that Christ must not only descend into the lower parts of the earth but he must ascend into heaven farr above all principallityes and powers 2. He must lead captivity captive that is over sin sathan and what soever had led us away captive to do this if all the powers of darknes could binder it there should never haue been a faithfull ministry set up therfore Christ must captivate all these for this end this sheweth the blessing to be exceeding great that so great a means was requisite for the procuring of it Reason 2. There is in the same place annexed an other reason to prove the greatness of this blessing taken from the excellency of the end of it ver 11.12 He gave some Apostles and some Prophets some Evangelists and some Pastours and Teachers for the perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry â—nd for the â—â—â—fying of the body of Chrâ—sâ— as if he had said that this â—â—â—â—fit is of so great a necessity that it concerns both the gathering and building up and the eternall salvation of the elect Object it will be said that this was but for â— short â—ime that the Apostles and Prophets and Evangelists did continue Answ But we have the writings of the Apostles Prophets and Evangelists to the end and we must have Ordinary ministers Pastours and Teachers till we all come into the unity of the faith and the knowledg of the Son of God unto a perfect man unto the measure of the stature of the fuiness of Christ that is to the end of the world and the consuÌ„mation of all things and therefore it is an hellish delusion to conceive that the ministry should be lost quite and dissanulled by Antichristian superstition for this assertion doth plainly annihilate both the Church and saints and any farther salvation of any souls which were impious to conceive Reas 3. I may reason from the difficulty of the work the calling of the Prophets Nazerites it is a very high dignity for our sons young men to be advanced unto it is such a dignity as God only can bestow and such as they be raised up by God himself unto it the Prophet is the name of Seers 1 Sam 9.9 they have better eyes then other men they are the men of God as the mountains of God and Cedars of God are so called by way of excellency the persons that have more of God in them then other men they are neeâ—st unto God â—â—vit 10.3 and they bring others also neerer unto God Yea the calling of a Prophet is such an honour as that title was given to the Lord Jesus Christ himself Deut 18.18 So the Galathians received Paul as Jesus Christ himself Gal. 4.14 Likewise to be a Nazarite is a mighty dignity for our sonns and young men to be separated to the Lord sanctified for his service is no small preferment they are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by the Septuagents Lam 4.7 her Nazarites were whiter then snow purer then milke more ruddy in body then Rubyes their pollâ—shing was of Saphire that is they were the most beautifull persons in the sight of God of all others this is a mighty excellency therefore the blessing must needs be great Reason 4. It is an invaluable mercy for Parents and old men that their children young men are thus qualified dignified it is a singular blessing to have a gracious child 3 John 4. J have no greater joy then to hear that my children walk in the Truth greatest joyes are fruits of the greatest blessings possessed by us It is the first of Solomons Proverbs Chap 10.1 A wise Son maketh a glad Father but to have a child that will make others wise is a farr greater joy to a parent Dan 12.3 They that make others wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament and they that turn many to righteousness as the Starrs for ever and ever So what a joy is it for the aged to see godly young ones growing up that the Lord gives us hope of future generations Jsay 58.12 They that shall be of thee shall build up the old wast places and thou shalt rayse up the foundations of many generations c It is more when they do these great things that shall be of us viz of our own posterity but next it is comfortable when as the younger sort are hopefull and promising that the Lord gives us to conclude that the future harvest is great when he sends forth already so many labourers Vse 1. It is a ground of just double reproof 1. Of our great unthankfulness unto God that hath bestowed this great mercy upon N-England and let it be considered how it hath been generally entertained by the Country I may speak unto you Men Brethren and Fathers in the language of Samuel 1 Sam 12.7 stand still that I may reason with you before the Lord of all the righteous acts of the Lord which he did to you to your fathers and then he telleth them of the Lords sending of Moses Aaron and bringing them out of the land of Egipt by the hand of these his servants So I might relate unto you what the Lord hath done for this Country in providing and sending hither a faithfull sound and able Ministry to them that he hath also in great part graciously preserved and continued unto them and as if this had been too little he hath added this in raysing up of our sons to be Prophets c he hath wonderfully erected Schools of learning and meanes of education for our children that there might be continually some comfortable supply succession in the Ministry Is it not so O ye people of God in New-England If it hath been so and be so still in a good measure then let me testifie against you in the Lords name for great unthankfulnes to the Lord for so great a mercy Now there be several degrees of this unthankfulnes As 1. To pass by a mercy without any serious acknowledgment thereof as the Lord complaines Hosea 2.8 thou hast not known or acknowledged that I gave thee thy corn thy wine and oyl c 2. To slight any mercy of the Lord as the Israelites did also Num. 11.6 Our soul said they is even dryed up there is nothing but this Manna before our eyes c 3. To deny any mercy of God as they did Numb 14.3 they did not account it a mercy that the Lord brought them out of Egypt 4. To account blessings for curses as they at another time Deut 1.27 Becausâ— the Lord hated us he hath brought us into the wilderness to destroy us 5. When as we abuse Gods blessings to sin so much the more against the Lord as the same people did Hosea 10.1 according to the multitude of his fruit he hath increased the Altaâ—s according to the goodness of his land they have made goodly images Now all this unthankfulnes is found in many and in some
GODS MERCY SHEWED TO HIS PEOPLE IN GIVING THEM A FAITHFUL MINISTRY AND SCHOOLES OF LEARNING FOR THE CONTINUAL SUPPLYES THEROF Delivered in a Sermon preached at Cambridg the day after the Commencement by Charles Chauncy B. D President of HARVARD Colledg in New-England Published with some additions therunto at the request of diverse Honoured and much Respected friends For publick benefit as they judged 1 Thes 5.12 We beseech you brethren to know them that labour amongst you are over you in the Lord and esteem them very highly in Love for their works sake Printed by Samuel Green at CAMBRIDG in New-England 1655. TO THE HONOURED GOVERNOVR OF THE MASSACHUSETS JOHN ENDICOTT Esq TOGETHER WITH THE DEPUTY GOVERNOUR RICH. BELLINGHAM Esq AND THE REST OF THE HONOURED BENCH AS ALSO TO ALL THE BOVNTIFVL BENEFACTORS OF THE COLLEDG SERVIVING AND TO ALL THE FAVOVRERS AND TRUE WELL-WISHERS TO THE FAITHFULL MINISTRY AND SCHOOLS OF LEARNING CH. CH. Wisheth increase of Grace and prosperity as their Soules prosper Amos. 2.11 And I raysed up of your Sonns for Prophets and of your Young men for Nazarits is it â—ot so O ye children of Israel saith the LORD THE Spirit of GOD by the Prophet Amos seemes to agravate the sins of Judah and Israel mentioned from vers 4 9. by calling to remembrance the mercyes bestowed upon them And four mercyes especially are here mentioned 1. The destruction of the Amorite before them under whom â—â—re comprehended all the Canaanites which mercy is amplyfied two wayes 1. by the mighty stature and strength of this people that their height was like the height of Cedar and he was strong as the Oaks 2. by their utter destruction yet I destroyed his fruit from above and his roots from beneath we gather the fruit of trees many times yet the tree stands many a year and bears new fruits so the Lord doth impoverish a people and suffer all their cattle and substance to be taken away or plundred by their enemies which doe afterwards recover themselves and flourish again but when a tree is rooted up there is no more hope of it thus did the Lord pluck up the Amorites by the roots notwithstanding their cedar-like talness strength as heart of Oak this is the first mercy mentioned 2. The Lord telleth them of their deliverance out of Egypt verse 10. which the Lord often insists upon 3. Of their safe conduct through the wilderness fourty years together and these were three great blessings yet they were but temporall but the next and last passeth all the rest and is spirituall 4. I raysed up of your Sâ—ns c. this is that blessing that is now to be spoken of There be two generall parts of the text 1. A description of the spirituall benefit bestowed in the first wordâ— I raysed up of your Sons c 2. A testificatioÌ„ that such a benefit was bestowed in the last words â—s it not so O ye children of Israel saith the Lord In the description we may note 1. The cause and author of this benefit â—â—he Lord 2. The manner of working 〈…〉 up 3. The benefit and effâ—ct it sâ—lf Prophets and Nazaâ—â—ts amplified by the persons that were so raised up 〈◊〉 Sons aâ—◠〈◊〉 â—â—â—â—â—men 2. For the test ficâ—â—â—on it is set down in the form of a qâ—estion wherin note 1. who makes the question 1. the Lord. 2. the persons to whom the question is made the people of Israel 3 the intent and meaning of the question which is a strong vehement asseveration for the meaning of is it not so is that it is certainly so Now to open the meaning of the words And I that destroyed the Amorites c it was the self same person and power that raised up these Prophets among you Raised up word for word I made them to arise I made Prophets to arise from among your Sonns or I made them to be such in this sence the word is used Deut 34.10 there arose not a Prophet since in Israel like unto Moses and among them that were of Women there arose not a greater then John the Baptist so then here I raised up viz I made them to be Prophets I raised them out of low conditioÌ„ as if I had raised them out of the dust I have raised up of your Sonns or from among your Sonns that is some of your Sons saith Mercer if they were Prophets though strangers it were no small mercy but to raâ—se them up from among your sonns such as came forth out of your own loynes as Samuel and Jeremiah were this farâ— exceeds the other For Prophets not onely to foretel things to come but faithfully teach instruct you for there were two sorts of the Prophets in these times of the old Testament 1. such as were taught in schooles as Samuel under the Discipline of other Prophets such were usually called the sonns of the Prophets 2 Kings 4.1 6.1 this may appear by comparing together 2 Kings 2.12 vers 3. of the same chapter vers 12. Elishah said my father my father the chariots of Israell and the horsemen therof Elijah was not Elishahs naturall father for it is said verse 3. Elijah was Elishahs maister and so he was indeed he taught him instructed him therefore the sons of Prophets were such as were trained up under the Prophets in good literature and so fitâ—d for the office of a Prophet afterwards 2. Others had their calling immediatly from God and were by him extraordinarily inspired with gifts from above as Amos. 7.14 15. Amos saâ—th I was not a Prophet nor the son of a Prophet but I was an heardsman and a gatherer of sycamore fruit that is I was not trayned up in any of the schooles of the Prophets but I had anoâ—her calling untill the Lord was pleased to advance me to the office and dignity of a Prophet vers 15. He took me as I followed the flock and said Prophecy to my people Israel both these sorts of Prophets may be understord heere both such as had there education in the schooles of the Prophets and such as were called immediatly and extraordinarily inspired God was the rayser up of them both for humane instruction is not sufficient to make any man to be a Prophet yes and no less power of God and grace is requisite to raise up your Sonns to be Prophets whatsoever their educatioÌ„ is theÌ„ where he doth inspire others immediately extraordinarily thereâ—ore where extraordianry meanes is wanting the goodness of God in blessing ordinary means must not be forgotten Of your young men it is spoken of young men emphatically for it is a mighty change that young men that are addicted to their pleasures lusts that now they should be so changed as to preach Christ to savour heavenly things and to be set apart to God To be Nazarites the Nazarites were separatiâ—i saith Mercer men separated from vulgar delights that they miâ—ht apply themselves and their study
measure some in all at this day for this great blessing of the Ministry the means of the continual success and succession therin 1. Many will not acknowledg the mercy but pass it by as a matter of litle or no worth the great blessing of a painfull Ministry is not regarded by coveteous earth-wormes neither do the schools of learning that afford oyl to the lamps come into their thoughts or language to prayse the Lord for them this is that sin reproved in Israel Jer. 2.6 Neither said they where is the Lord that brought 〈◊〉 out of the land of Egipt 2. There are others that do slight these mercys some litle good they apprehend in it to have a Minister to spend the Sabbath to baptize their children and schools to teach their children and keep them out of harmes way or teach them to write and read and cast accounts but these despise the Angels bread and account it but light stuff in comparisson of other things these are like Jeshurun Deut. 32.15 that are fatted with other contentments and do lightly esteem the rock of their salvation 3. There are others that deny this to be a mercy there be many in the country that account it their happiness to live in the wast howling wilderness without any ministry or schooles and means of education for their posterity they have much liberty they think by this want they are not troubled with strict sabbaths but they may follow their worldly bussiness at any time and their children may drudg for them at plough or hough or such like servil imployments that themselves may be eased wheras the scripture saith 2 Chron 15.3 that they that are without a teaching ministry are without the true God and without the law surely so they are that do voluntarily make choise of such a condition but thier practice about their children is litle better then the mercyless unnaturall and prophaness of the Israelites Psal 106 36. That sacrificed their sonns and their daughters unto Devils 4. Some goe so far as to account these blessings to be curses so as to say that our ministryes are antichristian and schools of learning popish and the seminaryes of wickedness loosness in the Country it is not my purpose to confute their scurrilous reproaches of the ministry which are sufficiently confuted both by the doctrine and holy conversation of Gods faithfull servants nor yet to plead for any dissolute courses or disorder that is found amongst schollers but I desire rather to mouâ—n for them and to pray that some salt may be cast into the fountain that the waters may be healed but let not whole societyes or professions be charged or blemished for the faylings or scandalous carriages of some if there be â—â—e or had been more Judases among the disciples of Christ yet let not all the rest be indighted or arraigned for the viciousness and disloyalty of others 5. Many do make wicked returns of these blessings and fearfully abuse them and seek what they can to weary out ministers to pull down schools of learning or which is all one to take away oyl from the lamps denying or withholding maintenance from them whereby they do as good as say let them tumble and fall rase them rase them to the foundations There be others that do foment and abett oppositions against Gods ministers raise factions in Churches Colledg to make havock and utter dissipation of all I might add also the poor and slender requital to speak no worse of such as have with most faithfullness and diligence served the Lord and his Churches in workes of so great importance But I will spare the inlargemeÌ„t of these things lest that I pass my bonds both of my strength and time But now how extreamly hateful to the Lord all this unthankfulness is I need not be long in shewing Deut 32.6 Do ye thus requite the Lord ye people foolish and unwise and Isay 1.2 3. Hear O heavens and give care O earth for the Lord hath spoken I have nourished brought up children and they have rebelled against me the Ox knows his owner c and Micah 6.2 3. Hear O ye mountains the Lords controversie with his people and he will plead with Israel O my people what have I done unto thee wherein have I wearied thee testifie against mee for I brought thee out of the land of Egipt and redeemed thee c this unthankfulness is that which causeth the Lord to take away his blessings from us Hosea 2.8 9. shee did not know that I gave her coin wine oyl therefore will I return and take away her corn in the time therof and wine in the season therof and will recover my wooll my flax given to cover her nakedness there is the same reason in other blessings as if the Lord should say in this case I will put out the light and take away the ministry pull down the schools of learning for this unthankfullness of yours which also the Lord hath allready done in some parts of this Country The Sâ—â—oâ—â— branch of this reproof 2. This serves to reprove whatsoever other sins Gods people do commit injoying these great mercyes look at this as an aggravation of all our sins that the Lord hath done these great things for us he hath subdued the 〈◊〉 all our enemyes Indians and others whose hight was like the hight of Cedars and they were strong as the Oaks he brought us out of the land of Egipt out of the iron furnace from many grieveous task masters from under the Prelates who set us to pick straws He lead us through this wilderness some near upon fourty years and hath strangely here provided for us now Lastly he hath raysed up of our sonns for Prophets and our young men for Nazarites surely then the Lord may justly take it unkindly at our hands that we have so exceedingly provoaked him by our many sins and as he saith for three transgressions of Judah Israel and for four I will not turn away the punishment thereof For many so he may say to us for three transgressions of New-England and for four I w ll not turn away the punishment therof And if God will not turn it away it is beyond all other power in the world to do it There be diverse sins in Israel Judah here reproved which it would not be hard to find in New England as the contempt of the Law â—n Judah that their lâ—es caused them to erre Suitably there is to be found in N-England the contempt of the word of God and his Ordinances and listening to lying books pamphlets that are brought over into the country whereby multitudes are poysoned amongst us In the Israelites he reproves these sins Their false woâ—ship ver 8. they set up false Gods and diverse Altars and turned Bethel the house of God into Bethaven the house of iniquity this sin of corrupting the worship of God is studyed by many even in
churches though not in such a gross manner as Israel did we have not such Idols as they but spiritual we have in the fields and in our houses The Apostle calls coveteousness idolatry Another sin of theirs was oppression which no doubt abounds exceedingly in this country and mark what he saith they sell the righteous for silver and he poor for a pair of shoos scarcely any commoditie can be had but for silver but suppose a poor man wants a pair of shoos or other clothes to cover his nakedness that hath no silver truely he must be fain almost to sell himself to get some mean commodities Another of their sins was that they gave thâ—r Nazarites wine to drink but here I should rather say ye give the Salvages and Indians wine strong waters truck with them for that which ye know they will â—buse to drunkenness if not to murther Lastly is is said they commanded the Prophets saying prophisie not I will not so apply it as if there amongst us any command of Authority to that purpose yea we have cause to bless God for the contrary commands endeavours also of Government amongst us but there is in too many places such cariagâ— towards the Lords Prophets and the Prophâ—ts sons that the ministry schoolâ—s of learning as was said are reproached despised impoverished if not undone Oh saith the Lord vers 13. Behold I am pressed under you as a cart is pr ssed that is full of sheaves So the Lord is pressed under such carnal Gospellours He is crushed as farr as they can by such false-hearted professours they lay all the load upon the Lord himself and no doubt but that the Lord will also d â—â—urthen himself of them and it is no mervaile if the Lord by his ministers cryes out against such wickedness in professours and saith as Isâ—y 22.1 The burthen of the valley of â—â—sion that is it is but equall if they that see more and know more then others and enjoy more means do burthen the Lord by their sins the Lord in like manner should lay upon them the heavy burthen of the threatnings of his word and the execution therof vse 2. This may serve for instruction to schollers and students 1. First to shew them what they should mainly intend study and labour for viz. that they may be Prophets and Nazarites 1. Prophets 1 Cor 12. last Covet earnestly the best gifts as goodness is the object of the will so the best things of the will rectified and what are the best things 1 Cor. 14.1 desire spirituall gif s but rather that ye may Prophecy amongst all gifts the gift of prophesying is the best and what is prophecying but 1 Cor. 14.4 speaking to edificatioÌ„ exhortation the comfort of others this is a publick a spirituall good therefore of an higher nature and most of all to be attended by you and aimed at in all your studyes It is a great matter also that the Lord takes the Prophets to be neer unto him as in the placing of the tribes in the camp of Israel Num 1.50 53. the Levites were to pitch round about the Tabernacle of Testimony where the speciall presence of the Lord was and the rest of the tribes without the Levites further off so the Prophets Levites are neerest uÌ„to the Lord which is a matter of comfort assuring them of the Lords presence assistance protection in their calling of dâ—gnity as being next unto God and imployed by him about greatest service and also of duty in strict keeping of the Lords charge and holy walking before him for which purpose remember often the Lords hand upon Hophm Phinehas the sons of Eâ—â— upon Nadab Abihu the sons of Aaron whom the Lord slew for their prophaness and said Levit. 10.3 that he would be sanctified in all those that draw neer unto him and before all the people would be glorified that is that he would punish in some remarkable manner to the view of all the scandalous and wicked carriage of any that were neer unto him in that function 2. Consider further it iâ— that ye may be Nazarites that is set apart in a peculiar manner unto the Lord or separated unto him Now there are Three things in this separation unto the Lord. 1. A Sequestratioâ— from wicked courses companys and from common things From wicked wayes companyes 2 Cor. 6.16 Be ye seperate and touâ—h nâ— unclean thing c to use the vessells of the Temple to quaff carrouse in was a Babylonish practise yea there must be a sequestration from common things as the Nazariâ—â—â— were from creatures worldly delights distra ions my meaning i that you that are add cted this way should have less to do with the world worldly delights and be less cumbred then others with the affaires of this life 2. In separation there is imployed a dedication unto the Lord things that were oâ— old separated were dedicated devoted to an holy use as the Lord speaks of the Levites Numb 16.9 The God of Israel hath separated you from the Congregation of Israel to bring you neer unto himself thus Hannah dedicated her first born unto the Lord 1. Sam 1.18 So are ye to be as persons devoted to the Lord. 3. There must be qualification with Holyness other things seperated unto the Lord as the vessels of the Sanctuary and ministry had a kind of relative holyness but in persons seperated there should be inherent holyness students especially ministers should have holyness upon their foreheads that is professed practised and visible unto all Thus you may see what it is to be a Nazarite and what ye should ayme at in your studyes 2. Hence students should be instructed how they may attain to these excellencyes how they may be had for here we see that it was the Lord himself that raised up these young ones to be Propâ—e s and Nazarites it is not either your own study or parts nor the teaching and instruction of others that can possibly rayse you up out of that dunghill wherin you ly to this degree to be true Prophets of the Lord but it is the Lord himself that must put â—â—derneath you his everlasting armes to rayse you up therefore it concernes students to be much in prayer unto the Lord dayly and duely to draw neer unto the Lord to beg of him the spirit of wisdom and revelation and a blessing upon and assistance in your studyes prayer was one of Luthers maisters and it was but reason that the priest should first offer up sacrifice for his own sins and then for the sinns of the people Hebbr 7.27 first seek God for themselves and then make intercession for others But now by the way some may object here the Example of the Nazarites that they nourished their hair they were not to suffer any raisor to come upon their heads dureng the time of their separation Numb 6 5.