Lord call upon or proclaim his Name make known not yours but His deeds among the people Sing unto him Sing Psalms unto him Talk ye all of his wondrous works Glory ye in his holy name And again Sing unto the Lord all ye earth Shew forth from day to day his salvation Declare his gloâ—…y his Son the brightness of his glory among the Heathens his marvellous works among all Nations For great is the Lord and greatly â—…o be praised He also is to be feared above all Gods 1 Chron. 16.8 9 10 23 24 25. Psal 96.1 2 3. 105.1 2 3. And so it was fore-prophecyed One generation shall waise thy works to another and shall declare â—…hy mighty Acts. I will speak of the glorious hoâ—…our of thy Majesty and of thy wondrous works things or words they others â—…hall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness and shall sing of thy righteousness The Lord is gracious full of compassion slow â—…o anger and great of mercy The Lord is good 〈◊〉 all and his tender mercy over or upon all â—…is works Psal 145 4-10 And surely Christ â—…eing made to us of God wisdome righteousâ—…ess c. The way to make men wife and righteous is to turn them to him that they may be made in him which though it be the work of God yet it 's a work that he doth by his Law or Doctrine that goeth forth from Sion the preaching of the Gospel Acts 26.18 or confessing his name which He therefore hath made known unto men and put into their hearts that they might thereby be made instruments of converting others to him as he hath also chosen them to put his name upon them and to declare it that the residue of men might thereby be moved and have advantage to seek after God Acts 15.16 17. With Gods Law oâ—… Doctrine then which is perfect converting the soul such as know it and have fitness in any measure for it are to endeavour to convert others to God by Jesus Christ setting him forth to and before all and every man as they have opportunity and capacity as the only righteousness are salvation of God prepared for them aâ—… and every one Luke 2.30 31. Isa 49.6 Rom. 3.21 22. the righteousness of God 〈◊〉 or for all and upon all that believe Anâ—… so declare his mighty works to that purpose tâ—… them which he hath done for all and ever one as the holy Apostle did who tells uâ—… He dyed for all and gave himself a ransom foâ—… all and tasted death by the grace of God for ever very one so as through his one righteousness the free gift is to or for its all men to justification of life that he is the propitiation for our sins even for ours who have him our Advocate to make good our cause with God as He is and doth for all that believe on him but not ours only but also for the whole worlds 2 Cor. 4.44 15. 1 Tim. 2.6 Heb. 2.9 1 John 2.1 2. and this without such Ifs or corrupt additions as are the product of mens ignorance or unbelief of Gods Testimonie and dependance upon one anothers Wisdome seeking honor one of onother or loving the praise of men more than the praise that comes from God only viz. those glosses and additions of all the Elect every one of the believers and the world of the Elect c. Whereas the Scriptures every where distinguish the Elect from the world and do not call them by the name of the world Alas how should men be turned unto righteousness unless they see that there is a perfect righteousness that is worthy to be turned to made ready for them and to be turned to by them a righteousness wherein and wherewith they may be righteous or which comes to the same how shall men be made righteous if not made in Christ or brought in to believe on and submit to him there being no other way to righteousness for them that that is of or after the Law as attained to or attainable by sinful fallen man being rejected of God! And how shall men be made in Christ if they see no excellency and preciousness in him and preparation of him for them if they be borne in hand that God sent him but for here and there one they know not who and they must infallibly be brought in yea they cannot hinder themselves of it and if not so they must perish notwithstanding all endeavours after salvation who that hath and useth the exercise of his reason will look after him upon such motives as that Doctrine contains and not rather take his course till he cannnt choose but come into him as thinking otherwise or till then all his labor will be needless in vain And what abouts are men fain to go courses take they to bring men to righteousness through their not knowing or believing Christ to be the Saviour of the world the Saviour of all men and especially of them that believe while they put them upon the Law and legal humblings and works and opperations preceding the knowledge of Christ and the good foundation laid in him to be as evidences or grounds of conceiving and believing that they are of the Elect for whom only they imagine and say that Christ died and oh what wretched mistakes are those men guilty of and how destitute are they of the truth that durst call the very manifest expressions of the Holy Apostles Errours and Blasphemies But Gods way of holding forth light to men to open their eyes and to turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Sathan to God â—…s to preach Gospel to them to let them know that they being all Sinners against God and lyable to his wrath ungodly and enemies He in the greatness of his mercy to keep them from perdition sent his own and only begotten Son into the world to be their Saviour and that he might be so He delivered him up to Death for their offences that were upon them and raised him again for their justification and hath exalted and glorified him and filled him with all His fulness that they inlistening to and obeying him might be saved and made happy by him To such purpose is that Word of reconciliation put into the Apostles or committed to them 2 Cor. 5.18 19-21 That God was in Christ reconciing the world to himself not imputing their trespasses to them but made him that knew no sin to be sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in him wherewith agrees the Doctrine preached by our Saviour to Nicodemus to regenerate him viz. That as Moses lifted up the Serpent in the Wilderness so must the Son of man be lifted up that whosoever believeth on Him might not perish but have eternal life For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth on him might not perish but have everlasting life For God sent not his Son into
Mercy and Faithfulness as in Authority Power â—…nd Sufficiency to help and save us and therefore He will not fail nor be discouraged till he set judgment in the earth and briâ—… every one of his faithful flock aâ—… followers to the enjoyment of 〈◊〉 everlasting Heavenly Pasture To him therefore lifting up 〈◊〉 eyes and hearts let us take coâ—…rage making use of what He haâ—… left us by himself and by 〈◊〉 Spirit in his thereby made boâ—… Apostles and Prophets yea aâ—… of what he affords or hath lâ—… with us of any his faithful Pastoâ—… or Teachers Let us only taâ—… heed to follow his instruction hearing his voice and fear noâ—… but we shall do well in the issâ—… and conclusion My Love anâ—… Service to your Self Lady anâ—… Family And the God of peacâ—… that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus the great Shepherd of the Sheep through the Blood of the everlasting Covenant made in Him with us through and according to which He will also raise from the dead the under-shepherds departed in the faith of Him and all His faithful Flock in his due time â—…o endless Glory and Happiness He make you and us all perfect â—…n every good Work to do his Will Working in us that which â—…s well-pleasing in his sight â—…hrough Jesus Christ To whom be Glory for ever and ever Amen Even in all that he doth and orders to and about us at all times To Him committing you and yours I am Sir Your obliged Friend and Servant in whaâ—… I may and canJohn Horne Lin-Regis Aug. 13. 1672. THE REWARD OF THE WISE AND â—…he future felicity of the fruitful faithful Labourers in Gods work and service Dan. 12.3 â—…d they that be wise shall shine as the â—…ightness of the Firmament and they that turn many to Righteousness as the Stars for ever and ever OUr Lord Jesus for so I understand him to be whose appearance is scribed in Chap. 10. either as in himself as the spiritual Being that was aftâ—â—wards to be incarnate and made flesh as represented by an holy Angel havâ—… in Chap. 11. shewed and made known his holy and beloved Prophet Daniel maâ—… of those great transactions that should 〈◊〉 out in the World especially as relating the people of the Jews or Church of Gâ—… under the Grecian and Roman Monarchâ—… declares in this Chapter what help Gâ—… would afford to his people in the greaâ—… overspreadings of the power of their adâ—â—â—saries and the good end that should be them And so he saith ver 1. And at 〈◊〉 tâ—â—e namely when the Adversary shall pâ—… the Tabernacles of his Palace between 〈◊〉 Seas in the glorious holy mountain or mouâ—…tain of delight of holiness shall Michael stâ—… up even Christ for by that name is he câ—â—tainly called Rev. 12.7 the great Priâ—… the Prince of the Kings of the earth Reâ—…lat 1.5 that standeth for the children of 〈◊〉 people either for the people of the Jews aâ—… their posterity Daniel being a Jew orâ—… also for the Church of God made up Jews and Gentiles and by faith in Chriâ—… made the seed of Abraham and heirs accordiâ—… to promise Gal. 3 26-29 the partition waâ—… being broken down by Jesus Christ Ephâ—…sians 2.15 this great Prince shall all thâ—… â—…e stand up which may be understood â—…her of Christs appearing in the flesh and â—…ough sufferings entring upon his glory â—…d therein exercising his power in behalf 〈◊〉 his Church or else rather of his gloriâ—…s appearing or standing up at last in the â—…urches greatest exigence to give it deliâ—…rance And there shall be a time of trouble â—…ch as never was since there was a Nation â—…en to that same time which time of so â—…eat trouble may be the time of the Deâ—…uction of Jerusalem by Titus and of the â—…esolations and troubles following upon the â—…ewish Nation and People especially if by â—…e standing up of Michael we understand â—…e appearance of Christ in the flesh and his â—â—ing exalted through sufferings unto glory â—…nd abiding therein and in the exercise of â—…is power for his peoples help For our Saviour seems to apply this saying to that very time of trouble in Matt. 24.21 where speaking of the troubles that should be in Judea and in and about Jerusalem he saith Then shall be great tribulation such as was not since the beginning of the world to that time no nor ever shall be where we must either by No nor ever shal be understand that he means there shall never be such a time of trouble again in that Nation or else if we understand stand it universally that must of necessâ—… the time here spoken of this being sâ—… time as there was never before since thâ—… was a Nation But if we confine our Sâ—…ours expression to that Nation and uâ—…stand him here to speak of the World versally or of the Church in its larger pacity then we may also understand 〈◊〉 He may point out some such time of grâ—… trouble to the World or to the Chuâ—… rather from it towards the end of the timâ—… or immediatly before Christs appearing glory and so standing up for his peopâ—… as there never was the like before in a age As the time of the slaying of 〈◊〉 Witnesses by the Beasts rising out of the bottoâ—…less pit and of their dead bodies lying slâ—… Rev. 11 7-10 and of the gathering togethâ—… of the Kings of the earth to the battle of 〈◊〉 great day of God Almighty Rev. 19.14 maâ—… probably be though in the conclusion thâ—… Saints shall have joy and the adversariâ—… destruction as is there implyed And so 〈◊〉 is said and signified here when he addeâ—… And at that time thy people shall be delivered every one that shall be found written in the Book namely all they that shall be appointed oâ—… God thereunto or shall be truly righteous and fearers of God this is the fruit and benefit of Michaels or Christs standing up â—…hem both to intercede with God in â—…ven for them and to succour them from â—…out of Heaven And this is the great â—…er of hope and consolation to the â—…rch and people of God that whatever â—…ersaries rise up against them and how â—…oever they prevail and whatever sad â—…s of trouble come upon them yet they 〈◊〉 a great Prince greater than all their â—…ersaries even the Lord Jesus to stand â—…or their help therefore they may hold â—…heir way and hold fast the profession â—…eir faith with courage and confidence â—… conditions only necessary it is that give diligence to be found in Christ so that our names be found written in â—…en even in the Book of Life for no 〈◊〉 shall fail of deliverance Luke 10 20. â—…p 5.9 He adds â—…ers 2. And many of them that sleep in the 〈◊〉 of the earth shall awake some or these â—…erlasting life and some or those to shame â—…erlasting contempt It is the manner â—…e Prophets of times to speak briefly and â—…isely of the things of Christ and his â—…gdom so
and what to drink and where-with to be cloathed but seek not the advancement of Gods Kingdom or its increase nor the glorifying of Gods righteousness to men that they might be saved Whither through coveteousness and desire after the getting and keeping of the world they cannot look after Gods glory or their own and others good or through sloathfulness and loathness to undergo hardship and the difficulties and services requisite to be performed by them or through fearfulness and unbelief thinking the work and service of the Lord too dangerous and Him no certain or sufficient protectour of his servants and this often goeth with the other The sloathful man saith there is a Lyon in the way I shall be slain in the Streets Prov. 22.13 fearing what men may do unto them more than him that can cast body and soul into hell fire and so conceal the words of the Holy one â—…er hide them so within a bushel that they â—…are not sown abroad in Gods field to bring forth an increase Have received light but smother it and will not suffer it to shine forth and therefore set it not on a Candlestick but hide it underâ—… bed or a bushel or the like Or through want of Charity to and â—…are or desire of their neighbours good And â—…ruly if he that having the worlds good seeth his Brother have need and administreth not to him but shuts up the bowels of his compassion from him is injurious to God and men and hath not the love of God well abiding in him 1 John 3.17 How much more worthily may it be said of such as having that which is far better than all this worlds good the knowledge of God and his truth where-with to help men to heaven by instructing them in and unto wisdom and righteousness and see their brethren and neighbours have need thereof and yet shut up the bowels of their compassions against them and leave them for want of instruction and vision to die and perish how dwelleth the love of God in such men And oh what a reproof may this be to many Pastors or Ministers such as the Prophets have cryed out against that feed themselves but feed not but starve the Flock that either have not knowledge oâ—… mission from God and yet run and speak but not out of his mouth of whom more by and by or that having the words of God to speak to them withold them and speak them not Yea and such as causelesly leave and desert their Flocks or neglect their opportunities of teaching men knowledge and of turning them to righteousness such aâ—… that Shephard that Idol Shephard thaâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Shephard of no worth spoken of in Zech. 11.13 that leaves the Flock Surely the loss of the great glory here set before the faithful and diligent servants of God the loss of shining as the brightness of the Firmament and as the Stars for ever and ever might sufficiently awaken men from such neglect of their duty But much more if withal the woe and misery contrary hereto threatned to such and allotted for their portion be considered it might alarm us all to take heed of these evils both that judgment threatned and predicted by our Saviour Take that Talent from him and cast ye that unprofitable servant into outer darkness there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth Mat. 25.24 25 28 30. and that Woe in the Prophet Zechary pronounced Woe to the Idol Shepherd or Shepherd of no value Idolized and worshipped perhaps of men but of no worth in himself and as to his way and practise that leaves the Sheep or Flock the Hireling that seeing the Wolf come shifts for himself but leaves the Sheep to the danger of him or that for any cause whatsoever voluntarily deserts and leaves the care of mens souls committed to him A Sword shall be upon his arm and upon his right eye his arm shall be utterly dryed up He shall lose his force power and virtue for doing good and his right eye shall be utterly darkned He shall lose all right understanding or shall be bound as it were hand and foot and cast into outer darkness where his eye shall see no light A sad heavy sentence is either of them and such as might awaken us to consider our ways and be fervent in spirit serving the Lord with all diligence seeking to do all the good we can to others Yea and to take the best advantages that Providence affords and that we may lay hold of for doing good to all or as many as may be Like the Apostle that pleased not himself but pleased all men in all things not seeking his own profit but the profit of many that they might be saved 1 Cor. 10.33 the more the better For they that turn many to righteousness have the more excellent promise that they shall shine as the Stars for ever and ever They therefore are faulty and foolishly defective to themselves and their own good who for any fleshly or worldly considerations of ease honor greater profits here or the like content themselves to do good to a few when they are in a capacity and may have opportunities to do good to many more It was the great blessing promised of God to Abraham that he should be the Father of many Nations Gen. 17.4 Rom. 4.17 18. And the glory of Christ that through his sufferings He brings many sons to glory Heb. 2.10 And David when God went so forth with him in his reproving and instructing men that Many said who will shew us God Lord lift up the light of thy countenance upon us tells us that God put more gladness thereby into his heart than in the time that their Corn and Wine increased Psal 4.6 7. The servant that with his pound well imployed gained ten pounds was made Ruler over ten Cities when he that gained but five with his pound was made Ruler but of five Cities Luke 19.17 19. 3. But if they that neglect to do what good they can are faulty and to be reproved hence what shall we say then to such as not only do not what good they can or might to make others wise and righteous but even do their endeavors to hinder men from wisdom and righteousness or to turn them therefrom surely such are far more exceedingly faulty And if they that make others wise or instruct them thereto shall shine as the brightness of the Firmament in the judgment and they that turn many to righteousness as the Stars for ever and ever then they that hinder or pervert men from being wise or righteous shall rise to shame and everlasting contempt as was said of some verse 2. And here divers sorts of persons fall under sore reproofs as to say 1. They that by force and violence endeavor to hinder men or do drive them from being wise or righteous they that make Laws and Edicts against and so in prosecuting them or otherwise persecute men for righteousness