A Glimpse of Gods Glory, Sermon

A Glimpse of Gods Glory · Sermon

p. 1A GLIMPSE OF GODS GLORY: As it was preſented in a SERMON.

PSALME 113.

VERSE 5. Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high?

VERSE 6. Who humbleth himſelfe to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth?

THe Author of this Pſalme was David; the time, when hee came newly to the Crowne;Iun. et Tremel. Annotat. in loc. The matter, praiſe;

1. To God.

2. Of God.

Both joyned in this Text.

In which obſerve Gods

1. Majeſty.

2. Mercy.

3. The impreſſion this maketh on the Pſalmiſt.

1. Gods Majeſty, expreſt by,

1. His eminency, hee is on high; and that is farther diſcovered by the Originall and fountaine of it, foreign, He exalts himſelfe on high, ſo the word ſignifies.

p. 22. By the immutability, and eternity of it; He **R. Maim. Mor… Nevochim. l. 1. c. 11.fits, or dwels on high.

2. Gods mercy, which appeares, in His

1. Providence.

2. Relation.

3. Condeſcenſion.

1. His providence: In that obſerve, The

Act, he beholds.

Object, and that is double;

1. Things in Heaven.

2. Things on earth.

2. In his exhibiting himſelfe by way of Relation, He is our God.

3. In his great condeſcenſion; though he be ſo high, yet for the preſervation, and gubernation of his poore creatures, hee abaſeth himſelfe; i. e. rather then they ſhall want governing and ſuſtaining, hee will take charge of them himſelfe, and ſo far vaile his glory, as to imploy his wiſdome, power, and other attributes for their advantage.

3. The impreſſion that this apprehenſion makes on the minde of the Pſalmiſt, and that is Admiration: O who is like unto him!

1. Gods eminency; He is on high: Therefore ſtiled by the aaEſay 57.15.Isa 57:15Prophet, the High and lofty one; and ſo he is indeed:

1. In reſpect of place and dwelling; He is in Heaven, ſayes bbEccleſ. 5.2.Eccl 5:2Solomon; and our Saviour in our prayers inſtructs us to looke up ccMat. 6.Matt 6thither. It is true, he is in the aereall, and Starry heaven by his eſſence and power; But the Heaven of the bleſſed is his ddEſay 66.1.Isa 66:1Throne, that is the place where he chiefly teſtifies his reſidence; not as if he were determined ſo to that place, as to be excluded from others; ee1 Kings 8.27.1 Kgs 8:27The heaven of heavens is not able to containe him, for ffIer. 23.24.Jer 23:24he fils both heaven and earth; but in reſpect of manifeſtation he is ſaid to be there, becauſe in that place he chiefly manifeſts ggEſay 63.15.Isa 63:15his glory and goodneſſe.

2. In reſpect of eſſence, he is high indeed, unexpreſſibly high in excellency above all beings, not hhGen. 14.22.Gen 14:22onelyonly in Abrahams phraſe, The high God, but in iiPſal. 7.17.Ps 7:17Davids, The Lord moſt High. Alas, what are all created beings with all their excellencies in reſpect of him, but even as kkEſay 40.17.Isa 40:17nothing and vanity, as the Prophet p. 3ſpeakes? He is the perfecteſt of all Beings. For firſt, there's no perfection in any created being (if it be not a helpe of its neceſsitie, or a remedie againſt the evill that is incident to it) but we may finde it all in God. Is it llJer. 10.10.Jer 10:10life, mm1 Sam. 2.3.1 Sam 2:3knowledge, nnJob 9.4.Job 9:4strength, ooLev. 11.44.Lev 11:44holineſſe, or what ever elſe is ſimply excellent? he is the Originall and cauſe of all: therefore much more poſſeſſes theſe excellencies then the creatures.ppPſal. 94.9.Ps 94:9

Secondly, they are all in God after a qqforeign. Dionyſ. de divi. nominibus c. 1. Sic Aquin. parte 1. q. 3. art. 1 & 3.ſuper-eminent manner.

For, 1. they are divers things in the creatures, but one in God.

2. They are accidents in the creatures, but eſſence in God.

3. They are in the creature with ſome allay or other, they are like the moone, when they ſhine brighteſt, yet there are creature ſpots of imperfection to be found in them: rrJob 4.18.Job 4:18the Angels the excellenteſt of created Beings, are charg'd with folly. But God is ſo light That in him there ss1 Joh. 1.5.1 John 1:5is no darkeneſſe at all.

Then thirdly, in reſpect of meaſure, he is infinitely above them all. Alas, they poſſeſſe but ſome ſmall drops in reſpect of the fountaine, ſome poore glimmering rayes in reſpect of this glorious ſunne; in a word, He is an infinite Ocean of perfection, without either brinke, or bottome.

3. He is high in reſpect of ttRab. Maymon. in more Nevochim lib. 1. cap. 20.State, and dominion. Looke amongſt all thoſe that he is pleaſed to grace with the Title of gods, whether Angels in heaven, or men upon earth, and you will finde, uuPſal. 86.8.Ps 86:8That amongſt the gods, there's none like unto him, neither are there any workes like unto his workes.

Firſt, looke upon all the gods; who amongſt them hath the wwEſay 66.1.Isa 66:1whole heaven for his throne, and the whole earth for his footeſtoole, as he hath? xxPſal. 95.3, 4, 5.Ps 95:3Ps 95:4Ps 95:5who hath ſuch vaſte territories and dominions? yyEſay 33.22. Jam. 4.12. Rom. 9.21. &c.Isa 33:22Jas 4:12Rom 9:21who ſuch ſupreame power and abſolute authoritie? zzRevel. 19.16.Rev 19:16he is the God of gods, and King of kings; there's never a reſembling or deputed God amongſt them, but they are beholding to him for aa1 Cor. 4.7.1 Cor 4:7their glory; it is their height & honour to be the bbPſal. 82.6.Ps 82:6Sonnes of the Higheſt: if they be higher then others in place, or parts, it is from his coyning, they paſſe with others at ſuch a rate. And as the putting forth of his creating power made them ſuch, ſo his excellencie is the meaſure of theirs: the nigher they come to him in point of likeneſſe or imployment, ccPſal. 16.3. Prov. 12.26. Dan. 4.36.Ps 16:3Prov 12:26Dan 4:36the higher they are in point of eminencie.

p. 4Looke upon his workes, and he is high in them too; there is none amongſt the gods, whoſe workes are ddPſal. 86.8.Ps 86:8like to his, eePſal. 40.5.Ps 40:5they out-paſſe expreſſion. View this, 1. In the workes of Creation: ffEſay 40.12.Isa 40:12Who hath meaſured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the duſt of the earth in a meaſure, and weighed the mountaines in ſcales, and the hills in a ballance? Are not theſe high workes indeede, thus to forme and proportion out ſuch vaſte creatures, and that with ſo much facilitie, and eaſe (as the Prophet expreſſes) with ſuch unexpreſſible ſurpaſſing power, as if he were but ſpanning; meaſuring, weighing; can any leſſe then a high Almighty Deity doe it? Princes declare their highneſſe, by high extraordinary workes; ggDan. 4.30.Dan 4:30Nebuchadnezzar builds a glorious palace, to diſcover his Majeſtie, and great glory; but alas, what is this poore pile to hhPſal. 33.6. Pſal. 102.25.Ps 33:6Ps 102:25the laying of the foundations of the earth, and the creating the glorious fabricke of the vaſt heavens? which are alſo the worke of his hands. If we contemplate all theſe creatures, firſt, in God, before they had a Being in themſelves; iiPſal. 139.16. Plato ſtiles God, foreign.Ps 139:16as the Idea, or ſhape of the worke in the Artificers minde, before he puts his hand to frame it; ſo all creatures were in the divine underſtanding: and here for the farther extolling his heigth, we may well cry out with the kkEſay 40.13.14.Isa 40:13Isa 40:14Prophet, Who hath directed the Spirit of the Lord? or being his counſellor taught him? with whom tooke he counſell? But all this while he was like llAnte omnia Deus erat ſolus ipſe ſibi & mundus, & locus, & omnia, Tertul. coat. Prox.a claspt booke, gloriouſly ſhining onelyonly to himſelfe.

Then ſecondly, looke alſo upon him in his creating emanations; this glorious booke is unclaſpt, and now what was hidden before in God becomes manifeſt; ſo that thereby mmRom. 1.20. Pſa. 104.30, 31Rom 1:20Ps 104:30Ps 104:31the inviſible things of God from the Creation of the world are clearely ſeene, being underſtood by the things that are made, even his eternall power and God-head; nnEſth. 1.4.Esth 1:4like Ahaſueroſh his great feaſt, whereby hee ſhewed the greatneſſe of his riches and excellencie: And indeed what are the creatures, but the ooQuid eſt excellentia creaturae, niſi Dei exundatio, qua inferiora etiam replevit? Bern.Over-flowings of Gods power, and eminencie; whereby not contenting himſelfe with diſcoveries of his highneſſe, and glory in the creation of the heavens, and their glorious furniture of Angels, Sunne, Moone, Starres, and ſuch like, he hath likewiſe repleniſht the earth, ppPſal. 33.5, 6. Eſay 6.3.Ps 33:5Ps 33:6Isa 6:3which alſo is full of his goodneſſe, and glory?

Then ſecondly, as all things flow from him, ſo they depend p. 5upon him; which likewiſe declares his Highneſſe. The greateſt excellencies of Being, or indowments which we ſo much admire, as wiſedome, ſtrength, life, holineſſe, &c. as much depend upon him, as the effigies in the glaſſe upon the preſence of the face that cauſes it: qqPſal. 104.29.Ps 104:29If he turne away his face i. e. reſtraine his influence, of ſuſtaining, maintaining grace, and power, they vaniſh. rrHeb. 1.3.Heb 1:3He ſuſtaines, and beares up all, both in reſpect of ssAct. 17.28.Acts 17:28being, excellencies, and operations. ttPſal. 104.27.Ps 104:27He maintaines, and ſpreads a table for all, therefore hither they looke with a craving, imploring eye: uuPſal. 107.Ps 107eſpecially in dangers, they that deſpiſe his majeſtie before, now acknowledge his highneſſe above all others; for, forſaking their fellow creatures, which are refuges of lyes, Non ad capitolium, ſed ad coelum, &c. Tertulthey looke now to the heavens, not to the Capitol: And thoſe that would not owne him before, cry now, Lord helpe, Lord ſave, lowdly thereby proclaiming his glory.

Thirdly, he to whom all tend muſt needes be on high; but as all came from him, and live upon him, ſo they wwRom. 11.36.Rom 11:36tend to him, as xxEccleſ. 1.7.Eccl 1:7rivers which come from the Sea and returne againe unto it. When he framed all, firſt the end he aymed at yyDeus in exteriora quídem tendit, ſed tamen in totum undi que in ſe redit. Senec. lib. de beata vita, cap. 8.was himſelfe, his own zzProv. 16.4.Prov 16:4glory, for which he accordingly Stampt them with ſuch ſeverall adaptations, as might without faile, diſpoſe them for, and carry them to this end. Some tend to him, and ſo praiſe him paſſively, as the excellencie of the worke extolls the workeman: aaPſal. 19.1.Ps 19:1Thus the heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament ſhewes forth his handy worke. Likewiſe the Acts of his providence, both of Juſtice and Mercy, when by an out-ſtretched arme he reduces thoſe creatures, and things into order in relation to this end, which otherwiſe in themſelves would prove irregular: bbPſal. 76.10.Ps 76:10Thus he makes the wrath of man to praiſe him: as Pharaohs, when not onelyonly thereby he tooke occaſion to ſhew how much he was ccExod. 18.11.Exod 18:11above him, and higher then he, by blaſting his Counſels, enervating his courage, deſtroying his power; But alſo, when he had permitted that beaſt to rage enough, to bring about his owne deſigne, The remainder of his wrath (as the Pſalmiſt ſpeakes) God did ſubdue, by making the ſea his grave. The like we may ſee in ddSocrat. Schol. Eccleſ. Hiſt. li. 3. cap. 18.Julian, if we conſider his bloody reſolutions, fierce proſecution, but ſuddaine and miraculous deſtruction: the like is evident in the King of eeEſay 10.Isa 10Aſſyria, and many others.

p. 6Others tend to him Actively by way of intention; ffPſal. 24.6.Ps 24:6propounding this high God to themſelves as there ultimat end, and aym.

They looke up to him as the onelyonly One, in injoyment of whom they can be perfected: Therefore move towards him as their ggDomine ſeciſti nos ad te, & inquietum eſt cor noſtrum dónec requieſcat in te, Aug. conf. l. 1. cap. 1. foreign. Sy…e…. hymno 2. Pſa. 73.25. &c. Pſal. 63.8.Ps 73:25Ps 63:8Center, and cannot finde quietnes in themſelves, untill, and no farther then they reſt in him. Their wiſh is, hhVt currat vita mea in amplexus tuos, nec avertetur donec abſcondit me in abſcondito vultus tui. Aug.that they may by every act and duty they performe, be thereby carryed into his imbraces, and never leave off, till at laſt they be ſwallowed up of his unſpeakeable glory.

Thus whether we conſider Gods Eſſence, Dwelling, Dominion, or workes, we ſee in all he is High.

Queſt. But how high is he?

Anſw. 1. So high, that all creatures bow before him, and doe homage to him according to their ſeverall aptitudes and abilities. Saint Iohn brings them all in, attributing to him, and ſo putting from themſelves, but ſetting on his head, as a royalty due onelyonly to him, the crown of glory: iiRevel. 5.13.Rev 5:13And every creature (ſaith he) which is in heaven, and on earth and under the earth, and ſuch as are in the ſea, and all that are in them, heard I ſaying, Bleſſing, honour, glory, and power be unto him that ſits upon the throne. 1. Some by way of ſubjection, ſtooping to him, kkDan. 7 10. Rev. 5.11, 12.Dan 7:10Rev 5:11Rev 5:12Angels, and Saints they worſhip him, acknowledging his highneſſe, by denying their own,Eſay 6.Isa 6 but ſetting up his will as their ſupreame law & excellencie, caſt down their crowns, and vayling their glory, they cover their face, and make his glory the object of their admiration. 2. Others acknowledge his eminencie by their Conſternation upon the leaſt ſhining forth of his glory, when he diſcovers but the emblems of his greatneſſe, llJames 2.19.Jas 2:19Devils tremble, mmEſay 33.14.Isa 33:14Men quake; and as the wormes when it thunders wriggle into the corners of the earth; ſo, for all mens lofty lookes, though when all is quiet, they may puffe up themſelves with conceite they are ſomething more then ordinary, like nnSueton. in Calig.Caligula, who fancied himſelfe a God imitating Ioves thunder: But when the true God gave forth this voyce of his Majeſtie from heaven, he that before was ſo high, was now as low, and poore in his Spirit, covering his eyes with his cap, running under the bed, or into any bench-hole for preſervation; ſo let but the Lord ariſe to ſhake the earth terribly, and the talleſt Cedar, the higheſt tower, the loftieſt ſpirit of godleſſe men, can dare it no longer, but will thinke the ooEſay 2.19.Isa 2:19holes of the rockes, and p. 7caves of the earth to be their beſt fence and ſhelter.

Thirdly, even inanimate creatures by ppHab. 3.9, 10, 11. Eſay 48.13. Dan. 4.3.5.Hab 3:9Hab 3:10Hab 3:11Isa 48:13Dan 4:3Dan 4:5compliance with, and ready ſubjection to, the impreſſions of his power: qqJob. 38 35.Job 38:35the lightnings flye, the right ayming thunderbolt makes ſpeed at his direction, the beſt impreſſion of his power; if he doe rrPſal. 144 5.Ps 144:5but touch the mountaines they ſmoake, and the hills tremble: ssNahum 1.4, 5, 6.Nah 1:4Nah 1:5Nah 1:6But if he be angry he rebukes the ſea, and rivers they dry up; Baſhan, Carmel, Lebanus, languiſh, the mountaines quake at him, the hills melt, and the earth is burnt up at his preſence yea the world and all that dwell therein; Who may endure in his indignation? alas, none may behold him, his wrath is ſo high, ore-topping the creatures weakneſſe, that it is all one whether it be againſt a man or againſt a aaJob 34.29.Job 34:29Nation. 2. He is ſo high that he ſurmounts all created capacitie to comprehend him. Canst thou (ſaith bbJob 11.7, 8, 9Job 11:7Job 11:8Job 11:9Zophar the Naamathite to Job) by ſearching finde out God? canſt thou finde out the Almighty to perfection? It is as high as heaven, what canſt thou doe? deeper than hell, what canst thou know? the meaſure thereof is longer then the earth, and broader then the ſea. So that indeede in Davids phraſe, his greatneſſe and eminencie is ccPſal. 145.3.Ps 145:3unſearchable. This that heathen Philoſopher ddMau…i. Loc. com.Simonides well expreſt when being injoyned by Hiero the Tyrant to tell him, what was God, he required for ſolution, firſt one dayes reſpite, but at the end of that two, when they were expired foure, ſtill doubling his time for inquirie; till at the laſt being by the demander askt the reaſon of his delayes, he told him plainly; that by how much the more he thought of God, by ſo much the more he apprehended the impoſſibility of declaring what he was. In a word; he is ſo high, 1. That no bodily eye hath ever, ee1 Joh. 4.12.1 John 4:12or can poſſibly ſee him. Therefore if we read of Abraham, Moſes, Eſay, Ezekiel, or others, of whom the contrary ſeemes to be aſſerted, we muſt underſtand it thus: that indeede they did ſee ffR. Maymon. more Nev…chim. lib. 3. cap. 7.Mercavah ve lo Harocheh, i. e. the Chariot in which God road, but not the rider in it; they ſaw ſome created image, glory, whereby he was pleaſed for the preſent to teſtifie his more immediate preſence, but not himſelfe. 2. Neither can the eye of the Underſtanding perfectly reach. He dwels in ſuch inacceſſible light, that no mortall eye can attaine to; nay, (but through vailes, and clouding, yet proportionating mediums) get the leaſt glimpſe of; and that not by direct view of God in himſelfe, but rather p. 8(as Nazianzen expreſſes it well) as weake eyes gaze not on the ſunne in its Orbe,Nazianz. 1. Theol. that's to bright, but on its reſemblance in the water; ſo we on God in his Word, and workes, in, and upon which he hath left ſufficient manifeſtations of his eminencie, to attract our ſpirits, lay low our lofty mindes, and make us live by the apprehenſion of them: yet muſt we not thinke, that becauſe by his mercy we reach ſome little glimmering beame of his infinite unexpreſſible highneſſe thus (as it were) at the ſecond hand, that therefore we either doe, or can by any meanes ever be able perfectly to meaſure his highneſſe; which no created line, or underſtanding can ever doe, no not angelicall, there being ſo vaſt a diſtance betweene an infinite glory, and a finite capacitie. We ſee indeede, the eye of our body may be fill'd with the ſun brightneſſe, but it is impoſſible that ſo narrow a receptacle ſhould perfectly containe ſuch a large glory: So, although the Angels underſtandings now are, and the Saints, hereafter ſhall be fil'd brimfull with the cleare manifeſtations of Gods eminencie and glory, yet that they can fully reach, or perfectly containe the exact, and preciſe knowledge of it, is an errour ſo groſſe, that it much more deſerveth pity then confutation.

If he be ſo high, that no created line can meaſure him, either of Angels now, or Saints hereafter: alas, how much leſſe can we dream of doing it here? Conſidering likewiſe (which farther diſcovers his eminencie) he is ſo high, that, 1. He ſurmounts all creatures, he hath no parallel. 2. ggIſta de Deo di cimus, quia non invenimus melius quod dicamus, &c. Aug. Serm. 40. de Tempore.Surpaſſes all notion. 3. hhVide Nazia. Orat. 36. Afri vocant Deum ignotum Amon, i. e. Heus tu quis es? Plu. lib. de I ſide & O ſir.Is above all name. When Manoah inquires after his name, the anſwer is, Tis Wonderful, i e. I am cal'd as I am cal'd; but ſuch is thy weakeneſſe, that it ſurpaſſes thy conception: ſo Bede, Victorinus, and others on Exodus interpret it. 4. He muſt needes therefore be beyond the tongues expreſſion, if he be above the mindes apprehenſion; and ſo indeede he is incomprehenſible by the mind, unexpreſſible by the tongue, as iiforeign, Syneſ.Syneſius ſpeakes.

To cloſe this Doctrine; he is indeede like the poole kkAriſtot. de mirabil. auſcult.Polycritus writes of, cited by Ariſtotle, which in compaſſe at the firſt ſcarce ſeemed to exceede the breadth of a ſhield, but if any went into it to waſh, it extended it ſelfe ſtill more and more: ſo is it with Gods glorious excellencie, which though at the firſt to a carnall eye it appeares but ſmall, yet the more the mind p. 9is exerciſed about it, the larger it ſhewes, till at the laſt it proves llTantum recedit quantum capitur, Nazia. Oratione prima.incomprehenſible, and the underſtanding be ſwallowed up by it.

Now let us come to the application of this truth, wherein I ſhall onelyonly ſpeake of what I conceive may be moſt appoſite to further us in the preſent duty of this day, and of moſt concernment to our ſelves here preſent.

And here firſt, we may juſtly take up a ſad complaint, Vſe 1 that ſeeing God is ſo high, we ſhould be ſo unworthy to bring him ſo low and debaſe him as we have done. Have not we given him juſt ground to put that queſtion to us (or rather complaint) mmM…l. 1. We have brought God low.Where is my honour? Where is it indeede? unleſſe it conſiſts in giving him, 1. OnelyOnly nnEſay 29.Isa 29a body without a ſoule: as if he were not the God of both, or would be ſatisfied with the one without the other, or did not deſerve both. 2. Or if the beſt part, yet in that the worſt, and loweſt place,ooQui totum hominem condidit, habere cum communem cum adverſario non dignatur, Greg. Magn. as if ſome empty peece of vanity did better deſerve the throne, then the God of glory. See it in thoſe two ſtrong paſſions onelyonly of love, and feare. Alas, firſt in our love, and eſtimation, doth not the covetous perſon ſet up his gold above his God? the ambitious his honour? the uncleane perſon his harlots, thoſe unhappie ſacrifices of publike luſt, as ppInfaeliciſſimas publicarum lihidinum victimas, Tertul.Tertullian ſtiles them? and in truth, every one without Gods grace, his will, with a little inverting the Prophets phraſe, we may truely ſay, that qqJer. 11.13.Jer 11:13according to the number of their luſts and humors ſo are their gods. rrforeign. Heſiod.Heſiod ſayes there are thirty thouſand. And the ſpirit of the Aegyptians was ſo low, that the meaneſt creature was good enough to make a god of; the truth is, there is nothing ſo meane that a carnall heart will not Idolize, and advance in affection above the Higheſt; if it bear a proportion to it ſelfe, it will make a god of it. Not by externall adoration, that's too groſſe, but by internall affection, and beſtowing the heart upon it, which is as reall a ſetting up a falſe God, though not ſo palpable, as the former. But perhaps becauſe like Iſraels Elders in ccEzek. 8.Ezek 8Ezekiel, men act this privately, they will deny it, and pleade not guilty: Therfore, that we may no longer ſhift this off, but receive conviction of it, conſider for diſcovery theſe three things. Firſt, which way runnes the current of our thoughts? ſpend we not more? dwels not our hearts longer, and that too with greater content p. 10on other objects, then on God? Remember our Saviours rule: ssMat. 6.21.Matt 6:21Where the treaſure is, there will the heart be alſo. Secondly, have not other things a ſtronger influence into our actions then God, we will doe more for them then him; for did not riches intice, honours provoke, pleaſures allure, it is much to be feared that moſt would (command God what he pleaſe) prove uſeleſſe, inactive, burdens to the earth that beares them. Nay doe we not ſee the prevalencie of theſe? for what is it moſt men will not doe to gaine them? forgoe faith, and truth, Religion and piety, as tt2 Tim. 4.10.2 Tim 4:10Demas who forſooke his miniſtery, becauſe he ſaw it was no thriving way, and went to Theſſalonica, aaDoroth in Synopſ.there turning Idolatrous Prieſt: Iudas will ſell his maſter, and what not? Thirdly, they are moſt hard to part with: for if a ſeparation be endeavoured to be made but onelyonly in point of affection; away with Amos, impriſon Michaiah, purſue Eliah, behead Iohn; they doglike, ſnarle at the chaine that reſtraines them, and like ſome laſcivious novice, bb2 Tim. 4.3.2 Tim 4:3will not endure ſound words. But if once it comes to an actuall ſeparation, they are as deare, and they will as eaſily part with their ccChaldaei appellant nummum foreign sangui nem.blood as them: the breaking of a debtor, the budding of diſgrace, (as in Hamans) you may read in their face, you neede not aske what ayles them; nay many times their burden is ſo great, as they apprehend, that (to uſe Iobs phraſe) it makes ſome ddJob 7.15.Job 7:15chuſe ſtrangling rather then life. But no ſuch adoe for this high God; there is none ſayes, eeJob 35.10.Job 35:10Where is my maker? he may be where he will for them, ſo they have the world at will: and indeede, if at any time they looke up to him, tis not to honour, but make ffMulti uti Deo volunt ut fruantur mundo; Aug.uſe of him for their owne carnall ends. In a time of dearth, or other miſery they will ggHoſea 7.12.Hos 7:12howle upon their beds, not for their God, but for their corne, oyle and wine, for ſuch things as they ſtand in neede of, but care not, were it not for theſe things, what becomes of this great God, or hhEſay 43.24. Amos 2.13.Isa 43:24Amos 2:13how much they ſinne againſt him. Secondly, is it any better in our feares? Indeed we talke much of fearing God, but where is the man that lifts up God on high in his heart, by making him his iiEſay 8.13.Isa 8:13dread? That acknowledges ſo his eminencie with reverence, as to ſtand in awe of him above all creatures? Alas, firſt, how heedeleſſe are we to provoke him, kkJob 15.16.Job 15:16drinking in ſinne, as the fiſh doth water, without any dread at all, llProv. 10.23.Prov 10:23making a ſport of ſin, whereas true mmProv. 13.13. Ezra 10 3.Prov 13:13Ezra 10:3feare would make us reverence his p. 11Commandements to doe them, it would make us to nnProv. 8.13.Prov 8:13hate ſin, and abſtaine from it, where ooGen. 42.18.Gen 42:18no eye ſees; and give up our ſelves to doe what he enjoynes with pp2 Chron. 19.9.2 Chr 19:9ſtrife and conſtancie. Secondly, how regardleſſe of making up our breaches? we can eate and ſleepe, and be merry, when our provocations lye upon us; like qqMat. 24 38.Matt 24:38Ioſephs brethren, or the rrGen. 37.25. Pſal. 119.Gen 37:25Ps 119old world, and never heede them. Thirdly, how incredulous and ſleighting of his judgements? whereas, if we feared him, we would feare his blowes: either becauſe we ssPſal. 10.4, 5.Ps 10:4Ps 10:5ſee them not; or Gods ttRom. 2.4.Rom 2:4patience ſuſpends the execution of them, to draw us to repentance, we ſay they ſhall not come. Though they hang in the threatning which cannot lye, we ſay, uuJer. 15.3.Jer 15:3the words of the Prophet ſhall become as wind. Though they be evident in the cauſes procuring, as vapours aſcending, clouds gathering, yet we ſay they ſhall not be. Though they be manifeſt in the ww1 Cor. 10.1 Cor 10parallels of our condition, which are left upon record in Gods booke, and evident elſewhere, yet we dread them not; as if either he that cannot lye, had miſtaken; or Juſtice it ſelfe for our ſakes, and in our particulars would become partiall; or omnipotencie could be withſtood, or ſtood under in executing wrath by our weakeneſſe. Tis a ſad caſe my brethren, that nothing but blowes will make us feare; when God falls a plaguing, then uſually men a fearing. The Aegyptians were gallant enough till Gods blowes made them ſtoope, and the Philistims high more then enough, when the victory fell on their ſide, and the Arke to boote, they thought they had met with another Dagon, ſuch a god as their owne, with whom they might be bold; but when he puts forth his power, as a man that wakes out of ſleepe, and ſmites his enemies (as the xxPſal. 78.653 66.Ps 78Pſalmiſt ſpeakes) in the hinder parts with Emrods, then they feare. But O how deplorable a thing is it, that even this feare uſually laſts not long; when plague, ſword, famine, or the like judgements, come firſt amongſt us! They are like the blocke that Iupiter in the yyEuripid.fable threw downe amongſt the croaking frogs, which at firſt was ſo terrible, that happie was he that could ſooneſt flye and get fartheſt off into the ſecretſt hole; but when they were a little better acquainted with it, they put away their dread, and now being feareleſſe, hopt, and leapt upon it: ſo as the judgement continues, our feare growes leſſe, as if either God had ſtir'd up all his wrath, and ſo in time it would come to nothing: or p. 12becauſe others were ſwept away by the aaEſay 28.15.Isa 28:15overflowing ſcourge and we reſpited, that therefore for the future it ſhall not come nigh us. So that by what hath beene ſpoken 'tis ſufficiently plain, that both in our love, and feare, we have brought this high God exceeding low.

3. bbMat. 12.34.Matt 12:34Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth ſpeakes: O how in many places of this Land are mens glory (ccPſal. 57.8.Ps 57:8 So the Pſalmiſt ſtiles our tongues) become their ſhame! ſpeaking of his glorious and reverent name, at which Angels are full of holy tremblings, with ſuch lightneſſe, and vanity; not lifting it up as their badge, glory, banner, as the ddExod. 20.8. foreign quod ſignif. elevavit tanquam vexillum.Exod 20:8third Commandement injoynes. Nay with ſuch impiety and prophaneneſſe toſſing it to and fro, as if their ſpeech could have no grace, but in Gods diſgrace, nor they honour, but in his diſhonour; as if Augustus Caeſar were a dealing with ſome god Neptune, or the eeLonic. Thect. Hiſtor.three ſonnes trying their archery at their fathers heart, to ſee who can ſhoote nigheſt. Remember God will not hold ſuch guiltleſſe, he hath profeſt it: ffZach. 5.3.Zech 5:3there is a roule of curſes gone out to execute Gods vengeance on ſuch. And if the pettieſt Prince will not endure to have his name abuſed and ſleighted; neer thinke the higheſt will permit it: no, he hath threatned that for it the ggHoſ. 4.2, 3.Hos 4:2Hos 4:3Land ſhall mourne, and the inhabitants beſhrew the time that ere they did ſo. And thus you ſee the indignities we have put upon him, and how low we have brought him in himſelfe.

Secondly, have we not uſed him, as ill in his Ordinances; Ah alas! here we have brought him exceeding low indeede: though his Word, and Sacraments be, hh2 Cor. 3.18.2 Cor 3:18Glaſſes manifeſting his goodneſſe and glory, Thrones of his Majeſtie, iiPſal. 119.9. James 1.18.Ps 119:9Jas 1:18Channels of grace, the ſoules kk2 Pet. 1.192 Pet 1:19light, ll1 Pet. 2.2.1 Pet 2:2food, mmJer. 8.22.Jer 8:22phyſicke, nnEſay 12.3.Isa 12:3wells of Salvation; Yet how have we ooEzek. 22.8.Ezek 22:8deſpiſed Gods holy things? ppHoſ. 8.12.Hos 8:12the great things of his ſeeme to us but ſmall. Our fathers would have beene glad to have had their eyes bleſt with ſeeing what we have ſeene, and eares, with hearing what we have heard: But alas, with thoſe in qqMal. 1.13.Mal 1:13Malachi, What a wearineſſe is it to us? we are quickly out of breath, ſoone tyred with duty, Gods Word is rrJer. 23.33.34 Quanto melius eſſet nonnullis omnino non audire verbum Dei, quam audire cum malitia, vel aud…re cum hypocriſi, &c. Hilar in Pſal. 118.Jer 23:33Jer 23:34Ps 118a burden to us. There are too many amongſt us that thinke, there is no ſuch great need of theſe, they can doe as well without them. And ô how ſad a ſight is it to any Godly p. 13mind to ſee, with how much irreverence, and diſreſpect we uſe Gods Ordinances, ssLevit. 26 2. Eccleſ 5.1. Pſal. 95.6.Lev 26:2Eccl 5:1Ps 95:6though he command the contrary! were it but the letter, or token of ſome great Prince, our reverence, and reſpect would far exceede, what we ſhew to theſe. This is a too too common, but moſt grievous fault. Nay, how have ſome indeavoured to ſuppreſſe them if not in being, ttforeign. Eurip.yet in reſpect of puritie, and power: as if, ſo we had the things, and did the outſide of the worke for faſhions ſake, 'twere no great matter after what ſort we did it; or whether we were advantaged by it or no.

3. We have uſed him as ill,yyGen. 39.2, 3.Gen 39:2Gen 39:3 brought him as low in his ſervants. 1. In his common traine; his Saints, though they be his, uuColoſ. 3.10.Col 3:10Image, wwExod. 19. foreignExod 19chiefe treaſure, xxMal. 3.17.Mal 3:17Iewels, favourites of heavens, xxMal. 3.17.Mal 3:17Bleſſings to the place where they be, zzGen. 19.22.Gen 19:22pillars to keep off ill, prevailing Iacobs to precure good, aaZach. 2.7.Zech 2:7deare to God as the apple of his eye, bbAct 9.4. Mat. 25.40.45.Acts 9:4Matt 25:40Matt 25:45dd1 Cor. 4 13.1 Cor 4:13ſuch whoſe grace or diſgrace he ownes as done to himſelfe, yet how have they beene cc2 Tim. 3.3.2 Tim 3:3deſpiſed, and ſleighted in their thoughts by this generation, accounted as the off-ſcowring of the earth, the fooles of the age? The better Saint the worſe eſteeme; they have beene accounted as eePſal. 31.22.Ps 31:22broken veſſels, good for nothing but the dunghill; ffEſay 8.18.Isa 8:18ſignes and wonders in Iſrael; the ggPſal. 69.12.Ps 69:12Song of drunkards; the hhPſal. 35.15.16.Ps 35:15Ps 35:16mirth of feaſts: What names have beene invented to brand and diſgrace them with? what ſlanders and calumnies have not beene raiſed on them? that they are the iiAct. 24.5. foreign.Acts 24:5peſts of kingdomes; kk1 King. 18.17.1 Kgs 18:17troublers of Iſrael; llEſth. 38. Chriſtiam ad ignem; Chriſtiani ad lcones, &c.Rebellious againſt all lawes; not for the profit of the Common wealth, that they ſhould be permitted to draw in the common breath? how mmJer. 20.10.Jer 20:10watching for their haltings; how nnPſal. 35.15, 25, 16.Ps 35:15Ps 35:25Ps 35:16glad of their falls? How joyfull of catching at, and take up any ill rumor of them? how inſulting over their weakeneſſes? how wittie to revive the ppEuſeb. Hiſt. Eccleſ. l. 9. c. 5.Sir 50:9old Primitive ſlaunders? and in a word, how cruell and mercileſſe to them,ooPſal. 41.8.Ps 41:8 if they fall under their power? The qqPlin. hiſt. nat.Naturaliſt ſayes, the Tigers rage is ſtirr'd up, and exaſperated by ſmelling the fragrant ſent of ſpices: I am ſure 'tis thus with them, for doubtleſſe, becauſe rrEſay 59.15.Isa 59:15they abstaine from evill (there is the cauſe) they make themſelves a prey; ss1 Pet. 4.4.1 Pet 4:4they runne not with them to the ſame exceſſe of riot, but ttWiſd. 2.15.Wis 2:15their wayes are of another faſhion: there is cauſe enough; they ſhine as lights uuPhil. 2.15. Fonus homi, ſod Chriſtianus, &c.Phil 2:15in the midſt of a froward and perverſe generation, there is the true ground of the quarrell, what ere they pretend to the contrary. Well hereby p. 14the Saints have their wwPſal. 123.3, 4.Ps 123:3Ps 123:4hearts, as well as their hands full: out of the bitterneſſe of their ſoules they cry; Let me tell you in our Saviours phraſe, xxLuk. 18.7.8.Luke 18:7Luke 18:8God will avenge his Saints and that ſpeedily. If their prayers aſcend, and cryes enter into the eares of the Lord of Hoſts; the earth ſhall know their folly, and the next newes we heare is, yyRevel. 8.4. &c.Rev 8:4thunders, lightnings, earthquakes, and terrible judgements upon the world, to teſtifie Gods indignation for his peoples unworthy uſage.

2. In his more ſpeciall ſervants, his Miniſters. Are not they zzJer. 15.19.Jer 15:19Gods mouth? aa2 Cor. 5.20.2 Cor 5:20Embaſſadors to his people? are not they the bb2 Cor. 3.3.2 Cor 3:3Pen, and the holy Ghoſt the Inke, wherewith the grace and mind of the ever glorious God is written, on the fleſhly tables of his peoples hearts? Doth he not ſo farre owne them, as to ſay, ccLuk. 10.16.Luke 10:16He that heares you, heares me, &c. Yet how in divers places of this Kingdome, have many of theſe beene ſleighted, ſnib'd, diſcouraged, threatned, rob'd of their livelihood, their mouthes ſtopt, and al manner of indignities & affronts offered to them; and what's the cauſe? Alas, if they would but have ddEſay 30.10.Isa 30:10modified, and brought downe their light to the allay of the times, that their words might have beene as the ee1 King. 22.13.1 Kgs 22:13reſt of the Prophets: ffAmos 7.12.13.Amos 7:12Amos 7:13if they would but have quencht their zeale, abated of their diligence, and widened their conſcience in a way of blind obedience, to have ſwallowed Camels, they might have done well enough. But if Chriſt himſelfe ſit ggMal. 3 2, 3.Mal 3:2Mal 3:3as the refiners fire, and fullers ſoape to purifie, and cleanſe the ſons of Levie, they will never endure his comming. hhStrabo l. 17. Sic in fabula Ranae Solis nuptias execrantur, Aeſop. fab. Revel. 16.8, 9, 10.Rev 16:8Rev 16:9Rev 16:10There are a people I have read of, that curſe the ſunne when it riſes; but 'tis becauſe it ſcorches them: iiJoh. 5.53. &c.John 5:53Iohn is too burning and ſhining a light, to be long endured; and was it not plaine dealing brought that glorious Prophet Eſay to be ſawne in peeces? kkHieron. in Eſai c. 1. ex Rabin's.Isa 1Saint Ierom tells us, it was firſt becauſe he ſaid he had ſeene the Lord; and ſecondly, becauſe he call'd the great ones of Iudah mmEſay 1.10.Isa 1:10Princes of Sodome, and rulers of Gomorrah, who were indeede their trueſt paralells. Tis a ſad thing my brethren, and worth our laying to heart this day, to call to minde, what nets have beene ſpread,llEſay 6.1.Isa 6:1 what ſnares layd, what traps ſet, what ſuperfluous, if not ſuperſtitious ceremonies revived for the ſuppreſſion of faithfull painfull Miniſters;nnHoſ. 5.1.Hos 5:1 whereas, give me leave to tell you my thoughts freely, I conceive 'twere better that Caeſar ſhould breake all ooSueton. in Auguſt.Vedius Pollioes curious glaſſes, then p. 15that they ſhould break the bond of charity, or the breach of them be the occaſion of ſo much inhumanity as heretofore.

4. To name no more particulars; we have brought God as low in his Day, as in any of the former: though it be a Day of commemoration of one of the greateſt mercies; ppNundinae animae.a Day of ſpeciall communion with God in his Ordinances; qqEzek. 20 20.Ezek 20:20a ſigne betweene God and his people; a type of our eternall reſt in heaven; a Day of Gods owne inſtitution; yet how in many places of this kingdome hath it beene prophaned? We have beene ſo farre from calling it Honourable, that we have made it Ordinary; a Day rrSabbatum vituli aurci. Exod. 32.6.Exod 32:6of ſports, paſtimes and recreations; we have ſſEſay 58.13.Isa 58:13done our owne works, and ſpoke our owne words; Nay, alas! in many places, there is no day in the weeke, wherein the devill hath beene more ſerved in revellings, drunkenneſſe, and all manner of ungodlineſſe, then on that Day. We have beene ſo far from eſteeming it a delight, that no day hath beene a greater burden to us, accounting the worke of that day moſt irkeſome, and the ttAmos 8.5.Amos 8:5time moſt tedious.

And thus you ſee a ſad ſight, how both in Himſelfe, his Ordinances, Servants, Day, we have offered indignity to the Higheſt, and brought him low amongſt us in this Kingdome.

O, how hath God thundered againſt theſe abaſings of him in his word! uu1 Sam. 2.30.1 Sam 2:30Do we deſpiſe him? there is contempt for us; Do we ſleight his Ordinances? wwLevit. 26.15.26.Lev 26:15Lev 26:26there is diſeaſes to conſume us; Do we trample upon his Saints? xxLuke 18.8.Luke 18:8there is deſtruction to overtake us; Doe we prophane his Sabbaths? yyLevit. 26.34, 35.Lev 26:34Lev 26:35there is deſolation to reward us; Nay, hath not God executed his fierce diſpleaſure for theſe indignities upon tranſgreſſing Nations? What brought ruine on Iſraels Kingdome? zzEzek. 22.24. &c.Ezek 22:24were not theſe the cauſe? What deſolation on Judah? aaZach. 7.13. &c. 2 Chron. 36.15, 16.Zech 7:132 Chr 36:152 Chr 36:16were not theſe the ſins? We need not goe to Shiloh; alas, nigher hand we may behold, in Germany, Ireland, ſad ſpectacles of Gods revenging Juſtice. Nay, even at home, how faſt doe the clouds gather threatning tempeſt? Our heaven is darkned, our Sun and Moone withhold their light, our Stars have loſt their luſter, our Land trembles, the foundations ſhake; and may we not feare that theſe iniquities in us make our condition like ſinfull Judahs; as a bbEſay 30.13, 14.Isa 30:13Isa 30:14breach in a high wall (as the Prophet elegantly expreſſeth it) whoſe ruine cometh in an inſtant when leaſt expected? Or (as it followes) as the p. 16breaking of a Potters veſſell all to pieces without hope of reparation? What ſhall we doe? Shall we cry the ccIer. 7.4.Jer 7:4Temple of the Lord? ddDum ſancte vivimus Domini ſumus, &c. Hieron.that will not ſerve; or plead eeMat. 3.Matt 3we are Abrahams ſeed? ffNon quaeritur ſucceſſio carnis, ſed fidei haercditas. Aug.it will not excuſe: If we were ggIer. 22.24.Jer 22:24Coniahs, as the ſignet on Gods right hand, theſe things would pluck us thence. Shall we carowſe away our feares like hhDan. 5.1. & verſe 30. Tranquillitas illa tempeſtas eſt, Bern.Dan 5:1Belſhazzar, beſieged by the Medes and Perſians? Or like the Cyclops, immure our ſelves in our caves of carnall confidence without all dread? Or like the Thracians when it thunders, ſhoot up our arrowes of defiance againſt the Higheſt? Alas, hereby wee may make our ruine more ſwift, more certaine, but not evade it. If now the iiHoſ. 7.9.Hos 7:9ſymptomes of our miſery begin to ſhew themſelves, we would not palliat, but throughly cure Englands malady; wee muſt take away the cauſe, and the effect will follow: firſt quit our ſelves of theſe indignities we have offered God, kkIer. 18.7, 8.Jer 18:7Jer 18:8and then we may aſſure our ſelves the quarrell is ended. And that wee may do ſo; give me leave to ſhew you, 1. Firſt their riſe, the roots of bitterneſſe from whence they ſpring. 2. And then their Remedy.

1. As I conceive, theſe are the roots of bitterneſſe, from whence debaſing of God in this kingdome ariſe.

1. The lewd lives and wicked actions of ſome that profeſſe Religion, & pretend relation to the Higheſt. llDe fide cujuſque magis oculis quam auribus creden li. Ruffin.They have Iacobs voice, but Eſaus hands; either they are mm2 Theſ. 3.10.12.2 Thess 3:102 Thess 3:12idle buſie-bodies, not working at all, but only prating of Religion; or if they do work, they are nn1 Pet. 2.13.15.1 Pet 2:131 Pet 2:15full of deceit, and all manner of injuſtice in their dealings, like the Harpies, Virgins faces, but Vultures tallons: for, looke into their trading; what ooMic. 6.11.Mic 6:11unfaithfulneſſe, over-reaching, couſenage? weigh their words; ppIer. 9.3. Crimina qui cernunt aliorum nec ſ…a cernunt; Hi ſapūt aliis, deſipiunt que ſibi. Owen Ep. Mat. 7.5.Jer 9:3Matt 7:5what lying, ſlaundering, backbiting, cenſoriouſneſſe? Looke into their actions; what griping, oppreſſion, cruelty ſhall you finde? Alas, theſe are ſo farre from qqTit. 2.10.Titus 2:10gracing the doctrine of the Higheſt, or cauſing others by their example to rrMat. 5.16.Matt 5:16give him glory, that by their carriage the mouths of ungodly men are opened wide to ſpeak evill of Religion, and ſſRom. 2.24.Rom 2:24blaſpheme Gods name. They are ſtumbling blocks in the way of others; but I wiſh they would take to heart thoſe dreadfull words of Chriſt, ttMar. 18.6, 7. Errorum cauſae ſunt. 1 foreign, 1 Tim. 6.4. 2 foreign, 2 Pet. 3.16. 3 Philoſophiae abuſus, Coloſ. 2.8. ut Aerius, Arrius, &c.1 Tim 6:41 Tim 6:22 Pet 3:162 Pet 3:3Col 2:8Offences muſt come, but woe to thoſe by whom they come; it were better a milſtone were tied about their necks, and they caſt into the bottome of the ſea, &c.

2. Multitudes of errors that daily ſpring up amongſt us, p. 17Men dreame their Midianitiſh dreame, and tell it for Goſpel to their neighbours. O! how is our Kingdome peſtered with Pelagianiſme, Socinianiſme, Arminianiſme, Anabaptiſme, Browniſme, Popery, Libertiniſme, and what Sect findes not abetters in our Land? How doe theſe ſpread like a uuTim. 2.7.gangren? and get ground every day? how do they like the Locuſts of Egypt corrupt and deſtroy our Spring, our hopefull youth before they come to maturity? Alas, how is the peace both of Church and Common-wealth, by theſe diſturbed, and the unity rent in pieces? How are families disjoynted, and the Kingdome divided within it ſelfe? what heats are ſtruck amongſt neereſt friends for theſe? what malice, heart-burnings, and ingagements againſt each other? ſo that wee may well revive that expreſſion uſed by wwNullae infeſtae hominibus beſtie, ut ſunt ſibi ferales plerique Chriſtiani Ammian. Marcell. lib. 2. ca. 2.Ammianus Marcellinus (a ſad thing that a Heathen ſhould ſee ſuch helliſh miſcarriages of Chriſtiās towards each other) There are no beaſts to men (ſaith he) ſo cruell and deadly, as Chriſtians are. Well; hereby there are many corrupted, and drawne away; and very many turne Scepticks, concluding nothing in matter of Religion, nor much regarding piety, truth, Saints, Sabbath, or ought elſe that is ſpirituall, debaſe God in all; for they conceive, that either in theſe there is no reality, or if there be, that it is far above their ability ere to reach it; and under theſe diſcouragements they ſit them downe, reſolving to give themſelves the raines in carnall liberty, and never to trouble their heads or hearts about ſuch inquiries, or the practice of things ſo controverted as theſe are.

3. Heapes of baſe and unworthy Miniſters, they bring God low; when they are ſuch, either in reſpect of,

Firſt, Gifts and abilities. xxEſay 42.19.Isa 42:19Lanthornes without light, breaſts without milke, yyIude 12.Jude 1:12clouds without water, eyes without ſight, zzZach. 11.16, 17. Mat. 15.14.Zech 11:16Zech 11:17Matt 15:14guides without eyes; they are ſo far from the Apoſtles humble exclamation, aa2 Cor. 2.16.2 Cor 2:16Who is ſufficient for theſe things, that in their opinion, he that is good for nothing elſe, is able enough for this: If we have a child we know not what to doe with, O, make a Miniſter of him! When all trades faile, are there not too too many make this their laſt refuge? Thus, the bb2 Chro. 13.9.2 Chr 13:9baſeſt of the people are thruſt on God, who (to uſe Rehoboams phraſe) are good enough to ſerve dunghill-gods, or thoſe that are no gods, but not the Higheſt. It is Gods cuſtome, firſt to gift, and then to imploy, p. 18as he Bezaleel; and as for the meaſure, we ſhall finde that God appointed, ccVide Aynſworth on Gen. c. 20. ver. 16. 1 King 7.15. compared with 2 Chron. 3.15. Allow for the baſis one cubit and it doubles the number.Gen 20:161 Kgs 7:152 Chr 3:15both the weights, and meaſures of the Sanctuary to be twice as large as thoſe of the Common-wealth; to ſhew, that he expects much more in thoſe that ſerve him there, then he doth in others.

Secondly, baſe in judgement, and opinion. ddEſay 3 12.Isa 3:12O my people, thy teachers have made thee to erre, and perverted the ſteps of thy way! A ſad complaint; the people cry for bread, and they give them a ſtone; for meat, and they reach them a Serpent; for drink, and there is none proceeds from theſe fountaines, eeRev. 8.9, 11.Rev 8:9Rev 8:11but deadly ſtreames; for viſion, and they hold out to them ffIer. 23.16.Jer 23:16the thoughts of their owne hearts, dreames of theit owne fancy. They are farre from being what God requires they ſhould be; cleane Mirrors, to receive the beames of Gods truth into themſelves, and then by reflection to caſt forth thoſe beames upon the people: what they ſpeake, they ſhould receive ggEzek. 33.7.Ezek 33:7from Gods mouth, not the forge of Hereticks. It ought to bee their care, hhIer. 23.28.Jer 23:28to ſeparate betweene the precious and the vile; but this ſome cannot, others do not, and hence come ſuch creature advancing, but God-debaſing errors daily to ſpring amongſt us.

Thirdly, baſe in life and practice: Whereas they ought to be ii1 Pet. 5.3.1 Pet 5:3examples to their flocks, and to goe before believers by way of practiſe, in kk1 Tim. 4.12. Eſay 52.11. Quod ſumus profeſſione, actione potius quam nomine demonſtremus. Et nomen congruat actioni, actio reſpondeat nomini, ne ſit nomen inane & cimen immane, &c. Amb. l. De dignitate Sacerdotali. c. 3.1 Tim 4:12Isa 52:11converſation, charity, ſpirit, faith, purity, as the Apoſtle ſpeakes; they are ſo farre from this, that although perhaps, like high-way hands, they point out the way to others, yet walke not therein themſelves; juſt like the llMat. 23.3.Matt 23:3Phariſees, they ſay, i. e. they can teach others what to doe, but doe not, i. e. they practice not what they preach; mmRom. 2.21.Rom 2:21nay, they doe the things they forbid to others; They preach a man ſhould not ſteale, commit adultery, &c. nnPeriit pietas à Sacerdot. &c. Bern. in Cant. Hoſ. 4.9. Non arbitror inter Sacerdotes multos eſſe qui ſalvi ſiant, &c. Chryſ. Hom. 3. in Act.Hos 4:9yet they do. By their example they infect more then their paines cure. God required in the Old Law ooLevit. 21.22.Lev 21:22they ſhould be without blemiſh, by way of qualification; the ſame is required in the pp1 Tim. 3.2.1 Tim 3:2New; for if they be like old Elies ſons in their lives and doings, qq1 Sam. 2.12.1 Sam 2:12they will not only bring judgement on their owne ſoules and bodies, but bring God low in the eyes, and make (as they did) his ſervice ſtink in the noſtrils of the people.

Fourthly, or elſe they are baſe in paines, and diſcharge of their duty. rrEſay 56.11.Isa 56:11They will take the fleece, but the flock may fare as p. 19it will for them; It may be (except to gather their in-come) they will ſcarce vouchſafe it a viſit: they little regard the ſſ2 Tim. 4.1, 2. foreign.2 Tim 4:12 Tim 4:2Apoſtolicall injunction of being inſtant, and preaching in ſeaſon, out of ſeaſon; or the tt1 Cor. 9.16.1 Cor 9:16woe threatned in caſe of non-performance; uuEſay 56.19.Isa 56:19they love to ſlumber, ſleepe, lye downe, their carnall eaſe; the wwPaſtorum abſentia lupo invadendi ocaſionem praebet. Athanaſ. Apolog. ad Conſtant. Imperat.wolfe may worry, the enemy xxMat. 13.25.Matt 13:25ſow what tares he pleaſe in their field; Thus careleſſe are they of Gods diſhonour, and regardleſſe how low men bring him.

4. The remiſneſſe, and coldneſſe of many Magiſtrates in drawing the ſword of Juſtice againſt bringers of God low. They are not affected with Gods diſhonour as they ought to be; they can well enough indure (yyLevit. 24.11. &c. foreign perforare.Lev 24:11 contrary to Moſes preſident) to heare Gods name ſtruck through, torne in pieces, and trampled on by bloody oathes; his day prophaned, his Ordinances neglected, or ſleightly uſed; his people wronged, and abuſed; yet here zzPſal. 115.5.Ps 115:5like Davids Idol, they have eyes, and ſee not, eares, and heare not, &c. but if by complaint made to them, they are forced to heare, they think as ſleightly, and accordingly proceed, as ſometimes aaAct. 25.19.Acts 25:19Feſtus did of Paul, and his cauſe, as if theſe things were not worth their heeding; which ſleighting and regardleſneſſe of theirs, ſtrengthens the hands of God-debaſing people in their prophaneneſſe.

5. The ill example and diſcountenance of Superiours. If the great ones be chiefe in the fault, bbEzra 9.2.Ezra 9:2in Ezraes time, it is no marvaile if the people be infected with it; ccAethiopes eorum Principil inſirmitates imitant, &c. Diod. Sicul.we ſee a man of quality can no ſooner take up a faſhion in habit, but thouſands follow him; the truth is, there is nothing hath greater influence upon the multitude, nor ſwayes more with them, then the example of their betters; dd2 Chro. 12.1. 2 Chron. 36.12.14.2 Chr 12:12 Chr 36:122 Chr 36:14if they contemne and ſleight all piety, the people will do ſo too.

6. The croſſes and meanneſſe (for the moſt part) of Gods people. eeZeph 3.12.Zeph 3:12A poore people, and afflicted, that is their character. ffEuſch. hiſt. Eccleſ. l. 3. c. 16.Sir 50:3Chriſts kinſmen were not more contemptible to the Emperour Domitian, for their meane condition, then theſe to the ggIoh. 7.48.John 7:48great and wiſe ones of the world; and for their ſakes, Religion.

7. The hhIoh. 3.2.John 3:2cowardiſe and faint-heartedneſſe of thoſe that are religious. If they come into the company of godleſſe men, they diſſemble what they are, for feare of iiIohn 7.13.John 7:13diſpleaſing men, or being p. 20affronted by them, kkIer. 9.3.Jer 9:3they are not valiant for their God; their tongue is tied, their light of a godly converſation is reſtrained; their carnall policy makes them forget llMat. 5.16.Matt 5:16Chriſts precept.

8. The vayling of providence. When God ſeemes to mmPſal. 44.23.Ps 44:23ſleep; nnPſal. 10.1.Ps 10:1hide himſelfe; ooEzek. 8.12.Ezek 8:12forſake the earth, by the ſuſpenſion of the manifeſt working of his power; then (becauſe the world lives in ſenſe, and not in faith) God is exceeding low both in himſelfe and all that pertaines to him in their eſteeme; they ſay with that ppPſal. 14 1. foreign ſtultus à radice foreign efſlornit.Ps 14:1ſapleſſe fellow in their hearts, There is no God; or with proud Pharaoh, qqExod. 5.2.Exod 5:2Who is the Lord? If they grant there is one rrNon vacat exiguis rebus adeſſe Jovi. Iob 22.14.Job 22:14, they confine him to the heavens; or if they will allow him the earth for a part of his territories, they fancy him ſuch a God as will ſſZeph. 1.12.Zeph 1:12neither do good nor evill. Now on the contrary, ttEzek. 38.23. Pſal. 9.16.Ezek 38:23Ps 9:16when God puts forth his power in working any great unexpected change in the world, the notion of God that nature hath planted in mens minds revives, and God recovers his glory. uuEzek. 36.23.Ezek 36:23When he puls downe Babylon, whereas Gods name was prophaned before in the eyes of the Heathen, i. e. they thought as meanly of the true God, nay more meanly then of ſome of their owne dead ſtocks they worſhiped; they tooke him for a very common, ordinary God: But by this manifeſtation of his might, and diſcovery of his Juſtice, in the ruine of a place ſo ſtrong, ſo oppoſite to himſelfe, and ſervice, his name is now ſanctified in the ſight of the Heathen, i. e. lifted up above all their Idol-gods, and he is taken notice of to be the Lord. So likewiſe, when he raiſes Sion out of her deſolate condition, wwPſal. 102.16.Ps 102:16He then appeares ſo in his glory, that the Saints admire, and xxPſ. 126.2, 3.Ps 126:2Ps 126:3the very Heathens themſelves are aſtoniſhed at it; but yyPſ. 74 11.Ps 74:11when Sion fals by the enemies hand, then the fooliſh people blaſpheme and deſpiſe Gods name.

Laſtly, (which indeed is the roote of all, and without which all the reſt were nothing) a dark ſenſuall heart, either 1. zz1 Cor. 2.14.1 Cor 2:14not diſcerning the things of God, The naturall man doth not, neither can he, for they are ſpiritually diſcerned; They may have indeed a aaCognitio 1. Diſciplinaris. 2diſciplinary knowledge, i. e. a knowledge by heareſay, as a blind man hath of colours; but an bbIntuitiva i. e. per ſpeciem propriam, &c.intuitive knowledge, that he wants; hee ſees neither the glory of the Higheſt, nor the ſweetneſſe of Ordinances, the benefit of his Day, or the beauty p. 21of holineſſe in his ſervants; he looks upon ccExod. 26.7.14.Exod 26:7Exod 26:14the outſide of the Tabernacle, and there are onelyonly meane deſpicable coverings; but as for the coſtly furniture, and admirable beauty within, that he ſees not, much leſſe hath he the leaſt apprehenſion of the glory of God that dwels in the Holy of Holies betweene the Cherubims. It is no marvaile therefore, though the carnall mind ſo much deſpiſe that, which to it ſelfe appeares ddEſay 5. 1 Cor. 2.6, 7, 8. 1 Iohn 3.2. Coloſ. 3.3.Isa 51 Cor 2:61 Cor 2:71 Cor 2:81 John 3:2Col 3:3ſo contemptible, and of whoſe hidden glory it knows juſt nothing at all.

2. Nor can it more reliſh the Higheſt, or the things of God: there is no proportion betwixt a carnall heart and them, they are contrary to its humour and temper, wayes and courſes, thoughts and projects, ends and aimes; eeRom. 8.7.Rom 8:7therefore the Apoſtle ſayes, the carnall mind is enmity againſt God, it is not, neither can it be ſubject to the Law of God; It ſleights his Day, and contemnes his Ordinances, deſpiſes his Saints, and rejects himſelfe as unprofitable, uſeleſſe and diſadvantagious to it ſelfe. And thus you ſee the roots from whence this debaſing of God amongſt us comes.

Queſt. But now perhaps you will ſay to me, The diſeaſe is plaine enough, and the cauſes manifeſt, but where is the cure? O what may wee doe in theſe times of publique miſery to helpe all?

Anſw. Doubtleſſe my beloved, if you would ſtanch the bloody iſſue that already afflicts the Kingdome; if you would ſettle the peace of Church and State; if you deſire the preſervation of your ſelves and yours, here is the way, Vſe 2 Let God be uſed like himſelfe, ſet up on high in our eſteeme and actions.

Let us firſt repaire God in point of honour, againſt

1. Our ſelves.

2. Others.

Firſt, againſt our ſelves; alas, there is not any of us, but leſſe or more, by one meanes or other, wee have had our hands in bringing him low; therefore I beſeech you, let us not be like the Lamiae, cleare ſighted abroad, but without eyes at home; rather looke into our owne hearts and wayes, where we ſhall ſee there is cauſe enough why we ſhould uſe our utmoſt indeavours to free our ſelves from the guilt of the frequent, and horrid indignities we have put upon him, and to repaire him in point of honour.

p. 22Queſt. But you will aske me, What are the meanes whereby we may repaire his glory in reſpect of our ſelves?

Anſw. 1. Let us take to our ſelves our owne ſhame, acknowledge our God-diſhonouring courſes, and in the ſenſe of them lie low before him; For is not this the buſineſſe of the day, to feed our ſoules with the ſad ſpectacle of our ill carriages towards our God, and thereby to make our heart to bow? If we put off our ornaments, and not our pride; if the head hang downe, and the heart be lifted up, are we in better ſtate, or can we expect better ſucceſſe of our faſt, then the Prophet ffEſay 58.Isa 58Eſayes hypocrites found by theirs? But, if we ſeriouſly in the ſenſe of our owne vildneſſe humble our ſelves this day before our God, ggIer. 3.12, 13.Jer 3:12Jer 3:13Do our ſins trouble us? he will diſcharge them; hh2 Chro. 7.14.2 Chr 7:14Is he departed? this will cauſe him to returne, and heale our Land. Would we gaine audience this day? the iiPſal. 9.12. Et cum talis fueris memento mei. Bern.Ps 9:12prayer of the humble ſelf-abhorring ſoule cannot miſcarry: or would we get a glimpſe of the Higheſt? he that would ſee ſtars in the day, muſt deſcend into ſome pit, from thence he may diſcerne them: See kkPro. 30.2, &c.Prov 30:2Solomon, when he fals loweſt in the ſenſe of his own vildneſſe, he riſes then higheſt in the apprehenſion of Gods glory. Would we have Gods directiō in theſe diſtracting erring times, what to do in our private Chriſtian practiſe? He llPſal. 25.9.Ps 25:9will teach the humble his wayes, mmPſal. 138.6.Ps 138:6he gives grace to them, but beholds the proud afar off: or what courſe to ſteere in Church or State, according to our ſeverall places? If we would but put on this temper and frame of ſpirit, nnEzek. 43.11.Ezek 43:11we ſhall not want that neither.

Seeing therefore, this ſelf-humbling, ſelf-debaſing, is both the work of the day, and a thing ſo requiſite; give me leave to further you in it; and to the ſame end, to lay before you certain conſiderations, wherein we may all of us ſee enough to make us vilde in our own eyes. Conſider we therefore:

1. What ooIer. 8 6. 1 King. 8.47.Jer 8:61 Kgs 8:47have we done? How many Sabbaths have we prophaned? How many opportunities of exalting God have we let ſlip? How many Sermons have we ſleighted? How many Lords Suppers by unpreparedneſſe and irreverence polluted? How in our love and feare, hath every vanity been ſet up, and God debaſed? How low, and ſeldome is God in our thoughts? How little is God extold by our tongues? How farre are our actions from advancing his name in the world? There is no p. 23number can count our rebellions, or reckon up our diſthronizations of the Higheſt.

2. What are we that have done theſe things? for ppGen. 18.27.Gen 18:27matter, duſt and aſhes; for weakeneſſe, qqEſay 40.6, 17Isa 40:6Isa 40:17graſſe, eaſily withering, flowers, quickly fading; for emptineſſe, vanity, lighter then vanity, nothing, nay leſſe then nothing; rrEzek. 15.2. &c.Ezek 15:2like Ezekiels Vineſtick, good for nothing: A ſweet contemptible ſubject, to lift up our ſelves againſt this God of glory.

3. Againſt whom have we exalted our ſelves? Is it not againſt the Higheſt? A treſpaſſe againſt an ordinary man, being committed againſt the King, proves treaſon. Do not our hearts tremble? Were it againſt a King, it were too much, ſſProv. 16.14.Prov 16:14His wrath is as the meſſenger of death; But what is it then againſt the Kings King? againſt that God that infinitely ſurpaſſes all Princes of the earth in glory?

1. Were it againſt a man, tt1 Sam. 2.25.1 Sam 2:25the Iudge might judge our cauſe, but being againſt this high God, O! who ſhall intreat for us?

2. What recompenſation can we make for theſe indignities we have offered him? It is uuMic. 6.6.7.Mic 6:6Mic 6:7not thouſands of Rams, not ten thouſands of rivers of Oyle, that he regards; to give the fruit of our body, for the ſin of our ſoule, he reſpects not. If we ſhould weepe out our eyes, grieve our ſelves into our grave, give our bodies to the fire; alas, it is an infinite Glory by our ſins we have wronged, and how can the finite ſufferings of ſuch worthleſſe creatures make amends for the injury, and diſhonour that we have done him? And this is one reaſon of the everlaſtingneſſe wwMat. 5.26. Propter ſatiſfactionis defectum, &c.Matt 5:26of hels torments on the damned, becauſe being worthleſſe they cannot ſatisfie Gods juſtice in any time, therefore they undergoe his wrath for their demerits to all eternity.

3. Where may we hide us from his purſuit, and vengeance? xxPſal. 139.8.Ps 139:8Darkneſſe cannot cover us; yyAmos 9.2, 3.Amos 9:2Amos 9:3Carmel, nor the bottome of the ſea conceale us; going up to Heaven, or downe to hell ſecure us; all places are alike to him, for he is the place of places, they ſubſiſt in him; zzIer. 23.24.Jer 23:24He fils them all, therefore to hide us is impoſſible.

4. By what power can we defend our ſelves againſt his revenging juſtice? How eaſily are aaEſay 27.4. & cap. 5.24. & cap. 9.18, 19, 20.Isa 27:4thornes, and ſtubble ore-maſtred by the fire? bbPſal. 1.4.Ps 1:4chaffe whift away by the winde? If wee were as well intrencht as Belſhazzar in Babylon; or fortified ccCedren.as Nicephorus Phocas the Greek Emperour, who out of his p. 24guilty conſcience fearing heavens juſtice made his Palace at Constantinople, as it was thought impregnable; whereby, he now ſecured, caſt off his feares; But when he leaſt expected, a voyce was heard, none knew from whom, or whence, taxing his fooliſh confidence, and telling him, that though he raiſed the walls as high as heaven, yet as long as wickedneſſe dwelt within, there was no ſafety to be expected. 'Tis ddEſay 2.12. &c. Zeph. 1.14. &c. Eſay 43.13. Amos 2.14, 15, 16.Isa 2:12Zeph 1:14Isa 43:13Amos 2:14Amos 2:15Amos 2:16not the ſtrength of towers, walls, or any creature, is able to ſecure us againſt his conſuming indignation.

5. What excuſe can we make for our ſelves? ſhall we ſay we did not know ſuch things to be indignities to the Higheſt? 'Twil not excuſe, we have his word, and may know it if we will. Or is it an abaſement to our conceited excellencie to ſerve the Higheſt? Alas, the ſervice of the greateſt Emperour or nobleſt maſter, which men ſo ſeeke, what is it to this? the eeRevel. 19.10.Rev 19:10Angels and excellenteſt ffPſal. 116.16.Ps 116:16Saints account this their glory. Or is it no thriving ſervice? ggMal. 1.10.Mal 1:10None lights a fire or opens a doore for nought. The end he aymes at in his Commands, is the good of his ſervants, that hhDeut. 5.33.Deut 5:33they may live, &c. There is no ſervice ſo gainfull here as this; there is iiPſa. 119.165.Ps 119:165peace, kkPſal. 4.7.Ps 4:7joy, proſperitie, llPſal. 3.8.Ps 3:8bleſſing, riches, honour, all that is good; and as for the future, no maſter makes ſuch proviſion for ſervants as God for his; mmJoh. 12.26. Revel. 22.3.John 12:26Rev 22:3immortality, heaven, life, glory, and that for ever; ſo that we are wholly left without excuſe.

6. Whither may we appeale from his tribunall? there is none higher then himſelf, he is the ſole Judge, that nnJames 4.12.Jas 4:12hath power of eternall life and death; he is both ooEſay 33.22.Isa 33:22Lawgiver, Judge, and King; there is no appeale.

7. How ſhall we be able to ſtand under his wrath? If this high God doe but lift up his voyce, ppPſal. 18.13. &c.Ps 18:13abroad flye haileſtones and coales of fire; The ſea roares, the earth trembles, the whole creation is troubled; who is able qqPſal. 76.7.Ps 76:7to ſtand before his indignation? We talke much of lightning, what a terrible creature it is; how powerfull in executing Gods Commands; what ſtrange things it will doe; conſume houſes, nay Cities; rend and teare mighty trees, maſſie buildings in peeces; kill the child in the mothers wombe, with many other ſtrange and aſtoniſhing effects: we cannot ſay how great the power of that one creature is; how much leſſe doe we know what is of his wrath; 'tis like p. 25himſelfe, aaNah. 1.6.Nah 1:6high and glorious, ſharpe and piercing even to the ſoule, bereaving that of peace, joy, courage: alas, our hearts bbEzek. 22.14.Ezek 22:14cannot be ſtrong when this poſſeſſes them; nor indure, when this like a fierce Lyon ccDeut. 29.20.Deut 29:20couches and lyes upon them. ddforeign Homer.All the creatures combined cannot reſiſt it, nor any meere created means eeJer. 4.4.Jer 4:4extinguiſh it: being powred out, it makes the ffEſay 24 17.18. &c. Jer. 4.19. &c.Isa 24:17Isa 24:18Jer 4:19earth a deſolation; the nations paſt eſcaping; the high ones come to nothing; the mighty ſtrengthleſſe, heartleſſe. What ſhall we doe now conſidering all theſe things? ſhall we ſtill goe on in a way of debaſing God? Who did ever contend with him and proſper? I remember ggHerod. l. 2.Herodotus tells us a ſtory of the Pſilli a fooliſh people, who being diſpleaſed with the South winde, for drying up their waters, would needes take up armes againſt it; but while they marcht on the ſands to meete their enemie, it blew ſo ſtrongly, that it raiſed ſuch a drift of ſand as overwhelmed them; whereby, in ſtead of a victory, they met with a grave, as the juſt reward of their folly. The like, if we ſteere this courſe, we may expect, as in the hhJob 22.15. &c.Job 22:15old world, the iiExod. 14.27. &c.Exod 14:27Aegyptians, and many others plainely appeares. In briefe, if we would actively doe him honour, and our ſelves good; there is no way but to flye to him; and no poſture more meete, and acceptable then this kk2 Chron. 33.12.2 Chr 33:12Self abhorrencie, and lying low before him. llProv. 30.2. &c.Prov 30:2I am more brutiſh then any man, and have not the underſtanding of a man in me, &c. ſhould (as they were Agurs) be every one of our thoughts. The mmLuk 15.21.Luke 15:21prodigall, or nnLuk 18.13.Luke 18:13Publicans confeſſion well fits our mouths: their poſture may ſhew us what behaviour beſt becomes us: were it to put on oo1 King 21.27.1 Kgs 21:27ſack-cloath, ſit in aſhes, cover our heads with duſt, with Ahab to walke the pace of ſaddeſt, dejectedſt mourners, it is not low enough, it cannot be too low, the God we have debaſed is ſo high, whom could we but get a ſight of, it would lay us low indeede, as ſometimes ppJob 42.56. c. 7.20.Job 42:56Iob, and qqEſay 6.5.Isa 6:5Eſay; rrPhil. 3.Phil 3and drive us out of our ſelves to take Sanctuary in Chriſts merit. And thus you ſee the firſt meanes whereby we ſhould repaire God in point of glory, in reſpect of our ſelves, viz. by taking to our ſelves our ſhame, and ſo lying low before him.

2, We ssEzra 10.1.Ezra 10:1ſhould be deepely affected with, and mourne for, the indignities have beene offered to him. ttSchickard. in Bechin. Happer.If the booke of the Law did but fall to the ground amongſt the Jewes, they call'd a faſt, and it was matter of mourning to them; but ô how hath p. 26Gods law not onelyonly falne to the ground amongſt us by omiſſion of practice, but beene uuPſal. 2.3.119 126. Eſay 24.5.Ps 2:3Ps 2:119Isa 24:5trampled upon by oppoſition and contempt. wwDiodor. Sicul. l. 17.When one of Darius King of Perſia's Eunuchs ſaw Alexander the great ſetting his feete upon a low table that had beene highly eſteemed by his maſter, he wept; being askt the reaſon by Alexander, he gave this, he mourn'd to ſee that thing which his maſter ſo highly once eſteemed, to be now contemn'd and made his footeſtoole: ſo in truth my beloved, what pious heart doth not bleed to heare, and ſee in theſe degenerate times, the deſpiſing, and trampling upon thoſe things which God ſo highly prizes? His name is in every corner torne in pieces by bloody oathes, as if men were reſolved, if they could, to ſweare, and curſe God out of Heaven. What irreverence is uſed towards his Ordinances? what contempt, and reproach caſt upon his ſervants? what a low opinion of God, of the power and purity of Religion, is there in the hearts of people? Theſe, and many ſuch like miſcarriages, may well make xxPſ. 119.136.Ps 119:136our eyes runne downe with rivers of teares, becauſe, neither by our ſelves, nor others, the high God is no more advanced, but ſo much debaſed amongſt us. To ſee earthly greatneſſe deſcend in ſtate, or eſteeme, hath ſometimes moved ingenuous minds to expreſſe their ſenſe by teares; yySabel. l. 6. Enn 4.Alexander for Darius treacherouſly murthered; zzDiod. Sicul. l. 31.the people, for Perſes King of Macedonia, although he were their enemy, yet ſeeing him brought from a Palace, to a priſon, wept. aa1. Sam. 15.351 Sam 15:35So Samuel for Saul, when he had loſt his eſteeme with God, and ſtability in his Kingdome, both together. But, if they that be brought low have any relation to us, we are much more moved: So bbSabellic. l. 7. Enn. 2.Pſammenitus King of Egypt, ſeeing his familiar friend brought downe from a high to a very meane condition, teſtified his ſorrow by weeping. ccIob 2.12.Job 2:12Jobs friends did the like when they came to viſit him. And if our hands be in it, we are uſually much more ſenſible, and affected with it: ddEraſm. in Adag.So Baſſianus, when ever he ſaw but the picture of his brother Geta, whom he had bereaved both of Crowne and life together. But, if our owne condition be engaged and involved in theirs, then moſt of all. ee2 Chron. 35.24.2 Chr 35:24Thus Iudah for Ioſiah; and no marvaile, for he was the ffLam. 4 20.Lam 4:20breath of their noſtrils, which being gone they periſhed. And are there not all theſe, and many more conſiderations, to fill our ſoules with ſorrow, our eyes p. 27with teares? ggPſal. 78.56.Ps 78:56How high is this God who is brought thus low amongſt us? hhEzek. 16 8. &c.Ezek 16:8Then, is he not our God by Covenant, to whom we have offered theſe indignities? Have not we a hand in his diſhonours? And is not our condition ii2 Sam. 2.30.2 Sam 2:30involved in this? Is he not our ornament, to adorne us? our Tower, ſhield, wall of fire to keep us ſafe? Glory, crowne, to deck us? Is he diſhonoured, and can we be ſafe? kk2 Chron. 22.11.2 Chr 22:11When Ioſiah heard the words of the Law, he rents his cloathes, as a teſtimony of his inward conſternation and ſorrow: Why, what is the matter? Alas, God is diſhonoured, and the people in generall ingaged under Gods diſpleaſure for it; ll2 Chron. 22.19, 20.2 Chr 22:192 Chr 22:20But ſee how kindly God takes at his hand this manifeſtation of his ſenſe of his diſhonour, and diſpleaſure; he gives the people a reſpiration, and him an exemption from the common ruine. mmEzek. 9.4.Ezek 9:4Ezekiels mourners for the abominations of the time they lived in, are ſealed for ſafety. In a word, nnIoel 2.12.Joel 2:12the day cals for it; it is a day of mourning, of rending the heart with ſorrow, oo1 Sam 7.6.1 Sam 7:6of drawing water, and pouring it out before the Lord: the ſins of our ſelves, and others require it, we may every where finde matter enough for ſorrow; the diſcovery of our affection to our God ingage us in it; the examples of the Saints invite us to it; the ſafety of ourſelves, and Kingdome cry loudly for it. ppPlutarch. in Alexand.Alexanders Macedonians being ſenſible of his diſpleaſure, laid by their armes, put on their mourning attire, came running in troopes to his tent, where for almoſt three dayes ſpace they remained with loud cries, and abundance of teares, teſtifying their remorſe for offending him, beſeeching his pardon, which at laſt they gained. And qqGuicciard. l. 7Guicciardine tels us, That Lewis the twelfth of France, when he entred into Genoa, in his triumphant Chariot, with his ſword naked, reſolving to make a prey of their riches, and an example of many of the chiefe amongſt them, and to leave the reſt to his ſouldiers mercies; But being met, firſt, by the chiefe; afterward, by the multitude, with great lamentation for their folly, and abundance of teares, and cryes, as teſtimonies of their inward ſorrow, his wrath was appeaſed towards them. Is there ſuch mercy in men, and not more in God? O yes; he is the rr2 Cor. 1.3.2 Cor 1:3originall and ſſEph. 2.4.Eph 2:4ocean of it; it is his nature. The mother doth not with more earneſtneſſe deſire to be rid of her milke that fils her breaſts, nor give it forth with more delight to her ttMic. 7.18.Mic 7:18babe, then p. 28God his mercy. uuEzek. 18.31, 32.Ezek 18:31Ezek 18:32He wooes men to accept it; he wwEſay 30.18.Isa 30:18waits that he may ſhew it; he takes any opportunity to extend it. xx1 Iohn 1.….1 John 1Doe they confeſſe their ſins? then he forgives and covers. yyIer. 31.18, 19, 20.Jer 31:18Jer 31:19Jer 31:20Do they bewaile their folly? then he remits. zzHoſ. 14.4.Hos 14:4Doe they afflict their ſoules with the thought of what they have done? he will ſpeake peace. Doe they in earneſt mourne for thoſe indignities that have beene offered him? He will take the mourning garment from them, and give them for aſhes, beauty; for ſorrow, aaEſay 61.3.Isa 61:3joy. And thus we ſee the ſecond meanes, whereby we may repaire Gods honour, and ſet him on high, in reſpect of our ſelves. But if you would have theſe former meanes to prove effectuall, you muſt adde to theſe a third, and that is

3. Reformation. An inward & outward change. bbEſay 55.7. Tutius recurrere quam male cu rere, crat Symbolum Philippi tertii Imperatoris. Reuſn. Symb.Isa 55:7Let the wicked forſake his waies, and the ungodly man his thoughts; that God requires. For a man to put on a forme of ſorrow, and ſelf dejection; to cry to God for mercy on ſuch a day as this, and yet to hold faſt his God-diſhonouring wayes, what is this but to mock the Higheſt? Like ccPhilip. de Comm. Similiter fere & Halverſtadenſes olim, &c. Sabel l 7. Enn. 8.Lewis the eleventh of France, who carried a leaden crucifixe in his hat, and when he had done any act his conſcience checkt him for, he plucked off his hat and bowed to his Crucifixe, asking forgiveneſſe for it; hereby accounting himſelfe ſufficiently quitted from the guilt of his ſinne, without any more adoe. Juſt thus deale the moſt part of men with God; They ſinne, and they aske forgiveneſſe; whereby they think themſelves ſufficiently diſcharged of the old, and in caſe to begin on a new ſcore with him. Let us not deceive our ſelves, for ddGal. 6.7.Gal 6:7God is not mocked; hee regards not ſhewes, but ſubſtance; not the face, but the heart; eeHoſ. 11.12. foreign. Theogn. Sic & dicit Deus.Hos 11:12nor cares hee for wording of it, it is deeds that he reſpects: ffEſay 1.16, 17, 18.Isa 1:16Isa 1:17Isa 1:18Ceaſe to doe evill, learne to doe well, elſe there is no treating with him. Hee may be angry with a people that ggPſal. 80.4.Ps 80:4prayes; hhEſay 50.8.Isa 50:8with a faſting, a weeping people; but when a people once cordially reformes, the iiIer. 18.8. Ionah 3.10.Jer 18:8Jonah 3:10quarrell is at an end. It is not the creature, but the ſinne God hates: the holding of it faſt, is the creatures ruine. kkIob 11.13, 14, 15.22.22. &c. 1 Iohn 1.6.Job 11:13Job 11:14Job 11:15Job 11:221 John 1:6But if this accurſed God-debaſing thing be once diſcarded, God takes poſſeſſion of his throne, mans ſoule, and all is llEſay 32.17.Isa 32:17peace, and quietneſſe for ever. But now, becauſe in our ſelves we are not able to contribute ſo much as a mm2 Cor. 3.5.2 Cor 3:5good thought towards this reformation, and advancing of God in our hearts, or actions, p. 29but our ſufficiency is of God, Who nnPhilip. 2.13. Non eſt devotionis dediſſe prope totum, ſed fraudis detin…iſſen inimum. Proſp.Phil 2:13workes both the will and the deed of his owne good pleaſure; therefore, we have need, not onelyonly by prayer to ſeeke from his free mercy the pardon of thoſe indignities we have offered him heretofore, ooDa quod jubes, & jube quod vis. Aug.but for the future, ſtrength to enable us in this buſineſſe, that we may advance, and ſet up his glory in the world. Therefore let us earneſtly beſeech him; 1. That pp2. Cor. 4.6.2 Cor 4:6he, who in the beginning cauſed light to ſhine out of darkneſſe, would vouchſafe to ſhine into our darke ſoules, to give the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Chriſt: for doubtleſſe, my brethren, this is a great cauſe, qq2 Pet. 1.3. Claritas in intellectu parit ardorem in affectu.2 Pet 1:3why he is ſo low in our thoughts, feares, loves, ſervices in his Ordinances, Saints, Day, becauſe we are no more acquainted with him. For, did we but ſee what a glorious God he were, we would doubtleſſe more advance him in all. rrPſal. 68.1. &c.Ps 68:1If God did but ariſe in our ſoules, then even as the ſunne drives away the darkeneſſe, and fogges that benight the earth, ſo would this light aboliſh the darke luſts of our ignorance, feares,ss1 Pet. 1.14.1 Pet 1:14 and prophaneneſſe of our ſpirits, which being rectified, would rightly order our outward man, and make us ſhine as lights in the midſt of a froward and perverſe generation; that others ſeeing the beames ſhining forth of this light within, may glorifie our Father which is in heaven. 2. tt2 Theſ. 3.5.2 Thess 3:5That God would likewiſe vouchſafe us a ſon like Spirit and affection to him; by ſhedding abroad his love in our hearts; whereby, as a ſonne is affected to honour his father, we may have our ſoules inlarged to glorifie him. If this were in us, 'twould make us like uuforeign, &c. Horodot. Neh. 13.11.17.25.Neh 13:11Neh 13:17Neh 13:25Croeſus dumbe ſonne to finde a tongue in his behalfe. wwPſal. 34.3.139.21.22. Amantium mos eſt ut amorem ſuum ſilentiotegere nequeant. Chryſoſt.Ps 34:3Ps 34:139Ps 34:21Ps 34:22There is nothing would more afflict us then his diſhonours, nor affect us then to ſee him advanced in the world. In truth this is a maine reaſon why men are no more ſenſible how it fares with his glory, or how much they diſhonour him, becauſe they looke at him as a God that is a ſtranger to them. I beſeech you therefore let us more and more ſeeke after the knowledge of our relation to him, and the getting our hearts poſſeſt by this filiall diſpoſition, then we ſhall make it our buſineſſe, nay, 'twill be our meate and drinke to doe his will, to advance his glory, and lift up his name; xxPſal. 48.10.Ps 48:10that as his name is, ſo may be his eſteeme and praiſe amongſt the ſonnes of men. And thus you ſee as briefely as I could, the taske that lyes upon us all in generall, and p. 30the meanes whereby we may repaire our God in point of glory and honour in reſpect of our ſelves.

2. We ſhould not thinke we have done our duties when we repaire Gods glory in reſpect of our ſelves; it is not here to be confined, but we muſt endeavour to ſpread his fame, and every one in our ſeverall ſpheares and places, to cauſe others to doe the ſame. Fathers, Maſters, yyMat. 25.27.Matt 25:27who are intruſted with the leaſt power, muſt put it forth for God; but eſpecially thoſe that are intruſted with greater abilitie and larger power, muſt not be wanting in it. And here give me leave I beſeech you, to uſe the liberty of Gods Embaſſador, and in his behalf to addreſſe my ſpeech to you, whom the Providence of God hath ſingled and called together, out of the many thouſands of this Kingdome, to doe his work, and advance his glory. Let me in a few words excite,bb1 Sam. 2.30.1 Sam 2:30 and beſpeake you in his behalfe, to be zealous in this worke. Were it an imployment too low, I would hold my tongue; but is it not the worke of the eminenteſt Saints, the glorious Angels, nay of zzJoh. 8.50.John 8:50Chriſt himſelfe? aaProv. 16.4.Prov 16:4Is it not the end for which God doth all he doth? Or were the iſſue of it ſhame, I might be ſilent; but when God ſayes it is honour, (as ſometimes amongſt the Romans the way to Honours Temple was through that of Vertue) it is argument ſufficient to perſwade brave mindes. ccPſal. 22.30.31.Ps 22:30Ps 22:31Doe you not profeſſe your ſelves to be the ſonnes, the ſervants of this high God? whereby can you doe ſervice more then this, or teſtifie the truth of your relation you pretend? I ddMagna facinora, magnis periculis emuntur. Dion. Halicarn. l. 9. Zach. 4.7.Zech 4:7confeſſe there are mountaines of oppoſition in your way, but is not this God of power ſufficient to make them plaine? Put caſe you ſuffer the loſſe of what you eſteeme of in it; is it not a eeRefert Pericles, non picturam, non aurum & lapides, ſed ſcutum divulſam, fractam galeam, hebetem glad…um, faciem vulner… tam cedere militibus ad ornatum. Pet. Bleſſ.ſcare of honour? and he ſufficient whoſe worke you doe, to make you amends? Suppoſe you undergoe as many reproaches, and wounds in your names as that Noble old ffPlin. de… V…r. illuſt.Roman, Marcus Manlius, did in his body in defence of the Capitoll; So many wounds, ſo many mouthes to proclaime your honour, and cry for heavens bleſſing on you and yours: and bee ſure, in Gods due time, ggPſal. 37.6.Ps 37:6he will cleere your names, and make them like noone day, full of glory, and lustre. Is it in your eſtates? What loſt Ioſeph, Daniel, Nehemian, hhAmiſit propter Chriſtum militis ordinem & obtinuit dignitatem Imperatoriam, &c.Valentinian, and many others by this imployment? But yet put caſe you ſuffer; you can never by Gods Service be reall loſers;iiMat. 19.29.Matt 19:29 for if you part with wife, children, p. 31houſe, or land, you ſhall gaine by the bargaine; in peace of conſcience, joy of the holy Ghoſt, light of Gods countenance, &c. here a hundred fold, and that is not all, the beſt is behind, in the end everlaſting life. Suppoſe it ſhould yet riſe higher, and might poſſibly coſt you your lives; you can never bring them to a better market, nor part with them in a more comfortable kkLuke 17.33.Luke 17:33gainefull way then the advancement of Gods name, and endeavouring that he may be eſteemed, and ſerved like himſelfe. It is for your God, and can you doe too much, or be too zealous for ſuch a God as yours? There are foure ſorts of men, whoſe names are more illuſtrious, memory dearer, and themſelves more highly eſteemed, as perſons of greater deſert, and eminency amongſt the ſons of men then others be: aaBacon. Eſſay 55.Founders of States and Common-wealths, as Romulus, Cyrus, Caeſar, Ottoman, &c. or Law-givers, as Lycurgus, Solon, Iuſtinian, &c. Saviours or deliverers from inteſtine wars, forraine ſervitude, &c. ſo Auguſtus Caeſar, Veſpaſian, Aurelianus, &c. or laſtly, ſuch as inlarge their territories, or make noble reſiſtance againſt invaders.

Are theſe ſuch things as juſtly advance men in the opinion of the world? and is there not in theſe, and many more reſpects ſufficient in God, to excite the putting forth of your utmoſt abilities to ſet him on high? Were not our predeceſſors in former times like bbEzek. 16.Ezek 16Ezekiels miſerable infant, polluted with the filth of heatheniſh Paganiſme, and diſorderly Barbariſme? Who ccAct. 17.26.Acts 17:26alotted them this good Land to dwell in? Who ſhaped, and framed them into goodly order, and comelineſſe, inſtead of a lawleſſe rout of Pagans, making us a Chriſtian Commonwealth; was it not He? Who deckt us with ſuch comely ornaments and jewels of Laws, and nationall Statutes, eſpecially with ſuch heavenly Ordinances, to be a light to our path, and a Lanthorne to our feet, to guide our ſoules in the way of life and peace? ddPſal. 147.19, 20.Ps 147:19Ps 147:20doubtleſſe it was he. Who hath (in a word) kept hitherto our Land like Gideous fleece, drye, when the earth round about us in neighbour Countries hath beene wet with the blood of the ſlaine? who hath eePſal. 147.13. &c.Ps 147:13ſtrengthened the bars of our gates, preſerving us both from forraine invaſions, & domeſtick treacheries; but He? We may truly ſay with ffPſal. 124.2, 3.Ps 124:2Ps 124:3Iſrael, If the Lord had not beene on our ſide when men roſe up againſt us, they had p. 32ſwallowed us up quick, &c. And can you now doe too much for ſuch a God as this, to repaire his glory, and make his name high in this Land, where he ſo well deſerves it? If therefore you are reſolved (as I doubt not but you are) to ſet both ſhoulders to the worke, then I beſeech you manifeſt it more and more,

1. By diſcountenancing, and puniſhing thoſe that daily bring him low, as ſoule-mouthed ſwearers, abominable blaſphemers, prophane Sabbath-breakers, lewd and wicked profeſſors, broachers of errors; ignorant, hereticall, idle & ſcandalous Miniſters; remiſſe or corrupt Magiſtrates; pleaders for Baal; perſecuters of Gods ſervants; &, who ever they are that your Wiſdoms, regulated by Gods Word, ſhall diſcover to be enemies to the Crowne and dignity of this King of glory. Remember I beſeech you, 1. ggRom. 13.4.Rom 13:4You are Truſties in the behalfe of God; His providence hath called you together, and truſted you with power; part with your owne honour, ſo far as you may without deſtruction of the publicke intereſt, (I ſhall be far from perſwading you to write yours, like Dracoes Lawes, in blood) but not with Gods. I may ſay to you, as ſometimes Caeſar to his Ship-man in a tēpeſt, Why feareſt thou? thou carrieſt Caeſar and his fortune; So, hh1 Sam 15.24 Fiat juſtitia, aut pereat micadus. Erat Symbolum Ferdinandi primi Imperatoris. Reaſ. Symb.1 Sam 15:24why in the leaſt meaſure ſhould your Spirits reſiliate? is not the glory of the great God imbarqued in your managing of the affaires of Church and State? I beſeech you therefore be excited more and more to diſcharge this truſt. iiPſal. 101.8.Ps 101:8See how David ſets about the ridding the City of God from evill workers. kkIoſh. 7.11, 12Josh 7:11Josh 7:12Ioſhuahs crying will not ſerve, nor faſting, till this be done. ll1 King. 18.401 Kgs 18:40How zealous is Eliah for the Lord of Hoaſts in this reſpect? And mmExod. 32.26, 27.Exod 32:26Exod 32:27Moſes the meekeſt man alive, in recovering Gods glory by this meanes, is the hotteſt; like a flame of fire walking in the midſt of ſtubble. Nature teaches us in point of injury to be too ſenſible for our owne glory; I beſeech you be not leſſe for Gods, leſt by remiſneſſe you incurre the guilt of other ſins, and draw thereby upon your ſelves nn1 King 20.121 Kgs 20:12a ſad account. 2. Are you not Truſties likewiſe in the behalfe of King and Kingdome? not onelyonly intruſted with the Prerogative of the one, and the Liberties of the other, but Safety of them both? which how can that be firme ſo long as ooIoſh. 7.Josh 7Achan is in the Camp; ppIona. 1.Jonah 1Ionah in the ſhip; qqIudg. 20.Judg 20and the men of Gibeah not diſcountenanced p. 33for their prophaneneſſe? but when rrPſal. 106.30.Ps 106:30Phineas reale puts him upon this taske, the plague is ſtaid; and when the ſſZach. 6.8.Zech 6:8Medes and Perſians do God right on the Chaldeans, Gods wrath is appeaſed.

Then 2. for the future; I beſeech you bee carefull to fence Gods glory from being trampled on, and advance him in this Kingdome by wholeſome Laws; Bleſſed be God for thoſe we already enjoy; but give me leave to beſeech your moſt ſerious thoughts in this. For, doe you not each day finde in things that concerne our worldly welfare, wherein your predeceſſors might have done ſomething more, either in matter of expreſſion, or addition, then ere they did? I conceive in this I ſpeake of, you may finde the like: O, be a bleſſed meanes, that it may be mended. ttDan. 3.24.Dan 3:24Your Lawes for blaſpheming Gods name, let them be more ſevere; that this Land-deſtroying vice may be rooted out from amongſt us. Indeavour, that God may rule in his owne houſe, and be ſerved according as himſelfe requires, with a pure worſhip. That Ordinances may be like thoſe uuRevel. 22.1.Rev 22:1Cryſtall ſtreames without mud or mixture. That every Candleſtick in this Land may be furniſhed with a burning, and ſhining light. That the waters of the wwEzek. 47.8, 9:Ezek 47:8Ezek 47:9Sanctuary may flow thence plentifully, to make the fiſh live. That none may be choſen to ſerve in the Temple, but ſuch, xx1 Tim. 2.9, 10. 2 Tim. 4.2.1 Tim 2:91 Tim 2:102 Tim 4:2who like the Arke, have Aarons Rod, the two Tables, and the pot of Manna in them. yyMal. 3.10.Mal 3:10That there may be meat in Gods houſe, zz1 Cor 9.9.1 Cor 9:9and the mouth of the Oxe be not muzled that treadeth out the corne. aaNeh. 13.17, &c.Neh 13:17That the Lords Day may be obſerved with that devotion, and piety which he commands. That the name of Baal, and all falſe worſhip, may be rooted out from amongſt us. In a word; that whatſoever provokes the eyes of Gods glory may be extirpated. This is the way to ſet God on high, and to make us happy. But this cannot be, except God be pleaſed to ſhine on your counſels,bbExod. 18.21. 2 Sam. 23.3.Exod 18:212 Sam 23:3 and bleſſe your indeavours, that by your meanes wee may enjoy yet one mercy more, and that is; 3. That the ſword of juſtice, and power to ſee the execution of theſe Lawes be committed into the hands of men fearing God: Such, who may reſemble in holineſſe that God whoſe place they ſupply, whoſe name they beare, and whoſe cc2 Chro. 19.6.2 Chr 19:6judgement they execute: for, if they want piety, we cannot expect, but that they ſhould either bee ſenſleſſe of Gods diſhonours ddAmos 6.12.Amos 6:12, or perhaps, which is worſe, p. 34pervert Gods Ordinance, ffMic. 3.2, 3.Mic 3:2Mic 3:3prove task-maſters to Gods people, and diſcourage vertue.

Thus I have made bold, according to my meaneneſſe, to preſent you with the way, whereby you may advance God in reſpect of others. And now to wind up this point: Are not the eyes of Chriſtendome upon you, to ſee what you will doe for your God? Is not one Kingdome in a very ſad plight, and doe not the foundations and pillars of this ſhake? Doe not the people of the Land caſt from all places, a pitifull-imploring eye upon you, to repaire their breaches, to ſettle their peace, and increaſe their happineſſe? Doth not the ggMic. 6.9.Mic 6:9rod of God which he ſhakes over the Land in peſtilence, and inteſtine diſſentions, cry loudly to you for reparation on this behalfe? and whereby may that be done, but by this meanes of a hhZeph. 2.1, 2.Zeph 2:1Zeph 2:2timely, iiIer. 4.14.Jer 4:14cordiall, kkEzek. 18.30.Ezek 18:30univerſall reformation? This is the way to avert wrath; like llManlii loc. com. p. 142.Iohn ſometimes Biſhop of Magdenburge, againſt whom the Duke of Saxony raiſed an army; one comming from thence, the Duke asked him, what preparation the Biſhop made? he told him, that he ſaw none; Why, but (ſayes the Duke) what doth hee then? The other replied, That hee reformed his Church, his houſe his City; Which when the Duke heard, he disbanded his army, ſaying, He would never venture upon him that ingaged by ſuch a courſe God to aſſiſt him. Thus this courſe will make you mmEſay 58.8. &c. 2 Chron. 15.2.Isa 58:82 Chr 15:2too hard for your enemies: it will hold up the hands and hearts of your friends, bee a continuall feaſt to your conſciences; nnEſay 38.3.Isa 38:3comfort your hearts on your death-beds; and cauſe: you with unſpeakeable joy one day to heare that ooMat. 25.21.Matt 25:21conſolation, Well done good and faithfull ſervants, enter you into your Maſters glory.

And thus at the laſt I have finiſhed the firſt particular of my Text, Gods eminency; He is on high. In which, becauſe of my deſire to ſuit my diſcourſe to the day, I have beene the longer; therefore, I ſhall indeavour to make amends in the brevity of my diſcourſe upon the two branches of this firſt particular which remaine: wherein I ſhall rather point out, then proſecute; and with pp1 Sam. 14.271 Sam 14:27Ionathan, rather give you a taſte, then a meale of the ſoule-quickning, minde-inlightning honey in this Text.

p. 35This eminency of God (as you heard in the dividing of the text) is diſcovered, By

1. The riſe and fountaine of it.

2. The eternity, and ſtability of it.

1. The Originall and fountaine of it, 'tis of, and from himſelfe: foreign he exalts himſelfe, ſaith the text. This is manifeſt in all the former reſpects.

1. Looke upon his eſſentiall eminency, and perfection, of holineſſe, life, power, &c. All receive from his infinite fulneſſe, but how can he receive from any who is the qqRevel. 1.8. Eſay 44.6. Pſal. 90.2.Rev 1:8Isa 44:6Ps 90:2firſt, in time eternally before them all; rrIob 22.2, 3. &c.Job 22:2Job 22:3and ſo perfect that no acceſſion or addition can be made to him by any creature in point of eſſentiall glory?

2. As for his throne, and glorious habitation, ſſPſal. 102.25, 26.Ps 102:25Ps 102:26his hands did frame, his fingers faſhioned it; not out of pre-exiſtent matter, but from nothing.

2. His glorious ſtate and dignity, he comes not by it as other Monarchs doe, by deſcent, choice, conqueſt, or the like; But well may he be Lord of that he ttGen. 1.1.Gen 1:1made; uuColoſ. 1.16.Col 1:16His territories, ſubjects, whether in heaven, or earth, he gave a being to; and, by his all-powerfull wiſdome hath ſo contrived theſe things, that they ſubſiſt in him; nor can they, if they would, ſhake wwPſ. 103.19. foreign. Orph.Ps 103:19off his government, they are ſo framed by him to be ſubſervient to it, and by his power ſo infinitely ſurpaſſing theirs, ſo led, infallibly xxPſal. 66.7.Ps 66:7ſubdued, and ordered by it.

Object. But doth not he yyEſay 43.20 21. Pſ. 148. per tot.Isa 43:20Ps 148uſe the creatures in this great work to exalt himſelfe, and command them ſo to doe?

Anſw. 1. As zzIob 35.6. &c. Eminentiam Dei, praedicatur in ſcriptura. 1. foreign. 2. foreign. 3. foreignJob 35:6for his eſſentiall glory, they cannot detract from, neither adde to that at all, it is above the ſpheare of their activity.

2. It is true, in point of imployment he is pleaſed to ſet the creatures on work to advance the manifeſtation of his glory, and eminency, in the execution of many of his great works in the world: His Angels he imployes in aaDan. 4.13.10.20, 21.Dan 4:13Dan 4:10Dan 4:20Dan 4:21governing Kingdomes, bbRevel. 7.2.8.6. &c.Rev 7:2Rev 7:8Rev 7:6executing his decrees of judgement or mercy; His Miniſters are cc2 Cor. 6.1.2 Cor 6:1co-workers with him, in the converſion and ſalvation of ſoules, &c.

But firſt, that he is pleaſed at all to uſe his creatures in ſuch affaires as may advance the manifeſtation of his eminency, is p. 36a worke of ddPſal. 16.2. Zach. 4.6. Eſth. 4.14.Ps 16:2Zech 4:6Esth 4:14dignation, and not of indigencie; in it he is pleaſed to put honour upon his creature, but is not neceſſitated in the leaſt meaſure to imploy it; for he is able to doe the ſame thing without it if he pleaſe: He can give eeRevel. 21.22.Rev 21:22light without the ſunne, ſuſtaine without food, as in the kingdome of glory. Secondary cauſes indeed can doe nothing without him, but he doth in heaven and earth, whatſoever he pleaſe, without them.

Secondly, it is his power whereby the creature workes: they firſt from him receiv'd it, as ffMat. 25.14. vide Bradward. de cauſa Dei mihi. p. 165.Matt 25:14a ſtocke to trade with for his glory; ggforeign, &c. Pythag. citat. Juſt. Mart.it is maintain'd by his continuall influence, and acted by him, whether it be in hh1 Chron. 29.12.1 Chr 29:12nature, or in iiPhil. 2. Conatus noſtri nulli ſunt ſi non excitantur, & incaſſi ſi non adjuvantur, Bern.Phil 2grace; ſo that although in ſome of his great workes he is pleaſed to cover his arme with the creatures ſhadow, yet ſtill, what ere is done, by kkPſa.. 62.11. Multa facit in homine Deus quae non facit homo; nulla vero facit homo, quae non facit Deus ut faciat homo, Aug. l. 2. cont. 2 Epiſt. I clag. c. 8.power in this great buſineſſe, it is indeed Gods Worke.

Therefore, ſeeing he exalts himſelfe, we ſhould learne in every thing whereby the declarative highneſſe of this great God is advanced, to ſet the crown of glory upon his head; by acknowledging his hand in all, and giving him the praiſe. Alas, we are too apt (when either our ſelves are uſed, or elſe our fellow creatures made Gods inſtruments, in a way of manifeſtation to advance his highneſſe) ſo much to gaze on them, llDeut. 8.17. &c. Hab. 1.16.Deut 8:17Hab 1:16as here to terminate our fight, and goe no farther to behold that God whoſe inſtruments they were and by whoſe power what is done was brought to paſſe: And hence it is, that what is due to God, we give to them. The Romans had a cuſtome, that when they had received any great victory ore their enemie, mmLaurumque ſuperbam Jn grem o Jovis abſciſſis deponere Poenis, &c. Et taurum album Jovi mactabant, &c. Liv. l. 6. Dec. 3.the conquerour in his triumphant Chariot rode to the Capitoll, where in all humility he did preſent a Palme to Jupiter; therein acknowledging it was his power whereby this conqueſt was atchieved: You ſee that natures light did point, and prompt them to this duty, though they miſtooke the object where it was due. I would that we who doe pretend more light, did not expreſſe more darkeneſſe in this thing. It is reported, that nnManla Loc. com. p. 178.Adrian the fift being made Pope, the ſolemnitie at Lovain, where once he was head, being likewiſe kept, amongſt other papers hung up in the Hall, in one was written; Trajectum planted him, Lovain watered, Caeſar gave the increaſe: one wittily ſubſcribes, Hic Deus nihil fecit. And may we not under-write the ſame, if we ſpeake the conceptions of moſt mens inward thoughts? If God p. 37exalt his mercy in deliverances from common ruin, and calamities, &c. we talke of the Souldiers valour, the States mans Policie, but ſcarce one word of God. If he exalt his Juſtice in afflicting, ſuppoſe in warre peſtilence, or the like; we ſpeake of the enemies in juſtice, crueltie, power; or the ayres corruption, earths infection, peoples diſtempers; thus, ſtill we are ſo lockt up in ſecond cauſes, as not to ſee the firſt; the covering doth ſo terminate our minds, we cannot ſee the Arme that workes all this.

O let us be more wiſe, and learne to ſee our God in all his works; it will make us live more comfortably in all changes;ccPſal. 90.2.Ps 90:2 not idolize our ooPſal. 115.1. 1 Chron. 29.114. &c.Ps 115:11 Chr 29:114ſelves, or fellow creatures, but give him his due. Could we but with that bleſſed Saint behold the riſe of all from him, and how his power moves and acts in all, to carry them to the fountaine whence they iſſued, it would make us uſe his ppRom. 11.36.Rom 11:36doxologie, and give him the praiſe.

And thus I have rather toucht then handled this firſt branch, whereby his eminencie is diſcovered, viz. The originall and fountaine of it. He exalts himſelfe.

Secondly, Gods eminencie is further diſcovered by aaforeign: Sic Pſal. 102.12. R. Maymon. Morch. Nevoc. l. 1. c. 11.Ps 102:12his eternitie and immutabilitie, He ſits or dwells on high ſayes the text, and ſo Rabbi Maymony and other expoſitors underſtand the phraſe.

1. In reſpect of bbEternitas, a parte ante, & a parte poſt ei attribuitur, &ceternity; Before the mountaines were brought forth, or ever the earth and the world were formed, even from everlaſting to everlaſting he is God. ddEſay 43.10. Sine initio & fine, vere & ſemper idem, codem modo ſe habens ſolus eſt Deus, Iren. l. 2. c. 64.Isa 43:10There was none before him, neither ſhall any be after him, as the Prophet ſpeakes.

2. In reſpect of Immutability, he is a high God, and dwels on high indeed, for he eeMal. 3.6. Qua eſt ſimplex, Independent, perfectiſſimus, Actus purus, &c. vide Aquin. p. 1.Mal 3:6changes not: Nay, he is ſo farre from changing in point of Eſſentiall eminencie, that there is not in him ffJames 1.17.Jas 1:17the leaſt ſhew, or ſhadow of it. ggPſ. 102.26.27Ps 102:26Ps 102:27Though both heaven and earth wax old as a garment, and as a veſture he doth change them, yet he indures for ever, his yeares have no end, there is his eternitie; and for all theſe changes he remaines the ſame, as the Pſalmiſt ſpeakes, there is his immutability. Indeede there is nothing but change in all things elſe: the Prophet hhEzek. 1.16.Ezek 1:16Ezekiel ſees God on his throne, there he ſits, but under the throne are wheeles,iiDicimus immutabile bonum non eſſe niſi unum verum Deum beatum; ea vero quae fecit, bona quidem eſſe, quod ab illo; veruntamen mutabilia, quod non de illo, ſed de nihilo facta ſunt, Aug. l. 12 de Civ. Dei c. 1. and they are full of motion and revolution; there is, 1. the wheele of times and ſeaſons, kkGen. 8.22. Temporalia rapit tempus, &c. Aug.Gen 8:22ſeede time and harvest, cold and heate, ſummer and winter, day and night. Every thing under the ſunne hath p. 38its llEccleſ. 3.1.Eccl 3:1time and ſeaſon. Then 2. there is the wheele of mmEccleſ. 1.4.Eccl 1:4generation. One generation paſſeth away and another commeth, ſome dye, and others are borne, nnHieron. in verba Eccleſ. 1 4. Tonſura generis humani. Senec.Eccl 1:4even as in a wheele turning about, the part thou now ſeeſt, by and by is out of thy ſight; ſo ſaith Ierome, thoſe men, plants and other things which thou didſt even now ſee, are ſtraightway vaniſht, and others fill up their places which before appeared not. 3. There is the wheele of ſtate and condition. Looke upon bodies Politicke, what is become of thoſe foure ooZach. 6.1.Zech 6:1Monarchies that iſſued from between the brazen mountaines of Gods providence, are they not vaniſht? And may we not ſay the like of others too? Either their owne over-grown greatneſſe; or elſe ſome hand of violence hath deſtroy'd them; ſo that except in hiſtory we know not where to finde them.

Secondly, to name no more; let us but caſt an eye upon our ſelves, and is not Iobs expreſſion [children of change] a title well befits us? How doe we change in all we are and have? From child-hood to youth, from youth to mans eſtate, from thence to age, ppJob 14.2.Job 14:2we never ſtand at a ſtay till duſt returnes to duſt. The face of heaven admits not of more changes then our mindes. As for our outward ſtate, how qqIn hoc vitae ſalo, circumdantibus agitamur procellis Roet. Job 1.Job 1doth it change, and put on ſeverall ſhapes? to day in wealth, to morrow as poore as Iob: now on the throne, the next day on the pile like rrHerodot. l. 1.Croeſus: to day in honour and reputation, to morrow like Belliſarius begging an almes of paſſengers: whether it be from good to bad, or contrary, it matters not, for ſtill it is change. Theſe changes are the wheeles of this High Gods ssRabbini apelant creaturas Dei Mercavah. i. e. currum. Sic R. Maimon. Morch. Nevecb. l. …. c. …. & Alii.Chariot in which he rides, and though he makes them all, yet he is the ſame. Though heaven and earth threaten to come together, though the waves roare, and waters lift up their voyce; though the thunder rattles and lightnings flye abroad; though men periſh and creatures be cut off as in the flood; yet as the ſunne, being above the place of ſtormes and tempeſts, goes on its courſe, and is not checkt by theſe; ſo is it far above the ſpheare of change, to make the leaſt ttPſal. 29.Ps 29mutation in this God. 1. uuGods repenting is not changing.And therefore if you read that he repents, doe not miſtake the phraſe: 'tis true; wwGen. 6.6. 1 Sam. 15.29. Numb. 23.19.Gen 6:61 Sam 15:29Num 23:19'tis over man; but not as man, he doth it. In man it intimates a turbation of minde, a diſplicencie of the fact, a mutation of counſell, but in God 'tis not a change of counſell, but of fact; of things which are made by him, not of his preſcience; nor is it an alteration of p. 39his nature, but a ſuſpenſion of his wrath, power, or ſome other attribute: he is a free agent, and whether he workes or no, it alters not himſelfe. 2. xxPaſſions attibuted to God doe not prove him mutable.So if you reade that he is yyNon ſecundum turbationis affectum; ſecundum ultionis effectum, &c.angry, jealous, or the like, then know, the Scripture being ordained for men, ſpeakes in their dialect; and as the nurſe in talking with her young one brings down her language to the childs conception, ſo God doth his; hence comes ſuch low expreſſions in holy writ, becauſe in ſpirituall things we are very dull, but yet we muſt not thinke that paſſions, or ſuch things are zzNon in Deo eſt aliud quam juſta averſatio peccati, & voluntas majeſtiatis ſuae vindicandae, &c. Scalig.really in God; but it is becauſe his workes are ſuch as mens when paſſions doe poſſeſſe their minds; as to deſtroy, conſume, confound, the worke he hath wrought, yet perturbations have no place in him.

3. So if aaComming or going, approaching and departing, doe not prove God mutable in place.you reade he comes, or goes, is abſent, and returnes, &c. it is not by chance of place; that cannot be, for he is bbJuſtin Mart. dial. cum Triphon.the place of all that hath a being; but it is ccNon venit qui aberat, ſed apparet qui latebat. Bern.becauſe he that before to us was hid is now made manifeſt; the change is not in him, but in our ſight; our eyes are cured which before were blind, our minds unvaild. This ddDivina frequenter videntur occurrere atque praecurrere; &c. Procl. l. de Anim.adaptation in us makes the change, there is none in him at all.

4. So if you reade he is ſometimes high, then low; doe not miſ underſtand: it is not in himſelfe, he is ſtill the ſame, but in the mindes of men, and eſtimation: now though blind eyes doe not behold the ſunne, and ſo its brightneſſe wants eſteeme from ſuch, it is nothing to the ſunne, they fare the worſe for it, and not that glorious lampe; ſo though all men ſhould diſ-eſteeme the Higheſt, nay, if they ſhould riſe up and fight againſt him, they may eeBeing High or Low in the world doe not prove God mutable in point of Eſſentiall eminencie.deprive themſelves of happineſſe by this courſe, but he is above their power, they ffJob 35.8. &c.Job 35:8cannot reach him at all. And thus you ſee the ſtability of his glory.

And now for the cloſe of all; you have had Gods eminencie diſcovered to you, both in it ſelfe, as alſo in reſpect of, 1. The Originall and fountaine of it, 2. The Eternity and Immutability of it: and why all this? Is it to fill our heads with notions; or to finde us matter for diſcourſe? No doubtleſſe, but that thereby deepe impreſsions may be made upon our ſpirits, and we by it improved in point of practiſe. O that theſe notions might dwell upon our hearts and ſticke cloſe to our ſoules, and then I make no doubt, but we ſhould finde a changing, tranſ-forming p. 40power in them to effect theſe things.

1. This would take off our ſpirits from our too too fierce, and eager purſuite of earthly things. Alas, is it not a ſad ſight to ſee, that man one of Gods excellenteſt peeces, whom he hath created with an immortall ſoule, full of vaſte deſires, ffAvaritia non ſuo, non alieno, non ipſo orbe contenta, totum poſſidet, & de inopia queritur ſemper, Zen. Ser. …e Avarit.never to be ſatisfied but with himſelfe, ſhould through the miſ-guidance of gg1 Pet. 1.4.1 Pet 1:4darke luſts, ſo farre miſtake his happineſſe, as hhJter ſine termino. Pelagus ſine portu, &c. Si Tarram amas, terra es; ſi Deum …mas, quid vis ut dicam? Deus es. Aug.to ſeeke it, in poore, empty, tranſient things? One runnes to riches as his iiProv. 10.15.Prov 10:15ſtrong tower, which take the kkProv. 23.5.Prov 23:5wings of the Eagle and flye away: another ſeekes it in honours, and preferment, then which there is nothing more inconſtant, depending on mens eſteemes, who quickly change, either their llEſth. 7.7, 8.Esth 7:7Esth 7:8mindes, or mmPſa. 146.23.Ps 146:23lives, and ſo they come to be as firſt they were, nay perchance in far worſe condition; for now their hearts being glew'd to theſe, when they depart, it teares their ſoules in peeces, and farewell all content: thus they pay intereſt in their nnCum gravi dolore amittuntur quae cum magno amore habentur, Iſiod. de ſum. bono.griefes they have, for all the pleaſures which they found in theſe. Nay which is worſt of all, they doe not onelyonly part with theſe (which in themſelves being ſo full of change, had they but ooSi bona mundi hujus peritura credimus, cur peritura tanto amore cupimus? Iſiod. ut ſup.wiſedome to diſcerne it, they could expect no other) qqNitidi ſunt fores fulgore potentiae, interius tamen vacui ſunt elatione ſuperbiae. Iſiod. l. 3 c. 63.but with their peace of conſcience, God, and all, whom they forſaking, loſe the rrPſal. 73.27. Phil. 3.19.Ps 73:27Phil 3:19ſtableſt good, and by it ingulfe themſelves in miſery. Whereas did but their minds retaine the glory of this God we have ſpoken of, it would ssGuſtavite & eſurio, tetigiſtime & exarſi in concupiſcentiam tuam. Aug. conf.attract their ſpirits to himſelfe; it would make them cleave to him both in affection and ttPſal. 9.10.Ps 9:10dependencie; uuHeb. 11.27.Heb 11:27it would make us feare to offend his Majeſtie; conſidering if he turne enemie wwJer. 17.4. Eſay 33.14.Jer 17:4Isa 33:14there is not a worſe then he, who is not ſimply high, but laſts for aye to proſecute his foes.

2. It would ſtirre up our ſoules to ſacrifice our xxPſal. 71.15.16.Ps 71:15Ps 71:16ſtrength and beſt endeavours in his ſervice, we would never thinke wee yyPſal. 104.31.33.34.Ps 104:31Ps 104:33Ps 104:34could too much ſerve a God, whoſe glory is ſo permanent, nor care what paines we tooke, or what we loſt for gaine of him.

3. It would be a Well of life and comfort to us, to ſee that God is the ſame that ever he was. How have the Saints refreſht themſelves from this, when they have thought of former times p. 41zzDa mihi te Domine. Aug. Omnis mihi copia quae Deus meus non eſt, egeſtas eſt, Aug. conf.in their diſtreſſe? how hath it aaPſal. 74.14.Ps 74:14fed their ſpirits, and revived their ſoules, conſidering he is the ſame that did thoſe things? Therefore when they have ſeene what God hath done, their hearts bbPſal. 44.1.4. Pſal. 77.11.12. &c.Ps 44:1Ps 44:4Ps 77:11Ps 77:12are rais'd to expect the like againe; and ſo would ours, did we but take their courſe.

4. As the ccHerodot. l. 2.Aegyptians who live in the fens, being vext with gnats, they uſe to ſleepe in high towres, whereby thoſe creatures being not able to ſoare ſo high, they are delivered from the biting of them; ſo would it be with us, being bitten with earthly cares and feares; it would make us flye to God, and reſt in him, did we but ddPſal. 89.15. &c. Pſal. 31.19. &c. Pſal. 91.9. &c.Ps 89:15Ps 31:19Ps 91:9know him as we ought to doe. We all complaine enough of cares and feares; Let us behold this God, and dwell in him, then they will vaniſh, and what ever come to paſſe, it will not much trouble us, if we finde All in One, whoſe glory is ſo great, and changes not.

FINIS.

End of the text · Thomas Hodges, A Glimpse of Gods Glory (1642)