pretenders to Faith to be employed in designes and undertakings for the satisfaction of their irregular extravagant and disordered lusts and appetites 2. His Faith appeared in this That though the time of the accomplishment of the Promises was above a century yet dying be looked upon it at hand he would not have them to think of departing Egypt till that the time of restitution come and so untill then the order was his Bones should stay in Egypt among them Doubtlesse it was to admonish them againe that they â—hould not set their hearts on Egypt but think on the Land of their Inheritance and not to anticipate or dispute the time but â—o waite patiently till God should be pleased to deliver them and satisfie â—heir hopes and desires Faith is so zealous and charitable that where it resides it maketh the subject to abound not onely to have a stake or treasure for himselfe but to communicate to others it makes him industrious and sollicirous to promote Gods glory and the edisication of his Church not oneâ—y for the rerâ— e of their life naturall but even that also after death these Memorandums or Breviates may remaine among them be helps and assistances to their Faith and Memories This was Saint Peâ—ers care and endeavour as he reports of himselfe 2 Peter 1.14 13. I know my time c. I will endeavour therefore c and this was Iosephs thought and labour by the reservation of his Coffin to teach his Posterity to slight the delights and advantages of Phâ—raohs Court and to unite themselves to the People of God Thus we see Ioseph himselfe notwithstanding the many proâ—ocations and engagements to Egypt still by Faith keeps himselfe unsâ—oâ—ted of the world he walkes not onely wisely but also piously in the middest of a crooked profane Generation he retained the old principles and instructions he had received in his Fathers house and after the fruition of all the contentments Egypt could afford yet to acknowledge them not the true desireables but imaginary perishing vanities and therefore perswades his Children never to think of them but in their expectations and resolutions to quitt them and to strive and purchase that Inheritance which they had in reversion they should after so long time actually possesse which no man could take from them And O that we would like Ioseph emply our pretious time and happy opportunities for the honour and repute of our Christian Profession and for the advantages and benefit of all Christian People that as Ioseph did we may live well and so dye well live unto the Lord and dye in the Lord and so rest from our labors Nâ—w as Ioseph had a word of Prophesie so have we a sure word of Prophesie 2 Pet. 1.19 even this That though now for a season if â—â—be we are in heavenesse through manifold temptations c. temptation on the right hand the promises perswasions slatteriâ— and complyances of the world on the left frownes persecâ—â— onâ— scornings and tribulations yet these are for the tryall 〈◊〉 our Faith being much more precious c. the spirit of Christ tesâ—â—fying before-hand the sufferings of Christ and of these after aâ—flictions of Christ which we are to suffer in our flesh for 〈◊〉 bodies sake the Church Col. 1 14. and the glory which should follow therefore we should gird up the loynes of our minds 〈◊〉 sober and hope to the end and he that hath this hope purifieâ— himselfe for the grace that is brought unto us at the revelatioâ— of Jesus Christ therefore we should take heed lest there be 〈◊〉 any of us an evill heart of unbeleife in departing from tâ—â— living God and no more sad symptome of this then that 〈◊〉 are loth to depart out of Egypt unwilling to forsake our 〈◊〉 loved darling bosome sinnes our pleasures and profits we thiâ—â— not on the afflictions of Ioseph we desire no fellowship with 〈◊〉 Israel of God we travell not for our Calestiall Canaan but 〈◊〉 Ioseph did to his Children so we should exhort one another dayâ— whiles it is called to day c. and once more we ought to gâ—â— the more earnest heed to the things we have heard lest at any tâ—â— we should let them flip Heb. 2.1.2.3 and Heb 3.12.13 3. Ioseph in the tendernsse of his affection premonishâ—â— and remembreth the Israelites of their hard servitude and 〈◊〉 their deliverance Christ also in greatnesse of his love to us had forewarned us what we shall expect from the world and whâ—â— we may receive from him if we doe adhere to him even muâ—â— to the same purpose In the world â—â— shall have tribulation lâ—â— no godly man fancy the contrary but be of good cheare I haâ—â— over come the world John 16.33 and he overcame it not â—oâ— himselfe but for us that when all the world lyes in wickednesse in him we might have peace And we know what thâ— Poet resolved Sperat adversis metuit secundis alteram sortâ—â— bene praparatum pectus if we doe not yeeld to nor complâ— with any temptation but resist and oppose it no adversity shall â—â—fle our hopes no prosperity shall corrupt our feare loyalty and â—â—edience to our Soveraigne Lord and Maker and still 〈◊〉 sends his Prophets unto us admonishing and charging us in seaâ—on and out of season not to trust in uncertain riches not in more uncertain pleasures and honours but to trust in the living God who giveth us all things richly to enjoy and at whose right hand there is honour and pleasure for evermore and in whose presence is the fulnesse of joy 4. Ioseph gave commandement concerning the buriall of his Bones Buriall in a decent solmne manner is an honour due to the bodies of our deceased Friends and Kinsfolks and if occasion be of any Christian neighbour The Earth is a common field wherein every man may chalenge his share and part when â—he falls for the bodies of dead Persons to be sowed in where also they are to rest in peace without trouble or molestation till they appear and spring forth again at the generall Resurrection 1 Cor. 15. 5. What Ioseph commanded they observed The commands of Superiors are to be obeyed not onely for feare but for Conscience sake If they constitute or decree an Act or Statute for the regulation of disorders or the advantages of humane society or the Publique Interest or wherein they doe not oppose or contradict Gods Laws they are to be religiously kept and observed much more should we obey the Commandements of the Supreme Law giver in Heaven and Earth our Lord and Creator for to bring this home reade and peruse the whole five and thirty Chapter of Ieremy But these Children of Ioseph did more then he commanded expressely of their own heads they buried him in Sichem where God leaves his orders in generall but determines not the particulars or instances in those things the Fathers of the Church have liberty to determine and their orders therein are to be observed what is of Divine Institution in any Ordinance is not alterable is not capable of addition or diminution but many circumstantialls for the decent and orderly performance of the Institution are to be ordered by the guides and governors of the Church according to the rules of Christian prudence and the generall rules of the Word of God In fome caâ—es therefore to demand a particular warrant from Heaven is presumption and folly so long as the general order will supply that supposed defect even 〈◊〉 every Christian some circumstantialls are left to his disâ—râ—â—tion and prudence as in private Prayer whether it be doâ—â— sitting standing c. is matter of counsell onely we are tâ—â— observe the generall rule to glorifie God in our bodies as weâ—â— as spirits and we use that posture which doth experimentalls most elevate our affections and heighten our spirits The third Part. GIve Eare O thou Shepherd of Israel thou that leadest Ioseph lik ' a sheep shew thy brightnesse thou that sittest between the Cherubims Before all People stir up thy strength aâ—â— come to help us Turne us O God againe and cause thy face 〈◊〉 shine that we may be saved We hate wandred in desorts falâ— wayes and still follow our own inventions We are lost sheep 〈◊〉 astray and wander to and fro as Sheep having no Shepherds 〈◊〉 thou the great Bishop and Shepherd of our soules turne thee to 〈◊〉 againe returne us unto thee and doe thou restore unto us 〈◊〉 Shepherds and Pastors that we may be gathered into one fâ—llâ—â— Les not us want spirituall guides which may make us rest itâ— greene Pastures and may leade us by the still waâ—ers which mâ—â— restore our soules and leade us in the paths of rightâ—ousnesse let thy Rod and thy Staffe comfort us Be not angry O Lord about measure neither remember iniquity for evâ—r see we beseâ—ch thuâ— behold we are all thy People we are all thy People and the Sheep of thy Pasture Returne we beseech thee O Loâ—d looke down from Heaven and behold and visit this Vine and the Vineyard thâ—â— thy right hand hath Planted so we that are thy People shall sing of thy prayses and declare thy salvation from Generation to Gâ—neration And forasmuch as thou hast given us a sure Word of Prophesie to guide our feet in the wayes of peace let us take the more earnest heed that this Word slip not from us Let us alwayes remember what thou hast ordered and commanded and what thoâ— hast â—romised that us prosperity corrupt us and make us forget our duty no adversity tempt us that we relinquish our hopes And continue unto us the Houses of thy Prophets and of thy Prophets Children Sâ—â—d forth Labourers into thy Harvest Moâ—â—â—â— of thy own making and have their Mission from thee and let not us despise the Word of Prophesie lest we quench the Spirit and of thy goodnesse bring us out of this Egypt first in our Affections and then in our Persons that we may receâ—ve our Inheritance in the Calestiall Canaan with Abraham Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdome of Heaven Grant us this and what else is necessary for the scattered Flocke thy Catholique Church or for our selves for the Merits and Mediation of our Great High Priest Jesus Christ the Righteous to whom with the Eternall Father and blessed Spirit be all Honour and Glory now and over Amen FINIS
thrive and prosper more abundantly then was ordinary but however it was very likely it is God declared his approbation by some visible signe then at the time of his offering and since by his servant Moses who hath Regiâ—â—red it to all Posterity for his Honour and their example he had not onely Gods testimoniall but now hath mans now he is and ever fince he hath been of happy memory and high repute in the Church for it followes he yet speaketh Which expression is also capable of different interpretations 1. The examples of the godly departed and their worthy Acts speak lowd in the eares of Posterity and call upon them for imitation they were Written they are still Read for our admonition upon whom the ends of the world are come 1 Cor. 10.11 their language powerfull in Rhetoricke they teach both what to decline what to follow those dead examples serves as ecchoes redoubling and sounding the actions of their holy lives and it was the Piety of the first times to enjoyne and of after ages to retaine in the Church the memorialls of the first Founders of the Christian faith not so much to honour them as to glorifie God in and for them and to gaine the following Generations to follow their holy lives and faith 2. This may seem to allude to Gen 4.10 as this same Apostle doth Heb. 12.24 and if so then it instructs us That God is concerned and engaged in the sufferings and deaths of his Abels who dye in the Lord or suffer for his holy truthes their blood cryes loude in his eares for revenge and one day or other he will hearken to the voyce of their cry and recompence the ungodly after their deservings as it happened to the Amalekites 1 Sam. 15.2.3 3. The world 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hath a Passive signification and imports to be famous renowned celebrated or spoken of and so it s rendred Mat. 26.13 be told or spoken of his oblation his faith and Gods testimoniall of both shall be had in everlasting remembrance such honour have all his Saints to have their memories their actings and sufferings preserved and magnified in the Church of God from Generation to Generation we have the blessed Virgin Mary enforming us of her renowne to all Ages Luk. 1.48.49 Death removes their bodies not their vertues takes away their lives not their precious memories they after speak to us to imitate them and in a pious and gratefull commemoration to speake of them and prayse God for them this is their happinesse they live time out of minde in Heaven by the beatificall Viâ—â—on in Earth by a continued celebration of their eminent graces and holy performances Anâ— thus you see I have unawareâ— falne on my second Proposall â— collection of the Doctrines which are observable in the words and they are many I shall acquaint you onely with a few 1. The Apostle begins his induction with Abel and bringâ— it downe to that century wherein he lived the same to contiâ—ue unto all Ages it was the selfe same faith which was delivered to the Saints in the first and latter times that is in Scripture sense before Christs comming in the Flesh and after t is true the circumstantialls and externalls of Gods service have much varied in the severall periods of the Church but from the beginning there was one foundation of Religion the same essence of piety Jesus Christ the same yesterday c. Heb. 13 8. anâ— Christ is the same way conveied into the bearts of Beleevers thâ— same Word the same Faith the same Catholique Church onely in Saint Aug language Tract 45. in ea Ioh. tempora variate sunt eadem fides sonus mutatus est idem verbum one common head Christ all members united to him by one principall Faith and this commeth from the same Fountaine the Spirit and the Word 2. We are enformed who are to be esteemed Elders in the Church such onely as received their approbation from God the Primitive ancient Fathers and what esteeme is to be allotted them not to be accounted Founders of our Faith but Buildersâ— or rather unlesse we admit the first Master Builders Prophetâ— and Apostles repairers of Breaches whensoever the Orthodor Faith is assaulted by Heretickes who either batter the Building or undermine the Foundation neither are they to be worshipped as the objects of adoration but respected as patternes of imitation not absolutely and universally but with restriction we are to follow them wherein they follow their Leader who alone is the way the truth and life Gods testimoniall makes their Writings authenticke and their examples imitable But more particularly something we shal observe from Abels Person his Oblation and Gods acceptation of both 1. From the Person we observe these following considerables 1. The piety of Beleevert priviledges them not from humane fatalities and contingencies during the time of their residence here on earth omnis Adam omnis Abel Psal 39.5.12 Every man at his best his most seemingly seence and setled estate is nothing but Vanity or rather Vanity and nothing lesse then Vanity and nothing Es 40.17 Quemcunque hominem video miserum scio saith Seneca and Quemcunque miserum video hominem scio Man and misery are paralells Man at once lost his integrity and felicity and ever since he is the subject of folly and misery neither doth godlinesse exempt them from the common fate of men Death they live and dye as others though as their life so their death is different from others the disease is not removed but the plague and mortality of it Death is not taken away for they also are taken away by Death but the sting Death delivers them up to the Grave and the Grave takes possession of them as it doth of any Mortall Psal 49.10 Ez 21.4 and many times the best dye soonest Es 57.1 Certainely this should be a great encouragement against the stormes and difficulties the dangers and casualties of this life and against the terrors and affrightments of Death This one Consideration will yeeld us solid comfort That all must dye all are Humane and Mortall for why should we fear to passe that strait which all men must Saile through or endeavour basely and many times unchristianly to decrine what none can avoyd All men all holy men Abel the first righteous man Abraham the Father of the Faithfull David Gods favourite a man after Gods own heart his darling all wise men the Prophets and Patriarkes all great men Kings and Judges have gone before us or must come after us and shall we think that strange which is universally common or startle at the appraches of what is so infallibly certaine Had wicked men onely passed this way the Rode would have been suspicious but seeing all our Progenitors even the godliest have gone this way and the first that beate the Path was a Just man Justitia Princops cui Christus justitia primatum tribuit as Aug. speaketh we need not feate we may
is not onely basenesse and covetousnesse but also profanity and irreligion and to detainâ— alienate what God hath proportioned for publike Ministery Sacriledge Mal. 3.8 4. It was not onely of the Fat but of the Firstlings of 〈◊〉 Flock the first fruits of our life the prime years of our agâ— while vigour and strength is full are to be Consecrated to aâ—â— employed in Gods service We are to sow our Seed in thâ— Morning To remember our Creator in the dayes of our Youâ—â— to beare his yoake from our Childhood to goe into his Vinâ—yard at the first houre and continue till the twelfth to seâ—â— him early in the height and excellency of our dayes not 〈◊〉 our declining dawning dotage the services of old age aâ—â— death-bed resolutions and performances are lame sick Sacrifices Mal. 1.8 God will not be thus served 3. From Gods Acceptation 1. Abel Offered to God of his own gifts and for this he 〈◊〉 famous to all generations God honoureth them who honoâ—â—â— him though the World deride and maligne them yet he wâ—â—â— procure them a name and memory in his Church though theâ—â— be for a while overclouded with a storme yet their righteouâ—nesse shall appear as the Sun at Midday 2. It is not the applause or admiration of men but Goâ—â— testimony and approbation which will yeeld solid comfort anâ— content the good word of men is as uncertain as themselves its Hosanna to day Crucifie to morrow But he who receive honour from God holds it for eternity his testimoniall hâ— Letter Patents are never out of date vainly and ambitiously 〈◊〉 covet the prayse of men is Pharisaicall hypocrisie Ioh. 5 4â— a touch of infidelity which when the secrets of all counselâ— shall be discovered will bring with it shame and confusion 〈◊〉 face before God and his Angels but that prayse which is of God is a tended with honour glory immortality eternall lifeâ— Observe Saint Pauls Exhortation Phil. 4.8 and obey it and you shall obtain Abels reward and honour Gods testimony For certainly if we by patient continuance in well-doing seek for glory we shall finde it If as Abel we Sacrifice and suffer for it doe well and are persecuted for it the blood of sprinkling which speaketh better things then the blood of Abel will consecrate and sanctifie all our Sacrifices services and sufferings and make them accepted for that Sacrifice which Jesus Christ the first borne of every Creature offered to God the Father on the Crosse for the Salvation of Men. Neque enem in sacrificiis quae Abel Cain primi obtulerunt munera eorum Deus sed corda iutuebatur Abel pacificus justus dum Deo sacrificat innocenter docuit cateres quando ad Altare munus offerunt sâ—â— venire cum timore Dei cum simplici corde cum lege justitia cum concerdiae pace Cypr. Serm. sext de Orat. Domin 3d. Part which contains a Prayer or Meditation O Eternall Lord God who dwellest in the highest Heavens in hat light which is inaccessible yet admits thy sinfull creatures he e on earth to have accesse unto thy Throne of Grace by humble Prayers and Supplycations O thou Infinite all perfection and all sufficiency who art cloathed with Majesty and Honour yet gracioâ—sly accepts the Oblations and devoirs f tâ—y faithfull servants though accompanied with many imperfections and weakenesses pardon and remit we beseech thee the infirmities and defects of our holy things and let the Words of our Mouthes and the Meditations of our hearts be alwayes acceptable in thy sight O Lord our strength and our redeemer Compose our minds and frame our hearts into such a temper of spirit that with devotion of spirit with submission and reverence of affections with holy and heavenly resolutions of obedience we may serve and worship thee that our Sacrifices be living our services reasonable such as may advance thy glory and expresse our sincere repentance and holy Faith We renounce all sufficiency in our selves all merit in our workes and have recourse to thy mercy and thy Sons merits for the acceptance of both We humbly confesse our persons are burdened with an infinite guilt which our wounded spirits cannot of themselves sustaine O holy Jesuâ— who was wounded for our transgressions and bore all our iniquities disburden and cleare us from the weight of our sins take us into the armes of thy mercy beare our griefes carry our sorrowes that we sincke not into perdition Master save us else we perish Sonne of God Lanâ—s of God then that takest away the sins of the World take away our sins protect us from thy Fathers wrath and reconcile us into his favour Our Natures are deeply infected with an over-spreading Leprosie ô thou the great Physician of our Soules wash and cleanse the plague of our hearts with thy blood and by the vertue of that precious application cure all our distempers heale all our infirmities our sinnes are in number and quality above measure sinfull O holy Redeemer absolve us from them by the Oblation of thy Soule offered for sinne expiate them with thy satisfaction kill them by thy death and let thy righteousnesse be unto us for a garment of salvation Our Services Prayers and Religious duties are defective and blemished O all-sufficient Saviour by thy Incense and Intercession supply all their defects sanctifie all their adherent corruptions and present them as acceptable Sacrifices to thy Father Suffer us not O omnipotently gracious and graciously omnipotent Lord God when we are called as Abel was to suffer for thee and for righteousnesse sake to fall away from the steadfastnesse of our Faith strengthen us with all might by thy glorious power unto all patience and long suffering with joyfulnesse Let thy holy Spirit be our instructer and comforter that we never Sacrifice to any strange Gods that we never swerve from the rules of Piety and Justice alwayes obeying thy will alwayes submitting to thy will The Lord heare us in the day of trouble the name of the God of Jacob defend us fend us help from his Sanctuary and strengthen us out of Sion Remember all our Offerings and accept our Sacrifices O let us alwayes offer and doe thou gratiously accept and when thou pleasest let us chearefully suffer and doe thou gloriously reward Whatsoever thy dispensations shall be let them be in love and mercy to us and let our demeanour under them be as becommeth the Gospell of Christ Jesus if they share out unto adversity let us take up our crosse and follow thee resigne our selves offer up our wills and affections to thy infinite wife and good providence If thou portion out unto us prosperity let us not dare to Sacrifice unto our own nets ascribe it to our own wit or industry or carnally glory in our own wealth or power but to offer and returne to thee all we have and enjoy in a gratefull acknowledgement receiving all from thee depending for all on thee enjoying all in thee referring all
great Personages of the oâ—â— Testament related to Christ and all their services were representations of his acts or sufferings Adam the first a Type 〈◊〉 Christ the second Adam from whom we derive our second birâ—â— and regeneration Abel flain by his Brother for his innocence a Figure of Christs innocence and his death whereunto he wâ—â— delivered by the Iewes his brethren after the Flesh Enocâ— Translation an example of Christs Ascention into Heaven Aâ— what was Typified by Noah and his Arke we have expressed 1 Pet. 3.20.21 The like Figure c. the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 siguâ—fies more and more properly an opposite contrary figure copy like or contrary to the Patterne and was certainly use by the Apostle to denote the Analogy of eternall life whereâ—â— Baptisme is a Sacrament with temporall preservation from thâ— Deluge and the resemblance betwixt Christ the Institutor this Sacrament and Noah the Architector of the Arke and holds in severall likenesses For 1. Noah was the cheife of the second World that worâ—â— which succeeded the Deluge Christ the Head of a new Worâ— too and of the World also founded upon the ruines of a former for as the first world in Noahs time perished so necessarily what soever issued from Adam was to be annihilated that all might bâ— repayred by Christ 2. Noah signifies litterally rest or repose Christ is our Noah our Saviour who hath endured for us the stormes of Gods fierce wrath will harbour us after we have passed the waves of this troublesome world in security and peace and will Pilot his Church through the stormes of Persecution mauger the violences and attempts of Devills and men into the place of his â—est his heavenly Kingdom Psael 93.4.5 3. Noah exhorted sinners to repentance and was therefore stiled A Preacher of Righteousnesse In which respect he is a proper Type of Christ whose errand and businesse it was to all sinners to Repentance and who yet by his Writings and Ministers dischargeth that Office 4. Noah saved his Family his neer Relatives so Christ delivers his People from his Fathers wrath his spirituall kindred his flesh and his bone Eph. 5.20 5. Noah prepared an Ark Christ builds up a Church to himselfe Mat. 16.18 6. Noah after builded an Altar offered a burnt Offering and so removed a curse and procured a blessing Gen. 8.20.21.22 Christ offered himselfe a Sacrifice for us to deliver us from his Fathers wrath the curse of the Law and to reconcile us into his favour and make us partakers of the Promises and blessings of the Gospel the Parallell we find in full termes set down to our hands Eph. 5.2 The purchases of Christs Sacrifice are spirituall renovation and eternall happinesses with an annexed Promise That he will never punish us in his sore displeasure he will never suffer his whole wrath to arise the highest expressions thereof shall prove but fatherly corrections friendly admonitions not punishments properly not fruits of his revenging justice because declared in mercy for our reformation not destruction 2. In respect of the Ark which was a Type of the Church the assembly of the first born Heb. 12.23 for as all comprehended in the Arke were saved so shall all within the inclosure of the Church they are the body of Christ and he is the Saviour of his body Eph. 5.23 And so that rule Extra Ecelesiam non est salus holds good And that of Cyprian He hath not God for his Father who hath not the Church for his Mother So he in other places Serm. de Sp. Sancto in Ep. 〈◊〉 Novat haeret and the allegory or argument drawn from the proportion runs thus Noahs Ark was one and all out of 〈◊〉 perished for their contempt so the Church is one and all oâ— of the Church shall perish for their disobedience this is thâ— Church against which the gates of Hell shall not prevaile nâ—â—ther the depth of waters nor the height of the rocks coâ—â—â— damnifie this Arke not the powers of darknesse nor spirituâ—â— wickednesses in high places shall hurt the Church the one hoâ— Catholicke Church the aggregate of Beleevers not externâ—â— professors not a particular Church of any one denomination made up of Pastors and their Flockes for in it are many hypocrites and wicked persons which brings in Augustines oâ—servation lib. 12. contra Faust Man cap. 15. In the Arke the was uncleane as well as cleane living things Sic in Ecclesâ—â—â— Sacraementis boni mali versantur good and bad aâ—â— mixed in the Church here where he that will take pains maâ— finde many more allusions applyed by that Father But here is observable That the Cement of the Ark in the Hebrew worâ— comes from another word which signifies propitiation reconcilemen or pardon and from it the Propitiatory which covered the Arke borrowed his name it is from Christs satisfaction and propitiation that we are not consumed that our peace is made and we accepted it is by the wood of the Crosse that we anâ— delivered and the word in Hebrew used for the Arke is derived from a word which signifies to returne to be converted the Chuch is a society or body of sinners converted to God Christ died for us that we should turne to God Acts 3.26 Titus 2.14 3. In respect of the Deluge 1 Peter 3.20 which hold thus The same waters which drowned and destroyed the world bore up and supported the Arke even as the Red Sea which sucked in and enclosed the Aegyptians was a Rode and Dâ—fence for the Israelites So Baptisme the Water of Regeneration on the one part crucifies sinne the flesh and its lusts oâ— the other sides gives a new life and being the holy partake thereof become new creatures And hence it is that Saint Petâ—â— immediately addes after the washing of our Consciences by Baptisme the mention of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the â—â—ad to perfect the paralell For as the Deluge descending upon â—â—e Arke was a Figure of Death and its escape in safety a â—â—gure of life and resurrection So in Baptisme the plonging to the Water is a signe of Death the rising out again of â—â—fe and Resurrection to denote to us That all we which are â—â—ptized should die unto sinne and rise into newnesse of life â—m 6.3.4.5 And as after the Deluge the Dove brought an Olive Branch 〈◊〉 the holy Spirit which appeared at the Baptisme of Christ in â—â—e shape of a Dove is sent into our hearts to assure us that â—â—e wrath of God the Father is over-past and we are his beloved Children Rom. 8.16 Again the Deluge the more it increased and over-topped â—â—e Palaces of the Earth the higher it elevated the Arke and â—â—vanced it neerer Heaven so the same afflictions which ruines and confounds the men of this World raiseth the Beleevers â—â—om Earth to Heaven extols and exalts them to God and eternity Lastly as the Arke after the Deluge was found on the mountaines of Ararat so after the
our God and whensoever we make â—ur addresses to thee let us fall low on our knees before thy footâ—oole with such humbled spirits and devout postures as may best expresse our conceits of thy greatnesse our reverence to thy presence and our own unworthynesse to appeare before thee Move â—s to serve thee in feare and plant the reverence of thy Name and Laws in our hearts that we may walke in all thy wayes with much diligence great observation and gedly jealousie over all our actions Let the dread and reverence of thee thy justice and thy power thy thrcats and iudgements deelared from Heaven and many times on Earth executed upon disobedient condemners of thy words make us to tremble at the recognition of our sinnes and in consideration of our guilt and demerits and then O Lord let the contemplation and meditation â—f thy sure mercies and gratious promises keep us in a uniforme constant course of obedience let us thus passe from Faith to Feare from Feare to Love from the apprehensions of of thy wrath to the sense and comforts of thy mercies Let thy â—eare take such full possession of our Spirits that we Feare nothing but thee we feare not poverty shame the power and malice men nor any outward disadvantages and discomforts that 〈◊〉 shall not feare though the Earth be moved and the Hills be carried into the midst of the Sea though the waters thereof raâ— and swell and the mountains shake at the tempest of the same for his salvation is nigh them that feare he hath an Arke bâ— holy Church to preserâ—e and keep them alive O holy Jesâ— preserve and keep this Church which thou hast founded on tâ— selfe save and deliver this Arke of thy strength from the strâ— vings of the people and the insurrections of evill doers defenâ— her in peace adorne her with holinesse build her up in unity maintain her in safety in all stormes-and against all temptation and enemies that she be not pestered with Heresie Schisme 〈◊〉 Scandall O deliver her from private interpretations innovations of holy things doting about questions and making endless strifes strange Doctrines and the Doctrine of the unlearneâ— and unstable O thinke upon the Congregation which thou haâ— purchased and redeemed of old unite all her members in the bands of Faith Hope and Charity and when thou thinkest first of externall communion Let the dayly Sacrifice of Prayer and Sacramentall Thanksgiving never cease let the Order of thy Ministers which serve at thy Altar stand in Power and senâ— thou forth Labourers into thy Harvest such as have Calling aâ— Aaron and Noah make them farthfully to declare thy Will to the People rightly to dispense thy Sacraments and acceptably to entercede with thee for thy People Preserve thou those whom thou hast placed in the Highest Order of thy Church that they lay Hands suddenly on no Man but on such whose Lips may preserve knowledge and whose Lives adorne the Gospel of Jesus and grave blessed Lord that though the Floods of Persecution and worldly interest have lift their Waves to overwhelme thy Arke yet doe thou Coast her in security over these Seas and Pilot her in safety into the place of thy rest O preserve thou 〈◊〉 in the union and communion of this Church let us have Noahs Preachers of Righteousresse orderly called and fitly qualified for the Function let us still injoy the freedom of thy Gospel the Food of thy Word the sweetnesse and refreshings of thy Sacraments holy discipline publique Communion in thy Church and the benefits of the society of the Saints O let not our sins cause 〈◊〉 to remove the Candlepick from us to give away thy Arke to â—at thy Vineyard to other Hâ—shandmen lest we be condemned and â—sh with the unbeleeving World but doe thou preserve us in times â—â—blike-calamities that we may passe over the Waves of this trouâ—â—some World and be harboured in rest O support us with thy â—d that when the foundations of the Earth be out of course â—n the Nations of the Earth are divided and moved so that the â—rts of men shake at the tempests thereof our hearts may be setled thee and thy sure mercies and never-failing compassions thy Spirit move upon these Waters that the Streames goe not â—r our soules the overflowing of ungodlinesse make us not afraid 〈◊〉 the great Waters of persecution or any other affliction drowne not O thou whom even the Windes and the Sea obey now when Ship of thy Church is tossed with tempests covered with Waves â—se and rebuke these Winds and these Seas and let there be a at calme a blessed and universall Peace throughout the Christian â—rld that we may delight and rejoyce in the promised blessings of Gospel our Swords may be converted into Plowshares and our â—ares into Pruninghooks And that we may be prepared for these â—rcies frame our hearts to an holy obedience to thy whole will make Heare 's of righteousnesse which is by Faith and as beâ—ommeth use who look for that inheritance Teach us by thy grace to dense the World and worldly things to lay up our treasure in Heaven â—charity and actions of Religion that when thou shalt call on us deposit these honses of clay our earthly tabernacles which we now try about us we being Heires of Righteousnesse may dye in the aâ—tuâ—â— Communion of thy one holy Catholique Church and after death â—ter into our Masters joy and at the Resurrection of the just be â—ly possessed of that Kingdome which thou hast prepared for all at love and feere thee and wait for thy comming Grant this 〈◊〉 Heavenly Father for thy mercies sake and for his sake whom â—ou hast appointed Heire of all things Jesus Christ the Righteous who hath given unto us his Spirit the earnest of our Inheâ—â—ance who make h intercession for us and by whom we cry 〈◊〉 Father To this Blessed Holy and undivided Trinity be Prayse Glory Worship and Thanksgiving now and ever Amen ABRAHAMS Exile Heb. 11.8.9 By Faith Abraham when he was called to goe into a plâ—â— which he should after receive for an inheritance obey and he went out not knowing whether he went c. ABraham succeeds Noah in the Catalogue of Beleeve but in the instances and expresses of his Faith he was fore him and all his Progenitors upwards to Adam aâ—â— all that succeeded him till our Lords Incarnation him it is remarkable That through those many darkenesses aâ—â— at such a distance he saw his Lords Day and he rejoyced him for the transcendency of his Faith did that Title of Honâ— belong The Father of the Faithfull he only of all of the first timâ— merited that stile and to him it is attributed indefinitely Father he was to all his believing fore-fathers and all his aâ— their following Posterity and consequently upon the same â—â— count to him the highest blessing which mortality was capaâ—â—â—â— of was assigned and assured and that by a thrice repeaâ—â— grant and confirmation In thee
rash praesumptuous fancy but a sober and advised meditationâ— that God was able c. It is the wise mans advice and counselâ— In time of prosperity rejoyce in time of adversity consider Eccleâ— 7.16 consider Gods Almighty greatnesse infinite wisedomeâ— absolute power inexpressable goodnesse and undisputable truthâ— and thou shalt never fall thou mayest be tossed but shalt noâ— sinke thou mayest be shaken but not removed thou mayest be afflicted yet not in distresse Persecuted but not forsaken cast downe but not destroyed 2 Cor. 4.8.9 this was the confidence and reliefe of Saint Pauls sadnesses and afflictions Eveâ— to trust in God which raiseth the dead who delivered us c. 2 Cor. 1.9.10 this was his perswasion That neither life nor death nor Angels c. Rom. 8.38.39 O that we were wise to consider these excellencies these resolutions and understand the loving kindnesse of the Lord that we would consider and remember that he brought light out of darknesse order out of confusion all being from nothing and he is the same God still in Power in Wisedom in Goodnesse his Eare is not heavie nor his hands shortned unlesse our sins cause him to hide his face from us that he will not heare And lastly consider Abraham to be like this your Father in the resolutions and endeavours of obedience both Active and Passive Isay 51.1.2 Consider Abraham your Father c. and remember that God blessed and encreased him he considered God was able c. and so he received c. which affords another Observation 8. He received him It is Gods mercies that we are not consumed Lamt 3.22 God gave him unto Abraham the second time he will alwayes have his Church to remaine and though for a time she be over-clouded with Heresies Persecutions and Interests yet Magna est Veritas c. the gates of Hell shall not prevaile against her she will be most Christian in her most persecuted and afflicted condition and many times God delivers her from her Persecutors making her darkenesse to be â—ight and bringing againe the Captivity of Sion as in a Dreame And as it fares with the Church so with its severall Members they are many times brought out of the deep Waters and the stiffe mire light springing up to them that are true of heart as it is said Light came to the Jewes Ester 8.16 upon the discovery and disappointment of Hamans cruelty 9. Abraham offered his Sonne and saved him he received with an addition a Lambe and with a blessing and assurance of blessing In thy Seed c. to give to God what he demandeth is a great act of justice because he demands we give him nothing but what is first his and it s the best policy the surest way both to preserve and improve his gift we never offer any thing to God but we are gainers by it we receive either an hundreth sold for the present or Eternall Life Give our Persons our Soules and Bodies to him to serve and worship him in feare and though upon that score the Soule be seperated and the Body crucified we shall receive both againe with inexpressible advantages give your substance and goods to the necessitated members of Christs body and though we spend much this way we shall save much more decima divet este we shall gainâ— and raise an estate He hath distributed and given to the poore his righteousnesse remaineth c. that one was of improvement his horne shall be exalted with honour that 's a second way both certain Psal 112.9 and so this kinde of distribution is a way of provision for the future and therefore called a laying up a stake of a good foundation 1 Tim. 6.19 a Treasury a Magazine 10. He received him in a figure 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 though Faith received not the expected reward and effect which it apprehendeth as being inexpedient either for the present or future condition of the Beleever yet it receives what God awards the hope of the righteous shall not perish and they that put their trust in him shall not be confounded but many times before beliefe comes we are at the last experience the Altar is prepared Isaac bound and is layd upon it and Abraham takes the knife in hand ready to give the fatall stroke but then and â—â—till then not before did the Angel step in for a rescue anâ— dilivered Isaac from death and so Abraham received him byâ— resemblance of the Resurrection and thus Christ delivereth hiâ— Church when overwhelmed with oppressors reviveth her when she is in the dust when she is but a company of dead men appointed as sheep to be slaine and numbred for destruction when she is dry bones and her hopes cleane off he will put breatâ— and life into them These and such like are the similitudeâ— oâ— parables which the holy Spirit useth to expresse the affliction and deliverance of his Church Isay 26.19 Ezek. 37.5.6.7 c. And having gone thus far I might a while stay on the mysticall and parabolicall signification of those Texts for so somâ— Interprets these words he received him in a figure that 's in reference to Christ whose Death and Resurrection were here prâ—â— figured And Augustine tells us That this action of Abrahams was both factum prophetia an History and a Prophesie but I intend not to vary much from my resolved Method and 〈◊〉 for a conclusion shall onely observe the two commendatory 〈◊〉 of Abrahams Faith which is noted to be 1. Obedientiall working acting Faith be offered and this was the working of the Faith Iames 2.21 The former propoâ—â— salls and calls of God to Abraham were for the tryalls of his â—aith in that particular and instance of beleeving his Promises â—ut this was a new tryall of his Faith in another expression and determination even that of obedience to his commands God sometimes tryeth our Faith by Promises of incredible things whether then we will depend on him sometimes by commands â—f harsh unpleasant services or duties whether we will submit to him and obey him now when God puts us to it to evidence our Faith either by patience or obedience if we doe not we are not the sons of Abraham not the friends of God For true Faith will still approve it selfe so by faithfull actions no temptations of the world or the Devill to the contrary shall make us suspect or disbeleeve what he hath promised no invitations of sin or lust shall lay us off from the practise of what â—e commands where fire is there is heate and light where â—aith there holinesse and obedience 2. Rationall it was not a rash precipitate or temerarious deâ—gne but a wise sober deliberate proceeding of his understanding will and affection for all his spirituall faculties were imployed in this consideration of Faith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he pondered â—nd weighed with himselfe secum perpendens in one Translation â—atiocinatus in another his understanding considered Gods Truth Power c. and upon
were adopted into the place of Reuben 1 Chron. 5.1.2 or Levi. who was not to have any share into the Land of Canaan and then there is another blessing annexed That they may grow as Fish into a multitude into the middest of the Earth and indeed accordingly they multiplyed in Egypt into vast numbers For at the departure of the Israelites out of Egypt there were of Manasseh forty two thousand seven hundred Of Ephraim thirty two thousand five hundred but all these men of War perished in the Wildernesse yet at their entring into Canaan there was found after a perfect Muster of Ephraim forty thousand and five hundred and of Manasseh thirty two thousand and two hundred Numb 1.33.34.35 so that in the space of two hundred and fifteen years there Issued from Ioseph seventy five thousand or very neer that account and so Ephraim was after so powerfull and considerable a Tribe that oft-times the Scripture speaking of the defection of the ten Tribes from the house of David to Ieroboam the whole tâ—â— are indefinitely called Ephraim this Tribe being the principal contriver and abettor of that Rebellion as Isay 7.2 Hos 5.3 But we have another Passage in these words which deserve Vindication they are taken out of Gen. 47.31 He worshippeâ— towards the Beds head or as the last Translation he boweâ— himselfe upon the Beds head and so Junius reades it Incurvaâ—â—â— se ad cervical lecti sui and so others incurvavit se ad capâ—â— lectuli but our Apostle follows the Septuagint He worshippâ—â— upon the top of his staffe because that Translation was then 〈◊〉 great authority in the Church and the difference is not mâ—teriall nor of consequence for whether way soever it be reâ—dred the sense is not much altered and the Septuagint themselves Translated the Word here used in the Hebrew a Bed Gen. 48.2 so that they made not so great account of it The dirâ— genuine sense of the words then will amount to this That Iacâ—â— reared himselfe upon his pillow at his beds head leaning also 〈◊〉 his staffe and so prayed unto and praysed God Indeed the vuâ—gar Latine contrary to this sense and the words themselves reades it Adoravit fastigium virgae ejus which yet by some 〈◊〉 approved though upon a designe to maintain religious adoraâ—â—on to be due to the creatures but that this is a corruption appeares from the words themselves for it leaves out the Proposition 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which in the Accusative Case signifies super upon all observed by Grammarians And this is sufficient to invalidaâ—â— the authenticalnesse of that Translation and to discover the weakenesse of their Argument and in part the falsenesse oâ— their Tenet who would from this place conclude The adoration of creatures reliques or images and which is yet more iâ— destroyes the pretended infallibility of the Church of Româ— which in the Councell of Trent hath declared the vulgar Latine to be the authentique Text and Rule of Faith for if defacto shee hath erred in this determiniation then de jure possibly she may and it is apparant shee hath erred in approving this Translation which we have proved erroneous and might further manifest from the Hebrew and Septuagint but that the Bibles of the Doctors of Lovaine themselves Romanists hath saved us the labour who reade it otherwise then 〈◊〉 vulgar Latine which as I said the Tridentine Councell Sess 2. Can. 2. hath allowed for the authentique Interpretation The second Part. 1 Jacob dying Iacob tooke care before his death to blesse his Children and took paines to worship God in as reverent and descent a posture as his infirmity would allow Gods Children all their life time finde him a Father of mercy and God of all consolations they receive many blessings and assistances from him but at their death he hath a most tender care and particular respect over them that their Faith faile not that the last enemy prevaile not against them that dying they may be Conquerors he perfects his strength in their weakenesse and he acts most powerfully and vigorously in them when their infirmities are strong upon them their Faith conquers death and the feare thereof and him that hath the power of death the Devill the outward man that is the living and animall saculties of Man his vegetation and 〈◊〉 are weakned and impayred by the usuall harbingers of death bodily infirmities and maladies yet the inward man breathing and moving by spirituall principles renewed with spirituall faculties of faith and sanctified reason is perfected and compleated by them ordinarily blinde Men have the most apprehensive tenacious and faithfull memories because they have not so many diversions to severall objects as seeing Men have and so dying Beleevers have their soules fixed on God sequestred from the world and are altogether taken up with the contemplation of heavenly joy and with holy exercises of Devotion and Piety and with earnest fervent Zeale and vehement desires to glorifie God and to be glorified with him to blesse God and to be blessed by and with him eternally but this comfort redounds not to all it is onely peculiar to Christian Beleevers whose conversation hath been heavenly not to presumptuous daring sinners who walke after the flesh and never seek to God till they have not strength to serve sin and Satan who never begin to live well till they be a dying and puts all off to a death bed Repentance which is the most sad and miserable condition of all others for it will be a worke of extreame difficulty if not impossibility for an habituated sinner in that scantling and straite heartily and sincerely to performe the duties and offices of Faith and Repentance or seriously the settle himselfe unto them for Omnis peccator peceat in suâ—aterno Every such sinner if he should live for ever would sinner for ever but the comfort and happinesse is for them who in the preceding years of their life in the dayes of their health and strength of their discourse and understanding have followed the wayes of godlinesse the foot-steps of Abraham and when sidâ— or a dying hath nothing to doe but to exercise those grace which they formerly acquired and perfect that Repentance which they early begun 2. Both the Sonnes of Joseph not nominating them unto us but onely making them known to us by their relation to Josoph Certainely the Apostles designe of the concealement oâ— their names and expression of them by their Parentage was for to put those Hebrews in mind both of the designe Iosephs Brethren had to sell him for a slave in Egypt which was purposely to cut him off from Iacobs house and deprive him of a blessing and his portion and also of Gods Decree to the contrary â—hâ—â— though they devised mischiefe craftily against him and drive their plot far and did bring it in their sancies to their desired issne and period yet he that sits in Heaven shall laugh them to scorne and his determination shall