hath done as great a work vpon our hearts as he did when he commanded the light to shine out of darknes in the beginning of the world Thirdly if we consider what glorious things are reuealed vnto vs for by the gospell hee hath caused to shine in our hearts the knowledge of the glory of God c. Finally it is the more comfortable in that the Apostle cals this light maruellous light which is now in the next place to be opened Maruellous light The spirituall light which shines in the harts of the godly by the Gospel is a maruellous light either because it is such as the Godly do maruell at or because it is such as they ought to maruell and wonder at When men first enter into the truth that is when they are first conuerted Christians beeing for the most part full of affections as they that haue scaped lately singular danger and as they that neuer before saw the Kings Court they are frequently stirred vp with admiration at the glory of the Gospell they wonder at and are vehemently affected with the new discouery of the riches of Christ shewed them in the preaching of the Gospell and thus it is a maruellous light in this sense Esay 30.26 But I rather consider of it in the other sense It is a maruellous light though wee should not haue the heart to bee so affected toward it it is maruellous I say First because it is a light that needed the Mediator to procure it none but Christ can giue vs this light Other light is free wee pay nothing for it but this is carried in the hand of the Mediator to vs and for vs Esay 42. and 49. Secondly because it commeth after so long a night of ignorance and sin they must needs account the light precious that haue not seen it a long time as blind men when they receiue sight Thirdly and more because it is a light commanded to shine out of darknes 2. Cor. 4.6 That God should call light out of such darknes as was in our hearts is maruellous Fourthly in comparison with the times of the Law and the shadows of the old Testament Fiftly because it is a light comes not from any creature but from God the Creator God is our light Esay 6.19 And in this respect this light is like the light that shone about Paul Acts 22.6 Sixtly because it is a light that shines at the time of the euening of this world That the Sun should shine in the day time is no wonder but that it should shine in the night or at euening were a dreadfull wonder euen so it is in this last age of the world Zach. 14.7 Seuenthly because it is a knowledge aboue the reach of reason it is the light of faith Eightthly because it shines onely to the godly It is light in Goshen when there is no light in Aegypt that was maruellous and so is it when we see the light shining all abroad and many men sit in darknes euen in the same place in the same congregation city or family When the Godly see cleerly the Wicked discerne nothing light is with-held from the Wicked Ninthly because it hath more force than any other light for it is the light of life it quickens the soule and enlyues it Iohn 8.12 Lastly because it is an euerlasting light it is such a day as no night followeth it The consideration of all this should work diuers things in vs. For if in all these senses it bee a maruelous light then First we should be maruelously affected with it and striue to be exceeding thankful for it How haue we deserued to be cast againe into darknes for our extreme vnthankfulnes How haue wee giuen God cause to take away the Candlestick from vs Let vs therefore striue after thankfulnes and admiration and if the Lord doe work it in vs let vs take heed we lose not our first loue Secondly wee should arme our selues for the defence of the light we should preserue it as a singular treasure both in our hearts and in our Churches we should with the more resolution resist the works of darknes standing alwaies vpon our guard Rom. 13.12 Thirdly we should striue after all the degrees of the assurance of faith Fourthly we should striue to make our light shine the more excellently both for the measure of good works Malac. 5.16 and for the strict precise respect of the exact doing of good duties Now we haue the light so cleerely shining wee may doe euery thing the more exactly then if it were dark Ephes. 5.15 Our gifts must not bee hid The light must not be put vnder a bushell Math. 5.15 Phil. 2.15 We should now auoid not onely greater faulâ—s and falles but lesser stumblings 1 Ioh. 2.10.11 We should doe all things to the life and power of them and shew discretion aswell as knowledge This doctrine also doth imply the grieuous misery of wicked men for if it bee maruelous light into which the godly are called there is a maruelous darknes in which wicked men liue The whole creation of God had been but a confused heape if God had not set in it the light of the Sun such a confused Chaos is the world of men if the Gospell shine not into their hearts Finally this should much comfort the godly they are called into maruelous light in all the sences before named which should much inflame their hearts and they should rebuke their owne hearts for not valuing so rich treasure Wee may from hence take occasion to note how little wee should trust to the iudgement of flesh and bloud in valuing spirituall things when the very godly themselues doe not so much esteeme of them as they should Whatsoeuer we think yet in Gods account the light of the Gospel the light of faith and knowledge the light of Gods countenance c. is maruelous light But if the light of the godly bee maruelous in this world what shall it be in the world to com when God the Lamb shall be their immediate light Heere God lights vs by the meanes there God himself will be our euerlasting light Heere our light may be darkned with clouds of affliction and temptation there shall bee an eternall light without all darknes Heere we haue no light but what is infused into vs there we shall our selues shine as the Sunne iâ— the firmament Hitherto of the description in Tropicall tearms Now it followeth in plaine words Verse 10. Which in times past were not a people yet are now the people of God which in times past were not vnder mercy but now haue obtained mercy THe Apostle takes the words of this verse out of the Prophet Hosea chapter 1.11 where the Lord promiseth that the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea and in the place where it was said vnto them Ye are not my people it shall bee said vnto them Ye are my people Now the Apostle
that the testimonies of Scriptures concerning Christ ought to bee familiarly knowne of vs and this as an especiall one But I rather think it is vsed to note the wonder of the work heere mentioned and so the word may import diuers things vnto vs. First it was a maruelous work that God should giue vs his owne Sonne to be our Sauiour and the fountaine of life to vs. Hence it is that wee may obserue throughout the Scripture that God doth set this note of attention and respect both vpon the generall and vpon many particulars that concerne Christ as it were by the Word to pull vs by the eares to make vs attend or to giue vs a signe when we should specially listen Thus God brings out Christ to the Church and tells how he loues him and hath resolued vpon it by him to saue both Iewes and Gentiles and wils them to behold him and wonder at him Isaiah 42.1 So when hee promiseth the comming of Christ And of the ends of his comming hee makes a proclamation all the world ouer that he hath appointed a Sauiour vnto Sion Thus hee would haue vs wonder at the seruice of the Angels about the time of his birth Math. 1.20 Luke 2.9 10. and at the miracle of his conception that he should bee borne of a Virgin Mat. 1.21 and at the Wisemen led by a starre out of the East Mat. 2.1 9. and at the opening of the heauens when the voice came downe to testifie that Christ was the beloued Son of God in whom he was well pleased Math. 3.16 17. and at the seruice which the Angels did him and at his wonderfull abasement for our sakes Math. 21.5 and especially that hee should sacrifice his owne bodie for our sinnes 1. Iohn 1.29 Heb. 10.7 and that he is aliue from the dead and liueth for euer Reuel 1.18 and that he hath opened the secret book of Gods counsel and made it known to the world Re. 5.5 and that after such hard times vnder the raign of Antichrist hee should recollect such troops of Gospellers as stood with him on Mount Sion Reu. 14.1 It were too long to number vp more particulars Onely thus much wee should learn that the doctrine of Christ is to be receiued with great affection attention and admiration Secondly this word strikes vs like a dart to the heart for it imports that naturally wee are extremely carelesse and stupid in this great doctrine concerning Christ faith in vs. For when God cals for attention it implies that we are maruellous slowe of heart to vnderstand or with affection to receiue the doctrine Let the vse of all be then to striue with our owne hearts and to awake from this heauinesse and sleepinesse and with all our soules to praise God with endlesse admiration of his goodnes to vs in giuing vs his Sonne Thus of the wonder of it 2. The Author of it follows I lay or put God would haue vs to take speciall notice of it that it is he that was the Author of this glorious worke He is the work-master the chief master builder It is Gods worke and the knowledge of this may serue for diuers vses For first it should direct our thankfulnes wee should giue glory to God and praise his rich grace Hee will not lose his thanks for Christ. He holds himselfe much honoured when wee praise him for so great a gift as Christ. Secondly it should much strengthen our faith and make vs beleeue the loue of God and his willingnes to bee reconciled He is the party offended and if he were hard to be pleased he would neuer haue sought out such a proiect for reconciliation Besides what can God deny vs if he can giue vs his owne Son and who is pleased also in his Word to signify so much and commanded it by his seruants to bee told to the parties offending that he hath found out such a way of perfect peace Thirdly we should hence be comforted in all the straits of godlines when the Lord goeth about to lay the foundation of grace in our hearts and to forme Christ in vs we should remember it is the Lords work and it shall prosper if the Lord will haue it go on who can hinder it The gates of Hell shall not preuaile against it when God builds it vpon this Rock Fourthly it should teach vs in al other distresses to trust vpon God and neuer be afraid of the oppositions of men or the impediments of our deliuerance For what shall restraine Gods mercy from vs If the Lord can bring about such a worke as this to found Sion by laying Christ as the chiefe corner stone in her then we may trust him in lesse matters The Lord will accomplish all the Counsell of his will and he that hath promised that all shall worke together for the best will performe it To this end hee pleades this worke of founding Christ in the womb of a Virgin of purpose to giue them thereby a signe of deliuerance then in a temporal affliction it is easy for him to saue vs and deliuer vs from all our troubles that can giue vs a Sauiour for all our sinnes Lastly Ministers that are but vnder-Masons Carpēters must learn to take al their directions at god both to see to it that they lay no other foundation then what God hath laid which is Iesus Christ and in all things to be faithfull in good workes as such as must make their accounts to God And thus of the Author Thirdly The time followes I lay or put Hee speakes in the present time yet meaneth it of a thing to bee accomplished in the time to come For God laid Christ downe as the corner stone partly in his Incarnation when he sent him into the world in the flesh to take our nature and partly he is said to lay down this corner stone when spiritually by meanes hee formes Christ in the hearts of men in the visible Church Now the Lord speaketh in the present time I doo lay for diuers reasons First To signify that the care of that busines was then in his head he was plotting about it did continually minde it Secondly to signify that howsoeuer the maine worke of the open restoring of the world by Christ in the calling of the Gentiles was long after to be done yet God did spiritually forme Christ in the hearts of the remnant so as at all times hee did more or lesse further his building Thirdly to note the certainty of the accomplishment of it he saith he did then do it to assure them it should as certainely be done as if it were then done which should teach vs to beleeue God and neuer limit him When we haue his promise let vs reckon vpon it if God promise vs any thing it is as sure as if we had it Thus of the time Fourthly The manner followes noted in the word Laid I lay There are many things imported vnder this
bee The vse of this may be diuers But I will onely stand vpon two vses First the consideration hereof should inforce vpon vs a care to make our Election sure 2. Pet. 1.9 Question Now if any ask by what signes I may know that I am elected of God Answer I answer There be diuers infallible signes of Election as for example First Separation from the world when God singles vs out from the world it doth manifest that he hath chosen vs from al eternity Now that this separation may bee prooued sure and infallible we must know 1. That it is wrought in vs by the Gospell 2. Thes. 2.14 2. That it containes in it a contempt of earthly things so as our hearts do vnfainedly dislaime all happines in the things of this world as out of true iudgement resoluing that all is vanity and vexation of spirit The loue of God and the loue of the world cannot stand together 1 Iohn 2.14 3. That it with-drawes vs from needeles society or delight in the men of this world who follow the lusts of life and minde onely earthly things Psal. 26. 4. An estimation of spirituall things aboue all the world Secondly a relying vpon Iesus Christ and the couenants of grace in him so as wee trust wholy vpon him for righteousnes and happines Hence it is that faith is called the faith of Gods Elect Titus 1.1 Thirdly the Sanctification of the spirit 3. Thes. 2.13 which hath in it both the reformations of those euils which were wont to preuaile ouer vs and were most beloued of vs as also the qualifying the heart with such graces as are supernaturall such as those mentioned in the Catalogue 2. Pet. 1.5 6 7 8 9. and such are those graces heertofore mentioned in the sight of saluation Fourthly the testimony of the spirit of Adoption For euery godly man hath a witnes in himselfe 1. Ioh. 5.10 Rom. 8.15 Gods Spirit doth assure Gods Elect that they are elect and that it doth principally by sealing vp vnto them the promises of Gods Word Ephes. 1.13 14. Fiftly by the conformity of Christians vnto Christ in affliction for the Elect are predestinate to bee made like vnto Christ in sufferings Now because this signe must bee warily explicated wee must vnderstand that barely to bee afflicted is not a signe of Election For so may and are wicked men as well as godly men but to become like Christ in the suffering is the signe which that it may be more infallible and cleer wee must obserue in these sufferings 1. The kindes as for example to be hated scorned of the world and reuiled persecuted is a token that wee are not of the world because the world would loue his owne 2. The causes as if wee bee hated for goodnes and doe not suffer as euill doers Ioh. 1â— 8.21 Psal. 38.20 when our afflictions are the afflictions of the Gospel 2. Tim. 1.8 9. Mat. 5.12 3. The effects that wee loue obedience by our sufferings Heb. 5.8 and bee made more holy and fruitfull and quiet and meek and humble by them Heb. 15.11 So as we can say It was good for mee that I was afflicted Psal. 119. 4. By the manner that wee be like Christ in silence Esay 13.7 patience and despising the shame of the crosse Heb. 12.1 2. 1. Pet. 2.21 22 23. praiers to God and submission to Gods will with strong cries and feruency Heb. 5.7 5. By the issue when God giueth a like end to the triall of his seruants as hee did vnto the Passion of Christ making all worke together for the best Rom. 8.28 6. The intertainement which God giues vnto his seruants in the meanes of communion with God For when we meet with God familiarly and continue in his ordinances that is an infallible signe and note of Election as when a man findes constantly the pleasures of Gods house Psal. 65.4 power and much assurance in hearing the Word 1. Thes. 1.4 5. an inward sealing vp of the comforts of the couenant in receiuing of the Sacraments testified by the secret and sweet refreshing of the heart in the time of receiuing the conscience being comforted in the forgiuenes of sinnes past Math. 26.28 an answer and assurance that God hath heard our prayers and beene with vs in his seruice Iob. 15.15 16. and the like Vse 2. The second vse should bee to work in vs a care to liue so as may become the knowledge remembrance and assurance of our Election and so we shall doe First If wee stir vp our hearts to a continuall praising of God for his rich and freegrace heerein Ephes. 1.3 6. Secondly if wee striue to ioy and glory in it continually Psal. 106.5 6. Thirdly if wee loue one another Ioh. 15.17 and choose as God chuseth Eph. 1.4 not despising the poorest Christian Iam. 2.5 Fourthly if we set vp the Lord to be our God to loue him with all our heart and to serue him and in all things to shew our selues desirous to please him and to be resolued to please him and his truth and to his glory c. Deut. 26. Esay 44.1.5 Fiftly if we confirme our selues in a resolution to haue no fellowship with the vnfruitfull workes of darknes nor to suffer our selues to be vnequally yoaked but since God hath chosen vs out of the world to keepe our seluesse from needlesse society with wicked men Sixtly if we continue in the Word and bee patient in afflictions and shew contentations in all estates as knowing that it is our Fathers pleasure to giue vs a Kingdome Luke 12.32 and that all shall worke together for the best Rom. 8.28 and that the very haires of our heads are numbred Math. 10. that nothing can be laid to our charge to condemne vs Rom. 8.33 and that God will neuer cast away his people whom before he knew Rom. 11.2 because his foundation remaineth sure and hee knoweth who are his 2. Tim. 2.19 Seuenthly if we striue to liue without blame and offence that God may no way suffer dishonour for our sakes Eph. 1.4 Thus of the election The next thing by which they are commended is their kinred and generation This word generation signifies sometimes an age or succession of men or so many men as liue in the world in the age of one man so one generation passeth and another cometh c. Eccles. 1. Sometimes it signifies a progeny or off-spring that is so many as doo descend out of the loins of such a one as the generation from Abraham to Dauid Mat. 1. Sometimes it signifies a kinred or stock and so not onely carnall but spirituall and thus wicked men are said to be an adulterous and vntoward generation Mat. 12.39 faithlesse and peruerse Mat. 17.17 and so it is no priuiledge to be one of that generation but wee are called vpon to saue our selues from this vntoward generation Matth. 12.40 so that it is a priuiledge to be one of this sort
image or similitude as First in the diuine nature of Christ. For Christ as the Sonne of God is said to bee the splendor and brightnes of his Fathers glorie Heb. 1.2 Secondly in the humane nature of Christ. For in his humane nature did the God-head dwell and shine as the candle in the Lanthorne and so the glorie of God appeares amongst men for when Christ was incarnate and came to dwell amongst men they saw his glorie as the glorie of the onely begotten Sonne of God Ioh. 1.14 Thirdly in his works for the inuisible things of God as his power and wisedome in the excellency of them are made visible vnto our obseruation in the creation and gouernment of the world in the great booke of the creatures is the glorie of God written in great letters Rom. 1. Thus the heauens declare the glorie of God Psalme 19.1 And in this great book the glory of the Lord is said to endure for euer and the Lord will alwaies reioice in this impression of his glorie in his workes Psal. 104.31 and as all the workes of God are his glorie in that they do some way set out his excellency so especially miracles are in a high degree resemblances of God's glorie and therefore are these workes of wonder called the glorie of God Thus the power of God in raising Christ is called his Glory Romanes 6.4 And so the maruailous workes mentioned Psalme 97.4 5.6 so Christ in working the miracle in Canaan of Galile is said to shewe his glorie Iohn 2.11 And as workes of miracle are called the glorie of GOD because GOD hath in them stamped some liuely resemblance of his Excellencie so also workes of speciall Iustice done vpon Gods enemies are called his glorie also as these places shewe Exod. 14.14 Num. 14.21 Esay 13.3 So also Gods mightie working in deliuering his seruants is called his glorie also Psal. 105.5 6. and 57.6 and 85.9 Fourthly in man God hath imprinted his glory and so in all sorts of mankind they are called the glorie of God in respect of their resemblance of Gods soueraignty man is as it were a visible God in this visible world and in respect of his superioritie ouer the creatures resembles God And as God hath imprinted his glory vpon all men in generall so in a speciall manner vpon some men as 1. Vpon such men as shine in the outward dignity and preeminence of their places in this world aboue other men their glorie is said to bee Gods glorie 1. Chron. 29.11 12. 2. Vpon such men as are indued with the grace of God and the vertues of Iesus Christ these beare Gods Image and are therefore called his glorie Esay 46.13 2. Cor. 3.18 Psal. 90.17 3. In a more principall manner vpon such as be receiued vp to glorie in heauen Thus God will be glorified in his Saints at the day of Iudgement 2. Thes. 1.10 This is that glorie of God which the godly doe hope for with so much ioy Rom. 5.2 Fiftly in certaine visible signes testimonies of his presence Thus the consuming fire on mount Sinah is called the glorie of God Exod. 24.6 16 17. So also the cloud that filled the Temple Exod. 40.34 And the cloud that rose vpon the Tabernacle in the wildernes And so the signes of Gods presence in heauen are in a speciall respect called his glorie Thus Stephen saw the glorie of God and Iesus standing at his right hand Acts 7.55 Thus we are said to appeare before the presence of his glorie Iude 24. Sixtly In his Word and so the Word of God is the glorie of God either in generall as it describes the excellency of Gods nature in all in his properties or attributes Psal. 26.8 Or in speciall the Gospell is called the Glorie as it sets out the goodnes of God after a matchlesse manner relieuing forlorne mankind Esay 6.1 And thus that part of the Word of God that doth describe Gods mercy is called his glorie Exod. 33.18 19 22. Eph. 3.16 Thus also that way of shewing mercy by bringing in the infinite righteousnes of his owne Sonne is called the glorie of the Lord Esay 40.5 Thus God glorifieth himselfe Secondly God is said to bee glorified by vs Man may make God glorious but that he cannot doe by adding any glory to God's Nature and therefore we must search out to finde by the Scripture what waies man may glorifie God and so we may be said to glorifie God or to make God glorious three waies First by knowledge when we conceiue of God after a glorious manner thus we make him glorious in our owne hearts and this is a chiefe way of making God glorious And this is one way by which the Gentiles glorifie God and this God stands vpon so as he accounts not himselfe to bee knowne aright till we conceiue of him at least as more excellent then all things Seeing we can adde no glory to God's nature we should striue to make him glorious in our owne mindes and hearts And we may by the way see what cause we haue to bee smitten with shame and horror to thinke of it how we haue dishonoured God by meane thoughts of him And hereby we may also see how farre man can be said to haue the true knowledge of God in him yea there is some comfort in it too to a Christian that humbleth himselfe to walke with his God for though at the best he come farre short of conceiuing of God as he is yet God accounts himselfe to be made glorious by vs when we get so farre as to conceiue of him aboue all creatures and that is when he comes into our hearts as a king of glory farre aboue all that glory can be found in earthly Princes Psalme 14.7 9. And thus we make him glorious not when we barely iudge him to be more excellent then all things but when our hearts are carried after the apprehension of him so as we loue him aboue all and feare him aboue all c. And thus we make God glorious in our hearts by knowing him Secondly by acknowledgment When in words or workes we doe ascribe excellency vnto God and to glorifie him is to acknowledge his glory or as the phrase in Scripture is To giue him glory and so there be diuers speciall waies by which we are said in Scripture to glorifie God as First when in words wee magnifie God and speak of his prayses and confesse that he is worthy to receiue honour and glory and might and maiesty so Reuel 4.11 Psal. 29. 86.9 Secondly when men confesse that all the glory they haue aboue other men in gifts or dignitie was giuen them by God So Dauid glorifies God 1. Chron. 29.11 12. And thus we make God the Father of glory as he is called Ephes. 1.17 Thirdly when men that are guilty of sinnes that cannot be proued against them yet feeling themselues to be pursued by God doe confesse to Gods glory and their owne shame
their secret offences Thus Achan gaue glory to God Iosh. 7.19 And thus the penitent sinner glorifies God when hee cares not to abase himself in the acknowledgement of his owne vilenesse that God may be magnified in any of his attributes or ordinances by it Ier. 13. 16. Mal. 2.2 Fourthly When the prayse of God or the aduancement of his Kingdome is made the end of all our actions This is to doe all to his glorie 1. Cor. 10.31 Fiftly when wee beleeue God's promises and wait for the performance of them though we see no meanes likely for their accomplishment Thus Abraham gaue glory to God Rom. 4. Sixtly when wee publikely acknowledge true Religion or any speciall truth of God when it is generally opposed by the most men Thus the Centurion gaue glory to God Luke 23.47 Seuenthly when men suffer in the quarrell of Gods truth and true Religion So 1. Pet. 4.16 Eightthly when on the Sabbath men deuote themselues only to Gods worke doing it with more ioy and care then they should doe their own worke on the weeke dayes refusing to prophane the Sabbath of the Lord by speaking their owne words or doing their own willes Thus Esay 58.13 Ninthly when men do in particular giue thanks to God for benefits or deliuerances acknowledging God's speciall hand therein Thus the Leper gaue glory to God Luke 17.18 so Psal. 113.4 Tenthly by louing praysing admiring and esteeming of Iesus Christ aboue all men For when we glorifie the Sonne we glorifie the Father Iohn 1.14 11.4 Eleuenthly when wee account of and honour godly men aboue all other sorts of men in the World and so these Gentiles doe glorifie God in that they prayse the Christians aboue all men whom before they reuiled This is one way by which the Gentiles glorified God Thus of the second way of glorifying God which is by acknowledging his glory The third way of glorifying God is by effect when men make others to glorifie God conceiuing more gloriously of him or in praysing God and his wayes Thus the professed subiection of Christians to the Gospel makes other men glorifie God 2. Cor. 9.13 So the fruits of Righteousnesse are to the glory of God Phil. 1.10 So here the good works of Christians do make new Conuerts glorifie God so euery Christian that is God's planting is a tree of righteousnesse that God may be glorified Esay 61.3 so are all Christians to the prayses of the glory of God's grace as they are eyther qualified or priuiledged by Iesus Christ Ephes. 1.7 Vse The vses of all should be especially for instruction and humiliation it should humble vs if we mark the former doctrine in that it discouereth many deficiencies in vs for besides that it sheweth that the whole world of vnregenerate men lieth in wickednes and that as they haue all sinned so they are all depriued of the glory of God and altogether delinquent in each part of making God glorious I say that besides the discouery of the generall and extreme corruption of wicked men it doth touch to the quick vpon diuerse persons euen the godly themselues to giue instance In the first way of making God glorious How meanly and dully doo wee for the most part conceiue of God! How farre short are our hearts of those descriptions of GOD made in his Word Whaâ— strange thoughts come into our mindes at some times Oh! how haue we dishonoured the most High in our vnworthy conceptions of his Iustice Power Eternity Wisdome and Mercy For the second way of glorifying God What heart could stand before his holy presence if hee should examine vs in iustice 1. For our language What man is hee that hath not cause to mourn for his want of language daily in expressing of the praises of God! When did we make his praise glorious haue our mouths been filled with his praise all the day long 2. For our extreme vnthankfulnesse when we meet with GOD himself we haue been healed with the nine Lepers but which of vs haue returned to giue glory to God in the sound acknowledgement of his goodnes to vs It is required we should in all things giue thanks and yet wee haue scarce vsed one word of praise for a 1000 benefits 3. Our slight acknowledgements of sinne our backwardnes to search our waies our carelesnesse when wee knowe diuerse grieuous faults by our selues either auoiding God's presence and making confession for fashions sake neither out of true grief for our sinnes and in a speciall manner doo we fail in those cases of trespasse or sinne that come to the knowledge of others Do we knowledge our sinnes one to another Oh how hard it is to bring vs to bee easie to giue glory to GOD heerin 4. What man is hee that liueth and hath not failed of the glory of GOD about the Sabbath Doo we delight in God's work Haue wee consecrated that Day as glorious to the Lord Haue not our mindes runne vpon our owne waies After what an vnspeakable maner haue we slighted God in his Ordinances Lastly what shall we answer to the Lord for our neglects of Iesus Christ Haue wee glorified the Son or rather haue wee not shamefull wants still in our faith Which of vs can say that he liues by the faith of the Sonne of God and are not our affections to the Lord Iesus extremely dull and auerse Where is the longing desire after him and the â—eruent loue of his appearing And for the last way of glorifying God by effect How vnprofitably and vnfruitfully doo the most of vs liue Who hath praised God in our behalf Whom haue we wonne to the loue of God and the truth Where are our witnesses that might testifie that our good works haue caused them to glorifie God But especially wo be to scandalous Christians that haue either caused wicked men to blaspheme or God's little ones to take offense and conceiue ill of the good way of God if they repent not it had been better for them they had neuer been born And as for wicked men that are openly so to giue a touch of them and their estate they haue reason to repent in sackcloth and ashes if their eies were but open to see what terrour is implied in this doctrine and how God will auenge himselfe vpon them both for their not glorifying of him and for changing his glory and for the opposing of his glory 1. In not glorifying God They haue spent their daies without GOD they haue either not conceiued of him at all or in a most mean and vile manner they haue not honoured him in his ordinances or in his Sabbaths they neuer loued the Lord Iesus in their hearts c. 2. In changing the glory of God they haue done shamefully Some of them haue turned Gods glory into the similitude of an Oxe or a Calf that eateth hay Some of them haue giuen his praise to Images and the works of their hands Some of them haue fixed the glory of their
that end and therefore may comfort himselfe in the Lord how ill soeuer his execution of iustice bee spoken of among men Thus of the punishment of euill doers The second end of the sending of Magistrates is for the praise of them that doe well For the praise of them that doe well By such as do well he means such as in publick societies liue without offense and cary themselues honestly in their places especially such as are profitable and doo good to others whether it bee to the mindes of men by instructing or reproouing or to the bodies or estates of men by works of mercy or righteousnes and among these he meaneth especially such as 1. Are Inuenters of good the first Authors of the publick good 2. That doo good daily and frequently 3. That study how they may do all the good they can and doo imploy all the helps and furtherances of good they can Heer may many things be noted from hence First that all that are members of publick societies are bound to bee carefull to doo good to others and to liue so that the Church and Common-wealth may be the better for them Which should much humble such Christians as liue and doo little or no good and should quicken in all sorts of good Christians a desire to serue the publick we are not set heer to doo good to our selues onely but also to others Secondly that in this world it is not to bee expected from men that all that doo well or deserue well should bee rewarded by them hee saith For the praise not For the reward as importing that many a man may deserue well that shall neuer haue recompence from men And this ariseth partly from the corruption of Magistrates that are not carefull to dispose preferments or recompense to such as are worthy and partly from the insufficiency of any earthly greatnes to doo it For great men can reward all their seruants or friends but no King can giue the honour or preferment that is due to all his Subiects that deserue well Which should teach vs partly to doo good without hope of reward from men and partly to quicken our harts to the admiration of the reward that God giues in heauen wee should prouide to be his Subiects and then we are sure to haue a full reward of well-dooing in heauen Thirdly that to be praised or to haue a good report among men is a great blessing of GOD and therefore in the old Testament blessing praise is expressed by one word Pro. 28.20 And this may appeare to be so 1. Because God himself seeks praise from his creatures and accounts himself honoured by it Psalm 50.23 Eph. 1.6 12 14. 2. Because praise is a part of the glory of God shining vpon a man 3. Because it is in Scripture preferred before things of great price as great riches Pro. 22.1 and pretious ointment Eccles. 7 c. 4. Because it so much refresheth a mans hart it makes his bones full Pro. 15.35 5. Because an ill name is noted as an extreme curse Iob 18.17 and in many other places Vses The vse is first to comfort godly men and to make them thankfull if God giue them a good report heer but especially it should comfort them to think of the praise they shall haue at the last Day For if it bee a blessing to bee praised of men what is it to be praised of God If it be such a comfort to be praised by a Magistrate before the Country what is it to be praised of Christ before all the world at the greatest and last Assises If praises be good in this world where there is mutable vaunting and they may be blemished what is it to haue praise in that Day that shall last for euer vnstained If it be such a comfort to be praised of a Magistrate for some one good deed what shall it bee to bee praised of Christ for all that euer was good in thoughts words or works Secondly it should teach men to seek a good report and to doo all things that might haue a good report Phil. 4.9 As a man may seek riches so he may seek and desire a good name Pro. 22.1 But the praise of men is then vnlawfull and vnlawfully sought First when men doe their things onely to bee seene of men and haue no better respects then applause Mat. 6. 1. Thes. 2.6 Secondly when a man praiseth himself with his owne mouth Pro. 27.2 Thirdly when it is challenged of others and men will not stay till God giue them a good report Iohn 8.49 50. Fourthly when men seek praise onely for the shew of goodnes and are not good in deed Fiftly when men seek praise of men but seek not the praise of God or the praise that comes from God onely which is tried in this that they will not doo duties that God onely cares for or that are disgraced in the world Rom. 2.28 Iohn 5.44 and 12.42 43. Otherwise it is lawfull to seek praise and there is an infallible signe to knowe whether praise bee not ill for vs and that is if praise make vs more humble and more carefull of sound holinesse and do refine vs then praise is lawfull and a great blessing when it is like the refining pot it melts vs and makes vs better Pro. 27.21 Further if praise bee so great a blessing then an euill name must needs bee a great curse when it is for euill-doing and if it be so euill to be dispraised of men what shall it be to be dispraised of GOD not for one but many sinnes not before a few but before all the world when it shall be not to mend a man as the Magistrate's reproof may bee but to his eternall confusion Thus of the third doctrine Doct. 4. It may hence bee noted that the best men need praise and therfore God prouides that they shall be praised euen such as doo well need to be commended And this may appear both by the comfort they take if they be commended Pro. 15.30 and by their earnest desires to cleer themselues if they be dispraised as we may see in Dauid Christ himself and the Apostles especially the Apostle Paul Vse And therefore the vse should bee to teach men to acknowledge the good things done by others and to giue them praises especially if they be godly and humble men it may do them much good and greatly both comfort them and incourage them This made the Apostle Paul so reioice in the Philippians Phil. 3. vlt. It was no flattery It is flattery in some other men if they doe commend others for their owne ends or with selfe praises or without daring to reproue their faults or to get praise to themselues or for any other corrupt end especially when our praises are to such as are publick instruments of good in Church or Common-wealth And it is a course of singular vse to be held in priuate families if such as do wel might haue
such an order in his worldly estate or outward estate that he may prouide to serue the Lord without distraction abstayning from all things that may entangle him or interrupt him Eph. 5.16 1. Cor. 7.29 35. and 9.28 2. Tim. 2.4 Hee must prouide to him time for God's seruice and for commerce and fellowship with the godly and for works of mercy Thirdly hee must bee wise for himselfe that is hee must in all the meanes he vseth for or in religion especially apply what hee can for his owne vse and study himself and to vnderstand his own way and prouide whatsoeuer he doe for his iustification and sanctification and finall saluation Pro. 9.12 and 14.8 And to this end he must meddle with his owne busines and take heed of being a busie-body in other mens matters so much as in his thoughts 1. Thes. 4.11 12. And hee must also auoid vaine ianglings and doubtfull disputations in religion and quarrels that tend not to his edification but to shew wit or science Tit. 3.9 1. Tim. 6.20 2. Tim. 2.23 And he must keepe his eye straight vpon the mark to proceed directly and distinctly in building himselfe vp in knowledge and grace not losing his time or going about but keeping a straight path to supply what he wants and growe in what hee hath Prou. 4.25 Ierem. 31.32 Hee must take heed of vncertaine running but bee sure to take accounts of himselfe for all his courses to see that hee goe very straight towards the mark and finally he must not respect company to goe the pase of other men but runne as if hee alone were to obtaine striuing to excell 1. Cor. 9.24 and 14.12 Fourthly he must esteeme the Word aboue all treasures Psal. 119.72 Math. 13. and take hold of the instruction thereof as that must bee the very life of his life Pr. 4.13 For by the word doth God sanctify vs and make vs righteous Iohn 17. And he must order his whole course of life so as that he may see the meanes of all his actions from the Word he must liue by the rules of Scripture that will liue righteously Gal. 6.16 Now that hee may doe thus he must looke to diuers things First that hee place no confidence in the flesh neither trusting vpon his own wit nor carnal reason nor gifts nor yet yeelding himselfe to bee a seruant to any mans humour or opinions or example or commandement Secondly hee must prouide to liue so as hee suffer not a famine of the powerfull preaching of the Word hee must labour for the meat that perisheth not Iohn 6.27 and so exercise himself in the Word morning and euening that the Word may dwell plenteously in him Psal. 1.2 Col. 3.16 Thirdly hee must take heed of adding any more sinnes or duties then are discouered in the Word and of detracting from any thing that is forbidden or required there Psal. 30.6 detesting conceitednes and singularity hauing his conuersation in all meeknes of wisdome Iam. 3.13 Fiftly hee must dayly lift vp his heart to God to seek a way of him whose glory it is to teach to profit and who giueth his Spirit to lead men in the paths of Righteousnes Psal. 23. Esay 48.17 Sixtly hee must remember the Sabbath day to sanctifie it For this will bee both the meanes and the signes of his Sanctification and true righteousnes It is the market-day for the soule Esay 58.13 14. Exod. 31.13 c. Seuenthly he must haste to the comming of Christ hee must dispatch his work as fast as hee can and to this end hee must cast about to find out waies of well-doing and when hee hath any proiects or opportunities of well-doing hee must not delay but with heart and readines finish his work This is to seeke righteousnes and to haste to it Esay 16.5 Amos 5.14 Thus he must obserue to doe as the phrase was Deut. 5.22 Eightthly it will bee a great help vnto him if hee get into the way of good men and walk with the wise sorting himselfe with discreet and sincere Christians Pro. 2.20 Ninthly hee must keepe his heart with all diligence For thereout commeth life Hee must carefully resist the beginnings of sinne within and auoid those secret and spirituall dalliances of the soule with inward corruptions and temptations and withall take heed of secret hypocrisy in suffering his heart to bee absent when God is to bee serued Pro. 4.23 For thereby he may lose what he worketh if his spirit bee not without that guile Tenthly all that knowe the happines of a righteous life should striue to amend those defects which are found euen in the better sort of people that so their life at length may answer to the end of Christs death and therefore wee should examine our selues throughly The defects and faylings found in the liues of righteous men may be referred to two heads First for either they faile in the parts of righteousnes Secondly or in the manner of well-doing In the parts of righteousnes there are great failings whether we respect the first or second table I will briefely touch the principall defects which are obserued and complayned of in Christians in both tables In the first table men faile either in the knowledge of God or in the affections to God or in the seruice to God First for knowledge how little doe many men know of Gods praises and glory that might bee knowne and how far are many from a right conceit of God when they come to think of him or to worship him Secondly in the most there is a great want in the exercise both of the feare of God and trust in God men haue not such awfull thoughts of God as they should haue nor doe they tremble so as they shold at his iudgemēts that are in the world Psal. 4.4 Heb. 2. vlt. Dan. 6.26 And for the trust in God men are specially faulty that they doe not commit their waies daily to GOD for assistance and successe in all estates resting vpon him alone as they ought to doe Thirdly ioying and delighting our selues in GOD is hardly found in any and yet no wife should take such continual delight in her husband to solace her selfe with him as a Christian ought to doe with God Psal. 37.4 and 68.3 4. Phil. 4.4 Fourthly in the seruice of God there are diuers defects as 1. Some neglect the priuate reading of the Scriptures who ought to excercise themselues therein day and night Psal. 1.2 1. In prayer some haue not the gift of prayer nor seeke it and prayer for others is extremely neglected contrary to Gods expresse commandement that enioynes vs to pray one for another in many Scriptures 3. Praysing of God in our discourses as becommeth his great glory in his works where is this found and yet required at our hands and at the hands of all people and that which we should doe with an whole heart and while we liue Psal. 96.6 7 8. and 63.4 and