Exposition of the Apostles Creed, Part · Sermon 31

Exposition of the Apostles Creed · Part · Sermon 31

p. 394The Stability and Excellency of the Church.

Isaiah 2.1.2, 3, 4, 5.

The Word that Isaiah the sonne of Amos saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.

And it shall come to pass in the last dayes, that the Mountain of the Lords House shall be established in the top of the Mountains, and shall be exalted above the Hills, and all Nations shall flow unto it.

And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the Mountain of the Lord, to the House of the God of Jacob, and he will teach us of his wayes, and we will walk in his paths; for out of Zion shall go forth the Law, and the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

And he shall judge among the Nations, and shall rebuke many people; and they shall beat their Swords into Plowshares, and their Spears into Pruning Hooks; Nation shall not lift up a Sword against Nation, neither shall they learn War any more.

O House of Jacob, Come ye, and let us walk in the light of the Lord.

THAT these words contain a Prediction of the Vocation of the Gentiles, and the foundation of the Catholick Church of Christians, is the judgement of all Ancient and Modern Expositors; for that there is a constat, and it needs no farther proof: What the Prophet delivers about it, may be reduced to these three general heads.

1. A Preface, or Inscription of the Prophesie, Ʋer. 1.

2. A Prediction, or the Prophesie it self, Ver. 2.3, 4.

3. An Exhortation of the Prophet directed to the Jews, Ver. 5.

1. The Preface shews us the certainty of the Prophesie.

2. In the Prediction we are to consider many things.

p. 3951. The time when the Prophesie was to take effect, In the last dayes.

2. The firmness, stability, and continuance of the Church; It shall be an established Mountain.

3. The Excellency and Glory of it; It shall be established in the top of the Mountain, and exalted above the Hills.

4. The Amplitude and Greatness of it; all Nations shall flow unto it.

5. The excellent and rare qualities of the people collected into this Church.

1. Their Zeal, Love, Charity one to another, exhorting, and inciting each other to an ardent study of piety: Come, let us go to the Mountain of the Lord, &c.

2. Their readiness to learn, and to obey; he will teach us his ways, and we will walk in his paths.

The causes both of their

Zeal,

& Ready Obedience.

1. That which outwardly moved them to it; the Law to go forth from Zion, and the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

2. That which inwardly; the conviction by the Spirit; he shall judge, he shall rebuke.

3. The third quality of this people, is, that they should be peaceable, Metaphorically described in the 4th. Ʋerse, They shall beat their Swords into Plowshares, &c.

3. When the Prophet had foreseen, and foretold that the Gentiles should embrace the light of the Gosp l, he exhorts his own Kindred and Countreymen the Jewes, to do t…e like. O House of Jacob come ye, and let us walk in the light o… the Lord, Ver. 5.

This is the summe of this Prophesie, in handling of which I shall insist upon those points only which are to my present purpose; the rest I shall but lightly touch, and first of the Preface.

1. T…e Word that Isaiah the son of Amo… saw.

The Word is here put for that which Isaiah saw, the Vision, or that which was revealed unto the Prophet; and it is not improbable, that it might be adumbrated, or presented unto him, that he saw the Gentiles, Scult. in loc.and heard their words, saying one to another, Come, let us go up; it being usual with God, to confirm his promises by Types, and outward Signs. Thus in the Sacraments under visible signs he is pleased to represent unto us his passion, and to impart life and saving grace to such as are capable thereof; for sith God is in himself invisible; therefore when it seems good to his Wisdom that men should take notice of his approaches, he gives them some plain and sensible token whereby to know that which they cannot see; as in the motion of the waters at the Po…l of Bethesda;John 5. Acts 2.John 5Acts 2 or in the descent of fiery tongues upon the Apostles. Now that which he saw here, was the rejection of the Jew…s, and the calling or admission of the Gentiles into the Church; the rejectio… of them in the following part of the Chapter; the calling of the Gentil…s in this former; where we first meet with the time when this was to be fulfilled.

p. 3962. It shall come to passe in the last days.

Futurum est, It shall come to passe, that was out of all question, for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. Now if any should doubt, and ask, when should this be? he assignes the time, The last days; to wit, that time when the Law of Ceremonies was to be abolish'd, and the Gospel begun to be preached by Christ, after pub…ished to the whole world, which is call'd the last time in the Old Testament here, in Micah 4.1. Joel 2.29. And in the New, Act. 2.17. 1 Pet. 1.11. Heb. 1.2.

Alvarez in loc.Now this is call'd the last time, not ratione temporis, sed ratione status. Not in respect of time, as if so soon as this prophecy should begin to be fulfill'd, the last day must presently come. But that these should be the last dayes to the Jewish state and policy, that now the Scepter was to depart from Judah, Gen. 49.10.Gen 49:10Shil…h was to come, and a new form of government to succeed in the Church, which was to be fixed, firm, stable, and lasting, till time should be no more; and therefore this Policy might well be call'd the last, there being no other to succeed and come after it. The Law of Nature went before, the Law of Moses succeed. Novissimè, now in the last dayes he hath spoken by his Son; Heb. 1.2. Rev. 14.6.Heb 1:2Rev 14:6and by any other he will not speak. His blood is the blood of the last and eternal Testament.

Three ages then we may reckon of the world. The first is as it were the child-hood and youth of the world, under which men were Tutoured by the Law of Reason. The second, as it were the manhood, when the Jews were brought up under Moses and the Prophets. The third, as it were the worlds old age, lasting from Christs coming in humility, till his appearing in glory, in which men are taught by the Gospel, and which must last till all things which are written must be fulfi…l'd.

But as th… Old age of m…n may perhaps last longer in number of yeares than both the other, which yet because it succeeds the other, is call'd the last age of man: So also may this, should it exceed both the former Ages, be call'd the last Age, because none is to follow it. For it is not call'd the last, as if it were not to continue after it began many dayes. But, that after Christ appeared in the flesh, no other Messiah was to be expected, no other Gospel, no other Sacraments, no other Church-government to be looked for; what he ordain'd, was to stand fast and continue to the worlds end. For as our Prophet assures us

3. The Mountain of the Lords House shall be established.

That is, the Church, as Expositors unanimously agree; and the cause of the Trope, is, First, because the Temple to which the Jews repaired for Gods service, was built on a Hill; and next it was the custome of Idolators, to seat their Altars, Groves, and Houses of their gods, on high places. Whether this were done in imitation of the Temple so seated, I know not; or whether by it they would put all men in minde to ascend in their thoughts, when they were about any Religious worship.Psa. 24.3.Ps 24:3

And those properties which in Scripture we reade attributed to Mountains, will well agree to the Church.

1. Abundance, Fertility, and Plenty; His vineyard was planted in a very fruitful hill: Isa. 5.1. Psal. 68.15.Isa 5:1Ps 68:15As the hill of Bashan, so is Gods hill; foreign. Sep…. a hill of fat things, in it no want of any thing for the nourishment of a spiritual life.

p. 3972. Wholesomnesse of aire. And in the Church there be no mists and fogs of errour; the doctrine of it …s sound and wholesome doctrine;2 Tim. 1 1….2 Tim 1:1 sound words, that cure and preserve the health of a soule, and never infect it.

3. Eminency and height. For Mountains are higher than other places, and so is the Church; it hath the preheminence of all other governments. All Sc…pters must yield to it, and Kings with their Crowns, Rev. 4.10.Rev 4:10submit before it.

4. Security and safety. Fly to the Mountain, saith the Angel to Lot. Gen. 19.7.Gen 19:7And if there be security or safety any where to be found, it is in this Mountain: For it is the Mountain of God.Psal. 68.17. & 91.4.Ps 68:17Ps 91:4 This is Gods hill in which it pleaseth him to dwell f r ever. And if there can be protection any where, it must be in his house, under his wings, under his feathers.

5. Here he will dwell: So that he hath not taken it up as a place to stay, rest,Psa. 132.14.Ps 132:14 or lodge in for a night or so, as men use in an Inn, but as a House to dwell and abide in it for ever. In which respect it may well be called a Mountain, than which no parts of the earth are more firme, more lasting, more durable: Are they not for this call'd The Everlasting Hills? Gen. 49.26.Gen 49:26The violence of waters removes not these out of their places; Time though it wear them, yet it annihilates them not. And such is the Church of God a Mountain unmoveable; It hath, it doth, it shall continue unto the end of the world; and therefore our Prophet here puts us in mind, that

4. It is the Mountaine of the Lords House established.

A house it is, built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Ephes. 2.20.Eph 2:20Jesus Christ himself being the chief Corner-stone. This Corner-stone is put either in the bottome of the building, upon whose firmness and stability the weight of the whole doth relie; or sometime again in the top, to knit together two Walls. This Rock was Christ; and other foundation can no man lay; and Christ also was this upper stone, who knit together the two Walls, Jews and Gentiles, into this one House his Church. And being thus knit, so the house must stand;Mat. 16.18.Matt 16:18 For the Gates of Hell shall not be able to prevaile against it.

Persecutors, Hereticks, Schismaticks, profane persons, are these gates of Hell. They that sit in the gates, and have power in their hands, and counsel in their heads, crying with Edom, Exanite, exan…te, Psal. 137.7.Ps 137:7us{que} ad fundamenta, Down with it, down with it, even to the ground, are the strength of the bottomless pit; but their strength is to sit still,Isa. 30.7.Isa 30:7 for the Mountain of the Lords House shall be established; when they are able to remove the Cornerstone that is laid in the foundation, or that knits the walls, then they may hope to cast down and ruine the House; but since that is immoveable, and beyond their power, all their endeavor is like that of the Gyants, who laboured to remove Mountains to their own ruine.

Confessed it must be, that the rain hath descended, and the floods came,Mat. 7.27.Matt 7:27 and the winds have blown high, and have fallen upon this house; irruerunt, sed non prevaluerunt; the storms have been many and great, but it was never storm'd, for it was and is built upon a Rock. We have a strong City, salvation will God appoint for walls and Bulwarks. And as we have heard, Isa. 26.1. Psal. 48.8.Isa 26:1Ps 48:8so have we seen in the City of our God, that God upholds the same for Ever.

Pharaoh works wisely to destroy the Israelites, but they multi…ly;Exod. 1.10. Ezra 2. Mat. 2.Exod 1:10Ezra 2Matt 2 The Babylonians oppress the C…ptive Jews, but they return many more thousands than were carried into bondage. Herod seeks the life of our Saviour, p. 398but Christ lives.Acts 3.Acts 3 The High Priests and Elders seek to suppress the Apostles, but the Word in their mouths took effect to the conversion of the world. What should I say,Tertul. that Sanguis Martyrum was semen ecclesiae, the blood of Martyrs was the seed of the Church? So true is that of Hilary, Ec lesia dum persequuta est, Hilar.floret; dum opprimitur, crescit; dum contemnitur, proficit; dum laeditur, vincit; dum arguitur, intelligit; tum deni{que} stat, cum superari videtur. That which mists, fogs, and clouds, are able to do against the light and beams of the Sun; the same may force, fraud or falsehood do against the Church; hide they may the glory thereof for a time, wholly suppress the beams and light they never can; for it is a City built upon a Hill, the Founder is God, Christ the Foundation, the Elect the living stones, the Spirit of Love and Truth the cement that joynes them; so that the gates of Hell shall never be able to prevail against it. Oppugnare possunt, expugnare non possunt; Oppose they may, and will, but utterly overthrow they never shall: Be it that God bring a heavy destruction upon any people,Isa. 14.32.Isa 14:32 among whom his Church doth sojourn, so that a man may take up the Prophets words, Houle O Gate, cry O City, thou whole Palestina art dissolved, for there shall come from the North a smok…: What shall one then answer the Messengers of the Nations? what shall be said to them that ask in such a general deluge, What shall become of the Church? This, saith the Prophet, Say, that the Lord hath founded Zion, and the poor of his peopl… shall trust in it. Isa. 11.16.Isa 11:16These are the remnant of his people, for whom there shall be an high-way to escape, as it was for Israel in the day when he came out of Egypt. Isa. 6.13.Isa 6:13When the Cities shall be wasted, in it there shall be a tenth, a part Sacred and dedicated to God, and it shall return. This shall be like a Teile tree, and as an Oak whose substance is in them, when they cast their leaves; so the holy seed shall be the substance thereof. As in the Autumn trees cast their leaves, whose substance and life preserv'd in the root, shews it self the next Spring: so is it with the people of God; despoyl'd they may be in the Winter of affliction of all their beauty, but the substance still remains in the Holy seed. And so long as life remains in the seed, the species and things themselves can never be said to be extinguisht. And from this seed, in despite of all opposition, many other Holy branches will shoot up.

Now if you ask the reason, I can give no other than th…s, The zeale of the Lord of Hoasts shall do this; Isa. 9.7.Isa 9:7'tis his love, 'tis his mercy to his Church; for he hath writ her in the palmes of his hands, he hath loved her with an everlasting love, Isa. 49.16. Jer. 31.3. Hos. 2.19. Mat. 16.18.Isa 49:16Jer 31:3Hos 2:19Matt 16:18he hath espoused her to himself for ever. He hath built her upon a Rock, he hath founded her as a Mountain, a Mountain prepared by him, established by his Decree. And then 'tis but in vain for Devils or men to go about to move it, much less to remove it. 'Tis the true Hill of Zion that stands fast for ever.Psa. 125.1.Ps 125:1

And yet this gives no security to any particular Churches, but they may be broken off. The promise is made to the whole, and not to any part. 'Tis the Mountain of the Lords House that is establish'd, and must stand, not every particular stone, or parcel of that Mountain. For as we see by the injury of time, or violence of torrents, many eminent parts of a Mountain to be broken off, and divers great stones to be tumbled down, when yet the whole remains firm upon its basis and foundation: So is it with the Church of God; many fair and goodly pieces have been broken off, as Jerusalem, Corinth, the seven Churches of Asia, that at Colossi, Philippi, &c. And yet the Church built on the Mountain,Psa. 89.37.Ps 89:37 remains still, and shall remain so long as the sun and moon endureth.

Rom. 11.20, 21, 22.Rom 11:20Rom 11:21Rom 11:22The Lesson that we are to learn from it, is that of St. Paul, Be not high-minded, p. 399but fear; and I cannot use a more powerful argument than he doth, drawn from the example of the Jew; For if God spared no… the natural branches, take heed lest he spare not thee. Behold therefore the goodnesse and severity of God; on them which fell severity, but towards thee goodnesse, if thou continue in his goodnesse; otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. These last words sound in the eare like a clap of Thunder, Thou also shalt be cut off; whom will it not startle! Spoken it is to whole Nations, spoken it is to all particular Churches, spoken to every single man in any particular Church; and can they then do less than fear? What was once done, may be done again; the Jew degenerated and was cut off, take heed lest the same befall not thee, if thou prove an unprofitable branch.

As God is good, so is he also severe. The sight is offended with too much light, and by too little hindred. So the comfort of Gods promises is much abated by the view of too much mercy, or none at all; that causeth despair, this presumption. The cure for both, is, the remembrance of Gods foreign here, his excision of the Jew, it will secure from presumption. Remember also his incision of the Gentile, and it will keep from despaire. And yet that no Nation ingraffed into the Vine or Olive in place of the Jew be high-minded, that shall befall the Gentile that befell the Jew, foreign, if he continue not, he shall be cut off, stock'd up; become in a worse case than the Jew; for he hath a promise to be engraffed again; but to any particular Church of the Gentiles, I find none such made.

Continue then, and persevere to the end. Heb. 3.14.Heb 3:14This is a necessary condition of faith; for faith saveth that is kept to the end: Flowers fresh and sweet please, but fading are cast away. If Jerusalem the faithful City become an Harlot, if Corinth rent with divisions continue carnal,Isa. 1.21. 1 Cor. 3..4 Rev. 2.4. & 3.15. & 17.5. Mat 3.9. Jer. 7 4.Isa 1:211 Cor 3Rev 2:4Rev 3:15Rev 17:5Matt 3:9Jer 7:4 if Ephesus leave her first. Love, if Laodicea be not hot nor cold; nay, if Rome her self become the Scarlet whore, she also shall be broken off. Think not to say with the Jews, We have Abraham for our father; for God is able even out of these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Presume not upon The Temple of the Lord, The Temple of the Lord, for any particular Temple may fall to the ground, and yet his House be establish'd. His promise is not made to any National Church, it is to the Catholique; This is the Mountain of the Lords House, and it shall be established in the tops of the Mountains, and shall be exalted above all hills.

5. Established in the tops of the Mountains, and exalted above all Hills.

Our Prophet still continues in the Metaphor; and as by the Mountain he intimated the stability, continuance, and firmness of Christs Church, so also in this he fore-tells the glory and eminency of it. Far more glorious it shall be than any other Temple, either Jewish, or Heathenish; and the Truth professed by them who resort to it, as far exceeding all other Religions, Sects, and impieties, as a Mountain that over-tops all the Hillocks round about it. You see the reason of the Trope, and it justifies our Saviours words, That it is a City set upon a Hill, whence it will follow,Mat. 5.14.Matt 5:14 that it cannot be hid; and thence we may as easily gather, that it must be Visible. Which doctrine we constantly maintain, though our Adversaries of Rome are pleased to defame us: And defended it must be; for how else should all Nations flow unto it? how should they call one to another, venite ascendamus, Come, let us ascend to the Hill of the Lord, if this Mountain, if this House did not appear? This is it then we say, that existent alwayes it is, but not in an equal glory. The question then being not of the essence of the p. 400Church, but of the existence only, evident it is, that the distinction of a visible and invisible Church is but modal, which never makes a new thing, but intimates that the adjuncts of the same thing are to be considered at one time in this manner, and at another time in another. You shall understand my meaning by familiar instances: I pull in, I put forth; I clinch, I open my hand; will any man say my hand is not the same it was before? A man retires himself out of this Congregation, and anon he appears again; is he not therefore the same man? The like may be said of the Church; in the time of trouble and persecution it hath retired; under the protection and favour of Princes, it hath come forth again; contracted it hath been by sin and heresie; dilated and opened by the gracious motions of the Spirit; and yet all the while but the same Church.

But that you may the better apprehend this point, for a main matter depends upon it, I will shew you how far we grant the Church visible; how far, and in what sence invisible.

1. If the Catholick Church be taken in its full latitude, as it takes in Christ the Head, and whole society of Saints, partly Triumphant in Heaven, partly Militant here on earth, so it is invisible. For neither is Christ the Head now an object of our eye; nor yet from Ab…l to this day, any one, as a member of that society, seen by us.

2. For next, we say, that let the Church be taken for the true, proper, and univocal parts thereof, wrestling with flesh and blood, now here on earth, who are truly members of Christs mystical body, and these are wholly invisible. All men knew Nathanael to be an Israelite, but that he was a true Israelite, John 1.47.John 1:47in whom there was no guile, was no object to sence, but known only to God, to whose eye the heart is clear and manifest. As men are Christians they may be seen; but that they, are elected, that his Spirit unites them to Christ, that they have faith unfained, that their works proceed from a pure heart, and a good conscience, who can pronounce, saving only the searcher of all mens hearts, who only intuitively doth know in this kinde, who are his? We can see the men, and by their fruits hope they are Gods elect; but to speak precisely, no mortal eye can discern them to be Gods Elect, but God alone: because Hypocrites and the Reprobate do many times resemble them in shew and profession. And thus much a Papist dares not deny.

3. The whole question lies only upon the outward state and condition of the Church. And of this the Learned of Rome affirm, that the company of Professors must be so illustrious, that it may be known to all men, living at all times, that the Church is so visible, that it is palpable, that it is as co…spicuous as any earthly kingdome, that it may be discerned, and as it were pointed out with the finger. This their errour lies in the excess. With them then though we agree that the Church even in the external face and profession hath been and shall be alwayes known, being a Society distinct from Jews and Infidels; Yet we content our selves with a lower degree of visibility: For we say, That this Society is not alwayes alike eminent, but sometimes clouded, obscured, covered, darkned, as a house on the top of a Mountain envelop'd with a mist or a thick Fogg. This company is descended from Abraham, of whose posterity God said, that it should be …ike the Starres of Heaven, Gen. 15.4. Gen. 22.17.Gen 15:4Gen 22:17and the Sands of the Sea; sometimes then as those lights of heaven, shining in their glory, at other times are darkned or eclipsed; at one time as those sands apparant to any eye, but at another covered with waves of tribulation and tentation. And this is evident to any man that is conversant, either in Scripture or story.

p. 401For first, The number may be small: Was it not so in the time of Elijah? Doth he not complain, I only am left alone? Seven thousand indeed there were, but Elijah saw them not; a seed, a remnant,1 King. 19.14, 181 Kgs 19:141 Kgs 19:18 a substance in the root which every eye cannot discern; if the Church be so conspicuous, as the Romanists tell us for the number, why do they place it in the V rgin Mary alone at our Saviours passion? certainly it was not very glorious, when those one hundred and twenty were shut up, and concealed in an upper Chamber.Acts 1.15.Acts 1:15

2. The external Government thereof may come to decay; Pastors driven from their Flocks, and the outward exercise of Religion suspended. In the Jewish Church it was so in the seventy years captivity; and by the confession of our Adversaries, it shall be so in those three years and a half of Antichrists Reign; for they agree to that of Hippolitus, Hippol.that then the holy houses of God shall be like a Co…age; the precious body of Ch…ist and his blood shall not be extant; the Liturgy shall be extinguished; the singing of Psalms shall cease; the reading of the Scriptures shall not be heard: A…d therefore the Church is well compared in the Revelation to a Woman, which at one time is as visible as any thing can be, cloathed with the Sun, Rev. 12.1, 5, 6.Rev 12:1Rev 12:5Rev 12:6and having the Moon under her feet, and upon her head a Crown of twelve stars; and yet at another time she is driven into the Wilderness out of the sight of men; yea, her child taken up into heaven, there to abide a thousand two hundred and threescore days.

3. The most and greatest may be carried into Errour; the Pastors becoming Wolves in Sheeps cloathing, Rev. 13.6, 17.Rev 13:6Rev 13:17and the people receiving the mark of the Beast; so that some few, and they such as are most unlikely to defend the Truth, are remaining: Multitude, Authority, and Reputation defendi…g the one side; and Paucity, and Meanness, discountenancing the other. Thus it fell out in the time of Arrius, when the whole world groaned, & miratus est se factum A…rianum, and wondered how on a sudden it became Arrian; Athanasius only, and a few that were banished with him, excepted; whose hand was against every man, and every mans hand against him.Gen. 16.12.Gen 16:12

4. Lastly, Yet we affirm that there have been, and evermore shall be some Pastors and People, more or less, who even to the view of men have professed the substance and essential parts of Religion, and have openly taught the prime, necessary, fundamental Articles of saving truth, though in some secondary points carried by the stream and darkness of the Times, they might have failed and erred; yea such, who have reproved the gross Errors which Time-servers, and false Teachers brought in. This they have done, either Agendo, or Patiendo; either by their tongues or by their lives; by preaching the Truth, or dying for the Truth; so that Historians have taken notice of them.

The doubt then betwixt Rome and Us, ought not to be of the Visibility of the Church, but only of the manner of the Visibility: For we both affirm it visible, but not in the same degree. They tell us of a Ro…al, Pompous, and Glorious Estate, such as is the outward face of Earthly Dominions and Monarchies; and this we deny to be always necessary to the Church of God; for we make it an external, no proper accident of the Church, and such is separable: And instead thereof we put another Visibility, to wit, a company of Pastors and Pe…le, however reproved, disgraced, persecuted, that either in the view of the W…rld in General, or in the presence of any part thereof, do teach saving Truth i… the Main and Capital Articl…s of Religion, which we say is sufficient to make the Church visible, and is inseparable from it.

p. 402These things being premised, easie it is to answer unto that scornful demand of those who flowt, and ask, Where was our Religion? Where was our Church before Luther arose? In what hole of the Earth it lurked? where for so many years it lay asleep? Foolish men! as if Luther, or any other Reformer ever went about to erect a new Church, or a new Religion: No, no, the Church of Christ never was but one, the same from the beginning to the end. If their Church then was visible, ours is also visible, because theirs and ours are both but parts of the Catholick; theirs indeed unsound, ours recovered of that unsoundness which it had contracted so long as it was remaining among them:1 Kings 5.1 Kgs 5 As therefore Naaman, sick of his leprosie, was the same Naaman that he was, being cured, visibly the same man; so also are we yet visibly the same Church, of the same society of Christians, among them leprous, but gone from their company healed. When then was our Church visible before Luther? Why in the bosome of Rome; but unsound, and unhealthy; where is it now? in the Western Church still, visibly healed and bettered.

The state of the Church under the Roman obedience, and that part which is Reformed, is very fitly resembled to a Field over-grown with Weeds, Tares, and Cockle: Some part whereof is weeded and cleansed, some part whereof remains as it was before; which makes such a vast difference to the eye, as if it were not the same Corn: But being well considered, it will appear, that the whole difference is from the Weeds which remain there, and are here taken away. Those laborious husbandmen, that in the last hundreds of years have taken pains in plucking up those rank Weeds out of the Lords Field, cannot be rightly said in doing this, either to have brought in another piece of ground, or to have changed the old seed; the Field is the same, but weeded now, and unweeded then; the Grain the same, but winnowed n…w, and unwinnowed then; and this appears, because we both hold fast still the same fundamental points, the same Creed, the same Rule of Obedience, the same Rule of Prayer, the same Sacraments, the same Canon of Scripture.

It doth not then beseem men of learning and ingenuity to object in scorn to us an Aery and Mathematical Church, consisting of certain imaginary invisibilities; for our Church is no more Aery and invisible than their own, being in Essence the same with theirs, as the blind man, who had recovered his sight, was the same in substance he was before; no other man, but no blind man. That which we confess, is this, That the number who opposed their innovations, was in comparison of the opposite party, small, their authority little, and their power less; so that in regard of the prevailing Faction, which like some swelling Torrent carried all before it, they were scarce a considerable party. A party yet they were, who with Elijah, and his 7000. never bowed to Baal; and because they were but a small party, it gave occasion to some Divines to say our Church was invisible. The parts of this Church, whether visible, or invisible, in the sense before belongs to the Catholick Church, of which we have an evident prediction in this place, because our Prophet addes,

6. That all Nations shall flow unto it.

Such was to be the latitude of this Mountain, such the amplitude of this House; the Catholick Church and Faith was to fill so many places, that it might be said to be planted everywhere. Other Nations had their Mountains, that is, their Groves, their Temples, their Altars; but there was not an universal concourse of all people to any one of them. In Judea also the Mountain p. 403of the Lord was very glorious, but not a Jew dare say, that the glory of their Temple, or hill of Zion consisted in this, that all people came to Jerusalem to worship. In Jewry indeed God was known, and his Name was great in Israel; at Salem was his Tabernacle, Psal. 76.1, 2.Ps 76:1Ps 76:2and his dwelling in Zion.

B…t all this while the Gentiles in general were set by, they had not the knowledge of his Laws; as they cared not to perform any honour to God, so God call'd upon them for no special duties. In one Countrey or other he might perhaps cast a favourable eye upon this or that man, and call a Job, a Naaman, a Jethro, or an Eunuch to do him service; but for the gene…ality of men, he suffered them to wander in their own wayes, Act. 14.16, 17.Acts 14:16Acts 14:17though then he le…t them no without excuse, because he gave them rain, and fruitful seas…ns: But when these last dayes came that our Prophet speaks of, this Mountain was exalted above all Hills, and all Nations did flow unto it. Whil'st it was yet confined at Jerusalem, there were of all Nations converted by S…int Peters Sermon, and soon after the noise of the Apostles Trumpets, sound…d over all the World, thousands in all places resorted to this Mountain. About one hundred and forty years after our Saviours birth, so great was the confluence of people, that an Ancient Father was not afraid to say,Justin. Martyr dial. cum Tryphone. that there was no People, no Nation so barbarous amongst whom by the crucified Jesus supplications and thanksgiving are not made to the Creator of all things. In Lybia, Egypt, the East, there were many Languages, but one Faith;I…n. Tertull. Apoll. Christians then fill'd the Islands, the Castles, the Cities, the Palaces, …he Senate, the Court of the Roman Empire: Parthians, Medes, Ela…tes, M r…s, Gauls, Spaniards, Britans, Sarmatians, Germans, Scythians did render themselves Subjects to Christ and his Law.

Daniel saith, that he saw a stone; i. e. Christ cut from the Mountain; Dan. 2.45.Dan 2:45i. e. Mary, without hands; that is, the help of mans seed; and that this stone became a Mountain, which fill'd all the earth. How grew this stone to be so great? how to fill the whole earth? not in his Natural body, but in his Mystical, which is the Catholick Church, filling the whole Wo…ld; to which Saint Augustine alludes in this manner, What is there so manif…st as a H…ll? August. Tract. 1. in Ep. Joan.But yet there be many Hi…ls unknown, because they are but in one place of the Earth; but so it can never be said of this Hill, because it shall be an Hill erected in the top of H lls, and all Nations shall flow unto it. Prov. 14.28.Prov 14:28In the mult… tude of a people is the glory of a King. How glorious then was this Empire to be, in which there was not an accession of one Nation, or one people, but every Tongue, every Nation, were annexed to his Crown, and the uttermost par…s of the earth given to Christ for his inheritance!Psal. 2.8.Ps 2:8

This was the honour reserved to the Son of God; he was to be the Catholick King, and King of Catholicks; his Church is Catholick, his Power is Catholick, his Laws are Catholick, and are made known to all▪ that they might be observed by all; to that end he gave a Catholick Commission to his Disciples, Go and teach all Nations; for now Peters observation is found true; In every Nation he that fears God, and doth righteousness, Mat. 28.19. Acts 10.34.Matt 28:19Acts 10:34is accepted of him.

Now this is a point that serves for Reproof and Comfort.

1. It casts shame into the face of the Romanists, that ingross Christ to their seven Hills. God saith, all Nations, no say they; none b…t they who shall be built upon the Popes Rock; none but who must have depe…dance on St. Peters Chair. Uncharitable men, that when Christ hath given liberty for all Nations to flow to his Church, do so restrain and confine the limits of it, that none shall come thither, till he come to Rome first; the rest may be excluded for Hereticks, Schismaticks, Infidels, and I know not what; if this p. 404be not Donatisme, let the World judge: But with these I will not enter the Lists at this time.

2. That which I intend, is to leave a deep impression in your hearts of this mercy; for give me leave to bespeak you in Moses words, Rejoyce O ye Nations with his people. Deut. 32.43.Deut 32:43Before we were a Deodate given to Christ by God, shut we were out of the Covenant, Eph. 2.12, 19. verse 3.Eph 2:12Eph 2:19enemies, strangers, without God in the World; but now we are admitted into the League, made friends, taken into the Family, and incorporated to be Fellow-Citizens with the Saints. Before we were children of wrath; Ephes. 1.6.Eph 1:6but now beloved in him, who was, and is the Beloved. Before banished from the inheritance of heaven; but now estated in an inheritance uncorrupt, 1 Pet. 1.4.1 Pet 1:4undefiled, that fades not away, reserved for us. Before we were dispersed over the World; John 10.16.John 10:16but now gathered as Sheep into one Fold, under on… Shepherd. Before we sate in the darkness and shadow of death; but now light is risen up to us. Matth. 4.16.Matt 4:16Our Saviours words are made good, Many from the East and West, Matth. 8.11.Matt 8:11from the North, and from the South, shall come and sit down in the Kingdom of God: God hath perswaded Japhet to live and dwell in the Tents of Shem.Gen. 9.27.Gen 9:27

That Task which the Apostle puts upon us for this mercy, is, that we praise God. Rom. 15.11.Rom 15:11Praise the Lord all ye Gentiles, and laud him all ye people. The Lord hath healed the broken-hearted, and given sight to the blinde. Lost Sheep we all were,Psal. 34.18.Ps 34:18 and God hath gone after us in the Wilderness, and brought us home on his own shoulders to the Fold. Luke 15.5.Luke 15:5The time was, when we lay as the wounded man, and no eye pitied us; the Priest and the Levite passed by without compassion; Luke 10.Luke 10nor so much as a Mosaical sacrifice was to be offered for us; Then came the good Samaritan, he poured in wine and oyle, and brought us to his Inne, his Church, where he bound up our sores, and cured our wounds; and shall not we l…ud him, and praise him for this? Good words do well, but good works do far better; this last is a Real Praise, the other but Verbal; neither will the offering of the lips please him, without the sacrifice of the life, proceeding from an honest heart. And therefore so often as you call to mind this benefit, this insition, this engraffing in his Church, toti laudate; cantet Ʋox, cantet Spiritus, cantent facta; let tongue and heart, and spirit, and life, and dealing, and conversation altogether set forth his praise; and for this you need not go far for a patte…n, or example, these people here may be your copy; for Gods Mountain was no sooner exalted among them, but

First, They flow'd to it; see, their heart was ready.

Secondly, Then they call'd to one another, Come, let us ascend; behold, they were not backward with their tongues.

Thirdly, Lastly, They profess their obedience, that their life should be answerable to their profession; He shall teach, we will walk in his paths.

These are the Properties and Characters of Gods people; the first of which is their readiness, their willingness, the joy, content, alacrity they take in Gods service, intimated in this word,

1. Confluent, They shall flow unto it.

Rev. 17.15.Rev 17:15The waters are Peoples and Multitudes, and Nations, and Tongues. Now as waters rise from several Springs, and are conveyed by several Channels, till at last meeting in some one great River, they run together lovingly into the Sea: So the people of several parts take their wayes and courses, but at last meet and agree sweetly, and continue undivided till they come to this Mountain: p. 405They flow in great multitudes, as waters; and they run apace, as waters; and derive themselves freely, read…ly, naturally, as waters; in this only lies the wonder; that whereas waters by the instinct of nature stream along to the lower places, these should ascend, and mount up to a Hill.

A wonder indeed, did we not know that they are moved by another principle than that of nature; for Spir…tus Domini incubabat aquis; Gen. 1.2.Gen 1:2it is the Spirit of the Lord that moves upon these waters; and this carries them upward, whither by their own disposition they would never incline. Of a rebellious and stubb…rn, it makes them an obedient and yielding people; of sullen, ready and quick; of an obstinate, slow, and refractory, a joyful, a nimble, and a willing Nation; so that they no sooner hear, but they obey; Psal. 18.44.Ps 18:44they no sooner are call'd, but they come; no sooner are mov'd, but they move, and run together to this Mountain of the Lord.

And if they meet with any obstacle or impediment in their way, that would divert or damme up their course, (as they meet with many) they have this also of water, that they make a stand, and collect their force, till they rise to that height and strength, that they overflow the Were, and then run with more courage and expedition than they did before.

Sic ego torrentem, qua nil obstabat eunti

L…nius, & modico strepitu decurrere vili.Ovid. Met. 3.

At quacun{que} trabes, obstructa{que} saxa tenebant,

Spumeus, & fervens, & ab obice saevior ibat.

Instances I need not give, 'tis known with what joy the Apostles withstood the Jewes; the Martyrs their Persecutors; the Nations came flowing to this Mountain, though they knew of the Banks and Mounts cast up to hinder them. By the power of the Spirit there given, they were assured to be more than Conquerours; and this moved them thus readily, nimbly, willingly to flow together.

And thus it was foretold, Populus tuus Spontaneus, Rom. 8.37.Rom 8:37Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power. Psal. 110.3.Ps 110:3In other worldly Kingdoms much is done by force, much for fear; as they are gotten by the Sword, so they are order'd, and kept by the Sword; and the Subjects are obedient out of constraint, seldome out of good will, submit and act wirh eye-service, not from the heart;Ephes. 6.6.Eph 6:6 in hypocrisie, but not in sincerity. But in this Kingdom it is otherwise; for Chr st hath a people collected not by the Sword, but by his Word and Spirit; therefore they no sooner hear of him, but they obey, freely without coaction; chearfully, without compulsion; sincerely, without dissimulation; contentedly, without murmur or sullenness; for it is no by-end, covetous, ambitious desire, or hope of reward that moves them to it; but meer love, and their own choice: This, this is it that makes them flow together to this Mountain.

In other Kingdoms that of Thucydides is too true, foreign, the present Government is alwayes grievous; but in this jugum …uave, Matth. 11.30.Matt 11:30the yoke is sweet, and the burden light; and his people yield their necks to draw in it, and their shoulders to bear with great alacrity; weariness they find none, tediousness they find none under this yoke or burden.

Neither is it thus alone with this people in their actions, but in their passions also; they are as ready to kiss the Rod, as the golden Scepter; to bowe to his hand plectenti, smiting them, as amplectenti, embracing them; they know it is the Lord, their Lords hand that is upon them; the Lord that brings evil upon the City, and therefore they fume and fret not against him,Amos 3.6.Amos 3:6 nor go about to shake off his Government, but yield themselves to his will p. 406and wisdom. It is the Lord, let him do with me as seems good in his eyes.1 Sam. 3.18.1 Sam 3:18

Now this is a Note that would not be slightly considered; for there is not a greater evidence to the conscience, that a man is a true member of Christs mystical body; nor a stronger Argument of a religious sincerity, than that those duties which a man performs to God, proceed from a willing, free, and chearful heart. Every mans own conscience can be his witness, whether he comes to Gods Mountain, or rather with what heart he comes; for of the first the eye of man may judge, but of the last the judgement must come from within. So that when a mans own soul assures him, that he praiseth G…d with joyful lips, Psal. 63.5. Psal. 51.12.Ps 63:5Ps 51:12he hath that which David prayed for, principalem Spiritum, Gods chief principal free Spirit.

Ver. 10.Before this penitent King had begg'd of God a right spirit, and a constant spirit, that he might be renewed and confirmed in grace; and a sanctifying spirit, Ver. 11.that he might be enflamed to the performance of such actions as were agreeable with the Law of God; but this satisfied him not, till he came to have this principal spirit, which might so guide him in his counsels, actions, troubles, that he might freely and voluntarily obey his God, and never murmur against his Will and Providence.

This, this is truly the spirit of the Gospel, that makes men to be willing and obedient.Bern. Lib. Arbit Patience saith So it must be, because I cannot help it, and is therefore sway'd by fear: A good will saith, So it is expedient, for it is moved by hope: But love which is enflamed by this principal spirit, saith neither sic oportet, nec sic expedit; it neither must be so, nor it is expedient it be so; but So I will have it, so I desire it should be done, because God hath so ordained it.Psal. 63.5.Ps 63:5 My soul shall be filled as it were with marrow and fatness, when my mouth praiseth thee with joyful lips; even in that worship that ariseth from the spirit of the Law, and carnal justice, there is much reluctancy, much muttering, much rebellion, and backwardness against that which a man doth:Rom. 8.7.Rom 8:7 For the sense of the flesh is enmity against God. The action is indeed done, but it is not kindly done, even then the flesh would fain have it otherwise: Upon the command to part with all, the young man in the Gospel went away heavy; Matth. 19.22. & ver. 21.Matt 19:22and another call'd upon to follow Christ, would fain have it delayed, till he might bury his father: Whereas a man endued with this principal spirit, answers so soon as God calls, with Zacheus, Come down quickly, Luke 19.6. John 8.56. Luke 1.41.Luke 19:6John 8:56Luke 1:41and freely parts with all; with Abraham, rejoyceth to see Christs day; and no sooner is quick, as John in his Mothers womb, but foreign, he leaps, and exults to hear of salutation from his Lord.

Now how contrary are all other motions in those who would be held to be, but are not truly religious to this! A certain artificial thing there is in Religion, call'd hypocrisie, which by certain gins and pins, (as in Clocks and Jacks) makes many motions; it is easie to discover them from the principle whence they arise, and from the end; the principle sometimes is fear; loth they are to incur displeasure, and that which will follow upon it, punishment: This make a Pharisee of fear, this causeth the statutes of Omri to be kept;Micah 6.16. Acts 19. Gen. 12. Matth. 6. Gen. 34.Mic 6:16Acts 19Gen 12Matt 6Gen 34 the rod of God or man keeps the hypocrite in awe: As for the end, that is diverse; it may be Demetrius's end to get a living; or Nimrod's end to get a Name; or the Pharisees, to be seen of men; or Simeon and Levi's end to be revenged. Many men serve God, to serve their own turn; How often are private respects covered over with the Cloak of a publick good? Let malice intend the ruine of him she hates; let ambition aime at greatness and glory; let covetousness present some wedge of gold, or Babylonish Garment, Joshuah 7.21.commonly the pretence is a publick good, greater l…berty to a people, more freedom of conscience: Thus the Church, the State shall be p. 407benefited by it, when indeed these godly people intend as much good to either, as Hamor did to the Shechemites, Gen. 34.Gen 34as the two Brethren did to Hamor.

However these ends move them to make a shew of godliness,Rev. 9.3. Gr…g. Moral. in Job 39.Rev 9:3Job 39 and because they are the Locusts in the Revelation, dant Locustarum saltus, they fetch the Locusts leap; they fetch a sudden spring, but presently they fall t the Earth: So these men will on a sudden rise to fast, and pray, and seek God; but return presently to smite with the fist of iniquity, and practice abominable uncleanness.

Behold the Israelites fetching the leap of the Grashoppers; when Moses had read to the people the book of the Covenant, they instantly answered, All that the Lord commands us, we will do. Here's a fair leap,Exod. 24.7.Exod 24:7 a large promise; but incontinent, they made many shameful Apostasies, into Aegypt they return in their hearts, they presently fall back to the Earth, and long for the Garlick and Oynions in Goshen; they murmur, they grudge, Numb. 11.5.Num 11:5they dis…rust God. Thus it is with many Prof…ssours of the Gospel,Numb. 11.5.Num 11:5 religious they are by starts and fits; their goodness is like the morning dew, or like the seed that springs to the blade, but then withereth; Hosea 6.4. Matth. 13.5. 2 Pet. 2.22.Hos 6:4Matt 13:52 Pet 2:22they return with the Dog to the sin they vomited up, and with the Sow to the Mire they seemed to leave. Their motions in Religion are neither constant, nor uniform; and the reason is, because they are not ab intra, but ab extra; no natural, no kindly motions proceeding from this principal sp…rit of God; but from some outward motive or intention, as I but now said.Isa. 1.14.Isa 1:14

Such service as this, is but foreign, away with it, it stinks in his Nostrils; for this Israel was cursed: All these curses shall be upon thee, Deut. 28.45, 47Deut 28:45Deut 28:47and shall pursue thee, and overtake thee, &c. Because thou servedst not the Lord thy God with joyfulness and gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things: For God loves not that any duty be drawn from us, as verjuyce from a Crab, with much pumping, streining, and squeezing;Rom. 13.5.Rom 13:5 nor that it be prop…er iram, for that's the servants motive; nor yet to serve an end, for so doth the Formalist. In the conscience he sits as Judge, considers what's done, and with what heart it is done; and when it comes freely and chearfully from us,Isa. 66.3.Isa 66:3 he will accept it, else 'tis as if we cut off a Dogs neck.

When then you have a mind to come to Gods holy Mountain, be of the number of those people that are here likened to water, flow thither without compulsion, and perform your devotions with a ready and glad heart: For as God loves a chearful Giver, so he loves a chearful Worshipper; 2 Cor. 9.7.2 Cor 9:7that the Tribute of honour we pay him, be offer'd with a willing mind. Thus did David and all Israel, They play…d before God with all their might and singing. Thus did the wise men at the sight of the star,1 Chron. 13.8. Matth. 2.10.1 Chr 13:8Matt 2:10 They rejoyced with an exceeding great joy; and as God, so also David was pleased with it, that toward the building of the Temple, the P…inces, and the people brought their gifts, 1 Chron. 29.9, 14, 17.1 Chr 29:91 Chr 29:141 Chr 29:17and offered them willingly; for these he takes notice of it, and repeats in one Chapter, and concludes thus: And now have I seen with …oy thy people that are present here to offer willingly unto thee. This is the fat of the Sacrifice, keep back that, and keep your Offering also; for God never re…ards q…id, what is your Offer; but quo animo, with what affection it is offered; that his Will be the Center from which, and his Glory the Circumference to which all our service is to be drawn, with which if the heart be dilate… and pleased in the tender of it, the Almighty will be pleased, accept, and reward it. Domine, Spiritus tuus voluntarius confirmet me; Psal. 51.12.Ps 51:12with which Petition I close this point, and come to the next.

p. 4082. Come ye, and let us go up to the Mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob.

The first property of Gods people ye have heard, their delight, their content, their readiness, and alacrity they took to serve God. The next is their zeal, love, and charity to others. Alone they would not go, but they would take along with them all they could. To this end is their call, Come, l…t us ascend.

Their love to God was great, evident it is by their ready and cheerful confluence. But this their piety had not extinguished their charity to men; Nor indeed must it; for if a man love God, he will love his Neighbour also. 1 Joh. 4.21.1 John 4:21In the things of the world men are allow'd to be proprietaries; for many things there are which are so our own, that we need not call others to share with us. But in the things of God, one hath no more property than another; the price was paid for a…; of which he that hath his share, shall have ne're the less, though another partakes with him. And therefore it is a charitable and a pious deed to exhort, to call on, to incite others to take a part with us. And this minde you shall finde to be in all good Christians, to draw as many to God as they possibly can. This desire was in Saint Paul, who thus wished for Agrippa and the whole company, I would to God, that not only thou, Act. 26.29.Acts 26:29but also all that hear me this day, were not almost, but altogether such as I am, meaning Christians. This talk Christ layes upon Peter, Luk. 22.32.Luke 22:32And thou being converted, confirm thy brethren. This St. Paul presseth upon the Pastors of Galatia, If any man be fall…n, you which are spiritual restore such a man.Gal. 6.1.Gal 6:1

But because examples work farre more powerfully than reasons, they content not themselves only with the bare call, but they press to have them along with them; glad they would be of their company. The more the merrier; the stronger their power to wrestle with God in their prayers, the more their Masters honour, the fuller his house is.

This is the cause that Gods servants have call'd upon, and call'd up one another to the performance of pious duties. Come ye children to me, and I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Psa. 34.11. 1 Sam. 9.9. Neh. 2.17. Psal. 95.1▪ 6. Hos. 6.1. Jer. 50.5.Ps 34:111 Sam 9:9Neh 2:17Ps 95:1Ps 95:6Hos 6:1Jer 50:5Come let us go to the Seer. Come let us build the Wall. Come let us sing unto the Lord; come let us fall down, and worship, and kneele. Come let us return to the Lord. Come let us joyn our selves to the Lord. To do any duty it is apparant they were loth without company; and therefore they, as it were, take others by the hand, and call'd to others to go along wi…h them. What should I say, that this zeal and affection was so fervent in the Woman of Samaria, who was scarce yet a Convert, that she invites her Neighbours to heare Christ? Come, Joh. 4.19.John 4:19saith she, and see the man, who hath taught me all things that ever I did.

Envy, especially in divine things, is odious to God; Communication, and Liberality, are grateful to him. What I have learned diligently, I do communicate liberally, Wisd. 7.13. Seneca. Ep. 6.Wis 7:13and I do not hide the riches of Wisdome, saith Solomon. Were Wisdome given me, on that condition, that I should inclose her, and make a Monopoly of her, I would refuse it, said a wise man. I rejoyce to learn, that I may teach; neither shall any knowledge delight, be it never so great, never so excellent, which I must possess alone. And this good mind hath been in Gods servants, and to that end they make this motion, Come let us ascend.

Which is somewhat a strange motion if you mark it; for when men are ascending, they love no others to mount up with them. When James and p. 409John desired to ascend to the right and left hand, Mat. 20.24.Matt 20:24the rest of the Colledge stomach'd it, and envyed at them:Isa. 5.8.Isa 5:8 For ambition is too proud to admit of a consort, It loves to live alone in …he earth.

—Nec f…rre potest Caesarve priorem,

Pompeiusve parem.

But Gods people are humble, and not proud; charitable, and not sullen and melancholy; loving, and not envious. Content they are not only to admit, but glad to take others in their company, and to that end they call, Come let us ascend. Come my Wife, come my Son, come my Kinsman, come my Servant, come my Neighbour, come all people, let us ascend to the Mountaine of the Lord, to the House of the God of Jacob.

Good God, how farre do the calls of the world and wicked men differ from this call! Come, saith one, let us make our father drink wine. Gen. 19.32. Judg 9.15. Neh. 4.8. Psa. 83.4. Pro. 1.11. & 7.18.Gen 19:32Judg 9:15Neh 4:8Ps 83:4Prov 1:11Prov 7:18Come let us slay our brother, Gen. 32.20. Come let us deal wisely, Exod. 1.10. Come thou and raign over us, Judges 9. Come and put your trust under my shadow, saith the Bramble. Come let us fight against Jerusalem. Come let us cut them off, that they may be no more a people, and take the houses of God in possession. Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us l…rk privily for the innocent without cause, &c. Jer. 18.18. Mat. 21.38.Jer 18:18Matt 21:38Come let us take our fill of Love. Come let us devise devices against Jeremy. Come let us smite hi… with the tongue. Come let us kill the heir, and seize his inheritance. Calls you finde here, and calls for an association. But it was ab Ecclesia malignantium, by an Assembly of Malignants; you hear no motion made or combination for any good end, but to the clean contrary, the extreamest evil.

Where's the charity of the first Christians? what's become of their zeale? into what Mountain hath it retired? or into what desert is it fled? Every whete a man may hear more than a good many crying and clamouring, Come let us drink, let us ki…l, let us steal, &c. Bu… the voice of him who will call to his Neighbour, Com… let us ascend to the Mountain of the Lord, is like the berry in the top of an Olive. What is this our progress we make in piety? this our zeal to encrease Christs Flock? this our study to enlarge his House? I cou d provoke you to anger with a foolish people, that compass sea and land to make a proselyte, Mat. 23.15.Matt 23:15whom yet they make two-fold more a child of H…ll than themselves. But I spare you; this only I shall adde, foreign to shame you,1 Cor. 6.5.1 Cor 6:5 that you do not oppose your Come to their Come; your ascendamus, to their descendamus. A shame it is,Luk. 16.8.Luke 16:8 that the children of this world should be wiser than the childr…n of light; and get more company to their Mole-hill, than we to our Mountain; at least that in them there should be such a fury of zeal, and in us so much coldness.

Once more then I call upon you, that you call upon others; that you suffer not, whom you may warm and fire, to freeze in their wickedness, to freeze in their devotions, to freeze in their luke-warmness; but that first you heat your selves, and then take others by the hand, and lead them along with you. That you say to all you can, Come let us ascend to the Mountain of the Lo…d. The benefit will recompence your labour; For he will teach you his wayes, and you will walk in his path. He will be a good Master, and you shall be apt and good Schollars. He will direct, and you will obey.

2. But before I come to speak of that,Scult in loc. take this Note moreover home with you, That the Church of God is but One. 'Tis but one Mountain in the singular Number, and one House; and this House is the House of the p. 410God of Jacob. Rom. 11.17. Joh. 10.16.Rom 11:17John 10:16So that the Jews who were Jacobs seed, and the Gentiles who were graffed in, make up one Catholique Church, and are under one Pastour.

Now One the Church is said to be three ways especially.

1. Because it is from One beginning, which is the Holy Ghost, who as one soul quickens and moves all the members.Eph. 4.4. 1 Cor. 12.4.Eph 4:41 Cor 12:4 There are diversities of graces, but one Spirit.

2. Next, in that it hath but One Head, which is Christ; under whom though there be divers guides,Eph. 1.22.Eph 1:22 yet they ought to be taken as one Episcopacy and Office, compacted together by a sweet connexion and coherence among themselves: Every Province acknowledging subjection and ordination to their own Primate,1 Pet. 2.25.1 Pet 2:25 and he to Christ.

3. Lastly, In that it is but One Body, or One Society, participating the same means of salvation,Eph. 14.4, 12, 13. which are the same Rule of Faith, the same Canon of Scriptures, the same Sacraments, the same rule of Prayer, the same rules of Obedience.

Cursed then be they who have made a Schisme in this seamless Coat, of which those of Rome and the Sectaries are highly guilty. For if the fault must be laid upon him who hath given the cause, they cannot be excused; non fugimus, sed fugamur. Both are angry with they know not well what, and in their rage they have taken their staff and sword, and beaten us out of Doors.

As for us, resolved we are to continue in this Mountain, and save our souls. For as out of the Ark of Noah there was no safety from the flood; so out of this Mountain,Gen 7.21.Gen 7:21 i. e. the Catholique Church, there is no salvation to be hoped for: Out of this Mountain comes the Law: Out of this Mountain comes the Word of life; that Word without which, we should have perished in our trouble. Psa. 119.92.Ps 119:92In this Mountain we may learn how the creature is to be subject, acknowledge, and magnifie its Creatour. In this Mountain is the sound of that doctrine to be heard, than which there is not any more certain to cheer up a sad and loaden conscience, and to se…tle in peace disquieted minds. Lastly, in this Mountain, as out of a Watch-Tower, there is hanged forth the light of Prophetical and Apostolical doctrine. To this Mountain we will ascend, being fully assured, that in this Mountain

3. He will teach us his Laws.

He Emphatically. He himself will in this his Mountain be the great Doctor of the Chair; ascend thither, and reade a Lecture of his Law: So that all that belong to him, Isa. 54 5. Joh. 6.45.Isa 54:5John 6:45shall be foreign taught of God. This is a peculiar of the Gospel, and so the Apostle esteems it, and by it puts a manifest difference betwixt that and the Law,Heb. 1.1.Heb 1:1 the Fathers, and we that live since. To them God spake foreign, & foreign, by piece-meale, and in divers fashions, and this was by the Prophets, by Visions, by Dreams, by Revelations, by Ʋrim, by Thummim. But in novissimis diebus, this foreign, this foreign, was at an end. He speaks no more by his servants the Prophets,Vers. 2. Gal. 1.11, 12.Gal 1:11Gal 1:12 but he hath made his own Sonne the Teacher. He speaks, saith he, by his own Son. The Gospel then came not from men, nor by men, but was taught immediately from heaven.

His Sonne was a Teacher sent from God: The Angel of the Covenant: The Apostle of our Profession, Heb. 3.1. That Prophet. And he doth the Office of a Prophet,Joh. 3.2. Mal. 3.1. Deut. 18.18.John 3:2Mal 3:1Deut 18:18 preacheth, teacheth, and instructs his people, perfectly revealing the Will of God about mans salvation. He taught upon what terms Blessedness was to be had, Redemption by his death and passion, Sanctification p. 411by his Spirit, Justification by his Blood, Reconciliation by his merits, and hope of life by his Resurrection: In a word, boldness to approach to the Throne of Grace by his Mediation and Intercession. And this was a great part of the Law, upon which he said he would preach, Psalm 2.7. and upo… which he did preach, taking his Text out of the Prophet Isaiah, Luke 4.18.

Besides, he taught, what was the full meaning of God in the Moral Law,Mat. 5.Matt 5 purges it from divers corruptions, which the false glosses of the Pharisees had put upon it, and sets down an exact…r rule than ever any Law-giver thought of. Whence say these good people here, He shall teach us of his wa…e….

And yet He, is not so to be taken, as if it were exclusive and of strength to sh…t out all other Teachers, for he hath in his School many undertakers, for to that end he ordain'd a Ministry to continue in his Church for ever. Being as…ended up on high, he gave some to be Apostles, some Prophets, Eph. 4.11. Mat. 16.19. Mat. 28.20.Eph 4:11Matt 16:19Matt 28:20…om… Evangelists, some Pastours, some Teachers: And into their hands he hath given the Keys of the Kingdome of heav…n: and with them he hath promised to be to the end of the world, whom also we are commanded to hear, Luk… 16.29.

And yet you must know that it is ipse docebit. He shall teach for all this. Because they are taught of him what they teach you. The Law they teach is his, the Gospel they teach is his. His is the message, they only the Reporters and Messengers; and if any teach otherwise than he hath taught, Gal. 1.8, 9.Gal 1:8Gal 1:9let him be accursed.

Only there be two main differences betwixt ipse and …psi, him and all his under-teachers.

1. What he taught was in him super-eminently, habitually, actually,Col. 2.3.Col 2:3 he was a treasury of all wisdome and knowledge. In him it was as light in the Sun: In them as light in the Aire, subject to much obscurity.Joh. 1.18.John 1:18 He was in the bosome of the Father, and knew all secrets, and could reveal; they no more, than he was pleased to reveal.

2. Then again he is able to put life into his words, and make them operative. He can make the dead to hear his voice. Joh. 5.25.John 5:25These people acknowledge so much: He will teach, and we will walk. But all that his Embassadours can do, is but to declare his will and minde; they can effect nothing. Paul may plant, and Apo…los may water, 1 Cor. 3.6, 7, 9, 10.1 Cor 3:61 Cor 3:71 Cor 3:91 Cor 3:10but it is God who must give the encrease.

But there be that press these words, and the like Texts to a very ill purpose! A company of sick-brained men there are, who because …hey reade here,Isa. 54.5.Isa 54:5 He shall teach; and find a promise, They shall all be taught of God; and again, That the anointing which ye have …ceived of him abideth in you, 1 Joh. 2.27.1 John 2:27and ye need not any man should teach you, for the sam… anointing teacheth you of all things. Therefore they dream of an immediate teaching only; and now after Christs coming they reject the whole external Mi…istry of the Word as superfluous, and rely meerely upon Enthusiasms, and I know not on what Revelations.

These are of the number of those filthy Dream…rs of whom Saint Jude speaks, who wrest the Scripture to their destruction.Jude 8. 2 Pet. 3.16.Jude 1:82 Pet 3:16 And it is no hard matter to discover their errour and madness. For who can conceive that it was the minde of Christ to teach all immediately by his Spirit, who himself ordain'd Apostles, Doctors, and Teachers, to inform the World? Why was it, that Saint Paul labour'd so diligently? Why did they whom he sent, go and preach to all Nations? Why was Titus left in Crete, Tit. 1.5.Titus 1:5Timoth… at Ephesus, with power to ordain Presbyters in every Church, if the minde of God p. 412had been to cashire at once the whole Ministry? Had God intended to have taught only by his own Spirit,1 Tim. 1.3.1 Tim 1:3 he never certainly had sent forth his Apostles, they others, and given a charge to Timothy, and in him to all Bishops, that they lay hands suddenly on no man: 1 Tim. 5.21, 22.1 Tim 5:211 Tim 5:22And that this Commandment be kept until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.Cap. 6.14.

Yea, but is it not here said, He will teach us? Yes; but that hinders not, but he may teach by his Ministers. No more, than in the dayes of the Prophets, he is said to have spoken, when it was yet the Prophet that spake. The words in their mouths are his, they only the voice that bring them to mens eares. And if the action of the instrument be to be referr'd to the prime Agent, what is done by them, is to be referr'd to him. He may be said to teach, when he teacheth by them.

But that I may remove all scruple, there is a double teaching: One Secundum intellectum, Estius in Joan.when a man is taught to know somewhat that he knew not before, though he never falls to practice what he knows; Now this information, no question, may be had from man: For a learned man, without doubt, may illuminate and inform the understanding. But another teaching there is, S…cundum affectum, when a man falls in love, is affected, and warmed to the heart with what he knows, and does the Lesson, that he learns; and this is a teaching that must be expected from Gods Spirit alone; whence David prayes, Teach me to do thy Will O Lord; Teach me the way of thy Statutes: Ps. 119.33.133.Ps 119:33Ps 119:133Order my steps in thy Word. And that this is the teaching here meant, is evident, for they profess, He shall teach, and we will walk. This no man is able to do, but he who is foreign, taught of God. And his promise is, that all his shall be so taught. Not by force; not only by the illumination of the understanding, but by the motion of the will. To this purpose it is,Heb. 8.10. Jer. 31.33.Heb 8:10Jer 31:33 that the Apostle alledgeth that place of Jermy, I will put my Laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts, &c. And they shall not teach every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord, for all shall know me from the least to the greatest.

Estius in loc. Rom. 1.21. Rom. 2.17, 18. 1 Cor. 2.6, 7.Rom 1:21Rom 2:17Rom 2:181 Cor 2:61 Cor 2:7For the Apostle speaks not here of a bare and naked knowledge, such as was in them, who when they knew God, glorified him not as God: Nor such as was in the Jews, who gloryed and boasted of their deep knowledge of the Law. Nor yet of the knowledge of profound Mysteries, such as the Apostle spake among those who are perfect. But he speaks of that knowledge which is necessary to salvation, d… notitia vivâ, formatâ, affectiva, a lively, affective, working knowledge, by which God is so known, that the affection answers to our reason: God so known, that he is lov'd also; his Laws, that they be made choice of, and walk't in. Now he who comes to be such a Disciple, must have God for his Tutor and Teacher: For flesh and blood will never teach him any such Lesson. These promises then, They shall be all taught of God. And he shall teach. And they shall know me from the greatest to the least: do not belong to all men, no nor promiscuously to all Christians good and bad; but only to those who are sons of the promise; nor to these neither, as if they should have immediate illuminations and infusions of his Spirit; but that God only under the New Testament will give to his Children such a portion of his Spirit, of Grace, of Love, that they shall desire and delight to know, to love, to observe, and fulfill his Will.

1 Joh. 2.20, 27.1 John 2:201 John 2:27As for that place of Saint John, But ye have an Ʋnction, and need not that any man should teach you, &c. it so little makes for them, that being rightly understood, it makes expressely against them: For it is the intent of the Apostle, to give a Caveat to all good Christians, that they be not seduced by any Anti-christian teachers, such as were then Cerinthus, Ebion, Simon Magus, &c. But that they continue in those things which they had learn'd p. 413from the Apostles; and why so? Because they had an Unction from the Holy One, vers. 20. And the anointing which you have received from him, abideth in you. foreign, He who did anoint, was the Father; foreign, the anoinied was Christ, call'd here the Holy One; The foreign, the Unction was the Holy Ghost, with all his gifts, especially that of the truth of R…l…gion, and this they had yet amongst them; and therefore he perswades, that they ab…d… in that which they had heard from the beginning; that is,Vers. 24. from the beginning of their conversion, and the Gospel preach'd unto them. They need not turn away, and give eare to Ebion, Cerinthus, or any of that rabble, any new Teachers, any new Doctors; no need that any man, Vers. 27.that is, any New Upstart Sectary, teach them: For they knew all things; that is, all the Truths of God necessary to salvation already. The Spirit who was foreign, the guide, had by the Apostles guided them into all Truth already; and as yet they had the same spiritual Unction among them.Estius in loc. They had their B…shops, they had their Presbyters, by whose care and diligence their Churches were sufficiently instructed in all those things which do pertain to the Truth of Christian Doctrine. As yet …hey were not seduc'd by Heretiques, but held fast what they had once been taught: And therefore they needed not a Teacher, as those who are Rude or Seduc'd. Rude and ignorant, that may learn, what they never knew: Seduced, that they may return to the Truth they had forsaken. But yet they were not absolute, and knew all things so well, but they might stand in need of a Teacher, by whose industry they might be retain'd in the Doctrine they had received, be fuller instructed in it, and be secured against all the errours and sophismes of false Teachers.

This is the genuine interpretation of these words, and the full scope of the Apostle; by which it is evident, that the collection of the Sectaries from hence, is strained, and absurd, viz. that the Holy Ghost doth so enlighten every Christian, that he needs no other Doctor, no external Ministry to teach him, that he knows all the mysteries and secrets of God. For the Unction mentioned here, belongs to the Catholique Church, and no farther to every particular man in this Church, than is necessary for his place and station in it, and to bring him to eternal life. When Sectaries by presuming upon, and confiding in the dictates of their private spirit, as these Impostors and Anti-christs here did, desert the Truth taught from the beginning by the Apostolical Church, they have lost their share of this Unction; and pretending to be the sole men of knowledge, they become the sons of pride and pitiful ignorance.

Were there not many other reasons to prove it, yet this one were enough, in that they are so much mistaken in the interpretation and application of these Texts. Had they the Unction they boast of, they would be better taught. This would teach them to be Schollars,Acts 22.3.Acts 22:3 before they take upon them to be Masters; and to sit down at Gamaliels feet and learn, before they presume to teach Gamaliel. But what speak I of any one single Gamali…l? they would hear the whole Church, by whom God hath promised to teach,Joh. 14.16, 17, 26.John 14:16John 14:17John 14:26 to which he hath promised the Spirit of Truth, to guide into all Truth, and not rely upon a private interpretation, which opposeth the scope and sence of the whole Scripture, and other Expositors. Omnes patres sic. Bern. Ep. 91.It is overmuch pride then to say with the Lubber Abailardus, Ego non sic: And why so? Because Forsooth, if my sence be not heard, Ego must not be Ego; I must not be I per se I; I a gifted man must not be heard. The Church will take upon it to be the Interpreter, and Gods voice to his people, and I, then poor I, whether shall I go? Whether? To the House from whence he came,Gen. 37.30. Luk. 11.24.Gen 37:30Luke 11:24 as the devil return'd into the man from which he was gone out. For such teachers p. 414may well be spared: The Spirit of Truth, which God hath promised and left in his Church, will be a flame of fire by night, and a pillar of a cloud by day, Exod. 13.21.Exod 13:21to teach us

4. His Wayes. His Paths.

The wayes of God are his Will, his Paths, his Commandments; and this way is simplex & multiplex, manifold; for there be many precepts, and yet but One; because they all meet in One way, which is Love. This is Ʋia regalis, Rom. 13.10. Jam. 2.8. Isa. 55.8, 9.Rom 13:10Jas 2:8Isa 55:8Isa 55:9his way; His signally; A way we have to, or rather wayes of our own, but not like His. My wayes, saith God, are not as your wayes; Nothing like ours indeed; For ours are dark wayes, and full of errour; foul wayes, and full of sin;Ma…. 7.13. Isa. 35.8, 9, 10.Isa 35:8Isa 35:9Isa 35:10 devillish wayes, and full of malice; broad wayes, yet full of danger, and desperate wayes that leads to destruction. But his wayes are of another fashion as they are described to us; A certain way; he that follows it, shall not walk in darkness. A holy way, and a way of holiness, the unclean shall not pass through it. A plain way, the way-faring men, though fools, shall not erre therein. A safe way, for there shall be no Lyon in it; I am sure not the roaring Lyon,Joh. 14.30. Isa. 35.10.John 14:30Isa 35:10 for he hath nothing in Christ: Yea, and let men say what they will, it is a pleasant way; for the Redeemed pass through it with a Jubilee. This is the way which God hath promised to teach; and every good man desires to learn, not only that he may know it, but that he may go in it.

5. And we will walk in his Paths.

The end that any man comes to the Church of God, is, not only to learn his Will, but to frame his life, manners, and conversation by it. For he is the best Schollar, qui verba vertit in opera, and practiceth upon every Rule he learns. 'Tis to no purpose that the Lesson still tink our eares, except the power be expressed in our lives. For as meat that is chew'd and taken down avails not, except it be concocted and turned into good blood: so we ought to know, that chirping and chewing of our Lesson will do us little good, except we convert the wholesome precepts into good manners. Vita consonet fidei dogmatis, August.& dogmata instituant vitam, Let the life be consonant to the Doctrines of our faith, and let those Doctrines have an influence upon the life. For though we keep close to the Doctrine, and way of truth, and neglect the way of Love and Charity, these Doctrines will do us very little good. For they are not the hearers of the Law shall be blessed, but the doers.

Jam. 1.22, 23.Jas 1:22Jas 1:23How many men have you of quick and great understanding, and that in this Doctrine too, which yet shall ne're be happy. Will the devils knowledge save him? Will the profound subtleties of Hereticks and men of perverse minds bring them to Heaven? 'Tis not the speculation of this doctrine that God regards; for those that have been taught, and know their Masters will, and do it not, Luk. 12.47.Luke 12:47shall be beaten with many stripes. It is the practical, experimental; affective knowledge, that sinks into the heart, and betters the man, that must make him happy. One saith well, that Gods School is more upon affection, than understanding; for both Lessons do well; but for the first, the doctrine doth best, and is most necessary for this Age, in which there be many that pretend to knowledge, but I find little good-will. And he that hath much skill, and no affection, may do good to others by information of their ignorance, but little to himself. Since God is not used to cast away his love upon those, of whom he is known, and not lov'd. Of this point these good people were not ignorant; and therefore they profess, that after p. 415the God of Jacob had taught them of his wayes, that then they would walk in his paths; in semitis, in the strictest, in the narrowest, in the least beaten of them.

We will walk.

To walk is an Hebraisme, and it is a word much used by the Holy Ghost, being put in the Scripture for to begin a course of life, and to continue in it. Wicked men are said to walk, for they have their paths too, and their by-ways.Ps. 1.1. & 82.5. 2 Pet. 2.10. Ephes. 5.15. Psal. 119.3. Rom. 8 1. 1 John 1.7. Psal. 84.7.Ps 1:1Ps 82:52 Pet 2:10Eph 5:15Ps 119:3Rom 8:11 John 1:7Ps 84:7 They walk in the counsel of the ungodly, they walk in the lusts of the flesh, they walk in darkness: But good men give over these wayes, their lives being of another fashion, They walk circumspectly, they look to their feet, and walk in the Law of God; they walk in the Spirit, they walk in the light, they go from strength to strength, till they app…ar before God in Zion.

Now walking imports two things, progredi, & perseverare, to proceed, and to continue; that which is any mans delight, and his constant course, that is said to be his Track, that his Walk. The undertaking then of these men sets us an example of a religious life, which w… are bound to prosecute with delight, and with constancy.

1. We are all but Travellers, to our Countrey we are not come,Hebr. 11.13.Heb 11:13 and then it is fit that we be going on; for standing still will never bring us to our journies end: Walking every man knows, is motus prog…essivus, a progression in which the hinder foot removes, and overtakes, and out-steps the former. And in this way a progress there must be both in faith and in manners. In faith; for go we must from faith to faith; from one degree to another; from a weak,Rom. 1.17. Psal. 87.7. Rom. 6.4.Rom 1:17Ps 87:7Rom 6:4 to a strong faith: And in manners; for we must go from vertue to vertue; or which is all one in the Apostles language, Walk in newness of l…fe.

What therefore God said to Elijah, A…ise and walk, 1 Kings 19.7.1 Kgs 19:7for thou hast a great journey to go: That I say to every Christian, stand up on thy feet, and after stand not still, for the journey may be long, not finished, so long as thou hast a day to live. Requisite it is in a Traveller, that he loyter not, but proceed, never thinking how far he hath gone; but how far he hath to go, well knowing, that if he fail but of one or two steps, he shall never come to the place he expects; let no man then sing on Earth, Soul, take thy rest; Luke 12.19. John 14.2.Luke 12:19John 14:2fo… in heaven only are Mansions and resting pla…es. The graces of God must not only as flowres in a Garden be kept by us, but they must be succoured and cherished as it were, with fresh and fresh Earth, that they may improve. As Charles the Emperour took for his Mo…to, Ulterius; so should a good Christian take for his Superius, every day be taking a step on-ward and up-ward; every day learn a line, and be skilful in the Psalms of degrees; mount à temporalibus ad aeterna, à terrenis ad coelestia. Jacobs Ladder had its staves,Prosper. upon which he saw not one Angel a… rest, all were in motion.Gen. 28.12.Gen 28:12 This Ladder is Scala Coeli, in which a Christian by learning line after line, Isa. 28.10, 13.Isa 28:10Isa 28:13and precept after precept, here a little, and there a little, here a little, and there a little, Phil. 3.14.Phil 3:14will run on still in the Race, till he comes to the mark, the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

And because we are but Travellers, of Travellers we may learn many necessary things to help us forward in this our journey. First, Travellers be…ng ignorant of the way enquire the nearest and the straitest, and so must we. If we ask for the nearest, it is Christs merits; therefore the Apostle directs us to walk in him. If for the straitest, it is the Law of God,Col. 2.7.Col 2:7 which is the w…y …f holin…ss, and of obedience. Then Travellers in dangerous and unknown way…s seek a Guide: In our way, two there are which will offer themselves;Isa. 35.8.Isa 35:8 a false and deceiving Guide, the Flesh; beware, follow it not; a true one, which is the Spirit, walk after it, He will teach us of his wayes. Rom. 8.5, 6.Rom 8:5Rom 8:6Travellers again p. 416content themselves with unnecessary Viands, and exonerate themselves of all superfluous and unnecessary things. The cares of this World, Riches, Vices, Pleasures must be left behind, and provision made of such things especially which we cannot want in our journey.Luke 8.14. Gen. 12. Psal. 16.3.Luke 8:14Gen 12Ps 16:3 Farther, yet Travellers enquire for good company; Abraham took Lot along with him, a good and a godly man; and so must he place his delight with David, upon the Saints that dwell on the Earth, and on such as excell in vertue: For by enquiring of Saints which know the way, he shall grow the perfecter in this Saint-like way; and by conversing with those that excell in vertue, he will be the more skilful in the practic… of vertue: This from Drunkards, Swearers, Perjurers, Adulterers, Lyars, &c. will never be learned. To go a step farther, Travellers if they hear of any danger in the way, provide themselves of Arms: In the way, we shall be sure to meet with the Divel, a Lyon, a Thief; Arme thy self then with the Sword of the Spirit, Eph. 6.11, &c. 1 Pet. 5.8, 9. James 4.7. Eph. 6.16. Mat. 14.30. & Luke 22.32. Rom. 11.20.Eph 6:111 Pet 5:81 Pet 5:9Jas 4:7Eph 6:16Matt 14:30Luke 22:32Rom 11:20and above all, be sure to carry Faith along with thee; this will be an offensive weapon, by which if thou resist him, he will flie; this is a defensive weapon; for it is a Target and a Shield; nay, 'tis a Staffe too; and an old or weak man will seldom go without his Staffe; when Peter was fainting, and failing, it was this Staffe of Faith that kept him up; it is good therefore that the heart, in this our way, be established by Faith. Lastly, when Travellers are to go a long way, they carry with them Cordials, and hot Waters. In this our way, Christ is the best Cordial, his merits the most comfortable Refection; be sure then you take him along with you, and the warm tears of Repentance will be instead of Aqua vitae, the best water to recover your fainting spirits; against which, these are most excellent Antidotes, none to these, none can keep you from fainting but these; were it not for these, we should all faint by the way, of which great care ought to be taken;Mark 8.3.Mark 8:3 because if we faint by the way, we shall fail of our end; the promise being,Gal. 6.9.Gal 6:9 that in Due Time we shall reap if we faint not: You may remember that I told you, walking, puts us in mind of two things, Motum, & Progressionem, going on, and proceeding in the way, and perseverance, and constancy, which is the next point.

2. As a good man goes on his way with content, so he doth it with much patience and constancy; for he gives not over till he comes to his journies end: He certainly is never said to walk in any way, who after some steps, is weary of his purpose, turns back, or sits down; a Walk is a path smooth'd and chosen for continual use: So can he never be said to walk in good works, in newness of life, in the way of holiness, who begins a good work, and leaves it so soon as it is begun: It is then the purpose of God, that we do not only begin, and for a time with joy proceed, but that we walk constantly in the study of a holy life all our dayes. The command to Abraham, was, Walk before me, Gen. 17.1.Gen 17:1and be thou perfect. Walk is the Act, Perfection is the Scope, the End; now perfection in any thing will never be attained without continual practice and exercise.

Divers Reasons there are to move men to continue in the way, and walk forward; among which, these are some, and I shall only name them; as,

1. It is a disgrace, and scandal not to do it; 'tis not unknown what was said in the Gospel of the foolish Builder; all men that saw his undertakings and his performances,Luke 14.30.Luke 14:30 jeered at him, This man began to build. Lots Wife, the names of Demas, Judas, Julian, with infinite that wens in this way, and left it, are set up in the Church-book, as so many stones in the High-way, for Travellers to look upon with pity and fear; to this day their names are infamous, their failings notorious, their end desperate.

2. But be it that infamy moves not, though it will move any generous p. 417spirit, there is a worse matter in it yet: He that walks on well at first, Luke 9.62.Luke 9:62and aft r looks back, is not foreign, not fit for the Kingdom …f God; a miserable case this, that he should have no aptness or fitness to it: Now where there is no aptness or inclination, there the habit is never attained; to which there is no such remora, as is desuetude and disuse. Aristotle disputing de jucundis, Arist. Rhet. 1.teacheth us, That those things are pleasant to us, which are done according to nature, or that which is next to it, such things to which we are accustomed: For he conceives that there was no other difference betwixt nature and custom, but semper & plerum{que}; for that which is wrought by the power of nature, is perpetual, and alwayes the same; that which is done by use and custom, is commonly the same; and therefore he gives his Scholars this wise counsel, to choose the walk of goodness even from their youth, which though it seems at first hard and difficult, will by use become very pleasant and delightful. We ought then to take heed, lest by turning out of the way, we grow out of love of the way, which when it fal…s out, 'twill be a very difficult thing to reclaim a lapsed Christian.

3. Lastly, The want of one step more, may make void all that went before. Per…unt praeterita, si quae coeperunt desinunt ess… p…rfecta: Cypr. de bono patient.What labour is formerly taken in the way, is all lost, except that wh…ch is undertaken, be perfected. It is wittily observed by Bernard, Bern.That all the Christi n vertues run together in the Race; but not one of them is crowned, which is not attended by constancy; she sets the Garland upon the head of Faith, Hope, and Charity; she crowns our Repentance and Holiness: Be it that a man be indued with all these graces in the way, the inconstancy of one houre will make void the work of many years:Ezek. 18.24. Rev. 2.4.Ezek 18:24Rev 2:4 The righteousness of the Back-slider shall not be remembred. That which God had to say against the Church of Ephesus, is, That she had left her first love.

Ambrose observes, That God in the beginning commended all his Works, that they were good, very good. All, except man;Gen. 1.31.Gen 1:31 for he was prius probandus, quam laudandus; his perseverance to be tryed, and then to be commended; of which, because he fail'd, he brought upon himself and the Earth, a Curse.Gen. 3.17.Gen 3:17

What then was spoken to L…t, and his Wife, suppose it spoken to thee: Look not behind thee, nor tarry in the Plain; being come out of S…dom, Gen. 19.17.Gen 19:17look no more back to it, stay not loytering, and passionately lamenting after it. Not a man of Israel that returned back to Egypt in their heart,Num. 14.4, 29.Num 14:4Num 14:29 ever set footing in the Land of Canaan: Patience and perseverance are fellow-partners in Gods Harvest; and though the former bears all the burden, yet the latter only receives the blessing. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; 2 Tim. 4.7, 8.2 Tim 4:72 Tim 4:8henceforth there is laid up for me a Crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous Judge shall give me at that day; and the Apostle had great Reason to be confident upon it, because our Saviour promiseth a Table in heaven; not to those who heard, nor those who followed; but to those who continued with him in his temptations.Luke 22.28.Luke 22:28

Walk therefore strait on, turn not to the right hand, nor to the left; Deut. 5.32.Deut 5:32desist not, but go on; proceed from virtue to virtue, from grace to grace; circle every pious and devout action with constancy, and you shall be blessed, you shall be crowned; and carry this home with you, That there is nothing fit to be rewarded with Eternity, but Eternity.