Nazareth no perhaps about Toyes or new Fashions If Idle words must be accounted for Mat 12.36 Lord what an account will some have to give It reproves the Avaritious Person who instead of speaking of Heaven talks of nothing but the World the Farmer speaks of his Plough and Yoak of Oxen the Tradesman of his Wares and Drugs but not a word of God John 3.31 He that is of the Earth speaketh of the Earth Many are like the Fish in the Gospel that had Money in it's Mouth Mat. 12.27 They talk only of Secular things as if they Imagined to fetch happiness out of that Earth which God hath Cursed Seneca being asked of what Countrey he was answered he was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Citizen of this World we may know many to be Citizens of this World their speech bewrayeth them O curvae in terras animae et caelestium inanes 4. It reproves them who do indeed speak often to one another but in a bad sence 1. They speak one to another in hasty words Their words should be like the Waters of Shiloah that go softly but too often they are fierce and Pungent Water when it is hot soon boils over when the Heart is heated with anger it soon boils over in furious speeches Jam. 3.6 Passion transports Many curse in their anger The Tongue is made in the fashion of a Sword and it cuts like a Sword Angry words often prejudice him that utters them Rehoboam with one churlish word lost ten tribes A fiery Spirit is unsuitable to the Master we serve the Prince of Peace and to his Ambassage the Gospel of Peace Such whose tongues are set on fire let them take heed they do not one day in Hell desire a drop of Water to Cool their Tongue 2. They speak one to another in a bad sence who Murmure and complain one to another they do not complain of their Sins but their Wants Murmuring proceeds from unbelief Psalm 106.24 They believed not his word but murmured When men distrust Gods Promises they murmur at his Providences this is a Sin God can hardly bear Numb 14.27 How long shall I bear with this People that murmur against me Israels speeches were Venomous and God punished them with Venomous Serpents 1 Cor. 10.10 3. They speak one to another in a bad sence who vent themselves in filthy scurrilous Language The Heart is a Vessel full of Wickedness and the Tongue sets it a-broach When the Face breaks out in Sores and Pimples it shews the Blood is corrupt when men break forth in unsavoury speeches it shews the Heart is Profane 1 Cor. 15.35 Evil communication corrupteth good manners We read that the Lips of the Leper were to be covered Levit. 13.45 It were happy if we had such Magistrates as would by their Authority cover the unclean Lips of these Lepers 4. They speak one to another in a bad sence who instead of seasoning their words with Grace mix them with Oaths Swearers rend and tear Gods Name and like mad Dogs fly in the face of Heaven Jer. 23.10 Because of swearing the Land mourns Some think it the Grace of speech to interlard every sentence with an Oath as if they would go to Hell Genteelly But saith one it is my Custom to Swear Is this an excuse or an aggravation of the sin If a Malefactor should be arraigned for Robbery and he should say to the Judge spare me for it is my custom to rob on the High way the Judge would say thou shalt the rather dye For every Oath that a man Swears God puts a drop of Wrath into his Vial 5. It reproves them who instead of speaking in an holy manner one to another speak one of another 1. In censuring some make it a part of their Religion to Descant and Criticize upon others They do not imitate their graces but reflect upon their failings God grant professors may wash their hands of this Were peoples hearts more humble their Tongues would be more charitable 'T is the sign of an Hypocrite to censure others and commend himself 2. They speak one of another in slandering Psalm 50.20 Thou sittest and slanderest thy own Mothers son Slandering is when we speak to the prejudice of another and speak that which is not true Worth is blasted by slander Holiness it self is no shield from this sin The Lambs Innocency will not preserve it from the Wolf Iob calls slandering the scourge of the Tongue Job 5.21 You may smite a man and never touch him A slanderer wounds anothers fame and no Physitian can heal these wounds The Eye and the Name are two tender things God takes it ill at our hands to calumniate others especially to asperse those who help to keep up the credit of Religion Num. 12.8 Were not ye afraid to speak against my Servant Moses what my Servant who hath wrought so many Miracles whom I have spoken with in the Mount Face to Face were not ye afraid to speak against him The Greek word slanderer signifies Devil This is the Devils proper Sin he is the accuser of the Brethren Rev. 12.10 He doth not commit Adultery but he bears false Witness The slanderer may be indicted for Clipping he clips his Neighbours credit to make it weigh lighter This our nature is prone to but remember it is as well a sin in Gods account to break the Ninth Commandment as the Eighth Put this Great duty in Practice imitate these Holy ones in the Text They spake often one to another Hierom thinks they did speak something in defence of the Providence of God they vindicated God in his dealings and exhorted one another not to be discouraged at the Virulent speeches of the Wicked but still hold on a course of Piety Thus Christians when you meet give one anothers Souls a visit drop your Knowledge impart your experiences each to other Psalm 66.16 Sampson having found Hony did not only eat of it himself but carried it to his Father and Mother Iudg. 14.9 Have you Tasted the Hony of the word let others have a Tast with you He who hath bin in a Perfumers shop doth not only himself partake of those sweet smells but some of the perfume sticks to his cloaths so that those who come near him partake of those perfumes so having our selves perceived the sweet Savour of Christs Oyntments we should let others partake with us and by our Heavenly discourse diffuse the perfume of Religion to them Col. 4.6 Let your words be seasoned with Salt let Grace be the salt which seasons your Words and makes them Savoury Christians should take all occasions of Good discourse when they walk together and sit at Table together This makes their eating and drinking be to the Glory of God 1 Cor. 10.31 What makes it a Communion of Saints but Good conference But some may say they are barren of matter and know not what to speak of No have you walked so often through the field of
Ambassage from the God of Heaven This Prophet was so famous that Origen and others though injudiciously supposed him to be an Angel He lived after the building of the second Temple and was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 contemporary with Haggai and Zechariah This blessed Prophet did lift up his voice like a Trumpet and tell the Jewish Nation of their sins and he was the last Trumpet that sounded in the Old Testament In the words of the Text are these parts I. A Character of the Godly 1. In General they were Fearers of God they that feared the Lord. 2. In Special 1 They spake often one to another 2 They thought upon Gods Name II. The Good Effects of their Piety 1. The Lord regarded it he hearkned and heard 2. He recorded it a book of remembrance was written 3. He rewarded it and this reward consisted in three things 1 Gods owning them they shall be mine 2 Gods Honouring them in that day when I make up my Iewels 3 Gods Sparing them I will spare them as a man spareth his own Son that serveth him Before I come to the several parts distinctly here is a connexive particle stands in the front of the Text which may not be omitted namely the word Then Then they that feared the Lord c. Then that is after Israels return from the Babylonish Captivity then when the major part of the people grew corrupt and came worse out of the Furnace than they went in vers 13 14 in this bad juncture of time then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another Hence observe That the Profaneness of the times should not slacken but highthen our zeal The looser others are the stricter we should be In those degenerate times when men were arrived at the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and highth of Impudence and durst speak Treason against Heaven then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another When others were Plaintiffs these were Defendants when others spake against God these spake for God In Noah's dayes all Flesh had corrupted it self the old World was drowned in sin before it was drowned in water now at this time Noah was perfect in his Generation and Noah walked with God Gen. 6.9 He was the Phoenix of his age Athanasius stood up in the defence of the Truth when the World was turned Arrian The more outragious others are in Sin the more couragious we should be for Truth When the Atheists said 't is Vain to serve God Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another Why should we be holiest in evil Times 1. Because of the divine Injunction God chargeth us to be singular Mat. 5.47 to be circumspect Eph. 5.15 to be separate from Idolaters 2 Cor. 6.17 to shine as Lights in the World Philip. 2.15 He forbids us to symbolize with Sinners or doe as they doe the way to Hell is a beaten road the Lord calls to us to turn out of the road Exod. 23.2 Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil This is reason enough to keep our selves pure in a time of common Infection As Gods Word is our Rule so his Will is our Warrant 2. To be holiest in evil times is an Indication of the truth of Grace To profess Religion when the times favour it is no Great matter Who almost will not court the Queen of the Gospel when she is hung with Jewels but to own the wayes of God when they are decried and maligned to love a persecuted truth this evidenceth a vital Principle of Goodness Dead Fish swim down the stream living Fish swim against it To swim against the common stream of evil shews Grace to be alive The Prophet Elias continuing zealous for the Lord of Hosts when they had digged down Gods Altars 1 King 19.10 shewed his heart and lips had been touched with a Coal from the Altar 1 Vse See hence how unworthy they are of the Name of Christians who use sinful complyance and cut the Garment of their Religion according to the Mode and fashion of the times They consult not what is best but what is safest Complying spirits can truckle to the humours of others they can bow either to the East or to the Host they prefer a whole Skin before a pure Conscience They can with the Planet Mercury vary their motion they can as the Mariner shift their Sail with every wind and as the Mungril Israelites speak the Language of Canaan and Ashdod These are like the Samaritans of whom Iosephus saith when the Jews flourished they pretended to be a-kin to them and come of the tribe of Ephraim and Manasseh but when the Jews were persecuted they disclaimed Kindred with them The old Serpent hath taught men crooked windings and to be for that Religion not which hath truth on its side but power 2 Vse Let us keep up the vigour of our zeal in times of degeneracy We should by an holy Antiperistasis burn hotter in a frozen age We live in the dregs of time Sin is grown common and impudent 'T is excellent to walk Antipodes to the World Rom. 12.2 Let us be as Lillies and Roses among the Briars Sin is never the better because it is in fashion nor will this plea hold at the last day that we did as the most God will say Seeing you sinned with the Multitude you shall go to Hell with the Multitude O let us keep pure among dregs let us be like Fish that retain their freshness in salt waters and as that Lamp which shined in the smoaking Furnace Gen. 15.17 Consider 1. To be holy in times of General defection is that which God is Greatly pleased with The Lord was much taken with the holy conferences and dialogues of these Saints in the Text. When others were inveighing against the Deity that there should be a parcel of holy Souls speaking of Glory and the Life to come their words were Musick in Gods ears 2. To keep up a spirit of Holiness in an adulterous Generation is a Christians honour This was the glory of the Church of Pergamus that she held fast Christs Name even where Satans seat was Rev. 2.13 The Impiety of the times is a Foyl to set off Grace the more and make it cast a greater lustre Then a Christian is most lovely when he is as Ambrose saith like the Cypresse which keeps its Viridity and freshness in the Winter season Psalm 37.37 Mark the perfect man and behold the Vpright An upright man is always worth beholding but then he is most to be admired when like a bright Star he Shines in the dark and having lost all holds fast his integrity 3. To be Good in a prosligate Age doth much animate weak beginners it Strengthens feeble knees Isa. 35.3 And shores up those Temples of the Holy Ghost which are ready to fall One mans Zeal is a Torch for others to light at How did the Constancy of the Martyrs inflame
Origen sprinkle incense before the Idol but fear 2. Positively the Fear meant in the Text is a Divine Fear which is the reverencing and adoring Gods Holiness and setting our selves always under his Sacred inspection The infinite distance between God and us causeth this Fear When Gods Glory began to shine out upon the Mount Moses said I exceedingly fear and quake Heb. 12.21 Such as approach Gods presence with light feathery Hearts and Worship him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in a rude careless manner have none of this fear In the words are two parts 1. The Act Fear 2. The Object the Lord. They that feared the Lord The fear of God is the Summe of all Religion Eccles. 12.13 Fear is the leading Grace the first seed God sows in the Heart When a Christian can say little of Faith and perhaps nothing of Assurance yet he dares not deny but he fears God God is so Great that he is afraid of displeasing him and so Good that he is afraid of losing him It is an indispensible Duty incumbent on Christians to be Fearers of God Eccles. 5.7 Fear thou God Deut. 28.58 That thou maist fear this Glorious and fearful name the Lord thy God This goes to the very constituting of a Saint One can no more act as a Christian without Fear than he can act as a man without reason This Holy Fear is the fixed temper and Complexion of the Soul This Fear is not Servile but Filial there is difference between Fearing God and being afraid of God the Godly fear God as a Child doth his Father the wicked are afraid of God as the Prisoner is of the Judge This divine Fear will appear admirable if you consider how it is mixed and interwoven with several of the Graces 1. The Fear of God is mixed with Love Psal. 145.19 20. The Chast Spouse fears to displease her Husband because she loves him There 's a necessity that fear and love should be in conjunction Love is as the Sails to swiften the Souls motion and Fear as the Ballast to keep it steady in Religion Love will be apt to grow wanton unless it be poised with fear 2. The Fear of God is mixed with Faith Hebr. 11.7 By Faith Noah moved with fear c. When the Soul looks either to Gods Holiness or it 's own sinfulness it fears but it is a fear mixed with faith in Christs merits the Soul doth tremble yet trust Like a Ship which lies at Anchor though it shakes with the wind yet it is fixed at Anchor God in Great wisdom coupleth these two graces of Faith and Fear Fear preserves seriousness faith preserves chearfulness Fear is as Lead to the Net to keep a Christian from floating in presumption and Faith is as Cork to the Net to keep him from sinking in despair 3. The Fear of God is mixed with Prudence he who fears God hath the Serpents eye in the Doves head He foresees and avoids those Rocks which others run upon Prov. 22.3 Though divine Fear doth not make a Person Cowardly it makes him Cautions 4. The Fear of God is mixed with Hope Psalm 33.18 The eye of the Lord is on them that fear him that hope in his mercy One would think Fear should destroy Hope but it cherisheth it Fear is to Hope as the Oil to the Lamp it keeps it burning the more we fear Gods Justice the more we may hope in his Mercy Indeed such as have no Fear of God do sometimes hope but it is not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Good hope through Grace 2 Thessa. 2.16 Sinners pretend to have the helmet of Hope 1 Thes. 5.8 but want the breast-plate of Righteousness Ephes. 6.14 5. The Fear of God is mixed with Industry Heb. 11.7 Noah moved with fear prepared an ark There is 1. A fear of diffidence which represents God as a severe Judge this takes the Soul off from duty 2. A fear of diligence a Christian fears and prayes fears and repents Fear quickens Industry The Spouse fearing lest the Bridegroom should come before she is dressed hastens and puts on her Jewels that she may be ready to meet him Fear causeth a watchful eye and a working hand Fear banisheth sloth out of it's Diocese The Greatest labour in Religion saith Holy Fear is far less than the least pain the damned feel in Hell no Greater Spur in the Heavenly race than fear CHAP. III. Cogent Reasons enforcing the Fear of God THe Reasons enforcing this Holy Fear are 1. Because Gods eye is alwayes upon us He who is under the eye of his earthly Prince will be carefull of doing any thing that should offend him Iob 31.4 Doth not he see my wayes and count all my Steps God sees in the dark Psalm 139.12 The darkness hideth not from thee The night is no Curtain the clouds are no Canopy to hinder or intercept Gods sight He sees the Heart A Judge can judge of the fact but God judgeth of the Heart Ier. 17.10 He is like Ezekiels wheels full of eyes Ezek. 10.12 and as Cyril saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all Eye Should not this make us walk with fear and circumspection we cannot sin but our Judge looks on 2. God interprets our not fearing him a slighting of him As not to praise God is to wrong him so not to fear God is to sleight him Of all things a person can least endure to be sleighted Psalm 10.13 Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God For a worm to sleight it's Maker causeth the fury to rise up in Gods face Ezek. 38.18 3. God hath power to destroy us Mat. 10.28 Fear him who hath power to destroy both Soul and Body in Hell God can look us into our Grave and with a breath blow us into Hell and shall we not fear him Is it easie to wrestle with flames Psalm 90.11 Who knoweth the Power of his anger What engines or buckets can quench the infernal fire We are apt to fear men who have power in their hand to hurt us what is their power to Gods They threaten a Prison God threatens Hell They threaten our Life God threatens our Soul and shall we not tremble before him O dreadful when the great Fountains of Gods wrath shall be broken up and all his Bitter Vials poured out Ezek. 22.14 Can thy heart endure or can thy hands be strong in the day that I shall deal with thee But are not we bid to serve God without Fear Luke 1.74 We must not Fear God with such a fear as the wicked do they fear him as a Turkish Slave doth his Pateroon they fear him so as they hate him and wish there were no God We must not serve God with this hellish fear but we must serve him with an ingenuous fear sweetned with love CHAP. IV. Containing a practical Improvement of the Proposition IT confutes the Papists who hold that a Christian cannot have Assurance because he is to serve God with
any Offering from him If God shut mens Prayers out of Heaven it is a sad Prognostick that he will shut their Persons out of Heaven See the Priviledge of the Godly they have Gods Ear the Lord hearkened and heard Psalm 34.15 His Ears are open to their cry it would be counted a great happiness to have the Kings ear but what is it to have Gods Ear The Lord hearkened and heard Believers have the Spirit of God breathing in them and God cannot but hear the Voice of his own Spirit See what an encouragement here is to be conversant in the duties of Gods Worship he takes Notice of the services of his People he hearkens to them as to sweet Musick Who would not come with their humble addresses to God when he is so pleased with them Prov. 15.8 But my deserts are nothing God bestows not his Favours according to our desert but according to his Promise But I have prayed a long time and have no Answer God may hear Prayer when he doth not Answer He may lend us his Ear when he doth not shew us his Face The Text saith the Lord hearkened and heard 'T is not said he gave an Answer but he hearkened It becomes suitors to wait Faith stays upon God Patience stayes for God Psal. 123.2 As the Eyes of Servants look unto the hand of their Masters so our Eyes wait upon the Lord our God untill he have Mercy upon us See the difference between God and men God takes Notice of the good in his people the Wicked pass by the good in the Godly and take Notice only of their failings If they can spy any indecency or blemish in them they upbraid them with it Like those children 2 King 2.23 who reproached Elisha for his Baldness but took no Notice of the Prophets Miracles Erasmus speaks of one who observed all the lame Verses in Homer but passed over the good From this the Lord hearkened and heard Behold the folly of Idolaters they worship a God who can neither hearken nor hear The Cretians Pictured Iupiter without Ears Idol-Gods have Ears but hear not Psalm 115.16 A life-less God is good enough for a life-less worship Let the People of God stand and Wonder 1. At Gods Condescension that he who is so high in the praises and acclamations of the Angels should stoop so low as to listen to the lispings of his children The Lord hearkened and heard Alas God hath no need of our Services he is infinitely blessed in reflecting upon the Splendour of his own infinite Being we cannot adde the least Cubit to his Essential Glory Iob 35.7 If thou be Righteous what givest thou to him or what receiveth he at thy hands yet such is his sweet Condescention that he doth as it were stoop below himself and take Notice of his Peoples Poor Oblations 2. Wonder at Gods Love that he should regard those services of his People which are so mixed with Corruption Isa. 64.6 Our Righteousnesses are as filthy Rags The Eucharistical Sacrifice which was the highest had some Leaven joined with it Levit. 7.13 Our best duties have some Leaven of Imperfection in them yet such is Gods love that he hath a liking to them and accepts them Cant. 5.1 I have eaten my Hony-Comb with my Hony Hony is sweet but the Hony-comb is Viscous and bitter and can hardly be eaten yet such was Christs love to his Spouse that he eat of her Hony-comb her services mixed with Imperfection and was pleased to take delight in them Oh the Love of God! that he should have respect to our offerings that are interlarded with sin Our best duties are as sweet Wine coming out of a Sowre Cask If God hearkens to us when we speak let us hearken to him when he speaks In the word preached God speaks to us He is said now to speak to us from Heaven Heb. 12.25 That is by the preaching of the word as a King speaks by his Ambassadour Doth God hearken to us and shall not we hearken to him Be not like the Deaf-adder which stoppeth her Ear. This the Lord complains of Iob 33.14 God speaketh Once yea Twice yet man regardeth it not If Gods word doth not prevail with us our prayers will not prevail with him CHAP. XIV Shewing the second Good Effect of the Saints Piety 2. THE Second Good effect of the Saints Piety was God recorded it A Book of Remembrance was written before him The word in the Original for Book of Remembrance Signifies a Book of Memorials or Monuments The words immediately foregoing recite Gods hearkening and hearing but lest any should say though God doth at the present hear the Holy Speeches and Thoughts of his Children yet may they not in time slip out of his Mind therefore these words are added a Book of Remembrance was written before him The Lord did not only hear the Good speeches of the Saints but Recorded them and Wrote them down a Book of Remembrance was written This is spoken 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 after the manner of men Not that God hath any book of Records by him he needs not write down any thing for the help of his Memory he is not Subject to oblivion Things done a thousand years ago are as fresh to him as if they were done but Yesterday Psalm 90.4 A thousand years in thy sight are but as Yesterday when it is past This book of Remembrance therefore is a borrowed speech taken from Kings who have their Chronicles wherein they note Memorable things King Ahasuerus had his book of Records wherein were written the worthy deeds of Mordecai Esther 6.1 2. So God bears in Mind all the Good speeches and pious actions of his Children Gods curious and Critical observation is a Book of Records where nothing can be lost or torn out God doth Eternally remember all the Good designs and Pious endeavours of his People Heb. 6.10 God is not unrighteous to forget your Work and labour of love which you have shewed towards his Name Eight things God writes down in his Book of Remembrance 1. The Lord writes down the Names of his Saints Philip. 4.3 Whose Names are in the Book of Life This Book hath no Errata's Rev. 3.5 2. The Lord writes down the good speeches of his People When Christians speak together of the Mysteries of Heaven which is like Musick in consort God is much taken with it When their Tongues are going Gods pen is going in Heaven They that fear'd the Lord spake often one to another and a Book of Remembrance was written 3. The Lord writes down the Tears of his People Tears drop down to the Earth but they reach Heaven God hath his Bottle and his Book Psalm 56.8 Put thou my Tears into thy bottle are they not in thy Book Tears drop from the Saints as Water from the Roses they are fragrant to God and he puts them in his Bottle
Law-Courts where there are Indictments against such Malefactours sealed up in a Bag and are produced at the assizes When God shall open his black book wherein mens Names are written and his bag wherein their sins are written then their Hearts will tremble and their knees smite one against another Every Lye a sinner tells every Oath he Swears every drunken bout God writes it down in his book of Remembrance and woe to him if the book be not crossed with the Blood of Christ. 3. See the Mercifulness of God to his Children who blots their sins out of his book of Remembrance and writes their good deeds in his book of Remembrance Isa. 43.25 I even I am he that blotteth out thy Transgressions 't is a Metaphor borrow'd from a Creditor who takes his pen and blots out the debt owing him so saith God I will blot out thy Transgressions Or as the Hebrew carries it I am blotting them out God in forgiving sin passeth an act of Oblivion Jer. 31.34 I will remember your sins no more God will not upbraid his People with their former offences We never read after Peter repented that Christ upbraided him with his denial of him O the Heavenly indulgence and kindness of God to his People he remembers every thing but their sins He writes down their good Thoughts and speeches in a Merciful book of Remembrance but their sins are as if they had never been they are carried into the Land of Oblivion If God records our services then let us record his Mercies let us have our Book of Remembrance A Christian should keep two books alwayes by him one to write his sins in that he may be humble the other to write his Mercies in that he may be thankful David had his book of Remembrance 1 Chron. 16.4 He appointed certain of the Levites to record and thank and praise the Lord God of Israel We should keep a Register-book of Gods Mercies though I think it is hard to get a book big enough to hold them At such a time we were in straits and God supplied us at such a time under sadness of Spirit and God dropped in the Oyl of gladness at such a time near death and God Miraculously restored us If God be mindful of what we do for him shall not we be mindful of what he doth for us Gods mercies like Jewels are too good to be lost get a Book of Remembrance It is Comfort to the Godly 1. In case of friends forgetting them Ioseph did Pharaoh's Butler a kindness yet did not the chief Butler remember Ioseph but forgat him Gen. 40.23 'T is too usual to remember Injuries and forget Friends but God hath a Book of Remembrance where he writes down all his old friends Near Relations may sometimes be forgetful the tender Mother may forget her infant Isa. 49.15 Can a Woman forget her sucking child yea she may but I will not forget thee a Mother may sooner be unnatural than God forgetful Christ our High-priest hath the Names of the Saints written upon his Breast-plate and all their good deeds written in his Book of Memorials Let this be as Bezar stone to revive the Hearts of Gods people though friends may blot you out of their Mind yet God will not blot you out of his Book 2. This is a consolation to the Godly the Lord keeps a Book of Remembrance for this end that he may at the last day make a publick and solemn mention of all the good which his Saints have done God will open his Book of Records and say as Mat. 25.35 I was an hundred and ye gave me meat thirsty and ye gave me drink c. God will make known all the memorable and pious actions of his People before men and Angels he will say here are they who have prayed and wept for Sin here are they who have been Advocates for my Truth here are they who have laid to Heart my dishonours and have mourned for what they could not reform These are my renowned ones my Hephzibahs in whom my Soul delights What a Glorious thing will this be to have God divulge the Encomium of his Saints when Alexander saw the Sepulcher of Achilles he cryed out O happy Achilles who hadst Homer to set forth thy praise what an honour will it be to have the Names and worthy deeds of the Saints mentioned and God himself to be the Herauld to proclaim their praises CHAP. XVI Shewing the Third Good Effect of the Saints Piety 3. THE third Good effect of the Saints Piety was God rewarded it vers 17. And they shall be mine saith the Lord of Hosts in that day when I make up my Iewels The reward is threefold 1. Gods owning them they shall be mine saith the Lord of Hosts where observe 1. The Person speaking the Lord of Hosts 2. The Reward it self they shall be mine 1. The Person speaking the Lord of Hosts This is too great a word to be passed by in silence God is often in Scripture stiled Dominus exercituum the Lord of Hosts Psalm 46.11 Isa. 1.24 That is he is the Supream General and Commander of all Armies and forces and gives Victory to whom he will Why is this Name The Lord of Hosts given to God Not that God needs any Hosts to protect himself or Suppress his enemies Earthly Princes have Armies to defend their Persons from danger but God needs none to help him he can fight without an army God puts strength into all Armies other Captains may give their Soldiers Armour but they cannot give them Strength but God doth Psalm 18.39 Thou hast Girded me with strength unto battel Why then is God said to have Hosts and Armies if he needs them not 1. It is to set forth his Soveraign Power and Grandure all Armies and Regiments are under his command 2. It is to shew us that though God can effect all things by himself yet in his Wisdom he oft useth the Agency of the Creature to bring to pass his will and purpose What are these Hosts or Armies of which God is the Soveraign Lord 1. God hath an Army in Heaven Angels and Arch-angels 1 King 22.19 I saw the Lord sitting on his Throne and all the Host of Heaven standing by him By the Host of Heaven is meant the Angels they being Spirits are a Puissant Army Psalm 103.20 Ye Angels which excell in Strength We read of one Angel who destroy'd in one Night an hundred fourscore and five thousand 2 King 19.35 If one Angel destroy'd such a vast Army what can a Legion of Angels do a Legion consisted of six thousand six hundred sixty six saith Hesychius how many of these Legions go to make up the Heavenly Host 2 The Stars are Gods Army Deut. 4.19 These were set in Battalia and fought against Gods enemies Iudg. 5.20 The Stars in their courses fought against Sisera That is the Stars did charge like an Army raising
Storms and tempests by their influences and so destroying the whole Army of Sisera 2. God hath Armies upon earth 1. Rational 2. Irrational 1. Rational Hosts of men these are under Gods command and conduct they stir not without his Warrant the Lord hath the managing of all Martial affairs not a stroke is struck but God orders it not a Bullet flies but God directs it 2. Irrational God can raise an Army of Flies as he did against King Pharaoh Exod. 8.24 An Army of Worms as he did against King Herod Acts 12.23 O what a Lord is here who hath so many Hosts under his Pay and conduct Let us Dread this Lord of Hosts we fear men who are in Power and is not that God to be adored and feared who acts pro arbitrio He doth what he pleaseth in the Armies of Heaven and earth Dan. 9.35 His Power is as large as his will Iob 23 13. What his Soul desireth even that he doth The Ephori had Power over the King of Sparta the Tribunes over the Roman consuls much more hath God a Soveraign Power over all He poureth contempt upon Princes Job 12.21 He threw the Proud Angels to Hell God can with a word unpin the Wheeles and break the Axle tree of the Creation Gods Power is a Glorious Power Col. 1.11 And herein it appears Glorious it iâ— never spent or wasted Men while they exercise their strength weaken it But the Lord the Creator of the ends of the earth fainteth not neither is weary Isa. 40.28 Though God spends his Arrows upon his enemies Deut. 32.23 yet not his strength O then tremble before this Lord of Hosts Remember O hard-hearted sinner how many wayes God can be revenged on thee He can raise an Army of diseases against thee in thy body he can set the humours of the body one against another he can make the heat dry up the Moisture or the Moisture drown the heat he can Arm every Creature against thee the Dog the Boar the Elephant He can Arm Conscience against thee as he did against Spira making him a Terrour to himself O dread this Lord of Hosts If God be the Lord of Hosts let us take heed of hardning our Hearts against God It was the saying of Pompey that with one stamp of his Foot he could raise all Italy up in Arms God can with a word raise all the Militia of Heaven and Earth against us and shall we dare affront him Iob 9.4 Who hath hardened himself against him and prospered Such as live in the open breach of Gods Commandments harden their Hearts against God they raise a War against Heaven Iob 15.25 He strengtheneth himself against the Almighty Like Warriors who Muster up all the forces they can to fight with their Antagonists so the sinner harnesseth and strengthens himself against Iehovah Ver. 26. He runneth upon him even on his neck upon the thick bosses of his bucklers Bucklers anciently had one great boss in the middle with a sharp pike in it to wound the adversary The flagitious sinner encounters the God of Heaven and runs upon the thick bosses of his fury which will wound mortally The Wicked do as Caligula who challenged Iupiter to a duel but who ever hardened himself against God and prospered will men go to measure Arms with God Iob 40.9 Hast thou an Arm like God God is Almighty therefore can hurt his enemies and he is invisible therefore they cannot hurt him Who can fight with a Spirit God will be too hard for his Enemies at the long run Psalm 68.21 God shall wound the head of his Enemies and the hairy scalp of such an one as goeth on still in his trespasses Iulian hardened his Heart against God but what got he at last did he prosper Being wounded in Battle he threw up his blood into the Air and said to Christ Vicisti Galilaee O Galilean thou hast overcome I acknowledge thy Power whose Name and truth I have opposed How easily can God chastise Rebels Exod. 14.24 In the morning-watch God looked to the host of the Egyptians through the Pillar of fire and troubled their host It needs cost God no more to destroy his Proudest adversaries than a look a cast of the Eye 'T is better to lye Prostrate at Gods feet and meet him with tears in our Eyes than Weapons in our hands we overcome God not by resistance but by Repentance If God be the Lord of Hosts let us be so wise as to engage him on our side Psalm 46 11. The Lord of Hosts is with us Great is the Priviledge to have the Lord of Hosts for us 1. If the Lord of Hosts be on our side he can discover the subtil plots of Enemies Thus he detected the Counsel of Achitophel 2 Sam. 17.16 And did not the Lord discover the Popish conspirators both in the Powder-Treason that Catholick villany and of late when they would have subverted Religion and Laws and like Italian Butchers have turned England into an Akeldama or Field of blood If it had not been the Lord who was on our side now may England say when men rose up against us they had swallowed us up quick 2. If the Lord of Hosts be on our side he can bridle his Enemies and lay such a restraint upon their Spirits that they shall not do the mischief they intend Gen. 31.39 It is in the Power of my hand to do you hurt said Laban to Iacob but the God of your fathers spake unto me saying take heed thou speak not to Iacob either good or bad Laban had power to do hurt but no heart When Balak called upon Balaam to curse Israel God so dispirited Balaam that he could not discharge his thunderbolt Num. 23.8 How shall I curse whom God hath not cursed He had a good mind to curse but God held him back 3. If the Lord of Hosts be for us he can help us though means fail and things seem to be given for lost When Gideons Army was small and rendred despicable then God Crowned them with Victory Iudg. 7.2 22. When the Arm of Flesh shrinks now is a time for the Arm of Omnipotency to be put forth Deut. 32.36 The Lord shall repent himself for his Servants when he sees their Power is gone and there is none shut up or left The less of man is seen the more of God 4. If the Lord be on our side he can save us in that very way in which we think he will destroy us Would not any have thought the Whales belly should have been Jonahs Grave but God made the fish a ship in which he sailed safe to shore Paul got to Land by the breaking of the ship Acts 28.44 God can make the adverse Party do his Work he can cause divisions among the Enemies and turn their own Weapons against themselves Isa. 19.2 I will set the Egyptians against the Egyptians 5. If the Lord of Hosts be on our side he
God saith to us ye are mine then we have great immunites 1. We are freed from the revenging wrath of God We are not free from Gods anger as a Father but as a Iudge God will not pour his vindictive Justice upon us Christ hath drunk the Red wine of Gods wrath upon the Cross that Believers may not tast a drop of it 2. We are freed from the Predominancy of sin Rom. 6.14 Sin shall not have dominion or as the word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it shall not Lord it over you Though Believers are not freed from the In-being of sin nor from the Combate with it yet they are freed from its Imperious command As it is said of those beasts in Daniel they had their Dominion taken away yet their Lives were prolonged for a season Dan. 7.12 So sin Lives in the Regenerate but its Dominion is taken away And to be thus freed from the jurisdictive power and tyranny of sin is no small blessing A Wicked man is at the command of sin as the Asse is at the command of the driver the curse of Cham is upon him Gen. 9.25 A Servant of Servants shall he be He is a slave to his Lusts and a slave to Satan O what a priviledge is it to have ones neck out of the Devils Yoak 3. We are freed from the accusations of Conscience The worm of Conscience is part of the Torment of Hell But God being our God we are freed from the Clamors of this hellish Fury Conscience sprinkled with Christs blood speaks Peace a good Conscience like the Bee gives Hony it is like the Golden pot which had Manna in it 2 Cor. 1.12 6. If God saith to us ye are mine we shall be his for ever Psalm 48.14 This God is our God for ever and ever You cannot say you have health and you shall have it for ever you have a Child and you shall have it for ever but if God be your God you shall have him for ever The Covenant of Grace is Sacrum diploma a Royal Charter and this is the Happiness of it it is eternized The interest between God and his people shall never be broken off How false therefore is the Opinion of falling from Grace Shall any that God makes his own by Federal union Fall finally Indeed if Salvation hath no better Pillar to rest upon than mans will as the Arminians hold no wonder if there be falling away but a Christians stability in Grace is built upon a surer basis namely Gods inviolable Covenant Isa. 55.3 Once in Christ and ever in Christ. A Star may sooner fall out of its orb than a true Believer be pluck'd away from God 7. If God saith to us ye are mine he will take us up to himself at death Death breaks the union between the Body and the Soul but perfects the union between God and the Soul This is the Emphasis of Heavens Glory to be with God What is the Joy of the blessed but to have a clear transparent sight of God and to be in the sweet and soft embraces of his love for ever This hath made the Saints desire death as the Bride the wedding day Phil. 1.23 Lead me Lord to that glory said an Holy man a glimpse whereof I have seen as in a glass darkly Let this be a Consolatory to the Saints there is a Covenant-union between God and them God is theirs and they are his they shall be mine saith the Lord. Here is a standing cordial for the Godly God looks upon them as having a propriety in them they shall be mine This is Comfort 1. In respect of Satans accusations he accuseth the Saints first to God then to themselves but if God saith ye are mine this answers all Satans Bills of Indictment Christ will shew the debt-book crossed in his blood It was a saying of Bucer I am Christs and the Devil hath nothing to do with me 2. It is Comfort in respect of Poverty Believers are match'd into the Crown of Heaven and all that is in God is theirs The Philosopher comforted himself with this that though he had no Musick or Vine-trees yet he had the houshold Gods with him So though we have not the Vine or Fig-tree yet if God be ours and we are his this Creates joy in the most indigent condition And that which may raise the comfort of the godly higher and cause a jubilation of Spirit is that shortly God will own his people before all the world and say these are mine At present the elect are not known 1 Iohn 3.2 It doth not yet appear what we shall be The Saints are like Kings in disguise but how will their hearts leap for joy when God shall pronounce that word these are mine These the lot of Free-grace is fallen upon these shall lye for ever in the Bosom of my love To all who are yet strangers to God Labour to get into Covenant with him that he may say ye are mine Why doth God woo and beseech you by his Ambassadours if he were not willing to be in Covenant What shall a poor forlorn Creature do to get into Covenant with God 1. If you would be in Covenant with God break off the Covenant with sin 1 Sam. 7.3 What King will be in league with him that holds correspondence with his Enemy 2. Labour for Faith 1. Faith in the Mercy of God Jer. 3.12 I am merciful saith the Lord and will not keep anger for ever As the Sea covers great Rocks as well as little Sands so Gods Mercy covers great sins Manasseh a bloody sinner was held forth as a pattern of Mercy Some of the Jews who had an hand in Crucifying of Christ yet their sins were forgiven 2. Faith in the merit of Christ. Christs blood is not only 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not only a Sacrifice to appease God but a Propitiation to ingratiate us into Gods favour and make him look upon us with a smiling aspect CHAP. XVIII The Second part of the Saints Reward Gods Honouring them 2. THE Second part of the Saints reward is Gods Honouring them in that day when I make up my Iewels Here are three Propositions 1. That God hath a great honour for his People 2. That Gods People are his Jewels 3. That there is a day when God will make up his Jewels 1 st That God hath a great honour for his People He speaks of them here with Honour in that day when I make up my Jewels Isai. 43.4 Since thou wast precious in my sight thou hast been honourable Honour attends Holiness That the Lord doth highly honour the fearers of him is evident by four demonstrations 1. In that he prefers them before others He chooseth them and passeth by the rest Mal. 1.2 Was not Jacob Esaus brother saith the Lord yet I hated Esau and loved Jacob. 2. In that God gives them frequent Visits 'T is counted an
and the Spirit to help them to pray and Jesus Christ as their Advocate to present their Prayers 4. Such as are Fearers of God God will bestow an Inheritance upon them as a Father doth upon his Son this Inheritance is no less than a Kingdom Luke 12.32 In it are Gates of Pearl Rivers of Pleasure and which is to be noted as a difference between Gods setling an Inheritance on his Children and a Fathers setling an Inheritance a Son cannot enjoy the Inheritance till his Father be dead but every adopted child of God may at once enjoy both the Inheritance and the Father because God is both Father and Inheritance 5. Such as are Fearers of God God will pass by many infirmities That is meant by this expression in the Text I will spare them as a man spareth his own Son What a wonder is this that God did not spare the Angels 2 Pet. 2.4 Nay he did not spare his natural Son Rom. 8.32 Yet he will spare his Adopted Sons I will spare them I will not use extremity as I might but pass by many aberrations Not that the Sins of Gods Children are hid from him but such is his paternal Clemency that he is pleased to bear with many frailties in his Children He spareth them as a Father spareth his Son How often do Gods people grieve his Spirit by the neglect of their Spiritual Watch the loss of their first-love but God spares them Israel provoked God with their murmurings but he used Fatherly Indulgence towards them Psalm 78.38 But he being full of Compassion forgave their Iniquity yea many a time turned he his anger away from them From this word I will spare them as a man spares his Son take Notice that the best need sparing Psalm 130.3 If thou Lord shouldst mark Iniquities Lord who shall stand The Papists speak of Merits but how can we merit when our best services are so defective that we need sparing how can these two stand together our meriting and God's sparing what will become of us without sparing Mercy we had need pray as Nehemiah cap. 13.22 Remember me O my God concerning this and spare me according to the greatness of thy Mercy Let us fly to this Asylum Lord spare us as a Father spares his Son See Gods different dealing with the Godly and the Wicked the Lord will not spare the Wicked Jer. 13.14 I will not Pity nor spare nor have Mercy but destroy them 'T is sad when the Prisoner begs of the Judge to spare him but the Judge will shew him no favour Gods cup of wrath is unmixed Rev. 14.10 Yet it is said to be mixed Psal. 78.5 Gods cup of wrath he gives the Wicked is mixed with all sorts of Plagues but it is a Cup unmixed without the least drop of Mercy in it God for a while Reprieves men but forbearance is no forgiveness Though God spare his Children yet obdurate sinners shall feel the weight of his wrath If the Lord spares his people as a Father doth his Son then they should serve him as a Son doth his Father serve him willingly 1 Chron. 28.9 Know thou the God of thy Fathers and serve him with a willing mind God doth not love to be put to strain Therefore Cains Sacrifice was rejected because he brought it grudgingly and against his Mind it was rather the paying of a tax than a free-will Offering That is the best obedience which is voluntary as that is the best Hony which drops from the Comb. God sometimes accepts of willingness without the Work but never of the work without willingness 2. Serve God Vniversally True obedience is Vniform it observes one command as well as another it sets upon duties difficult and dangerous As the Needle points that way which the Loadstone draws so a Gracious Heart inclines to those things which the word suggests Luke 1.6 'T is the note of an Hypocrite to be partial in Obedience some sin he will indulge some duty he will dispense with his Obedience is lame on one foot 3. Serve God Swiftly Beware of a dull temper of Soul the loveliness of Obedience is in the liveliness we read of two Women Zach. 5.9 The Wind was in their Wings Wings are Swift but Wind in the Wings denotes great Swiftness such Swiftness should be in our Obedience to God If God spares us as a Father doth his Son we should serve him as a Son doth his Father If God Spares us as a Father doth his Son let us imitate God 'T is natural for Children to imitate their Parents look what the Father doth the Child is apt to learn the same Let us imitate God in this one thing as God spares us and passeth by many failures so let us be sparing in our Censures of others let us look upon the Weaknesses and Indiscretions of our Brethren with a more tender compassionate eye Indeed in case of Scandal here we ought not to bear with others but sharply reprove them But if through Inadvertency or Passion they commit Indecencies let us Pity and Pray for them How much doth God bear with in us He Spares us and shall not we be Sparing to others perhaps they may be wronged and false things may be laid to their Charge Athanasius was falsely Accused by the Arrians of Adultery Basil of Heresie 'T is usual for the World to misrepresent the People of God therefore let us be sparing in our Censures God spares us and shall not we be sparing towards others Here is Comfort to the Children of God in case of Failings The Lord will not be severe to mark what they have done amiss but will Spare them He passeth by many Infirmities Zeph. 3.17 He will rest in his Love in the Original it is He will be silent in his Love As if the Prophet had said Though the Church had her Failings yet Gods Love was such that it would not suffer him to mention them He will be silent in his Love God winks at many oversights Ezek. 20.17 Mine eye Spared them from destroying them I speak not of presumptuous sins but Failings as vain Thoughts deadness in Duty suddain Surprizals by Temptation these being mourned for God for Christs fake will Spare us as a Father doth his Son This is one of the richest Comforts in the Book of God Who is he that lives and sins not how defective are we in our best Duties how full are our Lives either of Blanks or Blots Were it not for Sparing Mercy we should all goe to Hell but this Text is a standing Cordial if our Hearts are sincere God will Spare us as a Father doth his Son Hosea 11.9 I will not execute the fierceness of mine Anger I know not a greater Rock of Support for a fainting Christian than this God will abate of the Severity of the Law though we come short in our Duty he will not fail of his Mercy but
His People OR A Consolatory in Affliction PSALM CXIX 65. Thou hast dealt well with thy Servant O Lord. THe Psalms are the Marrow of the Bible they are both for Delight and Vse like rich Cordials which do not only gratifie the Palate but strengthen the Spirits This Psalm is full of Divine and Spiritual matter it was Composed if not Sung by the Sweet Singer of Israel The Words fall into two Parts 1. Gods Kindness to David He dealt well with him 2. David's grateful acknowledgment of this Favour Thou hast dealt well with thy Servant O Lord. From Gods Kindness to David observe That God dealeth well with his People Gen. 33.12 The Lord hath dealt graciously with me Gods People often walk unanswerable to his Love but though they deal ill with God God deals well with them Gods dealing well with his People ariseth from the Intrinsecal goodness of his Nature God is love 1 John 4.16 From this flow all Acts of Royal Bounty Wherein doth Gods dealing well with his People appear In enriching them with variety of Mercies his Footsteps drop Fatness Psalm 65.11 He Feeds Adopts Crowns them and is not this dealing well with them But how doth God deal well with the Saints when he laies his hand so heavy upon them in Affliction His pen is full of Gall and he writes bitter things against them Psalm 73.14 I am chastened every morning how doth God deal well with his People when it fares ill with them It must be held as an undoubted maxim that when the Lord severely chastizeth the Saints he deals well with them but we are ready to Question this Truth and say as the Virgin Mary to the Angel how can this be therefore I shall demonstrate it that when it goes ill with the Righteous yet God deals well with them 1. When the Lord afflicts the Saints yet he deals well with them because he is their God David was in the deep of Sorrow Psal 130.1 Yet he could say the Lord was his Portion Psalm 16.5 God is an exceeding great reward Gen. 15.1 He is a whole Paradise of delight Bonum in quo omnia bona He who hath God for his God all his Estate lies in Jewels If then God passeth over himself to his People by a Deed of gift to be their God here is enough to countervail all their troubles what can God give more than himself 2. When it goes ill with the Godly yet God deals well with them because while he is inflicting evil upon them he is doing them good That which the Text renders thou hast dealt well with thy Servant in the Hebrew it is thou hast done good to thy Servant Psalm 129.71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted David doth not say it is Good for me that I have been in prosperity but that I have been afflicted God doth his People good by Affliction Two wayes 1. The Godly grow wiser Affliction is schola lucis it discovers that pride earthliness unmortified passion which they could not have believed was in their Hearts Iob 36.8 If they be held in cords of Affliction then he shews them their Transgression Affliction cures the Eye-sight 2. Affliction promotes Holiness The more the Diamond is cut the more it sparkles Heb. 12.10 That we may be partakers of his Holiness When prosperity makes Grace rust God scowres us with Affliction The Godly are beholding to their Sufferings God by the wholesome discipline of the Cross makes them more humble more conformed to Christs Image the sharp Frosts of Affliction bring on the spring Flowers of Grace now if God while he is chastising is doing us good then sure he deals well with us 3. When God puts his Children to the School of the Cross yet he deals well with them because he doth not leave them without a Promise 1 Cor. 10.13 God is faithful who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able God knows our frame that we are imbecil and weak our flesh is not as brass Job 6 12. And the Lord will not try us above our strength he will not lay a Giants burden upon a Childs back God will not stretch the strings of his Viol too hard lest they break if God strike with one hand he will support with the other Cant. 8.3 Either he will make our Yoak Lighter or our Faith stronger This Promise is Hony at the end of the Rod. 4. God deals well with his People when he afflicts because Afflictions are Preventive 1. They prevent sin 2 Cor. 12.7 Lest I should be exalted above measure there was given me a Thorn in the Flesh. Prosperity like Opium is ready to make men fall asleep in Sin God awakens them by the Voice of the Rod and so prevents a Spiritual Lethargy 2. They prevent Hell 1 Cor. 11.32 We are chastened of the Lord that we should not be condemned with the World Doth not a Judge deal well with a Prisoner when he laies some light penalty on him and saves his Life Is it not goodness in God when he laies upon us light Affliction and saves us from Wrath to come 2 Cor. 4.17 What is a drop of Sorrow the Godly tast of to that bottomless Sea of Wrath the Wicked must drink 5. When God corrects he deals well with his People because all he doth is in Love Afflictions are as Gregory Nazianzen faith sharp Arrows but they are shot from the hand of a loving Father As Gods not afflicting the Wicked is in anger Gods hand is Heaviest when it is lightest Hosea 4.14 I will not punish your daughters when they commit Whoredom A Father gives over correcting a Child whom he intends to disinherit so Gods chastizing the Godly is in Love Rev. 3.19 As many as I Love I rebuke when God hath the Look of an Enemy he hath the Heart of a Father As when Abraham lift up his hand to Sacrifice Isaac he loved him so when God Sacrificeth the Comforts of his Children he loves them Was not God severe against Christ yet it was proclaimed by a Voice from Heaven This is my beloved Son Mat. 3.17 Well then if God only send love-tokens to us he deals well with us 6. God deals well with his People when he afflicts them because he moderates his stroke Ier. 30.11 I will correct thee in Measure 1. God doth not smite his Children so much as he might Psal. 78.38 He did not stir up all his Wrath God doth not make the Cup so bitter as he could He useth Lenitives rather than Corrosives he layes a lighter burden on he might lay on an heavier Doth God take away a Child he might take away his Spirit Doth he chastize the Body he might torment the Conscience 2. God doth not correct his Children so much as they have deserved Ezra 9.13 Thou hast punished us less than our Iniquities deserve Doth God make us drink in a Cup of