sinne that is their offering strange fire with strange fire we shall speake afterward in the fift Chapter Heere we will obserue that this fact of theis may seeme in the eyes of many to be a small offence and not to deserue so heauy a censure and so grieuous a punishment For it may be said in defence or them either that they had a good intent and meaning though they missed in the manner or that this fire which they offered would serue to burne the incense as well as any other and what skilleth it by what fire it be done But all these are Doctrine 3 vaine pretences forasmuch as God had commanded the contrary a Gods worâ—â—ip we must â—ot be led â—our owne â—euices but â—y God diâ—ection We learne from hence that nothing in matter or forme concerning the worship of God or the administration of the Sacraments ought to be added or altered or detracted but all must be done as God hath determined and directed Our owne dreames and deuises must not sway vs in the matters of God but it is his will and word that must will and gouerne vs. The Lord himselfe challengeth and defendeth his authority in laying downe the maner and way of his own seruice not leauing it to the liberty of any creature men or Angels to intermeddle with it forasmuch as he will haue all things done as himselfe hath prescribed He is well pleased and contented that men shall make Lawes and statutes for humane matters concerning their temporall estates in this world as shall be fittest for the places where they rule and for the persons whom they rule as touching treasons murthers thefts oppressions slanders routs riots and such disorders but for the diuine worship how God shall be serued we must leaue it vnto him he onely can prescribe what must be done he onely will appoint what must be left vndone It is true the strange fire that Nadab and Abihu tooke was as well able to burne the incense as that which burned euermore vpon the altar and yet because God had not sanctified it for that purpose they were fearefully and dreadfully deuoured with fire from God When God instituted the Passeouer in remembrance of his mercifull deliuerance in passing ouer the houses of the Israelites when the first borne of the Egyptians were destroyed Exod. 12.3 the whole order is set downe both for the matter and manner of celebrating and solemnizing that ordinance hee instructeth what they shall take what ceremonies they shall vse what gesture they shall obserue and what he will haue them not to do Moses doth many times in the booke of the Law giue this direction Deuter. 4.2 Deut. 4.2 and 12.8.32 Ye shall not adde vnto the word which I command you neither shall you diminish ought from it that ye may keepe the commandements of the Lord your God which I command you and in the 12. Chapter ye shall not doe after after all the things that we doe heere this day euery man whatsoeuer is right in his owne eyes and afterward What thing soeuer I command you obserue and doe it thou shalt not adde thereto nor diminish from it On the contrary we see how Saul was punished with the losse of his kingdome because hee would offer sacrifice contrary to the expresse will of God made knowne vnto him 1 Sam. 15.23 The like might bee saide of Ieroboams two golden calues erected at Dan and Bethel without warrant and worshipped without warrant it was the ouerthrow of himselfe and his posterity 1 Kings 14.7 c. For this cause the Apostle speaking of the institution of the Lords Supper saith 1 Corin. 11. 1 Cor. 11.23 I receiued of the Lord that which also I deliuered vnto you that the Lord the same night in which he was betrayed tooke bread c. whereby it appeareth that it is no small matter it is no toy or trifle to worship GOD otherwise then he in his word appointeth vnto vs considering the saying of the wise man Adde not thou vnto his words Prou. 30.6 lest hee reprooue thee and thou be found a lyar This crosseth mans deuises which are Reason 1 bolde to steppe vp in Gods place and therefore let vs see the reasons First God will be acknowledged to be the only Law-giuer the king of his Church and the onely Prophet to instruct it in the will of God This is that which the Apostle Iames witnesseth Iam. 4.12 chap. 4. There is one Law-giuer who is able to saue and to destroy that can cast body and soule into hell fire Matth. 10. He is the master of the house that must set downe orders for the gouernement of his house None can make a Law in the kingdome but by authority of the king none can alter it being made but the king So is it in the Church none can appoint any word any Sacrament any worship but God himselfe none can reuerse any institution without him So that additions or detractions or alterations or any mixtures whatsoeuer are so many abuses of the Sacraments of the word and of the worship of God Reason 2 Secondly there is promise of blessing to them that serue him with a perfect heart and there is threatning of most heauy curses and iudgements to come vpon their soules that worship him after the commandements and precepts of men Our Sauiour chargeth his disciples to obserue all things whatsoeuer he commandeth them Matth. 28.20 and then he addeth Loe I am with you to the ende of the world Matth. 28.20 It appeareth in many places of the booke of Iudges the Israelites are deliuered ouer to their aduersaries for transgressing in this kind Iudg 2.12.14.15 2. Chron. 26.18 19. euen for worshipping him after other waies then he had appointed There is a fearefull denuntiation in the shutting vp of the Reuelation against all that shall dare either to adde or detract any thing in the holy things of God Reuel 22.18 19. I testifie vnto euery man that heareth the wordes of the Prophesie of this Booke If any man shall adde vnto these things God shall adde vnto him the plagues that are written in this Booke and if any man shall take away from the words of the Booke of this Prophesie God shall take away his part out of the Booke of life and out of the holy Citie and from the things which are written in this Booke Wherefore it is no small matter to follow the priuate willes of men in the worship of God and not to suffer our selues to be guided and directed by his word and commandement Obiection This may seeme to tye vp the desires of man too strictly and therefore his wisedome that he hath by nature Ministreth many obiections against this trueth to which wee are to giue answere as briefly as we can First the question may be asked whether Princes haue not power to make lawes in the Church haue they nothing to doe with the Church may they
51. but amongst these there was not a man of them whom Moses Aaron the Priest numbred when they numbred the children of Israel in the wildernesse of Sinai for the Lord had sayde of them They shal surely dye in the wildernes and there was not left a man of them saue Caleb the Sonne of Iephuneh add Ioshua the Sonne of Nun Verse 64.45 This muster being taken Moses as his last enterprize appointed out of them twelue thousand to be chosen out to inuade the Cities of Midian Numb 31 5. who together with the Moabites had practised with Balaam to curse Israel Deut. 23 4 5. and to allure them from the worship of the true God to the seruice of Baal-Peor to the rest of their beastly idolatry ouer which Companies Moses gaue the chiefe charge to Phinehas who slew the fiue Princes of the Midianites who were or had lately bene the vassals of Sehon king of the Amorites Numb 31.8 as appeareth in Ioshua chap. 13 21. Thus hauing subdued all their enemies on this side Iordan and none of them being able to stand before them Moses is commanded by God before his death which followed immediately after to charge the Israelites to bound out the land so soone as they were come into it Numb 24 2. and 35 2 and to assigne to the Leuites certaine cities taken out of the inheritance of their possession that there might be no diuision nor contention among them when once they were passed Iordan which haply otherwise might haue disturbed and disquieted them This is the historicall part of this Booke which hath entermingled with it many and sundrie ceremonies of the Leuiticall Law as touching their Fasts and Feasts the yeare of Iubile their feasts of Trumpets and Tabernacles as also of the Passeouer and Pentecost a few chapters whereof I published certaine yeares past which I haue now reviewed and added the interpretation of the whole Booke from the beginning to the ending which I presume to offer vnto your Worships as a testimony of my loue and duty toward you The Iewes in the Gospel commend the Centurion and make it a motiue to perswade Christ our Sauiour to heale his seruant that was deere vnto him being sicke and ready to dye because hee loued their Nation and had built them a Synagogue Luke 7 5 4. So I may truly affirme of you that you loue our nation and are true friends of the church loue the preachers of the Gospel which is so much the more worthy praise and commendation as there are few in these euill dayes especially of your ranke and calling that affect eyther the one or the other It is a true saying as proceeding from the mouth of the author of all truth Them that honor me I will honor they that despise me shal be lightly esteemed 1 Sam. 2 30. It is the cheefest honor that we can receiue in this world to honour the Lord which is the beginning of that honor which shall neuer decay whereas all other without this is vaine and vncertaine And albeit I confesse you neede not any helpe or furtherance from mee in the race of godlinesse wherein you runne neither is my weaknesse able to affoord any thing that way yet I am so farre from being discoraged hereby to presse into your presence that I acknowledge it as a speciall reason to induce me to this because I offer the same to you that are able to iudge whose learning and sufficiency that way all men know perfectly that know your person in that both of you are well exercised in the Scriptures and in the doctrine which is according to godlinesse so that I nothing doubt but at vacant houres from waightier affaires you will vouchsafe to peruse this Commentary or at least some part of it it being a duty belonging to all high and low rich and poore to search the Scriptuaes in which our hope is to haue eternall life Thus crauing pardon of my great boldnesse and hoping of your Worships good acceptance and praying the Almighty to increase the sauing graces of his Spirit vpon you I humbly take my leaue resting euer Your Worships at commandement William Attersoll A Recapitulation of the particular Doctrines handled throughout euery Chapter of this Booke of NVMBERS Doctrines out of the Preface OBseruations by the way of preface touching the Author of this booke fol. 1. 2 Obseruations by way of preface touching the Writer of this booke fol. 6. 3 Obseruations by way of preface touching the Title of this booke fol. 8. Obseruations by way of preface touching the principall substance and vse of this booke fol. 10. 5 Obseruations by way of preface touching the diuision and parts of this booke fol. 12. CHAP. I. 1. THe people of God may lawfully make warre fol. 16 2 God knoweth the number and names of all such as belong vnto him fol. 20 3 It is our duty to performe obedience to Gods commandements fol. 29 4 The promises of God made to his children shall be accomplished fol. 41 5 It is the office of the Minister to doe the duties proper to his calling fol. 49 CHAP. II. GOd delighteth to haue a comely order obserued both in Church and commonwealth fol. 55 2 Magistrates and rulers are needfull to be set ouer the people of God fol. 63 3 Gods iudgements are alwayes tempered and seasoned with great mercy toward those that be his fol. 71 4 The Tabernacle of the Congregation is placed in the middes of the hoast fol. 80 5 God bestoweth his gifts and graces freely to whom he pleaseth fol. 85 6 Euery one ought to be content with the present condition wherein God hath set him fol. 98 7 God oftentimes maketh choyce of inferiour things to effect great matters fol. 105 8 It is a duty belonging to all Gods children to yeeld obedience to all Gods Commandements fol. 109 CHAP. III. AMong all people vnder heauen the Ministery aboue all other things ought to be established fol. 118 2 Godly Parents haue oftentimes vngodly and disobedient children fol. 130 3 In Gods worship we must not bee carried by our owne deuices but by his direction fol. 137 4 God hath sole authority to ordaine the Officers and Offices of his Church fol. 146 5 The first borne were sanctified to the Lord and the vses thereof to vs. fol. 158 6 The word of God ought to direct all the actions of our life fol. 167 7 God raiseth vp honourable instruments from meane places to do him seruice fol. 175 8 Euery one in the Church hath his proper peculiar Office fol. 179 9 It is the Ministers office carefully to looke to his charge fol. 188 10 God will haue all places and people taught how small and meane soeuer they be fol. 197 11 The Office of the Ministery is an high worthy and honourable Calling fol. 206 CHAP. IIII. 1 THe Ministers must be men of grauity sobriety and moderation fol. 216 2 Euery one must know
to his glory and to the good of others Wee must referre them to him as we haue receiued them of him As all riuers runne into the sea so all our riches should returne to God Thirdly we must be ready and willing to leaue them whensoeuer God shall call for them For hee that bestowed them may he not require them againe when he pleaseth we must leaue them rather then leaue him If we haue this godly resolution then may we perswade our owne hearts that we are thankefull for them Thus it was with Iob 〈◊〉 1.21 when he could say The Lord hath giuen and the Lord hath taken away blessed be the Name of the Lord. Fourthly wee must not put our trust and confidence in them and if riches encrease 〈◊〉 10. we must not set our hearts vpon them because then we commit grosse idolatry with them This is a fearefull sinne Many such idolaters it is to be feared remaine stil in great store among vs â—nd albeit idols be banished out of our Churches yet many doe yet set them vp in their hearts This idolatry is so much the more dangerous because it is more close and secret coloured vnder the name of vertue practised by such as detest popery and idolatry and therefore is lesse perceiued and discerned Lastly we must not account these the chiefest riches or the best treasures inasmuch as the vngodly haue commonly the greatest share of them Luke 12. and 16. and therefore we must labour to be rich in faith 〈◊〉 6.11 in loue in righteousnesse in godlinesse in patience in meekenesse and in all good workes Heere is true riches if we adorne our selues with these we shall be truely rich although we be poore Reuel 2.9 and though we haue neither siluer nor gold Acts 3.6 yet he hath giuen vs all things 2 Pet. 1.3 And though we haue nothing at all yet we possesse all things 2 Cor. 6.10 89 And when Moses was gone into the Tabernacle of the Congregation to speake with him 〈◊〉 iâ— with 〈◊〉 then he heard the voyce of one speaking vnto him from off the mercy seate c. Hitherto of the offerings of the Princes receiued of Moses and giuen to the Leuites Two tribes offered one wagon and euery wagon had two oxen therefore they offered sixâ— wagons and to draw them twelue oxen These were thus distributed â—ret comment in 7. cap. Num. the Geâ—shonites had two wagons and consequently foure oxen commited to them the Meratites haâ— foure wagons and consequently eight oxen so that they carryed the greatest burdens Touching the Kohathites the third family of the Leuites nothing was bestowed among them because to them were committed the vessels of the Sanctuary which were carryed vpon their shoulders so that they had no need ether of wagons to beare them or of oxen to draw them themselues seruing in stead of them both In this verse we see the oracle of God speaking to Moses We might note heere that God spake diuers wayes to his Church in the old Testament as also that all blessings come from God to vs through Christ the true propitiatory couering our sinnes out of Gods sight and reuealing Gods will to vs that wee should know it and haue benefit by his Priesthood But to passe ouer these we may note that Moses went into the Tabernacle The Tabernacle signifieth his Church There is God to be spoken vnto The doctrine Doctrine is this God is present in a speciall manner in places set apart for his worship True it is God is euermore present wheresoeuer his Church is assembled hee is euery where the heauen is his throne and the earth is his footstoole howbeit wheresoeuer his Church and people are assembled hee is present with his Spirit with his grace and with his blessing and assistance Hence it is that the place appointed for his seruice is called his face Gen. 4.14 This is afterward called the presence of the Lord verse 16. So Psal 46.5 God is said to be in the middes of the City of God And Christ teacheth that wheresoeuer two or three are gathred together in his name he is in the middes of them Matth. 18.20 So then wheresoeuer the place of Gods worship is there is God euer present For first he hath promised to dwell there Reason 1 Where dwelleth the master of the house and where is he readiest to bee found but where he dwelleth as Psal 132.13.14 The Lord hath chosen Sion he hath desired it for his habitation this is my rest for euer heere will I dwell for I haue desired it Secondly he is knowne by a speciall worke of his presence sanctifying Reason 2 those that are his by his word heereupon the Prophet saith Psal 87.2 3. The Lord loueth the gates of Sion more then all the dwellings of Iacob glorious things are spoken of thee O City of God Thirdly he delighteth in his own ordinances Reason 3 In Iudah is God knowne his Name is great in Israel in Salem also is his Tabernacle and his dwelling place in Sion Psal 76.1.2 It is Gods ordinance that we should meete together in one place for this cause hee commanded the Tabernacle to be builded and afterward the Temple these he sanctified for the word for sacrifices and for prayer these doth the Lord loue and in those doth he take pleasure and with them will he vouchsafe his presence This being an euident trueth from hence we must learne so to carry our selues in such places as are sanctified and set apart for his seruice as that wee may call him to bee a witnesse of our sincerity Will a subiect dare to behaue himselfe rudely and vnreuerently in the presence of his Prince or the child in the presence of his father How then ought wee to stand in awe of the Maiesty of Almighty God whose glory is incomprehensible who dwelleth in light that none can attaine vnto Heerepon the wise man saith Eccle. 5.1 Keepe thy foot when thou goest to the house of God and be more ready to heare then to giue the sacrifice of fooles for they consider not that they doe euill No man ought to come before the Lord vnprepared or to set his feete in the Lords house rashly and vnreuerently Were it not vnseemly and vnciuill to enter into a kings pallace with foule and filthy feete defiled with dung and myre or to sit downe at a Princes table with vnwashen hands And is it not more vndecent and vndutifull to come into the house of the great King the King of Kings and to be partakers of his Table before wee haue cleansed and sanctified our hearts This was shadowed out at the giuing of the law by commanding them to wash their garments and to abstaine from their wiues Exod. 19.14 15. Thus they were to be prepared before they receiued the Law Likewise before they could behold the wonderfull workes of God they were spoken to to pull off their shooes because the place whereon they stood was
power Christ Iesus witnesseth that hee would haue gathered the people of Ierusalem by his Ministery but they would not Mat. 23. So God promised to gather together the dispersed of Iudah from the foure corners of the earth Esay 11.12 Secondly he is euermore a present helpe in time of trouble willing to heare them with speed and ready to speak to them with comfort Whatsoeuer they aske of him they shall receiue but if he were not present with vs he could not heare vs in our need nor succour vs in our wants Psal 46.5 Thirdly Satan dwelleth and ruleth in the world He is called the prince of the world Eph. 2. who ruleth in the children of disobedience and blindeth their eyes that they cannot obey the trueth 2 Cor. 4.4 Lastly his loue his special loue is set vpon them and the loue the speciall loue of his people is set vpon him and where should he rest and remaine but among them or how should one be without another The vses This reprooueth all such as haue Vse 1 no care to dwell with God in his Church of which the number is not small in all places These are like vnfaithful seruants that care not for comming in their masters presence or like malefactors that hate nothing more then the face of the iudge So is it with euill men they like no place worse then the Church They take as much pleasure in it as the theefe doth to be in the Iaile who careth not how soone he were out and rid of his fetters The word of God is to the vngodly as bolts and gyues it fettereth and hampereth and holdeth him that he knoweth not which way to turne himselfe The Church is to him as it were a prison it restraineth his liberty he loueth no place worse then it It is otherwise with the godly man hee liketh it and preferreth it in his thoughts in his affections and in his practises aboue al other places because the Lord dwelleth and resideth therein Luk. 19.46 It is the house of prayer where the people of God meet God is neuer absent from hence and they are happy that may dwell there with him Psalme 27.4 And we may pronounce this is a certaine truth that such haue no company or communion with God that delight not to visite his Temple Let such look for no blessing at Gods hand to come vpon them Secondly this proclaimeth woe and misery Vse 2 to come vpon all wicked persons because God is not among them His presence is the fulnesse of ioy at his right hand are pleasures for euermore Psalm 16 11. where he is not there can be nothing but horrour and confusion But he is not in the Congregation assembly of euill persons It will be said Is not God euery where He is with his essence but not with his grace And they shall know he is present with them and they with him albeit they seeke nothing more then to banish him out of their presence and company They haue forsaken the waies of God and he hath forsaken them for their wickednesse Howbeit in the last day when they shall stand before the tribunall seat of the Iudge of al the world they will acknowledge their owne folly and desire to behold one comfortable day of the Sonne of man with the losse of all their pleasures in the daies of their vanity but shall not be able Vse 3 Thirdly hence ariseth comfort to Gods children to know this and to be throughly perswaded of it in their hearts Thus doth Abijah the king of Iudah comfort himselfe against his enemies 2 Chron. 13.12 Behold God himselfe is with vs and likewise Christ his disciples Loe I am with you vnto the end of the world Matth. 28.20 Hee need not feare any thing that hath God to be with him He need not feare the subiect that hath the Prince to stand for him He hath no cause to be afraid of the seruant that hath the master on his side Let euery one therefore comfort himselfe in the execution of his calling God hath set vs in the same and he will beare vs out Vse 4 Lastly it is a duty belonging vnto all men to seeke the Lord as well where he may bee found as when he may be found For as there is a time when he wil not be found Pro. 1.28 Mic. 3.4 Luk. 13.24 so there is a place where he will not be found He resteth not in the tents of wickednesse If God be sought in the society and fellowship of sinfull men hee cannot be found Hee is found in his house and Temple if we delight in his word and worship we cannot be farre from him nor hee from vs. If we shew our selues willing to heare his voyce and to goe no farther from him then that we may euermore bee within the sound of his mouth we shall be sure of his presence There he will be found as in a garden of spices The Lord is said to dwell in the highest heauens and indeed this is the city of the great king Now the Church is as the suburbes and leadeth vs the right and ready way to this citie We can neuer come to it if we do not enter by the gates of the Church Heere God keepeth his court heere we shall be sure to find him All men will seeme in loue with the heauenly Ierusalem but they care not at all for Sion They would rest in the hill of God Psal 25.1 but they desire not to soiourne in his Tabernacle They would haue heauen but they will haue none of the Church They loue to heare Mat 25.34 enter into the kingdome prepared for you but they care not for the feasts of the word and Sacraments prepared for them These doe altogether deceiue themselues and separate those things which God hath ioyned together for as much as we must long after the place of his habitation vpon earth if we looke to be receiued into the place of his habitation in heauen For God hath two houses as his dwelling places one beneath the other aboue the one I may call the lower house the other the vpper house God hath two dwelling places his vpper house and his lower house He that would dwell in the one must also dwell in the other One is the Church the other is the kingdome of glory If we delight in the first house more then in all other places let vs not doubt but be well assured that in his good time we shall haue entrance into the second house But if we will not dwell with him in his Church vpon earth we shall neuer dwell with him in glory in the highest of which Christ our Sauiour saith In my Fathers house there be many mansions Ioh. 14.2 Whereby he meaneth heauen it selfe in which all the Saints and blessed spirits of iust men perfected shall dwell with God for euer in glory and immortality If we be any way in loue with this celestiall house let
foule or dung so filthy as we are through corruption Iob 14 verse 4 and 25 verse 4. Esay 64 6. Titus 1 15. There is no sent or sauour no carcasse so corrupt and ready to infect as that which proceedeth from our selues What it is that doeth chiefly infect wherby we defile our selues and one another This Christ teacheth Math. 15 verse 18. Those things which proceed out of the mouth come foorth from the heart and they defile the man Keepe out sinne from the heart and the plague shall neuer defile the man euery one therefore must labour to cleanse the heart Thirdly seeing it is caused by sinne wee must learne to search and finde out the true Vse 3 cause of the plague The enemies of Gods word will make the Gospel the cause of the pestilence and of all other calamities So did Ahab Iehoram make the Prophets the principall procurers of the famine which fell out in their daies 1 Kings 18 17. 2 Kings 6 31. Thus dealt the heathen with the christians that liued vnder the heathen and persecuting Emperours when any famine or pestilence or ouerthrow befell among them they imputed all to Christians and cryed out to haue them persecuted and punished as appeareth at large in the Apology of Tertullian These are blasphemous mockers and deriders of the holy faith of Christ which open their mouthes against heauen The chiefe cause of the plague is the contempt of the word Ier. chapter 29 17 19. Lastly euery one of vs must learne how to behaue our selues in the troublesome times of Vse 4 this heauy iudgement We must haue a tender feeling of their distressed condition that lye vnder this greeuous hand of GOD. The Church is compared to a body wherof Christ is the head Eph. 4 ver 16 and the faithfull are members Romanes 12 4. 1 Corinthians 12 12. They make but one body though they be many different members and are all vnder one head and therefore are to helpe one another to beare one anothers burden and so fulfill the law of Christ Galathians 6 2 1 Corinthians 12 verse 24. Let vs consider the seuerall duties belonging to seuerall persons in the day of visitation The duty of Magistrates is then especially to see religion established The duty oâ— Magistraâ—â—â— time of thâ— plague euill doers cut off from the City of God and all disorders remoued Psal 101 8. They must humble themselues and cause the people to humble themselues They must appoint fasting and praier that thereby they may moue the Lord to call backe his iudgement We haue a notable example of this in the King of Nineue Ionas 3 6â— when he feared a generall iudgement to come vpon himselfe and his people he rose vp from his throne and laide away his robe from him he couered himselfe with sackcloth and sate in ashes yea he proclaimed that neither man nor beast herde nor flocke should taste any thing and that they should cry mightily to GOD saying Who can tell if God will returne and repent and turne away from his fierce anger that we perish not Ion. 3 6 7 8 9. Here is a good president for Kings Princes what by their owne example publike decrees they ought to do that there may be a common humiliation of all estates 〈◊〉 dutie of â—â—â—â—sters in 〈◊〉 of the â—e It is the duty of the Ministers to preach the worde most earnestly both the Law and the Gospell in season and out of season to perswade to repentance to comfort the feeble-minded out of Gods word to stirre vppe the poore to patience the rich to liberality and all men to compassion and commiseration It belongeth vnto them as it were to stand in the gappe they must aboue others pray earnestly to God Amos 7. verse 25. knowing that the prayer of a iust man auaileth much if it be feruent Iames 5 16 17. So was it with Moses and Aaron when the plague was begunne he willed Aaron to take a Censer who ranne into the middest of the Congregation and stoode betweene the liuing and the dead offering Incense and making attonement for the sinnes of the people Numbers 16. verse 48. It is the duty of all parents to teach and instruct their children from whence 〈◊〉 dutie of â—â—â—â—nts in 〈◊〉 of the â—e for what causes God sendeth the pestilence and other calamites Deut. 6.7 They must goe before them in a good example of life Genesis chap. 18 19. and if they should see all other carelesse and negligent in this duty yet must they say with Ioshua chap. 24. verse 15. As for mee and mine house we will serue the Lord. It belongeth vnto them to call their families vnto priuate humiliation as Ester did chap. 14. verse 16. and euery day they should offer vp sacrifice for their seruants and children after the example of holy Iob chap. 1. verse 5. and pray for their safety and welfare and euerie day giue thankes for their most mercifull deliuerance while in the meane season so many fall on their right hand and on their left It is the dutie of rich men in time of contagion 〈◊〉 dutie of 〈◊〉 men in 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉 to haue as at al other times so then especially a diligent care of the poore because then the greatest occasion is offered to doe good We must not shut them vppe in their houses and then shut vp our compassion from them as it were in a close prison without releefe It is the commendation of the Christian Church after the ascension of Christ that they had all things common and no man said that ought of the things which hee possessed was his owne neither was there any among them that lacked Acts 4 32 34. If they did this in the neede of the Church how much more ought we to prouide for those that cannot prouide for themselues He is not worthy to beare the name of a Christian that at such times would withhold things necessarie from those that are withholden from the companie of others Woe vnto those that would adde so great affliction to those that are deepely afflicted already The foure Lepers that were put out of the city according to the law dwelt apart by themselues at the entering in of the gate for feare of infection were notwithstanding prouided for in the streight siege of Samaria so long as there was any thing in the city they wanted not but were prouided for 2 Kings 7 4. So it ought to be among vs. It is the dutie of the poore needy to arme themselues with patience The dutie of the poore and needy in time of the plague as a shield buckler in time of trouble knowing that nothing falleth out without the prouidence appointment of God He will not lay more vpon vs then he will enable vs to beare but with the tentation will make an happy issue 1 Cor. 10 13. hee will comfort vs in our tribulation 2. Cor.
place but that destruction be brought vpon vs If God haue destroyed other nations and rooted them out for the same sinnes that are found among vs what can be expected by vs but that wee hauing the same weight of sinnes should also haue the same weight of iudgement He hath made vs already to drink of many iudgments onely this remaineth that as yet we haue not dranke the dregges we haue not yet tasted of vtter desolation No nation hath brought forth worse fruits or shewed lesse thankefulnesse We haue iust occasion therfore to feare that the day of Gods visitation cannot be far off by the course of iustice and doubtlesse it is the nearer because we are growne sottish and sencelesse and haue put all feare thereof from vs. The land is generally full of retchlesnesse and security and this addeth to our sinne so that we may say as it is Ier. 6.28 29 30. They are all greeuous reuolters walking with slanders â— 9.28 they are brasse and yron they are all corrupt c. Thus was it with the Sodomits immediately before their destruction the Sunne was risen vpon the earth they thought there had beene a faire day comming but it was a day of wrath a day of trouble and distresse for the Lord rained down fire and brimstone vpon them and all the wicked were as stubble So it was also in the dayes of Noah and so it shall be in the end of the world Vse Secondly it teacheth vs who are the greatest enemies to a state to a nation to a kingdome to a land to a people to our townes and cities to our families euen they that are the greatest sinners These are they that bring those dayes of desolation the dayes of darkenesse and gloominesse the dayes of wastnesse and confusion to wit such as sinne with an high hand that are obstinate and hardhearted and setled to continue in the dregs of them When Ierusalem was besieged by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon Ier. 32.4 who were the chiefe enemies of the citie and kingdome doubtlesse not so much the Babylonians and their army as the citizens themselues they were such as lodged within not they that lay without 2 Chron. 36.16 Dan. 9.10 11. Nehe. 13.17 18. 〈◊〉 it is â—eakeâ—nd wa 〈◊〉 citie The strongest enemies were in the heart of the citie and they were they that did weaken it It is sinne that openeth the gates and throweth downe the walles and letteth in the enemie and maketh hauocke of all The sin of Achan made Israel to turne their backes to their enemies Iosh 7.8 according to the threatning Deut. 28.15.25 The contempt of the word prophaning of the Sabbaths whordome drunkennesse couetousnesse and oppression doe sharpen the swords of enemies and giue them assured hope of victory Hab. 1.3 4 5 6. If we sin against God with an high hand and breake out into all enormities it is in vaine to trust in our fenced cities and multitudes of men If our armies be neuer so strong if our cities were neuer so sure blocked if we had walles flanked with barracadoes and other fortifications that we feared not to haue them surprized by scalado yet if sin be suffered and fostered within it weakeneth all our force it maketh frustrate all our deuises it throweth our castles and citadels downe to the ground it filleth vp the trenches and maketh the way easy to batter our walles and to breake in pieces the towres thereof Sinne is as a Cannon that beareth all before it and where it beareth sway an hundred wals cannot keepe out the enemy Plaut in Persa And this the heathen knew and confessed But where Religion is entertained and godlinesse flourisheth there the citie is notably garded Deu. 4.6 and 28.1.7 Lastly such as haue any loue to their countrey Vse 3 and would haue the people freed from destruction and continue in peace and quietnesse let them shew it by their loue to the Lord and his Law and by seeking to bee at peace with him If we be reconciled vnto him that he hath no controuersie against vs he wil make euen our enemies to bee at peace with him This serueth to admonish vs all to take heede lest we adde sinne vnto sinne We account him an enemy and that iustly that conspireth and combineth with another to open the gates vnto him and to bring him in to destroy the citie and people such an enemie is sinne it taketh part with our enemies and they both ioyne together and tend both to one end to wit to ouerthrew our peace and safty Stay therfore the course of sinne that it grow not to haue the vpper hand Seeke not to be acquainted with it be not any meanes to spred it farther and to conuey it from one to another Marke then from this consideration who are indeed and in trueth the best Citizens and best townesmen in places where they liue Not alwaies the richest not alwaies the noblest not alwayes the strongest not alwayes the most politicke The best citizen is the godly man the best townesman is the man that feareth GOD and walketh in his wayes Such are the chariots and horsemen of the kingdome They are the strength of the land that are strong in the Lord. On the contrary side the worst citizens are the vngodly who pull it downe as it were with their owne hands What hath beene the ruine and ouerthrow of the most famous kingdomes in the world and what hath turned the noblest Cities into dust what hath brought infinite calamities of famine of the sword of the pestilence of fire of slauery and such like but the impiety of men so that the Lord hath beene compelled to reuenge himself of the very places which they possessed of the wals and buildings yea of the cattell and beasts that fedde thereupon Stand fast therefore in the most holy faith and let not sinne enter for when it commeth it layeth all waste from this commeth the ruines of countreyes of cities of houses and of particular persons 26 And the Lord spake vnto Moses and vnto Aaron saying 27 How long shall I beare with this euill congregation which murmure against mee I haue heard the murmurings of the children of Israel which they murmure against me 28 Say vnto them As truely as I liue saith the Lord I will surely do vnto you euen as ye haue spoken in mine eares The Lord as a iust Iudge proceedeth to giue sentence against these wicked men whose destruction was concluded They had gone backe from their obedience God charged them to goe backe againe toward the red sea so that they were forty yeeres before any of that people came into the land which might haue beene possessed in forty dayes This sentence pronounced by the mouth of God is either generall against the whole multitude or speciall against the first contriuers and principall authours of this rebellion The generall punishment is concerning themselues or their children Touching themselues as they had spospoken so the
of the church rauishing as it were all his senses and so astonishing him that he is not able to finde words sufficient to expresse the glory thereof For heere we see he compareth the happinesse and blessednesse of the Church to the Valleyes Gardens Cedars and such like all to this end to shadow out vnto vs the value and worth of it that it farre surmounteth all other societies and is most precious deare in the sight of God Heereby then wee learne what is the Doctrine true Church The Churâ— is more excellent anâ— precious 〈◊〉 all other â—ces it exceedeth all other societies of men and is most precious and deare vnto God and vnto Christ We see then how from hence we learne that aboue all other companies and fellowships in the world the Church is most excellent and beautifull and of GOD most respected This hath plentifull testimony of other Scriptures The Prophet saith The Kings daughter is glorious within her cloathing is of broidered gold Psal 45 13. Hereunto come the titles and commendations giuen vnto the Church in sundry places dispersed in the booke of Canticles chap. 2 2. and 4 13. and 5 9. Shee is the Rose of the field the Lilly of the valley the fairest among women an Orchard of Pomgranats a Fountaine of Gardens a Well of springing waters the Spouse and Sister of Christ the beauty of the earth the glory of the world and being compared with other societies as a Lilly among Thornes like the Apple among the Trees of the Forrest It is a Citty whose walles and gates are of precious stones and the streetes thereof of gold Reuel 21 2 19. It is compared to a woman cloathed with the Sunne and had the Moone that is all corruptible things which are vnstable and vncertaine vnder her feete As the Doctrine by these euidences is Reason 1 made cleare so by the Reasons whereby it is proued it may be yet made much clearer For first it is more excellent then all other societies as gold aboue all other mettals because in it alone saluation is to be found and no where else When the vniuersall flood came and couered the face of the whole earth what place wouldest thou preferre before the arke in which Noah and his family were saued and out of the which all the world beside was drowned So saluation is taught and receiued in the Church damnation is to be found and felt out of the Church Can there be a greater priuiledge had then to haue our souls saued or a greater losse then the losse of our soules Wee reade in the Scriptures of many great and exceeding grieuous losses Iob lost all his camels and his asses his oxen and his sheepe his seruants and his sons all his goods and riches Saul lost his kingdome and his life But all these are pettie losses and damages in comparison of the incomparable and inestimable losse of the soule which is a perpetuall separation from the glorious and comfortable presence of God according to the saying of our Sauiour Math. 25 16. What shall it profite a man if he winne the whole world and then lose his owne soule Or what shall a man giue for the recompence of his soule The truth of this reason the Lord himself expresseth in the Prophet saying I will giue saluation in Sion and my glory vnto Israel Esay 46 13. The wealthiest country vnder heauen hath not this treasure the greatest Monarke in the world hath none of this merchandice the richest merchant that compasseth sea and land and trauaileth into the furthest part of the earth cannot bring home with him this pearle of vnualuable price it is only to be found in the city of God which is his Church for in mount Sion and in Ierusalem shal be deliuerance Reason 2 Secondly all other sorts and societies of men are appointed and ordained of God to serue and preserue this This is it which the Prophet Esay saith Esay 45 14. It shall be the honour of Kings and Princes to doe seruice to the Church and to promote the good of it It is the end for which God hath lifted vp the heads of rulers and gouernors aboue their brethren to promote the good of the Church and to aduance the glory of God This the Prophet speaketh of in the Psalme Psal 78 71. that God chose Dauid his seruant tooke him from the sheepefold and preferred him before his brethren euen tooke him and from behinde the ewes with yong brought he him to feed his people in Iacob and his inheritance in Israel so he fed them according to the simplicitie of his heart and guided them by the disâ—retion of his hands The like we see in the book of Ester when the destruction of the Church was determined and contriued Mordecai said to Ester Ester 4.14 If thou holdest thy peace at this time comfort and deliuerance shall appeare to the Iewes out of another place but thou and thy fathers house shall perish and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdome for such a time So what power strength ability or meanes soeuer God hath giuen he looketh for this duty and thankfulnes at our hands to seek the safety of Sion to aduance the glory of Ierusalem and to know that hereunto we are called Thirdly the beauty of all other cities and Reason 3 societies standeth in this that they are parts and members of the Church This is the glory of kingdomes and countries whereby they are beautified in that they belong to the true Church for otherwise all places are as cages of vncleane birds nay as lodges of vncleane spirits and all persons are as dogges swine as Tygers and vncleane beasts Hence it is that the Apostle describing what wee are by nature saith Eph. 2 12. Yee were at that time without Christ aliants from the commonwealth of Israel strangers from the couenants of promise and had no hope and were without GOD in the world If then it beautifie other places and persons it must needes be beautifull it selfe If it giue grace and glory to others that ioyne themselues to it it must needs be both gracious and glorious it selfe For whatsoeuer causeth a thing to be so must needes be so it selfe much more The vses of this doctrine are excellent as Vse 1 the nature of the Church is For first we conclude that they must needs be most happy blessed of God that are members of the Church For howsoeuer the world account them miserable grinning at them with their teeth nodding at them them their heads gaping at them with their mouthes hissing at them with their tongues and euery way contumeliously reproaching them with their words yet they are deare and precious in the account of God and in the reputation of Christ Iesus who bought them at a great price and redeemed them with the ransome of his owne blood 1. Pet. 1 18 19. Behold what loue the Father hath giuen to vs that we should be called
practised by Iosiah 2 Chron. 34 16. If they cleaue to this rule they must continue if they haue declined they must returne cause others to returne and reforme what hath bin amisse This the Pharisies acknowledged when they said to Christ By what authority dost thou these things c. Mar. 11 28 and Ioh. 1 19 they said to him Who art thou what sayst thou for thy selfe If it bee in the Gospel of Christ or in the bookes of the Prophets and Apostles we must willingly receiue it and be guided by it if not we must refuse it otherwise wee bring vpon our selues manifest destruction Vse 3 Lastly it behoueth all priuate persons that liue in a Church wherein true Religion and the pure worship of GOD is established to submit themselues to those things that are agreeable to the word howsoeuer they bee not agreable to their affections For as wee must giue obedience to the Scriptures Bernard whether they speake as we would haue them or whether they speake not as wee would haue them so in a reformed Church where a priuat man doth dwell if any thing be commanded by authority either agreeing or not agreeing to our affections yet if the same bee agreeable to the Word of God we must yeeld obedience vnto it If the Church command any thing declining from the Law of God hee must be peaceable in refusing and patient in suffering The weapons of a Christian remembring that the onely weapons of a Christian are supplication to God and to man Besides we must know thus much that whosoeuer refuseth to obey that which hath beene vniformely established and aduisedly and moderatly concluded by the whole what priuat persons soeuer refuse to obey had need to do it vpon a sure ground that the same which they refuse is against the Law of God lest it fall out with them as with those that Austine speaketh off who gloried that they suffered persecution but it was for their faults not for their vertues so they that withdraw obedience ought to do it with a good conscience and vpon a sure ground otherwise they can haue no comfort in suffering nor looke for reward after suffering There haue alwayes bin some things amisse in the Church and no Church is or euer was so perfect but somewhat may be found in it worthy reformation so that Christ may say to it as he did to the Churches of Asia Habeo aduersus te pauca I haue somewhat against thee The best Churches wil quickly decline as wee see it fell out to those which were founded by the happy hands of the Apostles themselues that were the chiefe workmen master-builders 63 These are they that were numbred by Moses and Eleazar the Priest c. 64 But among these there was not a man of them whom Moses and Aaron the Priest first numbred c. 65 For the Lord had said of them c. The conclusion of the whole chap. followeth in these words wherein the former numbring is illustrated by place where it was by the persons that did number were numbred al amplified by the contrary that among al these there was not so much as any one man left aliue that came in the former account but they were all of them dead perished in the wildernes except Caleb Ioshua Heere is a great blessing set down likewise a great iudgmeÌ„t a blessing in multiplying of them a iudgment in chastifing of them thereby to teach vs that God is faithfull and true both in his promises and also in his threatnings Gen. 15 5. For hee had promised to Abraham that he would multiply his seed exceedingly as the starres of heauen he made this hauock of them Numb 14 35. 1 Cor. 10 5 6. brought this desolation vpon them for their often murmurings mutinies wherefore by his promises let vs be stirred vp to faith obedience by his threatnings be feared terrified from sin Moreouer marke from this fearful example of a generall disobedience or rather conspiracy against God Doctrine A whole mâ—â—titude cannoâ— cleare themselues from iudgment that it is not a whole multitude that can shelter themselues from Gods iudgments when they come vpon them though they bee neuer so many or mighty Though thousands thousand thousands muster together ioyne hand in hand yet they are not able to deliuer theÌ„selues The reasons follow The Lord is iust in all his wayes euen in the works of his iudgments Now iustice giueth Reason 1 equal to them that are equal If then all haue sinned as he is iust in punishing one so he will be iust in punishing all This we see in his casting down all the angels from the heauens that sinned 2 Pet. 2.4 Iude 6. in drowning the whole world in destroying Sodome Gomorrha infinite such like examples Secondly as he is iust righteous so he is strong powerful Many men do well deserue to be called iust yet oftentimes they want power as we see in Daniel toward Ioab when he committed murther complayning of himselfe that he was weake 1 Sam. 3 39. the sons of Zeruiah being martial men were too hard for him It is not so with God he is as powerfull as he is iust therefore he will certainly proceed against whole multitudes be they neuer so many or powerful so that none shal be able to escape vnpunished Thirdly the moe they are that offend the greater is the offence and the greater the dishonor done to God no maruail therefore if hee spare not to ouerthrow great companies in his wrath and sore displeasure For as in a ciuil state the greater the number of rebels is the greater is the offence against the Prince so it is in this case the greater multitude of offenders the greater the oence against Gods and consequently the greater iudgment will fall vpon them Vse 1 This serueth to reproue those that walk on boldly in their sins lift vp their heads without feare because they are many in number great in power thereupon thinke they shall be excused because they are not singular sin not alone Alas this will proue a slender comfort when God shal come to take an account of vs certainly no more then this that as wee sinned not alone so wee shall not be punished alone What benefit hath the theefe that is going to the place of execution to see a traine of many others beare him company Is his iudgment any whit the lesse or is his comfort any whit the more So when the Lord shall come against those that haue broken the couenant with him made a league with hel death what shall it help them or ease them to go to hell with company whereas the yelling and crying of one shal rather adde to the torment misery of another If you thinke God will the sooner respect vs because we are many we deny his iustice and deceiue
our selues True it is he is mindfull of a few that serue him and ready to shew mercy to one of a City and two of a Tribe that feare his Name Though they be contemned derided of the vnthankfull world yet they are deare to him and they come vp in remembrance before him When all flesh had corrupted their waies he remembred Noah and his family saued eight persons when he destroyed all the rest Gen. 7 1. So he deliuered righteous Lot 2 Pet. 2.7 when hee ouerthrew the cities of the plaine and would haue spared Sodome if ten righteous persons had beene found in it Ge. 18 32. On the other side if multitudes trespasse against him and rush on in euil as the horse into the battell he will not spare them for their multitude sake It is a great encouragement vnto many to walk in the broad way Math. 7.13 because many there are that go in thereat they are much discouraged and terrified from entring into the strait gate narrow way because there be few that finde it they shal haue litle company to go with them but if wee would consider the end both of the one of the other it were sufficient to make vs wise vnto saluation It is a very notable remarkeable iudgment that is remembred vnto vs that fell vpō this multitude the exceeding goodnes kindnes of the Lord onely toward two persons of those sixe hundred thousand that were brought out of the land of Egypt forasmuch as albeit he saued them from the hands of Pharaoh yet afterward he destroyed them that beleeued not Iude 5. Who doth not desire rather like Caleb Ioshuah to be had in euerlasting remembrance Psa 112 6 to haue our names written in the booke of life then to perish with the multitude and to be cast into destruction Vse 2 Secondly it warneth and warranteth the Ministers of God to be bold to reproue sinne in all though they be neuer so great and gracious in the world though they be many yea a whole multitude yet if they be a sinful company they haue a commandement and commission giuen vnto them to reprooue them without respect of persons without care of the multitude and without feare of their faces This is a certaine rule a multitude may not stoppe our mouthes from reprouing sinne and it serueth as a shield and sure defence for the Ministers against those that vpbraid them for their faithfulnesse in their callings asking them what they need to trouble themselues and the people by reproouing these and these things doe you not see that all men practise them It is no matter who or what they are that offend whether they be many or few al or some he is not to be silent because of the multitude but is rather to open his mouth the wider and to lift vp his voyce the louder For if Gods hand will not be stayed when great cities are sinfull when the whole world corrupted their wayes but his iudgements will certainely come according to our sinnes the Minister ought not to be dumbe and tongue-tyed though a whole land be corrupt and sinfull In the dayes of Noah all flesh became obstinate and disobedient stiff-necked and abominable yet he is made a Preacher of righteousnesse to reproue the world of sinne 1 Pet. 3 20. If a Prince send forth his Herald to proclaime warre against a company of rebels shall the Herald because he findeth them to be a great multitude returne backe and not pronounce the sentence and yet thinke himselfe discharged No certainly hee may not do so but rather he should doe it the more speedily and earnestly and boldly because they are a multitude how then should the Minister hold his peace and haue his mouth stopped because generally the times are corrupt and the dayes are euill whereas he should consider that the moe doe sinne the more God is offended dishonored and prouoked In the time of a generall plague or infectious sicknesse will any well in his wits or in his right minde say to the Physician Take no care to cure or recouer any it is a vaine labour to goe about it for the plague is generall Is it not rather the honour of a Physician that will still stay and do his endeauor euen then when the disease is dispersed and scattered farre and neare And shall it bee thought the dishonour of the Minister of God when the plague of sin is spread as a leprosie ouer all that from the sole of the foote euen vnto the head there is no soundnesse but wounds and bruises putrifying sores if he shall then lift vp his voyce as a Trumpet and reproue sin with zeale and boldnesse No doubtles he ought to do it if he be faithfull and painefull in his place hee will do it yea though he see little hope when the euill is growne common and hath preuailed the hearts of the multitude through custome are hardened For if the blood of one soule that perisheth be a burden too heauy to be borne how then shall he bee able to beare the weight and the cry of the blood of many soules If the blood of Abel which was but the blood of the body and that but of one only Gen. 4 10. did notwithstanding cry for vengeance against him that shed it doubtlesse the blood of the soule much more of many soules redeemed by the precious blood of Christ shall cry vnto God and bring wrath vpon their heads that shed it as water vpon the earth Forasmuch as they must answer for them if they perish through their negligence and ydlenesse What though no repentance or reformation follow our reproofes yet we must not giue ouer but continue constant in our caling knowing that our labour shall not be in vaine in the Lord but our reward is layde vp with God in the life to come to remaine for euer Vse 3 Lastly it must teach and admonish vs to take heed that we doe not follow a multitude to do euil nor be caried with the time as with a streame to commit wickednes as if we must needs be safe and out of gun-shot because we follow the multitude and do as the most doe For it is neuer a whit the lesse sin neyther are lesse iudgements to be looked for In the gouernment of a priuate family if al the seruants and children should conspire together against the gouernor of the houshold shall their multitude ioyning in one euer a whit excuse or lessen their conspiracy No certainely rather it will make the master of the family to bee far more angry and displeased with them so is it in this point thogh they be many that rebell rise vp against God yet they shall therby nothing at all protect themselues from his wrath and displeasure Iude ver 4. There are many thousands in hell ordained of old to this condemnation yet none of them hath the lesse torment or the