Ezras Pulpit. OR, A Sermon lately Preached in Southwark, before a Worshipful Assembly. Very necessary for these times.  
BY WILLIAM FREAK, Minister.  Luke 7. 4, 5. verses. 
And when they came to jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, that he was worthy for whom he should do this:  
For, he loveth our nation, and hath built us a Synagogue.  
LONDON, Printed by Tho. Harper for Richard Harper, and are to be sold at his shop at the Bible and Harp in Smithfield, 1639.   

To the right Worshipful, Sir Nicholas Rainton, Knight, President, the Worshipful Martin Bond, Esquire, Treasurer, with the Governors of the Hospital of little S Bartholomewes', W. F. wisheth that Grace and Peace may be multiplied.  
WHat I studied for your private Chapel, and there delivered before some of you, on Tuesday the 19 of june, last passed, I have been importuned to make public, as for a common good. If it be good, then quò communius, eò melius, the more public it becometh, the more good it may do. I wished well in the study and delivery of it to as many as desire the prosperity of our royal foundation. In the publishing of it, I would gladly have it conceived that my zeal is the same for the public welfare▪ If that memorable act of your piety▪ which occasioned this Sermon, shall provoke some well minded ones to imitate your example elsewhere, or incite the able handed to promote such charitable undertake for the comfort of so many sick and distressed souls daily by your care refreshed: it may redound much to God's glory, your own comforts, and the happiness of those whom God shall move hereby to tread in your steps. If no such thing succeed, yet it shall be your honour to have lighted up the candle of so good an example for the times to come: as it is, and shall be, for you all, that God may long continue to our Hospital, your pious care for the happy and orderly government thereof, the daily prayer of  
Your Hospitaler, William Freak. From my Study in your Hospital the 12 day of Feb. 1639.   

Ezras Pulpit.  Neh. 8. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. verses. 
And Ezra the Scribe stood upon a Pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose, etc. to the end of the 8. verse.  
BEloved: I find it to be the observation of a Father, that the two Cherubins, which by God's appointment were to be placed at the two ends of the Mercy-seat, Exod. 25. 18. as they should be of beaten gold, so they should be so placed, that they might face each other: as an instruction for all Ministers and Preachers of the Word and Gospel, saith the learned Zanche, to take this care and course, that as their Doctrine should be purely the word of God, and not their own, so they should be ever studious to make their Texts to suit with the occasions of their Sermons, facing each other, as the Cherubins over the Mercy-seat, that so being a word in due season, they may be like Apples of gold in pictures of silver, Proverbs 25. 11. And this I confess▪ as it is my duty, so it hath been my study in the preparation of my meditations for this place and occasion, to reconcile the text of Scripture, which (by God's blessing) I have made choice of, to the occasion of this day and our present meeting. A work, which if you please to vouchsafe your favourable attention, will ask us no great labour.  
1 Because here is Ezra the Scribe, requested and appointed to bring forth the book of the Law of Moses, which God commanded Israel, as ye have it in the first verse of this chapter.  
2 Because here is a Congregation lawfully assembled: for, all the people had gathered themselves together as one man, in the street that was before the Water-gate, in the first part of the first verse of this chapter. And there was a congregation both of men and women, even as many as could hear with unde rstanding, in the second verse.  
3 Because here is Ezra the Scribe reading in the book of the Law, before the congregation, from the morning, even till midday, in the third verse.  
4 Because here is the manner of this religious duty▪ with silence and attention: for, the ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the Law, as you may read in the last words of the third verse.  
5 Because, here is the place and posture of the Minister. He stands upon a Pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose (as our last translation reads it) or, which they had prepared for the preaching, (as the former translation hath it:) And Ezra the Scribe stood upon a Pulpit of wood, etc. So that all things (you see) are fitted for the occasion of our present meeting, except in this one thing there prove a defect, that now there be a want of a learned Scribe to read unto you. And in this case, I beseech you, give me leave to make my prayer, and I desire your charitable assistance therein. O Lord God, etc. and so in a confident assurance of God's gracious assistance, I prepare to the words of my Text. And Ezra the Scribe, etc. And thus have I led your understandings to the words of our Text, which before I enter upon, give me leave I beseech you, to stoop and gather for you a flower or two that grow in the way to our Text, by considering the context, and the coherence of these words with the former verses of this chapter.  
Wherein I observe thus much.  
1 This people was newly returned out of captivity, into which they had been delivered for the great and grievous sins of that nation in general, as you may read in the last chapter of the second Book of the Chronicles, from the 14 verse to the end of the 16. And being now by the merciful hand of their good God brought back to their own land and ruined City, they are setting a new government among themselves by way of reformation, both in their Ecclesiastical and civil State, being assisted in the one by Ezra the Scribe, and in the other by Nehemiah, their religious and prudent Governor. Wherein that they may procure directions from heaven, and conceive the fairer hopes of happy success: they are assembled as one man, into a great and famous street of the City, there by fasting and prayer to call upon God in humiliation of soul; and there Ezra the Scribe standeth upon a Pulpit of wood which they had made for the purpose, and reads the Law unto them▪ Doubtless, if there had been this true devotion in them, while their Temple was standing, and jerusalem in her prosperity, they might have esceped the fiery furnace of the Babilonish captivity. But they have been cast into it, for the space of seventy years, and are now but newly delivered out of it. And now, ye see, they are become penitent, and we find them at their devotion in prayer & fasting, being assembled for that purpose in a public street.  
1 Point, That we may observe, the sweet benefit and comfort of affliction, where it is sanctified to the Patient, and a right use made of it. This people had been accustomed to find mercy at the hands of their God, how grievously soever offended with them, so often as they did return unto him by repentance and humiliation. Their fathers had trusted in him, and were delivered, as the Psalmist truly singeth, Psal. 22. 4. and now their children take the same course and prosper.  
Use To show us, that affliction unto a child of God, is but a refining of him from his dress, and a trying of him for his future good. According to that remarkable speech of the Lord, by the ministry of his Prophet, Zachary the 13. chap. the 8 and 9 verses, where, threatening the jewish nation with utter destruction by the sword of Titus Vespasian the Roman Emperor, he saith, That in that day it should come to pass, that throughout all the land, two third parts thereof should be cut off and dye, but a third shall remain therein: and I will bring that third part through the fire (saith God) & I will refine them as silver is refined, and try them as gold is tried: and then shall they all call upon my Name, and I will hear them: then I will say, this is my people, and they shall say it is the Lord my God. And thus was it with this people at this time; they had been in the surnace of affliction, they were humbled before God, and he heard them: he acknowledged them once more to be his people, and they were in devotion before him, as before the Lord their God. To teach us all what course we should take in this case, when by our fins we have brought ourselves under the rod of God in what nature soever. Even to seek God in his holy Ordinances in humility of soul for sin, who before we call, is ready to answer, and while we pray is ready to hear, Isaiah 65. 24. But I insist no longer upon this point, I pass to another.  
2 Ob. In the second place therefore be pleased to observe with me, thus much. This people in their great distress are compassionated by King Cyrus, in the first year of his reign, who, according as Jeremy had prophesied, at the full period of seventy years, did by public Proclamation, lose the bond of their captivity, as you may read in the two last verses of the last chapter of the second book of the Chronicles: and who according as the Lord had foretold of him by Name, no less than one hundred and seventy years before he was borne) performed all God's pleasure, saying to jerusalem, thou shalt be built, and to the Temple, thy foundation shall be laid, Isa. 44. verse the last.  
To which end, leave is given by the King to Ezra the Scribe, and to Nehemiah their Governor, to direct and assist them in the repair of their state, and reformation of religion, a great comfort and encouragement to these distressed jews.  
2 Point, Doubtless to teach us, by the example of these jews, that such as unfeignedly turn to God by true repentance, as did these penitent people, shall never want a seasonable and comfortable deliverance, how grievous soever their sins have been. yea, rather than fail in such a case, God will raise up help for them, where they look not for it. David in the days of Saul found it thus full many a time: Elias found it thus in the wilderness, being fed by Ravens, in the first book of the Kings, the 17. chap. at the 6 verse. Manasses in the prison found it so, when upon his unfeigned humiliation for sin, God wrought little less than a miracle for him, bringing him back to jerusalem, restoring him to his kingdom, and changing his iron fetters and chains into a chain of gold and royal sceptre, 2 Chro. 33. 13.  
The people of God have found this true by frequent experience in all ages: and that I may not look too far from home, the poor of this house and foundation find it true: for whose emergent distresses, provision hath been made, and still is continued by those who never saw their faces, until that hour wherein their necessities enforce them to seek unto us: meat and medicine for their hunger and sicknesses, clothes for their nakedness, with other necessary comforts. And that they may be instructed to make an happy use of God's mercies extended unto them in this case, care is had for the spiritual food of their souls, by reading and expounding unto them the blessed word of God; so that, I refer it to your consideration, whether they have not as just cause ministered unto them to bless God for his gracious providence over them, for souls and bodies, as had these jews to give glory to the God of Jsrael, in their particular: who foreseeing that in time they would cast themselves by their sins into the fiery furnace of Babylon's captivity, had foretold them of a deliverer by the ministry of the Prophet Jsaiah, an hundred and seventy years before hand: and now in his own time did perform his word punctually by this Monarch of Persia, and his favour to his two servants, Ezra the Scribe, and Nehemiah the Governor. And now as upon these grounds we find them renewed, and have learned somewhat from thence,  
3 Obser. So we may observe in the third place, that upon their return, they make provision for the public exercise of true religion, as without which, their State could have no firm or assured foundation. Therefore it is said in the first verse of this chapter, that all the people assembled themselves together, and spoke to Ezra the Scribe, that he would bring the Book of the law of Moses, which he had commanded Israel. And Ezra the Scribe brought forth the book of the law before the congregation both of men and women. ver. 2. And if any would be satisfied who this Ezra was, let him read Ezra 7. 6. and he shall find that this Ezra came up from Babel, and was a Scribe prompt in the law of Moses, which the Lord God of Israel had given: a man to whom the king had granted all his request, and to whose sole direction this people had referred themselves for the establishment of religion & the worship of God among them. From whence we mayobserve thus much.  
3. Point. That the public exercise of religion, and the establishment thereof is the firmest ground whereupon the peace and happy government of any State can possibly be built. The very heathens themselves knew this: And therefore so soon as Romulus the first builder of Rome, had by force and arms laid a foundation of that city, next after him succeeded Numa Pompilius, who by an heathenish kind of religion brought that rude and barbarous people into some order, ut quod vi et injuriâ occupaverat imperium, religione ac iustitiâ gubernaret. saith their own historian: that the command which they had obtained by force and arms to the wrong of others, they might establish and administer by a seeming practice of religion as in their own right. The devil who was the founder of that Monarchy could teach them thus much: having observed some what doubtless from the practice of God himself, whose Ape he hath ever affected to be in imitation: because when the Lord had chosen to himself a people of his own, and had brought them out of Egypt, he established their government under Moses and Aaron: not only under Moses, as their civil Magistrate to rule them by his love, but also under Aaron, as their high Priest by God established to keep them in awe by religion. Fear God and honour the King, saith Saint Peter, 1. Pet. 2. 17. As if the honour due to the king could never be given him in that State or kingdom where the fear of God is not taught by a public exercise of religion. We find that these jews here are sensible of it, in that upon their return from captivity, in their entrance to the reestablishment of their former government, they have recourse to Ezra the scribe, as the only man in those times able to instruct them in that form of religion, without which their civil estate could never be able to subsist. To which only end Ezra purposing to instruct the people as from God's mouth, is here found in my text standing upon a pulpit of wood prepared for the preaching.  
4 Obs: But principally we may observe it in this their solemnity for the establishment of religion, and in this particular: that as there stood at Ezras right hand Mattithia, and Shemai, Anania, and Vrijah, Hilkiha, and Maasejah. Qui quidem er ant seniores è levitico genere omnes, saith Tremelius upon this place, elders, all of them of the trbe of Levi; so there stood at his left hand, as ready to assist him, Pedaiah, and Mishael, Malchia, and Hashum, Hashbadona, Zecharia, and Meshullan, most probably the chief of their Nobility and Gentry: that their religion and civil estate might join hand in hand to establish peace by a religious government, and true religion by peace. And surely concerning that state whatsoever, wherein there is this sweet union between the civil & ecclesiastical government founded upon the sacred and revealed will of God, I may say truly as doth the Psalmist, Psal. 144. the last verse. Happy are the people that be in such a case: yea, blessed are the people that have the Lord for their God. Disunion, and discord in opinions or practice, seldom produceth any good in any soeiety of men whatsoever: but to a settled Church it is ever troublesome and dangerous: in which regard it hath ever been the care and study of all good men, who unfeignedly desire the public good and prosperity of Zion, to advance and improve all good means and motions conducing to the establishment of this harmoniousunion, and accord on both sides betwixt the civil and ecclesiastical government: yea, in all public societies and companies, the more prudent and discreet part thereof is ever studious of public peace; as are these jews here in the beginning of their reformation, who to that purpose join the Church and State hand in hand, the Clergy and the Laity: not separating them by factious and partiality, as some in these days, or alienating their affections from each other, upon petty differences, but by a mutual conjunction of the Clergy with the Nobility, endeavouring as with one consent, the welfare of the public. In whose proceedings in this case, this is furthermore worthy your observation.  
5 Ob. That in their establishment of God's public worship in the exercises of religion, they are jointly careful to draw all the people to a public conformity. Which to effect, though it was a work of much difficulty, because of their strange matches, yet they conceived it to be a point of absolute necessity, as without which their State would suddenly come to ruin. This ye may observe in the words of our Text, where it is said in the 5 verse: That when Ezra opened the Book in the sight of all the people, than all the people stood up. They were not allowed (it seems) some to sit while the others stood, according as every man's fancy led him, but all the people stood up, saith the Text. As also ye may observe it further in that which followeth in the 6▪ verse, where it is said, that when Ezra praised the Lord, the great God, than all the people answered Amen, Amen: as with an unanimous consent, and with lifting up their hands: and they bowed themselves, and worshipped the Lord with their faces towards the ground. Here is a standing up all together at one time, a lifting up their hands all together at another time, and a worshipping of the Lord with their faces to the ground. in conclusion:  
5 Point Let all things be done decently and in order, was S. Paul's rule, 1 Cor. 14. the last verse, as intimating that there is no decency without order, in any public actions, in any public society. The want whereof is the bane of the most hopeful undertake, whether in peace or war, which, as oftentimes it is the decay of a State, so it is the ruin of an Army. To him that ordereth his ways aright, will I show my salvation, saith God, Psal. 50. the last verse, as intimating that all such shall fall short of the sight thereof, as delight to walk in the disorderly way. I wish that our factious singularists, whose queasy stomaches rise against all conformity, would take this into consideration. For my part, I freely profess myself a disciple to conformity, so long as I find nothing against it in the sacred Scripture. And I shall ever desire to join in the practice of it, had I none other ground for it, but this in my Text: where I read, that this people in the re-establishment of their State and religion, were studious of a public conformity in the worship of God, standing up all together, saying Amen with one voice, lifting up their hands, bowing, worshipping, as the public action and reading of Ezra gave occasion.  
6 Ob. Yea, and (which is yet more remarkable in their proceedings in this kind) in making provision for the reading of the Law in public assemblies, they are careful to have all decent accommodations for the same. Ezra the Scribe hath a Pulpit of wood, prepared for the preaching; and in or upon this Pulpit, he stood, saith my Text, and read the Law unto the people, verse 4. Which Pulpit was so ordered, that standing therein, he was above all the people, saith the Text, verse 5. to the intent, that his voice might be the better heard, as our English gloss upon that place expounds it.  
6 Point A most pious and commendable care without question, that in the public assemblies, all things might be done, not only decently and in order, but profitably also▪ to the edification of the Auditory. Which last thing most plainly appeareth in the two last verses of my Text, where care is taken, that certain selected Levites, whose names are expressed in the seventh verse, should cause the people to understand the Law. To which end an order was established, that the Levites should read in the Law of the Lord distinctly, without huddling up things together, as many do now adays: and not to content themselves with bare reading, but they should also give the Sense thereof, and cause the people to understand the reading, as you have it in the last words of my Text. And now, I pray you, what pattern can be more plain, what warrant more strong can the Scripture afford us for our order in our congregations, for decent carriage in public assemblies, for our reading pews, our Pulpits, our Sermons, our expositions of Scripture, after reading thereof, than this of this people in the words of our Text? wherein Ezra the Scribe standeth upon a Pulpit of wood prepared for the preaching, with the Nobility and Clergy on his right hand, and on his left, opening the Book in the sight of the people, and reading the law unto them: at whose opening of the Book, the people stand up, say Amen, bowing their heads, and worshipping. The Levites by exposition cause the people to understand the Law; reading it distinctly, and giving the sense: which when I think upon, I cannot but break into that pathetical wish of a reverend Divine of our own upon an occasion not much unlike: O si Deus hoc faceret nobis tam commodum, quam Ecclesia proposuit accommodum: O that the Lord were pleased but so to persuade the hearts of men and women to an unity of affections in their public devotions, as the holy Ghost hath been careful to set us a pattern in Scripture and the reformed Churches pious in propounding us an uniformity, And so I have done with the explication of the words of our Text; I now only crave your patience for a word or two of application, and I will draw suddenly to a conclusion.  
1 Our Text, you see, hath acquainted us with a people, that by a right use of affliction, are grown penitent and pious. A lesson for the Patients of this house and foundation, to chawke them out a way to the happy use of God's corrections. That they may know that there is none other way so ready to remission of sins, as humiliation and contrition of heart for the same, wisely enured to piety in devotion.  
2 It hath acquainted us with their practice of joining the Church and State together in an unanimous consent for the honour of God in his public service. To lesson us in the necessity of a mutual accord this way, if we desire the prosperity of our Jerusalem.  
3 It hath acquainted us with their study and practise of conformity in God's services that we might know that our God is a God of order, and that the Church of God is truly represented by an Army well ordered, as being never▪ so victorious over its enemies, as when it is terrible unto them as an Army with banners, Canticles the 6. ch. the 4 verse.  
4 It hath acquainted us with their holy practice in accommodating all things in their public assembly, as to God's glory, so to the people's edification. Not only to instruct us that such should be the care of all good men, but to show us what we owe to God for the happy endeavours of such religious spirits as are raised up by God to perform such godly and christian works with a study for the public good. The names of those noble Patriots, who were sticklers in this reformation here in my Text, both Clergy and Nobility are recorded to their everlasting honour, by the pen of the holy Ghost. We may therefore by good warrant write up even in letters of gold, the names of such pious Patrons as God blesseth us withal in this depraved and degenerate age of ours. And with this holy confidence upon just growds, that these names are written in the book of eternal life, of whom GOD maketh choice to be moved by his holy Spirit, to works of this nature in this mutual life. Mistake me not I beseech you: this is no place for flattery: we stand in the presence of the Searcher of all our hearts. I do undoubtedly assure myself, that even they whose hands have been deepest in the erection of this place, will be content to say as David, when he had prepared all materials for the building of God's Temple, 1 Chron. 29. 14. Lord, who am I? and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? For, all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee. God hath given the means, God hath filled the hand, God hath enlarged the heart to do this pious act in this place, and to God only be all the glory for it.  
And now what remaineth, but an earnest exhortation to a continnance in well-doing, and that a course may be taken for an happy progress in God's favour to the royal foundation of our Hospital? And to this end as I propound this people in our Text your pattern, and thereupon shall be bold to make a request unto you; so I will conclude with an exhortation, and a prayer upon it. The request I ground upon the practice of this people, in whom we find unanimity for preservation of the public welfare, and the same in peace. And this request I deliver in the words of Saint Paul, Phil. 2. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, verses. If there be any if consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the spirit, any bowels of mercy, verse 1. fulfil my joy, (and not mine alone, but the joy of God, and of his holy Angels) by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, and of one mind, verse 2. And let nothing be done through strife or vainglory: but in humbleness of mind, let each esteem other better than himself, verse 3. And let us not look every man to his own things only, but every man also to the things of another, verse 4. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, verse 5. This is the sum of my request. And now my prayer shall be for every member of this royal foundation▪ as well Officers as Governors, none excepted, that we may be not only like minded one towards another, according to Christ jesus, as Saint Paul prayeth for his Romans, Rom. 15. 5. but that we may live and dye in unity, peace, and concord: and herein, we beseech thee to hear us, good Lord. That so performing our duties to God, and to the poor committed to our charge in all sincerity and uprightness of hearts, when our general account shall be called for, we may be received with an Eugee bone & fidelis serve, well done good and faithful servant, Math. 25. 21. Thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee Ruler over many things, enter into the joy of thy Lord.  
Unto which joy, may he be pleased to bring us, who hath most dearly bought us, even jesus Christ the righteous, to whom, etc.  
FINIS.   

Feb. 16. 1638.  
Imprimatur.  
Guil. Bray.