is past and what is before them their naturall knowledge is great being such excellent Spirits but besides that they have much revealed to them concerning God Christ the Church and things contingent Hence is it said 1 Pet. 1.12 Which things namely of Christ and the Gospel the Angels desire to looke into 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Exod. 25. The word notes bowing down to prie heedfully into a thing John 20.5 The Cherubims were made looking down towards the Mercy-Seat and here the Angels look into the things of Christ in whom are hid the treasures of Wisdome and so they grow in this knowledge daily as also in experimentall knowledge arising from things done daily in the world and in the Church Angels love to be at the Congregation to meet the Saints and learn of and amongst them they understand partly by their essences and partly by species communicated to their understandings as to ours Angels are good Philosophers they know the Principles Causes Effects Life Motions Death of naturall things Rev. 7.1 2. and 16.5 They are great Statists and know the affaires of Kingdomes Dan. 10.13 saith Gabriel I remained with the Kings of Persia he became a Courtier and acquainted himself with the affaires of Persia Four living creatures These were four Angels in particular some conceive Michael Gabriel Raphael and Vriel which were chief over the rest the whole Host of Angels But that is not the sense neither that God only uses four Angels in his service for many thousands are imployed Luke 2.13 There was a multitude of the heavenly Host and 2 King 6.17 there was an army with the Prophet but it relates to the object viz. The world which is distinguished into four parts East West North and South the work of these Angels laid in all those parts and none of them exempt from the presence observation and operation of the Angels Obs 1. That God imployes not ignorant silly ones in his service but those are intelligent Angels that are wise and very knowing such should the Angels of the Churches be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Priests lips should keep knowledge Mal. 2.7 And as God is termed 1 Sam. 2.3 a God of knowledges so should he be a man of knowledges the Pharisees were blind guides and what a multitude of blind Priests were there till within these few yeeres in the Christian world and too many there are to this day that have their right eye darkned Zach. 11. last But the man of God should have new and old in his treasury and be throughly furnished unuo every and word and work 2. That the Angels are in all quarters of the world taking notice of mens words works and wayes they go I had almost said of their very thoughts and that they do Si signo externo prodantur Lesl if discovered by some sign Angels can be present at all times know what devils or other men can know of us any voyce any act they are privie to yea by outward expressions they may gather what is within they being spirits can insinuate far into our hearts and natures though not immediately know our thoughts Therefore we should carry our selves soberly righteously and holily in this world in regard of them 1 Cor. 11.10 the woman is to have power on her head because of the Angels she is to be covered and to carry her self modestly reverendly because of the Angels Psal 138.1 Before the gods will I sing to thee the vulgar hath in conspectu Angelorum before the Angels their presence should awe men and women and keep them from all dishonesty evill words acts gestures secret grudging all discontents and distempers for as they are rejoyced to discern a good frame of spirit in you Grata est Angelis pia significatio Aug. to see you keep that order God hath set in the Church and State to walk as Christians to the honour of God so they are grieved to see the contrary Magna cura vigilanti studio adâ—unt nobis omnibus horis locis succurrentes providentes omnibus necessitat bus nostris gemitus nostros suspiria referentes ad Deum Ambâ—lant nobiscum in omnibus viis nostris considerantes quam piè quam honestè in med o pravae nationis conversemur adjuvant laborantes protegunt quiescentes hortantur pugnantes coronant vincentes grandiâ— eis cura de nobis August Soliloq c. 27. and you must answer for your sins against these great officers in the great family of heaven and earth a thing that is little thought on but if it be a sin to despise and grieve a believer a brother that is inferiour to an angel is it not much more a sin to dishonour their presence and grieve their persons Smoak drives away Bees and an ill savour Doves so do ill passages drive away the Spirit and Angels of God Eccl. 5.6 The Angel that is of Gods councell a witnesse of our wayes will not take it well the Angell may smite thee for neglect of duties ill performances of them 3. That men should be ashamed to be ignorant seeing angels are likened unto them for knowledge and understanding Many men yea such as are called Christians are brutish in their knowledge their souls serve only for salt to keep their bodies from putrefaction Eph. 2.12 without God in the world that is without the fear authority and soveraignity of God falling upon their hearts and without the knowledge of God in their heads and God may say of many Christians My people is foolish they have not known me they are foolish children they have none understanding they are wise to do evill but to do good they have no knowledge Jer. 4.22 The Apostle bids us in understanding to be men shall we be babes only let us now be Angels in understanding David was wise as an Angel and the Saints shall judge the Angels 1 Cor. 6. The evill Angels they are very subtile they have their depths methods wiles and how shall we do it if we be ignorant they come to the Assemblies to get advantage to accuse us let us get knowledge to condemn them 4. That God doth interest Angels and use their service in the government of the world not only men Magistrates and Ministers but Angels also Carcer Dei Angelorum The Jews made Jerusalem the prison of God and Angels they thought that neither God nor his Angels did appeare or rule any where else To take off this conceit God appeares to Ezekiel in Babylon after this manner to convince him that he and his Angels do govern there and in all quarters of the world as well as at Sion that God rules in the world is granted but that Angels should help to sway the Scepter is not so credible A little therefore to clear it 2 Cor. 4.4 In whom the God of this world hath blinded their minds some understand it of the true God that created the world but the best interpreters
the conscience warn them they must and so warn them that they may take notice else it 's in vain and shall be before the Lord as no warning this they must do and do it oft and why else the blood of the wicked will be required at their hand their blood their lives lye at the stake for sinners souls they have a hard task a dangerous Calling and therefore had need preach and tell them of their sins that if it be possible they may save their souls if not their own people wonder many times at some Preachers they are so fierie so particular so terrible so long you may cease to wonder their lives their souls go for it if they do it not the hazard of souls and lives will make dumb men speak Croesus son being dumb and seing one ready to strike and endanger the life of his father cry'd out What will you kill my father and if our dumb Ministers had any faith if they did believe that sin was slaying the souls of their people they would lift up their voyce they would speak Psal 116.10 I believed said David therefore have I spoken and godly Ministers believe mens souls are in danger that their own do lie at the stake and therefore they have spoken do speak and will speak you that have curam animarum the charge of souls look about you if you discharge not your duty you undo them and undo your selves let not feare favour credits gifts hopes misbiass you let not difficulties mistakes of people or any other thing discourage you but remember your own danger warn sinners else their blood will be upon you and that is a dreadfull thing did men well consider this they would not be so greedy of Livings and pawn their souls for pelf if the death of the body were only here meant as it is not wee have great cause to feare silence for if we be liable to death for the death of that which is perishable and must die what guilt then doth a Prophet contract for the death of a soul which might have lived for ever if he had done his duty David knew the weight of blood-guiltinesse Psal 51.14 when he cryed out so Deliver me from blood-guiltinesse c. that was but the blood of the body what then is the blood of souls it's a mountainous sinking thing we have sins sufficient of our own we had not need to draw the guilt of others upon us a Alienas mortes addimus quiae tot occidimus quot ad mortem ire quot idic tepidi tacentes vâ—demus Greg. in loc so many we kill as we see to sin and silently suffer to go on in their sins Paul knew it and therefore said Wo is unto me if I preach not the Gospel 1 Cor. 9.16 And there is a wo to all that have charges that preach not unto them it 's b The world is full of Priests Sed tamen in messe Dei rarus valdè invenitur operator we take upon us the office but opus officii non implemus Gre. Hom. 17. needfull for us all but especially for Non-residents dumb Ministers those are negligent in their preaching or impertinent to meditate oft on these words his blood will I require at thy hands which words are fulmina non verba saith Erasmus when the Bell rings for a wicked man feare lest there be blood to be required at thy hand f Herod l. 9. Euenius a Shepheard that had the Sheep belonging to a city committed to him through his negligence a Wolf entred and devoured sixty of them upon this hee was condemn'd and lost his eyes Not only Ministers but Parents and Masters their souls are ingaged for their children and servants and they must be responsible for them if they warn them not if they perish through their default 12. It 's the duty of people to heare their Ministers and willingly to receive instructions and take warning from them especially people of their Ministers because they watch for their souls they work for them and they venture for them even their own lives and souls it 's mercy God will send any to admonish us if we hearken to admonitions we shall live if we do not wee grieve the servants of God if they be silent our sins are not the lesse VER 19. Observ 1. THat men may be warn'd from their wicked wayes and yet be never the better they may go on still this is too evident amongst us daily 2. It is not fruitlesse if wicked men return not from their evill wayes upon warning The Prophet hath warn'd the wicked and hath freed his own soul and this was a great comfort unto Paul Act. 20.26 when he appeals to the people themselves I take you to record this day that I am pure from the blood of all men and how doth he prove it thus for I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God He left none unwarn'd of sin danger untaught their duty towards God and man and therefore he had this testimony yeelding sound comfort I am pure from the blood of all so when hee had preached Christ to the Jewes and they opposed blasphemed hee shook his rayment and said your blood be upon your own heads I am clean Act. 18.5 6. much like that of David 2 Sam. 3. I and my kingdome are guiltlesse before the Lord for ever from the blood of Abner Let it rest on the head of Joab That which Paul calls clean David calls guiltlesse when a man is guiltlesse he is clean he hath solid comfort a Minister having conscionably warn'd the wicked and nothing comes of it in regard of them yet somewhat comes of it in regard of himself he is a free man a cleer man the blood of souls shall not be charged upon him A Minister that is faithfull shall not need to complain of the want of successe if he save not others he shall save himself VER 20 21. Again when a righteous man doth turn from his righteousnesse and commit iniquity and I lay a stumbling block before him he shall die because thou hast not given him warning hee shall die in his sin and his rightousnesse that he hath done shall not be remembred but his blood will I require at thy hand 21. Neverthelesse if thou warn the righteous man that the righteous sin not and he doth not sin he shall surely live because he is warn'd also thou hast delivered thy soul IN these words is laid down the other part of the Prophets Charge it 's not only the wicked but the righteous also fall under his care and if he sin and be not warn'd that effect will be dangerous and deadly to the Prophet he is not only to deal with the wicked to get them into the way of God but also with the righteous to see that he go not out of the way and if he do to reduce him guilt will lie upon a Prophet if he do
when God by his Spirit lifted up the Angels to great imploiments then that Spirit lifted up the wheels the second causes to more then ordinary service and the word lifting up notes service a higher degree of it then before 2 King 19.4 Lift up thy prayer for the remnant that are left Hezekiah sends to Isaiah when Rabshakeh blasphemed and Jerusalem was besieged and saith Isaiah thou art a Prophet and hast more then an ordinary measure of the Spirit lift up thy prayer let it be extraordinary such as may lift up the spirits of all to joyn with thee higher then ever such as may lift up Jerusalem out of misery So Jehoiaehin when he was set up upon the throne to governe and to do great service it 's said his head was lifted up Jer. 52. and so in Psal 12.10 the lifting up of Gods hand notes doing of some great matter The next thing inquirable into is the standing of the living creatures and the wheels when the one stood the other stood do the Angels stand still at any time they are active spirits and alwayes in motion Two things this standing implies 1. A cessation from any service in hand at the will and pleasure of God if he would call off the Angels from their imployments before they were finished In this sense the Angels are said to stand and so the second causes they used although they were both imployed in some other service or 2. When they had perfected any work in hand then they were said to stand not idle but in expectation of a new Commission like faithfull servants when their work is done present themselves before their Master and demand their pleasure so the Angels and second causes hearken what God will say more and what is the next word and work to be done they wait upon God for new instructions Observ 1. The motions of this inferiour world and the second causes in it do depend upon higher causes even heavenly motions the ministery of Angels The observation is plain from the words When the living creatures went the wheels went by them If the Angels move the wheels move also they are great things the Angels have in their hands the wheels of Nature of States and Kingdomes yea of the Church it self 2. Nothing in the world is casuall many things seem so to us but in veritate rei are not so all things here below move at the motions of others and that which is ordered by the motion of Angels or God himself cannot be casuall The wheels are moved by Angels Angels by God himself God directs all nothing happens falls out amongst us wherein the hand of God or Angels is not things are not accidentall if a thing could drop from the heavens or be done on earth without God and his Angels that were casuall and accidentall indeed And because men see not the immediate or remote causes of things who they be move the wheels on earth therefore they attribute effects events and accidentall things to fortune chance luck to good to bad dayes and hours which proclaims mens ignorance and forgetfulnesse of God Qui paratis mensam fortunae Hier. Qui ponitis mensam fortunae Vulg. Isai 65.11 Those that forget God prepared a table for that troop for Fortune some read it but those who know God acknowledge his eye and hand seeing and ordering all Austin misses his way and so escapes the danger of death was intended another being in a despairing humour seeks a knife a halter to undo himself and findes a great treasure a third hath his ring drops off his finger into the Sea and after finds it in the bowels of a fish God so directs all these accidentall things that there is nothing done but by a secret instinct and hint from himself Absconditum quid and in all such passages we should mind something of God 3. That nothing can let the motion of the wheels when Angels and Providence would have them stir When the living creatures moved the wheels went presently it 's not in the power of second causes of men or devils to hinder the work of God in the hand of Angels The King of Persia may withstand Gabriel 21. dayes together Dan. 10.13 but the wheels moved all the time Gabriel prevailed and Gods work prospered in his hand wicked men make head against God Providence Angels and think to stop the wheels when they move not on their side but all is in vain if a man should catch hold of a Chariot running to stop or turn the course of it were it not folly or madnesse in him and because he would be the Chariots remora that may prove his ruin so here men and devils do ruine themselves in opposing the wheels which notwithstanding all oppositions proceed and keep their course And let me tel you a riddle Gods works go on through the hearts heads and hands of his greatest enemies Providence fetches them in and makes them subservient to the worke they oil the wheels although they know it not and forward the work though against their wils God in this kind makes use of kine and cart men and devils yea any creature to carry his Ark to its place 4. That God doth sometimes raise the spirit of the creature to more then an ordinary heighth and inables it to unwonted service The living creatures and wheels were lifted up So Moses when called up to the mount his spirit was raised much else the service had been too hot and hard for him Joshuah was advanced when it was told him that there should not any man stand before him all the dayes of his life Josh 1.5 Jeremy tells the Jews that the Chaldeans whom they thought would depart and not meddle with their City hee tels them that though they had smitten the whole army of the Chaldeans and that there remained but wounded men yet they should rise up every man in his Tent and burn the City with fire Jer. 37.10 When men are wounded thrust thorow as the Hebrew is they can have but little strength 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 how should they be able to do it God would lift them up to that service as David when he grappled with the Bear and Lion incountred with Goliah had his spirit lifted up to a great heighth Hence that in Zachary 12.8 H◠that is feeble among you at that day shall be as David that is such a warrier as David who though a young stripling slew a Bear a Lion and Goliah and the house of David shall be as God and as the Angel of the Lord. The godly though weak yet shall be lifted up to divine and Angelicall strength this was made good in the time of the Maccabees when the people of God were weak Antiochus fierce and vile then God raised up the spirit of Judas Jonathan and Simeon to do extraordinary things this was also made good in the time of the Apostles what great things did they do and
to let you know what you must look for Matth. 10. You shall be hated of all men for my names sake you shall be carryed to the Court you shall be scourged and whipped like rogues you shall be brought before Governours you shall be put to death hee tells them all of these things First because it was the way to arm them against those evills we say praemoniti praemuniti men forewarn'd are forearm'd Secondly that they may have no cause to complain they met with worse matters then ever they heard of Thirdly to strengthen their faith when they should see such things fall out they might say these be the things which were foretold and are tokens that we are in Christs way God began the world with this method Gen. 1. The evening and the morning was the first day it is not the morning and the evening but you must have night before day a winter before a Spring and thunder and lightning before a calm and this is Christs way therefore if you intend heaven think not to meet only with ease These things are all generall we come now to more particular Observations 1. Then wee must walk warily though wicked men be not to be fear'd yet they are to be heeded non timendi sed cavendi sunt impii When Christ sent out his Apostles hee tells them what Thorns and Scorpions they must be amongst men as cruell as Wolves that would persecute unto death and what saith he Be wise as Serpents Matth. 10. innocent as Doves keep your selves from their scratching their stinging their teeth do not you inconsiderately run into their harms give them no just cause or occasion of mischieving you Be innocent as Doves without horns without pushing 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 going wronging any only be wary and defend your selves as the next Verse is Beware of men look to them they are dangerous creatures Wolves Thorns Serpents are not so dangerous as they be exact therefore circumspect yet not so cautelous as to prejudice duty or multiply feares for Ver. 26. it 's said Fear them not he had told them they should be hated Vers 22. courted scourged Vers 17. persecuted from place to place Vers 23. put to death Vers 21. yet they must not feare but they must beware of men he saith not beware of devils they were subject unto the Disciples through Christs name but men would not be subject therefore beware of them Aelian tels us O creatos dormiâ—e solerc in Lybia men slept with their boots on because of the Scorpions that they might not sting them let us not sleep but walk booted I mean let us be shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace Ephes 6.15 be shod with a disposition unto peace let us be peaceable harmlesse innocent and heedy of our conversation that they do neither scratch nor sting us 2. Publique and great designes cannot be carried on with ease and speed there be Thorns and Briers in the way yea Scorpions some difficulty or other Sluggards pretend Lions in the way but publique active spirits when they are upon weighty affaires find Lions in the way Joshua when about a great work to take Ai there was an Achan in the way to make a great demur and had almost overthrown the design Josh 7. Nehemiah had a great work in hand and were there no obstacles to let Tobiah and Sanballat were in the way they scoffed they complied they arm'd threatned yea the Nobles of Judah give intelligence to Tobiah Neh. 6.17 The work of reformation now is a great and good work and are there no obstacles in the way yea there be thorns and heaps of them which have prick'd and lam'd some Scorpions which have bit and stung others that they move not or very slowly in this great work some are unwilling some unfaithfull some insufficient some deeply guilty of foul fins which puts the work more back in one day then they can forward with their hearts heads hands purses and lives in many dayes there are men imploy'd that are Achans Sanballat's Judases we have much policy and carnall wisdome and think by that to speed great works to their period but this is I will not say the only but a principall Remora while we will cart the Ark and carry on things upon the shoulders of policie we are in danger to lose the Ark yea in danger to lose all we will not yet see lay the finger upon the right sore and goe to the root of evils things of weight in State or Church have their lets rubs mountains and come not to birth in the day of expectation this should keep our hearts from sinking and our tongues from censuring when great designes sticke and come not to perfection Molestum impeditum cursum Let us remember there bee Thornes Scorpions in the way Pitie and pray for the Parliament Armies Magistrates and Ministers who have difficult and dangerous work 3. Wonder not that men in place are scratched in their credits and wounded in their estates they dwell among Thorns and Scorpions the fleece and flesh suffer by them many times Nehemiah is a rebell Elijah a troubler of Israel Christ an enemy to Cesar and Paul a seditious and pestilent fellow the Israelites could not goe through the wildernesse without being stung with the fiery Serpents Daniel escaped the teeth of the Lions in the Den but not the sting of the Scorpions in the Court Men that goe into the war must not think to escape all bullets and blowes Magistrates and Ministers are Gods Souldiers they both beare the sword Jer. 1.19 they shall fight against thee and it must not seem strange if they get wounds When Adam and Manasses are among the bushes can lesse be expected then scratches it's the nature of wicked men to blast and bespot the name of others they have learned and doe practise the Devils or the Jesuites doctrine Reproach to purpose Calumniare fortiter aliquid haereb t. and somthing will fasten But let the wicked black God will white wash the names of his Daniels innocencie was cleared up to the King himselfe Dan. 6.22 Christ saith Woe to you when all speak well of you Luke 6. He never saith Woe to you when men speake ill of you he is so farre from that as hee fastens a blessing upon it Matth. 5.11 Blessed are you when men speake all manner of evill of you falsly for my sake Basil saith when men defame us we are sory for them else I should almost have said wee acknowledge thankes to them for their blasphemies as procurers of our blisse Eorum detractatio est vitae tuae approbatio It 's honour to be reviled of the wicked their calumniation is our commendation then a man shewes himselfe a man of God and for God when he displeases those please not God Seneca could see on which side Right was when he said Argumentuâ— est recti malis displicere 4. Seek not
hee would not go into the Temple to save his life he knew the glory of God the cause work and people of God should suffer by it and therefore he would venture his life So Basil when threaten'd with cruell usuage and death said to him had the power in his hand This body thou art Lord of only not of our faith or the cause we stand for and whereas swords wild beasts cutting of our flesh Potius nobis deliciae quam tormenta sunt c. are threaten'd these things are rather pleasures then terrors to us we look at better things then the world hath for which we are not unwilling to lay out our lives Rev. 12.11 the Worthies of those times loved not their lives unto the death they stood bled dyed for Christ and his Cause who had stood bled dyed for them Another observation is That it 's the lot of the righteous to dwell amongst the wicked the Prophet here dwelt amongst Scorpions and was amidst Briers and Thorns a sad habitation yet such as is common to the Saints Lot dwelt in Sodome and his righteous soul was vexed 2 Pet. 2.8 it was pained tormented as a man upon the rack and David dwelt among those were enemies to peace and it made him cry out Woe is me that I so journ in Mesech and dwell in the Tents of Kedar Psal 120.5 6. that is with ungodly and barbarous people and it 's not the condition of some few but the Church it self Cant. 2.2 which is as a Lilly among Thorns so was the Church in Egypt in Babylon in the Primitive times amongst the persecuting Emperours and their officers so in the time of Antichrist and at this day it is among Thorns and Scorpions but here is the comfort of it God takes notice thereof Rev. 2.13 The Church of Pergamus dwelt where Satans throne was where he bare most sway had most honour a multitude of servants where was great uncleannesse hot persecution there did the Church of Pergamus dwell and what saith the Text I know thy works and where thou dwellest I know that is I take speciall notice of all thy works wrongs how the Thorns do scratch the Scorpions sting thee and I will reward thee for all 2 Pet. 2.9 After mention being made of Lots being vexed with the Sodomites it 's said The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation he observes who they are among how they are tempted and knowes wayes of deliverance for them and appeares amongst them VER 7. And thou shalt speak my words unto them whether they will beare or whether they will forbeare for they are most rebellious THere is nothing difficult in this Verse the words they are most rebellious in the originall are they are rebellion in the abstract noting the strength and growth of their sin of which hath been spoken in the 5th Verse only observe from hence 1. That the Messengers of God must speak the word of God Thou shalt speak my words unto them not thine own not other mens but my words Gods words are divine verba vitae mortis and they must be spoken unto the people not our chaffy powerlesse words Matth. 28.20 Teach them to observe what ever I have commanded you they must speak only that and all that nothing must they dissemble or hide away 2. That God cares not whether wicked vile sinners hear or no it 's sufficient to him that they refuse offers of grace that 's enough to justifie him and condemne them whether they will heare or forbeare it matters not I shall have my glory and thou thy reward what ever becomes of them And God deals roundly with them so Christ in Mark 16.16 He that believeth shall be saved and he that believeth not shall be damned yea Joh. 3.18 He that believes not is condemned already and when Christ sent out his Disciples see how quick and round hee is with those should not receive them and their word Matth. 10.14 Whosoever shall not receive you and your words when yee depart out of that house or city shake off the dust of your feet as a testimony against them Mark 6.11 It shall be more easie for Sodome or Gomorrah then for that house or city VER 8 9 10. But thou Son of man heare what I say unto thee be not thou rebellious like that rebellious house open thy mouth and eat that I give thee 9 And when I looked behold a hand was sent unto mee and lo a roul of a booke was therein 10 And he spread it before mee and it was written within and without and there was written therein lamentations and mourning and woe IN these Verses besides Christ instructing of the Prophet you have his farther confirmation in his propheticall Office and that by a visible sign by which hee conveys the gift of prophecying unto Ezekiel and it 's by a roul of a book concerning which wee have these things considerable 1. The efficient cause or whence it came a hand was sent unto mee 2. The materiall cause a roul of a book 3. The opening of it it was spread before mee 4. The contents of it lamentations mourning and woe But before we come to this roul and the particulars of it wee must speak of Christs instructions to the Prophet In the 8th Verse where wee have First an exhortation Son of man heare what I say unto thee Secondy a prohibition be not thou rebellious like that rebellious house Thirdly a command open thy mouth and eat that I give thee The summe of the Verse is this Ezekiel saith Christ see thou hearken unto my voyce whatsoever I say to thee let that be acceptable regard not what men what thine heart and carnall reason say to thee but remember I am God and King I sit upon the Throne my counsels and words must stand be not thou rebellious as the Jewes are let not their example power relation to thee make thee refuse to heare what I say or to eat this visible and sacramentall sign which I give thee There is nothing difficult in the Verse to cleare up unto you only these words Open thy mouth you may think superfluous and that the word Eat had been enough but there is nothing idle in the Scripture all is of weight and such weight that heaven and earth shall passe away before one iota of Gods Word it 's a rule among the learned Vox qua videtur otiosa plurimum facit ad effectum it notes the ardent desire of Christ that the Prophet should have the benefit of this sacramentall sign and that hee should be forward and ready unto it do any thing conduced that way Obser 1. That those are to teach others must first heare and be taught themselves they must heare Christ and learne of him Ezekiel must heare what Christ saith unto him and then he would be fit to speak unto others when the Lord Christ sent out his Disciples he instructed them first Matth.
make the Rain-bow a sign of the Covenant between God and man who could make the Temple a type of Christ but hee that fill'd the Temple with glory and who can institute Sacraments ordinary or extraordinary but God and Christ in them alwayes is a Command and a Promise of grace which falls not within the compasse of mans power 6. That the Lord Christ provides meat for his servants Eat what I give thee Christ had propheticall meat for him a roul to give him It 's from Christ that truths come As a Nurse prepares meat for the child and puts it into the mouth of the child so doth Christ here he ever gives seed to his sowers he furnisheth his with abilities if they want books he will provide them VER 9. And when I looked behold a hand was sent unto mee and lo a roul of a book was therein HEre wee have the efficient instrumentall and materiall cause to treat of A hand was sent unto mee sent from Christ there could not be a hand without some Author hee that sate upon the Throne and made all he made he sent this hand no mention is made of any arm or body a hand might write it and reach it forth Dan. 5.5 there was in Belshazzars sad vision the fingers of a hand came forth and wrote upon the plaister of the wall nothing but a hand appeared had there been no hand the Prophet might have doubted whence it came taken it for some casuall thing but being reached out by a hand it was evident to him it came from heaven even him that he saw so glorious fell down before and was comforted by The materiall cause is A roul of a book Megillath Sepher the Ancients at first writ in barks of trees afterwards in skins of beasts which they call Pergamena vellum or parchment supposing them to be invented at Pergamus by King Attalus where was a famous Library of parchments and manuscripts but rouls of vellume or parchment were before that time Ezekiels vision was long before the Roman Monarchie Attalus lived when that flourished and having no issue made the Roman State heir to his crown but rouls were in Isaiah's dayes Chapt. 8.1 Take thee a great roul yea in Davids dayes Psal 40.8 In the volume of thy book Bimgillath Sepher in the roul of thy book They are very ancient and call'd rouls from the rouling them up about Cedar or some precious wood that they might be the better preserved The Law and Prophets were written in such rouls and when they unrouled them the Jewish Doctors used to expound them Nihil est vetustum in principum Archivis quod non sit scriptum in voluminibus Calv. as is gathered from that place Luke 4.17 These rouls are in practise to this day in the Jewish Synagogue and they have their Thorah or Law written in one volume and rouled up as Paraeus observes on the 5th of the Revel Kings have their Courts of Rouls And there is nothing antient in the Courts and Libraries of Princes in their Treasury of Monuments but is written in rouls or volumes For the signification of this Roul some make it to signifie the secret counsells of God it 's true they were written in it but not signified by it The Roul here is symbolum Prophetiae a typicall sign of the gift of prophecie to be given to the Prophet and in that sense wee are to take it Observ 1. That the Lord Christ doth at his pleasure put forth creative and infinite vertue to effect what hee speaks Eat what I give thee and presently a Hand is created a Roul is presented unto the Prophet which none could have done being destitute of divine power Christ hath a Hand in readinesse alwayes to do what he will have done he hath sometimes a visible hand to do it as here sometime an invisible when hee call'd Lazarus forth of the grave he had an hand invisible to effect it when he bid the dead to heare the dumb to speak the lame to walk Devils to depart their habitation hee had an invisible hand that effected those things so in Acts 11.20 21. when some of the Brethren had preached the Lord Christ and faith in him it 's said presently the hand of the Lord was with him and a great number believed there was a secret hand of divine power effecting that in their hearts which the Disciples preached in their ears And Acts 4.30 Christ hath a hand to stretch forth and to heal to heal soul diseases and bodily too to heal State and Church diseases Mat. 8.2 3. The Leper said to Christ Lord if thou wilt thou canst make me clean and Jesus put forth his hand and touched him saying I will be thou clean and immediatly his Leprosie was cleansed if wee would look to Christ as this Leper did wee might find and feel the hand of Christ 2. That the Lord doth often times extraordinary things for the incouragement and confirmation of his servants in their Function Here is a Hand and a Roul reached out to Ezekiel Jeremiah is fearefull and backward to the work of God and God to incourage and establish him puts forth his hand Exod. 4. and toucheth his mouth Jer. 1.9 Moses hee is doubting and pleading with God to dismisse him but by the miracles of the serpentined and unserpentined rod of the leprozed and unleprozed hand he confirms in his call to that great and hard service Isaiahs lips are touched with a coal from the Altar in the hand of a Seraphim his iniquity is purged and so hee is heartened to his work Isa 6. Christ breathed upon his Apostles and said Receive the Holy Ghost Joh. 20.22 By these extraordinary things they were consecrated to and confirmed in their offices 3. That there is a neere conjunction and sweet Analogie between the symbols the Lord Christ useth and the things intended Christ intends here the gift of Prophecie to confirm that upon Ezekiel Now what is the externall sign or symbol it's a book written full of propheticall things and so did fitly resemble the thing intended in all the symbols that God had used in the old and new Testament in a sacramentall way there have been fit Analogies between them and the thing signified and intended by them Circumcision the Paschall Lamb water in Baptisme Bread and Wine in the Supper of the Lord do set out the manifold wisdome of God and Christ in accommodating symbols so neer to the truth and holding it forth so livelily and the wisdome of Christ appeared in conveying the gift of prophecie by a Roul of a book From this example of Christ giving a Roul to Ezekiel some conceive springs that custome in the Universities at the creation of Doctors it 's done by reaching them out a Book but how warrantable I leave to judgement they do it may give them volumen but not rem voluminis if they had given them the gift of prophecie wee should never had so many