Three Decades of Sermons, Decade 2 · Sermon 9
THE MALE IN THE FLOCK, OR The beſt muſt he offered to God,
Unfolded from Mal. 1. 14.
But Curſed be the deceiver which hath in his Flock a Male and voweth and ſacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing: for I am a great King, ſaith the Lord of Hoſts, and my Name is dreadfull among the Heathen.
THe firſt word (But) imports a Connexion on what went before. Serm. 9. at S. Mary's Oxon Octob. 21. 1657 1 Gods love. 2 The peoples ingratitude. 1.Wherefore I hope it will be time well ſpent, to premiſe a brief Analyſis upon the whole chapter, before I fall upon the words of the Text: The whole chapter may be divided into two parts. The former whereof containes a Proteſtation of Gods abundant love unto the people of the Jewes: The latter containes a ſad complaint and charge againſt them for their ſtupendious ingratitude: Then here's abundantly declared Gods ſingular love unto them and to their father Jacob, v. 2. I have loved you ſaith the Lord; yet ye ſay, Wherein haſt thou loved us? was not Eſau Jacobs brother, ſaith the Lord? Yet I loved Jacob and I hated Eſau, Jacob was elected, and Eſau was reprobated. Neither the election of the one, nor the reprobation of the other was upon praeviſion of workes. All ſuch Arminian Gloſſes which corrupt a good Text are quite overthrowne by the Apoſtles Determination Rom. 9. 11, 12, 13. Where this numerical Scripture is quoted and expounded, 2. 1. Contempt of God.2. Here's ſet down the ingratitude of the Jewes. And this brand is ſet upon their foreheads in legible Characters, as may appear by theſe enſueing inſtances: 1. Their ſignal contempt of God. v. 6. 12, 13. A ſon honoureth his father, and a ſervant his maſter: If then I be a father, where is mine honour? And if I be a maſter, where is my fear? Saith the Lord of Hosts unto you, O Prieſts, that deſpiſe my name: And ye ſay, wherein have we deſpiſed thy name. v. 12. But ye have profaned it in that ye ſay, The table of the Lord is polluted, and the fruit thereof, even his meat is contemptible v. 13. 8. Ye ſaid alſo, Behold, what a wearineſs is it, and ye have ſnuffed at it, ſaith the Lord of Hoſts, and ye brought that which was torne, and the lame, and the ſick: thus ye brought an offering: ſhould I accept this of Proved by 2. Aggravations Aggrvv. 1. From their Relation.your hands, ſaith the Lord? The aggravations are great. 1. From their Relations, they were ſons, and ſervants, yet though ſons, honoured their fathers, and ſervants, their maſters, yet thoſe Jewes were undutiful: Nay they had nea…e…. Relation then this, as Prieſts conſecrated after a peculiar manner Quicunque vult: Every one might not take upon him the Prieſts office; As they might not then, ſo neither may every one now take upon him the Miniſters office. God hath ſet ſome Paſtors, ſome teachers in his church Eph. 4. 11. Some cannot ſignify all, Now the fault was the greater, becauſe they being Prieſts polluted the table of the Lord, as may appear by comparing v. 7. and 12 together v. 7. Ye offer polluted bread upon mine Altar, and ye ſay wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye ſay, the table of the Lord is contemptible: v. 12. But ye have profan'd it, in that ye ſay, The table of the Lord is polluted, and the fruit thereof, even his meat is contemptible. A 2. Aggravation is their inſenſibility v. 6. They expoſtulate the caſe, Wherein have we deſpiſed thy name? Aggravat. 2 The Inſenſibility of ſinne.Thus ſinners are apt to excuſe themſelves, & are not eaſily brought to an acknowledgement of their offences. And of all others, thoſe ſtaines which are in a linnen ephod are moſt conſpic…ous: It's a common ſaying—Nugae in ore Laicorum ſunt blaſphemiae in ore Miniſtrorum. It's Calvins obſervations—Non levatur culpa populi Calvin in loc. 2. Proof of the Evidenceetiamſi gravius ſit crimen Sacerdotum: 2. You have the evidence proved v. 7. 8. Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar, and ye ſay, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye ſay, the table of the Lord is contemptible. v. 8. And if ye offer the blind for ſacrifice, is it not evil? And if ye offer the lame and the ſicke, is it not evil? Offer it now unto thy governour: Will he be pleaſed with thee or accept thy perſon, ſaith the Lord of Hoſts? 3. At laſt followes the dreadful puniſhment and 3. The dreadfull Puniſhment. 1.vengeance of God upon them for their ſins, Amongſt others three Judgements are moſt remarkable. 1. Rejection of their prayers and perſons both. v. 9. And now I pray you beſeech God, that he will be gratious unto us: This hath been by your means: Will he regard your perſons, ſaith the Lord of Hoſts? 2. A transferring of Gods worſhip to the Gentiles v. 11. For from the riſing of the ſun, even unto the going down of the ſame, my name ſhall be great among the gentiles, and in every place incenſe ſhall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering; for my name ſhall be great among the heathen, ſaith the Lord of Hoſts. 3. A terrible curſe in the Text: So the Anathema is pronounced, Curſed be the deceiver &c.Diviſ. 1. 2. 3.
Not to detaine you any longer in the context, The words may be divided into theſe enſueing particulars. 1. A dreadful curſe threatned, or woe denounced. 2. The perſon decypherd upon whom this curſe juſtly falls (i. e.) The deceiver, hypocrite, jugler. 3. The greatneſs of his crime which is amplified by theſe aggravations, 1. He ſacrificeth a corrupt thing. 2. This was not done accidentally, or unawares, but deliberatly. He binds himſelf with the religion of a vowe…, He voweth and ſacrificeth that which is feeble, corrupt, vile, contemptible, and uſeleſs. 3. All apologies of inability, poverty, and indigency are remooved out of the way. Had he been poor and had never a better in his flock, his willing mind had been accepted. In caſe of integrity of heart the Lord accepts the will for the deed. But this ſordid ſpirited-man, Doloſus Machinator (as he's uſually termed) had a male in his flock, and in contempt to God offers that which was vile and refuſe. Wherefore this circumſtance aggravates his ſin beyond all degrees of compariſon. As if the Lord ſhould ſay, what vile, unthanke-full wretch doſt thou thus requite me for giving thee of the beſt, to make returns of the worſt unto me? Do'ſt thou thus requite me, fooliſh and unwiſe? Laſtly here's ſtrength of Reaſon to inforce the premiſes: And this is a double one drawn from the Majeſty and Soveraignty of God, For I am a great King, ſaith the Lord of Hoſts. The other is drawne from the dreadfulneſs of Gods name among the Heathen, and my name is dreadful among the Heathen.
There may be many choyce Doctrines raiſed from the words. But I conceive it needful to premiſe a brief Paraphraſe upon the words, which I ſhall endeavour to doe, by giving reſolutions to theſe three enſueing Inquiries.
1. We are to inquire what we are to underſtand by the deceiver 1. Druſ. in loc.in the Text? For anſwer Druſius thus brands him. Qui aliud vultu & in oratione prae ſe fert, & aliud pectore clauſum tenet (i. e.) He is one who in his pleaſing countenance and ſpeeches pretends one thing, but in his heart intends another. The Pſalmiſt gives ſuch hypocrites a remarkable Character Pſal. 55. 21. The words of his mouth were ſmoother then butter, but war was in his heart: His words were ſofter than oyle, yet were they drawn ſwords. Now this Deceiver in the Text, which (according to the verſion of the Interpreters) is called Quadruplator, Impoſtor, Machinator, &c. is an errand Hypocrite, who makes many fair pretences, and thereby flatters himſelf, hoping to collude, and couſen God, conſcience, and the world: Hee is a crafty, ſubtle, diſſembling fellow, who is moſt in ſemblance, leaſt in ſubſtance; greateſt in pretences, leaſt of all in intentions: One he is (in a word) that's a Nominal Profeſſor, and a real Atheiſt: None more forward than he to profeſſe Religion, none more backward to practiſe what he profeſſeth: wherefore Mr. Calvin on the place giveth him this brand of infamy, Qui ergo putant ſe poſſe elabi Calv. in loc.ex Dei judicio talibus artificiis eos Propheta maledictos eſſe dicit: Such who by ſuch tricks and juglings think to eſcape Gods judgement, they are accurſed perſons.
In the ſecond place we are to make enquiry what's to be underſtood by having in the flock a Male?
A. By Male wee are to underſtand the beſt of the flock, ſuch as the Law required without blemiſh, Lev. 1. 3. 10. This Male muſt have theſe properties according to Vatablus his obſervation; It muſt be Integer, immaculatus, abſ que ullo vitio. The 70. renders the words foreign (i. e.) that man that is able to give a better ſacrifice: A man of ability to give a Male, and offers a vile contemptible ſacrifice, O what a horrible affront and indignity is this to God! Haec Hierom.autem dicendo oſtendit eos habere quae optima ſunt, & offerre quae mala ſunt: So Hierome on the place. They had the beſt in the flock, and yet offered the worſt; ſuch are accurſed perſons, who carry themſelves thus contemptuouſly towards the great God of Heaven and Cyril. Alexan.Earth, foreign, ſo Cyril of Alexandria. This is nothing leſſe than contumely and injury offered unto God.
3. What are we to underſtand by a corrupt thing?
A. By a corrupt thing we are to underſtand that which is weak, vile, feeble, and contemptible: Cyril on the place thus expreſſeth them; foreign: Such things as ſeem of no account and reckoning: Such was the baſeneſſe of their ſpirits in thoſe daies that they thought any thing good enough for God. No Vows, no Ingagements held them faſt, ſo great was their falſhood and hypocriſie that they offered the refuſe and worſt to God: They loved a cheap religion, eaſie duties, ſleight ſervices, wherefore if they could find out any thing more cheap, eaſie, and contemptible than another, that theſe baſe hypocrites offered to the Lord. Theſe are the deceivers, and notorious juglers which come under the Anathema of the Text: I wiſh there were not an Anabaptiſtical ſpawn in theſe daies, who love a cheap Goſpel, and decry Miniſters and their maintenance: Some are beſt pleaſed with that portion which they have robbed the Miniſters of. Inſomuch that many will brand Miniſters with the odious names of Jewiſh and Antichriſtian Prieſts, though onelyonly for demanding their lawfull dues: And further though a Miniſter demands onelyonly his own (he having as good a right to his tenth part, as any other have to their nine parts) yet the iniquity of theſe times are ſuch, that many make no conſcience at all of defrauding the Miniſter, Siquid blae…um, ſiquid debile, ſiquid distortum, that they will allot for the Miniſters ſhare: But ſuch cheaters of Gods Meſſengers will thrive by their fraudulent dealing, no otherwiſe than the Eagle which ſtole a peece of fleſh from the Altar, and with it took a live coale, which burnt up her own neſt.
And now the Paraphraſe of the words being premiſed, Here are four Doctrines which lye obviouſly in the words.
1. All ſuch as deale deceitfully and hypocritically in Gods ſervice, Doct. 1 expoſe themſelves unto the dreadful curſe of God.
2. In all our ſervices, it's Gods expectation, and our obliged duty to Doct. 2 offer the beſt we can poſsible unto the Lord.
3. It's a high contempt and indignity, to offer any thing vile, refuſe Doct. 3 and corrupt unto the Lord.
4. The greatneſſe of Gods Majeſty, and the eſtimation that Heathens Doct. 4 have of a Deity do abundantly condemne the contemptuous carriages of ſeeming Profeſſors, who offer a contemptible ſacrifice unto the Lord.
Of theſe I ſhall fixe onelyonly on the ſecond, as comprehending the reſt, which I ſhall lay down for the ground work of my enſuing Meditations. The other Doctrines will fall in either as Reaſons or Ʋſes.
For the inlargement of the point of Doctrine propounded, my Method ſhall be:
1. To make ſtrict enquirie, how muſt our ſervices be performed Method.in the beſt way, which we ought to offer unto the Lord? or what is that Male in the Text which wee ought to ſacrifice unto the Lord?
Then in the ſecond place I am to prove my aſſertion by Scripture Teſtimony.
And then thirdly, and laſtly, improve the premiſes in ſome uſefull Application, and I hope ſo to conclude with the aſſiſtance of Gods Spirit, as to prevaile with you to put this Doctrine into practiſe. (i. e.)
To give God your beſt ſervices, beſt endeavours, even ſuch as will be acceptable unto the Lord
For what was firſt propounded, The Inquiry being, how muſt our ſervices be performed which we ought to offer unto the Lord? I ſhall by way of character give in my Anſwer in theſe ſix diſtinguiſhing Qualifications.
1. What we do, even all we doe, muſt come from, and be performed Charact. 1. Al muſt bee done from the heart.with a pure heart. Purity and Integrity of heart are principally lookt after, and eſteemed of in Gods accompt. The heart God calls for, Prov. 23. 26. My Son, give me thy heart. And this heart may not be divided; It muſt be one heart, Jer. 32. 39. And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear mee for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them. It muſt be the whole heart, Joel 2. 12. Therefore, ſaith the Lord, Turne yee unto me with all your heart, with faſting, with weeping, and with mourning. It muſt be all the heart, Joſh. 22. 5. But take heed diligently to doe the Commandement and the Law which Moſes the ſervant of the Lord charged you, to love the Lord your God, and to walk in his waies, and to keep his Commandements, and to cleave unto him, and to ſerve him with all your heart, and with all your ſoul. Lo then a ſingle, ſincere, undivided heart muſt be offered up to God: And whatſoever we doe, we muſt do it heartily, as unto the Lord, Col. 3. 23. Quod cor non facit non fit: When one of the Roman Emperours offered a Beaſt in ſacrifice, and it wanted a heart, their Augures upon the obſervation foretold ſome ſtrange miſery to enſue: I am ſure whatever we offer unto God, if wee bring not our hearts with the offering, all will be rejected. Wherefore the ſacrifice of the wicked is abominated by God, becauſe he offereth it with a naughty heart, Prov. 21. 27. The ſacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?Charact. 2. We muſt have regard unto the beauty of the ſeaſon.
2. In all our ſervices we muſt have regard to the Beauty of the ſeaſon; for every thing is beautifull in its ſeaſon: And a dreadful curſe is threatned againſt all thoſe who brought not the Lord an offering in its ſeaſon, Numb. 9. 13. Of this ſeaſon the Prophet tels us, Iſ. 55. 6. And the Apoſtle, 1 Cor. 6. 2. Now is the ſeaſon to come in and cloſe with God, …now to agree with thine adverſary quickly whilſt thou art in the way with him, ſo we are exhorted Mat: 5. 25. You that are youngeſt, ought to offer your Male to God, your marrow, vigour, beſt ſtrength, even all: Conſecrate your freſh green years to the ſervice of the Lord, Eccl. 12. 1. Remember now thy creator in the daies of thy youth, while the evil daies come not, nor the yeares draw nigh, when thou ſhalt ſay, I have no pleaſure in them, and Micah 7. 1. Woe is me, for I am as when they have gathered the Summer fruits, as the grape gleanings of the Vintage: there is no cluſter to eat: my ſoul deſired the firſt ripe fruit. O that from your childhood, with Timothy and Samuel you would labour to know and fear the Lord! You that are old, give your old age to God, and be more ſerious; bewaile with teare; of blood your youthfull ſinnes: In good earneſt ſeek the Lord, now though it be the eleventh hour, come and work in the Vineyard; and becauſe you have delayed the longer (which is your great wickedneſſe) you had need for the future work the harder. And O! that your laſt daies might bee your beſt daies. Its an obſervation of a Reverend Divine, That a Greenham.young man ſhould honour God with his youth, a middle aged man with his ſtrength, an old man with his wiſdome: Wherefore lay aſide all delayes, demurres, apologies, and vain excuſes; and now take the benefit of the ſeaſon, now lay hold on the golden opportunity, and labour in this thy day to entertain ſerious conſiderations of thoſe things which concern your everlaſting peace.
3. We muſt make Religion our buſineſſe: Let this be foreign, the work of works to ſerve the Lord. The ſervice of God, muſt be Charact. 3. Wee muſt make Religion our buſineſſe.performed ſeriouſly and ſupreamly, Mat. 6. 33. Doe not make an foreign in matters of Religion: All other things muſt bee ſubordinate and ſubſervient unto the Worſhip of God. Wherefore be exhorted to give God the morning and evening ſacrifice. Seven times a day, ſaith David▪ I will praiſe thee: Daniel prayed three times a day: Let's not deale ſo contemptibly with God, as to leave the worſt of our time, that part of the day for God, when we are moſt indiſpoſed for ſervice, ſhuffling over a few prayers between ſleeping and waking, as if ſuch ſleight ſervices would be ſufficient. Be not deceived, God is not, God will not be mocked: God requires the beſt of the Flock. I have often been offended, and it hath been ſad upon my heart, to hear mock prayers of Beggars from door to door mumbling over a few prayers: And I have ever thought it a a ſhame, that ſuch vile wretches ſhould be ſuffered ſo to prophane the Ordinance of Prayer, and take the Name of God in vain: But much more are ſuch to blame, who have gifts and abilities, and yet content themſelves with a formal ſervice, and a lazie, eaſie way of worſhip; ſuch tye themſelves to forms, and preſcriptions of Antiquity, and will force themſelves to crutches, not making tryall whether they can goe without. The Spirit is worth the asking for; and there's a comfortable promiſe, that God will give the Spirit to thoſe that ask him, Luke 11. 13. God promiſeth good things to thoſe that ask him, Mat. 7. 11. and queſtionleſſe the Spirit of God is a good thing.
4. Whatever we doe, we muſt do in Faith; if we pray, we muſt Charact. 4. Wee muſt doe all in faith.pray in Faith, Jam. 5. 15. If we hear, we muſt hear in Faith. What's the reaſon of barrenneſſe and unfruitfulneſſe in hearing of the Word? It proceeds from the want of Faith, Heb. 4. 2. If we receive the Sacrament we muſt receive in Faith; for Faith is the maine qualification in a Receiver. The Scripture compares Faith to an eye, Zach. 12. 10. to a hand, Joh. 1. 12. If we want Faith, we have neither eye nor hand: Chriſts body and blood is meat and drink indeed to the Faith of a worthy Communicant. Now if Faith be wanting, theres a mouth wanting to feed on Chriſt. The Apoſtle tels us, Heb. 11. 6. That without Faith it is impoſsible to pleaſe God, and whatſoever is not of Faith is ſinne: No ſervices of an unbeleever are accepted in the eyes of God.
5. Whatever we doe, we muſt do in the Name of Jeſus Chriſt. Charact. 5. All muſt bee done in the name of Chriſt.Faith makes not God to be ours, but in Chriſt: Chriſt is the object of our Faith, the author and finiſher thereof. No ſervices can bee accepted but in Chriſt; for God will no other way ſhew mercy but through Jeſus Chriſt, 2 Cor. 5. 19. Chriſt is our peace, Epheſ. 2. 14. He is the Mediator between God and Man; He alone hath trod the Winepreſſe of his Fathers fury. Chriſt is that brazen Serpent to whom we muſt look with the eye of Faith, elſe we ſhall never bee cured of the ſtingings of the fierie Serpent. Chriſt was typified by the dead Bird; the living bird muſt be dipt in the blood of th… dead bird, otherwiſe no atonement could be made. Chriſt is that tree, whoſe leaves convey healing to the Nation; the fountaine opened for ſinne and for uncleanneſſe: Chriſt is that Shiloh Jacob propheſied of, that Star Balaam mentioned, that Meſſias propheſied by Daniel, that great Prophet foretold by Moſes. Chriſt is that great brazen Altar before the Throne, whereon all our Sacrifices ought to be offered. Chriſt is the beloved Son, in whom the Father is well pleaſed. He is the new and living way: He is the way, the truth, and life. I inſiſt the longer on this, and am your Remembrancer of theſe things (though ye know them already) and the rather to ſettle you in the truth, againſt thoſe wicked opinions of ſome, who phanſie a Platonick Chriſt, and of others, who tell us of a Poſtern-door for Heathens, and are ſo laviſh in their charity as they will beſtow a Dowry upon Pagans, I ſhall urge onelyonly two Scriptures for confutation, Act. 4. 12. Joh. 17. 3.
6. And laſtly, let's performe all the ſervices of God with Reverence Charact. 6. All muſt bee performed with reverence.and godly fear; Heb. 12. 28. Wherefore we receiving a kingdome which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may ſerve God with reverence and godly fear. The ſerious conſideration of Gods Majeſty and Purity ſhould mightily prevaile upon our hearts, and ſtrike in us an awefull reverence of the great and glorious name of the Lord our God. Whether it be Altar-worſhip, Will-worſhip, or Men-worſhip, I look upon them all as abominable. Yet notwithſtanding when I cry down ſuperſtitious geſtures (farre bee it from me) to cry up irreverent geſtures in the worſhip of God: For any in time of Divine worſhip to be laughing one upon another, it argueth a ſlight and vain ſpirit. To have ones hat on one ſide according to the ſwaggerers faſhion; or partly off, according to a careleſſe ſlovenly faſhion, hanging in their eyes, is a ſcandalous, irreverent, offenſive geſture, whilſt the Preacher is a praying. Not a Governour among you would approve of ſuch a ridiculous geſture in your inferiours, when they come before you: Neither would any of you take ſuch geſtures for capping you, and going bare within the Precincts of a Colledge: And yet this unſeemly irreverent carriage is uſed frequently in publique Aſſemblies, even in time of Prayer. I mention this with a hope and earneſt deſire of Reformation for the future; upon ſerious thoughts I recommend unto you a reverentiall frame of ſpirit. Conſider the preſence of God and of Angels; how many eyes are over you, both of good and bad; wee ought neither to give offence to Jew nor Gentile, nor the Church of God. Remember the Apoſtles counſell, Phil. 4. 8. foreign—Amongſt other things the Apoſtle chargeth us to regard ſuch things as are of good report.
I have now diſpatcht my firſt head of Diſcourſe, which indeed may ſerve as an Uſe of Tryal and Examination, Whether wee offer unto God a Male, the beſt of our ſervices? doe wee offer all from the heart? doe wee lay hold upon the Lords ſeaſon? do we make Religion our buſineſſe? doe we in good earneſt ſet upon the ſervice of God? doe we all in faith, and in the name of Chriſt, with reverence and godly fear? If in truth and ſincerity we can as in the preſence of God, give affirmative Anſwers unto theſe Interrogatories, then queſtionleſſe we offer unto God a Male; not that there's any worth or merit in our ſervices; for when we have done all we can, we are unprofitable ſervants; for there's neither dignitas operis, nec dignitas operantis, ſed dignatio Domini, when there is a willing mind, it is accepted. By Faith Abraham offered Iſaac; God knew the willingneſs and integrity of his heart, and it was all one in Gods eſteem, as if he had actually ſacrificed him; for God accepted the Will for the Deed.
Now in the ſecond place, I muſt make good the proof of my aſſertion; and this I ſhall briefly doe, by giving in evident teſtimony 2. The Doctrine proved. 1. From Scripture.from the Scripture. For Scripture teſtimony, peruſe the whole Levitical Pedagogy: In all Sacrifices the beſt was conſecrated to God; particularly, a Lamb muſt be without blemiſh, Levit. 3. 7, 8. This was for a Peace-offering: For a Burnt-offering the Lamb muſt be of the firſt year, Lev. 3. 9. Why of the firſt year? but becauſe it was eſteemed the beſt; and it's there added, it muſt be without blemiſh: So likewiſe fine flower mingled with oyle, muſt be offered for a Treſpaſſe-offering, Levit. 14. 21. the beſt of the flowre, and the beſt of the oyle muſt be offered unto the Lord. In all offerings of Beaſts it's obſerved, that God gives a ſpecial command, that the inwards and legs ſhould be waſht, Lev. 1. 13. A young Bullock ought to be without blemiſh, Lev. 4. 3. A Ram ought to be without blemiſh, Lev. 6. 6. The Prieſts ought to waſh themſelves: What great purification was required before the receiving of the Paſſeover? All theſe Types proves this Truth, that the beſt and pureſt ſervice ought to be offered up unto the Lord: Abel brought the firſtlings of the flock, and the fat thereof, Gen. 4. 4. He brought God the firſt fruits of his encreaſe, and the beſt, and fatteſt of his flock; whereas Cain, like a niggard, cared not what he gave, as though any thing would ſerve the turn; wherefore Abel was accepted, and Cain rejected. Further, to inſtance in all Spiritual ſacrifices whereof Carnal ſacrifices are but a type: what ever duty or ſervices we performe to God muſt be with the whole man, ſo David profeſt, Pſ. 119. 10. With my whole hear…t have I fought thee. And our love to God muſt be with all the heart, and with all the ſoul, and with all the might, Deut. 6. 5. It's the high commendation of David and all Iſrael that they played before the Lord with all their might. 1 Chron. 13. 8. And its a ſingular commendation of Hezekiah 2 Chron. 31. 21. That in every work he began in the ſervice of the houſe of God and in the Law and in the Commandments to ſeek his God, he did it with all his heart and proſpered: And to the ſame purpoſe we have a parallel commendation of Joſiah that rare King 2 Kings. 23. 25. That he turned unto the Lord with all his heart, and with all his ſoul, and with all his might. We read of examples of great ſincerity and induſtry among the Saints of God: We find Daniel upon his watch and faſting, and praying, David mourning, and watering his Couch with his tears, Jacob wreſtling with the Angel, and how did he wreſtle the Prophet, Hoſea informes us. cap. 12. 4. Yea he had power over the Angel and prevailed, he wept and made ſupplication unto him. Let no man deceive himſelf, for it's not ſo eaſy a matter to ſerve God as he requires: It muſt be no lazy, careles ſervice: The Apoſtle gives thanks in the behalfe of the Theſſalonians for their work of faith, labour of love, and patience of hope 1 Theſſ. 1. 3. We read of a ſtraight gate, and a narrow way to heaven: That the Kingdome of Heaven muſt be took by violence, and onelyonly the violent take it by force: We have a work to work, and we muſt work it out. Phil. 2. 12. foreign &c. And there is foreign 2 Pet. 1. 10. We have a battle to fight, and a race to run. We have Methods of Satan to diſcover, ſtrong holds to beat down, depths to beware of, and devices to find out: All theſe require ſingular paines and diligence. Wherefore we had need take unto us the Divine Panoply; we had need to the utmoſt bend our ſelves to the ſervice of the Lord: We had need conferre our endeavours to the utmoſt to offer to God a Male, this beſt ſacrifice and ſervice unto the Lord.
Many uſes might be made of this Doctrine, as for Exhortation, Reproof, Examination, Inſtruction and Conſolation: I ſhall at preſent onelyonly ſix on one onelyonly Uſe.Uſe 1. For Exhortation
Ʋſe 1. Which ſhall be for Exhortation. Men, Fathers, and Brethren, ſuffer the word of Exhortation, to give unto God back again what he hath given unto you the beſt parts and abilities and endowments, the beſt ſacrifices and the beſt ſervices: My exhortation ſhall be firſt to all in general, and then to two ſorts in a ſpecial manner.
1. To all in general, Let me exhort you to give God your marrow and ſtrength of your age, the morning of the day, your firſt thoughts in the morning, let them be conſecrated unto the Lord: And if the firſt fruits be holy, the whole lump will be ſanctified. Pub. Scipio firſt went into the Senate to pray before he went into the Capitol to conſult: Chriſt was at prayer a great while before day. Mark. 1. 35. David prevented the night watches. The Jewes divided the day into three parts, the firſt was for prayer, the ſecond for the ſtudy of the Law, the third for worke. I have read that King Alfred the founder of the ancienteſt Colledge in our Univerſity, divided the day into three parts, eight houres for prayer, ſtudy and writing, 8 houres for eating, drinking and ſleeping, and eight houres in the affaires of the eſtate. My Brethren let's all make it our buſineſs to ſerve the Lord with all our hearts. Lets in good earneſt with all the members of our bodies and faculties of our ſouls give up our ſelves to God: Let's offer all we are and have even a whole burnt offering unto the Lord. Let's give God the beſt of the beſt. Let's not ſleep away a morning Sermon, and be in our beds when we ought to be in the publicke Congregation: Cannot we riſe early enough for our ſecular intereſt, and ſhall we neglect in the mean time the eternal good of our immortal ſoules? The Queen of Sheba came from the uttermoſt parts of the earth, and the wiſe men came from the Eaſt &c. And ſhal any be ſo lazy as not to ſtep over their threſholds to hear a Sermon? Will men looſe this Manna for want of gathering it? Men ought to labour more to be good then to bee great, and to be more careful to diſcharge their places of preferment, then ſollicitous to procure them; What ſeeking, riding, ſolliciting, undermining, what ſcandalizing, ſupplanting, perfidious dealings are every where to be found? Theſe waies of unbrotherly dealings are very frequently practiced in theſe evil daies. Theſe things (my brethren) ought not ſo to be. I fear thoſe times and practiſes are revived now a daies againſt which the Prophet Micah complains chap. 7. 3. That they hunt every man his brother with a net: Thence an exhortation is inferred v. 5. Truſt not in a friend, put not confidence in a guide. But here lies our duty to doe all we can to promote the honour of God, to lay out our ſelves, Intereſts, and all to advance the Goſpel of Jeſus Chriſt. We ſeek our ſelves every where, our own honour, eaſe, and Intereſt: How greedy are many to get more riches, how ſollicitous of increaſeing their ſubſtance? But how careleſs are men of doing their duties, and diſcharging the great truſt repoſed in them? Wherefore the other part of my Uſe ſhall in an eſpecial manner be directed to two ſorts of Perſons, viz. Magiſtrates and Miniſters.
1. Let Magiſtrates doe their beſt in their capacity to promote 1. To Magiſtrates.the glory of God. They have great advantages put into their hands, and let them remember that they bear not the ſword in vaine: A Magiſtrate in Gods cauſe ſhould be like Levi, who knew neither Father nor Mother, nor Brother nor Siſter. Of all others a Magiſtrate ſhould be a man of zeale and courage, he ſhould bring the wheel upon the wicked: Be they honourable or worſhipful, he ſhould not ſpare them in their wickedneſs. Swearers, Drunkards, Whoremongers, Sabbath-breakers; theſe ſhould be puniſhed, and Blaſphemers who are as bad as the worſt: For their abomination is never the leſs, becauſe they have ſo many to plead for them. It's an old Moral Law, never yet repealed, that he that blaſphemeth the name of the Lord ſhould be put to death. Lev. 24. 16. What abundance of good may Magiſtrates doe? How many prizes have they put into their hands to ſerve God in their places? Let none be afraid to be good: Let them have this Motto or Monitor in their ſerious thoughts; Thoſe that honour God, he will honour, but as for thoſe that deſpiſe him they ſhall be lightly eſteemed.2. To Miniſters.
2. Here's one word to Miniſters and ſo for the preſent I ſhall conclude. Muſt God have the beſt, then let Miniſters offer to God their prayers, ſtudies, beſt paines. Luther uſed to ſay that prayer Meditation and Tentation makes a Preacher, And Bernard uſed to ſay Bene oraſſe eſt bene ſtuduiſſe. Let all Miniſters pray much; let them firſt ſtudy their own hearts, and then ſtudy their ſermons, which they preach to their Auditors. The Preacher ſtudied acceptable words. A Miniſter muſt be an Interpreter one of a thouſand: Gods mouth to diſtinguiſh the pretious from the vile: He muſt have the tongue of the learned to ſpeak a word in due ſeaſon. I have often thought of Davids reſolution to Araunah that he would not offer to the Lord, that which ſhould coſt him nothing, Queſtionleſs, tranſcriptions, Extemporary effuſions, vain fancies, forced Allegories, Wiredrawne Expoſitions are unbecomeing a Pulpit. There's a curſe, upon all thoſe that doe the work of the Lord negligently. Let's all endeavour to approve our ſelves workemen that neednot to be aſhamed. Thanks be to God, There's a choice company of young men, who uſually ſupply this lecture. Their ſpirits are ſerious, and their language ſavory, and they preach ſolid, Orthodox and ſouleſaving Doctrines. I muſt admire and can neuer enough bleſs God for the ſame. The ſaying is no more common than true, that the hope of our Church is in our young men. I will make no compariſons, I wiſh from my heart that we were all better, that we would preach more ſolidly and more frequently. And ſor mine own part I am of opinion that thoſe who preach moſt frequently haveing a ſingle eye at Gods glory, theſe are the beſt and moſt profitable Preachers, and doe moſt good to poore ſoules. Let none of us hide our talents in a Napkin. Let's not hide our Candle under a Buſhel: But let's imploy frequently this ſword of the ſpirit and draw it out, leſt Ducentas octoginta ſex Conciones quotannis habuit Calvinus ad Popu'ū, Lectiones vero centum, & octoginta ſex, praeter Epiſt…las, Diſputationes &c. Beza in vita Calvin….by keeping it in the ſcabbard it grow ruſty for want of uſing. When we read of Chryſoſtomes foreign. I (ſaith he) preacht yeſterday and to day: And of Calvins indefatigable paines, (as * Beza writes in his life) we may be aſhamed that we do no more. Let not any ordained Miniſter eſpecially ſtand idle in the market place, and ſay none hath hired me: There are many pulpits empty both here & in adjacent Pariſhes. Yo… have places enough to viſit, were you but of the rare ſpirit of Amaziah the ſon of Zichri, who did willingly offer himſelf unto the ſervice of the Lord. Brethren I am jealous over you with a godly jealouſy: And in love to your ſoules, I am your remembrancer of theſe things. Liberavi animam. And ſo for the preſent I conclude; heartily deſireing, that what hath been ſpoken may abide by you, and leave deep impreſſion upon all your Conſciences.