of the House of God It seems they pleased themselves with this that the Altar stood upon its Bases and Sacrifices were daily offered thereon and the building of the Temple was onely deferred untill a fit opportunity were afforded free from disturbance and opposition and having now gained such a season they are ready to build the Temple but the Lord convinceth them out of the Law that their former negligence was not expiated by their daily Sacrifices but the guilt thereof rendred both the Nation and this holy and honourable Work which they were about vile and unclean in the sight of God And having thus shewn them their spiritual uncleanness he encourageth them to go on with the work in hand the building of the Temple promising them from this day to bless them ver 18. VSE II. Of Exhortation To excite and stir us all up to attend and prosecute our Errand into the Wilderness To what purpose came we into this place and what expectation drew us hither Surely not the expectation of ludicrous Levity We came not hither to see a Reed shaken with the wind Then let not us be Reeds light empty vain hollow-hearted Professâ—rs shaken with every wind of Temptation but solid serious and sober Christians constant and stedfast in the Profession and Practice of the Truth Trees of Righteousness the planting of the Lord that he may be glorified holding fast the profession of our Faith without wavering Alas there is such variety and diversity of Opinions and Judgements that we know not what to believe Were there not as various and different Opinions touching the Person of Christ even in the dayes of his flesh Some said that He was John the Baptist some Elias others Jeremias or one of the old Prophets Some said he was a gluttonous man and a wine-bibber a friend of publicans and sinners others said He was a Samaritan and had a Devil yet the Disciples knew what to believe Whom say ye that I am Thou art Christ the Son of the living God Mat. 16. 15 16. The various heterodox Opinions of the people serve as a foil or tinctured leaf to set off the lustre and beauty of the Orthodox and Apostolical Faith This is truly commendable when in such variety and diversity of Apprehensions you are not byassed by any sinister respects but discern embrace and profess the Truth as it is in Christ Jesus But to what purpose came we into the Wilderness and what expectation drew us hither Not the expectation of Courtly Pomp and Delicacy We came not hither to see men clothed like Courtiers The affectation of Courtly Pomp and Gallantry is very unsuitable in a Wilderness Gorgeous Attire is comely in Princes Courts if it exceed not the limits of Christian Sobriety but excess in Kings houses escapes not divine Vengeance Zeph. 1. 8. I will punish the Princes and the Kings children and all such as are clothed with strange Apparel The pride and haughtiness of the Ladies of Zion in their superfluous Ornaments and stately gestures brought wrath upon themselves upon their Husbands and upon their Children yea and upon the whole Land Isa 3. 16 26. How much more intolerable and abominable is excess of this kinde in a Wilderness where we are so far removed from the Riches and Honours of Princes Courts To what purpose then came we into the Wilderness and what expectation drew us hither Was it not the expectation of the pure and faithful Dispensation of the Gospel and Kingdome of God The times were such that we could not enjoy it in our own Land and therefore having obtained Liberty and a gracious Patent from our Soveraign we left our Country Kindred and Fathers houses and came into these wilde Woods and Dese 〈…〉 s where the Lord hath planted us and made us dwell in a place of our own that we might move no more and that the children of wickedness might not afflict us any more 2 Sam. 7. 10. What is it that distinguisheth New-England from other Colonies and Plantations in America Not our transportation over the Atlantick Ocean but the Ministry of Gods faithful Prophets and the fruition of his holy Ordinances Did not the Lord bring the Philistims from Caphtor and the Assyrians from Kir as well as Israel from the land of Egypt Amos 9. 7. But by a Prophet the Lord brought Israel out of Egypt and by a Prophet was he preserved Hos 12. 13. What is the Price and Esteem of Gods Prophets and their faithful Dispensations now fallen in our hearts The hardships difficulties and sufferings which you have exposed your selves unto that you might dwell in the House of the Lord and leave your Little Ones under the shadow of the wings of the God of Israel have not been few nor small And shall we now withdraw our selves and our Little Ones from under those healing Wings and lose that full Reward which the Lord hath in his heart and hand to bestow upon us Dâ—d we not with Mary choose this for our Part to sit at Christs feet and hear his word and do we now repent of our choice and prefer the Honours Pleasures and Profits of the world before it You did run well who doth hinder you that you should not obey the truth Gal. 5. 7. Hath the Lord been wanting to us or failed our expectation Micah 6. 3. O my people what have I done unto thee and wherein have I wearied thee testifie against me Jer. 2. 5. What iniquity have your fathers found in me that they are gone far from me and ver 31. O generation see ye the word of the Lord have I been a wilderness unto Israel a land of darkness May not the Lord say unto us as Pharaoh did to Hadad 1 King 11. 22. What hast thou lacked with me that behold thou seekest to go to thine own Country Nay what could have been done more then what the Lord hath done for us Isa 5. 4. How sadly hath the Lord testified against us because of our loss of our first love and our remissness and negligence in his Work Why hath the Lord smitten us with Blasting and Mildew now seven years together superadding sometimes severe Drought sometimes great Tempests Floods and sweeping Rains that leave no food behinde them Is it not because the Lords House lyeth waste Temple-work in our Hearts Families Churches is shamefully neglected What should I make mention of Signes in the Heavens and in the Earth Blazing-Stars Earthquakes dreadful Thunders and Lightnings fearful Burnings What meaneth the heat of his great Anger in calling home so many of his Ambassadors In plucking such burning and shining Lights out of the Candlesticks the principal Stakes out of our Hedges the Corner-stones out of our Walls In removing such faithful Shepherds from their Flocks and breaking down our defenced Cities Iron Pillars and Brazen-Walls Seemeth it a small thing unto us that so many of Gods Prophets whose Ministry we came into the Wilderness to enjoy are taken from us in
A BRIEF RECOGNITION OF NEW-ENGLANDS ERRAND INTO THE Wilderness Made in the Audience of the General Assembly of the Massachusets Colony at Boston in N. E. on the 11 th of the third Moneth 1670. being the DAY of ELECTION THERE By Samuel Danforth Pastor of the Church of Christ in Roxbury in N. E. Jer. 2. 2. Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem saying Thus saith the Lord I remember thee the kindness of thy youth the love of thine espousals when thou wentest after me in the Wilderness in a Land that was not sown 3. Israel was Holiness unto the Lord and the first-fruits of his increase 5. Thus saith the Lord What iniquity have your fathers found in me that they are gone far from me and have walked after vanity and are become vain CAMBRIDGE Printed by S. G. and M. J. 1671. Christian Reader A Word spoken in due season saith Solomon how good is it Prov. 15. 23. And again A word fitey spoken is like Apples of gold in pictures of silver Chap. 25. 11. Such were the words of our Lord Jesus who accommodating himself to the way of Doctrine used by those Eastern Nations did by Parabolical discourses delight to breathe forth the deep Mysteries of divine and heavenly Wisdome And how plain but pungent his Sermons were how perspicuous yet unspeakably profound were those Oracles which flowed out of his lips of grace none are ignorant who are not unacquainted with what the holy Evangelists do harmoniously relate concerning him No more excellent Patern then the Lord Jesus for the Ministry of the New Testament to imitate And of all the words of the Sacred Scripture though all are of equal Authority as being of the Canon yet none seem to have a more eminent immediation of Heart-commanding virtue then those which proceeded directly out of the mouth of the Lord himself whereof this Text is one upon which the following Sermon is spent And how much of the Spirit of our Saviour appears therein I need not say and which perhaps will not at the first dash be discerned by the ordinary or cursory Reader but Wisdome is justified of her children The seasonableness and suitableness of this Work which is now in thine hand unto our present Wilderness-state will commend it self unto the judicious Christian whose heart doth indeed travel with the labouring Interest of the Kingdome of our Lord Jesus in these Ends of the Earth The Text carrying with it so much heavenly argumentation being so profitable for Doctrine for Reproof for Correction for Instruction in righteousness as though intended by our Lord Jesus for such a Day as that whereon this Sermon was Preached and also before such an Auditory Whose applauds the former will not disapprove the latter the Reverend Author thereof observing therein the Saying of that Apostolick Man of God and very judicious in his Advice to younger Ministers about such matters his most Reverend Father of blessed Memory Mr. Wilson viz. That he delighted in such a Sermon wherein the Preacher kept close unto his Text and the proper scope thereof and wandered not from it by needless excursions and impertinent enlargements The loss of first love first to Christ and so to the Subjects and Order of his Kingdome being a Radical Disease too tremendously growing upon so great a part of the Body of Professors in this Land unto a Laodicean lukewarmness in the matters of God notwithstanding the signal and unparallel Experiences of the blessing of God upon this people a people so often saved by the Lord in the way of Moses and Aaron's meeting and kissing one another in the Mount of God and the observation of that Declension justly calling for so meet an Antidote and faithful Caution as is the ensuing Sermon 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 unto such to review and consider in earnest their Errand into this Wilderness and the recovery of their affections to the Name of Christ in the chastity vigour and fervour thereof by a thorough-Reformation of things in the Matters of his Worship being a special duty in this hour of Temptation incumbent as on the Magistracy in their Sphere so on the Ministry in theirs whereby they may declare themselves loyal to Christ in their Generation-work hath no doubt inclined the heart of this Servant of his to yield unto the Perswasions of divers that these his Meditations might be published and so through the blessing of God advance that desired Reformation It is not a loose Toleration nor a rigid Independent-Separation but an holy and brotherly Reformation which all should in such an hour be endeavouring And how perillous a Sceptical Indifferency or a Reed like Vacillation much more wilful Opposition to the Doctrine and Way of the first Fathers and Founders of this Colony in Matters of Religion would be were it onely in those two Points about the Magistrates Coercive Power in Matters of Religion contrary to that Toleration aforesaid and about Communion of Churches in Synods c. described also by them from the Word of God in the Platform of Discipline contrary to that Independent-Separation aforesaid will be evident to those that understand what these things mean scil 1. Quod liberi sunt Spirituales a jugo-potestatis secularis and 2. Quod Ecclesia non potest errare It is said I remember Josh 24. 31. that Israel served the Lord all the dayes of Joshua and all the dayes of the Elders that out-lived Joshua and which had known all the works of the Lord that he had done for Israel It is much to Israels advantage in the service of God when the Lord graciously continues those who are acquainted with the First Wayes of such a people as hath been Holiness to the Lord and with the First Works of the Lord in his laying the Foundation of that Glory which might dwell in their Land And it is recorded Exod. 1. 8. as an inlet to Israels calamitious state in that place where the Lord had greatly multiplied and blessed them that there aroâ—e up a New King which knew not Joseph When Joseph or Joshua are unknown or forgotten and the Work and Way of God in leading his people by the hand of Moses and Aaron in their primitive Glory not understood or not minded by these or those how fearfully ominous to Israel must it needs be and how necessitating the affectionate repetition again and again of that expostulatory sad Interrogation of our Saviour But what went ye out into the Wilderness to see and should there arise such another Generation as is mentioned Judg. 2. 11. after our Fathers are removed to rest from the Warfare of the service of the Tabernacle of God in their Generation as should not know the Lord nor regard the works which he hath done for our Israel what may be expected but that as the following Context shews the anger of the Lord should wax hot against Israel and that he deliver us also into the hand of spoilers c. Strangers to the FIRST
and unprofitable Customes and the Church wanted the gift of Prophecy about four hundred years and therefore when John the Baptist arose like a bright and burning light shining amongst them with admirable gifts of the Spirit and extraordinary severity and gravity of manners proclaiming the Coming and Kingdome of the Messias which had been oft promised and long expected and pressing the people to Repentance and good works O how they admire and reverence him especially when grown popular and countenanced by Herod the Tetrarch What sweet affections are kindled what great expectations are raised what ravishing joy is conceived Hoping as its probable to make use of his Authority to cast off the Roman yoke and recover their Civil Liberties Riches and Honours But after a little acquaintance with John for he was a publick Preacher but a year and half his Doctrine Administrations and Prophetical Gifts grew common and stale things and of little esteem with them especially when they saw their carnal hopes frustrated the Rulers disaffected and Herods countenance and carriage toward him changed Reas 2. Because Prejudices and Offences are apt to arise in the hearts of many against the faithful Dispensers of the Gospel The Pharisees and Lawyers came among others to the Baptism of John but when they hear his sharp reprehensions of their Viperous Opinions and Practices they nauseate his Doctrine repudiate his Baptism calumniate his Conversation Luke 7. 30. Herodiaes hath an inward grudge and a quarrel against him because he found fault with her incestuous Marriage Mar. 6. 19. Yea that very Age and Generation of the Jews were like to a company of surly sullen and froward children whom no Musick can please they neither dance after the Pipe nor make lamentation after the mourner They inveigh against John's austerity saying that he was transported with diabolical fury and was an enemy to humane society and they do as much distaste and abhor Christ's gentleness and familiarity traducing him as being a sensual and voluptuous person given to intemperance and luxury and a Patron and Abettor of looseness and profaneness Mat. 11. 16 19. Thus doth the frowardness and stubbornness of man resist and oppose the wisdome and goodness of God who useth various waves and instruments to compass poor sinners but they throught their folly and perverseness frustrate disanul and abrogate the counsel of God against themselves The evil spirit that troubled Saul was quieted and allayed by the sweet Melody of David's Harp but the mad and outragious fury that transports men against the Truth and the Ministry thereof cannot be quieted and allayed by the voice of the Charmers charm they never so wisely Branch II. When men abate and cool in their affection to the pure Worship of God which they went into the Wilderness to enjoy the Lord calls upon them seriously and throughly to examine themselves what it was that drew them into the Wilderness and to consider that it was not the expectation of ludicrous levity nor of Courtly pomp and delicacy but of the free and clear dispensation of the Gospel and Kingdome of God Our Saviour knowing that the people had lost their first love and singular affection to the revelation of his grace by the Ministry of his Herauld John He is very intense in examining them what expectation drew them into the Wilderness He doth not once nor twice but thrice propound that Question What went ye out into the Wilderness to see Yea in particular he enquires whether it were to see a man that was like to a Reed shaken with the wind or whether it were to see a man clothed like a Courtier or whether it were to see a Prophet and then determines the Question concluding that it was to see a great and excellent Prophet and that had not they seen rare and admirable things in him they would never have gone out into the Wilderness unto him The Reason is Because the serious consideration of the inestimable grace and mercy of God in the free and clear dispensation of the Gospel and Kingdome of God is a special means to convince men of their folly and perverseness in undervaluing the same and a sanctified remedy to recover their affections thereunto The Lord foreseeing the defection of Israel after Moses his death commands him to write that Prophetical Song recorded in Deut. 32. as a Testimony against them wherein the chief remedy which he prescribes for the prevention and healing of their Apostacy is their calling to remembrance Gods great and signal love in manifesting himself to them in the Wilderness in conducting them safely and mercifully and giving them possession of their promised Inheritance ver 7 14. And when Israel was apostatized and fallen the Lord to convince them of their ingratitude and folly brings to their remembrance his deliverance of them out of Egypt his leading them through the Wilderness for the space of forty years and not onely giving them possession of their Enemies Land but also raising up even of their own Sons Prophets faithful and eminent Ministers and of their young men Nazarites who being separated from worldly delights and encumbrances were Paterns of Purity and Holiness all which were great and obliging mercies Yea the Lord appeals to their own Consciences whether these his favours were not real and signal Amos 2. 10 11. The Prophet Jeremiah that he might reduce the people from their backslidings cries in the ears of Jerusalem with earnestness and boldness declaring unto them that the Lord remembred how well they stood affected towards him when he first chose them to be his people and espoused them to himself how they followed him in the Wilderness and kept close to him in their long and wearisome passage through the uncultured Desert how they were then consecrated to God and set apart for his Worship and Service as the first-fruits are wont to be sequestred and devoted to God and thereupon expostulates with them for their forsaking the Lord and following after their Idols Jer. 2. 2 3 5 6. Surely our Saviour's Dialogism with his Hearers in my Text is not a meer Rhetorical Elegancy to adorn his Testimony concerning John but a clear and strong conviction of their folly in slighting and despising that which they sometime so highly pretended unto and a wholesome admonition and direction how to recover their primitive affection to his Doctrine and Administration VSE I. Of solemn and serious Enquiry to us all in this general Assembly Whether we have not in a great measure forgotten our Errand into the Wilderness You have solemnly professed before God Angels and Men that the Cause of your leaving your Country Kindred and Fathers houses and transporting your selves with your Wives Little Ones and Substance over the vast Ocean into this waste and howling Wilderness was your Liberty to walk in the Faith of the Gospel with all good Conscience according to the Order of the Gospel and your enjoyment of the pure Worship of God according