and glory hereafter And such is the office of all the ministers of Jesus Christ. Which the same Apostle sets forth 2 Cor. 4. 6. God hath shined into our hearts speaking of himself and other Gospel Ministers that we should give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Iesus Christ that being our selves effectually illuminated we might be instrumentall in the inlightning of others This are the Ministers of Christ to doe by word 2. And as by word so by worke As by Doctrine so by Example Thus are they to shine before others in an Exemplarie Conversation So indeede ought all Christians to doe It is the Commendation which the Apostle giveth of his Thessalonians 1 Thes. 1. 7. They were ensamples to all that beleeved in Macedonia and Achaia But the Ministers of Christ in a special manner They beeing by their office shepheards they should as shepheards anciently were wont to doe go before their flocks Or to hold to the Emblem in the Text from which I would deviate as little as may be as that Star did which was given for a guide to the wise men to direct them to the place of Christs nativity It went before them saith the Text until it came and stood over where the young child was Matth 2. 9. Such Stars should the Ministers of God be unto the people Being given them for Guides they should not onely shew them light which that star also did to them but they should go before them till they bring them to heaven being Ensamples to them So was Paul to the believers of his time Marke them saith he to his Philippians which so walk as ye have us for an ensample Phil. 3. 17. Whereupon he there propounds himself unto them as a pattern for their Imitation Brethren be followers together of me And such all Gospel Ministers either are or ought to be This is that which Paul requires from Timothy 1 Tim. 4. 14. Be thou an example to the believers in word in conversation c. And the like from Titus Tit. 2. 7. In all things shew thy self a pattern of good works And it is Saint Peters charge to all of that Tribe Neither as being Lords over Gods heritage but being ensamples to the flock 1 Pet. 5. 3. The Ministers of Christ though they be as stars set over others by God yet they may not as Astrologers tell us some of the stars do Lord it over their Brethren Whether over their Consciences or Personâ— by an imperious obtruding of their own dictates instead of Gods Commandements as the Pharisees did or by carrying themselves Magisterially towards any under their charge But Patterns they should be teaching the people as by Doctrine so by Example Here is a fourth resemblance to which add a fifth 5. Stars have light and give light but it is a borrowed light In that differing from the light of the Sun whis is originally in the body of it The Sun being the fountain of light it hath light in and from it self But so have not the stars Their light is a borrowed light which they receive from the Sun And such is the light which the Ministers of Christ communicate unto others it is but a borrowed light Therein differing from that light which is in Christ who is the Sun of Righteousness as he is called Mal. 4. 2. the fountain of all spiritual light That was that true light saith Saint Iohn speaking of Christ Iohn 1. 9. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 light it self Original light So was not Iohn the Baptist as the verse foregoing hath it He was not that light A light he was and that a shining an eniment one but not that light that Original light This was onely Iesus Christ. He is the Sun As for his Ministers they are but stars receiving their light from him I have received from the Lord that which also I delivered unto you saith the Apostle to the Church of Corinth touching the Doctrine of the Sacrament And the like may be said of the whole doctrine of the Gospel This the Ministers of Christ receive before they can deliver it Being themselves enlightned before they can enlighten others God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness hath shined into our hearts saith the Apostle that we should give the light c. in that place fore-named 2 Cor. 4. 6. Hence is it that sometimes they are compared to Candlâ—s or Lamps Ye are the light of the world saith our Saviour to his Apostles Matth. 5. 14. But what light why not Sun-light but Candle-light So the verse following explains it Neither do men light a Candle and put it under a bushel meaning that he had not communicated unto them that light to the end that they should hide it And thus it is said of Iohn the Baptist that he was a shining light John 5. 35. But what light why a Lamp or a Candle for so the word there properly signifieth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whence cometh the Latine word Lychnus and the English Linke And such were these Angels the Ministers of these seven Churches of Asia the Churches being the Candlestick as they are here represented to Iohn in this vision they were the Candles in them Now a Candle or Lamp how great soever the light be that it giveth yet it is but a borrowed light And so is it with the Ministers of the Gospel Their light is but a borrowed light Here is a fifth resemblance Take one more 6. Stars are Influentiall As they all give light and the same light so they have their severall Influences What those Influences are it is in a great measure a Mysterie a secret to us But that they have such Influences it is not to be questioned So much we may learne from God himselfe who Putteth the Question to Iob Cap. 38. 31. Canst thou binde the sweete Influences of Pleiades or loose the bands of Orion Pleiades and Orion two of the Constellations of heaven Pleiades the seven stars which rising in the spring bring warme showres for the moistning and refreshing of the earth Orion a winter Star which brings with it hard frosts which are there called the Bands of Orion because the earth is as it were bound with them Thus are they both Influentiall changing and altering the Earth and the Ayre And like Influences have these Stars the Ministers of the Gospell upon the Persons and places over which they are set working upon them as by their Doctrine so by their Examples Both which are very Influentiall and operative for the changing and altering of the people either for the better or the worse Hence is it that they are compared to salt Mat. 5. 3. Ye are the salt of the earth Salt being layed upon a peice of flesh it hath in a little time a great influence upon it in altering the taste of it seasoning it and making it savorie And thus the Ministers of Christ by their wholesome and
in his Conception and Birth And such he was in his Life During which he continually conversed with sinners yet he received no infection from them Being every way such as the Apostle describeth him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Holy harmless â—ndefiled separate from sinners viz. in respect of any participation in that sin which is common to all other of the sons of men Heb. 7. 26. Thus Jesus Christ was and is as the Sun in respect of his personal properties From them come we to his operations and effects And here we shall find the like resemblance Christ being unto his Church as the Sun is to the world present with it Even as the Sun is in the midst of the Planets and being in his strength at noon day it is in the midst of the heavens and yet so as it is vertually and vigorously present in all places of the hemisphere that part of heaven and earth wherin it appears Even so is the Lord Iesus in the midst of his Châ—rches So this Son of man here appeareth unto our Apostle in the midst of the seven golden Candlesticks A representation of the presence of Christ in the midst of those seven Churches as the last verse of this Chhapter expounds it And so he is in all other his Churches in the midst of them Being present not only with his Ministers to whom he hath promised his presence after a special manner Behold I am with you alwayes to the end of the world Math. 28. 20. But also with all true worshippers That is his promise to his Disciples and in them to all believers Matth. 18. 20. Where two or three are met together in my name there am I in the midst of them Coming together in the name by Authority with commission from Iesus Christ and being occupied about the business of his worship and service there is he in the midst of them viz. by his grace and spirit Even as the Sun whilest the Body of it is in heaven yet by the beams of it it is upon earth Thus the Lord Jesus whilest his body is in heaven yet by his grace and spirit he is present with his Church upon earth and that efficaciously present not only eying and observing but acting Exercising many operations in for and upon his Church resembling those offices which the Sun performeth unto the earth Of these instance in three or four of the principal 1. Enlightning it This doth the Sun being the fountaine of light it inlightneth both earth and heaven as the dark places here below so the moone and stars above all with what light so ever they have they receive it from this great Luminary the Sun This is Iesus Christ the light of the world So he stileth himselfe once and againe I am the light of the world Ioh. 8. 12 and 9. 5. viz of the Reasonable world the world of mankinde In him was life and the life was the light of men Ioh. 1. 4. Of all men What ever light they have whether Naturall or Supernaturall they receive it from Iesus Christ. For Naturall light even that common light of reason and understanding that is a beame from this Sun So that Text is commonly understood Ioh 1. 9. where it is sayed of Christ. Hee is that true light that enlightneth every man that cometh into the world viz with that common light of Reason which as their Creatour he bestoweth upon them Much more supernaturall light And that both of Grace and Glory The light of grace where with the soules of Gods elect are inlightned it is an effluxe from this Sun The light shineth in darkness sayth Saint Iohn in the fift verse of that Chap Thus doth Iesus Christ inlighten the minds of men with supernaturall knowledg which of themselves are full of darkness of ignorance And so that ninth verse there may be read and construed That was the true light which coming into the world inlightneth every man So Grotius following Cyrill and Augustine there looketh upon it referring the participle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Coming not to the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Every man but to the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Light This Iesus Christ coming into the world inlightneth every man viz. that is inlightned Communicating the light of divine and supernaturall knowledg to the world And that as the Sun doth his light unto the earth which in a little time in the space of twentie-foure howers inlightneth the whole world So the Psalmist setteth forth both the swift motion and vigorous operation of it Psal. 19. 5. In the heavens God hath set a Tabernacle for the Sun which is as a Bridgroome coming out of his Chamber and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race His going forth is from the end of the heavens and his circuit unto the ends of it and there is nothing hid from the heat therof Even thus the Lord Iesus coming out of the womb of the virgin his Bride-chamber in a little space by himself and by his Apostles caused the light of his gospel to shine forth through the world in so much as the Apostle saith that in his time it was and had beene preached to every creature under heaven Col. 1. 23. So as in this he was like unto the Sun So the Apostle applyeth that of the Psalmist concerning the Sun unto him Rom. 10. 18. Thus doth the light of grace come from Iesus Christ in whome as the Apostle saith are hid all the Treasures of wisdom and knowledg Col. 2. 3. And that as of Common so specially of saving grace This light cometh from the face of Iesus Christ being beheld by faith So much we may learn from that Text of the Apostle 2. Cor. 4. 6. God hath shined into our hearts that we should give the light of the knowledg of the glory of God in the face of Iesus Christ. The glory of God shineth in the face of Iesus Christ which being held forth unto Gods elect in the Glass of the Gospel and there beheld by them by faith they come thereby to be changed into the same Image from glorie to glory as the same Apostle hath it 2 Cor. 3. last By thus beholding of the face of Christ they come to be made like unto him in the glory of holiness which work is still in progress here untill it come to perfection in heaven Thus is the light of Grace derived from Iesus Christ. And so is the Misticall Glory Which is but as it were a reflex from that glory which is in the face of Iesus Christ which being beheld by the Saints of God in that beatificall vision they thereby are made partakers of the same glory Even as so many looking glasses being set before the Sun by the reflex of the Beames thereof every one is changed into the same Image and made like unto it Even so shall it be with the Saints in heaven We know saith Saint Iohn
was the true light which lightens every man that cometh into the world it is spoken of Christ Ioh. 1. 9. Who ever it is that is inlightned whether with a naturall or supernaturall light they receive it from Christ. And to him let his Ministers looke and that not onely for the former but the latter of these that they be inlightned with a supernaturall Illumination having not onely their heads but hearts enlightned that they may be indued with a cleare sound and affectionable knowledg of divine and heavenly Mysteries And being thus seated and thus qualified then In a third place Let them doe the office of stars holding forth that light which they have shining before those over whome they are set Which they are to doe in those two wayes forenamed By Doctrine by Example 1. By Doctrine holding forth the light of Gods truth the word of life This are all Christians to doe in a practicall way So Paul willeth his Philippians Phil. 2. 16. Holding forth the worde of Life viz. in their lives and Conversations by walking answerable to it But the Ministers of Christ in a doctrinall way Communicating that light of saving knowledg which they have received in and by the preaching of the word Which they are to doe 1. Voluntarily and freely Soe doe the stars give forth their light And so should Ministers theirs Freely you have received Freely give saith our Saviour to his Apostles willing them to communicate their guifts for the good and benefit of others and that freely And so should the Ministers of the Gospell theirs Not doing what they doe by constraint nor yet out of Covetousness or any other by and sinister respect but willingly freely So Saint Peter giveth it them in charg 1 Pet. 5. 2. Feede the flock of God which is among you or as much as in you is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 taking the oversight thereof not by constraint but willingly not for filthy lucre but of a ready minde 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Four words which I could wish all the Ministers of Jesus Christ had them written upon their hearts that remembring them they might practise accordingly 2. Doing this freely let them also do it faithfully and sincerely In doctrine shewing sincerity as Paul willeth Titus Chap. 2. verse 7. First holding forth no other light then what they have received Not their owne light Herein again true Stars differ from Comets Comets being set on fire hold forth their own light so doe not the Stars they hold forth no other light then what they have received from the Sun So ought the Ministers of Christ to doe not like those false prophets of whome the Lord complains Ier. 23. 16. that They spake a vision of their owne heart and not out of the mouth of the Lord. Comet-like being set on fire with ambition or vaineglory or some other by and sinister respects they held forth their owne light So ought not the Ministers of Christ to doe Star-like they are to hold forth no other light then what they receive from the Sun no other doctrine then what they receive from Christ. I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you saith the Apostle And then secondly all that light So doe the Stars they doe not hide or hold back any of that light which they have received No more may the Ministers of God any of the light of divine truth Such was Pauls faithfulness in his Ministerie that he did not shun to declare unto the Churches all the Counsell of God so he tels the Elders at Miletum Act. 20. 27. All the Counsell viz. What was profitable for them he explains it verse 20. And such should the faithfulness of Gods Ministers be They are not to hide or hold back any part of that light which they have received That which Balaam once spake against his will Numb 24. 13. Ministers should freely and conscientiously resolve upon and practise What the Lord saith unto them that to speake Onely that all that Thirdly And in so doing let them be assiduous and vnwearied So are the Stars in their Motions and operations in giving light to the earth they are unwearied holding on their courses night after night A fitting patterne for the Ministers of the Gospell who should be thus unwearied in their Ministeriall services So was Paul who tels his Corinthians that the Care of all the Churches came upon him daylie 2 Cor. 11. 28. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a multitude of cares which came like an Armie upon him for that is the proper signification of the word these came upon him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 daylie So should the Care of those particular charges over which God hath set his Ministers come upon them and that daylie They should be assiduous in seeking of their good unwearied in their Gospell Ministration in the worke and services of their God This is that which Paul requires from all Christians 1. Cor. 15. last Finally my brethren be ye steadfast unmovable alwayes abounding in the worke of the Lord. And let it be directed in a speciall manner to the Ministers of Christ who are imployed in the service of the Lord after a speciall manner Let them be therein unwearied 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not giving in not fainting as Paul saith of himselfe that he did not 2. Cor. 4. 1. And so doing let them now for their Incouragement take notice of what there followeth For as much as you know that your labour is not in vaine in the Lord So shall not the labour of private Christians be much less the labour of Gods Ministers Who thus shining as stars here shall shine as Stars hereafter So runs the Promise in express terms Dan. 12. 3. They that be wise Teachers saith the Margin and so the word Hammashkilim may be taken transitiuely for facientes intelligere such as make others wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament and they that turne many to righteousness which is properly the Ministeriall worke as the Stars for ever and ever Being honoured both of God and men shining in their memories upon earth the Apostles are as twelve stars upon the Churches head Rev. 12. 1. and in their persons in heaven 2. I have done with the former and chief part of the Ministerial office which is to shine before others in Doctrine to which in the second place they are to joyn Example Which as I have already shewn you is not a little influential upon the people especially upon the vulgar common sort who are for the most part more led by Example then Precept Praeceptis ducimur Exemplis trahimur Precepts lead Examples draw And of all examples none more then of Ministers They being to some as the Sun-diall by which men set their Clocks or as the Stars to the Sea-man by which he steareth his course The consideration whereof should make them the more wary and circumspect in the ordering of
Take the Answere Affirmatively 1. Would wee see the face of Christ looke into the glass of the Gospel Here may we behold it both safely and clearly So may we behold the Sun which shining in his strength being excellens sensibile cannot be looked upon without indangering of the eye yet in a glass we may see it and that as I said both clearely and safely And thus behold we this Mysticall Sun the face of Iesus Christ in this glass the glass of the Gospel Here it was that Paul saith of himself and other beleevers of his time that they beheld this face 2 Cor. 3. last But we all with open face as in a glass behold the glory of the Lord. And what Glass was this why the glass of the Gospell wherin Christians doe or may behold the glory of God shining in the face of Iesus Christ the glory of his mercy Iustice power goodness all manifested in by and through Christ And that with open face far more clearly then the Iewes did under the Lawe where this Mysterie of Christ was hid under the veile of Types and figures as the Arke was under its divers coverings And in this Glass behold we this Sun Here behold we the Mysterie of Iesus Christ as it is held forth unto us in the doctrine of the Gospel which acquaints us with his one Person two Natures three Offices His Incarnation Conception Birth Life Death Resurrection Ascension sitting at the right hand of his father As also with the many and great benefits which he hath obtained for us as Redemtion Iustification Adoption Sanctification Glorification And withall shewing us the way and meanes whereby we may come to be made partakers of them so setting before us the whole mysterie of Christ which it doth most clearly and fully Insomuch that there is not a line as I may say in this face which is not here drawn forth to the life All of us then if we would have a view of the face of this Son of man looke into this Glass studie the doctrine of the Gospell the Hystorie the mysterie of it 2 Waite upon Christ in his ordinances When the Parents of our Saviour had sought him three dayes at length they found him in the Temple Luk. 2. 46. And here this Son of man sheweth his face in the midest of the Candlesticks Would we see the face of Iesus Christ seek him in his Ordinances in his publike worship and service Here is the face of Christ to be seene as I shewed you Seeke his face saith the Psalmist in that forecited Text Psal. 105. 4. Speaking of the Arke of the Covenant where God manifested his presence The like doth the Lord Iesus now in the midst of his Ordinances his Word his Sacraments There doth Christ shew his face unto his people communicating himselfe to them that seeke him in a gratious manner Here then seek we his face and that as the Psalmist there hath it Evermore Being constant in this our attendance upon the Ordinances of Jesus Christ. That so we may see him see him in his Sanctuary as David saith he did Psal. 63. 1 2. O God thou aâ—t my God early will I seeke thee My soule thirsteth for thee c. To see thy power and thy glorie so as I have seene thee in the Sanctuarie Here had David seene more of God then elswhere in his Sanctuary in his Ordinances And would we have a sight of Iesus Christ so as to see his face seeke it in his Sanctuarie in his Ordinances Where content not our selves to heare of him but labour to see him with our owne eyes Yea to feele him 2. That is the second Particular So seeke the face of Jesus Christ that we may feele it or feele of it Not contenting our selves with a bare simple intuition a mere speculative knowledg of Iesus Christ but labour also for an Experimentall knowledg of him This is that superexcellent knowledg which the Apostle speaketh of Phil. 3. 8. I count all things loss for the excellency of the knowledg of Christ Iesus Tò 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 put for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that knowledg of Christ which is most excellent And what knowledg was that why not meerly a Contemplative but an Experimentall knowledg So he explains himselfe in the tenth verse That I may know him and the power of his resurrection 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Not onely to know by what power it was that Christ was raised from the dead as Grotius there so dilately expounds it but to know it in an experimentall way to feele the power and vertue of Christs Resurrection working the like effect in and upon himselfe in raising up him from the death of sin to the life of Grace here and Glory hereafter This is the Excellent knowledg of Iesus Christ. And this let every of us looke after Not contenting our selves with the bare beholding of this Sun to see the glare and shine of it but labour to feele that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that strength that vertue wherewith it shineth To finde and feele Iesus Christ unto us unto our soules as the Sun is to the Earth To finde and feele his gratious and efficacious presence with us putting forth his power and vertue in us exercising the like Operations upon us that the Sun doth upon the Earth What those operations are I have alreadie showen you Let me now reflect upon them minding you of them againe Exhorting you to endeavour to find and feele every of them in and upon your own soules 1. The first is Illummination Inlightning This was the Alpha the first worke in the first Creation God said let there be light and there was light Gen. 1. 3. And so it is in the second the new Creation New creatures must have a new light Upon the account whereof they are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sons or Children of light Luk 16. 8. 1. Thes. 5. 5. Having beene somtimes darkness now they are light in the Lord. Eph. 58. Being called out of darkness into a marveilous light 1. Pet. 2. 9. And see that every of you be such Being coâ—vinced what by nature you are not onely darke but even darkeness it selfe wholy in the darke as to what concerneth your eternall happiness seeke after a new light that you may be inlightned that you may see a light shine forth unto you This was the preparative to Peters inlargment The Angel of the Lord came upon him and a light shined in the prison Act. 12. 7. And so it was to Paules Conversion There shinned round about him a light from heaven Act. 9. 3. And the like course God taketh with all those whom he hath a gratious purpose towards to set them at libertie from the Captivity of Sin and Satan and to bring them home unto himselfe he causeth a light to shine forth unto them a light from heaven I meane a supernaturall light revealing and making known to them that which
by every of us Not to the end that we should abuse this mercy turn this grace into wantonnesse as Saint Iude saith of some in his time did Iude 4. taking occasion thereby to go on and continue in sin What shall we say then Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound God forbid saith the Apostle Rom. 6. 1. Shall we therefore go on to provoke this God because he is so compassionate towards us so loath that we should perish what were this but to abuse this his lenitie and goodnesse to our own just condemnation But on the other hand let this goodnesse of God lead us unto repentance This is the right use of it as we may learn from the same Apostle Rom. 2. 4. Be we hereby provoked to break off the course of our waies provoking sins and to come in unto this God by serious and unfeigned repentance This use will an ingennous child make of the indulgent affection of a tender hearted parent When he seeth the bowels of his father or mother yearning towards him bewailing his destructive courses if there be any spark of ingenuity left this cannot but work upon his heart and make him think of betaking himself to a new course which may be pleasing and contenful to so affectionate a parent Behold thus is our heavenly Father and thus is our blessed Saviour affected towards poor sinners And therefore let it have the like work upon every of us to provoke us to break off those sinfull wayes and courses which are so offensive to those pure eyes and come in unto our God by serious and unseigned Repentance So doing now doubt not but we shall have comfortable experience of his grace and mercy What was the Lord Iesus so affected towards a stubborn and rebellious people that he so earnestly wisheth their good and so passionately bewaileth their calamity and will he not shew the like affection to poor penitent sinners such as by coming unto him seek for mercy from him Surely the Lord Iesus hath carried his bowels to heaven with him still retaining the same affection tovvards poor sinners that here he had upon earth Hovv ever he be not capable of expressing it in the like vvay He can hence forth weep no more All tears being wiped from his eyes as they shall be from the eyes of all his Saints vvhen they shall be translated to that blessed and glorious condition Yet still he retaineth the same affection towards poor sinners He that wept over Ierusalem here wishing that it had been othervvise vvith them then it vvas and vvas like to be he doth earnestly desire that those tears and that blood vvhich he here shed in the dayes of his flesh may be made effectual for the vvashing avvay the sins of poor sinners Which also they shall be to all those who turning away from them come unto him receiving him as their Saviour and Lord. But I shall not any longer dwell upon this which I take up from the general consideration of the words or from the manner of speaking Come we now to the matter taking a nearer and more particular veivve of this Lamentation Wherein we shall take notice of two things the Evil of sin it self which our Saviour here bewaileth and secondly the Aggravations of that evil The evil bewailed is their stupidity their not knowing of what belonged to their peace The aggravations of that evil are two the one taken from the persons the other from the time The persons who were thus stupid Ierusalem If thou even thou The time the day of their visitation At least in this thy day These are the severals we have now to deal with Begin with the first The evil lamented their not knowing the things which belonged to their peace Here by way of explication three things are to be unfolded 1. What is here ment by peace 2. What were those things which belonged to Ierusalems peace 3. How it is said that they did not know those things Q. For the first by Peace here understand we prosperity felicity So the word was familiarly used among the Hebrews In as much as Peace is a comprehensive blessing they set forth all blessings under this Thus in their ordinary salutations they were wont to wish Peace Peace be unto thee and peace be unto thy house and peace be unto all that thou hast It is the salutation which David sends to Nabal 1 Sam. 25. 6. And thus our Saviour sending forth his Apostles he puts this word into their mouthes directing them to salute the families where they came after that manner with an apprecation of peace Into whatsoever house ye enter ye shall first say Peace be to this hous Luk. 10. 5. i.e. all kind of happinesse And so look we upon the word here in the text By peace understanding here all kind of felicitie Omnes foelicitatis partes as Calvin hath it all the parts and kinds of happinesse Happinesse both present and future temporal and eternal Q. 2. But what were the things which belonged unto this their peace A. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 why in one word Christ himself and the doctrine of salvation by and through him Christ and his Gospel These were the things which conduced to their peace to the making of them a happy people and that both here and hereafter Other things there were which in a Political and civil way might have tended to the outward peace the temporal prosperity of that place But none like this none like Christ who is the Prince of peace Isai. 9. 6. And our peace Ephes. 2. 14. In him is the salvation of a people bound up This it is which maketh a people truly happy The knowledge of Iesus Christ. And this knowledge the inhabitants of Ierusalem were destitute of They neither did nor would know this their Peace-maker Moses they knew he being read in their Synagogues every Sabbath day Act. 15. 21. But Christ they knew not Q. 3. But what did not they know him had they not heard of him Nay had they not both heard and seen him heard his Doctrine seen his Miracles A. True but they did not receive him He came unto his own and his own recived him not Joh. 1. 11. He came unto his own to Israel his own peculiar people to the land of Canaan his own Countrey he being of the seed of Abraham to Ierusalem his own City he being the Son of David but they received him not they would not own him they would not acknowledge him to be their Messias they would neither believe on him nor submit unto him This it is truly to know God and Iesus Christ to know them in an affectionate way Not barely to know and believe that there is a God and a Christ no nor yet to know that Jesus is that Christ. This knowledge the Devils had and have I know thee who thou art even that holy one of God saith
that unclean spirit to our Saviour Mark 1. 24. But to know them affectionately with a knowledge of approbation So the word knowing in Scripture is frequently used In this sense Saint Paul saith of himself Rom. 7. 15. that the things which he did he knew not So the Original hath it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I know not meaning as our Translation giveth the sense of it that he did not allow or approve of them In this sense God is said to know or not to knovv men If any man love God the same is known of him 1 Cor. 8. 3. that is approved of him Verily I say unto you◠I know yon not saith the Bridgroome to the foolish virgins refusing to own them Mat. 25. 12. And in this sense man is said to know God and Jesus Christ. This is life eternal to know thee the onely true God and him whom thou hast sent Jesus Christ Joh. 17. 3. O righteous Father the world hath not known thee vers 25. Novv in this sense the inhabitants of Jerusalem did not know Jesus Christ. A general knowledge they had concerning the Messia that he should come And many of them might know Jesus but they did not know him to be the Messia they did not acknowledge him to be the Christ. Q. No it may be said did not they acknowledge him What meant then that Acclamation of the people who at this time brought him into Jerusalem in triumph as Saint Matthew more fully reports the story Mat. 21. 8. where he tels us how a very great multitude spread their garments in the way c. And they cryed Saying Hosanna to the Son of David Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord Hosanna in the highest Now did not they own and acknowledge him How is it then that he here exprobrates them with their disowning sleighting of him A. To this it is answered True Christ was thus acknowledged by some and many at this time But by whom was it Probably by some of the neighbouring villages not by the inhabitants of Jerusalem So much seems to be intimated in the tenth verse where it is said when he came into Jerusalem all the City was moved saying who is this To whom the multitude which came along with him return answer This is Jesus the Prophet c. But again However some there were in Jerusalem that did so acknowledge him so did the Children in the Temple which sung the same song Hosanna to the Son of David vers 15. yet who or what were they No considerable party whether for quality or number For quality they were such as were of no account being of the vulgar and meaner sort Not any of eminent place whether in Church or State that appeared any more for him Have any of the Rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him say the chief Priests to their Officers Joh. 7. 48. At that time when those Queristers sung that Antheme in the Temple it is said that the chief Priests and Scribes were sore displeased Matth. 21. 15. And it was no otherwise with the body of the people who were generally led as for the most part they are by the example of their Rulers They did not receive him and his Doctrine And this it is which here he so passionately bewailes in them that they had not done it and so affectionately wisheth that they had done it O if thou c. Lo then How deplorable a thing it is for a people not to receive Christ and his Gospel being offered and tendered unto them This is the observation I am now to prosecute For a people not to receive Christ and his Gospel not to give entertainment to the messengers of peace not to imbrace the offers of grace and mercy being held forth unto them in the preaching of the Gospel this is a most sad and deplorable thing This is the thing which our Saviour here so passionately laments and bewails And the same we find him doing again elsewhere Mat. 23. 37. where he breaketh forth into the like pathetical exclamation O Jerusalem Jerusalem how often would I have gathered thy children together even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings and ye would not O Jerusalem Jerusalem the word is doubled to intimate the strong affection of the speaker How often would I have gathered thy children meaning the people of the Jews whose mother City was Jerusalem This he had attempted by sending his messengers his servants unto them then coming himself to admonish them warn them exhort them so striving to bring them to faith and repentance that so they might have been sheltred from the wrath of God and secured from those imminent evils which hang over their heads But they would not They rejected the offers of grace made unto them And this is the matter of our Saviours lamentation the thing which drew these tears from his eyes And indeed there is nothing more to be lamented then this And will you have the Reason of it take it from the Text. This is the thing which belongeth unto their peace Upon this it is that the woe or welfare the felicity or misery of a people doth depend This is their making or marring the receiving or rejecting the Gospel of peace This being entertained brings peace along with it It was the commission and direction which our Saviour gave to his Apostles when he sent them forth Matth. 10. 12 13. When ye enter into a house salute it and if the house be worthy that is such persons as are willing and ready to entertain you and your message now let your peace come upon it Now preach the Gospel of peace to them and therewith wish all good and happinesse unto them which also accordingly shall come and rest upon them So Saint Luke expresseth it Luk. 10. 6. If the sonne of peace be there meaning such persons as were readily disposed to receive the doctrine of peace the Gospel your peace shall rest upon it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God will bring upon that family all the good that you wish unto it your apprecation of peace shall be as effectual as your preaching of it Thus is it with a family And thus is it with a City and thus is it with a Nation The receiving of the Gospel is the happinesse of it On the other hand the rejecting of the Gospel is the undoing of a people So it there followeth Matth. 10. 14. Whosoever shall not receive you nor hear your words when ye depart out of that house or City shake of the dust of your feet This were the Apostles to do as a token of Gods shaking them off Even as we read of Nehemiah shaking his lap Nehem. 5. 13. Also I shook my lap and said So God shake out every man from his house from his labour that performeth not this promise even thus be he shaken out and emptied Thus were the Apostles to shake off the
Stars Such are the Ministers of the Gospel Mark it This is that which I am now to prosecute Gospel Ministers are stars Such was their Lord and Master Iesus Christ himself he was a Star There shall come a star out of Iacob saith Baâ—â—â—m in his prophecy concerning Christ Nâ—mb 24. 17. I am the bright and morning star saith Christ of himself Reâ— 22. 10. A Star having his birth manifested to the wise men by a Star Mat. 20 2. to shew that he was that star foretold A bright star excelling all others in glory and a morning star bâ—â—ging the day of grace and glory to the Church after the night of ignorance and misery And as the Master so the Servants They are also stars Such were the Apostles whom Saint Iohn saw so represented Râ—â—l 12. â— where he tells us of the woman 〈…〉 with the 〈◊〉 having the Moon under her feet and upon her head a crown of twelve stars And who was this woman why the Church the true Church of Christ which being cloathed with the righteousness of Christ who is the Sun of righteousness and trampling under foot all earthly glory is beautified and adorned with the doctrine of the twelve Apostles who were as so many stars Such were they and such are their successors all the true Ministers of Jesus Christ. Gospel Ministers they are as stars So called and represented in regard of the resemblances betwixt the one and the other which are divers I shall onely single out some of the chief and principal which as I conceive to be most plain proper and genuine 1. Stars are set by God in the firmament of heaven So we find it Gen. 1. 16 17. He made the stars also And God set them in the firmament of heaven And even so hath he set the Ministers of the Gospel in the firmament of the Church which is often called by the name of Heaven So the Apostle setteth forth their original 1 Cor. 12. 28. God set some in the Church speaking of Gospel Ministers 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Constituit he Constituted and appointed them to their places in the Church the Church Catholick visible for so it must be there understood So then a Gospel Ministry is a Divine Institution not a humane Invention He that set the stars in the firmament hath set his Ministers in the Church And he hath set them there as stars fixing and setling them by a perpetual ordinance That is the difference betwixt Stars and Comets Comets though they blaze for a time yet it is but for a time and that a short time but Stars are for perpetuity to continue to the end of the world Such Stars are the Ministers of the Gospel How else saith our Saviour what he doth that he will be with them to the end of the world Mat. 28. 20. 2. Stars though they be set in the same firmament yet they have their several Orbs to move in And so is it with the Ministers of the Gospel though they be set in the same firmament of the Church being all Ministers of the same Church Catholick visible yet they have their several Orbs their several Charges committed and assigned to them for their inspection and oversight Thus Paul willeth the Elders the Ministers of Ephesus to feed the flock over which the holy Ghost had made them overseers Acts 20. 28. And thus those seven stars in the Text the Ministers of the seven Churches of Asia had their several Charges which were as their several Orbs. And so it is with ordinary Ministers That being one difference betwixt them and the Apostles The Apostles were universal Pastors having the care of all the Churches committed unto them This was Pauls daily cumbrance as he tels his Corinthians 2 Cor. 11. 28. Even the care of all the Churches Thus were they universal Bishops But so are not their successors That of the Bishop of Rome is but a groundless usurpation Ordinary Ministers have their severall charges 3. Stars have their different Altitudes and Magnitudes Some above others and some greater then others One star differeth from another star in glory 1 Cor. 15. 41. And so is it in the Gospell Ministerie In the firmament of the Church there are such different stars Ministers of different Orders and Dignities So much we may learne from the Apostle in that place forecited 1. Cor. 12. 28. God hath set some in the Church saith he first Apostles secondarily Prophets thirdly Teachers c. Severall Orders and Degrees So there were then And still there are severall Magnitudes even among Ordinarie Ministers Who differ in respect of theire gifts and ministeriall abilities even as one Star differeth from another in Glory Thus are these Stars set in the firmameut of the Church having their sevearll Orbes Altitudes and Magnitudes But wherefore are they thus set That is a fourth particular which I conceive to be here principally eyed and intended 4. Stars are set up for Lightes like so many Tapers in the firmament of heaven to give light to this inferiour world in the night season So you have the end of their first Creation set down Gen. 1. 16. God made the stars also and he set them in the firmament of heaven to give light unto the earth This is the office as of the Sun and the Moon so of the Stars to give light unto the earth and that in the night season And such is the office of the Ministers of the Gospel-God hath set them up in the firmament of the Church to a like end that they should be Lights So it is said of Iohn the Baptist He was a Burning and a shining light Ioh. 5. 35. And such all the Ministers of the Gospel either are or ought to be Ye are the light of the world saith our Saviour to his Apostles Mat 5. 14. True it is such all private Christians in their measure ought to be This is that which Paul saith of his Philippians Phil. 2 15. Yee doe shine or shine yee for so the word may be and is read either Indicatively or Imparatively 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 This they did or should have done But this the ministers of the Gospell ought to doe in a speciall manner They being Lights by office which requireth this at their hands that they should give light to others Which they are to doe two wayes By Doctrine and by Example 1. By Doctrine Holding forth to others the word of truth the word of Life that so those which yet sit in darkness may see a marveiloâ—s light This was Paules errand whereupon he was sent to the Gentiles viz. to open their eyes and so turne them from darkness to light Act 26. 18. Which he was to doe by preaching of the Gospell unto them whereby they might have their eyes opened to see the sinfulness and miserie of their natural condition and so might be brought to the light of Grace here