. Truth. Seeke it, and buy it. Buy the Truth, ſaith the Wiſe-man. Fundamentall Truths, Truths ſimply neceſſarie at any rate, what ever they coſt. Other Truths be content to buy them, but not over-buy them, give See the next Sermon.not too much for them. It is but an ill bargaine which ſome make, to buy ſome truths with the loſſe of Peace; Seeke the one, and ſeeke the other, but ſeek both together; Peace and Truth, that they Both together.may be both revealed upon us, and eſtabliſhed amongſt us, and that in abundance. In this abundance there is no danger, I meane in the abundance of both theſe together. Of the one without the other, there may be. Abundance of Peace without Truth, will breed a Lethargie; abundance of Truth without Peace, may breed a Phrenſie. The one will breed a ſenſleſſe ſecuritie, the harbenger of Ruine and deſtruction. When they ſhall ſay Peace, peace, then ſudden destruction cometh upon them. The other 1 Th. 5. 3.by accident may breed a ſwelling Timpany of Spirituall pride, and ſelfe-conceitedneſſe, then which (as hereafter happily I ſhall ſhew you) there is nothing more oppoſite to this Cure, the healing of the Churches Breaches: You ſee then the way whereby this great and much deſired Cure is to be effected.
But what ſhall we do for the furthering of this Queſt.Cure in this way?
It is a great queſtion, and it will aske ſome time to anſwer it, more then I have to ſpare at the preſent. In anſwer to it, my deſign and purpoſe is to Anſw. Directions for furthering this Cure in this way.lay downe ſome rules and directions which may be aſefull to you this way, for the furthering of this Cure, the healing of the breaches in this our Iſrael; to which, the good Lord give a bleſſing, that they may conduce to the end for which they are intended.
Theſe Directions I intend to reduce to two Two ſorts of them. 1. Reſtorative. 2. Preſervative.heads, laying down two ſorts of them. Some reſtorative, others preſervative. The former directing to the curing and healing the Breaches alreadie made: The latter, to the preventing of the like Breaches for the time to come. I ſhould begin with the former, Restorative directions; which again The former concerning 1. Our ſelves, 2. Others.are of two ſorts ſome of them concerning our ſelves; others of them concerning others, viz. thoſe which have been, or are the breach-makers amongſt us, ſhewing how we are to order our ſelves towards them, and what we are to do to them, or for them.
Of the former ſort I ſhould have given you three or foure; Take one of them for the preſent, (for I will not multiply particulars under any one head) A Prepative.which may ſerve as a fitting Preparative for all the teſt; and therefore I ſhall put it in the firſt place.
Let us have faith to be healed. It is ſaid of Paul; that Beholding the Criple at Lystra, and perceiving Dir. 1.that he had faith to be healed, he ſaid unto him, ſtand Have Faith to be healed. Act. 14. 9.upright. This faith in him was a Paſſive miraculous ſaith. But what have we to do with this faith? Surely (Beloved) if we looke at our Diſeaſe, the dangerouſneſſe (I had almoſt ſaid the desperateneſſe) of it, we ſhall ſee that we have need of a ſaith, not much inferiour unto this. Miraculous Cures, call ſor mira…ulous faith. Wonderful and extraordinary Cures, call ſor a ſaith anſwerable. And ſuch is the ſaith that this Cure (to fleſh and bloud, carnall reaſon ſo difficult) calls for at our hands, a more then ordinary faith, which may breake through all thoſe clouds of apparent difficulties and ſeeming impoſſibilities, laying hold upon the great Phiſician, GOD himſelfe, for the healing of theſe breaches.
Why, but in what have we to ſupport and beare Queſt.up our faith, in apprehending, in beleeiving this? The hand of faith is like Moſes his hands, which he Ex. 17. 12.held up in Iſraels cauſe againſt A maleck, ready to flag and fall down, if it be not ſupported. Now what ſupporters ſhall we have for this faith?
Inſtead of many, make uſe of two; two ſupporters which may be to our faith in this caſe; as Aaron Anſw.Faiths ſupporters in this caſe, two.and Hur, were to Moſes in that, to uphold both the hand and head of it, to make it ſteady. The one is the Power of God, the other his Promiſe.
1. The Power of God; this he can do. The diſeaſe indeed is dangerous, and Cure difficult, but not The powor of Godexceeding the skill of this great Phifician, who can put life into a dying, nay a dead bodie. He that ſaid unto thoſe dry bones, live; and to Lazarus after Eze. 37. 4. Ioh. 11. 43his foure dayes buriall, Come forth: He can much more put life again into this our languiſhing dying State, and Church. He can do it. True: this we doubt not of; I, but the queſtion is touching his Will.
2. For that (in the ſecond place) take a promiſe, His Promiſe.which if we ſhall yet but performe the condition, it may give us at leaſt comfortable hopes, (ſhould I ſay aſſurance, it would bear me out) that God will make it good to us. And me thinks there are rayes and beames of comfort ſhining in, and ſtreaming from the face of that promiſe, in as much as God hath in part already wrought for us, and amongſt us that worke, which there he calls for from us: You have it 2 Chr. 7. 14. If my people which are called by my name (or upon whom my Name is called) ſhall 2 Chr. 7. 14.humble themſelves, and pray, and ſeeke my face, and turn ſrom their wicked wayes; then will I hear ſrom Heaven, and will forgive their ſinne, and heale their Land. The former part hereof, (bleſſed be God) it hath beene in meaſure already done; as by the Repreſentative bodie of the Kingdome, the heads of our Tribes; ſo by a conſiderable number of others of all ſorts, even all the Lords people amongſt us, whoſe hearts the Lord hath touched, and ſtirred up to ſtand in theſe breaches: They have endeavoured to humble themſelves, and pray, and ſeeke the face of God; this they have done privately, and this they have done publickly, upon thoſe ſolemne dayes of Publick humiliation, ſet apart by Authority to that purpoſe; for which I hope this Nation ſhall have cauſe to bleſſe the God of Heaven for ever. Oh! that the ſecond part were but now performed; that we were all of us, from the higheſt to the loweſt, turned from our wicked wayes; that we had but given a Bill of divorce to all thoſe wrath-provoking ſins, which cry for vengeance againſt us; then might we with confidence ſet faith a worke, to apply and lay hold upon that promiſe, That God will hear in Heaven, and forgive cur ſin, and heal our Land. In the hopes wherof, yet raiſe we up our drooping ſpirits, not ſuffering our hearts to dye within us, as Nabals once did, when he heard what Davids intention was 1 Sam. 25. 37.in coming againſt him. Let us rather ſtirre up our ſelves to act Ahigals part, to interpoſe our ſelves, uſing all the wayes and means which God ſhall direct verſ. 18.us to, for the appeaſing of his wrath, for the procuring of his favour; that through this his power and goodneſſe, the breaches of our Iſrael may be ſo healed, and his face may ſo ſhine upon us, that we Pſa. 80. 3.may be ſaved. For other Directions, I muſt deferre them till another occaſion.