staying of the Ark with his hand when it was ready to fall out of the Cart 2 Sam. 6.6 7 8. But let us now take forth a new Lesson and learn to praise God for shewing Himself severe as well as gentle for his Acts of Justice as well as for His Acts of Mercy The good Husband-man is commended for his good Husbandry in the cutting away dry and withered branches as well as in pruning those which are fruitful It is one of God's glorious works to cut up and root out such Trees as hurt and annoy His Vineyard as it is to plant and set his Vineyard with the choisest Plants and it is as great a fault to robb Him in the one as in the other You know how we extoll Princes when they declare themselves to be wholly devoted to right so that if their nearest Favourites do things worthy of death they deliver them up to the hands of Justice Mahomet the Great in slaying his Minion Irene whom he dearly loved with his own hand and in the sight of his People was highly magnified by them for that Act Let the King of Kings enjoy the Praise of his just and severe Executions He looks for Prayse not onely from Heaven but from Hell As Heaven is for the Praise of his Mercy so is Hell for the Praise of his Justice The Righteous shall rejoyce saith David Ps 58.10 Psal 58.10 when he seeth the Vengeance he shall wash his feet in the blood of the Wicked that is when he shall see Judgment executed upon the wicked and Ungodly he shall not onely be glad for the overthrow of the wicked and praise God for it but in that blood of theirs which is shed they shall wash their feet and make a comfortable Use to themselves thereof Joh. 13.10 The Feet are the Affections of the Soul in Scripture-Language and he that is washed needeth not save to wash his Feet saith Christ In this Sanguine Bath of the blood of the Wicked we wash our Feet when we put off our carnall Affections and learn to fear God more love Him the better c. and honour Him for His just and righteous Judgments singing upon such occasions the Song of Moses the Servant of God and the Song of the Lamb Rev. 15.3 4. saying Great and marvellous are thy Works Lord God Almighty just and true are thy wayes thou King of Saints Who shall not fear thee O Lord and glorify thy Name For thou onely art Holy For all Nations shall come and worship before thee for thy Judgments are made manifest Even so Rev. 16.7 Lord God Almighty true and righteous are thy Judgments Amen and Amen FINIS The Table Alphabetical directing the Reader to the ready finding out of the most material things contained in this Book A. AFflictions how to bear them Page 488 Afflictions come all from God Page 473 How God can be sayd to be Authour of them Page 472 How Afflictions are said to be evil they coming from God who is good Page 474 In all Afflictions see God's hand Page 478 Inferiour Causes are not to be neglected in them Page 479 Age is Venerable not for number of years but for desert Page 233 Old-age should be fruitful Page 232 It is an unfit time for Repentance Page 246 It is like a decaying or doated Tree Page 72 Amen under the Law answered to the Curse but under the Gospel to the Blessing Page 458 Angels God imployes not in dressing of the Vineyard and why Page 154 Angry God is when he smites Page 305 Axe Ministerial what it is Page 291 God hath many Axes Page 469 Every thing becomes an Axe to the wicked Page 296 Author of Sin God is not Page 477 Humane Authors may be made use of by Ministers in Preaching Page 95 B. BAptism but one and yet many Page 66 Barrenness is dangerous Page 58 Barrenness of the heart a greater Judgment then barrennesse of the Womb. Page 299 A barren Professor is unprofitable Page 314 He is cast forth of the Vineyard Page 286 None to despair because of barrenness Page 439 Beastly heart is under mans-shape Page 38 Behold what it intimates Page 202 It 's work within Doors and without Page 203 Bishop one is no more then another and in what sense true Page 172 Brethren should hate discord Page 67 Burthens to the Vineyard who are Page 320 Unfruitful Professors are many wayes burthensome Page 315 C. CAsting out what is thereby meant Page 286 Casting into the fire what that is Page 290 Child-hood God regardeth Page 228 How Child-hood is spent Page 227 Christ both King Preist and Prophet Page 24 He is best worthy to be heard Page 23 He is the Head of the Church Page 59 He is our Intercessor and Advocate Vid. Intercession He seeks not the destruction of any Page 457 Church is but one Page 59 What constitutes a true Visible Church Page 97 The Church of England is a true Church Page 94 The true Marks of a Church Page 93 All corruptions in a Church do not unchurch Her Page 95 A man may be a member of the invisible Church who yet is not of the Church-Visible Page 98 The Church sometimes lyeth fallow Page 43 No Church is perfect at first Page 45 The Church is more excellent then other Places Page 48 It shall never be forsaken Page 70 The Church is a Vineyard Vid. Vineyard It is the best soyl for Fruit. Page 90 The welfare of it is to be sought Page 57 Enemies of the Church warned Page 69 Circumstances aggravate sin Page 218 Complaints of God should bring us on our knees Page 326 333 When and how God complaines Page 331 One complaines of another God of all Page 209 Comfort belongs to broken hearts Page 423 Such as want it must go to God's Ministers for it Page 425 Compositions for Tythes how far warrantable Page 403 How People deal with Ministers therein Page 405 Contentions in the Church whence they arise Page 187 How to avoid them Page 181 Not to take offence at them Page 191 Conversation of a Christian should be convincing Page 53 It should be answerable to our Profession Page 88 Corruptions in a Church warrant not a Separation from it Page 51 They are often esteemed for corruptions which are none Page 95 Cutting down what is meant thereby Page 283 It is the doom of Barrenness Page 282 How God proceeds therein Page 286 God's Judgments are of a cutting nature Page 284 So is his Word Page 285 D. DAyes of the wicked are empty dayes Page 236 Dâ—crees of God take in the means as well as the end Page 329 Delay is dangerous Page 249 Despisers of Christ who are Page 27 Differences amongst God's Ministers are not fundamental Page 192 Discipline no essential note of the Church Page 97 Digging and Dunging what meant thereby Page 385 408 Division in the Church dangerous Page 61 Divisions and Distractions a forerunner of ruine Page 272 Dressers
of Gods Vineyard who are Page 154 They are of four sorts Page 165 Three Vertues requisite in Dressers Page 162 Why God appoints Men rather then Angels to Dress his Vineyard Page 156 Dominion of God is absolute universal and endlesse Page 364 Dumb Christ was not Page 19 We may not be dumb in the Cause of Christ Page 20 Dumbnesse in a Minister is of dangerous consequence Page 21 The causes of a Ministers dumness Page 22 The dumb Devil is every where Page 21 E. ENvy is the Daughter of Pride Page 139 Error in the Church a Judgment Page 292 Errors of Judgment more pernitious then errors of practise Page 293 No Church without some errour Page 52 Estate the mean is safest Page 73 Excommunication what it is and how to be proceeded in Page 99 How far it extends Page 100 The use and end of it Page 101 F. FAther God is to us all Page 67 Famine a sore Judgment Page 275 Famine grievous in Jeâ—â—â—aâ—emâ— Page 486 Favour of great Men not to be trusted Page 75 Faith is One and the same in all the Elect. Page 65 Fruit what it signifies Page 106 What fruit is expected from a Christian Page 107 Why good works are termed Fruit. Page 107 Christians should be fruitful Page 55 How their Fruit must be qualified Page 111 113 Means to become fruitful Page 116 Motives to fruitfulness Page 119 Fruitfulness preferred to greennesse or taleness Page 81 The fruit of a Christian is delicious Page 78 Fruitful Christians have many prayers Page 325 Fruitfulness after long barrenness makes all to be well Page 436 To be fruitful in evil is fearful Page 217 The Church Visible is a fruitful soyl Page 90 Figg-Tree the Jewish Nation is resembled unto Page 77 So is the Christian Church in many respects Page 78 Man by his Fall is a Wild Figg-Tree Page 83 Why the Figg-Tree by the way-side was cursed Page 222 The Jewish Figg Tree was cut down by degrees Page 285 Forwardnesse to good Duties is in the godly Page 78 G. GAliâ—aeans who they were Page 1 Gathering twofold Page 289 God resembled to Man in Scripture Page 8 The Parts of Man's body ascribed to Him Page 37 He takes on Him all shapes to win us Page 41 God's Gifts how said to be free Page 206 God's dishonour should affect us Ibid. The Godly have a speciall Interest in God Page 70 Good no naturall Man can do Page 85 In what sense they are said to do good Page 86 Who do no good do much hurt Page 322 Gospel to be preached as well as the Law Page 420 424 Government often changed a sign of God's displeasure Page 273 Gratitude the good of it Page 148 See Thankfulness Great is the Lord. Page 363 Great men lay open to all weathers Page 73 Grieve we ought because we cannot grieve Page 312 A People's Barrenness is the Minister's Grief with the Reasons of it Page 427 428 H. HArmless life is not enough Page 212 Hatred Theologicall the most bitter hatred of any other Page 280 Head of the Church Christ only is Page 59 Heads distinguished of Page 60 Hearers are to be awakned Page 204 They owe a double honour to their Pastors Page 163 They may not engage their Affections too far to one Minister more than to another Page 191 They may not sad the hearts of their Teachers Page 428 How they may sweeten the Ministers Labours Page 408 Help cometh from God only Page 367 Pagans and Papists seek for help elsewhere Ibid. Honour of God is to be preferred to all Relations Page 495 Hope taken away takes away endeavour Page 439 Husbandry hath three parts Page 40 The Honour of the Husbandman Page 42 God's Husbandry to be submitted unto Page 41 I. JEws resembled to a Figg-Tree Page 77 They were severely punished for despising Mercy offered Page 485 God made an eeven reckoning with them in sundry particulars Page 492 Jerusalem's finall destruction Page 489 Seven times besieged before its finall overthrow Page 490 If How the Word is used Page 430 Impropriators a lesson for them Page 400 Independent God onely is Page 363 Intercede what it signifies Page 343 Intercession Christ makes for us Page 335 What it contains in it Page 336 How Christ now doth it Page 337 He Intercedes for particular Persons Page 339 No other Intercessor but He. Page 340 344 We need no other but Christ Page 368 How Ministers are styled Intercessours Page 344 Wherein the Intercession of God's Ministers stands Page 344 Intercession made against a People two wayes Page 348 Ingrafting into Christ twofold Page 84 Ingratitude Vid. Vnthankfulness Judgments never sent without a Cause Page 304 They are sent from God Page 469 God is the Authour of them yet the Devil may be an Agent in them Page 472 Other Instruments God may use therein Page 470 How God makes way for them Page 462 Lighter Judgments are warnings Page 274 Heavy Judgments may be expected Page 281 Sinnes down the Noyse of Judgments Page 1 Judgments on Sinners be two wayes looked upon Page 498 We may not charge God with severity and rigour when he Inflicts them Page 306 307 We should find out the Cause of them and how it may be done Page 308 Judgments from God hurt not the godly Page 79 Justice of God is not to be questioned Page 500 In all his Works of Justice he is to be glorified as well as in works of Mercy Page 501 K. KIngly Government is in it self the best form of Government Page 274 Yet unthankful hearts are weary of it Ibid Knowledg requisite in Ministers Page 162 L. LAw necessary to be taught and preached Page 410 The Pestilent errors of those who hold the contrary Page 412 The Law is two ways to be considered Page 413 How far forth the Law is abolished Page 414 It makes way for the Gospel Page 416 Motives to hear it Page 418 The Gospel must be taught with it Page 422 Life profitable is onely commendable Page 342 Long life not alwayes a Blessing Page 226 Lord what it signifieth Page 360 God is our Lord as our King Protector and chief Justice Page 362 That God is our Lord may comfort us Page 365 Absolute obedience is to be given him for that he is our Lord. Page 362 Whether God could be called Lord before there was any Creature Page 361 Love is the Christian's Livery Page 65 It is the preserver of Vnity Page 62 M. MAgistrates are Ministers Page 159 Wherein Magistrates and Ministers agree and wherein they differ Ibid. They both should be as One. Page 177 Maintainance was large of the Ministers under the Law Page 356 They are to be liberally maintained under the Gospel Page 391 394 Objections against it answered Page 392 How their Maintainance should be raised Page 395 Their maintainance should not be grudged Page 168 Malice of Sathan most against Ministers Page 352 359 Means why so called Page 446 Means are to be used Page 453
his heart and life loaden with fruits of the best kind as Love Joy Peace Long-suffering Gentlenesse Goodnesse Faith Meâ—knesse Temperance and such like fruits of the Spirit Of which fruitfullnesse we shall speak shortly more fully Fifthly As the Church is resembled to a Vineyard in respect of the Order that is in it so it calls upon us who professe our selves Members thereof to walk orderly The want of this the Apostle sharply reproves in Professors 1 Thes 5.14 2 Thes 5.14 2 Thes 3.6 11. Mat. 20.6 and 2 Thes 3.6 11. And such are they First Who live without a Calling and have no special setled course of life wherein they may employ their Gifts and Time for their own and the Churches good Secondly Such as are dissolute and negligent in their Vocations and Callings these the Apostle terms disorderly Walkers and addresseth his speech especially unto 2 Thes 3.7 11. 2 Thes 3.7 11. Thirdly Such as intrude upon other mens Callings these break their Ranks and disorder all 1 Cor. 7.20 24. Let every one abide in that Calling whereunto he is called 1 Cor. 7.20 24. Fourthly Such as trangresse Ordinances and Rules established for the ordering of life and conversation 2 Thes 3.10 2 Thes 3.10 The Scripture giveth Rules of Direction how to carry our selves in every station and hath promised much peace and comfort to such as walk according to Rule Gal. 6.16 Gal. 6.16 Agur tells us of three things that go well yea four that are comely in going A Lyon Prov. 30.29 30 31. which is strongest amongst Beasts and turneth not away for any A Grey hound and a Hee Goat and a King against whom there is no rising up Prov. 30.29 30 31. These patterns of comely going are propounded to this intent that every one in his Pâ—ace and Calling should have a special regard of orderly walking When Magistrates know how to rule well and Subjects to obey Ministers to teach and People to learn Governours of Families to command and Inferiours to observe their Precepts there will a comlinesse and beauty appear in the face of Church and State but before it cannot be expected The world looks upon Ministers onely Psal 50. Ult. as Men in orders at least such as ought to be so But it concerns you as well as them to walk orderly if you expect Salvaâ—ion Sixthly In respect of the Churches Imbecillity and Feeblenesse it is like unto a Vineyard It cannot support it self And so it teacheth us not to trust to our own strength but take hold on the strength of God as we are willed Isa 27.6 The Vine carryeth with it Isa 27.6 her Key as well as her Bunch or Cluster and with the Key it windeth it self about its prop Faith is the Key and Love is the Cluster every living Branch hath both Gal. 5.6 Gal. 5.6 By the Grace of God I am that I am saith the Apostle there is his Key And his Grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain but I laboured more abundantly then they all there was the Cluster 1 Cor. 15.10 Psal 119.117 John 15.5 1 Cor. 15.10 So David Hold thou me up and I shall be safe there was the Key and I will have respect unto thy Statutes continually there was the Cluster Psal 119.117 Without Christ we can do nothing as he telleth us John 15.5 but being strengthned by him and supported of him we shall be enabled to do all things Phil. 4.13 Oh take heed of presuming on your own strength Phi. 4.13 Peter did so but a little and you know how dangerously he fell Bring the Key with you wind your selves about the Prop that must uphold you Bestrong in God Eph. 6.10 and in the power of his Might and fear not falling Seventhly Whereas the Church is a Vincyard in respect of Danger Let all be stirred up in general to seek the safety and welfare of it by our prayers and pious endeavours Lament 1.12 Is it nothing to you all ye that passe by Behold and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow which is done unto me Such is the Churches complaint at this day and yet the ruines and breaches of Zion we behold with a regardlesse eye wee look to our private wealth and particular estates 2 Sam. 11.11 Neh. 1.4 5. Dan. 10.2 3. and if it go well with us as we think we regard not much how it goes with the Church of God Vriah did not thus Nehemiah did not so Daniel did not so These grieved mourned fasted prayed under the pressures of the Church albeit they themselvs for their own personal concernments were in peace Questionless there is no one Sin for which God hath more a controversy with this Land then this That the Wants and Maimes and Breaches of his Vineyard are looked on with a regardlesse eye and so little laid to heart I looked and there was none to help Isa 63.5.6 and I wondered that there was none to uphold Isa 63.5 6. Can we think our selvs lively Members of the Church Branches of the true Vine or that we have the Affections of God's Children in us when we see the Vineyard of the Lord sustain losse and be in hazard of waste without any remorse Let Magistrates use the power of the Sword Ministers of the Word All one the other Lament 5.21 assist by their prayers Turn thou us to thee O Lord and we shall be turned renew our daies as of old Even so be it Lord so be it More particularly from the Dangers that God's Vineyard is liable continually unto Every one within the Church Prants of this Vineyard may be warned to expect tryals and prepare for them In the World saith Christ you shall have tribulation Joh. 16.33 or bruisings for so the word is John 16.33 Grievances bruisings pressures expect and look for Ye are goodly branches of the true Vine saith Cyprian Cyp. ad Marcel hanged with Clusters of ripe Grapes Secular persecution is your treading and pressing upon Your Wine-press is the prison and instead of Wine your blood is drawn from you The fairest Grapes are pressed that they may yield the sweetest juyce This World is not a Paradise but a Purgatory to the Godly Ye have not yet resisted unto Blood many of our Breth en have Heb. 12.4 and who knowes what we may do Eighthly In that as in a Vineyard so in the Church all in it are not of it Let us not content our selves with this that we live within the pale and are accounted members of the visible Church that we have bin baptized and so externally and sacramentally engrafted into the body of Christ for there are two sorts of branches in the Vine as appears John 15.2 John 15.2 Some that would willingly be esteemed so and are esteemed so to be by reason of their outward Profession and external engrafting into him but they do not take
march on resolutely You can easily apply it Our discords are the sweerest Musick in the ears of Papists Anabaptists c. they have weakned us strengthned them Sirs said Dion to his contentious souldiers your enemies see your mutinous behaviour pointing to the Castle wherein their enemies were Oh! that we would spend more then a few thoughts upon it our enemies see and are glad to see and make use of what they see in beholding our differences and discords and clap their hands to see us wring ours Highly to be commended were Basil and Eusebius who perceiving the Arrians to improve a difference that was betwixt them to the prejudice of the Orthodox Faith were soon reconciled and united their forces against the common enemy And we read in story that Aristides perceiving the open scandal that was like to arise by reason of the contention sprung up betwixt him and Themistocles he besought him mildly after this manner Sir We both are no mean men in this Commonwealth our dissentions will prove no small offence unto others nor disparagement to our selves Wherefore good Themistocles let us be at one again and if we will strive let us strive who shall exceed the other in Virtue and Love Oh! that there were such a strife between Minister and Minister Such a strife would be our glory Thirdly Unity and concord amongst God's Ministers is very acceptable and pleasing unto God and delights his spirit In the 2 Chron. 5.13 2. Chron. 18. we read that when the Trumpeters and Singers were as one to make one sound to be heard in praysing and thanking the Lord there the House was filled with a Cloud even the House of the Lord God drew near and manifested his gracious presence amongst them And Acts 2.1 11. Divers spake in divers Languages at once Acts 2.1 11. yet all consented in the thing which they spake for all spake the wonderful things of God and then the Spirit of God was amongst them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and fell on them and that in the likenesse of cloven tongues not of cloven hearts Thence Interpreters conclude Animarum unio concordia est optima d spositio ad recipâ—endum Spiritum sanctum that unity and concord is the best disposition of the mind for receiving of the holy Ghost But on the other side God is not present with his favour his spirit abides not where discord and dissention is That merry Cardinal intimated as much to his fellows in the Conclave when they could not agree about the choice of the Pope Let us said he untyle the House quia Spiritus sanctus nequit ad nos per tot tecta ingredi because the Holy Ghost cannot get in unto us through so many Tyles Differences and contentions amongst us keeps Gods spirit from us Nay yet more It causeth God to be highly offended with us and to smite us when we agree not that we may be made to agree together A very remarkable passage hereof we read in Socrates great difference and contention did arise betwixt two famous Bishops Socrat. Eccles Hist l. 8. c. 13.17 21. Epiphanius and Chrysostome insomuch that in a rage they parted asunder using some unchristian imprecations I hope said Epiphanius to Chrysostome that thou shall not dye a Bishop and I hope said Chrysostome to Epiphanius that thou shalt not return alive into thine own Country both which fell out accordingly for Eiphanius dyed at Sea as he was returning home and Chrysostome was deprived of his Bishoprick and dyed in exile Many were slain in taking parts the Cathedral Church and Senate House in Constantinople was burned to the ground in persuit of revenge A fearful president of Gods displeasure against the discords of his Servants think how God loathes that which he so severely punisheth Ridley and Hoper could not agree about black and white God made them to agree in red Lastly The after-throes that we put our Mother the Church unto by our Dissentions would be laid to heart Gen. 25.22 Rebeccah finding a strugling in her Womb cryed out Why am I thus So saith the Church Oh! why am I fruitful of Children when they prove such dissenting and diagreeing Children Diens Alexandr Apud Niceph. Time was when it was said by the holyest men that then lived in the Church non minoris esse laudis non scindere Ecclesiam quà m Idolo non sacrificare that it was no lesse praise worthy to abstain from renting the Church then to forbear sacrificing to an Idol These things well considered would without all question work somewhat towards unity and concord between dissenting Brethren whose divisions do cause great thoughts of heart in every faithful Christian who desires to see our Vines and Figg-Trees flourish Judg. 5.15 And provoke them to use all good meanes of reconciliation and hearken to all lawful proposals that may make for peace Now what these meanes are that by Gods Minâ—sters must be used whereby this unity and concord amongst them may be attaine d would be shewed And so besides those general directions before given these particular Rules are very useful First Let us make our peace with God for till that be done no peace can be expected with man Phil. 4.7 9. It is in Judgement that God divides our hearts I will divide them in Jacob Phil. 4.7 9. Gen. 47.7 c. St. Basil lamenting the discord that was in that Church imputes the cause thereof to mens contempt of their Heavenly King As did the troubles of Israel and the Judges arise from this that there was no King in Israel Questionlesse our dissentions are Paenal and Judicial punishments for that willful Rent which hath bin made amongst us and till God be appeased still dissention will abide You may read Zach. 11.4 of two Pastoral Staves Zach. 11.14 wherewith the Flock of God is fed the one is Beauty which signifies safety and protection the covenant made betwixt God and his People the other Bands which signifieth unity and concord amongst God's People Now the Staff Beauty God takes and breaks shewing their wicked dealing with the Covenant of God then Bands cannot hold This is our case it is to be feared our covenants with God have bin violated we have broken the staff Beauty and God in his just judgment breaketh Bands that it holds not Secondly Let our care be to stock our selves well with Heavenly wisdom that Heavenly wisdom which is from above that is with the knowledge of Divine things Such I hope is the Resolution of the associated Ministers of this County as appeares by their agreement Essex We resolve through the grace of Christ to contend daylie to the comprehension of that Ministerial knowledge and wisdome whereby we may understand our way and to study more and strive after that excellent Wisdom and Art of winning Souls c. Indeed we professe our selves to be Wisdom's Schollars yea Wisdom's Children Now Wisdom looks to be justified
man replyed that he would have that benefit by his hiring the difference was great so that they grew from Words to Blows And there whilst all were gaping on Demosthenes the Oratour brake off his speech The Auditory desired him to go on with his Story that they might hear the issue The Oratour answered them See what wise People you are I told you of wholesome and profitable Observations and all that that while you were carelesse and now I tell you of trifles of the shadow of an Asse you are all very Attentive Surely this was the Reason why the Prophet Esay personated a Ballad-singer Isa 5.1 He would sing his Hearers a song Isa 5.1 that thereby he might provoke them to mind and attend to such matters as were weighty And if we propound unto you some Fables or things feigned it is to cause you to attend to truth 's weighty which you shall find in the moral of it Vse 2 What care I so Christ be preached let us seemingly be but as fools and Asses in your esteem Phil. 1 18. so we may cause you to attend and give regard to what is said A cold People makes a cold Preacher a dull Auditory a dull Ministry I might use many Motives to quicken your attentions but having spoken more largely of the poynt in another Text I intend not now to insist upon it I shall onely commend unto you the practise of Constantine the Great who as Eusebius tells us after long standing at a disputation concerning divine matters Euseb de vit Canst l. 4. c. 33. he was requested by those Divines that disputed before him that he would be pleased to sit down and take his ease he answered Nefas est habitis disputationibus de Deo c. he judged it to be an impious thing whilst disputations concerning God were held to sit down and hear negligently What think you then of those that sit down to sleep 1 Sam. 3.3 and settle them to sloath Good Samuell may sometimes be overtaken with a slumbering fit but he is soon awaked The Ears of them that hear shall hearken saith the Prophet Isa 32.3 and Act. 16.14 Isa 32.3 Act. 16.14 God opened the heart of Lydia and she attended on what was spoken and till God do the one we shall never do the other But I shall carry this Poynt no further Now more Particularly Behold What That which God complaines of the Barrennesse of this Figg Tree i. e. the unfruitfulnesse of the Jewish Nation in the Letter but spiritually of such as profess Christ in the Church Observe in General Sin may not be looked upon with a regardless eye Doct. or God's complaints are not to be sleighted or past over regardlesly It must be beheld and so as that the Heart be deeply affected with the sight of it and what we hear concerning it This is commanded Ezek. 6.11 Say Eze. 6.11 21.6 Alasse for all the Abominations of of the House of Israel and 21.6 Sigh therefore thou Son of Man saith God with the breaking of thy Loins and with bitternesse sigh before their eyes Such a sighing God requires as may break the girdle and this with bitternesse and before the eyes of the People too that they might be brought to bitter sighing for their provocations spoken of in the Chapter before and for the Judgments that should continually follow 2 Pet. 2.8 Isa 24.16 Ps 44.15.16 69.9 119.53.136 2 King 19. which shall cause them bitterly to sigh for that they did not sigh in time The sighing of the Minister may cause sighing in the people as Origen's weeping did as formerly was said And this is commended in the Servants of God who have laid to heart the sins of others as well as their own so as to be deeply affected therewith 1. Ezra 9.2 6. Isa 16.9 24.16 Jer. 9 1. 4.19 13.17 Rom. 9 2. Phil. 3.18 2 Cor. 2.4 So did Lot with the sins of the Sodomites 2 Pet. 2.8 he vexed and grieved to see God to be dishonoured by them what he beheld with his Eye and what he beheld with his Ear that he beheld with his Soul and was not regardlesse of it So David read Psal 44.15 16. 69.9 119.53 136. So Hezekiah 2 King 19.1 So Ezra cap. 9.2 6. So Jeremiah 9.1 4.19 13.17 So Paul Rom. 9.2 Phil. 3.18 2 Cor. 2.4 with many tears and much anguish of heart he wrote to the Corinthians about the incestuous Person whom they connived at And our blessed Saviour himself Luk. 19.41 Luk. 19.41 Whe have but two clear Records in Scripture of Christ's weeping and both in respect of Sinne Joh. 11.39 Luk. 19.41 and that was for the sins of us not for his own for he had none Shall I render you the Reasons hereof First then Reas Isa 1.24 In respect of God forasmuch as he is much wronged grieved and dishonoured by sin It is loathsome grievous injurious unto him A breach of his Law a defacing of his Image a defying him to his face Treason Rebellion against him Now what Son canindure to see his Father wronged abused and not stand out in his Father's defence Did not Nature so work in that dumb Son of Croesus that when he saw one ready to slay his Father it brake the strings of his tongue and caused him to cry out Oh man Do not kill Croesus And will not Grace prevail much more in us If we love God as we professe we cannot be regardless of his Dishonour Psal 69 9. Psal 69.9 Secondly In respect of Others the Land in generall Doth not Sin cause a whole Land to mourn Hos 4.3 Jer. 23.10 Hos 4.1 2 3. especially Swearing because of Oaths saith Jeremiah the Land mourneth Then the Sinner in particular Should we see one to rend and tear himself gash and wound his carkasse pull out his own bowels leap into a fiery Furnace could we do any lesse then pitty such a one mourn for him lament his sad condition now What do wilful Sinners other Is not every sin the wounding of the Soul Is it not a piling up of Faggots casting another shovel full of brimstone into the Flame And then Sinners themselves leap in after this Who can look on this sad Spectacle with a carelesse eye We often endeavour to deterr young men from sinning upon this Motive You 'l grieve your friends break your Parents heart undo your selves I grieve for you with my heart So would we do if we did as we ought Psal 119.158 I beheld the Transgressours and was grieved Psal 119.158 Thirdly In regard of our selves For if we be regardlesse of sin when we see it or hear it we are in danger to be infected by it However it doth enfeoffe us in the sin 1 Cor. 5.2 as the Corinthians for not mourning for that Incest committed and not onely so buâ— in the Punishment too Ezek. 9. Ezek.
1.12 never sorrow like unto Her sorrow Oh! Lament 1.12 that it may never happen to this Church of England to make the like Complaint After the clearest flash of lightening followeth the terriblest clapp of thunder Me thinks if these things were thought seriously upon and laid to heart they could not but work a greater care in us then formerly to profit by the means of our good But I forbear any further application of the point give me onely leave to acquaint you with what the Oracle foretold of the City Nyna that it should never be won till the River became an enemy unto it Nyna which afterwards came to passe for through aboundance of rain the River so encreased that it overthrew the Walls thereof I wish that what that Oracle foretold of Nyna may not be verified in us in respect of plenty of means enjoyed Plenty of means hath caused through our corruption a Deluge of Opinions and that such an Inundation of Heresie and Schism that it is to be feared if no sluce be made to let out and draw those waters not onely the Citty but the Kingdom will be ruined For if a Kingdom be devided against it self How can it stand But of the Complaint enough Come we now unto the sentence denounced against this Tree for its barrennesse Cut it down Why Cumbers it the ground Text. Herein take notice first of the Severity of the sentence Cut it down Secondly of the Equity thereof Why Cumbers it the ground Abscinde cam Cut it down Could He not as easily have done it as spoke it Yes without question But It is God's usual manner to speak before He strikes to pronounce Judgment before He Executes it Doct. He doth premonish before He doth punish and warn before He wound He seldom comes to that quick dispatch a word and a blow but without a word to a blow to an execution without warning never At what instant I shall speak concerning a Nation saith God and concerning a Kingdom to pluck up and to pull down Jer. 18.7 9. and to destroy it Jer. 18.7 9. Now therefore go speak to the men of Judah and to the Inhabitants of Jerusalem saying Vers 11 Thus saith the Lord c. vers 11. So then God will speak unto a Nation before He strikâ— thaâ— Nation and send His Servants to warn them before He utterly destroy them The Lord will roare from Zion before He teare and utter His Voyce from Jerusalem that the Inhabitants may be afraid Amos 1.2 3 8. His roaring is the warning given Amos 1.2 3 8. before He come and seize upon the Prey He will be heard threatning before he befelt in executing of His Judgments I might be large and long in the proof of this and bring many Instances for the confirmation of the Point I shall trouble you onely with a few Before God brought the flood on the Old World He gave warning thereof First He acquainted Noah with his purpose Gen. 6.13 14. Gen. 6.13 14. Heb. 11.7 Heb. 11.7 and by him he warned the World in the building of the Ark every blow that was given with Axe or Hammer in the making thereof was a warning piece before the murtkering-piece was Discharged His pains taken in the building of toat Ark to eschew wrath condemned the security of the World which would not be warned The cry of Sodom and Gomorrah was very great and their sins grievous yet God would not destroy them before warning given He sends Lot amongst them who without doubt Preached daylie to them not onely by his regular and examplary life but likewise by his perswasion to Repentance and Obedience For that righteous man saith St. Peter dwelling amongst them in seeing and hearing 2 Per. 2.8 vexed his righteous soul from Day to Day with their unlawful deeds 2. Per. 2.8 And the very night before their ruâ—ne he admonished them as a Prophet and advised them Gen. 19.14 as a Father but both in vain Gen. 19.14 Pharaoh and his People as unworthy as they were yet they must have warning by Moses and Aaron before the Land be Plagued Exod. 6.29 Exod. 6.29 Ten several warnings they had one after another before they were utterly destroyed in the Red Sea In Corah's case God seemed to be more quick and to proceed a pace towards execution the Earth opened Her mouth and swallowed them up quick Numb 16.31 32. saith the Text Numb 16.31 32. But God began not there He first opened his mouth and Moses and Aaron theirs and the Elders theirs They had a Reprieve Numb 16.5 14 20 24 25 32. and after another Summons before Execution which followed upon their contumacy Numb 16.5 14 20.24.25 32. Ninevie shall be sent unto and have warning given them before their overthrow yet forty Dayes and Ninevie shall be destroyed Jon. 3.4 4 10. And other Heathen Nations shall have all of them their warning as Babylon and Moab and AEgypt Jon. 3.4 4 10. Isa 13.1 15 1 17 1 19 1 21 1 11 13 23 1 30 6. 2 King 17.6 and Damascus and Ammon and Edom all must hear of their burthen before it come Isaiah is sent to them with it as we read Isa 13.1 15 1 17 1 17 1 19 1 21 1 11 13 23 1 30 6. As for Israel and Judah how often were they premonished of that Captivity which afterwards befell them under the Assyrians 2 King 17.6 God had testified against them long before by all his Prophets and by all the Seers as by Ahijah Jehu Eliah Michaja Elâ—sha Obadiah Hosea Amos Joel c. by all these he foretold them what should befall them albeit they would take no warning 2 King 17.14 15 16. 2 King 17.14 15 16. And before the Captivity of Judah and destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians they were forewarned of it by Isaiah Jeremiah Ezekiel Micha Zephanie for the space of threescore years to gether even unto the very day that they were taken Captive abeit they would not hearken nor receive correction Zeph. 2.3 5. Zach. 7.12 nor draw near unto the Lord Zeph. 2.3 5. Zachar. 7.12 And before the last and utter subversion of the Jewish Nation how many warnings were given them John Baptist tells them that the Axe was now laid to the very Root of the Tree Mat. 3.10 So as utterly to destroy them Mat. 3.10 and cut them off from being a People Our Saviour himself even with tears in his eyes tells them what would betide them Luke 19.42 Luke 19.42 Mat. 22.37 24 2 15 36. In plain terms He acquaints them with the manner of their destruction and the grievousnesse of it So Math. 23.37 24 2 15 26. Behold saith Christ I have told you before that being forewarned you may before-armed and prepared It was a Law established in Israel Reas that when they came unto a
destroyed If we consider this Judgment in reference to all barren and unfruitful Christians now living under the Gospel our Saviour John 15.6 doth excellently set it forth Joh. 15.6 If a man abide not in me that is if he be onely professedly in me and bears not fruit or else revolts from me He is cast forth as a brauch and is withered and men gather them and cast them into the fire and they are burned Where observe these degrees of a barren professors ruine First they are cast out Secondly upon that they wither Thirdly upon their withering they are gathered or bound up together Fourthly upon their gathering they are cast into the fire Fifthly being cast into the fire they are burned up and consumed First Heb. 6.8 They are cast out and rejected This is it St. Paul speaks of Heb. 6.8 that which bears Thornes and Bryars is rejected as the Husbandman gives over labouring a piece of barren ground that will take no mending This casting forth is either by God or Men God casts such forth two wayes First Subtrahendo by withholding the means that should do such a man good Isa 5.5 6. Amos 8.11 Hos 4.14 Isa 1.5 Gen. 6.3 whether Outward as his Word and Ordinances Isa 5.5 6. Amos 8.11 Hos 4.14 He will prune them no more bestow no more labour upon them And Isa 1.5 Why should you be smitten any more Or Inward withholding from them his special grace and favour His Spirit shall no longer strive with them Gen. 6.3 that is by those checks and knocks which in former times they had and which accompanyed the preachings and pains of my Servants which I have sent unto them Isa 6.10 Math. 13. So Isa 6.10 Math. 13. applyed to them Secondly Tradendo by giving such a one up so that he will own him no more Psal 81.12 Rom. 1.24 2 Cor 4.4 Rev. 22.11 when God come to give a man up either to himself as Psal 81.12 and Rom. 1.24 or to Sathan to be farther blinded as 2 Cor. 4.4 this is a Fearful kind of casting forth then God seems to say of such a one Abeat perâ—at profundant perdat let him go on and perish He that is filthy let him be more filthy then it follows that a man will be filled with all manner of unrighteousnesse Rom. 1.28 29. as the beggar is with Vermine So Rom. 1.28 29. when the Fense is broken down all Beasts will come in and every base lust will be a Commoner in that â—eart Thus God casts forth such barren and unfruiful branches And as God casts them forth so they come to be cast out by men even by the Church and Members of it sometimes more publiquely as when a man falling into some grosse and vitious course of life is cast out of the Visible Church and delivered up to Sathan by the censure of excommunication as 1 Cor. 5.5 1 Tim. 1.20 This is a soare censure 1 Cor. 5.5 1 Tim. 1.20 and the soarest that the Church can inflict as formerly hath bin shewed you Then man is left to be a lodge for Devils Then lusts and all wastful sins enter into the heart till such a one be restored again by true Repentance Sometimes more secretly and privately they are cast ouâ— of the hearts of Gods people and that two wayes first when they desire not the acquaintance of such a fruitlesse and barren branch They delight not in his company but shun it rather as St. John did the company of Cerinthus in the Bath 1 Cor. 5.11 2 Thes 3.14 or as one doth the company of an infected person With such a one eat not saith the Apostle have no company with him that he may be ashamed This is a very sad and uncomfortable kind of casting forth especially if it be general Secondly When they are cast out of their prayers God locking up the hearts of his Children so that they do not so much as remember them or withdrawing the spirit of prayer from his Children so as that they cannot heartily solicite God on their behalf albeit they are desired God seeming to say to his Children as he saith by his Prophet Hos 4.4 Let none reprove them Hos 4.4 so Let none pray for them 1 Sam. 16.1 Jer. 7.16 Thus God forbad Samuel to pray for Saul 1 Sam. 16.1 and so Jeremiah for the Jewes Jer. 7.16 We have not the like Inhibition nor may we forbear to pray for any particular person unlesse we are sure he hath finned against the Holy Ghost yet God withholdeth the spirit of prayer many times so that the godly cannot pray heartily for a dissembling professor And this is the first degree of the barren Christian's doom whereby it is executed the casting of him forth both by God and Man The second degree mentioned by our Saviour is withering and this must needs follow upon the former for how can that branch but wither that receives no Life or Sap from Him that gives the life of sap to all So the stony ground Luke 8.6 Luke 8.6 withered away because it lacked moysture This withering is Three fold First They wither in their Judgments whereas they had their minds in some measure enlightned to see and acknowledge the Truth of Religion distaste Errors discern acknowledge and approve that which is the Truth in Jesus Christ Heb. 6.4 Now they fall away from that Truth they have professed unto another Gospel as did the Galathians Gal. 1.6 and with Hymenaeus and Phileâ—us err concerning the Faith Gal. 1.6 2 Tim. 2.18 1 Tim. 2.18 They held the Truth concerning the Resurrection but they fell from that Truth saying the Resurrection was past already and so destroyed the Faith of many Secondly They wither in their Affections falling away from their first love Rev. 2.4 as did the Church of Ephesus Rev. 2.4 and the Church of Galatia whom the Apostle upbraideth for that strange coolnesse in their affections to his Person and Ministery whereas at the first their zeal was such as that they were willing to pull out their eyes to do Him service Gal. 4 15 18. Gal. 4.15 18 They withered in respect of that zeal and fervency of spirit for God and goodnesse that formerly they had As old men that are withering grow cold and chilly and abate of their heat and vigour which formerly they had in their strength and youth They have not that appetite to the word nor delight in the society of the Saints as in former times They can well disgest what formerly they could not and content themselves in an indifferent neutrality and frame themselves to such a formality as will best comply with the times and no further Thirdly They wither in their Practise as did the Galathians before mentioned Chap. 3.3 they began in the spirit but did end in the flesh Gal. 3.3 they ran well for a time but gave over obeying of the Truth Gal. 5.7 Chap.
hang any Vessel thereon Lo such is Israel saith God if it bare good Fruit it would be dear and precious unto me but being barren and unfruitful it is of no use unfit for any service Many Comparisons and Resemblances are used in Scripture to set forth the unprofitablenesse of a barren Professor Psal 1.5 Jude v. 12. They are resembled to Chaff to Thorns and Thistles to Clouds without water Trees withered without fruit and such like Amongst others that of our Saviour is very pertinent who resembles such to Salt that hath lost its savour which is good for nothing Mat. 5.13 but to be cast out and trodden under foot Math. 5.13 Other things when they have lost their savour recover it by the virtue of salt applyed unto them but if salt if self have lost its savour nothing is able to fetch it again There is nothing in nature that can restore it to its former quality Other things even after their corruption may be useful for some purposes Sowre Wine makes Vinegar Raggs Paper Soyl and Rubbish is good to fat the ground but savourlesse salt is good for nothing but the Dunghill nor is it fit for that and therefore must necessarily be trodden under foot as utterly unprofitable which is not onely a thing Calamitous but extreamly Ignominious Neither is the dumb and unprofitable Minister onely this unsavouty salt albeit Christ directed that Speech to his Apostles but every Professor of godlinesse that hath denyed the power thereof whose spirit is barren of the Fruit of good Motions 2 Tim. 3.5 The Understanding barren of the Fruit of good Meditations The Will barren of the Fruit of good Resolutions The Sensitive Appetite barren of the Fruit of good Affections The whole man barren of the Fruit of good Works every such a one is as this Figgless Figg-Tree burthensome to the Earth and cumbersome to the ground that bears them Secondly As they do no good and are cumbersome in that respect so they do much harm and so become unprofitable burthens and that many wayes First To the Soyl whereon they grow the very Earth is the worse for a fruitlesse Figg-Tree It was the sin of man at first that caused God to curse the Earth to Thorns and Thistles Gen. 3.7 and ever since he hath turned a fruitfull Land into barrennesse for the wickednesse of those that dwell therein Psal 107.37 Jer. 23.10 Hos 1. 4. The sins of those within the pale are they for which a Land doth mourn Hos 1. 4. So is it in the Vineyard of the Lord Let a barren and unprofitable Figg-Tree have his standing wheresoever the ground shall be the worse and not the better for him Let Rehoboam be rooted amongst the Kings in the Land of Judah 1 King 14.37 and the Sheilds he finds of Gold he will leave of Brasse Let Balaam be numbred amongst the Prophets and Judas amongst the Apostles and the Vineyard of the Lord shall find cause enough to say of such a Figg-Tree that it cumbers the ground The Church suffers by the growth of such Trees it loseth her heart and fatnesse Her Beauty and Glory is much blemished by the growth of such plants in it Secondly Such barren Trees are cumbersome and burthensome to other Trees and Plants that grow or might grow in the Vineyard and that divers wayes First A barren Tree possesseth the place of a better and by its good will would not suffer any to grow near it The best Rooms at Feasts the chief Seats in Synagogues Isa 5.8 Luke 14.9 proud Pharisees will take up nor is there any place for better Guests till they be removed lower and commanded to give place and so room made by their removal for others that are invited That passage which we have in Isa 22.20 is worthy of serious consideration Isa 22.20 God promiseth to call Eliakim the Son of Hilkiah and to commit the Government of his people in his Hand and so fasten him as a nayl driven to the Head in a sure place on whom they should hang all the glory of his Fathers House from the Vessels of the Cups even to all the Vessels of the Flaggons with matters both great and small should he be trusted but Eliakim's substitution must be upon Shebna's deprivation God will first drive him from his Station and pluck him down from his State Vers 19. vers 19. In that day saith the Lord of Hosts shall the Nayl that is fastned in a sure place meaning Shebna who then governed and thought himself sure be removed and be cut down and fall Vers 25. and the burthen that hangs upon it shall be cut off In the same day that God doth this Eliakim shall come in and be advanced but not before Thus one Nayl drives out another What Solomon speaks of misery The Righteous is delivered out of trouble Prov. 11.8 and the Wicked comes in his stead the like may be said of a good mans prosperity when the wicked are turned off better come in their room The like may be seen in David's case who was annointed to be King over Israel long before his Installment Saul sat yet upon the Throne and David must be content to stay a while for that till Saul be removed and that being done then he shall be planted and seated in his room in Hebron So whilst Judas supplyes the place of an Apostle 2 Sam. 2.1 honest Mathias shall be kept out Acts 1.20 his place must be Voyded before another take his Bishoprick Acts 1.20 The Jews they must be broken off before the Gentiles be grafted in Rom. 11.19 Rom. 11.19 And whilst those ungrateful Farmers of the Vineyard held their Lease it could not be taken by others who would gladly have hyred it and rendred the Fruit thereof in due season Mat. 21.43 Math. 21.43 So long as wicked Magistrates Idle and Scandalous Ministers Bribing and corrupt Officers and such like are in place others who might do and would do more good cannot be admitted Secondly Such as are barren and unprofitable in their places devour not only equal nutriment with him that beareth but many times starve other inferiour plants within their reach drawing away the heart and fat of the Soyl with their Succours and Feeders What a breadth beareth some great Ash or Oak How far do their Roots spread albeit under ground and unseen Yet it may be perceived by their soaking of the ground and drawing away nourishment from Corn and Plants that are near unto them It is thus with many an unprofitable and barren Christian he is a Soaker and that in respect both of things that concern this Life and a better and so cumbersome Such are to be found in the Church That large and liberal maintenance allowed formerly by our fore-Fathers charity for pious uses as towards the maintenance of the Ministry succouring of the poor and needy c. a great part thereof was formerly devoured
and who can behold it with a dry eye Psal 44.15 16 199 1 58 136. Jer. 9.1 4 19 13 17. Phil. 3.18 Luke 19.41 and merry heart David could not He beheld the transgressor and was grieved Jeremiah could not Day and Night he wept for the sins and abominations done in Jerusalem St. Paul could not when he tells us of those who were the enemies of the Crosse of Christ he could not forbear watering his Plants Christ could not He no sooner came within the view of Jerusalem but he wept over it But wo to us for our wretchednesse when God calls to weeping and to mourning and to girding with sackcloath there is joy and gladnesse slaying Oxen Isa 22.12 13. and killing of Sheep eating Flesh and drinking Wine Isa 22.12 13. Such is the desperate carriage of many they jeer when they should fear laugh when they should weep sing care away let us eat and drink merrily sorrow comes soon enough to morrow we may dye No other laying to heart of God's complaints do we make but read what follows Vers 14 This sin saith the Prophet was declared in the ears of the Lord of Hoasts as the top of all their sins which caused the Lord to enter into that determinate resolution Surely this iniquity shall not be purged from you till you dye But we hear not God complaining When Quaest and How doth he complain against us The more stupid and blockish we that we hear not Resp By word of mouth he makes complaint Hear O my People and I will testifie against you Psal 81.8 Psal 81.8 But my People would not hearken Verse 11. O that my People had hearkened Verse 13. So Vers 11 Vers 13 Isa 1.2 3. Isa 1.2 3. Mich. 6.3 5. O peircing words and yet again Mich. 6.3 5. These onely for a taste Doth not the Lord thus expostulate with us and complain of us at this day for our unthankfulnesse and disobedience Ah sinful Nation testifie against me wherein have I grieved thee Remember how I brought thee out of the Romish furnace Remember how I have blessed thee with peace and plenty Deut. 32.6 c. Do you thus requite me Oh foolish People and unkind c. And is not the Voyce of his Servants the Ministers of the Gospel his Voyce likewise Luke 16.16 Vox Turturis Vox Gementis Cant. 2.12 He that heareth you heareth me saith Christ Now Is not the Voyce of the mourning Turtle heard in our Land Do not the Jeremiahs of these dayes mourn over you and mourn for you Do they not in God's name come in daylie with their Bills of complaints against you for your Pride Drunkennesse Whoredom Blasphemy Sacriledge and other Abominations which would ask much time but to name Insomuch that God's Mercy-seat I mean the Pulpit seems to be no other then a Tribunal a seat of Judgment And yet do you ask When or Where doth God complain If the complaints that God makes against us by word of mouth move not Then look upon the works of his hands Open your eyes you that have stopped your ears and you may see him actuaâ—ly complaining What are his Rods his Judgments but real complaints against us for our wicked and heinous provocations Famine is a complaint against us for our abuse of fulnesse The Sword for the abuse of our long and happy Peace Scorn and Contempt of other Nations a complaint of our Pride Sicknesse of the abuse of our Health Sometimes the Heavens bring in God's complaint Levit. 26.19 when they are as Iron Sometimes the Earth when it is as Brasse when we fow much and receive but little Sometimes the seasons of the year speak their Maker's complaints This last Spring and Summer hath complained of us in coming cladd in the Roabs of Winter These things being thus if you veiw well the Evidence that is brought you cannot but find for the Plaintiff It being thus Use 2 let all that have any Interest in God seek unto him for mercy and put themselves in a praying posture God is ready to give fire to all his Artillery that is charged against us It is time to step in and every one to take his Censer in his hand Numb 16.46 as Moses willed Aaron and put in Incense and make an attonement for the Nation that God's wrath may be pacified towards it An humble heart touched with a deep sense of Gods dishonour and the Nation 's misery is the Censer your fervent prayers are your Incense and there is no such way nor means so effectual to appease the wrath of God and stay him from executing of his Judgments threatned as that Esther Est 4.8 upon Mordecai's perswation went to King Ahashuerosh albeit with danger of her Life and made Petition and Supplication before him for themselves and the Kingdom Est. 4.8 Have not you as great cause as She and as much encouragement as She had and far more the Golden Scepter is held out unto you you need not be afraid Consider First God expects this of you Ezek. 22.30 Ezek. 22.30 Isa 59.16 63 5. I sought for a man amongst them that should make up the hedge and stand in the gap before me saith God and found none And God wondereth at it that it should be so Isa 59.16 63 5. that there should be so general a barrennesse of grace as that there was not one man to interpose for his People and sue for them It sets the God of all wonders a wondering I doubt not but we have many that do stand in the gap blessed be God yet I would there were more for there is but few or none that do interpose in comparison of them that do not for so None is many times taken in Scripture Be thou One of this None Secondly The neglect of this is a dangerous and fearful provocation and is made a great cause of the publique calamity Ezek. 22.30 31. Ezek. 22.30 31. I fought for a man to stand in the gap and found none Therefore have I powred out my Indignation on them I have consumed them with the fire of my Wrath Psal 9.16 17. Oh! pray for the Church the State of this English Nation and forget it not Thirdly In all Ages this hath bin the practise of God's Saints by prayers and tears to seek God for the averting of his Judgments Dan. 9.16 17. Jer. 18.20 Isa 62.1 Dan. 9.16 17. 〈◊〉 Jer. 18.20 Isa 62.1 When darknesse of affliction overshadows Jerusalem and Sion is under a Cloud of trouble the godly cannot rest they cannot keep silence they must importune the Lord for a glorious deliverance And it is God's usual manner before he doth any great work for his Church to stir up the hearts of his to importune him by their prayer Fourthly The practise of this Duty will bring much comfort to our selves for besides the publique good that may follow hereupon wherein we shall
encrease of the Land of Seed and Fruit of great and small Cattle Levit. 27.30 Besides Lev. 27.30 Lev. 27.26 27. Exod. 13.13 they had the First-born of all sorts of Câ—rtle as of Sheep Beevs and Goats and the price of the rest which were to be redeemed according to the Priests estimation Levit. 27.26 27. and more plainly expressed Exod. 13.13 Numb 18.13 14 15 16 17. Neh. 10.36 Num. 18.13 c. Neh. 10.36 Lev. 32.10 Lev. 23.17 Numb 15.20 Numb 18.12 Numb 18.18 Deut. 18.3 Num. b 18.9 10 11. Numb 18.8 9. And the First-fruits of four other kinds as of the Sheaf Levit. 32.10 Secondly Of their Bread two wave-Loaves at the Feast of Pentecost Lev. 23.17 Thirdly The First-fruits of their Dough Numb 15.20 Fourthly The First fruits in general of all things which the Earth brought forth then payable when men had gathered in their Fruits Numb 18.12 They had certain portions appointed them out of all kind of Sacrifices either the Shoulder Breast or Skin Numb 18.18 Deut. 18.3 c. The Meat-Offerings the Sin Offerings the Trespasse Offerings the Heave-Offerings and the Wave-Offerings were all theirs Numb 18.9 10 11. All Votive and Voâ—untary Obâ—â—tions and Consecrations and every hallowed thing was theirs Num. 18.8 9. In case of Restitution to be made upon a fraudulent Act committed If neither the Party wronged were living nor any Kinsman known of his Num. 5.2 8. the Restitution was performed to the Priest Num. 5.7 8. They had 48 Cityes for their Habitation and two thousand Cubits of ground from the Wall on every side for the Suburbs for Gardens and for a gleib for their Cattle Num. 35.2 Numb 35.2 which Cityes were next to the best and in many places the very best of all when the greatest of the other Tribes had but 19 Cities Add unto all this that whereas the Tribes were to appear thrice every year before the Lord they were not to come empty handed Exod. 23.15 17. Now if we consider the Tythes Exod. 23.15 17. Offerings and Oblations the Cities and other constant revenues that were coming in to the Levites and put all together it will appear that though they were but about a quarter as many as one Tribe yet they had about three times the revenues of one Tribe All which was payd them very freely and willingly by the People Philo lib. de Sacerd. honor Ezek. 44.30 Mal. 3.10 as Philo the Jew who was well acquainted with the Customs of his Nation tells us being confident that it was the onely way to be rich to tythe well and that the blessing of God would follow such as did so according to that Ezek. 44.30 Mal. 3.10 This Substance was theirs which Moses prayes for and desires that God would blesse unto him and encrease he did not grudge it him and say It is too much for Levi a lesse portion by far would serve his turn It will make him proud How comes it then to passe that the Ministers of the Gospel are grudged that maintenance which both the Law of God and the Land hath allotted them for their painful labours Is their Ministry lesse glorious That it is not if the Scriptures may be judge in that case 2 Cor. 3.8 9. 2 Cor. 3.8 9. Mar. 11.11 And doth not our Saviour prefer the Ministers of the Gospel before the other when he telleth us that they are greater than John the Baptist Math. 11.11 And yet nothing is more enviously grudged than the Livings of the Clergy The Gentry hath got into their hands already near upon three parts of the Ministers maintenance and have left the Church but one Quarter and yet there are those that would eat her heart with Salt as we say because she hath so much Many Edomites there are amongst us that say of the Church as they did of Jerusalem Raze it Raze it even to the ground Psal 137.7 Psal 137.7 Ps 83.3 4. Geball and Ammon and Amalek conspire against it and consult how they may destroy it Psal 83.3 4. But how shall this be effected Why Let us take the houses of God into our possession Ver. 12 ver 12. No such ready way as that that is the speeding blow So Psal 74.9 they say in their hearts Let us make havock of them Psal 74.9 And to lay a foundation for that Let us burn all the Houses of God in the Land The Hony cannot be had but by burning of the Bees nor Church-means but by destroying of Church-men and smoaking them out of their Hives This God be praised we are not yet come unto All the Houses and Synagogues of God in the Land are not burnt up and consumed with fire yet but few of our Churches and Temples which have not been robbed plundred and prophaned in a very high degree With God's House men began before they went unto their Neighbours And the desires of many look still that way hoping to see no not one stone left upon another nor one sheaf left for the maintenance of the Ministry Such is the praying we make for Levi's Substance But take away his Substance and maintenance you overthrow his Calling and take away his Calling what becomes of Religion The free passage of the Gospel is to be prayed for 2 Thes 3.1 2 Thes 3.1 Now the passage of the Gospel must needs be hindred when Levi's maintenance is with-held he thereof defrauded In this respect it was that the Persecution which the Church suffered under Julian was esteemed greater than that under Dioclesian Dioclesian's Persecution was against Presbyters intending thereby to root out all Religion as Eusebius speaks But Julian's was worse in that it was against the Presbytery their whole race and revenew livelyhood and maintenance He took away their Inheritances and dissipated them into so many hands as that without a miracle they might never return again to their right owners as if he had vowed saith a Worthy of our times B.B. King to sow Church-lands with Salt so that it might ever after remain barren and never bear any more fruit to Prophets or Prophets Children But I shall not strike any longer upon this string Lastly Their Persons are prayed for by Moses Smite through the loyns of them that rise against him and of them that hurt him that they rise not again Protection and deliverance is to be craved of God on their behalf Rom. 15.30 31. Rom. 15.30 31. 2 Thes 3.2 I beseech you Brethren strive with me that I may be delivered from them that do not believe And again Brethren pray for us saith the same Apostle 2 Thes 3.2 that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men or as the words may be rendred 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from absurd fellows and from their malice and treachery from such men whose Industry and labour is spent in bringing labour molestation and vexation upon those who are the Ministers of the Gospel nor do they care