The Mill-stones are named but for an instance forbidding all others of like sort as pots which they boyl Meat in c. 4. Fourthly we are cruel to the poor if we withdraw our Corn from them Prov. 11.26 Hee that withdraweth Corn the people will curse him he who withholdeth Corn holdeth as it were the gracious hand of God yea puts it back by his covetousnesse when God in bounty hath stretched it forth to a Land and therefore by diminishing plenty to the people they most justly pull down upon themselves the curse of the people But he that selleth Corn lengthneth as it were the reach of Gods arme and enlargeth his bounty sent unto a Country Wherefore the prayers of the people shall fetch down a blessing upon his head from heaven Now what is said of the Countryman concerning his Corn let the Citizen also mark concerning his wares Non vincat honestatem utilitas sed honestas utilitatem Let not profit overcome honesty but let honesty overcome profit Seaventhly and lastly 7ly cruelty may be used and exercised by those that are in any place of authority even a petty Constable and Tything man especially if he conceive himself in favour with some he or she great one then where the sheeps-skin will not serve the Foxes must supply and if that be discovered then is he as a roaring Lyon and a raging Bear Prov. 28.15 The right which he pleadeth is nothing but his Office the mercy which he sheweth is onely where he cannot exercise more cruelty the help which he affordeth is to expect worse usage The mischief of wickednesse is great where it is joyned with power 3. 3ly The third provoking sin is Cruelty exercised against his immediate servants his Saints and Ministers onely under that notion If God be provoked with these and the like cruelties against beasts and ordinary men how greatly is he incensed against that cruelty which is exercised against his immediate servants his saints the righteous and upright in the Land who walk uprightly with God and Man not turning to the right hand nor to the left who shew their holynesse by their upright and just dealing not in mimicall gestures and words Yet there are some worse then infidels even next to Devils who hate all those in whom they see the least goodnesse even for their vertues and graces such they most dislike reproach traduce shun and avoid keeping company with any other though never so vile but stand in direct opposition to the Godly The Heathens after Christs time did cry out against his followers Christians were the causes of all publike plagues and calamities If Nilus did not overflow the field if the Heavens staid the Earth quaked if famine encreased by and by the poor Christians are cast to the Lyons But his Ministers they are the thornes in the sides of many now a dayes they are accounted the scum and off-scouring of the World their Message and Persons alike spitefully rejected by men of an Anabaptisticall spirit who having never found or felt their spirituall misery dream nothing but perfection and conceive themselves not to stand in need of them Carry he himself never so peaceably meekly even to the loosing of the halfe of his livelihood having no dealing with any in the matters of the World I speak by experience Yet he is a man of strife a man of contention whom every one curseth Jer. 15.10 If we threaten we are cruel Law preachers if wee promise we slatter if mild we are fearfull and so despised and trampled on by every unworthy Asse If bold we rail prove we by arguments undeniable we wrest Scriptures and are Sophisters Our assability is lightnesse our austerity madnesse Nothing can please them who resolve not to be pleased Harvest is done the reapers must be discharged and as for the time to come we will have such as will be contented with handfulls of barly peeces of bread Ezek. 13.19 This some hope for who I hope will misse their hope But no marvell the quality and matter of their doctrine is so opposite to mans corrupt nature that there upō it is exasperated to enmity against it self and the publishers thereof There goeth besides with their Ministery a kind of gall and wormewood to men unreformed The two edged sword in their mouth searcheth to the discovery of the most hidden and best beloved corruptions Hence Elias by his doctrine troubles Israel 1 King 18.17 Paul is accused by Tertullus to be a pestilent fellow and mover of sedition Christ himself the great Doctor of the world is accounted a Sorcerer Samaritane drunkard glutton deceiver divel an Enemy to Caesar and a troubler of the publike peace It must needs be very good which Satan and his instruments hate and persecute so much 4. The fourth grand sin provoking God to wrath is the Contempt of his Word God hath made this Covenant with any Nation who will acknowledge him for their God that if they will hear his voice indeed and keep his covenant then they shall be his chief treasure above all people a Kingdome of Priests and a holy Nation But how did his people of old keep his and their Covenant They took no heed at all to this Covenant Law or word of the Lord but accounted it as a matter of no consequence Every one followed that way he liked best Somtimes they heard it more for a Custom then any purpose to amend things amiss Wherefore the Lord grieved that ever he gave them his word Certainly in vain made he it his Law the pen of the Scribes is in vaine as if be should say the Law is enacted in vaine and by appointment of God put in writing by Scribes thereunto assigned for the use of his people in regard of any use they made of it or benefit that thence redounded to them by it because it was by them no whit regarded Jer. 8.8 And by his Prophet Isa 65.2 I have stretched out my hand all the day unto a rebellious people which walked still in a way that was not good God did labour from time to time to reclaime them and to reduce them to the regard of his word and covenant he had made with them but in vaine they followed not the motions and directions of the word and spirit but their own mind and lust Therefore now he was fullie resolved to reject them as not his children but the seed of the Adulterer and of the Whore Isa 57. that is not begotten by his word and spirit but such as forsooke God their rather had Satan for their father Thus they of old and are we better Is not the vvord disesteemed by most as nor worth the hearing but only that the Law and custome is so Doe not men in the generall proclaim it openly in their practices that they will not be controuled but doe as they see best Are not men in wordly matters witty and of great apprehension and judgment yet as blind
his feet 3. The third place we give to the permission of the fall and sinne having given him not impotentiam cadendi an impotencie to fall but potentiam non cadendi a power not to fall if he pleased which he abusing brought himselfe and all mankind into death and misery by transgressing the command given him and so becommeth a mean to set forth Gods justice and mercy his justice in punishing this rebellion with eternal fire and his mercy in giving his only begotten sonne that whosoever of the now lost off spring of Adam should believe in him should not perish but have everlasting life as a gift of his infinite mercy Iohn 3 16 17 18. but he that believed not should be condemned because he beleeved not in the name of the only begotten Sonne of God And this is a third way whereby God sets forth the outward glory of his Justice and infinite mercy 4. A fourth way is consisting in the free gift of his word and ministry to acquaint lost man with his forlorne estate and to discover a way how to get out of the same The law is given to discover the first and the Gospel shew's a way how to get out 1. 1. the Law The word of the Law taketh place first which being preached doth first bring man to a sight of sin Rom. 3.20 Chap. 7.7 Rom. 3.20 discovering to man his manifold defects and swervings from the law 2. After this it proposeth Gods curse due to sinne Deut. 27.26 Gal. 3.10 3ly Whence ariseth anxiety Deut. 27.26 Gal. 3.10 fear and that grief the Apostle calleth according to the world 2. Cor. 7.10 4ly By all which acts man is prepared to entertain the grace of the Gospel which is appointed for sinners 2. Cor. 7.10 Mat. 9.13 1 Tim. 1.13 for them who labour and are heavy laden Mat. 11.28 Mat. 9.13 Mat. 11.18 For those who are poore and of a contrite spirit Isa 66.2 Then the Gospel taketh the second place 2 the Gospel which Offereth to the sinners contrite with the sense and feeling of their sinnes and Gods wrath for the same the grace of God in Christ revealing the mystery which was kept secret since the world began Rom. 16.25 chap. 10.16 Rom. 16.25 shewing how by faith they may become partakers of the same cap. 10.16 Then secondly the Gospel begetteth faith as an effectuall and powerfull instrument Rom. 1.16 by the word preached and heard Rom. 1.16 chap. 10.17 cap. 10.17 and thus Thirdly it applyeth grace to the beleever according to Christs promise Joh. 5.24 Verily verily I say unto you Ioh. 5.24 he that heareth my word and beleeveth on him that sent me hath everlasting life and shall not come into condemnation but is passed from death unto life From this ariseth in our hearts Ioy because being justified by faith we have peace with God through Jesus Christ Rom. 5.1 Rom. 5.1 Griefe for discovering by the Gospel so great a mercy of God the Father towards us man cannot but grieve and be ashamed of those sins wherewith he hath offended him This is a far other griefe from that of the world which therefore the Apostle calleth the griefe according to God 2 Cor. 7.10 2 Cor. 7.10 Bringing with it a new man in mind will affections and all his actions from evill to good Psal 34.15 Ps 34.15 And here again the Law becomes subservient to the Gospel For seeing this change is not to be wrought after mans pleasure but according to the will of God expressed in his Law Isa 8.20 Ezc. 20.18.19 Mat. 15.8.9 Col. 2.8.18 Psal 119.105 Ier. 31.33 Rom. 6. Isa 8.20 Ezek. 20.18 19. Mat. 15.8 9. 2 Col. 8.18 Therefore the Law here offers it self again to be a Rule to us in this new life Psal 119.105 Jer. 31.33 Rom. 6. Thus it plainly appeareth that God Almighty doth all for man For man 1. All things were created Psal 8. Even Angels to be his Ministers Heb. 1.14 2. Heb. 1.14 Gods Son devested himself for man came down from Heaven submitted to that shamefull death of the Crosse to redeem him Phil. 2.6 7 8. Phil. 2.6 7 8. 3. For mans sake God hath committed to writing his will in his Law and Gospel That so man might See his deformity by sin Rom. 7.7 and punishment deserved to seek for mercy That man might secondly Get faith to lay hold on Christ to be saved by him from the evill of sin and punishment And lastly to Gather men into a society or Company who should be his peculiar people Tit. 2 13. zealous of good works Which people called out of the World and believing in Christ make up his body spirituall the Church of which he is the head And thus wee see all was done for the Church CHAP. II. The Nature and Members of this mysticall body of the Church THe Church according to these premises is an assembly or Company of men whom God by his Word and Spirit calleth out of the State of sin to the State of grace and glory God calls men ordinarily by men his Ministers who are his Ambassadors beseeching and praying men in Christs steed to be reconciled to God 2 Cor. 5.20 The Church then is a number of Called and calling doth make up this Assembly we call the Church From this Act of calling the Church hath her name in Hebrew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Congregation or Company called together in the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from calling out namely of some from others Ioh. 15.19 Chap. 17.6 vers 14. I have chosen you out of the World because they were given him out of the World And being thus called out they are no more of the World They are now to be a particular peculiar Assembly or Company distinguished from the former Gen. 12.1 Thus was Abraham called out of Ur of Chaldea Paul out of the Assembly of Pharisees others yea all out of the Company and state of sinners the power of darknesse Col. 1.13 Act. 26.18 Col. 1.13 The power of Satan Act. 26.18 To be of the number of Gods people who are in the state of grace to repentance 2 Pet. 3.9 2 Pet. 3.9 To Gods Kingdome 1 Thess 2.12 1 Thes 2.12 We may observe here by the way the high dignity of every one effectually called he is by calling intitled to the Kingdome and glory of God an high or supernaturall calling Phil. 3.14 Phil. 3.14 An heavenly calling Heb. 3.1 Heb. 3.1 Compare Chap. 12.22 Chap. 12.22 23. 23. The Church then properly is the Assembly of the Lord or the Lords Assembly This Assembly hath Christ loved and given himself for her Eph. 5.25 Eph. 5.25 He hath purchased the same with his own bloud Act. 20.28 Act. 20.28 Her he purifieth and bestoweth eternall life upon Eph. 5.23 Eph. 5.23 The matter therefore of the Church is an
Beleevers heart may feel it no tongue can expresse it here all language is lost and admiration seals up every lip Principality and powers nature and reason men Angels stand amazed at it 3. Thirdly this holy Spouse begetteth Children to Christ 1 Pet. 1.23 by the seed of the word and ministry of the same therefore is she called the Mother of us all Gal. 4.26 And after they are borne she feedeth her Babes by the same word 1 Pet. 2.2 as with milke and strong meate The sincere word of God being of this nature that without any mixture of humane addition it serves for a most fit nourishment of our soules whence is that saying of old Qui non habet Ecclesiam matrem non habet Deum patrem He or shee who acknowledgeth not the Church for his Mother hath not God for his Father These her Children are a Kingdome of Priests a holy nation Exod. 19.6 The Lords inheritance and his flock 1 Pet. 5.3 Iohn 10. All which and many more expressions the Seripture affords whereby it plainly appears how dear and pretious the Church is to God I am my beloveds my beloved is mine Cant. 6.3 All true believers members of this Church are his by a peculiar propriety Wee are thine thou never barest rule over them they were not called by thy name Isa 63.19 The Divells are his vassals the wicked of the world his prisoners The faithfull onely are his Jewels friends brethren members his Spouse His by all the relations of intimatenesse that can be named CHAP. V. The good things which flow from this neer relation to the Church and place where the same is gathered SAmpson who was a Type of Christ comes not empty handed to his Wife Christ Jesus who hath chosen the Church for his Wife lov's his Wife with a true love and therefore she is sure of abundance of blessings All grace to our souls all good to our bodies all peace that may concern this life or that to come is derived to us through Christ the Husband of the Church Whatsoever good descends from God to us is granted through Christ wee are elected in Christ as the head redeemed by Christ from all iniquity and purified to himself to be a peculiar people that is the Church zealous of good workes Tit. 2.14 Wee are ingrafted into Christ as Members of his Body and at length we shall be saved by him God gives to all gifts but they are onely true comforts to those which enjoy them as members of Christs body the Church Amongst his Love tokens which Christ bestowes on his Spouse the Church for grace and ornament the Jewel of the word and ministery is the chiefest so the Psalmist 147.19 20. Hee shewed his word unto Jacob his Statutes and his judgements unto Israel he hath not dealt so with any nation The benefits of this are expressed in the 19th Psalm by six Couples where your are to note and observe 1. That David speaks especially of the word of the Gospel Verse 7 8. which converts and rejoyceth the heart Marke likewise 2. The names he gives to the word Then 3. The benefits of it by couples and that by way of opposition to all other instruction out of the pale of the Church that is in opposition to all meer humane learning plainly shewing the happinesse of them who are made partakers of the word 1. The first name is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Thora á 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 jecit projecit To cast forth from him hence Thora a doctrine uttered cast forth by a Teacher to instruct others here especially concerning the will of God wherefore the word Jehovah is added Verse 7. It 's two excellencies and effects are integrity and restitution or restoring the soul Conversion 1. Integrity the word of God is perfect that is discovers more plainly and fully to his Church or people the will of God then any doctrine or learning that is taught out of the Church by any though never so learned Philosophers had onely the knowledge of God by the Creatures Sun Moon Stars and others on Earth in the Air and the Sea whereby God did evidence his goodnesse wisdome and power his will nature is not evidenced fully or perfectly 2. Excellencie or the second effect of Gods Law is to convert the Soul that is Gods heavenly doctrine discovers the remedy against all evills which proceed from sin withall the way to get out But humane wisdome at the farthest brings only to the sight of our miseries prescribing no remedy but leav's men with great pensivenesse and care of minde to enquire the cause of that horrible ruine in man the little world and chief of all visible creatures which made Theophrastus to utter this complaint that nature was rather a Stepdame then a loving Mother to mankinde Thus men out of the Church are left without any remedy spending and wasting themselves with most sad and sorrowfull complaints Whereas Gods word sheweth to those of the church a plain way to get out of their wretched estate 2. The second name given to the word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gnud to testify the Law or word is called a Testimony because it beareth witnesse of Gods will which he manifesteth to us in his word chiefly the Gospel Truth and making wise the simple are the two excellencies of this Testimony The Word of God witnesseth first 1. What is that good acceptable and perfect will of God Rom. 12.2 2. Secondly being applyed to our thoughts words or works as a witnesse in our consciences it either accuseth if they answere not the pattern God hath given in his Word or else excuseth if they be conformable to the word 3. The third generall excellency of the word and first of this Testimony is 1. Truth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 faithfull certain firm incorrupt which is allwayes the same a singular excellency of the word expressing fully the nature of the Author of this word who is Amen yesterday and to day Heb. 13.8 and the same for ever By this Christ prayeth the Father to sanctify his Disciples Ioh. 17.17 Sanctify them by thy word thy word is truth as if he said onely that doctrine which is delivered in thy word is the truth All other doctrines are erroneous whence it is that the consciences cannot be setled by them but are left uncertain allwayes doubting never fixed and setled and so at length are precipitated into the gulf of everlasting despair 2. The other excellency or effect of the word and fourth in number is making wise the simple No humane wisdome surpasseth this of the word and whosoever will be truely wise must repair to the word of God This doth 1. Reveal Gods will towards us which no other doctrine can This 2. Sheweth us our wounds diseases and withall prescribes the remedy 3. This discovers the plots and stratagems of Satan against Mankinde and teacheth us
4.5 6 7 8. I have taught you statutes and judgements even as the Lord my God commanded me that you should do them in the Land where you go to possesse it Keep therefore and do them for this is your wisdome and your understanding in the sight of the nations which shall hear all these statutes and say surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people for what nation is there so great that hath God so nigh unto them as the Lord our God is in all things that we call upon him for And what nation is there so great that hath statutes judgements so righteous as all this law which I set before you this day By these and the like Moses evidenceth that hee is not able to expresse the greatnesse of the blessing of the word which God doth grant to some nations it is a privy blessing which the Psalmist in a singular manner sets forth Psalm 147.19 20. Having mentioned many temporall blessings God had afforded to the Jews whereof some were 1. Common to them with other nations Vers 16.17 18. Snow hore-frost and Ice all for the fruitfullnesse of the earth in common to all good and bad within the pale of the Church and without 2. Peculiar to the Jews onely and the same 1. Temporall the building of their City ruined before by the Chaldaeans and the bringing them back out of the Babylonian Captivity Others were 2. Spirituall Vers 19 20. The giving to them his word wherein he reveals his will to his Church a favour not afforded to any nation besides The Jewes had three Crowns which made them renowned and famous The Crown of the Law King and Priest of all three the Crown of the Law was most glorious because by her Princes reign Prov. 8.15 16. David therefore meditat's therein night and day Psal 1.2 and makes the same his Councellour in the morning when he rose and at night when he went to bed Psal 119. I will adde one excellencie more assorded to this Nation before all others in the World 1. This Nation was one of the first received the Gospel 2. This Nation did yeeld to the first Christian Emperour Constantine the Great born at York who gave peace and honour to the Church 3. The third and greatest Light that did shine forth in darkest Popery to all the World was Wickliffe 4. The first royall Martyr was Oswald who united the two Crowns of England and Scotland after hee had much enlarged the bounds of Christs Kingdome with his own in the end exchanged his Princely Diadem for a Crown of Matyrdome and so signed the Christian faith with his royal bloud 5. It was the first Kingdome that shook Antichrist fully out of the Saddle Now besides these blessings afforded the Church Empires Kingdomes States and Commonwealths prosper and flourish with the Church God hath a speciall care of such Lands where his Church and true religion find entertainment The Kingdome of Israel flourished even to the admiration of others as long as true Religion flourished in the Church But assoon as they fell off from God and gloried onely in the Temple the place was turned into an heap of stones the people were dispersed without a King or Prophet or any shew of a people of God Asia was once famous through the World by reasō of the Churches in the same the fame of their faith sounded far and neer Their place now is become a Receptacle for Mahomet a Synagogue for Satan and a Temple for Turkish Idolatry That Nation then Empire Kingdome State flourisheth where the Church flourishes in maintayning the truth of the word CHAP. VI. Sins exposing a Church and Nation to the wrath of God 1. FIrst Barrennesse 2. Cruell Usage of his Saints and Messengers 3. Light esteem of the word of God These strip a Nation of those blessings wherewith God hath graced them and expose it to scorn and contempt 1. Barrennesse whether carnall or spiritual hath alwayes been accounted a Curse Johns Mother insinuateth the one Luke 1.25 The Lord hath looked on mee to take away my reproach amongst men and vvhen God gives salvation he is said to take avvay barrenesse Sing O barren thou that didst not bear Isa 54.1 But vvhat are our fruits the Catalogue of them vve have Gal. 5.19 20 21. vvorks of the flesh specially these variance hatred emulation vvrath strife sedition heresy envyings murther drunkenesse and revellings better to be barren then bring forth such fruits These vvere the fruits of Sion and Jerusalem the Jevvish Nation and Church in our saviours dayes therefore in his love to the people of Israel zeal of their salvation knowledge of their finall destruction at hand in grief and pity he burst out into tears Oh that thou hadst known in this thy day a passionate speech abrupt or broken off he could not speak out the rest for vveeping by reason of those things that were to come upon them Abundance of affectionate thoughts as it vvere thronging the heart like some violent presse of people at a door hinder each others passage he blames and vvithall pittyeth them O if thou hadst known at least in this thy day that is thy visitation this time wherein God calleth thee to repentance and offereth peace to thee understand hovv happy hadst thou been thou had'st escaped the determined destruction Our saviour shevveth the end of such barrenesse plainly John 15.1 In the parable of the Vine which speaketh of every one in the Church into vvhich they are implanted by Baptisme Wee 'l note these follovving degrees 1. They are barren bear no fruit this is the first step into Hell After vvhich 2. They are cut off from the Vine cut it dovvn saith Christ Luk. 13.7 Why cumbreth it the ground as if he should say they do vvith their bad example but marre others and make them unfruitfull 3. Being cut off from the Vine they are cast out of the Vineyard that is the Church they are not suffered to suck in Vaine the breasts of her Consolation nor partake of her prayers The Lord is moved to reject them his labour not being answered he vvill pull down the fence break dovvn the vvall leave his ovvn Vineyard to vvast ovvn it who will Isa 5.6 What more fearfull then for a man to be left by God to become a Lodge for Divels lusts and vvasting sins till at last by death he is cut off The Lord brings on them this judgement in manner follovving 1. By death cut him down bring the axe the pruning knife hath done no good hew him down by death from the Ministry under which he hath been so long fruitlesse 2. Taking away the meanes of fruitfullnesse the Clouds shall not rain upon it Isa 5.6 The means of salvation his word and Ministry shall be taken away 3. Blowing on the gifts they have already they shall doe them no good the unprofitable servant had his Talent taken away This curse is so eminent upon many
these fruites Gal 5.22 Love Peace Joy c. Let us with double diligence endeavour to redeeme our former barrennes that so the Lord our God may continue with us 2ly A second means to keep God with us and his blessing is to acknowledge Gods superlative mercy in gathering and setling a Church here passing by the greatest part of the World leaving them Aliens from the covenant without any hope Eph. 2.12 We might have perished in ignorance blindnesse This hath been the practice of Gods Children 1. It was the blessing that Noah gave to his Son Iapheth for his dutifullness Gen. 9.27 God perswade Iapheth to dwell in the Tents of Shem that is to be united with the Churches of the Jews the posterity of Shem which was fullfilled when the Gentiles became joynt heirs and of the same body and joynt Partakers of Gods promise in Christ by the Gospel Eph. 3.6 The partition wall being broken down Chap. 2.24 They became fellow Citizens with the Saints and of the household of God and were no more strangers and forreigners Vers 19. 2ly Ioseph became a great man in Egypt might have made his Sons great also amongst infidels but his chief care was to adopt them into the true Church of God to be partakers of her blessings Gen. 43.13 3ly Moses Heb. 12.24 by faith when he was come to age 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 By interpretation of Stephen Act. 7.23 Full forty years refused to be called the son of Pharaohs Daughter and chose rather to suffer adversity with the people of God Whatsoever Moses did being a Child yet when he comes to discretion he refused to be called the Son of Pharaohs Daughter had rather live in the Communion of the faithfull then to be a Prince amongst unbelievers The expression is singular 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he looked off from 1. The honours riches profits pleasures that were appertaining to a Crown from the pompe and honour of the World 2. Hee looked off from the afflictions and miseries of Gods people which he was to undergo with them 3. He looked to the recompence of reward future Hee looks off from the reproach of Christ which would be but for a season aswell as the riches and treasures to that which would be everlasting Therefore seeing it is such a great blessing to live in the society of the faithfull wee ought to be thankfull to God that he made us members of the Church Be not like to many who have lived died in the bosome of the Church yet have never tasted of the blessings graces of the Church like fishes in the Sea never tasting of the saltnesse of it This is the reason why many depart from the Church because they haue not tasted how sweet the Lord is in the same Seing that God gives more where he hath given much let us praise him all the wayes we can discover The manner of praysing God is six fold 1 st In mind when we bear in mind the favours of God Thus David Psal 77.11 I will remember the works of the Lord surely I will remember thy wonders of old It was cursed unthankfulnesse in Israel to make hast to forget his works Psal 106.13 What can hee remember that forgets the mercies of God 2ly When we erect monuments pillars and Trophies to continue the memory of Gods mercies This shall be writtē for the generatiōs to come Ps 102.18 Thus Jacob reared an altar Gen. 33.20 to be a dumbe Catechisme to posteritie or a gratefull memoriall of Gods favour in giving him power not only to prevaile with himself for a blessing but with his Brother Esau to divert destruction 3ly When we praise God upon instruments Psal 150. 4ly When we praise God with our hearts this enlivens all the rest if it come out of a pure heart Bless the Lord all that is within me Psal 103.1 All that is within me and all that is without me but especially all that is within me bless the Lord O my soule He loves little that can tell how much he loves 5ly When we praise God with our lips or tongues Psal 35.28 My tongue shall speake of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long 6ly VVhen our lives praise God 1 Pet. 2.12 Let our conversation be honest that they beholding your good workes may glorify God in the day of Visitation Noli gloriari quia lingua c. saith Augustine never say you praise God with your words when you dispraise him with your workes A third thing we must doe if we vvill stay the Lord and keepe him vvith us is to pray for the Church and to doe all vve can to keepe the same amongst us I have made it plaine That all vvhich God hath done vvas first for himself next for his Church Now vvill God continue that amongst us which we regard not Remember that in Haggai 1.4 Is it time for you to dwell in seeled houses whilest Gods house lieth in the dust a sharp pointed reproofe O yee filly wormes ungratefull wretches so lately and graciously delivered to delight your selves in your seeled houses your graunges pallaces and to be soe ungratefull to your God as not to let him have his owne house doe you not only seeke necessaries but also your pleasures before Gods honour Did God regard the materiall house so much No it was for their sakes who did meet in it to praise the Lord. I doe not-deny but it is a great blessing the Lord affords us in giving us materiall publike houses which we call Churches from the Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as it were the Lords house which some corrupted in mind or yeelding themselves to be abused so far by Popish Antichristian Emissaries as to destroy those places of publick worship that men might be driven into corners to their no small advantage as the Apostle imtimateth 2 Tim. 3.6 by creeping into houses they worke closely in corners which openly they dare not adventer upon in our publike oratories Pray then with the Church we must with David Ps 122.6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem that is the Church of God the whole Church and every part and portion of the same every branch and member through the world more specially those members that are eminent not in outward profession of religion and Christian name but those that are really such eminent in place worth and service singularly we are to pray for our own Church which we have relation to and the Principalls of it Cities also and Vniversities and Schooles Seminaries of the Church for those now in Parliament for the Common good and so the Churches also that God would strengthen and enable them against all opposition they are like to meet with for all that labour for the settlement of Christ meet with opposition from Satan his Instruments are tormented by them Neither are we to pray alone for Jerusalem mysticall but also for Jerusalem literall the conversion of the Jewes Cant.