said to him (a) Chap. 19.2 shouldst thou help the ungodly and love them that hate the Lord There was besides a common fault in both worse than the others which were personal and hindred not God's Work from going on for thô they had done much for God's Service in the way of Reformation yet they did not enough not so much as they ought and might have done for both their Reigns are branded with this (b) Chap. 15.17 But the high Places were not taken away out of Israel This as to Asa as to his Son (c) Chap. 20.33 howbeit the high Places were not taken away which might partly be through want of a full Zeal in them partly through the neglect of their Officers and partly through the Superstition of the People because it is said for as yet the People had not prepared their hearts unto the. God of their Fathers However those good Kings may not be deprived of a due commendation for that only thing excepted they went through the work of Reformation O that we might but see here actually some Attempts and Steps towards it Hezekiah hath in Scripture the Character of a (d) Chap. 32.32 good King He began his Reign with taking care of Religion for he reformed the great and many abuses crept into 't during the several bad Reigns between Jehoshophat's and his 'T is said (e) Chap. 29.2 3. He did that which was right in the sight of the Lord according to all that David his Father had done 'T is observed that he in the First year of his Reign in the First Month without delay the First thing he did opened the Doors of the House of the Lord and repaired them which is a remarkable Example for all Princes first of all to settle the true Religion and to procure that God may be well served But this good King stopt not there he restored the true Worship according to God's Institution Advised Exhorted and Commanded the Levites and Priests to do their Duty about it his own Diligence and giving good Example is mentioned for 't is said (a) v. 20. He rose early and gathered the Rulers of the City and went up to the House of the Lord and what they went upon was heartily cheerfully and speedily performed for 't is observed that (b) v. 36. the thing was done suddenly the Reason is given For God had prepared the People Whereat both King and People rejoiced O that now Here God were pleased to prepare King's and People's hearts to seek unto and serve him But I fear all our Minds and Hearts are so crouded and affected with worldly thoughts and affections that there is hardly room left for heavenly concerns except out of his infinite goodness God be graciously pleased to make it But let us hear what that pious and zealous King did and I wish all Kings of the Earth were like him He went on further in the work of Reformation than his good Predecessors had done for he removed all Monuments of Idolatry and every Idol of Jealousie even the high Places which others before him had not meddled with for of him 't is Recorded how (d) 2 Kings 18.4 he removed the high Places and the Images and cut down the Groves and brake in pieces the brazen Serpent that Moses had made for unto those days the Children of Israel did burn Incense to it and he called it Nehushtan that is a piece of Brass in contempt because it had been made a Tool of Idolatry thô at first it had by God's immediate and special Command been erected in the Wilderness and Miracles had been wrought by it This he did and for this special Zeal of his in every thing obtained this Character that (a) v. 5.6 after him was none like him among all the Kings of Judah nor any that were before him And to shew that all this was acted in Sincerity and from his Heart 't is said he trusted in the Lord God of Israel and he clave unto the Lord and departed not from following him but kept his Commandments He was not content to shew his zeal in Judah within his Kingdom but also invited others to do the like To that purpose (b) 2 Chr. 30.1 He sent Letters to all Israel and Judah and wrote Letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh that they should come up to Jerusalem to keep the Passover which (c) v. 18.24 many out of the other Tribes did And the King as also his Princes gave the Congregation thousands of Bullocks and Sheep which liberality shews how Kings Princes and others whom God hath given means to ought readily to bestow it upon his Service and to enable others to do the like But to perfect what had been so well begun for in Religion there must be no trimming nor doing things only by halves 't is Recorded (d) Chap. 31.1 Now when all this was finished all Israel that were present went out to the Cities of Judah and brake the Images in pieces and cut down the Groves and threw down the high Places out of all Judah and Benjamin in Ephraim also and Manasseh untill they had utterly destroyed them all They began in Jerusaiem and followed all the Country over This Head I shall conclude with this remark how God is graciously pleased plentifully to reward not only in the World to come but also in this a sincere zeal for his Honour and Service as he did to Hezekiah for 't is said (e) 2 Kings 18.7 8. and the Lord was with him and he prospered whithersoever he went forth Furthermore (a) 2 Chr. 32.27 28 29. Hezekiah had exceeding much Riches and Honour and he made himself Treasuries for Silver and for Gold and for precious Stones and for Spices and for shields and for all manner of pleasant Jewels c. Let all Men take notice how there are Rewards for those who promote God's Interest and within their Station procure others to do so also Punishments for those who do not In the Person of Josiah we have a pattern of a compleat Reformer There are such extraordinary circumstances relating to him as make us look on him with admiration for by (b) 1 King 13.1.2 a Prophet his Birth was foretold his Name mentioned and his zeal prophesied of about 300 years before he was Born Then he was but Eight years old when he began to Reign and those tender years of his were in a high degree seasoned with Grace for then (c) 2 Chr. 34.1 c. He began to seek the God of his Father David and declined neither to the right hand nor to the left Happy is the Country where such Kings are Born and Reign who assoon as they Sit upon the Throne take care of Religion and to suppress Sin The zeal of this good King Scripture sets forth as an example to others to teach what God requireth of them When he was but Sixteen years old he shewed himself
and Country too and what doth the Lord say v. 10 11 12. hear ye the rod and who hath appointed it and for what cause There the Prophet makes an enumeration of several sins the same as now we are guilty of namely Treasures of wickdness in the house of the wicked Scant Measure wicked Balance and Weights Violence Oppression a lying and deceitful Tongue but mind the punishment (c) v. 13. Therefore will I make thee sick in smiting thee in making thee desolate because of thy sins (d) 14 15 16. And so proceedeth to the several kinds of sensible punishments which shall be inflicted upon them These things were written for our instruction that we might mend and be the better for it Therefore before it be too late let us hear the voice of the Rod which saith that according to God's Truth and Justice (e) Psal 137.17 Fools because of their transgressions and because of their iniquities are afflicted Which in David's and Solomon's stile is the sinner this ought to stop our mouth and the consideration that we deserve much more at the hand of God removes all ground of complaint (f) Lam. 3.39 Wherefore doth a living man complain for the punishment of his sins Seeing God doth not in the least proportion reward us according to our Sins nor punish us after our Iniquities The voice of God and of the Rod are but one with this only difference that one is of Precept the other of Providence and say the same thing how (a) Eph. 5.6 Because of those things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience That is the things he named before Fornication uncleanness covetousness filthiness foolish talking jesting which with many more are now the Sins of the Nation The same voice saith to Whormongers Thieves Drunkards and every other sinner remember that God sees thee that thou must Die yet knowest not the time when then thou must (b) 2 Cor. 5.10 come to judgment before Christ that every one may receive things done in his body according to that he hath done whether it be good or bad Then will God set all thy Sins (c) Psal 50.21 in order before thine eyes as it were in order of Battel to fight against thee If Men would seriously mind this and with David say in Truth (d) Psal 16.8 I have set the lord always before me and in whatsoever we do to eye him as present I am persuaded it might be a great preservative to keep many from Offending No Servant will willingly do before his Lord and Master that which he knows will displease him but hides from him as much as he can but with God no Man can he is every where sees knows and rewards all things and when he punisheth for Sin with Paul we may say (e) Rom. 2.2 We are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things Now when I am upon this punishment for Sin before I proceed to another I must out of Scripture bring such examples of God's Judgments upon it as should make all Kings and People to tremble Joash King of Judah I shall begin with during the Life of Jehojadah he did well but after the Princes made obeysance to courted and flattered the King who hearken'd unto them and fell a sinning against God who to reclaim him and them (f) 2 Chro. 24.17 Sent prophets to bring them again (g) v. 19. unto the lord but they would not give ear and killed one of them which highly aggravated the Sins and hastened the Punishment (a) v. 23. For at the end of that year the Army of the Syrians came against Judah and Jerusalem and destroyed all the Princes of the People from a mongst the People who had been the evil Counsellors and that which is remarkable God delivered a very great Army into the hands of a handful of Men for the Syrians were but few and the reason is given (b) v. 24. Because they had forsaken the Lord so they executed Judgment against Joash v. 25 But this is not all His own servants conspired against him and killed him on his bed Abijah said of Rehoboam his Father (c) 2 Chro. 13.7 That he was young when he came to the Throne yet 't is recorded that he was Ch. 12.13 One and forty years old when he began to Reign At that Age no Man may be call'd young therefore 't is to be understood in relation to the ill management of his Concerns to the Succession of the Kingdom over all Israel wherein indeed he acted the part of a young Man But I go farther and find that (e) v. 14. he did evil because he prepared not his heart to seek the Lord so that he was a raw Man no wiser in matters of Religion than in those of State For 't is farther said in the beginning of that Chapter that he forsook the law of the lord v. 1,2 and all Israel with him therefore God punish'd them for Shishak came up against Jerusalem after he had taken the fenced Cities of Judah and took away the Treasure of the Lord's House and of the King's House and the reason was (f) 2 King 15.29 Because they had transgressed against the lord For in God's name a Prophet said to them (g) 2 Chro. 12.6 Ye have forsaken me and therefore also have I left you in the hand of Shishak Here is a punishment for Sin for Solomen's Idolatry and his Son's and People's Apostasie whereby the Glory of the Kingdom already reduced within a narrow compass was Eclypsed and its Riches carried away Which yet was a lighter punishment than that which afterwards was inflicted upon Manasseh whom the Assyrians took and bound him with Fetters and carried him to Babylon So that God spareth neither People nor Princes nor Crown'd Heads when provoked by their Sins This in these times we cannot pretend Ignorance of therefore ought to take warning by In the Kingdom of Israel after the rending of the Ten Tribes by reason of their Sins nothing but destruction and killing one another this among themselves also God brought Foreigners among them for he stirred up Tiglath-Pileser King of Assyria who took several places (a) 2 King 15.29 and all the Land of Naphtali and carried them captives to Assyria (b) Ch. 17.6 And in the next Reign of Hoshea who had killed his Predecessor Pekah came up r Shalmaneser who carried away captive the Ten Tribes and put an end to the kingdom of Israel And the Spirit of God hath left upon Record the cause of it namely their Sins whereof in that Chapter is an enumeration from ver 7. till the 19th So of the Kingdom of Judah when the measure of the Sins of their Kings 2 Chron. 36. and of the People was filled up God sent up Nebuchadnezzar who took Jerusalem ruin'd and destroy'd the Temple bound Zedekiah
Prince to get nis House Establish'd is to take care of God's he is that good Master who provideth for those Servants of his who approve themselves to be Faithful in his Service But when they are more Solicitous for their own Concerns than for his he then leaves them to shift for themselves but former and later Experience shew how ill they speed that do so Now let us see what that King did which was Right in the Eyes of the Lord (a) v. 12. He took away the Sodomites out of the Land that abominable and unnatural Sin which God hath so highly declared against he punished but stopped not there he set himself against Idolatry too for (b) v. 13. He removed all the Idols that his Father had made and went farther for he spared not his Mother and also Maachah his Mother even her he Removed from being Queen because she had made an Idol in a Grove and Asa destroy'd her Idol and burnt it by the Brook Kidron No Relation nor Quality should be regarded when it causes the Dishonour of God through Idolatry Blasphemy or otherwise 'T is a great Brand put upon Rehoboam's Reign and a high aggravation to his other Sins (c) Chap. 14.24 There were also Sodomites in the Land which to his praise Asa his Grandson took away and removed the Monuments of Idolatry for (a) 2 Chro. 14.3 4 5. He took away the Altars of the strange Gods and the high Places and broke down the Images and cut down the Groves Yet he went farther for he commanded Judah to seek the Lord God of their Fathers and to do the Law and the Commandments Also he took away out of all the Cities of Judah the high Places and the Images All this is by the Spirit of God called (b) v. 2. that which was good and right in the Eyes of the Lord his God Pious Kings not only serve God themselves but also take care to see their Subjects do so And we find that when in Judah there was a good King the People was also good or at least restrain'd from doing evil so much were People influenced by Commands and Examples from the Throne Asa did not serve God in vain but found the fruits and effects of his Zeal for 't is added (c) v. 5. Therefore the Kingdom was quiet before him Whereby 't is declared that the Rest and Quietness of Kingdoms depends upon abolishing Idolatry setting up the true Worship of God and suppressing all that is contrary to Piety 't is further said of him (d) v. 6. He had no Wars in those Years because the Lord had given him hest And by the Prophet Agariah God told him and all fuâ—â—ah the cause of it (e) Chap. 15.2 The Lord is with you wouldst you be with him But if ye forsake him he will forsake you Thus the just and gracious God rewardeth those Princes who make use of the Authority he hath given them to promote his Honour and Glory This King went on further for after a great Victory (f) v. 9.10 c. He gathered all Judah and Benjamin and they entred into a Covenant to seek the Lord God of their Fathers with all their Heart and with all their Soul that whosoever would not seek the Lord God of Israel should be put to death whether small or great whether Man or Woman Whereupon they took an Oath for they sware unto the Lord c. and all Judah rejoyced at the Oath for they had Sworn withall their Hearts and sought him with their whole desire and he was found of them and the Lord gave them Rest round about after great disorders in matters of Religion what a happy Union of King and People towards a blessed Reformation O that we might Here see the like in Parliament where the King meets with his People in their Representatives Here among other great Sinners we have execrable Sodomites and Idolaters not only those who adore Riches Honours and Pleasures and in their hearts and practises make them their Gods but also Idolaters those who adore a piece of Bread as they do God and are not minded thô contrary to Divine Laws and to those of the Land Asa's Son Jehoshaphat continued the Reformation and carried it further on for (a) 1 Kin. 22.46 The Remnant of the Sodomites which remained in the days of his Father Asa he took out of the Land also (b) 2 Chr. 19.3.4 He took away the Groves out of the Land and prepared his Heart to seek God Also He went out again thorough the People from Beersheba to Mount Ephraim and brought them back unto the God of their Fathers He not only would serve God but also took great care that others should do so and 't is written of him (c) Chap. 17.7 8 9. He sent Men to teach in the Cities of Judah For he knew it to be in vain to profess Religion except such were appointed who would instruct the People in the same and had power to remove all that is contrary to Piety that is Men good in them-themselves and able to do others good I wish all Princes would by the Example of Jehoshaphat take notice how plentifully God rewardeth those who serve him in Truth and Sincerity Thus they might see how much it consists even with their worldly Interest to perform their Duty towards God this Character Scripture gives of him that (a) v. 4.5 He sought the Lord God of his Father and walked in his Commandments therefore the Lord Established the Kingdom in his hand and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat Presents and he had Riches and Honour in abundance Furthermore (b) v. 10. the fear of the Lord fell upon all the Kingdoms of the Lands that were round about Judah so they made no War against Jehoshaphat The Reason is given and 't is this (c) v. 3. And the Lord was with Jehoshophat and why was God with him 't is in the same Verse because he walked in the First ways of his Father David So is any Prince desirous to be at Peace at home and abroad to have Riches and Honour in abundance Let him like Jehoshaphat walk in God's Commandments promote his Service and enlarge the Kingdom of Christ who is King of kings Lord of lords and by whom Kings Reign But as nothing is perfect in this World so those two Kings wanted not their flaws for not to speak fo their particular ones as that of Asa for relying on the King of Syria for which Hanani reproved and said to him (d) 2. Chr. 16.7 8 9. Herein thou hast done foolishly therefore from henceforth thou shalt have Wars as a Punishment and also because (e) v. 12. In his Disease he sought not to the Lord but to the Physicians That of Jehoshophat was for (f) Chap. 18.1 joyning Affinity with Ahab and for helping him which by a Prophet he was rebuked for who went to meet the King and
very zealous for the Glory of God and when he was Twenty he abolished Idolatry and restored true Religion in Jerusalem and in Judah and so continued to do in the (d) v. 6. Cities of Manasseh Ephraim Simeon and Naphtali which belonged not to his Kingdom and because he would not trust others to do 't without him this great Work he would see it done with his own Eyes For 't is said (e) v. 4. They brake down the Altars of Baalim in his presence and the Images that were on high above them he cut down and the Groves and the carved Images and molten Images he broke in pieces and made dust of of them and strowed it upon the Graves of those that had sacrificed unto them The Altar in Bethel which Jeroboam had built and the high places he brake down he defiled Tophet put down the Chemarims or Idolatrous Priests whom the Kings of Judah had ordained to burn Incense in the high Places He brake down the Houses of the Sodomites and so we may think he did of Baudy Houses if there were any for he aimed at a general Reformation whereof we (a) 2 King Chap. 22. and 23. read the particulars How much grieved was he when he heard the Words of the Law seeing he thereupon rent his Clothes This his tenderness of heart as of having humbled himself the Lord took notice off by the mouth of (b) 2 Chr. 34.27 Huldah the Prophetess Now judge of the happiness of having pious Kings by the good effects and consequences thereof for not only they do good but by their example influence others to do so Often the good King makes his Subjects good Regis ad exemplum many times the People follows the King's Example hence it is that in Scripture we read that when the Kings were good or bad the Subjects were commonly such as they so like Prince like People Because (c) Chap. 35.7 8 9. Josiah gave to the People of the Flock Lambs and Kids all for the Passover-offerings to the number of Thirty thousand and Three thousand Bullocks and 't is expressed these were out of the King's Substance So in the next verse we read how that good example was followed and his Princes gave willingly unto the People to the Priests and to the Levites And to their immortal Praise not only their gifts are specified but also the givers Names are upon Record Josiah's Princes were acted by the same Zeal and they not only worshipped God but helped others to do so These examples are insisted upon in hopes that at this present Time and in this Conjuncture when Sins overflow and there is a necessity of a speedy Remedy it will not be in vain Neither can any just exceptions be taken against what I say for 't is not I that speak but God all is out of his holy Word The Trumpet of Sion must Speak or Sound in the Language of Sion Happy those who can understand the Language of Canaan 't is a gracious promise as a Blessing to the Gentiles (a) Isai 19.18 In that day shall Five Cities in the Land of Egypt speak the Language of Canaan and Swear to the Lord of Hosts I write as a Christian for Christians about the things of Christ therefore I lay aside human Reason Wisdom Considerations and Stile to express my self in Christs that is Scriptural Phrase to please God and not Men (b) Gal. 1.10 for if I yet pleased Men I should not be the Servant of Christ But my design is if possible after (c) Rom. 10.19 God's Example without distinction of Persons to move Men to Emulation and Godly jealousie to out-do one another and upon this as upon every other occasion to practise the Apostles exhortation (d) 2 Cor. 14.31 Whatsoever ye do do all to the Glory of God Chiefly Rulers who are publick Springs whence the People draw whose carriage the Subjects Eyes are fixed upon and when the Princes heart is affected with zeal for God's Honour and Service it commonly passeth upon and influenceth the People whose Head he is Therefore he should be careful of the way he leads them by either into Salvation or Destruction In the Christian Church also after many Persecutions Heresies and wicked practises God raised Instruments to do his Work suppress Errors defend his People and purge his Church of notorious Vices Such were the Constantines the Theodosius's and other Christian Emperors whom God made Nursing Fathers to the Church So in the last Age at the beginning of and since the Reformation from the abominations of the Romish Church some pious Princes in Germany and other Northern Countreys and in some Southerly parts of Europe whose Names are to their high Commendation Recorded in History And here Pious young King Edward VI. never to be mention'd without Elogy who for Zeal in his tender years might have been compared to Josiah if God had been pleased to have allowed him a longer Life he upon all occasions expressed his Piety and Abhorrency of Popish Idolatry besides that Providence made this Conformity between those Two good Kings both died young One by the Sword the other as strongly suspected by Poison Josiah not long before the Destruction of Jerusalem and the Babylonian Captivity And Edward just before the Judgment and violent Persecution under Bloody Queen Mary Commonly such matters as these admit of necessary Cautions thus when I was upon the point of Slander to which what I intend now to say hath some affinity I spake of some who under specious pretences as that they hate not the Person but the Hypocrisie or such other thing which they invent do put abuses upon others and thus to satisfie their Hatred Malice Revengefulness or some other disordinate Passion would bring in their false accusations under the Name of the cause of God and by these means impose upon imprudent and credulous Men or easily perswaded those that are as ill disposed as themselves whom Solomon sets this brand upon A wicked doer gives heed to false lips (a) Prov. 17.4 and a lyar gives ear to a naughty tongue for similis simili gaudet Now in this place I must enter a Caveat which is this That about the great Work of Reformation of Life Manners and other Abuses the Magistrates in the Execution of the Laws must be very Cautious how they receive Accusations and Informations from private Men against their Neighbour specially when the accused are for one quality or other Eminent above the Vulgar sort thus the Apostle charges his disciple against an Elder receive not an Accusation (b) 1 Tim. 5.19 but before two or three Witnesses They ought not to believe every thing they hear but must first endeavour to know who the accuser is and whether he is biassed for in such Cases sometimes (c) Gal. 2.4 to speak in the Apostles Words false Brethren creep in privily to spie out occasions of doing mischief and avenging their grudges