Sermons Preached from Luke 11:21-22, Doctrine – Poem 2

Sermons Preached from Luke 11:21-22 · Doctrine – Poem 2

p. 138DOCTRINE. That we ſhou'd be very glad of every Opportunity and Call we have to go up to the Houſe of the Lord. The Liberty and Seaſon of enjoying God's Publick Worſhip, ſhou'd be always very welcome and pleaſant to us.

The Reaſons of the Doctrine may be taken,

I. From the Glorious Object of Worſhip: GOD.

II. The Acts of Worſhip.

To which I might have added, the Frame, Ends and Fruits of this holy Exerciſe.

1. If we conſider the Glorious Object of Worſhip, the Bleſſed GOD; it will eaſily appear that we ſhould be very glad of every call we have to go up to his Houſe. God is the moſt Delectable Object which the Soul of Man can converſe with, being infinitely poſſeſſed of all poſſible Perfections, Excellencies and Glories. Therefore to approach unto him ſhou'd be the higheſt Pleaſure of our Souls; and if we were in our Original State of Rectitude it certainly wou'd be ſo. We have directly to do with God in our ſolemn Acts of Worſhip, Him we ſpeak and addreſs unto immediately, …d He ſpeaks to us; to him we make our …rings, and of him we ſupplicate for Grace and Mercy. Now God is the ſupream Object of the delight of all Intelligent Beings, and the whole of Religion lies very much in p. 139that Precept, Pſal. 33.4. Delight thy ſelf in the Lord. If we were called to go to the Preſence of our Earthly Ring, to ask and receive any Favours from him, being aſſured that it wou'd be very acceptable to him to ſee and hear us with our Petition, with what Joy and Pleaſure ſhou'd we go to preſent our ſelves before him? In like manner when we go to worſhip, we ſhou'd go unto God as our exceding Joy, Pſal. 43.4.

And accordingly this has been the Frame of worſhipping Saints. As they have had Joy in worſhipping, ſo their Rejoycing has been eſpecially in the Glorious Object they Adored. Pſal. 9.2. I will be glad and rejoyce in thee, I will ſing praiſe to thy Name, O wast High. Pſal. 32.11. Be glad in the Lord and rejoyce ye Righteous.

Indeed if God were not infinitely to be delighted in on the account of his Eſſential Glories and Perfections, he wou'd not be the Object of worſhip, neither wou'd there be any Pleaſure in worſhip. Make the Object of worſhip any other but God, and there is no Satisfaction in any Act of Adoration. For Inſtance, What a dull and stupid thing muſt is be to worſhip a graven Image; a dumb and de…t and blind, a ſenſeleſs and lifeleſs Deity? If people wou'd but uſe their Senſes and Reaſon this wou'd appear to be the moſt ſordid & ſotriſh Act of their lives. The Pſalmist moſt juſtly repreſents the Satisfaction of worſhipping the living God, but the extream Lumpiſhneſs and Abſurdity p. 140of Idol Pagan Worſhip. Pſal. 115.3, 4, 5. Our God is in the Heavens, and hath done whatſoever he pleaſed: Their Idols are Silver and Gold, the work of men's hands; they have mouths but they ſpeak not, eyes have they, &c. they have ears, &c. they have hands, &c.— they that make them are like unto them, ſo, &c. One wou'd think (that is) that the Worſhiper had no more Underſtanding than the Stock which he adores, and that one was as inſenſible a piece of Wood as the other. The Prophet Iſaiah amplifies with a great deal of holy Scorn and Sarcaſm on this head: Iſai. 44 9, 10, &c. Who hath formed a God that is profitable for nothing! they and their delectable things are vanity: the Carpenter ſtretches out his rule, marks it out with a line, fitteth it with planes, makes the figure of a Man, according to the beauty of a Man, warms himſelf with the chips, and then falls down and worſhips it, and ſaith to it, Deliver me, for thou art my God. Now to be ſure there can be no more pleaſure in the Adoring, than there was in the hewing and hacking the Log. Which is the moſt a Stock at laſt, the Image or its Adorer is leſt doubtful. And as the Idol is inſenſible of any pleaſure in being worſhipt, ſo muſt the fottiſh Man be in worſhipping, v. 18. They have not known nor underſtood, for he hath ſhut their Eyes that they cannot ſee, and their hearts that they cannot underſtand.

So that all the Reaſon of Pleaſure in worſhip muſt be from the glorious Object, GOD. p. 141Becauſe he is infinitely Wiſe & Holy, and Good and Righteous, and Powerful; and becauſe he is the Eternal, Immenſe, Supream, Independent, unchangeably glorious and bleſſed Fountain of Being, Perfection and Happineſs; therefore is it an infinitely pleaſant, good and bleſſed thing to worſhip him: Iſai. 61.10. I will greatly rejoyce in the Lord, my ſoul ſhall be joyful in my God.

II. If we conſider the Acts and holy Exerciſes of publick Worſhip, it will eaſily appear to be our duty to be very glad of every Call and Opportunity we have to go up into the Houſe of God. Every Part of religious inſtituted Worſhip is in it ſelf highly pleaſurable unto a Heart ſuitably diſpoſed and prepared.

The Parts of Worſhip I wou'd name are Theſe, Prayer, Singing, Hearing, the Sacraments, and receiving the Benediction.

1. Prayer is ſuch a Duty as we ſhou'd be glad to wait upon God in his Houſe in. His Houſe is called the houſe of Prayer. The Tabernacle, and Temple were ſuch of old. There was the holy Oracle, and the Altar of Incenſe before the moſt Holy Place; which Incenſe was a Figure of the Prayers of the Saints, in the Clouds whereof (from the inflam'd Affections of the Soul) God wou'd be Approacked. The Jews worſhipped & prayed toward the Temple, when they were diſtant from it. And the Prayers there made the Courts of the p. 142Lord long'd after by holy Souls, when they cou'd not be there.

Now Prayer is a large and comprehenſive Word in the common uſe of it, and takes in Adoration and Praiſe, Thankſgiving and Bleſſing, penitential Confeſſions, Supplications for Grace and Mercy, holy Pleadings and Arguings at the Throne of Grace, Profeſſions and Self-Conſecration, and Interceſſion for others: All which are in themſelves full of Delight to gracious Perſons, and ſweet to their Souls; and we ſhou'd ſit down under the ſhadow of the wings of the Cherubims with delight, becauſe that theſe are the Place of Prayer.

1. We ſhou'd be glad to go up to the Houſe of God to Adore and Praiſe Him. Adoration is not a more awful than it is a delightful part of Worſhip. To contemplate, admire, and mention the tranſcendent Perfections of God, and give him the Glory of his Titles and Attributes. In it the devout Soul is caught up with bleſſed Paul into the third Heavens, where it hears things neither lawful nor poſſible to be ſpoken. The Soul looks into the dazling Glory of God's Eternity, Immenſity, Immutability, Alſufficiency, Soveraignty and Incomprehenſibility. It ſurveys all his glorious Works, and ſees his Eternal Power and Godhead diſplay'd in them: Hears Angels worſhip, and ſees them cover their Faces. It worſhips with fear and trembling at the foot of the Mount, before the thick Darkneſs, and breaks not thro' the bounds to gaze into what can't p. 143be ſeen, nor born. It is pleaſant to the adoring Soul to contemplate the Majeſty and the Greatneſs of God, together with his Relations of Grace to us as our GOD and Father, to whom we may go with the freedom and boldneſs of Children. It lies before the Throne in Extaſies of Wonder and Amazement, as Moſes under the hand of God while he paſſed by and proclaimed his Name to him, or as Elijah in the Mouth of the Cave with his Mantle wrapt about him.

2. We ſhould be glad to go up to the Houſe of God to give Thanks unto the Name of the Lord for his Goodneſs and Mercy expreſſed toward us, in his innumerable Favours & Benefits. It is a pleaſure to an Ingenuous Mind to expreſs his Gratitude to his Benefactor, & his ſenſe of the Obligations he is under for undeſerved Favours. Thankſgiving ſuppoſes a Soul delighted in the Goodneſs of God and in Love to him for it: Love is a pleaſing Paſſion, and Goodneſs is a pleaſant Object; and Benefits done us are alwayes acceptable to remember; and ſo much the more pleaſant the more freely they are beſtowed by ſome excellent and ſuperiour Perſon. Pſal. 92.1, 2. It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to ſing praiſes unto thy Name, O moſt High: To ſhew forth thy loving kindneſs in the morning: and thy faithfulneſs every night. So begins the Pſalm or Song for the Sabbath day: for as Thankſgiving and Praiſe are a ſpecial part of our Sabbath Worſhip; p. 144ſo Joy is a ſpecial part … our Sabbath frame. Heaven is juſt ſuch a Reſt for ever.

3. We ſhould be glad to go up to the Houſe of God, if it were only to pour out our penitential Confeſſions, together with our ſervent Supplications for Grace and Mercy. Theſe are a great and ſpecial part of our ſolemn Worſhip, and to be for ever joyn'd. Indeed if we were to confeſs and bewail Sin only, without the hope and aſſurance of finding Mercy upon our Repentance, it would be the blackneſs of darkneſs without the leaſt Gleam of light. But now we draw nigh in the Name of a Great High Pri…, Jeſus the Son of God, and come with boldneſs to a Throne of Grace, in the full Aſſurance of Faith. Here then is pleaſure and joy: ſcil. All that a State of Sin can admit of: 'tis not the joy of Innocents indeed that never Sinn'd, nor yet of the Spirits of Juſt Men made perfect; but 'tis the joy of Hope and Faith, which is unſpeakable & full of Glory, even now, tho' it be not like that of theirs who are paſt Sin and all Tears are wiped away. We ſow in Tears with comfortable hopes and proſpect. We go to Gods Houſe to pour out a ſorrowful Spirit, and leave it there; we come away Glad with a word of Peace ſpoken to us in the Name of God by his Minister. See if Penitents have no joy: Pſal. 32.5. I ſaid I will confeſs my tranſgreſſion unto the Lord, and thou forgaveſt the iniquity of my ſin. Pſal. 51.8, 14. Make me to hear joy & gladneſs: p. 145that the bones which thou hast broken, may rejoyce. Deliver me from blood guiltineſs, O God, thou God of my ſalvation: and my tongue ſhall ſing aloud of thy righteouſneſs. Pſal. 66.17. I will declare what God has done for my ſoul, I cryed to him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue. So ſoon is Prayer turn'd into Praiſes, and the voice of Mourning into Rejoycing.

4. We ſhould be glad to go up to the Houſe of God, to improve the liberty we have of pleading and arguing with him in Prayer. We may go even unto his Seat & fill our Mouths with Arguments, which he has prepared for us in his Word and put into our Mouths, and bid us to uſe; and has taken them from his own bleſſed Nature, and formed them ſo directly to his own Glory and our Comfort, that they bring a mighty pleaſure along with them to the Soul that uſes them. Now to ly & plead & prevail at the feet of Soveraign Grace is a moſt delightful thing to a gracious heart. So the Morning broke brightly upon Jacob when he had held the Argument, held the Angel all Night, and had been bleſſed by him before he let him go. What tho' Jacob halted all his Life time after this happy Wreſtling? It was only a Memorial of Joy, to bring to Remembrance his power with God and intereſt in him. He wanted this Infirmity in his fleſh to keep him humble ever after.

p. 1465. Profeſſion and Self-Conſecration are other Acts in Prayer, which ſhould make us glad of every Seaſon of ſolemn Approach to Him. We ſhould in our Prayers give our ſelves up to the Lord, lay hold on his Covenant, and renew our own Engagements to be his; pay him our Vows, preſent our ſelves a Living Sacrifice, and bind our ſelves afreſh to him. Our Baptiſm ſhould be ever remembred by us, and we ſhould rejoyce with fear; commending our ſelves to his Grace, and committing our Souls to his Keeping. Pſal. 119.94. I am thine, ſave me. Pſal. 116.13, 16. I will take the cup of ſalvation: and call upon the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows unto the Lord: now in the preſence of all his people. O Lord, truly I am thy ſervant, I am thy ſervant, and the ſon of thy handmaid: thou haſt looſed my bonds. So the pleaſed Servant among the Iſraelites went gladly to the door of his Masters houſe to bore his Ear there. It ſhould be pleaſant to us to Avouch the Lord in the moſt Publick and Explicit manner to be our God, and that we are his People; and to put in our Claims to the Bleſſings of his Covenant while we put our Names to the bonds of it. Iſai, 3 2. 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.

p. 1476. Interceſſion for Others is another part of Prayer, which ſhould make it pleaſant to us to go up unto the Houſe of Prayer. Prayer is a Generous & Noble duty, breathing the moſt diffuſive Love & extenſive Charity. 1 Tim. 2. Init. I exhort therefore that ſupplications, prayers, interceſſions & giving of thanks be made for all men;—for this is good and acceptable in the ſight of God our Saviour, who will have all men to be ſaved and to come unto the knowledge of the Truth. How pleaſant ſhould it be to bear the World of Mankind thus in an Enlarged heart before God, for his Mercies & Bleſſings to be ſhowred down upon them! How pleaſant by expreſſions of faith and love to teſtify our Communion with all that in Every place call upon the Name of Jeſus Chriſt our Lord, both theirs and ours. How pleaſant to keep and manifeſt the Unity of the Spirit, the Oneneſs of Saints all the World over! And to realize our ſelves intereſted in their Supplications at the Throne of Grace, while we embrace them in the chearful Arms of our love; as the Excellent Ones in the Earth, in whom is all our delight, and to whom our Goodneſs extends, at leaſt in a hearty Benevolence and Good-will, tho' not in any actual Beneficence. Such kind and tender concern, ſuch affection and eſteem the Children of God have for one another, whoſe faces they are never to ſee in the fleſh, but whom they hope one day to ſee in Heaven, that their hearts might be comforted p. 148being knit together in love, and unto all Riches of the full aſſurance of Underſtanding, to the Acknowledgement of the myſtery of God, and of the Father and of Chriſt, Col. 2. Init. And how good & pleaſant is it for Brethren thus to dwell together in love, their Prayers being promoted hereby; bearing one another like holy Relatives on their hearts to the God of all Grace, in a gracious Sympathy and Care for each others Concerns both Temporal & Eternal. Phil. 1.2, 3, 4. Grace be unto you and Peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jeſus Chriſt. I thank my God upon every Remembrance of you; alwayes in every prayer of mine for you all making requeſt with joy; for their fellowſhip in the Goſpel from the firſt day until Now. Truly if there be any Conſolation in Chriſt, if any Comfort of love, if any Fellowſhip of the Spirit, if any Bowels and Mercies, it is to be found in the Mutual Interceſſions of Saints: Herein they fulfill their own and others Joy, if they be like minded, having the ſame love, being of one accord, of one mind. Phil. 2.1, 2.

Thus there is nothing but what is very pleaſant in every part of Prayer. Only we muſt give our ſelves to the Duty, and get the Spirit of Prayer if we would experience this. For to be ſure, a carnal and wicked heart, a careleſs and formal Spirit, a worldly & fleſhly Mind, can never favour or experience theſe Truths.

But ſo much for the first and chief Act or Exerciſe of Divine Worſhip. I ſhall not Enlarge ſo much on thoſe that remain.

p. 149II. We ſhould be glad to go unto Gods Houſe of Worſhip to Sing Pſalms of Praiſe unto his Name. That this is a part, and a very excellent and pleaſant part of Inſtituted Worſhip, and has alwayes been accounted ſo, is very Evident thro' the whole of Sacred Scripture. Pſal. 105.2. Sing unto him, ſing Pſalms unto him. Pſal. 69.30. I will praiſe the Name of God with a Song, I will magnifie him with Thanſgiving. It is a chearful duty, and calls for holy gladneſs of heart; Pſal. 30.12. Thou hast put off my ſackcloth, and girded me with Gladneſs, to the end that my glory may ſing praiſe to thee and not be ſilent. 2 Chron. 29.30. They ſang praiſes with gladneſs, and bowed their heads and worſhipped. The 47 Pſalm tells us what ſhould be our Worſhip in Goſpel dayes, at and after the Aſcenſion of Chriſt: God is gone up with a ſhout, the Lord with the ſound of the Trumphet. Sing praiſes to God, ſing praiſes: ſing praiſes unto our King, ſing praiſes. The Precept is to all Nations, when they are called into the Church, Pſal. 68.32. Sing unto God ye Kingdoms of the Earth: O ſing praiſes to the Lord. Selah. In the New Teſtament we find this Duty Eſtabliſhed and Recommended by our Saviour, and by Expreſs Precept. In the firſt Inſtitution of the Lords Supper he Sang an Hymn with his Diſciples. The Great Apoſtle in two of his Epiſtles Enjoyns the heavenly duty: Speaking to your ſelves in pſalms and hymns and ſpiritual ſongs; ſinging with p. 150grace, and making melody in your hearts to the Lord Eph. 5.19. Col. 3.16. And holy Joy is preſcribed in it; Jam. 5.13. Is any merry, let him ſing Pſalms.

It is a famous account that was given by a Heathen of the firſt Chriſtians; that they met together and Sang a Hymn to Christ as God. And the Hiſtory of the Reformation tells us how much it was promoted by this religious Exerciſe. Conceive if you can the Raptures of Joy with which Moſes Sang at the red Sea, Deborah on the Avenging of Iſrael, David at the bringing the Ark to Sion, the Virgin Mary her Magnificat, or Zecharias at the loos'ning his Tongue, or Simeon his Dimittis, or Paul and Silas in the Stocks. When we lift up our Voices to make one ſound in the Publick Aſſemblies, it ſhould be even with like Joy. Pſal. 98 4 Make a joyful Noiſe unto the Lord all the Earth; make a loud Noiſe and rejoyce and ſing praiſe.

As our Tongues are made for Singing as well as ſpeaking, ſo the faculty of Singing is given us to pleaſe and to expreſs pleaſure. It is ſo in a common uſe of the power, and ſurely ſhould be rather ſo in a Religious One. Gracious Souls taſte much of Heaven in this part of Worſhip. It ſweetly dilates & opens the Soul to God, and he comes into it. Muſick has its charm where a perſon has … and ſo have Pſalms their charm to … heart. Before this World was there … joy and Singing, and the one expreſſed in the p. 151other, the one inſpired by the other: I mean when at the foundation of the Earth the Morning Stars ſang together, and all the ſons of God ſhouted for joy. And when this World ends Singing will continue with Everlaſting Joyes; The ſong of Moſes and of the Lamb. We hold communion now with Heaven, we are now preparing for Heaven, we already get ſome foretaſtes of Heaven, in the holy Exerciſe of Singing.

III. We ſhould be glad to go up unto the Houſe of the Lord if it were only to hear his Word Read and Preached to us. To hear the Joyful Sound, the Glad Tydings of Great Joy to all People, even the way of our Salvation, the things of our Everlaſting Peace. It ſhould be pleaſant to us to hear from God, as well as to ſpeak to him: for him to ſpeak to us, not in the Auguſt Terrors of Sinai, but in the ſoft Voice of the Goſpel. The Law of our God ſhould be our delight; it is perfect and pure and right, and inlightning the Eyes and rejoycing the heart; and more to be deſired than Gold, yea, than much fine gold, ſweeter alſo than honey, and the honey-comb. It contains the moſt ſublime, neceſſary, ſaving Truth. There is a true and ſolid pleaſure in the Knowledge of God, and in the Meditation, Study & Practice of his Law. A truly devout Soul has a more exquiſite Taſte and Reliſh of this, than any ſenſual Heart can have of any Earthly Satisfactions. The 119. Pſalm does moſt ſweetly p. 152and abundantly expreſs this. I have rejoyced in the way of thy Teſtimonies more than in all riches. I will delight my ſelf in thy Statutes, and will not forget thy Word. Thy Teſtimonies are my delight and my counſellors. O how I love thy law, it is my meditation all the day. I rejoyce at thy Word as one that findeth great ſpoil. Thy Statutes are my ſongs in the houſe of my pilgrimage. I have longed for thy ſalvation, O Lord, and thy law is my delight.

If we could but bring ſuch an Ear & ſuch a Frame of heart to the Word as David did, we ſhould find his pleaſure in it.

This is the way to profit by the Word, and the ſign & fruit of profiting thereby. When the Word has its Saving Effects it will be gladly Entertained. Acts 2.41. They that gladly received the Word, were baptized; and they continued daily with one accord in the Temple, and did eat their bread with gladneſs and ſingleneſs of heart. When the Word Convinces of Sin, and humbles and breaks the heart in Contrition, it is moſt welcome to the Soul; for it brings its Comforts along with it, and while it wounds it heals. 1 Theſ. 1.5, 6. For our Goſpel came not unto you in word only, but in power and in the holy Ghoſt: And ye became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the Word in much Affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghoſt.

The Doctrines of the Goſpel are full of ſublime myſtery and dazling light: they ſhine forth as the Morning, fair as the Moon, and p. 153clear as the Sun. The Precepts and Laws … the Goſpel are full of Sancity, moſt holy juſt and good, and infinitely commend themſelves to the Conſciences of all that conſider them: for ſo it appears that the Holy God muſt needs govern us and ſeek our happineſs, and ſo it is that Men muſt be govern'd and be happy. They are our Wiſdom and our Life. The Promiſes of the Goſpel are ſo full of Grace and Good to them that love God, they are ſo rich and precious in the Spiritual and Everlaſting bleſſings they contain, that they afford the Strongeſt Conſolations unto the Souls of Saints. On all accounts therefore it ſhould be pleaſant to us to ſit at Jeſus feet and hear his Words. To be taught, directed, excited from the lively Oracles, ſhould make the Sabbath of the Lord very welcome to us.

IV. We ſhould be glad to go up unto the Houſe of the Lord to wait upon him and obey him in the Inſtituted Sacraments of Religion. Theſe Injunctions of a Poſitive Nature are very awful and ſolemn, but very ſweet, gracious and comfortable too in their ſenſe and meaning. As David in the Text was glad when they call'd upon him to go up unto the Solemn Feaſts; ſo ſhould we be glad to honour Christ in the Obſervation of his holy Appointments and Inſtitutions. They are few and full of Spiritual ſenſe, and Benefit to our Souls. They are not diverſe Waſhings and carnal Ordinances; like the Ceremonial p. 154Yoke of old to Iſael; They are but the Single waſhing in Baptiſm, and the One Feſtival upon the Memorial of a Sacrificed Saviour And what ſhould be more pleaſant to us than in them to make the Conſecration of our ſelves unto God, to Seal our Covenant Engagements to him, and to receive the Pledges of his Grace. It was a pleaſure to the Saints of God of old to bring their Peace-offerings, and feaſt before the Lord upon them; to Covenant with him by Sacrifice: So ſhould it be to us to avouch our Relation to God and clain an Intereſt in his Grace and Favour, according to the Summary of his Covenant, I will be unto you a God and to your Seed, and ye ſhall be my People.

For do but conſider,

1. The Nature of the Chriſtian Baptiſm, and ſay if it ſhould not be pleaſant to you to preſent your ſelves and your Children to God? Is it to be owned and acknowledged by God, and received into the Number and Communion of his People? Or is it to own Him and ſubmit to him as our Lord & our God? Is it to bind our ſelves unto holineſs, in the way of finding the Spirit of Grace and Holineſs? Is it that by the Mercies of God you are beſo't to preſent your Selves & your Children to the Lord a living Sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reaſonable ſervice? And will you not gladly comply with the offers of this Grace? It is not neither by a bloody Rite, as of Circumciſion of p. 155old; only he ſaith unto thee Waſh and be clean. So Naaman came back Adoring, his Soul being reſtored with his corrupted fleſh. He repented that he had Undervalued the healing Waters, and now was ready to worſhip the very Earth of Iſrael.

Nature aſſiſts Grace in the holy Joy of preſenting our Children to God in Baptiſm. The Bowels of a gracious Parent are refreſhed to behold his lov'd Offspring ſolemnly owned and accepted and bleſſed by God. It is, as I have ſometimes ſaid to you,‖‖See the Government of Mirth: p. 134. as when Joſeph ſaw his two Sons at the knees of Jacob: (but O how far is the Compariſon below the thing) and as Jacob ſaid to him, Thy two Sons are mine: So the Great and High God ſayes to us in the Baptiſm of our Children; Thy Children O Chriſtian are Mine. It was moſt pleaſant to Joſeph to hear his Agel Father bleſſing his Children; God before whom my Father walked, the God which fed me all my life long unto this day, The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bleſs the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my Fathers Abraham and Iſaac: and let them grow into a multitude in the midſt of the Earth. Such is the pleaſure that we may have and ſhould have, while we behold the Bleſſing of Abraham coming on ours after us. And what more divine pleaſure can a Parent have in the p. 156body? When Nathan bro't to David that gracious Meſſage from God, — I …ll …t up thy ſeed after thee; and I will be his … and he ſhall be my Son; the overjoyed King …ent immediately before the Ark of God and worſhipped, ſaying — Who am I O Lord God, and what is my Fathers houſe that …ho… haſt brought me hitherto? Methinks that … we ſhould feel and ſo ſhould we ſay, when we go up unto the Houſe of the Lord to offer up our Children to God, that his bleſſing may come upon them. So the Inſpired Zecharias Sang with holy gladneſs at the birth of his Son; and ſo the Bleſſed Virgin ſaw Simeon take up her Holy Child into his venerable Arms, and heard him Sing his Nune Dimittis. What ſhall I ſay, — had we Faith and Devotion in their lively Exerciſe, as there is no Love more pleaſing than a Parents to his Child, ſo there would be no Joy more raviſhing than that of his dedicating his Children to God.

2. And if the Sacrament of Baptiſm mean ſo much delight to a holy Soul, ſurely the Sacrament of the Lords Supper means as much unto a heart ſuitably prepared. It is pleaſant to remember our Common Friends in their abſence from us, and all the love they have ſometimes ſhewn us; but how much more ſhould we be glad of the Opportunities for the ſolemn Remembrance of the Love of Chriſt and all that he has done for our Salvation, p. 157even his dying to …haſe it f… If the Eye affect the heart with grief in the Remembrance of Sin and the Curſe, yet the en… and fruit of that Death is all comfort and peace; and tho' we cannot but with Te…s receive the Atonement for Sin, yet ne…her can we receive it without …tures of Jo… If it be pleaſant to give up our ſelves to …ſt in Baptiſm, and to … for ours; ſurely it muſt be as pleaſant …ene… the Dedication of our Selves to Chriſt at his Table! As a Feast is made for laughter, ſo is the Table of Chriſt for Spiritual delight and joy in him. We are the Circumciſion that worſhip God in the Spirit & rejoyce in Christ Jeſus If ever we rejoyce in him, ſurely it will be when we do this in Remembrance of Him Here is the "Banquet of Wine, and the Sce… ter of Grace held forth, and tho' we come trembling for fear, yet the King ſayes to us— What is thy Petition and it ſhall be granted thee. As ſome happy People keep with Joy the day of their Eſpouſals, ſo is or ſhould be the frequent Communion of Saints to them. … the Table of Chriſt; wherein they remember the day of their Eſpouſals, the day of the gl… neſs of their hearts. Let this be thy …edding Garment, the Joy of thy Soul in Chriſt and in the Remembrance of his love. The Iſraelites were glad when the time came on for the keeping the Paſſover, tho' they were to eat it with bitter herbs and heavy bread the Salvation was Great which they rememb…d, p. 158and that made all pleaſant; but we have a Greater Salvation than that of the Church from Egypt to keep our Eye upon, and to draw forth our hearts in Enlarged Praiſes unto God. The Banner of Chriſts love is over you at his Table, and holy Souls ſhould be there ſolacing themſelves in his love. It is a Love-feaſt, and a frame of love to God is the moſt joyful one that can be. No Sabbaths in the Year are more welcome to prepared Souls than thoſe wherein they have the Opportunity of waiting on Chriſt in this Ordinance. Then will I go unto the Altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy. The Myſteries and Marvels of Redeeming love are pleaſant to Contemplate. The Pron…iſes in Chriſt moſt pleaſant to apply: And ſo the Means of Increaſe and growth in Grace to be in the uſe of. We are glad ſometimes when our friends ask us to eat with them at their Tables, or when they come to eat with us …t ours; much more ſhould we be …lad to … to Chriſts Table upon his Invitation, and to receive him into our Souls.

Thus the Sacraments of Chriſtianity are ſuch us we ſhould be glad to go up to the Houſe of the Lord, by Chriſt to offer the Sacrifices of Praiſe.

V. And laſtly, We ſhould be glad to go …p to the Houſe of the Lord, to receive the Bleſſing there pronounced in the Name of the Lord. …s is a Short but a Sweet and Great p. 159Act or Solemnity in Publick Worſhip; even the Bleſſing the Congregation. It was appointed to Iſrael of old that Aaron and his Sons ſhould bleſs the People, and the Benediction was formed for them to uſe. See Numb. 6. 22,—27. And the LORD ſpake unto Moſes, ſaying, Speak unto Aaron and unto his ſons, ſaying, On this wiſe ye ſhall bleſs the Children of Iſrael, ſaying unto them, The LORD bleſs thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face ſhine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. And they ſhall put my Name upon the Children of Iſrael, and I will bleſs them. This Honour God put upon his Miniſters from the beginning, this Grace he ſhewed to his Peopple. Thoſe whom he ſeparated to his own Service, by them he would bleſs his Church. Aaron was thus honoured and Iſrael was comforted. Thus he honours his Houſe and Worſhip, by commanding there the Bleſſing. And his Bleſſing will be Eſ…caciou… If an Sons of Peace are preſent it will c…e upon them. This was the Bleſſing of Levi that I was to bleſs his Brethren. Deut. 10.8. At that time the LORD ſe…rated the Tribe of …e… to bear the Ark of the Covenant … ſtar before he LORD and Miniſter, and to bleſs in …is Name It is one moſt worthy End of th… Sepa…a… on of the Miniſterial Order, and one moſt worthy part of Sacred Inſtitution. The People of old were wont to rejoyce … ſee th… Miniſters of Religion, becauſe they came … p. 160… them out of Gods Houſe: Pſal. 118.26. Bleſſed be he that cometh in the Name of the LORD; We have bleſſed you out of the Houſe of the LORD.

Now this is certainly a pleaſant Act in Publick Worſhip. A pleaſant Concluſion of the Worſhip which ſhould make us go home with a glad heart. It is grown ſo much into a Form that I fear we loſe the Spiritual Import and Benefit intended, many of us: but he that with a devout heart and a pure mind waits for a Bleſſing from God, would not willingly go without that which is pronounced. Pleaſant it is to a gracious Miniſter to bleſs, and pleaſant to a gracious Soul to be bleſſed. Not that the bleſſing from a poor Worm is any thing worth; No it is not Man that Bleſſes; and if you value the Bleſſing from the Lips of the Miniſter it is only as he ſpeaks from God, and God by him. It is— The LORD bleſs thee and keep thee, the LORD make his face to ſhine upon thee: So we put Gods Name upon his People, and He will bleſs them.

The Bleſſing preſcribed unto us in the New Teſtament is moſt ſweet and pleaſant for us to Contemplate. Chriſt came from Heaven … bleſs us; and as he was bleſſing his Diſciples he was taken from them. He bleſſed …is own from the Holy Mount; he bleſſes us …t from his High Throne in Heaven. And …om he bleſſes are bleſſed indeed. His Apoſtles underſtood it to belong to their Commiſſion p. 161to bleſs in his Name; and guided by his Infallible Spirit they did it ex Officio; even as Aaron and his Sons had done before. Only the Form of Bleſſing alter'd with the new Form of Worſhip and State of the Church. And this is the bleſſed Form now to be uſed: Rom. 16.24. The Grace of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt be with you all. Amen. 2 Cor. 13. ult. The Grace of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, and the love of God, and the Communion of the Holy Ghoſt, be with you all. Amen. That is to ſay,Mr. Clark. I wiſh you may partake of all thoſe Benefits which Chriſt of his free Grace and Favour has purchas'd, which the Father of his free love has purpoſed, and which the Holy Ghost does apply, communicate to and beſtow upon the Elect. Gal. 6.18. Brethren, the Grace of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt be with your Spirit. Amen. This is again more Enlarg'd and amplified: Eph. 6. ult. Peace be to the Brethren, and love with faith from God the Father, and the Lord Jeſus Chriſt; Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jeſus Chriſt in ſincerity. Amen. And yet again, ſhorteſt of all, Col. 4. ult. Grace be with you. Amen. That is, Chriſt be with you: and ſo it is Interpreted; 2 Tim. 4. ult. The Lord Jeſus Christ be with thy Spirit; Grace be with you. Amen. Peters Bleſſing differs in a word from Pauls, but ſignifies juſt the ſame: 1 Pet. 5. ult. Peace be with … all that are in Chriſt Jeſus. Amen. To have done, the Holy Bible concludes with this Benediction: p. 162The Grace of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt be with you all. Amen.

On this wiſe we are Authoriz'd yet to bleſs in the Name of Chriſt, and every Sabbath you are diſmiſſed from the Houſe of God with this Bleſſing. It is worth coming for, and waiting for, and happy are they that bear it away with them. How comprehenſive are theſe ſew words? Who can unfold all that is contained in them! What time would it require to do it in an Imperfect manner! Methinks there's no need to add a word to them. The words we add ſink below them. May the full ſenſe and Emphaſis of them remain, and the Bleſſing wiſh'd reſt upon our Souls. How Amiable would this make Gods Tabernacles …, and how Reverend his Miniſtry, and how Pleaſant his Sabbaths! How gladly ſhould we go to and from his Houſe at all times. What come we for, but for the Bleſſing? If we can carry that away we have all! Grace Mercy and Peace, from God the Father and from our Lord Jeſus Christ.

As we are Baptiſed into the Name of the Ever bleſſed Trinity, ſo are we bleſſed in that Glorious and Fearful Name. In which bleſſing all that God is or can be unto his Creatures, all that he can do to make them bleſſed is wiſh'd unto us. This Bleſſing we wiſh you this Day, The LORD that made Heaven and Earth, bleſs you out of Sion I am ſure then that you will b…ad to r…rn to Gods Houſe again.

p. 163As the Word, ſo the Bleſſing is directed unto Every particular Perſon; and every one ſhould ſtay gladly and reverently to hear it and receive it. So what God of old promiſed he is yet fulfilling; Where-ever he records his Name, he meets his People and bleſſes them.

And thus I have conſidered the Acts of Divine Publick Worſhip; and that we ſhould on the Account of one and another of them be glad when we are call'd upon to go up unto the Houſe of the Lord. And indeed ſuch a Savour of the Holy Ordinances ſhould be the Bleſſing which we ſhould ſeek after. Pſal. 27.4. One thing have I deſired of the LORD, that will I ſeek after, that I may dwell in the houſe of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his Temple.

FINIS.

Communion with GOD.

1. THrice Holy, Bleſs'd, Immortal Dove!

Spirit of Grace, and God of Love!

Cleave the high radiant Firmament,

And make thy promis'd ſwift Deſcent.

2. Fill every humble Soul with Grace,

Each contrite heart with Light & Peace:

Thy Power the Sinking Mind can raiſe

To unknown Joyes, & rapt'rous Praiſe.

3. Draw us, we'll run with ſtrong Deſire:

Life, light & love at once Inſpire;

Brighten & warm us from Above,

Our Heads with light, our Hearts with love.

4. Teach us to Meditate and Pray,

Both how to Speak and what to ſay!

And while we Muſe, or while we Speak,

Let Heav'nly light upon us break.

5. Thy bleſſed Earneſt to us give,

Seal us, and let us know we live:

To us our Saviours Love reveal,

And let our Pardon paſs thy Seal.

6. Then ſhall we ſpend our happy Dayes,

And brighter Nights, in chearful Praiſe:

Celeſtial Hymns we'll daily bring,

Such as the Heav'nly Chorus Sing.

End of the text · Benjamin Colman, Sermons Preached from Luke 11:21-22 (1717)