you cannot see the Sun in the Heavens so this smoke of Errour and Antichristianism which arose from Hell did wholly put out the Lamp lights of truth amongst them every where through out the Romish Church so that this is one way of offending the light in the Churches of Christ which hinders it from shining forth for the profit of others Secondly A thing that hinders the light in shining is the corruptness of the Teachers hearts men that are ambitious of honour or are covetous of gain being greedy after much of this world these are such as prove offensive to the light of truth and very much hinder the shinings of it in the Church such were the Sons of old Eli the Priest whose filthy greedy covetous conversation made the sacrifices of the Lord to be abhorred in Israel 1 Sam. 2. 12 13 14 15 16 17. so Ezek. 34. 2. 3. with 18. 19. Likewise Jude tells you of a sort of greedy Teachers who run greedily after the way of Balaam for reward and perished in the gainsaying of Corah you see the Apostle makes the covetousness of Balaam and the gainsaying of Corah to link together and well he may because the one is such a notable Introduction into the other sin for a man to grow greedy of gain with Balaam is the ready way for him to become the truths gainsayer with Corah Dâ—than and Abiram Now by such things as these is the light of Gods pure work oftentimes darkned in the Church But secondly what these snuffers are or what that provision is which God hath provided to correct these corruptions in order to the keeping pure the light of truth in the Churches of Christ and this consists of three things First Sound Arguments preached and prest upon the Consciences of men from the word of God convincing men of the errour of their notions who shall endeavour to vent any thing of an unsound or hurtful concernment in the Church of Christ by holding forth to them the judgments of God as they are laid down in his word against such as shall persist and go on in their obstinacy hence you have these words from S. Paul to Titus Tit. 1. 9. Holding fast the faithful word as have been taught that he may be able by sound Doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsaver You may adde unto this of Titus the whole Epistle of Jude which may very well be compared for its usefulness this way which to me doth wonderfully agree with the end of the snuffers of gold in the Tabernacle which was made to preserve the Lamp light while shining in the Churches of Christ Secondly That means which in a second place is to be added to the former in order to the making up the snuffers in the Tabernacle of Gods Church is a faithful admonishing of the erroneous person for his errours and mistakes not favouring of him either for his place or greatness you are to know truth is the greatest of all he is not worthy to be a professour of truth much less a Preacher of truth who regards not truth above the person of any man in the world this is the rule 2 Thes 3. 14 15 If any man obey not our word by this Epistle note that man and have no company with him that he may be ashamed that is be not so intimate with him as you are and ought to be with those that are sound Christians that he may understand by your carriage that he is not right in the faith of our Lord Jesus Yet count him not as an enemy but admonish him as a friend Thirdly The third and last thing to be added to the making up the snuffers in the Gospel tabernacle is this that if nothing of the above said means will prevail to the correcting of errour in the maintainers thereof then cast him out for a Heretick that he may do no more mischief in the Church of Christ giving notice to all the Churches what hath been done to such a one that the Churches may avoid and shun him where ever they meet with him therefore is this rule given the Saints Tiâ—us 3. 10. A man that is a heretick after the first and second admonition reject Were this rule carefully observed in the Churches of Christ how wonderfully would it conduce to the keeping truth free from those mixtures of errour which otherwise will cleave to it do men what they can Use 1. O Brethren how infinitely should we admire the wisdom of God in these things O how much of the Divine pollicy of heaven is there which lieth wrapt up in these golden Misteries O who can read these secrets and not have a heart deeply affected with them My dear Friends let not Gods ancient contrivements from eternity go void of its great observations amongst us O peep a little into these great Misteries of the Tabernacle-worship and ask your selves what infinite reason you have to admire God in all surely if some of the heathen Phylosophers could so gaze in a way of admiration on that Divine wisdom of God which so gloriously compacted the frame of the whole world O what cause have Christians to adore the wisdom of God in framing together so glorious a piece as the Tabernacle with the several vessels of it as that there was not a vessel in the whole Tabernacle without its special signification as the Apostle speaks in Heb. 10. 1. Ther were all shadows of good things to come so likewise how much is the love and goodness of God seen to his poor people in this world that he should provide them with such spiritual necessaries to help them out in all exigencies and to relieve themselves by upon all occasions if they want light and comfort they know where to have it he hath fixed his burning Lamps amongst them if they should find their oil to grow slack their oil of comfort their oil of peace and refreshment they know where the Olive-tree Christ stands they have him with them Thy name is in the midst of us saith the Prophet it s but to call upon him and he hath promised to hear Psal 50. 15. And if their Lamp light at any time prove dimme through any corruptions cleaving to it they have their snuffers made up of sound Scriptural Arguments together with these two Ordinances of admonition and excommunication to correct the evil at pleasure that the lights may keep their shining in the midst of them still Use 2. Lastly The Use of lamentation O how little of this means have the Lords people made use of for the protecting of the light of truth in the midst of us how have the snuffers been laid by as wholly uselesse of late years by which means errour hath gotten the ground of truth in an aboundant measure insomuch by the neglect of Christians herein though truth was sent into the world to get ground of errour the truth is errour hath almost weeded out truth truly for redress in this
the Spirit for the benefit of the Elect of God in several ages of the world that as the Lamps were never to go out in the Tabernacle so the Lord will never be wanting with the gifts of his Spirit upon his Ministers throughout all ages that he might by and through them keep up the light and truth of his holy will in the world in despight of all opposition whatsoever read Psalm 132. 15 16 17. I will abuudantly bless their provision I will satisfie their poor with bread I will cloath her Priests with salvation and their Saints shall shout for joy there will I make the horn of David to bud I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed This is the promise of God to the Candlestick is Church throughout all ages in the world giving them to understand that let men and devils do what they can yet certainly God will alwayes keep up the lamp light of truth to the end of the world You see the lamp was alwayes to burn in the Tabernacle so as certainly the light of truth shall and must alwayes burn in the world Hence you have it in the Psalms Psalm 132. 14. where God is speaking of the Candlestick his Church saith in these words This is my rest for ever here will I dwell for I have desired it for my habitation Use 1. This informs us then of the great folly and madness of the children of this world who labor night and day to extinguish and put out these lamp lights of Gospel truth which God hath set up in his Church Alas men do but strive against the stream in the thing you see how successess men have been in their attempts this way even from the beginning How did Pharaoh King of â—â—yâ—t strive to root out the Lamp lights in his day so how did King â—â—â—â—bâ—am lay out himself this way in his day by setting up the Calves by throwing out the good Ministers of the Lord and in putting into their rooms Priests made of the lowest and basest of the People 1 Kings 12. 31. so in Christs time what ado did King Herod make to finde out the Lamp of lamps viz. our Lord Jesus Christ that he might quite rid the world of his light Mat. 2. so in the Apostles dayes how did the Jews labour to fill the world with uproars against them that their lamp light of truth might be wholly put out of the earth so the heathen Emperours in the first three hundred years after the Apostles what bloody attempts did they in their times make against the lamps and so all along ever since their time for this fifteen hundred years what horrid cruel desperate attempts have the Antechristian party in the world made against these lamp lights of Gospel truth which Christ by his Apostles hath left for the good of his Church witness the slaughtering of the Waldenses Albingenses beside those many murthers which have been done upon the Christians in Germany whose case without doubt God is now a pleading by the Turks You may call to minde the many cruel murthers done in France and Ireland as also the many cruelties which have past upon the Lords people in England ever since Queen â—â—arâ—â— time what endeavours what plots what secret treacheries have there been afoot to get down these divine lights which God in mercy hath caused to shine in the midst of us But alas alas let me tell such men that all their labour is but lost labour men do but kick against the pâ—icks and throw back their heels against sharp stakes that persist in a work of this nature O you persecutors of truth and such as think to extinguish the lamps of Gods truth to you I speak even to you of every nation in the world O Sirs lay down your weapons of contention push at the pikes no longer for you will certainly perish in the end know you that do what you can God will keep alive his lamp lights of truth in the world in despight of you all certainly you do but set the briars and thorns in battle aray against the everlasting burnings in rising up to resist the work of God in the earth God will have his work to go on O therefore stand not in his way God will make way for it though it be through your heart blood read Psalm 45. 4 5 6. Psal 36. 9. O therefore be wise ye judges of the earth and be ye instructed ye great ones serve the Lord with fear and come before him with trembling kiss the Son lest he be angry and ye perish in the miâ— way when his wrath is kindled but a little therefore if you love your selves hearken to the advice of that learned Doctor Acts 5. 34. with 38 39. Then stood there up one in the councel a Pharisee named Gamaliel a doctor of the Law who said And now I say unto you Refrain your selves from these men and let them alone for if this counsel or this work be of men it will come to naught but if it be of God ye cannot overthrow it lest happily ye be found even to fight against God Lastly and I have done this Type It is to be noted that this Type viz. the Lamps was to burn before the Lord or in his sight which signifies Gods watchful eye over the lamps that so nothing might hinder or obstruct the burning of them you may fully see the care of God set out to you in this thing Isa 27 2 3. In that day saith God speaking of his Church sing ye unto her a vineyard of red Wine I the Lord do keep it I will water it every moment lest any hurt it I will keep it night and day Use 4. This should inform us then what a dangerous thing it is for men to endeavour to corrupt the pure Worship of God by mixing any thing of their humane inventions with Gods divine Institutions certainly there cannot be any thing added to the Doctrine or Worship of God but God will readily espy it for the lamps were to burn before the Lord where the eyes of his glory should be fixed upon them let it be in the most secret Chambers men can devise yet God will finde it out Ezek. 8. 12. You may see how dearly the two sons of Aaron paid for so bold an adventure Levit. 10. 1 2. Truly men cannot easily provoke God in any thing more then by endeavouring to eclipse the shining of his lamp lights of Gospel truth in the world for truth may be as much eclipsed by corrupting of it as any other way But good Lord what little conscience do men make of this crying sin at this day Alas how do the learned of the earth labour by their wits and parts to adulterate the worship of God and the pure oyl of truth in this our age so that the great evil is come upon the earth now which fell upon Israel of old Ezek. 34. 18. They eat the good pasture and tread wn the residue
case God hath not been so much wanting to his people in the means as Christians have been to themselves about the faithful use of means if errour have prevailed above truth the fault hath been ours not Gods We have wanted hearts to deal plainly with our offending Brethren in this case besides the great liberty which hath been given to some of our green raw rash members of Churches to vent their undigested notions in publick and that before themselves well skilled in the knowledge of the Scripture and the form of sound words I am not pleading against a Christians exercising his gifts to the building up his fellow-members in the faith provided they keep their bounds and act within their compass untill their growth be such in the judgment of the wise as that they may be adventured upon publick work for want of using the golden snuffers sure I am that many a poor ignorant soul hath been carried away with gross opinions to their utter undoing without the infinite mercy of God prevent it Therefore if we would have our Lamps burn clearly in the midst of us let us more use the golden snuffers which were appointed to remove that which should hinder the light in its shining with more diligence then yet we have done I shall conclude this type of the snuffers with that good word of the Lord in Prov. 36. 6. Adde thou not unto his word lest he reprove thee and thou be found a liar for every word of God is pure CHAP 23. I now come to speak of the two Altars which were made and placed in the Tabernacle both of which having special reference to Jesus Christ. THese Altars were two in number their difference in form and fashion was not great only the one was overlaid with pure gold and had his Crown upon it and the other was overlaid with brass but we find not any Crown upon that and the Altar which was overlaid with brass had a Grate of Net-wort made for it which was to let out the ashes of the slain sacrifices which were to be offered as a burnt-offering upon it Exod. 27. 1 2 3 4 5. Both of the Altars had horns alike which were in number four and placed at the four corners of the Altars Exod. 27. 2. with Exod. 37. 25 26. Now these two Altars differed mostly in use or office for the Altar which was overlaid with pure gold and had the Crown upon it was only to offer the burnt Incense upon Exod. 40. 26 27. And the Altar which was overlaid with brass that only was to offer the burnt sacrifice upon which sacrifices consisted of the bodies of the slain beasts which were to be offered before the Lord Exod. 40 29. These two Altars did signifie both to them and all else the Lord Jesus Christ as then to come with respect to the twofold work which he was to do and suffer for believers in the handling of which I shall do these two things First I shall shew you that these Altars did signifie Christ our Lord who was then to come Secondly That according to the differing uses of these Altars are the differing works of Christ for and in the behalf of all true believers First That these Altars did signifie Christ to come to this you have St. Pauls words agreeing read 1 Cor. 9. 13 14. In which place you have the Apostle speaking how much a duty it is that Preachers of the Gospel should be well provided for by the Saints and that because they wait on the things of the Gospel and that was to preach and make known Jesus Christ to their souls now to prove that such Ministers are of right to be provided for the Apostle doth instance the right which the Moseical Law did give those men which did wait on the Altar to eat of the things of the Altar as if the Apostle should have said certainly Gospel Ministers have no less a right to a maintenance then the legal Ministers had under the Law seeing our work is one and the same the difference only lay in mode and circumstance not in substance they and we all taught one and the self same Christ they waited on the Altar typical and we wait upon the Altar substantial they upon the Altar of the legal tabernacle and we upon the Altar Christ of the heavenly tabernacle as that their Altar was but the type or forerunner of Christ our Evangelical Altar which we wait on and preach to you my end in this Commentary was not so much to handle a Ministers maintenance as to give you by what hath been spoken a sight of the great congruity the Apostle makes to be between the Altars in the tabernacle and Christ Jesus so Heb. 13. 10. We have an Altar whereof none have right to eat which serve the tabernacle you may easily perceive in reading through this Epistle to the Hebrewes that the drift and purpose of the Apostle was to bring off the Jews from their resting in these shadows to live more upon Christ the true substance which the legal Figures were only the types of And labours to convince them that the tabernacle with all the glorious Vessels in it together with what else was of any Ceremonial use amongst them all was but to shadow out Christ to come read Heb. 9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12. And amongst which things the Altars in the Tabernacle were of special use in point of signification as they related to Christ as any other type which was in use amongst them And therefore doth the Apostle so apply the matter in hand if you compare the 10. verse of Heb. 13. with the 5th ver of the same Chapter for when in the 10. ver he had spoken of the Jewish Altar saying in these words We have an Altar which none have right to eat which serve at the tabernacle he presently in ver 12. brings in Christ as the Antytipe of that type in these words Wherefore Jesus that he might sanctifie the people with his own bloud suffered without the gate Mark he suffered without the gate as a sacrifice which was proper to the Altar in the Tabernacle thus you see how the Apostle makes Christ and the Altar in the Tabernacle to agree here also so Rev. 6. 9. I saw under the Altar the souls of them which were beheaded for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus which they hold Which Altar we must understand to be meant of Jesus Christ which was slain for the sins of the world under which sacrifice lieth murdered of the slain Prophets Apostles Martyrs of Jesus Christ that have died for the word of God in all Ages of the world for as Christ was sacrificed for their sins so are the Saints willingly sacrificed for his truths and so Christ and the Saints are by John represented to our view in one suffering heap or body together only Christ hath the preeminence he first and they after or Christ
out O what manner of love is this that we should be called the Sons of God CHAP. 19. I shall in the next place speak of the Candlestick which was placed in the Tabernacle IN this Tabernacle there was placed a Candlestick which was made of pure Gold and the fashion of it was thus It parted from a foot high in the stem into six branches three of the branches going one way and three of the branches going another way there were three bowls made like unto three almonds with their knobs and their flowers to every branch but in the stem of the Cnadlestick below their parting were four bowls with their knobs and their flowers Exod. 27. 17. Exod 37. 18 19 20. By the Candlestick in this place we are to understand to be meant the Church of God which Church is made up of true Believers which truly and sincerely profess and own Christ and his Worship being redeemed by his Blood from all the earth Rev. 7. 14. This is the signification of the Candlestick the truth of which you may read Rev. 1. 20. where the seven Churches are compared to seven golden Candlesticks which answereth to the Candlestick in the Tabernacle for that was made of pure beaten Gold Ex. 27. 17. Now the Church of God may be compared to a Candlestick several manner of wayes First As a Candlestick is made to mount or hold up the light that all in a time of darkness may see so doth the Church and people of God they hold up the light of truth and the bright shinings of the word and Gospel that all that are in the dark world who sit in the Region and shadow of death might behold the face of God in Jesus Christ shining through the Saints gifts graces and holy conversations in upon their souls Isaiah 2. 3. The Law shall go forth out of Zion and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem by which means Isa 9. 2. The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light and they that dwelled in the land of the shadow of death upon them hath the light shined Though this latter prophesie doth principally belong to Christ yet it is to be applied to his Church also for it s through them Christ shineth upon the dark world therefore saith our Saviour to his Dissciples Matth. 5. 14. Ye are the light of the world meaning they were the Candlestick prepared of God to hold up and hold out the light of truth to the dark blinde miserable world Use 1. This informs then what a deal of duty lieth upon the Church both Ministers as well as others First For Ministers what care should they take and what pains should they expose themselves unto in order to the keeping up and holding forth the light and word of the Gospel to the dark nations of the earth what care did Paul take to fulfil his ministry and to discharge his duty this way Acts 20. 24. He counted not his life dear unto himself so that he could fulfil his ministry with you which ministration he had received from the Lord Jesus and that he might be useful this way you may take notice of Pauls practice Acts 20. 20. I have kept back nothing which was profitable to you but have shewed you and taught you openly and throughout every house But O good God how few such house preaching lights doth the eart afford us in this our age but contrariwise instead of men that should make it their business with Paul and the rest of the Apostles to go from house to house to enlighten the dark famiâ—ies of the earth in the knowledge of God and his Son Jesus Christ they rather bend their forces parts wits and purses to darken and put out the light of truth and the knowledge of God in all the families they meet withal where they go like unto those teachers of old spoken of in Ezek. 34. 18 19. Seemeth it a small thing unto you to have eaten up the good pasture but ye must tread down with your feet the residue of your pastures and to have drunk of the deep waters but you must foul the residue with your feet and as for my flock they eat that which ye have trodden with your feet and they drink that which ye have fouled with your feet How far these or such as these are from being of the true Candlestick appointed to hold up and hold out the light of truth in the world let the reader judge But again this should teach all the Saints for they are a part of the Candlestick also to endeavour in their several places and callings to promote the glory of God in their generations to study godliness and which way they may be useful with their gifts and graces amongst their relations and neighbours and in their families in order to the bringing in of their souls to Jesus Christ therefore saith our Saviour Mat. 5 16. Let pour light so shine before men that they seeing your good works might glorifie your Father which is in heaven To this agreeth the words of Paul Phil. 2 16. with ch 15. ver 15. He exhorts all true Christians that they would labour to hold forth the word of life and that they would labour to live unblameable in their lives and spotless in their conversations and that they would keep themselves without rebuke in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation amongst whom they were to shine as lights so verse 16. The reason of the former exhortation is given you viz. because they are to hold forth the word of life even as a Candlestick they are to hold up or hold forth the light of truth Secondly A candlestick is appointed to hold fast as wel as to hold up the light that it fall not down because the fall of which many times puts out the light so is the Church of God prepared and fitted to succour and keep up the light of Gods holy truth in the earth that it might not be thrown down by the malice of the devil and wicked men who labour night and day to put it out in the world There be two wayes by which God fitteth the Church as a Candlestick to keep up the light of truth in the world The first is by pouring forth upon them the gifts of the Spirit by vertue of which they are enabled to discover detect and finde out all errour and whatsoever may be contrary to sound doctrine as in Rev. 2. 2. Thou hast tried them which say they are Apostles and are not and hast found them lyars Hence it is that the adversaries of truth are said not to be able to resist the wisdom and spirit by which St. Stephen spake Acts 6. 10. The reason you may perceive lay in this the Church of which Stephen was a member had a very great measure of the gifts of the Spirit which came upon them but a little before read Acts 2. 1 2 3 4. Secondly God fits his Church as
a Candlestick to maintain and hold up the light of his holy truth in the world is by pouring forth upon their hearts the grace of his Spirit that so they might be enabled to suffer for it The Saints suffering for truth doth wonderfully tend to the confirming of truth in the earth and to the making of it acceptable amongst men in this world insomuch that in the first three hundred years after Christ the Churches sufferings for the truth occasioned this proverb That the blood of Martyrs was the seed of the Church Hence it is that the suffering Saints are called Gods witnesses therefore St. Paul tells you that the truth got great ground by his sufferings Phil. 1. 14. Use 1. O then how should this teach the Lords people to bestir themselves in the way of their duty O remember ye are God Candlestick and appointed by God for this purpose to keep up truth in the world O then how should this encourage the Lords people to appear in the defence of that glorious light of truth which God hath put into your hands and not to suffer it to be trodden down with so much ease as it is now in the world I do not mean nor say that the Lords people should betake themselves to any weapon besides faith tears prayers and sound arguments together with a bold standing up in the visible practice of the wayes and truths of God against all that is contrary to this truth These be the weapons that I mean and this is the contending that I plead for and as to this way of contending for the Faith what cause hath God to complain of his people as once he did of Israel of old No man is valiant for the truth O what little contending is there amongst Saints for the faith that was once delivered to them O what silly heartless dove-like spirits are the Lords people surprized withal who can sit and hear the truths of the Gospel rended in pieces before their eyes and in their hearing and not a word spoken for it or in the defence of it but instead thereof they out of a slavish fear do but too much comply with the wicked in it O brethren the precious truths of Sion are more worth then so more worth then not to have one word spoken for them O remember the Church is to contend for the faith and know that God will deeply charge home the neglect of this duty one day close upon your souls O therefore as you would avoid that judgement spoken of in the third of the Revelations ver 16. I beseech you brethren to labour to give up your selves to a holy contending for the faith O earnestly contend for the faith there is great reason so to do for the name of God is upon the Faith the Blood of Christ was shed for this faith the blood of all the Martyrs in all ages in the world hath been shed for this faith O the faith that was once delivered to the Saints is worth the contending for O that God would stir up your hearts to an earnest contending for the faith O set a work a praying spirit and a believing spirit O set on work your parts your pens your purses every way as you are able if the way be warrantable do you contend for the faith which was once delivered to the Saints Jude 3. Thirdly This Candlestick was made of pure gold this was to teach the Saints what they should and ought to be namely pure gold that is very sincere to God ward void of a heart full of guile and hypocrisie therefore saith our Saviour Mat. 5. 48. â—e ye therefore perfect as your heavenly father is perfect Fourthly This Candlestick was made of beaten gold which was to shew or set forth the glory and the excellency of the Church for as gold exceeds for glory and excellency Iron Lead Tinne or Brass so do the Saints all other men and women in the world Therefore saith the Psalmist Psal 16. 3. The Saints are the excellent of the Earth Though the blind world see no worth or excellency in the Saints in this life yet they shall know as Solomon once said that the Righteous is more excellent then his Neighbour Prov. 12. 26. First The righteous is more excellent then his Neighbour for grace Secondly For their attendance for not gilded creatures but glorious Angels are the Saints servants Heb. 1. 14. Thirdly For the Saints food on which they live in respect of which all the dainties in the world or which the world lives upon are but husks and swines meat for the Saints live upon the Bloud and Flesh Word Spirit and promises of Christ John 6. 55. Fourthly The Saints are more excellent then others in point of inheritance for it s not an earthly Dunghil but an inheritance which is pure and undefiled which fadeth not away is the Saints birthright Pet. 1. 1 4. Fisthly The Saints are more excellent then others because they only can prevail upon the heart of God in prayer Prov. 15. 29. Sixthly It s so because its only amongst the Saints God delights to dwel 2 Cor. 6. 16. Psal 132 13 14. Use 1. O then what excellent Conversation should the Saints lead in this world what an engagement should this put upon the Saints to a strict holy walking that they should through grace be made of Gods pure golden Candlestick O therefore soul think with thy self when the Devil would at any time intice thee to sin against God or would draw away thy heart at any time from the Lord O say this to thy temptation O Satan I am one that belongs to Gods pure Candlesticks how should I dare to bespot my self with the least of impurities as Joseph answered his Mistress Gen. 39. 9. So do thou thy temptation How shall I do such a wickedness and sin against God Again As the Candlestick had three Bouls and Knops with their flowers upon it This was for Ornament to adorn the Candlestick that so it might the more appear in its glory and beauty to the beholder all which was to set forth the glory and beauty of the Church of God which by the righteousnesse of Christ and the Divine Graces of his Spirit is made more glorious then the gold of Ophir read Psal 45. 13 14. Isa 54. 11 12. Rev. 12. 1. The Churches glory is only discerned by an eye of believing a carnal understanding knows very little of this saith John 1. 3 1. The world knows us not certainly were not the glory of the Saints a hidden veiled up glory from the world its impossible but the Saints would be better intreated at the worlds hands then they are but however thou farest at the worlds hands let me advise thee to these two things First If the world shew thee and the rest of the Saints no favour yet pity them because they are held so much in a condition of darknesse as the Apostle speaks in 2 Cor. 4. 4. The God of
of you CHAP. 22. A second thing that I take notice of about the Lamp is the Oil which was in it I Shall speak the less of this because I have been handling the matter in some measure before but for order sake I shall give you a touch here You know as hath been already observed that a bare Lamp without Oil will not produce any light at all to any family or house in the world therefore here is oil poured forth into the Lamp and so it becomes a burning light before the Lord always Now you may easily conceive what this oil did signifie if you will but consider from whence it comes read Zachariahs prophesie chap 4. 2 3. with ver 12. There you have the two Olive-trees standing on the two sides of the Pipes which Pipes reached forth close to the Lamps emptying themselves through the seven Pipes into the Lamps Now by the two Olive-trees though some may conjecture or think by them is meant the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament I understand to be meant Jesus Christ Now that it cannot be the two Testaments of the Scripture which we must take for the two Olive-trees which poured their oil into the Lamps First Because the Scriptures of themselves are not capable of giving out the least drop of moisture to any therefore S. Paul calls them A dead Letter meaning without the spirit Secondly It cannot be so because when Zachariah wrote this Mystery there was but one Testament written for the new was not then given out therefore I say it must be applied to Christ Christ was both these Olive trees both to the Jewish Church then and to the Gentile Churches ever since I mean such of them as are Christs Churches indeed Now let Jesus Christ be considered in his two-fold nature as God-Man and so he will agree for number to the Olive Trees Now it s upon this account that Christ is such a dropping fulness to the Church Christ being thus considered in his two natures make him up to be the dropping Olive-Tree to the Lamps of the Church For first He must be God equal to the Father that he might be capable to receive these communications from God which are necessary for the Candlestick his Church Secondly He must be man as well as God that he might be capable to apply these received communications from God to the Church or these that shall be the Lamps therefore is Christ called the Emmanuel or the God with us Isa 7. 14. and in 1 Tim. 2. 5. He is said to be the middle person between God and us therefore is Christ reported in Scripture to be the treasury and store-house of wisdom and knowledge Col. 2. 3. And one in whom the fulness of the God-head dwelt bodily Col. 2. 9. And that it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell but that of John is full to this purpose John 1. 14. with 16. The word was made flesh and it dwelt amongst us and we beheld his glory as of the onely begotten of the Father full of grace and truth so ver 16. And of his fulness have we all received and grace for grace Thus you see Christ is the Olive Tree that first doth receive from the Father and then drops his spiritual fatness down again to his Lamps the Ministers of the Gospel for the good of all the Church which is called the Candlestick so that by the oyl is meant the rich gifts of the Spirit which Christ gives out to his Lamps the Ministers whereby they are enabled to counsel and instruct the ignorant to comfort the doubting and strengthen the feeble minded to support the weak to feed the hungry and correct the obstinate and warn the unruly as the Apostle speaks in the first of the Thessalonians 5. 14. Use 1. Then this should teach Christians to admire the Lord who hath not with-held the best of supplies from his poor people O what greater love can there be thought on then this who cannot but be swallowed up in the meditations of what God hath done for his Church touching the daily benefits he drops down upon his people O when we do consider the rich droppings of the Spirit of God through Christ which do daily come down on the Churches Lamps for the common good of the whole body how can we chuse but cry out with the Psalmist Psalm 8. 4. Lord what is man that thou act mindeful of him and the Sonne of man that thou visitâ—st him O how largely hath God abounded this way of late years towards his people what a wonderful deal of oyl hath he poured into his Churches Lamps in this our day whatever age could say the like as we can say setting aside the Apostles age O how hath the fountain of light and truth been broken up of late in the midst of us how have the little ones in Sion been made to understand doctrine what a high way hath there been set open in the things of God in our day as that the way-faring men though fools have been kept from erring therein O that the Lords people would admire the love and grace of God herein and that they would cry out with the Apostle O the heighth the depth the length and the breadth of the love of God which passeth knowledge how unsearchable are his judgement and his wayes past finding out Use 2. It informs us what rich food the people of God hath given them to live upon which is better then all the rare dainties in the world beside when I think upon the pourings out of the Spirit of God in the gifts and graces of it to the Churches of Christ I do not so much wonder at the saying of the wise man who tells us that that little which the righteous hath is better then the large revenues of the wicked Psal 36. 16. Not onely because the wicked have not their portion upon a divine account or with such a blessing as the godly have but because all that the wicked do enjoy of this world were it ten times more then it is yet it is nothing compared with the least dram of the grace of the Spirit in the heart of a believer O the honey sweet mansions which believers feed upon O the rare comforts they experience both by day and night saith Paul 1 Cor. 2. 9. 10. Eye hath not seen nor ear heard nor can it enter into the heart of man to conceive the things which God hath prepared for those that love him which things God revealed to his by his spirit Well one word of the Lamps more and I have done speaking about them and that is It is said that these Lamps were alwayes burning before the Lord in which we may take notice of these two things 1. They were alwayes burning 2. That they were to burn before the Lord. As to the first consideration I understand it to be meant of the assured continuance of the gifts and graces of
with their feet they drink up the best water and foul the residue with their feet But truly though men may joyn hand in hand in this thing yet they shall not go unpunished Use 5. What an ingagement should the thoughts of this doctrine of the lamps burning alwayes before the Lord put upon the hearts of all Ministers of the Gospel to look to it that there doctrine be sound and that which will hold weight before the Lord if Ministers doctrine do at any time carry more of their own water in it then Gods Wine certainly God will discover it the Ministers are Gods Lamps appointed for the Tabernacle and they are to burn before the Lord that is they never act but Gods eye is upon what they do and preach in his Worship to observe what comes from them his eye is upon them in the studying of their matter while in the composing of it and his eye is upon them in the Pulpit while they are preaching of it if there be iron and tin mixed with Gods gold and silver surely the pure eyes of Gods glory will try it of what sort it is therefore saith Paul in 1 Cor. 3. 12 13 14 15. If any man build on this foundation gold silver precious stones hay wood or stubble every mans work shall be made manifest for the day shall declare it because it shall be revealed or fire and the fire shall try every mans work of what sort it is if any mans work abide which he hath built thereon he shall receive a reward but if any mans work shall be burnt he shall receive loss yet he himself shall be saved yet so as by fire O if men were well acquainted with the strict eye that God exerciseth always over his burning lamps the Ministers with respect to their doctrine surely men would be more careful then they are both in their studying and preaching of them and would tremble to bring forth such sad stuff for doctrine as some do amongst us Paul â—ells you of a doctrine of devils 1 Tim. 4 1. And sayes that some men which give heed to seducing spirits may be given unto therefore if men would be protected from being delivered up to the doctrine of seducing spirits let men labour faithfully to bring forth the doctrine of God Hence it is that Paul hath it in 1 Tim. 4. 16. Take heed unto thy self and to the doctrine continue in them for in so doing thou shalt both save thy self and them which hear thee CHAP. 22. I now come to speak of the Snuffers which did belong to the Lamps in the Tabernacle ANd there were Snuffers likewise made of pure gold which belonged to the Tabernacle as well as the Lamps and Candlestick Exod 37. 23. Now the use of that instrument you know it is to correct or to remove out of the way any thing that shall offend the burning of the light that so the light might shine with the more brightness and clearness Now if you observe the thing the snuffers are put together with the lamps Exod. 37. 23. And he made seven lamps and his snuffers with his dishes of pure gold which gives us to understand that the snuffers were appointed for the use of the Lamps which Lamps as I have said signifies the light of truth which through the pourings out of the gifts of the Spirit into the hearts of the gifted men of the Candlestick the Church God intends by them to keep up in all ages of the world Now by the adding the snuffers to the seven Lamps we the better come to understand their property which is as I have said to correct all those superfluities which in cleaving to the lights of the Lamps are apt to hinder its shining This shews us the great care which God doth and will take to the keeping up of the purity of truth in its glory and lustre in the Church do what men and devils will to the contrary it shews us likewise the great provision which God hath prepared to his peoples hands for the removing out of the way any thing that might tend to the darkening or hindering the light from burning in his Churches and that is it which we are to understand by the Snuffers which were added to the Lamps Now here two things are to be noted First What it is which hinders the light of truth from shining in the Churches of Christ Seeondly What that provision is which as the Snuffers is given forth by God on purpose to correct it and remove it out of the way For the first what it is which offends the light of truth in the Churches of Jesus Christ First It s all that corrupt doctrine and unsound opinions which false teachers labour to usher into the Church of God and of Christ by the cunning craftiness of men which handle the word of God deceitfully of such the Apostle speaks of in his time who laboured to bring in damnable errours into the Church of God Jude 4. For there are certain men crept in unawares who were before of old ordained unto condemnation ungodly men turning the grace of God into wantonness and denying the onely Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ Hence it is that Paul gives such a charge to the Elders of Ephesus Acts 20. 28 29 30. Take â—eâ—d brethren unto your selves and unto the flock over which the Holy Ghost hath made you over seers to feed the Church of God which he hath purchased with his own bloud for I know that after my departure shall grievous wolves enter in amongst you not staring the flock also of your own selves shall men arise speaking perverse things to draw away Disciples after them so likewise do the Apostle shew us that it will be the portion of the latter ages of the world to be pestered in the Churches of Christ by men of very base and corrupt principles to the eclipsing and darkning of the Lamp lights of truth in the midst of them these are S. Paul words unto Timothy 2 Tim 3. 1. with ver 8. This know that in the last days perilous times shall come for there shall arise men such as Jannes and Jambres who withstood Moses so shall these resist the truth Men of corrupt minds reprobate concerning the faith so Rev. 9. 1 2 3 4. And the fifth Angel sounded and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit and he opened the bottomless pit and there arose as make out of the bottomless pit like the smoke of a furnace and the Sun and the Air was darkned by reason of the smoke of the pit By the Sun and the Air here spoken of I understand the Lamp light of truth which did once burn in the Romish Church before its falling away for it is the condition of the Church of Rome which the holy spirit intends in this Chapter who intimates to you that as smoke darkens the Air as that
in the opening of it in the Ordinances how have you been made to cry out with Peter Matth. 17. 4. Master it is good to be here what blessed heart-affecting discoveries doth there come out of the Tabernacle sometimes therefore doth David so much prize the Tabernacle or House and Church of God Psal 84. 1 2 4. Oh how amiable are thy Tabernables O Lord of hosts my soul longeth yea fainteth for the Courts of the Lord my heart and my flesh cryeth out for the living God blessed are all they that dwell in thy house for they will be still praising thee Why should those that live in the Tabernacle or house of God so much praise God Answer amongst many reasons so to do this is not a small one because of the exceeding glory God discovers to them in the Church Oh what glorious gifts are there what glorious Ordinances what glorious Ministers are there what a glorious Gospel what glorious discoveries are there made of this Gospel in the Church what a glorious Spirit is there in the Tabernacle of the Church Oh what glorious graces do there live in the hearts of the Materials of this Tabernacle besides the glorious name of God lives there and all this covered over with Rams skins dyed red and coverings made of Goats hair But however let Believers comfort themselves God will have a time to remove the covering made of Rams skins and Goats hair and then the world shall see and know the worth anâ— glory of the Tabernacle or Church There are many precious promises in the word of God about the removing of the Rams skin covering from the Church of God take a few for all one is in Psal 45. That where the Church of God because of her deformity on the out side hath been the scorn of the Earth yet the time shall come when God shall remove her Rams skin and Goats hair covering that the rich men of the Earth shall entreat the Churches favour as ver 12. of that 45. Psalm And the Daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift even the rich among the people shall entreat thy favour Isa 60. 15. Whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated so that no man went through thee I will make thee an eternal excellency a joy of many Generations So Verse 14. The Sons of them that afflicted thee shall come bending to thee and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet and they shall call thee the City of the Lord the Zion of the holy one of Israel Verse 13. The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee the Fir-tree the Pine-tree and the Box together to beautifie the place of my Sanctuary for I will make the place of my feet glorious So Verse 12. For the Nation and Kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish yea those Nations shall be utterly wasted So Verse 3. For the Gentiles shall come to thy light and Kings to the brightness of thy rising So Isa 54. 11 12. Oh thou afflicted and tossed with tempest and not comforted behold I will lay thy Stones with fair colours and lay thy Foundation with Saphires I will make thy windows of Aggates and thy gates of Carbuncles and all thy borders of pleasant Stones So Verse 13. 14. All thy Children shall be taught of the Lord and great shall be the peace of thy Children in righteousness shalt thou be established thou shalt be far from oppression for thou shalt not fear and from terrour for it shall not come near thee But the Question wiâ—l be when shall these Prophesies be made good I Answer When Israel shall come to his good land then it shall be then shall God take away the Tabernacle covering made of Rams skins and Goats hair which was upon the Tabernacle all the while of its being in the wilderness and then will God shew the glory of the Tabernacle his Church to all the world Isa 60. 3. The Gentiles shall come to thy light and Kings to the brightness of thy rising Is a Metaphor taken from the rising Sun as that when the Sun riseth upon the earth all the earth is filled with the beams of its glorious light so shall the world with the glory of the Tabernacle You know this covering upon the Tabernacle lasted but during their abode in the wilderness for when they came into the land of promise and rest the covering was taken away in a great measure and the glory of it suffered more to appear then formerly as you may perceive when Solomon turned the Tabernacle into a most Magnificent Temple Now this land of rest or the end of the wilderness journey I find to be two ways held out in Scripture either for the ultimate glory above or for that Kingdom of glory which Christ calls his Kingdom as he is the Son of man which he so often promiseth his people as the reward of their sufferings for him for our Saviour makes a clear difference between the Kingdom of ultimate glory above and the Kingdom of glory which Christ hath promised to give his people for their Faith Love and Constancy to him in suffering-times pray read well and consider that passage of our Saviour Rev. 3. 21. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me on my Throne even as I have overcome and am set down with my Father on his Throne Mark that there is the Fathers Throne of glory and there is the Sons Throne of glory mine saith Christ and my Fathers now one of these Thrones or Kingdoms of glory hath Christ made the proper reward of the Saints sufferings and that is what he calls his Kingdom a Kingdom distinct from the Fathers Rev. 3. 21. I will grant him to sit with me upon my Throne which is promised the Saints so often in the word of truth Math. 19. 28. Rev. 2. 26 27. Rev. 20. 4. Rev. 21. 2 3. Now all these Scriptures relate to the Kingdom of Christ this none will deny Secondly That this Kingdom is held out to the Saints and promised them as the reward of their sufferings it must also be granted Thirdly That this Kingdom thus promised to the Saints as the reward of their sufferings cannot be applyed to the ultimate glory will appear if we look into each Scripture neither can men read these Scriptures so without being guilty of putting meer Nonsense upon the face of Scipture Pray let us look into these places Math. 19. 28. And Jesus said unto them Verily Verily I say unto you that ye which have followed me in the Regeneration when the Son of man shall sit upon the throne of his glory ye also shall sit upon 12. thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel Now this very promise is again handed out by our Saviour after his Ascension to John the Divine in the Isle of Patmos Rev. 3. 2. To him that overcometh I will grant to sit with me on my throne Look into Rev. 20 4.
the sweet and cloth themselves with the wooll But for the fatness of sound Doctrine and the sweetness of truth the Church of God may perish and rot and die for any thing they eare or are thoughtful about surely the Urim and Thummim was never upon the breasts of these sacred Priests as they would be owned Secondly As for the other qualification which is holiness of life and conversation this ought to be in and upon the Ministers of the Lord They ought to be exemplary in their lives and conversations for others to imitate them that so they might not build for God with one hand and throw it down again with the other hand this is our Saviours exhortation to all Ministers of the Gospel Math. 5. 16. Let your light so shine before men that they seeing your good works might glorifie your Father which is in heaven therefore saith St. Peter 1 Pet. 2. 5 3. Neither as being Lords over Gods heritage but being ensamples to the flock Use 2. O Then how unhappy are the people of some Countries in the World with respect to the want of this great qualification in their Ministers or pretended such how hard a thing is it to find the Urim and Thummim upon their Priests methinks to see men and meet men with their loins girt so seemingly devout and yet to see these casks so empty either of sound Doctrine or a holy Conversation it is to me a piece of unparallel'd hypocrisie It s known to all that know any thing that the generallity of the world are apter to walk by examples then by precept the Authority of precepts depends very much upon the good lives of those which preach them alas Brethren what is it if a man go into a Pulpit and preach a very good Learned Sermon and as soon as he is come forth of the place to spend the rest of the Sabbath with his Parishioners in an Alchouse it may be untill they are all drunk in the place or to some ungodly sport or other to the very shame of nature it self if their be any Bull-baiting or Bear-baiting any Hurling Wrestling or Cudgel-playing any Crowding Dancing May-pole or Church Ale-gaming who more fritcher and forwarder in the work then the Parson of the Parish Thus the poor people are made Sermon proof and shut up against all convictions of truth through the scandalous conversations of their idle profane Priests which they have amongst them how far are such from being the Priests of the Lord bearing the Urim and Thummim upon their brests let the world Judge Lastly Where as it s said that the Urim and Thummim was written in the brest-plate and placed upon his heart it shews us how much the work should be upon his spirit that the Priest doth for God and how near he should set it to his heart so should it be with all the Ministers of the Gospel they ought to set those truths which they preach very near their hearts yea such as are true Ministers of Jesus Christ they do set those truths which they preach to others nearest their hearts of any thing in the world God hath ordered it that it shall be so he gives them that he sends forth as Ministers the little Book of truth to eat into their bowels that it might live in their hearts Rev. 10. 9 Hence it is that Jeremiah tells you that the word of God lived in his heart Jer. 20 9. And David a Prophet of the Lord also could tell you that the word of God and the truths he was to deliver were dearer to him then thousands of Gold or Silver Psal 119 72. The Lord makes it so to them that they may take delight in the preaching of it 2. That they may be careful of corrupting of it you know things that are dear and near our hearts we are very apt to keep pure but such things as we regard not we throw into any hole so that it easily corrupts and rusts 3. That if need be they may lay down their lives in defence of it this it was made St. Paul cry out he was not only ready to be bound but to die in the defence of truth Acts 21. 13. It was the nearness of truth to his heart but how few of them are there in the world that call themselves Ministers that in any sense wears the Urim and Thummim upon their hearts 2. As this qualification did relate to the Type which was the High Priest and so in him all the succeeding Ministers of the Gospel so it relates to Christ who was the Anti-type of it And so the Urim and Thummim shews us these two great things for our comfort which are infinitely to be considered in Jesus Christ First The infinite perfection of holiness and sanctification which is in Christ John 1. 14. He was full of grace and truth Col. 1. 19. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell This teacheth us these two things 1. What believers are in the sight of God through Christ a people full of holiness for Christ is the Vine and believers the Branches now by vertue of this union God looks upon all alike God in the wise dispensations of his grace hath so ordered it that believers and his Son shall make up but one body that so God might account for the Heads sake all the members holy not that they are so in themselves but I say God is pleased to account it so that believers are as holy as his Son they being of him and in him 2 Cor. 5. 21. For he was made sin for us who knew no sin that we might be made the righteousness of God in him And God would have us to reckon so too for our comfort mark that place in Rom. 6. 11. Likewise reckon your selves to be also dead indeed unto sin but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord There is not any man in the world dead to sin or perfectly alive towards God its true the Saints are a dying to sin daily and a labouring out after life towards God saith St. Paul I press hard after the mark Phil 3. 14. But for any to say he is perfectly dead to sin and perfectly alive to God in himself he saith not the truth I speak of perfection in the degree yet you see God would have believers look upon themselves so reckon it to be so saith God that is as they are in Christ and by the Father there apprehended for Christ was so in himself fully yet not for himself but for believers read 1 Cor. 1. 30. He was made of God Wisdom Righteousness and Sanctification for us 2. It informs the Saints from whom they do derive their holiness and sanctification and to whom they should go for it O friends you drive it all from Jesus Christ he is the fountain of all your grace of holiness and sanctification John 1. 14 16 17. The word was made flesh and it dwelt amongst us and we
beheld his glory as of the only begotten of the Father full of grace and truth and of his fullness have we all received and grace for grace ver 17. For the Law was given by Moses but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ Christ is called the head of the body Eph 5 Whose Office it is to give down his supplies to the several members of the same for the mutual benefit of the whole body There was a stock of grace and holiness laid into Christ for this very purpose therefore is Christ called the Saints treasury or store-house Col. 2. 3. So saith our Saviour himself Iohn 17. 19. For their sakes I sanctifie my self that they all might be sanctified through the truth O therefore souls make to Christ for grace and holiness remember the Urim and Thimmim of all perfection both of Doctrine and holiness of life lieth in Jesus Christ on purpose to be given out to those that come for it Here it was David fled for sanctification under the decays of grace Psal 51. 7 10. Purge me with hysop and I shall be clean wash me and I shall be whiter then snow Psal 36. 9. For with thee is the Fonntain of life and in thy light shall we see light Soul dost thou want grace purging grace sanctifying grace wouldst thou be more holy in thy life and conversation then thou hearest where the fountain is make out to him it s his desire to have thee come thou canst not please him in any thing better then to sue to him for grace and holiness therefore saith Christ If any man thirst let him come to me and drink John 7. 37. Therefore come with boldness to the throne of grace to ask grace and mercy to help in time of need Heb. 4. 16. Lastly We may draw out this from the Urim and Thummim upon the Priests heart for our comfort to help us in dark erronious times When the Doctrines of the Scripture are by men corrupted as that we cannot drink them any where should we travel from Sea to Sea there is not a Priest or Minister that stands up in the defence of truth but every one perverts and corrupts it I say should we fall into such a season that we cannot find a Minister with the Urim or Thummim upon his breast yet we may comfort our selves in this that our High Priest in heaven is not corrupted he hath the Urim and Thummim still as much upon his heart as ever who taketh care to feed his people with sound Doctrine and with wholesome food however it goes amongst the Priests here below yet this Priests lips shall preserve knowledge if you will seek the Law at his mouth Mal. 2. 7. In the greatest darkness that over-spread Egypt yet he provided a light for his people in Goshen Exod. 10. 23. So when the Anti-christian darkness spread the Roman Empire all over yet Christ took care that his people should have a place of nourishment provided for them Rev. 12. 14. So in the times of Israels Apostasie when all the shepherds were corrupted in Israel when they had trodden down the good pasture of truth and justice both in Church and State and had fould the remainders of it with their feet Ezek. 34. 18 19. Yet then see the care of this Gospel High Priest in those times that although others did perish for want of sound wholsome soul-food yet his people should be fed from himself with the finest of Wheat and Oil read Ezek. 34. 11 12 13 14 O therefore make use of Christ upon this account let him be your stay let errour fill all the publick places in the world yet thy High Priest will provide for the sincere though in holes and corners I will send you the Comforter saith Christ and he shall teach you all things John 14. 26. Men may shut up all thy sound Ministers from thy soul such who have fed thee with knowledge and understanding but be of good comfort they can never shut up from thee this Gospel teaching Spirit this will give thy heart a visit in the most secret places of the earth this was with the Spouse in the secret places of the stairs and in the clefts of the Rocks Cant. 2. 14. This soul teaching Agent is not straitned saith our Saviour its like the wind it bloweth where it listeth men may hear the sonnd of it but cannot tell from whence it comes Iohn 3. 8. There was likewise at the hem of this glorious Robe tied several Bells and Pomgranates a Bell and a Pomgranate a Bell and a Pomgranate round about the hem of the Robe Exod. 39. 25 26 with Exod. 28. 35. The Use of this may be several ways considered First It was for noise or sound when the Priest was to enter before the Lord for this purpose was the Bells for it would have cost the Priest his life if he should have gone in to the presence of the Lord without these Bells ringing at the hem of his Robe Exod. 28. 35. Here we see what little regard God hath to these silent Meetings in Worship as the Quakers and others dream of God loves a laudable sound in his Worship Aarons Bells were to make a sound in the Woship of God But some may say is God taken with Words and Voices I answer would not the same Objection have quarrelled with Aarons Bells would one think God should be taken with the ringing of a company of Bells in his Worship friends have a care you be not such as would be wiser then God let us keep close to the known rule of Worship if we cannot give a reason why we should do this or that or the other thing in the Worship of God let us remember God can And for the Saints meeting together in Scripture I find it was to speak often one to another Mal. 3. 16. And another private Meeting Iohn 20. 19. But our Saviour comes and speaks or preacheth a word of peace to them and in ver 26. Another private Meeting but our Saviour by his speaking keeps it from being a silent one Another private meeting held in Acts 1. 13 14. Where they continued in breaking of bread and in prayer but never read of any such silent meetings as the Quakers keep so likewise if we consider the exhortations which the Scripture gives to the Saints about their meeting together we find it was to provoke one another to love and good works Heb. 10 24 25. And that should spend the time away in their building up of one another in their most holy faith and praying together in the holy Ghost Iude 20. Now can this be done where there is nothing but silence will sitting an hour or two together only looking in the ground in our meetings fulfil these exhortations Alas Brethren God will be served with whole man soul and body the body as well as the soul for God made both for his glory and Christ Redeemed both for the Worship of God