and cast his loving kindnesses behind our backs Us only hath God chosen [3] Amos 3.2 above all the Churches under Heaven to be unto him a [4] Jer. 13.11 Name and a glory and do we thus [5] Deut. 32.6 7 8 9 requite the Lord O foolish people and unwise Is not he thy Father that hath bought thee hath he not made thee and established thee Remember the dayes of old consider the yeares of many generations If one man sin against another the Judge shall judge him but if a people sin and thus sin against the Lord [6] 1 Sam. 2.25 who shall entreat for it The breaches betwixt us and our God are so wide that it will be [7] Ezek 13.5 22.30 Jer. 5.1 Numb 32.23 Ezek. 3.26 very difficult to make up this hedge were Noah Daniel Job and Moses alive among us they would be insufficient to stand in these gaps When Israel came out of Aegypt rather When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion then were they like unto them that [8] Psalm 126.1 were in a dream we although the Lord hath done greater things for us are in no such dream in a [9] Rom. 11.8 slumber we are we are like unto nay we are a generation drunken with excesse and fallen asleep in deadly sins May God ever have the glory of it the [10] Hos 2.18 bow the sword and the battel He hath broken such is His mercifulnesse we [11] ibid. lye down safely but we [12] Jer. 3.25 lye down in our shame too Our peace is [13] Esay 48.18 as a River mean while our Vnrighteousnesse is [14] ibid. as the waves of the sea This was the [15] Ezek. 16.49 51 iniquity of Sodom Pride fulnesse of bread and abundance of idlenesse Tell it not in Gath our iniquity is greater neither hath Samaria committed half of our sins By [16] Hos 4.2 swearing lying stealing adulteries oppressions drunkennesse prophanesse and covetousnesse we break forth shall we say now that we are [17] Jer. 7.10 delivered to do all these abominations God forbid After peace we follow and we do well but we [18] Heb. 12.14 follow not after holinesse without which no man shall see the Lord We have [19] Mark 9.50 peace one with another but our crime is we have no salt in our selves Had we a desire to goodnesse we should wish for another cruse of thy white salt O [20] See both 2 Kings 2.19 20. and holy Mr. Shermans White Salt viz. his Sober correction of a mad world in some well-wishes 1654. unto goodnesse man of God Wise as Serpents we are but not innocent as Doves Publish it not in the streets of Askelon we cease to rebel against Our King against His King we rebel more and more Let the whole sixth Chap. of Wisdome continue Apocryphal yet the first Chap. of Isaiah will not so escape us Luxury overthrew Persia I hope better things of Briltain We lead our lives as if we had [1] Ea muac sunt tempora in quibus nec vitia nec Remedia pati possumus Liv. compassed an Act of Oblivion for our God and an Act of Indempnity for our selves God is served by us as now adayes most Creditors are served by those landed Unthrifts who make the Fleet or the Kings Bench a new protection for non-payment of old debts The [2] Psal 29.3 Humanas motura tonitrua mentes viz from Anno Domini 1640. unto Anno Salutis 1660. Esay 44.22 late Thunder-showres which might have proved very fruitful have brought forth little except a few mush-rooms We are gone forth to behold a reed [3] Mat. 11.7 Arundo per temporalem gloriam foris quasi ad alta proficit sed intus à soliditate veritatis inanescit Greg. Mor. l. 33. c. 3. shaken in the ayr but Lord go not thou forth to [4] 1 Kings 14.15 smite us as a reed shaken in the water we have made our selves a broken reed make not thou of us a measuring reed a broken and bruised reed O Lord thou wilt not despise And yet how can we promise unto our selves further forgivenesses We go up to Bethel not [5] Gen. 28.19 21 35.1 2 with Jacob to pay our vowes but [6] Amos 4.4 with Israel to transgresse Beloved the more We like this the more our God disliketh us Vnto our land the Lord [7] 1 Kings 8 56 58 Esay 28.12 30.15 See also Levit. 26.35 43 and Deut. 28.58 47 See also Esay 58.13 14 hath indeed miraculously given rest but we alas deal by our God as through the neglect of some Magistrates most people deal by our anniversary Festivals viz. the more we rest from our labours the more we weary our selves to work wickednesse I have seen [8] A Book so entituled and printed 1663. at Cambridge Ichabod and although her five groanes vanish into ayr some of them whosoever heareth his eares shall tingle The sacred name of King Charles was not more prophaned among us during our late Revolt then [9] Jer. 23.10 Ezra 9.13 14 15 the holy Name of God is abused among us now Order Decency Uniformity Loyaltie Truth Holinesse and the Throne of Gods holinesse are everywhere [10] Rom. 2.23 24 blasphemed through that lye which is now almost every-where in our right hand so little availeth it that we have wholsome lawes enacted by men while [11] Esay 7. Mic. 2.7 Lam. 3.25 the lawes of God are epidemically despised God he hath loaded us [12] Psalm 68.19 with his benefits we in requital daily [13] Amos 2.13 Ezek. 6.9 Josh 22.16 17 18 19 20. load him with our provocations Unto You I betake my self my DREAD SOVERAIGN KING CHARLES The Lord hath (1) Esay 22.23 28.5 62.3 Josh 24 17 fastened your Gracious Majesty as a nail in a sure place Wherefore so may your sacred Person and Posterity remain a glorious Throne unto your Fathers house as you render unto the Lord the glory due unto his Mercies Divers of your Majesties servants fail much in this one point But your most sacred Majesty will appear (2) 〈◊〉 eminent was the same of Cotstactine the great 〈◊〉 one of his mean subjects had been a long while desirous to see this fainous Emperor at length a sight of him he obtained but as he saw him he cryed out I verily thought that Constantine had been some greater thing but now I that the Emperour is nothing but a man Unto whom Constantine mildly answered Tu so us est qui in me oculos habâ—â—â—sti apertos Greg. Dialogâ— 1.15 cited by 〈◊〉 Hull not only a Defender of the faith but an Example unto Believers for such as honour God them God will honour God will never reniove YOUR Diadem nor take off YOUR Crown YOU shall continue a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord and a royal Diadem in the hand of your God if YOU in this
two Sermons on this Text. others That even great afflictions may not perplex a true Believers heart I shall endeavour to prove unto you from within the confines of the Text in hand I shall endeavour to clear it unto you 1. Negatively The Doctrine proved from the last closing of my Text. 2. Affirmatively from the first entrance of it 1. Negatively from v. 2. Negatively if it were not so I would have told you Whether ye supply (1) Dan. Heinsii Exer. i at in locum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Or whether ye accept (2) Thus Regia Biblia Hispan Tho. Moâ—tfortius MSS. Alexand. Nonnus MSS. Cantabr Sixtus Quintus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 without a point before 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Or whether (3) Thus Tremellius and to him assenteth Lud. de Dieu in locum with an interpunction 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Or whether ye reject both the interpunction and the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 too (4) Thus the Versionâ—s Arah ut Lat. Vulgat 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Or whether as we in our best English Translations do ye (5) Thus Erasmus Piscator Ro. Stephanus drias Montanus Beza Vers Syr. Grotius reject the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but make sure of the interpunction 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 To omit several (1) Such as the Aethiop and Pe sick Versions I in short conclude Whether with some ye paraphrase the words thus There is in heaven (2) Hammond in locum room enough for both you and me so that I need not tell you of my going to prepare a place for you Or whether ye lay aside Paraphrases and follow the various readings in a nearer sense as In vain (3) Lud. de Dieu ubi supro should I go to prepare a place for you could I not assure you there are in my Fathers house many Mansions Or There are (4) Heinsius ubi supra already prepared in my Fathers house many Mansions else I had told you that I go c. Or Iu (5) Arias Montaaus Erasimus Bezâ— Piscator G otius and as Dr. Donne saith the Church of England c. my Fathers house are many Mansions if it were otherwise I would not conceal it I would have told you for I who will not leave you ignorant go c. If it were not so I would have told you Whether ye examine the variantes (6) Vide sis Waltoni Biblia Polyglotta lectiones whether ye follow the most obvious opinions of most Interpreters or whether ye keep strictly to the last and best copy and sense too This one phrase from the mouth of Jesus Christ our Lord this I would have told you Is Law from Zion Statute-Law standeth a good and a most undeniable proof From these few words If it were not so I would have told you that English (1) Act. 14.12 S. Paul of (2) Dr. Donn ours deduceth (3) Ubi sapra a Standard whereby to measure [4] 1 John 4.1 all Doctrines Judge therefore By the mouth of no one of all his servants in the Old Testament in the New Testament neither by his servants nor by himself did the Lord Jesus at any time either expresly or implicitly say He would have great afflictions perplex believers hearts Wherefore the constant silence of the Lord Christ calleth out aloud and giving unto this truth his free assent most undoubltedly assureth every one among us that in as much as Jesus Christ our Lord requireth no such [1] Isa 1.12 matter from our hands No afflictions how great soever may at all perplex a believers heart That 's my first proof My second Proof is from verse the first Affirmatively Let not From verse first c. Throughout this whole Context these Disciples of the Lord Jesus were and were to be under great and sore tryals All this while how doth this captain of their salvation lead them How doth their Lord and Master tutor them Answ He telleth them what they must accompt upon he forewarneth them how that In the world they must [1] Joh. 16.33 expect trouble in the world they must [2] 2 Tim. 1.8 partake of the afflictions of the Gospel they must [3] 2 Tim. 2.3 endure hardness must [4] 2 Tim. 2.12 suffer persecution must [5] Mat. 16.24 in quem locum vide sis Casparum Sibelium deny themselves must [6] Luk. 9.23 take up their daily cross But may they at all disquiet may they at all perplex their minds No saith our blessed Saviour Fear (7) Rev. 2.10 none of all these evils Take (8) Phâ—l 4.11 12 1 Pet. 5.7 Mat. 6.31 Luk. 12.11 nothought Possess your (9) Phâ—l 21.19 souls in patience and however ye speed Let not (10) Joh. 14.27 your heart be troubled My Brethren of the clearness of any truths whatsoever greater evidence hath no man then this the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the precept the command the testimony the authority of Him who is the wisdom and the truth even of Jesus Christ our Lord. Wherefore I beseech you be your tryals never so great be the removal of a near friend never so afflicting yet remember the words which the Lord hath spoken unto you Let not your heart be troubled While ye draw near [1] Mat. 28.1 toward the Sepulchre I beseech you take notice that the [2] John 20.1 stone is taken away take notice that it is [3] Mat. 28.2 rolled back by the good Angel in my Text nay cast an eye again and having [4] Luk. 24.2 found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre behold how this Angel sitteth upon that (5) Mat. 28.2 stone That is the next viz. uponwhat ground for what reason it is that our most compassionate Redeemer will not here allow no not any afflictions how great soever to perplex his Disciples hearts The Reasons are seven-fold From the whole Text. But ere ever I can bring forth my Reasons I must remove one more stone at which some few are peradventure willing to stumble Quest Dub. If I would have told you standeth a most undeniable prohibition then what Statute-Law have you for Bowing at the name of Jesus for Bowing towards the East and to instance in no more for placing Tapers upon the Altar Answ 1. Solut. Law from Zion which therefore because it nowhere declareth these practises contrary to Gods revealed will [1] 1 Cor. 6.12 See also Cases of conscience about things indifferent 1662. by an indifferent hand alloweth them to be lawful Answ 2. Thou canst not say that they oppose Decency and Order for the most learned Fathers of our Church to whom it appertaineth [1] Tit. 1.5 1 Cor. 14.40 11.34 to determine what doth and what doth not make for Dececcy and Order do if not enjoyn yet allow them especially in Cathedrals Answ 3 Thou canst not say We have [1]
dicere hoc est quod trepidabam proferre Qui ergo se tanti patris silium consitetur credit respondeat vitâ generi moribus patri mente at que actu asserat quod caelestum consecutus est naturam Chrysologi Serm. 72. our God be by us few glorified Fourthly Reason 4. From grace assisting Therefore God must be by us glorified because if Christs Disciples we be we have the benefit not only of reason but of grace As unreasonable creatures want understanding to know there is a God so unregenerate creatures want grace to glorifie that God whom they know a rational power over all which is before them they may and [1] Rom. 2.8 must exercise a spiritual they should but cannot As ever they would [2] See William Fenner his Wilfull Impenitency Mr. Baxters his Call to the Unconverted his Now or Never c. obtain that glory which shall hereafter be revealed as ever they would work out their salvation as ever they would escape condemnation as ever they would quiet the barking of their guilty consciences as ever they would entitle God unto a protection of what they possesse nay since the fewer their offences the [3] Mat. 16.27 Luke 12.47 48 fewer their torments as ever they would mitigate the severity of eternal wrath let the vilest unbelievers see to it that they do ever make the best use which possibly they can of that little understanding they have David even then when he himself was [4] Psalm 109.4 all prayer made this imprecation against Judas [5] Psalm 109.7 Let his prayer become sin the meek Moses who [6] Exod. 32.32 petitioned rather then not forgive Israels sins blot me out of thy book against Dathan and Abiram brake forth [7] Num. 16.15 Respect not thou their offering Sirs the same is the [8] Mark 3.29 intercession of the merciful Jesus against such unbelievers as despising salvation harden themselves in their [9] John 3.18 accursed estate Such a one cursed he is and will not feel how [10] John 3.5 mortal his sins are he liketh his inbred corruption so well that he had rather be without the Spirit of Regeneration then endure the pangs of a new birth he serveth divers lusts and he liketh it well most contented is he to be Satans underling he [11] Rom. 6.12 7.22 Psalm 51.10 Gal. 5.24 Libera me à malo hom ne viz à merpso Aug. complaineth not that he was conceived in iniquity that he hath a heart rebellious c. In short nature cannot relieve him and he will not seek out for grace therefore is his whole life but a series of hypocrisie and of guilded sins So unreasonable is such a one that he is too [12] Psal 10.4 Homo sib obnoxium Deum exist mat non se Deo Spanhem proud to obey he scorneth instruction so fool-hardy he is that he feareth none of all that infinite power none of all that infinite justice which the Almighty glorieth in Since now the holinesse of God is an [13] Prov. 29.27 abomination unto his heart it is no marvail at all if his sacrifices are an [14] Prov. 15.8 21.27 abomination unto his God for he cannot be said to serve the Lord but [15] Qui facit ea solummodò quae vult facere non Dominicam voluutatem implet sed suam Salvian his own fancy Never never let such a nasty sloven dream that ever the King of glory will accept any confessions any thanksgivings any prayses any panegyricks from such a [16] Psalm 50.16 Prov. 17.7 rustical clown such a vagrant Tinker such a black-mouthed smuttifacâ—â— Chimney-sweeper as he silly unbeliever is Let him know it is for [17] Psal 4.3 33.1 City-Recorders for Vniversity-Orators and for select Ambassadors to receive audience from Princes if these will speak good of our Kings most excellent Majesty our King will graciously vouchsafe unto them this honour that their speeches shall if not please yet not offend What is his Royal Person [18] Job 22.3 4 bettered by any subjects applause Jesus Christ he refuseth Hosanna's if they proceed not from a sincere heart and unlesse you [19] Rom. 8.4 5 seek out for his quickning renewing and sanctifying Spirit vain are your pretences of seeking to glorifie your God Sinners For the Lords sake lay aside this idle this unreasonable unbelief of your hearts Give unto your God the right use [1] See Bishop Prideaux his Euchalogia or Doctrine of Prayer Part 2. cap 7. viz. Of Christian Atacrity of your Reason and of your natural affections It is impossible for him to sincerely seek to glorifie God who hath no apprehension of God other then of an enemy both denouncing judgments and ever likely to execute what judgments he denounceth Now he that drowneth the [2] See of this Book pag. 109. use of his Reason in a perverse unbelief can have no other I mean no other true apprehension of the infinitly just God then some such like disheartening notions Oh do not cherish such perverse such [3] Qualem te paraveris Deo talis oportel appareat tibi Deus Bernard in Cant. Ser. 69. distrustful thoughts He that nourisheth hard thoughts of so good a Lord as our Lord God is verbal thanks he may bring but such alas take not neither with himself nor with his God Not with himself for [4] Prov. 25.20 what are songs unto a heavy heart Zions Songs [5] Psal 137.4 unto an enthraled captive How can one conscious that he is dead in trespasses and guilt come [6] Heb. 4 16 with any boldnesse unto the throne of grace how can he give lively praises Shall the dead [7] Psal 88.10 praise thee O ever living Ood When their Daughter lay [8] Matth. 9.23 without life her weeping parents took small pleasure in the noise of minstrels and unto the prisoner that is guilty the Judges Trumpet giveth but an uncomfortable sound just so unto him whose soul affecteth to be gracelesse the remembrance of God is but a [9] See Bishop Reynolds third Sermon upon Hos 14. mihi p. 7. sad remembrance enlarge the heart it doth not aggravate and renew guilt it doth Neither doth God regard [10] Esay 19.13 such empty lip labours The same unbelief which discourageth man in his duties the same [11] Rom. 8.8 14.23 Heb. 11.6 rendreth his duties displeasing unto his God if God [12] 1 Sam. 25.35 accepteth not his person neither accepteth he his pretended services for as good never a whit as with an evil will and needs must [13] 1 Cor. 12.3 Rom. 8.9 Acts 7.51 that will be evil which hateth to be spiritual Where the heart is not Gods what valueth he the rest nay where the heart undervalueth his Spirit what valueth he the heart That heart which would [14] Ex arbitrio non ex Dei imperio Tertul. like Israel who when he saw without a God
of my Son is as the smell of a field which the Lord hath blessed Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven and the fatnesse of the earth and plenty of corn and wine Why all this Answ Jacob have (7) Mal. 1.2 Rom. 9.13 I thosen Religious persons like perfumed garments carry with them a (8) Gen. 26.28 39.23 1 Sam. 18.5 Psalm 1.3 Jer. 17.8 blessing whithersoever they go Pharaoh Abimelech Laban Saul c. shall speed the better for their acquaintance with Joseph Isaac Jacob David c. It is not in vain that where the Prophets foretel Gospel-times there (9) Joel 2 23-28 Zech. 9.9 17 Esay 66.12 65 20-25 62 1-5 60.14 61.6 11 Revel 21.24 they promise temporal blessings The (10) hos 2.22.21 corn and the wine and the oyle shall hear Jezreel And the earth shall hear the corn and the wine and the oyle And the heavens shall hear the earth and I will hear the heavens saith the Lord But how shall Jezreel be assured of all this Answ I will (11) hos 2.20 even betroth thee unto me in faithfulnesse and thou shalt know the Lord. May Elijah prevaile with Ahab to cry down Baal he will soon prevail (12) 1 Kings 18 19-45 with God to pour down Rain Bring ye all your tithes and prove me now herewith saith the (13) Mal. 3.10 Lord of Hosts if I will not open for you the windowes of Heaven and empty out a blessing until I fill your Barns so full that you shall want room Wrest and misapply the Scriptures never so much yet from the Scritures (14) Mat. 5.5 Mark 10.30 1 Tim. 4.8 6.17 Psalm 144.15 122.5 7 128.5 125.4 35.27 1.3 119.165 81.16.147.14 148.14 36.7 8 Esay 60.6 7 9 10 11 12 13 16 17 18 61.4 5 6 62.7 8 9 65 20-25 66.10 11 12 clear it is that worldly riches are ordained not as a snare but as a promised blessing and that wheresoever Jesus Christ reigneth in the Gospel there he leadeth people from barbarism unto civility from civility to peace and from peace to the fruits of peace plenty The holy Spirit teacheth man to (15) Jam. 3.18 Hos 10.12 sow the fruits of righteousnesse the good Spirit to (16) Esay 28.24 29 Prov. 8.12 Exod. 31.3 6 cast abroad the sitches the cummin and principal wheat We mis-employ the encrease of the earth if we (17) Luke 16.9 12 Gal. 6.6 1 Tim. 6.18 19. spend it not upon the kingdome of heaven and the glory of this World [18] 1 Cor. 7.31 Esay 40.8 passeth away unlesse it may adorn the glory of the Gospel True where the Gospel is but yet in [19] Acts 14.22 planting or under [20] 2 Tim. 3.12 James 4.4 persecution or the like there if in this life only we have hope in Christ we are of [21] 1 Cor. 15.19 all men most miserable but I shall ever crave leave to think that where the Gospel flourisheth there the meek shall be sure to [22] Mat. 5.5 inherite the earth to be [23] Psa 149.4 beautified with salvation and to [24] Psa 22.26 eat and be satisfied The reason why I so think is this The meek on earth will [25] Zeph. 2.3 seek the Lord and the Lord will guide them [26] Psal 25.9 Esay 29.19 in judgement yea their meek and quiet Spirit is [27] 1 Pet. 3.4 in the sight of God of great price Hence The children of Israel never better bestowed their wealth then when they brought of it [1] Exod. 25.2 35.5 36 3 5 6 1 Chron. 29 2-13 willing Offerings for the service of the work of the Lord in his Sanctuary yea the followers of Christ even then when Jesus Christ was dead and buried would [2] Luke 8.3 John 8.40 Mark 16.1 2 3 See Learned Bishop Andrews his third Serm. on the Resurrection have ministred unto him of their substance And reason good for since the [3] Psal 24.1 earth is the Lords just it is that we [4] 1 Chro. 29.14 16 should give unto him of his own But this know God will not be behindhand with us in any [5] 2 Cor. 9.12 1 Cor. 15.58 Rom. 11.35 Hos 12.2 expressions of loving kindnesses whatsoever Though David did no more then [6] 2 Sam. 7.2 design to build a house for the Lord in requital the Lord built for David a [7] 2 Sam. 7. 11. sure House so far he is from desisting to [8] 1 Sam. 2.30 honour them who heartily [9] Prov. 3.9 honour him with their substance Christian remember thou that Temple of the Lord and forget the [10] Mat. 6.29 glory of Solomon if thou canst Recollect how zealous that Emperour Constantine [11] Enseb in vit Constantin was and then tell me whether he were not very deservedly stiled Constantine the [12] viz. The more good the more great Therefore 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith to the Prince of Wales I had rather you should be Charles le Bon then Charles le Grand cap. 27. GREAT Yea whosoever sincerely loveth the peace of Jerusalem [13] Psalm 122.6 prospereth and if I once discern a person unfeignedly seeking the kingdome of heaven and the righteousnesse thereof then am I sure [14] Mat. 5.33 all other things shall be added unto him For although the [15] Pro. 3.18 Tree of life is like [16] 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ibid. other Trees best planted in winter although the children of the [17] Mat. 5.45 kingdome are like the gold of the Temple best purified [18] Mal. 3.3 by fire yet the peace of the Gospel most flourisheth [19] 1 Kings 10.7 Psalm 45.4 21.5 31.9 Eccles 7.14 Jerem. 33.9 Job 8.6 Zech. 1.17 7.7 8.12 13 in the midst of prosperity and where the purity of the Gospel aboundeth it aboundeth in the fulnesse as well of earthly [20] 1 Tim. 4.8 Phil. 4.19 2 Cor. 9.8 Esay 32.18 as of heavenly mercies I lay the foundations of the earth saith the Lord and I therefore lay them that I may say [21] 1 Tim. 51.16 unto Zion Thou art my people Are we Jesus Christ's If so all things are [22] 1 Cor. 3.22 ours to the prayse of our God be it spoken all things are ours Thus much of the sixth Revenue of the holy Catholick Church namely that secular happinesse which like the heat at noon-day accompanieth the light of the Gospel a matter worthy out perpetual thanksgiving unto him whom we gladly desire ever to glorifie as God The Seventh is a fellowship (1) Phil. 3.10 with Christs sufferings When in one and the same day message upon message brought several tidings of several Victories at once unto Philip King of Macedon Philip brake forth (2) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Plutarch Apotheg O Fortune among such and so great good tidings bestow upon me some ill newes Beloved although the World is not aware