The Healing of Israels Breaches, Part
Iſraels Danger.
It ſhaketh.
AN Argumēt or Reaſon (as I told you) taken up by the Pſalmiſt to preſſe his requeſt, taken (as you have heard) from the eminency of the Danger wherein that his Kingdome then was. It ſhaketh, or it is ſhaken. A metaphoricall expreſſion borrowed from an Earthquake, (as I have already explained it) where the Earth being big, and in travell, as it were, with ſome windy vapour, which it ſtrives to bring forrh, and to be delivered of, it trembles, and ſhakes. So wavering and unſetled was Iſraels condition at that time, by reaſon of thoſe forraine Invaſions, and homebred Diviſions, and Diſtractions, that the very foundations of it ſeemed to ſhake, threatning Ruine, and Deſtruction.
Such may the ſtate of the Church of God upon earth D. Iſrael ſubject to ſhakings.ſometimes be, wavering, tottering, ſhaken. Even as we read of Mount Sina at the giving of the Law, though it ſtood faſt in reſpect of the foundations of it, yet it was ſhak…n, it quaked. The Church of Exod. 19. 18.God, in reſpect of the foundation, it ſtandeth ſure, being built upon a Rock, ſo as the Gates of Mat. 16. 18.Hell, all the Power, and Policie of Satan, and his Inſtruments ſhall never be able to prevaile againſt it; yet may it be ſhaken. So was the Ark of God at the threſhing floore of Nachon or Chidon 2 Sam. 6. 8. 1 Chron. 13. 9.though it fell not, yet it was ſhaken. So may the Church of God, and Religion of God be; though they ſhall never be quite overthrowne, yet they are ſubject to ſhakings. So is the Church.
And that through theſe Breaches, which are both from Without, and from Within: (as I have already ſhewn you in the caſe of Breaches.)
From without, by perſecution, and Oppoſition from Enemies abroad. From within, by and through homebred Diviſions and Diſtractions, which like a windy vapour incloſed in the bowels of the earth cauſe ſhaking and trembling. This it was that made Iſrael ſhake, her inteſtine, and civill Combuſtions. Nothing more dangerous to a State, a Church, moe ominous, and pernicious then Breaches are ſhakings.theſe, Inteſtine Breaches. Such Breaches are ſhakings, dangerous preſages, in their own nature Deſtructive, preſaging downfall, and Ruine, unleſſe they be Healed. Both theſe wayes is the Church ſubject to ſhakings.
And that (as I have ſaid heretofore) partly through Satans malice, who hereby intends the Ruine and downfall of the Church. Thence is it The Church ſubject to ſhakings through Satans malice. Iob 1. 19.that he raiſeth, and bringeth ſtormes, and tempeſts in, and upon it: Even as he did that Tempeſt which he brought from the wilderneſſe, which ſmote the foure corners of the houſe wherein Iohs children were banqueting, ſo as it fell, burying them in the ruines of it.
Partly through Gods effectuall Permiſsion, and Ordination, who ſometimes ſhakes his Church 2. Through Gods Providence, herebyas he did Mount Sina: Thereby intending,
Firſt, Sometimes to manifeſt his Diſpleaſure againſt a People, a Nation. Thus at the Death of our 1. Sometimes manifeſting his diſpl…aſure. Mat. 27. 51.Saviour the Earth ſhook and trembled, as a token of Gods indignation againſt the Iewes for that horrid Act of theirs in Crucifying the Lord of Life. Like conſtruction David maketh of this Earthquake, theſe ſhakings here in the text, he took them as tokens and evidences of Gods wrath and diſpleaſure, O God, thou haſt been diſpleaſed.
Secondly, Sometimes God ſhakes his Church to Purge it, as the Husbandman ſhakes his Come 2. Purging his Church.to and fro in the fant to cleanſe out the Chaffe and Droſſe.
Thirdly, Sometimes God doth it to Humble 3. Humbling his people, and ſo preparing thē for ſome ſpeciall mercy.his people, and ſo to fit and prepare them for ſome ſpeciall mercy. Thus when God deſcended upon Mount Sina he ſhook the Earth, both the Place, and the People; putting both into a trembling fit, thereby fitting and preparing the people for the receiving of that holy Law of his. Thus when God intends to come downe upon his Church in a way of ſpeciall grace and favour, he oft-times prepares it by theſe ſhakings: Even as the Whirlewinde, and 1 King. 19. 11, 12.Earthquake at Mount Horeb, made way for the ſtill voyce, wherein God was. Seldome it is that God worketh any great Changes in his Church without theſe ſhakings going before. But I muſt not dwell upon it. The uſe I ſhall make of it ſhall be only a double exhortation.
1. That we would lay to heart the preſent ſtate Vſe. Be we affected with the ſhaking of our Iſrael.and condition both of this, and the neighbour Kingdome, which by reaſon of the Breaches made in them and upon them are ſhaken. So was Iſrael, and ſo are they. Be we affected herewith. So wee would be with an Earthquake. Did we feele the Earthquake and tremble under us, who but would tremble with it? This doth the State, the Church in theſe Kingdomes at the preſent. Let every of us be deeply affected with theſe ſhakings; ſo laying them to Heart, that,
In the ſecond place, we may be excited and ſtirred Seek the healing of her Breaches.up every of us to do that office & duty to, & for the Church of God amongſt us, that David doth here for Iſrael, viz. to ſeek the Healing of the Breaches thereof. Theſe Breaches (how ſleight ſo ever any may make of them) they are ſhakings, preſages of Ruine and Downfal, unleſſe they be healed. And therefore let both our Hearts work, & Hands work towards the Healing of theſe Breaches. This it was that made Vzzah ſo forward in putting forth his hand to touch the Ark, he ſaw that it was ſhaken, and 2 Sam. 6.he knew not what the danger might be. Stupid is that Heart which apprehends the Ark of God ſhaken, and ſhall not be ready to put forth an hand to the ſtaying of it. This let every of us doe. Every one in his Place.Only taking heed of that Errour into which he through a ſuddain unadviſedneſſe fell; obſerving the ſeverall places and ſtations wherein God hath ſet us, do we what appertaineth to thē. Publike perſons in their places, and Private perſons in their places. Thoſe which may not touch the Ark it ſelfe, let them lay hand upon the Cart, which if Vzzah had done, and no more, that act of his (I ſuppoſe) had been not onelyonly warrantable, but acceptable. This caution being obſerved, then let it be the holy ambition of every of us to be found of God, and man in the number of thoſe, which ſhall be called (not the makers or Maintainers, but) Eſay. 58. 12.the Repairers of Breaches, and the Reſtorers of Paths to dwell in; Even of thoſe ancient, and truly Chriſtian pathes (which I wiſh were more beaten and trodden then they are) of Religious Peace and Love, which if they be wanting, the Church (how well ſo ever accommodated, and furniſhed with all other neceſſaries, and conveniences, yet) will ſcarcely be found habitable. For the furthering of you in this bleſſed work, I ſhall ſay no more unto you, then what the Apoſtle doth to his Philippians, Phil. 4. 9. with whoſe words I ſhall diſmiſſe both you and the Text: Thoſe things which ye have Phil. 49.both learned, and received, and heard from me, (I goe no further) Doe, and the God of Peace ſhall be with you▪ Amen.
FINIS.
ERRATA.
| page | line | read | ||
| 2 | 13 | ſad ſtory | ||
| 3 | 2 | before the text | ||
| 11 | 15 | was a ſufferer: | ||
| 12 | 5 | a ſharp contention, | ||
| 29 | 1 | to doe a Cure | ||
| 32 | 4 | Enemies without triumph, | 5 | Neuters without ſcandall. |
| 38 | 6 | gariſh | ||
| 39 | 19 | who have not done | ||
| 40 | 29 | Pilot | ||
| 54 | 9 | theſe Breaches, | ||
| 68 | 19 | Why, but what | ||
| 72 | 29 | our ſelves | ||
| 74 | 3 | they be light matter | marg. inedia non | |
| 81 | 25 | rent the kingdome | ||
| 85 | 26 | in that his | ||
| 86 | 21 | over ſlaves, | ||
| 93 | 27 | fallen upon, | ||
| 123 | 13 | or blaſt▪ |
End of the text · John Brinsley, The Healing of Israels Breaches (1642)