life be so deare that as the devil could say all that a man hath will he give for his life Iob 2.4 how much dearer is spiritual life And how can you once imagin that you have either this spiritual lâ—ght or life in you if you have no care to shew forth the praises of him who hath called yâ—u out of darkness into his marvellous light 1 Peâ— 2.9 where we have another of the true Israelites high priviledges spâ—cifiâ—d 3. Vocation effectuall vocation whâ—reby they are called to be Saints and to have fellowship with Jâ—su Christ our Lord 1 Cor. 2.9 for which Gâ—d who is fâ—ithfull by whom they aâ—e called and will also confirme them unto the end that they may be blameless in the day of the Lord esus Christ can never sufficiently be admired â—nd adored v. 8. Eternity wil be filled with praises for this with other mercies How unspeakable a praerogative is our â—doption 4 Adoption who may say with the prodigal that we are not worthy to be called his sons or daughters Luk. 15.19 yet as many as receive him to them he giveth this right or prerogative to become the sons of God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 even to them who believe on his name Joh. 1.12 5 Faith And for this end to them it is given to believe Phil. 1.29 For should God give Christ and not give us faith to receive him Christ would profit us nothing faith is termed precious 2 Pet. 1.1 yea the very trial of faith is more precious then that of gold that perisheth though it be tryed with fire 1 Pet. 1.7 How precious then is faith it selfe whereby we lay hold on and have an interest in all the exceeding great and precious promises of the Gospel that by these we might be partakers of the divine nature having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust 2 Pet. 1.4 Now suppose a beleever be poor in the world yet is he rich in faith and an heir of the kingdom which God hath promised to them that love him Jam. 2.5 1 Wrought Rom. 10.15 For this end again God furnisheth and sendeth his messengers whose very feet are beautifull to his chosen with the fulnesse of the blessings of the Gospel of Christ Rom. 15.29 to beget faith in their hearts For Faith commeth by hearing and hearing by the word of God verse 17. verse 17. And although other persons may hear the same word yet to them it is but a savour of death to death even to as many as perish whilst it is a savour of life unto life to them that are saved 2 Cor. 2.16 2. 2 Workeing in them This Grace of Faith being once wrought in their souls it purifieth the heart and this speaks of them blessed for Blessed are the pure in heart saith our blessed Savour for they shal see God Math. 5.8 Faith also is attended with all the traine of saving graces as Vertue Knowledge Temperance Patience Godlynesse Brotherly-kindnesse and Charity 2 Pet. 1.6 7. and it brings forth in them all the fruits of righteousnesse which are by Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God Phil. 1.11 and to the exceeding great benefit of others even to their conversion and salvation as is prophesied of them Esai 19.24 25. In that day shall Israel be the third with Aegypt and with Assyria even a blessing in â—he middle of the Land Whom the Lords of hosts shall blesse saying Bâ—essed be Aegypt my people and Assyria the work of my hands and Israel mâ—ne inheritance They are blessed of God and become blessings to others round about them not to some few in a corner or two but in the middle of the Land O the blessednesse of these persons as the Hâ—brew word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 imports 6 Reconciliation Tâ—ey only are reconciled to God by Jesuâ— Csirist who were before as all others are still alienâ—ted and enemies in their minds by wicked works C lâ—ss 1.20 What a change is here By nâ—ture they were châ—ldren of wrath even as others Eph. 2 3 But now of enemies they are made the friends of Gâ—d yea his favourites as our Saviour declareth John 15.15 Hâ—nceforth I call you not servants * Theodosi s accounted it a fâ—r gre ter honour to â—erve Christ then o be Empe or of the whole world though that wâ—re an high honour for to serve God is to reigne for the servant knoweth not what his master doth bâ—t I have called you friends for all things that I have heard of my father I have made known to you They are as neer and dear to him as children to their Parents the beloved spouse to the husband and members to the head To him they are united and made one with the Father by him John 17.21 Iohn 17.21 with whom as also with the spirit of grace they have communion as St. John asserteth 1 Iohn 1.3 Truely our fellowship is with the Father and with his son Jesus Christ and St. Paul maketh mention of their communion with the holy Ghost 2 Cor. 13 14 They are of Christs flesh of his bones Eph. 5.30 they are one spirit 1 Cor. 6.17 partakers of the divine Nature 2 Pet. 1.4 Whereas all others have fellowship with devils and the unfruitfull works of darknesse 1 Cor. 10 20. Eph. 5.11 and not with God for what communion can light have with darknesse or unrighteousnesse with righteousnesse or Belial with Christ or an infidel with him that believeth 2 Cor. 6.14 15. They may perhaps think and say they have but if we walk in darkness and say we have fellowship with him we lye and doe not the truth 1 Iohn 1.6 But ere we pass from this part of the Saints preheminence a few things are necessary to be advertised for prevention of mistakes which some have made of most dangerous consequence 1. Whereas it is said by our Saviour that they who believe on him are one with the Father as he is John 17.21 Here we must know that the particle as denoteth a quality not an equality for Christ is one with his Father immediately but we by meanes of Christ this union being wrought by the Spirit Eph. 4.4 2 We are not in the same kind or degree nor in so high and glorious a manner one with the father as he for in Christ the human nature is united to the divine yet the union is not naturall but supernaturall and mysticall Againe the persons of believers are united to Christ yet is not that a personal or essential union as Christ with his Father is Lastly we must distinguish between 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 rightly attributed to Jesus Christ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the divine Nature whereof all are partakers who have the Image of God renewed in them consisting in wisedome holiness and true righteousnesse If these things had been duly known and weighed by some they would never have blasphemously usurped to
2 As Iacob was in covenant with God Levit. 26.42 where God promiseth to remember his covenant with Iacob with Isaac and with Abraham with Iacob first because it was established with him last and the blessings of Iacob prevailed above the blessings of his progenitors Genes 49.26 So must you take hold of his covenant and keep it that all his pathes may be mercy and truth to you Psal 25.10 All then Isa 56.4 that are not under this covenant or refuse to bring their children to it in due time and manner or that despise Baptisme the token of it as circumcision was of old Gen. 17.11 are not yet in this rank and they who have listed their names in this holy Catalogue but profane and violate this Covenant made with the fathers Malach. 2.10 shall certainely be cut off their iniquity shall be upon them and they shall be found among the rabble mentioned Rom. 1.31 Instance 3 3. Jacob was humble and lowly in Spirit and esteemed himselfe utterly unworthy of the least of all Gods mercyes and all the truth which God had had shewed him By truth understand the Promises which God had made and performed unto him as * Luth. in Gen 32. veritas est promissio Luther interpreteth it Gen. 32.10 was Jacob thus humbled and Jesus Christ who was equall to his Father lowly in spirit and will you be proud what have you that you have not received 1 Cor. 4.7 why should dust and ashes be proud There can be no shreuder signe of an approaching fall then elevation of spirit This dead Flie will soon infect the whole box of the Apothecaries precious oyntment and God hath engaged himselfe in due time to exalt them who humble themselves before him Jam. 4.10 Away therefore with a proud heart and high looks which otherwise will render you abominable to God Prov. 6.16 17. Instance 4 Fourthly Jacob desired above all things whithersoever he went Gods presence to goe a long with him Gen. 28.20 and better it were for us never to stir one foot further than to proceed without it as Moses desired of God if thy presence goe not with us carry us not up hence Exod. 33.15 Let this teach us to acknowledge him in all our wayes and he shall direct our pathes Prov. 3.6 As for them who say to God depart from us we desire not the knowledge of thy wayes Job 21.14 God shall in like manner abandon and dismiss them for ever with a malediction and say Depart from me ye accursed into everlasting fire and then shall they know whether God had more need of them or they of him and be enforced to confesse We are justly served But who be they that say to God depart from us Answ All that desire not the knowledge of his waies Consider this all you that refuse to frequent the places where his honour dwelleth the assemblies of his people and that neglect to read and meditate on his word to get the true knowledge of his will that you may do it you doe as much in effect as if you had said Depart from us and he that knoweth the meaning of your dealings toward him will let you know his mind towards you that he is well agreed to grant you your desire in your life time even when you are dead depart you did and depart you shall for ever and ever See who will have the worst of it Instance 5 Fifthly Israel was both instant and constant in prayer to God Gen. 32.24 25 26. he wrestled with God till the breaking of the day and would not let him goe till he had blessed him and by his prevalency he obtained the Sirname Israel By his strength the prophet saith he had power with God yea he had power over the Angel and prevailed Ambros Arma nostra sunt preces Lacrimae he wept and made supplication to him Hos 12.3 4 5. Right prayer is an infallible cognizance of a genuine Christian for whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved Rom. 10.13 1 All here required for salvation is the right calling upon the name of the Lord 2. far we need not to goe the Lord is in all places 3. none are debarred from this liberty whosoever he or she be that call shall speed 4. the rewards of so small a service as calling on his name is no lesse then salvation 5. Gods willingnesse to hear and help us is seen in this that he calleth upon all to call upon him that they may be saved by him We need not to awaken him but he wakneth us to aske him he is more ready to hear us then we are to aske of him Quest But what is right prayer Answ This is duly to be considered for the work is honourable and profitable 1. the party that performeth this service aright must 1. be righteous for the fervent effectual prayer of the righteous availeth much Jam. 5.16 But if I regard wickednesse in my heart God will not hear my Prayer Psalm 66.18 * Greg. Moral Tum cor nostrum fiduciam in oratione accepit cum sibi vitae pravitas nulla contradicit 2. he must pray according to his will 1 John 5.14 This is the confidence that we have in him that if we aske any thing according to his will he heareth us 3. our suits must be commenced to God in the name of our mediator Jesus Christ John 16.23 for so runneth his direction and promise joyned together verily verily I say unto you whatsoever you shall aske the Father in my name he will give it you 4. acceptable prayer proceeds from Faith coupled with charity Mark 11.24 25. whatsoever ye desire when ye pray believe that you receive them and he shall have them And when ye stand praying forgive if ye have ought against any that your Father which is in Heaven may forgive you your trespasses On the contrary all they that do not call upon God are wicked and shall be accursed Psalm 14.4 for God hath threatned to pour out his fury upon the Families that call not on his name Jer. 10.25 2 All they that worship Idols instead of the true God Ier. 10.25 shall be sent by him to their Idols for help if they will have any for God will afford them neither audience nor assistance in their time of need Judg. 10.13 14. ye have forsaken me and served other Gods wherefore I will no more deliver you Goe and cry unto the Gods which ye have chosen let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation 3. He that prayeth not in faith hath no ground to thinke that he shall obtaine any thing of the Lord Jam. 1.6 7. 4 He also that wanteth charity shall want successe in his supplications Prov. 21.13 Who so stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor he also shall cry himselfe but shall not be heard and unlesse you forgive others neither will your Father forgive your trespasses Mat. 6.15
him who readeth or heareth them Motives truely he is unworthy to have any more spoken to him but before I can hope to perswade men I must begin with God who onely can perswade the heart O thou great Captain of the host of Israel who hast the key of David that openeth and none can shut and shutteth and none can open be graciously pleased to exercise thy great power and infinite mercy in working upon the hearts both of the writer and reader of this treatise to answer this thy call that of wild olives by nature we may be graffed into Jesus Christ and may become trees of righteousness the planting of the Lord that thou mayst be glorified in us and by us and we with thee Alas Lord what can a weak mans words availe where the word of the â—â—ving God is rejected The arguments â—re full of power but the hearts of the â—hildren of men are full of obstinacy â—nless thou raisest the dead and creaâ—est clean hearts no good can be done â—end therefore thine irresistible Spirit â—o convince and convert us give new â—yes and new eares and renew a right â—pirit within us then shall we heare â—nd see and run to joyne ourselves who have formerly beene sons of the â—â—ranger to the Lord and to thy people â—hou who gatherest the out casts of Isâ—ael remember thy promise to gather â—thers to thee besides those that are alâ—eady gathered Save us O Lord our â—od and gather us from among the â—eathen to give thanks unto thy holy â—ame and to triumph in thy praise Isa 56.7 8. â—sal 106.47 Now if after prayer to God teares â—ould move you whose good is here â—â—tended they should not be wanting beseech you by the teares and preciâ—s blood of Iesus Christ to grant me is desire not for any thing from you 〈◊〉 my self but for the salvation of your own soules that you lay these things deeply to heart Is it nothing to you to have lived so long without Christ being aliens from the Common-wealth of Israel and strangers from the Covenants of promise having no hope and without God in the world Eph. 2.12 Dare you continue in this estate sincâ— you know not how little time you havâ— to live before you goe hence and be nâ— more seen Is not God a portion wortâ— having is not his love worth imbracing feare you not the torments oâ— Hell doe you not value the joyes anâ— glory of Heaven Return a candid anâ— sober Answer to these Questions whicâ— God himselfe and not I propounâ— unto you Say in good earnest to him Lord enable us and we will becomâ— true Israelites and then I assure you 〈◊〉 his name and in the word of trutâ— God will be your God and the Goâ— of your seed he will love you freeâ— unto the end the second death shaâ— have no power over you feare not is your Fathers good pleasure to giâ— you the Kingdome Luke 12.32 whâ— shall I say of the blessed spirit of gracâ— he stands at the door of your hearts and knocks if you will hear his voyce and open the door he will come into you and sup with you and you with him Revel 3.20 And judge righteous judgment whether is it better to walk in that double Aegyptian darknesse of errors and manners or to be children of light 1 Thess 5.5 whether is it more eligible to be dead in trespasses and sin or to heare the voyce of the Son of God and live the life of grace here and the life of glory hereafter John 5.25 Whether is it safer to be the friends of God or his cursed enimes to have fellowship with God or devils yea to be Gods sons and daughters or children of the devill for you must needs be either of the former or the latter sort of these I call Heaven and Earth to record this day that I have set before you life and death blessing and cursing therefore choose life that you and your seed may live Deut. 30.19 Thus shall you be free indeed free from all evill and free to all good spiritual and eternal for Jerusalem which is above is free which is the mother of all true believers Gal. 4.26 what vast summs of money doe some forego to purchase freedome in some great City as the chiefe Captain did to be made free in Rome Acts. 22.28 But all the money in the world will not purchase any freedome in this City the spiritual Jerusalem you must either be born in Sion or you can never be free here againe men may confer political freedome as king Saul promised to make his house free in Israel who should kill Goliath 1 Sam. 17.25 but none can confer this spiritual freedome but the Son the great King of Heaven John 8.36 Lastly if the Queen of Sheba pronounced Solomons men happy and twice happy for standing continually in his presence and hearing his wisedome 2 Chron. 9.7 how much more happy is it for us to draw nigh to God Psalm 73.28 Herein the children of Israel surmount all people in the world besides for they onely are neere to him Psalm 148.14 and as dear as the Apples of his own Eye Zachary 2.8 And as they are neer and dear to him so is he nigh to them to hear them when they call Psalm 145.18 and to save them in all times of their distresse Psalm 85.9 Israel of old gloried in this priviledge Deut. 4.7 what Nation is there so great that hath God so nigh unto them as the Lord our God is to us in all things which we call upon him for and were it now impossible for us to have him as neere to us as he was to them our case were miserable but blessed be God as he hath commanded us to draw nigh to him so he hath promised to draw nigh to us also Jam. 4.8 But of all others shall we be most miserable if we would not obey this his Command of drawing nigh to him that he may fulfill his promise and draw nigh to us for they that say to him now depart from us shall heare him say to them at the last day Depart from me ye accursed into everlasting fire Sect. 12 For the Lords sake therefore remove all impediments that hinder you from becomming Israelites indeed Impediments What these lets and remoraes are I shal briefly lay down O! that you could as soon overcome them These impediments are either external or within your selves 1 Their smal number The 1. externall Let is the paucity or fewnesse of their number But doe not you know that ordinary stones are more rife than orient Pearls and is not a precious stone the more valueable and excellent by how much the more rare it is These are the Lords Jewels whereas all other are but like lumber in the house Mal. 3.17 They shall be mine saith the Lord of Hostes who best knoweth the true value of the children of men in that day when I make up my Jewels and
1. Serveth for exhortation Since then Christ our Lord inviteth you to behold an Israelite indeed imitate ye God Angels and good men turne the eyes of your mindes towards these excellent ones on the earth Psal 16.3 Gen. 23.6 princes of God children of wisedome the most glorious conquerors in the world rare new creatures cloathed with the Sunne perfect in beauty transcendently rich endued with honour and the spirit of glory partakers of the divine nature 2 Pe. 1.4 Having the glorious angels for their attendants This your sight will be well pleasing to God Motives for as all the works of Gods creation and providence are to be minded by us Ps 143.5 so especially are these first fruits of his creatures whom he hath begotten with the word of truth Psal 143.5 Eph. 2.10 Jam. 1.18 who are His workmanship created in Christ Iesus unto good works Eph. 2.10.2 There can be no danger in the contemplation of this beauty as there may be and too often is in gazing upon other faire objects as David found by experience and the sons of God in seeing the daughters of men that were faire Gen. 6.2 for he that looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart as our Lord witnesseth Mat. 5.28 But thirdly this sight wil bring great profit with it to the spectators Here we shall see the beauty of holiness which will enflame our hearts with the love of it * Cic. offic l. 1. as the heathen said vertue would do if it could be seen with the eyes and we read that many who beheld Lazarus after he was raised frâ—m death believed and thereby themselves were raised from the death of sin John 12.9.11 Joh. 12.9.11 St Peter affordeth us two remarkable instances of this the former is of Christians even under persecution living among heathens whom he counselleth to have their conversation honest among them that whereas some speak against them as evil doers others by their good works which they shall behold may glorifie God in the day of visitation yea by this meanes the very persecuters themselves may become true professors 1. Pet. 3.12 The other is of wives though the weaker vessels whose pious and meek demeanor may be an occasion of converting their ignorant and unbeleeving husbands on whom the word as yet cannot work 1 Pet. 3.1 2. Likewise ye wives saith he be in subjection to your own husbands that if any obey not the word they also may without the word be wonne by the conversation of the wives while they behold your chast conversation coupled with fear Vse 2 Secondly this serveth for our direction in two things 1. What are we chieffly to behold in this true Israelite Answ 1. his original he was borne in Zion the city of God whereof glorious things are spoken and which the highest himself shall establish Selah Psal 87.2.5 He is of the seed royal begotten not of corruptible but incorruptible seed the word of God which liveth and abideth for ever 1. Pet. 1.23 borne not after the flesh but after the spirit Joh. 3.5 more then a servant even a son and if a son then an heire of God through Christ Gal. 4.7 2. Observe his life and conversation Brethren saith Saint Paul mark them which walk so as you have us for an ensample Phil. 3.17 3. Mark him in his sufferings and the issue thereof Behold saith the Apostle we count them happy which endure ye have heard of the patience of Job and have seen the end of the Lord Jam. 5 11. How couragious have some been even under persecution daring and provoking their tormentors and crying out to them as Tertul. l. ad Scapulam Magis damnati quà m absoluti gaudent Tertull. relateth Crudelitas vestra est gloria nostra 4. View wel his catastrophe or the end of his life as it is in Psal 37.37 Mark the perfect man and behold the the upright for the end of that man is peace Again This directeth us concerning the manner how he is to be observed namely 1. with an eye of recognition he is to be known and acknowledged by us Isa 61.9 All that see them shal acknowledge that they are the seed which the Lord hath blessed 2. With an eye of complacency and love As David was accepted in the sight of all the people and also in the fight of Sauls servants 1 Sam. 18.5 3. With a respectful eye as the prophet Elisha regarded the presence of king Jehosaphat who professed that had it not been for his sake he would not have somuch as looked upon Jehoram king of Israel nor have seene him 2 King 3.14 4. With a joyfull eye as they that feared God were glad when they saw David Psal 119.74 5. This fight ought to be joyned with a desire of adhesion as when Jonathan saw Davids valour his soul clave to him 1 Sam. 18.1 and when Judah and Benjamin and many other saw that the Lord was with Asa the king they fel to him out of Israel 2 Chro. 15.9 6. It must be accompanied with a desire of imitation in that which is right Those things saith St Paul which ye have both learned and received and heard and seen in me doe and the God of peace shal be with you Phil. 4.9 Lastly we should looke upon them with an eye of sympathy 1. If they be regular in their lives it should afford us occasion of joy as Paul absent in the flesh yet was present with the Colossians in the spirit and rejoyced to behold their order and stedfastnes of their faith in Christ Col. 2.5 2 If they be in prosperity we should congratulate with them so the Psal mâ—st prayeth Lord let me see the good of thy chosen that I may rejoyce in the gladness of thy nation that I may glory with thine inheritance Psal 106.5 3 If any of them be at any time in distress we must cast an eye of compassion and pitty upon them Heare all people and behold my sorrow saith the church in captivity Lam. 1.18 So when the father saw the penitent prodigal he had compassion and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him Luk. 15.20 Vse 3 Thirdly this may serve for discovery how purblind or squint-eyed the men of this world are who can see no excellency in the children of God The reason hereof is rendred 1. Joh. 3.1 the world knoweth them not because it knoweth not the father yea it was prophesied of Jesus Christ that he should be fairer than the children of men Psal 45.2 yet when he cometh into the world he hath no forme nor comeliness and when we shall see him there is no beauty that we should desire him which is spoken of the very elect as well as of others before they become beleevers 1 Pet. 2.7 and then is Christ indeed precious to them and not before How then can the unbeliever spie any beauty in the members of Christ
lusts Iude. 18. manifest themselves to be rather Pagans then Christians indeed as Peter was discovered to be a Galilean for his speech bewrayed him Mat. 26.73 And suppose a guilded Hypocrite may have his tongue tipt with Scripture expressions and holy discourses yet if he be well observed at other times he will be found to speak ordinarily the language of Aâ—hdod and to trip and faulter in his most affected and best discourses As many Ephramites were detected to be what they were by the men of Gilead in pronouncing Sibboleth for Shibboleth for they could not frame to pronounce it right Iudg. 12.6 2. What may they thinke of themselves if they had any spiritual judgement who think or say words are but wind little regarding what the Judge of quick and dead hath fore-warned us of that men shall give account of every idle word which they speak in the day of judgement Mal. 12.36 Thirdly where shall they appeare that reproach and laugh them to scorn and shun their company whose tongues use knowledge aright as Solomon saith every wise man doth Prov. 15.2 If any do but once make mention of the Lords righteousnesse reprove sin or exhort to reformation of life or use any savory passages tending to the souls good they have done with them as too precise for their societie and jeere at them as ridiculous persons or tremble as Felix trembled when Paul reasoned of righteousnesse temperance and judgement to come but would give no further audience Acts. 24 25. Fourthly wo unto them who never call themselves to an account for preventing frothy obscene or noysome language nor yet for the omission of seasonable and holy conferences being far unlike to the Prophet Isaiah who cryeth out to God Wo is me for I am undone because I am a man of uncleane lips and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips Chap. 6.5 Sect. 5 Chara ∣ cter 6 As the Carpenter or Mason is known by his Rule or Plummet so are they who are born in Sion distinguished from all the Sons and Daughters of Babel Gods holy word is the rule by which they square all their principles and practises as the Apostle sheweth us Gal. 6.16 As many as walk according to this rule peace be upon them and mercy and upon the Israel of God Now it is well known that a Rule is very usefull for builders for the discerning of that which is straight from that which is crooked that there may be a symmetry and just proportion between the severall parts of his edifice This rule of the word must 1. be known by us 2. we must have it ever in readinesse 3. It is to be applyed to every doctrine of faith embraced by us and to all your imaginations affections and works that we may all walke by the same Rule Phil 3.16 Application But alas how little do many think of any such rule from one end of the day to the other nay from one end of the week or year to another how few of us know it and how doe most persons cast it behind their backs Do you when you awake every morning consider what affairs you are to goe about the ensuing day doe you contrive as architects use to doe that your undertakings may all be good for the matter and right for manner and ends thereof that all your works may be wrought in God that they may be carried on in faith and obedience to the glory of God then you build upon the Rock and your labours shall be accepted of God and rewarded by him But if you reject the word of God what wisedome is in you Jer. 8.9 God will bring upon you the fruit of your thoughts and doings Jer. 6.19 and in fine reject you as he did Saul for this very cause from being King 1 Sam. 15.26 Chara ∣ cter 7 He is a Jew as the Apostle saith which is one inwardly in the spirit whose praise is not of men but God Rom. 2. 29. He will neither forbear doing good or be drawn to evil for the applause of men or for fear of reproach * 2 Cor. 6.8 he can pass through good report and bad report both willingly and cheerfully knowing well that they are happy who are reproached for the name of Christ Luke 6.22 Quest How doth God praise his people Answ in his word he preferreth them before all others giving them this suffrage The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour Prov. 12. 26 Secondly in advancing them by his all ruling providence above others even many times in this life as he avouched Israel to be his peculiar people according to his promise and made them high above all nations in praise in name in honour Deut. 26.18 19. Thirdly by the approbation and commendation of the godly whose judgement is to be preferred before thousands of other men's as Jonathan pleaded for David against his father Saul 1 Sam. 10.4 Fourthly In their owne consciences by his spirit bearing witnesse to them that they are such as God approveth of in which sense the spirit of glory is affirmed to rest upon them Pet. 4.14 Fifthly in the consciences and confessions of wicked men sometimes even their worst enemies as Saul justified David whose life he had long sought acknowledging to him Thou art more righteous then I 1 Samuel 24.17 Sixthly by clearing up their innocencie from obloquies and slanders in this life and bringing forth their righteousnesse as the light Psalm 37.6 Seventhly in reviving their credits and estimations in the world after their bodies have been long dead and rotten So the Prophets who had been slaine by the Fathers had Tombes built them and their sepulchers garnished by their children worse than their Ancestors who justified the Prophets and condemned their own Fathers saying If we had been in the dayes of our Eathers we would not have been partakers with them in the bloud of the Prophets Mat. 23.29 30. yet even these men afterwards put to death the prince of Prophets Jesus Christ Eighthly at the last day in proclaming their innocency before God Angels and men when that one word Euge well done faithfull and good servant will countervaile all the calumnies and aspersions that ever were cast upon them in this world Mat. 25.21.23 Ob. But great men speak evil of me Ans So did they of David Psalm 119.23 Princes also saith he did sit and speak against me but thy servant did meditate on thy Statutes Where the word also imports that others did the like as else where he complains to God in prayer Let the lying lips be put to silence which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous Psalm 31.18 In this case there is need of the Patience and faith of the Saints Rev. 10. But doe as David did goe to God by prayer and keep close to his testimonies and mark as James speaketh of Job the end which God made with David and certainly in due time he
super Psa 75. Si verus Israelita in quo dolus non est dolost et mendaces non sunt veri Israelitae argues against them all If he be a true Israelite in whom there is no guile then guilefull persons and liars are not true Israelites Obj. But some will say Plain dealing is a jewel but he shal dye a beggar that useth it Ans Were this true yet better it is to dye a beggar with Lazarus and after death to rest in Abrahams bosome than to live in the greatest plenty with Dives in this world and to go to hell in the world to come 2. But Christians leave this maxime to Machiavel and the father of lies For Iacob was a Gen. 25.27 plain man yet grew exceeding rich with my staff said he I passed over this Jordan and now I am become two bands Genes 32.10 On the contrary wise Solomon inspired by the spirit of truth reacheth that wealth gotten by vanity shal be diminished Pro. 13.11 and again An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning Pro. 20. but the end thereof shall not be blessed And though the bread of deceit for a while may seem sweet to a man yet afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel Pro. 20.17 and in the end he shal find that too true which now he will not beleeve That he hath laboured for the wind and when he returneth to go as he came he shall take nothing of his labour Eccl. 5.15 16. which he may carry away in his hand Obj. But may he not leave them with his children A. Solomon resolveth this quaerie Those riches perish by evil travel and he begetteth a son and there is nothing in his hand c. Eccl. 5.13 14 15 16 17. Where we have 6. things observable 1. He may think that he hath gotten riches but he shall find that he hath laboured for the wind 2. Those riches shall not profit him 3. They are kept while he hath them for his hurt 4. The unjust getting and ill keeping of them shall yeeld him no better fruit then much sorrow and wrath in his sicknesse 5. He shall carry no more out of the world then he brought with him into the world 6. His children shall be nothing better for them when he is gone Hee begetteth a son and there is nothing in his hand But there remaineth the last and worst thing behind a sad reckoning for all Pro. 21.6 The getting of riches by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death They sought treasures with very great toyle but shall find death when they think not of it as the silly fish seeks the baite but meets with the hook for these men seeke death eventually not intentionally but would they consider in time that while they seek seeming good things * Euseb Emisenus hom 3. de pascha Remanet quod damnat praererit quod delectat which perish in the using they shall find real curses which will abide with them for ever they would not take somuch paines to bring perdition upon themselves 10. Now let us proceed to our true Israelites last character He Nathanael-like imitateth the good examples of holy men which is termed by the wise man Pro. 2.20 walking in the way of good men and keeping the paths of the righteous Among whom Iacob is here singled out as a most eminent patterne for us Let us therefore propound to ourselves Iacobs conversation wherein we shall find many memorable passages whereby all other persons may try themselves whether they be his spiritual sons and daughters or no. But before I come to particularize them this double caution is to be premised that all things spoken and acted by this blessed Patriarch are not to be imitated some of his words and deeds being justly liable to animadversion and censure as his praevarication and polygamie * Notanda non imitanda which yet are to be noted by us for much good may be learned out of his evils for 1. thereby we are advertised that there is no absolute exemplar or pattern to be found among men except Iesus Christ who is to be followed in all things which are recorded in the Gospel and propounded for our imitation for he onely never offended in word or deed and therefore the Apostle exhorteth the Corinthians to be followers of him even as hee also was of Christ 1 Cor. 11 1. 2 we must have a precept as well as a president to direct us how far or wherein we are to imitate Jesus Christ and other holy persons otherwise Christ himselfe is not to be imitated by us in all things without restriction for he did many things as God and mediator as walking upon the Sea and dying for the sinnes of the world wherein none of us may imitate him 2. hence we are taught not to conclude against ourselves or others that there is no true grace at all where some remainders of sin are found 3. what need we and the best men have of an advocate with the father 4 whosoever with the Egyptians follow the dark side of the cloud must needs be drowned and perish 5. and therefore we are to cast our eyes on the light side thereof for so the Apostle Heb. 12.1 compareth the examples of believers to the cloud which guided the Israelites from the land of Egypt to Canaan whereas the Egyptians following behind it perished and * Isid de summo bono l. 2. c. 11. Qui sanctum virum imitatur quasi exemplar aliquod intuetur sesque in illo quasi in speculo prospicit ut adjiciat quod deesse virtuti agnoscit Isidore resembleth good examples to a looking glass wherein others may see what is defective in themselves Instance 1 1. These things being necessarily premised let us now mind our copy set us in the text I shall propound 13. several instances 1. Jacob was a servant of the true God and accounted it his honour to be so Genes 32.10 As many therefore as Luk. 6.46 call him Lord Lord but do not the things which he commandeth him assume the name but refuse the work shall be reputed among the evil and sloathfull servants who will expect to enter into the kingdom of heaven but shall be shut out of it 2. All that are ashamed of Christ and his words of them will he be ashamed at the last day before his Father angels and men Mar. 8.38.3 Those that serve Satan and diverse lusts and pleasures Tit. 3.3 and will not be perswaded to yeeld their members servants to righteousness unto holiness as they have yeelded them formerly servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity are the bondslaves of sin and Satan free from righteousness and shall in fine receive the wages of sin which is death Rom. 6.19 20 23. Let us therefore have grace whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly feare as Iacob did Hebr. 12.28 Instance 2
sweare even under the Gospel for to those times the Apostle applyed that Text Rom. 14.11 and St. Paul used oaths for confirmation of his doctrine sometimes Rom. 9.1 Gal. 1.20 Obj. But doth not Christ forbid us to sweare at all Mat. 5.24 Ans Christ forbids all swearing by creatures which the Pharisees Lyra since them held to be no sin which is also condemned James 5.12 Above all things swear not neither by heaven nor earth but if you must needs sweare let it be by the God of truth Isa 65.16 1. They that sweaâ—e by any but God are unlike to Iacob in practice 2. So are all common and rash swearers who take the name of God in vaine and may be sure he will not hold them guiltlesse 3 for oaths the Land mourneth Jer. 23.10 how much more cause have they to mourn who make the earth to mourne 4 All that swear by the name of God without due reverence to his sacred Majesty are distinguished from the righteous and ranged among the wicked Eccles 9.1 2. As is the good saith the Preacher so is the sinner and he that sweareth as he that feareth an oath The good man feareth even when he sweareth what he knoweth to be truth 5 He therefore that sweareth falsely is on the dark side of the cloud and the flying Roul full of curses shall find him out and shall remaine in the midst of his house who sweareth falsely by the name of the Lord and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof Zach. 5.2 3. Yet there is hope in Israel concerning this if the party offending repent of his sinne with Peter speedily and seriously Levit. 6.5 If he that hath found that which was lost and lyeth concerning it and sweareth falsely restore that which he hath deceitfully gotten in the principall shal add a fifth part more thereto give it to whom it appertaineth shall bring his trespasse offering unto the Lord the Priest Jesus Christ shall make an atonement for him before the Lord and it shall be forgiven him vers 5 6. Instance 10 Israel was very mindfull of his mortality reputing himselfe a Pilgrim and stranger in the world as may be easily gathered from his answer to Pharaoh demanding of him how old he was Gen. 47.9 The dayes of the yeeres of my Pilgrimage are 130 years few and evill have the yeers of my life been I have not obtained unto the dayes of the years of the life of my fathers in the dayes of their pilgrimage out of which speech of his the Apostle gathereth that he sought a better countrey even Heavenly According to this our president let us account our selves strangers and sojourners with God as all our fathers were so did holy David Psalm 39.12 and let the Apostle's loving obtestation sink deep into our hearts 1 Pet. 2.11 Dearely beloved I beseech you as strangers and Pilgrims abstaine from fleshly lusts which war against the soule and since we have no continuing place here let us lay a good foundation for eternity 1 Tim. 6 19. But alas how few are there who write after this copy many put the evil day far from them Amos. 6.3 and so live as if they should live here for ever and not see corruption Psal 49.9 yea the very thoughts of death make too many more profane and dissolute who say to themselves and others Let us eat and drink for to morrow we shall dye Isa 22.13 little minding that after death comes judgment Heb. 9.27 Instance 11 11. Israel is an exemplar to Christian souldiers he was valiant in fight Genes 47.22 with his sword and with his bow he took a portion out of the hand of the Amorite which he gave to his son Joseph above his brethren yet in times of peace none more harmless quiet and patient in suffering injuries then he As Hamor and Shechem confessed of him and his sons These men are peaceable with us Genes 34.21 and to avoid the fury of Esau his brother for quietness sake he fled into the countrey of Syria Hos 12.12 And when Shechem had defiled his daughter Dinah and he heard of it He held his peace Genes 34.5 which declareth that he had great power over his owne Spirit But when his two sons Simeon and Levi had without his privity slaine the Shechemites for deflouring their sister how did he abhor their bloody fact and condemne them for it v. 30. Jacob said to Simeon and Levi Ye have troubled me to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the Land yea till his dying day he could not forget it for when he blessed his sons a litle before his death coming to these two in their order he calleth them Genesis 49.5 6 7 brethren in evil and detesteth with an execration their horrid crime saying The instruments of cruelty are in their habitations O my soule come not thou into their secret unto their assembly mine honour be not thou united for in their anger they slew a man and in their selfe will they digged down a wall Cursed be their anger for it was fierce and their wrath for it was cruel Againe let us view Jacobs admirable meekness and patience when Laban his father in law put blear-eyed Leah into his bed instead of beautifull Rachel for whom he had served seven yeares all that he sayd to him was this What is this thou hast done to me did not I serve with thee for Rachel wherefore then hast thou beguiled me here neither railing nor cursing proceeded from him and when at his departure Laban of whom he had deserved exceeding wel pursued him as a thiefe he was provoked to wrath and chod with Laban yet he brake not out into any passionate distempers but mildly expostulateth the matter with him yea after the unjust man had changed his wages dearly-earned ten times he committed the matter to God They therefore 1. who can beare no indignities or injuries nor will part from their right in the least sort for peace and concords sake contrary to the Christians rule which injoyneth us that if it be possible as much as in us lyeth we should live peaceably with all men Rom. 12.18 but 2ly upon small provocations break out into bitter maledictions sclanders and railings as Micah's mother when her eleven hundred shekels of silver were taken from her brake out into cursings though it were her owne son who had taken them Judg. 17.2 or 3ly who upon any occasion small or great study and endeavour revenge and so take Gods office out of his hand as the Apostle teacheth Rom. 12.19 Dearly beloved avenge not your selves but rather give place unto wrath for it is written vengeance is mine I will repay saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemie hunger feed him and if he thirst give him drink 4ly Such as are so far from taking wrong that they do wrong to others like some of the Corinthians sharply taxed by the Apostle 1. Cor. 6.8 5ly Above all they