of my soul to see how difficult 〈◊〉 is to engage some Ministers to put to their asâ—â—…sting hand in promoting this work of Reformaâ—…ion I do not say that all are so God forbid 〈◊〉 should then fear it an awful prelude of some fore â—…udgment To see persons all life in a Ceremony but iâ—… God's cause to have no heart in some of the subâ—…tantial points of Religion to be as dead as a stone what is it but the height of hypocrisie Our Saâ—…iour himself has decided this case He hath told â—…s there are weightier matters and lesser matters â—…nd he hath branded those for hypocrites and â—…as denounced a woe against them who keep 〈◊〉 â—…other about smaller matters such as Ceremoniâ—… 〈◊〉 of Man's making mint anice cummin but negâ—…ect the weightier matters of the Law sobrieâ—â—…â—…ighteousness peace charity faith judgment mercy You know where it is written Mat. 23.23 When we see some persons thus zealous aboâ—â—…â—…esser matters Jehu-like driving on with a furioâ—…â—…eal and at the same time to have no regard foâ—… God's honour to be careless and indifferent whâ—…â—…her God's law and the great things of it be observed yea or no it is a temptation to many 〈◊〉 believe that there is more than a Ceremony thâ—…â—…s the difference between the Church and the Meâ—â—…â—…ng and that a separation is in some sort necessâ—…â—…y to keep up the power of Religion I could heartily wish that we could unite oâ—…â—…ne common bottom and walk together whereâ—â—… we are agreed and particularly in suppressing viâ—â—…â—…nd prophaness now we have an opportunity foâ—…â—…t the supream Magistrate's countenance and gooâ—… It was the observation of our Blessed Lord tâ—… the children of this world are wiser in their generâ—â—…on than the children of light Luke 16.8 O 〈◊〉 it not my Reverend and dear Brethren hâ—… true of Ministers Shall the men of the world 〈◊〉 different Interests unite their forces to promâ—… one common and general design Yea let me aâ—… shall the Devils themselves as I have shewn elâ—… where see my late Treatise Man's Sinfulness aâ—… Misery by Nature p. 145. unite and agree to caâ—… on one common Interest against Christ and his Kinâ—…dom And shall not Christians shall not Ministeâ—… unite in opposing the Interest of Satan by endeâ—…vouring the suppression of vice and prophaness Tell it not in Gath publish it not in Askelon let nâ—… the Papists hear of it lest these uncircumcised Phâ—…listins rejoyce who know that when we aâ—… throughly debaucht we are then fit for any Relâ—…gion and so may give them new hopes In the Name therefore of our great Master lâ—… us lay by our lesser heats and shew our selves zeâ—…lous for our God by promoting in our places thaâ—… National Reformation that is begun in some partâ—… I would hope my Brethren you need not mâ—…tives or a spur though I take this liberty to puâ—… you in remembrance Thirdly a word briefly to Private Christianâ—… and so I have done Is it a duty very pleasing untâ—… God to shew our selves zealous for him Then puâ—… this duty into practice It belongs to you as welâ—… as others Shew your selves zealous for God against Sin by promoting in your places the sâ—… much talkt of Reformation of Manners More particularly 1. Reform your selves Begin at home You â—…ll never be able to proceed with courage in reâ—…rming of others whilst guilt lies at your own â—…or It will be objected first mend your selves â—…al your self The Snuffers of the Sanctuary were 〈◊〉 be of pure gold Exod. 25.38 A Ceremony â—…as one has lately noted significative of this â—…nong other truths that they must be holy and â—…blameable themselves who take upon them to reprove â—…nd reform others 2. As there is occasion Rebuke your nighbour â—…ow plain is this duty though little practised â—…ev 19.17 Thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy Broâ—…her and not suffer sin upon him There is indeed â—…ome prudence required in giving rebukes someâ—â—…mes It may be done verbally or by withdrawâ—…ng our presence or some testimony of dislike as â—…rudence shall direct according to the circumstance â—…f time place and person 3. Lastly if after rebuke he continues obstiâ—…ate and other ways will not reclaim him giâ—â—…â—…nformation against him to the Magistrate that so 〈◊〉 â—…ay be brought to condign punishment What caâ—… Magistrates or Laws do though never so good â—…f none will take it on them to give information I know the Name of an Informer is become odious because the thing has been abused which â—…s either good or evil according to the matter anâ—…â—…ause of it To inform against the godly for maâ—…â—…er of duty to expose them to the rage of Persâ—…cutors that is wicked But to inform against thâ—… wicked upon the account of their sin wherebâ—… God is dishonoured to bring them to condign pâ—…nishment that is godly and a Scripture-duâ—… Lev. 5.1 Deut. 17.4 5. Perhaps you meet with some trouble and reproâ—… by giving Informations and by endeavouring 〈◊〉 reform others Well be it so Is it not our duâ—… to deny our selves in some cases Can we be Châ—â—…stians without self-denial Pray see Mat. 24.16 Who knows but you by your zeal may keâ—… off God's judgments from the land Did not Phâ—…nehas turn away God's wrath from the Childreâ—… of Israel Is it not recorded for the incouragâ—…ment of others Num. 25.11 Remember that it is the Cause of God Hoâ—… zealous were the wicked in time past in persecutinâ—… the godly for matter of duty in hunting them aâ—… Partridges on the Mountains sparing no cosâ—… time or pains And shall their zeal in a baâ—… cause wherein they did the Devil's works ouâ—… doe yours in the cause of God wherein God honour and glory is concerned Consider this God takes notice of all that yoâ—… do for he is Omniscient He sees your zeal your labour of love and all your trouble anâ—… notes it down in his book Your zeal to him is aâ—… well pleasing act of faith you may learn this from the instance of my Text. God was so well pleased with Phinehas his zeal that he bestowed on him an everlasting Priesthood and not only so â—…ut blest his Children for his sake Behold I give â—â—…to him my Covenant of Peace and he shall have â—…t and his seed after him Who knows but that you by your zeal may derive a blessing unto â—…our posterity Besides if with Phinehas your zeal be rigâ—â—… all be imputed to you for righteousness as his 〈◊〉 â—…sal 106.31 And God hereafter will rewaâ—â—…â—…ou for it and will abundantly recompence yoâ—…â—…ouble Therefore comfort your selves undâ—â—…â—…l discouragements with these thoughts To conclude If Magistrates Ministers and pâ—â—…â—…ate Christians would each do their duty aâ—… new themselves zealous for God against vice 〈…〉 hearty promoting of the present Reformatioâ—… were an easy thing to drive sin into corners 〈◊〉 â—…lear our Towns of whoremasters drunkarâ—…â—…rophane swearers and sabbath-breakers and 〈◊〉 â—…ring Religion and a shew of Godliness into 〈◊〉 â—…ute 'T would also be a means of lengtheâ—…â—…ut our present tranquillity and of procuring â—…us many blessings as well as the averting impeâ—…â—…ng judgments which in case this work of 〈◊〉 â—â—…formation be obstructed will in all probabilitâ—…â—…poured down on us Which God of his infâ—…â—…mercy prevent FINIS
Plague 〈◊〉 stayed t is farther added v. 10 11. And the Lâ—… spake unto Moses saying Phinehas the Son of Eâ—…azar the Son of Aaron the Priest hath turned aâ—… my wrath from the Children of Israel whilst he 〈◊〉 zealous for my sake among them that I consumed 〈◊〉 the Children of Israel in my jealousie 2. God's bestowing an everlasting Priesthood 〈◊〉 Phinehas as a reward of his zeal is another maâ—…fest indication of his being greatly well pleaâ—… with it This evidence we have in the wordsâ—… my Text Behold I give unto him my covenantâ—… peace c. Behold God calls upon others 〈◊〉 take notice of it for their incouragement 〈◊〉 God will reward others as well as Phinehas 〈◊〉 they shew themselves zealous in his Cause 〈◊〉 give unto him my Covenant of Peace i. e. the 〈◊〉 venant of Priesthood as it is expressed v. 13. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 here the Covenant of Peace partly with reâ—…ct to the happy effect of this heroical action of 〈◊〉 whereby he made peace between God and the â—…ple but chiefly in regard to the principal end 〈◊〉 use of the Priestly Office which was to mediâ—… between God and Men and to make atonement 〈◊〉 offering up Sacrifice Incense and Prayers â—…nd he shall have it His zeal was so pleasing to mighty God that he doubles the promise to â—…e him the greater assurance of it And his â—…d after him The promised blessing the reward 〈◊〉 his zeal extends likewise unto his posterity 〈◊〉 God sometimes visiteth the sins of Parents upâ—… their Children so he ofttimes blesseth the â—…d of the righteous for the Parents sake Phiâ—…has his zeal brought a blessing on his Children â—…ven the Covenant of an Everlasting Priesthood â—…e word Everlasting in the Old Testament does â—…ually signify 'till Christ's coming And so the â—…port of the promise is this that if Phinehas â—…s posterity did not forfeit it by some remarkable 〈◊〉 they should have the Priesthood continued to â—…em as long as the Law and Commonwealth of â—…e Jews lasted i. e. till the coming of the Mesâ—…h at which time the Aaronical Priesthood was 〈◊〉 give place to that of Christ Heb. 7.11 Beâ—…use he was zealous for his God Here 's the reason 〈◊〉 all rendred why God shewed such favour to â—…hinehas because he appeared boldly for God â—…ainst sin So that 't is evident from that reward â—…hich was annexed to Phinehas his zeal that God 〈◊〉 as highly well pleased with it And hence we may gather that to be zealous for â—…od at any time is also a duty well-pleasing to the â—…lmighty because the reason of the duty is the same still the same now as it was then Et 〈◊〉 milibus idem est judicium of like things we 〈◊〉 pass a like judgment I come Thirdly to shew Who be the persons that shâ—… exercise this zeal Whether Phinehas in that action of execuâ—… judgment may be considered as a Magistrate 〈◊〉 some think or as a Priest or Private personâ—… matters not for it is the duty of all personsâ—… their respective places whether Magistrates 〈◊〉 nisters or private Christians to shew themseâ—… zealous for God against sin 1. Magistrates ought to be zealous for Godâ—… to this particular These have not only the câ—…mon obligations of all Christians but some peâ—…liar bonds and ties whereby they are obligeâ—… this duty above others It is one great end of the Magistrate's Office 〈◊〉 be a terrour to evil-doers and to execute wrathâ—… them that do evil and this by the appointmâ—… and constitution of God Ro. 13.3 4. For Ruâ—… are not a terrour to good works but to the evil 〈◊〉 thou then not be afraid of the power Do tâ—… which is good and thou shalt have praise of the saâ—… For he is the Minister of God to thee for good 〈◊〉 if thou do that which is evil be afraid for he beâ—…eth not the sword in vain for he is the Ministerâ—… God a Revenger to execute wrath on him that dâ—… evil Magistrates are God's Ministers of his 〈◊〉 pointment And they bear not the Sword in vaâ—… the meaning is they should not do it 'T is coâ—…mon in Scripture to speak of things as alreaâ—… done that ought to be done Because every pâ—…son in the judgment of charity unless somewâ—… appears to the contrary is supposed to act accâ—… â—…g to his duty But if Magistrates bear with evilâ—…rs and suffer vice to go unpunished they do â—…great measure bear the Sword in vain and so 〈◊〉 not answer the end of their Office the great â—…gn whereof is to restrain vice and disorder 〈◊〉 to punish evil-doers Besides Magistrates are under the peculiar tye 〈◊〉 a sacred Oath whereby they oblige themselves 〈◊〉 be faithfull to that trust committed to their â—…arge and in all articles of the King's Commission â—…hem directed to do legal right to the poor and to 〈◊〉 rich after their cunning wit and power accordâ—… to the known Laws and Statutes of the Realm â—…d consequently by oath they are obliged to puâ—…h offenders without respect of persons and 〈◊〉 put the Laws in execution against vice when â—…e informations are brought to them If they 〈◊〉 of performing their duty in this respect they 〈◊〉 in danger of incurring the guilt of perjury Furthermore Magistrates are the Representatives 〈◊〉 God And accordingly in Scripture they are â—…gnified with his Name Psal 82.6 I have said ye â—…e Gods and all of you the children of the most high â—…d therefore considering whose Representatives â—…d Vicegerents they are they should shew a zeal â—…ainst vice because nothing is so abominable to â—…e holy God as sin is The Scripture tells us 〈◊〉 is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity Hab. 1.13 â—…ot that God does not see and behold all the â—…ckedness done under the Sun even that comâ—…tted in secret places for he is Omniscient â—…t the meaning is he cannot behold sin so as to â—…prove it And therefore those Magistrates that â—…untenance vice they are not like God notâ—…thstanding by Office they bear his Image Last of all though Magistrates are little Gâ—… upon earth with respect to the people yet in 〈◊〉 gard of the great God who is higher than 〈◊〉 highest they are but Stewards and must be 〈◊〉 countable for their Stewardship However digâ—…fied among Men yet they are Servants of the mâ—… high and have a great trust as well as honouâ—…ble committed to their charge and God will oâ—… day call them to account concerning this trust coâ—…mitted to them He will hereafter call on theâ—… in such language as that Luke 16.2 Come give 〈◊〉 account of thy Stewardship for thou maist be no loâ—…ger Steward The time of their Stewardship wâ—… come to an end and they must be accountable fâ—… what they have done And therefore if Magâ—… strates Gallio-like are very indifferent in Goâ—… cause have no heart to punish vice but in thâ—… respect bear the Sword in vain they will be abâ—… to give but a sorry account unto their great
record to Josiah's praise that hâ—… down the Idolatrous Priests and the worshiâ—… Baal 2 Kin. 23.4 5. The like is mentioneâ—… good Hezekiah 2 Chron. 31.1 Nehemiah mâ—… on s it as a good deed and for which he wâ—… â—…ised whilst the world stands that he restrained â—…sons from polluting the Sabbath Neh. 13.15 16. â—…d it is recorded to Asa's commendation that â—…obliged his Subjects on severe penalties to atâ—…d the worship of the true God such as they could 〈◊〉 except against 2 Chron. 15.13 â—…n a word it is the Magistrate's place to punish 〈◊〉 doers whether they openly violate the preâ—…ts of the first or of the second Table for this â—…e great end of their office namely to execute â—…th on them that do evil Ro. 13.4 By Evilâ—… I do not conceive that such are meant who snot conform in every punctilio to the Magiâ—…e's mind in matters of Religion I know that â—…e have been dealt with in time past as evilâ—…s under pretence of breaking the Law the 〈◊〉 of Man when it has been only to keep a â—…d Conscience toward God The Magistrate's â—…er does not extend so far as this to punish 〈◊〉 for different apprehensions in matters of Reâ—…n whilst they agree in the Essentials of it â—…en all Faces are alike then shall we be all of â—… mind as to lesser matters And as 't is unreaâ—…ble for the Magistrate to punish any person â—…use he is not of his size in body so it is also 〈◊〉 reasonable to punish him merely for different â—…hensions in some disputable points which â—…nnot help Neither has such a course any â—…ade in it to make persons think otherwise â—…y indeed force outward compliance and 〈◊〉 men hypocrites but what aptitude has it â—…e or any one to take a stick and beat another 〈◊〉 by to make him of our mind This is no fit â—…s to enlighten the mind and if a man acts â—…st his perswasion against his mind he must needs sin for whatsoever in not of faith is sin Roâ—… 14.23 whilst therefore persons do agree in fuâ—… damentals there ought to be liberty and toleratiâ—… Though I do not plead for a boundless liberâ—… for Atheists Deists Socinians Idolaters and suâ—… like who subvert the Gospel and bring in daâ—… nable errours yet this to me is past dispute thâ—… those who maintain the Essentials of Religioâ—… ought to have a liberty granted to them as blâ—… sed be God it is at this day Magistrates then are not now called to execâ—â—… wrath on those persons who differ from them 〈◊〉 some disputable points wherein wise and goâ—… men cannot yet be agreed but on Atheists Idolâ—… ters prophane Swearers and Sabbath-breakeâ—… and such like In old time the Idolater and 〈◊〉 the Atheist was to be stoned Deut. 17.2 5. Tâ—… Blasphemer was put to death Lev. 24. ult So wâ—… the Adulterer Lev. 20.10 The Fornicator also hâ—… his punishment Deut. 22.29 And so had tâ—… Drunkard Deut. 21.20 Not to speak of the pâ—… nalties for Theft and Murder All these vices do fall under the Magistrate's coâ—…nizance The law of God is expresly against therâ—… and so are the laws of our land too We haâ—… excellent laws not only against theft and murdeâ—… but sabbath-breaking prophane swearing druâ—… kenness and whoredom though it were to 〈◊〉 wished that a more severe penalty than is noâ—… in force was annext to the last of those mentiâ—… ned crimes In the mean time it is the Magistrate's duty tâ—… put in execution those good Laws that we have 〈◊〉 against those immoral and prophane Sinners anâ—… I know not wherein they can better shew the 〈◊〉 â—…al for God A Gallio's spirit in this Cause of â—…d wherein his honour is so nearly concerned 〈◊〉 very unbecoming a good Magistrate What will â—…ignifie to have good Laws if so be there is no â—…ecution of them Did Magistrates according 〈◊〉 that trust and power committed to them exeâ—…e wrath on evil-doers this would be to their â—…mmendation hereby they would fill up that â—…rt of their office which obligeth them to it and â—…ould discover to all the world if they proceed â—…th life and vigour that they are zealous for â—…eir God I would humbly propose it to their consideratiâ—… whether they are as zealous in punishing proâ—…ane debaucht sinners who break both the Laws 〈◊〉 God and Man as formerly they were in puâ—…shing Dissenters In this last case the matter is â—…sputable whether such persons ought to be puâ—…shed It is a question whether the supreme Maâ—…strate has power to impose on any man's Consciâ—…ce in disputable matters when persons cannot â—…e the lawfulness of them And 't is a question â—…hether or no inferiour Magistrates ought to exâ—…ute such Laws notwithstanding their Oaths â—…r if it be sinful Oaths must not be bonds of â—…iquity Whereas the case before us is plain â—…here is no dispute whether profligate sinners â—…ho break God's law and Man 's too ought to be â—…nished And therefore I would humbly recomâ—…lend this to the Magistrate's zeal that he would â—…ow be as zealous in punishing these as in time â—…st he was the former and not brow-beat those â—…ho endeavour to bring them to condign punishâ—…ent Blessed art thou O Land when thy King is the Son of Nobles and thy Princes eat in due season fâ—… strength and not for drunkenness Eccl. 10.17 Wheâ—… thy Magistrates are just and sober do rule iâ—… God's fear and discharge their duty in executinâ—… wrath on evil doers and in protecting them thaâ—… do well Secondly I address my self to my Reverend Fâ—… thers and Brethren in the Ministry Conformists 〈◊〉 Nonconformists for in this point the suppreâ—…sing of vice we are all agreed Suffer Righâ—… Reverend this word of Admonition Shew youâ—… selves zealous for God against sin in promoting anâ—… encouraging the work of Reformation Be not offended whilst I take upon me to bâ—… your Monitor or rather Remembrancer It 〈◊〉 God's cause that I am engaged in and I know thaâ—… you who are on God's side will bear with me If such as we whose work it is to reform Sinâ—… ners should not assist when called on to proâ—… mote a National Reformation we were en'e aâ—… good lay down our Office We shall by our praâ—… tice declare to the world that whatever outcrieâ—… we make against sin when in the Pulpit yet wâ—… are not willing to have sinners reformed Give me leave my Brethren to expostulate 〈◊〉 little What is it that should make us thus backâ—… ward Are not the vices we are called on to lenâ—… our assistance for the suppressing of condemneâ—… by us all Who can deny but that swearing sabbath-breaking drunkenness and whoredom arâ—… crying iniquities that deserve punishment Yeâ—… who is there of those that are so forward to prosecute their neighbours for every neglect in poinâ—… of a Ceremony where the law will allow thaâ—… takes any notice of these profligate Sinners I speak not at random but from experience It â—…as been the grief