Charges to praise and minister before the Priests 2 Chron. 8.14 as the duty of every day required Not a Non-Conformist amongst them What part of the holy Function was assign'd them they carefully observed and kept their station and decorum exactly according to the tenour of the sacred Canon And that they might have no incouragement or pretence to do otherwise this Hierarchy of the Church was supported by a double provision 1. Of Maintenance 2. Of Discipline 1. Their Maintenance did not depend upon the liberality of the people they had an honourable allowance setled by Law by a divine inviolable right So that they had no temptation to hurry the Ark after the humour of the people to gratifie either their needs or their avarice Having the Lord for their portion they disdain'd with a generous contempt to betray the honour and interest of the Ark or the confidence and good meaning of well disposed people to gain the little imposts and bribery and filthy lucre And 2. In case of Exorbitancy there was a Coercive power in that Hierarchy to punish the disorderly person according to the quality of his offence not only with spiritual penalties as suspension from the holy Function a Fzra 2.62 and Excommunication from the holy Offices of the Church b Eze 10.8 John 12.42 but with corporal punishments also as imprisonment c Jer. 10.2 Cap. 29 26. and in some cases with pain of death d Deut. 17.12 This Maintenance and Discipline kept up Order and Conformity amongst them So that under the Authority and influence of David the King you have the Priests and Levites marshalled the Hierarchy of the Chuâ—ch ready to attend the procession and solemn service of the Ark. III. The Train and Attendants But a privaâ—e Office perform'd by the Priest and Levite or the Priest and his Clerk will not serve Davids turn He must have the Ark conducted in such an Equipage as becomes the divine Majesty it represented and to this end he summon'd his Elders and Captains and the chosen men of Israel to make up a Train of Attendants for this great Solemnity First The Elders Christs Government differs from that of other Princes Nicet in Greg. Naz. Orat. 19. The Government was upon his shoulders but the Government is too great a burden for the feeble shoulders of other Princes Mose's shoulders did shrink under it They are glad therefore of Auxillaries to assist them and such are their Elders and their Captains But judgement is to be used in the choice of These For in the Machina or Engine of Politie the lower Wheels to which the people are more immediately affixed have the strongest impulse into their motion The great Wheel of Sovereign Authority let it move never so orderly if the motion of subordinâ—te Magistratâ—s be irregular the force of their ill example will hâ—ve a more powerful influence upon the people and carry their inclinations after it Hereupon Jethro adviseth Moses to make choice of men fearing God to be suboâ—dinate Magistrates and David exhorteth not only Kings in their own persons but such as are put in Authority under them Psal 2. Be wise now therefore O ye Kings be instructed ye that are Judges of the earth serve the Lord with fear and kiss the Son lest he be angry Princes are the more conceâ—n'd to have an eye to Piety and virtue in their Officers because the people think for the most part that they may read the Princes inclinations in their practises †Syrae 10.1 Spots in the Sun and Moon are better discovered by observing them in their Reflexes and Images in the water then by looking upon their own bodies in their Motions In consideration whereof as well for reason of staâ—e as conscience David might resolve as he doth Psal 101.6 Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land that they may dwell with me He that walketh in a perfect way he shall serve me It is to be presumed that as it was in Ezekiels Vision Cap. 1. these Wheels of Subordinate Governours do move according to the motion of the Spirit that is in the living Creature the original and vital Fountain of Authority God takes of the spirit of Moses and puts it upon those Elders that were to share with him in the burden of the Government under him Some other giddy spirit might have â—…t the whole frame of Government into disorder and confusion but being acted by the same spirit with Moses they aime at the same end and carry on the same designe to Gods glory and the well-fare of the people Numb 11.25 Lopid 16. When the spirit of Moses rested upon them they Prophesied and did not cease that is Ex Dei instinctu Deum Deâ—que laudes celebrabant they were inspired to celebrate the praises of the Almighty The Elders that Rule well under a pious Prince they do correspond and comply with him in his Devotions as those Elders in the Revelation did with the four Beasts which are conceived to be the four Evangelists when those Beasts gave glory and honour to him that sate upon the Throne Then the twenty four Elders fell down before him that sate upon the Throne Revel 4.9 10. and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever Such were these Elders here they did comply with David to attend the Ark in this Solemn Procession 3. The Captains And so did the Captains too not for fashion sake I wist or meerly to pay a civil homage to their Prince like Naaman when he went into the house of Rimmon but out of devotion For Souldiers may be Religious we read of one Centurion that had a prodigious faith I have not found so great faith no not in Israel of another commended for his worthy piety He loveth our nation and hath built us a Synagogue of another whose devotions soared so high upon the wings of his almes and fasting Acts 10. that they procured him an extraordinary visitation of kindness from Almighty God Souldiers are the sinews of a Kingdom if they be lax and dissolute through intemperance and effeminacy the state of that Kingdom is but feeble if they be cut asuâ—der by Factions and Divisions it has no strength at all but enough to enabâ—e it to tumble and wallow in its own gore To strengthen these sinewes there is no such Anodyne as Religion and indeed if Souldiers be not Religious how will they serve their Prince either for the Lords sake or for conscience sake Atheism cancels the two strongest obligations of a subjects duty and Allegiance Gallantry will carry but few to the Gates of death for the safety and honour of their Prince and if interest be all the engagement he hath upon his Souldiers that may be bought off the best Exchequer the fullest Purse will carry it If his Captains be not Religious the Prince cannot be so confident of their fidelity to be sure not of their valour and
over thousands and all their Companies for there were Thirty thousand chosen men of Israel 2 Sam. 6.1 when the Ark was to be Carted to the City of David and sure there were as many now 1. By whose Authority and Example the Ark was Conducted or Translated I. The King The people might not do it of their own head no nor yet the Elders they had no Warrant for it It was done by David's by the Kings Authority and Example It was observed by the Philosopher that the King ought to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Supreme Governour of things that pertain to divine Worship The Model of this Ark was at first given by God to Moses it was his Concern to see it made being the Supreme Governour and David's to see it kept The highest Honour the Royal Office entitles Princes to is to be Defenders of the Faith Indeed Princes may do much to the advantage of Religion as well by the encouragement of their Example as by their Authority and it is their interest to do their uttermost for 1. Sam. 2. Those that honour me will I honour saith the Lord And it is said of Lycurgus that he commanded nothing in his Laws that he did not confirm by his example and of Agesilaus it is said that he first of all performed that himself which he did injoin to others and David will not only make one but lead the Dance in this holy Solemnity and invite others by the force of his example I will bless the Lord at all times His praise shall continually be in my mouth Psal 34.1 2 3. My soul shall make her boast of the Lord The humble shall hear thereof and be glad O magnifie the Lord with me and let us exalt his name together When such eminent persons shall advance the Standard of Piety Ecclus. 10.2 a plentiful train will follow As the Judge of the people is himself so are his Officers and what manner of man the Ruler of the City is such are all they that dwell therein But the ill president findes most followers men learn soonest to write after a foul Copy Good examples for the most part gain more reverence then imitation It is not enough therefore for a Prince to commend Piety by his Example old Eli did so much He must Imprint it by the Royal Stamp of his Authority And to go regularly to work he must in the first place exercise his Authority in setling the Hâ—erarchy of the Church under whose inspection and Ministry the Ark is to be conducted and thus did David 1 Chron. 15.11 12. And David called for Zadok and Abiathar the Priests and for the Levites for Uriel Asaiah and Joel Shemaiah and Eliel and Aminadab And said unto them Ye are the chief of the Fathers of the Levites sanctifie your selves both ye and your brethren that ye may bring up the Ark of the Lord God of Israel unto the place that I have prepared for it II. The Hierarchy of Priests and Levites This was the Hierarchy under whose Inspection and Ministry the service of the Ark was to be accomplished wherein three things are considerable 1. Their Consecration and Sanctity 2. Their Subordination and Inequality 3. Their Regulation and Conformity 1. Of their Consecration and Sanctity It was not enough for them to be of the Tribe of Levi though God had taken that Tribe instead of the first-born * Numb 3.6 with 12. of every Family to minister unto him there was a solemn separation of their persons to the sacred Office They were to be solemnly Anointed Consecrated and Hallowed to minister in the Priests Office a Exod. 19. â— Numb 3.3 and the Levites were to be cleansed solemnly dedicated before the Lord that they might execute the service of the Lord b Numb 8.3 11. and this was required indispensably under pain of death c Numb 3.10 And besides this Consecration of their persons there was a prefatory sanctifying by way of preparation unto the address before they did officiate 1 Chron. 15.14 So the Priests and Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the Ark of the Lord God of Israel 2. For their Subordination and Inequality this commenced with the Ark it self by Gods own immediate Order Aaron as a Type of Christ was head of all but Eleazar and Ithamar no such Types to be sure in Aarons life time though under him had very large jurisdictions all the Levites were under their inspection and command Numb 3.4 Besides the family of Aaron there were the Families of Cohath Gershon and Merari Of Cohath there were four Families and each family had its Chief or Ruler and over all these was Elizaphan d Numb 3.30 Of Gershon there were two families and each of them had its head and over both these was Eliasaph e Numb 3.24 Of Merari were two families and each of them had its hiad and over these was Zuriel f Ib. vers 35. Now all the Gershonites with their Heads or Presidents which were 2630. And all the Merarites with their Guides or Presidents which were 3200. were under Ithamars inspection Numb 4.28 33. Eleazar had his own family with the Fathers and Heads thereof And the Cohathites with the Rulers thereof in number 2750. as his peculiar Diocess But besides this he had a general jurisdiction over all the rest He was Primate under Aaron over 8580. Priests and Levites and therefore he is stiled Princeps Principum or Prelatus Prelatorum the Prelate of the Prelates or which is all one Chief over the Chief Numb 3.32 And all matters that belonged to the service of God were generally under his care and inspection Numb 4.16 This Subordination and Inequality did continue to the days of David as appears in the place before mentioned 1 Chron. 15.11 12. Zadok and Abiathar the Priests were above all the Heads of Levites and there was an inequality between the two Priests too Abiathar attended the Ark at Jerusalem 2 Sam. 15.29 1 Chro. 16.39 the higher function and Zadok the Tabernacle at Gibeon There was a first and second even amongst the high Priests 2 Kings 25.18 And how exactly David setled this Hierarchy in its state of Subordination and Inequality when 38000. were put into 24. Courses under so many Presidents and all these under the Jurisdiction and Government of Zadok and Ahimelech you may finde at large 1 Chron. 23 24 25 26. Chapters more particularly and concisely 1 Chron. 24.3 4 5. verses The Governours of the Sanctuary and of the House of God were of the Sons of Eleazar and of the Sons of Ithamar and the Offices were distributed for the sacred service But of the Sons of Eleazar there were sixteen Chiefs under Zadok and but eight of the Sons of Ithamar under Ahimelech This leads us to 3. Their Regulation and Conformity The Priests in their Courses applied themselves to their service and the Levites to their
cadent omnia quae terrena sunt ac mundus ipse subvertetur saith Origen such an Earth-quake might ensue as should remove those Mountains of earth that oppose in our way to heaven and level the world under our feet and bring down the Comforter to inlighten and assist us Let us therefore approach the Ark of God with unanimity and this will make us inclinable to the last part of our duty in our demeanor towards the Ark. 4. To approach it with uniformity for our unanimity is to terminate and center there in uniformity Hence the Apostle is so pathetical 1 Cor. 1.10 Now I beseech you brethren by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that ye all speak the same thing and that there be no divisions or Schisms among you but that ye be perfectly joyned together in the same mind and in the same judgment And why so why that ye may with one mind and one mouth glorifie God even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ Rom. 15.6 That promise of God Jer. 32.39 Ezek. 11.19 I will give them one heart and one way that they may fear me for ever hath reference certainly to the Christian Church But this is such a promise as implies our co-operation for the accomplishment of it I demand then whether God hath perform'd his Engagement to the Christian Church whether he hath done his part in giving his people one way if not then we are to expect some new Revelations for the discovery of that way for how shall it be set open to us otherwise But this is not only contradicted by the Apostle but sentenced too with the dreadful commination of an Anathema for thus he saith though we or an Angel from heaven Gal. 1.8 9. preach any other Gospel unto you then that which we have preached unto you let him be accursed And for the greater verification of this truth he doubles his asseveration as we said before so say I now again if any man preach any other Gospel unto you then that ye have received let him be accursed I am the way saith our Saviour and the truth too and that can be but one we have the mind of Christ 1 Cor. 2.16 saith the Apostle and no man can no man dare deny that to be the one way that God hath promised and this is set open to the world Acts 16.17 by the Ministry of the Apostles and Evangelists These men are the servants of the most high God which shew unto us the way of salvation And if you ask me why some men refuse to walk in this way I must refer you to some of their stubborn fellow travellers for answer Thus saith the Lord Stand ye in the ways and see and ask for the old paths where is the good way and walk therein and ye shall find rest for your souls but they said we will not walk therein Jer. 6.16 And why not why here lies the quarrel God hath appointed certain Guides to direct us and point out the way to us and we are offended at this we make our Guides our stumbling-blocks God hath also given a general Order to these Guides to set up some shades for our better accommodation and to hang up some lights for our more safe and regular walking in this way leaving it to their care and prudence what these shades shall be made of and where these lights shall be set up and here having an over-weening conceit of our own worth and wanting that due reverence for our Guides and Governours which we ought to have we fall out in and about the way too pride and prejudice Envy and Animosity strike in and make us NON-CONFORMISTS The Apostle foresaw this or rather had a present intuition of it in some Churches of his own planting and therefore when he injoyns this accord and uniformity for securing this duty he prescribes also these Caveats Let nothing be done through strif Phil. 2.2 3. or vain-glory but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better then themselves And the same charge he gives to the Ephesians Ephes 4.1 2 3. I therefore the prisoner of the Lord beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called with all lowliness and meekness with long suffering forbearing one another in love and by keeping this temper especially towards our Guides endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace Uniformity is this bond of the Churches peace and 't is that that makes her terrible as an Army with Banners which attribute no society of men can boast of Cant. 6.10 but where they all keep the same posture and observe the same motions and obey the same word of command under their respective Officers In obedience therefore to the Apostles command as well as for the honour and advantage of Gods Church Let us as many as be perfect be thus minded Phil. 3.15 that is as it follows in the next verse Let us walk by the same rule let us mind the same thing And I must add to take away an objection that may arise from the words intervening it may be very justly expected that we should be so perfect as is there required for though some novices in the Faith who were then but newly crept out of the darkness of Heathenism or the shades of the Jewish observances though these I say might then expect some further Revelation to inlighten them more clearly in that which by reason of their ignorance or prejudice they were not for the present satisfied in yet we are to expect no such matter we have already attain'd to the utmost we can expect of immediate Revelation a Gal. 2.8 9. Jud. ep 3. and it is our duty Divine Revelation and Command hath made it so in all doubtful matters to resign our judgments up to the conduct of such Guides †Heb. 13 7 17. as God hath set over us and for the truth of this Position I appeal to the declared doctrine of Mr. Baxter for thus he saith * In his Unsavoury Volum◠against Mr. Crandon or his Nosegay presented to Mr. Joseph Caryll page 83. ante finem Let me be bold to tell my opinion to my Brethren of the Ministry that though I deny them to have either credit or Authority against the known Word of God yet so great is their credit and Authority even as Teachers and Guides of the Church in Causes agreeable to the Word and in Causes to the people doubtful and unknown and in Causes left by the Word to their determination the Word determining them but generally that I think the ignorance of this truth hath been the main cause of our sad Confusions and Schisms in England and that the Ministers have been guilty of it partly by an over-modest concealing their Authority and partly by an indiscreet opposition to the Papists errour of the Authority of the Church and I think that till we have better
success for through faith the servants of God waxed valiant in fight Heb. 11.33 34. put to flight the Armies of the aliens and subdued Kingdoms They got not the victory 0141 0110 V 3 through their own strength neither was it their own arme that saved them but it was the aid and favour of the Deity whom they adored Hereupon the Psalmist saith I will not trust in my bow it is not my Sword that shall help me but it is thou O God that savest me and puttest them to confusion that hate me Non eripio Magistratui arma non praecido Consilia Typotius de Salut Reipub. p. 242. His enim Resp stat illis defenditur I do not disarm the Magistrate of his Militia nor cut off his Counsel for the Common-weal is upheld by the one and defended by the other At quovis rerum Statu absque Dei Numine nihil recte geritur desperatis rebus quid subsidii reliquum est Si non Deus praepotens atque immortalis In the best state of things nothing is well done without Gods assistance but when things are grown desperate what Anchor to hold is steady what Sanctuary to flee to but only the defence of the Almighty Some put their trust in Chariots and some in Horses but we will remember the name of the Lord our God They are brought down and fall'n Psal 20.7 8. but we are risen and stand upright David therefore will have no Souldiers to be of his Guard but such as have a devotion for the Ark of God And where there is such a Prince after Gods own heart such a conformable Priesthood such Religious Elders such devout and zealous Souldiers we may be confident of an orderly well-affected people for it is the Irregular Priest and the Seditious Elder and the Factious Souldier that does distract and imbroil a Kingdom and fill it with disorder and confusion In a word to shut up this Scene of our Discourse When a Prince comes newly to his Throne and the possession of his Kingdom all Degrees and Orders of men under his Dominion address themselves to make their recognition of his Authority and pay their homage to him Why now the Ark of God was a going to be inthroned in Sion and take possession as it were of its Kingdom and therefore David will have all his Subjects of what rank or quality soever present themselves to acknowledge and perform their respective Duty the Priests to devote their zeal and diligence the Elders their Counsel and Authority the Captains their strength and valour and all the people their fidelity and obedience to the Royal Prerogative thereof Thus we have given you an account of the first Quaere who they were that did Transport or Conduct this Ark in this pregnant Relative They So They brought 2. How they did Transport and Conduct it 1. With what Carriage or Instruments 2. With what Pomp and Solemnity in which as in the other general parts that are to follow I must be more brief that I may come timely to the pitch of my designe the Application 1. With what Carriage and Instruments To set the Ark of the Covenant upon a Cart and commit it to the blind conduct of a pair of Kine was somewhat tolerable in the Philistims who had no Priests that were rightly dedicated to the most high God And they had so much reverence to it as to set it upon a Cart that had not been over-worn in the service of the world in the drudgery of their secular imployments a new Cart will less profane it then the shoulders of an old uncircumcised Philistine They had so much care and reverence too as to commit it to the conduct of such Kine as being sent from their Calves would be sure not to hurry it on too fast to run it into the danger of an utter over-throw It might have fall'n into the hands of some men much more rash unreasonable and head-strong But yet that this new Cart and those Kine should carry it as they did was not without a miracle as the Learned think When the Ark is within the confines of Israel where there are Priests anointed and hallowed to attend upon it to Cart it then whether out of sloth or negligence out of irreverence or carelesness out of Faction or Inconformity is such an intolerable contempt and prophanation as God will not let go unpunished David doth acknowledge that the breach which was made upon them by the death of Uzzah was for this disorder 1 Chron. 15.13 for God will have things performed in their due order in his service and that affliction was an instruction to him and mâ—de him apprehend that none ought to carry the Ark but the Priests and Levites * 1 Chron. 15.2 2 Chron. 5 4 5. and Josh 3.6 whom the Lord had chosen for that Ministry And well might they undertake it for the Ark of God was not like the Idols of Egypt aburden to the weary Beast †Isa 46.1 it did not oppress or wring the Priests shoulders for the Text saith The Lord helped them to bear it 1 Chron. 15.26 Such is Gods goodness if we will but seriously endeavour it we cannot want a sufficient assistance to perform our expected duty Thus you see with what Carriage or Instruments the Ark was transported But 2. With what pomp and solemnity and of this we may observe that it was very great but withal very pious very decent very delightful and very cordial 1. A pious solemnity It began with an accustomed Form of Prayer for so Moses had taught them when the Ark advanced to say * Num. 10.35 Psal 68.1 2. Rise Lord and let thine enemies be scattered To their Prayers they added Sacrifice 1 Chron. 15.26 A Sacrifice of thanksgiving that God did vouchsafe not only to spare the Levites whereas he had smitten Uzzah but also to assist them in their Ministry and that their devotions might be the more rational they make them intelligible by a Psâ—lm of praise newly penn'd on purpose to adorn the pomp of this solemnity 1 Chron. 16.7 c. 2. It was a decent Solemnity 1 Chron. 15 2â— for David was clothed with a robe of fiâ—e linen and all the Levites that bare the Ark and the Singers and Chenaniah the Master of the Song with the Singers David also had upon him an Ephod of linen See Eng. Annot. on Judg. 8.27 1 Sam. 2.18 on 2 Sam. 6.14 The Ephod was an habit appropriated to Gods Service And there were two sorts of them one very rich and costly peculiar to the High-Priest made of blew purple scarlet and twined linen cunningly wrought and embroidered with gold of which Exod. 28.4.6 the other was a vestment of linen for Priests and Levites which others might freely use also though we finde it no where prescribed to them and such a one David used at this time on 2 Sam 6.14 say the English Annotators
Countries We thought Abana and Parphar Rivers of Damascus better then all the waters of Israel Men grew precise and squeamish they would not wash and be clean unless they might have Cisterns of their own hewing out nor drink of the water of life though it ran never so freely unless it were conveyed to them in new Pipes of their own casting Some there were that did strictly hold themselves to the Form of godliness the Solemn Worship of God established in the Church who notwithstanding in the looseness of their lives did shamefully deny the power thereof Others there were that did pretend to be so over-born with the power of godliness that they would allow no Form at all for the regulation and exercise of it All the innocent Ceremonies that had constantly attended the solemn devotions of pious Antiquity were look'd upon as the very dress and trimmings of Hypocrisie Reverence in Gods Worship was accounted superstitious and the holy Incense of Morning and Evening Prayers no better then abomination Even such of the people which make up the greatest number of its adversaries as never had judgment or wit enough to understand it had yet malice enough infused into them to deride and scorn the Holy Service of the Church And as an evidence that this disease was grown desperate our greatest quarrel was at those Physitians whose practice and prescriptions were the most probable means to reduce us to our Christian temper When I consider the carriage of the people Israel under Gods gracious dispensations 2 Chron. 36.15 16. methinks I see the Character of our English Nation in these late years The Lord God of their Fathers sent to them by his Messengers rising up betimes and sending because he had compassion on his people and on his dwelling place But they mocked the Messengers of God and despised his Word and misused his Prophets until the wrath of the Lord arose against his people till there was no remedy For when the Patient grows so raving so out of temper as to strike his Physitian and throw away his Antidotes there remain no ordinary methods that can cure him And then the Bedlam and the chain the whip and the skrews all the violences of a severe discipline are the best instances of our kindness Such was the condition of Israel Hosea 4.1 2 4. The Lord hath a Controversie with the Inhabitants of the Land because there is no truth nor mercy nor knowledge of God in the Land By swearing and lying and killing and stealing and committing Adultery they break out and bloud toucheth bloud Therefore shall the Land mourn Yet let no man strive nor reprove another for this people are as they that strive with the Priest When sin begins to spread amongst a people what remedy does Almighty God use to apply to heâ—l and stop it there is the Authority of a Judge to oppose it and the Reprehension of the Priest to give a check to it But when God does inhibite these his Officers from using their Authority and exercising their Jurisdiction 't is a sign that people is grown obstinate shameless and incorrigible When they grow so insolent as to contradict the Priest in his own office wherein doubtless he is Gods Vicegerent that people is past Grace as it runs in the ordinary Channel and unless God useth some other methods of Discipline there is no hopes of their amendment So it follows in the Prophet Hosea 4.5 Therefore shalt thou fall in the day When they had the clear light of heaven shining round about them the light of knowledge and the light of comfort and prosperity in this noon day Thou shalt stumble and fall faith the Lord and the Prophet also shall fall with thee in the night the false Prophet shall be benighted and lose himself in the darknesse of his own vain imaginaâ—ions and I will destroy thy Mother saith the Lord the Church and Nation from whose womb thou hast had thy birth in whose bosome thou hast had thy breeding and to whose blessings thou owest the procurement of thy prosperity We may mâ—ke England the Scene of that Prophesie as well as Jerusalem for the whole Tragedy hath been acted over in all its parts amongst us with a full solemnity God he took notice of our misdemeanours under his most gracious dispensations towards our Superiours his Vicegerents both Civil and Ecclesiastical and he was wroth and upon so great provocations as we were guilty of he did to us as he had done to Israel He delivered our strength into Captivity and our beauty into the Enemies hands That Ark that Form of Gods Worship that had procured such miracles of mercy for us in 88. and at the intended powder-plot That Ark whose virtue had been so often tryed to good effect in times of war pestilence and famine And our Beauty that Form of Solemn Worship which rendred the Church of England amiable above all the Reformed Churches and a true Copy of that Holy City that New Jerusalem which S. John saw coming down from God out of heaven prepared as a Bride adorned for her Husband Rev. 21.2 For our many provocations He delivered This our strength into Captivity and This our beauty into the Enemies hands The glory was upon departing from our Israel and I had almost said That the abomination of desolation was set up in the holy place When the most magnificent House of God that we had in our Land was turned into a stable and many men yea many Priests such was their Apostacy had no more reverence for it then the very beasts that perished by a strange vengeance inflicted without doubt upon that sort of Cattle for that Sacrilegious prophanation That Faction which had tyred out the patience of two great Princes * Queen Elizabeth and K. James with Petitions solliciting to have those Walls of Church Government levelled that Garrison dismantled wherein the Ark of God was in safe custody amongst us They that so often attempted to fire it out with their Squibs of scoffing Pamphlets and to batter it down with their paper-bullets for want of better Arguments At last assoon as opportunity and advantage favour'd them for their rage could stay no longer they assaulted it how unlike Christs Lambs and the Servants of the Prince of peace I need not tell you but with Swords and Pistols Pikes and Cannons they assaulted it And because this Ark could not otherwise fall into their hands the chief Priest yea and the Prince too must fall before it as a Sacrifice to their fury And which is more that they might utterly extinguish our hopes and cut off all possibility of its Restitution as much as in them lay they did cut off the Royal line that should protect it and the succession of a regular Priesthood that should minister unto it And now might the devout soul that was pregnant with the passions of grief and love fall in travel and for want of other issue give birth to
Victory they had taken the Ark indeed but they had made no conquest of it for it fell upon the Reer of them and smote them in their hinder parts it discovered so much of their nakedness and turn'd their inside so much outward and put them to so much shame and anguish that they were glad to send it back with a trespass-offering and beg to be reconciled to it the Israelites they were instructed likewise that it was not out of ill will to the Ark nor for want of strength in God that the Philistims prevailed to take it captive but only out of a justindignation to revenge the prophanation of that sacred Instrument which was the visible obsignation of his grace and favour to them And when God was about to suffer his holy Temple to be defiled upon a like account he sends his people to be schooled by that example Jer. 7.11 12. Is the house that is called by my name become a den of robbers behold I have seen it But go now to my place which was in Shiloh where I set my name at the first and see what I did to it for the wickedness of my people Israel And because of your wicked works I will therefore do to that house that is called by my name as I did to Shiloh Is there any here amongst us that can plead not guilty hast not thou prophaned the Ark of Gods Worship that was amongst us hast not thou been unthankfull for it hast not thou been unfruitfull under the Ministry of it there is no person in this Congregation if he be of a competent age but his heart will tell him that he did contribute something to the captivity of this Ark. If we had as much ingenuity I am sure we have as much cause as Mr. Bradford in the Book of Martyrs had or as the Christians that were banished in Q. Maries days had to accuse our selves for our wilful betraying the honour of our Religion and the interest of the holy Gospel We may all say For my sins and for thy sins was the Ark the solemn worship and service of God taken captive and upon this account it becomes our duty to present a burnt sacrifice for our atonement now upon its restitution But wherewith shall I come before the Lord and bow my self before the most high God Mic. 6.6 the Psalmist hath resolved us Psal 51.17 A broken and a contrite heart O God thou wilt not despise This is our burnt sacrifice 2. But to this we must add a peace-offering and that must consist of a double ingredient 1. A dutiful submission to this settlement of the Ark. And 2. A joyful gratulation for it 1. A dutiful submission to it In the the 24. Psal we find the people invited to a solemn reception of the Ark Psal 24.7 Lift up your heads O ye gates and be ye lift up ye everlasting doors and the King of glory shall come in Fuit beneficium Dei non vulgare saith Mr. Calvin quod Deus visibili symbolo in medio ipsorum residebat In Psal 24.7 coelesteque suum domicilium volebat in terrâ conspici It was no ordinary favour of God See 1 Kings 8.6 with 11. that he would reside amongst them in a visible representation and suffer his sacred habitation be seen on earth it should be their ambition therefore and zeal to entertain it Therefore lift up your heads Oh ye gates and the King of glory shall come in but what are those gates that should be so solemnly opened for the admission of the King of glory Sub ratione typi fuerunt portae Templi Ames in Psal 24.24 1 Kings 8.6 11. saith Amesius Reipsâ vero sunt fidelium corda Isa 66.1 2. they were the gates of the Temple in type but the hearts of holy men in reality they are the Tabernacle that Gods Ark and worshâ—p should reside in We must therefore inwardly in our very hearts and souls submit to this outward settlement of it in the Tabernacle or Church of God and this upon a fourfold Consideration 1. In regard of the place where the Ark is setled not in Barnes or Stables not in a Forreign far distant place 't is within thy Neighbourhood and yet appropriated to this service Though God be not confin'd to any place though he hath not chosen any peculiarly to put his Ark in as among the Jews yet for our sakes he delights in such places as our devotions have made his propriety The Lord loveth the gates of Zion mâ—re then all the dwellings of Jacob and in compliance with him herein the devout soul cries out Lord I have loved the habitation of thy house and the place where thy honour dwelleth and the Zeal of thy house hath even consumed me and make not my Fathers house a house of Merchandize it is observable though our Saviour in the first year of his Ministry foretels that all inclosures should be thrown open and the worship of God no longer be confined as it had been to Jerusalem Joh. 4.21 yet to signifie that he would still for all that accept and own plaâ—eâ— dedicated to his solemn service all the world over in the fourth year of his Ministry he makes his claim and vindicates the honour of his own interest Mark 11.17 2. We must submit to this settlement in regard of the Authority by which it is seâ—led here are David and the Elders and the Captains of thousands the King the Nobles and the Representatives of all the Commons of England what comes to us derived in so full a current of Authority not to speak of the miraculous restiâ—ution of this Authority should prostrate every private jâ—dgment and make the passions interests and opinions of all men stoop before it There is a necessity laid upon us yea and a wo will betide us if we submit not Let every soul be subject to the higher powers Rom. 13 1. Nay ye must needs be subject and that not only for fear of wrath but for conscience sake Ver. 5. and there is another sake no less considerable to engage you the Lords sake 1 Pet. 2.13 14. Submit you selves to every ordinance of man for the Lords sake whether it be to the King as Supream or unto Governours as those that are sent by him for the punishment of evil doersi and for the praise of them that do well Time was when an Ordinance not so venerable as that St Peter speaks of did signifie something with you when lesse then one link of that threefold Cord of Authority would serve to engage and yoak you to draw the Ark a side if you will not now submit to the Settlement of it upon the obligation of those Laws which come to us in the greatest solemnity that a just and full Authority can recommend them by I shall say no more but this that your Consciences are strangely blinded and they are prodigiously perverse and obstinate And yet this is not all For
taught even our godly people what credit and obedience is due to their Teachers and Spiritual Guides the Churches of England shall never have peace or any good or establish'd Order I say again we are broken for want of the knowledg of this truth and till this be known we shall never be well bound up and healed Thus far Mr. Baxter And as many as walk according to this rule Gal. 6.16 peace be on them and mercy and upon the Israel of God Amen Mr Crofton's Position Examined AND An Imposed Liturgy Justified THat 't is pride and an over-weaning Conceit of our own worth which makes men Non-Conformists I shall now give you a pregnant evidence out of the Pamphlet mention'd in the Title-page In a Postscript to that Pamphlet the Authour tells us of a Paper taken out of Mr. Crofton's pocket containing his high way thoughts which he committed to paper to communicate to a Non-Conformist Having procured a Copy thereof as he pretends with some difficulty he sends it to a friend with his leave to make it publick and thereby as he saith to capacitate our Conforming Clergy to resolve if they can one of the great scruples which he saith barreth Mr Crofton's Conformity and Ministration by a Liturgy The Position he lays down is this That A Minister of the Gospel cannot without sin receive a Liturgy generally and exclusively imposed But whaâ— is it the man contends for That an Order and regular Method of praying page 1. reading the Scriptures and administration of other parts of Worship in convenient time and order successively each after other in their proper place this he confesseth to have been used in all Churches of Jews and Christians and This he saith is dictated by all Rules of Order and Prudence necessary to humane Society so specified as to constitute an holy Convocation A Rubrick or Direction he acknowledgeth too as the genuine product of Ecclesiastical Politie and the Forma informans of that Uniformity in publick Order which is maintain'd without Unity of Words and Forms Terms and Expressions as the ornament and konour of any particular and circumscribed Church Such a Liturgy as this â—e allows of that is The Directory But stated Forms for the celebration of Solemn Publick Worship and the several parts thereof composed page 2. digested and for the very words terms and expressions thereof determined and prescribed by some others then the Parson or Minister who standeth to minister Gods Ordinances between God and his Church such an imposed Liturgy he cannot submit unto So that here we have a meer 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Tim. 6.4 2 Tim. 2.14 a strife about words terms and expressions say the Apostle what he will to the contrary And of what extraction is this quarrel then From whence come wars and strivings amongst you come they not from hence even from the lusts that war in your members The Apostle takes it for granted and the Wise man is positive in it Onely by pride cometh contention And it is so certain in this individuation of it That our Pick-pocket or pretended Mr. Crofton page 3. hath not artifice enough to dissemble it For he saith It cannot be denied to be a most base and slavish servility to prostitute the Office to which we are apted but not without humility and ordained by the Lord Jesus Christ unto the pleasure and prescriptions of men though the best for quality and authority But not so passionate good Mr. Crofton you may please to be so humble as to condescend to such an imposition for peace and order sake and that I prove by this Argument What I may lawfully be determin'd to by my own private judgment that I may lawfully be determin'd to by the judgment of my Superiours But to stated Forms for the celebration of Gods solemn publick worship composed and for the very words terms and expressions digested into method I may lawfully be determined by my own private judgment Therefore To stated Forms for the celebration of Gods solemn publick worship composed and for the very words terms and expressions digested into method I may lawfully be determined by the judgment of my Superiours In this Argument the Minor or Assumption cannot be denyed 't is that Mr. Crofton contends for for I hope he doth not exclude his judgment when he pleads for the liberty of his own Invention to Compose and Modifie his Forms of publick worship The Major is proved thus That which I may lawfully be determined to by a weaker judgment to that I may lawfully be determined by a judgment that is stronger But to stated Forms c. I may lawfully be determined by a weaker judgment viz. my own therefore to stated Forms c. I may lawfully be determined by a judgment that is stronger viz. that of my Superiours To deny the Major in this Argument were to make himself ridiculous and in effect to affirm that a man may see more clearly by a dim light then by a brighter And to deny the Minor were to arrogate to himself a better judgment then that of his Superiours which cannot be done without intolerable pride and presumption contrary to the express order of the Apostle Phil. 2.3 Let nothing be done through strif or vain-glory but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better then themselves That ye may walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called with all lowliness and meekness endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace Eph 4.1 2 3. But to lay the Axe to the very root of this Ratiocination he saith the Ministerial Modification of publick worship by personal abilities Pag. 4 5. is the formal act of the Ministerial Office but to resign this formal act up to a Ministry-destroying-imposition is sinful But I deny the Modification of worship by personal abilities to be the Formal act of the Ministerial Office The Formal act of the Ministerial Office is to Minister the Modification as well by personal Abilities as by publick Authority is extrinsecal and circumstantial to it To make the Modification of the Act to be the Formal act it self is to make the Apparel the Man which is very absur'd except it be in a man of clouts and truly Mr. Crofton's Argument is no better Object But the Imposition and Prescription in Prayer and Sacraments is applicable to preaching Sol. To which I answer 1. That certainly a Sermon is never the worse for being well digested And 2. if it be seen and allowed by Authority I know no harm in it And 3. if it were not an endless work this course would secure the peace and solid edification of the Church the better And 4. when the Presbyterians Preach other mens printed Sermons as some of them are frequently observed to do this is supposed to be no prejudice to the interest of those souls that hear them But the truth is there is a vast difference betwixt Prayer and