Frankincense and Myrrhe ver 9 11. In the third Chapter the Evangelist records his Baptisme in the fourth his tentations in the fifth his preaching which Chapter is like a rich mine every veine hath some gold in it There are four things in this Chapter which offer themselves to our view 1. The Preacher 2. The Pulpit 3. The Occasion 4. The Sermon 1. The Preacher 1. The Preacher Jesus Christ The best of Preachers He went up He in whom there was a combination of vertues a constellation of beauties He whose lips were not only sweet as the hony-comb but did drop as the hony-comb his words an Oracle his works a Miracle his life a Pattern his death a Sacrifice He went up into a mountain and taught Jesus Christ was every way enobled and qualified for the work of the Ministry 1. Christ was an intelligent Preacher He had the Spirit without measure John 3.34 and knew how to speak a word in due season when to humble when to comfort We cannot know all the faces of our hearers Christ knew the hearts of his hearers He understood what Doctrine would best suit with them as the husbandman can tell what sort of graine is proper for such a soyle 2. Christ was a powerful Preacher He spake with authority Matth. 7.29 He could set mens sinnes before them and show them their very hearts John 4.29 Come see a man which told me all things which ever I did That is the best Glasse not which is most richly set with Pearle but which shows the truest face Christ was a Preacher to the conscience He breathed as much zeal as eloquence he often touched upon the heart-strings What is said of Luther is more truly applicable to Christ He spake as if he had been within a man He could drive the wedge of his Doctrine in the most knotty piece He was able with his two-edged sword to pierce an heart of stone Never man spake like this man John 7.46 3. Christ was a successeful Preacher He had the Art of converting souls John 10.40 Many beleeved on him yea persons of rank and quality John 12.42 Among the chief Rulers many beleeved He who had Grace poured into his lips Psalm 45.2 could pour grace into his hearers hearts He had the Key of David in his hand and when he pleased did open the hearts of men and make way both for himself and his Doctrine to enter If he did blow the Trumpet his very enemies would come under his Banner upon his Summons none durst but surrender 4. Christ was a lawful Preacher as He had his Unction from his Father so his Mission John 8.18 The Father that sent me bears witnesse of me Christ in whom were all perfections concentred yet would be solemnly sealed and inaugurated into his Ministerial as wel as Mediatory Office if Jesus Christ would not enter upon the work of the Ministry without a Commission how absurdly impudent are they who without any warrant dare invade this holy Fuction There must be a lawful admission of men into the Ministry * Nemo in Ecclesia debet publice concionari nisi rite vocatus Austin Heb. 5.4 No man taketh this honour to himself but he that is called of God as was Aaron Our Lord Christ as he gave Apostles and Prophets which were extraordinary Ministers so Pastors and Teachers which were initiated and made in an ordinary way Ephes 4.11 and He will have a Ministry perpetuated Matth. 28.20 Lo I am with you alway even unto the end of the world Sure there is as much need of Ordination now as in Christs time and the time of the Apostles there being then extraordinary gifts in the Church which are now ceased Object 1. But why should not the Ministry lye in common Hath the Lord spoken only by Moses Num. 12.2 Why should not one preach as well as another Answ Because God who is the God of order hath made the work of the Ministry a select distinct Office from any other As in the body natural the members have a distinct office the eye is to see the hand to work you may as well say why should not the hand see as well as the eye because God hath made the distinction He hath put the visive faculty into the one and not the other So here God hath made a distinction between the work of the Ministry and other work Quest Where is this distinction Answ 1. We finde in Scripture a distinction between Pastor and People 1. Pet. 5.2 The Elders or Ministers I exhort Feed the flock of God which is among you If any one may preach by the same rule all may and then what will become of the Apostles distinction Where will the flock of God be if all be Pastors 2. God hath cut out the Minister his work which is proper for him and doth not belong to any other 1 Tim. 4.13 Give attendance to reading to exhortation to doctrine give thy self wholly to them or as it is in the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 be thou wholly in them This charge is peculiar to the Minister and doth not concern any other It is not spoken to the Tradesman that he should give himself wholly to Doctrine and Exhortation no let him look to his shop it is not spoken to the plough-man that he should give himself wholly to preaching no let him give himself to his plough It is the Ministers charge the Apostle speaks to Timothy and in him to the rest who had the hands of the Presbytery laid on them and 2 Tim. 2.15 Study to shew thy self approved a workman that needeth not to be ashamed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 rightly dividing the word of truth This is spoken peculiarly to the Minister Every one that can read the Word aright cannot divide the Word aright So that the work of the Ministry doth not lye in common it is a select peculiar work As none might touch the Arke but the Priests none may touch this Temple-office but such as are called to it Object 2. But if a man hath gifts is not this sufficient I answer no as grace is not sufficient to make a Minister so neither gifts The Scripture puts a difference between gifting and sending Rom. 10.15 How shall they preach unlesse they be sent If gifts were enough to constitute a Minister the Apostle should have said How shall they preach unlesse they be gifted but he saith Unlesse they be sent As in other callings gifts do not make a Magistrate The Attorney that pleads at Bar may have as good gifts as the Judge that sits upon the Bench but he must have a Commission before he sit as Judge If it be thus in matters Civil much more Ecclesiastical and Sacred which are as Bucer saith Maximi mementi things of the highest importance Those therefore that do usurp the Ministerial work without any special designation and appointment do discover more pride than zeale They act out of their sphere and are guilty
like an untamed Heifer which will not endure the yoke but kicks and flings or like a wilde Bull in a net Isa 51.20 Thus to a person in the state of nature Christs commands are grievous Nay to a childe of God so far as corruption prevails for he is but in part regenerate Christs Laws seem irksome the flesh cries out it cannot pray or suffer the Law in the members rebels against Christs Law only the spiritual part prevails and makes the flesh stoop to Christs injunctions A regenerate person so far as he is regenerate doth not count Gods Commandments grievous they are not a burden but a delight Divine commands are not grievous if we consider them first positively in these eight particulars 1. Positively 1. A Christian consents to Gods commands therefore they are not grievous Rom. 7.16 I◠consent to the Law that it is good What is done with consent is easie if the Virgin give her consent the Match goes on chearfully A godly man in his judgement approves of Christs Laws * Rom. 7.12 and in his will consents to them therefore they are not grievous a wicked man is under a force terror of conscience hales him to duty he is like a slave that is chained to the Gally he must work whether he will or no he is forced to pull the Rope tug at the Oare but a godly man is like a free subject that consents to his Princes Laws and obeyes out of choice as seeing the equity and rationality of them Thus a gracious heart sees that beauty and equity in the commands of heaven as draws forth consent and this consent makes them that they are not grievous 2. They are Christs comands therefore not grievous Take my yoak Matth. 11.29 Gospel commands are not the Laws of a Tyrant but a Saviour The husbands commands are not grievous to the wife it is her ambition to obey this is enough to animate and excite obedience Christ commands As Peter said in another sence Matth. 14.28 Lord if it be thou bid me come unto thee upon the water So saith a gracious soul Lord if it be thou that wouldest have me mourn for sin and breath after heart-purity if it be thou dear Saviour that biddest me do these things I will chearfully obey Thy commandments are not grievous A souldier at the word of his General makes a brave onset 3. Christians obey out of a principle of love and then Gods commandments are not grievous Therefore in Scripture serving and loving of God are put together Isa 56.6 The sons of the strangers that joyne themselves to the Lord to serve him and to love the Name of the Lord c. Nothing is grievous to him that loves love lightens a burden it adds wings to obedience an heart that loves God counts nothing tedious but it s own dulnesse and slownesse of motion love makes sin heavie and Christs burden light 4. A Christian is carried on auxilio Spiritus by the help of the Spirit and the Spirit makes every duty easie Rom. 8.26 The Spirit helpeth our infirmities The Spirit works in us the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 both to will and to do Phil. 2. When God enables to do what he commands then his commandments are not grievous if two carry a burden it is easie the Spirit of God helps us to do duties to bear burdens it draws as it were in the yoke with us If the Scrivener guides the childs hand and helps it to frame its letters now it is not hard for the childe to write If the Loadstone draw the iron it is not hard for the iron to move if the Spirit of God as a Divine Loadstone draw and move the heart now it is not hard to obey When the birds hath wings given it it can flie Though the soul of it self be unable to do that which is good yet having two wings given it like that woman in the Revelation * Rev. 12 24. the wing of faith and the wing of the Spirit now it flyes swiftly in obedience Ezek 11.1 the Spirit did lift me up The heart is heavenly in prayer when the Spirit lifts it up The sails of a Mill cannot move of themselves but when the wind blows then they turn round when a gale of the Spirit blows upon the soul Now the sails of the affections move swiftly in duty 5. All Christs commands are beneficial therefore not grievous Deut. 10.12 13. And now O Israel what doth the Lord thy God require of thee but to feare the Lord thy God to love him to keep his Statutes which I command thee this day for thy good Christs commands carries meat in the mouth of them and then surely they are not grievous salvation runs along in every precept To obey Christs Laws is not so much of duty as our privilege all Christs commands centre in blessednesse Physick is in it self very unpleasant yet because it tends to health no man refuseth it Divine Precepts are to the fleshy part irksome yet having such excellent operation as to make us both holy and happy they are not to be accounted grievous the apprentise is content to go through hard service because it makes way for his freedome The Scholar willingly wrastles with the knotty difficulties of Arts and Sciences because they serve both to enoble and advance him How chearfully doth a believer obey those Laws which reveal Christs love That suffering is not grievous which leads to a Crown This made Saint Paul say I take pleasure in infirmities in persecutions 2. Cor. 12.10 6. 'T is honourable to be under Christs commands therefore they are not grievous The precepts of Christ do not burden us but adorn us * Omnia quae praestari jubet Christus non onerant nos sed ornant Salv. 'T is an honour to be employed in Christs service How chearfully did the rowers row the Barge that carried Caesar the honour makes the precept easie a Crown of gold is in it self heavy but the honour of the Crown makes it light and easie to be worn I may say of every command of Christ as Solomon speaks of wisdom Prov. 4.9 She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace a Crown of glory shall she deliver to thee 'T is honourable working at Court The honour of Christs yoake makes it easie and eligible 7. Christs commands are sweetned with joy and then they are not grievous Cicero questions whether that can properly be called a burden which is carried with joy and pleasure * Utrum onus appellandum quod laetitiá fertur Cicero When the wheeles of a Chariot are oyled they run swiftly when God poures in the oyle of gladnesse how fast doth the soul run in the wayes of his commandments Joy strengthens for duty Nehem. 8.10 The joy of the Lord is your strength and the more strength the lesse wearinesse God sometimes drops down comfort and then a Christian can run in the
but so it is Prov. 1.22 How long ye simple ones will ye love simplicity Sin is the poyson of the soul yet men love it and he who loves his sin hates a reproof 2. Sin possesseth men with a lunacy Luke 15.7 People are mad in sinne Jeremiah 50.38 THEY ARE MAD ON THEIR IDOLS When sickness grows so violent that men lie raving and are mad they then quarrel with their Physitian and say he comes to kill them So when sin is grown to an head the disease turned to a frenzy then men quarrel with those that tell them of their sins and are ready to offer violence to their Physitians it argues wisdom to receive a reproof Prov. 9.8 Rebuke a wise man and he will love thee A wise man had rather drink a sharp potion than dye of his disease 4. If sin be a soul-sickness then do not feed this Branch 4 disease he that is wise will avoid those things which will increase his disease if he be feaverish he will avoide wine which would inflame the disease if he have the stone he will avoid salt meats he will forbear a dish he loves because it is bad for his disease why should not men be as wise for their souls Thou that hast a drunken lust do not feed it with wine thou that hast a malitious lust do not feed it with revenge thou that hast an unclean lust make not provision for the flesh Rom. 13.14 He that feeds a disease feeds an enemy Some diseases are starved Starve thy sins by fasting and humiliation Either kill thy sin or thy sin will kill thee 5. If sin be a soul-disease and worse than any other Branch 5 then labour to be sensible of this disease There are few who are sensible of their soul-sicknesse they think they are well and ayle nothing they are whole and need not the Physitian 'T is a bad Symptom to hear a sick dying man say he is well The Church of Laodicea was a sick Patient but she thought she was well Rev. 3.17 Thou sayest I am rich and have need of nothing Come to many a man and feele his pulse ask him about the state of his soul he will say he hath a good heart and doubts not but he shall be saved What should be the reason that when men are so desperately sick in their souls and ready to drop into hell yet they conceit themselves in a very good condition 1. There is a spiritual cataract upon their eye they see not their soars Laodicea thought her self rich because she was blind Rev. 3.17 The god of the world blinds mens eyes that they can neither see their disease nor their Physitian Many blesse God their estate is good not from the knowledge of their happinesse but from the ignorance of their danger when Hamans face was covered he was near execution Oh pray with David Lighten mine eyes that I sleep not the sleep of death Psal 13.3 2. Men that are sick think themselves well from the haughtinesse of their spirits Alexander thought himself awhile to be the son of Jupiter and no lesse than a God what an arrogant creature is man though he be sick unto death he thinks it too much a disparagement to acknowledge a disease either he is not sick or he can heal himself If he be poysoned he runs to the herb or rather weed of his own righteousnesse to cure him* Rom. 10.3 3. Men that are sick conceit themselves well through self-love He that loves another will not credit any evil report of him Men are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 self-lovers 2 Tim 3.2 Every man is a Dove in his own eye therefore doth not suspect himself of any disease he will rather question the Scriptures verity than his own malady 4. Self-deceit and the deceit of the heart appears in two things 1. In hiding the disease the heart hides sin as Rachel did her fathers images Gen. 31.34 Hasael did not think that he was so sick as he was he could not imagine that so much wickednesse like a disease should lie lurking in him 2 Kings 8.13 Is thy servant a dog that he should do this great thing As the Viper hath his teeth hid in his gums so that if one should look into his mouth he would think it an harmlesse creature So though there be much corruption in the heart yet the heart hides it and draws a vail over that it be not seen 2. The heart holds a false Glasse before the eye making a man appear fair and his estate very good The heart can deceive with counterfeit grace hence it is men are insensible of their spiritual condition and think themselves well when they are sick unto death 5. Men take up a reverend opinion of themselves and fancy their spiritual estate better than it is through mistake And this mistake is double 1. They enjoy glorious priviledges they were born within the sound of Aarons bells they were baptiz'd with holy water they have been fed with Manna from heaven therefore they hope they are in a good condition Judg. 17.13 Then said Micah Now I know the Lord will do me good seeing I have a Levite to my Priest But alas this is a mistake outward priviledges save not What is any one the better for Ordinances unlesse he be better by Ordinances A childe may die with the breast in its mouth Many of the Jews perished though Christ himself were their Preacher 2. The other mistake is set down by the Apostle 2 Cor. 10.12 They measuring themselves by themselves and comparing themselves amongst themselves are not wise Here is a double Error or mistake First They measure themselves by themselves That is they see they are not so bad as they were therefore they judge their condition is good A Dwarf may be taller than he was yet a dwarf still the Patient may be lesse sick than he was yet far from well a man may be better than he was yet not good Secondly They compare themselves amongst themselves They see they are not so flagitious and profane as others therefore they think themselves well because they are not so sick as others This is a mistake one may as well die of a Consumption as the Plague One man may not be so far off heaven as another yet he may not be near heaven One line may not be so crooked as another yet not strait To the Law to the Testimony the Word of God is the true Standard and measure by which we are to judge of the state and temper of our souls Oh let us take heed of this Rock the phancying our condition better than it is let us take heed of a spiritual Apoplexy to be sick in our souls yet not sensible of this sicknesse What do men talk of a light within them the light within them by nature is not sufficient to shew them the diseases of their souls This light tells them they are whole and have no need of a Physitian Oh what
world as the Diamond to the Ring it doth bespangle and beautifie A soul decked with grace is as the Dove covered with silver wings and golden feathers Excellency 4 4. Grace hath a soul-cleansing excellency By nature we are defiled sin is an impure issue 't is a be filthying thing 2 Cor. 7.1 A sinners heart is so black that nothing but hell can pattern it but grace is lavacrum animae a spiritual lavor therefore it is called the washing of regeneration Tit. 3.5 The grace of Repentance cleanseth Maries tears as they washed Christs feet so they washed her heart faith hath a cleansing vertue Acts 15.9 Having purified their hearts by faith Grace layes the soul a whitening it takes out the Leopards spots and turns the Cypriss into an azure beauty Grace is of a Celestial nature though it doth not wholly remove sin it doth subdue it though it doth not keep sin out it keeps it under though sin in a gracious soul doth not dye perfectly yet it dies daily Grace makes the heart a spiritual Temple which hath this inscription upon it Holiness to the Lord. 5. Grace hath a soul-strengthning excellency it enables a Excellency 5 man to do that which exceeds the power of nature it hath 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Arist Grace teacheth to mortifie our sins to love our enemies to prefer the glory of Christ before our own lives Thus the three children by the power of grace marched in the face of death neither the sound of the Musick could allure them nor the heat of the Furnace affright them Dan. 3.17 They did bear up infracto animo prorsus chalybeo Grace is a Christians Armour of proof which doth more than any other Armour can it not only defends him but puts courage into him Tertullian calls Athanasius Adamas Ecclesiae an invincible Adamant * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrys in Gen. hom 3. grace makes a Christian not only bear suffering but glory in suffering Rom. 5.3 A soul steeled and animated with grace can tread upon the Lyon and Adder Psal 91.13 and with the Leviathan can laugh at the shaking of a Spear Job 41.29 Thus doth grace infuse an heroick spirit and derive strength into a man making him act above the Sphere of nature Excellency 6 6. Grace hath a soul-raising excellency it is a divine sparkle that ascends when the heart is divinely touch'd with the load-stone of the Spirit it is drawn up to God Prov. 15.24 The way of life is above to the wise Grace raiseth a man above others he lives in the altitudes while others creep on the earth and are almost buried in it a Christian by the wing of grace flies aloft the Saints mount up as Eagles Isa 40.31 A believer is a Citizen of heaven there he trades by faith grace shoots the heart above the world Psal 139.17 Phil. 3. ult Grace gives us conformity to Christ and communion with Christ 1 John 1.3 Our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus A man full of grace hath Christ in his heart and the world under his feet grace humbles yet elevates Excellency 7 7. Grace hath a perfuming excellency it makes us a sweet odour to God Hence grace is compared to those spices which are most odoriferous and fragrant Myrrhe Cinamon Frankincense Cant. 4.13 There is a double perfume that grace sends forth 1 It perfumes our names Hebr. 11.2 By faith the Elders obtained a good report Grace was the spice which perfumed their names How renowned was Abraham for his faith Moses for his meekness Phineas for his zeal what a fresh perfume do their names send forth to this day The very wicked cannot but see a splendent Majesty in the graces of the Saints and though with their tongues they revile grace yet with their hearts they reverence it Thus grace is aromatical it embalms the names of men a gracious person when he dies carries a good conscience with him and leaves a good name behinde him 2. Grace perfumes our duties Psal 141.2 Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense Noahs sacrifice was a perfume Gen. 8.21 The Lord smell'd a sweet savour The sighs of a wicked man are an unsavoury breath his solemn sacrifice is dung Mal. 2.3 There is such a noisom stench comes from a sinners duties that God will not come near Amos 5.21 I will not smell in your solemn Assemblies Who can endure the smell of a dead Corps but grace gives a fragrancy and redolency to our holy things Heb. 11.4 By faith Abel offered a more excellent sacrifice than Cain God testifying of his gifts Abels sacrifice was better sented God smell'd a sweet savour of it for he testified of his gifts If it be asked what this testimony was God gave of Abels sacrifice Hierom saith Deus inflammavit God set his sacrifice on fire * 1 King 18.38 so from heaven testifying his acceptance of Abels offering and if grace doth so perfume you wear this flower not in your bosomes but your hearts 8. Grace hath a soul-ennobling excellency it doth ennoble Excellency 8 a man Grace makes us vessels of honour * Summa apud Deum nobilitas clarum esse virtutibus Hier. it sets us above Princes and Nobles Theodosius thought it more dignity to be Christs servant and wear his Livery laced with the silver graces of the Spirit than to be great and renowned in the world Isa 43.4 Since thou wert precious in my sight thou hast been honourable Sin doth debase a man Christ tells wicked men their Pedigree John 8.44 Ye are of your father the Divel They may put the cloven foot in their Scutchion an ungracious person is a vile person Nahum 1.14 I will make thy grave for thou art vile the Hebrew word for vile 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies to be lightly esteemed There is nothing so vile but an ungracious man will do he is ductil and facil to any thing like wire which will be bent awry he will snare his conscience stain his credit run as a Lackey after the sinful injunctions of men but grace ennobles he who is divinely inspired as he is high-born 1 John 3.1 so he acts sutably to his birth he hates whatever is disingenuous and sordid The Saints are Called Kings and Priests for their dignity Rev. 1.6 and jewels for their value Mal. 3.17 Excellency 9 9. Grace hath a soul-securing excellency it brings safety along with it You all desire to be safe in dangerous times if sword or pestilence come if death peep in at your windows * Jer. 9.21 would you not now be safe nothing will secure you in times of danger but grace grace is the best life-guard it sets Christians out of Gun-shot and frees them from the power of hell and damnation Prov. 10.2 Righteousness delivers from death Do not righteous men dye yes but righteousness delivers from the sting of the first death and the fear of the second It was the
have gain'd in the Trade of godliness and are fill'd with the fruits of the Spirit will not this be a great comfort to you he who is full of good works God will gather the fruit and blesse the Tree 2. Obedience gives comfort at death what a joy was it to St. Paul when he came to die that he could make that sweet appeal 2 Tim. 4.7 I have kept the faith that is Paul had kept the Doctrine of Faith and had lived the life of faith Oh with what comfort may a Christian lay his life down when he hath laid his life out in the service of God! This was a death-bed Cordial to King Hezekiah Isa 38.3 Remember O Lord I beseech thee how I have walked before thee in truth A man may repent of his fruitless knowledge but never did any man repent of his obedience when he came to die never did any Christian who is going to rest with God repent that he had walked with God 6. What is the end of all Gods administrations but obedience what are all Gods Promises but perswasions to obedience what is the end of all Gods threatnings which stand as the Angel with a flaming sword in their hand but to drive us to obedience Deut. 11.28 A curse if ye will not obey What is the voice of mercy but to call us to duty the Father gives his child money to bribe him to ingenuity The fire under the Still makes the Roses drop the fire of Gods mercies is to make the sweet water of obedience distill from us mercy as Ambrose saith is a medicine which God applies to us to cure our barrenness what are all the examples of Gods justice upon non-proficients but allarums to awaken us out of the bed of sloth and put us into a posture of service Gods rod upon others is a Fescue to point us to obedience if God hath not his end in respect of duty we cannot have our end in respect of glory 7. Motive consider what a sin disobedience is that is a sad Scripture Jer. 44.16 As for the word thou hast spoken to us in the Name of the Lord we will not do Disobedience is 1. A sin against Reason are we able to stand it out in defiance against God 1 Cor. 10.22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousie are we stronger than he it is as if the thorns should set them selves in battel array against the fire will the sinner go to measure arms with the great God what Solomon saith of laughter Eccles 2.2 the same may be said of Rebellion it is mad 2. Disobedience is a sin against Equity we have our subsistence from God in him we live and move and is it not equal that as we live upon him we should live to him justitia jus suum cuique tribuit is it not just and fitting that as God gives us our allowance we should give him our allegiance If the General give his Souldier pay the Souldier is to march at his command not only by the Law of Arms but the Law of equity 3. Disobedience is a sin against Conscience God by Creation is our Father so that Conscience binds to duty Mal. 1.6 If then I be a Father where is my honour 4. Disobedience is a sin against our Vows We have taken the oath of Allegiance Thy vows are upon me O God Psal 65.12 We have many vows upon us our Baptismal vow our Sacramental our National our Sick-bed vows here are four cords to draw us to obedience and if we slip these Sacred Knots and cast these cords from us will not God come upon us for Perjury If oaths will not bind us God hath chains that will 5. Disobedience is a sin against our Prayers We pray Thy will be done So that by Non-obedience we confute our selves and live in a contradiction to our own prayers That man who is self-confuted is self-condemned 6. Disobedience is a sin against Kindness 'T is a disingenious sin it is a kicking against Gods bowels a despising the riches of his goodness Rom. 2.4 Therefore the Apostle links these two sins together 2 Tim. 3.2 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Disobedient Unthankful and this dies a sin of a Crimson colour One calls ingratitude The Seminary of sin * Pet. Crinitus l. 2. Poem It is an epitomizing sin Brutus his unkindness went deeper to Caesars heart than the stab Ingratus hoc unum benefacit cum perit 7. Disobedience is a sin against Nature Every creature in its kinde obeys God 1. Animate creatures obey him God spake to the Fish to set Jonah ashore and it did it presently Jonah 2.10 What are the Birds thankful Hymms as Ambrose calls them but tributes of obedience 2. Inanimate creatures obey God The Stars in their course fought against Cisera Judg. 5. The Wind and the Sea obey him Mar. 4.41 The very Stones if God give them a Commission will cry out against the sins of men Hab. 2.11 The stone shall cry out of the wall and the beam out of the timber shall answer it If men should be silent the stones would in some manner have testified of Christ Luk. 19.40 At Christs Passion the Rocks did rend Mat. 27.51 Which tearing Rhetorique was a voice to tell the world that the Messiah was now crucified Shall every creature obey God but man O Christian think thus with thy self if God had made me a stone I should have obeyed him and now that he hath made me rational shall I refuse to obey This is against Nature There are none that disobey God but Man and the Divel and can we finde none to joyne with but the Divel 8. Disobedience is a sin against Self-preservation * 1 Pet. 4.17 Disloyalty is treason and by treason the sinner is bound over to the wrath of God 2 Thes 1.7 8. The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire taking vengeance on them who obey not the Gospel He that refuseth to obey Gods will in Commanding shall be sure to obey his will in Punishing The sinner while he thinks to slip the Knot of Obedience twists the Cord of his own Damnation Thus ye have seen the sin of Disobedience set out in its bloody colours Be wise now therefore O ye Kings be instructed ye Judges of the earth serve the Lord with fear Kiss the Son left he be angry Kiss Christ with a kiss of love Kiss him with a kiss of loyaltie When his wrath is kindled but a little blessed are all they that put their trust in him Psal 2. ult 9. The Benefit of obedience Psal 19.11 In keeping his precepts there is great reward Obedience is Crowned with happiness So saith the Text happy are ye c. If this argument will not prevaile what will Quest But what happiness Answ All kind of blessings are poured upon the head of Obedience as the precious oyl was poured on Aarons head 1 Temporal blessings Deut. 28.3 4 9. Blessed shall be
the fruit of thy body and the fruit of thy ground blessed shall be thy basket and thy store c. If thou shalt keep the Commandements of the Lord thy God c. He that hath a fruitful Heart shall have a fruitful Crop God will make him to thrive in his Estate And his basket shall not only be full but blessed God will bless what he hath Here is not only the Sack full of corn but money in the mouth of the Sack 2. Spiritual blessings Exod. 19.5 If ye will obey my voice indeed then ye shall be a peculiar Treasure to me above all people You shall be my Portion my Jewels the Apple of my eye I will give Kingdoms for your ransome Jer. 7.23 Obey and I will be your God I will make over my self to you by a deed of gift What a Superlative distinguishing mercy is this Psal 14.4 Happy is that people whose God is the Lord. 3. Eternal blessings Heb. 5.9 Christ became the author of Eternal salvation to all them that obey him It is a salvation that bears date to eternity Oh then who would not be in love with obedience while we please God we pleasure our selves * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Homer II. We are ready to say as Amaziah 2 Chron. 25.9 But what shall we do for the hundred Talents Ye see brethren you are no losers by Obedience who did ever kindle a fire on Gods Altar for nought Mal. 1.10 3. I shall lay down some Rules to help Christians in Use 3 their Obedience Direction that it may be the Sacrifice of a sweet smelling savour to God Obedience must have these four Ingredients in it It must be cordial Deutr. 26.16 The Lord thy God hath commanded thee to do these statutes thou shalt therefore keep and do them with all thy heart 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rom. 6.17 Ye have obeyed from the heart * Obedienta non servili metu sed cordis affectu servanda non timore poenae sed amorae justitiae Obedience without the heart is like fire on the Altar without Incense The heart is the seat of Love and 't is Love perfumes every duty The heart makes service a Free-will offering else it is but a tax Cain brought his sacrifice not his heart it was rather a mulct than an Offering Without the heart our Religion is like the Angels assuming dead bodies those bodies did eat and drink and walk but they had no soul to animate them They did movere not vivere how many do but assume the duties of Religion Obedience without the heart is hypocrisie How canst thou say I love thee when thy heart is not with me Judg. 16.15 2. Obedience must be extensive it must reach to all Gods Commandments 1 King 9.4 Luke 1.6 Quest But who can arrive at this Answ Though we cannot keep all Gods Commandements Legally yet we may Evangellically A good Christian 1. Consents to the equity of the whole Law Rom. 7.12 The Law is holy and just and good he sets his seal to every Law 2. He doth make conscience of every Law David had respect to all Gods Commandments Psal 119.6 his eye was upon all every command hath such authority upon a Christian that he knows not how to dispence with it though he fail in every duty yet he dares not neglect any duty 3. A child of God desires to keep every command Psal 119.5 O that my wayes were directed to keep thy statutes what a child of God wants in strength he makes up in will Rom. 7.18 To will is present The regenerate Will stands bent to all Gods Precepts 4. The gracious soul mourns that he can do no better when he fails he weeps O wretched man that I am Rom. 7.24 O this unbelieving heart how am I clog'd with corruption The good I would I do not Thus doth a Child of God lament his failings and judge himself for them and this is in a Gospel sense to keep every Law Unsound hearts as they are slight in their obedience so they are partial some duty they will dispense with some sinne they will indulge in this thing the Lord pardon thy servant 1 King 5.18 The Hypocrite will walk in some of Gods statutes not in all like a foundred Jade that will not set all his feet upon the ground but favours one foot Such foundered Christians there are who halt and limp and favour themselves in some things though it be to the hazard of their souls Herod could as well die as leave his Incest True obedience is universal as the Papists say we owe to our Mother the Church an Unlimited subjection its true here we owe to our God Unlimited obedience 3. The third Ingredient into obedience is Faith Heb. 11.6 Without faith it is impossible to please God therefore it is call'd the obedience of faith Rom. 16.26 Abel is said by faith to offer up 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 abetter sacrifice than Cain Sacra solet magnis rebus inesse fides Faith is a vital principle without it all our services are dead * Sicut in arbore quicquid pulchritudinis inest ex radice proficiscitus ita in anima quicquid decorum ex fide Aug. Therefore the Scripture speaks of dead works Hebr. 6.1 But why must this silver thread of faith run through the whole work of obedience I answer because faith looks at Christ in every duty and so both the person and offering is accepted Ephes 1.6 He hath accepted us in the beloved We are not accepted through our duties but through the beloved Faith looks at the Merit of Christ to take away the guilt and the Spirit of Christ to take away the filth which cleaves to the most angelical services thus it procures acceptance The High Priest under the Law looked at Christ in all when he offered up the Sacrifice he laid his hand upon the head of the beast slain which did point at the Messiah Exod. 29.10 So Faith laies its hand in every Gospel-sacrifice upon the head of Christ his Blood doth cleanse and the sweet Odours of his Intercession do perfume our holy things Now Faith looking up to Christ in every Duty finds acceptance Nay Faith doth not only look at Christ but it unites to Christ as the Siens is graffed into the stock Believers are part of Christ Christ and the Saints make one body Mystical no wonder then if God casts a favourable aspect upon those services which Believers present to him 4. Obedience must be constant Revel 2.26 He that keepeth my works unto the end to him will I give the morning star Faith must lead the Van and Perseverance must bring up the Rear There is a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 something still remaing for a Christian to do Non currenti sed vincenti datur corona Aug. and he must not leave work till the night of death comes on Mnason of Cyprus an old Discilple Acts 21.16 what an honour is it for one