by the powerful Operations of the Holy-Ghost whereby he is made holy and enabled to approve himself to God and Men in all purity of Life and Conversation By the Breastplate of Righteousness in the Text we understand the Righteousness of Sanctification is principall◠intended for otherwise this piece of Christian Armor would interfere with the Shield of Faith which comprehends the Righteousness of Justification See Shield It is we say a Principle of new Life which the Spirit works in the Heart of a Believer hence the several Graces of Holiness are called the Fruits of the Spirit Gal. 5.22 Man by the Fall had a double Loss first the Love of God secondly the Image or Likeness of God Christ restores both to his Children the first by his Righteousness imputed the second by his Spirit imparting the lost Image of God to them which consists in Righteousness and true Holiness Who but a Man can impart his own Nature and beget a Child like himself So who but the Spirit of God can make a Creature like God by causing him to partake of the Divine Nature 1. This is that Principle of new Life viz. an inward Disposition and Divine Quality sweetly powerfully and constantly stirring up and inclining to that which is holy and spiritually good 2. The Work of the Spirit in this respect was not to recover what was dying Garnal but to work Life de novo in a Soul quite dead hence called a creating quickning forming and renewing Work 3. It is a supernatural Principle by which we distinguish it from Adam's Righteousness which was co-natural to him as Sin is to us Holiness was as natural to him as Health was to his Body they both resulted ex Principiis rectè constitutis from Principles pure and rightly disposed Why Righteousness is called a Breast-plate will appear by the following Parallel Metaphor Parallel A Breast-plate is a main and principal Piece of Armor that belongs to a Souldier RIghteousness in like manner is a principal thing belonging to all Christians who are called Souldiers of Christ 2 Tim 3 3. Endure Hardness as a good Souldier c. II. A Breast-plate is a piece of Armor that every Souldier ought to have on when he engages his Enemy he must not come into the Field without it II. Righteousness is so necessary for every Believer that he ought not cannot be without it there is no engaging any Enemy of the Soul without a Principle of Holiness be wrought in him III. A Breast-plate preserves the principal part of the Body viz. the Breast where the very Vitals of a Man are closely couched together and where a Shot or a Stab is more deadly than in other parts that are more remote from the Fountain of Life A Man may out-live many Wounds received in the Arms or Legs but a Stab in the Heart is a certain Messenger of Death III. Righteousness and Holiness preserves the principal part of a Christian viz. his Soul Satan aims to hit him there where he may dispatch him soonest A Wound in a Man's Credit Estate Relations c. hazard not the Life of his Soul but Sin exposes it to imminent Danger This is that Dart Prov. 7 23 that struck the young Man through the Liver as a Bird hasteth to the Snare that knoweth not 't is for his Life And this is that which Satan strives to tempt entice and draw a Saint to yield unto Hence he should be careful to put on his Breastplate of Righteousness which whilst he has on he is safe from the deadly Stab of the Enemy IV. A Breast-plate is made and prepared for a Souldier before he puts it on It is not his own Work but the Work of a skilful Artist IV. Righteousness which is the Saints Breast-plate is wrought in him by the Holy Spirit who is a most wise and skilful Workman Our own Righteousness is good for nothing hence called dead Works because they are Works from one dead in Sin and spring not from a Principle of inward spiritual Life V. A Breast-plate much emboldens a Souldier and makes him fearless that as he cannot be easily killed so hereby he cannot be soon cowed When a Souldier sees himsel unarmed he begins to tremble but when he hath on a good Helmet and a Plate of Proof on his Breast he is not quickly dismay'd but adventures upon the Point of the Sword V. Thus Righteousness defends and animates the Soul and Conscience when a Man in the midst of the greatest Danger can lift up his hands without spot Holiness fills a Soul with Courage so that he can look in the very face of grim Death whereas Guilt which is the Nakedness of the Soul puts the stoutest Sinner into a shaking Fit of Fear The Wicked flee when no Man pursueth Prov. 28.1 but the Righteous are as bold as a Lion No sooner did Adam see his Breast-plate was off and that he was naked but he was afraid and ran away to hide himself from God VI. The Breast-plate and Girdle were both joined or buckled together VI. So Righteousness and Truth must meet and be joined together in every Christian which is held forth by the Copulative And Stand therefore having your Loins girt about with Truth and having on the Breast-plate of Righteousness Which is taken twofold as hath been shewed First for the Truth of Doctrine or a good and Orthodox Judgment all the Principles of true Religion that are essential to Salvation Secondly Grace or Sincerity of Heart In both these respects Truth must be clasped to or joined with Righteousness and a holy Life Solomon saith Two are better than one So may I say here a good Doctrine with a good Conversation is better than a good Doctrine without a good Conversation or a good Conversation without a good Doctrine as a Man must have the one so he must not be without the other Wo to him that is alone for the Spirit will not be his Strength An evil and corrupt Doctrine may be of as dangerous a Nature as an evil and debauched Life See 2 Pet. 2.1 2. Who privily bring in damnable Heresies even denying the Lord that bought them and bring upon themselves swift Destruction c. In vain is a Man's outward Holiness or moral Sincerity if he be tainted with heretical and damnable Principles and as vain is it for a Man to hold the true Doctrine of the Christian Religion if he be not sincere and live a holy Life Inferences THis may inform us what need there is for every Christian to get and keep on the Breast-plate of Righteousness not only to get a renewed Principle of Grace in his Heart but also to maintain the Power of Godliness in his Life and Conversation This he ought strenuously to labour after and that for several Reasons First In regard of God whose main Design in giving Grace and implanting a Divine Principle in his People is to make them holy to this end he hath put
of their safe and first standing in Christ and of their Assurance of Heaven nothing is Therefore the Saints Hope is both sure and stedfast Tenthly That Relation which Believers stand in unto God is a sure Ground of Hope He is their Father and they are his dear Children he is their Husband they his Spouse Will a dear Father suffer his dear Children to perish and be torn in pieces if he hath Power to help them or the dear Husband his dear Wife The Love of God to his Saints exceeds the Love and Pity of either Father or Husband therefore Hope the Anchor of the Soul is both sure and stedfast Joh. â—0 27 28 29. Eleventhly The Power of God is a sure Ground of Hope My Sheep hear my Voice and follow me and I give to them eternal Life and they shall never perish neither shall any pluck them out of my Hand My Father that gave them me is greater than all and none is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand who are kept by the Power of God through Faith unto Salvation If the Power of God be sufficient to keep Believers from falling and to preserve them to his heavenly Kingdom then their Hope is both sure and stedfast Object But it is through Faith they stand and their Faith may fail Answ Christ as I shewed before hath prayed that their Faith fail not and besides Phil. 1.6 he is the Author Increaser and Finisher of it He that hath begun a good Work in you will perform it unto the Day of Christ John 3.6 1 Pet. 1 23. Twelfthly Regeneration is a sure Ground of Hope That which is born of the Flesh is Flesh that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit Being born again not of corruptible Seed but of incorruptible c. Such as is the Seed such is the Product of it The Seed being immortal by which the Saints are regenerated sure this may be sure Ground of Hope that they shall not perish There is in them an holy and Divine Principle so that they cannot sin unto Death or lose eternal Life Let us now put all these together and then doubtless we shall conclude that the Saints Hope of Heaven is no Fancy but like an Anchor that is both sure and stedfast Inferences FIrst Examine your selves what Hope you have there is a false Hope as well as a true What is the Ground of thy Hope 1. Some Men ground their Hope of Heaven upon outward Prosperity This is the Worldlings Hope They conclude God loves them and will give Heaven to them because he hath given them so much of the Earth not remembring that God gives some Men their Portion in this Life Psal 17. Luke 16. Remember Son thou in thy Life time receivedst thy good Things c. 2. Some ground their Hopes of Heaven upon Civility and external Righteousness They live sober and honest Lives and are not guilty of any gross Sins This is the moral Man's Hope the Pharisee's the young Man 's in the Gospel the foolish Virgins had this Hope and yet lost Heaven 3. Some ground their Hopes of Heaven upon the Merits of their own Works This is the Papists Hope for tho they place some Hope in Christ yet they put Confidence in their own Works Now this is to cast Anchor on the Sands First That which merits must be our own but none of our good Works are our own They are our own subjective because wrought in us and they are ours in regard of the Benefit of them but in respect of the Original they are none of ours they are the Fruits of the Spirit 't is God hath wrought all our Works in us Secondly They must be compleat and perfect or not meritorious but the best Works performed by us are both impure and imperfect more Dross than Gold Thirdly That which merits must not be due upon any other account paying Debts is not meritorious Now there is nothing that we do or can do but it is due 't is a Debt we owe to God we owe him all we have are or can perform Therefore saith Christ When you have done all say you are unprofitable Servants Secondly It shews that the Hope of Believers is a glorious Hope the Apostle saith a blessed Hope that is the Stay or Anchor of the Soul c. Tit. 2.13 Thirdly All those that have not this precious Grace are at present in a hopeless Condition Quest How may a Man know whether he hath a true and well-grounded Hope 1. If thou hast a lively Hope thou art born again the new Birth entitles to a new Hope What Hope can a Man have of Heaven if he be not converted 1 Pet. 1.3 John 3.3 Vnless a Man be born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God 2. A true and well-grounded Hope is attended with a Train of other Graces Tribulation worketh Patience and Patience Experience and Experience Hope Rom. 5.3 4 5. and Hope maketh not ashamed why because the Love of God is shed abroad in our Hearts by the Holy-Ghost Those that have the Grace of Hope have the Graces of Faith and Love and all other Fruits of the Spirit more or less in them 3. Hope purifies the Heart He that hath this Hope in him purifieth himself 1 John 3.3 even as he is pure If thou hast an unsanctified Heart never boast of thy Hope it makes not only the Heart holy but the Life also 4. Hope of Salvation is grounded upon the Promises of God The Promises give Interest and upon Interest ariseth Hope therefore he that hath not took hold of God's Promise by Faith is destitute of Hope the Anchor of the Soul Psal 11â— 49 Remember thy Word unto thy Servant upon which thou hast caused me to hope 5. Hope keeps the Soul in a steady and sure expectation of the Good of Promises under Affliction and Sufferings a Saint is hereby stayed and quieted whilst he is exposed to the Loss of all other things for Christ's sake Heb. 10.34 They took patiently the spoiling of their Goods knowing in themselves they had in Heaven a better and more enduring Substance 6. True Hope makes a Christian very lively and valiant for Christ and his Truth It fills the Soul full of spiritual Activity it is called a lively Hope it makes him bold and not ashamed of the Cross c. Love compared to Death and the Grave and to Coals and Flames of Fire Cant. 8.6 Love is strong as Death Jealousy is as cruel as the Grave The Coals thereof are Coals of Fire which have a most vehement Flame Verse 7. Many Waters cannot quench Love neither can the Floods drown it c. THe Grace of Love which Christ hath infused into the Heart of his Spouse and all gracious Ones is compared by the Holy-Ghost in these Scriptures to three things which are of a mighty powerful and prevailing Nature against whom there is no standing First
'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
of the Mind Will and Counsel of God as is sufficient by the Blessing of God upon a consciencious reading thereof to acquaint a Man with the Mysteries of Salvation to work in him a true Faith and bring him to live godly righteously and soberly in this present World and to Salvation in the next The Translators generally as they have been Men of Learning so likewise have they been honest and for the most part godly Men and thâ—refore would not for their own Honours sake and much more for Conscience sake abuse the World with any wilful false Versions to lead Souls into Error in a Matter of that importance Or if some shoulâ— have â—een so wicked others as learned and of better Principles would soon have discovered the Imposture Nor if we consider how many Men of different Persuasions have translated the Bible and harmoniously agree in all things of moment is it possible to imagine they should all combine so impertinently as well as wickedly to put a Fallacy on Mankind which everry one that has but bestowed a very few Years in the Study of the Languages can presently detect Object 5. How can we think the whole Bible to be of divine Inspiration when some parts of it contradict others The Divine Spirit cannot be contrary to it self yet is there any thing more opposite than the two Evangelists in reckoning up our Saviour's Genealogy St. Matthâ—w (o) Mat. 1.16 says Jacob begat Joseph the Husband of Mary (p) Luk. 3.23 and St. Luke says Joseph the Son of Eli. Answ The seeming Contradictions of Scripture for they are really no more are an Argument that in the writing of this Book there was no corrupt Design or Confederacy to engage the Opinions of Men and upon a due Scrutiny there will appear in them a deep and unthought of Concord and an unanimous Tendency towards the great End of the Whole 'T is our Inadâ—ertency or shallow Apprehension makes us think the Scripture is at variance with it self In the two Texts cited a natural Father is one thing a legal Father another For you must know that Joseph and Mary were both of one House and Family he descended from David by Solomon she by Nathan but in the Posterity of Zerobabel they were divided into two several Families whereof one was the Royal Race and that Linage Joseph was of which Matthew follows The other Family Luke follows whereof Mary was whom Joseph marries and by that means is called the Son of her Father Eli. So that here is no Contradiction but on the contrary an excellent Discovery of our Saviour's Line drawn down on bâ—th sides whereby it appears that as he was Joseph 's reputed Son so he had a Title to be King of the Jews and as he was born of Mary so likewise on her Side he descended from David as was promised of the Mâ—ssias But for reconciling all such seeming Contradictions see Mr. Streat 's Book entitled The dividing of the Hoof a very useful Piece and worthy Perusal I have but one Argument more to add from a very learned Author and then I shall close up all with the Testimony of the Reverend and Learned Mr. John Calvin 17. The internal Evidence of the Spiâ—it XVII And now it may not be amiss to add one Thing more which I could not pass by i. e. Notwithstanding the great Force and Strength of external Arguments and Motives to evince the Divine Authority of the Holy Scripture yet it is absolutely necessary to the stability and assurance of our Faith in order to eternal Life to have the internal Testimony of the Holy Spirit upon our Hearts or the effectual Operations thereof for if he does no otherwise work in and upon our Hearts but by the common Communication of spiritual Light unto our Minds enabling us to discern the Evidences that are in the Scripture of its own divine Original we should be often shaken in our Assent and moved from our Stability Therefore considering the great Darkness and Blindness which remains upon the Minds of Men all Things believed having some sort of Obscurity attending them besides the manifold Temptations of Satan who strives to disturb our Peace and weaken our Faith and cause Doubtings Happy are such who can experience the powerful Establishment and Assurance of the Holy-Ghost who gives them a spiritual sense of the Power and Reality of those Things believed whereby their Faith is greatly confirmed This is that which brings us unto the Riches of the full Assurance of Understanding (a) Col 2 2â— 1 Thess 1.5 and on the account of this spiritual Experience is our Perception of spiritual Things so often expressed by Acts of Sense as Tasting Seeing Feeling c. which are the greatest Evidences of the Property of Things natural 'T is the Holy Spirit that assists helps and relieves us against Temptations that may arise in us so that they shall not be prevalent And indeed without this our first prime Assent unto the Divine Authority of the Scriptures will not secure us but the Influence and Assistance of the Spirit in the midst of Dangers so strengthens the sincere Christian that it makes him stand as firm as a Rock who has no skill to defend the Truth by force of Arguments against those subtil and sophistical Artificers who on all occasions strive to insinuate Objections against it from its Obscurity Imperfection Want of Order Difficulties and seeming Contradictions contained therein c. Moreover there are other special and gracious Actings of the Holy-Ghost on the Minds of Believers which belong also to this internal Testimony whereby their Faith is established viz. his anointing and sealing of them his witnessing with them and his being an Earnest in them Wherefore altho no internal Work of the Spirit can be the format Reason of of our Faith or that which it is resolved into yet it is such as without it we can never sincerely believe as we ought nor be established in believing against the Temptations of the Devil and Objections of evil Men. It hath been already declared Dr. Owen saith a Reverend Divine that it is the Authority and Veracity of God revealing themselves in the Scripture and by it that is the formal Reason of our Faith or supernatural Assent unto it as it is the Word of God It remains only that we enquire in the second place into the Way and Means whereby they evidence themselves unto us and the Scriptures thereby to be of God so as that we may undoubtedly and infallibly believe them so to be Now because Faith as we have shewed is an Assent upon Testimony and consequently Divine Faith is an Assent upon Divine Testimony There must be some Testimony or Witness in this Case whereon Faith doth rest and this we say is the Testimony of the Holy-Ghost the Author of the Scriptures And this Work and Testimony of the Spirit may be reduced unto two Heads c. 1. The Impressions
never fell from their first Estate Christ is not to them a Redeemer for their Restoration but only a Head for their Confirmation But why Angels are called Sons of God will appear in the following Parallel Metaphor Parallel A Son is the Off-spring of the Father ANgels are the Off-spring of God Adam was called the Son of God by Creation so may the Angels because created by God II. A Son is greatly beloved by the Father II. Angels are greatly beloved of the Almighty III. Sons attend honour and wait upon their Father they are about his Table and at his Command III. Angels wait upon God they stand about his Throne and are always ready to obey his Command and seek his Glory IV. Sons are greatly dignified they are near to their Father and have great Power and Authority in the Family IV. Angels are greatly dignified they are very near to God Mat. 18.10 always beholding his Face and are mighty in power Mr. Caryl saith They are called Sons of God because of Power being called Principalities and Powers c. V. Sons serve their Father cheerfully willingly and readily they obey not as Slaves or Servants V. Angels serve God with abundance of Cheerfulness and Willingness they go about their Work with a Filial or Son-like Cheerfulness and Delight VI. Sons are like their Father they have some Resemblance of him in Nature and Qualifications VI. Angels have some essential Likeness to God God is a Spirit and incorporeal the Angels are Spirits in their Nature and incorporeal Tho the difference between God and them is as great as can be conceived in this respect God is the creating Spirit and they are created Spirits God is an infinite Spirit they finite Spirits Yet the Angels bear as the Learned observe some resemblance to God in their Essence as well as in their Qualification and may in this respect be called the Sons of God likewise VII And lastly Sons imitate their Father Do good to them that hate you saith Christ that you may be the Children of your Father which is in Heaven That is Imitate God as some Children do their Fathers carry it towards evil Men as God doth and this will be an Evidence that you are the Sons of God and he will honour you with the Title of his Sons VII Angels imitate God in Mercy in Love and Compassion as also in their good Works their Ways being all holy just and good pure and righteous and shewing much Kindness and Tenderness to the Children of Men. They doubtless are patient towards the froward and undeserving Mortals they are of most excellent Natures and Dispositions No Creatures do imitate God so plainly or fully as they do and from hence they may be called the Sons of God Inferences THis may teach us how to carry our selves towards God our Father We should labour to be like the Angels Our Saviour hath taught us to pray That the Will of God may be done on Earth as it is done in Heaven Mat. 6.10 We who are God's Sons on Earth should imitate the Sons of God in Heaven We should serve God as cheerfully and with the like Alacrity of Heart as the holy Angels and labour not only to imitate the Angels and be like them but also to imitate God himself for He hath set himself before us for our direct and immediate Example Mat. 5.44 And hereby God will not be ashamed to be called our God He will not grudg us the Honour and Title of Sons which as it appears by this is a most glorious Dignity and Privilege even such a one that is conferred upon the holy Angels of Heaven c. The Holy Angels compared to an Host or Army Gen. 32.1 Jacob went on his way and the Angels of God met him Verse 2. And when Jacob saw them he said This is God's Host And he called the Name of that Place Mahanaim that is two Hosts or Camps Luke 2.13 And suddenly there was with the Angel a Multitude of the Heavenly Host praising God c. ANgels so named of the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Angelos in Hebrew Maleac Messenger or Legate one sent or employed in any Work are in these Scriptures called God's Host or Army not that he needeth them to protect himself or suppress his Enemies being infinitely stronger than all the Armies he himself hath and then what is the Strength and Force of all the Armies of his Enemies Therefore when God is said to have Armies it is either to signify First That he hath all things at his Command and is full of Power Or secondly That altho he can do all things by himself yet he will use the Agency of his Creatures to effect his Purpose Metaphor Parallel AN Host or Army have a Prince or General who is the Head of them THe Lord's Host or Army of Angels have a Prince or General who is their Head and Leader viz. the Lord Jesus Christ who is câ—lled the Head of Principalities and Powers II. An Host or Army consists of many Companies amongst which there are divers Ranks and Orders and yet all in Subjection to their Prince and chief Leader II. Angels the Lord's Host consist of many Companies or Legions Mat. 26.53 Thinkest thou that I cannot pray to my Father and he shall send me more than twelve Legions of Angels Christ spake in the Roman Phrase who reckoned their Armies by Legions as we by Regiments Six thousand six hundred sixty six was the Number of a Legion then the Number of twelve Legions was Seventy nine thousand nine hundred ninety two a great Army But how many more no Man can say Christ pitched upon a great certain Number to shew saith Mr. Caryl he could have what Number he pleased if he did but call for them We are come saith the Apostle to an innumerable Company of Angels The Lord's Camp is very great The Chariots of the Lord are twenty thousand even many thousands of Angels Psal 68.17 We read of many Degrees or Orders of Angels which some account to be nine 1. Cherubims that is Angels of Knowledg as St. Hierom interprets the Word but others from Cherub a Figure or Image Others from Chi a Note of Similitude and a Chaldee Word which signifies Puerum Juvenem a Youth And so as a learned Writer observes they were usually represented in the shape of a young Man to shew them to be intellectual Creatures of a young Man to express their Vigor and Strength with Wings to declare their Agility and Swiftness These we read were placed at the East End of the Garden of Eden with a flaming Sword Gen. 3.24 Exod. 25. 1 Kings 1.6 Ezek 10. Psal 104.4 and their Figures were appointed to be placed over the Mercy-Seat in the Tabernacle and Temple 2. Seraphims the Angels or Zeal Their Name is from an Hebrew Word which signifies to burn or burning according to that of the Psalms He maketh his Ministers a Flame of
destructive and amazing to their Enemies III. They are set out by red speckled and white Horses to note the different Work and Office they are set about whilst they are employed in the Workings of Providence in governing the World 1. Red signifies the Sufferings of the Church together with the Blood and Slaughter or dreadful Judgments that Jesus Christ hath to execute on the World by the Ministration of Angels or a severe Dispensation 2. Speckled shews a mixed State or Dispensation of God's Judgments mixed with Mercy 3. White notes Peace and Prosperity to the Saints and the whole World which will be produced by the Providence of God after the bloody and mixed State of the Church is gone The Soul of Man compared to a Ship Heb. 6.19 Which Hope we have as the Anchor of the Soul c. HEre observe two Doctrines one implied the other expressed Doct. 1. The Soul of a Believer in the Judgment of some Divines is and may fitly be compared to a Ship Doct. 2. Hope that noble and precious Grace of the Spirit is and may fitly be compared to an Anchor Metaphor Parallel A Ship is a rare and curious Piece of Workmanship it shews forth the excellent Wit and Invention of Man THe Soul of a Believer is a very rare and curious Piece of God's Workmanship The Body and Face of a Man doth magnify the Wisdom and Glory of the Creator but what is the Body without the Soul it is but the Cabinet without the Jewel II. A Ship is a very costly thing a little will not build rigg and fit out a Ship to Sea especially if it be designed for a long and profitable Voyage as to the East-Indies or the like II. The Soul of a Believer is a very costly and chargeable thing God hath parted with much Treasure in building 1 Pet. 1.18 or rather rebuilding and fitting of it out to sail through the Ocean of this World to the Haven of eternal Happiness hath parted with his Son with his Spirit his Grace his Gospel c. III. Some Ships are built for noble and eminent Service and are very profitable to the Owners III. The Charge that God hath been at in building and rebuilding the Soul of a Believer is for renowned and eminent Service viz. the Glory of God and everlasting Happiness IV. He that builds and owns a Ship doth usually commit the Care and Charge of her to another who is to sail in her IV. So doth God Almighty commit the Charge and Care of our Souls to us We are employed but as Stewards Deut. 4 9. Prov. 4.23 or Deputy-Owners and must be accountable to God if our Souls are lost V. A gallant Ship that is bound for India or for some noble and eminent Service is richly fraighted hath divers rare Commodities in her c. V. So the Soul of a Believer that it may make a blessed and glorious Voyage is most richly stored and fraighted with the precious Gifts and Graces of God's holy Spirit c. VI. A Ship ought to have a good Bottom or the Danger is very great Whatever she seems to be above Deck tho never so stately and lovely to look upon yet if her Bottom be naught and defective she will never make the Voyage VI. So ought the Soul of a Christian to have a good Foundation If not built upon Christ if not sincere and firm at Heart what Profession he may make tho never so glorious will prove fruitless and vain the Soul is in danger and will for ever unavoidably be lost VII A Ship cannot sail without Wind or Tide VII The Soul of a Believer cannot sail Heavenwards in any Service Duty or Suffering without the sweet Movings and Gales of God's Spirit VIII A Ship ought to have a wise and skilful Pilot. VIII So ought the Soul of a Believer for if it hath not Christ to guide and steer its Course for it it is impossible to escape the Danger of the Sea of Trouble and Temptation IX A Ship needeth often to be repaired being very subject to spring a Leak IX So doth the Soul of a Christian need often to be repaired by Prayer and Repentance or else it will fall under sad and fearful Decays Heb. 2.1 The Soul is like pared to a leaking Vessel X. A Ship is tossed upon the rough and tempestuous Waves and has its Ups and Downs and seldom hath rest or quiet till she has made the Voyage X. Thus 't is with the Soul it is often tossed upon the boysterous and tempestuous Seas of Temptation sometimes transported up to Heaven Psal 107. v. 23 to 28. and then by and by down again to the Depths and all the Billows of God's Wrath seem to run over it XI A Ship is in danger of being lost and that many ways viz. by Rocks by Sands by the raging Waves and by springing of a Leak c. XI The Soul also is in great danger Never was Ship in more eminent hazard than the Soul of a Christian and that many ways Zech. 4.7 viz. by the Rocks and Mountains of great Opposition the Sands of Despair and raging Waves of Persecution besides the Leaks occasioned by indwelling Sin c. XII A Ship hath a Compass by which she is steered from place to place without which no Man can or dares go to Sea XII So likewise the Soul must have a Compass unto which we are with care and diligence to look and to be well-skilled in all the Points thereof viz. the Word and Spirit of God 2 Pet. 2.19 XIII A Ship is exposed to great Danger of being robbed by Pirates of all her Treasure XIII So is the Soul of a Believer by that cursed Pirate Satan who sometimes transforms himself into an Angel of Light and to trapan the Soul 2 Cor. 11.15 puts out false Colours pretends himself a Friend when his whole Design is Blood and Slaughter and treacherously to ruin and spoil the Soul 1 Pet. 2 1â— The Flesh is another secret Sea-Thief and the World yea and Sin is as arch a Pirat as any XIV A Ship often meets with sudden Storms and a good Mariner doth not only look for them but also provide and prepare for them XIV So must the Soul expect to meet with a dreadful Tempest or Hurricane The Winds will rise and a Storm will come upon the Ship where Christ is David was aware of these Dangers Psal 55.8 and saw how to prevent and escape sinking XV. 'T is a rare thing to see a Ship sail along before a fresh and prosperous Gale XV. 'T is a rare and lovely thing to see a Soul carried swiftly along in the Work and Service of God being under the powerful Influences a fresh and prosperous Gale or Wind of the Spirit XVI A Ship is sometimes becalmed XVI So alas it is too often with the Soul of a poor Christian XVII 'T is a Wonder to see a Ship to live in a
tempestuous and boysterous Sea XVII 'T is a Wonder of Mercy to see how the Soul of a Saint should live be preserved and abide with its Head above Water in such a disquiet and tempestuous World as this is XVIII Some Ships suffer Shipwrack are lost and sink down to the bottom XVIII So doth the Soul of many a Professor that sets out with much seeming Hopes of Heaven suffer spiritual Shipwrack and sink down to Hell 1 Tim. 1.19 XIX A Ship must be well look'd to and kept very clean within and without or she will not sail with any speed XIX So must the Soul be washed and kept exceeding clean within as well as without or it will go but slowly or heavily towards the Haven of future Happiness the Mire and Clay or Scum and Filth of this World is so apt to obstruct its way as it passes Heaven-ward XX. A Ship hath its Anchor and if in the midst of a Storm it be rightly cast and takes good hold the Ship is safe XX. The Soul hath its Anchor Hope Which Hope we have as the Anchor of the Soul both sure and stedfast Heb. 6.19 This Anchor being rightly cast upwards within the Vail in the midst of the greatest Danger the Soul is safe Metaphor Disparity A Ship is a lifeless thing built of Timber c. by Man THe Soul of Man is a Spirit created by the Almighty Zech. 12.1 He hath formed the Spirit of Man within him II. A Ship is a thing visible to corporeal Eyes II. The Soul of Man is an invisible Substance i. e. it cannot be seen with fleshly Eyes III. A Ship may utterly be destroyed nay and cannot continue long III. The Soul of Man cannot lose its Being that will live when the Body is dead either in Joy or Misery it can never be destroyed so as to die Mat. 10.28 and lose its being or suffer annihilation IV. A Man that has a Ship may lose it yet may not be undone he may have his Loss repaired and may get another Ship better than the former IV. That Man that loses his Soul is undone for ever No Man hath more than one Soul and he can have no more that being cast away he is eternally ruined there is no reparation for him no making up his Loss V. A Ship tho it hath never so good a Pilot may miscarry and be cast away such Winds and Storms may arise or by means of unknown Rocks Sands and Shoals it may hit upon V. The Soul of a Believer that hath Christ for its Pilot cannot miscarry the Sea and Winds obey him he makes the Storm a Calm so that the proud Waves are still he will carry it through all the Dangers it meets with Psal 107.28 29 30. and bring it to its desired Haven Inferences IS the Soul fitly compared to a Ship that passeth through the troublesom Ocean or tempestuous Seas Then this shews us that the Life of a Christian is attended with many Difficulties and eminent Dangers and that we must expect to meet with sudden Storms in our passage to our eternal Port. Every Believer must resolve to sail through the Straits Mouth and expect to meet with those cursed Algerines those mortal Enemies of Christians I mean the Spirits of Darkness if ever he would arrive at the Holy-Land II. Let it be the Care and Endeavour of every Man and Woman to set out in this Voyage for Eternity whilst the Wind of the Spirit blows My Spirit saith God shall not always strive with Man III. Caution And let each Man from hence take heed of his Soul this Spiritual Ship lest it be lost He is but entrusted with it and must give an account to the great Owner Besides the Soul is of very great Worth far beyond all the Ships that sail on the Ocean nay what Value may be compared to the Soul of Man the Excellency of which we shall briefly hint here to caution all to take heed 1. It is capable of Divine Meditation and Contemplation by which means we come to know there is a God For the invisible things of Him Rom. 1.20 from the Creation of the World are clearly seen being understood by the things that are made even his eternal Power and Godhead c. I am fearfully and wonderfully made marvellous are thy Works Psal 139.14 and that my Soul knoweth right well By prying into the Nature and Glory of the Work the Soul findeth out the Being Nature and Glory of the Workman 2. 'T is capable of Divine Inspiration But there is a Spirit in Man Job 32.8 and the Inspiration of the Almighty giveth him Vnderstanding Also of Comfort and Delight and that when Multitudes of Thoughts are or would be disturbing the Mind 3. 'T is capable of Divine Impression to receive the Image of God Psal 94 1â— as it is rebuilt in Christ Jesus 4. 'T is capable of Divine Union and Communion with God 5. Nothing save God himself can satisfy it The Heathen by this found out the Excellency of the Soul 6. The Soul must needs be excellent if we consider the Excellency of the Body which is but the House or Tabernacle for the Soul If the Cabinet be of so great a value and so curiously wrought then of what transcendent Value must the Jewel be 7. The Price paid for it was no less than the precious Blood of Christ Psal 49.8 9. the Redemption of the Soul is therefore precious its Value and Excellency from hence is beyond comparison 8. The Robes it weareth are a Demonstration of its great Worth and Excellency O what Cost and Charge is God at to speak with a holy Reverence in cloathing and adorning of it He puts on Robes of Righteousness and Garments of Salvation and adorns it with the Ornaments of Grace and Divine Vertue 9. From the Charge given us to look to it and keep it Only take heed to Deut. 4.9 and keep thy Soul diligently 10. From Satan's hunting after it to destroy it 11. That 't is exceeding excellent appears in that the Martyrs parted with all rather than they would wrong defile and lose it for ever 12. It is more worth than all the World Mat. 16.26 What shall it profit a Man to gain the whole World and lose his own Soul 13. 'T is immortal it cannot die nor be annihilated Mat 10.28 Fear not them that kill the Body but cannot kill the Soul The Soul of Man compared to a Candle Prov. 20.27 The Spirit of Man is the Candle of the Lord. Metaphor Parallel A Candle is made to give Light unto Men in the Night THe Spirit of Man is formed by the Lord to give Light unto him whilst he lives in the Night of this World II. A Candle must be lighted or receive Light from some other Light or it will light no Man II. The Spirit of Man receives its Light from God who is called Light There is a Spirit
Pardon when God absolves a poor Sinner he not only forgives but also forgets their Sins and Iniquities he remembers no more 3. Because it is a Freedom from the Guilt of it 4. Because it is a Freedom from the Power and Dominion of it 5. It is a Freedom from the Punishment of it Rom. 6.14 Rom. 8.1 1 John 5.24 6. Because 't is a purchased Freedom it was obtained by a great Sum viz. the Sum of God's great Love and Grace with the Sum of Christ's Blood Remission is through Christ's Atonement 7. Because it is a sealed Freedom it is made over to the Soul by the King 's own Seal the Spirit of God Eph. 1.13 14. that great Seal of Heaven 8. Because it is a lasting Freedom the Sins of Believers are forgiven for ever they shall never be laid to their Charge The second Privilege of this City is Gospel-Fellowship free Access to the Lord's Table and Communion with the Saints Eph. 2.6 They are made to sit down together in heavenly Places in Christ Jesus The third Privilege is Right to the Ministry they may all lay claim to the Ministers and Ministry of the Word Whether Paul or Apollo or Cephas all are yours 1 Cor. 3.27 28. They and all their Gifts and gracious Endowments are the Saints The fourth Privilege is their undoubted Right to the City-Stock or the Churches Patrimony 1. The Stock of Prayers sincere Souls have a Right to all the Prayers of the Church 2. To that Store and spiritual Provision viz. the Bread of Life Psal 132 15. c. that is laid up in her God will bless the Provision of Zion and satisfy her Poor with Bread 3. The Stock of Promises God hath promised to bless comfort strengthen beautify build up and save Sion and consequently every Saint and Member thereof for all those and many more like Promises are directly made to every sincere Soul or Citizen of Sion The fifth Privilege is free Access to the Throne of Grace Eph. 2.18 Sixthly a Dwelling-place there This is a glorious Privilege they dwell near the King behold him in the Galleries every day they dwell in God's Courts nay in his House Blessed are they that dwell in thy House they will be still praising thee Psal 84.1 Psal 92.13 Selah They that are planted in the House of the Lord shall flourish in the Courts of our God they shall bring forth Fruit in old Age c. 1. 'T is a strong and sure Dwelling-place He shall dwell on high Isa 32.18 Isa 33.16 his Place of Defence shall be the Munition of Rocks 2. 'T is a rich and glorious Dwelling-place 3. 'T is a pleasant Dwelling-place 4. 'T is an honourable Dwelling-place 5. 'T is and shall be a peaceable Habitation Look upon Zion Isa 33.20 the City of our Solemnities Thine Eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet Habitation a Tabernacle that shall not be taken down not one of the Stakes thereof shall ever be removed neither shall any of the Cords thereof be broken Seventhly They have a Right and Privilege to chuse their own Officers every free Citizen hath his Voice at every Election No Minister Bishop or Deacon may be imposed upon them without their own free Consent Eighthly They have Right to all the Blessings and privileges of the River the Streams whereof make glad all the Inhabitants the Nature of whose Water you have heard Ninthly They have a Right to the City-Guard which always attends them whithersoever they go or whatsoever they do when they are about their proper Work which are the good Angels Tenthly The last Privilege I shall mention is Sonship Joh. 1.12 Gal 4.6 But to as many as received him to them gave he Power or Privilege to become the Sons of God Because ye are Sons God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your Hearts crying Abba Father XIII Some Cities have a common Stock in them out of which the poor decayed Citizens are often supplied and helped in their Distress and thereby delivered from utter Beggery XIII The Church hath a common Stock or Storehouse belonging to it called the unsearchable Riches of Christ Eph. 3 8. out of which all poor decayed Christians have their Wants supplied That Grace that is treasured up in Christ is always ready to be given forth to his poor Children and by this means they are kept from Ruin and being utterly undone My God shall supply all your Needs according to his Riches in Glory by Christ Jesus Phil. 4.19 XIV A City hath also a strict Watch appointed to keep the Gates and to see that no Accident happen in it to the hurt and detriment thereof XIV The Church or City of God hath also a strong and faithful Militia or spiritual Watch which are the holy Angels These are called Watchers Dan. 4.23 or Watchmen and in other places the Lord's Host or the Armies of Heaven who are mighty in Power one of them being able to destroy all the Churches Enemies These keep the Saints day and night they encamp about them and see that no Evil comes unto them Besides them God is said to watch over his People continually who is called the Watchman of Israel and the Saviour thereof in the Day of Trouble Psal 127.1 2. Vnless the Lord keep the City the Watchman waketh but in vain Besides Psal 127.1 See 6th head of Metaphors there are the Ministers of the Gospel who are called Watchmen XV. A great and famous City hath Towers and Battlements belonging to it not only for Ornament but also for Strength and Security from Evil. XV. The City of God is famous in respect of its Towers and Places of Security Walk about Zion Psal 48.12 13 14. and go round about her mark well her Bulwarks consider her Palaces that ye may tell it to the Generation following For this God is our God for ever and ever and he will be our Guide until Death The Name of the Lord is a Strong-Tower c. Everyone of the blessed Attributes of God are as so many Towers of Safety to his Church See Strong-Tower in the First Head of Metaphors XVI In a City notwithstanding the many noble and honourable Personages or worthy Patrons that dwell therein yet there are some ill and unworthy Members that get a being there which tends much to its Blemish and Reproach XVI So the City of God notwithstanding all the holy and eminent Saints and Servants of God who dwell therein yet hath in it some wicked and ungodly Ones who by Craft and Hypocrisy get a being there tho when known they are turned out as the incestuous Person Hymeneus and Alexander was 1 Cor. 5. 1 Tim. 1.20 Jud. 4. For there are certain Men crept in unawares who were before of old ordained to this Condemnation ungodly Men turning the Grace of God into Lasciviousness and denying the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ These
above another and larger each than other VI. So in the Church God hath placed Degrees of Officers some greater and higher in Glory than others as Apostles Eph. 4.11 Pastors Teachers c. VII The Walls of the Temple were covered round about with Cherubims Palm-Trees and Flowers VII To note saith Mr. Guild the Protection of the Church by the Ministry of Angels tho they are not seen and its peaceable victorious and flourishing State under the same VII Solomon consecrated the Temple unto the Lord. VIII Joh. 17. So did Christ his Church unto the Father IX There was Musick used in the Temple IX Which signifies that Joy of Heart Eph. 5.19 and heavenly Melody that is in the Church amongst the faithful and sincere Converts thereof X. In the Temple was the Ark of the Testimony and in the midst of the House 't is said he set it X. So in the Church is God's Word and Covenant of Grace born by Christ and by his true Ministers by preaching and publishing the same XI The Glory of the Lord filled the Temple God promised to dwell therein and hear the Prayers that should be there made I have hallowed this House 2 Chron. 7.15 saith God that thou hast built to put my Name there for ever and mine Eyes and my Heart shall be there perpetually XI So the glorious Presence of Go is in his Church he dwelleth in Sion and from thence the Perfection of Beauty shines forth and the Promises of blessed Grace Peace Pardon and Acceptance is made to them who dwell therein His Eye is always upon the Righteous his Ears open to their Cry 1 Pet. 3.12 and his tender Compassion is ever toward them Type Disparity THe Temple was built with dead and senseless Stones THe Church is built with living 1 Pet. 2.5 sensible and lively Stones II. The Stones were polished and hewen by the hands of Men. II. These Stones are hewn and polished by the hand of the Spirit III. The Temple that was built by Solomon was utterly destroyed by the Babylonians III. The Church of God can never be destroyed the Gates of Hell shall never prevail against it Mat. 16.18 so as utterly to overthrow it tho it is not denied but the outward Courts have been trodden down by the Popish Gentiles Rev. 11.2 A Parallel between the second Temple built in the Days of Nehemiah and the Church of God Built in the latter Days Metaphor Parallel THe Temple that was built in the Days of Nehemiah was first destroyed by the literal Babylonians SIgnifying the Church of God should be greatly defaced and spoiled and the outward Courts trodden down by the mystical Babylonians Rev. 11 2 3 and afterwards rebuilt or rather repaired again II. The Temple was built in a troublesom Time they wrought with one hand and held a Sword in the other II. Signifying that the Church of God should be rebuilt in a troublesom time and that great Opposition should be made against them III. The Temple was rebuilt by such as had been for many Years in the Babylonian Captivity Neh. 4.13 III. Signifying that the rebuilding of God's Church should be by such as had been a long time in spiritual Captivity under the mystical Babylonians or Mother of Harlots IV. The Builders of this second Temple were look'd upon as poor weak and contemptible Persons in comparison of Solomon Neh. 4.2 and those that built with him IV. Signifying that those whom God would raise up to repair the waste Places of Sion in the latter Days should be poor weak inconsiderable Persons very unlikely to perfect so great a Work as Reformation is What was Luther and others whom God employed to the holy Apostles who were the first Builders V. The Builders of this Temple were greatly mock'd and jeer'd There were Sanballat Gesham Tobiah and others who in reproachful manner said What will these feeble Jews do Neh. 4.2 3 4. will they make an end in a Day If a Fox go up he shall even break down their Stone-Wall V. So the Rebuilders in these latter Days have been greatly reproached and contemned by the Enemies of Christ those that are truly religious called feeble weak and foolish Ones c. nay Hereticks Schismaticks and many other reproachful Names have been and still are daily given to them and their Work much slighted and despised also VI. The Builders of this Temple had much Rubbish to remove Neh. 4.2 before they could go on with their Work VI. So the Builders of God's Church in these latter Days have had much Popish Rubbish to remove much Filth of humane Inventions and Traditions of that Church being in their way some Stones being almost quite lost amongst this Rubbish and others ready to mistake and instead of a Stone of Sion they take a Stone of Babylon VII The Builders of this Temple were hindred and for a time the Work ceased VII So the Builders of God's House or Reformers in Religion have often been hindred or obstructed in these latter Days VIII Many People were very backward about rebuilding the Temple Hag. 1.2 in the Days of Haggai and Nehemiah crying the Time was not come that the House of the Lord should be built VIII So have many Souls been very backward about the Work of Reformation or repairing the House of God they have dwelt in their cieled Houses and let the House of God as it were lie waste IX Tho many cruel Enemies endeavoured to hinder the rebuilding of the Temple yet the Work went on and was finished in some Time to the Joy of the Faithful IX So the Enemies now as in former Times strive to hinder the repairing of God's House yet the Work of Reformation shall in due time be perfected to the Joy of all sincere Christians X. That Work was carried on not by Might Zech 4 6. nor by Power but by the Spirit of the Lord. X. So the Work in these Days goes on not so much by the Power of Men or human Help as by the Power of God and his Spirit XI God promised that the Glory of the second House should exceed the Glory of the first Hag. 2.9 which some conceive was made good by Christ's coming whose personal Presence in the Temple greatly added to its Glory XI So the Church of God in the latter Day will be far more glorious than it was ever yet since the beginning of the World which will be accomplished as will be shewed in respect of these things following 1. God will destroy all the Enemies of his Church 1 Sam. 2.10 Psal 37.10 11. The Adversaries of the Lord shall be broken in pieces out of Heaven God will thunder upon them for evil Doers shall be cut off Yet a little while and the Wicked shall not be but the Meek shall possess the Earth c. And all that lift up a hand against Zion shall be torn in pieces God will plead the
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
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
any should take it away from him VII So a covetous Man doth not enjoy what he hath without fear he is afraid of every one lest they should rob him or lest by one means or another his worldly Pelf should be wasted or taken away VIII The Hog tho he should be washed yet in a little time he will turn again to his wallowing in the Mire and become as filthy as ever he was VIII So if an unregenerate Man should by the Light of Nature or other Helps that God is pleased to afford escape many great Pollutions and reform in many things and seem to be a true Convert and to be clean washed from his Filthiness yet for want of a thorough Work of Grace upon his Heart he will at last turn again to his former Course and be as vile and wicked as ever he was nay oftentimes much worse Mat. 12.43 Luk. 11.25 as our Saviour intimates by the unclean Spirit 's going out of a Man c. And in him is that Word made good The Sow that was washed is turned to her wallowing in the Mire again IX A Swine cries out exceedingly or makes a great Noise when he is took hold of and had away to be killed IX So wicked Men when God takes hold of them by Sickness and they come to have Apprehensions of Death upon them they cry out unless their Consciences are asleep or seared being afraid of Death and Hell X. The Wild-Boar is of a more stubborn and mischievous Nature and commonly doth more hurt being very strong than any other Swine Naturalists tell us that the Wild-Boar is almost as strong and cruel as a Lion and that he will often whet and sharpen his Teeth and run upon the Huntsman X. So Antichrist who may fitly be compared to a Wild-Boar I mean his Un-holiness that First-born of Satan is and hath been more mischievous than any other of the Herd he having got a great degree of Power which he hath from time to time exercised against God's People to the wasting and spoiling of his spiritual Vine and Vineyard Psal 80 1â— The Boar out of the Wood doth waste it and the wild Beast out of the Field doth devour it XI The Swine under the Tree in a greedy manner eat up the Acorns but never look up to the Tree or Oak from whence they fall XI So wicked and graceless Men tho they enjoy all this World 's Good never look up in a due manner to God who is the Tree of Life and is the Author and Giver of it XII Swine will refuse Pearl for Pease if ye cast Pearls before them they will tread them under their Feet XII So wicked Men will refuse Grace for Gold give them but this World and let who will take the Pearl of great Price the Love and Favour of God Give them Counsel to leave their Sins or cast the Pearl of good Instruction before them and they will tread it under their Feet they will cast that at their Heels which they should apply to their Hearts Mat. 7.6 and revile you if they do not tear and rend you into the Bargain Metaphor Disparity SWine were created such they were Swine from the beginning MAn was created holy and upright at first this swinish and brutish Nature came in by the Fall II. Swine retain their own Nature and it is impossible for them to cease being Swine II. But wicked Men may be changed and become gracious it is possible for them to become Sheep and Lambs of Jesus Christ so as to hate that which they once loved Grace when infused into the Soul makes a real and wonderful Change Inferences THis shews the brutish and base Nature of sinful Man what is more contemptible in our Eyes than a Swine 2. It shews what a vast difference there is between a true converted Soul and a brutish Sinner God esteems of the one as of his choicest Treasure but ungodly Men are meer Swine and brutish Creatures in his Sight Wicked Men Debtors Mat. 5.25 26. Agree with thine Adversary quickly whilst thou art in the way with him lest any time the Adversary deliver thee to the Judg and the Judg deliver the to thee Officer and thou be cast into Prison Vers 26. Verily I say unto thee Thou shalt by no means come out thence till thou hast paid the uttermost Farthing Mat. 18.24 And when he had begun to reckon one was brought unto him which ought him ten thousand Talents IN both these Places Sin is called a Debt and the Sinner a Debtor The Reason of which is shewed under the Head of Metaphors concerning Sin where Sin is compared to a Debt unto which we refer you Metaphor Parallel A Debtor is one that oweth Money Duty c. to his Neighbour also one that is a Trespasser an Offender or guilty Person A Man may be a Debtor by Office Gal. 5.3 by Duty Rom. 8.12 by the Law of Charity Rom. 15.27 by trespassing or offending whether God or Man Mat. 6.12 MAn oweth all that he is hath or can do unto God he having received his very Being and all other good Things that he enjoys from God as so many Talents lent him which he must be accountable to God for in the great Day c. Man is a Trespasser Mat. 25.19 an Offender or a guilty Person having broken the Law the Penalty of which is eternal Death so that as a Traitor or flagitious Person by his hainous Crimes he is become a Debtor to everlasting Punishment II. An evil Debtor is unwilling to be called to an Accompt nothing is worse to him than to hear the News Give an account of thy Stewardship Mat. 18.24 Hence 't is said One was brought that owed ten thousand Talents as if it were by Force he was haled before his Master to reckon with him II. So wicked Men do not love to think upon the Day of Judgment care not to hear of those large Bills and Hand-writings that are against them How grievous will that Voice from Heaven be to ungodly Men Luk. 16.2 Give an Account of your Stewardship Arise ye Dead and come to Judgment Give an Account of all the Oaths you have sworn the Lies you have told the Times you have been drunk the Days of Grace you have neglected give an Account of all the hard and reproachful Words you have spoken against your godly Neighbours and of all the Wrongs and Injuries you have done them give an Account of all those Talents that were lent you what Improvement have you made of your Knowledg and Parts your Seasons and Sabbaths and of those many Years you have had in the World This I say is grievous to wicked Men to think upon They shall be brought forth in the Day of Wrath they will not come willingly Job 21.30 but shall therefore be as it were haled before the Judg of Heaven and Earth III. Ill Debtors are attended with Shame Ambrose speaketh
c. Zech. 4.7 Who art thou O great Mountain c. Parallels MOuntains are high and lifted up and seem to have the Preheminence So the wicked Princes and Potentates of the Earth are high in Power and seem to be lifted up in Pride and Arrogancy and to have Preheminence over the Righteous II. Mountains are hard to be removed out of their Places So the Wicked having taken such Root in Sin c. 't is very hard and difficult to remove them and make them become plain Luk. 3 4. This was 't is true one great Design of the Ministry of John Baptist Every Valley shall be filled and every Mountain and Hill shall be brought low c. But this Work is not done upon the Spirits of wicked Men but by the mighty Power of God III. Mountains and Hills are commonly barren and unprofitable Ground So the Wicked who are lifted up in Pride and Arrogancy c. are spiritually a barren useless and unprofitable Sort of Men. IV. Mountains were accounted Places of Defence whither Men used to flie in time of Danger tho many times they failed them So Men oftentimes flie to the lofty Enemies of God the oppressing tyrannical Powers of the Earth to secure themselves from approaching Dangers but in vain alas is Salvation looked for from these Mountains and Hills in the Day of God's Anger Inferences IN this Saints have cause to rejoice God hath promised to throw down all the Hills and Mountains of the Earth that are lifted up Who art thou O great Mountain Zech. 4 7. Before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a Plain Wicked Men compared to the Troubled Sea Isa 57.20 But the Wicked are like the troubled Sea c. Jer. 51.4 The Sea is come up upon Babylon with the Multitude of the Waves thereof Caldee the King with his numerous Hosts in Plenty like the Sea is come up against Babylon c. Note The Wicked are compared to the Troubled Sea and to many Waters c. Parallels THe Sea is a great Convention as one words it or a Multitude of Waters The gathering together of the Waters called he Seas Gen. 1. So the Wicked are a Multitude of People II. The Sea sometimes swells roars and rises very high threatning the Earth as if it would swallow it up immediatly So the mighty Concourse of the wicked and tyrannical Powers of the Earth many times swell in Pride and Arrogancy and make a fearful Noise as if they would in a moment swallow up the Lord's People III. The Sea hath its Bounds set by the Almighty He hath shut up the Sea with Doors Job 38.8 11. c. and hath said Hitherto shalt thou come and no further and here shall thy proud Waves be stayed So the Lord sets Bounds to the Wrath and Rage of the Ungodly no Creatures can go further than God permits them As he that made the Sea can master it so he can soon put a Stop and Curb to the proudest Oppressor and Persecutor in the World Let Men be as angry as they will let them be as stormy as the boisterous Seas yet the Lord hath said Hitherto shall ye come and no further Psal 65.7 He stilleth the Noise of the Seas the Noise of the Waves and the Tumult of the People Nay the Devil himself is like a Sea shut up he cannot do what he would he hath Bounds set him c. IV. The Sea at God's command is still The Wind and Seas oby him So with one Word speaking as it were he can quiet the Wicked and make them silent in Darkness Psal 107.29 He can make this Sea and frightful Storm a Calm and cause the proud Waves to be still V. The Sea produces or brings forth many strange Monsters So the Multitude of the Wicked this metaphorical Sea hath brought forth many a vile and strange Monster See Dan. 7.3 And four great Beasts came up from the Sea diverse one from the other the first was like a Lion and had Eagles Wings c. These four Beasts signified the four Monarchies of the Earth what a Monster the fourth hath been all the World hath had full Experience of that had great Iron Teeth c. What Devils incarnate were many of the Roman Emperors particularly Nero who ripp'd up the Belly of his own Mother c. And what a Monster hath the little Horn been I mean the Papal Power what a mighty Mass of innocent Blood hath the Beast and Whore devoured c. VI. The Sea is very restless it ebbs and flows and seems to be continually troubled So the Ungodly are always restless in their Spirtis like wicked Haman they never cease Plotting against the Just Tho they have very great Power Riches and Honour yet because God's Mordecai's will not bow down their Souls for them to go over all seems as nothing to them they have Riches much Gold and Silver but not satisfied they enjoy all the Delights and Pleasures the World can afford them but yet are like the troubled Sea Many times also their Consciences sorely disquiet them What Rest soever they may have yet certainly they are continually void of the true Peace of God and in this Sence there is no Peace to the Wicked c. Isa 57.21 VII The Sea continually casteth forth Mire and Dirt So the Ungodly never cease casting forth their abominable Wickedness Inferences LEt not the Saints fear the Ungodly What tho they swell and roar God hath set Bounds to them The Wrath of Man shall praise thee Psal 76.10 and the Remainder of Wrath shalt thou restrain No more Wrath of Man shall be let out no higher shall these Seas swell than shall tend to the Glory of God the Over-plus that Wrath that would indeed prove hurtful to the Godly and to the dishonour of the Almighty the Lord will restrain II. Pray hard that God would keep the Doors and Bars of these troublesom Seas fast and prevent the Danger I will yet for this be enquired of by the House of Israel Ezek. 36.37 to do it for them 1. Pray that God will keep the Sea of Man's Wrath within its limited Bounds 2. Pray that God would not suffer Satan to break forth too furiously upon us If God did not set Bounds to him no Man could live quiet one hour 3. Pray that God would set Bounds to the Sea of Prophaneness 4. And also that he would set Bounds and drive back the Sea of Error and false Doctrine c. III. This shews the woful Condition of ungodly Men They have no Peace true Peace whilst they live and be sure shall have none at Death Peace is the Portion only of the Lord's People Great Peace have all they that love thy Law c. My Peace I give unto you Wicked Men dead in Sin John 5.25 The Hour is coming and now is when the Dead shall hear the Voice of the Son of God and they that hear shall live Eph.
come upon them partly by the Pride abominable Lust and Extravagancy of their Parents and partly by their own Idleness Lust and Prodigality Even so the spiritual Want and Poverty of Men was in part brought upon them by the Sins of our first Parents and partly by their own actual Sins This is the State of unregenerate Persons they are all even thus poor and miserable And happy are they who see this to be their Condition Mat. 5.3 Blessed are the Poor in Spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven Those who see their own Wants Poverty and Misery shall out of the Fulness of Jesus Christ be supplied with whatsoever they need for tho Man naturally be so poor that he hath nothing can do nothing and hath no earthly Friend or Brother that can do any thing for him and besides he owes ten thousand Talents and is worth no regard nor pity yet the eternal God hath found out a Way for the manifestation of his own glorious Grace and Bounty to enrich him and make him happy for ever 2 Cor. 8.9 He that was rich became poor that we through his Poverty might be made rich Disparity POor Men are full of Complaints they commonly bewail their Poverty and would gladly have all their Wants supplied and be made rich if they knew but which way it might be done But wicked Men tho they are poor so poor and miserable as hath been shewn yet they are contented being wofully blinded by the Devil c. So that tho they are daily told how they may be made rich yet they slight all Advice and Counsel and stubbornly refuse the Riches of Grace and Glory The Heart of a wicked Man compared to a Rock Jer. 23.29 And like a Hammer that breaks the Rock in pieces Ezek. 11.19 And I will take away the stony Heart c. Luke 8.6 And some fell upon a Rock c. Zech. 7.12 They made their Hearts as an Adamant-Stone NOte The Hearts of Sinners are like Rocks or wicked Men have stony and rocky Hearts Parallels A Rock is a barren and fruitless Place what will grow upon a Rock So the Hearts of wicked Men are barren and unfruitful to God they bring forth no spiritual Fruit to him II. Rain cannot enter nor soak into a Rock but as it falls so it glides off and runs away So the spiritual Rain of Heaven viz. God's Word tho it falls never so powerfully upon ungodly Men it will not enter into their Hearts My Word hath no place in you saith Christ c. Good Doctrine and heavenly Counsel glides off of these spiritual Rocks like Rain from a Rock or high Mountain III. Rocks and Stones are naturally rough and unfit for use until they are hewed and squared c. So the Hearts of wicked Men are naturally rough and unfit for any spiritual use until they are hewed by the Ax and Hammer of the Word Hos 6.5 I have hewed them by the Prophets IV. A little thing will not break a hard Stone or a flinty Rock c. So a little Matter will not break a stony or rocky-hearted Sinner God strikes often and strikes hard gives many a Blow upon their Hearts by his Word and by his Spirit and sometimes by Afflictions before their Hearts will yield or break in pieces V. He that will break a Rock in pieces or hew Stones to make them fit for use must have a meet and convenient Instrument So God makes use of a right and fit Instrument to break in pieces the hard and rocky Hearts of ungodly Men viz. his blessed Word in the hand of the Spirit Is not my Word like a Hammer Jer. 23.29 that breaks the Rock in pieces VI. A Man many times employs Workmen to break a Rock and hew Stones So God employs his Ministers as Work-men in his hand to break these spiritual Rocks and hew these rough and ragged Stones to make them fit to lay in his spiritual Building I have hewed them by the Prophets Hos 6.5 VII Seed that falls upon a Rock or stony Place tho it doth spring up it soon withereth away if the Fowls of Heaven do not pick it up So the Word of God if it be sown upon stony and rocky-hearted Sinners tho it may seem to spring up yet it soon withers for want of Root They believe for a while Luk. 8.13 but in time of Temptation fall away Inferences NO marvel Ministers Work is so hard and laborious they are God's Stone-cutters or Rock-hewers nay and it fares worse with them than with other Work-men that work in Stone-Pits or hew Stones they labour all Day and go home at Night and come again in the Morning and find their Work as they left it But God's Workmen hew and take pains and leave their People and come again and find them worse than before their Hearts many times growing more hard and obdurate c. II. Let not Ministers notwithstanding all this be discouraged for they know not but at last God may set a Word home that may do the Business and make the hard-hearted Sinner tremble and cry out as they did Acts 2.36 Men and Brethren what shall we do Quest But some may say From whence doth it arise or what is the Cause of this spiritual Hardness that is in the Hearts of Men. Answ 1. Naturally the Sinner's Heart is hard and like a Rock we all brought a flinty and churlish Nature into the World with us such is the Effect of original Sin 2. There is also an acquired Hardness Pharaoh hardned his own Heart and the Prophet saith Zech. 7.12 They have made their Hearts as an Adamant-Stone 3. There is a judiciary Hardness of Heart which is inflicted by God as a Judg. Men harden their own Hearts against God and God at length resolves they shall be hard indeed and therefore he withdraws the common Influences of his Grace from them and deprives them of all gracious means of softning And when all these three meet together in a Man Isa 48.4 he is irrecovâ—rably hard and sinful His Neck is an Iron Sinew and his Brow brass 4. A Man is hardned in his Sin gradually and as he grows harder and harder so nearer and nearer to eternal Ruine 1. He takes leave to meditate on Sin he rolls it up and down in his Thoughts as it were a hard Heart lets vain Thoughts dwell in it 2. He takes some Tastes of the Pleasure and Delight of Sin it seems to him as a sweet Morsel under his Tongue and this is a Sign of a further degree of Hardness 3. The third Step is Custom in sinning it argues great Boldness to venture often 4. And then in the next place he defends and maintains his Sin he has got some Plea or Argument for it he is an Advocate for Sin 5. He is angry with them and secretly hates them in his Heart that reprove him for his Sin or advise him against such
we reade their Brightness and Glory was very great V. Christ's true Ministers are lively and very beautiful when the Spirit of the Lord is eminently upon them they shine gloriously in Grace and Holiness Act. 6.15 Stephen who was a glorious Preacher was said to shine like the Face of an Angel VI. Angels are very obedient to God they do his Commands and wait for his Word VI. The faithful Preachers of the Gospel are very ready to obey God's Commands tho they are thereby exposed to great Danger if God bid them go Rom. 1.15 they go VII Angels are swift in executing their Business hence said to have Wings VII The Ministers of the Gospel are swift in their Spiritual Motion they are said to fly in the midst of Heaven having the everlasting Gospel to preach c. Rev. 14.6 VIII Angels have made known much of the Mind of God to the Sons of Men. VIII Christ's true Ministers daily make known the Mind and Will of God 't is one great part of their Work and Business IX Angels admire reverence and adore the glorious Majesty of God and therefore vail their Faces before him and give Glory to him Yea as Mr. Venning observes 't is their very Business to sing Hallelujahs to God Angels Worship is singing and praising of God they seek not themselves in serving God IX The Ministers of Christ and all true Christians admire and adore God and his glorious Majâ—sty and with self abhorrency vail their Faces as it were ascribing all Glory and Honour unto God Not unto us O Lord not unto us Psal 115.1 but to thy Name do we give Glory the Servants of God desire only to rejoice in God they know no other Name to Glory in but in the Name of the Lord and hence they sing his praise tho in Prison Act. 16. in all which they seek not themselves in any Service they do for God but the Honour and Glory of his Name only X. Angels do their Service to the Lord with joyfulness the Morning Stars 't is said sang together and all the Sons of God shouted for Joy X. So Christ's true and faithful Ministers and People take much delight in their Service their Minds run exceedingly upon their Work to do for God to spend and be spent for God and his People is the desire and delight of their Souls XI Angels are without wearisomness in their Work and Service they are as strong and as lively at the end as they are at the beginning XI So Christ's faithful Ministers and People by the help of God's Spirit labour and faint not 2 Cor. 4.16 For which cause we faint not c. They shall run and not be weary Josh 14.7 8 9 10 11. Caleb was as strong and as able to do Service for God at fourscore as he was at forty Years old XII Angels serve the Saints and watch over them and daily administer to them and tho glorious Creatures do not think it below them so to do XII So the true and faithful Preachers of God's Word serve the Churches Members and Saints of God and daily watch over them and minister unto them and tho possibly some of them may far excell in Parts and Wisdom yet they think not his Service below them XIII Angels are often sent to comfort the Saints when cast down as they ministred to Christ in his Bloody Agony XIII So are Gospel-Preachers sent and commanded to comfort the Feeble-minded and support the Weak they know how to comfort others with the same Comfort whereby they themselves are comforted of God 2 Cor. 1.4 Inferences THis may inform us what Glory and Dignity God hath conferred upon his Servants who labour in the Ministry they have a glorious Name and are greatly honoured by the Lord and therefore should be received with all due respect and esteemed very highly for their Works sake II. It shews us who are true Ministers of the Gospel III. It shews Christ's faithful Ministers how they should do their Work and behave themselves before the Lord. Ministers compared to Stars Rev. 1.20 The Mystery of the seven Stars which thou sawest in my Right-hand and the seven Golden Candlesticks The seven Stars are the seven Angels of the seven Churches and the seven Candlesticks are the seven Churches BY Stars in this place it appears the Ministers of God's Word are meant Metaphor Parallel NAturalists say the Sun communicates his Light to the Stars SO Christ imparts of his Spirit and saving Light and Knowledg to his faithful Ministers II. The Stars are placed by the Lord in the Heavens II. So the Ministers of the Gospel are placed by the Lord in the Church III. The Stars are a great Ornament and shine gloriously in the Heavens III. So faithful Ministers are a great Ornament to the Church in which they shine forth gloriously in Doctrine and Conversation IV. Stars differ one from another in Glory IV. So there are Diversities of Gifts of the Spirit in the Ministers of the Gospel some shine more than others in Parts and Piety V. Stars sometimes are obscured by Clouds and shine not V. So Ministers sometimes through Temptations are beclouded and shine not as at other times VI. Stars are a Guide unto Mariners VI. So the Ministers of the Gospel are Guides to spiritual Mariners VII A Star led the wise Men to Christ VII A true Minister's design in Preaching is to lead Men to Christ VIII Stars give light to Men only in the Night VIII So Christ's Ministers shine forth and give light to Sinners and others whilst the Night of this World doth last IX The Stars send down sweet Influences on the Earth Job 38.31 Canst thou bind the sweet Influences of Pleiades or the seven Stars IX So the faithful Ministers of the Gospel in a blessed manner influence by their heavenly Doctrine and Life the Souls of Men to whom they preach and daily converse with Inferences O What a Blessing are faithful Teachers to a People or Nation where they live Is it not a lovely thing to see the Gospel-Stars Pray that the Heavens may be clear and that these Stars may not disappear nor withdraw their shining Ministers compared to Labourers Luke 10.7 The Labourer is worthy of his Meat THe Lord Christ compares his faithful Servants that preach his Word to Labourers to such as externally work and labour with their hands Labourers Parallel Labourers usually are hired and then set to work We read of one that went to hire Labourers Mat. 20. c. SO Christ spiritually is said to hire Labourers and send them into his Vineyard he assures them of a glorious Reward when they have done their Work II. Some Men labour in the Field they are Harvest-Men II. Such Labourers are the Preachers of the Gospel The Harvest is great Mat. 9.37 and the Labourers are few c. They labour to make ready and gather in Christ's Wheat III. Some labour so hard
Emblem of Power c. And because in ancient Times as the Learned observe they were wont to make Scepters of such Rods and all Scepters have the Form or Shape of a Rod therefore the Original expresses the Rod and the Scepter by the same Word Gen. 49.10 The Scepter Shebet the Rod shall not depart from Judah c. This Scepter saith Mr. Caryl denotes two things 1. Authority to judg or command 2. Power to correct or punish 3. The Word sometimes refers to Ecclesiastical or spiritual Discipline or Censure of the Church Shall I come with a Rod c. 4. The Word is often used in Scripture to signify Punishment or Correction because Correction is often given with a Rod and therefore to be under the Rod is to be under Punishment or Affliction c. The Rod and Reproof give Wisdom Prov. 29.15 There is a Divine Rod of Chastisement for the Godly and an Iron Rod of Wrath and Vengeance for the Wicked And in this Sence the Words are to be taken in the above-cited Texts Parallels A Rod puts to pain if it be sharply laid on it makes the Person to smart and cry out c. So Afflictions are grievous and painful to Flesh and Blood they wound and pain the outward Man whilst the inward Man takes pleasure in them 2 Cor. 12.10 I take pleasure in Infirmities in Reproaches in Persecutions in Necessities in Distresses for Christ's sake Yet in another place the same Apostle saith No Affliction for the present seemeth to be joyous but grievous Heb. 12.11 As the Spirit would not do those Evils which the Flesh would and doth so the Flesh would not endure those Evils of Sorrows and Afflictions which the Spirit gladly yieldeth to As a Believer delights in the Law of God after the inward Man when the Flesh is vex'd and troubled at it So he delights in the Rod after the inward Man when his corrupt Part is most impatient and unquiet under it Rejoyce when ye fall into divers Temptations that is Jam. 1. into divers Afflictions The Flesh hath its Sense and feels Smart but the Spirit is armed with Faith which overcomes the Smart Afflictions were not so much as a Rod Caryl if they did not pain and make smart and we are not so much as Christians if we cannot bear the Smart with Patience c. II. A Rod is used to correct not to kill Affliction is called a Rod in regard of the Hand that useth it a Sword is in the hand of a Judg and a Rod in the hand of a Father God deals with his People as a Father with his Children in chastizing them When we offend him he doth not take a Sword into his hand to slay us but a Rod to scourge us III. A Rod is used by a Father when no other Means will reclaim the Child So God never afflicts his People but when he sees there is need of it he seeing no other Means will do He doth not willingly afflict nor grieve the Children of Men. Lam. 3.33 IV. A Father hath divers Rods if one will not do and make the Child bow submit and humble himself another shall So God hath divers Rods He sometimes corrects with the Rod of Sickness Losses Crosses c. Sometimes with the Rod of Poverty sometimes with the Rod of Desertion and sometimes he uses the Wicked in his hand as a Rod to afflict and chasten his own People which is one of the worst of God's Rods and therefore David chose rather to fall into the immediate Hand of God than to be scourged with the Rod of the Enemy The Assyrian is called the Rod of God's Anger Isa 10.5 V. In using the Rod the tender Father always designs the Good of the Child So God in afflicting and chastening his People designs their great Good 'T is not for his Pleasure Heb. 12.8 but our Profit that we might be Partakers of his Holiness Inferences LEt those Christians who are under the Rod confess they have deserved it He hath not punished us according as our Sins have merited at his hands II. Let us from hence also learn to submit to the Rod and not strive and struggle with God O how uneasy are some Men and Women under Affliction O I could bear saith the Soul any thing but this Alas is it necessary that thou shouldest chuse thy own Rod God will correct us with what Rod he pleases according to his good pleasure it must be for the degree and kind of it too and are you troubled at the Rod at this Rod It may be you had rather God should afflict you some other way but God sees this is the best and no other will do the work upon your Hearts It may be if we had committed some other Sins and not such and such a Sin we should have been corrected but with such and such Rods and not with this which seems most cross and grievous to us Lam. 3 40. III. Let us labour to find out what God speaks to us by the Rod Let us search and try our Ways Many times we may find out our Sin in the Punishment of it Jer 8.6 Psal 51.4 IV. Let us confess our Faults when we are under the Rod God hearkens to hear what we say Against thee only have I done this thing and in thy sight V. Let us labour to be throughly humbled when under the Rod. Quest Some may say Why does God use the Rod Answ 1. Because Believers are his Children Fathers will look after the Good of their Children Prov. 22.15 To spare the Rod may be the Ruin of the Child Amos 3.2 2. Because the Sins of God's own People are grievous in his Sight You have I known above all the Families of the Earth and therefore will I punish you for your Iniquities VI. Hear the Rod The Lord's Voice crieth to the City and the Man of Wisdom shall see thy Name Hear ye the Rod and who hath appointed it 1. The Man of Wisdom is one that fears God Prov. 9.10 A holy Man is a wise Man and a Sinner is a Fool Holiness is the best Wisdom and Wickedness is the greatest Folly 2. He that escapes the greatest Evil and chuses the greatest Good is a Man of Wisdom 3. He that prefers the Good of his Soul before the Good of his Body is a Man of Wisdom 2. The Man of Wisdom will hear the Rod. 1. He will commune with his own Heart to find out the Cause of God's Anger the Cause of Affliction 2. He will tremble at God's Judgments 3. He will justify God under the Rod. 4. He is one that finds out God's Name in the Rod He finds out Anger in the Rod Mercy in the Rod Wisdom in the Rod Power in the Rod Faithfulness in the Rod c. 3. A wise Man under the Rod will endeavour to turn away and pacify the Anger of God There is it appears a Voice
decide the Case who is clean and who unclean who is to be put out and who to be taken into his Church The Tabernacle and what it was the Type of THe Tabernacle in some respect according to the Learned was a Type of Christ's Human Nature 1. It was exceeding glorious within all the inward parts thereof were overlaid with pure Gold This might signify how the Human Nature of the Son of God was covered with the Diety that being the true Tabernacle that God hath pitched and not Man Saint John saith The Word dwelt or tabernacled amongst us speaking of his being in our Flesh or taking upon him our Nature it being conceived by the Holy Ghost and not erected by Man 2. The Tabernacle was the place where God met with his People now God meets with his People in Christ 't is in and through him we come to know or have the true Revelation of his Will and enjoy his gracious Presence c. Those who would be accepted with God and worship him aright must wait at the door of this Spiritual Tabernacle Others understand by the Tabernacle the Church or Mystical Body of Christ wherein God graciously dwells and hath promised also to meet his People 1. It was moveable signifying the troublesome State of God's People whilst they pass through the Wilderness of this World 2. The Tabernacle had three places 1. The outward Court wherein stood the brazen Altar 2. The Holy Place 3. The Holiest of all In the first it typifies forth the visible or outward Form of the Church in respect of the external Exercise of Religion and Worship hither the common People may come The second typified out the Spiritual State or more close and holy Fellowship of the Church which none have admittance into but sincere and sanctified Persons who feed upon the Spiritual and true Shew-Bread Jesus Christ The third typified Heaven it self or the Church of God triumphant where Christ is set down in Glory at the Father's right hand to intercede for us 3. The Entry to the Holiest of all was by the Holy Place and to the Holy place was by the outer Court c. So our Entry into Heaven is by being Members of the visible Church through Faith and a good Conscience He that would enter into the Holiest of all must first be Holy and he that would come into a State of true Holiness and Communion with God and his People must learn to know where the Candlestick and true Shew-Bread stands which is the visible Church 4. You read of the fixed Pillars of the Holy Place they might signify the Holy Apostles of Jesus â—hrist and his faithful Ministers who help to support the Spiritual Structure the Church as Pillars do support a House c. 5. The divers Ornaments and Instruments thereof might signify the diversity of Spiritual Gifts and Graces in the Gospel-Church the Tabernacle was exceeding glorious within and all the inward parts thereof were overlaid with pure Gold Exod. 35. Psal 45. So inwardly the Church of God is very beautiful the King's Daughter is all glorious within 6. The several covâ—rings thereof typified the Lord's sure and safe Protection of his Church by his own immediate Power and gracious ministration of Angels 7. Gold within and Skins without might signify tho the Church is glorious within yet outwardly to the sight and view of carnal Men she hath no Beauty but is look'd upon as contemptible 8. The Tabernacle and all the Instruments thereof yea the very Ash-Pans and Snuffers of the Candlestiâ—k must be made according to the Pattern shewed in the Mount which figured forth Exod. 25.40 that the Church of God and all the exercise of Worship that is therein whether Doctrâ—ne or Discipline must be exactly according to the express written Word nothing must be aâ—ded to nor diminished from no Alterations one way or other must be made 9. The voluntary Oblation of the People to build the Tabernacle signifies how willing Christians should be to contribute of their outward Substance to uphold God's Church and the publick Worship thereof 10. The glorious Door of the Tabernacle might be a Figure of Christ who saith I am the Door Joh. 10.7 't is by him we enter into the Kingdom of Grace and Glory The Veil of the Holiest Exod. 26.31 and what it figured forth IT was glorious of Embroidered Work this saith Guild signified the Body of Christ filled with the fulness of God Heb. 7.26 or beautified with all the most excellent and Heavenly Graces of the Spirit Joh. 1.51 II. It was replenished and wrought full of Cherubims noting thereby that serviceable and ready attendance of the Angels on Christ's Natural and Mystical Body III. It was born up by glorious and costly Pillars overlaid with Gold on Sockets of Silver to shew that the Humanity of Christ especially in his Sufferings should be born up by his Deity which his Manhood overveiled IV. By the Veil only there was entry into the Holiest place of all So by the Veil that is to say the Flâ—sh of Christ wâ—ich was rent as it were upon the Cross a new and living way is made for us to the Father Heb. 10.20 The Ark a Type of Christ THe Ark was an assurance of God's Presence amongst his People So Christ is the Cause and Assurance that God in a gracious way is present with us II. Where the Ark was there it was lawful to offer Sacrifice and no where else which might shew that our acceptance in God's Sight is through Jesus Christ If Christ dwell not in our Hearts by Faith if we have not the Ark with us Christ with us God will not accept of our Prayers nor Service III. In the Ark was the Pot of Manna to shew that in Christ is the Life Comfort and Spiritual Nourishment for our Souls IV. The Ark had a Crown of Gold round about it signifying the Majesty of Christ's Kingdom or his Regal Power V. The two Tables were in the Ark the Ark kept them which might signify Christ's keeping the Law perfectly for us and deliver us thereby from the Curse of it VI. When the Ark was set in the Temple of Dagon Dagon fell down and broke to pieces So when Christ and his Truth are set up in a Man's Heart or a Nation Sin and Idolatry will go down VII Where the Ark was there was the Glory of God and when that departed the Glory of God departed So where Christ's blessed Truth and Gospel is there is the Glory of God but when Christ leaves a People takes away his Gospel the Glory of God goes from that People Some run a Parallel between the Church and the Ark others between the Publick Worship of God and it But in my Judgment it more clearly was a Type of Christ which may comprehend much of what they say in respect of other things The Mercy-Seat Exod. 25.17 a Type of Christ IT was called the Mercy-Seat or as