the time of the Law before the comming of Christ very costly So likewise his paines in trauell was very great it being farre distant from that place to serusalem yet not withstanding it is not the cost nor it is not the paines in trauell that can keepe him back or any whit discourage him but vp will he goe to Ierusalem there to worship God and herein will teach vs That the duties of Religion must earnestly bee pursued and followed after Doct. The duties of religion must be earnestly pursued and followed after not coldly negligently and carelesly but earnestly zelously carefully and constantly Men must not stick for labor for cost for their paines but the Lord must bee serued intentiuely and constantly In euery seruice wee doe vnto God he calleth for this zeale and godly resolution to go thorough with the same And surely this was the great commendations of the Prophet Dauid that he had a zeale as hot as fire Psâ—l 96.10 The zeale of thy house hath eaten me vp This forwardnesse and zeale wee may see to haue beene in the people of God in building of the Temple wherein they spared no cost as also in their diligent repairing to the same wherein they spared no labour and to this are we exhorted Seek for wisdome as for siluer and search for it as for hid treasures Now they that worke in Mines of the earth dig deepe and are not beaten off with much labour such resolution becometh it Gods people to haue in seeking the true treasure The Lord cannot abide that men should go about his seruice negligently coldly and carelesly Cursed are they that do the work of the Lord negligently Ier. 48.10 and How long halt yee betweene two opinions 1 Re. 18.21 c. And it was that our Sauiour was so highly offended with the Church of Laodicea Ren. 3.15 that shee was neither cold nor not and therefore the Lord threatneth to spew her out of his mouth It was the commendations of those in the days of our Sauiour that they flocked after him and pressed vpon him And in diuers places we reade that multitudes followed Christ to heare his heauenly doctrine Yea our Sauiour â—â—â—onisheth vs to labour but for what Not for the meat that perisheth Ioh. 6 but for the meat that endureth to eternall life Zoâ—â—◠〈◊〉 quâ—â—ed 〈◊〉 â—uâ—â—â— paâ—â— oâ—â—â—oâ—â— woâ—â—sâ—â—â— And this zeale and diligence I â—â—igâ—â—t haue â—hewed how God requires the same in euery part of his worship and seruice As First in the preaching of the word Wee are commanded to preach the word in season and out of season 〈…〉 to improue rebuke and exhort with long-suffering and doctrine Secondly in hearing of the word we are commanded to bee swift to heare Iâ—â—a 2.19 Thirdly in prayer we are com manded to be feruent in prayer 3 Râ—â—â— â—â— 12 And in all the duties of sanctification wee are commanded to redeeme the time and to worke out our saluation And great reason First in regard that such as do the worke of the Lord negligently Reas 1 slothfully and carelesly lye vnder an heauie and a fearefull curse Cursed is euery one that doth the worke of the Lord negligently Ier. 4â— â—0 But such are all those that come negligently vnto Gods seruice and therefore lie vnder this curse Secondly to doe any dutie to God negligently and carelesly Reas 2 it neuer hath any promise of any acceptation with him There is no duty that we can assure our hearts shall finde acceptation with the Almighty further then the same is zealously performed in faith repentance and obedience to Gods Commandement Thirdly such as performe any duty formally Reas 3 customarily and but for fashion sake are in great danger to fall away euen from that they make shew of as our Sauiour saith That shall bee taken away which they seemed to haue This was the curse of the Church of Ephesus a drowsie and dead-hearted people Reu 2 5. Thou hast lost thy first loue Such drowsie Christians are alwayes vnder a spirituall consumption for it fares with such a one as with him that hath a Consumption of the body for there the naturall heate decayeth daily more and more and threatneth death Euen so such as haue a spirituall consumption of the soule the spirituall heat doth diminish and threaten destruction Fourthly Reas 4 earnestnesse and zeale in the publicke duties of Gods worship is an excellent meanes to prouoke others to be more diligent in Gods seruice And this the Apostle affirmes to the great commendations of the Church of Corinth Your zeale hath prouoked many 2. Cor. 9.2 And last of all Reas 5 without this diligence and zeale we haue no promise to meet with God in his ordinances Pro. 23.4 If thou cryest after knowledge and liftest vp thy voice for vnderstanding if thou seeke her as siluer and search for her as for hidde treasure What then Then shalt thou vnderstand the feare of the Lord and finde the knowledge of God Feruency and zeale in good duties addeth wings vnto them and makes them sore aloft and pierce the heauens euen into Gods presence Whereas duties formally performed and but with lip labour onely bring no fruit at all but hasten Gods sudgements vpon him that doth them Seeing then that the duties of Religion are so earnestly to bee pursued and followed after Vse 1 This serues then for the iust reprehension of those that are so farre from being zealous themselues to trauell with the Eunuch here vnto Ierusalem to worship God as that they mocke and scoffe at others that doe their duties herein Certainly if this Nobleman liued amongst vs it were not his greatnesse that would free him from the imputation of Puritanisme and his zeale should not escape the disgraces of wicked men Is not this common in the world See wee not that if there be any one in a Parish as many God knoweth there be not that is more forward then others to sanctifie the Sabbath and to spend that day as set apart wholly for Gods seruice in the publicke duties belonging thereto how are these singled out aboue all others and derided and scoffed at for the same when drunkards swearers and prophane persons are neuer wondred at This hard measure Dauid met withall from Micol his owne wife 2. Sam. 6 20. who dancing before the Arke therein expressing the inward ioy of his heart she mockes him How glorious was the King this day To whom Dauid made answer It was before the Lord who chose mee before thy fathers house and I will yet be more vile Let it euer be the commendations of all Gods people so to be vpbraided and scoffed at for their godly zeale As for wicked men they are neuer so zealous as in the cause of sinne And this indeed is the misery of this age and time wherein wee liue that that which indeed is the greatest ornament to a christian man
that receiue the greatest wages Reas 2 Secondly the greatest men haue many times the greatest charges committed vnto them whose spirituall good and welfare doth much depend vpon them If they be godly and religious their religion zeale pietie like Arons oyle runs downe to the meanest that are vnder them Reas 3 Thirdly their own good doth call for this at their hands for besides the saluation of their own soules which God hath promised to such as seeke him herein and hereby they shall establish their owne throne and perpetuate vnto themselues a blessed name and memory vpon earth Pro. The memor of the righteous is blessed whereas the name of the wicked shall rot Whereas such as seeke honour in the world and to establish them selues without this they doe but build Babels vnto themselues It is the conscionable practise of pietie and godlinesse especially in Kings and Princes and great personages when they are dead and gone and their bodies are mouldred to dust that yeelds a fragrant smell and sweet sauour to succeeding generations The excellent Psalmes of Dauid were not inclosed and buried with him in his Tombe The labours and paines of this Noble man went not with him to his graue â—osias zeale in redressing things â—misse did not rot as his body did but all these are left in the treasury of the Church to the euerlasting praise of Gods graces in his serâ—ants to the honor of their names By this then men may try themselues whether they be called or not and whether God hath truely touched their hearts with the knowledge of his sonne Christ Canst thou renounce honours pleasures and all to waite vpon God and follow him and make all stoope and vaile bonnet to his worship and seruice with this Eunuch here this is a signe of an honest heart and minde disposed to honour God But if on the contrary part euery slight occasion be matter sufficient to draw thee away from his seruice it is a cleare demonstration that the zeale of the Lords house hath not yet consumed thee How many haue we that would willingly serue God with Naaman the Syrian yet they will goe into the idolatrous Temple loth to hazard their honour credit or place for God or his truth many such cold friends hath religion nowadayes Secondly this may serue to refute the vain conceit of those who thinke because they are aduanced vnto higher places and dignities in the world presently conceiue that they are not so strictly tyed to serue God as other men What so strictly to sanctifie the Sabbath and to see that all that are vnder them doe the same as Abraham did to ride and to goe foure or fiue miles to heare the Word when the same is not taught amongst them this were too much nicenesse and precisenesse But what say these to this Eunuch here or what are they to this Eunuch a great noble man yet took much paines and labour to worship God at Ierusalem O then let great men take heed how they contemne or lightly esteeme Gods seruice lest whilst they thinke scorne to doe him seruice the Lord will not afford such this honour to admit them into his seruice And last of all since the greatnesse of none may any way exempt them from the performance of holy duties By the rule of this Doctrine their mouthes are to be stopped and the common excuse condemned of those that say they are not at leisure the multitude of their affaires and imployments will not permit them A very vaine excuse and an argument of a very prophane and gracelesse heart I would aske such but this question whether their businesses and employments be greater then Dauids was that had a kingdome to gouerne or then this Eunuch so great in authority vnder so great a Queene Haue not great men soules as well as others and haue they not sinne in their soules as well as others away then with that dangerous hatefull errour they haue no leisure They are the men that haue receiued the greatest wages why should they not doe the greatest worke They are the men God hath honoured aboue others why should they not labour in their places to honour God aboue others Went vp to Ierusalem to worship Text. But why to Ierusalem to worship Because there was the seruice and worship of God at that time By his religion for so saith the Psalmist In Iury is God knowne his Name is great in Israel at Salem is his Tabernacle and his dwelling in Sion So Esay the Prophet Esa 2.3 The law shall goe from Sion and the word of the Lord from Ierusalem and in this regard Ierusalem is called the Mother of vs all In the time of Christ the Disciples were forbidden to preach to any but to the Iewes Gal. 4.26 Mat. 10.5 goe not into the way of the Gentiles but vnto the lost sheepe of the house of Israel After Christs ascenâ—â—â—n â—he Apostles were commâ—â—ded to preach the Gospell first to them Luk. 24 47 Rom. 15.19 beginning at Ierusalem All the Apostles did exercise their Ministery at Ierusalem All the Churches of the Gentiles conformed themselues to the Church of the Iewes and esteemed Ierusalem as their mother Church And to Ierusalem as to the mother Church all the world did resort for direction and for the deciding of all controuersies that might arise amongst them Yea Acts 15.2 all the Churches of the Gentiles first receiued the Word from Ierusalem as it was prophecied of old Esay 60.3 The Gentiles shall walk in thy light Had Rome these priuiledges the world should haue rung of them at this day Here then was the reason why the Eunuch went to Ierusalem because this was the solemne place appointed for his seruice and for his worship Hence we may note diuers instructions Doct. 1 First that the publike assemblies of Gods people in Gods house The publike assemblies of Gods people ought highly to be esteemed ought highly to be esteemed and diligently to be frequented of all Gods people Behold this in Dauid O Lord I haue loued the habitation of thy house Psal 26.8 and the place where thy honour dwelleth and againe O Lord of Hoasts Psal 84.12 how amiable are thy tabernacles my soule longeth and fainteth for the Courts of the Lords house And this was the holy resolution of good Hezechiah Esay 38.22 after his recouery from his sicknesse to goe vp to the house of the Lord. Yea Dauid reioyceth in this I was glad when they said let vs goe vp to the house of the Lord. And to this doe those godly beleeuers in the time of the Prophet Esay prouoke one another when the Temple was built and Gods worship did flourish at Ierusalem Come let vs goe vp to the house of the Lord. Esay 2.3 And this was promised as a blessing from the Lord I will bring them into my holy mountaine and make them ioyfull in my house of prayer
must perish When I say to a wicked man thou shalt surely dye Ezech. 33.8 if thou doe not speake to warne that wicked man he shall dye in his iniquitie c. Seeing then that the Ministers of GOD must conscionably discharge their duties Vse 1 whatsoeuer trouble or danger they meet withall This may serue to reproue diuers in the ministery as vnfaithfull in Gods house 1 Ignorant Teachers that are not able to acquaint the people with the counsell of God such haue no calling from God and were neuer sent by him for whom God sendeth and imployeth in this honourable seruice he furnisheth with gifts in some measure for the discharge of the same 2 False Teachers and such as by false and erronious Doctrine seeke to poyson mens soules and these are no lesse dangerous then the former for whereas the one destroyes mens soules for want of food the other poysons them with corrupt food 3 Idle teachers which feede of the flock but feed not the flocke fearefull is the account that such men one day are to giue vnto God 4 Flattering Teachers these are also vnfaithfull in Gods house these are they of whom the Prophet speaketh of that sow cushions vnder mens elbowes dare not or will not with Nathan say thou art the man Vse 2 Secondly if troubles and apparant dangers are not to hinder the Ministers of GOD from doing their duty How farre then are such from approuing themselues faithfull in their calling who when there is no danger in the way no Caiphas to call them to account nor Saul to trouble or molest or to make hauocke of the Church as at this time Neither their liues sought for as Elias was yet are negligent and sloathfull in feeding the flock of Christ Then the Aâ—gell said to Philip. This being at that time when there was such great persecution at Ierusalem when Saul made hauocke of the Church and when Stephen is puâ— to death We may further obserue Doct. 2 Faithfull Ministers most subiect to persecutions That it is the lot and portion of Gods Ministers aboue all others to meete with persecutions When troubles arise in the Church they are the first ordinarily that come into danger This was the condition of the Prophets themselues as our Sauiour testifieth vnto the Iewes Mat. 23. Which of the Prophets haue not your fathers persecuted Moses was often resisted by Iannes and Iambres 2 Tim. 3.8 There were seuen thousand men in Israel that neuer bowed their knee to Baal 1 Reg. 19.10 But yet the Prophets were slaine and put to the sword And Elias being left his life was sought for aboue all others At the time of Christs passion there were many faithfull Christians in all places yet Christ and his Apostles were the obiect of the Iewes malice and they were singled out by the Scribes and Pharisies as men vnworthy to liue So that Gods faithfull Ministers may say with Ieremy This is my portion and I will beare it Ier. 13. Now the reasons are First Reas 1 that contrarietie that is betwixt a godly and a wicked man There is nothing in the world wherein there is the like contrarietie this was prophecied of of old I will put enmity Gen. 3. c. This enmity is maintained in the world at this day These are the Spirits of deuils that goe about in the world that prouoke men to warre against Christ and his Church Reu 16.14 And this battell betwixt Michael and his Angell and the Dragon and his Angels shall not cease till time be no more Reu. 12. Reas 2 Secondly the nature of their Ministery cannot but produce this effect in wicked and vngodly men that liue vnder the same for their doctrine is like vnto good salt which doth cause smart and paine when it is applyed vnto a sore so doth their doctrine when it is applied to a festered conscience Reas 3 Thirdly in them many times the Lord doth punish the people I will strike the Shepheard Zach. 13.7 and the sheepe shall be scattered If the Pastor be good it is many times the sins of the people that hee is impeded of his Ministery if he be euill they are his owne sinnes that draw his miseries vpon him Reas 4 Fourthly thorough the Ministers side Sathan many times doth wound the truth and by bringing disgrace vpon the person of such a one aliens the hearts of his people from that due respect vnto his doctrine For Sathan knowes that the credit and honour of the person of such a one giues no small aduantage to his ministery and therefore by his Ministers is hee still raising vp of persecutions reproches against such This teacheth Gods Ministers to resolue to fight that good fight and to suffer affliction as the good souldiers of Iesus Christ 2 Tim. 2.4 They are the Lords Captaines to leade vs his people in the face of the enemy Their liues must not be deare vnto them so that they may fulfill their ministery with ioy Acts 21. Nothing can more beautifie the calling of a Minister then a godly resolution to suffer for Christ Secondly let neither Minister nor people then thinke it strange if this betide vs of the Ministery at this day If this were the condition of Gods seruants in some one age and not in another it were to be wondred at But there is no age of the Church wherein they haue not met with persecutions yea the more zealous the doctrine of Gods Ministers is and the more it strikes at Sathans kingdome the more resistance and opposition will it merit withall from wicked men and such as are enemies to godlinesse Thirdly this should moue pitty in our people and those that are our hearers If any one Souldier in a field were hardly beset and ouer matched by many euery one would pitty such a one and step in to his succour but if a Captaine in a field were singled out from the rest and in danger what Souldier would nor aduenture his life for him and hasten to his succour Ministers they are the Lords Captaines and many times are hard put to is it meete then that you stand still and looke on Euery good hearer then must set to his hand to helpe his Teacher I doe not meane so much by any outward strength or power as by earnest and hearty prayer So Paul Brethren pray for vs 2 Thes 3 1. that the word of the Lord may run and be glorified and that we may bee deliuered from vnreasonable and wicked men Thus did the Church for Peter Acts 12.5 and thus ought wee to doe for all the faithfull Ministers of Christ And the Angell of the Lord spake vnto Philip. The word Angell in the Originall signifieth a Messenger or an Ambassadour And so indeede they are the Lord of Hoasts according to that Heb. 1.7 Hee maketh his Angels spirits and his Ministers a flame of fire and againe Heb. 1.14 They are
namely to be zealous in religion and forward in good duties should now become matter of scorne and derision The sinnes of this Land at this day are many and grieuous yet this if there were none other this this doth prognosticate no good to this land Secondly Vse 2 this serues for admonition to prouoke vs to the serious seeking of Gods face in his ordinance and not negligently and carelesly to slubber ouer the Lords worke such are threatned with a curse as wee haue heard before Our Sauiour tels vs that from the day of the Baptist vntill now the kingdome of heauen suffereth violence and the violent plucke it vnto themselues But alas in our dayes we may say that the kingdome of this world of Darkenesse Antichrist of the deuill suffereth violence insomuch that men are more remisse in seeking for grace and the things that concerne their euerlasting welfare then they are for seeking for iron for brasse for lead nay many prefer their seeking for Coles Stone Marle and Morter before the rich pearle of the Gospell that will make men rich vnto saluation what doe men thinke on lesse what doe they speake of lesse what doe they lesse labour for what doe they lesse bewaile the want of then this If men make not good markets they mourne if their crop or cattell miscarry they cry out or if any temporall calamitie betide them they are oppressed with griefe But as for their deadensse of heart their want of appetite to heauenly things and desire of grace this doth neuer trouble them O that men could see their barrennesse in heauenly duties and seeing it bewaile it and bewailing it labour to come out of it The Lord will be serued with all our might with all our strength and with all our power the Lord cannot abide that men should haue a heart and a heart a heart for God and a heart for the world a heart for Christ and an heart for Antichrist There is no halting with God 1. Reg. 18.21 if God be God worship him is Baal be god follow him Vp to Ierusalem to worship But why found not this Eunuch an Apostle there to teach him Quest The Lord seeth not as man seeth Answ wee must not measure the Lords wayes by our carnall wit or reason for that is foolishnesse to him he is onely wise Rom. 8 7. and knoweth when and where and how to bestow his blessings It may be it was not so seasonable for Philip to haue instructed him at Ierusalem for at Ierusalem his outward sences had beene filled with goodly shewes and with the great pompe of those ceremonies wherein the seruice and worship of God at that time did consist and during that time haply hee could not be so sit for the glad tidings of the Gospell For wee know when men haue that which delighteth the outward senses they are not so fit to receiue that which concerneth the inward man Abigal would not tell Nabal what Dauid had purposed against him whilest hee was in his drunkennesse his senses being stupified and shall wee thinke that God doth not obserue his fittest time when to teach and instruct his people Againe it may be that a benefit or a treasure vnlooked for is more acceptable Iacob going to Lahan was comforted by the way Euen so the good tidings of the Gospell might be the more acceptable vnto this man because he expected it not This teacheth vs still to wait vpon God in the conscionable vse of the meanes wherein he will Vse be found of vs vntill the Lord be pleated to teach and to reueale his will vnto vs. And not to doe as many doe because they haue not the comfort they desire in religion and religious exercises by and by cast off all care and giue ouer and so likewise in the time of affliction especially when the rod shall bee continued vpon them vse vnlaw full meanes to come out of the same as Saul that resorted to the witch of Endor this will yeeld no comfort in the end whereas to such as wait vpon God Deliuerance will come as Mordecai said to Hester and there is a reward for the righteous at last VERSE 28. Was returning and sitting in his Chariot hee read Esayas the Prophet Text THe man when hee had beene at Ierusalem to worship hee left not his religion and deuotion at the Church dore there to take it vp when hee came againe as many doe that if they haue beene at the Church and haue made a few poore prayers heard a Sermon and ioyned with the congregation in Gods seruice think they haue done enough and then betake themselues to their pleasures and liue in all manner of prophanesse all the weeke after and think they may doe what they list like that lewd woman Solomon speakes of I haue pence offerings with mee Pro. 7.14 this day haue I payd my vowes let vs take our fill of loue Shee thought that shee had then free liberty to do whatsoeuer she pleased in regard of her late seruice So these thinke they may giue themselues to all manner of licentious courses especially seeing they haue performed the outward parts of Gods seruice But this Eunuch is of another minde being led by another spirit hee is the same in priuate that hee is in publique in his Chariot or Coach that hee is in the Church And herein will teach all men vnto the end of the world That he that will be a Christian indeed Doct. A true Christian must bee the same in priuate hee is in publique must regard the duties of godlinesse in priuate as publique at home as well as abroad It is not enough that wee haue borne a part in Gods seruice with the assembly in Gods house but wee must bring religion home to our houses The disciples being met together Luk. 24.14 talked of those things that were done and this was the great commendations of those noble Bereans they searched the Scriptures at home Act. 17. Daniel three times in a day prayed in his chamber his eyes towards the Temple So Dauid besides the publique exercise of Gods worship Seuen times a day said hee will I praise thee Ps 19.164 And amongst all other the demonstrations of a godly man that shall bee blessed indeed this is not the least Hee meditates in the Law day and night Psa 1.2 So Isaac hee went out in the euening to meditate and so Iob it is said that he rose vp early to offer sacrifice Iob. 1.3 and hee called his family together and there is reason for it for First Reas 1 God that commanded the publique hath commanded the priuate Secondly Reas 2 this distinguisheth between the seruice of Gods people and the seruice of hypocrits Doth an hypocrite pray alwayes saith Iob meaning indeed that he doth not pray constantly Thirdly without this Reas 3 our publique duties are but abomination vnto the Lord. What master can like of that seruant
that should serue him but one day in a weeke and all the weeke besides serue himselfe This serues then to reprooue such as are present sometimes at the publique duties of Gods worship Vse 1 such as are the preaching of the word receiuing of the sacrament and the like but make no reckoning or accompt at all of priuate duties Surely such men can neuer approue themselues to God to performe either in faith and obedience as hee ought so long as hee labours not after an vniuersall obedience to bee the same in priuate that he is in publique Let vs then bee admonished in the feare of God Vse 2 that as wee desire to bee Christians indeed and therein to approue our selues to God to labour to be the same at home as abroad in our owne houses as in the Church otherwise we can neuer assure our owne hearts of the truth of grace wrought therein or that wee goe before an hypocrite or a wicked man who many times is exercised in the one when he makes no reckoning or accompt at all of the other He read Isaiah the Prophet This Noble man did not worship God at a venture or as haply his forefathers had done before him as many in our dayes who will doe thus and thus because their fathers before them did so But hee will worship God as hee had learned out of his word And herein will teach all men vnto the end of the world a necessarie dutie That if wee will worship God aright Doct. In Gods worship we must fetch our direction out of Gods word we must fetch our direction from Gods word and not out of the Popes Chaire The word must bee our loadstarre to guide vs the way to Christ and to keepe vs in the way No seruice can please God but that which is done by direction from his word The Lord himselfe giues expresse charge concerning this Deut. 4.2 when hee saith Ye shall not adde vnto the word which I command mand you neither shall ye diminish ought from it That ye may keepe the Commandements of the Lord your God which I command you The meaning is Thou shalt doe no more or lesse in my seruice then what I command thee Yea it is no better then Idolatrie Num. 15.39 and spirituall whoredome for vs to follow our owne hearts or to bee led by our good meanings in matters appertaining vnto Gods seruice This is such a sinne as doth highly prouoke God to anger as wee may see in Nadab and Abihu Leuit. 10.1.2 in offering vp of their strange fire who were therefore destroyed with fire from heauen And for this cause Ieroboam drew the curse of God vpon him and his posteritie after him Because of those golden calues that hee had caused to bee erected at Dan and Bethel without warrant from God And how sharply doth our Sauiour reproue the Scribes and Pharisees for this who vsed a world of ceremonies and traditions in Gods worship which hee commanded not and therefore saith In vaine doe ye worship me Mat. 15. teaching for Doctrine the traditions of men Isa 1.11.12 And therefore the Lord will say to such as to those idolatrous Iewes of old Who hath required these things at your hands And hence is it that the Apostle Paul when hee went about to remoue those errours that we crept into the Church of Corinth about the Sacrament he brings them to the first institution of the same by Christ himselfe for where things are brought to the first institution all humane errours then cease And this doth the Apostle 1. Cor. 11.23 when he saith That which I haue receiued from the Lord deliuer I vnto you c. So that we see it is a most cleare and grounded truth that if we would worship God aright we must not be led by our fantasies and carnall reason good meanings or the like but we must fetch our direction out of Gods word And great reason For God will be acknowledged the onely Law-giuer Reas 1 the King of his Church and the onely Prophet to instruct his people For so saith the Apostle There is onely one Law-giuer Iam. 4 12. who is able to saue and to destroy So that none may presume in matters appertaining to his worship and seruice to adde or detract lest hee incurre that curse Cursed is he that shall adde to the words of this booke Reu. 22. Secondly Ro. 14.23 Whatsoeuer is not of faith is sinne Now faith we know is grounded vpon the word So that it is impossible for a man to please God in any seruice he doth that hath not his word for his warrant and direction It was Christs last commandement that he gaue vnto his Disciples teaching them to obserue all things that I haue commanded you Mat. 28.20 And surely this strikes at the foundation of Popish Religion Vse 1 for wherein for the most part stands the seruice and worship of God that is performed amongst them but in grosse superstition and in the inuentions of their owne braine in the traditions of men Popes Councels Cardinals and the like in a multitude of vaine and idle ceremonies and obseruations all which haue no ground or footing out of Gods word as namely their whipping of themselues their crossings and coniurings praying on beads going on pilgrimage and a thousand the like all which haue no ground or warrant at all out of Gods word to whom we may truly say as our Sauiour to the woman of Samaria Ioh. 4.22 Ye worship ye know not what And surely herein we may iustifie our Religion against the Papists and against all the Aduersaries of Gods truth that wee know whom we worship And if we be deceiued God hath deceiued vs and his word hath deceiued vs which is impossible For his word is true as himselfe is Secondly Vse 2 we are taught hence to acquaint our selues with the Scriptures that so wee may be directed how to worship God aright Now Gods word is a perfect rule and a perfect guide Saint Peter calls it a Sure word 2 Pet. 1.19 whereunto saith he ye do well if ye take heed So Dauid Psal 119.31 I haue cleaued vnto thy testimonies O Lord confound me not And it is worth our best consideration what Samuel spake vnto Saul that would sacrifice where God had not appointed Hath the Lord saith hee as great delight in burnt-offerings and sacrifices 1. Sam 15.22 as when the voyce of the Lord is obeyed Behold to obey is better then sacrifice and to hearken is better then the fat of Lambes And last of all this sheweth the miserable condition that such are in Vse 3 that are not neither may they be acquainted with the word of God as in the Church of Rome that haue the Scripture locked vp in an vnknowne tongue they can neuer auoide that woe our Sauiour pronounced against the Scribes and Pharises Mat. 23.13 They neither entred into the
generall sense doth include the preaching of the word and so doth all other wayes and meanes whereby Gods power wisedome truth goodnesse mercy c. come to be declared But in that strict and common sense wherein the preaching of the word is taken it cannot bee vnderstood of reading See we this cleare in that of our Sauiour who when he came into the Synagogue vpon the Sabbath day the Text saith He opened the Booke and read the Scripture Then hee closed the Booke sate downe Luk. 4.17 and the eyes of all them were fastened on him and he began to preach unto them Thus Nehemiah The Leuites read the booke of the Law Neh. 8.7.8 that done they gaue the sense and caused the people to vnderstand So that wee see the Scripture takes notice of reading and preaching as two distinct things And vnto the preaching of the Word is the promise made Vse 1 Seeing then that without the preaching of the Word ordinarily we cannot know Christ or attaine to the worke of regeneration The first vse then concernes the Ministers of the Word to exhort them that they discharge the duties of their callings with all diligence and faithfulnesse that they preach this word of life in season and out of season 2 Tim. 4.2 hereby they shal not onely deliuer their owne soules but shall turne many to righteousnesse This is the end of their calling and the happie fruit the Lord hath promised to the powerfull preaching of the word the conuersion of soules the enlarging of Christs kingdome and the winning of many to God Vse 2 Secondly this shewes the miserable estate and condition of those thousands in Israel who want their guides and faithfull Pastors to bring them to Christ who would not pittie a poore blinde man that should wander vp and downe without a Guide especially in dangerous wayes and places Much more are such people and congregations to be pittied in regard of the perill of their soules who want a Guide to direct them it is an heauie iudgement of God vpon such VERSE 31. And he desired Philip that he would come vp and sit with him Text. THe religious disposition of this Nobleman comes further to be described vnto vs as by his great paines in trauelling vp to Ierusalem there to worship God and by his diligence in reading of the Scriptures and that in his iourney and in his Chariot so by his desiring of Philip to come and sit with him to instruct him in the knowledge of Christ And herein againe wee haue another instance of his great meeknesse and humilitie that he would thus accept of Philip a poore man thus to come into his Coach and to sit with him Much vnlike to this Eunuch are many men in these dayes and times though farre inferiour to him yea it may be to some of his seruants yet would thinke scorne to call Philip into their company Nay they would hardly indure Philip to be so bold with them as hee was with this Nobleman What else meane these disgrace full speeches so often spoken by so many men what shall he teach me doth he thinke to haue our heads vnder his girdle O how farre are these men from the spirit of this Eunuch Yet God be thanked we haue some Chiefe Rulers that beleeue on Christ Ioh. 12.48 We haue some Corneliusses that will receiue Peter Act 10. Some Sergius Paulas that will entertaine Paul the Apostle The Lord increase the number of such daily more and more This this must needs bee no small commendations vnto this so great a man to intreat Philip thus to come into his Chariot to instruct him Hee doth not onely acknowledge his ignoâ—â—nce that he could not vnderstand the Scriptures without a guide but he doth also desire Philip to teach and instruct him Note hence That it is the property of a true disciple of Christ Doct. It is not enough to see our ignorance but wee must labor to come out of it and of a gratious heart not onely to see his ignorance but also to desire to come our of it to be taught and instructed in the wayes of God This is in deed Gods owne ordinance The Priests lips shall preserue knowledge Mâ—l 2.7 and the people shall heare the law at their mouth And thus the men of Macedonia came to Paul and besought him that hee would come and preach in their City the word of God And indeed none profit more wee know in the schoole of Christ then they that desire to be taught that hunger and thirst after knowledge that will go to the Ministers of God as she widdow did to the Prophet in the new Moones and solemne Feast dayes Indeed in the matters of the world men will not be a shamed of their ignorance but will confesse it as in the sowing of their ground when after what manner with what kinde of seed c. and they will desire to be directed But alas in this heauenly art how many dissemble their ignorance will not desire the direction of Gods husband men by which meanes their hearts lye vntilled and barren It is a signe of a good stomacke and perfect digestion when men grow in strength and haue a good appetite to their meat Pro. 9.5 A wise man saith Solomon will heare and increase in knowledge And thus it is with that man that is made wise by the word hee growes still in grace and hungers and thirsts more and more after wisedome And there is reason for it Reas 1 First that of our Sauiour Luk. 8.18 To him that hath shall be giuen But froÌ„ him that hath not shall be taken away God hauing betrusted any of his seruants with a Stocke of sauing knowledge they increase in the same daily and thriue and prosper in grace and godlinesse Whereas wicked men and hypocrites that haue all but in shew and nothing in truth God many times doth take from such that which they seeme to haue Reas 2 Secondly when God doth once open the vnderstanding of his seruants they discouer daily more and more in them the defects of their vnderstanding and knowledge and in them is that verified of Solomon Hee that increaseth knowledge increaseth labour For none labour and trauell more earnestly after knowledge and grace then such as haue already attained to a competâ—nt measure there of It is with a Christian herein as it is with a worldling the more the world comes on hand the more gripple and couetous they are So the more knowledge and grace that any of Gods people haue the more they couet after it Reas 3 Thirdly they and they onely know the worth of knowledge and of grace and this makes them earnest seekers after it whereas Ignoti nulla cupido Such as know it not neither prize it nor labour after it A godly man is insatiable in his desire after knowledge and grace he is greedy in hauing he reades daily he heares as often as
deliuered from sinne should liue vnto righteousnesse by whose stripes we are healed This was that Lambe slaine from the beginning as Saint Iohn testifieth Reu. 13.8 All that dwell vpon the earth shall worship the Beast whose names are not written in the Booke of life of that Lambe that was slaine from the beginning of the world And the Author of the Epistle vnto the Hebrewes calleth him Christ Iesus yesterday Heb. 13.8 and to day and the same for euer And howsoeuer this suffering of Christ was now in the last age of the world yet was hee that Lambe that was slaine from the beginning What was the Paschall Lambe to the Iewes and their sacrifices in the time of the Law but Looking-glasses wherin they might clearely behold Christ And hence is it that our Sauiour saith Ioh. 8.56 Abraham desired to see my day and he saw it and reioyced But what might be the difference betwixt the state of the Church in the time of the Law Quest and now in the time of Grace In respect of the matter or person of the Redeemer Answ it is to vs both alike For neuer any could come to life and saluation but onely through Iesus Christ Onely the Fathers in the Primitiue Church hauing the promise of a Messiah to come beleeued the same and by faith laid hold on him and so was Christs death as effectuall vnto them although he were to come as to vs that haue seene his comming in the flesh and the expiration of all those prophecies and promises touching the Messiah in the Lord Iesus Christ to haue their period and determination And the reason is Because by the comming of Christ Reas and in that sacrifice of his death all other sacrifices are taken away and the Altar of his Crosse was the end and dissolution of all other Altars and now what hath the Church to doe to rest vpon shadowes the substance being come and hence it is that the Apostle concludes it thus With one offering he hath consecrated for euer them that are sanctified Which may serue wonderfully for the confirmation of our faith in a poynt of the greatest moment and consequence that may be and that is that Christ is the vndoubted Messiah and Sauiour of the world For how can we rest vpon Christ for life and saluation if wee be not fully perswaded and assured that it is hee that was promised and prophecyed of of old and are to looke for none other And therefore it is an excellent thing for the confirmation of our faith in the maine ground thereof Christ the Messiah that we parallell the old Testament with the new and see how all those prophecies that went before of Christ haue all their periods and determination in him to giue instance in some of them The prophecies concerning Christ are 1 It was foretold concerning the Messiah that when hee did come hee should not be knowne nor acknowledged to be the Messiah but refused and reiected of the Iewish Nation Esa 53.3 He is despised and reiected of men Psal 118.22 The stone which the builders refused c. 2 That he should be borne of a Virgin Esa 7.14 Behold a Virgin shall conceiue c. 3 That the place of his birth should be at Bethlem Micha 5.2 And thou Bethlem Ephrata c Out of thee shall he come that shal be the Ruler in Israel 4 That at the time of his birth the Infants in the Country round about should be slaine Ier. 31.15 A voyce was heard in Ramah c. 5 That there should goe a messenger before him to prepare the way before him Mal. 3.1 Behold I wil send my messenger he shall prepare c. 6 That hee should be poore and of no reputation Zac. 9.9 Behold thy king commeth vnto thee poore c. 7 That hee should preach good tidings to the poore and bind vp the broken hearted Esa 61.1 8 That he should ride thorough Ierusalem vpon an Asse Zach. 9.9 Thy king commeth vnto thee lowly riding vpon an Asse 9 That hee should be betrayed into the hands of his enemies by his owne familiar friend Psa 41.9 Yea my owne familiar friend c. 10 That he should befold for thirty peeces of siluer Zach. 11.12 They weighed for my price thirty peeces of siluer 11 That he should be beaten and bâ—â—feted of the Iewes spit vpon Esay 50.6 I gaue my back to the smiters I hid not my face from shame and spitting 12. That he should bee put to death amongst Theeues and malefactours Isa 53.12 He was numbred with the transgressours 13. That the manner of his death should bee the nayling of his hands c. Psalm 22.16 They pierced my hands and my feet 14. That his garments should be parted by lot Psal 22.18 They part my garments amongst them and cast lots vpon my vestuâ— 15. That after his death and buriall he should rise againt out of his graue Psal 16.10 Thou wilt not leaue my soule in hell c. 16. That after all this he should ascend and go vp into heauen and there sit at the right hand of God his Father Psa 110.1 The Lord said to my Lord Sit thou at my right hand c And thus fulfilled Ioh. 1.11 Hee came amongst his owne and his owne receiued him not Mat. 1.18 Before they came together she was found to bee with childe by the holy Ghost Mat. 2.1 Now when Iesus was borne in Bethlem c. Mat. 2.16 Then Herod sent forth his men of warre c. Fulfilled in Iohn Baptist Luk. 1.17 He shall go before him in the â—pirit of Elias to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. Mat. 8.20 Foxes haue holes and the fowles of the ayre haue nests c. But the sonne of man hath no where c. Mat. 4.28 Who went about preaching the Gospell and healing euery sicknesse and disease amongst the people Mat. 21.7 And brought the Asse and the Colt and put on them cloathes and they set him thereon Fulfilled in Iudas Ioh. 13.2 Supper being ended Sathan put it into the heart of Iudas to betray him Matt. 26.15 What will yee giue me c. And they appointed him thirty peeces of siluer Matt. 26.67 Then did they spit in his face and buffeted him c. Luke 23.32 And there were also other malefactours led with hm to be put to death Luke 23.23 And when they were come to the place called Caluary there they crucified him Matth. 27.35 And they crucified him parting his garments casting lots Matth. 28.7 Go tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead Mar. 16.19 Hee was receiued vp into heauen I might stand also to shew how the time appointed for the comming of the Messiah should be in the time of the fourth Monarchy which was the Romane Monarchy or Empire Dan. 2 4â— as Daniel foretold And in the time that the second Temple stood â—ag 2 〈◊〉 as the Prophet Haggai foretold And at such a time as
the Scepter was departed from Iudah Genes 49.10 as old Iacob foretold That hee should come of the seed or Dauid as Ieremy foretold Ier. 23 5.6 Firmitas sidei in eo est quod omnia in Christo implentur quae praedicta sunt Aug. All which particulars were fully accomplished in Christ our Sauiour All which doe serue to settle our iudgements and to confirme our faith in Christ the true Messiah in whom all things are accomplished that were foretold of him Vse 2 Secondly seeing that Christ is the true Messiah and Sauiour of the world â—y whose sacrifice of himselfe once for all Gods wrath is satisfied and the curse and malediction of the Law remoued This shewes the miserable estate and condition of the Church of Rome that will haue many Mediatours and Sauiours by whose merits and intercessions they look to bee saued Such as are Saints Angels the Virgine Mary and the like then the which what can bee more iniurious vnto the all-sufficiency of Christs sufferings To which of all these did any of the Prophets giue witnesse did they all point at him and is hee able perfectly to saue all that come vnto him Hebr. 9. by that all-sufficient sacrifice of his once for all Let vs for euer then rest vpon him and make him our sole and alone Sauiour Vse 3 Thirdly the consideration hereof that Christ hath suffered so great things for vs should worke our hearts to an indignation against sinne For in Christ crucified wee may see the vgly face of sinne if wee looke vpon sinne in our selues or in such miseries it brings vpon vs such as are blindnes lamenes c. we can neuer truly behold the cursed nature therof But when we shall come to behold the Lord Iesus Christ sweating water and bloud agonizing in the Garden combating with Gods wrath suffering grieuous torments at the hands of sinners this will humble our hard hearts and make vs mourne kindly for sinne Zech. 12.10 when we shall come thus to looke on him whom wee haue pierced It was vpon good ground that the Lord commanded the Passeouer to be eaten with sowre Hearbes Christs sufferings should neuer be thought vpon but with hearty sorrow and with melting affections Thus much for the person Was led That is was carried away by the Traitour Iudas Passion and by the high Priests seruants with swords and staues as a Thiefe or Malefactour Though Christ were willing to dye and that by his death life was to come vnto the world yet hee did not procure his owne death not wilfully put himselfe into danger The Text saith hee was led that is taken by Iudas and the seruants of the high Priest who carried him along to Caiphas the high Priest for so saith the Euangelist Mat. 26.57 And they that had laid hold on Iesus led him away to Caiphas the high Priest where the Scribes and Elders were assembled And againe Then the Band and the Captaine Ioh. 18.13 and the officers of the Iewes tooke Iesus and bound him and led him away to Annas the high Priest So that it appeares in the History of the Gospell that Christ did not voluntarily thrust himselfe into danger but was first taken and led and then went willingly to his death as we shall see in the next place Our lesson is Doct. It is dangerous sin for a man to bee the instrumeÌ„t of his own death That it is a dangerous and fearefull sinne for a man to be an instrument to hasten his owne death It is such a kinde of sinne that for ought we know none but notorious wicked men haue euer been guilty of Christ went not of himself vnled neither did he willingly and wilfully thrust himselfe into danger but first taken then led It was a Saul Ahitophel Zimri and a Iudas that became their owne executioners The Patriarkes Prophets Apostles and those blessed Martyrs that were put to death yet would neuer offer any violence to themselues what torture or torment soeuer they endured from the hands of others Iob had a burden of sorrowes and calamities vpon him some inward some outward insomuch as in his passion he said My soule chuseth rather to bee strangled and to die then to be in my bones And yet notwithstanding hee neuer attempted to slay himselfe or rid himselfe of life nay rather marke his godly resolution All the dayes of my appointed time I will waite vntill my change shall come Iob 14.14 Our Sauiour acquainted his Disciples aforehand with the troubles they should meet withall in the world Mat. 10.16 Luk. 21 1â— namely that they should be persecuted deliuered vp into prisons and be brought before Kings and Rulers for his Names sake Yet Christ neuer bad them work their owne deliuerance Luk. 21.19 but to possesse their soules by patience So that howsoeuer our Sauiour was by his death to bring life vnto his Church and by that his bitter passion to redeeme mankinde yet hee would not make away himselfe or any wayes thrust himselfe into danger But he stayed the appointed time of his Father vntill the houre came the houre of Darknesse that hee was to dye In Sanctis Canonicis libris nusquam reperiri potest c. Aug. Yea one of the Ancients is very peremptory in this case that in all the Canonicall Scripture we haue neither precept nor permission of any in misery to procure their owne death Obiect 1 But what shall we say then to Sampson who pulling downe the house vpon the Philistines killed himselfe Sampson therein Answ was to be a liuely figure of Christ who ouercame most dying as Christ did by his death and nothing from that example can be concluded for the imitation of any Obiect 2 We see that many amongst vs haue come to fearefull ends and that by being themselues the most vnhappy instruments of their owne deaths The condition of such men is miserable and fearefull Answ for ought we know And the reason is because God hath promised to bee with his seruants in sixe troubles and in seuen Heb. 13. and neuer to leaue them nor forsake them Yet it is not safe for vs to passe a finall doome vpon such and that for these reasons 1. For that Gods mercy is infinite who can at his pleasure distill some drop thereof euen at the last breath 2. This fact is commonly committed in the heate of some violent temptation frenzy or height of Melancholy when indeed the partie is not himselfe Inter ponteÌ„ fontem 3. Such commonly liue some short time after the fact done and so may be brought to the sight of sinne and repentance for the same Neuerthelesse wee are still to know that the practise is detestable the sinne damnable and the condition of that man so dying most desperate And that for these reasons Reas 1 First it is against a double Commandement Legall Euangelicall Exod. 20.13 Ex. 20.13 Thou shalt not kill againe
the knife to the throat of our intemperate lusts and prepare for those more lasting pleasures Thirdly this giues boldnesse when we come vnto God especially in prayer when a man can say with Dauid I am thine Seruus sum expâ—cto alimentum à Domino Ambros O saue me this makes a man to come vnto God as a childe vnto a father and a seruant vnto a master with boldnesse to expect and desire things necessarie Whereas that man that wants this assurance wants therewith the principall royalties and priuiledges of Gods sonnes But do not many wicked men perswade themselues that they Quest haue this faith and full assurance of Gods fauour in Christ when indeed they haue it not but rather presume It is true Answ Sathan is Gods Ape and will in an apish imitation counterfeit the most excellent grace like a cunning Cheater that will foyst in slips for currant coine and these are so like to each other that many times the wisest are deceiued For the true faith of God Sathan hath his presumption which doth carry many a man along with this perswasion as if he had the faith of the elect And therefore as wise men will first bring their gold to the touchstone before it passe for currant so should a wise Christian bee carefull to try and to proue himselfe whether hee be in the faith lest he build vpon the sand and the same suffer a ruine in the end How faith may bee knowne from presumption Now true faith may be discerned from presumption diuerse wayes First of all by the ground of faith which ordinarily doth follow true humiliation for sinne For God vsually doth first humble whom he doth exalt Humiliation in the order of working of grace is the ground of exaltation I meane in a mans owne apprehension Otherwise I confesse there must be faith that must keep the soule in life hold it close vnto God that with Adam it flie not away from his presence to despaire Otherwise men would neuer repent and turne vnto him Well then try thy faith thus Didst thou euer truly see thy sinnes and that miserable condition of thine by reason of sinne so as thou hast euen passed the sentence of condemnation against thy own soule If the Lord should deale in iustice with thee hast thou gone mourning all the day long and made it the cause of thy chiefest sorrow thy sinnes done against so good a God and gracious a Father in Iesus Christ so as thou hast prised the pardon of them aboue all the world And to this end hast sought earnestly at Gods hands for the pardon of the same confessing thy sinnes bewailing thy offences hast sought his fauour in the middest of his Sanctuarie in the vse of his ordinances wherein he hath promised to be found of vs. If after all this I say we come now to bee perswaded of his fauour and loue towards vs that he hath receiued vs againe into fauour in the pardon of our sinnes in his owne Sonne This is vndoubtedly the worke of faith and not presumption But if on the contrary thou neuer yet sawest thy selfe in what case thou standest by reason of sinne neuer hadst thy heart truly touched with sorrow for sinne neuer yet camest to prise the bloud of Christ at such a rate that thou wouldest giue all the world for the least drop thereof for the sauing of thy soule but hast passed ouer thy time in securitie with the neglect of Gods ordinances as finding no such sweetnesse in them This is presumption and not faith Secondly presumption commonly is accompanied with grosse ignorance they vsually accompanie each other Now hee that thus perswadeth himselfe that he hath faith in Christ and yet liueth in blindnesse and ignorance deceiueth his owne soule for an ignorant heart is commonly a faithlesse heart A faithfull heart is euer a fruitfull heart for so faith the Apoltle As the body without the spirit is dead so is faith without workes dead also a presumptuous heart and a fruitlesse life go together And last of all presumption builds on the sands as the Papists vpon traditions but true faith hath euer an eye to Moses and the Prophets Faith commeth by hearing Rom. 10. c. True faith neuer separateth the end from the means but waiteth to see the face of God in the midst of his Temple Wheras presumption would haue the end though it regard not the meanes conducing thereunto I beleeue that Iesus Christ is the Sonne of God As the faith of the Eunuch was commendable for the nature of it it was a particular faith of his owne I beleeâ—â— So here the commendations of the same is further enlarged by the obiect of it it was such a faith as was fixed onely vpon Christ And herein will teach vs Doct. True faith hath Christ for the obiect of it That true iustifying faith is bounded and set vpon Christ onely Christ and hee alone is the obiect of true iustifying faith it looketh vnto Christ and resteth vpon him alone for life and saluation There is no one point more cleare in all the book of God then this The Sacrifice in the time of the Law with the brasen Serpent taught this vnto the Iewes that health and saluation is to be looked for onely in Christ As many as receiued him Ioh. 1.12 to them gaue hee power to bee made the sonnes of God euen to as many as beleeued in his Name Ioh. 3.6 God so loued the world that all that beleeue in him should not perish c. This we may see in that prayer of our blessed Sauiour Ioh. 17.20 I pray not for them alone but for all that shall beleeue on my Name Act. 16.30 Thus Paul and Sylas willed the Iaylor to beleeue in the Lord Iesus and he should be saued Againe Gal. 2.16 A man is not iustified through the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Iesus And hence is it that the faith of the elect is called The faith of Iesus And in this regard we are said to be iustified by faith not in regard of any qualitie inherent in vs or in regard of any such excellencie that faith hath in it selfe but in regard of the obiect of faith which is Christ in applying him his righteousnesse and obedience vnto a mans selfe as the hand doth the gold that is giuen it So that indeed to speake properly it is not faith that doth iustifie as of it self but Christ himselfe whom by faith wee apprehend The Doctrine is cleare The Reasons are Reas 1 First in regard that the whole worke of our saluation is attributed vnto him So Paul 1. Cor. 1.30 He is made of God vnto vs wisedome righteousnesse sanctification and redemption Amongst men there is no other name giuen whereby we shall be saued Act. 4.12 but onely in the Name of Iesus Christ Heb. 7.23 Hee is able perfectly to saue all that come to God by him