The Prophecy of Haggai Interpreted and Applied, Exposition · Sermon 6
Sermon 6. February 8. 1589.
Haggai 1. ver. 9 Yee looked for much and it came to little. and when ye brought it home I did blow upon it, and why ſaith the Lord of Hoſts? becauſe of mine houſe that lay waſte, and yee ranne every man to his owne houſe.
Verſe 10 Therefore againſt you the heavens ſtayed it ſelfe from dew and the earth ſtayed from fruit.
Ver. 11 And I have called for drought upon the land, and upon the mountaines, and upon the Corne and upon the wine, and upon the oyle and upon that which the earth bringeth forth both upon men and upon cattel, and upon all the labours of their hands.
THe Prophet Haggai having exhorted the Jewes to go forward with the Temple and ſanctuary, and having moved them thereunto by laying before them the gracious promiſes of God, that he would be favourable and take delight therein, doth further ſtirre them up with theſe words by calling to their remembrance that great want and ſcarcety wherewith God did not chaſtiſe them, who therefore did not proſper the labours of their hands nor give ſucceſſe to their endeavours, for that every one ran to the building of his own houſe, and the trimmingup thereof, they laboured not to advance the houſe of the Lord, for as the Lord had threatned in his law, that if they would not hearken to his voice to do his will they ſhould be curſed in the towne, and in the field, and in the fruit of their body, and the fruit of the earth, that the heavens over them ſhould be braſſe, and the earth under them iron. So did they feele by experience that thoſe threats were performed to them from heaven and earth in themſelves, and in theirs and in the field and in the towne, becauſe that they were commanded by the Lord to build this houſe they tooke all opportunity to do it, and to perſwade them hereunto to leave their ſlackeneſſe and beſtirre themſelves hereabout, he ſheweth how God had withdrawen his bleſſings from thoſe creatures that ſhould have done them good, and had ſtretched out his hand againſt them. Haggai therefore doth advertiſe them ſhewing that they were chaſtiſed in the towne and in the field, foraſmuch as they tooke great paines and got little, and that which they got and brought home, he did as with a whirlwinde diſperſe and ſcatter, and why? becauſe they left the houſe of the Lord waſte and every man ran to his own houſe, therefore againſt you the heavens, &c.
Wherin, to affect them with a more lively feeling of their miſery laid upon them, becauſe they ſuffered the Lords houſe to lie waſte, the Prophet doth more particularly ſpecefie the meanes uſed by God to worke theſe wants. The things they wanted were the bleſſings of this life, the hurt themſelves and theirs felt, whereby he noteth their ſin, and the correſpondency of their chaſtiſements which they felt, which appeareth by the word wherein their fault was noted, compared with their puniſhment, as it is laid downe more evidently in the originall, for the word which is rendred Levit. 26. Pſal. 18.(Waſte) verſe 8 doth firſt ſignifie dry, and by conſequence waſte, becauſe places which are dry and want moiſture are likewiſe waſte and deſolate, Now verſe 11 it is ſaid he had called for a drought: the word cometh from the ſame ſtemme in the Hebrew that the other doth, and in the ſenſe of waſteneſſe doth expreſſe more plainly the agreement of the puniſhment with the manner of their ſinne, as though he ſhould ſay, becauſe you have ſuffered my houſe and ſanctuary to lye waſte, therefore have I alſo by calling for a drought brought alſo a waſte upon you, you have beene moſt carefull to provide for your ſelves and yours whatſoever was needfull, and might by you any wayes be purchaſed. But behold I have waſted and conſumed that, I have called for a drought. So the Lord hereby doth declare the performance of that which he threatned, that he would deale overthwartly with them that overthwarted him, and that to the froward he would become froward: howbeit let not any that have offended flatter themſelves as theſe men, becauſe they feel not ſuch chaſtiſement as theſe did, becauſe they are not plunged, nay becauſe they live at ſuch eaſe and contentation of heart, that as the prophet ſpeaketh their eyes ſtart out of their heads, although they be nothing carefull to build Gods houſe, nay be carefull to build their owne, nay runne to it, and that to build them with bloud, for albeit they felt not the experience of this puniſhment in temporall bleſſings, yet let them remember the words of the Prophet, When I went into the ſanctuary of God then underſtood I the end of theſe men, ſurely thou ſetteſt them in the ſlipery places, and caſteſt them into utter deſolation, 1 ſlipery places, 2 utter deſolation, as it is taught in the hiſtory of Job, The rejoycing of the wicked is Pſa. 73. 13but ſhort, though his excellency mount upon the heavens and his head reach to the clouds, yet ſhall he periſh for ever like the dunge and they that have ſeene him, ſhall ſay where is he? But the children of God are dealt withal as children, although he chaſten them, as what ſon is there that he chaſteneth not, yet will he not withdraw his mercy from them, neither here nor hereafter, ſo that everlaſting mercy Job. 20. 5. 6.it ſurely acertained: For, what is ſaid of Solomon, if he ſinne I will chaſten him with the rod of men, but my mercy ſhall not depart from him, the ſame is performed to other the children of David, even to all the faithfull and eiect. And the example of the Corinthians may teach us the end of Gods chaſtiſements on his ſervants, the Apoſtle ſheweth for their unreverent receaving of the Sacrament, ſome were ſicke and ſome fallen aſleepe, that is taken away, and thereupon ſhewing that this appertaineth to all, he ſaith, when we are judged we are chaſtened of the Lord, becauſe we ſhould not be condemned of the world.
Howbeit if any of the ſervants of the Lord who have neglected their dutie, have not felt his hand, let them not be high-minded, but feare and be humbled, as, who knoweth not what the late evening-tide may bring forth; remember that, which is written to put them in remembrance, the judgment of God is juſt againſt 2 Sam. 7. 14. Pſa. 79. 4. 1 Cor. 11. 30. 32. Rom. 2. 2. 3, 4.the ungodly that do ſuch things: and what thinkeſt thou O man… that judgeſt them that do ſuch things, & doſt the ſame, that thou ſhalt eſcape the juſt judgement of God: or …eſpiſeſt thou the riches of his bountifulneſſe and pa…ience, and longſufferance? for it is moſt plaine that they ſhall not enter into the holy tabernacle hereafter, who perſiſt not to build Chriſts tabernacle here, as the 15 and 24 Pſalmes plainely ſhew: wherefore as we tender our owne ſalvation, not only the favour of God and the benefitts of this life let us every one be carefull for the building of the Church and Temple of God, according as God hath committed a charge to every one for the edefying of the ſame, remembring that Commandement of our Saviour, Firſt ſeek the Kingdom of God, and then all theſe things ſhall be given you after, if firſt we will ſeeke the Kingdome, then theſe at leaſure, to be regarded afterwards, and Mat. 6, ultnot to follow the example of them whom the Lord here reproveth, which runne to the building of their own houſe, and were ſo ſlow in the Lords worke: we ſee David ſo to have beene carefull thereabouts, that his purpoſe was not to take benefit of one nights ſleepe in his owne houſe which he had built, untill he had finiſhed the houſe of God, which although he could not accompliſh 2 Kin, 9, 2becauſe of the warres wherewith he was troubled againſt the enemies of the Lord, yet Solomon his ſonne followed the ſame courſe, and built firſt the Lords houſe, and after he had finiſhed that, his owne houſe, for which God accordingly bleſſed them, though neither of them wanted chaſtiſements, becauſe alſo ſome times they faulted therein, yet were great bleſſings beſtowed on them both in this life, vouchſafed out of the everlaſting favour and bleſſing of God as by the monuments of them both is manifeſt.
By example of whom we are inſtructed to follow the Commandement of God in building his houſe, in going at leaſtwiſe as farre as David in providing thoſe things that were requi…te, for perfecting thereof: which worke was referred to Solomon, let us be moved with the example of Gods mercies on them, to look for the like bleſſing, if we follow them in well doing, remembring that which is written by the Prophet, how that afterward he had eſpouſed them to himſelfe in kindneſſe and mercy, and had made a covenant with them by this, that he promiſeth that he will heare the heavens, and the heavens ſhall heare the earth, Hoſea 1, 2and the earth ſhall heare Iſrael, nay they may aſſure themſelves not onelyonly of theſe bleſſings, but of ſuch as are ineſtimably to be preferred before them, whereof mention is made in the Apocalips, though repreſented alſo by ſuch things as Manna, the tree of life, to conquerers, to them that goe forward in the building of the Temple, and of the Sanctuary.
This exhortation pertaineth more ſpecially indeed to the principall builders of it: But it doth alſo belong unto all the people of the land, not to the miniſtery or ſpirituality as they tearme it, but to all Chriſtians who muſt all be ſpirituall: if they will all be Chriſtians, they muſt as lively ſtones be built upon the foundation, they muſt offer up themſelves a living holy and acceptable ſacrifice, none is exempted from this labour, all muſt be Kings to conquer their luſts and affections that rebell Rom. 12. 1 Rev. 1. 6. 1 Pet. 2. 1 Theſ. 5. 11. Epheſ. 4. Col. 3. Mat. 5. Phil. 1. 1. Phil. 2. 15, 16.againſt Gods Commandements, all Prieſts to offer up ſpirituall ſacrifice, yea they are each one to go further, and not onelyonly to build themſelves but others alſo, every one one another, remembring that which the Apoſtle exhorteth the Theſſalonians, Exhort one another and edefie one another, Therefore all muſt be builders all our ſpeech muſt be to edefie, poudred with ſalt, our actions, rules of Godlineſſe, that we may be patternes for others to behold; for our Saviour ſpake to all his diſciples, Ye are the ſalt of the earth, and the light of the world, not onelyonly the Biſhops and the Deacons as Philippi, but alſo the reſt of them were as lights ſhining forth holding forth for others: ſalt ſerveth for many uſe… to ſeaſon other things, light to light others alſo; Therefore all are to edefie not themſelves but others alſo. This exhortation made to all we ought to call to remembrance, that ſo we are for this cauſe termed ſalt, light, a princely prieſthood, a choſen nation whom God hath ſanctified to ſhew forth the vertue of him that hath called them, and the care which they are to have one of another. It was Cains voice, am I the keeper of my brother? But we are rather to propoſe unto ourſelves the example of Moſes, when he was not yet called to be delivered of his brethrenbut prepared thereunto, he laboured to reconcile his brethren that were at diſcord, yet this exhortation concerneth principally Zerubbabel Pſal. 102. 14. Iſai 61. 3. 4.and Joſhua, becauſe they be the chiefeſt of the Lords ſervants, and the graces of God are moſt eminent in them whoſe heart God hath ſo touched, that they pitty the duſt & the ſtons, the ruines of Jeruſalem, who as trees of righteouſnes moiſtned by Gods ſpirit, ſanctified by Gods grace, that was poured upon Chriſt Jeſus, are appointed to build the old waſte places, to raiſe up the former deſolations, and to repaire the Cities that were deſolate and waſte through many deſolations, which words of the Prophet muſt teach us, who are called eſpecially to the charge of building, to take delight in the ſtones thereof, to be carefull for the raiſing up of them, to repaire the deſolate Cities of Judah and Jeruſalem, wherby I am moved to beſeech you (fathers) who are inabled with gifts to performe this duty to the whole houſhold, that you would not onelyonly raiſe up others to do this holy worke, but that you with more care diligence would performe the ſame your ſelves: for though you are content to heare the young ſort, and ſometimes Eliba may ſpeak more wiſely than his elders: the youth of Timothy is not to be deſpiſed, yet many have more regard of the gray head, & aged Paul is able to ſpeake with great gravity, and therefore is wont to be heard with great reverence and profit. Gideon when he had taken the K. of Midian Zeba and Zalmanna, he ſpake to Jether his firſt-born to riſe up and ſlay them; but the boy drew not his ſword, becauſe he feared, becauſe he was yet young: then the Kings ſaid unto Gideon, riſe thou and fall upon us, for as the man is ſo is his ſtrength: our carnall luſts and carnall concupiſcence, whereby we are led to wickedneſſe, fight againſt the ſpirit of God, and they are the enemies of the Lord, and therefore we are willed of the Apoſtle to mortifie our members that are on earth, fornication, uncleanneſſe, the inordinate affection, coveteouſneſſe which is Idolatry: the wicked affections are (as the Apoſtle ſaith) limbes of one body growing ſo faſt unto us by the depravation of our nature, as our armes or leggs do to our bodies, therefore theſe limbs of our body muſt be ſlaine, the ſword wherewith we muſt doe it is the word of God, as the Apoſtle teacheth, why theſe luſts are for the moſt part ſo ſlowly ſlaine; there are many reaſons partly becauſe Gideon ſpe…keth to his firſt borne to ſlay them, not boyes indeed as he was to whom Gideon ſpake but of riper yeares, yet our ſonnes though our firſt-borne and flower of our ſonnes, yet but our ſons Zeba and Zalmanna knew well enough, that Jether though Gideons firſt-borne, yet he could not make ſo quicke diſpatch in killing of them, becauſe they were to dye by his hand, they were to dye a lingring death: wherefore although your children are loth to ſay to you, that you your ſelves are rather to riſe up and performe this duty, as nether Jether did to his Father Gideon, give us leave as Zeba and Zalmunna to will you to riſe up and runne upon your luſts and ſlay them, for as the man is ſo is his ſtrength God forbid you ſhould be juſtly to be taxed with that reproof which is laid upon the great men and the Tekoils, of whom when the Prophets had ſhewed the building of the walles of Jeruſalem, each ſort fortified in their place, but the great with he of the Tekoits put not their necks to the worke of the Lord; the phraſe here uſed noteth the kinde of labour they ſhould have taken, even to carry ſtones and morter, a baſe worke that great men ſhould be labourers in, yet we ſee the Holy Ghoſt toucheth them with juſt reproofe of ingratitude, that they ſubmitted not themſelves thereunto conſidering that it was the worke of the Lord to whom they did owe themſelves, and all others the building of Chriſts-Church is a worke baſe and contemptible in the judgement of the world, though before God moſt excellent & precious. But it is baſe as we liſt to account it. If we cannot ſubmit our ſelves to the bearing of theſe burthens, let us remember it is our Lords worke, and let us fear the juſt reproch which the Tekoits bear for the neglecting of it. In the French ſtory we read that at a dangerous ſiege of Rochel, for the fortifying a Bulwarke againſt the enemies, each one ſo beſtirred themſelves that even the gentlewomen and ladyes carryed ſtones and rubbiſh for the raiſing thereof, which therefore was called the Ladyes Bulwarke, becauſe the great women in the ſiege of Rochel were content to ſubmit themſelves to bear rubbiſh, it was the worke of the Lord by a conſequent, and ſhall it not be a ſhame for men of how great calling ſoever they be, or count themſelvsto be, not to ſubmit themſelvs to the work of the Lord▪ If they be ſuch as have taken in hand to build many places, let them remember that they are bound to build in all places, even as the Tekoits were of whom it is noted that they edefied in divers places which in that building might more be done, becauſe that being many when they had perfected the work in one place, they might after go to another: but how many or any of us, may undertake to build in ſundry places I ſee not, for if the building be ſuch as requireth continuall labour therein, of laying of living ſtones continually requireth reſidence of the builders, that they ſhould ſtill be preſent on their charge, that as new ſtones as ſtill brought ſo they may ſtill be laid on ſtil more & more, to be won to God; let them remember that this is the Lords worke; and if they be not able to build in many places, let them be content to reſigne their charges, ſo that there may be a workeman able to furniſh the places appointed thereunto.
Curſed be the man that doth the worke of the Lord negligently, and curſed be the man that withholdeth his hand from bloud, ſaith the Lord by his Prophet: he ſpeaketh of killing the enemies of the Lord, God forbid that a curſe ſhould fall upon us, amongſt thoſe that have faulted therein, and that it may not fall the Lord hold ſtill up their hearts to performe that with all care which the ſpirit of God teacheth to be their duty namely to advance the glory of God, in building the temple and ſanctuary of God.
For the reſt which are not ſuch as the Tekoits and yet are compriſed in the number of them that are ſaid to build the ſanctuary and ſet to fight the Lords battailes, let them remember that they were curſed that withheld their ſwords from bloud, although they have not the ſtrength of Gideon, yet let them remember that the word of God is ſharper then any two edged ſword, and peirceth through the dividing of the joynts and marrow, wherefore if we builde in that meaſure which God hath given us, God will yeeld his bleſſing and put ſtrenght unto it, and though we be not able with David to kill our ten thouſand, yet let us be content with Saul to ſlay our thouſands, yea there were of Davids worthies that ſlew but their hundreds, let us remember the promiſe made to them that do their duty herein.
And that this ſword may the better ſtrike and wound, we muſt remember that it muſt be applyed to the limbes and members, we muſt take heed that we content not our ſelves to runne on the generalities; and to ſtand upon flouriſhes, but apply this ſword to the ſpeciall faults of our hearers, for ſo it is like to peirce the better: there are ſome alſo which although they uſe this ſword, yet they cover it with ſuch a ſcabbard, that by reaſon thereof it is not able to wound in ſuch ſort as it ſhould, as either with intermingling of ſtrange language without any neceſſity or heaping up of many teſtimonies, or other things not ſo fruitfull, ſo that although they come neere with the ſword yet becauſe of theſe ſcabbards they perform not that duty which they ought to doe, wherfore we may remember that the builders which the Apoſtle ſpeaketh of, the Corinthians are reproved not onelyonly for the matter which they built, as for raiſing hay and ſtubble upon the foundation, but alſo for the forme and manner they uſed: let theſe men ſet before their eyes the examples of the Prophets and Apoſtles in their preaching, yea of the Fathers themſelves, whom they like ſo well: and marke in what ſort they apply this ſword to the mortifying and ſlaying of the old man.
A great helpe hereunto might have beene the example if it had continued of many, who heretofore out of other places, and laſtly out of this have broken the bread of life amongſt us. But what ſhall I complain of the maſſe of freewill-offerings, when even thoſe that were neceſſarily appointed, either the morning or the evening offerings are oftentimes wanting, ſo that often that which ſhould be offered in the Evening, is offered in the Morning, is offered in the morning, as at this preſent. Howbeit, that the free-will offrings ſo long continued ſhould be intermitted the next year after God had delivered us from the Spaniard, I cannot but lament, when ſuch offrings ſhould rather be encreaſed to the glory of God, and teſtimony of our thankefulneſſe for ſo wonderfull a deliverance.
The fault hereof I cannot lay on them that before took pains herein, or on the cheife Magiſtrate, for that of them many are otherwiſe imployed. And the Mageſtrate I thinke was ignorant, that it hath been the uſe for them in that place to ſolicite others, for this thing was at the beginning of the entrance into his office. But I beſeech you that are the Lords remembrancers, that you would uſe all meanes to procure that theſe free-will offerings may be continued again. When there had been long want of raine in Iſrael, Elias promiſed Ahab, at length, that there ſhould be raine, and going to the top of a mountaine ſent his ſervant to looke, who at the firſt ſaw nothing, and he ſtill ſent him down till at the 7 time, when at length he ſaw a little cloud ariſing like a hand at the firſt, whereof afterwards enſued great raine: It may be you ſhall not have your deſire at the firſt, nor at the ſecond time, yet I beſeech you not to omit this thing for at length, doubt not after ſeven times you ſhall ſee, though it be not a cloud, whereof may enſue great ſtore of raine. A cauſe of the intermitting hereof may be the diſlike which by ſome diviſion amongſt us by preaching might be bred, becauſe that all of us are not of one minde. For though all agree that the foundations and walls of the building of the Lords Temple be laid, and raiſed amongſt us, yeſome thinke the covering of the ſame is not ſo good as it ought to be: others are of opinion that it is good and ſufficient, ſome thinke that there wanteth a fence about it for the keeping out of beaſts, as we reade Nehemiah required him timber of King Artaxerxes, for building of the gates of incloſure that appertained to the houſe of the Lord, though weknow that in the dayes of Darius the temple was perfected, howbeit whatſoever diſſention there be among us about circumſtances, yet we are brethren, and God forbid we ſhould come any more to ſuch diſtempered ſpeeches, as ſome one both ſides have done: if they had had to have dealt with the Samaritan, that had been enough, yea happily to much, ſome of it, ſeeing it falleth within that which the Apoſtle hath forbidden, as not fit to be amongſt Saints.
Let us remember that which the Apoſtle writeth to the Philippians, in that whereunto we are come, let us proceed by one rule, that we may minde one thing, now unto this we are all come, that we acknowledge that there is neceſſary in the Church an able and ſufficient miniſtery, and that in this Seminary ſuch might be trained up in learning and godlineſſe here amongſt us, that being thorowly ſeaſoned therewithall, they may be made fit to build up the Church of God, not as deceitfull workemen, but as wiſe and faithfull builders. One of the wiſeſt amongſt the Philoſophers giving precepts for the good government of a common-wealth, ſhewing of what ſort governours, aſſiſtants and others ſhould be, ſaith, that God in framing men for government, in thoſe which are to be chiefe hath mixed Gold, in thoſe which are fit to aſſiſt Silver, in husbandmen and ſuch as are to obey, braſſe and iron; now theſe are of one kindred that beget their like; yet ſometimes it falleth out that a golden father begetteth a brazen childe, and a brazen father begetteth a golden childe, that the ſonne ſhall not be permitted to take the office of his father, but that he ſhould be ſet among the husbandmen: and if a braſen father ſhould have a golden ſonne, that the governours ſhould take him from amongſt the braſſe and iron, and place him amongſt the golden children, receiving this as an Oracle that the common-wealth muſt then go to wrack, when they ſhall be contented to preferr braſſe and iron to the place appointed for gold and ſilver. This is but a fable I know, and like to that of Jothans, but the morall of it is agreable to our purpoſe, there are amongſt us certaine diſpoſitions as it were of gold and ſilver, fit to be placed among Eccleſiaſticall and civill charges of government, ſome of another temper, not fit for government, great care is to be had by thoſe that are in place of government, that braſſe ſonnes are not preferred to places appointed for golden children, that if they be not furniſhed for ſuch places, they may be applied for that to which they are fit. Therefore you that govern conſidering according to the rule of the holy ſcripturs, that all muſt go to wracke when braſſe and iron are placed in charge, are to be requeſted to have care, that when you are to make choiſe of ſuch as are to be in place of government, that you make choiſe of ſuch as are of gold; at leaſt of ſilver diſpoſitions, but if you meet with ſuch as are of braſſe and iron, then play the part of Apollonians, and ſignifie to their freinds that they are not fit for ſuch places, but that they may be ſet to that wherewith they may do moſt good. Eſpecially care would be had of ſtatutes which godly founders have provided for maintenance, of ſuch as being fit for ſuch places, their parents being not able to traine them up: a lamentable caſe that golden purſes ſhould be preferred before golden witts. It is pittiſull though we ought alſo to be thankefull for it, that the Parliament hath taken ſuch order therein, which we our ſelves would not, yet pittifull it is that a law ſhould be made for the reſtraint of corruption in thoſe matters, howbeit, if this law do not reſtraine them that buy and ſell for gold, let them moreover take heed leſt favour ſometime compaſſe that corruption which mony did before: nay if your owne children and freinds be braſſe beware you preferre them not, when gold ſhould be preferred, prefer your own you may, but then when they be fitt. Moſes made not any of his children rulers after him, but Joſhua, yet made he his brethren Prieſts and his children, becauſe they were fit for thoſe places; his owne they were not, we have laws to ſhew whom they be that be ſo qualified that they may be choſen, our founders had ſuch care therein, that they would not ſo much as have their owne kinſmen preferred unles they be ſo qualified. The candleſticks of the ſanctuary were of gold, which were to hold out the lights, ſome parts of the ſanctuary were covered with ſilver, there was alſo about the ſantuary uſe for braſſe, but for government they onelyonly are to be choſen whom God in their creating hath intermingled gold with their mettall, and as they ſhould have ſpecall care hereof in Election ſa afterwards they are made fit, leſt that which is degenerate end become copper, for many things ſhew to be gold which afterwards prove otherwiſe, ſo are they not to be taken for gold untill that by conſtancy in going forward they make perfection of the ſame, they are by their towardneſſe before to be eſteemed but their tryall comes after. This might be performed if orders already provided heretofore were performed, and where they want they were ſupplied, that ſuch exerciſes were maintained in all Colledges and Halls, to make theſe inſtruments indeed of gold fit for theſe purpoſes: I am loth to enter into diſcourſe of our particular fault herein, of the negligence and ſome what more then negligence of many neither of the faction maintained in ſundry places, by ſuch as love to fiſh in troubled waters, onelyonly in generall.
I would have ſuch to remember as are to be made ſtones of this ſpirituall building, cheife ſtones and corner ſtones, to be trimmed up to ſerve either in Church or common-wealth, that they ought willingly to ſubmit themſelves to good orders, whereby they may be fit for the building. The ſtones muſt be ſquared, carved, poliſhed and graven, which had they reaſon and ſenſe, they would not have neglected, how much more willing ſhould you be to ſubmit your ſelves hereunto, eſpecially for that ſo wonderfull-uſe. The Philoſophers ſaid that the ſtones appointed for altars were happy inſtruction, reproof, correction, may ſeem unpleaſant, but if you have that care which living ſtones ſhould have, that religious feeling which you ought, you will be content to ſubmit your ſelves to ſuch things, without which you cannot be made fit, and be content though you be reſtrained of ſuch things as elſe where happily be hold tolerable, and may not be permitted, as your Chriſtmas Lords, an uſe taken from the heathen, as Polidorus Virgill ſheweth, which in no place are tollerable: but among the Prophets and their children ſuch diſcords are moſt of all to be condemned, the very name thereof ſheweth the inconvenience of the thing, as alſo the reſt unprofitable and unfruitfull delights, as playes to ſay no more of them. It is obſerved that corruption entered firſt amongſt the Jewes by thoſe meanes whereby through the policy of Antiochus and the enemies, their minds were ſo much effeminated. In this alſo we all agree, that as there ought alſo to be godly and learned miniſters, ſo there ſhould be a ſufficient maintenance for them: which in ſome places being ſufficient, they only are to be requeſted who are in authority to diſpoſe of ſuch livings as Patrons: that they have a care that the candleſticks which are to hold out the light may be of gold, but ſuch are a great deale worſe, which take gold to preferre brazen-noſe men, but let them take heed leſt they fall into that miſchiefe, which the example of Ananias and Saphira, teacheth againſt them that go about to intervert any part of thoſe livings which either themſelves on their predeceſſors have applyed to the maintenance of the houſe of God.
It may be there are not many in this place that have to deal in this matter, but ſome there are that hereafter may, to whom this latter exhortation may appertain, namly that where there is not a ſufficient maintenance appointed for the miniſter, there themſelvs would be carefull to increaſe it; following the example of the princes of Judah, who with willing harts (as Moſes noteth) off… to the Lord, as alſo … Chron, laſt chapter, yea all the people are ſaid to have been ſo ready that they were content to have given more than was ſufficient, becauſe they offered with an intire and willing heart. But that others alſo may be more willing to provide for the maintenance of the miniſtery, by providing that which is wanting, we in this place ſo much as lyeth in us are to give example hereof in thoſe things which are in our hand, beſtowing tha… on a fit perſon which amounteth out of the commodity of ſuch living, without decaying that which is, to be applyed alſo to the ſervice of the miniſtery, you know my meaning is it were to be wiſhed that you ſhould ſhew that eſpeciall care in beſtowing impropriations which are in your gifts, upon men able to do good in the Church, that your example may provoke others to do alſo the like, at leaſt that the ſurpluſage may thus be beſtowed, & if we would in this place begin, it were to be hoped that others would follow: the prieſts begin to offer though in▪indeed it be too late for us to beginne for others whom God hath filled with the zeale of this houſe herein ſome go before us. Joas King of Judah is ſaid to have commanded the prieſts to cauſe the ruines of the temple to be repaired, and it appeareth that the King was more forward then the preiſts I mention it to our ſhame that our Princes and rulers ſhould in building and repairing the houſe of God be ſtill found more ready then we, can we not find one fit man on whom ſuch things as we have may be beſtowed, and will not there one of our governours be found that will have care to turne that which riſeth out of the commodite of theſe livings to the benefit of him that may ſerve in that place to bring men unto God, rather then a Tobiab and Amonite: ſhall we ſtill ſuffer his Majeſties lawes to go before us? ſhall we be carefull of the eſtabliſhment and foundation of our foundations which we before ſhould have been carefull of, and ſhall we not be carefull to uſe the benefit thereof ſo as may be moſt ſor Gods glory? If we expect alſo till by law ſhe drive us to this, whereas it is preſently in our owne power let us take heed it be not laid to our charge God grant it be not in that day.
I know it will be ſaid, that regard is to be had of ſuch as live upon thoſe livings, and it is true ſo farre as may be done without prejudice to that great matter in regard whereof that is but ſmall, when Tobias was placed in a Chamber which belonged to the houſe of God, Nehemiah paſſed but a little to thruſt him out of it, although Tobias was authorized to keep the ſame by the prieſt but he thruſt him out and caſt his ſtuffe and garment out of doors after him, if the mind of Jonas were in theſe rather caſt into the ſea, when the Marriners ſee they cannot be ſafe whileſt he being in, ſeeing that God is able to preſerve them if they were ſo caſt out as …nah, and that money which is offered for the compaſſing of voyces (I ſpeak what I know) though I wiſh no man to ſay to them, as Peter did to Simon Magus, thy mony periſh with thee. I would rather wiſh they would be perſwaded to beſtow it on ſomewhat that they may better hold, As for the gain which is ſaid may ariſe to the Vniverſity by the fine, alaſſe do we not ſee how curſed ſuch fines and ſuch mony is, how many hundred pounds have in few yeares been brought to nothing, as though all had been put into a broken bagge, but if we grant it not, it will be feared, that our poſterity will, yet we herein ſhall ſh…w the …d of David, who though he himſelfe could not build the houſe of God, yet he prepared whatſoever was fit and convenient for the ſame, and who knoweth but the Lord may ſend a Sol…n to turn it to that end we meane it, It is not ſufficient for us to ſay we wiſh theſe things were done, thus and thus ordered as were beſt but we muſt be content to put to our helping hand and labour to the uttermoſt to bring it to paſſe, elſe we ſhall doe as the man S. James ſpeaketh of, that ſaith to the needy perſon, go in peace and warme thee, but gives him not to releive his poverty.
If theſe things move us not, let the laſt reaſon move us that among the ſacriledges committed by the Abbies and Monaſteries which drew downe Gods wrath upon them, this was one, that they ſpoyled their churches for their proviſion of able miniſters and having commodities in their hands, ſet onelyonly ſuch hedgeprieſts to be over them, feeding themſelves of the reſt; neither doubt I but God will raiſe up others, if you be loth to move the Chancellor and others to be content to ſuffer us to beſtow theſe livings as we have intended, and for which cauſe we have withſtood, and ſatisfied the requeſt of other honorable perſonages in this ſuite, and it may be ſaid as Mordecal ſaid to Eſther, If thou neglect it God will ſend helpe from ſome other place, but then thou and thy Fathers houſe ſhall ſurely be deſtroyed, I would have ſtood longer upon other things, but I ſpeak to men of underſtanding.