Selected quad for the lemma: lord_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
lord_n	aaron_n	soul_n	zion_n	24	3	8.1724	4	false

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A88695	The persecuted minister, in defence of the ministerie, the great ordinance of Jesus Christ. Setting forth the severall names of Apostles, prophets, &c. [brace] 1. That there is a ministerial office. 2. That the sacrament of baptisme by a lay-person is invalid. 3. That necessity is no plea. 4. That the long omission of the Lords Supper is unwarrantable. With many other things, plainly and methodically handled / by William Langley late of S. Maryes in the city of Lichfield, minister ...	Langley, William, b. 1609 or 10.	1656 (1656)	Wing L408; Thomason E860_4; ESTC R202682	143,990	208

of the Apostles planting a building on their foundation perfecting their work till the consummation of all things Fourthly as for Pastors and Teachers none questions their duration or continuance Hipp in verba Pauli 2 Cor. 32. inter opuscula Hip pag. 671. Pet. Martyr com in 12 Rom. Ball. in Eph. 4. therefore a great Divine is bold to say That God will alwaies have these degrees in the Church and Peter Martyr is of opinion that the Apostle describes in that place such gifts as are necessary for the Church at all times amongst which he mentioneth as a chief one prophecying Bullinger observes that the words Prophets Apostles and Evangelists are confounded and the Pastors of Zurick in their later Confession of Helvetia Harm Confes sect 11. p. 339. Chap 18. write thus The Ministers of the New Testament are termed by divers names for they are called Apostles Prophets Evangelifts Bishops Elders Pastors Doctors Having spoken of the words severally we shall consider them joyntly and they teach us this Lesson That there is a Ministerial office Confess Helvet 1 Ar. 15. 2. chap. 18. Boh. chap. 8 9.14 Gal. artic 25 29 30 31. Belg. ar 3.31 Aug. ar 7. Sax. ar 11. Wittenberg ar 8.20 Suev ar 13.15 men ordained and appointed by God for dispencing the Ordinances of the New Testament of this we read 1 Cor 12 28. Mat. 28.19 20. besides the judgment of all the Orthodox it is the joynt consent of all the Reformed Churches as Rogers observes on the 23 Article of the Church of England a raithful incerter of truth CHAP. II. In two things saith the Church of Helvetia c. 18. Teaching the Gospel and administring of the Sacraments 1. That a Ministerial Office consisteth chiefly in 3 things in publick Preaching Praying and administration of the Sacraments IN Publick Teaching under which head I conclude Catechizing which is of necessity and of much use and benefit in the Church That this is a part of the Ministerial office we read Tit. 1.9 2 Tim. 2.2 This Christ giveth in commission Mat 28. Go teach there is a necessity laid upon me saith the Apostle Et vae mini si non praedicavero and woe unto me if I preach not the Gospel 1 Gor. 9.16 As publickly to preach before men be sent is a grievous sin so not to preach being sent is a mighty fault and exposeth a man to the wrath of God I must saith our Saviour preach the kingdome for therefore am I sent Luke 4.43 The Apostles though wofully tost from post to pillar yet ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ Acts 5.42 Our calling alloweth us no time to sit still and sing requiems I cease not saith S. Paul to admonish every one day and night with tears Acts 20 31. I cea●e not Ecce laborem behold his pains to admonish Ecce officium behold his duty every one Ecce amorem behold his love night and day Ecce vigilantiam behold his watchfulnesse with tears Ecce compassionem behold his pity As they are stewards of Gods graces so they must be faithful and painful in the distribution of them First there is required faithfulnesse for every steward is Promus condus Promus to lay out aswell as Condus to lay up for Gods flock must neither be starved nor lean fed they must have their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Luke 12.42 both 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 their meat and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 their measure A Ministers chiefest quality is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to be faithful both in accepto and expenso to give every one their meat in due season for if he cut them short of their portion the Lord will cut him off and give him his portion with unbelievers 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 v. 46. Many run curvo pede with a swift not a straight foot they are in Moses chair before they are aware but he that is sent of God cannot so speedily execute his Commission When it pleased God saith S. Paul to send me to preach his Son amongst the Heathen immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood Gal. 1.16 The Messenger must doe the Senders businesse not his own and he that commands us agere to doe commands hoc agere to doe this S. Paul adviseth Timothy I charge thee before God c. 2 Tim. 4.1 2. Christs charge to S. Peter is tripled 1. Lest he should not feed the flock at all 2. Lest he should doe it negligently Bernard comments thus on the words John 21.15 Unlesse thy conscience bear thee witnesse that thou lovest me exceedingly much plus quam tua plus quam tuos plus quam te more than thy goods more than thy friends more than thy self thou art not worthy to undertake this office Secondly there must be painfulnesse free from all sloth and negligence 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Tim. 5.17 Labouring in the word and doctrine the word in the Original signifies not an ordinary labour but such as is with great strife earnestnesse and strain of all the strength borrowed from the toyle of Rowers in galleys Bp. of Salish Oportet Episcopum mori praedicantem a Bishop or Minister should die preaching and the Greek name for Ministery is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 derived of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying dust whence is the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to serve and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to minister and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Minister or servant who labours till he be of dustysweat not unlike to this is the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to d●e minister or perform ones duty the office of such is a worthy work not only 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Tim. 3.1 those several names given to the Messengers of God point out painfulnesse he is called a watchman therefore not to be slothfull a Seer therefore not to be sleepy a Trumpeter therefore not to be dumb a Labourer therefore not to be idle a Steward and therefore not to be carelesse a Shepheard and should not a Shepheard feed his flock Ezek. 34.2 Cursed is he that doth the work of the Lord negligently Jer. 48.10 for it is a haynous fault and procures a grievous punishment Zach. 11. ult The bells in Aarons garment betoken the voice of a Minister and if the sound be not heard it is the price of the Priests life if any soule miscarry through his negligence then his blood will be required at his hands The Lord grant that none that puts his hand to the plough may either be guilty of unfaithfulnesse or slothfulnesse in his calling which will undoubtedly bring the wrath of God upon him It is no matter amongst many how small their flock be so their fleece be great how little their pains so their profit be much how few souls they gain to God if they can gain large preferment to themselves never proposing the end of their Ministery the Conversion of soules

but the satisfying of their own ends which will prove destructive in the end A second thing in which this Office chiefly consists is in praying for and with the people James 5.14 Acts 6.4 The Ministers are Gods mouth to the people and for the people to them in constant preaching for them in fervent praying If people rise up against their Pastors let their Pastors fall on their faces for the people Thus did Moses and Aaron Samuel little lesse 1 Sam. 12.23 God forbid c. Absit à me hoc peccatum Christ that good Pastor and Bishop was earnest in prayer for his own Father keep them and for his Enemies Father forgive them Precatio praedicatio prayer and preaching are holy actions both sisters in Gods service the one must not thrust out the other Saint Paul often practised this as we may read in his Epistles beginning and ending them with prayer He that bids despise not prophecying saith in the same Chapter pray continually 1 Thes 5. In solemn actions it hath ever been the custome of the Church of God to begin with prayer Christ sent not his Apostles without prayer John 17.17 Father sanctifie them through thy truth The Deacons are not chosen without prayer Acts 6.6 Nor Matthias one of the seventy in the room of Judas without prayer Acts 1.24 It was the laudable and commendable custome of the Church to begin with prayer Almighty and most mercifull Father c. Every important action requires prayer much more the preaching of the word Those that represent God and carry his message to the world should be consecrated by publick devotions private prayer is commendable but publick much more pure hands are accepted in every place but especially in the Sanctuary The Lord saith the Psalmist that made heaven and earth blesse thee out of Sion he saith not The Lord that made heaven blesse thee upon earth nor the Lord that made earth blesse thee out of heaven but the Lord that made heaven and earth blesse thee out of Sion blessings come originally from Heaven mediately through Sion Humble advise of the late Assembly As we are to pray in every place so more solemnly in the publick Assemblies which are not carelesly or wilfully to be neglected or forsaken when God by his Word and Providence calleth thereunto Now that prayer may have acceptance there is required First that it be made in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ through whom our persons are accepted and all our performances are as sweet smelling incense 1 Pet. 2.5 Secondly that it be made by the help of the Spirit who helpeth our infirmities and teacheth us to cry Abba father Rom 8.26 Thirdly according to Gods will 1 John 5.14 for if we require mala things in their own nature bad or not good to us or male good things for bad ends God will not hear us Jam. 4.23 Fourthly with reverence becoming the Majestie of GOD suitable to his Omnipotency and Holinesse Psal 95. falling down c. Eccles 5.1 Not offering the sacrifice of fools It was a tart rebuke that the Emperour Augustus gave to a Citizen of Rome who inviting him to a slender banquet no waies answerable to his greatnesse and majestie tells him Nesciebam me tibi tam familiarem esse I never knew before that thou and I were so familiar So will the God of all the world say unto such as give not that respect unto him befitting his greatnesse and glorious Majestie to whom belongeth all reverence and godly fear Heb. 12.28 Fiftly with humility which is a comely garment for every member of Christ Be ye cloathed with humility 1 Pet. 5.5 humilitatem insinuate as in the vulgar Latine that is in sinu habete cherish it in your bosome with loves heat that it may be both hearty and ready for use when occasion is offered S. Augustine calleth it the first second and third virtue of every Christian the Pharisee goeth from Gods door without an alms he was proud and arrogant but the humble Publican receives a blessing Never did any that begged with humility but either had his desire or better than he desired Reverend Bede writing of the Publican saith Appropinquare noluit ad Deum ut appropinquaret ad illum He would not draw neer that he might draw neer He that will not be a mountain in Christs way must not be a Mountebank of his own virtue but levell himself even with the ground for he fills the hungry with good things but the rich he sends empty away So the rich in their own conceit and proud of their own gifts shall be sent empty from Christs gates Let us empty our selves and deponere magnificentiam abhorre our selves Job 42.6 Casting our crowns and glory the best things we have at the feet of Christ Revel 4.10 Sixtly it must be made in faith for without faith it is impossible to please God Heb. 11.6 Faith is a Mother-virtue without which all things are to no purpose therefore we are exhorted to ask in faith Jam. 1.6 Cain offered a sacrifice aswell as Abel but it was Abels faith in Christ that made Abels sacrifice accepted Heb. 11 4. Seventhly it must be with fervency for the life and soul of any duty is not the outward action but the inward affection of the heart Lycurgus enjoyned his people to offer little sacrifices to their gods for saith he they regard more the inward affection than the outward action a rule which our great Lawgiver hath given us Mat. 6.7 When ye pray use not much babbling It is said of the Publican Oravit paucis Buter sed affectu multo He couch't much devotion in a little room and yet all the vertues of a true penitent are found in him confession contrition faith and amendment of life If we bring our sheep to Gods Altar and them alone we had as good have left them behinde they are not worth the carriage Isa 1. To what purpose is c. When the Searcher of the reins shall finde a carkas of Religion without a quickning spirit he will turn his countenance from it Deus non habet gratum offerentem propter munera sed munera propter offerentem God valueth the offerer by the gift not the gift by the offerer Non corticis sed cordis Deus He regards not the rinde of the lips but the root of the heart the inward parts Psal 51.6 integer and rectus are joyned together Job 2.3 So we must have these two properties We must be recti straight not crooked and integri sound not hollow our Tabernacles must have gold within as well as without Exod. 25.11 Lastly it must be directed only unto God through Jesus Christ without the Invocation of Saints or Angels 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 properly belong to God Mat. 4.10 Therefore we may not so much as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 give any adoration to Saints or Angels But fearing I have been too long on

and Abiram had a specious pretence for their usurpation yet fire consumes Corah and his company and the earth swallows Dathan and Abiram They had perverted that order that God had established to continue in his Church and the Lord works a strange work altering the course of nature Now although God doe not thus execute judgment from Heaven when his Ordinances are violated yet this sin is not hereby lessened the punishment mitigated nor the hand of God shortned The Sacraments of the Gospel of Christ are of much more worth and value than those of the Old Testament and are therefore guilty of much sorer punishment Sacred Functions ordered by God must not be prophaned by voluntary usurpations Secondly the sin must needs be great because it fights against this institution which was given for our direction This sin is not only against man but against the Author and Instituter of the Sacraments Shall private persons usurp to be the Lords Messengers to bring his Letters and Seals not called nor authorized It cannot be without dishonour to God without the check and controlement of Jesus Christ who is the Captain of his own host the head of his own body Lord of his own house and the great King of his own Church if therefore private persons administer the Sacraments they sin against God and go beyond the bounds of their calling Atters 3 book of the Sacr. of the Lords Supper chap 20. If they will not be restrained but rush forward their sin lieth at the door I shall here briefly discover to you the greatnesse of their sin that thrust themselves into the calling of the Ministery without lawfull ordination or deputation thereunto First it is repugnant to the Word of God For none but such as are called according to the rules and cannons of the Apostles ought to take upon them this Office No man saith Luther although he be more wise than Salomon or David ought to take this honour unto himself except he be called of God as Aaron was Heb 5.4 though not called immediately by himself yet mediately by Deputies under him Titus was to ordain Elders in every City T it 1.5 The Apostle ordained Elders in every Church Acts 14.23 Separate me Ba●nabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them and when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them they sent them away Acts 13.2 3. besides their extraordinary gifts they must be set apart to this office God commands it his word enjoynes it St. Paul St. Peter St. James call themselves Apostles implying their Commissions for both their calling and their authority is set down in the word Apostles for Apostolos is as much as one sent This sinne that we are now upon is one of those many that hales down judgments upon this Land Secondly it crosses the custome of the Churches of God those I meane purged from superstition who with one consent hold forth this doctrine that it is not lawfull for any man to take upon him the office of publique praying or Ministring the Sacraments before he be lawfully called and sent to execute the same witnesse the confession of all the Reformed Churches Whosoever is guilty in this particular we may say of him we have no such custome no nor the Churches of God St. Augustine proposeth a rule and I think it is a good one and it is this he that goeth against Reason is no wise man he that goeth against the Scripture is no sober man and he that goeth against the Church is no peaceable man and it is observed if any make his entrance unlawfull his course and progresse is troublesome it is a step to much Schism and Faction Thirdly it is a breach of that order God hath enjoyned for what greater disorder saith a Reverend Doctor can there be then without order to usurp the Ministeriall function nothing better becommeth us then order God is the God of order and the three persons in the Trinity put themselves in order to shew how they love it and our Ministry is called by the name of Orders to shew that we are bound to order above other professions Decor in Domo ejus Beauty and comelinesse are in his Sanctuary and must they not be in his Servants Order it is natures beauty the Churches ornament the worlds harmony 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith Zenoph 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a thing excelling all things both for use and grace it is in all things in all places in heaven and Earth hell excepted there is no manner of comliness without it but all out of fashion no kinde of constancy but all loose without it all falls back to the first Tohis and Bohu emptinesse and disordered rude Chaos of confusion Now what greater disorder then for a man to run unsent to the Lords Vineyard to thrust his sickle into Gods harvest to step rudely into Moses chair to climbe in at the Window and not at the door if none durst assume the honour of the Leviticall Priesthood except he were called Heb. 5 4 Evangelicall is much more honourable and it is great boldnesse to presume to assume it without a calling Yea it is a breach of that order God hath enjoyned As is confessed by the Church of England Fourthly the greatnesse of their sin appeareth in that they are guilty of Intrusion and Usurpation These are two freckl●s in the Churches face The sin of Intrusion it is a brand of false Prophets Jer. 14.14 23.21 27.15 The Lord condemneth them in that they prophesied but he sent them not what needs this preposterous haste this running before God It is surest and safest to take him along with us Vix bono peraguntur exitu quae malo sunt inchoata principio Things ill begun are not commonly well ended Neither are the proceedings likely to be good whose beginnings are so greatly out of order They which enter not into the Temple as did Aaron will hardly behave themselves in the house of the Lord as Aaron did Much hast is seldome encountred with good successe Again Of the duty and dignity of the Minist 2 treat the greatnesse of their sin appears in their presumption and violent boldnesse to lay hands upon such a holy function It is a doctrine of Master Perkins That all true Ministers especially such as are deputed in the greatest workes in his Church must be first of all stricken into a great fear in consideration of the greatness of their function yea into an amazement and astonishment in the admiration of Gods glory and greatnesse whose room they occupie and whose message they bring and this he grounds on those words of the Prophet Isa 6.5 Then said I woe is me I am c. He that steps into this function without feare may question his calling When the Lord calleth any of his servants he drives them into fears and amazements as Moses Exod. 4.10 13. Oh my Lord I am not eloquent c. So

sacrifice acceptable to God by Jesus Christ Ibid. ver 9. But ye are a chosen generation a royall Priesthood a holy nation a peculiar people that ye should shew forth the praises of him Vt praedicetis virtutes illius as Mr. Beza turneth it which is to preach who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light Where Christians are said to be called to this That they should declare or preach virtutem Christi the power and excellency of Christ Therefore all Christians may and ought to preach which is the principal office of a Minister Rev. 5.10 Thou hast made us unto our God Kings and Priests c. Rev. 20.6 They shall be Priests of God and of Christ 2 Cor. 3.6 Who also hath made us able or fit Idoneos Ministers of the New Testament Answer These places are to be understood of a Spiritual priesthood Answ 1 wherein we offer spiritual sacrifices of prayers praises and good works which Christians of all sorts are bound to offer to God and thence are they called Priests in Scripture as I learned from the incomparable Doctor Rainolds Conf p. 463 471. c. Which priesthood is common or rather proper to all Godly men But the Ministery whereof the question is agreeth likewise to sinners who are not a chosen generation a holy nation c. as S. Peter calleth them For Order is Gratia gratis data a Grace freely given for he saving of others but not Gratia gratum faciens a Grace making gracious for the saving of himself And God forbid that the sinnes of the Minister should pollute or annihilate the Ordinance of God any more than a fowle hand doth hurt or hinder the growth or fructifying of the good seed which it casteth into the ground And it is well distinguished in the Schools That he that hath not forgivenesse of sins formally may have it Ministerially As he that hath not in his purse one peny of his own may notwithstanding carry many crowns to another from his Lord and Master This I speak to shew That the Texts which speak of spiritual Priesthood c. are not appliable to the Functions of an External publick Ministery 2. That in Rev. 5. 20. is to be understood of the Priesthood of the Blessed in Heaven which consisteth in offering of prayers c. So that they doe Toto coelo errare that make the Priesthood In patriâ the same with the Ministery In viâ The one being grounded upon actual fruition of Joy and Glory immortal the other upon hopes and indeavours for obtaining Grace which may bring us to that state of Glory 3. The words of S. Peter seem to be taken out of Exodus 19.6 Ye shall be unto me a kingdome of Priests and an holy nation Where the same thing is spoken of the Hebrews which S. Peter attributeth to Christians But in the Old Testament all were not properly called Priests but onely the sons and posterity of Aaron and yet all were spiritual Priests namely those that did obey the voice of the Lord and keep his Covenant ibid. v. 5. 4. As well S. Peter in his Eristle as S. John in his Revelation doe joyn Kingdome with Priesthood So that all Christians are Priests as they are all Kings Not properly in respect of civil external Government or publick external Ministery but spiritually in conquering their vices and in the holy government and order of their affections and actions as also in offering spirituall sacrifices of praises thanksgiving good works c. Nay each his own body a living sacrifice holy acceptable unto God c. Rom. 12.1 But this name is given to Ministers of the Gospel in a more peculiar sense because they are called to offer up the bodies of other men in like sort See Dr. Rainolds ubi supra 5. That of S. Peter That you should shew forth the praises or preach the virtues of him c. is not to be understood That all Christians should take upon them the publick Function of preaching the word of God by Explication Application thereof to the consciences of men But that all should give thanks and praises to our Lord God for his continual and innumerable benefits And this not so much in words as in good works that so their Life may be a reall and effectuall Sermon to all that know them and a strong motive To glorifie our Father which is in heaven Mat. 5.16 In like manner are understood many other places as Psal 19.1 The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament sheweth his handy worke 1 Tim. 2.10 Which becometh women professing godlinesse with good works Or rather * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Annunciantes pietatem per bona opera By or in their good works And afterwards verse 12. he saith But I suffer not a woman to teach c. So that these who are bound to preach really are forbidden to preach verbally especially in the Church where it is a shame for a Woman to speake 1 Cor. 14.35 6. Who hath made us able Ministers c. 2 Cor. 3.6 The Apostle speaketh not of all Christians but of himself onely and his other Collegues or Co-partners in office For he compareth himself with Moses who was a Minister of the Old Testament and letter which killeth But he and his Collegues were Ministers of the New Testament and Spirit which quickneth c. But it appeareth in the Old Testament that all were not Ministers and Publishers of the Law but onely Moses and the Priests after him For the Priests lips should keep knowledge and they should seek the Law at his mouth For he is the Messenger of the Lord of hosts Malac. 2.7 Besides in all the precedent Chapter the Apostle speaketh o himself and likewise at the beginning of this Chapter when he saith Doe we begin again to commend our selves Or need we as some others Epistles of commendation to you or of commendation from you Other Objections there be to the like purpose which I forbear to set down because I would not too long trespasse upon the patience and time of the Christian Reader and for that I conceive the Answer to these to be a full Solution of the rest Only I am sorry that the great Light of the Church Mr. Luther is entituled by the Objectors to the patronage of their Cause Howsoever we are not to subscribe with a blinde obedience to the dictates of any great Master Especially when he goes single against the current of all sound and Reformed Churches Yet thus much I can say for him That his opinion is so qualified that it affordeth little or no advantage to the Objectors nor openeth a door to that Chaos of confusion which they would introduce For albeit he might hold That all Christians be equally Priests having the same power in the Word and Sacraments Yet he denieth that any may use or exercise this power without the consent of the Community or calling of a Superiour In lib. de

him the silver not the halter When he sent Gehazi after Naaman he suggests unto him the Garments and the mony not the Leprosie He presents unto Christ the glory of the world not the vanity He layes forth his wares to the fairest shew Do not Ixion-like take a Cloud for Juno Let not Religion be a meer fancy deceive not your selves under appearances and think not that zeal which it conceits Oh it is a heart-breaking to a devout soul to see hypocrisie made piety to see men boast of Religion and yet are but as sounding brass and a tinkling Cymball A Minister saith a Father Debet esse lugens sua aliena del cta ought still to be lamenting his own sins and the sins of the people Oh what abundance of hypocrisie and spirituall pride is there amongst men conceiting highly of themselves and despising others and of all men the most envious and censorious if this be of the Spirit of Christ I leave it to you to judge I read that Pambo a man utterly unlearned in the Scriptures on a time came to S. Hierome to be taught some Scripture without book he turned him to the first verse of the 39 Psalm I said I will take heed to my waies that I offend not in my tongue a Lesson very seasonable and to be learned aswell by the Scribes and Pharisees as Publicans of our times The good man being blamed for not resorting unto his Tutour again in three moneths answers That he had not yet learned well his first lesson yea and forty years after being asked the same Answ that as yet he had not fully learned that lesson And indeed let men and women pretend what Religion they will unlesse they learn this lesson they learn nothing at all of goodnesse Jam. 1.26 If any man among you seemeth to be religious and bridleth not his tongue but deceiveth his own heart this mans religion is but vain The first lesson that the wicked learn their Alpha yea and Omega too their first and last is to speak evil so the Psalmist Psal 58.3 The wicked speak evil from their mothers womb Oh that I could prevail with the professing men women of our Age that would be Guides of the blinde and Instructers of the unlearned that they would learn themselves this lesson to take heed to their waies that c. Goe into your grounds in the dead of Winter and of two naked trees you know not which is the sound and which the rotten at heart the Summer will give Christs mark by their fruits you shall know them Oh that people would shew lesse and doe more of goodnesse that they would learn not to know much but to practice much and as they hear and repeat Sermons so learn obedience this is the life and power of godlinesse In a word Love all especially the houshold of faith have bowels of compassion towards them despise none especially the Ministers of the Gospel much lesse persecute them but stand by them and with them help and encourage them for they are the servant of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God CHAP. V. Luke 10.16 Sheweth that the contempt of the Ministers of the Gospel is a great and grievous sinne the reasons of it and how it exposeth men to the wrath of God THey doe exceedingly aggravate their sinnes that dare insolently and presumptuously oppose themselves against Gods Ministers returning reproofs for reproof and inverting and perverting Gods own Order and Ordinance The Law punished this insolency and presumption even with death as appeareth Deut. 17.11 12. The Lord inflicts a heavy judgment upon Corah and his Associates for this very sin Contempt of the Ministery Numb 16.11 What are we your murmurings c. their sinne was not against Aaron but against God himself and his Ordinance It was not men they opposed and despised but God the just One the Lord. Seeing we are fallen upon these unhappy men this rebellious rout let us take a fuller view of them 1. You have their Conspiracy They gathered themselves together Surrexerunt they rose and made an Insurrection They made a schisme then a faction and in the end a mutinous commotion a rebellious insurrection the word is passive They were gathered together 2. You have the persons Corah Dathan Abiram and On the Son of Pelech here are not Sheba and Shimei base Bethshemites that rose against David empty fellowes such as rose against Rehoboam not Faex populi a sort of abject and contemptible men but Corah the Son of Levi Aaron's Cosin-Germane and Dathan Abiraem and On the Sons of Reuben Israels first-born famous eminent men Captains of the people men of renown You may note that the head of this Conspiracy is a Son of Levi Corah It is dangerous when insurrection begins at the Sanctuary Secondly that Reuben joyns also insurrection hath sharers Corah is for the Mitre Reuben for the Scepter Let Moses look to his Throne Aaron to his Chaire Levi hath many things that will doe Reuben good and Reuben therefore will be sure to pleasure Levi. Thirdly you have the persons against whom this Insurrection is made Moses and Aaron Magistrate and Minister Fourthly the Grievance their usurping of Rule over the people You take too much c. and not onely Usurpation but Intrusion too Why lift ye up your selves Fiftly you have the ground of this Grievance the Congregation is holy every one of them and what need of Aaron the Lord is amongst them what needs a Governour or Moses Here were glorious shews and pretences they charge Moses and Aaron with Ambition and Intrusion Vice rebukes Virtue Humility challengeth Arrogance when as their main end was to rush into their rooms to possesse themselves of their dignities Now observe all this is not against them but against God the abuse and affront offered to them he takes as a dishonour to himselfe ver 11. What are we your murmurings c. and therefore he plagueth them in a strange and unusual manner to be Ensamples to us that we should fear and not doe so wickedly Their intent of a subversion of Moses and Aaron ends in the destruction of themselves for the Earth openeth her mouth and swalloweth them down quick We should never read of this judgment but it should make us tremble and pray that thus we may not sin Examples of this sin are very frequent Jer. 18.18 Come let us devise Amos is accused of Conspiracy against the King Amos 7.10 It is common for the sons of Belial to lay nets and snares to entrap the Prophets of the Lord. How great a sin this is hear what S. Paul saith 1 Thes 4.8 He that despiseth despiseth not man but God c. Observe the words this Argument is a Conclusion of the former Reasons enforcing them all saith Zanchy on this place as if he should say It is not I Paul that exhort you but Christ and Christ is not onely man but God he that willeth Sanctification is