that should serue him but one day in a weeke and all the weeke besides serue himselfe This serues then to reprooue such as are present sometimes at the publique duties of Gods worship Vse 1 such as are the preaching of the word receiuing of the sacrament and the like but make no reckoning or accompt at all of priuate duties Surely such men can neuer approue themselues to God to performe either in faith and obedience as hee ought so long as hee labours not after an vniuersall obedience to bee the same in priuate that he is in publique Let vs then bee admonished in the feare of God Vse 2 that as wee desire to bee Christians indeed and therein to approue our selues to God to labour to be the same at home as abroad in our owne houses as in the Church otherwise we can neuer assure our owne hearts of the truth of grace wrought therein or that wee goe before an hypocrite or a wicked man who many times is exercised in the one when he makes no reckoning or accompt at all of the other He read Isaiah the Prophet This Noble man did not worship God at a venture or as haply his forefathers had done before him as many in our dayes who will doe thus and thus because their fathers before them did so But hee will worship God as hee had learned out of his word And herein will teach all men vnto the end of the world a necessarie dutie That if wee will worship God aright Doct. In Gods worship we must fetch our direction out of Gods word we must fetch our direction from Gods word and not out of the Popes Chaire The word must bee our loadstarre to guide vs the way to Christ and to keepe vs in the way No seruice can please God but that which is done by direction from his word The Lord himselfe giues expresse charge concerning this Deut. 4.2 when hee saith Ye shall not adde vnto the word which I command mand you neither shall ye diminish ought from it That ye may keepe the Commandements of the Lord your God which I command you The meaning is Thou shalt doe no more or lesse in my seruice then what I command thee Yea it is no better then Idolatrie Num. 15.39 and spirituall whoredome for vs to follow our owne hearts or to bee led by our good meanings in matters appertaining vnto Gods seruice This is such a sinne as doth highly prouoke God to anger as wee may see in Nadab and Abihu Leuit. 10.1.2 in offering vp of their strange fire who were therefore destroyed with fire from heauen And for this cause Ieroboam drew the curse of God vpon him and his posteritie after him Because of those golden calues that hee had caused to bee erected at Dan and Bethel without warrant from God And how sharply doth our Sauiour reproue the Scribes and Pharisees for this who vsed a world of ceremonies and traditions in Gods worship which hee commanded not and therefore saith In vaine doe ye worship me Mat. 15. teaching for Doctrine the traditions of men Isa 1.11.12 And therefore the Lord will say to such as to those idolatrous Iewes of old Who hath required these things at your hands And hence is it that the Apostle Paul when hee went about to remoue those errours that we crept into the Church of Corinth about the Sacrament he brings them to the first institution of the same by Christ himselfe for where things are brought to the first institution all humane errours then cease And this doth the Apostle 1. Cor. 11.23 when he saith That which I haue receiued from the Lord deliuer I vnto you c. So that we see it is a most cleare and grounded truth that if we would worship God aright we must not be led by our fantasies and carnall reason good meanings or the like but we must fetch our direction out of Gods word And great reason For God will be acknowledged the onely Law-giuer Reas 1 the King of his Church and the onely Prophet to instruct his people For so saith the Apostle There is onely one Law-giuer Iam. 4 12. who is able to saue and to destroy So that none may presume in matters appertaining to his worship and seruice to adde or detract lest hee incurre that curse Cursed is he that shall adde to the words of this booke Reu. 22. Secondly Ro. 14.23 Whatsoeuer is not of faith is sinne Now faith we know is grounded vpon the word So that it is impossible for a man to please God in any seruice he doth that hath not his word for his warrant and direction It was Christs last commandement that he gaue vnto his Disciples teaching them to obserue all things that I haue commanded you Mat. 28.20 And surely this strikes at the foundation of Popish Religion Vse 1 for wherein for the most part stands the seruice and worship of God that is performed amongst them but in grosse superstition and in the inuentions of their owne braine in the traditions of men Popes Councels Cardinals and the like in a multitude of vaine and idle ceremonies and obseruations all which haue no ground or footing out of Gods word as namely their whipping of themselues their crossings and coniurings praying on beads going on pilgrimage and a thousand the like all which haue no ground or warrant at all out of Gods word to whom we may truly say as our Sauiour to the woman of Samaria Ioh. 4.22 Ye worship ye know not what And surely herein we may iustifie our Religion against the Papists and against all the Aduersaries of Gods truth that wee know whom we worship And if we be deceiued God hath deceiued vs and his word hath deceiued vs which is impossible For his word is true as himselfe is Secondly Vse 2 we are taught hence to acquaint our selues with the Scriptures that so wee may be directed how to worship God aright Now Gods word is a perfect rule and a perfect guide Saint Peter calls it a Sure word 2 Pet. 1.19 whereunto saith he ye do well if ye take heed So Dauid Psal 119.31 I haue cleaued vnto thy testimonies O Lord confound me not And it is worth our best consideration what Samuel spake vnto Saul that would sacrifice where God had not appointed Hath the Lord saith hee as great delight in burnt-offerings and sacrifices 1. Sam 15.22 as when the voyce of the Lord is obeyed Behold to obey is better then sacrifice and to hearken is better then the fat of Lambes And last of all this sheweth the miserable condition that such are in Vse 3 that are not neither may they be acquainted with the word of God as in the Church of Rome that haue the Scripture locked vp in an vnknowne tongue they can neuer auoide that woe our Sauiour pronounced against the Scribes and Pharises Mat. 23.13 They neither entred into the
euery man his owne family when they themselues haue beene throughly grounded Reas 6 Sixtly by this meanes Ministers shall leaue all men without excuse in the day of the Lord. The vses follow Vse 1 This serues then to reproue the great and generall neglect of this duty both in Ministers and people First Ministers that goe about to raise vp a building without a foundation that teach their people the high mysteries of Christ and saluation whilst in the meane time they remaine ignorant euen of the Principles of religion What Scholler when hee is first set to schoole is put the first day in his Grammer surely this is the reason why in so many Congregations of this land there is so much preaching to so little edification Secondly such people that take it ill at the hands of their Pastors if either in publike or priuate their Minister take triall of their estates by asking them questions they think Philip too ouer-bold to question them this is a manifest signe of a barren and gracelesse heart Bankrouts would not haue men to pry into their estates but a man of sufficiency will neuer feare it Secondly Vse 2 this serues to iustifie that excellent and commendable duty now so much pressed vpon vs euen by authority of catechising our people and may prouoke both Ministers and people to be more frequent therein Ministers that they lay a good foundation instructing their people throughly in the principles of religion such may they with comfort admit to the Lords Table as long as they are not openly wicked scandalous and prophane for there is more hope of a wicked man or close hypocrite that hath knowledge so long as his life is not openly prophane then of a meere naturall man that is ciuill and voyd of knowledge So should it incourage Masters and Parents yea all heads of Families to traine vp their children and those that are vnder them in instruction and information of the Lord for howsoeuer in the best families some Esaus and Ismaels may bee found yet if men belong to God this course will proue one day no small aduantage vnto them Vnderstandest thou what thou readest In this Question of Philip how plainely or bluntly soeuer propounded wee may further Doct. What are those things that God requireth of euery Christian Holy duties must be performed with vnderstanding namely that wee vnderstand the things we reade or heare or speake or sing all these duties must be performed with vnderstanding Who so readeth Mat. 24.15 let him vnderstand Thus Christ after his resurrection when hee appeared vnto his Disciples and they knew him not Luk 24.45 He opened their vnderstanding that they might vnderstand the Scripture So Paul Eph. 3.3.4 I wrote afore in few words that when ye reade ye may vnderstand This is the thing that Dauid often prayes for at Gods hand Giue me vnderstanding Ps 119.34 that I may keepe thy law So Paul 1 Cor. 14.15 I will pray with the Spirit and I will pray with the vnderstanding also And this is that grace the Apostle Saint Paul prayeth for in the behalfe of the Philippians Phil. 1.9 I pray that yee may abound more and more in know ledge and in all iudgement that ye may discerne things that are most excellent Without this true vnderstanding of the Scripture Reas 1 the word doth not profit for the comfort of euery true beleeuer in the Scirpture lyeth in the true sence knowledge and vnderstanding of the holy Ghost therein and this being true knowne and rightly applyed yeelds sound comfort Reas 2 Secondly without this true knowledge and vnderstanding both in reading of the Scripture praying singing of Psalmes c. We doe but offer the sacrifice of a foole which is an abhomination vnto the Lord. For the Lord delights that his seruants should performe the duties of his seruice and worship in iudgement and vnderstanding which such doe not that remaine ignorant of that they doe This serues to reproue such as content themselues to reade now and then a Chapter Vse 1 and neuer care to get the vnderstanding of the same euen as a Boy faith his lesson or like a Parrat that knoweth not what hee saith but wee must by all holy helpes and meanes labour to finde out the meaning of the holy Ghost therin otherwise we lose our labour and all our reading will doe vs no good Secondly who in singing or giuing of thankes neigher marke nor vnderstand what they doe how many haue we amongst vs that will runne ouer the Lords Prayer tenne Commandements and Creede for prayers know not the meaning nor regard to know it This is indeed little better then to take the name of God in vaine lip labour and such a seruice as God can no way accept Thirdly our common Papists who haue all in an vnknowne tongue in such wise that whether they blesse or curse they cannot tell Vse 2 Secondly this serues to teach vs to be affected with all that we doe in reading hearing singing praying c. That we labour to vnderstand what wee doe in all and euery of these that so we may doe the same in faith and obedience to Gods Commandement without which no duty can finde acceptation with him How can I Here we haue the milde modest and meeke answer of the Eunuch wherein he doth freely confesse his ignorance and that for want of an Interpreter he could not vnderstand the Scriptures and how desirous hee was to vnderstand them he shewes by his request to Philip to come vp into his Chariot to instruct him Though Philip spake thus bluntly and as it might seeme vnciuilly yet he is not by and by in a heate as commonly great men are when they are thus roundly and plainly dealt withall As Ieroboam that when the prophet had denounced the iudgement of God against the Altat in Bethel he commanded saying 1. Kinâ— 13 â— Lay hold on him And as the proud Sodomites said sometimes to Lot Gen. â—9 9 This Fellow came in as a stranger and shall he be a Iudge And as the Priests dealt with Ieremy Ier. â—6 8 who when hee had denounced the iudgements of God against Ierusalem tooke him and said Thou sualt surely dye And thus dealt Ahab with Micha Amaziah with Amos and Herod with the Baptist And thus is it with many in these dayes if they be told of their faults will swell and controll a man men cannot abide to bee questioned withall touching religion A manifest signe that the spirit of enuie and of pride dwelleth in them they had rather retaine their swinish affections and sottish manners then to submit themselues to bee taught like a man that hath a festered sore that cannot abide the searching of it But this man is led by another spirit and guided by another principle he doth truly confesse his ignorance and desireth Philip to instruct him in the wayes of God Note hence That it is a
Blessed is he to whom the Lord imputeth no sinne and in whose spirit there is no guile Bee glad oh ye righteous and reioyce in the Lord. But who are righteous And be ioyfull ye that are true of heart Ver. 10. Heare we Dauids prayer for such Psal 125.4 Do good to those that bee good and vpright in heart Whereas that man that wants this soundnesse of heart in doing of good duties he doth but loose his labour they are but abhomination vnto the Lord As it is said of Amazia 2. Chron. 25.2 He did that which was right in the sight of the Lord but not with a sound heart Now the grounds of this are Reas 1 God hath commanded it Gen. 17.1 Walke before me and bee thou perfect or sincere Reas 2 Secondly it is onely comfort a Christian hath in all that we do that the same is performed of vs in singlenesse of heart In the world we see the best duties of a Christian traduced and oftentimes they are called Hypocrites for their paines and mocked and derided as Dauid was when he danced before the Arke But this was Iobs comfort when his friends layed such an imputation vpon him Iob 27.5 I will not part with my innocency saith he vntill I dye And this was Hezechias his comfort at such time as hee was summoned to death Isa 38.3 Remember Lord that I haue walked before thee in truth and with an vpright heart Reas 3 Thirdly it is that which distinguisheth a true Christian from an hypocrite who may go as far in the worke done as the best Christian in outward performances The thorny ground and the stony ground went wondrous farre our Sauiour sheweth that these receiue the word with ioy and beleeue for a time Matth. 13. onely the good ground are they which with honest and good hearts heare the word and keepe Reas 4 And last of all God hath appointed a day in the which all our actions shall be iudged and scanned not as they haue seemed to men but as they haue beene indeed and in truth before God We must al appear before the iudgment seat of Christ 2. Co. 5.10 that euery one may receiue the things done in his body according to that hee hath done whether it be good or bad Vse 1 It may serue to admonish euery one in the feare of God that we labour after this sinceritie and puritie of heart without which no dutie that we can performe can finde acceptation with God But how shall I know in the performance of holy duties Quest that my heart is thus qualified There are many markes and tokens of this integritie of heart Answ whereby it may bee discerned amongst the rest these Marks of a sincere heart First it is discerned by the manner of performance of any dutie it doth the same humbly keeping an eye still vpon it's owne wants in doing of them fearing still that something may be amisse that may hinder the Lords gracious acceptation of them a sincere heart is still ready to complaine of its best actions and dare not present any seruice it doth vnto God further then it hath the righteousnesse of Iesus Christ to couer all the imperfections of the same Secondly it is discerned by the ready and chearfull performance of holy duties God loueth a chearfull giuer This was the great commendation of the Church of the Romans Ye haue obeyed from the heart the forme of doctrine that hath beene deliuered vnto you Thirdly with much affection and loue Psal 119. So Dauid O that my wayes were so direct that I might keepe thy statutes c. Fourthly it is the propertie of a good heart to haue an eye vnto all the commandements of God to the duties of the second Table as the first This was the great commendations of Cornelius when he could say Act. 10. Wee are all here before God to heare whatsoeeuer is commanded vs of God So Dauid I shall not be confounded whilest I haue respect vnto all thy commandements And lastly it wil do them constantly not by fits when he is in a good mood but at all times in prosperitie as in aduersitie in sicknesse as in health which an Hypocrite doth not for so saith Iob Doth an hypocrite pray alwayes Iob 21. The meaning is he doth not Secondly this may serue for matter of singular consolation vnto the godly that can approue themselues vnto God that whatsoeuer they do in his seruice and worship they do the same in singlenesse of heart such need not to doubt but they shall meet with the Lord in his owne ordinance And albeit they may haue in them many wants and infirmities yet this singlenesse and integritie that is in the heart makes amends for all and causeth the Lord to passe by them all An husband beares with many infirmities of his wife so long as she keepeth her faith to him in the maine duties of Matrimoniall loue So dealeth the Lord with his seruants so long as they keepe their hearts vpright with him See we this in King Asa a catalogue of whose infirmities the Scriptures affoord vnto vs as namely that he tooke not away the high places that in his displeasure hee cast the Lords Prophet into prison that hee oppressed his people that in the time of his sicknesse he sought to the Physitian and not to the Lord. And yet for all this see the account the Lord made of this man the Text saith 1 Kin. 15.14 Asas heart was vpright with the Lord all his dayes The Lord so regarded that as that he passed by all the rest And he said I beleeue that Iesus Christ is the Sonne of God Philip hath no sooner put the question Doct. A Christian must be readie to giue an account of his faith 1. Pet 3.15 but the Eunuch makes the answer readily and willingly It is a commendable duty in a Christian to giue an account of his faith whensoeuer he shall be demanded it is an Apostolicall iniunction Sanctifie the Lord in your hearts and be ready alwayes to giue an answer to euery man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you And hence is it that Christians are exhorted To keepe the profession of our faith without wauering Heb. 10.23 See this in Paul in his boldnesse before Felix I confesse vnto thee Act. 24.14 that after the way which they call Heresie so worship I the God of my Fathers The grounds of this we haue heard before The vse serues to perswade to this duty Vse as a most necessarie fruit and consequence of faith Psal 116.10 I beleeued and therefore did I speake What faith beleeueth the mouth will speake Hee that is afraid to make an open confession of Christ hath not as yet by a liuely faith put on Christ But is a Christian bound at all times to giue an account of his Quest Faith and of his Religion he doth professe to
arise and goe towards the South vnto the way that goeth down from Ierusalem to Gaza which is desert 27 And he arose and went and behold a man of Ethiopia an Eunuch of great authority vnder Candace Queene of the Ethiopians who had charge of all her treasure came to Ierusalem to worship 28 And sitting in his Chariot he read Esayas the Prophet 29 Then the Spirit said to Philip goe neere and ioyne thy selfe to this Chariot 30 And Philip ran thither to him and heard him reade Esayas the Prophet and said vnderstandest thou what thou readest 31 And hee said how can I without a guide and hee desired Philip that be would come vp and sit with him 32 The place of Scripture that he read was this He was led as a Sheepe to the slaughter and like a Lamb dumb before the Shearer so opened he not his mouth 33 In his humiliation his iudgement was taken away and who shall declare his generation for his life is taken from the earth 34 And the Eunuch answered Philip and sayd I pray thee of whom speaketh the Prophet this of himselfe or of some other man 35 And Philip opened his mouth and began at the same Scripture and preached vnto him Iesus 36 And as they went on their way they came vnto a certaine water And the Eunuch said see here is water What doth hinder me to be baptized 37 And Philip said if thou beleeuest with all thy heart thou maist And he answered and sayd I beleeue that Iesus is the Sonne of God 38 And hee commanded the Chariot to stand still and they went downe into the water both Philip and the Eunuch and hee Baptized him 39 And when they were come out of the water the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip and the Eunuch saw him no more and hee went on his way reioycing IN these words now read to the end of this Chapter is set forth the History of a certaine Ethiopian that came to Ierusalem to worship and therein how God in mercy did conuey the knowledge of the Gospell and so of Iesus Christ vnto the Gentiles and that by the ministery of Philip. And the first fruits of the same is this Eunuch or great Noble man being Lord Treasurer to the great Queene Candace Queene of the Ethiopians The History hath in it 1 The Preface or Introduction into the History 2 The History it selfe The Preface hath in it 1 The Angels message or command vnto Philip v. 26. 2 Philips obedience v. 27. The History it selfe describeth vnto vs 1 The Ethiopian with his adiuncts 2. Philip with his Ministery and the effects thereof The Ethiopian described 1 By his person Eunuch 2 Country Ethiopian 3 Office Lord Treasurer 4 Religion came to Ierusalem to worship Whose religion or religious disposition is further commended 1 By his diligence in reading the Scriptures losing no time therein but euen in his Chariot he read the same v. 28. 2 By desiring Philip further to instruct him in the knowledge of Christ v. 31. Philip his Ministery described 1 By asking him a question and Catechising him v. 30. 2 By preaching and expounding the same Scripture v. 35. 3 By Baptizing him v. 38. 4 By the effects of his Ministery Conuersion and ioy v. 39. VERSE 26. And the Angell of the Lord spake vnto Philip saying Arise and goe toward the South c THe circumstance of time is first to be considered when the Angell giues this charge to Philip. It was in the time of the Churches great persecution and trouble as it appeareth in the first verse of this Chapter Verse 1. And at that time there was great persecution against the Church which was at Ierusalem c. And verse the third Saul made hauocke of the Church Verse 3. Caiphas the high Priest and the Pharisies bending all their power to suppresse the truth who at this time stoned Stephen when they could not resist the Spirit by the which he spake So as now Philip might bee in great danger and hazard to preach the Gospell hee saw before his eyes Stephen stoned and Sauls rage great against the truth yet now will the Angell of the Lord haue Philip to goe and preach the word to this man And thus in all ages and from time to time hath the Lord employed his seruants in most dangerous times Ex. 3.9 Moses must to Pharaoh Elias to Ahab and denounce Gods iudgement against him 1 Reg. 18.14 euen at that time when Ahab sought his life And thus the Lord sent Esay the Prophet to the Iewes when their Princes were as the Sodomites for wickednesse Esay 1.10 And thus is Ezekiel sent vnto a stif-necked people and Amos at that time when the people pressed the Lord with their sinnes Amos 2.14 as a Cart that is pressed with sheaues And thus hee sent forth his Disciples Mat. 10.16 Behold I send you forth as Lambs amongst Wolues to be a gazing-stocke to the world to Angels and to men 1 Cor. 4 5â— as it is at this day We are taught then that the Ministers of Christ must discharge their duties Doct. 1 Ministers must discharge their duty notwiâ—hstanding all appearance of danger notwithstanding all appearance of danger Though in the conscionable performance of the same they are to meete with troubles and dangers yet they are carefully to discharge the duties of their sacred calling Amos doth his duty though complaint be made to the Prince Amos 7.10 that the land is not able to beare his words Zedechiah striketh Ieremy Passur causeth him to be put into prison What of all this Ieremy must doe his duty as the Lord had commanded Feare not their faces Ier. 1.17 but speake all that I command thee lest I destroy thee So Paul 1 Cor. 9.16 necessity is laid vpon mee and woe to me if I preach not the Gospell Again when the same Apostle was foretold by Agabus of the great troubles he should meet withall at IerusaleÌ„ which when the Church heard of they besought him not to goe vp thither Behold we his godly resolution Then Paul answered Act. 21.13 what meane ye to weepe and to breake my heart for I am ready not to bee bound onely but also to dye at Ierusalem for the name of the Lord Iesus And there is reason for it First Reas 1 they are the Ambassadors of Christ and therefore must deliuer their message truely and faithfully Ier. 33.7 They are the Lords Watchmen and therefore must acquaint the people with the danger comming Reas 2 Secondly the Lord hath promised to recompence the labours of his seruants and this was it that comforted Esay ouer all his sorrowes Esay My reward is with the Lord and my recompence with my God Reas 3 Thirdly the good of Gods Church requireth it for if it haue vnfaithful vnconscionable Teachers sit ouer it that feede not the flocke it cannot be but many of the sheepe
the time of the Law before the comming of Christ very costly So likewise his paines in trauell was very great it being farre distant from that place to serusalem yet not withstanding it is not the cost nor it is not the paines in trauell that can keepe him back or any whit discourage him but vp will he goe to Ierusalem there to worship God and herein will teach vs That the duties of Religion must earnestly bee pursued and followed after Doct. The duties of religion must be earnestly pursued and followed after not coldly negligently and carelesly but earnestly zelously carefully and constantly Men must not stick for labor for cost for their paines but the Lord must bee serued intentiuely and constantly In euery seruice wee doe vnto God he calleth for this zeale and godly resolution to go thorough with the same And surely this was the great commendations of the Prophet Dauid that he had a zeale as hot as fire Psâ—l 96.10 The zeale of thy house hath eaten me vp This forwardnesse and zeale wee may see to haue beene in the people of God in building of the Temple wherein they spared no cost as also in their diligent repairing to the same wherein they spared no labour and to this are we exhorted Seek for wisdome as for siluer and search for it as for hid treasures Now they that worke in Mines of the earth dig deepe and are not beaten off with much labour such resolution becometh it Gods people to haue in seeking the true treasure The Lord cannot abide that men should go about his seruice negligently coldly and carelesly Cursed are they that do the work of the Lord negligently Ier. 48.10 and How long halt yee betweene two opinions 1 Re. 18.21 c. And it was that our Sauiour was so highly offended with the Church of Laodicea Ren. 3.15 that shee was neither cold nor not and therefore the Lord threatneth to spew her out of his mouth It was the commendations of those in the days of our Sauiour that they flocked after him and pressed vpon him And in diuers places we reade that multitudes followed Christ to heare his heauenly doctrine Yea our Sauiour â—â—â—onisheth vs to labour but for what Not for the meat that perisheth Ioh. 6 but for the meat that endureth to eternall life Zoâ—â—◠〈◊〉 quâ—â—ed 〈◊〉 â—uâ—â—â— paâ—â— oâ—â—â—oâ—â— woâ—â—sâ—â—â— And this zeale and diligence I â—â—igâ—â—t haue â—hewed how God requires the same in euery part of his worship and seruice As First in the preaching of the word Wee are commanded to preach the word in season and out of season 〈…〉 to improue rebuke and exhort with long-suffering and doctrine Secondly in hearing of the word we are commanded to bee swift to heare Iâ—â—a 2.19 Thirdly in prayer we are com manded to be feruent in prayer 3 Râ—â—â— â—â— 12 And in all the duties of sanctification wee are commanded to redeeme the time and to worke out our saluation And great reason First in regard that such as do the worke of the Lord negligently Reas 1 slothfully and carelesly lye vnder an heauie and a fearefull curse Cursed is euery one that doth the worke of the Lord negligently Ier. 4â— â—0 But such are all those that come negligently vnto Gods seruice and therefore lie vnder this curse Secondly to doe any dutie to God negligently and carelesly Reas 2 it neuer hath any promise of any acceptation with him There is no duty that we can assure our hearts shall finde acceptation with the Almighty further then the same is zealously performed in faith repentance and obedience to Gods Commandement Thirdly such as performe any duty formally Reas 3 customarily and but for fashion sake are in great danger to fall away euen from that they make shew of as our Sauiour saith That shall bee taken away which they seemed to haue This was the curse of the Church of Ephesus a drowsie and dead-hearted people Reu 2 5. Thou hast lost thy first loue Such drowsie Christians are alwayes vnder a spirituall consumption for it fares with such a one as with him that hath a Consumption of the body for there the naturall heate decayeth daily more and more and threatneth death Euen so such as haue a spirituall consumption of the soule the spirituall heat doth diminish and threaten destruction Fourthly Reas 4 earnestnesse and zeale in the publicke duties of Gods worship is an excellent meanes to prouoke others to be more diligent in Gods seruice And this the Apostle affirmes to the great commendations of the Church of Corinth Your zeale hath prouoked many 2. Cor. 9.2 And last of all Reas 5 without this diligence and zeale we haue no promise to meet with God in his ordinances Pro. 23.4 If thou cryest after knowledge and liftest vp thy voice for vnderstanding if thou seeke her as siluer and search for her as for hidde treasure What then Then shalt thou vnderstand the feare of the Lord and finde the knowledge of God Feruency and zeale in good duties addeth wings vnto them and makes them sore aloft and pierce the heauens euen into Gods presence Whereas duties formally performed and but with lip labour onely bring no fruit at all but hasten Gods sudgements vpon him that doth them Seeing then that the duties of Religion are so earnestly to bee pursued and followed after Vse 1 This serues then for the iust reprehension of those that are so farre from being zealous themselues to trauell with the Eunuch here vnto Ierusalem to worship God as that they mocke and scoffe at others that doe their duties herein Certainly if this Nobleman liued amongst vs it were not his greatnesse that would free him from the imputation of Puritanisme and his zeale should not escape the disgraces of wicked men Is not this common in the world See wee not that if there be any one in a Parish as many God knoweth there be not that is more forward then others to sanctifie the Sabbath and to spend that day as set apart wholly for Gods seruice in the publicke duties belonging thereto how are these singled out aboue all others and derided and scoffed at for the same when drunkards swearers and prophane persons are neuer wondred at This hard measure Dauid met withall from Micol his owne wife 2. Sam. 6 20. who dancing before the Arke therein expressing the inward ioy of his heart she mockes him How glorious was the King this day To whom Dauid made answer It was before the Lord who chose mee before thy fathers house and I will yet be more vile Let it euer be the commendations of all Gods people so to be vpbraided and scoffed at for their godly zeale As for wicked men they are neuer so zealous as in the cause of sinne And this indeed is the misery of this age and time wherein wee liue that that which indeed is the greatest ornament to a christian man
taught him the maine Principle sof our faith and mystery of our saluation through Christ Such as were Christs Incarnation Christs humiliation and those great things he suffered for our sakes His Resurrection and exaltation on high at the right hand of his Father together with the vse of the Sacraments of the Church Baptisme and Christs Last Supper That these things were taught vnto the Eunuch this Text doth make it cleare by his desiring of Philip so soone as they came to the water to baptise him And as they went on their way Text. they came to a certaine water c. Here we see the fruit and effect of Philips Ministery in another particular first we haue heard before that he is brought to be a beleeuer here againe to put on Christ by the badge and liuery of his profession Baptisme It teacheth vs then What is the true end of preaching the Gospell Doct. The end of true preaching is to bring men to Christ namely to bring men to Christ See the truth of this in the scope and drift of Pauls Ministery Vnto the Iewes I became a Iew that I might gaine the Iewes 1. Cor. 9.20 2â— 22. To them that are vnder the Law as vnder the Law To what end That I might saue them that are vnder the Law To the weake I became as weake that I might gaine the weake I became all things to all men that I might by all meanes saue some And this I do for the Gospels sake Ver. 23 See wee the truth of this in the commission Christ gaue vnto his Disciples Go ye into all the world and preach the word to euery Nation Mar. 16.16 hee that beleeueth and is baptised shall bee saued So that saluation is the end of preaching So Paul I am not ashamed of the Gospell of Christ Rom. 16.17 because it is the power of God to saluation For therein is the righteousnesse of God reuealed from faith to faith begetting faith in vs and is therefore called 1. Tim. 4.6 The word of faith because it begetteth faith in the hearts of Gods seruants This is the maine end of the preaching of the word and so of the Gospell of Iesus Christ See the exhortation of Paul to Timothy Instruct them with meeknesse which be contrary minded 2. Tim. 2.25 prouing if at any time God will giue them repentance vnto saluation This is the true end that the Minister of the word must ayme at namely to bring men out of darknesse into his maruellous light Thus Paul and Sylas willeth the Iaylor to be leeue in the Lord Iesus Act. 16. and hee should be saued All true preaching aymes at this as the true end thereof Vse 1 Seeing then that this is the end of the Ministery of the word to bring men to Christ Euery faithfull Minister of Christ must then propound vnto himselfe Gods end in euery Ministeriall duty whether he preach the Doctrine of the Law or the Doctrine of the Gospell all his exhortations reprehensions and instructions must still ayme at this and tend to this And indeed the true glory of a Minister consists in the number of those that by his Ministery are gained to Christ Such are his crowne and glory the Seales of his Ministery And comfortable will the reckoning and account of such one day be when they shall say Here come I Father with those thou hast giuen me Vse 2 And as Ministers are taught their duties what ought to be the end of their Ministery So are hearers likewise to be admonished to stoupe vnto Gods ordinance in their Ministery that so they may be brought to Christ If we neglect or contemne this meanes no creature in heauen or earth can do vs any good fast pray afflict thy soule yea giue thy body that it burne be thou neuer so rich in the workes of charity and mercy if in the meane time thou turne thy backe vpon the word this ordinance of God Ion. 2. Thou forsakest thy owne mercy For the word preached is the word of faith and it is faith that brings vs to Christ Vse 3 And last of all this may serue for matter of triall whether or no wee haue profited aright by the hearing of the word For then indeed haue we beene fruitfull hearers and then and not till then haue we heard the word sauingly when our Iudgements haue beene thereby informed and our liues reformed and wee brought to Christ Now indeed there be but few that haue thus heard the word The Drunkard Swearer prophane and beastly liuer hath not yet profited aright by the preaching of the word All the husbandry bestowed vpon such a one is not worth the labour Such ground is neare to cursing and burning for so saith the Apostle The earth that drinketh in the raine that cometh often vpon it 1. Cor. 3. Heb. 6.7 and bringeth forth fruit meet for them by whom it is dressed receiueth the blessing from God But that which beareth thornes and bryers is neare vnto cursing whose end is to be burned Let vs then at last my brethren be awakened out of our securitie and whilest it is called To day not to harden our hearts but answer the Lords call lest we come at last to be hardened through the deceitfulnesse of sinne and by our wilfull rebellion and contempt of grace offered shut vp at last the gate of grace against our selues And as they went on their way It seemeth then that Philip preached in his trauell sitting in the Chariot and as they iournied Certainly great was the zeale and pietie of this man in the improuing of his time so well He would either reade himselfe or heare Philip preach euen in their trauels and in their iourney Now inasmuch as the Spirit of God is so carefull in setting down this diligence of his in euery circumstance thereof it teacheth vs Doct. Time is to be well spent That the carefull improuing of our time is a thing well pleasing vnto God and that delighteth him and hence it is that wee are exhorted to redeeme the time And our Sauiour tells vs Eph. 5. That for euery idle word that men shall speake Mat. 12.36 they shall giue an account in the day of Iudgement Our Sauiour reproued this in those husbandmen in the Gospell Why stand yee here all the day idle Mat. 20. Time pretious time is one of those Talents for the which we are one day to giue vp account vnto God Which shews indeed the greatnesse of their sinne Vse that make no reckoning or account of time as if it were their owne to spend it they list Many men set their wits on worke how to spend time and to driue it away as they say as if time were so slow footed as that it stood in need to bee driuen Surely there are many thousands now in hell that shall there suffer the reward of the damned for euermore that would giue a thousand worlds if
namely to be zealous in religion and forward in good duties should now become matter of scorne and derision The sinnes of this Land at this day are many and grieuous yet this if there were none other this this doth prognosticate no good to this land Secondly Vse 2 this serues for admonition to prouoke vs to the serious seeking of Gods face in his ordinance and not negligently and carelesly to slubber ouer the Lords worke such are threatned with a curse as wee haue heard before Our Sauiour tels vs that from the day of the Baptist vntill now the kingdome of heauen suffereth violence and the violent plucke it vnto themselues But alas in our dayes we may say that the kingdome of this world of Darkenesse Antichrist of the deuill suffereth violence insomuch that men are more remisse in seeking for grace and the things that concerne their euerlasting welfare then they are for seeking for iron for brasse for lead nay many prefer their seeking for Coles Stone Marle and Morter before the rich pearle of the Gospell that will make men rich vnto saluation what doe men thinke on lesse what doe they speake of lesse what doe they lesse labour for what doe they lesse bewaile the want of then this If men make not good markets they mourne if their crop or cattell miscarry they cry out or if any temporall calamitie betide them they are oppressed with griefe But as for their deadensse of heart their want of appetite to heauenly things and desire of grace this doth neuer trouble them O that men could see their barrennesse in heauenly duties and seeing it bewaile it and bewailing it labour to come out of it The Lord will be serued with all our might with all our strength and with all our power the Lord cannot abide that men should haue a heart and a heart a heart for God and a heart for the world a heart for Christ and an heart for Antichrist There is no halting with God 1. Reg. 18.21 if God be God worship him is Baal be god follow him Vp to Ierusalem to worship But why found not this Eunuch an Apostle there to teach him Quest The Lord seeth not as man seeth Answ wee must not measure the Lords wayes by our carnall wit or reason for that is foolishnesse to him he is onely wise Rom. 8 7. and knoweth when and where and how to bestow his blessings It may be it was not so seasonable for Philip to haue instructed him at Ierusalem for at Ierusalem his outward sences had beene filled with goodly shewes and with the great pompe of those ceremonies wherein the seruice and worship of God at that time did consist and during that time haply hee could not be so sit for the glad tidings of the Gospell For wee know when men haue that which delighteth the outward senses they are not so fit to receiue that which concerneth the inward man Abigal would not tell Nabal what Dauid had purposed against him whilest hee was in his drunkennesse his senses being stupified and shall wee thinke that God doth not obserue his fittest time when to teach and instruct his people Againe it may be that a benefit or a treasure vnlooked for is more acceptable Iacob going to Lahan was comforted by the way Euen so the good tidings of the Gospell might be the more acceptable vnto this man because he expected it not This teacheth vs still to wait vpon God in the conscionable vse of the meanes wherein he will Vse be found of vs vntill the Lord be pleated to teach and to reueale his will vnto vs. And not to doe as many doe because they haue not the comfort they desire in religion and religious exercises by and by cast off all care and giue ouer and so likewise in the time of affliction especially when the rod shall bee continued vpon them vse vnlaw full meanes to come out of the same as Saul that resorted to the witch of Endor this will yeeld no comfort in the end whereas to such as wait vpon God Deliuerance will come as Mordecai said to Hester and there is a reward for the righteous at last VERSE 28. Was returning and sitting in his Chariot hee read Esayas the Prophet Text THe man when hee had beene at Ierusalem to worship hee left not his religion and deuotion at the Church dore there to take it vp when hee came againe as many doe that if they haue beene at the Church and haue made a few poore prayers heard a Sermon and ioyned with the congregation in Gods seruice think they haue done enough and then betake themselues to their pleasures and liue in all manner of prophanesse all the weeke after and think they may doe what they list like that lewd woman Solomon speakes of I haue pence offerings with mee Pro. 7.14 this day haue I payd my vowes let vs take our fill of loue Shee thought that shee had then free liberty to do whatsoeuer she pleased in regard of her late seruice So these thinke they may giue themselues to all manner of licentious courses especially seeing they haue performed the outward parts of Gods seruice But this Eunuch is of another minde being led by another spirit hee is the same in priuate that hee is in publique in his Chariot or Coach that hee is in the Church And herein will teach all men vnto the end of the world That he that will be a Christian indeed Doct. A true Christian must bee the same in priuate hee is in publique must regard the duties of godlinesse in priuate as publique at home as well as abroad It is not enough that wee haue borne a part in Gods seruice with the assembly in Gods house but wee must bring religion home to our houses The disciples being met together Luk. 24.14 talked of those things that were done and this was the great commendations of those noble Bereans they searched the Scriptures at home Act. 17. Daniel three times in a day prayed in his chamber his eyes towards the Temple So Dauid besides the publique exercise of Gods worship Seuen times a day said hee will I praise thee Ps 19.164 And amongst all other the demonstrations of a godly man that shall bee blessed indeed this is not the least Hee meditates in the Law day and night Psa 1.2 So Isaac hee went out in the euening to meditate and so Iob it is said that he rose vp early to offer sacrifice Iob. 1.3 and hee called his family together and there is reason for it for First Reas 1 God that commanded the publique hath commanded the priuate Secondly Reas 2 this distinguisheth between the seruice of Gods people and the seruice of hypocrits Doth an hypocrite pray alwayes saith Iob meaning indeed that he doth not pray constantly Thirdly without this Reas 3 our publique duties are but abomination vnto the Lord. What master can like of that seruant