they came to Jerusalem Some think 12 or 13 days after they saw the star at first hence the Feast of Epiphany or Manifestation but it 's like the next day after they saw his star they came forward though it 's probable that it was near upon a year before Herod put the infants of Bethlem to death that while being spent in acquainting Caesar with the designe and in the plotting and projecting of the business V. 2. Saying Where is he that is born King of the Jews for we have seen his star in the East and are come to worship him Here is the question the Wise men propound 1 See the greatness of their faith they ask not whether he be but where he is presupposing he was born They acknowledge his natures his manhood in that he was born his Godhead in that they call the star his he the owner of it they also acknowledge his Kingly office so freely that it came to Herods ear they were neither afraid of Herod nor ashamed of Christ a politick bosome faith becomes not them that enquire after Christ The question was full of danger and amazement as casting down Herod from his throne and to set up a new King which was no less then capital 2 The ground of their faith For faith must have both a ground and an evidence Heb. 11.1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which differences a believer and a credulous person who believs every thing Prov. 14.15 The ground of it was for we have seen his star in the East For this star it was not an ordinary star for it moved as they went and shone on the day time placed lower then the fixed stars perhaps like a blazing star Chrysostom thinks it was some invisible power or Angel figured in the shape of a star And the Lord cals them by a star rather then by an Angel as condescending to their weakness because they were much imployd about the stars Now if you ask how they came to know what this star did portend Though some think they living in the East might know it from Balaam's prophesie Numb 24.17 I shall see him but not now I shall behold him but not nigh there shall come a star out of Jacob and a scepter shall rise out of Israel and shall smite the corners of Moab yet I suppose they came to know this star by Divine revelation onely but whether soever they came to know it But whereas some from hence would conclude the lawfulness of Judicial Astrology it 's groundless onely this I must confess 1 That the stars have an influence here below Judges 5.20 The stars in their paths or courses fought against Sisera But I say it 's groundless 1 Because Astrologers proceed by way of observation as in such a year and such a concourse of Planets wars and rebellions to have been therefore this year the same will happen in the like concourse but here no experience or observation went before for never had a Virgin brought forth before Some have thought stars to be the causes of things But Christ was not therefore born because the star appeared but therefore the star appeared because Christ was born Others in this Age are apt to think them signes of our actions as if heaven were the book wherein God writes all future actions and events the stars are for signes oft-times as dayes and years but it seems to me in no wise signes of those things which depend upon the will of man the future motions whereof are onely known to God That Astrologers alledge experience it nothing moves me for all the predictions of Astrology are mere particulars but although they had any certainty yet it were better to be always in the fear of God then to be tormented with fear of events Luth. in Gen. cap. 1. We are not to heed Astrologers Jer. 10.2 Be not dismayed at the signes of heaven for the Heathen are dismayed at them If they fore-tell us prosperous things and they lye we shall be wretched by hoping in vain if they fore-tell to us adversity and lye they make us miserable by fearing in vain if they fore-tell unhappy things to us and speak truth to what purpose is it to fore-know those things we cannot prevent and if they should truly fore-tell prosperity expectation would weary us out Lapide in Jer. 10. King Muleasses fore-told in the year 1544 that he should lose his kingdome and his life be in danger to shun it he went out of Africa and in his departure brought upon his own neck that which he would have shunn'd To conclude these Astrologers and Star-gazers and Monthly Prognosticators cannot save us from the things that shall come upon us no more then they could Babylon Jer. 47.13 They enrich your ears with words that they may enrich their own purses with money In the East By this is meant not so properly the region of heaven as the land from whence they came q.d. we living in the East saw there a star shining in the East which accompanied us these Wise men as the pillar of fire and cloud did Israel This star or such an one like it was seen in the West towards the end of Augustus reign and Pliny saith it was held to be a happy star but the Western men for want of light did misapply it And are come to worship him Here was the end of their coming viz. to worship him yet do they not finde him in a worshipful case but in a stable in a manger yet by faith they over-look all this and worship him worship is a great matter in that heaven and earth stars and prophets lead us to it for this end the Eunuch came out of Aethiopia and the Wise men from the East The world was made for this end that he that created it might be worshipped the Scripture was made for this end that he that inspired it might be worshipped The word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies the gesture of the body lying down to give honour Zanch. in 4. Praecept of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Dog to fall down as dogs do at their masters feet The Wise men being perswaded that a Kingdome was appointed for this childe after the manner of the Eastern nations who are generally known to have worshipped their Kings they fall down to worship yet did they not onely apprehend him to be a King and so worshipped him with a civil worship but also they apprehended him to be the King of heaven and so worshipped him with a Religious worship V. 3 When Herod the King had heard these things he was troubled and all Jerusalem with him We have here the effects of the inquiry of the Wise men which is 1 Herod was troubled Fearing as if this King would drive him out of his Kingdome and because he was a tyrant and distrusted the faithfulness of his subjects Besides Herod living long among them knew their
him Quest Whether is it lawfull for Preachers to take hire or are they which take any Reward hirelings Answ 1 There may be times when a man may remit of his Right herein when circumstances of times and persons require it So because of the false Teachers the Apostle would preach the Gospel of Christ freely at Corinth 2 Cor. 11.7 9 10. I preached the Gospel of God freely I kept my self from being burdensome to you and so will I keep my self that I may cut off occasion from them that desire occasion that wherein they glory which was their preaching freely they may be found even as we Elisha in a case would take nothing of Naaman the Syrian 2 Kings 6.26 nor Abraham would take nothing of the prey which was got from the Enemies Gen. 14.22 2 All agree that to receive gifts for a mans preaching without any compact for the same hath no natural filthiness in it for some things may be honestly received which may be dishonestly asked 3 Under the Old Testament they that took counsel of the Prophets were wont to give them some small gifts 1 Sam. 9.7 8. But if we go what shall we bring the man and the Servant answered Saul saying Behold I have the fourth part of a Shekel of Silver 1 Kings 13.9 The man to whom this gift was to be given was Samuel Besides the Priests and Levites under the Old Testament had large portions out of most of the Sacrifices besides Tithes they had eight and fourty Cities of Refuge with Suburbs to them so that the Lord says Which of you would shut the doors for nought or kindle a fire on my Altar for nought Mal. 1.10 which Argument the Apostle presses for maintenance for Ministers of the Gospel 1 Cor. 9.9.10.13 where he shews that the Levites who took the Sacrifices of the People and killed them and pulled off their skin cut them in pieces and brought them to the Priest and laid the Wood in order lived thereon The Priests lifted up the Sacrifice and laid the flesh on the Altar and burnt it The Apostle when he says They which minister about holy things live of the things of the Temple means the Levites and they which wait at the Altar are partakers with the Altar meaning the Priests v. 13. Now if they were so plentifully maintained shall Gospel Preachers be the onely sufferers and that in a time of Light When the Apostle makes this reddition Even so hath God appointed that they that preach the Gospel shall live of the Gospel v. 14. 4 Maintenance is due to Preachers from natural and civil equity 1 Natural equity that as the Souldier that defends the Countrey lives of the Countreys pay 1 Cor. 9.7 Who goes to warfare at his own charge or as he that plants a Vineyard eats the fruit of it milks a flock and eats of the milk of it so Preachers must live of the People they preach to 2 From civil equity That Law Deut. 25.4 Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the Ox that treadeth out the Corn. The Apostle argues from the less If an Ox were not to be muzzled when he rowled a wooden beam over the Wheat to shake the Corn out of the ear shall maintenance be denied to those who thresh in the Lords Barn Nay it was not written for Oxens sake but for Preachers sake as the Apostle expounds it 1 Cor. 9.9 That he that ploweth should plow in hope and he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope Where we see it 's lawfull for a Teacher to do Gods work rightly and yet have an expectation and hope of maintenance for his labour The hope of the sustentation of his necessities and if the people be able conveniences from the people and the hope of the Reward of his dispensation from the Lord. 5 From Gospel ordinance Gal. 6.6 Let him that is ministred to make him that ministreth partaker in all good things 1 Cor. 9.14 God hath appointed that they who preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel 1 Tim. 5.17 Luke 10.7 6 Because they have power to forbear working in bodily labour hence by divine right maintenance is due 1 Cor. 9.6 I onely and Barnabas have we not power to forbear working 2 Thess 3.8 9. I wrought that I might not be chargeable not that we have not power but to make our selves ensamples And when the Apostle did work with his hands he calls it an abasing of himself 2 Cor. 12.7 and numbers this up among the rest of his afflictions 1 Cor. 4.11 7 The true note of an hireling is to make hire the end of his work not the taking of hire or wages when for filthy lucre sake a Preacher shall take the oversight of a people 1 Peter 5.2 Feed the flock of God taking the oversight thereof not by constraint but willingly not for filthy lucre but of a ready minde Now for the lawfulness of taking wages see 2 Cor. 12.8 I robbed other Churches taking wages of them the word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a stipend such as was given to Souldiers for their military service so taken Luk. 3.14 Be content with your wages where the same word is used And military pensions or stipends were sometimes part meat and part money now Paul is said to rob or spoil these Macedonian Churches taking wages of them because he had led them in triumph by the Gospel as spoils taken in vvar See Luk. 10.7 The Workman is worthy of his hire or reward the vvord is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so that not the expecting of a reward from a people nor the taking of it makes an hireling but the making of his hire or wages the end of his preaching so that no more pay no more preach neither to that people nor any other But for lawfull reward promised or received this doth not make an hireling 1 Tim. 5.17 18. The Apostle bids Count the Elders worthy of double honour and gives this reason for the Scripture saith Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the Ox and the Labourer is worthy of his reward 8 We must distinguish betwixt the gifts of the Spirit and the work of the Ministry If it were granted that to take money for the gifts of the Spirit were the sin of Simon Magus yet it follows not that it is of the same nature to take maintenance for their work sith every handicrafts man and labourer of what kinde soever is rewarded for his work Could preaching come as easily to them as the power of doing miracles came to the Apostles it were something Freely ye have received freely give but who knowes not that persons that discharge this duty painfully and faithfully must take much pains therein 9 Preachers are commanded to give themselves wholly to this work Acts 6.4 We will give our selves continually to prayer and to ministration of the Word 1 Tim. 4.15 Meditate on these things give thy self wholly to them Now it 's good reason that
Brethren with many words So in the Church of Corinth 1 Cor. 14.1 c. In the Church of Ephesus Ephes 4.11 gave some Prophets In the Church at Thessalonica 1 Thess 5.17 Despise not prophesying Yea we finde Prophets in the Church when Babylon shall be destroyed Revel 18.20 Rejoyce over her ye holy Apostles and Prophets for God hath avenged you on her he means such Prophets as the Beast made to prophesie in sack-cloath 1260. days Rev. 11.3 Now of these Prophets there were two sorts in the New Testament 1 Those that did foretell things to come such was Agabus Acts 11.28 under this kinde came the Prophetesses Philip had four daughters which were Prophetesses Acts 21.9 of this Acts 2.17 This is that which was spoken by the Prophet Joel saying I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh and your sons and your daughters shall prophesie your young men shall see visions and your old men shall dream dreams And of this it 's probable 1 Cor. 11.5 6. Every woman praying or prophesying with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head and every man prophesying with his head covered dishonoureth his head that is with his head covered with Ribbons and Garlands after the manner of the Heathen and the women prophesied after the manner of the Sybills with their hair hanging down and so dishonoured their head Christ Of which heathenish custom Lucan in his fifth Book speaks who lived a little after Christs time Bacchatur demens aliena per antrum Colla ferens vittásque dei Phaebeáque serta Erectas discussa comas per inania templi Ancipiti cervice rotat spargÃtque vaganti Obstantes tripodas magnóque exaestuat igne Iratum te Phoebe ferens In English thus The frantick Beldam raging through her den Bearing strange necks the heads of sundry men Adorn'd with Ribbons and with Garlands fair To Phoebus honour flownc'd her gastly hair Wheels here and there through temples empty spaces Shaking her doubtfull head here there she faces c. These Prophets told things past and future to persons as Christ did to the Woman of Samaria John 4.29 and Elisha to Gehezi 2 Kings 5.26 Irenaeus 1.6 saith himself had known and heard many Brethren that could discover the hidden things of men he means such secrets as could not be known by the power of mans wit From the revelation of which secrets it is supposed the Ideot or Heathen falls down and worships your God reporting that God is in you of a truth 1 Cor. 14.24 25. 2 Those that did expound the prophetical places of Scripture prophesying according to the proportion of faith Rom. 12.6 and did apply their doctrines to exhortation and confirmation so Judas and Silas Acts 15.32 to edification and comfort 1 Cor. 14.3 If any man ask whether prophesying be the same with preaching I answer no. 1 The words in Greeek are diverse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying to preach and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to prophesie Besides 2 Preaching is to be performed to every creature prophesying is to be performed onely to the Church 1 Cor. 14.22 Now if you ask what these Prophets were I dare not determine them to be Officers in Churches unless I could prove the manner of their call to make out which I can finde nothing but that they are put in the order and rank of men who are called by Office Eph. 4.11 As Apostles Prophets Evangelists Pastors Teachers which is something in order to prove them Officers but not full proof Some think them to be grown brethren such as are called perfect men 1 Cor. 2.6 Fathers 1 Joh. 2.13 Clemens makes three sorts of Christians 1 They that are turned from the Gentiles 2 They that are going up towards knowledge 3 They that are chiefly knowing It may fall out sometimes there may be some such knowing men in Churches who are by virtue of a gift as able to teach as a person in office pity such gifts should be quenched for want of exercise though I doubt not the fault of the times is on the contrary hand in that upon pretence of gifted Brethrens prophesying those that are not gifted in too many places are prest hereto verifying too much that conceipt that hath been cast by some viz. that ignorance impudence and a Concordance were all the accoutrements some had for preaching I speak not this to quench any gift where it is real but to sober those who may perhaps think of themselves more then is meet Prophets then if any such be out of office they are such as are perfect or well-grown Christians Heb. 5.14 Strong meat belongs to them that are perfect the word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 those who by reason of habit have their senses exercised to difference good and evil But let Prophets be what they will be a Church can no more comfortably be without Ministers then a body without eye and hand Luth. Tom. 4.374 I shall conclude this with one querie Whether it be required by the word of God that a weak Brother that hath but a little measure of the Spirit and so consequently can pray but weakly and but weak parts both in the Analizing Explaining and Dividing the Scriptures and so must needs teach much more weakly be required to be a mouth for the Church at a Church-meeting especially in a Church where there are Brethren of better parts to be had And whether the exercising such weak Brethren be a mean for them to obtain the gift of prophesie or whether there be not some other way thereto As taking direction from some experienced Preacher and reading besides the Scriptures godly books chosen by the direction of some godly Teacher For which studies as also for the study of their own heart they are to set time apart and whether the company of the faithful are to set times apart on the Week day and to meet together on the Lords day onely to help a weak Brother to increase his gifts or rather to try whether he can by exercise increase them by our hearing of him or whether the faithfull whether Lambs or Sheep are not to meet to hear such persons as are able to feed them with knowledg and understanding and whether the faithfull come not for that very end unto hearing to obtain spiritual nourishment in the knowledg of duty and to obtain quickening from their deadness of heart by lively and powerfull notions and also growth by a higher measure of knowledg and information then hitherto they have had and whether such weak Brethren are able to give such information many whereof are onely babes in Christ many of the hearers being strong And whether the best means of edifying a Church be not to be followed And whether established Teachers in Churches reserving the liberty of Prophets and prophesie be not onely more creditable for the honour of the Gospel and edifying the souls of believers by many degrees then the having such weak Brethren to exercise who besides that they cannot