Lord commanded Samuel when he was to annoint Dauid King Looke not on his countenance nor on the height of his stature 1 Sam. 16.7 and he addeth this as a reason for God seeth not as man seeth man locketh on the outward appearance but the Lord beholdeth the heart This truth is further cleared by testimonies and examples God chose Abraham an Idolater Manasses a soothsayer Matthew a Publican Cornelius a Captaine Paul a persecutor Rahab a harlor Zacheus an extortioner Acts 10. Act 〈◊〉 Ioâ— 7. Luâ—e 19. â—â— yea and our Sauiour saith that Publicans and Harlots shall enter into the kingdome of heauen when others shall be shut out 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Reas 1 First Eph. 1. his gifts and graces are on his part free and on our part altogether vndeserued and therefore often called in the Scripture his free election and his free grace Reas 2 Secondly if any outward priuiledge or respect should preuaile with God to moue him to choose some before othersome then must the rich man haue been preferred before poore Lazarus and the proud Pharisie before the poore Publican Now this were an vnequall valuation to prize those things that haue no proportion to grace and goodnesse to things that are not to be valued for betwixt temporall and spirituall things is no compareson Vse Seeing then that of all sorts and conditions of men GOD hath some that belong to his kingdome wee are taught not to despaire of the saluation of any though for the present they walke in that broad way that leadeth to destruction Publicans haue been called Matthew from the receit of custome Pharisies haue beene called Paul a Pharisie and bloudy persecutor Harlots haue beene called Rahab Mary Extortioners haue beene called Zacheus apostates Peter yea God chooseth many times the weake and foolish things of this world to confound the wise and mighty and the poore ones of this world to be rich in faith yea Iew and Greeke bond and free male and female they are all one in Christ he accepteth of the person of no man Secondly seeing no outward priuiledge preuailes any whit with God but that his election is free riches and honours and dignities make none the more or lesse esteemed wiâ—â— God Why then should any outward thing gaine our hearts and our affections seeing that when wee enioy all that we can desire we are neuer the nearer in Gods fauour No man knoweth loue or hatred saith Salomon by these things Eccl. 9.2 If outward priuiledges would preuaile any whit with God Antiochus Herod Saul Iezabel Nero c. must needs haue beene deepe in Gods fauour yet wee know the Lord left these shewed them no mercy but caused them to serue his iustice An Ethiopian Here we haue him described by his Country a Moore By his country a Gentile by nature one that was without the pale of the Church yet hee worshippeth God at Ierusalem making good that prophecie of old Esa 2.2 It shall come to passe in the last dayes that the mountaine of the Lords house shall be established c. and all Nations shall flow vnto it meaning indeed of the inlargement of the Church by all Nations farre and neere vpon the face of the earth So that in this Eunuch we haue an carnest of that promise that God had made vnto his people Doct. The Gentiles to be conuerted That the Gentiles should be called and brought in and that little Sister that had no breasts Cant. 8. made fruitfull This couenant and promise did the Lord thinke vpon in calling in al ages and from time to time so many of the Gentiles to the knowledge of his truth Such as are Ruth Iob Rahab Cornelius this Eunuch c. Vse And blessed bee his Name that we that sate in darkenesse and in the shadow of death haue had this light reuealed vnto vs especially in this part of the world which we call Europe wherein the light of the glorious Gospell for these sixe hundred yeares last past especially hath shone more and more and still shall vntill the comming of the Bridegroome himselfe the Lord Iesus Of great authority vnder Candace Queene of the Ethiopians who had charge of all her treasure c. As this Noble man is here described by his person and by his Country so is he likewise described by his office or place and that indeed By his office Treasurer vnto a great Princesse imployed no doubt in many great and weighty affaires in the gouernment of a kingdome yet trauaileth vp to Ierusalem to worship God Whose godly example and zealous practise may commend to all posterities this lesson That neither the greatnesse of mens persons Doct. The greatnesse of none must exempt them from the performance of holy duties nor places may exempt them from the performance of holy duties if God haue once called a man with a holy calling to the knowledge of his Sonne Christ it is neither person nor place that may with hold vs from his seruice that must bee preferred aboue al. Dauid though he were a King how frequent was he in these holy performances which sheweth that they were more delightfull vnto him then his kingly robes They were the very delight of his soule Gods precepts being sweeter vnto him then the honey and the honey combe Psal 5.3 Thou shalt heare my voyce O Lord early in the morning will I direct my prayer vnto thee and will looke vp Neither might this seeme to be a worke of supererogation in Dauid because a King that might plead the publike affaires of his kingdome for then would hee not haue exhorted others of the same condition to the same godly practise Be wise now therefore O yee Kings Psal 2 11.12 c And it is obserued to haue beene the great praise of Hezechiah 2 Chro. 20.19 that he sent abroad messengers to call the people to the seruice and worship of God and not onely so but ioyned himselfe also in the same And amongst all other the titles that serued to set out the honour of Salomon and his magnificence this was not the least Eccl. 1.12 The words of the Preacher sonne of Dauid King of Israel And for this is Abraham commended a great Prince yet instructed his family Iosuah a man full of imployments in the publike affaires yet I and my house will serue the Lord. Ios 24. The like of Cornelius yea the greatest honour that euer came to the Kings of Iuda and Israel Acts 10. was this that they were zealous for the worship of God and the greatest dishonour that euer did betide them was this they were negligent and carelesse therein Now the reasons of the poynt are Reas 1 The first may be drawne from the rule of Equitie where much is giuen much shall be required God hauing honoured such men aboue others lookes to be honoured by them aboue others and indeed who should doe the greatest worke but they
the time of the Law before the comming of Christ very costly So likewise his paines in trauell was very great it being farre distant from that place to serusalem yet not withstanding it is not the cost nor it is not the paines in trauell that can keepe him back or any whit discourage him but vp will he goe to Ierusalem there to worship God and herein will teach vs That the duties of Religion must earnestly bee pursued and followed after Doct. The duties of religion must be earnestly pursued and followed after not coldly negligently and carelesly but earnestly zelously carefully and constantly Men must not stick for labor for cost for their paines but the Lord must bee serued intentiuely and constantly In euery seruice wee doe vnto God he calleth for this zeale and godly resolution to go thorough with the same And surely this was the great commendations of the Prophet Dauid that he had a zeale as hot as fire Psâ—l 96.10 The zeale of thy house hath eaten me vp This forwardnesse and zeale wee may see to haue beene in the people of God in building of the Temple wherein they spared no cost as also in their diligent repairing to the same wherein they spared no labour and to this are we exhorted Seek for wisdome as for siluer and search for it as for hid treasures Now they that worke in Mines of the earth dig deepe and are not beaten off with much labour such resolution becometh it Gods people to haue in seeking the true treasure The Lord cannot abide that men should go about his seruice negligently coldly and carelesly Cursed are they that do the work of the Lord negligently Ier. 48.10 and How long halt yee betweene two opinions 1 Re. 18.21 c. And it was that our Sauiour was so highly offended with the Church of Laodicea Ren. 3.15 that shee was neither cold nor not and therefore the Lord threatneth to spew her out of his mouth It was the commendations of those in the days of our Sauiour that they flocked after him and pressed vpon him And in diuers places we reade that multitudes followed Christ to heare his heauenly doctrine Yea our Sauiour â—â—â—onisheth vs to labour but for what Not for the meat that perisheth Ioh. 6 but for the meat that endureth to eternall life Zoâ—â—◠〈◊〉 quâ—â—ed 〈◊〉 â—uâ—â—â— paâ—â— oâ—â—â—oâ—â— woâ—â—sâ—â—â— And this zeale and diligence I â—â—igâ—â—t haue â—hewed how God requires the same in euery part of his worship and seruice As First in the preaching of the word Wee are commanded to preach the word in season and out of season 〈…〉 to improue rebuke and exhort with long-suffering and doctrine Secondly in hearing of the word we are commanded to bee swift to heare Iâ—â—a 2.19 Thirdly in prayer we are com manded to be feruent in prayer 3 Râ—â—â— â—â— 12 And in all the duties of sanctification wee are commanded to redeeme the time and to worke out our saluation And great reason First in regard that such as do the worke of the Lord negligently Reas 1 slothfully and carelesly lye vnder an heauie and a fearefull curse Cursed is euery one that doth the worke of the Lord negligently Ier. 4â— â—0 But such are all those that come negligently vnto Gods seruice and therefore lie vnder this curse Secondly to doe any dutie to God negligently and carelesly Reas 2 it neuer hath any promise of any acceptation with him There is no duty that we can assure our hearts shall finde acceptation with the Almighty further then the same is zealously performed in faith repentance and obedience to Gods Commandement Thirdly such as performe any duty formally Reas 3 customarily and but for fashion sake are in great danger to fall away euen from that they make shew of as our Sauiour saith That shall bee taken away which they seemed to haue This was the curse of the Church of Ephesus a drowsie and dead-hearted people Reu 2 5. Thou hast lost thy first loue Such drowsie Christians are alwayes vnder a spirituall consumption for it fares with such a one as with him that hath a Consumption of the body for there the naturall heate decayeth daily more and more and threatneth death Euen so such as haue a spirituall consumption of the soule the spirituall heat doth diminish and threaten destruction Fourthly Reas 4 earnestnesse and zeale in the publicke duties of Gods worship is an excellent meanes to prouoke others to be more diligent in Gods seruice And this the Apostle affirmes to the great commendations of the Church of Corinth Your zeale hath prouoked many 2. Cor. 9.2 And last of all Reas 5 without this diligence and zeale we haue no promise to meet with God in his ordinances Pro. 23.4 If thou cryest after knowledge and liftest vp thy voice for vnderstanding if thou seeke her as siluer and search for her as for hidde treasure What then Then shalt thou vnderstand the feare of the Lord and finde the knowledge of God Feruency and zeale in good duties addeth wings vnto them and makes them sore aloft and pierce the heauens euen into Gods presence Whereas duties formally performed and but with lip labour onely bring no fruit at all but hasten Gods sudgements vpon him that doth them Seeing then that the duties of Religion are so earnestly to bee pursued and followed after Vse 1 This serues then for the iust reprehension of those that are so farre from being zealous themselues to trauell with the Eunuch here vnto Ierusalem to worship God as that they mocke and scoffe at others that doe their duties herein Certainly if this Nobleman liued amongst vs it were not his greatnesse that would free him from the imputation of Puritanisme and his zeale should not escape the disgraces of wicked men Is not this common in the world See wee not that if there be any one in a Parish as many God knoweth there be not that is more forward then others to sanctifie the Sabbath and to spend that day as set apart wholly for Gods seruice in the publicke duties belonging thereto how are these singled out aboue all others and derided and scoffed at for the same when drunkards swearers and prophane persons are neuer wondred at This hard measure Dauid met withall from Micol his owne wife 2. Sam. 6 20. who dancing before the Arke therein expressing the inward ioy of his heart she mockes him How glorious was the King this day To whom Dauid made answer It was before the Lord who chose mee before thy fathers house and I will yet be more vile Let it euer be the commendations of all Gods people so to be vpbraided and scoffed at for their godly zeale As for wicked men they are neuer so zealous as in the cause of sinne And this indeed is the misery of this age and time wherein wee liue that that which indeed is the greatest ornament to a christian man
ministring spirits sent forth for the weale of those that be heyres of saluation Whence wee are taught that he good Angels by Gods ordinance serue for the good of Gods people When Iacob was in feare of his brother Esau Doct. 2 Good Angels serue for the good of Gods people Gen. 32.5 Gen. 18.3 the Angell of the Lord met him to comfort him and to defend him The Angels appeared to Abraham to acquaint him with the destruction of Sodome And when destruction was nigh the Angels came to Lot to fore warne him Gen. 19.16 and to hasten him out When Eliah fled from Iesabell for his life the An gell came to him when he was asleepe and said 1 Reg. 15.5 arise and eate The Angel discomfited the Hoast of Senacherib that came vp against Israell The Angell of the Lord kept Daniel from the Lyon Dan. 3. and those three worthies in the fiery furnace that they perished not the Angell shewed Daniel the Dan. 10. vision and Philip here what hee was to doe So true is that of the Prophet Dauid The Angels of the Lord pitch their tents round about the godly And this thing comes to passe in regard of the Lord Iesus Christ our head to whom all the Angels are subiect as to their soueraigne Lord. It is true such is our vildenesse and wretchednesse by reason of sinne that the Angels those glorious creatures are not able to abide our presence but now in regard of our head Christ and that we are members of his body they reioyce to doe vs seruice Secondly the Angels in seruing vs they serue the Lord Christ Psal 91.11 and doe his will now the Angels obey Christ readily and chearefully Thirdly all Gods people are a Royall Priesthood now Princes haue their guard and the Christians guard is a company of glorious Angels that watch ouer them day and night This shewes then the happy priuiledge of Gods Saints and seruants 〈◊〉 â— that wee that are but dust and ashes should haue such glorious Angels to be our attendants Was it not a wonderfull honour to haue Mordacai Hest 6.10.11 a despised Iew to haue so great a Peere as Haman was to hold his stirrop and to ride by his side O ther what an honour may this bee thought to be to haue a guard of heauenly Angels to be our attendants and to doe vs that honour Let any of Gods seruants be compassed about with many enemies as Elisha was let his life be sought for as Elias was let him be in the fiery furnace as the three Children were let him be cast into the Lyons denne as Daniel was let him be bound in prison as Peter was yet still God hath his Angels to doe them seruice and to deliuer them Great is the securitie of the world that notwithstanding these excellent priuiledges and prerogatiues that belong vnto the faithfull yet are no way affected therewith But as these good Angels are messengers and Ministers for the good of Gods children so are they ready prest at all times to execute Gods iudgements vpon the wicked as they saued Lot Gen. 19â— they destroyed the Sodomites as they defended Elisha 1 Reg. â—â— so they strooke with blindenesse the messengers of the King of Aram. As the Angell was for the good of Hezechtah Act. 12. so likewise for the destruction of Senacherib as the Angell preserhaue Peter so he strooke Herod Let wicked men then take heed how they flatter themselues in sinne for the Angels are Gods Ministers for the execution of his wrath vpon the wicked as they are his messengers for the good of his people Secondly seeing we haue thus the ministery of Angels which serue for the weale of the godly who pitch their Tents continually about them The consideration hereof should teach vs that at no time we carry our selues vnreuerently in word or deed in their presence It is the exhortation of the Apostle touching women that they should not be vncouered in the congregation 1 Cor. 15.10 because of the Angell which some haue vnderstood to be the Minister How much more carefull ought wee to bee in respect of the presence of these holy Angels Then the Angel spake vnto Philip But why did the Lord send Philip to this Noble man hee might haue sent this Angell vnto him and a man would haue thought that hee would haue heard him sooner and that his ministery would haue been much more effectuall and that he must needs haue taken it as a singular fauour of God thus to haue instructed him by the ministery of an Angell But the Lord would not but Philip must be sent vnto him Surely this commendeth the great mercy of God that will be pleased to teach vs by such as wee our selues are for we are not able to heare the voyce of God nor to indure the presence of an Angell When the Lord had spoken vnto the people vpon the Mount how fearefull were they and how instant with Moses saying Talke thou with vs Eâ—â—â— 3.19 but let not God talke with vs lest we dye They were not able to abide his presence nor to heare his glorious voyce And so when Manoah had seen the Angell hee said to his wife wee shall surely dye because wee haue seene the Lord. Iudg. 13.12 Now the Lord knowing our weakenesse and tendering our infirmities is pleased to send vs men like vnto our seâ—ues to teach and instruct vs that are cloathed with the same infirmities that we our selues are and herein will teach vs and all men vnto the end of the world What is the ordinary meanes whereby hee will teach men Doct. 3 God will teach men by the ministery of men and bring them to life and saluation euen by the ministery of men and not by the ministery of Angels When the Lord sent the Angel here vnto Philip hee could if it had so pleased him haue sent the same vnto the Eunuch but the Lord will haue his word rather dispenced by earthly and sinfull men then by celestiall and heauenly Angels When Saul had heard the sound from heauen Saul Saul why persecutest thou me Act. 9.10 he is sent for direction not to an Angell but to Ananias Act. 10. So must Cornelius send for Peter When the rich man in the Parable desired Abraham to send to his Brethren the answer was Luke 16. they haue Moses and the Prophets let them heare them Whosoeuer heareth you Luk. 10.10 saith Christ heareth mee To this agreeth that of the Apostle where he teacheth 1 Cor. 4.9 that we are appointed vnto this worke as men condemned vnto death that wee might bee a gazing stocke to the world to Angels and to men And thus in all ages of the Church the Lord hath euer stirred vp such instruments for the inlarging of his kingdome who as Saint Iames speaketh of Elias are subiect vnto the same infirmities that other men are and there
is reason for it For first Reas 1 was not our redemption wrought in the nature of man and not of Angels why then should not this worke of redemption bee published rather by men then by Angels It is the Apostles reason All things are of God 2 Cor. 5.18 who hath reconciled vs vnto himselfe by Iesus Christ and hath committed vnto vs the word of reconciliation where these two are ioyned together Secondly God choseth many times the base things to bring great things to passe 1 Cor. 3. and this treasure hath hee put in earthen vessels that the excellency of the power might be of God and not of man Thus was Dauid chosen from the sheep-fold and many of the Prophets from their Heards Matthew from amongst the Publicans and Saul from the state of a Pharisie and a Supplanter to bee a master builder in his Church And this reason why the Lord hath committed the dispensation of his word to men rather then to Angels is because none can be so neerely touched with the infirmities of man as man themselues hauing experience of the infirmities of their brethren the deceitfulnesse of the heart the buffettings of Sathan and deceitfulnesse of sinne and this the Author of the Epistle vnto the Hebrewes sets downe to be the maine reason why Christ tooke our nature vpon him Heb 5.2 and so our infirmities that be might be a mercifull high Priest vnto God his Father Heb. 2.16.17 Seeing then that God hath chose such instruments for his seruice Vse 1 we are taught then not to despise those whom God hath thus honoured This the Apostle Saint Iames inforceth when hee saith Hearken my brethren hath not God chosen the poore of the world to bee rich in faith Iam. 2.5.6 and heyres of his kingdome c But ye haue despised the poore This is indeed to crosse the proceedings of God and to let our selues against him in despising those whom he hath honoured abasing those whom he hath exalted Secondly we are taught hence how to esteeme and to carry our selues towards the Ministers of Christ euen as if they were more honourable creatures Thus Paul exhorteth the Philippians to receiue such with all gladnesse and to hold them in reputation for their worke sake Phil. 2.29 How ioyfully did the Shunamite entertaine Elisha and Paul giues this commendations of the Galathians that they receiued him as an Angell from heauen nay more I beare you record saith he that if it had beene possible Gal. 4.14 ye would haue plucked out your owne eyes and haue giuen them to me But alas iâ— our dayes the Ministers of the Word haue the like enter tâ—inement that Christ their Master had amongst the Samaritans they came and besought him to depart out of their Coasts Mat. 8.34 So are many faithfull Ministers accounted a burthen to such places where they liue and the greatest crosse that possible could come vnto them And last of all seeing that God out of the very mouthes of such Babes and Sucklings hath ordained such strength to enlarge his own kingdome Psal 8.2 and to ouerthrow Sathan Wee are taught to praise God for his owne gratious power in his seruants This is thankefulnesse wee owe vnto God for so great a mercy by this meanes the Lord will be moued to blesse the Ministery of his seruants vnto vs. and make the same effectual without whose gratious blessing the most powerfull meanes that are can doe vs no good at all VERSE 26. Arise and goe towards the South c. HEre we haue Philips commission and calling vnto the worke wherein we are to obserue two things 1 The preparation that Philip is to make Arise and goe 2 The place or extent of his iourney towards the South Arise and goe these two words differ in their signification the one calling vp Philip as it were from sleepe arise the other setting him forward in his iourney goe Q. d. Sit not still be not any longer discouraged there is now some worke to bee done Arise and goe It is like that charge the Lord gaue vnto Ieremy Ier. 1.17 Trusse vp thy loynes arise and speake vnto them The word arise presupposeth one that was either fallen downe or one that sate owne as being weary If Philip were fallen downe at this time it was at the sight of the Angell and so indeed was Paul stroke to the earth when the voyce came from heauen And he fell to the earth Act. 9.4 So might the glory of this Angell worke this feare in Philip. The like appeares in Manoah Iudg. 13.20 when the Angell had declared himselfe vnto him and his wife they fell both on their face to the ground So the Prophet Ezechiel fell on his face â—zech 1. vlt. when the glory of the Lord appeared Euen so when the vision appeared vnto Daniel he confessed Dan. 10.8 there remained no strength in me And the Angels appearing vnto the Shepheards the Text saith Luk. 2.9 They were sore afraid Now then if Philip were thus cast down to the earth at the sight of this glorious Angell that came vnto him in mercy Vse What then shall be the terrour that these shall strike in the hearts of all wicked and vngodly men When they shall come not in mercy but in iudgement at that day when the Lord Iesus Christ himselfe shall come with all his holy Angels No meruaile though wicked men in that day shall cry to the mountaines to fall vpon them Reu. 6.16 Esay 2.19 and shall creepe into the holes of the rockes and caues of the earth for the feare of the Lord. O that all wicked and vngodly men would lay this to heart how fearefull the comming of the Lord Iesus will be at the last day when he shall come with all his holy Angels with him to take vengeance vpon wicked men Secondly the word arise presupposeth againe sometimes a man that sits downe to take his rest as being aweary and so it might be that this was the condition of Philip now at this time Either in regard that he saw not the fruit of his ministery as he desired or else in regard of the present trouble that lay vpon the Church This was the case of Elias being persecuted by Ahab and Iesabel Sitting vnder the Iuniper tree he seems to be so much disheartned as if hee were weary of his life It is enough O Lord take away my life I am no better then my Fathers And if this were the case of Philip we are taught That it is the condition of the best of Gods seruants in the Ministery Doct. Good Ministers â—ometimes disâ—â—uraged when they see not the truâ—â— of their ministeâ—y many times to be much discouraged and out of heart when they cannot see the happy returne of their labours And this is it many times that makes them dull and heauy in doing the duties of their calling This haply might bee the condition
that receiue the greatest wages Reas 2 Secondly the greatest men haue many times the greatest charges committed vnto them whose spirituall good and welfare doth much depend vpon them If they be godly and religious their religion zeale pietie like Arons oyle runs downe to the meanest that are vnder them Reas 3 Thirdly their own good doth call for this at their hands for besides the saluation of their own soules which God hath promised to such as seeke him herein and hereby they shall establish their owne throne and perpetuate vnto themselues a blessed name and memory vpon earth Pro. The memor of the righteous is blessed whereas the name of the wicked shall rot Whereas such as seeke honour in the world and to establish them selues without this they doe but build Babels vnto themselues It is the conscionable practise of pietie and godlinesse especially in Kings and Princes and great personages when they are dead and gone and their bodies are mouldred to dust that yeelds a fragrant smell and sweet sauour to succeeding generations The excellent Psalmes of Dauid were not inclosed and buried with him in his Tombe The labours and paines of this Noble man went not with him to his graue â—osias zeale in redressing things â—misse did not rot as his body did but all these are left in the treasury of the Church to the euerlasting praise of Gods graces in his serâ—ants to the honor of their names By this then men may try themselues whether they be called or not and whether God hath truely touched their hearts with the knowledge of his sonne Christ Canst thou renounce honours pleasures and all to waite vpon God and follow him and make all stoope and vaile bonnet to his worship and seruice with this Eunuch here this is a signe of an honest heart and minde disposed to honour God But if on the contrary part euery slight occasion be matter sufficient to draw thee away from his seruice it is a cleare demonstration that the zeale of the Lords house hath not yet consumed thee How many haue we that would willingly serue God with Naaman the Syrian yet they will goe into the idolatrous Temple loth to hazard their honour credit or place for God or his truth many such cold friends hath religion nowadayes Secondly this may serue to refute the vain conceit of those who thinke because they are aduanced vnto higher places and dignities in the world presently conceiue that they are not so strictly tyed to serue God as other men What so strictly to sanctifie the Sabbath and to see that all that are vnder them doe the same as Abraham did to ride and to goe foure or fiue miles to heare the Word when the same is not taught amongst them this were too much nicenesse and precisenesse But what say these to this Eunuch here or what are they to this Eunuch a great noble man yet took much paines and labour to worship God at Ierusalem O then let great men take heed how they contemne or lightly esteeme Gods seruice lest whilst they thinke scorne to doe him seruice the Lord will not afford such this honour to admit them into his seruice And last of all since the greatnesse of none may any way exempt them from the performance of holy duties By the rule of this Doctrine their mouthes are to be stopped and the common excuse condemned of those that say they are not at leisure the multitude of their affaires and imployments will not permit them A very vaine excuse and an argument of a very prophane and gracelesse heart I would aske such but this question whether their businesses and employments be greater then Dauids was that had a kingdome to gouerne or then this Eunuch so great in authority vnder so great a Queene Haue not great men soules as well as others and haue they not sinne in their soules as well as others away then with that dangerous hatefull errour they haue no leisure They are the men that haue receiued the greatest wages why should they not doe the greatest worke They are the men God hath honoured aboue others why should they not labour in their places to honour God aboue others Went vp to Ierusalem to worship Text. But why to Ierusalem to worship Because there was the seruice and worship of God at that time By his religion for so saith the Psalmist In Iury is God knowne his Name is great in Israel at Salem is his Tabernacle and his dwelling in Sion So Esay the Prophet Esa 2.3 The law shall goe from Sion and the word of the Lord from Ierusalem and in this regard Ierusalem is called the Mother of vs all In the time of Christ the Disciples were forbidden to preach to any but to the Iewes Gal. 4.26 Mat. 10.5 goe not into the way of the Gentiles but vnto the lost sheepe of the house of Israel After Christs ascenâ—â—â—n â—he Apostles were commâ—â—ded to preach the Gospell first to them Luk. 24 47 Rom. 15.19 beginning at Ierusalem All the Apostles did exercise their Ministery at Ierusalem All the Churches of the Gentiles conformed themselues to the Church of the Iewes and esteemed Ierusalem as their mother Church And to Ierusalem as to the mother Church all the world did resort for direction and for the deciding of all controuersies that might arise amongst them Yea Acts 15.2 all the Churches of the Gentiles first receiued the Word from Ierusalem as it was prophecied of old Esay 60.3 The Gentiles shall walk in thy light Had Rome these priuiledges the world should haue rung of them at this day Here then was the reason why the Eunuch went to Ierusalem because this was the solemne place appointed for his seruice and for his worship Hence we may note diuers instructions Doct. 1 First that the publike assemblies of Gods people in Gods house The publike assemblies of Gods people ought highly to be esteemed ought highly to be esteemed and diligently to be frequented of all Gods people Behold this in Dauid O Lord I haue loued the habitation of thy house Psal 26.8 and the place where thy honour dwelleth and againe O Lord of Hoasts Psal 84.12 how amiable are thy tabernacles my soule longeth and fainteth for the Courts of the Lords house And this was the holy resolution of good Hezechiah Esay 38.22 after his recouery from his sicknesse to goe vp to the house of the Lord. Yea Dauid reioyceth in this I was glad when they said let vs goe vp to the house of the Lord. And to this doe those godly beleeuers in the time of the Prophet Esay prouoke one another when the Temple was built and Gods worship did flourish at Ierusalem Come let vs goe vp to the house of the Lord. Esay 2.3 And this was promised as a blessing from the Lord I will bring them into my holy mountaine and make them ioyfull in my house of prayer
Esay 56.7 2 Chro. 20.13 and all Iuda stood before the Lord with their young and with their old with their wiues and with their children Yea those that haue had in them the greatest measure of knowledge and grace haue beene euer most frequent in this duty The Disciples were continually in the Temple Luke 24.52 Euen so in the Primitiue Church it is said that the true beleeuers continued with one accord in the Temple Acts 2.46 And Ioseph and Mary albeit poore and dwelt far from Ierusalem yet at the time of the Passeouer they went vp duly to Ierusalem to worship So that we see it is a most cleare grounded truth that Gods people in all ages and from time to time haue in no one thing testified their ioy and delight then in this to be imployed in Gods worship in the publike assemblies And there is reason for it First in regard of Gods promise of speciall presence there Dauid calleth Sion The habitation of Gods house Psal 26.8 and the place where his honour dwelleth It is Christs owne promise that where two or three are met together in his Name hee will bee present amongst them Mat 18.20 Christ walketh in the midst of the seauen Candlestickes that is the Churches by his speciall presence And in this regard the Lord giues aspeciall charge concerning these assemblies Leuit. 26 2 yee shall keepe my Sabbaths and reuerence my Sanctuary And this Dauid professeth by way of thankefulnesse I will giue thankes to thee in the great Congregation Psal 35.18 and will praise thee amongst much people Doct. 2 Secondly in respect of our own good for we may look for a greater blessing from God vpon his ordinances in publike then in priuate The same prayers you may vse at home that are vsed there the same Psalmes yee may sing at home that you sing there the same word you may reade at home that is read there but not with the same fruit and comfort as in the publike assemblies of the faithfull For Dauid speaking of Mount Sion and the Temple there saith Psal 133.2 There the Lord promised his blessing and life for euermore and againe Psal 87.2 The Lord loueth the gates of Sion more then all the habitations of Iacob Doct. 3 Thirdly prayer is said to bee the seeking of a thing Mat. 7.7 Aske and ye shall haue seeke and ye shall finde Now the more there be that seeke a thing the more hope there is to finde it And this was the reason why the Church in time of misery and distresse called for a solemne assembly Blow a Trumpet in Sion Ioel 2.15 proclaime a fast call a solemne assembly as the most powerfullest meanes to preuaile with God Doct. 4 Fourthly in respect of the sweetnesse of those duties which are there performed in those publike assemblies such as are the preaching of the Word the Sacraments prayer singing of Psalmes Gods people finde more sweetnesse in these then in any thing in the world besides Of this speaketh the Prophet Esay saying In this mountaine shall the Lord of Hoasts make to all people Esay 25.6 a feast of fat things a feast of fined wines of fat things full of marrow of wine fined and purified Indeed I confesse it is not euery mans case to finde this sweetnesse in these things It is possible at the daintiest feast some may loathe those things that to others are most delightfull and desired But this is the case onely of the godly and regenerate man so Dauid Blessed is the man whom thou choosest and causest to come vnto thee Hee shall dwell in thy Courts and shall be satisfied with the pleasures of thy house euen of thy holy Temple Doct. 5 The last reason though not the least to cause vs to esteeme so highly of the publike assemblies of Gods people is in regard of religion it selfe the profession wherof we haue taken vpon vs for herein we doe testifie our homage and obedience vnto God Now the more publike our profession is the more acceptable is it to God I will giue thankes vnto thee Psal 35.18 and will praise thee amongst much people Vse 1 Seeing then that it is so requisite a duty belonging vnto all Gods people highly to esteeme and diligently to frequent the publike assemblies of Gods people Hence diuers sorts of men are iustly to be reproued Diuers sorts of men reproued First such as turne backe vpon Gods ordinance in the publike assemblies make no reckoning nor account thereof and this is the condition of the greatest sort of men that will not be brought constantly to Gods seruice but either the feare of the labour or shame of men brings them sometimes thither otherwise many would neuer come at all How often haue I complained of this sinne in this place but little reformation What shall I say doe but consider Sauls dealing with Dauid Saul marked Dauids seate when he was wanting at the feasts and assemblies Surely the Lord doth marke these empty Seates and solitary Pewes of ours when we are wanting And were it not for their sakes that wanting the food of life at home are faine to trauaile abroad I should long ere this haue eased you of some of this burthen and my selfe of this paines Neither is this all a sinne of negligence in absenting of your selues when God cals you to his seruice But by this negligent and carelesse comming vnto Gods house men doe in effect say with those in the time of the Prophet Malachy Mal. 3.14.15 It is in vaine to serue the Lord c Secondly such as absent themselues from these publike assemblies vnder the pretence that they can finde no such sweetnesse nor comfort in them To such as so say or thinke giue me leaue to tell thee that there is no one more certaine signe of a dead heart voyd of grace and the sense of Gods loue then this not to delight and to take comfort in these publike duties I may say of such a mans soule as of the house shut vp with the Plague Lord haue mercy on them Gods people if at any time they grow dull or heauy in the performance of holy duties here they are refreshed quickned comforted these meetings reuiue a mans spirits and put a kind of heauenly life in him Blow the coles and if there be any fire it will shew it selfe so will grace in the heart when the gales of the Word shall blow vpon it Now then to finde no taste no relish no comfort at all in these ordinances of God is a cleare demonstration of a dead heart and a gracelesse soule But what though for the present thou canst not finde that comfort in the word yet in comming to these publike assemblies thou shalt testifie thy homage to God and shew thy reuerence to his ordinance and the Lord at last may cause his Word to penetrate thy heart and to warme thy soule that thou
maist come to desire it more then thy appointed food And know that in our often vrging and pressing you to come we doe not herein require any duty or homage vnto vs but vnto God And if in refusing to come you did but discountenance disgrace dishearten and shew your contempt vnto vs then the matter were not great But this you shall finde true another day that this contempt hath reached vnto God himselfe Thirdly there be others that make euery light occasion occasion sufficient to keepe them from Gods house if their head dâ—â—â—â— ake if their finger be but sorâ— oâ— the like they thinke they may well be excused Surely God will make this Eunuch here a swift witnesse in iudgement one day against such men who albeit his imployment were great being so neere the person of so great a Queene yet thinkes no time too long cost too great or wayes too farre to worship God I would pray such men but to consider these examples Esa 38.21 Hezechias hauing beene sicke of a dangerous and mortall disease within three daies after went into the Temple hee did not as the manner is keepe in whole weekes and moneths for a little cold for a small griefe or infirmitie or the like but so soone as euer he perceiueth any mitigation of his disease as that the danger thereof is past to the Temple straight goeth he The woman that had a Spirit of infirmitie eighteene yeeres Luk. 13.10.11 was not held from Gods house but vpon the Sabbath day resorted vnto the Synagogue It is a signe of a barren gracelesse heart to slight the Sabbath and the holy exercises on that day And know thou whosoeuer thou art that findest this to bee thy case that hast no delight and canst find no comfort in the communion of Gods people in these holy assemblies here that thou shalt haue no part nor portion no nor any fellowship with them in the kingdome of heauen hereafter for those that haue no heart to beare a part with the Church Militant in their holy assemblies here shall neuer come to beare a part in that Quire where Saints and Angels shall sing continually in the Church Triumphant And last of all within the compasse of this reproofe are those that sticke not to say they can serue God at home as well as at Church they can pray and reade good bookes at home and so long as they imploy themselues thus thinke they are not to bee blamed But what say these men to Dauid or what are these men to Dauid could not he being a Prophet of God and a man after Gods owne heart indued with such a wonderfull measure of the sanctified graces of Gods Spirit serue God in priuate in the time of his banishment as these in their houses or Chappels of ease Yet hee did long to come into the Courts of the Lords house yea he did enuy the very Sparrowes and Swallowes that might come into the Temple 〈◊〉 4 〈◊〉 and build their neasts neere the Altar whereas he might not come therein Vse 2 Secondly this may serue for admonition that we labour to bring our hearts more and more to be affected with these holy duties to prize these publike assemblies and to be thankefull vnto God for the same that we neuer rest vntill we bring our hearts in some good measure to say with Dauid â—sal 〈…〉 I was glad when they said we will goe vp into the house of the Lord and to this end let vs beâ— exhorted to prouoke one another and to call one another as the faithfull before Come let vs go vp to the house of the Lord. And herein Masters of families and Parents are to be exhorted thâ—â— they thinke it not sufficient 〈◊〉 they themselues come buâ— to â—â—e to their Children and Seruaâ—â—â— that they come also to Gods worâ—ship Thou must suffer none to attend thee in thy house that will not attend thee to Gods house Remember the charge Thou thy Sonne and thy Daughter Ex. 20.10 thy Man-seruant and thy Maid-seruant Iosh 24 15 c. Iosuah vndertakes for all that are in his house I and my house will serue the Lord and this was one of Dauids greatest comforts that hee had gone with a multitude Psal 43. â—â— and led them the way to the house of God Went vp to Ierusalem to worship But why would the Lord suffer him to goe vp to Ierusalem Quest so long and so tedious a iourney why was not Philip sent before God Answ if it had so pleased him he could haue sent Philip at the first to haue instructed him but hee would not but suffers him first to trauaile vp to Ierusalem No question the Lord was much delighted in this obedience of his Seruant and in respect that his loue to religion was such as made him endure any labour cost or paines he was moued the rather to blesse him with the ministery of Philip. God had left in his Church meanes whereby he would haue men taught such as were those sacrifices now done at Ierusalem which he will not haue neglected It pleased the Lord well that the Eunuch should be first instructed in the rudiments of the Law that he might be the fitter for the Doctrine of the Gospell The Lord might haue sent downe the holy Ghost vpon Cornelius and his company Act. 10. before Peter preached vnto them but he would not but first makes him fit for Peters ministery and for the receiuing of the holy Ghost And thus the Lord could haue instructed Saul when he first heard that sound Acts 9. from heauen but would not vntill he were first fitted for prayer We are taught hence Dect Catechising â—â—ceâ—â—â—â—y that if wee would bee fit for the strong meâ—t of the Gospell we must first be thoroughly instructed in the principles of religion Thus the Author of the Epistle vnto the Hebrewes by a loâ—ing obiurgation or chiding reproues the want of this amongst them Hâ—b 5.1 When for the time saith he ye ought to be teachers ye need that one should teach you aâ—aiâ—e which be the first principles of the Oracles of God and are become such as haue need of milke and not of strong meat So Paul 1 Cor. 3.2 I cannot speake vnto you as spirituall but as vnto babes And hence is it that Moses commandeth the people to teach their children the Law of God Dâ—â— 6. Exâ—â— 14 and the vse of the Passeouer And surely this serues to condemne the great neglect of this duty Vse that men thinke it scorne to be catechised and instructed in the grounds and principles of religion and this is the reason why so many heare the word vnprofitably and are so full of blindnesse and ignorance they were neuer truly grounded in the principles of the Christian faith but of this hereafter To Ierusalem to worship This could not bee done but with great cost for so were the sacrifices and seruice of God in
that should serue him but one day in a weeke and all the weeke besides serue himselfe This serues then to reprooue such as are present sometimes at the publique duties of Gods worship Vse 1 such as are the preaching of the word receiuing of the sacrament and the like but make no reckoning or accompt at all of priuate duties Surely such men can neuer approue themselues to God to performe either in faith and obedience as hee ought so long as hee labours not after an vniuersall obedience to bee the same in priuate that he is in publique Let vs then bee admonished in the feare of God Vse 2 that as wee desire to bee Christians indeed and therein to approue our selues to God to labour to be the same at home as abroad in our owne houses as in the Church otherwise we can neuer assure our owne hearts of the truth of grace wrought therein or that wee goe before an hypocrite or a wicked man who many times is exercised in the one when he makes no reckoning or accompt at all of the other He read Isaiah the Prophet This Noble man did not worship God at a venture or as haply his forefathers had done before him as many in our dayes who will doe thus and thus because their fathers before them did so But hee will worship God as hee had learned out of his word And herein will teach all men vnto the end of the world a necessarie dutie That if wee will worship God aright Doct. In Gods worship we must fetch our direction out of Gods word we must fetch our direction from Gods word and not out of the Popes Chaire The word must bee our loadstarre to guide vs the way to Christ and to keepe vs in the way No seruice can please God but that which is done by direction from his word The Lord himselfe giues expresse charge concerning this Deut. 4.2 when hee saith Ye shall not adde vnto the word which I command mand you neither shall ye diminish ought from it That ye may keepe the Commandements of the Lord your God which I command you The meaning is Thou shalt doe no more or lesse in my seruice then what I command thee Yea it is no better then Idolatrie Num. 15.39 and spirituall whoredome for vs to follow our owne hearts or to bee led by our good meanings in matters appertaining vnto Gods seruice This is such a sinne as doth highly prouoke God to anger as wee may see in Nadab and Abihu Leuit. 10.1.2 in offering vp of their strange fire who were therefore destroyed with fire from heauen And for this cause Ieroboam drew the curse of God vpon him and his posteritie after him Because of those golden calues that hee had caused to bee erected at Dan and Bethel without warrant from God And how sharply doth our Sauiour reproue the Scribes and Pharisees for this who vsed a world of ceremonies and traditions in Gods worship which hee commanded not and therefore saith In vaine doe ye worship me Mat. 15. teaching for Doctrine the traditions of men Isa 1.11.12 And therefore the Lord will say to such as to those idolatrous Iewes of old Who hath required these things at your hands And hence is it that the Apostle Paul when hee went about to remoue those errours that we crept into the Church of Corinth about the Sacrament he brings them to the first institution of the same by Christ himselfe for where things are brought to the first institution all humane errours then cease And this doth the Apostle 1. Cor. 11.23 when he saith That which I haue receiued from the Lord deliuer I vnto you c. So that we see it is a most cleare and grounded truth that if we would worship God aright we must not be led by our fantasies and carnall reason good meanings or the like but we must fetch our direction out of Gods word And great reason For God will be acknowledged the onely Law-giuer Reas 1 the King of his Church and the onely Prophet to instruct his people For so saith the Apostle There is onely one Law-giuer Iam. 4 12. who is able to saue and to destroy So that none may presume in matters appertaining to his worship and seruice to adde or detract lest hee incurre that curse Cursed is he that shall adde to the words of this booke Reu. 22. Secondly Ro. 14.23 Whatsoeuer is not of faith is sinne Now faith we know is grounded vpon the word So that it is impossible for a man to please God in any seruice he doth that hath not his word for his warrant and direction It was Christs last commandement that he gaue vnto his Disciples teaching them to obserue all things that I haue commanded you Mat. 28.20 And surely this strikes at the foundation of Popish Religion Vse 1 for wherein for the most part stands the seruice and worship of God that is performed amongst them but in grosse superstition and in the inuentions of their owne braine in the traditions of men Popes Councels Cardinals and the like in a multitude of vaine and idle ceremonies and obseruations all which haue no ground or footing out of Gods word as namely their whipping of themselues their crossings and coniurings praying on beads going on pilgrimage and a thousand the like all which haue no ground or warrant at all out of Gods word to whom we may truly say as our Sauiour to the woman of Samaria Ioh. 4.22 Ye worship ye know not what And surely herein we may iustifie our Religion against the Papists and against all the Aduersaries of Gods truth that wee know whom we worship And if we be deceiued God hath deceiued vs and his word hath deceiued vs which is impossible For his word is true as himselfe is Secondly Vse 2 we are taught hence to acquaint our selues with the Scriptures that so wee may be directed how to worship God aright Now Gods word is a perfect rule and a perfect guide Saint Peter calls it a Sure word 2 Pet. 1.19 whereunto saith he ye do well if ye take heed So Dauid Psal 119.31 I haue cleaued vnto thy testimonies O Lord confound me not And it is worth our best consideration what Samuel spake vnto Saul that would sacrifice where God had not appointed Hath the Lord saith hee as great delight in burnt-offerings and sacrifices 1. Sam 15.22 as when the voyce of the Lord is obeyed Behold to obey is better then sacrifice and to hearken is better then the fat of Lambes And last of all this sheweth the miserable condition that such are in Vse 3 that are not neither may they be acquainted with the word of God as in the Church of Rome that haue the Scripture locked vp in an vnknowne tongue they can neuer auoide that woe our Sauiour pronounced against the Scribes and Pharises Mat. 23.13 They neither entred into the
will satisfie our hungry soules with good things After two dayes he will reuiue vs Hos 6.2 in the third day he will raise vs vp and we shall liue in his sight As he hath promised to feede our hungry soules and heale our wounded consciences so hee will performe his promise and powre in the sweet oyle of the Gospell into them Poore men if they heare of a doale they will waite all the day for it Wee then knowing the truth of Gods promises that hee will certainly heare and answer vs ought we not with patience stay his leisure till he make good his promise Go neare and ioyne thy selfe to this Chariot Text. This being the meanes whereby the Lord would instruct this poore man in the knowledge of Christ and mystery of his saluation and so in consequence to bring him to eternall life We are further taught What a wonderfull mercy Doct. A great mercy of God to send a faithfull Minister vnto a people and high fauour of Almighty God it is to send a Philip to any people towne or perish to any house or family for hereby Christ is preached and made knowne in whose name alone saluation is to be had Such are euer messengers of glad tidings of the newes of pardon and remission of sinnes of grace and mercy to them that truely repent and are the messengers of peace giuing men an admittance into the euerlasting kingdome of his deare Sonne The Lord promised this as a blessing vnto his people I will giue them Pastors after my owne heart Ier. 3.15 And herein indeed did Christ manifest his great care and loue to his Church both before and after his ascention in leauing behinde him a supply of Apostles Euangelists Eph. 4. Pastors and Teachers to continue herein euen vntill his comming againe What a blessing was this vnto the Church of Corinth that Paul should be sent vnto them and to continue there a yeare and a halfe see the blessed fruit thereof God had much people in that place Acts 18.10 Acts 16.14 What a blessing was this vnto Lydia that Paul is sent to her by which meanes her conuersion is wrought God opening her heart How happy was it with the Iaylor to haue such prisoners as Paul and Sylas were Acts 16.26 by which means he became a beleeuer How happy was Zacheus to get a sight of Christ by which meanes Luke 19. saluation came to his house When Christ had preached the Word in Samaria the Text saith Many beleeued in him and there was great ioy in all that City By all which testimonies and examples we may clearely see what a singular fauour of God it is to such persons and places to whom the Lord is pleased to send a faithfull Philip and painefull Minister And this truth will the more clearely appeare by the contrary How that it is a fearefull iudgement of God vpon that people that want a Philip when Paul and Timothy had gone through Phrygia and Galatia they were forbidden by the holy Ghost to preach the Word in Asia and were shewed in a vision that the Lord had called them to preach the Word in Macedonia Acts 16.6.9 which direction of the Spirit restraining the Apostle from some places and appointing him to othersome shewes plainely the singular fauour of God to the one and Gods heauy wrath on the other This truth is further cleared by that of the Prophet Amos where the Lord threatneth this as the most fearefull iudgement vpon the people for their sinnes Behold saith the Lord The dayes come Amos 8.11 that I will send a famine into the Land not a famine of bread or thirst of water but of hearing of the Word of the Lord. The like is that of Salomon Where prophecying failes the people perish Pro. 29.18 Neither let this seeme strange to any that it is so singular a fauour and mercy of God to any to haue a painefull and conscionable Minister and that the contrary is so fearefull a curse for consider but Reas 1 First how that the ministery of the Word is the onely meanes ordinarily that God hath sanctified and set apart to worke sauing grace in the hearts of the elect so Peter Being borne againe 1 Pet. 1.23 not by corruptible seed but of incorruptible 1 Cor. 1.12 the word of God which liueth and abideth for ever And againe it pleaseth God by the foolishnesse of preaching to saue them that beleeue Reas 2 Secondly it is the ordinary meanes to beget and to confirme faith in the heart of euery true beleeuer by which alone as by a hand we apprehend Christ aâ—d apply him with his merits vnto saluation for in the preaching of the Word Christ is both offered vnto vs and we through faith enabled to receiue him and is therefore called The word of faith Rom 10.8 Vse 1 Then what shall we thinke of those wretched men prophane beasts who thinke themselues best at ease when they haue none to instruct them no Philip to preach Iesus Christ vnto them none to tell them of their sinnes yea they are weary of the company of such they cannot be quiet till they be rid of them Oh the case of such is to be lamented it is a signe that God hath giuen such vp to their owne hearts lust and that such shall lye and rot in their sinnes vntill the Lord finde them out in the searching day of his account And yet alas such is the miserable condition of many a one that cannot abide the presence of Philip but hate him in their heart wish him out of their company as one that marrs their mirth and they cannot be merry whilst he is amongst them Vse 2 Secondly if God send you then a Philip amongst you a painefull and faithfull Minister to instruct you to preach Iesus Christ to you to saue your soules Oh then acknowledge this a singular fauour of God that hee meanes your good euen the saluation of your soules and be thankefull vnto him for it receiue not the grace of God in vaine but lay hold vpon the Lords tender of grace offered imbrace the Gospell let Gods Ministers be deare vnto you and blesse God for them and if you want a Philip a faithfull Pastor O pray to God for such a one that God would shew this mercy vnto you the fruition whereof is a singular mercy as the want wherof is a fearefull iudgement And last of all this may prouoke the people of this Land to thankefulnesse inasmuch as hee hath beene pleased to send many Philips amongst vs and hath opened vnto vs his chiefest treasure The Lord hath put the bars into the Rings of the Arke whereby his glory is carried throughout our Land Psal 44. vlt. The Lord hath not dealt so with euery Nation And let vs know that where much is giuen much shall be required and such a people whom the Lord hath thus honoured aboue others to
signe of a gratious heart and humble soule Doct. It is a signe of a gratious heart for a man to confesse his owne ignorance Pro. 3â— 2 Psal 73.22 Iob 42.3 to confesse his owne ignorance Thus Auger Surely I am more brutish then any man and haue not the vnderstanding of a man Thus Dauid So foolish was I and ignorant as a beast before thee Thus Iob I haue vttered words that I vnderstood not Things too wonderfull for me which I knew not This Eunuch here is a patterne of a gratious heart and humble soule see how ready he is to make publication to the world of his owne ignorance and weaknesse to shame himselfe and to become nothing in his owne eyes to the end he might bee a meet schollar in Christs Schoole And indeed that man that seeeth his owne ignorance and sinne is poore in spirit mournes for that he knows so little in Gods matters This is a soule fitly qualified to be taught of Christ Psal 25.9 They that bee meeke shall hee guide in iudgement and teach the humble his waâ— To such the promise belongs The reasons are First Reas 1 till a man see his owne ignorance hee is not capable of instruction This is acknowledged by the blessed Virgine in her song Hee hath filled the hungry with good things 〈…〉 but the rich he hath sent empty away The rich that is such as see not nor perceiue their owne spirituall pouertie these 〈◊〉 profit aright by the means The reason is they are like a â—â—â—â—ne Bladder puffed vp with â—â—â—â—ceit of their owne worth 〈◊〉 and knowledge and 〈…〉 â—â—â—ze the meanes of life 〈…〉 Secondly the iudgements of Gods people are rightly informed which giues them 〈…〉 and more to discoâ—â—◠〈…〉 â—â—rall defects â—ha◠〈…〉 Lord 〈…〉 â—â—â—â—â—standing a 〈…〉 which the 〈…〉 into the miâ—â—â— â—he more 〈◊〉 it discouers the spirituall 〈◊〉 thereof Vse 1 By this then a man may be able in some measure to come to the knowledge of himselfe and of his owne estate Doest thou discouer daily more and more in thee thy naturall ignorance and blindnesse in Gods matters canst thou deny thy selfe and thy owne will see thy owne emptinesse in heauenly things and freely confesse the same with this Eunuch here this is a good signe of a gratious heart and this selfe denyall of thine doth qualifie thee to bee a scholler in Christs schoole to beâ— taught of him who hath promised to teach the Humble Whereas on the contrary if vpon examination thou findest no such want in thy selfe but rather with the Church of Lâ—odicea thinkest thy selfe to be rich rich in knowledge vnderstanding and grace Know O know these very thoughts of thine prooue sufficiently thy spirituall pouertie and nakednes that thou knowest as yet nothing as thou oughtst to know Vse 2 Let this serue to admonish euerie man therefore in the feare of God to try his owne heart how farre he is guiltie of this sinne of ignorance it is the first steppe to sound and sauing knowledge for a man to know and acknowledge his owne ignorance with this Eunuch here for till we come to finde out this naturall ignorance that is in vs in heauenly matters and mysteries of Christs kingdome and mourne and lament for the same it is impossible for vs euer to attaine to sound and sauing knowledge But how shall I attaine to this sauing knowledge you speake of Quest The way is Answ 1 First to be conuersant in the Scriptures For as water is drawne out of the well so is sauing knowledge from the word as from a fountaine This doth our Sauiour point at vnto the Pharises Mat. 12.5 Haue ye not read in the Law And when the young man demanded of our Sauiour what he should doe to inherit eternall life The answer is Luk. 10.26 What is written in the Law how readest thou Answ 2 The second meanes to be vsed is earnest and heartie prayer to God for it is one of Gods gifts sauing knowledge and therefore must be sought for at his hands without whose blessing no man can profit aright for hee that is the Authour or the Scriptures knoweth best how to giue vnderstanding to his seruants to edifie that â—â—â—ues in their holy saith Answ 3 The third meanes is our daâ—â—â— fellowship with Gods seruants and conference with those that 〈◊〉 made wise by the word This is an excellent meanes to build men vp in the sauing knowledge of Christ Thus those two disciples going to Emaus they talked of the things that had happened touching Christ and were further instructed in the truth of the matter and vnderstanding of the Scriptures How can I without a guide Notwithstanding Philips plainnesse this Nobleman doth not catch and câ—â—pe at him againe as to reply What is it 〈◊〉 thee whether I vnderstand or not c. but â—â—e freely confesseth his ignorance that hee could not vnderstand without a guide Wherein wee haue further to obserue the great humilitie that was in this holy seruant of God and in him are taught What an excellent ornament Humilitie in a Christian is Doct. Humility an excellent ornament in a Christan no one grace doth more adorne the profession of the Gospell in men making profession of the same then this gift and grace of true humilitie Humilitie indeed is the very first step vnto Christianitie as the first sinne was pride So when God doth repaire the decayes of nature by the worke of grace the first grace wrought in the renewed man is humilitie The first worke of true grace in the heart of any is to cast downe the high thoughts of the heart and to lay them low A man this is not humble and hath not 〈◊〉 â—â—ained a base and meane 〈◊〉 of himselfe is not fit for any good For so soone as the eyes of Gods children come once to be opened to see their owne sinnes and the vilenesse of their nature they abhorre themselues the combe of their naturall pride is poole downe and they then come to abase themselues before God and men See the truth of this in those excellent worthies of the Lord mentioned in the Scriptures who are memorable as for their faith and other graces so especially for this Mother grace the grace of true humilitie Thus Ahraham Gen. 18.17 I am but dust and ashes This was Iacobs voice I am not worthy of the least of Gods mercies This was Dauids voyce Who am I Lord This was Gideons voyce Iudg. 6.15 My fathers house is the least in all Israel This was the Baptists voyce Whose shooe latchet I am not worthy to vnlose This was Peters voyce Lord go from mee for I am a sinfull men This was Pauls voyce I am not worthy to be called an Apostle Thus thus haue Gods children cast themselues downe that God might raise them vp humbled themselues that he might exâ—â—â—â—â—â—em and the more vile in our 〈…〉 eyes at any time the more preâ—â—â—â—â— Gods sight
vniuersall neglect of this duty Philip may be a long time amongst vs yet few make this vse of his presence This is one of the maine causes why ignorance doth so abound amongst vs this day as it doth Well then as we desire to come out of our ignorance and to bee made acquainted with Gods will let vs labour to imitate this admirable example of this Eunuch here by improuing well our time and opportunitie when we shall haue Philip amongst vs. Of whom speaketh the Prophet this Albeit this Eunuch was a very wise and prudent man in worldly affaires and in the gouernment of a kingdome yet doth ingeniously confesse his owne blindnesse and ignorance in the things of God Doct. The knowledge of God cometh not by nature and mysteries of Christs kingdome And herein will teach vs That Religion and the knowledge of God comes not by nature Euery man is a heast in his owne knowledge Ier. 10.14 When Peter had confessed Christ to be the Sonne of God Marke Christs answer Flesh and bloud hath not reuealed this vnto thee Mat. 16. The naturall man perceiues not the things that are of God neither can hee know them 1. Cor. 2.14 for they are spiritually discerned Euen they which otherwise many times haue the best capacities and are of great vnderstanding yet are strangely sottish and blockish in the things appertaining to Gods kingdome But of this before Vse 1 This teacheth vs then not to wonder so much at the grosse ignorance of others as to magnifie Gods goodnesse towards our selues that hath giuen vs more knowledge in these heauenly mysteries then they For as the Apostle saith 1. Cor. 2.7.8 We speake the wisedome of God in a mystery which none of the Princes of this world knew Might Dauid say being aduanced from a sheepfold to a Scepter What was in me or in my fathers house that thou shouldest choose me to feede thy people How much more may those admire the Lords mercy whom the Lord hath deliuered out of that more then Aegyptian Bondage and darknesse and brought them to the knowledge of his Sonne Christ Vse 2 Secondly this lets vs see the great necessity of an able Minister that can diuide the word of God aright by which meanes ordinarily we come to haue our vnderstandings enlightened and wee our selues brought to the knowledge of God and of Christ But why doth the Lord thus keepe his seruants from the true Quest knowledge and vnderstanding of his word Answ 1 The Lord may doe this for diuers reasons and respects First that herein and hereby he might try their patience and faith whether they will hold out or not as the Lord dealt with Cornelius Act. 10 9. he sent him not by and by to Peter hee did not straight way instruct this Eunuch nor Paul Act. 9. immediately after hee had heard the voyce from heauen because patience bringeth forth experience Rom. 5. experience hope and hope maketh not ashamed God doth not cast off such to whom he denyeth necessary knowledge for a time Answ 2 Secondly the Lord will haue it so that herein and hereby wee may be brought to see our owne naturall ignorance and be humbled for the same and may more diligently waite vpon the meanes which God hath ordained to make men wise vnto saluation we know that want will make men looke about them and seek where to haue a supply Answ 3 Thirdly that wee may pray more earnestly as S. Iames saith If any man want wisedome let him aske it of God we must seeke sauing knowledge onely at his hands whose onely it is to dispose of And herein the Lord is not like vnto man who being often pressed to giue at last growes weary but he delighteth most in the constant prayers of his seruants Answ 4 And last of all that we hauing obtained this heauenly wisedome may make the more account thereof this is no common iewell to bee had euery where And when they come hardly by a thing they will the more carefully keepe it VERSE 35. Then Philip opened his mouth and began at the same Scripture and preached vnto him Iesus THe Eunuch had desired Philip to sit with him he had read the Scripture and demanded of him of whom the Prophet spake when he said He was led as a sheep to the slaughter c. Now at last Philip openeth his mouth and preacheth the word vnto him First it is said that Hee opened his mouth This is an Hebraisme as Caluin hath well obserued He opened his mouth That is he began in a solemne manner to preach vnto the Eunuch It is like vnto that of our Sauiour of whom it was said Mat. 5.1 that when the multitude were gathered together he ascended the mount And when he had opened his mouth he taught them saying The phrase of speech shewed that it was no ordinarie matter that he was now to declare vnto the people but the high and heauenly mysteries of his kingdome So Philip here opened his mouth to teach this man serious and weightie things The instruction is plaine The Minister of God is not lightly Doct. Gods word must be handled with reuerence or at all aduenture to take in hand the handling of the word of God but with great aduice and deliberation Gods word must be handled with great respect and reuerence of which it is well said It is not safe to play with holy things The Apostle Paul speaking of the doctrine of the Gospel That it is the sauour of life to life to them that are saued saith 2. Cor. 2.15 who is sufficient for these things Vers 16. The Apostle Saint Paul was a man indewed with the singular gifts of the spirit yet how often in all his Epistles doth he desire the prayers of the people The Minister of Christ must bee as a wise Scribe taught to the kingdome of heauen Mat. 13.52 Bringing forth of his treasury things new and old and therefore must come well prepared vnto the worke Ministers must come to the worke with good aduisement and premeditation and so handle the word of God with feare and reuerence When Peter came to Cornelius Act. 10. he did not forthwith speake vnto him before he had first acquainted him with the heauenly vision And hence is it that Paul chargeth Timothy 1. Tim. 4.13 To giue attendance to reading to exhortation and doctrine That is in a fit manner to prepare himselfe aforehand for the worke of the Ministery And no doubt the Apostle Saint Paul himselfe was diligent therein and found much fruite and profit thereby that he exhorteth Timothy to be so diligent in the practise of the same And if Saint Paul so worthie an Apostle of Iesus Christ called immediately by Christ himselfe gaue himself to the study of Gods word how much more ought the Ministers of Christ now that haue no such immediate calling as they had The Minister then must studie to
Blessed is he to whom the Lord imputeth no sinne and in whose spirit there is no guile Bee glad oh ye righteous and reioyce in the Lord. But who are righteous And be ioyfull ye that are true of heart Ver. 10. Heare we Dauids prayer for such Psal 125.4 Do good to those that bee good and vpright in heart Whereas that man that wants this soundnesse of heart in doing of good duties he doth but loose his labour they are but abhomination vnto the Lord As it is said of Amazia 2. Chron. 25.2 He did that which was right in the sight of the Lord but not with a sound heart Now the grounds of this are Reas 1 God hath commanded it Gen. 17.1 Walke before me and bee thou perfect or sincere Reas 2 Secondly it is onely comfort a Christian hath in all that we do that the same is performed of vs in singlenesse of heart In the world we see the best duties of a Christian traduced and oftentimes they are called Hypocrites for their paines and mocked and derided as Dauid was when he danced before the Arke But this was Iobs comfort when his friends layed such an imputation vpon him Iob 27.5 I will not part with my innocency saith he vntill I dye And this was Hezechias his comfort at such time as hee was summoned to death Isa 38.3 Remember Lord that I haue walked before thee in truth and with an vpright heart Reas 3 Thirdly it is that which distinguisheth a true Christian from an hypocrite who may go as far in the worke done as the best Christian in outward performances The thorny ground and the stony ground went wondrous farre our Sauiour sheweth that these receiue the word with ioy and beleeue for a time Matth. 13. onely the good ground are they which with honest and good hearts heare the word and keepe Reas 4 And last of all God hath appointed a day in the which all our actions shall be iudged and scanned not as they haue seemed to men but as they haue beene indeed and in truth before God We must al appear before the iudgment seat of Christ 2. Co. 5.10 that euery one may receiue the things done in his body according to that hee hath done whether it be good or bad Vse 1 It may serue to admonish euery one in the feare of God that we labour after this sinceritie and puritie of heart without which no dutie that we can performe can finde acceptation with God But how shall I know in the performance of holy duties Quest that my heart is thus qualified There are many markes and tokens of this integritie of heart Answ whereby it may bee discerned amongst the rest these Marks of a sincere heart First it is discerned by the manner of performance of any dutie it doth the same humbly keeping an eye still vpon it's owne wants in doing of them fearing still that something may be amisse that may hinder the Lords gracious acceptation of them a sincere heart is still ready to complaine of its best actions and dare not present any seruice it doth vnto God further then it hath the righteousnesse of Iesus Christ to couer all the imperfections of the same Secondly it is discerned by the ready and chearfull performance of holy duties God loueth a chearfull giuer This was the great commendation of the Church of the Romans Ye haue obeyed from the heart the forme of doctrine that hath beene deliuered vnto you Thirdly with much affection and loue Psal 119. So Dauid O that my wayes were so direct that I might keepe thy statutes c. Fourthly it is the propertie of a good heart to haue an eye vnto all the commandements of God to the duties of the second Table as the first This was the great commendations of Cornelius when he could say Act. 10. Wee are all here before God to heare whatsoeeuer is commanded vs of God So Dauid I shall not be confounded whilest I haue respect vnto all thy commandements And lastly it wil do them constantly not by fits when he is in a good mood but at all times in prosperitie as in aduersitie in sicknesse as in health which an Hypocrite doth not for so saith Iob Doth an hypocrite pray alwayes Iob 21. The meaning is he doth not Secondly this may serue for matter of singular consolation vnto the godly that can approue themselues vnto God that whatsoeuer they do in his seruice and worship they do the same in singlenesse of heart such need not to doubt but they shall meet with the Lord in his owne ordinance And albeit they may haue in them many wants and infirmities yet this singlenesse and integritie that is in the heart makes amends for all and causeth the Lord to passe by them all An husband beares with many infirmities of his wife so long as she keepeth her faith to him in the maine duties of Matrimoniall loue So dealeth the Lord with his seruants so long as they keepe their hearts vpright with him See we this in King Asa a catalogue of whose infirmities the Scriptures affoord vnto vs as namely that he tooke not away the high places that in his displeasure hee cast the Lords Prophet into prison that hee oppressed his people that in the time of his sicknesse he sought to the Physitian and not to the Lord. And yet for all this see the account the Lord made of this man the Text saith 1 Kin. 15.14 Asas heart was vpright with the Lord all his dayes The Lord so regarded that as that he passed by all the rest And he said I beleeue that Iesus Christ is the Sonne of God Philip hath no sooner put the question Doct. A Christian must be readie to giue an account of his faith 1. Pet 3.15 but the Eunuch makes the answer readily and willingly It is a commendable duty in a Christian to giue an account of his faith whensoeuer he shall be demanded it is an Apostolicall iniunction Sanctifie the Lord in your hearts and be ready alwayes to giue an answer to euery man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you And hence is it that Christians are exhorted To keepe the profession of our faith without wauering Heb. 10.23 See this in Paul in his boldnesse before Felix I confesse vnto thee Act. 24.14 that after the way which they call Heresie so worship I the God of my Fathers The grounds of this we haue heard before The vse serues to perswade to this duty Vse as a most necessarie fruit and consequence of faith Psal 116.10 I beleeued and therefore did I speake What faith beleeueth the mouth will speake Hee that is afraid to make an open confession of Christ hath not as yet by a liuely faith put on Christ But is a Christian bound at all times to giue an account of his Quest Faith and of his Religion he doth professe to
Surely the Papists pride it to haue his holinesse of Rome to be knowne to be Antichrist otherwise they would neuer stand so much vpon Miracles now in the time of the Gospell to confirme that that was at first confirmed by so many signes and wonders from heauen Doth not the Apostle make this a marke and brand of Antichrist 2. Thes 2.9 Whose comming shall be with signes and lying wonders What Church euer since the Apostles times stood so much for miracles as the Church of Rome Wee are content herein they carry the Bell it is not the least argument to proue their Church Antichristian And the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip. His departure was on a sudden before he had any reward for his labour The Eunuch might now see that hee insinuated not himselfe into his company at the first for gaine or preferment which many are ready to conceiue of painfull and laborious Ministers of Christ who when they see them diligent in preaching the word think presently they do it to haue a reward to gaine a liuing or get preferment and were it not for that they suppose they would be idle enough and hereby take occasion to neglect that good which otherwise they might haue by their ministery And surely it is that complaint that may most iustly be taken vp of many that for a time were very painfull and laborious whilest they had but some meane place in the Church But afterwards when they haue got some great preferment haue abated their zeale labour and diligence to feed the flocke of Christ Many such haue wee knowne in our times An euident demonstration that they neuer at any time propounded vnto themselues the the aduancement of Christs kingdome aboue all things else that honour and preferment should abate their diligence in the maine dutie of their calling But the Eunuch is preuented of these or the like thoughts whereby Philips Ministery might be made vnprofitable vnto him whilest the Lord in this wonderous and miraculous manner doth take him away Let Ministers then take notice of their duties Vse what to propound vnto themselues as the principall end of their labours not to get advancemēt in the Church to grow great and mighty in the world but to doe good vnto the soules of men expecting a blessed reward from the Lord at the last Not but that it is lawful for them that as they preach the Gospell 1 Cor. 9.2 they may liue of the Gospel but not as the manner of many is to hunt after liuings and preferments in the Church leaue their flock to hirelings Act. 18.25 It was Apolloes comendation that hee was feruent in the Spirit and taught diligently the things of God And hee went on his way reioycing In these words wee haue the happy fruite and effect of Philips Ministery the Conuersion of the Eunuch manifested hereby one of the proper fruits effects thereof his wonderfull ioy He went on his way reioycing Hauing now attained the knowledge of Christ and the assurance of the pardon of his sins being now made of an Infidel a true beleeuer See here the happie fruit and effect thereof He went on his way reioycing The Instruction is That sound conuersion breeds sound ioy Doct. Sound conuersion breeds sound ioy now that by the preaching of Philip hee is brought to Christ and so to bee a beleeuer Now that by Baptisme hee hath put on Christ and by a liuely Faith got assurance of the pardon of his sins and of his owne reconciliation with God now is hee a ioyfull man rids on the rest of his iourney with great ioy He went on his way reioycing It is a thing incident to true conuersion to worke sound ioy in the beginning of this Chapter wee may see that when Philip had preached the word in Samaria Verse 8 the text saith there was great ioy in that City And Dauid after hee came to see his sins of Adultery and Murther how earnest is hee with God for the pardon of the same that so his soule might haue comfort Make mee to heare the voice of ioy and of gladnesse Psal 51.8 that the bones which thou hast broken may reioyce Meaning indeed that vntill the Lord should 〈…〉 speake peace vnto the conscience in the assurance of the pardon of sin hee could haue indeed no ioy no comfort and therefore in another place he prayeth thus Lord lift thou vp the light of thy countenance vpon vs Psal 4 6. for thou hast giuen me more ioy of heart etc. We may see this in the Iaylor how hard hearted and cruell soever he was before his conuersion yet when the Lord by the Earthquake had prepared his heart for the ministery of Paul and Sylas as that at last hee is brought to be a Beleeuer The text saith That he reioyced that he and all his houshold beleeued in the Lord Iesus Act. 16.34 Yea the Lord hath commanded his seruants to reioyce Reioyce in the Lord o ye righteous Psal 33.1 c. and againe Bee glad in the Lord o ye righteous and shout for ioy Psal 32.13 ye vpright in heart So Paul Reioyce in the Lord alwayes and againe I say reioyce And is this any other thing Phil. 4.4 then that which God promised vnto his Church My seruants shall reioyce and ye shall be ashamed my seruants shall sing for ioy of heart c. See this by that of Salomon the transgression of an euill man is his snare but the righteous shall sing and reioyce Pro. 29.6 And so Peter In whom now thogh ye see him not 1 Pet. 1.8 yet doe ye beleeue and reioyce with ioy vnspeakable and glorious And howsoeuer euery true convert and beleeuer attaine not to the like measure of ioy and consolation that others haue enioy yet in euery soule where true conversion sauing Faith is wrought this inward ioy and consolation in some measure or other at some time or other is wrought And there is reason for it for Reas 1 First what is it that robs a man of ioy and hinders his consolation is it not sin your sins haue made a separation betwixt me and you saith the Lord. Now the Godly come to know that their sins are pardoned in the blood of Christ that the band of their debt is cancelled and why should not the thoughts of this breed ioy Reas 2 Secondly euery true Conuert hath the Spirit of God and one fruite of the Spirit is ioy Gal. 5.23 This Spirit is called by our Sauiour the Comforter Ioh. 14.16 which is giuen onely to the Godly and this spirit is an euerlasting spring of ioy Esay 12.3 and an earnest of our eternall saluation Adde here vnto those royalties and Priuileges that the Faithfull haue in being reconciled to God As Reas 3 1 That such are at peace with God with Angels with men and with all creatures Rom. 5.1 2 Haue a gard of heauenly
Angels to attend them Psal 34. 3 Haue a heauenly Father to take care to prouide for them Mat. 6. 4 Haue assurance that their names are written in the booke of life Mat. 1â— 5 Are reserued for a glorious Kingdome 6 That crosses Rom. 8. miseries and afflictions shall all turne to their comfort and death to their advantage And haue not these cause to reioyce Reas 4 Besids hath not a godly man a good conscience and is not that a continuall feast Pro. 15.15 The poiut is cleare let vs first remoue some doubts that may lye in the way before we come to the vses Doe we not see that many of those that goe vnder the name of Gods people men that heare the word diligently c. Seeme to be strict Christians in their liues yet goe heauily hang downe their heads and mourne more then others where then is their ioy Besides none liue more merily and haue their liues full of iolity and pleasures then wicked men that run most licentious courses make no reconing or accompt at all of grace or godlinesse Giue mee leaue to answere to them both Resp 1 Concerning the Godly it is true their ioy is not seene to the world but for the most part is secret and inward and therein doth abound when otherwise their liues many times seeme to bee full of misery for as Salomon saith of the ioy of wicked men In the middest of laughter the heart is sad Pro. 13.14 So may it as truely be said of the Godly in the middest of their sorrowes their hearts are full of ioy Howbeit their ioy is not carnall nor in carnal things as before in the time of their vnregeneracy for so saith the Apostle As sorowing 2 Cor. 6.10 yet alwayes reioycing Secondly If the Godly at any time seem to be full of sorrow and heauinesse it is not Religion and godlinesse that makes them so but rather indeed the want of it See this in Dauid Thou didest turne away thy face from mee and I was sore troubled When the Lord shall withdraw himselfe at any time from his seruants as one that will not be spoke withall no mervaile then though trouble and anguish sease vpon the soule Resp 3 Thirdly this thing so comes to passe many times in the godly by reason they are ignorant of their owne present condition they are not able to iudge aright of their owne estate and herein depriue themselues of that comfort which otherwise they might haue living more by sense then by Faith A man may haue true grace and yet for the present want the vse and comfort of the same which the Lord is pleased to with-hold from them to humble them to make them search more narrowly after their corruptions thereby to discouer some sin that yet hath not bene discouered and to make them to prise his fauour and loue at the higher rate when the Lord shall bee pleased againe to smile vpon them Resp 4 And last of all Though the Godly somtimes be in heauinesse yet their heauinesse shall bee turned into ioy as our Sauiour saith Ye shall sorrow for a season but your sorrow shal be turned into ioy So Paul wee are afflicted on euery side but not forsaken cast downe 2 Cor. 4.8 but perish not Marke the vpright man and behold the iust Psal 37. the later end of that man is peace Nothing is more sure and certaine then comfort to the Godly after their time of mourning But now come vnto a wicked man he hath many times the semblance of ioy but no true ioy it is not harty nor sound in the face not in the heart the reason is a wicked man hath in his bosome a halter that strangles his ioy a guilty and an accusing conscience which howsoeuer hee labours to smother and stifle yet is alwayes telling him heauy newes so true is that of the Prophet Esay Esay 48. vlt. There is no peace to the wicked saith my God But these are the men that seem to haue the pleasant liues Obiect Is their condition the better Answ because they are insensible of their misery haue we not seen a fellow drink and swill the same morning hee hath gone to the execution would any enuie this mans felicitie and desire his condition how many traitors haue had a Satten sute on their backs when they haue loked euery day to be quartered Surely all the mirth and pleasures of wicked men is none other hee is euer destitute of the true ground of ioy and that is Gods spirit assuring his soule of the pardon of sinne Now ioy is a fruite of the spirit Gal. 5.23 and wanting this such must needs want true ioy And howsoeuer a wicked man doth not by and by meete with the wages and stipend of his sins but hath ioy now in stead of sorrow yet as our Sauiour saith Woe to you that now laugh Luk 6. for you shal wayle and weepe as they haue multiplied their sins so shall their sorrowes bee multiplied at last when the Lord shall cause them to possesse the sins of their youth Iob 13.26 We come to the vses Vse 1 Seing then that sound conuersion breeds sound ioy This may then in the first place serue to stop the mouthes of those that thinke a Christian life to be the most vncomfortable life that may be and conceiue that when men once begin to liue a Godly life they must then bid adieu to all ioy mirth whatsoeuer Thou lyest thou prophane worldling as our Sauiour said I haue meate to eate that ye know not of So hath the child of God a ioy and reioycing that the world knowes not of Indeede now his cheefest ioy is not in eating and drinking in vaine pastimes and pleasures as in times past But in the inward consolations of Gods spirit The Kingdom of God standeth not in meate and drinke but in righteousnesse and peace ioy in the holy Ghost This peace this ioy the world knowes not and whilest the wicked mock and scoffe thereat the righteous solace themselues therein Surely this disgrace thus put vpon Gods people and on the profession of the Gospel that it ouerthrowes al comfort and delight came not but from hell to dash the countenance of grace and godlinesse and to bring the profession of Religion more and more out of request Whereas indeed none haue more cause to ioy reioyce then they they haue their sins pardoned in the blood of Christ they haue the ministery of Angels to attend them haue a heauenly Father to care for them haue a Sanctified vse of all estates and conditions of life are assured their names are written in the booke of life and are reserued for an euerlasting kingdome what then should hinder their ioy Vse 2 Secondly this may serue my brethren to bring Religion and Christianity daily more and more into request with vs who would not liue a ioyfull life and see