Lord turneth again the Captivity of Zion we are like unto them that dream our mouth is filled with laughter and our tongue with singing Psal 126.1 2 3 4. Such Sympathizing frames are sweet and honourable Mirth and Cheerfulness 2. Mirth and pleasantness of speech by way of cheariness and recreation is not only lawful but expedient by way of introduction or of interjection cast in now and then being as sauce to the meat that so more solid and serious discourse may go down more easily and it may be more profitable also And now I am accidently as it were fallen upon this Theame give me leave to speak something concerning this kind of talk though it be a digression and should be somewhat a large digression yet by the blessing of God it may be for his glory and the spiritual good of readers or hearers which I desire may run in three streams 1. Shewing the lawfulness of mirth and pleasantness of speech and in some cases a dutie 2. Touching the usefulness and expediency of it in some cases Thirdly Cautions to prevent miscarriages therein which are soon and easily run into a merry heart being like a boyling pot which if not well eyed and looked to will quickly sieth over 1. As concerning the lawfulness of mirth and merry discourse even to laughter methinks its evincible upon these accounts 1 Natural Faculty 1. God and Nature hath given man a faculty of risibility as a property distinguishing him specifically from other Greatures and surely not in vain but this Facultie may be acted and exercised and Solomon tells us that there is a time to laugh as well as a time to weep Eccl. 3.4 And if mirth and laughter be lawful then chearful discourse is lawful also as being a natural means exciting thereunto or rather part thereof 2. It 's highly commended at least 2 Commended if not commanded also by the wisest of Kings acted and guided by the inspiration of God who tells us that there is nothing better for a man then that he should eat and drink and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour This also I saw that it was from the hand of God Eccl. 2.24 chap. 3.13 22. chap. 5.18 chap. 8.15 He oft strikes and harps upon this meery string When he saith there is nothing better c. he speaketh not absolutely and simply for the love and favour of God in Christ the fear of God seasoning our hearts is far better yea the assurance of the acceptation of our persons and services is better also as being the ground and occasion of our mirth and merriment as he expresseth it Go thy way eat thy bread with joy and drink thy wine with a merry heart for God now accepteth thy works Eccl. 9.7 The root is better in the fruit the cause in the effect To know our acceptance with God in all our natural and civil mirth and merriment though it be also honest and lawful So that when he saith nothing is better he speaks comparatively that riches houses lands are good but the comfortable injoyment of them is better using them to the glory of God to the chearing up and refreshing our selves and others doing good with them and rejoycing in God in the liberal yet sober use of them And to be sure the Spirit of God in Solomon had no mind by these expressions to patronize Epicurisme sensuality gluttony drunkenness though some wanton prophane wits may study to wrest such a carnal liberty from them which to do hath in it a spice of blasphemy 3. It 's commanded also 3 Commanded and it is not only lawful but a duty Be glad in the Lord and rejoyce ye righteous and shout for joy all ye that are upright in heart Psal 32.11 Shouting is laughing in in its elevation and triumph But why Because He that trusteth in the Lord mercy shall compass him about vers 10. It 's commanded by the Apostle Rejoyce in the Lord alwayes and again I say rejoyce Phil. 4.4 Rejoyce evermore 1 Thes 5.16 You 'le say this joy is spiritual Yea that is it I 'de have as best becoming the gravity and sanctity of Christians Joy in the heart holy and heavenly venting it self by a lightsome countenance by chearful discourse and singing also a duty much neglected scarce any more inforced four times in a verse Sing praises to God sing praises sing praises unto our king sing praises Psal 47.6 and civil mirth if regular helps rather then hinders spiritual of which by and by 4. It 's promised 4 Promised and duties are couched in promises what God promises we shall be or do is our duty to be and doe They shall praise the Lord that seek him your heart shall live for ever Psal 22.26 Shall live or be lively chearful comfortable as when Jacob heard that Joseph was alive the spirit of Jacob revived Gen. 45.27 To the same purpose The humble shall see this and be glad your heart shall live that seek God Psal 69.32 As at the down-fall of Gods and his Churches enemies so upon Doegs ruin it 's promised That the righteous shall see and fear and laugh at him Lo this is the man that made not God his strength Psal 52.6 7. 5. Practised by the best of Saints 5 Practised The man after Gods own heart was the sweet singer of Israel He 's upon a merry pin but an holy a pin in the Sanctuary He cries out Awake my glory awake Psaltery and Harp I my self will awake early Ps 57.8 or I 'le awake the morn be up before it and fit it up Ainsworth especially when it goes well with Zion The Book of Esther is a book of Providence of amazing Providence Esther is made Queen is spirited for the work with zeal and wisedome Mordecai is advanced Haman is hanged the Jewes are delivered and by them their enemies destroyed and what joy and rejoycing is thereupon Their Purims instituted dayes of feasting and joy and of sending portions one to another and gifts to the poor Est 9.20 21 23. Like to them this was the temper of the Churches of God when the Jewes returned out of the Babilonish Captivity Ps 12.12 When the Lord turned again the Captivity of Zion we were like to them that dream then was our mouth filled with laughter and our tongue with singing c. I might tell you how that before all this when Pharaoh and his host were drowned in the Red sea Exo. 19.1 Moses and all Israel sung a sweet song unto the Lord c. and how after all this when Antichrist that great Pharisaical of Rome shall be destroyed the Saints will have a merry time of it when the harps of them are in their hands and the Song of Moses and of the Lamb in their mouths Rev. 15.2 3. I confess the joy and rejoycing commanded promised and practised was for the main spiritual heavenly and supernatural yet
himself His carriage was a Comment on Rom. 12.10 8. His great Bounty and liberality He was very charitable to all men especially to those of the houshold of Faith Ps 112.5.9 Verbum profusionem importat Muis. 'T is Davids character of a good man that he he giveth to the poor and disperseth liberally and this was his practise whilst others were for gathering and heaping up he was for dispersing and scattering abroad As all graces were conspicuous in him so this of charity in particular which is the only grace as one sayes wherein God and man communicate He devised liberal things and drew out his soule to the hungry Synes Ep. 57. Is 58 1◠he did not only draw out his purse to supply them but his bowels and soul to pity them His manner was Dando pauperi das tibi quia quod pauperi non dederis habebit alter tu solum quod pauperidederis Chrysol Serm. 41. p. 108. when he rode abroad to put so much mony in his pocket as he could well spare for this purpose and as he met with any indigent persons he would fall into discourse with them 'T is related of Mr. Fox that he never refused to give to any one that askt him an Almes for Christs sake and being askt if he knew such a poor person as was naim'd to him Yea said he I forget Lords and Ladies to remember such 'T is said of Cyprian that he never turn'd away a widdow empty He was wont to say Ne dormiat in thesauris tuis quod pauperi prodesse potest And again Aliquando de necessitate amittendum est quod sponte pro divina remuneratione distribuendum est and if he found any knowledge of God or savour of Godliness in them he would the more plentifully relieve them nor should the ignorant sif he judg'd them necessitous and not idle part from him without some counsel and reliefe For purse almes and spiritual almes together I never knew his fellow He would often visit poor and needy families or call in as he past by them and ever leave somewhat behind him for the good of soul and body both God lent him a competent estate and which is better gave him a heart to lend it back again unto him God honoured him and he again honoured God with his substance 9. His great patience and cheerfulness under afflictions You have heard of the patience of Job And I would acquaint you a little with the patience of this eminent servant of God Those that knew his circumstances and his lamblike carriage under them will readily graunt that he was one of the greatest patterns of patience that this age hath produc't 1. Vxorem delirantem Levamentum aliquod miseriarum est non veniti Lips cent 1. Ep. 61. Plut. consolat ad Apollon p. 116. Gaudet patientia duris Luc. li. ◠Amongst the various tryals wherewith he was exercis'd he had one which was not ordinary and which for some reasons I conceale though all that were of his intimate acquaintance do easily guess what I mean yet whoever saw him out of humour or ever heard a muttering or repining word to come out of his mouth he made light of those burthens which would have sat or layn heavy on others backs Yea many have admir'd not only at his patience but at his cheerfulness under his afflictions he had learnt in every thing to give thanks it may be said of him as of that Apostle that he was joyful yea exceeding joyful in all his tribulations His conversation was made up of seriousness temper'd with cheerfulness How grave was he in all company yet how pleasant also He deem'd that a morose sowr carriage in Christians did much disparage the Gospel of Christ I used my self saith he in his aforesaid memoires to be somewhat merry and cheerful in company that standers by might for that reason be the more in love with Religion to shew that it was not inconsistent with harmless merriment and through mercy I have cause to think that I have sometimes attained that end Suidas speaking of Macarius relates how by his pleasant discourses on all occasions he drew many into the wayes of God I have drawn others by this means to a likeing of the good wayes of God 10. His moderation and peaceableness He much dislikt and lamented the unnatural heats and divisions amongst Christians He was not sceptical and indifferent not was he severe and rigid He seem'd to me to tread in Pauls steps 1 Cor. 9.10 and did alwayes endeavour to accommodate himself to those that differed from him so far as lawfully he could and as his love of Truth would permit Many men prefer a petty Notion to the Churches peace and communion and are so capricious and overconfident of their own determinations That they will hold no communion nay hardly have a pleasing conversation with those who are not of their persuasion he was of a more excellent temper he would say All men must have their grains of allowance the most knowing Christians know but in part He would familiarly converse ay and if occasion were in all Ordinances communicate with those that held the head and were sound in the vitals of Christian Religion though in other things they were erroneous This one thing he would greatly declaim against That Christians upon every little occasion Vide Hier. Zanch. de Ecclesia de quinque causis quas Schismatici obtendunt cum ab Ecclesiae communione deficiunt made nothing of Separation if they dislik't a people the next word is We 'll join with them no longer if they dislik't a Preacher this follow'd next We 'll hear him no more His opinion was to which I subscribe That it will never be well with the Church of God in this Nation so long as Christians are so prone to division and separation This this is Englands incurable Wound 11. His Zeal for God What was said of David and our Lord Jesus Christ himself the same may be affirm'd of him The zeal of God did consume and eat him up John 2.17 Psal 69.19 119.139 Me zelus meus Cruciavit egregiè vim exprimit zeli perquem cor vellicatur lancinatur Muis. What is said of another may be also affirmed of him That he was kin to Angels who are active spirits and a flaming fire Though he seldom sinn'd in being angry yet he often very often was angry with sin He could bear to be reproach't and evil-spoken of himself but not that God and his Name should be blasphem'd and dishonour'd of this I could give many instances take one or two under his own hand Being once sayes he at a Wedding dinner at the Marriage of one Mr. Valentine's Servant I observ'd a Fidler to swear and sing very obscenely at which I was troubled and filled with indignation till anon I call'd to him to forbear and gave him money to hold his peace tendring therein the glory of
the truth and sell it not whereupon the incumbent when he met any going to the Church as he was going from it would aske them in a jeering manner What! you are now going to buy the Truth His Father and friends had now provided a place for him viz. Bushy in Harfordshire he the more inclin'd to accept it because his continuance at Witny was precarious and the envy and opposisition of the Minister of the place not to be remov'd To Bushy therefore he goes where he hath a welcome reception from all the Inhabitants but especially from those that had any savour of Religion There he Preacht and Catechiz'd on the Lords Dayes and other days to the great benefit of his hearers who attended his Ministry not only those that dwelt in Bushy but those that liv'd at Watford and other adjacent places Hear the testimony of a Godly ancient Minister yet living under his own hand That little time saith he which E. S. spent in Bushy was not without good success many persons in my own hearing having acknowledged his Ministry to be the means of their conversion During his abode in Bushy which was about two years he repair'd or rather rebuilt at his own charge the dwelling house belonging to the Minister at this time also he marryed a Wife the daughter of one Mr. Scudamore of Watford a man of good account in those parts both for Estate and Godliness by her he had one daughter Being call'd upon to Preach a Visitation Sermon he perform'd it with great approbation only because he inveighed against non-residency and pluralities some that were concerned were greatly offended one of them saying he might the better speak against many livings having got so good a one himself And indeed it was so good that one Dr Seaton who was seated at Kingston upon Thames in Surry had a longing mind after it and either making or finding a flaw in his Title soon dispossest him of it But first there was a Tryal at Law about it the Attourney general Noy who was of Councel for Seaton likeing the ingenuity of Staunton mov'd for an Exchange and so brought it to pass that Seaton should have Bushy and Staunton should have Kingston both parties were agreed Staunton preferr'd work before wages and lik't Kingston the better because his opportunities of service would be there the greater Dr. Winter in vita ejus he was of his mind who was wont to say his opportunities were his greatest riches But whilst he thought of setling there he met with a disappointment Seaton having gotten Bushy would not part with Kingston but either Staunton must be his Curate there or he must be gone from thence hereupon Mr. Staunton repairs to Noy relates to him the disingenuous carriage of his Client Noy was of too generous a spirit to approve this baseness sending therefore for Seaton he tells him plainly unless he would resigne Kingstone he would soon pick a hole in his Title to Bushy Several also of the Inhabitants of Kingston who priz'd Mr. Staunton's Ministry and were willing to purchase it at any rate did so work with Dr. Seaton that in a short time he resign'd upon which Mr. Staunton had the presentation and soon after institution and induction In this Town he continued about twenty years endeavouring to fulfill the ministry he had received of the Lord there he Preach'd twice on the Lords day Col. 4.17 and Catechized the younger and ignorant sort of people and he did not satisfie himself in teaching them publikely but though the place was large and populous he taught them also from house to house Act. 20.20 There also he set up a weekly Lecture which was supply'd in their turnes by as eminent Preachers as that part of England did afford and within a little time partly by his powerful Preaching partly by his holy and exemplary life for as John the Baptist in the one he was a burning One saith of Mr. Perkins that as his preaching was a Comment on his text so his practice was a comment on his preaching in the other a shining light he wrought a general reformation throughout the Town both amongst Magistrates and people he was lov'd by all those that were Godly and fear'd by those that were wicked The good seed that he there sow'd doth spring up to this very day and many now living can hardly mention him with their mouths without tears in their Eyes Nor was there any love lost betwixt them he would to the last call the People of Kingston as Paul did the Philippians His joy and his crown Phil. 4.1 and would often say That were it not for some wrangling persons a Minister might live as comfortable a life amongst them as amongst any people in England And as by his Ministry a work of reformation was wrought upon the Town in general so also a work of saving conversion was wrought upon many soules in particular he relates in some memoires that he hath left behind him under his own hand that in 1648. when he left the place there were thirty persons which gave him a Paper subscribed by themselves wherein they own'd him for their spiritual Father and doubtless there were many thirties in and about the Town who could have made the like acknowledgment He marryed a second wife yet living Whilst he liv'd here begetting many Sons and Daughters unto God he had also many Sons and Daughters begotten of his own body Ten of which lie buried in one Grave in the Parish Church of Kingston on which he hath laid a faire Stone with this Epitaph fairly Engraven on it Here lye the Bodies Of Francis Richard Mary Mathew Mary Richard Edmund Edmund Sarah Richard Children which the Lord graciously gave to Edmund Staunton D. D. late Minister of Kingston upon Thames now President of C. C. C. in Oxford by Mary his Wife Daughter of Richard Balthrope Esq Servant to the late Queen Elizabeth Ten Children in one Grave a dreadful sight Seven Sons Daughters three Jobs number right Childhood and youth are vain death reigns o're all Even those that never sin'd like Adams fall But why o're all in the first man every one Sinned and fell not he himself alone Our hope 's in Christ the second Adam He Who saves the Elect from sin and misery What 's that to us poor children 't is our Creed God is a God to the faithful and their seed Sleep on dear Children never more to wake 'Till Christ doth raise you and to glory take He left only one Son living at his death and may he long live to inherit his Fathers Graces as he doth his Estate For three years and a halfe In the year 1635 it pleas'd the Authority of the Nation to permit sports and pastimes unto the people on the Lords Day and a Warrant was ordered to be read in all Churches to that purpose those Ministers who refused to read it were for some time suspended in
Person were rarely once only but twice in one day Thus this good man in labours more abundant in the morning sowes his seed and in the evening withholds not his hand so liberal he was of his spiritual Almes not knowing whether should prosper this or that or whether they both might not be alike good Eccl. 11.6 so that in imitation of the great Apostle by the power of the Spirit of God he even from Jerusalem round about to Illyricum fully Preached the Gospel of Christ So this excellent Minister of our Lord Jesus from Rickmersworth even round about unto the utmost borders of the County and into the neighbouring Counties also he was spending and being spent in the service of his great Lord and Master By all this the Reader may gather that our Doctor had not layne idle in the University 'till he was rusted and cankered away and fit for no further use in the house of God but as it was said of Joseph that his bow still abode in strength so it was with his parts memory and with his affections also and he was constant untill the act of uniformity imposed that general silence upon all nonconformist August 24. 1662. But yet neither after this time was he willing to be idle every week almost keeping one day as a private fast in his own or else in some other godly Ministers or Christian Family as to humble himself for his own sins so for the abominations that were in the midst of the land and it cannot be easily forgotten with what brokenness of spirit and with what a dissolved soul he would still take up some hours himself on those extraordinary occasions either in the word or prayer or both for indeed he was mighty in prayer as well as in the Scriptures as it is said of Apollo Having passed I think some two yeares his wife now labouring under some weaknesses and being weary with the burden of houshold affairs he retired to a Chamber or two in a private Family some miles distant where he was very useful he much inlightned and quickly leavened the habitation his Ministerial Gifts and graces were such as that indeed he perfumed the whole house As long as he lived there there was a Church alwayes in that house and I presume the govenour and children and servants do bless God for his presence and conference and exemplary conversation to this day and may they never loose the savour of the knowledg of Christ and the sense of the power of the world to come that he manifested and they were under during his abode with them From thence he removed to another private family and I believe his frequent removes were that he might have renewed opportunity of doing more good and God more service where he was entertained as an Angel of God This Family was near S. Albans in which Town from that time he was a great instrument in the hand of God for good to correct some extravagancies amongst some people there by his sober principles and great moderation of spirit and the noble exercises of self-denial and charity being no burden unto any but being crafty catching them with guile 2 Cor. 12.16 His last remove was to a place called Bovingden a little village and I question whether ever it had been mentioned in any story if this good man had not liv'd and ended his days there he was led thither by the invitation of a religious and very kind Gentleman freely accommodating him with all the conveniences of an habitation of his in that place But he once told me that whatsoever was saved that way he still expended proportionably in charitable uses making conscience to give it either in mony or books to the poor to this and the neighbouring places and I believe he hath destributed several hundreds of short Catechisms besides some dozens of little books of that great light of our age Entitled The call to the Vnconverted During his abode here he continued daily to attend the duty of the Family wherein he was instructing the souls belonging thereunto And if one or more of the poor of that place chanced to come in he would say they were welcome and that God came along with them and the poor have the Gospel preached unto them In this place he enjoy'd great privacy which he greatly priz'd and had be been born for himself alone he could alwayes have chosen to have liv'd thus alone How many worthy's in the world have prefer'd retirement to the greatest preferments in Church or State and have thought Scepters and Myters not worthy to be compared with it But he could not thus satifie himself that of Paul was often in his mouth Wo be to me if I preach not the Gospel he was of Calvins mind who would not his Lord should come and find him idle Wherefore he rode often to St. Albans or some other adjacent place and once or twice a year to London and Kingston and seeing he could not preach in a Church to many he would preach in a Chamber to a few T is not the place or company that commends our preaching to God What excellent Sermons have been preacht to despicable auditories and in very ordinary and contemptible places Pauls meeting place in Macedonia was the River side Acts 16.13 and his hearers a few of the weaker Sex Our Lord himself preacht a long Sermon once to one timorous man John c. 3. c. 4. and at another time in the open aire he preacht at large to one silly woman Thus this eminent servant of God like a torch or candle with lighting others consumed and wasted himself On the eighth of July Anno Dom. 1671. aetatis suae 71. he was seiz'd all on one side with the dead palsy by reason of which his speech much faild him so that he spake little and seldome A friend coming to visit him and asking him how he did he answered in the words of the Prophet In measure God debateth with me and in the day of the East-wind he stayeth his rough wind A while after he said to a friend that stood by him I neither fear death nor defire life but am willing to be at Gods disposal At another time he uttered these words very audibly I know that my redeemer liveth and by and by he repeated the fifth verse of the one and thirtieth Psalme in Meter Into thy hand Lord I commit My spirit which is thy due For why thou hast redeemed it Oh Lord my God most true He prest the by-standers so long as he was able to many wholsome duties As to make sure of Heaven in the time of health to keep their evidences fair and unblotted To remember and keep holy the Sabbath day of which he himself as you l find hereafter was a most careful observer When he could not speak himselfe he would desire others to read the Scriptures to him directing to the places which he most desired which were for the most part
Prov. 14.14 2 Estimation with God 2. There 's a greater and higher remuneration then this even in the breast and bosome of God himself that good estimation they are of with him they shall be mine saith the Lord of Hosts Mal. 3.17 All the world is his made preserved governed commanded by him but these are mine to wit in a way of special propriety my peculiar lot my treasure Exo. 19.5 Jer. 51.19 1. Pet. 2.9 my inheritance my jewels my children my spouse my beloved such honour and titles of honour have the Saints especially such as are active for God speaking often one to another 3 Signal advancement 3. God often rewards them even in this life by setting some signal token upon them of his love and favour which the men of the world cannot but take notice of There was a day when they that feared the Lord spake often one to another What that day was Mal. 3.16 or what they said is not clearly expressed but may be probably gathered from the Context and from the History of the Kings Reign in which he prophesied which lay down plainly how the affaires of Church and State were managed under their Reign and his prophesie But when doth God own them in the open face of the World not presently yet hath he a set time when he will appear for them vers 17. That day saith he when I make up my jewels which refers as most interpreters carry it partly at least to this life to wit in the day of his Churches Restauration and Reformation This is one way and one day of Gods making up his jewels in Church reformation when he turns again Zions Captivity when he maketh according to his promise Kings to be nursing Fathers and Queens nursing Mothers to his Israel When he giveth Judges as at the first and Counsellors as at the beginning and to his people Pastors after his own heart when purity of Doctrine Worship and discipline is set up and maintained the will and word of Jesus Christ in such a fair day Jewels will glister and sparkle and the Saints and Servants of the living God usually are advanced and become the heads and not the taile Though God seem to neglect his people yet he hath a day a set day wherein he will throughly plead Zions cause which is indeed his own cause Then shall the Lord of Hosts reign in mount Zion and in Jerusadem and before his ancients gloriously Isa 24.23 4 Sparing them 4. Such as speak often one to another God spareth them in his Fatherly indulgence towards them as a man spares his own Son that serves him Spares son and serves go together adoption and sanctification and find indulgence sueh God spares pardoneth their sins Ps 103.13 accepts their services though tainted with many defects and imperfections pittieth them in all their afflictions and temptations supports and delivers them accepts of their good meaning and endeavours the will for the deed 2 Cor. 8.12 and sometimes remarkably spares them in the black and cloudy dayes of publick Calamity by the destroying sword in the hands of Angels or men in pestilences or warre And which notably sets off Gods love the Saints priviledge is that God so eminently sheweth himself on the side and behalf of his people that the ungodly world cannot but take notice thereof to their great admiration astonishment and terrour Mal. 3.18 13.14 15. vers 18. Then shall ye to wit the blasphemers return and discern between the righteous and the wicked between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not The Prophets retorts their blasphemies upon themselves making them their own judges and condemners therein Whose words were stout against the Lord who said it is vain to serve God and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinances who call the prond happy c. And thus God convinceth obstinate and rebellious sinners of their stupidity and Frenzies not to their Conversions but to their horrour and amazement and extorts acknowledgments from the worst of men not alone of his Soveraignty but of his wise administrations how that he is a gracious rewarder of the good as also a just and dreadful revenger of sin and sinners Psal 126.12 Thus when the Lord turned again the Captivity of Zion they said among the Heathen The Lord hath done great things for them 5 Owning them at death and judgment 5. For the completing of this argument drawn from Gods gracious remuneration of Christian Conference he doth it not onely here but will do it more amply and abundantly hereafter as may be cleared from the words of Christ Beza at Pacet in Loc. Mat. 12.37 By thy words thou shalt be justified and by thy words thou shalt be condemned Justification stands here in opposition to condemnation and to be justified is to be absolved or declared just not to be made just Our words and speeches are the declarations and publications of what lieth latent in our hearts and so are signs and Characters of what we are good or bad as well as our deeds and actions and God hath a book of remembrance as well for what we speak as for what we do And when the book shall be opened Rev. 20.12 and the dead small and great shall stand before God and be judged according to what is written in these books then it will be known to all the world what good Commucations Gods people have had among themselves and that for their honour and renown before God the Angels and their fellow Saints to all eternity God is if I may so express it all-eye to see all the actions of men all eare to heare all the words of men and all hand to register and record all and not alone good works but good words also shall have a gracious recompence and reward of glory Oh that that 's the day Mal. 3.17 when God will make up his jewels those that spake often one to another compleatly fully then indeed the tyde shall turne the Scene Change the case and face of things shall so be altered as that the damned reprobates whilst howling and roaring among the Divels shall discerne little to their comfort much to their horrour between the righteous and the wicked between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not To these three arguments exciting to Christian Conference in reference to God his injunction or commanding of it his remunerations and rewards for it let me adde another The fourth Argument which should provoke us to be much in the duty of Christian Conference 4 Gods end in the variety of gifts bestowed is our answering therein Gods great end in his various distribution of gifts and graces to his Children which is that by gracious discourse and holy communication they might mutually impart each to other for their edification and spiritual advantage For the amplification thereof an apter similitude cannot be used then
cheerful giver 2 Cor. 9.7 and man also and a cheerful lender to cheerfulness in a child or servants obedience O how lovely is it It s so also between husbands and wives those offices of love they discharge each to other with readiness and chearfulness what a beauty doth it add thereunto But on the contrary when these or the like services are performed but unwillingly and by constraint with a sad look and a lowring countenance they are render'd ingrateful and unacceptable What 's a feast if no mirth there good looks and language are one of the best dishes at the Table Having spoken concerning the lawfulness and usefulness of civil mirth I proceed to lay down some cautions 3 Cautions to prevent disorders and irregularities therein 1 Vnseasonable 1. As to the timing of mirth it must be seasonable when Zion weeps and bleeds for the sons and daughters of Zion to be upon a merry pin I speak of common civil mirth especially if with constancy and some heights therein is â—s unseasonable as snow in harvest an high and heinous provocation When â—he Lord calls to weeping and mourning and if in that day behold joy and gladness and eating flesh and drinking wine and surely saith the Lord of hosts this iniâ—uitie shall not be purged from you till â—ou dye Is 22.12.13 14. True When the â—ord turnes againe the Captivity of Zion â—hen let our mouthes be fill'd with laughâ—er and our tongues with singing Psal 26.1 2. But when the Jewes are in Captivity then by the rivers of Babylon we sat down and wept we hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof Psal 137 1 2. And yet by the way let me insert this that spiritual mirth and rejoycing in the Lord is alwayes a dutie and in the worst of times to be performed by the generation of believers Phil. 4.4 Hab. 3.17 18. Eccl. 10.19 A feast is made for laughter saith the Preacher but at a funeral sighing and mourning is more seasonable especially on a day set apart professedly for solemn humiliation even civil mirth seems abominably unseasonable Let me add also on the Lords day the Christian Sabbath our common civil mirth may well be spared the doing our own wayes the finding our own pleasures the speaking our own words Isa 58.13 Being under a special inhibition whereby the word own we understand not wayes pleasures or words in themselves sinful for such are unlawful at all times but such as are lawful on other dayes but on the Lords day unlawfull as concerning worldly imployments and recreations It s true it is a duty to call the Sabbath a delight but the more spirituâ—â— and heavenly our joy and rejoyâ—ings are the more in the Lord the â—ore agreeable with the day of the â—ord to the advancing of which holy â—irth there is by divine appointment 〈◊〉 Psalme for the Sabbath day Ps 92. 2 Immeasurable Voluptato commendat rarior usus 2. Civil mirth must not be immeasurable excessive and without measure The commendation of all our Civil â—leasures are the sparing use of them To be alwayes in a merry vain jesting and laughing is a swerving from the gravity and sanctity of Christianity â—leasantness of speech should not be â—sed as meat to feed the company with â—ests frollick frothy jokes are but windy not overwholsome they may be indeed as sauce to meat to quicken â—ppetites unto more solid and wholsome discourse or to fit our spirits for higher duties facetious speech is to a sober mind as whetting a sithe is to mowing too much whetting turns the edg of the Sithe and unfits it for service he who is alwayes whetting is an idle mower or rather mowes not at all and he that is alwayes jesting may go for a vain person or a vile one rather 1 Not with the sins of others 1. Not sporting our selves making our selves or others merry with our own sins or the sins of others such a man is one of Solomons fools It is sport to a fool to do mischief Prov. 10.23 And again Fools make a mock at siâ— Prov. 14.9 That is obdurate and hardened sinners having their Conscience seared and being past all sense of goodness take a kind of complacency and delight as in the acts of sinning so in their talking of it and making themselves and others merrie with it afterward Then to set men or Children oâ— fighting and to rejoyce in seeing them beat and hurt each other then witâ— many youngsters never so merry a feasâ— as where there is stoln venison rabbet hens or other provision To whom stolâ— waters are sweet and bread eaten in secret is pleasant Prov. 9.17 as some quorish and therein theevish servantâ— though they have good food alloweâ— them and enough of it yet get somâ— dainties in a corner how pleasantly 〈◊〉 they go down or as adulterers anâ— adulteresses their secret uncleannesses are the stollen waters and bread in secret which the Spirit chiefly aimeth at as the Context sheweth It s sad to hear how some men will in a jocular way boast how many women and maidens they have defiled and how often So that woful generation of men who are mighty to drink wine and men of strength to mingle strong drink Isa 5.27 How they 'l merrily among their pot companions vaunt and brag it that so many quarts they took off at a sitting laid such a man asleep drunk another dead down laid him under the Table and glory in their shame So the Gamesters the Jewel of their mirth is many a time their cheating such and such an one who played with them how they fetched him over for so many pounds it may be hundreds so the malicious persons of a vindictive spirit how is it mirth and musick to them to boast how they have made even with such or such an one and hope they have given him his own and shall not die in his debt I might inlarge in this too copious a subject but in brief all this kind of mirth is madness and indeed monstrous for men to rejoyce in that for which they ought to mourn to laugh at that till their sides ake and their eyes water for which they should rather grieve till their hearts ake and rivers of Tears flow from their eyes as did Davids and Jeremiahs Those choice servants of the most high God Psal 119.136 Jer. 9.1 2 3. 4. 4 Not Scripture or matters of Religion Not the Scriptures or matters of Religion Jesting in Scripture phrases and the language of the Holy Ghost as Politian the Heathen and Julian the Apostate it 's a Character of profaness in any and in such as profess Christianity of profaneness with an accent of high aggravation and carrieth also much of danger with it if it be ill jesting with edged tools then surely with the Word of God which is the sword of the Spirit and sharper than any two edged sword Eph. 6.17 Heb. 4.12 Kings and Princes do not