Self-righteousness and be clothed with the Righteousness of Jesus Christ p. 50 65. Of Mixt Holiness P. 63. The Contents of the Fourth Sermon Herein is shewed how it is with us from our first Conception and Birth until our Death p. 81. The manner whereof is shewed and may be most clearly conceived from those several Words whereby it is expressed in Scripture of Dying Deceasing Departing Yielding up the Ghost Gathering to his Fathers Falling asleep p. 83. Of seeing Death p. 88. In which there is nothing dreadful to such as are indeed the Children of God P. 96. The Contents of the Fifth Sermon Of seeing the Lord 's Christ or rather of having Christ formed within us and that not in part only but wholly and throughout before we see Death p. 98. How to order our Good Works or Alms-giving that they may be acceptable with God p. 119. What may be thought of the different Sorts and Sects of Religion now in the World and concerning the Salvation of such of the Heathen as are indeed Good and Vertuous p. 124 125. The Contents of the Sixth Sermon Herein is shewed what mighty Force Reasoning and Exhortation is in this Consideration Thou shalt die and not live to set our Body and Soul in Order p. 132. Some Brief Remarks concerning Rich People p. 141. The whole is concluded with Two Practical Vses and Inferences p. 148 153. God hath at this Day Three Ways of Speaking Manifesting and Revealing himself unto Mankind viz. by his Written Word by his Spirit in the Heart and Conscience of each Person and by his Ministers Here also a difference is shewed between the true and false and what God will at length do as to the latter sort p. 154 155. The End of all the Parts and Ordinances of Religion and of all Books and Sermons if they be managed and composed aright is to set the Soul in Order against the time it shall go out of the Body p. 158. ERRATA PAge 24. line 4. for Charity read Chastity P. 54. L â— for summoned r. summed p. 53. l. 4. r. They know not I. 32. for Minstry r. Ministry p. 101. l. 33. for Mal. 3. 8. r. Mal. 3. 5. ibidem l. 24. r. To be obeyed p. 35. l. 33. r. We shall with them the better serve God SERMON I. Isaiah 38. 1. In those Days was Hezekiah sick unto Death and Isaiah the Prophet the Son of Amos came unto him and said unto him Thus saith the Lord Set thine House in Order for thou shalt die and not live A Serious and thorough Consideration concerning Death and Immortality was the principal Inducement which did first bring me acquainted with the Ways of God for I have thought much thereon from my Tender Years And now as I approach Day after Day nearer in Time towards it so I ought to have it yet much more in Remembrance with continued Thought and Searching of Heart how I may grapple with that last Enemy how either to pluck out or blunt the Edge of the Sting of Death that the Grave may not have the Victory over me that is so far overcome me as to consign me over unto the Second Death I would not therefore by mine own good will Preach one Sermon nor yet make one Prayer unto God wherein I did not mention somewhat or other of this Wisdom as the Holy Ghost calleth it that we may understand this that we would consider our latter end Deut. 32. 29. For indeed this is the Will of God and of Christ concerning us dying Creatures as also it doth teach and instruct us what Mind and Temper we should be in now we are for a very little while Breathing as yet on this Earth Let your Loins be girded about and your Lamps burning and ye your selves like unto men that wait for their Lord observe that when he will return from the Wedding that when he cometh and knocketh they may open unto him immediately blessed are those Servants whom the Lord when he cometh shall find watching And so we should every one of us wait and watch for the coming of the Lord our God and especially for his Haâ—binger Death which he sends before for to bring our Souls unto himself the God unto whom shall all flesh come Psal 65. 2. or rather what inhabits in Flesh shall come At the Death or Departure of each Person the Body or Dust returns to the Earth as it was and the Spirit to God that gave it Saith the Apostle Whatsoever things were written asoretime were written for our Learning that we through Patience and Comfort of the Scripture might have hope Rom. 15. 4. And so this great place of Isa 38. 1. which was written three or four Thousand Years ago is written for our Learning who live almost Seventeen Hunâ—dred Years after Christ Yea as Christ himself saiâ— upon another occasion This Day is this Scripture fuâ— filled in your Ears so I testifie unto all that shall heâ— or read these Lines This Day is this Scripture mean this very Text of Isa 38. 1. fulfilled in youâ— Ears for instead of what is there said In those Daâ— waâ— Hezekiah sick unto Death now it may be read 〈◊〉 this wise In these Days are such an one and such a one naming the several People by their respective Names and so it is of all the Dwellers in England yeâ— and of all the Habitable Parts of the Earth They are all sick unto Death For though indeed it was thus originally said upon the account of an extraordinary Ulcer or Disease which was then upon Hezekiah and by that phrase in the Gospel This sickness is not unto Death John 11. 4. we must distinguish between health and sickness and again between that kind of sickness which is Recoverable and Curable and that sickness which indeed is Mortal or a sickness unto Death how then can it be here truly said when many are in Health Youth Vigour Lusty and Strong that they are all sick unto Death Nevertheless I will prove and make out what I afore-affirmed Common Reason sheweth that a growing Tree is equally alive in the midst of Winter although it doth seem as a barren dead and dry Tree because then it doth not run in Sap nor shoot forth in green Leaves even so by the very same similitude by supposing it contrariwise it may be conceived that in the midst of Youth Health Life and Vigour which are the Spring and Summer of our Age we are all the while sick unto Death or as it is appositely and properly expressed in the Office of Burial In the midst of Life we are in Death because that we do all along carry about us in our Body the Seeds of this sickness unto Death or the Seeds of Mortality According as it is expressed in the Book of Job The Root of the matter is in you so as soon as we are Born the Root of sickness which is the usual forerâ—nner thereof the Root of Death is in
taught it unto us by that common knowledge which he hath given unto us as his reasonable Creatures But yet God willing more abundantly to acqnaint us with a lesson of so very great Importance as indeed it is to every one of us And seeing that the same hath a much further meaning and requiring than to order the Disposition of our Lands Houses Money and Goods For it hath a much more Noble even a Spiritual Sence and Signification to set our Souls which dwell in this Earthly House of the Body in order for we shall dye or yet more properly we shall leave these Habitations of Clay Therefore I say that God hath ordered the same for further security and to bring it yet more to our Knowledge and Remembrance to be written in his Statute Book the Bible as also we may find the same Engraven in the Word that is nigh us even in our Heart for we may also perceive a still Voice speaking from thence Set thine House in order for thou shalt dye and not live Isaiah the Prophet the Son of Amos came unto him and said From hence we may also consider How God who at sundry Times and in divers Manners spake in time past unto the Fathers by the Prophets hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son For in those days it was not so much Isaiah but God himself who spake this by Isaiah unto Hezekiah To which agree those words of our Saviour unto his Apostles and Disciples For'tis not yeÌ„ that speak but the Spirit of my Father which speaketh in you Mat. 10. 20 And so God spake by Moses David Job and by all the Prophets But now he speaks by Christ who is the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God in whom all the others do meet and concenter Searching what or what manner of Time the Spirit of Christ whâ—â—h was in them did signify 1 Pet. 1. 11. The Spirit of Christ in them In whom Why In the Prophets mentioned in the foregoing Verse Whose Spirit did actuate them all just like as the Soul doth actuate the Body Although Christ was than in Heaven and they were here on Earth in their several Generations long before God did send his Son in the fulness of Time for to become Flesh The Spirit of God and of Christ are near one and the same and so God and the Word of God are one and the same according to that common Maxim Nothing is in God but what is God himself So that we are not to look upon those words which we find written in the Bible as the words of Moses Samuel Job David and the Prophets or those in the New Testament as the words of the Evangelists and Apostles who yet did write and speak them but we should consider of it higher and further as the word of God and Christ which God and Christ spake by them As when we send a Letter to one at a Hundred Miles distance whom we have known or heard of we do by that same Letter speak to him in effect yea and as much to their knowledge and understanding as if we were in the same Room together and we did talk to them face to face So I have often thought that the Scriptures are as the Letter or Epistle of the Most High God which is sent unto us the Inhabitants of this Earth for hereby God doth speak unto us from Heaven the Habitation of his Holiness which is more than a Thousand or a Million of Miles distance from us all one as if we heard outwardly his Voice which in that sence no Man hath seen God at any time nor heard his Voice or as if the Lord did dwell Visibly amongst us which he doth not Is it so Yes verily Then this is a mighty Argument and terrible Consideration against those who refuse to Read or Hear the Word of God See that ye refuse not him that speaketh for if they escaped not who refused him that spake on Earth much more shall not we escape if we turn away from him that speaketh from Heaven Heb. 12. 25. It was the Angel on Mount Sinah and Moses and the Prophets that spake on the Earth but it is Christ the Son of God that now speaketh from Heaven For though Jesus Christ is long since ascended on High and Sits on the Right Hand of the Father yet he speaketh to us from Heaven even now in his Word and in the Preaching and Ministry thereof For as Moses of old time hath in every City them that Preach him being Read in the Synagogues every Sabbath Day Even so now Christ hath those who continually Preach him as Moses had â— by how much he is not only greater than Moses but even greater than the very Angels of God And who will not hear the Ministers of Christ who preach him or who Preach the Word of God for whosoever Preacheth the Word of God Preacheth Christ in as much as Christ is the Word of God Neither would such be perswaded if Christ should come once again into the World after the same manner as he did which will not be so for his next coming will be unto Judgment which Will be in Glory and in Power and in flaming Fire taking Vengeance on them that know not God and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ But in the mean while he hath gave the Word and there are those who Preach it He hath sent forth Labourers into his Harvest with full Power and Commission He that heareth you heareth me and he that despiseth you despiseth him that sent me Luke 10. 16. Even the Great God himself who made the World and all things therein What do ye think will become of those who despise God As they who despise his Word either preached or spoken written or printed do despise God himself Why God hath fortold us what will become of such They that despise me shall be lightly esteemed 1 Sam. 2. 30. This is not all neither for God will answer requite and punish them in very like manner They shall go forth and look upon the Carkasses of the Men that have Transgressed against Me and they shall be an abhorring unto all Flesh Isa 66. 24. Observe here the slighting kind of Phrase Carkasses the Holy Ghost makes use of That such little despicable and vile Beings who even in the midst of Life are but Men and Women in Carkasses Notwithstanding some have Jolly and Red looks Aâ—e inclosed in their own Fat according to the Psalmiâ—â—'s Phrase or are arrayed in fine Cloaths should ever behave themselves contemptuous or disdainful towards a most Excellent Infinite and Glorious Majesty as the Invisible God is If there should come any Letter to me or any order concerning me under the Great Seal of England with the Royal Signet and Arms and I would not Read nor look into it nor hear what it was but take and stamp it under my Feet or Burn
and Tear it or throw it into the Dirt upon the Ground All this and such like would be a contempt and affront to the Kings Person Even so every Divine Word and Truth whether it be Preached Spoken Written or Printed doth Bear the Image and Superscription of the Invisible God the great King of all the Earth So that of necessity a contempt and despising of the one is a contempt despising of the other also He that despiseth the Word or Ministers of God despiseth God himself Saith the Lord of Hosts unto you O Priests that despise my Name and ye say wherein have we Despised thy Name Mat. 1. 6. The Priests do there say Wherein have we despised thy Name And as they ask the Question in Mat. 25. 44. When saw we thee an Hungred or a Thirst or a Stranger and did not Minister unto thee So the doleful herd that vast Multitude of cast a-ways and forlorn Souls who shall be condemned aâ— the last Day will be apt to think or say wherein did lye and consist the great Evil-deserving and malignity of Sin that for that they must go away into Everlasting Punishment and Misery They will perceive it somewhat more than we can now apprehend or assign the reason thereof in these Days of our Flesh Though even thâ—n â—â—ey will not perceive it throughly and to the utmost tiâ—l God shall discover and convict them of it more and more by the Pains and Torments he shall inflict on them for otherwise such thoughts would not arise in their Hearts neither would they ask such a Question But this may be most surely gathered and understood in the mean while as from the place afore-quoted in Isa 66. 24. The reason is therein infolded and assigned why the Carkasses of some Men shall be exposed to publick view because They have Transgressed against the Lord. So the like may be understood from Dan. 12. 2. 1 Sam. 2. 30. And by Mark 8. 38. The reason why some there shall awake to shame and Everlasting contempt is because they were ashamed of God and of Christ and of his Word in this Adulterous and Sinful Generation So they did despise God and despise his Word in this Rebellious and Sinful World whilst they were in the Days of their Flesh and in this Life before they did drop into the Dust of the Earth and therefore it is that now they shall rise up to Everlasting shame and contempt As in those Days when Hezekiah was sick unto Death Isaiah the Son of Amos came unto him Aand as Paul went in unto the Jews and Reasoned unto them out of the Scriptures So I do hereby denounce unto all such who shall Hear or Read these Lines whether ye have Pale Ruddy or Healthful Looks yet all ye are sick unto Death Thus saith the Lord Set your House in Order for ye shall dye and not live What God doth speak at sundry Times and in divers Manners in time past by the Prophets and in these last Days by his Son who is the Word and by his Ministers He doth also even now speak the very same by his Spirit within the Hearts and Consciences of each Man and Woman And so I put ye all to it that hear the Lord speaking by me his Creature unto â—e his Creatures this Day Do ye not Or can ye not at this very moment perceive a still Voice from within ye severally which exactly answers unto and witnesses the very same as is the Message of the Lord God unto ye Set your Houses in order for ye shall die and not live Besides the sure Word of Prophecy for this is spoken of somewhat to come hereafter Whereunto ye do well that ye take heed as unto a Light that shineth in a dark place there is also and moreover the day dawn and the day-star arising in your hearts Both which Lights do agree one to the other and do serve to one and the same end viz. to lead guidâ— and direct us to Heaven that Place where is 〈…〉 of Life in thy Light shall we see Light 〈◊〉 it is â—â—â—ewhere written Thâ— Sword without the Terrour within which do both conspire and tend to a Third 〈…〉 Destruction So contrariwise it stands in 〈…〉 as pertaining to the Salvation of Man Ther◠〈◊〉 the Word without and also the Word within like Ezekiel's Roll in Chap. 2. written within and without So there is also the Law of God written in the inward parts and also in the Leaves of the Bible Engraven in Tables of Stone and also in Table◠〈◊〉 the Heart both which do agree in one and in oâ—â—dience to both is Man's Life and Salvation What God hath joined together let no man put asunder What God hath ordered to be written and made known both ways let no Man conceive without the other The right understanding and consideration of this would prevent lest under pretence of having more Veneration for the Word within they have the lâ—ss Esteem for the outward written Word As again by minding only the outward written Word they do not give so much heed to the Dictates of the Spirit and of the Word from within which again some Superficial Nominal and Outward Worshippers do err in as to the other hand whereas Truth lies in the middle between both extreams and the right manner of Acting is to give heed and have equal regard unto them both What the Everliving God doth say that we dying Creatures should immediately obey And such who are indeed his Saints and People do assemble for no other purpose but to sit Deut. 33. 3. and hear all things that are commanded from God and made known from his Word for to hear and do them Deut. 5. 27. and they do hereby avouch themselves unto him to be their God and then God will reciprocally avouch them to be his People Set 〈…〉 uâ—to all the words which I testifie among you this aay which 〈◊〉 shall command your Children to observe to â—o all the words of this Law For it is not a vain thing for 〈…〉 â—â—â—ause it is your Life and through this thing ye shall prâ—lo◠〈…〉 days in the Land whither ye go over Jordan to possess 〈◊〉 Deut. 32. 46 47. It is yo ur Life hereby ye will be taught and instructed that tho' ye die ye may live again and what ye must do to inherit and partake of the Blessing which the Lord hâ—th commanded even life for evermore Psal 133. 3. For as the Sons of Isaac were to do somewhat for their Father before they received his Blessing Even so we Creatures must do somewhat for God our Creator and Father sor so he is to all that shew themselves obedient Children before he actually confers and bestows the Blessing which he hath already pronounced and made known signified by that word The Lord hath commandâ—d even Life for evermore Through this thing viz. Universal Obedience and observing all the words of his Law ye shall prolong yoâ—r
in continued Practice unto the day of our several Deaths in reference to the God of Israel hitherto and in the foregoing part of my Life I have served God a little and I have done a little good but for what now remains I will serve God much and labour whatever I can to do much good for it will be only of the number of those that have done good that will rise unto the Resurrection of Life This one thing to remember and practice to observe and do is Benefit and Use enough for your coming to hear this Sermon But I am sensible beforehand of all the Exhortation that hath or can be used as to this matter that this will be the effect of hearing this and of all other Sermons As it was in reference to Paul's Preaching And some believed the things which were spoken and some believed not Acts 28. 24. So some of ye will obey and do according to the things that have been spoken others again will not obey and do thereafter Some of ye will hear and endeavour to remember by pondering these things in your Heart after ye are gone from hence as Mary laid up the sayings of Jesus in her Heart there be those again who will hear with one Ear and let it out with another that it shall go off and be with them as a flash and a noise and as the Wind that passeth away Even so it will be at the end of things and as to all the Generations and Persons of Mankind of all Countrey and Places It is appointed to all to die This of necessity and force Some of them did set their Houses in order that is their Souls in a readiness and meetness before they died Others again did not set their Houses in order before they died but they were careless and negligent as to that till indeed Death came upon them He that feared the Word of the Lord amongst the Servants of Pharaoh made his Servants and his Cattel flee into the Houses which were hereby preserved and he that regarded not in the Margent here it is set not his Heart unto the Word of the Lord left his Servants and his Cattel in the Field Exod. 9. 20 21. which were therefore destroyed Even so it is here he or they among the Inhabitants of the Earth that feared the Word of the Lord obeyed the Exhortation in our Text and did set their Houses in order before they died and those will be saved and preserved for though they die they shall live again But such of the Inhabitants of the Earth as did not regard nor set their Heart unto the Word of the Lord the Exhortation and Command in our Text. They did neglect to set their Houses or their Souls in Order before they died even these Souls shall perish and be destroyed for though they shall never cease to be but they also shall live again yet it shall be only to receive and partake of Pain Punishment and Misery SERMON II. Isaiah 38. 1. Set thine House in Order for thou shalt die and not live IN which words Two Things are to be considered First A Duty enjoinâ—d Set thine House in order Secondly The Reason added and annexed For thou shalt die and not live As to the first As when David was old and stricken in Years and the Time drew nigh that he should die he gives charge and takes care who of his Children should succeed him in the Kingdom over Israâ—l as may be seen in the first and second Chapters of the first Book of Kings which was a great and weighty Concern So from that good and godly Example as also from the common Practice and Usage of the World we learn that it is both lawful and commendable yea it is the certain Duty as well as it is the Wisdom of each one according to his Station and outward Circumstances to give charge and take care concerning the Righteous Distribution and Disposition of those Houses and Lands Money or Goods to his Children and others to whom of Right it doth belong as Sons Daughters Kinsfolks Poor and such like For as touching this the Word and Law of God hath Commanded and Directed Children are not to lay up for their Parents but Parents for their Children He that provideth not for his own and especially for those of his own House hath denied the Faith and is worse than an Infidel Neither will this be sufficient available or acceptable with God to be Righteous unto all others and to be Unrighteous unto his own Children For we may Read in Romans 1. 32. That those who are without Natural affection are there Ranked among the vilest and worst of Men. But contrariwise As a good Man will guide his Affairs with discretion Psal 112. 5. in the midst of and throughout his Life so more especially he will do the same towards and before his Death Even by so ordering his Matters by a Righteous Equitable Equal and Impartial Distribution of his Goods amongst them As to give them no just Occasion for them to sâ—eak evil of him nor yet for his Adversaries to speak Reproachfully and to prevent before-hand Law-suiâ—s Quarrelling Hatred between Brothers and Sisters Kinsfolks and Neighbours and such like As we often know and hear that these last evil things and inconveniencies do too commonly happen for want of People thus setting their Houses in order before they die To set the House in order is spoken by way of Meâ—onomy that is to set the Things contained in the House in order and that is Goods as also Parchment Writings and Evidences câ—ncerning Lands as we Read that Jeremiah did Seal and Subscribe unto them when he made the purchase But this Phrase of the Holy Ghost hath a further meaning than all this even a Spiritual Sence and Signification therefore I now proceed to explain and handle it in that Threefold sence and meaning which the words will naturally bear without any forced or violent Construction made upon them As Man is usually considered in a Threefold Capacity outward Estate Body and Soul of which two last he is made up and constituted but the first is a thing appendant extrinsical and belonging to him So to set his House in order doth denote these three things 1st To set his outward Estate in order 2dly To set his Body in order 3dly To set his Soul in order for this is the most Principal thing That all these are severally meant included and intended when the Holy Ghost spake thus by Isaiah unto Hezekiah Set thine House in order will appear from other places of Scripture which was given by Inspiration from God as also from the very Nature and Reason of things It hath been observed that it is a Man's Prudence to make his last Will and Testament in the midst of Life and Health and to keep it always ready by him For the Party is never the nearer Death for so doing but only more ready and prepared for it For in
and ingrafted in the Body before we die because the end of Holiness is Everlasting Life 3dly By those Words Set thy House in order is denoted and shewn forth that we set our Souls in order The Phrase set thine House in order is a Metonomy for by the Name of the thing containing is meant the things contained in that House like as when mention is made of the Cup which Jesus a little before He was betrayed took Bâ—ead and gave thanks and gave it to them saying Drink ye all of this Mat. 26. 27. Thereby is intended not the bare outward Cup but the Wine contained in that Cup. And so in liâ—e manner this Phrase of the Spirit of God delivered by the Mouth of Isaiah doth not so much signifie that Hezekiah should set the outward Walls of his Palace or dwelling House in Order but rather his Houshold concerns which were contained in that House nay further that Tenement of Clay wherein Himself did inhabit his Flesh and Body this He should set in Order Nay to come yet closer and nearer to himself He should not so much set the earthly House of his Body in Order this should be done but yet much more He should set the Inhabitant of that earthly House viz. His Soul in Order Now what was commanded to Hâ—zekiah is the Duty of us all severally upon whom the ends of the World are come The Soul is not our House but the Inhabitant of our House and from the like Analogy and Reason of Things by the very same Interpretation and opening out of the Scriptures which the Eternal Spirit in the penning and giving them forth hath designed therein when He expresses the things contained therein by the Word or Name of the thing containing Therefore of necessity the Spirit of God did mean and intend thereby when He saith set thine House in Order set thy Soul in Order because that this Soul of ours is the Principal and I may say the only Thing that is most Immaterial and Substantial which is contained in this earthly House of ours If we compare Mat. 16. 26. For what is a Man proâ—â—â—ed if He shall gain the whole World and lose his Soul together with Luke 9. 25. where instead of his own Soul it is thus written What is a Man profited if He gain the whole World and lose himself Now put both theâ—e places together and from them both it will undeniably follow that the Soul is the Man himself Man fest Reason I will go on to add yet further evâ—n very Sense teacheth the same for we may understand and perceive that the Body is just enlivened and 〈◊〉 sensible but is as it were a meer Trunk or Engine for the Soul to Act in It is evidently seen that the Body upon the Decease or Departure of the Soul from out of it is just like an empty House Tenement or Cottage without any Inhabitant at all in it which as that thereupon doth fall into Ruin and Decay without any one to mind or look after it so the Body yet much sooner Moulders into Corruption Stink and Dust Fear and the Pit and the Snare are upon thee O Inhabitant of the Earth Isa 24. 17. This is a most proper and apposite Expression of the Holy Ghost to call us Inhabitants of the Earth From whence I will go on to Remark yet further that just like as Snails carry their Houses upon their Backs even so we carry about the Houses of our Habitation I mean this little Tenement of Clay the Body all along and every where with us We are wrapt up and covered all over with it And it is a moveable walking House that hath not Foundations Heb. 11. 9. which herein is opposite unto and distinct from that City which hath Foundations there mentioned in the next following Verse And also herein it is opposite unto and distinct from that House Eternal in the Heavens spoken of 2 Cor. 5. 1. Now what we must do or how to behave our selves to set our selves who inhabit and are contained within this earthly House in Order proceed we to shew according to that measure of Knowledge which our Creator hath given unto us To set in Order in one Sence is a kind of Speech which is used when from out of a great mixed and confused Multitude of Men these are Marshalled and put in order of an Army And indeed it is observed of a well Disciplined Army that it is one of the most orderly things in the World when each Officer and Souldier notwithstanding their vast Multitude knows and stands in his proper Place Rank and File not moving one Hands breadth from out of it to the Right Hand or to the Left and they do move and act nothing without Command or Order And so when we read in Joel 2. 7 8. And they shall March every one on his ways and they shall not break their Ranks neither shall one thrust another they shall walk every one in his Path Observe all this for these things being so written and dictated by his Spirit hereby we are shewn and instructed how God is infinitely pleased and delighted with this thing of Order in his Army and in the very great Camp for so it is there called verse 11. as indeed it is of his Creatures or Created Beings And from hence I would observe and make kâ—â—wn though it may seem a little Digression yet I shall soon again return to our subject Matter that when the Scripture stiles God in manifold Places of the Old Testament the Lord of Hosts It hath a much larger and more comprehensive meaning and signification herein that as He was King in an especial Manner over the Children of Israel for that Government was a more immediate Theocracy then over the other Nations so He was their Chief Captain or General of their Armies or Hosts and that He did fight their Baâ—tels in dispossessing their Enemies from out of it and giving them the Land of Canaan In Truth in this Sence He was the Lord of their Hosts as He did lead forth the Children of Israel by their Hosts from out of the Land of Egypt and gave them Possession of the promised Land And so in another Sence inasmuch as we are to Publish the Name of the Lord ascribe ye greatness unto our God Deut. 32. 3. And forasmuch as an Host or Army is one of the greatest and most terrible things here living on the Eaâ—th therefore when the Spirit or Spiritual Men would ascribe greatnâ—ss unto God they do in this manner express it by his being Lord which signifies Chief Ruler and that He hath Dominion and Authority over them and that He is greater in Power Strength and Multitude than all of them put together But cheifly the largest highest and most comprehensive meaning and signification of these Words the Lord of Hosts seems to be taken from that great Place in Isa 40. 26. Lift up your Eyes on high and behold who hath created
and Women is that they do noâ— lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset them Heb. 12. 1. from whence we learn that to supply and fill up what is here wanting is to actually lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us And to resist unto Blood striving against sin v. 4. This expression doth denote as much as till the Blood spurts and gushes forth Truly to lay aside every weight and the sin that doth so easily beset us and to resist unto Blood striving against sin are very great Lessons Soon indeed learned so as to have the Conception Notion and Knowledge thereof but very hard to be put in practice and to be done accordingly Yet it may be done for if it had been impossible God would not have Commanded and Required it for his Commandments are not grievous and He will not lay upon Man more than is right that hâ— should enter into Judgment with God according as it is said in Job We shall indeed wish that we had done all this when we come to die Now it being a Mans Prudence and Wisdom to do so throughout ones life as he shâ—ll indeed wish that he had done when he comes to die And again it being certain that we shall indeed wish and desire when we come to die suppose we were to die at this very moment should we not indeed wish and desire it I for my part should and so would others also for through want and neglect thereof do sensibly arise greater fears that we had laid aside â—very weight and the sin that doth so easily beset us anâ—â—hat we had resisted unto Blood striving against sin it follows that it is our Duty and Wisdom to set about that Work instantly and presently to endeavour and labour therein throughout the course of all our remaining days When there is too little weight we usually say there is somewhat wanting but here it is wanting in the Soul because there is too much weight even because it is of that sort which should not be viz. the weight of Sin Guilt and Corruption And I said what is it And he said this is an Ephah that goeth forth He said moreover this is wickedness and he cast it into the midst of the Ephah and he cast the weight of the lead upon the mouth thereof Zech. 5. 6 7 8. By this resemblance the Holy Ghost doth signifie and set forth That wickedness or sin is like unto a talent of lead mentioned ver 7. or a weight of lead ver 8. which is heavy and abides upon the Soul of him that hath contracted and committed the same This place of Hâ—brews 12. 1. Let us lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us and let us run with patience the race that is set before us is a kind of Speech and Direction taken from the manner and practice of Footmen Who when they are to run a Race for a Price or Wager they are so far from carrying any heavy thing or luggage in their Pockets that on the contrary they do usuallâ— strip themselves even of their necessary and wonted Clothes and Apparel lest even that should be too great a weight and hindrance unto them And so they run either naked or with a light Linnen Garment cast or wrapt about them to the intent they may be as nimâ—le and expedite as ever they can And so when I reflect and consider upon this throughly and also compare with it what I find written And the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron in Mount Hor by the coast of the land of Edom saying Aaron shall be gathered unto his People Take Aaron and Eâ—iezer his Son and bring them up unto Mount Hor and strip Aaron of his Garments And Moses stripped Aaron of his Garments Numb 20. 23 24 24 26 28. though indeed it was to put them on Eliezer his Son yet God in commanding and the Holy Ghost in recording that it was so done accordingly to strip Aâ—ron of his Garmâ—nâ—s before he died Though it was not altogether so sad and Melaneholly unâ—o Aaron as now it is to a poor Mâ—lefactor to see and feel himself stripped or unbuttoned before his Execution But this was also some punishment of Aaron s sin for he shall not enter into the land which I have given unâ—o the Children of Israel because he râ—bellâ—d against my Word at the Waters of Meribah v. 24. All this doth carry a Signification Instruction and Admonition to us upon whom the ends of the World arâ— come for our selves or others to strip off our Garmentâ— bâ—fore we die All one as we usually strip off our Garments when we go to Bed which is an Emblem oâ— Resemblance of the Grave Or as soon as People are dead they are usually stripped off from their Clothes when they are laâ—d out But that is done by force when know not and cannot help it But to do it before we die this is the Will and Requiring of the Lord God and this stripping off our Garments is one kind of setting our Souls in Order before we die As Moses stripped off Aaron's Garments now Moses was the Minister of God so it is the business of the Ministers oâ— God or rather of the Ministry of his Word to strip People off from their Garments before they die But what kind of Garments are they that are to be stripped off For there is a good kind of Garments which we read of even the Garments of Salvation and the Robe of Righteousness Isa 61. 10. Are People to be stripped of these In no wise But rather they are to be stripped of another sort that these may be put on For as Joseph of Arimathea craved the Body of Jesus and he bought fine linnen and toâ—k him down and wrapped him in the linnen And as we know the manner of us is to bury only to strip off such Clothes which the Person weared whilst living and to wrap the Body in clean or â—ine linnen Cloth according as the outward condition of the Party deceased is whether rich or poor or in a Shroud or woollen Cloth Even so God doth expect that against the time and as soon as ever we are stripped off from those kinds of Garments hereafter mentioned that to them it may be granted that they should be arrayed in fine linnen clean and white for the fineâ—linnen is the Righteousness of Saints Rev. 19. 8. But those kinds of Garments which the Ministers of God or rather the Minstry of his Word is to strip People of to the intent to set their Souls in Order befoâ—e they die are of two sorts The first we read of in Jude 23. Hating even the Garment spotted by the Flesh The second or rather both of them summoned up together we read in Isa 64. 6. But we are all as an unclean thing and our Righteousness as filthy Rags So that the Garment spotted by the Flesh the unclean thing and