to make the People naked and himself to put on both Obcaecation and Induration of heart this provoked God to bring Judah low vers 19. nor does any thing lore our Sails more than to deprave and injure Gods worship so God's worship is often exposed Now I conclude this kind of Injury to God's Institutions by Pellican's Allegory cited by Mayr in loc pag. 256. That by Urijahs strange Altar says Such vile Ministers to please wicked Princes that do bring on the Church strange Doctrines and Rites of Worship do act over again this base Temporizer set aside the Lord's Altar on the Nortis and place instead of it one to the Devil so God's Word is put on the left Hand so is the North and humane Inventions drawn from the Gentiles preferred to it And he after cites Theodoret. That enumerates six Heads of Ahaz guilt to caution Kings not to sin like him that was so plagued by the Edomites whose Gods he served The third way of exposing God's Service is by direct and open acts of Hostility so men proceed from ill to worse not only neglect and prophane it but resist and propugue it and the Upright observers of it with all the Mediums and Seasons of it As the Integrity of a true Worshipper is best seen so the Enmity of a Maligner both of the Act and Agent most appears in its being exposed to Violence As the Wicked are haters of God his knowledge will and wayes so of his Service and the purer the more it s maligned So are they of all that love or keep them and so God's worship is violented 1. When places and things are prophaned 2. When Persons are prohibited 3. Practices are projected against it 1st Places of Assembly being haunted is injurious exposal of sacred Worship Saul hunted David as a Patridge 1 Sam. 26.20 Doeg one of Nimrod's Curs Informer as the word is sets him but barks too soon and mist him 1 Sam. 22.9 And so oft they do but he suckt much of the Priests Blood by that Vers 19 2. and so ruined Nob a City of refuge all for giving David Goliah's Sword atchieved in the Field by him and used not against Saul but purely se defendo But the cause was Doeg was an Edomite in office Saul bids the Ziphits spye his haunt or Foot-print so Hunters of the Game do all the places or forms they sit or shelter in A Nimrod though not ever out never wants pernitious Curs and Beagles to set or start the Game no place escapes him They hunt every man his Brother in a Net said the Prophet Mica 7.2 and catch Souls Ezek. 13.20 Dig through Houses and better the place is the more battered by force and better the work more it is resisted Thus the Philistims fall on armed as Samuel is offering the sucking Lamb so did the old Cananitish Archers by Israel in the places of drawing Waters as Judges 5.11 i.e. Natural or Religious Thus the Babylonians slew the Young men in the House of their Sanctuary 2 Chron. 36.17 in the place of shelter where Horns of the Altar were thought to be Inviolable that the Heathen blusht to invade them Yea Alaricus the Goth after two Years siege and taking Rome spared such as fled to the places of sacred Worship Titus would fain have spared the Temple in Flames Psalms and Prophets are full of this kind of Complaints Psal 74.3 4 5 7 8. to instance in two 1st Synagogues And 2dly Sabboths are obnoxious both to the force and fury of Assailants 1. Synagogues Temples and all places consecrate or no this of the Temple was so the others not being only Oratories as that Acts 16.13 of which in Jury were two or three Hundred and in Cities elsewhere more and of both the complaint is Vers 2.4.19 do name the Congregation that now was scattered Vers 7. it s called The dwelling place of God's Name Vers 1. God's Pasture Sheep He complains of three things 1. That Zion Gods dwelling wanted its first and best Inhabitant he gone or driven out and disposest And 2. Who was come in Heathen-Enemies i.e. Israelites as bad as Saul is stiled Cush the Ethiope the Benjamite Psal 7. title And what did they Tore all down Vers 5.6 the carved work with Axes and Hammers Were Tongues mute before the Oracle No! they roared in the Congregation as Bulls of Bashan as Bears or Lyons Lay hold on him as Jeroboam 1 King 13.4 or as that Captain Come down 2 King 1.9 11. in the King's Name quickly So the Ark must tumble under Dagon 3. That the Sanctuary had Fire cast in it Vers 7. and all the Synagogues of God were burnt in the Land Vers 8. not only material Fire as the Temple was burnt by Nebuchadnezzar and after by Titus but Metaphorical too Indignation from God and Divisions intestine that usually are the two fatal ominous signs of Desolations and Sanctuary Desolations are the sadest as Levit. 26.31 The effect of all which was in the 4th Verse by a Spirit of Prophecy to point out what the Roman Conquerors long after did like Antiochus set up a Swines Picture ore the Gates of the Temple Rome's Arms and Jupiter Olympius on the Altar as signs of Conquest Civil Triumphs are sad over Cities over Religion far more not to have a place for sacred use left The scattering the solemn Meeting is a reproach to the best a loss to all Mr. Trap here notes on Vers 7. That 't was the course the Guyses took against publick Meetings of the Protestants in France as at Lions called Paradise they burnt all Hoc etiam apud Ethnicos horrendum erat Destroyers of Temples usually came to some fearful end by Thunder c. The like Complaint is uttered and more Psal 79. Vers 1 2. Thy holy Temple is defiled spoiled sackt trod down and Jacob devoured Vers 7. His dwelling place his Ovil the seat of his gathering to feed and rest wasted in Psalm 83. Vers 2 4 5 12. both the Practice and the Persons grieved are pointed out the Practice was a Plot against God hid ones nay the Houses of God not one Temple alone were to be seized Possidebant Papistae possident Rapistae and for the parity of the Sin the parity of Wo is imprecated Vers 11. 4. Old Tyrants are named in the Names their Natures cyphered Orcb a Crow ever black and a Flesh eater Zeeb a Wolf ever a Sheep-biter Zebah a Cut-throat a right Bonner Zalmuna a Shadow-denyer that yields no shade but like the Bramble to pull off the Fleece Now when Places are prophaned Synagogues interdicted by Law Assemblies prevented assaulted detruded kept out by force of Arms hunted by Doeg's and Judas's scattered into Woods Fields and Holes convicted by mercinary Sychophants and Varlets branded with Riots Schisms Sedition Rebellion and what not all for and in the Law and Matters of God as Dan. 6.5 now in the worst sense is Worship divine exposed to humane Injury and Wrath.
days in Belzebubs name congratulate the Priests for the droves of Souls sent to the Pit by their means Deliver us from unreasonable and wicked men 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 men of no Topicks absurd out of place and then the word runs and is glorified and 2 Thes 3 2 3. is said the old Legal Service was performed still with the sound of Trumpets Shouts and Aaron's Bells to note that glad News of Glory to God and Peace to Men's Souls ever consociate so Levit. 9. ult Numb 10.10 hence are they called blessed that know the joyful sound that is of God's Trumpets calling the Assembly to Worship and Aarons Bells proclaiming Pardon and Peace Psal 89.15 Oh then on the contrary what a Curse is it how peccant and perillous to prohibit the proper means to that blessed End I urge only 1 Thes 2.15 16. Prohibiting us to speak says he to the People and the Gentiles that they might be saved c. Observe only two or three Notes here in that full Text. 1st Vers 14. For Neighbours to persecute Natives of our Stock and own Countrey not for Vice or Heresy or disowning the true God but only for the purity of the Gospel is Jewish and Barbarous 2dly Vers 15. Christs Prophets and Followers must share as he did for the Word-sake be thrust out 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 persecuted out i. e. out of Place House Being Countrey and Office 3dly Note here to persecute for the Words-sake is displeasing to God ever oft to Men also All Men do or will abhor Jewish Cruelty 4thly Vers 16. To prohibit preaching the Gospel to Souls is to let or hinder Saving-Works 5thly And lastly to our purpose 'T is fatal work and filling-up-Guilt to persecute the Gospel 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and will surely pull on us utmost Wrath. Or as Dr. Hammond has come hastily on them to the end and he well notes on Act. 17.6 7 13 c. That these Jews were now disperst Dr. Hammond in loc and wrath in part was on them yet still the unbelieving did pursue them that believed abroad as those of the same Tribes had done at home Hence says the Dr. he writes to confirm and comfort them by Christs approach both against their Sufferings and their Persecutors and also the Falls of them that cowardly fell off So far he In truth no hatred like that for the Truth no bounds of Nature Nation Nativity keep in a Persecutors fury says * Dr. Slater one on the Text. No fury so deadly as that for Religion and sad it is the nearer the Parties are in Profession the more Jealousie if envy spies a difference But says Ds. Slater on the place the greatest of Spiritual Plagues are reserved for Persecutors for them are the Arrows Psal 7.11 and they be the hostes humani generis the capital enemies of Mankind that persecute the Gospel for others kill but the Body these destroy Souls Now as 't is with a Person so with a People City or Church This enmity is weighty that sin sets on the brow of Capernaum brings its Wo Mat. 11.23 Or on a Precipice beyond Sodoms Corazin in Hierom's time was a Desert Bethsaida a Bethaven whence yet three of our Saviours Disciples were called but could do no good on them Prophets at home are slighted Oh! Lon Lond view the Apples of Sodom but take heed of its Sulphur-lake some as Joseph Tacit. Salinus tell of footsteps of that Lake yet remaining and Herodotus says the Coals and Ashes of Troy burnt by the Greeks were set before men to exemplifie that rule that national notorious sins pull down such like Plagues from a sin-revenging God London was Troy l'novant is Troy l'grand but wo is that day should it be called Troy l'extinct If the Glory go from the Temple it shortly bids adieu to the City then but one step more from the top of the Mount and he is quite gone And observe that man Ezek. 10.6 Having first markt some to be spared after scatters the Coals of sacred Fire over the City to revenge without pity the extinction of the Coals of Gods Altar This is all the use I make of this second point save what may occur in the third to follow 3dly Divine Protection is the Blessing he affords his in the acts of pure Devotion That God call his at all times nay in the greatest difficulties to the solemn and sacred exhibition of his Service That his People notwithstanding fear and hazard do and ought to give their attendance to the Lord in solemn devout Worship that perils notwithstanding God gives if not always frequent Protection to them is the point now to be demonstrated which waving the other two I propound and prove hence The Philistines heard Samuel and Israel met the end could not be unknown of that Meeting it was mixt partly to reform Grievances in state partly to sacrifice repent pray Samuel being both Judge and Prophet some Pick-thank or other for ends carries tales and lordly Oppressors still have long ears to hear and make the worst of all devout ends having nothing of just blame to pretend the pretence is Religion and Piety is the Iniquity Nor were Samuel and they ignorant of their rendezvous of their number force and fury nor yet of their own nakedness for Battle nor alter they the time or place or flee nor does Samuel escape to by holes shifts and subterfuges he and they go on to their Duties and leavs the issue to God afraid they were yet not so as to decline Worship as Ezra 3.3 They set up the Altar tho without doors for the Temples Foundation was not laid as yet v. 6. for fear was on them of the People of those Countreys Why least they were letted in their Duty to God and surprised ere it was finisht as 1 Sam. 13.12 Saul did and well but mist in time and way they feared but piously not servilely like his fear in 2 Chron. 20.3 and that was Jehoshaphats Sentinel he set himself to seek the Lord and ask help of him Both fears are alike and drove them to not from their Duty to flee not from Men but to their God and that is a wise no sinful fear Now what was the issue good success to both God who saw their Works knew their naked forlorn case that they had no Host or Arms no Councel Courage or Conduct no Army or Artillery all the Militia cum malitiâ and the trained Bands were against them no help nor hope of it humane visible Nil nisi vota supersint Now God is a present help in Trouble Psal 46.1 Quando desinit humanum Concilium ibi incipit divinum auxilium And now the Fight commences so to speak not of two Hosts but of Armed Men and Martyrs of Warriers and Worshippers of Lions and Sheep an Impar congressus God that for his own Glory and Worship-sake loves to take the weaker side not the worse now puts in for them
none ought to corrupt invade or infringe and for that of four Horns it signified that from all four Winds God would have Reverence done to his Name Mal. 1.11 But the placing of Horns on the four Corners of the Altar seems to note its four-fold use as Authors conjecture Dr. A. Willet in Exod. p. 616. 1. For putting the Blood of Atonement on its Horns as Exod. 30.10 to note the Power and Efficacy of Christ's Plea for us 2. To bind the Sacrifice thereto with Cords that supposed a Reluctancy which was took inauspicious of which in that Psalm 118.27 3. To be a Sanctuary to flee to for the guilty as some Passages note see Exod. 11.14 so did Joab flee for shelter 1 Kings 2.28 to denote the need of Expiation when by Conscience of Sin Satan pursues us 4. Most to our use To show God's Power in defence of his Suppliants that desire to compass Psal 26.6 with penitent Hearts and powerful hands of Faith the two last ends are pertinent here the rest teaching This fourth is proper to our end to show God's Altar under the Law had by his order in it self a safe defensive Property or a strange but secret self-revenge and can push for its Attendants at all Assailers and its Sparks can burn the Nests of those that Eagle like sacrilegiously spoil the gift or steal from it what is Gods due and tho all the four Winds Mic. 5.5 Zech. 1. ult oft give it distress the four Horns make its Defence or four Carpenters seven Pastors eight principal Men do fray them away Zech. 9.13 15. Nay let the Sacrifice be consumed to Ashes and fall under the Altar Rev. 6.9 yet as sacred Urns the Souls under it cry howling and rest not till revenge is granted which will surely come at last It 's also worth our note That in two places of the Prophets the Title given to the Altar is the Lyon of God in the one the Hill of God Isa 29.1 Ezek. 43.15 what bolder stronger than a Lion higher than the Hill of Zion for security Thus the Types lay the first ground A second ground bears on the Properties of God together with the Promises made for it the first shows his prowess for its safety the second his propenseness to it his Nature and Attributes incline him his Promise obliges him so both leaving the time and way to his Wisdom are to our Faith confirmed by his Veracity Divine Properties harmonize with themselves Justice and Goodness tho to us they seem diversa in their Objects they be not opposita they end in eodem tertio i. e. conclude in the good of his own As all Lines meet in the Center so all acts of Justice Wrath Revenge on the evil on the one part and all the Efforts and Emanations of Mercy Grace Kindness on the other part to his amount to this and end in this point that what God is or does is for his Elect that which partakes of his own Nature must needs be under his careful Eye and Protection His Worship is stiled by his Name Exod. 20.24 so are his People and both are called Dan. 12.7 Holy and shall not the holy God defend them both so is his Word holy Isa 5.24 and will he not magnify it Psal 138.2 3. yea above all his Name so was that glorious Isa 64.11 and beautiful House stiled Holy all the Appurtenances of divine Worship borrowed the stile Holy of him and shall not that import divine Protection what Absurdities follow were not this true see Mr. St. Charnock of God's Power Char. p. 477 478. all things would fall into a deplorable Chaos This is ground for our Worshippers We admire Princes for their Power in subduing Foes and preserving their Peoples Peace how may we reverence God that rules so vast Empires by a word or beck we sense the Thunder and Storms and some Men as if they were God's what Reverence is due to infinite Power and Wisdom joyntly All Religion bears on two Pillars Power and Goodness without that no benefit by it without this no Entertainment could be Jews say Melech Hagnolam hundreds of times in their Prayers what Faith of success could we have if Power and Mercy could not retain us A little after he notes pag. 484. God is by one truly represented as a Jasper Rev. 4.3 on his Throne a Stone withstanding the greatest Force so is his Throne described by a fiery Throne Dan. 7.9 for what Stubble will stand before it so he And for Promises how many has he made how free rich full apt to all our Distresses for his Altar sake by Grace he first made and by Power will surely fulfil them to a tittle When all was lost but Jerusalem to Senacherib see what a Promise is given what a Royal Word I will defend this City for my own sake and my Servant David Isa 37.35 Two sweet grounds for Faith Oh had London this good hold says he I 'm concerned in my Glory and House for my Name is invocated there and I will not let this black-mouth'd Rayler win it to falsify my Promise and verify his prophane Blasphemies Nor is my Servant David a little concerned that first conquered this Mount Zion and brought my Ark to 't who had the Promise of a Lamp 1 Kings 8.37 9.3 Psal 132.17 to be here and his Son built this House to my name Therefore I will defend the City too tho they are unworthy for my own sake 2 Kings 19.34 Oh happy is that City that God covers as with a Shield as the Hebrew is Of the City of God it may be said nec fluctu nec flatu movetur as Venice Nor Winds nor Wave it moved have Or as Geneva when inviron'd with Foes and barr'd in from all help of Friends it had been undone but that it had so many Enemies rather so good and strong a God to defend it as one of this last Clause notes Haec Verba divinitus prolata sunt as A Lapid notes These words are as 't were spoke from Heaven to show that God minds the Name and Stock of all Kings that promote the Settlement of his Ark Presence and Service in a City and surely forgets not those that seek to extirpate them all For now was Rabshake and his Master near the top and fall 2 Chron. 32.15 loring the true God to nay below those stump Deities by him conquer'd What Mouth could open wider or bark louder But to end this with Ezra's Note and Text said to the King Ezr. 8.22 The hand of our God is on all them for good that seek him but his Power and his Wrath is against all them that forsake him and that Fast very much availed in Faith A third ground of this Defence rises from the Power of the Adversary that God suffers oft to swell high and climb up to Lucifer's Orb. The greatest Mercies and Deliverances rise out of the lowest Ebbs of his Cause and Lovers and on the other
Curse Clave non errante 1 Cor. 5.5 and persons may demerit it that yet do repent ch 16.22 I confess caution is to be used in the practice and applying of this Curse I need not better to distinguish than a grave Writer doth Mr. Ed. Gee of Prayer p. 113. in such Cases of Prayer Some Imprecations are against ill Councils and Practices as Davids against Achitopel 2 Sam. 15.31 Some against persons which are of two sorts 1. For men's Conviction 2. Or Confusion The 1. are less doubtful the latter he ranks under three heads 1 As against God Or 2. As against the Churches Enemies Or else 3. Against our own Adversaries Here the doubt lies 1. If they did well 2. If we may do the like Now the first being granted yet of this they say Prestat admirari quam imitari It is far better to admire than imitate them And they are rather denunciations predicted than Desires pressed in Prayer But all I would provoke to is to reassume the old Spirit of Prayer that Christ's Sufferers and Worthies had of old in the Cause of God To which 1. A pure Zeal of God may be one motive this moved Phinehas to act and Elijah to intercede against Israel Rom. 11.4 If this be not the motive it is false fire 2. Some are slated Enemies to the House of God as Antichrist is to his City and any Wall of Defence they ought to have are of Sanballat's pernitious Spirit would have that Wall and Work to cease and scorn the Builders Nehe. 4.4 Such despite is to be appealed against to God and speedy Vengeance call'd for 3. If Repentance doth restore the man our Cry Appeal or Imprecation may obtain the filling of the Face with shame Psal 83.16 And the seeking of God's Name is a very holy end this holy Curse is the happy way to a true Blessing and a good End 4. God's Predictions are part of his Word and matter for our Prayers 2 Pet. 2.14 Now these are Predictions of what is to befall Persons so and so qualified and speak a part of his Will which is to be done 5. Scripture prescribes such Formula's for Prayer and why doth the Liturgy prescribe and imitate it if some were not so to be imprecated as Cursed is he that takes Bribes or lyes with Neighbours Wives Deut. 27.25 And if that be accurst and deservedly how far are some under it 6. If the Wife of Lapidoth was too tart saying So let all thine Enemies perish yet the Angels word Curse ye Meroz Judg. 5.23 is in our Cannon and Directory Now Rules to apply it to our Practice are seven 1. Mind Scripture Precepts and Presidents take not all things for Rules of Practice and Imitation in bulk 2. Crave much of God's holy Spirit many a Prayer is lost that savours of self none of those miscarry the Spirit dictates It requires not a common Vnction to pray as that thundring Legion did so called in Aurelians days 3. Watch repress and mortifie your own Spirits We know not what Spirit we are of Luk. 9.55 Our own Spirit savours of Sin self Revenge Passion false Zeal as the Disciples it is better such be denyed than gratifyed 4. Begin as Christ did Mat. 5.4 and Paul bids Rom. 12.14 20. 1st with Blessing and try that way and curse not and that has a grant virtually of your Wish for you heap Coals on the head of Enemies so to consume or convince them that is better 5. Use strong cryes of Faith Great is the power of Faith Heb. 5.7 She that feared Knox's Prayers more than 20000 shows the force of Faith in her Fear that had no love for it Josh 10.12 I cry then my Enemy turns back Psal 56.3 9. 6. Fly to the sucking Lamb rest not in your own power this avails when all our Weapons are beat back If his Incense go not up first our Prayers will never descend in fiery Judgment and Thundrings on the Enemy Apoc. 8.35 c. 6.9 10. 7. Wait in Submission for what Answer and when God will say Let him Shimei Curse or carry back the Ark. 2 Sam. 15.25 This Spirit obtains and it is impossible the wrongs of Ariel should not pull down just Revenges for the Patient and Thunders on Adversaries as Hannah believed 1 Sam. 4.10 I hear of many blasted by this holy Zeal Now for the second Branch let us having Pray'd rest and confide not in it but in God Prayer and Faith should mutually subserve the other Prayer exonerates the heart of the Burthen Faith puts it wholly on the Lord 1 Sam. 1.18 So one is no more sad all Acts of Devotion if right relieve Prayer flaps the Wing acts Life and the Office of Faith is to crow in the dark and cry Day or the Morning cometh on the Godly and the Night also on the Wicked Isai 21.12 But now when all is run down the Assyrians Wings over-spread Emanuel's Land Isai 8.8 the City of God and all Religion the Temple Assemblies Altar Service Priesthood Prophesy and all lye exposed to a Siege and Overthrow Now to rest on God's Word and have promise of Safety is as quieting to do as sweet to hear on God promised to deliver the City told so to Isaiah Isai 37.35 he to the good King Hezekiah v. 6-21 and the King to the People who rested on it 2 Chron. 32.7 8. Let the Godly in our day consider the Parity of their Present with previous Distresses and then preponderate the Promise with the Peril and see if there be not rest for a weary Mind recur to the nature Attributes of God His Name is a strong Tower the Righteous run into it and are safe Prov. 18.10 or set on high 't is low with us if we cannot trust if Foes make weary and Faith gives no true rest we are soon gone Doth God bid us request him and will he deny us Rest Or flee to him and will he fail our Hope Though God never had any without distress yet never was his People distrest without Deliverance had we good hold of Christ's hand the very Waves would bear us up not sink us Mat. 14.30 31. Are meanes of Defence invisible or say yet more not in Being he can create them soon God alone and nothing else as I said is as much as God and all besides Vbi Supra p. 113. What is in man is placed there by Him his Word gives both its Being and Blessing When we use a mean as duty is and have it we are to depend on him and if he deny it still we can but depend and that we ought if we long wait for his Defence Two Ishues do still faelicitate Saints Expectations the one relating to themselves the other to Enemies 1. They are of God Blessed all humane hope and help the more it is rested on the worse it proves Jer. 17.7 8. The more it pierceth the Hand and so it intails a Curse and rends the Shoulder-blade Ezek. 29.6 7.