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A66420 A sermon preached at St. Lawrence Jewry, before the Lord-Mayor, Aldermen, and Livery-men, of the city of London, on Saturday the 28th of September, 1695 at the election of the Lord-Mayor for the year ensuing / by John Williams ... Williams, John, 1636?-1709. 1695 (1695) Wing W2727; ESTC R7352 12,566 33

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A SERMON Preached at St. LAWRENCE JEWRY Before the LORD-MAYOR Aldermen and Livery-Men OF THE CITY of LONDON On Saturday the 28th of September 1695. AT THE Election of the LORD-MAYOR For the YEAR Ensuing By JOHN WILLIAMS D. D. Chaplain in Ordinary to His Majesty and Rector of St. Mildreds Poultrey and St. Mary Cole LONDON Printed for Ri. Chiswell and Tho. Cockerill Sen r and Jun r at the Rose and Crown in St. Pauls Church-Yard and at the Three Legs in the Poultrey MDCXCV To the Right Honourable Sir THOMAS LANE Lord-Mayor Sir JOHN HOUBLON Lord-Mayor Elect Of the City of LONDON And the Court of ALDERMEN RIGHT HONOURABLE IT is not for me to think otherwise than well of a Performance which has the Order of your Court for its Publication And it is in Obedience to that and for promoting the same End for which this Sermon was Composed that 't is now Presented to Your Lordships by Your Most Faithful And Humble Servant JOHN WILLIAMS A SERMON Preach'd before the LORD-MAYOR c. JOSHUA XXII 31. Phineas the son of Eleazar the Priest said unto the children of Reuben and to the children of Gad and to the children of Manasseh This day we perceive that the Lord is among us because ye have not committed this Trespass against the Lord Now ye have delivered the Children of Israel out of the hand of the Lord. THESE Words are the Close of a solemn Debate between the Ten Tribes of Israel that had their Lot in Canaan on the West of the River Jordan and the Two Tribes and a Half that were scituated on the East of it The Occasion of which was this After the Conquest of Canaan by the Israelites and an End in all appearance put to that War the Two Tribes and an Half who till that time by the Command of Moses and their own Promise stood obliged to attend it were dismiss'd by Joshua and were upon return to their own Inheritance When they landed on the other side and before their dispersion to their several Homes they agreed to build an Altar at the Place where the Children of Israel had first passed over ver 10. after the Pattern of that at Shiloh ver 28. This to those that knew not their reason nor their Motives leading to it seemed an intolerable Presumption since there was to be but one Altar for Sacrifice ver 23. and that at the place which God should chuse to put his name there Deut. 12. 5 6. And then to set up another Altar in opposition to that and to break off from the Communion of the Church established by God's Appointment among them was in effect to set up another Religion and to be guilty of Rebellion against the Lord ver 16. 19. Upon Tidings therefore of this the Ten Tribes gathered themselves together to Shiloh the Place at that time where the Tabernacle was pitched where God was worshipped and whose Cause they were bound to defend and according to the Precept of the Law they were resolved to proceed against them as Idolaters if the Fact proved according to their Information Deut. 13. 15. But here they proceeded like a wise and cautious People for in matters of such Importance and attended with such fatal Consequences as a Civil War and the Destruction of Two of their Tribes there needed great Deliberation and a careful attendance to the Method in such cases prescribed in the same Law Deut. 13. 12 c. viz. If thou shalt hear say in one of thy cities which the Lord thy God hath given thee to dwell there saying Certain men the children of Belial are gone out from among you and have withdrawn the inhabitants of their city saying Let us go and serve other Gods which we have not known then thou shalt enquire and make search and ask diligently that is they were to use the utmost Care to obtain a true Information of the Fact After this manner did the Western Tribes act in this case and sent Phineas the Son of Eleazar the Priest and Ten Princes one out of each Tribe to expostulate the matter with their Brethren and to seek by fair means to reduce them These Commissioners as well as the whole Congregation took the Case as represented to them for granted and when they came to the place were Eye-Witnesses of the Fact They saw the Altar and that it was a Pattern of the Altar of the Lord and like Persons zealous for the Good and Peace of their Countrey and for the Purity and Honour of their Religion they no sooner came but they delivered their Errand saying in the Name of the whole Congregation What trespass is this that ye have committed against the God of Israel to turn away this day from following the Lord in that ye have built you an altar that ye might rebel this day against the Lord v. 16 c. But after a patient and full hearing of the Charge the Two Tribes utterly disclaim it appealing to God the Witness and Judge of all That they were so far from erecting this Altar in opposition to that appointed by God as the only Altar for Sacrifice that on the contrary it was built for asserting and maintaining their Right to it and for fear lest Jordan being their Border and by which they were separated from the other Tribes that in time to come they might have their Propriety and Interest in the True Altar questioned and therefore they agreed to make an Altar after the Pattern of it that might be a Witness and Memorial to Future Generations That they on their side Jordan had as much a Right in that at Shiloh as those that lived in the possession wherein the tabernacle of the Lord dwelt When Phineas and the other Delegates heard this they were pleased and fully satisfied in this Relation and he concluded all in the Words of the Text This day we perceive that the Lord is among us because ye have not committed this trespass against the Lord. In treating upon which Words I design not to confine my self wholly unto them but shall consider them as the Close of this Narrative and accordingly I shall take the liberty to make some Observations from the whole As I observe 1. That Prepossessions and Misunderstandings are too often the occasion of great Divisions in the World and of such as if not prevented draw after them very pernicious and fatal Consequences Thus it was in the Case before us it was a Report a Hear-say ver 11. The children of Israel heard say Behold the children of Reuben Gad and of the half tribe of Manasseh have built an altar over-against the land of Canaan in the borders of Jordan at the passage of the children of Israel And upon this Report the whole Congregation of the Ten Tribes assembled at Shiloh to go up to war against them 2. There ought to be the speediest and most effectual Care taken for preventing the Ill Consequences of such Misunderstandings and to take
up the Case before it comes to the utmost extremity It was so here The exasperated Tribes like Persons resolved to vindicate the Common Cause of Religion came with the Sword in their hand that if the supposed Delinquents should have acted according as it was represented and should prove obstinate and incorrigible they might proceed to the utmost severity But they acted with all the Precaution necessary they sent such Delegates as were in all points accomplish'd for such a Service whether for Quality and Authority for Prudence and Experience who argued the Case with all the Arts of Respect and Endearment They in the first place expostulate the matter with them What trespass is this c. Is the iniquity of Peor too little for us but that ye must turn this day from following the Lord c. And then with great Tenderness they offer any Terms in their power and are freely willing that if the Two Tribes like not their Habitation on the other side Jordan and think their Possession unclean that they might chuse where they would among the other rather than rebel against God by such a Separation 3. That the most proper Met●●d for preventing such Misunderstandings and for composing Differences arising from such Misunderstandings is Examination and Enquiry into the Cause with Deliberation and Meekness that they may see where the difference lies and take the best course for the composing of it It was so here the Commissioners were prepossess'd and came with Prejudice upon a false Information or rather their Mistake grounded upon the Information and withal were zealously bent to punish the Aggressors But their Zeal was governed by Prudence it did not make them precipitate and rash nor transport them beyond the bounds of Decency and Respect They delivered the Sense of the Assembly as became Representatives of so Venerable a Body as the Congregation of the Lord. They expostulate and they argue but it is with Softness and Candor The Expostulation was affecting and the Arguing strong but the Condescention was equal to both There were no Reproaches no Hard Words no bitter Reflections They had to deal with Brethren though as they supposed notorious Offenders and they used them as such Let us view the Words again What trespass is this Is the iniquity of Peor too little Notwithstanding if the land of your possession be unclean as perhaps you imagine then pass ye over c. but rebel not And the same way is to be taken for removing Prejudices and Misunderstandings even by those that suffer or are likely to suffer by them And of this the Two Tribes are an admirable Example in the Defence they make for themselves and the Reply they give to this unexpected and hard Accusation They were wrongfully charged with a Crime of a heinous nature no less than Rebellion against God and such as might have involved them in utter Ruin They found how their Brethren of the other Tribes upon a Misreport were disposed to War upon them And what Warmth might be expected upon such a Provocation to find them so credulous and forward and exasperated for nothing But see how on the contrary they behave themselves in their Resentments and Reply which is as clam and modest as it was grave and serious They begin with a solemn and most pathetical Appeal to God as a Witness of their Innocency ver 22. The Lord God of gods the Lord God of gods he knoweth c. and conclude with as solemn a Protestation ver 29. God forbid that we should rebel against the Lord and turn this day from following the Lord to build an altar for burnt-offerings besides the altar of the Lord our God that is before his tabernacle Here were no Invectives no Recriminations no Revilings no Charges of Slander and Calumny but all was carried on with a becoming Modesty and Meekness 4. It is a comfortable Evidence of God's Presence with a People to bless defend and prosper them when Mistakes are removed Differences happily composed and they are at Union and Peace among themselves It was so here when the Case was understood and that after the fear of so dangerous and threatning a Rupture it appeared that there was no sufficient ground for such a Surmise as the Ten Tribes had entertained and all was quietly ended So the Text This day said Phineas we perceive that the Lord is among us because ye have not committed this trespass against the Lord. I shall treat of these in their Order 1. I observe that Prepossessions and Misunderstandings are too often the Occasion of great Divisions in the World and os such as if not timely prevented draw after them very pernicious and fatal Consequences We ought to have more Charity for Mankind than to think any of such Rancorous and Diabolical Tempers as to do Evil for Evil's sake and to divide the World and break the Frame of Order and Government in pieces solely for the sake of the Mischief consequent upon it without any Provocation or Cause whatever And yet if we come to look narrowly into the contentions among mankind if it were not for Charity that inclines us to better thoughts we should often be under a violent temptation to think there are some that quarrel for quarrelling's sake when the matters in debate and so hotly agitated on either side are in their own nature and are seen to be so by wise and discerning men next to nothing and not fit and worth the while to be enquired into much less to be contended about were it not to disabuse well-meaning persons that are hurried along in the crowd and carried away by the precipitance of those whom they follow and whose Judgment they rely upon or for preventing such mischief as sometimes ensues upon a neglect of them Solomon tells us That the beginning of strife is as when one letteth out Water Prov. 17. 14. which perhaps begins in a few drops but by degrees makes its own way and at last becomes a Torrent and bears down all before it Now we can as little suppose that the Contentions which afterwards swell to so prodigious a height as by their force to carry away such Numbers along with them should at first spring from contemptible causes and occasions were it not that at length the Passions of men gradually inflame the Quarrel or that those that usher'd them into the world and afterward kept up the Ball of Contention did through mistake think them to be of great importance when in reality they were of none For if they had but the patience to trace them up to their original they would see that they are in their nature or their reasons very weak and impertinent and proceed from such principles and occasions as they would be ashamed to own and which could never have got such a footing and ground were it not that they rose have grown and been hatch'd up under the favour of Mistakes and Prejudices And yet these are occasions
judge of our Way and guide our selves in the Course we are to observe whether to the right hand or to the left For Mistakes in these things are extremely dangerous and when matters of such Importance depend upon the Principles we espouse and the Course we take we cannot be too careful or inquisitive before we proceed or engage too far in a design We ought then to be as wary as we would be if our Life were therein nearly concerned For Peace and Order are to the Publick what Life is to our selves and are not to be parted with upon terms less urgent and necessary And if as often as persons venture upon the doing of what has an apparent tendency to the Disturbance or Dissolution of Government they would put their own Life into the Scale with it the Balance would incline another way and they would no more do what has a tendency to the one without previous Consideration than they would do what has a tendency to the other And I should desire no better Security for the one than the other for the Peace of the Government than the Preservation of mens Lives All would then be quiet the Swords that are drawn and the Contentions that fetch Blood of the Publick and endanger its safety would be turned into ploughshares and peace be within our walls and prosperity within our palaces But if we cannot prevent Misunderstandings yet the mischievous Consequences may in great part be prevented for there may be Charity where there are Mistakes and Charity will teach us to be favourable in our opinions of others and incline us to think as it will teach us to do no ill Charity here begins at home and will teach us to condemn the Faults we find there in our Selves Families and Parties before we adventure to pry into publish and censure those of others Charity will teach us to put our selves into the circumstances of others to bear with their infirmities considering our selves according to the Apostle's Advice Gal. 6. 1. lest we also be tempted and to make the same allowances which if in their condition and circumstances we would desire others to make to us If this were put into practice though we may mistake and there will be Misunderstandings yet Mistakes would then do no great hurt but would be like the Wild Beasts in the Holy Mountain Isa. 11. 9. that would lose their ravenous and venomous nature and become cicurated tame and innocent And above all there is a farther Blessing For 4. Such a State and Temper is a comfortable Evidence of God's Presence with a People as it is in the Text This day we perceive the Lord is among us because ye have not committed this trespass against the Lord and that they had made evident they were all of one mind and alike stedfast in the profession of the same Religion This I say is an evidence of God's Presence where there is an union of Hearts and Affections and a joint concurrence in the same Practice for God is not the author of confusion 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 tumult and unquietness but of peace 1 Cor. 14. 33. Broils and Contentions might with allowance be continued among the Heathens when their gods themselves were divided into Sides and Parties but are not to be defended under the Christian Religion where the end of the commandment is charity 1 Tim. 1. 5. and that we worship but one and the same God How excellent a state of things would there be if this so Generous and Noble a Principle Charity and the peace of God ruled in our hearts Col. 3. 15. and that each Party would strive to outdo and excel each other in How excellent a state of things would it be if the Inferior would not revile the Superior nor the Superior set at nought the Inferior That the Inferior would as much study to obey with Humility and Modesty as the Superior to rule with Lenity and Moderation And that among all the Cause of a Friend might be examined with the same Exactness and Justice as that of an Enemy and an Enemy's with the same Caution Respect and Indifference as that of a Friend What an excellent state of things would it be if all the Tribes came hither this day as they were wont to go up to Jerusalem with one consent Psal. 122. 4. and were one Body in Affection as they are one by Constitution It were to be wished That there were but One Altar and One Communion that all the Nation were but one Church and that with one mind and one mouth we did glorify God even the father of our Lord Jesus Christ Rom. 15. 6. It were to be wished That this Populous and Flourishing City were in all respects like Jerusalem in its most Prosperous and Happy State a city compact together and at perfect Unity in it self How might we then hope to have God among us and that might be our Song as it was theirs We have a strong city salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks Isa. 26. 1. But next to that is to be soft and gentle calm and easy in our Differences We cannot expect to be all of a mind that if ever it be must be the work of time and a peculiar Act of the Divine Providence but we may be peaceable and quiet studious of the Common Good and Zealous Promoters of it We need not be fierce and bitter we need not bite worry and devour one another Gal. 5. 15. We need not backbite and calumniate vilify and reproach and search for matter to asperse disparage and load our Adversaries with and be glad when we find it We need not go out of this world disquiet the Ashes and blacken the Memories of the dead and deal as barbarously with them as the Philistines did with Saul 1 Sam. 31. 9. when they cut off his Head stripp'd off his Armour and sent it round about to publish it among the people as if there were not matter enough among the Living to find those hateful Vices of Envy and Malice an Employment We need not lastly be froward and sullen and rather give up the whole than not in all points have our own way and expose all to inevitable ruin than not have our own Humour nay our own Reason sometimes gratified For then must we needs go out of the world How becoming rather is it our Profession how worthy of our common Religion how much for the Safety and Honour of this Flourishing City and which is more for the Honour of Almighty God whose Favour and Blessing we at this time come to seek and whose Presence we trust is now among us to depart hence with a stedfast Resolution of observing the excellent Rules of our Holy Religion and of making good in Practice the Character given of Charity by the Apostle 1 Cor. 13. 4 c. Charity suffereth long and is kind Charity envieth not Charity vaunteth not it self is not puffed up with Self conceit nor prone to despise others doth not behave it self unseemly in Words or Behaviour seeketh not her own to the prejudice of others is not easily provoked thinks and suspects no evil rejoiceth not in iniquity in the Slips Miscarriages and Faults of others but rejoiceth in the truth in whatever is praise-worthy wherever it is Beareth and concealeth all things that are fit to be concealed believeth all things so as to put the best construction upon them that they are capable of and hopeth all things where it cannot and has no sufficient reason to believe endureth all things so as not to revenge any evil done to our selves and to do all we can for the good of others If this be we may have reason to say with Phineas in the Text This day we perceive that the Lord is among us because ye have not committed this trespass of Division and Strife against the Lord. That this may be the Event of our Preaching our Prayers and present Assembling together God of his Infinite Goodness and Mercy grant through Jesus Christ our Lord. FINIS Numb 32. 17 c.