422 Truth hath many Opposers Page 440 Traditions vain p. 298 Traytors of three sorts Page 115 Truth abideth p. 187 V. VErtues are concatenated Page 21 Vnholy who P. 73 74 Vnrighteous dealing dangerous Page 81 82. Vnthankefulnesse How Vile Page 68 69 Vnitie its Excellency Page 392 W. WAlk with God Page 361 The weakest may be helpfull Page 427 The World inordinately loved breeds Apostates p. 417 Weak things must not be despised Page 464.469 Women some good ones p. 469 Wicked men grow worse and worse p. 229 230. They draw others to wickedness p. 232 Witches must be put to death p. 228. Many seducing Quakers Witches Page 225 226 The Word to be Preacht on all occasions p. 326 Y. YOuth must be given to God Page 247 Z. ZEal becometh the Ministers of the Gospel p. 223.333 What zeal is p. 337 338. Signes of it p. 336. Cavils against it answered p. 341. Motives to it p. 343. Zealous men must expect opposition p. 203. The godly are zealous p. 332. They are the Pillars of a Land Page 336. FINIS Books Printed for and sold by Iohn Starkey at the Miter at the North-door of the middle Exchange in St. Pauls Church-yard A Martyrology containing a Collection of all the Persecutions that have befallen the Church of England with the lives of ten of our late famous English Divines by Samuel Clark in Folio Justification justified or a Treatise of Justification by Faith by a learned Divine in the West of England in Quarto Master Thomas Gataker Gods eye on his Israel being an Exposition on Numb 23 21. and two Sermons on the same Authors in Quarto The life of Christina Queen of Sweden translated out of French by I. H. Letters of affairs Love and Courtship written in French by the Exquisite pen of Mounsieur de Voiture and Englished by I. D. Master Thomas Halls Beauty of Holiness or a description of the Excellency Amiableness Comfort and content which is to be found in wayes of Purity and Holyness in Octavo Master Thomas Halls Homesius Enervatus or a Confutation of the Millenarian Opinion Plainly shewing that Christ will not raign with the Saints for 1000. years on earth with a word to our fifth Monarchy men 8â— Masters Thomas Halls Phaetons folly or the Downfall of Pride being a Translation of the second Book of Ovids Metamorphosis Paraphrastically and Grammatically with an Essay of Ovid de Tristibus in Octavo A Sermon of the Passion of Christ by William Cartwright in Octavo The Mystery of the two Witnesses unveiled by Iohn Robotham Minister at Dover in Octavo A Silver Watch-bell to awake to repentance with a Treatise on the Sacrament by Tho. Tymme in Octavo The Art of Giving or a guide to Charity by Thomas Cooper in Octavo A Magical description of the Soul by Agricola Carpentar in Octavo The Synopsis of Christianitie in an Exposition of the Commandements Lords Prayer and Creed by Richard Sedgwick in Octavo Master Tho. Hooker of N. England his pattern of Perfection with other Treatises in twelves Tho. Gataker De Iustificatione in twelves De Dipthongis in twelves A Christian Alphabet containing grounds of Knowledge unto salvation by Iohn Phillips Gildas his Description of the State of great Brittain written 110. years since in twelves Mr. Adam Harsnets Gods summons unto a general Repentance in 12â— Mr. Henry Beachams Truth of times revaled in twelves Becons display of the Popish Mass in twelves The Compleat Tradesman or a Guide for the true stating of any question touching Interest of six per Cent. per Annum with other useful Tables by I.H. in twelves Tertullians Apologie or Defence of the Christians in quarto An Abridâ—ement of the New Testament in Welch in octavo Mr. Shepherds Catechism in octavo Mr. Crawshers Catechism octavo * Magistrates may see their duty in the Treatise it self on 2 Timothy 3.2 p. 26.27 * The excellency of a zealous Magistrate you may see on 2 Tim. 2.4 * Si eritis inseparabiles eritis insuperabiles Erat fidelium cor unum anima una non Physicè sed Moralitèr q. d. Ita animis sensibus erant concordes ac si omnes unum idemque habâ—issent cor à Lapide in locum Ubi plura See Motives to Unitie Burroughs Irenicum Chapter 31. c. Gournall on Ephes. 6.15 c. 13. p. 422. Fenner on Rev. 3.1 p. 10. to 21. folio V. Mr. Blake on the Covenant Chap. 31. p. 240. V. The Answer of the Assembly to the dissenting Brethren In fine p. 60.61 See Master Gage his Defence of Parish Churches See Master Cawdry Independency a great Schism To cull out ten or twenty and make them the Church excluding two hundred or two thousand in some places as dogs and swine doth exceedingly puffe up the one so that Ministers can scarce tell how to please them but in a short time they picke quarrels and fall all to pieces and discourageth the other and so prejudiceth them against their Ministery that it loseth the operation it should have upon their hearts * See 20. considerations to quicken you in 2 Tim. 3.15 Civitatis eversio morum non murorum casus Aug. Boni cives civitatis maenia Spartanis multis seculis Civium virtus Vrbis murus fuit Pezel Mellif Histor. P. 1. p. 234. edit ult * See 20. considerations to quicken you in 2 Tim. 3.15 To incourage you to the Dutie See an excellent little Tract of Master Cawdry called Family-Reformation and of Mr. Philip Goodwins Treatise on the same subject In tenui labor est Vocum Phrasium enodatio tenuis gloria at non tenuis Vtilitas Scultetus * Though the lively voice more pierce the heart and be apter to move affection yet men seldome take the paines or time to lay down things in speech as they doe for publick writings Robinsons Essayes Observat. 23. Vbi plura And Master Philip Goodwin in his Epistle Dedicatory to his Family-Religion * Non omnis moriar multaque pars mei Vitabit Libitinam Horat. Ode 30. Lib. 3. Emanuel Sa was nigh fourtie yeares in composing his Aphorismes In hoc opus per Annos ferè quadraginta diligentissimè incubui Em. Sa Praefat. in Aphorism p. 2. * Lucilius saepè Ducentos versus dictabat stans pede in uno Horat. Serm. Lib. 1. Sat. 4. * Saepè caput scaberet vivos roderet ungues l. 1. Sat. 10. * Carmen reprehendito quod non multa dies multa litura coercuit atque perfectum decies non castigavit ad unguem Horat. de Arte Poet. Ducentis viginti Annis à tota Asia factum fuit Munsteri Geograph Lib. 5. Page 983. * It was Reprinted 1628. * Sandersons History of King Charles page 1116. * I mean the better half not in Quantitie onely as bigger but in Qualitie as better done then the former part by Mr. B. who though he were a good man a good 〈◊〉 and a good Preacher was yet in Scholastical faculties and furniture abilitie
the Authour of sin not only of the action but also of the Ataxy Anomy Obliquity and Sinfulnesse of the Action Are there not some that accuse him of cruelty and unjustice in his Decrees 2. Are there not others that deny God in his Attributes with the Socinians and others that give out they are infallible and equall to God having no sin in them Thus Nailer Fox and the rest of that Heretical accursed blasphemous Quaking Crew Are there not such Ranters amongst us that by hellish cursing and swearing tear in pieces that great and dreadfull name of the Lord our God Are there not such amongst us as have reviled Jesus Christ and with the Arrians and Socinians make him a man whilest they publish to the world that themselves are Deified and become Gods they make themselves perfect and Christ imperfect Have we not those that speak basely of the sacred Scriptures Cry down Magistracy Rayle on the Ministery Revile Reall Saints Lastly is not Gods Name blasphemed and that in England by the loose lives and licentious Tenets even of Professors and this is one sad aggravation of the blasphemies of our time that many Professors are turned Blasphemers Those that have been nurst up in the bosome of the Church for 20 30 40. years and had a form of godlinesse and as in Charity we hoped some of them had the power of it yet now are turned blasphemous Apostates and have discovered their rottennesse by persecuting the Truth which sometimes they protest Had they been open enemies Turks and Tartars that had thus blasphemed it might have been easier born but lo these are the wounds wherevvith Christ vvas vvounded in the house of his seeming friends Zach. 13.6 they that eat of his bread and drink of his cup have lift up the heel against him Had he been thus blasphemed and derided in Egypt it had been no vvonder Hos. 7. ult but to be thus abused and abased in England vvhere the Gospel hath been preacht above 100. years for us vvhom the Lord hath made his darling Nation whom he hath loved and tendred above all the Nations in the world for vvhom he hath broken the Povver and Policy of mighty enemies and hath given such successe by Sea and Land that all the Nations round about us stand amazed for us after all these free and undeserved favours to blaspheme the God of our mercies and vvith the Beast to crop the tree that shelters us and bite the hand that feeds us is an Act of the highest ingratitude and basest rebellion in the world Deut. 32.6 Good turnes aggravate unkindnesses and our guilt is increased by our obligations Solomons Idolatry vvas far worse then that of his wives because he had better breeding and God had appeared twice unto him 1 Kings 11.9 As our Saviour said sometimes to the Jews Iohn 10.32 Many good works have I shewed you for which of these do ye stone me So may the Lord say to England O England I have been to thee a Rock and a Refuge a Sun and a Shield I have wrought wonders for thee in Church and State by Sea and Land for which of these favours dost thou blaspheme my Name deny my Word and overthrow the very Foundations of Religion hath the Lord been a barren wildernesse to us or what iniquity have we or our Fathers found in him that we should rebell against him Ier. 2.5 as the Apostle said sometimes to the Galatians am I become your enemy because I tell you the truth So is God our enemy because he hath given us his truth and all the tokens of his love what could he do more for England then he hath done if therefore instead of the grapes oâ— Faith and Obedience we bring forth the wild grapes of Heresy and disobedience what can we expect but to have our Vine-yard laid waste 2. A second Aggravation of our horrid blasphemies is this That they have broke forth since we have made a Covenant to the contrary and that in the most solemn manner that ever any Covenant was taken in this Land with hands lifted up to the most high God That we would extirpate Heresy Schisme and profanenesse and whatsoever shall be found contrary to sound Doctrine and the Power of Godlinesse But alas many of us act as if we had taken a Covenant to promote them 3. Instead of an extirpation of Schisme and Heresy there is too much connivence indulgence and toleration given them and that by some of them whose hands are at this day in Print set to the solemn League and Covenant Durst Hereticks and Blasphemers be so bold to Preach and Print as they do if they had not too indulgence from some in Authority Oh that they would no longer bear the sword in vain but as they are a Terrour to Drunkards Swearers Thieves and Vagabonds so the Lord make them a Terrour to those that are Drunk with Heresies and Blasphemies That Magistrate which hath power to punish such offenders and yet spares them becomes partaker with them Men post the punishment of such offenders one from another the Magistrate saith Let the Minister reprove it the Minister sayes Let the Hearers reform it and they say Let the offerder answer it Thus when the Sea breaks in all the Borderers contend whose right it is to mend the damme but whilest they strive much and do nothing the Sea hereby gets further in and drowns the Country The Application is easie 'T is long since observed that England hath golden Lawes but leaden executioners and that we yet want one Law viz. A Law to bind Magistrates to put all the rest of the Lawes in execution Vse Let us be deeply affected with the blasphemies and dishonours that are done unto our God in the land of our Nativity Let 's mourn for all the abominations and specially for the prodigious blasphemies which are found in the midst of us Let them deeply affect and afflict our hearts if we love God they will do so for Love is very tender of any wrong that is offered to the party beloved Thus Moses burnes with an holy zeal when he heard that one had blasphemed God he puts him in Ward and at last stones him to death Levit. 24.11 12. David hated such persons with a perfect hatred and counts them as his enemies Psal. 139 20 21 22. Hezekiah hearing of Rabsheka's blasphemies Rent his cloathes Isay 37.1 So did Paul and Barnabas Acts 14.14 when they heard the blasphemy of the Lystrians crying them up for Gods they rent their cloathes to expresse the rending of their hearts with grief and indignation at what they heard And wicked Iezabel's proclaiming a Fast upon the false accusation of Naboth for blasphemy 1 Kings 21.10 may teach us to be zealous against Reall blasphemy So the High Priest rending his clothes for conceited blasphemy Matth. 26.65 if every one of us should do so when we hear God and his Gospel blasphemed we should have more
fare the better for them every day why is the heap of chaff kept from burning but because there 's some wheat mixt with it but if once the wheat were out the chaff should soon be set on fire When once the number of Gods Elect is accomplisht the world shall not stand a moment 'T is just with God to take them from us for our abusing them we cast dirt and God casts dust on them many great men are fallen of late in this our English Israel nigh an hundred godly Ministers are taken from us within the space of three years past many of them young and eminent for Piety so that we this day are weakned both in Church and State Ioseph is not and Simeon is not and Benjamin is not all these things are against us This is and should be a Lamentation to us Now since there is such aboundance of false fire and fein'd zeal in the world we had the more need to try our own Some are mislead by a blind zeal Rom. 20.2 Others by an indiscreet zeal Matth. 26.51 Luke 9.52 53 54. Iohn 8. ult Others by an hyrocritical zeal they pretend Religion but they intend their own inriching So Demetrius pretended the preservation of Religion when indeed he intended his own silver Trade Acts 19 24. 1. True zeal is known by the Rise and Original of it 1. If it be wrought in our hearts by the Spirit of God we are not born zealous for God his Truth and People but by nature are full of enmity to all these Acts 9.1 Phil. 36. Paul in his natural state persecutes the Church out of a blind zeal many mistake the fire of their own flints and the fire of Hell for this celestial fire But the Author of all true zeal and Heavenly fire is the holy Spirit of God which is oft called fire Acts 2.3 4. Matth. 3.11 because like fire it inlightens and heats our cold and frozen hearts Luke 24.32 A man that hath fire in his bosom will quickly be sensible of it Prov. 6.27 28. 2. T is operative like fire daily burning up our lusts purging out our dross and working out our scumme 'T is the true purgatory fire which all beleevers pass through Isay 4.4 2. It springs from knowledge as David first beleeved and then spake so the zealous man first knows Gods Will and then is zealous in the prosecution of it Blind zeal is rather fury and madness rashness and rudeness then zeal 'T is celeris cursus extra viam It 's like mettle in a blind Horse which carries the Rider into many dangers Like a Ship without a Pilot which runs it self on many Rocks and Sands Like wild-fire in a Fools hand or the Devil in the Demoniack which cast him sometimes into the fire and anon into the water The Jews had a zeal after Legal Rites and Ceremonies but 't was a blind zeal that But spoiled all Rom. 10.2 as without knowledg the mind is not good so neither is the man nor his zeal Prov. 19.2 as blind obedience is no obedience so blind zeal is not zeal Such is the zeal of Papists and Sectaries 3. It springs from a Love to Christ this constrains us to do and suffer for Christ. 2 Cor. 5.14 As Christ loved us and spent himself for us so the sense of this love being shed abroad in our hearts will make us to spend our selves for him This fire of Gods love to us will make us contemn all other fire 4. When it springs from a Love and Compassion to our Brethren when all our admonishions and reproofs come from a spirit of love and tenderness and are mixt with meekness and mourning this is true zeal Thus Samuel 1.16 tells Saul plainely and sharply of his sin yet mourns for his person Lot reproves the Sodomites for their wickedness yet calls them Brethren Gen. 19.7 Christ was angry at the sin yet mourned for the sinners Mark 3.5 So doth Paul 2 Cor. 12.22 Hot and moist is the best temper both in nature and grace When men rave and rage and are full of bitterness then Satan casts out Satan and they do more hurt then good These hate the sinner and not the sin when the good man is merciful to the sinner but cruel and unmerciful to the sin 2. True zeal is known by its End viz. Gods glory It can be content to decrease so Gods honor may increase Iohn 3.30 As true zeal comes from God so 't is for God and his glory and not for self The hypocrite may seem very zealous but 't is for his own ends like the Shecaâ—ites that would be cirumcised that they might get cattle Gen. 34.33 Iehu did an act that for the matter was good but his selfish Vain-glorious ends marred all and made it murder Hosea 1.4 3. By the properties and effects of it which are five 1. It increaseth by opposition Like Fountain-water 't is hottest in the coldest weather As water cast on lime by an Antiperistasis burnes more fiercely The more the wicked oppose Gods Law the more David loves it Psal. 119.126 If Michol mock David for dancing before the Ark he 'l resolve to be yet more vile 2 Sam. 6.22 True zeal over-looks and over-leaps all lets and impediments difficulties are but whet-stones to fortitude Heroick spirits know not what discouragements mean Many waters of opposition cannot quench this ardent love but intend it rather Cant. 8.6 7. As we see in Iacob Gen. 32.24 25 26. and the Woman of Canaan Tell Caleb there are Anakims and he 'l say le ts go up couragiously against them Numb 13.30 Tell Paul of bonds why he fears not death Hypocrites make a great shew till they meet with oppositions and then like snailes they pull in their horns 2. It will make us abound in duty if there be the fire of zeal within there will be a flame of a holy Conversation without love especially zealous love is bountiful it thinks it can never do enough for God he 's glad he hath any thing of worth to lose for him and resolves with the Martyr if he had as many lives to lose as he hath haires on his head and as much blood to venture as there is water in the Sea it should all go for Christ. They are ready to act to their power yea and beyond their power 2 Cor. 8.3 Zeal is a very high and intensive heat of all the affections it makes us burn in our love to God in our desires after him our joy in him our fear to offend him our indignation against all that speak or do any thing against him or his Psal. 139.21 Ier. 13.9 10. 'T is not so much any one Affection as the intensive Degree of all when they are all improved to the utmost for the furtherance of Gods glory and the good of his People A zealous man is a man of mettle and spirit he 's all life and activity 'T
mention not Vain-gloriously but Thankfully against both men and devils and beastly Barbarians I have contended for the Gospel constantly and couragiously My life is a race and I have run my course even to the very goal in despight of all opposition I have maintained and defended the truth of Christs Gospel inviolably according to my Christian profession and office Apostolical and now from henceforth I comfort my self with the expectation of that crown of immortality which upon the gracious promises of a righteous God is laid up for me and not for me onely but for all the faithful who love Christ and long for his coming Observations 1. 'T is lawful sometimes to speak of those gifts and graces which God hath given us that we may comfort and quicken others by our example But of this see the Observations on chapter 3.10 2. The sweetest songs of the Saints have been towards their last ends The sun shines sweetliest when it is setting the wine of the Spirit is strongest in the Saints when they are drawing to an end His motions are quickest when natural motions are slowest as we see in Moses his Swan-like Song Deut. 31. and 32. and 33. and David how sweetly doth he sing a little before he dies of Gods mercies to himselfe of the covenant of free Grace which God had made with him and his judgements on the sons of Belial 2 Samuel 23.1 to 8. Ioshua dying how sweetly doth he exhort the people to obedience by setting before them the mercies of God Ioshua 24. All Christs sayings are excellent but none so sweet and comfortable as those which he delivered a little before his death His last Sermon and Prayer how sweet are they Iohn 13.14 15 16 17. Iacob dying how sweetly doth he bless his sons Gen. 49. Steven dying prayes for their life who put him to death so did the Martyrs Doctor Prestons last Sermons were on the Attributes Doctor Sibbs his last Sermons on that comfortable Text Iohn 14.1 and Master Robert Boltons on the Joyes of Heaven Wicked men when they die they set in a Cloud and like the going out of a candle they leave a stench behind them as their bodies so their names rot and stink when they are dead and gone As wicked men grow worse and worse and their last dayes are their worst so good men grow better and better and their last dayes are their best having hut a little time to live in the world they are willing to leave it with a good savour Observation 3. 3. The sweet resent which a good Conscience hath of a well spent life is matter of singular comfort and rejoycing in death The Apostle was now near to death and what doth he rejoyce in why 't is in this that by the assistance of Christ he had fought a good sight and finisht his course and therefore he had hope as the righteous have even in death Proverbs 14.32 Elijah that had been zealous for the Lord of Hosts can with comfort desire the Lord to to take his soul 1 Kings 19.4.10 Hezekiah that great reformer when he heard that he must die yet comforteth himselfe with this that he had walked before God in sincerity and singleness of heart Isay 38.3 this upheld Iob in the middest of all his trials Iob 27.5 6. This comforted the Apostles when they were in deep distress 2 Corinthians 1.12 This is our rejoycing the Testimony of our Conscience that in simplicity and godly sincerity we have had our conversation in the world Not that the conscience of our sincere walking is the Deserver but the Assurer of our salvation Well-doing may Evidence to us our Election though it cannot Merit it 2 Peter 1.10 Men of good consciences sit at a continnal Feast Proverbs 15.15 a good heart or a quiet merry heart as some Translations render it Is not may be or shall be hereafter but is already a reall Feast and hereafter shall be consummate 'T is not a dead Ignorant secure benummed erroneous seared Conscience but it is an inlightned inlivened renewed pure conscience which is purged from the guilt of sinne by the blood of Christ and delivered from the Tyranny of sinne by the Spirit of Christ This this onely is a good Conscience This puritie of Conscience breedeth Peace and Peace breedeth Joy and Spirituall Mirth this reconcileth those Translations which render it a quiet or merry heart which is true in respect of the effects and fruits of a good conscience Now this good conscience is called a Feast 1. Because at a Feast there is variety of dainties and dishes abundance of cates and delicates 't is not a Feast without variety and plenty and more then ordinary fare So at this Feast there is great variety 1. Here is Ioy this is most sutable and seasonable at a Feast not a carnal sensual external inferiour joy but a spiritual supernatural Holy Heavenly solid serious well-grounded durable Joy which none can take from us Iohn 16.22 They rejoyce in the Lord alwayes Psalm 33.1 Philip. 4.4 yea even in Tribulation Romans 5.3 Iames 1.2 and that with a superlative transcendent Joy hence called Ioy unspeakable and glorious 1 Peter 1.8 and compared to Joy in Harvest when the husbandman after long toyl reapeth the fruits of his labours Isay 9.3 yea it surpasseth that joy Psalm 4.7 it mortifieth our delights to these low things makes us to rejoyce in them as though we rejoyced not 1 Cor. 7.31 Lo this is the first dish which is served in at this Royal Feast Matthew 13.44 Acts 16.34 and therefore it is called by a special propriety the joy of Gods people Psal. 206.5 2. At this Feast here is Peace not a Fading unsetled transitory Peace such as wicked men have but 't is a well grounded and a well bottomed Peace 't is built on the Word and it's foundation is laid in Humiliation it had a storm before it came to this calme 2. 'T is not an ordinary but a transcendent Peace such as passes all human understanding Phil. 4.7 mans wit cannot sufficiently conceive it nor value it according to its worth To have Peace with men and Angels is a mercy but when the soul lieth groaning under the sight and sense of sinne then for the Spirit to speak Peace to us to assure us that God in Christ is reconciled to us this is a mercy of mercies David had this Peace and therefore he fears not though ten thousand should compass him about Psalm 3.6 Peter that was in great danger of his life yet having a good cause and a good conscience he sleeps in Peace Acts 12.6 3. 'T is an everlasting peace Christ hath bequeathed it to his for ever Iohn 14.27 Peace I leave with you my Peace I give you The Lord hath bound himself by Covenant to continue it it is more firme then the pillars of the Earth or the Poles of Heaven Isay 54.9 The mountains shall depart and the hills be removed but my
exceeding Haughty Vaine Light Loose Hypocriticall and Rebellious to Parents it may be whilest they be rich and can give them something they will shew some externall Reverence and Obedience out of Self-respects that they may get something from them but let those Parents become Poor Old Sick or a little burdensome to them then oh what Bitter Saucy Reproachfull words what harsh Vexatious and Uncivill carriage do they expresse towards them as if they were some base Peasants rather then their naturall Parents The Storks of Heaven shall rise in Judgement against the rebellious children of this age for such is their naturall affection to their dams that they feed them when they are old and 't is but reason that as our Parents have nursed and nourished us so we should do the like for them if need require this is called a requiting of their love and is very pleasing in the sight of God 1 Tim. 5.4 We must not only love them and reverence them externally and internally but we must shew our love by succouring and supporting them in all their necessities and so far as we are able we must answer their tender cost and care to us by doing good to them again So did Ioseph Gen. 47.12 and Christ commends the care of his Mother to Iohn 19.26 27. so Ruth 2.18 1 Sam. 22 3 4. consider the heavie curses which God denounceth against such as contemn their Parents God will suddenly cut them off they shall not live out half their dayes Deut. 27.16 Prov. 20.20 As God prolongs the life of the Obedient Ephes 6 3. So he hath threatned shamefull death to the disobedient Prov. 30.17 the Ravens shall pick out their eyes i. e. they shall be put to an untimely death and hanging on a tree they shall be meat for Ravens and the fowles of the aire So Deut. 21.18 19 21 22. Lev. 20.9 Mark 7.10 2. As thou hast been ungratefull to thy Parents so thy children shall be ungratefull to thee As men mete to others especially their Parents so God raiseth up some usually to mete to them again A scoffing Ham is punisht with a profane Canaan and both of them are punisht in the cursed Canaanites that descended from them and proved Imitatours of their Fathers wickednesse Gen. 9.25 This was one of those sins which caused the day of Ierusalems sorrow to draw near Ezek. 22.7 I wish it be not a fore-run-runner of some judgement to this Nation 2. Magistrates are the politicall fathers of our country Gen. 45.8 Iudg. 5.7 1 Sam. 24.11 Lam. 3.3 God commands us to honour them yet how do those filthy Dreamers as S. Iude 8. stiles them despise dominions and speakevill of dignities as if God had given them a command to dishonour and abuse them We have those that shew not so much as externall Revererence to them How unlike are these to the Saints of old Mephibosheth falls on his face before David 2 Sam. 9.6 and Nathan bowes himselfe before him 1 Kings 1.23 Object Many of our Magistrates are carnall wicked men Answ. Admit they are so yet they are Magistrates still and are deputed by God to that office having power and authorite from him and in this respect though they be never so vile and wicked yet we are to give them all due Reverence and respect both internall and externall Saul was a wicked man a persecuter of holy David and Ionathan yet David respects him as the Lords anointed still 1 Sam. 24.6 The sonnes of Heth were Heathens yet Abraham bowed himselfe unto them Gen. 23.7 Esau is expressely called a profane man Heb. 12.16 yet Iacob calls him my Lord Esau and bowed seven times before him Gen. 33.3 Festus was none of the best yet Paul gives him his Titles of honour Acts 26.25 Most noble Festus and if we must pray for Nero's and Tyrants and all in authority which is the great work 1 Tim. 2.2 then surely we may bow in a civil way unto them uncover our heads and give them respective language How then can those Monsters rather then men boast of their sanctity when they have not common civâ—â—ity or say they love God when they slight his Vice-gerents and Substitutes 3. Ministers of Christ are spirituall fathers they are Instruments of our Conversion and Regeneration 1 Cor. 4.14 15. Elisha calls Elijah his Father 2 Kings 2.12 and 6.21 and 13 14. Iudg. 18.19 1 Tim. 1.2 Titus 1.3 now when was there ever more contempt cast upon the Ministers of Christ solely because they are his messengers and that by a company of proud censorious Sectaries and Seducers unsetlted turbulent arrogant spirits raging waves of the Sea foaming out their own shame Iude 13. Calling us Witches Devills Serpents Antichrists c. They forget that Ministers are by Office Elders and the Apostle would have such to be used with more reverence and respect then ordinary men 1 Tim. 5.1 But such railing is the Livery we must expect from this ungratefull world Thus did they revile the Prophets Apostles yea and Christ himself he was called a mad-man a wine bibber a devill And if they have called the Master of the House Beelzebub what may the servant expect Matth. 10.25 Thus they called Cyprian Coprian Athanasius Sathanasius Calvin Cain and Forell Devill no sooner is a man a faithfull Minister of Christ but he is half a Martyr But let such Raylers know that they carry about them the black marks of unregenerate men and such as never tasted the Power and comfort of our Ministery yea and except God give them Repentance of Reprobation 4. Masters of Families are called Fathers Thus Naamans servant calls him My Father 2 Kings 5.23 How do these also complain of the abuses of their servants The heeles are now where the head should be Every Iack looks now upon himself as a Fellow-creature with his Master and some think themselves Superiour especially if the Master be a carnall man and themselves have a little smattering in Religion then they think they may leave their callings and run from the shop into the Pulpit contrary to that 1 Cor. 7.20 let every man abide in his owne calling 'T is true as a Master is a wicked man and commands wicked things as to profane the Sabbath lye cozen c. he may not be obeyed 't is no dishonour to earthly Masters to see their Heavenly Master preferred before them Thus we may not be the servants of men 1 Cor. 7.23 To obey their wicked commands he speaks in respect of conscience and in regard of the inward man He forbids not bodily service to men for a wicked Master though he be never so vile yet commanding such things as a Master may command by vertue of his place is to be obeyed as appeares 1 Tim. 6.1 2. he speaks of servants that had Infidels to their Masters he would have them so to carry themselves towards such Masters as accounting them worthy of all honour
unpunished as a Reverend Divine hath very well observed but as they have been notorious in sin so shall they be notorious for shame Hence a Truce-breaker is here reckoned among the vilest of Christians and a Covenant-breaker is listed amongst the worst of Heathens Rom. 1.32 God accounts this so far from service and duty that he looks upon it as horrible profanenesse and perjury what doth more provoke a man then Treachery and perfidiousnesse and what greater Treachery then to break so solemn and sacred a Covenant this provoked the Lord against Iudah Hos. 6.7 but they like men have transgrest the Covenant there even there have they dealt treacherously against me There where they should have been most fast and faithfull there they were most false and perfidious What we barely promise we ought to perform but a Vow is a double and stronger bond and so more carefully to be observed Hence Gods hand hath been remarkable against Covenant-breakers in all ages Sauls posterity was plagued for their breach of Covenant with the Gibeonites 2 Sam. 21.1 1.6 So the Heathen that were Covenant-breakers were given up to Reprobate sense Rom. 1. Sampson breaking his Vow had his eyes put out by the Philistines and is made to grind Iudg. 6.21 Absolon under pretence of a Vow seeks his Fathers life but it cost him his own 2 Sam. 15.17 King Zedekiah is punisht with death for breaking Covenant with Nebuchadnezzar a Heathen and an Idolater Ezek. 17.15 to 22. 't is a signall place and worthy our serious meditation So Ier. 34.18 to 22. God will send a sword on such to avenge the quarrell of his Covenant Levit. 26.25 'T is reported of the Egyptians that if any man did swear by the life of the King and did not perform his Oath that man was to dye without mercy no gold no silver could redeem his life We have sworne not by a King but we have lifted up our hands to the King of Kings and unlesse we mean to dye eternally we must perform it The Jewes have a Proverb Non est poena super Israelem in qua non sit Vncia Vituli aurei That was such a Transgression that God remembred it every time he plagued them So Non est poena super Angliam in qua non sit Vncia foederis In every punishment there 's somewhat of the Covenant in it I shall conclude with the words of some Reverend Divines lamenting the Breach of the Covenant amongst us That so solemn a Covenant say they so gravely and piously penned so dreadfully obliging the Conscience in all sincerity and fidelity to take and keep it so ratified by authority of Parliament ordering of it with instructions exhortations and satisfactions to scruples that this Covenant should be by so many without any sense of Religion both taken and broken as if it were but a King at Chesse set upon the board for a game and so shut up in a bagge when the game is done this is that which may make us hang down our heads and with heavie hearts say as Ezra 9.6 O our God we are ashamed to lift up our faults c. So they Now as Covenant-breaking is a God-provoking sin so Covenant-keeping is a Sacrifice most pleasing and acceptable to him and the most compendious way to exalt a Nation as we see in the times of Moses and Ioshua 24 25 c. Asa. 2 Chron. 15.12.15 Iosiah 2 Kings 23.3 c. Nehem. 9. when they brought their people into Covenant they prospered presently No sooner did England enter into Covenant but from that very day did the Lord blesse us and gave admirable successe to the Armies of his people Hag. 2.18 19. The Reason is because then we engage God more especially in our cause we bring him into the field with us we put all we are and have into his hand we are not now our own people but the Lords people the Lords Kingdome The Lords Warre the Lords Castles the battle is not ours but the Lords So long as Creature opposeth Creature they may make some resistance but when the Creator comes against the Creature Omnipotency against Impotency and Wisdom against Folly who then can stand Isay 45.9 when people fall to Covenanting then woe to Rebels Ezek. 20.37 There 's no way to preserve and establish a Nation like this Hence Moses exhorts the people to give up themselves by Covenant to God that so he might be their God and establish them Deut. 29.12 13. So when Iehojada had brought the people into Covenant then the Lord gave them rest 2 Kings 11.17 20. This is like a wall of brasse to a Kingdom or rather like a wall of fire as the Prophet speaks Zach. 2.5 which none can scale to defend us and to offend our enemies Now we have speciall interest in the Lord so that all that he hath is ours his Wisdome is ours to direct us his Power to protect us his Goodnesse to save us c. As a woman that 's married to a man partakes of all the Riches and Honours of her husband and as Laban said to Iacob Gen. 51.43 so may we say to the Lord All that thou hast is mine This appeares excellently Psal. 132.2 where the Lord sweares to David and David sweares and by a Vow devotes himselfe to God then followes blessings Temporall and Spirituall 1. They shall have spiritual blessings they shall have Gods speciall presence amongst them God will dwell there V. 13 14. yea such is Gods great condescention that he desires no better habitation then amongst his own people 2. He will fill them with spirituall joy V. 16. singing they shall sing i. e. they shall greatly and they shall surely rejoyce 3. He 'l blesse their posterity V. 11 12. 4. He 'l blesse their provision and satisfy the poor in Zion with bread V. 15. i. e. with all Temporall blessings needâ—ull for them 5. Since the Priests of God are exposed to more danger then others therefore he promiseth to them more speciall protection V. 16. 6. He will subdue their enemies V. 17 18. and will make the horne i. e. the power and might of his people to prosper and increase So that this is the only prevailing way viz. sincerely to give up our selves to God in Covenant and till this be done we are undone 'T is not Fasting Praying Humiliation unlesse we really covenant for Reformation of our selves and ours we do but dodge with God and cannot look to prosper Hence Ezra 10.1 2 3. tells the people they had sinned greatly yet there was hope but what must they do why make a Covenant and all shall be well V. 3. God must and will do great things for his people in Covenant when they be in distresse Psal. 105.8 9 and 106.45 and 111.5 yet he remembred his Covenant and saved them according to the multitude of his mercies with a notwithstanding their Rebellions against him Hence 't is that Gods people in their
their Services are precious mean works done in faith excell the Victories of a Caesar or Alexander Their teares are precious Psal. 56.8 their names are precious Proverbs 20 7. Psalm 112.6 and their death is precious Psalm 116.15 when one ask't Master Fox whether he knew such an honest poor man I tell you said he I forget Lords and Ladyes to think on such We should love them Intensivè appretiativè majore affectu effectu with the choycest of our affections and shew it in our Actions We should doe good to all but specially to the household servants of God Gal. 6.10 we should more freely and fully communicate to their necessities si caetera sint paria then to any others As God then delights in his Saints so must we for Grace puts a lustre on them which makes them lovely to the godly and terrible to their enemies So that there is more comfort and safety in the society of a few good men then in strong confederacies of the wicked Psalm 48.2 3 4. for God dwells amongst them by his speciall presence Psalm 76.1 2. and walks in the midst of them Revel 2.1 his speciall hand of protection is over them lest any should hurt his Vineyard he keepes it night and day i. e. continually Isay 27.3 It will be our wisdome then to be familiar with them they will help us Consilio Prece opere by Direction Prayer and Practice Their good Example will quicken us and be as a Starre to direct us so that by acquaintance with them we may come to be acquainted with God himself As Iron sharpens Iron and one living coale sets his fellow on fire and one couragious souldier quickens another so good company is a great incouragement against those discouragements which we meet with from an ungratefull world and a speciall meanes to keep uâ— from Apostasy Heb. 3.12 13. Green wood will hardly burn alone but put drye wood amongst the green and all will flame When the disciples were altogether in one place with one accord in an holy communion then the spirit came on them Acts 2.3 4. where Brethren are united there 's the blessing Psal. 133.1.3 VERSE 4. Traytours THE last dayes will be perilous in respect of the many Traytours which will then abound who shall ascend to that height of wickednesse that they will betray their dearest friends like Iudas who betrayed his Master and is therefore justly called the Traytour by way of eminency Luke 6.16 So themselves may be safe they care not who suffers They 'l spy and pry into the wayes of others that they may betray and destroy them and reveale their secrets No bonds of friendship can hold them but Brother will deliver up the Brother to death the Father will rise against his children and children against their Parents and cause them to be put to death Matth. 10.21 Christians will betray their fellow-Christians into the hands of persecutors Luke 21.16 and people will betray their Pastors and put them to death as did their fore-fathers of old Acts 7.52 Now of these Traytours there are three Sorts 1. Traytors Politicall 2. Ecclesiasticall 3. Domesticall 1. Some are Politicall State Traytors such as betray the land of their Nativity into the hands of its enemies Subjects are bound by Oath oft times to preserve their native country to their power But if they were not sworne yet naturall and common right calls for it our hands If the body be in danger all the parts and members of it will act for its defence and therefore great is the sin of those unnaturall children which betray their native country which like a Mother bred and bare them to ruine and to misery Of this sort are those who betray their trust in delivering up Castles and Garisons into the enemies hands 2. There are Ecclesiasticall Traytours such as betray the truth of God which he hath committed to his Ministers primarily and then to all the faithfull to be kept as a sacred depositum and choyce treasure 1 Tim. 6.20 esteeming every particle of it above the filings of the finest gold Now when men through feare and cowardlinesse dare not professe the truth of God in the midst of a perverse generation that oppose it God esteems this a betraying of his truth into the hands of its enemies Such are false Prophets Formalists and Time-servers which for a time make a shew but in time of tentation fall away 3. Domestick Traytors who betray the lives and estates of their dearest relations into the hands of their enemies Psal. 55.12 13 14. Matth. 10 21. So that the Poets complaint was never more true Non augenda fides potiùs minuenda videtur Vix cum sint homines tot quot in orbe fides Sortitur sibi quisque fidem sibi quisque Magistrum Nunquam plus fidei perfidiaeque fuit It behoves us then to stand upon our Guards and to watch against false Brethren If ever the counsell of the Prophets were in season 't is now Trust not in a Neighbour a Brother a Friend no not in thy dearest friend the wife of thy bosom how many have been drawn aside to errors in our dayes by their wives for a mans enemies still be those of his own house Ier. 9.4 5. Micah 7.5 6. In all ages Gods servants have been infested by Traytors David had not only open enemâ—es that conspired his ruine Psal. 35.20 21. but which was worst of all his familiar friends did so Psal. 41.9 Christ was betrayed by Iudas and Paul by the Jewes his kinsmen in the flesh Sampson by his wife Dalilah Iudg. 14.18 and David by his son Absolom 2 Sam. 1â— 14 This may comfort us when we fall into the hands of Traytors and Tyrants 't is no new thing So did Christ so did the Prophets so did the Apostles and so may we 1. Consider such cannot escape the revenging hand of God his Justice wil find them out Zimri had no peace who slew his Master Nor Sheba that rebelled against his Soveraign 2 Sam. 20.22 Nor Absolom who rose against his Father 2 Sam. 18.9 10. nor Corah Dathan and Abiram who rose against Moses Nor Iudas that betrayed Christ. Matth. 26.24 and 27.5 nor the Papists with their proditorious practises and principles 2. They are oft punisht by men who though they love the Treason yet hate the Traytour Though they love the Artifice yet hate the Artificer and when he hath done his work he hath oft-times an halter for his paines or at best he hath the honour never to be trusted more when Baanah and Rechab had treacherously slain Ishbosheth one of Sauls sons David commands them both to be slain 2 Sam. 4.9 to 13. As for our selves let us walk as becomes the Gospel in all simplicity and godly sincerity abhoring all Treachery falsenesse and perfideousnesse Let us be faithfull to the truth of God faithfull to the land of our Nativity and faithfull in all our Relations
them These are those that poysen not bodies but soules as the harlot so these hunt for the precious soul. Prov. 6.26 they hatch the Cockatrice egges he that eates of their egges dyes and that which is crusht breakes forth into a Viper Isay 59.5 These are those that make rents and divisions in the Church whose Peace should be very deare unto us for though Unity be not the very being yet it tends much to the well-being of a Church These hinder the progresse of the Gospel when people should be praying weeping and humbling themselves together these set them to disputing wrangling and malicing one another 'T is Unity that spreads the Gospel and makes mountains to become a plain even the seven hills amongst the rest Were there that sweet Synceretismus or rather Synchristianismus that harmony of hearts and wayes as ought to be amongst the people of God how terrible would the Church be to her enemies 'T is these that breed tumults in the Church commotions in the Common-wealth that imbitter mens spirits one against another waste mens estates bring men to a morsell of bread and at last bring themselves to some untimely end Oh consider the sad Ends of many Hereticks and let their falls make you to feare Arrius voyded his bowells Iulian died blaspheming Simon Magus an Arch-Heretick who by his sorcery and feined miracles deluded many people who took him for a God Acts 8.10 attempting on a time to fly in the ayer in the sight of many people his divelish art failing him he fell to the ground and brake his leg which was his death Servetus was burnt for his blasphemies at Geneva Gibraldus the Heretick was swept away by the Plague Blandrate Physician to the King of Pâ—land a great Patron to Socinus and his followers was strangled in his bed by his Brothers son Alciat a Socinian died despairing Paleâ—logus an Arrian was burnt Francis David a proud Socinian died mad and was distracted with the sight of the Devill Lismanninus an Arrian drowned himself in a well Olympius that denied the Trinity was burnt to death with three Lightnings Beâ—old that Anabaptist King with his companions was tortured and put to death Humber was burnt Muntzer and Pheifer beheaded So let all thine enemies perish O Lord. Consider Gods hand on Nayler a Quaker and Sundercomb a Leveller and Mistris Hutchinson in New-England who was banisht for her Heresies and destroyed both she and her family by the Indians Parnel a Quaker famisht himself in Colchester Jayle trying to fast 40. dayes as Christ did Poole a Quaker in Dorcester drowned himselfe Quest. If any desire to know the Reasons why God suffers Seducers to abound he may find good store in Doctor Boltons Arraignment of error Pag. 5. to 55. in Mr. Brimslyes Spi. Vertigo p. 37. c. and Mr. Sherlock against the Quakers In fine cap. 6. p. 205. c. Vse 1. Since false Prophets are such Pestilent persons the Magistrate must not Tolerate them Who will Tolerate such as have Plague-sores running on them to go up and down infecting others or that have poyson to go up and down selling it instead of food Seducing Hereticks are worse those kill but the body these with their damnable Heresies destroy the soul. 2 Pet 2.1 and if such as steal away but their bodies must die Exod. 21.16 what shall be done to those that ruine the better part These are called Foxes Vipers Wolves Thieves troublers of the Church and therefore to be cut off not tolerated Galathians 5.12 Christ blames the Church of Thyatire for giveing a toleration to Iesabel Revelations 2.20 and commends the Church of Ephesus for not bearing with such as are evil Revelatâ—ons 2.2 and Iosiah is commended for compelling men to the worship of God 2 Chronicles 34.33 The Magistrate is the Minister of God and must be a terror to them that doe evil Romans 13. especially if they be compounded blasphemous seducing Hereticks they must be put to death Leviticus 24.14 Exodus 22.20 Deuteronomy 13.6.8 9. and 17.2.5 2 Chronicles 5.16 Ezra 7.26 Iosiah slayes the false Prophets 1 Kings 23.20 Elâ—jah commands the Priests of Baal to be slain 1 Kings 18.40 Object Lest any should think to evade these Proofs as Legall the prophet Zachary 13.3 prophesing of Gospel times tells us that if any shall be so bold as to teach lies that his father and mother shall cause him to be put to death alluding to that Deuteronomy 13. The equity of which Law still remains under the Gospel Better and with lesse danger is a Thief an Adulterer a murderer a Witch and Sorcerer tolerated then such an Heretick and Seducer As our large Annotations have it 'T is observed by a learned Divine That as in things of practice so of perswasion that are impious either in themselves or in their naturall unconstrained consequences the Plea of conscience is an Aggravation of the crime if mens consciences are â—eared and themselves given up to a reprobate mind to do those things which are not convenient there is no doubt but they ought to suffer such things as to such practices are assigned and appointed Thus he And if any shall object that these are tolerated but in corners The answer is easie if it be truth they teach why should it not have Churches if errour why should it have Chambers See more against Toler Mr. Ant. Burges on Iohn 7.21 Serm. 115. Mr. Gee on Prayer cap. 4. Sect. 7. p. 358. Mr. Iohn Clerk Ser. on Leaven p. 24.36 See 9. wayes by which the Magistrate may stop the flood of Heresies Mr. Obad. Sedgwicks Serm. on Revelation 12.15 p. 37. Preacht 1646. Iames 27. Mr. Edwards against Toleration Calvin contra Serv. inter Opuscul p. 694. Beza de Haert puniend Epistol contra Deditium Prins Treatise in defence of the Magistrates coercive power Mr. Rudderfords Treatise against Liberty of Conscience Doctor Taylor on Titus 3.1.10 p. 347 715. 2. Ministers must come forth to the helpe of the Lord against these daring Goliahs Even a Dogge will barke when hee seeth his Master wronged And a Craesus sonne that hath been dumbe all his life yet will speak when they offer violence to his father We are the Lords Watchmen and when we see the Wolf or the Theif approching we must give warning seducers are subtle and people can not easily discover their plots we must do it for them One great cause of so many abounding errors amongst us springs from Ministers 'T was whilest the watchmen slept that the enemy sowed his Tares Matthew 13.25 1. Some are ignorant dumb dogs and cannot bark 2. Others are scandalous and dare not for fear of being questioned themselves 3. Others see which way the times go and like dead fish they go down the stream they dare not displease they love to sleep in a whole skin and say as the great ones say But let us be the Lords witnesses against a perverse people this
they would stirre up the Magistrate since they have more especial influence on him and are more nearly related to him that he may no longer bear the sword in vain but as God hath made him the Drunkards terror the swearers terror and the profane mans terror so he may be the blaspheamers terror and the Quakers terrour making them Quake in a better kind c. That some of these are Witches accumulative compounded seducing blasphemous witches in the highest degree there is none that hath read their books or known their Practices but is or may be fully satisfied That such should be put to death is clear Exod. 22.18 Levit. 24.16 Dan. 3.29 Deut. 13.6 to 10. Some judicial precepts are Iuris communis of common equity such as are agreeable to the instinct and law of nature common to all men and these for substance bind all persons both Jews and Gentiles as being Moral and so agreeing with the Moral Law These judicial precepts which were Iuris particularis of particular equity such as pertained especially to the Jews common-wealth and were sitted for them and their time are now abolished E. g. that a man should marry with none but his own stock That the brother should raise up seed to his Brother and that a Thief should restore four-fold this was peculiar to their Common-wealth and not to ours For 1. They were a wealthy people had abundance and could better bear a losse then we can To steal an Oxe from him that hath a thousand is nothing in comparison of stealing an Oxe from him that hath but two or four 2. Violence is oft added to Theft and the publick peace of the Nation is oft broken thereby Now more regard is to be had of the publick peace then of a private mans life Melius est ut pereat unus quà m unitas The Question then will be whether it be lawfull to put a man to death for Theft Answ. We must distinguish of Theft 1. There is a single simple Theft and this admits of discreet pitty especially when 't is committed by reason of extream poverty and necessity 2. There is compounded Theft when Violence Assaults Frights in the night time especially by breaking of a mans dwelling house whereby the life of him and his are endangered and in such cases where the offence is multiplyed and increased there the Magistrate may increase the punishment and inflict death upon the party as appeares 2 Sam. 12.1 2 3 4 c. Exod. 22.2 Prov. 6.31 So then those judicial and civil Precepts which are agreeable to the Moral Law and do confirm and uphold it they bind for ever E. g. 'T is a judicial Law that adulterers and adulteresses should dye the death now this being agreeable to common equity and to the Law of Nature as appeares Gen. 38.24 where Iudah before this judicial Law was publish by Moses appoints Tamar his daughter-in-Law to be burnt for this sin and Nebuchadnezzar burnt Ahab and Zedekiah for it Ier. 29.21 22 23. So this judicial Law of putting Witches to death by the Magistrate is agreeable to common equity it helps to preserve all the Moral Prceepts which are broken by the Idolatry Murder and Malice of Wiches It preserves the Peace of the land and therefore is perpetual and must be executed in our dayes on such as practice witchcraft be they high or low white or black As witchcraft is the same for substance now as it was in the dayes of Moses viz. a Covenant with the Devil whereby men can do strange things above the Order of Nature so the punishment ought to be the same and Witches should now be more severely punisht because they sin against greater Light and Love against greater means and mercies Yea though they never hurt any person yet if it can be clearly proved that any person hath made a League with the Devil and is in confederacy with him this renouncing the Lord and contracting with his deadly enemy is a High Treason against God and deserves present and certain death It 's dangerous for Magistrates to suffer such to live whom God hath appointed unto death 1 Kings 20.42 True God is very tender of the life of man and therefore the Magistrate must be very cautious and make diligent inquiry to find out this great Mystery he must not judge by bare reports or doubtful signs but he must lay all the Testimonies Signs Circumstances and strong presumptions of witchcraft together and then judge of the Cause What a heap of words the Lord useth by way of Caution before a man be put to death Deut. 13.14 15. if a man were reported to be a seducer of others to Idolatry he must not presently be stoned though he were a son of Belial But they must enquire and make search and aske diligently and behold if it be truth and the thing be certain that such an abomination is wrought then they must surely die Levit. 20. ult this made Iosiah to destroy the witches of his time 2 King 23.14 yea Saul though a wicked man yet put witches to death 2 Sam. 28.3.9 though his heart was not sincere in what he did for he sought to them in his trouble and if the Magistrate will not cut off such yet God will Balaam the sorcerer fell by the sword Iosh. 13.22 Simon Magus fell and perisht miserably Yea Saul lost his life for seeking to such 1 Chron. 10.13 14. and so did Ahaziah 2 Kings 1.2 3 4. Levit. 20.6 2. Idolaters and enticers to Idolatry must die Exod. 22.20 Deut. 13.6.9 But witches are the grossest Idolaters they sacrifice to the Devil they pray to him trust in him and serve him who is Gods profest enemy 2. They entice others to forsake God Witches beget witches they usually seduce wives sons daughters friends c. and therefore they ought to die 3. Those that doe more especially bring Gods plagues on a Land and Nation ought more especially to be punisht But witches and wizards do more especially bring Gods Plagues on a Nation This brought the curse on the Canaanites and drove them out of their Land Deuteronomy 18.12 14 15. This was that crying sin which made the Lord to forsake his people Isay 2.6 Therefore thou hast forsaken thy people because they are South-sayers like the Philistims Manasses witch-craft and wickednesse brought plagues on the Jewes many years after So 2 Kings 17.17 18. I have insisted the more on this sin because witch-craft grows so rife in the Land Had it been practised in the midnight of Popery it had been no wonder to see such works of darkness in dayes of darkness Revelatiâ—ns 18.23 but now in the glorious Sunshine of the Gospel and day of special grace to practice such abominable works of darknesse makes mens sinnes out of measure sinneful We look for Peace but God may say to us as Iehu did to Ioram what hast thou to doe with Peace since the whoredomes of thy Mother Iesabel and
For the condemning of Vsury and oppression how full is the Old Testament yet Usury is scarce mentioned in the New Testament 3. How then should Magistrates put Blasphemers Adulterers and witches to death since the scriptural warrants which make these crimes Capital are contained in the Old Testament and not in the New 4. Then it would not be unlawful to marry within the Degrees forbidden in the Old Testament and not in the New hence some Sectaries have maintained that 't is lawful to marry within the Degrees forbidden in the Old Testament c. 2. Since the Old Test. is the very word of God and there are contained in it so many excellent promises to support our faith and so many precious Truths and Commands for the direction of our lives oh let us read it study it meditate in it night and day Psalm 1.1 2. As Ministers must preach the whole counsell of God to their people Acts 20.27 so people should desire to hear and know all Gods counsell revealed to us in the Old and New Testament things revealed concerne us Deut. 29.29 â—ince we have Moses and the Prophets we must not expect Revelations Luke 16.29 This is that foundation upon which all the faithfull must build Ephesians 2.20 being built on the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets i. e. on the Doctrine of the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament a house without a foundation will soon fall He that knowes not Gods will revealed in Scripture must needs miscarry Hence 't is that Christ would not have us barely read but search the Scriptures Iohn 5.39 of the Old Testament where we shall find many excellent Lessons 1. There we may see the glorious work of Creation how God made man holy and happy how we lost this happinesse and how by Christ we are restored again Gen. 3. and 2. To fear us from sin here we may see Gods judgements on the Old world Sodom Pharaoh Egypt Ierusalem and Lots wife whom Christ commands us to remember Luke 17.33 and if we must remember her why not all the rest of these examples which are recorded in the Old Testam 3. Here are many sweet promises to quicken us to obedience Deut. 28.1 to 15. 4. Here are Precepts for practice to direct us in our duty 5. Here we may see the examples of Gods servants walking up to those Precepts and how wonderfully God preserved them in their integrity Here you may see Abrahams Faith Lots Hospitality Iobs Patience Davids Zeale Iosephs Chastity Noahs Righteousnesse Moses his Meeknesse Ioshua's Valour These must be as so many goads to quicken us to the like Graces and as so many Looking-glasses for us to dress our selves by 6. The Old Testament gives great light to the New there is a mutual Harmony and agreement between them so that like stones in an Arch they strengthen and hold up one another We cannot so well understand many places of the New Testamentt unlesse we compare them with the Old Hence Christ oft speaks and the Law Iohn 1.17 and and 5.46 Luke 24.27 44. who could understand that dark Epistle to the Hebrews which is even composed out of the Old Test. it's Types and Allegories if he have not some insight iâ— the Old Test. So Iohn 3.14 cannot be understood without some knowledge of the brazen Serpent mentioned in the Old Test. The Old Test. in many things is larger then the New and so is very needful to be known There 's Physicks in Genesis Iob Psalms 2. There 's Ethicks in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes for the right ordering of our lives 3. Politicks in the Judicial Laws of Moses very useful for the well-ordering of a common-wealth 4. There is in the Old Testament the best pleasantest and truest of Histories from the beginning of the world to our Saviours time here we have the Rise and Ruine of many famous Kings and Kingdomes for the space of nigh 4000. yeares exactly and faithfully which is the life and glory of History set forth unto us Other Histories may be excellent but Scripture-History excels them all Let us then embrace the Scriptures of the Old Testament as the good word of God written for our Learning and a word that still speaks unto us as unto Children Heb. 12.5 and 13.5 1 Cor. 10 11. in Doctrines Exhortations and Comforts And since Old and New Testament are both the infallible word of God let us receive it with all Humility and Thankfulnesse as an Epistle sent to us from the great God Here is the Fountain the Life and all the Treasures of wisdome included Here is all things needful for our salvation in it is nothing superfluous or vaine but a sweet harmony and agreement of all parts and therefore is to be wholly received by us for as the Phylosopher delights in all Aristotle the Physician in Galen the Orator in Tully and the Lawyer in Iustinian so and much more should a Christian embrace the whole Bible and welcome it with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 prizing it as one of the choycest gifts which ever God gave to the sonnes of men How zealously did our Fore-fathers considering their light affect the Scriptures when one of them in the beginning of the Reformation gave a load of Hay for a piece of the Epistle of Saint Iames in English How will their forwardnesse condemn our backwardnesse and their zeale our Lukewarmnesse The Holy Scriptures c. So here what a large Encomium and high commendation the Holy Ghost gives of the Scriptures even such as is given to no other book in the world besides 1. He commends them in respect of one speciall property and adjunct viz. their Holinesse The Holy Scriptures 2. From their Effects they are able to make us wise unto salvation 3. From their Authority Verse 16 17. Utility Verse 16 17. Perfection Verse 16 17. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Holy Scriptures 'T is not simply 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Those eminently holy letters those sacred Scriptures the article is emphatical and therefore the Holy Ghost to distinguish these sacred writings from all profane writings gives them such Adjuncts and Epithets as are incompatible to all other writings whatsoevr Now the Reason why God would have his word written is this viz. that it might be kept the better and be propagated to posterity and be more easily kept and vindicated from corruption then Revelations could have been 2 Peter 1.19 Observe The word of God is holy Scriptures this is it's proper Adjunct and excellency 't is holy Rom. 1.2 They are perfectly holy in themseves all other writings are prophane further then they draw some holinesse from them which yet is never such but that their holinesse is imperfect Now the Scriptures are called holy in five respects 1. In respect of their Authour and principal cause viz. the most holy God 2. In respect of the Pen-men aud instrumental cause they were holy men
over it Prov. 4.23 For watching see M. Ambrose his Media p. 38. Fenner Folio in Fine p. 32. M. Scortretch an excellent Tract on watching M. Obad. Sedgwick on 1 Cor. 16.13 M. Rous Art of Happiness cap. 5. folio p. 55. Observation 4. Ministers especially must be hardy men They must not be dainty delicate soft effeminate ones which can endure no labour taunts or trials but they must be hardy hardned seasoned solid pieces which will not warp or wind what ever the seasons be This the Apostle enjoyned Timothy more then once 2 Tim. 1.8 and 2.3 And brands those temporizers for their cowardice in that for fear of persecution they preached circumcision Gal. 6.12 We are called Soldiers Shepherds Watch-men Husband-men all which must endure Summers-heat and Winters frost We have to do with wicked men who have brows of brass and we had need of brows of brass to oppose them Ier. 1.17 18. we have to do with briars and thorns he that toucheth them had need to be fenced with iron staves and spears 2 Sam. 23.7 1. We must endure hardship in our preparatory studies we must give up our selves to reading study and prayer these require the whole man and therefore we are commanded to abide in these 1 Tim. 4.15 to give up our selves unto them Acts 6.4 and to attend on our ministery Rom. 12.7 Thus Ezra 7.10 prepared himself before he preacht 2. He must endure hardship in the actual performance of his duty He must do this work of the Lord diligently preaching in season and out of season In the morning he must sow his seed and at evening he must not hold his hand for he knows not which shall prosper The Prophets rose early to preach the Word Ier. 7.25 Christ himself was a frequent Preacher Luke 4.16 How industrious was Paul how many Cities and Regions did he win to Christ Rom. 15.19 3. Most properly and genuinely this hardship in the Text consists in a patient undergoing of those injuries and oppositions which we must expect from an ungrateful world 1. We must expect hard words To do well and hear ill is the proper lot of all faithful Ministers This we see in Christ who did all things well and yet he was called Beelzebub Mad-man Riotous c. Paul was called a pestilent fellow Cyprian was called Coprian and Athanasius Satanasius 2. Expect hard dealings Bonds and imprisonment are oft times the portions of those who have set the world at liberty from sin and Satan as we see in Moses Samuel Paul and Christ himself We must look to be defrauded of our temporals and robbed of our dues yea the more we love many times the less are we loved 2 Cor. 12.15 as B. Hooper foretold that where he had taken most pains there should he be burnt to ashes We batter the Devils Kingdom about his ears no wonder then if he raise batteries against us We have a door of doing good opened to us and therefore must expect many adversaries 1 Cor. 16.9 4. The Lord himself sometimes is pleased to exercise us and to inure us to hardship that we may be the fitter for his service Isai. 6.5 6. Luther complains of many tentations and that he had Horribilia de Deo Terribilia de Fide We must therefore arm and inure our selves to hardship betimes Of all men idleness and effeminacy becomes not Gods Embassadors Yet how many live careless that have cure of souls Vivunt sine cura cum veniunt ad animarum curam But let us like good Souldiers of Christ endure hardship 1. Patiently 2. Couragiously 3. Constantly 1. Patiently without this we shall tire in our race and never do the Will of God Heb. 10.36 This is one special qualification of a Minister 1 Tim. 3.3 and 2.2 24 25. 2. Couragiously magnanimity becomes Souldiers We are Captains and if we be faint-hearted or despondent we shall prejudice Christs cause and dishearten others When the Shepherd flies the Sheep will scatter Every Coward especially in such a cause as this is a Murderer We must harden our faces like a flint against all the oppositions of men as Christ did Isai. 50.7 remembring we have a Master that will bear us out Ier. 1.8 17 18 19. This made Paul indifferent whether he lived or died 〈…〉 might be glorified and Luther to contemn both the fury and favour of the Pope 3. Constantly not like French-men which begin their Wars like Thunder but end like smoak Better we had never lifted our selves in Christs service then to forsake our Colours and leave our plow in the open Field Too many like Nebuchadnezar's Image are gold at first silver in the middle and iron at last To incourage us let us consider 1. The great recompence of Reward Dan. 12.3 1 Pet. 5 4. Paul cast up his accounts and found that the sufferings of this present life are not worthy to be compared to the glory which shall be revealed Rom. 8.18 2. Consider what you fight for 't is not for silver or gold but for the souls of men one of which is of more worth then all the world S. Iames makes it a great honour to have a hand in such a work and therefore he puts an Emphasis upon it Iam. 5.20 He shall save a soul from death 3. Love Christ this makes hard things easie it can endure all things and overcome all difficulties This will constrain us to do our duty 2 Cor. 5.14 Observation 5. The Ministery is a work 1 Tim. 3.1 Hence they are compared to Rowers which take pains at their oares to Labourers and that in Harvest to Fisher-men that in the tempestuous Sea of this World and to Stars which are in perpetual motion 'T is no easie calling as some Sectaries imagine if rightly followed The sweat of the brow is nothing to that of the brain besides the dangers we are liable to for our works sake This made Luther affirm that a Minister labours more in a day many times then a Husband-man doth in a moneth and that if 't were lawful for him to leave his calling he would with more ease and pleasure dig for his living or do any other hard labour rather then undergo a Pastoral charge See more on V. 2. Obs. 4. Observation 6. Do the work or service of an Evangelist Observe Ministers are Servants and their Office in Service They are not Lords to tyrannize over the Faith of Gods people but Servants to Christ and his Church Rom. 1.1 2 Cor. 6.4 Neither is this any disparagment for Christ himself took upon him the Title of a Minister Rom. 15.8 As the Magistrate is the Minister of God to see to the Civil Affairs of the State and to defend the Church so the Pastors of the Church are the Ministers of God to see to the souls of men Observation 7. Of an Evangelist 7. Observe Ministers must preach the Gospel We must publish the glad tidings of a
and death is but a long sleep till the Resurrection Iohn 11.11 Acts 13.36 Let Atheists and Epicurean worldlings who have their portion onely in this life fear death because it puts an end to all their pleasures and hopes Iob 11. ult Hence Lewis the Eleventh King of France a bloody persecutor commanded his servants in the time of his sickness that they should never once name that bitter word death in his eares But Christ hath died to free his people from this slavish fear of death Heb. 2.15 by his death he hath sweetned our death unto us and changed the nature of it and hath made that which was sometimes a curse now to be a blessing of a foe he hath made it a friend of a poyson a medicine and of a punishment an advancement He lay in the grave to sweeten and season our graves for us so that now our flesh may rest in hope Psal. 16.9 Proverbs 14.32 Observation 4. 4. The soul of man is immortal Death is not an Annihilation but a Migration of the soul from the body for a time As soon as ever the soul departeth from the body it is presently in blisse Revelations 14.13 they are not onely blest at the day of judgement but also in the intermission The soul doth not sleep or perish but the souls of the Saints go to a better place and to better company viz. to Christ and to the spirits of just men made perfect Iosiah was gathred to his father in peace 1. to the spirits of his fathers who enjoyed peace for in respect of his Body he was slain in battle The soul never dieth but subsisteth still even when it goeth out of the body it returneth to God that gave it Eccles. 12.7 Hence Paul desires to be dissolved why so that he might be with Christ Philippians 1.23 and desires to be loosed from the body that he might be present with the Lord 2 Cor. 5.8 Christ telleth the thief on the Crosse this day shalt thou be with me in Paradice Luke 23.43 Steven when stoned cries Lord Iesus receive my spirit Acts 7.59 Christ hath prepared immortal mansions for it Iohn 14.2 and what should mortal souls do in â—mmortal dwellings and why is the Devil so serviceable why doth he make Covenants and Compacts with wicked men for their souls yea and why doth he offer the world in exchange for a soul if it be but a mortal perishing thing To what end are all those promises of Eternal life which are made to those that deny themselves if in this life onely they had hope Then all the Threatnings of Eternal death and all those sorrowes which the Scripture affirmeth shall light on the wicked would be false for here they have mirth ease and pleasure and if they had no punishment hereafter where were the Truth of Gods threatnings and where his Justice The Scripture is clear that the pleasures of good men and the pains of bad men are eternall then it must needs follow that the souls of men which are the Subjects of these pains and pleasures cannot be mortal But here our Mortalists Object 1. Objection If the soul of man be ex Traduce as some affirme then it is mortall for Omne generabile est corruptibile Answer The soul cometh not ex Traduce by Propagation from our Parents as the souls of Beasts which come è potentia materiae but the soul is created and infused by God and not propagated as appeareth Gen. 2 7. Eccles. 12.7 Zach. 12.1 See Doctor Reynolds on the Passions cap. 32. p. 392. Piscator his Annot. on Gen. 2.7 Baronius de Origine animae Exercit. 2. art 3. 2. Objection The dead are said to sleep and to perish Psalm 6.5 and 104.29 Isay 38.18 and 57.1 Job 14.7.10 Answer This is spoken in respect of their bodies not of their souls The dead do not praise thee saith David viz. not in the land of the living on earth but in Heaven they sing Hallelujahs Rev. 5.9 A tree when it is cut down may sprout again saith Iob but man dieth and giveth up the Ghost and where is he This will not help the sleepy Sadduces of our times for tho Physically and by the course of Nature man cannot revive again yet Hyperphysically and by a supernatural Almighty power he shall arise So that Where is is to be restrained to where is he in the world look for him in City or Countrey at home or abroad he 's not to be found Man gives up the Ghost and where is he with all his riches honours plots and purposes 3. Objection Eccles. 3.19.20 21. As the beast dieth so dieth man they have all one breath Answer 1. Solomon here as oft elsewhere in this Booke doth bring in the Atheist deriding the immortality of the soul he speaketh the opinion of other men and not his own Solomons own judgement you may see Eccles. 12.7 2. Take it in the Letter and then Solomon speaketh not of the soul of man but of animal and vital breath which is common to both he speaketh of mans mere natural condition else in respect of mans future condition his body shall rise again and come to judgement So that here is no comparison between the soul of man and that of beasts but between the death of the one and of the other q. d. both are liable to death pains and diseases 4. Objection Matth. 8.22 and 10.28 Ephes. 2.1 The soul is said to die Answer The soul is not said to die in respect of Existence and being but relatively in respect of Gods grace and favour 'T is a separation of the soul from God who is the fountain of life and is a living death and a ceasing not to be but to be happy 5. Objection 1 Tim. 1.17 and 6.16 God onely is said to have immortality How then are mens souls immortal Answer The answer is easie Immortality is twofold 1. Essential Absolute Natural and Independant and so God onely is immortal à parte antè from all Eternity he 's the onely Author and continuer of it 2. Derivative and by Donation communicated to man and so our souls are immortal and our bodies though subject to corruption yet by Divine Ordination shall be immortal after the Resurrection Wo then to those Atheistical Mortalists and Libertines which have sinned away conscience and have led loose lives and now are fallen to loose opinions Open but this gap and farewell Lawes Civility Religion and all that is good Grant but this and farewell all noble actions and all spiritual comforts then Christ died the Apostles laboured and the Martyrs suffered in vain If this Doctrine were true then all our Faith our Hope our Praying Preaching Fasting self-denial mortification sowing in tears and spiritual combats would be in vain and we should be in a worse condition then the beasts that perish If this were true then why did Abraham forsake all Ioseph forbeare his Mistress Moses refuse the pleasures of Pharaohs
Matter yet this Circumstance heightens it and puts an accent upon it it makes it cry louder and gives Satan a stronger Plea against the Soul Lord here is a man whom nothing can restrain no bonds nor Vowes Sacramental Personal National can keep him from sin Lord let him be mine by Justice since he will not be thine by grace 13. When sins are Spiritual sins it aggravates sin Spiritual sins in their own nature Et caeteris paribus are greater and more displeasing unto God who is a Spirit and pondereth our Spirits then carnal aud bodily sins Fleshly sins make men like beasts Drunkenness Fornication Gluttony Murder make a greater noise and bring more reproach on men from the world but spiritual sins all things considered are most dangerous for these make men like Devils The Devils sins are not fleshly sins for he hath no body but they are spiritual sins hence they are called spiritual wickedness in high places Ephes. 6.12 They are full of Pride Envy Blasphemy Heresy Hypocrisy Many bless themselves that they are no Theeves Whores Drunkards when they are drunk with Pride and full of Atheism Unbelief Hypocrisy and Heart-Idolatry These are invisible sins the world takes no notice of them so much the more dangerous inward diseases are most dangerous and hardest to be cured Publicanes and Harlots that are given to carnal sins are sooner converted then spiritually proud self-conceited Pharisees Matth. 21.31 2. They are Radical fundamental sins they are the root and cause of all carnal sins They are the Quintissence of wickedness the wickedness of wickedness Hos. 10.15 the very spirits as I may say of sin the evil of evils and the foolishness of madness Eccles. 7.25 As Sampsons strength lay in his locks so the strength of outward sins lyes in the heart cleanse that and cleanse all It is these inward lusts which war not onely against the Peace but against the Salvation of the Soul 1 Pet. 2.11 Remove the cause and the effect well cease lay the Ax to this root and the fruit will wither This makes the Saints so much to lament that sin and corruption within them Iob 25.4 Psal. 51.5 Isay 6.5 Rom. 7. And God calls on his people to wash not onely their hands but their hearts from wickedness and though vain thoughts will be creeping in yet they must not suffer them to lodge there Ier. 4.14 Rooks saies Luther may fly over my house but I will not suffer them to roost there The great work of Regeneration lyes within it is not sufficient that a wicked man forsake his wicked wayes words but he must also forsake his Thoughts Isay 55.7 Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his Thoughts A moral man may shun evil acts but a gracious man hates even vain thoughts Psal 119.113 A man may be far more wicked in his thought then he can in his Acts men may act that wickedness in their thoughts which either through want of opportunity or want of strength or for shame they dare not do They are the buds and blossoms the seeds and principles of all sin and what they want in weight they make up in number Gen. 6.5 Acts 8.22 Let us now according to these thirteen considerations aggravate our sins sin separately and singly considered is odious but sin circumstantiated will appear exceeding sinful A sore may be loathsome in it self but when it comes to be searched then the filth and rotteness appears That which keeps men from Repentance is their lightning and lessening of sin they say of it as Lot did of Zoar Is it not a little one Or else they lay it upon the weakness of youth or the bad counsel of others Adam layes his sin on Eve Saul on the people others lay it on the Devil some way or another they hide their sins which hinders the prosperity of the sinner Prov. 28.13 And therefore when the Spirit of God would effectually convince men of sin and set an edge upon it that it might wound and humble us to purpose he sets it before our eyes in its proper colours with all its aggravating circumstances So all the servants of God in their Humiliations for sin to shew their hatred and Holy indignation against it they have heightened their sins by all its hainous Circumstances and Heart-humbling Aggravations Their bitterest enemies could not speak so much against them as they have against themselves Iob 40.4 cryes out I am Vile Isay 6.5 I am undone David cryes out of his folly and beastliness 2 Sam. 24.10 Psal. 73.2 Agur in his own apprehension was more brutish then any man Prov. 30.2 3. See what Heart-breaking expressions Ezra 9. Neh. 9. Dan. 9.5 6. have used 1. We have sinned and committed iniquity 2. We have done wickedly 3. We have rebelled against thee 4. We have departed from thy Precepts 5. We have not harkned to thy Servants 6. We have not onely sinned our selves but even our Princes and Superiours have rebelled against thee But especially Paul puts up many Bills of Inditement against himself and cryes out I am the Chief of sinners and in his own apprehension he esteemed himself so the least of Saints not worthy to be called an Apostle and as if this were not sufficient he goes on I was a Persecutor a Blasphemer and injurious to Christ and the Saints 1 Cor. 15.9 Ephes. 3.8 1 Tim. 3.13 15. But especially Acts 26.10 11. the better to humble himself and to magnify free-grace he sets down eight Aggravations of his sin Many of the Saints did I shut up in Prison c. 1. They were not lewd men that he imprisoned but they were Saints 2. It was not for any wickedness that they had done that he thus used them but for professing the Name of Christ. 3. He did not cast a few but many Saints in Prison 4. He kept them close Prisoners he shut them up and gave them no liberty 5. He staies not here but he helped to put them to death 6. As if this had not been enough he doth not onely kill their bodies but he hurts their Souls also He compelled them to Blaspeme Not much unlike an Italian which I have read off who set upon a man to kill him the poor man begged for his life the Italian told him if he would renounce his God he should have his life which when he had done he killed him saying now he was fully revenged on him for he had killed both body and Soul 7. Yet he staies not here but he was mad exceeding mad with rage and fury against the poor Saints of Christ. So Luther confesseth that in the dayes of his ignorance he was a mad Papist 8. Such as he could not catch and kill them he persecutes to strange cities he made them out-run their houses wives children c. and shift for themselves Thus Paul like an hungry Wolf worries the poor Lambs of Christ till Christ meets him in his Ruff
QUESTIONS Discussed in this COMMENTARY Question I. WHether the Covetous man be worse then the Prodigal Page 25 Question 2. Whether Blasphemers may be put to death p. 64 Question 3. Whether servants must obey their carnal Masters and whether Master and servant be equal p. 68.141 Question 4. Whether drinking of Healths be lawful p. 94 95 Question 5. Whether that Excessive taking of Tobaccho which is used in our dayes be lawful p. 99.101 Question 6. Whether mixt Dancing be lawful p. 106 107 Question 7. Whether Duels be lawful p. 109 Question 8. Whether we may fly in time of persecution p. 201 202 Question 9. Whether it be lawful to put men to death for theft p. 227 228 Question 10. Whether the Old Testament be Canonical p. 267 Question 11. Whether Oaths be lawful p. 304 385 Question 12. Whether Christ be God p. 306. Question 13. Whether Imprecations be lawfull cap. 4. v. 14. Question 14. Many necessary Queries about the day of Iudgement p. 311 312 Question 15. Whether salutations be lawful p. Question 16. Whether the Soul be immortal p. 371 383 Question 17. Whether we may give Titles of Honour to men p. 296 Question 18. Whether it be lawful to gather Churches out of Churches V. Epist. Dedicat. and p. 166 167 Question 19. Whether the Presbyterian Government be the best kind of Government p. 173 174 c. Question 20. Which is the fittest time for young people to marry p. 250 Question 21. Whether the Scriptures be the Word of God p. 276 Question 22. Whether the Apocrypha be Authentick page 288 Question 23. When is it lawfull to take gifts p. 26 Question 24. Whether separation from a true Church be lawful p. 11.12 141 Question 25. Whether compounded Heretickes may be put to death p. 169 Question 26. Whether all Sects may be Tolerated Page 168 169.103 233 340 Question 27. Whether the light within us be a sufficient guide p. 278 c. Question 28. Whether we may hear Lectures on week dayes p. 326 Question 29. Whether the Law may be Preached page 329 Question 30. Whether Christ shall raign a thousand yeares yet before the day of Judgement page 12 Question 31. Whether Ministers ought to have liberal maintenance p. 296 Question 32. Whether we can merit any thing at Gods hand p. 387 Question 33. Whether the new Light that is abroad be not old darkness p. 165 Question 34. Whether Ordinances be still in force page 138 Question 35. Whether Povertie be better then Riches page 44 234 Question 36. Whether there be an Absolute Perfection in this life p. 299 Question 37. Whether all gifted men may Preach page 328 Question 38. Whether Preaching be adding page 280 281 Question 39. Whether Quakers be Saints or sots page 128.269.296 Question 40. Whether we may build on Revelations page 165 Question 41. Whether Scepticisme be good p. 149 166.241 Question 42. Whether we may build on the School-men p. 259 Question 43. Whether the Affections perse are evil p. 76 Question 44. Whether the Scriptures may be read by all persons p. 260 Question 45. Whether Stratagems are lawfull page 116 Question 46. Whether Temporal Felicitie be a marke of the true Church p. 215 Question 47. Whether Tythes be lawful in Gospel-Times p. 369 Question 48. Whether Traditions be Authenticke page 298 Question 49. Whether there be a Concatenation of Vertues p. 21. Question 50. Whether many seducing Quakers be not Witches page 225 226 Question 51. Whether we may have an eye so the recompence of Reward p. 399 Quâ—stion 52. Whether there be degrees of Glory p. 405 Question 53. Whether Demas were an Hypocrite Page 411 Question 54. Whether Salutations are lawful Page 584 Question 55. Whether we may call the Meeting-place a Church p. 460 Question 56. When is the fittest time for Repetition Page 462 463. The Texts explained in this COMMENTARY Chap. Vers. Pag.  Genesis  5 22 391   for 493 9 21 97 22 23 265 32 10 43 43 34 97  Exodus  18 21 26  Leviticus  10 9 10 92 18 24 103 19 17 62 24 10 11 63  Numbers  12 8 84 15 30 93 16 31 12 23 21 132  1 Samuel  1 16 96 1 22 146 30 6 220   223  2 Samuel  12 7 8 235 15 22 359  2 Kings  4 1 2 45  1 Chronicles  22 14 332 29 23 332  2 Chronicles  15 14 81 19 5 213  Ezra  9 10 13 70  Nehemiah  3 20 332 6 11 339 9 11 24 13 25 332  Iob.  1 5 63 5 13 117 6 15 426 14 7 10 372 14 14 388 15 34 27 23 12 288   289 31 35 39 86 36 13 117  Psalms  2 9 183 2 12 316 9 20 57 15 2 82 15 5 27 34 2 47 34 19 204 36 1 c. 230 46 1 207   208 49 18 16 62 5 45 62 9 205 68 13 25 68 19 20 206 97 1 187 109 4 88 132 2 79 335 106 8 403  Proverbs  1 19 23 2 18 04 15 15 385 15 17 25 16 31 389 21 17 97 22 1 84 22 14 102 23 29 to 35   95 96 23 5 40 25 18 84 29 1 359 30 17 66  Ecclesiastes  1 2 121 3 19 372 5 3 24 7 26 102 9 4 386 12 1 249 12 2 9  Canticles  1 5 215  Isay.  1 3 70 4 5 344 5 18 19 230 8 18 87 8 20 286 26 10 223 27 5 340 41 14 215 4â— 11 204 44 20 9 39 54 17 87 55 3 282 55 6 422 58 2 323 58 13 129 64 5 400 66 2 55 56  Ieremy  4 2 80 13 18 83 13 ult 257 17 9 19   366 22 29 28 31 22 205  Ezekiel  22 13 14 25  Hosea  2 19 20 81 4 2 103 4 11 104 6 7 78 7 9 9 9 7 185 10 11 415  Micah  2 12 335 3 2 3 30  Habakkuk  2 5 25 2 9 28 3 17 220  Malach.  1 6 19  Matthew  5 38 109 7 15 161 7 16 193 11 29 56 12 43 101 10 34 201 10 41 404 16 18 397 16 24 210 17 24 44 17 29 32 24 12 9 26 72 74 21  Luke  15 6 7 241 1 46 47 72 10 41 40 12 16 34 13 14 386   392 14 13 14 90 15 17 185 15 24 119 15 7 258 16 9 39 16 14 24 19 26 83 19 ult 357 20 25 31 21 17 211 22 15 340 24 13 64  Iohn  2 10 97 2 17 335 5 39 291 6 67 239 8 5 103  Acts.  5 41 87 8 9 47 8 28 29 292 12 22 52 15 20 104 16 11 60 17 30 31 223 26 10 423  Romans  2 5 88 3 4 414 5 7 20 8 3 21 8 35 396
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 neminem blasphemare Blasphemia 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 qui laedit alterius famam Maledici Beza and Diodate 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i e. in ipsum Deum maledici nam in hoc sensu eminentiore sumendam esse hîc hanc â—ocem indicat ordo Grotius Per blasphemos intelligimus qui falsa aut impia de Deo loquuntur sentiunt Aquinas Divina Attributa in Deâ— sunt Accidentia qualitates secundum Socinianos V. Hornebeck contra Socinian l. 2. c 4. Blasphemias fecerunt magnas Mont. Vulg. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 blasphemantes eos V. Schooles Guard Rule 56. See my Sal Terrae cap. 8. Via veritatis i. e. vera orthodoxa fideâ— religio Laurent See a Pithy descript on of Blasphemâ— against the H. G. in Wilsons Diction Edit ult on the word Blasphemy D. Maresius and D. Arnoldus two learned German Professors have taken notice of the Blasphemies of our Biddle See London Ministers Testimony against Heresies p. 6. See 32. abominable Errors and Heresies lately sprung up in Mr. Bartlets Balsom p. 63. London Ministers Testimony and 176. in Mr. Edwards's Cangreen Part. 1. p. 15. c. Qui non vetat pâ—ccare cum possit jubet Qui non corrigit resecandâ—s câ—mmittit Ecce quales sunt qui Christum colunt Salvian Hi sunt Christiani ad contumeliam Christi Virtus blaesphemiae contraria est 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gloria i. e. Instrumentum piae gloriationis in Deo sive organum quo Deum glorificamus Met. Sub. Polanus See my Scholes Guard Rule 23 Octoginta sex annos illi jam servivi nihil me laesit unquam quâ igitur conscientiâ maledicerem blasphemarem regem meum qui salutem mihi dedit Euseb. Hist. lib. 4. cap. 15. Blasphemiae vitium omnium peccatorum ex suo genere est gravissimum Aquinas 12 ae Q. 13. art 3. Quo major persona hoc injuria major Nakab i. e. perforavit confiâ—it Lev. 24.11 Naats contempsit irritavit blasphemavit Psal. 107.11 Magis effendunt qui blasphemant Christum regnantem in coelis quà m qui crucifixerunt ambulantem in terris Aug. Sicut blasphemi filii Diaboli ea cantica discunt in mundo quae canant in inferno ita filii Dei divinis laudibus assueti eos Psalmos addiscunt in terris quos cantabunt in coelis Peraldus Erit in damnatis Vocalis blasphemia sicut in Sanctis Vocalis Dei laus Aquinas 22. Q. 13. art 4. See Mr. Clerks Mirrour cap. 11. Edit 3. Cum mala formaliter expressè et aperiè Deo tribuimus fit blasphemia Tollet Ex personis hominum dicta ac facta pensentur Reg. Saxeus scelestus lapidandus est saxis ab omni populo ut omnes testarentur quam oderint Blasphemiam Drexelius John 19.7 We have a Law and by our Law he ought to dye because he made himself the Son of God Blasphemator Creatorem cum interficerè non possit linguâ ferit Theoderet The Prophet Zachery 13 3. speaking of Gospel-time sayes that even false Teachers and much more blasphemers shall be put to death Anathema belongs to other sinners but Anathema Maranatha is the portion of such High Attainers See more Beards Theater of Gods Judgements l. 1. c. 29. p. 130. and 477. Edit ult Aliud est blasphemiam dicere aliud blasphemum esse Blasphema fuit vox Jobi 34.5 at quia id dixit animi perturbato non 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 deliberativè non fuit blasphema Fayuâ— Qui Deo maleditunt quomodo parentès venerarentur novit arrogantia quae ex blaspemia est etiam adversus naturam efferri non ergò solùm Deum quem non vident sed parentes quos cernunt ii despiciuntâ— Espencaeus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 immorigeri inobedientes insuasibiles contumaces refractarii ab â— privat 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 persuadec Videtur Parentum nomen in genere amplectiomnes qui nobis praesunt Baldwin Omnia sunt generaliter accipienda nisi ubi aliud specialiter urgent circumstantiae Mercer V. Franzium de animalibus P 2. c. 8. p. 266. That is a singular piece for describing the Nature of most creatures Parentes suos non amare impietas est non agnoscere insania Est hoc animi perversissimi indicium quia Lex naturae jubet ut benefactoribus bona referatur gratia inter quos primum locum obtinent Parentes quibus ' vita hujus initium debemus quorum labore educati sumus Gualter V. Theater of Gods Judgements l. 2. c. 1. In quo quis peccat in eo punitur See Gods Judgements on such Theater of Gods Judgement l 2. c. 2. p. 158. Per Parentes intelligit specialiter veros doctores qui alios per Evangelium genacrunt Primâ—sius See my Pulpit Guard 4. Edit p. 77.78 See D. Haris on Matth. 5.11 Serm. 24. and Mr. Pemble on 1 Cor. 15.19 in Folio p. 478. Malo in malo non est obediendum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 est ingrati animi crimen Qui gratiam rependere benefactoribus non noverunt Heming Ingratus est qui non reddit ingratissimus omnium qui oblitus est Seneca Most carry themselves as men to men recompensing Love with Love again but as Devills toward God recompensing his Love with hatred Clerk To do good to those that do ill to us is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 't is a quid divinum Matth. 5.44 45. Rom. 12.20 21. all love friends onely true Christians can love their enemies Absque dubio maximi criminis reus creditur qui malum pro bono reddidit cui etiam malum pro malo reddere non liceret Hoc nos qui Christiani dicimur facimus Irritamus in noâ— misericordem Deum peccatis nostris propitianâ—â—m sordibus laedimus Salvian de Gubern Dei l. 6. Clerks Mirrot car 59 60. Ingratum qui dixerit omne nefas dixerit Iudaei rebelles ingrati hîc non assimulantur equo generoso aut cani sugaci grato sed stolido bovi asino quid enim stolidius bove quid stupidius asino his tamen stolidiores stupidiores sunt omnes ingrati Hieron Officia etiam ferae sentiunt nec ullum tam immansuetum animal quod non cura mitiget in amorem sui vertat Granatensis in verbo Gratitudo Vbi plura Omnis ingratus est injustus Qui non est gratus datis non est dignus dandis See more in Clerks Mirrour cap 73. Edit 3 Ingratitudo est ventus urens siccans pietatis fontem rorem misericordiae fluenta gratia Bern. Ingratitudo velut fermentum omnia peccata permeat ingratitudo materialis est in quolibel peccato Aquinas 22. q. 107. art 4. Iustitia postulat ut quid cuique debetur reddamus Zanchy Vnusquisque debetur ex debito honestatis ut loquuntur Scholastici aliquid ei reddere qui sibi gratiam fecit Gratitudo est non solum maxima sed mater
Saviour what in us lieth to all the world this is to do the work of an Evangelist viz. soundly and sincerely to publish the Gospel True Ministers must preach the Law but then it must be preparatory to the Gospel to convince them of their sin and misery and so fit them for mercy and after their conversion as a Rule for direction c. This work is so that Christ tells us it was the primary end of his coming into the world viz. to preach the glad tidings of the Gospel Isai. 61.2 3. Luke 4.18 'T is true the four Apostles which wrote the Gospel are properly or rather appropriately called Evangelists but in a large sense he 's an Evangelist that teacheth the Gospel Observation 8. Timothy was no Diocesan Bishop He was an Evangelist and so not fixt as Bishops were to any particular Congregation City of Diocess but he was to go up and down pro re natâ as occasion required and to preach the Gospel as other Evangelists did Objection In the Post-script 't is said that Timothy was Bishop of Ephesus Answer These Post-scripts are no part of Canonical Scripture but were added by the Scribes who wrot out the Epistles 2. It contradicts the Text which expresly calls him an Evangelist which was a distinct Officer from a Pastor or Bishop Ephes. 4.11 3. It may help to take up the Cavel of Sectaries who would have us live as Timothy and others did without Tythes or fit Maintenance when the case is not the same For 1. They were not tyed to any particular charge as we are 2. The Magistrate was an Heathen and an Enemy 3. They had all things common and they sold all and brought the money to the Apostles 4. The Apostles had their learning by inspiration and they could work miracles and so could not want maintenance Observation 9. Make full proof of thy Ministry Observe Ministers must fully and faithfully discharge all the duties of their callings They must so behave themselves in their office that they may be charged justly with nothing Thus Barnabas and Saul fulfilled their Ministry Acts 12. ult and 14.26 so did Paul 2 Cor. 4.1 2. Archippus Colos. 4.17 must not do his duty to halves but he must perform it in every respect as it ought to be done and accomplish all the parts of his Ministry strengthning the weak comforting the afflicted raising the lapsed reproving the wicked convincing the erronious and confirming the strong adorning our pure doctrine with a pure conversation This is to fulfil our Ministry Verse 6. OBSERVATIONS 1. When God takes away faithful and laborious Ministers those that survive them must stand up in their stead supply their loss and be so much the more active careful and vigilant in the discharge of their office When Paul dyes then Timothy must double his diligence If Eliah be taken away Elisha must pray for a double portion of his spirit to carry on the work Eleazer succeeds Aaron Haggai and Zachary supply thâ— loss of Daniel and Christ ariseth in Iohn Baptists stead Observation 2. 2. The godly by a spiritual instinct and sagacity foresee their ends so did Iacob Gen. 48.21 and Ioshua 23.14 and Christ Iohn 17.2 and Peter 2.14 They alwayes watch and wait for their Masters coming Their acts diseases and disquietments which they meet withall from the world are as so many petty deaths unto them A man that dwells in an old crazy house where the walls fall down the foundation sinks the pillars bend and the whole building craks concludes such a house cannot long stand As for the wicked they are insensible and secure and though gray hairs which are signes of old age and death approaching be here and there upon them yet they know it not Hos. 7.9 Observation 3. 3. Death is not dreadful to good men The Apostle speaks of it here not by way of Lamentation but of Exultation and in an holy triumph tells us that he had fought a good fight and finisht his course and now the time of his departure was at hand when he should receive a crown of glory Death to him was but a departing from one room to another from a lower room to an higher from earth to Heaven from troubles to rest from mortality to immortality They are long since dead to the world and so can part with it more easily Paul died daily he was sending more and more of his heart out of the world so that by that time he came to dye he was fully weaned from the world and desirous to be gone Phil. 1.23 When Moses had finisht his course God bids him go up and dye that 's all Deut. 32.49 50. Death which to wicked men is the King of terrours and makes them fear and tremble Iob 18.14 That to a good man is the King of comforts and like the Valley of Achor a door of hope In an holy security at death and destruction they can laugh Iob 5.21 22. The wicked look on death as a dreadful dismal thing but Gods people looking on it through the Spectacles of the Gospel sâ—e it to be a conquered enemy having its sting taken out Hos. 13.15 so that what Agag said vainly and vauntingly Christian may speak truly and seriously The bitterness of death is past 1 Sam. 15.32 As Christ said of Lazarus this sickness is not to death but unto life so may we now say this death is not unto death but unto life So that now the Saints can embrace it go forth to meet it and bid it welcome They know 't is but winking and they are presently in Heaven This made the Martyrs go as cheerfully to their Stakes as others do to a Feast or Marriage when Basils enemies threatned to kill him if he would not turn he boldy answered Oh that I might dye for the truth Hilarion chides himself for his backwardness why dost thou fear Oh my Soul to dye thou hast served thy God these seventy years and art thou now afraid to dye Egredere anima egredere Even Seneca makes it the property of a wise man to desire death We must not judge of death or of any other thing as Sin Riches Afflictions c. as the world judgeth of them but as Scripture speaks Now the Spirit of God in Scripture cloaths death with very lovely and pleasing expressions 1. It calls it a going to our Fathers Gen. 15.15 A going to the Spirits of just men made perfect Heb. 12. 23. A going to God to Christ and to the blessed Angels Phil. 1.23 2. It is called an Exaltation or lifting up Iohn 3.14 3. A sowing which will rise in glory 1 Cor. 15.43 4. An undressing and uncloathing of our selves a putting off our rags that we may put on immortal Robes 2 Cor. 5.2 2 Peter 1.14 5. A going to sleep when men are wearied with labour they desire their beds The grave is a bed of rest Isay 57.2 Iob 3.13 Dan. 12.2 Rev. 14.13