the Law in the Tabernacle in Exod. 25.31 which was a type of the Church of God for all things were done unto them in types and yet with this difference Under the Law there was but one Candlestick in the Tabernacle but here are seven Candlesticks what is the reason there is a double Ground and both of them Considerable First Because the Church of God under the Gospel should be of a larger extent then under the Law and for that Cause happily it is that the dimensions of Johns City go so far beyond that of Ezekiels though it be spoken of the same thing and of the same time yet Ezekiels City that is but 4500. Cubits and Saint Johns is twelve thousand furlongs A great difference But Ezekiel saw it with Legal apprehensions he had a sight of Gospel-Ordinances by a darker light only But John saw it with a Gospel light and he describes the latitude and the dimensions thereof according thereunto Secondly And that is the main reason there was but one Candlestick in the Tabernacle because the Church of the Jews was but one and though they had many Synagogues yet they met all in one stem they were united all in one shaft but the Churches of the Gentiles are many and for that Cause though there was but one Candlestick under the Law yet there are seven under the Gospel and that is the meaning why a Candlestick Secondly Why is the Church is called a golden Candlestick Upon a double Ground First Because Gold is the purest mettal and the Lord will have his Church such they shall differ as much from other men as Gold doth from the common clay in the streets the Lord is very exact in every thing in the Church he is very curious of what mettle such Candlesticks be made of and therefore it is not every society or constitution of men that will be lookt upon as a Church to Christ but when the Lord lays the Foundation of a Church he doth it with Saphirs Isa 54. Non est de doctrina sed hominibus there is a double Foundation of Churches as Divines do observe doctrinae personae the Church is founded on doctrines but here of persons the First founders of which the Church is built they must not be common stones for if the Church become corrupt if the Gold become Dross if the house of the Lord become an outward Court then the Lord will take no care either to build or to measure it and there is Golden Doctrines 1 Cor. 3.12 The light that doth shine forth in this his Candlestick and then the Lord is curious with what oyl the Candlestick is maintained for the Lord will not have it maintained with common oyl that Persons may put in themselves but God will not delight in them It is a strange expression that in Zach. 4.12 These empty golden oyl out of themselves their parts their pains and all it must be golden oyl Secondly Because Gold of all other mettals is the most precious and of the highest esteem there is as much difference between the Church of God and other men as there is between Gold and Dirt in the street as between Diamonds and Pebbles in the Lords esteem make Israel a Church and then all the earth is mine saith the Lord but thou art my peculiar treasure in Exod. 19.5 they are to God above all people the truth is they are the first fruits of all the creatures the Church is called so Iames 1.18 The first fruits were best and were dedicated to God and they did also consecrate the whole crop you all claim a title to Church-membership look they be golden Candlesticks the Lord hath his scales to weigh you and his touchstone to try you and let me tell you the less Gold there is in any Church the less value God sets upon it Thirdly How is Christ said to walk in the midst of the Golden Candlestick It denotes a promise of especial presence and fellowship this is the promise that the Lord made unto the Jews Lev. 26.12 I will walk among you and I will be your God and my soul shall not abhorr you 2 Cor. 6.16 I will dwell and walk amongst them it notes his presence with them in all ways of love and Communion for Amos 3.3 Two cannot walk together unless they be agreed When God hath Communion with us he is said to walk with us therefore we read of his goings in the Sanctuary this then is the meaning he affords his especial presence and Communion Now here is an observation that I shall hint unto you There is a gratious presence of Christ with his Church in all Church-administrations Two Scriptures hold forth this gloriously unto you one is Psalm 27.4 I would see thy beauty and glory as I have seen in thy sanctuary thy beauty what is beauty It is a symmetry and a proportion of parts now when you look abroad on the works of God you see one Attribute manifested in one work and another in another you see not these parts put together and so the beauty of them doth not appear God doth great things when he manifests an attribute when he would shew his love he gives his Son when he would manifest his mercy he pardons sin so that in the Works of God the Atributes of God are thus scattered you cannot see them together But come to the Sanctuary and there you see beauty all the Attributes of God are displayed there for as Christ as Mediatour is the stage on which all the Attributes of God are acted for he is the Image of the Invisible God so is the Church the stage or scene on which Christ acts all these Attributes Rev. 11. There is the special presence and beauty of God to be seen there beyond what there is in all the world beside Secondly There is the great Glory of God to be seen in heaven and you shall find that there is a great resemblance between his presence in his Church and in Glory In Heb. 12.22,23 When you read it you will see but little difference between that and heaven that you can scarce know it from heaven we are come to the heavenly Jerusalem to the General assembly of the Church of the first-born whose names are written in heaven to God the Iudge of all to Iesus the mediatour of the New Testament c. Let us compare a little the presence of Christ with his Church with that of his presence in Glory take the parrallel in these five particulars First Christ in heaven is present in Majesty and Glory It is called the throne of his Glory and such is his presence in his Church too And therefore observe it he is said to sit upon a high Throne in the midst of his Churches Rev. 4.3 The name of the Church is called Iehovah Shammah on that account the Lord is there Ezek. 11. Christ doth nowhere but in heaven discover so much of his Kingly Majesty as he doth in
Canons a mixture partly out of the Word of God and partly from their own traditions and to shew that they love the mid-way in all these their Purgatory a middle place between Heaven and Hell Since that in the Reformed Churches there be many that though they have not been fully Popish yet have greatly desired and much laboured for a reconciliation as if a middle way between us were the way to peace who perswade themselves and seek to their power to perswade us that if we yield unto them in Ceremonies it may be a means to bring them over in Doctrines and to tell us were it not for the Iesuites on the one side and the Puritans on the other two hot spirits â—…derate men would soon agree we read of some Rev. 13.16 that do receive the mark of the Beast a mark I conceive to be an expression taken either from a servant or a souldier who by some badge or cognizance are known to what Master or Captain they belong for as Christ will have his Church sealed Rev. 7.3 so will Antichrist have his servants marked And this mark the text tels us is double in the right hand and in the forehead the one notes an open profession and the other an earnest contention to promote the cause First in the fore-head it is an open profession either in words or practise when men either practise it or praise it when men praise their feasts keep their fasts honour their Saints set up their images commend their Crucifixes love their Ornaments their Copes their Tapers choose their names of Priests and Altars c. it is as plain hereby as if it were written in their foreheads to whom they do belong and it appears plainly that a mixture a middle way they desire Secondly A mark in the right hand sets forth an earnest contention in the cause of the beast the right hand being the Instrument of action and that wherein a mans main strength lyeth and so Antichrist hath his Merchants his Factors and Agents in most parts of the world that strive to the utmost of their parts and power in many things if not in all to advance the worship of the beast and to engage men in their quarrel So that in all ages there hath been a mixture for Satan would have a Religion like unto Nebuchadnezars Image he cares not though the head be of Gold and the breast of Silver so long as the other parts be either of brass or else partly of Iron and partly clay Now what hath been the cause of these mixtures in all ages they are two First the Ministery and Secondly the people First an unclean spirit working in the Prophets that is given as one reason when the Lord will cleanse his people and take away the causes of their pollution he saith Zach. 13.2 he will cause the Prophet and the unclean spirit to pass out of the Land that is the unclean spirit that works in the Prophets for the truth is there is a spirit of uncleanness and prophaness is gone forth into the world Secondly horrible pride in all those in whom this spirit of uncleanness doth take place for vain man would be wise Iob 11.12 and he affects a shew of wisdom in nothing so much as in matters of Religion either in the Doctrine or the worship of God and this is made a special cause of all humane mixtures Col. 2.18 being vainly puft up by their fleshly minds Thirdly a vehement desire that some men have arising from this pride to win Proselytes unto themselves that all men may be of their mind after their garb in all things they would have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh ut multitudine sequacium sese efferant that they may please themselves in this how many they have brought about and how many Disciples they have drawn after them that become their admirers c. Fourthly horrible hypocrisie when men are Sepulchres within yet they desire outwardly to appear painted who having no power of godliness within yet by new inventions would fain bear the world in hand that surely they are men of a higher strain for matters of Religion then ordinary whereof their zeal for a little bodily exercise and outward complement must be the great witness to the world and this Christ chargeth upon the Pharisees as a special cause of all that corruption and composition that was in the Church of God amongst them as we see Mat. 23.13,14 Fifthly worldly wisdom politick respects and fleshly ends what moved Ieroeobam to set up the Calves or Iehu to retain them but because it suited better with their policy and earthly aims and purposes then the purity of Gods worship would ever have done for when men come to this to count gain godliness then that will be the best Religion or the best way of worship and those the most decent ceremonies that will but further their worldly ends So sometimes a correspondency with forraign powers of another Religion So Ahaz that he might keep his correspondency with forraign powers with Tiglah Pelezer King of Assyria he must have the fashion abroad also 2 King 16.11,12 outward references have many times a great influence into the matters of Religion Sixthly and lastly there are four sins which are in a especial manner incident unto the Prophets and the great causes thereof are Ignorance Idleness Covetousness and Cowardize First ignorance that is given as a special cause of many humane inventions amongst the Pharisees thou blind Pharisee Mat. 23.26 And the Church of Thyatira many well-meaning men were deluded because they knew not the depth of Satan Rev. 2.24 many men are deluded because they see not the evil that is intended the Apostle tels us of Popery that it is a mysterie of iniquity 2 Thes 2.7 Iniquitas sed mystica pietatis fidelitatis nomine palliata represented unto men under the names both of piety and loyalty Secondly Idleness and carelesness in matters of this nature so that if men can enjoy their liberty live quietly and richly for the purity of Gods worship it matters not so much that is given as the cause Mat. 13.24,25 While men slept the enemy came and sowed tares In most ages there have been some secure and quiet times of the Church when the Prophets have taken their ease and a spirit of slumber hath come upon them and then is the time to vent and set forth the inventions of men and so by little and little pedetentim usu ipso tacita Doctorum approbatione coepit esse in precio hac aestimatione sensim sine sensu crescente As a Jesuite speaks of some things in Popery Thirdly Covetousness a desire of raising themselves in the world and to set themselves in a way of preferment and when men see there is no other way to rise then they resolve to yield unto this so it was with them of the Concision who brought such a Mixture and caused such a rent in
worse A man would think if any thing would make men the better mercies would It s true had men ingenuous natures as grace brings But there are four great reasons why it is a dangerous thing for a person or people to enjoy mercy and not be the worse for mercy First is from the corruption that is in the heart of man It is true the mercy of God is not a cause why men grow the worse for it infuses no malignant disposition into the soul of man But the mercy of God is an occasion though it be not the cause as it is said of the Law of God Rom. 7.11 Sin took occasion by the Law the Commandment gave no occasion But sin took occasion the command forbids sin but sin took occasion to act more violently against the command the more the Dam is made up against the water the more it swells corrupt nature takes occasion from the Law Christ is put for the rising and fall of many in Israel and so is the mercy of God it is not properly the cause but that which sin takes occasion from Now we are to put a great difference between things as they are in themselves and the effects that flow from them the nature of the cause and the effects that are not proper from it as a cause but as they look to the substance there are two things in the torments of hell somewhat that is essential somewhat but accidental somewhat essential upon what object soever it lights he is sure to undergo it But there is somewhat accidental the wrath of God in the soul is essential to the torments of hell So that the Lord Jesus Christ undergoing what was due to sinners the essential part he underwent when it pleased the Lord to bruise him and to put him to shame But somewhat is not essential but may be separated as it is from such a subject as despair and the like and you are in this to distinguish between what is the proper fruit of mercy and what is but occasional matter coming to such a subject and taking hold of that and so affliction it is no cause of sin no more then mercy is But yet affliction is many times an occasion of sin It is said of Ahab the more he was afflicted he sinned yet more that is the first reason because the corrupt heart of man takes occasion to sin from mercy Secondly from the general curse that by reason of sin is come upon all the creatures and all Gods providential dispensations you know that antient curse Gen. 3.19 Cursed be the ground for thy sake It notes the ground as referring to a mans use and all the dispensations of God towards the creature there is a double curse come upon the creature in reference to you First as it is decaying and so it is a vexing creature for this fills the creature with vanity and that vanity fills the soul with vexation But the great curse lies in this it is a polluting and defiling thing now as it is a means to defile the soul of man yet notwithstanding this is the curse therefore to the unclean all things are unclean that is all the providences of God to that man are means to increase that mans uncleanness and that I think is the meaning of that place 1 Iohn 2.16 Whatever is in the world is lust c. why is there nothing in the world but lusting then the meaning is there is such a Curse come upon all the creatures towards man so far as a man is of the world so far they are objects of lusts to him and draw out his lusts to improve them and therefore Job saith of himself in Iob 31.26 If I beheld the Sun when it shined and my heart hath been secretly enticed there is an enticing goes along with it what is the reason of it because there is a general curse come upon all the creatures and all the dispensations of God through the creatures that all these shall be means to insnare and defile the man Thirdly from the especial malice of the Devil against mercy It is true he is an enemy to all the creatures and he would destroy them all as creatures out of his enmity to God as he did the Gadarens herd of Swine But in a more especial manner the Devil is an enemy to the mercy of God more then to any other creature of God Why because the Devils sin is direct enmity and malice and revenge God looks for most glory from his mercy and therefore of all other things the Devil hath the greatest envy to that that God may be dishonoured by them take the first mercy of the Lords dealing with Adam the Lord made him to be the Monarch of the whole world But there was one mercy that the Lord vouchsafed him above all the rest should be the glory of the man It was a far greater glory to have the woman subject unto him then to have all the rest of the world Now upon this mercy the Devil sets his malice and he received her a rib but the Devil made her a snare Satans great aim is that he may abuse Gods mercy if God give a man great parts and gifts above all other men the Devil desires to abuse those parts as Austin saith of Licinius a young man of great gifts Cupit abs te ornari Diabolus Austin the Devil desired he might be credited by him great mercies and great abilities are the special stocks that above all others the Devil desires to graft upon No fruit so bitter to God as the abuse of mercy and therefore look to your selves for it is the Devils great design to abuse your mercies Fourthly there are some mercies that God hath given to persons and people out of a particular displeasure you heard of the general curse that came upon all the creatures before But now I say there are some mercies that God gives out of peculiar displeasure and they prove a more peculiar curse I conceive that will appear plain to you in Zach. 5.3 there is a curse goeth forth the general curse went out ever since the fall It shall enter into the house and consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof and so if you observe Mal. 3.2 I will saith the Lord Curse your blessings I gave you blessings and notwithstanding these blessings there shall be a peculiar curse you have it more fully cleared to you in Eccles 5.13 riches reserved for the owners hurt one hath riches great mercies they are so Wisdom is good with an inheritance But many a man God gives riches to out of a peculiar displeasure and they are reserved to him for his hurt No wonder these men grow the worse for mercies because it is out of a peculiar displeasure that the Lord gives them as Austin saith of Gods hearing prayers Austin he hears wicked mens prayers and gives them things they ask though not properly as an answer
green tree Isa 57.5 they are said to be for this cause mad upon their Idols Ier. 50.38 Now in madness there are two things furor and amentia here is both first all soundness of mind is taken away that a man cannot say Is there a not a lye in my right hand Secondly it carries the whole man with fury after it so that none more violent in their persecutions then such men are who desire or have embraced for Doctrines the conceits of men Thirdly there is no sin wherein men do manifest more folly striving to shew themselves wise they become fools Rom. 1.21 for how highly soever men esteem of humane contributions in Gods worship yet in Gods account they are no better then playes and mimical dancings Exod. 10.6 we know it was that which they intended for a Religious worship but being in a way of their own devising the Lord calls it play and the Apostle in 1 Cor. 10.7 renders it So that they were but childish carriages antiqui gestus neither suitable to the holiness of God nor the Majesty of his Ordinances only fit to please children and no more Fourthly No sin ripens Judgement more nor ripens a people more for Judgement So Ezek. 22.4 Thou hast defiled thy self with thy Idols thou hast caused thy daies to draw neer thou art come even unto thy years This provoked the Lord to break both the staff of beauty and of bands with which he fed his people as Zach. 11.7 the staff of beauty that excellent order of government that was amongst them was now turned into confusion and the staff of bonds of mutual love and amity that was amongst them turned to division And let no man be forward in the promoting of humane wisdom this way for Judg. 8.27 Gedeon made an Ephod and the people went a whoring after it but the thing proved a snare unto Gedeon and unto his house Lastly it is an endless sin wherein a man knows not where to stay as Hos 10.1 According to the multitude of his fruit he increased his Altars and according to the good ness of his land he hath made unto himself goodly Images as God blessed them in their estates so they began to bethink themselves of a more pompous way of Religion for if any mans fancy may be a rule then may one mans as well as anothers and so a man shall never know where to stay Secondly beware of it also for seeing it hath been a sin in so many ages of the Church it seems a mans nature is exceeding prone to it therefore take heed you be not insnared by it little children keep your selves from Idols amen 1 Ioh. 5. ult and you have great cause to take heed First because they are brought in under beautiful pretences the mysterie Babylon gives the wine of her fornication in a golden cup Rev. 17.4 and in this she is truly a Harlot her hands are snares and bands she is skilful to allure Secondly take the more heed because they come not in all at once but by degrees they creep in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Iude 4. Eph. 4.14 they lie in wait to deceive it is a studied thing and they have a method in it and rules according to which they do proceed and they walk in craftiness the word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which properly signifies deceit at dice so that there is not so much cheating and jugling in the most deceitful sport as there is used by them that in this kind lie in wait to deceive Hos 7.6 it was the way that Ieroboam had to bring in his Idolatry into this state his desires and purposes were as hot as an oven but the people were a great lump and they could not be presently leavened and therefore he sends forth his Agents into the several parts of his Kingdom and they did seek to leaven the people and in the mean time the Baker slept and ceased from raising the people were not leavened by and by nor fitted to receive such corrupt worship and therefore he did stay a while till it might be done Thirdly take heed of it for if it once begin it will strangely encrease if one that goes before do bring in some there be those that come after that will add to the plot as when Popery was set up we know one Pope added something and another something more till at last they made up that patched Religion If Ieroboam bring in the calves it s a thousand to one but afterwards Omri and Ahab shall set up the worship of Baal Fourthly it is a great dishonour to a Congregation for it makes all the worship of God unfruitful for in vain do they worship me teaching for doctrines the rudiments of men Mat. 15.9 nay it makes them sinful Amos 4.4 Go up to Bethel and transgress c. implying that the more they laboured in those services it is a bitter Sarcasm the more they did displease God and add to their own fin and judgement this turned Bethel the house of God into Bethaven Hos 10 5. Fifthly they will surely eat out all the heart of the worship of God in time 2 King 16.14,15 when Ahaz had set up a new fashioned Altar he commande◠the Priests to burn the morning and evening sacrifices upon the great Altar that he had made thus we see it puts the Altar of God out of office and that they might think he had a Religious end in it he saith that the Brazen Altar that is the Altar of the Lord shall be for the King to enquire by si quando placebit as Iunius well notes upon the place Lastly this will stand a man in no stead in time to come it s spoken with some derision Hos 8.5 Oh Samaria thy calf hath cast thee off when the captivity came the Lord tells them that because they were very confident that they should be delivered but now it seems the calf hath cast you off Canaan was the Lords Land and he gave it to you and to your Fathers for an inheritance but as soon as you cast off God it is no wonder if the Calf cast off you and cast you out of the good Land that God hath given you Use Seeing the words are a promise that there shall be one God and one name consider promises are objects of faith grounds of hope and rules of prayer and by these things men live and in this is the life of our spirits Isa 38,16 that is on this we rest in these we hope and according unto these we pray and in this doth the life of a mans spirit mainly consist First then look upon this particular promise as an object of faith and concerning it we must exercise these four several acts of faith First let thy faith sound the depth of this promise for there be treasures in the word and they lie not above ground they must be digged for Prov. 2.4 and they be not the smallest to be had in the
reformation God will honour and bless it unto us also But if it be such a fast as the Lord hath chosen and in which he delights it must be a day for a man to afflict his soul for that is the duty of a fast Isa 58.5 I know the Hebrews do put soul for person and the humiliation should reach to the whole man but yet so as that which is the main in the man do not pass unhumbled nor un-affected rend your hearts and not your garments it is the soul hath the great hand in the sin it is the soul that is the sole and the arch-rebel against the Law now only to humble the body is but Mountebank-like to lay salve to the weapon but not to the wound And it is inforced Lev. 23.29 that soul that is not afflicted that day shall be cut off from amongst the people c. And there is nothing that will afflict the soul like to sin it being of all evils the greatest when it is felt and by the lively coming of the Commandment it revives and the man dies answerable unto the reformation such must be the humiliation now there is a double reformation that we do profess to endeavour personal and National there can be no expectation of the latter without the former therefore both must be laid to heart and that chiefly in your own particulars by you whom the Lord we hope will use in this great work he that will be a vessel of honour for the Masters use must be purged and when Ioshuah was to negotiate a publick reformation and to administer a publick service his filthy garments must be taken away and he cloathed with change of rayment Zach. 3.4 there are no mens sins that are of such dangerous consequence as yours and your personal sins have an influence upon your publick imployments and services and the sins of such a man do send up a prohibition and will blast the wisdom of his head and the labour of his hands and their personal sins are a great ground and cause of National sins Ita nati estis ut bona vel mala vestra ad Rempublicam pertineant Tacit. Tacit. In omnibus peccantibus pecco Prosper it is a sad saying of Prosper if ever you would have National Iudgements removed and mercies to be conferred you must be affected with National sins first for as an ungodly man cannot love his brother because he doth not love himself Non diligit proximum quia non diligit seipsum and so he can never be affected with other mens sins his eyes cannot gush out Rivers of tears because men do not keep the Law of God c. because he is not affected with his own for sin is filthiness and therefore it is the more loathsom to a man the neerer he is to it therefore my work at this day shall be to set your own sins before you that you may pluck out the beam that is in your eye first and ye shall be able to see clearly to pluck out the beams that are in the eyes of the Nation and to affect your hearts with your own personal guilt and neglects if the Lord be pleased to make me instrumental this day that it be unto you a day of atonement I shall look upon it as a great mercy and a great step unto our National deliverances and protections and as for more publick mis-carriages and the other parts of the work of this day I hope God will be with the spirits of those his servants that afterward are to carry on the work of this day Here we have the Churches condition set forth to us which shall be the same for the first 6000. years which being ended according to the Jewish accompt postea sabbatum the time of Satans seduction is at an end for Poperie but the time of his persecution is not the witnesses are not yet slain c. but there will come a time when in this respect Satan also shall be bound In fine sexti millessimi anni malitia omnis aboleatur e terra Lactant. Lactant. de divin Imper. p. 576. It is black as the Tents of Kedar but yet comely as the Curtains of Solomon there is a very great comliness under the Churches blackness with which in her suffering she supported her self Here we have also the causes of the Churches blackness which is the Sun in general it was not natural and blackness that grew out of her self but from the Churches adversaries the Sun hath lookt upon me persecution hath scorcht me but yet it was not only from enemies without though it is true as the Lilly amongst thorns so is my love amongst the daughters tot hostes quot extranci Tertul. but it is from those of the same family the Churches enemies are those of her own house my mothers children matris filios non patris vocat men born in the same Church and claiming the same interest in the Church with the true members qui maxime conjuncti videbantur qui sese Ecclesiae nomine venditant Mercer Mercer Hostes Ecclesiae intestini authoritate sua ad ipsius perniciem abutentes Beza Beza They were angry with me the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies iram vehementem excandesentiam bitter fierce anger anger exasperated and kindled as a flame the same word is used Isa 41.11 All they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and the men of thy strife shall perish 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so the Septuagint they strive with me or they fought against me the bitterest indignation against the Church and the bitterst opposition is from those within it self her mothers children the ground of the greatest persecution of the Church is laid in the composition and constitution of the Church and therefore the flourishing and prosperous condition of the Church in the latter daies is upon this gronnd Isa 54.12,13 When the foundations are laid with Saphir the windows made of Agates and the gates of Carbuncles de hominibus non de doctrina Calvin Calvin Then great shall be the peace of the Church in right cousness shalt thou be established and thou shalt be far from oppression c. To constitute Churches of a mixed multitude as it laies the matter of all Church corruption so it laies the foundation of the bitterest Church persecution Now how did they vent their displeasure it was by putting them upon difficult and distracting imployments for I do not understand that of Churches becaus the Church is in Scripture commonly called a Vine-yard the Vineyard of the Lord of Hosts is the house of Israel Isa 5. and the Lord brought a Vine out of Egypt and planted it c. neither did these mothers children take so much care of Churches but they laid all the care of the Churches upon them and they took none at all both the care of Church and Common-wealth was laid upon them and by this means they were distracted and
took the Book out of the hand of him that sat upon the throne and opens the seals thereof And therefore he it is that receives all the discoveries of God towards his Church and he it is that doth dispense it unto the Church Chap 6. ver 2. And there was given a bow and a crown and he went forth conquering and to conquer Spoken of Christs prevailing by the Preaching of the Gospel as he is described in Psalm 45.4,5 So that though Christ hath changed his place yet he hath not changed his office nor his Company while he was here on Earth he conversed with his people and he walks still in the midst of the Golden Candlesticks And to manifest that he was still in office for his Churches good that whatever he is even after his ascension he is all for the Churches sake therefore shortly after he departs he did as Princes use to do upon the days of their Coronation spargere missilia he scattered abroad poured out certain extraordinary Gifts to manifest that still he had respect unto the Church But these lasted but for a time for this Cause after he had in his bodily presence been absent yea and seemingly silent for about sixty years for its Generally conceived that this book of the Revelation was penned about the latter end of the raign of Domitian the Emperour which was sixty years after Christs ascention now it was that he gave this Revelation unto his servant John that it might be a standing monument unto the Church what his affections were though he were now in Glory therefore he leaves this unto them for their direction that they might know what to expect in after Times and what to pray for and also for their Consolation though sad occurrences were to come yet the Lord lets them see the Event and Issue of all should be for good This is the scope of the Lord in this prophesie he writes in this Book of two things The things that are and the things that shall be hereafter Among which there are several prophesies that concern the seven Churches of Asia of which this is the first to the Church of Ephesus It may here be enquired seeing there were so many other famous Churches in the World the Churches of Rome of Galatia of Corinth c. to whom those Epistles were written how comes it to pass that the Lord Jesus singles out only the seven Churches of Asia to write Letters from heaven to them passing by all the rest of the Churches There are four Reasons I meet with among Interpreters that are given hereof First Because Patmos which was the Place of Iohns Banishment was nearer to these Asian Churches and the Conveyance to it easie by the Aegean Sea By this means being in Exile he did indeavour to do them good being shut out from the like opportunity from Churches more remote Secondly Because these Churches were in an especial manner part of St Iohns Charge for though it be true that the Apostolical Authority was universal over all the Churches as their care reacht to all the Churches and was not limited to a particular Congregation as the Ministers of the Gospel now is in Acts 20.28 Attend to the flock over which the holy Ghost hath made you a Bishop though the Apostles were sent forth to all the World yet it plainly appears from Gal. 2.9 that they did by mutual consent divide the World among themselves and did every of them take a several part of the world as their more especial Charge as they that write the lives and travels of the Apostles do clearly set forth among the rest these of Asia the less are conceived to be the especial part of Iohns Charge and upon this Ground he takes especial care to write to them Thirdly Some conceive it was because the Lord did foresee that of all the Gentile-Churches these were neerest to Judgement and ruine to have the Candlestick removed from them unless their repentance did prevent and therefore he especially takes Care to apply the Remedy where there was the greatest danger in the Disease Fourthly Some give a further Reason making these seven Churches of Asia types of all the Gentile-Churches afterwards unto the end of the World What reason there is out of the Text for that I shall not speak to only this I am sure of the Lord when he bids Iohn write he writes the things that are which are distinguished from those that are to be hereafter and therefore I am not to confound them But this is most true if these Asian Churches were not types of all the Gentile-Churches yet certainly they were as it were the patterns and all the Gentile-Churches were to take warning by them that the same Corruptions were as truly incident to all the rest of the Churches which had now overgrown them and Iohn having opportunity to write to these doth by them admonish all the rest The words that I have now read unto you are a Glorious description of the heart of Christ in heaven and of the care that Christ hath of his Church in Glory It is true that of him the whole family in heaven and earth is named and he it is to whom Angels Principalities and powers are made subject after his ascention into Glory 1 Pet. 3.22 He it is to whom the Providential Kingdom of God is committed for he hath committed all Judgement unto the Son Joh. 5.23 But yet notwithstanding though he takes Care of the whole providential Kingdom yet he hath an especial eye on his spiritual Kingdom he doth not forget his Lambs the Kingdom of Christ in this world is made up of two Parts or Branches Officers or Members both which are described in the Text. Christs care that he takes of officers this he holds the Stars in his right hand his Care of the Members this he walks in the midst of the Golden Candlesticks A short exposition I intend to give you upon this First The Care that Christ takes of the Officers of the Church and that you see is described thus he holds the Stars in his right hand Two things I must here explain First here is a description of the Persons they are Stars Secondly The act of Christs Care towards them he holds them in his right hand First By Stars are meant the Officers of the Church And that clearly appears from the Exposition given by the Spirit of God in Chap. 1. ver ult The seven Stars of the Angels of the Churches where I pray observe I cannot interpret Angels singularly as referring to any one kind of Officers as some do But Collectively as referring to all the Officers of the Church The Reasons I shall hint you to pray note them because it hath been some kind of Controversie in these latter days The first is from the Title Angel upon what Ground called Angel It is a name first given to Christ and from Christ derived and applyed to those special Ministers and Officers
Remember the stars are in the right hand of God and he appoints them where they shall shine and one of the saddest Judgements that can befall a people in this life is for God to seal up the stars that 's Jobs expression in Job 9. that they shall not bring out a beam of light but the people shall be left in the dark continually Thirdly the stars are in the right hand of Christ then surely there is protection for them and a merciful care over them they do but lose their labour that think either to pluck the Saints out of the right hand of God or the stars out of the right hand of Christ Surely he will preserve a Ministery in his Church unto the end of the world or else blot that text out of your Bibles Eph. 4.12 He hath given gifts for the work of the Ministery for the gathering and perfecting of the Saints until we all come c. Why did the Lord institute the Ministery For a double end the one for the Gathering the other for the Perfecting of the Saints then so long as there are any of the Saints to be gathered or any to be perfected the end of the Ministerie is not accomplished God will uphold it until it hath attained the end of its institution Consider therefore what enemies those are unto the Church of God that endeavour to remove the stars out of their Orb for it s that leaves a people under pure darkness and a perfect night and therefore it s the worst and the most pernicious design that ever was set on foot in the world one strikes at their calling another at their maintenance though the truth is the intent of the work is the same the Ministery whatever the design of the workmen may be Well suppose God should grant your desire for there is a generation of men that have been long hacking at the Ministery Suppose it should be as you would have it give me leave to tell you two things one is when the stars are darkned in Scripture it denotes great judgements great plagues to come upon a people Ioel 2.10 The Sun and the Moon shall be darkened and the stars shall withdraw their shining But further to clear what kind of Judgement you must look for and pray mark for I speak nothing but Scripture unto you in Dan. 8.10,11,12 When the stars were cast unto the ground the text adds The daily sacrifices were taken away because of transgression cast down truth to the ground the daily sacrifice the worship of God and truth the word of God Both will soon go down if once the stars be cast to the ground and trampled on by the feet of pride Lastly take this hint from it too It s a great judgement not only to have the stars sealed up from you but to have the stars to fight against you an expression that you have in the 5. Judges the stars in their courses fought against Sisera there is not a worse Army can be engaged against a people observe Psal 68.12 The Lord gave his Word and great were the number of them that published it What follows Kings with their Armies did Flie It relates to the Ascention of Christ that is plain by ver 18. thou hast ascended on high c. the Lord did give his word at his ascention and there were a multitude of them that published it and by this means Kings Armies were put to flight they conquered by the word there is not such another way to rout Kings and their Armies Look into the 47. of Ezek. ver 10. and you shall see this shall be the glory of the last times the most glorious and most flourishing times of the Church And there shall be Fishers the text saith and the fish that shall be taken by them shall be like the fish of the great Sea exceeding many a number of converts take heed of the stars fighting against you for you have need of these stars in the best and purest times But the second thing I mainly intend the care that Christ takes of the body which is described in the latter expression he walks in the midst of the seven Golden Candlesticks he takes care as well of the meanest Member as of the greatest Officer Psalm 45. The unction doth run down upon the sâ—irts of his Garment so doth his protection and his provision also to explain this here are three things to be opened Why the Church is called a Candlestick Why a Golden Candlestick And what is it for Christ to walk in the middest of it First Why is the Church called a Candlestick In Revel 1. ult The seven Candlesticks are the seven Churches there are four notions in it and you must take in all or you will not understand the meaning of the Word First A Candlestick hath no light in it of it self but light must be put into it and therefore the Candlestick under the Law to which this here is an allusion the Priests were to light the Candles a Candlestick hath no more light then is put into it and it must be continually maintained by a new supply of oyl as you see it described in Zach. 4.11 There are Olive-trees that grow on each side the Candlestick and they drop the oyl c here is no oyl prepared by the art and industry of men but it is Natural Olive-oyl that doth of it self drop and therefore the supports and supplies of the Church are compared unto the rain and unto the dew that waits not for man and tarries not for the Sons of men Secondly The use of a Candlestick is for no other end then to hold up and hold out the light and to this very End the Lord hath instituted Churches the great Ordinance under the Gospel is the Church though alas we little consider it now pray observe the great End why God instituted Churches was this that he might have a company of Saints that might hold forth his Word and hold up his Worship and for this Cause the Church is called the pillar and ground of truth 1 Tim. 3.16 The pillar of truth why so as one well observes as a pillar holds forth a Proclamation truth that upholds the Church but the Church holds out the Worship of God Thirdly A Candlestick is a thing moveable and with the removing of the Candlestick you carry away the light also and therefore the thing that the Lord threatens is that he will remove the Candlestick out of its place the Lord removes the Candlestick from place to place though the Land remain the Church is gone that is a dangerous Judgement not only an immediate removing of the Ordinances but of the Church for which all Ordinances were appointed the Kingdom of God shall be taken from them he will call them Loammi they shall be no more a people to him the Lord will remove the Candlestick and the glory of the Lord shall depart Lasty It s an allusion unto the Candlestick under