dolefull and finall farewell of the English Nation as when he laid the tomb-stone upon Jerusalem such as these will be his mournings over us Oh Jerusalem Jerusalem thou that killest the Prophets and burnest them that are sent unto thee as they did in the time of Popery how often would I have gathered thy children together by my Word and Spirit therein even as a Hen gathereth her Chickens under the wings of my speciall Government and Protection but ye would not behold your house is left unto you desolate But the Lord who doth not only make the day dark with night but also turneth the shadow of death into the morning even the Lord avert these evils and the Lord make the English Nation his Hephfibah and the land Beulah which is the prayer of his Mourners in Sion and of Thy Servants in Jesus and for Jesus sake William Greenhill Samuel Mather TO THE Christian READER THe precious memory of the Author of these ensuing SERMONS needs no reviving to any gracious heart that had any knowledge of him Yea the world knows in part though but in a little part by some pieces of his formerly Printed while he was yâ—t 〈…〉 who this Author was what it owes to God for him and how justly it might sigh over his grave with that of the Apostle Of whom the World was not worthy His praise throughout all the Churches is farre above any addition by so mean a pen as writes these lines But it is not fit that the first page of any thing published after his death for I doubt not but his death is long ago publickly took notice of should go without some witnesse of a mournfull remembrance thereof which indeed no tears can sufficiently lament We who sometimes sate under his shadow and were fed from God by him the poor flock of this Shepherd among whom he lived testifying Repentance towards God and faith towards our Lord Iesus Christ and whom he sometimes exhorted comforted and charged euery one of us as a Father doth his Children we cannot but carry sorrow in the bottome of our hearts to this day that wee must here see his face no more Neither do we believe that his losse remains with us alone or only within the limits of this remote wildernesse the benefit and consequently the want of such a burning and shining Light is of more generall concernment that we easily apprehend especially in this Age wherein not only many â—it in utter darknesse but which is more the new Light thereof is darknesse and the Love of many waxing cold But we must all be silent before Him whose judgements are unsearchable Neither may we presume to say to him What doest thou It is instantly and not without cause desired by many that such reliques of his Labours as do survive him may be at least some of them imparted to the publick To effect any thing considerable that way is not an easie or sudden work But this small piece being at present attained it seemed not amisse to let it pass the Press These were some of his Lecture-Sermons Preached most of them in the year 1641. They are now transcribed by a godly Brother partly from the Authors own notes partly from what he took from his mouth The subject in both the Texts is of great use and needfull for these times wherin there is more Liberty than good use of it and much more common and outward than saving and effectuall knowledge of the word of God These posthumous editions are far short of what the Author was wont to do and of what the Sermons were in preaching But though the sense be not every where so full nor every thing so thorowly spoken to nor the stile so good by far as the Authors manner was yet the intelligent Reader will find a precious treasure of truth in it not fit to be buried or neglected The Prophets do not live for ever but their words do The Lord make them such ever-living words as may take hold of all our hearts not for judgement but for mercy for one of these wayeâ— they shall live yea rise up at the last day Imprimatur March 29. 1652. EDM. CALAMY THE TABLE B. BOndage What it is to which God delivers them that cast off his government Page 7 Iuvasion by forein enemies 7 By setting authority against them 7 Oppressing them by one another 8 Taking away good Governours 8 Giving them up to Satan 9 And to their own lusts 9 What are the sins for which God brings into Bondage 13 Bondage of the good and the wicked how it differs 15 C. CHurch of God why deprived of her liberty 11 Church-members that are private men in their duties are 48. what c. The causes of their neglect of their duty 52 c. Why men receive not more good from them than they do 53 Covenant of God if broken God rejects such as break it 3 To break Covenant with Christ is to cast off his government as King 31 People of God may be said to break Covenant and how 33 G. GOvernment see Power To cast of Gods Government provokes God to bring into bondage 3 Reasons of it 9 10 c. What Gods government is 4 The sorts of it 4 Internall 4 And Externall 5 Want of government a judgement 8 When men may be said to cast off Christs government 18. see 24. and see Ordinances When men submit to Christ. 20 21. to 29 In Christs government he useth a threefold power 30 Motives to come under Christs Government 81 L. LAwes the causes of the breach of Lawes 67 What prudence is to be used in making Laws 70 And how for human laws bind 70 c Gods Law onely can immediately bind the Conscience 70 Good Lawes have relation to the word and law of God 71 this proved ib. Of Penall Laws 74 Liberty see Government the sweetest Liberty is to be under Christ. 11 Liberty how it s abused 79 Love to Christ a sign of subjection to him 84 Love to Gods people another sign 84 Who do not love Gods people 85 M. MAgistrates We are to be subject to them and why 64 When Christs power is cast off in this respect not being subject to them 64 And objections about this answered 66 Ministeriall power what it is 54 And if this be not submitted Christ is cast off 69 And when men despised it 62 O. ORdinances When men adde their own inventions to Gods Ordinances they cast off Christs Government 34 We must take heed off this and why 35 When men destroy Ordinances and deny them they cast off Christs government 35 To cast of ordinances is a temptation of Satan 36 When Christ is thrust out of ordinances his government is cast off 39 To pollute Ordinances what it is 39 1. To contemn them 39. 40 2. To use them with unbroken hearts 40 3. To use them without faith 41 4. By not looking to Christ in them 41 P. POwer see Government Power of Christ in
God himself and profession of Christ make these to serve him to raise up his name this the Lord takes very ill Only this I would adde when the soul doth look at Christ with a single eye that Christ is sweet and precious and lyes under the blessed Spirit of Christ for that end and now looks up to Christ that he may submit to him with a single eye that the name of Christ may be glorified by life and death true it is self will be in every duty and so is contrary to the Lord in all and not for the Lord. Yet though it be thus there is another thing in the soul that is wholly for God and Christ and hence seeks that he may do his work his heart loves him and so seeks him and he begs it with many tears Oh that my children might serve and love this God nay that all the world might see and blesse and admire this God and the Lord inlargeth his heart herein Psal. 72. 19. and truly now the Kingdom of God is come to thy soul Rom. 5. 17. As sin and Satan do reign by death So Iesus Christ doth reign by life to eternall life Matth. 25. 14. He is the true Subject that improves his Talents for the King Christ will subdue all his to himself Psal. 66. 3. Through the greatnesse of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves to thee Rom. 14. 17. For the Kingdome of God is not in meat and drink but in righteousnesse and peace and joy in the holy Ghost When a man shall be picking fault with things this and that offends him get ye gone the Kingdom of God consists not in that But when the soul do's go to the Lord and maintain his peace with God and love to the people of God and joy in the holy Ghost here is the Kingdome of God He that serves Christ in these things the Kingdome of God is come into his soul. He that thus submits to the Lord Christ he must first be a man weary of his own counsels and must loath himself When the Lord hath wearied a man of his own wayes he sayes What am I that the Lord should shew me any mercy And when the Lord calls him to any service Lord What am I that I should now pray to thee Bless the Lord when the Lord doth keep thy heart in this frame but now when men will honour Christ and yet Saul-like have Christ honour them Many poor creatures they think it a credit to be in Church-fellowship and they wil seek to know Christ that they may attain Church fellowship and have honour but know it till the Lord do pull down thy base ends and make thee loath thy self and so to submit to his blessed will truly till then the Kingdome of God is not come to thy soul Think of these things for if the Kingdome of God be in our hearts then look for good dayes Brethren let New-England be confident of it but if this be gone from the soules and hearts of men and women in their severall families and places though they may have the outward Kingdome of Christ yet the inward Kingdome being not set up I say no more but what he said Go to Palestina and Bohemia Certainly if they had not cast off the Lords government they had never seen those lamentable dayes they had outward Ordinances Oh but here was the thing the inward Kingdome of the Lord Jesus Christ and subjection to the will of the Lord Jesus and to be for the Lord Jesus this the Lord saw was not in them therefore the Lord hath left them to be lamentable spectacles Therefore dear brethren I do beseech you pray and beg for this Kingdome Thou sayest I fall short of this Know this Kingdome of God is at first like a grain of Mustard-seed some little lying under the will of Christ if it be in truth blessed be God â—or it The Kingdome of God is come and the soul doth weep and mourn after the Lord that the Lord would bring every thought into subjection Know it the Kingdome of God is come to thy soul and know it thou hast Jesus Christ at the right hand of God the Father interceding for thee therfore go home and blesse the Lord and wonder at his grace that hath translated thee from the Kingdome of darknesse to the Kingdome of his dear Son If the Lord hath let thee finde the beginning of these things in truth go home and blesse the Lord for it 2. Try when the externall Kingdome of Christ in his Church is cast off for we told you this was Christs kingdome 'T is called the Kingdome of Heaven Matth. 25. 1. And 't is it which the Lord gives up at the last day to God the Father and hence Mat. 8. 12. the members thereof are The Children of the Kingdome and hence we read of the rulers and governours of it and the keys not only of doctrine but of power and jurisdiction committed by Christ Jesus to it punctually exprest in Scripture Now we know in the Church there is a three-fold power of Christ in Government 1. The supreme Monarchicall absolute power of Christ in and by his Ordinances 2. There is some derivative power of the Church from Christ joyntly together 3. There is a Ministeriall power of the officers of the Church it self Hence the Kingdome of Christ is overthrown when these three are when this three-fold cord is broken by the sons of men and if whole America cast off these or any of these then they fall to bondage and if particular persons in Churches do the Lord will do the like to them much more 1 Kings 9. 4 5. When Solomon had been praying much the Lord tells him If he would walk before him as David his father had done to keep his statutes and obey his commandments then he would be a God making good his promise but if not then the Lord would cast off him and that place So Zach. 14. 17. And it shall be that who so will not come up of all the families of the Earth to worship the King the Lord of Hosts even upon them shall be no rain The Lord is quick in his judgements and will spare none 1. There is a supreme power of Jesus Christ in his Church and Ordinances thereof Isa. 9. 6. The Government is on his shoulders it is true this power is on others also but he is the main Heb. 3. Moses was only a servant in his House Christ as a Son The guidance of all things in the Church doth lye chiefly on him or else it would never be carried along Christ is a Son and that in his own House into whose hands the supreme power of guiding and ordering all things in the Church of God is put the experience of Gods Saints and People doth find another power which shewes that the Lord Jesus hath and doth exercise a mighty power in the ordinances of his Worship the supreme and kingly
chief amongst the people was the counsell of God by Iethro and Mâ—ses but when they be Elected now to despise them and hence not to bow the knee or stir the hat and speak rudely before them it 's casting off not only their power in sight of God but the very root of it which is honour And hence in the fifth Commandment all duties to them are comprehended under the word Honour And who sees not but this is a sin which is apt to attend the spirits of men in a place of liberty and in our weak beginnings and day of small things Reports are abroad that no men of worth are respected and hence the Countrey is neglected I cannot say so after many thoughts for I am perswaded no place in Europe more ready to honour men of publick spirits and of eminency in piety and humility without the seeing of which no Countrey more apt to vilisie because grace is the glory in the eye of a Countrey led by Religion But take heed lest such a spirit be all us lest the Lord put out our Lamps and cast our Crown down to the ground 2. When men seek to pluck the sword of revenge for sin hurting the Commonwealth out of their hands without which the greatest power in a Common-wealth is but a pageant and a meer vanity almost a nullity Hence Rom. 13. 4. He is Gods Minister yâ—s when he gives good counsell and when he is a revenger to execute wrath on him that doth evill So that be the evill what it will be if it hurt the Common-wealth or be against any wholesome Law thereof he is Gods Minister to punish it civilly In the first Reformation of Geneva there were as many heresies and errours almost as truths of God Servetus he denyed the Deity of Christ whereupon the Magistrate put him to death who dyed with extream horror Whereupon heresies being begun to be sâ—ibb'd aud blasted Bellius writes a Book 1. That men should punish no heresie at all but be mercifull and â—eek as Christ was to the adulterous woman 2. If they did yet that Magistrates they should not punish for errors or heresies 3. If they did yet not with such severity as they begun To all which Beza hath given a most learned and solid answer detesting the hypocrisie of the man and the sad consequences of such opinions if their power should be diminished I conceive 't is casting off Christs power to take away power from Magistrates to punish sins against the first Table of which errors and heresiâ—s in Religion are part It 's as clear as the Sun that the Kings of Iaâ—ah that were gâ—dly did it and were commended for it and 't is as clear they were commended for it not as types of Christ but because they did therein that which was right in Gods eyes and according to the commandment of the Lord Which judiciall commandments concerning the punishing of Sabbath-breakers false Prophets Hereticks c. Gâ—ds fence to preserve morall lawes 〈◊〉 are of morall equity and so to be observed to this day of Christian Magistrates c. To exempt Clergy-men in matters of Religion from the power of the civill sword is that â—â—pery by means of which Antichrist hath risen and hath continued in his pomp and power so long together The indulgence of Princes towards the Papal function in matters of Religion hath undone Christendome 'T is true every error is not to be immediately committed but when 't is like a gangrene of a spreading nature then the Magistrate in due time must cut it off speedily Ohject Leave them to the Church Answ. True leave them 1. there But 2. Sometimes the Church will not sometimes they are not of any Church A â—apist an Arminian may come in and leaven and damne many a soul for which they had better never been If it were but one and if he sayes I do it with a meek spirit their trick of late and none must meddle because mercy must be shewen to their wolves A wise shepherd had rather let a hunter come in and kill one of his sheep then let a Wolf or Fox escape Acts 20. 29 and see his people persecuted than their soules worried Heresie and Error hath this property it ever dies by severe opposition and truth ever riseth the more because Christ is against the one Hence it must fall but or the other hence it shall rise by its fall Hence set your selves against this 't is to oppose the power of Christ Jesus And hence in Henry the 8th time the Abbies fell and never could rise to this day but the six Articles against the Saints pursued with blood made them increase the more 3. When men will not submit to the wholesome Laws of Magistraâ—â—s which are either fundamentall and continuing or Oâ—ders that have their date and time of expiring made for common good When men will either have 〈◊〉 laws or as good as none or submit to none but what they please Deut. 17. 12. He that will not heaâ—ken but do presâ—mptuously shall dye He being the Minister of the 〈◊〉 and indeed it is to cast off the Lord. I go not about here to establish a sovereign power in Magistrates when is proper to God to maâ—e what lawes they will about civiâ—l Religious or indifferent things and then people to 〈…〉 for no other â—eason but because of their willâ— under which notion superstition in Churches hath been ushered and maintained you must 〈…〉 in that case it 's better to sâ—ffer than to sin and nor to do than do But suppose the lawes just righteous holy and for publick good and that apparently so and not in saying so only Now here to cast off lawes is to cast off Christ. There are two things especially which are the cause and occasion of the breach of all other lawes and the strongest sins and sweetest which men young men especially the hopes of the Common wealth are catcht with Prov. 2. 13 16. 1. Whoâ—edome secret lusts and waâ—tonnesse and other strange lusts which I â—â—ase aâ—d dare not name 1 Kings 1â— 24. The sin before Shishah came a sin which many times Solomon cannot see thorow his window nor the eye of authority discern but God will judge for it Heb. 13. 5 and if he be â—udge who shall be thy Jailor but Satan and what shall be thy sentence but death and what thy â—naines but a hard heart for the present and horrour afterward A sin which pollutes the very earth the land the very dust of the ground and the cause of all sin almost in a place as drunkennesse idleness corrupt opinions scoffing at the Ministers of God and wayes of God For I seldom knew a persecutor but he was an adulterer though it 's not alwayes true and in the end poverty and ruine And know it though no mans eye has seen thee no power of Magistrate can reach thee this word shall be fire to consume thee unlesse thou repent for thy
affect sovereignty and when the time comes of liberty then it hath a vent Who made thee a Lord and Iudge over us though in bondage much more in liberty they think Wills Commonwealth is in their heads chiefly and hence will not be ruled by Gods ordinances and hence if once taken with an opinion hardly ever removed c. 5. Resting with liberties and in liberties We were never in bondage John 8. 33. yet servants to sin We be Abrahams seed better than all the world yet under all the power of sin and Satan and must not be told of their wayes but hate them that censure them for their sins Men in bondage are like sick men that will cry if they were in another bed oh then they should be well but they must first be cured of their disease 4. Make use of liberties He that hath them but sees not so much glory in them or gets not much good from them he will be no more thankfull than one that hath large grounds may walk at liberty but the trees for want of manuring bear no fruit nor ground corn through sloth such a man will starve there Look as they Deut. 15. 5 10 11. they were to bring the first fruits and present them before the Lord and rejoyce in all so should you if ever you be thankfull for them bring the first fruits to the Lord and think there is more behind and more in heaven Object But our outward streights are many and temptations sad Answ. If Christ himself should come on earth what would you have with him would you have him come and set up an earthly Paradise would you have better entertainmeâ—t than he who had not that which Foxes and Birds had or would you have him come from his Crosse and then you will make him King if you despise his ordinances and liberties because of wants you would despise himself if he were present But you will reply and say What if we can have both If that can be and Christ cals to take both refuse not his love But it may be an heavy indictment against some at the last day in that they forsake Christ because he is poor and naked for they are therefore called to cloath him and this will be your Peace and you will be no losers your selves another day 2. Suppose he doth keep us low yet Psal. 145. 13 14. His dominion is alway and raiseth up all that are bowed down Oh be humbled he is said Deut. 32. 13. to make the people suck honey out of the rock and oyl out of the flint sweetnesse and mercy out of the hardest condition 3. They that are not recompenced for their enjoyment of liberties by the spirituall refreshings which the Lord gives shewing them more of their own hearts the Lord proclaims liberty to them to depart I am perswaded the whole Countrey would flouruish the more 4. Lament rather your own vilenesse who in the midst of all mercy know not how to use but abuse our liberties and hence the Lord forsakes us as Ezza 9. 8 10 11. What grace hath been shewed us what shall we say that after this c Wouldest thou not be angry with us till thou hast consumed us Psal. 81. 13 16. Oh that my People had heard my voice I would have subdued their enemies God would not be wanting unto us if we were not to him Take therefore that example to imitate in Acts 9. 31 Having rest they were edified if we be not so truly as none have the like liberties so no bondage so sad no where such poverty no where such anguish of conscience no where such spirit and power of sin no where such sad anger if in practice we be unthankfull or can mouth and speak against long Sermons and against the Countrey and Christians or in hearts undervalue them and when you see Indians rise Brambles Abimelechs and Shebnas raised c. then know this is for abuse of liberty Vse 7. Of exhortation to come under Christs Government and be in his service lest ye come to know the difference between it and some other by experience Mot. 1. You must be either under Christs yoke or Satans and sins and so all other miseries and therefore as Ioshua said so say I to you Choose you whom you will serve Mot. 2. Consider the difference between the service of the Lord and Shishak 1. The government of others tyrannicall proud men or sin or Satan or outward miseries 't is full of rigour force and cruelty Ezek. 34. 4. With force and cruelty have ye ruled them But Christs Government is there shewen to be in mercy and full of mercy though sometimes lost he will fetch thee in again though sick and weak he will heal thee again vers 16. Deut. 4. 6. 'T is for thy good the Lord hath no need of thy service c. True it is the Lord may shew his people hard things and give them sid miseries but these wounds do not kill them only make way for healing the distempers of their hearts that are in his poor weak ones and his end is to bring them to himself 2. Their government is in it self hard and bitter To serve a lust now 't is a torment sometimes to conscience if that be awake if not 't is a curse of curses much reluctancy against it much chiding after it and God hides himself dreadfull fears and heart it self unquiet but Christs yoke is easie and his burden light his assistance and preâ—ence and love and peace makes it so and that daily and at death especially 3. There is little recompence for their service the best that Saul can give are Olive-fields and Vine-yards but anguish of conscience after the work is done But the Lord gives a Kingdome and not a word or thought but there is a Book of remembrance writ not a cup of cold water or rag to any of Christs naked servants but it will be recompenced You have followed me you shall sit on thrones Mot. 3. Consider how fain the Lord would have you under his Government for many will say I have refused so oft and what shall I now do the Lord will cast me by True he may do so and you may be glad if the Lord will honour you in doing his work Yet Prov. 2. 23. Return you scorners at my reproof and I 'le power out my Spirit upon you Ier. 36. 3 7. Read sayes God the words of the Roll to them It may be they will hear and present their supplications before the Lord and turn every man from his evill way that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin Read the place if you can without tears You that have departed from God and Christ and provoked Gods wrath when there is but little hope left it may be Oh yet read the Roll. Mot. 4. Once Christs and under his Government you shall never be cast off As sin hath reigned unto death so