our memories Of late a most divellish and never heard of treason was contrived by some Iesuited Papists to blow up the whole realme the which that it might never be forgotten in England a perpetuall holy day is inacted by act of Parliament wherein publike thankes is given to God for it One way or other such extraordinary mercies are to be imprinted in our memories A reservation of some externall relicke is not alwayes necessary there may be danger in that if some part of the Gunpowder or some of the barrels which they had layd in the vault had beene kept it would not have been so good as a solemne day every yeere for the recordation of it But alas we are all exceeding forgetfull of Gods mercies his judgments are soone forgot the terrible pestilence which at the beginning of the Kings raign swept away so many thousands is not remembred much lesse will we remember the favours and blessings of the Lord beneficia nemo ponit in calendario that is good of our own benefits but we must all put the benefits of God Almighty in the calender of our mindes for ever 2. And Aarons rod that budded The occasion was this Whereas Corah Dathan and Abiram with all that belonged to them were destroyed for their malepart dealing against Moses and Aaron the Israelites began to mutter at it came to Moses and Aaron saying ye have killed the people of the Lord Num. 16.41 whereupon a great number of them were slaine Now to the intent that this murmuring against the Priest-hood might be stayed the Lord by a lively token would make manifest to all posterity unto what an high chaire of honor he advanced it he commanded 12. rods to be taken according to the number of the 12. tribes that tribe should have the preheminence in the sanctuary whose rod budded now Aarons budded and no other therefore he and the Tribe of Levi were to bee acknowledged in spirituall matters above the rest for ever This doth signifie to us what a care the Lord hath of his sacred ministery which through the malice of Satan is ready to bee contemned in the world My people are as they that rebuke the Priest A contemptuous rebuking of Gods Ministers is a sinne of sins q. d. they cannot commit a greater offence then this they have no good successe that resist Gods Ministers Corah and his complices were swallowed up by the earth alive Ieroboams hand was dried up which hee stretched out against the Prophet Iesabel was eaten up with dogs that set her selfe against the servants of the Lord. Vzziah was smitten with a Leprosie for his contempt of the Priests Ananias and Sapphira that went about to play mocke-holy day with Saint Peter were smitten with suddaine death Therefore let us take heed how wee oppose our selves to the Ministers how wee murmure against their authority thinke or speake contemptibly of them The world may seeke to depresse Aarons rod but it shall bud and flourish in despite of them all Therefore let us have a reverent opinion of the Ministers let us esteeme them as GOD 's stewards as his Ambassadours such as are over us in the Lord. Let us submit our selves unto them and receive them with feare and trembling as the Corinthians did Titus when his Ministery is despised God is despised and hee will not put it up at our hands The third thing reserved were the Tables of the covenant The Arke is a representation of the Church which above all other things must have the Law of God in it This golden Candlesticke must hold up the Candle of the Word of God Hence it is that she is called the ground and pillar of truth not as if shee were to determine what is truth but as a pillar upholds the house so the Church the truth Then what a Church is that Church of Rome that banishes the Law that burnes up the Bible that seekes to suffocate the Truth She is no Arke but a prison of the faithfull This doth declare to us that the Law is to bee had in perpetuall remembrance Let us that be Christians not only have it in our bibles Let us not only talke of it with our tongues but let us lay it up in the Arke and closet of our hearts for ever I have hid thy Law in my heart sayes David As the two Tables of stone were laid up in the materiall Arke so let us entreat the Lord to write the tables of his Law in the fleshie tables of our heart that it may be our guide and comfort all the dayes of our life VERSE 5. WEE have heard what was in the Arke Now let us see what was over it the Cherubims of glory which are so termed because the glorious God betweene them did make answer Cirbi tanquam puer Carab they were certaine images like to little Children with faire and beautifull faces and they had wings by those were signified the Angels which are the Guardians and keepers of the Church figured by the Arke Gen. 3.24 Psalm 91.11 Capphoreth of Caphar that signifies to cover and to reconcile or pacifie the covering of the Arke where GOD by the High-Priest was pacified with the people and obtained mercie for them Therefore it is called the Mercy-seate and Christ Rom. 3.25 is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from this Mercy-seate did God speake Numb 7.89 Psalm 80.1 Of the Cherubims vid. Exod. 25.18 The Mercy-seat or covering of the Arke was a type of our Saviour Christ who covers the Church with his righteousnesse which is a propitiation for our sins The Cherubims are the Angels that minister to Christ and his Church Mat. 4.11 and an Angell comforted him in the Garden As they ministred to him when he was on the earth so they be ministring Spirits for our salvation to the worlds end As GOD spake to Moses by the mercie seate so doth he to us by Christ. 2. At the Mercy-seate God shewed himselfe to be favourable to the people so is he to us by Iesus Christ. See in what an excellent estate the true members of the Church are they have many to protect them 1. God as an Eagle doth shadow us Deut. 32.11 2. CHRIST as a Henne doth shadow us the Holy Ghost also is a father to us I will not leave you Orphanes the Angels they shadow us they are ministring spirits for our salvation they pitch their Tents about us and hold us in their hands The King of Tyrus is called the annointed Cherub Ezek. 28.14 and 16. the covering Cherub covering his people under the wing of his protection Sundry uses may be made of this 1. We that be Christians may be more couragious then any other we are better guarded then any other the wicked are guarded with the Devill and his Angels wee with the holy and mighty Angels they have the black guard we the white an armie of ten or twenty thousand men may bee with them but an army of an
bee understood of Salomon then of Christ he is the fairest among men Verse 2. Grace was in his lips he rideth on the word of truth Princes have thrones so hath CHRIST Salomons throne was but for a short time this for ever and ever What manner of kingdome administred in equity Isai. 11.3 swayed with righteousnesse there is no respect of persons with him he is just in his government he will punish the wicked comfort and defend the godly CHRISTS Scepter is a scepter of righteousnesse there is no partialitie no unjust dealing with him If his owne servants sinne he inflicts punishment on them as well as on the wicked judgement beginneth at his owne house first If a King will reforme his kingdome he must reforme his owne court first so doth CHRIST in the government of the world if they of his owne family offend he will begin with them first Moses murmured therefore hee lost the enjoying of the land of Canaan David a man after Gods owne heart committed adultery therefore his wives were deflowred before his eyes and he had like to have lost his kingdome for it Therefore let not us that be within the Walls of the Church flatter our selves in our sinnes wee may drinke c. CHRIST will be mercifull to us nay his Scepter is a Scepter of righteousnesse he must punish sinne wheresoever he findes it VERSE 9. THat the Scepter of CHRISTS kingdome is a Scepter of righteousnesse hee proves by two effects he loves righteousnesse and hates iniquitie ergo it is a Scepter of righteousnesse Hebr. It is because both are good and true The cause of good government is the grace of God and God rewardeth good government Thy God by generation Ours by creation Hath anointed thee Hereby hee is distinguished from GOD the Father as Genesis 19.24 GOD the Father anointed him in respect of his humanity With the oyle of gladnesse with the graces of the Holy Ghost which make the hearts of the faithfull glad and cheerefull to every good worke as they that were anointed in the time of the law were made the fitter to those businesses which GOD injoyned to them Further because they made CHRIST glad to powre downe those graces on his Church IESUS rejoyced in the spirit Luk. 10. We are Christs fellowes as men as members of his body and as his brethren we are anoynted touch not mine anoynted Psal. 105.15 and 2 Cor. 1.21 Wee in measure hee above measure Rom. 12.3 Io. 1.16 Io. 3.34 he is Sanctus Sanctorum Who be those that are Christs fellowes Surely the faithfull wee are his servants and fellowes too The head is above all the members of the body yet the head and members are fellowes the husband hath a superioritie over the Wife yet the man and the Wife are fellowes Christ is our Husband we by his grace and favour are his Wife therefore his fellowes the eldest Sonne and heyre to a Nobleman hath many prerogatives above the rest of his brethren yet in that they be brethren the Sonnes of one Father they are all fellowes So CHRIST our elder brother is above us yet because wee are his brethren wee may bee termed his fellowes By this oyle of gladnesse is meant nothing else save the graces of the spirit The oyntment shall teach you sayes Iohn the Holy Ghost is this oyle or oyntment Where we have many observations and instructions 1. All the oyle that we have comes from God we have no grace but it is of him the uprightnesse of Noah meekenesse of Moses zeale of Phineas sincerity of David the patience of Iob the hope of Abraham the wonderfull faith of the Centurion the knowledge of Ezra and Paul that spake with tongues more than all the courage of Peter all is of God it is he that anointed us with his holy oyle therefore let us be proud of no gift but use all in feare and trembling to the glory of the giver There is one that bestowes precious oyle on thee with that thou anointest thy face and hast a cheerefull looke thou art not to praise thy selfe but him that gave thee the oyle all our spirituall oyle comes out of Gods shop therefore let us magnifie him for all if hee anointed Christ much more us hee was anoynted with this oyle as he was man otherwise as he was God he had all fulnesse of himselfe 2. If Christ were anointed above his fellowes then his fellowes also are anointed though not in that measure hee was wee have a little Crewse full of oyle but he hath a great Pot full of it yet every Christian must have some oyle else he is a Christian in name not in deed Hence it is that we are called Christians of Christ because wee are anointed as he was but none may be called Iesuits of Iesus because there is no Saviour beside him wee may communicate with him in the name of Christ but not in the name of Iesus and if we be Christs members we must have some oyle as well as our head Saint Paul profited in the study of the law above his fellowes therefore his fellowes profited something CHRIST was annointed above us therefore wee must bee anointed too If thou hast no knowledge in the will of God no faith no zeale hope meekenesse patience thou art no Christian therefore let us intreat the LORD to anoynt us with this oyle dayly more and more 1. Oyle was a token of consecration in the time of the law Aaron and his Sonnes Saul David and all the Kings by oyle were consecrated to the Lord and set apart to an holy use Iacob powred oyle on the pillar whereof he was purposed to make an altar to the Lord. So we by this heavenly oyle of the spirit are dedicated to God as a royall Priest-hood an holy nation a peculiar people zealous of good workes 2. Oyle gives a sweet taste to the meat whereupon God commanded that on the meat offering should be powred oyle and incense oyle for the tast and incense for the smell So this spirituall oyle of Gods graces makes us a sweet and pleasant meat to the Lord the wicked he will spew out of his mouth but in us that are seasoned with the oyle of the spirit he takes singular delight 3. Oyle supples the wounds that be in a mans bodie The Samaritane powred oyle into the wounds of the man that lay halfe dead by the high way side so the oyle of the spirit supples us against the wounds of sinne a certaine perswasion being setled in our hearts of the love of God towards us in Christ. 4. Oyle makes a man nimble therefore wrastlers in all ages were wont to anoint themselves with oyle that they might bestirre their joynts the better So the graces of the spirit make us more lively in Gods service to wrastle with great alacritie with Satan and all the enemies of our salvation 5. Oyle keepes the body Soluble and is a meanes to purge it from many grosse humours
newes that such and such be gone such wise Counsellours such godly and religious common-wealths-men be gone let us in some measure grieve at it the faithfull dye and no man considers it that is not well There should not be such blockishnesse among us yet let us not be too much daunted at it let this be a castle of refuge for us to flye unto Iesus Christ our Captaine keeper and defender remaines for ever He is the same and His yeares never faile Now as the head remaines for ever so shall we that be His members our soules never dye at all but are immediately in Paradise with Christ our bodyes though they dye putrifie in the Earth and and there sleepe for a season as in beds yet they shall bee raised up at the latter day wee shall meete CHRIST in the ayre and remaine with Him for ever Let this be a singular comfort to us all VERSE 13. NOe Angell sitteth at the right hand of God CHRIST doth Ergo. That Psame 110.1 must needes bee understood of CHRIST 1 S. Peter expoundeth it of Him Acts 2.34 2 That verse 4. cannot bee applied to David he was no Priest all the Priests were according to Aaron not Melchizedec none of them were for ever 3 The Pharisees are mute when CHRIST presseth them with this testimony Matth. 22.46 Whereby it is evident that all tooke it as confessed that this Psalme was meant of Christ. 1 God the Father honours Him with the title of Lord therfore He is God equall with Him 2 Hee places Him at His right hand as His equall Ergo. Til 2 Sam. 6.23 Matth. 1.21 it denotes continuationem temporis then thou shalt sit quietly with me for ever Foot-stoole that is extrema subiectio 1 Cor. 15.24 25. As Christs enemies shall be made His foot-stoole so shall ours be for His enemies are our enemies the Captaine and the Souldiers the Head and members have common enemies Wee are here the foot-stoole of the wicked but the time will come when they shall bee our foot-stoole The Israelites were the Aegyptians foot-stoole on the earth they drowned their children they oppressed them with many burdens but they shall bee their foot-stoole in heaven The wicked now for a short time may domineere over the godly they may make long furrowes on their backes put them to much slavery they may feede them with the bread and water of affliction as Achab did Micaiah they may cast them into stockes prisons and dungeons as they did Ieremiah they may spit on their faces as they did on the blessed face of our Saviour CHRIST they may rayle on them with reprochfull termes as Shimei did on David they may gibe and jest at them mocke and deride them as base Varlets did Iob whose Fathers he disdained to set with the dogges of his flockes and as impudent wretches doe now a dayes even at the Preachers and Ministers themselves stone them saw them in pieces put them to the sword and fire But let us bee of good comfort we shall one day be Lords over them they shall be our slaves and vassals yea the Lord will tread Satan and all of them under our feet and make them our very foot-stooles the gates of hell may avayle but cannot prevaile against us we shall be Conquerours yea more than Conquerours over them all This Hamans Wife her selfe could see If Mordecai be of the Iewes seede If he be a faithfull man appertaining to CHRIST thou doest but strive against the streame to set thy selfe against him be thou never so great never so mighty never so malicious thou shalt be his foot-stoole in the end let this encourage us against all enemies whatsoever VERSE 14. YEe have heard what CHRIST is Will yee know what the Angels be for their nature they be spirits yet created and finite for their office Ministers Officers Apparitours 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 publike ministers for the publike good and benefite Servants not Lord as CHRIST is sent forth at the will and commandement of an other CHRIT is sent into the world yet as a Sonne not as a servant of his owne free will not by the simple authoritie of an other as the Angels be All Angels are Ministers Some are not ministrantes some assidentes as Dionysius collecteth Dan. 7.10 They all stand about GOD expecting his pleasure to be sent by him They are principally for the elect they are occupied about the wicked as an Angell destroyed the hoast of Senacherib and slew Herod but it is for the godly their sake Psal. 34.7 Psal. 91.11.12 They minister to God as their Lord and Master to us as their fellow servants at the appointment of the Lord. Sometimes they are sent to instruct the godly in the will of God as Isaiah 6. to the Prophet in the Apocalyps to Iohn to Cornelius to the Shepheards c. Sometimes to deliver them out of danger as Lot out of Sodom Peter out of prison to carry Lazarus soule into Abrahams bosome 1. Here wee may see that the name of a Minister is an honourable name the Magistrate is a Minister the Angels are Ministers CHRIST himselfe was a Minister even the Minister of circumcision when hee lived on the earth Some prophane fellowes there be that thinke basely in their hearts and speake irreverently of the Ministers I tell you it is an Angelicall name an high and magnificent title Is it not an honourable office to serve the King or the Queene We that be the Ministers are servants to Christ the King of Kings and to his Church the Lambes Wife therefore thinke highly of us because of our office Is it a grace to the Angels to be called Ministers and shall it be a disgrace to us Nay we will glory in it and shame shall light on them that contemne the Ministers of CHRIST 2. Whose Ministers are the Angels They be our Ministers they Minister for our sakes and what be we in comparison of the Angels They are spirits we flesh and bloud they holy wee unholy they immortall we mortall they in heaven we on earth yet they be our Ministers they Minister to CHRIST as to their Lord and Master to us as to their fellow servants But what an honour is this to wretched and sinfull man that the Angels should be his Ministers As if the King should command an honourable Lord of his privy Counsel to waite on a poore man in the Country to conduct him from the Court to his owne house the Angels are of Gods Court in heaven and see his face continually Wee are sillie wormes on earth yet the Lord hath appointed them to attend on us to be our nurses to carry us in their armes that wee dash not our foot against a stone Let us praise and magnifie God that hath provided such keepers for us What is man O Lord that thou regardest him thou hast made him a little lower nay a little higher than the Angels The Angels are our Ministers but
that doe not minde the thing they looke upon their eyes are upon it but their minde is on another matter doe not you so but let your minde be wholly fixed on him look on him with the sharpe eye of your minde consider that in him All the treasures of wisdome lye hid he is a rich and plentifull Store-house in whom ye may finde all the Pearles and Iewels of wholesome doctrine in him there is salvation and in no other therefore all other teachers set aside listen to him When the Iudge of an Assises gives the charge all that be in the shire-house especially they that bee of the great Inquest consider seriously what is spoken When a Paul or Timothie standeth in the Pulpit Christ Iesus the Iudge of the whole World gives a charge by his Ministery and shall not we deeply consider it When the King makes a speech in the Parliament-house the whole House considers earnestly what he sayes CHRIST IESUS the King of Kings speakes to us in the Ministry of the Word yet few consider the excellent things that be spoken The Queene of Sheba considered Salomon well all that he spake or did Behold here is a greater than Salomon Salomon is but a foole to him Therefore let us diligently consider what he sayes If they were matters of no moment we were not to be blamed though we did not consider them but being of such weight as they bee touching the eternall salvation of our soules what mad-men be we that we consider them no better If one should talke to us of gold and silver we would consider what he sayes Christ speakes to us of that which surpasseth all the silver in the World yet we regard him not Let us consider him now that hee may consider of us hereafter when hee comes with his holy Angels VERSE 2. THEN he comes to the description of the party unto whom they must attend He describes him by two of his offices his Apostleship or Prophesie and his Priesthood As Rom. 15.8 he is called the Minister of circumcision so here an Apostle one that is sent Iohn 3.2 he was sent from God Gen. 49.10 of Shalach Shiloach Iohn 20.21 As my Father hath sent mee so c. He is an honourable Legate sent from God to us therefore let us give eare to him he is Apostolus Apostolorum the Prince of Apostles 2 The High Priest to performe all things betweene GOD and us to present our prayers to God as the High Priest did in the time of the Law and to make attonement betweene God and us by the sacrifice of himselfe on the Crosse. Pontifex pontem faciens so Christ by his passion hath made a bridge for us to goe to heaven therefore let us consider him and no other Of our profession that is of the Faith and doctrine which wee professe And if this be not a sufficient description of him in the end he names him CHRIST IESUS the annointed of God and Saviour of the world Hee is called an Apostle or a Prophet sent from GOD in opposition to Moses who was the most worthy Prophet among the Iewes and the high Priest in respect of Aaron which was the high Priest in the time of the Law The LORD IESUS is all in all therefore let us all listen to him Non quid hic aut ille dixerit sed quid Christus qui fuit ante omnes none in comparison with him none in competition against him The first argument which is first set downe simply then comparatively Hee is a faithfull Apostle or Prophet he hath delivered to us the whole counsell of God without the mixture of humane inventions therefore let us consider him To him that is to God the Father That made him that appointed him the Apostle and high Priest of us all that advanced him into this chaire of dignity 1 Sam. 12.6 Acts 2.36 He may be sayd to bee made of God in respect of his humanitie Gal. 4.4 but when the fulnesse of time was come God sent forth his Sonne made of a woman made under the Law As Moses so greatly renowned among you His fidelitie is set forth by the person to whom hee was faithfull by the place where 1 Timothy 3.15 1 Peter 2.5 The whole Church was committed to CHRIST So is it to no other He is the head of the whole Church in the time of the law and of the Gospell too Then he compareth him with Moses 1. In that wherein they were alike 2. In that wherein unlike wherein a dissimilitude betweene them As he was faithfull so was Moses in that they agree Num. 12.7 As CHRIST was faithfull in all the Church throughout the world So Moses was faithfull in all that part of Gods house which was in Israel they were both faithfull I derogate nothing from Moses let him have his due to the full Moses made the tabernacle rites sacrifices as GOD prescribed him CHRIST was faithfull delivered sound doctrine not mixed with the glosses of the Pharisees hee was faithfull to the death Fidelitie is a principall qualitie in a Minister and steward of Gods house Matth. 24.45 1 Cor. 4.2 VERSE 3. NAy in some respects hee is many degrees above Moses Moses in the estimation of the Iewes was the most rare and famous Prophet Ioh. 9.28 The Scribes and Pharisees sate in Moses chaire Matth. 16.14 None durst say hee was Moses they thought none comparable to him yet here he exalteth CHRIST above Moses that is the builder of the house is more honourable than the house CHRIST is the builder of the Church the house of GOD Moses was but the house nay a little part and parcell of the house therefore our Saviour CHRIST farre surpasseth him CHRIST is more glorious than the whole house then all in the Church of God therefore more glorious than Moses a piece of the house The reddition is more significant The builder of the house in all mens judgement is to bee preferred before the house hee is of greater estimation then the house for his wisdome wealth and power in building of it The workeman is more to be accounted of then the workemanship the potter more than the Pot. The Church is the house of the living God the principall builder of this house is our SAVIOUR CHRIST Matth. 16.18 upon this rocke I will build my Church inferiour builders under him as it were his men are the Ministers and Preachers the toole wherewith he buildeth is the Word the mortar wherewith he fastneth together the spiritual living stones in this building is faith the ground whereon this house standeth is the whole world for hee hath his chosen in all nations the time of building is this present life the wood and stones concurring in this building are all the faithfull in all ages they are all built from time to time by our Saviour Christ he built Adam Sheth Enoch and Noah before the floud Abraham Isack Iacob before the law was written Moses David Samuel
〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hebr. 6.19 In that which was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was the Altar placed now into this Porch of the Holy of Holies the High-Priest might come every day Exod. 30.7 whereas into the house it selfe he might enter but once a yeare Others that the Holy of Holies is said to have this Altar not because it was within it but it had it as a servant to minister to it As a King may bee said to have his guard though they bee not in the same Chamber where the King is But why might not this be the golden censer which Aaron took with him when he went into the Holy of Holies the which hee filled before with burning coales from the Altar that stood in the first Tabernacle as he entred into the second Levit. 16.12 The second thing which the most holy place had was the Arke of the Testament which was so called because the Law or Testament was put into it Object 1 Reg. 8.9 2 Chron. 5.10 Exod. 40.20 no commandement to put the other there As for the Pot of Manna it was commanded to be set before the Lord and it was layd up before the testimony Exod. 16.33.34 but not in the testimony And Aarons rod was laid up before the testimony not in it Num. 17.10 Sol. The greatest part of interpreters will have 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to bee referred not to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the neerest but to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Verse 3. as Verse 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is referred not to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is remotior In which Tabernacle And then there is no question to be made they were all in the Tabernacle the Pot and the Rod before the Arke and the Tables within the Arke But it seemes by the construction of the Apostle that it cannot bee so 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Verse 5. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 must needs bee referred to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Arke not the Tabernacle 2. Therefore to answer to that 1 Reg. 8.9 In Solomons time none but the Tables were in the Arke yet after the Captivity in Babylon for the better preservation of them these likewise were put into the Arke but where read we that or what warrant had they to put them in 2. The adversative particle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which the seventie use is not in the Hebrew I but that which is aequivalent is and not in the Arke Sub. anything only the two Tables of stone 3. It may be a Synecdoche Nothing worthy the speaking of in comparison of them I have none in heaven or earth but thee that is in comparison of thee but that can hardly stand 4. When the Tabernacle was made they were all put into the Arke after the Temple was erected being more spacious the Pot and the Rod were disposed of in another place and the Tables only left in the Arke for hee seemes to speake of that as of a new thing From hence the Iesuites collect the reservation and adoration of the relickes of the Saints Why may not wee reserve the Crosse some pieces of CHRIST 's Coate of the bones and garments of holy men as the Israelites did the pot of manna and Aarons rod and why may we not believe the continuance of them as well as of these The reason is apparent because they had Gods expresse commandement for their warrant which we want 2. Though they were kept yet they were not adored or worshipped as their relickes be to the great dishonour of God and robbing of his Majesty 3. All things might not be reserved according to their owne will and inventions they passed through the red Sea yet we read of no sand which they kept as a memoriall of it The three Children came out of the fire unburnt yet we never read that the garments wherewith they were in the fire were reserved as holy relikes Wee must not keepe things on our owne braine but by Gods appointment and direction if we doe they may stincke and rot as Manna did when it was kept longer then God would have it 4. These were of miraculous and extraordinary things but of every thing they make a relicke 5. These wee know to be true the most of theirs I believe are false and counterfeit They are called the tables of the Testament because they contained Gods Will and Testament See what cost was bestowed on the Tabernacle They were not of Iudas his minde he said of the box of oyntment wherefore served this waste they said not so of the Tabernacle to what purpose is this waste they contributed to it with joyfull and cheerefull hearts in so much as Moses was faine by publike Proclamation to restraine them the people brought too much Where is this zeale now in the time of the Gospell we grudge almost at all things that are bestowed on the house of God In many places an homely Communion Table wee would be ashamed to have such a one in our owne houses no decent Carpet to cover the Table withall their vessels were of Gold we cannot get silver Cups for the Table of the Lord Iesus Wee have not so much love to the Gospell as they to the Law They were more carefull in adorning the shadow than wee are of the body Our owne houses shall be glorious it makes no matter how inglorious the Lords house be Manna was a singular benefit which God bestowed on the Israelites God sent it them in the barren wildernesse when they were ready to faint it came not from the earth but from heaven our fathers did eat Manna from heaven it was Angels foode it was a type and figure of our Saviour Christ. I am the true bread that came from heaven therefore God would have a pot full of it reserved to all posterity that so great a benefit might not slip out of remembrance Wee are to keepe a register of all Gods mercies but especially of them that be rare and extraordinary In memoriall of the passage of the Arke and of the Priests and people over Iordan twelve stones were set up according to the number of the twelve tribes of Israel God will not have their departure out of Aegypt that was so miraculous to be forgotten therefore he puts it in the forefront of the decalogue I am the Lord thy God which brought thee out of the land of Aegypt out of the house of bondage The Iewes Hest. 9.17 kept that as a festivall day wherein they were delivered from the cruell plot of Haman Let the like bee practised by us let not the yeere eighty eight bee rased out of our memories wherein wee had such an unexpected victory over the Spaniards that were ready to swallow us up The time was when there was great scarcity of bread in these quarters and then God sent plenty of small fishes which were instead of bread and meate to the poore Let that be reserved in
like that Moses went in first they followed after as Iosephus writeth he as the Captaine they as Souldiers conducted by him Not by the witt devise and policie of their owne by the observation of the course of the Moone the constellation of starres or conjuction of planets but by faith Not they passed over by swimming by sayling by taking Ship c. but above art and nature they passed through They went not in a little way but passed through it Not a little shallow river but the great and deepe Sea Which by the colour might also strike a terrour into them being red as the fire terrifies men by the rednesse of it It was a corner of the Sea that parteth Arabia and Aegypt called red because the sand there was redder than in other places How not being somewhat wet at the least their feete and ancles but as if they had bin on the dry and firme land Exod. 14.22 This is adscribed to their faith At the beginning their faith was weake they cryed out like desperate persons without hope Exod. 14.11 but when they heard the promise of the Lord that he had said it when they saw the pillar of a cloud as a token of Gods presence with them when they beheld the waters driven backe by the rod of Moses then committing themselves wholly to the Lord they enter boldly into the red Sea This was a lively manifestation of their faith A weake faith at the first may prove a strong faith at the last 1 Sam. 27.1 Peter on the Sea There be three especiall things that commend their faith in it 1. That at Gods Word they would believe it hee said they should goe through the Sea they give credit to it Hath God spoken it Let us rest quietly in his word 2. The waters were on both sides on the right hand and on the left they might be in a continuall feare least they shold fall on them and overwhelme them yet through faith they go on and feare nothing 3. The Aegyptians followed them into the red Sea even there they were at their heeles this might have scared them Though we be not drowned in the Sea yet the Aegyptians may cut our throats and kill us in the Sea but through faith they likewise overcome that This was a supernaturall work if they had not had faith they could never have done it Faith is the best weapon to fight withall in all dangers the best bridge to passe over any river yea the Sea it selfe a coate of Maile in all battels All of them had not faith no doubt there were some unbelievers among them which went over for company and fashion sake for the saving of their lives they would venter with the rest but they had not a true and sound faith in the promise of God 1 Cor. 10.5 yet the fact hath the denomination of the better part There were many that believed therfore it is attributed to faith for the faithfuls sake the unfaithfull were kept from drowning The wicked in temporal blessings fare the better for the godly Every man must live eternally by his own faith but the unfaithfull in temporall blessings may fare the better for the faithfull The LORD blessed Potiphar for Iosephs sake It is like some bad ones were in the Ship some prophane Marriners wherein St. Paul sayled to Rome yet they were all preserved for Pauls sake So here the unbelieving Israelites were saved from drowning for the believers the world hates the godly and cannot abide to be in their company yet they escape many dangers for their sake This should cause them to make more of them than they doe Through faith the people went over Iordan the three Children walked in the middest of the fire Daniel continued safe in the Lions den Ionah came out of the Whales belly The nature of faith it leapeth over difficulties and followes God Through faith David said by the power of God I will leap over a wall If a man have the Kings passe-port he may passe all England over but if a man have faith he may passe all the world over through fire and water thicke and thinne Here we see that all creatures are servants to Gods Children all worke for them The Sun stood for Iosua The Starres fought for the Israelites against Sisera The fire durst not touch the three Children and here the water of the Sea is as a wall on both sides of the Israelites till they bee over If God bee with us who can be against us If the Lord of the house bee on our side will not all the serving men yea all creatures shall be on our side In the Israelites the Sea forgets her nature in the Aegyptians she exercised her nature 1. The cause of their destruction 2. The destruction it selfe Whereof the Aegyptians taking tryall why may not we passe through the Sea as well as they Why should it not give place to us as well as to them The Lord had hardened their hearts and they likewise went into the Sea Exod. 14.5 But what was the issue of it They were swallowed up by the Sea The waters turned backe on them they were all drowned not one escaped ut ne nuncius cladis domum reverteretur When the breath was out of their bodies the Sea cast up their carkasses againe and the Israelites saw them on the shoare wherby they might be the better perswaded they were dead and should trouble them no more Iosephus addeth that there fell raiâ—â— from heaven thundering and lightning The enemies of the Church may insult over it for a time as the Aegyptians made the Israelites their slaves and kept them in cruell bondage but at the lenght they shall drinke of the Cup of Gods wrath Iesabel was cast out of a window and eaten up with Dogs Herod was eaten up with wormes Sennacherib was slaine by his owne Sonnes The Aegyptians were overwhelmed in the red Sea Most of the Persecutors in Q. Maryes daies as Mr Fox reporteth came to a wretched and lamentable end Some ranne mad some stuncke above the ground while they were alive The rod may be aloft but it shall be hurled downe and cast into the fire Let this be our comfort we shall one day be conquerors over them all The Lord doth not onely meete with them but oftentimes in justice he serves them with the same sauce Iezabel spilt Naboths blood in the end her bloud was licked up with Dogs As Adonibezech had done unto 70. Kings so God rewarded him Iud. 1.7 The Aegyptians drowned the Children of Israel now they are drowned Some of the traytors that thought to have blowne us up with gun-powder were destroyed with gun-powder themselves Plutarke writeth of Hercules and Theseus that whom they sacrificed had sacrificed whom they hurled into the Sea had hurled into the Sea whom they thrust through with the Sword had thrust through with the Sword Let them take heed what tortures they put the godly unto the
profit of affliction is so great lift up the hands Manus sunt organa organorum they that be faint and of a feeble courage hang down their hands and have weake knees The knees sustaine the weight of the body he would have them to take heart to them to lift up their hands and to strengthen their knees that they may run the race set before them Runners stretch out their hands legs and knees too So must wee in this spirituall race VERSE 13. STagger not but goe firmely like stoute men make straight steps goe not awry rectos gressus facimus rectè credendo confitendo patiendo Now yee halt but ye are in the way if yee looke not to it ye may be carryed quite out of the way There is triplex obliquitas In intellectu affectu actione The people in Elias time halted betweene two opinions 1 Reg. 18.2 So some of the Hebrewes began to halt betweene two Religions Iudaisme and Christianisme The false Apostles and persecuting Iewes made them as it were to halt The ceremoniall law the Temple are of Gods institution shall we forsake them and believe in Christ crucified they that bee Christians are hated of all the world spoyled of their goods and lives too Wee will pause a little on the matter wee will consider with our selves whether it were best for us to be Christians or not This halting hee would have removed and wishes them to make straight steps to goe on manfully in the profession of the Gospell that no afflictions make them to halt As for us GOD be thanked for it we live not in the time of persecution as the Hebrewes did wee are not spoiled of our goods cast into prison constrained to flye our native Country carryed to the stake to be burnt for the name of CHRIST we have a Vertuous and Religious King that is a nursing Father to the Church yet the chastisements of the Lord are ryfe among us because wee are not bastards but Sonnes When the first borne were destroyed in Aegypt there was not one house of the Aegyptians but one dead in it There is scant one house among us but there is one sicke or afflicted in it A man can travell almost into no Country but hee shall finde a number sicke sometimes the man and Wife Children and servants downe at once Neither are they of the worser sort drunkards adulterers atheists c. but many of the better sort good professours sober godly and religious men that are thus visited Our heavenly father sees something amisse among us which causeth him to send forth his rods into so many places The Church of Corinth was an excellent Church yet St. Paul sayes for this cause namely a negligent and disorderly receiving of the Lords Supper many are weake sicke and sleepe among you The Lord sees us to bee rocked asleepe in security to bee negligent in prayer reading of Scripture comming to Church he sees the heavenly Manna of his Word the food of our soules to be loathed in all places men waxe too nise and dainty in hearing he sees the Sacraments not to be regarded men make small reckoning of these seales of faith For these causes many are weake and sicke among us yet let us not faint under these afflictions Let us lift up our hands that hang downe c. Let us consider who it is that striketh us it is the LORD said Eli c. It is not an unlucky conjunction of Planets they be not the dogge dayes which are the cause of these diseases they are not simply to be imputed to the weather or the time of the yeere It is the Lord that smiteth us and let him doe what seemeth him good Hee is our loving and mercifull Father in Christ Iesus hee will lay no more on us then hee will enable us to beare to our everlasting comfort in the end We are chastned by the Lord that wee should not bee condemned with the world Hee suffers the wicked oftentimes to live in jollity the rod of God is not upon them they are not in trouble as other men but hee Schooles his owne Children they shall seldome bee without some affliction or other least they should bee drowned in the pleasures of the world Therefore let us beare the chastisements of the LORD patiently for a short time in this life which is but a spanne long that wee may live with our heavenly Father in the life to come Hitherto he hath given a precept touching our selves how we our selves are with patience to runne the race set before us quietly enduring such chastisements as our father imposeth Now hee doth further enjoyne us to bee as trumpets to waken others to it that they may run together with us in the race of Christianity Where 1. An admonition 2. A reason for the enforcing of it Verse 18. In the admonition 1. A generall propounding of it Verse 14. 2. A particular unfolding of it In the generall propounding of it 1. The vertues commended to us peace and holinesse Then the reason for the enforcing of them of the latter especially VERSE 14. HE doth not say embrace peace when it comes to you and offers her selfe to you but though she runne away follow her lay hold on her and bring her whether she will or no. We must seeke peace instanter follow it generaliter with all prudenter in holinesse Not with some but all not with your friends alone but with your enemies too not only with them of the same Religion but with those that be of another Religion Bee at peace with their persons though not with their vices bee at peace with all what in thee lieth especially holinesse that is of absolute necessity bee not so greedy of peace that yee should forget holinesse holinesse of soule and body 1 Thes. 4.3 2 Cor. 7.1 Hereunto he inviteth us by the danger of the want of it without which no man be he never so wise learned honourable though he be a King he cannot be saved without holinesse shall see the Lord in his blessed and glorious kingdome in the life to come as a Citizen of the same kingdome Our Saviour was at peace with the Pharisees hee went to many of their houses to dinner hee was at peace with Caesar though he were a persecutor of the Church and payd tribute to him and wee may be at peace with all men throughout the wide compasse of the world with Atheists drunkards adulterers c. 1 Cor. 5.10 Yet here two cautions are to be observed 1. Wee must distinguish betweene peace and familiarity wee may bee at a generall peace even with the enemies of God but wee must not bee familiar with them There is danger in that All our delight must be on the Saints that be on the earth they must be our familiars 2. Wee may bee at peace with the persons of all but with the vices of none Bee at peace with a drunkard but not with his drunkennesse reprove that
offerebant antequam Aaron in Sacerdotium eligeretur Hier. trad Hebr. in Genesin So must wee in speciall manner bee consecrated to the Lord and as so many Nazarites serve him in holinesse and righteousnesse all the dayes of our life Israel is my first borne though all the world bee mine All the world is Gods yet wee are his first borne What an honour is this A noble man hath many sonnes the yonger may goe a begging the elder hath all the land Among us there is never a yonger brother all elder brethren and shall all have the inheritance of the Kingdome of Heaven Let us be thankefull to GOD for it Israel was his even so wee being Gods first borne are his not our owne wee are bought with a price and must glorifie God in our spirits and bodies which are his The third point is the Stabilitie of the Church which are written in Heaven Not mentioned with the tongue which soone vanishes but written Littera scripta manet hee hath written us on the palmes of his hands wee are ever in his sight GOD needs no pen paper writing tables for helpe of memorie but this is spoken for our capacitie The Senatours of Rome were called Patres Conscripti because a Register was taken of their names A Captaine sets downe the names of his souldiers in a booke So GOD Almighty to shew what account hee makes of us hath our names written Where not in water not in loose papers not in the earth where peradventure they may be blotted out but in heaven whither none of our enemies can have accesse to race out our names In what Booke are our names written not of death but of life Whose the lambes booke of life Wee are not in the hands of an Angel but of CHRIST himselfe To what end A King takes the name of one of his owne subjects to preferre him to make him a Lord c God takes our names to preferre us to a Kingdome How shall wee know whether our names be written in heaven A posteriori not à priori 2 Tim. 2.19 First the Elect know Christ Ioh. 17.3 2. They beleeve in Christ Gal. 3.26 They are plentifull in the fruits of righteousnesse by Iesus Christ they adde vertue to Faith This is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Chrys. termeth it 1 Cor. hom 3. to conclude by workes I have workes therefore I have Faith I have Faith therefore I have Christ I have Christ therefore I have heaven Tà m certus esse debes de requie de foelicitate si mandata ejus custodieris quà m certus es de perditione si ea contempseris Ob. 1. Workes may bee hypocriticall 2. uncertaine 3. imperfect But being sincere they may assure us of our salvation A ring may be imperfect not fully perfected by the skill of the Artificer it may have a crack in it yet it assures us of the love of him that gave it so imperfect workes may assure us of Gods love and of the Kingdome of Heaven too issuing from the roote of unfained Faith Therefore unfaithfull doubting is excluded Let us make our calling and election sure by good workes then an entrance shall bee ministred unto us abundantly into the everlasting Kingdome of our Lord and Saviour IESUS CHRIST Psal. 37.24 Yet wee must not dormire in utramque aurem I care not how I live I shall bee saved There may bee a Christian assurance but no unchristian securitie nusquam securitas sayes S. Bern in Psal. 15. Nec in coelo nec in paradiso nec in mundo In coelo cecidit Angelus sub praesentia Divinitatis in paradiso cecidit Adam in loco voluptatis in mundo cecidit Iudas in schola Salvatoris Let us never be high minded but feare with a reverent feare all the dayes of our lives I feare all my wayes said that holy man If you abuse this comfortable doctrine setting all at six and sevens then thou art most unsure As ye beleeve in Christ so be plentifull in the fruits of righteousnesse by Iesus Christ and as your names are in heaven and ye looke for a place in heaven so live as Cittizens of heaven live not as earth-wormes alwayes groveling on the earth but live as men of another world by having your conversation in heaven 1 Here it is as cleere as the noone-day that the Catholicke Church consists onely of the elect Notwithstanding it is an axiome with Bellarmine Non solum praedestinati sed etiam reprobi ad ecclesiam pertinent A strange position indeed as Augustine distinguishes excellently well the wicked are Paleae inter frumentum In domo Dei sed non domus Dei de bapt cont Donat. l. 7. c. 12. Cant. 4.12 CHRIST's Spouse is a Garden enclosed a Spring shut up and a Fountaine sealed up Haec intelligere non audeo nisi in sanctis justis de bapt cont Donat. lib. 6. cap. 27. It a munitur sayes Greg. ut nullus reprobus ingrediatur Ecclesia est Templum aedificatum ex diis quos facit non factus Deus Aug. Tom. 3. Enchyr. ad Laur. c. 6. p. 172. A. Our blessed Saviour affirmes of the Church Ioh. 10.3 for it is the Church of the first-borne whose names are written in Heaven 2 It is evident that the elect cannot perish Non perit filius promissionis sed filius perditionis August De corr grat l. 2. cap. 9. The third person to whom we are come is the founder and defender of the Church Who is described by his nature and office For his nature he is God for his office a Iudge The Lord chiefe Iustice of all the world God is a consuming fire Heb. 12. ult and dare we be so bold as to come to him He is ignis consumens to the wicked ignis muniens to the godly Zach. 2.5 I a wall of fire round about Ierusalem to protect her from all her enemies All are come to God secundum praesentiam Whither shall I goe from thy face Secundum potentiam his power is over all none can avoide it but we are come to him Secundum bonitatem Happy is the people that be in such a case blessed are the people whose God is the Lord. He is Dominus omnium more peculiarly he is Deus fideliū The Philistims said God is come into the Host woe be to us but we are come to God and joy with us Not onely to God as he is a Father but as he is a Iudge too yea the Iudge of all High and low rich and poore just and unjust good and bad Iren. l. 1. c. 9. writes of some called Gnostici who had their name of knowledge which affirmed they were incomprehensibilis judicii The Iudge could not catch them at the latter day But he will finde them out A Writ shall be returned reperti sunt in baliva nostra We must all appeare either ad judicium discretionis or damnationis as S. August speaketh of Absolution being severed from the Goats or