pits brink and then delivers them so far he carries them that they might see the worth of their deliverance and the seasonableness of their escape and no further because he intends not to destroy them How seasonable is meat to the fainting Soul Even unsavory and bitter things are precious and sweet to the hungry how seasonable and glorious is deliverance to a Church wasted and desolate When his servant are ready to say The Lord hath forgotten to be gracious or as Lam. 3.17 18. Thou hast removed my Soul far off from peace I forgat prosperity and I said My strength and my hope is perished from the Lord Then for God to step in betwixt them and dispair and so seasonably to recover them when they give all for lost how glorious a mercy is it 5. God will do his work in a glorious way the manner and means will be miraculous and wonderful thus he brought Israel out of the house of bondage with signs and wonder and in after times though the Church cannot expect the very same miracles of killing the first born of their enemies dividing the red Sea c. yet God hath promised he will set those before him as his pattern and that there shall be some resemblance and correspondency betwixt their deliverances that out of Egypt Mich. 7.15 According to the dayes of thy coming out of the land of Egypt will I shew unto him marvellous things David when he returns thanks to God for delivering him out of the hand of all his enemies 2 Sam. 22.8 9 Vide Dickson on Psal 18. c. he alludes to the most glorious manifestations of God in the behalf of his people as if they were the same miracles acted over again which God shewed 1. At Sinai in giving the Law The earth shook and trembled c. v. 8. 2. At the battel against the five Kings Josh 10.11 whom God overthrew with hail-stones The Lord thundred ut of Heaven he sent forth his arrows and scattered them v. 14. And 3. at the red sea The channels of water were seen c. v. 15. If David being but one single person finds in his deliverances something resembling those noble act of God much more may the Church and if Gods waies were seriously studied we should find wonders and miracles in every deliverance 6. God will raise the Glory of his enterprize upon the confusion and astonishment of his adversaries it was the custome of the Romanes and others to reserve many of their Captives to augment the glory of their triumphs Thus will God do when he will redeem Zion he will give the stout adversaries as dust to their sword and as driven stubble to their bow He will make them arise and thresh the mountains Esa 41.2 15. and beat the hills as chaff where will then be the glory of their proud looks This is excellently set forth in Mich 7.10 16. When God brings his servants to the light Then she that is mine enemy shall see it and shame shall cover her which said Where is the Lord thy God The Nations shall see and be confounded at all their might they shall lay their hand upon their mouth their ears shall be deaf they shall lick the dust like a Serpent they shall move out of their holes like wormes of the earth they shall be afraid of the Lord our God and shall fear because of thee 7. There is one thing more which will beautify the Church when God comes to plead her cause she shall beside what is inherent have a derivative glory a ray of the beauty and majesty of Christ her Lord and husband shall be upon her as Moses his face became shining by Converesing with God It is true the Church hath no beauty which is not borrowed she is comely by the comeliness which Christ puts upon her but this is a radiancy occasional and for the time begetting a greater reverance and awe from her adversaries this seems to be spoken of Psal 90.17 Let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us and Esa 4.5 I will create upon every dwelling place in mount Sion and upon her assemblies a cloud and smoak by day and the shining of a flaming fire by night and upon all the glory shall be a defence Where God alludes to the pillar of fire and his glory coming down upon the Tabernacle that as in those glorious appearances the Tabernacle did shine with the glory of God So should his Church when he appears gloriously in it and this shall highten the admiration of the spirits of men towards his people 3. The third thing comes now to be spoken to The third Branch of the Doctrine viz. That whoever be the instrument yet the chief honour of the work is Christs this will be easily cleared 1. The Father committed this work and all power to manage it into Christs hand Matth 28.18 All power is given to me in Heaven and in earth to Christ as Mediator belongs sole supreme and absolute authority for the gathering upholding and governing his Church and hence he gives encouragement and commission to the Apostles to go and preach Go ye therefore and teach all Nations v. 19. I need not here trouble that Question about the twofold Kingdome of Christ as God and as Mediator or whether Magistracy be from Christ as head of the Church Gillespy Aarons Rod. lib. 2. cap. 6. Iranes it is enough to our present purpose to take what is already granted by all that the Mediator is God equal with the Father and so Rules over all and as God-man he hath a least all Ecclesiastical power 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Kingly Government Yea and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a power and over-ruling Providence by which he can dispose of all things for his glory and his Churches good this will prove the building of the Temple to be his work and then it is easy to infer that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the glory of it is his also Men indeed are instruments in this employment and they are stiled fellow-workers but they can do nothing alone no more then the tool can work without the workman and if they could yet seeing they are but servants Christ hath the honour of all that is done by them 2 Sam. 21.22 and that upon a more unquestionable account then the victories of David servants are ascribed to David himself not unto us let his servants say but to thy name be the praise 2. The glorious perfection which he brings his work unto shews it to be beyond the power or skill of men and Angels We may perceive the traces of infinite power wisdom and love in every parcel and piece of it much more then when we see the whole frame together Church reparation is the creating of new Heavens new Earth and who will ascribe such a thing to man In Esa 54.11 he declares the state of his restored Church thus I will lay thy stones with fair
this he straightway tells us I have not spoken in secret in a dark place of the Earth my Promises were not made in a corner but openly 6. By the scorus taunts and bitter reflections which the adversaries would poure upon him if he should suffer the hedge of his Vineyard to be still trodden down 1. They would asperse him with cruelty tyranny and carelessenesse they would say for mischiefe did he bring them out to slay them in the mountains Exod. 32.12 or 2. With impotency as if he could not deliver because the Lord was not able to bring this people into the land which he spake unto them therefore hath he slain them in the wildernesse Numb 14.16 Though these seem to be the objections of professed Athiests and Heathens onely yet even people that professe to know God have two much of this in their hearts we are naturally prone to have hard thoughts of God when we see or feele those dispensations that seem to be rugged or harsh Sion her selfe is apt to say the Lord hath forsaken me and my Lord hath forgotten me Esa 49.14 3. There is yet another conclusion which with more plausibility and yet with as much distast to God is raised from these premises they that dare not call Gods power or faithfulness into question yet will they question the truth of the Church if God seem to forsake it can this be Gods Church say they thats thus afflicted and tossed God lookes upon himselfe as much concerned in all these he cannot suffer his Name to be thus abused and therefore he often resolves the deliverance of his servants that thereby he might take an occasion to vindicate both himselfe and them how often hear we this Esa 49.23 60.16 62.11 12. I will arise and they shall know that I am the Lord and they shall know that you are my people Jer. 30.17 I will restore health unto thee and I will heal thee of thy wounds saith the Lord because they called thee an outcast saying This is Zion whom no man seeketh after Reason 2 2. As the Church was the great thing which God in the Creation of the Word had an eye upon as a meanes of glorifying himselfe so is it likewise the main object of providence had it not been for this he would not have created the World Eph. 3.9 10. Wee have two things asserted by the Apostle 1. That all things were created by Jesus Christ who is the Mediator and Saviour of his Church and consequently all this was done in reference to the great design of his Church I understand the place to speak of the Creation of the World as Joh. 1.3 And not of the work of redemption though I know many expound it so 2. That he appointed his Church to be the great means of displaying to Men and Angels that wonderfull variety of wisdome which is more to be seen in it then in all the Creation besides 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And were it not for his Church he would not uphold the world the righteous are the pillars of the earth he extends indeed his providence to all even the least and most despicable things but he hath a speciall care of his Church Zach. 1.8 We find Christ mounted with his attendants on red horses speckled and white that is ready to execute judgement or mercy or a mixture of both the place where he keeps his guards is said to be among the Mirtle trees in the bottom the Mirtle trees figure out unto us the Church they are low but precious plants the bottom where these trees grow shewes us the Churches hazards she is subject to storms and inundations but yet Christ incamps in the midst of her in a place most commodious for the succour and help of every corner yea and he is on horseback and riding as being in a posture of service and watchfulness for their good To the same purpose in Zach. 3.9 we have mention made of seven eyes which in cap. 4.10 are expresly called the seven eyes of God which run to and fro through the earth not to trouble you with the number seven in a word these eyes are Gods Providence now observe they are said to be fixed upon one stone that is Jesus Christ the Corner stone and the Church which is built upon it it seems they are very intent upon the Church and yet cap. 4. they are said but to run to and fro not so fixedly dwelling upon all the earth beside 1 King 18.27 If God had been like the blinde carelesse sleepy vanities of the heathens or if his Providence had onely kept it selfe within the circuit of Heaven as some Epecurei quae opinio a quibusdam Aristoteli tribuitur Si quid in terris curant dii non nisi maxima curant Philosophers and others thought Job 22.13 14. or if he had onely minded the greatest and highest matters among the sons of men as many have dreamed then possibly the Church might have been neglected but if his eye * Job 28.24 seeth under the whole heaven if he keep and water his Vineyard every moment Esa 27.3 We may confidently add the Conclusion of the Prophet v. 6. He shall cause them that come of Jacob to take root Israel shall blossome and bud Reason 3 3. In the Administration of Providence as the constant aim of God is the good of his people so the meanes which he would rather use for bringing it about are loving kindnesse and mercies 1. We are sure of this that God intends his Church no hurt true indeed take a single affliction abstracted from the tendency of Gods designe and the concurrent meanes which must bring it about and it will seem to hurt the thunder and lightnings may affright them the iron may enter into their soules but view the whole frame and you will see how one wheele turnes about another like the wheeles of a watch which though they have crosse and contrary motions all conspire and (a) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 work together for good Rom. 8.28 2. We are as sure of this also that he rather delights to lead his people with the cords of love and with the bands of a man he assures us he afflicts not willingly Lam. 3.33 Judgement is his strange worke believe it God delights not to be still beating his Children he will not take up the rod but when he is forced to it and when nothing else will prevail with what reluctancy and striving doth God chastise his servants to the very turning of his heart and the kindling of his repentings Hos 11.8 How shall I give thee up Ephraim c. If then it be the unalterable purpose of God to do good to his Church if by afflictions he doth not break down his Sanctuary but rather take it down as a workman doth with a frame which he intends to set up again in better order thus he took down Israel by the Chaldeans with an intent
colours and thy foundations with Saphirs I will make thy windows of Agates and thy gates of Carbuncles c. These expressions resemble the Church to a building made up all of precious stones with curious art and contrivement We do not use to father exact pieces upon ignorance and impotence and we may as well attribute the building of our Castles and Palaces to birds and flies as the establishment and beauty of the Church to men 3. He doth this quickly as in a moment you may know by his pace that it is not the goings of a man Cant. 2.8 but of him that rides upon the wings of the wind Who comes leaping upon the mountains and scipping upon the hills He can quickly blast the greatness of men and as quickly lift up from the earth him that was fallen if ye doubt of this consider how quickly and easily the Heaven and Earth were created and how suddenly it shall be destroyed at last though God seems to delay deliverance for a time as the sence of the burthen makes it seem a longer time to the afflicted then it is yet when he ariseth he will make a quick dispatch peace is a work of Creation Behold I create peace c. and Creation takes not up much time it is done in an instant the Lord calls us out to wonder at this Esa 66.8 Who hath heard such a thing Who bath seen such a thing Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day Or shall a Nation be born at once For as soon as Sion travelled she brought forth her children Veni Vidi Vici He makes more hast then if corn should come to maturity the same day it was sown c. Julius Caesars swift conquests are nothing to the conquests of him that doth but speak and it is done it must then be stupendous ignorance or arrogancy that gives not Christ the honour of such actions 4. He brings his work through visible contradictions and unlikelyhoods Esa 43.19 I will make a way in the Wilderness and rivers in the Desart and in Hos 2.15 He promiseth to give her vine yards from the Wilderness I will bring her into the Wilderness and will give her her vine-yards from thence Surely the barren heath of the Wilderness is an unlikely place to make a vine-yard of so we read Deut. 32.13 He made them to suck honey out of the rock and oyl out of the flinty rock Burroughs Hos p. 501. Not that honey and oyl came out of the rock as the waters did after the smiting of Moses but that they had their sweetness and comforts where and from whence They might least expect them out of rocky difficulties all ages have given testimony to this the wounds of the Church the poysonous arrows of adversaries the apostasies of the wicked dissentions martyrdoms every thing that seemed to destroy have been bended about contrary to the intendments of men to further the Churches more lasting peace and happiness We our selves have seen that the storm that threatned our ruine hath cast us upon a rock where we have a greater security from the waves a safer standing the great ship-wrack of Faith and Conscience that many have made hath discovered hypocrites manifested who are fincere puts men on unity shews the necessity of Church discipline and government with the restraint of licentious opinions and practices hath occasioned the clearing and vindicating of truths and hath quickened and cautioned both Ministers and people Moses argues from the strange and unusual death of Corah that it was not chance but Gods immediate hand that destroyed those Rebels Numb 16.29 30. And so may we in this case say God is seen in the strangeness of his workings the dullest heads the most envious hearts shall acknowledg his finger Esa 43.20 The Beasts of the field shall honour me the dragg us and the owles because I give waters in the wildernesse Deut. 32.3 Psal 68.34 much more shall his People ascribe greatnesse to God 5. He doth all this for his Church when she hath the fewest helpers when lover and friend forsakes her nay when friends wound her when they that should make up her breaches make them wider when the keepers of the wall smite her and take away her vail T is the design of God that in works of this nature little of man should be seen least he should say mine own wisdom and strength hath done it and often he lets them weary themselves in their own endeavours and then when they see they can do nothing he appears with this acknowledgment from all Lord thou hast wrought all our works in us Esa 63.5 I looked and there was none to help therefore mine own harm brought Salvation The Glory then of this deliverance is Christs I have now brought you to the fourth Branch of the Doctrine Branch 4. Of the Doctrine This work shall then be done when peace shall possesse the Church by the Power of Government and Ordinances The Peace of the Church is the accomplishment and completement of this building all the conflicts battells desolations and conquests of the Church they are but the noise of the axe and hammer fitting and squaring the matereialls but when the Temple is built the noise of them ceaseth 1. Peace is the end and aime of God in all the preparations he makes for this building 2. T is the great subject of the Promises made to the Church and sometime whatever concerns the happinesse of Sion is wrapt up in that word great shall be the peace of thy children Esa 54.13 Behold I will extend Peace to her like a River Esa 66.12 and many places more Quest But What Peace is requisite to make up Temple-reparation Ans 1. There must be outward Peace Peace from adversaries round about when God makes the destroyer to cease and gives his Churches rest for while it is Persecuted the Sanctuary is said to be trodden down this is the building of the outer wall and fence which preserves the tender plants from the violence of the wild hoare and gives opportunity and advantage for growth the Church indeed will thrive and increase under afflictions sometime and that not only in the root in strength and solidity but also in the branches in its extent and number thus we read in the Acts Acts 12.24 5.14 while the Apostles were imprisoned and forbidden to speak in the Name of Christ that the Word of the Lord grew exceedingly and many were added to the Church multitudes both of men and women but the greatest season of growing is when the storme is over for then the Word of the Lord prevails mightily and like the heat of the Sun after Winter invites those plants to appear which the frost kept und er ground those which we call growing sicknesses do not appear to be so till the sickness is over for then the parties shoot up in length so that we may better ascribe the growing to