true Baptism Learn this observation descends from that Authority that after the Lords Ascension the holy Spirit came down upon the Apostles Eusebius in his History lib. 6. cap. 35. relates that Novatus though he were baptized yet because he was not confirmed or had hands laid on him after Baptism he never obtained the Holy Ghost His words are Neither did he get other things wherewith he ought to have been endued after Baptism according to the Rule of the Church nor was he sealed of the Bishop with the Lords seal meaning Imposition after Baptism which he having not obtained how could he I pray you obtain the Spirit For modern learned men take Gerson out of Hugo What profits it that thou art lifted up from thy fall by Baptism unless thou also beest strengthened by Confirmation Estius in Heb. 6.1 saith The Apostle undoubtedly understands that Laying on of Hands which is wont to be administred to the faithfull presently after Baptism of which Saint Luke Acts 8. Acts 19. That is to say the Sacrament of Confirmation whereby the Spirit of God is given to persons baptized wherewith they being strengthened confess the Name of Christ undauntedly among the Enemies of the Faith and then he concludes For that Hands were wont to be laid upon baptized persons after the Example of the Apostles Universa docet antiquitas All antiquity teacheth Grotius in Heb. 6.1 Hands were laid upon baptized persons to obtain the strengthening power of the holy Spirit and on persons ordained to the Eldership and on them that were reconciled after sins and those who were weak in body and on new maried people desiring a blessing from the Church Erasmus in Heb. 6.1 The first step to Christianity is to repent of our former life next that salvation is to be hoped from God next that we be purged in Baptism from our filth next that by laying on of hands we receive the holy Spirit Heming in Heb. 6.2 Imposition of hands was done by the Bishops and Elders on persons examined he should have said Baptized prayer and blessing being added thereto at this laying on of hands the holy Spirit was often visibly given Obj. But seeing Baptism and laying on of hands are conjoyned how came they to be severed Answ When persons with a right Baptism came back from Hereticks or Schismaticks to the Church they were not rebaptized but received onely by imposition of hands so the counsel of Arles can 8. If any one come to the Church from the Arrian Heresie let the preachers of our faith ask them their Creed and if they see they were Baptized into the Father Son and Spirit let them onely lay hands on them that they may receive the holy Ghost Leo. Epist 77. He that is Baptized among Hereticks let him not be rebaptized but let him be confirmed by laying on of hands with calling upon the holy Spirit Yet was not this rite used every where for Gregory de consecrat cap. 4. saith The west was wont to receive such as returned to the Church from Hereticks by imposition of hands but the eastern parts were wont to receive them by the anointing of Oyl Aug. against the Donatists lib. 5. c. 23. Gives a reason hereof and saith If laying on of hands should not be used to one coming from Heresie he would be judged to be without all fault but for the coupling of love hands are laid on Hereticks amended 2 When upon necessity any man was Baptized of an ordinary man that the Baptism might be approved and confirmed the person Baptized was brought to the Bishop that he might be confirmed Concil Eliberitanum Can. 18. A believer and in case of necessity one instructed in the Faith may Baptize so that if he that shall be so Baptized shall live he bring him to the Bishop that by imposition of hands he may be perfected 3 A third reason is mentioned by Hierom in his Dialogue against the Luciferians He saith The custom of the Churches was that the Bishop being about to lay hands to the calling on the Spirit of God he made haste to those that were Baptized in lesser cities by Elders and Deacons the meaning is as is after exprest when the Bishop knew they believed rightly and were lawfully Baptized he made haste to lay hands on them and to call upon the Spirit that they might persevere in that faith From all these customes not onely the common people but also sundry Bishops long before Hieroms time came to this opinion as if Baptism were without the Spirit and that the Spirit was first given and received when the Bishop to the calling on the Spirit of God laid hands on the person Baptized which Hierom confutes and proves that Baptism is not without the holy Spirit Answer to objections Obj. 1 In the laying hands on the Samaritans there were visible gifts conveyed Act. 8.18 Simon saw that through laying on of hands the Holy Ghost was given Act. 19.6 When Paul had laid his hands on the twelve they spake with tongues and prophesied but in imposition that is or shall be by the Apostles of the Churches there are no visible gifts given therefore that imposition in Scripture and yours is not the same Answ 1 That God did sometimes convey visible gifts after imposition of hands to honour it is true yet were these visible gifts no more parts of the ordinance much less essentialities thereof then Philips suddain surreption or catching away by the Spirit from the Eunuch were any part of the Eunuchs Baptisme Act. 8.39 40. this miraculous surreption was a confirmation to the Eunuch So when the twelve spake with tongues after Baptisme and laying on of Hands it was onely a confirmation to them of the truth of that Doctrine and powerfulness of that person into whose name they were baptized 2 The Apostles Peter and John Acts 8.16 17. would never have come down to Samaria for to do Miracles for Philip had there wrought Miracles abundantly Acts 8.7 in casting out Devils healing Palseys lameness c. therefore they came for some other end which was that the Samaritans might receive the Spirit Object But here were visible gifts given Simon saw that through laying on of the Apostles hands the Holy Ghost was given Answ There 's a sight of the understanding as well as of the eye Simon might see the Holy Ghost given whiles he beheld the operations of the Spirit in Prayer self-denial mortification yet not one gift given visible to the bodily eye But if visible gifts conspicuous to the bodily eye were given they were no parts of the Ordinance but Crowns and Ornaments thereof The Holy Ghost may be said to be given not onely in gifts of Tongues and Healings but also in meltings of heart Prophesie c. 2 It 's a mistake to say that in the Apostolical Imposition always visible gifts were conveyed such as the natural eye could behold for Paul laid his hands on Timothy and had nothing conveyed save inward gifts
shall onely shew his opinion 3 Let it be with modesty and humility not in a proud magisterial way that it may appear the desired satisfaction arises meerly from conscience and not from humour 4 With a care to preserve the authority and reputation of the Teacher Titus 2.15 5 Upon due satisfaction given to sit down and hold your peace and not for the defence of your own opinion and credit to violate peace and holiness See Acts 11.18 6 To avoid all words that may force strife that the hearer may go away and report that God is among this people whiles they can peaceably debate of the things of God 1 Cor. 14.25 See 2 Tim. 2.23 7 Be sure that what you have to reply against any thing delivered be of moment and strength else your selves who shall reply will suffer reproach and scorn herein and come under the name of a gain-sayer Titus 1.9 8 In case words tending to no profit but to the subverting of hearers shall be brought the Preacher is to charge them before the Lord That they strive not about words to no profit 2 Tim. 2.16 Also v. 14. Shun profane and vain bablings for they will increase unto more ungodliness and their word will cat as a Canker as Hymenaeus and Philetus who denied the Resurrection so Quakers Antiscripturists are thus to be charged For the time will come when men will not endure sound doctrine but will turn away their ears from the truth and shall be turned into fables 9 Sometimes apostate Professours stirred up by the Devil this way as well as others may make great resistance against the words of a faithfull Preacher 2 Tim. 2.14 Alexander the Copper-smith greatly withstood the Apostles preaching and it may be suspected that some will be apt to abuse this Liberty proudly opposing sound Doctrine for meer trifles 10 Herewith rejoycing Jer. 15.16 Thy words were found and I did eat them and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoycing of my heart Psalm 119.162 David rejoyced in the Word as one that findeth great spoil Acts 2.41 Object But the stony ground received the Word with joy Matth. 13.20 Answ So they did and it was well that they did but 1 Hypocrites joy in some part onely but right hearers joy in every part hypocrites joy in the promises not in the precepts 2 Hypocrites joy in the notion onely but the right hearer joys in those truths as having an interest in them We rejoyce in the sight of a Diamond but joy more in the property The joy of one is like the joy of a man that is glad to see a fine field of Corn the joy of the other is like the joy of him that is the owner of this field of Corn. 3 Hypocrites joy in the Word after the outward man as apprehending most of the duties equitable and reasonable and many of them advantageous to a mans Estate credit and relations but a right hearer delights in the Law of God after the inner man Rom. 7.22 4 True joy is accompanied with fear Psalm 2.11 Rejoyce in him with trembling and also righteousness Rom. 14.17 The Kingdom of God consisteth in righteousness peace and joy of the Holy Ghost It 's otherwise in hypocrites their joy is accompanied with love of some Lust 11 Practise Christian conference Mal. 3.16 The godly when they met together spake often one to another of the providence of God The two Disciples going to Emaus communed together and reasoned of what they heard from Christ Luk. 24.15 Exhort one another daily while it is called to day Heb. 3.13 In speaking of the good things we have heard we do not onely warm others but our own hearts also 12 Retain and hold fast the Word 1 John 3 9. The seed of God abideth in him Cares pleasures will be apt to steal away the Word Else the fowls of the air will devour it Luke 8.5 For as many fowls follow the Seeds-man to pick up what is sown so do many Devils follow Sermons to pick up the seed Devils are called Fowls of the Air both for the nimbleness of their motion in a little time they will compass the whole earth Job 1.7 and from the place of their habitation which is the Air Ephes 2.2 13 Avoid all cavilling objections against the Word 1 Tim. 6.3 4. we ought to consent to the Doctrine according to godliness without any cavilling It 's one thing to make an objection in order to Christian satisfaction and another thing to cavil from pride and conceitedness Cavillers in Pauls time were out of Churches 1 Cor. 1.23 Where is the disputer of this world Take we heed they be not now in the Church It was the wickedness of the Jews that they were gain-sayers not onely their ears but their hearts Rom. 10.21 against Gods truth I have stretched out my hand to a gain-saying people 14 Practice meditation Deut. 32.46 set your hearts to all the words I testifie among you this day As a plaister works not unless it be bound on to the sore no more doth the Word unless meditation bind it on the affections Unclean beasts contrarily chew not the cud As the ground cannot be quickned with fruit unless it receive the seed no more can our hearts be quickned with the Spirit and fruits of it till by the use of hearing and meditation we have taken in this seed Many are so far from meditating that they are like children when schooling time is ended glad who can first get out and think not of what they have learned 15 Consider the benefits you shall have in the preaching of the Gospel when rightly received As 1 The graces and comforts of the Spirit conveyed in the beginnings and increases thereof even as Conduit-pipes carry water hither and thither Luke 24.32 Did not our hearts burn within us whiles he talked with us by the way Gal. 3.2 5. 2 Therein glad tydings are conveyed Rom. 10.15 How beautifull are the feet of them that bring good news Upon the hearing of it we feel as it were new spirits to return to us how much more when we hear tydings of reconciliation from God how should our hearts abound in comfort shall other news revive us not this 3 The excellency of the ministry we are under it is the ministry of the Gospel far more excellent then that of the Law 1 In the Law they saw darkly we with open face 2 Cor. 3.18 2 The one is the ministration of death but the Gospel is the ministration of righteousness and life v. 7 8 9. Obj. But may not the Gospel also be called a ministration of death Answ Yes by accident not directly when souls will not obey the Gospel it turns to their condemnation As a Princes pardon cannot kill any one of it self but being despised it doubles the guilt and brings to a more hasty destruction so the pardon of God in the Gospel killeth not any but being despised causeth more heavy destruction But the Law
among five perpetual principles and yet call them all by the name of a foundation yea such a foundationas other things were to be laid after in eodem genere edificii in the same kind of building for the Apostle saith Let us go on to perfection now what perfection doth he mean truly a perfection of the knowledge of Christ the foundation whereof was already laid And so he did for in the next place he comes to unfold the sin against the holy Ghost the doctrine of assurance to the heirs of promise the doctrine of Christs priesthood 4 All the Churches were under laying on of hands the Church of the Samaritans was under it Act. 8.12 14 17. compared On the same Church of Samaria which was Baptized were hands laid The Church of the Hebrews had this as a principle first laid Heb. 6.1 Object But how doth it follow to all the Churches Answ As we judg all the Churches were under Baptism though we do not reade of any of the Church of Thessalonica to have been baptized yet because we reade other Churches we conclude also they were So because we finde these two Churches to have been under Laying on of Hands we conclude all the Churches also so to have been because of the unity of the Rule Now the Rule is plain Acts 8.14 16 17. When the Apostles heard that Samaria had received the Word of God they sent unto them Peter and John who when they were come down prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Ghost The emphasis lies in this Pronoun Relative they the Antecedent whereto must be the baptized Samaritans whom Philip had baptized v. 12. also v. 16. it 's said For as yet he was fallen upon none of them onely they were baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus So that Imposition of Hands was administred to all the baptized Samaritans v. 17. Then laid they their Hands on them and they received the Holy Ghost 5 The first Church should be a Patern to other Churches but the first Church continued in laying on of hands therefore other Churches ought to continue herein The Proposition appears 1 Thess 2.14 Ye Brethren became followers of the Churches of God 1 Cor. 11.16 We have no such custome neither the Churches of God The Assumption appears because the Apostle calls it a Doctrine Heb. 6.2 The Doctrine of Baptism and laying on of hands Now the first Church continued in the Apostles Doctrine Acts 2.42 of which Doctrine this was part Object But the first Church was scattered and though there was a Church among the Hebrews Heb. 13.7 17 24. Salute them that have the rule over you and all the Saints yet was not this Church the same for Acts 8.1 There was a great Persecution against the Church at Jerusalem and they were all scattered through the Regions of Judea and Samaria except the Apostles Answ All is oft in Scripture taken for a great part and so I take it here No doubt some could not fly besides they were scattered onely a little way that is into their own Countrey of Judea and Samaria and could easily return when times proved peaceable which by Pauls conversion shortly fell out for then had the Churches rest Acts 9.31 and were edified and multiplied Besides the Apostles were never scattered from Jerusalem who alone might make a Church had there been none else as Tertullian observes in his Book of Chastity Ubi tres ibi Ecclesia est licet Laici where there are three there is a Church though Laicks or People therefore this Church in the Hebrews who were under laying on of hands and that in the Acts is the same 6 If laying on of hands were not an Ordinance of God and of divine Institution then the Apostles in Administration thereof had practised will-worship nay which is more had left a Rule of will-worship unto us Heb. 6.1 But it 's absurd to think the Apostles would do either of these therefore laying on of hands on baptized persons is an Apostolical Institution Object But many of the Saints have received the Spirit without it as the Antiochians Acts 11. Answ So have they without Baptism and the Supper yet it 's no ground to live without any of them when we know them to be practised besides they are Chanels to convey more of the Spirit unto us I mean laying on of hands as well as Baptism 7 It appears by the testimony of ancient and modern Writers 1 Ancient Tertul. lib. de Resur cap. 8. The flesh is washt that the soul may be cleansed the flesh is overshadowed with laying on of hands that the soul may be enlightened with the Spirit Pamelius cites the Canon of Pope Urban viz. All believers ought to receive the Spirit after Baptism by the laying on of the hands of the Bishops that they may be found fully Christians And then he adds a Constitution of Clement which was most ancient viz. We must all make haste to be born again to God and at length to be signed by the Bishop that is to receive the sevenfold grace of the holy Spirit because else a person cannot be a perfect Christian if he remain so that is without laying on of hands not through necessity but through carelesness or wilfulness Also in his Notes on the same Book Num. 44. Similiter loquuntur c. In like manner so many as write of Baptism speak calling Imposition of Hands the perfection of Baptism Tertul. de Bapt. ad Quintillam cap. 8. saith It 's the fleshly or outward act of Baptism that we are dipt in Water the spiritual effect that we are freed from our sins then follows Laying on of Hands the Dispenser calling and inviting the Spirit of God by Prayer And in the same Book he saith To our Flesh rising out of the Water after our old offences the Dove of the holy Spirit comes flying bringing the peace of God sent from Heaven where the Church is the figured Ark. Cyprian in his Epistle to Jubaianus speaking of the Samaritans who had obtained a right Baptism he saith that it was not meet they should be baptized any further but onely that which was wanting was performed of Peter and John that Prayer being made for them and Hands being laid upon them the Spirit of God might be called upon and poured in upon them he adds which also is done with us that they who are baptized in the Church must be offered to them who are set over the Church and by our Prayer and Laying on of Hands they obtain the Holy Ghost Cyprian in his Epistle to Stephen Epist 72. speaking of those who came from Heresie to the true Church saith Because it is of no purpose to lay hands on them to receive the holy Spirit unless they receive the Baptism of the Church Hieron adversus Lucifer If thou askest why one baptized in the Church receives not the Spirit but by the hands of the Bishop which we affirm to be given in
EXPOSITIONS AND SERMONS UPON The Ten first Chapters of the Gospel of JESUS CHRIST according to MATTHEW Written by CHRISTOPHER BLACKWOOD Preacher to a Church of Christ in the City of Dublin in IRELAND Necesse est nobis Scripturas sanctas in testimonium vocari sensus quippe nostri enarrationes sine his testibus fidem nullam habent Orig. homil 1. in Jerem. It 's needfull the holy Scriptures should be called into witness because our meanings and Expositions without these witnesses have no belief Quaemadmodum si quis herbas aridas nec odorem nec colorem gratum habentes in medici officina dispositas repererit c. As if a man shall finde in a Phisician or Apothecaries shop dry herbs having neither smell nor colour though they may seem to have a base shew yet he will suspect there is some virtue and remedy in them so in the Apothecary shop of the Scriptures if any thing meet which at first sight seems to be contemned yet we may surely set down that there is some spiritual profit in it because Christ the Phisician of souls is to be supposed to have put nothing idle or unprofitable in this his shop meaning of the Scriptures Orig. hom 8. in Levit. LONDON Printed by HENRY HILLS for FRANCIS TYTON and JOHN FIELD and are to be sold at the Three Daggers and at the Seven Stars in Fleetstreet 1659. To the Right Honourable Lord CHARLES FLEETWOOD late Lord Deputy of Ireland and now Lieutenant-General of the forces in England MY LORD TO testifie that due acknowledgement of Your Lordships favors whereto I am obliged I have hereto prefixt Your Lordships name Among all studies none are to be preferr'd before the study of the Scriptures LUTHER when one Chapter was opened to him said Me thinks I see heaven opened Here are several Chapters opened wherein if God shall open himself to Your Lordships heart heaven shall undoubtedly be opened unto you Let not Your Lordship herein expect the flourishing garnish of humane Eloquence nor the glorious varnish of Rhetorical expressions but naked truth or at least the same drest up in an homely garb Truth is more potent them Eloquence the spirit better then wit Faith greater then Learning and the foolishness of God stronger then men All knowledge save that of the Scriptures is but perishing food yea the very knowledge of the Scriptures is no better unless as the understanding be affected with the truth of them the will be affected with the goodness therein presented In vain is all knowledge if it be not improved to the benefit of our own souls If our knowledge consist onely in methodical discoursing of God we shall glorifie him onely as the Painter doth the party whose picture he hath exactly taken With all the truths of God our hearts should have such correspondence as between the Character and Letter instamp'd My Lord if now and then you shall redeem an hour from Court-affairs to Closet-contemplation to peruse this ensuing Treatise I hope through the blessing of God your labor will not be in vain I have no more at present save to exhort you to take opportunities of doing much for God who hath done so much for you that so your faith and fruits of righteousness may abound in the day of account which with my prayers to the Lord for Your Lordship Your Lady and Posterity is the hearty request of MY LORD Your Lordships in all duty to serve and observe you CHR. BLACKWOOD TO THE READER BEing desired by some of my friends to Print some Annotations upon the New Testament though my life was too far spent and I not like to accomplish it my Body being much worn yet I thought it adviseable to make an Essay herein but the Providence of God so disposed that I had no sooner finished 3. or 4. Chapters in Matthew but I was called from the City of Kilkennie in Ireland to be Overseer of a Church of Christ in Dublin to whom preaching I was necessitated in order to their edification to handle some Points largelier then the nature of an Exposition calls for but yet I suppose not with less profit to ordinary Readers I have not according to the itch of the times affected new fangled interpretations but judging it unsafe to move the bounds of the faith I have troden in the steps of the best ancient and modern Divines that Providence led me to adding changing rectifying inventing and proposing what I thought needfull Thou mayest perhaps in some points meet with a judgement differing from thine in some one thing yet let not that cause thee either to reject or not promote the truths in this ensuing Treatise wherein we agree in most things If the Lord may have glory and thy soul Edification and Comfort and any Comfort may redound to me in the day of my account which speedyly draws on I trust I shall have my end With much carefulness I have endeavoured to avoid the misleading of Gods people I cannot promise thee all in this Treatise is truth yet notwithstanding all fear of losing friends and procuring enemies I have pressed after truth through multitudes of impediments temptations and discouragements That the answer of those prayers which have been poured out for a good success upon these weak endeavours may redound to the rejoycing of both our souls in the day of the Lord is the earnest request of Thy well wishing friend for the Lords sake C. B. The Authours Introduction to the ensuing Treatise TO the better understanding of this Gospel which through the assistance of the good Spirit of the Lord I now undertake there must be certain things first to be considered whereunto I shall propose these ensuing I. That by the Gospel or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is meant The glad Tidings of Salvation of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that signifies Well and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 To tell though sometimes the word Gospel is taken for the Reward of good Tidings as Cicero to Atticus saith O thy sweet Epistles to which I confess Evangelia that is the Reward of good Tidings is due This word Gospel is taken 1. Generally for the whole Scripture which declares this Message for there were many sprinklings of the Gospel in the Old Testament Gen. 3.15 Deut. 18.18 2. Or particularly 1. for the promise of forgiveness of sins to them that believe and repent Luke 24.47 Acts 10.42 2. For the publication of this Gospel so Paul Rom. 16 25. was separate to the Gospel of God that is to the preaching of it See also Gal. 1.15 16. 2 Tim. 2.8 Christ was raised from the dead according to my Gospel that is the preaching of my Gospel Rom. 2.16 God shall judg all secrets according to my Gospel that is according to my preaching II. In that it 's said according to Matthew we may note that the prime Authour of this Gospel was not Matthew but the Spirit of God Matthew onely penn'd what the Spirit dictated III. This
service committed to the meanest servants such a phrase in English I am not worthy to carry his Books after him Some take it as the custome of the Hebrews who going into some more holy place were wont to put off their Shoes Exod. 3.5 Josh 5.15 Put off thy Shoes for the place where thou standest is holy ground and those who were more rich or noble had some Body to carry their Shoes Other Evangelists have the Latchet of whose Shoes I am not worthy to unloose in which speech they allude unto the manner of their being shod In hot Countreys their Shoes had onely Soles below and tyed above and therefore they were to be loosed before they could be pulled off the Greeks call them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And we when we come home or go to bed call to the meanest Boy to pull off our Shoes Hence Psalm 108.10 Over Edom will I cast out my Shoe that is I will imploy the Edomites in the basest service as to take away my Shoes when they are put off John hereby acknowledges Christ to be his Lord and himself his meanest Servant He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with Fire Some think John Baptist hath respect to that Acts 2.1 visible pouring out of the Spirit in the shape of fiery Tongues at Pentecost though this be a truth as appears Acts 1.5 John truly baptized with Water but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence Yet may we understand it of the power of the Spirit or of inward Baptism whereby the Spirit in the Hearts of Believers burns up their Lusts not onely enlightening of them but inlivening and kindling in them holy affections As the Spirit is called Water from the purging away of our filth Titus 3.5 so is it called Fire because by a spirit of burning he burns up our dross Isai 4.4 The Lord shall purge away the Bloud of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of burning In a word Gospel Preachers may baptize you with Water but the Spirit renews us inwardly by the Spirit Now that the Ethiopians baptize with Fire they add to the Institutions of Christ and to the Scriptures which shadows out unto us and presents to our memories the benefit of the Spirit by variety of expressions The Abissines brand the baptized persons with Fire Beza in loc This practice gave occasion to some bolder Library keepers in some Copies to blot out the word Fire The Spirit is well resembled by Fire because it hath the properties of Fire as to purge to drive away darkness to shine to kindle to snatch upwards to strengthen Ephes 3.16 to change into it self 2 Cor. 3.18 Believers are by the Spirit changed into the same glorious image Mark 1.8 It 's said he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost Fire is left out here for explanation sake it is added by the Figure Hendiadys The sum is Christ alone bestows whatsoever outward Baptism figures or signifies Now Fire in this place seems to be opposed to Water I baptize you with Water saith John Christ baptizes with Fire to signifie unto us that some fiery and spiritual power towards our purging and cleansing is represented to us by the Water of Baptism Besides this purging Fire bestowed on the Elect is opposed to that everlasting burning Fire which in the former Verse is threatned to fruitless Trees V. 12. Whose Fan is in his hand and he will thorowly purge his Floor and gather his Wheat into the Garner but will burn up the Chaff with unquenchable Fire John had set forth the power of Christ about Baptism now to awaken his Hearers the more some of whom were in a deep sleep he extends it further to the last Judgment which he shews by similitude of an Husbandman who when the Harvest is come gathers the Corn with the Chaff into the Floor and by and by thresheth it and separates the Chaff from the Wheat Whose Fan is in his â—aâ—d That is the Preaching of the Gospel before the Lâ—rd â—owse us up thereby we are as it were folded up in an heap of confusion untill which come the whole World is like a great heap of Chaff Or rather by Fan understand his judging power He will thorowly purge his Floor That is his Church gathering out of the Field of the World his Corn he brings it into his Bâ—rn as the Husbandman doth and when by an outward Call in the Ministry of the Word he hath brought them in because there are and will be many Hypocrites in his Churches hence he will thorowly purge his Floor as the Husbandman doth of the Chaff that is of wicked men who are compared to Chaff Psalm 1.4 Job 21.19 But this will be at the Day of Judgment which should be as a comfort to Saints and terrour to awaken carnal men so that the Floor signifies not the Place but the Corn upon it by a Metonymie Wheat into the Garner That is Saints into Heaven where the Sheep are at the Judges right hand from thence they go to Heaven Matth. 25. ult When the Fan hath once severed them that is his power and wisdom whereby he is able to sever Sheep and Goats whereby he is able to judg persons for every thing done in the Bâ—dy whether thoughts words or deeds This Fan is said to be in his hand it shews the â—ear approach of the Judgment James 5.9 The Judg slandeth before the Door For if thâ—â—e were some hundreds of years to the last Judgment yet compared with Eternity they are as nothing Burn up the Chaff with unquenchable Fire Not that it cannot be quenched but that it doth not quench in burning wicked men it never turns their Bodies to Ashes Neither is this impossible for the Sun it self which many suppose to be Fire is always burning and never quenched we reade of the Bush burning and not consumed Exod. 3. This Fire is still kindled by the breath of the Lord Exod. 30.33 This is five times together mentioned Mark 9.43 44 45 46 47 48. that we might the more fear it So that we see the wofull condition of the Chaff they are not onely severed from the Wheat but after the manner of the Nation of Palestine they are burnt in the Fire V. 13. Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John to be baptized of him We have here in this second part of the Chapter the Baptism of Christ set down wherein we have 1 The end of Christ's coming from Galilee to Jordan which was to be baptized of John 2 We have John's Prohibition of him together with his Reasons I have need to be baptized of thee and comest thou to me 3 Christ's Answer to John shewing why he would be baptized which was for the fulfilling of all Righteousness v. 15. 4 Christ's Reception of Baptism amplified 1 From the Adjunct He ascended out of the Water being baptized being then thirty years old Luke 3.23 2 From the signs that
accompanied his Baptism which were three 1 The opening or cleaving of the Heavens so that something might be beheld above the Stars and Planets 2 The Spirit of God descending like a Dove and lighting upon him v. 16. 3 A Voice from Heaven testifying that Christ was the welbeloved Son of the Father in whom he was well pleased V. 13. Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan to John to be baptized of him To be baptized Quest Why doth Christ come to be baptized seeing he had no sin and John's Baptism was a Baptism of Remission of sins Answ 1 For the fulfilling of all Righteousness that is all the righteous promises of God Matth. 3.15 2 To allow of John's Baptism as instituted by God which was cavilled at by many 3 That in Baptism Christ might have the testimony of the Holy Ghost in the shape of a Dove that he was the Son of God and therefore to be believed on 4 Because Christ took our sins upon him and therefore as a guilty person and a penitent he offers himself to John's Baptism that being baptized by him he might as it were wash away our sins in himself he did as it were bury the old Adam under Water in his Burying and rising up from under the Water he did as it were lift up the World of Believers that were drowned 5 That for as much as baptized ones were the Subjects of his Kingdom that he might be like his Brethren in all things hence he took up Baptism to be imbodied with his People that he and they might be one Body 6 To bring in credit such a hazardous and contemptible Ordinance 7 That as God had instituted Circumcision the sign of the old Church so Christ would ordain Baptism as the sign of the new Church and that not onely by word but also by deed 8 That the Baptist might then declare unto the Multitude that this baptized person was the Messias so long hoped for John 1.29 30 31 32 33 34. Then When the Baptist had been a while preaching and baptizing and preparing the People for Christ and had told them that the Messias was speedily to be manifested to them and the people were on fire to have him manifested and as the people were in expectation and all men mused in their hearts whether John were the Christ then comes Jesus to Jordan where not onely signs from Heaven manifested him to be the Messias but John also openly declared him partly because the people were apt to think John the Messias to clear himself thereof and partly to make the Messias known being it was fully revealed to him John 1.33 The people being therefore instant that he would shew the Messias whom he preacht to come after him John answers that he had not seen him by face but onely had received this answer from God That he should in his Baptism be manifested to Israel and in this manner that the Holy Ghost in the bodily shape of a Dove should descend upon him See John 1.29 to v. 35. From Galilee The 2 thing is the circumstance of place Christ comes from Nazareth in Galilee least any should think the business was carried politickly betwixt John and Christ therefore providence orders it that till the 30th year of their age they live and are brought up in diverse places that John could say I knew him not Joh. 1.32 and when John began his ministry about Jordan Jesus did not adjoyn himself to him but abode in Galilee that John might know and preach this that the Messias was come into the world but was not yet made manifest and that he knew him not by face but that he should be manifested in his Baptism Moreover Christ when he comes to John doth not talk familiarly with him before he desires Baptism but then when he desired baptism he came out of Nazareth of Galilee Neither was Christ baptised in secret but when all the multitude were baptized Christ was Baptized Now it appears when Jesus was Baptized all the multitude was baptized Luke 3.21 It was the providence of God that a great concourse of people should be Baptized when Jesus was Baptized that so besides Johns testimony they might see the visible signs confirming him to be the Messias all which did so clearly confirm it that this was called his manifestation unto Israel Joh. 1 3â— In Jordan Christs Baptism is set down from the place viz Jordan It was that River through which the people were brought into the Land of Promise Not as if Baptism were confined to a River but that it may be adminstred in a Pond or Lake or Sea or Brook or in any other water wherein there may be burying V. 14 But John forbad him saying I have need to be Baptized of thee and comest thou to me But John forbad him saying I have need to be Baptized of thee as if he should say if one of us must be Baptized I have more need to be Baptized of thee as the most worthy person then thou of me Quest But how doth this agree with that Joh. 1.31 33. I knew him not but he that sent me said unto me upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending like a Dove and remaining on him the same is he that baptizeth with the holy Ghost Ans That phrase of I knew him not must be limited to that circumstance of time before his coming out of Galilee when it was that the spirit revealed Christ to John I have need to be Baptized of thee as if he should say I le give reason of my refusal 1 My Baptism is a Baptism of Remission of sins but thou hast no sin therefore thou hast no need of Repentance nor no need of Baptism and I am afraid of prophaning Baptism if I should dispense it otherwise then it is appointed 2 Thou art not onely without sin but thou takest away the sin of others and into the Faith of thee others are Baptized for Remission of sins 3 It 's thy spirit onely that applies the Grace given in Baptism and I of my self cannot deserve it and therefore I have need to be Baptized of thee with the spirit and thou hâ—st no need to be Baptized of me with water Obs Holy Persons are sensible of their own corruption yea the more holy the more sensible 2 Obs The holiest Persons have need to be Baptized of Christ that is to be washed from their sins with the bloud and Spirit of Christ Joh. 3.5 3 Obs Though water Baptism must be but once yet the Baptism of the Spirit ought to be repeated again and again 2 Cor. 4.16 V. 15. And Jesus answering said unto him Suffer it to be so now for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness then he suffered him Suffer it to be so now We have here Christs Reply acknowledging Johns arguments to be true in respect of his person but in respect of his office it being a state of emptying and abasement and humiliation therefore I
with a Convent or Meeting it is every Assembly of men that meet together whether for judgment or for counsel or for holy things After the word Convent or Meeting or Synagogue for they are all one came to be transferr'd and brought to those places where these Meetings were Luke 7.5 He hath loved our Nation and built us a Synagogue as the word Church in continuance of time came to be transferr'd to the place where the Church met The Christian Assembly is called by the name of Synagogue in the Greek James 2.2 For the distinction betwixt Teaching and Preaching both which Christ uses 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Teaching may have respect to the opening prophetical Scriptures for the same Greek word is used by Luke when Christ opened the Prophesie of the sixty first of Esay Luke 4.15 16 17. Preaching is the gathering Doctrines and Observations from the Word with an application of them by reprehension Exhortation Instruction and Consolation Now Christ preached thus in the Synagogues partly to take advantage of a Concourse of People and partly that his Doctrine might come to the test being not preached in a corner but before judicious Hearers John 18.20 Jesus said I spake openly to the World I ever taught in the Synagogue and in the Temple whither the Jews always resort and in secret have I said nothing There was of these Synagogues almost in every great City as at Antioch Acts 15.22 at Corinth Acts 18.8 c. which Jews that traded about Merchandise and out of a zeal to gain Proselytes set up whom Heathens did not hinder there to profess their faith nor Christ disdain to go into them though some of them had been defiled by the Samaritan mixtures whose Religion was jumbled with superstitions 1 Kings 17.33 Learn we from Christ's example to seek for lost souls Ezek. 34.4 Healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people By sickness called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he means an habituated rooted disease by weakness he means want of strength weariness languishing which are the predictions of a disease This distinction is 1 Cor. 11.30 Many are weak and sick among you now Christ healed all weaknesses and sicknesses 1 To gain authority to his Doctrine not heard of before in the World 2 To fulfill Prophesies as Isai 35.5 3 That being healed in their Bodies they might seek to him for their Souls 4 To prove himself to be the Christ Matth. 11.2 when John's Disciples ask Art thou he that should come or shall we look for another Christ answers Go tell John what you see the blinde receive their sight the lame walk the Lepers are cleansed Christ could have done other Miracles as Moses did Exod. 4.4.6.9 but he chuses such Miracles as were usefull and beneficial to men the more to affect them he heals their diseases and weaknesses and this not by Plaisters and Medicines after the manner of Physicians but by the Word of his Power and all this to strengthen our weak faith V. 24. And his fame went through all Syria and they brought unto him all sick People that were taken with divers Diseases and torments and those which were possessed with Devils and those which were lunatick and that had the Palsey and he healed them We have the effects that followed his Preaching and Miracles 1 His fame went through all Syria that is the fame of his Miracles and Doctrine God makes glory and praise to accompany worthy and renowned actions as the shadow accompanies the body let us not then pursue our own glory Through all Syria Syria lies upon the Mediterranean on the West on the East bounded by Euphrates on the North bounded by Cilicia and Armenia on the South by the Desarts of Arabia and Egypt And they brought unto him all sick People That they might see his power extended to all sorts of Diseases he heals all the sick in particular he heals 1 Torments that is racking Diseases that so torment the sick as if they were upon the Rack as Malefactors are to confess their wickedness and their Confederates 2 Possessed with Devils in whom the Devil had such a power to cause them to mischieve themselves and others 3 Lunatick these were such as the Moon had an influence upon especially at the full at which time they dote or are mad The Moon hath an influence over them that have a moist and weak Brain in the new Moon and full Moon it increases and mingles the Humours to wit Phlegm and Melancholy and troubles the Brain so that some are carried to dotage others to madness others to the falling sickness and with these evils the Devil sometimes gets in and by stirring up the Humours of black and yellow choler sorely afflicts the sick so that sometimes he drives them to despair sometimes to murder themselves 4 Palseys A Palsey is a Convulsion of the Sinews that a man that hath it is not able to move And he healed them Without requiring faith of them for he had not yet shewn his power and many of them coming from far had little faith in him afterwards when he had shewen many Miracles among them he required faith of the sick 1 We may learn from these Multitudes from the necessities of our wants and weaknesses to seek after Christ 2 How great soever our Diseases be to be confident there is power enough in Christ to heal us V. 25. And there followed him great Multitudes of People from Galilee and from Decapolis and from Jerusalem and from Judea and from beyond Jordan Here is the last effect of Christ's healing to wit Multitudes followed him When Christ will let forth his power he can make Multitudes follow him Some followed him for heavenly things some to be healed of their diseases some out of curiosity some out of envy to carp at him In these times some follow Christ because of profit some for honor some from examples some for their relations sake few out of sincere love as resolving to suffer with him but as soon as Christ and his Cross come together they leave him as the stony ground Matth. 13.21 The people of God are not multitudes but a people redeemed from tongues and people nations and languages Revel 5.9 If we follow Christ because multitudes follow him we shall as easily leave him when multitudes forsake him Usually multitudes are corrupt young and old compassed Lot's house Gen. 19.4 in the old world all flesh had corrupted their ways Gen. 6. Multitudes worshipped the golden Image Nebucadnezzâ—r had set up From Decapolis In English from ten Cities the name of these ten Cities according to Brocard and Adricomius are Tiberias Sephet Asar Cedes Caesarea Philippi Capernaum Bethsaida Chorazin Bethsan or Scytopolis and Jotapata where Josephus was Governour fighting against the Romans and Titus From Juâ—ea and from Hierusalem That is not onely from the City of Jerusalem but from the Countrey lying thereabouts And from beyond Jordan
sometimes have enlargement of words in Prayer but never of holy affections as the face of God was hid from Cain Gen. 4.14 so from all carnal men As Haman's great misery was that he was covered from beholding the Kings face Esther 7.8 so it is with these 2 The godly mourn under their straitnings Isai 63.17 Why hast thou hardened our hearts Psalm 13.1 How long wilt thou forget me O Lord how long wilt thou hide thy face from me but wicked men are not sensible of their straitnings because they never had any holy enlargements 3 The godly are wont to rejoyce in the removing of their straitnings as a man that was a close Prisoner is glad when he gets his liberty Psalm 6.8 Carnal men never have them removed therefore they can never rejoyce therein Use For application 1 Be exhorted to pray 2 To pray in a right manner Motives to Prayer 1 The readiness in God to hear our Prayers Psal 65.2 and his readiness to help our wants Psalm 50.15 Call upon me in the day of trouble and I will deliver thee 2 The manifold relations Christ stands related to us he is our Advocate 1 John 2.1 He is the great Favourite of Heaven if we had a Brother so near related in a Princes Court we should be emboldened to present our Petitions to that Prince why Christ is our Brother and he appears at the right hand of God for us 3 The former speedings that our selves and others have had with the Lord as Jehosaphat Hezekiah c. 4 Our own wants A Beggar 's necessity makes him full of expressions Psalm 28.1.143.7 Luke 15.17 18.18.13 5 Our hope of speeding Where a Beggar hopes to speed he begs earnestly but if the Beggar be perswaded that he shall get nothing this blunts his begging and makes him give over his sute so will it do with the soul when it prays without hope as we see in Judas Matth. 27.5 Judas had no heart to pray for mercy because he thought it impossible to get it There 's a twofold Despair 1 Of extremity as a Souldier when he sees nothing but kill or be kill'd this makes him fight eagerly so when the soul sees its extremity that it is in the deeps Psalm 130.1 Out of the deeps have I cried that it must either get grace or be damned for ever this makes a man pray eagerly 2 There 's a Despair of Infidelity when a man becomes heartless in Prayer and thinks it 's all to no purpose this takes away endeavours this is a secret soul-murderer These discouragements are hideous cases in Prayer and a man may perish and go to Hell that hath them yet they are signs that a man doth look towards God a little else he could not know what they mean Nourish then your hope in Prayer Psalm 42.11 Let thy mercy be upon us according as we hope in thee Psalm â—3 22 onely know that sometimes gracious hearts may in temptation cry their strength and hope is perished from the Lord and yet after finde grounds for their hope as we see the Church did Lam. 3.18 compared with v. 21. 6 Prayer sets God awork for us and God sets all the Creatures awork I will hear the Heavens and the Heavens shall hear the Earth and the Earth shall hear the Corn and Wine and they shall hear Jezreel Hosea 2.21 Many when in trouble set their Friends to work and their wealth to work but few set Prayer on work Hezekiah gave to the King of Assyria three hundred Talents of Silver and thirty Talents of Gold to depart from the City of Jerusalem 2 Kings 18.14 yet did it not help him for in a short time he came and besieged it again but when he sought to God by Prayer God did utterly remove him 7 In the Ordinance of Prayer God is wont to meet his people both to the turning away of judgements and to the obtaining mercies To the turning away judgements Psal 106.23 Had not Moses stood in the breach to turn away his wrath he had destroyed Israel compared with Exod. 32.10 11. Ezek. 22.30 in Ezekiels time God sought for a man to stand in the gap and to make up the breach but found none therefore Gods wrath was powred on them So to the bestowing of mercies Jer. 33.3 Call unto me and I will answer thee and shew thee great and mighty things Philimoâ— 22. I trust through your prayers I shall be given to you Matth. 7.7 8. Psal 4.4 I sought the Lord and he heard me and delivered me from all my fears also v. 6. in prayer God gives the spirit Luk. 11.13 8 In prayer we have intercourse and communion with God If it be a priviledge to have communion with Princes what is it then to have communion with God Psal 73.28 9 The desperate cases wherein persons have been heard the Jews delivered from Hamans cruelty Peter brought out of prison Acts 12.5 Daniel brought out of the Lions den Jonah out of the Whales belly David when the pestilence raged very hot 2 Sam. 24.10 Jehosaphat when in great straits 2 Chron. 20.12 compared with v. 15 17. 10 The delight God takes in his peoples prayers Prov. 15.8 The prayer of the upright is his delight As Princes have their delights so God Song 2.14 he loves the voice of his own spirit in the hearts of Saints 11 We are worthy to miss good things if we will not ask them Spare to speak spare to speed When God bids us ask and have how unworthy are we if we will not ask 12 The dangers we expose our selvs to when we do not ask Such prayerless persons are fit objects for the vengeance of God Jer. 10.25 Powr out thy wrath upon the Nations that have not called upon thy Name Ezek. 23.30 There died 14000. of the Plague Numb 16 49. but had not Moses and Aaron stood betwixt the dead and living to intercede the whole Congregation had been consumed in a moment v. 45 46 47 48 49. 13 In the exercise of prayer our graces are exercised to send out a sweet smell in the nostrils of God our faith in eying Christ our love and desires in breathing after him our repentance in bewailing sin our thankfulness in acknowledging benefits our expectation in waiting for answers As sweet perfumes when rubb'd send out a fragrant smell then the spirit blowes upon the soul that the spices thereof may flow out Song 4.11 to the end especially v. 16. these graces are compared to the smell of sweet flowers in a garden and to the smell of perfumed garments and to the smell of oyl of Spikâ—nard Calamus Cynamon Frankincense trees Myrrhe and Aloes and all chief spices 14 Prayer is the way to be enabled to all other duties and to become successful in them Eleazar having first prayed prospered in getting a wife for his masters son 15 Prayer is the abridgement of divinity therefore to call fervently on the name of the Lord is to be a godly
fine houses pleasant gardens and costly apparrel hath the late cloud of war overshadowed Esa 23.9 The Lord hath stained the pride of all glory and brought into contempt all the honourable of the earth But could Satan give the glory he pretends yet should you have it upon exceeding hard terms He said to Christ Fall down and worship me and all shall be thine 4 As the Lines meet in the centre and the beams of the Sun in a burning-glass so let your scattered affections meet in God Solomon having let his affections go out to pleasures mirth wine buildings vineyards gardens pools of water possessions of cattel treasures of gold and silver musick c. Eccles 2.1 2 3 4 5 6 7. came to see the vanity and to centre himself in the fear of God and keeping his commandments Eccles 12.1 5 Consider the things of the world which are sutable to others God can make them disproportionable to thee Ahab had a Kingdom but could take no comfort in it but was sick for one poor Vineyard Haman had wealth honour and the favour of the Prince in abundance yet the want of a cringe from Mordecai a small matter one would think made all bitter If inferiour causes can bring forth contrary effects as the Sun can soften Wax and harden Clay cannot the highest cause much more produce it Many have vast Estates but an unequal yoke-fellow or the reproach of some sin they have committed or a guilty conscience takes away the comforts of them 6 Consider it 's a Christians duty always to have a disposition to leave all for Christ Luke 14.26 Now how can we perform this duty if our hearts be set upon the World Thou sayest thou canst not leave thy stately dwelling and accommodations thou dost in effect say I cannot be a Christian Paul saith Gal. 6.14 God forbid that I should rejoyce save in the Cross of Christ 7 Be convinced of the vanity in all earthly things Practise often follows conviction there 's a mask upon riches pleasures honours which is false opinion which must be pulled off How was Achan cozened with a Wedg of Gold and Gehezi with two Talents of Silver The Labours of worldly men are not unfitly by some resembled to the sports of children their buildings to the houses children make of cards and trenchers their gathering wealth to the others gathering sticks their immoderate sorrow in the loss of them to the cry of children when their houses are cast down Whether it be a thing more to be laughed at or pitied I shall not determine to see man that hath an eternal soul and eternal objects to look at upon the terms of highest necessity his eternal weal or wo to spend the strength of his spirit upon earthly vanities We count them mad men who leaving serious things are disposed to play with pins and straws such are worldly men The Prophet said He saw an end of all perfections Psalm 119.96 May we not say the same we have seen an end of all perfection of beauty save of Gods image Holiness of all perfection of pedegree save spiritual adoption of all perfection of wealth save of riches laid up in Heaven of all perfection of buildings save of that City whose Builder and Maker is God of all perfections of joy save the joy of a good conscience which is a continual feast 8 Beware of being deluded by worldly pretences as 1 the hardness of the times in hard times let us be less worldly then should we open our hands freely 2 The greatness of their charge true we are to provide for our charge else we are worse then Infidels but thou provides for thy self being loath to part with any thing till death put thy children in possession whether thou wilt or not nay if God take half their charge away they are not more lib eral 3 The great necessities of the Church a faire pretence if true but consider what hast thou done for the Church do not thy proportions come short not onely of others but also of thy own ability we read of some who parted with all for the Church but they were not men of this temper Acts 4.34 35. 9 Be much in prayer that God would cure thy worldly frame of heart say Lord I can savour nothing but oxen and farms If any man speak a word of any heavenly discourse it 's unsavory I have a heart just like the Inn at Bethlehem room enough for others none for thee Be large in thy confessions say Lord this is a sin that makes me sometimes neglect duties of religion and commonly chop them off that makes me so many times in a week go to bed prayerless and abroad in the morning prayerless This sin hath oft exposed me to lying over-reaching for which I doubt I have not made full restitution my own interest hath made me seek the ruine of the whole this hath made me take a bribe in my office to sell justice in my magistracy cheat in my weights and measures flatter in my ministry sell things unlawful to be sold as the Christians in Tertulian's time sold images to the heathens As a Land-lord I have rackt my Tenants grinding their faces because I knew they must have my farms as a labourer I have extorted because I knew they could not get another As a servant I have cozened my Master now and then of a penny as a Master I have griped my Workmen making them take so much in commodity at a racking price because I knew thy were tied to my Work these confessions when they are feeling and not historical will much take off the heart from the World 10 Set your affections in Heaven when a man is upon an high Pinacle things below seem very small so get your spirits up on high and the things below will seem small The Christians in Justin Martyr's time in his Epistle to Diognetus inhabited their own countreys as strangers they had all things common with others as Citizens but suffered all things as strangers every strange countrey is their countrey and every countrey is strange to them they live in the earth but have their conversation in heaven That which is the soul in the body that are Christians in the World the soul is dispersed through all the members of the body and Christians are dispersed through the Cities of the World the soul dwells in the body but is not of the body so Christians dwell in the World but are not of the World Then are our affections in Heaven when the soul is longing after the presence of God the soul is not so much there where it lives as where it loves The soul looking upon better things than the World can easily bid adieu unto the World It was a Christian speech of a certain Bishop mentioned by Augustine that when the Gothes had taken the City and spoil he said I am not sorry for my Gold and Silver thou knowest where my treasure is 11 Believe the
seducement by a false Prophet may prove as dangerous as a scandalous practice hence false Prophets are said to bring in damnable Heresies 2 Pet. 2.2 Use 1 Try the Spirits that is the doctrines because many false Prophets are gone out 1 Joh. 4.1 False Prophets take advantage of seducing by the lightness of mens mindes As all should try them so especially governours Princes and great persons for whom such lye in wait Act. 13.6 2 Take heed of such deluders for this purpose 1 Get a love to truth for want whereof many are given up to delusions to believe lyes 2 Thess 2.10 11. 2 Take heed of lightness of mind many are taken with every new fangled whimsie as the Galatians were soon removed so are they Gal. 1.6 3 Take heed of their fair tongues Rom. 16.18 With good words and fair speeches they deceive the hearts of the simple they promise liberty but allure to wantonness 2 Pet. 2.18 19. 4 Converse not with such false Prophets 2 Epistle of John ver 10. 5 Consider the danger of their doctrines They come in sheeps cloathing Here 's the danger of them they come in sheeps cloathing but inwardly are wolves Lether or sheep-skins was the habit of true Prophets Heb. 11.37 Under this kind of habit we are to understand all outward show of innocency testified by countenance words or Apparel The Prophets wore sometimes hairy garments as the Baptist Matth. 3.4 And the false Prophets wore these to deceive Zach. 13.4 As a flock of sheep is in danger when there is among them a Wolf covered with a sheep-skin so is Gods flock in danger by these false Prophets Quest But what is this sheeps clothing Answ Extraordinary appearance of Zeal Pretended inspirations of the spirit seeming sanctity without the power of godliness plainness of Apparel pretended self-denial mortification and humility even to the neglecting of the body and sometimes even of relations pretended harmlesness Allegations of Scripture in a flourishing way but not in truth pretence of being called by men so did the Scribes and Pharisees of their being called A readiness to endure prisons banishment c. for the tenents they hold Laborious painfulness in going from one Land to another to gain Proselytes Matth. 23.15 Denunciatory damnations against those who will not believe their dreams Inwardly they are ravening Wolfes They are like Wolfes 1 For greediness Esa 56.11 they are strong of appetite as the word is varied in the Margin they can never have enough they look all to their own way every one to his gain 2 For subtilty The Wolf is very subtile the Evening Wolf though it eat some of the flesh when it takes the prey yet hides the rest he gnawes not the bones till the morrow see Zeph. 3.3 so false Prophets are very subtile deceitfull workers transforming themselves into the Apostles of Christ Eph. 4.14 3 For mischief One Wolf will mischieve a great many Sheep so these 4 For watchfulness The Wolf watcheth if the Shepherd be gone to catch the Sheep Joh. 10.12 so do false Prophets they watch to catch the Sheep and Lambs of Christ in the absence of the Shepherd 5 Wolves do not enter in by the door but climb over some other way getting over pales or hedges So do false Prophets they do not come in at Christs door which is the lawfull call of a Church but some other way as pretence of presentation institution induction commendums dispensations c. John 10.1 6 For fierceness and cruelty they presently tear out the very entrails of a creature Hab. 1.8 The Chaldeans are said to be more fierce then the Evening Wolves so these Acts 20.29 Grievous Wolves shall enter in among you not sparing the flock False Prophets are cruel to the souls of men yea and to their bodies too Zedekiah the false Prophet struck Michaiah 〈◊〉 Kings 22.24 25 26. Pashur put Jeremy in the stocks and smote him Jer. 20.2 3. Ananias commanded Paul to be stricken Acts 23.2 Use 1 Caution against the feigned pretences of false Prophets Learn to be wise as Serpents against them Matth. 10.16 If they be Wolves and Serpents to circumvent you be ye Serpents to prevent them 2 Learn to hear and obey the Lords faithfull Prophets Joh. 10.4 5. Heb. 13.7 17. V. 16. By their fruits you shall know them Christ gives a note whereby to try false Prophets viz. By their fruits that is by their fruits of iniquity Obj. But you said before they had a seeming sanctity Answ True but feigned things soon return to their nature no man can long carry a counterfeit person Q. But what are their fruits Answ They are many 1 Usually they flye sufferings especially where praise doth not accompany it 2 They allure unto themselves men that live in sin especially the richer sort and promise them peace how bad soever Even such as have been cast out of Churches without requiring any thing of their repentance 3 They move questions not any way tending to godliness but either curious or captious questions they dote about questions and strife of words being full of perverse disputings 1 Tim 6 4 5. full of revilings against the faithfull servants of Christ and those which are the most eminent instruments of his Church 4 Also they go to preach without any call either of a true gift or of a true Church or Pastour Acts 13.2 3 4. Also Acts 14.23 True Prophets have usually had a call by those who have had a greater measure of the spirit to judge then the person called Onely men that are likely to be usefull this way may be tried The Lord complains that the Prophets prophesied without his sending Jer. 14.14 15. Jer. 23.21 22. I have not sent these Prophets yet they ran I have not spoken to them yet they prophesied 5 Also they think to make people forget the name of God by their pretended inspirations Jer. 23.27 They think to cause my people to forget my name by their dreams which they tell every man to his neighbour as their fathers have forgotten my name for Baal 6 Also they are full of confident blasphemous boldness to say God saith when God saith not Jer. 23.31 I am against the Prophets that smooth their tongues and say he saith The word of the Lord to this Judge this Teacher See Ezek 13.6 7 Also a bold pretending to know and search hearts which is onely proper to God 1 Kings 8.39 Thou even thou onely knowest the hearts of the children of men they will tell a man they never saw before that he is an hypocrite and wicked 8 Also sadding the hearts of the righteous and gladding the hearts of the wicked Ezek. 13.22 23. 9 Also to build up and comfort souls with a false peace Ezek. 13 10 11. one cried peace when there was no peace One false Prophet by his flattery built a wall of carnall confidence and another daub'd it with untempered morter This is called a sowing of Pillows v. 18. telling persons on
him sins not that is lives not in a purpose of sin Prov. 19.16 He that despises his way shall dye 1 Tim. 5.6 Shee that lives in pleasure is dead Luk. 15. ult 2 Want of feeling A man may be alive and want all other sences as seeing hearing smelling tasting but if once he loose his feeling he is dead so when a man shall be past feeling of sin Eph. 4.19 or past feeling of the miseries of a Christian he is a dead man 1 Cor. 12.26 3 Separation from the living As when persons shall voluntarily separate themselves from Churches Jude 19. These be they who separate themselves sensual having not the spirit or when Churches shall separate men whom they judge to live in sin from their Communion 4 Stiffness and wilfulness in sin Jer. 44.16 The Word which thou hast commanded in the name of the Lord we will not do Joh. 8.44 The works of your father the devil ye will do as dead bodies are unbendable so are dead hearts Luk. 19.27 We will not have this man reign over us 5 Dead men move not so when thou hast not spiritual motion towards spiritual duties in the compass of thy calling as to prayer to do good to poor Saints to promoting the glory of God to gain others to the faith by thy holy example art not thou dead They which live live not unto themselves Rom. 14.7 8. 6 When men are loathsome A dead body how adorned soever is loathsome yea though our nearest friend Abraham when Sarah was dead said Bury her out of my sight Gen. 23.4 so are all dead men to God Prov. 13.5 so are they to Gods people so far as they are renewed 7 When a soul is pluckt up by the roots Jude 12. Twice dead pluckt up by the roots not onely dead in the state of Gentilisme but of Christianity so that he is severed from the root Christ Joh. 15.5 and so can do nothing no more then a tree pluckt up by the roots nor can bring forth any fruit Many men are not onely pluckt up from the power of religion but also from the very profession 2 Tryal whether thou hast spiritual life in thee 1 Love to the means which maintain it 1 Pet. 2.2 As new borne babes desire the milk of the word As young ones by natural instinct run to the teats of their dams every life loves that which maintains it the natural life loves meat and drink and Apparel the sinful life loves that which maintains it so doth the spiritual life 2 Life is seen by breathing so if thou be spiritually alive thou wilt breathe after God Psal 42.1 2.28.1.63.1.143.7 3 By contending as we contend to the utmost for saving temporal life so for preservation of spiritual life the soul will contend to the utmost It will let lusts go friends go enjoyments and country go As the body endeavours to expel poyson or hurtful things by vomit so Saints sometimes shame themselves even by confessing not onely to God but to men some lust that holds in combat 4 Groaning under deadness and complaining against it Psal 119.25 37 50 93. This very sensibleness of deadness helps to prove life 5 Where life is there will be a conveyance of a life of sanctification whereby the soul will be quickned up to all the wayes of God Rom. 6.13 together with the life of justification which is nothing else but the obtaining of a pardon Rom. 5.18 a Prince may pardon a malefactor but he cannot put a principle of love and fidelity in him but Christ conveyes a principle of love Luk. 7.47 and holiness 6 It stayes upon a promise Psal 119.49 50. Joh. 6.37 Heb. 7.25 Yet grace growing sometimes unperceivably as in young converts who have been bred religiously See Mark 4.26 27. We must not be too strict to limit young converts in their professions to a right judging of the work of grace either to the time of their conversion to declare that or to the promise that sustained them in the hour of conversion Promises in the hour of conversion made over to the solu are rather supports against temptation then absolute sole measures to judge of spiritual life as the trials sine qua non as if the soul not remembring the promise that first staid him were to be put by as an unconverted person what if from preaching in general promises the soul came to see the worth of Christ and to close with him with a disposition to part with all for him whether lust or enjoyment is not this enough Yet where there are promises made over to the soul in the hour of conversion which the soul well remembers and wherein it found the sense of Gods love in pardon it tends so much the more to manifest spiritual life which if they were truly so made over and were not delusions they were accompanied with the forenamed disposition of parting with all lusts and enjoyments for Christ 7 Condescention in indifferent things with an unmovable resolution in the things of God you will not bate any thing of the peace of your consciences for any mans pleasure If they take away goods liberty let it go but if they go about to take away our faith here we are to give way to none Means to spiritual life 1 Get union with Christ the members must needs be alive being united to a living head 1 Joh. 5.12 Christ is a head over his Church by way of provision and dominion but this is most comfortable that he is a head by way of union He that will work well let him begin not from working but from beliving What makes a person gâ—ood but faith or evil but unbelief Luth. Tom. 1. Fol. 469. The Angels are united to Christ by knowledge and love but we by faith and the Spirit that member is a dead member that draws not quickning from the head As the sea fills all vessels yet is not emptied thereby so doth Christ fill all in all Eph. 1.22 Yet hath not he less 2 Set faith on work to draw life from Christ Christ is compared to a garment but to have benefit by him we must ut him on by believing Rom. 13.14 to bread but to have nourishment by him we must feed on him by faith John 6.50 51 53 54. As we cannot have the strength of Bread unless we eat the substance of it so in this case And as the soul by virtue of sight doth joyn it self with the body of the Sun though the Sun be in Heaven and we be on Earth so the eye of faith enlightened by the Spirit doth joyn it self with Christ though he be in Heaven and the believer on earth and from him draws influence John 1.17.4.10.7.38 39. And as there are degrees of light from the Sun according to the clearness or dimness of the eye that beholds it so there are degrees of union with Christ and inhabitation according to the clearness or dimness of the eye of faith 3 Hear the
by our prayers Psal 93.3 4. And there was a great calm See the obedience of the mightiest creatures to God how will this condemn our disobedience See how windes yield obedience Psal 107.26 compared with 29. See the seas obedience Jer. 5.22 Let not the winde and sea overcome you in overcoming the storms of the minde V. 27. But the men marvelled saying What manner of man is this that even the wind and sea obey him Here 's a fifth circumstance they reason thus He whom winds and seas obey must be greater then all mortalls but they obey this man therefore he is greater then all men This should stir us up to confidence in the Son Joh. 14.1 Let not your hearts be troubled ye believe in God believe also in me q. d. I am God as well as my Father therefore believe on me So that as it is said of the Lord Psal 89.9 Thou rulest the raging of the sea when the waves thereof arise thou stillest them so also doth Christ at this time The creatures are Gods executioners to punish man for sin when they exceed herein the Lord reproves them as a father doth a schoolmaster when he sees him unmeasurably to chastise his son The greatness of which miracle which made it more admirable was that whereas usually in storms when the wind ceases the sea is not calm till a good while after but here both wind ceases and the sea is calm together in an instant showing it came from a miracle not from nature For the calm was called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies to laugh to note that the weather and sea smiled on them with a clear countenance All expositors make the Church an arbitrary Antitype of this tossed ship as this ship was poor a mean fisher boat not to be compared to the great Merchant ships and men of war so the poor Church is not to be compared for outward glory with the kingdoms of the world And as when the proud Scribe leaves Christ the poor disciples accompany Christ through the sea so when rich and great men leave Christ the poor disciples accompany Christ through the troublesome sea of this world Again as this ship was in danger so hath the Church been oft in Egypt Babylon in the ten persecutions and Popish Tyranny ready to be swallowed up of waves but the Lord seasonably appears either by cutting off Tyrants as he did Pharaoh Exod. 14.25 and Herod Act. 12.23 Or by putting a hook in their nostrils as he did to Sennacherib 2 King 19.28 or by turning the hearts of persecutors whereby the Churches have rest as he did Paul Act. 9.31 This Church so tossed is not the Roman Church as the Papists paint the Pope to be the steers-man sitting at the helm and the Cardinals Bishops and Priests to be the Mariners but it s a company of Saints who because they will live godly suffer persecution 2 Tim. 3.12 With these it is that Christ is present in the signes of the covenant and in the word of promise and with his supporting presence in time of storms they pretend they have no schismes nor contentions but perfect unity but this proves them not to be the true Church because the ship wherein Christ was was exposed to storms and Christ came not to bring peace but a sword Matth. 10.34 And if unity among them might prove them a Church then might it prove the Turks and Jews to be Churches who have more of unity then they V. 28. And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes there met him two possessed with devils coming out of the tombes exceeding fierce so that no man might pass by that way In these words to the end of the Chapter is set down what befell Christ when he was gone from Capernaum over the lake of Genezareth into the country of the Gerasens 1 He is met with two men possessed with devils The devils are described 1 That they came out of the tombes 2 By their exceeding fierceness that no man might pass that way 2 The complaint they make which is twofold 1 Disclaiming their interest in Christ What have we to do with thee Jesus thou son of God ver 29. Thou art the saviour of men not our Saviour 2 Their fear of a present torment Art thou come to torment us before the time ver 29. 3 Their petition If thou cast us out suffer us to go into the herd of swine v. 31. 4 Here 's Christ permission of them to enter the hogs he said unto them Go v. 32. 5 Here 's the devils execution of their mischief having once obtained a permission the devils entering into the swine the whole herd went down a steep place and perished in the waters v. 32. 6 The report hereof that was brought to the city v. 33. 7 The issue and effect the Gadarens being offended for the loss of their hogs desired him to depart out of their coasts And when he had come to the other side into the country of the Gergasens Matthew calls them Gergafens Mark and Luke Gadarens but there 's no difficulty for Gergessa or Gerasa and Gedara were towns near thereto Joseph lib. 2. de bello cap. 2. mentions both Gerasens and Gadarens These were the remainders of the Canaanites as Grotius writes and as it appears Gen. 10.16 The remainders of the people whose Land was given to Israel Deut. 7.1 supposed to be the Geshurites and Maacathites Jos 13.13 There met him two possessed with devils Mark and Luke mention onely one but the answer is easie the one was more famous then the other being possessed of a whole legion of devils Mar. 5.9 Luk. 8.30 and so was more cruel Mark and Luke prosecuting the history of the man possessed with a legion of devils do omit the mentioning the other Demoniak Coming out of the tombes They came out thence and abode there to affright men with fear of death their abode and dwelling was among the tombs Mark 5.3 Luk. 8.27 Now they might easily dwell in the tombs because they were hollow places digged out of a rock as Christs Sepulchre was Matth. 27.60 whereinto John and Peter entered Joh. 20.6 and those three women that brought spices Luk. 24.3 or else they were made of stone or brick and covered over Now if it be askt why they dwelt there it was because one of the Demoniaks being possest with a cruel devil or rather a legion of them no man would receive them to their house they being excluded from humane society resided in old Sepulchres One of these Demoniocks ware no clothes and was bound with chains and sometimes broke them Luk. 8.27 29. Matthew addes they were exceeding fierce and that they were so troublesome to passengers that no man might pass by that way Mark addes that no man could tame him and that he was day and night in the mountains and tombs crying and cutting himself with stones
Father being sick Paul prayed and laid his hands on him and healed him It may be supposed the Apostle speaks of this Jam. 5.14 Is any among you sick let him send for the Elders of the Church and let them pray over him anointing him with Oyl So Christ Mark 6.5 Mark 16.18 2 Ordinatory there is a laying on of hands in ordination of Elders this is acknowledged by all the reformed Churches of what judgement soever Though Papists acknowledge this to be an unblottable character which who so hath can never blot it out again yet the Protestants acknowledge it onely a signe pointing out the person ordained who is commended to the prayers of the Church Hence that saying of Augustine is ordinarily produced Quid aliud est impositio manuum quam oratio super hominem what other thing is laying on of hands then prayer upon the man ordained Besides these two there is a third way which I suppose comes nearer to truth which is that by laying on of hands in ordination there is a further measure of the Spirit infused into and poured upon the person ordained Concerning laying on of hands in ordination the Scripture speaks 1 Of those who are sent into the world Act. 13. When they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them they sent them away v. 5. 2 On those who are officers in Churches as deacons Act. 6.6 The Apostles first prayed then laid their hands on them So Elders Acts 14.23 And when they had ordained them Elders in every Church by laying on of hands the word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and had prayed with fasting they commended them to the Lord 1 Tim. 5.22 Lay hands suddainly on no man neither be partaker of other mens sins That is by consenting to ordain such 3 There is a laying on of hands on baptized persons after Baptisme this hath been depraved 1 By those who have endeavoured to make working of miracles a concomitant thereof because some persons in the Apostles times after hands laid on them did speak with tongues Act. 19.6.7 and prophesied 2 This laying on of hands hath been depraved by the Romanists 1 By changing the name from laying on of hands to confirmation 2 By assigning it an outward matter viz. Oyl and Balsome and the form of it to be I signe thee with the signe of the Cross and confirme thee with the anointing of salvation in the name of the Father Son and Spirit Chem. exam cont Trid. part 2. p. 95. 3 That those things they attribute to confirmation they deny to be given and received in Baptisme 4 That they ascribe an indelible character unto it as to Baptisme and order Chem. p ar 2. cap. de charactere p. 45. 5 By affixing it on a Bishop Gratian distinct 68. Fol. 99. propounds this question Wherein Chorepiscopi by which I suppose he means either rural Deans or Suffragans differ from Bishops answers and gives this as one difference that it s not lawful for them to give the comforter the holy Spirit by laying on of hands to Baptized believers or converted Hereticks 3 Laying on of hands hath been depraved by the Episcopal party who retaining the popish name of confirmation and affixing it to a Diocesan Bishop instead of prayer for strengthning of believers 1 Lay hands upon infants or young children 2 Supposing them all to be regenerate after Baptisme pray for an increase of grace on them 3 Have added hereto God-Fathers as they call it Now to prove laying on of hands on Baptized persons is an apostolical institution I prove it 1 Because the Apostle makes it one of the six principles or the word of the beginning of Christ Heb. 6.1 Or the first rudiments or elements of the beginning of the oracles of God Heb. 5.12 The words are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is onely explanatory for the principles of all arts are called elements nay which is more the Apostle calls it a foundation as well as repentance faith and Baptisme now the five others being fundamentals wherein all converted persons are to be practical in the belief how can laying on of hands be excluded from being so received 2 If laying on of hands on Baptized persons after Baptisme be rejected then instead of six principles laid down by the Apostle we shall receive onely five but this is absurd Obj. but we acknowledge a laying on of hands in the call of ministry therefore we acknowledge six Answ And why not as well after Baptisme what reason can be brought that ministerial imposition should be here acknowledged and the imposition after Baptisme excluded nay it seemeth imposition after Baptisme is rather meant 1 Because as faith and repentance go together resurrection and the last judgement so Baptisme and laying on of hands go together in the Apostles joyning of them 2 Laying on of hands upon officers is not herein meant because this was an administration the whole Church had received Act. 8.16 Heb. 6.1 but officers are not the whole Church 3 Because this laying on of hands is called milk for babes Heb. 5.12 13. but officers are not babes 3 Because there is a command for it 1 It 's called the rudiments of the beginning or elements of the beginning he means not elements of the world of which Gal. 4.3 8. Col. 2.8 20. that is elements wherein persons were initiated or begun in Christianity Heb. 5.12 As the elements of the Latin tongue is the learning of Accidence or Grammer so this doctrine of laying on of hands was first to be taught and practised 2 It s called an oracle Heb. 5.12 Now what are oracles in Scripture language but commands Act. 7.38 Moses received the lively oracles to give unto us This is called the Law ver 53. Who have received the Law by the disposition of Angels and have not kept it Rom. 3.2 What advantage hath the Jew Much every way chiefly that unto them were committed the oracles of God See Psal 147.19 20. 1 Pet. 4.11 If any man speak let him speak as the Oracles of God that is as the commands of God 3 The Apostle calls it a foundation Heb. 6.1 so that there is not onely a virtual command but an actual command from these three words of rudiments or elements oracles and foundation I gather a plain command 3 It appears from absurdity Is it not absurd to think that one of the six foundation principles commended to us by the Apostle should cease and all others of them to remain to the end of the world Nay is not imposition after Baptisme placed in the midst betwixt faith and repentance the resurrection and last judgement so that there is no coming to slight it being fenced on every side but we must renounce faith and repentance on the one side or the resurrection and last judgement on the other Is it not absurd to think the Apostle would place one temporary principle which was to last but for a small time
〈◊〉 a rower because under Christ the chief Pilot they row the ship of the Church towards heaven Now rowing is a very painful work Vide Beza They do not onely labour in the word but in prayer also Col. 4.12 Hence have they a due right to their maintenance Pharaoh reserved the Priests living Jezebel maintained four hundred false Prophets Micha maintained a Levite the Levites had not near the service we have yet was his maintenance greater then any of the Tribes They are Souldiers therefore to be maintained of them for whom they fight 1 Cor. 9.7 To say preachers must have but for bare necessity is to no purpose for how can they then be hospitable Are few Here 's the cause of the sending out the Apostles of which cap. 10.1 for onely John the Baptist and Christ laboured the Scribes and Pharisees being given to their pleasures and profits Causes why so few labourers 1 Love of ease whereas much study is a weariness to the flesh Eccles 12.12 Offer not that to God which costs thee nothing 2 Inability of hearers to difference betwixt doctrine and doctrine hence superficial raw indigested notions are as well or better liked then solid and substantial truths 3 The discouragement that Preachers in many places finde every man else is incouraged but they discouraged partly from the censures that pass upon their doctrine and partly from strait-handedness Every calling as Physician Lawyer is rewarded onely what preachers have in many places is counted as alms hence there are but few labourers and were it not for conscience towards God there would be much fewer 4 The strictness of the account that they must answer for the souls committed to them Ezek. 5.17 Heb. 13.17 Act. 20.26 27. 5 The multitude of business that lyes upon a faithful labourer What a business is it to make one soul lye level upon Christ sometimes full of fears and doubts for want of comfort sometimes falling into spiritual pride in the enjoyment of it sometimes wrastling with an angry God sometimes conflicting with a scrupulous conscience sometimes a soul thinks all he hath done is in vain and that he is cast out of Gods sight Psal 31.22 One wants knowledge another comfort another reproof one is a babe another a grown man Now the work being so weighty few that know the weight of it are forward to venture on it it being a burden too heavy for the shoulders of Angels Cyprian complained in his time that persons would not take the over sight of flocks but persons betook themselves to be Merchants History of Trent c. rather then to be thus employed After his time the ministers by reason of persecution were so few that necessity compel'd to commend two or three congregations to one pastor whence came the corrupt custome of Commendums Preaching is counted the easiest business and as many use it so it is but to preach that our words may be as goads to the dull Ox and as nails to the fastening of instructions Eccl. 12.11 to be like a good housholder that brings forth new and old Matth. 13.52 to search into the deep things of God and to follow a mans work there where he left it till a spiritual building be erected who is sufficient for these things V. 38. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest that he would send forth or in the Greek cast forth labourers into his harvest Christ here propounds a remedy for the want above mentioned viz. to pray to the Lord of the harvest c. Christ hereby not onely informes us of the backwardness of men herein but also pricks on the Apostles and others to accept of such a call Moreover here is signified not onely a disposing providence to send teachers to this or that place but also a bestowing of special power with peculiar commands and gifts which well agrees with the call of the Apostles in the next chapter As the Embassadors of Princes are directed to their residence and their continuance determined by the Prince how long they shall remain so are teachers disposed of God in like manner He carries them from one place to another Jonah from Israel to Nineveh Pray ye the Lord of the harvest It 's the Lords work to send forth labourers Act. 1.24 Shew whether of these two thou hast taken The holy Ghost bad separate Paul and Barnabas to the work Act. 13.2 Yet prayer hath been a means to obtain such teachers to get them out of prison Act. 12.12 13. to get them from one place to another Philem. 22. I trust that through your prayers I shall be given to you Strive we then to be fervent with God in prayer herein as a faithful teacher is one of the greatest blessings so the contrary is a great curse We are earnest with God for many other things O strive to be earnest for this But because wants set an edge upon prayer lay open before the Lord thy six or seven children and three or four servants who are yet in the state of nature nay there are thousands in their conditions and therefore for their sakes come and help Grounds of thus praying 1 Gods command every command of God is to be obeyed therefore pray God commanding persons thus to pray doth not mean to send them away empty handed when they do pray 2 The mischief that comes where such planters and waterers are absent all runs to ruine mostly in the want of such Some places famous for religion when such lights have been removed what darkness hath been 3 The multitudes of business that God hath for labourers to do Paul would have gone to the lesser Asia and Bythinia but the spirit suffered him not but when a man of Macedonia prayed Come over and help us they obtained Paul Act. 16.6 7 9. When there is plenty of work and scarcity of labourers you must besides paying be fain to pray so it is in this case 4 Prayer is a mean to get such teachers it s a mean to obtain every blessing from God Matth. 7.7 therefore this blessing also 5 It 's a singular blessing unto a people to have their eyes behold their teachers and not to have them removed into a corner Esa 30.19 20. The contrary is a curse Amos 8.11 12. To go from sea to sea to seek the word of the Lord because of the famine of the word God onely gives such teachers Jer. 3.15 I will give you pastors after my own heart which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding For this end Christ ascended into heaven Eph. 4.10 11 12 13. In the 68 Psalm 18. It s said Christ received gifts in this place its said he gave gifts the meaning is Christ hath received gifts from his Father and given them to men The benefits of faithfull Teachers as 1 Conversion How shall they believe without a Preacher Rom. 10.14 Acts 2.37 38. Acts 26.18 2 Edification to wit building up souls converted Paul perfected what was lacking in
him Quest Whether is it lawfull for Preachers to take hire or are they which take any Reward hirelings Answ 1 There may be times when a man may remit of his Right herein when circumstances of times and persons require it So because of the false Teachers the Apostle would preach the Gospel of Christ freely at Corinth 2 Cor. 11.7 9 10. I preached the Gospel of God freely I kept my self from being burdensome to you and so will I keep my self that I may cut off occasion from them that desire occasion that wherein they glory which was their preaching freely they may be found even as we Elisha in a case would take nothing of Naaman the Syrian 2 Kings 6.26 nor Abraham would take nothing of the prey which was got from the Enemies Gen. 14.22 2 All agree that to receive gifts for a mans preaching without any compact for the same hath no natural filthiness in it for some things may be honestly received which may be dishonestly asked 3 Under the Old Testament they that took counsel of the Prophets were wont to give them some small gifts 1 Sam. 9.7 8. But if we go what shall we bring the man and the Servant answered Saul saying Behold I have the fourth part of a Shekel of Silver 1 Kings 13.9 The man to whom this gift was to be given was Samuel Besides the Priests and Levites under the Old Testament had large portions out of most of the Sacrifices besides Tithes they had eight and fourty Cities of Refuge with Suburbs to them so that the Lord says Which of you would shut the doors for nought or kindle a fire on my Altar for nought Mal. 1.10 which Argument the Apostle presses for maintenance for Ministers of the Gospel 1 Cor. 9.9.10.13 where he shews that the Levites who took the Sacrifices of the People and killed them and pulled off their skin cut them in pieces and brought them to the Priest and laid the Wood in order lived thereon The Priests lifted up the Sacrifice and laid the flesh on the Altar and burnt it The Apostle when he says They which minister about holy things live of the things of the Temple means the Levites and they which wait at the Altar are partakers with the Altar meaning the Priests v. 13. Now if they were so plentifully maintained shall Gospel Preachers be the onely sufferers and that in a time of Light When the Apostle makes this reddition Even so hath God appointed that they that preach the Gospel shall live of the Gospel v. 14. 4 Maintenance is due to Preachers from natural and civil equity 1 Natural equity that as the Souldier that defends the Countrey lives of the Countreys pay 1 Cor. 9.7 Who goes to warfare at his own charge or as he that plants a Vineyard eats the fruit of it milks a flock and eats of the milk of it so Preachers must live of the People they preach to 2 From civil equity That Law Deut. 25.4 Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the Ox that treadeth out the Corn. The Apostle argues from the less If an Ox were not to be muzzled when he rowled a wooden beam over the Wheat to shake the Corn out of the ear shall maintenance be denied to those who thresh in the Lords Barn Nay it was not written for Oxens sake but for Preachers sake as the Apostle expounds it 1 Cor. 9.9 That he that ploweth should plow in hope and he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope Where we see it 's lawfull for a Teacher to do Gods work rightly and yet have an expectation and hope of maintenance for his labour The hope of the sustentation of his necessities and if the people be able conveniences from the people and the hope of the Reward of his dispensation from the Lord. 5 From Gospel ordinance Gal. 6.6 Let him that is ministred to make him that ministreth partaker in all good things 1 Cor. 9.14 God hath appointed that they who preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel 1 Tim. 5.17 Luke 10.7 6 Because they have power to forbear working in bodily labour hence by divine right maintenance is due 1 Cor. 9.6 I onely and Barnabas have we not power to forbear working 2 Thess 3.8 9. I wrought that I might not be chargeable not that we have not power but to make our selves ensamples And when the Apostle did work with his hands he calls it an abasing of himself 2 Cor. 12.7 and numbers this up among the rest of his afflictions 1 Cor. 4.11 7 The true note of an hireling is to make hire the end of his work not the taking of hire or wages when for filthy lucre sake a Preacher shall take the oversight of a people 1 Peter 5.2 Feed the flock of God taking the oversight thereof not by constraint but willingly not for filthy lucre but of a ready minde Now for the lawfulness of taking wages see 2 Cor. 12.8 I robbed other Churches taking wages of them the word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a stipend such as was given to Souldiers for their military service so taken Luk. 3.14 Be content with your wages where the same word is used And military pensions or stipends were sometimes part meat and part money now Paul is said to rob or spoil these Macedonian Churches taking wages of them because he had led them in triumph by the Gospel as spoils taken in vvar See Luk. 10.7 The Workman is worthy of his hire or reward the vvord is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so that not the expecting of a reward from a people nor the taking of it makes an hireling but the making of his hire or wages the end of his preaching so that no more pay no more preach neither to that people nor any other But for lawfull reward promised or received this doth not make an hireling 1 Tim. 5.17 18. The Apostle bids Count the Elders worthy of double honour and gives this reason for the Scripture saith Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the Ox and the Labourer is worthy of his reward 8 We must distinguish betwixt the gifts of the Spirit and the work of the Ministry If it were granted that to take money for the gifts of the Spirit were the sin of Simon Magus yet it follows not that it is of the same nature to take maintenance for their work sith every handicrafts man and labourer of what kinde soever is rewarded for his work Could preaching come as easily to them as the power of doing miracles came to the Apostles it were something Freely ye have received freely give but who knowes not that persons that discharge this duty painfully and faithfully must take much pains therein 9 Preachers are commanded to give themselves wholly to this work Acts 6.4 We will give our selves continually to prayer and to ministration of the Word 1 Tim. 4.15 Meditate on these things give thy self wholly to them Now it 's good reason that
Wolf shall dwell with the Lamb and the Leopard shall ly down with the Kid and the Calf and the young Lion they shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain these things being promised at the conversion of the Jews or at the Reign of Christ here on earth they lookt to have them fulfilled at his first coming in the flesh when in stead of this expected peace all was on fire by wars and persecutions now Christ speaks these things to them that they should not be offended when they see all things tend to commotion and violence John 16.4 They shall cast you out of the Synagogues and whosoever kills you will think he doth God good service these things have I spoken unto you that when the time comes you may remember that I have spoken to you Quest What peace is this we must not think Christ to bring Answ 1 A quiet estate free from persecution and the cross 2 Tim. 3.12 John 16.33 In the world ye shall have tribulation but in me ye shall have peace If all the world would subscribe to the Gospel it were easie to be a Christian but because the greatest part is opposite to Christ and his Truth therefore we cannot confess Christ but we must be hated and opposed by the world 2 Christ did not bring a peaceable agreement in wickedness Psalm 94.16 Prov. 28.4 There was a peaceable agreement in those who agreed to build the Tower of Babel Gen. 11.4 and in Pilate and Herod in persecuting Christ 3 The peace Christ brings is peace of conscience John 14.27 Ephes 2.17 Rom. 5.1 Christ being the Prince of peace brings peace to the hearts of Saints Isai 9.6 Col. 1.20 Ephes 2.14 and slays the enmity betwixt God and us v. 16. but he brings not peace betwixt the Seed of the Woman and the Seed of the Serpent Gen. 3.15 Quest What is meant by a Sword Answ War is not meant but Separation and Division as Luke 12.51 the word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is disagreement in Faith and Religion and from thence opposition and persecution disagreement of understanding draws with it a disagreement of will as an agreement of understanding especially in the things of Faith draws with it an agreement of wills How came the multitude of believers to be of one heart Acts 4.32 Why because they were of one minde Hence 1 Cor. 1.10 that the Corinthians might have no divisions among them and might all speak the same thing he beseeches them that they would be joyned together in the same minde and in the same judgment as if he should say unless that be there will be divisions now for such an agreement it must be in very generals or else no two Saints can agree together Besides if there be a defect in unity of opinion it must be supplied by a conjunction in the judgment of charity if this grace be in us though there may some light differences arise yet as boughs of the same tree being severed one from another by windes they soon come together again because they are united in one root so will dissenting Christians united in Christ and in love to one another soon come together again Quest How can Christ be said to bring a Sword or contention among men is not this a sin Answ The proper end of Christs coming or the Gospels coming is not to set men together by the ears for what a blessed Life should we have would every man obey it but by accident so Luke 2 34. Christ is said to be for the fall and rising of many in Israel so he is called a stone of stumbling and rock of offence which is by accident 1 Peter 2.8 2 Christ is said to bring a Sword from the necessitated opposition and separation Saints have to the worlds practises 3 Christ is said to bring a Sword from the slanderous calumnies of the World because they impute that to Christ which their own Lusts are the cause of Now this division arises 1 From the contrary dispositions in wicked men and godly Contraries oppose one another The Gospell calls for Saints to shew humility self denial c. now the principles of the world are contrary 2 Neither side can make abatement of their principles Christ and the Gospel cannot give ground wicked men will not hence arises contention 3 The Gospel of Christ offers violence to Satans Kingdom hence the Devil rages himself and inrages his instruments as the Princes of the world when a Foreign Prince invades their Territories arms his subjects against that Prince so doth Satan stir up instruments against the Saints of God and Preachers of his word Acts 14.1 2 4. Acts 16.19 Acts 17.4 5 6. Acts 19.24 Acts 22.22 Acts 24.5 Acts 28.22 Let the Devil alone he will let you alone Luke 11.20 21. But if once you assail him then look for sore opposition Psalm 2.1 2 3. The nations will rage and the Kings of the earth stand up against the Lord this is the cause why Antichrist makes war with the Saints of the most high Rev. 14.7 8. 4 Saints count the Gospel wisdom the world counts it foolishness if thou art a King or Prince or Teacher of Churches and seriously embracest the word the world will count thee mad and foolish Luth. Tom. 4.140 Use To apply this 1 Think not that to be truth because all are in peace Jer. 5.31 The Prophets prophesied falsly and the Priests bear rule by their means and the people love to have it so In a Family or City when all went in one way of prophaneness all were in peace but if some of them by Gods grace shall be called home Oh what a storm doth Satan stir up against them Peace is a singular blessing yet better there should be thousands of tumults and seditions then that either Satan should hold the souls of men in peace or that errour and confusion should be throughout the Churches 2 Exhort 1 Wonder not at the factions and divisions in Towns Churches and Families about matters of Religion Christ hath foretold it as Ishmael persecuted Isaac Gal. 4.29 so is it now Christs kindred thought he was mad Mark 3.21 2 Exhort Carry wisely under oppositions made against thee for the truths sake 1 Arm thy self with patience against their revilings so did Christ 1 Pet. 2.21 23. answer their reasons but pass by their railings If we must not rail against the Devil much less against opposers of truth 2 Tim. 2.25 26. 2 Confute their oppositions by the holiness of your lives Many arguments how strong soever will not do the cause of God so much good as one scandalous practice doth it hurt 1 Pet. 2.12 Let your conversation be honest among the Gentiles that whereas they speak against you as evil doers they may by your good works which they shall behold glorify God in the day of visitation 3 Do not unbosome your selves to them who are contrary to you in point of religion Many out of
escape the danger of death for the profession of Christ so Peter to save his life denied that he knew Christ Shall lose it that is unless with Peter he repent of his treachery upon a sincere repentant purpose to dye in truth for the confession and profession of the name of Christ our former treacheries we believing pardon in Christ and bewailing them shall not be charged upon us Whatsoever men talk of faith we see none are saved but Martyrs those that either actually or habitually in the preparation of their hearts do dye for Christ Hence sprange those noble resolutions of sundry of the Saints Acts 20.24.21.13 Gal. 6.14 2 Cor. 4.11 12. Rev. 2.13.12.11 Tertul. in Scorpiaco cap. 11. saith he hath found his life that hath denied Christ by gaining life but he shall destroy it in hell he that thinks in denying to gain his life shall lose it at present qui confessus occiditur he that confesses is kill'd but he shall finde his life into an everlasting life How can we better expend our life then to lay it out for Christ which in a short time will dye of it self how many lay down their lives for the Princes of the world and shall not we dye for Christ And he that loseth his life for my sake shall finde it that is had rather dye then deny the profession of my truth and Gospel they shall finde it in the day of the resurrection this is not easie as men think Thy letters pleased me not because I smelt in them I know not what spiritual presumption do not boast that thou wilt do and suffer many things for the word of God he that stands let him take heed that he fall not Thou hast not yet fought with death It s not so easie a thing as it is easily spoken of it c. Therefore walk in the fear of God and contempt of thy self and pray God that he would do all thy works and thou do nothing but be a sabbath to Christ Luth. Tom. 2 epist fol. 62. ad Gabrielem Didimum Pastorem Aldinburgensem Learn we then to contemn our life for the witness of Christs truth Rev. 12.11 They loved not their lives unto the death and so overcame by the word of their Testimony If life be to be contemned much more are estates friends and liberties for the cause of Christ seeing nothing is more dear unto us then life Happy is that day happy is that death with joy and chiefest thankfulness if at any time it fall out that I be apprehended and be destroyed in that cause Tom. 2.302 When one Christian is slain ten are begotten Luth. V. 40. He that receiveth you receiveth me and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me Here is the last suffering which the Disciples might fear viz. That no man would receive them being so miserable to this Christ saith Look as there will be those who will receive me and my Father so will there be those who will receive you to their houses and that kindness they do to you I will take it as done to my self Matth. 25.40 What good man would shut out Jesus Christ no more will they shut out you Look as in the receiving of an Ambassadour the King is received in receiving him Preachers are Ambassadours for Christ 2 Cor. 5.20 Therefore in receiving them Christ is received All believers are members of his body in the happiness of whom the head is wont to sympathize Thus was Paul at first received by the Galatians as an Angel of God even as Christ Jesus Gal. 4.14 15. They being willing to have given their eyes unto him Preachers and other godly men might in the midst of so much hatred of the world be ready to think how shall we do to live therefore Christ opens the doors of all godly men to them to excite them whereto Christ proposes a great reward so that as the Princes of the world reward the kindnesses that are done to their Ambassadours and friends so and much more will Jesus Christ Receiveth him that sent me as if he should say he that receiveth my Apostles receiveth me and not onely me but also him that sent me Now he that receiveth God receiveth everlasting blessedness much whereof is seated in the beholding of God We may see wherein the Law of hospitality consisteth not in keeping open house for tag and rag but in the receiving the Messengers and Saints of Christ Luke 14.12 They cannot recompense thee but thou shalt be recompensed at the Resurrection of the just Heb. 13.2 Be not forgetfull to entertain strangers for some thereby as Lot and Abram have entertained Angels unawares Take heed your hearts grudge not at the charge of receiving such 1 Pet. 4.9 Remember Gaius who was not onely Pauls host but also the host of the whole Church Rom. 16.23 In receiving such we are fellow helpers to the truth 3 Epist of John v. 8. It was the wickedness of Diotrephes v. 9. That he would not receive the apostle nor yet the poor Saints but cast those out of the Church that did receive them When at the day of Christ Christ shall acknowledge himself to have been relieved in his Saints many hard hearted men will wish they had received him V. 41. He that receiveth a Prophet in the name of a Prophet shall receive a Prophets reward and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous mans reward Here 's a second consolation against fear of not receiving taken from the Reward that will redound to such as shall receive good men Quest What is meant by Prophet Answ One that is enabled to expound the prophetical places of Scriptures There are three sorts of Disciples here mentioned 1 Apostles v. 40. The second sort are Prophets 3 Righteous men In general by Prophets he means Teachers of the Gospel these are in several places put next to the Apostles Ephes 2.20 Ye are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Ephes 3.5 Which in other ages was not made known as it is now revealed to his holy Apostles and Prophets Ephes 4.11 He gave some to be Apostles and some Prophets 1 Cor. 12.28 First Apostles secondarily Prophets These Prophets are distinguished from righteous men as a sort of men abounding in spiritual wisdom 1 Cor. 12.29 Are all Apostles are all Prophets 1 Cor. 14.37 If any man think himself to be a Prophet or spiritual man So here in the Text they are distinguished from ordinary righteous men by the name and by the reward Now for Prophets we finde them in several of the Churches as at Rome Rom. 12.6 He that prophesieth let him prophesie according to the proportion of faith At Antioch also Acts 13.1 there was in the Church that was at Antioch certain Prophets and Teachers as Barnabas Simeon Lucius Manaen Saul In the Church at Jerusalem there was Judas and Silas Acts 15.32 who being Prophets exhorted Acts 11.27 the
Brethren with many words So in the Church of Corinth 1 Cor. 14.1 c. In the Church of Ephesus Ephes 4.11 gave some Prophets In the Church at Thessalonica 1 Thess 5.17 Despise not prophesying Yea we finde Prophets in the Church when Babylon shall be destroyed Revel 18.20 Rejoyce over her ye holy Apostles and Prophets for God hath avenged you on her he means such Prophets as the Beast made to prophesie in sack-cloath 1260. days Rev. 11.3 Now of these Prophets there were two sorts in the New Testament 1 Those that did foretell things to come such was Agabus Acts 11.28 under this kinde came the Prophetesses Philip had four daughters which were Prophetesses Acts 21.9 of this Acts 2.17 This is that which was spoken by the Prophet Joel saying I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh and your sons and your daughters shall prophesie your young men shall see visions and your old men shall dream dreams And of this it 's probable 1 Cor. 11.5 6. Every woman praying or prophesying with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head and every man prophesying with his head covered dishonoureth his head that is with his head covered with Ribbons and Garlands after the manner of the Heathen and the women prophesied after the manner of the Sybills with their hair hanging down and so dishonoured their head Christ Of which heathenish custom Lucan in his fifth Book speaks who lived a little after Christs time Bacchatur demens aliena per antrum Colla ferens vittásque dei Phaebeáque serta Erectas discussa comas per inania templi Ancipiti cervice rotat spargÃtque vaganti Obstantes tripodas magnóque exaestuat igne Iratum te Phoebe ferens In English thus The frantick Beldam raging through her den Bearing strange necks the heads of sundry men Adorn'd with Ribbons and with Garlands fair To Phoebus honour flownc'd her gastly hair Wheels here and there through temples empty spaces Shaking her doubtfull head here there she faces c. These Prophets told things past and future to persons as Christ did to the Woman of Samaria John 4.29 and Elisha to Gehezi 2 Kings 5.26 Irenaeus 1.6 saith himself had known and heard many Brethren that could discover the hidden things of men he means such secrets as could not be known by the power of mans wit From the revelation of which secrets it is supposed the Ideot or Heathen falls down and worships your God reporting that God is in you of a truth 1 Cor. 14.24 25. 2 Those that did expound the prophetical places of Scripture prophesying according to the proportion of faith Rom. 12.6 and did apply their doctrines to exhortation and confirmation so Judas and Silas Acts 15.32 to edification and comfort 1 Cor. 14.3 If any man ask whether prophesying be the same with preaching I answer no. 1 The words in Greeek are diverse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying to preach and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to prophesie Besides 2 Preaching is to be performed to every creature prophesying is to be performed onely to the Church 1 Cor. 14.22 Now if you ask what these Prophets were I dare not determine them to be Officers in Churches unless I could prove the manner of their call to make out which I can finde nothing but that they are put in the order and rank of men who are called by Office Eph. 4.11 As Apostles Prophets Evangelists Pastors Teachers which is something in order to prove them Officers but not full proof Some think them to be grown brethren such as are called perfect men 1 Cor. 2.6 Fathers 1 Joh. 2.13 Clemens makes three sorts of Christians 1 They that are turned from the Gentiles 2 They that are going up towards knowledge 3 They that are chiefly knowing It may fall out sometimes there may be some such knowing men in Churches who are by virtue of a gift as able to teach as a person in office pity such gifts should be quenched for want of exercise though I doubt not the fault of the times is on the contrary hand in that upon pretence of gifted Brethrens prophesying those that are not gifted in too many places are prest hereto verifying too much that conceipt that hath been cast by some viz. that ignorance impudence and a Concordance were all the accoutrements some had for preaching I speak not this to quench any gift where it is real but to sober those who may perhaps think of themselves more then is meet Prophets then if any such be out of office they are such as are perfect or well-grown Christians Heb. 5.14 Strong meat belongs to them that are perfect the word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 those who by reason of habit have their senses exercised to difference good and evil But let Prophets be what they will be a Church can no more comfortably be without Ministers then a body without eye and hand Luth. Tom. 4.374 I shall conclude this with one querie Whether it be required by the word of God that a weak Brother that hath but a little measure of the Spirit and so consequently can pray but weakly and but weak parts both in the Analizing Explaining and Dividing the Scriptures and so must needs teach much more weakly be required to be a mouth for the Church at a Church-meeting especially in a Church where there are Brethren of better parts to be had And whether the exercising such weak Brethren be a mean for them to obtain the gift of prophesie or whether there be not some other way thereto As taking direction from some experienced Preacher and reading besides the Scriptures godly books chosen by the direction of some godly Teacher For which studies as also for the study of their own heart they are to set time apart and whether the company of the faithful are to set times apart on the Week day and to meet together on the Lords day onely to help a weak Brother to increase his gifts or rather to try whether he can by exercise increase them by our hearing of him or whether the faithfull whether Lambs or Sheep are not to meet to hear such persons as are able to feed them with knowledg and understanding and whether the faithfull come not for that very end unto hearing to obtain spiritual nourishment in the knowledg of duty and to obtain quickening from their deadness of heart by lively and powerfull notions and also growth by a higher measure of knowledg and information then hitherto they have had and whether such weak Brethren are able to give such information many whereof are onely babes in Christ many of the hearers being strong And whether the best means of edifying a Church be not to be followed And whether established Teachers in Churches reserving the liberty of Prophets and prophesie be not onely more creditable for the honour of the Gospel and edifying the souls of believers by many degrees then the having such weak Brethren to exercise who besides that they cannot
up and they are cast into the lake of fire Rev. 20.14 15. Qu. Whether there be material fire in hell Answ It seems to me there is or that which is full as terrible or more terrible This fire of hell is often mentioned as Matth. 5.22 Who shall say Thou fool shall be in danger of hell fire Matth. 13.40 At the day of judgement the tares are burnt in the fire Into this fire offending members are cast Matth. 18.18 19. To this everlasting fire the goats are adjudged Matth. 25.41 In this fire those that worship the Beast are tormented Rev. 14.10 and the Sodomites at present suffer the vengeance of eternal fire Jude 7. Yea into this fire are cast every unfruitfull branch which brings not forth fruit he is hewen down at present and shall be cast into the fire hereafter Matth. 3.10 Yea every man that lives and dies out of Christ is cast into this fire John 15.6 If a man abide not in me he is cast forth as a branch that is withered and men gather them and cast them into the fire and they are burned Now for hell fire it 's 1 Unquenchable Isai 30.33 Tophet is prepared of old yea for the King it is prepared he hath made it deep and large the pile thereof is fire and much wood the breath of the Lord like a stream of brimstone doth kindle it Mark 9.43 44 to v. 49. It 's five times mentioned that the fire is not quenched that we may not look upon it as an idle repetition but a thing much to be noted by us In this fire the rich man was tormented Luke 16.24 2 It 's most terrible We reade of terrible fires as that which came upon Sodome that which came upon the two hundred and fifty Numb 16.35 the fires that destroyed the two fifties and their companies 2 Kin. 1.10 12. but no fire terrible as this if it be a terrible thing to see a Martyr to be burnt how terrible is it how terrible should it be to see millions of souls going into this unquenchable fire 3 It 's universal both in soul and body Obj. But if it be material fire how can it not be quencht seeing that material fire we see in a while spends it self Answ Do we not finde Exo. 3.2 3. that the bush burned but was not consumed Though all clothes wax old yet in the wilderness by Gods power their clothes waxed not old so God can by his power keep the fire of hell unquenchable See Isai 30.33 Whereas some say If there be material fire how can the souls of men be tormented therewith being that bodily things cannot work upon spirits Answ This is to draw things to the scantling of our reason besides we see bodily tortures in this life work upon the spirits in the same bodies and why not in hell can the power of God make the fire to afflict the soul Besides till the day of judgement there is a never dying worm At the re-union of soul and body it 's no difficulty to conceive how the wicked shall be tormented in endless fire It is not safe to leave the plain letter of the Scripture to allegorize and whether the opinion of metaphorical fire in hell hath not been an introduction of that opinion of the Quakers viz. That there is no other hell but what is within us I leave to your consideration and so by contraries no other heaven V. 29 Are not two Sparrowes sold for a farthing and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your father V. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbred V. 31. Fear not therefore ye are of more value then many Sparrowes Christ had shown sundry dangers to which his Disciples would be exposed the last mentioned was killing of their bodies to which Christ gives consolations as 1 They could not kill their souls 2 That there is a providence that reaches to the smallest creatures even to the Sparrowes much more will it reach to them If it reach to the hairs of their head then will it reach to their lives much more Are not two Sparrowes sold for a farthing Luke 12.6 saith are not five sold for two farthings as if one were of no price And one of them shall not fall on the ground Epicures deny the providence of God Aristotle shuts it up in the heaven so do the wicked Job 22 13 14. look upon God as walking in the circuit of heaven and that he cannot judge through the dark cloud Some have thought this providence hath been employed about universal things but not about particulars some have thought it hath been employed about men but not about beasts because of that saying 1 Cor. 9.9 Doth God take care of Oxen which must be understood comparatively for God takes care of man as of one of the creatures next to himself the beasts are cared for as appointed for the use of man And that this providence reaches not onely to kindes but to individuals we see in the Text in that one of them falls not to the ground without God Shall not fall on the ground That is shall be shot or perish The birds live and flye in the ayr when they dye any way they fall to the earth Without your father That is without the will decree providence and appointment of your Father God hath fore-appointed all men in a certain bound when they should be born when they should dye by what name they should be called and what office they should use and after we are born he offers those things present that so we may use them Luth. Tom. 3.268 Christ argues from the less viz. If God have such care of Sparrowes how much care will he have of you Seeing he is your father not the father of Sparrowes therefore he will not suffer you to be kill'd by persecutors unless it be to reward you with an everlasting happy crown for the good of others there 's nothing without his prescience and providence can happen unto you therefore do not you fear the rage of persecutors Besides you are redeemed with my blood which Sparrowes are not The very hairs of your head are all numbred You that are not onely common men but in covenant with me and some of you publishers of my truth A hair is taken for the smallest thing 1 Sam. 14.45 The people told Saul when he would have put Jonathan to death there shall not an hair of his head fall to the ground that is he shall not have the least hurt Luk. 21.18 Acts 27.34 Paul encouraging the passengers in fear of death to eat tells them there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of them that is not the least personal hurt Obs There is not onely a general providence in the world but a special providence God hath to every individual creature This providence is 1 Ordinary when God governs the world and all things in it according to the order and
Laws set by him in the creation without taking advice of any creature I have oft endeavoured to prescribe to God certain ways which he should use in the government of his Church and other things I said ah Lord I would have it done in this order this event but God did altogether the contrary from that which I had requested then did I think but my counsel is not strange from the glory of God but will conduce much to sanctifie his name It 's well thought but doubtless God laught at this my wisedome and said Go too I know thee to be wise and learned but it was never my manner that Peter or Martin should teach lead form govern me I am not a passive God but an active Luth. Tom. 4. in Gen. fol. 56. 2 Extraordinary when God works against or besides his appointed order as in dividing the waters of the red Sea Reas 1 Because all things yea the most contingent things in the world are ordered by it as the falling of a tyle Exod 21.13 the flying of the head of the ax from the helve and killing a man Deut. 19.5 yea the ordering of a lot Prov. 16.33 2 The order of things in the world prove it 1 Natural order the motions of the heavens the Sun warms the earth the ayr moistens it the earth brings forth the grass the beasts feed on it and man feeds on them Look on the fowls God appoints them their residence Psal 104.17 18. and so doth he for other creatures Yea the fowl knows her appointed time and changes her country according to the season of the year That there 's a place appointed for the waters that they may not overflow the earth Psal 104.7 8 9. that there are springs of waters in the Valleys to give drink to the beasts of the field v. 10. that there should be an intercourse of light and darkness that the wilde beasts should get them to their dens on the day time that man may follow his work that there should be such provisions made for all the inhabitants of the world all this proves to us a providence 2 Politick order In Courts of Justice one Officer depends on another as wheels in a clock and moves not without the first wheel How many thousands are provided for in their several trades one depending upon another How hath God made the City to depend upon the Country and the Country upon the City how do all creatures move at his command as soldiers at the command of the General 3 From the reasonable actions God puts into unreasonable creatures Prov. 6.6 7 8. the Pismire having no guide over-seer nor ruler provideth her meat in the summer Jer. 8.6 7. the Stork Crane Swallow know their appointed time Who hath put wisdome in their inward parts Job 38.36 4 Should God not take care of things below it 's either because he will not or cannot or knowes them not but to affirm any of these were blasphemy 5 In his provision he makes for all creatures Psal 145.15 The eyes of all wait on thee and thou givest them food in due season thou openest thy hand and satisfiest the desire of every living thing Psal 104.28 That thou givest them they gather thou openest thy hand they are filled with good v. 30. Every Spring God renues the face of the earth Psal 147.9 He giveth to the Beast his food and to the young Ravens which cry compared vvith Job 38.41 See Job cap. 36 37 38 39. 6 In ordering the sins of men for his own glory and good of his Church The envy of Josephs brethren for the advancement of Joseph and the preservation of Jacobs posterity The treason of Bigthan and Teresh for the advancement of Mordecai Cyrus his ambition for the Churches deliverance Titus Vespasian who persecuted the Christians at Rome God orders his passion that he goes to revenge Christs death at Jerusalem Sennacheribs covetousness and pride to punish the hypocrisie of the Jews Isai 10.5 6 7. the covetousness of Judas and malice of the devil to accomplish the work of our redemption 7 In a special respect to the good of his people Besides a general providence in the world he hath a special providence for their good 1 Cor. 9.9 He is the Savior of all 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the preserver of all but specially of them that believe 2 Tim. 4.9 10. 2 Chron. 16.9 The eyes of the Lord run to and fro through the whole earth to show himself strong in the behalf of those whose hearts are perfect with him Zach. 2.8 He that toucheth you toucheth the apple of mine eye 8 In snaring the wicked in the work of their own hands Psal 9.16 The Lord is known by the judgment which he executeth the wicked are snared in the work of their own hands Higgaion Selah a thing to be meditated as Hierom renders it When Nebuchad-nezzar in his boasting is bereft of his wits Herod in his pomp eaten up of Worms the Philistims in their jollity have the house fall on them Judg. 16.30 who will not say they are taken in a snare 9 In making wicked men whether they will or no to do Gods will Acts 4.28 To do whatsoever thy hand and counsel had before determined to be done As in a kennel of hounds every one of them runs according to his natural inclination yet all of them serve the purpose of the Hunter And as in an Army of men one fights for honour another for spite another for pay yet all of them fight for victory for the Prince who sent them into the field so whatsoever wickedness evil men do they do but serve Gods providence and fulfill his will God sometimes changes their will sometimes stops it by offering consideration of good or ill danger or profit so that still he makes their wills serve his decree Use 1 Acknowledg this Providence in all thy undertakings God keeps us not onely waking but sleeping when we know not that we live then he observes our dreams in opposition of that tenent that God considers nothing but himself and is onely delighted in the beholding of himself in thy appointing future businesses James 4.15 16. Go to ye that say We will go to such a City and buy and sell c. Prov. 3.6 In all thy ways acknowledg him and he shall direct thy steps So did Eleazar for his Master Abraham Gen. 24. that he might get a Wife for Isaac but yet Eleazar did not neglect the use of means he that rightly looks to Gods providence is most carefull to use means When thou findest a treasure in digging of a field when thou escapest a fall in walking on a plank was it not God who brought thee to the one and saved thee from the other 2 Not to fear men to the balking of duty seeing Gods provicence takes care of us this stayed Davids heart when at Ziglag his Souldiers were at the point of stoning him 1 Sam. 30.6 He encouraged himself in