carry them with expedition the day of their Massacre was appointed viz. on the thirteenth day of the Month Adar The news hereof was cause of great sorrow and perplexity to the Jews Esther and her Maids fasted Mordecai cries and rends his cloathes but withall Mordecai puts Esther in mind to do what she could for prevention Who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdome for such a time as this Esth 4. 14. A very good argument to make the best use of that providence and prize put into her hands to bee the Jews Advocate After fasting and praying she is steel'd with courage and heroick resolution and so she resolves then will I goe in unto the King which is not according to the Law and if I perish I perish Esth 4. 16. She goeth into the inward Court the King holds forth the Golden Scepter he asks her what her request was shee invites the King and Haman to a Banquet the King and Haman go to her Banquet the King bids her make her request she invites the King the second time and in the mean time Haman braggs of that great honour put upon him whereas the banquet indeed proved but a snare to him The Queen impeacheth Haman of a bloody Plot the King was wroth with Haman they cover Hamans face the Chamberlain informs of a Gallows that Haman had made for Mordecai by the Kings appointment hee was forthwith hanged thereon Further yet to reverse the mischievous device of Haman upon Esthers supplication the Scribes were called and the Posts sent with letters to give liberty to the Jews to stand upon their guard Hamans ten Sons were hanged so that the devices of that wicked Haman fell upon his own pate now the day of sorrow being turned to a good day from a day of mourning to a day of joy and rejoycing it 's high time to set a special mark upon so special a deliverance to set time apart for the commemoration of so eminent a deliverance and this was their practice in the words of the Text. The Jews ordained c. which words containe an institution of Divis two Festivall daies in memorial of that wonderfull deliverance from Hamans intended massacre wherein you have first the names 1. The Names given to the solemn Feasts or Eucharistical dayes Purim i. Lots Pur the Persian word signifies a Lot in Hebrew it signifieth to disappoint and in Greek it signifieth fire the Lot was cast for destruction of the Jews but it fell not on those upon whom the enemy would have cast it it was disappointed and therefore as a Learned B. Andrews man wittily observes that the God of the Hebrews gave an Hebrew Pur to the Persian Pur disappointing the Persian Lot so though it was cast it was not suffered to light upon the people of the Jews and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifieth fire which was intended to blow up the Parliament blessed be God did not singe any of their garments neither did the smel of fire passe upon them Secondly the strict observation of those daies it 's said should 2. The observation of the dayes not fail among the Jews c. The 70 render the words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 They take care that they and their children after them every Generation Family and Province and City should keep these dayes thus they hand them over to Posterity and transmit these Records of Deliverance to their childrens children and would have the memory of them perpetuated from generation to generation Thus you have heard the deliverance and the duty ensuing thereupon from the example of the Jews in my Text I commend one observation unto your practise which compriseth the sense of the Text That its the duty of a delivered people to keep mercies upon record and make a thankfull remembrance of signall deliverances and Doct. perpetuate the memoriall thereof from generation to generation This takes in the scope and drift of this Text It 's a word spoken â—n due season the Lord make it as profitable for us as it is spoken seasonably unto us Neither doe we tread in untrackt pâ—ths I might enlarge my self in a cloud of witnesses We have many Parallel examples of Nations and persons delivered who in perpetuam rei memoriam have set a mark upon the place and upon the day resolving never to let slip the remembrance of the mercies or deliverances vouchsafed never to pass an Act of Oblivion of the loving kindness of the Lord. As for instance the Israelites made Songs of Thanksgiving in memorial of their deliverance from Pharaoh Exod. 15. and from Jabin and Sisera Judg. 5. Jehoshaphat and his people met together at the valley of Beracah to â—raise the Lord. Goliahs sword was kept as a trophy of victory 2 Chr. 20. 26. The Israelites set up stones as Pillars for the remembrance of the drying up of Iordan they used to set a mark upon the place and call it Eben-ezer 1 Sam. 7. 12. And for personal deliverances sometimes they gave significant names as Laeah called her fourth Sonne Judah Now saith she will I praise the Lord. Hezekiah made a Poem of gratitude Is 38. 9. David made multitudes of Psalmes for peculiar deliverances as we may read Psal 7. Ps 18. Ps 34. Ps 52. Ps 54. Ps 57. Ps 59. and least his memory should faile the 38 Psalm and the 70 Psalm have one and the same inscription A Psalme of David to bring to remembrance I need adde no more examples you have here given you good measure full prest and running over Let us goe and do likewise Likewise we have variety of Scripture precepts in this particular there 's a special injunction Deut. 32. 7. Remember the dayes of old There was a special command Deut. 16. 1. Observe the Month of Abib And to remember Amalek as we may read Deut. 25. 17. 18. compared with Exod. 17. 14. The self-same numerical day must be Chronicled Ezek. 24. 2. Balack's and Balaam's mischievous plot are to be remembred Mich. 6. 5. â— Chronicle is required Ps 102. 18. And now let 's enquire into the grounds of this Doctrine Some reasons thereof may be these 1. Because the name and honour of God is from eternity to eternity Reas 1. Because Gods name and honour is from eternity to eternity and it s an evidence of our love to God when wee desire that Gods name may out-live ours Wee poor creatâ—râ—s dust and ashes live but a little while in this world and what 's our life but a vapour a hands-breadth a flower swister than a Weavers Shuttle â—e must therefore tell of the goodness of God in the ears of our children and let them tell it in the ears of their children let 's make a Chronicle of Gods deliverences and leave behind us a standing Record that when we are dead and rotten the memoâ—ial of Gods deliverances may be reviv'd and the remembranâ—e of them never faile The Mariners used to hang
And such were some of you but yee are washed but yee are sanctified but yee are justifyd in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the spirit of our God You then that are washt in this fountaine rejoyce and bee glad that your names are written in the book of life that you have received a white stone a new name the hidden Mannah Stand then admiring and praising God that hath done so graciously for you that when many even the greatest part of the world are shut out cannot find the Dore are denyed the right key and the fountaine is lockt and barr'd against them yet it 's opened wide to thee thou art washt and cleansed in this fountaine Not any goodness in thee but free grace and mercy makes the difference Whatever aspersions calumnies reproaches thou meetest withall in the world from ungodly men bee of good comfort all is washt away by the bloud of Jesus Christ The world casts dirt on thee Christ washeth thee cleane O then doe not desponde doe not droop as without hope by reason of hardships sufferings evill entreaties in and from the world Drinke of the waters of this fountaine They are the Restorative to revive and refresh thy spirit Thou meetest with diseases corporall spirituall oh come to this fountaine It s a medicine made up of the blood of Jesus Christ It will cure both diseases of soule and body Thou seest by experience that the Cisternes of the creatures are dried up Honours Pleasures Profits decay and faile tarry not at these cisternes goe to the fountaine it 's inexhausted Thy manifold sinnes trouble and torment thee sinne is a havy burden upon the conscience thou art afraid to come O! bee not afraid to do good unto thy own soule This fountaine workes miracles cleanseth the Aethiopian and the Leopards spots even a persecuting Paul a perjur'd Peter an adulterous David and it is not shut against thee unless thou shut out thy selse Bee then of good comsort you that are God's children amidst your fainting fits you have this Aqua vitae In your diseases and sores you have this soveraigne plaister Amidst your pollutions and defilements you have a fountaine opened wide to wash and cleanse you in In diseases afflictions pollutions and all conditions whatsoever repaire to this fountaine the streames are healing reviving refreshing streames O but my sins are a barre against mee Ans Art thou sensible of sinnes thou art the fitter to goe bewaile thy sinnes allow not thy selfe in them Though sinne lockes the Fountaine dore yet free grace will open it wide againe O! But I have been there and have not found any virtue Ans Goe againe The virtues of medicines are not presently discerned Medicines may worke when thou least thinkest of them A sermon preacht now if the Lord work by it may doe good many a yeare after Imitate Eliah's servant who went over and over againe at last a cloud was seen which maskt the whole Heaven O but I question whether I have any right to come it 's opened only to the house of David Ans Doe not shut out thy selfe doe not destroy thy selfe the Invitation is very large Isai 55. 1. Ho every one that thirsteth let let him come c. If thou dost but thirst thou hast an invitation To this purpose I proceed to a second use which is for Vse 2. for Examination Examination Let 's search andtry whether wee have right to come whether wee are so qualified as to receive benefit and virtue by this fountaine I shall therefore propound 7 Qualifications 1. Wee must see fully and discerne the emptiness of all creature Qualif 1. Wee may see the emptiness of creature Cisternes cisterns Jer. 2. 13. My people have committed two evils they have forsaken mee the fountaine of living waters and hewed them out cisternes broken cisternes that can hold no water Creature cisternes are broken they run through as a sive le ts water fall to the ground or are quite drawne dry Honour could not satisfie Haman Riches could not satisfie Solomon Luther would not so bee satisfied valdè protestatus sum me nâ—lle satiari ab co 2. Discerne their vanitie and emptiness wee must forsake them Qualif 2. We emust forsake Cisterne Comforts Isai 55. 2. Wherefore doe doe you spend mony for that which is not bread and your labour for that which satisfieth not hearken diligently unto mee and eat yee that which is good and let your soule delight it selfe in fatness Wee must forsake these lying vanities wee must not stay by them wee must relinquish them and leane no more to broken staves but value the world at it's own rate and breake off all carnall confidences wee must bid honours riches profits pleasures adieu so farre forth as they stand in competition with or opposition unto Christ 3. Wee must bee sensible of the want and necessitie wee have of Qualif 3. Wee must bee sensible of the necessity of Christ Christ that wee are poore blind miserable and naked Wee must apprehend our selves stung with the fierie Serpent 4. Wee must discerne fulness and Excellency in Jesus Christ Qualif 4. Wee must discerne fulnesse in Christ beauty wisdome holiness abundance of virtue flowing from him There are cleansing and healing streames in this fountaine Emptiness discerned in our selves will enhance Christ's wroth Scarcity raiseth the market 5. Wee must come with faith to bee healed In the whole dispensation Qualif 5. Wee must come with faith to be healed of Christ's miracles ther 's a question premised believest thou or a condition interposed be it unto thee as thou believest 6. Mourne for sinne like the mourning of Hadadrimmâ—n in the valley of Megiddo They who mourne for sin are prepared to wash Qualif 6. Wee must mourne for sin in this fountaine Their eyes are blubbered for sinne and they come and wash themselves in this fountaine 7ly and lastly Wee must come in the strength of Christ Wee Qualif 7. Wee must come in the strength of Christ can doe nothing without him Cant. 1. 4. Draw mee wee will run after thee Noe man commeth unto mee except the father draw him Wee must performe our duties in the strength of God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 through Christ that strengthneth us The third use shall bee for exhortation This hath two parts Vse 3. For Exhortation Generall and speciall 1. In generall My invitation from God is for all to come in and wash in this fountaine Christ is here offered and tendered to all The Brasen Serpent is erected upon a pole The free grace of the Gospel is enlarged mercy is exalted O come come in quickly and accept of Christ O! that God would worke upon your hearts this day to imbrace the free tenders of the Gospel of Iesus Christ Now the fountaine is open come unto it but you must bee thirsty have a spiritual appetite else you will never come It is not a bare comming Take heed least
all this to the soule His Mammon is his God the wedge of gold is his confidence Hee 's earth'd before his time his heart is rivetted upon the world Surely he dreames of an eternity upon earth and of heaven upon earth Hee heeds not nor regards any hereafter His breath smels of earth his discourse is earthly his whole life and conversation is an earthly worldly conversation But what will all his riches availe him when death arrests him See Zeph. 1. 18. Luk. 12. 17 18 19 20 and the 21. v makes the Application Thou canst not carry thy riches to another world they cannot bribe the flames of hell nor corrupt the Tormentor wherefore then shouldst thou labour thus greedily for that wich is not bread for those things which are not wherefore shouldst thou take such care for trash and pelfe the base transitory trash of the of the world which lasts but for a short season and in the interim neglect thy pretious soule which abides unto all eternity O! that God would alter thine affections as Col. 3. 2. O! that God would work in thee a serious beliefe of this truth that thy soul is more worth than all the world 3ly Let me expostulate the case with the ambitious man who aspires unto great places dignities honours and promotions in the world What are all these in comparison of his soule Many have great Titles honourable names in this world who shall be degraded of all in the world to come What 's honour It 's but momentany Honor est in honorante it 's that which a wicked man may have Haman Nimrod Hâ—red had it What would rich Coates of armes great dignitis popular observance advantage thy pretious soule The Apostle tels us not many 1 Cor. 1. 26. c. Hee doth not say not any some are ennobled by a spiritual as well as by a natural birth But oft times great dignities preferments honours promotions are clogges and hinderances to the soule Marcus Galâ—acius Caracciolus knew it well and renounced all for Christ so did Moses 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Heb. 11. 24. So must thou What high places preferments dignities thou fearest will insnare thy soule and withdraw thee from Christ thou must foregoe them all so farre forth as they stand in competition with or opposition unto Christ What will it profit thee to have a great name written on earth but no name at all written in the book of life Wherfore then doest thou pursue high preferments see Jer. 45. 5. Art thou fit and preferred for those great high places thou lookest after Hast thou taken an Antidote before hand to prevent the poysonous inflations of pride Or art thou sure thou shalt speed and obtaine thy desire Honor fugientem sequitur sâ—quentem fugit see Psal 75. 6. Prov. 3. 35. Remember Haman's period Wolseyes fall c. Thou that art higher by the head than thy brethren as Saul was elevated to great dignities must come the same way to heaven as the poorest Christian Wherefore then should any man labour more for greatness than goodness preferring favour of men before the favour of God high places on earth before the high places in heaven The reason is because they prefer the world before their soules Consider seriously of all these The voluptuous Epicure never ceaseth swallowing the covetous Mammonist never ceaseth scraping the ambitious Parasite never ceaseth climbing But what will it profit the voluptuous man to have his fill of pleasures the covetous man to have his coffer crammed with gold the Ambitious man to have honours promotions and great titles enough to clogge his memory and yet in the interim to lose their pretious soules Let your serious thoughts be exercised herein and then return an answer whether your soules be not of more value than the whole world I proceed to a third Use for exhortation Suffer I beseech you the Use 3. For Exhortation word of exhortation above all other things to take speciall regard and care what will become of your soules to all eternity above all your gettings get this understanding to know the incomparable worth of your immortall soules Above all trades which you drive for the world learne this soule trade this soule thrist I perswade you to take the most thriving most gainfull way in the world whereas others labour for corne and oyle wealth dignities which are failing perishing things which are not bread and cannot satisfie let me perswade you to labour for that which endureth to eternity Be therefore good husbands for your soules learne this spirituall husbandry to improve your time talents and opportunities for the everlasting benefit of your pretious soules Tell men of a wise rich honourable thriving way for the world they will readily embrace it I represent before you this day the most wise rich honourable thriving way for your pretious soules This course is wise Deut. 32. 29. It 's rich and honourable Prov. 3. 16. The godly are most honourable It 's thriving and gainfull 1 Tim. 6. 6. Up and set about the worke Above all workes work out your salvation with fear and trembling Methinks I might spare Motives what will ye not doe good to your own soules Will you neglect your choicest Jewell will you leave your soule at randome neglected unregarded Do ye not know the singular worth of your soule To quicken your affections I shall recommend to your serious thoughts these 9 moving considerations 1. One soule is more pretious then all the kingdomes of the Consid 1. One soule is more worth than the world world and the glory of them Seest thou a poor man picking off a dunghill old cast rags another picking sticks or coles out of the kennel almost ready to famish by reason of hunger or to starve for want of fire seest thou others working for a penny a day going many a mile to earn a penny and scarce able to go through weaknesse however these poore people may seem vile and contemptible in the eyes of the world yet their soules are more worth and highlier to be valued then all the pomp and bravery of the world My Reasons are 1 Because the world is transitory fading perishing the soule permanent abiding to eternity The forme of the world passeth away this goodly structure of this visible globe shall be dissolved and burnt up with fire but the soule is incorruptible capable of no consumption now that which is permanent is of more worth then that which is transient therefore the soule is more worth then the world Secondly all the riches honours bravery c. in the world cannot redeem one soule If a man would give all his lands gold and silver c. to save his soule it could not be obtained the Mannors Lands and richest treasures of the whole world put altogether cannot purchase one soule the soule cannot be bought nor purchased by such a price when death arrests a sinner to appeare before the judgement seat the sinner would give
prisoner of the Lord beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith you are called A third exhortation is exceeding pathetical 1 Thes 2. 11 12. As you know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you as a Father doth his children that ye Phil. 1. 27. Tit. 2. 12. would walk worthy of God who hath called you unto his Kingdome and Glory All these exhortations redound to this issue that such persons as are already reconciled should produce evidences of their Reconciliation by their holy conversation and that is to walk 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 seemingly meetly as becometh the Gospel And according to those 3 Adverbs mentioned Tit. 2. 12. * Haec tria perpetuo meditâ—â—da adverbia Pauli Haec tria sunt vitae regula sancta tuae 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 soberly righteously godly Now the Ministers of the Gospell are sonnes of Peace Ambassadours of Peace and the Gospell which they preach is the Gospell of Peace and this is the fruit of the lips which the Lord creates and the main Isa 5â— 10. Quasidicat per praedicationem Evangelii renovationem Spiritus pacem dabo atque eo modo sanabo hominem peccatorem Bulling in loc Mat. 5. 25. design which they drive and the scope they aime at is to perswade men to make their peace with God and to throw down all their rebellious weapons and yeeld themselves unto his mercy Sinne hath made God their adversary wherefore that counsell must abide upon them Mat. 5. 21. Agree with thine adversary quickly whilst thou art in the way with him At this time God hath sent me with an Olive-branch in my mouth with a Commission of Peace which if it be neglected this day for ought any of us know it may be expir'd and out of date to morrow But I need adde no further Scripture proof in so clear a point In the next place I am to enquire after Arguments for confirmation 2. Proof by evidence of Reason of the Doctrine Amongst many I shall reduce them to three heads of Reasons which I promised for the farther proof of the Doctrine The first Reason shall be drawn from the Office of the Ministers Reason 1. Drawn from the office of the Ministers of the Gospel of the Gospell Their names point out their office they are called Watchmen Seers Workmen Stars c. But I shall go no further than the Metaphor of my Text they are called Ambassadors a name of great Dignity and Duty and the great Duty incumbent on them is to perswade people to be reconciled to be at one with God as Mr. Tindal's Translation appositely renders it Let 's then view the name of Ambassadours and therein we shall finde 4. speciall properties which may very appositely be applyed 1. Ambassadours are gifted and qualified for so great an employment unto the Ministers of the Gospell The first whereof is this that Ambassadours are select Persons gifted and qualified for so great an employment Princes never send ignorant unfit Persons on their errand So the Ministers which are of Christ's sending are qualified and fitted by him for the manageing of so great and weighty employment The Priest under the Law ought to be a man of knowledge * Mal. 2. 7. his lips should preserve knowledge And the Prophet †Isa 50. 4. ought to have the tongue of the Learned to know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary He ought to be an * Job 33. 23. Interpreter one among a thousand And such a one ought the Minister of the Gospell to be †2 Tim. 2. 15. a workman that needeth not to be ashamed * 2 Tim. 3. 17. throughly furnished unto all good works Ambassadours are men of renown and estimation they are highly honoured for their gifts and employment they do not negotiate concerning sleight trifling impertinent matters but they intermeddle about weighty affaires of State and their transactions are about their Prince's matters of highest concernment And the resemblance holds alike with the Ministers of the Gospell They are persons of †Honor iste ista sublimit as nullis poter it comparationibus adaequari Si Regum fulgori comparaveris Principum Diademati longe erit inferior comparatio Ambr. in Pastorali honour of ability and fitnesse such I mean as are of Christs sending and their business is to treat about matters of the greatest consequence even of Reconciliation between God and Man Secular Ambassadors deal about weighty affaires of the world but Spirituall Ambassadors deal about Soul-affaires even the great things of Eternity * Isa 52. 7. How beautifull then should their feet be who bring such glad tydings Such are †2 Tim. 2. 17. worthy of double honour who labour in the Word and Doctrine 2. Ambassadours are Persons in Commission for they have 2. Ambassadors are persons in Commission received a Commission from their Prince by vertue whereof they act accordingly They dare not negotiate with other Princes without the Authority of their Master They are commissionated by the Prince that sends them they are bound up by instructions from him neither dare they go beyond their Commission So the Ministers of the Gospell are Persons in Commission they are ordained Ministers into the Universall Church for the benefit of the Church in generall though they may exercise their function ad hic nunc in a particular Congregation yet their removall from one place to another which ought not to be done without a clear call doth not in the least null or make invalid their Ministeriall function They are Persons called approved and set apart for this great work * 1 Tim. 4. 14. by the laying on of the hands of the †2 Tim. 1. 16. Presbytery which gift ought not to be neglected but * Sensus est Timotheum quum Prophetarum voce ascitus fuit in Ministerium deinde solenni ritu ordinatus simul gratia spiritus sancti instructum fuisse ad functionem suam exequendam Calv. 1 Tim. 4. 14. stirr'd up as the Apostle gives an especiall charge These are those peculiar Persons who have dedicated themselves to the service of God they have put their hands to the plough with a resolution never to look back They have given themselves up as Hannah gave Samuel for a loane unto the Lord all the dayes of his life But as for such who have no other call but from their own high conceited fancies and others such as themselves flatteries as a †V. Mr. Burroughs Irenicum Reverend Divine instanceth who through the pride of their own hearts as Novatus consecrated himselfe a Bishop runne before they are sent and make hast more hast then good speed to invade the Ministers office let them consider if ever they once come to themselves that God who is the God of Order and not of confusion will never blesse their