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
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.
that should serue him but one day in a weeke and all the weeke besides serue himselfe This serues then to reprooue such as are present sometimes at the publique duties of Gods worship Vse 1 such as are the preaching of the word receiuing of the sacrament and the like but make no reckoning or accompt at all of priuate duties Surely such men can neuer approue themselues to God to performe either in faith and obedience as hee ought so long as hee labours not after an vniuersall obedience to bee the same in priuate that he is in publique Let vs then bee admonished in the feare of God Vse 2 that as wee desire to bee Christians indeed and therein to approue our selues to God to labour to be the same at home as abroad in our owne houses as in the Church otherwise we can neuer assure our owne hearts of the truth of grace wrought therein or that wee goe before an hypocrite or a wicked man who many times is exercised in the one when he makes no reckoning or accompt at all of the other He read Isaiah the Prophet This Noble man did not worship God at a venture or as haply his forefathers had done before him as many in our dayes who will doe thus and thus because their fathers before them did so But hee will worship God as hee had learned out of his word And herein will teach all men vnto the end of the world a necessarie dutie That if wee will worship God aright Doct. In Gods worship we must fetch our direction out of Gods word we must fetch our direction from Gods word and not out of the Popes Chaire The word must bee our loadstarre to guide vs the way to Christ and to keepe vs in the way No seruice can please God but that which is done by direction from his word The Lord himselfe giues expresse charge concerning this Deut. 4.2 when hee saith Ye shall not adde vnto the word which I command mand you neither shall ye diminish ought from it That ye may keepe the Commandements of the Lord your God which I command you The meaning is Thou shalt doe no more or lesse in my seruice then what I command thee Yea it is no better then Idolatrie Num. 15.39 and spirituall whoredome for vs to follow our owne hearts or to bee led by our good meanings in matters appertaining vnto Gods seruice This is such a sinne as doth highly prouoke God to anger as wee may see in Nadab and Abihu Leuit. 10.1.2 in offering vp of their strange fire who were therefore destroyed with fire from heauen And for this cause Ieroboam drew the curse of God vpon him and his posteritie after him Because of those golden calues that hee had caused to bee erected at Dan and Bethel without warrant from God And how sharply doth our Sauiour reproue the Scribes and Pharisees for this who vsed a world of ceremonies and traditions in Gods worship which hee commanded not and therefore saith In vaine doe ye worship me Mat. 15. teaching for Doctrine the traditions of men Isa 1.11.12 And therefore the Lord will say to such as to those idolatrous Iewes of old Who hath required these things at your hands And hence is it that the Apostle Paul when hee went about to remoue those errours that we crept into the Church of Corinth about the Sacrament he brings them to the first institution of the same by Christ himselfe for where things are brought to the first institution all humane errours then cease And this doth the Apostle 1. Cor. 11.23 when he saith That which I haue receiued from the Lord deliuer I vnto you c. So that we see it is a most cleare and grounded truth that if we would worship God aright we must not be led by our fantasies and carnall reason good meanings or the like but we must fetch our direction out of Gods word And great reason For God will be acknowledged the onely Law-giuer Reas 1 the King of his Church and the onely Prophet to instruct his people For so saith the Apostle There is onely one Law-giuer Iam. 4 12. who is able to saue and to destroy So that none may presume in matters appertaining to his worship and seruice to adde or detract lest hee incurre that curse Cursed is he that shall adde to the words of this booke Reu. 22. Secondly Ro. 14.23 Whatsoeuer is not of faith is sinne Now faith we know is grounded vpon the word So that it is impossible for a man to please God in any seruice he doth that hath not his word for his warrant and direction It was Christs last commandement that he gaue vnto his Disciples teaching them to obserue all things that I haue commanded you Mat. 28.20 And surely this strikes at the foundation of Popish Religion Vse 1 for wherein for the most part stands the seruice and worship of God that is performed amongst them but in grosse superstition and in the inuentions of their owne braine in the traditions of men Popes Councels Cardinals and the like in a multitude of vaine and idle ceremonies and obseruations all which haue no ground or footing out of Gods word as namely their whipping of themselues their crossings and coniurings praying on beads going on pilgrimage and a thousand the like all which haue no ground or warrant at all out of Gods word to whom we may truly say as our Sauiour to the woman of Samaria Ioh. 4.22 Ye worship ye know not what And surely herein we may iustifie our Religion against the Papists and against all the Aduersaries of Gods truth that wee know whom we worship And if we be deceiued God hath deceiued vs and his word hath deceiued vs which is impossible For his word is true as himselfe is Secondly Vse 2 we are taught hence to acquaint our selues with the Scriptures that so wee may be directed how to worship God aright Now Gods word is a perfect rule and a perfect guide Saint Peter calls it a Sure word 2 Pet. 1.19 whereunto saith he ye do well if ye take heed So Dauid Psal 119.31 I haue cleaued vnto thy testimonies O Lord confound me not And it is worth our best consideration what Samuel spake vnto Saul that would sacrifice where God had not appointed Hath the Lord saith hee as great delight in burnt-offerings and sacrifices 1. Sam 15.22 as when the voyce of the Lord is obeyed Behold to obey is better then sacrifice and to hearken is better then the fat of Lambes And last of all this sheweth the miserable condition that such are in Vse 3 that are not neither may they be acquainted with the word of God as in the Church of Rome that haue the Scripture locked vp in an vnknowne tongue they can neuer auoide that woe our Sauiour pronounced against the Scribes and Pharises Mat. 23.13 They neither entred into the
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
of God Doct. The truth of Gods Word not to be measured by outward appearance by the outward forme of words or manner of deliuery of it or by the messenger for God is not tyed vnto such meanes but he can by the foolish things of the world confound the wise as the Apostle saith When the world by the wisedome of it knew not God in the wisedome of God 1 Cor. 1.21 it pleased God by the foolishnesse of preaching to saue them that beleeue Euen so by this poore and plaine man Philip the Lord conuerted this great Noble man We may not then thinke as the manner of many is that the power of the Gospell consisteth in eloquence of speech but the euidence and demonstration of the Spirit is best seene in plainenesse So Paul Our reioycing is this 2 Cor. 1.12 the testimony of our conscience that in simplicitie and godly sincerity not with fleshly wisedome but by the grace of God wee haue had our conuersation in the world And why should the world wonder at this Reas 1 Seeing that in the choyce thus of such simple and weake meanes that haue little or no force in them his glory doth most of all appeare Now he will maintaine his owne glory That no flesh should glory in his presence 1 Cor 1.28.29 And hence it is that the Lord chooseth the foolish things before the wise and weake things to confound the mighty and the base things of the world to bring to nought things that are for the clearer manifestation and setting forth of his owne glory Reas 2 Secondly God seeth not as man seeth outward priuiledges and respects oftentimes preuaile with men but not with God who respecteth the heart and not the outward appearance And hence is it that the Lord gaue this charge vnto Samuel when he was to annoynt one of the sonnes of Iesse to be King 1 Sam. 167 Looke not on his countenance or on the height of his stature for the Lord seeth not as man seeth for man looketh on the outward appearance but the Lord looketh on the heart And hence is it that the Lord maketh choyce of such instruments which the world so highly condemne in regard he seeth the heart and principally regardeth the integrity of the same Vse 1 This then meeteth with the vaine conceit of those that thinke that vnlesse the Preacher be eloquent and soare aloft in such a manner of stile aboue the reach of the vulgar and decke and trimme vp his Sermon with Doctors and Fathers and humanity think meanely of the Word though otherwise he speake vnto the conscience and conuince the same of sinne Such must know that simplicitie doth best become the Gospell of Christ and that herein the Apostle Saint Paul doth approue himselfe a faithfull Minister of the same in that he came not with the inticing words of mans wisedome Let men then take heed how they despise those whom God hath thus honoured and set apart for this seruice for this is indeed to crosse the proceedings of God and to barre vp the way against our selues and our owne soules of life and saluation Vse 2 Secondly seeing he chooseth thus the weake things of this world to confound the mighty and maketh such many times excellent instruments of his glory that haue no outward beautie or excellencie in them It teacheth vs then to giue God alone the glory and praise of his owne worke acknowledging it to be his owne gift and to returne him the praise Thus did our Sauiour himselfe I thanke thee O Father Mat. 11.25 that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent of the world and hast reuealed them vnto Babes and sucklings euen so O Father for so it seemed good in thy sight And this indeed doth belong as a speciall duty vnto vs when wee shall see and take notice of those great workes in the world in the conuersion of soules as ordinarily are wrought at this day by such weake meanes and instruments of Gods glory so much contemned Vnderstandest thou what thou readest Philip begins first with the Eunuch not waiting vntill the Eunuch began with him And this indeed will a gratious heart doe euen set forward Gods worke whensoeuer wheresoeuer and in whomsoeuer any oportunity shal be offered to doe God seruice He begins first with a question But vnderstandest thou hereby first of all to discouer the state and condition of this man with whom he was now to deale Doct. Ministers must know the state of their flock and in priuate as in publike instruct them in the waies of God that so hee might proceed the better in the worke of his ministery Hereby teaching the Ministers of Christ a necessary duty to labour to know the state of their flocke ouer whom they are set and to take all occasions in priuate as in publike to edifie their people and to doe good to the poore soules of men But especially by asking of questions and Catechising them as Philip doth here and by laying amongst them the foundation of religion This was that most commendable practise of the Church in the Apostles time as it appeareth by the Author of the Epistle vnto the Hebrewes Heb. 6.1 where it seemes there were sixe principles of Christian religion taught vnto the people 1 Repentance from dead workes 2 Faith towards God 3 The doctrine of Baptisme 4 Of laying on of hands 5 Of the resurrection of the dead 6 Of the last iudgement Which Principles being first laid as a foundation in religion the Author of the Epistle exhorts the Hebrewes not to rest there but to goe on vnto perfection for this was Abraham Gen. 18. Ios 24. Acts 10. Iosuah and Cornelius so highly commended in the Scriptures their well trayning vp of their children and families in the feare of the Lord. This was it in the primitiue Church and in all reformed Churches euer since Reas 1 And there is great reason for it For first by this kinde of priuate conference and dealing with them especially by questions and answers men are brought to the knowledge of God and of Christ Reas 2 Secondly it is an excellent meanes to bring men to see their natural misery to see their wants and to helpe them to a supply for the same for herein they haue most freedome in propounding the doubts and so may receiue instruction Reas 3 Thirdly it is an excellent meanes for the Minister to know the state of his flocke that so hee may diuide the Word aright to giue to euery one his portion in due season for as a Bell is knowne by the sound so are men by their answer known what knowledge they haue in the mystery of saluation through Christ Reas 4 Fourthly men by this means are made fit and prepared to the hearing of the Word to iudge of Sermons reading conferences and so fortified against seducers Reas 5 Fiftly by this meanes men are more able to teach and instruct
and such as thinke themselues in good estate so long as they bee wise for the world are great polititians witty and cunning in buying and selling and the like affaires But this wisedome is weake and insufficient to bring men to heauen Achitophel was a great polititian his answers were as the oracles of God 1 Sam. 16.23 yet was not all his wisedome able to conduct him to heauen 2 Sam. 17.23 or to keepe him from desperation Thou maist perish and be damned eternally for all thy naturall knowledge and dexterity of thy wit if thou hast not had the Spirit of God to be thy Schoolemaster and thou taught the knowledge of God by his Word all thy naturall knowledge will neuer bring thee to heauen 〈…〉 Vse 2 Secondly this teacheth vs what to thinke and how to carry our selues towards those that are without naturall and vnregenerate men How many haue wee amongst vs that turne backe vpon the ordinances of God how many that make a mocke of the preaching of the Word how many that are so farre from making the Sabbath the delight of their soules as that the same is a burthen vnto them how many haue we amongst vs that haue their bodies here in the Church but their hearts are at Rome that notwithstanding all that can bee said or spoken against the idolatry superstition and open prophanenesse of that side yet dote vpon popery and are in loue with that scarlet strumpet of Rome notwithstanding all her filthinesse spirituall whordomes and abhominations How many learned men bee there that are great disputers against the Gospel why should we maruaile so much at these things or so wonder at these men seeing they doe but their kinde and shew but the power of nature in them all this while nature hath beene their Schoolemaster and the Apostle tels vs That the naturall man perceiues not the things that are of God But if you will wonder at a man cast your eyes vpon such a one that sets himselfe to obey the Gospell of Christ that hath learned to deny himselfe and to part with riches honours pleasures and to become a mortified man to all these for Christs sake and the Gospels sake here is a man to be wondred at miracles make men wonder the conuersion of a sinner is the greatest miracle that euer God wrought Vse 3 Thirdly seeing that men by nature are so ignorant in Gods matters and that the naturall man cannot perceiue the things of God let vs then learne to deny our selues and become fooles 1 Cor. 1.2 that we may be made wise It is a speciall poynt in a Scholler of Christ to confesse his ignorance and to acknowledge his blindenesse in Gods matters And therefore if wee would bee truely wise and learne to know Christ aright let vs acknowledge our spirituall ignorance for till then we can neuer profit aright in Christs schoole nor be truely wise How can I without a guide We see the Eunuch although a wise and prudent man yet confesseth that he could not vnderstand the word he read without a guide It is the Apostles owne conclusion Rom. 10.14 How shall they heare without a Preacher it is impossible for where prophecying failes Pro. 29.18 the people perish The conclusion is That without the Word preached Doct. it is impossible truely to Christ Without the preaching of the Word it is impossible truely to know Christ or to attaine the worke of regeneration I speake in regard of the ordinary meanes for all the Eunuch his reading of the Scripture though he did the same neuer so diligently he stood in need of a Philip to come and interprete the same vnto him Nay he confesseth it to bee a thing impossible to know Christ and to beleeue vnto saluation without a guide that is without a Preacher How shall I taking it for granted to bee a thing vnlikely yea impossible that he should euer attaine to the true sauing knowledge of God or of Christ without the preaching of the word Pro. 29.18 Where prophecying faileth the people perish To this purpose excellent is that speech of Elihu vnto Iob Iob 33.23 If there be a messenger or an Interpreter one of a thousand to declare vnto man his righteousnesse then will he haue mercy vpon him and will say deliuer him that he goe not downe into the pit for I haue receiued a reconciliation If bare reading of the Scriptures would haue serued the turne then must this Eunuch needs haue beene happy and blessed that was so diligent and carefull to reade the same yet hee could not profit aright without a Preacher Faith commeth by hearing saith the Apostle and hearing by the Word preached Rom. 10.14 When the world in the wisedome of it knew not God it pleased God by the foolishnesse of preaching 1 Cor. 1.21 to saue them that beleeue To this agreeth that of the same Apostle 1 Cor. 4.15 In Christ Iesus through the Gospell I haue begotten you 1 Pet. 1.23 So Peter Wee are borne againe not of mortall but immortall seed the word of God There is no one truth more cleare in all the Booke of God then this that it is the preaching of the word that is the ordinary meanes by the which we are brought truely to know Christ The Reasons are Reas 1 It is that ordinance of God that he himselfe hath sanctified and set apart for the reuelation of his Sonne Christ and for the worke of regeneration Secondly the Word is of a wonderfull powerfull and piercing nature and therefore resembled to fire to a hammer Heb. 4.12 to a two-edged sword to the entring through to the diuiding asunder of the ioynt and marrow soule of the spirit Thirdly it is the word preached that ordinarily worketh faith in vs 1 Tim. 4.6 and is therefore called the woâ—d of faith But is not reading Quest preaching and may not a man thereby attain saluation It is said that Moses of old time hath in euery city them that preach him seeing he is read in the Synagogue euery Sabbath day Acts 21. I grant Answ where the preaching of the Word is not neither can bee had God many times doth blesse the more inferiour and weaker meanes and doth blesse the same vnto his people but where the preaching of the Word is to bee had God doth ordinarily worke by that ordinance of his The people of Israel being in the wildernesse where they wanted the ordinary meanes of tilling of land of planting and of sowing the Lord preserued his people extra ordinarily by giuing them bread from heauen water out of a rock and not suffering their garments to waxe old vpon them but when they came into the land of Canaan now they must not looke to be sustained in such a miraculous manner but must sow their land plant vineyards and labour for their sustenance Againe it may be answered thus that the word read it is true in a
generall sense doth include the preaching of the word and so doth all other wayes and meanes whereby Gods power wisedome truth goodnesse mercy c. come to be declared But in that strict and common sense wherein the preaching of the word is taken it cannot bee vnderstood of reading See we this cleare in that of our Sauiour who when he came into the Synagogue vpon the Sabbath day the Text saith He opened the Booke and read the Scripture Then hee closed the Booke sate downe Luk. 4.17 and the eyes of all them were fastened on him and he began to preach unto them Thus Nehemiah The Leuites read the booke of the Law Neh. 8.7.8 that done they gaue the sense and caused the people to vnderstand So that wee see the Scripture takes notice of reading and preaching as two distinct things And vnto the preaching of the Word is the promise made Vse 1 Seeing then that without the preaching of the Word ordinarily we cannot know Christ or attaine to the worke of regeneration The first vse then concernes the Ministers of the Word to exhort them that they discharge the duties of their callings with all diligence and faithfulnesse that they preach this word of life in season and out of season 2 Tim. 4.2 hereby they shal not onely deliuer their owne soules but shall turne many to righteousnesse This is the end of their calling and the happie fruit the Lord hath promised to the powerfull preaching of the word the conuersion of soules the enlarging of Christs kingdome and the winning of many to God Vse 2 Secondly this shewes the miserable estate and condition of those thousands in Israel who want their guides and faithfull Pastors to bring them to Christ who would not pittie a poore blinde man that should wander vp and downe without a Guide especially in dangerous wayes and places Much more are such people and congregations to be pittied in regard of the perill of their soules who want a Guide to direct them it is an heauie iudgement of God vpon such VERSE 31. And he desired Philip that he would come vp and sit with him Text. THe religious disposition of this Nobleman comes further to be described vnto vs as by his great paines in trauelling vp to Ierusalem there to worship God and by his diligence in reading of the Scriptures and that in his iourney and in his Chariot so by his desiring of Philip to come and sit with him to instruct him in the knowledge of Christ And herein againe wee haue another instance of his great meeknesse and humilitie that he would thus accept of Philip a poore man thus to come into his Coach and to sit with him Much vnlike to this Eunuch are many men in these dayes and times though farre inferiour to him yea it may be to some of his seruants yet would thinke scorne to call Philip into their company Nay they would hardly indure Philip to be so bold with them as hee was with this Nobleman What else meane these disgrace full speeches so often spoken by so many men what shall he teach me doth he thinke to haue our heads vnder his girdle O how farre are these men from the spirit of this Eunuch Yet God be thanked we haue some Chiefe Rulers that beleeue on Christ Ioh. 12.48 We haue some Corneliusses that will receiue Peter Act 10. Some Sergius Paulas that will entertaine Paul the Apostle The Lord increase the number of such daily more and more This this must needs bee no small commendations vnto this so great a man to intreat Philip thus to come into his Chariot to instruct him Hee doth not onely acknowledge his ignoâ—â—nce that he could not vnderstand the Scriptures without a guide but he doth also desire Philip to teach and instruct him Note hence That it is the property of a true disciple of Christ Doct. It is not enough to see our ignorance but wee must labor to come out of it and of a gratious heart not onely to see his ignorance but also to desire to come our of it to be taught and instructed in the wayes of God This is in deed Gods owne ordinance The Priests lips shall preserue knowledge Mâ—l 2.7 and the people shall heare the law at their mouth And thus the men of Macedonia came to Paul and besought him that hee would come and preach in their City the word of God And indeed none profit more wee know in the schoole of Christ then they that desire to be taught that hunger and thirst after knowledge that will go to the Ministers of God as she widdow did to the Prophet in the new Moones and solemne Feast dayes Indeed in the matters of the world men will not be a shamed of their ignorance but will confesse it as in the sowing of their ground when after what manner with what kinde of seed c. and they will desire to be directed But alas in this heauenly art how many dissemble their ignorance will not desire the direction of Gods husband men by which meanes their hearts lye vntilled and barren It is a signe of a good stomacke and perfect digestion when men grow in strength and haue a good appetite to their meat Pro. 9.5 A wise man saith Solomon will heare and increase in knowledge And thus it is with that man that is made wise by the word hee growes still in grace and hungers and thirsts more and more after wisedome And there is reason for it Reas 1 First that of our Sauiour Luk. 8.18 To him that hath shall be giuen But froÌ„ him that hath not shall be taken away God hauing betrusted any of his seruants with a Stocke of sauing knowledge they increase in the same daily and thriue and prosper in grace and godlinesse Whereas wicked men and hypocrites that haue all but in shew and nothing in truth God many times doth take from such that which they seeme to haue Reas 2 Secondly when God doth once open the vnderstanding of his seruants they discouer daily more and more in them the defects of their vnderstanding and knowledge and in them is that verified of Solomon Hee that increaseth knowledge increaseth labour For none labour and trauell more earnestly after knowledge and grace then such as haue already attained to a competâ—nt measure there of It is with a Christian herein as it is with a worldling the more the world comes on hand the more gripple and couetous they are So the more knowledge and grace that any of Gods people haue the more they couet after it Reas 3 Thirdly they and they onely know the worth of knowledge and of grace and this makes them earnest seekers after it whereas Ignoti nulla cupido Such as know it not neither prize it nor labour after it A godly man is insatiable in his desire after knowledge and grace he is greedy in hauing he reades daily he heares as often as
make himselfe fit to speake vnto the people and not to doe as the manner of some is trot vp and downe all the weeke about worldly affaires and then on the Sabbath deliuer whatsoeuer comes to hand This is not to diuide the word of God aright The Ministers of Christ must first eat the roll of Gods book Ezek. 2.1 and haue their tongue touched wito a Cole from the Altar Isa 6 7. before they come â—â—to Gods place and in his stâ—â—d to speake vnto the people And is there not reason thinke you Reas 1 Let such but consider whose place they occupie is it not the place of God himselfe and is it not his message they deliuer vnto the people Now will an Embassadour of an earthly Prince go about his seruice but will premeditate aforehand what to say And is it not much more requisite that the messengers of the Lord of Hosts should in an holy manner prepare themselues to the deliuery of the Lords message Reas 2 Secondly the Ministery of the word is the Lords owne ordinance his worke that they are appointed to doe Ier. and are not such accursed that do the worke of the Lord negligently Reas 3 Thirdly it is no lesse requisite in regard of the people to whom they speake and ouer whom they are set Is not the Priests lips to preserue knowledge and are not the people to heare the Law from his mouth Mal. 2.7 Now if the people must learne to know Gods will from the mouth of the Minister it is requisite that hee should bee well acquainted with Gods will For to this end is he placed ouer them Vse 1 And surely this shewes the greatnesse of their sin that sleight this worke of the Minister study little reade little pray little and meditate least of all yet will seeme to speake something vnto the people This is indeed no better then to tempt God when men shall neglect the meanes which God hath appointed for this worke of the Ministery Wherefore hath God giuen Arts and Sciences and the knowledge of tongues but that men might vse them as helps and hand-maids to this worke of the Ministery I could wish such men would but consider Iacobs diligence and paines in attending of Labans flocke Gen 31 40 In the day time saith hee I was consumed with heate in the night with frost and my sleepe departed from me Alas what comparison betweene Christ and Laban the one a churlish master the other a mercifull Redeemer And what comparison betweene the sheepe of Laban and the sheepe of Christ what a shame were it 〈◊〉 the sheepe of Laban should be better serued then the sheepe of Christ purchased with his own blood If this moue vs not cast wee our eyes vpon the Lord Iesus Christ himselfe the Cheef Shepherd and Bishop of our soules somtimes in the temple somtimes in the garden somtimes preaching somtimes praying and somtimes suffering A Minister that is so sparing of a little sweaet for Christ what would hee doe if hee should call for his blood Surely he will ill abide the pangs of burning for Christ that wil not abide the pains of preaching for Christ Would any man giue wages to such a sheepherd that should neglect his flock and suffer them to be starued for want of pasture or leaue them to be deuoured I trow not What then can such expect at Gods hand that feede themselues and not the flock which he hath purchased with his owne blood Vse 2 SecoÌ„dly as Ministers are bound in this solemn manner to prepare themselues to preach the word So are people in as solemne a manner bound to prepare themselues to the hearing of the same Both preaching and hearing are Gods worke and both lye vnder the curse that doe the same negligently When Peter was to preach the Word to Cornelius Cornelius and his whole company were ready prepared to receiue the same wee are all here before God saith he to heare whatsoeuer is commanded vs of God Act. 10. He began at the same Scripture Philip being to preach Iesus Christ vnto this Eunuch and having considered what to say hee beginneth at this Scripture herein taking the present occasion that was thus by Diuine prouidence offered it seruing so fitly to his purpose in hand For albeit there bee many places that set foorth Christ and the mystery of our Salvation through him yet none to this For indeed throughout all the Prophets we haue no where a clearer Prophecy of Christs death and resurrection then this place of the Prophet Esay And therefore as the Lord was pleased in his good Prouidence to direct the Eunuch at this time to fall vpon this Scripture to reade it Philip takes the present opportunity the text of Scripture now read as the fittest text to preach of vnto him And heerein will teach the Ministers of Christ a necessary duty Namely that they ought to be so wise to make choice of speciall texts Doct. Ministers must make choice of speciall texts for special occasions and places of Scripture to treate of vnto their people as occasion still shall bee offered vnto them For albeit that all Scriptures are full of Diuine and heauenly truths yet some Scriptures fit some persons and occasions better then others There are many comfortable promises which God hath made in his word Come let vs reason together though your sinnes were as scarlet c. Esay 1.18 Mat. 11.28 Come vnto mee all ye that trauaile and are heauy laden c. But for a man that is not yet truly humbled the threats of the Law are fitter That place of Iohn Ioh. 9.31 God heareth not sinners Is an excellent Scripture very requisite to be taught but not to one distressed in conscience and beaten downe in the sense of sinne A Steward in a family must haue aswell wisedome to know what is necessary for euery member of the family as fidelity to dispence his Masters goods The Minister is to know when to speake and what to speake for as Salomon saith A word spoken in due time is like Apples of gold pictures of siluer Arons Bels must be wisely rung sometimes the treble of Mercy sounds well at another time the tenor of Iudgement sounds better A Minister is wisely to change his note as occasion shall require approuing himself to euery mans conscience in the feare of God 2 Cor. 4.2 sometimes wee are to come in a still voice as the Lord appeared to Elias sometimes againe to play the part of a Bonarges a Sonne of Thunder Vse 1 This shewes then what wisdome skill is required of euery faithfull Minister of Christ Like a faithfull Steward in Gods house hee must measure out to euery man his due Exhortation to whom exhortation is due reprehension to whom reprehension belongs Vse 2 And it serues likewise to admonish hearers not to expect that their Pastors should at all times come vnto them with the same
taught him the maine Principle sof our faith and mystery of our saluation through Christ Such as were Christs Incarnation Christs humiliation and those great things he suffered for our sakes His Resurrection and exaltation on high at the right hand of his Father together with the vse of the Sacraments of the Church Baptisme and Christs Last Supper That these things were taught vnto the Eunuch this Text doth make it cleare by his desiring of Philip so soone as they came to the water to baptise him And as they went on their way Text. they came to a certaine water c. Here we see the fruit and effect of Philips Ministery in another particular first we haue heard before that he is brought to be a beleeuer here againe to put on Christ by the badge and liuery of his profession Baptisme It teacheth vs then What is the true end of preaching the Gospell Doct. The end of true preaching is to bring men to Christ namely to bring men to Christ See the truth of this in the scope and drift of Pauls Ministery Vnto the Iewes I became a Iew that I might gaine the Iewes 1. Cor. 9.20 2â— 22. To them that are vnder the Law as vnder the Law To what end That I might saue them that are vnder the Law To the weake I became as weake that I might gaine the weake I became all things to all men that I might by all meanes saue some And this I do for the Gospels sake Ver. 23 See wee the truth of this in the commission Christ gaue vnto his Disciples Go ye into all the world and preach the word to euery Nation Mar. 16.16 hee that beleeueth and is baptised shall bee saued So that saluation is the end of preaching So Paul I am not ashamed of the Gospell of Christ Rom. 16.17 because it is the power of God to saluation For therein is the righteousnesse of God reuealed from faith to faith begetting faith in vs and is therefore called 1. Tim. 4.6 The word of faith because it begetteth faith in the hearts of Gods seruants This is the maine end of the preaching of the word and so of the Gospell of Iesus Christ See the exhortation of Paul to Timothy Instruct them with meeknesse which be contrary minded 2. Tim. 2.25 prouing if at any time God will giue them repentance vnto saluation This is the true end that the Minister of the word must ayme at namely to bring men out of darknesse into his maruellous light Thus Paul and Sylas willeth the Iaylor to be leeue in the Lord Iesus Act. 16. and hee should be saued All true preaching aymes at this as the true end thereof Vse 1 Seeing then that this is the end of the Ministery of the word to bring men to Christ Euery faithfull Minister of Christ must then propound vnto himselfe Gods end in euery Ministeriall duty whether he preach the Doctrine of the Law or the Doctrine of the Gospell all his exhortations reprehensions and instructions must still ayme at this and tend to this And indeed the true glory of a Minister consists in the number of those that by his Ministery are gained to Christ Such are his crowne and glory the Seales of his Ministery And comfortable will the reckoning and account of such one day be when they shall say Here come I Father with those thou hast giuen me Vse 2 And as Ministers are taught their duties what ought to be the end of their Ministery So are hearers likewise to be admonished to stoupe vnto Gods ordinance in their Ministery that so they may be brought to Christ If we neglect or contemne this meanes no creature in heauen or earth can do vs any good fast pray afflict thy soule yea giue thy body that it burne be thou neuer so rich in the workes of charity and mercy if in the meane time thou turne thy backe vpon the word this ordinance of God Ion. 2. Thou forsakest thy owne mercy For the word preached is the word of faith and it is faith that brings vs to Christ Vse 3 And last of all this may serue for matter of triall whether or no wee haue profited aright by the hearing of the word For then indeed haue we beene fruitfull hearers and then and not till then haue we heard the word sauingly when our Iudgements haue beene thereby informed and our liues reformed and wee brought to Christ Now indeed there be but few that haue thus heard the word The Drunkard Swearer prophane and beastly liuer hath not yet profited aright by the preaching of the word All the husbandry bestowed vpon such a one is not worth the labour Such ground is neare to cursing and burning for so saith the Apostle The earth that drinketh in the raine that cometh often vpon it 1. Cor. 3. Heb. 6.7 and bringeth forth fruit meet for them by whom it is dressed receiueth the blessing from God But that which beareth thornes and bryers is neare vnto cursing whose end is to be burned Let vs then at last my brethren be awakened out of our securitie and whilest it is called To day not to harden our hearts but answer the Lords call lest we come at last to be hardened through the deceitfulnesse of sinne and by our wilfull rebellion and contempt of grace offered shut vp at last the gate of grace against our selues And as they went on their way It seemeth then that Philip preached in his trauell sitting in the Chariot and as they iournied Certainly great was the zeale and pietie of this man in the improuing of his time so well He would either reade himselfe or heare Philip preach euen in their trauels and in their iourney Now inasmuch as the Spirit of God is so carefull in setting down this diligence of his in euery circumstance thereof it teacheth vs Doct. Time is to be well spent That the carefull improuing of our time is a thing well pleasing vnto God and that delighteth him and hence it is that wee are exhorted to redeeme the time And our Sauiour tells vs Eph. 5. That for euery idle word that men shall speake Mat. 12.36 they shall giue an account in the day of Iudgement Our Sauiour reproued this in those husbandmen in the Gospell Why stand yee here all the day idle Mat. 20. Time pretious time is one of those Talents for the which we are one day to giue vp account vnto God Which shews indeed the greatnesse of their sinne Vse that make no reckoning or account of time as if it were their owne to spend it they list Many men set their wits on worke how to spend time and to driue it away as they say as if time were so slow footed as that it stood in need to bee driuen Surely there are many thousands now in hell that shall there suffer the reward of the damned for euermore that would giue a thousand worlds if
whom soeuer shall require an accompt thereof No Answ Indeede I confesse a Christian is bound especially when he is called by authority though it be before an Infidel to make an Apologie of his Faith and to defend the truth And so likewise at all times when Gods glory is like to suffer a Christian must stand it out whatsoeuer come of it But when a question shall bee asked vs to no other end but to deride the truth or for some other euill end Wee haue the example of our Sauiour himselfe not to answeare in such a case Iesus held his peace Mat. 26.63 at that time wheÌ„ they went about to intrap him in his words So that if a man bee questioned concerning his Faith or Religion hee is wisely to consider whereto the question tendeth and accordingly returne his answere I beleeue This was the thing that Philip so much desired that this Eunuch might bee brought to beleeue in Christ that so the Sacrament might be effectuall to the sealing vp and confirmation of his Faith Here we haue the happy fruite and effect of his Ministery hee is brought to be a beleeuer Philip hath not beate the aire in vaine neither hath the word been cast as the Seede on the high way side on the stony or thorny ground but it hath lighted now on a good heart a heart prepared for the same The happy fruit and effect whereof is heere set downe he is made a beleeuer I beleeue It teacheth vs That there is a particular Faith Doct. required of all that looke to reape life and saluation through Christ A partâ—cular Faith necessary to Saluaâ—iâ—n If we looke to reape fruit and benefit by the Sacraments of the Church we must euery particular man haue a particular Faith of our owne to qualifie vs for the same to this are we often exhorted To stand fast in the Faith 1 Cor. 16.13 to bee rooted and grounded in Faith To make our calling and election sure 2 Cor. 13.5 And to worke out our saluation with feare and trembling Phil 2.12 For the further clearing of this truth Hear wee the speech of Faith in those whom God hath honoured with this grace in the scripture Iob 19 25. Esay 45.24 truely to beleeue I am sure my Redeemer liueth Hee shall say surely in the Lord haue I righteousnesse and strength Doubtlesse thou art our Father Esay 63.16 though Abraham bee ignorant of vs. We may see heerein the maruelous affiaÌ„ce the faithfull haue had through their owne particular Faith Gal 2.20 They were sure and certaine of their owne saluation after this life Heb. 2 4. Wee know that we are translated from darknesse to light c. They were sure of the grace of perseuerance they should perseuere in Gods loue vnto the end Doubtlesse kindnesse and mercy shall follow mee all the dayes of my life Psal 23.6 It is not presumption but Faith saith an Ancient Non est arrogantia sed fides predicare quod acceperis August to say thou shalt bee accepted through Christ The point is cleare and plaine The grounds are Reas 1 First in regard that all the promises of life and saluation run in generall tearmes and therefore must bee applied in particular to euery one Christ hath loued vs saith the Apostle and giuen himselfe for vs wherevpon a learned Diuine saith From the vniuersall euery one is to bring the benefit of Christs death to his owne particular Ab Vniversali quis que debet ad suum particulare hoc Christi bew ficium transferre Zâ—nch in Ephs 5. that hee may bee able in some good measure of Faith to say with the Apostle Christ gaue himselfe for me and without this there can bee no sound comfort for what though wee haue by vs neuer so precious a salue that will heale all soares if this be not applied we are not the better for it such are the promises of the Gospell to an vnbeleeuer the man wanteth the hand of Faith to make the application Reas 2 Secondly the very order of our Creed which wee are taught to beleeue teacheth so much where we say I beleeue not wee beleeue which is to bee referred to euery Article I beleeue in God the Father I beleeue in Iesus Christ in the holy Ghost c. An euident proofe we must haue this particular Faith of our owne Reas 3 Thirdly this is it which furnisheth a Christian with a holy resolution to goe on throughly in his Christian course What Souldier were he assured aforehand to win the field and to haue the dividing of the spoiles would not with Iesus march furiously to meete his enemy in the face this valour doth well become Christs Souldiers who hath made vs Kings and Conquerors through Christ Vse 1 This serues first of all to condemne that Doctrine of the Church of Rome who teach and hold that it is arrogancy and presumption for any man to conclude the certainty of his owne saluation By the Doctrine of the Councell of Trent No man say they can attaine any assurance of his owne saluation other then coniecturall vnlesse by speciall revelation He that will bee a Papist is bound by the renet of the Church all the dayes of his life to liue in suspence a most vncomfortable Religion a most vncomfortable Doctrine Nay more let him be accursed saith the same Councell if he either think or indeuour any grounded certaintie or assurance Miserable comforters are they and herein what doe they else but rob God of his glory and depriue a Christian soule of his cheefest comfort Surely it must needs bee a Satanicall and Antichristian Spirit that shall contradict the spirit of God in so plaine and euident a truth Reas 2 Secondly seeing such a particular Faith is required to partake of Christ and of all those benefits that accrue vnto euery true beleeuer through him Let this then admonish vs to labour for this assurance and to prouoke hereunto Consider Motiues to get a particular faith First that it is an excellent meanes to free the heart of man from slauish and seruile feares and to worke an holy securitie in the soule So Dauid Psal 46.1.2 God is our hope and strength therefore will we not feare though the earth he moued Againe Though I walke through the valley of the shadow of death Psal 23.4 I will feare none euill for thou art with me Secondly it is this that will regulate and temper our affections in times of prosperitie when we shall consider that we are reserued for better hopes and kept for a better condition How ready are we to poure out our hearts to our lusts and pleasures especially in prosperous times With the disciples we are ready to say It is good being here But when wee shall consider that wee are here but in the suburbs and that whatsoeuer we haue and enioy is but the earnest of a more glorious inheritance we shall then put
be offended at my rudenesse and boldnesse if I should offer my selfe to come into his company or else hee might haue alledged his owne simplicitie alas I am but a poore simple man and what hope can I haue to do him any good But Philip we see alledgeth none of these but being called and sent of God hee goes boldly and most willingly about the worke of the Lord and the duty of his calling Philip ran thither Our lesson is That God would haue vs to obey Doct. him God loues chearfulnes in his seruice and to performe the duties of our callings readily willingly and chearfully We may see this here to the great commendations of Philip who being bid to go he ranne thither saith the Text He ranne thither not to get a Benefice but to preach the Gospell and this is it indeed that pleaseth the Lord greatly diligence and sedulitie in doing his will and the duties of our callings That which Paul speaketh of a chearfull giuer God loueth a chearfull giuer is true of all other duties God loueth a chearfull hearer a chearfull prayer a chearfull receiuer and of Christ it was said That it was meat and drinke vnto him to doe the will of his Father And for this wee are taught to pray that we may doe Gods will on earth as the Angels do the same in heauen Now the Angels doe Gods will readily willingly and chearfully and therefore are they said to haue two wings to flie because of their speedy execution of Gods will And this was the great commendations of those Noble Bereans aboue those of Thessalonica Act. 17.11 that with willingnesse they receiued the word And so was it the praise of Abraham Gen. 2â— that being commanded of God to sacrifice his sonne Isaac that hee rose vp early in the morning to do it Yea this readinesse and willingnesse to doe the Lords will is a thing so pleasing vnto God that wicked men themselues albeit in by respects when they haue readily executed the Lords command the Lord hath taken speciall all notice of it and recompensed the same 2. Kin. 10.30 Wee may see this in Iehu Because saith the Lord thou hast beene diligent to execute that which was right in my eyes against the house of Ahab therefore thy sonnes shall sit vpon the throne of Israel to the fourth generation And yet wee know that Iehu did it not so much in obedience to Gods commandement as to settle himselfe in the kingdome Men make no reckoning of such a seruant that goeth about his businesse lazily or grudgingly much lesse can the Lord away with such that do his worke negligently â—â—r 4â— 10 formally customarily and but for fashion sake This serues to reproue many in the Ministery Vse who are so backward in doing of their duties who do the Lords worke coldly negligently and carelesly Some are so farre from doing the Lords worke readily willingly and chearfully as that they do it not at all but are rather like the wilde Asse â—er 2.24 swift to wickednesse and sinne They runne to an Ale-house but haue no heart at all to Gods house haue in them no compassion at all towards those thousand in Israel that like wandering sheepe are out of the way and are in danger to perish euerlastingly Surely it is not the least blemish of our Church that there is no better course taken with such these are spots and blots amongst vs opening the mouthes both of Papists and Atheists to speake euill of our sacred calling and are a stumbling blocke to many Some againe are backward in doing the Lords command like Ionas who ranne from his dutie another way The Lord bids Philip go and hee runnes with all speed and readily and chearfully doth the will of God But though the Lord command these men to run they scant go they must be called againe againe they haue so many excuses to hinder them from doing their duties Yea were it not many times more for feare of mans law and shame of the world then loue to God and compassion to the poore soules of their people I feare me that many would make small haste to preach the word at all Secondly as many Preachers so many hearers of the word are here likewise faultie who when they should come to the publicke preaching of the word which is Gods ordinance to saue mens soules There is a Lyon in the way or a Beare it is too hot it is too cold something or other hinders them from their dutie or if they do come they stay not to the last but come with the last and go with the first euen as a Beare comes to a stake so come these to this duty Well the Lord loues a chearfull giuer and no other dutie can finde acceptation with him no farther then it hath chearfulnesse to commend the same vnto God Oh then let vs runne to Gods house it will bee the more comfortable vnto vs and then may wee looke to meet the Lord in his owne ordinances when readily and chearfully wee set our selues to meet him therein But vnderstandest thou what thou readest Philip might seeme to want discretion greatly to begin thus bluntly with this Nobleman Much vnlike is this dealing of his to other the seruants of God who when they haue beene to speake vnto great personages haue seemed to vse more reuerence and to giue them better respect Thus one of the sonnes of the Prophets when he came to anoint Iehu king comes with reuerence to him saying I haue an arrant vnto thee 2. King 9.5 O Captaine And thus Daniel with his O King so often in his mouth Dan. 4.18 doth shew the reuerend respect that he gaue to so great a personage to whom he spake And this was that reuerent carriage of Paul Act. 26.7 when hee was to speake to King Agrippa So that this behauiour of Philip at this time towards this man a man would haue thought might haue forestalled the good which otherwise he might haue done on the man But surely Gods wayes are not as mans wayes Here is Gods seruant now to deale not with a Iehu as the sonne of the Prophet was nor with a Nabuchadnezzar as Daniel was nor with an Agrippa as Paul was men carnally minded proud fleshly and vaine But with an humble soule a meeke seruant of God one that loued not to bee soothed vp and flattered in his sinnes but to be truly and plainly dealt withall and therefore was Philip so much the more welcome vnto him And thus againe the Lord vseth sometimes to speake vnto his seruants 1. King 21. as Eliah to Ahab It is thou and thy fathers house that troubleth Israel Amos 4.1 So Amos to the Princes of his time calling them that Fat kine of Bashan that fed vpon the mountaines of Samaria Now this dealing of Gods seruants thus commendeth vnto vs this instruction That wee are not to measure the truth of the message