Zech. 14. 16. If then I be a father where is mine honour c. And if ye offer the blind and the lame c. offer it now unto your governour will he be pleased with thee or accept thy person c ye brought that which was torn and the lame and the sick thus ye brought an offering should I accept this at your hand saith the Lord But cursed the deceiver who hath in his flock a male and voweth and sacrificeth unto God a corrupt thing for I am a great king saith the Lord of hosts and my name is dreadful among the heathen Mal. 1. 6 8 13 14. Get thee behind me Satan for it is written thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and him only shalt thou serve Matt. 4. 10. Where two or three are gathered together in my name there am I in the midst of them Matt. 18. 20. There is one God and there is none other but he Mark 12. 32. Our father 's worshipped in this mountain and ye say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship c. The hour cometh when ye shall neither in this mountain nor at Jerusalem worship the father ye worship ye know not what c. but the hour cometh and now is when the true worshippers shall worship the father in spirit and in truth for the father seeketh such to worship him God is a spirit and they who worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth John 4. 20 21 22 23 24. The father himself c. ye have neither heard his voice at any time nor seen his shape John 5. 37. Exod. 33. 20. And he said Lord I believe and he worshipped him John 9. 38. The most high dwelleth not in temples made with hands c. Heaven is my throne c. hath not my hands made all c Act. 7. 48 49 50. Whom ye ignorantly worship him declare I unto you God who made the world and all things therein seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth dwelleth not in temples made with hands neither is worshipped with mens hands as though he needed any thing seeing he gave to all life and breath and all things and hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth and hath determined the times before appointed and the bounds of their habitations c. Acts 17. 24 25 26. After the way they call heresie so worship I the God of my fathers Act. 24. 14. God whom I serve with my spirit c. The invisible things of him from the creation of the world are cleerly seen being understood by the things which are made his eternal power and godhead so that they are without excuse because that when they knew God they glorified him not as God c. but became vain c. Changed the truth of God into a lye and served and worshipped the creature more than the Creator who is blessed for ever Amen Rom. 1. 9 20 21 23 25. 2 Tim. 1. 3. Not slothful in business fervent in spirit serving the Lord Rom. 12. 11. We know that an Idol is nothing in the world and there is none other God but one For though there be that are called Gods c. but to us there is but one God the father of whom are all things and we in or for him and one Lord Jesus Christ by whom are all things and we by him 1 Cor. 8. 4 5 6. 1 Tim. 2. 5. So falling down on his face he will worship God and report that God is in you of a truth 1 Cor. 14. 25. We are the circumcision who worship God in the spirit Phil. 3. 3. When he bringeth in the first begotten into the world he saith and let all the Angels of God worship him Heb. 1. 6. God c. because he could swear by no greater he sware by himself c. The living God c. Heb. 6. 13. ch 9. 14. Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved let us have grace or hold fast whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear for our God is a consuming fire Heb. 12. 28 29. Ye also as lively stones are built up a spiritual house a holy priest-hood to offer up spiritual sacrifice acceptable to God by Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 2. 5. No man hath seen God at any time 1 John 4. 12. Fear God and give glory unto him c. And worship him who made heaven and earth and the sea and the fountains of waters Rev. 14. 7. chap. 15. 4. Worship God Rev. 19. 10. chap. 22. 9. Sanctifie the Lord God in your hearts 1 Pet. 3. 15. See more of Idolatry and worshipping strange Gods c. Chap. 39. See the order of Publick worship Ordinances Officers c. Chap. 27. Believe imbrace and be found in the practice of nothing in the things of God and about his worship but that which clearly according to Precepts Rules and Examples of the Scriptures appears to be Christs mind upon which we can in faith expect acceptance And Moses came and told the people all the words of the Lord and all the judgments and all the people answered with one voice and said All the words which the Lord hath said will we do And Moses wrote all the words of the Lord c. And he took the book of the covenant and read in the audience of the people and they said All that the Lord hath said will we do and be obedient Exod. 24. 2 4 7. And let them make me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them according unto all that I shew thee after the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all the instruments thereof even so shall ye make Exod. 25. 8 9. In the tabernacle without the vail which is before the testimony Aaron and his sons shall order it from evening till morning before the Lord c. Exod. 27. 21. And these are the garments which they shall make a breast-plate c. And they shall make holy garments for Aaron thy brother and his sons that they may minister unto me in the Priests office c. Exod. 28. 4 5 8 c. They made the holy garments for Aaron as the Lord commanded Moses Exod. 39. 1. Thus did Moses according unto all that the Lord commanded him so did he c. he spread abroad the tent over the tabernacle c. as the Lord commanded Moses c. And he lighted the lamps before the Lord as the Lord commanded Moses c. When they came near unto the Altar they washed as the Lord commanded Moses Exod. 40. 16 19 21 23 25 27 29. Levit. 8. 4 5 36. Nadab and Abihu the sons of Aaron c. offered strange fire which he commanded them not and there went out fire from the Lord and devoured them and they dyed before the Lord. And Moses said unto Aaron This is that the Lord spake I will be sanctified in
hearts by the holy Ghost Rom. 5. 5. The spirit it self beareth witness with our spirits that we are the children of God Rom. 8. 16. Fervent in the spirit serving the Lord Rom. 12. 11. No man speaking by the spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed c. that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord but by the holy Ghost c. There are diversity of gifts but the same spirit c. to one is given c. But all these worketh that one and the self-same spirit dividing c. 1 Cor. 12. 3 4 5 6 7 c. Who hath also sealed us and given us the earnest of his spirit 2 Cor. 1. 22. chap. 5. 5. Ye are our Epistle c. ye are manifestly declared the Epistle of Christ c. written not with ink but with the spirit of the living God not in tables of stone but in fleshie tables of the heart c. The letter killeth but the spirit giveth life c. If the ministration of death c. were glorious c. How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious c Now the Lord is that spirit and where the spirit of the Lord is there is liberty 2 Cor. 3. 2 3 6 7 8 17. God haeh sent forth the spirit of his son into your hearts crying Abba father Gal. 4. 6. For the flesh lusteth against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh and these are contrary the one to the other c. The fruit of the spirit is love joy peace long-suffering gentleness goodness faith meekness temperance Gal. 5. 17 22 23. Ye were sealed with the holy spirit of promise which is the earnest of our inheritance until the purchased possession Eph. 1. 13 14. The holy spirit of God whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption Eph. 4. 30. For the fruit of the spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth Eph. 5. 9. God hath not given us the spirit of fear but of power of love and of a sound mind 2 Tim. 1. 7. Having received the word in much affliction with joy of the holy Ghost 1 Thess. 1. 6. Christ who through the eternal spirit offered himself c. Heb. 9. 14. Try the spirits whether they are of God c. Hereby know ye the spirit of God evey spirit that confesseth Jesus Christ to have been come in the flesh is of God And every spirit which confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God c. Greater is he that is in you than he who is in the world 1 Joh. 4. 1 2 3 4. It is the spirit who beareth witness because the spirit is truth c. The father the word and the holy Ghost and these three are one 1 John 5. 6 7 8. The Spirit and the Bride say Come Revel 22. 17. 2dly Saints Duty towards the Spirit 1st In following after him and making use of him The manifestation of the spirit is given to every man to profit withal 1 Cor. 12. 7. The same anointing teacheth you of all things 1 John 2. 27. And the Lord said My spirit shall not always strive with man Gen. 6. 3. The true worshippers shall worship the father in spirit and in truth for the father seeketh such to worship him God is a spirit and they who worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth John 4. 14 15. Fervent in spirit serving the Lord Rom. 12. 11. I will pray with the spirit c. I will sing with the spirit c. 1 Cor. 12. 18. Walk we not in the same spirit 2 Cor. 12. 18. Are ye so foolish having begun in the spirit are ye now made perfect by the flesh Gal. 3. 3. Walk in the spirit and ye shall not fulfil the lusts of the flesh c. If ye be led by the spirit ye are not under the law c. If we live in the spirit let us also walk in the spirit Gal. 5. 16 17 18 25. He who soweth to the spirit shall of the spirit reap life everlasting Gal. 6. 8. Be not drunk c. but be ye filled with the spirit Ephes. 5. 18. The sword of the spirit which is the word of God c. praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit Ephes. 6. 17 18. We are the circumcision who worship God in the spirit Phil. 3. 3. Build up your selves c. praying in the holy Ghost Jude verse 20. 2dly Not to sin against grieve or quench the Spirit But the blasphemy against the holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men c. Whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man it shall be forgiven him but whosoever speaketh against the holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven him neither in this world neither in the world to come Matth. 12. 31 32. Mark 3. 29 30. Annanias Why hath Satan filled thine heart to lye to the holy Ghost c thou hast not lyed unto men but unto God c. How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the spirit of the Lord c. she fell down and died c. Acts 5. 2 3 5 8 9 10. Ye stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears ye do always resist the holy Ghost as your fathers did so do ye c. Have not your fathers persecuted c. Act. 7. 51 52. Simon offered money for power to confer the holy Ghost Act. 8. 18 19. The Sadduces say that there is no resurrection neither Angel nor spirit Act. 23. 8. Keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace c. and grieve not the holy spirit of God whereby ye are sealed Eph. 4. 3 30. Quench not the spirit 1 Thess. 5. 19. He who despised Moses law died without mercy c. Of how much sorer punishment suppose ye shall he be thought worthy who have trodden under foot the son of God c. and hath done despite unto the spirit of Grace Heb. 10. 28 29. The spirit of God and of glory resteth upon you on their parts he is evil spoken of c. 1 Pet. 4. 14. CHAP. XXII Of Afflictions Troubles and Persecutions To whom they belong or who may expect them 1st Common to all MAN is born unto trouble as the sparks flie upward Job 5. 7. Man who is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble Job 14. 1. 2dly More especially the Saints Believers such as are born of the Spirit First The Holy Ghost affirms this I will be his father and he shall be my son If he commit iniquity I will chasten him with the rod of men and with the stripes of the children of men but my mercy shall not depart away from him c. 2 Sam. 7. 14 15. For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth even as the father the son in whom he delighteth Prov. 3. 12. Behold I and the children whom the Lord hath given me are for signs and wonders in Israel Isa. 8. 18. He
c come out from among them and touch no unclean thing c. 2 Cor. 6. 14 15 16 17 18. When Paul had written to the Galatians about some who troubled them and would pervert the Gospel of Christ c. had preached the circumcision c. he said to them Ye did run well who did hinder you that that ye should not obey the truth this perswasion cometh not from him who calleth you a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump I have confidence in you through the Lord that you will be none otherwise minded but he who troubleth you shall bear his judgment whosoever he be c. I would they were even cut off who trouble you for brethren ye have been called to liberty Gal. 1. 6 7 8. Gal. 5. 7 8 9 10 11 12 13. If any man be overtaken in a fault ye who are spiritual restore such a one in the spirit of meekness considering thy self lest thou also be tempted Gal. 6. 1. Have no fellwoship with unfruitful works of darkness but rather reprove them for it is a shame even to speak of such things c. Ephes. 5. 11 12. Now we exhort or beseech you brethren warn them who are unruly 1 Thess. 5. 14. Now we command you brethren in the name of our Lord Jesus that ye withdraw your selves from every brother who walketh disorderly and not after the traditions which he received of us for your selves know how ye ought to follow us c. If any man obey not our word by this Epistle note or signifie that man and have no company with him that he may be ashamed yet count him not as an enemy but admonish him as a brother 2 Thess. 3. 6 7 14 15. Holding faith and a good conscience which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwrack of whom is Hymeneus and Alexander whom I have delivered unto Satan that they learn not to blaspheme 1 Tim. 1. 19 20. Rebuke not an Elder but intreat him as a father and the younger men as brethren the elder women as mothers the younger as sisters with all purity c. Against an Elder receive not an accusation but before or under two or three witnesses them who sin rebuke before all that others also may fear 1 Tim. 5. 1 2 19 20. Men of corrupt minds c. from such withdraw thy self 1 Tim. 6. 5. 2 Tim. 3. 5. A man who is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject knowing that he who is such is subverted and sinneth being condemned of himself Tit. 3. 10 11. Follow peace with all men and holiness c. looking diligently lest any man fail or fall from the grace of God lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you and thereby many be defiled lest there be any fornicator or profane person as Esau who for one morsel c. Heb. 12. 14 15 16. I know thy works c. and how thou canst not bear them who are evil and thou hast tryed them who say they are Apostles and are not and thou hast found them lyars c. The Church in Pergamus c. I have a few things against thee because thou hast there them who hold the doctrine of Balaam c. So also hast thou them who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans which thing I hate c. The Church of Thyatira c. I have a few things against thee because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel who calleth her self a prophetess to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication and to eat things sacrificed to idols c. All the Churches shall know that I am he who searcheth the heart c. Revel 2. 2 14 15 20 23. See Rebuke and Reproof Chap. 17. CHAP. XXVIII Of Hypocrites and Hypocrisie The spirits and practises of such who are very formal and earnest in the external part of worship and profession and in a shew for God yet high in their opposition of Christ the truth of the Gospel and power of Godliness in others THE hour cometh and now is when the true worshippers shall worship the father in spirit and in truth for the father seeketh such to worship him God is a spirit and they who worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth John 4. 23 24. They are not all Israel who are of Israel neither because they are the seed of Abraham are all children c. Rom. 9. 6 7. Abel offered unto God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain Cain was therefore angry and slew his brother Gen. 4. 3 4 5 6 7 8. Heb. 11. 4. Absolom pretended to justice and to pay a vow which he had vowed to the Lord in Hebron but he purposed to steal away the hearts of the people and to rebel against the king and advance himself into the throne 2 Sam. 15. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10. Ahaziah the king when rebuked by Elijah for departing from God and sending to an idol gives order to his soldiers to fetch Elijah and though one company and another were consumed with fire yet he sent again 2 Kings 1. 3 4 8 9 10 11 12 13. Jehu met Jehonadab and said unto him Is thine heart right as my heart c and he said Come with me and see my zeal for the Lord c. But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the Lord God of Israel with all his heart he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam c. 2 Kings 10. 15 16 25 26 27 29 31. What is the hope of the hypocrite c will he delight himself in the Almighty will he always call upon God Job 27. 8 10. The hypocrites in heart c. they cry not when he bindeth them Job 36. 13. They speak vanity every one with his neighbour with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak Psal. 12. 2. When he slew them then they sought him early and they returned and enquired early after God and they remembred that God was their rock and the high God their redeemer nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth and they lyed unto him with their tongue for their heart was not right with him neither were they stedfast in his covenant Psal. 78 34 35 36 37. The way of a fool is right in his own eyes Prov. 12. 15. There is a generation who are pure in their own eyes and yet is not washed from their filthiness Prov. 30. 12. This people draw near to me with their mouth and with their lips they honour me but have removed their heart far from me and their fear towards me is taught by the precept of men Isa. 29. 13. chap. 48. 1 2. Shew my people their transgression and the house of Jacob their sins yet they seek me daly and delight to know my ways as a nation who did righteousness and forsook not the ordinances of their God they ask of me the ordinances of justice they take delight in approaching to God Wherefore
of the wisdom and knowledg of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and his ways past finding out For who hath known the mind of the Lord or who hath been his counsellour c. Rom. 11. 33 34 35. 17. He is eternal And Abraham c. called there on the name of the Lord the everlasting God Gen. 21. 33. The eternal God is thy refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms Deut. 33. 27. And also the strength or eternity of Israel will not lye 1 Sam. 15. 29. The Lord shall endure for ever c. Psal. 9. 7. Before the mountains were brought forth c. even from everlasting to everlasting thou art God c. For a thousand years in thy sight are as yesterday when it is past and as a watch in the night Psal. 90. 2. 4. Thou Lord art high for evermore Psal. 92. 8. The Lord reigneth c. Thy throne is established of old thou art from everlasting Psal. 93. 1 2. Psal. 146. 10. Thou O Lord shalt endure for ever and thy remembrance unto all generations c. They shall perish but thou shalt endure c. Thou art the same and thy years shall have no end Psal. 102. 12 26 27. Lam. 5. 19. Thy name O Lord endureth for ever and thy memorial throughout all generations Psal. 135. 13. Isa. 63. 16. Hast thou not known c. that the everlasting God the Lord c. Isa. 40. 28. Thus saith the Lord c. I the first and I the last and besides me there is no God Isa. 44. 6. ch 48. 12. Thus saith the high and lofty one who inhabiteth eternity c. Isa. 57. 15. The Lord the true God he is c. An everlasting king Jer. 10. 10. Dan. 4. 3 34. For the invisible things of him c. even his eternal power and Godhead Rom. 1. 20. Now is made manifest c. according to the commandment of the everlasting God Rom. 16. 26. Christ c. Who through the eternal spirit offered himself c. Heb. 9. 14. Now unto the king eternal c. the only wise God c. 1 Tim. 1. 17. I am Alpha and Omega the beginning and the ending saith the Lord which is and which was and which is to come the Almighty Rev. 1. 8 11. chap. 11. 17. Lord God Almighty which was and is and is to come Rev. 4. 8. Worshipped him who liveth for ever and ever Rev. 5. 14. chap. 15. 7. 18. He only is the true and living God Unto thee it was shewed that thou mightest know that the Lord he is God there is none else besides him c. Know therefore this day and consider it in thine heart that the Lord he is God in heaven above and upon the earth beneath there is none else Deut. 4. 35 39. ch 7. 9. 1 Sam. 2. 2. The Lord our God is one Lord Deut. 6. 4. Mark 12. 29 32. 1 Cor. 8. 4 5 6. Gal. 3. 20. See now that I I am he and there is no God with me I kill and I make alive I wound and I heal c. Deut. 32. 39. Isa. 43. 10 11 12. And Joshua said hereby shall ye know that the living God is among you And that he will c. Josh. 3. 10. Ruth 3. 13. 1 Sam. 20. 3. 2 Sam. 22. 47. 1 King 17. 1. Job 27. 2. Who is God save the Lord And who is a rock save our God 2 Sam. 22. 32. Psal. 18. 31. O Lord God of Israel c. Thou art the God thou alone of all c. 2 King 19. 15 19. Nehem. 9. 6. Psal. 86. 10. Now for a long season Israel hath been without the true God 2 Chron. 15. 3. My heart and flesh cryeth out for the living God Psal. 84. 2. Jer. 44. 26. Know ye that the Lord he is God he hath made us and his we are c. Psal. 100. 3. I am the Lord that is my name and my glory will I not give to another neither my praise to graven images Isa. 42. 8. Thus saith the Lord the king of Israel c. I am the first and I the last and besides me there is no God c. Have not I told thee from that time and have declared ye are my witnesses Is there a God besides me Yea no God c. Isa. 44. 6 8. ch 45. 5 6 18 20 21 22. ch 46. 9 10. Joel 2. 27. But the Lord is the true God he is the living God Jer. 10. 10. chap. 23. 36. Matt. 16. 16. John 6. 57 69. Are there any among the vanities of the Gentiles who can cause rain c Art not thou he O Lord our God c. thou hast made all Jer. 14. 22. Behold I the Lord the God of all flesh is there any thing too hard for me Jer. 32. 27. And this is life eternal that they might know thee the only true God and Jesus c. John 17. 3. 1 Thes. 1. 9. Turn from these vanities unto the living God who made heaven c. Act. 14. 15. 2 Cor. 6. 16. 1 Tim. 4. 10. â—…ho changed the truth of God into a lye and worshipped and served the creature more than the creatour who is blessed for ever Amen Rom. 1. 25. We know c. That there is none other God but one For though there 〈◊〉 that are called Gods c. But to us there is but one God c. Of whom 〈◊〉 all things 1 Cor. 8. 4 5 6. 1 Tim. 2. 5. Who only hath immortality dwelling in the light c. 1 Tim. 6. 16. Worshipped him who liveth for ever and ever Rev. 4. 8 9 10. ch 5. 14. 10. 6. ch 15. 7. CHAP. III. Of the one God Father Son and Spirit or the Trinity GOD said let us make man in our image after our likeness c. So God created man in his own image in the image of God created he him Gen. 1. 26 27. Col. 1. 15 16 17. Heb. 1. 2. And the Lord God said behold the man is become as one of us c. Gen. 3. 22. And the Lord said Behold the people is one c. Go to let us go down and there confound their language Gen. 11. 6 7. Not so my Lord c. I have accepted thee concerning this thing that I will not overthrow this City for the which thou hast spoken c. Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven Gen. 19. 18 21 24. And the Lord said unto Satan the Lord rebuke thee O Satan even the Lord who hath chosen Jerusalem c. Zechar. 3. 2. All things are delivered unto me of my father and no man knoweth the son but the father neither knoweth any man the father save the son and he to whomsoever the son will reveal him Matt. 11. 27. The woman of Canaan came to Jesus and worshipped him saying Lord help Matt. 15. 25. The Eleven disciples went c. Where Jesus had appointed them and when they saw
and pulled away the shoulder and stopped their ears that they should not hear Yea they made their heart as an Adamant-stone lest they should hear the law c. Zech. 7. 9 10 11 12. Your words have been stout against me saith the Lord Yet ye say what have we spoken against thee Ye have said it is vain to serve God and what profit that we have kept his ordinances c. Mal. 3. 13 14. Job 21. 14 15. When Pilate had said I am innocent of the blood of this just person see ye to it Then answered all the people and said his blood be on us and our children Matt. 27. 24 25. That which cometh out of them and defileth the man For from within out of the heart of men proceed evil thoughts adulteries fornications thefts covetousness wickedness deceit lasciviousness an evil eye blasphemy pride foolishness all these evil things come from within and defile the man Mark 7. 20 21 22 23. Certain of the Jews banded together and bound themselves with a curse saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul More than fourty Acts 23. 12 13. They became vain in their imagination and their foolish heart was darkned c. And changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image c. Wherefore God gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts c. Who changed the truth of God into a lye and worshipped and served the creature more than the creator c. For this cause God gave them up to vile affections for even the women did change the natural use into that which is against nature c. Being filled with all unrighteousness fornication wickedness covetousness maliciousness full of envy murder debate deceit malignity whisperers backbiters haters of God despightful proud boasters inventers of evil things disobedient to parents c. Covenant-breakers without natural affections implacable unmerciful c. Not only do the fame but have pleasure in them who do them Rom. 1. 21 23 24 25 26 27 29 30 31 32. They are all gon out of the way c. Their throat is an open sepulchre with their tongues they have used deceit the poison of Asps is under their lips Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness Their feet are swift to shed blood c. There is no fear of God before their eyes Rom. 3. 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19. When we were yet sinners c. Enemies we were reconciled Rom. 5. 8 10. The carnal mind is enmity against God for it is not subject to the Law of God neither indeed can be c. Rom. 8. 7. You who were dead in trespasses and sins wherein in times past ye walked c. In the lusts of our flesh fulfilling the desires of our flesh c. Ephes. 2. 1 2 3. Col. 2. 13. Other Gentiles walk in the vanity of their minds c. Being alienated from the life of God Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness to work all uncleanness with greediness c. The old man which is corrupt Ephes. 4. 17 18 19 22. The enemies of the Cross of Christ c. Whose god is their belly whose glory is their shame who mind earthly things Phil. 3. 18 19. You who were sometimes alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works Col. 1. 21. The Jews who killed the Lord Jesus and their own Prophets and have persecuted us And they please not God and are contrary to all men Forbidding us to speak c. To fill up their sins alway for the wrath c. 1 Thes. 2. 14 15 16. Who was before a blasphemer and a persecutor and injurious but I obtained mercy 1 Tim. 1. 13. We our selves were sometimes foolish disobedient deceived serving divers lusts and pleasures living in malice and envy hateful and hating one another Titus 3. 3. Every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust and inticed and when lust hath conceived it bringeth forth sin James 1. 14 15. chap. 4. 1 2. Your vain conversation by tradition from your fathers 1 Pet. 1. 18. The time past of our life may suffice us c. When we walked in lasciviousness lusts excess of wine revellings banquetings and abominable idolatries wherein they think it strange that you run not with them to the same excess 1 Pet. 4. 3 4. They have eyes full of adultery who cannot cease from sin 2 Pet. 2. 14. We know that c. The whole world lyeth in wickedness 1 John 5. 19. See more of sin Chap. 15. 2dly Ignorant and sottishly opposing the true God and his ways and adoring Idols of stocks and stones When Jacob went from Laban Laban complains that he had stolen his gods Gen. 31. 30. Pharaoh said who is the Lord that I should obey him c I know not the Lord Exod. 5. 2. Israel by Aaron made a molten Calf and they said these be thy gods O Israel which brought thee out of Egypt c. They built an altar and offered sacrifice to it Exod. 32. 4 5 6. The men of Ashdod were so sottish that when Dagon their idol-god had fallen down before the Ark twice and was broken in pieces and themselves had confessed the hand of the God of Israel to be sore against them and their god Yet they continued to call him their God and neither the Priest nor any who came into Dagon's house would after tread upon the threshold whereon Dagon fell 1 Sam. 1. 2 3 4 5 7. The wicked say unto God depart from us for we desire not the knowledg of thy ways What is the Almighty that we should serve him and what profit should we have if we pray unto him Job 21. 14 15. Who said unto God depart from us and what can the Almighty do for or by them Job 22. 17. They are those who rebel against the light they know not the way thereof nor abide in the path thereof Job 24. 13. Great men are not wise neither do the aged understand judgment Job 32. 9. The fool hath said in his heart there is no God Psal. 14. 1. But unto the wicked God said what hast thou to do to declare my statutes c. Seeing thou hatest instruction and castest my words behind thee c. Thou thoughtest that I was altogether such a one as thy self Psal. 50. 16 17 21. They slay the widow c. Yet they say the Lord shall not see neither shall the God of Jacob regard Understand O ye bruitish c. He who planteth the ear shall c. Psal. 94. 6 7 8. The Ox knoweth his owner and the Ass his masters crib Israel doth not know my people doth not consider Isa. 1. 3. He heweth down Cedars c. For a man to burn and warm himself c. Yea he maketh a god and worshippeth it he maketh a graven image and falleth down thereto He burneth part thereof c. The residue thereof he maketh
all saints c. And the smoke of the incense which came with the prayers of the saints ascended up before God out of the Angels hand Rev. 8. 3 4. See more of Prayer in Affliction Chap. 22. See more of Common Calamities Chap. 23. See more in Duty towards all Men Chap. 19. See Prayer for Magistrates Chap. 24 To take special notice of the Acts of Gods Goodness and Mercy keep memorials thereof celebrate his praises extol him and stir up others so to do Abraham's servant when God had heard his request he bowed down his head and worshipped the Lord. And he said Blessed be the Lord God of my Master Abraham who hath not left destitute my Master of his mercy and his truth c. When he heard their words he worshipped the Lord c. Gen. 24. 26 27 52. I have seen thy face as though I had seen the face of God that thou wast pleased with me Gen. 33. 10. Then Jacob said c. Let us arise and go unto Bethel and I will make there an Altar unto God who answered me in the day of my distress and was with me in the way which I went c. And he built there an Altar and called the place El-Bethel because there God appeared unto him when he fled from the face of his brother Gen. 35. 2 3 7. Moses and Israel solemnly celebrated his praise for their deliverance at the red Sea in a song of praise Exod. 15. 2 3 to the 22. When Israel got victory over the Amalekites he built an Altar and called the name of it Jehovah Nissi that is the Lord my banner Exod. 17. 13 14 15. And Moses told unto Jethro his Father-in-law all that the Lord had done unto Pharoah and to the Egyptians for Israels sake c. and Jethro rejoyced for all the goodness which the Lord had done unto Israel c. and said Blessed be the Lord who hath delivered you c Now I know that the Lord is greater than all Gods c. Exod. 18. 8 9 10 11. When thou hast eaten and art full then thou shalt bless the Lord thy God for the good land which he hath given thee Deut. 8. 10. Moses song Deut. 32. Joshua pitched stones in Gilgal in memory of Israels passing dry thorow Jordan that all the people of the earth might know the hand of the Lord that it is mighty Josh. 4. 20 21 22 23 24. The song of Deborah and Barak which they sang after the victory against Sisera and his Army Judges 5. Hannah sang praise when she brought Samuel her son to the house of the Lord whom the Lord had given her upon her prayer 1 Sam. 2. 1 2 3 4 to the 11. When the Philistines were beaten Samuel set up a stone called the name thereof Eben-Ezer saying Hitherto hath the Lord helped us 1 Sam. 7. 10 11 12. When Abigail met David and prevented him in his hasty purpose concerning Nabals house he said unto Abigail Blessed be the Lord God of Israel who sent thee this day to meet me and blessed be thy advice c. And when David heard that Nabal was dead he said Blessed be the Lord who hath pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal and hath kept his servant from evil c. 1 Sam. 25. 32 33 39. When God had promised many things unto David he saith set thy name be magnified for ever saying the Lord of Hosts is the God over Israel c. 2 Sam. 7. 26. And David spake unto the Lord the words of this song in the day the Lord had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies and out of the hands of Saul And he said the Lord is my rock my fortress and my deliverer c. 2 Sam. 22. Upon the return of the Ark to the City of David he prepares a song and delivers it to be sang by way of thanksgiving unto God 1 Chron. 16. 8 9 to the 37. When the people had offered willingly towards the building of the house of the Lord David blessed the Lord before all the congregation and David said Blessed be thou Lord God of Israel our father for ever and ever c. Now therefore our God we thank thee and praise thy glorious name c. that we should be able to offer so willingly c. the congregation did so 1 Chron. 29. 9 10 11 12 13 14 to the 20. Hezekiah prayed unto the Lord and he spake unto him c. but Hezekiah rendred not again according to the benefit done unto him c. 2 Chron. 32. 24 25. Ezra takes notice of a little favour and acknowledgeth it to the praise of God Ezra 9. 8 9. Chap. 7. 27 28. Stand up bless the Lord your God for ever and ever and blessed by thy glorious name which is exalted above all blessing and praise c. Nehem. 9. 5 6 7 8 c. When Job had lost all than he said The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken blessed be the name of the Lord Job 1. 20 28. I will praise the Lord according to his righteousness and will sing to the name of the Lord most high Psal. 7. 17. O Lord our Lord how excellent is thy name in all the earth who hast fet thy glory above the heavens c. Psal. 8. 1 9. I will praise thee O Lord with my whole heart I will shew forth all thy marvellous works I will sing praise to thy name O thou most high c. Sing to the Lord who dwelleth in Sion declare among the people his doings Psal. 9. 1 2 11. I will sing unto the Lord because he hath dealt bountifully with mâ—… Psal. 13. 6. Thou art holy who inhabiteth the praises of Israel c. ye who fear the Lord praise him all ye the seed of Jacob glorifie him Psal. 22. 3 23. That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving and tell of all thy wondrous works Psal. 26. 7. The Lord is my strength c. with my song will I praise him Psal. 28. 7. Sing unto the Lord O ye Saints of his and give thanks at the remembrance or to the memorial of his holy name c. thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing c. to the end that my glory may sing praise unto thee amd not be silent O Lord my God I will give thanks unto thee for ever Psal 30. 4 11 12. Blessed be the Lord for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness Psal. 31. 21. Praise is comely for the upright Psal. 33. 1. Psal. 147. 1. I will bless the Lord at all times his praise shall continually be in my mouth c. O magnifie the Lord with me and let us exalt his name together I sought the Lord and he heard me c. O taste and see that the Lord is good c. Psal. 34. 1 3 4 6 8. My tongue shall speak of thy righteousness of thy praise all the day Psal. 35. 28. Great is the
the goodness of his land they have made goodly Images their heart is divided now they shall be found faulty he shall break down their altars he shall spoil their Images Hosea 10. 1 2. And now they sin more and more and have made them molten-images of their silver and Idols according to their own understanding all of it the work of the crafts-men they say of them Let the men who sacrifice kiss the calves therefore they shall be as the morning-cloud c. Hosea 13. 2 3. For their Idols have spoken vanity and the Diviners have seen a lye and have told false dreams c. Zechar. 10. 2. Judah hath profaned the holiness of the Lord which he loved or ought to love and hath married the daughter of a strange god Malachi 2. 11. The people said c. The gods are come down unto us in the likeness of men and they called Barnabas Jupiter and Paul Mercurius because he was the chief speaker Then the priest of Jupiter c. brought oxen and garlands unto the gates and would have done sacrifice with the people which when the Apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of they rent their cloaths and ran in among the people crying out and saying Sirs What do ye in these things We are also men of like passions with you and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God who made heaven and earth c. Acts 14. 11 12 13 14 15 18. We write unto them that they stay from the pollutions of Idols Acts 15. 20 29 Paul c. at Athens his spirit was stirred within him when he saw the City wholly given to Idolatry or full of Idols therefore disputed he in the Synagogue c. Ye men of Athens I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious for as I past by and beheld your devotions or gods whom ye worship I found an altar with this inscription To the unknown God Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship c. Forasmuch then as we are the off-spring of God we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold or silver or stone graven by art or mans device Acts 17. 16 17 22 23 29. Demetrius said This Paul hath perswaded and turned away much people saying That they be no gods which are made with hands so that not only this our craft is in danger c. but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised and her magnificence should be destroyed whom all Asia and the world worshippeth c. Great is Diana of the Ephesians c. the Image which fell down from Jupiter Acts 19. 26 27 28 34 35. When they knew God they glorified him not as God c. but became vain in their imaginations c. and changed the glory of the invisible God into an image made like to corruptible man and to birds c. who changed the truth of God into a lye and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator Rom. 1. 21 23 25. chap. 2. 22. Thou who abhorrest Idols dost thou commit sacriledg Rom. 2. 22. We know that an Idol is nothing in the World and that there is none other God but one for though there be that are called gods whether in heaven or earth as there be gods many and lords many but to us there is but one God c. 1 Cor. 8. 4 5 6. Neither be ye Idolaters as were some of them as it is written The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play c. My dearly beloved flee from Idolatry c. What say I then that the Idol is any thing or that which is offered in sacrifice is any thing but I say That the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to devils and not to God and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils 1 Cor. 10. 7 14 19 20. Ye know that ye were Gentiles carryed away unto these dumb Idols 1 Cor. 12. 2. How ye turned to God from Idols to serve the living and true God 1 Thess. 1. 9. Little children keep your selves from Idols 1 John 5. 21. And the rest of the men who were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands that they should not worship devils and Idols of gold and silver and brass and stone and wood which neither can see nor hear nor walk Rev. 9. 20. See worshipping of the true God Chap. 16. CHAP. XLI Of Angels appearing to men What they are and do AND the Angel of the Lord found Hagar by a fountain of water c. And the Angel of the Lord said unto her Return to thy mistress c. I will multiply thy seed exceedingly c. Gen. 16. 7 8 9 10 11. Three men appeared to Abraham his discourse with them and entertaining of them Gen. 18. And there came two Angels to Sodom at even c. and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them and he bowed himself with his face towards the ground c. but the men put forth their hands and pulled Lot into the house c. and they smote the men who were at the door with blindness c. And the men said unto Lot Hast thou here any beside son in law c for we will destroy this place c. The Angels hastned Lot c. and while he lingred the men laid hold upon his hand c. When they had brought them out abroad that he said Escape for thy life c. And Lot said unto them O not so my Lord c. And he said unto him See I have accepted thee concerning this thing c. Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah c. Gen. 19. 1 2 3 10 11 12 13 15 16 17 18 19 21 24. And the Angel of God called unto Hagar out of heaven and said unto her What aileth thee Hagar Fear not for God hath heard thy voice Gen. 21. 17 And the Angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven and said Abraham Abraham c. Lay not thine hand upon the lad c. And the Angel of the Lord called unto Abraham the second time out of heaven Gen. 22. 11 12 15. Abraham said unto his servant The Lord God of heaven c. he shall send his Angel before thee and thou shalt take a wife unto my son c. Gen. 24. 6 7. The Angel of God spake unto Jacob in a dream c. said For I have seen all that Laban doth unto thee I am the God of Bethel c. where thou vowedst a vow unto me c. Gen. 31. 11 12 13. And Jacob went on his way and the Angels of God met him and when Jacob saw them he said This is Gods Host c. And Jacob was left alone â—…nd there wrestled a man with him c. And Jacob said I have seen God 〈◊〉 to face and my life is preserved Gen. 32. 1 2 24 30. 〈◊〉