is a Priest not after the order of Aaron but of Melchizedec Many points are here to bee unfolded therfore yee had need to be the more attentive A Schollar that hath many lines or leaves to learne had need to bee more diligent 2. As they are many So they are hard and difficult to be explained and interpreted for your capacity that they may be comprehended by you 1. A Minister must deliver many things to the people he must not alwayes bee harping upon one string and the people must prepare themselves to receive many things 2. A Preacher must explaine and interpret that which he speaketh Nehem. 8.7 Why bee they hard because yee are dull of hearing slow It is a metaphor taken from lazie Travellours that goe slowly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that cannot runne tardus asellus As men are slow in going So are you in hearing of the Word of God And by hearing is not meant the externall hearing alone but the internall Slow in conceiving and learning as is expounded in the next Verse Hearing is put for learning as heare yee me understand yee me because knowledge is conveyed by the sence of hearing There bee many and sundry things that procure this dulnesse and slownesse 1. Carelesnesse or want of diligence 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Matth. 13.19 2. A minde possessed with other things which keepe the Gospel out of the doores as these were with an high opinion of the ceremoniall law and Leviticall Priest-hood A barrell full of corrupt water cannot receive wine 3. Want of meditation Blessed is hee that meditateth in the Law of GOD day and night Mary pondered Christs sayings 4. Want of reading and conferring The Bereans are highly commended for their conference one with an other and searching the Scriptures Acts 17. The want hereof is a maine cause of our extreame dulnesse in hearing 5. Want of Prayer Wee are apt Schollers for the world swift to heare newes and tales but slow and dull in hearing of the Word of God So that we may justly suffer that check of our SAVIOURS Luk. 24.25 O fooles and slow of heart to believe all that the Prophets have spoken VERSE 12. TIme Having had the Scripture so long which other nations have not Rom. 3.2 To whom the Gospell was preached before it was to the Gentiles Matth. 10.5 Luk. 24.47 Teachers Not publike for Ephes. 4.11 but private Teachers of your private families and one of another Then hee would have said yee might not yee ought for all are not bound to be Preachers He doth not say yee may have need but yee have need Whereas they were taught you long agoe Not profound points and deepe mysteries The elements are the first things whereof bodies be made So there be certaine common points concerning God Christ Faith c. Which are the beginnings of Religion rudimenta quibus pueri erudiuntur Not of the middest or latter end but of the beginning of the oracles of God Wee had need to beginne with the A. B. C. againe 1. They that have had the Word a long time have the more to answer for 2. Christians must also bee teachers one of another Not as Iac. 3.1 3. Wee must not be as those 2 Tim. 3.7 ever learning but never be able to come to the knowledge of the truth Milke is fit for Children because it is thin warme easie of digestion needs no teeth to chew it which infants want and is soone converted into the substance of the body You are such babes in Religion that yee neede milke still strong meat is not for you 1 Cor. 3.2 Isaiah 55.1 1 Pet. 2.2 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 through your owne negligence It is a shame for a great boy or a man to be fed with milke for the nurse to take a spoone and put milke into his mouth fie on it Cease to be children become perfect men that stronger meat may be delivered to you VERSE 13. PArtaker have beene never so long an hearer Though he be a Gentleman c. That must bee catechised still in the principles of Religion Hath no skill experience knowledge Not righteous Word but the Word of righteousnesse which teacheth righteousnesse Rom. 1.17 That cannot speake a babe in religion Wee must bee babes in sinceritie and humilitie Matthew 18.3 Not in knowledge Eph. 4.14 1 Cor. 14.20 CHRIST was a babe but grew in stature Saul profited much in his sect So must we make some progresse in Religion VERSE 14. THat which makes the body strong Strong meat that is deepe and profound Points of religion which have aspired to some ripenesse of age in Christ IESUS who are described by a speciall propriety Wherein must their sences bee exercised in the Scripture as appeareth by the opposition They that use milke are inexpert in the word of righteousnes but they that use strong meat are exercised in the word of righteousnesse that they may bee able to discerne betweene doctrine and doctrine Here we see what must be the exercise of Christians that are of some ripenesse of age in Christ they must be exercised through long custome in the sacred Scripture search the Scripture Searching requires our time and diligence Saul was seeking of Asses a good while and shall not we spend many dayes and yeares in seeking CHRIST in the Scripture bee thou in these things sayes St. Paul to Timothy The Lawyers are exercised through long custome in the volume of the Law they can quote statute on statute for the space of many hundred yeares The Physitions are exercised in Galen and Hippocrates the Philosophers in Plato and Aristotle the Mathematicians in Ptolomy and Euclide but wee that bee Christians must bee exercised in the Word of God Yet this is little practised by us Wee are exercised through long custome in our trades and occupations in buying and selling none shall goe beyond us in them The husbandman is exercised in tillage in making the best of his corne the Clothyer is exercised in his trade the Weaver in his the Merchant in his Of a long custome we are experienced in those things that belong to the world but few are so exercised in the Scripture as they ought to bee Nay that which is to bee lamented sundry are exercised through long custome in quaffing and swilling in lying swearing c. but little exercised in the Scripture Now the merry time of the yeare approcheth wherein we invent many exercises to passe time away withall of carding dicing gaming But I will commend to you a most excellent exercise that farre surmounts them all Have your sences exercised through a long custome in the word of righteousnesse spend time these Holy dayes in reading of Scripture that yee may not bee children but men of wisedome and understanding to discerne betweene good and evill The touchstone to discerne pure gold from that which is counterfeit is the Word of God The day discernes betweene a tree and a man In a
are never mentioned in Scripture but to their disgrace Let there bee no Traytor among you as Iudas no grosse and open Idolater as Ieroboam that made Israel to sinne no Strumpet as Iesabel whose adulteries were in great number no worldling is Demas no drunkard as Falcidius qui superavit totam Asiam bibendo If their names be registred to posterity it is with a perpetuall blot of infamy His prophanenesse doth appeare by a Sale that he made The Gardarens were prophane persons which had rather forgoe Christ then their Hogs The Pharisees were prophane persons that laughed at Christ when he preached against covetousnesse That Iudge was a prophane person that neither feared GOD nor reverenced man Those Philosophers that mocked at the resurrection and those Epicures were prophane persons that said Let us eat and drinke to morrow wee shall dye They that sit quaffing and swilling in Tavernes and Ale-houses in Sermon time they know there is a Sermon in the Church yet wittingly and willingly they continue in the Ale-house still What are these but prophane persons For a little drinke they loose the sincere milke of the Word whereby they might grow to everlasting life All covetous Misers that are glued to their wealth that had rather lose the Kingdome of Heaven than their riches are prophane persons the pottage of this world is sweeter to them than the joyes of Heaven Let mee live merrily while I am here let me have the world at will and let them take Heaven that can get it O miserable wretches Farre unlike Moses that preferred the rebuke of CHRIST before the treasures of Egypt They count Heaven but a Tale of a Tub whereas we ought to Count all as Dongue that wee may winne CHRIST Let there bee no such prophane persons among us where the sound of the Word ringeth daily in our eares let us have holy and heavenly mindes Yet are there not prophane persons among us that count all preaching prating that no credit is to be given to the Scripture full of contradictions shall we beleeve them They have gotten such a savour in drinking and whoring that the very Scriptures seeme bitter to them VERSE 17. THE second thing considerable in Esau is the punishment of his fact Where 1. A desire to have it againe 2. A denyall of it He would have had it againe but could not his repentance was too late Ratified by their owne testimony for ye know how that afterward being exercised in the Scriptures The blessing which depended on the birthright Then hee would have had it with all his heart but could not get it he begged it earnestly at his Fathers hand but could not get it Shall a man seeke repentance and not finde it At what time soever a sinner repenteth of his sinnes from the bottome of his heart c. Esau sought not repentance but was grieved for the punishment not for the sinne he grieved non quia vendiderat sedquia perdiderat primogenita as one speaketh Neverthelesse this is not referred to Esau his repentance but to Isaac His Father Isaac would by no meanes repent of that which hee had done Iacob hee had blessed and hee should bee blessed Esau could not move him to reverse the blessing doe what hee could 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he sought it earnestly with teares with howling and crying too There is no necessity in the Greek to supply the word blessing The pronoune may be referred to the word repentance immediately going before he found no place of repentance that is of his fathers repentance though hee sought it with teares All his crying would not make his father repent Iacob had the blessing and hee should enjoy it Esau had a kinde of blessing too concerning temporall things but not like that of Iacobs For ye know I speak to such as are acquainted w th the word of God The Sadduces did erre not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God but all good Christians must know the Scriptures they must have their senses exercised in them they must search them daily as the Bereans did that when the Preacher speakes of any History in the Bible he may speake as to men of knowledge But now a dayes a number even in the Countrey are better Lawyers than Divines more skill in the Statutes and Lawes to wrangle with their neighbours than in the Law of God This is the foolish nature of man There be many rich and excellent blessings which we make no reckoning of when we have them which afterwards we would willingly have and cannot get them When David had free liberty to come to Gods house hee was not so much inflamed with the love of it but in exile he longed after it then the Sparrowes and Swallowes that build their nests by GOD's Altar were in better case than he When the prodigall Son was at home in his fathers house where he had aboundance of all things he set light by it but when he was keeping Swine ready to starve for hunger than hee would bee as one of his fathers hired servants his fathers Table could not content him before now hee would bee glad to sit at the servants Table While Esau had the birth-right and the blessing too he regarded it not now he howles for it and cannot get it Let us make much of good things while we have them So it is with us we live now in peace and prosperity there is no leading into captivity nor complaining in our streets we may come to Church without any feare of the enemy sicknesse doth not keepe us at home as it doth many Yet these benefits are now scarse worth a good mercy What care we we will not set a foot over the threshold to go to Church now But I pray God that the time come not that we shall not onely wish but howle and cry for them and not get them Let us use with all thankfulnesse the gracious mercies of GOD while we have them least afterwards we seeke for them when it is too late While we have the light let us walke worthy of the light while ye have the word make much of the word while ye have health use your health to Gods glory and the salvation of your soules 3 Esau found no place to repentance All that he could doe or say could not make his father to repent If we have done a thing that is agreeable to the will of God we must never repent of it Psal. 15.4 Iacob had laid his righthand on the head of Ephraim Ioseph would have removed it but he could not Isaac had blessed Iacob he would not reverse the blessing Pilat had written The King of the Iewes the Scribes and Pharisees could not move him to alter it What I have written I have written If it be a bad thing let us repent quickly of it Let us not persist in an evill thing for that is stubbornnesse and wilfulnesse but in a good thing let us persevere to
time Was confirmed to us that is to our time by those that heard him some of them being still alive even in our time the Law and the Prophets were to Iohn that is to Iohn's time The Gospell in England hath beene continued to us that is to our time not by me alone which am a secondary Apostle borne out of time but by the first Apostles of all those after Christ preached to you Hebrews VERSE 4. GOD Himselfe was a witnesse to the Gospell therefore let us beleeve it But how did GOD beare witnesse to it by signes and wonders c. Then they came not from Satan but from GOD. Signa quia significant the Divine Power and Majestie of God Signes are any miracles in generall as the fleece to Gedeon c. Hezekiahs signe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 prodigia quòd porrò dicant Some call them praedicidia because they doe praedicere aliquid mali terrible miracles of GOD's wrath and judgement as the striking of Ananias and Sapphira with sudden death the killing of Herod by the Angell the blindnesse of Elymas the Sorcerer but it is sometimes taken also for miracles of mercie And with diverse miracles 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whereby the power of God is shewed to the world Act. 2.43 cap. 5.12 The distributions of the Holy Ghost 1. Because they be freely and frankly bestowed by him 2. Because liberally and bountifully vid. 1 Cor. 12.8 9 10. The reason moving him to this distribution is no merits in us but his owne blessed will his gracious goodnesse is the cause of all both of sending the Gospell by Christ and of confirming it by so many miracles and gifts There be counterfeit miracles Matth. 24.24 2 Thes. 2.9 and true miracles they may be distinguished by the matter the cause and the end 1 Sometimes they seeme to be that which they are not as the walking of spirits in Church-yards bloud in their breaden god whereas they be but a cousenage 2 They may be substantiall for the matter and yet effected by a wrong cause as the Sorcerers in Egypt brought forth true Frogs c. yet by the Devill not by the finger of GOD and they may be wrought by a naturall cause which men see not nor can comprehend as they shut up Mahomet in an Iron-Chest brought him into a Temple and made it hang aloft which was done by Loadstones that the silly people were ignorant of There was a Lampe in Venus Temple that burnt continually which some thought to be a miracle whereas it was done by a certaine stone called Asbestus which was found in Arcadia 3 By the end If it be to confirme falshood it is a bad miracle Deut. 13.1 though never so glorious Whereas a true miracle is effected by the power of GOD exceedeth the bounds of Nature and is for the confirmation of the truth The Gospell at the beginning was adorned with many miracles 1. Because it seemed strange to the world a new doctrine 2. Because it seemed repugnant to the law of Moses instituted by GOD. 3. Because it could not bee proved and confirmed by naturall reasons But now since the famous miracles of CHRIST Resurrection ascension into heaven of the sending of the Holy Ghost of the spreading of the Gospell over all the world we must not still curiously gape after miracles that is reproved Matth. 12.39 Ioh. 4.48 Luk. 23.8 To the law and the testimonie Isai. 8.20 the people must resort The glory of miracles with the Papists is a note of the Church and they bragge much of their miracles they have one thousand miracles to our one Bernard the Monke restored sight to a blind man Dominicus raised up three from the dead Antoninus 38. Franciscus Xavorius the Iesuite cured many dumbe lame and blind in India As for us we have no miracles therefore ours is not the Church What of all this Iohn Baptist wrought never a miracle yet he was a good Preacher sent from God But for the determination of this point In some sence we will not deny but that miracles may be notes of the Church but here we must distinguish of notes and of miracles too One true note of the Church is the sound preaching of the Word where that is to beget men and women to CHRIST there is the Church yet miracles may bee an ornament to the Church a confirmation of it in the truth of the Gospell But what miracles 1. Not forged or counterfeit as the miracles of the Papists be their jugling being brought to light and detected to all the world but true miracles wrought by the finger of GOD. not lying wonders with the which Antichrist should come and delude the world 2. Not new miracles that came yesterday out of the mint but the old and ancient miracles of CHRIST and his Apostles are a demonstration of the Church and of the truth of the Gospell that the Gospell might be carryed more speedily throughout the world miracles were requisite at the beginning but now no such necessitie of them A wicked and crooked generation seeketh a signe Herod would faine see CHRIST that he might see some miracle done by him Let us not now gape after new miracles the miracles wherewith God honoured the Gospell at the first were sufficient for the confirmation of it to all posterity The rich man in Hell would faine have had a miracle for the saving of his brethren Lazarus must be sent from the dead to them but it was answered him they have Moses and the Prophets that is enough if we will not believe for the preaching of the word all the miracles in the world will not save us Yet the Gospell at this day has many miracles though they be not observed men are metamorphosed and changed by it of proud they become humble of Devills Saints men are raised from the death of sinne by it they that were blind in the knowledge of CHRIST are come to a cleere sight in matters of religion they that were lame and could not walke in the way to the kingdome of heaven are made to runne cheerfully in it they that were dumbe and could not speake for CHRIST are made to speake wisely and boldly in his quarrell These are excellent miracles which might procure an estimation of the Gospell in our hearts Now for so much as the LORD honoured the Gospell with so many miracles let us yeeld a reverent attention to it and not neglect so great salvation which with so many great and wonderfull miracles hath beene so much graced by GOD let us lay it up in our hearts let us frame our lives according to it that wee may feele the power and comfort of it in our hearts and be saved eternally by CHRIST in the world to come He returnes to CHRIST where 1. A farther confirmation of his deitie 2. A transition to his humanitie Verse 10. His deity is confirmed by this argument He to whom the world is subject is God the world is
Kingdome of Heaven that we and our brethren glorifying CHRIST in this world may be glorified with Him in the world to come VERSE 14. THe reason of the Caveat is taken from the common estate and condition of Christians which is illustrated by a condition carefully to be observed by them They that are partakers of one Christ and of one Saviour ought to have a care of the Salvation one of an other and labour by the cable-rope of exhortation to pull one an other out of sin but we that professe the Gospell are partakers of one Christ therefore let us exhort one another and save one an others soule One member must respect an other If the foote be ready to fall into a ditch the hand must pull it up We are members of the same body whereof Christ is Head therefore we should keep one an other from the pit of sin They that be brethren that have one Father and Mother should be jealous of the good estate one of an other We are brethren in Christ he is the elder brother to us all therefore let us have a tender care of the salvation one of an other As we are partakers of Christ so let us participate the grace which we receive from Christ one to another They that passe not whether their brethren sinke or swim goe to heaven or to hell doe argue that they have no portion in Christ for if they had the preservation of all Christians would be deare unto them Let us exhort one an other daily because we are partakers of Christ. Here likewise wee behold the singular dignity of Christians they are partakers of Christ they are Christ's partners and fellowes There is a mutuall participation betweene Christ and us he partakes with us of flesh and bloud he takes the load of our sinnes on his back and beares them for us and we partake with him in all his benefits There is nothing that Christ hath but we have part of it his wisedome holinesse his righteousnesse is ours yea his kingdome is ours We are heyres yea coheyres with him of his kingdome As the man at the day of marriage sayes to his Wife with all my worldly goods I thee endow so the Lord Iesus our Husband that in mercy hath married us to himselfe endoweth us with all his goods by reason whereof being poore of our selves and worth nothing we become exceeding rich Christ is ours death life the world is ours O unspeakable prerogative vouchsafed to dust and ashes Let us walke worthy of this honour whereunto we are advanced being Christs partners let us not be the Devils partners Let us not partake with the Devill in sinne in blaspheming the name of GOD contemning of his Word in pride malice and other abominations but as we be partakers of Christ so let us participate of Christs vertue Let us be holy as he is holy humble as he is humble let us contemne this world with all the vaine pleasures that bee in it as hee did What fellowship is there betweene CHRIST and Belial If CHRIST be ours let not the Divell be ours This is good newes we are partakers of CHRIST therefore we may sleepe soundly on both Eares we need take thought for nothing Not so such a thought cannot be incident into Christs partners for we be partakers of Christ if we hold c. All interpreters with one consent referre this to faith and indeed it is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hebr. 11.1 the beginning of that lively faith hope and confidence that we have in him which is as a sure foundation that cannot be shaken I do not deny but it is a good sence yet without any circumloquution or violence offred to the words it may fitly be translated if wee hold fast the beginning of the subsistence and being that we have in him For Hypostasis most properly doth signifie a subsistence according to the etymologie of the word If as we have begun by faith to have a being in Christ so wee hold fast this our being to the end growing up daily in him till wee come to a perfect age in Christ Iesus Christians must not needlesly doubt of their salvation Why doubtest thou ô man of little faith as Christ hath promised to us a kingdome so hee will undoubtedly performe his promise for there is not in him a shadow of turning We must say with Paul I am perswaded neither life nor death shall bee able to separate us from the love of CHRIST Yet we must distinguish between faith and presumption Christians must not set all at six and seven be not high minded but feare Blessed is the man that feareth alwayes A Child may feare to displease his father and yet not doubt of his fathers love As we have begun in Christ so let us continue in him Yee are they that have continued with me in my temptations therefore I appoint to you a kingdome Luk. 22.28 Be thou faithfull to the end Let us hold fast to the end the beginning of our subsistence in CHRIST Remember Lots Wife She begun well but ended ill So runne that yee may obtaine runne not your selves out of breath at the first never leave running till yee have the gole of eternall life We have begunne in sound and pure Religion let us not end in prophanenesse in Atheisme in Brownisme and Anabaptisme Let us hold our beginning fast and continue with CHRIST to the end let neither the slie temptations of Satan nor the sweete allurements of the flesh nor the dangerous baites of the world nor the stormy tempest of persecution if it should arise hereafter cary us from CHRIST but let us hold fast the beginning of our being in him and remaine firmely engraffed into him to the end VERSE 15. WHy what is that end to the which wee must hold out even so long as yee live and GOD speakes to you in the Ministery of the Gospell While it is said for that voice spoken to the Israelites appertaineth to us So long as the voice of God soundeth to us in the trumpet of the Gospell let us hold fast that being that we have in CHRIST take the time while the time serveth VERSE 16. SO much of the Application of the testimony of the caveat and the reason whereby it is enforced Now let us come to the commentary and explanation that the Apostle maketh of it In this he expoundeth foure branches of the testimony 1. Who they were that provoked God to anger 2. Who they were with whom God was angry 3. Who they were which by oath were excluded out of his rest 4. The cause why they were excluded In the latter end of the fifteenth Verse he made mention of the provocation First of all he shewes who they were that provoked God They that provoked him to anger are described 1. By the number of them they were some not all 2. By a gracious benefit contemned by them namely the word preached when they heard that is Almighty God
off-spring of man what a vile and contemptible thing of no worth of no value In respect of his originall he is dust for the course of his life on the face of the earth he is subject to all griefes sorrowes sicknesses diseases a continuall sinner against thee for his end he is wormes-meat That thou once mindest him that thou hast such a fatherly care over him that thou carriest him in thy remembrance that thou hast written him in thy Table-bookes and art mindfull continually to doe him good Non vacat exiguis rebus adesse Iovi said the Poet. Visitest him There is Visitatio irae gratiae not in judgement but in mercy as appeareth by that which followeth as a Physitian his Patient or a Father his Son Elizabeth wondred that the Virgin Mary should visit her Whence commeth this to me that the Mother of my Lord c. Much more may we admire this visitation that the King of Kings and Lord of Lords should visit us Forsomuch as this Psalme is applyed to the Messiah by our Saviour Christ Mat. 21.16 and by Paul 1 Cor. 15.27 the Author of this Epistle doth directly apply it to him in the words following Sundry learned and godly men apply it first and principally to our Saviour Christ but I see not how that can be shall wee say of CHRIST What is he that God should be mindfull of him his beloved Son in whom he is well pleased that never did any thing amisse that never transgressed his Commandement though hee bee a man as wee are yet hee is an unspotted man separate from sinners higher than the heavens as hee is man so he is GOD too and shall we say of him What is he that God should visit him Sundry things in this Psalme must needs be applied to him but not the whole Psalme It is not so in any Psalme First it is understood of the type then of him that is figured by the type What is man He doth not speake of man in his first creation he retained that estate but a while therefore he would rather have deplored than admired it He doth not speak of man as he is after his fall for in that respect he is most miserable not glorious therefore he must needs speake of man as he is ingraffed into Christ by whom he is advanced to wonderfull and unspeakable glory What is man Not onely considered in his first creation but even in his renovation what is the best man that ever was What is Abraham Isaac and Iacob What is Moses David Peter Paul What is the holiest man on the face of the earth that God should have any respect to him by creation indeed he is the workemanship of God the image of God Almighty yet for all that in respect of his originall he was taken out of the ground he is but a peece of earth since the fall he is a masse of sin though he be regenerate and by faith ingraffed into Christ yet still he hath sin in him and must dye Therefore what is this man that thou shouldest powre downe so many blessings on him That the Sun Moone and Stars should give him light That the birds of the Ayre fishes of the Sea the beasts of the field should be his meat That he should walke as a King on the earth especially that thou shouldest send thy only Son to dye for him make him a member of his body and provide an everlasting kingdome for him in the life to come What is vile wretched sinfull corrupted man that thou shouldest be so farre mindfull of him Protect him with the shield of thy fauours from all dangers That thou shouldest vouchsafe him thy word and Sacraments That thou shouldest give him thy holy Spirit to helpe him to pray and to comfort him in all miseries We should not be like the Peacock spreading forth our golden feathers and say within our selves what goodly men be we wee ought to thinke basely of our selves what are we that God should regard us What am I and my Fathers house said that regall Prophet that thou hast brought me hitherto What are we miserable wretches wormes meat that God Almighty should doe any thing for us we are lesse than the least of all his mercies Yet we are wont to vaunt of our selves doe ye not know who I am Doest thou not consider to whom thou speakest yes very well I speake to dust and ashes Let no high conceit of our selves enter into our minds let us thinke basely of our selves What am I O Lord that thou shouldest give me the least thing in the world A drop of drinke a crust of bread an hole to hide my head in especially that thou shouldest give me thine only Son and together with him all things that be good What is any man in the world Art thou a rich man God can puffe away thy riches and make thee poore Art thou a wise man God can take away thy senses and make thee a foole art thou a beautifull man God can send the pox and many diseases to take away thy beauty art thou a strong man God can send sicknes and make thee weak art thou a Gentleman a Knight a Lord yet thy breath is in Gods hand This night he can take away thy soule from thee and what art thou then therefore let us all have an humble opinion of our selves let us cast downe our selves at Gods feet and say What are we O Lord that thou art mindfull of us that thou so graciously visitest us especially with thy everlasting mercies in Christ Iesus VERSE 7. MAclohim Some interpret it then God as Hierome Bucer But the seventy Interpreters translate it Angels so doth the Chalde Paraphrase and the word in Scripture is most commonly applied to them The Angels are glorious creatures and when we speake of an excellent man we call him an Angell 1 Sam. 29.9 2 Sam. 14.20 Acts 6.15 There is not much ods betweene the Angels and us they are immortall wholly we immortall in part they have no sin because they never fell we that are ingrafted into Christ have sin within us yet it is covered with the garment of Christs righteousnesse so that it is not imputed to us They have a rule and dominion under GOD in the world whereupon they are called principalities powers thrones dominations and wee have a rule in the world too all things through CHRIST being subjected to us they are in heaven and behold the face of God So wee one day shall be in heaven and like the Angels they are endewed with wisedome knowledge and understanding So are we though we come short of them by many a mile they are our brethren and fellow servants in sundry things there is not much difference betweene them and us We are but a little inferiour to them we have massie heavy sinfull corruptible bodies So have not they They tooke to them true bodies for a time but those bodies were no essentiall parts of
and the continuance in it Here are many excellent instructions Love is laborious If thou lovest a man thou wilt labour for him thou wilt runne and ride for him thou wilt relieve him in his wants according to that ability wherewith God hath blessed thee Love not in word and tongue only 1 Ioh. 3.18 I will not give any thing for such love as hath nothing but words Shew mee thy love by thy deeds and labour Art thou ready to doe what thou canst for thy brother art thou willing to part with thy mony thy meat and drinke for the relieving of him then thou lovest him hic labor hoc opus est this is the true labour of love indeed doest thou visit him if he be in prison for righteousnesse sake doest thou goe to him and comfort him if he be sicke never prate of love unlesse I may see the labour of thy love Iacob loved Rachel therefore he laboured for her For the glorifying of his name Here we have the end of a good worke which makes it a good work indeed when it is done for the name of Christ. The Pharisees gave almes yet because it was to procure a name to themselves it was not a good worke they have their reward amongst men they shall have none at the hands of God If thou givest to the poore because the statute compells thee or because thou shalt be hardly thought of if thou givest not or that thou mayest bee counted a liberall man and that the world may talke of thee and commend thee it looseth the title of a good worke whatsoever we doe let us doe all to the glory of God and he will recompense us Why what was this work of theirs they ministred to the Saints One speciall good worke is to minister to the Saints There were certaine women that ministred to Christ of their owne substance the woman of Shunem ministred to Elisha prepared a chamber and other necessaries for him Onesiphorus ministred to St. Paul which oft refreshed him and was not ashamed of his chaine Dorcas ministred to the poore widdowes in clothing them Doe good unto all especially to them who are of the household of faith If any Saints are in want minister to them In this sence we must all be Ministers this is a glorious service a worthy ministration in ministring to them wee minister to Christ in as much as yee have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren yee have done it unto mee and let it not grieve us to minister to Christ which hath ministred his own bloud to us The times are hard wherein we live all victualls are at an high rate many poore Saints fare hardly lye hardly goe hardly let us open the bowels of compassion and minister to them This worke above all others shall be recompensed at the day of Iudgement when I was hungry yee fed mee c. Therefore let us occupy our selves in this ministration But what doe they content themselves with their former ministring doe they set downe their staffe there No and yet Minister It is not sufficient to doe well for a time but we must continue in well doing Many soothe up themselves in their former good workes they vaunt of them such and such a thing did I. O how bountifull were we to our Preachers How kind have we beene to them O I but are you kinde still have yee ministred and yet do yee minister have yee beene zealous and yet are yee zealous have yee beene diligent hearers of the Word and yet are yee diligent have yee beene liberall to the poore and yet are yee liberall That is a worthie commendation then are yee good Christians indeed In earthly blessings wee cannot away with was or had hath any great list to bragge I was Rich I had land I had my health wee had rather say an hundred times I am rich I have my health I was good is not so much but I am yet good I am more and more good that is an excellent thing Yet there bee many that have beene good in the praeterperfecttence that are not in the present They were sober they would looke at no Ale-house but now they are common drunkards they were chaste but now are adulterers they were wont to keepe their Church well they would never misse a Sermon but now come seldome to Church every trifle will keepe them from a Sermon they were liberall but now are covetous that is a miserable thing a dolefull tune Let us so behave our selves that it may be affirmed of us we are yet good yet zealous yet religious and let not this yet be given over so long as we live This is an excellent place as any in all the bible to encourage us to good workes God will never forget them As hee puts our teares into his bottle so he puts our good workes into his booke and keepes a register of them all Men may forget the good turnes to them they wryte their injuries in steele and their benefits in water many will not acknowledge them that have beene their benefactors Pharaohs butler quickly forgate Ioseph though he foretold him of his delivery Men are forgetfull but God is not hee neither forgets us nor our workes Can a woman forget her sucking Child that shee should not have compassion on the Sonne of her wombe yea they may forget yet I will not forget thee God remembred the prayer and teares of Hezekiah 2 Reg. 20.5 The almes deeds of Cornelius went up into remembrance before God Acts 10.4 God remembers our prayers our fastings our joyfull hearing of his Word he remembers what money we have given to the poore the Cloath wherewith we have clothed them the kindnesse we have shewed to his Ministers if wee have given but a cup of cold water hee remembers it and will reward it Mat. 10.42 This should make us all zealous of good workes Now a dayes by our preaching faith in CHRIST we have through the corruption of the people preached good workes out of the Church the people nourish this conceit in their hearts we cannot merit heaven by our workes therefore it is not a pins matter though wee doe none I but God will not forget your good workes he will reward them both in this life and in the life to come he will give heaven to your workes as they are the fruits of faith though he give it not for the worthinesse and dignity of your workes therefore be full of them Good workes are not the meritorious causes of heaven yet they are the way to heaven and yee cannot goe to heaven but by the way of good workes therefore make your calling and election sure by them Blessed are the dead which dye in the Lord for they rest from their labours and their workes follow them Your houses and land silver and gold tarry behind when yee bee dead but your workes follow you God will not forget them but
put for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is evident because he is created after an other manner Before he said 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Verse 11. now 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Some of the Iesuits being notable fishers have found a deep mystery in this pond the alteration of the word And wherin I pray you consisteth this similitude It must needs be in this and nothing but this That as Melchizedec offered bread and wine as a sacrifice of praise to God after Abrahams victorie So our Saviour Christ offered his body and bloud under the shape of bread and wine in the Supper for this cause and for this cause alone or chiefely and principally he is a Priest after the order of Melchizedec and in the end having the streame of all the fathers running with them they desire Christ to confound us that strive against it But cannot Christ be a Priest after the similitude of Melchizedec unlesse it be in this Surely then he is not a Priest at all after the similitude of Melchizedec for Melchizedec offered no bread and wine The Hebrew is Hotziah protulit non obtulit as their owne vulgar Interpreter doth translate it and the Septuaginta expound it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is a confirmation of Melchizedec's kingdome not of his Priesthood as a King of his Prince-like liberality he brought forth out of his store-house plenty of bread and wine to refresh Abraham and his men after the battell he brought them forth not to offer them to God but to comfort Abraham and his wearied Souldiers withall Therefore concerning the forged sacrifice of the Masse Christ can be no Priest after the similitude of Melchizedec 1. Melchizedec offered no bread nor wine at all 2. If he did he offered the substance of bread and wine not the shewes alone as the Papists doe therefore in this hee cannot bee a Priest after the similitude of Melchizedec for Melchizedec did never any thing like to this But in sundry other respects hee is a Priest after the similitude of Melchizedec 1. As Melchizedec being a Priest of the most high God blessed Abraham and prayed to God for him So Christ blesseth and prayeth for his Church Verse 25. 2. As Melchizedec is said to live for ever because there is no mention of his death in the Scripture So Christ liveth for ever and of his Priest-hood there is no end 3. As Melchizedec was a Priest yet not made after the manner of other Priests but had an extraordinary calling from God so CHRIST is made a Priest not after the manner of the Leviticall Priest-hood but after a more excellent sort as Melchizedec was 4. As Melchizedec was a King and a Priest too So was our SAVIOUR CHRIST in these sences Hee is a Priest after the similitude of Melchizedec not in that sence which the Papists imagine The man of GOD and dispenser of the Word that is appointed to teach the people whether hee doth it by word of mouth or wryting must make things cleere and evident unto them It was evident by that which hee said in the former Verse that the Priest-hood is changed because the tribe consecrated to the Priest-hood is changed yet not contenting himselfe with that he makes it a great deale more evident in these Verses A mysterie of Religion cannot bee too evident to the people A Preacher must bee as plaine as possible hee can as plaine as a pike-staffe as wee use to speake Hence it is that Preachers are compared to Nurses a Nurse though shee have a fine flowing and eloquent tongue yet shee will speake plainly to the Child So must we to those Children whom God hath put to us to nurse when we deliver the sincere milke of the Word to them Who hath more learning then God the fountaine of all Wisedome yet the Scripture which is his Word is the plainest writing in the world he is the best Preacher and drawes neerest to God Almighty that speakes most plainely to the capacity of the people They in Ezra gave the sense and made the people to understand it as for those that affect obscurity that love to speake in the cloudes that desire rather to be admired for an opinion of learning then to profit and benefit the people they can have no comfort of their labour Heraclitus that was surnamed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is reproved by the rest of the Philosophers Hereticall teachers have beene darke but the true teachers have beene perspicuous St. Hierome had more adoe to understand Iovinian then to confute him Arrius was obscure in setting downe his heresie whereas St. Aug. had rather speake false Latine to say Ossum for os then hee would not be comprehended by the people Our Apostle here strives to make the alteration of the Priest-hood more and more evident Indeed the Papists holding it the best policy to keepe the people in ignorance are of purpose obscure in their writings and sayings The Rhemes Testament of late yeeres set forth in English is so darke such inck-horne termes so many Latine wordes unenglished as that the common people cannot understand it even as good as Aristotles physickes that were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but as for us that be sincere Preachers of the Word which seeke Gods glory and the profit of the people more than our owne credite and estimation let us labour to make that evident which we speake VERSE 16. NOw hee sheweth how this is more evident by the manner of creation of this Priest farre different from the creation of Priests in the law Not of the Law of a Carnall Commandement not after the rite and manner of the ceremoniall Law as Aaron and his Sons were The ceremoniall Law is termed the carnall Commandement because it did consist in carnall and outward observations that were not to continue long Hebr. 9.10 Eph. 2.15 At the consecration of Aaron and his Sonnes very costly and glorious apparell was provided which were put on their backes an Ephod a breast plate a miter Exod. 28.1 two Rams and a young Calfe without blemish Exod. 29. were offered up to God for them and a boxe of holy oyle was powred on their heads CHRIST being a Priest after the order of Melchizedec had no such outward solemnity but was annoynted with the oyle of the spirit above his fellowes and cloathed with the white robe of unspotted innocency that was to be found in no Priest in the time of the law therefore his Priest-hood is more excellent then theirs But after the power of an endlesse life that is after that powerfull manner which it pleased God to shew in the Gospell that bringeth with it an endlesse life If he had made a direct opposition it should have beene thus but after the Law of the Spirituall Commandement yet hee speaketh more emphatically Instead of Law hee uses the word power because both our Saviour Christ and the Gospell is the power of God to salvation Ro. 1.