draw out some words that shall be against the Governours or the Laws of the place where you live Matth. 22.15 16 17. 2 Take heed of feigned and treacherous men who shall bring you to Councils Psal 55.12 13 14. 3 Of enticing men who shall perswade you by flatteries to deny the faith Dan. 11.32 34. 4 Take heed of all natural men indefinitely It behoves Christians to stand upon their guard seeing all men naturally have an hatred unto them therefore must we beware of them though they be civil and courteous For they will deliver you up to the Councils Not onely unto the Council of three and twenty but also to the great Synedrium or the Council of 70. of which mention was made cap. 5.23 so was Peter and John Acts 4.7.5.27 and Stephen Acts 6.12 And they will scourge you in their Synagogues Acts 5.40 Peter and John were so scourged Heb. 11.36 For even by Synagogues civil Courts were meant 1 Machab. 7.12 Of this mention is made Acts 5.21 The high Priest came and they that were with him and called the Council together and all the Senate of the children of Israel The word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all the Eldership of the children of Israel Because the things they acted against the Apostles seemed to be dangerous to the Commonwealth they took the voices and advices of the chief men herein they joyned the Senate of the City with the Senate of the people This was called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the great Synagogue So that Christ his speech ascends higher then before so that his meaning is You shall not only be brought before ordinary Consistories but extraordinary Conventions and Assemblies shall be called together to try you Before this extraordinary Convention the Apostles were beaten with rods V. 18. And ye shall be brought before Governours and Kings for my sake for a testimony against them and the Gentiles And ye shall be brought before Governours and Kings Christ still ascends higher in his speech to wit that for the witness of his truth they should be brought before Governours and Kings By Governors he means Vice roys and Governors of Nations Provinces and also before Kings that depute such Governours For the distinction of Governours from Kings see 1 Pet. 2.13 Submit your selves to every Ordinance of man whether unto the King as excelling the word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or unto Governours as to those that are sent of him Besides when Christians have been condemned by Councils the execution of them hath been by secular powers as in Queen Maries raign and now under the Spanish inquisition Yea many times Princes have themselves sate in judgment against Christians as the Emperour Sigismond c. When Christians shall thus be brought before Kings and Governours Christ would have his Disciples not to be dazled with the glister of earthly Majesty but to be of undanted spirits when they come before them as Paul was before Nero 2 Tim. 4.17 Thus Paul was brought prisoner to Faelix and Festus Acts 23.24 Peter and James to King Herod Agrippa Under pretence of Law civil judicatories condemn and execute Christians For my sake Because ye preach me to be the Messias and that through faith in me all that believe shall obtain remission of sins We should look to the cause why we suffer even that we suffer for Christ Hence Peter and John rejoyced that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name 1 Pet. 4.14 15 16. If any man suffer as a Christian let him not be ashamed Rom 8.36 For thy sake we are killed all the day long Meaning in one place or other either actually or by way of sympathy Indeed the Princes and Councils of the world have other pretences for their malice against Christians but the true cause is for the sake of Christ But if we be brought before Kings and Governours let it be onely for the sake of Christ Let none of you suffer as thieves and murtherers and busie-bodies c. 1 Pet. 4 15. For a testimony against them and the Gentiles That is to witness against the Council and the great Convention of the Jews and to witness for me against the Rulers and Kings of the earth Your imprisonment whipping and death shall witness both to Jew and Gentile Qu. But how or wherein Answ 1 That you have witnessed the truth before them and therefore that you are free from their blood 2 They shall witness your ingratitude in the day of Christ and their faithfulness 3 They shall be inexcusable in the day of judgement when they shall alledge they knew not Christ Moses went to Pharaoh Exod. 7.3 and Isai to a stubborn people c. 6.9 so Ezekiel c. 2.2 to v. 8. That they might be without excuse 4 They shall be witness against you for not believing their Message The Lord will call out Peter and say Didst not thou warn the Jews and to Paul Didst not thou warn the Gentiles the Romans and Faelix and Agrippa he will say Yes Lord but they would not believe but instead of receiving our Message they whipt and imprisoned us Was it so will the Lord say and the unbeliever will then be speechless What follows Christ will say Depart thou cursed into everlasting fire 5 As wounds and scars testifie the constancy valour and faithfulness of Souldiers to their Prince or General so Prisons whippings torments shall testifie the faithfulness of Christians to Christ Luke 21.13 V. 19. But when they deliver you up take no thought how or what ye shall speak for it shall be given you in that hour what ye shall speak Here is a consolation when they should be brought to answer before Kings and Governours that the Spirit should pour into their mindes what they should speak Take no thought how or what ye shall speak Not as if we were in this case to be careless stupid or negligent but Christ means we should not be carkingly carefull or over fearfull The word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Luke 21.14 Settle it in your hearts before hand not to meditate what you shall answer in which Christ doth not forbid all foregoing meditation but that which hath a distrust of the providence and help of Christ And all laborious preparation such as is used in speeches and oratory and therefore Mark hath it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Luke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In the like sense Christ forbad carefulness for the morrow Matth. 6.25 that is perplexing and distracting carking Therefore those who are daily in expectation of suffering in their questions and torments should be much in prayer that God would give them wisdom to answer and courage to suffer For it shall be given you in that hour what ye shall speak That is if any thing be wanting in you the Spirit shall supply it and suggest it to you Acts 6.10 The Libertines were not able to resist the Spirit by which Stephen spake Luke 21.15 I will give you a
word According or according to Matthew signifies that the Gospel of Matthew was not another Gospel from the Gospel of Mark Luke and John neither doth it bring another History or Doctrine but onely that there was another Writer or Pen-man and another manner of writing the Gospel is one but it is written of four Evangelists in a fourfold manner order and style IV. The different Relations of these four Evangelists is no way derogatory to the truth of that one Gospel for if all the words were alike and the same the Enemies then of Holiness and of the Gospel might have thought there was a Conspiracy among the Evangelists for to deceive but when they write in a diverse manner though not in a contradictory manner it appears that in the simplicity and sincerity of their hearts they wrote as they were commanded one being appointed by God to handle that which the other passes by nor was there any need of four Pen men had they writ for matter and manner one and the same thing V. Not onely the 4. Evangelists but the Book of the Acts and the Epistles Book of Revelations is called a Testament in the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which word signifies a Disposing Appointment or Declaring of a Will Non morientium vâ—luntatem sed viventia pâ—cta Arâ—â— Law or Promise whether it proceed from one or more this word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 when there is speech of Christian Doctrine signifies a Covenant yet doth it also signifie a Testament Heb. 9.17 because in it is contained the will of Christ confirmed by his death This Testament is called the New Testament 2 Cor. 3.6 in opposition to the Old saying Who hath made us able Ministers of the New Testament and vers 14. The Vail remains untaken away in reading the Old Testament besides it is called New alluding unto the words of Christ Luke 22.20 This Cup is the New Testament in my Bloud in that Christ established his Doctrine by his Death it 's call'd by the name of New Testament in a word when mention is made of Bloud then 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies a Covenant when it sets forth the freeness of the Promise or Legacy then the word Testament is used also the word Testament is used rather than Law to shew how gently God deals with his People in the times of the Gospel so that if the New Testament at any time he called by the name of Law it 's call'd the Law of Faith Rom. 3.27 or Law of Liberty VI. Concerning the Pen-man Matthew observe we first the time wherein he wrote for which we can have nothing but humane testimony which is as Pareus mentions out of Theophilact and Eusebius that Matthew in Judea first wrote the Gospel in the third year of Caligula which was the ninth year after Christ's Ascension into Heaven and it was the opinion of the Fathers that the Gospels were written in the same order we have them in the Bible the Gospel according to Matthew the ninth year after Christ's Ascension the Gospel of Mark two years after the Gospel of Luke in the fifteenth year after Christ's Ascension and the Gospel of John in the thirty second year after Christ's Ascension as Theophilact noted Secondly concerning the Language wherein Matthew wrote the learned generally declare that he wrote it in the Hebrew Tongue for he abode about eight years in the Countrey of Palestine after Christ's Ascension as it hath been held by the great consent of Antiquity therefore it 's likely the Gospel was written in the Language of that Countrey so Papias Irenaeus and Origen and Eusebius relates out of Pantenus Euseb l. 5. that the Gospel of Matthew written in Hebrew was delivered to the Indians by Bartholomew Hierom remembers this Gospel to be in Hebrew in his time in the Library at Caesarea and at Berea and elsewhere It may very well be thought that that Hebrew Copy which was kept by the Nazarites at Berea and translated by Hierom into other Languages was transcribed out of the original Book writ by Matthew These Nazarites were the true offspring of them who first embraced the Faith in Judea and as they were called Christians because they embraced the Faith of Christ at Antioch so were the Christians of Berea called Nazarens of Jesus of Nazareth vide Grotium And the Syriack Interpreter hath prefixt this Title The Gospel which Matthew declared in Hebrew in the Country of Palestine Lapide cites Athanasius in Synopsi who saith The Gospel of Matthew was writ in the Hebrew dialect and brought forth at Jerusalem and interpreted by James the Brother of the Lord. VII The occasion that moved Matthew to write his Gospel was a Persecution that arose in Judea so that the Saints were in danger to be scattered that therefore they wanting the Teachers of their Faith might not want the Doctrine they intreated Matthew that he would write them a History of the works of Christ that where ever they should be they might have the state of the whole Faith with them Auctor imperfect in Matth. in Prooem Moreover as Maldonate well observes it was necessary the Apostles should commit to writing the History and Doctrine of Christ that their Hearers might not forget what the Apostles had spoken nor might not understand it otherwise than it was spoken and also that they might preach to others absent and to the generations following by the Scripture However solicitations and necessities of Christians moved no doubt Matthew spake no otherwise than he was inspired for that which was written as a Rule of Faith was also inspired 2 Tim. 3.16 All Scripture was given by inspiration of God And the Doctrine of the Apostles is said to be the Foundation of Believers Ephes 2.20 Ye are built upon the Foundation of the Apostles and Prophets The four Evangelists the Acts and the Epistles of Paul c. were of undoubted authority among all Orthodox as Aretius observes To conclude as Chrys in Matth The four Evangelists wrote the Gospel neither at one time nor one place neither helping one another nor counselling one another that there might be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the greatest demonstration of this Truth AN EXPOSITION upon the GOSPEL of MATTHEW CHAP. I. VERSE 1. The Book of the Generation of Jesus Christ the Son of Abraham the Son of David c. IN this Chapter are two parts 1. The Genealogy or Generation of Christ from v. 1. to v. 18. 2. The Birth of Christ from v. 18. to the end of the Chapter V. 1. The Book of the Generation of Jesus Christ that is a Catalogue of the Ancestours of Jesus Christ this Pedegree of Christ is reckoned up for these Reasons 1. To difference Jesus Christ from Joshua the Son of Nun who was a Type of Jesus Christ but was not descended from David as Christ was 2. Because when Christ hath two Natures his Divine and Humane Nature the Evangelist onely mentions the Generation
all Creatures by natural instinct are shy of the Snare laid for them so should all persons take heed that when a Scandal falls out there be not a Wo to them The unholy carriage of Eli his sons made people abhor the offerings of the Lord 1 Sam 2.17 6 Nothing so darkens the glory of the Church as the spots and unsavoury Life of those that pretend to Christianity What hath kept people from joyning to us Was it Prisons Banishment hazards Perhaps so in some but that which in likelihood hath hindered many hath been our not walking up to our Profession Fire and Fagot though it may scare some yet it cannot make them think in their consciences such and such Tenents to be Errours but scandalous practices of headiness pride and passion worldly mindedness makes them think in their consciences we are in an errour and so may in time hearten them to persecute us Moreover hereby blurs and reproaches are cast upon the Church If it be so great an offence to bring a scandal on one Israelite that he that did it was amerced in an hundred Shekels of Silver for bringing up an evil name upon a Virgin in Israel Deut. 22.19 then what shall be done to them that bring a Reproach upon all the Israel of God 7 The great triumphs and outcries wicked men make when any of Gods children fall into scandalous sin I say Gods children for properly a scandal cannot be given but by Gods children or by them that profess the truth when such are overtaken though the wicked themselves be a thousand times worse they are apt to triumph Psalm 38.16 When my foot slippeth though I did not actually fall they magnifie themselves against me As things that fall from on high make a great sound so the falls of persons that are high in profession are heard afar off Wicked men hunger and thirst after the falls of godly men and if at any time they fall into evil like hungry Dogs they muzzle in their Excrements like Horse-Flies that passing by many precious Flowers fasten upon Dung. The wicked pass by the graces of Saints and fasten upon their infirmities Means to live savoury Lives free from Scandall 1 Make conscience of sinning in secret if not thou maist look when God may give thee up to scandalous sin Prov. 26.26 Whose hatred is covered by deceit his wickedness shall be revealed before the whole congregation Because David made little conscience of sinning in secret 2 Sam. 12.12 in that he so cunningly slew Uriah and took his wife hence the Lord says Thou didst it secretly but I will do this thing openly I will reveal thy scandalous sins in their punishments to all Israel 2 Take heed of such sins as are wont to spot Christians as 1 Worldly mindedness Phil. 3.19 1 Cor. 7.29 2 Censoriousness It s sawciness in us to judge another mans servant Rom. 14.4 3 Janglings 1 Cor. 1.11.3.3 4 Telling uncertainties for truths Psal 119.29 5 Rents and divisions because of difference of judgement This evil age hath added this new sin not known in the Apostles times 6 Detraction James 4.12 Speak not evil one of another brethren 7 Denial of the truth Jude 4. new ashamed are they that have denyed the truth either in doctrine or practice to look other men in the face 8 Venturing upon things that are not expedient they ask Is the thing lawful then presently they do it an action may be lawful yet varied with some circumstance of calling age c. it may be inexpedient 1 Cor. 10.23 all things are lawful but all things are not expedient 9 Unpeaceableness and strife such was the differences betwixt strong and weak Rom. 14.13 3 Look upon the falls of others and tremble at them as Lot Aaron David Peter the incestuous person Let us then do as Marriners who steer off from that rock where others have suffered shipwrack 4 Look upon the miseries that follow the scandalous sins of Christians as 1 Horrour the incestuous person was so troubled for the offence he had given that he was like to have been swallowed up with too much sorrow 2 Cor. 2.7 2 Punishment 2 Sam. 12.14 Because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme the child that is born unto thee shall surely dye So reproach is another punishment all sins are called by the name of reproaches how much more are scandalous sins reproaches Rom. 15.3 5 Nourish Gods fear Levit. 19.14 Thou shalt not lay a stumbling block before the blinde but shalt fear the Lord thy God Nehem. 5.9 Ought we not to walk in the fear of God because of the heathen that are round about us q. d. Gods fear is a special preservative from scandalous sins The fear of the Lord is clean Psal 19.9 Hence Abraham would not contend Gen. 13.6 7. 1 Cor. 6.1 6 Mourn for other mens scandals He that can truly mourn for scandalous evils in others will hardly venture upon them himself Ezra 9.1 2 3 4. Ezra when he heard that the Priests and Levites had taken of the daughters of the heathen to wife and that the Princes and Rulers were chief in this trespass he rent his garment and sat astonied Besides thy mourning for another mans scandal may occasion the scandalous person to mourn for his own sin And so much the more should we mourn for such scandals because often they are spiritual judgements to punish unprofitableness under spiritual blessings that they who would not be won by the holy examples of some might be hardned by the evil examples of others V. 14. Ye are the light of the world a city that is set on an hill cannot be hid Here is another Metaphor whereby the Lord commends unto us an holy example viz. to shine before others by life and doctrine There would be much fewer wicked men then are in likelyhood if we would be such Christians as we ought to be if we would do good for evil if we would patiently bear revilements One Paul drew many to the faith if all the Saints were such how many would be converted For application 1 It taxes them who having such holy examples remain in darkness and love darkness more then light Phil. 2.19 2 To shine forth in holy example 1 Thess 5.5 We are all children of the light therefore let us not sleep as do others but let us watch and be sober v. 6. Be like John a burning and shining light Joh. 5.25 to shine as lights in the world holding forth in your practise the word of life Phil. 2.15 the Apostle alludes unto those fires and candles that are lightned and fet up on high near unto some rocks and quicksands that Marriners and Seamen that sail that way may escape such rocks and sands A city that is set on an hill A third Metaphor to commend to Christians an holy example Look as a city built upon an hill is visible to all so are the virtues and
it were in the ayr waiting for Gods command to fall down like an Eagle or Hawk upon the prey They went as swift in their sins as wilde Asses or Dromedaries but as the Ass is found in her-moneths in her silthiness when she is big that she cannot run men wait for her Jer. 2.23 24. so doth the rowl of judgement wait for other sinners in particular for perjured persons The length of this rowl was 20 cubits the breadth but ten signifying that it went over all Judaea which was twice as long as broad as Hierom observes the length of it from Dan to Beersheba was 160 miles the breadth from Joppa to Bethlem was 46 miles This rowl was writ on both sides on one side of it were curses for the thief on the other side curses for the swearer Lastly this curse is said to remain in the midst of his house and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof This was fulfill'd Matth. 23.27 28.24.1 in that there was not left one stone upon another not onely the Temple destroyed but also every private mans house Luke 19.44 so that they were laid even with the ground and not one stone left upon another This sin is condemned Hos 10.4 Levit. 19.12 Zach. 8.17 Examples of persons punish'd for false swearing are Zedekiah Ezek. 17.16 17 18 19 20. the Lord threatens for the oath that Zedekiah swore to the King of Babylon and brake that he should dye Shimei was put to death for the oath he brake which he had sworn to Solomon 1 Kings 2.42 43 44 45. For Saul his breach of the oath which Joshua and Israel had sworn to the Gibeonites seven of his sons were hanged in the dayes of David 2 Sam. 21.1 to v. 10. Famous was Gods judgement on Ladislaus King of Poland who upon the Popes Counsel and dispensation broke his oath which he had sworn to Amurath the second Acts and Mon. vol. 1. p. 968. But shalt perform to the Lord thine Oaths An oath is the affirming or denying a thing with the calling on the name of God to witness and avouch the truth of the thing affirmed denied or promised that they to whom we swear may not doubt of the truth of our words 1 Oaths are lawful 1 Because practised by God and Christ Psal 95.11 Psal 110.1 Esai 45.23 and by Saints by Jonathan and David by Paul Rom. 1.9 2 Cor. 1.23 2 Cor. 11.31 Gal. 1.20 2 Oaths are of the Law of nature Gen. 21.23 24. Abraham and Abimelech or at least Phicol his Captain swore one to another 3 The useful need thereof as to bring forth a truth Exod 22.10 11. as if a man deliver a beast to keep and it be stole then was he that had the beast to keep to purge himself by oath and the owner was to accept his oath Also that things done privily may come to light Numb 5.19 so the Priest swore the woman suspected of incontinency to finde out whether she were guilty or innocent Properties in swearing 1 Look to a right call as 1 When the Magistrate ministers an oath to answer so far as Law requires otherwise non tencor respondere I am not bound to answer 2 When the glory of God and edification of his Church requires it 2 Cor. 1.23 Rom. 1.9 3 For mutual peace and ending of controversies So Jacob and Laban swore one to another Gen. 31.53 so an oath is an end of strife Heb. 6.17 2 Look to the thing thou swears that it be lawfull not as Herod's oath to Herodias nor as the forty who swore to kill Paul Such an oath was Davids who swore to destroy all Nabals house 1 Sam. 25.22 3 Look the thing thou swears be in thine own power It 's rashness to swear a thing that is not in thine own power as to swear to live a single life c. 4 Swear in truth judgement and righteousness 1 In truth which excludes all equivocation Words are to be taken as men commonly understand them An oath is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an hedge to signifie that when a man swears he sets an hedge about himself which he may not break this excludes all swearing of things we know not and things we doubt of 2 In judgement not lightly or rashly but weighing all due circumstances Eleazar Gen. 24.3 when Abram swears him not to take a wife of the Canaanites for his son but of his kindred before Eleazar swears he proposes his exceptions viz. What if the woman will not go with me To which Abram answers If the woman be not willing to follow thee thou shalt be free from this mine oath Eccles 5.2 Be not rash with thy mouth and let not thy heart be hasty to utter any thing before God None must swear save those who have judgement to discern what an oath is 3 In righteousness That you affirm nothing against conscience neither for malice nor favour as those sons of Belial did against Naboth who swore That Naboth blasphemed God and the King 1 Kin. 21.13 This property of an oath excludes all swearing for custome as many do that are chosen into publick places and are chosen into societies who swear not because they mean to keep their oaths but because else they cannot be enfranchised 2 Reprehension of prophane swearing which is so common for this sin God hath a controversie Hos 4.1 Lands mourn Jer. 23.10 and the sinner becomes guilty Exo. 20. Obj. But if I swear not men will not believe me Answ They would sooner believe thee if thou forbarest it He that hears thee make no conscience of swearing will think thou makes no conscience of lying besides better be suspected of men then condemned of God and conscience Obj. It 's a foolish custome I have got Answ This renders thee so much more guilty that it 's thy custome if a thief or murtherer at the bar should plead that it hath been his custome to thieve and murther would not this make him more guilty Object My oaths are small as by my faith and troth Answ Consider against what a great majesty they are committed If any sin seem little let hell fire seem great To use faith and truth cannot be less then an appearance of evill Object But I swear by a good thing Answ The goodness of a good thing aggravates the offence when abused as we see in wine and beer when abused to drunkenness Object All the country use it Answ We must not follow a multitude to do evil Exod. 23.2 the sinfulness of multitudes brought the flood upon the old World and fire upon Sodome Remedies against prophane swearing 1 Beware in those cases where men are apt to swear amiss as to gratifie a friend or to be revenged of an enemy 2 Use not an oath when the matter can be otherwise determined also if thou be a judge impose not an oath when not necessary nor upon men of no credit who make no conscience of it nor in
feet Now he succours us 1 by letting the soul see that what the soul is assaulted with is nothing else but a temptation 2 By bringing in some promise to stay the soul as Gen. 3.15 The seed of the woman shall break the Serpents head this is as an anchor and cable in a storme Heb. 6.18 19. 3 By rebuking the tempter Zach. 3.2 The Lord rebuke thee O Satan yea the Lord rebuke thee 4 Comforting the tempted making over some Scripture to stay the soul against the temptation 1 Pet. 5.8 5 By causing the temptation to grow less and less till it be quite gone as in temptations of blasphemy self-murther c. in the children of God 3 Set faith on work to believe that Angels nor principalities cannot sever you from Christ Rom. 8.38 4 Make resistance Jam. 4.6 Resist the Devil and he will flye Were we in a city besieged and knew that relief were near at hand who would not stand it out Satan besieges but our God hath promised to be a present help in trouble 5 Beware in time of temptation of concluding against your souls as if you were not the Lords because tempted who more holy then Christ yet who more tempted Peter tempted Luk. 22.30 Paul tempted 2 Cor. 12.7 Yea these afflictions of temptations are accomplished among all Saints 1 Pet. 5.8 Satan lets many wicked men go without temptation because he hath them sure 6 Make no preparations for temptation neither by running your selves into harmes way nor into wicked company as Peter did in the High Priests Hall nor in time of Satanical temptations to go into places or conditions wherein you may give advantage to the tempter either by being solitary idle or ill imployed Many persons by not acting their graces as faith in the promises and hope in the thing promised give way to temptations 7 Be not discouraged with the length of the temptation for this Satan doth to weary poor souls he shoots his darts again and again hoping in the end to weary us As we see in Christ tempted three several times and yet when all came to all Satan left him not altogether but onely for a season Matth. 4.10 Every temptation is an affliction Gal. 4.14 And in affliction we ought to be humbled but not to be discouraged how long soever it remain upon us Never say My strength and my hope is perished from the Lord. 8 Keep in the compass of your callings for want of this Peter was tempted by a silly maid We may look for protection in the wayes of our calling Psal 91 â—1 Not out of those wayes but in them have the Angels charge to keep us Whereas it is said 1 Joh 5.18 A godly man keepeth himself and the wicked one toucheth him not it s meant either when he is in holy wayes or if he then touch him it is not to a prevailing 9 Consider what Satan by himself and his instruments aimes at in temptations which is the surprizing of our faith when Satan combated so with Job what did he aime at was it Jobs goods nay it was to make an onset on Jobs faith The like he did with Christ Mat. 4. First Satan tempts us to break Gods commands and then tempts the soul to unbelief as if there were no pardon for such a sinner Satan knows if he can overcome our faith he hath taken our armour from us 1 Pet. 5.8 Eph. 6. Hence sometimes he draws souls away from the means of faith if he cannot prevail so far then to question the truth of what is spoken if he cannot prevail to this then he strives to bring souls to put off promises as belonging to others and not to themselves and to take all comfortable places of Scripture from us in an hour of temptation Remember not onely Satan is resisted by our stedfastness in the faith 1 Peter 5.8 but also Christ hath prayed that the Faith of Believers fail not Luke 22.30 31. Faith is that piece of Armour which before all others we should hold Ephes 6.16 Above all taking the Shield of Faith by this Shield we shall hold out against all temptations arising from imperfection of obedience the weight and number of our sins the want of outward things c. Satans temptations are compared to fiery or poysonous Darts whose Poyson lies burning in the flesh till they have destroyed a man if they be not cured even so do Satans temptations as we see in Judas Matth. 27.5 To keep off these Darts we must have a Shield and as they are fiery the Shield of Faith in Christ drawing strength against them from Christ his Death Resurrection and Intercession 10 Labour to discern a temptation to be a temptation and that it is not the true state of thy soul which Satan tells thee he will tell thee thou hast no grace because thy grace doth not grow to a hundred-fold that thy Prayers are not heard because they are not every time evidenced to be heard that thy faith fails because thou hast sometimes intermitted the acts thereof though the habit remain sometimes he pretends to release thee from all thy troubles Satan does as Fowlers who in Frost and Snow shew Meat to the Birds that they may come to their own destruction So Satan endeavours to bring souls out of poverty by injustice and deceit out of trouble of conscience by self-murder out of Prison by denying the Truth or deceitfull distinguishing thereof When a tempted soul can see no way of escape let him shut his eys and answer nothing but commend his cause to God 11 Complain to God against them and pray for patience and power against them If you cannot pray away the suggestion yet strive to pray away the consent and delight Condemned men make not suit to the Jailour but to the Judg so in temptation go not to Satan but to the Lord in whose hand is the entrance the continuance and the issue of the temptation When Satan and his messenger came against Paul he besought the Lord thrice 2 Cor. 12.7 12 Take heed of security sometimes Lusts tempt when we are secure as Lot to drunkenness when gone from Sodom So doth Satan when the Husbandmen slept the Enemy sowed Tares As in civil affairs nothing more exposeth a State to danger than security as we see in the affairs of divers States and Cities so nothing more exposeth the soul to danger than security Security hath overcome them whom the opposition of temptation could not overcome Our whole life is a temptation till we come in Heaven therefore be not secure Travellers are in continual danger to fall into the hands of Thieves therefore not secure so should we While Noah David Peter have through security been so overcome let us fear always Prov. 28.13 Blessed is the man that feareth always It 's yet a day of Battel not of Victory we are yet at Sea not in the Haven 13 Take heed of spiritual pride which is ordinarily cured with a spiritual
of time thou hast lived in them Hosea 8.3 4 Upon what small temptations thou hast committed them 5 That thou hast been instrumental to carry persons to Hell by thine evils Acts 26.11 6 That thou hast caused persons to turn away from the way of truth by thine evils 2 Peter 2.1 2. and caused them to turn to evil by thy example as Jeroboam who made Israel to sin 7 The sore punishments God hath inflicted upon persons for committing such sins as thou hast been guilty of 1 Cor. 10.7 8 9 10 11. Quest But how must we cast out this beam Answ 1 Believe that there 's pardon for great sins in Christ and bathe thy soul in Christ's bloud Do as they that were stung with fiery Serpents John 3.14 1 John 1.7 2 Repent and turn to God with all thy heart Joel 2.12 Let thy repentance appear in the three parts of it 1 Confession 1 John 1.8 2 Humiliation Jerem. 13.17 18. 3 Reformation Hosea 14.2 Take away all iniquity Prov. 28.13 And then thou shalt see clearly to cast out the Mote out of thy Brothers eye See who is to be admonished even a Brother Lev. 19.18 Matth. 18.15 16 17. 1 Cor. 5.11 2 Thess 3.6 whether he be of our own or of another Church if our Brothers Ox or Ass straying are to be brought home by us Deut. 22.1 2 3 4. much more himself yet may others that are not Brethren be reproved because reproof is a kinde of spiritual alms that ought to be given to all as well as bodily alms where there 's hope of amending V. 6. Give not that which is holy to Dogs neither cast ye your Pearls before Swine lest they trample them under their feet and turn again and rend you Clemens Alexandrinus mentions that among the Chaldees Egyptians and Hebrews their Professours were wont to deliver their Precepts in Proverbs and so doth Christ as before so here and elsewhere it is a demonstrative kinde of teaching practised by Solomon Eccles 12.10 In the words two things 1 A Precept Give not that which is holy to Dogs 2 The Reasons 1 Lest they trample them under their feet 2 Lest they turn again and rend you 1 The Precept Give not that which is holy to Dogs Some by Dogs understand Unbelievers as if the Word Baptism and Supper should not be given to them For Baptism and the Supper it appears they ought not to be given as being not converting Ordinances but signs and declaratives of conversion already wrought Were they converting Ordinances they should actively effectively and operatively produce the grace of Regeneration and after a physical manner work upon the soul whereas they work onely in by and through the understanding and therefore must be administred on those believers that have understanding to receive them but for the Word it being Gods means to bring persons from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to Gods Kingdom Acts 18.26 it ought to be offered to all Therefore by Dogs is meant the stubborn and professed Enemies of the Gospel who having formerly been convinced of the truth of it are now apostatized and cease not to rail and persecute that truth Acts 19.9 when divers spake evil of the way of God before the multitude Paul departed from them Others more pertinently restrain that which is holy to admonition whereof he had spoke this ought not to be given to Dogs and Swine of which Prov. 9.8 Reprove not a Scorner lest he hate thee reprove a wise man and he will love thee Prov. 23.9 Speak not in the ears of a fool for he will despise the wisdom of thy words onely we must not forbear the duty of admonition to them that it may do some good to upon this pretence as if they were Dogs or Hogs when we perceive no such thing by them for our hearts are but too backward to perform this duty because we see it so unwelcome to most men By dogs Christ means contradictors and blasphemers against admonition whether publickly in the ministry of the Word as the Jews of Antioch did Acts 13.46 who hereby adjudged themselves unworthy of everlasting life and the Apostles upon their contradiction turned to the Gentiles See Matth. 10.14 15. so did Paul in the like case Act. 19.9 depart into the school of Tyrannus upon the contradiction the Jews made against his doctrine Such were those circumcision teachers whom Paul calls dogs Phil. 3.2 Beware of dogs and perhaps those Rev. 22.15 without are dogs are here meant and also Christ means private admonition Prov. 23.9 When persons shall rage against it the Lord provides for the safety of his servants least for their good will they be rent in pieces by the ungodly By holy things and pearls then Christ means publick and private admonition they are called holy because the persons that give it are holy and because the subject matter even the admonition is holy and because of the end which is the sanctification of souls They are called Pearls for their preciousness and excellency Psal 141.5 Admonition is compared to an excellent Oyl By hogs Christ means they do not contradict but by the uncleanness of their lives they show their contempt of your admonitions It s one thing to tread holy admonitions under our feet as hogs do and those that wallow in their sins and another thing to bite and rend him that reaches holy admonitions to us as dogs do such an one was Crescens the Cynick Philosopher from whom Justin Martyr expected his death As Christ would not have publick and private admonition to be given for their sake so would he not have it altogether kept silent for their sake Of this sort of dogs are many who stir up not onely Magistrates but the common people against the professors of truth because the truth such hold forth is contrary to their profit and praise as we see in Christ and the Apostles The reasons of this are 1 The unprofitableness and unworthiness Your labour will be spent in vain they will trample these precious things under their feet Things that are slighted and counted nothing worth are trod in the mire as pearles c. to them that know not their worth 2 Your own safety they will turn again and rend you they will prepare fire sword prisons and banishment against you and therefore as no man will meddle with a mad Dog for fear he be bit by him so should we beware of such Dogs There are some wicked men though they be not cured yet are they curable to these admonitions may be given but some are incurable to whom they are not to be given And though we are to give a reason of the hope in us to every man yet is it onely to them that ask a reason thereof which Hogs and Dogs do not So that as in the former Verse Christ showes who and what kinde the reprovers should be such as were free from beams or gross evils so here in this
understanding the Word Matth. 13.19 Such were the way-side hearers from whom the wicked one catched away that which was sown Hence preachers must preach words easie to be understood 1 Cor. 14.9 Many seeing see not Matth. 13.15 They have not an eye given them to see an ear to hear nor an heart to understand Deut. 29.4 In order to the Disciples profiting by the word Christ opens their understandings Luk. 24.46 Matth. 13.23 11 Cares of the world and immoderate pursuit of riches choke the Word Matth. 13.22 12 Filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness Jam. 1.19 Lay aside all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness that is all filthiness of soul yea every kind of sin which like so many weeds possesse the field of our hearts hindring both the rise and increase of the good seed It s a Metaphor from husbandmen who gather out of their fields to be sown or already sown all weeds stones and stuff Use Exhortation Labour to hear for thy good Job 5.27 Pity so much of the precious Word of God should fall to the ground That thou mayest be a profitable hearer observe these rules 1 Ponder and weigh the words that are spoken Luk. 2.19 Mary kept all those things which she heard and pondered them in her heart Deut. 11.18 2 Come with a purpose to obey every thing commanded from God Act. 10.33 Else thou art no better then Ezekiels hearers Ezek. 33.31 3 Call over the truths you have heard by repetition that your hearts may not be leaking vessels to let truths slip Heb 2.1 There was a great growth in the families of professours in times past when this was done Deut. 6.6 7. These words which I command thee thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house This would make children and servants be attentive in hearing as being to be called to give account 4 Bring a wakeful spirit and herein be sober in the use of meat and drink drowsy hearts let many precious truths slip away A spirit of slumber in hearing is threatned as a sore judgement Rom. 11.8 God hath given them the spirit of slumber eyes that they should not see and ears that they should not hear Yea it 's a judgement to have the heart made heavy in hearing Esa 6.9 10. Make the heart of this people fat and make their ears heavy 5 Have a love to the preacher 1 Thess 5.12 13. Where prejudice and want of love is what is heard how sound soever is but too much slighted I know there may be degrees of love as there are diversities of gifts and as a ministry is blest to conversion in general and to your conversion in special yet must we have a love to all in order to profit by all Rom. 10.15 How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the Gospel of peace and bring glad tydings of good things and beware we do not admire and prayse one to the dis-respect slighting and contempt of another 1 Cor. 3.21 22. Let no man glory in man for all things are yours whether Paul Apollos or Cephas 6 Come with a desire to be informed so Cornelius Act. 10.33 Carnal men they desire not the knowledge of Gods Laws Job 21.13 14. And this will lye one day heavy upon them that they would not hear Matth. 10.15 7 Hear with attention Luk. 4.20 The eyes of all that were in the Synagogue were fastned upon Christ when he preacht Prov. 4.13 Take fast hold of instruction It was the praise of Lydia that she attended to the things which were spoken by Paul Act. 16.14 The ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the Law when Ezra expounded it Neh. 8.3 See Job 57.2 Prov. 4.1.20 Luk. 19.48 8 Hear with discretion and examine doctrines whether they agree with the Scriptures so the Bereans Act. 17.11 They searched the Scriptures whether those things were so It s no disparagement to the ablest preacher to have his doctrine tryed 1 Thess 5.21 Prove all things hold fast that which is good that is prove all the doctrines spoken by the Prophets of whom he spake ver 20. and whatsoever is agreeing to wholsom doctrine hold that especially when any new doctrines are brought by the preachers which have not been tryed 1 Joh. 4.1 this will make us boldly to stand to the truth both in persecuting times and in time of temptation yea beget a good opinion of the Teacher finding what he speaks to be truly alleged 9 Desire satisfaction in things wherein you are not clear See for this John 16.19 Christs Disciples were desirous to ask him about his Doctrine and he encourages them in it so the Disciples Matth. 13.36 Declare unto us the Parable of the Tares of the field See cap. 19.10 Benefits hereby 1 It would make Preachers very cautelous in what they deliver 2 Tim. 1.15 Jer. 23.28 knowing that their words in comparison of Gods are as Chaff to Wheat where they leave the Word of God Titus 2.8 2 It was no other than was practised by Christ himself Luke 2 46. Christ sate in the midst of the Doctours in the Temple both hearing them and asking them questions 3 It was practised of Christs Disciples to him Matth. 17.10 4 It tends to the clear Information of the hearers being hereby doubts will be cleared up and questions cleared 5 Hereby we may witness against destructive Doctrines if any such shall be delivered and we not be guilty of silent denial of Christ 6 Hereby we shall be guiltless of the seducement of a whole congregation whiles too oft gross errours are swallowed down all being silent 7 As the Preachers lips should preserve knowledg so should they herein seek the Law at his mouth Mal. 2.7 8 For the want of this duty people are apt to go away and mis-report Doctrine Rom. 3.8 Object But if there be such Reply made it will set all the Congregation in a Tumult Answ Such Tumults arise partly from the pride of Teachers who will not have any thing they deliver questioned and yet Christ in his Ministry permitted it partly from the ignorance of rude multitudes who think the examination of Doctrine to be an affront to the Preacher and to the Word which is onely duty 1 John 4.1 partly from the passionateness and pride of Protessours and Church-members who possibly may in a masterly way call in question upon pretence of Liberty the clearest Truth James 3.1 My brethren be not many masters 2 If any such Tumults shall be it 's the duty of Elders to silence it Rules in replying For this Doctrine will through pride c. Be apt to be abused 1 Let it not be in Circumstantials but in Fundamentals either of faith or practise So when Peter walked not with a right foot but dissembled Paul opposed him before all the Church of Antioch Gal. 2.11 14. 2 Let it not be in such points which the Preacher shall cite as doubtfull wherein he
of its own nature holds a man under condemnation and cannot of it self bring any to life 16 The intolerable misery of those who receive not the word it will be more tolerable for Sodom then such Matth. 10.14 15. 1 Pet. 4.17 Such ground as receives seed and brings not forth fruit is nigh to cursing Heb. 6.7 8. 17 Take heed of loathing the Word To this they are tempted who are puft up with the perswasion of their own knowledge contempt of the Word follows loathing and this contempt makes God to take away his Word Luther in his time said heretofore I prefer'd one Psalm well understood before all the wealth of the world but the heaven was then brass and the earth shut up but now the cataracts of heaven are powred out we begin to loath it Luth. Tom. 3.344 V. 27. And the rain descended and the floods came and the windes blew and beat upon that house and it fell and great was the fall of it Christ here showes the wofull condition and punishment of such as build not upon the rock Christ but content themselves with bare hearing without faith and repentance as soon as they come to be assailed with rain floods and windes inward and outward temptations they fall how much more will they fall in judgement Psal 1.6 The wicked shall not stand in the judgement when a fire shall go before him and it shall be very tempestuous round about him Psal 50.1 And it fell Here 's the ruine of those who build upon sandy foundations whether civility self-righteousness great friends large estates professional sanctity self comparisons good meanings moral righteousness such in time of trial fall And great was the fall of it They fall into sin shame and punishment Their fall was great 1 Because it made a great noise as things that fall from high so Professors who profess to draw near to God but do not in truth their fall is heard far and near 2 Because they fall finally and totally Good men sometimes like Nebuchadnezzar fall fearfully but they have a stump in the ground which sprouts forth again Dan. 4.26 The seed of God abides in them 1 John 3.9 But carnal Professors they fall wholly 3 Because the devil will be sure to hold such faster by how much he saw they had well nigh got out of his clutches As a Jaylour will be sure to lay bolts enough upon a prisoner that had well-nigh made an escape Matth. 12.43 44 45. When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man by an outward profession the devil seeks rest there but findes none but when the devil sees such a man is a meer out-side professor then he saith I will return into my house whence I came out then goeth he and taketh with himself seven spirits more wicked then himself and they enter in and dwell there 4 Because they fall into the condemnation of the devil 1 Tim. 3.6 To fall from riches to poverty from honour to disgrace is great but it 's a far greater fall from being lifted up to heaven to fall down to hell as Capernaum did Matth. 11.23 Obs It 's an insufficient foundation for a soul to build upon any thing without Christ it 's onely a sandy foundation 2 Sooner or later men that are unsound must look to be assaulted with temptations Prov. 10.9 He that perverts his wayes shall be known Num. 32.23 But if ye will not do so be sure your sin will finde you out 3 When unsound men are assaulted with temptations then they fall and shew their rottenness as Achan Joas Saul Jehu Ananias and Saphira 4 The fall of professing hypocrites will be a great and a fearful fall If the falls of godly people when they fall onely from the comforts of the Spirit and measures of their graces into decays and discomforts be so fearful how fearfull will their fall be who like the rebellious Angels Having left their first estate are reserved in everlasting chains Jude 6. V. 28 And it came to pass when Jesus had ended these sayings the people were astonished at his doctrine V. 29. For he taught them as one having authority and not as the Scribes Here is the effect of Christ his sermon that the hearers were astonished at his doctrine Doctrine hath sometimes that effect among hearers that are not soul-savingly wrought upon Matth. 13.54 the people were astonished and cried out Whence hath this man this wisedome Is not this the Carpenters son Christ is not compared with the old Prophets whom they had never seen but with the present Scribes the interpreters of the Law whom they heard daily These taught frivolous trifles and vain rites of washing pots and cups and Corban but Christ taught with authority 1 He taught serious things as how to be builded upon a solid foundation when storms came who were blessed persons c. 2 Christ taught by his life as well as by his doctrine It is a long way to holiness by precepts it is short by example As we speak the Gospel so let us live it People loath doctrine when the man that preaches it is wicked people say if it be necessary to live as he saith why doth he not live so himself 3 Christ taught with a mighty zeal and fervor and not coldly such teachers were Elias 1 Kings 19.14 John Baptist Who came in the Spirit and power of Elias Epaphras Col. 4.12 There is in doctrine not onely the light of the Word but the fire of the Word The Word is called a fiery Law Deut. 33.2 John Baptist was a burning and a shining light John 5.35 when he taught the people they cried out What shall we do And so did the souldiers Luke 3.12 13. And so when Peter preached Acts 2.37 the people cried out what shall we do The Word is fire he that delivers it coldly delivers it otherwise then it is Were it not ridiculous when an house were on fire to say Friends we had best get water to quench it or else all our goods will be burnt but when a house is a fire we cry fire fire for the Lords sake bring water bring Ladders Buckets untile the House cut down the Beams c. Here 's the affection of the Word so should a Preacher stir up the people the fire of Gods vengeance is coming oh bring the tears of repentance The affection of the truth must be delivered as well as the body of the truth the Word is compared to fire which is the most piercing element of all 4 The Scribes taught as the interpreters of the Law but Christ as a Prophet sent from heaven as when a Constable comes in the name of the Prince I charge you in the Princes Name so Preachers when they speak to men should speak to their consciences I charge you in the name of the God of heaven that you leave off your pride lying uncleanness c. Preach Christ crucified in a crucified phrase not with wisdome of words lest the
I will arise and will go to my father c. Wicked men think of leaving their formality revenge but are never better they think of hell but consider not it will be their portion 5 It 's no good pulse of soul when the heart is presently tired with good thoughts but never weary with worldly thoughts Rom. 8.5 4 Exh. Rid thy heart of evil thoughts Thou canst not abide a spot upon thy apparel because man beholds it and wilt thou indure spots upon thy heart which God sees I know we cannot keep evil thoughts out of the heart but let them not be quiet there The Mariner cannot hinder water from leaking into the ship yet he may so pump it out that it shall not drown the ship Prov. 30.32 If thou hast thought evil lay thy hand upon thy mouth 6 Grounds of this Exhortation 1 Thoughts must one day be laid open 1 Cor. 4.5 God will make manifest the counsels of the heart Eccl. 12.14 Rom. 2.16 Luke 12.2 2 Holy men will not suffer wicked thoughts to have a quiet lodging in the heart Matth. 5.8 hence called pure in heart because still they labour to purifie themselves 3 Wicked thoughts if not repented of will bring destruction Acts 8.21 Pray God if perhaps the thoughts of thy heart may be forgiven thee for as yet thou art in the gall of bitterness Phil. 3.19 Whose end is destruction who minde earthly things Esai 59.7 4 Wicked thoughts besides their own pollution Intus existens prohihet alienum will keep out good thoughts Pr. 1.22 23. Whiles the scorner loved scorning and the simple one simplicity they could not hear the Lords exhortation saying Turn you at my reproof 5 Evil thoughts allowed or permitted will bring forth evil words Matth. 12.35 An evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth evil things yea and evil actions Hamans cruelty against the Church was first an evil thought Esth 3.5 6 Thou art not yet washed in the blood of Christ if thou suffers vain and wicked thoughts to lodg within thee Jer. 4.14 7 Remedies against wicked thoughts 1 Get thy heart washed in the bloud of Christ that it may be enabled to think good thoughts Acts 15.9 purifying your hearts by faith till the heart be washed evil thoughts come from it Matth. 15.19 2 Be perswaded of Gods knowing thy heart Psal 139.1 2. O Lord thou hast searched me and known me thou understandest my thought afar off Heb. 4.13 All things are anatomized before the eyes of him with whom we have to do Psal 90.8.94.11 Job 31.1 4. 3 Get Gods fear in your hearts this grace is clean Psa 19.9 By this grace Joseph kept himself from filthiness of flesh and spirit Gen. 39.10 and so David Psal 119.11 Thy testimonies have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee fearing the Lord and thinking on his Name are joyned together Mal. 3.16 4 Inure your heart to holy meditation and pray God to help herein Psal 45.1 My heart is inditing of a good matter and forasmuch as the heart will hardly come to this duty pray that the meditation of your hearts may be ever acceptable Psal 19.14 5 Apply the command against wicked thoughts It 's one property of the word that it doth not onely cast down reasonings and every high thing that exalts it self against the knowledge of God but also brings into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ though by thought here I judge the purpose of the heart to be meant seeing not the holiest man living hath every individual thought brought to the obedience of Christ 2 Cor. 10.4 5. however it remains a Truth that the application of the command helps against wicked thoughts Psal 119.113 I hate vain thoughts but I love thy Law Against unclean thoughts apply Matth. 5.28 He that looks upon a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery already in his heart against proud thoughts apply Prov. 16.5.21.4.28.15 6 Use watchfulness against them Deut. 15.9 Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart saying The year of release is at hand and thou give not to thy poor Brother 7 Study good thoughts Phil. 4.8 Whatsoever things are pure holy and of good report think on these things Psal 48.9 Motives to look to the thoughts 1 Thoughts are the declaratives of the soul as the Sun Fire Honey Gold shew by their effects what they are so doth the heart shew what it is by the thoughts When the thoughts are worldly proud and revengefull it argues the heart is such Rom. 8.5 They that are after the flesh minde the things of the flesh The thoughts are the immediate acts of the heart Mark 7.21 From within out of the heart of man proceed evil thoughts We do not judg of a Fountain by the Waters that run from it many Miles off but by the Water that flows immediately therefrom 2 Thoughts are the souls servants as the Centurion said to his Servant Go and he goeth Matth. 8.8 So bid your thoughts think upon grace or sin they will do it Send them a hundred Mile off they will go send them into Heaven they will go and talk with God and Christ by faith and with your selves by reflexion 3 Thoughts are the symptomes of the soul As we know the state of the body by the symptomes so may we know the soul Col. 3.1 2. If ye be risen with Christ seek things above set your affections on things above Rom. 8.5 They that are after the flesh do savour the things of the flesh c. 4 The thoughts are the acts of the soul 1 They are the freest acts a man sometimes speaks not as he would works not as he would but he always thinks as he will now if you would judg of a man judg of him by what he doth freely and not by compulsion Peter though he denied Christ he denied him not in heart therefore the heart shews what it is by the thoughts 2 Thoughts are the continued acts of the soul We are not always praying and reading but we are always thinking that is thy God thou art always thinking on 3 The univocal acts of the heart The univocal act of light is to enlighten the univocal act of a dead carrion is stink so the univocal act of the heart are thoughts if they be proud and unclean so is the heart 5 Thoughts are Gods tribute Prov. 23.26 My son give me thy heart If thy neighbour come for fire thou canst not give it him if thou takest away the heart thereof so thou canst not give God thy heart and withhold thy thoughts 6 Thoughts are a mans companions A man will be carefull what companions he hath you never go out nor in but your companions go along with you nay they will accompany you to another World 7 The Law of Retaliation calls for our thoughts to be for God because he hath so many thoughts toward us Psalm 40.5 Thy thoughts
the very earth with their contagion This was an usual way of abhorrence because Christ speaks of it as of a thing known among the Jews and the Jews were wont to give some outward signs of the things they did as the setting up of a stone or a heap of stones Gen. 31.47 Jos 24.26 8 To denote that God did despise such contemners of grace as a man doth the dust of his feet Also they shewed hereby they were free from their bloud and that their bloud was upon their own heads Now they shook off their dust by rubbing their shoes or sandals one sole against another or rubbing them against some stone or wood it was an allusion to that 1 Kings 13 8. when the Prophet being sent to prophesie against Jeroboam and the Altar of Beth-el was bid to go another way than he came v. 9 10. But because Preachers may be ready to go away hastily from a people when they have not means enough nor reverence enough from them therefore Christ would have Preachers take notice of three sins before they leave a people 1 Unthankfulness if they will not receive the message of salvation 2 Stubbornness if they will not vouchsafe to hear them for if persons will hear we are not hastily to be gone 3 When they shall speak evil of the way of God before multitudes so that by their speaking evil multitudes become hardened against it Acts 19.8 9. Christ will not have the Gospel thrust upon persons against their will V. 15. Verily I say unto you It shall be more tolerable for the Land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the Day of Judgment than for that City Here is a terrible threatening against those who shall not receive the Preachers of the Gospel nor their message It shall be more tolerable for Sodom c. Christ alleges this example which by reason of the nearness to Judea was well known unto them Their punishment was more terrible in this life than Sodom and Gomorrah which were consumed on a sudden but the Jews were consumed by degrees and their punishments have remained long upon them The Ephah of their punishments is set upon its own base or foundation Zach. 5.11 where for their contempt of Christ they have for these sixteen hundred years been made a spectacle of Gods severity Specially these Jews and all other contemners of grace and the Doctrine of Christ shall be punished at the Day of Judgment If there be no escaping for neglect of this salvation Heb. 2.3 How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation what will befall their contempt who say Depart from us we desire not the knowledg of thy ways Job 21.14 If they escaped not who refused him who spake on earth much more shall not we escape if we turn away from him who speaks from Heaven Heb. 12.25 Though other sins sorely offend the Lord 3 Reasons against contempt of grace yet contempt of grace doth exceedingly offend him as being committed 1 Against precious mercy Hence we see how sorely the Jews were punished for their ungratefull contempt Matth. 22.23 who being invited to come to those dainties the King had provided went one to his Farm another to his Merchandise and the remnant took his servants and entreated them spitefully and slew them whereupon the King sent out his Armies of the Romans and slew those Murderers and burnt up their City v. 6 7. and for their contempt the Gentiles were called in in their stead v. 8 9. See also Luke 14.16 to v. 25. How would a Physician be provoked if sending a potion to a sick man the sick man should dash the Vial against the Wall Would not the Physician say Let him die and perish I will send him no more A second reason why God so sore punishes contemners of grace is because they sin against greater light Sodom had not those means of grace the Jews had hence their punishment will be the more grievous He that knew not was beaten with stripes but he that knew and did not was beaten with many stripes Luk. 12.47 48. Now though these Sodomites were sorely punished in this life yet an heavier punishment remains for them at the day of judgement 2 Pet. 2.6 compared with Jude 7. to which the Evangelist primarily hath respect Now these Sodomites had onely the light of nature and the admonitions of Lot The Jews besides the light of Moses had the preachings of the Apostles confirmed with so many miracles 3 There were many sins wrapt up in contempt of grace unbelief disobedience stubbornness inhospitableness We may also note here there are not onely degrees of sins and torments in hell but that contempt of grace is such a sin as might have been shunn'd and that it doth not necessarily follow for then it would not aggravate condemnation as it doth Prov. 1.24 25. Because I have called and ye have refused I will laugh at your destruction Then for that City Not onely a private house but also a whole City contemning grace shall be punished not as if a City should be punished for one mans particular contempt unless they connive justifie defend or some vvay partake therein but to awaken secure sinners vvho because they have multitudes of companions in sin think they shall go free V. 16. Behold I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves be therefore wise as serpents and harmless as doves Christ now comes to give general directions for all Christians and in particular to these twelve whom he sends forth in this temporary embassage to guard them against all fear of danger to the end of the Chapter For though it be here spoken unto the twelve yet Luk. 12.1 to verse 13. Christ spoke it unto his Disciples promiscuously an innumerable multitude being then and there present Now Christ in this part of the Chapter sets forth 1 The dangers his Disciples are and would be exposed to 2 The directions and supportations and consolations against dangers The dangers are 1 The cruelty and subtilty of the enemies of Christians viz. they are wolves and you in the midst of them are in danger as sheep among wolves the direction in this danger that Christians should have serpents wisdome and doves innocency 2 That they should be brought before Kings and Councils for the witness of the truth v. 17 18. The consolation is That the Spirit would teach them in that hour what they ought to speak v. 19 20. 3 That they should be hated of all men in general and of their kinred in special v. 21 22. The consolation is They should be saved in case they hold out unto the end v. 22. 4 Persecution from City v. 23. The comfort is God would provide an harbor for them among the spiritual Israel of God till the coming of Christ v. 23. 2 It befals them no otherwise herein then it did to their Master Christ who was called Beelzebub v. 24 25. 5 The next danger is death whereunto they should