To slay every one his men that were joyned unto Baal peor vers 5. And probably this was the plague the Psalmist speaks of partly because the word is genericall implying many kinds or species and is sometimes particularly applyed to this by slaughters So there was a great slaughter or plague among the people 1 Sam. 4.17 partly because it sutes best with the * Numb 25. history which mentions this plague by slaughter not that by pestilence 2. Quaere 2. Quere is this The plague being great for it brake in upon them as a flood of waters or as an hoast of armed men the question is how great this plague was For answer aske Moses he saith those that died in the plague were twentie and foure thousand Numb 25.9 aske Paul and he saith There fell three and twentie thousand 1 Corinth 10.8 these varying calculations some reconcile thus Paul speaks in generals relating to the story Numbers 25. Moses speaks more particularly being the Historian others take notice of the double slaughter one by the Iudges with the sword wherein probably were cut off about three and twentie thousand and this is Pauls number another by Moses with the halter hanging up the heads of the people probably about a thousand which being added to the former makes up the foure and twentie thousand the number set down by Moses 3. Quaere A third Quere is this Why and how the execution of judgement should be called a plague in Israel it seemes rather a blessing then a curse in Israel For Answer What was done by Moses and the Iudges as it was the cutting off of so many Idolaters and Adulterers so it was a blessing as there was the taking away of so many mens lives so it was a sad thing a kinde of plague in Israel especially all these falling in one day 1 Cor. 10.8 as for instance should the Parliament put to death an hundred or but half an hundred of the Traytors and Rebels against the State in a day it would in one sense be a sad spectacle a kinde of plague but in another a blessing in our Israel 3. Releeved Israel Thirdly for the releeving of Israel that is brought about by the execution of judgement Then stood up Phinehas and executed judgement and then the plague was stayed vers 30. And here two doubts more must be answered 1. Doubt Answered First What Phinehas had to do in execution of Iudgement who for his pedegree was the sonne of Eleazar the sonne of Aaron the Priest Numb 25.7 for his office at the most but praefectus sacris as Mollerus Mol. in v. 31. a Ruler in the Sanctuary but in publique administration of civill Iustice he was privatus è plebe unus a private man one among the people so that this act of his might seeme not to be zeal but murther rather and that in a high degree for there was shedding blood noble if not royall blood Zimri being the sonne of Salu a prince of a chiefe house among the Simeonites Numb 25.14 and withall his slaying them in the act of their sinning might be at once a killing of their bodies souls also and so double murther For Answer it is cleare that this act of Phineas was counted unto him for righteousnesse to wit as a * Non loquitur de iustitia personae sedoperis Mol. righteous act unto all generations for evermore vers 31. And some Divines give this reason for the clearing of him that he did it by speciall instinct and by a motion extraordinary Calv. in Locum and by a holy pang of zeale yet this by the way is no constant rule for us to walke by 2. Doubt answered A second Doubt is Why the pacifying of Gods wrath and the staying of the plague is ascribed to this act of Phineas having a blush of irregularitie in it rather then to the acts of Moses and the Iudges which were by expresse command from God and very regular For Answer the acts of Moses and the Iudges Numb 25.4 shaked the fire of Gods wrath that of Phineas quenched it again the acts of Moses and the Iudges had a rise from a sparke that of Phineas from a flame of zeale and holy indignation in him hence the Lord who is exceedingly taken with the springs and roots of actions sets the crowne upon the head of Phineas These things I lay down as probable not as demonstrative Division of the words The Text hath in it foure particulars First The quando The circumstance of time then Secondly The quis The agent Phineas Thirdly The quid What he doth his acts are double First he stood up or arose up Numb 25.7 being quickned by a spirit of zeale within him Secondly he executed judgement or prayed so some render it it may be both Fourthly The quid inde the fruits and issues First the wrath of God was pacified as it is implyed in the Psalme and expressed in Numbers 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Pih iudicavit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Hithp Oravit Cal. Mol. Numb 25.11 Secondly the plague was stayed 1. The Quando The time First for the quando or the circumstance of time it falles under a threefold consideration First then when sinne came to a height of impudency Zimri and Cosby not blushing to act uncleannesse Numb 25.6 in the sight of Moses and in the sight of all the Congregation of the children of Israel who were weeping before the doore of the Tabernacle of the Congregation As it were on a Day of Solemn Humiliations Observation Hence observe that when sinne is grown impudent that is Gods time to cut off a sinner Put ye in the sicle for the harvest is ripe come get you down for the presse is full the fats overflow for their wickednesse is great saith the Lord by his Prophet Ioel. Ioel 3.13 Secondly when Zimri and Cosby were in the act of sinning Observation Hence observe how Dan. 5.23,24,25 the vengeance of God oft seiseth on the sinner in the very act of sinning So Belshazzer is met withall in his carowsing act Act. 5.1,2,3,4 Ananias and Saphira in their lying act leavened with sacriledge Herod in his proud act taking in the applause of the people crying It is the voice of a God and not of a man Act. 12.22,23 for the Angell of the Lord smote him as some think with an audible blow Lorinus in Locum however a blow fatall and deadly for because he gave not God the glory he was eaten up of wormes of wormes above ground and gave up the ghost Thirdly Then when Moses and the Iudges were cutting off the troublers of Israel by thousands in a way of justice Observation Hence observe the Magistrates due and regular execution of justice bindeth not up Gods hands from pouring out of his wrath upon his enemies in wayes something strange and
when the anger of the Lord was yet kindled against Israel 2 Sam. 24.1 holinesse at home gives victories abroad Iacob clenseth his houshold from the strange Gods bids it be cleane Gen. 35.2 and the terrour of the Lord was upon the cities round about him vers 5. Iosua was the man renouned for victories and he is the man that saith I and my house will serve the Lord Iosh 24.15 and Davids method is first to cleanse his family and then purge the Kingdom He that works deceite shall not dwell within my house Psal 101.7 And then I will early destroy all the wicked of the land c. ver 8. Secondly For publick and nationall executions of judgment you my Lords are some of our State-Physitians and Kingdom-Chirurgions the people bring in cōplaints make known their grievances lay open their sores that you might help to heale them What if County Committees gall and tire out the people day after day weeke after weeke with tedious waitings and sorely grieve them with unjust taxations your Honours must help to ease them if widows and orphans made so by the warres I may call them sword widows and sword orphans if a company of poor maimed souldiers that once fought for their lives now beg that they may live which is neither for the honour nor incouragement of Souldiery you my Lords must take some order for the releeving of them if justice justice be cryed for by God and the Kingdome you are the Moseses and Iudges that must sentence them to the axe or to the halter For the manner how and the motives why there should be a due execution of Iustice we may take it in these ensuing considerations Modificativa 1. Sincerely For the manner first the execution of justice should be sincere sincerely in regard of its springs aymes the springs are zeal for God a love of truth and justice hatred of sinne and a desire of welfare to Church and State the ends should be Gods glory the advancing of truth and peace suppressing of sinne and errour reformation and if it may be salvation to such as fall under the lash of Iustice Moses grinds to powder the golden Calf and it was his zeale constrained him Exod. 32.20 Phinehas thrust Zimri and Cos by through with a javelin and it was his zeale that fired him thereto Numb 25.30 Christ whipt the byers and sellers out of the Temple and the reason was the Ioh. 2.17 zeale of his fathers house eate him up Iehu had a kinde of zeale too and that in the execution of judgment upon the house of Ahab 2 Chron. 22.8 but his eye was upon himself not upon the Lord and for the establishing of his own Kingdome not the Lords he fail'd in the spring and end of action and therefore what he doth is accompted by the Lord not zeale but murther and God threatens to avenge the blood of Iezreel upon the house of Iehu Hosea 1.4 2. Magnanimous eye Secondly Iudgement should be executed magnanimiter with a resolution removing all blocks in the way breaking all barres that hinder Iustice 1. Iron barre As first an Iron barre of fears The feare of man brings a snare Prov. 29.25 What if the Popish partie should in the end prevaile It is wisdome so to carry it that which way soever the game goes we may save our own stakes thus reasons flesh and blood but faith and zeale soone snap this barre in sunder 2. Golden barre Secondly there is a Golden barre of hopes which hinders Iustice hopes of preferment a high prizing of court smiles and promises a gaping for great places are remora's and lets to the execution of Iustice though the covenant engages all that have taken it not to be swayed by feares or hopes Dan. 11.32 yet that of Daniel is the portion of too too many that they do wickedly against the Covenant and are corrupt by flatteries when in the meane time the people that know their God shall be strong and doe exployts Themistocles a Heathen may shame many a Christian Tolle tu ego sum Themistocles who finding a chaine of Gold in the street would not foule his finger for it but in an heroick Moralitie of spirit saith to another Take thou it up I am Themistocles 3. Fleshie barre A third is a Fleshy barre of naturall or civill Relations and Ingagements Such a man should be punished but he is my neere Kinsman my old Companion Another deserves to smart for his facts but a deare friend spake for him in such a case remember Levi who said unto his father and to his mother I have not seene him neither did he acknowledge his brethren nor knew his own children for they observed the word of the Lord and kept his Covenant Deut. 33.9 Zeal laid aside naturall affections in Levi when it put him upon this worke the execution of Iudgement Brutus spared not his own sonnes when they transgressed the Lawes And Aristides was so Constant and Resolute in a way of Iustice Aristides Citius solem de coelo c. that the Sunne might as easily be pulled out of the firmament as he from his or be of Iustice 4. Effeminate barre Lastly there is an Effeminate barre if I may so phrase it of groundlesse pitie that is an enemy to Iustice pitie is due to men but Iustice to the troublers of Israel and pitie to one may be crueltie to thousands Augustine saevit in vulnus ut homo sanetur si vulnus palpetur homo perdetur The Chirurgion is cruell to the wound that he may save the man and kindnesse to a disease may prove the death to the Patient Moses was the meekest man on earth in his dayes a man full of pitie and yet he hangs up many very many of the heads of the people against the Sunne before the Lord. 3. Speedily Thirdly Iudgement must be executed celeriter speedily without delayes Let Iudgement be speedily executed Ezra 7.26 Execute Iudgement in the morning Ier. 21.12 Evening-justice Noon-justice is not so seasonable so acceptable to the Lord as Morning-justice delayes break the spirits of the innocent harden the hearts and strengthen the hands of the guiltie 4. Proportionably Fourthly Iustice and judgement should be administred proportionaliter in a proportion to the nature and degree of crimes and facts sometiems death sometimes banishment Ezra 7.26 in one case confiscation of goods in another imprisonment I need not minde your Honours of a mixture of mercy with justice the Iudges robes though red have some streamings of white about them and David saith he will sing of mercy of Iudgement Psal 101.1 as occasion serves execute justice and pronounce sentence yea unto death though Augustus-like you doe it with teares in your eyes 5. Impartially Lastly execute judgement impartialiter impartially and throughly in regard of persons and things to hang a poore souldier now
and then for running from his Colours who was perhaps afraid of being starved at his Colours may have a piece of Iustice in it but it was Sauls sparing of Agag and the fat among the flocke that rent his Kingdome from him and gave it to his neighbour better then he 1 Sam. 15.28 Salomons throne was supported by Lions and it is Couragious execution of lustice that holds up thrones and kingdomes Motives The Considerations inforcing the dutie of executing Iudgement may be briefly these Gods Approbation First Gods approbation Phinehas executes Iudgement and it is accounted to him for righteousnesse vers 31. Fasting praying and hearing are good and execution of judgement is good also 1 Sam. 15. Sauls obedience in slaying Agag had been better then his sacrifice Iosh 7. Ioshua rends his cloathes lyes on his face untill evening but all in vaine whilest the accursed thing remaines in the Camp of Israel 2. Gods Remuneration Secondly Consider Gods remuneration his rewarding those that do execute judgment the Lord gives unto Phinehas his covenant of peace and to his seed after him even the covenant of an everlasting Priesthood because he was zealous for his God and made an atonement for the children of Israel Numb 25.12,13 Mol. in loc Cum Deus approbet praemiis ornet hoc factum exemplum hoc omnibus gubernatoribus proponitur ut iusto zelo arderent adversus turpitudinem c. and so holds out an example and incouragement to all in authoritie to burne with zeale for God against his enemies God will be no mans debtor whoever honours him he will honour and would you my Lords * Exod. 1. alluded to as the Hebrew midwives feare God and preserve the Males in Israel the Cause of God and of his people God would build you Houses raise your Families and spread your Honours 3. Gods Pacification Thirdly Execution of IudgmeÌ„t for God is the pacification of wrath in God Hence the Lord by the Prophet Ier. 5.1 Run ye to and fro through the streets of Ierusalem and see now and know and seeke in the broad places thereof to wit to the gates where were the Seats of Iustice if you can finde a man that is a publique man zealous for God if there be any that executeth judgment and seeketh the truth and I will pardon it Whence we may argue thus If one such man saves a Ierusalem and that by promise then many such men might save a Nation There is a fire of civill war kindled in England still burning in the bowels of it and for my part I thinke there is but two bloods will quench it the blood of Christ and of his desperate enemies free grace in God hath powred out the one full Iustice in your Honours should help to powre out the other The sacred Story in the Old Testament all along discovers sinne to be the make-bate and execution of Iudgement to be the make-peace between God and Israel and the judiciall Laws for the policie of the Iewes however abrogated yet had they an appendix of morall equitie and so a perpetuall obligation in them 4. Hopes and feares Fourthly Feares and hopes should spur on to the execution of judgement feare we may when we remember Gods curse on Ahab who cryed my brother Benhadad the curse was this Because thou hast let goe out of thy hand a man whom I appointed to utter destruction therfore thy life shall go for his life and thy people for his people 1 King 20.42 The acâ—omplishment whereof we finde when the dogs licked up the blood of Ahab according to the word of the Lord which he spake Chap. 22.38 Should the blood-thirsty enemies break in upon us and spill our blood as water upon the ground ravish our wives and daughters and slay our tender infants before our faces then would our lives goe for their lives and our people for their people Probably the way to sheath one sword were to draw another and if the sword of Iustice did more the sword of warre would doe lesse the Physitian by way of revulsion stops bleeding by letting bloud and did England bleed enough in the Malignant veine we have cause to think that other sad Issues of blood would be stopt and staunched And again hope we may for peace for plentie for all prosperitie and that by promise upon the due execution of Iudgment If you throughly execute judgement between a man and his neighbour then will I cause you to dwell in this place in the land that I gave to your fathers for ever and ever Ier. 7.5.7 We dwell yet in a Land flowing with milk and honey in a healthy and wealthy Nation given to our fathers let us not loose England for want of Iustice 5. It evidenceth the sinceritie of devotions Fifthly and lastly All devotions yea fasting and praying are but formall and hypocriticall without execution of judgement Hence Gods expostulation with the people Zach. 7.5 When you fasted and mourned did you at all fast unto me even unto me their fasting was no fasting in Gods accompt and the reason is because they did not execute true judgement vers 9. to fast and set Naboth on high crushing the innocent is Iesabelish and devilish to fast and spare Agags our fatest lusts unmortified and the great firebrands of State unpunished is but to play the hypocrite and the Pharisee My Lords we are cast upon troublous times which are trying times and as Hierom saith of Iob Hier. Haec ei contigerunt ut appareret foris hominibus quod intrinsecus erat apud Deum all those evils befell him that he might appeare to be outwardly to men what he was inwardly to God so the Lord goes on in such a way of providence as that the thoughts of many hearts will be discovered and it will appeare who are for God and who for Baal It is sad to thinke how some renowned Worthies L. Brooke Mr. Hamden c. who travelled with your Honours in this worke of Reformation have layed down their lives in the quarrell it is sadder yet to see that others like the Neh. 3.5 Nobles of Tecoa have not put their necks to the worke of the Lord Nay their heads hearts and hands their lands and their lives are layed out against the Lord and against his cause yet ride you on patiently ye men of Honor gird your swords upon your thighes execute judgement in the feare of the Lord faithfully and with a perfect heart so God did command the Levites 2 Chron. 19.9 Go on not in your own names or strength but in the name and strength of the Lord your God let there be a holy ambition and a pious emulation among you to be each more active more helpfull then other for the building of the walles yea the Temple of Ierusalem for setling the affaires of State and Church and in the things of God his worship and Church-government be not swayed by subtle insinuations seeming holinesse personall pre-engagements or popular politick Arguments on the one side or on the other but what shall be found to have Gods Royall stamp of Ius Divinum be it Formaliter by expresse precept or constant Apostolicall practice or consequeutive only by a necessitie of rationall deduction feare not to give it your politicall stamp of civill sanction whatsoever is commanded by the God of heaven let it be diligently done for the house of the God of heaven Ezra 7.23 Your enemies are engaged and you had need be resolute your Arke and their Dagon will scarce stand together and in probabilitie either your sword must cut down them or theirs you should you hold your peace and stay in the cause yet as Mordecai to Hester deliverance shall come from some other place but you and your fathers houses shall be destroyed and who knowes whether God hath not reserved you in the Kingdome for such a time as this Hest 4.14 The Kingdome nay the three kingdomes upon the point have much what entrusted your Honours with their lands liberties lives and souls also yea with all that concernes them and their posterities therefore be faithfull to the death and the Lord of Lords shall give you the crowne of Life I beseech you execute judgement as you will answer it at the Day of Iudgement And now could I lift up my voyce as a trumpet had I the shrill cry of an angell which might be heard from East to West from North to South in all the corners of the Kingdome my note should be execution of judgement execution of judgement execution of judgement that is Gods way to pacifie Gods wrath Then stood up Phinehas and executed judge ment and so the plague was stayed FINIS