He can't look upon iniquity and not loath it he can't behold iniquity and approve of it or delight in it God has a Soverainty over all your persons and concernments in this world and therefore he may do with you and all that is yours as he pleaseth upon this account you ought to say The Lord is righteous though he hath laid your habitations desolate and burnt up your houses before your eyes It s true God has dealt severely with London but he might have dealt more severely with it he might have burnt up Lam. 3. 22. every house and he might have consumed every inhabitant in Londons flames He might have made good that sad word upon them They shall go from one fire and another fire shall Ezek. 15. 7. devour them The Citâ—zens of London may say with good Ezra God hath punished us less than our iniquities deserve and therefore it highly concerns them to say The Lord is righteous All that God doth is good you know what Hâ—zekiah said 2 Kings 20. 19. Good is the word of the Lord. This was a hard word a sad word that all his treasure should be carried unto Babylon and his Sons also and made Servants there and yet he saith Good is the word of the Lord. What ever God doth is good God in that he is good saith One Luâ—her in Psalm 120. can give nothing do nothing but that which is good others do frequently he cannot possibly Upon this account also it concerns us to say The Lord is righteous though our See more of this in my Mute Chrâ—stiaâ— City be laid desolate 'T is better to be under a fiery Rod than to be wallowing in the mire of sin 'T is better that London should be laid desolate than that God should say England farwell That 's a Christian worth Gold who can seriously heartily and habitually say The Lord is righteous though all our pleasant things are laid desolate I would say the Lord is righteous but by this fiery dispensation Object I am turned out of house and home Now in answer to this Objection give me leave to enquire Answ First Whether your house was dedicated to the Lord by fasting and prayer or not If it were only dedicated to the Deut. 20. 5. service of sin Satan or the world no wonder if the Lord has turned it into a heap But Secondly Give me leave to enquire Whether you had set up Christ and holiness and holy orders in your house or no See Psal 101. Did you in good earnest resolve with Joshua That you and your house would serve the Lord Josh 24. 15. If not no wonder if the Lord has laid your habitations desolate But Thirdly Give me leave to enquire Whether you did labour and endeavour to the utmost of what you were able that Christ might have a Church in your house or no Col. 4. 15. Salute the Brethren which are in Lâ—odicea and Nymphas and the Church which is in his house that is saith Dr. Hammond which meets together in his house 1 Cor. 16. 19. The Churches of Asia salute you Aquila and Priscilla See Dr. Hammoâ—d on this Scripture Vâ—d Bâ—sh Dav Cottoâ— Beza Scultâ—â—us Ambros c. salute you much in the Lord with the Church that is in their house Philemon v. 2. And to our beloved Apphia and Archippus our fellow Souldier and to the Church in thy house Philemons house was a publick meeting-house where the faithful had their Assemblies and so continued for many years after as Theodoret and others witnesseth Some understand this last Scripture of the Church which kept their Assemblies in Philemons house Others understand it of his household which was as a little Church in his house Rom. 16. 5. Likewise greet the Church that is in their house Chrysostome by the Church in their house understands their Christian Family who saith he were so godly as to make their whole house the Church Origen interpreteth it of the faithful and ready Ministry of these servants of the Lord in entertaining of the Saints in their house 3. Theophylact thinketh it to be called the Church in their house because the faithfull were entertained there 4. But beside this it seemeth that their house was a place for the Saints to Assemble in there the Congregation used to come together Martyr 5. The last thing in their praise was that they had a Church in their house either for that their family for their godly order observed in it seemed to be a Church or else for the faithful gathered together in their house to celebrate their Assemblies for they might not have in most places the free use of their Christian Religion through the malice of the Jewes on the one hand and the rage of the Gentiles on the other hand Consult Acts 13. and 14. Wilson In this great City of Rome there were divers Assemblies of Believers which were held in some private mens houses where they might meet safest the state then and some hundred years after not permitting them any publick Temples or Auditories to meet in as our English Annotators observe upon the place In each particular family last cited there was a Church of Christ Now have you burnt Citizens made it your business to erect a Church of Christ in your particular families if so well it is with you though you have lost all If not do'nt wonder that God has laid your houses desolate Adam had a Church in his house so had Abraham and Jacob and Joshuah and David and Cornelius well governed Families may in some sense be well reputed Churches The house of George Prince of Anhalt for the good orders therein observed is said to have been Ecclâ—sia Academia Curia Ah London London it may be there might have been more houses standing within thy Walls than now there is if every particular house had been as a particular Church to Christ As for such houses where there were no exercises of Religion as for such houses where idleness cheating lying cursing swearing slandering gameing drunkenness uncleanness and riotousness were rampant They were rather the Devils Chappel than Christs Church and therefore it was just with God to lay such habitations desolate But Fourthly Give me leave to enquire whether you were friends or enemies to Gods house Now Gods house is his 2 Tim. 2. 20. Num. 12. 7. Josh 1. 2. Church and his Church is his house Heb. 3. 5 6. And Moses verily was faithful in all his house as a servant But Christ as a Son over his own house whose house are we 1 Pet. 2. 5. Ye also as lively stones are built up a spiritual house an holy Priesthood to offer up spiritual Sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ So 1 Tim. 3. 15. That thou maist know how thou oughtest to behave thy self in the house of God which is the Church of the living God the pillar and ground of the truth Prov. 9. 1. Wisdom hath builded her house she
hath hewen out her seven pillars Wisdom 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 chakmoth the Hebrew word is Plural wisdoms Wisdoms hath built her a house By Wisdoms some understand the Trinity of persons but most Col. 2. 3. conclude that by wisdoms is meant our Lord Jesus Christ in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge The word is Plural for honour sake As Princes write we command the Lord Jesus Christ is said to be Wisdoms in the Plural number to note that he is the soveraign and supream wisdom and that he is instead of all wisdoms and comprehends all wisdoms in himself all the world being â—ools in comparison of him Wisdoms hath built her a house 1. Some take this house to be the Humane nature of Christ but that was not then built 2. Others understand it of the work of Grace in mans soul but this Gal. 5. 22 23. the Spirit commonly works in this house by the Ministry of the word 3. Others by this house understand Heaven that upper house that house of State in which Christ saith there are many Mansions but this can't because the house in the Text is such a house to which Wisdom doth immediately invite and call all her guests But 4. and lastly Others by house understand the Church of Christ on earth for the Church Militant is a house built up of many lively stones 1 Pet. 2. 5. and with these I close Now by these Scriptures it is very plain that Gods house is his Church and his Church his house Now if you were enemies to Gods house if you hated his house and designed and endeavoured to pull down his house no wonder that the Lord has laid your Mat. 23. 37 38. Zech. 12. 2 3 6 9. houses desolate Such who cry out concerning his house rase it rase it even to the foundation thereof Psal 137. 7. may one day want a house to live in It is observable that in private houses Christ his Apostles and particular Churches and Primitive Christians frequently used to meet when the times were dangerous Joh. 20. 19. Then the same day at evening being the first day of the week Luke 24. 33. when the doors were shut where the Disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews came Jesus and stood in the midst and saith unto them Peace be unto you Verse 26. And after eight dayes again his Disciples were within and Thomas with them then came Jesus the doors being shut and stood in the midst and said Peace be unto you This was the usual manner of salutation among the Jews whereby they wâ—shâ—d one another all happiness and prosperity The doors of the room where they were together were shut for the more secrecy and security to avoid danger from the Jews saith Dâ— Hammond on the words Acts 1. 13 14. And when they were come in they went See the Dutch Annotations up into an upper room where abode both Peter and James and John and Andrew Philip and Thomas Bartholomew and Matthew James the Son of Alpheus and Simon Zâ—lotes and Judas the brother of James These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication with the women and Mary thâ— Mother of Jesus and with his brethren Acts 20. 7. And upon the first day of the week when the Disciples came together tâ— break bread Paul preached unto them ready to depart on thâ— morrow and continued his speech until midnight Verse 8. And See the Dutch Annotations and Diodation on Acts 20. 7 8 9 10 11 12. here were many lights Gr. many Lamps in the upper chamber whither they were gathered together Verse 9. And there sate in a window a certain young man named Eutychus being fallen into a deep sleep and as Paul was long preaching he sunk down with sleep and fell down from the third loft and was taken up dead Verse 10. And Paul went down and fell on him and embracing him said trouble not your selves for his life is in him Verse 11. When he therefore was come up again and had broken bread and eaten and talked along while even till break of day so he departed Verse 12. And they brought the young man alive and were not a little comforted Acts 5. 42. And daily in the Temple and in every house they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ Acts 12. 12. And when he had considered the See Dr. Hammond on the words the English Annotations things he came to the house of Mary the Mother of John whose surname was Mark where many were gathered together praying or where many thronged to pray as it runs in the Original Acts 20. 20. And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you but have shewed you and have taught you publickly and from house to house Acts 28. 30 31. And Paul Vide Dr. Hammond of Acts 28. 30 31. dwelt two whole years in his own hired house and received all that came in unto him Preaching the Kingdom of God and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence no man forbidding him Luke 10. 38 39. Now it came to pass as they went that he entered into a certain Village and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house And she had a sister called Mary which also sate at Jesus feet and heard his word Beloved by these Scriptures â—is most evident and clear that our Lord Jesus Christ and his Disciples and Apostles and those Christians that lived in their times did frequently meet in private houses and there performed acts of publick Worship viz. such as preaching hearing praying breaking of bread c. How the primitive Christians in those hot times of persecution met in the nights and in woods and houses and obscure places they best understand who have râ—ad the writings of Tertullian Cyprian Chrysostome Theodoret Austin Eusebius Justin Martyr Pliny c. But this to some being an unpleasing Theam I shall not enlarge my self upon it Only remember this that there was never yet any Town City oâ— Country Kingdom or Common-wealth that did ever fare the worse for an holy praying people Frequent and fervent prayer be it in publick or in private in a Synagogue or in an upper Room never did Jam. 5. 17 18. nor never will bring misery or mischief upon those places where such exercises are kept up Such Conventicles of good fellowship as some call them where there is nothing but swearing and cursing and carousing and gaming and all manner of filthiness and prophaneness are the only Conventicles that bring desolating Judgements upon Princes People and Nations as is most evident throughout the Scriptures Take two texts for all 1 Sam. 12. 25. But if ye shall still do wickedly ye shall be consumed both ye and your Kings When Several hundred Scriptures might be produced to make good the Assertion Remember what one Achan did and what one Manasseh did 2 Kings 21. 11
Maâ—k 16. 11. And Secondly There was a place where the Priests executed their Ministry which was holier than that that the people stood in and is therefore called the Holy Place Lev. 16. 30. And Thirdly There was a place which the High Priest might only enter into and that but once a year anâ— that is called the Holy of Holies the holiest place of all Heb. 9. 3. But now since the death of Christ there is no place in the world that is holier than other The prayer of faith is as powerful and as prevalent with God in one place as in another Paul describes the faithful to be such as call upon 1 Cor. 1. 2. 1 Tim. 2. 8. Matth. 18. 20. God in every place And I will saith he that men pray every where And where two or three saith Christ are gathered together in my name there am I in the midst of them That every place should be free for the people of God to worship the Lord in was foretold by the Prophets as a singular privâ—lâ—dge that should come to the Church in the dayes of the Gospel Zeph. 2. 11 And men shall worship him every one from his place even all the Isles of the Heathen That is all Countâ—â—ys though not encompassed with the Sea for the Jews â—aâ—lâ—d â—ll Lâ—â—ds Islands whither they could not come but by Waâ—â—r Mâ—n should worship not only at Jerusalem as oâ—â—â— but in all plâ—ces They should lift up pure hands and hearts without wrath or doubting both in Church and 1 Tim. 2. 8. Chamber any place whatsoever shall be a sufficient Oratory so that God be worshipped in Spirit and in truth Mal. 1. 11. For from the rising of the Sun even to the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles and in every place not in Judaea only incense shall be offered unto my name Here thâ— Prophet frames his words to the capacity of the peoâ—le and by the Altar and Sacrifices he meaneth the spiritual service of God which should be under the Gospel when an end shall be put to all these Legal Ceremonies by Christs only Sacrifice and a pure offering for my name shall be great among the Heathen saith the Lord of Hosts The poor blâ—nd bâ—sotted Jews thought that God was so tyâ—d to them that if they did not worshâ—p him at Jerusalem he would have no service nor worship in the world But God tâ—lls them that they were under a very high mistake for he would take care of his own name and glory For from the rising of the Sun even to the going down of the same my name shall be great that is the knowledge of it and of the right worship of it among the Gentiles this is an excellent Prophesie of the cutting off the Gentiles and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name My Worship saith God shall not be confined to Judaeâ— or Jerusalem See Isa 66. 19 20. Chap. 60. 8. and Chap. 19. 19. or the Temple but in every place I will have a people that shall worship me and that shall be still offering of prayers and praises and thanksgivings to me Christ by his death hath taken away all difference of places And indeed it was but necessary that when the body was come the shadow should cease Yea since Christs death all difference of persons is taken away For in every Nation under heaven such Act. 10. 34 35. Gal. 3. 28. as fear God and work righteousness are accepted of him There is neither Jew nor Greek there is neither bend nor free there is neither male nor female for ye are all one in Christ Jesus And therefore all difference of places must needs also be taken away for this difference of places was as a partition wall between the Jews and the Gentiles Now mark since the Ephes 2. 14 15. destruction of the Temple and City of Jerusalem the Lord hath not sanctified any other place in the world or consecrated it to a more holy use than the rest and it is only Gods institution and word that can make any thing or any 1 Tim. 4 4 5. place holy Nothing can make any place or any thing else holy but the Ordinance and institution of God It is Judaisme it is a denying of Christ to be come in the flesh to hold or affirm that one place is holier than another I know the Papists put more holiness in some placâ—s than thâ—y do in others for they hold that it is more advantagioâ—s 〈◊〉 the dead to be buried in the Church-yard than out of it And in the Church more than in the Church-yard and in Chancel more than in the Church and nâ—ar the high Alâ—ar more than in any other place of the Câ—ancel and all out of a superstitious conceit that these places are consecrated and hallowed that they are holier then other places are But Christians that live undâ—r a bright shining Gospel understand the folly and vanity of these mens spirits principles and practices Such as are wise in heart know that since Christ by his death hath taken away all religious difference of places England is as holy as Canaan and London as Jerusalem and our houses as the Temple Ne. 12 27 28. Psal 30. Title A Psalm aâ—d Soâ—g at the Dâ—dication of the housâ— of David While the Ark brought the Plague every one was glad to be rid of it but when it brought a blessing to Obed-Edom they looked upon it as worthy of entertainment Many will own a blessing Ark a prosperous truth but he is an Obâ—d-Edom indeed that will own a persecuted tossed banished Ark. Under the Law they were wont to dedicate their houses and consecrate them to God before they dwelt in them Deut. 20. 5. And the Officers shall speak unto the people saying what man is there that hath built a new house and hath not dedicated it by Prayers Hymns and other holy solemnities let him go and return to his house lest he dye in the battel and another man dedicate it Now thouâ—h this were done in those times with sundry ceremonies which are now abolished yet the equity of the duty still remains And doubtless the best way for a man to bring down a blessing upon himself and his house is to dedicate himself and his house to God 2 Sam. 6. 11. And the Ark of the Lord continued in the house of Obed-Edom the Hittite three moneths and the Lord blessed Obed-Edom and all his houshold Versâ— 12. And it was told King David saying the Lord hath hlessed the hâ—use of Obed-edom and all that pertaineth to him because of the Ark of God In this Scripture you see that when men do any thing to the advancement of Religion or to the furtherance of Gods Worship and Service he takes it kindly at their hands The meanest service that is done to Christ or his Church hath a Patent of eternity Again in this Scripture you may run