more upon their own Head. We see how far the Corruption in us would go if not hindred even to all manner of Evil and iniquity like a mighty Torrent would bear down all before it If Men were left to themselves and might do what was right in their own eyes as they were once in such a Condition when there was no King in Israel as is declared before the most horrible Judg. 19. Relation ever done under the Sun there would be nothing but Tribulation and Anguish Weeping and Lamentation through the Earth continual Fears would arise from the strivings of the People But Blessed be our God who stilleth the noise of the Waves when they arise and ruleth the raging of the Sea and the madness of the People If that had no bounds it would quickly over-spread the Face of the Earth and the other if not kept in would bring an universal Dâ—lâ—ge not only upon the Vngoaly but the Servants of God and the Compass of this lower World would be one entire Aceldama a Field of Blood. He hath sent Kings and Governours for the Punishment of evil doers and for thâ— praise of them that do well 1 Pet. 2. 13 14. The Word which God sent unto the Children of Israel preaching Peace by Jesus Christ he is Lord of all Acts 10. 36. Amongst other Dâ—ties doth Command submission to Kings and Magistrates and forbids the contrary No Rebellion whatsoever is lawful A real good end will not sanctifie it much less those false and specious Ones wherewith it is often accompanied It is a slanderous Report of the Gospel That some affirm thereof as if it did allow to do evil that good may come Rom. 3. 8. God revealed himself otherwise of Old. He is the Rock his Work is perfect for all his ways are judgment a God of truth and without iniquity just and right is he Deut. 32. 4. Thou art of purer eyes then to behold evil and canst not look on iniquity Hab. 1. 13. For I the Lord love judgment I hate Robbery for Burnt-offering Isa 61. 8. Will ye speak wâ—â—kedly for Gâ—d and talk deceitfully for â—im Job 13. 7. The Lord is righteous in all his ways and holy in all his works Psal 145. 17. More Texts might be alledged to manifest that his Glory is not to be advanced by sinful means Indeed this cannot be for it would be contrary to his infinite purity and uprightness with whom dwells no shadow of Evil. But Experience hath discovered that when some have designed Rebellion for their own Ambition Interest and Revenge they must have a Fig-leave to hide it from simple People whom they 2 Sam. 15. 8. 11. draw on their side And what can be better then Absoloms Vow Religion and the Glory oâ— God as hath been the method of former Ages this hath been made use of as a Pretence to further their own damned Enterprizes Good God! That thy Name should be so abused by vile Miscreants that thou who dost abhor and hast revealed thy Wrath against all unrighteousness of Men shouldst Rom. 1. 18. be made use of to Patronize it as if thou werâ— such an one thy self I am astonished to think of this horrible perverting of thy Ways and Nature Men would not dare do thus but thou holdest thy Tongue Hab. 1. 13. Otherwise there could be no Tryal whither they would do thus or not But notwithstanding all the Practices of wicked Hypocrites through which Strangers and the Ignorant may mis-apprehend the God whom we serve thou wilt be justified when thou speakest and clear when thou judgest at the last and great day And even now thou art in this and all other Matters as thou speakest in thâ— Word The Author of the New Testament observed by his own Example what he taught and commanded to others when he was betraâ—ed into the hands of wicked Men though he could have had more then twelve Legions of Angels yet made â—ot the least opposition He was the Son of God King of Kings and Lord of Lords and consequently exempt from paying of Tribute to Mat. 17. them yet rather then he would give offence he wrought a Miracle for the Payment thereof And hath left this standing Commandment to all his Followers Render unto Cesar the things which are Cesars Mat. 22. 21. which is more particularly explained Rom. 13. Render therefore to all their Dues Tribute to whom Tribute is due Custom to whom Custom Fear to whom Fear Honour to whom Honour Ye must needs be subject not only for Wrath but for Câ—â—science sake These things are as much due to the Supreme Magistrate as it is from a Child to a Parent he hath Right to them from his Subjects as they have to their own Goods or Estate The Doctrine of Loyalty and Obedience to Governors is laid down in as plain Terms as any other Duty in the Gospel and are sufficient to convince him who Acts in Sincerity and Truth But those which are Presumptuous Self-willed 2 Pet. 2. 10. of turbulent and factious Spirits have found out some little and trifling Evasions against these express Texts There is a way in the World of putting Interpretations when there is no more need of them then of the most plain obvious Expression But this is a Trick either to wrest or make the Commandments of God of none effect The wicked thus vindicate or palâ—iate their Transgression and others in alike manner justifie Rebellion Let all Men in general remember and take heed that the great â—aw-giver when every one comes to give Account before him will not be trifled with Such ways and devices will not now pass in Humane Courts and Judicatories They have so much the more to Answer for by prevaricating the way of the Most High making his Word as it were a Nose of Wax some have Blasphemously called it so to stamp any Impression and mould it to any shape as serves their base Sinister turns In the end such Men will find that the All-wise God will not be outwitted by them The Criminals are not to make their own Construction of the Laws against which they have offended but must receive according to his righteous Judgment when what is written Rom. 1. 18. Rom. 2. 8. Shall be executed and found true Thus some who seem to be Religious Confess Men ought to pay Obedience unto Governours but then they say these Commands extend only to those Kings who love Christ and themselves live obedient to his Law. And whether they do or not private Persons are made Judges and if they think such an one doth not Subjects may lawfully disobey and rebel against him If this should be granted No King howsoever good or righteous would be safe in his Person for so apt are Men in judging the worst especially of those above them that they would censure him to be a prophane Prince or Hypocrite If he was another David a man after Gods own heart why he was hated and spoken
may Of Angeâ— and â—eal become instrumental of obedience and productive of good When conversant about holy and divine things it is Zeal the nature whereof may be understood from Mark 3. 5. John 2. 17. Psal 69. 9. 119. 139. Acts 18. 25. Mat. 24. 12. Lev. 20. 4. It doth arise from the love of God causing a vexation of mind and indignation at those who dishonour him He is revealed in those several relations of King Father and Master so his Subjects Children and Servants are bound to stand up for his Glory and Honour when any thing is done that seems contrary thereto If this Duty were not mentioned or required in Scripture as it is Tit. 2. 13 14. Rev. 3. 15 16 17. and by many Examples yet manifest reason teacheth it Where is love Num. 25. 11. 13. of God there must be Zeal Which shakes off Negligence and Sluggisâ—ness of Spirit and raises a Joy in doing his Will this holy Fire warms Devotion and utterly banishes all carelessness and contempt in Spiritual Duties The Man is pleased and doth give thanks when he sees God glorified and although there is a grief to behold the contrary Psal 119. 158. Acts 17. 16. Ezek. 9. 4. that will be abundantly rewarded by the Most High he shall not suffer for what others do yet he cannot cease to pray for them to mourn in secret for their sins Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart Thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy brother and not suffer sin upon him Lev. 19. 17. Charity and Love obligeth to admonish him to come out of the paths leading unto Death A reasonable Creature cannot justly take this ill yet sometimes Hatred and Reproaches are returned for this best kind of Civility and Friendship however the one hath done his Duty and what the other will one day wish he had hearkened unto the Satisfaction of a good Conscience requites for all evil intreaty in the mean while If they Curse him who stands up for Gods cause he takes it patiently knowing the time will come when the Lord will arise and maintain it himself Those who are the off-scouring and filth of the World the contemptible ones of the Earth yet when God cometh with his Holy Angels the Scene will change and themselves will be the 1 Cor. 6. 2 3. same who think and would make these so now Indeed Zeal doth draw on Reproach Contempt and Evil Sayings and therefore some would not have it be used because of these inconveniences But surely they do not consider or not believe the Promises as particularly Luke 6. 22. Who have made Conscience to serve God in all Duty were in past Generations esteemed Fools simple and ignorant People despised defamed evil intreated under the Law They had tryal of cruel Mockings and Scourges Heb. 11. 36 37 38. Our Lord himself was despised and rejected of Men he was despised and we esteemed him not Isa 53. 3. The like also happened to the first Christians And now we are fallen into those perillous times Where they receive his Name but do not obey his Doctrine make so much outward Profession as to intitle them unto Having a form of Godliness but denying the Power thereof They do not only rest here but according to the Apostles Prophecy which this day is fulfilled They are despisers of those that are good 2 Tim. 3. 3 5. These say they have hopes of going to Heaven but what should they do in the Holy of Holies the pure and sanctified place above who cannot endure what hath a resemblance to it here It is alledged they do not condemn or speak against the good Actions of others but their way of doing they cannot approve of that forward indiscreet zeal it is their own Phrase and making so great Pretences in the Eye of the World for say they Men may be good Christians and yet not seem so outwardly If it were sufficient to be a Christian only within this would take away the Crown from the Martyrs and accuse them of Folly for according to this supposal they might have believed on Christ and have kept their Faith to themselves and so have escaped cruel Torments and Death But this they did not knowing what was written Mat. 10. 32 33. Rom. 10. 9 10. 'T is replyed the Case now is altered We do not live amongst Heathens but in a Christian Countrey it is taken for granted that every one believes Jesus to be the Son of God what need of so much Profession But are we not amongst Infidels in heart Prophane Ungodly Wicked half Christians Who in heart and mouth set themselves against God and Christ as the Gentile World did What mean those bitter Words and Railings Witty Jests and Drolls against those who are careful to serve God in sincerity but to discourage and make them ashamed of so doing This hath been the usual Practise of the World the Prophet doth arm those of his own and succeeding times Hearken unto me ye that know righteousness the People in whose heart is my Law this is a peculiar manner of expressing Gods Sincere and faithful Servants Fear ye not the reproach of men neither be ye afraid of their revilings Isa 51. 7. Our Lord Christ doth severely threaten his Followers if this device of the wicked should take effect upon them Whosoever shall be ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful Generation of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed when he cometh in the Glory of the Father with the holy Angels Mark 8. 38. It is said Words indefinitely and therefore extends to his Doctrine and Commandments and so it is not called Jewish or Heathen but the same Character which belongs to our present Age. He is ashamed or afraid of his Religion that will not own it If he shrinks back and would not be thought Godly when he is so secretly this proceeds from Pride and sinful Modesty When the Name of God is blasphemed or taken in vain the way of truth evil spoken of Wickedness commended every one that feareth God is obliged to speak out in Reproof Vindication and Contradiction Zeal was typified by the Fire that shall ever burn upon the Altar it shall never go out Lev. 6. 13. Can that be and yet not seen Is any zealous for God hating Corruption wheâ—ever he sees it who yet doth not appear so to others The same Jesus who hath Commanded to take heed of the leaven of the Pharisâ—es which is Hypocrisie Luke 12. 1. that We do not our Alms before men to pray in secret Mat. 6. hath also said Ye are the Light of the World. A City that is set on an Hill cannot be hid Let your Light so shine before men that they may see your good Works and Glorifie your Father which is in Heaven Mat. 5. 14 16. If ye are a peculiar People you will be taken notice of if zealous of good Works they will be known If you do not
of the World. Thy Will he done in Earth as it is in Heaven he left for a standing Petition who likewise told us Joy shall be in Heaven over one Sinner that repenteth Luke 15. 7. When a single Person among such a Rebellious and froward Generation as the Inhabitants of the Earth are do begin to do it The whole Happiness of the World and things therein is to obey the Law of their great Creator Every thing in Relation to him is delightful When we beg good things of him we are assured he giveth liberally and upbraideth not Prayeâ— conduces to our present Establishment and Security it begins and helps towards the true Perfect and never ending Happiness For Mercies received the just Consequent is to return thanks Of Praise Now of God are all things From whom every good and perfect Gift proceedeth Jam. 1. 17. there arises up towards him the Duty of Praise and Thanksgiving We at first judge it a most reasonable thing to give the Lord the Honour due unto his Name and our selves have a strong resentment of Benefits But then Corruption begins to work and turn the Stream of our Gratitude unto subordinate and lesser Objects We are very thankful to the Instrument or next hand that doth convey unto us but unmindful of the Author and Fountain from whence they all spring Those Blessings that are become constant and common which should most set forth the bounty of the great Benefactor we wrongfully esteem our due and desert and then whatsoever is more this is looked upon as an Addition to what was our own and is taken kindly Whereas in this we might have seen his Providence that either furthered or could have hindred this good thing from us And at last if we provoke him by unthankfulness he can turn it into a Curse instead of a Blessing When thou hast eaten and art full then shalt thou bless the Lord thy God for the good Land which he hath given thee Deut. 8 10. He first created the Earth with Vertue to bring forth Fruits and hath given unto Men that power and understanding to Till it accordingly Who gave them Life and Being to receive these things and hath allotted to them severally as he will. Yet these being visible and nearest are too often by ignorant unbelievers more thanked then the Author of all things The Conduit which of it self is dry is more had in Admiration then the Fountain which sends forth the Water God expresses himself severely against Idolatry How many Cautions are there least we Worship the Sun Moon and Stars which are useful to mankind but he made them so He is a jealous God and would not that they should draw off the least Glory from their Creator Much less should eartheâ— Vessels come in for sharers of his Glory Especially when his only begotten Son disclaims it John 8. 50. and so do holy Men 1 Thes 2. 6. 1 Pet. 4. 11. Mark 5. 19. Acts 3. 12. Acts 12. 23. Acts 14. 15. Even of temporal and outward Mercies we have an immediate ascribing them unto Almighty God the Patriarch Jacob presently ascends above all second Causes The God which fed me all my Life long unto this day Gen. 48. 15. He doth not say his Estate or fruitful Seasons the Good-will of such Friends Money Food but he refers them all higher In the New Testament he is stiled the Father of Mercies and God of all Comfort 2 Cor. 1. 3. He gives Gifts unto his Children whether immediately as spiritual Blessings which are not in the power of any to give or take away And therefore to him in a more peculiar manner belongs all the Glory But for the temporal good things he sends by the hands of another we are to give our most humble and hearty thanks to the Great Master but in no wise to thank the Servant more then the Master nor to exclude the Sense and acknowledgment of the Great Lord over all O that Men would praise the Lord for his Goodness and for his wonderful Works to the Children of Men which is thrice repeated Psal 107. To speak forth his Goodness is that which God delights Isa 12. 4 5. in This Duty is expressed in a publick and outward manner Make known his Deeds among the People talk ye of all his wondrous Works Psal 105. 1 2. My tongue praiseth thee with joyful Lips Psal 63. 5. Make the Voice of his praise to be heard Psal 66. 8. Examples of this are Luke 1. 64. Luke 17. 15. Rev. 5. 12. The Holy Ghost by this signifying that we should speak out when we praise God and not do it inwardly in a whispering manner or in a Corner as if we were ashamed of what we did It is not said thus concerning Prayer for there the inward reserved way is rather commended Mat. 6. 1 Sam. 1. 13. But the great things God hath done for us they should be shewed forth amongst Men. There is no mention in Scripture of giving thanks only in secret but in the Assembly of the upright and in the Congregation Psal 111. 1. And also among others that they may be brought over to partake of the Goodness of the Lord. Nothing but Praise breaths forth through every Verse of the Book of Psalms or something which may be matter and occasion thereof It is inculcated throughout the Old and New Testament This People have I formed for my self they shall shew forth my praise Isa 43. 21. The Earth hath he given to the Children of Men Grass and Herbs are for Beasts and both for our use And what were we made for but to Confess openly the Glory and Greatness of our Creator to see and consider this vast Fabrick of the World to admire and magnifie that God who made it But ye are a peculiar People that you should shew forth the Praises of him who hath called you out of Darkness into his marvellous Light 1 Pet. 2. 9. Here is yet more matter of Praise and also to encourage free Obedience for to live only for a short time would not be altogether so much though God oweth nothing to his Creatures and as he brought them out of nothing so he could turn them to nothing again But he hath given most full assurance that we shall have and see greater things then these The Bread of God is he which cometh down from Heaven and giveth Life unto the World John 6. 33. That Revelation to mankind by Christ Jesus all those unspeakable Mercies contained in him The means of Grace and hope of Glory do justly require such abundant Exaltation of our God that our Soul and all within us cannot worthily Praise him ' This would take up all our Life-time here as it will the whole length of Eternity As for Preaching Prayer and the Sacrament they shall cease when we shall perfectly know and be obedient unto him when we shall have the full Accomplishment of our desires When we shall see him Face to