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
must perish When I say to a wicked man thou shalt surely dye Ezech. 33.8 if thou doe not speake to warne that wicked man he shall dye in his iniquitie c. Seeing then that the Ministers of GOD must conscionably discharge their duties Vse 1 whatsoeuer trouble or danger they meet withall This may serue to reproue diuers in the ministery as vnfaithfull in Gods house 1 Ignorant Teachers that are not able to acquaint the people with the counsell of God such haue no calling from God and were neuer sent by him for whom God sendeth and imployeth in this honourable seruice he furnisheth with gifts in some measure for the discharge of the same 2 False Teachers and such as by false and erronious Doctrine seeke to poyson mens soules and these are no lesse dangerous then the former for whereas the one destroyes mens soules for want of food the other poysons them with corrupt food 3 Idle teachers which feede of the flock but feed not the flocke fearefull is the account that such men one day are to giue vnto God 4 Flattering Teachers these are also vnfaithfull in Gods house these are they of whom the Prophet speaketh of that sow cushions vnder mens elbowes dare not or will not with Nathan say thou art the man Vse 2 Secondly if troubles and apparant dangers are not to hinder the Ministers of GOD from doing their duty How farre then are such from approuing themselues faithfull in their calling who when there is no danger in the way no Caiphas to call them to account nor Saul to trouble or molest or to make hauocke of the Church as at this time Neither their liues sought for as Elias was yet are negligent and sloathfull in feeding the flock of Christ Then the Aâ—gell said to Philip. This being at that time when there was such great persecution at Ierusalem when Saul made hauocke of the Church and when Stephen is puâ— to death We may further obserue Doct. 2 Faithfull Ministers most subiect to persecutions That it is the lot and portion of Gods Ministers aboue all others to meete with persecutions When troubles arise in the Church they are the first ordinarily that come into danger This was the condition of the Prophets themselues as our Sauiour testifieth vnto the Iewes Mat. 23. Which of the Prophets haue not your fathers persecuted Moses was often resisted by Iannes and Iambres 2 Tim. 3.8 There were seuen thousand men in Israel that neuer bowed their knee to Baal 1 Reg. 19.10 But yet the Prophets were slaine and put to the sword And Elias being left his life was sought for aboue all others At the time of Christs passion there were many faithfull Christians in all places yet Christ and his Apostles were the obiect of the Iewes malice and they were singled out by the Scribes and Pharisies as men vnworthy to liue So that Gods faithfull Ministers may say with Ieremy This is my portion and I will beare it Ier. 13. Now the reasons are First Reas 1 that contrarietie that is betwixt a godly and a wicked man There is nothing in the world wherein there is the like contrarietie this was prophecied of of old I will put enmity Gen. 3. c. This enmity is maintained in the world at this day These are the Spirits of deuils that goe about in the world that prouoke men to warre against Christ and his Church Reu 16.14 And this battell betwixt Michael and his Angell and the Dragon and his Angels shall not cease till time be no more Reu. 12. Reas 2 Secondly the nature of their Ministery cannot but produce this effect in wicked and vngodly men that liue vnder the same for their doctrine is like vnto good salt which doth cause smart and paine when it is applyed vnto a sore so doth their doctrine when it is applied to a festered conscience Reas 3 Thirdly in them many times the Lord doth punish the people I will strike the Shepheard Zach. 13.7 and the sheepe shall be scattered If the Pastor be good it is many times the sins of the people that hee is impeded of his Ministery if he be euill they are his owne sinnes that draw his miseries vpon him Reas 4 Fourthly thorough the Ministers side Sathan many times doth wound the truth and by bringing disgrace vpon the person of such a one aliens the hearts of his people from that due respect vnto his doctrine For Sathan knowes that the credit and honour of the person of such a one giues no small aduantage to his ministery and therefore by his Ministers is hee still raising vp of persecutions reproches against such This teacheth Gods Ministers to resolue to fight that good fight and to suffer affliction as the good souldiers of Iesus Christ 2 Tim. 2.4 They are the Lords Captaines to leade vs his people in the face of the enemy Their liues must not be deare vnto them so that they may fulfill their ministery with ioy Acts 21. Nothing can more beautifie the calling of a Minister then a godly resolution to suffer for Christ Secondly let neither Minister nor people then thinke it strange if this betide vs of the Ministery at this day If this were the condition of Gods seruants in some one age and not in another it were to be wondred at But there is no age of the Church wherein they haue not met with persecutions yea the more zealous the doctrine of Gods Ministers is and the more it strikes at Sathans kingdome the more resistance and opposition will it merit withall from wicked men and such as are enemies to godlinesse Thirdly this should moue pitty in our people and those that are our hearers If any one Souldier in a field were hardly beset and ouer matched by many euery one would pitty such a one and step in to his succour but if a Captaine in a field were singled out from the rest and in danger what Souldier would nor aduenture his life for him and hasten to his succour Ministers they are the Lords Captaines and many times are hard put to is it meete then that you stand still and looke on Euery good hearer then must set to his hand to helpe his Teacher I doe not meane so much by any outward strength or power as by earnest and hearty prayer So Paul Brethren pray for vs 2 Thes 3 1. that the word of the Lord may run and be glorified and that we may bee deliuered from vnreasonable and wicked men Thus did the Church for Peter Acts 12.5 and thus ought wee to doe for all the faithfull Ministers of Christ And the Angell of the Lord spake vnto Philip. The word Angell in the Originall signifieth a Messenger or an Ambassadour And so indeede they are the Lord of Hoasts according to that Heb. 1.7 Hee maketh his Angels spirits and his Ministers a flame of fire and againe Heb. 1.14 They are
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
Author of the Epistle to the Hebrewes Heb. 11.1 Hauing in the eleuenth Chapter set downe many examples of the admirable obedience of many of Gods seruants that obeyed God beyond reason as of Noath that builded the Arke when there was no likelihood of a flood of Abraham that offered vp Isaac of Moses that left Aegypt of Iosuah and the like all which obeyed God against reason He presently infers Seeing we haue saith he such a cloud of witnesses Heb. 12.1 Let vs cast away euery thing that presseth downe and run with patience to that which is set before vs. Yea vnto these examples hee subioyneth the example of the Lord Iesus Christ himselfe who indured the Crosse and despised the shame to whom we must euer looke and haue an eye lest we should faint in our mindes And thus indeed is the Lord pleased to teach vs not onely by his word but by the examples likewise of his seruants omitting no meanes that may doe vs good And to this end are the examples of Gods seruants many times propounded vnto vs in the Scriptures Ye haue heard of the patience of Iob Iam. 5.11 and all to incourage vs in well doing Yea God hath not onely left vs the examples of his children for our imitation but he hath also left vs the examples of his iustice vpon wicked men and disobedient sinners and all to terrifie vs from sinning against him such as are Corah Dathan Num. 16.23 and Abiram Lots wife of whom and whose sinne God hath giuen a speciall Memento Remember Lots wife Luk. 17.32 Euen so the Apostle Saint Peter 2 Pet. 2. hauing shewed the Iewes to whom he wrote what excellent promises they had receiued hee exhorts them to giue all diligence to walke in them And the better to perswade them he sets downe Gods iudgements vpon the disobedient and saith that God spared not the Angels not the old world nor Sodome and Gomorah c. And the reason hereof I take to be these First because we are so prone to be led by examples Reas 1 therefore the Lord propounds the best for patternes and so we haue for zeale Moses for patience Ioh for chastitie Ioseph c. Reas 2 Secondly to this end their examples are recorded in the word All Scripture saith Paul is giuen by diuine inspiration and is profitable 2 Tim. â—â— 16. c. And then doe we profit aright by the Scriptures when by the examples of the godly therein recorded wee are prouoked vnto wel doing Reas 3 Thirdly this is to giue the Lord the glory of his owne grace in whoÌ„soeuer bestowd when we shal not only take notice of the same but be prouoked to tread in their steps and walke in their wayes Seeing the Lord teacheth vs thus not onely by his word Vse but also by the examples of his Seruants as so many liuely Sermons to prouoke vs vnto wel-doing For surely the Lord will plead in the last day the very piety zeale and holy conuersation that wee haue seene in his seruants to be a swift witnesse in iudgement against vs. And not onely so but also terrifying vs daily against sinne by his iudgements vpon the wicked 1 Pet. What manner of persons ought we to be in all holy conuersation Those then that notwithstanding the examples of Gods children to allure them and the examples of wicked men to terrifie them from sinne will not bee moued What doe such in effect but say Who is the Lord that wee should serue him Mal. 3.14 and what profit commeth that wee keepe his ordinance Such are like vnto Gallio Acts 18.17 that cared for nothing though the godly were beaten no example moues them But they that truely feare God must learne by the example of Gods children truely to obey him and by Gods iudgements vpon the wicked to learne righteousnesse Esay 26.9 Behold This word Behold calling for speciall animaduersion and attention as we haue heard Sheweth that it was no common matter or ordinary thing that is now to bee related And what was it that must be so specially noted here as a strange thing not frequent or common in the world it was this That so great a man should be so good a man to take that paines and to be at that cost to trauaile so farre as Ierusalem to worship God This is it wee are now called vpon to consider and therein are taught That it is no ordinary thing Doct. It is a rare thing for great men to be good men to haue great men rich men Noble men or men in authority to bee truely religious A Lord Treasurer to come so farre to Ierusalem to worship and to be so religiously addicted as to reade the Scriptures in his Coach or Chariot This may well deserue an ecce No maruaile though the holy Ghost call vpon vs to obserue this as a rare thing indeed And it will bee no hard thing to cleare this truth both by Scripture and Reason to shew that it is a hard and difficult thing to haue great men good men O generation take heed to the word of the Lord. Ier. 2.31 There is the Lords admonition to the great men of that age But will you know their answer But the people answered we are Lords we will not come to thee as if it had beene a disparagement vnto them to haue beene taught or directed by the Lords Prophet Againe I spake vnto thee when thou wast in prosperitie but thou saidst Ier. 22.21 I will not heare So the Prophet Hoseah As in their pastures so were they filled and their heart was exalted Hos 13.6 therefore haue they forgotten mee And this was that sinne that Moses layes to the charge of the people of Israel Iesurun waxed fat Deu. 32 1â— thou art couered with fatnesse Then he for sooke God which made him and lightly esteemed the rocke of his saluation No meruaile therefore though the Lord giue this warning by Moses vnto the people that when they should come into the good Land which the Lord had promised which was the Land of Canaan Deu. 2â— 10 Beware when thou art full lest thou forget the Lord thy God If euer men giue themselues to sleepe and to rest it is when their bellies be full Ier. 5.7 When I fed them to the full they rose vp Like fed horses euery one neighed after his neighbours wife It is wealth and abundance that lifts vp the heart of a man and makes him say with Pharaoh Exod. 10. 1 Cor. 1.26 Who is the Lord So Paul You know your Calling Brethren how that not many wise after the flesh not many mightie not many noble are called c. And therefore our Sauiour saith verity I say vnto you Mat 19.23 that a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdome of heauen And this was Christs owne obseruation in the days of his flesh The poore receiue the Gospell Mat.
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
be offended at my rudenesse and boldnesse if I should offer my selfe to come into his company or else hee might haue alledged his owne simplicitie alas I am but a poore simple man and what hope can I haue to do him any good But Philip we see alledgeth none of these but being called and sent of God hee goes boldly and most willingly about the worke of the Lord and the duty of his calling Philip ran thither Our lesson is That God would haue vs to obey Doct. him God loues chearfulnes in his seruice and to performe the duties of our callings readily willingly and chearfully We may see this here to the great commendations of Philip who being bid to go he ranne thither saith the Text He ranne thither not to get a Benefice but to preach the Gospell and this is it indeed that pleaseth the Lord greatly diligence and sedulitie in doing his will and the duties of our callings That which Paul speaketh of a chearfull giuer God loueth a chearfull giuer is true of all other duties God loueth a chearfull hearer a chearfull prayer a chearfull receiuer and of Christ it was said That it was meat and drinke vnto him to doe the will of his Father And for this wee are taught to pray that we may doe Gods will on earth as the Angels do the same in heauen Now the Angels doe Gods will readily willingly and chearfully and therefore are they said to haue two wings to flie because of their speedy execution of Gods will And this was the great commendations of those Noble Bereans aboue those of Thessalonica Act. 17.11 that with willingnesse they receiued the word And so was it the praise of Abraham Gen. 2â— that being commanded of God to sacrifice his sonne Isaac that hee rose vp early in the morning to do it Yea this readinesse and willingnesse to doe the Lords will is a thing so pleasing vnto God that wicked men themselues albeit in by respects when they haue readily executed the Lords command the Lord hath taken speciall all notice of it and recompensed the same 2. Kin. 10.30 Wee may see this in Iehu Because saith the Lord thou hast beene diligent to execute that which was right in my eyes against the house of Ahab therefore thy sonnes shall sit vpon the throne of Israel to the fourth generation And yet wee know that Iehu did it not so much in obedience to Gods commandement as to settle himselfe in the kingdome Men make no reckoning of such a seruant that goeth about his businesse lazily or grudgingly much lesse can the Lord away with such that do his worke negligently â—â—r 4â— 10 formally customarily and but for fashion sake This serues to reproue many in the Ministery Vse who are so backward in doing of their duties who do the Lords worke coldly negligently and carelesly Some are so farre from doing the Lords worke readily willingly and chearfully as that they do it not at all but are rather like the wilde Asse â—er 2.24 swift to wickednesse and sinne They runne to an Ale-house but haue no heart at all to Gods house haue in them no compassion at all towards those thousand in Israel that like wandering sheepe are out of the way and are in danger to perish euerlastingly Surely it is not the least blemish of our Church that there is no better course taken with such these are spots and blots amongst vs opening the mouthes both of Papists and Atheists to speake euill of our sacred calling and are a stumbling blocke to many Some againe are backward in doing the Lords command like Ionas who ranne from his dutie another way The Lord bids Philip go and hee runnes with all speed and readily and chearfully doth the will of God But though the Lord command these men to run they scant go they must be called againe againe they haue so many excuses to hinder them from doing their duties Yea were it not many times more for feare of mans law and shame of the world then loue to God and compassion to the poore soules of their people I feare me that many would make small haste to preach the word at all Secondly as many Preachers so many hearers of the word are here likewise faultie who when they should come to the publicke preaching of the word which is Gods ordinance to saue mens soules There is a Lyon in the way or a Beare it is too hot it is too cold something or other hinders them from their dutie or if they do come they stay not to the last but come with the last and go with the first euen as a Beare comes to a stake so come these to this duty Well the Lord loues a chearfull giuer and no other dutie can finde acceptation with him no farther then it hath chearfulnesse to commend the same vnto God Oh then let vs runne to Gods house it will bee the more comfortable vnto vs and then may wee looke to meet the Lord in his owne ordinances when readily and chearfully wee set our selues to meet him therein But vnderstandest thou what thou readest Philip might seeme to want discretion greatly to begin thus bluntly with this Nobleman Much vnlike is this dealing of his to other the seruants of God who when they haue beene to speake vnto great personages haue seemed to vse more reuerence and to giue them better respect Thus one of the sonnes of the Prophets when he came to anoint Iehu king comes with reuerence to him saying I haue an arrant vnto thee 2. King 9.5 O Captaine And thus Daniel with his O King so often in his mouth Dan. 4.18 doth shew the reuerend respect that he gaue to so great a personage to whom he spake And this was that reuerent carriage of Paul Act. 26.7 when hee was to speake to King Agrippa So that this behauiour of Philip at this time towards this man a man would haue thought might haue forestalled the good which otherwise he might haue done on the man But surely Gods wayes are not as mans wayes Here is Gods seruant now to deale not with a Iehu as the sonne of the Prophet was nor with a Nabuchadnezzar as Daniel was nor with an Agrippa as Paul was men carnally minded proud fleshly and vaine But with an humble soule a meeke seruant of God one that loued not to bee soothed vp and flattered in his sinnes but to be truly and plainly dealt withall and therefore was Philip so much the more welcome vnto him And thus againe the Lord vseth sometimes to speake vnto his seruants 1. King 21. as Eliah to Ahab It is thou and thy fathers house that troubleth Israel Amos 4.1 So Amos to the Princes of his time calling them that Fat kine of Bashan that fed vpon the mountaines of Samaria Now this dealing of Gods seruants thus commendeth vnto vs this instruction That wee are not to measure the truth of the message
1 Pet. 1.23 We are borne againe not of mortall seed but immortall the word of God c. Secondly it is a christian mans euidence for life and saluation Reas 2 Thy Testimonies haue I claymed as my heritage for euer for why Psal 119.111 they are the very ioy of my heart wee can neuer haue true faith firme hope vndoubted assurance without it Thirdly it is by the Word Reas 3 that we come to haue a sanctified vse of the creatures All things are sanctified by the word and prayer So David I had perished in my affliction Psal 119. bad it not beene for thy word Seeing then that it is so necessary a duty Vse to be conuersant in the Scripture as the ordinary meanes of our saluation as the Christian mans euidence to eternall life and to procure vnto vs a sanctified vse of the creatures and of all estates and conditions of life This shewes how trecherously the Church of Rome doth deale with mens soules herein that barre the people from reading the Scriptures locking them vp in an vnknowne tongue like the Scribes and Pharisees of whom our Sauiour faith thus That they shut vp the kingdome of heauen against men If a Captaine should leade out a Company into the field and permit them to take no weapon in their hands who could but thinke that he intended to betray them into their enemies hand And is not this the practice of that grand Captaine of Rome that whereas the word of God is the sword of the spirit Eph. 6. â—7 a part of a Christian mans armour both offensiue and defensiue whereby we repell the fiery darts of the Deuill how is this wrung out of the hands of men they must not dare to meddle therewith then the which what greater iniury can there be to the soules of men Hitherto of the Preface the Scripture it selfe followeth Hee was led as a sheepe to the slaughter and like a lambe dumbe before the Shearer so opened hee not his mouth The words are the Prophet Esayes in his fifty third Chapter and the seuenth verse This Text is a cleare prophecy of Christ and this 32 verse sets out his humiliation only Wherein are obseruable 1 person he 2 passion was led 3 the illustration 1 as a sheep 2 as a lamb 4 extent to be slaine to be shorne 5 the reddition or application of the whole vnto the person of the Lord Iesus Christ so opened he not his mouth He was led as a sheepe c. Q.d. And that as you haue heard Meâ—â—ph he was reading in his Chariot So that ye may know what he read the very place of Scripture on which hee was imployed at the instant of Philips approach vnto the Chariot was this and none other He was led c. First for the meaning of the words He that is Christ Iesus the eternall sonne of God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for so doth Philip expound it verse 35. Hee began at the same Scripture and preached vnto him Iesus Was led that is was taken and carried away by the traytor Iudas and the high Priests seruants with swords and staues as if he had beene a theefe or male-factor As a sheepe as an innocent and harmelesse sheepe that had beene altogether profitable and commodious and neuer hurtfull or iniurious vnto any To the slaughter to bee slaine and sacrificed for the sinnes of men as sheepe in the time of the Law being offered in sacrifice were first slaughtered and slaine And like a lambe and that ye may yet more fully conceiue of his innocency 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 if a lambe a meeke and harmelesse lambe bee meet more fully to expresse the manner of his suffering hee was like an innocent lambe a very lambe vndefiled and without spot Before the shearer that meekly and without resistance 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 doth remaine quiet before the shearer suffering his fleece to bee shorne off So opened he not his month euen as it is with a sheepe when hee is slaine 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and a lambe when he is shorne so was Christ Iesus silent he did not striue nor cry nor was his voyce heard in the streets according to that prophecy of old He did not cry Esa 4â— 2 nor lift vp nor cause his voyce to be heard in the street He roared not like a Swine nor raued like a Dog nor strugled and bit like a wolfe but silently meekly and patiently submitted to the putting off his fleece his tabernacle his life he yeelded vp without resistance The summe of all is this that he that was Lord of all and had all power in heauen and earth was content to be taken by wicked men and carried to the slaughter to the place of shearing yea as a sheepe is slaine without noyse and a lambe shorne without resistance so was it with the Lord Iesus Christ in his death in laying downe of his tabernacle Hitherto of the sense of the words the particulars follow He was led as a sheepe c. He First for the person he 1 The person that is the Lord Iesus Christ for so doth Philip expound the place verse 35. Hee began at the same Scripture and preached vnto him Iesus It is Iesus then that is the proper subiect of this Text of whom the Prophet speaketh Then the Lesson is That Christ Iesus in the onely high Priest Doct. Christ the true sacrifice for sin anoynted of his Father by the sacrificing of his own body to put away sinne hee is the true Paschall Lambe that was slaine from the beginning To him giue all the Prophets witnesse poynting at Christ as the onely Mediator betwixt God and man by his death and passion wee are fully and perfectly redeemed and the iustice of his Father fully satisfied that place of the Prophet Esay is cleare to this purpose Esa 53.5 Hee was wounded for our transgressions he was broken for our iniquities the chastisement of our peace was vpon him and with his stripes we are healed The Heaue offering Leuit. 21. Gen 22. Numb 21. the sacrificing of Isaac the Brazen Serpent were all of them but types of Christ And the like may be said of all those sacrifices in the time of the Law as Lambs and Beasts that were slaine and their bloud shed whereto serued these but to leade vs to Christ who by his owne death and bloud-shed put an end vnto them all Heb. 9.12 Not by the bloud of Goates and Calues but by his owne bloud hee entred in once into the holy place hauing obtained eternall redemption for vs. Wee are sanctified by the body of Iesus once for all Heb. 10.10 and againe He was made sinne for vs who knew no sinne 2 Cor. 5.21 that we might be made the righteousnesse of God in him So the Apostle Peter 1 Pet. 2 2â— Who his owne selfe bare our sinnes in his body on the tree that we being