If the Understanding be enlightened with Truth, to wit, the Word of God, then Conscience compares the Ways of a Man by a perfect Rule. But if the Understanding be enlightened with natural or moral Principles only, then Conscience compares a Man's Ways according to those Principles only, and so by an imperfect Rule.
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Metaphor.
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Parallel.
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A Witness gives in Testimony according to his Light, or that Knowledge he hath of things; and if he hath a perfect Knowledge of this or that he speaks and testifies, his Testimony is good, and ought to be received.
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SO Conscience gives in Testimony according to that Light and Knowledge that is in the Understanding, for it only speaks and makes Propositions according to its Light; if it be misguided by Satan, or corrupt Nature, or false Principles, his Testimony is not good, nor to be regarded, but deceives and abuses the Soul, as a false Witness doth, who appears to speak in the behalf of a guilty Person. And on the other hand, he may, for want of a clear Light and Understanding, condemn such as he should clear. And hence many that are very wicked and vile, both in Practice and Principle, are very confident that their State and Condition is good, and their poor deluded Souls are peremptory many times, and wiser in their own Conceit, than seven Men that can give a Reason. In them is fulfilled that of the Apostle,
Their Minds and Consciences are corrupt.
And on the other hand, for want of a little Light, some good Men by the Testimony of their Consciences are ready to condemn themselves, and give up all their Hope, notwithstanding their being justified and accepted by Jesus Christ.
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II. A Witness therefore must be thoroughly examined, to find out how or by what means he comes to know this or that he gives Testimony of.
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II. So must a Man strictly examine his own Conscience, how it comes to have knowledge of things, of which it either accuseth, or excuseth; for this ought always to be received as an undoubted Truth, That the Word of God is the very Rule and Guide by which Conscience should be steered, and by the clear Light of which it ought at all times to give in its Testimony, either for or against a Man.
Saul
thought he ought to have done many things against the Name of
Jesus of Nazareth;
his Heart did not witness against him, when he contented to
Stephen
's Death, because his Conscience wanted Light, it had not perfect knowledge of things: And hence he saith, that
what he did, he did it ignorantly, in Unbelief.
But should another Man,
who knew that Jesus of
Nazareth
was the Son of God, and those persecuted People were the People of God, have done so, Conscience would have been Witness against him, and have flown in his Face, yea, condemned him for it, without Repentance, to the lowest Pit of Hell.
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III. A good Witness, one that hath perfect knowledge of all things laid to a Man's Charge, if he can make it out that he is wronged, how is such a Witness to be valued!
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III. So a good Conscience, I mean a Conscience rightly enlightened by the Word of God, if it gives in Testimony for a Man, that his Heart is sincere, and his Life holy, and that he truly loveth and feareth God, notwithstanding the false Charge of the Enemy; how is the Testimony of such a Witness to be valued by a Christian! Hence
Paul
saith,
This is our rejoicing, the Testimony of our Conscience.
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IV. A good and faithful Witness will speak the whole Truth, and clear the Matter, so far as he knoweth, or can speak to it, upon all occasions.
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IV. So a good and well-guided Conscience will speak all the Truth, and clear the Matter between God and the Soul, so far as he hath Light; and will deceive no Man or Woman, if they do but hearken to him.
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V. A good and faithful Witness will not be bribed or daunted, but speak in behalf of a Man who is falsely accused, and to the utter Shame and Conviction of the guilty Person.
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V. So Conscience, rightly guided by God's Word, will speak Peace to a godly and sincere Person, let who will condemn him; and will speak Terror to the wicked and impenitent Sinner, let who will speak Peace and Comfort to him. Conscience will deal plainly, if it may be heard, and be not stifled, or put out of a capacity of bringing in its Testimony.
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VI. A just and impartial Witness is greatly dreaded by a wicked and guilty Person.
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VI. So Conscience, who is an impartial Witness, is greatly dreaded by some ungodly Souls. O how fain would they fly from those terrible Accusations of their own Consciences, if they knew how! Some from the Horror that ariseth from hence have hanged themselves, and others cut their own Throats, and some have several other ways laid violent hands upon themselves.
So poor Conscience (who is known and daily found to be a true and faithful Witness, one that will not be bribed or corrupted by Frowns or Flatteries, who knoweth all the secret Lusts, Pride, Malice, Treasons, Thefts, Adulteries, that lie in the Heart, and all manner of Wickedness, that vile Sinners are guilty of, and layeth it daily to their Charge) is hated, and much struck at; nay, such is the Wickedness of Men, they endeavor to stifle it, and fear its Tongue with hot Irons; nay, and put out his Eyes; nay, so far as they can they endeavor to murder it, that it may not be able to witness against them anymore, but that they may sin without control. Of these the Apostle speaks:
Who being past feeling, have given themselves over unto all manner of Lasciviousness, to work all Uncleanness with Greediness. — Having their Consciences seared with a hot Iron.
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VII. A great and faithful Witness, who hath perfect Knowledge of things, and will not be bribed, who can and will (as it is believed, and found by experience) speak fully to a Cause, though it be to the utter Shame and Ruin of all guilty Persons, is many times grievously abused by malicious Men, who hate that their abominable Deeds should be brought to Light, or laid at their Doors; nay, not only so, but some have been stifled, strangled, and traitorously murdered; as the ever renowned Sir
Edmond-Bury Godfrey
was by bloody Papists, the 12th of
October,
1678. whom they knew could witness many things against them, to detect their cursed and never to be forgotten Hellish Plot.
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VIII. It is a very great Wickedness, to lay violent hands, or treacherously to abuse and stifle the King's faithful Witnesses, especially when called to give in their Evidence in Matters of great Moment, wherein the Honor and Sovereignty of the King is greatly concerned.
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VIII. So it is a great and horrible Wickedness, for any Soul or Sinner to go about to stop the Mouth of, or treacherously to abuse poor Conscience, who is the great Witness of the King of Heaven and Earth, in this lower Court, and that in Matters wherein his Honor, and glorious Right and Sovereignty is much concerned; nay, not only his Witness, but Judge, to sit upon the Bench, to hear and determine all Causes, if rightly informed, according to the great Law-Book of the Gospel, and to pass Sentence of Life and Death, or to acquit and discharge.
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IX. A Witness is required to speak the Truth, (when he comes before a Court of Judicature) the whole Truth, and nothing but the Truth; and he that is a true Witness will do it. And hereby many times most horrid Evils are brought to light, and publicly detected; yea, secret things are discovered, that the guilty Person thought would never have been known, which makes him ashamed and confounded forever.
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IX. So Conscience in the Day of Judgment will speak the Truth, the whole Truth, and nothing but the Truth. Tho now ofttimes he is blinded, and at a great Loss, for want of Light, or by being mis-guided, he gives in false Testimony, and quits the guilty, and condemns the innocent; but in that day it will recover such perfect Light and Knowledge, that it will decide the Cause clearly the right way, and will by this means bring to light all the hidden things of Darkness,
even all those cursed Abominations of the Heart, all secret things, that it and God Almighty were only privy to, and will lay open all the horrid Evils that have been done in the dark. Then Men shall be forced to confess their secret Adulteries, Murthers, Treacheries, Theft, Self-Revenge, together with all their bloody and black Combinations, ConspiracieS, and Hellish Plots, carried on in secret Cabals, managed by ungodly Papists, or others, notwithstanding all their Oaths of Secrecy; Conscience (if it comes not to light before) will in that day lay all open before the Eyes of Men and Angels, to the Shame and eternal Confusion of all ungodly Ones.
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X. A just and impartial Witness, that clearly and very fully giveth in Testimony against a Person, in a fair Trial, finally stops his own Mouth, and the Mouths of all others, and leaves the Cause clear, for the Judge to pass Sentence against him.
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X. So the Consciences of wicked Men, in the great Day, will give in such clear and full Evidence against them, touching all the Evils they shall then be charged with by the just Judge of Heaven and Earth, that all Flesh shall forever be silenced, and God shall be clear when he judgeth.
Which show the Works of the Law written in their Hearts, their Consciences also bearing Witness, and their Thoughts in the mean while accusing, or else excusing one another, in that Day when God shall judge the Secrets of all Men, by Jesus Christ, according to my Gospel.
And hereby all the Mouths of Unbelievers will be stop'd, and they all be found guilty before Christ.
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Inferences.
THese things being considered, it may stir up all Persons to take heed how they carry it, at home and abroad, when they go out, and when they come in, when they lie down, or rise up, because Conscience observes all that is said or done, nay, is privy to all the thoughts of our Hearts, and one day will witness for us, or against us.
II. Let Christians, whatever they do, labor to keep a good Conscience. A good Conscience is better than a good Name, it is better than a good Trade, 'tis better than a good Estate. And for further Motives to this needful Duty,
1, Consider, Conscience keeps a Register of all thy Thoughts, Words, and Actions; what you forget, and is quite gone out of your Memories, is set down in the Book of Conscience.
2. Consider, Conscience is a Witness, an impartial Witness, an Accuser of Evil; and though he lies still a great while, he will rouse up at last, and with his cruel Charges and Accusations accuse the Soul; as in the Case of
Joseph
's Brethren:
And they said one to another,
Verily we are guilty concerning our Brother, in that we saw the Anguish of his Soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this Distress come upon us.
3. Conscience is not only a Witness, but a Judge, and hath power to condemn the wicked and the guilty Soul; it sits upon the Throne, as God's Attorney-General, to award Life or Death, as the States and Conditons of Men are.
If thy Heart condemn the,
God is greater,
&c.
4. Conscience doth often the Work and Office of a Tormentor; woe to them that fall into his enraged hands here, but much more sad will it be with them whom he shall torment in Hell. 'It is he that is the gnawing Worm that never dies,
where the Fire shall never be quenched. But,
5. There is no bearing in this World the Pain and Torment of an accusing Conscience.
Tiberius
the Emperor was so followed with Grief and Horror by his own Conscience, that he confessed in the Senate-House he suffered Death daily; and
Charles
the Ninth of
France,
that Monster of Mortals, after the dreadful Massacre, could never endure to be awaked in the Night without Music, such was the dreadful Anguish and Horror he found in his own Conscience.
Francis Spira
also may be here recited among the rest, whose Conscience terrified him at that rate, that the Account of his fearful Case is left to Posterity. It was Conscience that put
Judas
into such an Amaze, and forced him to hang himself, after he had betrayed our Blessed Savior. And many other Examples, both ancient and modern, we meet with, both of Men and Women, that have destroyed themselves, as not being able to bear the cruel Torments of an accusing Conscience; and others from hence have confessed their Guilt, and so delivered themselves into the hands of Justice.
6. That Man can never have good Days, that keeps an evil Conscience.
7. On the other hand, he that hath a good Conscience needs never be sad, nor can he be without good Days; for as Trouble and Horror of Conscience is the greatest Trouble, so Peace of Conscience is the greatest Joy. That Man can never want Music (saith Mr.
Caryl
) that speaks in Consort, and is harmonious with himself. A good Conscience is the poor Man's Riches, and the rich Man's chiefest Jewel, a Jewel worth keeping. It is (saith one) the best Pillow to sleep on, and the best Dish to feed on.
A good Conscience is a continual Feast;
so the
Geneva
-Translation.
A good Conscience with a Dinner of Herbs, is all Varieties; but a bad Conscience makes all Feasts and Pleasures like the Hand-writing on
Belshazzar
's Wall.
8. Labor to get and keep a good Conscience, because an evil one spoils all the good and best Actions of thy Life, it renders thy Prayers to be sinful.
9. Consider, Conscience is privy to all thou thinkest, knoweth what Evil hath been done by thee in private, seeth all the Evil thou hast committed, and all the Good thou hast omitted the doing of; and one day, if evil,
it will lay all open before the Eyes of God, Angels, and Men, and come in as a Witness, to charge and condemn thee forever. O therefore get a good Conscience.
10. Take heed how thou carriest thyself towards Conscience, because it hath a Regal Power in thy Soul, a Commission either to accuse or excuse: and if he condemns thee as an Unbeliever, or as a false Hypocrite, by the Light and Authority of God's Word,
God will also (assuredly) condemn thee (unless thou dost repent) in the great Day.
11. Consider what a glorious Mercy it will be, to have such a Friend as Conscience witness for thee, when thou art wrongfully accused and condemned by Men. This was that which bore up
Job,
and holy
Paul,
in their Troubles.
My Heart shall not reproach me,
&c.
This is our rejoicing, the Testimony of our Conscience.
Quest.
Some possibly may inquire here,
How a good Conscience may be known, or what Characters may be given of it?
Answ.
I shall give you some Rules to judge of a good Conscience, both
Negatively
and
Positively.
First,
Negatively.
1. A blind, ignorant, and misguided Conscience is not a good Conscience. Some think that God concerns not himself with their Actions, takes no notice of their Hearts, Words, or Lives. Others think that God is made up wholly of Mercy, and tremble not at his Justice, and so conclude it is an easy thing to get to Heaven. One (that I have heard of) said, That if it were as easy to get the Riches of this World, as it was to get Heaven, he would not care; or to that effect: not remembering that it is as hard to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, (especially for rich Men) as it is for a Camel to go through the Eye of a Needle,
and that the Righteous shall scarcely be saved. Others think, that those Men are Fools that make such a Stir and Ado about Religion, thinking that is the best Religion that is easiest to the Flesh, and is most free from outward Trouble; whereas the Scripture saith,
that
whoever will live godly in Christ Jesus must suffer Persecution.
Some think the Laws of Men must be
their Rule in all Matters of Faith and Religion; and whatever Magistrates command, must be done,
&c.
2. A drouzy and sleepy Conscience is not a good Conscience. A Conscience that is not thoroughly awakened, will let a Man alone in Sin; such can sleep upon the Brink of the greatest Danger, though they are just falling into the Gulf of Eternity; yea, can sleep under the most awakening Ministry; though Hell-Fire be thrown (as it were) in their very Faces, yet Conscience giveth them not one Jog.
3. A guilty Conscience is not a good Conscience, when Conscience flies into a Man's Face for this or that Sin,
some horrid Pollution or other, loved, and lived in.
4. A seared Conscience, a Conscience that hath no feeling in it, is not a good Conscience.
5. A despairing Conscience is not a good Conscience. Such as think their Sins are greater than God can or will forgive,
notwithstanding Christ hath said,
All Sins and Blasphemies against the Father and the Son shall be forgiven unto Men;
and those, that believe not there is Life for them in Christ, make God a Liar.
Secondly,
Positively.
1. That Man hath a good Conscience, that walks uprightly and faithfully to his Light, according to what he knoweth. If he hath only a natural Light, and walks up faithfully to that, then he hath only a natural good Conscience; there is Moral Sincerity spoken of in the holy Scriptures,
as well as Godly Sincerity.
Abimelech
in this respect had a good Conscience:
In the Sincerity of my Heart, and Innocency of my Hands,
have I done this.
Here I might show how a natural good Conscience may be known from a Conscience evangelically and spiritually good; take two or three Hints.
(1.) He whose Conscience is only naturally good, is usually a proud Man;
Lord, I thank thee,
I am not as other Men,
&c. Such seek their own Glory, they sacrifice to their own Net, and burn Incense to their own Drag; all centers in Self, the Principle of their Action is Self. A Saint, when his Gifts are highest, his Heart is lowest; when his Spirit is most raised, his Heart is most humble.
(2.) A Man that hath only a natural good Conscience, his great endeavor is to still the Noise, and stop the Mouth of it; but never looks to have the Guilt removed, and Filth washed away by Christ's Blood; he seeth no need of a Savior:
I was alive once without the Law,
&c. He is like a Child that hath got a Thorn in his Flesh, who wipeth away the Blood, but taketh no notice or thought how to get out the Thorn. If bare Performance of Duties, whether natural or divine, will still or quiet the Conscience, the Conscience is but naturally good.
2. When Conscience compares a Man's Ways by the perfect Rule of God's Word, by which he walks, and finds it agreeable thereto.
3. An evangelical good Conscience findeth a Man as careful of his Duty towards God, as he is of his Duty towards Man; and as careful of his Duty towards Man, as of his Duty towards God.
Herein do I exercise myself, to have always a Conscience void of Offence towards God, and towards Man.
4. An evangelical good Conscience always stirs up to Obedience and Conformity to God's Word, from the sight of the Excellency of it, and Purity that is in it:
Thy Word is very pure,
therefore thy Servant loveth it.
5. He hath a good Conscience, whose Conviction and Trouble for Sin is universal, when it is deep, when the Spirit searcheth into the bottom:
Come,
saith the Woman of
Samaria,
see a Man that hath told me all that ever I did. And they were pricked in their Hearts.
6. He hath an evangelical good Conscience, who is troubled for Sin, not simply because of Shame, or because of inward Guilt, or fear of Punishment, but because God is and hath been offended, his Spirit grieved, and his Soul defiled, and made unlike God; his Trouble riseth from the sense of the heinous Nature of Sin.
7. When Conscience findeth that no Conviction, either of Sin or Duty, is slighted by the Soul,
but tenderly nourished.
8. When a Man will suffer any Punishment or Loss, before he will offer violence to his Conscience, and sin against God.
9. When Conscience cannot find any Sin hid, spared, born with, or connived at in the Soul, no sweet Morsel under the Tongue.
10. When Conscience finds a Man the same in private that he is in public, and that he is not of a Pharisaical Spirit, doth nothing to be seen of Men, or for vain Glory's sake.
11. When Conscience cannot find any Duty or Ordinance, which the Soul is convinced of, to be neglected, though he is exposed to Reproach thereby. To obey God in Baptism, is called the Answer of a good Conscience; Conscience calls for obedience to this, and to all other Ordinances of the Gospel, when convinced of them.
12. And lastly; When Conscience beareth Testimony to a Soul, that it loveth God and Jesus Christ above all things in this World,
&c. He that hateth not Father and Mother,
&c.
cannot be my Disciple.
That is, if he hath not a lesser Love to them; for the lesser Love in Scripture is called a Hatred, which our Savior openeth in another place,
He that loveth Father or Mother more than me, is not worthy of me; and he that loveth Son or Daughter more than me, is not worthy of me,
&c.
Yea doubtless I account all things but Loss,
&c.
Quest.
How shall a Man get and keep a good Conscience?
Answ.
1. He must get his Heart sprinkled with the Blood of Christ.
Let us draw near with a true Heart, in full assurance of Faith, having our Hearts sprinkled from an evil Conscience,
&c. See that you experience that the Blood of Christ hath as effectually purged your Consciences from dead Works,
as the Blood of Bulls and Goats sanctified to the purifying of the Flesh.
2. He must take heed of all such things as offend his Conscience; Conscience is a very tender thing, the smallest thing will make it bleed.
3. He must take heed of evil and corrupt Principles; an erring Conscience is not a good Conscience.
4. Labor to fit under a Soul-searching Ministry.
5. Take heed of vain Glory, and all secret Evil; Conscience prieth into thy most inward Thoughts; beware of speculative Sin.
6. Labor to keep thy Tongue.
Whoso keepeth his Mouth, and his Tongue, keepeth his Soul from Trouble.
7. Labor to bring thy Heart into every Duty, beware of Hypocrisy.
8. Do not grieve or offend thy Conscience in anything; though the Matter may be in itself lawful, yet thou must not do it, if thou hast a doubt in thy Spirit about it:
He that doubteth is damned,
that is, condemned in his own Conscience. But much more take heed of doing that which is by all owned to be utterly unlawful.
9. Labor in all Acts to be sincere. Conscience hath power to give in Testimony concerning thy Integrity; if thy Heart be unsound, and not upright, Conscience will soon discover it, and reproach thee for it, and thou wilt not be able to hold out to the end: and sad will it be to have thy own Conscience witness against thee, when thou comest to lie on a sick Bed; an evil Conscience will be a bad Death-Bed Companion.
O how doth this reprove those that sin, and regard not the Checks and Rebukes of their own Hearts! Conscience in the great Day will be more than ten thousand Witnesses against them.
THE Seventh HEAD OF Metaphors, Allegories, and Similes, WITH Other Borrowed TERMS, Relating to the Church of GOD.
The Church called the City of God.
Psal. 87.3.
Glorious things are spoken of thee, O
City of God.
Selah.
Psal. 46.4.
There is a River, the Streams whereof shall make glad the
City of God,
the holy Place of the Tabernacle of the Most High.
Isa. 26.1.
We have a strong
City, &c.
Isa. 33.20.
Look upon
Zion,
the
City
of our Solemnity,
&c.
Isa. 62.12.
And they shall call them the holy People,
&c.
And thou shalt be called a
City
sought out, not forsaken.
Mat. 5.14.
Ye are a
City
set on a Hill, that cannot be hid.
IN these places of the Holy Scripture,
Zion,
or the Church of God, is called a City.
Zion
was a Fort or Mount in
Jerusalem,
and the Temple was built upon it; hence the Church of the Jews was called (as some conceive) by this Name
Zion,
because there they assembled: but after it was a Name or Title given to the Church, whether Jews or Gentiles,
Heb.
12.12.
Ye are come to Mount
Zion,
to the City of the Living God, the heavenly Jerusalem.
God's People may be called by the Name of
Zion,
or
Jerusalem,
1. Because we were naturally like
Jerusalem,
the Forts of the
Jebusites, viz.
Sinners and Enemies to God.
2. Because by Grace we are overcome and conquered, (like as
Jerusalem
was) by the true
David.
3. Because the Church is fortified by the Almighty for his own use, and chief Place and Residence in this nether Creation.
4. In respect of her Renown and Glory. As
Jerusalem
was renowned above all Cities, so God's Church is now above all People and Societies in the World.
5. Because it is viewed and gazed upon by all Strangers; she may well be compared to a Looking-glass, as
Zion
signifies.
6. In respect of her Laws; for as the Law and public Worship were at
Jerusalem;
so Christ's Laws and public Worship are maintained in the Church. Hence God is said to love the Gates of
Zion,
more than all the Dwelling-Places of
Jacob.
Observ.
The Saints, or Church of God, is the City of God, or may fitly be compared to a City.
In opening of this Metaphor, we shall show the Nature, Trade, Government, Privileges, and Glory of the City of God.
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Metaphor.
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Parallel.
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A City is a Place built by Men, for a People to inhabit, or dwell in.
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THe Church is built by Christ, for a Habitation for God:
Upon this Rock will I build my Church,
&c.
In whom ye are built together for an Habitation of God, through the Spirit.
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II. A City is usually compassed about with Walls, that it may thereby become more safe and secure to dwell in; and some Cities have two or three Walls, to make them more impregnable.
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II. The Church of God hath strong Walls about it.
We have a strong City;
Salvation will God appoint for Walls and Bulwarks.
The Church hath a threefold Wall about it.
First; The Wall of God's Providence.
Hast not thou made a Hedg
(or Wall)
about him? As the Mountains are round about
Jerusalem;
so the Lord is round about them that fear him,
&c.
Secondly; The Protection of the holy Angels:
The Angels of the Lord encamp round about them that fear him,
&c.
Thirdly; God, in an extraordinary manner, is as a
Wall of Fire round about her;
everyone of his Attributes is a gracious Defense to the Church.
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III. Some Cities are bravely situated, they are built upon a Hill.
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III. The Church of God is famous upon this account:
Beautiful for Situation,
the Joy of the whole Earth is Mount
Zion;
on the sides of the North, the City of the great King.
Ye are as a City set upon a Hill.
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IV. A City is built of many Materials, and in it are many Buildings or Houses, set in rare Uniformity, curiously joined and compacted together.
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IV. The Church of God is built up of many living Stones, consisting of divers particular Societies, or spiritual Houses.
Now therefore ye are no more Strangers and Foreigners,
but Fellow-Citizens with the Saints, and of the Household of God: And are built upon the Foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief Corner-stone: In whom all the Building fitly framed together, groweth to an holy Temple in the Lord,
&c.
In whom ye also are built together for an Habitation of God, through the Spirit.
Jerusalem
is built as a City that is compact together.
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V. A City hath its particular Laws, Institutions, and Customs, by which it is governed.
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V. The Church of God also hath special Laws, Institutions, and Customs belonging to it, by which it is in all things governed, which are contained in the holy Scripture, the great Charter and Statute-Book of the Church.
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VI. A City hath a supreme Governor in it, who rectifies all Disorders and Confusions, that otherwise would be therein, considering the Multitude of its Inhabitants.
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VI. The Church of God is not without a good Government, and a Supreme Magistrate,
viz.
the Lord J
•
sus Christ, who is the chief Judge and Law-giver, or Head of this spiritual Corporation.
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VII. A City hath, besides the chief Governor, and principal Magistrate, divers inferior Officers, for Administration of Justice, and well governing thereof.
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VII. So the Church of God hath inferior Officers under Jesus Christ, which the Citizens by the appointment of Christ are required to substitute and ordain, to govern and keep all things in good Order.
And he gave some Apostles,
and some Prophets, and some Evangelists, and some Pastors and Teachers,
&c.
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VIII. A City hath some special Trade belonging to it, by which its Inhabitants are enriched.
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VIII. The Church or City of God hath a spiritual Trade belonging to it, which all the Citizens do and ought always to follow, by which they are also greatly enriched.
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IX. Many Cities have Merchants in them, who trade into remote parts of the World, and fetch their Merchandize from afar.
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IX. The Saints or Citizens of
Zion
are all Merchants, who trade daily to Heaven; they fetch their blessed Merchandize from thence:
Our Conversation is in Heaven.
Hence the Church is by
Solomon
compared to Merchants Ships.
[See Merchants Ships.]
Saints have (like other Merchants) their Correspondent, Jesus Christ, who makes glorious Returns of all they venture, or send to Heaven: For every Duty rightly performed, he makes Returns of Mercy; for Tears of godly Sorrow, he returns them the Oil of Joy.
Thou wilt
(saith holy
David) put my Tears into thy Bottle.
By which means the spiritual Citizens grow rich in Faith, Hope, Experience,
&c. [See the Parable of the Merchant-man.]
Now touching the Trade, Traffick, or Merchandize of this City, upon which its Wealth and Prosperity doth wholly depend, take what follows.
First;
Their Trade is heavenly.
Wherefore, holy Brethren,
Partakers of the heavenly Calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our Profession, Jesus Christ.
And as they are all Merchants, and use one Trade, so they all deal with one and the same Benefactor, from whom they have quick Returns; they fetch their Goods from afar. Something touching the Excellency of the Trade of the City of God, I shall hint in a few Particul
•
rs.
Secondly;
As touching her Commodities, or the Merchandize which her Citizens deal in.
First,
Negatively;
1. They are not prohibited Goods.
2. They are not counterfeit Goods.
3. They are not temporal and corruptible Goods.
Secondly,
Affirmatively,
and more directly, they are,
1. Soul enriching Commodities, things that are of very great worth and value.
The Merchandize of Wisdom is better than the Merchandize of Silver,
and the Gain thereof than fine Gold.
2. They are needful things, such things as we cannot be without. Some things that Merchants of a City deal in, and fetch from afar, though they are of great value, yet we may very well subsist, and live comfortably without them, as Pearl, and precious Stones,
&c.
But there is an absolute Necessity of all those things the Citizens of this City trade in and for.
3. They are such Commodities as will make the Nations and Persons that buy them happy forever; and indeed there is no true Happiness without them.
Quest.
What is the Traffick of this City of God?
Answ.
The first thing that I shall mention, is the Truth; this she offers to Sale:
Buy the Truth, and sell it not,
Prov. 23.23. The Church is called the
Pillar and Ground of Truth,
1 Tim. 3.15. Truth is only to be found in this City, or in the Ware-Houses of the Citizens of
Zion, viz.
the Word of God, and the Hearts of Believers.
The second thing, is a Soul-converting Gospel, and blessed Ordinances.
The Law goeth forth of
Zion,
and the Word of the Lord from
Jerusalem, Mic. 2.4.
The third thing they deal in, are the Gifts and Soul-enriching Graces of the Spirit, Hope, Love, Humility,
&c.
things of very great worth.
The fourth is Justification; every true Sinner makes it his Business to get this precious Treasure.
The fifth thing is the Peace of God, which passeth all Understanding, one of the rarest Commodities in the World.
The sixth thing is, Union and Communion with God.
That which we have seen and heard, declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
The seventh thing is, Peace of Conscience:
Herein do I exercise myself,
to have always a Conscience void of Offence, towards God, and towards Men.
The eighth thing is, Sanctification, or a holy Life; they who trade not in this Commodity, are none of the true Sons and Citizens of
Zion.
Ninthly, the Pearl of great price, worth more than ten thousand Worlds.
Tenthly; The last thing that I shall mention is, Eternal Life,
a Crown of Glory that fadeth not away.
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X. A City whose Commerce lies principally in a Foreign Trade or Merchandizing, hath usually a navigable River belonging to it, by which Means their Commodities, or those Goods they deal in, are brought home to their very Doors; as we see by experience. What infinite Profit doth the River
Thames
yield this famous City! and what would its Trade be worth, were it not for it?
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X. The City of God, whose Trade lies in spiritual Merchandize fetched from afar, hath a most glorious River belonging to it, which may indeed be said to run through every Street thereof,
viz.
the holy Spirit, and Word of God. The Spirit in several places of Scripture is called a River, and by means of these blessed Streams are all divine and sacred Commodities (which the Godly deal in) brought home to their very Doors,
viz.
Gifts, Graces, Pardon, Peace, and Joy in the Holy-Ghost,
&c.
wh
••
h are very excellent Merchandize. And were it not for this River, what would become of this City? we should soon be impoverished and undone. It is the holy Spirit that enriches and cheers the Hearts of all gracious Souls.
There is a River, the Streams whereof make glad the City of God,
the holy Place of the Tabernacle of the Most High.
It may not be amiss here to consider,
-
1. From whence this River comes.
-
2. The Nature of the Water.
-
3. The divers Streams thereof.
First;
The River comes, 1. From a Rock,
Numb.
28.8, 11. This Rock was first smitten, and then the Water came out abundantly.
2. It comes from an infinite inexhaustible Fountain;
'tis said to
proceed from the Throne of God and the Lamb.
Secondly;
Touching the Nature of this River; though we have spoken of it under the Third Head of Metaphors in the first Volume, yet we will touch a little upon it here. It hath, besides other Properties of spiritual Water, these divers Qualities.
1. It will heal all the Diseases of the inward Man; it will soften, and make very tender and pliable, and break in pieces a hard Heart.
2. It will cure the Soul of spiritual Blindness; nay, it will open the Eyes of him that was born blind.
3. It will infallibly cure all spiritual Consumptions, that spiritual Waste or Decay of Faith, Love, Zeal, Hope,
&c.
which seizeth sometimes upon many Christians.
4. It will bring down the Tympany of Pride, and make a Man very humble, and little in his own Eyes; the more of the Spirit, the more humble.
5. It will cure all manner of spiritual Deadness or Deafness, making a Man very lively and diligent to hear good Counsel and Instruction, as
Lydia
experienced.
6. It is good against the Tremblings of the Heart, and will make a Man bold and courageous in the Cause of Christ, in evil Times.
We cannot but speak the things which we have both seen and heard.
7. It is an excellent Remedy to purge out all noxious and evil Humors of the Soul, from whence many Distempers flow, making a Man sound at Heart, and holy in Life.
8. It will effectually restore a lost Appetite, and make a Man relish well the Food of God's Word, causing it to be sweeter to him than Honey,
or the Honey-Comb.
9. It will preserve from the Plague of Sin, of what sort soever it be, though a Christian be amongst infected Persons every day.
10. It will revive a fainting and drooping Spirit.
11. It will set and make whole all broken Bones,
as
David
and thousands others have found by experience.
12. It will cure the Leprosy, and all old running Ulcers, and also all fresh Wounds of the Soul, though never so deep, stinking, and loathsome.
13. It is good against Weakness of the Hands, and Feebleness of the Knees.
14. It is sovereign good against spiritual Barrenness, making the Godly to bring forth much Fruit.
15. It will clear the Sight, and make a Man to see afar of.
16. It infallibly cures the sleepy Disease, or the spiritual Lethargy of the Soul,
so that they shall not sleep as others do.
17. It cures all Diseases of the Tongue and Mouth, and an unsavory Breath,
that common Sign of a foul Stomach.
18. It cures all spiritual Lameness; it causeth a lame Man to leap as an Hart,
and never halt anymore between two Opinions.
19. It perfectly cures all Distempers of the Head, occasioned by Error, and erroneous Principles, that corrupt the Understanding.
20. It is Water of Life, he that drinks of it shall never die.
Thirdly;
This River hath three special Streams, 1. The Stream of Ordinances. 2. The Stream of heavenly Graces. 3. The Stream of Divine Promises. Sinners come to these Waters, O come before the Stream be turned another way.
See River and Water of Life.
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XI. In a glorious City usually is the King's Palace, or his chief Place of Residence, which tends much to its Honor and Renown.
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XI. The Church is the Habitation of God.
The Lord dwelleth in
Zion,
in
Judah
is God known; his Name is great in
Israel;
in
Salem
also is his Tabernacle, and his Dwelling-place in
Zion. This is for the everlasting Honor and Renown of the Church.
The Lord dwelleth in
Zion.
Sing praises, for the Lord hath chosen
Zion,
he hath desired it for his Habitation. This is my Rest forever; though he be the high and lofty One that inhabiteth Eternity, yet he dwelleth with them that are of an humble and contrite Spirit.
The special and most gracious Presence of God is with his People.
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XII. A City hath some certain Privileges, Freedoms, and Immunities belonging to it, which Strangers have nothing to do with; Foreigners may not dwell within the Walls of some Cities.
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XII. So the Church of God hath many glorious Privileges and Immunities belonging to it, which unconverted Sinners have no Right to.
The first Privilege, or part of that Freedom that belongs to the City of God, is Pardon of Sin.
The Inhabitants shall not say, I am sick; the People that dwell therein shall be forgiven their Iniquity.
1. This is a glorious Privilege and Freedom, if we consider the abominable and heinous Nature of Sin, which is opened in the first Volume, under the third Head of Metaphors. 2. Because of that which is couched and comprehended under the Blessing of Pardon; when God absolves a poor Sinner, he not only forgives, but also forgets, their Sins and Iniquities he remembers no more. 3. Because it is a Freedom from the Guilt of it. 4. Because it is a Freedom from the Power and Dominion of it. 5. It is a Freedom from the Punishment of it,
Rom.
8.1. 1
John
5.24. 6. Because 'tis a purchased Freedom, it was obtained by a great Sum,
viz.
the Sum of God's great Love and Grace, with the Sum of Christ's Blood. Remission is through Christ's Atonement. 7. Because it is a sealed Freedom, it is made over to the Soul by the King's own Seal, the Spirit of God,
that great Seal of Heaven. 8. Because it is a lasting Freedom; the Sins of Believers are forgiven forever, they shall never be laid to their Charge.
The second Privilege of this City is, Gospel-Fellowship, free Access to the Lord's Table, and Communion with the Saints:
They are made to sit down together in heavenly Places in Christ Jesus.
The third Privilege is Right to the Ministry; they may all lay claim to the Ministers and Ministry of the Word:
Whether
Paul,
or
Apollo,
or
Cephas,
all are yours.
They, and all their Gifts and gracious Endowments, are the Saints.
The fourth Privilege is, their undoubted Right to the City-Stock, or the Churches Patrimony.
1. The Stock of Prayers; sincere Souls have a Right to all the Prayers of the Church.
2. To that Store and spiritual Provision,
viz.
the Bread of Life,
&c.
that is laid up in her.
God will bless the Provision of
Zion,
and satisfy her Poor with Bread.
3. The Stock of Promises. God hath promised to bless, comfort, strengthen, beautify, build up, and save
Zion,
and consequently every Saint and Member thereof; for all those, and many more like Promises, are directly made to every sincere Soul or Citizen of
Zion.
The fifth Privilege is, free Access to the Throne of Grace.
Sixthly, a Dwelling-place there. This is a glorious Privilege; they dwell near the King, behold him in the Galleries every day; they dwell in God's Courts, nay, in his House:
Blessed are they that dwell in thy House, they will be still praising thee.
Selah.
They that are planted in the House of the Lord, shall flourish in the Courts of our God, they shall bring forth Fruit in old Age,
&c.
1. 'It is a strong and sure Dwelling-place:
He shall dwell on high,
his Place of Defense shall be the Munition of Rocks.
2. 'It is a rich and glorious Dwelling-place.
3. 'It is a pleasant Dwelling-place.
4. 'It is an honorable Dwelling-place.
5. 'It is and shall be a peaceable Habitation.
Look upon
Zion,
the City of our Solemnities: Thine Eyes shall see
Jerusalem, a
quiet Habitation, a Tabernacle that shall not be taken down; not one of the Stakes thereof shall ever be removed, neither shall any of the Cords thereof be broken.
Seventhly; They have a Right and Privilege to choose their own Officers; every free Citizen hath his Voice at every Election. No Minister, Bishop, or Deacon, may be imposed upon them without their own free Consent.
Eighthly; They have Right to all the Blessings and privileges of the River, the Streams whereof make glad all the Inhabitants, the Nature of whose Water you have heard.
Ninthly; They have a Right to the City-Guard, which always attends them, whithersoever they go, or whatsoever they do, when they are about their proper Work, which are the good Angels.
Tenthly; The last Privilege I shall mention is, Sonship.
But to as many as received him, to them gave he Power
(or Privilege)
to become the Sons of God. Because ye are Sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your Hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
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XIII. Some Cities have a common Stock in them, out of which the poor decayed Citizens are often supplied and helped in their Distress, and thereby delivered from utter Beggary.
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XIII. The Church hath a common Stock or Storehouse belonging to it, called the unsearchable Riches of Christ,
out of which all poor decayed Christians have their Wants supplied. That Grace that is treasured up in Christ, is always ready to be given forth to his poor Children; and by this means they are kept from Ruin, and being utterly undone.
My God shall supply all your Needs, according to his Riches in Glory, by Christ Jesus.
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XIV. A City hath also a strict Watch appointed to keep the Gates, and to see that no Accident happen in it, to the hurt and detriment thereof.
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XIV. The Church, or City of God, hath also a strong and faithful
Militia,
or spiritual Watch, which are the holy Angels. These are called
Watchers,
or
Watchmen;
and in other places, the
Lord's Host,
or the
Armies of Heaven,
who are mighty in Power, one of them being able to destroy all the Churches Enemies. These keep the Saints day and night; they encamp about them, and see that no Evil comes unto them. Besides them, God is said to watch over his People continually, who is called, the
Watchman of Israel, and the Savior thereof in the Day of Trouble.
Unless
the Lord keep the City, the Watchman waketh but in vain.
Besides,
there are the Ministers of the Gospel, who are called
Watchmen.
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XV. A great and famous City hath Towers and Battlements belonging to it, not only for Ornament, but also for Strength, and Security from Evil.
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XV. The City of God is famous in respect of its Towers, and Places of Security.
Walk about
Zion,
and go round about her; mark well her Bulwarks, consider her Palaces, that ye may tell it to the Generation following: For this God is our God forever and ever, and he will be our Guide until Death. The Name of the Lord is a Strong-Tower,
&c. Everyone of the blessed Attributes of God are as so many Towers of Safety to his Church.
[See Strong-Tower in the First Head of Metaphors.]
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XVI. In a City, notwithstanding the many noble and honorable Personages, or worthy Patrons, that dwell therein, yet there are some ill and unworthy Members that get a being there, which tends much to its Blemish and Reproach.
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XVI. So the City of God, notwithstanding all the holy and eminent Saints and Servants of God who dwell therein, yet hath in it some wicked and ungodly Ones, who by Craft and Hypocrisy get a being there, though when known they are turned out, as the incestuous Person,
Hymenaeus,
and
Alexander
was.
For there are certain Men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this Condemnation, ungodly Men, turning the Grace of God into Lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ,
These ill and loose Professors bring a great Reproach upon the Church of God; but there is a Day coming, when the Church shall be freed of them.
There shall be no Canaanite in the House
(or City)
of God.
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XVII. The Citizens of a great and glorious City are much affected with, and highly esteem and love the City where they dwell.
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XVII. So the Citizens of
Zion
have an honorable respect, and high esteem for God's Church, as appears particularly in
David: If I forget thee, O
Jerusalem,
let my right-hand forget her Cunning; if I do not remember thee, let my Tongue cleave to the Roof of my Mouth, if I prefer not
Jerusalem
above my chiefest Joy.
Many Reasons may be given, why the Godly are so much taken with
Zion.
1. Because it is the place of their Birth; they were born, or rather born again in her.
And of
Zion
it shall be said, This and that Man was born in her,
and the Highest himself shall establish her.
Vers. 6.
The Lord shall count, when he writeth up his People, that this and that Man was born there.
2. Because 'tis the City of their Father, and so their blessed Inheritance; all the glorious Immunities thereof are theirs.
3. It is a City redeemed or purchased by Christ's most precious Blood,
he gave himself for it.
Ye are bought with a Price
4. 'It is built by God, and for God; it is the Place that he hath chosen, he esteems highly of it. He is said to
rejoice in Zion, he loves the very Gates thereof, more than all the Dwelling places of
Jacob.
5. It is a splendid and most glorious City; her Foundation is laid with precious Stones, yea, the choicest Sapphires; her Streets are paved with that which is more rare than the purest Gold.
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XVIII. Some Citizens who are industrious, grow very rich, and attain to great Honor among their Neighbors; and those are quickly known, and taken notice of; they may be discovered in divers respects.
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XVIII. So some of the Citizens of
Zion,
who are diligent and industrious in the Improvement of Grace, and the Means of Godliness, grow very rich in Faith and good Works, rich in spiritual and divine Knowledge, rich in heavenly Experience.
The diligent Hand maketh rich, with the Blessing of God. And these rich Saints are also soon discovered, and taken notice of.
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1. Rich Men, wealthy Merchants, can trust, or stay a great while for their own, when poor Men must have all presently paid down. The clearest Promise, or firmest Covenant, will not serve their Turn, without some considerable part presently paid.
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1. So those who are spiritually rich,
rich in Faith, rich Merchants of Mount
Zion,
the City of God, can trust, they cand stay patiently, in expectation of the Good of the Promise, (as
Abraham,
who was strong or rich in Faith) when others cannot rely upon a bare Promise, or take God's single Word for the accomplishment of this or that.
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2. Rich Citizens have a great Stock lying by them.
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2. So those who are rich Citizens of
Zion,
rich in Grace, have a Stock of blessed Experience, (as
David
had.) They have a Stock of Faith, much Faith, when others have but a little; a Stock of good Works, having done much for God, and for his Church,
&c.
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3. Rich Citizens have abundance of precious Things, rare Merchandises to delight in, as Gold, Silver, and many other rich Commodities.
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3. So rich Citizens of
Zion
have abundance of rare and precious things in their Ware houses, (
viz.
their Hearts) as Love, Peace, and Joy in the Holy-Ghost.
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4. Rich Men do not live upon their Labor, as poor Men do. Some rich Men work, and take as much pains as the poorest Man in the City; but their Work is pleasant, and more delightful to them, than the Labor of one that is very poor.
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4. So rich Citizens of
Zion,
though they work hard for God:
I labored more abundantly than they all.
Yet their Work is sweet and pleasant to them, because they work not for Life, or for a Livelihood;
they rest not upon doing, but live by Faith: but poor Saints live more upon doing than believing; they have but little of that, or any other Grace.
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5. Rich Men go finer, or are generally more richly adorned, than the Poor; you may know a rich Citizen by his costly Ornaments, by his rich Robes, and Chains of Gold about his Neck.
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5. So rich Saints are more adorned with the Garment of Humility,
with the Ornament of a meek and quiet Spirit, which is in the sight of God of great Price.
They can deny themselves, are patient under Sufferings, endure all things contentedly for Christ's sake; they have much Wisdom,
as an
O nament of Grace upon their Head, and Chains of Gold about their Neck.
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6. Rich Citizens do usually bring up their Children more nobly, and give them more Learning, and better Education, than the Poor generally do or can.
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6. So rich Saints, such as have much Grace, who are great Dealers, and have got much by Trading in spiritual Things, bring up their Children more virtuously,
and give them better Education; they give them better Counsel, better Examples than others; they train them up in the Fear and Admonition of the Lord, taking God for a Pattern herein,
who maketh the Word and Rod a Blessing to his Children.
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7. Rich Citizens live high, keep a good Table, in comparison of what the Poor do, or are able.
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7. So those who are spiritually rich, have many precious Morsels, yea, blessed Variety of choice things; they are often feasted by Christ, and are with him in the House of Wine,
and delight themselves in Fatness; their good Conscience is to them a continual Feast.
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8. Rich Citizens can bear Burthens, Taxations, and Losses, better than the Poor.
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8. So those who are spiritually rich, can best bear up under cross Providences, Persecution, and Losses for Christ's sake.
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9. Rich Men can do for others; poor Men can do but little for their poor Friends or Neighbors, when the Rich can do much.
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9. So those that are rich in spiritual Experience, in Faith, and good Works, can do much for weak Christians by Prayer, by Advice, and good Counsel.
Moses
did mighty Things by Prayer for
Israel.
The fervent Prayer of a righteous Man availeth much.
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10. Rich Men can best strive with Difficulties, and live in Years of Scarcity, when others who have but just from hand to mouth, are in such times in danger of starving, or to be reduced to great Extremities.
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10. So those who are strong, and very rich in Faith, and all other Graces, are helped to bear up and pass through a Difficulty, in Time of Want and Scarcity, better than weak or poor Christians will; only God hath for their Comfort and Encouragement promised to supply their Wants,
and will (if sincere) also relieve them,
that they shall not faint or perish in the Years of Famine.
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XIX. Some Cities, though rich, yet are in a comparative sense but small, but little Cities.
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XIX. The City of God, in comparison of great
Babylon,
is but a small City, notwithstanding all her Glory, Grandeur,
and Greatness, (as you have heard) she is but little:
There was a little City, and few Men in it.
This City is the Church of God,
&c. Babylon
is a great City. In comparison of the Wicked, Christ's Flock is but a handful of People, as it were.
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XX. A City, though very strong, yet is sometimes besieged, and hath many Enemies.
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XX. The City of God, this little City, is besieged;
The Daughter of
Zion
is left as a Cottage in a Vineyard as a Lodge in a Garden of Cucumers, as a besieged City.
And marvelous it is, so small a City should hold out so bravely unto this Day, especially considering what mighty Enemies have, and do besiege her.
Object.
But here it may be objected, Hath it not been overcome? is it not said,
The Holy City was trodden underfoot?
Answ.
It is only the outward Court. God hath had his Church in all Ages, though forced for a time to fly into the Wilderness, from the Face of the Dragon.
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Quest.
By whom is this City besieged?
Answ.
1. By the Devil, called a great King, and the King of the Bottomless Pit.
2. By Antichrist, the First-born of Satan. He hath for above twelve hundred Years laid Siege against it, using all manner of Engines, Craft, and Cruelty, to batter her down, and finally to destroy her.
3. She is besieged by the World, by wicked Men, Men of earthly and carnal Principles, who abhor
Zion,
and say, Let her be defiled, raze her,
even to the Foundation thereof.
4. She is besieged by Sin, and the Flesh, a secret Enemy, who fain in a clandestine way would betray her; this Enemy doth her the most Mischief.
5. She is besieged by a Multitude of false Teachers;
these likewise have done great Hurt and Dammage to the Church of God, who labor by evil Doctrine to poison all her Inhabitants.
6. And besides all this, there have been sad Divisions within her also; she has been as a City divided, and yet she stands.
7. There have been sad Breaches made in her Walls, so that many have been let in that way, who should have been kept out.
8. Many that seemed to be for her, have deserted her, and joined with the Enemy, and yet still she holds out.
9. And, which is worst of all, few of those who have been in the City have bravely acquitted themselves, by Zeal and Holiness, to defend her, and yet she holds out still.
Quest.
From whence is it that she is helped to bear up against all these sore and grievous Assaults, Batteries, and Calamities?
Answ.
1. This City (as you have heard) is built upon a Rock, it has a sure Foundation, which cannot be removed.
2. The Lord of Hosts hath fought for her; 'tis he that hath been on her side, he hath defended Mount
Zion,
and the Hill thereof; he hath took part with her,
and doth at this day.
3. She holds out, because God hath decreed her Standing,
and that her Enemies shall not prevail.
4. She is defended, because she is the Place which the Lord loveth,
and hath purchased with the Blood of his own dear Son.
5. Because it is the Place where God's Honor dwells:
I have loved the Habitation of thy House, the Place where thy Honor dwells.
6. Again, she still remains, because she is (though a little City, yet) a strong City:
We have a strong City.
She hath strong Fortifications, strong Walls and Bulwarks.
7. 'It is because God's own Habitation (as you have heard) is in her; God is a
Wall of Fire round about her, and the Glory in the midst of her.
8. She is defended by reason of the Strong-Tower she hath in her; so long as her Tower stands, how can she be battered down? And her Tower is impregnable. The Enemy may sooner pull the Sun out of the Firmament, than undermine or batter down, deface or demolish the Tower of
Zion,
which is the Name of the Lord.
See Strong-Tower.
9. She is defended, because in her are the Laws, Statutes, Ordinances,
and holy Institutions of her King, the Lord Jesus, where he is worshipped and adored in Spirit and Truth.
Inferences.
HEnce all that dwell in
Zion
may be provoked to a diligent Improvement of their great Privileges, to the end they may be enriched with all those spiritual Riches, and dignified with that Honor that appertaineth to a true Denizen thereof.
2. Take Comfort and Encouragement also, whatever the Attempts of the Enemies are, yet about all her Glory shall be a Defense. All those whose Feet stand within her Gates, may read Honor, Safety,
and Salvation as it were written upon her Walls.
3. Let it be your Delight to prefer her above your chiefest Joy; as she is called the holy City, so be ye also holy,
that you may declare yourselves unto what City it is you do belong.
4. How may this call home all those that are gone astray, and invite all that profess good Will unto
Zion,
to let their Feet stand within her Gates, for the Lord hath desired it for his Habitation. Holy
David
made this his one thing desirable,
viz.
to dwell in God's House, to be a Denizen of this City; and why should not you?
5. Let it be a Warning to all
Zion
's Enemies, to take heed how they lift up their hands against her, or reproach God, and them that dwell in Heaven; let them lay down their Arms, and fight against her no more.
The Lord shall roar also out of
Zion,
and utter his Voice from
Jerusalem,
and the Heavens and Earth shall shake: But the Lord will be the Hope of his People, and the Strength of the Children of
Israel.
So shall ye know that I am the Lord your God, dwelling in
Zion,
my holy Mountain,
&c.
The Church compared to the Moon.
Cant. 6.10.
She is fair as the Moon.
THe Moon is called in Hebrew
Lebanah,
of her Whiteness, and bright Shining. The State of the Church, all Expositors agree, is signified hereby.
The Church may in many respects be compared to the Moon.
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Simile.
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Parallel.
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NAturalists affirm, the Moon receiveth her Light from the Sun.
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THe Church hath all her Light from Christ, the Sun of Righteousness.
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II. The Moon receiving Light by the Beams at the Sun, she shines forth, and giveth Light to the World.
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II. So the Church receiving Light from Christ, she shines forth in Brightness and Glory. The Sun gives Light, but receives none; the Moon both gives Light, and receives Light: So Christ, as God, hath his Light in himself; but as Mediator, hath his Light from the Father, to communicate it to the Church, that the Church may give Light to the World.
Ye are the Light of the World.
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III. The Moon giveth Light to the World only in the Night.
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III. So the Church gives her Light forth to enlighten Sinners, whilst the Night of this World lasteth.
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IV. The Moon, though very fair and bright, yet (as Naturalists observe) hath her Spots.
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IV. So the Church, though pure and holy, yet in herself is not without Spots of Sin. No Saint is without Blemishes.
If we say we have no Sin, we deceive ourselves, and the Truth is not in us.
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V. The Moon hath her various Aspects: sometimes she is in the Full, and sometimes in the Wane; sometimes she shines more glorious, and sometimes less; and yet still the same Moon. She doth not (saith an ancient Writer) always show her Light in her full Orb: she sometimes so decreaseth, that there seemeth to us not to be any Moon; yet she is not then destitute of the Sun-Beams, though it seem otherwise to our Sight.
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V. So the Church is under various States and Changes. She doth not always shine as at Full Moon, or send forth a full Brightness, but is sometimes so obscured, that she appears hardly visible; she was forced into the Wilderness,
from the Face of the Dragon, and Romish Beast: yet it is certain, the Church is always in being.
Posse putes nobis persuadere, eum esse Ecclesiae statum, ut obscurari nequeat, ut nil Perfidia, nil Hosts, nil Antichristus valeat? Delere hi quidem Ecclesiam nunquam possunt sed in angustias compingere, & compellere in latebras possint,
saith
Whitaker.
Thinkest thou that thou canst persuade us, that the State of the Church is such that it cannot be obscured, so that the Perfidiousness of Enemies, and Antichrist, can do nothing against it? They cannot indeed destroy the Church, but they can bring it into a narrower Compass, and drive it into Holes. The Church (saith
Augustine
) is like the Moon, which sometimes shines wholly, being enlightened with the Sun-beams, and sometimes is deprived of a great part of her Light; so the Church shines sometimes most gloriously, and sometimes is so obscured that she hardly appears at all.
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Inferences.
HEnce we may learn to look, and earnestly expect to receive all our Light as well as Life from Christ, the Light of the World, and earnestly pray with
David,
that he would lift up the Light of his Countenance upon us, that forasmuch as we have no Light but what is communicated from him unto us, he would dart continually his glorious Beams into our Hearts,
that we may indeed be as shining Lights in this dark World.
2. This may also humble the most glittering Saints, to consider that they cannot shine so bright in this World, but that their Spots may be discernible to themselves and others, which may excite them to apply themselves daily to the Sun of Righteousness for cleansing.
3. To keep clear, and shine as much as possible, that the poor, benighted, dark World may obtain Benefit by them, and confess it to the Glory of God.
Let your Light so shine,
&c.
4. Take Comfort from hence, notwithstanding your various Changes, Ebbings, and Flowings in this World, for that the Enemy may as soon change the Ordinances of the Moon, as make an utter end of God's Church, as you have heard.
5. What a dreadful Doom will such be sure to have, that love Darkness so, as that they do not only contemn, oppose, and endeavor to pull the Moon,
viz.
the Church, out of her Orb; but so wicked are they, they slight and contemn the Sun, from whence she receives all her shining Brightness. Let such read,
Job
5.14.
They meet with Darkness in the Day-time, and grope in the Noon-day, as in the Night: To whom is reserved the Blackness of Darkness for ev
••
,
except Grace prevent by giving them Repentance.
The Church the Temple of God.
1 Cor. 3.16.
Know ye not that ye are the
Temple of God.
2 Cor. 6.16.
For ye are the
Temple
of the Living God, as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them,
&c.
THe Church is the Anti-type of
Solomon
's Temple, and we shall therefore run the Parallel with respect to that.
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Type.
|
Parallel
|
|
THe Temple was built with costly Stones, well hewed, squared, and polished, before they were laid into the Building.
|
SO the Church of God is built with spiritual Stones,
who are well hewed and polished by the Word and Spirit, before added to, or laid into the heavenly Building,
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II. In the Building of the Temple there was no Noise heard of Hammer or Ax; and the House, when it was in building, was built with Stones made ready before they were brought thither;
so that there was neither Hammer, nor Ax, nor any Tool of Iron heard in the House, whilst it was in building.
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II. So in the building of the Church, there should be no need of the Hammer, or the Ax, to square and hew by Repentance the Stones of this Building, being every way prepared, and made fit before. Conversion is the polishing Work, and those that receive unconverted Persons, violate the holy Rule of God's Word, for that maketh Work for the Hammer and Ax in the Temple. Hence
Solomon
saith,
Prepare thy Work without,
and make ready thy things in the Field, and after build thy House.
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|
III. Others besides
Solomon
were concerned in the building of the Temple, as
Hiram
King of
Tyrus,
and the
Zidonians,
who hewed the Timber for it.
|
III. To show, that in the building of the Church of God, the Gentiles as well as the Jews, are concerned;
they all concur together,
to build up a holy Temple in the Lord.
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|
IV. The Temple was a most rare and glorious Structure;
it was overlaid with fine Gold upon carved Cedar.
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IV. To show the Beauty and Glory of the Church, which is adorned with the Gifts and Graces of the Spirit. The Church is inwardly pure, very rich and beautiful. Hence the King's Daughter is said to be
all glorious within.
|
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V. In the Temple were many Windows,
to let in Light abundantly.
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V. So in the Church, the Light of the Gospel, and the blessed Spirit, shines gloriously; these let Light in in great abundance.
|
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VI. In the Temple were several Degrees of Galleries or Lofts, each one above another, and larger each than other.
|
VI. So in the Church God hath placed Degrees of Officers, some greater and higher in Glory than others; as Apostles,
Pastors, Teachers,
&c.
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VII. The Walls of the Temple were covered round about with Cherubims, Palm-Trees, and Flowers.
|
VII. To note (saith Mr.
Guild
) the Protection of the Church by the Ministry of Angels, though they are not seen, and its peaceable, victorious, and flourishing State under the same.
|
|
VII.
Solomon
consecrated the Temple unto the Lord.
|
VIII.
So did Christ his Church unto the Father.
|
|
IX. There was Music used in the Temple.
|
IX. Which signifies that Joy of Heart,
and heavenly Melody, that is in the Church, amongst the faithful and sincere Converts thereof.
|
|
X. In the Temple was the Ark of the Testimony, and in the midst of the House 'tis said he set it.
|
X. So in the Church is God's Word and Covenant of Grace, born by Christ, and by his true Ministers, by preaching and publishing the same.
|
|
XI. The Glory of the Lord filled the Temple; God promised to dwell therein, and hear the Prayers that should be there made.
I have hallowed this House,
(saith God)
that thou hast built, to put my Name there forever; and mine Eyes and my Heart shall be there perpetually.
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XI. So the glorious Presence of Go is in his Church, he dwelleth in
Zion,
and from thence the Perfection of Beauty shines forth, and the Promises of blessed Grace, Peace, Pardon, and Acceptance, is made to them who dwell therein. His Eye is always upon the Righteous, his Ears open to their Cry,
and his tender Compassion is ever toward them.
|
|
Type.
|
Disparity.
|
|
THe Temple was built with dead and senseless Stones.
|
THe Church is built with living,
sensible, and lively Stones.
|
|
II. The Stones were polished and hewn by the hands of Men.
|
II. These Stones are hewn and polished by the hand of the Spirit.
|
|
III. The Temple that was built by
Solomon,
was utterly destroyed by the
Babylonians.
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III. The Church of God can never be destroyed; the Gates of Hell shall never prevail against it,
so as utterly to overthrow it: though it is not denied, but the outward Courts have been trodden down by the Popish Gentiles.
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A
Parallel
between the second Temple, built in the Days of
Nehemiah,
and the Church of God Built in the latter Days.
|
Metaphor.
|
Parallel.
|
|
THe Temple that was built in the Days of
Nehemiah,
was first destroyed by the literal
Babylonians.
|
SIgnifying the Church of God should be greatly defaced and spoiled, and the outward Courts trodden down by the mystical
Babylonians,
and afterwards rebuilt, or rather, repaired again.
|
|
II. The Temple was built in a troublesome Time; they wrought with one hand, and held a Sword in the other.
|
II. Signifying, that the Church of God should be rebuilt in a troublesome time, and that great Opposition should be made against them.
|
|
III. The Temple was rebuilt by such as had been for many Years in the
Babylonian
Captivity.
|
III. Signifying, that the rebuilding of God's Church should be by such as had been a long time in spiritual Captivity, under the mystical
Babylonians,
or Mother of Harlots.
|
|
IV. The Builders of this second Temple were looked upon as poor, weak, and contemptible Persons, in comparison of
Solomon,
and those that built with him.
|
IV. Signifying, that those whom God would raise up to repair the waste Places of
Zion,
in the latter Days, should be poor, weak, inconsiderable Persons, very unlikely to perfect so great a Work as Reformation is. What was
Luther,
and others whom God employed, to the holy Apostles, who were the first Builders?
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|
V. The Builders, of this Temple were greatly mocked and jeered. There were
Sanballat, Gesham, Tobiah,
and others, who in reproachful manner said,
What will these feeble Jews do?
will they make an end in a Day? If a Fox go up, he shall even break down their Stone-Wall.
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V. So the Rebuilders in these latter Days have been greatly reproached and contemned by the Enemies of Christ; those that are truly religious, called feeble, weak, and foolish Ones,
&c.
nay, Heretics, Schismatics, and many other reproachful Names have been, and still are daily given to them, and their Work much slighted and despised also.
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|
VI. The Builders of this Temple had much Rubbish to remove,
before they could go on with their Work.
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VI. So the Builders of God's Church, in these latter Days, have had much Popish Rubbish to remove, much Filth of human Inventions, and Traditions of that Church being in their way; some Stones being almost quite lost amongst this Rubbish, and others ready to mistake, and instead of a Stone of
Zion,
they take a Stone of
Babylon.
|
|
VII. The Builders of this Temple were hindered, and for a time the Work ceased.
|
VII. So the Builders of God's House, or Reformers in Religion, have often been hindered or obstructed in these latter Days.
|
|
VIII. Many People were very backward about rebuilding the Temple,
in the Days of
Haggai
and
Nehemiah,
crying, the Time was not come that the House of the Lord should be built.
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VIII. So have many Souls been very backward about the Work of Reformation, or repairing the House of God; they have dwelt in their cieled Houses, and let the House of God (as it were) lie waste.
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|
IX. Tho many cruel Enemies endeavored to hinder the rebuilding of the Temple, yet the Work
went on, and was finished in some Time, to the Joy of the Faithful.
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IX. So the Enemies now, as in former Times, strive to hinder the repairing of God's House; yet the Work of Reformation shall in due time be perfected,
to the Joy of all sincere Christians.
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|
X. That Work was carried on, not by Might,
nor by Power, but by the Spirit of the Lord.
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X. So the Work in these Days goes on, not so much by the Power of Men, or human Help, as by the Power of God, and his Spirit.
|
|
XI. God promised, that the Glory of the second House should exceed the Glory of the first;
which some conceive was made good by Christ's coming, whose personal Presence in the Temple greatly added to its Glory.
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XI. So the Church of God in the latter Day, will be far more glorious than it was ever yet since the beginning of the World, which will be accomplished, as will be shown in respect of these things following.
1. God will destroy all the Enemies of his Church.
The Adversaries of the Lord shall be broken in pieces, out of Heaven God will thunder upon them; for evil Doers shall be cut off. Yet a little while, and the Wicked shall not be, but the Meek shall possess the Earth,
&c.
And all that lift up a hand against
Zion,
shall be torn in pieces. God will plead the Controversy of his Church, and undo all that afflict her. The Stone cut out of the Mountain without hands,
shall smite the Image upon his Feet, that were of Iron and Clay, and break them to pieces: Then the Iron, and the Clay, the Brass, the Silver, and the Gold, shall be broken together, and become as the Chaff of the Summer Threshing-floor.
2. God will utterly destroy all Idolatry, and all false Worship, and by this means will restore his own Appointments, in the purity of them.
Rev.
14.8.
Rev.
18.1, 2, 3, 21.
Isa.
60.1, 2. & 25.6, 7. & 58.12.
3. God, to make her glorious, will unite all her Children together in Love:
They shall serve the Lord with one Consent; and no more Divisions shall be amongst them.
Isa. 11.13.
Ezek.
37.16, 17, 19.
Zeph.
3.8, 9.
Zech.
14.9.
There shall be one Lord, and his Name one.
4. God will enlarge her Borders.
The Children of the Barren shall say again in my Ears, The Place is too strait for me, give me Room that I may dwell.
Isa. 59.20. The Fulness of the Gentiles shall be brought in, they shall come like Doves to the Windows.
Isa.
60.3.4, 5.
5. The Jews shall be called, and both Jews and Gentiles shall make but one Sheep-fold:
And there shall be one Sheep-fold, and one Shepherd.
Ezek. 37.22. John 10.16. Isa. 19.19, 20, to the end.
6. The Glory of the Church will be great in respect of Knowledge.
All the Earth shall be filled with the Knowledge of the Glory of the Lord, as the Waters cover the Sea.
Numb. 14.21. Isa. 11.9. Hab. 2.14.
7. Her Glory shall be great in respect of the Abundance of Peace which shall be in the World in that Day: God will make Wars to cease to the ends of the Earth; such a Day never was in the World yet.
Psal.
46.8, 9. & 72.7.
Isa.
2.4.
Mich.
4.3, 4.
8.
The Mountain of the Lord's House shall be exalted above the Mountains,
and lifted up above the Hills, and all Nations shall flow unto it.
The Saints in that Day shall possess the Gates of their Enemies.
Jer.
30.20.
9. The Glory of the Church will be great in respect of Holiness. God will bring his People into the Fire, and make his Church very pure.
Isa.
1.25, 26, 27.
Mal.
3.2.
Psal.
110.2, 3.
Zech.
13.8, 9.
There shall be no
Canaanite
in the House of the Lord, no unclean Person shall dwell therein.
10. Her Glory shall be great by Christ's coming to her:
Thine Eyes shall see the King in his Beauty.
Isa. 33.17.
He shall be King over all the Earth. I have set my King upon my holy Hill of
Zion. God will dwell with Men in a more glorious manner than he ever yet dwelt with them.
11. In that her Glory shall abide, and the Kingdom shall not be left to another People.
Dan.
2.44.
Dan.
7.27.
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Inferences.
LEt us pray for the Day of
Zion
's Glory, and never give God rest, until he hath made
Jerusalem
a Praise in the whole Earth:
Thy Kingdom come,
&c.
2. Let not the Godly be discouraged, whatever Troubles they are now attended with; Clouds of Darkness shall soon fly away:
At Even-tide there shall be Light.
The Church compared to an Olive-Tree.
Hosea 14.7.
His Branches shall spread, and his Beauty shall be as the Olive-Tree.
The Church of God is compared in this place to an
Olive-Tree.
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Simile.
|
Parallel.
|
|
PArt or the Beauty of the Olive-Tree consists in its Greenness, it is always green; few Trees that bear Fruit are like the Olive in this respect.
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SO the Church of God, and every sincere Soul, is green and flourishing. Greenness notes Life and Sap to be in the Branches; the Branches of the Divine Olive,
viz.
the Saints, are never without spiritual Moisture, or the Sap of Grace in their Hearts and Lives:
His Leaves shall not fail.
Hence
David
said,
He was like a green Olive-Tree in the House of the Lord.
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|
II. The Olive-Tree is renowned for Fruitfulness, it abounds mightily with Fruit.
Pliny
saith, If care be not taken, its Fruit so loads it, that it even breaks it down.
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II. The Church is fruitful now, but shall be much more fruitful unto God hereafter; her Beauty shall be as the Olive-Tree in this respect. She shall abound in Children, and abound in Grace, and true Holiness.
|
|
III. The Olive-Tree beareth not only much Fruit, but also profitable Fruit. Olives are rare things. What Tree brings forth better Fruit than the Olive-Tree? Its Fruit is mollifying, feeding, strengthening, healing; its Oil makes your Lamps to burn.
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III. So the Church brings forth good Fruit, not only a great quantity, but Fruit that excels in its Nature or Quality,
viz.
Faith, Love, Meekness, Patience, Charity,
&c.
even all the Fruits of the Spirit, (or as they are in another place called, the Fruits of Righteousness.
) Grace is of a mollifying, feeding, strengthening, and healing Nature; Grace makes the Lamp of Profession to burn clear, whereby others see, or have much Light.
See Oil.
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|
IV. The Branches of an Olive-Tree were formerly used to signify Peace.
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IV. A Saint is for Peace. They are Peace-makers; they desire nothing more than Peace with God, and Peace with Men:
I am for Peace,
saith
David.
He that hath the Fruit of the Olive,
viz.
Grace, shall soon see the Dove,
viz.
the Spirit, bringing the Olive-Branch: but, as
Noah
's Dove did not bring the Olive-Branch, till the Waters were abated; so the Flood of Iniquity must be abated, the Waters of Wickedness sink and be dried up, before a Man can receive a sure Sign or Token of Peace and Reconciliation with God.
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Inferences.
HEnce let Saints, who are planted in the House of the Lord, labor to be like the Olive-Tree, not only to bring forth much Fruit as to quantity, but good and right Fruit, in respect to its quality.
The Church compared to an Inn.
Luke 10.34.
— And brought him to an Inn.
BY the
Inn,
most Expositors (that I have met with) understand that Christ means the Church, which may be fitly compared to an Inn.
|
Metaphor.
|
Parallel.
|
|
AN Inn is a Place to entertain Travelers, whilst they pass from one Country or City to another.
|
SO the Church is a Place to entertain Christians, whilst they pass through the Wilderness of this World, to the Land of Promise; or through the Valley of Tears, to the Mount of Joy.
|
|
In an Inn is a Host, who is to take care of Strangers or Travelers that come thither, and to help them to whatsoever they need.
|
II. In the Church are Pastors, or faithful Ministers, who wait to receive all poor Sinners, who come to take up their Lodging there, and make them very welcome.
|
|
III. An Inn is a Place of Refreshment for Travelers, where they meet with convenient Food, and sweet Repose in their Journey. A Man may have in some Inns what Food he pleaseth, either Milk or strong Meat, choice of Diet.
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III. So the Church is a Place of Soul-refreshment to all spiritual Travelers and Pilgrims. There is both the sincere Milk of the Word, and strong-Meat,
all things ready the Soul needs. Some are for one sort of Diet, some for another. In the Church also is sweet Repose, there Christ giveth Rest to the Weary.
|
|
IV. An Inn sometimes lodgeth (unknown to the Host) evil Persons, Thieves, and Deceivers.
|
IV. So the Church, notwithstanding all the Care that is taken by her Officers, doth sometimes receive or take in false Professors, such as are unsound at Heart, Hypocrites, and deceitful Workers.
|
|
V. An Inn is a very desirable Place to Men in their Journey.
|
V. So is the Church of God; hence
David
longed after the Courts of God's House.
|
|
VI. An Inn is not a Place to abide long in; the Traveler takes up his Abode in it but a Night or two, and he is gone.
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VI. So the Church Militant is no long abiding Place; Christians stay in it but for a short time; 'tis a Place of Refreshment (as it were) for a Night.
Here we have no continuing City, we are Strangers, as all our Fathers were; when we come to Heaven, we shall abide with the Church Triumphant forever.
|
|
Metaphor.
|
Disparity.
|
|
IN an Inn there is little to be had without Money; if a Man hath not Money or Credit, he is no Guest for them.
|
THe Church is a Place for the Poor, for such as have no Money, they are welcome thither. The Doors of this Inn are always open to all sincere Souls, whether they be poor or rich.
|
|
II. A Man that comes to lodge in an Inn, though he hath never so good Entertainment, yet he is not contented
to stay there, he makes ready in the morning to go forward in his Journey.
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II. But he that comes to take up his Lodging in the Church, or spiritual Inn, if he be sincere, desireth not to go out from thence anymore; he desireth to
dwell therein as long as he liveth: though our abiding in this World is but compared to a Night.
One thing have I desired of the Lord, and that will I seek after,
that I may dwell in the House of the Lord all the Days of my Life.
|
|
III. An Inn may be so full of Guests, that a weary Traveler, especially if he come late, can have no Entertainment, but is forced to seek it elsewhere:
There was no Room for them in the Inn.
|
III. The Church was never yet so full, but that there was Room for all those that were weary and heavy-laden. All that ever truly travelled towards
Zion,
have found Entertainment there; nay,
though the Servants of the Lord have been sent into the Streets and Lanes, to fetch in the Poor, and the Maimed, and the Halt, and the Blind, and they do accordingly, yet there is Room. As there can be no want of any Accommodation, of spiritual Food, so there is no want of Room. All that have been called by the Word and Spirit, and compelled by Grace to come in, in all Ages, have had blessed Entertainment; and as God hath enlarged and increased Converts, so he hath enlarged and increased the Church, by three thousand at a time.
|
|
IV. Commonly those that lodge in an Inn are Strangers and Foreigners, and staying but a night, or a very short time, have no acquaintance with any that dwell therein.
|
IV. But the Saints that are in the spiritual Inn, the Church,
are no more Strangers and Foreigners,
but therein make their abode: for though it be said, 'tis but for a Night, or a Day,
&c.
yet 'tis as long as they live; and they get very great Acquaintance with those that dwell therein.
|
Inferences.
BLess God, that he hath provided such a Place of Refreshment for poor weary Travelers.
2. You that look upon yourselves to be Strangers and Pilgrims in this World, may learn from hence where to take up your Lodging.
3. Also it may inform God's People, and faithful Ministers, what care they ought to take in receiving Men and Women into the Church: Inn-keepers will examine all suspicious Persons.
The Church compared to a Vine.
Psal. 80.8.
Thou hast brought a Vine out of
Egypt;
thou hast cast out the Heathen, and planted it,
&c.
Verse 14.
Behold, and visit this Vine,
&c.
Cant. 2.15.
— For our Vines have tender Grapes,
&c.
Hos. 14.8.
— And flourish as the Vine.
The Church is compared to a
Vine.
|
Metaphor.
|
Parallel.
|
|
A Vine is no beautiful Plant, yet very fruitful; it abounds with inward Sap.
|
SO the Church, altho she doth not seem so beautiful to carnal Eyes, yet she is very fruitful to God.
The Trees of the Lord (that is, the Saints of God) are full of Sap, full of Divine Virtue, or good Fruits.
|
|
II. A Vine spreads forth its Branches, and accordingly grows much in a short time.
|
II. So the Lord's spiritual Vine hath in former times exceedingly spread her Branches forth; the Mountains are said to be covered with the Shadow of it, and the Boughs thereof were like the goodly Cedars:
She stretched out her Branches to the Sea, and her Boughs unto the River. Israel,
God's ancient Vine, grew wonderfully; and so did the Gospel-Vine, how did it in a little time spread forth its spiritual Branches, Eastwards, and Westwards, over many Nations and Kingdoms! She extended her Bouhgs into
Parthia, Media, Mesopotamia, Egypt, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, Pamphilia, Libya, Spain, Italy, England,
&c.
|
|
III. The Vine must have much Pains taken with it; it needs Pruning often, or else it will decay.
|
III. So God takes much pains with his Church; it is pruned and purged,
that it may bring forth the more Fruit.
|
|
IV. The Vine is in itself but a weak Plant, and therefore needs Under-propping.
|
IV. So the Church is in herself but weak, and needs to be born up by Christ. God is the Strength of his People; they are wholly supported by Him.
|
|
V. Tho the Vine hath many Branches, yet all have a Sufficiency of Sap and Nourishment from the Root, to make them fruitful.
|
V. So the Church, though she hath many Members, yet all receive a Sufficiency of Grace and Divine Virtue of the Root, (
viz.
the Lord Jesus) to make them fruitful.
|
|
VI. The Vine, if it be barren or unfruitful, is the most unprofitable of any Tree, and fit for nothing but the Fire.
Son of Man, what cometh of the Vine-Tree, above all other Trees, and of the Vine-Branches, which is amongst the Trees of the Forest? Shall Wood be taken thereof, to hang any Vessel thereon? Behold, it is cast into the Fire to be burnt.
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VI. So are the Members of the visible Church, if unfruitful, good for naught, but to be cut down, and cast into the Fire, as our Savior himself showeth,
John
15.
Therefore thus saith the Lord,
As the Vine-Tree that is amongst the Trees of the Forest, which I have given to the Fire to be consumed; so will I give the Inhabitants of
Jerusalem:
I will set my Face against them; they shall go out of one Fire, and another Fire shall consume them: And ye shall know that I am the Lord,
&c.
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The Church compared to a Dove.
Cant. 2.14.
O my Dove, that art in the Clifts of the Rock,
&c.
Psal. 74.19.
O deliver not the Soul of thy Turtle-Dove unto the Multitude,
&c.
THat is, thy Church and People, who worship none but Thee, as the Turtle-Dove, that never entertains Conjunction with another; and who in their Affliction, like a Dove, express their Grief in Sighs and solitary Groans to thee; and which is unarmed, weak, simple, and meek, like the Turtle-Dove, which is esteemed the least among the Species of Doves, as
Aristotle
says. The
Chaldee
renders it,
The Soul of such as learn thy Law,
(that Word
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
a
Turtle-Dove,
being of some affinity with
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
Law.
) Christ calls his Church a
Dove,
by which Metaphor, saith
Glassius,
its Simplicity, Chastity,
&c.
is denoted.
Doct.
That the Spouse of Christ, or a gracious Soul, is or may fitly be compared unto a Dove.
|
Metaphor.
|
Parallel.
|
|
A Dove is a meek and harmless Creature:
Be ye innocent as Doves.
|
THe Saints of God are injurious to none, they seek the hurt of no Man, they are and ought to be
harmless,
the Children of God, in the midst of a crooked and perverse Generation.
|
|
II. The Dove makes her Nest in the Rock;
her Safety, and Place of Abode is in the Clifts of the Rock.
|
II. The Saints make their Abode in the Rock
Christ;
they build only in him,
and upon him; and indeed in the Clifts of this Rock they rest,
viz.
in the Wounds, Piercings, Dyings, and Crucifyings of the Lord Jesus Christ.
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|
III. The Dove is a Creature that feeds not upon Carrion, as Eagles, Ravens, and other Fowls do, but only upon pure Grain.
|
III. Gracious Souls, or sincere Christians, do not feed upon the sensual Pleasures, and carnal Delights of this World, as the Ungodly do;
nor will they feed upon, or receive in the detestable Carrion of Men's Traditions; they hate Idolatry, false Worship, and every evil Way, and only feed and live upon the pure Grain of God's holy Word.
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|
IV. The Dove is a Creature much molested by all Birds of Prey.
|
IV. The Saints of God are persecuted and molested by all the Sons of
Belial;
they are chased like a Dove or Partridge upon the Mountains.
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|
V. The Dove hath no other Defense, when molested, but by Flight.
|
V. The Godly have no other way, when molested by Satan, and wicked Men, but to fly to God:
At what time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
|
|
VI. The Dove thinks not herself secure, till she be got into the Rock.
|
VI. The sincere Christian looks not upon himself as secure, until he is got into Christ.
The Name of the Lord is a Strong-Tower, the Righteous run into it, and are safe.
They, like
Noah
's Dove, fly to the Ark.
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|
VII. The Dove is a Creature very chaste, and true to its Mate.
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VII. The sincere Christian, and Spouse of Christ, is very chaste to the Lord Jesus, will own no other Head or Husband, they defy the Pope, that First-born of Satan, and all others who pretend to Headship, and Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction over their Consciences.
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|
VIII. The Dove hath a lovely Eye, and 'tis always fixed upon her Mate.
|
VIII. The Saints of God have a single and lovely Eye in Christ's Sight: they strive to be like the Dove, resisting Pride, Lust, and Wantonness, and to be adorned with Meekness and Modesty, having always their Eyes upon Jesus Christ; not daring to lift up their Eyes to other Lovers,
but by holy Intention wait upon him alone in all their Devotion.
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|
IX. The Dove loves to accompany with Doves; they will gather together by great Numbers, if they can.
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IX. God's Children love Communion and Fellowship one with another, that they may mutually be comforted and edified in the Faith:
They fly like a Cloud,
and as Doves to their Windows,
that is, to the House or Church of God.
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|
X. The Dove mourns when she hath lost the sight of her Mate
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X. A gracious Soul mourns when it hath lost the Sight of Jesus Christ;
Thou hiddest thy Face, and I was troubled,
(saith
David) I did mourn as a Dove,
(saith
Hezekiah) mine Eyes fail with looking up. I shall not see the Lord in the Land of the Living. They shall be on the Mountains, like Doves in the Valleys, everyone mourning for his own Iniquity.
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XI. The Dove is a very fruitful Creature, having Young almost every month in the Year.
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XI. The Church is also very fruitful to Christ, (1.) In respect of bringing forth Children:
This and that Man it shall be said was born in her.
(2.) In respect of bringing forth the Fruits of the Spirit, and good Works.
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XII. Doves love to be by the Rivers of Water.
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XII. Christians, or gracious Souls, love to be by the sweet Streams of living Water,
by that River that makes glad the City of God; they love to drink of the Promises and Consolations of the Spirit.
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XIII. Doves have Feathers of divers colors;
and 'tis observed, when the Sun shines, their Beauty appears most, as if their Wings were covered with Silver, and their Feathers with yellow Gold.
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XIII. The Saints are gloriously adorned with the Righteousness of Christ, and with the Gifts and Graces of the Spirit; and when the Sun of Righteousness shines,
and sends forth his splendent Beams and Rays upon them, then their Graces appear and shine most glorious.
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XIV. The Dove was appointed by the Lord under the Law for a Sacrifice, and no other Bird or Fowl of Heaven but the Dove. And hence you read in the Gospel, that there were those that sold Doves in the Temple,
which was (as it is thought) to accommodate such as came to offer Sacrifice.
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XIV. The Godly are required to offer up themselves, both Body and Soul, as an acceptable Sacrifice unto God;
and many of them have been commanded, and readily have yielded themselves up to God, in a way of suffering, for Christ's sake;
and none but those who are God's own sincere Children, are accepted in offering up themselves, either in a way of doing or suffering.
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|
XV. The Dove is said to be silly, and without Heart,
wants Courage,
&c.
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XV. The Saints of God are of themselves in many things silly and foolish, wanting that Heart, Courage, and Magnanimity of Spirit, to stand up for God, his Truth, Interest, and People, as they ought to do.
|
Inferences.
IS Christ's Church, and so consequently every gracious Person, compared to a Dove, being meek, humble, harmless, chaste, and single-hearted to the Lord Jesus Christ?
&c.
Then we may assure ourselves, that she that delights in Prey, Rapine, and Blood, as doth the
Romish
Church, is none of the Dove or Church of Jesus Christ.
2. Are the Eyes of a Dove by the Rivers of Water? do they delight in Springs, Fountains, and pure Rivers? and in this are they an Emblem of the Godly, who hate all filthy, loathsome, and detestable Traditions of Men, and delight only in the pure, unmixed, and Crystal Streams of God's holy Institutions? Then all those, who, like Ravens, and other foul and unclean Birds of Prey, delight in Ditches, and in long-standing, stinking Pools of this false Church, (where they defile themselves in searching for the detestable Carrion of Idolatry) are none of Christ's Dove-like People.
3. And let those that are the People of God, labor to be like the Dove, who is neat, and will not defile itself; let them see they keep their Hearts chaste to Christ, and avoid all Pollution of Sin in their Conversation.
5. This also may inform the Godly, that 'tis no marvel if they are persecuted and molested by the Wicked.
5. And in the midst of all their Afflictions, Persecutions, and Temptations, this may comfort them: God hath prepared for his poor Doves a strong Place of Defense and Shelter,
viz.
the Rock
Christ,
whither let us in all Times of Danger fly by Faith and Prayer.
The Church compared to a natural Body.
1 Cor. 12.13.
— All baptized into one Body.
Eph. 2.16.
— Both unto God in one Body.
Eph. 4.12.
— For the edifying of the Body of Christ.
Col. 1.18.
He is the Head of the Body, the Church,
&c.
Verse 24.
For his Body sake, which is the Church,
&c.
THe Body,
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
,
(Soma)
is frequently put for the Church or People of God, the Explication of which Trope is concisely opened in the following Parallel.
|
Metaphor.
|
Parallel.
|
|
EVery natural Body hath a Head.
|
SO the Church of God hath a Head,
viz.
the Lord Jesus Christ:
He
(God the Father)
hath put all things under his Feet, and gave him to be the Head over all things to the Church, which is his Body, the Fulness of him that filleth all in all. And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
Verse 17.
And he is the Head of the Body, the Church,
&c.
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|
II. The natural Body hath many Members,
and though many Members, yet all make but one and the same Body.
|
II. The Chureh of Christ consists of divers Saints, called the Members of his Body:
Now ye are the Body of Christ,
and Members in particular;
and though many, yet all make but one and the same mystical Body.
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|
III. In the natural Body are Members different in Strength, Usefulness, and Honor, as Arms, Legs, Eyes, Feet, Hands, Fingers,
&c.
But the weakest, and those that seem least honorable, are very useful, and the Body cannot be without them.
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III. So in the Church, the mystical Body of Christ, are different Members, both with respect to Honor and Usefulness; as Apostles, Prophets, Teachers;
or, as the Apostle
John
hath it,
Fathers, young Men,
and
Children. All are not Apostles, all are not Prophets, all are not Teachers,
&c. But yet the weakest and most feeble Saints or Members are useful to the Church. As in the Body natural,
though the Eye is of greater use than some other Members, yet the Eyes (or Ministers, who are as useful as Eyes to the Body) cannot say to the Hand, (or such to whom God hath given the Riches of this World to distribute unto others,)
We have no need of thee; nor can the Head say to the Feet, I have no need of you. Nay, and those Members of the Body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary.
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IV. In the natural Body, if one Member suffer, all suffer with it.
|
IV. So in Christ's mystical Body, when one Saint suffereth, all do sympathize and suffer with him.
If one suffer,
all suffer; and if one Member be honored, all the Members of the Body rejoice with him.
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|
V. All the Members of the Body natural, take care of, and seek the Good of the whole Body, and of each Member in particular.
|
V. So in the Church of God, every particular Saint doth, and ought always to seek the Welfare of the whole mystical Body of Christ:
That there should be no Schism in the Body, but that the Members should have the same care one of another.
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|
VI. All the Members of the natural Body have their Nourishment from the Head.
|
VI. So all the Members of the mystical Body receive Nourishment from Christ, who is the only Head thereof; and from hence the Apostle condemneth those false
Professors, and counterfeit Christians, who pretended to much Piety and Religion, but did not receive their Doctrine and Principles from Christ, nor were they united unto him by Evangelical Faith.
Not holding the Head,
from which all the Body by Joints and Bonds having Nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the Increase of God.
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|
VII. In the natural Body, betwixt the Members and the Body there is a marvelous Nearness, or blessed Union.
|
VII. So there is a wonderful Nearness, and blessed Union between Jesus Christ, and every Member of his mystical Body:
For we are Members of his Body, of his Flesh,
and of his Bones.
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|
VIII. The Body natural increases in Strength, Bigness, and Beauty; according to the Age of the Body, is the Perfection and Excellency of it.
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VIII. So the Church increases in spiritual Strength, Bigness, and Glory. The Church is but small and weak now, in comparison of what she shall be, when she is come to her full Growth, and perfect State. There will be a great Addition to the Church in the latter Day:
The Lord shall rise upon thee,
and his Glory shall be seen upon thee; and the Gentiles shall come to thy Light, and Kings to the Brightness of thy Rising. Lift up thine Eyes round about, and see; all they gather themselves together, they come unto thee; thy Sons shall come from afar, and thy Daughters shall be nursed at thy side,
&c. to the end of the Chapter, compared with
chap.
66.8, 9, 10. where you may read of the Multitude that shall be added to her, and of the Abundance of her Glory. And as she shall grow in Bigness, so likewise she shall increase in spiritual Knowledge, Faith, and Godliness.
For the Earth shall be filled with the Knowledge of the Glory of the Lord, as the Waters cover the Sea.
All the Officers, and glorious Gifts appertaining to them, that are given to the Church, are
for the perfecting of the Saints,
for the Work of the Ministry, for the edifying of the Body of Christ, till we all come in the Unity of the Faith, and of the Knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect Man, unto the measure of the Stature of the Fulness of Christ.
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Inferences.
THis clearly shows what infinite Benefit the Godly receive from Jesus Christ, and what Dependency they have upon him. What can the Body do without the Head?
2. How happy are all true Believers! how near and dear are they to the Lord Jesus! what greater Union is there, than that between the Members and the Head!
No Man ever hated his own Flesh, but nourisheth and cherisheth it, as the Lord the Church.
3. What will become of those evil and wicked Men, that seek to destroy the Church and Saints of God! Do they not herein strive to break Christ's Bones, and tear his Flesh in pieces? What will they do in the Day of Vengeance,
when he comes forth to plead the Controversy of
Zion.
4. This reproves that Church, that pretends itself to be Christ's Body, and yet slights and grievously neglects his Members, nay, his most useful Members. The Church should be as careful and tender of her Ministers, as the natural Body is of its Eyes. Shall the Eye suffer, or be in danger of being put out or spoiled, and the Hand refuse to relieve and defend it, when it is in its power?
The Church compared to a Vineyard.
Psal. 80.15.
And the Vineyard which thy Right-hand hath planted.
Isa. 5.1.
Now will I sing to my well-beloved, a Song of my Beloved, touching his Vineyard.
Verse 7.
For the Vineyard of the Lord of Hosts is the House of
Israel,
and the Men of
Judah
his pleasant Plant.
A
Vineyard,
the Place where Vines are planted, metaphorically signifieth the
Church.
The Church is compared to a Vineyard.
|
Metaphor.
|
Parallel.
|
|
THe Land that is made into a Vineyard, is a Piece of Ground taken out of a Wilderness, or other common Ground, designed to that special use.
|
SO the Church is taken out of the Wilderness of this World,
being separated from all People, to be a peculiar People to God:
By Nature Saints were as barren and fruitless as Sinners.
|
|
II. A Vineyard is fenced or walled in, to secure it from wild Beasts, and others, who may offend or hurt it.
|
II.
So the Lord's Vineyard hath a Wall or Fence about it: Saith the Lord,
I will be a Wall of Fire unto her round about.
What use soever a Fence is to a House, Garden, or Vineyard, the same is God to his People. 1. Everyone of his Attributes (as we have elsewhere shown you) is a Fence or Security to her; his Power is a Fence, his Wisdom is a Fence, his Mercy is a Fence, his special Providence is a Fence. 2. The holy Angels are as a Wall or Fence to the Church, and to every particular Saint; they were as a Wall of Safety to the Prophet, 2
Kings
6.15, 16. 3.
There is about the Church the Fence or Wall of Ordinances, Church-Government, and Discipline. — The Reason why God makes a Wall about his People, is opened under Metaphor,
God a Husband man;
also the Nature and Strength of it, to which we refer you.
Quest.
Perhaps some may inquire,
How much Ground doth this Hedg or Wall take in?
1. It taketh in all the Bodies of God's People; no Disease, Sickness, or Affliction whatsoever can come upon those that truly fear and serve the Almighty, but what he lets in. This appears in the case of
Job;
and by what
David
saith,
My Life is in thy hand,
&c.
2. This Wall comprehends more especially the Souls of Saints; no Temptation,
Persecution, or Trial, can come upon them, but what God lets in. His special Eye, Care, Protection, and Divine Providence is so over them, that not a Hair of their Heads shall fall to the Ground without his Notice; that is, He hath interested himself in all the Concernments of his Children, yea, even in the smallest Matters.
3. This Wall takes in their Houses, and all they have:
Hast thou not made a Hedg about him, and about his House, and about all he hath, on every side?
The Devil could not touch any of
Job's
Sheep, Oxen, or Asses, until God opened the Door for him; much less his Sons, Daughters, Body and Life.
Suffer us
(said the unclean Spirits to Christ)
to go into the Herd of Swine.
They could not destroy those Swine, before permitted or suffered by the Almighty.
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|
III. A Vineyard is planted; the choice things that grow there, come not up of themselves.
|
III. So the Church is planted by the Lord, and every goodly Plant that grows therein. Hence God the Father is called an Husbandman.
The Men of Israel are called his pleasant Plants.
|
|
IV. A Vineyard is digged up, and well-manured, before it is planted which is not done without much pains.
|
IV. The Church of God, and every gracious Soul, may be said to be digged, or the fallow Ground of their Hearts by powerful Conviction broken up,
and thereby prepared to receive the good Seed, or to have a Principle of Grace planted in their Hearts.
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|
V. A Vineyard hath many Vines planted in it,
and not only so, but also Fig-Trees, Pomegranates, and other excellent Fruit-Trees.
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V. So in the universal Church are many particular Congregations or Communities of Christians, who are as so many choice Vines in God's Sight; it also abounds with Plants, some fruitful, and some barren, as is signified by our Savior,
Luke
13.6.
He spake also this Parable:
A certain Man had a Fig-Tree planted in his Vineyard, and he came and sought Fruit thereon, and found none.
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|
VI. A Vineyard needs much pruning and watering; the Stones also must be gathered out of it: hence there are Vine-dressers appointed to look after it.
|
VI. So the Church of God must have much pains taken with it, or it will soon decay; there is need of pruning, and cutting off superfluous Branches, and gathering out other things that offend: Hence God hath appointed his faithful Ministers,
who are
Workers together with him,
to take care and charge of it. Hence
Paul
saith,
I have planted,
and
Apollo
watered.
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|
VII. Vineyards were wont to be hurt by Foxes, by the wild Boar, and other evil Beasts; it hath many Enemies.
|
VII. So the Church of God is often vexed, and greatly hurt by the Foxes, little Foxes, namely, false Teachers, who for their Subtilty and Cruelty are called Foxes. By
little Foxes,
some understand such as seem devout, and very humble, and yet preach hurtful and poisonous Doctrine, yea, bring in damnable Heresies,
which greatly tend to the spoiling of God's Vineyard. And then the Church is greatly annoyed also by the wild Boar, as
David
shows,
The Boar of the Wood doth waste it, and the wild Beasts of the Field devour it.
By which are meant the cruel Enemies the Church met with in those Days; like as in these latter Times, she hath the Pope, who may fitly be compared to a wild Boar; and the bloody Papists, to ravenous Beasts, Beasts of Prey, such as continually delight in Blood and Rapine, and to tear the Lambs out of Christ's Fold, or destroy the precious Bunches of the tender Grapes.
|
|
VIII. A Vineyard is continually watched over, lest anything should annoy or hurt it.
|
VIII. So God is said to watch over his People.
In that day sing unto her:
A Vineyard of red Wine; I the Lord do keep it every moment, lest any hurt it. I will keep it night and day.
|
|
IX. Many that are idle are called into a Vineyard to work.
|
IX. So God calls Men into his spiritual Vineyard, to labor therein, with the Promise of Reward. See
Mat.
20.
The Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a Man that is an Housholder, which went out early in the morning to hire Laborers into his Vineyard; and when he had agreed with the Laborers for a Penny a day, he sent them into the Vineyard. And he went out, and saw others standing idle in the Market-place.
|
|
X. He that is employed to plant and dress a Vineyard, or is a faithful Labourer therein, is allowed to eat of the Fruit thereof, besides his Reward at night.
|
X. So those whom God employs as Planters and Vine-dressers in his spiritual Vineyard, ought to eat of the Fruit thereof,
viz.
have a sufficient Maintenance allowed them.
Who planteth a Vineyard,
and eateth not of the Fruit thereof? or who feedeth
a Flock, and eateth not of the Milk of the Flock? even so the Lord hath ordained, that they who preach the Gospel, should live of the Gospel.
|
|
XI. It is expected by the Owner of a Vineyard, that after much Cost and Pains is bestowed upon it, it should bring forth much Fruit.
|
XI. So after God hath bestowed much Pains and Cost with a People, (as he did with
Israel:
What could have been done more to my Vineyard than I have done in it?)
he expects Fruit:
And he looked it should bring forth Grapes, and it brought forth wild Grapes.
|
|
XII. A Vineyard, having had great Labor and Cost bestowed upon it, and not yielding Fruit answerable to the Charge, greatly grieves and troubles the Owner, causing him to lay it desolate, and care no more for it.
|
XII. So when a People have had much Cost and Pains bestowed upon them by the Lord, and yet they remain barren and unfruitful, walking like Men, and bringing forth sour Grapes, Grapes of
Sodom,
rather than good Fruit, He is greatly offended and grieved thereat, and many times dealeth by that People, Church, or Nation, as he threatened to deal by
Israel
of old.
I will take away the Hedge thereof,
and it shall be eaten up; and break down the Wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down: And I will lay it waste, it shall not be pruned, nor digged, but there shall come up Briars and Thorns; I will cause the Rain to rain upon it no more,
&c.
Therefore I say unto you,
The Kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a Nation bringing forth the Fruits thereof.
Which of all Judgments is the most severe; God deliver his Church in
England
from so sore a Stroke.
|
Inferences.
THis may teach the Church and People of God to take heed they answer the Pains and Cost God hath been at with them. It is not a little,
but much Fruit that God expects from us; and not only Grapes, but good Grapes, sweet Grapes,
viz.
Fruits of Righteousness.
II. And let all the Plants in this spiritual Vineyard see to it,
that they are Plants of God's own planting; for if they are not, they shall be plucked up.
III. And let those that his own Right-hand hath planted, see also that they be well rooted. 1. A Tree not well rooted bears but little Fruit. 2. A Tree not well rooted is subject to be shaken and blown down. 3. A Tree not well rooted is in danger of being plucked up.
1. Labor to be rooted in all the Essentials of true Religion.
2. And in all the Principles of Instituted Worship.
3. And in all the Graces of the holy Spirit, in Faith, Love,
&c.
IV. It may also be of use to encourage and comfort the Church of God, whilst it remains fruitful to him. How safe and secure is that Vineyard, that God hath so gloriously walled in on every side! In vain are all the Strivings and Strength of bloody
Rome:
if God openeth not the Door for them, they can never prevail against us.
5. It also may be for Reproof to loose and slothful Professors; O what Danger do their Sins expose God's Church to!
The Church compared to a Virgin.
2 Cor. 11.2.
I have espoused you to one Husband, that I may present you as a chaste Virgin to Christ.
A
Chast Virgin.
This Simile alludes to the legal Type of the
High Priest,
who might marry none but a Virgin,
Lev.
21.14.
Note.
The Church (or a gracious Soul) is by the Apostle compared to an espoused Virgin:
I have espoused you, i. e.
I have been an Instrument or Spokesman in the hand of my blessed Lord and Master herein.
|
Simile.
|
Parallel.
|
|
A Virgin is a Person that is not defiled, one that hath been kept pure from Fornication and Uncleanness.
|
THe Church of God, and every sincere Christian, is kept pure from Idolatry,
viz.
the inordinate Love of this World, and all Antichristian Worship.
Hence the Forty four thousand upon Mount
Zion
are said to be Virgins; those are they which were not defiled with Women, that is, with the Mother of Harlots, mystical
Babylon,
nor with any of her Daughters; for they are Virgins, that is, true and chaste to Christ.
|
|
II. A chaste Virgin, that is espoused to an Husband, is greatly beloved by him.
|
II. So the Church, and each sincere Christian, is dearly beloved by the Lord, who is said to
rejoice over his People,
as a young Man rejoiceth over his Bride.
|
|
III. A Virgin espoused to an Husband, longeth for the Wedding-day.
|
III. So the Church longeth for the Return of the Bridegroom,
when Christ will take her to himself.
The Marriage of the Lamb is come,
&c.
|
|
IV. A Virgin espoused, greatly prizeth every kind Token of Love from her Friend, and delights to hear from him.
|
IV. So all sincere Souls wonderfully prize every precious Token of Christ's special Favor to them.
Let him kiss me with the Kisses of his Mouth,
for his Love is better than Wine.
|
|
V. A Virgin espoused is a Man's Wife.
|
V. So is the Church the Wife of Christ.
|
The Church compared to a Wife.
Isa. 54.5.
Thy Maker is thy Husband.
Rev. 21.9.
I will show thee the Bride, the Lamb's Wife.
BY the Metaphor,
Espousals,
which is the most pleasant Metaphor of all, the spiritual Union between Christ and the Church is expressed,
Hos.
2.19, 20. From the Names of
Husband
and
Wife,
Metaphors also are taken,
Isa.
54.5. where God calls himself
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
, the Husband of the Church, and hence
Zion
is said to be
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
,
Beulah,
that is,
married.
Isa. 62.4, 5.
Note,
The Church of Christ is the Wife of Christ.
|
Metaphor.
|
Parallel.
|
|
A Wife is one who hath made a solemn Contract with, and is married to an Husband.
|
SO the Church, and every true Christian,
hath made a solemn Contract or Covenant with, and is married to the Lord Jesus.
|
|
II. A Woman that entereth into a Marriage-Relation with an Husband, gives herself wholly to him. The Husband gives himself to her, and she by way of Return gives herself unto him; they consent to take each other.
|
II. So a gracious Soul in this spiritual Marriage gives itself to Christ, and Christ gives himself to the Soul. I will be thine, saith Christ, to love thee, thine to save thee, thine to crown thee, and make thee happy; I, with all my Riches, and rich Treasure of Grace and Glory, will be fully thine, and forever thine. And on the other hand, the Soul by way of Return gives itself unto Christ: I will be thine, saith every sincere Convert, I will be for thee, and not for another. Hence 'tis said,
They gave themselves to the Lord,
Blessed Jesus, saith the Soul, such as I am and have, I give to thee; I am a poor sorry Piece, infinitely unworthy to wash the Feet of the Servants of my Lord, O how undeserving then of thy Acceptation! my best is too bad, my all is too little for thee: But since it is thy Pleasure to accept of such a Gift, I do with my whole Soul give my Self, my Strength, my Time, my Talents, and all I have, am, or can do, for the Glory of thy holy Name.
|
|
III. A faithful Wife, in marrying herself to one Husband, renounceth all other Men, and keeps herself chaste and faithful to him.
|
III. So all true Christians renounce Sin, Self, and the Law in point of Justification, and all Lovers whatsoever, and keep themselves chaste and faithful to Christ.
Wherefore, Brethren,
ye also are become dead to the Law by the Body of Christ, that ye should be married to another, even to him who is risen from the Dead, that we should bring forth Fruit unto God.
|
|
IV. The Wife obeyeth and reverenceth her Husband; as
Sarah,
who called her Husband
Lord.
|
IV. So the Church obeys and reverences the Lord Jesus Christ, and owns him to be her Lord.
|
|
V. A faithful Wife strives to please her Husband.
But she that is married, careth how she may please her Husband.
|
V. So the Church, and each true Christian, strives to please the Lord Jesus.
That ye may walk worthy of the Lord in all well-pleasing,
being fruitful in every good Work,
&c.
|
|
VI. A Wife by marrying an Husband is interested into his Estate, and hath a legal Right to what is his.
|
VI. So the Soul, by marrying of Christ, is interested into all Christ's Riches; he hath a sure, a new Covenant-Right to whatsoever Christ hath; the Riches both of Grace and Glory are become his hereby.
|
|
VII. A Wife, by marrying an Husband, is brought into a near Union and Communion with him:
They are no more twain,
but one Flesh.
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VII. So the Church, and each true Christian, by entering into a Marriage Relation with the Lord J
•
sus, is brought into a very near Union and Conjunction with him.
For this cause shall a Man leave Father and Mother,
and shall join unto his Wife, and they two shall be one Flesh. This is a great Mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the Church.
Hence the Apostle saith,
He that is joined to the Lord, is one Spirit.
This is a most blessed Union, a full Union, a lasting Union; (1.) a full Union. The whole Person of Christ is joined to the whole Person of a Believer, and the whole Person of a Believer is joined to the whole Person of Christ. Not only Christ's Human Nature is joined to a Believer, but his Divine Nature also; and so not only the Body of a Believer is joined to Christ, but his Soul is joined also. This may administer much Consolation to dying Saints: The Body, as well as the Soul, is the Lord's,
and therefore shall not be lost, he will raise it up at the last Day.
From hence Christ sympathizeth with his People, he feels and is sensible of all their Sorrows, he looks upon their Sufferings as his Sufferings.
I was hungry, and ye gave me no Meat;
I was thirsty, and ye gave me no Drink; naked, and ye clothed me not; sick, and in Prison, and ye visited me not. In all their Afflictions he was afflicted.
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VIII. A Wife, by Marriage-Relation, is taken up with much sweet Peace, Joy, and Complacency in that Estate: her Husband is better to her than ten Sons, as
Elkanah
said to
Hannah.
'It is a Relation made up of Love and Delight.
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VIII. The Church, and every true Believer, by being espoused and married to Christ, the Lord Jesus hath a near, a dear, a strong, and most intimate Affection towards him. A Saint is filled with most sweet Peace, Joy, and Delight, and takes most precious Complacency in Christ; He is more than Father, Mother, Sons, or Daughters.
He is fairer than the Sons of Men, the chiefest of ten thousand. Whom have I in Heaven but thee? and there is none on Earth that I desire besides thee. Thou hast ravished my Heart,
(saith Christ)
my Sister, my Spouse. How fair and pleasant art thou, O Love, for Delights!
turn away thine Eyes, for they have overcome me. He shall rest in his Love.
And on the other hand, what saith the Spouse, the Wife of Christ?
I sat down under his Shadow with great Delight, and his Fruit was sweet unto my Taste. He is altogether lovely. Stay me with Flagons, comfort me with Apples; for I am sick of Love.
The Saints (saith one) are called Christ's Spouse, because of the unparalleled Love that is between them; and (saith another) Christ calls himself our Bridegroom, that he might insinuate the Greatness of his Love, which decays not with Time; and he calls us his Spouse, not his Wife, noting, that our Love to him should be always new, always lively and vigorous.
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IX. A tender and dear Wife is greatly troubled when her Husband seems to be offended and angry with her, and strives to pacify him again, and is never at Rest or Peace, until she finds his Love towards her as formerly, and all things right between them.
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IX. So a gracious Soul, if Christ be offended, and withdrawn from him, is greatly cast down and grieved.
Thou hiddest thy Face, and I was troubled; I opened to my Beloved, but my Beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone. My Soul failed when he spake; I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no Answer.
Where is the sounding of thy Bowels, and thy Mercy towards me? are they restrained? Be not wroth very sore, O Lord, neither remember our Iniquity forever; behold, we beseech thee, we are thy People.
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X. The Wife, by her Marriage with her Husband, is delivered from Arrests for Debts; no sooner is she married, but her Husband is liable to that Danger, it falls upon him, he must see to satisfy and pay what she owed.
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X. So in like manner, no sooner is a Soul espoused or married to Christ, but all his Debts to Law and Justice fall upon Christ, and he pays all; He stands between Wrath and us, Justice and us; He keeps off all Danger of Arrests, and Fear of Imprisonment; He hath Riches enough. All is cleared the day the Soul closes in with him, though whole Mountains of Guilt were upon us before.
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XI. The Wife that is married to a Prince, or mighty Potentate, is thereby greatly exalted, or raised to Honor, becomes a Queen the same day the Marriage is consummated, and hath the Attendance of his Servants.
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XI. So the Church being married to Christ, the Lord Jesus, the Prince of Heaven and Earth, is raised to the greatest Honor imaginable; she is made hereby a Princess, and hence called a Queen:
On thy right-hand did stand the Queen,
in Gold of Ophir.
The Saints also have the Attendance of Christ's Servants, the holy Angels:
They are sent forth to minister to them that are Heirs of eternal Life.
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XII. The Wife that is married to a rich and godly Husband, is thereby freed from much Care and Trouble; for he provideth for her, and manageth all her Concerns. It is true, altho every Husband is bound by the Law of that Relation to provide for his Wife; and free her from Care as much as he can; yet some are poor, and unable to do it, and hence the Wife is involved in as much Care and Trouble as he.
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XII. Christ frees his People from all inordinate and unnecessary Care:
Cast all your Care upon him, for he careth for you.
He manageth all our Concerns in Heaven, always appearing before God for us:
We have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous.
And he manageth all our Affairs on Earth, in a way of Grace, and Divine Providence;
works all our Works in us, and for us: He gives and loves, saves and feeds us, and will never leave us, till he hath brought us to Heaven.
He became poor,
but we were no Losers thereby, for
by his Poverty we are made rich.
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XIII. A Wife brings forth Children, and is many times very fruitful to her Husband; and when she hath brought them forth, takes care of them, feeds and nurseth them.
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XIII. So the Church is fruitful to Christ, bringing forth many Sons and Daughters to him, whom she takes care of, feeds, and nurseth, as the Mother does her Children.
For thus saith the Lord, Behold,
I will extend Peace to her like a River, and the Glory of the Gentiles like a flowing Stream. Then shall ye suck, ye shall be born upon her sides, and dandled upon her Knees, as one whom his Mother comforteth,
&c.
[See Mother.]
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XIV. A Wife hath the Privilege to know her Husbands Mind; for many things which are kept secret from others, are made known to the Wife.
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XIV.
So
the Secrets of the Lord are with them that fear him, and he will show them his Covenant. Eye hath not seen,
nor Ear heard, nor hath it entered into the Heart of Man to conceive, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him: But God hath revealed them to us by his Spirit.
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Metaphor.
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Disparity.
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A Wife may soon lose her Husband; Death (we see) many times takes him away, and she is thereby made a Widow, and her Children fatherless.
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BUt the Church cannot lose her Husband. Christ
dieth no more,
he is immortal; and therefore she can never be a Widow, nor her Children fatherless.
I will not leave you comfortless,
(the word is,
Orphans.
) He is an everlasting Husband.
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Inferences.
STand and wonder! Doth Christ espouse and take to Wife such a poor and contemptible Creature as Mankind! What disproportion is there between a King and a Beggar, between an Ant and an Angel? a far greater disproportion there is between Jesus Christ and Sinners. He is high and great; but we are base and vile: He is blessed and glorious; we are wretched and miserable: He is a mighty King, King of Kings; and we poor Slaves and Vassals, yea, the worst of Slaves, Vassals and Slaves to Sin and Satan.
2. From hence you may perceive the unspeakable Nearness there is between Christ and his People; can there be a sweeter and more glorious Union than this! If we consider the Properties of it, it is a spiritual, a real, an operative, an enriching, an intimate, an indissoluble Union, to be Bone of his Bone, and Flesh of his Flesh. What can any Soul desire more? What greater Happiness, what more glorious, (saith one of the Ancients) than this Union!
3. What Doctrine can yield greater Comfort to Believers, who are thus happily espoused and married to Jesus Christ! We say, such and such are well disposed of,
happily married; O Soul, how well art thou disposed of! What! married to Christ, to the Son of God, to the King of Heaven and Earth!
4. This may show the Saints their Duty, and put them in mind of their Covenant. Soul, thou hast vowed, and canst not go back.
5. And may he of use, especially to all that stand related as Husband and Wife in the Church, for Husbands to make Christ their Pattern in their Carriage and Deportment towards their Wives; and likewise Wives to make the Church their Example in their Behaviour towards their Husbands, as the Apostle giveth direction.
6. Lastly; What Terror doth this speak to the Enemies of the Church! If the Church be the Wife of Christ, what will they do that so much abuse her, and continually seek her Life? Let them know, He will appear in Wrath and Vengeance to save and deliver her, and will tear them in pieces in a short time.
The Church compared to a Bush on Fire.
Exod. 3.2.
And the Angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a Flame of Fire out of the midst of a Bush; and he looked, and behold the Bush burned, and was not consumed,
&c.
ACcording to
Ainsworth,
and divers other Expositors, by the
Bush
is meant the Church of God in great Affliction, the severe Trials of God's People being often set forth in the holy Scriptures by
Fire,
by a
Flame of Fire,
and sometimes by a
smoking Furnace;
as in
Abraham's
Vision,
Gen.
15.17.
And behold a smoking Furnace, and a burning Lamp, that passed between the Pieces.
By the
smoking Furnace
was signified to
Abraham, Israel
's great Affliction in
Egypt;
and by the
Lamp,
the Law of God that afterwards was given; or, as some understand it, the Lamp of Deliverance, or that Salvation God would work for them,
&c.
for that the Salvation of God is like to a Lamp that burneth,
Isa.
52.1.
Quest.
Why is the Church of God compared to a Bush, to a burning Bush? The Scripture usually sets out the Church by things whose Natures or Qualities are excellent, things that are of great Worth,
&c.
And why should she be compared to a Bush, to a Bramble-Bush, for so
Ainsworth
and others read it?
Answ.
Some of the Reasons of it, according to our weak Judgment, are hinted in the following Parallels.
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Metaphor.
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Parallel.
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A Bush is a thing of small worth and value, few esteem or regard a Bramble-Bush; stately Trees are viewed and prized, and some of them valued highly, but so is not a Bush.
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SO likewise the Church of God was then, and is now, a thing of small value, of little or no esteem in the eyes of wicked Men; it was no more regarded by proud
Pharaoh,
and many of the
Egyptians,
than a sorry Bramble-Bush. Hence the Apostle speaketh of the Church, as being very contemptible in the sight of Men.
We are made as the Filth of the World,
and are the Off-scouring of all things unto this day.
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II. A Bramble-Bush, as it is a thing of no Worth or Value, so it is a thing that hath no Beauty in it, in comparison of other Trees; it is in no wise taking to the eye. Some things that are of no great worth, seem very glorious and
beautiful; but there is none of this in a Bramble.
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II. So the true Church of God is not clothed with outward Beauty, not arrayed in Purple and Scarlet, decked with Gold, precious Stones, and Pearls, like the
Mother of Harlots;
but seemeth low,
base, and contemptible to a carnal Eye, her Beauty being all hidden:
The King's Daughter is glorious within.
And 'tis from hence the World values her no more.
As Christ made himself of no Reputation,
so the Church for a while remaineth among Men in a like State; no carnal Eye that seeth her, doth at all desire her.
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III. A Bush is not only a thing of little worth in the esteem of Men, but it is in itself really of small value. What is a Bramble worth? what is it good for, but to be cut down, and cast into the Fire?
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III. So the People of God, considered abstractively, (as they are in themselves) what are they? what Worth or Excellency is in them? All the Beauty and Glory of the Church is from Christ. They are naturally vile Sinners,
and are called Thorns, Briars, and pricking Brambles; and though converted and changed by the Power of God's Grace, yet there remaineth something still of the Old Man and evil Nature in them. And God, in other Places of Scripture, where he compareth them to a
Vine,
to
Lilies,
to a
Garden,
to
Golden Candlesticks,
&c. speaks of them with respect to what they are by his special Grace in Christ Jesus. But here, in comparing them to a Bush, he hath respect (as we conceive) to what they are in themselves, and by Nature, to set forth their own Unworthiness, that so he might thereby raise
Moses
his Wonder, to see the mighty Condescension of the Blessed God, in having regard to such a poor and undeserving People, to dwell in them, and in keeping and preserving them in the midst of such fierce and cruel Enemies, when a small Spark might easily consume and destroy them in an instant, but that he stretcheth forth his glorious Arms of Grace and Divine Power for their Succor and Relief.
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IV. There is one thing more touching a Bush, which for Illustration sake I shall here mention, not that the Spirit of God had respect to it in this Vision,
viz.
A Bush is a common Receptacle for Birds; 'tis the Place where they lodge, make their Nests in, and are secured from many Dangers that do attend them.
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IV. The Church of God is the chief Place for the Saints of God to dwell or make their Abode in, who in the
Song of Songs
are called
Birds: The time of the singing of Birds is come,
&c.
Which (saith Reverend Mr.
Ainsworth
) signifies the Saints, who feeling the Comforts of God's Word and Spirit, do sing the Praises of God, with Psalms, and Hymns, and spiritual Songs.
They shall lift up their Voice, they shall sing for the Majesty of the Lord; and from the uttermost Parts of the Earth we have heard Songs, even Glory to the Righteous.
And indeed in our Judgment the Godly are compared to Birds principally upon this Consideration,
i. e.
in respect to their Singing, which is laid down in several places of Scripture as an undoubted Duty; I wish that Christians, who are not in the practice thereof, would consider of it. But to proceed, How safe is the Bird, when she getteth into the Bush? so are the Saints, when they are got into the Church; God being a Wall of Fire round about her,
and her Defense and Glory on every side.
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V. It is a strange and marvelous thing, to see a Bramble-Bush on fire, and not consumed; this made
Moses
to turn aside:
I will turn aside to see this great Sight.
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V. So it is a strange Sight, a Prodigy, a Mercy to a Wonder, enough to astonish all true thinking Christians, to see the Church of God, the unworthy, frail, polluted, weak, (and declining) Church, as set on fire, yea, all on a Flame, (as it were) many Fires being kindled on her by wicked Adversaries, and yet she is not consumed! How many Plots and Hellish Contrivances were there on foot against poor
Israel
in
Egypt?
First, They made a Law, that the Midwives should kill all their Men-Children, when they did their Office. Secondly; When that would not take, (because the Midwives feared God, and saved the Men-Children alive:
They feared God,
('tis said)
and did not as the King of
Egypt
commanded,
&c.) then they thought of another way, another Plot was set on foot, a new Fire (as it were) was kindled, which was to cast all the Men-Children into the River:
And
Pharaoh
charged all his People, saying, Every Son that is born ye shall cast into the River,
and every Daughter ye shall save alive.
Hence poor
Moses
was cast into the Flags, who afterwards was an Instrument in the hand of God, by working many Signs and Wonders, and
appeared to help and deliver
Israel,
(one that
Pharaoh
little thought of.) Thirdly; But this not taking so effectually neither, they were most cruelly oppressed by hard Servitude, and forced to make their full Tale of Bricks, and yet Straw is denied them; which made the Lives of God's People bitter unto them. Fourthly, and lastly; When they desired liberty to go and worship God, this was denied them, by no means would
Pharaoh
consent to it, but made his hands heavier and heavier upon them. Thus were they in the Fire and Furnace of Affliction, and yet graciously preserved, notwithstanding their Enemies were so many, so cruel, and so mighty above them. And this was that great Sight that God in a Figure shown to
Moses;
and this great Sight is to be seen at this Day, in this and other Nations. O what Hellish Plots and Contrivances have been on foot for many Years last past, especially for the space of two or three Years! How many Fires have been kindled to consume the poor Church of God in
England,
and other adjacent Nations! What Plots and Sham-Plots have the Popish Enemies set on foot, since the Time that Dr.
Oats
first discovered the Grand and Hellish Intrigue! And yet how wonderfully hath God wrought to save us to this Day, notwithstanding we are an unworthy People, and as little deserving this Divine Favor (in ourselves) as ever any were, whoever lived in any Age of the World! The strange and perfidious Actings of the Enemy to destroy us, and the strange and wonderful Workings of Divine Providence to preserve us, have been so admirable, that succeeding Ages, who shall read the History of these Times, will (doubtless) scarcely believe them, but rather conclude they are mere Romances.
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VI. Here I might note also, for Illustration sake, that a Bramble-Bush is attended with Thorns, and often offends and wounds such as roughly and unadvisedly meddle with it.
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VI. So such as roughly and unadvisedly touch and handle the Lord's People, do but prick and wound themselves thereby; as most plainly appeared in the Case of
Pharaoh,
and the
Egyptians.
What became of them? Those that afflict God's People, shall be afflicted, nay, wounded.
And I will undo all that afflict thee.
God knoweth how to make
Jerusalem
a burdensome Stone for all People:
All that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces,
though all the Earth should be gathered together against it.
Hence Christ gave persecuting
Saul
Warning of the Danger:
'It is hard for thee to kick against the Pricks.
Those that kick against God's Church, do but kick against the Pricks; they do but hurt, wound, and undo themselves thereby.
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As for
Disparities,
they are many, and so obvious to all, that I shall pass them by; for though the Church of God is here represented by a Bramble-Bush, yet she is in Christ's sight as a Lily among Thorns; and her Worth and Glory through the Lord Jesus is so great, that she very far surpasseth all the People and Families of the Earth. Nothing of all created Things doth Christ think good enough to set forth and illustrate the Beauty and Excellency of his Church and People by, however unworthy she is in her own sight, or in the eyes of the sinful World.
Inferences.
ADmire the Grace and Love of God, the Almighty
Jehovah,
that inhabiteth Eternity, that he should out of his abundant Favor, good Will, and great Condescension, dwell in a poor Bramble-Bush! Who is able to conceive of this rich and undeserved Favor!
2. It also informeth us, how it comes to pass that the poor Saints and Church of God are preserved to this day: 'It is because God is among them, God dwelleth in the Bush: The Lord dwelleth in
Zion,
to comfort, revive, uphold, save, and deliver her in the Day of Trouble.
3. It may serve to humble us, and lay us low in our own eyes. What are the best of God's People by Nature, and in themselves, but as a Bush, Briar, or Thorny Hedg? 'It is God who hath made us to differ from others.
4. It may deter the Wicked, and forever be a Warning to them, to forbear persecuting God's People; for that it will prove at last to their utter Ruin; they kick but against the Pricks.
5. Remember the good Will of Him, and seek his Blessing, that dwelt in the Bush.
The Church compared to a Mother.
Cant. 8.1.
O that thou wert as my Brother, that sucked the Breasts of my
Mother!
Gal. 4.26.
Jerusalem, which is above, is free, which is the
Mother
of us all.
BY
Mother
in these Scriptures is meant the Church of God, or as some expound it, the Universal Church. As God is a Believer's Father, so the Church is his Mother.
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Metaphor.
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Parallel.
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A Mother is the Wife of an Husband; it imports a Marriage-State. Every godly Woman that is a Mother, can show who is (or was) her Husband.
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THe Church is the Spouse and Wife of Christ.
For thy Maker is thy Husband, the Lord of Hosts is his Name. Wherefore, my Brethren,
ye also are become dead to the Law by the Body of Christ, that ye should be married to another, even to him that is raised from the Dead, that we should bring forth Fruit unto God.
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II. A Mother is one that beareth and bringeth forth Children.
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II. So the Church beareth and bringeth forth Children to Christ:
Of
Zion
it shall be said, This and that Man was born in her.
Hence the Saints are called Sons, Daughters, and Children of
Zion.
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III. A Mother travails, and is in great Pain, in bringing forth Children.
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III. So the Church is said to travail, and be in pain, in bringing forth of Children to Christ:
As soon as
Zion
travailed, she brought forth her Children.
The Church may be said to travail two manner of ways: (1.) By Preaching, Prayer, and by other godly Means and Endeavors, to bring forth poor Sinners out of a State of Nature into a State of Grace.
Paul
was said to
travail in Pain, till Christ was formed in those to whom he preached.
(2.) She travaileth by Preaching, Prayer, Tears, and Sufferings, and other lawful Ways, to bring forth her Children out of a State of Bondage, and external Slavery and Captivity, into a State of perfect Peace, Joy, and Prosperity, free from all outward Violence and Thraldom, according to the Promise of God;
Therefore will I give them up,
until the Time which she that travaileth hath brought forth. — Then the Remnant of his Brethren shall return unto the Children of Israel. — She being with Child, cried, travailing in Birth, and pained to be delivered.
—
For I have heard a Voice as of a Woman in Travail and Anguish, as of her that bringeth forth her first Child. The Voice of the Daughter of
Zion,
that bewaileth herself,
that spreadeth forth her hands, saying, Woe is me now, for my Soul is weary because of Murderers. Be in pain, labor to bring forth, O Daughter of
Zion,
like a Woman in Travail. For now shalt thou go forth out of the City, and thou shalt dwell in the Field; and thou shalt go even to
Babylon,
there shalt thou be delivered, the Lord shall redeem thee from the hand of thine Enemies.
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IV. A Mother, when she hath brought forth her Children, layeth them to her Breasts, to feed and nourish them, and letteth them lie in her very Bosom, taking abundance of Care and Compassion of them.
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IV. So the Church of God, when she hath in a spiritual manner brought forth Children, she giveth them her two precious Breasts, which are the sound and sacred Doctrine of the Old and New Testament; those she draweth forth, to
give her new-born Babes the sincere Milk of the Word, that they may grow thereby.
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V. A godly Mother giveth good Counsel and Instruction to her Children. It was a great Mercy to
Timothy,
that he had such a good Woman as
Eunice
to be his Mother, who took care to give him good Education, and brought him up religiously; 'tis said, he
knew the holy Scriptures from a Child.
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V. So the Church of God giveth good Counsel and Instruction to all her Children. Saints are not only fed by the Church, but well taught also.
Solomon
exhorts the Sons of Wisdom to
hear the Instruction of their Father,
and not to forsake the Law of their Mother.
The true Church teacheth nothing for Doctrine, but what she hath received from the Mouth of Christ. She doth not, like the Mother of Harlots, teach for Doctrine cursed Fopperies, idle, ridiculous, and superstitious Ceremonies, which are a Reproach to the Christian Religion, and a great Hindrance both of the Jews and Heathens from owning of it. They are all holy Rites, pious and undeniable Laws, and just Rules of Discipline, consonant to the holy Word of God, that she teacheth all her Children.
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VI. A Mother ought to be obeyed and reverenced in all things by her Children; her just Commands must be submitted to. 'It is a great Evil to rebel against a Mother.
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VI. So the Church of God ought to be obeyed and reverenced in all things. 'It is an abominable Evil to slight or disobey the Church, our spiritual Mother. Her Instructions and Admonitions must be received with all due care and readiness; and those who stubbornly and obstinately refuse to submit, are guilty of great Sin.
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VII. A wise and godly Mother greatly loves, and is tender of all her Children. She taketh care to carry it evenly towards everyone of them; not to indulge any one out of a fond and great Passion, and slight another, because not so beautiful and amiable to look upon.
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VII. So the Church of God taketh care to carry it tenderly, and with much Wisdom, to all her Children. She acts not partially towards them, to countenance one more than another; the weak and poorest Saint is as dear to our spiritual Mother, as the strongest and richest of them.
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VIII. A tender Mother hath much Compassion and Bowels towards her weak, sick, and helpless Children; her Heart aches many times for such.
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VIII. So God's Church is filled with Bowels of Pity and Compassion towards her weak and distempered Members. How is she troubled for such as are under Temptations, or fallen into any spiritual Distemper of the Soul! The Churches Bowels should exceed the Bowels of a natural Mother to her sick Children upon this account.
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IX. A gracious and godly Mother loveth those Children best, that are most dutiful, and who dearly love, and are most like their Father.
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IX. So the Church of God loveth those Children or Saints best, that are most diligent, dutiful, and obedient to Christ, and to all the good and wholesome Laws of the Family; who love, and are most like God, in Mercy,
Heavenly-mindedness, in good Works, and Acts of Pity and Charity to the Poor; these she esteems and prizes highly.
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X. A Mother is allowed by the Father to chastise or correct those Children, that grow heady and proud, or any ways misbehave themselves, to the dishonor of the Father, and reproach of the Family.
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X. So the Church is allowed, nay, required by Christ, to correct by gentle Reproof, those Children or Members that do transgress the Law of God; and if they grow heady, proud, and stubborn, she reproves them sharply; but if that will not reclaim them, but that they still
proceed in a rebellious Mind, and misbehave themselves, she proceeds further, and taketh the Rod of Church-Discipline, and withdraws herself from them, and denieth them to come to the Table with the rest of her Children: Nay, if they fall into any scandalous Evil, to the Reproach of Christ, his Truth, and the Household of Faith, she chastizeth them with the Rod of Excommunication, and putteth them quite out of the Family.
Deliver such an one unto Satan,
for the Destruction of the Flesh, that the Spirit may be saved in the Day of the Lord Jesus.
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XI. A Mother is sometimes allowed, in the absence of the Father, to be chief Governess in the Family; and to choose, according to the direction of the Father, a Steward over her House, and other inferior Officers; and as they behave themselves, she ought to encourage them, and continue them, or otherwise turn them out of their Offices.
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XI. So the Church of Christ in his absence is appointed to govern all the Affairs of his House, and according to those holy Laws and Directions left by him, ought to choose a Steward,
viz.
a Bishop, Minister, or Pastor, to take the Charge of the great Affairs of the Family, and other inferior Officers, as Deacons,
&c.
to take care of the Poor: And as the Pastor or Deacons behave themselves, she ought to encourage him or them, and continue them in their Places; but if they fall into Sin, or neglect their Work, and are unfaithful in their Places, she hath power to correct, and turn them out: always provided, she acts according to Rule:
Against an Elder receive not an Accusation,
under two or three Witnesses.
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XII. A Mother, though her Children prove never so vile and ungodly, hath no power to kill them: if she doth, though they are her own Children, she is deemed by the Law as a Murderer, and as such must die.
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XII. So the Church of God, though some of her Members prove very vile, and will not be under her Government; or turn Heretics, sucking in damnable Errors: yet the most she can do, is, to pass the Censure of Excommunication against them:
An Heretic,
after the first and second Admonition, reject,
&c. And therefore the Mother of Harlots, for putting to Death such as she calls Heretics, is deemed, by the Law of God and Nations, a Murderer, and, as such, must and shall in God's due time die.
Her Plagues shall come upon her in one day, Death,
Mourning, and Famine, and she shall be utterly burnt with Fire; for strong is the Lord God that judgeth her.
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XIII. It is a great and high Honor to a Mother, that her Children and Family are well governed, having their Food in due Order; and that her Children and Servants are all at her Beck, and dearly love one another; and when none of them are missing at Dinner, or Duty-time.
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XIII. So 'tis the Honor of the Church of Christ, when all her Children humbly and faithfullly submit themselves to good Order and Discipline, when all of them carefully attend their respective Duties, and do not absent themselves, when she calleth them together at Times of public Worship, or upon any other occasion, as to rectify Disorders, or choose Officers,
&c.
O how lovely and amiable is it,
and how doth it tend to the Glory of the Church, to see Saints live together in Love and Unity, always making Conscience of those Laws, that respect the well ordering, and religious Government of the Family or Household of God!
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XIV. Some Mothers have Daughters who have Children.
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XIV. So the Universal Church hath many Daughters, many particular Churches, which are very fruitful to Christ.
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There are many
Disparities,
wherein the Church excelleth other Mothers, which I leave to the ingenious Reader to find out.
Inferences.
THis should teach Believers to reverence and obey the Church of God, as dutiful Children do their godly Mother, in all things.
2. And take care they do not grieve her.
3. To have relenting Bowels towards her in all her Troubles. Shall our Mother be in Distress, and ready to be devoured by hungry Lions? and shall not her Children be in bitterness of Soul for her? When
Zion
is afflicted, we should be afflicted; when her Eyes are wet, shall ours be dry? when she is sad, should not we be sad too?
4. How doth this greatly reprove them, who instead of comforting of her in her Widowhood State, add to her Sorrow?
The Church compared to a Garden.
Cant. 4.12.
A
Garden
enclosed is my Sister, my Spouse,
&c.
Verse 16.
Awake, O North Wind; and come thou South Wind, and blow upon my Garden,
&c.
Cant. 5.1.
I am come into my Garden, my Sister, my Spouse.
THe Church of Christ is or may fitly be compared to a Garden.
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Metaphor.
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Parallel.
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A Garden is a Piece taken out of common or waste Ground, appropriated to more special Use than the rest.
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THe Church of God (and every Believer, or Member thereof) is taken out of the common Mass of Mankind, to be a chosen and select People to Christ.
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II. The Ground of a Garden before it is planted, is as barren, and as unprofitable, as the rest out of which it was taken.
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II. The People of God, and Soul of every Believer, naturally were as barren, blind, sinful, Enemis to God, and every way as vile and rebellious, as any other Sinners in the World.
And were by Nature the Children of Wrath, as well as others. Who hath made thee to differ from another?
&c.
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III. In a Garden no choice or rare thing cometh up naturally of itself, until it is sown or planted therein.
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III. So no spiritual good Thing can grow or spring up in our Hearts, until the Seed of Grace is sown in us, or a Divine Principle of Life be implanted.
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IV. A Garden, before it be sown or planted, must be digged, purged, and well prepared.
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IV. So must our Hearts, like fallow Ground, be digged up with powerful Convictions of the Word and Spirit, that so Grace may the better take Root in us. Hence 'tis said of God's Vineyard, when he was resolved to bring Judgment upon it,
It shall not be pruned, nor digged.
Hence God calleth upon them to plow up their fallow Ground, and
sow not among Thorns.
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V. A choice Garden is walled or well fenced about, for its Security from Danger and Spoil.
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V. So the Church of God, or every Christian, is hedged or walled in.
Hast thou not made a Hedg about him, and about all he hath, on every side?
&c. God is said to be a
Wall of Fire round about
Jerusalem. [
See Vineyard.
]
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VI. A choice Garden hath in it many Plants, Herbs, and Flowers, of great Worth and Value, both for Pleasure and Profit.
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VI. So in the Church are many choice, pleasant, and profitable Plants, of God's own right-hand planting:
'It is sown with holy right Seed, ye Men of Israel are his pleasant Plants.
All choice and saving Graces, and Gifts of the Spirit, are found in God's Garden.
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VII. A Garden must have much Cost bestowed upon it, and much Pains taken with it, or it will soon decay.
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VII. So must the Church of God have much Pains bestowed upon it,
it must be kept diligently; As God spares for no Cost and Pains, so should his Servants be industrious, or else the Church will soon decay.
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VIII. A Garden hath some Weeds in it, which must (as they appear) be plucked up, or they will spoil and hinder the Growth of the precious Flowers and Herbs that grow therein.
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VIII. The Church is not without some corrupt Members in it, which injure it, like as Thorns and Nettles do a Garden, which as they are discovered, are plucked up, and cast out. And also in the Hearts of the best Christians, Weeds are apt to spring up, from that Root of Bitterness that naturally is within them, whereby many are troubled and defiled, which if not pulled up, will hinder their Growth in Grace.
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IX. A choice and fruitful Garden is valued highly by the Owner thereof; he esteems it above an hundred times so much fruitless Land. One Acre made into a curious Garden, is prized above many Acres of common barren Ground.
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IX. The Church of God (though it be as it were but a little Spot, a small Remnant, in comparison of the World) is highly prized by Jesus Christ; he esteems of his own People above all the People of the Earth.
Hence he calleth them his Inheritance, his Jewels, his peculiar Ones:
I gave
Egypt
for thy Ransom,
Ethiopia
and
Seba
for thee. Since thou wast precious in my Sight, thou hast been honorable, and I have loved thee: Therefore will I give Men for thee, and People for thy Life.
Wicked Men are like barren Mountains; they are the King's Waste, such whom he sets but little by.
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X. A rare and fruitful Garden will afford Fruit to plant others; many Gardens upon this account have (as it were) sprung out of one.
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X. So from the Church of God that was first planted in
Judea,
many blessed Churches proceeded in a little time. By means of the Fruitfulness of that one spiritual Garden, seven Gardens more were planted in
Asia,
viz.
Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis,
Philadelphia,
and
Laodicea,
besides many others which we read of,
&c.
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XI. A Garden must be often watered, or else it will soon fade, and the Fruit thereof wither away, and the choice Flowers will hang down their Heads.
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XI. God's Garden must be often watered by the Divine Rain, or Dew of Heaven,
viz.
the Word and Spirit of God:
My Doctrine shall drop as the Rain.
And without these Waterings from above, the Fruit of the Church will soon fail; all our Growth and Greenness is continued by the means of the Word and Ordinances.
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XII. A Garden must have the Door carefully kept and looked after, lest Thieves and other Spoilers should get in, and ruin it.
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XII. So the Door of the Church must be carefully kept by such as have the Charge of it, (
viz.
the Ministers or Pastors thereof) or the Danger is great; it behooveth them to take care who they let in. Christ's Garden should be as a Garden enclosed, and Fountain sealed, to all Unbelievers. But yet let them be never so careful, some Dec
•
ivers or Hypocrites
will, as in former Times, creep in; 'twas so when the chief Gardener himself was upon the Earth, there was a
Judas
among the twelve Apostles.
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XIII. The chief Owner of a Garden loves to take his Walks in it, to see how the Plants and precious Fruits do flourish.
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XIII. So the Lord Jesus, who is the Owner and only Proprietor of his Church, loves to take his Walks in it:
I am come into my Garden, my Sister, my Spouse.
He is said to
walk in the midst of the seven Golden Candlesticks. Let us get up early to the Vineyards,
let us see whether the Vine flourish, whether the tender Grapes appear, and the Pomegranates bud forth; there will I give thee my Loves.
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XIV. In a Garden (as it is found by Experience) Worms do much hurt, especially when they get to the Root of Plants or Flowers. They may seem very green and flourishing, when there are some devouring Worms gnawing at the Roots, by which means in a little time they die, are pulled up, and cast away.
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XIV. So in the Church, Sin, which may be compared to a Worm, or hurtful Vermin, doth exceeding much Detriment. A Christian seemeth very green, amiable, and fair to the Eye, like some Plants full of Leaves; but there is some cursed Worm, some secret Lust, that mars his Root, and in time he withers, and dies, and is plucked up, and cast away. This may be a Caution to all to take heed.
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XV. In a Garden, whatsoever choice Flower the Owner of it seeth is fully ripe, if he hath a mind to it, he crops it off, and takes it to himself.
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XV. So in the Church, those Flowers or precious Saints Jesus Christ seeth are fully ripe for Heaven, he crops off by Death, and taketh them to himself. A godly Man dies when he is ready and ripe for Death. When a holy Man dies, saith Mr.
Caryl,
it is Harvest-time with him. Tho in a natural Capacity, he may be cut down whilst he is green, or cropp'd in the Bud or Blossom; yet in his spiritual Capacity he never dies before he is ripe; God ripens his speedily, when he intends to take them out of the World speedily.
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XVI. A Garden flourisheth best, that hath the sweet, warm, and splendent Rays of the Sun shining upon it. How sweet do the Flowers and precious Herbs smell, when the Rain distills, the South Wind blows, and the Sun sweetly breaks forth upon it!
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XVI. So the Church never thrives, nor flourisheth, but when the Sun of Righteousness shineth in a gracious manner upon it; when the Rain or spiritual Dew descends, the South Wind of the Spirit bloweth, and the Sun of Righteousness sweetly shineth, what a fragrant Scent doth the Church of God, and gracious Ones then send forth! Hence Christ calleth for the
South Wind to blow upon his Garden,
that the Spices thereof may flow forth.
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XVII. A Garden is attended with several Seasons, Winter as well as Summer. And though in the Winter many Flowers seem decayed, and their Glory gone; yet a Winter's sharp Frosts, and cold North Winds, are as necessary as the Summer, for the killing of the Weeds and Worms, which otherwise would abound.
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XVII. The Church hath its Winter as well as its Spring and Summer-Season; nay, and the nipping Frosts, and North Winds of Temptations and Afflictions, are as profitable to the Saints, as the Summer of Comfort, Peace, and Prosperity; for God seeth need of the one, as well as the other, to destroy those Weeds of Corruption, or indwelling Sin, that is in our Hearts.
If need be,
ye are in Heaviness, through manifold Temptations.
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Disparity.
THere are divers
Disparities:
Christ's Garden excelleth all other Gardens. They are the Plantations of Men; this is planted by Christ: Their Fruit is temporal and fading; this is spiritual and lasting: They that plant other Gardens, cannot make them grow; but Christ can. And many others might be minded, which I here omit.
Inferences.
THis shows what a vast Difference there is between the Church, and the World. What is a howling and barren Wilderness, to a choice and lovely Garden?
II. Bless God that this precious Garden is not spoiled, and its Hedg of Divine Providence not removed, nor plucked up.
III. Let us pray, (though it be surrounded about at this day with cruel Enemies) that it may never be moved, taken, and trodden down, by Romish Wolves, or other ravenous Beasts of Prey.
IV. Let the Adversary tremble, whose evil Intent is fully discovered, how they proceed in their Designs against God's Church, Christ's spiritual Garden, since it is so prized by him, and his own proper Inheritance, he alone being the Proprietor thereof. How often doth he say,
My Garden, my Vineyard?
It appears it is his,
1. In that he bought the Ground with the Price of his precious Blood, to make a Garden of it.
2. He hath at his own Charge planted and sown it.
3. He keeps it, and waters it, and watcheth over it Night and Day.
4. 'It is he only that gathereth the Fruit of it. Woe therefore to them that adventure to crop, and pull up, and destroy any of its choice Flowers! They that touch God's People, Christ's Lilies, touch the Apple of his Eye.
V. Let the Saints of Christ also learn from hence to be fruitful, Christ hath been at great Cost and Pains in order thereunto. And that you may be so,
1. See that you are Plants of his own planting, otherwise you will be plucked up.
2. See that you are well-rooted; such bring forth most Fruit.
3. Take heed of the Worm at the Root.
4. Take heed whom ye choose for Garden-Dressers, and look to your Hedge or Wall of Church-Discipline. You must know your Bounds, the Garden of Christ must not be opened into other Men's Fields. Keep your Communion entire; remember, you are bounded by Christ's Laws and Institutions; take heed you do not, with
Ephraim,
mix yourselves with other People.
The Church compared to a Lily.
Cant. 2.2.
As the Lily among the Thorns, so is my Love among the Daughters.
CHrist calleth his Church his Love, and compareth her to a
Lily among Thorns.
By
Daughters
are meant (as some conceive) other Churches, who pretend themselves to be the Spouse of Christ. Daughters (saith the Learned
Wendelin
) are either Nations, Strangers to the Church of Christ, which nevertheless are joined to us by the common Ligaments of Humanity, and descend from the same Creator, and therefore called
Daughters;
or else such as profess their Names among the Citizens of
Zion,
the Church of Christ. But as the Church is compared to a
Lily;
so, with the greatest Elegancy, the Daughters are compared to
Thorns.
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Simile.
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Parallel.
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A Lily is a very sweet Flower, so fragrant, that Naturalists tell us, a Man's Senses will be easily turned with the Strength thereof.
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SO there is nothing sweeter to Christ, than the Church, the Spouse:
Thou art all fair, my Love, there is no Spot in thee. The Smell of thy Ointment is better than all Spices, Spikenard, and Saffron,
Calamus, and Cinnamon, with all Trees of Frankincense, Myrrh and Aloes, with the chief Spices.
The Church, and faithful Children of God, are unto Christ a sweet Savour. And 'tis said,
Noah built an Altar to the Lord, and took of every clean Fowl,
and offered Burnt-Offerings on the Altar; and the Lord smelled a sweet Savour.
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II. A Lily is an exceeding white Flower; nothing more pure, nothing whiter, saith the same Author, than a Lily.
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II. So nothing is more fair and white, or purer in Christ's Sight than the Church.
My Undefiled is but one, she is the only one of her Mother, she is the choice one of her that bare her. Thou art all fair, my Love, and there is no Spot in thee.
Hence said to be
clothed in fine Linnen, clean and white.
Christ, her blessed Bridegroom, gave himself for her,
that he might sanctify and cleanse her, with the washing of Water, by the Word; that he might present her to himself a glorious Church, not having Spot, or Wrinkle, or any such thing; but that she should be holy, and without Blemish.
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III. The Lily is a very fruitful Flower;
one Root (saith
Pliny
) often yielding fifty Pods. The Dew of Heaven, the Heat of the Sun, and Fatness of the Soil, make it fruitful.
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III. The Church is fruitful; nothing more fruitful, saith
Wendelin:
The which being planted in the Field of one
Jerusalem,
in the Days of old, watered by the Apostolic Men, with the Dew of the Word, and Miracles; the Sun of Righteousness shining upon it,
and infusing of his Divine Heat into it. In what part of the World,
(in the space of a few Years) hath it not taken Root? In the former Age, after the Roman Winters of the Alpine Snow had for some Ages depressed this Flower, and reduced its Leaves to admirable Paucity, insomuch that they were scarcely visible to the World, and had circumscribed its Roots into a narrow Space, how great and swift were the Increasings of it, the Heavens, which before seemed shut, again bedewing of it! Then that Word (saith he) we saw fulfilled, which was promised in Times past to
Israel:
I will be as the Dew unto
Israel,
and he shall grow as the Lily, and cast forth his Roots as
Lebanon.
His Branches shall spread, and his Beauty shall be as the Olive-Tree, and his Smell as
Lebanon.
Germany, England, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Hungary, Denmark, Sweden,
hath, (and what Country of
Europe
hath not?) within a few Years, seen the Roots and Branches thereof spread, and smelt its Odor. The Popish Waves, Flames and Axes, could neither suffocate, burn, nor cut up the Flower, Leaves, nor Roots of this Lily. The Shadow of the Highest hath restrained the Flames; his Spirit bound up or constrained the Waves; his Right-hand withheld the Axes, that grinning and grinding Dragon, that the Beast and false Prophet could do nothing,
&c.
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IV. The Lily is a very tall Flower; few Flowers (as
Pliny
observes) are higher than the Lily.
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IV. So the Church and People of God are the tallest or highest People in the World, they
dwell on high.
Christ's Spouse is secure in that most high and Heaven-threatening Rock,
Mat.
16.18. not to be overthrown by any of the Enemies battering Rams, nor to be reached by any Power of the Dragon. This is that
chosen Generation,
royal Priesthood, holy Nation, peculiar People,
who are said to dwell on high: And though they now seem to creep low upon the Ground, and wander as it were in Darkness; yet dwelling in God, they rest secure,
&c.
and shall in due Time be exalted above the Hills, and the highest Mountains of the Earth.
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V. The Lily is a Flower most gloriously adorned, and lovely to look upon; so that our Savior saith,
Solomon in all his Glory was not adorned like one of these.
It is furnished with beauteous Accomplishments; its Form is excellent, with six Leaves curiously set, and
within are seven Grains, and all within of the Colour of Gold, hanging down their Head; much of the Glory of the Lily is inward.
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V. The Church and Spouse of Christ is very glorious; her Clothes are said to be wrought Gold:
She shall be brought to the King in Raiment of Needle-Work:
Hence said to be as fair as the Moon, as clear as the Sun. The Church, with every sincere Soul, is gloriously adorned, furnished with beauteous Accomplishments: (1.) With the imputed Righteousness of Christ, a transparent and sparkling Ornament.
(2.) The Gifts of the Holy Spirit, which may answer to the Leaves of the Lily. (3.) The Graces of the Spirit, which may answer to the Grains within the Lily,
which (as St.
Peter
layeth them down) are seven. Yet notwithstanding all this Glory, with which Christ's Spouse is adorned and beautified, she is not proud; but, as taught by the seven Grains of the Lily, or Graces of the Spirit, doth humbly hang down her Head.
Her chiefest Beauty is internal:
The King's Daughter is all glorious within.
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VI. The Lily is a Plant that (as Naturalists tell us) doth shoot up suddenly, nay, and that it doth grow very much in the Night.
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VI. So God's Church, when his Blessing is upon it, thrives marvelously in a short time. To make this appear, consider in the Primitive Time, when the Dew of Grace fell upon the Christian World, what abundance of Lilies sprung up suddenly? Three thousand converted by St.
Peter
at one Sermon.
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VII. The Lily is among Thorns; Thorns are things of little Worth, low and base things, in comparison of Lilies.
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VII. The Church of God grows in the Field of this World, amongst base and vile Sinners,
who are compared to Thorns and Briars.
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VIII. The Lily growing among Thorns, is hurt thereby. That being a tender Flower, the Thorns coming up with it, which are of a rough and pricking Nature, the Lily receives much Injury, not only in its Growth, but also they tend to spoil its Beauty.
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VIII. The Church, like the Lily, growing amongst the ungodly and persecuting World, are greatly wronged thereby. The Inhabitants of
Canaan,
that
Israel
drove not out, were said to be
Pricks in their Eyes, and Thorns in their Sides,
by which they were sorely perplexed and vexed. There is a Time coming, when the Lily, the Church of God, shall be injured by these cursed Thorns no more:
There shall be no more a pricking Briar to the House of
Israel,
nor any grieving Thorn.
Moreover, the Church should be as Lilies among Thorns for Beauty and Purity; they ought to out-do and excel the Ungodly, as far as the Lily doth the Thorn: As beautiful as a Lily among Thorns, (saith Mr.
Ainsworth
) as innocent as Doves among ravenous Birds.
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Simile.
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Disparity.
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A Lily is a natural Plant, and Flower of the Field.
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THe Church is a heavenly or supernatural Flower, a Plant of God's right-hand planting.
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II. There is no care taken of the Lily that groweth among Thorns; any are suffered to pluck them up.
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II. God takes great care of his People, He has made a Fence about them, nay, He himself is as a Wall of Fire on every side, and doth keep his Church,
and water it every moment:
He keepeth it night and day, lest any should hurt it. Not one Hair of your Heads shall perish.
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III. A Lily is a Flower that soon fades and withers away,
and is at last cast into the Oven.
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III. The Churches Beauty and Glory is increasing:
The Path of the Just is as the shining Light, which shineth more and more unto the perfect Day.
Her Glory shall never fade, but she shall be made an eternal Excellency.
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Inferences.
THis may teach all true Christians to admire and exalt the free Grace of God, in making so great a Difference between them, and the Wicked amongst whom they live.
2. It shows also what care he taketh of them, in preserving them whilst they grow among Thorns, who do not only prick them by Persecution, but would utterly root them up.
3. They are hereby called upon, not to rest satisfied with the Name of Christians only, but to be earnest with the Lord, that whilst the Wicked do daily manifest themselves to be as Thorns, they may be as Lilies, holy and heavenly-born Souls, growing up more and more in Grace and Holiness.
The Church compared to a Merchant-Ship.
Prov. 31.14.
She is like unto Merchant-Ships.
Isa. 54.11.
O thou afflicted, and tossed with Tempests, and not comforted!
THe Church of God in these Scriptures, as Expositors observe, is compared to a Ship, to a Merchant-Ship.
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Simile.
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Parallel.
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A Merchant-Ship tradeth from one Place to another; she fetcheth her Merchandize from afar.
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THe Church of God trades to Heaven, she fetcheth her spiritual Merchandize from thence:
Our Conversation is in Heaven.
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II. A Merchant-Ship hath a skillful Pilot, to steer and guide her the right way, that so she may not split upon Rocks or Sands, or any other way miscarry in her Voyage.
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II. The Church of God hath a most expert and skillful Pilot,
viz.
Jesus Christ, to steer her Course through the Seas of this World, that so she may not be split upon the Rocks of human Inventions, nor the Sands of false Doctrine, Error, and Heresy.
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III. A Merchant-Ship is tossed oftentimes upon a troublesome and tempestuous Sea, and yet keeps up, and is preserved in a wonderful manner, upon boisterous Waves.
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III. So the Church of God is often tossed with Tempests, or subject to, and vexed with the Incursions of an envious and persecuting World, the Ungodly being compared to the troubled Sea.
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IV. A Ship is steered by the Compass from one Place to another.
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IV. So the Church of God is guided in her Passage to Heaven, by the Compass of God's Word, in respect of Doctrine, Discipline, and Conversation:
Thy Word is a Light unto my Paths.
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V. A Merchant-Ship takes in several Passengers, of divers Kinds and Nations, who sail in her to their desired Haven.
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V. So the Church takes in many Christians and Professors, and those of several Sorts and Degrees, who all declare they are bound with the Spiritual Ship, to the Land of Promise.
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VI. Some Merchant-Ships have Nets belonging to them, which are cast into the Sea, to take up Fishes, and bring them into the Ship.
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VI. So the Church of God hath the Gospel-Net,
which by the hands of the Mariners, and skillful Fishers of Men, is cast into the Sea, or Multitude of People, by which means many Men are converted, and taken into this spiritual Ship.
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VII. A Ship sails sweetly along, when she hath a prosperous Gale; for unless the Wind blow, she cannot sail.
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VII. So the Church, under the powerful and sweet Influences of the Spirit, (which is compared to the Wind) is carried gloriously along towards her desired Haven;
but if this spiritual Wind blow not, she is becalmed.
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VIII. What common Dangers a Merchant-Ship is exposed to, all the Passengers who sail in her are liable to also,
viz.
to the same Tempests, the same Pirates,
&c.
Let
Jonah
and the Mariners be in the same Ship together, and though the Storm arose for
Jonah
's sake, yet all the whole Ship's Company were in danger. So it was in
Paul
's Case, with those other Prisoners, Mariners, and Soldiers that were in the Ship with him. Let there be in the same Sip, (saith Mr.
Vartue
) a Prince going to receive a Crown, and a Malefactor going to receive Punishment, according to the Nature of his Offence; whilst they are in the Ship together, they are subject to the same Storms and Tossings, to be Sea-sick together, to the same Pirates, and alike ransacked and spoiled by them.
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VIII. So what common Dangers befall God's Church, all the Members thereof are more or less exposed and liable to the same. Let Enemies come, let Persecution arise against it, there are no sort of Men or Members, whether sincere or not, whilst they remain in the Church, or hold fast their Profession, let them promise themselves what Safety they will, who can be secure, or exempted from Violence. Tho as in a Ship, some speed ofttimes better than the rest;
as
Baruch
and
Jeremiah,
who had their Lives given them for a Prey, when Thousands were cut off, yet went into Exile.
Whosoever
(saith the Apostle)
will live godly in Christ Jesus, shall suffer Persecution. Through much Tribulation we must enter into the Kingdom of God.
Hypocrites, in a Day of common Danger and Persecution, are in the like Circumstances with those who truly fear God; Satan, that Arch-Pirate, and his Emissaries, will favor them no more than others, until they renounce their Religion,
&c.
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IX. When a Ship is in a Storm, all the Mariners have their Hands and Hearts full, they are at their Wit's end; everyone takes hold of a Rope, and endeavors to the utmost to save and secure the Ship (if possible) from sinking.
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IX.
So in an Hour of Trouble and Persecution, every Christian should do his best to secure and save the Church of God from sinking, or from being cast away, or lost. Everyone should have their Hearts up to God, and their Hands to work wisely, for her and their own Safety.
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X. Merchant Ships greatly enrich those Places, Cities, and Kingdoms to whom they belong, bringing to them rare and excellent Merchandises, which are offered to Sale, or to be exchanged to Traders.
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X. So the Church of God, by daily Trading to Heaven, greatly enricheth poor Sinners. What she receiveth from Christ, her Merchants or Ministers offer to Sale,
to the Nation or Nations where she lives: Truth, Peace, Pardon, the the Pearl of great Price, and other excellent Merchandize, she furnisheth the World with.
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XI. A Ship's great Safety, consists in her being well built, having a good Bottom, a skillful Pilot, and sure Anchors,
&c.
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XI. So the Churches Safety consisteth in her being truly constituted,
according to the Apostolical Prescriptions, or that Pattern left in the Gospel by Christ, and the Primitive Saints; and in having Christ for her Governor, or chief Pilot, who (as
Jerome
observes) sits at the Stern, and guides her Course as he sees good: And lastly, by having Hope (that precious Grace of the Spirit) for her Anchor:
Which Hope we have as the Anchor of the Soul,
both sure and steadfast,
&c. The Nature of which is opened under the Fifth Head of Metaphors, concerning the Graces of the Spirit, to which we refer you.
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Inferences.
THis may inform us, that Trouble and Persecution must be expected. No Ship sets out to Sea, but meets with Storms and Tempests at one time or another; and therefore the Mariners look for them, and provide accordingly, to secure the Ship, and save themselves; and so should spiritual Sea-faring Men do.
2. It may also be Matter of Comfort to the Godly. What assurance is here of Safety! Christ, who guides the Ship, can at his pleasure still the Seas, and make the greatest Storm in a Moment to be a Calm.
He stilleth
(as the Psalmist saith)
the Noise of the Seas, the Noise of their Waves, and the Tumults of the People.
Therefore though Satan, that cruel Pirate, and other malicious Enemies of the Church, seek daily to sink this spiritual Ship; and though he be a Spirit, and therefore of great Power against us, yet he is nothing to God, who is the Creating Spirit. That which is said of
Behemoth,
is no less true of him:
He that made him,
can make his Sword approach unto him.
Let therefore the Power and Rage of our Enemies be never so great, and their Opposition at this day never so fierce against us, yet we have an Assurance from our blessed Savior, that the Gates of Hell shall never prevail against the Church: She shall never be broken to pieces, nor suffer Shipwrack.
O thou tossed with Tempests, and not comforted!
The Church compared to a Golden Candlestick.
Rev. 1.20.
The Golden Candlesticks are the seven Churches.
MR.
Brightman,
and others, understand this Metaphor of
Golden Candlesticks,
is taken from the Candlesticks that were in the Tabernacle erected by
Moses;
and the Resemblance between these holds good in two or three Particulars, which take as follow.
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Metaphor.
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Parallel.
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IN general, the Use of a Candlestick is to hold out the Light to others.
No Man
(saith our Savior)
lighteth a Candle, and putteth it under a Bushel, but into a Candlestick; and it giveth Light to all that are in the House.
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SO the Church holdeth out the Light of God's Word to all that dwell therein, in which respect the Apostle calleth the Church the
Pillar of Truth,
because she holds out the Truth to be seen, (saith
Weems
) the Expression being taken from the Custom of many Nations, who are used to write their Laws in Tables, and so to hang them upon Pillars of Stone, that the People whom it concerned to know them, might see and read them; as amongst us, Proclamations are nailed to Posts in Market-Towns. Dr.
White.
The Church holds out her Light three ways,
1. By her Doctrine; she having divers approved Ministers belonging to her, that she calleth forth to preach and publish the Word of Truth. Hence the Law is said to
go forth of
Zion,
and the Word of the Lord from
Jerusalem.
2. By her holy Discipline.
3. By her godly Example and Conversation:
Let your Light so shine before Men, that they may see your good Works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven.
Mat. 5.16.
Walk as the Children of the Light,
Eph. 5.8. The Church ought to meet publicly, to make a public Profession.
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II. Candlesticks of Gold are of great Worth, and seldom found but in the Houses of Princes.
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II. So the Church is very precious in God's sight:
Ye shall be a peculiar Treasure unto me, above all People.
Hence they are called his Jewels. This Candlestick only belongs to the Prince of Heaven and Earth; they are Christ's Churches.
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III. Those Golden Candlesticks had some part of them for Use, and some part for Ornament; there were Knobs and Flowers curiously set upon them.
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III. The Church of God is not only of use to hold out the Light of God's Word;
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