wasted Esa 60.12 We are bound to do service unto the Church and as wee may feare that our Nation shall some way bee smitten if it put to no hand to the publike cause which is likely to gain something by Swedens Forces and the confederacy of the Saxon Elector so wee may feare that particular places must bring in their accounts how they have been helpfull if we send not over at least the joynt forces of our prayers to attend upon the Armies wee cannot assure our selves of that wee pray for here the staying and preventing the present mortality for the Nations that serve not the Church shall be utterly wasted Vse 2. If it bee the duty of the members let us bee exhorted to the duety to be mindfull of the Church in all our prayers O! pray for the peace of Jerusalem they shall prosper that love thee Peace bee within thy Walles and prosperity within thy Palaces Psal 122.6 7. So David prayed so let us pray with David especially having so great an incouragement They shall prosper that love thee which was the motive that Jeremiah used that they should pray for the civill estate of Babylon Seeke the peace of the city whither I have caused you to bee caried away Captives and pray unto the Lord for it for in the peace thereof shall yee have peace Jerem. 29.7 But it is most certain concerning the Citie of God In the peace of that we shall have peace without it none therefore bee affected as the Church is affected Rejoyce yee with Jerusalem and be glad with her all yee that love her Rejoyce for joy with her all yee that mourne for her Esa 66.10 But that I may not depart from the Text I shall urge this by no other motives than such motive as may be had from the consideration of the Church it selfe under the names used by the Psalmist Sion and Jerusalem in the moralizing of the hystory 1. Of the Situation 2. Of the Priviledge 1. The morall consideration of the Situation of Jerusalem will give us some motive to remember it 1. It was sited though not exactly yet in the generall account in the middest of the holy land and the knowne world That may note the perfection of the Church the Centre to which is a confluence of all other lines from the Circumference The Sun that cuts the Aequator and in the midst of the Firmament is the worlds beauty The heart that being principall in its soveraignty hath a principal place for its operations The navill that tyes and knits together the veines and carying instruments which meete there all tending to expresse the perfection of the Church which if for no other reason yet challengeth our memory besides that all who shall be saved must meet together in the bosome of the Church without which there is no salvation 2. It was Hilly therefore called Mount Sion and the phrase is usuall of going Vp to Jerusalem So is the Church in the time of the Gospel described by Micah But in the last daies it shall come to passe that the mountain of the Lords house shall bee established in the top of the mountains and it shall bee exalted above the hills and the people shall flow unto it and many Nations shall come and say Come and let us goe up to the mountaine of the Lord and he will teach us of his waies for the law shall go forth of Sion and the word from Jerusalem Micah 4.1 2. So likewise Psalm 87.1 3. His foundation is in the holy mountaines Glorious things are spoken of thee O Citie of God But that which is our motive is in this that because hilly therefore it is strong above the reach of malice and we may find safety in it for the Hill of God is as the hill of Basan an high hill as the hill of Basan and in another Psalme Hee hath built his Sanctuary like high Palaces like the earth which hee hath established for ever Psalm 78.69 Our safety lyes in this that we are in the Church as in a defenced place and must endeavour to preserve it as a fort or garrison wherein we lye entrencht Besides it is that high safe Roade which leads us unto heaven that as the Valley of Gehinnon lay under Jerusalem so the way of life is Above to the wise that he may depart from Hell beneath as Solomon applyes it Pro. 15.24 3. They were formerly two severall Cities One was in Benjamins Lot the other in Judahs Sion which was Judahs continued in the Jebusites hands till David was King who by conquest made them both one according to that in the 122. Psalme Jerusalem is builded as a City that is compact together The Church likewise is now but One since Christ came the Conquerour there is no partition wall but Jebusites and Jewes both inhabite together as the Apostle speakes Now in Christ Jesus yee who were sometime farre off are made nigh by the blood of Christ for hee is our peace who hath made both one and hath broken downe the mid-wall of partition betweene us Ephes 2.13 14. All have now an interesse in the Church and it being but One wee are bound to pray for it by one common bond 2. Beside the Situation the prviledges of Sion and Jerusalem may afford us some motives the priviledge 1. Of Sovereignty 2. Of Holinesse 3. Of Love 1. It had the priviledge of Sovereignty it was Caput and Sedes Imperii the Metropolis of the Land Whither the Tribes goe up the Tribes of the Lord for there are set Thrones of judgement the Thrones of the house of David Psalm 122.5 The Church hath such a Soveraignty the Chiefe of all Societies the Princesse of all other Monarchies for all that are of the faith wheresoever they dwell yet are free of that as the mother City The Reubenites Gadites and Manassites who had their inheritance beyond Jordan were fearful lest in time to come the rest of the people of Israell should say What have yee to doe with the Lord God of Israel Therefore they build an Altar in remembrance of this that they might not lose their right in Jerusalem that they were free and of the kindred though they had their dwelling beyond the flood Jos 22.22 23 24. The Church is the head Citie to which all the Nations flow built upon Common ground and to which all beleevers have a claime as Saint Paul speakes Yee are no more strangers and forreiners but fellow-Citizens with the Saints and of the houshold of God and are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himself being the chiefe corner stone Ephes 2.18 19. And who will not pray for the head City of the Nation to which hee doth belong 2. The priviledge of holinesse was also great for thither the Tribes went up unto the Testimony of Israel to give thanks unto the Name of the Lord Psa 122.4 And Gods house was there as the Psalmist adds in the
ninth Verse Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seeke thy good So it is called by Micah in the place alledged and by Isayah Isai 2.3 And the Evangelist calls it The holy City Mat. 4.5 The Church now is likewise holy as Joel prophecied of it Yee shall know that I am the Lord dwelling in Zion my Holy Mountaine then shall Jerusalem bee holy Joel 3.17 Therefore let it bee our resolution because of the house of the Lord to seeke the Churches wel-fare But this motive will appeare more in the next 3. The priviledge of Love which is manifested to the Church 1. That God dwells there Hee refused the Tabernacle of Joseph chose not the Tribe of Ephraim but chose the Tribe of Judah the Mount Sion which hee loved Psal 78.68 David further expresseth it that God dwells there with delight For the Lord hath chosen Sion hee hath desired it for his habitation This is my rest for ever here will I dwell for I have desired it Psa 132.13 14. 2. God appeares there and in that the Bush that burned but was not consumed was a type of Gods appearance in the Church Exod. 3.2 I will goe now saith Moses and see this great sight why the Bush is not burnt And God called unto him out of the middest of the Bush The place where Jerusalem was was called the Land of Moriah because of Gods appearing where hee made himselfe knowne unto his people In Judah is God knowne his name is great in Israel in Salem is his Tabernacle Psa 76.1 2. If wee would see God wee must waite upon him in his worship we must visit him in his holy Temple for to his Worshippers hee shewes his face and makes known his glory 3. To it hee makes gracious promise and to others in it for her sake I will abundantly blesse her provision and will satisfie her poore with bread I will cloath her Priests with salvation and her Saints shall shout alowd for joy Psalm 132.15 16. Is not this an evidence of love But further See David describing Gods love in stirring up the peoples thankfulnesse Psa 147.12 13 14. Praise the Lord O Jerusalem praise thy God O Zion for he hath strengthned the Barres of thy gates hee hath blessed thy children within thee Hee maketh peace in thy borders and filleth thee with the finest of the wheat Shall God witnesse his love and wee our neglect If wee bee not conscionable in the duty let us at least be wise to favour whom the Lord respects As it is therefore fit for the members let us pray for the Church for with this only motive I will leave both the exhortation and this second part of the Text for whom David prayed III. The third part is What hee prayes for 1. For the Churches Restauration 2. For her Continuance 1. David prayes for the Churches Restauration That God would doe good unto Sion for his former sinne had brought an harme upon it and God was offended I would briefly make this usefull in two Observations I. The first Observation That sinne is of so publike an harmfull nature that it reacheth beyond the person that sinneth unto others David sinned and his people suffered we observe in Scripture both That the Sinne of a Prince hath reached to his people as in the Case of this David because of his pride a pestilentiall disease lessened his number and hee confesseth himselfe the cause of the slaughter Lo I have sinned and done wickedly but these sheepe what have they done 2 Sam. 24.17 And the sacred history resolves the Judgements that came on Judah unto the sinnes of Manasseh Because Manasseh the king of Judah hath done these abominations Therefore I am bringing upon Judah such evill that whosoever heares of it both his eares shall tingle 2 King 21.11 12. And likewise that the sinne of a people reacheth to their Prince as Salomon a King hath made a grave and serious observation Prov. 28.2 For the transgression of a Land many are the Princes thereof that is There are often changes their Princes being cut off by death To make use of this Vse 1. It shewes how hainous is the nature of sinne it is like a pestilence that takes hold and consumes Politike Writers have distinguished of men that they may be good common-wealths-men though bad Christians but surely according to the truth of the notion such a one is malum publicum though hee may be bonus cives and what-ever his relation bee unto the Weale-publike if hee be wicked he is harmfull and like a fire that consumes what is neare him and would consume the world if God were not more abundantly mercifull Vse 2. Let us then bee carefull that wee harme not society if we will not bee religious let us yet be mercifull Oh spare the Countrey bring not the plague upon it you that live impenitently bring not upon us a swift judgement which so long as your sinnes are violent we cannot but expect II. Second Observation David that sinned prayes There is much equity in that that they which make the wound should provide a plaister I must not weary you and therefore will name two Vses Vse 1. It condemnes a carelesse generation that are forward to sin but backward to pray The Drunkards Swearers Whorers Sabbath-prophaners Worldlings Oppressors Pleasure-mongers and the rest such as they are they that hurt us but of all others these are most backward to come unto our Fasts Unjust cruell wretches that without compassion can doe injury but have no hearts to use the meanes for prevention of judgements Vse 2. Let us shew our selves just to the places where wee live bee ready to seeke God and to use all means to pacifie Gods wrath Let us weep over the sins that we have committed the hurt that we have done by our sins and let us use Davids course and method pray as hee Lord pardon our sins and hee mercifull to our County 2. David prayes for the continuance of the Churches restored happinesse in these words Build up the walls noting the Churches need and that her condition here is not perfect which will give us leave to draw out and touch upon two briefe Observations I. Observation That the Church stands in neede of walls Wee need not doubt the truth of this when we consider the multitude of her enemies and their great envie at her peace so that Nehemiah had good reason in his time for his care in building and for that reason the good providence of Almighty God hath taken a course for his peoples safety to wall them about that his spouse might bee a garden enclosed Cant. 4.12 a Vineyard compassed round with an hedge and strengthned with a Tower built in the midst of it Esai 5.2 I 'le not enlarge so plaine a matter but for the use of it Vse 1. I must needs condemne 1. Such as trust in the bare name of the Church as if therefore they should be
they neither humbled themselues nor reformed what was amisse in them till the Floud came and swept them all away and there was no remedie so that Iudgement threatned it may be neglected so long till it become vnavoydable and there be no remedie Two things there are then which God especially aymes at when his Iudgements are abroad in the world first to giue them notice that himselfe is highly displeased with their sinnes secondly that it is now high time for them to thinke of agreeing with their Adversary and making their peace with him 1. When God warres out of Zion and reveales his wrath from heaven against the sinnes of his people it is a signe he is highly displeased with them for God is knowne by executing Iudgement Psal 9.16 That is he makes it knowne to the sonnes of men how he stands affected to them and to their sinnes and therefore Gods visitations are termed Iudgements because they doe not come casually but Iudicially there is great cause moving him to it because men are deafe against all the sweet charmes of his mercies and secure against all the thunder of his threatnings and therefore he is constrained as it were to speake vnto them in a strange language even the language of his hands to speake words that may be felt even swords famines plagues pestilence that men might know that his Word of threatning it is no vaine Word but as he hath said vnto them so he meanes to deale with them according to that of David Psal 48.8 As we haue heard so haue wee seene in the Citie of our God It is true both of his mercies and judgements God will not alter the word that is gone out of his mouth whether it be a word of promise or commination such is the hardnesse of mens hearts that though they heare the Word daily sounding in their eares and telling them that the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all vngodlinesse and vnrighteousnesse of men Rom. 1.18 Yet they will not beleeue it except they see some reall examples of it they are ready to say of Gods threatning as Thomas did of Christs Resurrection Ioh. 20.24 Except I see in his hands the print of the nayles put my finger into his sides I will never beleeue it therefore God stretches out his hand against them he powres his wrath and indignation vpon them that when they lie bleeding vnder his hand then they might be sensible of his high displeasure when they feele the sharpnesse of his arrowes then I might say with the Prophet Who can stand before his indignation Who may abide the fiercenesse of his wrath Nah. 1.6 When they see his lips full of indignation and his eyes sparkle out flames of fire vpon them then they might call to minde that of David As wee haue heard so haue wee seene in the Citie of our God as we haue heard his high displeasure threatned so haue we seene it executed 2. When God is vp in Armes as it were against his people it is to let them know that it is now high time for them to thinke of returning to him and making their peace with him and that considering the season that it is now high time they should awake from sleepe Rom. 13.11 There is no time vnseasonable for the duties of repentance and humiliation but when the face of Heaven begins to frowne vpon men for their vnthankfulnesse and disobedience when his Iudgements are seene abroad in the earth then it is high time to reforme what is amisse and returne vnto him because this is the last meanes God will vse for their good if they will yet stand out and not submit themselues if they will not for all this come in and lay downe their weapons of rebellion if they will not onely fit out his mercies but his judgements too then he will be to Ephraim as a Lyon and as a young Lyon to the house of Iudah He will teare and breake in peices He will carry away none shall deliver Hos 5.14 And therefore when God begins to draw forth his glittering Sword and his hand layes hold on Iudgement When he begins to speake in his wrath and say Thus will I doe to thee O Israel O then let every one thinke it high time to prepare to meet the Lord his God Amos 4.12 It is his great happines that through Gods mercy he can say it is yet time that it is not yet too late that as yet it is not without hope to returne God might haue cut him off long agoe and if he had done so it had but beene justice on Gods part and desert on his owne but the doore of mercy yet stands open God is yet willing to receiue his people if they would be reconciled vnto him for to that end he speakes to them to that end he deales with them to that end he expostulates the matter with them on this manner Is there no hope Will nothing worke vpon you No meanes no mercies no threatnings No Iudgements will yee not flie from the wrath to come O why will yee not why will yee die O ye house of Israel Will yee not returne vnto mee Oh my people why will ye not returne What haue I done vnto you Wherein haue I grieued you that yee should bee so vnwilling to lay downe your weapons of rebellion that yee haue taken vp against mee These and such like expressions from God what doe they imply but that there is yet a time of mercy euen while the heauens seeme to bee clouded ouer with indignation that when nothing but wrath shewes it selfe there is yet a time wherein mercie may bee found if it bee sued for if euer there bee a time that should bring men vpon their knees and make them earnest in sueing for mercie surely then it is high time aboue all other times to cry mightily to God because this is the last time that ever he will waite to haue mercy vpon them and never doe men shew themselues more vnlike to men that is to reasonable creatures than to stand out when God summons them to come in and submit themselues What more vnreasonable then to make him an enemy who is the fountaine of all that good which they haue or can hope for What more vnreasonable then when they haue prouoked him to wrath and made him their enemy and now even lie at the foote of his mercie then to capitulate and stand vpon tearmes with him yea with him who when he might let loose his hand and dispatch them at one blow yet offereth to spare them if yet at last they would even now close with him There be two sorts of arguments whereby God convinceth his people of the vnreasonablenesse of their sinfull courses First by sending them to the Heathen who might be thought the most vnreasonable amongst men and yet even they would be ashamed and thinke it most vnreasonable to deale so with their Idols as many doe with
safe only because they can plead The Church of God is in the Land But it is as insufficient a plea as that of the Jewes The Temple of the Lord The Temple of the Lord for the Church it selfe hath need of walls of defence 2. But farre greater is the sinne of such as plucke downe the walls it hath and lay it more open to invasion There are some false and treacherous men that have ill will at Sion being of that cursed brood of Edom they say Downe with it to the ground I meane besides the pleaders for Baal such as are profane and impenitent in their lives They shall smart for it whosoever they are and shall at length receive the doome of Traitors Vse 2. Let us be friends to the Church and do what wee can for the establishing of her peace and the building of her walls Endeavour the assurance of Gods love that the love of God may bee the strongest wall Intreat for and waite upon divine Providence because the Providence of God is our wall Live answerable to the holy Gospel that the Gospel being continued to us may defend us for if that bee removed our fence is broken downe and for our part by our un-answerablenesse to it wee make great breaches so great that it is our wonder that God goeth not thorow and leaves us that the adversary rusheth not in to ruine us Oh that at length wee were suitable in our lives to that holy Gospel that the Church might also have the wall of our holinesse which though of it selfe it bee but slight yet when it is of Gods building it will hold out and give strong resistance to any adverse power nay God himselfe never enters as an armed man but when there is a breach in the holinesse of a people Let us endeavour to be living walles that as that Grecian City which being unwalled the Embassadors of another Citie wondred and demanded the reason some of the chiefe Citizens poynting to the Bands of some able young men These say they are the walls of our Citie So let it bee our endeavour that we may be walls unto the Church and to the places where we live II. Observat That the Church is still unfinished and wants some of her beauty While there is building the structure is not finished no perfection till the last stone be laid It is so with graces men still are to be built up farther and by the use of the Ordinances are edified to the most holy faith It is so with Arts they have not attained their Apex their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but men still invent and add to the Palaces of philosophy and all other humane learning Nor is it convenient to the very condition of the Church while it is in Via that it should be perfect It hath a perfect rule so that it needs no traditions to be added either for strength or beauty but it is not perfectly answerable to that rule Vse Let us onely make this Use to pray unto God 1. That the strength the beauty of the Church might be still increased that the Kings Spouse might have her clothing of wrought gold and be brought unto the King in a raiment of needle-worke Psalm 45.13 14. That at length the Iles and the ships of Tarshish might bring their Sonnes from far their silver and their gold with them unto the name of the Lord our God and to the holy one of Israel that at length according to the promise The Sons of Strangers might build up her walls and their Kings minister unto her Esai 60.9 10. Intreat of God that hee would put fresh beauty upon his Chosen that shee may multiply as the Bud of the field and encrease and waxe great and come to excellent Ornaments that she may be clothed with broydred work decked with bracelets have a jewell on her forehead and a beautifull Crowne upon her head that she may be perfect through his comelinesse which hee puts upon her according to the beauty of Judah described by God himselfe to the upbraiding of her ingratitude Ezek. 16.7 10 11 12 13 14. 2. That her full glory may be hastned when the holy City the new Jerusalem shall be prepared as a Bride for her husband That the building might bee raised to its full height that the kingdom of Gods glory may come which is the expectation of the Saints Even so Come Lord Jesus The Spirit and the Bride say come This is the fourth part What he prayed for of the rest in a few words IIII. The fourth particular is To whom he prayes Doe THOV good Build THOV Hee prayes to God whom he knew onelyable to heare what hee said and to grant what hee knew fit I would have observed I. That God is the Churches safety If hee build it it shall be strong if he cover it it shall be safe if he do good unto it it shall be happy II. That to God wee must have recourse for our safety They are usuall and knowne notions and therefore I am lesse sorry that I have not time to speak of them Only let us take notice make a due use of our knowledge to speed unto God and to refuge our selves under the Almighty and pray Lord help for it is time for thee to put to thy hand I hasten to end with the fift and last part of the Text. V. How or in what manner hee prayes Doe good in thy good pleasure or in thy good Will That which I would observe is this I. Observ That Gods motive is himselfe There is nothing ad extra that sets God on worke in the bestowing of his love There is much that may move God to anger according to our humane use of speaking and therefore it is safe to resolve our owne perdition to our selves that judgements temporall but especially eternall damnation is because man hath sinned yet in this we take away nothing from Gods absolutenesse and soveraignty for in his bestowing of his love wee acknowledge all to bee free and though heaven and salvation be not granted but to them that have done good in this life yet wee may resolve our eternall choosing unto free pleasure or good pleasure as here Doe good in thy good pleasure because there could not bee found in them what might move or draw God for to love them II. Observ That wee must use that motive when wee deale with God I have formerly spoken of some other arguments in prayer as the Covenant and the promises but in the use of them in the ultimate resolution we bring all to good pleasure There must be an universall resignation of our Choyces and desires to God and then we pray 1. Wisely when wee can content our selves with his provisions and sue for what hee is delighted in and pleased to give us 2. Then wee also pray humbly when pleased to receive what he is pleased to carve us as wee have seene a wise and awfull mother disposing to the