John been a rare and excellent Minister of God you would never have gone out of your Cities into the desert to have seen him Thus our Saviour sets forth another of John's admirable excellencies viz. his Prophetical Office and Function John was not an ordinary Interpreter of the Law much less a Teacher of Jewish Traditions but a Prophet one who by the extraordinary Inspiration of the holy Ghost made known the Mysteries of Salvation Luke 1. 76 77. Lastly our Saviour determines and concludes the Question He whom ye went out to see was more then a Prophet 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 much more or abundantly more then a Prophet This he confirms by his wonted Asseveration Yea I say unto you and much more then a Prophet How was John much more then a Prophet John was Christs Herauld sent immediately before his face to proclaim his Coming and Kingdome and prepare the people for the reception of him by the Baptism of Repentance ver 10. Hence it follows ver 11. Among all that are born of women there hath not risen a greater Prophet then John John was greater then any of the Prophets that were before him not in respect of his personal graces and virtues for who shall perswade us that he excelled Abraham in the grace of Faith who was the father of the faithful or Moses in Meekness who was the meekest man on earth or David in Faithfulness who was a man after Gods own heart or Solomon in Wisdome who was the wisest man that ever was or shall be but in respect of the manner of his dispensation All the Prophets foretold Christs Coming his Sufferings and Glory but the Baptist was his Harbinger and Forerunner that bare the Sword before him Proclaimed his Presence and made room for him in the hearts of the people All the Prophets saw Christ afar off but the Baptist saw him present baptized him and applied the Types to him personally Behold the Lamb of God He saw and bare record that this is the Son of God Joh. 1. 29 34. But he that is least in the Kingdome of Heaven is greater then John The least Prophet in the Kingdome of Heaven i. e. the least Minister of the Gospel since Christ's Ascension is greater then John not in respect of the measure of his personal gifts nor in respect of the manner of his Calling but in respect of the Object of his Ministry Christ on the Throne having finished the work of our Redemption and in respect of the degree of the revelation of Christ which is far more clear and full John shewed Christ in the flesh and pointed to him with his finger but the Ministers of the Gospel declare that he hath done and suffered all things necessary to our Salvation and is risen again and set down at the right hand of God Doct. Such as have sometime left their pleasant Cities and Habitations to enjoy the pure Worship of God in a Wilderness are apt in time to abate and cool in their affection thereunto but then the Lord calls upon them seriously and throughly to examine themselves what it was that drew them into the Wilderness and to consider that it was not the expectation of ludicrous levity nor of Courtly pomp and delicacy but of the free and clear dispensation of the Gospel and Kingdome of God This Doctrine consists of two distinct Branches let me open them severally Branch 1. Such as have sometime left their pleasant Cities and Habitations to enjoy the pure Worship of God in a Wilderness are apt in time to abate and cool in their affection thereunto To what purpose did the Children of Israel leave their Cities and Houses in Egypt and go forth into the Wilderness was it not to hold a Feast to the Lord and to sacrifice to the God of their fathers That was the onely reason which they gave of their motion to Pharaoh Exod. 5. 1 3. but how soon did they forget their Errand into the Wilderness and corrupt themselves in their own Inventions within a few moneths after their coming out of Egypt they make a Calf in Horeb and worship the molten Image and change their glory into the similitude of an Ox that eateth grass Psal 106. 19 20. Exod. 32. 7 8. yea for the space of forty years in the Wilderness while they pretended to Sacrifice to the Lord they indeed worshipped the Stars and the Host of Heaven and together with the Lords Tabernacle carried about with them the Tabernacle of Moloch Amos 5. 25 26. Acts 7. 42 43. And how did they spend their time in the Wilderness but in tempting God and in murmuring against their godly and faithful Teachers and Rulers Moses and Aaron Psal 95 8. To what purpose did the Children of the Captivity upon Cyrus his Proclamation leave their Houses which they had built and their Vineyards and Oliveyards which they had planted in the Province of Babylon and return to Judea and Jerusalem which were now become a Wilderness was it not that they might build the House of God at Jerusalem and set up the Temple-worship But how shamefully did they neglect that great and honourable Work for the space of above forty years They pretended that Gods time was not come to build his House because of the rubs and obstructions which they met with whereas all their difficulties and discouragements hindred not their building of stately houses for themselves Hag. 1. 2 3 4. To what purpose did Jerusalem 〈…〉 ll Judea all the region round about Jordan leave their several Cities and Habitations and flock into the Wilderness of Judea was it not to see that burning and shining light which God had raise◠up To hear his heavenly Doctrine and partake of that new Sacrament which he administred O how they were affected with his rare and excellent gifts with his clear lively and powerful Ministry The Kingdome of Heaven pressed in upon them with a holy violence and the violent the zealous and affectionate hearers of the Gospel took it by force Mat. 11. 12. Luk. 16. 16. They leapt over all discouragements and impediments whether outward as Legal Rites and Ceremonies or inward the sense of their own sin and unworthiness and pressed into the Kingdome of God as men rush into a Theatre to see a pleasant Sight or as Souldiers run into a besieged City to take the Spoil thereof but their hot fit is soon over their affection lasted but for an hour i. e. a short season Joh. 5. 35. Reas 1. Because the affection of many to the Ministry of the Gospel and the pure Worship of God is built upon temporary and transitory grounds as the novelty and strangeness of the matter the rarerness and excellency of Ministerial Gifts the voice of the people the countenance of great men and the hope of worldly advantage The Jews had lien in ignorance and darkness a long time being trained up under the superstitious observances of their old Praditions which were vain empty
A BRIEF RECOGNITION OF NEW-ENGLANDS ERRAND INTO THE Wilderness Made in the Audience of the General Assembly of the Massachusets Colony at Boston in N. E. on the 11 th of the third Moneth 1670. being the DAY of ELECTION THERE By Samuel Danforth Pastor of the Church of Christ in Roxbury in N. E. Jer. 2. 2. Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem saying Thus saith the Lord I remember thee the kindness of thy youth the love of thine espousals when thou wentest after me in the Wilderness in a Land that was not sown 3. Israel was Holiness unto the Lord and the first-fruits of his increase 5. Thus saith the Lord What iniquity have your fathers found in me that they are gone far from me and have walked after vanity and are become vain CAMBRIDGE Printed by S. G. and M. J. 1671. Christian Reader A Word spoken in due season saith Solomon how good is it Prov. 15. 23. And again A word fitey spoken is like Apples of gold in pictures of silver Chap. 25. 11. Such were the words of our Lord Jesus who accommodating himself to the way of Doctrine used by those Eastern Nations did by Parabolical discourses delight to breathe forth the deep Mysteries of divine and heavenly Wisdome And how plain but pungent his Sermons were how perspicuous yet unspeakably profound were those Oracles which flowed out of his lips of grace none are ignorant who are not unacquainted with what the holy Evangelists do harmoniously relate concerning him No more excellent Patern then the Lord Jesus for the Ministry of the New Testament to imitate And of all the words of the Sacred Scripture though all are of equal Authority as being of the Canon yet none seem to have a more eminent immediation of Heart-commanding virtue then those which proceeded directly out of the mouth of the Lord himself whereof this Text is one upon which the following Sermon is spent And how much of the Spirit of our Saviour appears therein I need not say and which perhaps will not at the first dash be discerned by the ordinary or cursory Reader but Wisdome is justified of her children The seasonableness and suitableness of this Work which is now in thine hand unto our present Wilderness-state will commend it self unto the judicious Christian whose heart doth indeed travel with the labouring Interest of the Kingdome of our Lord Jesus in these Ends of the Earth The Text carrying with it so much heavenly argumentation being so profitable for Doctrine for Reproof for Correction for Instruction in righteousness as though intended by our Lord Jesus for such a Day as that whereon this Sermon was Preached and also before such an Auditory Whose applauds the former will not disapprove the latter the Reverend Author thereof observing therein the Saying of that Apostolick Man of God and very judicious in his Advice to younger Ministers about such matters his most Reverend Father of blessed Memory Mr. Wilson viz. That he delighted in such a Sermon wherein the Preacher kept close unto his Text and the proper scope thereof and wandered not from it by needless excursions and impertinent enlargements The loss of first love first to Christ and so to the Subjects and Order of his Kingdome being a Radical Disease too tremendously growing upon so great a part of the Body of Professors in this Land unto a Laodicean lukewarmness in the matters of God notwithstanding the signal and unparallel Experiences of the blessing of God upon this people a people so often saved by the Lord in the way of Moses and Aaron's meeting and kissing one another in the Mount of God and the observation of that Declension justly calling for so meet an Antidote and faithful Caution as is the ensuing Sermon 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 unto such to review and consider in earnest their Errand into this Wilderness and the recovery of their affections to the Name of Christ in the chastity vigour and fervour thereof by a thorough-Reformation of things in the Matters of his Worship being a special duty in this hour of Temptation incumbent as on the Magistracy in their Sphere so on the Ministry in theirs whereby they may declare themselves loyal to Christ in their Generation-work hath no doubt inclined the heart of this Servant of his to yield unto the Perswasions of divers that these his Meditations might be published and so through the blessing of God advance that desired Reformation It is not a loose Toleration nor a rigid Independent-Separation but an holy and brotherly Reformation which all should in such an hour be endeavouring And how perillous a Sceptical Indifferency or a Reed like Vacillation much more wilful Opposition to the Doctrine and Way of the first Fathers and Founders of this Colony in Matters of Religion would be were it onely in those two Points about the Magistrates Coercive Power in Matters of Religion contrary to that Toleration aforesaid and about Communion of Churches in Synods c. described also by them from the Word of God in the Platform of Discipline contrary to that Independent-Separation aforesaid will be evident to those that understand what these things mean scil 1. Quod liberi sunt Spirituales a jugo-potestatis secularis and 2. Quod Ecclesia non potest errare It is said I remember Josh 24. 31. that Israel served the Lord all the dayes of Joshua and all the dayes of the Elders that out-lived Joshua and which had known all the works of the Lord that he had done for Israel It is much to Israels advantage in the service of God when the Lord graciously continues those who are acquainted with the First Wayes of such a people as hath been Holiness to the Lord and with the First Works of the Lord in his laying the Foundation of that Glory which might dwell in their Land And it is recorded Exod. 1. 8. as an inlet to Israels calamitious state in that place where the Lord had greatly multiplied and blessed them that there aroâ—e up a New King which knew not Joseph When Joseph or Joshua are unknown or forgotten and the Work and Way of God in leading his people by the hand of Moses and Aaron in their primitive Glory not understood or not minded by these or those how fearfully ominous to Israel must it needs be and how necessitating the affectionate repetition again and again of that expostulatory sad Interrogation of our Saviour But what went ye out into the Wilderness to see and should there arise such another Generation as is mentioned Judg. 2. 11. after our Fathers are removed to rest from the Warfare of the service of the Tabernacle of God in their Generation as should not know the Lord nor regard the works which he hath done for our Israel what may be expected but that as the following Context shews the anger of the Lord should wax hot against Israel and that he deliver us also into the hand of spoilers c. Strangers to the FIRST
and unprofitable Customes and the Church wanted the gift of Prophecy about four hundred years and therefore when John the Baptist arose like a bright and burning light shining amongst them with admirable gifts of the Spirit and extraordinary severity and gravity of manners proclaiming the Coming and Kingdome of the Messias which had been oft promised and long expected and pressing the people to Repentance and good works O how they admire and reverence him especially when grown popular and countenanced by Herod the Tetrarch What sweet affections are kindled what great expectations are raised what ravishing joy is conceived Hoping as its probable to make use of his Authority to cast off the Roman yoke and recover their Civil Liberties Riches and Honours But after a little acquaintance with John for he was a publick Preacher but a year and half his Doctrine Administrations and Prophetical Gifts grew common and stale things and of little esteem with them especially when they saw their carnal hopes frustrated the Rulers disaffected and Herods countenance and carriage toward him changed Reas 2. Because Prejudices and Offences are apt to arise in the hearts of many against the faithful Dispensers of the Gospel The Pharisees and Lawyers came among others to the Baptism of John but when they hear his sharp reprehensions of their Viperous Opinions and Practices they nauseate his Doctrine repudiate his Baptism calumniate his Conversation Luke 7. 30. Herodiaes hath an inward grudge and a quarrel against him because he found fault with her incestuous Marriage Mar. 6. 19. Yea that very Age and Generation of the Jews were like to a company of surly sullen and froward children whom no Musick can please they neither dance after the Pipe nor make lamentation after the mourner They inveigh against John's austerity saying that he was transported with diabolical fury and was an enemy to humane society and they do as much distaste and abhor Christ's gentleness and familiarity traducing him as being a sensual and voluptuous person given to intemperance and luxury and a Patron and Abettor of looseness and profaneness Mat. 11. 16 19. Thus doth the frowardness and stubbornness of man resist and oppose the wisdome and goodness of God who useth various waves and instruments to compass poor sinners but they throught their folly and perverseness frustrate disanul and abrogate the counsel of God against themselves The evil spirit that troubled Saul was quieted and allayed by the sweet Melody of David's Harp but the mad and outragious fury that transports men against the Truth and the Ministry thereof cannot be quieted and allayed by the voice of the Charmers charm they never so wisely Branch II. When men abate and cool in their affection to the pure Worship of God which they went into the Wilderness to enjoy the Lord calls upon them seriously and throughly to examine themselves what it was that drew them into the Wilderness and to consider that it was not the expectation of ludicrous levity nor of Courtly pomp and delicacy but of the free and clear dispensation of the Gospel and Kingdome of God Our Saviour knowing that the people had lost their first love and singular affection to the revelation of his grace by the Ministry of his Herauld John He is very intense in examining them what expectation drew them into the Wilderness He doth not once nor twice but thrice propound that Question What went ye out into the Wilderness to see Yea in particular he enquires whether it were to see a man that was like to a Reed shaken with the wind or whether it were to see a man clothed like a Courtier or whether it were to see a Prophet and then determines the Question concluding that it was to see a great and excellent Prophet and that had not they seen rare and admirable things in him they would never have gone out into the Wilderness unto him The Reason is Because the serious consideration of the inestimable grace and mercy of God in the free and clear dispensation of the Gospel and Kingdome of God is a special means to convince men of their folly and perverseness in undervaluing the same and a sanctified remedy to recover their affections thereunto The Lord foreseeing the defection of Israel after Moses his death commands him to write that Prophetical Song recorded in Deut. 32. as a Testimony against them wherein the chief remedy which he prescribes for the prevention and healing of their Apostacy is their calling to remembrance Gods great and signal love in manifesting himself to them in the Wilderness in conducting them safely and mercifully and giving them possession of their promised Inheritance ver 7 14. And when Israel was apostatized and fallen the Lord to convince them of their ingratitude and folly brings to their remembrance his deliverance of them out of Egypt his leading them through the Wilderness for the space of forty years and not onely giving them possession of their Enemies Land but also raising up even of their own Sons Prophets faithful and eminent Ministers and of their young men Nazarites who being separated from worldly delights and encumbrances were Paterns of Purity and Holiness all which were great and obliging mercies Yea the Lord appeals to their own Consciences whether these his favours were not real and signal Amos 2. 10 11. The Prophet Jeremiah that he might reduce the people from their backslidings cries in the ears of Jerusalem with earnestness and boldness declaring unto them that the Lord remembred how well they stood affected towards him when he first chose them to be his people and espoused them to himself how they followed him in the Wilderness and kept close to him in their long and wearisome passage through the uncultured Desert how they were then consecrated to God and set apart for his Worship and Service as the first-fruits are wont to be sequestred and devoted to God and thereupon expostulates with them for their forsaking the Lord and following after their Idols Jer. 2. 2 3 5 6. Surely our Saviour's Dialogism with his Hearers in my Text is not a meer Rhetorical Elegancy to adorn his Testimony concerning John but a clear and strong conviction of their folly in slighting and despising that which they sometime so highly pretended unto and a wholesome admonition and direction how to recover their primitive affection to his Doctrine and Administration VSE I. Of solemn and serious Enquiry to us all in this general Assembly Whether we have not in a great measure forgotten our Errand into the Wilderness You have solemnly professed before God Angels and Men that the Cause of your leaving your Country Kindred and Fathers houses and transporting your selves with your Wives Little Ones and Substance over the vast Ocean into this waste and howling Wilderness was your Liberty to walk in the Faith of the Gospel with all good Conscience according to the Order of the Gospel and your enjoyment of the pure Worship of God according