their lives and conversations that they may he exemplary to others That is that which both Paul and Peter require from them in the places forecited 1 Tim. 4. 12. Tit. 2. 7. 1 Pet. 5. 3. Quest. But wherein should they he so exemplary unto others Answ. In setting forth of this I will not go from the word I have in hand Onely send them to the Stars which I shall propound as patterns to them in those things wherein I would have them to be patterns to others 1. Let them be Examples to others in Purity Such are the Stars pure creatures Not a spot not a blemish to be seen in any of them I mean in the fixed stars True indeed in the Moon there are spots but not so in any of the fixed stars which are most properly the Ministers Embleme They are all pure And such all the Ministers of Christ should labour to be Pure The Priests under the Law must not have a blemish Levit. 22. Patterns of Purity This is one thing wherein Paul would have Timothy to be a Pattern in that place forenamed 1 Tim. 4. 12. Be thou an example of the believers But wherein why among other things in Puritie And again Chap. 5. 22. Keep thy self pure And herein should all the Ministers of Christ be exemplary to others In purity of Conversation keeping themselves unspotted of the world free from the evils of the times and places wherein they live that their lives be not spotted with any scandalous crimes Which if they be they will be like those spots in the Moon obvious to every eye and no small blemish to their holy function 2. As in Purity so in Zeal Stars as they shine so they sparkle Therein differing from the Moon as a Diamond doth from a Christal The one shines but it is but with a pale wan light The other both shines and sparkles And so should it be with the Ministers of Christ Whilest they shine in purity they should sparkle with zeal Such a light was Iohn the Baptist not onely shining but burning John 6. 35. shining with holiness and burning with zeal And such should all the Ministers of God be as pure so zealous That is the thing which the Spirit requires from one of these seven Angels the Minister or Ministers of the Laodicean Church Rev. 3. 19. Be zealous And so should all the Ministers of Christ be zealous for God for his truth for his worship and service zealous against Errours Heresies all kind of doctrinal or practical wickedness Such were Moses and Phineas whose zeal standeth upon record to their eternal honour And such was Paul of whom the story tels us Acts 13. 9. that when he saw Elimas the Sorcerer opposing him as he did not so much his Person as his Doctrine Being filled with the Holy Ghost saith the Text he set his eyes upon him His eyes even sparkled with a holy indignation against him And so when he came to Athens and there saw the City so wholly given to Idolatry his spirit was stirred within him saith the Text Acts 17. 16 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Exacerbabat spiritus ejus his spirit was sharpned it had an edge set upon it it was so stirred that he could not but break forth into an open and tart reproof And so was it with our blessed Lord and Master the Lord Iesus However in his own personal concernments none more patient that Lamb of God yet in the cause of his father none more zealous The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up It is spoken of Christ Iohn 2. 17. Such was his holy zeal for the service and honour of God his Father that it was as a fire in his Breast continually feeding upon his spirits so busying and taking up his thoughts that it made him even regardless of himself And such should be the zeal of his servants his Ministers Onely let them see that it be a well tempered zeal Not fiery not furious In this do Stars differ from Comets Blazing-stars Both sparkle but the one in a temperate the other in a furious way as if they would set the world on fire Such zeal the Ministers of God must be ware of When Iames and Iohn having had some affront offered them and their Master by the Samaritans wo refused to receive them propound to him this course of proceeding against them wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven to consume them he presently makes answer to them with a Check ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of Luke 9. 54 55. Giving them to know that their counsel did not suit with their calling neither did it favour of a truly Ministerial spirit which should be a spirit of meekness and gentleness Zealous the Ministers of God may be ought to be But let it be for God and not for themselves And then let their fervour be tempered with a wise and holy discretion Let them sparkle where need is but let it be like Stars not like Blazing-stars Thirdly As in Puritie and Zeale so in Humilitie Hereof the Stars are very proper Emblems as Lapide hints it upon the Text. Which though they be vaste bodyes most of them far bigger then the Earth yet how little doe they seem to be And such should the Ministers of the Gospel be what euer they be for place for partes for gifts yet they should be little in their owne eyes· So was Paul however not Inferiour in place or gifts to any of the Apostles which being thereunto provoked by his emulous Adversaries he sometimes asserts and stands upon 2 Cor. 11. 5. I suppose I was not any whit behind the cheifest of the Apostles And againe in the Chapter following verse 11. he inculcates the same In nothing am I behind the very cheifest Apostles Yet in his owne eyes how low was he Even the least of them So much we may heare him elswhere acknowledging 1 Cor. 15. 9. I am the least of the Apostles Yea the least of Saints So he tels his Ephesians cap. 3. verse 8 Vnto me who am least then the least of all Saints is this grace given 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a double diminitive Less then the Least i.e. for the least So little was this great Apostle to himself Even as nothing That is his Expression elswhere in that place forenamed 2. Cor. 12 11. In nothing am I behind the very cheifest Apostles though I be nothing Thus whilst he tooke notice of the abundant grace of God to him in bestowing such gifts as he had done upon him yet with all he acknowledgeth his owne nothingness How in and of himself he was nothing nothing without Christ even as the stars are nothing without the Sun of no use good for nothing Such was Paul in his own eyes And he would not seeme over great in the eyes of others It is the reason which he giveth why he did forbeare to speake somewhat of himself which
was the true light which lightens every man that cometh into the world it is spoken of Christ Ioh. 1. 9. Who ever it is that is inlightned whether with a naturall or supernaturall light they receive it from Christ. And to him let his Ministers looke and that not onely for the former but the latter of these that they be inlightned with a supernaturall Illumination having not onely their heads but hearts enlightned that they may be indued with a cleare sound and affectionable knowledg of divine and heavenly Mysteries And being thus seated and thus qualified then In a third place Let them doe the office of stars holding forth that light which they have shining before those over whome they are set Which they are to doe in those two wayes forenamed By Doctrine by Example 1. By Doctrine holding forth the light of Gods truth the word of life This are all Christians to doe in a practicall way So Paul willeth his Philippians Phil. 2. 16. Holding forth the worde of Life viz. in their lives and Conversations by walking answerable to it But the Ministers of Christ in a doctrinall way Communicating that light of saving knowledg which they have received in and by the preaching of the word Which they are to doe 1. Voluntarily and freely Soe doe the stars give forth their light And so should Ministers theirs Freely you have received Freely give saith our Saviour to his Apostles willing them to communicate their guifts for the good and benefit of others and that freely And so should the Ministers of the Gospell theirs Not doing what they doe by constraint nor yet out of Covetousness or any other by and sinister respect but willingly freely So Saint Peter giveth it them in charg 1 Pet. 5. 2. Feede the flock of God which is among you or as much as in you is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 taking the oversight thereof not by constraint but willingly not for filthy lucre but of a ready minde 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Four words which I could wish all the Ministers of Jesus Christ had them written upon their hearts that remembring them they might practise accordingly 2. Doing this freely let them also do it faithfully and sincerely In doctrine shewing sincerity as Paul willeth Titus Chap. 2. verse 7. First holding forth no other light then what they have received Not their owne light Herein again true Stars differ from Comets Comets being set on fire hold forth their own light so doe not the Stars they hold forth no other light then what they have received from the Sun So ought the Ministers of Christ to doe not like those false prophets of whome the Lord complains Ier. 23. 16. that They spake a vision of their owne heart and not out of the mouth of the Lord. Comet-like being set on fire with ambition or vaineglory or some other by and sinister respects they held forth their owne light So ought not the Ministers of Christ to doe Star-like they are to hold forth no other light then what they receive from the Sun no other doctrine then what they receive from Christ. I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you saith the Apostle And then secondly all that light So doe the Stars they doe not hide or hold back any of that light which they have received No more may the Ministers of God any of the light of divine truth Such was Pauls faithfulness in his Ministerie that he did not shun to declare unto the Churches all the Counsell of God so he tels the Elders at Miletum Act. 20. 27. All the Counsell viz. What was profitable for them he explains it verse 20. And such should the faithfulness of Gods Ministers be They are not to hide or hold back any part of that light which they have received That which Balaam once spake against his will Numb 24. 13. Ministers should freely and conscientiously resolve upon and practise What the Lord saith unto them that to speake Onely that all that Thirdly And in so doing let them be assiduous and vnwearied So are the Stars in their Motions and operations in giving light to the earth they are unwearied holding on their courses night after night A fitting patterne for the Ministers of the Gospell who should be thus unwearied in their Ministeriall services So was Paul who tels his Corinthians that the Care of all the Churches came upon him daylie 2 Cor. 11. 28. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a multitude of cares which came like an Armie upon him for that is the proper signification of the word these came upon him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 daylie So should the Care of those particular charges over which God hath set his Ministers come upon them and that daylie They should be assiduous in seeking of their good unwearied in their Gospell Ministration in the worke and services of their God This is that which Paul requires from all Christians 1. Cor. 15. last Finally my brethren be ye steadfast unmovable alwayes abounding in the worke of the Lord. And let it be directed in a speciall manner to the Ministers of Christ who are imployed in the service of the Lord after a speciall manner Let them be therein unwearied 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not giving in not fainting as Paul saith of himselfe that he did not 2. Cor. 4. 1. And so doing let them now for their Incouragement take notice of what there followeth For as much as you know that your labour is not in vaine in the Lord So shall not the labour of private Christians be much less the labour of Gods Ministers Who thus shining as stars here shall shine as Stars hereafter So runs the Promise in express terms Dan. 12. 3. They that be wise Teachers saith the Margin and so the word Hammashkilim may be taken transitiuely for facientes intelligere such as make others wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament and they that turne many to righteousness which is properly the Ministeriall worke as the Stars for ever and ever Being honoured both of God and men shining in their memories upon earth the Apostles are as twelve stars upon the Churches head Rev. 12. 1. and in their persons in heaven 2. I have done with the former and chief part of the Ministerial office which is to shine before others in Doctrine to which in the second place they are to joyn Example Which as I have already shewn you is not a little influential upon the people especially upon the vulgar common sort who are for the most part more led by Example then Precept Praeceptis ducimur Exemplis trahimur Precepts lead Examples draw And of all examples none more then of Ministers They being to some as the Sun-diall by which men set their Clocks or as the Stars to the Sea-man by which he steareth his course The consideration whereof should make them the more wary and circumspect in the ordering of
otherwise he might justly and truely have done 2. Cor. 12. 6. Now I forbeare saith he lest any should thinke of me aboue that which he seeth me to be So would he have those his Corinthians and others to looke upon him as men doe upon the Stars which though great in themselves yet make but a little shew And such should the humility of Gods Ministers be the more eminent they are in place and gifts the more humble should they be Even as the stars the higher they are the lesser they seeme So serving their God in all humility of minde as Paul saith of himself that he did Act. 20. 19. A grace which is no small Ornament to private Christians Whome therefore the Apostle presseth to seeke after it Eph. 4. 2. Phil. 2. 3. But specially to Ministers who of all other shoâ—ld be most humble Not thinking highly of themselves not seeking after popular applause nor yet affecting any worldly grandur Let them leave this to the men of this world whereof the Moone is an Emblem which though less then any of the Stars yet being nearer the earth seemeth far greater Let them such as minde earthly things let them seeke after an earthly greatness But let it not be so with the Ministers of Christ. That is the interdict which our Saviour giveth to his Disciples Mat. 23. Where he forbids them to doe as the Scribs and Pharisees did Be not ye called Rabbi verse 8. Neither be ye called masters verse 10. He would not have them ambitiously to affect high and swelling titles of honour and preeminence And afterwards when his Apostles were contesting about a supremacy reasoning among themselves which of them should be greatest as Saint Luke hath it Luke 9. 46. greatest in the kingdom of heaven as Saint Matthew explains it Mat. 18. 1. that is in that temporal Kingdom of Christ which they then dreamed of our Saviour instead of answering that Question which they propounded to him which they did in a covert and reserved way as Saint Matthew there sets it down At the same time came the Disciples unto Iesus saying who is the greatest in the kingdome of heaven Thus they propose the Question in a general way afar off as being ashamed to speak out to speak what they meant and to let their Master know what it was that they had been parling about he perceiving the thought of their heart as Saint Luke there hath it vers 47. taking notice of their Ambition he taketh a Childe and set him by him saith Saint Luke set him in the midst of them saith Saint Matthew so presenting him to them as an Emblem and Pattern of that which he would have them to learn viz. true Humility and kowliness Not to think highly of themselves nor to seek great matters for themselves not to affect earthly greatness temporal honours and dignities and promotions So he there explaineth his own meaning in the verses following Matth. 18. Except ye become as little children verse 3. whosoever shall humble himself as this little childe the same is greatest in the Kingdome of God vers 4. Thus doth he point them out the way to true greatness to be great in the eyes of God and his Saints viz. to be little in their own And so it is As pride maketh way for a downfal so humility is the way to preeminence And in this grace let all the Ministers of Jesus Christ be exemplary to others Patternes of Humility I will be brief in the rest Fourthly As of Humility so of Sobriety Modestie Gravity Hereof also the Stars may be looked upon as Emblems This being a difference betwixt true Stars and Comets Comets Blazing-stars they do diffluere flie out in a loose way having their long trains and streamers their tresses and hairy bushes from whence they are called Stellae Crinitae or Comatae hairy Stars with their loose locks and long mains No fit patterns for the Ministers of the Gospel who of all others may not so flie out in any loose way so as to be in any kind exorbitant whether in meat or drink or apparel or hair But in all patterns of Sobriety Modesty Gravity therein resembling the true fixed stars which are of a plain and simple aspect Ffthly Of Regularity and Constancy In this the fixed stars differ both from Comets and Planets The one are regular and constant in their motion the other varying and wandering Now such should Gospel Ministers be Not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Saint Iude saith of some in his time Iude 13. Planets or Comets wandring stars but fixed Fixed as in their places and charges which they ought not to desert so as to remove from place to place without just weighty and warrantable cause Being stars let them keep their Orbs so in their Iudgments and Practices not changing or turning with the times not entertaining every new Doctrine under the name and notion of New-Light No the Stars keep their old light And so let the Ministers of Christ do their old Doctrine the old truths of God What though the world have heard of them never so often So it hath seen the light of the Stars and yet they still hold forth the same Sixthly and lastly of Patience with a couragious and undaunted resolution Hereof again the Stars are Emblems which shine in the dark of the night and sparkle most in the coldest seasons And such should be as the Patience so the Courage of Gods Ministers It is that which the Spirit taketh notice of in some of those Angels the Ministers of these seven Churches I know thy works and thy labour and thy patience saith he to the Ephesian Angel Rev. 2 3. I know thy faith and patience to the Thyatirian v. 19. And as their Patience so their Courage in appearing for Christ in those sad times I know thy workes and where thou dwellest even where Satans seat is and thou holdest fast my name and hast not denyed my faith even in those dayes where in Antipas was my faithfull Martyr that is the testimony given to the Angel of the Church in Pergamus verse 13. And the like to the Philadelphian Angel cap. 3. 8. Thou hast kept my word and hast not denyed my name Thus did they shine as stars in that darke night in that â—ad persecution under Domitian the Emperour yet still they stood by it holding forth the word of truth Like Patience and Courage there should be in all the Ministers of Christ In evill times they should stand by their flocks So doe the Stars when neither Sun nor Moone appeare yet they stand by it and shew themselves So should the Ministers of Christ even in times of persecution stand by their Charges It is the Character which our Saviour giveth of the hireling shepheard Ioh. 10. 12. When he seeth the wolfe coming in times of danger he leaveth the sheepe and flieth Whereas the true shepheard is readie to lay down his life for his sheepe verse
13. Thus should the Ministers of Christ in evill times in the darke night of Persecution stand by the people committed to their charge And standing by them they are then to shew themselves then appearing for Christ. That was Peters resolution and it was a good one had he not taken it up in his owne strength Though all men shall be offended because of thee saith he to his Master yet will I never be offended Mat. 26. 33. And such should be the resolution of the Ministers of Christ which they should take up in the name and strength of their Lord and Master Though all others should forsake him yet to stand by him Though Sun and Moone withdraw the Rulers and Potentates of the earth doe not appeare for him but it may be against him which too often they doe as the Psalmist sets it forth Psal. 2. 2. then let these stars shew themselves the Ministers of Christ then appearing then shining shining as lights in the midest of a froward crooked perverse generation Thus have I showne you the duty of Ministers in reference to the people over whome God hath set them Before whome they are to shine as stars as Lightes both by doctrine and Example To these I might yet add some other vsefull admonitions One in reference to themselves And two in reference to their fellow Brethren And yet one other in reference to their Flocks I shall still hold to the Emblem in hand prosecuting the same Allegory 1. In reference to themselves Let them be heavenly minded Stars are inhabitantes of heaven having their abode there not descending upon the earth nor coming near it So should it be with Gospell Ministers Our conversation is in heaven saith Saint Paul Phil. 3. 20. True it is such should the Conversation of all Christians be Being heaven-borne borne from above 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as our Saviour hath it Ioh. 3. 3. they should minde and seeke the things which are above as the Apostle elsewhere exhorts them Col. 3. 1 2. But the Ministers of Christ in an especiall manner They should have their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 their Converse in heaven Thither it was that Paul was once wrapt in an Extasie 2 Cor. 12. into the third heavens And thither should the Ministers of Christ frequently ascend by divine Meditation and Contemplation Entering into that holy of holies not as the High-Preist did into that Typicall one once in the yeare but often daylie nay living there having their constant abode there Not being 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 men of the earth plunging themselves into the affaires and business of this world but so using it as if they used it not living a bove it This in reference to themselves Secondly In reference to their fellow Brethren let them take heede of two things 1. Of Clashing with them Who ever saw the Stars doe so True indeede Meteors we may see sometimes spitting and shooting and darting but not so the stars Among them what a constant harmonie and agreement doe we see And O that there were the like amongst all the true Ministers of Jesus Christ that there might be no such clashing no such spitting darting or shooting one against another whether from the Pulpit or the Press But that all of them might thinke and speake and write the same thing so keeping the unitie of the spirit in the bond of peace Which all Christians should greatly affect so the Ministers of Christ in a speciall manner In the meane time all cumbring against the common Enemie even as the Stars in their courses fought against Sisera Iudg. 5. 20. But having peace one with another as our Saviour giveth it in charge to his Apostles Mark 9. last Not but that in some cases Ministers both may and ought to reprove their Brethren So did the Apostle Saint Paul who not onely appeared against the false Brethren who went about to introduce their dangerous doctrines to whome as he saith he gave not place by subjection no not for an houre Gal. 2. 4. 5. But even Peter also When he saw that he did not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 walke with a right and even foot but inclined to an vnwarrantable separation tending to a dangerous schisme in the Church now he with stood him to the face appeared openly against him Gal. 2. 11. 14. And the like the Ministers of Christ not onely may but ought to doe When they see the fundamentall truthes of God undermined or the peace and unitie of the Church indangered in these cases they not onely may but ought to speake who ever it be that appeares against them But in the meane time let them not affect such clashing nor yet undertake them unless it be in matters of great and weightie concernment Secondly Let them take heede of being Pragmaticall Busy-bodies As of running into other Professions which are Eccentricall to their owne of no affinitie with their Ministeriall function so of intermedling in other mens charges This is that which Saint Peter forbids all Christians Let none of you suffer as an evill doer or as a Busy-bodie 1 Pet. 4. 15. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the word properly Signifieth a Bishop in another mans Diocess Such should not private Christians be Such let not Ministers be Being Bishops let them keepe within their owne Diocesses even as the Stars do within their own Orbs and Spheres Thirdly In reference to their Flocks Let them be vigilant watchful Hereof also as Lapide noteth it the Stars are Emblems which watch over the earth in the night season And so vigilant should Gospel-Ministers be over their Flocks Even as the story tels us of those shepheards to whom the Angel appeared with those joyful tidings Luke 2. 8. They were keeping watch over their flocks by night And such watchmen should these spiritual shepheards be To this end are they set over their flocks by God that they should watch over them Son of man I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel saith the Lord to his Prophet Ezekiel Ezek. 3. 17. To watch over their souls Obey them that have the rule over you saith the Apostle for they watch for your souls Heb. 13. 17. And this let them do That is the word which Saint Paul giveth to the Elders of Ephesus Acts 20 31. Watch. And this let all the Ministers of Christ do And that as at all times so specially in the night in times of danger when Foxes Wolves false Teachers Heretical seducers walk abroad seeking to make a prey of the flock Such was that time when Paul gave that watch-word to those Elders as we may learn from the verses foregoing verse 29 30. I know this saith he that after my departure grievous wolves wolves in sheeps-cloathing false teachers shall enter in among you not sparing the flock Also of your own selves shall men arise speaking pervese things broaching and venting false and Heretical doctrine to draw away Disciples after
them Therefore Watch. Ministers should be vigilant at all times knowing that that Roaring Lion is still walking about But when such Wolves and Foxes subtile and dangerous Seducers are abroad they had need then to look out sharp as the STARS heavens sentinels do in the dark of the night But I fear I have wearied your attentions with what I confess doth immediately concern but a few of this present Audience You have have heard what ones the Ministers of Christ ought to be But shall we now give way to an Enquiry Are the Ministers and Teachers in this our Church I mean the Church of England at this day such Such Stars Blessed be God such there are and that not a few But how many far otherwise Such as go for Stars being set in the firmament of the Church but are unworthy of that name having little light or if they have yet hiding it less zeal no purity but are rather like those spots in the Moon no small blemish in the Churches face I might go on But I have no pleasure in discovering of what I have here no opportunity to rectifie Besides these how many Meteors such as would be taken for Stars but are nothing less in truth Comets they are 1. Being first not set in the firmament of the Church ascending of themselves But meer Exhalations ascending of themselves and drawn up by some sinister respects of Honour or Profit or the like and fed with those earthly vapours I mean men taking this office upon themselves not being called thereunto by God not being set apart to the work whether Actually or yet Intentionally 2. Blazing-stars Such were the false Apostles in Saint Pauls time and such there are too many in ours Men who make a great glare a great shew and as Gamaliel once said of Theudas Acts 5. 36. they boast themselves to be some body no ordinary Teachers And thereupon they hold forth new and strange lights new and strange doctrines such as the world cannot but stand amazed at the beholding hearing of as much as in them lieth setting the Church on fire therewith By which means it cometh to pass that the truly Orthodox Ministers with their old light their old truths comes to be the less regarded and by some slighted Even as it is when there is a blazing-star flaming in the heavens the world stands at gaze at that all tcome out of their doors to look upon that whilest the true Stars in the mean time are little passed by without any observation 3. To these add in the third place Falling-stars Such are Comets they shine for a time and that it may be very brightly out-shining all the stars about them but in a little time having spent their stock of vapour they fall down to the earth from whence they came and thereby are discovered to be what they were not stars but Comets Quae cecidit stella non fuit Cometa fuit And such stars how many have we seen of late times falling-stars Time was when they shone and that brightly like Lucifers sons of the morning but now how are they fallen from heaven as the Prophet saith of the Babylonion Monarch and Empire Isaiah 14. 13 Fallen from their Principles Such a Star we read of Revel 9. 1. I saw a star fallen from heaven saith Saint Iohn which some understand of some eminent Minister of the Church who fell from the true Religion of God and turned Apostate And elsewhere he tels us of the Stars of heaven falling to the earth Revel 6. 13. Ministers falling from the truth into Errours And such stars how many have we seen or heard of Men sometime of special note in the Church shining like Stars in the firmament thereof But now are they fallen from heaven to earth I had almost said to Hell but I would be as charitable as I may hoping however desiring that God would give them repentance unto salvation that they remembring from whence they are fallen may repent and do their first works as the spirit counsels the Angel of the Church of Ephesus Revel 2. 5. fallen from the truth of God into dangerous desperate damnable Errours and Heresies some of them even denying the Lord that bought them as Saint Peter foretelleth it of some 2 Pet. 2. 1. Besides these how many fallen from their purity and how many from their zeal being with the Laodicean Angel grown remiss Luke-warme having lost their first love as the spirit chargeth it upon the Angel of the Church of Ephesus Rev. 2. 4. 4. To these I might yet add many more Among other I take notice of one star which being fallen from heaven was a bitter star Of this you read Rev. 8. 10. 11. There fel a great Star from heaven and his name was called Wormewood Of whome that is there meant I shall not now stand to enquire which if I should I should finde it verie mysterious Verely I wish there were but one such a star to be found in this our Horizon But alass how many of this kind such as being fallen from their principles do now justly deserve that name to be called Wormwood as it is for the most part with Apostates having their spirits imbittered against the truthes of God and the wayes of God and the servants of God sometimes their fellow Brethren against whome they shoote their Arrowes even bitter words as David saith his Enemies did against him Psal. 64. 3. upon all occasions letting flye bitter Invectives against them And others there are who though they be not so fallen but may be looked upon as stars still yet they have too much of this Wormwood in them too much of that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which the Apostle speaketh of Iames. 3. 14. Bitter Zeale Which upon all occasions they are readie to express against their Brethren who differ from them though it be but in matters of lesser concernment Now surely this doth not favour of a truly Ministeriall spirit which should be as I have showne a spirit of gentleness and meekness Not a bitter spirit But I will not wearie you and my selfe in following of this Chase any further I shall rather now come to that which may be more usefull unto you And that shall be to shew you what your duty is in reference to these starres in reference to the true Ministers of Jesus Christ. Which take in three or foure particulars 1. Take notice of them as set over you by God So are the Stars and so are these Stars both set over you by the same hand And that both to a like end viz. to overlook you and to guide you To these ends are the Stars set over this inferiour world as Ouerseers and Guides to overlooke it and Governe it which in some sense they do Astra regunt homines And to a like end are the Ministers of God set over the Church as Overseers as Guides Overseers so Saint Paul calleth
onely to him as Romanists would have it but to other his Apostles and Disciples and in them to their Successours even to all the Ministers of the Gospel as I touched before Into whose hands he hath put a double Key The Key of Doctrine and discipline of Doctrine giving them not onely leave or allowance but power to preach the Gospel Go teach all Nations Matth. 28. 19. Go preach the Gospel to every creature Mark 16. 15. And that in measure as himself is said to have done Matthew 7. last with Authoritie These things speak and exhort and rebuke with all Authoritie saith Paul to Titus Tit. 2. last And as the Key of Doctrine which is elsewhere called the Key of Knowledge Luke 11. 52. because it openeth the door and letteth men into the saving knowledge of God in Christ so of Discipline and Government Jesus Christ having given a Ministerial power to them partly by the Application of that Doctrine to the consciences of men and partly by the censures of the Church as it were to open and shut the Kingdome of Heaven the Kingdome of Grace and Glorie to open it to penitent believers to shut it against obstinate sinners Whatsover ye bind on earth c. Whose sins ye remit c. Thus have Gospel Ministers their Office from Christ their persons also being sent by him with Authoritie from him And upon this account are these stars here placed in the hand of this Son of Man to intimate the interest and propertie that Iesus Christ hath in the Ministers of the Churches who are his Ministers Here is a first thing hereby signified Pass we to a second Secondly As they are Ministers his Officers so they are ordered and governed by him And upon this account again they may be said to be in his hand in as much as they are disposed of and directed by him As are Ambassadours by their Masters that send them together with their Commission they receive particular directions and instructions both whither they are to go and what they are to say and do Even so it is with the Ministers of Christ being sent by him they are also directed by him As whither to go so were the Apostles whose Commission was first restrained to one particular Nation viz. to the Jewes Go not into the way of the Gentiles Matth. 10. 15. afterwards inlarged Goe teach all Nations Matth. 28. 19. And so was S. Paul sent to the Gentiles by Christ who appeared to him Acts 26. 18. And so are ordinarie Ministers though not in so immediate a way yet still they are directed by Christ viz. by his special Providence whither to goe where they are to be imployed It is this hand that fixeth these Stars in their several Orbes that placeth Ministers in their particular charges where also he continues them during his good pleasure disposing of them both for life and libertie as he seeth fitting So also what it is that they are to speak in his Name To which end he as it were putteth his word into their mouths So the Lord is said to have done into that fals Prophet Balams Numb 23. 16. The Lord met Balaam and put a word in his mouth And so he did in the mouths of his true Prophets Behold I have put my word into thy mouth saith the Lord to the Prophet Ieremy Jer. 1. 9. And the like doth the Lord Jesus into the mouthes of his Ministers he putteth his word into their mouthes sending them to preach he ordereth them what they are to preach Goe preach the Gospel Thus he giveth them directions and instructions from his Word the Scriptures whereby the Man of God cometh to be perfect as the Apostle telleth Timothie 2 Tim. 3. last And with his word he giveth them his Spirit This is that which our Saviour maketh promise to his Apostles and Disciples John 14. 16. 17. I will pray the Father and he shall give you another Comforter even the Spirit of Truth which Spirit he afterwards tells them should guide them into all Truth chap. 16. 13. And this Spirit Christ giveth in measure to all their Successours the true and faithfull Ministers of the Gospel whereby their Heads and Hearts come to be enlightned with those saving and usefull truths which they are to hold forth uuto others God hath shined into our hearts saith the Apostle in that place forenamed Thus are they in their ministerial work and service disposed of ordered governed by Christ. And upon this account again may be said to be in his hand Thirdly They are in his hand his right hand being powerfully supported and upheld defended and maintained by him In this sense all the Saints of God are said to be in his hand All his Saints are in thy hand saith Moses Deut. 23. 3. Gods Saints in the hand of Jesus Christ under his custody and protection But so are his Ministers after a special manner They are in his right hand under his powerful and gracious protection and support So the Psalmist often useth this phrase Thy right hand upholdeth me Psal. 18. 35. v. 63. 8. O thou that savest by thy right hand them that put their trust iâ— thee Psal. 17 7. The right hand is a member strong and active whereby a man sheweth and putteth forth the whole strength of his body And thence is it that Gods power manifested in the protection or deliverance of his people is called the strength of his right hand The Lord saveth his anointed with the saving strength of his right hand saith the Church speaking of David her king Psal. 20. 6. And such is the salvation which the Lord Christ sheweth unto his servants his faithful Ministers First maintaining their office which he will do in despite of all opposition to the end of the world I am with you alwaies to the end of the world And then so far as he seeth it expedient defending their persons continuing their lives and liberties Thus was this Son of man with those stars the Ministers of the Asian Churches He held them in his right hand protectiug them keeping them either from or in the hour of Temptation That is the promise which he maketh to the Philadelphian Angel Revel 3. 10. I will keep thee from the hour of temptation which shall come upon all the world Such was the state of the Church then under the reign of that cruel Tyrant the Emperour Domitian it lay under a general persecution yet the Lord Iesus promiseth to the Church and in particular to the Ministers thereof an exemption and immunitie And thus doth Iesus Christ hide his Ministers sometimes as it were in the hollow or shadow of his hand Thus was he himself hid by his Father as the Prophet Esay saith of him Isai. 49. 21. In or with the shadow of his hand hath he hid me So protecting him against all the might and malice of his capital enemies that they could not lay hold upon him or do ought
Ioy in the Lord Christ as when the Candles are all blowne out there is light enough in the Sun Rejoice we in him Seeking how to make answerable returnes unto him Answering his love with love loving him above all which who so doth not Saint Paul hath denounced an Anathema Maranatha upon him If any man love not the Lord Iesus let him be had in execration even unto the death 1 Cor. 16. 22. And loving him be Zealous for him Zealous for his truth Zealous for his worship and service Zealous for his honour and glory Thus labour we to find and feel these and the like efficatious and powerfull operations of this Sun of Righteousness Which whilst we doe now feare not the rising of this Sun the coming and appearing of the Lord Iesus at the last day Which indeede unto all his enemies as I shewed you both open and secret shall be a terrible appearing in so much as they shall not be able to abide it So saith the prophet Malachie concerning his first coming Mal. 3. 2. Who may abide the day of his coming and who shall stand when he appeareth Such was the day of his first coming his coming in the flesh a dreadfull day to obstinate and obdurate sinners for whome it had been better he had never come How much more the day of his second coming his second appearing when he shall come like the Sun in his strength in the glory of his power and Majesty come purposely to render vengeance to them that would not knowe and acknowledg him nor obey his Gospell Then shall all the kindreds of the earth wail because of him as you have it verse 7. of this Chapter Rev. 1. Then shall the sinners in Sion be afraid fearefullness shall surprize the Hypocrites as the prophet speakes Isaiah 33. 14. And why Because then they shall be discovered That shall be a day of Revelation when God shall bring to light the hidden things of darkness and make manifest the counsels of the hearts of men as the Apostle hath it 1. Cor. 4. 5. Then shall all masks and vizardes be pulled off And then shall they who have here stood out against the Government of Jesus Christ would not stoope to his scepter to be guided by his word they shall be dragged before his dreadful tribunall brought to appeare before the Iudgment seat of Christ that they may receive the things done in the body as the same Apostle tels them 2 Cor. 5. 10. So terrible shall that his second appearing be to all his Enemies But to others who have here owned him in the Relations of a Saviour and Lord it shall be a joyfull day Such was his first coming to these that beleeved on him So it was to Abraham who onely sawe it afar off by faith in the promise your father Abraham rejoyced to see my day so our Saviour tels the Jewes Ioh. 8. 56. And so it was to Iohn the Baptist who being then in his mothers womb yet leaps for joy at the salvation of Marie Luk. 1. 41 44. by a secret sympathie exulting in the Incarnation of Christ. And the Angell bringing the tidings of the Nativity unto the shepherds telleth them Behold I bring you tidings of great joy which shall be to all people Luk. 2. 10. The greatest Ioy that ever sounded in the eares of men or Angels Such was his first coming to all beleevers And such shall his second coming much more be unto them When they shall see their King coming to them not as he did to Ierusalem in that meane and despicable garbe but in his glory coming with clouds as the seventh verse of this Chapter hath it sitting upon them as on a throne of glory his face shining like the Sun in his strength this shall be a joyfull and a happie day to them all them who having been in their measure made comformable to him here shall then be transformed into his Image When he shall appeare we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is 1 Ioh. 3. 2. Having beene like unto him in grace we shall be like him in glory When Christ who is our life shall appeare then shall we also appeare with him in glory Col. 3. 4. And so have I now done with this verse Wherein we have met with three sacred Emblems The Mysticall Stars Sword Sun the first in the Hand the second in the Mouth the third in the Face of this Son of man the Lord Iesus Each holding forth unto us many usefull truths and some of them verie seasonable for the present times My prayer shall now be that they may be in like manner profitable to you to whome they have beene delivered FINIS Reader besides some other Literal and Punctual mistakes pardon and Correct these more considerable Errours of the Press FIrst Part. p. 2. l. last for Mysteries r. Ministers p. 3. marg r. â—aspidefulvo p. 4. l. 14. dele as p. 17. l 13. r. affectionate p. 19. l. 17. r. as he p. 25. l. 22. r. am less l. 24. r. far the least p. 32. l. 14 r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 33. l 3 for cumbring r. combining p. 35 l. 24. dele have p. 37 l. 6. dele little p. 40. l. 21. r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 46. l. 17. for twice r. choice p. 50. l 11. r his Ministers l. 15. r. Ambassadours are p. 56. l. 27. r. mission p. 57. many r. doing his will p. 62. l. 21. r. tels us p. 64. l. 18. dele by p. 20. for reports r. respects p. 65. l 6. r. but not l. 8. for see r. be l. 11. r. saith our Part 2. p. 2. l. 7. r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 l. 12. for his r. a. l. 21. dele story l. 28. for Engine r Ensign p. 3. l. 22. r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 l. 26. r. thâ—s King p. 4. l. 11 r Etymologist l. 28 r. Virga oris l. 30 for life r. lips p. 7. l 2. r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 l. 17. r. like as l. 20 r. Simeon p 8 l. 28. marg r. The word doing p. 9. l. 22 for part r. that l. 25. r. it is called p 10. l 28 for needeth r. meeteth p. 11 l 6. for sword r. word p. 13. l. 10. del that p 14 l. 13 r This is also the p. 16. l. 9 r in and by p. 17 l 22 for change r challenge ibid. r. to a p. 19. l 3. r. did those p. 21. l 22. r his truth p. 22. l. 6. for blinded r. blended l. 26. r. two hinges p. 23. l. 4. r will be l 16 for first r. such p. 25. l. 8. r. the directions p 26 l 30 del not p. 27. l. 32 for put r passe p. 28 l 9. r. O that l 20 r so here p 29. l 5 r the effectuall l. 9 for communication r compunction p. 30 l 4 for then r never Part 3. p. 1 l 3 r Son of man p. 2. l 14 del