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
to the word of God and his worship Some apply that which is spoken of our Saviour Christ Math. 2. Hee shall be called a Nazarene to have some reference to this vow of a Nazarite but no doubt that place hath respect meerly to the câ—tty Nazareth which is derived of Natzar that signâ—fies to keep and not of Nazar that signifies to separate so the Nazarites were separated from the vulgar sort of men to a strict course of life the Law of them is set down Num 6. which ye may read at your leisure now there were two sorts of Nazarites some limited to a certain time others were perpetuall and these latter were consecrated to the study of the word of God and trayned up thereunto from their childhood under a severe discipline and austeer course of life that at length they might be able to goe before the people of God as well by soundnes of doctrine as by the example of an holy life So that now the meaning of the text is that although Allmighty God had done great things for Judah and Israel yet this benefit exceeded all the rest that the Lord had provided a faithfull ministry not onely extrordâ—nary but such as were raysed from the posterity of his people by his blessing upon the schooles of learning and meanes of education to be separated unto God and set apart for the work of God in the salvation of mens souls Doct. It is a special blessing of God to his people when he affords and blesses the means of instruction for the education of youth to raise up some from our Children and young men and to fit them for the work of the Ministry It is a blessing of God for he saith I raised up no creature alone can do it it is a special blessing more then deliverance from any outward enemyes as tâ—e Amorites and the Câ—nanites were for they had but an 〈◊〉 of flesh but here are spiritual wickednesses that be vanquished it is greater then the deliverance out of Egipt for many that were delivered from thence afterwards perished â—ude 5. It is a greater mercy then the Lord shewed to his people in leading them through the wilderness forty yeares though herein there was the angel of Gods presence that went before them in the pillar of cloud and fire that directed them and kept them in all their way yet neither was that mercy comparable to that in the text for that was mainly an outward help for notwithstanding that there were six hundred thousand of them whose carcasses fell in the wilderness but in this spirituall mercy Eternall destruction is prevented this therfore exceeds all the rest and there is an other kind of the Lords presence walking in the midst of the golden candlesticks which brings us to spirituall everlasting peace and mercy in the ministry of Gods servuants For the further proof of this ye may observe that the Lord much stands upon this on all occations as the greatest savour in sending of his prophets and ministers and messingers unto his people as 2 Chron 36.15 The Lord God of your fathers sent unto you by his messingers rising-up early sending them when as Gods ministers rise up betimes then God himselfe is said to rise up betimes God will not sâ—eep when his ministers wakeâ— â— why did the Lord thus arise and send because he had compassion on his people and on his habitation because of the bowels of his pitty and compassion on the poor souls of his people so Jer 3.15 when he promises to give pastours after his own heart to feed them with knowledg and understanding upon their unfeâ—ned repentance yea this is such a mercy that it may comfort the hearts of Gods people whatsoever their afflictions bee as the Lord saith Isai 30.20 though I feed them with the bread of affliction and give them the water of affliction to drink yet their eyes shall see their teachers and their teachers shall not be removed into a corner any more as if he had said though your aflictions are heavy yet this shall be a mitigation of them that you shall have faithfull teachers to instruct you still this will surely mitigate and lighten all other afflictions yea this will lift up Gods people above all their afflictions will lift them up to heaven as it is spoken of Capernaum Mat. 11. and observable is that of Paul Rom. 15.29 I know that when I come unto you I shall come in the fulness of the â—lâ—ssings of the G spâ—ll ye see that there is a fulness of blessings in the preaching of the Gospell they are but shallow blessings in comparisson that we have in outward thing But now when the Lord raised up our sonns young men to be our prophets and ministers the blessing is greatly increased ye may remember how mervellâ—â—â—ly Zaâ—harias was affected Luke 1 â—7 when it was revealed to him by the angel that he should have a sonn that should turn many of the children of Israell to the Lord their God that is that he should serve him in the work of the ministry and should come in the spirit and power of Elias what joy and gladnes he was filled with all and brake forth into that heauenly song of prayses unto the Lord and next unto the mercy of God in Christ he prayses him for John Baptist and saith verse 76. Thou child shalt be called the Prophet of the highest for thou shalt goe before the face of the Lord to prepare his wayes to give knowledg of salvation to his people by the remission of their sinns this was the great argument of his prayses not only that John Baptist should be a Prophet and should give knowledg of salvation to Gods people but that his child should serve God in so high and heavenly a calling so great an imploiment so it was granted for a great blessing that the Lord promised to Phinehas Numb 25.13 he shall have he his seed after him even the covenant of an everlasting priesthood because he was zealous for his God and made an atonement for the children of Israel if the Lord had not accounted this a great mercy he would never have given it as a reward to his faithfull servant neither on the contrary would the Lord have laid this as an heavy judgment on Elies house that he cut them off from his altar that is be deprived them utterly from the office of the Priesthood which afterwards the Lord did when he cut off by the hands of Saul Nob the Citty of the Priests Thus the Point is sufficiently cleered by scripture Reason 1. This must needs be a great blessing Because the ministry is purchased at so high a rate and the business was so great to set it up now the providing of an able and faithfull ministry cost much and it was a mighty busynes to set it up Ephe. 4.8 Christ ascended up on high and led captivity captive gave gifts unto men first
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.