shall gain the whole world and loose his own Soul Or what shall a man give in exchange for his Soul In this Reformation Hezekiah's speed equals his willingness and like a pair of Heisers accustomed to the yoak they draw both together for as it was his first work to have respect to the cleansing of his holy things so it was his care to do it in the first year of his Reign and not late in the year but in the first month of that first year for so saith the Text 2 Chron. 29. 3. He in the first year of his Reign in the first month opened the Doors c. And this is that which I am perswaded is well pleasing to God when men sleep not upon good Resolutions but puts them into present and effectuall practise for no man can call to morrow his Therefore the Counsel of the Spirit of God is good which he hath given by the Wise Man Eccles. 9. 10. Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do do it wich thy might for there is no work nor device nor knowledge nor wisdom in the grave whither thou goest Hezekiah began to Reign when he was five and twenty years old Cha. 29. 1. And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord according to all that David his Father had doue v. 2. And as by Faith Moses when he came to years refused to be called the Son of Pharaoh's Daughter choosing rather to suffer Afflictions with the People of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt because he had respect to the recompence of reward Heb. 11. 24. So Hezekiah being five and twenty years old when he began to Reign refused to walk in the wayes of sin as Ahaz his Father had done but begins with discretion to consider what was well-pleasing to God and therefore he learns to write by a perfect Copy he takes a Man after Gods own heart to be his Pattern though they that hated him without a cause were more than the hairs of his head though his enemies were mighty Psal. 69. 4. though he became a Proverb to many verse 11. and though they that sate in the gates spake against him and though he became a Song to the Drunkards ver. 12. yet these and such reproaches as these shall not frighten him but Hezekiah will do according to all that David his Father had done David we see was no Allower of Drunkenness for the Drnnkards made Songs of him as they do now in this our dayes upon those that desire to walk in the integrity of their hearts before the Lord as David did David opened not a Door to any manner of licenciousness neither doth Hezekiah when he comes to Reign go to the house of laughter but to the house of God he runs not to Hawkings nor Huntings Revellings nor Dancings Riotings nor Banquetings he sets not up nor tollerates Stage-Playes May-games nor Pastimes but comes to a serious consideration what the mind of God was that so he might pleasâ—… him to the Eternal well-being both of himself and those that were under his charge therefere with spéed he opens the Doors of the Lords House and begins to put away the iniquity of his holy things Now know O King that Hezekiah was a good man and went on in his Reformation in Gods way let me therefore beg of thee as thou tenderest thy Souls good to Eternity take him for thy Pattern begin thy Reign as he did his look into thy holy things see what there is amiss there consider the Common-prayer whence it came and whither it tendeth weigh it with its appurtenances in the Ballance of the Sanctuary try it by the Touch-stone of Gods Word see whether it bâ—… not too light of what God would have it to be see also whether the Inventions of Men have not made it too heavy thou canst not be too exact therein for he that doth in his service to God more than what God Commands doth too much and is no better than a Will-worshipper he that doth less than God Commandeth him doth too little Consider also which is the Door of Gods House and open that for Christ himself saith That many false Prophets will arise and shall deceive many and therefore he requireth his Disciples not to go out to them Mat. 24. 24 26. Therefore the opening of any Door will not serve the turn Hezekiah opened the Door of the Lords House Therefore for the Lords sake Consider what thou doest take that Counsel from the Spirit of the Lord which is Recorded in 1 Thes. 5. 21 22. Prove all things and hold fast that which is good and abstain from all appearance of evil Take notice of the Dispensation thou art under and do thy Generation work in Gods way the Church of Christ under the Gospel is not National but Congregational Hezekiah was of the Race of the Jews and a King of Judah it was Hezekiahs work to open the Doors of the Material Temple scituate in Jerusalem where God had under that dispensation promised his presence 1 Kings 9. 3. So that if Hezekiah had opened any other Door he had been a sinner as well as his Father Ahaz who opened another when he shut those Material Doors where the Jews had a Right to Worship as they were in a National Church-Communion upon the due administration of that fleshly Ordinance of Circumcision peremtorily upon the eight day Gen. 17. 12. Under which he that neglected to Circumcise his Male Infant upon the eighth day did it too late and after Gods time and that Infant was to be cut off from the People V. 14. and he that did it before the eighth day did it too soon and before Gods time and so became a transgressor We usually say in our common Proverb that it is dangerous jesting with â—…ged tools so may I safely say it is a dangerous thing to cross the design of God it is a desperate design to undertake to open that which God hath shut or to shut that which God hath opened God hath shut the Doors of a National Church then let men fear to open it and God hath opened the Door of a Congregational Church let Souls tremble at the thought of shutting it for so saith the Lord Christ John 4. 21 22 23. Believe me saith he the hour cometh when ye shall neither in this Mountain nor yet in Jerusalem Worship the Father ye Worship ye know not what We know what we Worship for Salvation is of the Jewes but the hour cometh and now is when the true Worshippers shall Worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth And saith Peter Now I perceive of a truth that God is no Respecter of persons but in every Nation he that feareth him and worketh Righteousness is accepted of him Acts 10. 34 35. So that Church-fellowship and Son-ship with God is entailed upon persons under the Gospel not upon the account
one as my self that so thou mightest give to Caesar onely the things that are Caesars and to God the things that are Gods And Reader consider with thy self that if the Lord Christ reproved him that said to him good Master saying Why callest thou me good There is none good but One even God Luke 18. 19. Even so do I say to my self Why should I dare to call the greatest of Men most Sacred When it is an Attribâ—…te that properly and peculiarly belongs to God himself and was never given to Man by God and to me it seems to be one of those names of Blasphemy upon the seven Heads of the Beast Rev. 13. 2. and no better than a flattering Title The which with another of the Kings Titles had I but the priviledge of his Ear but one little pittance of time I question not but by Divine assistance I should so discover the unlawfulness thereof as that he would himself refuse to own them And for me to flatter him or any man else I dare not for these Reasons First Lest thereby I bring my self and mine under the Sin-revenging-hand of God And Secondly Lest I thereby ensnare others First Least I endanger my self and mine Because if Jobs words be true who saith That he knoweth not to give flattering Titles if I so do my Maker saith he would soon take me away Job 32. 21 22. And should I be found so doing God would no more excuse me thaâ—… him for saith the Prophet David Psa. 12. 3. The Lord will cut off all flattering lips and the tongue that speaketh proud things and also saith that upright man Job He that speaketh flattery to his Friend even the eyes of his Children shall fail Job 19. 5. So that as I tender the good of my self and mine I dare not do it And secondly I dare not do it lest I endanger others for a man that flattereth his Neighbour spreadeth a Net for his feet saith the wisest of men Prov 29. 5. for saith he A flattering mouth worketh ruine Prov. 26. 28. And this is that which was the destruction of King Herod Act. 12. 21. for saith the Text On a set day Herod arrayed in Royal apparel sate upon his Throne and made an Oration unto his Subjects who upon the hearing thereof began to flatter him for saith the Text The People gave a shout saying It is the voyce of a God and not of a Man and immediatly the Angel of the Lord smote him because he gave not God the Glory and he was eaten of Worms and gave up the Ghost had not his subjects given him that flattering Applause he had not robbed God of his Glory and so the Angel had not smitten him So that in this I question not but I shall evidence my love to the King more than they that so flatter him Therefore this shall be my Resolution the Lord assisting me to continue treading in the footsteps of the Flock of God gone before and shall conclude with my self and say with that Queen Hester 4. 16. And if therein I perish I perish for I had rather suffer by man in obedience to my God than by the Sin-revenging hand of God to be cut off in his displeasure And thus Reader having given thee an account of my manner of Speech to the King which is none other than what he Popple of God in former Ages used both under the Law and under this Gospel Dispensation I shall take my leave and desiring the Lord to set it home upon thy heart and that it may be satisfactory to thee that so thou mayest not have a prejudice in thy spirit against him who desireth to do nothing either in word or Action but what may tend to the Glory of God the good of his own Soul and the enlightning of those with whom he doth Converse who shall be ready in Christian love to give thee a Verbal satisfaction to any thing that in this Discourse may be thy dissatisfaction And to remain thy Friend therein to serve thee HENRY ADIS. A Fannaticks Mite Cast into the KINGS TREASURY 2 Chron. 32. 25. But Hezekiah rendred not again according to the benefits bestowed upon him but his heart was lifted up Therefore there was wrath upon him and upon Judah and Jerusalem THESE Words themselves have a Dependancy upon the Story going before and are no other but a Declaration or Manifestation of the Kings unthankfuluess to God for his Mercies bestowed and of the sad Consequences thereof But Hezekiah rendred not again according to the Benefits bestowed upon him but his heart was lifted up Therefore there was wrath upon him and upon Judah and Jerusalem Had this Discourse been spoken as it is now written to thee O King many distinctions might have been made and several and remarkable Observations hinted at which might have been very useful if diligently minded and as effectually put into practise some of which for brevity sake I shall here omit and shall first run over the Story that occasioned the Spirit of God to lay down these words and therein briefly hint at some things I shall judge useful and then in the strength of the same Spirit come to the handling of the woâ—…ds themselves Good Hezekiah after the death of his Father King Ahaz began his Reign as we may read 2 Chron. 28. 27. who had set his Son so 〈◊〉 a Copy that in truth he could not write after it without blotting And therefore he leaves the steps of his Father and walks in the pathes of David and some others of his Fore-fathers For Ahaz his Father Reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem but he did not that which was right in the sight of the Lord like David his Father Chap. 28. 1. for he walked in the wayes of the Kings of Israel which were the wayes of Jeroboam the Son of Nebat who made Israel to sin And also or over and above their abominations he made molten Images to Balaam v. 2. And burned Incense in the valley of the son of Hinnom and burned his Children in the fire after the manner of the Heathen v. 3. He Sacrificed also â—… and burned Incense in the high Places and under every green Tree v. 4. For which mis-actings 〈◊〉 God delivered him into the hands of the Kings of Syriahâ—…and into the hands of the Kings of Israel who smote him with great slaughter v. 5. Whence we may note That when Kings Rulers or Governours Act contrary to the mind of God God raiseth up Adversaries against them as once he did against Solomon 1 Kings 11. 14. And as Ahaz continues his mis-actings so God encreaseth his Adversaries for the Edomites also came and smote Judah and carried away Captives v. 17. Yet for all this Ahaz returned not to bim that smote him Therefore the Philistines also had invaded the Cities of the Low-Countreyes and had taken several Towns and Villages and came and dwelt in his Land vers. 18. Whereupon Ahaz sends out for help to suppress
on to perfect what he hath begun but if Thou and thy People and in especial this proud Prodigal vain-glorious and most voluptuous City that hath all this while sate as a Queen and known no sorrow shall not answer God in his Expectations then be it known to thee and them that God will repent him of the good he intended both to thée and them and as he overturned thy Father and those that overturned him and hath been for some considerable time overturning overturning overturning in this Land of thy Nativity so know O King that he is as able to overturn thée as them without thou and they make to him suitable Returns for of a truth God is no respecter of Persons but in every Nation he that feareth him and worketh Righteousness is accepted of him Acts 10. 34 35. Therefore in Gods fear consider thy Actings But to proceed King Hezekiah prayes and God heals And thus whilst the Sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord the Prayer of the upright is his delight Prov. 15. 8. And Hezekiah turned his face to the Wall and said Remember I beseech thee O Lord how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart c. He onely is likely to thrive at the Throne of Grace who in his appeals to God can plead the uprightness of his heart and the sincerity of his Soul and whilst some are questioning how God doth know and whether there be Knowledge in the Most High Psal. 73. 11. Hezekiah is earnestly begging the Searcher of all hearts before whose eyes all things are naked and open to remember the Actings of his former dayes Happy it is with thy Soul that in his sickness can plead with God the good Actions of his health Thus whilst Hezekiah is praying to the Lord the Lord shews himself to be what in the Scriptures of Truth he is Recorded to be even a God hearing Prayers Psal. 65. 2. And Hezekiah must experience him to be such a one For saith the Lord Go tell Hezekiah the Captain of my People I have heard his Prayers I have seen his Tears God is a tender-hearted God and when his People are moved to passion upon a right account he then shews himself a compassionate God to them and this he did to Israel of old when they were in Egypt under their hard Task-masters for the Lord said I have surely seen the affliction of my People which are in Egypt and have heard their cry by reason of their Task-masters for I know their sorrows and I am come down to deliver them Exod. 3. 7 8. God is not onely said to hear the Prayers and see the Tears of Hezekiah but he is as ready to help for so is his Promise Psal. 50. 15. Call upon me in the day of trouble I will deliver thee and thou shalt glorifie me A good refuge for all Gods People to flie to in time of distress And here note God doth not onely raise Hezekiah from his Bed of sickness but he also promiseth to adde fifteen years to his dayes Thus he giveth power to the faint and to them that have no might he encreaseth strength even the youth shall faint and be weary and young men shall utterly fail but they that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength they shall mount up with wings of an Eagle they shall run and not be weary they shall walk and not be faint Isai. 40. 31. And seeing it is so then O King be perswaded to wait upon God that so it may be a lengthening out of thy Tranquility question with thine own Soul whether God hath not added to thy dayes remember with thankfulness the Hollow Oak with all Gods Transactions towards thee in that juncture of time when an Arm of flesh failed thee at Worcester not forgetting thy safe Passage in that little Vessel that Rides in thy constant view and when thou lookest on that suffer me to be thy Remembrancer to perswade thee that with thankfulness of heart thou remember whence thy Deliverance came and that thou give to God a suitable return for that I am confident God expects from thee and withall seriously to consider the sad Consequences of Ingratitude For Hezekiah rendred not again according to the Benefits bestowed upon him but his heart was lifted up therefore wrath was upon him and upon Judah and Jerusalem God doth not onely promise to heal Hezekiah and to add fifteen years to his dayes but further he giveth him according to his own request a Sign and such an one the like of which neither before nor since was known for most miraculously he alters the course of the Heavens for the Sun who like a Bridegroom coming out of the Chamber and rejoyceth as a strong man to run a Race Psal. 19. 5. is by the great Power of God called back again fifteen Degrees Whence we may take notice of the great Condescention of the great God for the satisfying his faithful ones And this was his dealing with Gideon Judges 6. who requires a Sign that the Angel talked with him v. 20. And the Angel put forth the end of his Staff that was in his hand and touched the flesh and the unleavened cakes that Gideon had provided and there arose fire out of the Rock and consumed them And again when Gideon by Gods Appointment was to relieve Israel from the hands of the Midianites Amalekites and the Children of the East that were gathered together in the Valley of Jezrecl Judges 6. 33. Gideon requires a Sign if God would deliver Israel by his hands ver. 36. And Gideon also propounds his own satisfaction Behold saith he v. 37. I will put a Fleece of Wool in the Floor and if the Dew be on the Fleece onely and it be dry upon all the Earth besides then shall I know that thou wilt save Israel by my hand as thou hast said and saith the Text It was so v. 38. For he rose up early in the morning and thrust the Fleece together and wringed out of the Fleece a Bowl full of water Yet this will not fully satisfie Gideon but he must come to the Lord as once Abraham did when he petitioned for Sodom Gen. 18. with an once more for Gideon said unto God Let not thine anger be hot against me I will speak but this once let me prove I pray thee but this once with the Fleece let it now be dry onely upon the Fléece and upon all the ground let there be Dew And God did so that night for it was wet upon all the ground It is good then for Sâ—…ls to be single-hearted to God that God may be satisfactory to them Thus having particularly discovered the manner of Gods merciful dealings towards Hezekiah I shall now come to the words of my Text wherein is briefly discovered Hezekiah's unthankful behaviour to God But Hezekiah rendred not again according to the Benefits bestowed upon him but his heart was lifted up therefore