who are indeed comely yet withal are black whilest they remain here below Cant. 1.5 He can discern their blackness but not their comeliness if there be any infirmities or deformity in the Saints the world can soone espie the same and discover them to others as C ham looked on his fathers nakedness when he lay drunk in his tent and told his brethren without Genes 9.22 Here the wicked be as quicksighted as Lâ—nceus to behold a mote in the best mans eye Mat. 7.3 and may fitly be compared to bats and owles that can see better in the dark then in the light or secondly the carnal man beholdeth the godly with an evil eye as of scorne and contempt as Michael Sauls daughter saw David leaping and dancing before the Lord and despised him in her heart 2 Sam. 6.16 or with an eye of envy and hatred as Saul eyed David 1. Sam. 18.9 Vse 4 Yet here the Saints may find matter of exceeding great consolation though the perverse world censure and unjustly condemn them and not only so but they be loathsome also in their own sight for their iniquities Ezek. 36.31 for the Lords eyes are ever upon them for good and his eares open to their cry Psal 34.15 yea though their dearest friends who loved them best while they were alive yet when they are dead can hardly brook to look on them as when Sarah was dead Abraham bought a burying place of the sons of Heth to bury his dead out of his sight Genes 23 4. yet precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his Saints Psal 116.15 yea and he will make them to be had in honour of all that have any spiritual discerning for many things for which the injudicious worlding condemneth them as David assureth Mâ—chal who had despised him in her heart and rated him for dancing before the arke that he should be had in honour for that very cause of the handmaids of Israel 2 Sam. 6.22 and this their glory shal be like to the morning light Pro. 4.18 that shineth more and more until the perfect day even till Christ shal come to be glorified in his Saints 2 Thes 1.10 For they are already the sons of God and it doth not yet appeare what they shal be but this is most certaine that when he shall appeare they shal be like him and shal see him as he is 1 Jâ—h 3.2 And then shall all that ever hated them and vilified them see it and be ashamed and be grieved and gnash with their teeth and melt away Ps 112.10 Vse 5 This serveth for a strong invitation to all to become true Israelites if they do but consider that the eyes of the Lord run to and fro through the earth to shew himselfe strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect towards him 2 Chron. 16.9 and that he will give them favour and respect not only in the eyes of good men such as David was but of moral though carnal persons as he made Joseph a servant to finde grace in Potiphars sight and afterwards of the keeper of the prison when he was his prisoner Genes 39.4.21 whereas on the other side all wicked persons are lothsome in God's eyes Psal 34.15 The face of the Lord is against them that do evil to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth for as he hath promised that they who honour him shal be honoured so he hath threatned that they who despise him shall be leightly esteemed 1 Sam. 2.30 for which end he sets Nigrum Theta an ignominious asterisk upon them as he did upon Doeg Psal 52.7 Lo this the man that made not the Lord his strength but trusted in the abundance of his riches and strengthened himself in his wickedness neither can the godly abide the sight of them He that worketh deceit saith David Psal 101.7 shal not dwel in my house he that telleth lies shal not tarry in my sight much lesse shal he reside in Heaven or tarry in Gods sight but be extruded from his presence for ever and from the glory of his power and be made an abhorring to all flesh 2 Thes 1.9 Isa 66.24 O then let this prevaile with you to enter into this honourable society your selves and to draw others with you into this happy and glorious estate then shall ye shine as the stars of the firmament for ever and ever Dan. 12.3 Vse 6 What a cogent argument should this be to enforce the Saints to look wel to themselves their inward thoughts and affections their words and actions since so many eyes are upon them even of God angels and men Oh! Mat. 5.16 let your lights deare christians so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your father which is in heaven and pray continually with David Lead me O Lord Psa 5.8 in thy righteousness because of mine observers Vse 7 Use 7. How great cause have all they who are Israelites indeed to love the Lord Jesus Christ and to bless God for him For by his meanes are we advanced to all this excellency who when he found us in a most lothsome plight naked and in our blood none eye pittying us said unto us live Ezek. 16.5 6. And for that end he became man and was * Nazianz orat 1. in pascha Christus servi formam accepit ut nos libertatem accipiamus contemptus est ut gloriâ afficiat c. content to be emptied that we might be filled to fast that we might feast to be vilified that we might be dignified to be impoverished that we might be enriched to take shame to himself that hee might clothe us with honour and glory to be without forme and comeliness * Bern. de passione Domini c. 16. nostrâ charitate devinctus ad tempus corponis nostri deformitatem accepit for a time Isa 53.3 that we might be beautified for ever Behold our Lord Iesus I pray you in that dresse wherein Pilate presented him to his implacable enemies crowned with thorns and wearing purple in derision and all besmeared with his owne blood saying to them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 behold the man thinking by that ruthfull sight to have pacified their immense fury but to little purpose for they were the more enraged against him Now let us behold him and let Pilates counsel rejected by those bloody persecuters be acceptable to us that our love may thereby be enflamed towards him for it was for our sakes brethren that he was so pointed at by Pilate Behold the Man John 19.5 John 19.5 that it might be said of us behold Israelites indeed and happy art thou O Israel who is like unto thee O people saved by the Lord the shield of thy help and the sword of thy excellency Deut. 33.29 The Second Part. Sect. 1. HItherto I have held forth the flag or streamer to invite you all to take a right survay of the true Israelite
NATHANAEL OR An Israelite Indeed Lively portraied and evidently proved to be an object most worthy both of our Admiration and Imitation His Priviledges and Characters are also layd down Together with a Discovery of the sinfulness and miserie of all Hypocrites and strangers from the Common-wealth of Israel In that day shall Israel be a blessing in the midst of the Land whom the Lord of hosts shall blesse saying Blessed be Israel mine inheritance Isa 19.24 25. Haec lege fac itidem tuque beatus eris By Faithfull Teate D. D. Preacher of the Gospel in East Greenwich in Kent LONDON Printed for George Sanbridge at the Bible on Ludgate-Hill 1657. To all my Worthy and welbeloved friends in the Lord and for some yeares Auditors in the City of Dublin both Magistrates and People And to all my deare and much respected Parishioners of East Greenwich in KENT Dearely beloved THe true Israelite you know is a stranger in the world marvel not therefore that he cometh unto you in a mean dresse yet being glorious within and bearing the lively image of God upon him he doubteth not to find acceptance with you his brethren and with all true Christians As for any other he needs not care what they either think or say I begin with you the inhabitants of the city of Dublin in Ireland Excuse me for not nominating any since your number is so great as by your voluntary subscriptions for my employment and maintenance amongst you in a booke yet kept by me may appeare that if I should name some and should pretermit others and misplace any not knowing after so long absence and at so great distance what alterations time hath wrought among you I might give some offence I believe I shall never forget your great and constant affection towards me since my first coming among you how cordially you embraced my person how readily and gladly you received the Gospel wherof I was made a minister according to the gift of the grace of God giâ—en unto me for your sakes while I was with you how freely and plentifully you contributed towards my maintenance and since my removal from you by the clandestine practices of some who then seemed to stand for the English interest but since have beene discovered to be worse enemies within than any without could be how mindful you have been of me and still are as all that come hither from you do certify I cannot and hope you will not forget how many dayes of humiliation even once a weeke for two yeares space we kept together in publike during the time of our sad distresses when our onely weapons were prayers and teares when your city was environed round by hostile forces and in no lesse danger by reason of intestine foes when our enemies were furnished with dayly supplies of choise Commanders and Armes from forrein parts by popish adherents and in the meane time all help except from Heaven only which was thereby rendred more signal was denied us by the obstruction of long continued contrary winds out of England and by implacable dissentions which in that juncture of time was far worse falling out in the bowels of our native country from whence under God we could only expect reliefe what flockings were there then dayly by all sorts to the Courts of Gods house as of doves to their windowes in such abundance that diverse knowing men have been heard to say that they hardly ever saw so great a concourse the number and quality of the persons considered in all their lives in any other parts of the world And how often have we seen God in the mount a present help in the time of trouble What blessed returns did the Lord continually make to our humble supplications even to admiration what great successe did the Lord then graciously give to the word of his grace in converting some in strengthening others and in comforting all How great violence did the kingdom of Heaven suffer among you so that God heard your voice and you heaâ— Gods voice and in the end he admâ—â—istred to us many causes of publike thanksgivings turning all our prayers into praises for his audience and our wonderfull deliverances We have seene five to chase an hundred and an hundred to put thousands to flight It would seeme incredible to many if one should relate to them but one half of that which the Lord hath done for us which we have seene and know to be most true we can subscribe a probatum est to the soveraigne vertue of fasting prayer whereby Israel-like we had power with God and with men and prevailed Genes 32.28 But now Satan envying at our prosperity and having great wrath because he knew his time was but short found out new stratagems advantagious for his destructive ends First now was a new court of delegates erected by arbitrary power among you in the room of the high Commission formerly by authority dejected but this was the same with the former and far worse the name only being altered and rightly was it termed by some a spanish inquisition by others the Abomination of desolation The men authorized to be Judges in this delicate Court were such as professed themselves to stand for the interest of the Irish rebells one of them boldly affirming in the pulpit in your hearing and mine as by diverse sufficient witnesses can be proved that These Warrs are for us Bishops which Maxime had beene formerly divulged among the people but more secretly Whereupon Dr Beadle Bish of Kilmore a most worthy and learned man in a vehement indignation against the same when he first heard thereof burst out into this expression If we B ps be the cause of this horrible tempest let them take us and with Jonah cast us all over board Another of the inquisitors being an Irish man by birth in the same pulpit excused the discontented gentlemen meaning the rebels his countrimen disswading the Soldiers from vigorous prosecution of them and the Judges from condemning such of them as had beene taken prisoners in open hostility unless two or three witnesses should first depose that to their knowledge the said prisoners had before in cold blood committed things worthy of death whereas we all know that those bloody Canibals murthered man woman child except here one and there another escaped by Gods extraordinary preservation as one of Jobs servants escaped from the Caldeans and another from the sword of the Sabaeans onely to bring the sad tydings to their Master of what had been done to the rest of his servants and to his cattell At the same time did this merciful Orator directing his words to me who then sate before him with his fore-finger pointing at me condemne all bloody preaching and praying against them who he said were Christians and admonished me and all others from using the like for future time whereas our Preaching was to animate the soldiers Couragiously to prosecute so just a warre against such unparalleld
by conference with the soule in particular Cases of Conscience 3. To establish Truth and Peace in severall Sermons against the present Heresies and Schisms By R. Mossom Preacher of Gods word lately at St. Peter Pauls-Wharfe London An excellent piece of Philosophy commonly Called the Morals of Plutarch Translated out of Greek into Eng By Philemon Holland Dr in Physick A Medicinall Dispensatory containing the whole body of Physick Together with a most perfect and absolute Pharmacopaea or Apothecaries Shop with a usefull Physicall Dictionary Composed by the Illustrious Renodaeus chiefe Physitian to the Monarch of France And now englished and revised by Rich. Tomlins of London Apothecary Londinopolis An Historicall Discourse or Perlustration of the Cityes of London and Westminster by Ja Howell Esquire Of Government and Obedience as they stand Directed and Determined by Scripture and Reason In 4. Bookes by John Hall An exact abridgment of Publick Acts and Ordinances of Parliament made from the yeare 1640 to 1656. by William Hugle of Graies Inne Esquire A True ISRAELITE Pourtraied for our IMITATION The first Part. Joh. 1.47 Behold an Israelite indeed in whom is no guile Sect. 1. THE coherence of these words Nathanael for ever renowned by the recommendation of our blessed and heart-searching Saviour is the subject of our present discourse For our more orderly proceeding let us reflect upon the 43 verse where Jesus found and called Philip to follow him Immediately after verse 45. Philip found Nathanael and a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrys in Joan. Hom. 20. inviteth him to come see Him of whom Moses and the Prophets wrote namely the true Messias Nathanael had some scruple and prejudice against him at the first as his question importeth ver 46. Can there come any good thing out of Nazareth Yet is he afterwards perswaded by Philip to come and see him Whence observe That it is the desire and endeavour of true Believers to bring others to Jesus Christ As Andrew brought Simon b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hom. 19. his brother with him verse 41. For such is their zeal to the glory of Christ from whom they themselves have received so much soul-good that they would have all others if they possibly could to glorifie God by believing on him It was the prayer of the Church of old for all Nations that yet knew him not were yet unborn Psal 67.3 5. Let the people praise thee O God let all the people praise thee where their ardency to obtaine appeareth by the repetition of their suit 2. Such is their charity to others that they would have all to be partakers of the benefit as well as themselves yea though they be their enemies 1 Cor. 9.22 as St. Paul became all things to all men that by all meanes he might save some and I would to God said he to Agrippa that not onely thou Act. 26.29 but also all that heare me this day were such as I am except these bonds yet many of those were his mortall enemies 3. Such is the fulness of grace in the Lord Jesus that there is sufficient for all comers Joh. 1.16 It is other wise in earthly riches none can impart to another though his owne store be never so great 2 King 20.12.17 but he will have lesse himselfe as Hezekiah shewing his treasures to the king of Babylons messensengers was thereby deprived of them but the communication of our spiritual treasures to others bringeth an encrease hereof to ourselves as Paul was edified by the faith of the Romans which himself had planted Rom. 1.12 Observe secondly in Nathanael's querie that there ever will be demurrs obstacles to hinder our coming to Christ But 3ly in Philips prevailing with him to come and see and in Christs satisfying of him being come that he was the true messias the son of God observe with me again that nothing shal hinder Gods elect from coming off fully to Jesus Christ in Gods time Joh. 6.37 all that the father giveth me saith our Lord shall come to me Sect. 2 § 2. And now by Philips meanes Nathanael being brought neer to Jesus comes to be considered the conference which passed between them at the first sight our Lord who knew him from all eternity doth give him an high encomium Behold an Israelite indeed in whom is no guile Where we have 1. an Adverb of demonstration 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Behold secondly Nathanaels description laid downe 1 by way of assertion an Israelite indeed 2. by way of negation In whom is no guile In both together is implied a maine argument why Nathanael was to be respected because he was an Isâ—alite indeed in whom was no guile Intus in ctu Pers satyr Doct. From the demonstrative particle behold considering from whose mouth this charge proceeds we collect That an Isralâ—te indeed is a most worthy sight one to be wel viewed and known most exactly Behold behold them saith God Isa 41.27 He is the best sight in this inferior world since our Lord Jesus left it himself To Jesus Christ indeed primarily the eyes of all nations are directed and this sight alone if it be right will bring salvation to the beholders Isa 45.22 Looke unto me saith the Lord and be ye saved all the ends of the earth To him John Baptist his immediate forerunner pointed again and againe v. 29. Behold said he the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world and to Andrew and another Disciple v. 36. looking upon Jesus as he walked he said Behold the lamb of God next to Christ comes in the true Isralite to be beheld by us Such a one was Nathanael whom our Lord doth here in ligitate For 1. God taketh so great delight in the sight of such as his eyes are never off them Job 36.7 He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous It is not any mans countenance nor the heighth of his stature or outward appearance that the Lord regardeth or would have others to be taken with but he looketh on the heart 1. Sam. 16.7 To this man will I looke saith the Lord even to him that is poore and of a contrite spirit and trembleth at my word Isa 66.2 Secondly to the same object are the eyes of the holy angels bent we are made saith the Apostle a spectacle to angels and men 1. Cor. 4.9 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. 3. In imitation of God and his blessed angels good men how great soever have their eyes upon them Psal 101 6. Mine eyes said king David shal be on the faithful in the land and not without cause for in these persons we may find a confluence of all attractives of the eyes of our minds imaginable For 1. We account great personages Kings Princes and their well deserving favourits worthy of our aspect and respect when Samuel had anointed Saul according to the Lords commandment See ye him said he to the people whom the Lord hath
I will spare them as a man spareth his own Son that serveth him Isaac was no lesse dear to Abraham because he had many servants to one Son so God set his love upon Israel though they were the fewest of all people Deut. 7.6 7. 2. 2. Impediment their outward meaness Neither let their outward meaness offend you for then as many of the unbelieving Jewes were offended with Christ Jesus their head for this very cause Mark 6.3 so if you had lived and seen him in the daies of his flesh you would have been offended at him also As the evangelicall prophet foretold Isa 53.2 3 he shall grow up as a root out of a dry ground he hath no forme nor comelinesse and when we shall see him there is no beauty that we should desire him He is despised and rejected of men a man of sorrowes and acquainted with griefe and we hid as it were our faces from him he was despised and we esteemed him not Are they poor in the world Hearken saith James my beloved brethren Jam. 2.5 Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in Faith and heires of the Kingdome which the Lord hath promised to them that love him Jam. 2.5 Doe they seem to you to be simple weak and base give eare to another Apostle See your calling brethren how not many wise men after the flesh nor many mighty nor many noble are called 1 Cor. 1.26 not many wise mighty and noble saith he yet some such are called and therefore are they wise mighty and noble because God hath called and chosen them Right Noble are they as the Bereans are called more noble then others because they received the Word with all readiness of mind Truly wise are they in as much as Jesus Christ is made of God to them wisedome And no lesse mâ—ghty be they for the Lord Jehovah is their everlasting strength who trust in him for ever Isa 26.4 3. The worlds contrariety to them 3 Let none like worse of them because the world hateth them speaketh evil of them and persecuteth them for so did the wicked of old Psalm 83.4 Come said they and let us cut them off from being a nation that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance 1. Hatred 1. Doth the world hate them marvell not at it 1 John 3.13 2 Christ hath foreshewed his disciples that it must needs be so and the Scripture must be fulfilled Mark 13.13 ye shall be hated not of some but of all men for my names sake but he that shall indure to the end the same shal be saved 3. he rendreth the reason of it in his prayer to his father John 17.14 I have given them thy word and the world hath hated them because they are not of the world as I am not of the world 4. for their encouragement he giveth them to understand that it hated him before it hated them John 15.18 and can we expect better entertainment then our Lord 5. none hate them but such as are the children of the devil as God hath revealed to his elect from the beginning Gen. 3.15 I will put enmity saith God to the Serpent between thee and the woman between thy seed and her seed 6. they that hate the righteous shall be cloathed with shame dishonour Psalm 35.26.7 God hath sworn to deliver all that fear him out of the hand of all that hate them Luke 1.71.74 8 The Lord shall appear one day to their joy and their enemies confusion Isa 66.5 Secondly 2 Reproches be not deterred from entring into the way of holinesse for fear of cruel mockings grievous reproaches calumnies of wicked men for 1. their tongues are set on fire of Hell Jam. 3.6 and they cannot but run when the devil driveth them 2. They are a generation of Vipers how then can they being evill speak good things Mat. 12.34 3 Christ hath made it a note of an execrable person when all men speak well of him saying to such wo unto you when all men speak well of you for so did their fathers to the false prophets Luke 6.26 4 Christ himselfe escaped not the scourge of the tongue nor was there ever any more lashed therewith than he who is most-worthy to be praised for all eternity 2 Sam. 22.4 whence he inferreth Mat. 10.24 25. The Disciple is not above his master nor the servant above his Lord It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master and the servant as his Lord if they have called the Master of the house Beelzebub how much more shall they call them of the household 5. Fear them not therefore for there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed and hid that shall not be known verse 26. that is God in due time will set all to rights The Apostle having respect to this distinguisheth between Gods judgment and mans judgement or day as it is in the greek Text saith with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you or of mans judgement but he that judgeth me is the Lord. Therefore he exhorteth us to judg nothing before the time untill the Lord come who both will bring to light the hidden things of darknesse and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts and then shall every man have praise of God 1 Cor. 4.3 4 5. 3 3. Suffering from Gods immediate hand Be not discouraged by reason of the sufferings of Gods chosen in this life either from Gods immediate hand but consider in your hearts that as a man chasteneth his son so the Lord chasteneth his people Deut. 8.5 for blessed is the man whom he chasteneth and teacheth out of his Law Psalm 94 12. and If you indure chastening God dealeth with you as with his sons but if you be without chastisement whereof all are partakers then are you bastards and not sons Heb. 12 7 8. That which moveth God to correct his children is love and his end is their own profit for though afflictions seeme for the present not to be joyous but grievous neverthelesse afterward they yeeld the peaceable fruit of righteousnesse to them that are exercised thereby Or from men Or men as Gods instruments permitted for their tryall either to deprive them of their meanes outward comforts and relations but readily forgoe all for Christ who hath assured u s that every one that forsaketh houses or brethren or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands together with liberty and life it self for his names sake shall receive an hundred fold and shall inherit everlasting life Mat. 19.29 Usurers put out their mony after the rate of an hundred for six to the great hazard of their souls but here you may have an hundred for one from a sure hand with the salvation of your souls to boot Quest But how do those who lose any thing especially their lives for Iesus Christ receive an 100. fold in this