discovered in your (32) Jer. 17.9 treacherous hearts what (33) 2 Pet. 2.9 escapes from temptation what (34) Jer. 31.19 helps to Repentance what (35) 2 Pet. 1.10 advantages towards Duty what (36) Psalm 27.13 supports of faith what [37] 2 Pet. 3.18 1.8 growth of grace ye have observed within your selves that cordially impart unto your bosome-friends So many of you as understand what [38] 1 Tim. 6.18 Heb. 13.16 belongeth unto the neighbourhoods of Piety engrosse not that experience unto your selves which may benefit others Freely ye have received [39] Matth. 10.8 freely give The Lord is with them that [40] Psalm 34.4 uphold my soul Come and hearken all ye that fear God I will declare what he [41] Psalm 66.16 hath done for my soul What ye believe that enjoy ye believe the Communion of Saints in such Communions our [42] 1 Thes 4.9 God is glorified Thirdly When in the worship of the most holy God our self-accusations confessions complaints intercessions supplications and petitions are for the matter and form of them Scripture-proof and go not out of [1] Psalm 17.1 feigned lips then do (2) Rom. 10.10 See Matth. 6.6 our words glorifie our God and more when (3) Matth. 18.20 jointly with others then when separately by our selves alone more when in (4) Gen. 18.19 Josh 24.15 our open families then in our retired closets more when in our (5) Psalm 107.32 26.12 publique congregations then when in our private families I was (6) Psalm 122.1 glad when they said unto me Let us go into the house of the Lord. Object That house of the Lord was erected by Gods immediate command our Steeple-houses not so Answ 1. That Command was [1] 2 Tim. 3.16 Rom. 15.4 written for our learning Answ 2. As the Temple at Jerusalem was a [1] Esay 56.7 House of prayer unto all Nations viz. an [2] Esay 62.10 Ensigne lifted up upon Mount Zion to draw in all the [3] Psalm 22.27 Esay 55.5 Zech. 2.11 Gentiles unto the then true worship of the only true God So among us Houses set apart for divine worship are [4] 1 Cor. 14.23 24 10 20 21 11.19 Revel 14.6 John 15.22 Cant. 1.8 Jer. 13.11 Gods witnesses and Ensignes set up to leave inexcusable may to reclaim Sectaries Papists Jewes Turks Pagans and Atheists from the errour of their way unto pure worship of the God of truth Answ 3. It is fully as [1] Acts 9.20 13.5 15.2 18.4 lawful for us to have our several Churches for the convenience of our several Villages as it was for the Jewes to have their [2] Psal 74.8 Matth. 4.23 9.35 Mark 1.21 39 Luke 4.16 7.5 John 18.20 divers Synagogues for the convenience of their divers Cities Answ 4. Compare Deut. c. 17.14 with c. 12.9 10 11 12 13 14. In 2 Sam. 7. compare v. 3 7 10 with v. 2. and v. 6. with Acts c. 1.13 and c. 2.1 Compare 1 Thes 1.9 [1] When the Temples of dumb Idols are like those Censers Numb 16.37 38 39 40. consecrated unto the living God they are unto us memorials of Thankfulnesse with 1 Cor. 11 17 18 22. compare Esay 66.1 with Hag. 1.4 and although I know assuredly that the glory of the Gospel consisteth not in pomp but in truth not in things carnal but in things spiritual yet compare Hag. 1.4 Prov. 3.9 Luke 8 3. Rom. 15.27 1 Cor. 9.11 John 12.7 2 Cor. 8.9 12. Phil. 4.17 with Psalm 72.10 15. and with 2 Cor. 3.9 10 11. Esay 60.6 and 61.6 and 66.10 11. and Hag. 2.7 8. compare Philem. 19. with 2 Sam. 19.30 Answ 5. In the room of the Levitical Priesthood Jesus Christ [1] Mat. 10.1 Acts 1.8 Ephes 4.11 1 Cor. 12.28 ordained a Ministery in the stead of Circumcision he brought in [2] John 4.2 Mark 16.16 Matth. 3.16 28.19 1 Pet. 3.21 Baptism and in the place of the [3] 1 Cor. 5.7 8 11.24 25. Passeover he instituted his Holy Supper Now those being required it were superfluous to enjoyn time and place these are naturally coincident if God was solemnly magnified in the Messiah yet to come the Messiah being already come God must much more be magnified A Testament we still have and that [4] Heb. 9.15 not the old but a new one If God take away the first it is that he may [5] Heb. 10.9 establish the second If old things are passed away [6] 2 Cor. 5.17 new things doth he declare Object That Christ ordained a Ministery Baptism and the Eucharist we read we read not that he appointed Festivals Meeting-places no nor yet the Lords-day A. This new Covenant which the Lord now maketh puts such lawes as these [1] Heb. 8.10 11 into our inward parts Should we [2] Psalm 30 4 give thanks at the remembrance of his Holinesse and not second Jewish rites with Christian Festivals the Sabbath celebrating the Creation with our Lords day celebrating the Redemption their Tabernacle Temple and Synagogues with our Churches set apart for divine worship we should deny our gracious and merciful Lord the tribute of [3] Rom. 12.1 1 Cor. 14.20 37 Heb. 8.11 Esay 35.8 10 our reasonable service Object Unto a publique worship we assent but not unto set-forms Dub. Answ 1. Divine Worship without set-forms will scarcely deserve the name of a publique worship so soon will it [1] 1 Cor. 14.26 Rom. 14.19 Phil. 2.4 crumble into private sects and factions Answ 3. Examine and you will find Vnto that Congregation which joyneth with him in prayer the extemporary prayer of the best gifted Minister upon the whole earth is a [1] Yea what are those Psalmes Hymns and spiritual Songs wherein we should Ephes 5.19 speak unto our selves but professedly set-forms set form Answ 3. Such as condemn set-forms do not consider that unto a heart intent upon spiritual desires it is one and the same thing to shape cloath and word those [1] As for God he Psalm 139.2 4. knoweth our thougets beforehand Matth. 6.8 spiritual desires in the foreknown phrase of a Liturgy and in the new found phrase of an extemporary petition In all his providences the mighty God [2] Acts 15.18 applyeth his eternal Decree unto new workings in like manner devout souls do in the use of Liturgies [3] Rom. 12.11 12 1 Pet. 4.7 Col. 4.2 1 Cor. 14.15 Acts 1.14 Rom. 15.6 apply set and prepared formes unto fresh and new ejaculations Answ 4. That thine heart may not be hasty to utter any thing before the dreadful God be not [1] Eccl. 5.1 2 rash with thy mouth that thou mayest not be rash with thy mouth let thy words be few and since few they must be find out [2] Eccl. 12.10 Rom. 12.1 acceptable words even words of truth and such thou wilt find in the Liturgy of our English Church Take with you words [3] Hos 14.2
thereof we (3) 2 Cor. 12.10 Est quaedam stere volupt as take pleasure in infirmities The Lord hath set adversitie over against prosperity (4) Symmachus Cajetanus in locum to the end that man should finde nothing worthy complaint 5 nothing therefore wearisome because alwayes the same That life is certainly the least burdensome which is checkered as well with the darknesse of affliction as with the light of gladnesse Yeares would slip from us like a dream did neither vanitie nor (5) Eccles 1.2 vexation keep us awake Winter is (6) Gen. 8.22 every whit as seasonable as is either Spring or Autumn and frosts not only purge but (7) Job 37.10 Matth. 5.4 please Then the morning is comfortable when weeping (8) Psal 30.5 endured a whole night and the likeliest course to reap in joy is to sowe (9) Psa 126.5 in teares A holy rest prepareth for (10) Exod. 20.9 six dayes labour and when by (11) 1 Cor. 7.20 24 2 Thess 3.10 walking in our Vocations we have gotten a (12) Mat. 5.6 Esay 58.13 spiritual appetite the first day of the week will be more the (13) John 20.1 19 Acts 20.7 1 Cor. 16.2 Revel 1.10 Lords day then our own without (14) There is such a thing as Mos populi Dei As every society so the Church besides her habemus legem hath her habemus consuetudinem Men have so great a good liking to duties which be afterward their customes that they are remembred without book neither need they be put in writing as Lawes and Statutes are Bishop Andrews Serm. 13. of the Resurrection The Civil Law speaking of Custom saith Imò magnae authoritatis hoc jus habetur quòd in tantum probatum est ut non fuerit scripter comprehendere necesse Pandect 1. Tit. 3. de legibus 35. Once call to mind what provision God made in the old Testament for his Ministery by Tithes and Offerings and for his publique worship not only on every seventh doy bùt in very many other yearly festivals and except you will either deny God your Rom. 12.1 reasonable service or else degrade the 2 Cor. 3.7 8 9 10 11. ministration of the Gospel below the ministration of death you must openly acknowledge that concerning either the maintenance of Gods Ministery or solemn dayes for Gods worship under the new Testament the holy and blessed Spirit need not 1 Thess 1.8.4.9.5.1 2. 1 John 2.27 Heb. 8.12 Esay 35.8 write unto us more then what is already written and received in the 1 John 2.7 old Testament Wherefore if any disclaim the observation of other our Holy dayes Psalm 81.3.42.4 Esther 9.26 27. John 10 22. much more if any disclaim the observation of the Lords day it is sufficient if we reply first with the first Nicene Counsel 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Deut. 4.12 Job 8.8 Jer. 6.16 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 next with the Apostle 1 Cor. 11.16 we have no such custom neither the Churches of God videas Cyril in Joan. l. 12. c. 58. As Christ substituted the Lords Supper instead of the Posseover so did he the Lords day in the Jewish Sabbaths room saith Athanasius further scruple I say In the Kindome of grace Look how many the troubles of the righteous are so many are their (1) Rom. 8.28 Psalm 34.19.50.15 83.18 opportunities of glorifying God as God First amidst equal paines variety affordeth some ease and the more (2) Rom. 101.1 amant alterna Camaenae vicissitudes we finde the lesse we nauseate our wearisome lives Next It is both (3) Jerem. 10.24 judgement from God and mercy to us that we are corrected The (4) Rom. 6.23 wages of sin is death now because the deadly wound and killing stroke lighted upon Him who (5) Rom. 5.6 7 8 most willingly dyed for us meet it is that we our selves (6) 2 Sam. 12.13 14 10 should feel some smart That we may perceive how heavy a curse we had (7) Gal. 3.10 13 layen under had not the only Son of God been made a curse for us meet it is that (8) Gal. 6.5 every man should bear some part of his own burden and most kindly it is that we (9) Matth. 20.23 taste although we do but taste that bitter Cup the dregs whereof the mighty Redeemer drank in our stead In the third place more (10) Heb. 12.1 easily sin besetteth us the the more circumspectly we do at least the more circumspectly we should walk In (11) Mic. 7.8 Luke 12.35 dark nights we are careful to keep (12) Perdidistis utilitatem calamitatis S. August our Lamps burning If ought can draw us out of Gods blessing it is the (13) Deut. 6.12 Prov 1.32 Woe to the house where there is no chiding warm Sun as for stormes they compell us to have (14) Luke 12.32 Psalm 119.71 our loynes girt Fourthly where sorrow for sin aboundeth there thankfulnesse for free grace much more (15) Rom. 5.20 aboundeth when the letter killeth then (16) 2 Cor. 3.6 Christ cometh that we may have life and that we may have it (17) John 10.10 more abundantly Fifthly the more grievous godly sorrow is for the present (18) Heb. 12.11 afterward the more it bringeth forth the peaceable fruits of righteousnesse Sixthly If we were without chastisement whereof all are (19) Heb. 12.8 partakers we should then seem to our selves bastards and not Sons Whom thou Lord lovest them thou (20) Heb. 12.6 chastenest O shew me some (21) Psa 86.17 At tu si modò sum caelesti stirpe creatus Ede notam tanti generis meque assere coelo Ovid. Psalm 23.4 Revel 3.19 token for good A seventh particular I will be (22) Pse 31.7 glad and rejoyce in thy mercy for thou hast considered my trouble and hast known my soul in adversities Unto us in the Kingdom of grace Calamities are trials as woll of (23) Pse 20.6 41.11 Gods goodness as of (24) Deut. 8.2 16 Judges 2.22 3.1 our own It is matter worthy our thanksgiving unto God that the shoe waxeth not old upon the (25) Deu 29.5 Pilgrims foot or that his weather-beaten garment abideth new If the Prophets Widow be poor God will (26) 2 Ki. 4.1 7 pay her debts and that Widow in Zarephath shall not want for a (27) Ps 104.15 chearful countenance so long as her Cruse is (28) 1 Kings 17.16 filled with Oyle Elijah will (29) 1 Kings 17.6 want bread to chuse forasmuch as his God (30) Psa 147.9 feedeth the Ravens O my God the bones which thou (31) At Sir Thomas Overburies gate Monday Jan. 29th 1654. hast broken do (32) The Lord do good unto the house of the Overburies for then when I was mortally bruised they tenderly refreshed me 1 Tim. 1.16 rejoyce for during my weaknesse thou didst (33) A week together at Sir Thomas Overburies
only as Sufferers through your default but as Messengers of your peace viz. For so much as the Tidings which we bring are glad Tidings the just Lord hath (1) Luke 10.7 Gal. 6 6. ordained that we should live not upon the Courtesie but upon the Duty of Christians not upon their arbitrary Collation but upon a Reward unto our Heavenly Message The Lord of Hosts that is the (2) Psal 84.1.68.24.134.1 God of them who Soldier-like kept their (3) Luk. 1.8 9. courses in the Temple made not Levites to keep Watches at (4) 1 Cor. 9 7. their own charge he allowed them Standing-Pay even (5) 1 Cor. 9 13. constant Stipends of Houses Cities Tithes Offerings and Sim. The (6) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Hebrew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Chaldy 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Sam. 18 22. signifie not only Nuncium but Nuntit praemium too Thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Homer Odys 14. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ioid. Learned Mede on 1 Cor. 9.14 like Reward requireth he for Gospel-Service Ye know ever in State Affairs Tidings of great joy receive (7) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Plat. de gloria Athen. quous 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 qlae 1. dona qualia reddam nescio Cicero ad Atticum Thus 2 Sam. 4.10 1 Cor. 9.14 23. Noble Rewards The more considerable the News the more signal the Recompence unto him who bringeth it When the Person here speaking came as our (8) Isa 62.11 Salvation his Reward was with him as for us so for Himself and that not only when he ascended up on high but likewise when he rode into the holy City with (9) Mat. 21.7 Triumph As for the Persons here spoken to since they also published the Gospel let St. Paul alone to (10) 1 Cor. 9.4 5. plead their right It is folly to expect Esteem from them who understand not Vertue therefore unto the righteous man is Praise (11) Psal 111.10 1 Pet. 2.14 assigned by his God It is in vain for Evangelists to expect large gratuities from them who cherish a heart of unbelief therefore God himself (12) Gal 6.6 steppeth in and allotteth unto these Messengers of his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A (13) 1 Cor. 9.14 suitable Recompence even a (14) 1 Tim. 5.17 Double maintenance or Honour If then the Revenues of our Church have been either for merly or of later days an eye-sore unto any of you if your Eye hath been evil because your Lord and Masters eye is good If any of you expostulate what need of all this cost ye will no more be so heedless as to stumble at this stone rather having (15) Gen. 28.11 slept upon it ye will (16) Gen. v. 18. upon it pour more and more oyl until ye have made it a (17) Gen. v. 19 20. Bethel indeed viz. until ye have made it The house of (18) Psal 84.1 God yea no other then Gods amiable house Object Object Be it that they grudge not at your Revenues yet well may we stumble at your Hierarchy For in what part of all the Holy Scriptures do we read of Arch-Bishops Deans Prebendaries Arch-Deacons and Sim set to lord it over Gods inheritance 1. 1. Answ Answ If any that should rule well do (1) 1 Pet. 5.3 over-rule that blame lieth not upon the Hierarchy but upon the persons 2. 2. Answer Answ As for the Prince in whose favour the Hierarchy of England (1) Prov. 19.12 findeth life seeing he is The Vice-Gerent of the person speaking in my Text He is ye know a Supreme Governour over all persons among us as well over persons Ecclesiastical as over persons Civil If then His sacred Majesties Royal Favour vouchsafeth to extend it self as well unto his Clergy as unto his Laity Do not ye I beseech you clip the Kings Prerogative neither let your eyes be evil because his gratious Majesties are good 3. 3. Answer Answ As for the Names or Titles wherewith our most Reverend Arch-Bishops our Reverend Deans Prebendaries Arch-Deacons and Sim. are dignified I suppose thou wilt not stumble at them until thou canst first produce out of Scripture the honourable Titles of Lord chief Justice Serjeant at Law Bencher Barrister Attornie Solicitour c. 4. Answ 1 Answer As for the Legality of their Constitution there is the same Law of the Land for their Authority as there is for the excellent Magistracy of this Realm Now If thou (1) 1 James 4 11. judgest the Law thou art not a doer of the Law but a Judge Object No part of the Laws of our Land Object ought to be contrary unto the Laws of our God Answ Answer If any part of the Laws of our Land opposeth the Word of God I humbly I earnesty wish it were repealed for of right our Law-givers can (1) 2 Cor. 13.8 do nothing against the truth but for the Truth But as for that part of our English Laws which establisheth Hierarchy it in no wise opposeth the Holy Scriptures Object Object It opposeth the Holy Scriptures in constituting an Hierarchy not enjoyned by Gods Words Answ Hierarchy is enjoyned by Gods Word Answer as it is an (1) 1 Pet. 2.13 Ordinance of man viz. Our Law-givers are themselves immediately (2) Prov. 8.15 Rom. 13.1 2. Revel 1.5 ordained of God and being ordained of God they have an (3) 1 Pet. 2.14 Exod. 18. v. 23. compated with v. 24. Authority and Warrant from Scripture to ordain subordinate Powers Object Object Holy Scriptures give us examples of subordinate powers among Magistrates as (1) Exod. 18.25 and Sim. Magistrates but they give unto us no such Examples of subordinate powers among Ministers as Ministers Answ Answer As holy Scriptures mention subordinate powers among the Magistrates under Moses and his Successors so they do also (1) Exod. 28.1 Numb 18.2.3.6 33. mention subordinate powers among the Levites under Aaron and his Successors Object Object The subordinate power among those Levites was by vertue of Gods (1) Ibid. express Command Answ Answer So were (1) Exod. 18.23 the subordinate powers among those Magistrates Object Object Although in the old Testament God appointed a Hierarchy among the Levites In the new Testament Christ appointed no such Hierarchy among his Ministers 1. 1. Answer Answ Although in the Old Testament God appointed a (1) Deut. 17.15 Exod. 18.25 Josh 1.2 1 Sam. 10.15 2 Sam. 7.13 Model of Magistracy for his people yet in the new Testament Christ appointeth no such Model of Magistracy for them that shall believe his Gospel 2. Answ As the Model of our English Magistracy is acknowledged and proved (1) Prov. 8.15 Rom. 13.1 2. 1 Pet. 2.13 14. Rev. 1.5 lawful though there be no Model of any Magistracy at all in the New Testament nor the same
Tit. 1.16 no such custom neither the Churches of God for our learned Fathers receive these practices from Primitive Antiquity Answ 4. Suppose Genu-flection first arose from a mis-interpreting of Phil. 2.10 Suppose bowing toward the East proceeded from as gross a mistake of Zech. 6.12 Suppose wax candles were originally placed upon the Lords Table in imitation of Jewish yea of heathenish Rites This notwithstanding these customes being now received may each of them have at least a blameless continuance for First what evil is it if a Christian if a sincere Christian bow (1) Eph. 3.14 his knees to the Lord Jesus so often as he pleaseth [2] A Similitude used by way of illustration solemnly in words at length to petition God for a blessing every time throughout the day wherein thou occasionally drinkest would probably not well consist with the duties of thy Calling thou art therefore the more to be pardoned nay the more to be commended if as a pledge of thy Thankfulness throughout the whole following day thou address thy self to the God of thy blessings at the first time every day wherein thou drinkest Just so sincere Christians which bow at the name of Jesus have an equal reverence for [3] See learned Mede upon Mat. 6.9 viz. his Sanctification of Gods name ever Attribute of God but seeing they cannot so conveniently express this reverence every time any divine Attribute of God is mentioned Look what reverence they would shew unto every name of their gracious God that they signifie so often as the holy Jesus is named For the second Where lieth the evil if he who [1] Psal 95.6 worshippeth before the Lord his Maker bow in the most [2] See Gr gory his Notes upon Zech. 6.12.3.8 convenient and usual manner which Antiquity hath prescribed If while he boweth thou wouldest stoop we should have no occasion of complaints that stone would be rolled away For the third Why (1) Tit. 1.15 1 Cor. 9.19 21 Rom. 12.18.14.22 Litigandi pruritus pessima Ecclesiae scabies And by how much the more one affecteth to wrangle by so much the lels he is a Christian Bp. Nicholsons Apology p. 4. art thou more set on fire then are those Tapers They wax not enflamed why dost thou So long as these continue unlighted do not thou burn thy fingers ends rather busie them about this young fancy [2] When I thought as a Child at Westminster-School upon [3] Mat. 1.18 19. Maria Hymenaeo Vxorem statuit Joseph me ducere jussit Afferri taedas O Hymenaee tuas Praegnantem metuit Joseph me ducere latas Accendi (4) We may receive most excellent light for these Tapers from the learned Notes and Observations of Mr. John Gregory of Ch. Ch. Oxon. Cap. XXII a Chapter justly entituled Light taedas O Hymenaee vetat Josephus Hymenaeo Uxorem statui praegnantem ducere nolo Auferri taedas O Hymenaee tuas Uxoris metui zonam dissolvere nolo Accendi taedas O Hymenaee tuas Hymenaeus utrÃque Joseph mox conjux vir nunquam credo futurus Uxor erit virgo virgo Maria parens Inde feram taedas sed has accendere nolim Mirac'lum tantum velâ—ibi lumen erit Answ 5. First What our Church speaketh (1) Constitutions and Canons Ecclesiastical 1603. Canon XXX of the use of the Cross that may be applied to bowing at the name of Jesus Secondly Daniel (1) Dan. 6.10 from Babylon and Jonah (2) Jonah 2.7 from the belly of the Whale worshipped as near as they could toward the Temple wherein (3) 1 Kin. 8.42 10 God appeared Take therefore no scandal if some Christians worship as near as they can toward that part of the heavens wherein they (4) Act. 1.11 1 Thes 4.17 expect that Christ at his next coming shall appear Custome from hence (5) See Gregory ubi supra viz. cap. XVIII obtaineth that thy Church thy grave digged within that Church and thy body when placed within that grave do all face the East and why nor a (6) Gen. 2.7 living soul as well as a dead body The same Jesus whom Malachi compareth to a Sun and (7) Mal. 4.2 others to a rising Sun is (8) The Chinois Jaâ—i Schiller praefat in Uranograph Christian p 6. col 2. the bright morning Star Worship him all ye Saints (9) Rev. 22.16 Thirdly The Tapers prepared upon the Lords Table tell us that we Gentiles who sat in darkness (1) Luk. 1.79 see great light saith S. Jerom. Answ 6. To the pure these are not only blameless but profitable Doth some one bow toward the Altar Look thou (1) Eccles 5.1 to thy feet when thou enterest the house of God Do others bow at the name of Jesus At the name of Jesus depart (2) 2 Tim. 2 19 thou from iniquity Are there Tapers on the Altar thou (3) Psal 18.28 shalt light my candle for me O Lord my God yea except Cathedral Clergy men be as well burning as shining lights Take they heed lest God remove their (4) Rev. 2.5 Candlestick out of his place once more Answ 7. These are rather practised then enjoyned Wherefore if yet thou deem these or the like Ceremonies neither expedient nor comely be (1) Jade 16. silent be (2) Rom. 12.18 Phil. 3.16 peaceable Let not thy heart be troubled these are no afflictions if they were 1. Reason from the troubles themselves even great afflictions may not trouble thy heart for these Reasons Reason 1. From the nature of the troubles Let not you heart be troubled for your grievances are but (1) 1 Pet. 1.7.4.12 tryals Afflictions arise (2) Job 5.6 not out of the dust they are (3) 1 Chron. 29 14 Psal 39.9 Amos 3.6 ordered from above and their use is (4) 1 Cor. 3.21 Rom. 8.28 heavenly A heaviness I (5) 1 Pet. 1.6 grant they have and may in that regard be truly compared (6) 1 Sam. 25.37 unto stones so apt they are to [7] Ibid. astonish but loe these stones how great soever are not [8] Rev. 6.16 mountains to fall upon us and [9] Rev. 9.6 hide us from God rather they are marble stairs to [10] Molleri praelect in Psal 120. lift us up by steps and by degrees while we approach the [11] Heb. 13.10 Altar So is it with our tryals as it is with our grave-stones in the grave there is [12] Psal 6.5 no remembrance upon the grave there [13] Memoriae sacrum is Double is the use of a tomb-stone the corruption of the body that it [14] Mat. 23.27 burieth but the memory of the person that it [15] Pro. 10.7 keepeth alive Much after the same manner these great stones these heavy afflictione are cast upon us for two distinct purposes they should [16] Psal 119.67.71 75 compared with 1 Cor. 9.27 keep under our corruptions but
by Church-Government as the Jewes did by the [1] Mat. 28.18 Ephes 1.22 Church Governour They [2] Matt. 2.4 John 1.19 4.29 accompted much upon the coming of their Messiah but when he came they [3] Matt. 1.11 would not receive him just so divers among us have wished and longed and waited for a Church [4] Psal 63 2 Discipline but now that it is religiously [5] Psal 19.17 Acts 16.4 established we slight it During late Convulsion-fits our stomachs have grown so sickly that we would [6] 2 Tim. 4.3 now be fed with fancies and niceties wholsome [7] 1 Tim. 6.3 food will not down with our Pallats Our Soul doth [8] Num. 21.5 loath this Manna we are for [9] Num. 11.32 Quailes We Take with you words saith [10] Hes 14.2 God No say some of us that were to [11] Psalm 78 41 limit the holy One of Israel Speak ye all the [12] 1 Cor. 1.10 same thing walk ye all by [13] Phil. 3.16 the same Rule let there be no divisions [14] 1 Cor. 1.10 among you but be ye perfectly joyned together in the same mind and in the same judgement saith [15] ibid. the blessed Spirit Nay say some of us let us have a toleration of several [16] 1 Cor. 3.3 opinions and practises Reverend and Beloved Could we [17] Mat. 23.23 swallow down Engagements and Covenants and do we [18] Mat. 23.24 scruple at subscriptions Could we be flexible [19] Isa 9.16 Hos 5.11 at every Will-worship of Olivers and can we not stoop a little to an [20] Rom. 13.1.2 Act of Parliament When Schisms Heresies and Rebellions prevailed we were then leading Divines now that Unity Truth and Loyalty prevail can we not [21] Heb. 12.4 Rom. 12.18 bear with some few Ceremonies [22] 1 Cor. 14.22 Ceremonies which we our selves have ere now [23] 1 Cor. 11.6 embraced Again Were we so forward [24] Esay 28.15 in the dayes of our Oppressors and now that we [25] Judg. 17.6 Hos 3.4 10.3 have a King among us have we never [26] Exod. 22.28 a good word for the times we live in Are [27] Eph. 4.5 Decency Order and Unity of the Spirit greater offences then were [28] Judg. 5.16 divisions [29] 1 Tim 6 10 errours [30] Tit. 1.16 disobedience and [31] Judg. 11 gain-sayings Reverend and Beloved Doth the zeal of Gods House eat us up and can we [32] Tit. 1.15 forsake the substance for a shadow Is a dis-rellish of things in themselves indifferent warrant enough to [33] Luk 9.62 with hold any of our hands from the plough Have we solemnly undertaken to [34] John 21.15 16 17 feed the lambs to feed the sheep to feed our flocks and can we with a better conscience run [35] John 10.13 away from them then subject our selves unto the higher Powers Are we so wedded to our owne [36] Rom. 12.16 private judgements that we forget the [37] 1 Cor. 1.10 Phil. 3.16 injunctions of the Holy Ghost Are not the many Mansions in our Fathers House large enough to hold us all [38] 1 Cor. 11 20 in one place Shall our populous Congregations say [39] 1 Cor. 14.19 Amen unto our unstudied and extemporary petitions and cannot we our selves assent unto the premeditated and Orthodox [40] 1 Cor. 26.33 prayers of our devout and judicious Church Were set Psalms allowed yea [41] As appeareth by the several Titl s of divers Psalms enjoyned in the Temple-worship and are set-Forms grown [42] Luke 11.1.2 of late dayes contrary unto a Gospel-worship Doth a Chapter in the Old or New Testament cease to be the Word of God because it is [43] Phil. 3.16 1 Cor. 1.10 not day by day of our own chusing Nay are the [44] Mat. 28.20 1 Cor. 12.28 helps the Governments which Jesus Christ [45] Eph. 4.12 vouchsafeth unto his Church meer Cyphers Are their [46] Acts 16.4 decrees of no value Must whatsoever is enjoined by Authority of the Church be because enjoined [47] 2 Pet. 2.10 an offence unto us Is this to [48] Pro. 17.14 leave off contention before it be medled with Is this not to [49] Pro. 4.21 meddle with them that are given to change Is this to [50] Mat. 16.24 deny our selves to condescend (51) Rom. 12.16 to men of low estate to be lowly [52] Psalm 131.1 2 in our own eyes to esteem of others [53] Rom. 12.3.13 better then of our selves to become all things [54] 1 Cor. 9.22 unto all men to give none offence neither [55] 1 Cor. 10.32.33 to Jew nor to Gentile nor to the Churches of God Is this to [56] Acts 18.18 shave the head in Cenchrea to circumcise the son of a [57] Acts 16.3 Greek in the Jewish quarters Is this to abstain [58] Acts 15.29 from blood from things strangled from things sacrificed to Idols purposely not to offend the weak Is this to [59] Phil. 1.18 rejoyce in Christ preached any how Is this [60] 1 Cor 9.19 to advance the Church of God by all means possible Is this If she [61] Cant. 8.9 be a wall to build upon her a Palace of silver if she be a door to enclose her with boards of Cedar Who are these that (62) Esay 60.8 flee as a cloud and as the Doves unto the Windowes Brethren will it not [63] 1 Tim. 4.16 5.14 give occasion unto the Adversary to blasphem if we do not [64] Gen. 8.9 open the window of the Ark and take in these Doves with the [65] Gal 2.9 right hand of fellowship Reverend and Beloved Let us not therefore pick quarrels at Jesus Christs garment because it is (66) Joh 19 23 seamlesse Let us not begin (67) Gen. 45.24 to fall out by the way because that Joseph hath (68) Gen. 45.22 given to all of us change of Rayment Let us (69) Pro. 23.23 buy the truth with a requisite obedience and not sell it for (70) Gal. 5.26 a popular ostentation Love would hide (71) Prov. 10.12 a multitude of sins would (72) 1 Cor. 13.7 bear all things would believe all things would hope all things could we but strive (73) Eph. 4.3 once to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace O my Brethren since dissentions render us unserviceable unto the Churches of God let not the Jesuit fool [74] Mat. 10.16 1 Cor. 9.19 us into dissentions Since our Lords Harvest still [75] Mat. 9.37 continueth great let us still continue [76] 1 Cor. 15. ult Labourers although later harvest-men are preferred before us If we cannot rule as Fathers yet let us [77] Col. 4.11 unite as fellow-workers Let us distinguish between obstinacy and circumspection between conscience and debate between [78] 1 Cor.
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
just sicabitur omnis case coâ—am illo accipentes quippe mandatum seatientes defectum clamabimus in coelum miserebitur nostri Deus S. Bernardus Serm. 50 in Contic seek Gods face in vain Object Where then lyeth the Controversie Answ In mans pronesse to [1] Rom. 9.20 We are like him in Seneca Dic aliquid ut simus duo dispute against God Sirs Truth [2] John 8.32 would free us from extreams would we receive a love of the truth For instance Them that are without the pales of the Church God [3] 1 Cor. 5.13 judgeth therefore What have we to do to [4] 1 Cor. 5.12 judge them that are without Next since we of this Kindom are a people near [5] Psal 148 14 unto the Lord let every man mind his own Duty [6] Phil. 2.12 2 Pet. 1.10 If the Lord will that John should tarry in the flesh until Jesus [7] John 21.21 22 come in his fury against Jerusalem what hath Cephas to do with that Let Peter follow Jesus and leave John unto his Masters pleasure Thitdly The good Angel in my Text would quickly roll away the stone would we cease to interpose our thoughts [8] Esay 55.8 9 against Gods thoughts Had the woman of Samaria known the [9] John 4.10 gift of God instead of urging [10] John 4.12 Art thou greater then our Father Jacob she would have asked [11] John 4.15 Sir give me of this water that I thirst not On the other side While Naaman is wroth [12] 2 Kings 5.10 11 12 13 14 Omnis fessinatio caecaest Seneca de Renefic l. 3. c. 3. Lukc 16.15 to see his opinion crossed he continueth as leprous as ever The Question was not whether had been the better manners in home-bred Elisha to send his messenger or to come out himself unto Prince Naaman Nor whether was a more probable course like our Princes which heal the Kings Evil to move the hand over the place affected or meerly to wash it with cold water no nor yet what was most seemly in a Prophet whether to send a stranger unto an unheard of practice or to stand and call upon the name of the Lord his God no nor whether were to be preferred Abana and Pharpar or the Rivers of Israel nor lastly whether the waters of Jordan were cleansing waters No The state of the question was Whether [13] 1 Cor. 1.20 25 27 28 29 How brâ—â—ish and below our thoughts is the manner of mans generation and yet God is pleased from that brutishnesse of humane nature to raise unto himself his own Image even a nature exalted above the nature of Angels Water in Baptism how common an element Bread Wine are ordinary food and yet by these God vouchsaseth to convey his Spirit â—rby Answ The more inconsiderable the meanes of any mercy or grace the more plainly God is seen to be the Author of that mercy and grace 1 Cor. 3.7 Jordan could cleanse from the Leprosie then when the Lord said Wash in Jordan and Jordan shall cleanse Just so The Question is not whether a natural man can discern the things of God for we are all of us born spiritually blind no nor yet whether the Lords Christ can give sight unto the blind for unto God all things are possible but whether clay and spittle even earthen Vessels may not then help men to their sight when Christ so ordaineth Sure I am in every Ordinance of His the power of his [14] Luke 5.17 Spirit is ready to heal A leprosie we all bring with us into the world and let Gehazi reprobate as he is accompt upon it that he shall dye leprous but if Christ bid a man shew himself unto the Priest though that man were a Samaritane I would not [15] Luke 17.16 question his recovery Except a man be born ugain drawn of God endued with Christs Spirit c. there can be no entring into the Kingdom of Heaven It is confessedly true And of this truth both the Jewes were frequently animadvertized and the Gentiles throughly informed and herein great was the loving kindnesse of God unto both Jew and Gentile but Christian in the mean space what signifieth the ministery of the Gospel Is not the ministration of the Gospel the [16] 2 Cor. 3.8 administration of the Spirit Verily it is Unto them who are without [17] 2 Cor. 4.3 the pales of the Church our Gospel is hid unto them within hid it need not be It is I say the savour of death unto death [18] 2 Cor. 2.16 only unto such as chuse death rather then life Object Without me ye [1] John 15.5 can do nothing Answ By God thou [1] Acts. 17.28 movest Tell me is that a pretence for thee that thou canst not stir Rather as I have already answered it is [2] Phil. 2.13 an argument that thou mayest stir if thou wilt That which thou sowest thou sowest not [3] 1 Cor. 15.37 that body that shall be but bare grain yet be not deceived [4] Gal. 6.7 God is not mocked What thou sowest that thou [5] Gal. 6.8 therefore reapest because unto [6] 1 Cor. 15.38 every seed God giveth his [7] Matth. 7.7 Luke 11.13 sim own body The same God which [8] Matth. 16.27 maketh our obedience the measure of his heavenly gifts the same God which maketh our mortal life the beginning of life everlasting the same God which useth the blood in our veines to conveigh animal spirits the same God which frameth the body for the benefit of the soul the same God blessed for ever maketh use of our natural senses while he infuseth into us spiritual graces If we desire that God should [9] Heb. 2.3 12.25 Hos 2.15 Psalm 126.5 Phil. 2.12 Despice ne parùm sit providum sperare ex aliis quod tibi ipse non praestes Plin. lib. 2. Epist. 10. Neverthelelse Ille facit ut nos faciamus quae praecipit nos non facimus ut ille faciat que-promisit Aug. Epist 143. see Psalm 57.3 Inspirat Charitatem ut quae discende novimus diligendo faciamus Therefore Phil. 2.12 13. Take the ball at the bound not be wanting unto us let not us be wanting unto our selves Unto your finest and smallest white thred tye that thred which you call brown tye unto that pack-threds unto that the smallest Twist unto the Twist a small cord to that a threefold cord to a threefold cord a Cart-roap to a Cart-roap a strong Cable and although the weaknesse of the first thred could not yet the strength of the Cable may wind up an Anchor of hope at the last Object But certainly it is non in mans power to come unto Christ Answ Where [1] Matth. 11.28 compared with Mat. 14.27 28 Christ calleth there is hope given that he will [2] John 6.37 give a power Samuel knew not the Lord at the first and
Believer hath he hath the honour if I may so speak to (8) Psalm 145.1 30.1.66.17 Esay 25.1 Compare 2 Sam. 12.28 with Jerem. 9.23 24 extol that Throne which is the Lords to hand the Scepter of Gods Kingdom unto Gods right Hand and to lift a Crown of pure gold unto the Royal Head of this King of glory Then we extol God when we in our hearts and lives prayse and adore him And in this sense the solemn Coronation of our God is like Himself everlasting he that hath the honour to be one of those who magnifieth God hath this happinesse that he is said to extol God he glorifieth he crowneth his God and this is the (9) Non tam mea sunt quae mea sunt quam quae tua Plin. lib. 4. Epist 4. Crown of a Christian duty So shalt thou have (10) Rom. 13.3 compared with Gal. 1.24 Ephes 1.12 praise of the same Quest (11) Phil. 2 21 1 Cor. 10.24 2 Cor. 5.15 Sensum quendam voluptatemq percipio si ea quae mihi denegantur amicrs video superesse Plin. lib. 1. Ep. 10. What praise Answ The praise of bringing glory to thy God I undervalue my labours if I take paines for mine own only profit mine own only interest or mine own slender reputation The toyl which I undertake let me undertake it for the honour of my God No commendation (12) Ezra 9.6 sinful I do or can deserve Neverthelesse no that commendeth me or mine endeavours doth it to my losse let him praise not me for I am [13] 2 Cor. 12.11 Nothing but His God for His God is mine and he most favoureth me who [14] 2 Cor. 10.17 Psalm 115.1 105.3 103.1 23 2 Cor. 10.11 Gal. 1.24 Psalm 142.7.34.2 3. Amor non nisi donum amantis in amatum Gulicl Parisien de legibus c. 19. most glorifieth my God Lastly Life [1] Hoc etiam est quam ob rem cupiam vivere Plaut Curcul Psalm 119.17 1 Thes 3.8 2 Pet. 1.3 1 Tim. 4.8 Deut. 30.20 but such as dishonour God non tam vivunt quam in vitâ sunt Seneca Non est mortale quod opto Col. 3.3 more abundant Oh Sirs So often as we glorifie our God as God we anticipate life to come Then is our conversation like that in heaven when we be ever rejoycing in the Lord ever mentioning the loving-kindness of our God Verily we then seem to sit in heavenly places among Saints and Angels when in the midst of the congregation we set forth the prayses of our God in Psalmes in Hymns and in spiritual Songs Christians if ye know what it is to glorifie your God you will roll away that stone against which some have stumbled It will be unto you no trouble of heart if as you believe in God and believe in Christ so you through Jesus Christ celebrate [2] Psal 29.9 the name of your God publiquely and solemnly in your Fathers House Know Brethren if we glorifie God here upon earth They in heaven can do no more The most which They can do is though after a more heavenly manner to glorifie Our God We do what the Saints in [3] Psal 149.9 Neque ad loquendum digne de Deo lingua sufficit Neque ad pereipiendum intelâ—ectus praevalet magis ergo glorisicdre nos convenit Deum quod talis est qui intellectuÌ„ traâ—scendit cognitionis initium superat beaven do we do what the Angels in heaven do if we glorifie our God We do as the blessed Spirit doth we do as the Son of the Father doth yea we do as the Father himself doth if we glorifie our God Seeing it is unto us so great a glory to glorifie this God Seeing it is unto us heaven upon earth seeing it is unto us Life more abundant to laud praise and blesse the Name of our God I beseech you Friends Let us no more absent our selves from the Liturgie of our Church but let the Lord God have the glory of our open publick and solemn Thanksgivings Yea let us watch alwayes over our conversations words and hearts that at [1] Psalm 34.1 71.6 8 15 109.30 96.2.145.2 7 9 10 21 119.164 97 25.5 89.16 Nihil mihi fuit optatius quà m ut primum abs Te-ipjo deinde à caeteris omnibus quà m gratissimus erga Te esse cognoscerer Cicero Epist familiar lib. 1. Epist 5. all times whether in private or in publique whether in our labours or in [2] Non solum negotij sed otij reddendaâ—est ratio Col. 3.17 our recreations whether we mourn or rejoyce sleep or wake eat or drink or whatsoever we do we may [3] 1 Cor. 10.31 do all and desire to do all unto the glory of our God Beloved if we keep our selves [1] 2 Tim. 2 21 ever prepared unto every good work if we keep our selves ever unfeignedly desirous to ever glorifie our God Lo We have Psalmes and set-forms to [2] Eccles 5.2 Hos 14.2 furnish us with words the holy Scriptures to [3] 2 Tim. 3.16 instruct us in our duties the holy Spirit to [4] Rom. 8.26 Luke 11.13 Acts 5.32 Phil 2.12 13 assist us in our endeavours a [5] Heb. 4.15 16 1 John 2.1 2 Jude 24 Ephes 5.27 2 Cor. 4.14 15 Col 1.22 23 28 powerful Mediatour to render our imperfect performances perfectly acceptable nor can we want a perpetual supply of matter for our perpetual prayses and thanksgivings if we apply our selves unto the [6] See of this Treatise page 278.279 last General Part which limiteth this present Discourse I proceed therefore from the innumerable reasons why we should ever give thanks and prayses to the Lord our God unto the boundlesse matter of these our praises and thanksgivings The matter of our prayses and thanksgivings comprehendeth the three Kingdomes 1 represented in my Text. What supplyeth unto us perpetual matter for which our God is glorified If He who delighteth to [1] page 278. 1 Cor. 1.27 28 2 Cor. 4.7 strengthen grace by weak Instruments hath by * New Books are like new fashions taken up at the first with affection this Discourse of mine profited your soules then before we enter these three Provinces pause you here ye Christians Though such as I have I [2] Mat. 10 8 give Silver and Gold [3] See of this Treatise page 30 I have none at most so little that the imprinting of Sermons is too heavy for my light Purse Vnto the good example of other Generous Friends be it spoken What I write that another printeth not I but the surviving the affectionate Husband of a Gentlewoman now with God is [4] Imitating Jacob Gen. 35.20 the sole Publisher of this expensive Treatise and that not so much in memory of his dear Consort as in [5] 2 Cor. 13.9 Hominum charitas gratuita est Cicero de nat Deornm l. 1. 1 Cor. 13.5 compassion of us He so
well knew the excellency of her gracious spirit that he aimeth to have our spirits like unto Hers His cost is your benefit His Liberal soul deviseth liberal things and by liberal things may He stand But may you and I glorifie our God [6] Gal. 1 24 in Him And as in Him so in his other Self whose untimely [7] Like Rachels Gen. 35.16 19. untimely not to her but unto us as Phil ip of Macedon spake of his friend Hipparchus Plutarch Apotheg death first gave life unto what you now read One especial matter which setteth forth the prayses of our God consisteth in [1] Psalm 66 16 Veritatem celare est aurum sepelire S. Aug. confess l. 12. what the Lord hath done for his chosen servants Our God is glorified in those divine Histories which tell us how great mercies the Lord poured upon Abraham Moses Joshua Samuel David Solomon c. He is glorified in such Scriptures as mention the prayses of Sarah Rebeccah Deborah Ruth Hannah Abigail and those other Matrons whose good examples are recorded for our learning There were that [2] Mat. 26.8 had indignation at Mary for pouring so precious ointment upon the Head of our Saviour neverthelesse it is the glory of our Saviour that Her prayse is [3] Mat. 26.13 in the Gospel May it likewise be interpreted unto the glory of our God if wheresoever this small Treatise shall finde acceptance there some of those blessings which the Lord vouchsafed unto this religious Gentlewoman be told for a memorial of her To the Right Worshipfull Sir JOHN HALES Baronet Encrease of favour with God and man SIR AMong those affectionate Kinsfolk so uncomfortably withheld from the solemn burial of your pious Aunt YOU her Dearest Nephew were a Chief Her embalmed Corps you did not see her spiced and perfumed Grave you could not attend I am bold therefore to place before you this Specimen of [1] [1] Illa quidem anima in societatem sidelium recepta landes nec curat nec quaerit humanas imitationem quaerit non laudem S. Aug. Epist 125. her Funerals A rough unpolished unhewn Tomb-stone it is a Stone worthy to be rolled away by the same hand which erecteth it Vouchsafe neverthelesse to approach unto it as [2] [2] Tumulum intuens pius esio unto her lively Monument For if the memory of this good Gentlewoman shall remain dear unto you you by delighting to imitate her vertues will partake of Her happinesse past and present You will during life obtain peace and after death life more abundant Dominae Dorotheae Rutter Vera Effigies Martij 21 mo 1661 2 Anno Aetatis suae ult et 31 mo Life more abundant in her lookes you see Picture her Soule a Heav'nly Saint is Shee Sir I willingly promise my self this blessing because it farreth with those good Christians who bury their Friends as it doth with us Ministers when we are crucified with Christ Espy us in the Town you see us in black mourning for the sinfulnesse of the World but meet us in the Temple you finde us in white rejoycing at the purity of the Gospel just so when good Christians have buried their dead if their thoughts reach no further then this World well may they cloath themselves in mourning but let their thoughts follow their dead unto their Fathers House and then their grief and sorrowes are swallowed up in Joy and Rejoycings From my Study April 3d. 1662. COnsider this dear and worthy Gentlewoman first as She was a part of this world next as She was a Member of the Church and thirdly as She is present with the Lord within the mansions in her Fathers House In every of these you will see plentiful matter layed before you for the prayses of Our God First In the things of this Life It is the glory of our God that while he [1] Psalm 17.14 giveth unto the wicked their portion only in this life He is also in the things of this life sometimes bountiful as well unto the [2] Matth. 5.45 just as unto the unjust thus he was unto [3] Gen. 13.2 6 Abraham and thus he was unto this [4] Gal. 3.7 Daughter of Abraham From the Cradle which first danced at the voyce of her cryes unto the grave which now bewaileth her silence little very little cause there was why Her heart should be troubled For instance The more loyal our affections be toward our most gracious Soveraign Lord the King the more honour we have for that Sexe which gave conception and birth unto his sacred Majesties sacred Person Adam he [1] Gen. 3.20 calleth his wives name Evah Why Answ Because she was the Grandmother of Christ in whom all are made alive Beloved Let not the community of a Blessing bury that Blessing in oblivion The Friend of whom we now speak was a Daughter in Israel to wit One of that Sexe which had both the Happinesse and the Honour to bring the Great Redeemer of all mankind into the World As for her lineage I am no Herald yet this I can say as by wedlock she matched into a [1] For she was married unto Michael Rutter of Burton on the Hill in the County of Glou. Esquire worthy Family a Family of a just esteem a Family of a good and [2] See page 117. of the Vale Royal of England viz. The County Palatine of Chester illustrated by Dan. King long descent so She her Self was no Filia terrae It is of God that while one Family is low and obscure another is superiour and exalted This Gentlewoman was of the later and superiour sort She was the branch the off-spring of a very Generous Stock I shall utter more then in other words I can so well expresse if I tell you she was a [3] Of which Family see Dugdals Surveigh of Warwicksh HALES a HALES no way over-reached by any specious pretences of hypocritical Rebels Whereas the honesty of some great Ones is rugged and the seed of their goodnesse unformed for want of an early education it was not so with this Friend she was highly civilized Indeed Her education was as well became Her Eminent birth very singular Furthermore it was as successeful-as exquisite Her wealth was suitable unto her birth The blessing of the Lord made her rich and he added no sorrow with it Her body that body which now sleepeth in Jesus was herein a picture of her soul upright and graceful In the natural endowments of her mind she surpassed many of her equals She had a tenacious memory an elegant fancy a piercing judgement and a deep understanding Her acquired parts were no lesse remarkable She read much and much unto her benefit witnesse her language alwayes apposite witnesse her habitual transcendent elocution and from that again the law of kindnesse which was ever in her lips together with that charity and that piety which so often perfumed her familiar Discourse Although she could not
He is not to his elect as Justinian was to his sometimes favorite Belisarius He is not so cruel to us as Nebuchadnezzar was (5) Jer. 39.7 unto Zedekiah He dealeth not by us as Naash (6) 1 Sam. 11.2 would have dealed by the men of Jubesh He treateth us neither as Joshua (7) Josh 9.21 served the Gibeonites nor as the Philistims (8) 1 Sam. 13.9 used the Israelites Secure Davids Intelligencers (9) 2 Sam 17.18 19 though it be in a damp well under ground corn So you conveigh him down out at the Window (10) Acts 9.25 let Paul for once be (11) 2 Cor. 11.33 Paul in a basket and so you bring him up out of the Dungeon bolster up Jeremiah with (12) Jer. 38.11 Old cast clouts and with old rotten rags Beloved although God giveth us quarter although he spareth our lives yet should he deal with us as we deserve he might justly continue us in this life servants (13) with Rom. 6.16 compare Matth. 1.21 and with 2 Tim. 2.26 1 Cor. 5.5 1 Tim. 1.20 Compare Acts 26.18 unto sin captives (14) Psal 103.10 unto Satan He might make us like the Jews wear yellow badges Oh my Brethren God hath not dealed with us 15 according to our sins he hath not rewarded us according unto our iniquities He hath (1) 2 Kings 6.20 brought us into the midst of Samaria but (2) 2 Kings 6.23 he setteth bread and water before us He crucifieth our old man but our inward man he (3) 2 Cor. 4.16 reneweth daily He taketh from us our filthy garments but giveth unto us (4) Esay 61.10 robes of Righteousnesse He (5) Gal. 6.14 disarmeth us of our rebellious forces but harnesseth us with the (6) Eph. 6.11 2 Cor. 10.4 whole armour of God He dispossesseth us of (7) Eph. 6.5 our strong holds mean while He Himself is (8) Psal 18.2 71.3 91.2 62.7 our strong habitation whereunto we may alwayes resort O my dearly beloved Brethren The mighty Captain of our salvation doth conquer us but he conquereth us with kindnesse Behold He giveth us free (1) Gal. 5.1 13 liberty to (2) Ephes 5.16 make the best of our time of our abilities nay of his what Talents we have are (3) Matth. 25.14 1 Cor. 4.7 James 1.17 his goods with these he permitteth us to traffique (4) Matth. 16.27 1 Cor. 15.58 Heb. 6.10 for our selves He then (5) Rom. 2.6 7 10 Phil. 2.13 1 Cor. 9.24 Revel 3.5 21.21.7 accompteth that we do him the most and best service when we work out our own salvation he encourageth us to procure all the peace all the vertue all the godlinesse all the graces all the present prayse and future glory we can Blessed blessed be the holy God for that while we abide here sinners upon earth we are allowed to be spiritually minded to place our affections upon things above to have our conversation in heaven we are not forbid to use (6) With 1 John 2.27 compare Exod. 30.33 no not the most precious ointment of the Sanctuary Seventhly For bestowing upon us all things [1] 2 Pet. 1.3 appertaining to godlinesse People who never yet head the [2] Psalm 89.15 joyful found may [3] Psalm 102.22 Revel 11.15 be religious if they will that is if they can I say The Gentiles which [4] Luke 1.79 sit in darknesse are [5] Acts 11.18 17.30 not prohibited light but light hath not yet shined unto them Whereas the day-star from on high hath visited us so that we walk at least we should walk as children of the light Yea [6] It is with us as Deut. 4.6 7 Psalm 147.20 unto us of this age and kingdome are given of Gospel-priviledges the best in every kinde We above all other the Churches of Christ have Matter of Thankfulnesse unto God First For his revealed will Luther was no lesse worthy rehrehension for [1] Epistola Jacobi collata cum Evangelio Johannis ejus epistolâ primâ cum Epistolis Paulinis imprimis quae ad Romanos Galatas Ephesios scriptae sunt verè straminea epistola est See Brochmand and Luthers German Bible printed 1528. terming S. James his Epistle a strawy Epistle then that plow-man was worthy to be praysed who for one single leaf of it gave a whole load of hay Verily if one Oration of Isocrates did cost [2] viz. if not an 133 l. yet 100 l. twenty talents of silver if for every verse which Oppianus presented was given a [3] viz 0 l. 16 s. -4 d. stater of gold then is every word of our God more [4] Psal 119.72 to be desired then thousands of gold and silver Sirs every judgement denounced every warning given every truth related every prediction and prophesie every precept every command every promise c. abundantly claim from us our studied thankfulnesse A small portion of holy Writ the Pentateuch is especially if it be compared unto all the other canonical Scriptures neverthelesse great [5] Psal 19.7 119. per totum 1.2 138.2 very great was the esteem given unto the word of God even then when no word of God was extant saving only those five books of Moses Beloved blessed are your eyes for they see those holy Scriptures which neither Moses nor David nor any of the Patriarchs saw Next For this revealed will of God [1] with Psalm 102.18 compare Hos 8.12 written By signes and wonders and by several other meanes hath the God of truth given testimony unto the truth of his Word (2) See du Plessis Grot. de veritate relig Christianae and Dr. Hammond his Reasonablenesse of Christian Religion Among which this is not the least namely the harmonious consent of various Copies in several Nations and Languages transcribed and preserved And herein let our God receive the prayse due from us for none of the Churches of Christ can equal their Bibles unto that published by our English Clergy even in [3] Videas Praefat. ad Waltoni Bibl. Polyglotta perillous times Thirdly For this written Word [1] Deut. 28.49 1 Cor. 14.14 Revel 14.16 translated and [2] Gen. 40.8 Job 33.23 Prov. 1.6 1 Cor. 12.10 14.13 Esay 50.4 interpreted Nor hath any Kingdome under Heaven so great cause to be thankful for the purity of Scripture-translations interpretations as England hath Fourthly For these truths of God wholsomely applyed In England every place is full of Manna I mean of religious Treatises almost in every kind When the Reverend Prelacy of this English Church were silenced by (1) The Tribe of Levi. standeth and falleth with the Tribe of Judah a rebellious power God gave them a heart and an ability to leave a Monument of truth in Bishop Waltons voluminous Bible The Lord stir up the hearts of those Ministers among us which now silence themselves to improve their talents likewise Whether in