first it seems to bear no such thing So Mat. 13. Christ expounds that Parable or Allegory for tho Rhetoricians make a difference between Metaphors Similes Parables and Allegories yet in Divinity there is none but that Allegories are more large and continued calling the Seed the Word and the Sower the Son of Man c. This way of expounding such dark Scriptures is both useful and necessary and was often used as edifying by our Lord Jesus to his Disciples Now 't is this we speak of which teacheth how to draw plain Doctrines out of Metaphors Allegories c. and not to draw Allegories out of plain Histories Secondly it may be asked When we are to account a Place of Scripture figurative or allegorick and seek some other meaning than what at first appears Answ 1. When the literal proper meaning looks absurd-like or is empty nothing to Edification as when 't is said Unless ye eat the Flesh of the Son of Man c. This is my Body c. And so those Scriptures that command to pluck out the right Eye and cut off the right Hand take up our Cross c. All which if literally understood were absurd and ridiculous and therefore the mistaking such Scriptures hath occasioned many grievous Errors as that of the Anthropomorphites attributing Members viz. Head Hands Feet c to God and Passions yea Infirmities as Anger Repenting c. because the Scriptures in such places speaking after the manner of Men metaphorically attribute such things to him 2. Those Places of Scripture are to be accounted Metaphorical or Allegorick which reach not the Scope of Edification intended by them if literally understood as when Christ spoke of Sowing Mat. 13. the Disciples thought something more was intended than at first appeared for his Aim could not be to discourse of Husbandry to them 3. When a literal Sence would obtrude some Falsity on the Scripture then such Places are to be taken Allegorically as when Christ said Destroy this Temple and I will build it up again in three Days Which if understood of the Material Temple Christ's Words would not have had their Accomplishment But he spoke figuratively of his Body So when Christ said Except a Man eat my Flesh and drink my Blood he cannot live it cannot be understood literally because many who have obtained Life never did so eat his Flesh c. 4. Any Scripture is to be accounted Figurative or Allegorical when the literal Sence agrees not with other Scriptures and is repugnant to the Analogy of Faith or Rules of good Manners as when we are commanâ—ed to heap Coals of Fire upon the Head of our Enemy now we being required not to avenge our selves it followeth clearly this Scripture is not properly or literally understood 5. When a literal Sence answers not to the present Scope of the Speaker and the Speaker would be thought impertinent if his Words were properly taken then it ought to be expounded in a figurative Sence So Mat. 3.10 when John is pressing Repentance he saith Now is the Ax laid to the Root of the Tree c. And the Parable of Christ Luk. 13.7 If these Places were only properly to be understood they would not enforce Repentance And now Reader had we not had good Encouragement from divers worthy Ministers in this City this as well as the former had never seen the Sun but the readiness of divers Persons upon the coming out of the First to subscribe for this hath midwiv'd it into the World where we expect it will meet with different Entertainment but I hope by this time through the Grace of God I have learned not to be concerned either about the Praise of some on the one hand or Dispraise and Contempt of others on the other hand not doubting but that this or the succeeding Age may receive Advantage by it and many bless God for it And if it bring Glory to God and Profit to his Church I have my chief End and shall be content tho I pass under the Censures of captious Men c. I must confess it is not all of my own compiling I have made use of some help from others partly to expedite the Work and partly for want of some Literature And now Reader that I may not retain thee longer at the Door I shall commit Thee and the Work to the Blessing of the Lord heartily begging an Interest in thy Prayers engaging not to forget thee in this evil and perilous Hour subscribe my self Thy Servant for Jesus's sake BENj KEACH London August 9. 1682. A TABLE OF The Heads of those Metaphors Similes borrowed Terms Types Figures and other chief Things insisted upon in this Book THe Divine Authority of the Holy Scripture asserted and vindicated Page j to xvj The Fifth HEAD of Metaphors Similes c. GRace compared to Salt Page 1 Truth compared to a Girdle Page 3 Righteousness a Breast-plate Page 9 Faith a Shield Page 13 Faith more precious than Gold Page 15 Hope an Helmet Page 22 Hope an Anchor Page 25 Love compared to Death and the Grave and to Flames of Fire Page 30 31 Love compared to Wine Page 32 Baptism a Burial Page 35 The Lord's Supper Page 38 Christ our Passeover Page 45 The Sixth HEAD c. concerning Angels and the Soul of Man Angels Watchers Page 50 Angels Morning-Stars Page 52 Angels Sons of God Page 53 Angels God's Host Page 55 Angels compared to the Face of a Man a Lion an Ox and an Eagle Page 57 Angels compared to the Wind and Flames of Fire Page 61 Angels called Horses red white speckled c. Page 63 64 Soul of Man compared to a Ship Page 64 Spirit of Man a Candle Page 67 Conscience a Witness Page 69 The Seventh HEAD c. concerning God's Church CHurch a City Page 76 to 85 Church compared to the Moon Page 86 Church the Temple of God or the Anti-type of Solomon's Temple Page 87 Church the Anti-type of the Second Temple Page 89 Church called an Olive-Tree Page 91 Church compared to an Inn Page 92 Church a Vine Page 93 Church compared to a Dove Page 94 Church compared to the Body natural Page 97 Church a Vineyard Page 99 Church called a Virgin Page 102 Church a Wife Page 103 Church compared to a Bush on fire Page 106 Church compared to a Mother Page 109 Church a Garden Page 112 Church a Lilly among Thorns Page 115 Church compared to a Merchant-Ship Page 118 Church a Golden Candlestick Page 120 Church called a Flock of Sheep Page 121 Church compared to an House Page 123 Church a Family Page 128 The Eighth HEAD c. concerning 1. Men in general 2. Good Men 3. Wicked Men. MAn compared to Earth Page 133 Man compared to a Worm Page 135 Man compared to a Flower Page 138 Concerning the Saints or Good Men. Saints called Babes Page 140 Saints Children Page 142 Saints Heirs Page 145 Saints Eagles Page 146 Saints Souldiers Page 148 to 161 Saints Runners Page 162 Saints the Salt of the Earth Page 166 Saints Merchants Page 168 Saints Pilgrims Page 170 Saints compared to Palm-Trees Page 175
like this or that Thing we are not to understand that it is so in all its Parts or in every Respect but only in such Things as are declared in the Similitude So Christ is compared to a Thief only in this respect because he comes in a Time when unlook'd for or when unexpected Luk. 12.39 9. All Parables do not conclude in the same but in a different Manner Some from Likeness a simili as the seven Parables Mat. 13. Some from Things unlike as that of the unjust Judge Him that desired three Loaves and the unjust Steward c. FINIS AN Alphabetical Table OF THE FOURTH BOOK A. Afflictions AFflictions compared to Fire in five respects Page 378 When Afflictions may be said to be very grievous Page 388 389 The Nature Kind and Cause of Afflictions largely opened Page 377 to 390 Ambassadors Ministers of Christ are his Ambassadors Page 282 Angels Angels why so called Page 49 They are compared to Watchers the Reason why shewed in five Things Page 50 Their Work and Office Page 50 51 52 Why they are called God's Host opened Page 53 54 Why they are compared to the Face of a Man c. opened Page 57 Why to a Flame of Fire opened Page 62 Why compared to Horses white red c. Page 63 64 Anchor Hope a sure Anchor shewed at large in eleven Particulars Page 26 27 28 Arrows Afflictions God's Arrows Page 389 What more particularly are God's Arrows Page 390 B. Babylon THe Church of Rome proved to be Mystery Babylon Page 297 First Negatively 1. By Whore of Babylon is not meant Jerusalem 2. Not the Turkish Empire 3. Not Rome Heathen 4. Not Protestants of any Denomination Page 300 to 303 Secondly In the Affirmative That by the Whore or Mystery Babylon is meant the present State and Church of Rome clearly evinced Page 322 to 326 Baptism Baptism how taken Page 36 37 Called a Burial Page 35 Babes Saints called Babes wherefore shewed in eighteen Particulars Page 140 141 Blind Wicked Men blind shewed in five Partic. Page 230 Bitter How a Saint may be sustained under bitter Afflictions Page 389 Breast-plate Why Righteousness is so called Page 10 11 Builders Why Ministers of the Gospel are called Builders opened in ten Particulars Page 277 278 Bulls Wicked Men why called Bulls Page 235 236 Burthen Sin a Burthen shewed in three things What a Burthen Sin is opened Page 344 The least Sin a Burthen to a tender Heart Page 344 Bush The Church compared to a Bush on Fire shewed in six things Page 106 107 108 C. Captives Wicked Men Captives with the Nature of their Captive-State opened Page 201 to 204 Clouds Christ 's Ministers why compared to Clouds Page 269 False Teachers compared to Clouds without Rain Page 294 Captain What kind of Captain Christ is shewed Page 158 Cedars Saints compared to Cedars opened in five Particulars Page 181 182 Children Saints called Children of God opened Page 142 143 Conscience What Conscience is opened Page 69 Conscience a Witness shewed in ten Particulars Page 70 71 72 The Excellency of a good Conscience Page 73 How a good Conscience may be known Page 74 City of God The Church called the City of God shewed in twenty Particulars Page 76 to 83 What a City Sion is Page 84 Church Church the Anti-type of Solomon's Temple Page 87 Church the Anti-type of the second Temple Page 89 Courage Saints like a Lion for Courage wherein their Courage ought to be shewed opened in eight Particulars Page 188 D. Day of Grace WHy so called Page 367 How to know when the Day of Grace draws towards an end shewed in five things Page 368 Darkness Divers Metaphorical Notations of Darkness Page 383 Hell a Place of utter Darkness Page 411 Affliction called Darkness Page 383 Death Death a Sleep why so called opened in three things Page 399 Dead Wicked Men dead in Sin what meant thereby opened in seven Particulars Page 227 228 Debt Debtors Sin a Debt why so called opened Page 332 334 How our Debts are satisfied for and yet freely forgiven largely opened Page 236 to 238 Wicked Men why called Debtors Page 200 Devil Wicked Men compared to the Devil Page 254 Devil why called a Lion and a Serpent Page 363 Dignity The great Dignity of Ministers Page 286 Dogs Wicked Men compared to Dogs in sixteen Particulars Page 232 c. Doves The Property of Doves and why the Saints are compared to them opened in 13 things Page 192 Deceivers Their many Ways to deceive laid open Page 295 Door What the Door is into the true Church Page 278 279 E. Eagles SAints compared to Eagles in ten things Page 141 Why wicked Men are compared to Eagles Page 253 F. Faith FAith why called a Shield Page 16 How you may know true Faith Page 15 16 17 The Necessity of Faith Page 19 20 The Difference between a weak and strong Faith Page 20 21 The Excellency of Faith Page 15 16 Family The Church called a Family Page 128 129 The Nature and Excellency of the Government thereof Page 128 129 Foxes Wicked Men why compared to Foxes Page 241 242 Forgiveness of Sin What it is we ask of God in that Petition Forgive us our Debts Page 340 341 No Forgiveness without Christ's Blood or Reconciliation made by him Page 342 Fowler Satan why called a Fowler and what a subtil Fowler he is opened in 5 Things Page 362 363 Floods Afflictions compared to Floods in 9 Things Page 386 In what respect God may be said to sit upon the Floods ibid Field This World why called a Field Page 392 Furnace Afflictions why compared to a Furnace Page 381 Fools Wicked Men Fools or Idiots opened Page 111 112 G. Garden THe Church why called a Garden opened in many Particulars Page 112 113 Girdle Truth why called a Girdle opened in 10 Partic. Page 4 to 8 Government The Nature of Church Order and Government opened in 12 Partic. Page 129 The Excellency of a Family or Church consists in its good and orderly Government Page 130 Gold The Nature of Gold and why Faith is compared to it opened in seven Partie Page 15 16 17 The Excellency of tryed Faith above Gold Page 18 The Godly why compared to Gold Page 190 191 Goats Why wicked Men as Hypocrites c. are compared to Goats Page 243 244 Why the Devil is call'd the God of this World Page 359 Godliness Godliness a great Mystery proved by nine Arguments Page 371 372 Gray-Hairs Sin and Judgments upon a People why called Gray-Hairs in six Things Page 357 England at this time gray-headed Page 359 H. Hardness CHrist's Souldiers must endure Hardness opened in seven Particulars Page 154 155 Harvest Day of Grace why called Harvest in 8 Things Page 370 Heirs Saints why called Heirs Heirs of God in six Things Page 145 Heart Heart of Flesh why so called and how such a Heart may be known in four things Page 194 Heaven Heaven why called Paradise Page 407 Heaven called
a Crown of Life Page 409 Hell Hell why called a Furnace of Fire Page 410 Heat Affliction compared to great Heat in 8 Things Page 387 Horn. The little Horn Dan. 7. proved to be the Pope Page 361 Hunter Satan why called a Hunter and what kind of Hunter he is opened in eight Partic. Page 361 Hope Hope a Helmet why so called Page 22 23 A Definition of Hope Page 22 I. Jewels SAints why called God's Jewels together with the Nature of Jewels opened in seven Things Page 198 Imitate Saints imitate God in five Things Page 144 Judgment-Day Judgment-Day compared to an Assize in eight Particulars Page 406 L. Lambs WHat meant by Lambs in a large Place Page 192 193 Labourers Ministers why called Labourers in 6 things Page 259 Christ's Labourers ought to be sufficiently provided for largely proved Page 260 261 Lilly The excellent Nature of the Lilly and why the Church is compared to it in 8 things Page 115 116 Light Light sown for the Righteous in five respects Page 384 Life Life of Man compared to a swift Post Page 393 To a swift Ship ibid To a Weavers Shuttle and to the Wind Page 394 To a Cloud and to a Flower Page 395 How we may know a Man who hath a Principle of spiritual Life in him Page 229 Lions Why Saints are compared to Lions shewed in five Things Page 188 189 Why wicked Men are compared to Lions Page 237 Locusts What meant by the Locusts out of the Bottomless Pit Page 137 Love Why Love is compared to Death and the Grave Page 30 Why to Coals and Flames of Fire Page 31 Christ's Love why compared to Wine opened in eight Things Page 34 M. Man WHy Man is compared to Earth opened in seven Things Page 133 134 Man why called a Worm and how fitly he may be compared thereto opened in ten Par. Page 136 Man like a Flower of the Field Page 138 139 Wicked Men mad or besides themselves opened in six Things Page 234 Marriage-Day The Resurrection-Day the Saints Marriage-Day and Coronation-Day Page 404 405 Merchants Saints spiritual Merchants in ten things Page 168 169 Ministers Ministers why called Angels Page 258 Work of a Minister hard in five Things Page 289 Who is a true Minister and how to be chosen and ordained Page 289 The Necessity of a Gospel Ministry Page 290 Mother Why the Church of God is called a Mother Page 110 The Church compared to the Moon Page 86 Morning The Resurrection compared to the Morning in nine Particulars Page 402 Mountains Why wicked Men are called Mountains Page 225 226 Myrtle-Trees The Nature of the Myrtle-Tree and what Fruit it bears and why the Godly are compared to it in seven Things Page 184 N. WIcked Men naked Page 247 O. Olive-Tree THe Nature of the Olive-Tree and why the Church is compared thereto Page 91 P. Palm-Tree WHat the Nature of it is and why the Godly are compared to it opened in nine Particulars Page 175 176 The Godly like the Palm-Tree flourish under heavy Pressures Page 177 Papists Papists confuted about Transubstantiation Page 38 39 Papists spiritual Thieves Page 246 Pilgrims Saints compared to Pilgrims opened Page 175 Priests Why the Saints are called Priests Page 200 Prince The Devil why called Prince of Darkness Page 360 Planters Ministers Planters why so called opened in fourteen Particulars Page 275 276 Plague Sin a Plague Page 349 The Plague of the Leprosy a Figure of Sin shewed in seven Things Page 344 Poyson Sin compared to Poyson in seven things Page 350 351 Poor Wicked Men poor and miserable shewed in seven Things Page 250 Providence Providence of God wonderful in preserving of his People in these Days Page 108 Providence of God compared to Clouds and Darkness Page 377 383 Prayer Saints must pray always what meant thereby Page 160 Special Seasons for extraordinary Prayer Page 160 Prayer a great Ordinance in six Things Page 160 161 What hinders the Saints Prayer Page 161 R. Race WHat a Man must do who would run the spiritual Race opened Page 162 to 165 Rod. Wicked Men the Rod of God in five Things Page 201 Afflictions called a Rod Page 379 What Voice is in the Rod Page 380 Rock The Heart of a Sinner compared to a Rock in seven Things Page 251 How to know a hard and rockie Heart shewed in five Things Page 252 Rulers Good Rulers their Qualifications and how chosen and govern Page 287 Ministers of the Gospel why called Rulers Page 287 S. Salt GRace compared to Salt in seven things Page 1 2 Saints compared to Salt Page 166 Satan Satan's Subtilty in warring against the Soul Page 153 Saints Saints joynt-Joynt-heirs and yet every one shall have Possession of the whole Inheritance Page 145 Sepulchre Hypocrites why compared to a Sepulchre in four Things Page 115 116 Sickness Sin a Sickness Page 352 What a Sickness Sin is opened Page 352 353 Sin The evil and abominable Nature of Sin largely opened by divers Metaphors Page 331 to 350 Singing Singing of Psalms an Ordinance of God Page 107 Spirit The Spirit of a Man why called the Candle of the Lord shewed in four Things Page 68 Ship Why the Church is compared to a Ship Page 118 Shepherds Ministers compared to Shepherds in 8 things Page 280 Sluggards Wicked Men called Sluggards Page 207 to 210 Stewards Every Saint a Steward why so called Page 195 Why Ministers are called Stewards Page 272 273 Souldiers Saints Souldiers of Jesus Christ largely opened in twenty two Particulars Page 149 to 157 Spokesmen Ministers Christ's Spokesmen opened in six Things Page 268 269 Swine The Nature of Swine and why wicked Men are compared to them in many Partic. Page 216 217 Sleep Death why called a Sleep Page 394 The Difference between the Sleep of the Godly and the Vngodly Page 394 Summer Day of Grace called Summer in 5 things Page 369 T. Tares WIcked Men compared to Tares Page 222 223 Thieves Thief Wicked Men called Thieves Page 245 Sin why called a Thief Page 331 Thorns Wicked Men why compared to Thorns Page 124 Trade Godliness a Trade opened in thirteen Particulars Page 371 to 376 The excellent Trade of the City of God Page 84 85 Truth The Excellency of Truth Page 7 8 Truth taken variously Page 3 Trumpeters Ministers why called Trumpeters Page 263 to 267 Types A Treatise of Types Page 413 to the End V. Vessels SAints compared to Vessels Page 186 187 Vipers The Nature of Vipers and why wicked Men are so called Page 248 Vineyard The Church compared to a Vineyard Page 99 100 Virgin The Church compared to a Virgin Page 103 104 Vomit What meant by turning to the old Vomit Page 354 Uncleanness Sin an unclean Thing nothing so unclean as Sin opened in five Things Page 355 The woful Uncleanness of Man by Nature Page 356 W. Watchmen MInisters why called Watchmen Page 263 264 Wells Why False-Teachers are called Wells with-Water Page 293 Willow-Trees Why Saints are compared to Willow-Trees Page 183 Winter Afflictions compared to Winter in 8 things Page 382 Wilderness This World a Wilderness in eight respects Page 341 Wheat Saints compared to Wheat Page 178 179 A Trial of Wheat from Tares Page 177 Wormwood Afflictions compared to Worm in 3 things Page 388 Wounds What a kind of Wound Sin is opened in ten Particulars Page 346 When a Wound may be said to be deadly or incurable Page 345 346 World The End of the World why called Harvest Page 392 FINIS
Saints compared to Wheat Page 178 Saints compared to Light Page 180 Saints compared to Cedars Page 182 Saints compared to Myrtle-Trees Page 184 Saints compared to Willows Page 185 Saints why called Vessels Page 186 Saints why called Lions Page 188 Saints compared to Gold Page 190 Saints compared to Doves Page 192 Some Saints like Lambs in a large Place Page 193 The Heart of a Saint compared to an Heart of Flesh Page 194 Saints Stewards Page 195 Saints why called Jewels Page 196 Saints why called Kings Page 199 Saints called Priests Page 200 Concerning Wicked Men. Wicked Men Captives Page 201 Wicked Men why called Sluggards Page 209 Wicked Men Fools or Idiots Page 211 Some wicked Men like painted Sepulchres Page 215 Wicked Men compared to Swine Page 216 Wicked Men Debtors Page 219 Wicked Men why called the Red of God Page 221 Wicked Men compared to Tares Page 222 Wicked Men compared to Chaff Page 223 Wicked Men compared to Thorns Page 224 Wicked Men compared to Mountains Page 225 Wicked Men dead in Sin what meant thereby Page 227 228 Wicked Men mad or besides themselves Page 231 Wicked Men called Dogs Page 232 Wicked Men called Bulls Page 235 Wicked Men called Lions Page 237 Wicked Men compared to Foxes Page 241 Wicked Men compared to Goats Page 243 Wicked Men compared to Thieves Page 245 Wicked Men naked Page 247 Wicked Men Vipers Page 248 Wicked Men poor and miserable Page 250 The Heart of a Wicked Man like a Rock Page 251 Wicked Men why called Eagles Page 253 Wicked Men why called Devils Page 254 The Ninth HEAD c. concerning True Ministers False Ministers and False Churches TRue Ministers why called Angels Page 256 True Ministers Stars why so called Page 258 Christ's Ministers called Labourers Page 259 Christ's Ministers called Watchmen Page 265 Christ's Ministers why called Trumpeters ibid Ministers Christ's Spokesmen Page 267 Christ's Ministers why called Clouds Page 269 Christ's Ministers why called Fathers Page 271 Christ's Ministers called Planters Page 273 Christ's Ministers called Shepherds Page 281 Christ's Ministers Ambassadors Page 282 Christ's Ministers called Rulers Page 287 Concerning False Teachers False Teachers why compared to Wolves Page 291 False-Teachers called Foxes Page 293 False-Teachers called Wells without Water Page 293 False-Teachers why called Clouds without Rain Page 294 False-Teachers called Deceivers Page 294 False Churches Mystery Babylon or the Great Whore proved to be the present State and Church of Rome Page 297 to 330 The Tenth HEAD of Metaphors concerning Sin and the Devil SIn why called a Thief Page 331 Sin a Debt Page 335 Sin an heavy Burthen Page 343 Sin a Sting Page 344 Sin a Wound Page 345 Sin a Plague Page 349 Sin compared to deadly Poyson Page 350 Sin a Sickness Page 352 Sin compared to an abominable Vomit Page 354 Sin an Vncleanness or nothing so loathsom as Sin Page 355 Sin compared to Gray-Hairs Page 357 Concerning the Devil The Devil why called the God of this World Page 359 The Devil why called a Prince Page 360 The Devil a Hunter Page 361 The Devil a Fowler Page 362 The Devil why called a Lion Page 363 The Devil why called a Dragon Page 364 The Devil a Serpent Page 365 The Eleventh HEAD c. concerning the Means of Grace and Providence THe Day of Grace what Page 367 Means of Grace compared to Summer Page 369 Means of Grace compared to Harvest Page 369 Godliness called a Trade largely opened Page 371 376 Of Providence and Afflictions Afflictions compared to Clouds Page 377 Afflictions compared to Fire Page 378 Afflictions why called a Rod Page 379 Afflictions compared to a Furnace Page 381 Afflictions compared to Winter ibid Afflictions compared to Darkness Page 383 Afflictions compared to Tempests Page 385 Afflictions compared to a Flood Page 386 Afflictions compared to great Heat Page 387 Afflictions compared to Wormwood and Gall Page 388 Afflictions called God's Arrows God hath many sharp Arrows Page 389 The Twelfth and Last HEAD concerning the World the Life of Man and the four last Things THe World compared to a Wilderness Page 391 THe World a Field Page 392 The End of the World why called an Harvest ibid Of the Life of Man The Life of Man compared to a swift Post Page 393 The Life of Man compared to a swift Ship ibid The Life of Man compared to an Eagle hastening to her Prey Page 394 The Life of Man compared To a Weaver's Shuttle Page 394 395 396 To the Wind Page 394 395 396 To a Cloud Page 394 395 396 To a Flower Page 394 395 396 To a Shadow Page 394 395 396 Of Death The Body of Man in the Grave compared to Seed sown Page 398 Death compared to Sleep Page 398 399 Death a Departure Page 400 Death a Rest ibid Of the Resurrection The Resurrection compared to the Morning Page 401 The Resurrection compared to an awaking out of Sleep Page 402 The Resurrection-Day a Man's Reaping-Day Page 403 Resurrection-Day a Saint's Coronation-Day Page 405 Of the Judgment-Day The Day of Judgment called an Assize Page 406 407 Of Heaven Heaven called Paradise Page 407 Heaven the Crown of Life Page 409 Of Hell Hell a Furnace of Fire Page 410 Hell utter Darkness Page 411 Moses's Vail removed OR A Treatise of TYPES ADam wherein a Type of Christ Page 413 Noah how a Type of Christ ibid Melchis deck a Type of Christ Page 414 Abraham a Type of Christ Page 415 Isaac a Type of Christ ibid Jacob how a Type of Christ Page 416 Jacob's Ladder a Tyye of Christ ibid Joseph in what respect a Type of Christ Page 416 417 Moses in how many things a Type of Christ ibid Sampson a Type of Christ Page 418 David in ten things a Type of Christ Page 418 419 Solomon in how many things a Type of Christ Page 420 Elisha a Type of Christ ibid Jonah wherein a Type of Christ ibid Zerubbabel a Type of Christ ibid Aaron a Type of Christ Page 421 The High-Priest a Type of Christ Page 421 422 423 What the Tabernacle was a Type of Page 423 424 The Vail of the Holiest what it was a Type of Page 424 The Ark a Type of Christ Page 425 The Mercy-Seat a Type of Christ ibid The Table of Shewbread what a Type of ibid The Candlestick what a Type of Page 426 The Altar of Perfume a Type of Christ ibid The Altar of Burnt Offering a Type of Christ Page 427 The Brazen Laver what it was a Type of ibid The Sacrifice of Beasts a Type of Christ Page 428 The Burnt-Offering of Fowls a Type of Christ Page 429 The Daily Sacrifice a Type of Christ ibid The Sin-Offering a Type of Christ ibid The Meat-Offering what it was a Type of Page 430 The Peace-Offering and what it was a Type of Page 431 The solemn yearly
in Christ partakes of Christ's spiritual Nature John 3.6 That which is born of the Spirit is Spirit or spiritual IV. A Babe is formed by the mighty Power of God in the Womb. IV. A Saint is formed or created by the mighty Power of Christ and by the Spirit We are his Workmanship Eph. 2.10 created in Christ Jesus to good Works V. A Babe is born or brought forth into the World V. A Saint is born of God Psal 87.5 And of Zion it shall be said this and that Man was born in her Ministers are said to travail to bring forth Children to Christ VI. A Babe hath all the Parts and Lineaments of a Man if it be a perfect Birth VI. A Babe in Christ hath all the Essentials of a true Christian he hath all the Parts and Lineaments of a new Creature There is a Formation or a gracious Work in every Faculty a partaking of every Grace tho at first forming not come to full Growth and Perfection VII A Babe when born is observed to come into the World crying VII A Babe in Christ when first born again or spiritually brought forth cries to God is much in Prayer God hath no Children that are born dumb Behold Acts 9. he prayeth which was a clear Demonstration that he was born again or a new Creature VIII A Babe new-born desires the Milk of its Mothers Breast VIII A Babe in Christ desires the sincere Milk of the Word viz. the sweet saving and comfortable Doctrine of the Gospel IX Babes are harmless free from Malice IX Babes in Christ are or should be harmless concerning Malice as Children X. A Babe when first born if not diseased is observed to grow much in a little time its Growth is then more visible than afterwards X. A Babe in Christ or a true Christian when first converted if not spiritually distempered grows much We read of some of the Saints who soon after they received the Word of Truth grew exceedingly tho afterwards a Saints Growth in Grace is not so visible XI A Babe needs much tending must be carefully look'd after or it may suffer much It is carried in the Arms dandled upon the Knees and laid in the Bosom and hath many a Kiss from the Father and Mother XI Babes in Christ need also much spiritual Tendence and looking after Christ as well as his Church and Ministers takes much care of them Isa 40 10 11. He carrieth these in his Arms and layeth them in his Bosom They have many a gracious Kiss of Christ's Mouth or Promise of his Word whereby he seals up his Love to them XII Babes after they are grown up are taught to speak plain not to chatter and cry only but to talk and speak intelligibly and also to go XII A Babe in Christ is taught by Christ also to pray and speak in Prayer more plainly or to express it self and make known its Wants more intelligibly and also how to go and walk in the Ways of God's Commandments Hos 11.3 I taught Ephraim to go taking him by the hand XIII Babes are weak in Knowledg and Understanding When I was a Child 1 Cor. 13. I thought as a Child I understood as a Child From hence they many times are froward peevish and soon take distaste small things will offend them XIII A Babe in Christ is usually weak in spiritual Understanding or in the Mysteries of the Gospel and from hence are very subject also to be offended with this thing and that thing which strong Christians can bear Many of the young Disciples in the Primitive Time were offended at those that did eat Meat c. XIV A Babe after it is grown up doth not expect that its Father or Mother should dandle it upon their Knees or seem visibly to shew that Love to it as at first when it was very young XIV So Christians when they are grown to some degree of Ripeness in Understanding should not expect to be always dandled upon the Knee of Promises or lie in the Arms and Bosom of Christ I mean have such visible Expressions or Manifestations of his Love knowing they are his Children and in his Covenant in his Family and under his Care Eye and gracious Provision and Protection XV. A sweet Babe one that is very quiet and good-conditioned is greatly delighted in and wonderfully beloved by its Parents when others tho their Parents cannot but have Parental Affection to them yet have not so great a Love as to him or her that is so pleasant in their Eye XV. So a young Christian that is of a humble sweet and contented Disposition not cross and froward under the Hand and Providence of God but takes all patiently is mightily prized and beloved by Jesus Christ Is not Ephraim my dear Son Is he not a pleasant Child c. How did Christ delight in John that sweet and precious Disciple XVI Children need good and careful Education to be kept under good Discipline and have good Instruction Train up a Child when he is young in the Way wherein he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it XVI Young Christians need also good Instruction many things they are to learn that they may wisely behave themselves in the House and Family of God They must more especially be taught the good Discipline of God's Church that they may know how they ought to go in and out before one another See Dear Children XVII Some Babes or young Children if their Parents do not give them what they would have of this or that presently throw away what they have and are angry and think they do not love them XVII So some young Christians because God doth not give them such lâ—rge Knowledg and Experience of Himself and other good Things of the Spirit they slight all God hath been pleased to bestow upon them and conclude God doth not love them XVIII Babes for these and other Faults often feel the Rod. XVIII So Christians are oft-times under the Rod of God for their Faults Saints compared to Children Rom. 8.17 If Children then Heirs c. Gal. 3.16 For ye all are the Children of God by Faith in Christ Jesus Eph. 5.1 Be ye Followers of God as dear Children SAints are God's dear Children not only Children but dear Children Dear Children hath reference to two things 1. To that high Esteem their Parents have of them 2. To that gracious and sweet Disposition such Children are of Children Parallel CHildren are begotten of their Parents and brought forth into this World THe Saints are begotten of God Of his own Will begat he them Every one that â—â—veth him that begat 1 John 5.1 loveth him also that is begotten of him They are also brought forth by him into a State of Grace II. Children partake of the Nature of their Parents even of their very Flesh and Bone II. The Saints by their being begotten of God through Faith In a
House of the Lord all the days of my Life c. XII A dear Child will strive to imitate his Father and walk in his Steps in all things that are just and right Thus Solomon was exhorted to follow the good Example of his Father David XII So a dear Saint takes care to follow God Be ye Followers of God Eph. 5.1 as dear Children Be ye holy for I am holy That is the Precept and a sincere Soul labours so to be it is his great desire to be like God and Christ as near as he can Be ye Followers of me as I am of Christ Jesus 1. A Saint strives to follow God and Christ in Love We are taught of God to love one another 2. In Humility What a Pattern hath God in Christ laid before us herein Mat 11.28 Phil. 2.5 6 Learn of me saith our Saviour for I am meek and lowly in Heart c. Let the same Mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus 3. In being merciful and kind to all Be ye merciful Mat. 5.45.48 as your Father that is in Heaven is merciful 3. In hating and abominating that which is evil God loaths Sin and so doth every sincere Christian 5. In Forgiveness they strive to be like God in this He is ready to pardon forgive and forget Injuries done to him and so ought his Children Eph. 4.34 And be ye kind one to another and tender-hearted forgiving one another as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you God forgiveth freely universally and for ever so must they Inferences LAbour to follow God as dear Children 1. Sincerely not in Hypocrisy not for Loaves 2. Speedily do not defer it I made haste saith David c. 3. In whatsoever he commands you 4. Diligently 5. Follow him through all Difficulties and Hardships as Caleb did c. and as Ruth followed Naomi 6. Follow him humbly 7. Follow him joyfully 8. Follow him when others leave him 9. Follow him constantly even to the end 10. And lastly follow none but him forsake all those that would lead you astray Christ's Sheep will not follow Strangers they will follow God and not Baal II. From hence every one may perceive whether they are God's Children yea or no. III. This shews also what great Dignity God hath conferred upon Believers Behold what manner of Love is this God hath bestowed upon us 1 Joh. 3.1 2 that we should be called the Sons of God If David thought it no small thing to be Son in Law to an earthly King what an Honour hath God conferred on us Rom. 8. IV. Saints may from hence read their Privileges If Children then Heirs Heirs of God and joynt-Joynt-Heirs with Christ. Saints compared to Heirs Rom. 8.17 If Children then Heirs c. Rev. 21.7 He that overcometh shall be Heir of all things Note The Saints of God are Heirs Heirs of God Heirs of all things c. Heirs Parallel THe First-born had a Princely Power and Dominion over their Brethren who bowed down before them they were next their Fathers in Honour THe Saints are made Kings to God are called Kings and Princes Isa 32.1 A King shall reign in Righteousness and Princes shall decree Judgment They shall have Dominion over the Mighty of the Earth in their Day They are next to Christ in Honour Rev. 3.21 and shall sit upon the Throne with him II. The First-born were Priests in their Father's Family till the Levites came in II. The Saints are Priests as well as Kings to God Rev. 1.6 1 Pet. 2.5 He hath made us Kings and Priests c. They are called an holy Priesthood to offer up a holy and acceptable Sacrifice unto God III. The First-born had the Inheritance the rest had but a Piece of Money And to this day we see that Men use to make their Inheritance over to the First-born and besides the Inheritance they had a double Portion of Goods III. The Saints have the eternal Inheritance made over to them the World hath but a small Allowance for all they have amounts to no more than Vanity God giveth himself and all he hath to Believers they have a double Portion an Hundred-fold in this Life and in the World to come Life everlasting IV. An Heir sometimes stays a great while before he comes to the full Possession of the Inheritance and until then he is under Tutors and Governors and differeth but little from a Servant IV. The Saints patiently wait a while being under Age before they come to the full Possession of the Inheritance purchased for them by Christ and until they come to full Age they are under Tutors and Governors who deal hardly with them and they seem not to differ from Servants V. The First-born had a peculiar Sort of Apparel whereby they were distinguished from others such was Esau's goodly Raiment which Rachel put upon Jacob. V. The Saints are cloathed with a goodly Raiment viz. the Righteousness of Christ Holiness is the Saints Livery whereby they are distinguished from the rest of the World VI. The First-Born had the Blessing annexed to them and unless they were supplanted as Esau was by Jacob they were blest of their Father especially when their Fathers were at the point of Death VI. The Saints are the Blessed of the Lord none can take either Birth-right or Blessing away from them they are blessed and shall be blessed The Lord Jesus blessed them at his Departure and that Blessing shall never depart from them Heirs Disparity AMong Men all a Man's Children are not Heirs nor can they fully possess the same Estate entirely to themselves as if but one had it BUt all the Saints are Heirs together they are all Joynt-heirs and yet every one hath all to himself They have all one and the same Father one and the same Christ one and the same Spirit the same Apparel the same Grace all one Faith Hope c. all the same Promises same Attendance viz. the holy Angels the same Crown Kingdom and Eternal Inheritance II. Heirs among Men have but a small Inheritance What is all this World Luther called all the Turkish Empire but a Crust God casts to a Dog II. But the Saints are Heirs of all Things Heirs of Heaven and Earth too Heirs of God And what is there more what can a Man ask or desire to have would he have more than all III. An Heir among Men is often deprived by Force or Craft of his Title and turned out of all III. But the Saints cannot by Force or Fraud be deprived of their Title to Eternal Life That it may be sure and firm to them it is made over to them by the Oath of God See Light in the First Volume Saints compared to Eagles Isa 40.31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their Strength they shall mount up with Wings as Eagles Psal 103.5 Who satisfieth thy Mouth with good Things so that thy Youth is renewed like the
more safe and secure to dwell in and some Cities have two or three Walls to make them more impregnable II. The Church of God hath strong Walls about it We have a strong City Isa 26.1 Salvation will God appoint for Walls and Bulwarks The Church hath a threefold Wall about it First The Wall of God's Providence Hast not thou made a Hedg or Wall about him As the Mountains are round about Jerusalem Job 1. Psal 125.2 so the Lord is round about them that fear him c. Secondly The Protection of the holy Angels Psal 34.7 The Angels of the Lord encamp round about them that fear him c. Thirdly God in an extraordinary manner is as a Wall of Fire round about her Zech. 2.5 every one of his Attributes is a gracious Defence to the Church III. Some Cities are bravely scituated they are built upon a Hill III. The Church of God is famous upon this account Beautiful for Scituation Psal 48.2 the Joy of the whole Earth is Mount Zion on the sides of the North the City of the great King Mat. 16.18 Ye are as a City set upon a Hill IV. A City is built of many Materials and in it are many Buildings or Houses set in rare Uniformity curiously joined and compacted together IV. The Church of God is built up of many living Stones consisting of divers particular Societies or spiritual Houses Now therefore ye are no more Strangers and Foreigners Eph. 2.19 20 21 22. but Fellow-Citizens with the Saints and of the Houshold of God And are built upon the Foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himself being the chief Corner-stone In whom all the Building fitly framed together groweth to an holy Temple in the Lord c. In whom ye also are builded together for an Habitation of God through the Spirit Jerusalem is builded as a City that is compact together Psal 122.3 V. A City hath its particular Laws Institutions and Customs by which it is governed V. The Church of God also hath special Laws Institutions and Customs belonging to it by which it is in all things governed which are contained in the holy Scripture the great Charter and Statute-Book of the Church VI. A City hath a supreme Governor in it who rectifies all Disorders and Confusions that otherwise would be therein considering the Multitude of its Inhabitants VI. The Church of God is not without a good Government and a Supreme Magistrate viz. the Lord Jâ—sus Christ who is the chief Judg and Law-giver or Head of this spiritual Corporation VII A City hath besides the chief Governor and principal Magistrate divers inferior Officers for Administration of Justice and well governing thereof VII So the Church of God hath inferior Officers under Jesus Christ which the Citizens by the appointment of Christ are required to substitute and ordain to govern and keep all things in good Order And he gave some Apostles Ephes 4.8 9 10 11 12. and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastors and Teachers c. VIII A City hath some special Trade belonging to it by which its Inhabitants are enriched VIII The Church or City of God hath a spiritual Trade belonging to it which all the Citizens do and ought always to follow by which they are also greatly enriched IX Many Cities have Merchants in them who trade into remote parts of the World and fetch their Merchandize from afar IX The Saints or Citizens of Zion are all Merchants who trade daily to Heaven they fetch their blessed Merchandize from thence Phil. 3.20 Prov. 41. Our Conversation is in Heaven Hence the Church is by Solomon compared to Merchants Ships See Merchants Ships Saints have like other Merchants their Correspondent Jesus Christ who makes glorious Returns of all they venture or send to Heaven For every Duty rightly performed he makes Returns of Mercy for Tears of godly Sorrow he returns them the Oil of Joy Thou wilt saith holy David put my Tears into thy Bottle By which means the spiritual Citizens grow rich in Faith Hope Experience c. See the Parable of the Merchant-man Now touching the Trade Traffick or Merchandize of this City upon which its Wealth and Prosperity doth wholly depend take what follows First Their Trade is heavenly Wherefore holy Brethren Heb. 3.1 2 Partakers of the heavenly Calling consider the Apostle and High-Priest of our Profession Jesus Christ And as they are all Merchants and use one Trade so they all deal with one and the same Benefactor from whom they have quick Returns they fetch their Goods from afar Something touching the Excellency of the Trade of the City of God I shall hint in a few Particulâ—rs Secondly As touching her Commodities or the Merchandize which her Citizens deal in First Negatively 1. They are not prohibited Goods 2. They are not counterfeit Goods 3. They are not temporal and corruptible Goods Secondly Affirmatively and more directly they are 1. Soul enriching Commodities things that are of very great worth and value The Merchandize of Wisdom is better than the Merchandize of Silver Prov. 3.14 and the Gain thereof than fine Gold 2. They are needful things such things as we cannot be without Some things that Merchants of a City deal in and fetch from afar tho they are of great value yet we may very well subsist and live comfortably without them as Pearl and precious Stones c. But there is an absolute Necessity of all those things the Citizens of this City trade in and for 3. They are such Commodities as will make the Nations and Persons that buy them happy for ever and indeed there is no true Happiness without them Quest What is the Traffick of this City of God Answ The first thing that I shall mention is the Truth this she offers to Sale Buy the Truth and sell it not Prov. 23.23 The Church is called the Pillar and Ground of Truth 1 Tim. 3.15 Truth is only to be found in this City or in the Ware-Houses of the Citizens of Zion viz. the Word of God and the Hearts of Believers The second thing is a Soul-converting Gospel and blessed Ordinances The Law goeth forth of Zion and the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem Mic. 2.4 The third thing they deal in are the Gifts and Soul-enriching Graces of the Spirit Hope Love Humility c. things of very great worth The fourth is Justification every true Sinner makes it his Business to get this precious Treasure The fifth thing is the Peace of God which passeth all Understanding one of the rarest Commodities in the World The sixth thing is Union and Communion with God 1 Joh. 1.3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you that ye also may have fellowship with us and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ The seventh thing is Peace of Conscience Herein do I exercise my self Acts 24.16
Diet. III. So the Church is a Place of Soul-refreshment to all spiritual Travellers and Pilgrims There is both the sincere Milk of the Word and strong-Meat 1 Pet. 2.1 2. Heb. 5.12 all things ready the Soul needs Some are for one sort of Diet some for another In the Church also is sweet Repose there Christ giveth Rest to the Weary IV. An Inn sometimes lodgeth unknown to the Host evil Persons Thieves and Deceivers IV. So the Church notwithstanding all the Care that is taken by her Officers doth sometimes receive or take in false Professors such as are unsound at Heart Hypocrites and deceitful Workers V. An Inn is a very desirable Place to Men in their Journey V. So is the Church of God hence David longed after the Courts of God's House Psal 84.2 VI. An Inn is not a Place to abide long in the Traveller takes up his Abode in it but a Night or two and he is gone VI. So the Church Militant is no long abiding Place Christians stay in it but for a short time 't is a Place of Refreshment as it were for a Night Psal 30.5 Heb. 13.14 Here we have no continuing City we are Strangers as all our Fathers were when we come to Heaven we shall abide with the Church Triumphant for ever Metaphor Disparity IN an Inn there is little to be had without Money if a Man hath not Money or Credit he is no Guest for them THe Church is a Place for the Poor for such as have no Money they are welcome thither The Doors of this Inne are always open to all sincere Souls whether they be poor or rich II. A Man that comes to lodge in an Inn tho he hath never so good Entertainment yet he is not contented to stay there he makes ready in the morning to go forward in his Journey II. But he that comes to take up his Lodging in the Church or spiritual Inn if he be sincere desireth not to go out from thence any more he desireth to dwell therein as long as he liveth tho our abiding in this World is but compared to a Night One thing have I desired of the Lord and that will I seek after Psal 27.4 that I may dwell in the House of the Lord all the Days of my Life III. An Inn may be so full of Guests that a weary Traveller especially if he come late can have no Entertainment but is forced to seek it elsewhere Luk. 2.8 There was no Room for them in the Inne III. The Church was never yet so full but that there was Room for all those that were weary and heavy-laden All that ever truly travelled towards Sion have found Entertainment there nay Mat. 22 3 to 14. tho the Servants of the Lord have been sent into the Streets and Lanes to fetch in the Poor and the Maimed and the Halt and the Blind and they do accordingly yet there is Room As there can be no want of any Accommodation of spiritual Food so there is no want of Room All that have been called by the Word and Spirit and compelled by Grace to come in in all Ages have had blessed Entertainment and as God hath enlarged and encreased Converts so he hath enlarged and encreased the Church by three thousand at a time Acts 2.40 IV. Commonly those that lodge in an Inn are Strangers and Foreiners and staying but a night or a very short time have no acquaintance with any that dwell therein IV. But the Saints that are in the spiritual Inn the Church Eph. 2.19 are no more Strangers and Foreigners but therein make their abode for tho it be said 't is but for a Night or a Day c. yet 't is as long as they live and they get very great Acquaintance with those that dwell therein Inferences BLess God that he hath provided such a Place of Refreshment for poor weary Travellers 2. You that look upon your selves to be Strangers and Pilgrims in this World may learn from hence where to take up your Lodging 3. Also it may inform God's People and faithful Ministers what care they ought to take in receiving Men and Women into the Church Inn-keepers will examine all suspicious Persons The Church compared to a Vine Psal 80.8 Thou hast brought a Vine out of Egypt thou hast cast out the Heathen and planted it c. Verse 14. Behold and visit this Vine c. Cant. 2.15 For our Vines have tender Grapes c. Hos 14.8 And flourish as the Vine The Church is compared to a Vine Metaphor Parallel A Vine is no beautiful Plant yet very fruitful it abounds with inward Sap. SO the Church altho she doth not seem so beautiful to carnal Eyes yet she is very fruitful to God Psal 104.6 The Trees of the Lord that is the Saints of God are full of Sap full of Divine Vertue or good Fruits II. A Vine spreads forth its Branches and accordingly grows much in a short time II. So the Lord 's spiritual Vine hath in former times exceedingly spread her Branches forth the Mountains are said to be covered with the Shadow of it and the Boughs thereof were like the goodly Cedars Psal 80.8 9 10 11. She stretched out her Branches to the Sea and her Boughs unto the River Israel God's ancient Vine grew wonderfully and so did the Gospel-Vine how did it in a little time spread forth its spiritual Branches Eastwards and Westwards over many Nations and Kingdoms She extended her Bouhgs into Parthia Media Mesopotamia Egypt Judea Cappadocia Pontus Asia Pamphilia Lybia Spain Italy England c. III. The Vine must have much Pains taken with it it needs Pruning often or else it will decay III. So God takes much pains with his Church it is pruned and purged Joh. 15.2 that it may bring forth the more Fruit. IV. The Vine is in it self but a weak Plant and therefore needs Under-propping IV. So the Church is in her self but weak and needs to be born up by Christ God is the Strength of his People they are wholly supported by Him V. Tho the Vine hath many Branches yet all have a Sufficiency of Sap and Nourishment from the Root to make them fruitful V. So the Church tho she hath many Members yet all receive a Sufficiency of Grace and Divine Virtue of the Root viz. the Lord Jesus to make them fruitful VI. The Vine if it be barren or unfruitful is the most unprofitable of any Tree and fit for nothing but the Fire Son of Man what cometh of the Vine-Tree above all other Trees and of the Vine-Branches which is amongst the Trees of the Forrest Shall Wood be taken thereof to hang any Vessel thereon Behold it is cast into the Fire to be burnt VI. So are the Members of the visible Church if unfruitful good for nought but to be cut down and cast into the Fire as our Saviour himself sheweth John 15. Therefore thus saith
the Lord Ezek. 15.6 As the Vine-Tree that is amongst the Trees of the Forrest which I have given to the Fire to be consumed so will I give the Inhabitants of Jerusalem I will set my Face against them they shall go out of one Fire and another Fire shall consume them And ye shall know that I am the Lord c. The Church compared to a Dove Cant. 2.14 O my Dove that art in the Clifts of the Rock c. Psal 74.19 O deliver not the Soul of thy Turtle-Dove unto the Multitude c. THat is thy Church and People who worship none but Thee as the Turtle-Dove that never entertains Conjunction with another and who in their Affliction like a Dove express their Grief in Sighs and solitary Groans to thee and which is unarmed weak simple and meek like the Turtle-Dove which is esteemed the least among the Species of Doves as Aristotle says The Chaldee renders it The Soul of such as learn thy Law that Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Turtle-Dove being of some affinity with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Law Christ calls his Church a Dove by which Metaphor saith Glassius its Simplicity Chastity c. is denoted Doct. That the Spouse of Christ or a gracious Soul is or may fitly be compared unto a Dove Metaphor Parallel A Dove is a meek and harmless Creature Be ye innocent as Doves THe Saints of God are injurious to none they seek the hurt of no Man they are and ought to be harmless Phil. 2.15 the Children of God in the midst of a crooked and perverse Generation II. The Dove makes her Nest in the Rock Cant. 4.14 her Safety and Place of Abode is in the Clifts of the Rock II. The Saints make their Abode in the Rock Christ they build only in him Exod. 3◠22 and upon him and indeed in the Clifts of this Rock they rest viz. in the Wounds Piercings Dyings and Crucifyings of the Lord Jesus Christ III. The Dove is a Creature that feeds not upon Carrion as Eagles Ravens and other Fowls do but only upon pure Grain III. Gracious Souls or sincere Christians do not feed upon the sensual Pleasures and carnal Delights of this World as the Ungodly do Psal 119.104 128. nor will they feed upon or receive in the detestable Carrion of Mens Traditions they hate Idolatry false Worship and every evil Way and only feed and live upon the pure Grain of God's holy Word IV. The Dove is a Creature much molested by all Birds of Prey IV. The Saints of God are persecuted and molested by all the Sons of Belial they are chased like a Dove or Partridge upon the Mountains 1 Sam. 26.20 V. The Dove hath no other Defence when molested but by Flight V. The Godly have no other way when molested by Satan and wicked Men but to flie to God At what time I am afraid I will trust in thee Psal 56.3 VI. The Dove thinks not her self secure till she be got into the Rock VI. The sincere Christian looks not upon himself as secure until he is got into Christ Prov. 18.10 The Name of the Lord is a Strong-Tower the Righteous run into it and are safe They like Noah's Dove flie to the Ark. VII The Dove is a Creature very chast and true to its Mate VII The sincere Christian and Spouse of Christ is very chast to the Lord Jesus will own no other Head or Husband they defy the Pope that First-born of Satan and all others who pretend to Headship and Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction over their Consciences VIII The Dove hath a lovely Eye and 't is always fix'd upon her Mate VIII The Saints of God have a single and lovely Eye in Christ's Sight they strive to be like the Dove resisting Pride Lust and Wantonness and to be adorned with Meekness and Modesty having always their Eyes upon Jesus Christ not daring to lift up their Eyes to other Lovers Isa 8.17 Psal 25.15 but by holy Intention wait upon him alone in all their Devotion IX The Dove loves to accompany with Doves they will gather together by great Numbers if they can IX God's Children love Communion and Fellowship one with another that they may mutually be comforted and edified in the Faith They flie like a Cloud Isa 60.8 and as Doves to their Windows that is to the House or Church of God X. The Dove mourns when she hath lost the sight of her Mate X. A gracious Soul mourns when it hath lost the Sight of Jesus Christ Isa 38.11 14. Ezek. 7.16 Thou hiddest thy Face and I was troubled saith David I did mourn as a Dove saith Hezekiah mine Eyes fail with looking up I shall not see the Lord in the Land of the Living They shall be on the Mountains like Doves in the Vallies every one mourning for his own Iniquity XI The Dove is a very fruitful Creature having Young almost every month in the Year XI The Church is also very fruitful to Christ 1. In respect of bringing forth Children Psal 87. This and that Man it shall be said was born in her 2. In respect of bringing forth the Fruits of the Spirit and good Works XII Doves love to be by the Rivers of Water XII Christians or gracious Souls love to be by the sweet Streams of living Water Psal 23.3 4. by that River that makes glad the City of God they love to drink of the Promises and Consolations of the Spirit XIII Doves have Feathers of divers colours Psal 68.13 and 't is observed when the Sun shines their Beauty appears most as if their Wings were covered with Silver and their Feathers with yellow Gold XIII The Saints are gloriously adorned with the Righteousness of Christ and with the Gifts and Graces of the Spirit and when the Sun of Righteousness shines Psal 45. and sends forth his splendent Beams and Rays upon them then their Graces appear and shine most glorious XIV The Dove was appointed by the Lord under the Law for a Sacrifice and no other Bird or Fowl of Heaven but the Dove And hence you read in the Gospel that there were those that sold Doves in the Temple Mat. 21.12 which was as it is thought to accommodate such as came to offer Sacrifice XIV The Godly are required to offer up themselves both Body and Soul as an acceptable Sacrifice unto God Rom. 12.1 and many of them have been commanded and readily have yielded themselves up to God in a way of suffering for Christ's sake Prov. 15.8 and none but those who are God's own sincere Children are accepted in offering up themselves either in a way of doing or suffering XV. The Dove is said to be silly and without Heart Hos 7 11. wants Courage c. XV. The Saints of God are of themselves in many things silly and foolish wanting that Heart Courage and Magnanimity of Spirit to stand up for God his
Flock to rest at Noon c. Luke 12.32 Fear not little Flock it is your Father's good Pleasure to give you the Kingdom THe Church or Saints of God are compared unto a Flock of Sheep Metaphor Parallel SHeep are clean Beasts tame and gentle not wild as Tigers Lions Foxes or Wolves nor unclean as Dogs Swine c. SO the Saints of God are a People tamed as it were by God's Spirit from that natural Wildness and Perverseness made gentle willing to come into Christ's Fold cleansed from Impurity of Heart and Life II. Sheep are simple a harmless Sort of Creatures not crafty ravenous and devouring as those Sort of Beasts above-mentioned II. So the Saints of God are holy they are taught to be simple concerning Evil Mat. 10.16 Be ye saith Christ as innocent as Doves They seek the Hurt of no Man not like Romish Wolves who delight in nothing more than in Blood and Rapine shedding the Blood of those who do not wrong or injure them but desire to live peaceably in the Land III. Sheep are meek and patient under Sufferings Hence our Saviour is said to be led as a Lamb to the Slaughter Isa 53.7 and as a Sheep is dumb before the Shearer so opened he not his Mouth See Lamb. III. So the Saints and People of God are meek and patient under God's hand both when they suffer for their Sins or for the Trial of their Graces as appeareth in Job David Stephen c. Psal 39 9. I held my Peace I opened not my Mouth because Lord thou diddest it IV. Sheep as they are patient so they are profitable both in their Lives and by their Death There is scarcely any Creature that brings its Owner greater Incomes than Sheep they are good both for Food and Cloathing IV. The Saints are very profitable many ways the Benefit the World receives by them or for their Sakes is very great they are called the Light of the World and the Salt of the Earth now the Profit the World receives in both these respects is not little Had there been ten of those Sheep in Sodom God had not destroyed it besides the Angel told Lot he could do nothing till he was out of the City What a Blessing was Joseph to his Master whilst he abode in his House and Jacob to Laban They yield the World much Profit by the Doctrine they preach by the fervent Prayers they daily put up to Almighty God and their holy and good Examples Mat. 5.16 Let your Light so shine before Men that they may see your good Works and glorify your Father which is in Heaven V. Sheep are obedient and ready to follow their Shepherd whithersoever he goeth It is the Custom in some Countries for the Shepherd to go before the Sheep c To which our Saviour alludes John 10.27 V. So Believers and the Church of Christ are obedient to him Joh. 10.4 5. My Sheep saith he hear my Voice and they follow me and the Voice of a Stranger they will not follow Psal 73.24 Thou shalt guide me by thy Counsel saith the Psalmist Christ's Precepts are the Saints Directory and his Practice their Pattern for Imitation Hence Paul exhorteth the Corinthians to follow him as he followed Christ 1 Cor. 11.1 VI. Sheep are incident to many Diseases many of them are weak and feeble which a good Shepherd taketh pity of and endeavours to heal and strengthen them VI. So the Saints of God are subject to manifold Weaknesses Temptations and Afflictions which moved the Almighty to great Compassion and sorely to rebuke the Shepherds of Israel for their Cruelty and great Remisness towards his Flock The Diseased have ye not strengthned neither have ye healed that which was sick c. And therefore saith He would himself take the Work into his own hands I will bind up that which was broken and will strengthen that which was sick c VII A Flock of Sheep must not be over-driven lest they tire Jacob who was a skilful Shepherd knew this and therefore told Esau his Brother Gen. 33.13 that if the Flock were over-driven they would die VII So the Saints or Flock of Christ must not be over-driven they must be led gently along and God taketh care to lay no more upon them than they can bear No Temptation hath taken you 1 Cor. 10.13 but such as is common to Men but God is faithful who will not suffer you to be tempted above what you are able and will with the Temptation also make way to escape that ye may be able to bear it He will not lay upon us more than is right VIII Sheep are subject to go astray and to be lost in a Wilderness and upon that account need the Shepherd's Care to seek them and fetch them home to the Fold VIII So the Saints are subject to go astray from God and to wander from his Precepts viz. decline in their Zeal Faith and Affection to him and his Ways and to get wandering Thoughts after the World and sometimes they wander through the Neglect and Carelesness of the Under-Shepherds My Sheep Ezek. 34.6 Psal 119.176 saith the Lord wandered through all the Mountains and none did search or seek after them I have gone astray like a lost Sheep seek thy Servant c. IX Sheep must be led forth into green Pastures to be fed and a good Shepherd will take heed he puts them not into Fields or Meadows that are not proper for them for some Grounds will soon rot and spoil them IX So Christ's Flock must be fed in good Pastures viz. with sound and wholesom Truth good Doctrine Food that is fit and proper for them they must not have Chaff of Mens Traditions nor the corrupt Glosses of cloudy Doctors that lived in the dark Time of the Church It behoves Christ's Ministers to take heed they suffer not the Sheep under their Charge to suck in the Poyson of Error and Heresy for nothing rots and spoils Christians more than that The Spouse from hence enquireth of Christ Cant. 1.7 Where he feedeth his Flock that is Where his blessed Gospel was truly and constantly preached and his holy Ordinances duly administred lest she should turn aside by the Flocks of his Companions that is such as call themselves so Christ directs her to go forth by the Footsteps of the Flock and feed their Kids besides the Shepherds Tents That is to follow the Doctrine and Footsteps of the Primitive Church for that alone is our Rule in all God's holy Worship The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want Psal 23.1 2 He maketh me to lie down in green Pastures he leadeth me besides the still Waters X. Sheep have a shadowy Place to rest in when the Sun shines hot at Noon which is a great Refreshment to them where they chew their Cud and being saved from the Vehemency of the scorching Sun they with the greater Alacrity return to
is a Habitation a Place built for some Man or Men to dwell in THe Church is the Habitation of the Holy-Ghost I will dwell in them 1 Cor. 6. Joh. 14.17 and walk in them c. For he dwelleth with you and shall be in you 2 Tim. 1.54 That good thing which was committed to thee keep by the Holy-Ghost which dwelleth in us Know ye not that ye are the Temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you II. A House is built by a wise Builder upon a sure and firm Foundation some are built upon Rocks II. 1 Cor. 3.16 3.11 The Church is built upon a sure Foundation viz. Jesus Christ Another Foundation can no man lay c. Vpon this Rock will I build my Church III. A House is builded with or doth consist of divers Materials as Timber Stone Brick c. which are well hewed and squared before III. So the Church doth consist of several Members who are called or compared to Stones Ye also as lively Stones 1 Pet. 2.5 are built up a spiritual House an holy Priesthood And these Stones are also well hewed and squared by the Word and Spirit of God IV. A House hath some main and principal Parts appertaining or belonging to it as Pillars Beams Rafters c. IV. So the Church or House of God hath some famous Pillars Beams and Rafters as the Holy-Ghost calleth them The Beams of our House are Cedars Cant. 1.17 and our Rafters of Fir. The Righteous are compared to Cedars in Lebanon those Trees are tall and durable Cedar was used in building of Solomon's Temple a Type or Figure of the Church which denotes the Strength Usefulness Beauty and Excellency of the Saints or some among them who are called Pillars Gal. 2. And when James Cephas and John who seemed to be Pillars c. And Christ saith Rev. 3.12 Him that overcometh will I make a Pillar in the Temple of my God V. In a House Pillars Beams and Rafters are of great tho of different use all are to support strengthen perfect and compleat the Building the least Material is needful and cannot be wanting V. So in the House of God Eph. 4.7 to 12. the Prophets Apostles Pastors Teachers Deacons c. are of great Use tho of different Offices and all for the support of every part of the spiritual Building and the least Member cannot be spared Some are strong and some are weak some have five Talents and some but two Mat. 25. yet one ought not to despise the other As in a material House Beams and Rafters tho divers in Strength and Use yet all have a firm Connexion amongst themselves to make up one compleat Structure even so in Christ's Church tho there be divers Members severally gifted and placed as we see in the Body natural yet as the Apostle there shews verse 25. there should be no Schism in the Body 1 Cor. 12.24 but such a Conjunction of one another as they have of themselves a holy Sympathy in Supportation Suffering and Rejoycing VI. The House of a Prince when built is furnished and most richly adorned that it may become a meet Habitation according to the Degree Glory and Grandure of him who is to dwell therein VI. So the Church and Temple of God being built for the glorious Prince of Heaven and Earth is most richly and curiously adorned with the precious Gifts and Graces of the Holy-Ghost For as the Materials of this House are Silver Gold and precious Stones so its Ornaments or Furniture doth infinitely excell it being the King's Palace The King's Daughter is all glorious within Psal 45.13 VII A House is a Place of Security it defends from many Dangers which those are exposed unto that are harbourless and forced to lie without Doors besides some Houses have Walls about them VII So the Church is a Place of Security God having made such a blessed Wall about her And the Lord will create upon every Dwelling-Place in Mount Zion and upon her Assemblies a Cloud and Smoke by Day and the shining of a flaming Fire by Night for upon all her Glory shall be a Defence I will saith God encamp about mine House because of the Army because of him that passeth by c. He hath promised to be a Wall of Fire round about her Zech. 2.5 VIII A House is a Place of Repose a Resting-place it is hence greatly desired by every one that belongs to the Family that dwells therein VIII The Church of God is a sweet Place of spiritual Repose Sion is called a peaceable Habitation Isa 32.18 19. and sure Dwellings and a quiet Resting-place IX A House hath a Way that leads to it and a Door that openeth into it that so those who are Strangers may be readily directed how to find it IX So the Church or House of God hath a Way that readily leads to it In a strict Sence Christ is both the Way and the Door If any enquire more directly how they may find the Way into the Church if they take the Counsel of the Holy-Ghost they cannot miss Thus saith the Lord Stand in the Ways and see and ask for the old Paths Jer. 6.16 where is the good Way and walk therein c. This good old Way is the Way of Repentance Faith and Baptism the Saints of the Primitive Time walked all in this Way and knew no other Door into the Church And they that gladly received the Word were baptized Acts 2.41.42 and the same day there was added to them about three thousand Souls X. A House is a Place of Devotion there a Man reads prays meditates and instructs his Family X. So the Church of God is the principal Place of Publick Devotion there Prayers are made the Word is preached and the Sacraments are duely administred XI A House is subject to go to decay and therefore needs often to be repaired By the Slothfulness of the Hands the House droppeth through XI So the Church of God will soon decay if it be not often repaired by a wise and careful Discipline Metaphor Disparity AN earthly House in which Men dwell is the Work of Mens Hands BUt the Church or House of God is called God's Building the choice preparing of the Matter and the framing and jointing every part as to the Manner is of God II. A House is built with such Materials as are without Life II. But this spiritual House consists of Believers who tho they were once without Life yet now are quickned who are therefore called living Stones 1 Pet. 2 3. built up a spiritual House III. Some Houses are left desolate without Inhabitants and so go to decay and at length fall III. But it is impossible that ever the House of God should be without Inhabitants For the Lord hath chosen Zion Psal 13 2. 13 14. he hath desired it for his Habitation This is my Rest for ever here will
Christ who is their Righteousness and Strength He satisfieth their Mouth with good things Psal 103.5 so that their Strength is renewed like the Eagle's As the Lord brings his People low by bodily Sickness and Weakness and then renews their natural Strength so when there are Decays and Declinings upon their Souls he renews their spiritual Strength And as the Eagle renews her Strength by the Growth and Succession of new Feathers of the same kind in the place of the old so a Believer reneweth his Youth and Strength by casting off gradually the Old Man which is corrupt and by putting on more of the New Man Eph. 4.24 who is quite of another kind created after God in Righteousness and true Holiness IX Naturalists do observe that Eagles are fed and best nourished by Blood they suck and take in that both young and old IX So saith Mr. Caryl do Believers the feeding of the new Creature is upon Blood every godly Man spiritually drinks the Blood of Christ My Blood saith he is Drink indeed as offered to him both in the Promises and Ordinances of the Gospel A Saint could not live a Moment nor have any subsistence in Grace if he had not as the Eagle Blood to drink A godly Man is nourished by a believing Contemplation upon the Sufferings of Christ and the Effusion of his Blood X. Young Eagles are borne and carried upon the Wings of the old Eagle and thereby are preserved from the Dangers of Enemies X. So the Saints are borne supported and carried by the Power and Arms of the Almighty who is pleased to compare himself to an Eagle Deut. 32 11 12. As an Eagle stirreth up her Nest fluttereth over her Young spreadeth abroad her Wings taketh them and beareth them upon her Wings so the Lord alone did lead him and there was no strange God with him Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians and how I bore you upon Eagle's Wings and brought you to my self See Christ compared to an Eagle Disparity EAgles have many evil Qualities They are Birds of Prey c. yea and a very Vermine Sort of Creature and upon that account wicked Men are compared to Eagles which is opened under that Head of Metaphors concerning ungodly Men and Persecutors to which we refer you Saints compared to Sheep John 10.27 My Sheep hear my Voice c. THe Saints may be compared to Sheep in many respects Sheep are harmless Creatures meek sociable contented with hard Commons very tractable patient fruitful and very profitable are made a Prey to evil Beasts c. Upon all which Considerations and many others the Saints are likened to Sheep which is fully opened under the Metaphor Flock to which we refer you Saints compared to Souldiers 2 Tim. 2.3 Thou therefore endure Hardness as a good Souldier of Jesus Christ. A Souldier is taken in Scripture either properly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or metaphorically Properly it is understood of a Person that is employed in Military Affairs one that bears Arms and is under Military Command Mat. 8.9 Metaphorically it is to be understood of a Christian that is engaged to fight the good Fight of Faith under the Command of Jesus Christ against the Enemies of the Soul This Title is not appropriated only to Ministers it is not a discriminating Title only to distinguish them from other Saints as the Title of Ambassador Pastor Watchman c. but a Title that belongs to every Christian and Professor of Christ So that Timothy is not called a Souldier meerly because he was an Evangelist but as he was a Disciple c. Saints are compared to Souldiers every true Christian is a spiritual Souldier of Jesus Christ Metaphor Parallel A Souldier is listed under some Captain or Commander he gives up his Name to him and enters himself into his Service SO every true Christian listeth himself under the Command of Jesus Christ who is the Captain of our Salvation He gives up his Name to him to serve him in all Uprightness as becometh a faithful Souldier to do making a solemn Covenant with Christ and his People to be on their side and this is visibly done in Baptism II. A Souldier leaves all other worldly Affairs and Incumbrances to follow that particular Employ No Man that warreth 2 Tim. 2.4 entangleth himself with the Affairs of this Life that he may please him that hath chosen him to be a Souldier They ought not like Reuben to abide among the Sheep-folds Jud. 5.16 to hear the Bleating of the Sheep II. So a true Christian forsakes all and follows Christ he becomes dead to this World he is crucified to it and that many times to him His Heart is not set upon Things below Col. 3.1 2. but upon Things above he looks upon Religion and Godliness as his great Work and Business They that are after the Flesh Rom 8.5 do mind the Things of the Flesh but they that are after the Spirit the Things of the Spirit III. A Souldier after he is listed and entred into his Company he is armed and put into a fit Posture for that Work and Service he is called to III. So a true Christian also is no sooner converted listed and entred into Christ's Company viz. his Church but he is armed likewise He puts on the whole Armor of God hath his Loins girt about with Truth and hath the Breast-plate of Righteousness his Feet shod with the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace Eph. 6 10 11 12. the Shield of Faith the Helmet of Salvation and the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God And because most of those Parts or Pieces of a Christian's Armor are spoken to and opened under that Head of Metaphors respecting the Graces of the Spirit we shall speak no more of it here IV. A Souldier is known by his Habit Armor and Weapons from other Men they put off their own Clothes and put on the King 's especially if poor and ragged when they are listed IV. So a true Christian is known by the Clothes he hath on from the Wicked and Ungodly of the World He is cloathed with the Garment of Holiness and Humility and hath on all the precious Graces of the Spirit as Armor of Proof fast girt to him by the Girdle of Sincerity and this shews him to be one of Christ's Souldiers V. Souldiers many times are cloathed at the King's Charge and it is greatly for the Honour of a Captain to have all his Men bravely cloathed and glittering in their Armor V. So Christ cloaths all his Souldiers and they are all attired alike cloathed in white Their Robes cost dear viz. the Price of his own most precious Blood and it greatly tends to his Honour to have them kept clean and without Spot or Stain all glittering in their spiritual Armor viz. adorned with the blessed Graces of the Spirit VI. It is a Reproach to Souldiers to be meer mercenary to fight for
Word 1 Pet. 3.1 4. If Saints are the Salt of the Earth and Interest of Nations it shews the Folly of those wicked Men that strive to root them up and turn them out of the World 5. Lastly It may caution all that profess the Gospel against Apostacy Remember Lot 's Wife She for not being savoury or for looking back Luk. 17 32 Gen. 19.26 was turned into a Pillar of Salt nay and into a standing Pillar c. May not one Reason of it be this viz. To shew that that very Example of God's Severity upon her might serve or be sufficient to season all Christians to the end of the World against Apostacy or looking back Saints compared to Merchants Mat. 13.45 46. Again the Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a Merchant-Man seeking goodly Pearls who when he had found one Pearl of great Price c. Simile Parallel A Merchant is a great Dealer in the Things of the World A True Christian is a great Dealer in the Things of Heaven his Affections are set upon those Things that are above Col. 3 1. where Christ fitteth at the Right-hand of God II. The best and greatest Merchants trade and deal in the richest and choicest Things on Earth viz. Jewels Pearls c. II. The true Christian desireth and seeketh after the Riches of Grace and Riches of Glory called Pearls which are of the greatest Value and Worth in which he may be most happy He seeketh for Pearls but he fixeth most upon the Pearl of greatest Price Jesus Christ Mat. 13.46 III. Merchants in their first Trading are not so skilful in their Merchandize as they are afterwards when by commercing with other Merchants they have found out the true Worth of their Merchandize and the manner of their Dealings III. So the true Christian when he is first concerned in the Matters of Christianity is not so skilful as afterward when he hath by Christian Converse found out the Worth of spiritual Things and the Deceitfulness of Satan the World and his own Heart together with the Faithfulness of God IV. Merchants are most careful of their Concerns when they have met with some Loss then they begin to fear they shall be undone if such Losses encrease upon them IV. Christians are most careful in their spiritual and eternal Concernments when they have met with some spiritual Losses and are attended with a holy Fear lest eternal Ruine should follow V. Merchants that deal in precious Stones are very careful lest they should be deceived with counterfeit Stones which are very like the true Ones V. The true Christian is very careful lest he should he deceived in his Spiritualities viz. have a false Faith a false Repentance and a false Obedience and counterfeit Grace which may be very like the true VI. Merchants trade to Foreign Parts or Countries their chief Concerns come from thence whereby they grow rich VI. True Christians have their chief Concerns from Heaven whereby they grow spiritually rich Heaven is called a far Country Luke 19. VII Merchants have Correspondents in those Countries to which they trade who receive their Merchandize which they send and make Returns of more gainful Things VII The true Christian hath his Correspondent in Heaven who manageth all his Concerns viz. Jesus Christ the Righteous He is their Advocate and Intercessor he appears in Heaven for them Heb. 9.24 He receives their Duties and makes Returns of Mercy He will receive their Tears of Godly Sorrow and return the Oil of Joy Thou puttest my Tears into thy Bottle c. VIII Merchants are strongly engaged by the Profitableness of their Trade to follow it very close O how diligent are Merchants when they find Riches come in apace upon them VIII So should it be with true Christians the Gainfulness of Godliness should engage them to follow the heavenly Trade more closely because it hath the Promise of the Life that now is 1 Tim. 4.8 and that which is to come for Time and Eternity is little enough to make up the Revenues of a godly Life what Time cannot do Eternity shall IX Merchants are diligent in attending the Exchange where they have an account of their Foreign Affairs and also an Opportunity to trade further either in selling or buying and they that are negligent in this Matter do give just cause of Suspicion that they will soon fail and cease to be Merchants IX True Christians do make Conscience and exercise a godly Care in attending the Meetings of the Saints in their solemn Worshipping of God whereby they get Understanding and Knowledge of their Affairs in Heaven as managed by Jesus Christ And there they have the Opportunity to put off spiritual Duties Heb. 10.25 and receive heavenly Blessings And such as do neglect this Practice may justly be suspected that in a little time they will cease to be Christians X. Merchants are very careful in keeping their Accompts they are often in their Compting-Houses They who are wise will be sure their Books are well kept and that their Accompts are in good Order that so they may see a good End of their Affairs and enjoy Comfort in the Management thereof X. True Christians are and ought to be very careful in keeping up their Closet and secret Communion with God by private Prayer and Self-Examination that so they may give their Account up to God with Joy and not with Grief and may also enjoy divine Consolation in the faithful Performance of the Duties of Christianity Saints compared to Pilgrims Heb. 11.13 They confessed that they were Strangers and Pilgrims on the Earth 1 Pet. 2.11 I beseech you as Strangers and Pilgrims to abstain from fleshly Lusts that war against the Spirit Note The Saints of God are in these Scriptures compared to Strangers and Pilgrims Simile Parallel A Pilgrim is one that travelleth from one Place to another and is far from home THe Saints of God are spiritual Travellers they are far from their Father's House Heaven is their everlasting Home and thither they are going All the holy Patriarchs and Prophets confessed they were Pilgrims on the Earth Jacob said The Days of the Years of my Pilgrimage rather than the Days of my Life Gen. 47 9. because of the Uncertainty of his Abode here and in respect of his removing from Place to Place II. A Pilgrim that sets out in a long Journey takes care to free himself of all manner of Weights and unnecessary Burthens and whatsoever else may tend to weary or unfit him for his Journey II. So the spiritual Pilgrim when he first sets out in the Ways of God lays aside every Weight Heb. 12.1 and the Sin that doth so easily beset him It greatly behoves him so to do for one Sin carried in the Bosom or the inordinate Love to any Thing or Person of this World will prove of dreadful consequence to him The young Man in the Gospel had gone a great way seemed to be a very zealous
upon Christ's Palm-Trees and what is their Intent and Purpose in so doing you may read in the Scriptures Come on saith Pharaoh let us deal wisely with them how was that To lay Weights and Burthens upon them To what end Lest they should multiply They resolved to keep them down they strove to hinder their Growth they designed to spoil their Multiplying and their Growth in Number as also in Grace and Vertue but they were like the Palm-Tree the more they were oppressed the more they grew and multiplied That way Men think to hinder the Truth to obstruct the Gospel from flourishing that way God takes to make it spread and flourish the more Those things that happened to the Apostles to hinder their Ministry God made for the furtherance of the Gospel 3. This should raise up our Hearts to magnify the Power Wisdom and Goodness of God who over-rules things thus in the World who turns that for Good which wicked Men design for the great Hurt of his poor People This also cometh from the Lord of Hosts who is wonderful in Counsel and excellent in Working He makes the Righteous to flourish like the Palm-Tree to grow upwards by those Ways and Means which one would think would bring them quite down and utterly spoil their growing Like as when we see the Corn laid at and thresh'd with a Flail Caryl one would think there were great Hurt intended to the Corn but it is only to separate it from the Straw and Chaff that it may appear in its own Beauty and Usefulness So the Lord hath his Flail to separate the Chaff from the Wheat Those Acts of Providence which seem to be for their Hurt and Undoing when they are thresh'd as it were by the World are only to make them appear what they are But thus it fareth not with the Wicked who flourish not like the Palm-Tree but as the Grass they pass away 4. This may animate the Righteous and greatly encourage them against Persecution Why should they fear that which God turns to their great Advantage O let us labour to improve Burthens Afflictions and heavy Pressures to the end God designs them and never more fear the worst that Men can do unto us The Righteous shall flourish like the Palm-Tree 5. Let us labour for Union and strengthen one another combine as one Man in the Way of Holiness and Christian Affection that so thereby we may like the tender Plants of the Palm-Tree get Strength and stand when the Wind blows hardest and the Storms of the Ungodly rise upon us 6. This may be also Matter of Trial to us we hereby may try our selves and try our Graces How is it with you Sirs under Sufferings Do you grow and flourish the more If you wither and decay in Grace in a Day of Trial or when you are under Pressures and Afflictions and cannot bear hard Things for Christ's sake it clearly shews you are none of God's Palm-Trees Saints compared to Wheat Mat. 13.27 28. Let both grow together till Harvest c. Verse 30. But gather the Wheat into my Barn THe Saints of God are in this Parable compared to Wheat or good Seed but the Wicked to Tares and the End of the World to the Harvest Why Believers are compared to Wheat will appear by what follows Metaphor Parallel VVHeat is a precious Sort of Grain the best of Grain THe Saints of God are a choice People the best of Men. Prov. 12.26 The Righteous are more excellent than their Neighbours II. Wheat is a very profitable Sort of Grain it tends to the enriching the Husband-man he accounts it his Treasure II. The Saints are a People profitable to the World many ways See Salt Nay Mat. 3.17 and God accounts them his peculiar Treasure III. Wheat will abide and live in the sharpest Winter which some other Seed will not III. So sincere Souls will endure the sharpest Trials They will live in the Winter-Time of the Church when others fall off wither die away and come to nothing IV. Wheat is a small Sâ—ed and when it is first sown it lies hid in Winter it seems as if it were quite dead but when the Spring comes it sweetly revives again and flourisheth exceedingly IV. The Godly are in comparison of the World a small People Luke 12.32 called a little Flock and they lie hid as it were scarcely seeming to be a People whilst the Winter of Persecution and Trouble under the four Monarchs of the World predominate Cant. 2.11 But when the Winter is past and the Spring-Time of the Church shall come they shall revive and cover the Earth as Wheat doth the Land where it is sown Light is sown for the Righteous Prov. 4.18 and Joy for the Vpright in Heart The Growth of Saints in Times of Temptation doth not always so visibly appear They are like Corn sown that lies under the Clods but when they have taken sweet Root they soon appear to revive and sprout forth like Wheat by means of the Dew of Grace and sweet Rays of the Sun of Righteousness They shall revive as the Corn and grow as the Vine Hos 14.7 and the Scent thereof shall be as the Wine of Lebanon V. An Ear of Wheat that is full of Corn always hangs downs its Head when that which is light and empty stands upright V. So the Saints of God or all sincere Souls that have much Grace are humble Ones they hang down their Heads as it were are cloathed with Humility when Hypocrites or empty Professors are puffed up Abraham calls himself but Dust and Ashes David a Worm and no Man Job abhors himself as a nothing Creature Paul saith he was the least of all Saints Job 42.6 Eph. 8.3 When the empty Hypocrite cries out Lord I thank thee I am not as other Men. VI. Wheat needs Weeding Weeds many times come up with it and hinder its Growth VI. So the Saints and People of God need weeding Weeds of Corruption often spring up and trouble them which did not God the good Husband-man Heb. 12.15 root out and destroy would quite spoil his choicest Wheat VII Wheat hath it is observed sometimes Tares amongst it which the Husband-man sees good to let alone till the Harvest lest in plucking them out some of the Wheat be pull'd up with them VII The Field is the World Mat. 13.38 where the Saints of God who are compared to Wheat grow i. e. live and much Tares grow up or live among them in every Nation City and Town And it is the pleasure of God that they should be let alone or suffâ—red to grow together in the World that common Field tho not in the Church And therefore were the People of God such as the wicked Persecutor calls them viz. Tares Hereticks the Off-scouring of the World yet it is directly contrary to the Mind of God that they should be rooted up and turned out of the Earth Let both grow
together saith the Husband-man till Harvest VIII Wheat hath a considerable Time to ripen it must have the former and latter Rain but when it is ripe it is severed from the Tares and gathered into the Barn VIII So the People of God are not so soon as they spring up in Grace ripe for God's Garner but they need some Time before they are fit for cutting down by Death The former and latter Rain of the Spirit must fall upon them they ripen gradually And when the Harvest comes to wit the End of the World Mat. 13.41 42. then the Saints shall be severed from the Wicked the Good come from the Bad the Holy from the Vile like as Wheat is severed from the Tares and those that appear pure Grain shall be gathered into God's Garner i. e. his blessed Kingdom and the Wicked like Tares shall be bound in Bundles and cast into Hell to be burned in unquenchable Fire IX Wheat when it is sown dies and rises again it rises Wheat and the same Wheat tho it rises more glorious than it seemed to be when sown IX So the Saints of God die like good Seed are sown in the Earth and shall rise again 1 Cor. 15. the same Body shall rise again as every Seed hath his own Body so shall every Saint in the Day of the Resurrection have his own Body tho his Body shall rise more glorious than it was before The Apostle saith That which thou sowest thou sowest not that Body that shall be because it is sown a natural Body 1 Cor. 15.38 42 43. it is raised a spiritual it is sown in Corruption but is raised in Incorruption it is sown in Dishonour and raised in Glory it is sown in Weakness it is raised in Power X. Wheat is threshed by the Husband-man to sever the Corn from the Straw and Chaff X. So God to sever the Chaff of corrupt and drossy Professors from the pure Grain viz. sincere Saints leaves the Wicked as it were to thresh his People God's People are often under the Flail of Persecution Inferences THis may serve to reprove the bloody Persecutors of God's People who would fain pluck up the Saints as Tares but let them take heed If God would not have many Tares pluck'd up lest some of the Wheat be pluck'd up with them what will become of them who instead of plucking the wicked Tares that perhaps deserve the greatest Severity as being guilty of innocent Blood connive at such and let them alone having much Favour for them and set themselves wholly against God's faithful and innocent People What unwearied Endeavours have been used to destroy and root out the Godly 2. It may be a Caution to all to take heed how they persecute Men for Conscience sake for who can infallibly know such as fear not God nor belong to him from such as are his People and do in Truth fear Him They had better let many Tares many Hereticks alone than through Ignorance destroy one godly and sincere Person 3. It may also be for Trial Are you Wheat or Tares Do you bring Glory to God and Profit to your Neighbours Do you faithfully like holy Job adhere to the Lord and cleave to him altho he should please to lay you under slaying Dispensations Do you endure patiently under the Cross abide the Trial of cold winterly Blasts of Persecution Wheat you hear will endure sharp Frosts The honest-hearted Professor brings forth Fruit with Patience Mat. 13. 4. Lastly It affords Comfort to the Godly for tho they appear as dead and withered or are under many seeming Decays yet they shall revive again like Corn. And altho they like Seed or Grain are laid in the Earth and turn to Corruption yet they shall have a blessed Resurrection at the last Day and be raised in Power and Glory and in Incorruption Death doth the Body of a godly Man no Injury Except a Seed of Corn fall to the Ground it abideth alone but if it die it bringeth forth much Fruit. Saints compared to Light Mat. 5.14 Ye are the Light of the World a City that is set on a Hill cannot be hid IN this Metaphor the Lord Jesus commends unto us an holy Duty viz. to shine before others in a holy Life and Doctrine Saints should be like John Baptist burning and shining Lights 1. Light is taken properly 2. Metaphorically 1. Properly for that noble Quality that enlightens the World Lux claritas splendor in corpore luminoso vel extra à corpore luminoso exiens quae Lumen dicitur God said Let there be Light and there was Light c. 2. Metaphorically it is put for several Things See the First Volume Book 3. p. 1 2. Ye are the Light of the World c. Joh. 1.9 Mat. 4.2 Principally Christ himself is the Light of the World the great Light that gives Light to the other Luminaries The Saints receive Light from Christ as the Moon receives her Light from the Sun and thereby gives Light to the World in the Night The Saints are but small Lights hence called Stars who give but little Light in comparison of the Sun or they are rather as Candles which God hath lighted and set up Metaphor Parallel LIght discovers and makes manifest the Nature of Things to Men it hath a directive Quality in it Men thereby know which way to go it directs Travellers in their Way SO the Saints of God by their holy Life and Doctrine reveal and make manifest not only the Works of Darkness but also the Excellency of Christ Grace and Divine Things to Men nay Eph. 3.10 the holy Angels are said to know many Things by the Church The Saints by their holy Lives and Doctrines teach and dlrect others how to live how to behave themselves towards God and towards Men. II. Light shines forth and is visible to all every one that hath Eyes may see the Light A Candle should not be lighted and put under a Bushel but on a Candlestick that it may give Light to all that are in the House II. So the Saints should let their good Works appear to all Mat. 5.16 Let your Light so shine before Men that they may see your good Works and glorify your Father which is in Heaven Tho the Saints should do nothing through Vain-Glory i. e. to be seen of Men yet their good Works and holy Walkings should be so done that others should see it III. It is a great Mercy and Blessing to see the Light Light is sweet c. Light drives back or expells Darkness III. So 't is a great Blessing to enjoy the Company of God's People to dwell among such whose Conversations shine for such godly ones drive back or scatter Wickedness As Solomon saith Prov. 20.26 A wise and godly King scattereth the Wicked and bringeth the Wheel over them So every wise and godly Christian does what in him lies to to the like What Darkness did Martin Luther
the inward Man both to do for God and to suffer for his sake they go from Strength to Strength in Zion David was too strong for Goliah and overcame him he coming against him in the Name of the Lord. Also they are not so easily corrupted by the Pollution of the Sins of the Times and evil Example of the Wicked as others are they having a glorious Principle of Life in them that preserves them from Soul-Putrefaction He that is born of God cannot commit Sin 1 John 3. IV. The Cedar is a very profitable Tree 't is excellent to build an House withal 1 Kings 6.15 16. Solomon therefore made use of it in building the Temple which we have shewed was a Type of the Gospel-Church IV. The Saints are fit Trees to build God's spiritual House The Beams of the Church are said to be of Cedar Cant. 1.17 which notes the Excellency and Duration of her principal Members V. The Cedar is a Tree full of Sap it also bears a sort of Fruit And it shall bring forth Boughs Ezek. 17.23 and bear Fruit and become a goodly Cedar and under it shall dwell all Fowls of every Wing The Shadow of this Tree it appears is very refreshing V. The Trees of the Lord are said to be full of Sap the Cedars of Lebanon which he hath planted Christ is their precious Root who supplies them with abundance of Grace and inward Vertue Of his Fulness all we receive Joh. 1.14 16. and Grace for Grace And by this means also they are made very fruitful abounding in Holiness and good Works And as they are fruitful to God so likewise they are profitable to Men. How happy is that People or Nation that sit under the Shadow or Protection of a righteous Government when Righteousness and Judgment shall be administred by the Saints All will seek for Shelter under them Which is promised and shall certainly be accomplished in the latter Days Inferences THis may put us upon the Search If the Saints are like goodly Cedars excellent above others well rooted strong durable and useful to God and Men we may hereby try our selves Do we excell do we grow up high Heaven-ward do we grow in Humility Are our Hearts lowest when our Estates are highest When we are most honoured in the Eyes of Men are we most humble in the Sight of God 2. It may also afford Comfort to the Godly What Decays soever they seem now to be under yet they shall return again grow and send forth their Roots as the Cedars in Lebanon Hos 14.6 3. Remember that that Tree which takes the deepest Root spreads its Branches furthest out and brings forth most Fruit. 4. Let it also be remembred that the more the Saints grow like the Cedar and put forth their Roots as Lebanon the more they manifest and clearly shew their being rooted in Christ whose Countenance is as Lebanon excellent as the Cedars Cant. 5. 5. How wonderfully are they mistaken that think to tear up by the Roots or throw down God's tall and strong Cedars for notwithstanding the many terrible Blasts and violent Winds that hath most fiercely blown upon them yet they have stood do and will stand The Highest himself shall establish her Saints compared to Myrtle-Trees Isa 41.19 I will plant in the Wilderness the Cedar the Shittah and the Myrtle-Tree c. Isa 55.13 In the stead of the Thorn shall come up the Fir-Tree and in stead of the Bryar shall come up the Myrtle-Tree c. Zech. 1.8 11. I saw by Night and behold a Man riding upon a red Horse and he stood among the Myrtle-Trees that were in the Bottom THe wise God who best knows the Nature and Properties of all Things that his Hands hath made compares the Ungodly oftentimes in holy Scripture to Trees and other Things that are of a hurtful and evil quality or are of such a Nature that He sees will sutably set them forth They are compared to Bryars Thorns Nettles c. And also the Godly are set forth by and compared to several Sorts of Trees as to the Palm-Tree the Cedar the Willow c. and in these Places as many understand to the Myrtle-Tree the Nature of which together with an useful Parallel take as followeth Metaphor Parallel THe Myrtle-Tree is a rare and most excellent Tree a Tree of very great account hardly any one Tree was more accounted of amongst the Romans as Pliny observes the Jews highly esteemed of it THe Saints are a choice People God esteems highly of them As the Myrtle-Tree excells the Thorn and the Bryar so do the Godly excell the Wicked Isa 41.19 Isa 55.13 Isa 43.4 Since thou hast been precious in my Sight thou hast been honourahle c. II. There are divers Sorts of Myrtle-Trees some white and some black Plin. lib. 15. p. 451. some tame and others wild as Historians have noted II. So there are divers Sorts of Christians some more shining in Grace and Holiness than others some by reason of an evil and crooked Nature Grace hardly appears in them c. We read of Fathers young Men and Children III. The best Sorts of Myrtle-Trees were used to be planted in Gardens and were a great Ornament to them their Branches being very green and amiable to look upon III. The Godly those spiritual Trees which God plants in his Church which is his Garden and the most holy and mortified Ones of them such whose Conversation and Profession is amiable whose Branches and spiritual Leaves wither not are a great Ornament to God's Garden IV. The Myrtle-Tree yields most choice and excellent Fruit nay more may be said of it than of any other Tree for it yields two Sorts of Fruit both Oil and Wine Nature saith Pliny sheweth her wonderful Power touching this Tree especially in the Juice considering that of all Fruits it alone doth yield two Sorts both Oil and Wine IV. The Saints of God are a People that yield two Sorts of Fruit to the Honour of God and the Profit of their Neighbour answering to the two Tables In this they excell all other People There are some that are morally righteous they make Conscience of their Duties to Men but do not bring forth the Fruits of the Spirit in answering a good Conscience towards God Herein do I exercise my self c. Acts 24.16 V. The Myrtle-Trees are said to stand in the Bottom Zech. 1.8 11. V. The Saints of God are a People of a lowly and humble Spirit and hence they are compared to the low Vallies whereas the Wicked are compared to lofty Mountains Also the Myrtle-Tree in the Bottom may signify the low and persecuted State of God's People and in that the Angels are said to be amongst them it holds forth the gracious Presence of God with his Saints whilst they are in a low dark and persecuted Condition Yea Psal 23 4. tho I walk saith David through the Valley of the Shadow
Men Heb. 2.1 2 Rev. 2.4 like leaking Vessels let out the precious Grace of God they lose their Zeal Faith Love Courage c. And also many times the Word of God as it comes from the Preacher savours of the earthen Vessel for the best of Men have Flesh in them as well as Spirit Were there nothing but this precious Treasure of Grace and Divine Wisdom in them it would not be so but Satan like a cursed Enemy stirs up the Remainders of the Old Man in the Soul and through his subtil Temptations causes the Preacher to mix the Wine with Water or the pure Doctrine of Christ with Man's Wisdom by which means he vaunts and prides it oftentimes in himself IX When a Vessel proves very defective the Owner perceiving he is like to come to loss empties the choice Liquor from Vessel to Vessel IX So God many times finding his Vessels defective and that they contract Filth or prove leaky empties his choice Liquor from Vessel to Vessel according to that of the Prophet Jer. 48 11. Moab hath been at ease from his Youth and hath setled upon his Lees and hath not been removed from Vessel to Vessel which is meant of Afflictions God by bringing a People into Adversity in the sence of this Text may be said to move pour out or empty them from Vessel to Vessel A long Time of Ease and Prosperity proves hurtful to God's Children like as the Wine receives detriment by setling on its Lees. A Day of general Persecution proves various in its Effects Some are thereby emptied of chice Gifts and Endowments that were in them and others receive thereby a double measure God takes away the one Talent for want of Improvement and gives it to him that had five Mat. 25.28 X. Earthen Vessels are soon broken they are very brittle Things alas but with one Knock they are gone X. So the Saints of God and Ministers of the Gospel are poor frail and brittle Creatures when God permits the Enemy but a little to let flie against them how are they dashed to pieces by their hands How many precious Vessels did Queen Mary destroy and consume to Ashes But this must always be considered viz. God hath a gracious Design in suffering the Enemy thus to break in pieces his choice Vessels and one Reason thereof is That the precious Treasure of the Gospel may be the more diffusive and spread it self that its precious Odor might perfume the more Souls The Blood of the Saints hath been always accounted the Seed of the Church XI Earthly Vessels are of little value they are not much accounted of XI God's faithful Saints and Servants as they are of little esteem in the Eyes of the World The precious Sons of Zion Lam. 4.2 comparable to fine Gold how are they esteemed as earthen Pitchers So they have but low and mean thoughts of themselves 2 Cor. 4.7 Rom 9.23 We have this Treasure in earthen Vessels that the Excellency of the Power might be of God and not of us Simile Disparity OTher Vessels are made by Men. BUt the Saints and Ministers of the Gospel are Vessels of the Lord 's making He did not only form them considered as Men but also as spiritual Vessels viz. they are chosen Ministers prepared for his blessed Use He is a chosen Vessel to bear my Name amongst the Gentiles c. Acts 9.15 The Saints are called Vessels of Mercy prepared unto Glory II. Other Vessels when broken into small Pieces are generally quite spoiled and can never be set together again II. But the Vessels of the Lord tho they are broken in pieces by Death are not thereby spoiled and utterly lost but shall be set together again and be made far more glorious than they were before Inferences IT may teach the Saints of God to have low thoughts of themselves What is an earthen Vessel It is true the Treasure may be excellent that is in the Vessel but that doth not appertain to the Vessel Let God have the Glory of all 1 Cor. 4 6 7. What hast thou which thou hast not received 2. Take heed you that are Saints that you do not like earthen Vessels smite one against another lest by one another you are dashed to pieces Remember what frail and brittle Creatures you are even poor earthen Vessels 3. It may teach the Saints also to look to themselves lest they gather Filth let every one keep their Vessels clean Wash your selves daily in the Tears of true Repentance and by Faith in that Fountain that is set open for Sin and for Uncleanness 4. It may teach the Saints of God to be careful of their poor Ministers remembring always that they are also but poor frail Vessels 5. Let the Wicked dread the Thoughts of the great Day such I mean as have or strive to break in pieces Christ's chosen Vessels what will they do in that Day when He makes Inquisition for Blood Saints compared to Lions Prov. 28.1 The Wicked fly when none pursue but the Righteous are as bold as a Lion Micah 5.8 And the Remnant of Jacob shall be as a Lion c. The Godly are compared to Lions Simile Parallel A Lion is a very magnanimous and couragious Creature he will not flie from his Enemies he turneth not away for fear of any SO the Saints of God are full of spiritual Courage they are not dismayed at the Threats of Men. Psal 27.3 I will not fear what Man can do unto me Tho an Host should encamp against me my Heart shall not fear tho I walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death I will fear no Evil. Hence they are said to be as bold as a Lion Shall such a Man as I flie Neh. Quest But some may say Wherein doth the Courage of the Godly appear wherein are they as bold as a Lion Answ In their being valiant and couragious for the Truth And this they shew forth many ways 1. By their speaking for it when others speak against it God's Truth his Way and People are commonly derided and spoke against and he that is a sincere and valiant Christian will at all times when he sees there is need for it vindicate it and speak in the behalf thereof 2. In their endeavouring to clear it from Reproach and Infamy The Way or Truth of God is frequently reproached 1. 'T is called Error and Heresy Acts 24.14 Acts 24.5 Acts 17.19 After that way you call Heresy so worship I the God of my Fathers c. 2. 'T is called Sedition Hence Paul was accused for being a Mover of Sedition 3. 'T is commonly called a new Doctrine We would know what this new Doctrine whereof thou speakest is 3. They shew their Courage in contending earnestly for the Truth they will dispute and argue out the Matter in behalf of Truth and not give up the Justness and Goodness of their Cause as long as they are able to stand
by it or by force of Argument to maintain it Paul upon this account saith 1 Cor. 15.32 he fought with Beasts at Ephesus i. e. Men like Beasts who acted like Beasts in opposing the Truth 4. In their visible professing and publick owning of the Truth They are not afraid nor ashamed to confess Christ and his Ways before Men. Some for fear of the Jews did not publickly own Jesus Christ in the Days of his Flesh but such who are sincere will go forth bearing his Reproach Tho Men forbid them Heb. 13.13 nay threaten them c. yet they will preach Jesus Christ and profess his Name and maintain his Ordinances and blessed Institutions The Apostles cried out Acts 4 20. 5.29 We cannot but speak the Things which we have seen and heard c. 5. They shew their Courage in suffering for the Truth when called so to do 1. They will suffer Reproach for the Truth 2. They will suffer Blows for the Truth 3. Imprisonment for the Truth 4. Loss of their Goods 5. Banishment 6. Yea Death it self when called to it rather than deny Christ and the Truth 6. They will stand by the Truth when others turn their Backs upon it Thus did Paul 7. They will maintain every Truth but more especially that Truth which is most opposed in the Day in which they live It may be no demonstration of Courage to stand up for or maintain a Truth in one Age which was a great Proof of Valour in another when it was chiefly opposed Would it be any Sign of spiritual Courage now to affirm God is God and Baal is not yet that was in Elijah's Days 1 Kings 18 Or would it be any Demonstration of Courage now to affirm Jesus of Nazareth to be the true Saviour yet it was in the Apostle's Time because it was the great Truth then opposed Christian Courage is now shewed by owning and maintaining those Truths of Christ now opposed and which in standing by do expose the Professors thereof Now that which doth animate and embolden the Saints in the Day of Trial in standing up for Christ and his Ways is 1. The Satisfaction they have touching the Truth of that which they profess 'T is God's Truth 2. The Consideration of the Excellency of God's Truth Psal 119. The Word of God is pure c. 3. The Consideration of the Goodness and Justness of their Call to suffer in behalf of Truth for that is one thing which must always be considered 4. The Goodness of their Consciences or the Evidences of their own Sincerity A Hypocrite may suffer some things but at last his Courage will fail him I have heard of a Captain that principally would make choice of two Sorts of Men for his Souldiers viz. either sincere and godly Christians or downright Atheists because neither of them he concluded would be afraid to die The true Christian would not be afraid of Death because he knew he should go to Christ and the Atheist would not be afraid of Death because he thought or rather hoped he should die as a Beast and there would be an end of him 5. The Consideration of his having so good a Second A couragious and undaunted Second oftentimes puts much Courage into a Person that is singled out to fight a Duel Now a Christian has the Almighty and Terrible God to take his part c. Fear not Worm Jacob I will help thee c. I will never leave thee nor forsake thee Isa 41.14 Heb. 13.5 6. So that we may boldly say The Lord is my Helper I will not fear what Man can do unto me 6. The Certainty of getting the Victory or overcoming at last As it is said of Gad it may be said of a Christian tho a Troop may overcome him yet he shall overcome at last Hence Saints are said to be more than Conquerors Rom. 8.37 for no Conqueror is certain whilst he is in the Conflict that he shall at last obtain the Conquest 7. The Consideration of that exceeding great Reward which they shall receive when they have overcome wonderfully adds Courage and Boldness unto them Be thou faithful unto Death and I will give thee a Crown of Life Rev. 2.10 II. Lions are great Conquerors Many other Beasts tho they are much bigger than they yet they are not able to stand before them II. Saints are great Conquerors through Christ they conquer Sin Satan the World Death and Hell they are said to be more than Conquerors Rom. 8. III. A Lion is a Creature that other Beasts are afraid of III. So the Saints are Men that the Wicked oft times fear they dread the Effects of their Prayers 'T is said that Mary Queen of Scots was more afraid of the Prayer of John Knox than of an Army of Twenty Thousand Men. Herod was afraid of John Baptist It hath been observed that some wicked Persons have been afraid to swear or carry it unseemly in the presence of a godly Man IV. A Lion is a very strong Creature IV. The Saints are so strong in the Lord and the Power of his Might that none either in Earth or Hell are a Match for them V. A Lion treadeth down and maketh a Prey of his Enemies V. So the Godly shall in the latter Days make a Prey of all their Adversaries be as terrible as an Army with Banners when God brings them forth against Babylon God will raise up the Sons of Zion against the Sons of Greece and make them as the Sword of a mighty Man Cant. 6.10 Zech. 9.13 Mich. 5.8 The Remnant of Jacob shall be amongst the Gentiles in the midst of many People as a Lion amongst the Beasts of the Forrest amongst a Flock of Sheep who if he go through both treadeth down and teareth in pieces and none can deliver Disparity IN many things the Righteous are not like to a Lion A Lion hath many evil devouring and hurtful Qualities and it is upon that account wicked Men and the Devils are compared to Lions Inferences IN vain are the Saints by Men and Devils assaulted he that prevails against them must also prevail against and overcome the mighty God and who is a Match for Him 2. This reproves and may tend to shame the timorous Christian What! afraid to own Christ to stand up for and stand by the Truth when thou hast God to stand up for thee and stand by thee c. 3. Let Saints shew themselves bold and couragious in the Cause and Interest of God and their Souls A fearful timerous Spirit becomes not a Christian Have you a good Cause have you a good Call have you a good Conscience have you a good Captain What then do you fear In the Strength of the Lord be as bold as a Lion and in order thereunto get the Truth into your Affections see that you have received the Truth in the Love of it And be sure you approve your selves to be sincere for
't is Sincerity that imboldens a Christian and makes him valiant Saints compared to Gold Job 23.10 When he hath tried me I shall come forth as Gold Isa 13.12 I will make a Man more precious than fine Gold c. Simile Parallel GOld is a precious Metal it is esteemed as one of the rarest Things on Earth hence Things of great Value are in the holy Scriptures set forth by Gold THe Saints are a choice and precious People the excellent Ones in all the Earth Psal 16.2 Prov. 12.26 Isa 44.4 Lam. 4.2 Deut. 32.9 Since thou hast been precious in my Sight thou hast been honourable and I have loved thee They are called precious Sons of Zion comparable to fine Gold God esteems them as his Portion The Lord's Portion is his People Jacob is the Lot of his Inheritance II. Gold tho it is a pure Sort of Metal yet there is some Dross in it tho as Naturalists observe there is not any Metal that is more free from Dross and Rust than Gold is II. The Saints of God tho holy very precious and gracious Ones yet are they not without Sin there is some Dross of Corruption in the very best Eccl. 7.20 1 Joh. 1.8 There is not a just Man upon the Earth that doth good and sinneth not If we say we have no Sin we deceive our selves and the Truth is not in us III. Gold is refined in the Fire and thereby is made more pure than it was before III. So the Saints are put into the Fire I mean into the Furnace of Affliction to purge and refine them from all the Dross of their Corruption Job 23.10 When he hath tried me I shall come forth as Gold I will make a Man more precious than fine Gold I will bring the third Part through the Fire and will refine them as Silver is refined Zech. 13.9 and will try them as Gold is tried They shall call upon my Name and I will hear them I will say It is my People and they shall say The Lord is my God IV. Gold is very pliant you may bow and work it as you please and the Fire makes it more pliable and yielding c. IV. So the Saints are of a soft and pliable Nature God having infused his precious Grace into their Hearts they are of a yielding Temper they have Hearts of Flesh and God by putting them into the Fire makes them more pliant and flexible they presently yield to the Will of God when others will not cannot be brought to it V. Gold will endure the Fire tho it be often put into the Furnace yet it loseth nothing but the drossy Part. The Fire doth it much Good it cannot destroy the precious Nature of it Gold retains its Excellency in despite of the envious Rage of fiery Flames V. So the Saints of God or all sincere Ones endure the fiery Trial they are not burned up not consumed in the Furnace of Affliction tho heated seven-fold tho it burn their Bodies into Ashes and reduce their Flesh as one observes into the first Atoms yet the Saint the Gold is not hurt nor doth he receive the least Damage thereby Sincere Christians are compared to Gold and Hypocrites to Wood Hay and Stubble which the Fire will burn up VI. Gold is often formed into Vessels rarely wrought for the Pleasure Honour and Use of Princes and great Men. VI. See Vessel God frames some of his Saints for most excellent Use he makes of them Vessels of Honour to hold the glorious Treasure of the Gospel and to let it out to others These are fitly compared to fine Gold Lam. 4.2 altho accounted as earthen Pitchers VII Gold is carefully kept Men set highly by it and often hide it lest Thieves should steal it away VII So God sets highly by his Saints He keeps them carefully Day and Night They are called his hidden Ones He covers them under his Wings from the Pride of Men. VIII Men suffer great Pains for Gold run great Losses and Hazards to obtain it and make it sure to themselves VIII So Jesus Christ suffered great Pain and Loss for his poor Saints he laid down his Life for them We were not redeemed with Silver and Gold 1 Pet. 1.18 19. from our vain Conversations but with the precious Blood of Christ as of a Lamb without blemish Simile Disparity GOld is earthly and of a perishing Nature it weareth away by little and little the more it is put to use the more it wasteth THe Saints tho their Bodies are earthly and die yet they shall never perish and their better Part is spiritual and shall never see Corruption The more Service they do the more glorious they shall be Saints are not the worse for wearing II. Gold hath its Glory from Art were it not moulded shaped and furbished by the Wit of Man it would not be so glorious nor of that esteem as now it is II. But the Saints have all their Glory from Grace it is not the Work of Mens Hands but the Work of God's Hands that makes them to shine they are curiously wrought and fashioned by the Spirit from whence they become glorious III. Gold is Gold naturally as it is dug out of the Earth tho not so pure as it is made afterwards by the Art and Industry of Man III. But the Saints were meer Lumps of Filth Earth and not Gold naturally 'T is Grace that makes them excellent as Gold 't is Grace that makes them differ from others Inferences THis shews forth the great Worth of God's peculiar Ones they are esteemed by him far more excellent than Gold is by Men. 2. It speaks forth much Comfort to the Godly God so prizeth them that he keeps them as carefully as we do the choicest and rarest Gold 3. It shews the Excellency of Grace Grace is of a transforming Nature it is like the Philosopher's Stone it turns every Man and Woman be they never so vile and base Metal into Gold i. e. it makes them holy precious and gracious Ones in God's Sight Saints compared to Doves Mat. 10.16 Be ye harmless as Doves DOves are 1. Meek 2. Harmless 3. Chast 4. They make their Nests in a Rock 5. They feed upon pure Grain not on Cartion as Fowls of Prey do 6. Have a lovely Eye and always fixed upon their Mates 7. They love to keep Company together 8. Mourn when they have lost the Sight of their Mates 9. They are often molested by Fowls of Prey 10. They are very fruitful 11. They love to be by sweet Springs and Rivers of Water 12. They were appointed under the Law for Sacrifices 13. They have no Defence but by Flight Upon all these Considerations Saints may be compared to Doves which is largely opened under the Eighth Head of Metaphors concerning the Church to which we refer you Saints compared to Lambs in a large Place Hosea 4.16 Now the Lord will feed them as a Lamb in a large
III. A Heart of Flesh cannot bear a great Weight a heavy Burden will crush and mar it exceedingly Lay never so great a Weight upon a Stone and that will bear it you cannot crush that nor make the least Impression in it what Weight soever you lay upon it but a Heart of Flesh or that which is of a soft Substance is of another Nature a Weight will bruise crush and mar it immediatly So a tender-hearted Christian cannot bear the Weight of Sin he feels the Burthen so heavy that he is sorely crushed down and oppressed under the Guilt thereof and grievously bruised Thus it was with David Psal 38. I am sore broken I am bowed down greatly c. IV. A Heart of Flesh I mean a living Heart for 't is such a one of which the Text speaks is a sensible Heart So a tender-hearted Christian or a Man or Woman that hath a Heart of Flesh is very sensible Such are sensible of their own Vileness and loath themselves before the Lord cannot bear the Thoughts of God's Displeasure it goes to their very Heart to think that the holy and infinite God should be displeased and offended with them they are sensible of their own Sorrows and of the Sorrows and Miseries of others A tender-hearted Person will grieve for the Afflictions of his Brethren and Sisters if his Mother or any dear Relation is distressed and in great Misery O how sensible is he of it and how sorely troubled and disquieted in his Spirit And thus it is with a tender hearted Saint O how is he grieved for the distressed Saints and for distressed Sion c. V. A Heart of Flesh i. e. a tender Heart will take any Impression you please So a tender-hearted Christian will take any Impression from God He is like Wax melted that will take the Impression of the Seal They are ready to take the Stamp of the Word the Image of God which is Righteousness and true Holiness The Spirit and Word of God can mould these Hearts into any Form or Fashion God pleaseth c. Saints compared to Stewards Luk. 16.2 Give an account of thy Stewardship c. 1 Pet. 4.10 As good Stewards c. Note Every Saint is the Steward of God Parallels I. A Steward is a Person that hath Goods or Moneys committed to his Charge So every Christian hath many Goods called Talents committed to him Mat. 25.14 15. both Spirituals and Temporals II. A Steward cannot say the Riches which are committed to him are his own no he is but the Steward of them in Trust they being the proper Right of another Man or his Lord's Goods So a Christian cannot say any thing he hath is his own all he is and hath is the Lord's III. A Steward ought to dispose of every thing committed to his Charge according to the special Command of his Master who possibly orders him to pay so much to such an one and so much to such an one and so much to such Poor that dwell in the Parish c. So every Christian ought to dispose of all his Lord's Goods according to his express Command laid down in his Word or he is no faithful Steward So much he is required to dispose of to the Ministers of the Gospel that may tend to make their Lives comfortable and free them from the perplexing Cares of this Life which greatly hinder them in their Ministry The true Minister's Maintenance is jure divino of divine Right So hath the Lord ordained 1 Cor. 9.14 that they that preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel Also they are required to give to the Poor that they may not want c. Their Charity ought to be according to their Ability and the Poor's Necessity and not only to give but to give cheerfully with a willing Heart c. IV. Stewards are required to improve their Lord's Money c. So Christians ought to improve all those spiritual Gifts and Graces Time and Strength Wisdom and Knowledg Whatsoever God hath given to them he expects they should improve it to his Glory and to the Profit of their Neighbours V. 'T is a great and horrible Evil in a Steward to mind his own Business and Concerns more than the Concerns of his Lord and Master So 't is an utter Fault and that which may justly call in question the Truth of his Sincerity and Christianity for a Christian to mind the World and his own private Interest more than the Interests and Concerns of Jesus Christ Some care not what becomes of Christ's Labourers or of the poor Saints nor of the Interest of the Gospel so that they have all things to their Hearts Content They eat the Fat and drink the Sweet and lay up great Store of Treasure for their own Children c. they have perhaps their Hundreds and Thousands by them and in the mean while many faithful Ministers hard put to it to get Bread Is it not an abominable Evil in a Steward to live like a Lord himself upon his Master's Goods and let his Master's Children want Bread and also to keep back the Right of his faithful and painful Labourers for whose sake he intrusted him with so much Substance VI. A Steward must expect to be called to an Account Give an Account of thy Stewardship c. So must every Christian expect to be called to an Account by Jesus Christ concerning his Stewardship and what will they have to say who have embezelled much of their Lord's Goods and converted the rest to their own private Use Let all take heed and so demean themselves that they may have their Accounts to give up with Joy Saints compared to Stones 1 Pet. 2.5 Ye also as lively Stones are built up a spiritual House an holy Priesthood c. THe Saints of God are compared to Stones to the Stones of a a Building c. Parallels I. SOme Stones that Men build with are very rough and rocky as they are taken out of the Quarry and therefore need much Hewing and Squaring before they are fit for the Building So naturally the Hearts of Sinners are rocky and like rough Stones Hos 6.5 and to this the Lord alludes I have hewed them by the Prophets Ministers are God's Tools by which He does his Work upon Mens Hearts II. Stones are fit Materials to build a House withal So God sees Believers are the only fit Materials to build his spiritual House III. Stones in a Building are well knit and united together So should the Saints in Love c. IV. Stones are durable so are the Saints Disparity I. NO Builder builds his House with preeious Stones But Believers are called precious Stones This notes the Richness and Excellency of the spiritual Building 1 Cor. 3.12 Now if any build upon this Foundation Gold Silver precious Stones c. II. No earthly Stones have Life in them they are not living but dead Stones But the Saints are living Stones Eph.
setting forth the Worth and Fxcellency of them IV. So God in the Day to come when he hath made up all the Jewels he intends to make will reveal shew or make known his Saints to Angels and Men. Hence the Day of Christ's coming is called the Day of the Manifestation of the Sons of God They shall be mine saith God He will say in that Day These are mine these that you ungodly Ones abused hated and persecuted and thought not worthy to live but accounted the Off-scouring of all things behold now what rare and lovely Ones they are these are the Delight and Joy of my Heart whom I value as my choicest Treasure and I will spare them whilst you shall bear the Fierceness of my Wrath and Indignation for ever Then shall ye return and discern between the Righteous and the Wicked Mal. 3. ult between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not Disparity I. Other Jewels may be lost But God will lose none of his Jewels II. He that makes other Jewels may not be the proper Owner of them nor wear them for an Ornament himself But God who makes all his spiritual Jewels is the proper Owner of them This People have I formed for my self They are also made for his own Glory III. Other Jewels may be quite spoiled broke to pieces and become good for nothing the best and richest Jewels shall at last pass away and perish for ever But God's Jewels shall never be utterly spoiled for tho they may receive some Damage by Satan's Temptations and the Pollution of Sin yet God will perfect that which is wanting concerning them and make them at last so glorious that they shall be out of Danger and shall abide and shine in Beauty and Glory to Eternity Inferences FRom hence we may infer what horrid Iniquity the Enemies of God and his Church are guilty of and what a dreadful Account they have to give for endeavouring and with the greatest Rage and Malice and unwearied Attempts contriving all ways imaginable to spoil break in pieces and utterly destroy all God's choice and precious Jewels which he is as tender of as the Apple of his Eye what will they do in the Day of Vengeance 2. It speaks forth much Comfort to the Godly O how are they esteemed prized and valued by the Almighty they are his Jewels his special and peculiar Treasure 3. This may inform all Men what the Reason is God is so much concerned for the Good and Well-being of his own People and so often appears to vindicate their Innocency and defend them from the Rage and Cruelty of wicked Men. 5. Let us enquire whether we are God's Jewels or not 1. Are we regenerated Ones have we the Pearl of Faith Love Humility c. 2. Are we holy sincere and faithful in all things to God 3. Do we excell others Is there a real or only a seeming Worth and Excellency in us What do we more than others 4. Do we grow in Grace doth the Work of God go on upon our Hearts Are we more sit for Heaven to day than we were yesterday A Jewel in the hand of a Jeweller is every day nearer finishing The Righteous shall hold on his Way and he that hath clean hands shall grow stronger and stronger Saints compared to Kings Rev. 5.10 And hast made us unto God Kings and Priests c. THe Saints are in this Place and some others called Kings which is one of the highest Titles among Men. Parallels I. KIngs are usually highly descended or are Sons of Nobles So the Saints are all highly descended they are born from above born of God and so may be said to be the Off-spring of Heaven Behold what manner of Love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the Sons of God! Behold 1 Joh. 3.1 2. now are we Sons of God c. II. Kings have great Attendants belonging to them So the Saints have most great and glorious Attendants belonging to them viz. the holy Angels No Kings or Monarchs on Earth are honoured like the Saints and Children of God in respect of the Excellency of their Retinue See Angels under the Sixth Head III. Kings have their Crowns and do reign or else expect to reign So the Saints have a Crown laid up for them 2 Tim. 4.18 Henceforth there is laid up for me a Crown of Righteousness which God the Righteous Judg shall give unto me at that day and not to me only but to all them also that love his Appearance Be thou faithful unto Death Rev. 2.10 Rev. 5.10 and I will give thee a Crown of Life And as they shall have a Crown so they shall reign upon the Earth as Kings IV. Kings are the principal Men on Earth far exceeding in Honour and Excellency all common People So the Saints are the chief and principal Ones or the most excellent in all the Earth it may be said of them as of Jabesh 1 Chron. 4.9 10. they are more honourable than their Brethren What base and ignoble Persons are the Wicked to those noble Souls The Ungodly be they never so high and great in Power and Sovereignty are compared to Things very base vile and contemptible as will hereafter be shewn The Righteous is more excellent than his Neighbour Prov. 12.26 V. Kings sometimes meet with great Trouble and Sorrow after they are anointed before they come to the quiet Enjoyment of their Crowns they have been severely persecuted and chased from one Place to another as King David particularly was So the Saints of God tho they are anointed with the Oil of Gladness and have an Assurance given them of the Crown of Glory meet with very great Trouble in this World being persecuted tormented afflicted and sometimes having no certain Dwelling-Place as is said of some of the ancient Worthies Heb. 11. Heb. 11.37 VI. Some Kings have possessed and reigned over many Kingdoms their Dominions have been very great The Saints are the Heirs of a Kingdom nayâ— all the Kingdoms under the whole Heavens shall be given to them Rev. 11.15 Dan. 9.27 The Kingdoms of this World shall become the Kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ c. And the Kingdoms and Dominions and the Greatness of the Kingdom under the whole Heaven shall be given to the People of the Saints of the Most High c. VII Kings have great and noble Minds they busy not themselves about mean Matters So the Saints have great and noble Spirits they converse about Things above being risen with Christ their Affections are not set upon Things below Col. 3 1 2 Phil 3.20 but seek those Things that are above where Christ is at the right-hand of God Our Conversation is in Heaven c. VIII Kings have many great and glorious Privileges and Prerogatives appertaining to them how are they honoured and congratulated by the People So have the Saints They shall sit down with Christ
painted Sepulchers Mat. 23.27 Wo unto you Scribes and Pharisees Hypocrites for ye are like unto whited Sepulchers which indeed appear beautiful without but within full of dead Men's Bones and all Vncleanness THey are principally Hypocrites which our Saviour resembles to whited Sepulchres and how fitly they may be compared thereunto is shewed in the following Parallel Simile Parallel A Painted Sepulchre appears as the Text saith beautiful without SO vile Hypocrites appear glorious and beautiful to Men as if they were real Saints they seem very devout in appearance and outward Shew to those that only behold their Outside 't is God only that sees the Heart II. Sepulchres tho they appear beautiful without yet they are very loathsom within II. So Hypocrites tho they may appear holy and religious to Men or to the outward Eye yet are within vile and ungodly full of Pride Vain-Glory Envy Malice Covetousness and every horrid and abominable Lust which makes them as loathsom in the sight of God as a stinking Sepulchre is to us A wicked Man Prov. 13.5 saith Solomon is loathsom III. Those that make and beautify a Sepulchre do it that its inward Filth and Pollution may not easily appear or offend those that behold it much Pains Cost and Curiosity is bestowed upon the Out-side of it whereas Men matter not how filthy they are within III. So the vile Hypocrites in all their outward Shews Zeal Religion and seeming Piety do it to hide their cursed Ends abominable Lusts and Wickedness for did they appear outwardly to all Men what they are inwardly they would be loathsom to all that fear God They bestow much Pains and Cost and shew their Skill and Cunning to carry it religiously and warily to Men whereas they take little or no care how filthy they are inwardly IV. Tho a Sepulchre appears never so beautiful without yet Men know 't is loathsom within IV. So tho Hypocrites appear never so much like Saints to the Eyes of Men yet God knows and sees they are polluted and vile Wretches inwardly Inferences THis shews what the abominable Nature of Sin is 't is here compared to a dead putrified and stinking Carcase what is more loathsom 2. It shews also the filthy unclean and abominable State of painted Hypocrites c. Wicked Men compared to Swine Mat. 7.6 Neither cast your Pearls before Swine 2 Pet. 2.22 The Dog is turned to his Vomit again and the Sow that was washed to her wallowing in the Mire SOme Sort of wicked Men are more especially in these Scriptures compared to Hogs or Swine we shall in the following Parallels shew who they are and how fitly they may be resembled to them Metaphor Parallel SWine love to be in the Mud they will wallow in Filth and miry Places which Sheep and divers other Creatures strive as much as they can to avoid This Beast saith Gesner is a most impure and unclean Beast and its Nature is to delight to wallow in most filthy and noisom Places SO wicked Men love their brutish Lusts and daily wallow in the Mud and Mire of Filth and the abominable Pollutions of Sin and Uncleanness until they become defiled all over from the Head to the Foot Such Men and Women who live in Uncleanness Drunkenness and other beastly Sins may fitly be compared to Swine for 't is as pleasant to them to riot in the Day-time and tumble as it were in the Mud of Wickedness as it is to a Swine to wallow in the Mire II. The Hog or Swine is a dull stupid and sensless Creature not like the Hart and divers Animals that might be named II. So are wicked Men they are like this dull and sottish Brute slow of Heart and hard to believe they are Men of no spiritual Understanding III. Swine are craving and very greedy Creatures They are so greedy Dr. Frantzius saith my Author that they have no measure in eating and hence grow so fat that sometimes they are hardly able to go nay they will eat untill they burst themselves III. Some wicked Men are just like Swine in this respect they are so greedy and covetous that they are never satisfied When they have got their Hundreds nay it may be their Thousands by the Year yet still they pursue the World as if they had their Bread to get and were not worth a Groat and thus growing fat Jeshurun like they forget God But Jeshurun waxed fat and kicked Deut. 32.15 Some there be also who are such Epicures that they are naturally like the Swine who are not only gluttonous but will drink until they are quite drunk and hence we commonly call a sottish Drunkard a drunken Swine IV. Swine as they are greedy and unsatisfied Creatures so they are commonly fed for the Slaughter IV. So the Wicked who flourish in this Life and feed in their filthy Sties of sensual Lusts are let alone in their Sins being fatted for the Day of Slaughter Jer. 12.3 V. Swine are a mischievous Sort of Creatures They will not only root up Gardens and Vineyards and pleasant Meadows where they can get in but will destroy Chickens and other harmless Creatures also and eat them up and tear Clothes and other Things in pieces if they be not look'd after and kept up in their Sties nay some of them will bite and devour Men if they look not to themselves V. So some wicked Men are very mischievous if they can but get loose or break into God's Garden they will root it up and spoil those precious Flowers and Plants which he hath set therein How often have they eat up God's Children tearing them in pieces like wanton and mischievous Swine caring not not what hurt they do Have all the Workers of Iniquity no knowledg Psal 14 4. who eat up my People as they eat Bread and call not upon the Lord No Swine like the Romish Swine upon this account who like devouring Locusts Rev. 9. strive to eat up every green Thing It is not to be imagined what hurt these Wild-Boars have done to God's Vineyard but blessed be God who puts a Hook in their Noses VI. Swine are of no use or Service saith Dr. Fanzius to any one while they live but when they are killed they yield the Owner some Profit VI. So it is with some covetous Men who never do any Good with what they have whilst they live A wicked Usurer saith Bonaventure is like a Hog for whilst he liveth he is good and profitable for nothing for he will ever be rooting up the Earth running through and tearing of Hedges c. but when the Hog is dead then cometh Profit by him So by the Death of the Wicked some Profit may come to some of his poor Relations nay many times by the Death of some wicked Rulers much Good comes to the Church of God in general VII The Hog is continually grunting all the while he is at his Trough eating in fear as it were lest
their Hearts lest instead of good Wheat they should at last prove evil Tares 2. It also reproves those Magistrates who in a blind Zeal persecute Men for Religion and Conscience sake pretending they do it to destroy the Tares viz. Hereticks c. whereas they know not but that those they persecute may be good and faithful Christians Besides 't is a Work that belongs not to them God would have both tho one Sort may be very vile and impudent Hereticks Schismaticks c. to live together to the end of the World Wicked Men compared to Chaff Psal 1.4 The Vngodly are not so but are like the Chaff which the Wind driveth away Mat. 3.12 But he will burn up the Chaff with unquenchable Fire Wicked Men are compared to Chaff Simile Parallel CHaff before it is separated from the Wheat cleaves close to it and the Wheat must be trod or threshed before the one can be separated from the other SO some wicked Men I mean Hypocrites seem to cleave close to the Saints and to be in perfect Union or Oneness with them And the Godly must be trod upon or threshed with the Flail of Persecution before they as sacred Wheat can be separated from the Chaff viz. counterfeit Christians II. Chaff is of little worth or value to the Wheat Jer. 23.28 What is the Chaff to the Wheat 'T is a low mean and contemptible thing one Bushel of Wheat is worth many Bushels of Chaff II. So wicked Men and Hypocrites are of little worth and value in the sight of God he esteems one true Christian worth thousands and ten thousands of Hypocrites I give Egypt for thy Ransom Isa 43.3 Ethiopia and Seba for thee Since thou wert precious in my sight thou hast been honourable c. III. Chaff is light and airy 't is no ponderous Thing and therefore the Wind carries it away with a Blast III. So the Wicked whatever shew they make of Religion and Piety they are light as Chaff they are not weighty nor ponderous their Lightness and Levity is discovered by their Words and Behavior and when the Blast and Tempest of Persecution comes it drives them away from the seeming Zeal and Religion they pretend to and at last the Wind of God's Wrath will drive them into the lowest Hell there to be burned with unquenchable Fire Inferences THis shews what a great difference there is between the Godly and the Ungodly also what the woful Condition of Hypocrites is and what will be in the End Wicked Men compared to Thorns Numb 33.55 They shall be Pricks in your Eyes and Thorns in your Sides c. Josh 23.13 But they shall be as Snares and Traps unto you and Scourges in your Sides and Thorns in your Eyes c. Cant. 2.2 As a Lilly among Thorns Nah. 1.10 For whilst they are folden together as Thorns c. THorns as Glassius and others observe in these Places of holy Sripture signify wicked mischievous Men. Numb 33.55 Simile Parallel THorns came in with the Curse Cursed is the Ground for thy sake Gen. 3.18 Thorns also and Thistles shall it bring forth unto thee c. Had not Adam sinned we should not have been troubled with Thorns SO wicked Men came in with the Fall and as the Fruit of the Curse Had not Adam sinned the World had never been troubled with these Briars and Thorns but ever since the Curse for Adam's Sin the World hath been full of these Thorns II. A Thorn is no tender Tree but contrary-wise sturdy hard knotty and full of Knobs and Pricks dangerous to meddle or have to do with II. Clopham So the Wicked these Sons of Belial Belegnol without Yoke that is such as will not come under the Yoke of Obedience or Beli Gnalah not ascending because their Males prospered not These Thorns wicked Men 2 Sam. 23.6 are hard-hearted knotty-conditioned full of pricking and stinging Words and Works What can he expect that meddles with a Thorn or Briar but to be scratch'd prick'd and wounded in his so doing So that Man that has to do with some wicked Men shall be scratch'd or prick'd in his good Name and Estate one way or other III. Thorns are Trees of little worth low and base Things hurtful to Fields Gardens and Vineyards c. III. So wicked Men are of little worth and value in God's sight they are of a base Spirit and Principle Lovers of Pleasure more than Lovers of God preferring Earth above Heaven Prov. 10.20 The Heart of the Wicked is little worth And as they are unprofitable and little worth in themselves so they are offensive and prejudicial to God's Garden they hinder the Growth of the Saints as much as in them lies wounding the Lilly that groweth among them See Lilly among Thorns IV. Thorns nevertheless do serve sometimes to make a Hedg to keep out wild Beasts from breaking into a Field or Vineyard IV. So some of these wicked Ones God now and then makes use of to be a Hedg to his People to keep out a more bloody and cruel Adversary Rev. 12 The Earth helped the Woman that is Wicked Men Men of the Earth stood up for and sided in with the Church and People of God and so proved as a Wall of Defence or Hedg to them Besides God makes use of them sometimes as a Hedg to stop his People in their evil Courses by suffering these Sons of Belial to afflict them I will hedg up her Way with Thorns Hos 2.6 V. Thorns and Briars when they are grown to any height are oft-times by the Owner cut down and cast into the Fire V. So the Wicked and Ungodly when they are grown to a great height of Wickedness provoking God against themselves are cut down and cast into Hell That which beareth Briars and Thorns is near unto Cursing whose end is to be burnt He 8.6.8 VI. Thorns and Briars are not able to stand before a devouring and consuming Fire VI. So the Wicked are not able to stand before the dreadful and angry God For while they be folden together as Thorns Nah. 1.10 and whilst they are drunken as Drunkards they shall be destroyed as Stubble fully dry Isa 27.4 Who would saith God set the Briars and Thorns against me in Battel I would go through them I would burn them together Inferences IS it not a strange and marvellous thing that God's People are no more scratch'd and prick'd with these troublesom Thorns considering what a Multitude of them are amongst us 2. It may caution all true Christians how they meddle with these pricking Thorns 3. It shews the Folly of the Wicked who strive with the Almighty and set themselves in Battel against Him who is a consuming Fire and they but Thorns and Briars or like Stubble fully dry Wicked Men compared to Mountains Isa 41.15 Thou shalt thresh the Mountains and beat thm small c. Isa 2.14 Vpon all high Mountains that are lifted up
and such wicked Ways 6. He grows soon after this Conscience-proof and Sermon-proof nay and Judgment-proof too he neither fears Rod nor Sword a Stone will yield as soon as he 7. He after this sits down in the Seat of the Scorner derides and reproaches the Law and mocks at approaching Judgments like the Sodomites 8. And at last becomes a Persecutor of them that are godly like cursed Pharaoh c. Quest What are the Signs of a hard Heart Answ 1. When many Blows will not break it nor make the Heart yield Notwithstanding God lays on hard and heavy Strokes by his Word by Conscience and by Judgments yet nothing works remorse 2. When that Word or Sermon which wrought powerfully upon another Person works not at all upon thee 3. When the divine Rain of the Word glides off of thy Heart and will not remain or abide with thee 't is a Sign thy Heart is hard 4. When thou art neither troubled for thy own Sins nor troubled for the Sins of others 5. When thine own Miseries the Miseries of the Saints and the Distresses of Sion do not melt thee nor work Compassion in thy Soul Tho God is dishonoured his Right and Sovereignty invaded and Ruine seems to be at the Door yet thou art not troubled at any of these things Wicked Men compared to Eagles Hos 8.1 He shall come as an Eagle against the House of the Lord. Some understand this Eagle signified Nebuchadnezzar others the Assyrian c. Lam. 4.19 Our Persecutors are swifter than the Eagles of Heaven c. Tyrants and cruel Persecutors are compared to Eagles Parallels EAgles are very swift in their Flight and that especially when they pursue their Prey So cruel Persecutors are swift to shed Blood Isa 5.26 They haste like Eagles to the Prey II. Eagles are quarrelsom Creatures preying devouring envious proud lofty the Plague and Tormenters of all other Birds or Fowls of Heaven as Naturalists observe Gesner reports that in a certain Eagle's Nest were found three hundred Ducks one hundred and sixty Geese forty Hares and many Fishes c. In these respects wicked Men or bloody Persecutors may fitly be compared to them They are very quarrelsom always seeking occasion against the Innocent envious proud and lofty as appeared in Pharaoh and others They are the very Plague and Torment of all their Neighbours How many hath the Roman Eagle destroyed how many Thousands nay Hundred Thousands of the Sheep and Lambs of Jesus Christ have been found in her Nest as I may so say In her was found the Blood of Prophets Rev. 18.24 and of Saints and of all that were slain upon the Earth III. The Eagle is a subtil and crafty Creature She will fill her Wings with Dust and get upon a Stag's Horns and by beating the Dust and Sand into his Eyes she blinds him and then soon conquers him She also carries Shell-Fishes on high letting them fall upon a Rock to break them which sets forth her great Subtilty c. How crafty have many Persecutors been to destroy the Godly Come saith Pharaoh let us deal wisely with them Their common Practice is to put the Saints into Wolves Skins and then set the Dogs upon them to worry them Christ was accused for being an Enemy to Caesar and the Apostles as Movers of Sedition Acts 24.5 Thus the cruel Papists dealt with the good Lord Cobham and many other Christians viz. accused them with Treason and Rebellion that so they might with the better colour take away their Lives IV. An Eagle is an unclean Creature and therefore God would not have it to be offered up in Sacrifice tho she be accounted the King of Birds yet God rather chose the Dove upon this account and refused the Eagle So wicked Men are unclean and their Prayers and Sacrifices yea their best Performances Prov. 15.8 9. are an Abomination in the sight of the Lord. V. An Eagle is no comely Bird she hath no sweet Voice nor is she good for Food So wicked Men are not comely but contrary-wise very fulsom and ill-favoured in God's sight neither is their Voice sweet in his Ears Christ takes great delight to see his People and in hearing their Voice Let me see thy Countenance Cant. 2.14 let me hear thy Voice for sweet is thy Voice and thy Countenance is comely But thus he speaks not of the Ungodly their Persons and Prayers are no ways delightful to the Almighty God had respect to Abel and his Offering but unto Cain and his Offering Gen 4.4 5 he had not respect Disparity AN Eagle hath many and excellent Properties wherein there is a great Disparity between her and ungodly Men and upon this account the Lord Jesus is compared to an Eagle and his Saints to Eagles See Christ an Eagle in the First Volume Wicked Men compared to the Devil John 6.10 Have not I chosen you twelve and one of you is a Devil Rev. 2.10 The Devil shall cast some of you into Prison c. VIle and ungodly Men may in many respects be compared unto the Devil himself Parallels THe Devil at first was formed or created by the Almighty I do not say he was created a Devil Sin made him a Devil but God at first made him he was created an Angel of Light So God created wicked Men they are God's Creatures Eccles 7.29 Tho God at first made no Man wicked The Lord created Man upright but he hath sought out many Inventions 'T is Sin that hath made Man so vile II. The Devil then is grievously degenerated from what he once was so are wicked Men from what they were in Adam III. The Devil is an Enemy to God he was God's first Enemy So are wicked Men cursed Enemies of God and early Enemies too 'T is thought Man became God's Enemy not many days after Satan fell he is almost as old an Enemy as the Devil is IV. The Devil conspired like a vile Traitor against his lawful Sovereign So have all the ungodly ever done and still daily do They would not have God reign nor his Laws be obeyed c. but would magnify themselves and their cursed Edicts above the righteous Laws and Statutes of Heaven V. The Devil sins freely naturally with full purpose and cannot but sin So wicked Men sin freely 't is sweet and pleasant to them 't is like sweet Wine c. They delight in Sin Eccles 8.11 Job 15.16 Jer. 13.3 2 Pet. 2.24 their Hearts as Solomon says are fully set in them to do wickedly They drink in Iniquity as the Fish drinks Water Can the Aethiopian change his Skin then may they who are accustomed to do Evil learn to do well Hence saith the Apostle Having their Eyes full of Adultery and that cannot cease from Sin VI. The Devil hates those that are truly godly and seeks to beguile and deceive them So wicked and ungodly Men hate the Saints and strive to entice and draw away their
and spoils his Divinity makes him but a poor petty God he is but the God of this World both for extension and duration he bears no rule above nor shall he bear any sway in the World to come If the God of this World 't is by Usurpation he is like an audacious Traitor who rebels and strives against his Lawful Soveraign For the Earth is the Lords and the fulness thereof Christ is Heir of both Worlds tho he admits Satan to God it here for a while he is a false God an Enemy to God and no God Disparity GOD is without Beginning the Devil had a beginning God is an uncreated Spirit the Devil an Angel and a created Spirit I do not say he was created a Devil Sin made him a Devil God can do what he pleaseth he hath an unlimited Power the Devil's Power is limited he can go no further than God permits him God hath a just and rightful Power Satan hath only an usurped Power c. God is infinite immense c. But some may say in what Sense is Satan said to be God of this World What World c. The word World is a convertible Phrase and here I understand it is to be taken for the Inhabitants of the World I mean the Wicked distinct frâ—m the Godly He is the wicked Man's God three ways 1. By Devolution they have fallen off from God to Satan they have departed from the true God and his Service and have closed in with the Devil and so Satan owns them to be his Subjects The whole World is divided into two parts two Bodies and are under two Heads either Subjects of Christ's Kingdom or of the Kingdom and Power of Satan they are either of the Army of Light or Regiment of Darkness Rom. 6.16 2. The Devil is the wicked Man's God by voluntary submission His Servants ye are to whom you obey Wicked Men are Satan's Volunteers 3. By God's just Desertion as they have cast off God and his Service and desire not the knowledg of his ways so God hath cast them off and suffered Satan to possess them c. The Devil a Prince Joh. 14.30 The Prince of the World cometh c. Eph. 2.2 According to the Prince of the Power of the Air. Rev. 9.11 And they had a King over them which is the Angel of the bottomless Pâ—t THE Devil is in these Scriptures called a Prince Prince of Darkness Prince of the Power of the Air King of the bottomless Pit c. Parallels PRince is a Term that denotes Power and Soveraignty Satan hath great Power over wicked Men c. There is also no doubt some kind of Supremacy or Superiority amongst the evil Angels we read of the Prince of Devils He casts out Devils by Beelzebub the Prince of Devils Also some of these wicked Angels are called Principalities and Powers which signifieth Eminency of Place above others What degrees or order there is amongst Devils is hard to find out what ever Order there is amongst them yet we know he is the Master of mis-rule amongst Men c. II. A King or Prince ruling and reigning imports a Kingdom for what is a King without a Kingdom and Dominions over which he reigns The Devil hath a Kingdom There is a twofold Spiritual Kingdom spoken of viz. the Kingdom of Light and the Kingdom of Darkness called sometimes the Kingdom and Power of Darkness â—1 His Kingdom is in the Hearts of ungodly Men he rules and reigns there 2. His Kingdom takes in all the Confines and Territories of Anti-Christ and all other false and corrupt erroneous and tyrannical States whatsoever throughout the whole Earth where his Power is owned and his Authority subjected to 3. He is said to be King of the bottomless Pit III. The Name of some Kings puts an awful fear upon Men So the Name and Power of Satan is such that it makes many Souls to dread and quake at the Thoughts of him IV. Some Kings have been great Tyrants There is no Tyrant in the World nor ever was so vile as the Devil True some have acted like Devils they seemed more like Devils than Men as Nero who caused the Bowels of his own Mother to be ripped up to see where he lay c. See Lion and Dragon V. Some Kings are mighty in Power and their Dominions very large Satan is a mighty King he hath a Power that no meer human force can stand against hence called the strong Man armed none ever seemed a match for him but the Prince of Peace Besides he rules over all the Nations of the ungodly and by force or fraud enslaves to his hellish Scepter Millions of Souls there is no Kingdom or Nation in the whole Universe but he pretends to some Right Supremacy and Authority in it the World is full of his Creatures nay there are more Souls who are his Vassals than the Son of God hath faithful Subjects The Devil a Hunter Psal 91.3 He will deliver thee from the Snare of the Hunter Prov. 6.5 Deliver thy self as a Roe from the Hand of the Hunter By the Hunter in these places I see no ground to doubt but that the Holy Ghost principally intends the Devil who is the great Hunter and Destroyer of Mens Souls out of whose Hand i. e. Power Wisdom advises her Son to deliver himself Parallels A Hunter is one that pursues or eagerly follows after his Prey what sort of Beasts soever he hunts he seems unwearied in his Pursuit his Heart is affected with his Game and hence takes great delight in it So the Devil pursues Sinners nay and the Godly too for they are part of his Game and how eagerly doth he pursue them 't is the only thing he seems to delight in he is never weary of this work nor in the work II. A Hunter in pursuing after the poor sensitive Beast designs to kill and destroy them 't is to take their Lives away c. So the Devil in hunting after the Souls of Men his grand design is to destroy them He seekâ—th whom he may devour 't is the Soul the Life of the Soul he strives to destroy As David speaks of his Enemy Thou huntest after my Soul to take it 1 Sam. 24.12 so may every Man and Woman say of Satan III. A Hunter has many Devices and cunning Stratagems to ensnare the Game he pursues So the Devil hath many Snares and cunning Wiles to catch and destroy the Souls of Men Hence he is compared to a Serpent We are not ignorant saith Paul of his Devices 2 Cor. 9.11 and in another place he exhorts the Saints to put on the whole Armour of God that they may be able to stand against the Wiles of the Devil The Greek Word signifies such Snares as are set to catch a Man He will deliver thee saith the Psalmist from the Snare of the Hunter Psal 91.3 meaning saith Ainsworth the Devil Satan hath many Devices and Snares to draw
in the Rod which a wise Man strives to understand 1. There is a chiding Voice in the Rod. 2. And not only so but in some Rods an amazing Voice 3. A threatning Voice 4. An awakening Voice 5. A convincing Voice 6. There is an humbling Voice in the Rod. Quest Why do so few Men and Women hear and understand the Voice that is in the Rod Answ 1. Because the Affliction or Judgment perhaps is general 't is hard for Men to make special and particular Application of common Calamities 2. Because Men are more subject to look to secondary Causes in the Rod than to the immediate Hand of God 3. Because Men are so heedless and unsensible they will not trouble themselves to find out the Voice that is in the Rod. 4. 'T is because Men are so full of other Business that they have not Time to hearken to God's Voice in the Rod. 5. 'T is because they do not see any present Effects of God's Hand he is loth to strike How shall I give thee up O Ephraim c. Affliction compared to a Furnace Deut. 4.20 But the Lord hath taken you and brought you forth out of the Iron Furnace Jer. 11.4 Ezek. 22.18 And Lead in the midst of the Furnace A Furnace is either taken properly or figuratively 1. Properly 1. For a Place which Refiners refine their Gold in Prov. 17.3 2. A Place of Torment such as was that which the three Worthies were put into who refused to worship Nebuchadnezzar's Golden Image Dan. 3.6 22. 2. Metaphorically for heavy and cruel Bondage Deut. 4.20 Jer. 11.4 For Hell-Torments Mat. 13.42 And shall cast them into a Furnace of Fire Note Afflictions or sore and cruel Trials are compared to a Furnace Parallels A Furnace is prepared for Gold The Refining-Pot for Silver and the Furnace for Gold So Afflictions are appointed for the Saints who are compared to Gold II. A Furnace refines Gold and makes it much more pure than before So doth Affliction refine and make more holy the Hearts and Lives of godly Christians Job 23.10 When he hath tried me I shall come forth as Gold III. A Furnace is made sometimes very hot So Afflictions are sometimes very sore and grievous to the Godly A weak Fire will not refine some Gold no more will small Trials refine some Christians IV. A Furnace melts the Gold and makes it soft before it is refined So Afflictions melt or make the Hearts of Believers soft And I will leave you there speaking of the Furnace and melt you Ezek. 22.20 V. A Furnace consumes Tin Lead c. and also the drossy part of Gold So those Afflictions and Trials God brings upon his People burn up or consume all loose and hypocritical Professors who are compared to base Metal as Tin Lead c. And not only so but also all the Filth and Corruption of such who are sincere Psal 37.20 Into Smoke shall they consume speaking of ungodly Ones See Gold and Refiner in the First Volume pag. 262 264. VI. Some Furnaces denote great Torment 't is an amazing thing to be thrown into a hot fiery Furnace So some Afflictions and Judgments brought upon an ungodly People are very terrible when they are in Wrath. The Wrath of God is to wicked Men like a burning and consuming Furnace Who can stand before his Indignation Nah. 1.6 or who can abide in the fierceness of his Anger His Fury is poured out like Fire See Furnace as it respects Hell-Torments Affliction compared to the Winter Cant. 2.11 For lo the Winter is past c. SOme understand by Winter the State of the Elect before Conversion but others Guild Durham Ainsworth in my Judgment upon better grounds those cruel Persecutions the Church of God shall be under during the Reign of the Tyrannical and Antichristian Powers of the Earth The Winter is past the Rain is over and gone c. These things saith Mr. Ainsworth may be applied to the outward Troubles and Grievances of this Life by the Malice of the World as when Israel was brought into the Bondage of Egypt and of Babylon and after was released likewise to the spiritual Winter Reign and Rage of Antichrist after which the Graces and Fruits of the Gospel began again to flourish It may also signify the Afflictions of the Soul Parallels WInter is a Time of Cold attended with Snow Frost Storms and sharp Weather So whilst the spiritual Winter of the Church continues sharp and bitter Storms of Persecution frequently arise upon the Godly II. Winter tho it be sharp yet it is a profitable and wholesom Season of the Year in respect of the Body of Man and Fruits of the Earth So is the spiritual Winter of the Church or Soul the Godly can no better be without Adversity than we can be without Winter III. Winter-Frosts c. kill the Worms Weeds and Vermine So do Afflictions and the Frosts of Persecution destroy the Weeds of our Corruption and free the Church from carnal Professors who are like Worms and base Vermine that hinder the Growth of God's choice Grain IV. In Winter 't is a difficult and hard thing to travel some Roads So 't is a difficult thing to travel in the Way to Heaven i. e. to keep on in the Path of Gospel Holiness and Obedience in a Day of Persecution V. In Winter many things look as if they were dead Trees Flowers and Plants have no Beauty in them they are not pleasant to the Eye So whilst the Winter-Time of the Church continues the blessed Trees and Plants of Righteousness seem as if they were withered and their Beauty and Glory gone by means of the Tyranny and Oppression of the Ungodly but when the Winter is past and the longed for Spring beginneth to appear they will sprout up and flourish again gloriously VI. In Winter we have now and then some good and comfortable Weather So now and then in the Winter-Time of the Church there is a sweet serene and calm Time of Peace and Tranquillity Acts 9.31 Then had the Churches Rest throughout all Judea Galilee and Samaria and were edified and walking in the Fear of the Lord and in the Comfort of the Holy-Ghost were multiplied VII The Winter makes the Spring and Summer much more acceptable and sweet So the Storms Tempests cold Frosts and nipping Time of Trouble Oppression and Persecution will cause the Golden Age of the World viz. the Reign and Kingdom of Christ like the Spring and Summer to seem much more sweet and acceptable to the Saints and all that fear God This is signified by the Singing of Birds c. They shall sing in the Heights of Zion Jer. 31.12 Isa 35.1 2. c. The Wilderness and the solitary Place shall be glad and the Desert shall rejoyce and blossom as the Rose it shall blossom abundantly and rejoyce even with joy and singing c. VIII In Winter Frosts and cold pinching Weather usually last not
present State Ways Worships and Pollutions of the World c. Parallels A Wilderness is commonly a waste wild and barren Place some of which are of a vast Bigness This World is of a vast bigness and very barren of Grace and Holiness II. A Wilderness abounds with Briars and Thorns So doth the World with wicked and ungodly Men who are compared to Thorns and Briars III. In a Wilderness are many wild and devouring Beasts so that 't is dangerous to dwell in it or pass through it So this World abounds with cruel and unmerciful Men who are called Wolves Lions Bears Dogs Dragons c. by which means God's People are always exposed to great Trouble and Danger whilst they remain therein IV. In a Wilderness a Man may soon lose his Way and wander up and down So whilst Men abide in this World they are subject to go astray and wander from the Path of of Peace and Righteousness and therefore have great need of a Guide V. In a Wilderness commonly grow Trees of divers sorts some good and some evil So in the World are Men both good and bad righteous and wicked VI. In a howling Wilderness a Wall of Fire is exceeding necessary to preserve from wild and ravenous Beasts God upon this account is said to be a Wall of Fire to his People whilst they remain in this World amongst the Sons of Belial See Wall of Fire Vol. 1. p. 76 77. Zech. 2.5 VII In a Wilderness there is no tilling sowing nor planting So in the common Field of this World there grows little or nothing but what the carnal and natural Hearts of Sinners bring forth VIII A Wilderness is a solitary and dolesom Place so is this World to a godly Man The World compared to a Field Mat. 13.38 The Field is the World Parallels THe Field is a broad Place So is the World II. In a Field grows Wheat and Tares good and evil Seed So in this World there are good and evil Men Saints and Sinners which God would have grow together like the Wheat and Tares until the Harvest III. What is set or sowed or comes up naturally in a Field ripens for Harvest So the Godly and the Ungodly whilst they remain in the common Field of this World ripen for the spiritual Harvest IV. In a Field Flowers and other precious Things oft-times receive much detriment from Enemies evil Beasts and many other ways So the Godly whilst they remain in this World receive great Hurt from Satan wicked Men and from the Corruptions and Evils of their own Hearts V. Part of a Field an Husband-man separates sometimes from the rest to make a Garden Orchard or Vineyard of So God the good Husband-man hath taken a little Part or Parcel of the Sons of Men from the rest to be a peculiar People to himself The End of the World compared to Harvest Mat. 13.39 The Harvest is the End of the World WHen the Harvest is ripe 't is cut down the Husband-man sends Reapers into the Field So when all the Elect are ripe for Heaven and Wickedness is grown to full Maturity so that ungodiy Ones are all ripe for Hell the End of the World will come and then God will send Reapers into the Field which are the holy Angels and they will cut down and gather out of the Field all Things that offend and them that do Iniquity II. At the Harvest the Reapers divide between the good and evil Grain they bind up the Wheat by it self and the Tares by themselves c. So shall these spiritual Reapers do they shall gather all the Elect like Wheat into God's Garner and bind up the Tares into Bundles to be burned III. The Husband-man waits with much patience for the Harvest So God Almighty patiently waits bearing and forbearing with wicked Men until the End of the World Disparity When Harvest is all housed the Husband-man presently tills and prepares his Ground again designing to sow more Seed But when this Harvest is all come home and housed God the good Husband-man will not till plow or sow the Field of the World any more no more Gospel to be preached nor Graces or Gifts to be distributed when this Harvest is ended Of the Life of Man The Life of a Man compared to a swift Post Job 9.25 Now my Days are swifter than a Post c. Parallels A Post rides swiftly he makes haste So the Life of Man or Time of a Man's Life swiftly passeth away II. A Post ought to make no stay So the Days of Man's Life stay not the Hour-Glass of Time runs continually and never stands still A Post saith my Author is an excellent Emblem of Time Caryl There are many Considerations in Post-riding which shews how exceeding speedy Time must be to which it is here compared 1. A Post rides upon fleet or speedy Horses 2. He rides his Horses upon their speed A Man may have speedy Horses and go softly but a Post spurs on 3. A Post hath Change of Horses at every Stage that so he may keep upon the speed 4. He hath Horses standing ready for change they are not to fetch out of the Field or to be made ready when he comes to his Stage it is but leaping into the Saddle and away 5. He that rides Post makes no long Meals much less Feasts he takes a Bit and is gone 6. He lies not long in Bed he scarce goes to Bed till he comes to his Way 's end 7. A Post hath extraordinary Pay for his Service and that to cause him to make the more speed 8. Sometimes he rides upon pain of Death with a Halter about his Neck no Man will loiter when his Life lies on 't 9. All give way to him that rides Post he must not be hindred 10. He stays not to salute much less like other Travellers to gaze and view the Country Towns Buildings Gardens by or through which he passeth All these Things laid together evince that a Post makes great speed yet saith Job My Days are swifter than a Post A Post may by one means or another be stayed but the Days of Man's Life stay not The Post may stay whilst he changes Horses c. But the Chariot of Time viz. the Sun stayeth not to change Horses The Sun is the Measure of Time and that makes no Stop hath no Stage or Baiting-place The Life of Man compared to a swift Ship Job 9.26 They are passed away as the swift Ships or as the Ships of Ebeth SOme understand by Ebeth the Name of a River in the Eastern Part of the World about Arabia near the Place where Job lived that runs very swiftly which adds to the swift Motion of a Ship that sails in it A Ship in a dead Water having the Wind blowing rightly and briskly runs apace but if it hath a swift Stream besides it runs the faster 2. Others take the Word not as a proper Name but as signifying Desire from Abab
so doth Heaven like Paradise with Divine and Sacred Pleasures IV. Adam in Paradise knew no Sorrow he had Joy without Sadness Strength without Weakness Health without Sickness Light without Darkness Life without Death for Death had nothing to do with him whilst he stood in his Innocency So in Heaven the Godly are delivered from every mixture of Evil Rev. 21 4. God shall wipe away all Tears from their Eyes and there shall be no more Death neither Sorrow nor Crying neither shall there be any more pain for the former things are past away Here is Joy without Sadness Strength without Weakness Health without Sickness Light without Darkness Life without Death V. Adam in Paradise before tempted by the Devil knew no Sin he was free absolutely free from the least stain he had not so much as an evil Thought he was created in the Image of God being perfectly Righteous So in Heaven the Saints shall be free from Sin perfectly free not only free from the Guilt Filth Power and Punishment of it but also from the Act of it they shall not be troubled with one evil Thought more they are without Fault before the Throne of God and the Lamb. VI. Adam in Paradise enjoyed the sweet and blessed Presence of God he convers'd and had glorious Acquaintance and Communion with him God and Man lived then in perfect Peace and Friendship there was no Breach because no Sin and so God's Face was not hid from him So in Heaven all the Godly enjoy the sweet and Soul-ravishing Presence of God and of Jesus Christ Joh. 12.26 Joh. 14.3 1 Thess 4.17 1 Joh. 3.2 Where I am there shall my Servant be And if I go and prepare a place for you I will come again and receive you to my self that where I am ye may be also so shall we ever be with the Lord. Saints there have the Fruition of God and of Christ for we shall see him as he is and this is the highest glory Man can be raised to we shall not only see God and the Lamb but be filled with the Joy and Delight of God and Jesus Christ Heaven from hence is called the Joy of the Lord if the perfect enjoyment and participation of the glorious Trinity or fulness of it so far as it is capable of Communication can delight and fill the Soul with Joy and Happiness the Godly in Heaven shall have it God's Face will never be hid from his Children any more there will be no more a Breach between the Soul and its Saviour VII Adam in Paradise had the Tree of Life and Liberty before he sinned to eat of the Tree of Life So in this Paradise of God we read of the Tree of Life which as some understand Rev. 2.7 is Jesus Christ And to him that overcometh will I give to eat of the Tree of Life which is in the midst of the Paradise of God which doubtless signifies the glorious participation of the Life Fulness and transcendent Sweetness of the Lord Jesus and of the continuance of the Life of the Saints in its full Strength Vigour and Glory to Eternity VIII Adam in Paradise had great knowledg both of God and the Nature of all Creatures God brought all the Creatures to Adam to see what he would call them and whatsoever Adam called each living Soul Gen. 2.19 that was the Name thereof the naming of the Creatures saith Ainsworth was a sign of Soveraignty it also manifested Adam's Wisdom in naming things presently according to their Natures as the Hebrew Names by which he called them do declare So the Saints in Heaven shall be perfect in Knowledg they shall know as they are known they shall know all the Patriarchs Prophets Apostles and all the Saints that ever lived by Name which we may gather by that Knowledg Peter James and John had of Moses and Elias in the transfiguration of Christ in the Mount which was a Figure of Heaven Disparity ADam's Pleasure and Delight in Paradise was much of it Earthly But the Saints Pleasure and Delight in the Celestial Paradise will be Heavenly II. Adam in Paradise was troubled with a tempting Devil But the Saints in the Celestial Paradise shall not be troubled any more with a tempting Devil for he shall be shut up in Chains of Eternal Darkness to be tormented for ever III. Adam soon lost his earthly Paradise by Sin and was turned out of all But those who are accounted worthy to obtain this Heavenly Paradise shall never lose it nor be turned out of it but continue in it for ever and ever even to the days of Eternity Heaven a Crown of Life 2 Tim. 4.8 Henceforth is laid up for me a Crown of Righteousness Rev. 2.10 And I will give thee a Crown of Life James 1.12 He shall receive the Crown of Life which the Lord hath promised to them that love him THE Reward of the Godly in Heaven is called a Crown a Crown of Life a Crown of Righteousness c. Parallels A Crown denotes any beautiful pleasing Ornament or profitable thing hence a Crown is put for to adorn and bless with good Things and so to make joyful Prov. 4.9 17.6 Psal 8.5 103.4 The Saints in Heaven shall be beautiful and very glorious they shall sparkle and shine forth like the Sun in the Kingdom of their Father plentifully enjoy and possess true Blessedness II. A Crown is a sign of a Kingdom and Dominion saith Ainsworth The glorified Saints in Heaven shall possess a Kingdom and shall be as Kings and Princes for ever and ever Hearken my beloved Brethren hath not God chosen the poor of this World rich in Faith Jam. 2.5 and Heirs of the or that Kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him III. A Crown denotes also Victory Christ warring against his Enemies and overcoming them hath on his Head many Crowns or Diadems So the Saints being Crowned signifieth that perfect Conquest they have through Christ obtained over Sin Satan Death and Hell c. IV. A Crown signifieth Glory Honour and external Grandure The glorified Saints shall be honoured and appear in eternal Grandure as Kings who have their Crowns on their Heads V. As there is nothing more rich glorious desireable nor esteemed among Men above a Crown or Kingdom So the Holy Spirit in setting forth the Reward and everlasting Glory of the Saints in Heaven compares it to these things But alas there is no earthly thing how splendant and glorious soever can sufficiently set out the state of the Saints after Death or the Glory of Heaven For Pleasure 't is called Paradise for Riches and Honour 't is called a Crown and a Kingdom A Crown of Life denoting that Saints in laying down their Lives for Christ shall not be at all losers thereby but only exchange it for a better a short momentary Life for an everlasting Life a Life of Joy for a Life of Sorrow a Life of perfect
Frâ—edom for a Life attended with manifold Temptations Disparity OTher Crowns I mean earthly Crowns are corruptible This Crown is incorruptible II. Other Crowns are attended with many Sorrows Troubles and Perplexities c. But this Crown is attended with no such thing for the condiâ—ion of the Heirs of this never-fading Crown will be so joyful that look outwardly there is Joy in the Society Heb. 12.22 if inwardly there is Joy in their own Felicity 1 Cor 2.9 Look forward there is Joy in the Eternity of it 1 Pet. 5.10 So that on every side they shall be even swallowed up of Joy Isa 35.10 Oh! the transcendency of that Paradise of Pleasure where is Joy without Heaviness or Interruption Peace without Perturbation Blessedness without Misery Light without Darkness Health without Sickness Beauty without Blemish Abundance without Want Ease without Labour Satiety without Loathing Liberty without Restraint Security without Fear Glory without Ignominy Knowledg withâ—ut Ignorance Eyes without Tears Hearts without Sorrow Souls without Sin Where shall be no Evil heard of to affright them nor Good wanting to chear and comfort them they shall have what Good they desire and desire nothing but what is good their Promises shall end in Performances Faith in Sight and clear Vision Hope in Fruition and Possession Yea Time it self shall be swallowed up in Eternity To sum up all in a few Words there is no Joy here comparable to that in Heaven all our Mirth here to that is but Pensiveness all our Pleasures here to that is but Heaviness all our Sweetness here to that is but Bitterness Even Solomon in all his Glory and Royalty to that was but as a Spark in the Chimny to the Sun in the Firmament yea how little how nothing are the poor and temporary enjoyments of this Life to those that the Heirs of Promise shall enjoy in the Life that is to come III. Other Crowns fade away the Prince is in a moment gone from that or that is gone from him But this Crown abideth It is incorruptible and undefiled and fadeth not away reserved in Heaven for you c. 1 Pet. 1.4 IV. Other Crowns are gotten many times by Usurpation But the Saints shall have the Crown in a just and righteous way 't is a Crown of Righteousness of which Saints are true and lawful Heirs this Crown is purchased for them by Christ and given to them by the free Donation of the Father besides they are born Heirs to it by the Spirit If Children then Heirs Heirs of God and Joint-Heirs with Christ c. Rom. 8.17 Inferences WE may infer from hence that God's Children are not such Fools as they are accounted by the Ungodly World they have made a good Choice in preferring Heaven above Earth What 's the Glory of this World to the World to come Yea Paradise or the Garden of Eden was but a Wilderness compared with this Paradise And indeed if the Gates of the City be of Pearl and the Streets of Gold what then are the Inner Rooms and Lodging Chambers of the Great Monarch of Heaven and Earth at whose right Hand are Pleasures for evermore II. Let not the Saints grow weary nor faint in their Minds when Heirs of a Crown of Glory that fadeth not away methinks they may be contented to undergo some Troubles in this Life since by suffering these things for Christ's sake they shall be crowned with Glory Honour and Everlasting Life They shall receive the Crown of Life c. Jam. 1.12 Of Hell Hell a Furnace of Fire the Place of the Damned Mat. 13.42 And shall cast them into a Furnace of Fire there shall be wailing and gnashing of Teeth WE are now drawing towards a Conclusion it remains only that we speak something concerning Hell which is the Place prepared for the Damned the Torment of whom is set forth by Fire by a Furnace of Fire and by utter Darkness It hath been a long and ancient Controversy whether Fire here is to be taken Properly or Figuratively I shall not undertake to determine whether it be real Fire or not Doubtless the Torment of the Wicked will be worse than 't is to be cast into any Furnace of Elementary Fire The Schoolmen affirm that the least Torture in Hell exceeds the greatest that can be devised by all the Men on Earth even as the least Joy of Heaven surpasseth the greatest Comforts of this World c. There is scarce any Pain here on Earth but there is some hope of Ease Mitigation or Intermission but in Hell their Torments are easeless endless remediless and they themselves left hopeless helpless and pittyless However we will run a Parallel between a Furnace of Fire and the Place of the Damned for in some things there is a fit Resemblance Parallels A Furnace of Fire hath been prepared as a place of Torment the King of Babylon caused a Furnace to be heat exceeding hot and that whosoever would not bow down to his Golden Image should be cast unto it Hell is a place of Torment prepared for all Wicked and Ungodly Men Rev 21.8 who live and dye in their Sins II. A Furnace of Fire that is heated exceeding hot is very terrible and amazing to him who for his wicked Deeds is told he must be cast therein So Hell is a very terrible and an amazing thing to think upon how lamentable is the Thoughts of it to a guilty Sinner that is awakened that sees no Remedy but thither he must go III. What Torment can be greater than to be cast into a burning fiery Furnace So what Torments can be greater than the Torments of Hell Disparity A Fiery Furnace tho terrible and painful yet it puts an end to the Lives of those that that are thrown into it and the hotter it is the sooner it dispatcheth them out of their pain But the Torments of Hell put no end to the tortured neither can the Damned die but have an ever-dying Life and an everlasting Death it is a Death which hath no Death The Worm dyeth not II. The Torment of a Fiery Furnace can reach but the outward Man it cannot destroy the Soul But the Torments of Hell reach to the very Soul called the Perdition or Destruction of Ungodly Men both of Soul and Body III. The hottest Furnace in the World may abate its heat for want of Fuel and at length be wholly extinguished however its Terrors and Pains are but short and momentary But the tormenting Fire of Hell never abates its heat nor ever goeth out therefore called everlasting Fire now to add Eternity to Extremity and then you will perceive Hell to be Hell indeed IV. Other Fire may be quenched But the Fire of God's Wrath or Hell Fire shall nevâ—r be quenched Vt supra Inference THat as there is no greater cause of magnifying Christ than for Redemption-Mercy and so of Joy unspeakable and full of Glory So there is no greater cause of Sorrow and intolerable Misery than
Figure of him IT was a Rock which in appearance is dry and barren and a very unlikely thing to afford Water So Christ in his outward State in the Days of his Flesh seemed very unlikely to carnal Eyes to afford such spiritual Waters of Grace and Salvation II. It seemed wonderful that it should send forth Water in such abundance So Jesus Christ to the Wonder of Men and Angels sends forth the Water of Life in abundance to all those that believe on him III. That Rock sent forth its Water to the People of Israel when they were ready to perish for Thirst there being no way to relieve them So Christ refreshes the Souls of poor Sinners that come unto him when they can find no Help Comfort or Refreshment any where else John 8.24 but without him must perish eternally If ye believe not that I am he ye shall die in your Sins IV. The Rock was smitten before it yielded Water So Jesus Christ was smitten of God and crucified that his precious Blood might be poured forth to consummate the Redemption of our Souls V. The Rock was smitten for a rebellious People who murmured against God and who deserved no such Grace and Favour from him So Christ was slain for us who were Rebels and Enemies to him by evil Works who deserved nothing but his eternal Wrath and Displeasure Dr. Thâ— Taylor VI. The Water out of that Rock followed the Children of Israel through the Wilderness over all Hills and Vallies unto Canaan all the Dryness of that dry and barren Desert could not dry it up So the Waters of Life streaming from Christ that sacred Rock follow the true Israel of God quite through the Wilderness of this World until they come to the heavenly Canaan yea all the Persecutions and Temptations in the World whatsoever cannot dry it up The Pillar of Cloud and Fire Exod. 14. a Type of Christ Numb 9.15 16 17. THe Pillar of Fire was a certain Guide to the Israelites whilst they pass from Egypt to Canaan So Jesus Christ is our true Guide by his Word and Spirit till we come to the heavenly Canaan or Land of Immortality II. It was a Guide to them by Night that they might not lose their Way So Christ is our Guide in the dark Night of Trouble Temptation and Desertion III. The Pillar of Fire was not only a Guide to them but it also afforded them much Light which made their Journey comfortable to them Persons may have a sure Guide in a Night and yet be in Darkness or have but little or no Light So Jesus Christ is not only a Guide to his People in their passing through the Night of Mortality but also a Light a Light to them that sit in Darkness as well as a Guide for their Feet into the Way of Peace Exod. 14.20 he is upon this account the Comfort and Joy of God's Israel IV. The Pillar of Fire was Darkness to the Egyptians tho it gave Light to Israel So is Christ's Salvation Joy and Comfort to the Godly but a Stumbling-block and Stone of Offence unto the Wicked J. K. V. The Pillar of Fire did not afford the Israelites Light only but Heat also as a worthy Writer observes by which means they were kept from the piercing Cold of the Night So Jesus Christ the Anti-type of this Fiery Pillar affords us much spiritual Heat by his Word and Spirit which are compared to Fire by which means we are kept from the cold and lukewarm Temper or Frame of Heart which God's Soul hateth and thereby preserved fervent in Spirit burning in Love and Divine Zeal to God his Saints and to Holiness Exod. 14.20 VI. This Pillar in going behind between the Camp of Israel and the Egyptians was a blessed Defence and Protection unto them So Jesus Christ is the Defence and Safeguard of his People VII The Pillar of Fire if the Enemy had strove with it or made resistance against it would have burned and consumed them together So all that rebell against Christ or resist him shall be devoured Who would set Briars and Thorns against me in Battel Isa 27.4 I would go through them I would burn them together The Pillar of Cloud THe Pillar of Cloud was a great Refreshment to the Children of Israel by Day during their long Journey in the Wilderness the Sun in those Countries shining sometimes very hot which might had it not been for this Cloudy Pillar have been very destructive or grievous to them during so many Years Travels So Jesus Christ as Mediator is as a Cloud or Screen between the hot Beams of God's Wrath and poor Believers 'T is he who keeps us from being consumed by the Wrath of him Heb. 12. ult who is to the Wicked a Consuming Fire II. It was a Fire and a Cloud yet both but one Pillar So Christ is God and Man and yet but one Person and the same Christ who is a Saviour to the truly Penitent will destroy all ungodly and impenitent Ones The Passeover a Type of Christ 1 Cor. 5.7 Christ our Passeover is sacrificed for us THe Passeover or Paschal Lamb was a most lively Figure or Type of Christ nay as a worthy Divine observes this one Legal Sacrament preached not obscurely to the ancient Jews the whole Doctrine of the Gospel This will appear in five Things 1. In the Choice of the Sacrifice 2. In the preparing of it 3. In the Effusion of the Blood and Actions about it 4. In the Eating and the Conditions therein 5. In the Fruits and Use Eph. 3.21 Parallels I. In the Choice of the Sacrifice the Lord appointed it to be a Lamb notably signifying Jesus Christ whom the Baptist called the Lamb of God taking away the Sins of the World II. It was to be a Lamb without blemish signifying the most absolute Perfection of Jesus Christ III. The Paschal Lamb was to be taken out of the Fold signifying that Christ should be taken from amongst Men or from among his Brethren Deut. 17.15 one of the Seed of Abraham according to the Flesh IV. The Lamb was to be a Year old and also it must be slain signifying that Christ in his full vigour and strength should be put to death V. The Lamb was to be roasted with Fire which might signify the Manner of Christ's Death He was crucified and pierced he endured the Fire of Afflictions and the Fire of God's Wrath that was due to us for our Sins VI. The Lamb was roasted whole to signify saith Dr. Taylor that Christ bore the whole Wrath of God both in Soul and Body Not a Bone of the Lamb was to be broken to shew that not one Bone of Christ should be broken John 19.36 VII The Blood of the Lamb was to be saved in a Bason it must not be shed upon the Ground nor trodden under foot signifying the Preciousness of Christ's Blood and that great Esteem God the Father and all
Eagles Note In some Things the Saints are likened to Eagles Simile Parallel AN Eagle is the chief amongst the Fowls of the Air as a Lion is the King or chief among all the Beasts of the Earth SO the Saints are the chief of Men the Excellent as David calls them Thou art my Lord Psal 16.2 3. my Goodness extendeth not to thee but to the Saints that are in the Earth and to the Excellent in whom is all my Delight The Righteous are said to be more excellent than their Neighbour Prov. 12.26 1 Chron. 4.9 The World is not worthy of them Hence Jabez that holy and gracious Man is said to be more honourable than his Brethren A godly Man is of a more noble Extraction than the Men of the Earth Saints have an honourable Pedigree and Descent they are born of God are as it were of the Blood-Royal of Heaven and nearly related to the Prince of the Kings of the Earth They daily converse have Communion and Fellowship with the Father and the Son the glorious Sovereign of all the World They are delicately and most splendidly fed every day Others live and feed upon the empty Things of this World nay on the Dust of the Earth on Ashes Husks and Gravel as the Holy-Ghost declares They feed upon the Wind Hos 12.1 and snuff in the East Wind Whilst Believers feed on hidden Manna He eats that which is good and his Soul delights it self in Fatness He is often had into the King's Wine-Cellar he is richly cloathed hath more noble and honourable Titles than any Men on Earth He hath a most glorious Retinue viz. the heavenly Angels to attend him every day Never was King if ungodly so attended as the poorest Saint in the World is Saints are the chief of all the Children of Men as Eagles are chief of all the Fowls of the Air. II. Eagles are quick-sighted they behold afar off They have not only a quick and clear Sight but a very strong Sight able to look fully upon the Sun shining in his Strength Hence the Proverb is A Man that hath a clear and strong Sight is Eagle-ey'd II. The Saints are very clear and quick-sighted they can see afar off even from Earth to Heaven They through Christ can behold the Glory of God with open Face 2 Cor. 3.18 They can see and do pry into the secret and hidden Mysteries of the Gospel and Covenant of Grace Psal 25.14 The Secrets of the Lord are with them that fear him and he will shew them his Covenant They see the Evil that is in the least Sin and can discern what the End of the Wicked will be III. Eagles are very swift Creatures they have long Wings by which means they flie with great Swiftness Therefore Solomon calling upon us not to set our Hearts upon Riches saith They make themselves Wings Prov. 27.5 and flie away as an Eagle The Scriptures often express the more than ordinary Swiftness of Men by the Swiftness of an Eagle David lamenting the Death of Saul and Jonathan gives them this Character 2 Sam. 1.23 They were stronger than Lions and swifter than Eagles III. The Saints are very swift and speedy in their Motions when under the powerful Operation of the Spirit or upon the Wings of Faith and Love Psal 119.59 60. I made haste c. saith David They are said to run nay flie like Eagles or as Doves to the Windows they are many times carried swiftly along in the way of their Duties as upon Eagles Wings The Ministers of the Gospel are set forth by an Angel flying in the midst of Heaven Rev. 14.6 having the everlasting Gospel to preach unto them that dwell upon the Earth When God's People are assaulted and persecuted they flie to God for Shelter so David Psal 143.9 I flie unto thee to hide me IV. The Eagles mount up on high The Word in the Hebrew signifies to get high and therefore as it is noted by Mr. Caryl it is used in the Noun 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sublimis elatus fuit eminuit per Metaphoram supervivit to set forth the Highness of God Job 11.8 Psal 113.6 Isa 5.16 52.13 Scripture as well as Naturalists tell us that the Eagle's Motion and mounting up is wonderful she flies quite out of Sight One of the Ancients says The Eagle soars above the * Doubtless he means the lower Region Air as if she would visit the Starry Heavens The common Epithetes of an Eagle are high flying swift c. IV. The Saints of God mount up on high Phil 3.20 Our Conversation saith Paul is in Heaven Men of the World are like Moles and Worms always digging and tumbling in the Earth and Muck of this World but Believers those who are truly risen with Christ Col. 3.1 2 3. seek those things that are above they soar aloft nothing will satisfy them but Communion with God They mount up by Prayer as also by fresh Acts of Faith they mount up by divine Meditation They are said to dwell on high Earth and earthly Things will not satisfy them they are of a more heroick and sublime Spirit V. Eagles are unweary in their Flight they faint not tho they flie high and are long before they rest V. So the Saints should never grow weary nay and the Promise is Gal. 6. Isa 40.31 They shall mount up as with Eagles Wings they shall run and not be weary they shall walk and not faint Tho it be long before they come to Heaven their everlasting Resting-place they are held up and therefore they hold out in all their Service and Sufferings Faith and Love are two such strong and excellent Graces that they like Eagle's Wings keep them from tiring and fainting in their Minds tho their Work be hard and their Flight towards Heaven long Psal 27.13 I had fainted unless I had believed c. VI. An Eagle saith one hath a high Spirit she flies high and aims at high things she will not catch Flies she scorns to stoop to such low Game VI. So a Saint hath a noble high and excellent Spirit Low things are not for high and heavenly-born Souls they catch not at the Flies Toyes and Trifles of the Profits Honour and Pleasures of the World as others do VII Eagles make their Nests on high She dwelleth and abideth on the Rocks Job 39.28 upon the Crag of the Rock and strong Place VII So the Saints dwell on high Their Place of Defence shall be the Munition of Rocks Isa 33.16 They make their Nests in the Rock of Ages they dwell in God He is their strong Dwelling-Place VIII Eagles renew their Strength by changing their Feathers tho old they seem young and lively again and are very long-lived VIII The Saints renew their Strength When any Oldness as Mr. Caryl words it is coming upon the new Creature they renew their Strength by looking to Jesus