is an absolute necessity of Baptisme to saluation Whereas Circumcision in the time of the law was to bee done on the eight day Now it is like that many Infants dyed before which to imagine must therefore needs be damned were an opinion most vncharitable most absurd And hence came in that practise of Baptizing of Infants by Midwiues because they heeld an absolute necessity of the same to saluation An opinion that first came from Rome who hold this Sacrament so necessary that they haue Baptised an Infant euen in the Mothers wombe as my selfe haue heard a deuout Papist affirme But now for the Eunuch it was expedient that hee should at this time be Baptised First in regard he had now the ministery of Philip which he was shortly to part withall and to see no more And none more fit for the administration of this sacred rite then he that by his ministery had so prepared the man therevnto Secondly in regard of his cuntry whereto he went which was Idolatrous and no whit acquainted with the seruice of the true God where hee could not expect the celebration of the same with the like frute and comfort as at this time And as for the place this might seem strange likewise that it shold be done by the way side had it not beene better that they had both repaired to some Synagogue or Temple or to some other consecrated place where the seruice and worship of God was now erected it might seem strange that Philip should thus giue way to his desire considering they were now on their iourney and had not a place that was appointed for the celebration of this so sacred an ordinance But this may likewise bee answerd thus That it was not the place that could either adde to or detract from the validitie of this Sacrament or make the same the more or lesse effectuall In regard that all Religious difference of places is taken away since the Death of our blessed Sauiour So as no one place is more holy then another So that the Instruction will bee this Doct. No place since the death of Christ more holy then another That howsoeuer before Christs death some places were more holy then others yet now all Religious difference is taken away It is true the time was when Ierusalem was the place of Gods worship and seruice whereof it was said My eyes shall bee open and my eares shall bee attentiue to the prayer made in this place 2 Cro. 7.15 And againe I haue chosen and Sanctified this place Verse 16 that my name may be there for euer and mine eyes my hart shall bee there perpetually And was therefore called the holy City Mat. 4. and the holy Temple Psal 5.8 Principally in regard of the Law and Testimonies that were there But now since the Death of Christ euery Citie is Ierusalem euery Church is the Temple yea the Lord is neere vnto all that call vpon him in Spirit and truth This is cleare by that of our Sauiour vnto the woman of Samaria Woman beleeue me Ioh. 4.21 the hour cometh when ye shall neither in this Mountaine Vers 23 nor yet at Ierusalem worship the Father But the houre cometh and now is when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in Spirit and in truth Prayer is now auailable in one place as in another 1 Cor. 1 2. The Apostle describes the Faithfull to be such as in euery place call vpon the name of the Lord Iesus Euen so I will saith the Apostle That men pray euery where 1 Tim 2 8. lifting vp pure hands without wrath and doubting Yea our Sauiour wills vs To enter into our Chamber to pray in secret Maâ— 6.6 with this promise That our Father which seeth in secret will reward vs openly And the promise is where two or three bee gathered together in my Name Mat. 18.20 there am I in the middest of them Now the reasons will make it more cleare Reas 1 First Since Christs death all difference of persons is taken away There is neither Iew nor Grecian bond nor free male nor female for ye are all one in Christ and therefore all difference of places must needs be taken away Reas 2 Secondly because Ierusalem which was the place of Gods worship is now defaced the Temple destroyed according to that prophecie that went before I will make this place as Silo and this City a curse to all the Inhabitants of the earth â—er 26.9 Which thing so came to passe about fourty yeares after the death of our blessed Sauiour since which time there is no one place that hath had the same promises or the same priuiledges Reas 3 Thirdly what was it that made Ierusalem the holy City more then any other City but the word and Oracles of God which it is true they had amongst them these being for the sinnes of that Nation and people remoued the same word and institution of Christ can make any other place as holy â— Tâ—m 4 3. Aâ— things are sanctified by the word and prayer Vse 1 This shewes then the grosse superstition of the Church of Rome that are wonderfull superstitious in this in plâ—eing holinesse in some one place more then another In some Churches by reason of some reliques of some Saints there more then other as our Ladies Church of Loretto our Lady of Walsingam c. which to hold and to maintaine is grosse superstition nay more it is a flat deniall of Christ to be come in the flesh to hold one place to be more holy then another since his death Vse 2 Secondly this may teach vs to make a holy vse of our priuiledge through Christ herein by setting vp the seruice and worship of God in our particular familie that so the same may bee so many Churches to God We are not now in the time of the Gospell to trauell a long and tedious iourney as the Iewes to Ierusalem there to worship God neither are our seruices so costly as their sacrifices were in the time of the Law What manner of persons ought we then to be and how conuersant daily in holy duties that are thus priuiledged aboue them This was the great commendations of Nymphas Col. 4.15 Phil. 2. and Philemon that their seuerall houses were seuerall Churches vnto God How did the Lord blesse the house of Obed-Edom while the Arke of the Lord was in the same whilest such houses and families lye vnder Gods curse and are no better then cages of vncleane beasts that haue not the word nor prayer amongst them Ier. 10.25 Poure out thy fury O Lord vpon the heathen that haue not knowne thee and vpon those families that haue not called vpon thy Name And he baptised him The manner was as it seemeth in those dayes to dip the whole body in the water for so the word signifieth to drowne or to be put vnder the water Wherein indeed diuers excellent mysteries
THE ETHIOPIAN EVNVCHS CONVERSION OR The summe of thirtie Sermons vpon part of the eight Chapter of the Acts. By SAMVEL SMITH Minister of the Word LONDON Printed by Thomas Harper for Thomas Alchorne and are to be sold at his shop in Pauls Church-yard at the signe of the Greene Dragon 1632. TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFVLL Sir RICHARD NEWPORT Knight one of his Maiesties Iustices of the Peace for the County of Salop Grace mercy and peace be multiplyed Right worshipfull THe whole bodie of Theologie may well bee rendered into these two heads The knowledge of God and of our selues the latter consists principally in the knowledge first of a mans naturall misery secondly of his selfe-insufficiencie to come out thereof And thirdly the All-sufficiencie that is in Christ And all sound preaching that aymes at the conuersion of hearers must ayme at these things as most necessarily to be knowne to life and saluation The Subiect matter of the ensuing History of the Eunuchs Conuersion is excellent to this purpose if the workmanship were sutable But herein haue I applyed my selfe to my countrey hearers euer endeuouring that they of the lowest forme might learne something But now as my defects in handling the History haue need to be couered and graced by the countenance of some who is of note and respect in Gods Church So why should I doubt of this fauour from you Sir hauing so constantly heard of your most religious respect vnto our Tribe and loue to the truth Blessed be his Name that hath so engrauen this part of his image vpon you whereby a good euidence is ministred vnto your own heart that you are translated from death to life It is the portion but of a few and therefore you are to esteeme it your greatest honour and your vnperishing riches whereas all earthly greatnesse abstracted from this cannot make you truly happie Theodosius that Noble Emperour was wont to say Magis se gaudere quod Membrum Ecclesiae Dei esset quam Caput Jmperij He accounted it more honour that he was a member of the Church then Head of the Empire Hoc est enim omnis homo Eccl. 12.13 To feare God and keepe his Commandements Continue herein and let your works be more at last then at first I dare promise your conscience more true tranquillity herein and your person more honour then the whole world besides can affoord you And thus humbly crauing pardon for my boldnesse I commend this worke to your reading The Noble Ethiopian to your imitation and your body and soule with all yours to the protection of the Almightie My selfe remaining At your worships seruice SAMVEL SMITH A Short view of such Doctrines as are enlarged with their Reasons and vses in this Booke Doctrines MInisters must discharge their duties notwithstanding all appearance of danger Page 9 Faithfull Ministers most subiect to persecutions Page 13 Good Angels serue for the good of Gods people Page 20 God will teach men by men Page 26 Good Ministers sometimes discouraged when they see not the fruite of their Ministery Page 37 Ministers must bee called before they preach Page 42 Wee must yeeld obedience to Gods Commandement though we see no reason Pag. 48 We are to take speciall notice of the obedience of Gods seruants Pag. 54 It is a rare thing for great men to bee good men Pag. 60 Of all sorts of men God hath some that belong to his kingdom Pag. 70 The Gentiles to be called Pag. 75 The greatnesse of none may exempt them from the performance of holy duties Pag. 77 The publike assemblies of Gods people ought highly to be esteemed and diligently frequented Pag. 87 Catechising a necessary duty Pag. 104 Religious duties ought earnestly to be pursued Pag. 109 A true Christian must bee the same in priuate hee is in publike Pag. 121 In Gods worship we must setch our direction from Gods word Pag. 125 Godly must bee conuersant in the Scripture Pag. 133 Men must diligently reade the Scripture though many things bee therein obscure Pag. 141 God will be found in the vse of the meanes that hee himselfe hath appointed Pag. 149 Ministers must still haue a calling for that they doe Pag. 154 God hath a seasonable time to speak to his people Pag. 163 A great mercy of God to send a faithfull Minister vnto a people Pag. 168 God giues things not onely for necessity but for ornament and delight Pag. 176 God loues cheerfulnesse in his service Pag. 185 Truth of Gods word not to be measured by outward appearaÌ„ce Pag. 193 Ministers to instruct in priuate as preach in publike Pag. 198 Holy duties must bee performed with vnderstanding Pag. 205 Signe of a gratious heart to confesse ones ignorance Pag. 211 Humilitie an excellent ornament in a Christian Pag. 217 Men by nature vnderstaÌ„d nothing in the Sâ—â—â—ptures Pag. 224 Without preaching of the word impossible truly to know Christ Pag. 233 We must not only see our ignorance but labour to come out of it Pag. 242 Great men must be great Professors Pag. 253 Christians ought to bee dayly conversant in the Scriptures Pag. 254 Christ the true sacrifice for sin Pag. 262 A dangerous sin for man to bee Instrument of his owne death Pag. 278 Christ went willingly to death Pag. 289 No other way to purchase life to the Church but through Christs death Pag. 301 As Christs death is cause of mourning his resurrection is cause of reioycing Pag. 334 Godly must through afflictions enter into glory Pag. 337 Christs death momentany but his life perpetuall Pag. 361 Heauenly truths are hardly beleeved and applied by vs. Pag. 366 In all straights goe to Gods Ministers for direction Pag. 378 True knowledge of God comes not by nature Pag. 378 Gods word must bee handled with all reuerence Pag. 384 Ministers must choose special texts on speciall occasions Pag. 393 Christ the subiect matter of true preaching Pag. 397 End of the preaching is to bring mâ—â—â—â— Christ Pag. 405 Time 〈◊〉 to be well spent Pag. 411 God neuer wanteth meanes for the good of his seruants Pag. 414 Gods will once knowne must be obeyed Pag. 419 Hartie Christians must be harty in their profession Pag. 421 Ministers must first instruct their people before they administer the Sacrament vnto them Pag. 433 Faith necessary to the due participation of the Sacraments of the Church Pag. 438 No perfection of Faith here Pag. 451 A beleeuing heart is a sincere heart Pag. 457 A particular Faith necessary to salvation Pag. 469 True Faith hath euer Christ for the obiect of it Pag. 481 All must stoupe to Gods ordinance Pag. 490 No place since the death of Christ more holy then another Pag. 495 The Lord would haue his seruants setled grounded in the truth Pag. 509 Sound Conuersion breeds sound ioy Pag. 514 The calling of a Minister a laborious calling Pag. 537 The Ethiopian EVNVCHS Conuersion ACTS 8.26 27 c. AND the Angell of the Lord spake vnto Philip saying
will satisfie our hungry soules with good things After two dayes he will reuiue vs Hos 6.2 in the third day he will raise vs vp and we shall liue in his sight As he hath promised to feede our hungry soules and heale our wounded consciences so hee will performe his promise and powre in the sweet oyle of the Gospell into them Poore men if they heare of a doale they will waite all the day for it Wee then knowing the truth of Gods promises that hee will certainly heare and answer vs ought we not with patience stay his leisure till he make good his promise Go neare and ioyne thy selfe to this Chariot Text. This being the meanes whereby the Lord would instruct this poore man in the knowledge of Christ and mystery of his saluation and so in consequence to bring him to eternall life We are further taught What a wonderfull mercy Doct. A great mercy of God to send a faithfull Minister vnto a people and high fauour of Almighty God it is to send a Philip to any people towne or perish to any house or family for hereby Christ is preached and made knowne in whose name alone saluation is to be had Such are euer messengers of glad tidings of the newes of pardon and remission of sinnes of grace and mercy to them that truely repent and are the messengers of peace giuing men an admittance into the euerlasting kingdome of his deare Sonne The Lord promised this as a blessing vnto his people I will giue them Pastors after my owne heart Ier. 3.15 And herein indeed did Christ manifest his great care and loue to his Church both before and after his ascention in leauing behinde him a supply of Apostles Euangelists Eph. 4. Pastors and Teachers to continue herein euen vntill his comming againe What a blessing was this vnto the Church of Corinth that Paul should be sent vnto them and to continue there a yeare and a halfe see the blessed fruit thereof God had much people in that place Acts 18.10 Acts 16.14 What a blessing was this vnto Lydia that Paul is sent to her by which meanes her conuersion is wrought God opening her heart How happy was it with the Iaylor to haue such prisoners as Paul and Sylas were Acts 16.26 by which means he became a beleeuer How happy was Zacheus to get a sight of Christ by which meanes Luke 19. saluation came to his house When Christ had preached the Word in Samaria the Text saith Many beleeued in him and there was great ioy in all that City By all which testimonies and examples we may clearely see what a singular fauour of God it is to such persons and places to whom the Lord is pleased to send a faithfull Philip and painefull Minister And this truth will the more clearely appeare by the contrary How that it is a fearefull iudgement of God vpon that people that want a Philip when Paul and Timothy had gone through Phrygia and Galatia they were forbidden by the holy Ghost to preach the Word in Asia and were shewed in a vision that the Lord had called them to preach the Word in Macedonia Acts 16.6.9 which direction of the Spirit restraining the Apostle from some places and appointing him to othersome shewes plainely the singular fauour of God to the one and Gods heauy wrath on the other This truth is further cleared by that of the Prophet Amos where the Lord threatneth this as the most fearefull iudgement vpon the people for their sinnes Behold saith the Lord The dayes come Amos 8.11 that I will send a famine into the Land not a famine of bread or thirst of water but of hearing of the Word of the Lord. The like is that of Salomon Where prophecying failes the people perish Pro. 29.18 Neither let this seeme strange to any that it is so singular a fauour and mercy of God to any to haue a painefull and conscionable Minister and that the contrary is so fearefull a curse for consider but Reas 1 First how that the ministery of the Word is the onely meanes ordinarily that God hath sanctified and set apart to worke sauing grace in the hearts of the elect so Peter Being borne againe 1 Pet. 1.23 not by corruptible seed but of incorruptible 1 Cor. 1.12 the word of God which liueth and abideth for ever And againe it pleaseth God by the foolishnesse of preaching to saue them that beleeue Reas 2 Secondly it is the ordinary meanes to beget and to confirme faith in the heart of euery true beleeuer by which alone as by a hand we apprehend Christ aâ—d apply him with his merits vnto saluation for in the preaching of the Word Christ is both offered vnto vs and we through faith enabled to receiue him and is therefore called The word of faith Rom 10.8 Vse 1 Then what shall we thinke of those wretched men prophane beasts who thinke themselues best at ease when they haue none to instruct them no Philip to preach Iesus Christ vnto them none to tell them of their sinnes yea they are weary of the company of such they cannot be quiet till they be rid of them Oh the case of such is to be lamented it is a signe that God hath giuen such vp to their owne hearts lust and that such shall lye and rot in their sinnes vntill the Lord finde them out in the searching day of his account And yet alas such is the miserable condition of many a one that cannot abide the presence of Philip but hate him in their heart wish him out of their company as one that marrs their mirth and they cannot be merry whilst he is amongst them Vse 2 Secondly if God send you then a Philip amongst you a painefull and faithfull Minister to instruct you to preach Iesus Christ to you to saue your soules Oh then acknowledge this a singular fauour of God that hee meanes your good euen the saluation of your soules and be thankefull vnto him for it receiue not the grace of God in vaine but lay hold vpon the Lords tender of grace offered imbrace the Gospell let Gods Ministers be deare vnto you and blesse God for them and if you want a Philip a faithfull Pastor O pray to God for such a one that God would shew this mercy vnto you the fruition whereof is a singular mercy as the want wherof is a fearefull iudgement And last of all this may prouoke the people of this Land to thankefulnesse inasmuch as hee hath beene pleased to send many Philips amongst vs and hath opened vnto vs his chiefest treasure The Lord hath put the bars into the Rings of the Arke whereby his glory is carried throughout our Land Psal 44. vlt. The Lord hath not dealt so with euery Nation And let vs know that where much is giuen much shall be required and such a people whom the Lord hath thus honoured aboue others to
arise and goe towards the South vnto the way that goeth down from Ierusalem to Gaza which is desert 27 And he arose and went and behold a man of Ethiopia an Eunuch of great authority vnder Candace Queene of the Ethiopians who had charge of all her treasure came to Ierusalem to worship 28 And sitting in his Chariot he read Esayas the Prophet 29 Then the Spirit said to Philip goe neere and ioyne thy selfe to this Chariot 30 And Philip ran thither to him and heard him reade Esayas the Prophet and said vnderstandest thou what thou readest 31 And hee said how can I without a guide and hee desired Philip that be would come vp and sit with him 32 The place of Scripture that he read was this He was led as a Sheepe to the slaughter and like a Lamb dumb before the Shearer so opened he not his mouth 33 In his humiliation his iudgement was taken away and who shall declare his generation for his life is taken from the earth 34 And the Eunuch answered Philip and sayd I pray thee of whom speaketh the Prophet this of himselfe or of some other man 35 And Philip opened his mouth and began at the same Scripture and preached vnto him Iesus 36 And as they went on their way they came vnto a certaine water And the Eunuch said see here is water What doth hinder me to be baptized 37 And Philip said if thou beleeuest with all thy heart thou maist And he answered and sayd I beleeue that Iesus is the Sonne of God 38 And hee commanded the Chariot to stand still and they went downe into the water both Philip and the Eunuch and hee Baptized him 39 And when they were come out of the water the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip and the Eunuch saw him no more and hee went on his way reioycing IN these words now read to the end of this Chapter is set forth the History of a certaine Ethiopian that came to Ierusalem to worship and therein how God in mercy did conuey the knowledge of the Gospell and so of Iesus Christ vnto the Gentiles and that by the ministery of Philip. And the first fruits of the same is this Eunuch or great Noble man being Lord Treasurer to the great Queene Candace Queene of the Ethiopians The History hath in it 1 The Preface or Introduction into the History 2 The History it selfe The Preface hath in it 1 The Angels message or command vnto Philip v. 26. 2 Philips obedience v. 27. The History it selfe describeth vnto vs 1 The Ethiopian with his adiuncts 2. Philip with his Ministery and the effects thereof The Ethiopian described 1 By his person Eunuch 2 Country Ethiopian 3 Office Lord Treasurer 4 Religion came to Ierusalem to worship Whose religion or religious disposition is further commended 1 By his diligence in reading the Scriptures losing no time therein but euen in his Chariot he read the same v. 28. 2 By desiring Philip further to instruct him in the knowledge of Christ v. 31. Philip his Ministery described 1 By asking him a question and Catechising him v. 30. 2 By preaching and expounding the same Scripture v. 35. 3 By Baptizing him v. 38. 4 By the effects of his Ministery Conuersion and ioy v. 39. VERSE 26. And the Angell of the Lord spake vnto Philip saying Arise and goe toward the South c THe circumstance of time is first to be considered when the Angell giues this charge to Philip. It was in the time of the Churches great persecution and trouble as it appeareth in the first verse of this Chapter Verse 1. And at that time there was great persecution against the Church which was at Ierusalem c. And verse the third Saul made hauocke of the Church Verse 3. Caiphas the high Priest and the Pharisies bending all their power to suppresse the truth who at this time stoned Stephen when they could not resist the Spirit by the which he spake So as now Philip might bee in great danger and hazard to preach the Gospell hee saw before his eyes Stephen stoned and Sauls rage great against the truth yet now will the Angell of the Lord haue Philip to goe and preach the word to this man And thus in all ages and from time to time hath the Lord employed his seruants in most dangerous times Ex. 3.9 Moses must to Pharaoh Elias to Ahab and denounce Gods iudgement against him 1 Reg. 18.14 euen at that time when Ahab sought his life And thus the Lord sent Esay the Prophet to the Iewes when their Princes were as the Sodomites for wickednesse Esay 1.10 And thus is Ezekiel sent vnto a stif-necked people and Amos at that time when the people pressed the Lord with their sinnes Amos 2.14 as a Cart that is pressed with sheaues And thus hee sent forth his Disciples Mat. 10.16 Behold I send you forth as Lambs amongst Wolues to be a gazing-stocke to the world to Angels and to men 1 Cor. 4 5â— as it is at this day We are taught then that the Ministers of Christ must discharge their duties Doct. 1 Ministers must discharge their duty notwiâ—hstanding all appearance of danger notwithstanding all appearance of danger Though in the conscionable performance of the same they are to meete with troubles and dangers yet they are carefully to discharge the duties of their sacred calling Amos doth his duty though complaint be made to the Prince Amos 7.10 that the land is not able to beare his words Zedechiah striketh Ieremy Passur causeth him to be put into prison What of all this Ieremy must doe his duty as the Lord had commanded Feare not their faces Ier. 1.17 but speake all that I command thee lest I destroy thee So Paul 1 Cor. 9.16 necessity is laid vpon mee and woe to me if I preach not the Gospell Again when the same Apostle was foretold by Agabus of the great troubles he should meet withall at IerusaleÌ„ which when the Church heard of they besought him not to goe vp thither Behold we his godly resolution Then Paul answered Act. 21.13 what meane ye to weepe and to breake my heart for I am ready not to bee bound onely but also to dye at Ierusalem for the name of the Lord Iesus And there is reason for it First Reas 1 they are the Ambassadors of Christ and therefore must deliuer their message truely and faithfully Ier. 33.7 They are the Lords Watchmen and therefore must acquaint the people with the danger comming Reas 2 Secondly the Lord hath promised to recompence the labours of his seruants and this was it that comforted Esay ouer all his sorrowes Esay My reward is with the Lord and my recompence with my God Reas 3 Thirdly the good of Gods Church requireth it for if it haue vnfaithful vnconscionable Teachers sit ouer it that feede not the flocke it cannot be but many of the sheepe
Author of the Epistle to the Hebrewes Heb. 11.1 Hauing in the eleuenth Chapter set downe many examples of the admirable obedience of many of Gods seruants that obeyed God beyond reason as of Noath that builded the Arke when there was no likelihood of a flood of Abraham that offered vp Isaac of Moses that left Aegypt of Iosuah and the like all which obeyed God against reason He presently infers Seeing we haue saith he such a cloud of witnesses Heb. 12.1 Let vs cast away euery thing that presseth downe and run with patience to that which is set before vs. Yea vnto these examples hee subioyneth the example of the Lord Iesus Christ himselfe who indured the Crosse and despised the shame to whom we must euer looke and haue an eye lest we should faint in our mindes And thus indeed is the Lord pleased to teach vs not onely by his word but by the examples likewise of his seruants omitting no meanes that may doe vs good And to this end are the examples of Gods seruants many times propounded vnto vs in the Scriptures Ye haue heard of the patience of Iob Iam. 5.11 and all to incourage vs in well doing Yea God hath not onely left vs the examples of his children for our imitation but he hath also left vs the examples of his iustice vpon wicked men and disobedient sinners and all to terrifie vs from sinning against him such as are Corah Dathan Num. 16.23 and Abiram Lots wife of whom and whose sinne God hath giuen a speciall Memento Remember Lots wife Luk. 17.32 Euen so the Apostle Saint Peter 2 Pet. 2. hauing shewed the Iewes to whom he wrote what excellent promises they had receiued hee exhorts them to giue all diligence to walke in them And the better to perswade them he sets downe Gods iudgements vpon the disobedient and saith that God spared not the Angels not the old world nor Sodome and Gomorah c. And the reason hereof I take to be these First because we are so prone to be led by examples Reas 1 therefore the Lord propounds the best for patternes and so we haue for zeale Moses for patience Ioh for chastitie Ioseph c. Reas 2 Secondly to this end their examples are recorded in the word All Scripture saith Paul is giuen by diuine inspiration and is profitable 2 Tim. â—â— 16. c. And then doe we profit aright by the Scriptures when by the examples of the godly therein recorded wee are prouoked vnto wel doing Reas 3 Thirdly this is to giue the Lord the glory of his owne grace in whoÌ„soeuer bestowd when we shal not only take notice of the same but be prouoked to tread in their steps and walke in their wayes Seeing the Lord teacheth vs thus not onely by his word Vse but also by the examples of his Seruants as so many liuely Sermons to prouoke vs vnto wel-doing For surely the Lord will plead in the last day the very piety zeale and holy conuersation that wee haue seene in his seruants to be a swift witnesse in iudgement against vs. And not onely so but also terrifying vs daily against sinne by his iudgements vpon the wicked 1 Pet. What manner of persons ought we to be in all holy conuersation Those then that notwithstanding the examples of Gods children to allure them and the examples of wicked men to terrifie them from sinne will not bee moued What doe such in effect but say Who is the Lord that wee should serue him Mal. 3.14 and what profit commeth that wee keepe his ordinance Such are like vnto Gallio Acts 18.17 that cared for nothing though the godly were beaten no example moues them But they that truely feare God must learne by the example of Gods children truely to obey him and by Gods iudgements vpon the wicked to learne righteousnesse Esay 26.9 Behold This word Behold calling for speciall animaduersion and attention as we haue heard Sheweth that it was no common matter or ordinary thing that is now to bee related And what was it that must be so specially noted here as a strange thing not frequent or common in the world it was this That so great a man should be so good a man to take that paines and to be at that cost to trauaile so farre as Ierusalem to worship God This is it wee are now called vpon to consider and therein are taught That it is no ordinary thing Doct. It is a rare thing for great men to be good men to haue great men rich men Noble men or men in authority to bee truely religious A Lord Treasurer to come so farre to Ierusalem to worship and to be so religiously addicted as to reade the Scriptures in his Coach or Chariot This may well deserue an ecce No maruaile though the holy Ghost call vpon vs to obserue this as a rare thing indeed And it will bee no hard thing to cleare this truth both by Scripture and Reason to shew that it is a hard and difficult thing to haue great men good men O generation take heed to the word of the Lord. Ier. 2.31 There is the Lords admonition to the great men of that age But will you know their answer But the people answered we are Lords we will not come to thee as if it had beene a disparagement vnto them to haue beene taught or directed by the Lords Prophet Againe I spake vnto thee when thou wast in prosperitie but thou saidst Ier. 22.21 I will not heare So the Prophet Hoseah As in their pastures so were they filled and their heart was exalted Hos 13.6 therefore haue they forgotten mee And this was that sinne that Moses layes to the charge of the people of Israel Iesurun waxed fat Deu. 32 1â— thou art couered with fatnesse Then he for sooke God which made him and lightly esteemed the rocke of his saluation No meruaile therefore though the Lord giue this warning by Moses vnto the people that when they should come into the good Land which the Lord had promised which was the Land of Canaan Deu. 2â— 10 Beware when thou art full lest thou forget the Lord thy God If euer men giue themselues to sleepe and to rest it is when their bellies be full Ier. 5.7 When I fed them to the full they rose vp Like fed horses euery one neighed after his neighbours wife It is wealth and abundance that lifts vp the heart of a man and makes him say with Pharaoh Exod. 10. 1 Cor. 1.26 Who is the Lord So Paul You know your Calling Brethren how that not many wise after the flesh not many mightie not many noble are called c. And therefore our Sauiour saith verity I say vnto you Mat 19.23 that a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdome of heauen And this was Christs owne obseruation in the days of his flesh The poore receiue the Gospell Mat.
Whâ—â—â—◠〈◊〉 the contrary a 〈◊〉 that â—â—prouâ— and hath his 〈…〉 â—ow â—â—sily will this man shake 〈◊〉 the yoâ—â— o◠〈◊〉 1. Pet. 5 5. And God râ—â—â—steth the 〈…〉 gâ—â—eth 〈◊〉 to the 〈…〉 a prâ—uâ— man of the 〈…〉 God he feeles not his 〈…〉 â—â—â—rall miserie and therefor◠〈◊〉 not for it Pâ—â—â—â— to him of 〈◊〉 plenteous redempâ—iâ—â—â—â—rough Christ and he esteemes it not by reason he is not sensible of sinne and so not fit to receiue the grace offered in Christ So that you see how necessarie the grace of humilitie is The Reasons make it more cleare and plaine For Reas 1 First all Gods promises belong to such as are thus qualified The Spirit of the Lord was upon mee Isa 61.1 because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tydings to the meeke he hath sent one to binde vp the broken hearted to proclaime libertie to the Captiues and to open the prison to those that are bound Luk. 1.53 Hee hath filled the hungry with good things Mat. 5.6 Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousnesse To whom will I haue respect Isa 66.2 saith the Lord but to him that is of a contrite spirit that trembles at my word Psal 51.17 The sacrifices of God are a broken and a contrite heart c. The promises of life and saluation belong vnto such and such onely Reas 2 Secondly without this men câ—n neuer profit aright by the ministery of the word A proud man that is conceited of his owne knowledge wisedome goodnesse and thinketh himselfe too good to be instructed such a one may come to Gods ordinances long enough for as hee comes so hee goes his heart being filled with pride hath in it no roome at all for Gods grace to dwell there but God in his iustice giues such men ouer to themselues to be hardned in their pride and that the means of grace should no whit profit such at all Vse 1 This shewes how far such men are from the sound worke of grace and Christianitie as haue their hearts fraught with pride Surely the mother grace is true humility Learne of mee to bee humble and mâ—eke How many haue we that would be taken for good Christians indeed whose hearts are yet proud and lookes haughtie the word hath not yet humbled them vnto this day This doth manifestly declare that they are strangers indeed to the true worke of grace for true grace doth first of all subdue the pride of the heart as the greatest hindrance of the worke of the spirit in a man Vse 2 Secondly seeing humilitie is so excellent an ornament in a Christian and such an essentiall grace to a true conuert as that without it true grace cannot subsist Wee are taught then that as wee desire to be saued to labour for a meeke spirit and an humble soule And this exhortation ought wee the rather to hearken vnto because this grace of true humilitie is so rare a vertue in the world few there be that are truly humbled in the sense of their owne wretchednesse and sinne but are rather hardened in their pride There is besides this another pride in the world in those who leane so much to their owne wisedome that they despise instruction and make but a mocke of the preaching of the word This pride of all other is most dangerous for it breeds a contempt of Gods ordinances and so barres vp against a mans owne soule the meanes of grace and the way to saluation How can I He doth freely confesse and acknowledge that he was ignorant in the Scriptures and did not vnderstand them In him we may see the condition of all men by nature Doct. We vnderstand â—oâ— the Scrâ—pâ—â—â—e◠〈◊〉 nâ—â—uâ—â— Though men by nature haue good wits bee wise and vnderstanding in other things yet in Gods matters the â—â—fest the world bâ—ing meâ—â—â— nâ—â—â—râ—ll men are as blinde as beâ—â—â—â—â— and vnderstand not the things of God vntill they come to be regenerate and the Lord doe open their eyes and inlighten their vnderstandings by his spirit all Gods counsels in his Word are as a clapsed and sealed booke vnto naturall men they know nothing as they ought to know The naturall man perceiues not the things that are of God 1 Cor. 2.14 for they are foolishnesse vnto him neither can he know them for they are spiritually discerned Paul saith that our cogitations are darkened through ignorance and againe Eph 4.18 Rom. 8.7 the wisedome of the flesh is enmity to God This is plaine in this Noble man a man of good gifts no doubt of great wisedome and dexteritie of wit of great policy in matters of the world and State affaires yet in Gods matters doth ingenuously confesse his owne ignorance that he could not vnderstand the Word This wee may clearely see in Nichodemus Ioh. 3. though a Doctor and seacher in Israel yet was altogether ignorant in the doctrine of Regeneration And the Athenians as learned as they were when Paul taught the doctrine of the resurrection Act. â—7 32 they did but mocke at him so that we see that they that otherwise are men of great capacities are strangely sottish and blockish in conceiuing the things belonging to Gods kingdome Wee may see this more clearely in the Disciples themselues that when Christ had bidden them Beware of the leauen of the Pharises Mat. 16.7 they vnderstood him of materiall leauen and if they were so ignorant whose eyes the Lord had begunne to open how great must the blindenesse and ignorance of meere naturall men be We are like vnto Samuel that when the Lord had called him three times he perceiued it not to be Gods voyce but the voyce of Eli and the Text saith Thus did Samuel before he knew the Lord 1 Sam. 3.10 and before the word of the Lord was reuealed vnto him And thus it is with vs many a time haue we heard the Lord speaking vnto vs but we perceiued it not for this knowledge is supernaturall and must come from the Father of light Would you know the reasons of it Reas 1 Then know that this came vp on all mankinde through Adam Gen. 3.6 who aspiring to a greater degree of knowledge then that hee had by creation through Gods righteous iudgement lost that he had and so brought this spirituall blindenesse and ignorance vpon himselfe and vpon his posteritie Reas 2 Secondly most poynts of religion seeme to flesh and bloud vnreasonable absurd and vnlikely and hence it comes to passe that the naturall man cannot receiue them entertaine nor beleeue them nay they are many times foolishnesse vnto them 1 Cor. â— 14 Reas 3 Thirdly the better wit any man hath naturally that is not sanctified by grace the stronger arguments and reasons will hee frame vnto himselfe against the truth Rom. 8.7 The wisedome of the flesh is enmitie to God Vse 1 This serues then to pull down the pride of many a proud spirit