yeers together and vpward I haue heard it credibly reported that fifteen yeers before his death he was by a skilfull Chirurgion searched and that vpon that search there was a stone found to bee in his bladder whereupon hee vsed such meanes as were prescribed to him for his ease and found such help thereby as he thought that either the Chirurgion which searcht him was deceiued or that the meanes which hee vsed had dissolued the stone But time which manifesteth all things shewed that neither his Chirurgion was deceiued nor yet his stone dissolued for it continued to growe bigger and bigger till at length it came to bee of an incredible greatnes After his death hee was opened and the stone taken out and being weighed found to be 33 ounces and more in waight and in measure about the edge fifteen inches and a halfe about the length aboue 13 inches about the breadth almost thirteen inches it was of a solid substance to look vpon like to a flint There are many eie-witnesses besides my self who can iustifie the truth heerof A wonderfull work of God it was that he should bee able to carry such a stone in his bladder and withall to doo the things which he did He was a close Student witnes the many Treatises which time after time he published in print He was also a diligent Preacher for constantly hee preached twice on the Lords Daies and in Summer when many of the Gentry and City came to his Parish at Isle-worth and dwelt there he spent an houre on Wednesday and another on Friday week after week in expounding the Scripture in his Church very seldome was he hindred by the forementioned stone in his bladder This course he kept till about fiue weeks before his death when the paine came so violently vpon him as it wasted his vitall vigor yet did it no way weaken his faith but as the outward perished so was the inward man renewed in him He earnestly praid that the extremity of the pain might not make him vtter or doo any thing vnbeseeming his vocation and profession but withall he aduised his friends to consider that he was but as other men and thereupon to iudge charitably of his carriage in that case Many heauenly meditations issued from him in that time of his visitation vnto the last period thereof Quietly meekly and patiently he endured till that surest Chirurgion of all Death had eased him of all his pain In his soule he euer liueth and in his name he will continue to liue so long as the Church enioyeth his Works more lasting than Marble Monuments Now O blessed Sauiour and Head of thy Church as thou transplantest some of thy Plants out of thy Nurcery the Church militant plant others wee beseech thee in their rooms that thy Church may neuer be vnfurnished of able painfull faithfull and powerfull Ministers WILLIAM GOVGE AN EXPOSITION of the Second Chapter of the first Epistle generall of PETER 1. Pet. 2.1.2.3 1. Wherfore laying aside all maliciousnes and all guile and dissimulation and enuy and euill speakings 2. As new borne Babes desire the sincere milke of the word that ye may growe thereby 3. If so be ye haue tasted that the Lord is bountifull FRom the thirteenth verse of the 1. Chapt. to the eightth verse of the third chapter is contained matter of exhortation and the exhortation is either generall or speciall The generall exhortatioÌ„ concernes all men Chap. 1.13 to Chap. 2 13 The speciall exhortation concernes onely some men as subiects seruants wiues husbands from chap. 2.13 to chap. 3.8 The generall exhortation stands of two parts first the one concernes the matter of holiness secondly and the other the meanes of holiness Of the matter of holiness in the later part of the former chapter In these wordes and those that follow to the thirteenth verse is contained an exhortation to the right vse of the meanes by which wee might growe vp in all holiness and acceptation with God In the exhortation two things must be distinguished first the substance of the exhortation secondly the conclusion of it The substance is contained from verse the first to the eleuenth the conclusion in the eleuenth and twelfth verse For the first there are two things in which if wee be rightly ordered it cannot bee but wee must grow wonderfully in grace and holiness first The one is the word secondly The other is Christ. To a right order of ourselues in respect of the word he exhorts verses 1.2.3 To a right order of our selues in respect of Christ hee exhortes verse 4. to 11. The part of the exhortation that concernes the word hath three things First what wee must auoid we must lay aside Malice Guile Hipocrisie c. secondly what we must doe wee must desire the word as the child doth the brest thirdly Why so where diuers reasons are imported First wee are babes Secondly we are but as new born babes Thirdly the word is sincere milke Fourthly it will make vs growe fiftly haue wee not already tasted of the sweetnes of it verse the third That part of the the exhortation that concerns Christ hath likewise three things in it which I will heer but touch First what we must do verse 4. Secondly how wee must doe it verse 5. Thirdly why so viz. for two reasons First the one taken from the testimonie of Scripture which is alledged verse the sixt and expounded verse 7.8 Secondly the other taken from the conâ—iderati-of our prerogatiues we inioy in Christ which are set down first positiuely verse 9. Secondly and comparatiuely verse 10. And this is the breef order of the whole first part of this chapter The first thing then in the exhortation is about the word and therein the first thing is about the things which must be auoided if we would profit by the word of which in the first verse THere are fiue things we should lay aside and be sure wee be free from when wee come into gods presence to heare his word or to bee exercised in it viz. Malice Guile Hypocrisie Enuy and euill speaking Two things distinctly must bee considered in verse first the sinnes to be auoided viz. those fiue before named Secondly the manner of auoiding them imported in the metaphoricall tearme laying aside In generall diuerse things may be noted First that it is exceeding profitable to gather speciall catalogues of our sins which we should auoid to single out such sinnes as we would specially striue against and doo more specially hurt vs and hinder good things from vs I mean not of all sinnes so much as of special certain choice euils that yet remain in greatest force in vs. We may obserue a great wisdome of the holy Ghost in many places of Scripture drawing such catalogues according to the state of the people to whom they are giuen and so it were of excellent vse if we did gather catalogues of the duties which specially concern vs or of
that the testimonies of Scriptures concerning Christ ought to bee familiarly knowne of vs and this as an especiall one But I rather think it is vsed to note the wonder of the work heere mentioned and so the word may import diuers things vnto vs. First it was a maruelous work that God should giue vs his owne Sonne to be our Sauiour and the fountaine of life to vs. Hence it is that wee may obserue throughout the Scripture that God doth set this note of attention and respect both vpon the generall and vpon many particulars that concerne Christ as it were by the Word to pull vs by the eares to make vs attend or to giue vs a signe when we should specially listen Thus God brings out Christ to the Church and tells how he loues him and hath resolued vpon it by him to saue both Iewes and Gentiles and wils them to behold him and wonder at him Isaiah 42.1 So when hee promiseth the comming of Christ And of the ends of his comming hee makes a proclamation all the world ouer that he hath appointed a Sauiour vnto Sion Thus hee would haue vs wonder at the seruice of the Angels about the time of his birth Math. 1.20 Luke 2.9 10. and at the miracle of his conception that he should bee borne of a Virgin Mat. 1.21 and at the Wisemen led by a starre out of the East Mat. 2.1 9. and at the opening of the heauens when the voice came downe to testifie that Christ was the beloued Son of God in whom he was well pleased Math. 3.16 17. and at the seruice which the Angels did him and at his wonderfull abasement for our sakes Math. 21.5 and especially that hee should sacrifice his owne bodie for our sinnes 1. Iohn 1.29 Heb. 10.7 and that he is aliue from the dead and liueth for euer Reuel 1.18 and that he hath opened the secret book of Gods counsel and made it known to the world Re. 5.5 and that after such hard times vnder the raign of Antichrist hee should recollect such troops of Gospellers as stood with him on Mount Sion Reu. 14.1 It were too long to number vp more particulars Onely thus much wee should learn that the doctrine of Christ is to be receiued with great affection attention and admiration Secondly this word strikes vs like a dart to the heart for it imports that naturally wee are extremely carelesse and stupid in this great doctrine concerning Christ faith in vs. For when God cals for attention it implies that we are maruellous slowe of heart to vnderstand or with affection to receiue the doctrine Let the vse of all be then to striue with our owne hearts and to awake from this heauinesse and sleepinesse and with all our soules to praise God with endlesse admiration of his goodnes to vs in giuing vs his Sonne Thus of the wonder of it 2. The Author of it follows I lay or put God would haue vs to take speciall notice of it that it is he that was the Author of this glorious worke He is the work-master the chief master builder It is Gods worke and the knowledge of this may serue for diuers vses For first it should direct our thankfulnes wee should giue glory to God and praise his rich grace Hee will not lose his thanks for Christ. He holds himselfe much honoured when wee praise him for so great a gift as Christ. Secondly it should much strengthen our faith and make vs beleeue the loue of God and his willingnes to bee reconciled He is the party offended and if he were hard to be pleased he would neuer haue sought out such a proiect for reconciliation Besides what can God deny vs if he can giue vs his owne Son and who is pleased also in his Word to signify so much and commanded it by his seruants to bee told to the parties offending that he hath found out such a way of perfect peace Thirdly we should hence be comforted in all the straits of godlines when the Lord goeth about to lay the foundation of grace in our hearts and to forme Christ in vs we should remember it is the Lords work and it shall prosper if the Lord will haue it go on who can hinder it The gates of Hell shall not preuaile against it when God builds it vpon this Rock Fourthly it should teach vs in al other distresses to trust vpon God and neuer be afraid of the oppositions of men or the impediments of our deliuerance For what shall restraine Gods mercy from vs If the Lord can bring about such a worke as this to found Sion by laying Christ as the chiefe corner stone in her then we may trust him in lesse matters The Lord will accomplish all the Counsell of his will and he that hath promised that all shall worke together for the best will performe it To this end hee pleades this worke of founding Christ in the womb of a Virgin of purpose to giue them thereby a signe of deliuerance then in a temporal affliction it is easy for him to saue vs and deliuer vs from all our troubles that can giue vs a Sauiour for all our sinnes Lastly Ministers that are but vnder-Masons Carpēters must learn to take al their directions at god both to see to it that they lay no other foundation then what God hath laid which is Iesus Christ and in all things to be faithfull in good workes as such as must make their accounts to God And thus of the Author Thirdly The time followes I lay or put Hee speakes in the present time yet meaneth it of a thing to bee accomplished in the time to come For God laid Christ downe as the corner stone partly in his Incarnation when he sent him into the world in the flesh to take our nature and partly he is said to lay down this corner stone when spiritually by meanes hee formes Christ in the hearts of men in the visible Church Now the Lord speaketh in the present time I doo lay for diuers reasons First To signify that the care of that busines was then in his head he was plotting about it did continually minde it Secondly to signify that howsoeuer the maine worke of the open restoring of the world by Christ in the calling of the Gentiles was long after to be done yet God did spiritually forme Christ in the hearts of the remnant so as at all times hee did more or lesse further his building Thirdly to note the certainty of the accomplishment of it he saith he did then do it to assure them it should as certainely be done as if it were then done which should teach vs to beleeue God and neuer limit him When we haue his promise let vs reckon vpon it if God promise vs any thing it is as sure as if we had it Thus of the time Fourthly The manner followes noted in the word Laid I lay There are many things imported vnder this
outward estate be Euery poore Christian should think themselues aboundantly happie What shall one answer the messengers of the nations saith the Prophet Why thus That the Lord hath founded Sion and the poore of his people shall trust in it Esay 14.32 Especially if wee consider that of the Psalme that the Lord hath there commanded the blessing euen life for euermore Psal. 133.3 Thus it should serue for consolation Eightthly It imports and imputes also great reproof and so to two sorts of men First to the godly themselues that liue not comfortably and are dailie distressed with vnbelief shal any distresses now make Sion droop The Lord takes it wonderfully vnkindly that Sion said God hath forsaken mee and my God hath forgotten mee and pleades earnestly to proue that it was false What saies the Prophet Micah is there no King in thee why doest thou crie out Mic. 4.8 9 10 11 12 13. And the Prophet Ieremie notes it with indignation Behold saith he the voice of the crie of the daughter of my people because of them that dwell n farre countries Is not the Lord in Sion Is not her King in her Ierem. 8.19 Secondly to carelesse and carnall Christians Is the Lord about so great a work as founding of Sion and forming Christ in the harts of men Then wo to them that are at ease in Sion and can sit still and securely neglect so great saluation brought vnto them Amos 6.1 A corner stone Christ is described by these words A corner stone elect and precious He is likened to the foundation stone in the corner of the building by which similitude diuers Doctrines are imported as First that Christ is the foundation of all the building of grace and godlines in the Church and the onely corner stone Hebr. 1.3 Ioh 5.39 Other foundation can no man lay then that which is laid which is Iesus Christ 1. Cor. 3. which should both teach vs and informe vs it should teach vs where to begin when wee goe about the work of godlines and eternall life Wee must begin at Christ All the building of true grace must begin at Christ and our redemption in him till wee haue learned Christ wee haue learned nothing and it should teach vs also to stay our hearts in all estates vpon Christ wee should rest in him as the building doth vpon the foundation And further it should teach vs to ascribe all the praise of the grace or hope wee haue receiued vnto Christ and the support wee haue from him And it may informe vs concerning the dotage of the Papists who make Peter the rock and foundation of the Church and yet heere wee haue the testimonie and Doctrine of Peter himselfe to the contrarie teaching vs to acknowledge no other rock of foundation but Christ himselfe Secondly we heere are instructed concerning the Vnion of Iewes and Gentiles in one Christ The two sides of the building meet all in the corner and are both fastened vpon this one foundation of Christ crucified Thirdly it is heere imported that Gods building euen in these times of the Gospell is not finished nor will bee in this life till all the elect be called He is for the most part imploied in laying the foundation and fastning the Elect as they arise in their seuerall ages as liuely stones vpon this liuing stone But the work will not be finished till we be settled in that Building made without hands in heauen Fourthly hence we may gather a testimony of the two natures of Christ or in Christ. Hee is God because he must be beleeued on and he is man because he is part of the Building and was laid down of God as the corner-stone Elect and precious There are two Epithets by which the corner stone is commended as meet to bee the onely head of the corner The first is that it is an Elect one a choise one that one of a thousand there was not such another to be found in all the heape of the creatures to make a corner stone of This is hee that is separate from sinners and acknowledged to be better and fitter for this worke then the Angels in heauen There can bee no other name vpon which we may be founded but onely the happy name of Iesus And therefore for the vse of it let euery knee bow at the name of Iesus and let euery tongue confesse to the glory of God the Father that he hath been wonderfull in his choise Let vs adore him whom God hath chosen and giuen vnto vs as the foundation of all our happines especially let vs learn of God to make our choise of him Oh Infidelity Infidelity how iust is thy wofull destruction for thy vnbeliefe Oh man that mightest haue been for euer happy in this choise Oh let vs bee warned and saue our selues from the common ruine of the world Let all this be vile in respect of Christ. Let vs chuse him aboue all the world Hee is worthy vpon whom all our soules and all our minde and all our ioy should be set God forbid wee should reioyce in any thing but in Christ and him crucified Let vs bee crucified to the world so we be loued of Christ. Shall wee wilfully make our selues like the miserable Iews Shall we chuse rather Barabbas then Iesus and Belial rather then Christ If the daughter of a begger should bee offred in marriage whether she would chuse of a matchlesse Prince or a base and seruile pesant would we not detest such folly if she should neglect the Prince and choose the pesant And yet this is our case God requires no more of vs but to choose his Sonne before the world or Satan or the flesh and we are assured of eternall aduancement and yet behold we chuse not wee deferre the time wee court the pesant that will for euer vndoe vs and neglect the continual sollicitations of the Heir of all things Lord put to our faith and make vs for euer resolute to cleaue to the Lord Iesus and him alone Secondly he is sayd to be precious Of this before but yet somewhat note for the vse Is he precious O then first how should we admire the glorie of that building when the foundation is layed with precious stones Secondly this should begette in vs an high estimation of Christ. Quest. What should we do to attaine to this heartily to account of Christ as so excellent aboue all other things Ans. First we must think much of our misery and our need of Christ. The true reason why wee are not more ioyed in Christ is because we are not soundly Catechized in the particulars of our miserie in our selues we should seriously lay that doctrine one time after another vpon our hearts and it will make vs run to Christ with singular affection Secondly we should get Catalogues of the great things purchased by Christ and of the wonderfull precious promises made vnto godlines both for this life and that which is to
similitude that Christ is laid as the Mason laies the chief corner stone in the earth For it imports First The diuine nature of Christ that he was before he was incarnate as the corner-stone was before it was laid for a foundation Christ descended from heauen Eph. 4.7 9. Secondly The vnchangeablenes of Gods ordinances concerning the giuing of Christ. Hee hath laid him as a foundation that hee would not haue taken vp againe Thirdly the hiding of the glory of Christ and of his life He is of singular vse to the church and the Frame of God's work appeareth in his members but Christ himself is hid with God Col. 3.3 He is like the stone hidden in the earth hee is buried in the ground and therefore wee should be the more patient if our life be hid also with God Fourthly it may be by this tearm the mystery of the birth and conception of Christ is intimated God digged the ground of our natures in the womb of Christ that hee might lay Christ there c. Fiftly so it may likewise import the sanctification of the humane nature of Christ who was qualified as the stone is squared when it is laied down Thus of the manner The place follows In Sion Sion for certain was a Fort of the Iebusites built on a hill close to Ierusalem which was taken by Dauid and called the City of Dauid 2. Sam. 5 7 the Temple being afterwards built heer The Church of the Iewes was cald Sion because heer they assembled and so afterwards it was the title giuen to the Church of God both of Iewes and Gentiles that agree in one faith and true Religion Zach. 10.11 And in especiall by Sion is meant the place of the assembly of the Saints the Sanctuary In the twelfth to the Hebrews verse 22. it is thought to signifie the saints in heauen euen the Congregation of the first-born In this place it must needs mean the Christian Church in which GOD built the new world laying the foundation in Christ incarnate which began in Ierusalem euen at Sion in the Letter Now when the Lord cals his Church by this name of Sion it is to import diuers things partly to tell vs what we were by nature and partly to tell vs what we are by his grace and fauour By nature what were our assemblies but Forts of Iebusites in which multitudes of Iocusts swarmed we were Canaanites enemies to God and all true religion we were the halt and the blind mentioned Mic. 4.6 7 alluding to that in 2. Sam. 5.6 7. But being conquered by Dauid our King euen Christ the Sonne of Dauid we are new fortified for his vse and our estate is fitly resembled by Sion 1. The Church is like Mount Sion for visibility Christians are like a City on a hill they are such as all sorts of men easily take notice of not that the men of the world are in loue with Christians but many times out of the hatred of the truth set they eies and thoughts vpon them Matthew 5 c. Secondly the godly are like Mount Sion for vnremoueablenesse they that trust in the Lord are like a mountain men may as soon remooue a mountain as remoue them from God and happinesse in God Psal. 126.1 Thirdly the Church is like Sion in respect of Gods habitation there God dwels there hee keeps house there and in the assemblies thereof he feeds his people The Sanctuary is Gods foddering place it is the City of God the mountain of his holinesse the City of the great King the City of the Lord of Hostes God shines there Psalm 48.1 2 8. Psalm 50.2 He is known there familiarly because his dwelling place is there Psalm 76.1 2. He hath chosen his Church out of all the world it is the place only which he hath desired it is his rest for euer Psalm 132.73 14 15. It is the place of the Name of the Lord of hosts Esay 18.7 As Dauid by an excellency reckoned Sion to bee his City of residence so God doth account of the Church as all he hath as it were in the world Fourthly it may be that the Church is resembled to Sion for the littlenesse of it in comparison of the world euen in Sion that is so much despised will God lay his corner-stone Fiftly but the principall thing heer intended is To signifie to vs that God loues his Church aboue all the world and that he will giue Christ to none but to the Church Out of Sion there can be no saluation and in Sion there is all happinesse to be had The consideration heerof may serue vs for many vses Vses First we should hence inform our selues concerning the excellency of the Church of God aboue all other Assemblies of men in the world Wee should learn to think of the Assemblies of Christians as the Sion of God shee is the Mountain of his holinesse the ioy of the whole earth Psal. 48.1 2. the perfection of beauty where God shines more than in all the world besides Psal. 50.2 The Moon may be confounded and the Sunne ashamed when the Lord is pleased to shew himself to raign in Sion and before his Ancients gloriously Isaiah 24.23 yea the Church of God is an eternall excellency Isaiah 60.15 wheras all other glories will vanish And besides we should hence be informed concerning the necessitie of obtaining saluation in the Church For this text shewes vs that Christ is no where laid but in Sion and can no where be found but in the true Church In Sion onely hath God placed saluation for Israel his glorie Onely the godly are Gods Israel Onely in Israel doth God glorie and onely in Sion can Gods Israel finde saluation Isaiah 46. vlt. Secondly Hence wee should especially bee moued to an effectuall care to make it so since that wee are in the true Church and that we are true members of Sion and withall wee should striue aboue all things to procure for our selues the ordinances of God in Sion It is said of the godly distressed for want of meanes that going they went and weeping they did goe to seek the Lord in Sion with their faces thitherward and with a resolution to bind themselues by couenant to the Lord to bee any thing hee would haue them to be onely if they might finde fauor in his eies heerein Ierem. 50.5 Quest. Now if you aske mee how the true members of Sion may bee knowne Ans. I answer first generally that all that are in Sion are not of Sion and further that wee must not iudge of true Christians by their number For God many times takes one of a Tribe or one of a City and two of a Tribe to bring them to Sion Ierem. 3.14 But yet to answer more directly Thou must be a new creature or thou art no member of Gods true Sion For of euerie one in Sion it must bee said Hee was borne there Psal. 86.5 The gates of Sion are to bee opened onely that
a righteous nation may enter in Esay 26.1 2. Men may deceiue themselues but God will not be deceiued For he hath his fire in Sion and furnace in Ierusalem Hee will try euery man and make his count onely by righteousnes Esay 31.9 Rom. 9. and therefore the sinners in Sion haue reason to be afraid Esay 35.14 And if yet wee would haue signes more particular wee may trie our selues by these that follow First Sion is a Virgin and all the Godly are the Daughters of Sion and so the chiefe Daughter of a chiefe mother Now this is a true vertue of a true member of the Church that his loue is vndefiled towards Christ Hee is not enamored with other things Hee will haue no other God but one Hee accounts all things but drosse and dung in comparison of Christ Hee harbours no beloued sinne but denieth the inticements of it with detestation and griefe that hee should euer be so assaulted Secondly God knoweth his owne in Sion by this signe that they are they that mourn in Sion that are farre from making a mock of sinne The Lord himselfe is their witnes that their hearts are heauie by reason of their sinnes and they knowe no griefe like to the grief for their sinnes Esay 61.2 Thirdly thou maist knowe thy estate by thy subiection to Christ and his ordinances For God hath set his King in Sion Now if thy Soueraigne bee in Heauen and thou canst bee willing to be ruled by his ordinances this will bee a comfortable testimonie to thee as contrariwise if thou dislike his gouernment and wouldst faine cast his yoake from thee so as this man may not rule ouer thee thou art of the number of the people but not of Gods people Psal. 2.6 Thus of the second vse Thirdly wee should bee carefull to celebrate the praises of God yea and therefore carefull for all the goodnes he shewes vnto vs in Sion Praise should waite for him The Lord is great and greatly to bee praised in Sion the Cittie of our God Psal. 48.1 Psal. 147.12 Esay 51.16 All that serue the Lord in Sion and are refreshed with the comforts of his presence should get large hearts both for admiration and celebration of his goodnes Psal. 134. the whole Psalme Come say the godly Ierem. 31.10 let vs declare the worke of the Lord in Sion c. Fourthly since Sion is the place where the Lord keepes house and giues entertainment to all his followers wee should call one vpon another to goe vp to the Lord in Sion wee should run thither to the bountifulnes of the Lord and in all our wants shew our selues instructed in this point by making our recourse vnto Sion as the place where God is pleased most readily to declare his shining mercies Ierem. 31.6 12. Fiftly we should be stirred vp to much praier for the accomplishment of the building of God in Sion Our hearts should long to see this work prosper Oh that the saluation of Israel were come out of Sion Psal. 14.1 For Sions sake wee should not hould our peace Esay 62.1 but still beseech the Lord to doe good to Sion and build vp the walls of Ierusalem Psal. 51.20 Sixtly we should especially be greeued if we see that Sion prospers not Of all iudgements we should most lament the desolation of Sion The whole booke of Lamentations is spent vpon this subiect Wee should hang our harpes vpon the willowes if we remember that Sion lieth waste and there be none to build her vp Psal. 137. Seuenthly the especiall vse should be for consolation If the Lord doe vs good in Sion wee should account it a maruelous felicitie if the lord admit vs to be members of the true Church in places where Gods work prospers The Lord giues this promise in Esay to comfort them against all the miseries were outwardly to fall vpon them This work should make amends for all other troubles If God build vs vp in spirituall things hee giues vs double for all outward crosses we should striue with our owne hearts to be exceedingly affected with the happines of our owne condition on earth when we know our interest in Sion wee should liue without feare yea euerlasting ioy should bee vpon our heads and sorrow mourning should flee away Esay 31.10 and the rather if wee consider the prerogatiues of Sion aboue all the world besides for First the Lord dwells there It is the Palace of his residence on earth as hath beene shewed before Secondly the fauor of God shines there Hee delightes in his people and ioyes in all the members of Sion He reioiceth ouer them with ioy Zeph. 3.15 16 17. Psal. 86.2 Thirdly in Sion we are loosed from our fetters and bonds It is a place where the Captiues goe free The Lord turnes back the captiuitie of his people Psal. 14.7 Fourthly in her Palaces God is knowne for a refuge in all distresses Psal. 48.3 There is wonderfull safetie there The Lord doth mightily preserue and defend his people wee are safe if wee be members of the true Church and haue true grace the greatest aduersaries labour in vaine and seeking see and maruell and haste away Psal. 48.11 12. They shall certainly be confounded and turned back that hate Sion Psal. 129.5 Vpon euery place of mount Sion shall be defence Sion is a quiet habitation God hath his yeere of recompence for the controuersies of Sion and his day of Vengance Esay 34.8 Fiftly the Lawe comes out of Sion and the word of the Lord from Ierusalem There we haue directions for our life and for eternall life Esay 2.3 It is Gods foddering place there hee giues vs shepheards to feed vs Ierem. 3.14 Sixtly the inhabitants of Sion haue all remission of sinnes and the healing of their infirmities as the Prophet shews in these words excellently The inhabitant thereof shall not say I am sick the people that dwell therein shall bee forgiuen their iniquitie Esay 33.24 Seuenthly all the good newes is there to bee had we are naturally Athenians we loue to tell and heare newes if we were spiritually so Oh! how would we reioice in Sion whose spirituall glory is to bring good tidings Esay 40.9 and 41 27. and 52.7 c. Eightthly If the Lord bee displeased with Sion yet it is but for a moment hee will returne in euerlasting compassion It is a sure thing The Lord will yet haue mercy vpon Sion Psal. 102.14 Hee will againe comfort Sion and make his wildernes like Eden and his Desart like the garden of the Lord Esay 51.3 Lastly and specially we should reioice in Sion because the Redeemer comes to Sion and to them that turne from their transgressions in Iacob Esay 59.20 Yea saluation only comes out of Sion Psal. 14.7 In Sion onely hath God placed saluation for Israel his glory Esay 46. vlt. And therefore we should labour to walk worthie of so great mercies of God and liue with all contentment whatsoeuer our
estimation from them or at least put them to silence c. For the first if wicked men bee offended for doing good wee are not to regard their offence As when the Pharises were offended at Christ he cared not but said Let them alone they are blind and leaders of the blinde c. Math. 15.14 And so the Apostles answered It is better to obey God then men Acts 5.29 It is better that scandal arise then that the truth should bee forsaken Thus Michaiah cares not for the offence of Ahab nor Eliah and in this case Leui is not to respect father or mother bretheren or children Deut. 33.9 And so though wicked men bee offended wee must preach the Gospel with all plainenesse and not affect wisdome of words 1. Cor. 1.23 and wee must labour for the meate that perisheth not and must pray vnto God and vse religious exercises in our houses as Daniel did wee must renew Iustification by our owne workes and we must suffer in a good cause and wee must with strictnes auoid the excesses of the time Now for the second we may be guilty of giuing offence to the wicked First by scandalous and vicious life thus Dauid gaue offence Secondly by indiscretion in the manner of doing good duties as if men pray or fast or giue almes to bee heard or seene of men Thirdly by rash zeale as when men proclaime to the world a great deale of strictnes in things that are not grounded vpon the Word and yet are tainted openly with known infirmities and sinnes or when men are violent and rash censurers especially in things they commit themselues or when men neglect their calling and liue inordinately and are busie-bodies vnder pretence of Religion or when men that haue a faire dore opened to doe good by preaching the Gospell will not yeeld in some indifferent things that they may winne them as woe had beene to Paul if he had not beene a Iew with the Iewes that hee might gaine the Iewes thereby or necessity lay vpon him the preaching of the Gospell or to preach the Gospell though it were clogd at that time with condition of yielding to the Iewish ceremonies 1. Cor. 9. Now for the third there are diuers excellent rules that may much adorne the liues of Christians in their courage toward the wicked and so either preuent scandall or leaue them without excuse themselues being Iudges as they will confesse in the day of visitation These things then will much aduance our cause before wicked men to shew in our conuersation 1. Integrity and harmelesnes and sound care of the practising of godlines Philippians 1.15 16. 2. Submission and obedience vnto the King and his humane ordinances 1. Peter 2.13.14.15 3. Reuerence and feare when we intreate of any thing that concernes God and Religion 4. Meeknes of wisdome expressing a minde free from conceitednes frowardnes or affectation Iam. 3.13 5. Mercy to the poore and a minde free from the greedy desire of earthly things a serious declaration of the contempt of the world Iam. 1.26 Math. 5.16 c. 6. Quietnes and peace to be shewed first in studying to be quiet to meddle with our owne busines secondly in making peace amongst others Math. 5.8 7. Loue to our enemies being ready to pray for them or doe them any good Lastly hence may be gathered some matter of consolation for the godly For first if the Lord haue kept them from taking offence hee hath freed them from a great sore spirituall iudgement Secondly if the wicked should be so peruerse as to take offence when he giues none yet this may stay him that Christ himselfe was an offence vnto them Thirdly as it is a great iudgement to bee offended at Christ so it is a great mercy and supernaturall grace when the Lord makes our hearts able to loue the Lord Iesus in all sincerity Hitherto of the first kinde of punishment the second is that Christ shall be to them A rock of offence that is they shall fall vpon Christ as the ship doth vpon the rock and be broken all to pieces There shall bee a desperate anguish vpon their consciences perceiuing themselues to haue no right in Christ by the feare of which as men that haue suffred shipwrack they shall be out of all hope of mercy Thus hee that falleth on this stone shal be broken and vpon whom it shall fall he shall be ground to powder Luke 20 17. The consciences of wicked men are diuersly affected some are without feeling of any grieuance in the matters of their soules some haue feeling The consciēce is without feeling either through a continuall security and sleepines which is in all men or through a searednes by which some men are growne past feeling Now those wicked men that haue any feeling in this text are cast into two sorts for either they are offended or they despaire Christ is to those latter an occasion of their ruine they suffer shipwracke vpon Christ which is ioyned with singular offence or paine or grieuance of their consciences This rocke is like that in the Iudges chap. 6.21 out of which fire went and consumed them The despaire that wicked men feel is of two sorts For either it is a despaire which riseth from their perswasion of their want of helpe in spirituall things or from their want of help in outward things somtimes they fall into desperate tormēts and griefs and fears about outward things either vpon fear of danger or vpon an apprehension that they are vtterly vndone or shall be in matters of the world this was the despair mentioned and this despair was in Saul Achitophel and Belshazzer Dan. 5. and in the Iews when they said there was no hope Ier. 2.25 and this was in the Aegyptians Babylonians Tyrians and their case in the desolation of their estate by warre mentioned in many chapters of the Prophet Esay But this despair is not meant heer for this is a despair of all help or saluation of the soule by Christ conceiuing that they are vtterly cast off of God and shall perish for euer Thus Cain and Iudas despaired of all mercy in God And this despaire of saluation and all happinesse is felt either in hell or at the day of Iudgement or in this life First it is certain that the Wicked feel an eternall despair in hell which increaseth their torments because they haue no hope of ease or help and thus also the diuels despair This despair in hell is a meer gnawing the conscience and tormenting it which neuer dieth Secondly they also feel despair with singular horrour when they come to appear before Iesus Christ at the last Day when they behold the face of the Iudge and feel within them a witnes that tels them they shall bee damned This torment will then come vpon them like the pains of a woman in trauell and their anguish will bee so great that they will cry to the mountains
whole world is their kingdome in which they raigne they are heirs of the world Rom. 4. and so our Sauiour saith They inherit the earth Matthew 5. Fourthly their owne hearts are as a large Kingdom in which they sit and raign gouerning and ruling ouer the innumerable thoughts of their mindes and affections and passions of their harts among which they doo iustice by daily subduing their vnruly passions and wicked thoughts which like so many Rebels exalt themselues against the obedience should be yielded to Christ the supreme Lord and Emperor as also by promoting the weal of all those sauing graces which are placed in their hearts nourishing and lifting vp all good thoughts and cherishing all holy desires and good affections conscience beeing by commission the chief Iudge for their affairs of this whole Kingdome Fiftly it is something royal and which proues them to be Kings they haue a regall supremacy A King is he that iudgeth all and is iudged of none such a one also is euery spirituall man said to be 1. Cor. 2. vlt. Sixtly they prooue themselues Kings by the many conquests they make ouer the world and Satan sometimes in lesser skirmishes somtimes in some main and whole battels Ob. Might some one say Is this all the Kingdome of a Christian This is infinitely belowe the magnificence and honour of an earthly kingdome c. Sol. GOD hath done more for the naturall man or for the nature of men for prouiding means for this spirituall Kingdome than in opening a way for earthly Kingdomes which may appear by diuers differences For First none but great men and of great means can attain to the Kingdome of this world but heer the poor may haue a Kingdome as well as the rich Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdome of heauen Secondly while the father liues the little childe cannot raign whereas in this Kingdom little-ones attain to the Kingdome and safely hold it Mat. 18. Thirdly this kingdome is of heauen whereas the others are onely of the earth Fourthly these Kings are all iust there is none vnrighteous can possesse these thrones They are all washed iustified and sanctified There is not a drunkard a railer a buggerer an adulterer a murtherer or any the like amongst them which is no priuiledge belonging to the kingdome of this world Rom. 14.17 1 Cor. 6.9 10 11. Gal. 5.21 The godly are Kings such as Melchisedech was somewhat obscure in the world but they raign in righteousnes in peace none like them Heb. 7. Fiftly the godly haue receiued a kingdome that cannot be shaken Their kingdom is an euerlasting kingdome Heb. 12.28 But all the kingdomes of the world may be and haue beene shaken and will be ruined and end whereas the godly that set out in soueraignty ouer lesser dominions and with lesse pompe yet increase so fast till at length they attain the most glorious Kingdom in the new heauens and new earth The vse of all this may be diuers First for singular comfort to the godly what account soeuer the world makes of them yet heere they see what God hath ordained them vnto It matters not for the worlds neglect of them for Gods Kingdom comes not by obseruation and in particular it should comfort them in two causes First in matter of seruice when they come to stand before the Lord they must know that they are honourable in Gods sight He respects them as so many Kings in his presence Secondly in the mortification of vices they haue receiued power authority as Kings and therefore no rebellious conuersation can so exalt it selfe but it may be subdued The oyle of God is vpon them and what can the greatest Rebels doe against the power of the King But secondly withall heere is terror to wicked men For this is the priuiledge onely of the godly and it is certaine that wicked men are in Gods account as base as the godly are honourable they are thrust besides these thrones And so both sorts of wicked men For not onely openly profane men are to be smitten with this terror but also hypocrites It is true indeed that hypocrites act the parts of Kings but they are onely such Kings as Players are vpon a stage they speake of the words or the words of Kings but are not indeed For they are by the wiser and better sort accounted as Rogues and the scum of the people euen so are wicked men in Gods account neither will their outward shewes helpe them For the Kingdom of God is tried not by words but by the power of it 1. Cor. 4.20 And withall vnruly Christians may be hence checked such as will not be ruled by their teachers such were the Corinthians they raigned without Paul and their godly teachers But the Apostle wisheth they were indeed Kings or did indeed raigne Why bearest thou the name of a King and canst not rule thy passions Thirdly diuers vses for instructions may bee hence gathered for First we should hence learne to honour poore Christians They are spirituall Kings as well as the Kings of the earth and wee knowe what a stirre wee would make to entertaine the Kings of this world Iam. 2.5 Secondly wee should hence bee stirred vp in desire after this Kingdome to pray for it that it may come and that God would count vs worthy of such a Kingdom Math. 6. 2. Thes. 1.5 and to this end wee should looke to two things First that we seeke this kingdome first aboue all other things Mat. 6. Secondly that we should refuse no paines nor handship for the entertainment of true godlines This Kingdom of heauen should suffer violence and the violent only will take it by force It is an easy thing for Iohn to be a partner in the patience of the bretheren when he is a partner with them in the Kingdom of Iesus Christ Reuel 1.9 It is no great thing men can suffer if wee consider it is for a Kingdome and the want of outward things should the lesse trouble vs if God make vs so rich in spirituall things Thirdly wee should hence especially learne to liue in this world like Kings and this Christians should shew First by declaring their conquest ouer the passions and desires of their owne hearts It is a royall quality in a Christian to bee able to shew all meeknes of minde and temper and sobriety in being able to deny vnto himselfe what may not bee had without sinne or offence Hee that winnes the conquest ouer his owne heart is greater then hee that winnes a City Secondly putting on the Lord Iesus The righteousnes of Christ is the robe of a Christian and since all the life of a Christian is a high feast hee should alwaies put on his robe to distinguish him from all other men and this righteousnes is both the imputed righteousnes of Christ as also the inherent vertues of Christ. Thirdly by seruing the publick Kings are the common treasure of the subiects