she that is your Enemy may see it and shame may cover her Mic. 7. 10. That she may be removed that nothing of her be left amo 〈…〉 of her Idolatry and Superstition 〈…〉 your selves in array against Fren 〈…〉 abylon round about all ye that tred the bow shoot at her spare no Arrows for she hath sinned against the Lord saith the Prophet Jer. 50. 14. Some rubbish that escaped our first Reformers was left in the fall of so ancient and great a Building which remains yet untaken away but incumbers the Ground which in the Prayers that we are commanded to use in our Monthly Fasts run thus namely in the Prayer for the High Court of Parliament That all things may be so ordered and settled by their endeavours upon the best and surest foundations that Peace and Happiness Truth and Justice Religion and Piety may be established among us from all Generations Now another Foundation of Peace and Happiness can no Man lay than Christ and his Word We need not send to Rome nor any where else for any thing that concerns Religion The word is nigh thee even in thy mouth and in thy heart saith the Apostle Rom. 10. 8. and we are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone Eph. 2. 20. In the Prayer for the reformed Churches Purge all thy Churches from their Dreggs and make them meet for a glorious Deliverance that all the World may see that Salvation belongs to our God In the last Prayer Give us Grace Lord seriously to lay to heart the great dangers we are in by our unhappy Divisions take away all hatred and prejudice and whatsoever may hinder us from Godly Union and Concord that as these is but one Body and one Spirit and one Hope of our Calling one Lord one Faith one Baptism one God and Father of us all so we may henceforth be all of one Heart and of one Soul united in one Holy Body of Truth and Peace of Faith and Charity and may with one Mind and one Mouth glorifie thee O God through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen The like Expressions are in the Prayer for the whole State of Christ's Church Militant here on Earth Let us deal plainly with God and our own Consciences and those to whom these Prayers are recommended unless we think to please God and Men with a few fair words of Devotion when our Heart is far from him and the performance of these things we pray for as the East is from the West Be not deceived saith the Apostle God will not be mocked Gal. 6. 6. however we may deceive Men with words smoother than butter but war is in the heart with words softer than oyl yet are they drawn swords Psal 55. 21. Is not this a casting of God's words behind us and taking his name in vain That lays us open to that surprizing expression of our Lord ex ore tuo est have ye not reason to fear the Lords Censure of the Elders of Israel that came and sate before Ezekiel in Babylon concerning whom the word of the Lord came unto him saying Son of man these men have set up their Idols in their hearts and put the stumbling block of their iniquity before their face should I be enquired of at all by them Exek 14. 3. And that of the Prophet Jeremiah that from the Prophets of Jerusalem hypocrisie is gone out into all the land Jer. 23. 15. If we build continually by our practice that which wont seem to destroy so solemnly by our Prayer what do we make of our selves in the Eyes of the World but Transgressors Gal. 2. 18. Children in whom is no faith Deut. 32. 20. What then are these Dreggs we desire God to deliver us from Are they not the remainder of our natural Corruption and the sin which doth so easily beset us within and of Popery without that have been a snare to us and removed our Souls far from Peace that we may be delivered from them as well as other reformed Churches Again What are these great dangers that we are in by our unhappy Division for the laying of which seriously to Heart we beg God's Grace Are they about matters of no value that in the ballance of the Sanctuary have Tekel written on them as being altogether higher than Vanity Are we like the Man lying in a ditch praying Lord have mercy upon me and yet will not stir Hand nor Foot to help himself out If we will not prevent these dangers when we know what the late attempt to remove the occasion of them cost these Nations that were sore afflicted and sorely tossed with the tempest of a long bloody War and not fully comforted to this day Again Take away all Hatred and Prejudice and whatsoever else may hinder us from Godly Union and Concord And we will part with nothing by our good Will that may please many good people and can never tend to the real damage of any but add more fuel still to the old hatred and prejudice until that be taken out of the way by which the offence cometh that may kindle a fire that will never be quenched and feed a worm that shall never die Mar. 9. 46. from which Judgment the Lord deliver us Lastly All the terms of Union of Peace and Love in Heaven and Earth are mustred up together one Lord one Faith one Baptism one God c. many Vanities that we may with one Mouth and one Mind glorifie God c. Here a Man would think If there be any consolation in Christ if any comfort in love if any fellowship of the Spirit if any bowels or mercies if any truth in men Phil. 2. 1. that we are resolved now to fill the Evangelical Prophecy of Zephany to serve the Lord with a pure lip and with one shoulder Zeph. 3. 9. with Uniformity of Doctrine Worship and Discipline that there may be one Lord and his name one according to that of the Prophet Zach. 14. 9. Lord put this heart in those that have commanded us to put up those sweet words to God in truth and simplicity of Heart Amen That we may not be said to have a form of godliness 2 Tim. 3. 5. is an outward delineation of piety of peace and unity denying the power and practise of it as the Apostle speaks or as Jeremiah They have healed the hurt of the Daughter of the my people slighted saying peace peace when there was no peace Jer. 6. 14. and those that are required to make their Addresses to God in these words say Hast thou utterly rejected Judah hath thy soul loathed Zion why hast thou smitten us and there is no healing for us we looked for peace and there is no good and for a time of healing and behold trouble Jer. 14. 19. Then said I ah Lord God surely thou hast greatly deceivid this people and Jerusalem saying ye shall have peace whereas the sword reacheth unto
end and largely doth he garnish this Similitude in the place I named right now pressing it to divers Duties which shortly to name because they serve to the maintenance of Peace in her Soveraignty are these 1. To rejoyce each at others good If one member be honoured all the members rejoyce with it 1 Cor. 12. 26. 2. To suffer Compassionately each with other And whether one member suffer all the members suffer with it ibid. 3. To have Care each of another That there should be no schism in the body but that the members should have the same care one of another v. 25. to nourish and cherish them 4. The more weak and base to be compassed with Honour with the more comely Nay much more those members of the body that seem more feeble are necessary and those members of the body which we think to be base upon those we bestow more abundant honour and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness verse 22 23. 5. The worthier not to think they may be without the baser nor the baser think they are not in any place or reckoning because not the worthiest And the Eye cannot say to the Hand I have no need of thee nor again the Hand to the Foot I have no need of you v. 2. 6. If the Foot shall say because I am not the Hand I am not of the body is it therefore not of the body And if the Ear shall say because I am not the Eye I am not of the body is it therefore not of the body v. 15. 26. Thus far the Apostle in his excellent Parallel between the Members of the Natural Body and the Members of the Body Mystical These Opinions and Practices befit such as would keep peace such as are Members of one Body which very Consideration that they are found in the Natural Body should draw us into the practice of them in the Spiritual and Mystical Christ our Lord flows into us by his Spirit of Peace and Love and gives us Grace so to do and this will enable us to obey the Apostle in the words before this Text. And above all things put on charity which is the bond of perfectness This word Bond is taken sometimes for the Sinews and Ligaments of the Joynts as Chap. 2. v. 19. Sometimes for the Band that tieth a thing composed of a great many small parts into one as a Sheaf or Faggot so I think Peace is called Ephes 4. 3. endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of Peace And this Perfectness may be taken 1. For the perfectness of every man in the Gifts of the Spirit which are dissolved and fall one from another without Love Or 2ly For the whole Body of the Church which is dissolved and falls asunder without love of which in the two places last named I will include herein both inward perfectness in private Christians and publick in the body of the Church So the Church Christ's Body it is capable of a kind of perfection even when it is most imperfect in the Eyes of the World as now it was and when the Apostle wrote that Ephesians 4. v. 3. Observat The thing that makes the Perfection of the Church is Love He therefore that loves not is imperfect in Christianity A Child in Grace if he have any yet is Carnal not Spiritual a Babe not a Man as the Apostle concludes of the Corinthians from hence 1 Cor. 3. 1. 3. And those that take no care to maintain Love with their even Christians they do as much as they may maim lame and make imperfect the Body of Christ laying aside his new Commandment That ye love one another as I have loved you John 13. 34. Let Papists and such as rejoyce in bitterness against their Brethren think on this Let us learn by all means to maintain Peace and Love the untimely breaking of some Truth is not worth so much as to break Love As the curing of some Disease not worth the pain of the Cure as of some Wens and Warts c. worth the cutting c. and this is to be followed of us It is more than seasonable that we were put in mind of this Point for we are faulty in it much Now if one be more scrupulous than another in Ceremonies and Matters indifferent Minister or other one sort there is that presently abate their love Again if another take a little liberty in such things the other side bears not that hearty affection which should be unto him Though thus either think of the other they are men that intend to do vertuously yet there is not this equal Communication of the Offices of Kindness which this Form Above all things put on love would require What if men dissent from us in sundry Points of Judgment or of Affection as both may be and justly yet let the Consideration that they are Members of the same Body with us Men reclaimed to God Men which according to that which they know endeavour to Serve and Worship God makes us to strive so much the more that it might not seem to come through our Default that any Strangers should be between us or Differences grow to greater Extremities we shall have the better in the handling of the Cause to say nothing of the Truth whether we have it on our side or no. I would to God that we could be content in Matters of no great Consequence when many Differences be among us to comprise them with that of the Apostle If any man think otherwise the Lord shall reveal this also unto you Phil. 3. 15. And in the mean space in our Speeches Countenances Gestures Writings be mindful of this standing Rule That Love belongs to all the Saints as the Apostle describes these Colossians by their Faith in Jesus Christ and their Love to all the Saints Chap. 1. 4. So by letting go vain Clamours we shall find more Truth than we do as being better disposed to seek it which indeed no passionate man is and sure I am we should have more peace and comfort and be freed from much foolish Suspicions among our selves and many slanderous and foul Imputations from our common Enemies God give us Grace to see our Faults put a Remedy thereto in time before by our Dissentions we have weakened our selves that both together we be not matchable to our third and worst Adversary see Psalm 133. And be ye thankful The second Duty we are exhorted unto in this Scripture is the duty of thankfulness what variety is between these two Words Amiable and Thankful every man may at the first view easily conceive But our latest Translation of the Word is the best that for Amiable puts in Thankful whereunto the propriety of the Word and Authority of other Interpreters doth so lead me as Ephes 5. 4. but rather giving of thanks and 1 Thessal 5. 18. In every thing give thanks And although they 〈◊〉 Chrysost Bruno Osiandor refer it to God
unto me O God! how great is the sum of them If I should count them they are mo in number than the Sâ—nâ— Psal 139. 17 18. David confesseth in the Contemplation and review of God's Favours that his Arithmetick fails him and comes short in a sacred Hyperbole as being far above our Capacities we cannot so much as tell them in order If you begin at your Conception in the Womb where the Psalmist begins I will praise thee for I am fearfully and wonderfully made Psal 139. 14. or at God's Election in laying the foundation of your Salvation in Christ before he laid the foundation of the world as the Apostle speaks According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world Eph. 1. 4 where will you end You must in plain terms resolve to say with our Psalmist Such knowledge is too wonderful for me it is high I cannot attain to it Psal 139. 6. Secondly Consider how continual are his Mercies without any Intermission or Interruption They are renewed every Morning saith Jerem As he maketh his Sun to rise on the evil and on the good and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust Matth. 5. 45. as our Lord speaks He holdeth our Soul in Life when we think there is but a step between us and Death as David thought when he fled from Saul 1 Sam. 20. 3. and suffereth not our feet to be moved Psal 66. 9. but according to his pleasure in whom we live and move and have our being Acts 17. 28. as the Apostle speaks The Manna that came from Heaven was not restrained one day in forty years perambulation and peregrination in the wilderness thou with heldest not thy Manna from their mouth saith Nehemiah nor the water that flowed out of the rock but gavest them water for their thirst Notwithstanding the many and great provocations of God's People The Pillar of the Cloud departed not from them by day to lead them in the way nor the Pillar of fire by night to shew them light in the way that they should go saith Nehem. 9. v. 9. 20. In the Element of his Mercies we draw our Breath continually to stir us up to continual Thankfulness Thirdly Consider how great are the benefits that we receive from God that call with a loud Voice for this duty of Thankfulness for them which makes the Psalmist cry out O how great is thy goodness which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men The Scripture is quoted by Isaiah Isa 64. 4. and by the Apostle rendered thus Eye hath not seen nor ear heard neither hath entered into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him 1 Cor. 2. 9. What greater thing hath he prepared or can he prepare for them that love him because he loved them first 1 Joh. 4. 19. as St. John speaks than Jesus Christ the Son of his love Is not this gift of God as our Saviour speaks to the Woman of Samaria Joh. 4 10. the gift of gifts It is then all our duties to acknowledge with Joy and Thankfulness the truth of the Lord and this Mercifulness of God our Saviour in regarding our Vileness so far as to save us from our spiritual Enemies giving for us the ransom of the pretious Blood of his dear Son and to end we ever-more keep a grateful Memory of this benefit he hath appointed the use of the Holy Eucharist a name signifying Thankfulness Exh. Let us then come and rejoyce to the Lord and with a loud and strong Voice acknowledge this Benefit Let us frequent his Holy Table so mercifully set before us in the Gospeâ— in despight of our Enemies endeavouring to draw one another thereto and to live such a Life as may even silently call the very Adversaries of our profession to the Worship and Service of God whom serving chearfully on Earth for the abundance of all things it may be our portion to enjoy and to sing aloud and thankfully unto in the Heavens with his Holy Saints and glorious Angels and our blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ Fourthly How undeserved are the Benefits we receive from God that they may provoke us to Thankfulness and how unexpected We deserve nothing but Wrath and the curse of Mount Ebal Deut. 27. 13. or of Cain Gen. 4. 11. or of our Father Adam to whom it was said Cursed is the Earth for thy sake in sorrow shalt thou eat thereof all the days of thy Life Gen. 3. 17. If God should deal with us according to our demerits our best performances are but glorious Transgressions and we are but unprofitable Servants at the best as our Lord speaks Luk. 17. 10. Jacob pleads his Merit towards Laban stoutly in Gen. 31. from v. 36. to v. 41. And Jacob was wroth and chode with Laban and Jacob answered and said to Laban what is my Transgression or what is my sin that thou hast so hotly pursued after me And he stands upon his guard and justifies himself and challengeth Laban to lay to his Charge any unwarrantable Action in his twenty years service though he had changed his wages ten times as the Prodigal 's elder Brother said to his Father Lo these many years do I serve thee neither did I at any time transgress thy Commandment Luc. 15. 29. But having to deal with God he sets a very low esteem of himself as not deserving the least of God's Mercies I am not worthy of the least of all the Mercies and of all the truth which thou hast shewed unto thy Servant for with my staff I passed over this Jordan and now I am become two bands Gen. 32. 10. See also the same dejection and self-denial in his Grand-father Abraham Behold now I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord who am but dust and ashes Gen. 18. 23. and of Mephibosheth when David said unto him Fear not for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy Fathers sake and will restore thee all the Land of thy Father Saul and thou shalt eat Bread at my Table continually And he bowed himself and said What is thy servant that thou shouldst look upon such a dead Dog as I am 2 Sam. 9. 8. The Mercies and Kindnesses of all Men in the World compared to God's undeserved Favours are but as a drop of a bucket of Water to the great Ocean My thoughts are not as your thoughts neither are your ways my ways saith the Lord For as the Heavens are higher than the Earth so are my ways bigher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts Isa 55. 8 9. This Consideration makes sometimes the faithful so earnest in the affection of joy as they seem almost ridiculous in the Eyes of carnal Men as David to Michal when he danced before the Lord 2 Sam. 6. 21. But their Justification is easie it is before the Lord that
the Founders and Conservers of Cities Countreys and Kingdoms to the end and purpose of defending and preserving them from Evils in a cordial and blessed Submission to the ever-ruling and over-ruling Peace of God If the Peace of God did bear rule in the Hearts of all Christians which our Apostle requires in these of Colosiae all the World would become Christians A digression as if it had been in the presence of his Majesty for exercise sake And here let me with all Humility use the Psalmst David's Expression I will speak of thy Testimonies also before Kings and will not be ashamed Psal 119. 46. and therefore in the first place methinks this Scripture gives me just occasion to speak to Their Majesties in a word or two that which I am sure their noble minds will take more pleasure to hear than to be profuse in their praise which no Man can lightly pass over if the Peace of God rule in your Hearts whom the supream Ruler of the World hath chosen and sent to rule over us his People O happy shall ye be and it shall be well with you and happy shall all your Subjects in these three Kingdoms be that by you are redeemed from thraâ—dom and brought again from the Depths of the Sea of misery Psal 68. 22. that were sold for nought to the Man of sin to be destroyed to be slain and to perish as Queâ—â— Esther speaks to King Ahasuerus in a like case concerning Hamnus's Plot Esth 7. 4. Sir You were called many years ago by God himself into one Body conjugal with your Royal Consort that is all glorious within and without and now by the same God to the ornamical and Political to lead these three Nations as also to lead the Military Body of the Confederates of many Nations as Captain general of the Lords Hosts like another Moses that led the Children of Israel out of the Land of Egypt out of the House of Bondage or another Cyras that enlarged God's People out of the Babilonish Captiviry as it is no small Honour to be God's King upon so high and honourable Account as none of your Royal Predecessors were ever called unto so it asks no small Duty Reverence and Thankfulness at your hands to himwards Sir Thus it is you Princes as well as other Folks be accomptable to God as arise your Receipts to a higher proportion so must your Allowances and Payments be greater or less You will find in a greater Arrearage when it comes to a reckoning where much is bestowed much is called for again Consider if your self advance any Man above others upon equal and perhaps less desert if you do not think you ought more to repose in the Faithfulness and Loyalty of such a one be ye well sure God looks for the like at your Hand It behoves you therefore to be mindful of his Honour which I dare be bold is the greatest that you have that you are God's King as eminently as he of whom the Lord said yet have I set my King or as it is in the Hebr. anoynted my King upon Sion the hill of my holiness Psal 2. 6. that so in the Regiment of his People your Subjects and of your self you may demean your self as God's King There is no need that I descend to particulars in general I say that God's King may not behave himself as the remnant of Kings do that are either Paganish or Popish that rule only for their own Pleasures and Appetites without regard of Justice Peace or Honesty that presume to make Religions of their own to appoint a God or any thing as a service of God which he hath not commanded which is to tye God to their baubles as Jeroboam to the Golden Calves at Dan and Bethel 1 Kin. 12. and Nebuchadnezzar to the Golden Image in the Plain of Dura Dan. 3. to appoint a service in the Latin whom the People understand not contrary to the rule of Edification set down 1 Cor. 14. 26. When Men presume to bind Consciences to their Knees under pain of sin and forbid to reason of their biddings under severe Penalties this is a tyranny against God True it is that Penal Laws may be made to bind in many respects But let Men beware lest they exact with greater severity obedience to their own Precepts than God's there is but one Law-giver that can save and destroy saith James 4. 12. when they forbid what God commands and commands what God forbids its Tyranny as did Antiochus and other Heathen Emperors forbid to Circumcise to read the Law and commanded to offer to Idols and to eat Swines Flesh and all under pain of present Death 2 Macc. 7. Rulers must know their places have moderate and just and Godly Government not usurp on God's Right on their Subjects Conscience and tho' Faith be the Gift of God and cannot be taught nor forced nor Conscience be compelled to assent yet Men may be obliged to the outward hearing of Gods Word and Factious Fire-brands repressed and quenched Sozomen tells us That Athanasius the Patriarch of Alexandria was upon a time walking in the Streets in that City and that a Raven did flee towards him croaking which the Heathen that stood near observing began to deride him and reproach him as if he had been a Praestigiator or Conjurer and so making towards him asked in derision what the Raven said to him He modestly smiling answered in Latin Eras for he dictates unto you That to morrow will be a most bitter day for to morrow you shall receive the Emperor's Edict that you shall celebrate no more your Heathenish Solemnities And acaccordingly it came to pass for the next day the Magistrates received orders from the Roman Emperor that their Heathen Gods should be no more worshipped but destroyed utterly with all their Idolatry and Superstition in which they were bred Which being abdicated they immediately embraced the Gospel Blessed is the people that know this joyful sound Psal 89. 15. And thanks be to Jesus Christ in many things already you have shewed your self God's King in coming out to help the Lord against the mighty Jer. 9. 3. in being valient for his truth at home and abroad in scattering the Proud in the Imagination of their Hearts and bring the Wheel upon them in taking down 〈◊〉 Partition Wall of Separation that your Subjects might not destroy one another for fashions sake you have put your Life into your Land to fight the Lords Battles that teacheth your hands to war and your fingers to fight Psal 144. 1. and have wrought with God this great Salvation in our Israel as all Israel said of Jonathan that overthrew the vastest Army that ever the Philistines had consisting of thirty thousand Chariots six thousand Horses and people like the sand which is on the Sea shoar for Multitude 1 Sam. 13. 5. In his name that giveth Salvation unto Kings and that hath delivered your Royal Person from the Sword like another David
5. 20. whom we preach warning to every Man and teaching every Man in all wisdom that we present every Man perfect in Christ Jesus Col. 1. 28. 2. And for their Works sake And we beseech you Brethren to know them which labour among you And to esteem them very highly for their works sake and be at peace among your selves saith the Apostle to the Thessalonians 1 Thes 5. 12 13. upon which account the Apostle says to the Galatians They received him as an Angel of God even as Christ Jesus and he bears them Record that if it had been possible they would have pluckt out their Eyes and have given them to him Gal. 4. 14 15. 3. And for their own sake These Men are the Servants of the most high God which shew unto us the way of Salvation saith the Pithoness by divine Inspiration Act. 16. 17. They must not hate them and persecute them for speaking the truth of God unto them Am I therefore become your Enemy saith the Apostle because I tell you the truth Gal. 4. 16. As Ahab to his shame professeth concerning Micaiah by whom we enquire of the Lord but I hate him for he doth not Prophesie good concerning me but evil 1 Kin. 22. 8. he received the just reward of his hatred by a shot at RamoahGilead the Jews hated Jeremiah the Prophet but to theiâ— Destruction Jer. 38. 4. And thus they dealt with our Lord that spake as never Man spake unto them and did what never Man did among them both him and his Followers to their dispersion as at this day for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost 1 Thess 2. 16. He that seeketh my Life seeketh thy Life saith David to Abiathar that fled from Saul's Massacre of the Priests of the Lord and their Town of Nob but with me thou shalt be in safety 1 Sam. 22. 23. Good Obadiah hid an Hundred Prophets of the Lord by fifty in a Cave and fed them with Bread and Water 1 Kin. 18. 13. from Jezâ—bel's Cruelty as Rabab the Cauponess as the Caldee Paraphrase styles her hid the Spies from the King of Jerico ' s rage When the Minister shall say at the great day to the Judge of the Quick and Dead Loe I and the Children that God hath gave me Heb. 2. 13. And the words which thou gavest me I have given unto them and they have received them Those that thou gavest me I have â—ept and none of them is lost saith our Saviour Joh. 17. 8 12. The Apostle tells the Thessalonians For what is our Hope or Joy or Crown of Rejoycing Are not even ye in the Presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming 1 Thes 2. 19 20. 3. To Husband and Wife IF the Peace of God rule in the Heart of Husband and Wife which is the first and dearest Relation in the World and the root of all others unto which they are called in one Body that they should no more be two but one Flesh Gen. 2. 24. Then the Husband will not deal treacherously against the Wife of his youth Mal. 2. 15. that is his Companion and Wife of his Covenant that is Bone of his Bones and Flesh of his Flesh as the first Man speaks but nourish and cherish it as the Lord the Church Eph. 5. 29. as the Apostle speaks of the second Man that is the Lord from Heaven Comfort her as Elkanah did Hannah in her Affliction Hannah why weepest thou and why eatest thou not Am not I better to thee than ten Sons 1 Sam. 1. 8. Not give an occasion of Speech against her to bring up an evil Name upon her that she deserves not Deut. 22. 14. He will rejoyce with the Wife of his youth she shall be to him as a loving Hâ—nd and as a pleasant Roe her Breasts will satisfie him at all times he will be always ravished with her love Prov. 5. 18 19. and never be bitter against her Col. 3. 19. but dwell with her according to knowledge giving Honour to the Wife as the weaker Vessel and as being Heirs together of the Grace of Life that their Prayers be not hindred 1 Pet. 3. 7. He will observe with Joseph the Embrace of a strange Woman whose Mouth is smoother thdn Oyl but the end more bitter than Wormwood sharper than a two-edged Sword her Feet go down to Death her steps take hold on Hell Prov. 5. 3 4 5. Her House saith he is the way to Hell going down to the Chambers of Death Pro. 7. 27 who so pleaseth God shall escape from her but the Sinner shall be taken by her Eccles 7. 26. Live joyfully with the Wife saith he again or enjoy Life whom thou lovest all the days of thy Life of thy Vanity which he hath given thee under the Sun for that is thy Portion in this Life and in thy Labour which thou takest under the Sun saith Solomon that injoyneth Cohabitation Eccles 9. 9. 2. If the Peace of God rule in the Heart of the Wife that was taken out of the Side of her Husband Gen. 2. 21. then she will be as careful to preserve his Life as Michal was that when her Father Saul sent to kill him Lo Michal let David down thro' a Window and he went and fled and escaped 1 Sam. 19. 11 〈◊〉 and she laid a Teraphim in his Beâ— She will never forsake the guide of her yâ—uth nor forget the Covenant of her God Prov. 2. 17. that she solemnly entred into in the day of his Espousals in the day of the Gladness of his Heart She will prove another Lucretia so famous among the Romans for Vertue and Hatred of Baseness that when she suffered Violence that she could not resist stabb'd her self to the Heart which indignity occasioned a great change in their Government or rather like the vertuous Woman whose Price is far above Rubies the Heart of her Husband doth safely trust in her Prov. 31. 10 11. because she hath set him as a Seal upon her Heart as a Seal upon her Arm her love to him being as strong as Death Cant. 8. 6. which she will more readily choose to undergo than go aside to Uncleanness with any instead of her Husband upon whom the Spirit of Jealousie shall never come which is cruel as the Grave the Coals thereof are Coals of Fire which hath a most vehement flame the Tryal and Punishment whereof whether just or unjust is most severe as of any Sin whatsoever Numb 5. 21 22. Jealousie saith Solomon is the rage of a Man therefore he will not spare in the day of Vengeancâ— he will not regard any Ransom neither will he rest content though thou givest many gifts the Husband will accept of no Ransom to save the Adulterer Prov. 6. 34 35. Her Husband is known in the Gates not by base Scoffs and Nick-names when he sitteth among the Elders of the Land Prov. 31. 23. but by his Wives Godliness and Vertue she will do him Good and not
Proverb says If one will not another will Doeg the Edomite did readily obey the word of Command and made no Bones of it to butcher Fourscore and five persons that did wear a Linâ—â— Ephod and this Obedience tended to the eternal Destruction of the wicked Commander and cursed Obeyer and for shedding so much innocent Blood in the Massacre of their City Nob. They murdered themselves in the overthrow at Mount Gilboa 1 Sam. 31. 4 5. Servants must not run away at every word as Hagar who tells the truth to the Angel that called to her in her flight slayed her course and sent her back again Hagar Sarah's Maid whence comest thou and whether goest thou And she said I flee from the Face of my Mistress Sarah and the Angel of the Lord said unto her Return unto thy Mistress and submit thy self unto her and she did so and tarried with her till she was brought to Bed of her Son Ishmael and many years afterward for her Son was thirteen Years old when he was Circumcised and Isaac but eight Days Gen. 17. 24. Servants must not answer again with lying and swearing as too many do Gehezi sheltered his base Covetous Mind with Lyes to his Master Elisha to enrich himself by the Bounty of Naaman the Syrian but it brought a plague of Leprosie upon him and his Seed for ever and he went out of his Masters presence a Leper as white as Snow 2 Kin. 5. 27. but came in no more to serve him They must not despise their Masters but count their own Masters worthy of all Honour that the Name of God and his Doctrin be not blasphemed as the Apostle speaks to Timothy 1 Tim. 6. 1 2. They must not speak evil of them as wicked Ziba did of his Master Mephibosheth whom he had falsly accused of High Treason to the King For he said to day shall the House of Israel restore me to the Kingdom of my Father 2 Sam. 16. 3. Upon which false Accusation the King doth rashly bestow all his Estate upon his Treacherous accuser but the Holy Ghost testified his Loyalty to the King who rode out to meet the King at his return and having made the whole time of the the King's absence as it were a day of Humiliation and had neither washsed his Feet nor trimmed his Beard nor washed his Cloaths from the day the King departed until the day he came in Peace 2 Sam. 19. 24. and cleared himself to the King in shewing the baseness of his Servants My Lord O King my Servant deceived me 2 Sam. 19. 26. else I had gone along with Your Majesty for all my Lameness and he also hath slandered thy Servant unto my Lord the King And the King mends the matter well I have said thou and Ziba divide the Land And Mephibosheth said unto the King yea let him take all forasmuch as my Lord the King is come again in peace into his own House A most noble Expression of a Loyal Subject concerning one that had betraved his Master and look'd for the forfeiture of his Estate that had justly deserved a shameful Death Servants must not discover Family Secrets unless in such a case as Jonathan discovered to his Friend David his Fathers Indignation and bloody design against him Nor purloin their Goods as the Steward of a certain rich Man did that was accused unto him that he had wasted his Goods Luk. 16. from the first verse to the ninth His Master commends his Policy but not his Honesty that cheated his Master for his future Accommodation But and if that Servant say in his Heart my Master delays his coming and shall begin to beat the Men-Servants and Maidens and to eat and drink and to be drunken the Lord of that Servant will come in a day that he looketh not for him and at an hour when he is not aware and cut him in sunder and will appoint him his portion with Hypocrites and Unbelievers Luk. 12. 45 56. saith our Lord. How faithful was Moses in all God's House as a Servant Heb. 3. 5. and Daniel in Darius's House Dan. 6. 3. Joseph in Pharoah's House Mordecay in Ahashuerus's House that discovered the bloody Plot of Treason against his Life Est 2. 21 22. How famous is the History of Eliezer Abraham's Servant that was sent Ambassador to Mesopotamia to the City of Nahor to take a Wife for Isaac How scrupulous is he to undertake so great and so honourable an Embasey How zealous in Prayer to God for his Direction and Blessing How thankful for the return of his Prayer according to his Faith and earnest Desire How Courteous to the Lady that was given in to his Prayer of Faith How careful not to eat nor drink till he had discharged his trust and told his Errand Last of all How resolute to return immediately after he had obtained what he went for His Commission being out he will not stay one day longer but make haste home to his Master that sent him for a Blessing to his Son Isaac all this is very remarkable and imitable by all Servants that fear God and honour their Masters Gen. 24. throughout Gracious and Godly Servants have been and may be Instruments of much good in their Masters House as that little Girl that was taken Prisoner out of the Land of Israel by the Syrians was the occasion of her healing of her foul Leprous Master Naaman the Syrian and of his Conversion also from Idolatry to serve the Lord God of Israel And consequently of his Salvation all she said unto her Mistress was this Would God my Lord were with the Prophet that is in Samaria for he would recover him of his Leprosie He went to him and was healed and converted and made a solemn Protestation that he would cleave to the God of Israel as is recorded by the Holy Ghost 2 Kin. 3 4 5. Sozomen tells us l 2. 6. a like History of the Conversion of the Queen of Iberia by a Captive Christian Maid in the days of Constantine the Great and of the Conversion of the King and Kingdom from Paganism by the same Maid afterward The History is well worth Translating which is thus The Queen being taken with an incurable Disease and miraculously restored to perfect Health at the Invocation of the name of Christ by this Christian Woman devoted her self for ever to Christ her Deliverer The King admiring at the Queen 's so suddain Recovery commands to reward this Captive Damsel with rich Gifts The Queen told him I relate the words of Sozomen that though these things be of great value she regards them noâ— she cares not for such things the only thing she values is the Worship of her God If therefore we mind to gratâ—fie her afterwards and live peaceably and happily Let us also worship that powerful God and Saviour for he it is if he please that can make Kings enjoy that degree of Honour in which they are and can easily cast down great
he will teach us his ways and we shall walk in his paths Isa 2. 3. that our Church may be Holiness to the Lord the first fruits of his increase Jer. 2. 3. There are some that take the Feet for the Affections of the Soul but there is no necessity to take the word so for the Feet and way may be better referred to all the Actions of Men inward and outward And the intent is rather to shew that Christ is come not only to give knowledge but to reform our Life and Practice and to conduct us by vertuous and Peaceful Courses to Happiness And the way of Peace Rom. 3. 17. howsoever it may seem to be meant of all that is peaceful to others as Isa 59. 7 8. yet perhaps even there too it may refer to that which is peaceful to our selves whether that which brings Peace to the Conscience or generally all Peace that is Prosperity as the word signifies every where in the Hebrew Tongue God doth by the coming of Christ guide our Feet into the way of Peace by these Six Steps which are as the Six Branches of the Golden Candlestick Exod. 37. 18. standing before the Lord of the whole Earth to enlighten our Darkness and direct our way towards him who is the way the Truth and the Life Joh. 14. 6. And this Text goes as it were before the Face of the Lord to keep our Feet in them First By bringing us to Reconciliation and Peace with God as Eliphaz councels Job Acquaint now thy self with him and be at Peace thereby good shall come unto thee Job 22. 21. of which Rom. 5. 1. Therefore being justified by Faith we have Peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ Secondly Then by that we have Peace with all the Creatures of God which before were at enmity with us not only the blessed Angels but all the rest the stones of Field and Beasts At Destruction and Famine thou shalt laugh neither shalt thou be afraid of the Beasts of the Earth for thou shalt be in League with the stones of the Field and the Beasts of the Field shall be at Peace with thee and thou shalt know that thy Tabernacle shall be in Peace Job 5. 22 23 24. Thirdly Next we have Peace and Tranquility of Mind that is the Heart is not filled with fear suspect if but a Thief stir but contrary ways The Godly Man shallnot be afraid of evil Tidings for his Heart is fixed and he believeth in the Lord saith the Psalmist Psal 112. 7. see Isa 57. 20. Fourthly Further We have Peace with Men we strive as much as may be to have it so and for our parts are not only Peace-keepers but Peace-makers to have the Blessing pronounced to such for they shall be called the Children of God saith our Saviour Matth. 5. 9. Fifthly We endeavour to keep Innocency and a good Conscience in whatsoever Condition or Station we are in this World which will bring Peace at last Mark the perfect Man and behold the Upright for the end of that Man is Peace saith holy David Psal 37. 37. Sixthly Lastly in Peace we depart out of this Life with old Simeon and enter into the Land of Peace and Eternal rest O blessed State even here how much more there And all this beloved Brethren let us the more enfore upon our selves because we do see the times are such wherein many fall away to Popery and other damnable Heresies And many shall follow their pernicious ways by reason of whom the way of Truth shall be evil spoken of 2 Pet. 2. 2. and consequently the way of Peace saith the Apostle Let us fasten our Footsteps the surelier and the more warily because we see their sad overthrow before us as a warning of our own Weakness and evermore hold us by the God of Peace and with the Psalmist desiring him to establish our Foot-steps in his ways that we fall not from him Hold up thy Goings in thy Paths that thy Foot-steps slip not And again Order my Steps in thy word and let not any Iniquity have Dominion over me Psal 17. 5. and 119. 33. And contrariways because Contraries belong the same Science how miserable is the State of the wicked that have God their Enemy and the Creatures of God divided in themselves contentious Men and delighting in War and Strife as if they had been mounted upon the Red Horse with him to whom power was given to take Peace from the Earth and that they should kill one another as you read at the opening of the second Seal Rev. 6. 4. The way of Peace they have not known saith the Apostle For there is no fear of God before their Eyes that is the true Reason of it Rom. 3. 17 18. always overthrowing their own strengths pluckt away from this Life unwillingly that have their portion in this Life and cast for ever into restless and endless Torments Let us see their end yea their State and fear it and pray the God of Peace who hath sent his only Son the Prince of Peace to guide Men into that other way both to set us in that and keep us in that to the end Amen FINIS