The Glory and Beauty of Gods Portion, Sermon

The Glory and Beauty of Gods Portion · Sermon

p. 1THE Glory and Beauty OF GODS PORTION.

ISAI. 28.5, 6.

In that day ſhall the Lord of hosts be for a crowne of glory, and for a diademe of beauty unto the reſidue of his people:

And for a ſpirit of judgement to him that ſitteth in judgement, and for ſtrength to them that turne the battell in the gate.

THere is an evill among all things that are done under the Sunne (ſaith Salomon) that in reſpect of outward occurrences,Eccleſ. 9.2, 3.Eccl 9:2Eccl 9:3 there is one event to all, to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the cleane, and to the uncleane; to the pious, and to the prophane; whence the hearts of the ſonnes of p. 2men are filled with evill, and madneſſe poſſeſſes their mindes till it bring them to deſtruction. That which makes deſperate ones runne mad in ſinning is their preſumption of Gods connivence at their courſes, their damned inference of his approbation of their evils from their preſent impunity and proſpering in them; becauſe they have no changes,Pſal. 55.19.Ps 55:19 therefore they feare not God. And that which drives the ſager and better tempered ſort of Naturaliſts out of their wits is their conceit of careleſneſſe or confuſion in the diſpenſations of providence, or of unequall compenſations of meedes or puniſhments to men according to deſervings. Hence Brutus that wonder of magnanimity and conſtancie, that ſtour ſtickler for the libertie of his countrey, a great admirer and practitioner of vertue, and an able aſſertour of the divine providence, ſuch as he knew; when he was finally vanquiſhed by Antonius, and ſaw ſuch bad ſucceſſe in his cauſe which he tooke to be ſo good; he diſclaimes all his vertues as trifles, and derides endeavours to live well as vain and bootleſſe. But though reaſon be puzled, yea confounded at that which is above its reach, yet faith can fathome theſe depths, and ſo farre ſatisfie its ſelfe in them, as to ſee the Lords hand, and to juſtifie his proceedings. And that which beares up the beleeving heart from faintings or fluctuations amidſt the various and ſtrange viciſſitudes of things below, is the conſideration and aſſurance of an over-ruling and unerring concurrence, diſcerning, directing, diſpoſing all, in a moſt free, wiſe, and equall courſe, even in thoſe paſſages and exigents which ſeeme to be moſt diſordered or uncertaine. Then when bad men are crown'd with pride, fatted with luxury, mounted on horſe backe in unworthy advancements, whence they p. 3over-look with diſdaine, and trample upon with inſolencie Gods humble, holy, innocent ones: or then when the Lord ariſeth to ſhake the earth terribly, and to worke dreadfull deſolations in the middeſt thereof, he hath alwayes a ſelected parcell, which is his deare charge, to whoſe ſafety and honour he beares tender and unalterable reſpects in the moſt doubtfull or dangerous times.

In that day] whether it be the ſhort day of the wickeds proſperitie, or the determined day of vengeance upon them, ſhall the Lord of hoſts be for a crowne of glory, and for a diademe of beauty, for trueſt advancement and ornament, to the reſidue of his people, to that pretious portion which is his owne according to the election of grace; He ſhall be for a ſpirit of judgement to him that ſits in judgement: He will raiſe up inſtruments, and fit them with faithfulneſſe and activitie for the adminiſtration of Juſtice: He ſhall be for ſtrength to them that turne the battell in the gate: He will infuſe courage, and adde wonderfull ſucceſſe to their attempts that fight his battels, and jeopard their lives for his cauſe.

The words read unto you are a propheticall Promiſe, let it not ſeeme unſutable to the day for me to handle a Promiſe. It is our worke to day to humble our ſoules and poure them out in prayer; and what ſo proper and prevailing to melt a gracious ſoule as the goodneſſe of a Promiſe? and where but in the Promiſes ſhall we look for grounds and matter of our requeſts? and what one ſingle Promiſe in Scripture can more directly and fully anſwer our deſires than this? we groane after Reformation, this Promiſe holds it forth to us in the honourable and amiable notions, of glory and beauty: Our ſupreme Councell, our Kingdomes Worthies are this day on their p. 4knees before the Lord, and what bleſſing would they beg of God, or we for them rather then the ſpirit of judgement here promiſed? Our Armies are in the field, and if we were put to the option to find out and beſeech an advantage to them, we cannot bethinke a better than is here expreſſed, that the Lord would be their ſtrength. If I had a ſpirit and a tongue to ſet forth, and you hearts rightly diſpoſed to aske what is here contained, I might impart, and you obtaine the fulneſſe of the bleſſing of God.

That we all may doe our duties the better, I beſeech you looke over the Promiſe againe, wherein you may finde remarkable:

1. The ſeasonableneſſe of it, intimated in the circumſtance of time when it ſhall be accompliſhed, In that day.

2. The pretiouſneſſe, expreſſed in the ſubſtance of good things aſſured, the Lord himſelfe undertakes to be for a crown of glory and for a diademe of beauty, rich, and ſure, and honourable advantages theſe.

3. The peculiaritie of the Priviledges, appropriated they are to Gods reſidue or remnant, the perſons with whom alone he ſtipulates.

4. The ſpecification of two choice excellencies wherewith he honours and beautifies his covenant people:

1. The ſpirit of judgement, for Civill Government.

2. Holy valour and ſtrength for military exploits. In that day, &c.

The parts I ſhall handle in the ſame order as they lie diſpoſed in the Text, beginning with the ſeaſonable accompliſhment of this pretious Promiſe ſet downe in the circumſtance of time, of which a word only, becauſe I may not ſpend much of the little time allotted me about a circumſtance.

p. 5In that day] If you conſiderately calculate the time here noted by a view of the context, you will find it to be a time of foule degeneration, when the greateſt part was ſwollen in pride, ſlimed with ſenſualitie, growne to an height of inſolency and univerſality in ſinning, and therefore ripe for a judgement, yea indeed it was the very day of wrath, when deſtruction like a violent ſtorme, a deluge of mighty waters did daſh and overwhelme the flower of their beauty, when like a greedy devourer it conſumed moſt of their viſible ſtrength and excellencie: In ſuch a day tis much if the Lord affords ſhelter to his deare ones, an hiding place till the indignation be overpast: yet more it is which he here undertakes for them, even then to keepe them up in their honour, to raiſe them higher in happineſſe, when his ſeverity is moſt ſharpe, and his judgements are moſt heavie round about them. 'Tis a cleare truth, Doct. That in the worſt and moſt dangerous times the Lord doth certainly provide for the glory and the beauty, the advancement and the ornament of his choſen people.

If you looke for the literall or hiſtoricall accompliſhment of this truth, you will find it in the bleſſed reignes of Hezekiah and Ioſiah, 2 Chron. 29. & 34.2 Chr 29wherein after the Lord had removed the ten tribes out of his ſight, and cut ſhort Judah for their high provocations, yet ſome glorious reſpites he affords to his remnant, wherein Religion and Juſtice recovered their flouriſh, and the ruined honour of that Church and ſtate revived and got ſtrength. But if you conſider the Promiſe in its generall drift, in its extent or amplitude, as it reaches and belongs to all the faithfull, then might I by a plaine and plentifull induction ſhew how from time to time it hath beene performed: but I ſhall not multiply inſtances, rather I ſhall ſingle out ſome p. 6few that are moſt eminent and remarkable. And where ſhould I begin but at the moſt glorious advantage that ever befell the Church, the ſumme of ſaving Priviledges ſo much deſired, ſo long looked for, to which its probable this Promiſe mainly points? I meane, the exhibition of Chriſt in the fleſh: upon what times fell that? even upon the moſt degenerate and deplorable that might be: when the glory of the Scepter was departed, and the beauty of truth and worſhip fouly blemiſhed and razed, when the Church was even at the loweſt ebbe. Afterwards, when Chriſt had gathered a people for himſelfe, and ſuffered Sathan to vent his malice againſt them in bloudy oppoſition, when the rage of perſecutours was at the achme,Euſeb E…cleſ Hiſtor. 1… 8 c. 4. at the height. When Diocleſian and Maximianus had vowed the extirpation of the Chriſtian Name, when their ſavage crueltie had more exhauſted the world, then ever any warres had done (as the Hiſtorian obſerves) even then on the ſudden doth the Lord chaine up the grand enemie,Su…p…ius. checke and over-turne his fell agents in their fierceſt careere, and introduce glorious liberty, a flouriſhing calme on his heritage. In ſucceeding ages, when the weedes of hereſie ſprang apace in the fat and well manured ſoile of the Church, and at laſt grew together into popery as into one ſtemme, all errours and villanies falling into that as into a common confluence or ſinke, when that man of ſinne was ſwollen up to ſuch monſtrous inſolencie,Melchior Adam. in vitâ Lutheri. that he ſet his feet upon the neck of all authority, when he was waxen impudent in blaſphemies, inſomuch that Tecelius the foule-mouthed publiſher of his indulgences bluſhed not to affirme that by the Popes power (interventu pecuniae, mony he muſt have too) he could pardon him that had defiled the bleſſed Virgin p. 7the mother of Chriſt; even then did the glorious Sun of truth breake forth in the preaching of the Goſpel, many Nations threw off the yoke of Antichriſt, and ſubjected themſelves to a beautifull Reformation. But whether doe we wander from our ſelves? what neede we looke for forreigne or farre fetcht inſtances? never was this truth more evidently exemplified in any Nation or Church under Heaven then in ours. When did the Lord advance us to the dignity of his people, and eſtabliſh his truth and worſhip amongſt us in a peaceable and beautifull manner? even immediately after that cloud of bloud which fell in our Marian dayes had beſmeared our land, when whoſoever would keep conſcience, and get Heaven at laſt, muſt looke to be tranſported thither in a fiery convoy. Why then run thorough all ages, inquire of the former and latter dayes, and you will find that in the ſaddeſt and moſt ſinfull times the Lord provides, moſt certainly and gloriouſly for the ſecurity and honour of his people.

And indeed what fitter opportunities can be found out, Reaſ. or thought upon, wherein the Lord ſhould magnifie himſelfe in doing great things for his ſervants? For when is his hand ſo viſible and his helpe ſo glorious as in extremities? It is time for thee Lord to work (ſaith David) for they have made voide thy law, Pſal. 119.126. when men have violated all bonds both ſacred and civill, cut in two the ſinewes of the lawes authoritie, and let themſelves looſe to all exorbitancies; high time then for the Lord to take the matter into his owne hand, to ſtirre up himſelfe for the vindication of his honour. A remedie applyed rebus confuſes & perditis, Calvin in loc.when things ſeeme deſperate and paſt cure, how wonderfull and welcome muſt it needs p. 8be? Then doth the glory of a deliverance appeare, when the Almighty hand hath broken thoſe knots and difficulties, laid open thoſe ſtreights which otherwiſe were altogether inextricable; and then doth the beauty of a Church ſhine moſt conſpicuouſly, when ſhe hath recovered her purity, and eſcaped peſtilentiall contagion in bad times, when ſhe is quitted from thoſe blemiſhes that threatned to over-ſpread her by a ſeaſonable and thorough Reformation. But I have promiſed brevity in this point.

Let us ſee a little only how the truth will ſute with our times. That perillous dayes were upon us before the flames of publique wrath and miſery brake forth, none will deny, except ſuch as are ſtupid under any miſchiefes, or are actours or abettours of ours. I will not ſo much as mention in what caſe our Lawes and Liberties, Lives and Liberties ſtood. I deſire to limit my ſelfe within mine own verge, and I beleeve men are ſenſible and querulous enough of the evils that touch their skins,James 2.19.Jas 2:19 Devils tremble at the ſenſe of miſery, Chriſtians ſhould ſearch out the cauſe, and take that to heart. And if the ſins of men corrupt the times and make them dangerous and troubleſome, think ſadly then upon what a generation we are fallen (oh that I might ſay) what diſmall dayes we have eſcaped. For Religion (which is the main) how hath the power of it been denied and cryed down in a deſpightfull and furious way of oppoſition, the purity ſophiſticated and defaced by baſe mixtures, rotten formalities? Oh 'twas enough to cauſe any tender and truly affected ſoul to feel pangs of ſpirit, to hold his loynes, to fall into travell, and bring forth an Ichabod, an iſſue of conſternation, or doubtfull aſtoniſhment, to ſee thoſe uncircumciſed Philiſtines, Popery and prophaneneſs, irreligion and willworſhip p. 9ſeizing on the Arke, and driving away the glory of the Lord. For truth how hath it been ſilenced, perverted, mangled? the day would faile me almoſt to reckon up the exploded, monſtrous, licentious errours that have been raked up out of hell publiſhed and patronized among us. For manners, I thinke the Sunne never looked upon a people nor meaſured an age more conſpurcate or corrupt then ours, 'twere eaſier and fitter to bewaile with teares, then expreſſe in words the exceſſive height of our pride and oppreſſion, injuſtice and bloud, luxury and ſenſuality. And as ſinne hold poſſeſſion, ſo did judgement lie at the doore, which hath ſince fallen upon us as a devouring beaſt: how could it be but that ſo much filth muſt ſend up vapours to darken the face of Heaven with indignation againſt us? Oh the dreadfull cloud that ſtill hangs over us, ſhowring downe an horrible tempeſt of wrath! a viall is poured out that turnes all into bloud. Now if at this point the Lord be pleaſed to turne againe the captivitie of our Zion, to cleare up all, and ſhine upon us with favour, what will this be leſſe then a Reſurrection from death? how will our glory and beauty (as that rare bird) revive from the very aſhes of a ruinous decay? But if as yet we are not brought low enough for ſuch an exaltation, if the times are not yet at the worſt, if ſharper ſeaſons muſt be expected, if our preſent hopes ſhould be ſtrangled in the birth, or nipped in the bud, which the Lord avert; here's the comfort, that in ſuch a day when the wickedneſſe of the enemies is fully ripe, and Chriſts Spouſe hath ſate long enough in the duſt, when things are brought to ſuch a paſſe that the Lord may be moſt magnified in the confuſion of inſolent adverſaries, and the advancement of his dejected depreſſed people, even then will he certainly be p. 10for a crown of glory and for a diademe of beauty unto them, which is the ſecond particular, the high and honourable advantages here promiſed to the Church.

Glory is the luſtre or ſplendour that reſults from dignity, and a crown is the higheſt enſigne of honour, the principall token of Majeſty. Beauty is the impreſſion of ſweetneſſe or lovelineſſe, and a diademe is the moſt ſtately ornament to ſet forth beauty, and make it more amiable. And a compoſure of glory and beauty makes up a piece of moſt abſolute and exact ſymmetry, conſiſting of all the parts and lineaments of perfection. To ſuch compleat excellencie doth the Lord raiſe his covenant people. In the verſes preceding my Text we find mention of a crown, but 'tis the crowne of pride, of glorious beauty, but 'tis fading like a flower: by which the Prophet expreſſes the uſurped domineering of the wicked, which ſhall be troden in the dirt, or (as ſome think) he alludes to their feſtivall garlands, the impudent badges of luxurie and laſciviouſneſſe; to which he threatens a terrible blaſt, a ſhamefull withering. And continuing the Allegorie, by the ſame termes uſed in a different ſenſe, he ſets forth the true honour and excellencie of the Godly. The Lord of hoſts himſelfe undertakes to be their glory, by intereſſing them in all ſublime and ſaving Priviledges, He is their beauty by impreſſing on them the ſweet and comely Properties of grace; and in both crownes and diadems are gifts well befitting the bounty of the higheſt Majeſtie to his beloved Ones: Indeed

The preſence or the favour of God is the only glorious advancement and ornament of a people or perſon. Doct.

What is it elſe that makes the Church an eternall excellencie, Iſai. 60.15-19.Isa 60:15–19a joy of generations? Iſai. 60.15. then doth ſhe ſucke p. 11the milke of nations, and the breſts of Kings, when found and eminent members are added to her; her braſſe becomes gold, her iron ſilver, when ſhe is ſtored with pretious graces, edified with pure ordinances; her wals are ſalvation, and her gates praiſe, when ſhe is guarded externally by good Government; internally by the everlaſting armes, the watchfull eye of Heaven: her brightneſse ſurpaſſes ſunne and moone, when the direct and unclouded beames of divine favours ſhine upon her, when her God is her glory, verſ. 19.

This is the truth, the top of excellencie, if we conſider:

1. Who it is that dignifies and adornes: even the Lord of ho…ts the King of glory, able to bring low and to lift up, who ownes the pillars of the earth, and hath ſet the world upon them, who in the moſt glorious exerciſe of his Soveraignty raiſes his poore ones out of the duſt, and ſets them among Princes, I Sam. 2.7, 8.

2. How: he puts ſome of his owne honour upon them, imparts his owne nature to them, beautifies them with his owne comelineſse, Ezek. 16.14. for what is true grace but particula D…i, ſomething of God, a piece of Heaven?

3. What manner of glory and beauty is thus impreſſed, viz. that which is ſpirituall and internall, which though it be inviſible and inconſpicuous to carnall view, which can ſee nothing in the Saints, but their burdenſome taske, their heavie preſſures, their bitter incounters, their ſad dejections; yet this ſets majeſtie and ſweetneſſe on the inner man, ſo that under a clouded and calamitous outſide that is full of ſerenity, in a meane and deſpiſed condition that is truly heroique and magnanimous, that wants no worth nor lovelineſſe, though naked of all externall dreſſes and contributions.

p. 124. To what purpoſe this is conferred: to wit, that the great God may take up his reſidence, and faſten his deareſt delights on his poore creatures; hereby he workes them to ſutableneſſe, and ſo to communion with himſelfe, who is all glory and beauty; he makes his ſanctuary glorious, becauſe tis the place of his feet, Iſai. 60.13, where he walkes, and converſes, and diſcovers himſelfe graciouſly: he clothes the Kings daughter in wrought gold, that he may deſire her beauty, Pſal. 45.11. that he may impart his heart love, his boſome counſels, his bleſſed imbraces to her as to his Spouſe. Thinke ſeriouſly what a preferment it is to be a Favourite of Heaven, in Covenant and Communion with God.

Suffer me here a little more diſtinctly to ſhew how and in what reſpects eſpecially the Lord doth advance and adorne a Church or people.

1. This is effected when the ignominious naeves or ſtaines of abuſes are wiped off by Reformation: this is the repairing of the breaches of Gods houſe, the purging the body from peccant humours; this is ſweeping the floore, weeding the garden, fining the ſilver from its droſſe. And that is glorious and beautifull Reformation

1. Which is hearty; when a people upon deep conviction of their decayes and degenerations ſet themſelves in earneſt to recover their ſpirituall loſſes: Turne ye even unto me with all your hearts (ſaith the Lord, Ioel 2.12.) with faſting weeping, and mourning, an overly paint of emendation, a neceſſitated laying downe of ſome groſſer evils will be to no purpoſe. There is nothing that ſo much diſſolves communion with God as the eſtranging of the affections, and they will be moſt forward and forcible in recloſing with him, when we get up to a good pitch p. 13of honour and happineſſe in his favour.

2. Reformation muſt be intire of thorough. 'Twill admit no ſutes for a little Zoar, nor ſpare a delicate Agag nor keep alive curſed fatlings under pretext of ſacrificing, nor leave the high places ſtanding, becauſe they are faire ſtructures; but it ſtrikes at every evill little and great, plauſible and profitable, that is deſtined and devoted to deſtruction.Ex peſſimo genere ne catulus quidem habendus. When the ſouldiers ſlew Maximinus the tyrant and his ſonne, they cryed out, Keepe not one whelp alive of ſo bad a litter. 'Tis in vaine to lop off the monſters head except it be feared; miſchiefes attempted and not extirpated will certainly repullulate or multiply;Quicaquid non eſt peractum, pro non inchoa…oeſt. Plin. here that ſaying holds true, Better never to begin then not to accompliſh: To irritate ill humours and not expell them will increaſe diſtempers in the body, whereas a thorough cure frames it to a more firme habitude of health then ever.

3. Reformation ſhould be generall and thorough, as in reſpect of parts, ſo of perſons alſo: all of all ſorts ſhould come under it. Materials muſt be prepared before the building can go up; there muſt be hewing and ſquaring, and apting of each part and parcell before the whole can be ſet together in a comely compoſure. We put our reformers upon an unreaſonable an impoſſible taske, when we expect and cry upon them for accompliſhment of the worke, and we retard and daſh their endeavours by our unſutableneſſe. Many would have all well in the lumpe, and every thing bettered but themſelves; but how can a handſome ſtructure be made up of rough ſtones and unwrought timber? how can a pure Church be … of impure members? aſſure we our ſelves the totall ſumme of Reformation wil amount no higher th… we find it improved p. 14upon particular accounts, and the onelyonly way to have good times is for every one of us to amend our ſelves.

2. The Lord dignifies and beautifies a people as by removing corruptions and blemiſhes, ſo alſo by erecting and eſtabliſhing among them the choice Priviledges and Ornaments of his truth, his Worſhip, his Ordinances. The Jewes gloried of their three crownes, one of the Kingdome, another of the Prieſthood, a third of the Law; that of the Law they preferred, becauſe it regulates and flouriſhes the reſt; and then is that crown truly glorious

1. When it retaines and exerciſes its ſoveraignty or power, when 'tis glorified and prevailes in mens conſciences. I plead here for Chriſts ſpirituall regiment in the heart by the Scepter of his Word, not for the Pope-like and undue Prelation of perſons, which is not the honour, but the greateſt ſcandall and miſchiefe of a Church: 'Tis a bleſſed and an eternall truth, The Kingdome of God is not in word but in power, 1 Cor. 4.20. The majeſty of Chriſts gracious preſence is not perſonated by externall pompe, but declared and magnified by ſpirituall energy. Vaine therefore are their feares, and frivolous their objections, who ſuggeſt that a Church looſes all her glory when her Miniſters are limited in the exceſſive additionals of earthly honour and aboundance; and I am aſhamed to think that ſo ſordid an argument ſhould be urged by Scholars, whoſe ingenuity (that I name not conſcience) ſhould exceed all others: Oh noble and liberall learning, that ever thou ſhouldſt be proſtituted to ſuch baſe uſes and reſpects as now thou art! Bernard in his dark times complaines of this vile humour in Church-men:Serm. 10. ſuper Cantic. In the offices and dignities of the Church (ſaith he) men ſeeke the advancememt p. 15of their eſtates, and not the Salvation of ſoules; 'Tis for Biſhoprickes, Archdeaconries, Abbacies, &c. that they beat their breasts in devotion, and their braines in ſtudy; The mockings, ſcourgings, ſpittings, yea the croſſe of Christ, are cast off as diſgracefull burdens, and new faſhioned ornaments forged and worne with much bravery; high titles, rich revenues, popular adoration: after theſe they gape greedily, ſtretch largely, climbe ambitiouſly; let ſoules ſinke or ſwimme they care not, ſo they may lift up their heads, and build their nests on high: and he concludes that herein the ſpirit of Antichrist was diſcovered even as a noon-day-devill. Serm. 33.For thoſe amongſt us that will not follow the ſonne of leſse except they may be ſure of Vineyards and olive-yards, and may be made captaines of thouſands, and captaines of hundreds; that can ſhape their deſignes to no lower a pitch then a lordly dignity, or a fat plurality; that mind the Univerſity and the Miniſtery onelyonly as a ſtirrop to ambition or a ſtale to covetouſneſſe; 'twere well if their aimes were fruſtrated by plucking the prey out of their teeth, that they were diſcouraged, yea rated off from the holy function, wherein there is no hope they ſhould demeane themſelves conſcionably, ſeeing they enter upon it with ſuch impure intentions. And doubt not but when theſe offae Cerberi theſe bewitching baites be removed, the Lord will ſtirre up and qualifie better ſpirits for his owne worke. See this in one inſtance only: Thoſe bleſſed Reformers of Germany did not only drive the Popes doctrine out of their countrey, but his tyrannicall Prelacie, his whole rabble of full bellied Clergy, whoſe large incomes were all put into the hands of Princes and States: whom I cannot commend for diſpenſing them to right uſes, perhaps their unfaithfulneſſe therein hath been p. 16one provocation to plucke downe the judgements which have ſince ruined them; yet then were their Schooles and Academies moſt frequent and flouriſhing; and I dare challenge any age within the like compaſſe of time and ground (reſerving alwayes due honour to Chriſts Worthies that have ſince abounded) to paralell that in number and eminency of learned men, who did not only vindicate the truth from Antichristianiſme, but all humane literature from blind barbariſme, wherein it had long lien buried.

Let me not be miſtaken here, as if I thought there were too much dignity and maintenance for Miniſters amongſt us, if it were duly conferred and diſtributed. We need not imploy our own help ſo to betray our honour; there are two ſorts of engineeres that are now plotting againſt us: Some in a prophane policy would keep us in a ſlaviſh inferiority to themſelves, and therefore they like Ieroboams way beſt, they would chooſe Prieſts of the loweſt of the people, or make them ſo; theſe hold a baſe condition, a poore pittance fitteſt for us. Others againe are for an eleem…ſunary ſalary, that Miniſters being ingaged to their benevolence, they may by the ſame bond be tied to their conceits and errours. But I ſpeake to wiſe Phyſitians, who know how to purge peccant-luxuriant humours, without impairing thoſe that are vitall and benigne. And I beſeech you, (the ſearcher of hearts knowes, I plead not for my owne belly, but for your honour, yea the honour of Chriſt whoſe work you have in hand) I beſeech you let it appeare by ſome ſpeedy and cleare courſe that you intend not the diminution or unſettlement of the double honour of Chriſts ſervants, but the eſtabliſhment and enlargement thereof.Iſai. 46.6.Isa 46:6 Idolaters laviſh gold out of p. 17the bag; ſuperſtition caſts exceſſe upon its inſtruments; let not Religion ſtarve nor pinch them that wait upon her, let exorbitancies be pared away, but let Chriſts due be preſerved, and then I will not doubt to reſume what I had in hand, that his royalty is not advanced by the worldly height and ſtate of his neareſt attendants, his throne is not ſupported by ſuch painted props, his Kingdome is ſpirituall, and his Government moſt full of glory, 2 Cor. 10.4, 5.2 Cor 10:42 Cor 10:5when thoughts are captivated and conſciences awed by the mighty weapons of his own Ordinances and Diſcipline, when they have free courſe, 2 Theſ. 3.1.2 Thess 3:1due honour and kindly workings in the hearts of men.

2. Truth, Worſhip, Ordinances are glorious and beautifull when they hold their ſimplicity and purity: Mixtures to theſe are not only ſuperfluous but poyſonous; hiſtrionicall and gaudy dreſſes of mens putting on are to theſe as a whoriſh paint to a good complexion, or like that unnaturall burden of haire, worne in pretence of ornament, wheras there is nothing to ſober judgements that can render men more uncomely or ugly. Yet how doe men dote upon mixtures? how have we ſeene the pure ſtreames of truth mudded with humane placites and traditions?Mat. 15.9. Gal. 1.8.Matt 15:9Gal 1:8 the Commandements of men cryed up and obtruded upon the conſcience for doctrines? another Goſpel preached and entertained, though vented by perſons of leſſe credit beyond compariſon, then an Apoſtle or an Angel from Heaven▪ accurſed perſons for their labour. Wanton wits have been laviſh in broaching, and ſilly ſoules have been greedy in ſnatching up any errours. Well the words of the Lord are pure words, as ſilver tried in the furnace, purified ſeven times, Pſal. 12.6. as tis helliſh chymeſtry for ſublimated wits to extractor caſt out the leaſt ſcruple hereof as refuſe, ſo 'tis damnable impoſture for any cheating compounders to put tinne among this ſilver, droſſe among this pure mettall. The compleat body of faith was once delivered to the Saints, foreign ſimul & ſemel, Jude 3.Jude 1:3fully and p. 18wholly intruſted with them: they that wilfully or remiſſely looſe the leaſt minute thereof hazzard thereby the eternall loſſe of their pretious foules; and they that make or admit the leaſt addition to it, ſhall have added to them all the plagues written in Gods Book, Rev. 22.18, 19. no leſſe dangerous are mixtures in point of worſhip, yet doe multitudes run a madding after them. That good old faſhion of worſhip in Spirit and in truth is cenſured and hiſſed at as a jejune raw humour, or as a fanaticall raſh undertaking; nothing pleaſeth without a pompous outſide, a viſible bravery, though never ſo fond and new-fangled. Yea, have we not ſome who think themſelves as much injured by paring their nailes and polling their haire, as if their hands and heads were cut off? that hold themſelves ſpoiled of the very heart and braine of Religion, if any of their burdenſome and excrementitious ſuperfluities, (the blemiſh and bane of Religion,) be purged out, or lopped off? And no wonder that men are in love with ſuch trifles; they affect a way of worſhip which pleaſes the eye, fils the belly, arrides the ſenſuality. Thoſe Adiaphorists or middlemen of Germany appointed by Charles the fifth to compoſe the Interim, that monſtrous miſcellany wherewith he thought to pleaſe all parties, did together with ſome ſhreds of truth, ſome patches of Reformation mingle almoſt the whole lumber or garbage of popiſh rites and ſuperſtitions: amongſt the reſt they would retaine extreme Vnction; and it was wittily objected to them that they did it, that they might ſleeke their owne skinne, Ʋt ipſi proceder…nt unctiores.and provide for their owne panch. Queſtionleſſe ſuch a worſhip as breakes no bones, extracts no ſweat from the people, that coſts little paines, and brings in much profit and ſecular advancement to the chiefe actours and upholders of it, ſhall have ſtiffe fautours and abettours every where. But heare what the Lord ſaith of ſuch mixtures to the Prophet, Ezek. 43.7, 8, 9. Son of man, the place of my throne, and the place of, p. 19the ſoles of my feet, where I will dwell in the midſt of my people, ſhall not be defiled by their whoredomes, and their carcaſſes, in their ſetting their threſhold by my threſhold, and their posts by my posts, and the wall between me and them: 'Tis as the filthineſſe of whoredome, as the ſtink of a carcaſſe to the Lord to have humane inventions erected or interpoſed as parts or props of his worſhip. Pompey once in an audacious humour would would needs enter into the most holy place, and ſeeing nothing but a cloud there, in deriſion he termed the Jewes Nubicolas, cloud-worſhippers: before the Romans thought that Apis, or Iupiter Hamon, or ſome ſuch ſoule idoll had been incloſed there; how doe men ſeek after and reſt upon the garniſhed outſide, the ſpecious paint of worſhip, without which they contemne its ſpirituall ſimplicitie as a vaporous or crude conceit? whereas the excellencie, the vigour, the ſoule of it lies in its internall truth, its primitive and native purity.

3. The Lord puts glory and beauty upon a people by ſetting up godlineſſe and godly men amongſt them; by increaſing the number, inlarging the graces, advancing the perſons of his Saints and Servants. When the vileſt men are exalted the wicked ruffle and riot at pleaſure, all things are tumultuous and ſqualid, Pſal. 12.8. but when the righteous are up, there's change of cheere, things are in a joyous and faire ſtate, Prov. 29.2. Godly men are the choiſeſt things upon earth,foreign. Clē. Alex. the honour, the beauty, the bleſſing of the places that hold them: ſuch ornaments, yea and more glorious are they to the earth, then the Luminaries are to the Heavens: and when they are fitly placed in the Horoſcope of a Church or State, in Houſes of Dominion, oh what an happy aſpect, what a flouriſhing influence doe they afford. Why then ſhould men of parts and place, perhaps well affected to the publike good, ſtand, aloofe from Religion for feare of contracting diſgrace from it?Euſeb. Eccleſ. Hiſt. li. 6. c. 18. Perhaps the devill tels them as Perph…cy did Origen, that it will p. 20turne their learning into barbariſme, their acuteneſſe into ſottiſhneſſe, that it will ſpoile all their gifts and ſufficiencies. Or elſe he frights them as Cajetan did the Electour of Saxony, wiſhing him to beware that he did not blemiſh his noble houſe by giving credit and countenance to Luther. Caveret nemaculam illuſ…iſ. … aſpergat. M…len. Adam in vitâ Luther. Profectò inde…ta venit praepropere af…ectatur, periculoſè captatur. B…za. 2 Chro. 9.21.2 Chr 9:21Satan buzzes it into their eares, that if they favour thoſe frantique fellowes, adhere to thoſe ſtrict truths and wayes, they will ſtaine their bloud, emaſculate their ſpirits, and loſe the garbe and repute of gallants. But harken rather to the Counſels of God, to the Words of truth and ſoberneſſe. To you great ones I ſpeake: Think ſadly how poore, vain, falſe the glory is, that is without God and godlineſſe: truly if you have it tis more then is doe to you, you ſeek it ſinfully, and buy it dearely. Summe up all your ſumptuous ſtore, your birth, breeding, bravery, poſſeſſions, titles, and beſt tis but like Salomons freight; gold, and ſilver, and Ivory, and apes, and peacocks, ſtrong mixtures of pride and vanity, enough to poyſon your excellencies, to ſinke your ſhip, to damne your ſouls. Whereas if you ſincerely affect and honour Religion, it will honour you, yea it will make you the glory of your God, the dignity and beauty of your country, otherwiſe the greater you are the more unworthy burdens and blemiſhes you prove to the earth that bears you.

To bring that which hath been ſaid home to our ſelves, Vſe. I will lay before you only two things by way of information:

1. The neceſsitie:

2. The bleſsing of a preſent Reformation:

The neceſsitie grounded on the diſhonourable and odious degenerations whereinto we were fallen; the bleſſing commended and amplified from the glorious and beautifull excellencies to which it would advance us.

11. The former, the foulneſſe of our decayes and diſtempers I have already touched: and ſo generall they were that they might take up an age of complaining, yea and ſo apparant that you that have your ſenſes about you cannot but ſee and feele p. 21them, though I ſhould ſay nothing of them: Methinks we were even come to that paſſe wherein the ten Tribes lay after their defection: For a long ſeaſon they were without the true God, without teaching Prieſts, and without Law, 2 Chro. 15.3. Popery, atheiſme, prophaneneſſe were ſhouldering out our God, our faithfull teachers were cruſhed, ſilenced or diſcouraged, and Idoll ſheepheards promoted that ſtarved ſoules, or edified them to damnation; the juſtice and power of our Lawes nullified, force and will carrying all before them. We may gather what ſhould generally have been done, by conſidering what is done where the miſchiefe prevailes. Many dark places of the Land are ſtill the habitations of ſuch cruelties. I ſpeake it in the griefe of my ſoule, the parts to which I ſtand moſt neerely related are overwhelmed with all the branches and extremities of the miſery: and I mention it not to informe you of what you know not, but now in the day of your humiliation (ſeeing the Lord hath made me your remembrancer) to inkindle pitty in you and move you to ſpeedy and thorough helpefullneſſe to them. If any miſinformed, or partiall, or angry fellowes aske us what ailes us, when we lift up our eyes, and put forth our endeavours for remedy? Let's anſwer them thus, they would take away our God, and what have we more? they would bereave us of our teaching Miniſters, and it would be worſe to want them then to feede upon the bread of adverſitie and the water of affliction, Iſa. 30.20. they would ſpoile us of our Lawes, divine and civill, and twere better the Sun ſhould droppe out of Heaven,Act. 11.28.Acts 11:28 that our hearts ſhould be torne out of our bodies, then we looſe them. Honourable and beloved, The Iewes when they conceived their Law, and place and Temple, indangered by Pauls preaching, with a joynt and vehement vociferation they cryed out, Men of Iſrael helpe. Let me with a better ſpirit and upon better grounds beſpeake you in the name of the Lord, Men of Iſrael, ye that are Iſrael, p. 22Iſraelites indeed, helpe, helpe every one of you, you by your adviſe and authority; you that can doe nothing elſe, by your ſupplications, humiliations, reformations; we by our inſtructions, interceſſions, actions, paſſions; others by their eſtates and lives; every one in Gods way, every one in his own way, help to gaine, to hold theſe things, ſo abſolutely neceſſary: In the day that we let go our holdfaſt, we looſe our God and our good, our ſafety, and our ſubſiſtence, our glory and our beauty.

22. Take a view of the bleſsing of Gods returne to a Church or people; This my Text expreſſes in fulleſt termes, 'tis glory heightened to a crowne, beauty decked with a diadem.

We have heard loud bragges of a glorious ſtate, a flouriſhing Church in our Land, and that from the mouthes of them who did what they could to ruine both. Indeed we have had multitudes of eminent Saints brought forth, nouriſhed, perfected amongſt us, but no thankes to them, who would not willingly have afforded them a being on the face of the earth, theſe bleſſed Palmes ſprang and ſpread in deſpight of their preſſures. Of late God hath offered in a gracious way to wipe away the ſtaines from our glory, the blemiſhes from our beauty, which were many and foule. But how is this mercy entertained? doe men looke upon the wellcome, and admire Reformation as the riſing ſun, diſpelling our helliſh darkneſſe? rather they ſtartle and ſtorme at it as a formidable thing, one ſolicitous for his ill gotten goods, another for ill adminiſtred office, a third for his undue promotion, ſome for their ſelfe opinions, which they will hold to the hazzard of all; moſt for their beloved luſts, which they preferre to the glory of God, the ſafety of the State, yea and their own ſoules to: moſt would withdraw their ſhoulder and ſtiffen their necks againſt Chriſt yoke as intollerably rigorous; nothing ſo much frights them as the erection and exerciſe of an exact diſcipline. Doe men thirſt after the pure p. 23fountaine of truth, the cleere and ſpirituall wayes of worſhip? or rather content themſelves with the broken ciſternes of humane inventions, and delight to wallow in the puddles of profaneneſſe and formality? Is it the joy of mens hearts that the righteous are in authority? Whence then that grating of ſpirit, that gnaſhing of teeth at their advancement and good ſucceſſe in Gods worke? Men of honour are ſo tender of their reputation, that they will not beare a word of diſgrace without a quarrell, a revenge; and how wary of their beauty are the fondlings of our age? or if they want that which is genuine and proper, they adde paints and ſpots and attires, too often ſuch as are monſtrous and meretricious: yet how wilfully doe men degrade themſelves of the glory to which God would exalt them? how madly doe they teare off the ornaments which he would put upon them? Well though baſe ſpirited, narrow hearted creatures are unſuteable and uncapeable of honour, though ſordid clownes neglect and beſmeare their comelineſſe they care not how; yet let us whoſe hearts the Lord hath touched, whoſe eyes he hath opened, prize and purſue theſe bleſſings according to their worth: And if we were but provident, wiſe for our ſelves, we ſhould not account them dearely gained at any rate, no thought it were an age of faſting and prayer, an eternity of angelicall obedience, the expence of our largeſt livelihoods, our heart blood.

Ob. But alas (ſay many) when ſhall we ſee the accompliſhment of this promiſe, ſuch glory and beauty ſhould be more conſpicuous.

Sol. 1. And doe you not ſee the every dayes wonders the Lord is working: 'tis for want of illightned eyes and thankfull hearts then: could we rightly caſt up our receipts, we might find glorious advantages already upon accompt.

2. Are you offended at the ſeeming ſlowneſſe and difficulty p. 24of the progreſſe? 'tis becauſe you miſtake the nature of the worke. One way whereby the Lord commends the worth of his beſt bleſſing to us, is ſometimes our hard comming by them; The Iewes have a tradition, that God ſucked Moſes ſoule out of his mouth with a kiſſe, that ſo his diſſolution might be without all paine: ſuch an eaſie, lazie, goodcheape way of reformation doe moſt men affect: they would have all the fatneſſe and ſweetneſſe of Heaven droppe into their mouthes ſleeping; on take heed, wake not the men, fright them not with difficulties, for then they will fling off in diſcontent, or give up all as loſt. 'Tis remarkeable what Luther writes to Spalatinus touching Melancthon; In Epiſt. …d Spalat.Melancthon was a man of excellent parts, very ſerviceable for Chriſts cauſe; but of a timorous diſpoſition, apt to be overmuch dejected in difficulties: and at that time extremely penſive he was for feare of ſome ſad iſſues of the great meeting at Auſpurge: Whereupon Luther wiſhes his friend to exhort and charge him in his name. Ne fiat Deus, that he make not himſelfe a god, he might ſeeme to be farre enough from aſpiring to be a god, who was caſt downe below the common pitch of a man. But here was his fault, his projects muſt be like the counſells of God, unerringly and unchangeably ſtand and be effected both in reſpect of time and manner, or the cauſe (he thinks) was loſt, and his ſpirit utterly ſunke. So it is with many amongſt us, they muſt have their own mind and their own will in all things (which is Gods peculiar) or they are undone: If they have not all that they have promiſed or fancied to themſelves, they have nothing at all: If the ſimple gourde of their projects of conceits be ſmitten and wither, they think they doe well to be angry, to be diſconſolate even to the death. But 'tis no diſparagement nor diminution to the worth or comfort of faithfull and bleſſed inſtruments that the Lord over works them, brings to paſſe ſomething, yea the maine p. 25in the moſt glorious undertakings by himſelfe. Have we not ſeene rich bleſſings, eminent atchievements effected by the bare and immediate hand of God, when councels have beene croſſed, endeavours tired, yea hope it ſelfe worne out and ready to give up the ghoſt? can we but acknowledge it to be the Lords doing, to bring downe inſolent adverſaries to truth and peace and holineſſe, when they have been trapped and confounded by ſnares of their own ſetting, miſchiefes of their own hatching, who were impregnable by all humane attempts? like to the Nemean Lion, which when Hercules had ſlaine, he knew not how to get off his skinne, that was ſo hard that nothing could pierce it, neither wood, nor ſtone, nor ſteele; only the Lions own nailes where ſharpe enough to doe it. So hath the Lord turned the pride and madneſſe of wicked men upon their own heads to their ruine, that otherwiſe were too tough or ſtrong to be dealt with. In great works God will be eminently ſeene and acknowledged, yea, and he carries them thorough inſuperable difficulties and impoſſibilities to us, that we may ſet him up and truſt in him only.

3. Why will you diſlike the work for its hardſhip, or tho inſtruments for their ſlackneſſe; and not conſider rather and ſtand amazed at the oppoſition that is made againſt them? I think the devill never played the devill more outragiouſly and apparently then now: all his ſleights and all his furies, and all his confederacies are now on foot: Hell and earth, and Rome openly combined, ſtrongly armed, profeſſedly fighting againſt the honour and happineſſe of our Kingdomes: and ſhall we not have ſomething to doe to fetch our priviledges out of the fire? to winne them at the ſharpes?

4. Be not too bitter in quarrelling or caſting blame upon oppoſites; but reflect and looke into your own indiſpoſition to the glorious and beautifull work now in hand. Is it a matter of nothing think you to reſuſcitate and animate dry bones, p. 26Ezek. 37.3Ezek 37:3to put fleſh, and finewes, and skinne, and beauty upon them, to infuſe ſpirit and vigour into them? Indeed the Lord is able to doe it with a breath, with the turne of an hand; yet he uſes to proceed in a wiſe method by little and little, ſtriving as it were with the averſeneſſe of the object. And we ſhall alwayes find degenerated creatures wofully averſe to Gods rectifying and reforming work. Iehoſhaphat ſtretched his ſinewes, and put forth all his endeavours about the buſineſſe of reformation, but he could not bring to paſſe all he intended, becauſe the people had not prepared their hearts unto the God of their fathers, 2 Chron. 20.33. Such crooked pieces, ſuch untameable monſters doe our reformers find the multitude of men amongſt us. Hezekiah made a faire progreſſe in that bleſſed way, and when he had brought things almoſt to the upſhot, the Priests were too few, they that ſhould have been moſt forward were unſanctified and unhearty in their duties. Oh the miſerable ſcarcity, the curſed untowardlineſſe we are like to find in our Sanctuarie men for the worke of God! 2 Chron. 29.34. Ioſiah began betimes, and went farre in the beſt paths of his fathers, yet all could not prevent the overthrowing vengeance to which the guilt and bloud of Manaſſes provocations had made the whole obnoxious, 2 King. 23.26. now if we lay all theſe and more obſtacles and blocks in the way, 'tis no wonder if the motions of our reformers be ſlow; nay, 'tis well if ever we gaine any ſound recovery, 'tis well if the definitive irreverſible doome be not paſt upon us, and we be not left to confuſion as an incurable people. I ſpeake not this as if I were ignorant or inobſervant of the curſed art of ſome, whoſe drift it is to weare out and bring to nothing the bleſſed work begun by delayes, which they dare not oppoſe by open force, nor yet in favour of their backwardneſſe and benummedneſſe, by whoſe ſlackneſſe it is kept ſo long between the knees, and is in danger of ſtrangling: but only to p. 27ſtill and check their impatiencie, who by their precipitous haſtineſſe and fleſhly diſcontent, manifeſt little skill in diſcerning Gods method and manner of working, and leſſe faith in waiting upon his wiſe and gracious diſpenſations under clouds of difficulties and ſeeming protractions, He that beleeveth maketh not haſte. Iſai. 28.16.

Obj. 'Tis farther objected that we ſeeme to be farre enough from recoveing glory and beauty, ſeeing the diſhonourable blemiſhes of errours break out ſo much upon us.

Sol. To this I anſwer, 1. 'Tis not to be denied nor diſſembled, that errours have ſeemed to grow upon us whiles we have been contending for the truth. And we ſhall find more then once that upon the moſt eminent changes in the Church for the better, Satans malice and mens corruptions have caſt in ſuch miſchiefes. Constantine the great was the Angel that bound Satan, the heathen power;Rev. 12.5.Rev 12:5 he was that man-child at whoſe birth and by whoſe victorie, the dragon, the perſecuting Emperours were caſt down and vanquiſhed; yet in his dayes Arrius hatched and vented his venome which infected the world. In Germany upon the very dawning of reformation the helliſh fogs of Anabaptiſme roſe up and flew abroad like clouds ſpread upon the mountaines. 'Tis no new thing we ſee for errour to confront the truth moſt petulantly and peremptorily when it is ſpringing up to greateſt purity and luſtre.

2. This fals not out without ſome advantage to the truth, There muſt be hereſies (ſaith the Apoſtle) that they that are approved may be made manifest, 1 Cor. 11.19. Many Champions for Chriſt ſhew their valour by incountring and quelling ſuch monſters;Eph. 4.14.Eph 4:14 much chaffe is whiffled away by the blasts of falſe doctrine, and the ſleights of men, which before lay heaped up with the graine; and many truths are rendred more cleare and glorious, by ventilations and debates with errour.

3. Do any impute the cauſe and charge the blame of this p. 28evill upon Reformation? why doe they not as well quarrell the Sunne for diſcovering bogs and precipices in their way; or fall out with their Phyſitians for making them the more ſick for the preſent, when they attempt a cure upon their foule bodies? When I would have healed Iſrael (ſaith the Lord) then the iniquitie of Ephraim was diſcovered, and the ſin of Samaria, Hoſ. 7.1. Many latent maladies that have both root and ſtuffe in the body ſhew not their apparent ſymptomes till remedies be applyed. Ile be bold to affirme that the ſerpentine brood of errours which now crawle abroad were ſpawned in the muddy times that of late paſſed over us; and how grievous and odious they are to our reformers, Pulpits and Preſſes have in part declared and will doe more by a juſt & full Confutation of them: and I doubt not but authoritie will provide that that ſhall not impudently and impunely exſpatiate, but will uſe its power in a timely and thorough cruſhing of them.

If there be any yet unſatisfied, either the timerous that ſtartle at difficulties, or the contentious that cavill at ſome partiall and yet remaining blemiſhes; I muſt plainly tell you, I dare not promiſe you nor my ſelfe ſuch golden dayes wherein no wind ſhall blow, no cloud ſhall riſe: I cannot fancy ſuch an Idea, ſuch an exact conſtitution of a Church, wherein there ſhall be no naeve or wrinkle, no diſcraſy or diſtemper. Can the creature here be capable of glory that hath no defect or ſtain? of beauty; to which there is nothing wanting or redundant?

Well whoſoever you are that thorough feare, impatiencie, or unreaſonable diſlike of theſe invaluable bleſſings now tendered to us, judge your ſelves unworthy of them, and thruſt them from you; let me tell you that you have neither part nor lot in this matter. Act. 8.21. & 13.46.Acts 8:21Acts 13:46I muſt turne my ſelfe to them to whom it belongs, for to them is this Salvation ſent, and they will heare it; and they are Gods reſidue. The Lord of hoſts well be, &c. to the reſidue of his people. The third particular, the perſons to whom theſe advantages are appropriated.

p. 29All glorious priviledges, Doct. all beautifull ornaments belong to Gods ſelected portion, and to that only.

Even to that choſen generation, 1 Pet. 2.9.1 Pet 2:9that holy nation, that peculiar people, which the Lord ſingles out for himſelfe in his free and eternall purpoſe,Mal. 3.17.Mal 3:17 makes up for his jewels by actuall and effectuall calling; hypocrites and formaliſts may partake of generall and externall priviledges, the men of the world have large ſhares of common mercies,Pſa. 17.14.Ps 17:14 even their bellies full of Gods hid treaſures; but all ſaving favours, yea all favours in a ſaving manner are conferred only on the remnant. A man may be hoſpitable and beneficent to his eighbours, gentle to his ſervants, mercifull to his enemies; but his affection and uſage of another ſtraine which he beares and expreſſes to his towardly children, his faithfull ſpouſe, 'tis not for a ſtranger to intermeddle here. Let graceleſſe men prattle of I know not what figment of univerſall grace; let the bond-ſlaves of Satan pride themſelves in the imaginary faculty of their freewill. Our God is infinitely bountifull, but not ſo laviſh as ſome would make him, to caſt away his high honours, his deare delights promiſcuouſly, theſe are the propriety of the elect, the portion of ſons and daughters; theſe are peculiarized to Gods reſidue.

Quest. But who are this reſidue?

Reſp. I cannot ſtay upon a diſcovery of them. Briefly take notice of them thus,

1. Negative, by their diſtinction. They are not men of the multitude nor of the world, nor of the times; they dare not ſinne of the faſhion, not goe to hell for company; their care is to be at a reall and wide difference from all ungodly and unſound ones; to be ſaved from the untoward generation.Act. 2.…0.Acts 2

2. Poſitive, by their qualification.Jer. 2.3.Jer 2:3 They are holineſſe to the Lord, the firſt fruits of his increaſe, prime parcels intirely dedicated and vowed to his ſervice, conſecrated veſſels of the beſt p. 30mettall and making, new framed by Gods bleſſed workmanſhip in the moſt delicate artifice of grace,Eph. 2.10.Eph 2:10 created in Chriſt Ioſus, caſt into his mould, and ſo prepared for honourable deſignes,2 Tim. 2.…1.2 Tim 2:1 made meet for the masters uſe. Their holineſſe is hearty, their maine drift the honour and ſervice of their God.

3. Collectivè, by their conſociation. They all live by the ſame Spirit, walk by the ſame rule, mind the ſame Heaven, and therefore they are of one heart, and of one ſoule. Act. 4.32.Acts 4:32Pearles are accounted more pretious and fitter for ornament, when they are of equall bigneſſe or ſorted into Vnions: foreign PlatoGold and Diamonds (ſaid the Naturaliſt) are nothing in price or luster to the conſent of good minds. And although there may be ſome petty difference between them in judgement, ſome ſmall and temporary diſtance or interruption in affection; yet they accord in the maine, they are ſhaken together in times of triall and ſeparation; and as Chriſts cauſe and their owne greateſt good requires, they ſtrengthen their union by all warrantable and worthy wayes of mutuall ingagement and helpfulneſſe.

Vſe 1. This may ſhew us then that when the Lord doth great works and conferreth great bleſſings he diſtinguiſheth and ſelecteth both inſtruments and objects. Times of the Churches exaltation are times of wideſt and moſt thorough diſtinction. Multitudes would preſſe in for a ſhare of her priviledges, when ſhe is riſing, that muſt be ſhaken off as burdens and blemiſhes before ſhe can recover her honour. When favourable edicts were publiſhed for the Jewes, their adverſaries claime acquaintance with them and offer them aſſiſtance, they would needs have a finger in the temple-work: but their help is refuſed, and their officiouſneſſe ſuſpected as more dangerous then their profeſſed oppoſition, Ezra 4.1, 2, 3. If there be a Iudas among the twelve he muſt be uncaſed before Chriſt have finiſhed his work▪ and what have devils to doe to fit in the aſſembly of the Gods? devils in treachery, in malice, p. 31in impuritie: The mixed multitude, the mungrell crew that came up with the Iſraelites out of Egypt, were touched with a ſtupid admiration of the wonders which God wrought for his people, and promiſed themſelves much happineſſe in their company; but when they met with ſtreights and wants, and found not things anſwerable to their ſenſuall humour, then they fell a murmuring and a luſting; and the Lord ſwept them away in his diſpleaſure, ſo that none of them reached Canaan, Numb. 11.4. One great cauſe of the ſtreights and miſeries that have befallen us in our paſſage from Egypt to Canaan hath been the diſcovery and diſtinction of thoſe looſe rotten adherents to Gods cauſe and people. And oh that they were all ſhaken off, while they are unſound at heart, we may take more comfort in their falling away then in their acceſſe. If yet a ſword pierce deeper into Chriſts ſoule, if heavier things befall his members, it is that the thoughts of many more hearts may be revealed, Luk. 2.35.Luke 2:35that a clearer and more thorough difference may be put betweene the pretious and the vile.

2. Hath the Lord a ſpeciall pretious portion (ſuch as we have heard decyphered) upon which he heapes ſuch honour, faſtens ſuch favour, impreſſes ſuch beauty? Fearfull it is then, that it ſhould be the butt of mens oppoſition,Act. 28.22Acts 28:22 the ſect-every where ſpoken against, in common account the vile refuſe rather then the glorious reſidue. Hiſtor. of France.The Marſhall Biron of France was a man impudently and inſatiably ambitious, yet above all his titles of honour he affected to be ſtiled the ſcourge of the Huguenots. And how have men of power and policy thought no foundation ſure enough for their ſecurity, their glory, their contentment, but that which is laid on the ruines of the eſtates or conſciences of Gods pretious ones? Oh the deepe and curſed machinations or contrivances that have been plotted and urged to caſt them downe from their excellency, Pſal. 62.4.Ps 62:4to root them out from p. 32having a name under Heaven, to embitter their beings to them, to make them crouch under unreaſonable and impious burdens. When the Arrian Biſhops ſwayed in the Church under Valens an Emperour of their hereſie; Liberty was given to Iewes, heathens, hereticall Chriſtians of all ſorts to exerciſe their Idolatry, falſe worſhip, mad feſtivals, what not? only the Orthodox were expelled their Churches: and in one place being aſſembled for holy performances at the foot of a mountaine, under the injury of all weathers, they were thence driven by force of ſouldiers, Theod. lib. 4. ca. 24. Is it not lamentable that in the repute of many amongſt us, Papiſts, Atheiſts, Monopoliſts, ſenſualiſts, drunkards, any the baſeſt ſociety or ſort of men ſhould be held more tolerable then the holy brotherhood, the members of Chriſt, the Saints of the moſt High, who alone are deare to God, and linked together in the only gracious and bleſſed Communion? How many for conſcience and quietneſſe ſake in the raigne of our Prelates did leave their deare countrey, their rightfull poſſeſſions? yet there are not wanting ſome that maligne a wilderneſſe to them. 'Tis a common wiſh, Oh that we were ridde of them all! and why are you greedy of your own ruine? Should not the Lord of hoſts leave his remnant among you, ye would ſoone be turned into a Sodome, Iſai. 1.9. Their preſence and prayers are the pillars of a Kingdomes ſafety, the procurers of its happineſſe. And if malice hath not utterly blinded men, let them rub their eyes and ſee two choice excellencies amongſt many here annexed to them and thoſe moſt profitable for humane ſocietie; even the ſpirit of judgement, for Civill Adminiſtration; and holy valour and ſtrength for militarie exploits: for ſo it followes, The Lord will be for a ſpirit of judgement to him that, &c.

Firſt of the firſt, the ſpirit of judgement, which is the gift of governing well, faithfulneſſ & ability in executing juſtice.

p. 33Doct. The Lord doth highly dignifie and bleſſe a people by ſetting over them religious and righteous Magistrates and Rulers.

'Tis a good argument of Gods favour to Iſrael which Huram deduces from the choice and qualification of Solomon: becauſe the Lord loved his people, he hath placed ſuch a King over them, 2 Chron. 2.11. And when the Lord undertakes the glorious and happy reparation of that ſtate after an wofull decay, he promiſeth to restore their Iudges as at the firſt, and their Counſellours as at the beginning, to reduce them to primitive purity and integrity, Iſai. 1.26. This bleſſing will ſhine the more by ſetting againſt it the miſery and miſchiefe of its oppoſite injuſtice. As a roaring lion and a ranging beare, ſuch an one is a wicked ruler over a poore people, Prov. 28.15.Cedren. In the dayes of Phocas that bloudy uſurper, (he was the firſt ſworn ſlave to Antichriſt that wore a crown) a holy Monk was ſo bold as to expoſtulate or enter diſpute with God: he asked him why he had ſet ſuch an impious wretch over Chriſtians; and he was anſwered by a voice from Heaven (if you will beleeve the ſtory, 'tis related by Cedrenus) becauſe a worſe could not be found, and the ſins of men deſerved ſuch a miſchiefe. Magiſtrates are either the common good, or the common evill of them to whom they have relation.In Epiſt. ad Spalat. That paſſage of Luther is memorable: he was in great danger of death, and he wiſhes that the Pope and his crew might be the only inſtruments of it, he would not have Caeſar involved in the cauſe, he would not have his royall hands ſtained with his bloud: for (ſaith he) I know how it fared with Sigiſmund after the burning of Huſs, nothing proſpered with him, beſides his domeſtique infamies and calamities, the weale-publique ſuffered exceedingly with him and under him. The moſt exemplary judgements are upon the moſt eminent perſons, yea; and they fall not alone, the poore ſheep ſmart for their dotages and delinquencies: whereas the Magiſtrates vertues are the peoples bleſſings, p. 34Eccleſ. 10.17. and their vertues are comprized under this expreſſion, The ſpirit of judgement.

Quest. But what is this ſpirit of judgement?

Reſp. 1. It is a renewed ſanctified faculty, ſaith David with ſome of his laſt words that ſavour moſt ſtrongly of Heaven: He that ruleth ever men, muſt be just, ruling in the feare of God, 2. Sam. 23.3. 'Tis true there are functionall abilities inlarged to men, which are profitable to others though not ſaving to themſelves. You may be deep Statiſts, learned Lawyers, exact in the diſquiſition of truth, the deciding cauſes, &c. yet all this doth not amount to the bleſſed property in my Text. Induſtry, experience, ingenuity, morall honeſty, nobleneſſe of mind may make men dexterous in the art of judging, the Lord infuſes the ſpirit, and that ſeaſons all with ſupernaturall excellency. Plainly he is a good Ruler indeed that is a gracious Chriſtian to.

2. The ſpirit of judgement is regular; as it is framed by Gods finger, ſo tis guided by Gods rule. We explode the Popes Canon law, Luther. Ridiculum planè eſt Conſtantium. Imperatorem aeternum nominare, &c. S…om. Eccleſ Hiſtor. lib. 4. cap. 16. V…s Itali vultis ha here Deum in …ane, … non creditu eſſe Deum in calis.and that juſtly, the ſumme whereof is this. The Pope is god on earth, above all things heavenly, earthly, ſpirituall, ſecular, he hath the propriety of all things, and no man must dare to ſay to him, what doſt thou? This we diſlike not only becauſe 'tis the Popes, but becauſe 'tis moſt laviſhly irregular, making up a modell of government fitter for old Perſians, or moderne Iurks then for Chriſts freed men. Strange then it is that men of learning, that would be called Divines, ſhould ſo much cry up the Law of the will. Athanaſius held it abſurd and ridiculous in the Arrians at the Councell of Ariwinum to prefixe this title to their forme of Faith. Praeſente Conſtantio …crno, magno &c. to give the ſtile of eternall to the Emperour, and yet to deny the eternity of the Son of God. And very acute is that of Melancton diſputing about the Euchariſt…: You Italians will needs have God to be in the bread, when you doe not, beleeve that there is a God p. 35in Heaven. And are not they worthier of deriſion then confutation, who make men omnipotent and abſolute, and yet ſpoil God of his freedome in decreeing and working, raze or abrogate his perpetuall commands, yea and live as if there were no God in Heaven? Let mortals tremble to imitate the thunder of the Almightie by the ſtormes of their exorbitant luſts and paſſions; to take abſoluteneſſe upon them, which is the incommunicable prerogative of him whoſe throne is in the Heavens.

3. The ſpirit of judgement is active. The ſpirit we know is the vigorous principle of motion and action; contrary hereunto is that diſtemper mentioned, Hab. 1.4. The Law is ſlacked, defluit lex, 'tis fallen into a ſwoune: The Metaphor is taken from the ſlow, yea, imperceptible motion of the pulſe in the failing of ſpirits. And alas for us for want of activity! we have expected, deſired, magnified, bleſſed, faſted and prayed for a Parliament; and we know how much time, ſubſtance, parts, ſpirits, bloud our Worthies have expended for the publike good: what dangers and difficulties they have incountred: heretofore and now they have framed for us the beſt Lawes humane under Heaven. Would it not be a ſad thing if this wonderfull power when it comes to execution ſhould be put into paralyticall hands, either quite benummed, or ſo ſhaking, that they can doe nothing evenly or ſteddily? that it ſhould be like a gunne in the keeping of an Indian, a rare and forcible Engine in its ſelfe, but made uſeleſſe for want of good managing? Oh that ever there ſhould be any advanced to place and armed with authority, who thorough the vile timorouſneſſe of his own ſpirit, or the treacherous compliancy of his owne evill heart with ſin or the times, ſhould not dare to act that good for which he is ſure to have aſſiſtance and acceptation with the moſt High, without the conſcionable performance whereof he can never ſtand acquitted before the ſupreme p. 36Tribunall! Upon whomſoever the ſpirit of judgement which is the Spirit of the Lord hath fallen, let them goe in this their might, let them put forth their ſtrength, and exerciſe their facultie, the Lord cals and ſends them, and will do great things by them.

4. The ſpirit of judgement is impartiall. As the ſoule in the body it diffuſes it ſelf in a juſt proportion thorough the whole into each part according to its ſeverall need and capability. Who ſo ſmall or inconſiderable, who ſo high or uncontroleable as to be without it influence or reach? by it rulers muſt governe, by it the governed muſt be ruled. The Lord gives a charge and preſcribes a method to the executioners of his juſtice, Ezek. 9.5, 6. he commands them to ſtrike home, and to ſpare none that bore not his owne caracter or marke, and to begin at his Sanctuary at the ancient men before the houſe. Twas the Popes old trick to exempt his Clergy from the Civill, which detractingly he cals the Secular power: but the Popes patronage now I hope will nothing help our bad Miniſters. Oh that they might feele the moſt ſpeedy and heavy hand of juſtice, as they have had the deepeſt hand in occaſioning our decay and miſery. Charles the fifth was wont to ſay wittily, If the ſhavelings had been good,Si Sacrificuli frugi eſſent, non indige…ent Luthere. there had been no need of Luther. Let the guilty hang the head, they that are faithfull and conſcionable need not feare nor decline the deciſions of a Parliament; the cenſures of righteous Magiſtrates. If any ſay that I ſeek the ruine and publiſh the ſhame of men of mine own calling: I anſwer no: they are the proud, the perſecuting, the prophane, the popiſh, the temporizing, the inſufficient, the lazy, the drunken, the ſcandalous Prelates and Miniſters that diſgrace the holy function, and make us aſham'd of them, as Gentlemen are of their beggarly kinred, or rather as an honeſt man is to ſee his brother goe to the gallowes. And as they have troubled our Iſrael, ſo let the Lord trouble them: Let their owne dung be p. 37ſpread upon their own faces, but let Gods Sanctuary be purged of them. Moreover, why ſhould the ſpirit of judgement ſhrinke or be abaſhed at the ſtout looks of any overgrowne great one,Criminoſior cu…pa eſt, ubi honeſtior ſtatus. Salvian, li. q. de. Guber. Dei any bluſtring Belialist? let ſuch feele the force, the omnipotency of juſtice. 'Tis a true ſaying, The higher the condition of the ſinner, the baſer alwayes is the ſin. What! will men ſteale, murther, oppreſſe, commit adultery ſweare falſely or blaſphemouſly, drinke drunke, live diſſolutely and debauchedly, and thinke they are delivered to doe theſe abominations, Jer. 7.9, 10.Jer 7:9Jer 7:10becauſe they are great in the world? Methinks noble ſpirits ſhould hold it more baſe to deſerve then to ſuffer ſharpe and ſhamefull penalties of juſt lawes which they breake. If you improve your greatneſſe to quit your ſelves from them; your priviledge is no other then theirs, who run mad unchained, and poſt to perdition without controll.

5. The ſpirit of judgement is uniforme. It caſts mens minds, and aimes, and actions into one mould or faſhion.Jam. 4.5.Jas 4:5 The ſpirit that is in the world luſteth to envie, a diſtorting, diſtracting evil. Corrupt men differ as much in minds as faces, or if they accord they meet only in evill. Great ſpirits are lyable to great impulſions, violent concuſſions; when they are whirled by excentrique paſsions, or wheeled by byaſſed and ſelfe reſpects, their motions muſt needs be diſordered and turbulent. But when this bleſſed principle in my text is the Primum mobile the firſt mover, then all the ſpheares, whether ſuperior or inferior in place, ſwifter or ſlower in motion, hold on their owne courſe evenly and conſtantly, and accord with others in an exact correſpondence; and the harmony is really by farre more ſweet, then the imaginary muſique of the heavens was fained to be. There are diverſities of gifts,1 Cor. 12.4, 5, 7.1 Cor 12:41 Cor 12:51 Cor 12:7 and differences of adminiſtrations, but one and the ſame ſpirit, and the manifeſtation of that ſpirit is given to every man to profit withall: all tends to mutuall helpfulneſſe, to the common good of all, and every p. 38one that partake of that Spirit: hence all gifts become ſerviceable and contributary each to other: and 'tis a moſt bleſſed and beneficiall intercourſe or trade that paſſes betweene ſanctified abilities. It hath ever been a rich bleſſing to good Magiſtrates to be inſtructed and abetted in their moſt glorious acts by faithfull Miniſters. David had his Seers, ſo had Salomon, Aſa his Azariah, 2 Chr… 15.1. & 19.2. 2 Ki. 19.2. & …2.14.2 Chr 15:12 Chr 19:2Iehoſhaphat his Iehu, beſides a number of teaching Prieſts and Levites, whoſe Catalogue we find regiſtred, 2 Chron. 17.7, 8. Hezekiah had his Iſaiah, Ioſiah his Huldah, Zorobabel his Ioſhua, the Elders of the Jewes brought out of captivitie to reedifie the City and Temple, built and proſpered thorough the prophecying of Haggai and Zachariah the ſonne of Iddo. Temple-work, Church-work never goes up without ſuch hands. I ſhould be ſorry that any here preſent ſhould judge the Prophets uſeleſſe, or burdenſome, or intermedling without their verge in weighty holy affaires. A Reformation pretended without the Councell and Conſociation of men of God would be like Adonijahs feaſt,1 King. 1. …, …, 9, 10.1 Kgs 1 to which Abiathar the temporizing Prieſt, and bloudy Ioab, and other ſuch like were called, Courtiers (perhaps) and Souldiers, and Politicians enough, but faithfull Zadok and Nathan the Prophet, and Salomon the Kings ſon, and true-hearted Benaiah being left out, the meeting proved both ſinfull and ſad, it began in conſpiracie, and ended-in confuſion. But oh happy meetings-where all ſorts of gifts are met together and joyntly improved to mutuall and publique good! 'Tis the good Spirit of God that joynes and keeps men unanimous in and for that with good: and whatſoever tends to the ſetting of good men or good gifts at oddes, though it be never ſo covertly or ſpeciouſly carried, ſuſpect it as proceeding from the envious one, the evill ſpirit of confuſion.

I need not adde any thing for application of this point. 'Tis the ſpirit of judgement (which hath been deſcribed) that fits p. 39every man for the weighty affaires of Civill Adminiſtration, that is intruſted and imployed in the ſame. You ſee hence (Noble Patriots) what it is that you ſhould mainly ſtrive for and cheriſh in your ſelves; and we find what we ſhould moſt importunately beg for you of Heaven. The work before you is glorious, the power in your hands ordinate, the way of diſpenſing it the beſt in the world, moſt ſutable to equity and to our ſpirits; wherein as juſt Soveraignty is not bounded unworthily, ſo community hath ſome ſtroke according to its ranke in matters of higheſt publique concernment. Oh then let this ſpirit of judgement animate and ſway all your conſultations and proceedings; let it ſeaſon them with ſanctitie, order them with regularity, manage them with activity, carry them thorough with impartiality, corroborate and crowne them with unanimity; and the iſſue will be (if it be not cut off by ſinfulneſſe and ingratitude) a heape of bleſſings upon us, and upon many generations.

So much of the ſpirit of judgement, the firſt excellency here ſpecified.

The ſecond followes, which is ſtrength to order the battell in the gate, valour and abilities for the warre.

This is a choice gift or bleſsing of God, Doct. the honour and ornament of a State or people.

A uſefull ſeaſonable ſubject had I time to proſecute it. I ſhall now handle it very briefly.

The Lord is a man of war. Exod. 15.3. and he makes ſome of his ſervants brave warriours; he girds them with ſtrength, teacheth them the uſe of their armes, covers them with the ſhield of Salvation, gives them undauntedneſſe to encounter, and ſwiftneſſe to purſuit their enemies, Pſal. 18.32-40. till they have their necks under their feet.

Such were the Iſraelites under Ioſhua's command, nothing could ſtand before them. Such were the Judges, men wonderfully p. 40inſpired and inabled to reſcue Gods people from oppreſſion;2 Sam. 23.8.2 Sam 23:8 ſuch Worthies had David, who was called and qualified to cut ſhort the enemies of God, and to erect his Worſhip in purity and peaceableneſſe; and with this bleſſing hath the Lord honoured pious Princes and States, whom he hath ſet up and eſtabliſhed in all ages.

This holy valour will appeare a choice honourable bleſſing if we conſider it,

1. In the habite. Reaſ. There is naturall hardineſſe in bruits, for which we admire them; morall fortitude in meere men, which renders them both dreaded and renowned; but this is a ſanctified ſublime gift of the Spirit, an admirable adorning grace.

2. In the exerciſe. Fit it is to be imployed in great matters, high exploits, the maintenance of Gods cauſe and truth, the vindication of his honour, the reliefe of his Saints, It ingages ſtrength and life, and all upon ſuch noble deſignes and ſervices. Unholy courage makes men more able to do hurt, it degenerates into rage, becomes luſts champion, and breakes out into injuriouſneſſe, revenge, murther, &c.

3. In the Uſefulneſſe of it. Mans ſin filled the world with Antipathies, and enmities, and God hath armed many of the irrationall creatures to make defence and oppoſition againſt their Antipathists. And who have ſo many implacable fierce enemies as the Saints? as they have need of patience to beare their injuries, ſo valour is very uſefull and advantageous to repell them, when they find a warrant or call?

Vſe 1. Miſerable then and ruinating to a ſtate is the want of this gift, this bleſſing. And would you know what it is that melts the ſpirits, diſſolves the nerves, enfeebles the manhood and magnanimity of a nation? let me preſent it to your view in a home preſident, even of the generations that have paſſed over us, the people that have formerly poſſeſſed our places. The Brittaines the ancient inhabitants of this land p. 41were a warlike nation, the made ſtout reſiſtance againſt the Romans, bore their yoke with much reluctancie, and threw it off upon all occaſions:Engliſh Chronic. yet when their Nobles degenerated into luſt, luxury, and cruelty; when falſhood and faithleſneſſe both towards God and man abounded in all ſorts, when plenty brought forth the curſed fruits of looſe and wanton living: when they were generally addicted to hate of truth and love of lying, inſomuch that if any were gentler and more given to truth then other, the reſt would worke him all the hurt and ſpight they could; and this did not only the ſeculars, but alſo the Clergie, and the heads thereof, giving themſelves over to drunkenneſſe, pride, contention, envie, &c. caſting from them the yoke of Chriſt (they are the very words of our ſtory) then they became a ſpectacle of reproach and miſery, a prey to barbarous nations.Gens Saxonum ſera. Salvian. The Saxons that ſucceeded them were the Imps of Mars, a terrour to this part of the world, they lived by their ſword and were victorious almoſt whitherſoever they went: yet when they grew cold and heartleſſe in the Religion which they had zealouſly profeſſed, Engliſh Chronic.when treachery, injuſtice, ſhedding innocent bloud, impiety, ſenſuality did overſpread them, they were wofully waſted by inteſtine broiles and forreigne incurſions, and at laſt ſwallowed up by the Norman Conquest. The application of theſe hiſtories be to the enemies of God, and of his people. Sins, ſuch ſins as theſe weaken mens ſinewes, emaſculate their ſpirits, devoure their excellencie, and cauſe the hearts of the valiant utterly to melt. Cowardice and baſeneſſe are the proper and certaine effects of ſin. And although wicked men may be ſtout and ſturdy, and mighty to do miſchiefe, either for the ſcourging of Gods people, or the breaking each other in pieces; yet is this in them but beſtiall helliſh fury, no true valour; and the more directly and impetuouſly it is ſet againſt God and goodneſſe, the ſooner and more fatally ſhall it bring themſelves to ruine.

2. This gives us great occaſion to magnifie the Lord for p. 42this choice honourable bleſſing conferred upon us. Our bow hath of late recovered its ſtrength: God hath ſtirred up and fitted courageous ſpirits, excellent inſtruments for military affaires. And although the nature of the warre amongſt us be calamitous, and many events of it very ſad; yet the maine comfort is, the quarrell is apparently betwixt Chriſt and Antichriſt, he that ſees not ſo much now is wilfully maliciouſly blind. Now the prophecies in the Revelation ſeeme to foreſhew that the ruine of Antichriſt ſhall in a good part be brought to paſſe by the ſword: Rev 16 6. & 1….14, 15, 16,17.Rev 16:6Rev 1:14Rev 1:15Rev 1:16Rev 1:17They that gave their kingdomes to the beaſt ſhall recover them by force, they ſhall hate the whore, make her deſolate and naked, eate her fleſh, and burne her with fire. They that make warre with the Lambe, ſhed the bloud of Saints and Prophets, they ſhall have bloud given them to drinke, as they are worthy: Methinks the Lord is breeding and apting a generation of men amongſt us that ſhall make the throne of the beaſt ſhake. If any cenſure me for cheriſhing and blowing up the ſparkes of valour in mens ſpirits,1 Cor. 4.3.1 Cor 4:3 With me it is a very ſmall thing to be judged of them, or of mans judgement. LUTHER was called a Trumpet of ſedition; Tu…a Seditionis.they ſaid of BEZA when he accompanied the Proteſtant forces in France fighting for their Religion,Evangelium flammeu…n & … that he preached a Goſpel compoſed of fire and brimſtone. But we that are Miniſters need not feare nor ſhame to carry the Trumpets of the Sanctuary before the Lords armies. All yee whoſe hearts the Lord hath touched Goe on in this your might, Judg. 6.14 Joſh. 1.7. Iſai. 26.4Judg 6:14Josh 1:7Isa 26:4be ſtrong and of a good courage, be not afraid nor diſmayed, for the Lord your God is with you whitherſoever ye goe in his way, Iehovah who is everlasting ſtrength, is ſtrength in an eminent glorious manner to them that turne the battell in the gate.

Let me cloſe your thoughts with one briefe conſideration from the whole. In all that hath been ſaid you ſee verified that great Poſition of the Apoſtle (indeed a Paradox to the world) That Godlineſſe is profitable for all things. 1 Tim. 4.81 Tim 4:8Perhaps you p. 43have accounted it needfull and helpfull for the worſhip of God, the ordering of the converſation, Peace of Conſcience, &c. Yet further take notice here how it conduces to the flouriſhing and good government of a ſtate, to the managing and bleſſing of all affaires, not Religion only, but civill and military to. 'Tis the feare, the favour, the gracious preſence of God that crown a people with moſt glorious advantages, that adorne them with moſt precious priviledges, that proſper them both in peace and warre.

As therefore we tender and deſire the ſafety and honour of our ſtate, the publike and mutuall welfare of Rulers and Subjects, the good and glorious ſucceſſe of our greateſt deſignes; let all of us together, and every one of us in our ſtations, with our heartieſt intentions and indeavours doe what we may to get and keep the Lord amongſt us in the power and purity of Religion. Let this be practiſed, promoted, prayed for above all by all. So will it dignifie and beautifie us with all honourable and amiable excellencies; it will burniſh the crown and ſtabliſh the throne; it will enoble our ſpirits and deck our heads; it will ſtrengthen our lawes with authority and juſtice, and ſharpen our ſwords againſt the faces of our enemies; it will make us a bleſsing and a praiſe above all the nations under Heaven.

FINIS.

End of the text · Gaspar Hickes, The Glory and Beauty of Gods Portion (1644)