Altar Evangelicum. A SERMON Preached at Christ-Church IN DUBLIN, On the 27th of April. Before his Excellency ARTHUR Earl of ESSEX, Lord Lieutenant General, and General Governor of the Kingdom of IRELAND. By EDWARD Lord Bishop of Clonfert and Kilmac-Duah. Published by his Excellency's Order and Command. DUBLIN, Printed by Benjamin took, Printer to the KING's most Excellent Majesty; And are to be Sold by Joseph Wild, Bookseller in Castle-street. 1673. To his Excellency ARTHUR EARL of ESSEX, Viscount Malden, Baron CAPEL of Hadbam, Lord Lieutenant General, and General Governor of His Majesty's Kingdom of Ireland, Lord Lieutenant of the County of Hertford, and one of the Lords of His Majesty's most Honourable Privy Council. AS it is a high Degree of His Majesty's trust and confidence in your Excellencies great abilities, to settle and establish You his Viceroy Chief Governor in this his Kingdom of Ireland; so it is received as an act of Grace and Kindness towards all loyal and good subjects in this Land, to be under the Umbrage and Protection of your Virtues and Graces, which since your Excellency's Arrival, have much refreshed and comforted many drooping hearts, and raised them to future hopeful expectations: and as to discontents (if any) such is your Piety, Wisdom, and Justice, that they all are calmed and allayed, or so quieted, that they appear not at all. And it is a happy Juncture, when the Church, the State, the Army, make no complaints or clamours, but, as the members of the Body to the Head, yield obedience to their Chief Governor. As this may be the ground and foundation of the universal Peace and Tranquillity of this Kingdom at present, and great satisfaction to all, though of different persuasion; so doubtless it will improve and unite all His MAJESTY'S Subjects to more perfect and exact obedience, which hath likewise bound me to observance, and (on this account) to publish and make legible, what was for a short time only in your Excellencies, and the Christian Auditors ears. And no censure is to be feared, where your Excellency will please to Command or Patronise, My Lord, Your Excellencies Devoted And most humble Servant Edvardus Clonfertensis. GEN. 35.7. And he built there an Altar, and called the place El-Bethel, because there God appeared unto him, when he fled from the face of his Brother. IN the Text, Moses sets forth the Pious example of the Patriarch Jacob, Erecting and Building an Altar to Almighty God, for his deliverance from the rage and fury of his bloody Brother Esau. In which words Moses records, First, that the Patriarch performed his duty: for aedificavit Altar, he built an Altar, 1. Duty Secondly, That God sent the Patriarch his deliverance, Officium Jacobi. 2. Deliverance, Auxilium Dei. 3. Danger. Odium Esavi. Exercitium. Actus Devotionis. vel Exemplum. 2. Opus Dedicationis. employed in these words, That God appeared unto him. Thirdly, his danger is discovered in the last words. Moses testifieth that he was forced to fly from the face and fury of his Brother Esau, or else, if you please, see another Division and Paraphrase on the Text. First, here is Actus Devotionis, an Act of High and holy Devotion, a blessed example of Piety, and a great Testimony of thankfulness to Almighty God for wonderful and great deliverance. Aedificavit Altar, and he built an Altar there. Secondly, here is Opus Dedicationis, the Noble work of Dedication of an Altar Erected and Built. Jacob designs chief God's honour in this work, and dedicateth his Altar to his Deliverer, giving God the glory of his safety, Vocavit locum El-Bethel, that is the God of Bethel, or rather the God of God's house before called Luz, but now Bethel. Thirdly, here is Argumentum Resolutionis, the Reason, 3. Elenchus vel Argument. Reso- ground, and cause, of the Patriarches Pious and holy Resolutions. Because, saith Moses, quia apparuit Deus, God appeared to him when he fled from the face of his Brother Esau. Of these in Order. And first of the Patriarches Acts of Piety and Devotion in these words, Aedificavit Altar. In the Frontispiece of the Text you may see First Opificem: the Artist, the founder or builder, of this piece of Devotion set forth in the Demonstrative, Ille, he: 1. Opifiex Gen. 35.6. Gen. 35.6. 2. Opus, Altar. that is (as in the verse before the Text) Jacob came to Luz, which is in the Land of Canaan, that is Bethel. Secondly, opus ipsum the work itself. And that is Altar: an Altar or a holy place, to Sacrifice to Almighty God; which was the most Ancient, Innocent, Primitive, 3. Locusvel sedes situtionis, Ibi. there visible serving of God. Thirdly, here is locus or sedes Altaris, the place or Situation where this Altar was seated; Ibi, in this Adverb of place, that is in the Land of Canaan: and more particularly in the place called Bethel. I have now opened the Text: I shall begin with the great exemplar of Piety, That is Jacob: A person of whom I find, the holy Scripture make as honourable and eminent mention, as of any of all the holy Patriarches St. Bernard meditating on this subject, (a) Divus Bernard. in Sententijs Quater luctatus est Jacob, in utero cum Esavo, in Adolescentia cum codem; in Mesopotamia cum Laban, in Bethel cum Angelo. saith, That the Patriarch Jacob was for many trials and temptations, which did set forth his Faith, Hope, Charity, Humility, Patience, Obedience, and all eminent Virtues and Graces that might beautify his blessed soul. But St. Bernard chief reduceth them to four more remarkable Passages and Re-encounters which the Patriarch suffered, 1 Lucta in utero matris. and succeeded with Victory out of them all. The First was, Lucta in Vtero Matris, a fight or struggling in his Mother Rebecca's womb with his Brother Esau, which caused Rebecca to complain, (b) Gen. 25 22.23. Collide bantur in utero Parvuli. Common Transla. saying, The children struggle with me; and she said, Why am I thus? And she went to inquire of the Lord, and the Lord said unto her, Two Nations are in thy womb, and two manner of People shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one People shall be stronger than the other People, and the elder shall serve the younger. A strange Passage, that Twins could not be quiet in domo Naturae, in Nature's first House; but, being little more than Embryo's, did clash and fight in their Mother's womb. This was certainly Pugna Prophetica, an early fight, Pugna Prophetica. that prophesied and foretold the world, That the Church, as Rebeccah, might have jacob's and Esau's, good men and bad in her womb, Esavites and Israelites, profane persons and pious Votaries; proud Pharisees and penitent Publicans, superstitious Papists, and seditious fanatics, as well as Orthodox Christians at the same time in the Temple. Secondly, (d) Secunda lucta in Domo Patris. the Patriarch Jacob had luctam in domo Patris, a sad trouble and daily grievous vexation in his Father's house, where Esau his Elder Brother expressed nothing, but mischief and malice, wrath and fury, death and destruction towards his younger Brother Jacob, whom Esau first aspersed with contumely and dirty language, (e) Gen. 27.36. Gen. 27.41. calling him a supplanter, and then having wounded his name with a venomous tongue, designed his death with a malicious heart and hand against whose unnatural rage and wrath Obadiah composed chief his Prophecy; saying, (f) Obadiah, v. 10. For thy violence against thy Brother Jacob, shame shall cover thee, and thou shalt be cut off for ever. Thus by God's blessing, and Rebeccahs' Council, Jacob escaped his Brother's fury, and preserved himself alive. (g) Gen. 27.43. It seemeth by Esau's malicious practice (being not only frater, a Brother, but Bimulus a Twin, of the same Conception and Generation) no relation though never so near; can protect an innocent plain person, from the rancour and malice of a malicious, envious, wicked heart. This was jacob's unhappy condition with his unnatural outrageous Brother Esau. The third Trial and trouble that this Patriarch had was (h) Tertia lucta in Domo Servitutis. in Domo Patrui Laban, in his Uncle Laban's house, whither he fled for refuge and Protection from his Brother; fury and malice. But his entertainment there proved (as it appears) rather slavery than security, rather insupportable duress and hardship, than the respects of a Kinsman. Hear Jacob s own words in his sad complaints (i) Gen. 31.38, 39, 41, 42. saying, I what is my Trespass, what is my Sin, that thou so hotly pursuest after me, (k) Gen. 31. (as if a Cheat, a Thief, a Robber), I have been Twenty years in thy house, and thou changest my wages Ten times. The Drought consumed me in the day, and the Frost by night; God hath seen my Affliction and the labour of my hands. Thus was Jacob used by his Uncle Laban; But God delivered him out of his hands, and rescued his Innocency from Laban's unmerciful usage: This was a third extremity and slavery, that Jacob was delivered from by the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac his Father. (l) Gen. 31.42. Hence observe, that kindred and Relations, are but tickle Tenors, and uncertain Comforts, unless Grace and virtue, Piety and goodness, Sanctify and govern the Affections and hearts of the nearest Relations. And now hear a word of jacob's fourth Contest and Agony, as St. Bernard saith, non solum cum fratre: not only, with his Brother Esau or Uncle Laban, but (which was a higher trial than the other three) Luctatus cum Angelo in Bethel. (m) 4. Lucta cum Angelo in Bethel So Moses Records the story: And Jacob was left alone, and there wrestled a man (n) Gen. 32.24. with him until the break of the day, which happy meeting in the Field, was ordained by God himself, who sent (o) i e. Deus, forma hominis. his Angels first as Harbingers to meet Jacob, as his Comforters and Conductors: and when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God's host (p) Gen. 32.1. and he called the name of that place Mahanaim. Thus God protecteth his servants by ministering spirits (q) Mahanaim. i e. Two hosts. Heb. 1.14. as he promiseth; They shall give his Angels charge over thee to keep thee in all thy ways. But this is not all, God hath more honour, favour, and comfort, for Jacob, than the presence or company of Angels. For the Patriarch returning by God's command into his (r) Psal. 91.11. own Country, after Twenty years' exile, servitude, and slavery, and being to reencounter with the rage and fury of a malicious enemy, his unnatural brother Esau, who was advancing with a party of Four hundred men, resolved to kill and destroy the Patriarch with his Wives and Children, with all his innocent and unarmed Company; (s) Gen. 31.3, 13. In this distress, Jacob was greatly afraid, (t) Gen. 32.11. his fears increased, and his heart did tremble. In this his sadness of his soul, he hath no hopes but in God, no means but Prayer, no shield but Faith. And therefore in this great Trial, he maketh his Addresses to the God of Abraham, and to the God of Isaac, saying, (u) Gen. 32.7. Deliver me O God, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau, for I fear him, lest he will come and smite me, with the mother and the children. In his Prayer, he likewise remembreth God of his grace and promise; (x) Gen. 32.12. Thou sayest, I will surely do thee good, and make thy seed as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude. God heard his Prayer, and made good his promise, by appeasing Esau's fury, and preserving his servant Jacob; and to ascertain and evidence his Truth, God is pleased to wrestle with him, to try his servant Jacob's strength by Faith, to keep company all night with his devotion, to yield a Victory, by giving a Benediction, and to crown Jacob's Conquest with a Title of Honour to all Ages: (y) Transfertur Enoch, eligitur No, vocatur Abraham, diligitur Isaac, Jacob Deum fancy ad faciem contemplatur, D. Bern. serm. de sancto, Joh. Baptistâ pag. 1683. God himself, as the Fountain of all Honour, saying, (z) Gen. 32.28. Thy Name shall be no more called Jacob, but Israel; for as a Prince hast thou power with God, and with men, and hast prevailed. Thus was Jacob tried, thus was Jacob honoured, preserved, and (a) Heb. 2.20. blessed. This was the Fourth, and most solemn Touchstone and taste of Jacob's patience and obedience; his faith and devotion, his humility and honour; by which Meditation see and know, that dangers and distresses are the Trials of Faith in God's servants. Fear and troubles make good men fly to their Prayers, and Prayers and fervent Devotion prevail with God for preservation and deliverances. I have now done with Jacob's Four several Trials or Wrestle, and so quit any further Discourse of Opifex, Opifex, Fundator Jacob. 2. Part. Opus. the Founder or Builder, in the Text, and so shall lead you to take a View of Opus, or Aedificium, his sacred Work or Edifice, He built an Altar. As affliction and distress caused Jacob to fly to his Prayers, and Prayers and Devotion procured deliverance from God: so in obedience and thankfulness, deliverance from danger, accompanied with advancement to Honours, work on the Patriarches noble mind, to be visibly devout, and to evidence his Faith by good works. The Patriarch is not only content to make Vows, Altar monumentum gratitudinis. but he falls a building a pious pillar, in monumentum gratitudinis, as a lasting Monument of his devotion and gratitude. Struxit Altar, (b) Struxit Altar. He built an Altar, which was the first way and mode of God's visible Worship on earth since the world was created. Thus was Adam (c) Rabbi Solomon. as the Jews and Rabbins taught) directed with a Choir of Angels to serve God in Paradise: And thus Adam, (d) D. Ambros. de l Cain & Abe as the Fathers say, instructed and enjoined his two sons, Cain and Abel, to bring their Offerings, and to worship at the Altar. (e) Gen. 4 3, 4. According to this example, Noah built an altar, and offered Burnt-offerings on the altar; and the Lord smelled a sweet savour from those oblations. (f) Gen. 8.20, 21. Thus Abraham built an Altar at Sichem, in the Plain of Moreh (g) Gen. 12.7. when in his Travels, and in a strange Country, he was delivered from the Canaanite. Thus Isaac built an Altar in Beersheba, when he was delivered from the Philistines, (h) Gen. 26.17, 25. and the contentious spirits of Gerar, And thus Jacob, that he might make out Patrium coluisse Deum, that he did worship the God of his Fathers, and in imitation of these pious Precedents, struxit Altar, he built an Altar, where he might worship God, and offer up holy Oblations; which piece of structure you may the better judge of, if you please to take a view of it in its matter, 1. Materia Altaris. 2. forma Altaris. 3. usus, finis. Altaris. , form, or figure; or else in its use and end. First for the matter, ex quâ, of which the Altar may be composed or made; I find it various and indifferent, whether made of earth, of stone, of wood, of brass, or gold: The Scripture mentions all these kinds, lest there should be exception at any, God looking more exactly at the affections and heart of a devout Founder and Benefactor, than at the work, though never so stately or costly. Thus God commanded Moses, (i) Exod. 20.24. 1. Altar Terreum. rum. saying, Thou shalt make me an Altar of earth, and sacrifice thy Burnt-offerings thereon. In the service of the Tabernacle, God will have Moses to make an Altar (k) Exod. 27.1. 2. Altar ligneum. 3. Altar lapideum. of Shittim wood, more proper and portable for that moving and travelling Tent or Tabernacle. Josiah, who was Princeps militiae, chief Captain and Commander over all the Forces in Israel, and succeeded Moses, in thankfulness for his success and Victories, built an altar of stone, (l) Josua 8.30. and there they offered their Burnt-offerings to the Lord. When the Church was advanced from a Tabernacle to a Temple in King Solomon's happy Reign, that Princely Monarch made a stately Altar of Brass, (m) 2 Chro. 41. 1 4. Altar Aeneum. Twenty cubits in length, and Twenty cubits in breadth, a Royal Piece, suitable to the State of that magnificent Temple. Lastly, We read that this noble King in his pious affections, to God's house framed an Altar of pure Gold (n) to Offer sweet Incense, and perfumed odours, up to God Almighty who had advanced him to His Royal Throne and Dignity (o) Materia Exqua. Thus as to the matter, whether the Altars were made of Earth, of Wood, of Stone, of brass, or Gold it was Indifferent and various. (p) Forma & figura Altaris. Secondly, as to due form or figures some were of greater magnitude some of less dimensions; (q) Exod. 27.1. 2. Chro. 4.1. 1. King: 7.48. Some of five, some of twenty Cubits; Some of one Cubit only: Some larger, Some lesser, as God Commanded and Directed. And as God was pleased to give Rules in General for Moses Tabernacle, and Solomon's Temples, so in Particular, God ordered in what form and figure those Altars should be framed, that his service might be the more exactly performed, and, as the Apostle saith, (r) 1. Cor. 14.40. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In God's Church all things might be done decently and in Order. But there is less Concern in the notion of the matter or form of Altars, But the use and end thereof is more Considerable (s) Vsus et Finis Altaris And this Contemplation chief wrought in the Patriarches Soul, who being raised from a Low Condition to a Noble quality, Delivered from servitude, rescued from his Brother's fury, and so many dangers, and being advanced from being a Mean poor Shepherd or servant to the eminent dignity of a Patriarch or Prince; he builds an Altar, ut Deum coleret, that he might adore and worship that Great and good God who had owned him with so many Signal Favours. The use then of building an (t) Th. Aquin. 1.2. Quaes'. 102. Altar is for God's worship and adoration. Now to know how that may be performed, the Schoolmen tell us that as in all other ceremonies of the Temple or the Tabernacle, so in the building of an Altar, there is ratio or Status Literalis and Figuralis: A literal and figural sense or meaning. The literal sense of the Altar was the visible work, (u) Altar Significat Christum. 1.2. Quaes'. 102. Altar significat Crucem Christi 3 q. 83.1.2. Heb. 9.28. Heb. 10.10. the figural or mystical was typified or signified by it. In the literal sense the Altar was the Place where the sacrifice was burnt and the Incense offered. In the figural or mystical sense, the Altar, the Incense, the sacrifice, did foretell Christ on the Cross who was a Sacrifice, died for our Sins, and did offer us the Incense of his Devotion for the salvation of our souls. Give me leave to use another distinction to the use of Altars; which were either Primitive and Patriarchal before the Law, Altar. 1. Patriarchale. 2. Legale. 3. Evangelicum. or Legal and Levitical under the law, or else Spiritual and Evangelical under the Gospel. By the first the Patriarches, by the second the Jews or Israelites, by the third the Christians were taught to adore and worship God. This Altar in the Text was of the first kind, Altar Incensi. Altar Thymiamatis. Exod. 30.10. Revel. 8.3, 4, 5. Revel. 7.14. Sacrificia laudis, fidei, confessionis, wherein Jacob, to evidence his Devotion, his thankfulness, his zeal, his piety, builds his Altar, to adore and worship God. And as the Patriarches and Jews had their Altaria, holocausta, & oblationes: Altars, burnt-offerings, and oblations: so the Christians have their Altars or holy Tables, and their Sacrificia Spiritualia (nempe, laudis, fidei, confessionis, charitatis: charitatis: August. Marlorat. de scriptura. Situs Ecclesiae versùs Orientem. ) Spiritual Sacrifices are offered wherewith Christians adore and worship God. And as Piety and Devotion first built Churches; so a Religious and holy Prudence gave those Church their figure, their forms, and situations, directing those sacred buildings to be East and West, their Isles or Doors to be North and South (in formam & memoriam Domini, extensis brachijs, in crucem fixi) in some Resemblance presenting our blessed Saviour nailed on the Cross, and these Churches the Primitive Fathers took care should be furnished with Fonts for Baptism; with Pulpits for Instruction; with Altars or Holy Tables for the Blessed Eucharist and Holy Devotion. 1. Baptisterium. The Baptisterium or Front was scited at the West end or Entrance of the Church, where the Christians were baptised and matriculated into Christianity. The Suggestum or Pulpit, 2. Suggestum. was in medio Ecclesiae, where the Christians might be better instructed with God's Will and Word. The Altar or Holy Table, 3. Altar. was seated in the East End of the Church, for more eminent service in God's Worship. Here the Church our Mother, teacheth the Clergy to read God's Commandments, 1. Decem Praecepta. as Aaron and his sons at the Altar or Holy Table, to instruct the People in their Obedience and Duty towards God, and towards man. Here the Priest is obliged to read the glad tidings of salvation choicely wrapped up in the Epistles and Gospels of the Day. 2. Epistola & Evangelium. Here is said or sung the famous Nicene Creed, 3. Nicenum Symbolum, Anno salutis 320. Magdeburgens. Cent. 4â folio 617. Rubric. The Prayer of Consecrat. Lit. General Confession. composed by the Three hundred and eighteen Bishops in that Council, called by Constantine the Great, to vindicate the Truth of our Saviour Eternal Godhead, and to suppress the venom and poison of the Arian Heresy. Upon the Altar or holy Table the Church commands the consecration of the Host and Blessed Eucharist; Here the Priest and People make general Confession of their sins; Here the Bishop, or Priest, pronounceth the absolution of sins; Here the worthy Receivers take and participate, by a lively Faith, Church Catechism. the real Presence of the Body and Blood of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament, to their eternal comfort; Here the Saints chant and sing the Angel's Song, saying, Gloria in excelsis, Glory be to God on high, on earth peace, Luke 2.14. good will towards men; and hence in the Close, the Bishop and Priest dismisseth the Holy Communicants with the Blessing of the Peace of God. Rubric for the Blessing. Thus the Church our Mother sets forth the use of The Altar or Holy Table. And besides this Practice of Piety and Devotion, it is most observable that Christian Emperors, Kings, and Sovereign Princes receive their (s) Regalia ab Altari. Regalia, their Royal Diadems, their Imperial Crowns, their Swords, their Sceptres, from God's Altars. Here they are anointed with Holy Oil, and invested with Royal Robes. Here they receive the blessed Sacrament as a pledge of their Piety, and take Sacred Oaths to defend God's Church, and their Subjects, according to Law and Justice. Spiritualia Cleri ab Altari. And as Sovereign Christians Princes are thus honoured, and thus honour God's Altars; so Christian Praelates, Bishops, Priests, and Deacons, here receive the Imposition of Hands at their Consecration and Ordination, when they make those Sacred Protestations and Promises before God's Altar to perform the Duties of their High and Holy Calling. And as Kings, and Priests, so the choicest of the Peers and Nobles in the famous order of the Knights of the Garter, Insignia Equitum Auratorum ab Altari. entertain the honour of their installation from God's Altar; whence they receive their Insignia, those Royal marks of their Princes Trust and Favour, (t) Edvardus III. ut militarem virtatem honoribus decorar et nobilissimam conscripsit Equitum Auratorum Societatem. Camden. Britanniâ. and the undoubted evidences of their own worth, fidelity, and merits. Here the married couple make their vows to keep that holy state and the bed undefiled, and hence they have the blessing; and Lastly the holy Altar is adorned with the book of God (as the Ark that kept the Oracles) (u) Rom. 9.4. Sacramentum super Evangelium Opus Altar. The blessed Evangels, on which Sacred piece the People are admitted to lay their hands, to kiss with their mouths, as a Sacred obligation to utter truth, and to decide all differences in Dispute or Controversy. Thus the Church our Mother, and Religion her Daughter, hath taught us the use of an Evangelical Altar. I have done with jacob's building an Altar; and come to speak of Locus, the place, where the Patriarch made choice to build, Ibi, There, that is at Bethel. 3. Parte Locus. Bethel. Now Bethel was a City of the Tribe of Benjamin (x) Josua. 18.13. on the Southward betwixt Jordan and Jericho, anciently called Luz; here Jacob in his Travels, flying to save his life was benighted, and lighted on a certain place, and tarried there all night. (y) Gen. 28.11, 12. custodes Angeli. consolator Deus. He took the stones of the place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in the place to sleep, and he dreamt and behold a ladder set on the earth, and the top of it reached Heaven, and behold the Angel of God ascending and descending on it: And behold the Lord stood about it and said, I am the Lord God of thy Father Abraham, and the God of Isaac: The land whereon thou liest to thee will I give it and to thy seed. And in thy seed (z) Gen. 12.3, 18, 18, 22, 18, 26, 4. shall all the Nations of the Earth be blessed. (a) Gen. 28.15. Behold I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest. These were such solemn promises of grace and favour, as the like were never to be Paralleled. And as God was infinitely gracious to Jacob, so the Patriarch to his power will be dutiful, grateful and obsequious. For as soon as Jacob awaketh out of sleep (b) Gen. he expresseth his faith, his hope, his charity: his faith saying, surely the Lord is in this place, and I knew it not. Secondly his hope, both admiring and adoring, when he said, (c) Gen. 28.17. Domus Dei Porta Caeli. This is none other but the House of God, and gate of Heaven.;;; Thirdly his charity, love and zeal to God's honour: (d) Gen. 28.18, 19 for he risen up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillow, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil on the top of it, i.e. Domus Dei. and he called the name of that place (e) Gen, 28.19. Bethel when Jacob had erected his pillar he made his vow, saying, If God will be with me and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat and raiment to put on, so that I come again to my Father's house in peace; then shall the Lord be my God, Gen. 28.20.21, 22. and this stone which I have set for a pillar shall be God's house, and of all that thou shalt give me, surely I will give the tenth unto thee. Thus you have seen the Patriarch's Devotion, and heard his own reasons why he made choice to build his Altar at Bethel: yet here further it was not only a place of jacob's choice, but likewise the Altar was built there by God's Command. Thus Moses records the sacred story: God said unto Jacob, arise, go up to Bethel, Gen. 35.1. and dwell there, and make there an Altar unto God, that appeared unto thee when thou fleddest from the face of Esau thy Brother. It is then likely to be a good work, a blessed piece, when Gods command, and Man's affection agree in God's worship and service, when God directeth, and Man obeyeth in the building of an Altar, a Tabernacle, a Table, a Church, a Synagogue. And except the Lord bless the (f) Psal. 127.1.2. house, the bvilders build in vain. Such a house may prove not the house of God, but a Synagogue of Satan, not a Bethel, but a Bethaven. See then the safest way for sacred structures, is, Domus Vanitatis. when God commandeth, and man then obeyeth; And yet see the Patriarches Wisdom, and Pious pause; he will not build an Altar at Bethel, but with Counsel & consultations. Holy Buildings, and sacred things, are not to be attempted by rash heads, or rude hands. Psal. 26.6. This was King David's course, saying, I will wash my hands in innocency, so will I go to thine altar, O Lord, as not fit for holy approaches, with either hollow hearts, or polluted hands. And as innocency was the Patriarch's Cordial, Psal. 122. 1. so holy Society was his comfort; and therefore King David, seemeth to rejoice at the very hopes of building an Altar for God's Service; and the good man will have his whole Household share with him in the Blessing of his Devotion. And therefore Jacob saith unto his Household, Gen. 35.2.3. and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are amongst you, and be clean, and change your garments, and let us arise and go up to Bethel, and I will build there an altar unto God, Bethel. who was with me in the day of my distress, Gen. 35.3. and was mith me in the way that I went. Altars or Churches may have many Benefactors, but Jacob will be the sole Founder of his Altar, built at Bethel; yet see the blessed effects of a religious motion, one may build, but many may have the Blessing in this case. See the Patriarch's hastiness, and God's glory, in this sacred progress; it was no sooner moved, that God's Altar should be built, but presently Jacob's Household, and all that were with him, Gen. 35.4. gave unto Jacob all the strange gods that were in their hands, and all the earrings that were in their ears, to manifest their bounty and delight towards the Beauty of Holiness; and, if the Patriarch will build an altar at Bethel, his Household resolve with their gold and silver, with their most precious jewels, to adorn and beautify that holy structure. Thus Jacob's altar, and Mose's Tabernacle, and Solomon's Temple, went up, and were made and beautified with several Offerings. Exod. 25.2. Thus without murmuring or repining, presentment or complaint, Exod. 35.5. Jacob and his Neighbours, or Israel and his Household, built and beautified the altar at Bethel. It is observable also, how the people proceeded with the Patriarch; Gen. 35.3.4. for he persuadeth, and they obey: he saith, Let us arise, and go to Bethel, and I will make there an Altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went. Inaures quae erant in autibus eorum dicatas scilicet alicui fictitio numini Hu Grot. in loc. And they gave unto Jacob all the strange Gods in their hands, and the earrings which were in their ears, and the disposing of these Gods, and jewels, gold and silver. which is observable of equal consequence. Gen. 35.4. And Jacob hide them under the Oak, which was by Sichem. Under the Oak; God, when he pleaseth, can order, that foolish things shall confound the wise; and weak things shall confound the mighty; 1. Cor. 1.28. and things which are not, shall bring to nought things that are. Thus God can prepare a Cave at Adullam, 1. Sam. 22.1. to secure his servant David from the fury of Saul; A cloven in the rock for his Prophet Elijah, to preserve him from the rage and wrath of Ahab, 1. Kings 19.14. and and cursed Jezabel. God can provide an Ark of wood for righteous Noah, and a fish for his servant Jonah, to preserve them from the dangers of the deep, Gen. 7.1. and swelling of the waves. Jonah. 1.17. And thus God can (when he pleaseth) make a Tree in the Woods, a Royal Dak, a Court, a Castle to defend Sovereignty from death, disgrace, or danger, when Navies have revolted, and Armies have been routed, and the arms of flesh have failed and fainted. Thus Jacob shown both his resolution and reason, when he erected his altar at Bethel; It is likewise of high concernment, that we take notice of the Patriarches Devotion or Dedication as well as of the Erection and Building of his Altar, which he calleth, El-Bethel, that is, the God of Bethel; or rather, the God of God's house. Gen. 28.19. God did here appear to Jacob in his danger, and therefore Jacob will here more remarkably appear before God in his Devotion and Dedication; and not only build an Altar, but likewise give it a name and title of honour and distinction, to God's glory; he calleth it El-Bethel, the God of Bethel: In these early and primitive times the Patriarch would have the God of Heaven to have an house on Earth, at least an Altar for his sacred worship and service. God is the God of order, and not the Author of Confusion: and while Pride and Carnal humours endeavour to build Towers towards Heaven; which prove a Babel: Gen. 2.9. the pious Patriarch will teach the World a lesson of more humble and clear Devotion, and builds an Altar, and dedicates it to his Maker and Preserver, and calls it El-Bethel, the God of God's house. It was the sad complaint of Elijah, 1. King. 910 against the Sacrilegious Murderers of that Age: Rom. 2.3. That they had thrown down God's Altars, and slain the Prophets with the sword; but the Patriarch, in the Text gives the world a better example, he builds an Altar at Bethel, and devotes it to Almighty God; and at Shalem where he pitched his Tent, he erected there an Altar, Gen. 33.18.20. and called it El-Elohe-Israel, That is, God the God of Israel; that is, jacob's God. Now as God is well pleased with holy and humble Devotion; Moneantur interim miseri, ut si obtemperare nolint praeceptis salutaribus, saltem Sacrilegis sua non defendant ne majori se scelere implicent. D. Aug. Epist. 53. Isay 5.6.7. Jere: 7.11. Mat: 21 14. Mark: 11.17 Luk: 19 46. so is he displease with no sins more than Sacrilege, or rude Profaneness, which is calcitratio, a kind of kicking at God's honour, and a Robbing of his glory, Christ could not endure it at his Visitation, taunting the Prophaners in the Temple with a sharp truth, and saying, It is written my house shall be called the house of Prayer, but ye have made it a Den of Thiefs. Thus the Patriarch, as he devoutly builds an Altar, he will have it bear God's name, El-Bethel. I have now done with the Dedication of jacob's Altars, and in the close come to the occasion or cause why he built an Altar; why at Bethel; and why called God's house, Moses hath summed up in brief the Patriarches duty, as well as his devotion; Because God there appeared to him, when he fled from the face of his Brother Esau. In which words see couched, Gen. 35.7. First, his danger; Secondly, his deliverance; Thirdly, his duty or thankfulness: danger in Esau pursuing his Brother Jacob; deliverance from God; who appeared when Jacob fled; Thankfulness in Jacob, who rescued from Esau's fury, builds an Altar as a pledge of Piety and Thankfulness. Thus Noah delivered from being drowned, offered up odour and sweet incense to his preserver, Gen. 8.31: Moses and Israel redeemed from Captivity in Egypt, did observe the Passover, and did compose his Song of Thanksgiving; Exod. 15.1.2. Thus Israel, delivered from Amalech, built an altar, Exo. 17.15. and called it Jehovah Nissi, that is, the Lord my Banner, or, Ensign. It was King David's deliverance from dangers, and his advancement to a Throne, 2 Sam. 22.1. Psal. 18.1. that occasioned his Song of Thanksgiving, when the Lord had delivered him out of the hands of Saul, and of all his Enemies. It was this Duty of Thankfulness, that made this Royal Prophet to prepare Materials to build God's Temple, and made him the Pen of a ready Writer, to compose the Book of Psalms, (*) Sicut Manna habuit delectamentum & omnem saporem suavitatis; sie Carmen Psalmorum omne spirituale documentum. Ludol. in Proaemio Psalmorum. Cùm in choro canitur, verba Ecclesiae Deum laudant is; cùm à just is, verba Deum jaudantis; cùm à peccatoribus, verba veniam deprecantis, Idem Ludo. which, when they are sung in the Choir, are the Voice of the Church honouring God; when by any righteous person, are the words of one praising God; and if a sinner chant the holy Hymns, they are the voice of a poor Penitent, craving mercy and pardon for their transgressions. From these pious Examples of the Patriarches and Prophets, many blessed Christians have taken great encouragement to be Founders and Benefactors to the Christian Churches. Constantine the Great was a Primitive and early Patron for the founding, endowing, and building, of Churches for the (*) Eusebius. Cambden. Brit. pa. 270. Christian Religion. But if we look nearer home, we may find how God hath inclined the hearts of Gracious Princes, pious Prelates, and other good Christians, to build Churches, to found Schools and Colleges, for the encouragement of the Christian Faith, and advancement of Learning. Our own Annals and Histories tell us, That Sebertus, King of the East Saxons, first recovered the Church of Westminster, being then Delubrum Apollinis, to be a Christian Temple, and dedicated to the honour, name, and memory, of the Apostle St. Peter; and that of Diana's, to St. Paul. King Edward the Confessor improved this Act of Christian Pietty, and made choice of that Church (*) Eduardus Rex, cognomento Confesior, sibi in sepulturam construxit, & ex decimis omnium suorum redituum ex integro, & patrimoniis totâ Angliâ dispersis, ditavit. Guil. Camden. Brit. p. 270. for the Royal Sepulture of himself and Successors, endowing it yearly with the Tenths of all his Royal Revenues, and with ample Patrimonies in many Parts of England. This Church and Fabric was enlarged (*) Hanc Eduardi fabricam subvertit Henricus Tertius, novamque Ecclesiam speciosâ structurâ exaedificavit. Cam. Brit. p. 271. and beautified by King Henry the Third; and these Examples were so effectual, that the Word of God grew and multiplied (a) Act. 12.24. exceedingly. cathedrals, and Churches, and Chapels, were built, endowed, and dedicated, not on the Doctrine and blind Delusions of Popish Merits, but out of pure Devotion to God's Honour; and out of Duty and Thankfulness for great Deliverance out of imminent dangers. Thus our own Histories tell us of that immortal Prince, Cùm Galliam suis victoriis permensus esset. Camd. Brit. pag. 271. King Edward the Third, (*) That he founded a Royal Chapel near Westminster, and dedicated it to the name and honour of St. Stephen, in a devout and humble thankfulness for so many Victories, and his liberation from so many dangers, when he had Wars with France. This Noble Monarch having at the same time John the French King, and David the Scotch King his Prisoners at Windsor, in honour and thankfulness to Almighty God, built the Chapel at Windsor, and devoted that sacred Structure to the Honour of Sr. George, and the blessed Virgin Mary, for the better encouragement of Christian Piety, and truly Heroic Valour: (*) virtutem militarem honoribus, praemiis, & splendore, decoraret. Idem pag. 198. And as King David prepared rich Materials, and King Solomon built and finished the stately Temple at Jerusalem: So King Edward the Third first built the Royal Chapel; and King Edward the Fourth beautified and adorned that Princely Piece. In the like Devotion, King Henry the Sixth founded Kings College in Cambridge, and his Royal Consort Queen's College. Henry the Seventh after his Victory at Bosworth-field, marched up to London, and with the Usurpers Colours taken in the Battle, and devoted them in St. Pauls-Church, in thankfulness to God for his and the Kingdom's deliverance from Richard the Thirds Usurpation; and his success, did not puff up his Princely Soul, but, increased his Devotion, which occasioned him to build his Royal Chapel at Westminster, dedicated to the name and memory of the blessed Virgin Mary, which Leland calls Miraculum Mundi the wonder of the World. Henry the Eighth, manger the malice of Popish mouths, founded and settled the four Bishoprics of Oxford, Chester, Gloucester, and Peterborough; and Trinity Golledge in Cambridge, and Christ-Church in Oxford, record the bounty of that famous Prince and Patron of learning. King Edward the Sixth and Queen Elizabeth, were noble founders of Schools and Hospitals. King James was the Restorer of the Bishoprics in Scotland, the preserver of them in England, and a Benefactor to many in Ireland. King Charles the First was not only a Patron in his prosperity, but in his blacker days a Confessor, and in the end a Martyr, for his Crown, the Church, and the Laws. His Majesty when he was restored to his Crown, God did assist him to restore the Bishops to their Sees, and the Churchmen to their Cures in England, Scotland and Ireland, and it was his piety and Royal bounty to design Augmentations to poor Bishoprics, Impropriations and Glebe-lands to poor Vicaridges, and a King's College to the City of Dublin, for the better Improvement of Learning and Religion. But his Majesty's Royal design was disappointed by an unhappy event. And now sa Pious Princes have been Gracious and kind to God's Church; So Religious and holy Bishops have been happy examples in their works of Piety, witness the first College in Cambridge founded and built by Hugo Balsam Bishop of Ely, and dedicated to St. Peter (*) Primum Collegium Sancti petri Domus vocatur, quòd Hugo Balsam Episcopus Eliensis extruxit, Anno 1280. Merton College in Oxford, one of the most Ancient of all in that University, founded by Gualther Merton then Bishop of Rochester. And, as Princes and Praelates, so many others most noble and godly worthies have been Patrons, founders, and Benefactors, to Learning and God's Church; others as Pious Christian Heroes, have in their prosperity been Professors, in their adversity have been Confessors, and at their death Martyrs to assert and vindicate their zeal and love to God's Church, the King's Crown, and the Kingdoms Laws. I have thus opened the Text, and shown jacob's danger, his deliverance and his duty, or Thankfulness; Remember that those who brought Purple, blue, or linen, for the Tabernacle were acceptable. The widow's mite was entertained, and good meaning towards God's Church. Now to God the Father, etc. be all Honour and Glory. Amen, Amen. FINIS.