The Difficulty of Zions Deliverance and Reformation, Sermon

The Difficulty of Zions Deliverance and Reformation · Sermon

p. 1A SERMON PREACHED at the late Faſt, before the Honorable Houſe of Commons. Iune 26. 1644.

PSAL. 126.5, 6.

They that ſow in teares, ſhall reap in ioy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious ſeed, ſhall come again with reioycing: bringing his ſheaves with him.

IF we conſult the beginning of this Pſalm, we may deem theſe words a ſtrange concluſion. Ioy and ſorrow, ſeldome make one tune. How is it then that ſuch high expreſſions of joyfulneſſe, loftie ſtraines of exultation ſhould end with item of teares and weeping. Is Sions captivitie turned? Was their mouth filled with laughter and their tongue with ſinging? Did the heathenſay among themſelves, The Lord hath done great things for them, and they reply, ſaying, The Lord hath done great things for us, duplicate page p. 1duplicate page p. 2whereof we are glad? Can the ſame matter be the object of former praiſe and future ſupplication▪ Might they bleſſe God for turning their captivitie, and ſeek again the ſame mercy? Could their hearts break into joy, and burſt into teares, whilſt they meditate the ſame things? This ambiguitie is quickly cleared; for we know that ever ſince Adams unhappy fall, all humane occurrences are ſubject to mixture and compoſition: there is no pure joy to be found under heaven. The greateſt rejoycings have ſorrows blended with them. It is no marvell then to meet with a viciſſitude of theſe things in one Pſalm. And true it was, that Sions joyes were inter-woven with fears and grief.

Their captivitie was indeed turned, in the grant of libertie or licence to depart by Cyrus; there were alſo ſome faire beginnings in the departure of many, and the forwardlineſſe and activitie of ſome already gone to Jeruſalem: Yea, they beheld a full deliverance by faith in the promiſes; now all this happening ſuddenly and unexpectedly whilſt the Hebrews were by the waters of Babylon, cauſed them in an holy raviſhment to break forth and ſay, When the Lord turned again the captivitie of Sion, we were like unto them that dream. But alas, the caſe was not ſo with all. Many ſonnes and daughters of Sion were willing to continue in bondage, quite ſenſeleſſe of their own evill condition. Now to ſee this ſtupidneſſe of their fathers children, and behold them frozen in an uncharitable careleſnes of their own or Sions welfare, was no ſmall ſorrow to the departed Iſraelites. Thoſe alſo that were looſed from Babylon were not free from troubles; their way was hedged with thornes, beset p. 3with difficulties: few friends they had, but many enemies, very malicious very mad againſt them, and they not able in any meaſure to equall their number, match their power, or vie their policie.

Beſides all this, the work they were to undertake ſeemed inſuperable, beyond their ſtrength, above their hopes: the very journey conſidered with the probable incumbrances and oppoſitions, might ſufficiently diſhearten: but the buſineſſe to be performed appeared infinite; to build again the citie, to reedifie the temple, to repaire the wals, to ſettle the nation, to diſtinguiſh the tribes, to eſtabliſh the throne, to reform the prieſthood, to reſtore diſcipline, and laws, to conſtitute rightly the whole kingdome, with a multitude of other things which I cannot mention, was imployment of unſpeakable hardſhip. The poor remnant daughter of Sion, but newly freed from the yoke of the proud inſulting Chaldees, being to undertake this task, contra gentes, had need to repaire to their God, ſaying, Turn our captivitie oh Lord! nor is it marvell, that the holy Prophet ſeeing all theſe and much more then I can poſſibly conceive, doth in this Pſalm, point them as well to grief as to mirth: ſhew them joyfull things whereof they might be glad, as intimate heavie preſſures and oppoſitions, which they muſt ſtrive and ſtruggle with, even do teares, teares I ſay, not like thoſe of the Theſſalonians for their dead, without hope; but ſuch as ſhould be put into Gods bottle, and wiped away in the end with comfort and rejoycing, So ſaith my Text: They that ſow in teares, &c.

The words you ſee are metaphoricall, alluding to the buſineſſe of the field: we muſt a little dive into p. 4the metaphor to finde out their meaning. Now this preſents the husbandmans caſe, in times of great ſcarcitie and dearth, when he hath not enough to ſatisfie his want and ſow his land. His hungry family craves for bread to the full, which if he give, his land will be unſowed, to their further prejudice, and therefore he hath thoughts of deniall, but then the preſent want ſpeaks much; ſad countenances, leane cheeks, lanke bellies, become powerfull oratours to the relenting heart of the father of the family. Full faine would he ſupply their preſent need, but the apprehenſion of probable approching famine doth deterre; it would be but ſmall comfort to eat now to the full and the very next yeare, to ſacrifice their lives to hunger. After the revolutions of many thoughts on both ſides, the wary ſeedſman reſolves to deny himſelf and family for the preſent, to commit his precious ſeed to the breeding wombe of the thankfull earth. But being now on his way to the field, the eccho of childrens neceſſitie ſounds in his eare, the ſenſe of their great want afflicts his ſoul: Beſides, it is a long time to harveſt, and many caſualties: theſe thoughts renew ſorrow in his breaſt; which breaks forth into weeping by the way, and whilſt he ſoweth his ſeed, he drops his teares. But obſerve what follows, he reaps in joy; he comes again rejoycing, bringing his ſheaves with him. In my little reading and small experience, I have found that corn ſowen in dear years and times of ſcarcitie, hath yeelded much more encreaſe then at other times ſo that preſently after much want, there hath fallowed great plentie of grain even beyond expectation. Now ſince I have conſidered this Pſalm, me thinks, I apprehend one ſpeciall reaſon more p. 5then formerly. Beſides the improvement of mens pains and circumſpection uſuall in ſuch times, I note that they then ſow in prayers and teares, and this doth ſurely increaſe their ſtore: thus for certaine was the caſe in my Text.

Now the ſpirit of God applyes this to the encouragement of thoſe that labour in the work of turning Sions captivitie: they that ſweat in this buſineſſe muſt take notice that their condition is like the caſe of ſuch an husbandman, firſt in the act, then in the iſſue. And of theſe there is intimated a fourefold counter-change in my Text. Firſt, ſowing and reaping. Secondly, teares and joy. Thirdly, mourning on and returning backe. Fourthly, bearing precious ſeed, weeping, and bringing ſheaves with gladneſſe. See here, my Brethren, manifold labour indeed: yet none in vain, each hath an anſwerable recompence of reward attending it: ſowing with reaping; tears with joy; ſad travelling with ſweet returning; bearing away precious ſeed, with bringing of ſheaves is ſeconded and rewarded. Who can chooſe to note a much raviſhing elegancy in this language of the Spirit, in compariſon whereof the higheſt ſtraines of profane rhetoricians are pure barbariſme. I have read a learned Writer admiring why the world for the moſt part is ſo much taken with the fabulous Hiſtories and alluſions of heathen Poets, whilſt their minds are no whit affected with theſe ſacred ſongs: but the reaſon is apparent, mens minds moſtly are ca…nall, and theſe Pſalmes are ſpirituall: no wonder then that they cannot ſee the worth, nor ſet the true value on the ſenſe and phraſe of the Scripture. Truly, Chriſtians might grieve and ſhame at this; but no p. 6more of ſuch obſervation, I onelyonly hint it by the way and proceed.

The Spirit in penning down this part of the Pſalm, doth call the Iſraelites to a ſerious conſideration of their ſtate in the time of turning their captivitie. It would not for the preſent be better then before; yea it might ſeem to be much worſe. Iacobs ſeed in Egypt under-went more heavie endurances after the Deliverer was come then before. In the act and time of reſtauration, it ſhould be like to the man that ploughs; ſowes, ſweats, trudges, travels, parts with his deare grain, and patiently waits for what will follow: Gods people in their return from Babylon, ſhall not preſently or eaſily be reſtored and reformed; but with much difficultie and hazard, many hard enterpriſes muſt be attempted: through much trouble, danger, and oppoſition muſt they run; part they muſt with their eaſe and ſafetie, with their comforts and worldly contentments. Theſe all as precious ſeed muſt be laid in the duſt and die, in hope of future ſpring.

In the iſſue alſo Sions deliverance and reſtauration is ſutable with the metaphor, for when the weeks of harveſt, the due and appointed time is come, the labourers in Sions husbandry ſhall reap according as they have ſowed, or ſparingly, or plentifully: yea they ſhall all reap with joy, and their joy ſhall be as the joy of harveſt. When others ſhall periſh and come to a fearfull end: when their name ſhall vaniſh and go out in naſtineſſe, when their place ſhall know them no more: then ſhall the juſt return, with credit and comfort ſhall they return to their own land, for the meek ſhall inherit the earth, ſaith Chriſt: yet more, their cup ſhall overflow, for they ſhall come again with joy, and bring their ſheaves with them.

p. 7The meaning of the Text thus manifeſted, we may obſerve a treble vertue in the words; 1. The force of inſtruction, giving the Iſraelites and all Gods people to underſtand how painfull and ſorrowfull the worke and times will be, when the Church is in travaile of deliverance. 2. The words have the force of exhortation, calling the ſonnes and daughters, all the friends of Sion to be up and doing, to be active to their uttermoſt in her behalfe. 3 They have the force of motive or inducement to … ſtill active and waiting untill Sions deliverance be effected.

The firſt ſentence then of holy doctrine which I propound, is from the words as they declare the condition of Gods people in the times of reſtauration and deliverance, and ſo they clearly intimate this;

Very hard and extremely difficult is the work,Doct. and ſad will the times be, when the Church is in travaile of deliverance.

Husbandry is the hardeſt reſtleſſe kinde of labour, and that I ſpeak of is like ploughing and ſowing in tears. Doth not Scripture in expreſſe termes call the reſtoring of Iſrael Gods great, Gods ſtrange worke? now that proves it to be difficult in an high degree.

In the time of the Iudges, when the ſinne of corrupt and luxurious prieſts was grown to the height, and made the ſervices of the Lord a reproach; anger kindled in the breaſt of the Almighty, and he will avenge himſelf on them, and on the Nation the rather for their fakes: this you know he did in ſo ſharpe, ſo terrible a manner, as might cauſe the eares of him that heard to tingle. Iſrael was diſcomfired before the Philiſtines, the Ark of God was taken; the p. 8news ſtrikes old Eli dead, brings his poor daughter in law (good woman) to untimely travail, and her apprehenſion of the glories departing from Iſrael, breaks her heart. Lo now were thoſe people fallen into the depths of miſery, as they were ſunk into degrees of ſinne: and what a work was it to reſtore and reform their lapſed condition? Albeit the Lord had vouchſafed pious in ſtead of prophane Prieſts, ſacrifices to be rightly ordered, and juſtice to be executed in the land: yet for a …ng while both ſuperſtition and Idolatry continued in the land, troubles and calamities in the State: it was well ſtept into Davids reigne before the Ark was, or could be ſetled in its owne place. Another inſtance we have in the ſecond of Chronicles; after Solomon, in, and before Aſa's time, the people were fallen to many ſuperſtitions, and much corruption did abound in Church and State: they were for a long time without a teaching Prieſt, and without the Law, and in thoſe dayes there was no peace to him that went out, or to him that came in, but the Lord did vexe them with all adverſities, 2 Chron. 15.3. Now when we read and ponder the ſtory, we finde what a work it was to reform that State; a Prophet is extraordinarily raiſed, and wonderfully endowed to call the people to Reformation. Further, they make a Covenant, and oblige all upon paine of death, man, woman and childe to take the Covenant; yet after all this the work ſticks, and goes not on, till Maacah the Kings mother be put down from being Queen, becauſe ſhe had made an Idol in a grove, verſ. 16. I might ſhew you likewiſe how much adoe Iehoſhaphat had to amend the errours which crept into Iudah by his neglect and connivence, whileſt he aſſociated p. 9himſelf with Ahab, but you may read it at leiſure, 2 Chron. 19. The book of Ezra and Nehemiah do alſo hold forth lively clear examples ſetting out more fully the hardſhip of this work. And as teſtimonies and examples, ſo metaphors in holy Writ may illuſtrate this truth; the Lord in Eſay calls the reſtoring of the peoples captivitie, the reformation of their lapſed State, The making of new heavens and a new earth; then which nothing can poſſibly, or conceivably be thought more difficult and impoſſible, Eſa. 62. Ezekiel is pointed to this in a metaphor of drie bones, and demanded whether thoſe bones can live; hereby did the Spirit ſignifie it as difficult a thing to reſtore Iſrael and Iudah, as to make thoſe drie bones to live, Ezek. 37.3. In the Apocalyps we finde the deliverance of the Chriſtian Churches from the curſed power and pollutions of Antichriſt, to be ſet out by the reſcuing of a woman, newly delivered of a man-childe, from the cruell red Dragon; by which it's eaſie to read an extremitie of difficultie and apparent danger in ſuch an undertaking.

More evident yet will this appeare by argument: Firſt, from the nature of this work: the way to reſtore and reform a lapſed nation, is all …p-hil: vertue, purity, pietie lodge in the height of the crags of the Rock; it's hard to climbe, when it's eaſie to deſcend: beſides, a Nation is a vaſte bodie, and it is moſt difficult to move ſuch things that way: the maine bent and ſtream of nations runnes downward to vice and profaneneſſe: the generall deſires and endeavours of men are tending to looſneſſe: nor unſtained worſhip in the Church, nor impartial juſtice in commōwealth, would they have; thoſe therefore that attempt reformation, p. 10do work againſt the grain, row againſt the ſtream, and ſhall finde the work tedious and difficult.

2Such intend…nes and endeavours finde many enemies, and great oppoſition. If Iſrael talk of going out of Egypt to ſerve God better, Pharaoh will be ſtirre, himſelf and his inſtruments, to ſink them into a deeper degree of bondage. That Pharaoh lives ſtill in the Prince of darkneſſe, and when ever there's any ſpeech of weakning his Kingdom, by reducing a people from ſuperſtitions vanities, corrupt and polluted courſes, he playes the Devill indeed, ſummons all the Furies muſters his black Forces, ſets on his Inſtruments quickens their activitie, ſharpens their wi…, whets their inventions, …edgeth their malice, heighthens their anger, blows up their rage, browes the impudency makes infinite their cruelty. Hence all the bloudy Cains, the ſcoffing ſtomachs, the profane Eſau's, the politick Achitophels, the railing Rabſhakebs, the world of ungodly perſons become enemies and oppoſers The kings of the earth ſtanding and up, and the Rulers take … together. …, and …, and Amalek, &c. conplot and conſpire to root out Iſrael. Adde to theſe, all falſe religions, all Idolatrous and ſuperſtitious Worſhips, ancient Ceremonies, beloved Cuſtomes and Traditions of our Fathers ſtand up and make much adoe… Yea more, many falſe friends are alwayes inter-woven with the true ſeekers of Sions good, which crie, We will build with you; and theſe oft-times unbuild and deſtroy more then the open adverſarie: yet more oppoſition and hinderance, the Prince of darkneſſe makes advantage of the infirmities, and inconsideration of well-intending men: hereby raiſeth he jealouſies, makes diviſions, put p. 11ſtrange remora's in the progreſſe of the Churches cauſe: now from all these we may note a ſecond reaſon of difficultie and ſadneſſe.

3A third is the great reign of unbelief in the hearts of men in times of this natur. How few of the Iſraelites which dwelt in Egypt did truly beleeve that ever they ſhould be brought to Canaan, a land flowing with milk and honey? Witneſſe their continuall expreſſions of miſtruſt; This Moſes hath brought us out to ſlay us in the wilderneſſe, they ſhould die for want of bread, periſh for thi…ſt, and the like: After all, how fear'd were they to be eaten up of the Giants? You remember alſo a man that when deliverance and promiſe of plenty was made, would not beleeve though windows ſhould be opened in heaven; doubtleſſe many were then as unfaithfull in heart, although they ſpake not ſo plaine in words. There is alwayes a prejudice in the hearts of men againſt any great matter to be done for the Church and people of God: the world ſees them to … but few cordiall active friends, eſpecially amongſt the great ones, and therefore disbelief doth uſe…ly poſſeſſe their hearts; Now this doth dragge the buſineſſe, traſh down proceedings more than one would imagine. Chriſt himſelf could not doe… at woks becauſe of mens unbelief, much more … men do their endeavour, yet bring on the work but ſlowly, if at all, becauſe of unbelief.

4A generall unwillingneſſe of change and …tion doth uſually abound in ſuch touch. When the Iſraelites had licenſe granted by Cyr… to return … Babylon, there were many of them ſo … gone, and change their ſtation, as the Church after p. 12praiſes for deliverance, was forced to ſollicite the Lord of mercy afreſh, to turne their captivitie. Men are naturally wedded to what they have had; and albeit they know things were not ſo well as they ought and might be, yet Iſſachar-like, they had rather ſtoop to the burthen, then to be at pains to put it off; ſlaviſhly they think it was well enough, it may ſerve turn, and what will come of change is uncertain—. So in Egypt at the Bricke Kilnes they had fleſh pots and garden commodities, they eat to the full, they ſlept well, and had ſtraw enough, till Moſes came; and if therefore they could make any accommodation with Pharaoh, they would trouble themſelves no further: This unwillingneſſe made them ſticke ſo long in Egypt, and moſt certainly this retarded their journey in the wilderneſſe forty yeares; yea more, made the Lord to ſweare in his wrath that they ſhould not enter into his reſt. The Lord is juſtly ſlow to help an unwilling people: and hence ſee another reaſon why the work is ſo extremely difficult.

5A nation or people are with much ado brought to a capacitie, or rendered fit to be delivered and eſtabiliſhed: thorowout Reformation is like a new piece not fit to be ſowed in an old garment: and there needs be a new frame of ſpirit in the land before Gods great work can be ſettled and placed in it. Further to illuſtrate this, give me leave to point out foure things which by conſulting the ſacred Volume, I find requiſite to be in a people before they are capable of deliverance and reformation. Firſt, they muſt be truly and throughoutly ſenſible of their bondage and miſery, and clearly brought off confidence in the arme of fleſh. When the deliverer came at firſt to viſite his p. 13brethren, they put him away, ſaying, Who made thee a Judge? and why was this? becauſe they were not yet ſenſible of their own want, found not themſelves to need a deliverer; by which it was evident they were not ſit, nor as yet capable of ſuch a mercy; but after ſome more years, when another King aroſe which knew not Ioſeph, and began to make heavier their bondage, then the Hebrews grow fully ſenſible, and God ſaith, The crie of the Children of Iſrael is come up to me; come now therefore and I will ſend thee, that thou maiſt bring them out, Exod. 3.9, 10. and we may ſee by this when a people is fit for deliverance.

The Prophet Hoſea likewiſe acquiants us, that when Ephraim firſt ſaw his wound, he went to the Aſſyrians, and ſent to King Iareb, Hoſ. 5.13. and whileſt thus it was with them, they were unſit, uncapable of Gods cure, and ſo continue untill they ſee their errour, return to the Lord, and take with them words, ſaying, We will not ride upon horſes, Aſhur ſhall not ſave us, Hoſ. 14.1, 2, 3, 4.

Another propertie is, for a people to be willing to do what they can to help themſelves, to carry on the work to the uttermoſt. If the Children of Iſrael begin to be afraid of the Giants; and declare themſelves unwilling, and loath to fight with the ſuppoſed terrible maſtie inhabitants of the land of Canaan, they do thereby clearly diſcover themſelves to be unſit or uncapable of ſuch a mercy as ſeemed in probabilitie to be near unto them: God hereupon continued their Pilgrimage in the wilderneſſe forty years, untill all were dead that were thus loath to do what they could to help themſelves. After this the people grow to a fit temper, and become capable of entring the Land p. 12duplicate page p. 13duplicate page p. 14of promiſe, and ſee what their diſpoſition was, Ioſh. 1.16. All that thou commandeſt us we will doe, and whitherſoever thou ſendeſt us we will … The people being thus ready to do what they could, are now capable of mercy.

A third propertie requiſite is, a willingneſſe to remove and part with all things which may hinder perfect reformation. In the tenth of la…ges we finde that the philiſtines and the Amorites did grievouſly oppreſſe Iſrael, who in their miſery repaire unto God for ſuccour, acknowledging their ſinnes, imploring his helpe; but the Lord returns anſwer, I will deliver you no more: A ſtrange repulſe by a mercifull Father given! And if you skan the buſineſſe, you ſhall finde, it was for that Iſrael kept ſtill amongſt them the things which did and might hinder Gods helping and delivering of them; to wit, their ſtrange gods. But when they had conſidered and found out that to be the cauſe, they put them away, and preſently they were holpen; yea more, the Text faith, Gods … was grieved for the miſeries of Iſrael: lo how removing the things which may hinder did alter the caſe, verſ. 13, and 16.

6Laſtly, a people are not ſit for help and deliverance till they be freely content to be at the charge of in When Ephraim is an emptie vine to God, ſparing, niggardly in his ſervice, ruine, not reformation is like to ſucceed, Hoſea 10. And conſult the Story of the Kings of ludah, you ſhall ſinde but one thorowout Reformation, and this was in the dayes of l…ſiah; and how liberall were the hands of the people in thoſe dayes? they brought in money to the work, ſans weight and meaſure. The value of the gold and ſilver of the molten p. 15Images was not regarded, nor ſaved out of an huſbandly thriftineſſe, but they ſtamped it and all other coſtly utenſils, which were ſuperſtitiouſly imployed, into pieces, and made duſt of them. And gave in of their own more then ſufficient: this bountie and freeneſſe of ſpirit, argued them to be truly fit and capable of greater Reformation then any was wrought before them. Now conſider my Brethren by theſe notes, how hard a thing, how much ado it will be before a nation or people will be brought to ſuch qualifications, there muſt be ploughing, ſowing, planting and ſupplanting in a nation or kingdome, ere a worke of full Reformation will be brough about.

My fixt Reaſon of this point, is from the providence of God, who will have the buſineſſe I ſpeak of to be thus, for the diſcovery of unfound and unſincere inſtruments, and to take away the glory of his Churches deliverance from them. It is the moſt noble and greateſt honour that ever can come to mortall men on earth, to be inſtruments of publique good to a nation: eſpecially to Gods Church and people, moſtly in the cauſe of reſtauration and Reformation. Now this being ſo ſpecious and deſireable a thing, all forts, good and bad, pious and profane, are ambitions of the happineſſe of it. If therefore the buſineſſe ſhould go on with a faire gale and a flowing tide, accompanied ſtill with likelihood of ſucceſſe, and evidence of credibilitie; how many Iehu-like would ſay, Come ſee my zeal? How many of the old Iſraelites, which came out of Egypt, approved the golden calfe, and hankered after ſuperſtitions vanities, had carried away the honour of bringing the children of Iſrael into Canaan, had not the p. 16news of the Spies rendered the worke difficult and dangerous, improbable and impoſſible? The Lord in his ſecret wiſdome ſaw onelyonly Caleb and Ioſhua fit to carry away that ſame: and therefore ſuffered the buſineſſe to appear ſo unlikely and hazardous, for the diſcovery of unſincere Iſraelites, and preventing them of undue honour. Now the ſame reaſon of providence continueth ſtill, the Lord therefore doth uſually obſerve the ſame way of proceedings; the turning of Sions captivitie muſt then be very hard and unlikely to come to paſſe, that unſound men may be diſcovered to their ſhame.

The reflex of this truth upon our ſelves, doth blame the harbouring of evill ſurmiſes, the entertainment of hard thoughts, the deſpiſing of the proceedings and deſpairing of ſucceſſe in the buſineſſe of Reformation and eſtabliſhment of our Church, now (by the bleſſing of God) in agitation: the enormities of this kind are ſecret, but ſore evils under the Sun. The Lord our God is doing us good, he hath raiſed inſtruments, and is acting his great work: why ſhould men thinke evil in their hearts, or entertain hard thoughts of God and his inſtruments; give out evil omens or vent deſpairing ſpeeches? Suppoſe the proceedings go not on ſmoothly, or ſo proſperouſly as men expect, out meet with many rubs, be often at a loſſe. Admit there be crookedneſſe and ſtumbling in the progreſſe of affairs, ſhall we preſently ſurmiſe that neither God nor man intend us peace and deliverance? ſhall we ſay with the grumbling Iſraelites, It had been better for us to ſerve the Egyptians, and would we had died in Egypt when we did eat to the full? Think my Brethren, what an hainous ſin that was in them, how extremely p. 17did it provoke the Lord to anger Search the Scripture thorow, if ever you can finde the holy One of Iſrael ſpeak with more indignation againſt any offence that ever was committed by his people: yet this ſinne I ſuppoſe is committed abundantly by many in theſe times, and that without feare, and without feeling. Becauſe men want that peace and ſecuritie, that eaſe and plentie: becauſe they meet with charges and troubles more then formerly, they give themſelves to thinke evill in their hearts; and oh the hard thoughts which they ſurmiſe of the work and inſtruments of Reformation! Many whet their tongues, make ready their bows, and ſhoot out their arrows, even bitter words; ſeeing the warre continues, the work is ſlowed little done, (as they ſay) mens expectations fruſtrated, things fall out croſſe, no likelihood of a ſpeedy end, nor any certainty what will come of it: people for the moſt part take libertie to deſpiſe all that bither to hath been acted as the day of ſmall things, and are ready to cry out with the wicked in the Pſalm, Who will ſhew us any good? What hath the Parliament? What have the Armies? What have the Aſſembly done? Vilde and ungratefull queres are theſe: I may ſay of ſuch perſons, as once Moſes in like caſe, they have corrupted themſelves, their ſpot is not the ſpot of Gods children, they are a perverſe and crooked generation: Do ye thus requite the Lord, oh ye fooliſh people and unwiſe? Hath the God of heaven more viſibly appeared for his little flock, then ever here to fore in this land? Hath he ſtopped the overflowings and breakings in of Popery and tyranny? Hath he with his own bleſſed hand laid the foundation of a glorious Reformation? Hath he found out p. 18fit inſtruments, when we the poor ſilenced Miniſters, as Elijah of old, thought there were none left which had not bowed the knee? have theſe inſtruments with ſingular freeneſſe of minde ſet upon the ſervice of God and the Kingdome? have they now for divers years ſpent their own means, their time more precious then their means? Their health, their ſtrength, their life they have waſted: tyed themſelves to tedious attendance day & night. They have laboured and ſtrove continually with almoſt inſuperable difficulties, and heavie loads of inſupportable inconveniences. Deprived they have been of the comforts of their proper habitations and cloyſtred as it were in hired chambers or borrowed roomes. Wife, children, friends, and gainfull imployments have many of them left, and ſurrendred themſelves wholly to the ſervice of the Publique. By Gods bleſſing alſo they have wrought happy beginnings, and made an hopefull progreſſe, much conducing to the common benefit and publique good. Who can tell the gleanings, or number the fourth part of the glory which hath redounded to God in his Churches, and the good which hath and is like to accrue to this kingdome by their endeavours? It were too long but to recapitulate the happy freedoms, and the poſitive advantages which they have wrought for Church and Commonwealth. As for the Armies, I may juſtly ſay they have been generally faithfull, and have done and ſuffered ſo much as that few Stories yeeld like precedents in ſo ſhort a time, in ſo plentifull a countrey. For the Aſſembly, their labours, travellings, watchings; their zeal to the cauſe of God and work of Reformation, is not unknown to conſidering men. But alas, nothing is more p. 19eaſie, then to detract from publike performances. No doctrin is ſooner beleeved then that which acquaints the people, publique affaires are not ſo well ordered, as they ſhould and might be. Who is ignorant how much a few faire ſpeeches of oyl-mouthed Abſolon to that effect prevailed againſt David and his Worthies? But ſhould the people of England thus requite the Lord and his inſtruments of Reformation? Or is it a ſmall matter thus to caſt ſoule of unthankfulneſſe as it were into the face of God, whilſt he is turning to us in love? Conſider my Brethren, hath the faire morning of our hopes been clouded? Have our enemies prevailed, to put a long day to our troubles? Doth the buſineſſe yet go on ſlowly and untowardly? Sure we may thank our own grumbling, our thinking evil in our hearts, our raſh ungratefull cenſuring, our deſpiſing the day of ſmall things, our deſpairing thoughts, words, actions, all juſtly met with, and much to be blamed from the conſideration of the truth in hand.

From hence is miniſtred ſhame and rebuke to all ſuch as obſtruct the work, hinder and make more difficult the progreſſe of Sions delivery. It is a grievous thing to adde to the heavie burthen or an hard task; in ſuch caſe how bitterly and juſtly will the oppreſſed coplain? Much more hainous is it to adde to the afflictions of whole Kingdoms and Churches. To make Sion ſow in teares one yeare, one monethmonth, one day longer for us, is a ſinne that no Chriſtian would have his ſoul guiltie of, who rightly ponders the true nature and heavie conſequence of this ſinne; yet I fear there are many Sanballats and Tobiahs amongſt us, very guiltie of this horrible crime.

p. 201As firſt, that ſort of men which byas their endeavours with ſelf-deſign, and proſecute God and the Kingdoms Cauſe earneſtly, ſo ſarre as it conduceth to their own ends; but where it runnes not parallel with them, they ſlack with Iehu, and ſtrive to bend the publike Cauſe to their bow. What ſtrange allegations, gloſſes and pretences do they frame to make ſhew of ſerving the State, when indeed they ſerve themſelves? Think what a nefarious crime it is in men, that are truſted with the adminiſtration of publike affairs, to carry private ſpirits in their boſomes, ſeeking to ſerve themſelves, not the State? How ill doth it beſeem a Chriſtian to follow Nationall imployments, with ambitious longing after their own honour and advancement; or with an unconſcionable, unquencheable thirſt after gain? Theſe men make heavie the common yoke, adde to the preſſures of the times, and ſhould ſuffer a word of rebuke; for not with ſtanding what themſelves and others may thinke, God knowes they deſerve ill.

2The ſame alſo may I judge of thoſe men amongſt us, who are ever mitigating the evill of our adverſaries proceedings; willing to ſpeak well, or at leaſt not ill of what they do; when as they are ever ready to conſtrue in the worſt ſenſe all that is ſaid, or done with zeal againſt them. Theſe men preſcribe bounds and limits of ſuppoſed moderation to their proceedings againſt the common enemy; and what ſoever exceeds thoſe, they cenſure as indiſcreet for wardlineſſe write down as errors on our ſide in great letters: this my brethren, is a kinde of unhappy moderation, a ſtrange kinde of charitie, which doth detract from the good to favour the bad. Shouldſt thou help the p. 21ungodly, and love them that hate the Lord? was once the ſpeech of an holy Prophet to an eminent perſon, 2 Chron. 19.2. and he preſt his repro of home, ſaying, Therefore is wrath upon thee from the Lord.

A third ſort of men which I ſhall rebuke hence, perſons willing to thwart and croſſe proceedings; ſo when any buſineſſe generally adjudged hopefull, is propounded, they have ſtill doubts to … delayes to make, inconveniences to alleadge; and deem it a great commendation to their wit, if they can by arguing puzzle the matter, and divert the buſineſſe. Saint Paul told the Corinth that he did hear there were diviſions among them, and did partly beleeve it; shall praiſe you in this? (ſaith he) I praiſe you not. And give me leave to preſſe you with the words of our Saviours Neceſſory … that aſſences ſhould come, but woe bee to him by whom the offence cometh.

THe third inference with which I will conclude this point is, matter of admonition. Since it doth ſo clearly appear, that throughout Reformation, and the well eſtabliſhment of Sion is a work ſo extremely hard, and brought about with ſo much difficultie, we ſhould be all perſwaded to wait for the accompliſhment of it with patience and chearfulneſſe Put we all our truſt in the Lord, and be doing good, and he will bring it to paſſe. Our extreme longings to have an end this monethmonth, this year, that Summer, I beleeve, hath neither pleaſed God, nor done us goeth. The Diſciples out of ſuch a mood did ask the Lord Chriſt, Will thou at this time reſtore the Kingdome to Iſrael? but note our Saviours anſwer, It is not for you to know the times and ſeaſons, which the Father hath ſhut up in his own …: Such inquiſitive deſires, and forecaſting … p. 22of Gods times, do much trench on the priviledges of heaven: The Prophet tels us, That he which beleeves will not make haſte: and truely it is a ſymptome of much weakneſſe in our faith, to be thus inceſſant in deſires of a forthwith diſpatch of Gods work. Nothing becomes Chriſtians better then a patient waiting on Chriſt their King, whoſe Office it is to bring down the proud enemies of his Church, and in due time to trample them under his feet. We will allow a ſervant much time to effect a tedious buſineſſe, we will give a friend more time to work our preferment, and ſhall we not allow our God time to work the deliverance and advancemēt of his Church? Oh! my brethren, let our ſouls ſay with Iob, All the dayes of my appointed time will I wait till my change come. And in ſuch our patient waiting of the Lords leiſure, take we heed of preſcribing to God time, or meanes, or what inſtruments he ſhall uſe; it was the ſinne of Iſrael, to limit the holy One of Iſrael. For Chriſts ſake, let not us be guiltie of it, ſay we not ſo much as in our hearts, that the work ſhall be done by ſuch a… time, or by ſuch men, or ſuch meanes, for this would be preſumptuous preſcribing to God. Let me alſo in our waiting intreat you to take heed of aſcribing to men. Note well what the Apoſtle writeth, 1 Cor. 3.20, 21. The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wiſe, that they are but vaine; therefore let no man glory in men. We ſhould not expect our deliverance from ſuch inſtruments, and nought from others; but we ſhould truſt God with all the inſtruments which his good providence hath imployed in his work, and wait on him alone for ſucceſſe in due time. This is our duty, and can we want inducements to ſuch a well-pleaſing, ſweet, Chriſtian-like waiting upon God? OnelyOnly two p. 23conſiderations will I propound; the former; is that of the Pſalmiſt, The patient abiding of the meek ſhall not alwayes be forgotten; our fathers hoped and truſted in God, and were not aſhamed. You cannot produce a man in all the Scripture Story, who was not anſwered in what he faithfully depended on God for. We may therefore well be incouraged in our preſent dependance. The other conſideration is, that of all the bleſſings which ever God beſtowed on men, thoſe were the beſt bleſſings which have beene longeſt prayed and waited for. Abraham had divers ſonnes, but none ſo good as that he waited ſo long for: and what an happy Childe did Hannah obtain by prayer, and long waiting? How fruitfull was the promiſed Land, which came after ſo many ages expectance? Tis moſt certain, that the more we pray, and the longer we wait for our deliverance and eſtabliſhment, the more joyous and excellent will it be when it comes; ſo it ever hath, ſo it ever will be with Gods people; for they that ſow in tears, ſhall reap in joy, &c.

A ſecond vertue which this portion of Scripture holds out, is a giving us to underſtand what the people of God ought to doe in times of Reformation, when the Church travelleth with deliverance. In this caſe they muſt not be idle ſpectatours, ſit ſtill and onelyonly wiſh well to the buſineſſe in hand, but as the husbandman in times of dearth and ſcarcitie is much more diligent and plentifull in manuring his land, carefull to provide precious ſeed, and inceſſant for the repelling of famine, and procuring of plentie; ſo muſt Gods people, they muſt be up and doing, put their ſhoulder to the work, their hand to the plough, think nothing too much that they are able to doe; p. 24they muſt labour plough, ſow part with all as precious feed, lay it down in the duſt. Let then hence the ſentence of holy doctrine be:

All the friends of Sion ſhould be much and active in pious and precious endevours, when her cauſe is in agitation.

The Scripture doth learn us this truth, by a memorable paſſage, Exod. 17. when the brood of profane Eſau ſtrove with Iacobs Seed, Ioſhua being a man of warre, muſt chuſe out fit men for battell; Moſes, Aaron and H…, being no ſword-men, they muſt to the Mount, where Moſes hands muſt be held up all the while, and when they were let downe, Amalek prevailed, but when they were held up, Iſrael prevailed. This my brethren, ſignified, that every man ſhould act even to intention, to the higheſt degree of his activity, when Sions buſineſſe is in hand, or otherwiſe the Cauſe may be at a loſſe. How are Zebulun and Napthali commended for jeoparding their lives in ſuch a caſe? Iudg. 5.18. Mordecai could tell Eſt …, If thou holdeſt thy peace at this time, thou and thy fathers houſe ſhall be deſtroyed, Eſt. 4.14. I might now produce the vow of David, Pſal, 132. the zeal of Vriah, 2 Sam. 11.11 Daniels devotions, Dan. 9.18. ſpeak of Ezra and Nehemiahs, inceſſant, endeavours, and the peoples building the wall with ſwords in their hand, all witneſſing this truth, and leading us to the dutie. But ſee we two ſpeciall injunctions require this; when the worſhip of God, and the juſtice of the Kingdom was carried well on towards the point of eſtabliſhment in the dayes of David, then are all the friends of the Church called upon to be active, Psal. 122.6. The prophet Eſay likewiſe foreſeeing by faith the deliverande of the Church, and flouriſhing condition of p. 25Chriſts Kingdom ready to enſue, doth not onelyonly teſtifie for himſelf, that he will not hold his peace for Sions ſake, but alſo calls upon others; yea, all that be mindefull of the Lord, let him have no reſt untill he hath made Jeruſalem a praiſe in the earth, Eſa. 62.6, 7.

The firſt Argument to illuſtrate this Doctrine, is from the high and precious nature of Sions cauſe. It will be eaſily granted, that as all intelligent agents act for ſome end, ſo they act according to the nature of the thing they are imployed about. This cals for more or leſſe carefulneſſe and regard, more or leſſe activity and intention, as the matter under hand is more or leſſe of value. Will not the Refiner be ten times ſo circumſpect and induſtrious, when his gold is in the furnace, as when lead is on the fire? How curious and wary is he, that is to cut rich jewels and pearls? Now can there be any, thing in the world more precious, or of ſuch importance, as the cauſe of the Church ſtanding for pure Religion, and unſtained worſhip of God, and juſtice? Me thinks in theſe is the very quinteſſence of all excellencies and ſubſtantials. The whole world is ſubordinate to the Church her good, that men might know and ſerve God aright was the very end of Creation. Yea more, did not the Lord Chriſt die in the cauſe of his Church? Note then how tranſcendent and incomparable, excellent and precious is that, to which in ſome reſpect the Creation and Redemption of the world is ſubordinate: great reaſon then is it, that all who would be thought the friends of Sion, ſhould be very active when her cauſe is in agitation.

2Thus it ought to be in regard of the multitude, which are concerned in the buſineſſe. When there p. 26was but one Peter in priſon, how inceſſant was the Church on his behalfe? If a number of Gods dear ones had their cauſe tranſacting, it behoved all well willers which knew it, to be helping in it, if they could. How deſireable is it to do good to a Citie, or a Nation? What have not meere morall men done and undertaken for their countrey upon this onelyonly ground, that the buſineſſe concerned the whole nation? Now the Churches cauſe concerns not a nation onelyonly, but nations: Her cauſe is like her ſelf, Catholike. Hath not the whole body benefit by the free dome and happineſſe which comes to any part? Yea poſteritie and ages to come are ſharers in Sions deliverance. Have not we been much the better for Deliverance and Reformation vouchſafed in the dayes of King Edward, and Queen Elizabeth? Thus many, and many are parties concerned; yea more, God himſelf, his bleſſed Sonne, and holy Spirit are intereſſed in it; or much honoured or diſhonoured by it. If any will object, that if it be Gods buſineſſe, he will look to it himſelf, and we need not then be ſo carefull, not active. I anſwer, that the Lord hath committed his cauſe in part to his people to manage; For he is that Lord that put forth his vineyard to husband men, and ſo he puts his cauſe into the hands of Sions friends to ſolicite and proſecute it. And therefore in ſhould not take off, but quicken their activitie; ſince God and men, nations and people, preſent and after ages, are concerned in it.

3In ſuch a time, there is much work to be done; Many grievous ſins to be raſed out of the Regiſter againſt us, there are many perſonall iniquities, many nationall offences, the ſinnes of our fathers to be put out of remembrance. Nor is it an caſie thing to blow p. 27our tranſgreſſions, & cancell the hand-writing which is againſt ourſelves and the land. Love indeed is ſaid to cover a multitude of ſins, and there muſt be much expreſſion of great zeal and love which will doe this work. Second to this, the juſtly provoked ire of the Almightie is to be pacified, that is full diſpleaſure fall not upon us; his countenance, his joyfull countenance is to be ſought. Many mercies, many kinds of great mercies are to be obtained; Men are in ſuch times to make the Lord amends (as I may ſo ſpeake with holy reverence) for former failings and neglects. And to all this conſider that Sions friends expect that God in ſuch times ſhould do great things for them; make bare his Arme, appear in the Mount, avenge his Elect, make Jeruſalem a praiſe in the earth; ſhould not they then be active, when ſo much is to be done and expected?

4The laſt Reaſon of this, becauſe Sions adverſaries are much and active in peſtilent attempts, to hinder her good, and work her ruine. Remember how ſtirring Balaam was to curſe Iſrael, when they were ready to enter the land of Canaan. Conſider likewiſe; how Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek. with the reſt did conſpire, combine, complot, and conſult to cut off Gods people from being any more a nation, and to put the name of Iſrael out of remembrance. As thus it ever was, ſo it ever will be, with the profane of the world, the ſerpent ſeed. Is it not reaſon then, that the womans ſeed ſhould be active in their zeal? otherwiſe it might be juſt with God, to permit the inſtruments of his cauſe to faile, in regard they ſuffer themſelves to be out-done, and out acted by the devils inſtruments.

p. 28This doctine thus cleared, doth in the reflex of it, firſt juſtifie all thoſe good Zerubbabels of our time, who have put themſelves forth in our cauſe, beene much and active in faithfull endeavours for the preſervation and reformation of this Church and Kingdome. It likewiſe alſo justifieth all our humiliations, publike and private, all our dayes of thankfull memoriall, Laws, Ordinances, and Injunctions, truly intended to procure the full deliverance and eſtablishment of our religion and juſt liberties. If all the friends of Sion ought in ſuch caſes to do as you have heard, then our Worthies have done no more then did become them, no more then was their dutie to doe. Search through the holy Book, and tell me whether any men are ſo precious in the eyes of heaven, and the account of God himſelf, as thoſe that have beene zealous for the reformation of his Church, the carrying on of his Cauſe, the helpe of his people againſt the wicked and profane oppoſers of them: How highly were Caleb and Ioſhua eſteemed of God for being couragious, when others flagg'd in the buſineſſe, and ſhrunk at evill tydings? Had not Phinih…m the ſonne of Eleazar a Covenant of peace made to him and his poſteritie for being zealous in Gods Cauſe among the people? Why ſhould I tell you of Gideon, and Barak, and Samſon, and the reſt? In a word, men of this ſpirit are the onelyonly men in Gods Books. But one thing which is recorded of a zealous woman I cannot omit; Bleſſed above women ſhall Jael the wiſe of Heber the Kenitebe; bleſſed ſhall ſhe be above women in her tent; ſhe put her hand to the nail, and her right hand to the work mans hammer: ſhe ſmote Si…era ſhe ſmote off his head, Judg. 5.24, 26. Lo, my brethren, what an p. 29high tranſcendent applauſe is given to this woman by the mouth of the Spirit of God. The like phraſe is but in one place more ro be found in Holy Writ, and there it's given to the bleſſed Virgine, here it is iterated of this woman; by which with the former inſtances we may clearly ſee how much true zeale in ſuch kinde of actions doth pleaſe the God of glory. And all this I mention, not to flatter or proud up any heart, but by way of juſt vindication and approbation of all that have beene forward for God in our juſt cauſe, for their future encouragement; and have not I good reaſon ſo to do in theſe times, when men of zeal meet with ſo many diſheartenings and diſcouragements? Truly it's ſome unhappineſſe to be good amongſt us, eſpecially to be zealous in it: for beſides the trouble, and many inconveniences which accompanie ſuch undertakings the perſons of men truly zealous for Gods Cauſe among the people, are obvious to ſoule cenſure, oft doe they gaine reproach, and finde unthankfull dealing from many of our owne ſide. How apt are we to bedew our beſt friends, and to requite ill to thoſe who ſtrive moſt for the publike good? Did not conſciouſneſſe of dutie to God, and the true worth and excellency of the imployment bear up Chriſtian hearts and publike ſpirits, many good inſtruments in this Cauſe had long ago been ſutors to God and man, to have quit them of their imployments. I have cauſe therefore lighting on this ſubject, to ſpeak thus much in ſeaſon, for their juſtification and incouragement. Hereby alſo our pious actions fore mentioned, are to be approved; for why, there are a generation who muſſicate againſt them, whiſper and ſay, By what authoritie doe wee theſe things? ſome are ready to ſay, as Indas of the Alabaſter p. 30Box of Oyntment, Whereto is this waſte? Now I could quickly ſay enough to theſe men, but bleſſed be God, experience hath ſufficiently taught us, that theſe pious endeavours have not been in waſt: for in no age I think were faſtings, prayers, and the duties of this kinde, ſo often, ſo viſibly anſwered. And this will, or may ſtop ſuch mouthes with ſhame. Moreover, the doctrin which I have proved ſheweth divine authoritie, the Lord requiring, expecting, and in effect calling for the frequent exerciſe of theſe duties, in ſuch times, being a chieſe part of the precious ſeed which ſhould be ſown. Yea more by this we may conclude, that it were much ſinne and wickedneſſe to refuſe or neglect: ſee how irreconcileably angry the Lord is with his people for neglecting ſuch duties in ſuch times, Eſa. 22. conſult that place, and I ſhall need ſay no more to juſtifie our ſowing in teares.

A ſecond Vſe of this point doth miniſter matter of juſt and ſharp reprofe; Firſt, to neuters, a ſort of men wiſe in their own conceit, ſecretly condemning all others, and juſtly to be condemned of all. I may truly ſay, that neither God nor man loves them, it is onelyonly the devill and themſelves that they pleaſe: And were not theſe a kinde of unteachable creatures, I ſhould ſpeak much to their reproof, but I referre them to two places of Scripture; one in the old Teſtament; Indg. 5.23. the other, Rev. 3.15, 16.

This truth may diſcover to us, how little thoſe men deſerve of the Church and kingdome, who ſtand in their places like ciphers to ſupply a room and multiply the number, but neither act, nor in good earneſt deſire to act any thing to purpoſe. I confeſſe if men were to make themſelves their own end, they took a p. 31courſe ſeemingly wiſe. For publique grievances, though eaſily ſeen and complained on; yet are very hard to be dealt with. To ſearch into the true cauſes of them, to finde out the right method of euring them, is a work ſo full of toyle, and ſo beſet with difficulties, as that ſelfiſh and wary men may well judge it better to ſit quiet, and enjoy their own caſe, then to entangle and trouble themſelves to ſeek the common good. Now of this temper, I fear me, there are many, too many, who do bleſſe and applaud themſelves in not acting and judging others for their forwardnes. But I beſeech you to conſider earneſtly; that our Parliament, our Kingdome, our Cauſe hath no need of men of Gallio's temper, which care for none of theſe things: and what anignoble propertie it is for men called of God, and entruſted with ſo weightie imployment, to ſpend their time in doing nothing, or nothing to the purpoſe, and leave Gods Buſineſſe to God himſelf and others to care for. I am not ignorant, that men of this make, have many excuſes to plead: but, alas, they are fig-leaves which will not cover their nakedneſſe; and though the World and themſelves were ſo deluded, as not to ſee their guiltines, yet ſuch men will dearely anſwer it before God, for doing nothing, or as good as nothing, in the Cauſe of God and the kingdome.

It remains now onelyonly, that I call upon every one that would not be counted an enemy, but a friend of Sion, to be up and doing, to be much and active in pious and precious endeavour for the perfecting our Sions deliverance, and the eſtabliſhing of our Jeruſalem in peace and truth. Now is time for Nobles, and Senatours, and every one in his place and ſtation, to few precious ſeed. What conſidering man then would p. 32duplicate page p. 33duplicate page p. 32ſuffer ſloth or negligence, eaſe or ſelf reſpects, to hinder him from being an inſtrument of ſo great good, as may come to the Church and State. Many of you are, all of you may be, under God, the cauſe of much good to many generations: Be therefore of S. Pauls minde, ſuffer nothing to deprive you of the glory of ſuch rejoycing, and the teſtimony of a good conſcience. And now in ſpeciall manner, I deſire to commend foure things, as part of the pious endeavours, which ſhould chiefly be laid down as precious ſeed, to bring on the happie work in hand.

The firſt of theſe, is an holy, conſcionable, ſincere obſervance of theſe dayes of humiliation. By Moſes law, the man who did not humble and afflict his ſoul in ſuch a day, was to be cut off from Iſrael, Levit. 25.29. to be onelyonly cuſtomary and formall in theſe, which ſhould be our moſt pure devotions, is a ſinne of more grievous conſequence then we are aware of; to diſſemble with our God in Faſting and Prayer, is a kinde of horrible impietie: for Gods ſake therefore be you carefull and conſcionable in preparing your ſouls to meet the Lord in the dayes of atonement; be ye holy, heavenly, faithfull, ſincere and entire with God in theſe extraordinary ſervices. Let it be your worke on theſe dayes to ſtrive to mortifies your ſins and ſanctifie your ſouls, to bewaile the iniquities of the land, & for the diviſions of Reuben let there be great thoughts of heart. Theſe, my Brethren, are the higheſt ſervices that we can do, for God, our ſelves, or the kingdome, and you being our Worthies, ſhould go before and exceed others in them; if therefore you will not do ſo, but refuſe and fleight, or be ſuperficiall in the performance of them; behold, ye have ſinned againſt the Lord, and be ye ſure your ſinne ſhall finde you out.

p. 33The next thing I commend is the ſpeedy impartiall execution of juſtice. You know that by ſtanding up quickly, and executing juſtice, Phin…ha… Preſem by ſaid the plague: when asas the ſlowing and neglecting of it continued the plague hereafter here in Davids time. It was doubtleſſe neglect and corruption of juſtice, next to pollutions of Gods worſhip, irreligiouſneſſe and profaneneſſe, that hath brought our kingdome to its miſery: the ſpeedy therefore and impartiall miniſtration of it, is a proper medicine for our maladie. And it is ſomewhat a ſad thing to note little juſtice, hath been done on bloudy traiterous, deliequent, enemies of God and man, more then what's the Lord himſelf hath done by the hand of warre: it may be that feareful way of execution hath and will continue till the more deſirable ſwords of justice be drawn to purpoſe, in the cutting off when … of our combuſtions, the ſonnes of Be;lial; who in God hath put into your hand to puniſh.

The third thing I deſire may be ſpecially cared for, is the … pre…grand proſecution of the national convenant a … plenſing to God, profitable to the kingdomes, by which … is, and through God's bleſſing may be, the … blow given to the whore of Babylon and …, impes; that ever yet was. Now to have this …, …ngſt us, or laid aſide, whilſt malignants and … live in our boſome, bleſſing, and in feered applauding themſelves, that they have neither taken this, nor any of your for … prove …; many moneths have paſſed over and no account made, nor any queſtionned or dealt with for refuſing. This is our caſe, and I appeal to wiſer judgements, whether this may not p. 34be the way to leſſen the honour and authoritie of the High Court of Parliament, and their Ordinances. May not this likewiſe cauſe the common ſort to deem themſelves little bound in conſcience to keepe the Covenant, when they ſee others not bound to take it? Will not this render all zealous advocates for the Covenant as temporizers, and give the refuſers occaſion to triumph over us, as men of large conſciences to do any thing that ſhall be required, like Biſhops creatures, and the ſuperſtitious and conformiſts of late? Theſe are but a few of many, a glimpſe, a hint of the inconveniences which may happen, pardon me then in being bold to point out the preſſing and proſecution of the Covenant, as one kinde of precious ſeed to be ſowen amongſt others in Sions be…f.

The laſt thing which I ſhall commend to your ſ… ous conſideration, whom it doth concern, is ſpecial care to ſeek and preſerve the mutuall love, honour, and eſteem each of other. Oh! that Saint Pauls Leſſon might be learned of our worthy. Nobles and Senatours, one to eſteem of another …lter then himſelf. Oh! that were a delight in bre… and follow-inſtruments, and ſpecially in those who excell in vertue, zeal, and faith … …ring for the publique good. Sure it is … honourable for any to minde ſolely, … …own ſame and eſteem and not care how to the rep…te of others lye. Frō hence I fear come things that arennſeemly, and by which the publique proceeding may ſuffer obſtruction. My earneſt deſire therefore and praye…, that the God of peace and conſolation would make you like minded one towards another, and each willing to deny himſelf; to ſeek the eſteem of others in love; and above p. 35all to forward and advance the Nationall and common Cauſe.

Lo theſe are the four things which out of dutie to God, true zeal to Sion, and due reverence to the Worthies, to whom I ſpeak, I humbly deſire may be thought upon and practiſed to the glory of our God, and emolument of his Church. And the better to prevail in this my ſuit; I ſhall apply the third vertue or force, which lyeth in the words of my Text, as ſpeciall arguments of inducement to perſwade there unto.

Conſider then firſt I beſeech you, that thoſe endeavours with that activity I ſpeak of, are by the Spirit of God in my Text, ſignified to be as fruitfull precious ſeed, which dies not in the earth, but lives to yeeld increaſe. And this, me thinks, is aboundantly ſufficient to incite every man to act his uttermoſt! If I could aſſure any husbandman that every graine of ſuch kinde of ſeed ſhould live, and not one corne periſh; I need ſay no more to move him to induſtry; how plentifull would be the in ſowing a how free in coſt and pains-taking. But now, paſt all peradventure, I may aſſure the ſeeds-man of Sions Cauſe, that his endeavours are ſuch pre…ous ſeed, as that no one grain ſhall be loſt, but … again to yeeld him encreaſe. It is like a ca… down for joy, which ſhall certainly be paid: You may ve act therefore hence much incouraged.

Secondly I note, that hardnes and difficulty in ſowing is no way comparable to the ſweetneſſe and comfort in reaping. There's no compare, me thinks, between the tears, and the joy in the Text; theſe farre ſurmount and exceed them, as the metaphor and words of expreſſion ſeem to import. Rationall and p. 36conſidering men therefore ſhould be juſtly provoked with this conſideration. Did not Moſes make the beſt choiſe upon this ground? Doth not Saint … encourage to ſufferings upon like reaſon? Ram. … And certainly this well weighed, may prevail with us.

Thirdly, mind we the undoubted certainty of our harveſt verified by divers abſolute poſitive aſſ…ver… tion in the Text; he ſhall reap, he ſhall come again he ſhall bring his ſheaves with him; here's no Item of continge neylor poſſibilitie, but all abſolute … tions; anto … know he … to die arti… ſhall … away, but a lot of Gods Word ſhall not fail … ſhall prevent the harveſt of a labourer in Sions ….

…tly, Conſider … multiplicitie of the … ſhall be reaped by ſuch endeavour … not be a reddition of grain for grains, or moni… … not yet of care for grains: but of ſheaven for …. This ſhall be full measure … over, … bleſſings be on the head of eve… where is … and faithfull in carrying … of Sions cauſe. And may not … take any fou… … with every ſprit to ſet it ſelfe … and … it ſelfing all hopefull ende … to the glory of … the good of the Church and Kingdome, and the great Joy and bleſſing of the undertakers? … God will, and let us now … all pray God it ….

FINIS.

End of the text · Humphrey Hardwick, The Difficulty of Zions Deliverance and Reformation (1644)