our best mercies our choicest and dearest liberties If ever the Lord Jesus which mercy forbid should take his doleful and final farewel of the English-nation as when he laid the tomb-stone upon Jerusalem such as these wil be his mournings over us Oh Jerusalem Jerusalem thou that killest the Prophets and burnest them that aresent unto thee as they did in the time of Popery how often would I have gathered thy children together by my Word and Spirit therein even as a Hen gathereth her Chickens under the wings of my special Government and Protection but ye would not behold your house is left unto you desolate But the Lord who doth not only make the day dark with night but also turneth the shadow of death into the morning even the Lord avert these evils and the Lord make the English nation his Hephsibah the land Beulah which is the prayer of his Mourners in Sion and of Thy Servants in Jesus and for Jesus sake William Greenhill Samuel Mather TO THE Christian READER THe precious memory of the Author of these ensuing Sermons needs no reviving to any gracious heart that had any knowledge of him Yea the world knows in part though but in a little part by some pieces of his formerly printed while he was yet with us who this Author was what it owes to God for him and how justly it might sigh over his grave with that of the Apostle Of whom the world was not worthy His praise throughout all the Churches is farre above any addition by so mean a pen as writes these lines But it is not fit that the first page of any thing published after his death for I doubt not but his death is long ago publickly took notice of should go without some witnesse of a mournfull remēbrance therof which indeed no tears can sufficiently lament We who sometimes sate under his shadow were fed from God by him the poor flock of this Shepherd among whom he lived testifying Repentance towards God and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ and whom he somtimes exhorted comforted and charged every one of us as a father doth his children we cannot but carry sorrow in the bottome of our hearts to this day that we must here see his face no more Neither do we believe that his losse remaines with us alone or only within the limits of this remote wildernesse the benefit and consequently the want of such a burning and shining Light is of more general concernment then we easily apprehend especially in this Age wherein not only many sit in utter darknesse but which is more the new Light thereof is darknesse and the Love of many waxing cold But we must all be silent before Him whose judgements are unsearchable Neither may we presume to say to him What doest thou It is instantly and not without cause desired by many that such reliques of his Labours as do survive him may be at least some of them imparted to the publick To effect any thing considerable that way is not an easie or sudden work But this small piece being at present attained it seemed not amisse to let it passe the Presse These were some of his Lecture-Sermons Preached most of them in the year 1641. They are now transcribed by a godly Brother partly from the Authors own notes and partly from what he took from his mouth The subject in both the Texts is of great use and needfull for these times wherein there is more Liberty then good use of it and much more common and outward then saving and effectual knowledge of the word of God These posthumous editions are farre short of what the Author was wont to do and of what the Sermons were in preaching But though the sense be not every where so full nor every thing so thorowly spoken to nor the stile so good by farre as the Authors manner was yet the intelligent Reader will finde a precious treasure of truth in it not fit to be buried or neglected The Prophets do not live for ever but their words do The Lord make them such ever-living words as may take hold of all our hearts not for judgement but for mercy for one of these wayes they shall live yea rise up at the last day March 29. 1652. Imprimatur EDM. CALAMY A wholesome Caveat for a time of LIBERTY 2 CHRON. 12.8 Neverthelesse they shall be his servants that they may know my service and the service of the kingdoms of the Countrey THe greatest part of this Chapter is spent in setting down that famous Warre which Shishak King of Egypt made against Rehoboam King of Judah The cause of this War in regard of Shishak is not set down probable conjectures there be Jeroboam probably might be treacherous who having a party in Egypt lest Rehoboam should grow too great together with some other pretended wrongs might awaken this Bear from his den but in regard of God you may see the Reason set down Vers 2. Because they had transgressed against the Lord. The time of this War is set down in the 1. Vers When he had established the Kingdome by wholesome lawes erecting Gods worship and countenancing godly men 2 Chro. 11.16 17. which continued three years and strengthened himselfe by fortified places and munition fit for war as in the foregoing Chapter appears Now when he had most peace and quiet he and all Israel suddenly forsake the Lord which was the fourth year and in the fifth year comes Shishak and with a mighty hoast wastes all before him untill he come to the chief City Now in Vers the 5. and 6. is set downe the repentanee of the people with their Princes especially Shemajah who no doubt had spoke against their idolatrous courses before takes his season when they were low and tamed and tells them the true cause of their misery Vers 5. Many sins there were in the Land as Idolatry and Whoredomes c. yet the venom was They had forsaken the Lord Let the sin be what it will be yet let it be such a one as men forsake the Lord by it that 's the provocation hereupon they humble themselves some effectually some hypocritically yet all outwardly and say the Lord is righteous they extenuate not their sinne they lay not the blame on man no not on Shishak but see the Lord justifie his proceedings The Lord is righteous we unrighteous although it were more heavy then it is Now in the 7. Verse and in the words read is see down the mitigation of Gods plague and the moderation of his chastisement I will not poure out all my wrath yet I think it not fit to shew perfect deliverance I 'le make them servants to let them know c. There are two parts in the words read 1. The punishment or chastisement on Judah for forsaking the Lord and backsliding from him which is bondage and privation of the liberty they had they must be Shishaks servants 2. The Lords end it was very gracious
is better then to be curb'd in But let the Lord strike an arrow in the heart of these wilde bucks that have broke parke and pale send affliction and an Iron yoke of sorrow upon them or distresse of conscience if there be any sense and feeling left they will bemoan themselves and say I did think my liberty sweet but now I see 't is bitter in a sinful way and the Lords way was most sweet by their own confession Hence Psal 2.3 Let us break their bands c. But Oh now hence learn this truth and digest it throughly that the greatest liberty lies here do not in thy judgement think Christian liberty lies in being freed from the law as a rule of obedience in respect of the matter of it to be done nor in thy practise but know though thou didst meet with a thousand Sorrows with it and griefs yet 't is sweet Christs yoke Mat. 11.30 is easie and his burthen light What When not a hole to hide his head in when a reproach of men a worme no man when be boare the Fathers wrath Yes when he was meek under it not mine but thy will be done it was then most sweet 1 Kings 9.21 22. To be a servant to Solomon is no bondage Psalm 119 32. I will runne when thou shalt inlarge my heart Vse 2. Vse 2 Hence see the reason why the Lord hath deprived his Churches of their liberty and his government over them at sundry times and hath put them under Iron yokes and bonds and sore pressures the reason is shewn they have either openly or more secretly cast off the government of the Lord here hath been the very wound the aile of all Churches famous and glorious Psal 81.14 Oh that they had hearkened I should then soon have subdued their enemies The cause is not so hard to finde to a discerning spirit who is privy in any measure to the councels of God 1 King 9.8 9. Solomon hath a promise that the Lords eyes and heart shall be to his people which are under him but if once they slip the Coller then wo and why Because they forsook the Lord that brought them out of Egypt they had liberty but they cast it off What do you think was the moving cause of all those bloody persecutions when the blood of dogs was more precious then of Christian Churches were not they godly yes I do not doubt of it but as it was here though humbled they must be in bondage because they had cast off the government of the Lord Jesus And hence in the Apostles time evil times were come sad apostasies from the truth and because it was long before they were low enough And hence Revel 6. till the fifth seal was opened no crying as it was with Israel in bondage no prayer to purpose and because the Lord saw they would abuse all liberties if they had them And hence in Constantines time when peace came in contention came with it and so abused all that their peace was their poyson And hence in the primitive Churches they began to cast off the government of the Lord Jesus murmurings there were hence came persecution but they were a precious people and made blessed use of it And the Lord couples their chief persecution with their rest And 't is said Acts 9.31 Then had the Churches rest c. And what do you think of the reason of the long reign of Antichrist exalting himself above God and all that 's called God bringing the Church under the heaviest bondage for body and soul that ever the earth saw Men did not love the truth either speculative to guide their minds or practical to rule their wils and hence left to this day What is the cause of Bleeding Germanies wo Oh poor Germany Whence the Gospel first brake out in its full strength that now 't is a field of blood that men in woods like satyres are afraid of men and men in cities glad to eat the intrailes of Beasts and sometimes the flesh of their own babes to preserve their lives What was there no evil but the common condition of the Church to be under the crosse ask them they cannot tell what ailes them but curse the Emperour and Swedes c. Oh think of it with sorrow in secret for them that know it not themselves they have secretly I say secretly cast off the government of a merciful Christ and hence are under the hand of unmerciful men What is the cause in our native countrey notwithstanding all prayers and tears no deliverance truly men do not know it but the Lord sees it they know not how to use their liberty And for our selves what shall I say I cannot but blesse God and wonder to see how 't is with many and rejoyce to see many precious holy ones to whom one day in Gods court is sweeter then a thousand elsewhere but I must professe and cannot but mourne for others men that were eminent under bondage but never worse then here as if the Lord should say Look here be your eminent ones look and feare and mourn you ministers of my house here be the people you had thought had been converted and that of all others such a one would never a fallen so one an opinion takes him another a lot another loose company another his lust another growes proud another fierce another murmuring what should I name al Oh that my words might be healing c. Vse 3. Vse 3 Hence see what will become of us that are now under the government of the Lord if ever we cast it off either inward or outward or both We are not dearer to him then his people Israel here nay Judah When old Israel the great and numerous tribes of Israel had set up calves little Judah and Benjamin received the Priests and yet they fell and were in bondage I know we are not yet in bondage yet it is not more unseasonable to speake now then for the Lord to Solomon 1 King 9.1 Quest Quest But there being much unsubduednes in the hearts of the best how shall one know when there be such sinnes for which the Lord will cast from under his government Answer 1. Answ 1 When men do not loath their own hearts for their unprofitablenesse but loath Gods ordinances secretly and grow weary of them as of their burdens because of the unprofitablenesse of them When a people finde not that special good by them which recompenceth all losses and so prize them but lay blame on them because unfruitful to them Malachie 3.13 He speaks to a people got out of Captivity Your words have been stout against me no say they 'T is in vaine to serve the Lord what profit is there in this you must conceive they had many losses were very poor as vers 11. a temptation which a proud heart cannot indure above any here is now no profit in mourning fasting c. and Gods own people began to think so and hence
hath been a root of greatest scandal that ever Gods wayes had If Elders sin openly 't is another case and somewhat also is there to be done Submit your selves one to another much more to an Elder c. 3. In the execution of their office according to Christ they are over the whole Church Their persons indeed are under them in case they sin and sin in the execution of their office they are to be subject not only to the whole but to the least Member of the Church Suppose the sin be not only suspected or reported or apprehended by one but two or three witnesses at least as 1 Tim. 5.19 but whiles they execute it according to Christ they are therein above the Church and 't is bound to be subject therein and not to be subject is to refuse to be under Christs government Hence Heb. 13. Obey them that rule you he speaks to the whole Church which was not in evil but in good things according to God and yet in evil things look on them as those over them Exempli gratiâ A Minister in the execution of his office let him preach Christs eternal truth deliver it and prove it What ever humane weaknesses there be in him what ever darknesse there is in others yet he is therein above Churches Kings or Angels and they shall answer it at the great day that do not submit In regard of my person said Luther I 'le fall down before any but in regard of the truth I administer I look on the Kings of the earth as nits nay dust c. ad Regem Angl. So in the power of the Keys in opening and shutting out Members they have tried and proved such a one if they sin as they may then give them reasons but if not they are bound to submit And that not as unto other Christians but as unto an Ordinance stampt with an authority of God upon them indeed they are not to do any such thing without the presence consent and judiciary power of the Church and the Church may not submit to what Elders propose to be Christs minde but then they cast off the Lords power which they are to answer for another day 1 Cor. 12 28. they are called Governours Now as a Ruler of a Ship is to order it though a King be in it over him in that respect and the King is to be guided by him whiles he guides it right but if not the King hath power over him to command others to take the place or cast him overboard 'T is true they are but servants to the Church because they are by the Church for the Church and to help the Church 2 Cor. 1.24 and are subject to them if they sinne but yet they are servants unto Christ and in exercising his power according to him above the Church 2 Cor. 4.5 We preach Christ and our selves your servants for Christ yet therein above them Hence being their servants if they sin they are under the censure of the Church and the Church may cast them by So being Christs servants if not submitted to the Lord doth account himself cast off 1. Because their power thus rightly executed is the power of Christ Jesus Hence refuse it you refuse to be subject to him If men will not be ruled by Gods Ordinances but will rule Ordinances they go about to rule Christ 2. Because if there shall be no subjection here 't is profest licentiousnesse and not liberty in Churches You have liberty but what liberty to be subject to Christs power is pure liberty and that in his servants Now when men will not and shall refuse without shewing reason or convicting Elders of sin this is to cast off the Government of Christ 3. Elders are helpers of people and there is no people but will stand in need of such helps if humble and able to discerne to attend the publick good to teach and convince c. Hence when there is no sin appearing in the execution of their office they should with a holy fear submit and say If ye be faithful watchmen what am I that I should be unsatisfied my ignorance may mislead others c. 4. They have power to over-see when they see cause Acts 20.28 and to see into and enquire into the estate of the flock of God to know their spirituall condition so far as is fit to be known that so they may be comforted in the work of Christ though there be no sin break out nor they come to them 1 Thes 3.5 6. The Apostle enquired into their faith charity and prayer vers 7. and hence was comforted c. And this Paul doth not as an extraordinary man but leaves his example as a president to the Elders of Ephesus to go from house to house and enquire to teach and exhort Acts 20. for Elders are to prevent scandals as well as to remove them lest when they come they say Oh that I had known this before especially where they see need Now hence it is that men cast off the government of Christ when they will not have their spiritual condition searched into the Elders foot is now too great for his shoe I am to give an account to God so are they also of thee now thou canst not give it if thou enquirest not how thy condition stands neither can they with comfort unlesse thou tellest them how it stands with thee 'T is true there are many secret things they can never finde out yet they are to attend their duty The Ministers charge is to cast the seed the Elders duty is to enquire after the fruit in the husbandry of Christ it is a sad condition when a man hath such a wound that he will not go to the Lord for help because he loves it and will not have man to know it because he is ashamed of it But you shall know it at the last day that the. Lord would have healed you and you would not but can quarrel and snap at the Elders when they come to enquire of your condition and why do ye inquire you take too much on you 5. They have power to guide and counsel and warne the Church at least in all weighty affaires which may concerne them and their common good hence they are called guides and leaders to the people Heb. 13.17 Mal. 2.7 I do not mean in all personal things Acts 20.31 I warned you of wolves c. Hence 1. For members in matters of great and weighty affaires which concerne the good of the whole Church nay all Churches never to enquire at Abel is casting off the Lord as in election of Offices in Church and Magistrates in the Common-wealth c. 2. Hence to receive any opinion different from all the Elders in the Church and never so much as speak much lesse come to a sad debate about it is to cast off this yoke and contrary to covenant and Elders would never have undertooke the care of the Church without it and
binding to any and hence called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an ordinance of men Hence it is a foolish vanity to aske a warrant in Scripture for such a forme of Government for humane wisdome may teach this though not in Church-government Yet this supreme and inferiour Government hath been in all Kingdomes 1 Pet 2.13 14. to both which subjection is required to refuse to give it is to cast off the Lords Government and there are couched foure reasons in that place to prove this 1. Do it for the Lords sake for the name of Christ and that honour and majesty of Christ stamped on them submit hence cast them off you cast by respect unto nay the name of Christ Jesus 2. Because they are in the roome of the Lord to do the work of the Lord In punishing evildoers and for the praise of them that do well It 's true they may abuse their power otherwise bur yet their power is one thing and their abuse of it another 3. Because this is the will of Christ and you do well in it and so you shall stop the mouthes of foolish men apt to speak against you for sin 4. Because this is the liberty of Christ vers 16. and you are servants to Christ in it and to do otherwise is licentiousnesse and their liberty to exempt themselves from the power of lawfull authority was but a cloak of it For so it seems in those dayes some held it part of their Christian liberty to be free from all bonds and said that Christ had made them Kings on Earth c. So that if they did cast off subjection they did cast off the name of Christ power of Christ will of Christ liberty of Christ Jesus Even under heathen Magistrates what then do they that cast it off under others Quest 2 Quest. 2. When is Christs Government cast off in respect of the supreme power Answ Answ Those that know the questions about the power of Princes and people especially revived in these last dayes cannot but know the field is large where now I am I shall be wholly silent unlesse I saw greater cause of speaking then I do and only point out two or three particulars to prevent such sins as stand next to the door to break in upon this power 1 When men cast off secretly dread and fear and reverence of the Majesty Dominion and Sovereignty that God stamps upon authority and so come to have low mean thoughts of them and contempt of them It 's true none should be elected but such as men can honour for some eminency or other and that of God seen in them Able men fearing God chief amongst the people was the councell of God by Jethro and Moses but when they be Elected now to despise them and hence not to bow the knee or stir the hat and speak rudely before them it 's casting off not only their power in sight of God but the very root of it which is honour And hence in the 5th Commandment all duties to them are comprehended under the word Honour And who sees not but this is a sin which is apt to attend the spirits of men in a place of liberty and in our weak beginnings and day of small things Reports are abroad that no men or worth are respected and hence the Countrey is neglected I cannot say so after many thoughts for I am perswaded no place in Europe more ready to honour men of publick spirits of eminency in piety and humility without the seeing of which no Countrey more apt to vilifie because grace is the glory in the eye of a Countrey led by Religion But take heed lest such a spirit befal us lest the Lord put out our Lamps and cast our Crown down to the ground 2. When men seek to pluck the sword of revenge for sinne hurting the Common-wealth out of their hands without which the greatest power in a Common-wealth is but a pageant and a meer vanity almost a nullity Hence Rom. 13.4 He is Gods Minister yes when he gives good councell and when he is a revenger to execute wrath on him that doth evill So that be the evil what it will be if it hurt the Common-wealth or be against any wholesome Law thereof he is Gods Minister to punish it civilly In the first Reformation of Geneva there were as many heresies and errours almost as truths of God Servetus he denyed the Deity of Christ whereupon the Magistrate put him to death who died with extream horror Whereupon heresies being begun to be snibb'd and blasted Bellius writes a book 1. That men should punish no heresie at all but be merciful and meek is Christ was to the adulterous woman 2. If they did yet that Magistrates they should not punish for errors or heresies 3. If they did yet not with such severity as they begun To all which Beza hath given a most learned and solid answer detesting the hypocrisie of the man and the sad consequences of such opinions if their power should be diminished I conceive 't is calling off Christs power to take away power from Magistrates to punish sins against the first Table of which errors and heresies in Religion are part It 's as clear as the Sun that the Kings of Judah that were godly did it and were commended for it and 't is as clear they were commended for it not as types of Christ but because they did therein that which was right in Gods eyes and according to the commandment of the Lord Which judicial commandments concerning the punishing of Sabbath-breakers false Prophets Hereticks c. Gods fence to preserve morall lawes they are of morall equity and so to be observed to this day of Christian Magistrates c. To exempt Clergy-men in matters of Religion from the power of the civil sword is flat Popery by means of which Antichrist hath risen and hath continued in his pompe and power so long together The indulgence of Princes towards the Papal function in matters of Religion hath undone Christendome 'T is true every error is not to be immediately committed but when 't is like a gangrene of a Spreading nature then the Magistrate in due time must cut it off speedily Object Leave them to the Church Object Answ True leave them 1. there Answ But 2. Sometimes the Church will not sometimes they are not of any Church A Papist an Arminian may come in and leaven and damne many a soul for which they had better never been If it were but one and if he sayes I do it with a meek spirit their trick of late and none must meddle because mercy must be shewen to these wolves A wise shepherd had rather let a hunter come in and kill one of his sheep then let a wolfe or fox escape Act. 20.29 and see his people persecuted then their soules worried Heresie and Error hath this property it ever dies by severe opposition and truth ever riseth the more because Christ is against the
for Apostles Prophets and Evangelists and this curiosity and the other nicity then a conceit and imaginary picture of a mans own is more beautiful then all Gods Ordinances besides and all Religion is placed there it may be in extending too far any Ordinance it self though it may seem little at first yet when it is thus then look for evil times 3. When as a people seek to abolish and destroy any Ordinance of Christ but especially if on this ground either because of some outward evil they bring with them in the fruition of them or hope of some outward good they shall receive by casting them off or because of no good they reap by the enjoyment of them Whensoever ye see this that they are cast off on this ground then look for bondage for it will come on whole countreys in general and on particular persons For Jesus Christ is in his Ordinances and his Throne is not only in Heaven among the Angels but Isa 9.7 8 9. He sits on the throne of David among his Church and People and pull these down you pull down Christs throne the Prince of peace when ye pull down his Ordinances 1 John 2.19 there were many that did seem to be for Christ and yet against Christ this is one signe by which he notes them They went out from us for they were not of us that it might be made manifest they were not of us Now I say when men shall pull down the Ordinances of Christ and withdraw themselves from the communion of Saints and when it is for one of these ends in regard of some outward evil that the Ordinances do bring with them or some outward good they shall get by casting them off then certainly look for bondage As a Prince that hath one near him he may attempt change of things in State but when he is set a work by a forreigne State and is a pensioner to the Pope or Spaniard Now he is reall to root out the Prince and this provokes So here many times a Christian he may in conscience speak against some of the ways of the Lord and this may be the condition of the Saints and people of God and they may speak it in conscience and this may be tolerated when it is for want of light nay they may through stubbornnesse of spirit cast off Ordinances but when now it is for this reason though he hath indeed his colours for it you shall saith Satan have this gain and this ease and these conveniences and what do you do with Ordinances and now a man begins to finde out arguments and saith Satan If ye attend to the enjoyment of Ordinances here be these miseries therefore away with some of Gods Ordinances at least Oh brethren when it is thus that there is this secret pension from the world that now had the Lord Jesus the honours of the world attending on them then they could make much of them but because they come with poverty therefore they can plot and speak against them and in time come to cast off the Ordinances of the Lord Jesus It is certain the Lord bath bondage for such soules and you will certainly finde this true one day Mal. 3.14 15. The people they say What profit is it that we have served the Lord and that we have walked mournfully before him and hence they forsook the Lord Hence Chap. 4.1 the Lord threatens that He will burn them up both root and branch The Lord hath consuming fire for such one day The Ordinances of the Lord were too costly for you Mark 12.7 8. The Lord hath his Vine-yard he lets it out to husband-men and he sends for the fruit and at last the son himself comes to call for fruit Now say they Here is the son let us kill him Why what is the matter out of gaine that is the businesse That the inheritance may be ours Here is this gaine to be without them and therefore to cast off Christ What will the Lord do to these husband-men he will take away his Vine-yard from them c. It is the speech of Luther Venter in omni religione potentissimum Idolum When the Belly is served Christ must be destroyed Men may have this quiet life without these Ordinances and hence men bear a privy grudge against the Ordinances of the Lord because the belly is not served Look as it was with the Jews they looked for a glorious King to come to them and Christ came and though they were told of it before when he came he had nothing but his Crosse and he tells them If they will be his Disciples they must take his Crosse But now because he came not with pomp but only with his crosse this is the great reason why to this day the Jews do set themselves against the Lord Jesus Christ the Crosse came with Christ that 's the cause of it So when men shall look for great things from the Ordinances of Christ and when they come to enjoy them they meet with nothing else but Christ and his Crosse and disappointments and desertions when they meet with this then Christ is cast off and they professe he is no King and Cesar is our King and if we take this man to be our King the Romanes will ruine us I know it is a hard trial for a man to be put to such a strait for the Lord to advance the price of his Ordinances at that high rate that all must be parted with for the enjoyment of them But yet notwithstanding he is for ever unworthy to have the Lord Jesus to rule him that shall therefore make him a King as they did John 6. He was their Cooke therefore they made him King Therefore this I say take heed of disputing against or denying or nullifying not only outwardly but in thy very heart secretly any of Gods Ordinances for that the Lord complains of his people that their hearts went after their wickednesse Oh take heed of doing thus against any one of Gods Ordinances because straits do attend on them It was the speech of David Ps 119. Thy law is pure therfore thy servant loveth it Suppose thou shouldest never get any good by any of Gods Ordinances yet thy law is pure the fault is in thy own heart and certainly the Lord he will remēber as there he speaketh Jerem. 2.2 I remember the love of thine espousals when thou didst follow me in a land of barrennesse in a land where there was no water Thy life shall be precious to the Lord that shalt follow the Lord in all afflictions yet thy heart doth cleave to the Lord and follow the Lord in all his Ordinances therefore this is that I would say there are many wants now in the countrey But yet notwithstanding let the people of God get neer to Christ speak often one to another and finde out wayes and meanes to pay your debts and ly down at the feet of the Lord Jesus and be content if
liberty Now examine and try these things Is the Kingdome of Christ come into us that though there be a law in our members warring yet there is a law of the minde warring against it and delighting in the will of Christ and setting him up as chief Are we under the Kingdome of Christ in his Church and Common-wealth so as the soul is willing in the day of the Lâ—rds power though there be and have been some pangs of resistance against persons and against Ordinances so as 't is thy liberty to be subject to Christ in his Ordinances in his servants and 't is thy bondage to be otherwise and thou longest for that day that the Lord would subdue all those boistrous lusts and pride and passions and bruise sin Satan and self under thy feet Then I say as the Lord Isa 33.20 21 22. Look upon Zion the City of your solemnity c. See Rom. 8.7 1. But if the heart growes loose and licentious and breaks the Lords bonds and yokes and will be led by your own fleshly ends and lusts and so go on quietly Be you assured this truth shall have a time to take hold of such spirits and know it assuredly 't is not to be in Christs Family or Kingdome 't is not scrambling for promises catching at Gods grace talking of assurance of Gods love which will shelter you from the wrath of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords to whom God hath sworne That every knee shall how 'T is service and subjection which the Lord aimes at and which the Lord looks for I know 't is Gods grace which only can save but it will never save when it is turned into licentiousnesse Do not say There is no danger of it here where we have such means and such liberâ—â—â—s are Answ 1. Answ 1 Never such danger of being licentious as in places of liberty when no bit nor bridle of externall tyranny to curb in 2. Look on the Kingdome of Judah here which in one year all fell 3. Why doth the Lord exercise us with wants and straits 't is to humble us and abate our unrulinesse And 't is the Lords quarrel with his best people to this day desperate rebellious hearts that close not with his Government Do not say we know not how bondage should come here though we should cast oft the Lords Government Answ 1. Answ 1 The Lord can let loose the natives again us Ahab kills 1000000 of Benhadads men but afterwards within seven yeares he returnes again 2. The Lord can raise up brambles and Abimelechs to be the King of the trees when the Olives and the Vines are loth to forsake their places and to lose their fatnesse and sweetnesse 3. The Lord can turn the hearts of those in power against people and let Satan sowe suspicions and sowe seditions and clashings 4. The Lord can leave us into one anothers hands to oppresse to take away the nether milstones 5. If none of these Satan nay Christ himself will come out with garments dipt in blood 3. Do not say 'T is not so there is sweet subjection i. e. 't is so and blessed be God for it yet beware I speak to prevent But yet 1. Some seem to do so and yet are not so 2 Cor. 10.4 5. Mighty to pull down every high thought who attaines this who can be thus yet there are meanes mighty for this end not that all be abolished but all are abolishing 2. Others otherwise openly how zealous for an opinion when it should be death to differ and things in your own heart lying miserably waste and some wretched lust the root of all for which Gods Saints mourn in secret Let such know that will not be ruled by Christ or his servants or ordinances but will have them to rule them and not to be ruled by them The Lords chaines are near and therefore now take your time and come in submit to the Lord and do as these here did acknowledge the Lord to be righteous and turn unto the Lord. Vse 6. Vse 6 Of thankfulnesse for our present liberties and freedome from the bondage of men bondage of conscience bondage of Satan and sin need there is of laying this use seriously to heart considering two things principally 1. The general complaints of the Countrey as they of Jericho 2 Kings 2.19 The waters are bad and the ground barren and these are engraven in marble all other our liberties are written on the water 2. The disgrace and reproach cast upon Gods people and wayes of God and that unjustly which I am afraid to mention whence there grows a contempt of them and the rivers of Damascus now are better then Jordan Oh beloved if it be an heavy hand of God to be under bondage then look on it as a special grace of God to free us from bondage Deut. 32.11 12. The Lord done did lead them c. and Moses Jer 2.20 chap. 33.29 when he had blessed them Happy art thou Oh Israel a People saved by the Lord. And the greater cause we have to do this a People that have abused all liberties Isa 9.8 9 10. He laments it but yet is thankful for it to Gods grace no man that can say but he may be as holy as he will and none to curb or snib 1. Means Consider what all the liberties Gods people enjoy have cost Gal. 5. Christ hath made you free i. e. by his blood Liberty of Conscience from the bondage not of Jewish but of Antichristian Ceremonies and Government and Pressures Liberty of will from any sin 't is by Christs blood and cost that as I am perswaded our liberties have cost Saints their blood The teares prayers and blood of men are much but of Christ much more and are they not worth thanks that are of this price The great reason why unthankfulnesse comes in is because they cost so much as losse of estate of wise or of childe by sea dost thou repent now Christ doth not repent that his blood hath been paid for them and if they be of so little value as there 't is said He repented that he made man so may he that ever he gave them such glorious liberties 2. Consider oft of the sad condition of them that be in bondage Men in bondage prize liberty and think them happy that enjoy it but men out of it do not How sad is the consideration of them that be in bonds it will make thy heart sympathize with them and blesse God for your deliverance Hence saith Christ Luke 22.20 When you see Jerusalem compast with enemies c. flie to the mountaines and wo to them that give suck Consider them that are taken with the Turks if you were in their condition you would say so to bring forth little ones to the murderer or idolater Isa 42.22 and 26. Mens hearts failing for feare this you should see somewhere A mote or a thorn is a little thing but no man would have it alwayes
188 To Hear God speaking in the word p. 189 I. THings Indifferent not to be restrained by a Law p. 129 Setting up humane Inventions casting off Christs head-ship p. 60 Just with God that those that would not be under his Government should be under the power of lust p. 16 God to be Justified in all his judgements p. 3 K. CHrists Kingdome puts not down the Kingdomes of the world pag. 111 In the Kingdomes of the world there is a double power ibid. Knowledge twofold notional and experimentall p. 4. Two degrees of Knowing God in this life p. 155 L. TWo things chiefly occasion the breach of all Lawes p. 118 Gods Lawes only absolutely binde Conscience p. 123. and why ibid. All good Lawes either expresly mentioned in the word or deduced from it p. 124 Why all Lawes should be according to the Word p. 125 Humane Lawes agreeable to the Word binde Conscience secondarily and why p. 126 What a Christian should do in case Lawes be not according to the word p. 127 How to know when agreeable to the word ibid. All Lawes to be made for publick good ibid. Things indifferent not to be restrained by Law See Indifferent Lawes for publick good to be submitted unto though prejudicial to private and why p. 129 130 Of breach of Lawes meerly penal p. 130. and mixt p. 131 Why God often deprives Churches of their Liberties p. 18 In places of Liberty most danger of Licentiousnesse p. 134 Liberties of Gods people the price of Christs blood p. 137 How many wayes Libertie may be abused p. 138. to 140 Love to Christs will and members an evidence that we are under his Government p. 148 How great a sin to neglect this p. 150 God will not serve our Lusts See God M. WE must be subject to the civil Magigistrate and why p. 113 When this subjection is cast off p. 114 Whether he may punish sins against the first Table p. 115 116 May not make what lawes they please p. 118 Ministers how to preach p. 187 O. POwer of Church Officers See Power The evil of not submitting to them p. 104 105 What need there is of this Doctrine at present p. 109 Men apt to cast off Ordinances for temporall advantage and the greatnesse of the sinne of it p. 62. to 68 Secret pollution of Ordinances drives the Lord away from them p. 68. and what those pollutions are p. 69 To come to Ordinances and not to Christ in them is to cast off Christ p. 72 We must not be content with some movings in Ordinances but receive the power of the life of Christ p. 75 God gives not such comfort out of Ordinances as in them p 176. and why P. LOok not for an earthly Paradise of Christ p. 141 Seldome a Persecutor but he is an Adulterer p. 119 Supreme Power of Christ in his Church p. 54 When this is cast off p. 55 What Power given to the Church joyntly p. 79 c. Power of binding and loosing p. 82 Power of Church-Officers p. 95 What Power they have not p. 97. to 99 What Power they have p. 99. to 109 The sin of those that usurp it p. 100 The Power of Officers more then the Power of Members ibid. How Ministers are to Preach p. 187 S. WHat meant by Service p. 3 Difference between Gods Service and others See Government and Difference The Sinne of Servants not subject to their Masters p. 131 132 Of such as live under no Masters p. 132 Sinne cause of Warre p. 2 Sinnes for which God cast s people from under his Government p. 23 24 Souldiers not to neglect the commands of their Leaders p. 121 Spiritual refreshments abundant recompence for temporal distresses p. 142 Of coming to Christ for Strength See Christ Not to be Subject to God is to make him Subject to us p. 4 5 T. WHat reason we have to be Thankfull for the Liberties we enjoy pag. 136 Means of Thankfulnesse p. 137 God takes his own Time to punish those that cast off his Government p. 11 Towns-men ought to be obedient to Town-Orders p. 122 V. HOw to know whether we have heard the Lords Voice p. 165 Gods Voice in the word singles a man out in particular p. 166 Is of everlasting efficacy p. 168 c. Carries home to Christ p. 170 Victory against sin either incompleat or compleat p. 185 W. TRansgression cause of Warre p. 2 The whole soul must close with the whole Will of Christ. p. 38 Will of Christ directing or correcting p. 39 Cast off either in judgement or practice p 42 We must submit to Christs Will by Christs strength p. 44. For Christs ends p. 49 Gods Wisdome seen in subordination of all things to himself p. 10 A twofold Word of God outward and inward p. 157. The inward Word double effectual or ineffectual ibid. The efficacy of the Word may lye hid p. 173 After it hath been felt the sense of it may be lost againe p. 174 Not needful alwayes to feel a like efficacy of the Word p. 175 Preserved in a Spirit of prayer and longing after it p. 176 And thankfulnesse for the good we have found p. 179 A double vertue in the Word to beget and nourish p. 181 Efficacy of the Word appeares in a power of conflict against corruption p. 183 Trust not to the outward Word but to the grace of God with it p. 190 Place our happinesse in closing with the Word p. 191 Every tittle of the Word cost the blood of Christ p. 193 If not under the power of the Word we are under the power of lust ibid. The curse of God on those that enjoy the Word and receive no benefit by it p. 194 The comfort of the Word remaines till death yea unto eternal Life ibid. FINIS