The Buddings and Blossomings of Old Truths, Commentary · Verse 22

The Buddings and Blossomings of Old Truths · Commentary · Verse 22

p. 1John 3. the 22. &c.

After theſe things came Jeſus and his Diſciples into the Land of Judaea, and there he tarried with them and baptized, &c.

THe Sun in the Firmament is never wearied, but cometh forth like a mighty man rejoycing to run his race, caſting forth his bright and glorious beams in whatſoever circuit of the Heavens he moveth.Jeſus Chriſt compared to the Sun. The Sun of righteousneſs Christ Jeſus (in like manner) is never weary of well doing, but his lips were alwayes dropping knowledge, & feeding Souls with heavenly underſtanding, his Lamp was alwayes burning, his cloud was alwayes diſtilling the dews of heavenly Doctrine, in all companies, on all occaſions; he, like a faithfull Shepheard, ſought to gather home the ſtraying ſheep to Gods fold, like a good guid to reduce the erring travellers into the right path, like a carefull Phyſician to heal every diſeaſed Soul. No place, no company but received ſome benefit by his preſence, having inſtructed Nicodemus in the Doctrine of Regeneration, he came now into the Land of Judaea, and there baptizeth: After theſe thinges Ieſus, &c.

p. 2Chriſt baptized by Iohn on the 10th year of his age. Chriſt calling of Diſciples.Our Saviour about the thirtieth year of his age came into the deſart unto John to be baptized of him, being baptized, he was led by the ſpirit into the wilderneſs, where he faſted fourty dayes and fourty nights, from thence he returned to John in the deſart, at which time he called John, Andrew, Simon, Peter, Andrews, brother, from thence he returned into Galilee, and in his journey called Philip and Nathaniel, & cometh to Nazareth, where he was brought up, and there after a few dayes being invited to a marriage,The firſt maracle Chriſt wrought. he came to Cana, where he wrought his firſt miracle, after this he went to Capernaum, and from thence to Ieruſalem, where he taught, wrought a miracle, and diſcourſed with Nicodemus, about the point of Regeneration,In the Conexion of the words. Chriſt care and practiſe to win Souls. 1. Chriſt journey. 2. Attendants. 3. Commoration. 4. Worke. Chriſt baptized none. as we have largly ſet down in the beginnig of this Chapter. From thence he came into the Territories of Iudaea and there baptized.

In the connexion of theſe words we have preſented before us.

1. The carefull and conſtant practiſe of Ieſus Christ to win Souls to God, and to communicate to them the knowledge of the truth.

2. In the words we have his journeying into the Land of Judaea.

His attendants, the Diſciples.

His commoration, or ſtay there he tarried.

His worke, the adminiſtration of baptiſme, yet not by himſelfe but by his Diſciples, as appears in Ioh. 4.2. Ieſus himſelfe baptized not, but his Diſciples.

I ſhall begin with the connexion of this hiſtory, p. 3wherein we have diſcovred,Chriſt conſtant endeavour. Doct. our Saviours conſtant practiſe, and from thence, draw this concluſion. That we ought in all places to buſy our ſelves in well-doing, ſpecially in endeavouring the converſion of Gods people:

As the clouds cauſe there dewes every day to diſtill more or leſs: as the beaſt every day yeild their milk, and the Stars continually ſend forth there light. So muſt we according to our beſt abilities be alwayes doing good, alwayes watering the Souls of our bretheren, with the dewes of holy admonition, with the milk of Gods word, ſhewing the way of ſalvation to them by the light of the truth.

This charge the Apoſtle giveth, Heb. 3.13. But exhort one another daily while it is called to day, &c. To this the promiſe of profiting is annexed, Gal. 6.9. And let us not be weary of well doing: For in due ſeaſon we ſhall reap, if we faint not. And the Apoſtle will not have this duty in any caſe to be forgotten, Heb. 10.24.25. And let us conſider one another to provoke unto love, and to good works. Not forſaking the aſſembling of our ſelvs together, as the manner of ſome is, but exhorting one another, and ſo much the more as ye ſee the day approaching.

What Paul gave in charge to Timothy, may in a more generall manner be given in charge to every Chriſtian, 2. Timoth. 4.1, 2. I charge the therefore before God, and the Lord Ieſus Chriſt, who ſhall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing, and his Kingdom: preach p. 4the word be inſtant in ſeaſon, out of ſeaſon, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long ſuffering and Doctrine.

Be inſtant in thy calling, in ſeeking the good of thy bretheren, in ſeaſon, and out of ſeaſon, exhort, rebuke, reprove, with all earneſtnes, and long ſuffering.

The grounds why we ought to buſy our ſelves in well doing, ſpecially in endeavouring the converſion of Gods people, are theſe.

Reas: 1 Becauſe thereby Sathan, (who, 1. Pet. 5.8. as a roaring Lyon walks about ſeeking whom he may devoure) ſhall be prevented of that advantage, which otherwiſe he will get againſt us. The flynig bird is hardly ſmitten with the Arrow, the induſtrious and diligent perſon alloweth Sathan no time to tempt him, when David was idle then the devil enſnared him, 2. Sam. 11.

Reas: 2 Becauſe we ſhall hereby thrive in the graces of the Spirit. The ſeed by ſowing is encreaſed, the fire by burning is augmented, ſo grace is encreaſed by exerciſe, and holy induſtry: what Solomon ſpeaketh concermnig outward poverty, or riches, that, he becometh poor that dealeth with a ſlack hand, but the hand of the diligent maketh rich, Prov. 10.4. The ſame is true as to inward riches, or poverty, that a lazy ſlothfull heart becometh poore in grace, but the diligent heart maketh rich in grace, to this very purpoſe is that paſſage af Ieſus Chriſt in the Luk. 8.18. take heed therefore how ye heare, for whoſoever hath, to him ſhall be given; and p. 5whoſoever hath not, from him ſhall be taken, even that which he ſeemeth to have. This is the way to thrive in grace, namely to exerciſe and improve it for the good of others, for as Solomon ſaith, Prov. 19.17. he that hath pity on the poor lendeth to the Lord: and that which he hath given: will he pay him back again.

Reas: 3 Becauſe we ſhall hereby prevent much evill, deadnes, and dulnes in our hearts, vanity of thoughts, idlenes of ſpeech. As the motion of the body prevents the cold, the uſing of the plough-ſhare prevents ruſt: the moving of the water prevents putrifaction, the manuring of the feild preventeth the growing of weeds, thornes, bryars. Therefore is that of the Apoſtle, Heb. 3.12.13. Take heed, bretheren, leaſt there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily while it is called to day, leaſt any of you be hardned through the deceitfulneſs of ſin:

Reas: 4 Becauſe we ſhall hereby much advance the Goſpell and promote the welfare of Chriſts Kingdom, the hiddē myſterie of Godlineſs ſhall be the more plainly opened, the wayes of life more clearily manifeſted, our bretherens underſtanding the better informed, their cold hearts the more inflamed, their unclean affections the more thoroughly purged, their feeble faiths the better ſtrengtned, the good things of Gods Word the more ſweetly reliſhed. The often ſpeaking of this language makes it the better underſtood, the often ſounding of this Trumpet doth awaken the conſcience the more p. 6throughly, the often ſhining of this light doth make the way appear the more plain, we can in nothing more honour the Goſpell, or benefit our bretheren than in ſeeking to perfect their converſion.

Ʋſe: This condemneth our negligence and ſloathfulnes, our dulnes and backwardnes in doing good, in ſeeking the ſalvation of our bretheren. How many places come we unto where we doe no good? how often are we among our bretheren never labouring the welfare of their Souls? what more frequent with us, than like the Prieſt and Levite paſſing between Jericho and Jeruſalem, never reaching out the hand to help them that lye wounded with ſin? Luk. 10. to ſee them erre and not inſtruct them, to ſee them ſorrowfull and not comfort them, to ſee them barren in grace never labouring to make them fruitfull. Where is the Diſciple that imitateth his Saviour in doing of good continually, as he goeth up and down? Where is the man that with Mordecay, Eſther 10.3. that ſeeketh the wealth of his people and ſpeaking peace to all his ſeed? who with Nehemiah ſeeketh the welfare of Iſrael, as it is in Neh. 2.10.

Who is it that with Iob becoms eyes to the ſpiritually blind, feet to the ſpiritually lame? Iob 29.15. I was (ſaith he) eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame, &c. Who is it that becometh a Father to the poor, ſearching out the ſtate of there Souls? that breaketh the jawes of ſin, and plucketh the ſpoiled Soule out of the teeth of Sathan, as Iob did in another caſe, verſ. 16.17. p. 7of that 29. Iob, I was ſaith he a Father to the poor, and the cauſe which I knew not I ſearched out. And I brake the jawes of the wicked, and plucked the ſpoil out of his teeth. Whoſe bowells are ſo full of compaſſion to his bretheren, that fitteth and prepared himſelf, to cloath there Souls, as Dorcas prepared garments to cloath there bodies, Acts. 9.39. Who is it that ſeeketh his ſtraying bretheren, as the Shepheard his wandring ſheep? Eze. 34.12. Where is the Father in Law that with Lot, Gen. 19.14. ſpeakes to his ſonnes in Law, ſaying. Ʋp, get you out of this place, for the Lord will deſtroy this Citie. Where is the Father that with David gives incouragment to his children to go on in the Lords Work? 1. Cron. 28.9. to know God, and ſerve him with a perfect heart and willing minde; Where is the Maſter of the family that with Abraham, commands his houſhold to keep the way of the Lord, to doe juſtice and judgment? Gen. 18.19. Where is the Miniſter that holdes not his peace day nor night, that makes mention of the Lord and keepeth not Silence? That gives him not reſt till he eſtabliſh and make Ieruſalem a Praiſe in the earth, as it is in Iſa. 62.6.7. Where is the bountifull Chriſtian, that doth in Spirituall things as Solomon chargeth we ſhould do in temporall, Ecl. 7.

Who is he that cometh as Abigal to David? 1. Sa. 25.25, 28. Who redeemeth the time? Who ſeeketh opportunity? who imbraceth the offered occaſions to do good? If we examine our p. 8ſelves we may all lay our hands up our mouths, and confeſs our ſelves guilty, we have all more, or leſſe withheld the waters which ſhould have refreſhed the thirſty, the light which ſhould have guided the ignorant, the food which ſhould have fed the hungry, the ſtaff which ſhould have ſuſtained the weary, &c.

And as long as we are thus ſlothfull and backward in this behalf it doth diſcover

1. That we have no bowels of compaſſion towards our bretheren. Who can ſee his brother taken priſoner by the Prince of darkneſs, led away captive in his chain, wounded to the death with ſin, preſſed down under the heavy burden of iniquity, ſtript naked of the rich and pretious garment of true holines, altogether defiled with the dirt and ſlime of Sin, if he have any compaſſion in him, and not ſeek to deliver him? how can he choſe but pray as the Church, Act. 12.3, 4, 5, 6. & endeavour as the angell, vers the 7.8. Shall Abram raiſe an army to deliver Lot, Gen. 14.14. Will God have men to ſhew ſuch compaſſion to an enemies oxe or aſſe? Exo. 23.4, 5. How much more to the Souls of our bretheren, captivated by Sathan, led aſtray by or ſunke under the burden of ſin, ſurely this is the trueſt compaſſion, the ſweeteſt mercy, the beſt kindnes to help the Souls of our brother out of the ſnare of Sathan, according to that of St. Iude vers 22.23. And of ſome have compaſſion making a difference, and others ſave with feare pulling them out of the fire, &c. Men think all the mercy appeareth p. 9in giving food for the belly, apparell for the back, but what is lands and revenews to one confined to perpetuall impriſonment, what is food to the diſeaſed, who needeth Phyſick, what mercy is this to trim the houſe, and leave the inhabitant in priſon? I may ſay as the Lord in Iſa. 58.5, 6, 7. Is it ſuch a faſt as I have choſen a day for a man to afflict his ſoule? Is it to bow down his head like a bulruſh, & to ſpread ſack-cloth and aſhes under him? willt thou call this a faſt and an acceptable day to the Lord? Is not this the faſt that I have choſen? to looſe the bandes of wickednes, to undo the hevy burdens, and to let the oppreſſed go free, and that ye breake every yoke? Is it not to deale thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are caſt out, to thy houſe? when thou ſeeſt the naked that thou cover him, and that thou hide not thy ſelf from thy one fleſh? So is this the compaſſion the Lord looks on for a man now and then to feed, cloth, the hungry naked body? is not this the compaſſion the Lord looks at to help thy brother off with his wicked bands, to undo his heauy burdens, to break his yokes, &c.

2. That we have no hearty and ſanctified affection to our bretheren. How can we ſay we love them, if we ſeek not to remove ſin from them, read that place, Lev. 19.17. Thou ſhalt not hate thy brother in thy heart: Thou ſhalt in any wiſe rebuke thy Neighbour, and not ſuffer ſin upon him. The love of Chriſt appeared not in making his ſervants rich, or advancing them p. 10to worldly dignities, for they are for the most part a poor deſpiſed people, as it is in Zeph. 3.13. But his love appeared in cauſing a light to ſhine to them who ſat in darknes, Mat. 4.16. In opening the eyes of the ſpiritually blind, as it is in Iſa. 35.5, 6. In turning men from iniquity, as it is in Acts the 3. verſe 26. In teaching them to deny ungodlineſs, and worldly luſts, Tit. 2.12, 13, 14. In making us the Sons and Daughters of God as you have it in 1. Iohn 3.1. In waſhing us from the ſpirituall filthyneſs of ſin, Eze. 6.7, 9, 10. And in this manner muſt we ſhew our love towards our bretheren, that it may appear we love the Jewel and not the casket, the ſoul, and not the carkaſe, that our love may be faſtned on Gods image, and not on that which is but duſt and aſhes, that the fruit of our love may be everlaſting, Prov. 13.24. What Solomon ſpeaks there he that ſpareth his rod hateth his ſon, but he that loveth him chaſtneth him betimes. So in this caſe, he that loveth his field manureth it, he that loveth his tree pruneth it.

3. That we have not unfained love to God. No better argument of love to God, than in ſeeking to take from men that ſin which God doth hate, to reſtore them to holineſs wherein God doth delight, and therefore this is made an argument to demonstrate Peters love to Chriſt his feeding his ſheep, Iohn 21.17. by this we ſhall gather them home to Gods fold, make them Members of Chriſts body, heires of Gods Kingdom, ſervants in Gods family, Trees in Gods Orchard, ſouldiers fighting Gods p. 11battles, and ſo ſhall ſhew our love to God by being a means of bringing much honour to him, and to them that ſeek not the good of there bretherens Souls, I may ſay as in the 1. Joh. 3.17. How dwelleth the love of God in him?

4. That we have no feeling of the goodneſs of God in our Souls, of the lively opperation of his word, of our happineſs in being in Chriſt: had we the ſence of this, we would with David in Pſa. 66.16. Invite men to us and ſay, Come and hear all ye, that fear God, and we will tell you what he hath done for our Souls, and we would being converted ſtrengthen our bretheren, as you have it in Luk. 22.32. Wee would ſay as the Samaritan Woman, Ioh. 4.29. come ſee a man which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Chriſt? and as they that were ſent to ſpye out the Land, when they ſaw it and how good it was incouraged the reſt to go to it, ſaying in Iud. 18.9. Ariſe, that we may go up against them, for we have ſeen the Land, and behold, it is very good and are ye ſtill? be not ſloathfull to go, and to enter to poſſeſs the Land. Even ſo thoſe that have felt and ſeene the goodneſs of the Lord, are ready to incourage others Saying, to thoſe that ſtand ſtill, ariſe, why ly ye ſtill, why are ye ſlothfull come into the way of God that is ſo good, ſo pleaſant.

5. That we have no feeling of their miſery, did we feel there ſin as a heavy burden upon our Souls, as a thorne in our ſides, as a burning fire in our own bowels, it would make us mightily to awaken them out of ſin, as the p. 12Woman of Canaan, having her Daughter vexed with a divell, cryed out; have mercy on me O Lord, thou Son of David, for my Daughter is grevouſly vexed with a devill, Math. 15.22. So will it be with a ſoul that hath had any feeling of the miſery of ſin, it will cry out, in the behalf of poor ſinners, have mercy, O Lord, for we have bretheren greivouſly vexed with ſinnes and devills.

6. That we are not greived, to ſee Gods Law transgreſſed as David was in Pſal. 119.136. rivers of tears run down my eyes: becauſe they keep not thy law, the wayes of God neglected, as Lam. 1.4. that the name of God is diſhonoured.

7. That we are not troubled, at the beholding of their ſinfull converſation as 2. Pet. 2.8. That they are not as Cananites to Iſrael, Iud. 2.2, 3. as the men of Meſech to David Pſal. 120.4. as the Daughters of Heth to Sara, Gen. 27.46. Were they ſuch a grief we would pray to God to convert them, as we would to cure a man of the plague in our Families, to roote thornes and bryars out of our vineyard.

8. That we do not fear the provocations of the Lords wrath, (againſt the place where the Kingdom and Church wherein we live) by their ſin, did we conſider how for the adultery of one Zimri and Cosby the plague might fall on all the people, Num. 25.8, 9. How for the diſobedience of one Ionah the whole ſhip might be in danger of miſcarrying, Ionah. 1. How for the theft of one Achan, the whole army might p. 13be defeated, Ioſ. 7. did we conſider and lay to heart how many evils may befull us for the ſin of them that dwell about us, we would do as Ezra did, Exra. 10.1. and according to our beſt abilities, by prayers teares, intreaties, endevour their reformation.

Ʋſe 2 Therefore let us all humble our ſelves for our paſt default in this behalf, and for the time to to me let us labour to do more good, let us in all places, in all companies ſo manage all occaſions, ſo diſpatch all buſines, ſo husband our time, that we do ſome good, if it be poſſible to the Souls of our bretheren, that we help them a little forward in the way to heaven. As Iron ſharpens Iron, as it is in Prov. 27.17. So let us ſharpen the Souls of our bretheren. Let us be to them as the rock to Peter, Math. 26.75. as Philip to Nathaniel, Iohn. 1.45. let us be to them as Horſe men and Chariots, to ſtirre them up to drive and draw them forward, as bellows to kindle and blow up the gifts of Gods Spirit within them, let us communicate what we have received, like good ſtewards feeding Gods family, like fruitfull trees yeilding ſome fruit, like ſhining ſtars caſting out ſome light. As Mary opened her box of alabaſter, and perfumed the houſe therewith, Luk. 7.37. So let us with our gracious ſpeeches, holy inſtructions, and pious diſcourſe leave a gracious ſavour behind us, and impreſſe ſome good in them that are with us. As wicked men ſleep not untill they do ſome miſchief, Prov. 4.16. No more let us take reſt unles we do ſome p. 14good, as Iacob would not let the Angel go till he bleſſed him, Gen. No more let us depart from our bretheren, without leaving ſome bleſſing behind us. And to the end we may do good in all places & companies, conſider theſe things.

1. Let us make a ſpirituall uſe of earthly things. As our Saviour by the water which the Samaritan Woman drew, took occaſion to ſpeak of the water of life, by fiſhing with nets in the Sea, took occaſion to ſpeak of catching and drawing out of the Sea of ſin, by the drawnet of the Goſpell, by the pearle took occaſion to ſpeak of the pretious pearle of the Goſpell, by ſowing of ſeed took occaſion, to ſpeak of the word ſown in the hearts of men. This is a bleſſed uſe of things earthly, it ſweetneth our Meditation, it plainly informeth the weakeſt underſtanding, it ſtrongly convinceth, it deeply in preſſeth upon the memory, we find like Sampſon a hony combe in the Lyon, and fetch water from the rock.

2. Let us be well acquainted with the ſacred Scriptures, let us get the word of God to dwell with in us plenteouſly, Coll. 3.16. and then as a full fountaine ſendeth forth waters, a full cloud poureth out the raine, ſo ſhall our lips drop down knowledge: when there is much fewel in the fire it giveth heat, to al that come nigh to it; if the Word of God be as a fire in our bones, it will make us that we ſhall not be ſilent, ſee it in Iob, in Iob 32.18, 19, 20. in Jeremiah, Ier. 20.8. in David, Pſal. 40.10, 11.

p. 153. Let us get our hearts inflamed with love to God, his word, his wayes, we eaſily break forth into, a large and full diſcourſe of the perſons and things we entirely love, the worldly man of his wealth, the voluptuous man of his pleaſures, the ambitions man of his honour, every mans tongue is ready to diſcourſe of the object of his love, ſo David the commandments being his love, ſee what he ſaith, Pſa. 119.46, 47. I will ſpeak of thy teſtimonies alſo before Kings, and will not be aſhamed, and I will delight my ſelf in thy commandments which I have loved. This will make us with the ſpouſe to enter into a large diſcourſe of the diety of her Saviour, Cant. 5.11. of his judgement and underſtanding in all things, verſ. 12. of the ſweet manifeſtation of himſelf in his ordinance, verſ. 13. of the excellency of his actions, depth of his councels, verſ. 14. of the ſtability of his proceedings, of the amiableneſſe and uprightneſs of his carriage towards his choſen, verſ. 15. of the ſweetnes of his voyce and the ſingular comforts which flow from him, reſide in him, verſ. 16.

4. Let us get our Souls filled with the knowledge of the Lord and of his wayes. We muſt firſt inform our ſelves before we can well inform others; the Lamp can give no light unleſs it ſelf be firſt filled with Oile, the blinde man is not fit for a guide, therefore David prayes, Make me to underſtand the way of thy precepts, ſo ſhall I talk of thy wondrous works, and that of the Prophet in Iſa. 50.4. The Lord God p. 16hath given me the tongue of the learned that I ſhould know how to ſpeak a word in ſeaſon, to him that is weary, &c. We muſt be skilfull like Phyſicians to apply our exhortation aright, it is not enough to ſpeak, but it muſt be to edifying, to good purpoſe, ſo as it may miniſter grace to the hearers, therefore, Prov. 15.2. The tongue of the wiſe uſeth knowledge aright, &c.

5. Let us labour to be thoroughly affected with the goodneſs of God towards our Soul, to be aſſured of the forgiveneſs of all our ſins, to have a lively feeling of Gods love, and the joyes of his ſpirit, and this will make us ready and cheerfull in teaching others, as we have mentioned in that of David, Pſal. 51.12.13.14.15. Reſtore me to the joy of thy ſalvation: and uphold me with thy free ſpirit. Then will I teach transgreſſours thy wayes, and ſinners ſhall be converted unto thee, &c. And that Pſal. 66.16.

6. Let us ſtrive to be truely good, and gracious, ſanctified throughout both in our Souls, and alſo in our bodies, let grace be as a fountain of living water in the heart, and the ſpeech ſhall be as many gracious ſtreams iſſuing from it. As waters to the citie, as ſilver to the needy, as food to the hungry, ſo ſhall be the ſpeech of a gracious man, Prov. 10.11, 20, 21, 32.

If theſe things be in us, we ſhall not be idle nor unprofitable, but we ſhall communicate of what we have received, impart what we know, ſtirre up others to attain the like meaſure of grace and aſſurance with us. And let not any p. 17ſay like the ſluggard there is a Lyon in the way, if we ſeek the good of mens Souls, we ſhall be hated, reproached: ſay not they are diſſolute, or wordly buſineſſes ſhall be hinderers, for as Solomon ſaith, Eccl. 11.4. He that obſerveth the wind, ſhall not ſow; and he that regardeth the clouds, ſhall not reap. But look upon Christ, the Prophets, Apoſtles, Gods precept, bretherens wants, Gods bleſſing, Gods acceptance, clearing of thy owne conſcience, joy which will accompany the due performance, and ſo go forward in it without fainting. So much for the firſt point.

We have ſeen the connexion, next we are to take notice of the words, and therein firſt of all the place whereunto he journied, namely into the Land of Judea: that is into that part thereof which was nigh unto the city Aenon, a city ſituate in the Tribe of Manaſſes, thither he came to ſhew himſelf a Saviour to them, to tender life and ſalvation, to declare Gods counſell; he did not ſtay altogether in one place: but went from place to place, to publiſh the tidings of life. Thereby ſhewing thus much.

Doct. That ſome of all places and of all nations are appointed to eternall life by Chriſt Jeſus.

As the Sun in the Firmanent, (though not all at once, yet by ſucceſſion) doth caſt his light and heat upon all the parts of the earth, more or leſſe. So the Son of righteouſnes ſooner or later bringeth ſome out of all places, and nations, from darknes to light, from death to life, from ignorance to the knowledge of the truth.

p. 18This was ſhadowed, as ſome conceive, by the four corners of the Altar, and ſprinkling of blood round about it, Exod. 27.6, 7, 8. nothing the all-ſufficiency of Chriſt's death, the plenty of his bloodſhed, the manifeſtation of him to the four corners of the world, by the miniſtry of the Goſpell.

This was Propheſied, Zzech. 14.8. And it ſhall be in that day, that living waters ſhall go out from Jeruſalem: half of them towards the former ſea, and half of them towards the hinder ſea: in Summer and in Winter ſhall it be. As the ſea ſendeth her ſtreams to all the corners of the earth, as the King ſwaying over the parts of his Kingdom, Pſal. 72.6, 7, 8. He ſhall come down like rain upon the mowen graſſe: as ſhowers that water the earth. In his dayes ſhall the righteous flouriſh; and abundance of peace, ſo long as the moon endureth he ſhall alſo have Dominion from Sea to Sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth. Therefore he gave his Apoſtles a large commiſſion, Math. 28.19. Go teach all nations, &c. and long before he told the people, Math. 8.11. I ſay unto you that many ſhall come from the Eaſt and Weſt, and ſhal ſit down, with Abraham, Iſaac, and Iacob in the Kingdom of God; and this was the tenure of their ſong, Rev. 5.9. And they ſung a new ſong, ſaying, thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the ſeals thereof: for thou waſt ſlain, and haſt redeemed us to God by thy blood, out of every Kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation: The grounds of the point are theſe:

p. 19Reaſ. 1 Becauſe Gods Mercy and goodnes is the more abundant, and illuſtrious, his name the more glorious. The farther the light of the Sun is extended, the more illuſtrious it appeareth; the farther the Sea ſends her water, the more abundantly the fullnes thereof is diſcovered: hence are thoſe expreſſions, Iſa. 11.10. In that day there ſhall be a root of Jeſſe, which ſhall ſtand for an enſigne of the people; to it ſhall the Gentiles ſeek, and his reſt ſhalt be glorious. And in Iſa. 55.5. Behold thou ſhall call a nation that thou knoweſt not; and nations that know not thee ſhall run unto thee, becauſe of the Lord thy God, and for the holy one of Iſrael, for he hath, glorified the. And hence God is ſaid to will the ſalvation of ſome of all nations, 1. Tim. 2.4.6.

Reaſ. 2 Becauſe God will have it appear that he is no reſpecter of perſons, that he is not bound to any people, for any externall endowments, but that he is free in the communication of his favours, having mercy on whom he will have mercy, and hardening whom he pleaſeth, Rom. 9.15. cauſing light to ſhine on them that ſat in the ſhadow of death, Math. 4.16. found of ſuch which ſought him not, Iſa. 65.1.

Reaſ. 3 Becauſe he will have all left without excuſe, calling ſome by the voice of the Goſpell, others refuſing to return are the more excuſeleſs; They that have received the Goſpell, will be witneſſes againſt them, they cannot but ſay they had a Prophet among them, look into theſe Scriptures, Ezek. 2.5. and Rom. 10.18.

p. 20Reaſ. 4 Becauſe the efficacy of Chriſts death, is the more fully manifeſted, the power of God in his Ordinances is the more abundantly diſcloſed, in that by the Scepter of his Word he bringeth into ſubjection ſome of all nations, and of all conditions, even the moſt inſolent ſtif-necked and obdurate. What greater earthly honour, than for a King to ſubdue all nations, for a Phyſician, than to cure all manner of diſeaſed perſons, as in Dan. 2.44. the ſtrength of the ſtone is commended in daſhing in pieces that great and goodly image.

Reaſ. 5 Becauſe he will not have any nation or people to deſpaire of ſalvation, but attend the means, lay hold on the word of eternall life, becauſe the fountaine of life is opened to all ſorts. Chriſts arms are ſpread abroad to imbrace all comers, as you may gather from theſe places, Iſa. 45.22. Look unto me and be ſaved all the ends of the earth, &c. Iſa. 59.20. So, Act. 10.34. God is no respecter of perſons but in every nation, &c.

Ʋſe. This may acquaint us with the riches of Gods mercies, and abundant goodnes towards his choſen, in gathering them like loſt ſheep out of every Nation and Kingdom where they are ſcattered, and bringing them home to his fold, Luk. 15.4. Iohn. 10.16. Sounding the trumpet of the Goſpell in their ears, awakening them out of ſin, when they ſleep like Lazarus in the grave, Ioh. 11.44. Caſting in the drawnet of the Goſpell, fetching them like fiſh out of the bottome of the Sea, Math. 13.48. As a man p. 21diggeth for jewels out of the deep places of the earth, Mal. 3.17. As a ſhepherd goeth upon the mountains for his loſt ſheep, Luk. 19.8. As the Husbandman fetcheth out his corne among much chaffe, Math. 3.12. So doth our God gather his people ſome from the Eaſt, and ſome from the Weſt. As he cauſed of all beaſts to come into the Arke, Gen. Hence are thoſe paſſages, Iſa. 49.6. and 22. and Iſa. 60.11, and Ier. 3.14. one of a city & two of a family. Some he fetcheth out of one family, ſome out of another, ſome from there nets, Math. 4.22. Some from the receipt of cuſtome, Mat. 9.9. Some from the plough, ſome from behind the ewes, as David to be a King, Hoſ. 1.10.

Ʋſe 2 This muſt teach us whereſoever we come to ſeek the converſion of the people, to labour there reconcilement unto God. No nation ſo ignorant, diſſolute, degenerate, but God may have his people among them. Even in Sodom God hath his Lot. In Pharaohs Court his Joſeph, in Ahabs houſe his Obadiah. No ſoil ſo bad but being well manured may hear ſome good fruit, he that can out of ſtones raiſe children unto Abraham, can turn the moſt ſtony hearted to be an obedient people. His choſen are every where diſperſed, and therefore let us be every where imployed in gathering them to God, let us ſow our ſeed in every barren field, adminiſter Phyſick to every diſeaſed ſoul, apply ſome eye-ſalve to every blind eye; with the Samaritan, pouring oile and wine into every wounded ſoul; with David, delivering the p. 22ſheepe out of the jawes of the bear, with Lot perſwading our bretheren to come, out of the Sodom of ſin; being converted our ſelves, let us labour to convert others. Did we conſcionably exerciſe this duty, theſe things would follow.

1. The earth would be full of knowledge, as the Sea of waters, the light of the moon would be as the light of the Sun, the clouds of ignorance would vaniſh like the vapour before the Sun, and every man would know the Lord from the greateſt to the leaſt, the great things of Gods Law would be no more as a ſtrange language, Hoſea 8.12. or as a ſealed book, Iſa. 29.11.

2. The conſciences of men would be no more like ſeared fleſh, as in 1. Tim. 4.1. they would not reſt ſo ſecurely in ſin, as in 1. Theſ. 5.3. but this like the cock would remember them, as in Mat. 26.74. like a goad would awaken them, Eccl. 12.11.

3. They ſhould not take ſuch pleaſure in ſin, iniquity ſhould not be ſo tooth-ſome to them, that which is now as honey ſhould become as gall to their Palate, what now is as a delightfull way ſhould become as a thorney path. As the hand writing made Baltazar tremble, Dan. 5.5. as hue and crie to theefs, as the looking glaſſe to the ſpots in the face, this would rend the Vyzar, ſcatter the refuge, and hiding place which they have made for their ſin.

4. They ſhould be brought to repent of their ſin, to humble thēſelves under the mighty hand p. 23of God, to caſt away their iniquities as a menſtruous rag, or garment, to turn of God, to break off from their ſins by repentance, as in Acts 2.37. and 2 Sam. 12.13.

5. They ſhould not be ſo barren in the graces of the Spirit, they ſhould not be like a child ſucking dry breaſts, like a Tree whoſe rootes have no moiſture, like the ſluggards field, Prov. 24.32. grown over with thorns and nettles; but as trees ſtanding by the rivers ſide, they ſhould bring forth much fruit, like children ſucking at a full breaſt they ſhould grow apace, Prov. 10.21. Deut. 32.2.

6. They ſhould not be ſo earthly minded, the world ſhould not have ſo much of their affection, time, ſervice, care, it ſhould not have ſuch Dominion over them, it ſhould not ſo preſſe them down, like a heavy burthen; but their hearts ſhould be ſetled on things which are above, and they ſeek the Kingdome of God and his righteouſnes, Math. 6.33. and count all things dung and droſs, &c. Philip. 3.8.

Ʋſe 3 Since God hath not excluded any place, or nation: but that he hath, and doth tender, the means one time or other, one way or another. Therefore let not any people ſet down and deſpaire of ſalvation, as if the arme of God were ſhortned that it could not ſave, or his ear deaf that he would not hear; but as God hath appointed ſome of all nations, and Kinreds to be ſaved; ſo let this incourage all ſorts of people to attend the means of their ſalvation. There is hope, if the lame man wayte at Betheſda, that he p. 24ſhall be cured, if Naaman go to Jordan, there is hope that he ſhall be cleanſed, if you manure and ſow your field there is hope of reaping. As all ſorts of people attend the Sun for light, ſo muſt they the Lords Ordinances for direction in the way to heaven.

As appeareth by the next thing here obſervable, Chriſts attendants, who went with him, the Diſciples. They did not leave him, but continually travelled with him, and attended on him, whence note this thing.

Doctr. 3 That Gods ſervants muſt be conſtantly converſant with, and attendant upon their faithfull teachers: As the Scholars attendeth the maſter, as the child the breaſt. So muſt we, 1 Pet. 2.2. as new borne babes, deſire the ſincere milk of the Word, &c. Iob 23.12. It is Jobs ſpeech, neither have I gone back from the commandement of his lips, I have eſteemed the words of his mouth more than my neceſſary food. As it is ſtoried of Ruth her ſpeech to Naomi, 1 Ruth 16. Intreat me not to leave thee, or return from following after thee; for whither thou goeſt, I will go; and where thou lodgeſt, I will lodge; thy people ſhall be my people, &c. So muſt we be as to Gods Ordinances and faithfull miniſters, not depart from them, but go where they go, &c. Thus it was with perſons of old: in 13 Acts 42. the gentiles there beſought Paul that the Word before taught might be preached to them, &c. and in the 17 Acts 11. it is ſpoken of the men of Berea, they received the word with all readineſs of mind, & ſearched the Scriptures daily, &c. p. 25So in the 20 Acts 37.38. there the people attend Paul, and wept ſore when he ſpake of ſeeing their face no more. If you aske why Gods ſervants muſt be conſtantly converſant with and attendant upon their faithfull teachers; it will appeare, if you take notice of theſe particulars:

Reaſ. 1 Becauſe God hath repleniſhed them with heavenly knowledge to inſtruct & teach them. As the fountains are filled with water and men come daily to draw water thence, ſo as it is in Mal. 2.5, 6, 7. The Prieſts lips keep knowledge, and people ſhould ſeek the Law at their mouth, for he is the meſſenger of the Lord of Hoſts, &c. theſe are nurſes as you have it, 1. Theſ. 2.7. theſe are ſpirituall parents, 2 Cor. 4.15. theſe are guides, in the way, Rom. 219. as the children ſuck the breaſts, attend their perents, and travellers are converſant with their guides, ſo muſt theſe be with the Miniſters of the Lord.

Reaſ. 2 Becauſe God hath promiſed a bleſſing hereunto, Prov. 8.34. Bleſſed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, wayting at the poſts of my doores, as he that lay daily at the gates of the Temple received a bleſſing, Acts 3.6. this the Pſalmiſt mentions, Pſal. 65.4. Bleſſed is the man whom thou choſeſt, and cauſeſt to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: We ſhall be ſatisfied with the goodnes of thy houſe, even of thy holy Temple, and that place, Matth. 7.7, 8.

Reaſ. 3 Becauſe we are prone to go aſtray like a p. 26ſheep wanting a Shepheard, a traveller wanting a guide. The people ſoone erred, when Moſes was but a little while abſent. Iſrael could not go forward to Canaan, longer than they had the light of the fiery Pillar to direct them, if God ſmite the Shepheard the Sheepe are Scattered, the Wiſe men knew not how to travell longer than the Star ſhined to them.

Reaſ. 4 Becauſe we ſhall loſe our firſt love to God like Epheſus, Rev. 2.4. If the bellowes blow not, the fire of it's owne accord will extinguiſh; the world will ſteale away our affections, if we do not conſtantly attend the Goſpell of Chriſt; if the child do not feed, his ſtrength will decay, if we do not conſtantly viſite God we ſhall ſoone forget God, the world will quickly ſteale away our heartes from the Lord.

Reaſ. 5 Becauſe Gods ſervants muſt go from faith to faith, Rom. 1.17. From ſtrength to ſtrength, Pſal. 84.7. Like good travellers going onward in the way without ceſſation. Now without theſe we ſhall be like Pharaohs Chariot which moved ſoftly, and periſhed in the red Sea. Perſeverance in grace requireth conſtancy in attendance upon Gods Ordinances.

Uſe: 2 This ſerveth for the ſharpe reproof of ſuch as eſtrange themſelves from Gods faithfull miniſters, chooſing rather to converſe with them that will poyſon, than with ſuch as will heale there ſouls; with them that are ſtumbling blocks, than with ſuch as are guides in the way, with ſuch as will harden rather than with ſuch as will ſoften their hearts, with ſuch as will p. 27rather draw a vail before, than ſuch as will take away the ſcales of ignorance from the eye of their underſtanding, preferring flattery before faithfull counſell, deſiring to be dawbed over with the untempered morter of deceipt, as in Ezek. 13.11. than to have their ruinons walls of ſin pulled down, wiſhing that the meſſengers of God had no eyes to ſee, nor tongues to reprove them for their ſin, as Iſa. 30.10. loving no doctrine but what giveth liberty to their corruption, Ier. 5. ult.

But as longe as mens hearts are thus averſe from attendance on Gods Ordinances, thus void of love to Gods Meſſengers:

1. They can never be well acquainted with the miſery of their one eſtates. He that vieweth not himſelf in the looking glaſſe cannot know his ſpots, he that eſtrangeth himſelf from the Phyſician, knowes not the ſtate of his body, he that will not try his metall in the fire cannot know whither it be gold or copper, ſo no man can underſtand his condition without the ordinances; read thoſe places, Rom. 7.9. and Acts 9.17, 18. and Rev. 3.17, 18.

2. They cannot be unfainedly humbled for their ſinnes, Peter wept not till he heard the cock crow, Math. 26.75. the Jewes were not pricked in their hearts till they heard Peter preach, Acts 2.37. The Church muſt firſt ſee her teachers, and hear a word behind her, before ſhe defile her Idols, Iſa. 30.20, 21, 22. and Ier. 31.18, 19, 20. and Rom. 7.24.

3. They cannot be ſeparated from ſin, if p. 28Naaman go not into Jordan he cannot be cleanſed, 2 King. 5. if the fan be not uſed the chaffe & corne cannot be ſevered, Math. 3.12. read alſo Iohn 15.3. and Ier. 23.29.

4. They can never have experience of the happy eſtate of Gods ſervants, of the good things that he hath provided for them that love him, of the ſweetnes of his Ordinances, theſe cannot be, as Pſal. 46.4. A river, the ſtreams whereof make glad the heart. But as waters in a ſealed fountaine, theſe cannot be▪ as Eccl. 11 7. Light which is ſweet and pleaſant: But as light under a buſhell, as a treaſure under the earth, as an unknown language. They cannot ſay with Ieremiah in the 15 Ier. 16. nor with David in the 119. Pſal. 72.

5. Their Conſciences can never be truely pacified, for the publication of reconciliation is by the miniſtrey, as 2 Cor. 5.20. the ſtormy and tempeſtuous Sea of a troubled ſoule cannot, be quieted, they cannot be aſſured they ſhall be ſaved, Rom. 10.17. Eph. 1.13, 14.

The ſtreams of Gods loving kindnes flow not with an equall fullnes into all corners of the earth. To ſome God affordeth his mercies, his bleſſings ſpirituall, as a river of great ſtrength, of much depth running for many ages together; to others as a weake ſtreame, a ſhallow brooke ſoone dryed: among ſome he erecteth the meanes of life, as a Lamp full of oile giving much light, ſhinnig very long; to others as a Lamp with little oile, giving a ſlender light, ſoone gone out: to ſome the means of life are p. 29as a Sommers day, cleare, glorious, of long continuance; to others as a Winters day, more obſcure, more ſhort, as Joſeph in the diſtribution of his meat, and apparell among his bretheren, gave five times as much to Benjamin, as to any other of his bretheren: So our God in the diſtribution of the meanes of life, giveth five times as much to ſome nations, to ſome particular places, as to others.

Thus our Saviour in the firſt beginning of his miniſtry paſſed by Jeruſalem, like a traveller making a very ſmall ſtay: but in the Land of Judaea he tarried, as a ſojourner making a longer ſtay among them, revealing himſelf more fully, unfolding the myſterie of ſalvation more plainly: from whence we may gather this.

Doct. 4 That the long continuance of the faithfull miniſtery of the Goſpell is a very great bleſſing to any people.

As the continuance of the fiery Pillar was a great bleſſing to Iſrael, Exod. 40.38. So is the continuance of the fiery and ſhining Pillar of the Goſpell, to all that are appointed to travell from Aegypt to Canaan. As the continuance of the light ſhining in Goſhen was a great bleſſing to Iſrael, when Aegypt ſat in darknes, Exod. 10.23. So is the continuance of the light, to any Nation, or particular perſon, or aſſembly, when others are left in ignorance.

This is apparent by Gods gracious and comfortable promiſe made to the Gentiles, Iſa. 60.11, 20. Therefore the gates ſhall be open continually, p. 30they ſhall not be ſhut day nor night, that men may bring unto thee the forces of the Gentiles, and that their Kings may be brought, verſ. 20. The Sun ſhall no more go down, neither ſhall the Moon withdraw it ſelf: for the Lord ſhall be thine everlaſting light, and the dayes of thy mourning ſhall be at an end.

And alſo to the Jewiſh Church, as ſome conceive under the new Teſtament, Iſa. 62.6, 7. I have ſet Watch-men upon thy walls, O Jeruſalem, which ſhall never hold their Peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the Lord, keep not ſilence; and give no reſt, till he eſtabliſh, and till he make Jeruſalem a praiſe in the earth.

And this doth God put into the hand of his Church as a burning Lampe, to give her light in the darke night of affliction, Iſa. 30.20, 21. And though the Lord give you the bread of adverſity, and the water of affliction; yet ſhall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes ſhall ſee thy teachers: and thine ears ſhall hear a word behind thee, ſaying; This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

The reaſons of the point are theſe.

Reaſ. 1 Becauſe it is a peculiar teſtimony of Gods love, a powerfull argument of his mercy towards us in Chriſt: A ſurer, a ſweeter, a richer teſtimony of his favour, than if he did turn the ſhallow ſtreame of our outward proſperity into a deep river; the barren tree of our earthly abilities, into a fruitfull vine loaden from the top to the bottome with the choiceſt grapes. As p. 31Abrahams reſervation of the inheritance for Iſaac, was a greater Teſtimony of his favour, than if he had given hin all the moveables beſtowed on Iſmael: So Gods donation of the miniſtry of the Goſpell, the means of life eternall, is a far greater favour than if he had given all the moveable and mutable wealth of the world: Earthly things are but as favours beſtowed upon a ſervant, but the Goſpell is a Jewell peculiar to the wiſe, Jer. 3.14, 15. Turn O Back-ſliding children, ſaith the Lord: for I am married to you: and I will take you one of a citie and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zyon: and I will give you Paſtours, according to my heart, which ſhall feed you with knowledge and underſtanding: read alſo, Iſa. 62.5, 6.

Reaſ. 2 Becauſe it is a gracious argument of Gods comfortable preſence; as the continuance of the fiery Pillar & of the Arke were a bleſſed Signe of Gods preſence among the men of Iſrael; So is the continuance of the light of the Goſpell unto us. Where ſacred aſſemblies are according to Gods Ordinance continued, there Chriſt is preſent, Math. 18.20. Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midſt of them: and Rev. 1.13. in the midſt of the 7 golden Candleſticks, one like unto the Sonne of man cloathed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle, Mat. 28.19, 20. I am with you to the end of the world. As the tree of life in the midſt of the garden, ſo is Chriſt in the p. 32middeſt of ſuch aſſemblies, affording them food and nouriſhment unto life eternall.

Reaſ. 3 Becauſe it is a peculiar end of Chriſts reſurection, a ſingular benefit of his aſcenſion: As it is a ſingular benefit of the riſing of the Sun in the Firmament to give light to the inferiour parts of the world: So it is a ſingular benefit of the aſcending of the Sonne of righteouſnes, to give light to them that ſit in darkenes. He did not riſe, he did not aſtend to endow his flowers with earthly riches, to make them rulers over nations, but he aſcended to pour the grace of his Spirit, to endow men with graces, to inſtruct his people, as you have it Eph. 4.8, 11, 12. and John 16.13.

Reaſ. 4 Becauſe it is a ſingular Ornament to any nation, or particular people: As the Sun is an Ornament to the heavens; the flower an Ornament to the garden, the ſhining Lamp an Ornament to the houſe, the eye an Ornament to the body: So is the light and burning Lampe of the Goſpell, a ſingular honour to the people, a greater honour to enjoy the light of Gods truth, than the light of the Kings face: the earth among all her ſtore hath not ſuch a pearle as the Goſpell, all the trees of the earth are but brambles to this vine, thornes to this lilley, Cant. 2.2. all their fruit is but like ſower to this ſweet and pleaſant grape, all treaſure is but like droſſe to this gold, Philip. 3.8. ſtrip them but of this Robe, and all their Ornaments are but as rags; therefore, 1 Sam. 4.42. Phyneas wife ſaid when the Arke was taken away by the Philiſtines, p. 33the glory is departed from Iſrael.

Reaſ. 5 Becauſe it is of the greateſt neceſſity; As needfull as the Sun to give light to the World: for this they are called the light of the World, Math. 5.14. and that paſſage of Solomon, Prov. 6.23. the commandement is a Lamp, and the Law is light; and reproofs of inſtruction are the way of life. As food is to the body without which it muſt needs languiſh, 1 Pet. 2.2. Iob 23.12. As a Shepheard is to the flock, Eze. 34.8. As a nurſe is to the child, 1 Theſ. 2.7. As dewes are to the ground, Dutr. 32.2. As a weapon to the Souldier, Eph. 6.17. As Phyſick to the diſeaſed, Pſal. 107.20. Iſa. 57.19. As the Samaritan to him that lay wounded between Jericho and Jeruſalem; So is the Goſpell to the Lords people: As Moſes Rod to Iſrael to open the rock to divide the waters; So is the Goſpell to make way through trouble, to give comfort in the midſt of all affliction: As the continuance of things ſo needfull is a great temporall bleſſing: So is the continuance of the Goſpell a ſingular mercy to any people.

Reaſ. 6 Becauſe, the fruits of the Goſpell, are very excellent, of ſingular choiſe, farre ſurpaſſing the fruit growing on any tree of mans planting. By thiſ the underſtanding is enlightned, and we are acquainted with Gods counſell. Chriſt walked in the midſt of the golden Candleſtick when he revealed himſelf unto John the Evangeliſt, Rev. 1.13, 20. Here is the Schoole wherein we learne true wiſedome, 2 Tim. 3.16. This is the fountaine, the Jordan, wherein we may p. 34waſh and be cleane, John. 17.17. This is the river, whoſe waters will make our hearts rejoyce, Pſ. 46.4. This is the pure gold, which will enrich us, Rev. 3.18. This is the warlike weapon, which like Davids ſling and ſtone, will give us conqueſt over our enemies: Theſe are the waters, which will cauſe us like trees planted by the waters ſide to encreaſe and fructify in great abundance, of a little one to become a thouſand, and of a ſmall one a ſtrong Nation, Iſa. 60.22. all theſe ſeriouſly conſidered, we ſhall plainely ſee that the continuance of the Goſpell is a ſingular bleſſing.

Uſe. This giveth us occaſion to take thorow notice of, and to get our hearts ſoundly affected with the goodnes of God towards us in generall, eſpecially towards many places: in particular, he hath not paſſed by us as a ſtranger, but hath taken up his dwelling amongſt us, and communicated his counſell as to the friends of his boſome; broaken the bread of life, as the father to the children: drawn out the breaſts, as the loving mother to the tender infant: he hath not taken away our Candleſtick, nor doth withhold Oile from the Lamp, he hath not cauſed the tongue of the reprover to cleave unto his mouth, he hath not cauſed the Sun to go down over our Prophets, Ezek. 1.26. he hath not left them without viſion, Mic. 3.6. they have not been as clouds without raine, as wels without water, as dogs without tongues, as eyes without ſight, God hath not ſuffered the Philiſtines to ſtop up Abrahams wells, nor ſurpriſe p. 35Iſraels Arke, the Lord hath not dealt with us as he threatned to do with them in another caſe, Hoſ. 13.15. To dry up our Springs and our fountaines, and to ſpoile our treaſury of all her pleaſant veſſels, but rather on the contrary, as, Iſa. 41.17, 18. They that ſate in darkenes have ſeen a great light, Iſa. 9.3. The barren womb is become mother of many Children, the Candleſtick, which had none, have had ſhining lights erected in them, the breaſts which have been dry have been filled with milke, the pits which were empty have been repleniſhed with water. The fathers have ſeene the riſing, and the children have not (God grant they never may) ſee the ſetting of this Sun, the Fathers have been fed with this Manna, and the children have not, through any ſpiritual famine, been conſtrained to go from Sea to Sea to ſeek this bread, Amos 8.11, 12. It hath not vaniſhed like a vapour, but like the cloud which Eliahs ſervant ſaw, it was little as a mans hand in the beginning, 1 King. 18.44, 45. yet through his bleſſing, who is the Ocean of all goodnes, it hath overſpread even the whole Land, and watered many places thereof; it hath not been as a tree of dry rootes, but from a little plant it hath growne to a great tree, like the tree in Nebuchadnezars viſion, Dan. 4.11, 12. It hath not like the waters of Teman been ſoone dryed up, but like the waters of the ſanctuary, Ezek. 47.3, 4, 5.

Though the wild boare of the forreſt hath often endevoured to roote up this vine, though p. 36the Antichriſtian Locusts with the ſmoake of Popiſh Doctrine have ſought to put out this light, though the ſpirituall Philiſtines have laboured to Damme up this well, though they plotted, deviſed, and combined the accompliſhment thereof with their confederates, as much as ever the Philiſtines did the taking away of Sampſons locks, the putting out of Sampſons eyes by corrupting their Dalila, that all like Sampſon might be conſtrained to grind to their mill, and to dance to their Pipe, Iud. 16.21, 25.

Though the great Dragon hath ſtriven with his taile flattering and fawning on ſome like a Dog that moveth his taile, perſecuting others, as a Serpent beateth and woundeth with his taile, to draw the ſtarres from heaven, teachers, and profeſſours from the Goſpel: Yet hitherto hath the Lord amongſt us cauſed this vine to flouriſh, this fountaine to ſend forth refreſhing waters, this ſtarre to ſhine. Many years hath he digged and caſt ſoile about the rootes of this tree, Luk. 13.7. Long hath he endeavoured like a Hen to gather us as Chickens under his wings, Math. 23.37. Often hath he ſent his meſſengers, to wo us to reconcile us. So that we may ſay as God himſelfe doth, what could he have done more, then he hath done for us, Iſa. 5.2. Treaſon, Power, Malice, hath been diſcovered, defeated, falſe Doctrines, trees which were not of Gods planting, have hitherto been plucked up, the Lyons coming in ſheeps cloathing have been ſhunned by the Lords flocke, and p. 37the Factors of Rome have had no good utterance for their deceiptfull wares. But the Goſpel, happily, and well were it, if not unthankfully preſerved. Chriſt hath tarried with us longer than in the Land of Iudea; we may ſay as, Cant. 2.11, 12, 13. Lo, the winter is paſt, the rain is over, and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of the ſinging of birds is come, and the voyce of the Turtle is heard in our Land. The figtree putteth forth her green figs, & the vines with the tender grapes give a good ſmell, &c.

Ʋſe. 2 Is it ſuch a favour, a bleſſing of ſuch eminent nature to have the Goſpel continued, to have our Souls watered with theſe dews, our eyes lightned with this light, and hath our God in this manner, for ſo long from the Grandfather to the Father, from the Father to the Children, cauſed this ſtreame to run without any interruption, this Sun to ſhine without any Eclipſe to hide it: what ſhould we doe for our God which hath don ſo much for us; how ſhould we all ſay as the Pſalmiſt, Pſal. 116.12, 13, 14. What ſhall I render to the Lord for all his benefits towards mee? I will take the cup of ſalvation and call upon the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows to the Lord, now in the preſence of all his people. How ſhould we all ſtudy day and night how to honour that God, who hath ſo honoured us above many other nations: Theſe things it ſhould cauſe.

1. This ſhould cauſe us to love God moſt entirely: how do we love the hand which p. 38healeth us when we are ſicke, the hand which feedeth us being hungry, which delivereth us being captivated, which cloatheth us being naked, which bringeth a light to us being in darkenes, which advanceth us to honour out of the duſt: how much more ſhould the goodnes of God inflame our cold, revive our dull affections, how can we look on theſe tokens of Gods love, and not be raviſhed with admiration? How can we ſet in this Banqueting houſe, and not be ſick of love? Cant. 2.4. How can we live ſo long under the burning beames of this Sun, and not burne with love to him, who hath loved us? How can we receive ſo much from God, and not gladly leave all for the love we beare him? Is not the heat of the fire anſwearable to the quantity of the wood? Is not the depth of the waters in the Channel, proportionable to the water diſtilling from the clouds, ariſing from the fountaine? remember you not that place, Luk. 7.41, 42, 43. Hath he not given and forgiven us, more than others; therefore let us accordingly in our love go beyond other people.

2. This ſhould cauſe us to love the Goſpel moſt unfainedly: we have had the experience of it, we have ſeen the wonders it hath wrought, the powerfull effects it hath produced, we have ſeen the bleſſings which have accompanied it, how the hand of God hath been with it. It is ſaid of David that all Iſrael and Juda loved him, becauſe he went out and in before them, and God was with him, 1 Sam. 18.14, 16. p. 39We have had as bleſſed experience of the goodnes of the Goſpel, of the long continuance of it, of the mighty power of God accompaining it, toward us, againſt our enemies, as ever the men of Iuda and Iſrael had of David, and therefore we ſhould now ſet our hearts upon it. As Solomon ſaith in another caſe, Prov. 5.19. Let her be as the loving hinde, and pleaſant roe, let her breaſt ſatisfie thee at all times, and be thou raviſht with her love.

We ſhould be ſo affected with it, that with them, Iohn. 6.34. We ſhould ſay, Lord, evermore give us this bread, that with Peter, Math. 17.4. We ſhould ſay it is good being here, if thou wilt let us make here three Tabernacles, &c. and with David, Pſal. 119.72. The Law of thy mouth is better to mee than thouſands of gold and ſilver, and as the ſpouſe, Cant. 1.2. Let him kiſs me with the kiſſes of his mouth, &c. Long continuance in the Schoole cauſeth the Schollers delight; this is the inſtrument of our peace, ſafety, comfort, and direction: therefore as Iſrael, 1 Sam. 4.5. When the Arke of the Covenant came into the camp, ſhouted with a great ſhoute, ſo that the whole earth rang againe; ſo ſhould we for the continuance of the Goſpel.

3. This ſhould make us reſemble God abundantly in holines and true righteouſnes. The Iron that lyeth long in the fire, burneth like the fire; Naaman that hath been ſeven times in Jordan cometh forth cleanſed: if the Sun ſhine long the aire is fully enlightned, Moſes was but p. 40forty dayes in the mount, and his face ſhined, we have been more than forty years in this mount with our God, and therefore we ſhould ſhine in holines; trees that have long growne in a fertile ſoile, much coſt, art and labour beſtowed about them beare much fruit, Pſal. 1.3. as in the 2 Pet. 3.11, 12. Seeing then all things ſhall be diſſolved what manner of perſons ought we to be in all holy converſation and godlines: So in this caſe ſeeing the Goſpel hath been ſo long continued; ſo powerfully preached, what manner of perſons ought we to be in all holy converſation.

4. This ſhould fill our mouths with praiſes and thanksgivings, it ſhould make us to rejoyce as the wiſe men at the beholding of the ſtarre, as the Angels at the birth of Christ. But if inſteed of loving God, of delighting in the Goſpel of God, of reſembling God, of conſecrating our ſelves to God; of magnifying him for his long continued merices. We diſhonour God, we diſgrace the Goſpel by our Religious converſation. What can we then looke for at the hands of God; but that he turne our long and ſhining day into a night of everlaſting darknes, what can we expect but that he take away our Candleſtick, Rev. 2.5. Put out our Candle, Acts 13.46.

3. Let us try whither as the long continuance of the Goſpel is a bleſſing in it ſelfe, ſo it be a bleſſing to us, 1 Sam. 4. Iſrael had the Arke, rejoyced in it: Yet the Philiſtines had the victory. Many ſhall ſay at laſt, Luk. 13.26. and yet verſ. 27.

p. 41Therefore that it may appear to every mans owne conſcience, that it is a bleſſing to him: it will appear by ſignes and fruits thereof.

Signe. 1 By the inward holy and thorough chaunge which it worketh, to whom-ſoever God doth bleſſe, it purifieth their hearts as fire doth purify the droſſe from every part of the gold, like a good houswife, it ſweepeth every roome, like a launcing knife, it lets out the corruption which was hidden within, like good Phyſick,Heb. 4.12. 2 Cor. 10.4.5. 1 Sam. 5.4.5.Heb 4:122 Cor 10:42 Cor 10:51 Sam 5:41 Sam 5:5 it hath purged the diſeaſe of the Stomacke, it hath like a mighty weapon overturned the hold of Sathan, like the Arke it hath caſt down even Dagon it ſelfe, it hath not onelyonly paired the branch, but cut through the roote of ſin.

Signe. 2 By the delight it breedeth in the wayes of holines. It hath made that which was once as an iron yoke to thy neck,Mat. 11.29.Matt 11:29 to become as a garment about thy back, what was once as a thorney way, to become a plain a ſmooth path, what was once as a moate to thy eye, is now become as the light, a pleaſant thing thereunto, it is no more a trouble but meate and drinke to do thy Fathers will, Iohn 4.34. Pſal. 40.8. 1 John 5.3. all theſe places intimate as much.

Signe. 3 By the firme Union, & holy Communion, it doth work between Chriſt and thee,1 Cor. 11.2. 2 Cor. 5.18.1 Cor 11:22 Cor 5:18 it cauſeth thy heart to cleave to him, as the heart of the bride cleaveth to the bridgroome, as the ſtones in the building cleave unto the foundation, with firmeneſs, & with affection, it taketh thee out of the wild Olive, and grafteth thee into the living vine, it ſeparateth thee from the World, p. 42cauſeth thee to give a bill or divorce thereunto, it maketh the World, whom thou once entirely affected, to become as a Husband that is dead, and it doth contract thee unto Chriſt, and whereas heretofore thou haſt lived towards Christ, as towards a ſtranger, whom thou kneweſt not, affectedſt not, regardedſt not, now you live to him as a wife to her Husband, you know Christ, converſe with Chriſt, open the ſecrecies of your Soul to him, aske his counſell, know the excellencie of his love towards you, obey him, delight in him, meditate upon him, ſtudy in all things how to pleaſe him; Much more might be ſaid but this will ſufficiently diſcover it.

4. Is the long continuance of the Goſpel ſuch a bleſſing, then let us be carefull ſo to walke towards the Lord, that it may ſhine like the Sun to the end of the World, that it may be to us & our poſterity as an everlaſting fountaine, whoſe waters may never be dryed up, that may ſhine like the fiery Pillar, from one end of our jorney to another: And for that end let us be carefull.

1. To remove our transgreſſions far from us. God will ever be our friend, it we handle ſin as an enemy, if we caſt this out of our boſome, he will moſt graciouſly embrace us, moſt abundantly communicate his mercies to us. It is ſin onelyonly that cauſeth God to eſtrange himſelfe from us, to deprive us of his bleſſings, the thornes and bryars occaſion the Husbandman to withhold the ſoile from the vineyard, p. 43the ſower grapes cauſe God to pull down the hedge, Iſa. 5.4, 5, 6. Ungodlines ſetteth God againſt us, and us againſt his Ordinances, if the Philiſtins love his Dagon, the Arke cannot long continue, if Ahab keep his reſolution of going up to Ramoth Gilead, Michaia, ſhall ſurely loſe his freedom.

2. We muſt take heed of loſing our firſt love, we muſt not put our hand to the plough and look back; we muſt not with Iſrael long again for the fleſh-pots of Egypt, but grow more and more in love with God and his wayes, thirſt more after Gods goodnes, and God ſhall repleniſh you with his mercies.

3. We muſt not grow weary of Gods Ordinances: as Iſrael of their Manna, as diſeaſed ſtomacks of their food, as ſoar eyes of the light, as ulcerous bodies of a ſtraite garment, as bruiſed backs of a heavy burden: But we muſt ſtrive to take more delight and comfort therein, to feel more ſweetnes, to perceive more efficacy, to find a greater ſtability of faith thereby wrought. The longer a man travelleth in the heate of the Sun the more his body is warmed; the longer a man doth exerciſe in any trade, the more contentement and delight he findeth in it; make it then your delight, Iſa. 58.13, 14. Hunger and you ſhall be fed ſeek, and you ſhall find; But if we grow weary of the Ordinances, as they in Amos 8.5. The Lord will remove the Ordinances, as in verſ. 11.

4. We muſt not oppoſe, reproach, nor diſgrace the Meſſengers of the Lord; abuſe the p. 44Kings Meſſengers he will ſend no more: When Hanun abuſed his Meſſengers he ſent no more in Kindnes; abuſe the Phyſitian and thou maiſt languiſh without cure, Acts 13.45, 46. Mar. 6.11. Let then their feet be beautifull Rom. 10.15. Let him be as one of a thouſand, Job 33.23.

5. We muſt bring forth the fruits of the Goſpel, let it be as ſeed ſowne in good ground, as ſoile about the rootes of a good tree, as milk from the Mothers breaſts making the child grow, 1 Pet. 2.2.

Laſtly. Is the long continuance thereof ſuch a bleſſing, then the taking away thereof muſt needs be a curſe, if the one be a teſtimony of Gods favour, the other muſt needs be a teſtimony of Gods anger. Therefore likened to a famine; what greater puniſhment than to be deprived of bodily ſuſtenance: Likened to the extinguiſhing of the light, what more uncomfortable than to be left in darkenes. This is our weapon, what more dangerous than for a man to be left without any inſtrument of defence in the midſt of his enemies; Theſe are the wells whence we draw the waters of ſalvation, what more lamentable than to ſtop up the running ſtreams which water the adjoyning countrey. Therefore wretched is the condition of that people, where this Lamp doth not ſhine, of that vineyard, where theſe dewes do not diſtill, heavy is Gods indignation upon the people whoſe ears hear not the ſound of the Goſpel: But more than miſerable is the eſtate of ſuch as have it, and do not regard it.

p. 45The laſt thing here conſiderable is his action, his work, what he did. He baptized, not that he did it by his one hands but by others, as appeareth in that place, John 4.1, 2. Yet he is ſaid to do it. To teach us.

Doct. That the efficacy of the Sacrament is not from the Miniſter but from Chriſt the Ordainer: he muſt be a Miniſter, called and Sanctified of God thereunto that doth adminiſter it: But yet it is the Lord that giveth efficacy unto it.

Moſes ſmiteth the rock, but it is the Lord that ſtandeth before him, and cauſeth the water to guſh out, Exod. 17.6.

The Prieſts and the People compaſſe the walls of Jericho, and ſound the rams hornes, but it is the Lord doth overthrow the citie, Ioſuah 6.16.

It is Paul plants, &c. but God that giveth the encreaſe, 1 Cor. 3.6. And this the Baptiſt acknowledged, Math. 3.11.

Reaſ. 1 Becauſe the miniſters are but the inſtruments; God is the chief agent, they are but the rod in the hand of God; the power is not mans but the Lords, as in another caſe it is ſpoken, 2 King. 6.27. So if God do not help we cannot. Our duty is to uſe the means; it is Gods goodnes and mercy to give the bleſſing, as Prov. 21.31. The Horſe is prepared againſt the day of battle, but ſalvation is of the Lord, ſo faithfull and able miniſters muſt be provided, but yet the Lord giveth the bleſſing, 1 Cor. 3.5.

Reaſ. 2 Becauſe it is not mans but Gods Ordinance p. 46and the efficacy of every Ordinance dependeth upon the ordainer of it. Why are the waters of Jordan more effectuall than the waters of Abana and Parphar to waſh away the Leaproſy of Naaman, but becauſe God hath ordained them thereunto, 2 King. 5.10. Why ſhould Moſes Rod divide the waters rather than another ſtaff, but becauſe the Lord hath commanded it to be uſed, he ordaineth it, and maketh it to accompliſh that whereunto he doth ſend it, Iſa. 55.10.11.

Reaſ. 3 Becauſe all the Ordinances of God do receive their vertue & ſaving power from Gods Spirit. The waters in Betheſda can do nothing unles the Angel move them, John 5.4.

The Philiſtines can never unfold Sampſons riddle unles they plough with his heifer Judg. 14.18.

Let God withhold his Spirit, the Word will be as a ſealed book which we cannot underſtand, you may read that the wiſdome and underſtanding of the Word is by the Spirit, Eph. 1.17. So John 16.13.

Let God withhold his Spirit, and the Word will be a killing letter, 2 Cor. 3.6.

And for the Sacrament; that will be as a ſhell without a kernell, as a dry tree without fruit, as a fountaine ſhut up.

Ʋſe. This muſt give incouragment to the Lords Miniſters though the work be difficult, the burden heavy, the taske great, the oppoſition ſtrong, the hinderances many, their armes weak, their abilities no way anſwearable to the p. 47work. Yet the Lords arme is ſtrong, the Lords eye is cleare, he is every way ſufficient, he will make his Ordinances effectuall, he will do great things by weak inſtruments, Pſal. 8.2. Babes and ſucklings: our one weaknes muſt not ſo much diſhearten, as Gods power muſt give incouragment to us. The conſideration of Gods alſufficiency, muſt make us paſs through all difficulties, with confidence, chearfulnes, and much courage. Though we are as empty veſſels yet in God is fulnes, though it be a taske to hard for any humane ſtrength, a burden to heavy for the ſhoulders of the very Angels, a labour which no created power can accompliſh. Yet the Lord having given us commiſſion, he may look on us and ſay, as he did to Gideon in another caſe, Iud. 6.14. Go you meſſengers of the Lord of Hoſts, you that are full of power, by the Spirit of the Lord and of judgment, and of might, Mic. 3.8. Go on in this your might, and ye ſhall ſave the choſen of the Lord out of the hands of their enemies: have not I the Lord ſent you, and if any reply as Gideon did, Iud. 6.15. O my Lord! how ſhall I convert, how ſhall I ſave this people, behold I am weak and fraile, a Lamp wherein is little Oile, an arme wherein is ſmall ſtrength, the moſt unworthy among the many thouſands that beare thy name. Yet as the Lord anſwered Gideon, verſ. 16. So will he anſwer us, ſurely I will be with thee, I will guide, aſſiſt, incourage thee, and thou ſhall ſmite down the ſin of the people as one man, thus Ier. 1.6, 7, 8. and p. 48Iſa. 49.2. Like a ſword to peirce, open, prick and wound the conſciences of men; Hid, me in the ſhadow of his hand, protected me againſt the ſnares of men, and hath made me as a poliſhed arrow to peirce deeply and ſpeedily into the hearts of the people.

And ſince it is the Lords work, the faithfull meſſengers of God, the leaders of his army, may ſay one unto another as Ioab did to Abiſhai his Brother, 2 Sam. 10.12. Be ſtrong, and let us be valiant for our people, and for the Cities of our God, and let the Lord doe that which is good in his eyes.

2. Since God giveth the efficacy, the miniſters muſt take heed that they go not in their name, bragging and boaſting like the great Goliah of their owne abilities, preſuming like the Sonnes of Sheva without any commiſſion from God to caſt out the uncleane Spirit, leaſt as Goliah, ſo they be foiled in the battel, leaſt as on the Sonnes of Sheva, ſo the uncleane Spirit leape upon them, and prevaile againſt them. But as David went againſt the great Goliah, not in his owne, but in the name of the Lord, and prevailed, ſo muſt the miniſters of God, if they deſire the conqueſt, they muſt go in humility, ſenſible of their owne weaknes, as Gideon was of his Iud. 6.15. As Moſes was of his, Exod. 4.10. Such God will guide in judgment, Pſal. 25.9. And ſhall do great things, Pſal. 45.4.

They muſt go in faith, in the name of the Lord Jeſus they ſhall be able to do great things, p. 49Acts 3.16. Thorough this they ſhall cauſe the walls of the Spirituall Jericho to fall, they ſhall ſubdue the Kingdom of Sathan, ſtop the mouth of the Roaring Lyon, quench the violence of fiery Concupiſcence, raiſe the ſpiritually Dead unto a new life, make the weake ſtrong, the faint-hearted valiant, put to flight armies of ſtrange and ſtrong corruptions, worke righteouſnes, and ſeale up to mens Souls Gods promiſes, as the Apoſtle doth in another caſe ſpeake of Faith, Heb. 11.30, 33, 34, 45.

They muſt go in Gods counſell and not in their owne wiſedom, David could do nothing in Sauls armour; but with his ſling and his ſtone he caſt Goliah to the ground. Humane inventions, Philoſophicall ſpeculations, like Sauls armour, fit not Gods Meſſengers, they are as a blunt weapon having no power. The Word of the Lord is as a two edged ſword, the ſtones gathered out of the Scriptures, ſlung with the ſling of faith prevails mightily againſt ſin, Jer. 23.22.

3. This muſt teach the people to take heed that they reſt not in the naked receiving of Gods Ordinances from the hands of the Miniſter; this is not enough; but as the Miniſter, ſo Chriſt muſt alſo baptize; as the one baptizeth the body, the other muſt baptize the conſcience; as the one preacheth to the eare, ſo the other muſt preach to the heart. Otherwiſe, as the heart of Simon Magus, ſo may ours after baptiſme, be full of the gall of bitternes; Iſmaels circumciſion of the fleſh availed not the heart remaining uncircumciſed, the waſhing of the ſow doth not cauſe her to be a lamb, as long as her ſwiniſh nature is not changed; the ravens feathers p. 50become not white by being in the Arke with the dove; Eſau is not accepted of God, becauſe in the ſame womb with Jacob, the ſame waters prove a ſwallowing gulph to the Egyptians, which were dry ground, a ſafe and ſure way to Iſrael. That Arke, which, cauſeth the houſe of Obededon to proſper, cauſeth the men of Aſhdod to periſh: It is not the poſſeſſion, but the fruitiō of Gods Ordinances that maketh them effectuall, not the naked having, but the ſound application maketh them powerfull to ſalvation.

What availeth the ſhining of the Sun upon the blind, that hath not an open eye to entertaine the light? What is Phyſick in a Box; vertuous herbes in a garden, if not applied to the diſeaſed Stomack, to the wounded member? What is raiment in a Wardroab, or cloath under the arme, if it be not put on the back? What are apples above the head, waters under thy feet, if thou feed not on the one, if thou drinke not of the other, doſt not thou ſtarve between both? What is a faire and ſtately building to thee, if thou take up thy abode in the open field, doth not dewes fall upon thee, doth not the Sun ſcorch thee, doth not the cold pierce thee? What is remiſſion of ſin, what is reſurrection to a new life repreſented in Baptiſme, what is it to thee, if thy luſts be not mortified, if thou riſe not by vertue of it to a new life? What is it to thee that the word is a Lamp, if thou apply it not to thy feet, that it is as milk in the breaſt,if thou ſuck it not, that it is a ſpirituall weapon, if thou gird it not about thee, that it is a ſeed if not ſown, if not hidden in the field of thy heart? Say not then as he did, p. 51Iud. 17.13. Now I know the Lord will be good unto me, ſeeing I have a Levite to be my Prieſt: But if thou wilt have Gods Ordinance prove a bleſſing, if thou wilt know thy ſelf bleſſed in the having of them, ceaſe not till thou find it, as a ſhining Starre, a burning Lamp, enlightning thy underſtanding, filling thee with knowledge of Gods love to thy Soul in Chriſt, as the candle filleth the houſe with light, the waters the Sea, till they waſh thy ſin from thy Soul, as waters waſh dirt from the body, as the fan driveth chaffe from the corne, as Jordan waſhed away Naamans Leproſy: Till they ſtabliſh thy ſaith, as a ſtrong foundation ſupporteth the building, as firm rootes ſuſtaine the tree, a ſtrong hand upholdeth him that is led by it. Till they warme thy heart, inflame thy affections, as the fire warmeth the houſe, as the Summer Sun doth warm the aire. Till it make thy love to God and his wayes as a vehement flame, as coales of much fire: Till it make thy peace as deep as the rivers, even a peace paſſing all underſtāding.

4. This muſt teach men to ſeek to God for the efficacy of his Ordinances, deſire him to make them as a launcing knife in the hand of the Phyſician, as a Sword in the hand of the Spirit; Deſire him that when Moſes ſtrikes with the Rod upon the Rock, when the Miniſter doth preſs the Word upon our ſtony hearts, that he will ſtand before, ſhew his powerfull and gracious preſence there in making them to melt, in cauſing them to become contrite and broken, for as Pſal. 33.16, 17. There is no King ſaved by the multitude of an hoaſt, a mighty man is not delivered by much ſtrength, &c. So p. 52without Gods bleſſing, unleſſe he put his hand to it it is but vaine, as, Pſal. 127.1, 2. Except the Lord build the houſe they labour but in vain, &c. For as Prov. 10.12. The bleſſing of the Lord it maketh rich, and he addeth no ſorrow with it, ſo in this caſe.

Therefore as the Daughter of Caleb deſired her father, having given her ſouth Land, that he would alſo give her ſprings of water, Iud. 15.19. So God having given us his Ordinances, let us deſire him with all to give us his Spirit. As his miniſters like ſeeds men ſow the ſeed of his word, ſo we muſt deſire God to joyne therewith the dewes of heaven, that it may not lye like ſeed in dry ground, withering for want of moyſture. That the Meſſenger of the Lord, may not ſtand knocking in vaine at the iron gates of our unregenerate hearts, but that the Lord will open our eare and heart, our eyes to ſee, our hearts to attend, believe, obey, as he opened the heart of Lydia, that he will make his Ordinances as ſeed ſowne in good ground, as the bow of Jonathan, which turned not back and the ſword of Saul, which returned not empty, 2 Sam. 1.22. As the cake and cruſe of water whereof the Prophet did eate and drinke, and went in the ſtrength thereof to Horeb the mount of God, 2 King. 19.8. That we may be ſo refreſhed, repleniſhed herewith, that we may thereby go from ſtrength to ſtrength, till we appeare before God in Sion, Pſal. 84.7.

5. As the efficacy is the Lords, ſo let the praiſe be Gods, let the hand, which doth the worke, receive the honour, the faithfull inſtrument which p. 53God uſeth is worthy of double honour, of ſingular love for his works ſake: David may have the praiſe for giving Goliah the overthrow; The wiſe men may rejoyce to ſee the Starre leading unto Chriſt Ieſus. The feet of the meſſenger muſt be beautifull in the eyes of the people, as one of a thouſand to them, but yet ſtill as he is Gods inſtrument, as a Lamp that hath received his Oile from Gods Olive, as a veſſel filled with water flowing from the Ocean of all goodnes, as a ſtarre held in the hand and receiving all his light from the Sunne of righteouſnes, the Miniſters muſt be ſo reſpected, as that God muſt in and above all be honoured, loved, praiſed, and rejoyced in. If Ioſua ſmite the countrey of the hils Ioſ. 10.40, 41. It is becauſe the Lord God of Iſrael fought for Iſrael, verſ. 42. So if any, or all the Lords Ioſuahs, the ſpirituall leaders of Gods Armies ſmite the ſinnes of men, which were high as the mountains, or deep as the vale, which were for Dominion like Kings, for continuance like a living ſpring, for extent like the deluge overflowing the whole man, if theſe be beaten, if their life be taken away, it is becauſe the Lord God of Iſrael hath fought for Iſrael. If any tree of Pauls planting do grow, if any field do flouriſh by the watering of Apollos, it is becauſe the Lord hath given the increaſe. If any man learne wiſedom, if any man be preſented perfect in Chriſt Ieſus by Pauls labour in the miniſtrey, it is thorough the working of God who worketh mightly in him, Coll. 1.28, 29. If David have eſcaped the Lion, and the beare, conquered, ſlaine them, delivered the lamb from them, it is becauſe God was with him, p. 54wrought for him, 1 Sam. 17.34, 35, 36. If any Shepheard of Gods flock, have delivered any of Gods Lambs out of the jawes of the roaring Lion, it is the Lords doing, and as the Pſalmiſt touching Iſrael deliverance from Aegypt; So may we all ſay touching the deliverance of Gods Iſrael from their ſpirituall bondage, Pſal. 44.1, 2, 3, 4, 5. We have heard with our ears, O God! our Fathers have told us, what works thou didſt in their dayes, in the times of old; how thou didſt drive out the heathen, with thy hand and plantedſt them; how thou didſt afflict the people and caſt them out, &c.

Therefore let every Soul that hath taſted of Gods goodnes ſay in this kind, that hath felt the mighty arme of God in the weilding of this weapon, that hath had any comfortable experience, of the moving of Gods Angle in this poole; Let him bleſſe the Lord that hath given him counſell, that hath cauſed his reines to inſtruct him in the night ſeaſon, Pſal. 16.7.

As Hanna celebrated God for the birth of a Sonne: So let every regenerate Soul praiſe God for his new birth and ſay, 1 Sam. 2.1, 2, 8. He raiſeth us from the grave of ſin, from the duſt of iniquity. He lifteth up the poor Souls from the dunghill of ſin, to ſet us among them that are Kings, and Princes unto our God.